THUMBS UP: To all of the bands that performed Sunday during “This One’s For You: A Tribute to Mad Jim Hall” at Charley O’Corley’s in Remerton. Also, thumbs up to the many people who attended the benefit concert. Hall was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 renal cell carcinoma. He has cancer in his kidneys, his renal glands, his lymph nodes, his lungs and his bones. Proceeds from the event will help pay for medication and radiation treatments, which doctors hope will give Hall more time with his family, his friends and his guitar.
THUMBS UP: To members of MoveOn.org and the Valdosta Tea Party organization for hosting rallies in support of and in opposition of, respectively, President Barack Obama’s health care reform initiative. Even though the two groups are on different sides of the fence, it’s nice to see the First Amendment in action. As Americans we have the right to speak out in favor of or against our government and to assemble peacefully. However, so few exercise that right these days or believe in others’ right to do so.
THUMBS UP: To Lowndes High School for winning the softball game against Valdosta High School Tuesday. The Vikettes defeated the Wildcats 6-0 at Morris-Coat Field of Dreams. Ashley Chapman pitched a one-hit shutout, and the Vikettes pounded out eight hits and crossed the plate six times in the win. Lowndes now has a record of 5-5.
THUMBS UP: To Marcia Smith for winning the Wilson Eye Center Ophthalmic Scholarship. The Valdosta Technical College graduate will use the money to help offset the cost of taking her optical board exams.
THUMBS UP: To Lorena Maggio and Brooke Hoke Parr for participating in the annual Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. The two Nashville Mills employees have been training for the grueling October 60-mile journey with regular walks and other forms of training. Maggio lost an aunt to breast cancer. Parr lost her mother-in-law and her sister.
What We Think
What We Think: Thumbs up
- 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, 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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Memorial Day: A solemn occasion
