About The Millen news. (Millen, Jenkins County, Ga.) 1903-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 2025)
themillennews.com The Millen News Wednesday, December 31, 2025 - Page 3 Make eye exams a New Year's resolution New Year’s resolutions can help people accomplish their health goals. Georgia’s doc tors of optometry are inviting people to make getting an eye exam one of their New Year’s resolutions this year because not only can good vision im prove your quality of life but eye exams are an easy way to gauge your overall health. The eyes are the only place in the body where doctors can directly view blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue without surgery, according to the Georgia Optometric As ¬ sociation. In fact, a comprehensive eye exam can help identify early warning signs and mani festations of more than 270 systemic and chronic diseases including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, autoim mune diseases and cancers. “Our eyes change as we age, just as our health is constantly changing,” said Dr. Frank L. Winski, president of the Geor gia Optometric Association. “In 2026, start the year off right and schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your local doc ¬ LIBRARY NEWS Library can help with New Year’s resolutions KATHRYN YOULES Did you know you can use your PINES card at any PINES library? With your PINES card you can also download audio- books, e-books and magazines from our online resources. There is also a PINES e-card option. It’s another way to access our awesome digital library ser vices! All you do is go to the PINES website at https://gap- ines.org and click “Apply for a PINES library card”. This will take you to a registration form which you can fill out. Once you have, you will be able to use digital services like GALILEO, Palace Project, Libby, and more that can only be accessed online. However, if you decide that you want to check out physical books, DVDs, etc. you will need a regular PINES library card, which means you’ll need to come to the library to get it. The link to our online resources is available on our website, www. sjrls.org. Stay Connected! Want to know more about what’s hap pening at the library? There’s a printable calendar at www. sjrls.org/events .html, or you can check out our Facebook and Ins ¬ AC MAGNOLIA SPRINGS CALENDAR OF EVENTS Thursday, Jan. 1st Ringing in the New Year - First Day Hike. Join a ranger to bring in the New Year with a hike on the Woodpecker Trail. Enjoy wildlife, marvelous views, and a 1-mile trail. Water and closed-toe shoes are recommended for this excursion. Pets are welcome. Parking fee required. Friday, Jan. 2nd Camp Lawton Trail - 1-2 p.m. Gather at Camp Lawton His tory Center for a ranger-led hike to Camp Lawton’s earthworks and breastworks along the Camp Lawton Trail. Admission to the History Center is included. Ages 3 and under are free, $5 plus parking fee. Cozy Campfire - 5:30-6:30 p.m. Enjoy a cozy campfire, roasted marshmallows, and a family-friendly game at the campground picnic shelter. $5 parking. Saturday, Jan. 3rd Hand Dipped Candles - 10-10:30 a.m. Make your own old- fashioned hand-dipped candle at Camp Lawton History Center. Ages 6 and up. $3 plus parking fee required. Camp Lawton: Prison Life - 1-2 p.m. Join us at the Camp Lawton History Center for a ranger-led hike to the spring that provided essential clean drinking water. Along the way, we will discover more about these prisoners’ struggle for survival. Admission to the History Center is included. Ages 3 and under free. $5 plus $5 parking. Beginners Archery - 3-4 p.m Try your hand with a compound bow after learning the basics from a certified instructor. Archery equipment provided. Ages 8 and up: $10 plus parking fee re quired. Ages 8 and up. $10 plus $5 parking. Sunday, Jan. 4th Camp Lawton: Prison Life -1-2 p.m. Join us a the Camp Lawton History Center for a ranger-led hike to the spring that provided essential clean drinking water. Along the way, we will discover more about these prisoners’ struggle for survival. Admission to the History Center is included. Ages 3 and under free. $5 plus $5 parking. Straight to the Point - Target Practice. Archery target practice is available for those who have completed Beginners Archery at the park