HOLIDAY WAS ONCE A 'MOVABLE FEAST'
By FRANK SAYLES JR.
Tifton Grapevine
Thanksgiving Day is one of those few remaining times during which Americans across the country gather and collectively pause for a moment.
Before our society and our culture became
fragmented, it was once the norm for families to sit down together each night and share dinner. Obviously, that still occurs but not to the widespread extent of decades ago.
In television's earlier days, Americans had a
shared experience around the
TV, since there were so few channels. Before that, families everywhere gathered around the
radio, usually tuning into the same stations -- especially during
President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats."
Interestingly,
FDR is a
pivotal figure in our modern-day
Thanksgiving observance. Because of Roosevelt, Thanksgiving was officially set as the
fourth Thursday of November.
Previously, Thanksgiving was traditionally observed on the
last Thursday of the month, following the precedence set by
Abraham Lincoln in
1863. However, it was up to the president each year to formally proclaim the observance. In
1939, the
last Thursday was
Nov. 30 -- the
fifth Thursday of the month -- and some business leaders
feared they would lose money, especially during the Depression, because there were only 24 shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Thus, Roosevelt announced that Thanksgiving would be a
week earlier that year.
For many years,
FDR celebrated
Thanksgiving Day at
Warm Springs here in
Georgia. He presided each year over a dinner with the patients, mostly children, at the
polio rehabilitation center, and he always insisted on carving the turkey.
So, at
Warm Springs on
Nov. 23, 1939,
Roosevelt presided over the annual Thanksgiving dinner and wished all Americans a Happy Thanksgiving. But in most states, his words were not heeded. Many Americans steadfastly
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FDR carving the turkey at Warm Springs.
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observed the day on the
traditional last Thursday. The
controversy grew during the next two years as FDR set Thanksgiving as the next to last Thursday of November, while some states defiantly set the date as the last Thursday. Family members living in different states were disrupted as the date changed from state to state.
Finally, Congress had had enough and in 1941, enacted a law setting Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of the month for all.
By the way, one of our iconic Thanksgiving images, Norman Rockwell's painting entitled "Freedom From Want," is part of a set of paintings the artist did to illustrate the "Four Freedoms" that Roosevelt recited in his 1941 State of the Union address: The freedom of speech, the freedom to worship God in our own way, the freedom from want, and the freedom from fear. The images were used to sell War Bonds during WWII.
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SHOP SMALL THIS SATURDAY
We have had "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday," and since 2010 "Small Business Saturday" has been added to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Small Business Saturday is a day designated to remind folks to shop at their locally owned small businesses in their communities. Small businesses are owned and operated by our neighbors and contribute much to the vibrance of our city.
The Tifton Grapevine urges you to get out on Saturday and visit our local small businesses. They offer unique items and hometown service. And the money you spend has a direct impact on our local economy.
So, come Saturday, remember to "Shop Small"; it's a big deal for us all.
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FARM INCOMES SEE BIGGEST DECLINE IN 30 YEARS
In its November farm income update released Tuesday, Nov. 24, the USDA
projects that 2014-15 net farm incomes will see the most severe drop since 1983.
 The
U.S. Department of Agriculture says net farm income (which includes household expenses) will
decline 38.2 percent, with
net cash income down 27.7 percent.
"It's not just a crop story now; it's broader than that," Jeff Hopkins, chief of the farm economy branch of the USDA Economic Research Service, told Agriculture.com.
"The decline in income is really due to a broad decline in all commodity prices."
Cash receipts for crops are predicted to fall 8.7 percent with livestock receipts forecast to be down 12 percent. Government payments are projected to rise by 10.4 percent.
"We are saying that this is price-driven, which is good in terms of fundamental problems-prices will cycle back," said Hopkins. "We're hoping for price support from overseas markets and from domestic demand as well."
Agriculture is Georgia's main industry with a $71 billion economic impact on the state. According to the state Department of Agriculture, there are more than 42,000 farms in Georgia encompassing more than 9.6 million acres.
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UGA NAMES FINALISTS FOR AG SCHOOL DEAN
Five finalists for the position of
dean and director of the
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will visit the
Athens campus in
December to meet with the UGA community.
A committee chaired by
Sheila Allen, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, conducted a national search to identify the finalists, who will each
make a public presentation. The finalists and the dates and times of their presentations are:
- Kendall Lamkey, professor and chair of the department of agronomy at Iowa State University, Dec. 1 at 9:30 a.m.
