GDOT wants input about planned detour in Tunnel Hill

TUNNEL HILL, Ga. — An open house to discuss the Georgia Department of Transportation’s proposed project to replace the culvert on State Route 201 over Tanyard Creek in Whitfield County is scheduled for Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. The meeting will be at Tunnel Hill City Hall, 201 G. Vaughn Parkway. Individuals interested in learning more about the proposed project and detour are encouraged to attend the meeting and express their thoughts and preferences. The proposed plans call for replacing the existing double barrel culvert on SR 201 over Tanyard Creek with a new bridge that is approximately 43 feet wide and 70 feet long. The culvert was built in 1942. It is in poor condition and is recommended for replacement with a bridge. The road will be closed during the construction of the bridge. An offsite detour will be necessary. The open house will be informal and the public is invited to attend anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. Written statements will be accepted until July 23. Written statements may be submitted to Eric Duff, state environmental administrator, Georgia Department of Transportation Office of Environmental Services, 600 W.  Peachtree St. N.W. – 16th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30308. 

Jaycees to host 4th Annual ‘Splash and Dash’

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The Milledgeville Jaycees will host their fourth annual Old Capital Splash and Dash Saturday, July 14, at the Oconee River Greenway. 

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. as participants float and kayak down the Oconee River. Tickets for the event cost $20 per participant. Groups of 10 persons or more can buy tickets at a group rate of $15 per person.  

Raffle tickets will also be available for purchase with prizes given to the raffle winners.   

All funds will be used by the Milledgeville Jaycees — a service organization of young professionals ages 21 to 40 — to benefit local projects as well as service organizations like Camp Dream, an overnight summer camp that offers recreation and activities for people with disabilities. Last year, the Milledgeville Jaycees used the funds from the Splash and Dash to send four local children to Camp Dream on scholarship.

Participants can take their time floating down the river or can sprint to the end to claim a prize. The first female, male and child finisher will have a prize waiting for them at the finish line. There will be stiff competition, though. Nearly 150 people traveled down the river last year in kayaks, tubes and more.

Tickets and more information can be found on the Milledgeville Jaycees’ Facebook page.

Gnat Fest planning meeting set for Wednesday

TIFTON, Ga. — A planning meeting for a New Year’s Eve Gnat Fest is set for 5 p.m., Wednesday July 11. Tift County Commissioner Melissa Hughes wants to celebrate the new year with a southern spin on the New Year’s Eve tradition of dropping the ball at midnight. She wants to drop a giant gnat. It’s an idea partly inspired by Georgia festivals, such as The Possum Drop, held in Tallapoosa for New Years Eve. Tentatively titled Gnat Fest or Gnat Fest Drop, it would take place New Year’s Eve, culminating in the dropping of a gnat ball or gnat sculpture at the stroke of midnight in front of the county’s Administration Building. Hughes wants to get a committee together to start planning the event out in time for New Year’s Eve. For the actual design of the gnat, Hughes wants to hold a contest and open it up for high school and college students and see what designs they come up with. The meeting will be held at 222 Chesnutt Avenue, Building B.

SOSMP hosting Polynesian Revue, Legends

LIVE OAK, Fla. — The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park will have an island feel to it this weekend.

With Prince Pele’s Polynesian Revue on tap Friday and Saturday as well as Elvis and the Legends, it will be an enjoyable weekend at the Music Park.

Ticket prices at the door are $10 per person Friday night, $15 Saturday night (food not included either night). The best ticket buy is weekend tickets that include both nights for $20 per person in advance only with advance ticket sales ending at noon Friday at the SOSMP main office. Advance tickets are on sale now by calling 386-364-1683, emailing spirit@musicliveshere.com or stopping by the SOSMP main office.

The weekend will be topped off with Ted “TeddyMac Elvis” McMullen presenting Prince Pele’s Polynesian Revue Saturday evening, “TeddyMac” as Elvis in full costume in Aloha from Hawaii, special Hawaiian food on the menu, a Hawaiian king/queen contest for best Hawaiian outfits, Hawaiian leis, door prizes and theme décor.

The famous Prince Pele and his dancers will have the crowd swaying in the Music Hall as he takes them on an imaginary trip throughout the islands of the South Pacific. “TeddyMac Elvis” will thrill Elvis fans with his Aloha from Hawaii presentation.

That’s not all, though. The weekend begins Friday with a Legends Show emceed by Ted McMullen. Featured artists Friday night are Keith Thrift as Conway Twitty, Penny Hannah as Wynonna Judd, Leamon Nipper as Merle Haggard, Bobby Long as Willie Nelson, Texanna as Patsy Cline, Kathy Stafford as Shania Twain, Dale Bennett as Loretta Lynn, Calvin Smart as Johnny Cash, Diane Johnston as Lorrie Morgan and Trese Hill as Tammy Wynette. McMullen will not perform as Elvis until Saturday night.

Doors open both nights at 5 p.m. Shows begin at 7 p.m. both nights.