Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Page 4A - The Lee County Ledger, Thursday, December 6, 2001 Georgia Forestry Commission Report Fireproofing Your Home for the Holidays With the holidays approach ing. many Americans are already busy decorating their homes, shopping, and getting together with friends and family. As you make your own preparations, state and local Fire Prevention agencies hope you will also keep fire safety in mind to ensure that the happy occasions ahead are not spoiled by property destruction, injury or tragedy. The holiday season and the colder weather that often accompanies it bring all types of fire hazards into our homes, workplaces and almost every building we enter between now and the new year. From blinking lights and other decorations to a warm fire in the fireplace, it's easy to see how safety precautions could be forgotten amid the sights and sounds of the holidays. But, by heeding a few important safety tips, we can enjoy the season and celebrate Christmas. Hanukkah or New Year's Eve without the fear of fire. Here are some precautions you can take: * Keep all portable heaters at least three feet away from flammable items. Turn off space heaters before leaving a room or going to sleep. Also, use only manufacture recommended fuel in portable kerosene heaters. Shut down and cool off such equipment before refueling. * If you celebrate the holidays with a live Christmas tree, find a fresh one and give it water regularly. Also, keep the tree away from any heat sources or exits. If you use an artificial tree, make sure it is labeled as flame retardant. * Purchase only UL approved lights. Never use frayed or damaged strings or mix indoor or outdoor lights. Also, unplug lights before going to sleep each night or leaving your home. * Do not overload electrical circuits, such as wall outlets and extension cords; use a circuit (power) strip. * Keep a tight-fitting screen on your fireplace and obtain a professional inspection annually before usage. Have your chimney cleaned on a regular basis. * Never burn holiday wrap pings, a discarded Christmas tree or its branches in your fireplace. Dry Christmas trees burn very hot and extremely quick. The fire could ignite your carpet or nearby window coverings. Also, a Christmas tree is very oily and could damage your fireplace. * Make the most of this holiday season, but first make the right choices when it comes Facts About Masonry By J.M. Rhodes Member of Chehaw Lodge 701 Leesburg, Georgia THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFI CANCE OF FREEMASONRY The most essential thing for every Freemason to learn is just what freemasonry is, and how it functions. The ritual contains all that is necessary to a very clear and comprehensive knowledge, but in many cases those who participate in the form and ceremonies of the ritual fail to analyze carefully the things they hear and see, and even those who assume to teach sometimes fail to understand fully the words and sentences they have memo rized. We are told that Freema sonry is a system of morality veiled in allegory, which "I unfold its beauties to the candid and industrious inquirer.” It has also been defined as the subjugation of the human that is in man by the Divine; the conquest of the appetites and passions by moral sense and reason; a continual effort, struggle and warfare of men, bound together in their struggles to attain all that is noble, who desire only what is true and beautiful, and who love and practice virtue for its own sake. Many are the definitions that might be quoted to show the high importance and spiritual significance of Freemasonry . Methods of expression differ, but every student of Freema sonry is agreed that its forms and ceremonies are but a means and method of bringing man to a better comprehension of the real purpose of life, and to develop the qualities of the soul. The Holy Bible is a rule and guide to our faith and conduct. Masonry does not attempt to interfere with the peculiar religious faith of its disciples, except so far as it relates to the belief in God and what neces sarily form that belief. Nothing in Freemasonry is ever hidden from those who are worthy and properly prepared. Our hearts and souls are the soil in which the seed must germinate. Not only must we be industrious as physical and intellectual beings but we must be industrious spiritually, if we are to divest our minds and consciences of the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting us as living stones for that spiritual build ing, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. No great cathedral was quickly build, neither can we expect to erect within ourselves a perfect character without long contin ued and persistent effort. By the constant practice of the one tenet of Brotherly Love, we may make daily progress. Brotherly Love is not only a beautiful ideal, but an actual fact in nature. It is our failure to live in conformity to it that causes most of the discord and confusion in the world. The knowledge we can rightly expect and surely find is a knowledge of our moral and spiritual nature, and is to be used in being serviceable to our fellow creatures. Freemasonry teaches by an allegory of unsurpassed beauty the great lesson that our bodies are but the temporary shelter of our soul, and after passing through the experiences necessary the dust returns to its Mother Earth and the soul returns unto God who gave it. (This was by Silas H. Shepherd, F.P.S.). The Lee County Ledger ‘EstabCisfecC August 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, RO. 715, Leesburg, GA31763. wit (CS>) Printed On member of Georgia Recycled Paper press association to fire safety. The happiness and well being of your family and loved ones depends on it! The Georgia Forestry Com mission wishes everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday Season. The University of Georgia • Cooperative Extension Service ■r - . *45 1 ufci- ® 0 flBBjj 7 Sasanquas Doug Collins, Acting Lee County Extension Coordinator Putting Knowledge to^VorkZ ^ Sasanquas bloom in the fall when many other plants are dying or going doffilant for the winter. Sasanquas Sasanquas, scientifically known as Camellia sasanqua, are good ornamental shrubs for our area. Sasanquas are in the same genus as