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Wednesday, January 26, 2000 Time capsule Compiled from The Leader-Tribune archives | : i/ ;■ L 20 Years Ago Thelma Wilson of Fort Valley died January 21, 1980. She was a well-known and highly regarded former high school English teach er. *** New railroad crossing signals and gates were installed at the crossing on South Macon Street in Fort Valley. 10 Years Ago Cindy’s Boutique on College Street was burglarized, that sent thieves away with nearly $4,000 worth of ladies’ apparel. *** Two candidates ran for mayor... Bobby Hester and C.W. Peter¬ son. *** Steve Edwards was re-elected as Mayor Pro-Term for Byron. 5 Years Ago A Valentine’s Dance was announced to be held at Glenwood Hills United Methodist Church. *** Fort Valley Council members voted unanimously to grant a special land use permit to Kenneth Walton to refurbish the old Kell Building on South Camellia Blvd. Plans were to open a country-style, buffet restaurant on the first floor, a sports lounge on the second floor and a private club for business on the third floor. Plant your spring veg. soon Serious vegetable gardeners are able to keep something coming in virtually year round in Peach County. These gardeners are con¬ stantly harvesting or preparing or planting, sometimes all at once. This is one of those times. It is getting time to plant those wonderful spring vegetables. As soon as the ground is right to plow (not too wet), you can get started with English Peas and Sugar Snaps, Cabbage, Carrots, Lettuce, Green Onions, Irish Spring Vegetable Planting Chart VEGETABLE MATURITY CULTIVARS PLANTING SEEDS OR SPACING PLANTING DATES PLANTS ROWS AND DEPTH PER 100 FT PLANTS Asparagus 2nd year Mary Washington Jan. 15- 50 roots 36"x18.24” 6 inch March 15 Cabbage 65-85 days Rio Verde, A & C No. 5, Jan. 15 - 100 plants 36” X 12” Early Round Dutch March 15 Carrot 70-80 days Chantenay, Scarlet Jan. 15 - 1 !2 ounce 18-36" X 2-3 1/4 inch Nantes, Orlando Gold March 20 Collards 55-70 days Georgia, Vales, Blue Feb. 1 - 1/2 ounce 36” X 8.16" 1/2 inch Max, Heavi Crop March 15 Lettuce 60-85 days Bibb, Buttercrunch. Jan. 15 - 1/4 ounce 18-36" X 1/8 inch Red Sails March 1 8 - 12 ” Mustard 40-50 days Florida Broadleaf, Jan. 15 - 1/2 ounce 18-36” X 2" 1/2 inch Southern Giant Curled April I Green Onions 42-55 days While Portugal Jan. 1 - 300 plants 18-36" X 3” March 15 Garden Peas, 60-70 days Little Marvel, Progress Jan. 15 - 1 pound 36" X 2” 1 - 2 inches Edible Pod Peas No. 9, Sugar Snap, Feb. 15 Melting Sugar Irish Potatoes 76-90 days fled Pontiac, Red _ Jan. 15 - 12 pounds 5S* x I"? 4 - 5 inches LaSoda, Kenneback (white) March 15 Radishes 25-30 days Cheny bell. Scarlet Globe Jan. 15 - 1 ounce 24” X 1" 1/2 inch __ | April I Spinach 40-45 days Melody, Winter Bloomsdale Jan. 15 - 1 once 18-26" X 2" 1/2 - 3/4 inch March 15 Turnip 40-60 days Purple Top, Shogoin, Jan. 15 - 1/2 ounce 18-36" X 2” 1/2 inch Just Right, Seven Top | Apnl 1 * Cultivars listed in the chart represent a few of those recommended. There are many other good cultivars worthy of tnal No one is exempt from controversy “Don’t ask, don’t tell” has become the overriding theme for a new brand of censorship that is beginning to dominate the once open and free market¬ place of ideas. In practice, “don’t ask, don’t tell" is censor¬ ship by controversy. In reality, “don’t ask, don’t tell" is the sti¬ fling of the very type of public debate that is the cornerstone of an open and free society. For anyone who does not believe that controversy censor¬ ship is alive, well and expand¬ ing, raise the recent impeach¬ ment of William Jefferson Clinton at your next visit to the “water cooler." Any group that may have gathered quickly dis¬ sipates at the mere possibility of controversy or of a difference in opinion. As one woman recently stated, the topic “is just too controversial." In addition to other reasons, one of the nagging problems Newt Gingrich faced in attempting to resurr»*ct his sag¬ ging |kiII numbers was the vir¬ tual identification of his name with controversy. Unlike the past, today’s virtual political l I Putting knowledge to work Peach County Extension Office JVlark Collier Potatoes and the other crops list¬ ed in the following chart. Yum! Since time is nigh, go buy your seeds and transplants while the Political analyst Handy Evans I" death knell for any politician is the tag of being controversial. Oddly, any politician who open¬ ly stands for something, regard¬ less of the day’s poll numbers, is branded as “controversial” by media As a result, we have an entire class of politicians who stand for nothing and refuse to talk about anything of sub¬ stance. No one is exempt from contriv versy censorship. Even the self proclaimed (or, at least, WSB Radio proclaimed) “Mouth of the South" Neal Boortz is not immune. Although many believe that Neal Boortz will say anything, anytime, any¬ where, controversy censorship has struck him as well. For him. the issue is abortion. He