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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008 BARROW JOURNAL PAGE 7B OPENS THANKSGIVING GAY AT NOON! Scout Christmas Tree Lot SUPPORT THE I0CAI BOY SCOUTS! AIL proceeds go directly to Jefferson Boy Scout Unit 158 RECOGNIZING FARMERS Barrow County citizens attend the lucheon Monday recognizing local farmers. Statham officials up community center rent BY CHRIS BRIDGES City of Statham officials voted Tuesday night to use a new scale when charging for use of the community center starting Jan. 1. Residents who live within the city will now have to pay $75 for the first four hours with an additional $25 per hour after that time. An all day rent al, not exceeding eight hours, will be $175. For residents outside the city, the new rate will be $200 for the first four hours with an extra $50 per hour after that. An all-day rental, not exceed ing eight hours, will be $400. A $150 cash deposit will also be required when the key is picked up and contract signed. If the community center is left in acceptable condition, $25 will be returned to the person at that time with the remain ing $125 paid after a complete inspection. No sound equipment or utensils will be furnished by the city. The council discussed the issue at its October meeting when member Gayle Steed said it was time to revisit the fee and deposit amount. Concerns were expressed over issues, such as the sound system being damaged by those renting the facility. Steed and fellow council member Betty Lyle studied what other area municipalities were charging to rent their community cen ters. Previously, Statham officials charged $125 for residents inside the city and $225 for residents outside the city. In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, the council: •approved a setback variance request for Arti Ridgeway on 411 Sunset Drive. •approved a setback variance request for Russell Watkins on 1895 Broad Street. •voted to give city employ ees a $25 gift certificate from Publix for Christmas. The Christmas dinner for employ ees was set for Dec. 24. Conveniently located in Jefferson across from the old train near Jefferson High School. Just Look for the Christmas Lights! OPENING WEEKEND ONLY! Bring in this coupon to get $ 50FF YOUR CHOICE OF CHRISTMAS TREE This coupon good at the Boy Scout Unit 158 Christmas Tree Lot Thursday, Nov. 27 - Sunday, Nov. 30,2008 Fresh Cut • All Sizes Available • Free Trimming at Lot Open: Mon.-Fri. 3:30pm-7:00pm, Sat. 9am-8pm, Sun. 11am-7pm Barrow celebrates ‘Farm City Week ’ The Jefferson Boy Scouts' 13th Annual HIM! IMF Bring your family and pick out a beautiful, fresh-cut Fraser Fir for your home! “Let us not forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other arts will follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization." — Daniel Webster To celebrate Farm-City Week, the Barrow County Farm Bureau hosted a din ner Monday in recognition of some of Barrow County’s outstanding farmers. State senators, state rep resentatives and local offi cials were in attendance. The Cattleman Association and Barrow Co. Extension Office also joined in the recognition. At Thanksgiving, Americans often celebrate their bless ings with family and friends. Because food plays an integral part of holiday gatherings, the week of Thanksgiving makes the perfect time to celebrate Farm-City Week, Nov. 21 through Thanksgiving Day, and reflect on the cooperative relationship between farmers and their urban colleagues who help process, market and retail the food farmers grow to the American consumer. Rural and urban residents are partners who produce the products, consumer the prod ucts, and make them readily available through an efficient production and marketing chain. Farmers and ranch ers are just the beginning of that chain. Farm workers, researchers, processors, ship pers, truck drivers, inspectors, wholesalers, agribusinesses, marketers, advertisers, retail ers and consumers all play important roles in the incredi ble productivity that has made our nation’s food and fiber system the envy of the world. Organizers said this is the 53rd anniversary of Farm- City Week. National Farm- City Week was begun in 1955 by Kiwanis International to increase the understanding of the partnership between urban and rural residents. Farm days at schools, farm tours, ban quets and mayoral proclama tions are just a few of the CHAIRMAN SPEAKS Banks County chairman Doug Garrison speaks Monday at the Farm City banquet. observances that will be held in communities across the country to mark this annual event. “What better time about agriculture and Georgia’s farmers than at Thanksgiving when we gather around the table with our families,” said Doug Garrison Barrow County Farm Bureau presi dent. “Farmers depend on consumers to purchase the crops they produce and con sumers depend on farmers to provide a safe food supply.” According to a report pub lished by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Statistics Service, Georgia farmers lead the nation in producing broilers, pecans, peanuts and water melon and second in the production of fresh market cucumbers, spring onions, and rye. In 2007, the top ten com modities grown in Georgia in 2007 were broilers, cot ton, timber, beef, eggs, horses, peanuts, greenhouse plants, dairy and container nursery plants. The 2007 Georgia Farm Gate Report from The University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development indi cates that Georgia agricultural production value was about $1.2 billion more in 2007 than in 2006, or just over $11.5 billion. Georgia farm and timber owners also provide environ mental benefits to the state by preserving natural habitats for native plants and animals. According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, of Georgia’s 37 million acres of land area, 24.8 million acres is forestland. “As you dig into your Thanksgiving feast, take time to say a prayer of thanks for the farmers who grew the food you will eat this holi day season and all the hands that played role in getting that food to your table,” Garrison said. They have all proudly labored all year to produce, process and deliver food to feed not just our families in the U.S., but also the rest of the world. Best Quality Trees at a Reasonable Price! We'll trim, wrap and load it for you! SPECIAL GUEST State rep resenta tive Terry England, right, talks with those attending the ban quet. TALK IT OVER Master gardner John Gladney talked with Raymond Butler, owner of Double Bridges Farm during this week’s luncheon. Photos by Jessica Brown