New web sites at VDT
Readers of The Times know since last weekend we have launched two new Web sites to engage and inform the youth of the South Georgia area. www.vdtvarsity.com hit the Internet on Friday just in time for opening night of high school and VSU football. While football is getting the startup focus, the site is designed for all sports, bands and cheerleaders in public and private schools in Lowndes, Brooks, Cook, Berrien, Lanier, Clinch and Echols counties.
Signup is free and it is easy to do. Once you register you will have your own web page to build around your sport or sports. If you are a fan or coach and just want to use the site without building a personal page then do that, no problem. All who register can upload photos and video they take at the game, practice and just during fun times.
Anytime someone posts a picture, video about you or your name is in a sports story in the VDT you will be notified through a text message on your cell phone or through email … your choice.
It’s a fun site … get started today.
www.tweentribune.com is now a part of classroom curriculum in the Valdosta and Lowndes School systems. Free to teachers and students we have announced the site as a way to engage, inform and educate students. They can interact with online news, while they fulfill language, computer skills and other classes. Local, state, national and international news is added to the site daily. Students can then read and comment for teacher assignments. Comments are moderated by their teacher.
Teachers, if you need more information go to www.tweentribune.com/teachers. We invite all students and teachers from public and private schools in Lowndes, Brooks, Cook, Berrien, Lanier, Clinch and Echols counties to join us.
My Food Finds
Everyone who knows me is very aware of my liking for food at the “local” eatery. To me, some of your best food can be found at the little out-of-the-way places. I thought from time-to-time I would share with you some of my food finds.
My wife and I tried out the Bemiss BBQ last week. I knew the barbecue was good from being a judge at the 100 Black Men’s Barbecue last month. The restaurant claimed first place in the commercial division. My surprise was not the barbecue but the cakes. On the counter you will find whole (except for the slices already consumed by customers) cakes of chocolate, key lime, lemon iced pound cake and carrot cake. The one I did not mention was coconut. If coconut is on your favorite list then the trip up Bemiss is worth the drive. This cake is probably the best I have ever eaten (at least in the top two or three). I have requested one for Thanksgiving and again on my birthday.
College name?
The announcement is out that Valdosta Technical College will become Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in July 2010 when they officially merge with East Central Tech in Fitzgerald. Forgive my boldness but I don’t like it. Oh, five years from now the name will flow easily in conversation but for now it is hard to like.
Wiregrass? I understand the plant is everywhere a pine tree grows in our area of the state and the name denotes a region but I guess that is my problem. It is every where but yet it is no where. If it could not be Valdosta I guess I would have preferred Georgia Technical College – Valdosta Campus, Fitzgerald Campus. I would have merged all campuses under the one name but you know there is one thing missing here, I am not the commissioner of technical education. Ron Jackson knows way more than me about this than I do.
Now that my rant is public, let me say this. Any name is only as good as the person or people behind it. Valdosta Tech and East Central have a legacy of successfully providing for the educational needs of thousands of young adults in our part of the state. This will not change no matter what the sign out front says.
Congratulations Wiregrass! Now go and spread technical education just like wiregrass — everywhere.
What We Think
From the publisher: Engage, inform that’s the VDT
- 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?
