Newspaper Page Text
4-H project 6 Operation Boiled
The Lee County Ledger, Wednesday, August 31, 2005, Page 3C
Peanuts’ under way
Special to the Ledger
By Brad Haire
University of Georgia
They’ve been called to duty and
are being deployed to Iraq next
month. Their mission is simple:
Provide Georgia soldiers a familiar
taste of home. It’s “Operation Boiled
Peanuts.”
Georgia 4-H’ers across the state are
mobilizing to raise money for a state
wide project to package and send
boiled peanuts to Iraq to the 4,300
soldiers of the Georgia National
Guard’s 48th Brigade.
Homegrown hankering
The seed of the project was planted
when Clark Rountree, 21, a specialist
with the 48th, called his mother, Pa
tricia Anderson, earlier this month.
The Wilcox County, Ga., native told
her to tell Rex Bulloch he had a han
kering for his favorite homegrown
snack and wanted a few to share with
his comrades in Iraq.
“Anything Clark and those boys
want, and I can get it, I’m going
to get it done,” said Bulloch, 57, a
Wilcox County peanut farmer for 35
years. Rountree worked on Bulloch’s
farm before being sent to Iraq earlier
this year. He knew that from now
until November plenty of fresh,
Georgia peanuts would be harvested.
Bulloch figured a few bags of pea
nuts wouldn’t do. He wanted to get
enough for the entire brigade. Fam
ily-owned Hardy Farms in Hawkins-
ville, Ga., specializes in ready-to-eat
boiled peanuts in pouches and cut
Bulloch a good deal. But the cost
was still around $6,000.
“Folks told me I should ask around
for some help,” Bulloch said in a
phone interview Monday.
Statewide help
On Aug. 10, he called on his county
University of Georgia Cooperative
Extension office.
“I said, ‘Why don’t you let 4-H
help with that,”’ said Suzanne Keene,
a Wilcox County 4-H program assis
tant. “I thought this would be a great
opportunity for Georgia 4-H and
the (UGA) College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences to send
a farm product unique to Georgia
and let the troops know we support
them.”
She called the 4-H state office in
Athens, and “Operation Boiled Pea
nuts” was launched.
“It has bal
looned and
blossomed from
there,” she said.
The Georgia
4-H Founda
tion fronted
the $6,000 to
keep the soldiers
from waiting any
longer.
Now, 2 tons of
Georgia boiled
peanuts, about
4,800 bags from
Hardy Farms
with Georgia
4-H stickers
proudly stamped on them, are staged
and ready to be sent to the men and
women of the 48th Brigade around
Sept. 10, Bulloch said.
From collecting donations to orga
nizing events, each county 4-H club
is doing something different to raise
money, said Laura Perry Johnson,
the southwest district 4-H program
develop
ment coor
dinator.
To give a
donation,
make out
i check to
he Geor
gia 4-H
Founda
tion and
send it to
304 Hoke
Smith
Annex,
Univer
sity of
reorgia,
Athens, GA 30602. Write
“Georgia 4-H: Operation Boiled Pea
nuts” on the envelope. Or go to your
county UGA Extension office.
“We’d like to raise enough money
to do it more than once,” Keene said.
“Maybe send them something once a
month.”
Special thanks
“Clark is like one of mine,”
Bulloch said. “I’ll do anything for
him to make it a little easier. He
promised he’d be careful, keep his
head down and come home. That’s
what I’m expecting from him and the
rest of them.”
Bulloch hasn’t spoken with Roun
tree. But he’s heard that the soldiers
know the Georgia delicacy is on the
way. They’ve seen some TV news
stories about it.
But Bulloch already has been per
sonally thanked. Jason Henderson,
another Wilcox County native and a
48th Brigade soldier, was injured in
Iraq and was back home last week.
“He thanked me and asked if he
could give me a hug for the men of
the 48th,” Bulloch said.
(Brad Haire is a news editor with
the University of Georgia College
of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences.)
State Uses Many Strategies To Fight Obesity
Special to the Ledger
Georgia health officials say
they are using multiple strate
gies to light obesity in the
state, even as the recent Trust
for America’s Health report, F
as in Fat: How Obesity Poli
cies are Failing in America,
2005, presents a sobering pic
ture of the obesity epidemic in
the United States.
“When you know there is a
health problem that is affect
ing over half, and almost two-
thirds, of your population,
you go to work on it,” said
Dr. Stuart Brown, Director of
the Division of Public Health.
“And that’s exactly what
we’ve done.”
