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Page 4 - Wednesday, November 22, 2023
The Jenkins County Times
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John Paul Hearn, Superintendant
Jenkins County School System
This week, we celebrate Thanksgiving
Day. I have been talking this month about
things I am thankful for and encouraging
you to do the same. For my last article on
what I am thankful for, I want to share
with you about my family and why I am
thankful for them. There is no doubt that I
am blessed with a great work family, and I
am also blessed with a great family at home.
First, I am thankful for my parents. Lord
knows I put them through the wringer
when I was growing up. I am thankful that
they pushed me to be the best I could be
and that they never gave up on me when I
took a wrong turn here or there making life
decisions. It’s sad to say, but with the busy
schedules of children who have moved
out and my work schedule, it's hard to get
everyone together. Since I will be gone at
Thanksgiving, Mom and Dad asked Renee’
and me over this week for supper. She
always says it won't be much. We had fresh
venison cubed steak, homemade mashed
potatoes, gravy made from the fried deer
steak, roasted sweet potatoes, and peas and
milk (a favorite of Renee’s). It was “much.”
For this reason and a million more, I am
blessed and thankful for my parents.
I am also thankful for my children. Being
a parent is hard. Really hard. Not because I
have difficult children but because it’s just
hard trying to raise them and prepare them
for the world we live in today. I am thankful
that Taylor has graduated college and is
doing something she really likes. She is
maturing into a young woman and is doing
an awesome job. Anna Kate has moved to
Augusta and is pursuing a degree in nursing.
She is a much better student than I ever
was and is tackling those first-year college
challenges head-on. It is great for me as
a parent to see them both responsible and
successful in their endeavors. I love both
dearly and I am a very proud dad.
I am most thankful for the woman I am
blessed to call my wife. Renee’ is the most
selfless person I know. She is also one of
the hardest-working people I know. I have
heard people say before that many times,
men marry someone like their mother. I can
attest to that. My mom is an extremely hard
worker, and I never remember her being
idle. Renee’ is the same way. She is the
glue for our family and keeps us all straight
and on track. We sometimes joke with her
because she stays on us, but to be honest, it
is exactly what we need. I enjoy living life
with her. I am thankful for the adventures
that we have together and there is no one in
this world I would rather go on adventures
with than her.
As you celebrate Thanksgiving this
week. Take time to reflect. Take time to
tell your family and loved ones how much
you appreciate them. Tell them specifically
what you are thankful for. When we sit
down at mom and dads for Thanksgiving,
we take time to go around the table, and
every person in attendance talks and tells
what they are thankful for. That is a special
time. So, take some time to reflect on this
week. Make sure that you let those you care
about most know how thankful you are for
what they do for you in your life. And let's
look forward to the most magical time of
year, Christmas.
I remember as a child. Granny had an old
cedar chest that sat like a sentinel at the end
of her bed. This chest sat there undisturbed
for years it seems, before I ever came along
because Mama remembers the chest as
being in the same spot when she was a little
girl.
We were always intimidated by that old
bulk of a chest. The wood kept glistening
by Granny’s loving hands throughout the
decades. The only rule was that you never,
ever, touched that chest.
It was hers, full of priceless treasures
that could never be replaced. One summer
afternoon I worked up the nerve to ask her
her what was in that chest and she very
nicely invited me to come sit in the floor of
her bedroom and take a peek at it’s contents.
With excitement building in my chest, I
followed her into the bedroom and sat
down before the chest like it was the Ark of
the Covenant. As far as my memory could
serve, this old thing had been revered in our
family and now, I was getting the chance
that no one before me had been given.
As she lifted the top, it’s hinges kept oiled
lovingly by Granny, what I spied in the dark
depths was pictures and mementos from a
time long gone. She reached in and grabbed
the first thing she saw and as I spied the old
handkerchief in her hand I knew just a few
moments of disappointment.
I had thought there would be a pirate’s
treasure in this old trunk and I almost
couldn’t contain my disappointment as
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
Granny untied the white handkerchief to
reveal a dull, worn dime.
