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Page 4A - The Lee County Ledger, Thursday, September 27, 2001 Urban Forestry Series Examines Southern Sprawl Issues A three-part satellite television series examining Southern sprawl issues and urban forestry solutions will be broadcast in Georgia on October 2, 9 and 23 to select statewide training facili ties, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). The GFC, USDA Forest Ser vice, Southern Group of State Foresters, Clemson Cooperative Extension, and Southern Re gional Cooperative Extension sponsor the educational series. Susan Reisch, GFC Urban and Cooperative Community For estry Coordinator, said the series will be transmitted live from South Carolina’s Clemson Uni versity and will include a variety of experts addressing urban for estry issues influencing the 13 Southern states receiving the se ries. "Unprecedented growth is causing increasing urban sprawl issues in the South," Reisch said. "Planting new trees and main taining older trees can have a tre mendous positive impact on this transition. This series offers vital forestry information that will ben efit this generation and the next." The series is open to the public. Those especially urged to attend include extension agents, state forestry agency members, city and county employees, tree board members, private non-profit groups, homeowners and ar borists. The first broadcast (Oc tober 2) examines the rapidly changing Southern landscape. The second session (October 9) features an online handbook de signed to assist in urban forestry decision-making. The final ses sion (October 23) focuses on pub lic policy in relation to urban for estry success. For further information and nearest site locations visit www.urbanforestrysatellite.net or contact: Athens - Frank Henning 706-613-3460 or 706-613-3640, Augusta -A1 Young 706-771- 4163 or Sid Mullis 706-821- 2532. Americus -Mike Cochran 229-931-2590 or Frank Latimore 229-924-4476. Milledgeville - Myrt Phillips 478-751-3528. Gainesville -Eugene Hendrix 770-718-3602 or Shay Bom- berger 770-535-8293, Newnan - Rob Tornow 770-254-7280 or Render Ward 770-254-2620. Rome -Cherry Denny 706-295- 6324 or Sylvia Johnston 706-295- 6210, Savannah -Nancy Hester Tom Lambert 912-651-2844 or Jackie Ogden 912-652-7981. Thomasville - Nancy Tillinghast 229-225-5252 or Byron Rhodes 229-225-4130, Tifton -Michael Staton 229-386- 3617, Waycross -Patricia Here ford 912-287-2231 or Tony Otts 912-287-2499. Letters To The Editor A Wild Ride By Weenonah Jones It was a beautiful day when I started out on my trip to the South. I had been living in New York State for several years and now I had decided it was time for me to return to my home in the South. I packed all my things in a small trailer. It had no top so everything had to be covered with heavy plastic. This was quite a job but finally with the help of friends, the job was completed Now it was time to say goodbye and with great anticipation for a nice trip to the land of my birth, I began my journey. What more could I ask. The weather was perfect, although a hurricane was predicted to hit the East Coast but didn’t say when. That didn’t deter or stop me be cause my mind was made up and my body was willing. After a few hours traveling on the road, I be gan to notice a change in the weather. It began to rain and the wind was blowing hard, which seemed to sing “I warned you I was coming", and indeed it did just that. I told myself I could out run it. I was that confident. I didn’t know whether to stop or continue on. But, where could I stop? It was impossible to see a safe place to pull over so the only thing to do was to continue and do my best to keep the car on the road. Finally, I had reached the eye of the storm. At this time, the storm looses some of its fury. Now, I thought I had won the battle, but I was wrong. I had to face a lot more. The storm was so fierce I was very frightened and prayed that I would come out of this alive. My prayers were answered I reached the South Carolina bor der and pulled into the motel parking lot and only then did I make a sigh of relief and disbe lief that I had really made it safe and sound. EDUCATION COUNTS This is addressed to the teach ers and coaches and students of Lee County High School. I recently heard of a situation where a group of boys jumped on this one particular student. I may not know all the facts but my heart is heavy. I was told that most of these boys were on the football team. I am a mother of two sons who are very athletic. Both are potential pro athletes. My heart is so heavy due to the rumors that are surrounding their conse quences. I was told that these young men were told that they may get in-school suspension or they may have to attend alterna tive school. The in-school suspen sion would allow these young men to still participate in sport activities. To me this is a slap on their wrist. I totally disagree with the in-school suspension. I think they definitely need to be in school because education is the key to knowledge. And the knowledge will unlock many doors in their future. Although, as far as being con cerned about their extracurricular activities; I don’t think they need to play for at least a year. We are showing more concern about the wrong things in life. What type of lesson, do you think a young man will get from this? Especially if we allow him to do what he wants to do after doing something so crazy. We need to stop making excuses for our children and start to teach morals. Every adult that allows a child to behave in such a manner is going to give account to God for this. We, as adult know better and still allow this for sports? We’ve seen too much of this in the past; we know the result of this. We read about many athletes and oth ers on a daily base in which their attitude got in the way of common sense. I don't know how serious the young man condition is after being jumped by six or seven kids, but at any rate this could have been a grave situation. Coach Goodin, you were not mistreating our kids - they need to be disciplined. I have learned if you don’t show a child who is in charge; then they will run over you. We’ve “mommy” our kids so much that when men try to teach them the right way; they feel as though they are being mistreated. I love seeing my boys play ball but when it comes to their disre specting others then I will not as a parent participate in their road to hell. Yes, these boys need to stay in school to learn, not to par ticipate in sports. Big brother is not watching but God is. Concerned Mom Katie-Morgan Johnson Receives Americanism Medal Kati-Morgan Johnson partici pated in the National American ism essay contest sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. Her essay "I Thank Veterans For My Freedom" was awarded the Americanism medal at the state level. Kati-Morgan