Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

6A > SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2006 m mmt ' WJ/L^J^wSMbiaßk '" . Ig * / V ' j ■ - JLwmfii vk&vOVJ»rTJi» r <i ' x " T«UBm __ , 1 V '•^SSh ui— , •’- « :>;; ; >“' 4s?H "*** h %iIVs ' * 4 sjp V ' '-• ' ] —* M A ‘|LmbJ H ; ' a , H . ■ W ■ ■!• V 4i K .iSalEitfi! . ■' . -.*.. • jß^'TO***^?”^*■■ : *'* VJL ; V . V : , ■• n* '" ' ' ■' >ja?]>?£fty^%rWsg%&S:„..,ss JZjMjffiSf j' t'f '. :■ ■ ■ .- '>'■-. ' Journal Kristy Warren The Swanson owner, Kim Sheridan stands outside with the Deodara, Cedrick the Cedar. Unique tree graces downtown Perry By KRISTY WARREN Journal Staff Writer The Swanson on Carroll Street downtown is home to the exact kind of tree Tim Smalley and his graduate student are looking for. (See related story below) In front of the restaurant, is a large Deodara Cedar. Current owner of the Swanson, Kim Sheridan says the tree is “the one thing that stood out when we were looking at the property.” She and her husband even considered naming the res taurant after the unique tree, but decided the name might have seen to be difficult for people to remember and to pronounce, as even she and her husband pronounce the name differently. The eventual name of the restaurant, The Swanson, is for the last family that lived in the house. Noreen Swanson moved from the home in 1985. Her step daughter, Virginia Jones, 80, says that the tree was transplanted by Noreen Swanson and her nephew Billy Wilkinson one Arbor Significant Georgia trees sought by pair By Faith Peppers University of Georgia Some people see a tree and think shade from the sum mer sun. Some remember climbing to the top in days gone by. Tim Smalley and his graduate student Sarah Thompson see a rich heri tage and want to record it for posterity. And they’re asking for your help. “We’re trying to docu ment all the unique and historically significant trees in Georgia,” said Smalley, a University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences horticulture professor. “We want Georgians to appreci ate the value of trees to their communities.” Smalley and Thompson are using Global Positioning Systems to make accurate maps and video documenta tion to record their findings. They’re visiting communi ties and talking face-to-face with local tree lovers. “We’re seeking out people in the communities who real ly know the trees,” Smalley said. University experts and community foresters and arborists have nominated many trees already. “But there may be that one tree Im,-. Special to the Journal Noreen Swanson in front of what is now The Swanson in the shade of the Deodara in 1979. Day when Jones was 12 years old. Their house was home to quite a few businesses before landing in the hands of the Sheridans who have been very interested in the tree and its history. “The tree is always a topic of conversation with customers,” says Sheridan. She says she has given away hundreds of the tree’s cones as souvenirs to patrons. The bright green cones we might miss somewhere in Georgia.” To make sure they don’t miss that tree, Smalley and Thompson have developed the Significant Trees of Georgia Web site (www.uga. edu/significanttreesofgeor gia). There, people can nomi nate trees they find unique in some way or know the history of. “We’re using GPS to locate them so we can make accurate maps,” Smalley said. “Some will be private. Others will be available for the public to see. Hopefully, anyone who is a tree lover can visit our Web site in the future and find interest ing trees in any region of Georgia.” Smalley and Thompson plan to document only sig nificant trees and groves of trees in the landscapes of Georgia. They don’t plan to document Georgia’s Champion Trees, which are the state’s largest trees and are often found in isolated woodlands. “Champion Trees have already been documented,” Smalley said. “We want to document trees found in landscapes which may be grow upwards says Jones, and when the top gets too heavy, they fall off and look like rosettes. The late local florist Margorie Wells made a beau tiful Christmas tree out of the rosettes, says Jones. Over the years, the tree has gained a personality of its own. Cedrick the Cedar, as they call it, even has a face that has been put on its trunk. significant for their unique ness, beauty or role in the community rather than for their size.” Smalley hopes the project will help people be more sen sitive to the value of older trees. “Trees unite a com munity,” he said. “When people say, ‘What a beautiful neighborhood,’ they’re real ly saying, ‘What beautiful trees.’” Some trees already on Smalley’s list include Lanier’s oak in Brunswick and “the tree that owns itself” in Athens. Lanier’s oak is the tree that Georgia poet Sydney Lanier sat under while he wrote the “Marshes of Glynn.” And Thompson has found that the Athens tree was actually a test by the local newspaper for UGA law students to see if a tree could really own itself. “What we really hope is that this project will raise awareness, document trees and identify those trees that might need help,” Smalley said. If you’d like to nominate a tree in your community or a tree you know about in Georgia, visit the Significant Trees of Georgia Web site. LOCAL WRFD chief gets academy honor By KRISTY WARREN Journal Staff Writer Warner Robins Fire Department Chief Robert Singletary has completed a four-year