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Page 4A - The Lee County Ledger, Thursday, August 2, 2001 Georgia Forestry Commission Report “Time To Cut Firewood” Cutting firewood for the com ing winter months is not a happy thought during a sweltering heat wave, but the Georgia Forestry Commission advises that now is the time to face that chore if dry, well seasoned wood is to be avail able for the heating season. Spring is the ideal season for cutting woad. which allows a longer time for wood to cure but for those who didn't get around to the task, it's late, but not too late, according to veteran wood cutters. After the green wood is cut. it should be stacked away from the house, above ground level on some type of foundation to allow air to circulate beneath the pile. The top of the stack should be covered with plastic, tin or some other materials and the sides should be left open for circula tion. Oak, hickory, ash and beech are the most desirable species, but foresters point out that almost all species can be used as firewood if properly cured. Residents who use wood burning stoves and fire places are cautioned not to burn wood that has been treated with preservatives as it may produce poisonous fumes. Landowners who cut firewood from their own woodlot are urged by the Commission to be selec tive by taking out only inferior trees or those that need to be taken Facts About Masonry By J.M. Rhodes Member of Chehaw Lodge 701 Leesburg, Ga This is from the Short Talk Bulletin "The Holy Bible" Upon the Altar of every Ma sonic Lodge, supporting the Square and Compasses, lies the Floly Bible. The old, familiar Book, so beloved by so many generations, is our Volume of Sa cred Law and a Great Light in Masonry, the Bible opens when the Lodge opens; it closes when the Lodge closes. No Lodge can transact its own business, much less initiate candidates into its mysteries, unless the Book of Floly Law lies open upon its Al tar. Thus the Book of the Will of God rules the Lodge in its labors, as the Sun rules the day, making its work a worship. No Mason needs to be told what a great place the Bible has in the Masonry of our day. It is central, sovereign, supreme, a master light of all our seeing. Alas, there has been more dispute about the Bible than about any other book, making for schism, divided men into sects. But Masonry knows a certain secret, almost too simple to be found out, whereby it avoids both intolerance and sectarian ism. It is essentially religious, but it is not dogmatic. The fact that the Bible lies open upon the Al tar means that man must have some Divine revelation- must seek for a light higher than hu man to guide and govern him. But it lays down no hard and fast dogma on the subject of revela tion. It attempts no detailed in terpretation of the Bible. The great Book lies open upon its Al tar and is open for all to read, open for each to interpret for him self. The tie by which or Craft is united is strong, but it allows the utmost liberty of faith and thought. It unites man, not upon a creed brostling with debated is sues, but upon the broad, simple truth which underlies all creeds and over-arches all sects- faith in God, the wise Master Builder, for whom and with whom man must work. Every Mason ought not only to honor the Bible as a great Light of the Craft; he ought to read it. live with it, love it, lay its truth to heart and learn what it means to be a man. There is something in the old Book which, if it gets into a man, makes him both gentle and strong, faithful and free, obedi ent and tolerant, adding to his knowledge virtue, patience, tem perance, self-control, brotherly love, and pity. The Bible is as high as the sky and as deep as the grave; its two great characters are God and the Soul, and the story of their eternal life together is its everlasting romance. It is the most human of books, telling us the half-forgotten secrets of our own hearts, our sins, our sorrow, our doubts, our hopes. It is the most Divine of Books, telling us that God has made us for Him self, and that our hearts well be restless, unhappy and lonely un til we learn to rest in Him whose will is our peace. Tom Lambert for thinning purposes. It is also recommended that some standing dead trees be left for wildlife habitat. Additional information on gath ering firewood and safety mea sures that should be taken when using wood-fired heating appli ances is available at 229-759- 3011. Lee County Unit. BhGGa & Junior ” By Ray Davidson Cocoa's Got My Vote Ask The Geek While reading the paper, Bubba looks over at Junior and asks, "Junior, that Reno girl might have a chance down there in South Florida after all." "You mean she has a chance of being elected governor of Florida?" "No, that's not what I said. She could be elected governor of West Palm Beach. Those inbreed Yankees and DemocRats have a secret weapon these days. Says so right here in the paper." "Bubba, you're baitin' me again. I don't know what you're up to, so just spit it out." "It appears that DemocRatic operatives have been at work in West Palm Beach to ensure future victories for Al's legions. All the little Gore clones can now rest easy. Cocoa is there to save them." "Cocoa? Who's