'GNAT DROP’ TO HERALD 2023

TIFTON EVENT FEATURES ENTERTAINMENT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

To ring in the new year Saturday night, the Tifton Gnat Drop returns to Tifton.

Begun in 2018 by Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes, the Gnat Drop is fashioned after the crystal ball drop in New York City’s Times Square and the famous Peach Drop in Atlanta.

"Matt the Gnat” is scheduled to be dropped from atop a boom truck outside the Charles Kent County Administration Building on Tift Avenue as the countdown to 2023 reaches toward midnight, when fireworks are scheduled, weather permitting. The forecast is for scattered rain showers Saturday night.

"Because of the weather, we are looking at different locations,” Hughes said Tuesday. "We are trying to get closer to the date to check for weather.” 

Hughes said that "after canceling the Gnat Drop for the last two years, the Gnat committee is excited to move forward with this New Year’s Eve Gnat Drop."

A full schedule of entertainment is planned throughout the evening beginning at 7 p.m., including J.J. Jackson and the Blue Dancing Beauties, Kasey King, Donnie Hester, Northside Baptist Church Praise Team Band, Music Solutions Band, and the popular local band the Mood Doctors.

Also scheduled is a street dance to celebrate Michael Jackson’s 40th anniversary of his “Thriller” dance.

For information, call 229-326-0241.

TIFTON INVITATIONAL

UNDERWAY AT TCHS

The 13th Annual McDonald’s Tifton Invitational featuring local prep basketball teams got underway tonight (Tuesday) and continues Wednesday night, Dec. 28.

The basketball tournament at the Tift County High School gym begins at 5:30 p.m. The host team, the Tift County High Blue Devils, will take the court at 8:30 p.m.

Other competitors in the Invitational include Cook County, Irwin County, Turner County, Fitzgerald, and Crisp County. 

“We are excited about this incredible opportunity to highlight six basketball teams in our South Central Georgia area,” said Wendell Morgan of the Tifton McDonald’s, the tournament's title sponsor.

Tift County Head Basketball Coach Tommy Blackshear has high expectations for this year’s team and expects the Blue Devils to be in contention for another region championship. 

“Tift has eight seniors who are determined to hang another championship banner on the wall and keep their rich tradition intact,” Blackshear said.



The Villas at the lake Blackshear Resort, above and the hotel lodge rooms are closed until further notice because of structural issues, officials say.

‘UNSAFE’ STRUCTURAL ISSUES FORCE CLOSURE OF LAKE BLACKSHEAR RESORT

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Lake Blackshear Resort was closed Friday, Dec. 23, because of unsafe structural issues, state Sen. Carden Summers, R-Cordele, says.

Summers said he was told that "structural engineers have deemed the hotel and villas are unsafe for people to stay in. The Convention Center and restaurant will stay open for now."

On social media, Summers noted the resort had "extremely poor construction to begin with. It seems the roof and walls have been leaking from day one. Very bad condition."

The resort is at Georgia Veterans State Park outside Cordele.

According to a statement Friday from the Ga. Department of Natural Resources, the DNR "has determined that based on structural evaluations, the lodge rooms and villas at Lake Blackshear Resort will be temporarily closed to the public effective immediately. These facilities will remain closed for additional evaluation and possible repairs."

The DNR added that “lakeside cabins, campsites and RV areas are still open and welcome guests. Cordelia’s Restaurant and 88s Lounge will remain open to serve customers through New Year’s Day.” An 80’s-themed New Year’s Eve party is planned.

Other activities in the park remain open, including boating at Lake Blackshear Marina, golf at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Golf Course, as well as the SAM Shortline Excursion Train, the Georgia Veterans State Park Museum, the archery and air rifle range, and the 3-D archery trail.

TIFTAREA YMCA 'POLAR BEARS’

TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITIES

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

The Tiftarea YMCA is holding its annual Polar Bear Plunge on New Year's Day to help support local nonprofit organizations.

Eleven challengers are vying to raise the most contributions for their charity of choice. The charity of the person raising the most will get 100% of that person's fundraising, as long as the individual takes the plunge into the YMCA pool on Jan. 1.

