Tattnall 2015

Bruce Schutz Optim Spine Patient

2015 Issue

Optim Spine got me back to me.

Born to Teach

One of the most rewarding things to Mrs. Reba Kennedy is watching students that she taught become successful adults.

A Winning Spirit

With the help of three horses, Jesse Walker overcame a mysterious sickness and became a World Champion in dressage.

Optim Spine has something you don’t find in most places _ a large team of doctors that specialize in just about everything related to back and neck pain. Our renowned collection of orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons and interventional pain management doctors work together to solve pain problems others can’t. We call our approach Combined Strength, and we use it to get you back to you.

The Collector

OptimHealth.com | 800.827.6536

Optim Healthcare is a collaboration between Optim Orthopedics and the physician-owned Optim Medical Center-Tattnall.

Reidsville Veterinary Clinic takes personal care to another level with their desire to treat the animals of Tattnall County with great love.

H o m e t o w n L i v i n g at i t s B e s t

Ryan Adamson keeps alive the love of the land passed down to him through generations.

Home of

NO HASSLE BUYING FOR OVER 41 YEARS 7334 HWY. 280 W. | CLAXTON, GA

912.739.1744

NeSmithNow.com

city of

912.557.4786 117 Tattnall Street Reidsville, GA

WWW.TATTNALL.COM Hometown Living At Its Best

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Kayla Tootle

2015 Miss Georgia Sweet Onion

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G

G

lennville sweet onion

FESTIVAL

G

FESTIVAL CHAIRMAN

lennville’s biggest annual event, the Glennville Sweet Onion Festival, has hosted 39 years of events, and sunny skies have shone upon almost every one. The festive day on the second Saturday of each May celebrates the harvesting of the famous Vidalia sweet onion crop. The day begins with a sweet onion run and walk and a downtown parade. Then on to the State Farmers’ Market on Highway 301 South for an array of arts and crafts, delightful entertainment, children’s rides and games, the fascinating World Champion Turtle Races and delectable food (that includes fried sweet onion rings and blooming onions). The event draws over 6,000 people each year.

Wayne Dasher

Tattnall County, of which the community of Glennville is the largest, grows more Vidalia Sweet Onions han any of the other official Georgia Department of griculture Vidalia Sweet Onion growing counties, contributing approximately half of the entire state crop each year.

912.654.2515 912.654.3332

912-654-3332 (Day) • 912-654-3309 (Evenings)

FESTIVAL CO-CHAIRMAN Pam Waters

Arts & Crafts and Food Booths Chairman 912-654-2515 (Day) • 912-237-0248 (Cell)

Dr. Paul Thompson, Onion Run Chairman Lamar & Melissa Cook, Entertainment Chairmen Tiffany Kicklighter, Miss Georgia Sweet Onion Pageant Director; South Georgia Bank, Parade Chair

www.glennvillesweetonion.com Hometown Living At Its Best

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contents 10

The Old Farmhouse

One goal Ann Trapnell had in life was to make this farmhouse into a home that she could be proud of and one that would represent who she is as a person. In order to do this, Ann had to work hard but said it was worth it and she appreciates everything even more.

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Ugandan Thunder

Each year Dr. Ted Moody and his group bring a choir, known as Ugandan Thunder, to tour the United States. The love offerings from their performances are used to help the orphanages in Uganda.

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A Winning Spirit

With the help of three horses, Jesse Walker overcomes a mysterious sickness, finds her niche as an equestrienne, and becomes a World Champion in dressage.

About the Cover

The cover photo features Barrett and Jones with their dog Hippo, twin boys of John and Kibbie Ringer, taken by Allison Cobb.

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The Collector

Ryan Adamson keeps alive the love of the land passed down to him. His passion for his family’s Beard’s Bluff property that was once inhabited by the Creek Indians keeps that glimmer in his eye as he soaks up the history left behind.

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Kennedy...

A Name You Can Trust.

James Kennedy has joined Kennedy Network Services to continue the legacy his father and his team members began in 1972.

• Leading telecommunications contractor • Building on 4 decades of experience • State of the art technical equipment • Experienced and skilled craftsmen • National and international company • Service with commitment to customer satisfaction • Foundation of growth through adaptability

Industries We Serve: • Major Telecommunications Operators • Independent Telecommunications Operators • Utility companies • Government agencies

• School systems • Long-haul fiber optic network systems • LAN and WAN networks • Wireless Industries

As a PIONEER in the CABLE INDUSTRY,

Kennedy Network Services has over 45 years of experience in broadband and telecommunications services. KNS is a professional contractor throughout the continental U.S. and abroad.