Cocoa?" "Say's right here, Cocoa Fernandez is a registered DemocRat in West Palm Beach." "Ok, I'll ask you again, who is Cocoa?" "Cocoa Fernandez is owned by Wendy Albert." "Owned? DemocRats are still buying votes or have they started just buyin' people?" Bubba laughs and says, "Cocoa Fernandez is a poodle owned by Wendy Albert. Just goes to show By Jack Varnell Online Safety is Fun "Ask the Geek" is a forum to address those pesky technology related questions which plague your thoughts right before sleep. We will stick primarily to answer ing Home Computing, Internet and Small Business Computing related questions, but if you just cant seem to understand the part of the manual which explains how to stop the 12:00 from flash ing on the VCR, we can at least point you to a website somewhere that might be able to help. If you have technology, or Internet re lated questions or comments that I might be able to help with, please email them to: varnell @ sowega.net Disclaimer: All computer prob lems. issues, and needs are spe cific to the particular machines and circumstances involved. User's skill levels, and aptitudes are different. There are no pat answers. This Paper, Varnell Mar keting Group, and I cannot be re sponsible for your results. Do not try this at home. Please view any information you find in this col umn in the light of your current situation, and with the help of a trained professional. Don't know a trained professional? I do. As I picked up a package in the Post Office earlier in the week, I noticed a sign on the wall next to my teller, Mrs. Rogers, with a rather ominous warning about the dangers of the Internet, and how The Lee County Ledger ‘EstabCisfecC August 24,1978 P.O. Box 715 (124 4th Street) Leesburg, Georgia 31763 (912) 759-2413 USPS 470-310 Official Organ of Lee County SUBSCRIPTION RATES Lee and surrounding counties Elsewhere $14. 95 year $19. 95 year Publisher Derryl Quinn Editor Jim Quinn Layout and Design Tricia Quinn (USPS 470-310), is published weekly for $14. 95 per year in Lee and surrounding counties, and $19. 95 per year else where by at its offices at the May Office Building, 124 - 4th Street, Leesburg, Georgia 31763. Periodicals postage paid at Leesburg, GA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes on Form 3579 to, P.O. 715, Leesburg, GA 31763. O Printed On Recycled Paper MEMBER OF GEORGIA PRESS ASSOCIATION we should warn our children. While I agree that there are threats on the Internet, it is curious to me that the USPS is investing time and money in printing such a document. Are they mad they have to keep raising the price of a stamp because all those "techies" out there are sending emails instead of using the snail mail? Not really an issue for this column, but it did point out that, after last weeks article about "The Web For Kids", I may need to follow up with some thoughts on Internet safety for kids. While I do agree that content providers, broadcasters, media giants, and other disseminators of information, have a responsibil ity in helping to protect our chil dren, and us, ultimately, it is your responsibility and mine. We must be educated and aware when it comes to our kids, and what they are exposed to. In a world where parents fighting at little-league games are all the rage on News. Sports, and local sports segments, it is a responsibility we should take seriously. Here’s some ideas on how, when dealing with the Web. Test Your Kid's Web Safety IQ. Make Internet safety an ongoing lesson for both you and the chil dren. Surf together and learn the web together. You'd be surprised how much they can teach you. The Internet is quite new, and changes to this medium come fast, furious and often. There are an abundance of child-oriented sites and safety games on the In ternet, so it shouldn't be too hard to find current information. But remember that keeping your child abreast of online safety will prob- The University of Georgia • Cooperative Extension Service ftp -‘iBi mt fe C Keeping Plants Alive Doug Collins. CEA ££ putting knowledge to\Vork j that inbreed Yankees, DemocRats and dogs all have a right to vote in Palm Beach County." "Well, Bubba you think the poodle can punch a butterfly bal lot with out have her chad hang ing out?" "That's good junior, I had not even thought about their butter fly ballot. Maybe their slogan can be, 'Even a dog can punch out a chad'." "But Bubba don'y you have to show a picture ID to vote?" "You do if you're gonna go down to the polling place. Don't forget about absentee ballots. All those DemocRats can register their dogs, cats, yard vermin and wives, then maybe Reno and all those Gorie poohs might have a chance to win. She could be the next governor of West Palm Beach. At that rate even some of those Georgia legistors who voted on their ugly flag might get re-elected." "Think she'll let ole Bill Rodham-Clinton be her right hand man?" "Don't think so. Not enough intern or virgins down that way." Ray Davidson is a syndicated columnist. He can be reached at rayd45@aol.com."Don't know and don't care," was Junior's sharp reply. The primary symptom of azalea lace bug infestation is light green, blotched leaves. Azalea Lace Bugs ably require some prompting, in