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VOL. 106, NO. 19, NOVEMBER 25, 2009 LEGAL ORGAN OF JENKINS COUNTY MILLEN, GEORGIA • 75 CENTS Counting her blessings Millen resident rises above life’s obstacles By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor Bom with cerebral palsy and confined to a wheelchair, some might assume that Frankie Wright. 55, would find little for which to be thankful this Thanksgiving holiday. That, however, is far from the truth. Frankie not only counts her blessings but also works daily to improve her situation. Frankie did not attend school until she was 15, and, therefore, did not receive a formal educa tion. Determined to overcome that barrier, she has been attend ing the Southeastern Technical College (STC), Jenkins Center, two days a week for over 10 years working on basic skills with hopes of getting her Gen eral Education Diploma (GED). Her ultimate goal, she said, is to become an advocate for the handicapped. “I just want to show everyone that you can do whatever you want to do,” Frankie said. Her optimism is also an inspi ration to those she encounters, said STC instructor Elaine Wil liams. “Frankie always has a posi tive attitude and is very dedi cated. Once when she didn’t have a way to get to the learn ing center, she crossed busy Highway 25 in her electric wheelchair and came. If Frankie can do that, then none of us have any excuses,” commented Wil liams. Overcoming obstacles is very familiar to Frankie. When her primary caregiver, Dorothy Wright, her mother, passed away five years ago, Frankie knew she would have to make her home handicap accessible in order to continue to stay there. She sought and received assis tance with the task from Con gressman John Barrow and Dr. Kyle Gay, and now has a home in which she can do things for herself. Frankie does require assistance with some daily ac tivities from a home health aid, and also relies upon her niece, Tammy Ward, and boyfriend, Samuel Phoenix. Still, she is de termined to be as independent as possible. “I try to live my life as full as I can live it. I don’t let this chair stop me,” Frankie said. And when her family and friends celebrate the Thanksgiv ing holiday this year, they will gather at Frankie’s home to do it. There they will find Frankie counting her blessings as she continues to make lemonade from the lemons life has dealt her. Frankie Wright, center, is shown with personnel at the Southeastern Technical College, Jenkins Center, where she is studying with hopes of receiving her GED. Shown with her, from left, are Elaine Williams, instructor; David Smith, instructor, and Linda Beck, secretary. (Staffphotos by Deborah Bennett) Frankie Wright and Samuel Phoenix are shown in the kitchen of her home which has recently been made handicap accessible. New wheels Jenkins County Fire Chief Dwayne Herrington shows off the county’s new fully equipped fire truck. The ve hicle was secured with a $213,000 Assistance to Fire Fighters grant. (Staffphoto by Deborah Bennett) The One Act Play cast is shown in costume. From left, are Nicholas Williams, Whitley Clark, Marc Holley, Bailey Alsobrooks, Luann Brown, Jacey Youmans, Ayana Walker, Sabrina Allen, Lavonte Lovette, Josh Sipes, Lorando Evans and Jonathon McBride. JCHS wins Region 3A One Act Play Competition The Jenkins County High School (JCHS) One Act Play cast traveled to Southeastern Techni cal School in Vidalia Thursday, Nov. 5, to compete against nine other schools in the Region 3A One Act Play Championship. JCHS, defending region One Act Play champions, captured first place again beating out Savan nah Christian, Savannah Coun try Day, Calvary, Wheeler County, Claxton, Bryan County, Johnson County, Metter and Treutlen County. The cast performed “The Devil and Daniel Webster” writ ten by Stephen Vincent Benet . Benet’s play centers on a New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul to the Devil and is defended by Daniel Webster. Nicholas Williams was cast as Jabez Stone, Whitley Clark as Mary Stone, Marc Holley as Daniel Webster and Jonathan McBride as Mr. Scratch (the Devil). The cast also included townspeople Lavonte Lovette, Courtney Johnson, Henry Yarbrough, Luann Brown, Ayana Walker, Josh Sipes, Lorando Evans, Sabrina Allen, Jacey Youmans, CJ Elmore and Bailey Alsobrooks. The play was directed by Kim berly Dasher. The cast travelled to Warner Robins High School Saturday, Nov. 14, to compete for the State One Act Play title. Members of Jenkins County High School’s One Act Play cast are, from left, first row: Jacey Youmans, Lavonte Lovette and Luann Brown; second row: Kimberly Dasher, Sabrina Allen, Bailey Alsobrooks, Josh Sipes, Ayana Walker, Whitley Clark and Courtney Johnson; and third row: Marc Holley, Henry Yarbrough, Nicholas Williams, Lorando Evans, Jonathan McBride and CJ Elmore. (Photos contributed) Arrest made in recent burglaries By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor On Thursday, Nov. 19, Burke County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Henry Mick Leonard McGee Jr., 30, of Waynesboro based on a warrant issued by the Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office. The warrant was issued on Nov. 10 and charged McGee with the burglary of a home on Fred Chance Road in Jenkins County. At the time of his arrest, McGee had in his possession two firearms and other prop erty that was stolen during a Hwy. 17 south burglary in Jenkins County. That incident had been reported only hours earlier. The arrest of McGee was made when deputies in Burke County spotted a vehicle match ing the description of one that was reported as being seen in the area of the Hwy. 17 burglary. During the investigation, 22 fire arms stolen in the bur glary were recovered with 20 of the weapons being returned to their owner. The Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office ex pects to issue additional warrants this week, and the inves tigation of numerous other burglaries will continue. Jenkins County Sheriff Robert Oglesby commended all of the residents of Jenkins County as well as law enforce ment officers in surrounding counties for their help in solv ing these and other cases. “We have gotten a lot of help from our good citizens during the past several months that has significantly as sisted us in solving crimes,” said Sheriff Oglesby. “People have been calling with information, checking on each other’s homes and property and have been observant of what has been going on around them. With their help and the cooperation of neighboring law enforcement agen cies, we have been able to get some criminals off the streets and in the jail where they belong. Also, a good bit of sto len property has been returned to its rightful owners. We even have a group of local citizens that have formed a neighborhood watch type program and have people riding, looking and staying in contact with us. Thank you to all that have helped, and keep up the good work.” The sheriff also reminds citizens that historically, thefts and burglaries increase during the holiday season. He asks that everyone continue to be obsenmnt and contact the sheriff’s office if anything out of the ordinary is witnessed. HENRY MICK LEONARD MCGEE JR.,