With a soft voice, she began telling me
the story of the dime and how she had
given this to her oldest son, Hugh Dorsey,
when he left for a stay at the state hospital
for epilepsy. With tears in her eyes, she
recounted the day the authorities called her
to inform her of his death. Apparently the
dime was found clutched in his hand.
There were other treasures not as
depressing in that chest. There were
pictures of Granddaddy’s father, Lewis
Womack, who died when Granddaddy was
only six months old. A century or more
of memories were tucked neatly into that
cedar chest.
I never asked Granny again for a sneak
peek into her life, something I have always
regretted. When she died many years later,
the chest was lost to me. Many more years
later, the photos from that old chest were
revealed to me once again.
During the holidays I take down the
photo album I keep full of those cedar
chest photos and stare intently at images
of a time long gone. I am reminded of my
earlier impression of that old trunk and how
I thought it contained a treasure!
My first impression was correct, it does
hold a treasure, one more priceless than
gold. It holds memories of one of the most
important people of my life! That’s all for
now, take care. Happy Thanksgiving dear
readers!
Dooley County Accused of
Harrassing Eagles
Letters To The
EDITOR
Dear Editor,
Something needs to be done
about the Dooly vs. Jenkins game
that happened last Friday. Several
incidents occurred during that game
and it needs to be looked into.
One of the incidents started before
the game even happened whenever
Dooly county players were trying to
start a fight as the teams were warming
up. Jenkins County coaches were
trying to get Dooly County players
to back away and the Dooly County
coaches were sitting back watching
it all happen and not controlling their
players. That was just the start of it.
The second incident occurred
whenever Dooly County and Jenkins
County players were both told before
the game that if either team's players
left the sideline to argue or if anything
happened that would be suspended
from the game. After one of the plays
that ended close to Dooly County's
sideline, several of their players left
the sideline arguing and trying to
start something which resulted in our
coaches and police officers to separate
it but nothing happened to the players
from Dooly County whenever it was
specifically stated before the game
that something would happen.
The next incident occurred
whenever Jenkins County
players went into the locker
room during halftime and were
welcomed to the smart board reading
#f***the mea gle S which indicated that
someone from the other side had been
into the "locker room" which was
their agriculture classroom.
Next was the incident in the stands.
One of Dooly County's police officers
wrongfully tackled one of our fans
in the stands. This happened after
Jenkins County's principal was told
to leave by the police officer for
’harassing" one of Dooly County's
students who were sitting in our press
box. He did not harass them, he asked
them to leave our side since they were
not supposed to be over there, which
is stated in the GHSA rules that are
read before every game. The students
from Dooly County were spitting on
fans below them and were taunting
our fans. Not to mention whenever our
principal talked to the other school he
was told they did not have to leave
and "that's just football". Whenever
the counselor was then asked to leave
she was sitting beside a paralegal
from Jenkins County who told her she
did not legally have to leave because
she did not do anything, the police
officer then told the paralegal to leave
to which she said no she did not have
to. The police officer from Dooly
County then tackled the woman to the
ground using unnecessary force. The
students were then asked to leave as
well as the Athletic Director only after
the whole incident occurred.
The last incident was when the
Jenkins County cheerleaders were
leaving the school on the bus and
the Dooly County cheerleaders
were walking by making guns with
their hands and pointing them at the
windows of the bus.
I hope this letter can find someone
who can make something happen. Not
to mention the countless missed calls
made during the game by the referees
including multiple holding calls and
blocks from the back which can be
seen in 13 WMAZ's video of the game
on YouTube.
Thank you,
Loghan Walker
Millen, GA 30442
Letters to the editor of The Jenkins County Times are wel
comed and encouraged. These are pages of opinion, yours and
ours. Letters to the editor voice the opinions of the newspa
per ’s readers. The Jenkins County Times reserves the right to
edit any and all portions of a letter. Unsigned letters will not
be published. Letters must include the signature, address and
phone number of the writer to allow our staff to authenticate
its origin. Letters should be limited to 400 words and should
be typewritten and double-spaced or neatly printed by hand.
Deadline for letters to the editor is noon on Wednesday. Email
Letters to the Editor to: thejenkinscountytimes@gmail.com
COUNTY
Continued from page 2
of the recreation department for the current year only, with
a decision to discontinue refunds moving forward.