is just not going to talk about it — no way, no how. C)e leaker-Srfbnne Confessions of a widow Honestly, this column was not designed to “lose friends and influence people”. It may influ¬ ence some to denounce me as being both un-Southern and un-American. I could possibly be either ridden out of town on a rail or tarred and feathered. If it’s all the same to you, and push comes to shove, I prefer the rail ride. I have always heard that con¬ fession is good for the soul, however, and heaven knows, I can use all the help I can get. Here it is then, for all the world to see ... I could care less about the Superbowl or who wins it! There, I said it and I’m glad! Glad, you hear, Glad, Glad, Glad! Fact is, I don’t even know the names of the teams who are playing. I think a tomato just whizzed past my head. That’s another point in ques¬ tion. Why in blazes do they call it playing? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that those guys are not playing. They mean business. Some musclebound dude kicks a foot¬ ball across the piaying field. A receiver catches it and takes off like a rabbit being chased by a pack of hungry hounds. I reinterate... they don’t appear to be playing to me! While the receiver may have soil dries out a little. Call your Peach County Extension Service for answers to your gardening questions at 825-6466. BettPr communications Editor, The Leader Tri¬ bune: It can now be said that the political season in Georgia for year 2000 is now underway because a political forum was bold in Macon at Mercer Uni¬ versity on 18 .January, 2000. This forum was sponsored by D? Gregory Domin and the Mercer Political Science Department The public was invited The participants were Ger¬ ald Read, Georgia Reform Partv Vice (’hair and Linda Hamrick, Georgia Republican Party Executive Director. The state chair of the Georgia Democratic Party was invited and lie accepted the invitation but he did riot show up, A good crowd made up of students and the general pub¬ lic was on hand to participate The preference expressed by the vast majority of Americans in today’s climate is to remain silent on matters of substance. Whatever anyone else believes is his or her business, especial ly if the belief is “controversial." We just do not need to tnlk about it. After all, what every one else believes will lie reflect ed in the next set of polling numbers reported on the evening news. Controversy censorship cer tninly has made life so much easier by eliminating the hassle factor Rather than having to engage in any type of exchange or open dialogue on differing ideas, we simply move to a neu tral subject like the weather or sports In fact, most people do not even want anyone talking about "controversial" topics 4 Today’s and i * yesterdays : r t Joyce JViatthews received it. he is deceived if he thinks he can hope to make it across the field and he knows it. He, in an attempt to save his own bacon, attempts to find someone, anyone, willing to take it off his hands. That bloodthirsty pack of hounds on his trail, is gaining ground. It must take a pretty good friend, one who is willing to lay down his life for a friend, who will accept that ball when offered. After all, he knows that the pack will then he on his case, like chickens on a Junebug. 1 sometimes even feel sympa¬ thy for the poor football. It must he rough, being kicked around by everyone. It is prob¬ ably in equally as bad shape as some of the big, bad, bruisers who lie prostrate and flattened on the field after being run over by a half dozen or so of some of the opposite teams big, bad, bruisers. They grimace and groan a lot, but some seem to enjoy it. They do a delightful little dance Oh well, I do that when someone steps on my black and blue, bruised stubbed toe My own energy would be spent in making a fast exit from the field if I were able, not in dancing, were 1 in their shoes. While knowing little of foot¬ ball, I am aware of teams called the Dallas Cowboys and the Redskins Now there has A The Mailbag L your Perspective in letters f Apart from the negative impact on the development of new ideas, as well as the de fac¬ to concealment of just flat wrong ideas, controversy cen¬ sorship operates as an enor¬ mous tool for those who oppose any ideas that are not in sync with their own It you want to silence someone or theii ideas., simplx laliel them as emit rover sial and Ibmi watch how quick |y the discussion falls off of the radar screen If this strategy does not work, then just dis agree with them and watch everyone leave the room in an effort to avoid the possibility of confrontation Either wav. mis sion accomplished a full ills mission of the ideas has been censored The result of controversy con sorship is a nation full of Ralph (Ynmdens whose idea ot public debate is a full discussion of the Falcons’ chances ot returning to the Snpei Rons I Beyond that. I don i ... you don i toll, and we will all get along How 'bout tb<‘m Dawes - ’" always been bad blood