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3a zksxm Trogrcss-^rgus J. D. Jones Publisher (1908-1955 \ Doyle Jones Jr. Editor and Publisher (1955-1975) MRS. MARTHA G. JONES PUBLISHER VINCENT JONES EDITOR Published fevery Thursday at 129 South Mulberry Street, Jackson, Georgia 30233 by The Progress-Argus Printing Cos., Inc. Second Class Postage paid at Jackson, Georgia 30233. Address notice of undeliverable copies and other correspondence to The Jackson Progress-Argus, P.O. Box 249, Jackson, Georgia 30233. ' Tiiiirt lIM MEMBER—-1975 One Year $6.24 School Year $5.20 Editorials It's Time to Push For a County Manager The dual action taken recently by the Butts County Commis sioners in offering tax credits to some and raising the tax millage for all is too fraught with legal technicalities for any intelligent assessment at this time. For one thing, the State Revenue Department must ap prove the 1976 tax digest as it was submitted and this had not been done at the present writing. There is talk of an injunction being brought to prohibit the payment of tax rebates to those who were not involved as active litigants in the legal hassle over 1975 assessments. These and other issues, some of them political in nature, have resulted in the County being fractured into several factions, all of which combine some pettiness along with their grandiose ideas as to how the County should be operated. It is a distressing thing to see the unity of our people shattered. In a small county with limited human and material resources, it is high time we realized that we are either going to progress together, or retrogress singly. Given a proper spirit of unity, there are few problems our people cannot overcome. An antagonistic, divisive attitude, however, can so separate us into cliques as to make any worthwhile progress difficult to achieve. Nothing can divide a people into warring camps as quickly as those issues that touch the pocketbook. Calling a man a profane name doesn’t hurt him Hail to the Victors The Butts County Association for Beautification Through Conser vation Committee has overcome the handicap of such a name and emerged as the State winner in the contest to foster beauty and conservation in the State’s small towns. It is an honor richly deserved Is Death Inevitable? Add to the crazy cults springing up everywhere in a frighteningly mad world that of the immortalists. The immortalists allegedly believe that death is a disease and that it can be conquered, just as other diseases that have plagued man throughout the ages have yielded to scientific knowledge. Of course most immortalists are young, for the young believe they will never grow old and that their physical bodies are, indeed, immortal. Advance Subscription Rates, Tax Included: TELEPHONE m. 3,0, OFFICIAL ORGAN butts county and CITY OF JACKSON six Months $3.91 Single Copy 15c nearly so much as taking an additional SIOO from him in taxes. Most of us realize that taxes must go up as the inflationary spiral continues to rise. It is not that point that divides us but rather the question of who is to pay more and how much, and who is to pay less and how little. We submit again, as we have before, the premise that a county manager could save the county enough money to make a substantial difference in the tax bills we all pay. Butts County’s 1977 budget will be approximately $1,200,000. Is there another business in the County, or elsewhere, with that kind of receipts and expenditures being run with part-time executive talent? Now is the time for contacts to be made with our representatives in the General Assembly to pass enabling legislation that would permit Butts County to hire a county manager. Or perhaps there may be sufficient authority in the County’s present legislation to appoint an administrative aide, a county administrator, or some similar post with duties identical to that of a county manager. With a full-time administrative officer, the County Commissioners could then devote their time to setting policy, salving hurt feelings and enchanting the disenchanted before full-fledged wars broke out. We believe the appointment of a County administrative officer is a step towards achieving that unity of purpose that lately has escaped us. and one that belongs to the entire County, where so many people worked tirelessly to put together the kind of effort required to win against such strong competition. So, instead of patting indivi duals on