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Page 4 - Wednesday, November 29, 2023
The Jenkins County Times
jenkinscountytimes.com
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John Paul Hearn, Superintendant
Jenkins County School System
It is hard to believe we are only 26 days away from Christmas. It seems like we started school
yesterday. However, we are in the home stretch, making our way to Christmas break—only 12
more school days to go. Over the last month, we spent time discussing what we are thankful for.
When I stop and think about it, I do not think it is a mere coincidence that Thanksgiving is right
before Christmas.
This is my logic. You see, Christmas is a time of giving. Many times, we confuse that with it’s
a time of receiving. We all want a gift. Whether it’s the latest gadget for whatever our hobbies
are, the newest toy on the market, the latest in technology, or the latest fad in fashion, we all want
something. I can remember waiting for that Sears & Roebuck Christmas edition to arrive as a child.
I would spend countless hours looking through the pages for what I wanted for Christmas, as I’m
sure most people around my age or older have done. That is something I feel children today miss
out on. Even though that materialistic ideal is not good, I still wish children had the opportunity
to look through that catalog. After all, I did a lot of reading and learning about the characteristics
and operability of each toy.
For the weeks leading up to Christmas break, I want you all to continue to remember all that we
have to be thankful for and to look for ways to give back. During Christmas, we should remember
that old saying, it is better to give than receive. Honestly, I cannot remember a time that I gave
something to someone and had a feeling other than happiness and gratitude that I was able to do so.
I read an article from 2019 this week, and it got me thinking. The article talked about death.
Specifically, the author discussed the death of his brother, who passed away at the age of 23. It
did so from the perspective of 100 years from now. What will we be remembered for, or what will
our legacy be? Will we be anything more than a name on a family tree? His thoughts were that
leaving a legacy was not going to last. He said for most people, after 100 years, you will not be
remembered at all. That kind of stings a bit. Because, like me, I know most, if not all of us, would
like to do something to be remembered for.
The author’s theory is this. Be the best YOU right now. All of the world benefits from the best
you that you can be. Be great people. Accept challenges that come along and face them with the
best possible version of you. We all have it within us to be great. We just have to summon the
courage to do so. Part of that being great is to look out for the interests of others more so than
yourself. That is not natural.
So, during this Christmas season, seek ways that you can bless others. Look for opportunities
to help. Look for opportunities to build others. Remember that whether it is our time, talent, or
treasure, it is better to give than receive. Be the Greatest version of you.
This is a busy time for all of us. Some
of us are busier than others with Christmas
shopping and attending parties. I remember
well having to do all of that. However, there
does reach a time for those of us who don’t
have children, that the hustle and bustle of
Christmas becomes a thing of the past.
My family no longer buys gifts and as I
told a customer this weekend at the auction
house, we don’t even draw names. In fact, we
haven’t gotten together since the pandemic
and now, like so many other things, we have
probably gotten out of the habit.
But, Christmas changes as we get older.
The magic of Christmas is in the heart of
children. It’s Santa Claus, cookies, Rudolph
and all that. It’s the visions of sugar plums
dancing in the heads of kids. But what about
we adults?
It was Ebenezer Scrooge who said, “I
will keep Christmas in my heart all year
long. I will live in the Past, the Present,
and the Future.” But how do we do that?
I don’t have those answers. I wish I could
be more like Mama when it comes to
Christmas. She has managed to retain
childlike enthusiasm during December. How
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
do we keep Christmas from becoming just
“another” day?
Reverands Brad, Joshua, and Larry, would
tell us to remember Christ in Christmas. Ok,
a lot ofus do that. I’m at church on Christmas
Eve, I’m sure there are more people thanjust
me sitting in those pews. Believe it or not, I
think out of all the holiday movies. The Polar
Express gives the best explanation. Adults
lose the magic of Christmas.
We can remember vividly the Christmases
of our childhood, the Past. One of the few
times Mama didn’t have to threaten me to
get in bed! But, like sister in Polar Express,
eventually the bell no longer rang. The magic
was gone.
So, all of these ponderings, and I still don’t
know how to recapture that old Christmas
Magic. I think if I had one wish this year,
it would be to look on the holiday with the
eyes of a child. In fact, that is my wish for
all of you; as we embark on the busiest time
of year may we all look on the holiday with
the eyes of the innocent. May you all have
the Merriest of Christmases! That’s all for
now, take care.
A WORD FROM JON BURNS,
Ga Speaker of the House of Representatives
Georgians have gathered with friends and family to celebrate our annual Thanksgiving
traditions. Whether it is gathering around the table for a meal, watching a parade or football
game on television, or calling loved ones far away, what our celebrations look like will vary.
But underneath it all is a spirit of gratitude and a love for one another.
