Find Fireworks on the 4th

JULY 3, 2018

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126

tiftongrapevine.com

A DAY OF CELEBRATION

FIREWORKS CAN BE FOUND IN NEARBY LOCATIONS

Wednesday is Independence Day , commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 , which formally separated America's 13 colonies from England and its king.

However, a case can be made that July 2 is the real "Independence Day," for on that day in 1776, the Continental Congress approved a motion to separate from the motherland and proclaim America as independent. In fact, founding father John Adams believed July 2 would become the "great anniversary festival" of America's birthday.

On July 3, Adams wrote to his wife Abigail: " The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. ... It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews (sic), Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations...."

But it was on July 4 when the Continental Congress actually adopted the written declaration . Thus, July 4 became the nation's birthday.

Unfortunately, Tifton's fireworks, or "illuminations," were rained out Saturday night, as was the "Rock the Block" street dance celebration. Organizers say that the fireworks company that was to handle Tifton's fireworks is already booked with other shows, so no fireworks are scheduled in the Friendly City this holiday.

But if you are seeking fireworks for the Fourth, here's a rundown of some nearby celebrations:

CORDELE -- "Fireworks on the Flint" is scheduled July 4 at the Georgia Veterans State Park as part if its annual all-day celebration. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

ALBANY -- Outdoor festivities begin at 5 p.m. July 4 with fireworks to begin at about 9:30 p.m. They may be viewed from Riverfront Park, Ray Charles Plaza and the parking lot at the Albany Civic Center.

VALDOSTA -- A "Fireworks Spectacular" is scheduled beginning at about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday from Valdosta Mall. Organizers have set a rain date of Thursday, July 5, at nightfall if July 4's show is rained out.

DOUGLAS -- The July 4 celebration begins at 4 p.m. with fireworks at about 9:30 p.m. at Jardine Stadium.

SYLVESTER -- The Worth County city has scheduled its celebration for Friday, July 6 , beginning with a concert at 6 p.m. at H.H. Woolard Center and ballpark with fireworks after dark.

Artist's rendering of renovated Carlton Center on ABAC campus.

ABAC LIBRARY RELOCATES AS REHAB SET TO BEGIN

Students searching for that quiet study nook in the library in the Carlton Center at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will be on the lookout for a new location this fall when all occupants of the building will relocate to make way for a year-long rehabilitation process.

"The library will be relocated to the Nickelodeon on the bottom floor of J. Lamar Branch Hall," says Tim Carpenter, ABAC's director of Facilities and Land Resources. "We will fit as many books as we can into the space."

Carpenter says the library will take up every inch of space in the Nickelodeon, which was designed to house bowling lanes for students in the original concept before it opened in 1976. That bowling alley didn't make the final cut, and the area has been used for a variety of purposes.

The temporary library location will also spill over into a large room adjacent to the Nickelodeon once occupied by billiard tables and a jukebox and then later serving as offices for the Student Government Association.

ABAC received $17.7 million for the Carlton Library project and a new Fine Arts Building in the 2019 Fiscal Year state budget.

ABAC President David Bridges said the college also received $1.6 million in design funds for the Carlton Project and the Fine Arts Building in the FY18 budget, and he hopes for $2.1 million in funding for equipment for the two buildings in the FY20 state budget.

Tentative plans for the rehabilitated 61,000-square foot space in Carlton call for it to include the library, bookstore, academic support, mailroom, information technology, administrative offices, the Veterans' Lounge, SGA offices, computer lab, One-Button studio, the Student Engagement Programs center, symposium/exhibit space, the Academic Achievement Center, campus media, and student development.

"We expect the renovation of Carlton to begin late in the fall semester and conclude by January 2020," Carpenter said.

Carpenter said Bowen Hall, Britt Hall and the Chambliss Building are all receiving upgrades this summer. All work on these three buildings is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of the fall semester Aug. 15.

FORMER FITZGERALD MAN COMES HOME TO SHARE HIS NEW FILM

F itzgerald's historic Grand Theatre will show a short film, "Potter's Ground," this Friday along with a question-and-answer session with actor Alexander Kane, who grew up in Fitzgerald .

The viewing will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 6, just before the showing of " Ocean's 8" at 7 p.m.


	ALEXANDER KANE

Admission for the short film is included in the ticket price of the featured movie. Kane said

he wants to share his work with the community that raised him.

"I'm Fitzgerald to the bone," the actor said. "Everywhere I go, it rides shotgun. The rest of the world gets to experience a true Purple Hurricane when dealing with me. I take my childhood around in my pocket, and my upbringing there helped create the compass by which my heart navigates this journey.

"I'm looking forward to bringing a little fun and entertainment to the place I will always call home, even if only in my heart."

The film is about "a former Confederate marauder as he tries to make a clean start on a Kansas dirt farm with his wife and young daughter, but learns that sometimes the past won't stay buried."

"Potter's Ground" won Best Film at Rack Focus film competition this year in Texas and has been shown across the country. The first-place prize was funding for a full-length adaption and nationwide distribution.

Kane is also known for his films " The Dawnseeker," released earlier this year, and " Return to Roanoke: Search for the Seven" in 2017.

EXCHANGE CLUB CHALLENGES

The Exchange Club of Tifton recently donated a pallet of water to the 8th Annual Water & Gatorade Drive for Tifton firefighters. The club challenges all other civic clubs in Tifton to do the same.

Pictured making the donation are, from left, Loren Williams with Fastenal, Exchange Club members Thad Paulk, Angela Elder, Betty Cromer, Kristin Morrison, Jack Morrison, Jimmy Cole, Water Drive coordinator Nicole Casey, Exchange Club member Tyron Spearman and Tifton Fire Chief Bobby Bennett.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Walmart Supercenter's 'Pickup Service'

1830 Highway 82 West, Tifton

June 26

Walmart Neighborhood Market's 'Pickup Service'

1810 N. Tift Ave., Tifton

June 26

New members of the Stallion Society at ABAC include front row from left: Gussy Inman, Dahlia Sutliff and Kaycee Aultman; second row: Shelby Mumma and Jill Grim; third row: Hannah King, Aubrey Rife, and Aaliyah Taylor; back row: Emily Ralston and Luke Smith.

STUDENTS NAMED TO STALLION SOCIETY

The Stallion Society at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has selected 10 students to serve the college as summer orientation leaders.

Local Stallion Society members include Kaycee Aultman, a junior writing and communications major from Tifton; Hannah King, a junior biology major from Tifton; and Luke Smith, a junior biochemistry major from Tifton.

Other Stallion Society leaders include Jill Grim, a senior nursing major from Meigs; Gussy Inman, a sophomore agribusiness major from Buford; Aaliyah Taylor, a junior agricultural education major from Macon; Shelby Mumma, a junior agricultural communication major from Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Emily Ralston, a junior agribusiness major from Bradenton, Fla.; Aubrey Rife, a senior agricultural communication major from Palmetto, Fla.; and Dahlia Sutliff, a junior agricultural education major from Bradenton, Fla.

Stallion Society leaders assist incoming students at orientation as they transition to college. Members of the Stallion Society, after an application and interview process, are chosen for their enthusiasm, leadership ability and academic standing.