the back, we give the County a solid whack and say, well done, and may it be only the first of many such awards. It is only when the eyes fail, the hair falls, the teeth drop and the step falters that both men and women begin to look down the road to the long night and the peaceful sleep that knows no waking. In the meantime, we wish the immortalists well. If they truly aim for immortality, we would suggest they attempt to implant a human mind and consciousness into a mechanical body. And, even then, they would have difficulty finding a source of perpetual energy. THE JACKSON PROGRESS-ARGUS, JACKSON, GEORGIA THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1976 The Last Straw BY VINCENT JONES Since time immemorial, editors have attempted to put some humor and wisdom into their publications. Witness these excerpts from the Middle Georgia Argus, print ed at Indian Springs, Georgia in the year 1881: Not he who has little, but he who covets much, is the poor man. This world would be a dreadfully silent place if people talked as little as they thought. A gentleman being twitted by a friend about the brevity of his underpinnings, replied, “My legs reach the ground, what more can yours do?” The cold weather we have had this winter is calculated to discourage divorce suits. A woman will stand consider able abuse from her husband for the privilege of warming her feet in the hollow of his back. You might as well back a mule up against a beehive and tell him not to kick, as to tell a woman about a wedding and not set her under jaw in motion. We appreciate no pleasures unless we are occasionally deprived of them. Restraint is the golden rule on enjoyment. NO NEW JOKES There is absolutely nothing new in jokes. They never die. The jokes that are familiar to us are those which our ancestors enjoyed. They are found in the most ancient literature that re mains, and in hieroglyphics of the ruined monuments of dead empires. Their un changed existence through these ages does not allow that' these, like the earth and man, may have been created by a process of development; they must have been created absolutely. At some stage of the work of creation the jokes were launced into being, and they have continued to revolve by their own gravity, the same as the planets. The thing we cauliflower by any other name would smell as sweet. Weather Prophecy-When you see two cats on the woodshed looking each other in the eye and waving their tails, it is a sign of a squall. “Now, George, you must divide the cake honorably with your brother, Charles.” “What is honorable, mother?” “It means that you must give him the largest piece.” “Then, mother, I’d rather Charley would divide it.” Sad spectacles-broken glasses. When death consents to let us live a long time, it takes successively as hostages all those we have loved. An irritable man lives like a hedgehog rolled up the wrong way, tormenting him self with his own prickles. “Do you know who built the ask?”, asked a Sunday school teacher of his tender charge; and the little fellow replied, “Naw.” The child never sees the necessity of strict obedience until it becomes apparent. Sweet Evelina from the suffocating embrace of her lover cried out, “Give me liberty or give me breath.” Last words of the balloon ist: “It’s all up with me.” Last words of the gosling: “It’s all down with me.” At what season did Eve eat the apple? Early in the fall. A counter attraction-a pretty girl clerk. | A Stroll Down Memory Lane | News of 10 Years Ago The Jackson National Bank moved November 23rd and 24th into its spacious new building at the intersection of Third and Mulberry Streets. The High Falls recreation area has been raked by a series of burglaries, with several cabins being entered and their owners reporting many valuable items have been taken. T. E. Robison, Sr. won SIO.OO in the football guessing contest being sponsored by several Jackson firms. Jack Long has qualified for the 1967 Torch Club of Liberty National. Member ship is reserved for the Company’s top salesmen. Mrs. Levi H. Hurt, Sr. was tendered a surprise birthday dinner durng the Thanks giving holidays upon the occasion of her birthday on November 25th. Miss Mary Ruth Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George N. Martin, Jr., was declared a national 4-H Club winner in the dairy program at the 4-H Club Congress held in Chicago. Deaths during the week: Mrs. R. L. Smith; John Wesley Kelley, 80; Mrs. Lewis