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Viewpoints
Our
Views
Giving thanks
As commercial as many of our holidays
have become, Thanksgiving remains very
•much the same from generation to genera
tion a day for family gatherings, tradi
tional menus, watching football games, and
spending time with those we love. It is also,
of course, a day for counting our blessings
and giving thanks.
Most of us, whether or not we are in the
habit of thinking positively, do know that
we have much to be thankful for this year
and every year.
We are blessed to live in a bountiful coun
try both agriculturally and economically
where even those of us who consider
ourselves poor, live better than many people
around the world.
We are fortunate indeed to live in a
democracy a nation founded on the revo
lutionary notions that government should be
based on the consent of the governed, and
that leaders should be elected by the people.
We know these things well, but they
aren’t usually the first things we give thanks
for. For most of us, the real thanks we give
around the Thanksgiving table will be for
blessings closer to home for the tradition
itself, for our loved ones far and near, for the
grandparents and parents, sisters and broth
ers, aunts and uncles, the new babies and
rambunctious children in our families, and
for all the ties that bind us to the past and the
future.
From our house to yours have a very
Happy Thanksgiving.
Shop at home
With Christmas lights already up and
decorations everywhere, we are reminded of
how much our local merchants need and
deserve our support.
Make that list and check it twice to see
which gifts can be purchased right here in
Perry. There are wonderful stores here, too.
And consider the advantages of staying at
home to shop.
First, you’ll save on gas and save on bat
tling heavy traffic.
Second, you’ll hardly ever find yourself
standing in line to wait for service.
Third, many shops still offer friendly per
sonal service, help with your gift selection
and pretty gift wrapping at no charge. And
they count on you for further business, so
they want to be sure you enjoy shopping
with them.
Fourth, when you’re ail worn out at the
end of a shopping trip, you can be home in
minutes.
Fifth returns are much simpler when
you’ve shqpped in your hometown.
Shop in Perry. You’ll be glad you did
ana so win all those hardworking people at
our shops and stores.
A “special” cost
The estimated cost of the statewide run
off election on Nov. 25 was $500,000 a
half million dollars that could well have
been put to better use.
As unbelievable as it may sound, the only
reason a run-off election was necessary for
the office of Public Service Commissioner
was that that particular race was a “special
election’’ one held to fill an unexpired
term*. In Houston County, the PSC race was
the only one on the ballot, and that was true
in the majority of Georgia counties
except for those that had other “special elec
tions” forced into run-offs.
We urge our legislative delegation to look
into this quirk in Georgia’s election law and
to draft legislation which will place special
elections under the same rules as regular
elections, which are won by pluralities
rather than majority vote.
Houston Tims-Journal
P.O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll St. • Perry, Ga. 31069
email timesjm@hom.net
(912) 987-1823
Bob Tribble President
Jj Johnson Editor and General Manager
Angclia McCoy Advertising Director
News: Rob Mead, Pauline Lewis, Joan Dorset!; News and
Composition: Charlotte Perkins: Sports: Phil Clark and
Alline Kent; News and Classified Ads: Stacie Vu;
Circulation and Photography: Eric Zcllars: Bookkeeping:
Paula Zimmerman
Students have praise for their home county
There are many good things hap
pening in our schools, for which I am
thankful this holiday season. One of
those good things is that our students
arc being taught to write and express
themselves.
Recently, Sandra Wiley, a Perry
Middle School teacher, had her stu
dents write about what they like about
either Perry or Houston County.
Here arc two of those essays.
The best in Houston County
I live in Perry. It's not exactly the
most exciting town, but it’s where I
live. I have lived in Perry all my life.
That’s why it would be hard for me to
move. I like living in Perry because it’s
quiet, the people are nice, and there
isn’t a lot of crime.
Perry is a very quiet town. This is
mainly because our papulation is not
as big as other towns. Another reason
is the police officers that are nearby.
Some even live in the neighborhoods.
I think this is great because if someone
decides to pump up the music, the
police will go over and tell them to
turn it down.
Another reason why I like Perry is
because of the people. I know a lot of
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Fall planting yields winter flowers
Fall is a wonderful time to plant
trees, shrubs, and vines. They will
bloom this winter if you plant speci
mens that have flower buds on them.