the shrubs we refer to as camellias, known scientifically as Camellia japonica. Sasanquas are no newcomer to the United States, having been introduced here from the Far East One hundred seventy years ago. The flowers of sasanquas are similar to those of traditional camellias, but smaller. Sasanquas bloom earlier than traditional camellias, blooming during the fall. Sasanquas are considered to be not quite as hardy as Camellia japonica, but that is not much of a problem in our area with our mild winters. Sasanquas prefer to be in the shade of pine trees, but can survive in full sun. I have found that sasanquas are also some what drought resistant. Sasanquas form a somewhat smaller plant than the traditional camellia. Sasanquas grow to a height of six to ten feet high according to Michael Diu in Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. Some plants have been known to grow as tall as fifteen feet. For more information, call the Lee County Extension Office at 759-6025. %\ids’s Xorner The holiday season is upon us and along with it comes a lot of hustle and bustle. In this hectic time we need to remember to spend time with our families, after all. that is what is impor tant. Our children can get pushed aside at this busy time, with parties and shopping and all that goes along with the holidays. I am listing some activities or maybe some new family traditions for you and your family to enjoy. 1. Make homemade orna ments. Gather items that you may have around the house like popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, ribbons and material and be creative. 2. Read a holiday or winter story each night of December. Write on a slip of paper the name of the stories and put them in a bowl. Each night gather the family together and have someone pull the name of a book to read that night and enjoy the time together . 3. Load up in the car and go and look at Christmas lights. Play Christmas music as you go around and enjoy the special time together. 4. Bake holiday cookies, candy and/or cakes. Take them To submit articles and pictures to The Lee County Ledger, you may e-mail them to leeledger@aol.com or mail items of interest to P.O. Box 715, Leesburg Georgia. Theatre Albany schedules Auditions For ‘Always. . Pasty Cline’ Theatre Albany will conduct a first round of auditions for the musical ALWAYS . . . PATSY CLINE Saturday and Sunday December 8 and 9 at 2:00 p.m. Conceived and originally di rected by Ted Swindley, AL WAYS . . . PATSY CLINE is- based on the true story of Patsy Cline’s friendship with Houston housewife Louise Seger. While performing a show in Houston, in 1961, the two women struck up a friendship that was to culminate in Cline spending the night at Seger’s house—a friendship that lasted until Cline's untimely death in a plane crash in 1963. Seger supplies a narrative while Cline floats in and out of the set singing tunes that made her fa mous -“Anytime” “Walkin'After Midnight” “She’s Got You” “Sweet Dreams” and “Crazy” — to name a few. Director Mark Costello and Musical Director Kevin Blaise is looking to cast two females: Patsy and Louise. Auditions are open to everyone in the community. Per sons interested in the role of ‘Patsy' should prepare to sing a song (preferably one performed by Patsy Cline) and either bring the sheet music (an accompanist will be provided) or a cassette tape. Rehearsals are scheduled to begin in January with perfor mances set for March 8 through 23. For further information call Theatre Albany at (229) 439- 7193. Twin Oaks Elementary Superintendent Scholars The following students from Twin Oaks Elementary School were Superintendent Scholars for the second six weeks, achieving a 96 or above in each academic subject. Joseph Askew, Erik Bateman. Bryan Brinson, Annie Brockway, Elizabeth Cheek, Colleen Finney, Jaron Frazier, Bradley Inman, Cody Jaime, Jennifer Jones, Antonio Mantica, Parker McPherson. Amanda Mears, Phillip Millerd, Miranda Moye, Macy Seymour, Matthew Suggs, Lynde Taylor, and Cameron Tompkins. to a neighbor that does not have family nearby. Take some to your local police station or fire department, especially closer to the holidays or on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day when they have to be away from their families. 5. Decorate a tree outside for the animals to enjoy. You can make ornaments from pine cones rolled in peanut butter and birdseed, make garland with popcorn and cranberries and hang orange and apple slices from pipe cleaners. 6. Allow your child to help you buy or make gifts for others. Help them to understand the giving side of the holiday and not just the receiving end. So many times children are only interested in what they are going to receive at this time of year and it is good for them and they will enjoy giving to others. 7. Slow down and enjoy your family. Don't wear yourself out. Start a new family tradition and make some wonderful memories. I wish you a safe and happy holiday season. This article was submitted by Pam Ferrell, Pre-K Resource Coordinator for Kidsville USA, Inc. Bajha Muse Selected FOX Spokesperson Bajha Muse was selected to be the FOX Kids News Spokesperson. FOX WFXL held a contest for the position at the Flint River Fes tival in October. Bajha competed with 35 other children for the posi tion. Each school in the surrounding area could nominate one stu dent to enter the contest. The requirements to enter the contest were that the student must be between the second and fifth grades and have and outgoing personality. Kinchafoonee Primary entered Bajha. Bajha practiced for the au dition, by being the an chor on the KPS morn ing news show. The WKPS News airs each morning on closed cir cuit TV at Kinchafoonee Primary. Throughout the year, second grade stu dents take turns being part of the news team. Debbie Dorminy and Laura Pasteka are the producers of the news show. Bajha is a second grade student at KPS. She is the daughter of Mike and Trina Muse of Leesburg. The contest prizes were a $300.00 shopping spree at WalMart, a pizza party for her class, and a one-year contract to be the FOX Kids Spokesperson. Bajha has appeared on a commercial for the Children of Afghani stan Fund-raiser. Stay tuned to FOX 31 WFXL to see Bajha in the FOX Christmas commercial and a commercial for the Toys for Tots program.