478-227-7126
APRIL 28, 2017
Tifton, Georgia
A Service
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Marketing
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TIFT JOBLESS RATE
DROPS BELOW 5 PERCENT
LOCAL EFFORTS ARE WORKING, SAYS CHAMBER/DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Tift County's unemployment rate has dipped below 5 percent -- to 4.9 percent -- for the first time in years, as Georgia's jobless
rate also drops to 5.1 percent in
March, the lowest since December 2007 before the
recession hit full force with
mass job layoffs.
The decline in Tift unemployment rates show that local efforts are having a positive effect, says Brian Marlowe,
president and CEO of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Tift County Development Authority.
"Through the efforts of the Tift County Development Authority, the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce and our local leadership team, we continue to recruit quality new companies to our community while fostering a business-friendly environment where our existing companies can expand and create new jobs. The results of our economic development efforts are reflected in the steady decline in our unemployment rate over the last six years," Marlowe told the Tifton Grapevine on Thursday.
"We continue to remain bullish on our local economy and the potential for new jobs for our community," Marlowe said.
The March figures show that, statewide, "more than 19,000 people become employed, and Georgia employers continued to create jobs," said State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. "While the monthly job growth was stronger than our three-year average for March, our over-the-year job growth of 131,000 is the best for this period since 2000."
Among local counties, Worth had a 5.1 percent jobless rate in
March; Turner, 6 percent; Irwin, 7.3 percent; and Ben Hill County, 7.6 percent, according to the labor department.
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ARTS IN BLACK FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 31st YEAR
TALENT SHOW TONIGHT; ALL-DAY FESTIVAL SATURDAY
The
Arts in Black Festival, begun in
1986 as an African-American celebration of
heritage and
art, kicks off its
31st year at
7 p.m. today (
Friday, April 28) with its annual
talent show at the
Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts.
The festival then moves to Fulwood Park on Saturday for a full day of live music, dance, arts and crafts, food and kids' activities. Saturday's activities go from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Entertainment includes the Live 5 Band, the Southern Soul Band, the V-Town Connection,
Carolyn Ellis School of Dance and "Felicia Howard the Soulful Singer."
This year's festival theme is "The Journey: Embracing Our Treasures Past, Present and Future."
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SATURDAY IS 'HEALTHY KIDS DAY'
AT TIFTAREA YMCA
 "Healthy Kids Day," a free event for kids of all ages in
Tift County, is
Saturday from
10 a.m.-noon at the
Tiftarea YMCA's Hunt Park campus off
Westover Road.
During the event, all kids may
swim in the
pool for free, play
slip-n-slide kickball, enjoy
healthy snacks and learn life-saving
water saftey skills.
The Tiftarea Y has also been approved for a Y-USA swimming grant for free swimming lessons to 100 underserved local children between the ages of four and 14.
F
or information about Healthy Kids Day or swimming lessons, call
229-391-9622
or visit
www.tiftareaymca.org
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'DANCING STARS' TO SPARKLE
AT UGA CONFERENCE CENTER
"Dancing Stars of South Georgia" will pair 10 South Georgia "stars" with professional dancers for a dance competition Saturday night,
April 29, to raise money for the Georgia chapter of the
Alzheimer's Association
.
Supporters of each dancer may vote online by donating $1 per vote
to the Alzheimer's
Association. The event at the
UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center
, which
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begins at 6 p.m., will award
winners for
their dance routines as well as for the dancer who r
eceives the most monetary votes.
Dancing "Stars" include: Lindy Bengston, real estate agent with Century 21, Smith Branch & Pope in Tifton; Dr. Bill Buntin of Albany, retired pediatrician
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COWART
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and anesthesiologist; Melody Cowart, sales director, Williams Investments in Tifton; Tifton Vice Mayor Wes Ehlers; Blonese Johnson, Cook County Medical and Tifton Regional Medical Center.
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WISHAM
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Also Griffin Martin, physical therapy aide and student in Tifton; Terri
Martin,
administrative assistant to Dr. William Guest in Tifton; Jennifer Spring, dental
hygienist with Longleaf Dental in
Albany
;
Eric
Wisham
, owner of Wisham Jellies in
Tifton
,
and
Neil Clements
, business management chairman, Southern Regional Technical College in
Thomasville
.
Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce Chairman
Tyron Spearman and WALB-TV anchor
Karla Heath-Sands will emcee the event.
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ABAC NURSING ENDOWMENT HONORS
LATE NURSING STUDENT
The
School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the family of
Lisa Purvis Allison have established the
Lisa Purvis Allison Spirit of Nursing Endowment.
