Teachers Get Incentive Grants

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126 ~ www.tiftongrapevine.com

Among those receiving Incentive Grants from the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence (TCFEE) is a project proposed by Belinda Griffin, a teacher at Annie Belle Clark Elementary: Playground equipment for students with disabilities. Standing from left are Patty Dean, the school’s assistant principal; Jeanine Webster, TCFEE school liaison, Mike Brumby, TCFEE executive director; Dr. Stephanie Morrow, school principal; teacher Belinda Griffin; Wanda Veazey, TCFEE board member; Laura Cutts, incoming TCFEE executive director; Mickey Weldon, assistant superintendent; and Laura Pope, TCFEE board member.

EDU. FOUNDATION AWARDS $20,000 IN INCENTIVE GRANTS

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence visited 19 classrooms across the Tift County School System last week to award nearly $20,000 in Incentive Grants for educational projects.

Teachers have applied for the grants to fund a variety of projects that aid in educating and developing students.

Among the projects are instructional materials for hands-on learning, outdoor gardening to connect students with agriculture, working with chicken coops and incubators, activities designed to help children with problem-solving and critical thinking, and inclusive playground equipment for special-needs students to allow them to practice a range of skills and encourage active, independent, and meaningful play.

"I believe for the first time, all schools applied for an Incentive Grant, and all schools were awarded an Incentive Grant,” said Laura Cutts, the incoming executive director of the education foundation.

The Incentive Grants are funded by the foundation’s educational chairs in such areas as reading, writing, languages, agriculture, science, music, arts, government, physical fitness, and special needs.

The education foundation also annually recognizes outstanding public school teachers in Tift County based on nominations from parents, students, school staff, and teachers’ peers.

To nominate an outstanding teacher from the current school year, Click Here. The form must be completed by May 31.

BERRIEN HIGH GETS NEW FOOTBALL COACH

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Berrien County Board of Education (BOE) announced Tuesday that Ken Eldridge has been named head football coach at Berrien High School in Nashville.

Eldridge has been serving as the Berrien High Rebels’ quarterbacks coach and special teams coordinator.

"Coach Eldridge comes to us with multiple years of head-coaching experience. He was the head coach for Coffee High School and Swainsboro High School,” the Berrien BOE stated in its announcement.

"Coach Eldridge addressed the board on Monday evening where he shared his vision for the program. ... When asked about his plan moving forward he stated, 'I am meeting with the team on Tuesday, and we are going to hit the ground running this spring and summer to prepare for the upcoming season.'"

The BHS football team earned its first playoff victory since the 1990s this past season under former Head Coach Tim Alligood. With seven wins and five losses, last year was also Berrien High’s first winning season since 1995.

"We are ready to build on that success and make it the norm for this community,” Eldridge said.

Tiftarea Academy’s Class of 2023 gather wearing shirts denoting the colleges they plan to attend next academic year. The graduating class has earned more than $1.5 million in merit-based scholarships.

TIFTAREA ACADEMY TO GRADUATE 40 IN CEREMONIES FRIDAY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tiftarea Academy’s Class of 2023 will have its commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. this Friday, May 12, at First Baptist Church of Tifton.

The class’s 40 students have been offered more than $1.5 million in merit-based scholarships. The students are headed to 16 different colleges and career paths throughout the Southeastern United States.

“We are so proud of this group and will miss them so,” said Heather Fletcher, TA’s development and marketing director.

This past Friday, Tiftarea Academy held its annual "Almost Alumni Day” during which the graduating students wore shirts denoting their selected college or future plans. They paraded through each building on campus during the seniors' last full day of school.

Tift County High School has set its commencement ceremony for 7:45 a.m. Saturday, May 20, at Brodie Field.

ARTS IN BLACK FEST BRINGS

MUSIC, FUN, TO PARK

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Tifton’s longest-running festival, Arts in Black, brought a celebration of African-American culture to Fulwood Park last Saturday.

Along with the music, food, and vendors were activities for children.

Debbie Mixon, at left in photo, receives the Liberty Bell Award from Georgia Supreme Court Justice Verda Colvin on Monday. Colvin presented the award on behalf of the Tifton Judicial Circuit Bar Association.

DEBBIE MIXON RECEIVES LIBERTY BELL AWARD

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Debbie Paulk Mixon of Tifton, who served as a local court reporter for more than 40 years, has been honored with the Liberty Bell Award by the Tifton Judicial Circuit Bar Association.

