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Vol l No 29 September 27, 2023 Quality News That Affects You Millen, Georgia $1.25
TM® (Que®nn^ air® crowned
By Joe Brady, Editor
for The Times
This year’s Fair on the Square Beauty Pageant was a huge success. Main Street Millen would like to thank all
the contestants who participated. Our many thanks to Jessica Suggs with Durden Bank and Sam Eades with
Jenkins County Times and Spring Creek Auction for being the master of ceremonies.
Tiny Miss Fair on the Square
Queen: Jessie Kate Butler
1st Runner Up: Braelyn Kabri Lane
2nd Runner Up: Addalynn Faye Childs
Wee Miss Fair on the Square
Queen: Averly Blake Jackson
Miss Fair on the Square
Queen: Katelyn Harris
1st Runner Up: Addilyn McKensley Marsh
2nd Runner Up: Allison Aldrich
Teen Miss Fair on the Square
Queen: Jaylynn Hicks
1st Runner Up: Maci Eason
2nd Runner Up: Avery Faith Wiggins
Junior Miss Fair on the Square
Queen: Josie Gay
1st Runner Up: Alyssa Smith
2nd Runner Up: Bristol Kenzie Lane
Young Miss Fair on the Square
Queen: Lainee Elexa Aspinwall
1st Runner Up: Colby Sutton Frawley
2nd Runner Up: Brinlee Kacen Lane
Little Miss Fair on the Square
Queen: Addison Lilly McNeal
1st Runner Up: Lynleigh Jade
Overstreet
2nd Runner Up: MacKenzie Scott
Toddler Miss Fair on the Square
Queen: Ariah McKeena Brady
1st Runner Up: Naomi Grace
Mendoza
2nd Runner Up: Bailee Anna Sharpe
Meet the Candidates
By Tyler Busch, Podcast Director & Staff Writer
for The Times
Former Millen city councilman.
Dr. Giovanni Shumake announced
his candidacy for mayor of
Millen. He most recently served
on the city council representing
district one. He was born and
raised in Millen and moved back
to Millen to retire a few years ago.
He ran for city council in 2021 to
fill a vacant seat. Before mnning
for city council, Shumake led a
citizens advocacy group.
Professionally, he taught in
education for ten years, then
moved into the corporate world.
He taught language arts and
science at the middle school
level as well as being the adult
education coordinator for Augusta
Technical Institute in Burke
County. He taught in Augusta,
Statesboro, and Washington/
Wilkes County. His favorite place
to teach was in Statesboro since
this is where his teaching career
began. In the corporate world, he
was a trainer and manager as well
as worked in Human Resources.
Shumake resigned from his
city council position on August
25, 2023, as is required by state
law when qualifying for office.
He had been serving on the city
council for a year and eight
months. While on city council
Shumake states, “I have been
so fortunate to advocate for the
employees of the city of Millen,
and was able to ensure that all
full-time employees received
a $750 bonus, as well as raise
the base pay salary to $12 an
hour.” He continued saying,
“I wasn’t advocating for just
residents in my district, but for
all Millen residents.” Shumake
did mention that while on city
council they cracked down on
code enforcement and making -
sure ordinances were being
enforced.
While on city council, he was
assigned to family enrichment
agencies like Step-up, serving as
the city representative. If elected
mayor, he states, “the chairs that
all city council members sitting
in will be working chairs, and
we will create committees where
each council member would
look over assigned departments’
like public works. In addition.
Shumake mentions that during
his time on council, time was
added to meeting agendas to give
council members time to have
their thoughts/concems heard.
Even in a crowded mayoral
race, Shumake is excited to see
the desire for change Millen
residents are wanting. He states
the following on how he is the
most qualified and attractive
candidate mnning for mayor; “I
regularly attended city council
meetings prior to going on city
council, and I have led legislation
that benefits city employees and
residents.” He continues, “I have
forged relationships with elected
officials and city administrators
throughout Georgia, members of
the GA municipal association and
the Central Savannah River Area
(CSRA) regional commission.”
He has also attended various city
council meetings throughout the
state to get insight on their best
practices.
Awards that Shumake has been
given are from the Carl Vinson
Institute of Government and the
Georgia Municipal Association
certificate of recognition as a
result of completed training
courses for elected officials. He
believes that it is vital that elected
officials should stay updated on
See SHUMAKEpage 5
The Jenkins County War
Eagles are now 4-0 in
regional play. They are tied
with ECI for first place in
the region. Pictured from left
to right: (Front Row) Mya
Abraham, Kynlee Wallace,
Hillary Garvin, Laura
Gayle Dailey, and Katie
Bell. (Second Row) Lynnsey
Lane, Renee Hearn (Head
Coach), Cayley Linder,
Shanya Lake, Jakhaila
Oglesby, and Dehaje
Newton. (Back Row) Callie
Dailey (Assistant Coach),
Aubrey Davis, Avery
Wiggins, Ava Brantley,
Ladaeshia Williams, Lohgan
Walker, and Kolbie Motes
(Assistant Coach).
see more pics in He sports Historic Season Lady War Eagles
Section pages 9-10.
Pictured are Britany Dawkins-Nursing Director; Katy Hood-Unit Director; Kenyatta
Kelly, Joanne Griffin, and Sirena McGee. Photo by S. Eades
On Track Behavioral
Health at JCMC Marks
4th Anniversary
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
In a celebration of compassion, care, and commitment to mental
health, the On Track Behavioral Health department at Jenkins County
Medical Center (JCMC) proudly commemorated its fourth anniversary
last week. Since its inception, this vital unit has provided invaluable
support to over 700 patients, making a profound impact on the counties
it serves.
Under the leadership of Antoine Poythress, CEO of Jenkins County
Medical Center, the On Track Behavioral Health department has become
a cornerstone of care for individuals aged 55 and over. This specialized
unit offers a haven for those in need of mental health support, and it has
played a crucial role in enhancing the well-being of the community.
The Behavioral Health department is designed as an inpatient geriatric
psychiatric unit, serving the unique § ee JCMC page 7
needs of elderly patients. Its mission is to
Come Spend Time with
"The Savannah Sipping Society"
at the Historic Pal Theater
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
Tin Times
Laughter and camaraderie await as Millen's historic Pal Theater
presents "The Savannah Sipping Society," a delightfiil comedy in two
acts by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten. Directed by
Donna Hooley, this production promises to be a side-splitting experience
you won't want to miss.
Show Dates and Ticket Information:
Mark your calendars for two uproarious performances at the Pal
Theater, located at 531 Cotton Avenue. The showtimes are as follows:
• Friday, September 29, 2023, at 7:30 pm
• Sunday, October 1, 2023, at 3:00 pm
Tickets for this hilarious evening of entertainment are priced at just
$10 each. They can be purchased in advance in the following ways:
1. In Person: Visit the Millen Jenkins Chamber of Commerce,
where you can buy tickets using cash, check, or credit card.
2. Online: For your convenience, tickets are available online at
https://tinyurl.com/57rk74I3.
3. At the Door: Tickets will also be available at the theater's
entrance one hour before each show, subject to availability.
Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to enjoy a night out with friends
and family, all while supporting the restoration of the beloved Pal
Theater.
The Plot:
"The Savannah Sipping Society" is a heartwarming and laugh-out-
loud comedy that brings together four remarkable women who find
themselves at a crossroads in their lives. Bonding over chance encounters
and impromptu Happy Hours, these women s ee SIPPING page 6
embark on a journey of self-discovery and
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