Although the Trust for
America’s Health report
makes a strong argument
for broader policy change,
especially in regard to urban
and suburban community
planning, Georgia officials
say community-level interven
tions, in a variety of settings,
are the focus of the state’s
efforts to reduce obesity and
associated health risks.
The Division of Public
Health received a CDC grant
in 2003 to address obesity and
physical activity in the state,
Bus Stop
Special to the Ledger
Bus Stop, the acclaimed
comedy by Pulitzer Prize
winning playwright, William
Inge, opens the 2005-2006
Season at the Rylander The
atre in downtown Americus
and this summer published its
own report and 10-year action
plan, Georgia’s Nutrition and
Physical Activity Plan - To
Prevent and Control Chronic
Disease in Georgia, 2005-
2015. In addition to consider
ing the planning and policy
changes championed in the
national report, the Geor
gia plan calls for integrated
efforts in communities, and
through schools, health care
providers, work sites, and
faith-based organizations.
A Division of Public Health
worksite wellness program
- Healthy Solutions for Busi
ness Groups - has helped
Georgia emerge as a leader in
worksite wellness according
to program officials. Over the
past two years, program staff
have provided over 85 work
shops and presentations to
business groups and chambers
of commerce across the state,
representing more than 800
employers with a combined
workforce of over a million
Georgians. Providing techni
cal assistance and linkages to
vendors and health insurers,
the program focuses on reduc
ing employers’ health care
costs and insurance premiums
for Sumter Players, Americus’
Community Theater. Open
ing night is Thursday,
September 8 at 8:00 pm, with
other performances on Friday
and Saturday, September 9
and 10 at 8:00 pm and a Sun-
by reducing cardiovascular
disease risk in their employee
populations. Worksite risk
reduction programs help
employees increase physical
activity and as a result help
reduce obesity.
The Division of Public
Health Chronic Disease
Prevention branch has also
partnered with school districts
to implement the School
Health Index, a school-based
assessment of health and
nutrition policy. Public health
staff from the state or local
health districts provide tech
nical assistance and consul
tation on developing school
health promotion policies that
focus on physical education,
nutrition (and vending ma
chines), and how school staff
can model health behaviors.
DeKalb, Glynn, and McIntosh
counties have all worked with
the Department of Human
Resources to implement the
school health index in various
schools in their counties.
In addition, health officials
say the Special Supplemen
tal Nutrition Program for
Women, Infants, and Children
(WIC), continues to pro
vide nutrition education and
day matinee on September 11
at 2:30 pm. All performances
will be preceded by a con
cert on the Rylander Theatre
organ beginning about thirty
minutes before curtain.
A March blizzard stops a
bus at a lonely cafe on the
Kansas plain in the middle of
a night in 1955. What follows
is a comedic exploration of
the interaction between the lo
cals and the passengers on the
bus as they wait out the storm
before proceeding westward
the next morning. A cast
of Sumter Players veterans
mixed with several newcom
ers to the Americus stage will
provide audiences with excit
ing entertainment.
Newcomers Fairy Caroland
and Kate Brown play the
owner (Grace) and the young
waitress (Elma) of Grace’s
Diner located somewhere
between Kansas City and
Topeka. The unexpected
layover of the Topeka bound
bus introduces Anna Marie
Masters as Cherie (the role
made famous in film by Mari
lyn Monroe), the “abducted”
nightclub chanteuse trying to
escape from the love smitten
cowboy, Bo, played by Justin
Niederkorn. Bo’s cowboy
buddy, Virgil, is portrayed
by Bill Brown, who returns
to the Americus stage after a
15 year absence. Ron Fross
is Will, the no nonsense local
sheriff who tries to rescue
Cherie. Pat Spann plays Carl,
the bus driver with an eye on
Grace — and probably every
other female cafe manager on
his route. Dr. Gerald Lyman,
coupons for nutritious foods
to thousands of low-income
Georgians.
“Being low-income is a risk
factor for poor nutrition,” said
Brown. “The WIC program
allows us to reach a popula
tion that is at risk for poor
nutrition, provide healthy
food and nutrition education,
and help reduce poor health
outcomes - including obesity
- that are associated with poor
nutrition.”
Recognizing the burden of
chronic disease generally, and
obesity specifically, Geor
gia governor Sonny Perdue
last year launched the Live
Healthy Georgia campaign in
collaboration with the Depart
ment of Human Resources.
Live Healthy Georgia seeks
to reduce chronic disease in
the state, and is designed to
remind Georgians of leading
risk factors with five simple
prevention messages: Be
Active, Be Smoke Free, Eat
Healthy, Get Checked, and Be
Positive.