We have the skills, equipment, and experience needed to offer quality standards for today's broadband and telecommunications networks. Kennedy Network Services provides the best service and support from start to finish and beyond.

Home Office: 228 W. Brazell St. P.O. Box 2059 Reidsville, GA 30453 (912) 557-4751 • Fax (912) 557-6545 www.KennedyNetworkservices.com

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Born to Teach

Many awards have been bestowed upon Reba Kennedy over her teaching career.

But she said that the most rewarding thing to her has been watching students that she taught become successful adults.

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Veterinarians With a Heart

Reidsville Veterinary Clinic takes personal care to another level with their desire to treat the animals of Tattnall County with great love. Dr. Steve Lynn and Dr. Kibbie Richardson Ringer truly live out their passion.

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Lasting Hope

Bees have captivated Smith State Prison inmates and employees alike. Their new bee program is not only giving inmates hope, it’s giving them jobs in the free world.

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Never Slow Down

One of Holly Durrence’s practical philosophies is that if you never slow down, you never get old. When you pass her on the highway with her litter bag you will know that she has found her own Fountain of Youth.

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Jeanette Deloach

Words do not adequately describe Jeanette, but we know that Tattnall County is a better place because of her being a part of it.

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Daniel Shuman

Daniel Shuman is not only a man of action, but a man of compassionate action.

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Pioneers and Progress

The Tattnall Journal has been serving the citizens of Tattnall County for the past 136 years.

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Scenes of Tattnall Take a look at a few of the reasons why we love Tattnall County.

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f o y t Ci

E L L I V N N G91L2.65E4.2461 • Fax: 912.654.2488 GA 30427 134 S. Veterans Boulevard, Glennville, com Established 1889 • www.cityofglennville.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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From the Publisher

Tattnall County magazine

P u b l i s h e r With You In Mind Publications

Jay and Patti Martin C r eat i v e | D e s i g n Elizabeth Beasley

Russ Hutto Mandi Spivey Stephanie Williams o f f i ce M a n age r Nikki Burkhalter

E

Every time I sit down to write one of these letters. I take some time to review the articles and everything that has taken place in the last year in our community and our family.

In the last issue, we announced the upcoming birth of our first granddaughter, Georgia Lee. On November 6 she joined the world with Patti right there to greet her. The rest of the family showed up for Thanksgiving to spoil her for a week, hand her back and leave. This Nana and Papa stuff is awesome!!!

Mandi and Landon’s son, Jayden started first grade this year. Makayla is in her senior year of high school and preparing for college. Empty nest here were come!!!

Also, in the last 12 months Patti’s mom, Betty Donahue, went to be with Jesus and her husband, Jim. She was in poor health the last month of her life so all of the family members had an opportunity to share with her the impact she had on their lives. For those left behind death is a sad time. For those entering heaven, death is an entry way to eternal joy.

Betty’s family had a sweet departure party reminiscing about the good times here on earth and celebrating her new body and new life. IT was a time to remember joy, laughter and words of wisdom. It was also a time to remember we don’t know the number of days we, or our family members, have on this earth. We don’t need to put off letting our friends and family know how we feel as there may not be another opportunity.

Patti, I love you! Being married to you has been the greatest privilege and honor of my entire life.

Mark 10:10

Jay Martin Sales: (912) 654-3045 Email: jay@wyimpublications.com www.hometown-living.com 8

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A s s i s ta n t M a n age r s

June Dixon

Makayla Martin

P h otog r ap h e r s Daphne’s Images

Dawn McDaniel Owens Gail Dixon Joel Palmer PhotoShop by Allison Ronnie McCall The Tattnall Journal

C ov e r P h oto Barrett and Jones Ringer with

their dog Hippo, taken by Allison Cobb, PhotoShop by Allison Sa l e s Dottie Hicks

Patti Martin

Contributing Wri t er s Marsha Cunningham

Gail Dixon

Brendon Folsom

Ronald E. McCall

Jackson Brooks Sharpe

Tattnall County Magazine© is published annually by With You in Mind Publications. www.hometown-living.com P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 (912) 654-3045 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

Small energy leaks can really add up.

Do you know how much energy your home is wasting?

