Newspaper Page Text
Page 12 — Wednesday, June 2, 2021, The True Citizen
Oh,
the
places
you
Ovule
“Bee” aware: basics behind pollinators
MARY BETH MALLARD
marybethmallard@uga.edu
Spring time rolls around and
we put away our holiday gift
boxes in exchange for tissue
boxes. Noses start to itch as the
pollinators get to work stirring
up that yellow southern snow
which turns everything a bright
shade of yellow. Though pol
len has been known to cause
a runny nose or two, it is not
all bad.
The University of Georgia/
UGA Extension work hard to
provide research to counties in
Georgia about pollinator heath
and best practices to help our
community ‘bee’ aware of the
importance of pollinators, the
current threats they face and
ways their populations can be
protected.
“Pollination is the transfer
of pollen from male parts of a
flower to the female parts of the
same or different flower. This
is necessary for the produc
tion of seed and fruit in many
crops.” (Protecting Georgia’s
Pollinators) Bees are the most
well-known pollinator, and
rightfully so. They are credited
as being the most influential
pollinators because of their
reliance on pollen/nectar for
food to produce honey.
Since 2006, the honey bee
population has been on the
decline and it has caused many
to worry about how to sustain
their colonies and impacts on
pollination. Many blame pes
ticides alone for this change in
bee numbers, but habitat loss,
bee viruses and predators also
contribute heavily.
Over-developing land and
manicuring lawns greatly de
creases the viable habitat for
bees to reside. While these
practices are necessary in some
cases and provide visual and
economic value to properties,
too much will begin to de
preciate our county and state
because the bees will begin to
die leaving those manicured
landscapes without their num
ber one pollinator.
American Foulbrood is the
deadliest bacterial disease that
effects bees. This bacterium
attaches itself to bees who then
transfer the spores into their
hives as they return, spreading
the bacteria throughout the
colony. This quickly destroys
entire hives and is hard to catch
before the damage is done.
“Pesticides are substances
used to eliminate unwanted
pests. Insecticides rid us of
unwanted insects. Unfortu
nately, honey bees are insects
and are greatly affected by
insecticides.” (UGA CAES)
Bees who are exposed to cer
tain pesticides/insecticides can
die upon immediate contact,
or carry traces of the chemical
back to the hive, killing mul
tiple bees.
Becoming aware of threats
to bees/pollinators is essential
to understanding the best ways
our community can help sus
tain and foster a healthy bee
population. Consider leaving
areas on your property that
would be ideal for pollinators
to inhabit to grow naturally,
and look to safer chemicals
for gardening/farming when
possible. Please visit the UGA
Extension website
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Pollen
Stigma
will
go...
Autumn McLeod in Stuttgart Germany.
BCHS graduate experiences Germany
/
Pollen
m
Pollinator
Pollination
SHELLIE SMITLEY
thetruecitizen.shellie@gmail.com
PFC Autumn McLeod grad
uated from Burke County High
School in 2018. She attended
East Georgia State College,
Swainsboro, where she earned
an associate degree in criminal
justice. In 2020, she enlisted in
the U.S. Army.
“I felt as if it was time to
explore the world and take a
different path in life,” she said.
“I enlisted into the U.S.
Army in August of 2020 basi
cally to explore the world and
see things a regular person
may never have the chance to
experience.”
Once she completed basic
training in Fort Leonard Wood,
Missouri, she received AIT
training at Fort Gordon. Now
she is stationed in Vilseck,
Pollen
Pollen
grains
Germany, where she will stay
for the next 2-3 years.
During her first month of
living in Deutschland, she has
managed to visit Berlin, Stutt
gart, Amberg and Nuremberg.
“Traveling to Germany has
been an experience, “ she
said.” I never thought I would
encounter the culture, the com
munities, beautiful scenery,
and the food is worth some
thing that only someone who
witnesses both countries can
understand.”
(Left to right) Joey Frazier, Autumn McLeod and Marissa Lariscy
wait at the Augusta Regional Airport May 2, 2021.
Planning your next vacation or trip
KELVIN COLLINS
When planning an event,
looking for a good deal for a
family vacation, or a getaway,
BBB encourages people to plan
ahead to save money, avoid
scams, and travel safely.
Scammers will often target
people looking for great deals
online by offering tempting
vacation packages at unrealisti
cally low prices. One place to
begin an online search is BBB.
org for finding reputable travel
agencies, agents and websites.
BBB adds the following tips
to help ensure an enjoyable
vacation:
Plan ahead. Allow plenty of
time to research hotels, flights,
and the area where you will be
staying. Typically, the earlier
reservations are made, the bet
ter the deals and the lower the
risk of the destination being
booked solid. Making reserva
tions in advance also locks in
rates and prevents higher prices
later during prime spring break,
peak summer, or holiday travel
seasons.
