JAN. 9, 2018
Tifton, Georgia
478-227-7126
tiftongrapevine.com
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Sgt. Chad Turner and family moved into their new home on Friday.
ARMY VET GETS NEW,
FREE TIFTON HOME
U.S. Army Sgt. Chad Turner
and his family were given the keys Friday to a newly built, mortgage-free home in Tifton during a dedication ceremony.
The non-profit Operation Finally Home partnered with
local builder Structures by Chris Brooks
to provide
the custom-built home in the Laurel Creek subdivision.
Turner, who was raised by his grandparents, joined the Army in February 2002 and underwent basic training at Fort Benning. In 2003, he met his wife, Jennifer, and they married in 2004 before Turner deployed for his first tour in Iraq.
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WALB-TV photo
The Turners cut the ribbon to their new home with well-wishers including Tift Sheriff Gene Scarbrough and Congressman Austin Scott.
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Turner served in four deployments back-to-back between 2005 and 2011 in both Iraq and Afghanistan. During his first deployment from 2005 to 2006, his son Jason was born. Turner was able to return for the birth of his son but had to fly back a week later to return to duty.
On his last tour to Afghanistan in December 2011, Turner and his fellow soldiers were attacked while on an air assault mission. During the attack, four rocket-propelled grenades simultaneously landed 30 meters from them. Turner doesn't remember the attack other than being thrown into the air from the blast. Turner was later diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, cognitive learning disorder, degenerative disc disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, in addition to other injuries. He suffers from short-term memory loss, has trouble with his hearing and struggles with paranoia in public settings.
During his years of service, he received a number of accolades, including the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the NATO Afghanistan Service Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Megan, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star and many more.
Since being honorably discharged from the military, Turner has devoted his time to both his family and fellow veterans. With his son having special needs, Turner is committed to getting him the special care and schooling he needs. Turner is a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars 7720. His mission is to help veterans in the healing process through hunting, which he believes is a therapeutic activity.
Turner was chosen by the Tennessee-based Operation Finally Home to receive the home. The non-profit organization was established in 2005
to provide custom-built, mortgage-free homes to America's military heroes and their widows; the organization has built 137 homes across the country with the help of corporate sponsors and local builders.
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VOLUNTEERS BUILD NEW
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Despite chilly weather, volunteers came out Saturday to lend a hand in constructing a new playground structure at Len Lastinger Primary School.
The school won a $20,000 national grant for the equipment, and Len Lastinger's Parent Teacher Organization came up with more than $10,000 in additional funding to make the new playground area a reality.
Last summer, the school was among the
grant winners in a
national contest sponsored by the
Dr Pepper Snapple Group
and national non-profit
KaBOOM!
The school's PTO has been raising funds for new playground equipment for more than four years.
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We're Seeking a
Church Pianist
Tifton First United
Methodist Church
107 W 12th St., Tifton, GA
Tifton First United Methodist Church has an opening for a part-time church pianist.
The pianist is responsible for preparing for and practicing with
the chancel choir, orchestra and ensemble every Wednesday evening for about two hours and for playing at Sunday
traditional services
at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., as well as at special services at Christmas, Easter, etc.
or call
229-382-6100
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With some of the bags distributed are sorority chapter members Jaquetta Brown, April Holmes and Carletha Parson.
LOCAL SORORITY CHAPTER
PROVIDES GIFTS FOR CHILDREN
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Sigma Alpha Omega Chapter in Tifton's seasonal wraps project was successful as the organization distributed items to three families and a total of 10 children, during the holidays.
Each December, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's initiative is to donate seasonal wraps within the community. Members of the Sigma Alpha Omega Chapter collected not only new coats, hats, gloves and scarves, but also collected toys, books, clothing, shoes and games to include in each child's bag.
The chapter felt that children in Tifton community could use more than seasonal wraps. Each family was also provided with a grocery voucher, donated to the sorority by Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church. Families receiving the items were excited and overjoyed, the chapter says.
Sigma Alpha Omega's president is Kim Ezekiel and vice president is Tonja Tift.
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'SNOW DAY' BOOK GETS
OMEGA STUDENTS' ATTENTION
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Diana Mendietta, wearing black and red to support "UGA Day," came by Omega Elementary School to read a book to Kisha Mickins' students. The students enjoyed the book about snow and were able to relate it to the joyful "Snow Day" they had experienced earlier last week. Omega Elementary thanks
parents and grandparents who share their love of reading to the students.
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BALDWIN PLAYERS AUDITIONING
FOR
'I DO! I DO! I DO! I DO!'
Auditions for the Baldwin Players' spring production, "I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do!," will be at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16 and 17 in Conger Room 319 on the campus of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
Auditions are open to all ABAC students, staff, faculty and local residents.
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I DO! I DO!
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Baldwin Players' Director Brian Ray said those who audition should prepare one verse of any song or one verse of a traditional church hymn to be performed acapella or by accompanying themselves. A piano will be available. There will not be an audition accompanist.
Recorded accompaniment is acceptable but there must be no vocal tracks on the recording. In addition to the music audition, individuals will "cold read" selected passages from the script. These do not need to be prepared. It is not necessary to attend both nights of auditions.
"I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do!" is a play about the ups and downs of marriage, parenting and growing old together. It looks specifically at the lives of a married couple from their wedding day in 1890 across the next 50 years. Eight cast member slots are available in the play including Michael, age 20; Agnes, age 20; Michael, age 40; and Agnes, age 40; Michael, age 55; and Agnes, age 55; and Michael, age 70; and Agnes, age 70.
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e-published every Tuesday & Friday / to Advertise, call
478-227-7126
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SEN. KIRK NAMED CHAIRMAN OF
STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT PANEL
State Sen. Greg Kirk, R-Americus, whose district includes Tift County, was recently appointed as chairman of the State and Local Governmental Operations Committee and to serve on several other committees for the 2018 legislative session.
"I am so thankful to have been appointed chair of such an important committee," Kirk said. "This
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SEN. KIRK
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committee covers a variety of issues that I look forward to addressing during session. Everything starts at the local level and works its way up, and to be able to work with my colleagues inaddressing areas that impact our community members will be a great priority of mine."
Kirk also serves as a member of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Health and Human Services, Insurance and Labor and Judiciary committees.
"Georgians should have great confidence that Sen. Kirk will utilize this role to positively shape public policy and advance our entire state forward," said Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle. "I am confident Chairman Kirk will bring insight to matters that come before the State and Local Governmental Operations Committee, building on Georgia's status as the No. 1 state for business and enhancing our unrivaled quality of life."
The second session of the 154th Georgia General Assembly convened on Monday at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta.
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3004 Park Ave.
N.,
Tifton, GA
* 4 BR * 3 baths
* 3,151 sq. ft.
* MLS # 128074
Beautiful home with custom-built kitchen: Marble counter tops, double built-in ovens, gas stove, abundant cabinets. Formal dining area and cherry hardwood floors. Soaring cathedral ceilings
. Large master bedroom with walk-in closet, shower, garden tub and travertine flooring. Private backyard, shaded back patio.
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FRANK SAYLES JR.
Editor & Publisher
iheardit@tiftongrapevine.com
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478-227-7126
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