Winter is not when most people
think of flowers in the landscape, but
there are some trees, shrubs, vines,
annuals and perennials that bloom
between fall and spring.
Winter Jasmine is an evergreen
shrub which grows up to 3 or 4 feet
tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. On warm
days in January and February, the red
buds open into bright yellow, tubular
flowers on the green stems.
The flowers open for an extended
period, starting with a few blooms at
first. The plant does best in full sun
light. The branches will hang over to
the ground and root, starting new
plants.
The Winter Daphne is another
plant that blooms in winter. The
plant will reach about 3 feet tall and
about 2 feet wide. It is a slow grow
ing plant, so give it time.
Clusters of tiny white flowers
form heads 1 to 2 inches wide in
solid white or pink edged white flow
ers. The flowers will last from 4 to 6
weeks. The Winter Daphne also has
a wonderful fragrance. Be sure to
keep this plant in a well drained soil,
and partial shade.
Our Policies
Unsigned editorials appearing in larger type on this page
tinder the label Our Views reflect the position of the Houston
Tunes-Joumal. Signed columns and letters on this page (and
elsewhere in this newspaper) reflect the opinions of the writ
ers and not necessarily those of this newspaper.
Signed letters to the editor are welcomed. Please limit let
ters to- 300 words and include addresses and a telephone
number for verification purposes. Letters are not published
without verification. Letters should be sent to PO. Drawer
M. Perry, Ga . U 069 or brought to the newspaper office at
807 Carroll Si.. Perry.
Our liability for an error will not exceed the cost of space
Page 4A
Wed.. Nov. 25. IWK
Jj
Johnson
Editor
people in Perry, and they are very nice.
Some really do care about your prob
lems. I know a lot of people that want
to help. Some have been really good
friends.
There isn’t a lot of crime in Perry.
We seem to deal with that pretty well.
People take part in keeping kids safe.
They have neighborhood watches and
programs on drugs and violence. The
only reason Perry is safe is because we
work together to make it that way.
To me, peace and quiet, loving citi
zens, and crime prevention are the
three most important qualities of
Perry. There are other good qualities in
Perry, also some bad. But I picked
these because they meant the most to
me. It proves that if you work together
and help each other, then you can have
a great community.
Amanda Adams
Ricky
Wheeler
Houston | TT^tF
County Agent
mk § V
Winter honeysuckle brings life to
the garden with its sweet fragrance.
It has small creamy flowers. It is a
tough plant that can be up to 10 feet
tall in sun or shade. It is best put in
an out of the way spot, so that the fra
grance is the most noticeable charac
teristic.
Another perennial that blooms in
January and February is the Lenten
Rose. This is easy to grow and only
gets about a foot tall. It requires par
tial shade and occasional watering.
It has clusters of nodding terminal
flowers 3 inches wide. The flowers
will be while to any shade of maroon,
with many freckle sprits inside. The
flowers will stay for up to eight
weeks or more, before turning green.
The Lenten Rose has leathery, dark
green leaves that are attractive year
round.
If you plant any of these in the
fall, be sure to select plants that arc
mature and have already developed
flower buds. If you don’t they will
occupied by the error.
We cannot be responsible for the return of pictures or sub
mitted materials unless a stamped, return address envelope is
included.
Our Goal
The Houston Times-Joumal is published proudly for the
citizens of Houston and adjoining counties by Houston
Publications Inc., Perry, Ga. Our goal is to produce quality,
profitable, community-oriented newspapers that you, our
readers, are proud of. We will reach this goal through hard
work, teamwork, loyalts and a strong dedication toward
printing the truth.
Member of Georgia Press Association and National
3
My Favorite Things
in Houston County
Have you ever lived somewhere
you hated? Are you tired of living
where you live now? I know just how
you feel. I was once in your shoes, but
now I live in Houston County. I love
Houston County because of the
schools, the beautiful sights, and the
people here are so sweet.
I’m 13 years old. and I’m in the Bth
grade. I like my school I go to. Perry
Middle School teaches us useful
things, and makes it fun to learn. A
good school system is hard to find, if
you would like to move, but you are
trying to find a good school for your
children. Houston County is for you.
