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thejenkinscountytimes.com
The Jenkins County Times
Friday, May 5, 2023 - Page 11
Memories on the
Ogeechee River
There is a rich history in
the Ogeechee River basin.
Archeological artifacts
indicate human habitation
at least 10,000 - 12,000
years ago.
The Ogeechee and
Canoochee rivers’
importance as a
thoroughfare for trade and
commerce, as well as a
source of potable water and
plentiful fish, continued
for centuries. More than
simply a recreational area,
it was the main, or only
source, of fresh food for
some residents, as late as
the mid-20th century.
This week
I would like
to share some
of the great
stories I have
heard about
on the ole
Ogeechee
River. These
are two of
my favorites.
I will share
more in weeks
to come. Keep
watching!
Larry Lucas, All
time Fishemian &
Tree Enthusiast on the
Ogeechee.
"I just had a natural thing
for swamps. I mean, I knew
swamps from the time I
was a kid, I guess growing
up in the rural south. If we
was ever in the swamp lost
I would climb a tree. I look
for pine tops. If you see
pine tops, it’s dry land. So I
go back down, we head for
the pine trees. Sometimes
there’d be a hammock or
something, so you’d climb
another tree and look for
pine tops again. If you
see cypress, you know
it’s swamp. If you see
pine trees, oaks, hickory,
anything you know, it’s
dry land. But don’t get ‘em
mixed up with gum trees,
‘cause gum
trees grows
in the swamp,
tupelo, gums,
and all grow in
the swamp."
Shirley
D aughtry
has fond
memories on
the Ogeechee
"I went
one time to a
cane grinding
at my aunt’s fami located
on the Ogeechee River.
And that to me was very
entertaining. It was a social
occasion. The mule walks
around and it grinds the
cane and the juice pours
out and everyone has cane
juice to drink. Sugar cane
is no longer a cash crop
around here." "Also, My
dad was a fisherman. Every
Wednesday afternoon. In
fact, all the townsfolk
would close shop early on
Wednesday afternoon and
go fishing. ... the Ogeechee
River, as a young person,
I always felt close to it.
It was clean, we ate the
fish, we went swimming
and we even got water in
our mouths. But, it was
fun. I think all kids should
experience this at least
one time in their lives. It's
free and it brings families
closer."
Do you have a special
memory about the
Ogeechee river you would
like to share with our
readers? Please send them
to thejenkinscountytimes@
gmail.com ATTN: Uncle
Rogers Tales or you can
mail it to: The Jenkins
County Times, P.O. Box
1448, Millen, Georgia
30442
Pictures furnished
by Georgia Southern
University
MEMORIAL DAY 2023
By Diane Wasden,
Special Contributor
for
The Times
The plane had been shot down on
a routine flight not more than five
miles inside the enemy line.
It had gone down in the thickest
part of the jungle.
Our platoon of twenty men were
sent out to find the down plane and
any casualties if any, before falling
into enemy hands.
The lieutenant in charge had sent out four men to do reconnaissance and scout any
danger that may lie in our path.
Lightning bolts illuminated against the night’s black skies, the enemy were experts at this
sort of thing and knew the terrain.
The four soldiers had come across a fox hole of about seven soldiers who had been
reported as missing in action, enemy artillery shells landed and exploded in their fox hole.
Sarge collected all the dog tags off their bloody tom bodies, and we all said a prayer,
it just seemed completely unreal seeing death this way for the first time for a young
private.
When the platoon was all back together, they moved slowly across the jungle floor.
The rain was steadily coming down on the jungle covering our sounds walking.
After about four long hours we could see the burning flames from the plane in sight
along with movement, we all heard a voice snarling out of the darkness” who goes there? “,
The first few seconds were critical when our eyes met a dozen guns leveled right at us,
ready to blast us all into eternity if we made one false move.
We finally completed our mission and found the plane and our men, but not a minute to
soon.. .the enemy must have followed us right to them.
We were all under evasive action from the enemy, guns poured out a terrifying hail of fire.
Sarge was hit badly.. .1 yelled at him to tell me what to do.. .It’s gonna be bad, Sarge, we
may even flub it up.
A few minutes later the hot splatter found him and packed him with death.I had no idea
whatsoever as to what I should do.
I had also been hit and in severe pain I angrily closed my mind to it!
I recognized my ambitions and pride for what they were, but I had worked hard to become
an American Soldier, and nothing was going to stop me now even if I must crawl the jungle
floor on my hands and knees.
The battle of the machine guns took us down like a dove shoot.
we will never survive it through the shell fire they were just more equipped than us.
The shrill of men’s screams of pain on both sides seemed to creep into others veins and
made one question one’s own sanity, the rainwater turned red and there were dead and
maimed scattered all about.
All together we lost sixteen men, ten were wounded and three are missing in action.
Plus, the seven that were found dead in their fox hole.
These men and women of our Aimed Forces are bom with warrior blood mnning
through their veins, they have been chosen to see and do the unthinkable to protect our God,
Family, Country and Flag.
You can hear the military saying “I got your six “which means I got your back,
now it’s time for us to have their six.
I know war is ugly I ain’t said it ain’t.
This Memorial Day mark your calendars Monday May 29, 2023, at 1 pm let’s all say
a prayer at the same time for all our military personnel who died in service for our country!
They must never be forgotten for their blood, sweat and the ultimate price of their lives.
Diane Wasden
U.S.Army 1977
Charlie Norwood VAMC Augusta Georgia
Gardening with Talmadge
By Talmadge Fries,
Special Contributor
for
The Times
Hollyhocks
This is a throwback to my
grandmother’s flowers in
her yard. Hollyhocks were
beautiful and majestic in
her garden. This is an old
standard that is mostly
forgotten about today. The
flowers are hardy and easy
to care for.
Hollyhocks make a
beautiful addition to any
garden and are very easy
to maintain. The blooms
make a stunning display in
the garden. They are very
easy to plant, just sow the
seeds in an area and gently
cover them with !4 inch of
soil. Water and watch the
magic begin. Fertilize with
regular garden fertilizer.
The seeds should sprout in
about 2 weeks. Watch them
grow and begin to bloom.
Hollyhocks love full sun
and moist soil. They are
not drought tolerant. Prune
the old flowers off to keep
them reblooming.
The bloom stalks make
wonderful displays of
color in the garden. And
can be used in fresh vase
arrangements. Save a few
seed pods for next year’s
plantings. Also, you can
let the seed pods drop and
naturally seed the area for
next year’s flowers.
As always, join your
local garden club for a
wealth of information and
fellowship.
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Place
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