The Tax Assessors Board, currently with four members,
will soon welcome a new appointment to reach its full
complement of five members. The commission approved a
probation service agreement extending until 2028.
Updates on ongoing projects included the near completion
of new hangar slabs at the airport, pending installation of
four lights. The BB Lane Project encountered easement
challenges but is back on track after renegotiations with
a property owner. Studio 3 secured the contract for the
Recreation Grant Project, which has received approval.
In a positive development, the county successfully
secured a $40,000 grant for the repair of the Mulkey
Road Bridge at the bypass. The commission also decided
to continue the tradition of hosting a County Employee
Christmas meal at the AG Center.
As the county remains committed to addressing resident
concerns and advancing community projects, these updates
mark significant steps toward a more vibrant and well-
functioning local environment.
A WORD FROM JON BURNS,
Ga Speaker of the House of Representatives
Last week, we had the annual observance of Veterans Day across our country - recognizing the service and sacrifice of those who have worn our nation’s uniform and defended our
freedoms.
The United States of America is blessed with the best-trained, most fonnidable fighting force the world has ever known. Thanks to the generations of Americans who have come
before us, America’s military might is unmatched and sets the global standard.
With that supremacy, there can come a temptation to rest on our laurels - to take for granted that America is destined to always be a global superpower. It is a temptation that can
spell disaster if we are not careful.
As we have seen recently with Israel battling Hamas terrorists, some enemies can only be stopped by the sword. As awful as that situation is, it is a powerful reminder that but for the brave men and women of
our armed forces, America would be targeted by similar foes.
While I served in the Georgia Anny National Guard, I’m also blessed to serve in the Georgia House of Representatives with a large number of distinguished veterans - from both sides of the political aisle. We
stand united in our belief- our conviction - that America must never become complacent.
That’s why, in Georgia, we support our servicemen and women. The House Committee on Defense and Veterans Affairs, headed by Chainnan Josh Bonner, leads our efforts to examine how the State of Georgia
can continually contribute to America’s overall readiness. Further, they see how we can support currently-serving members of the anned forces and our veterans.
In recent years, working with Governor Brian Kemp, we have passed initiatives to reduce the tax burden on military retirement income. We have also expanded funding for mental health services for veterans
as we come to understand more about the strain that service can sometimes cause.
Looking forward, those of us in the House of Representatives will work with our colleagues in the Senate and with Governor Kemp to ensure that military spouses have an easier time applying for professional
licenses when required for their jobs. We know that taking care of military families is a vital part of ensuring their loved ones can serve our nation to the best of their ability.
Georgia is proud to be one of the nation’s most military-friendly states. More than 62,000 active duty personnel are stationed at military installations across our state. When you include the National Guard,
Reserves, and civilian employees, the total number of service members in Georgia exceeds 120,000. Further, almost 700,000 veterans call Georgia home.
We take seriously our duty - our sacred obligation - to be there for those who have answered the nation’s call to serve and put themselves in hann’s way for their country. Just as we must never grow complacent
regarding our security, so too must we never forget what has made America great - the courage of our service members and the blessings of Almighty God.
We reaffinn the words of the seldom-used fourth verse of our national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner:
“Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto - ‘In God is our trust,’
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
May God continue to bless our United States of America and all of the brave men and women who keep ours the land of the free and the home of the brave.
.Jenkins County Times Proudly covering Jenkins County
’s news, sports, and community events
Sam Eades Publisher
Joe Brady Editor
Sam Eades Advertising Sales
Debbie Heam Admin/Layout and Design Executive
Sarah Saxon Admin/Legals/Reporter/AP Correspondent
Brad Asbury Sports Editor
Lori Jones Front Office/Receptionist
THE JENKINS COUNTY TIMES
issue 37 November 2023 is published weekly by on
Wednesday for $24.95 per year by THE JENKINS COUNTY
TIMES, 125 N. Main • Sylvania, Ga. 30467.
Periodical postage pending at Sylvania, GA
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to
THE JENKINS COUNTY TIMES, P.O. Box 1448
Millen GA 30442
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