THUMBS UP: To Sons of Solomon Lodge No. 151 and Electa Chapter No. 323, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, LACE, TEACH Inc. and Sam’s Bar-B-Q and Catering for feeding the needy and the hungry on Thanksgiving Day. Hundreds of men, women and children were treated to a hot, traditional holiday feast, as well as fellowship.
THUMBS UP: To Nikki Bradley for being the first black woman to be elected to the Quitman Board of Commissioners. The 911 dispatcher for Brooks County, wife and mother made history on Nov. 3 when registered voters supported her bid for the District 1, Post 1 seat.
THUMBS UP: To Marcus Haynes for being named the 2009 Firefighter of the Year for the Valdosta Fire Department. The 30-year-old joined the fire department in 2007. When asked what he likes the most about his job, he said, “Being able to help other people, serve the community and just feel like I’m doing my part.”
THUMBS DOWN: To all the rude Black Friday and other holiday shoppers. Tis the season for lending a helping hand to a friend or neighbor, as opposed to the season for reaching out and shoving him or her out of the way while you fill your cart with the discounted television set or the newest video game system. As Burton Hillis once said, “The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree (is) the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”
THUMBS UP: To the folks with America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia Inc. for continuing the tradition by handing out Thanksgiving boxes filled with food to area senior citizens on Monday. With many senior citizens living on a fixed income and the cost of living ever-increasing, these boxes of food may be just what these individuals need to maintain a well-balanced diet and good health this holiday season. Also, a thumbs up to AMVETS Post 607 for delivering boxes full of food sure to make a Thanksgiving special to the less fortunate in the area.
What We Think
What We Think: Thumbs up, thumbs down
- 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?
