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Mcrueimt 40aily SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2006 Looking at diversity Itook a long walk one recent, cold, crisp sunny day through my neigh borhood where a great deal of construction is under way. First I came upon a con struction crew with the volume of Sweet Home Alabama bv Lynryd Skvnryd on the highest of volumes, so I waved, gave them a thumbs up as that is one of my favorite songs. A short distance away were two Hispanic men taking a break and kicking around a soccer ball while those still working were listening to also on full volume some Spanish tune I recognized. So I gave them a big smile and a “Hola, y’all,” and got a very friendly response. Following that I came upon an African American couple and their two chil dren - one in a stroll er and one on a bike with training wheels - out enjoying an early Jane Winston The Left Rail morning walk. But my favorite was the gentleman about my age with the long gray pony tail taking a ride through the construction site on his Harley! We waved and said, “Howdee.” And this all leads me on this Saturday after Thanksgiving to say how thankful I am to live in a world that celebrates diver sity. And my wish is that we allow a carrot to be a carrot, a radish to be a radish, an onion to be an onion, and lettuce to be lettuce and all come together to create a nice crisp salad! What’s your sign I nearly omitted November’s sign, which hap pens to be my sign. Nov. 23 to Dec. 21 is Armadillo: We have a tendency to develop a tough exterior, but we are actually quite gentle and kind inside. A good evening for us: old friends, a fire, some roots, fruit, worms and insects. We’re a throwback. We’re not concerned much with today and its fashions and trends. We’re almost prehistoric in our interest and behav ior patterns, and we prob ably want to marry anoth er Armadillo, but a kinky Possum might do! Play rehearsal I am being held captive by director Linda Deibert at the Perry Players theatre rehearsing for A Christmas Carol. Send food! This is the Royal Shakespeare version of A Christmas Carol, which uses a chorus much like what is used in Greek Drama. The production is delight fully different, but the ador able Cratchitt family is alive and well along with the sweetest Tiny Tim, old Scrooge and his neph ew, Jacob Marley and the Christmases Past, Present and Future and other famil iar A Christmas Carol per sonage. Watch for cast members in the Perry Christmas Parade, at Henderson Village, in newspapers, magazines and on televisions! See you at the opening Dec. 7! Till next week ”We never could learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world.” Helen Keller Children looking for a few loving parents — _ — -£ if! % I Journal Charlotte Perkins Joyce Handy, Resource Development Specialist for Houston County Department of Family and Children Services, accepts a proclamation of National Adoption Month from Perry Mayor Jim Worrall. Crossroads Civitan Club honors good works Special to the Journal The Crossroads Civitan Club of Perry recently honored the Feed My Sheep Ministry at St. James CME Church and Doug and Gail Base as Citizens of the Year. The honors were pre sented at the club’s annual awards ban quet and installation of new officers on Sept. 21 at the Miller-Murphy- Howard Building, Georgia National Fairgrounds. The Feed My Sheep Ministry was started by St. James CME Church when the church voted to start a food ministry. It began as a food pantry and evolved into a hardwork ing team of retired ladies who come together every Thursday to buy, prepare and deliver wholesome home-cooked meals to 26 elderly shut-ins in Perry. These dedicated women prepare the food and deliver it to those who need not only nutrition but companionship. The Crossroads Civitan Club honored the follow ing ladies for their hard work: Catherine Ingram, Minnie Burden, Emma Bannister, Leila Felton, Gloria Ragin, Gaynell Lumpkin, Anna Lumpkin, Selena Pitmon and Annie Johnson. Doug and Gail Baase were recognized as Citizens of the Year for their work with both Loave and Fishes and Meals on Wheels in Perry. Gail Baase has been dedi cated to meals on Wheels since 1988 and Doug Baase began in 1995 after retiring. Together they have logged thousands of miles to deliver meals to those in need. Gail was instrumental also in start ing Loaves and Fishes in Perry in 1993. Both are active at Houston Lake Baptist See CLUB, page iC My thoughts of giving thanks at this time of year It’s true; I look forward to Thanksgiving as much to be with my family and to enjoy the bounty of our kitchens as I do to giving thanks. This is the only time of year the whole extended family tries to get together, so it’s an event