between cowboys and Indians. I wonder if they can ever settle their dif¬ ferences in a peaceful manner. I can recall however, that even as a youngster when the neigh¬ borhood small fry got together for a friendly game of Cowboys and Indians, a fracas often ensued. I think if milder names for the teams were selected, such as The Butterflies or The Posies, there might be less “incentive to riot” and more peaceful behavior. Can you imagine one big fel¬ low politely asking another, “I say old chap, don’t you think it’s time for me to carry the ball over the line now”? Tippy Toes would be a nice name. Many of them appear accom¬ plished dancers performing their delightful little dances after each performance. For some time I was concerned that football fields were infest¬ ed with Fire Ants which were the inspiration for their fancy footwork. I decided instead that the dance was an expres¬ sion of sheer joy; joy that they had survived intact and not been flattened by the thunder¬ ing herd upon the field They were just glad to be alive! As for the names, I still liked it better when cowboys rode hors¬ es, herded cows, and kept the bad guys in line. I also liked it better when the Redskins, on by asking questions of Mrs. Hamrick and Mr. Reed. Ques¬ tions also were asked by the moderator, Dr. Domin. The questions were thoughtful and varied. Such subjects as social security, affirmative action, health cars, voter ini¬ tiative and refererendum. and the fingerprinting of citizens in order to get a driver's license were discussed by one or the other participants dur¬ ing the evening. Mr. Reed also spoke about Georgia Public Television allowing the Atlanta Press Club to deny the Reform Par¬ ty candidate for Lt. Governor in 1998, Mike Novosel. a place in the debates held on Georgia Public Television (GPTV). Mr Novosel was on the ballot. Maria Saporta, Chairperson of Atlanta Press Club Debate Committee, is refusing to release the names of other journalist so that denied the Reform Party can¬ didate his rightful place in the debate. Ms. Saporta fs a columnist for the Atlanta Journal - Constitution. Mr Novosel was the Reform Par tv’s only candidate for statewide office and was the only candidate denied his rightful place in the debates on public television Rtay tuned. I mention this GPTV fiasco to illustrate the lengths that political parties will go to keep the public from hearing opposing candidates or view points It is immoral, to say the least 1 hope that other organizations that hold |>*»liti cal debates will invite as many organizations as possi hie to participate I hope that they will take the high road and follow the example set here by Dr Domin and the Mercer Political Science Depart moot I thank Dr Domin and Mer cer University for their mvi tation and their courtesy l am Gerald Reed. Vice ('hair of Georgia Reform Fart s EniaiL.greedC'bom net > Herald ,%f. Reed 4 PAGESA their cow ponies, ran buffalos rather than casinoes. Perhaps my lack of interest in the great American game of football stems from attending a school with a small student body. The quick witted male students in attendance pre¬ ferred keeping their able bod¬ ies able, and intact for basket¬ ball. We had excellent basketball teams, however, of both the male and female gen¬ der. They were stiff competi¬ tors and several memorable games bore remarkable resem¬ blances to football. Relatively few firefights occurred in con¬ trast to football games in other school systems still. My considered opinion is that football was invented as an excuse for the male animal to legally, and without fear of encarceration, let off steam and legally run roughshod over his compadres. The football is considered as the Hope Dia¬ mond. The toughest, biggest, and baddest, the more fleet footed fellows are chosen to secure, keep, and get it over the goal lines. I guess it serves some usdful purpose. Simply put girls, that’s foot¬ ball. Hang in there for yet a lit¬ tle while. You may feel that the males, and even some females addicts have had Super Glue poured in their chairs posi¬ tioned before the T V. as the Super Bowl gets underway. Only urgent calls of nature or forays for food will move them until it’s over. Pray the house doesn’t burn down. Be aware that non-addicts are tolerated only to keep the snacks avail¬ able. Ssssigggghhhhhhhhh! It’s Millennium Fever At mum KFC* Chunky Chicken Pot Pie $ 2.99 Offer expires 2/15/00 at Keys Group KFC Late Night Deals 2pc snack 99 * 8pc chicken $ 4.99 After 9 p.m. daily 3pc Crispy Strip Meal $ 2.99 Meal Includes mashpota toes and cole slaw. Offers expire 2/15/00 Meal For Two $ 7.99 Meal includes 6 pcs of chicken, two biscuits, two individual mashpota toes and two individual coleslaws. Offer expires 2/15/00 at Keys Group KFC Student Special $ 1.99 2pc snack with a medium drink. Offer good any¬ time. No coupon needed. 8pc Meal Deal $ 11.99 Includes two sides It four biscuits. Offer expires 2/15/00 at Keys Group KFC « 607 N. Camellia Bird. ; %