within the past 3 months. This session is fully supervised by a certified archery instructor and follows the same guidelines and instructions as Beginners Archery. All equipment provided. Ages 8 and up. $5 parking. tor of optometry to safeguard your overall health.” Good vision does more than help you see-it helps you live well. Clear, healthy vision plays a major role in: • Academic performance - Difficulty seeing can nega tively impact a young learner’s grades. • Balance and mobility - Poor vision increases the risk of falls, especially in older adults. • Cognitive function - Vision problems can impact concen tration and memory. tagram pages at www.facebook. com/jenkinscountymemorial- library or www.instagram.com/ jenkinscountylibrary. New at the library: The library has added several new VOX books to its collection, which can be found in the children’s book area. These audio-enabled books allow readers to simply press a button to listen and read simultaneously, requiring no external devices, downloads, or internet access. New VOX titles include classics like Rob ert McCloskey’s Make Way for Ducklings, which tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard return ¬ • Mental clarity and focus - Eyestrain from uncorrected vision can lead to fatigue and reduced productivity. • Emotional health - Dif ficulty seeing can cause frus tration, anxiety, and social withdrawal. • Safety and independence - Driving, cooking, and navi gating daily depend on sharp, reliable eyesight. For additional information visit the Georgia Optometric Association’s Consumer Eye Health Resource Center online at www.GOAeyes.com. ing to the Boston Public Gar den with their eight ducklings. Other popular children’s VOX books now available are: The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin and several Pete the Cat books. The library will also be closed for Christmas from Wednesday, Dec. 24th through Friday, Dec. 26th. We will reopen Saturday, Dec. 27th 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings Wimberly House Waynesboro Wednesday - 7 PM & Sunday ■ 6 PM All are welcome. CITIZEN GRAPHICS Design - Print - Advertising =00 FEA 0444 2706-554-2111 CALL LOOKING BACK {this week in Jenkins County history} COMPILED BY JAYLEE BENNETT 10 YEARS AGO- DEC 30TH, 2015 Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) announced the opening of an office in Millen with David Sherrod as the Executive Director. SEPC is a non-profit trade association serving the produce industry in 10 Southeastern states. Rev. Bennie Wiley was announced as the guest speaker at the MLK Jr. Service of Rededication. Rev. Rayford White was the Grand Marshall for the annual parade. David Wheeler of Millen Baptist Church and family answered the mission call to Alaska. Rev. Wheeler had served as pastor of the church for 7 1/2 years. 25 YEARS AGO- DEC 27TH, 2000 Jenkins County Probate Judge Elizabeth Elmore an nounced she would retire her gavel at the end of December after 20 years of service to the citizens of Jenkins County. She was elected in 1981 from a field of eight candidates, making it to a run-off election. Elva Mills was recognized in the “People Who Make a Difference” column. Mills was serving as the Manager of the Georgia Welcome Center located on Hwy. 301 in Screven County at that time. Bellcrest Homes paid nearly $55,000 in Christmas bo nuses. Employees were also honored for years of service. 50 YEARS AGO- DEC 25TH, 1975 The City of Millen General Election to elect a Mayor and three council members was set for Jan 1st, 1976. Incumbent Mayor Robert Fries was unopposed. Five qualified for three seats on Council: incumbents, Larry Toole and Sammy Strickland, and newcomers, Lindy Hurst, Letha Oliver, and Richard McNeely. Jerry Brinson of Millen was reported to have scored a hole-in-one on the par 4 16th hole of the Magnolia Country Club. Playing with Jerry were Jimmy Knight, Frank Lee, and Harry Dwelle. Jean Chester, Annabelle Sharpe, and Walter Harrison joined forces to see to it that residents at the Bethany Home had a gala Christmas. Four hundred ninety-two dollars were collected for the Christmas party. COME AND GET Hm ( Sunday - Friday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm 535 Cotton Ave. (478) 982-3432 Millen, Georgia 30442 1'9 904 *7*4