All other charities represented will receive a 50% split with the Tiftarea YMCA if their corresponding representative takes the plunge.

This year's challengers are: Paul Horst, raising contributions for the Tift Area Greenways Association (TAGA), Vicki Taft for Hospice of Tiftarea, Mac Sims for Tift Animal Rescue, Bennett Harrison for Called to Care, Andrea McLemore for Literacy Volunteers of Tifton-Tift County, Andy Marzen for the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence, Cody Dixon for Peanut Butter & Jesus, Todd Garner for Dream Center, Kim Moorman for the Tifton-Tift County Public Library Foundation, Christy Day for Tiftarea House of Hope, and Jason Bishoff for Brother Charlie's.

The plunge into the "arctic chill" will take place at 2 p.m. Jan. 1, at the Stafford Aquatic Center at the YMCA's Hunt Park, 1823 Westover Road in Tifton.

The deadline to contribute to the "plunger" and their respective nonprofit, is 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29. To donate, Click Here! and then click on the photo of your plunger of choice.

Contributions are also accepted at the Tiftarea YMCA, 1657 S. Carpenter Road in Tifton. For information, call 229-391-9622.

TIFTON-TIFT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING

Astro Exterminating Services Inc.

4027 Ga. Highway 125 N., Tifton

Dec. 15

AARP DRIVER SAFETY REFRESHER COURSE COMING TO TIFTON SENIOR CENTER

Tifton’s Leroy Rogers Senior Center is hosting a series of AARP Driver Safety Programs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 18, April 15, and May 20, with  lunch included.

Seniors may update driving skills and earn a discount from their current automobile insurance provider.

AARP developed the six-hour classroom refresher to help drivers improve their skills and prevent crashes. It covers age-related physical changes, rules of the road, and updates on recent changes in the law. Participants may be eligible for up to a 20% discount from their current automobile insurance provider.

Participants are requested to make class reservations early. Contact Fran Kinchen Moss or Tasha Patrick at 229-391-3956 or email fkinchen@tifton.net or npatrick@tifton.net 

Cost is $25 per person, with a $5 discount for AARP members with card.  

OBITUARY

Kay “KK” Guske Nienstedt

Kay “KK” Guske Nienstedt, 76, of Tifton passed away Thursday, December 15, 2022, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Per KK’s request, a Going Home Party will be held for KK on Saturday, January 7, 2023, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Journey Church in Tifton.

Born August 8, 1946, in Ypsilanti, Mich., KK was the daughter of the late Charles Guske and Irma Burgess Guske. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Kent Guske. Before retiring, she was the Administrative Assistant for International Fire Protection. She was a member of Good Samaritan Catholic Church in Ellijay. She loved to do laundry, loved to travel, loved watching murder mystery shows, and she loved campfires and making s’mores. KK had an infectious laugh.

KK is survived by her husband, William C. “Bill” Nienstedt of Tifton; one son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Maggie Thomas of Marietta; one daughter and son-in-law, Jenny Thomas Snow and Derick of Tifton; one step-son, Mark Nienstedt of Orlando, Fl.a; one step-daughter, Beth Nienstedt Smith of Lewisville, Texas; one brother and sister-in-law, Kim Arthur and Suzanne Guske of Kingsport, Tenn.; seven grandchildren, Mayson, Tyler, Andrew, Hunter, Alexa, Owen and Lillian; and several nieces and nephews.

The family requests no flowers. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

You may offer condolences to the family at the online guest registry at www.bowen-donaldson.com. Services for the Nienstedt family are under the care and direction of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

“Linus” is hoping for a home in the new year. Linus is available for adoption today at the Tift County Animal Shelter. To adopt him and to see other pets available, visit the shelter between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

THIEF STRIKES TIFTON JEWELRY STORE

ON CHRISTMAS DAY

~ DEC. 25, 1900

A burglar broke the jewelry window of J.E. Cochran, on the evening of Dec. 25, 1900, Christmas Day, in downtown Tifton, absconding with watches and rings valued at $500. A $75 reward was offered.