wrote her essay on a personal level including infor mation about her grandfather John Paul Jones, of Leesburg. Kati-Morgan was presented the Americanism Essay Award, Dept of Georgia, at the Legion’s Youth Night Award Banquet held Sep tember 13.2001, in Albany, Geor gia. She was presented the medal by Mrs. Brenda Pizzo American Legion Auxiliary Unit 30 Presi dent. Kati-Morgan is the daughter of Darren and Chimene Johnson. Parrish Johnson is her sister. Kati- Morgan lived in Lee County and attended Lee County School. She and her family moved in June to East Point. Florida and are living on St. George Island, Florida. Kati-Morgan is attending Apalachicola Middle School. Kati-Morgan Johnson’s Essay is printed below: I Thank Veterans For My Freedom I thank Veterans for my free dom. We have a day especially for them. This day honors the men and women that fought for the freedom of our country; in the Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and the Marines. This holiday is celebrated on November 11th. Some of the 20th century wars fought were World War I and World War II, Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf Conflict. We have monuments and memorials set up already for World War I, and we’re working on some monuments for World War II. One of these monuments is called See Johnson Page 8A The Led County Ledger ‘Established FLugust 24,1978 P.O. Box 715 (124 4th Street) Leesburg, Georgia 31763 (229) 759-2413 USPS 470-310 Official Organ of Lee County SUBSCRIPTION RATES Lee and surrounding counties $14. 95 year Elsewhere $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, 126 - 4th Street, Leesburg, Georgia 31763. Periodicals postage paid at Leesburg, GA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes on Form 3579 to, P.O. 715, Leesburg, GA31763. Printed On Recycled Paper MEMBER OF GEORGIA PRESS ASSOCIATION Kati-Morgan Johnson and her grandfather John Paul Jones. Marty’s Musings From Parrott-dise By Marty Heldenberg I cannot help but wonder. Where all of this will end, Will there ever come a time, When we're sure of who’s our friend. Will sleep once more come quickly, And tranquility prevail, Will our children play with peace of mind. That Democracy will not fail. Are we living in a world of hate. Where life is meaningless, Or is there hope for tomorrow, Will we continue to be Blessed. The questions come from nowhere, As I ponder our children’s fate, I want them to thrive in a world of Love, Yet we’re engulfed in a world of hate. I know our Prayers will surely be heard. By our Almighty Lord above. So mankind can get on with it. In a world consumed by Love! Talk to ya Later, Marty Doug Collins, CEA Putting JCnowledge toWork^J Pears Pears are easy to grow in the home garden. Pears Pears are among the easiest of the tree fruits to grow. Pears are. for the most part, not seriously affected by diseases and insects, with the possible exception of fire blight. Although chemical controls exist, fire blight can usually be managed by planting resistant varieties and pruning diseased areas as prescribed in the free Extension publication Home Garden Pears. Because pears are generally not seriously affected by pests, it’s easy to grow pears for fruit salads and pies. Good varieties for our area include Orient, Hood, Flordahome, Baldwin, Magness, Moonglow, Starking Delicious, Dawn, Spalding, and Warren. Orient, Baldwin, and Spalding are self pollinating. The other varieties will need an other tree around for pollina tion. More information about pol lination is contained in Home Garden Pears. Pears are best planted in the winter when they are dormant. Make sure you dig a hole big ger than what is required for the root ball. I like to dig a hole much larger than what is actu ally required for the root ball. This will provide the roots with loose soil into which to grow. I prefer fall planting (early winter) to spring planting (late winter) so that the roots can get a head start. Pears do well in sunny loca tions. Planting them where they will receive morning sun to dry the dew from the leaves is ben eficial in preventing disease. An added benefit to having a pear tree in your yard is the beautiful display of white blooms in the spring. For more information, call the Lee County Extension Office at 759-6025. Facts About Masonry By J.M. Rhodes Member of Chehaw Lodge 701 Leesburg, Georgia I found this in the Masonic Short Talk SELF-LESS-NESS The teaching of our institution tells us that charity is the bright est gem that can adorn our Ma sonic profession. Happy is the man who has sowed in his breast the seeds of benevolence, the produce there of is love and peace. On the other hand, Self ishness is evil and immoral in that it prevents the person af fected with this dread disease from reaching spiritual perfec tion. He does not set worthwhile goals, and strives to keep others from reaching theirs. As Masons we must remember that selfish ness is in direct violation of the teaching of the Supreme Archi tect of the Universe. It is cancer that robs us of emotional and spiritual security , leaving us empty human beings. It is natu ral to look for security by taking from life through some useful goal, where you do no harm to yourself, your family, or to oth ers. The Supreme Architect of the Universe gave us the Great Book of Mature and Revelation as a spiritual, moral, and Masonic Tresleboard. It teaches us to give to others who are in desperate need of good will and compas sion. To Relieve the Distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly the Masons, who are linked together by an indis soluble chain of sincere affection. Selfishness is a destructive trait that takes us away from this higher calling, and prevents us from obtaining perfection in the eyes of God. The selfish Mason, prefer to be self-centered, petty, and small. He forgets that it is by the square that we learn morality, by the level equality and by the plum rectitude of life and conduct. He lets wrath, loss of reason and fair play given his actions. He thinks in destructive terms and seethe with resentment at others good fortune, hurting himself in the process. He forgets that to soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with them in their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace onto their troubled minds is the great aim of every worthy Mason. My brothers, we must forever guard ourselves against selfish ness through the practice of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, the principal tenets of our profes sion. Remember brothers, we should forever use our trowel to spread the cement of brotherly love and affection, use the com passes to circumscribe our words and actions. It is through the proper use of our Masonic imple ments, that we shall protect our selves from those thoughts and actions which will block our path to the kingdom of God.