Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Tifton, Georgia
GrapeNew
Rosalyn Ray Donaldson, from left, Anita Stewart Stovall, and Alice Wallace are honored as Tift County Senior Citizens of the Year.
TIFT COUNTY'S SENIORS OF YEAR
THREE RECEIVE AWARDS AT OLDER AMERICANS MONTH KICKOFF LUNCHEON ON TUESDAY
By FRANK SAYLES JR.
Tifton Grapevine
A retired educator, a church/community volunteer, and a hospital benefactor/community leader were named Tift County's Senior Citizens of the Year at the kickoff luncheon Tuesday for Older Americans Month.

And even "Elvis" made an appearance.

Rosalyn Ray Donaldson, associate professor emerita at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College; Alice Wallace, a leader at Union Church and local volunteer; and Anita Stewart Stovall, a community leader and namesake of Tift Regional Medical Center's Anita Stewart Oncology Center, all received the George A. Wright Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to the community.

The award recognizing seniors was begun in 1980 as a memorial to George A. Wright, who was a Tift County businessman, civic leader, devoted family man, and church leader.

Donaldson, who taught in the classroom for more than 35 years, has created several endowments at ABAC. For 38 years, she has taught Sunday School at Tifton's First Baptist Church. Donaldson holds degrees from Mercer and Vanderbilt universities.

Wallace, who volunteers with numerous community organizations, is called an "unsung hero around her community." She is a devoted Christian and a leader among those at Tifton's Union Church. She attended Florida Junior College and Moultrie Technical College.

Stovall has had several careers – as a real estate company owner and broker, a New York City model, a modeling and charm school operator, a TV fashion commentator, and has been a longtime volunteer "pink lady" at Tift Regional Medical Center, a member of the TRMC Board and the TRMC Foundation Board of Directors, and a major financial contributor to the Tifton hospital. The Anita Stewart Oncology Center is named in her honor.

At age 96, Stovall still manages her own finances and investments.

For entertainment at the Older Americans Month luncheon, Elvis was in the building ... well, it was Elvis tribute artist Jordan Poole. The 21-year-old from Sylvester won the non-pro division at last summer’s Images of The King World Championship in Memphis, Tenn.

At Tuesday's luncheon, Poole/Elvis had the seniors on their feet hoping to snag a scarf from the performer.
REGENTS MAKE IT OFFICIAL, NAME TRACY BRUNDAGE
AS ABAC PRESIDENT
As expected, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) on Tuesday formally named Dr. Tracy L. Brundage president of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, effective Aug.1.

Brundage, 53, was named the sole finalist for the position last week. Since 2018, she has been president of Keystone College, a private institution in La Plume, Pa., with an enrollment of 1,364 students. Brundage previously was the college's provost and vice president for academic affairs.

“I’m excited to welcome Dr. Brundage to ABAC and know she will bring a sharp focus on student support and workforce development to an institution that’s so critical to communities, especially in South Georgia,” said USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue.

“Her skills and experience will build on the good work done by Dr. Bridges, and I appreciate the efforts of the campus search committee to find such a strong candidate to lead the students, faculty and staff of ABAC into the future.”

Dr. David Bridges is retiring as president after 16 years.

“I’m grateful for the board’s and Chancellor Perdue’s confidence in me to lead a college that takes such pride in its students and the opportunities to learn hands-on in everything from agriculture to healthcare,” Brundage said.

“I understand the role ABAC and its students, faculty, staff, and alumni play in local communities and across the state. I can’t wait to join them and get started.”

A Scranton, Pa., native, Brundage has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Gettysburg College, a master of education in training and development, and a doctorate in workforce education and development from Penn State University.

As president of Keystone College, she has overseen development of high-demand, career-based majors to help meet workforce needs, expanded internships and experiential learning for students, and opened a Professional Development Institute and student-centered facilities. Under her leadership, Keystone has a success rate of placing 94% of its students in jobs, with some programs having a 100% placement rate.
Tifton Exchange Club President Danny Hoover, from left, poses with Officer of the Year recipient Bettina Harris and GSP Chief Communications Officer Michele Massey.
EXCHANGE CLUB HONORS OFFICER OF THE YEAR
The Exchange Club of Tifton has presented the Officer of the Year Award to a member of the Georgia State Patrol (GSP).
 
