The Georgia Downtown Association (GDA), meeting in Athens this week, presented its "Downtown Excellence-Design" award to Tifton's Union Depot upscale apartments project on Central Avenue near the corner of Second Street.
The nonprofit
GDA works to promote the
economic redevelopment of the
traditional downtown areas in Georgia's cities.
HARPER
Local developer
Harold Harper bought the old
depot building in
2013 and converted it into
16 upscale,
loft-style apartments, each one unique and
ranging in size from 700 square feet to 1,900 square feet. Apartment amenities include custom cabinets, granite counters, hardwood floors, stainless-steel appliances and gated parking. Harper retained much of the original elements of the structure, built in 1916 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The building was built as a depot used by the Central Grocery Co. and sold to a railroad in 1918. Later, the Central Grocery Co. re-acquired the building. Henry Harding Tift, Tifton's founder, was a vice president of the Central Grocery Co. and his descendants sold the property to Harper.
Through the years, the Tift family had subdivided the building into office and retail space, adding partitions. Harper removed the partitions and returned the building to its original state.
Harper also has totally renovated apartments at his "The Avenue" property on Tift Avenue and has purchased two warehouse buildings totaling 80,000 square feet in the Downtown District to develop into another high-end apartment complex with an adjoining restaurant.
For about35 years, Harper has been redeveloping properties downtown, including the Myon Complex, where he created apartments on its third floor.
ABAC TO OFFER NURSING
BACHELOR'S DEGREE
Registered nurses in the
Tiftarea got a shot in the arm
Thursday as
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College President
David Bridges announced that
ABAC will
offer a
bachelor of science degree
in nursing beginning with the
summer term.
"This is like a dream come true for many of our nursing graduates in the area,"
Bridges said. "I think it's great that we are able to make this announcement during the
50th anniversary year of
nursing at
ABAC."
From left:
Dr. Gail Dillard, ABAC vice president for academic affairs; Dawn Johns, vice president for human resources, Colquitt Regional Medical Center; Troy Spicer, dean, ABAC School of Nursing and Health Sciences; Scott Clanton, ABAC nursing student; Carol Smith, vice president for patient care and chief nursing officer, Tift Regional Health Systems; Bill Richardson, Tift Regional Health Systems CEO; Monica Gibbs, ABAC nursing alumnus and registered nurse at Colquitt Regional Medical Center; Tami Dennis, ABAC associate professor of nursing; and Dr. David Bridges, ABAC president.
Troy Spicer, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, said the R.N. to B.S.N. completion program adds depth to one of
ABAC's most popular offerings.
"The changes have been mind-boggling since the
ABAC nursing program began
50 years ago. The advances in health care are just incredible. This school and this program work so very hard to graduate individuals who are ready to take care of their families and their neighbors,"
Spicer said.
"I would bet there is not a single person in
South Georgia who has not been touched by a nurse who graduated from this program. If you have breathed air in the last 50 years in
South Georgia, you or a member of your family have had contact with an
ABAC nursing graduate."
Tami Dennis, associate professor of nursing, helped lead the drafting of the curriculum to secure ABAC's latest bachelor's degree.
"The ABAC nursing faculty designed the program to build on the current knowledge and professional experiences of the practicing R.N.," Dennis said. "The program will have the added feature of a focus and application to the student's existing place of employment.
This focus will benefit both the student and our community partners in providing the best healthcare possible.
Dennis said nursing is the single largest healthcare occupation in Georgia, and the healthcare industry is the state's fourth largest employer.
For information about the program, call 229-391-5020.
Convenient
Apartment Living
in Tifton
Totally Renovated One-Bedroom and
Two-Bedroom Apartments
In a Gated Community with Ample Parking
Includes all Appliances, Washer & Dryer,
Water & Garbage Pickup
All Apartments feature Original
Hardwood Floors, Marble Countertops and Custom-Made Cabinets
1 BR apartment: $650 month
2 BR apartment: $750
Call
229-382-0959
8 a.m.-5 p.m. week days
The Avenue
404 N. Tift Ave.,
Tifton, Ga.
REMEMBERING DR. JOHN DORMINY
John Dorminy III, M.D., is being remembered in
Tifton, Fitzgerald and throughout
South Central Georgia for making an impact as a
physician and
community advocate. He died peacefully in his sleep during the morning of March 8 at age 71.
"Dr.
