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The Millen News, Wednesday, May 27, 2009 — Page 3 Robert’s Garden Robert Huntley is shown in his garden at The Home Place adult day care center. Mr. Huntley enjoys gardening daily and plans to share the bounties of “Robert’s Garden” with family and friends. (Staff photo by Deborah Bennett) BOE from page 1 Stock Market Slingerz recognized by the Jenkins County BOE were from left, Will Collier, Robert Newsome, sponsor Carol Gaskin and Ben Dickey. Math-a-mania participants recognized by the Jenkins County BOE were, from left, first row: Darin Bragg and Dawson Fields; and second row: sponsors Lela Dickens and Erika Van Buren. (Staff photos by Deborah Bennett) Farm & Home Mosquitoes Descend in Georgia By Wade Parker County Extension Service Coordinator In case you haven’t noticed, it has been an unusually wet spring! For the past few years, it has been drought after drought in the spring and summer. The spring rains are good for re-fueling our rivers, planting gardens, and for planting spring crops. As for now, we have not needed much irrigation on our crops, but we have had to contend with mosquito problems. This wet spring has brought an unusual pest out of hid ing. Yes, you guessed it, the mosquito. One can hardly go outside and hang out clothes, mow grass, or do other nec essary chores without being bitten by a mosquito. This abundance of rain and warm weather has sparked dormant eggs to hatch. By the millions, adult mosquitoes are de scending on Georgians all across the state. Will this problem continue? As long as these mosqui toes keep laying eggs, the problem will continue. The easi est way to minimize mosquitoes is to eliminate standing water and spray pesticides. In Jenkins County, most of our mosquitoes come from rivers and swamps where eggs have been dormant through the drought. Mosquitoes immerse themselves in water and hatch in record numbers. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk. Limiting exposure during peak times is recommended. This isn’t the time to experiment with unproven repellents like eat ing garlic or using bug zappers. Mosquitoes hang around and breed in water. The first line of defense is preventing water buildup in areas such as toys in the yard, boats, buckets, tarps, old tires, or any where else where mosquitoes can breed. Homeowners also need to secure window screens, keep vegetation trimmed, use a barrier spray on plants and entryways, and use bur gess foggers. Spraying with chemicals, such as malathion or permethrin, in or around breeding grounds can help con trol mosquitoes to a certain extent. Wearing light colored, loose-fitting clothing helps. Mos quitoes are attracted to dark clothing and the body heat which helps them locate blood. The most effective technique for preventing mosquito bites is the proper use of insect repellents. Any product containing DEET is still the best choice for repellent. DEET is found in many repellent products. Many people think that farm ponds are a source of mos quitoes, but ponds are usually stocked with brim and bass. These bass feed off mosquito larvae. However, drainage ponds located in parking lots and other commercial areas can be larval habitats. If you have any questions concerning mosquitoes, don’t wait until you have been bitten, call the Extension Office! The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. VISIT US ON THE WORLDWIDE WEB Alt WWW.THEMILLENNEWS.COM 2009 Planters EMC Scholarship Recipients Planters EMC awards 36 scholarships to local students. P lanters Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) awards 36 local students $1,000 each in scholarship funds. The scholarships were made possible by a 2005 law change that now allows electric cooperatives to use capital credit money unclaimed after five years for education, economic development or charitable contributions. In the past, this money was returned to the state as unclaimed property. I n the past four years since the law change, including the 2009 winners, Planters EMC has provided $130,000 to local students toward offsetting higher- education expenses. The scholarship recipients were randomly drawn from the eligible applications received. High school seniors who are children of current Planters EMC members were eligible to apply. Over the next five years, the cooperative expects to provide approximately 30 scholarships per year. Burke County High School Alvin Roberson AnnNell Byne Jasmine Williams Jimmy Lovett III Joseph Ham Marquisha Golphin Redeta Wilson Sierra Pittman Georgia Southern University Georgia Southern University Savannah State University Savannah State University Augusta State University East Georgia College Augusta Technical College Fort Valley State University Effingham County High School Anne Marie Raines Georgia College and State University Justin Lee Kayla Milligan Jeremy Dylan Hill Georgia Southern University East Georgia College /# It t + if Itfw * AN! u Jenkins County High School Planters Electric Uw Membership Corporation ....providing more than just ELECTRICITY A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative P.O. Box 979 ♦ Hwy. 25 North ♦ Millen, GA ♦ 478-982-4722 Andrea Pittman 2008 Washington Youth Tour Winner Augusta State University Charlotte Davis East Georgia College Chester Joyner Georgia Southern University Crisalyn Walker East Georgia College Sheila Boone 2008 Washington Youth Tour Winner Georgia Southern University Screven County High School Anthony Oglesby Ashley Hartley Ogeechee Technical College Ogeechee Technical College Cole Wiggins East Georgia College Dontavious Jones Valdosta State University Eric Boddiford University of Georgia James Cleveland Freeman, I University of Georgia Jasmine Anderson Jimmy C. Jenkins III Justin Jones Valdosta State University Georgia Southern University Georgia Southern University Keisha Daughtry Paine College Kristen Edenfield Ogeechee Technical College Linnette Badger Paine College Matthew Shipes Ogeechee Technical College Nadine Loitz Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Sarah Williams Symphony White Ogeechee Technical College Valdosta State University Tevin Robbins Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Victoria Bohannon East Georgia College Zachary Parker 2008 Washington Youth Tour Winner University of Georgia