Bettina Harris, a GSP senior customer service agent, is this year’s recipient.

Harris joined the GSP in January 2016. Two months later, she had already earned a Certificate of Excellence. In July 2019, Harris was promoted to supervisor. In 2019 and 2022, she was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award within the department. 

GSP Chief Communications Officer Michele Massey said that Harris is a blessing to work with and to have in the office: “When she is at work, you know it will be a good day.”

Harris said that she enjoys her dispatching work and her coworkers. Her top priority each shift is to keep their troopers safe. Harris is married and has five grown children. 

The Georgia State Patrol dispatch division located in Tifton covers five posts in 19 counties. The dispatchers are often the unsung heroes of public safety, the Exchange Club said.
ARTS IN BLACK FESTIVAL RETURNS THIS WEEKEND
By BONNIE SAYLES
Tifton Grapevine
The Arts in Black Festival kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday in Fulwood Park with “Arts under the Stars.”

Macon saxophonist Harold E. Thomas will play live jazz, DJ "G-Man" Garfield Rhaney will be rocking the beats, and JJ Jackson will be teaching everyone to line dance. 

Folks may bring lawn chairs or sit on bleachers and mingle, say organizers. Those with a taste for more festivity may enter the table decoration challenge for $100 with an opportunity to win wackiest, prettiest, or most creative table.
 
The event continues at 1 p.m. Saturday, with the African dance group, Soweto Street Beat, performing with drums and dance. MardyMar, Mood Doctors, The Essence Band, and Jerry Moss and Harold Thomas will perform.

Marking the first time the event has been held since 2019, because of the pandemic, it is the oldest festival in Tifton, a celebration of African-American heritage and art. It was first held in February 1986 on the J.T. Reddick school campus.

More than 30 food and arts & crafts vendors will participate on Saturday, along with a poetry competition for grades K-12, a kids’ zone, a health fair, and more.

“This is one of the largest vendor turnouts we have had in a very long time,” said Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes, one of the organizers. “We are looking for you, you, and yes, you! Come out and have a great time with your family and friends!” 
ABAC NAMES HEAD OF
FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
Dr. Zheng Jennifer Huang has been named fine arts department head at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, succeeding Dr. Susan Roe, who is retiring June 30.

“While we are very sorry to see Dr. Roe retire, rest assured that the Department of Fine Arts will remain in good hands,” said Dr. Matthew Anderson, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. 

“Dr. Huang teaches ABAC courses and lessons in support of the associate in fine arts in music degree, along with the general music appreciation course. She has also offered piano accompaniment at virtually every ABAC music event since her arrival at the college, in addition to offering her own solo concerts and recitals."

Huang is active in the community, serving as piano accompanist at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Tifton and helping to coordinate the Tifton music club annual music festival.

“It is a great honor to be able to carry this big torch to lead the ABAC Fine Arts Department to reach the next milestone. I have been blessed with such a cooperative and caring team of seniors, co-workers, and Tifton community members who supported and helped me at every step,” Huang said.

An ABAC faculty member since 2018, Huang has been a visiting artist at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand; the Xian Conservatory of Music in Xian, China; the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in Hong Kong; the Concerto da Camera in Hong Kong; and Yangtze University in Jinzhou, China.

She was awarded the Steinway & Sons 2020 Top Teacher Award, recognizing top Georgia teachers for dedication and service to their communities in support of the arts and music. She has held faculty positions at Darton State College and Albany State University.

Huang received a bachelor of music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, dual master of music degrees from Mannes College of Music, and a doctor of musical arts from the State University of New York - Stony Brook.
May is Lupus Awareness Month, and “Lupus Warriors” gathered Sunday at Brodie Field to observe 10 years of raising awareness of lupus in South Georgia.
CITY OF TIFTON, TIFT COUNTY
MARK LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH
On Monday, both the City of Tifton and Tift County proclaimed May as Lupus Awareness Month.

In the photo at left, Tifton Mayor Julie B. Smith presents the city's proclamation to lupus warriors, from left, Christie Leger and Pat McKinnon.

