THUMBS UP: To all of the athletes and volunteers who participated in the Valdosta-Lowndes County Winter Special Olympic Games. For two days, boys and girls, men and women, between the ages of 6 and 22 competed in bowling and basketball. When it was all said and done, everyone was declared a winner.
THUMBS UP: To everyone who participated in the Doug Henderson III Memorial Golf Tournament on Thursday. A total of 31 four-man teams competed, making this year’s tournament the largest ever. The winning team was Nate Balanis, Brian Conley, Zac Crosby and Tonya Crosby with a net score of 53.1. All proceeds from the event, which included live and silent auctions, benefit the community, as well as the fight against cancer.
THUMBS UP: To those who answered The Valdosta Daily Times’ call last week to help Bill Holt of LODAC with his youth chess clubs at Lowndes Middle School, Lake Park Elementary School, Ora Lee West and Hudson Dockett. The Times gave $250 and challenged others to help purchase more boards, pieces and other equipment for this worthwhile endeavor. Others answered the call. Bill Holt mentions that the program could also use more volunteers to help teach chess.
THUMBS UP: To airmen at Moody Air Force Base for answering a call to assist in the search for a missing F-16 pilot who suffered a mid-air collision off the coast of Charleston, S.C., Thursday night. Two HH-60G Pavehawk helicopters departed the base Friday morning with crewmembers, a combat rescue officer and pararescuemen. The HH-60Gs were slated to provide a platform and equipment for recovery during the search effort.
What We Think
Thumbs up
- What We Think
-
-
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.
-
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!
-
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.
-
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.
-
Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
Elections: Creating a two-party region?
