Today Cook County will honor Carolyn Harris with the naming of the Carolyn Harris Performing Arts Center at the county’s new high school. I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition.
I first met Carolyn when I moved to Adel in 1980 as publisher of the newspaper. She was the community-school coordinator. After our first conversation, I learned she was not a person to whom you could say no. I also learned that when you needed help she would not say no to you either.
After a few years there, I became involved in the Chamber moving on to chairman before we moved in 1990. In that 10-year span, I worked with Carolyn on project after project and the newspaper reported the success of project after project.
Through her, I first learned of the Georgia Council of the Arts. She was the Arts in Adel. Over the years, Carolyn and the Cook County Council for the Arts have given the community everything from local entertainment, to high school programs to Valdosta State University theatre and music groups to professional performers. One of the most liked programs in recent years was the Lowe Family, who performed for years at the Welk Theatre in Branson, Mo. I understand the Lowes will be the opening act for the new Carolyn Harris Performing Arts Center on Monday night, Aug. 31. This is a tremendous tribute to her.
Carolyn Harris loves Adel and Cook County. She loves its people especially its children. In giving back to the people there, she has never settled for second best. Carolyn is picky. “Do it right or don’t do it” fits her to a tee. That was my second lesson from her. I was told one time by a good friend that I had a “low tolerance for tacky,” so Carolyn and I made a good team.
She wanted the students in her county to have leadership skills and good manners. To her, you need both to be successful. During my years in Adel, Carolyn would bring in professionals to train both skill levels followed in the evening by a banquet where this training could be applied.
The desire she had most for the students at Cook High was for everyone to have an opportunity for an education beyond high school. It seemed to me at the time that every visit with her always had news of a new sponsor for a scholarship. She has a talent for finding money. From individuals to families to business to industry to civic clubs, everyone got the Carolyn Harris scholarship visit. They learned as I did, she would not accept no. The number of opportunities for college grew by the year. Honors Day at Cook High School includes a steady stream of scholarship announcements that now reach the hundred of thousands of dollars. This in itself is a tremendous testament to this lady. If I can be permitted to request anything of the people of my former home, it is to not be shy about being picky. Carolyn Harris will always have one desire of all of you: Whatever you do, do it right. And, I might add, do it with class.
Your teacher is one classy lady.
What We Think
From the publisher: She is one classy lady
- What We Think
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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, thumbs down
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
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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Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. - More What We Think Headlines
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