"
Scholarship support is critical for so many of the students in
ABAC's nursing program," said
Troy Spicer, dean of
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Lisa Purvis Allison's family includes, from left, her father Virgil Purvis, sister Brenda Boazman, son Brady Allison, mother Hazel Purvis, daughter Heather Allison and ABAC Nursing faculty member Becky Arnold, who helped raise funds for the scholarship.
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the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. "We were very honored that Lisa's family made the decision to honor her
memory
and love of the
nursing
profession in this special way."
The Lisa Purvis Allison Spirit of Nursing Award is named in honor of Lisa Purvis Allison who began her studies in the ABAC nursing program as a single parent of two children following the accidental death of her husband. While completing the last year of the program, she was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Spicer said
Allison was an
outstanding student who personified the
caring and
compassionate nature of nursing. Upon graduation, she successfully passed her
state board exam and was
licensed as a
registered nurse. She lost her battle with
cancer shortly after
graduation.
The
scholarship will be awarded twice each year. Potential recipients are nominated by the nursing faculty and must possess the qualities of care, compassion and dedication to the
nursing profession.
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TIFT COUNTY 'RELAYS' FOR LIFE
Tommy Treadway, left, and
Evelyn Folds
leads the survivors' lap at
Tift County's Relay for Life
last
Friday
at the E.B. Hamilton Compex in
Tifton
. Hundreds of local
residents
came out for the
annual fundraiser of the
American Cancer Society.
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COLLEGE NAMES PROVOST/VP
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Dr. Jerry Baker has been named the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. ABAC President David Bridges said the appointment is effective July 1.
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BAKER
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Dr. Gail Dillard, interim vice president of academic affairs since 2014, plans to retire June 30.
"I feel very honored and blessed to have this new opportunity," Baker said. "Dr. Dillard's leadership for the past three years has positioned ABAC for continued growth in enrollment because of refinements to our programs. There's no question that the quality of our students and our faculty has significantly improved since the initiation of bachelor's degrees to our curriculum.
I really believe that our curriculum continues to improve each year."
Baker joined the ABAC administration in 2014 when he was named the dean of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He previously was the chief executive officer and executive director of Sigma Xi -- The Scientific Research Society, an international honor society for scientists and engineers.
Baker also served as publisher of the Sigma Xi American Scientist Magazine. His previous academic experience includes 13 years as a faculty member in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia. From 1990-2003, Baker was an assistant professor, an associate professor and then research, extension and instruction coordinator for animal and dairy science at the UGA Tifton campus.
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FIFTH ANNUAL BIG LITTLE RIVER
PADDLE RACE LAUNCHES SATURDAY
The fifth annual BIG Little River Paddle Race, a fundraiser for WWALS and Friends of Reed Bingham, will be
Saturday, April 29.
The WWALS Watershed Coalition advocates for conservation and stewardship of the "Withlacoochee, Willacoochee, Alapaha, Little, and Suwannee River " watersheds in South Georgia and North Florida.
The paddle race has registration between 8-9 a.m., and a mass start at 9:30 a.m. at Red Roberts Landing off
Rountree Bridge Road between Moultrie and Adel -- take I-75 Exit 41 (at Sparks) to Rountree Bridge Road.
Canoes or
kayaks only are allowed, and life jackets are required of all participants.
A grilling lunch and silent auction are held after the race.
Last year there were
34 paddlers at the event, which follows a scenic three-mile, downstream stretch of the Little River.
Bring your own boat or rent one from
Reed Bingham State Park
(advance reservations recommended). prizes will be awarded.
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TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
RIBBON CUTTING
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
508 W. 7th
St.
Tifton
April 26
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Miss Rita's School Mobile
This Summer, Take Only Six Weeks to a Better Grade!
Private Tutoring - 401 N. Ridge Ave., Tifton
CALL OR TEXT
941-313-0614
to REGISTER
NOW
FOR SESSIONS BEGINNING
JUNE 12 - JULY 21
Miss Rita will be in Tifton
on Tuesday, May 30
Call or Text to Register and
Make an Appointment
to see Miss Rita for Student Testing and to Obtain Materials
Patience * Persistence
GA & FL Certified Reading Specialist
References available upon request
Pool party on June 24
for registered students
& families
at Tift County Rec Pool!
Miss Rita's Tutor Room has been operating in Manatee and Sarasota counties in Florida for the past 40-plus years.
She brings to Tifton her teaching talents as a Reading Specialist through Miss Rita's School Mobile, and is eager to build a strong foundation in the youths who are struggling readers.
Other areas of expertise include math, language arts and violin.
Serving the Tiftarea since 2009
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TCHS STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT CALCULUS THROUGH MUSICAL THEATER
"Calculus: The Musical," a comic "review" of the concepts and history of calculus, had a performance Thursday at Tift County High School's Performing Arts Center.