Dorminy touched many lives throughout his years of service as an obstetrician, gynecologist and
chairman of the
Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation," said
William T. Richardson, president/CEO of
Tift Regional Health System. "Hewas a true
leader in the
medical community and was beloved by his many patients."
Dr. John Dorminy III
Mandy Brooks, executive director of the
Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation, said Dorminy cared deeply about improving the health and wellness of area residents.
"Dr.
Dorminy was a
visionary with dynamic ideas, giving countless hours of his time and resources to the foundation," Brooks said. "He was our biggest contributor and campaigner, developing programs and raising funds that have enriched local health care."
Born on
July 13, 1944,
Dorminy was raised in
Ben Hill County and graduated
high school at the
McCallie School in
Chattanooga, Tenn. He completed his undergraduate degree at
Emory University in
Atlanta and served in the
U.S. Air Force as a hospital administrator in
Cheyenne, Wy. He later earned his medical degree and completed residency training as an obstetrician and gynecologist (
OB/GYN) at
Duke University in
Durham, N.C.
After returning to the area,
Dorminy and fellow OB/GYN physician Dr.
Sammie Dixon were instrumental in forming the
Tift General Hospital Foundation in
1975, now known as the
Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation. Using seed funds from Dorminy's family and the Rankin family, the foundation continues to provide medical equipment donations, hospital building project assistance, patient experience enhancements, medical scholarships and more.
In 1976,
Dorminy formally joined an
OB/GYN practice in Tifton with Drs.
Dixon and
John Dent. For the next
40 years,
Dorminy provided health services for women in
Tifton and
Fitzgerald. This included
delivering babies, performing
gynecologic surgery and tending to primary care needs.
Dorminy served as the
hospital foundation chairman 1994-2015. In
2000, the
Elene Dorminy Women's Pavilion at
Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) was named after his mother. Under Dorminy's direction, the TRMC Foundation provided many resources and enhancements for the hospital and the TRMC Anita Stewart Oncology Center.
He also developed the foundation's
"Heart Safe Community" program, which provides
Automatic External Defibrillators to area schools and organizations as well
12-lead EKG units to area emergency medical services. The
J.H. Dorminy Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance for those pursuing a degree in nursing or allied health.
Dorminy was also known for his
love of
horse breeding as well as
farming for
peanuts, cotton and corn. He is survived by his wife
Katarina; his son
John (Sonny) and wife
Ann; his daughter
Lindy and husband
Dustin; and, son
Charlie and wife
Caroline. He has 12 grandchildren, one great grandchild and another great grandchild on the way.
YOU ARE INVITED!
Tonight ~ Friday, March 11
Great music (a live band) in the bar with Island drink specials!
The party goes on as long as you can hula and limbo ('til midnight, at least!)
Our Island food includes Polynesian Fruit Display ~ Mixed Greens ~ Island Slaw ~ Roasted Pig ~ Grilled Chicken Luau with Spinach and Coconut ~ Beef Teriyaki ~ Fried Rice ~ Stir Fry Vegetables ~ Tropical Bread Display ~ Coconut Cake ~
Key Lime Pie ~ Mandarin Orange Cake
$35 per couple or $20 per person
Serving the Island dinner 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Dance on until....
Reservations
392-2913 or 382-6745
BJ's at Springhill
5 Springhill Drive E. (off U.S. Highway 82)
Tifton, Ga.
ABAC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES AWARDS
BENNIE BRANCH, JUDY PERRY, DONALD GILMANAMONG RECIPIENTS
The
ABAC Alumni Association has announced recipients of its
annual awards, recognizing
alumni of
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College who have had a
significant impact on the college and on their communities.
Several of this year's recipients reside in the
Tiftarea. Among them:
Kelley Manufacturing Co.'s President Bennie Branch of Tifton has been named this year's Outstanding Business Leader. Branch attended ABAC from 1984-1986 and has worked with KMC for more than 25 years. The Branch family has a legacy at ABAC with his wife Dina Hobby Branch graduating in 1990, his son Ben currently attending as a sophomore and
BENNIE BRANCH
daughter Annabelle taking dual enrolled classes. Bennie and Dina are also alumni President Club members.
Judy Perry of Tifton has been named this year's recipient of the Helen Sasser Award, which recognizes an alumnus who successfully balances career, traditional family values and community service. Perry is not only an alumnus but has worked at ABAC for 31 years and plans to retire in June. She has served on the Alumni Association and is a lifetime member, as well as a President's Club member. Being an avid barrel racer, she
JUDY PERRY
helps promote ABAC's rodeo each homecoming.
