Newspaper Page Text
Fairgrounds rolls out welcome
mat to 2,000 Legionnaires
By EMILY JOHNSTONE
TIMES-JIH kmi Siim
“Welcome to Georgia!"
That is a message and greeting
from Georgia National
Fairgrounds and Agricenter
Executive Director Michael A.
Froehiich to attendees of the
80th Annual
Convention of
the American
Legion of
Georgia.
Froehiich said
he is pleased to
have “such a dis
tinguished
Convention held
here in Perry."
“We have a lot
to offer here, not
only for the dele
gates attending,
hut their families
as well,” added
Frochlich “There is a lot to
see and do in this area!"
The 628 acre Agriccnter is
one of those places which,
since its opening in 1990. has
grown in popularity and size.
Foster Rhodes, vice-chair
man of the Georgia
Agricultural Exposition
Authority, said the Agricenter
was designed to be a multi
purpose facility and the “1,358
different events conducted at
the facility since it opened in
June of 1990" proves that goal
is being accomplished.
Rhodes, a Perry resident,
said almost five million visi
tors have been through the
Agricenter gates in the past
eight years.
The facility has more than
587.000 square feet of meet
ing and exhibition space,
equating to more than 13
acres, said Frochlich. and has
enough parking for 13.500
vehicles.
One of the top attractions of
the Agricenter is the yearly
Georgia National Fair, held
each October. The 10-day
event had 351.358 people in
attendance during 1997.
The Georgia National Fair
has been recognized by the
International Association of
Fairs and Expositions 27 times
with aw ards of excellence and
has been cited three different
times by the Southeast
Tourism Society as a “Top 20
Event." And. last year, the Fair
was named a “Top 200 Event"
in the nation by Events
Business News, said
Frochlich.
One group that enjoys visit
ing the Agricenter on a regular
I C/.hßr 8 \ 1
Welcome, Legionnaires!
1-75 at Exit 43 • 987-3313
bases arc those who travel in
motor coaches. In 19%. the
facility hosted a week-long
rally for the Family
Motorcoach Association. This
brought more than 6.000
coaches and 13.000 people to
the city of Perry.
P\
MICHAEL FROEHLICH
Director
Local residents and busi
nesses. as always, were happy
to accommodate and help
these Agricenter attendees in
any way possible, Frochlich
said.
Many Agricenter visitors
comment on the cleanliness
and beauty of the grounds.
When entering through the
West Gate, visitors can notice
they are traveling along Gov.
Joe Frank and Elizabeth
Harris Boulevard. A bust of
the former Georgia governor,
who played a large part in
making the dream of the facil
ity a reality can be seen at the
Clock Tower.
The Agriccnter is a *itc
owned facility governed by an
Authority that consists of nine
members. They are: James E.
Sutherland, chairman. Foster
Rhodes, vice-chairman.
Danny J. Brown, Mary S.
Edcnfield. A. Felton Jenkins
Jr.. Ben Marsh. John T
Mitchell. Helen L. Strickland,
and Robert M Williams Jr.
A panel of state legislators
also serve as an overview
committee. They are: Rep.
Henry L. Reaves of Quitman,
Gerald E. Greene of Cuthbert,
Jay Shaw of Lakeland, Mike
Snow ot Chickamaugua and
Larry Walker of Perry. Senate
leaders are: Hugh M. Gillis Sr.
of Soperton. Sonny Perdue of
Bonaire, Harold Ragan of
Cairo, David Ralston of Blue
Ridge and Mark Taylor of
Albany.
Information about the facil
ity may be obtained by visit
ing the web-site at
www.gnfa.com or calling I
-800-YUR-FAIR.
'
Or
' "Wt
GENE SUTHERLAND
Chairman
Weekend in Perry
Members of Georgia American Legion holding 80th
convention at Georgia National Fairgrounds July 17-19
By EMILY JOHNSTONE
Timo-Jwwai. Stmt
The weekend of July !7 through 19 it
expected to be a busy one for those attending
the 80th Annual Convention of the American
Legion Department of Georgia.
Sixth District Commander Don Norris of-
Perry said about 2,000 people will be in town
for the Convention to be held at the Georgia
National Fairgrounds and Agriccnler
“All of the local members are excited," said
Norris. "We want to
help everybody have
a wonderful time."
Robert L.
Campbell, depart
ment commander,
will preside over the
three day event that
begins at 8:30 Friday
morning with a pro
gram at the Georgia
Living Center
Local speakers
who will welcome
the delegation to
Perry include Norris.
Perry Mayor Jim
Worrall and Perry Police Chief George Potter,
along with Michael Frochlich. executive direc
tor for the Agricenter.