Avoid broad internet search
es. Entering phrases like ‘best
deals’ into whichever search
engine used can sometimes
bring up-websites that look of
ficial but are designed solely to
rip people off.
Be alert for travel scams.
Watch out for phone calls or
letters claiming a 'free trip' or
websites offering prices that
appear too good to be true. It’s
easy to extend questionable
offers like these, but the vast
majority of them leave hope-
fill travelers in limbo - and out
money.
Do your homework. Ask
family and friends to recom
mend a travel agent or travel
website and visit BBB.org for
free Business Profiles. Re
search the business and read
customer reviews about any
rentals under consideration.
Get trip details in writing.
Before making a final payment,
get all the details of the trip in
writing. This should include
the total cost, restrictions, can
cellation penalties, and names
of the airlines and hotels. Also,
review and keep a copy of the
airline and hotel’s cancellation
and refund policies, as well as
the cancellation policies of the
travel agency or booking site
used.
Consider travel insurance.
Travel insurance covers things
like trip cancellations or medi
cal emergencies. There are
different levels of coverage
based on what type of plan
purchased. Ask a lot of ques
tions, and always read the fine
print to see what’s covered and
what’s not.
Pay with a credit card. Pay
ing with a credit card provides
additional protection if some
thing should go wrong with the
travel reservation.
No matter when or where
you are traveling, take extra
precautions:
Wait to post on social media.
It's fun to post adventures with
friends and family but wait
until getting back from the trip.
Photos and social media posts
of the family having a great
time also lets thieves know the
house is empty.
Check your home insurance.
If your home will be unat
tended while away, make sure
you know your responsibilities
under your home insurance
policy. Some policies do not
cover damage if nobody checks
on your home for a certain
amount of time.
Share a copy of the itinerary
with a family member or close
friend. Include the contact in
formation of someone joining
you on your trip.
Take a map. People rely
heavily on smartphones and
GPS. Consider having an atlas
or hard copy map just in case
of technical difficulties.
Check the weather condi
tions where you will be trav
eling and pack appropriate
supplies and clothing.
Avoid traveling alone. Use
the buddy system and stick
with the group.
Use a hotel safe to store ex
tra cash and keep any valuables
under lock and key.
Kelvin Collins is president
& CEO of the Better Business
Bureau serving the Fall Line
Corridor.
A petition for zoning amendment has been filed with the Burke
County Board of Zoning Appeals, requesting the zoning a
portion of this property: 1774 1DLEWOOD RD WAYNESBORO
GA (Map-Parcel : 084-006A) be changed from zone
zone R3_, for the purpose building a duplex.
R1 to
A public hearing will be held at The Burke County Court House,
located at 602 North Liberty St. Waynesboro GA. 30830 on
06/22/2021 at 7:00 p.m. All those in favor of or objecting to this
petition should be present to voice their support or objection.
For more information call:
Burke County Planning Commission
(706) 554-8758
Meet Burke County’s
Firjt Responders
Pvt. Bridgit Cleveland- Burke County EMA Office Sgt. Robert South - Burke County Sheriff’s Office
Pvt. Bridgit Cleveland began her
career with Burke County EMA in
February 2020. She received her
initial firefighter training with Burke
County EMA and is currently a
Georgia state certified firefighter. Pvt.
Cleveland is currently attending EMT
class to become an Advanced
Emergency Medical Technician.
When asked what she enjoys most
about her job she stated, “Being able
to help people in the community."
When not working, Pvt. Cleveland
enjoys bowling, swimming and
fishing. Originally from Beaufort.
South Carolina, she and her partner,
Alexia Cleveland, currently reside in
Hephzibah. She is the daughter of
William and Leah Cleveland.
We appreciate your service to Burke
County Pvt. Bridgit Cleveland!
Sgt. Robert South began his law
enforcement career at the Richmond
County Sheriffs Office in 2010. While
there he worked in the jail and then
attended the East Georgia Regional
Academy in Blythe to become a certified
officer, South has 10 years of
experience, four of which have been
spent serving Burke County He worked
on the Crime Suppression Team before
being promoted. The team focuses on
proactive patrol removing guns and
drugs from the street. South is also a
member of the Burke County Special
Response Team (SRT).
South and his wife Jessica have two
daughters, Kinsley and Emma. During
his spare time, he enjoys playing golf,
watching football and spending time with
his family and friends.
Sgt. South we thank you for your service!
Proudly sponsored by:
TAYLOR BROTHERS AUTO SALES
11122 Norlh Liberty Street, Waynesboro ■ 706-554-6974