Using data from both the US
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) and the
National Institutes of Health
(NIH), the Trust for Amer-
the drunken, lecherous,
sacked former professor with
an almost criminal attraction
to young girls -- Elma in this
story — is played to the hilt by
Clark Lamb.
Humor, both broad and
subtle, lends a reality to the
fiction. Not to be missed is
the impromptu performance
of the balcony scene from
“Romiet and Julio” (Dr.
Lyman’s drunken miscue),
Cherie’s unbelievable rendi
tion of her nightclub act and
Bo’s announcement to Cherie
that he’s “virgin enough for
both”. Audiences can expect
to be filled with laughter and
nostalgia as they leave these
performances of Bus Stop.
Tickets are available for
all performances by visit
ing the Rylander box office
at 310 West Lamar Street in
Americus, by calling the box
office at 229 931-0001, by
calling the 24 hour toll free
number — 1 800 903-7753, on
the internet at www.rylander.
org (select “Tickets On
Line”), or on the Sumter Play
ers website: www.sumterplay
er.org(select “Order Tickets”).
Tickets are $15 for Adults,
$10 for Students, Seniors and
Habitat for Humanity Volun
teers. A savings of 25% is
available by subscribing to
the entire four show Sumter
Players season which can be
done at the box office. The
other shows of the season are:
The Best Christmas Pageant
Ever in November, Guys and
Dolls in March and The Odd
Couple in May.
ica’s Health report ranked
LIS states by percentage of
overweight and obese adults.
According to the report,
Georgia ranks 12th highest in
the nation for the percentage
of adults that are classified as
obese, 24.5% -- the same as
the percentage of adult obesity
in the LIS as a whole.
Because being overweight
is a leading risk factor for be
coming obese, the report also
ranks states by the combined
percentage of adults who are
overweight or obese. The per
centage of Georgia adults who
are either overweight or obese,
59.6%, ranks 25th in LIS, and
is lower than the national
average of 64.5%.
The state with the high
est combined percentage of
overweight and obese adults
is Mississippi with 65.5%,
while Colorado has the lowest
percentage, 52.9%. Although
the rankings likely gener
ated headlines in every state,
health officials point out that
the true headline should be
how narrow the range of dif
ference is, even from worst to
best.
“When you look at the rank
ings, you’re struck by the fact
that in the state that ranked
‘best,’ over half - more than
half - the adults are over
weight or obese, and that’s the
best we’ve got,” said Brown.
“And when you look at the
‘worst’ state, you see that it
is only one percentage point
worse than the LIS as a whole.
The bottom line is, we are a
fat nation, and it is killing us.”
Brown said that there are
many factors that influence
obesity levels in the state and
across the nation including
urban sprawl, super-sized
portions at many restaurants,
and a proliferation of enter
tainment choices in which
participants are sedentary,
such as video games. Because
lifestyle choices are individual
and personal, ideal health
promotion programs teach in
dividuals how to make healthy
choices and foster community
environments that support
those choices.
“We know obesity is a prob
lem, a serious problem, and
we know that making prog
ress will take time,” he said.
“And while we have got a
good plan, it is something that
everyone is going to have to
make personal decisions about
- how long do I want to live?
What do I want the quality of
my life to be?”
Submitted Photo
In rehearsal for the Sumter Players production
of Bus Stop are Anna Marie Masters playing
Cherie, the nightclub chanteuse, and Clark Lamb
performing the role of the lecherous professor,
Gerald Lyman, as Cherie demonstrates a portion of
her nightclub act. Bus Stop, a comedy by Pulitzer
Prize winner, William Inge, will be performed at
the Rylander Theatre in downtown Americus on
Thursday, September 8; Friday, September 9; and
Saturday, September 10 at 8:00 pm. There will be
a Sunday matinee on September 11 at 2:30 pm.
Each performance will be preceded by a concert
on the Rylander Theatre organ beginning thirty
minutes before curtain. Tickets may be purchased
by calling the Rylander box office at 229 931-0001
or visiting the theatre at 310 West Lamar Street in
Americus.
