About The wiregrass farmer. (Ashburn, Ga.) 1984-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 20, 2024)
Page 4 - The Wiregrass Farmer, November 20,2024 Editorial & Opinion It’s OVER! Thankfully, it’s over. That was the likely reaction of many U.S. citi zens when the polls closed, the final counting of votes commenced and the winners of the vast ma jority of races were declared by that night or early Wednesday morning. When the curtain came down on Election 2024, so did an assault on the public’s attention and consciousness, with ceaseless TV and radio advertisements, interminable robocalls, emails and texts touting candidates and begging for “emergency” donations — all drenched in a com mon feeling of apprehension and dread over “the most important election of our lifetime.” Well, at least since the last one. Or was it the one before? But who knows? Perhaps that prognostication will prove correct this time. Through it all, voters endured campaigns from the municipal level to the presidency filled with at tacks that weren’t merely negative but deeply mean-spirited and divisive, underscored by con temptible lies and topped by one presidential can didate calling his opponent, “trash,” “sick” and “depraved,” while the other insisted he was “unsta ble,” “unhinged” and “a fascist.” The Republicans are still celebrating, and right fully so, with a stunning sweep that consolidates their supremacy in all branches of the federal gov ernment. The Democrats are in mourning, also with cause, consigned to the political wilderness for at least two years. The local and regional elections were, for the most part, far less vitriolic, with Republican in cumbents U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota and state Sen. Anthony Palumbo holding serve, and Democrat Tommy John Schiavoni chosen to replace long- serving Independent Fred Thiele in the state As sembly. We wish them all well — and given the often overlooked and under-appreciated reality that state, municipal and regional politicians have a far greater practical impact on their constituents’ day- to-day lives than their federal counterparts, we will do our part to hold them accountable for the deci sions they make and the policies they support over the next two years. We encourage our readers to do the same. On the national level, there are also some hope ful signs. The losing candidate for the presidency, Vice President Kamala Harris, quickly accepted the results and made a gracious concession speech. President Joe Biden invited president-elect Donald Trump to the White House for a meeting a week after the election. At the very least, that’s a welcome — and much needed — change from last time, when the losing candidate refused to accept defeat and insisted — without credible evidence — that the free and fair election had been rigged against him. That refusal to accept the truth and unreservedly support the peaceful transition of power was a disqualifying factor for millions of American voters. But in the end, it didn’t matter to the majority of them. Those norms of accepting defeat, offering con gratulations and pledging assistance to the victor — which have been foundational to the success American democracy for two and half centuries — appear to be back on track. At least for now. Here’s to a new era in American political life. We live in hope. The Suffolk Times newspaper The WIREGRASS FARMER - Established 1902 Official Legal Organ of Turner County 109 Gordon Street • P.O. Box 309 • Ashburn, GA 31714 Telephone 229-567-3655 email wiregrassfarmer@yahoo.com THE WIREGRASS FARMER (USPS 687-460) is published every Wednesday by Ashburn Newspapers, Inc., 109 N. Gordon St, Ashburn, Georgia. Periodicals Postage Paid at Ashburn, Geor gia. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wiregrass Farmer, 109 N. Gordon St., Ashburn, GA 31714 STAFF Ben Baker, Editor Robin Tillman, Office Manager OUR GOAL The Wiregrass Farmer is published proudly for the citizens of Turner County by B&H Publishing. Inc. Our goal is to produce quality, prof itable, community-oriented newspapers that you, our readers, are proud of. We will reach that goal through hard work, teamwork, loy alty and a strong dedication toward printing the truth. SUBSCRIPTION RATES Senior Citizen discount in county only $26.00 Inside Turner County, $31.00 Elsewhere in Georgia, $41.00 Outside Georgia, $52.00 • Internet $31 a year Signed letters to the editor are welcomed. Please limit letters to 750 words and include a name, an address and phone number where the writer may be reached during the day. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published. Unsigned letters will not be published. All letters become property of the newspaper. Liability for an error will not exceed the cost of the space occupied by the error. We cannot be responsible for the return of pictures or materials un less a self-addressed stamped envelope is included. The deadline for LEGAL NOTICES is Friday NOON before Wednesday's publication. Holiday deadlines will be announced at least one week in advance. Turkey cooking tips With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I bring you advice on how to cook your holiday turkey from children: First I'd go and buy the turkey. Then I would take it home. Then put it in the oven for 30 minutes. I would set it for 69 degrees F. Then take it out of the oven and put it on the table. I would serve it with corn, mashed potatoes, and my favorite, crescent rolls. I would get turkey in a store. I would put some leaves on the turkey. I would set it for 50 minutes. I would set it for 10 degrees. I would put it with mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and turkey. That is how I make my turkey. You get the turkey at Price Chopper. You buy it. Mom puts it in a pan with chicken and gravy. Turn the oven on 8 degrees. Cook it for 50 hours. Get a dead turkey that is lying in the woods on the ground. Pick up the turkey and bring it home. There are no feathers when you find it in the woods. Put the turkey in a Baker’s Dozen bowl and put it in the oven. Leave it in for however long you cook dinner. The oven makes noise and then it is done. Take it out of the oven and bring it to the table. Take the turkey out of the bowl and eat it. You get a turkey from Food City. You bring it home. Take the paper off of it. Put the turkey in a big bowl and put it in the oven. Cook the turkey for 15 hours. It is done when it's not burned. Climb inside and eat it, but only after you shut off the oven. Put it in the oven. Cook it for 6 minutes. Yell for my dad to come to the table. Ingredients: hot sauce, rice and broccoli. Directions: Bake at 16 degrees for 6 hours. Ingredients: salt, rice. Di rections: Bake at 1000 degrees for 4 hours, (for a really crispy skin I guess.) Turkey, eggs, milk, food coloring and chef’s clothes. Directions: Open turkey, put food coloring in it, add eggs then put on chef’s clothes. Put into oven on warm for 2 min utes. Take one teaspoon of milk and one onion and two carrots and four tomatoes and mush it up together. Cut turkey open to put stuffing in. Cook at 8 de grees for half an hour. My uncle cooks the turkey by putting it in the oven at 40 degrees for 10 minutes. Then she smashes the potatoes and cooks the beans. Now it is time to eat. To make stuffing, use chicken meat, one cup of spaghetti, half cup of salt, one cup applesauce. Cook turkey for 30 minutes in a 500-degree stove. Take a 10,000 pound turkey and put some candy and a fluff sandwich inside with straw berry jelly on top. Daddy will cook it in the oven at 10 de grees for 40 minutes. Take a 30 pound turkey, put some fish and cheese inside with turkey and peppers on top. Mommy will cook it in the oven at 50 degrees for 80 minutes. Take an 8 pound turkey and put fmit roll-ups and macaroni and cheese inside with water melons on top. Me, mom and dad will cook it on the stove for 3 minutes. And in case you worry about having enough for everyone, consider this Juras sic Park gobbler - Take a 90 pound turkey and put some salt, pepper, pepperoni and chicken nuggets inside with some salt on top. Mommy, me, and daddy will cook it in the oven at about 30 degrees for about 20 minutes. Celebrate elections, don’t dread them With the presidential elec tion behind us, Americans have reason to take a moment and celebrate. The election season—with its passionate debates and competing visions —show cased the strength and re silience of our democratic system, which has stood as a beacon of freedom and stabil ity for generations. Each voice, each vote, has shaped the direction our nation will now take. And, as one party steps back to let another lead, we witness an inspiring reminder of our democracy’s power: the peaceful transition of authority. This process is greater than any party or individual. It’s a testament to our commitment to participation, respect, and resilience —a national covenant to uphold a system where different perspectives can coexist and contribute to our common good. The Torah speaks to the value of harmony, of embrac ing diverse voices to build a unified whole, reminding us that true strength lies in our ability to hold differing opin ions while remaining commit ted to a shared purpose. P4 Rabbi’s Rap The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous mem ory, encouraged public engage ment and saw voting as a profound responsibility, a way to contribute to our communi ties and express our thoughts on our nation’s course. He viewed every person’s role in governance as an honor, under scoring that, even amid differ ences, our democracy’s strength lies in unity and stabil ity. Ours is a grand experiment in self-governance. Since its founding, this system has with stood challenges, adapting and evolving over time. Beyond in dividual policies or parties, it’s our collective commitment to civic duty that gives this sys tem its lasting power. We are not simply governed; we are participants in shaping the framework that keeps our na tion strong. For those in the Jewish tra dition, civic responsibility res onates deeply. Involving oneself in community deci sions is both a duty and an honor—a commitment to the tzibbur, the collective. Judaism places such high value on com munity and people coming to gether that many prayers can only be said when a minimum of 10 people are gathered, be cause, as it says in Ethics of Our Fathers, the Divine Pres ence rests on people who gather to study together or do a communal good. Every vote cast respects the diversity of a nation, reflecting our dedication to each other’s well-being while staying true to shared values. This election reminds us of the power we hold together, with each ballot carrying weight in shaping the world around us. Election season can be tir ing, with ah the ads, debates, and constant back-and-forth. But this fatigue is, in a way, a privilege —it shows that we live in a place where we have a real choice, something many around the world don’t have. Our right to vote is more than just an obligation; it’s a privilege, a chance to help shape our country’s path. The cycle of leaders stepping down and others stepping up brings new voices, ideas, and changes, while still respecting the stability tradition provides, and in a few short years, we will have the opportunity again to determine if this leadership is working or if it’s time for something new. This rhythm is what keeps our nation alive and moving forward. For those whose candidate didn’t win, disappointment is natural, but it, too, is a testi mony to the greatness of our system. No matter who leads, the system remains steady, fos tering continuity while allow ing for change. And in time, even those feeling discouraged may be surprised by positive developments and unexpected progress that the new leader ship brings —not just to our country but to the world. Our democracy is a model that has inspired others glob ally, a system where gover nance serves the people and where power is peacefully transferred. This week, as we reflect on the election, we can feel grateful for a system where leadership is chosen, not imposed, where authority is ac countable, and where each cit izen has a voice in the future. As the next administration steps in, we look forward with hope, trusting that they will fulfill their duty to the nation until the time for change comes again. In a world too often marked by division, our democracy serves as an exam ple of cooperation and respect. Let us celebrate this election season as a reminder of our privilege, honoring the respon sibility that each vote holds, and embracing a system that allows for both spirited debate and unity in our shared future. Yonatan Hambourger is a rabbi and writer serving spiri tual seekers of all persuasions on behalf of Chabad of Rural Georgia. Tzali Reicher is a rabbi and writer serving com munities throughout the re gional South. You can reach them at y@tasteoftorah.org. LETTER TO THE ~ \M t WW\ o AGRIBUSINESS CLASS Brad Christian and Emily Sutton of South Georgia Banking Company recently visited the Agribusiness class of Mrs. Sara Will at Turner County High School. Brad and Emily spoke to the group about the importance of estab lishing good credit at a young age, being careful with sharing your financial information, filling out a financial state ment, and also items needed by a bank when starting your own farming operation.