Donald Gilman of Ashburn will receive the J. Lamar Branch for Outstanding Leadership in Agriculture, based on leadership in a non-farming area. Gilman is an agricultural educator at Lee County High School. He attended ABAC from 1979-1981. He and his wife, Kim, a 1992 graduate of ABAC's nursing program, have a daughter, Heather Gilman Fletcher, who was crowned Miss ABAC 2006 and is now the events coordinator and marketing assistant for the college's Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village.
Alice "Kitty" Ray of Lenox will receive the 2016 Outstanding Health Care Professional Award. Now a part-time clinical instructor at ABAC, Ray graduated from ABAC's nursing program in 1982. She has began her nursing career as a part-time licensed practical nurse with Tift Regional Medical Center. From 1982-1993, she served as a registered nurse at TRMC and joined the ABAC faculty in 1993 as an instructor and assistant professor of nursing.
The
Nugent family from
Alapaha will receive the
Family Legacy Award, recognizing families with five or more members spanning two or more generations who have attended ABAC and made a significant contribution to the college.
The Nugent family has a total of 19 family members who have attended ABAC. Herman Nugent Sr., and his wife, Nell Rose, along with Herman's brother, Kenneth, and his wife, Ella Mae, have grown a dynasty of ABAC alumni that include nurses, farmers, politicians and local business owners.
Other Alumni Award recipients include:
Col.
William "Bill" Clark of
Ringgold, who is this year's recipient of the
Distinguished Alumnus Award. Clark served in the
Army for more than
29 years as a
veterinarian.
He attended ABAC as a pre-veterinary medicine major from 1954-1956. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 1996-2000 and has served as chair of the Catoosa
COL. & MRS. BILL CLARK
County Board of Commissioners, has authored three books, started The Catoosa Tribune newspaper, served as a founding member of Gateway Bank and Trust, and is currently manages a family business involving commercial real estate development, stocks, bonds and timber.
Marcus Pollard from Madison will receive the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award. Pollard received his associate degree in wildlife technology from ABAC in 2003. He teaches agricultural education at Newton College & Career Academy. In 2012-13, he was a visiting lecturer in Moscow, Russia, with Clemson University's study abroad program. A member of the Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, Quality Deer Management Association and Ducks Unlimited, he is also an executive board member for Piedmont Cattlemen's Association, serves as director of the Piedmont Area Livestock Show, is a member of the Newton County Young Farmers through the Georgia Farm Bureau and coaches the Newton County 4-H Shooting Sports Team.
Larry Montgomery from
Carrollton will receive the
Honorary Alumnus Award for
individuals who did not attend ABAC but who have exhibited dedicated service and loyalty to the college. His involvement began in 2011 when he bought an ABAC sweatshirt during the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo. Knowing nothing about the college, he asked questions, which prompted him to create four scholarships for the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Stafford School of Business through the Montgomery Family Foundation. He has also helped with special projects on campus and accepted an invitation to join the ABAC Foundation as a trustee; in 2015, Montgomery and the Montgomery Family Foundation contributed $120,000 to various projects across the campus.
Jonathan M. Harris of Screven will receive the Master Farmer Award. A 1971 ABAC graduate with a degree in agriscience, Harris and his family manage Greenview Farms on 3,500 acres focusing on registered seedstock Hereford and Braford cattle, timber, annual forages, hay, haylage, cotton, corn, soybeans, peanuts and pecans. Harris has hosted ABAC student groups on his farm, provided consulting assistance to ABAC staffers, provided networking assistance for the placement of ABAC students in internships and jobs, and donated the use of bulls to the ABAC beef teaching unit. He has received numerous awards, including the Governor's Environmental Stewardship Award, the Georgia Cattlemen's Association Purebred Cattleman of the Year, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Environmental Stewardship Region II award and the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Agriculture award.
The awards will presented April 1during a dinner and ceremony during homecoming. Tickets for the 6 p.m. dinner and awards ceremony in Gressette Gym are $30 each. The deadline for tickets is March 21. Call 229-391-4895.
ONLINE VOTING ENDS TODAY FOR 'PEOPLE'S CHOICE' WINNER IN CONGRESSIONAL ART CONTEST
Online voting ends at
5 p.m. today, (
Friday, March 11),
for the People's Choice Award winner in the 2016 Congressional Art Competition, according to U.S. Rep. Austin Scott's office.