Georgia Supreme Court Justice Verda Colvin presented the Liberty Bell award Monday to Mixon on behalf of the Tifton Judicial Circuit.

The prestigious Liberty Bell Award recognizes a non-lawyer in the community who promotes a better understanding of government and encourages a greater respect for the law and the courts.

"What an honor! Imagine being honored for doing your dream job,” Mixon said. "Thanks to all the attorneys out there who voted for me to have this."

Mixon, now retired, operated Mixon Reporting Service. Court reporters, or court stenographers, create word-for-word transcriptions at trials, depositions, and other legal proceedings.

TRMC GETS AN ‘A’

IN PATIENT SAFETY

Tifton Grapeviine Staff Reports

The Leapfrog Group has named Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) an “A" grade patient safety hospital for the second consecutive survey period. TRMC is the main hospital for Southwell health system.

“Once again, our team of medical professionals and support staff have demonstrated their commitment to quality care and patient safety,” said Christopher K. Dorman, Southwell president/CEO. “This national distinction celebrates Tift Regional’s achievements in protecting hospital patients from preventable harm and errors.”

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization with a 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the United States based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients.

A 'TOP DOC'

In other Tift healthcare news, Dr. Rubal Patel of Tifton has been named a "Top Doctor" in Georgia for the second year by Georgia Trend magazine.

Patel is a board-certified pulmonary medicine and critical care specialist with Southwell Medical Clinic Tifton. Southwell says Patel is an "influential leader engaged in several committees and serves on the hospital board."

KIDS HELP PAINT MURAL

AT BATEMAN CENTER

Broderick Flanigan, an artist from Athens, is leading children in painting a mural this week on a storage building behind Tifton's Anthony G. Bateman Youth Center.

Cindy Hammond, president of the Tifton Council for the Arts, said that Flanagan starts painting early each morning, and children in the Tiftarea YMCA's after-school program join him when they get there in the afternoon.

SIDEWALK, PARKING SPACES CLOSED TEMPORARILY IN FRONT OF TIFT THEATRE

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

The sidewalk and parking spaces in front of the Tift Theatre will be closed temporarily for several days because of a water leak and work on the theatre marquee, Main Street Director Hillery Culpepper said Tuesday.

“The water leak is of first importance, but we are excited to hear of the upcoming work on the marquee,” Culpepper said.

“We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause, but please know that all hands involved are working as fast and efficiently as they can. Thank you for your patience and understanding,” she said.

The Tift Theatre Facebook page announced construction taking place on Main Street between Third Street and U.S. Highway 82.

“Main Street is still open, just please use caution. The sidewalk in front of Tift Theatre is currently closed. Construction will continue through tomorrow.”

As part of Downtown Tifton's Second Saturday Celebration this weekend, downtown is hosting a free kids craft event at 1-3 p.m. Saturday in Tifton Gardens, followed by the showing of the Disney movie “Brave” at 3 p.m. at the Tift Theatre.

Tickets to the movie are available through www.purplepass.com. Use code MOM23 for one free movie ticket per purchase.

INSURANCE BROKERAGE FIRM ACQUIRES ASSETS OF TIFTON’S BROWNLEE AGENCY

A subsidiary of Brown & Brown Inc., headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla., has acquired substantially all of the assets of the Brownlee Agency of Tifton and Sylvester.

Scott Penny, Brown & Brown chief acquisitions officer; and Casey C. Brownlee, John R. Brownlee, and David Z. Monk, Brownlee Agency shareholders, made the announcement Monday. Brown & Brown is an insurance brokerage firm.

Founded in 1974, the Brownlee Agency offers property and casualty insurance products. The Brownlee Agency team will continue doing business from its existing Tifton and Sylvester offices under John Brownlee's leadership.

Brownlee said his firm is "excited to join Brown & Brown. Our culture and commitment to the industry, our customers, and teammates are very important to us. Brown & Brown shares those same values. With the additional resources of Brown & Brown, we will be well equipped to serve the needs of our customers and expand our footprint with a broad range of insurance products and services.”

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

“Cami,” a female kitten, is among the adorable pets available for adoption at the Tift County Animal Shelter. To adopt Cami and to 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

TIFTON BOARD OF TRADE RELOCATES ACROSS FROM MYON HOTEL

~ MAY 9, 1924

The Tifton Board of Trade (Chamber of Commerce) moved its furniture and fixtures on May 9, 1924, from the old Boatwright building to the Scarboro building across the street from the Myon Hotel's front door. Ralph Puckett Sr. continued operating his insurance office in the rear of the building.