In the photo at right, Tift County Commission Chairman Tony McBrayer, at center, presents the county's proclamation to, from left: Alexandra Moore, Sharon Jackson, William Moore, Pat McKinnon, Vanessa Jackson, Commissioner Tony McBrayer, Linda Williams-Harris, Christie Leger, Vivian Hightower, and Angela Anderson

May 10 is World Lupus Day and "Put on Purple" day when folks are encouraged to wear purple. Lupus is a disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs.
POSITION AVAILABLE

Building Services Worker

UGA - Tifton Campus Conference Center

GENERAL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS

This position works within the operations unit of the Tifton Campus Conference Center. The Conference Center is a 133,000-square-foot, full-service conference facility. Operations at the Conference Center is solely responsible for all setup/breakdown and cleanup for all meetings, conferences, tradeshows, and concerts held at the facility. This position will be required to work flexible day, nights, and weekends depending on event needs.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
 
High School Diploma or equivalent
Valid Driver’s License

INQUIRIES
 
For further details and/or to apply, go to https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/246388
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution
CHAMBER GRADUATES TAL:K CLASS
The Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a graduation ceremony for the TAL:K Class of 2022 at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.

Led by the Chamber, TAL:K (Tomorrow's Aspiring Leaders: Kids) is comprised of eighth-grade students from Eighth Street Middle School, Northeast Middle School, and Tiftarea Academy.

The students have participated in a variety of leadership activities throughout the school year and learned more about their community.

The program's major sponsors include Southwell, Heatcraft, Georgia Power, Colquitt EMC, Synovus Bank, and South Georgia Banking Co. 
TIFT SCHOOL BUS DRIVER TAKES TOP AWARD IN 'RODEO' COMPETITION

Tift County Schools bus driver Ako Drew took first place and also was the overall region winner Saturday among 40 school bus drivers in this year's "Bus Driver Rodeo."

More than 40 school bus drivers from Tift, Berrien, Cook, and Lanier counties came together last Saturday to compete in the rodeo. 

During the skills competition, the drivers were challenged with situations that they encounter on a daily basis. It also gave drivers a chance to exhibit their skills.
Proud New Member of the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce
SRTC PINS NURSING STUDENTS
Southern Regional Technical College recently held a ceremony in which 26 associate of science in nursing students in the area received their nursing pins.

The ceremony commemorates the students’ successful completion of their nursing coursework and clinical rotations, college officials said. The class of nursing students are eligible to participate in SRTC’s formal graduation ceremony July 28 and officially will be registered nurses pending the passage of their board exams.

Students receiving pins were: Mercedes Curles of Adel, Charlene Porter of Albany, Taneisha Kelly of Bainbridge, Madisyn Fussell of Cairo, Keyonna Sanon of Columbus, Ashley Thomas of Doerun, Lorraine West of Meigs, Amanda French, Ryan Trevino of Moultrie, Casidy Walden of Norman Park, Sam Newberry and Cole Redd of Ochlocknee, Julia McCarty of Sale City, Lyla Griffin of Sumner, Monique Adams, Kristian Bienes, Tameah Gaines, Paya George, Rachel Widener, Ashley Williams and Gwenetta Wright of Thomasville, Renee Drawdy of Ty Ty, Kyle Conger, Sayward Scott and Jeylen Sutton of Valdosta, and Brooke Rehberg of Whigham.
TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK
"Salem" is among the cats available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter. To adopt Salem see other pets available, visit the shelter between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).
Pets of the Week are sponsored by:
Branch's Veterinary Clinic
205 Belmont Ave., Tifton, 229-382-6055
FIRE DAMAGES TIFTON'S GOLDEN BUILDING
~ MAY 4, 1932
The third floor of the Golden Hardware Building on Second Street in Tifton was gutted by an early morning fire on Wednesday, May 4, 1932. The first and second floors and basement were water soaked from firefighters extinguishing the blaze. Among second-floor offices flooded were those of Fulwood and Fulwood, R. Eve, R.D. Smith, J.S. Ridgdill, and E.L. Webb.
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