course at the National Fire Academy. Chief Singletary was recognized for completing the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy at last month’s city council meet ing. “Congratulations to Chief Singletary,” said Councilman Douglas McDowell, “This shows his dedication to the depart ment.” It sure does. The four year course required Singletary to travel to Emmitsberg, Md. once a year for two weeks. At each meeting, applied research projects were assigned. Topics were cho iXEgr v / ' Bkiß f H " Whsi m@4j r .... - v . of # <t„'/ - JH mum y~ V TBNX B “F I ■■■•:;; ■ jsl fIHB - ? ||i| / m Bi f-4 j m :?' *;yl mZKNm ' ■if Journal/Ray Lightner Warner Robins Mayor Donald Walker (right) presents the framed certificate from the National Fire Academy to Fire Chief Robert Singletary as his wife Sharon looks on at June’s city council meeting. Aug. 5 Perdue For A New Georgia Miller-Murphy-Howard Building Estimated number of people is set at 2,000 Information: 770-220- 0210 Aug. 11 - Aug. 13 Magnolia Arabian Horse Association Reaves Arena, Covered Horse Arena, Horse Barn Estimated number of people is set at 1,117 Information: 478-955- 3030 Aug. 18 - Aug. 20 Horseman’s Quarter Horse Association Futurity Reaves Arena, Covered Horse Arena, Horse Barn, Beef/Dairy Barn Estimated number of people is set at 1,725 Information: 770-227- 2159 Aug. 18 - Aug. 20 Georgia Wildlife Federation Buck-A-Rama Various Buildings Estimated number of people is set at 17,000 Information: 770-787- PUBLIC NOTICE Pursuant to 21-2-379.6(c) Notice is hereby given that on the 27th day of July, 2006 Logic and Accuracy Testing of the Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) Units, Encoders and Express Polls will begin at 2:oopm at the Houston County Board of Elections Office located in the Houston County Government Building, 801 Main Street, Perry and continue from B:3oam - s:oopm weekdays until complete. Following completion of testing on the DRE Units, Encoders and Express Polls, Logic and Accuracy Testing of the AccuVote OS Units will begin and continue until complete. This equipment will be used for absentee, in person absentee/advance voting and the tabulation of votes for the August 8, 2006 General Primary Election Runoff. s This testing ios open to the public. i HOUSTON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS sen by Singletary based on the WRFD and its needs. His topics/proposals were a Reinstatement Assessment Center for Promotional Process; a Regional Response Team; a plan to assist the Hispanic population; and a Career Development Program. While the first two pro grams have been imple mented, the Career Development Program is in the works and steps are still being taken to reach out to the Hispanic popula tion. Workbooks have been printed in Spanish, and the department is working with local Spanish teachers. Having his undergradu ate degree from Macon State, Singletary explains that this course is presti gious and would be compa rable to a Master’s Degree. “It’s like the FBI acad Fairground Calendar 7887 Aug. 24 - Aug. 27 AQHA Regional Quarter Horse Show Reaves Arena, Barns Estimated number of people is set at 4,180 Information: 706-655- 2354 Aug. 24 Georgia Chamber of Commerce Congressional Luncheon Miller-Murphy-Howard Building Estimated number of people is set at 1,500 Information: 404-223- WOW, I went by that great new subdivision Sugarloaf. f Yea they are built bylarter-Wilkes Construction Inc. I and they have extended the sperial buyer bonus? , No, What's the bonus? If you contract and close on one of their 5 completed homes within 30 days of the contract acceptance, you get $1,500.00 to use for anything you wish, and the builder will still pay up to $3,000.00 towards your closing cost. WOW, I have seen those homes and they are all brick on Ig, lots with such quality features like custom cabinets, security systems, sod & sprinklers. Well I heard that Karen had available a 100% loan program with no PMI! I think that we need to go visit with Karen again before they are all gone. Located on the Perry Parkway right across from the new Court House. Open Mon, Thur, & Fri 12-6 Sat 11-5 & Sun 1-5 or give Karen Roulette a call at 954-HOME (4663). flUFairclothJfealtv f £5 (478)971-2115 331 Margie Driwe, Warner Rollins, GA. 31088 Disclaimer: Bonuses based on certain completed homes only Loan program based upon credit and may not apply to all purchasers HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL emy for police,” said Mayor Donald Walker. “We’re real proud of him.” He said the course was very time consuming, doing school work in the eve nings and performing the research for his projects. The shortest paper he wrote was about 40 pages and the longest was 70. The time away from his family was the most diffi cult part for Singletary. “I appreciated the sup port of the mayor and coun cil. Without support from the city, the department, and my family, I couldn’t have done this,” said Singletary. “Everyone had to put up with me being out of town.” The chief completed his final paper in December and recently received a notice of approval from FEMA. 2298 Aug. 26 - Aug. 27 Middle Georgia Computer Show McGill Marketplace Estimated number of people is set at 1,000 Information: 770-663- 0943 Aug. 31 Southeast Alabama Kennel Club Show Various Buildings Estimated number of people is set at 2,500 Information: 229-723- 3079