to anticipate and enjoy. I also look forward to Thanksgiving being the offi cial start of the Christmas season, as it is my tradition to get out our Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving. However, Thanksgiving is about more than food, fam ily, or a season. We tend to forget that in the midst of the turkey and the dressing. Actually, we tend to forget that on a daily basis we are to give thanks for our many Lifestyle ~ ] ~ 1 i I :._Lw £i-j£. SL - - - - —■ *• ■ ■BB | m • aft?' -JsS* Wm . JBSSSSSSSr, JjgfT’ | '' i ‘ blessings. At least, I say “we” because I know I do, and I also know I’m not the only one out there who needs a day to be remind ed to be thankful. S o , with that thought in mind, I offer y Sherri Martin The Front Porch the things that, at this the moment, readily come to mind. The things that I have thanked God for this week because it would be a true sin of omission not to thank Him for all that I have. This is not by any means a complete list, but here By CHARLOTTE PERKINS Journal Lifestyle Editor If you have space in your home and a place in your heart for a child in need, there’s a number to call. It’s 1-877-210-KIDS, and it’s the first step to take if you’re interested in being a foster parent or adopting a child. According to Joyce Handy, who works with foster and adoptive parents, Houston County currently has 48 children in line for adop tion, which means that they would become a permanent part of the family adopting them. goes. I’m thankful: That my husband and I find a reason to laugh together every day. For the hugs of my chil dren, especially first thing in the morning. That I’m home and getting to hear each new word my younger son learns as he’s adding daily to his vocabu lary, and getting to watch as my older son grows and learns more every day. He is reading to me as much as I am reading to him. For the little kicks and bumps in my midsection that remind me that anoth er little one is on his way. That Georgia beat Auburn 37-15. For loving and generous grandparents, and neigh bors who act like an extra set of grandparents, to my “We’ve found homes for 24 children this year,” Handy says. “The state’s goal is permanancy for the children.” She adds that DFACS strives to keep brothers and sisters together, and in many cases, a parent might adopt more than one child for this reason. Parents hoping to adopt attend the Impact Orientation, a series of classes on childcare and the responsibilities of parent ing, and start as foster par ents. They must pass a back ground check. Foster par ents receive a small reim children. For my grandmother, and the fun my sons and I have when we go visit her. For my sister, sister-in law, their families and the rest of my family who cre ate a network of love and support. That my momma taught me to be a true Dawg fan even when we lose to Vandy on homecoming and still can’t beat Florida. For good friends who love me in spite of me. For e-mail to keep in touch with friends and family far and near. For creative people who make great movies. (Yes, this is my shameless plug for the movie “Facing the Giants.” If you haven’t seen it, you should. You will be thankful you did.) For our two pet dogs who SECTION c bursement from the state. Foster parents in Peach, Crawford, Bibb, Pulaski, Twiggs, Wilkerson and Jones County receive vary ing levels of supplement from their county govern ment, while there is no sup plementary funding for this program from the Houston County government. Some choose to be fos ter parents only, providing homes for infants and chil dren on a temporary basis, while others may chose the foster-to-adopt route. Following the finalization of adoption, DFACS pro vides six months of post placement support. ABOVE: Members of the Feed My Sheep Ministry were honored by the Crossroads Civitan Club for preparing and deliver ing hot homemade meals to shut-ins in the com munity. LEFT: Doug and Gail Baase, shown here with Crossroads Civitan President Susan Pierce, were honored as Citizens of the Year for their work with Meals on Wheels and Loaves and Fishes. Submitted keep us laughing, even though one of them often keeps me exasperated. For my church family, for modern medicine, for beau tiful music, for good books and bright blue fall skies. For the bad times that help me grow, teach me to rely on God more and more, and make me appreciate the good times. For a God who loves me even when I forget to be thankful. Oh, and did I mention that Georgia beat Auburn? As I said, this is not a complete list. In fact, I feel like I’m not even getting started. Perhaps this little exercise will carry me through the holiday season and all the way through next year. I hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving.