About The Sylvania times. (Sylvania, Ga.) 2022-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 5, 2022)
| Recipes ...8 Calendar ...8 Editorials ...10 Farm & Land ...4 Church News ...5 Obituary ...6 Legals ...7 Booking ...8 Sports ..11-12 | VOL.i NO.39 October 5,2022 LEGAL ORGAN OF SCREVEN COUNTY Sylvania, Georgia $1.25 BUSINESS LEADER AND FORMER CORONER LAID TO REST Sarah Saxon Reporter Late Monday night, Screven county residents began receiving the news that longtime business leader and former coroner James Strickland, had died. Strickland was a partner of Thompson Strickland Waters Funeral and Screven County Coroner since 1990. James was born and raised in Royston, Georgia. He graduated with honors from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta and has served many families in the county. Strickland and his business partners opened Thompson Strickland Waters Funeral Home in November 1981. The business was sold in early 1992, but James remained a funeral director and manager at the firm. He became coroner of Screven County in 1990 and served until May 2022, when he retired due to health reasons. Ramona Stewart, current Screven County Coroner said of Strickland, “James has been my mentor and I hope I can make him proud by doing the job he trained me to do.” He was a Rotarian, a Gideon, deacon, and a member of McDonald Baptist Church. James was preceded in death by his daughter Kristan Elise Strickland Smoak in 2015, his parents Max Kutz Strickland and Cassie Elise Strickland, mother-in-law, Bernice W. Griner. He is survived by his wife, Kay and grandsons Kameron Max Smoak and Tanner Kaiden Smoak. Funeral services were held on Thursday, September 29, 2022, at 2 pm with Dr. Jack Gatlin and Rev. Bill Kent officiating, (photo contributed) 3 © © © <+> James Strickland Phyllis Lewis and Michael Oliver stand with Director Cynthia Burgest (center). The couple were voted best dressed of the prom. (Photo by Debbie Hearn) Seniors enjoy prom i95o’s themed dance hosted by Senior Center Joe Brady Editor The Screven County Wellness Center hosted a Fabulous Fifties Senior Prom last Thursday at the Cail Community Center. The event was open to patrons of the Senior Center as well as guests. The only criteria? You had to have been bom in the Fifties. “Elvis and James Brown were in the building,” Cynthia Burgest, director of the center, explained. “We twisted the day away and praised the Lord for seeing the light.” The group enjoyed refreshments and prizes. “Congratulations to our King and Queen, Mr. Tony Johnson and Ms. Pauline Lovett” Burgest said. The Center is open Monday thru Thursday from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.Hot lunch is offered to the patrons for a donation of $1.25 per day and may be reached by dialing 912-564-7727. “I would like to thank everyone who worked to make this prom possible.Thank you Screven County for caring about our older citizens.” Pauline Lovett and Tony Johnson, who also performed as James Brown won the coveted title of King and Queen of the Prom. (Photo by Debbie Hearn) Local leaders meet to discuss family violence Sarah Saxon Reporter Local leaders gathered at the Screven County Sheriff s Office last Tuesday to discuss family violence presented by Georgia Legal Services and Safe Haven. For 50 years, Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP), has offered free legal services to Georgians with low incomes who reside outside metro Atlanta in 154 of the state’s 159 counties. “Everyone has a right to high quality legal services regardless of location,” explained Carl Schulter with GLSP. The nonprofit law firm exists to ensure qualifying Georgians have access to quality legal services from trusted advocates and partners. Theio regional offices provide free legal services in the areas of family law, housing, access to public benefits, eviction prevention, farmworkers rights, and access to education. Carl Schulter, also presented a program on “Breaking Free from Domestic Violence: How GLSP holistically assists survivors to safety and beyond and how your agency can help.” Kimberly Billings from Safe Haven was also on hand to answer any questions about how to help the victims of domestic and family violence. “We offer shelter to individuals affected by domestic violence. We also have the resources to help families get back on their feet. Statistics show that 25% of women and 14% of men have experienced some type of domestic violence. Those figures translate to about Carl Schulter of GLSP answers a question from Guy Greene, Screven County School Safety Director, (photo by Sarah Saxon) • See SAFE page 9 Our New Home - weeks Joe Brady Editor Well gang, if you need people to do a job, look no further than your local newspaper advertisers. Due to time constraints, we had to let Wiggins Construction down easy and switched over to ORR’s Construction. Debbie’s office is now a gray color that, if you’re interested, is called Sylvania Times grey at Possum Eddy. That’s right, we have our own paint color! Denny Orr has promised us we will be in the new space in 30 days! (photo by Debbie Hearn) The Gamecock Marching Band celebrates their Superior "1" ratings at the Southeast Bulloch Band Blast, Saturday, September 24, 2022. (photo credit by Hank Carter) Gamecock Marching Band earns high praise, high marks Hank Carter Special Contributor The Screven County High School Gamecock Marching Band earned superior ratings at Saturday's "Band Blast" marching band showcase at Southeast Bulloch High School in Statesboro. "Superior" is the highest rating possible. In addition to the high praise, the band also earned high marks from all three band judges. Judge Dr. M. Lamont Leff from Clayton, Georgia, complimented the band's technique and fundamentals, "Good visual, great design, and it was a super fun and interesting show. Bravo!" Dr. Douglas Hill, judge from Macon, Georgia, agreed, "Well done, I appreciate the attention to detail. Enjoyed the show." Rounding out the judging panel was retired band director Wally Shaw, a legend in the music education community. Mr. Shaw enjoyed the musical and visual aspects of the show, and gave a special nod to the SCHS Color Guard. The SCHS band just keeps working, and they keep getting better each week. I'm proud of them. The band's next competition is October 22 at South Effingham High School. ossu E ddy A The helpful place. Mort. - Fri. 7:30-5:00 Saturday 730-3:00 t. ./'Local Folfe Serving Local