N. Maddox, 81. News of 20 Years Ago Haisten Funeral Home, of Jackson, announced this week the purchase of Peacock and Ball Funeral Home, of Jackson. To raise funds for several community projects, the Butts County Jaycees are giving away a Shetland pony on Christmas Eve. W. C. Garr, with a yield of 187 bushels per acre, has won the Butts County Corn contest sponsored by the Jackson Kiwanis Club. Jackson High coaches Henry Powers and Joe Slappey report the local basketball teams as ready for the season opener here Friday against Pike Cos. Thirty boys and girls assembled at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Carmi chael to help little Miss Candace Carmichael cele brate her sixth birthday on Thanksgiving Eve. Deaths during the week: Asa Ellis Martin, 43; Mrs. Harvey A. Mills; John Levi Fletcher, Sr. 74; Rev. Thomas G. Linkous, 78. News of 30 Years Ago Miss Louise Thurston has been named one of the supervisors at the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. Mrs. A. G. Potts has been named acting officer of the AAA program in Butts County, following the resig nation of Roy Aiken to accept the administrative officer’s post in Newton County. R. C. Thomas says he will give an additional $2.00 bonus--the county commis sioners already offer $2.00- for all four feet of all foxes killed within one mile of his home in the Iron Springs district. The Par-Teens met at the gymnasium Saturday night for a scavenger hunt, with Betty Moore and W. C. Norsworthy winning the prize. Miss Peggy Colwell has been named president of the Towaliga 4-H Club Lamar McMichael, 7-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Howell McMichael, received painful burns Sunday morn ing when his clothing caught as he was making a fire in a heater. News of 40 Years Ago In changes announced at the North Georgia Confer ence, Rev. A. E. Barton will come to the Jackson Metho dist Church, while Rev. R. P. Etheridge will go to Chipley. Scout leaders in Jackson and Pepperton who will attend the Flint River Council meeting in Griffin include Ralph Carr, J. O. King, Dock Boyd, Louis Bachelor, Davis Willard, H.O. Ball, Bert Carmichael, Rev. J. B. Harrison and Rev. E. L. Daniel. Mr. and Mrs. James Buchanan have recently purchased the Will Merritt lot on West Third Street and begun construction of a nine-room house. The engagement of Miss Louise Ingram, of Jesup, and Mr. Morrell L. Powell of this city has stirred much interest. The marriage will be solemnized during the Christmas holidays. Deaths during the week: Mrs. Harvey Bray, 25; Mrs. R. L. McMichael; Mrs. Lucy McKibben, 93. News of 50 Years Ago Butts County alumnae of Brenau College have orga nized with Mrs. Joseph Edwards as president; Mrs. Elwood Robison, vice presi dent; Miss Janie Lee Hardy, treasurer; Miss Ruby Jones, program chairman; Mrs. W. O. Brown, recording secre tary, and Miss Lollie Carmi chael, chairman member ship committee. Playing at the Jackson High auditorium was “The Scarlet West”, with Robert Frazer and Clara Bow. Attending the lovely Thanksgiving dinner party given by Miss Mollie Watkins were Misses Neva Fletcher, Ruth Maddox, Annie Wat kins, Virginia Crawford and Marion Nutt and Messrs. Otis Ball, Jr., Robert Franklin, Levi Ball, J. T. Moore, Jr., Ike Woodruff and Park Newton. Buttrill Bros, was advertis ing big stock high buggy and auto robes at sacrifice prices. Deaths during the week: J. J. Wilson, 80, a member of Cos. “G”, Third Georgia Reserves, in the Confederate army. Ksfytfa/iA ’tO' Uw Thanks for “The Last Straw”. These articles are praiseworthy. You wield a “facile pen,” Thanks for “50 Years Ago.” Waves of nostalgia recall pleasant memories. Your Special Edition credited N. J. Harmon as being one of the first editors of the Butts County paper (Argus-Progress, etc.) He was my father. He died when I was six years old. Thanks for mentioning him. We moved to Savannah in 1913.1 was born in Jackson and still love it. N. J. Harmon 785 Dill Ave., S. W. Atlanta, Ga. 30310 fir BICENTENNIAL I WJ wL bypaths iPJ QUB (QUNIBY 700 r 1 A B AGO J As November, 1776 came to an end the convention ot New York authorized ex penditures to provide a chain across the Hudson River to obstruct passage. The work was to be done under direction of General George Clinton, at Fort Constitution. % , HyIKURRI By Mrs. Cindy Brown PEOPLE I WOULD LIKE TO MEET AND WHY 1. Mother Nature: I would like to get her address so that I can sue her for personal damages incurred to my body. 2. Father Time: Ditto Ms Nature 3. The Bobbsey Twins: I would like for my children to meet them. I would like for my little angels to know that the Bobbseys don’t always go to the seashore, the moun tains, the ranch, etc. Why don’t we ever find books about the Bobbsey Twins Visit The Doctor, The Bobbsey Twins Fail Spelling, The Bobbsey Twins Stand in the Corner.... 