Newspaper Page Text
Page 2 - Wednesday February 7, 2024
The Jenkins County Times
jenkinscountytimes.com
By Sam Eades, Publisher/Writer
for
The Times
Dairy Festival
event of the past
Did you know
Jenkins County was known
for years as having one
of the largest industries
of dairy milk production
in the United States? We
sure did. And to top it off
we had one of the largest
celebrations or festivals
this side of the mason-dxon line. It was called "The Jenkins
County Dairy Festival."
It all started in 1955 through the work and support of the
Jenkins County Chapter ofthe Junior Chamber of Commerce.
This large festival attracted notables on a national scale to
help honor the role of milk as a food and an economic base
for the County. It featured. Calf shows. Queen's contest,
beauty revues, luncheons, speeches from delegates, a
wonderful dance, drinking milk, of course, eating ice cream,
and a large parade featured our own Jenkins County High
Marching Band. This festival lasted for over 18 years until
dairy farming in the area started to dry up.
Free ice cream was given out in small cartons from carts
placed throughout the county and around the court house.
Dry ice was used to keep the ice cream from melting. Other
carts throughout the county included milk in small cartons
that was passed out to anyone who would like to taste local
dairy milk.
After the parade, a luncheon was given in the high school
lunch room for all citizens of Jenkins County and anyone
who would like to attend.
At one of the parades, Jimmy Carter was in attendance as
he ran for Governor of Georgia.
The Dairy Festival has been remembered fondly by many
citizens of the county and has been truly missed. Wouldn't
it be nice to see something like this come back to Jenkins
County on a yearly basis? Maybe featuring our cattle farms?
Just a thought.
And, oh yeah....Thanks for all the wonderful comments
and calls about my column! I love Jenkins County and I am
so proud to be a part of such a wonderful community!
Jenkins County
Democratic Committee
Empowers Community
with Voter Registration
Training
By Gwen Watson,
Special Contributor
for
The Times
C®UNTY
Camp Lawton Tour 10-11 AM
Meet at Camp lawton History center and explore the
grounds of what was once the largest prison in the world.
Admission to the History Center is included.
$5 (Ages 3and under free) Registration is required in
advance. February 10th, 17th and 24th
********************
Archery 3-4 PM
Learn archery from a certified instructor with all equipment
provided. This is a great opportunity for experienced
archers to improve your skills. Meet at the archery range.
$10 plus $5 parking. 478-982-1660
February 17th, and 24th
******************
Homemade Butter in a Jar 11:30 AM -12:30 PM
Join us inside Camp Lawton History center and leam to
make butter the old fashion way.
$3 Registration is required in advance.
February 10th, 17th, and 24th.
********************
Magnolia Springs State Park participates in the Fishing
Tackle Loaner Program that is sponsored by the Wildlife
Resource Division of DNR.
This program allows park visitors to rent fishing poles and
equipment for free while they are visiting the park! Stop by
the park office and rent your fishing gear and see what you
can catch in our 30-acre lake!
Magnolia Springs State park
Valentines Adventure Date
February 10th
3-6 PM
Gather at the visitor center to begin your adventure
date. Enjoy a pedal boat ride across the lake,
archery with a certified instructor, a campfire with
s'mores and valentines games.
$40.00 per couple
** Registration is required in advance **
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!!
(Couples Only)
478-982-1660
FREE SUPER MUSEUM SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 11TH
Guided Tour Of Camp Lawton And Earth Works
Visitation the history> museum included
Homeschool: Animal Tracks 1-2 PM
Bring your friend to picnic shelter #1. You will cast your
own anumal tracks to take home and learn facts about
each one.
$3 Registration os required in advance.
Feburary 23rd
The Jenkins County Democratic Committee hosted Voter Registration Training at the Jenkins County Senior Citizens
Facility. The event, held on Friday, January 29, 2024, served as a pivotal moment in empowering local citizens to
engage actively in the democratic process.
Led by Probate Clerk, Assistant Election Superintendent & Chief Registrar, Patricia Rich, the training session equipped
attendees with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct effective voter registration drives in the community. With
Ms. Rich's expertise, all participants completed the training, earning certification to organize and host voter registration
drives independently in the future.
In line with their commitment to fostering civic engagement, the Jenkins County Democratic Committee announces
a series of upcoming voter registration drives. These drives will take place at 707 E Winthrope Ave, Millen, GA, from
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the following dates:
• Saturday, February 3
•Monday, February 12 (President Abe Lincoln's Birthday)
•Monday, February 19 (President's Day)
The Committee invites all interested community members to participate actively in these initiatives, ensuring that
every eligible citizen can exercise their fundamental right to vote.
The Jenkins County Democratic Committee convenes on the 2nd Saturday of each month at 10:30 AM at the Jenkins
County Senior Citizens Facility. For more information, interested parties can call 478-494-1797.
About Jenkins County Democratic Committee: The Jenkins County Democratic Committee is dedicated to promoting
civic engagement, advocating for social justice, and advancing democratic principles within the local community.
THE
P0ETS!_
CORNER
Solitude
By Sam Eades, Publisher
for
The Times
O solitude! If I must
with thee dwell,
Let it not be among the
jumbled heap
Of murky buildings;
climb with me the
steep,-
Nature’s observatory-
whence the dell,
Its flowery slopes, its
river’s crystal swell,
May seem a span; let
me they vigils keep
‘Mongst boughs
pavilioned, where the deer’s
swift leap
Startles the wild bee from the foxglove bell.
But though I’ll gladly trace these scenes with thee,
Yet the sweet converse of an innocent mind,
Whose words are images of thoughts refined,
Is my soul’s pleasure; and it sure must be
Almost the highest bliss of human-kind,
When to they haunts two kindred spirits flee.
John Keats
Boddiford returns
as Chairman of
Georgia Peanut
Commission
TIFTON, Ga.
— Joe Boddiford,
peanut farmer from
Sylvania, Georgia,
was elected chairman
of the Georgia Peanut
Commission during
the January monthly
board meeting. This
is Boddiford’s third
consecutive term
serving as chairman.
He previously served
as chairman in 2000.
“I look forward to
working with Georgia
peanut farmers and our
industry partners to help enhance the peanut industry and
the profitability of farmers,” Boddiford says. “Farmers
can contact me at any time if they have suggestions for
the work of the Georgia Peanut Commission on their
behalf.”
Other officers elected during the board meeting include
Donald Chase, Oglethorpe, Georgia, as vice chairman,
and Rodney Dawson, Hawkinsville, Georgia, as treasurer.
Additional board members include Tim Burch, Newton,
Georgia, representing district 1 and Ross Kendrick,
Sycamore, Georgia, representing district 2.
The Georgia peanut production area is divided into five
districts based on acreage distribution and geographical
location with one board member representing each
district.
The Georgia Peanut Commission represents more than
4,500 peanut farm families in the state and conducts
programs in the areas of research, promotion, and
education. For more information on the programs of the
Georgia Peanut Commission, visit www.gapeanuts.com.
Jenkins County
School System Sees
Enrollment Surge
and Impressive
Academic
Achievements
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
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*Skidsre*r Work
The Jenkins County School System
is experiencing notable growth, with an
increase of 23 new students since January
2023 and a recent surge of 7 new enrollments
in the past 30 days. As of now, a total of 1,165
students are enrolled in the public school
system, reflecting a dynamic and expanding
student body.
In addition to the enrollment update, the
Jenkins County School System recently
addressed the newly released College
and Career Ready Performance Index
(CCRPI) scores, a tool utilized by the
federal government to assess the health and
effectiveness of a school system. The scores
provide insights into various aspects of
academic performance and readiness.
The CCRPI scores for the Jenkins County
School System are as follows:
1. Content Mastery:
•JCMS: 57.8
•JCES: 52.0
•JCHS: 59.0
2. Progress:
•JCMS: 95.3
•JCES: 82.5
•JCHS: 67.3
5.Graduation Rate:
3. Closing Gaps:
•JCMS: 86.4
•JCES: 47.2
•JCHS: 78.1
4. Readiness:
•JCMS: 79.1
•JCES: 78.2
•JCHS: 71.2
•Overall: 80.1
Remarkably, the graduation rate for
the Jenkins County district (Regional
Educational Service Agency - RESA)
ranks in the top ten in the district.. Within
the RESA district, Jenkins County excels,
securing a top-ten position across all
categories measured by the CCRPI scores.
The impressive academic achievements
underscore the dedication and effectiveness
of the Jenkins County School System
in providing a conducive learning
environment. The high Progress scores,
Closing Gaps metrics, and Readiness
indicators reflect the commitment to student
growth, academic excellence, and ensuring
that every student is prepared for the future.
The community celebrates not only
the growth in enrollment but also the
exceptional performance of its schools,
positioning Jenkins County as a leader
m education within the state. The focus
remains on continued progress and
maintaining the high standards that
contribute to the success and well
being of the students in the Jenkins
County School System.