VALDOSTA —
THUMBS DOWN: To the candidates who have not removed their campaign signs from area roadways and yards. The only candidates who need signs at this point are those heading into the runoff and — maybe — those who are already guaranteed a place on the November ballot.
THUMBS UP: To Sam Straka’s performance at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championships in Ada, Mich. The rising Lowndes High School senior, who plays golf for the Vikings, qualified for the U.S. Junior Amateur by shooting rounds of 70 and 76. He was one of 64 finalists from around the world who qualified for the match play portion of the event.
THUMBS UP: To The Flower Gallery for bringing bouquets and smiles to the residents of Holly Hill Nursing Home. This is the second consecutive year the flower shop has participated in Make Someone Smile Week, delivering Be Happy mugs filled with yellow roses and daisies to men and women living at area nursing homes.
THUMBS UP: To the teens from Skidaway Island United Methodist Church in Savannah who spent the past week in Valdosta lending a helping hand. The group received over a dozen requests for help from area residents needing wheelchair ramps. A total of 26 people worked to build eight handicap-accessible ramps.
THUMBS UP: To Kiley Hill for being named Coach of the Decade by the Gulf South Conference. The Valdosta State University Lady Blazers basketball team has had eight straight winning seasons, nine trips to the Gulf South Conference tournament, three East Division titles, five 20-win seasons and five trips to the Division II national tournament.
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