- Gary Pierzynski, university distinguished professor and head of the department of agronomy at Kansas State University, Dec. 3 at 10:30 a.m.
- Samuel Pardue, alumni distinguished undergraduate professor of poultry science and associate dean and director of academic programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University, Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m.
- David Gerrard, professor and head of the department of animal and poultry sciences at Virginia Tech, Dec. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
- Michael Vayda, professor of plant pathology and dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, Dec. 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Josef Broder became
interim dean in
September when
Scott Angle left UGA to take another post.
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Brumby & White 
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We Have 3,750 Trees ... Find Your Perfect Christmas Tree!
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All trees drilled for spike stands and water intake.
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NOW OPEN!
Monday-Friday: Noon - 5:30 p.m. (or Dark)
Saturday: 10 a.m. - Dark
Sunday: 1 p.m. - Dark
We're Open Thanksgiving Day ~ 1:30 p.m. - Dark
229 382-7515 or 229 382-3072
BRUMBY & WHITE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM
808 Chula-Brookfield Road
(1/2 mile east of Highway 125/Tift Ave or 3.5 miles east I-75 Exit 69)
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TICKETS MUST BE OBTAINED IN ADVANCE
SEE THE VICTORIAN VILLAGE BY CANDLELIGHT
The Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will again offer the popular Victorian Village by Candlelight.
The Victorian Village will be held on Dec. 6.
All tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be available on the day of the event.
The Victorian Village by Candlelight is from
5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Only
125 visitor slots are available for the tours. Groups will meet at the Country Store to leave on the train every 30 minutes beginning at 5:30 p.m., with the last group leaving the train station at 7:30 p.m.
Guests will learn about two of the
Victorian traditions that have become a part of the legend of
Santa Claus during the lantern-lit event. Visitors get a taste of the community's celebratory spirit as they stop in for a
Christmas Eve visit in a
Victorian-era village in South Georgia back when electricity was a luxury, humble gifts were made by hand, and Christmas Eve was spent cooking treats on the open hearth.
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HEALTHY HOLIDAY FAVORITES:
INDULGE WITHOUT GUILT
By HALEY LACUESTA
UGA Extension
While the holidays are often viewed as a time of inevitable weight gain, it's possible to enjoy some of the same foods while still maintaining a healthy diet.
While many factors can contribute to weight gain during the holidays,
Allison Berg, a nutrition and health specialist with
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, notes that many foods associated with the holiday season are
nutritious and shouldn't necessarily be avoided altogether.
For example,
unprocessed turkey is a
lean protein when prepared the right way. A three-ounce slice of roasted turkey breast is about 125 calories, while dark meat turkey has 140 calories and contains more fat.
"Roasting your turkey is healthier than frying your turkey, but either way, you should remove the skin," Berg said.
Cranberries are another example; they are a good source of
vitamin C and
phytochemicals that boost your immune system.
However, instead of buying canned cranberry sauce with added sugars, Berg recommends making your own cranberry relish or sauce using fresh cranberries.
And
pumpkins are a great source of
vitamin A.
"You can get plenty of
beta-carotene (an antioxidant the body converts to vitamin A) from pumpkin pie," Berg said. "But you might consider roasting pumpkin like you would other squash in the oven and enjoying it as a side dish or pureed into soup with roasted pumpkin seeds on top."
In addition to
choosing nutritious foods, it's important to remember other
healthy eating habits during the holidays.
Eating off a
smaller plate and
watching your alcohol intake can help slash a few calories, Berg said. And families can even work in a little exercise into their holiday traditions to help burn off the calories.
"
Take a walk with the family after dinner (or)
throw the football in the yard with both kids and adults," Berg said. "Not only does exercise help us use a few more of the calories we take in, but if you know you're going to be moving after the meal instead of slinking toward the couch, you might stop yourself from taking those few last bites that are likely to cause the
'holiday food coma.' "
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KIWANIS RUN
FOR KIDS PART OF HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS
The 11th annual Kiwanis Run for the Kids 5K/1 mile run begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, as part of Tifton's Hometown Holiday Christmas Celebration.
Tom Shoup, event co-chair, said the event is to "raise money for our local children's programs, to promote physical  fitness in the community and to highlight our town's historic district."
More than $40,000 has been raised for local youth in the past decade, said Marvin West, club treasurer.
