THUMBS UP: To Pastor Wade S. McCrae of New Greater Union Ministries, who will become a bishop during consecration ceremonies today. As bishop, McCrae’s territory stretches north to Rochester, N.Y., and south to Miami. Although he will travel often, McCrae also will remain his church’s senior pastor.
THUMBS UP: To the Georgia Bridgemen Marching Band of Lowndes High School for taking top honors at the Fourth Annual Bowdon Invitational Marching Band Competition. The nearly 370-member band returned home as Overall Grand Champion Winners. The band also received the Norman Padgett Musical Excellence Award, given to the band with the highest musical score of the day. The Bridgemen are under the direction of Charles Todd.
THUMBS UP: To the Valdosta High School Marching Cats for making a successful return to band competition at the 26th Annual Phenix Invitational Marching Festival and Contest. Competing in the AAA division for medium-sized bands, the Marching Cats scored three superiors in both the festival and contest competitions and took third place overall in their division. The band is led by Director Michael Thomas and Assistant Band Director Andrew Hill.
THUMBS UP: To Commander John Fason and Detective Choice Barnes for awards they recently received from the Valdosta Police Department. Fason was honored for 30 years of dedicated service. Barnes was presented a Certificate of Appreciation for his help in solving multiple residential burglaries in December.
THUMBS UP: To the volunteers and organizers who make today’s Rivers Alive and Hands on Georgia Day river cleanup possible. The event, which will bring workers to the Little and Withlacoochee rivers this morning, is part of the 15th Annual Georgia River Cleanup Month. While we look forward to the day when cleanups aren’t necessary, it’s good to know community-minded individuals will roll up their sleeves and protect our natural resources.
THUMBS DOWN: To Laura Mallory of Loganville for leading the charge to remove the Harry Potter series of books from Gwinnett County classrooms. Mallory asserts that the books promote witchcraft. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, however, espouses the same virtues that children would learn from reading Christian author C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” or J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.” Besides, who gets more kids to read — Harry Potter, or protesters like Mallory?
What We Think
OUR OPINION: Thumbs up, thumbs down
- What We Think
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Memorial Day: A solemn occasion
Memorial Day has taken on many meanings through the years. The unofficial start of summer, a day off from work, a day to honor family and friends who have passed away.
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
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THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
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Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
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Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Memorial Day: A solemn occasion