This is the 10th anniversary of the musical that was originally created by Matheatre and has toured the country's high schools and colleges. Thursday's event was funded through the
Sara Gibbs Math Chair endowment of the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence.
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SRTC, MERCER ALLOWING NURSING STUDENTS
TO TRANSFER BETWEEN SCHOOLS
Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) and Mercer University recently finalized an agreement allowing nursing students to seamlessly transfer between the two schools.
The agreement, which has been in process since late last year, serves to strengthen the academic bond between the Technical College System of Georgia and the state's private universities.
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WENTWORTH
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"
Southern Regional Technical College is pleased to continue and expand our partnership and collaboration with
Mercer University. The offering of our associate of science degree in nursing and subsequent articulation to Mercer University's baccalaureate of nursing degree will result in even more options for our graduates to continue their
higher education, to further and expand their occupational possibilities and careers and possibly assist in enrollment increases for Mercer," said SRTC President
Craig Wentworth.
As outlined by the agreement, students who choose to transfer from a technical college to a senior college to earn a bachelor's degree should be provided with a smooth curriculum transition that minimizes loss of credit and duplication of coursework. Therefore, the two schools drafted the agreement that will allow any student who has successfully completed the associate of science in nursing at SRTC and to transfer directly into the bachelor of nursing program in the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University.
Transfer students must complete all of Mercer's general education requirements that have not been satisfied in the articulation agreement and will only be allowed to transfer courses in which they have earned a letter grade of "C" or better.
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YOUR WEEKEND
.
..at a Glance
FRIDAY, APRIL 28
- "Les Misérables," 6 p.m., Tift County High Performing Arts Center, Tifton
- Arts In Black Talent Show, 7 p.m, Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Tifton
- Shredding & E-cycling Event, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Police Department, Tifton
- Wiregrass Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-Noon, Ga. Museum of Agriculture, Tifton
- BIG Little River Paddle Race, 9:30 a.m., Red Roberts Landing, Reed Bingham State Park
- Healthy Kids Day, 10 a.m.-Noon, Tiftarea YMCA swimming pool on Hunt Campus, Westover Road, Tifton
- Arts in Black Festival, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Fulwood Park, Tifton
- "Les Misérables," 6 p.m., Tift County High Performing Arts Center, Tifton
- International Food Festival, 6-9 p.m., Our Divine Saviour Catholic Church, 12th Street & Love Avenue, Tifton
- Dancing Stars of South Georgia, 6 p.m.-Midnight, UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton
- Veterans Memorial Park Gospel Sing, 7 p.m., Tift Theatre for the Performing Arts, Tifton
SUNDAY, APRIL 30
- "Les Misérables," 3 p.m., Tift County High Performing Arts Center, Tifton
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APRIL 20
Elma Lee Harris Champion, 84, Dougherty County
Nancy McDowell Pettit, 71, Sylvester
Charlotte Burson Jones, 86, Quitman
Joy Brown, 57, Sparks
Olethia G. Luke, 85, Fitzgerald
Mike Carter, 67, Locust Grove
Joel Harry Jackson, 79, Canton
APRIL 21
Ed "Bubba" Howell, 66,
Ashburn
APRIL 22
William Paul "Billy" Johnson Sr., 71, Tifton
Cleo Todd Aldrich Jr., 89, Nashville
John Aubrey Skipper, 63, Nashville
Inez Bell Godwin McDaniel, 95, Quitman
APRIL 23
Barbara Yancey Sumner, 74, Tifton
Francisca Aguero Kester, 75, Tifton
James Marvin Leverett, 75, Tifton
William G. "PeeWee" Dorminey, 82, Adel
APRIL 24
Doyle "Wayne" Cheek, 77, Tifton
Joyce "Lea" Manning Hunnicutt, 71,
Tifton
Marjorie Ruth Hudson, 83, Nashville
John Parrish, 60, Adel
APRIL 25
Keviyatt Dewayne Green, Sycamore
APRIL 27
Inez Surber Walker, 87, Enigma
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SERVING
YOU WITH PROFESSIONALISM
BEFORE, DURING & AFTER THE SALE
67 Chase Circle, Tifton, GA
MLS #
126160
NEW CONSTRUCTION! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,670 square feet; hardwood floors, ceramic tile, spacious living area.
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Dwana Coleman
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Visit Us Online:
Call us TODAY!
229-386-4222
Blue Skies &
Sunshine
Through
Each & Every
Real Estate
Transaction!
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FRANK SAYLES JR.
Editor & Publisher
A Service of
Sayles Unlimited Marketing LLC
478-227-7126
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to the Georgia Department of Labor. Tift County ended 2016 with a 5 percent unemployment rate; ended 2015 with 5.3 percent; and ended 2014 with a jobless rate of 6.6 percent.