I’ve lived in Houston County for
three years. Before I moved here, I
lived way out in the Boon Docks! All I
ever saw were trees, trees, and more
trees. In Houston County we have
more than just trees to see. There are
breath taking sights all around you.
Most of all, the people in Houston
County are your best friends. As soon
as you move in. your neighbor will
give you a good southern pie, and a
nice warm welcome. When I moved to
Houston County, the people made me
feel right at home. The people in
not bloom until the next growing sea
son. Either way. they would all be a
beautiful addition to any home land
scape.
II you have any questions, on win
ter flowering plants, or need more
information on any topic, please call
the Houston County Extension Office
at 987-2028.
Praise for Daugherty
Editor,
Please
allow me
to say
that the
recent
passing
of Johif
Daugherty is a great loss to the city of
Perry and to all who knew him.
John was one of those unique indi
viduals who listened to and accepted
both praise and criticism with humility
and a smile.
I did not know John for long but well
enough to know what a truly fine gen
tleman he was. Our community was
fortunate to have him in service for us.
He will be missed much.
John Watts
Perry
Houston Times -Journal
Letters to
the Editor
P.O. Drawer M
Pern, Ga. 31069
Newspaper Association.
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ing the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of the right of
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Times-Joumal, P.O. Drawer M, Perrv. Ga. 31069. ISSN:
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Houston County are the sweetest peo
ple you will ever meet They will love
you to death!
My overall view of Houston
County is that it’s the greatest! There
are good schools, beautiful sights, and
the people in Houston County are ter
rific. I love my county. If you moved
to Houston County you would see
what I mean. You're right at home in
Houston County.
Jennifer Kessler
Now that’s what I like about living
here. too. This is a wonderful commu
nity and I’m thankful to have been
associated with it for more than 10
years.
God gives us many blessings.
Some of them include a wonderful
place to call home. That’s a gift I
appreciate this Thanksgiving.
Jennifer
Whittaker
Farm Bureau
Give thanks for
the farmers
Farm-City Week an annual
event to promote better understanding
between farm and city residents
will be celebrated across the United
Stales from Nov. 20 through
Thanksgiving Day.
"During this holiday season when
families sit down for their
Thanksgiving dinner and realize that
it’s almost impossible to eat all of the
food on their table, I hope their
thoughts will turn to agriculture and
the farmers who produced their food,”
Wayne Dollar. Georgia Farm Bureau
president said “Farm-City Week is a
chance for farmers and consumers to
celebrate the partnership we share.
Farmers depend on consumers to pur
chase the crops they produce and con
sumers depend on farmers to provide
an abundant and safe supply of food.”
Agriculture is one of the largest
employers in Georgia. One in every
six persons works in some phase of
agriculture from growing food and
fiber to selling it at the supermarket or
department store. Georgia’s agribusi
ness sector contributes 546 billion to
our state's annual economic output.
Nationwide, less than two percent
of our population actively farm.
Conservatively speaking, there are
less than 40.000 farmers in Georgia.
But even with that minute number,
each farmer produces enough food
and fiber to feed and clothe himself,
his family, 94 others in the United
States and 34 to feed and clothe him
self. his family, 94 others in the
United States and 34 people abroad.
Georgia farmers play an important
part in feeding the world. Georgia
grows 45 percent of all the peanuts
grown in the United States Georgia
ranks second in the U.S. poultry
industry in value of poultry, eggs and
broilers. More than 80 counties earn at
least SI million each year in poultry
income. Other crops that make major
economic contributions to the stale's
economy include: cotton, tobacco,
vegetables, horticulture, beef and
dairy.
Because the United States has the
most abundant and stable food supply
in the world. America’s food is the
most affordable in the world.
Americans spend only 10.9 percent of
their income on food. A comparison of
countries shows the United Kingdom
spends 11.5 percent. Spain spends 21
percent and India spends 51.4 percent.
For every dollar Americans spend on
food, the farmer’s share is only 2.3
cents.
National Farm-City Week liegan in
1955 to foster understanding of the
interdependence between rural and
urban residents. Since its beginning,
Farm-City programs have expanded
to more than 15,000 communities in
the U.S., Canada and several other
countries.
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