Scott, R-Ga., will host an awards ceremony and reception at 2 p.m.this Sunday, March 13, for participants of the Congressional Art Competition. The reception, open to the public, will be held at the Colquitt County Arts Center in Moultrie, and all submissions will be displayed for viewing.
At the reception, the congressman will announce the three
award-winning works of art selected by a panel of judges, as well as a People's Choice Award chosen by Eighth District constituents. All entries were posted on Scott's Facebook page, (Click Here) and the work of art with the most likes by 5 p.m. today wins the People's Choice Award.
"I am pleased to see such artistic talent coming from the Eighth Congressional District and applaud our students for their hard work and dedication," Scott said.
The first place entry from Georgia's Eighth Congressional District will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year alongside art work from every congressional district across the country. The winning student will receive two airline tickets to Washington, D.C., for the national ceremony and ribbon cutting of the exhibit. The student will also be eligible to receive a $3,000 per year scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design, should they apply and be accepted.
Each
spring, the
U.S. House of Representatives sponsors an
art competition for
high school students. The Congressional Art Competition began in
1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, more than
650,000 high school students have been involved with the
nationwide competition.
Call
J&R LAWN CARE
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Including Trimming & Shrubbery
Residential and Commercial
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Family-Owned and Operated Since 2003
BOREM NAMED ROTARY PAUL HARRIS FELLOW
Past Rotary District Governor
Leon Benefield, right, presents a certificate
Wednesday to
Andrew Borem, left, President of
Chickasha of Georgia, recognizing him as a
Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow.
Tifton Rotary Club President
Mike Davis looks on in the background . The Tifton club made a donation to the
Rotary Foundation in honor of Borem and his year as president to award him the designation. Benefield explains that the donation goes into the annual fund of the
Rotary Foundation, and "every penny of that donation goes to do good in the world, in the words of
Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary International."
The
Tifton Rotary Club meets at
noon Wednesdays at the
Tiftarea Conference Center on
U.S. Highway 82. Anyone with questions about Rotary may speak to a club member or call
229-848-2366.
The
Rotary Foundation was started in
1916 at the
Rotary International convention in
Atlanta. The
100th anniversary of the
Rotary Foundation will be observed in
Atlanta in
2017.
Director of
Children's Ministries
Tifton First United Methodist Church
Tifton, Ga.
is seeking a full-time Director of Children's Ministries
Responsibilities will be focused on kindergarten through
6th grade and include oversight of the nursery program.
The Director will work with other staff members
under the direction of the Senior Pastor.
The successful candidate should possess or be pursuing a bachelor's degree; have experience working with children's ministries and/or children's educational programs; experience working in and developing children's ministries; and possess a strong personal faith consistent with the United Methodist tradition.
ANNIE BELLE CLARK SCHOOL GETS GRANT FOR 'STEM' MATERIALS
Annie Belle Clark Primary School kindergarten students are seen working with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) materials awarded by the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence (TCFEE).
The application for a foundation incentive grant was submitted by teachers Chelsea Watson and Belinda Griffin.
The $1,206 grant was made under the foundation's Sara B. Gibbs Mathematics Chair.
Lauren Pate and Jeanine Webster, who are Annie Belle Clark school liaisons of the TCFEE, shepherded the process.
Grant award winners
Chelsea Watson and
Belinda Griffin, shown with Annie Belle Clark Principal
The
Family Promise of Tift Area is meeting at
6:30 p.m. Monday, March 14, in the Searcher's classroom at First United Methodist Church in Tifton.
The meeting is open to all residents. The
Family Promise group is working to get out the word about the issue of local
homeless families and is taking steps to help address the problem. A
coalition of concerned individuals and local churches is
developing strategies to
help homeless families get
back on their feet.
COMMUNITY LENTEN LUNCHES HELD ON WEDNESDAYS
The Community Lenten Lunch Series is being held on Wednesdays at noon at the Leroy Rogers Community Center on Second Street.
It is open to all denominations for a simple meal followed by a brief service sponsored by area churches. The cost is $3 per person; here
is the remaining schedule:
UGA STUDENTS ON SPRING BREAK AG TOUR
University of Georgia students from Griffin, Tifton, and Athens who are in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,
are using their spring break this week to take an agricultural tour across Georgia. On Wednesday, the group visited the UGA Tifton Campus and posed for a photo.
Grocery Co. and sold to a railroad in 1918. Later, the Central Grocery Co. re-acquired the building. Henry Harding Tift, 