4. Ralph Nader: I need to discuss all of my consumer problems with him: My car which doesn’t work, my vacuum cleaner which doesn’t work, my dishwasher which doesn’t work, my children who don’t work.... 5. Minnie Pearl: I would like to know where she buys her hats.... 6. The Jolly Green Giant: I want to know where he thinks Gardening in the South By Dr. Frank Willingham Manager, Callaway Gardens Greenhouses PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga. - So you want to make your gift plant part of your permanent plant collection? What do you do now? The following steps offer a logical approach for maximizing survival of gift plants, some of which may come to you disguised as perfectly normal, healthy specimens. 1. Check to see that you are actually dealing with a potted plant, that is, one with roots. Remove any foil surrounding the pot, knock out the plant and remove any extra materials that may have been added for aesthetic appeal from leaves, such as dried plant parts, little papermaiche birds, etc. 2. Make a preliminary evaluation of the health of the plant based on the condition of the root system. Roots are where the action is, and regardless of how the upper part of the plant looks, you haven’t got a chance if things aren’t healthy down in the soil. Look for a wellfilled rootball, not potbound, and individual roots that are light colored and crisp, like fresh lettuce. If the roots are in poor condition or severely pruned, as often is the case with potted azaleas, you would be better off to throw the plant away and save yourself a lot of wasted effort. 3. If your plant does seem ruth at random By Ruth Bryant THANK YOU, LORD Thank You for rest all through the night Thank You for sending morning light Thank You for clouds of snowy white Thank You for guidance in the right! Thank You for gift of fading sight Thank You for will to win and fight Thank You for trust with all my might Thank You for serving You aright! he gets off Ho, Ho, Hoing at me all the time. 7. Mrs. Santa: Speaking of Ho, Ho, Hoing, I would like to know where she found Mr. C. Perhaps he has a brother. 8. Uncle Sam: I want to break his finger. It’s always pointed at somebody.. .The Army needs you and me and your brother and my sister, etc. 9. Snap, Crackle and Pop: I’m darned tired of all that noise they make all the time. 10. Perry Mason: I never met a lawyer who never loses a case. 11. Mrs. John Walton: I would just like five minutes to let her know that I don’t believe her house is as happy as they like to make out, and besides, I hate women who are perfect homemakers. 12. Telly Savalas: I want to find out who his hairdresser is. 13. Raquel Welch: I want to see for myself just what my husband finds to be so appealing about her. 14. And finally, I’d like to meet Charlie Brown --1 just love him. To heck with Little Orphan Annie, she ain’t nearly as cute as Charlie. healthy, plan your strategy based on the type of plant. First, determine optimum growing conditions for your plant. Be especially attentive to light requirements, temperature, and moisture level. Remember that during the winter m onths (November to February) most plants tend to be somewhat dormant. Water very sparingly (perhaps only once every two weeks). Use no fertilizer, and avoid placing the plant in front of heating vents. Concentrate on keeping the plant alive until the spring growing season. 4. In spring, follow your normal watering and fertilizing schedule. 5. Special Note! For those Christmas poinsettias, it’s best to cut them back to about six inches after the holiday season and keep them watered for normal, active growth. The new varieties sold by florists in the last few years do not require a dormant period before restarting. A hard pruning will insure good form the following year. The environmental awareness movement has certainly had its effect on the florist industry. More potted plants, instead of cut flowers, are given as gifts. With a little plant knowledge and care, your potted plant gift can go on giving pleasure far beyond just a few days.