Flowers and Happy Birthday
Natalie Shiver
Compliments of
Leesburg Flower and Gift
Walnut Street Leesburg, Georgia
Phone 759-6917
Flowers may be picked up at Leesburg Flower and Gift
Wishes a Happy Birthday:
September 1: Jessica Thomas, Gwen Jordan, Taylor Simon, Deanne
Bullock, Jeremes Ware, Willie C. Sneed, Austine Ferguson, Leigha
Potter, Donna Tanner, Buck Burris, Donald Baker, Pete Green, Kyle
Adams, Martha Fore, Ryan Ranew, Mrs. M.C. Miller, Ethan Price,
Beverly Elmore, Jimmy Wright, Sondra Henry, Shane Roberson, Susan
Apperson, Carolyn Lazenbry, Mary Bridger, Jordan ICnight, Lyle Mims,
Carol Mazza, Jessica Lewis, Phil Tucker, Ken Houston, Donna Tanner,
Thomas Austin Harris; September 2: Daniel Wentzell Ron Lindsey,
Stonie Lee Houston, Helen Peterson, Mary Bennett, Leigh Ann Phelps,
Jimmy Moore, Jessie Sparks, Mac Brown, Kevin Scott, Donny Wells,
Jerry Tauber, Eric Tucker, Tripp Culbreth, Julia Howell, Tracy Rolling,
Shannon Harrison; September 3: Natalie Shiver, Joy Word, Megan
Ramsey, Amy Robinson, Kimberly Davis, Nathan Kromminga, Aaron
Walker, Craig Bryan, Tommy Thomas, Jim Harcrow, Johnnie M. Rivers,
Carla Brown, Gary Knight, W.K. Howell, Margaret Everett, Ben C. Wil
lis, Bobby Miles, Burnell Thomas, Craig Kirkland, Tye Slappey Jr., Eric
Cowart, Earl Bryant, Javario Beach, Benjamin Lutz, Kathy Mims), Jodi
Hall, Jason Story, Nicholas Young, Margie Casey, Bruce M. Otruba,
Rebecca Simpson; September 4: Patricia Shirley, DeAnn Ramsey,
Brandy Daniels, Bobby Herring, Alyson Chester, Heather Rhodes, Lafe
Stump, Annette Urguhart, Jeff Everett, Franklin Fore, Jason Wiggins,
Rhenda Coxwell, Julie Mills, Gregory Williams Sr., KrisTaylor, Cathy
Roberts, Michael Taylor, Pamela Holmes, Katie Harcrow, Bonnie Jerni-
gan; September 5: Gavin Hicks, Alayna Smith, Trevor Hohorst, Naomi
Fritts, Beth Radcliffe Mixon, Pat Godfree, Gary Rhodes, Vann Paul,
Casey Powell, Dorothy Yawn, Brandi Black, Terry Thacker, Elizabeth
Holland, Cindy Story, Karen Culbreth, Jennifer Jones, George Wiehrs,
Cathy Wiehrs, Harsha Patel; September 6: John Beamon,Rachel Nagy,
Misty Winters, Jennifer Pollis, Christy Kleckley, Luke Singletary,
Ronnie Anderson, Barbara Hayes, Diane J. Statham, Adron Bennett,
Stephen C. Smith, Chris Morris, Melissa Jowers, Leigh Brooks, Annie
Fletcher, Craig Carroll, Lew Parker, Ronnie Flowers, Jason Dowdy,
Michael Kriebel, Christopher Simpson, Gwen Lauck, Dale Merritt,
Kemp Wiehrs, Nelle Rowe; September 7: Nellda J. Morris, Abbie
King, Zachary Parrish, Florence Carter, J.B. Beasley, Melissa Fallin,
Ann Lightfoot, Linda Kearce, Perley Eppley, Jr., Melissa Worrell, Craig
Coxwell, Warren Gillin, William Parker, Neta Stephens, Christi Haefs,
James Darbyshire, ICathy Wiggins, Emma Paul, Carolyn B. Ormerod,
Taylor Sanders, Bill Turoski;
Wishes a Happy Anniversary:
September 1: Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Seymour, Mr. and Mrs. William
Parker, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Vann Ditty, Mr.
and Mrs. Jody Gay, Mr. and Mrs. Tommy L. Jones; September 2: Mr.
and Mrs. Kenny Bryant; September 3: Mr. and Mrs. Willie Melton, Mr.
and Mrs. Don McVicker, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Roberts; September 4:
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Cannon, Mr. and Mrs. John Beamon, Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Sparks, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Ted Deiter, Mr. and Mrs. William R.
Walker, Mr. and Mrs. James Valentine, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Paulk,
Mr. and Mrs. Jack W. Brownlee; September 5: Mr. and Mrs. Allen
Toole, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Clower, Mr. and Mrs. George Pressley, Jr.;
September 6: Mr. and Mrs. Scott Gilley, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Roberson,
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Hubbs, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Adams, Mr. and Mrs.
Lamar Thompson*. Mr. and Mrs. Tony Stevens, Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie
Flowers; September 7: Mr. and Mrs. Mike Steavens, Mr. and Mrs. Gary
Knight, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Jernigan, Mr. and Mrs. Keller P. Dorman
To Open At Rylander Theatre
