About The wiregrass farmer. (Ashburn, Ga.) 1984-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 2008)
I^Readt I What you Readers Write have to say. Page 4 Y club? Not. Awards too. Page 2 Soooo close stunned by Wikinson, Sports. the Wiregrass Farmer Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008 ASHBURN, GA, 31714 VOL 106 - No. 49 • 500 /Around Town \ Subscribe to The Wiregrass Farmer Delivered in your mail every week. Call 567-3655 for information. Pix with Santa Treasure's Galore, Yard Sale, Turner County Elementary School Gym Saturday, Dec. 6, 8am-12 pm. Pictures with Santa. Legion meeting The American Legion Post 98 will hold its monthly meeting at 7 pm on December 9 in the Bubba Akins Memorial Building. All veterans are invited. Family holiday traditions Sponsored by Turner County Schools Parent Involvement Council. Presented by Connie Brown and Javier Gonzalez Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 5:45 pm. Turner County Pr- K/Special Services Cafeteria. Cookies and punch will be provided. Christmas Parade Saturday, Dec. 13, 6 pm Parade, line up at 5 at Civic Center Christmas Open House to follow downtown with merchants Theme - Home for the Holidays. Check on students by going online Every Thursday from noon-1 p.m., parents are invited to the High School to meet with Mr. Augusta and learn how to go on-line to access their childs’ grades and attendance. Please call ahead to make an appt. with Mrs. Williford at 567-4377. Birth certificates Need a certified birth certificate? If you were bom in the State of Georgia, the Turner County Probate Court may be able to provide you with a certi fied copy. For more info, call Probate Court Judge Penny Thomas at 567- 2151. GED classes Moultrie Technical College is offering free GED classes at the Turner Campus located on Rockhouse Rd. in Ashburn. Please call the college at 567-2045 if more informa tion is needed. Obituaries William Jordan, 81, Ashburn Complete obituary information is on Page 5 v y Serving Turner County Since 1902 Body identified; case closed by Ben Baker Editor The discovery of a body, identified as Nathan Holley, in a Crisp County cotton field has brought an end to a murder investigation, said Turner County Chief Deputy Steve Wood. Tommy Wayne Giles, a Ty Ty resident, was found dead in early October off Robby Reeves Road in Turner County. Holley was linked to the death early on and had been the subject of a manhunt for some time. It was thought he was in Crisp County and author- ties there circulated pictures of Holley in the north part of the County. Holley was found in northern Crisp County, Deputy Wood said all the affected families in the murder and the investigation have been notified of the Crime Lab’s findings and that the murder case is now considered closed. “He was identified through dental records from his dentist in Tifton,” the deputy said. Holley died from a gunshot wound to the head. “The gun was laying there with him,” Dep. Wood said. Holley had lain in the field “just guesstimating 6 to 8 weeks,” Dep. Wood said. The body wsa described as badly decomposed when it was found by a farmer. Turner County Connection marks 15 years This year marks the 15th anniversary of Turner County’s Community Collaborative organization - Turner County Connection ... A Communities In Schools Approach, Inc. TCC held a celebration event on Wednesday, November 12 to acknowledge this huge milestone. Brinson Brock, TCC Board Chair presided and Ron Coley, previous Board Chair welcomed everyone to the celebration. David Kingry, Minister of Music at 1st United Methodist Church and collaborative mem ber gave the invocation. Executive Board member, Brandi Giddens, made mention of the noteworthy guests in attendance: Kim Bryant (Community Development Specialist with Communities In Schools of Georgia); Hobby Stripling (District Director with Rep. Jim Marshall’s office); Aubrey Harris (Georgia Family Connection Partnership); Susan Harrell (Georgia Family Connection Partnership - Region 11); Joseph Carter (State Senator); and Mary Lee Green (Turner County Clerk of Court Elect). Mr. Harris spoke highly of the organization and the efforts and accomplish ments they have made dur ing the past 15 years. Senator Carter spoke words of encouragement to the group and commend ing the organization for their many successful endeavors. Dianne Huff, Gloria Pylant and Brenda Lee, Executive Board members, gave an overview of the past 15 years. TCC began with a group of concerned citizens (school system, DFCS, health department, businesses, etc.) coming together to work and collabo rate efforts towards making things better in Turner County for the