Retired Brig Gen Robert L. Scott Jr of
Warner Robins and Ga. Veterans
Commissioner Pete Wheeler will be speakers
Agenda for the 1998 Convention
Friday
Al the Georgia Living Center
830a m. Call to Order Deportment Commander Bob Campbell, Presiding
Advancement of colors Color Guard Post 184, Thunderbolt
Opening Ceremonies
Introductions Don Norris
Jim Worrall, Perry Mayor, George Potter, Perry Police Chief; Mike Froehlich,
Executive director of Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter
8:30 o.m Introduction of speaker Bob Campbell
*
Scott
Bob Campbell, R.F. Woodruff
Noon Special business (nomination of officers)
1 pm Recess
5-8 p.m. Barbecue McGill Building
8-midnight Dance McGill Building
g^smßrnsasEmamM
We welcome the
Georgia
American Legion
Old Country Store
101 Lect Drive, Perry • 987-2242
I * •?'
DON NORRIS
District Commander
Speaker
Commissioner Pete Wheeler
10 a m Constitution ond By-Laws Committee, Resolution
Committee, VA Hospital Representatives, Census Bureau informa
tion
10:45 a.m Presentation of Membership Awards
Bob Campbell and R.F Woodruff
11 o.m Introduction of Speaker
Bob Campbell
Speaker Ret. Brig Gen Robert F. Scotl Jr.
11:40 Membership awords
for the Friday program.
"American Legion members will be having
a barbecue chicken dinner and dance later that
evening at the McGill Building." said Norris.
Early the next morning, July 18, the public
is invited to attend a special flag retirement
ceremony, according to Norris.
“People who want to know.the proper way
to retire an American flag should attend this
program,” he said.
Another program at the Roqucmore
Conference Center will include two guest
speakers. U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood will
speak at 9:30 a.m. while U.S. Rep. Sanford
Bishop will speak about 11 a.m., Norris said.
Later that day, all American Legion Posts
with Color Guards will participate in Color
Guard competition.
"We have four local people who will judge
that competition,” said Norris "They are
retired Col Don Netzinger and Chief Master
Sgt. Johnny Barton, both with Perry High
School's ROTC program, and retired Maj.
Mark Miller and Master Sgt. Leland Callan.
both with the Houston County High School
ROTC."
The ladies and gentlemen of the Legion and
Auxiliary can dance the night away beginning
at 8:30 that evening as the dance for conven
tion delegates gets under way.
“The dance is for all delegates," said Norris.
On Sunday morning, delegates wili attend
special joint worship services at Heritage Hall.
"Chaplain Claude Smithmier, who is well
Saturday —
7:45 o.m Flag Retirement Ceremony .Agricenter
9 a.m Sons of American Legion Convention
Mark Arneson, Dep Commander, Presiding Roquemore Center
9 a m General Session Reconvenes, Salute of Colors
9:05 a.m Reports
9:30 a.m Introduction of Guest Speaker Bob Campbell
Speaker VV ..U.S Rep Charlie Norwood
10 o.m V.A Hospital Representatives
Final reports of Credentials, By-Laws, Resolutions committees
11 a.m Introduction of Guest Speaker Bob Campbell
Speoker U S. Rep Sanford Bishop
11:30 a.m. Awords presentations Bob Campbell
Noon Election of 1998-99 Department Officers
12:30 p.m. Recess
12:30 p.m New officers meet
2:30 p.m. Color Guard competition McGill Building
4:30-6:30 p.m. Reception for new Commander, Auxiliary President Go Living Center
7 p.m. Commander and Auxiliary President Banquet McGill Building
8:30 p.m. Dance for Convention Delegates
Sunday
9 a.m Joint Memoriol Service with Auxiliary and SAL Heritage Hall
10 a.m. Installation of SAL ond Legionnaires Go Living Center
11 a.m. Department Executive Committee Meeting _ v Ga Living Center
WELCOME,
LEGIONNAIRES!!!
Try our BARBECUE BUFFET
s6"all you can eat/
OPEN FOR BREAKFAST SATURDAY & SUNDAY
7-11 WEEKENDS ONLY 11-10 MON., TUES..WED., THURS
LQiiinq^
i;, FAMILY ' AM
/ TEAKHOUS I^
1413 SAM NUNN BLVD.
PERRY
WtxL, July 15,1998, Houmon Tlmm-Jounml
liked by everyone, will be speaking." said
Norris.
Norris said the 136 local American Ixgion
members are excited about having this impor
tant event in their hometown.
The local chapter is about 50 years old. he
said, and is involved in many community
events.
“We do a lot of community service, such as
sending young men and women to Boys Stale at
Georgia Southern University in Statesboro and
Girls State at Middle Georgia College in
Cochran," said Norris. "Also we award two
ROTC honors to both Westfield and Perry High
School, along with Perry Middle School. We
also have a first grader flag ceremony where we
go into the schools and tell kids about Hags and
their care and showing proper respect, he
added.
At Christmas, the group is active in commu
nity giving projects and two of their biggest
events is the Memorial Day Service held each
year at Perry Memorial Gardens along U.S. 4!
north of Perry and Veterans' Day Services held
at Roz.ar Park along Keith Drive.
The local chapter meets the first Monday of
every month at the Agricultural Building at 735
Carroll St in downtown Perry. The meetings
begin at 7 p.m.
For more information about the local chap
ter or the 1998 Convention, contact Norris at
987-2901.
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