While the roots of our modern Thanksgiving go back to the 1500s, our American observance
finds its roots with the Pilgrims in Plymouth and Boston in the 1620s and 1630s. While the
date of the observance varied over the years, in 1942, Thanksgiving was set on the fourth
Thursday in November.
Like you, I know I am thankful to enjoy the blessings of living in the greatest nation on this
earth and in our great State of Georgia. With some 11 million residents and counting, Georgia continues to call to people
looking for a great place to live, to work, and to raise a family.
In addition to our pro-jobs business climate and our strong economy, Georgia is blessed to be home to some amazing
natural beauty and wonders. From our magnificent Golden Isles to the start of the Appalachian Trail, few states enjoy such
diversity of natural treasures providing abundant recreational opportunities for all to enjoy.
We also exude that southern hospitality for which we are known around the world. Georgians take pride in our homes
and communities and are glad to welcome friends and visitors alike. You can see that hospitality on display in every shop,
restaurant, school and church in our state.
These are just a few of the many things that make our state a great place to call home and for which we can all be thankful.
On a more personal level, I want to share just a few of the people I am thankful to have in my life.
I’m blessed to serve with a number of federal, state and local elected officials in my role as Speaker of the House and
representative for our 159th House District. I want to say a special word of thanks to the other 179 members of the House
of Representatives who invited me to serve as their 75th Speaker. The members of the House come from all over Georgia
- with different life experiences and views on the world. Yet each answered the same call to serve their constituents in the
House of Representatives. While we may not always agree on everything, there is a deep sense of duty and respect amongst
our members and that makes my job as Speaker much easier. I am thankful for their service and support.
I also want to thank the 60,000 or so people who call our 159th House District their home. This includes those in Screven
County and portions of Effingham and Bulloch counties. Whether you are a lifelong resident or have recently moved into
our area, I am grateful for the opportunity to represent you and work on your behalf to build up our community and our state.
I am thankful for your continued trust and confidence.
And last - but by no means least - I am thankful for my family: my beloved wife, Dayle, our sons, and their families.
They are the reason I get up every day and the reason I feel compelled to work to make our collective futures brighter.
The Bums Family has been fortunate to call our community home for several generations and we hope to do so for many
more to come.
In this time of Thanksgiving, I wish God’s blessings for each of you, your families, and our great State of Georgia.
SSI Beneficiaries to Receive Double
Payments in December
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
Letters to the editor of The Jenkins County Times are wel
comed and encouraged. These are pages ofopinion, 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
CHECK OUT OUR
(478)982-2390
537 East Winthrope Ave.
Millen, Georgia 30442
Millions of Americans relying on the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program are in for a welcome surprise this
December, as they will receive not one but two checks during the holiday season. This unusual occurrence is a result of a quirk
in the payment schedule, providing SSI recipients with an extra boost in their financial support.
Typically, SSI beneficiaries receive a single payment on the first day of each month. However, due to January 1 being a
holiday, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has adjusted the payment schedule. As a result, recipients will receive one
check on Friday, December 1, and another on Friday, December 29, aligning with the nearest business day.
This double payout is particularly timely, coinciding with the Christmas and New Year holidays when individuals tend
to incur additional expenses. Newsweek reached out to the SSA for comment, seeking insights into the unique payment
arrangement.
Adding to the festive season cheer, the second check in December will be higher than the first, incorporating the Cost of
Living Adjustment (COLA) for the year 2024. The COLA, determined based on inflation rates, is set to increase by 3.2 percent
compared to 2023, as announced by the administration earlier this year.
SSI beneficiaries, who must be either at least 65 years old with minimal income or under 65 with a debilitating physical or
mental disability lasting at least one year, will experience a boost in their financial support during the holiday season.
It's important to note that SSI payments differ from Social Security checks for retirees, and the two payments are processed
separately. Social Security beneficiaries will receive their monthly payment in December and will await the 2024 COLA in
their January checks.
The SSA follows a quarterly schedule for dual SSI payments, occurring in March, June, September, and December. Recipients, however, won't receive a check in January, April, July,
and October, as they have already received a prepayment in the preceding month.
For individual SSI beneficiaries, the first December payment can reach a maximum of $914, while those caring for someone on SSI can receive up to $458. The second December
payment will be slightly higher, with the new maximum set at $943 for individuals and $472 for SSI beneficiaries' caregivers. Married couples in the SSI program will receive up to $1,371
on December 1 and up to $1,415 on December 29.
This unexpected windfall is expected to provide much-needed relief and joy to SSI recipients during the holiday season, offering an additional financial cushion as the year comes to a
close.
. 1 LNKIN^iill JNTY TImfI
Phone: (478) 401-5007 ^
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THE JENKINS COUNTY TIMES
issue 38 November 2023 is published weekly by on
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