-- —
THUMBS UP: To Robert Soper. For 35 years, he has been the man in charge of the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta. He’s overseen the club’s mission change while always helping young people thrive and succeed. In the coming weeks, Soper will retire as the club’s president, though he plans to continue serving the Boys and Girls Club as a consultant through 2013. Thank you for a job well done!
THUMBS UP: To Hugs of Hope. The Second Annual Elizabeth’s Celebration is scheduled for 5-9 p.m. today, Freedom Park, to raise funds and awareness of pediatric cancer in our region. Hugs of Hope is helping more than 21 South Georgia families with a child facing cancer. The celebration also honors the organization’s founder, Elizabeth Pitts. After she was diagnosed with cancer, the youngster started Hugs of Hope by asking people to buy teddy bears for other children with cancer rather than giving her birthday presents. She continued this tradition with each birthday of her short life. Elizabeth Pitts passed away in 2010 but her generosity and kind spirit live on with Hugs of Hope and tonight’s event.
THUMBS UP: To the winners of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 World Class Employee program this week. Lloyd Dumas of ERCO Worldwide received the 2012 Small Business Employee Award. Rachel Tate of Remerton City Hall received the 2012 Small Business Supervisor Award. James Davis of South Georgia Medical Center won the 2012 Large Business Employee Award. Lameika Jones of Wild Adventures earned the 2012 Large Business Supervisor Award. Congratulations one and all!
THUMBS UP: To the region’s farmers and people involved in the agricultural industry. While some may think agriculture is a thing of South Georgia’s past, a Times story revealed this week that Lowndes County’s farmgate has a $70 million value, making it one of the strongest private-sector industries after South Georgia Medical Center. Given the continued financial clout on the economy, we offer a green thumbs up.
What We Think
Thumbs up
- What We Think
-
-
New era at the Boys and Girls Club
Next week on June 1, it will be the official end of an era at the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta when Robert Soper hands over responsibility for the organization to the new Chief Professional Officer Jim Wink.
-
Thank you, EMS
We always pull over for them, but we rarely seem to thank them.
-
Tornado: An aftermath of help
Seeing the massive path of destruction left in the wake of tornadoes in Oklahoma Monday was a sobering reminder of the power of spring storms.
-
Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
-
Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
-
On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
-
Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
-
Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
-
Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
-
Happy Mother’s Day!
A few years ago, a television commercial asked, Who first believed in you? Many folks may have instinctively answered by simply saying, Mom.
- More What We Think Headlines
-
New era at the Boys and Girls Club