children and families. As the group continued to meet, it grew in number. Through the years numerous funding opportunities have been afforded to the organization in order to implement strategies identified that would help TCC move towards accomplishing their vision... “All children in Turner County will grow up in a safe and healthy environment and become productive citizens”. Since 1993, over $12 million has been awarded to TCC through local, state and federal grants as well as foun dations. Cheryle Bryan, Executive Board member, recog nized the 4 Executive Directors that TCC has had - Glenda McCann, Jo Wingate, Dianne Huff and Lisa Kingry. All previous and present staff members and all previous and past board members were recognized. Sue Mastrario recognized some special people and their contributions to the organization. All past and present Board Chairs - Ed Mitchell, Brenda Lee, Ron Coley and Brinson Brock; Board members who have served the longest- Brenda Lee, Gloria Pylant and Cheryle Bryan; and others who have had a significant impact on the history of TCC - Jimmy Alberson(school superintendent in the beginning years; huge supporter; provided space for programs, offices; supported implementation of programs and activities within the school); Tommy Helms (School System Central Office staff in the early years; served on the col laborative; huge supporter; came up with the name for the organization); Ray Jordan (present superinten dent; continued the strong partnership; continues to provide space for pro grams, offices; continues to support the implementa tion of programs and activ ities within the school); Carol Norris(Evaluator and grant writer for 10 years); and Beverly North (part- time CPA for TCC). Brenda Lee recognized the many local businesses and individuals who have made monetary donations to the Annual Fundraising Campaign and Gloria (See CONNECT Page 2) Relay for Life sets $33K goal by Melba Brown Turner County held it’s annual Kickoff for Relay for Life on Nov. 20. The evening began with a wel come by Turner County Chairman, Melba Brown and the announce ment of this year’s theme, “Hunting for a Cure”. Turner County’s goal this year is to reach $33,000 with the help of the 18 teams we are projecting to sign up! Kristen Evans, Staff Member and Representative for the American Cancer Society, then presented their “25 Years of HOPE” video along with some of the advances that we have made in the fight against cancer. She stressed the importance of “getting involved” and making Relay for Life 2009 a success! Joy Carter, Co-Chairman for Turner County, recapped last year’s teams and sponsors, and thanked everyone for their support. Mr. Ray Jordan, Ms. Alice Nelson, and Mrs. Patricia Hargess, attended on behalf of the Turner County School System and was presented an award for the 100% school par ticipation last year! The Pre-K, Elementary, Middle and High School all had teams and raised a substantial amount of money for Relay for Life. Thanks to all the principals and team cap tains that worked so hard with the children to achieve this. Other committee members in attendance were Mika Cauthen- Co-Chairman, Gail Mckissack, and Donna Waters. Thank you to all the members who could not be there, but helped out in advance with the event. Mark your calen dars, Relay for Life will be held on May 29, 2009 at 7 PM at the Turner County Recreation Department. We need more teams, so please if you are interested in participat ing or need more information, please contact Melba Brown, Joy Carter, or Mika Cauthen at 229- 567-9686. South Georgia Banking Company sponsored this year’s event at the Thrasher House. Keith A Que sponsored the evening’s dinner by donating bar- beque. Mr. Ray Jordan, Ms. Alice Nelson, Mrs. Patricia Hargess and Relay for Life committee mem ber Melba Brown with the school system’s 100 percent participation award. Talkin’ Turkey NATASHA HARRIS was decked out last week for Thanksgiving at Turner County Elementary School.Photo Trish Mathes Toys for Tots ‘08 Turner County Connection has partnered with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and United Way of South Central GA since 2005 to provide needy children with gifts. SADLY there will be children who will not receive one present from Santa under the tree on Christmas morning. YOU can help put a smile on a child’s face this Christmas by donating a new unwrapped toy. Drop boxes for toys will be located through out Turner County. Thank you for helping make the holidays more joyous for children in Turner County. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating some thing that gives you purpose and meaning. Mitch Albom