volvement, and action on your part. Play Online Safety Games. There are many, many, online safety puzzles, designed espe cially for kids, with Internet edu cation in mind including these examples: Yahooligans! Savvy Surfing Quiz-A crossword puzzle that re wards kids with a prize. CyberSurfari -A treasure hunt designed to teach kids to safely use the Internet, and a prize at the end. CyberAngels' Safe Surfing Puzzle -A basic but informative crossword puzzle about safety. Go over the questions and an swers these, and the many other sites like it, provide. Reward the right answers. Discuss the wrong ones. You may want to role-play with your child, and educate them about how they might best re spond to tricky online situations From weird questions from a stranger, to a favorite site that wants him or her to buy some thing, kids should be taught the appropriate actions. This, of course, assumes that you have educated yourself first. Safe Surfing Clubs are available online. There are countless kids clubs to join, and most make learning about Internet safety a big part of the package. Visit the CyberKids Club, sponsored by the CyberAngels. the largest online-safety advocacy group around. Learn how your child can become a CyberAngel. You can even join in and become a CyberMom or CyberDad. See Geek, page 8A Let's say the leaves on your azaleas are a mottled light green color. The leaves are iridescent and blotched. This is an indica tion that your azaleas are in fested with the azalea lace bug. Unfortunately, there is not much that you can do about it now. You can, however, do something about it next spring. The lace bug overwinters in the egg stage. Control is achieved by destroying the first generation before it gets into the leaves. This can be accomplished with an insecticide application about March 1. Recommended insecticides for the control of lace bugs include Orthene, Cygon, (dimethoate), and Sevin (wet table powder form). My article last week was on watering landscape plants to keep them alive. Between when I submitted the article to the newspaper and its publication, it rained. I'm certainly not com plaining. We really needed the rain. Some parts of the county got as much as five inches. It was too late for some dogwoods I rode passed the day after the rain-they appeared dead. Unfor tunately, not all parts of the county received good rains. Hopefully we will continue to receive rains. Almost all of the peanuts I've seen this year look great. I couldn't say that last year. A lot of dryland fields had stands with plants that had emerged at different times, resulting in very uneven plant sizes within a field. Many peanuts didn't emerge un til well into July. If the rains continue, we could go through the season with dry land peanut fields that have not experienced severe drought stress. That would be a change. A good change. For more infor mation, call the Lee County Ex tension Office at 759-6025. Let's G res w Brad Lofton Director of Economic Development 759-6000 I had the opportunity to hear Michael Thurmond, the Commis sioner of the Georgia Department of Labor speak last night. Com missioner Thurmond has a gradu ate degree from The University of South Carolina. He is also a graduate of the J.F.K. school of Public Policy at Harvard Univer sity and the first African Ameri can to be elected to the Commis sioners post in the history of the state. He has a strong belief in workforce development, and he is the author of the Welfare to Work legislation which saved the Geor gia taxpayers over $200 million. According to Mr. Thurmond (and I refer to anyone who can gradu ate from Harvard as Mr. ), there are social and economic benefits in keeping kids in school and in the workforce. An article was printed across the country last week illustrating the racial demographic makeup of the prisons across the country. Though the black state-wide population is around 30%, Afri can Americans make up approxi mately 60% of the prison popula tion in the United States. Commis sioner Thurmond, however, men tioned a very interesting statistic. He mentioned that the number of black men who are employed and yet convicted of a crime is nearly identical to the number of white men that are employed and con victed of a crime. The common denominator is employment. We all laughed when he said, Thank the Lord! It’s not genetic! He is exactly right. What does this have to do with Lee County? If we continue to support our school system, encourage kids to enter into the workforce or pur sue post-secondary education, we will have a safer community. Al though some kids drop out of school, they do not drop off the face of the Earth. Drop outs will more than likely end up in the prison system or become a liabil ity to the State. The State of Geor gia pays approximately $26,000/ year per prisoner. Lee County in vests close to $6,000/child throughout the school year. For the price of one prisoner, we could send four children to school. I agree with Commissioner Thur mond. It makes sense economi cally and socially for our commu nity to rally behind the efforts of our school system and collaboratives such as Lee Focus to encourage kids to remain in school and in the workplace.