Richard Golden, race co-chair, said the event will be organized by the Tiftarea Academy and Tift County High Key Clubs, the ABAC Circle K Club and the Kiwanis Club of Tifton. Businesses have been invited to sponsor and show their support for more than 30 beneficiaries of the event, including: Special Olympics, 4-H, Boy and Girl Scouts, the Kiwanis Art and Music Showcase for local students, scholarships for TCHS, TA and SRTC students, the annual Kiwanis Fishing Rodeo for kids, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Tift County Recreation Department teams, Patticake House, FFA, American Legion Girls and Boys, the local high school Key Clubs and ABAC Circle K.
The race starts and ends near the corner of 8th and Forrest streets across the railroad tracks from the visitor's side of Brodie Field at Eighth Street Middle School. Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for children if entries are received before Nov. 25. Late registration and on the day of the event is $25 for adults and $15 for children.
New this year is a team competition (three-participant minimum) and registration is $5 off before Nov. 25. There will be team prizes to the fastest team and best Christmas costume or theme. Teams must submit race registrations forms together.
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Win a Custom-Built Playhouse
for a Great Cause!
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YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK!
All Tift County banks joined forces with the United Way of South  Central Georgia for the 2015 Banking To Drive Out Hunger in Tift County initiative, and the result was a resounding success. More than 10,000 pounds of packaged foods were collected at drop points at each bank to help the needy in Tift County. The food is being distributed to the Salvation Army, Tiftarea Food Bank, Soup Kitchen, Community Service Center and Brother Charlie's Homeless Shelter for Men. ... CONGRESSMAN
AUSTIN SCOTT, R-Ga., has joined with a Hawaii Democrat on a new bill telling the Obama administration to focus its Syrian fight on ISIS and to stop trying to take out Bashar al-Assad. The Tifton Republican and
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, introduced legislation last week to end what they called an "illegal war" to overthrow Assad, the leader of Syria accused of killing tens of thousands of Syrian citizens.
"Working to remove Assad at this stage is counter-productive to what I believe our primary mission should be," Scott said.
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SYCAMORE OPENING 'FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS TREES'
TO HELP LOCAL NEEDY FAMILIES
 For the eighth consecutive year, Sycamore's Festival of Christmas Trees opens next weekend as a way to give back to local communities.
The admission is non-perishable food and unwrapped toys for the needy. Cash donations are also accepted; contributions help give a Christmas celebration to needy families.
More than 150 decorated Christmas trees will be on display, including a visit with Santa, hot chocolate and marshmallows to roast at the fire.
The Festival of Trees will be open Friday and Saturday nights from 6-9 p.m., starting Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas. Special tours can be arranged for groups of six or more at other times.
The location is 400 Ga. Highway 32 E., just off exit 78 in Sycamore. Call 770-601-8374 for information.
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Tifton, Georgia
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YOUR WEEKEND
...at a Glance
THANKSGIVING DAY, NOV. 26
- Community Thanksgiving Dinner, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tiftarea Conference Center, U.S. Highway 82, Tifton
- Annual Thanksgiving Feast, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Beulah Hill Baptist Church, Tifton
FRIDAY, NOV. 27 (BLACK FRIDAY)
SATURDAY, NOV. 28 (SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY)
- Visit Our Locally Owned Businesses
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NOV. 20
Donald Allen Bright, 34, Nashville
NOV. 21
Lamar "Elmo" Folsom, 55, Adel
NOV. 22
Betty McCorvey Dabbs. 84, Nashville
J.P. Roberts, 86, Alapaha
Shirley J. Ely, 78, Fitzgerald
Harvey Christopher "H.C." Barber Jr., Ashburn
NOV. 23
Leah Wayne Stallings, 83, Nashville
Frank Johns, 67, Fitzgerald
Mellie Roark Chaudoin, 82, Fitzgerald
Mary Ann Berry Timm, 78, Sycamore
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SERVING YOU WITH PROFESSIONALISM
BEFORE, DURING & AFTER THE SALE
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MLS #: R124272A
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Pretty move-in ready home with laminate and vinyl flooring. Three spacious bedrooms, master bedroom with walk-in closet and master bath with large step-in tub. Large living area and dining room. Mature landscaping in front and backyard, as well as privacy fencing. Large screened-in back porch. There is a storage building in the backyard, and there is also access to the backyard from the garage. Don't let this one get away!
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Dwana Coleman
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Call Us Today!
229-386-4222
Blue Skies & Sunshine Through Each & Every
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