The average home has enough air leaks to create an opening over 3 feet wide. So schedule a Whole House Energy Assessment, performed by a program participating contractor, to find out where your home is losing energy. Complete a home energy assessment and you’ll get up to a $225 rebate. And if you make the home energy improvements, you could get up to $2,350 in rebates. Learn more at georgiapower.com/wholehouse or call 1-800-310-5607.

Š 2015 Georgia Power. All rights reserved. Certain restrictions apply. Must be a Georgia Power customer. Valid through December 2015. Rebate eligibility varies based on improvements made and energy reduction achieved. Rebate request must be submitted with receipt within 60 days of purchase or installation of qualifying improvements. Full details available online.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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One goal Ann Trapnell had in life was to make this farmhouse into a home that she could be proud of and one that would represent who she is as a person. In order to do this, Ann had to work hard but said it was worth it and she appreciates everything even more.

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Story by Gail Dixon Photos by Dawn McDaniel Owens

Today I went to visit a retired teacher and find out about an old farmhouse that had been remodeled into a modern day house. The old farmhouse was a shotgun house, which means a person could fire a gun and the ammo would go straight through the middle of the house. The owners of the house, Jimmy and Ann Trapnell, married 30 years ago and moved into this farmhouse.

When I turned down the lane, the first thing I noticed was a sign on my right that read The JulieAnn Farm. (During my visit with Ann, I found out the farm was named after Julie, the daughter, and Ann, the daughter-in-law.) Driving down the lane lined with beautiful dogwood trees and crepe myrtles, I began to wonder what was in store for me. At the end of the lane was a two-story house with a neatly cut and trimmed yard covered in trees, ferns, plants and flowers. Ann greeted me at the door along with

The old farmhouse was a shotgun house, which means a person could fire a gun and the ammo would go straight through the middle of the house. The owners of the house, Jimmy and Ann Trapnell, married 30 years ago and moved into this farmhouse.

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two of her dogs, Baby and Bella.

One of the first things Ann told me was that she has six rescue dogs. Blondie is the oldest, 16, who just showed up one day, left, and then came back to stay. Baby was found under a bush-hog and belonged to a neighbor. The neighbor came to visit one day and said that was his dog and Ann replied, "not anymore". Meika, a Rottweiler, was given to her by a parapro at Collins Elementary because she could not keep the dog where she lived. Ann found Sadie, a white lab, on the side of the road pregnant and took her home with her. When the puppies were born, SOAPS "rescued" them from Ann and sent them to Florida to good homes. She wanted to keep one puppy and that was Bella, a LabraDane.

The other dog, Marley, I didn't get to see because he loves the weed eater and he was out chasing it as Theron was weed eating around the yard. These dogs are Ann's number one priority; she loves them!

Ann is a retired school teacher, teaching a total of 31 years and 26 of those in Tattnall County, who loved her job, the people and the students. One goal she had in life was to make this farmhouse into a home that she could be proud of and one that would represent who she is as a person. In order to do this, Ann had to work hard but said it was worth it and

There are a lot of old tables in the house too, many that have been bought and refurbished.

There was one in particular Ann said was "the ugliest table I had ever seen but I liked it and took it to a man in Metter to refurbish.

As it turned out, the table was built out of the most incredible wood and I got it for a great price!"

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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she appreciates everything even more.

As we talked, Ann would show me items in the house. She would say, "Everything in this house has a story behind it!" The first thing she pointed out was a framed poem written by Robert Kennedy, one of Jimmy's cousins, in 1989. The poem tells the life of the farm and how it came to be. After reading the poem, I could picture in my mind what life must be like on this farm... birds chirping, fish jumping, and crickets singing...the true beauty of nature.

Not only does Ann love her dogs, but she loves horses. Hanging on the wall were two paintings by Mary Leslie, a personal friend of Ann’s daughter Jennifer. The one that really caught my attention was a white mustang with red, white, and blue in the background.

The title of the painting was The Last of the Mustangs, which was a gift from Jennifer to her mom. The other horse painting was given to Ann as an anniversary gift from Jimmy. On another wall were pictures of thoroughbreds that ran in the Kentucky Derby years ago.

As we continued our "tour" of the home, Ann pointed out two urns. These urns are special because Jimmy's uncle brought them

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back from Egypt. On another wall in the same room are oars purchased from a shop on Saint Simons and a wooden piece from The Merchandise Mart in Atlanta that Ann saw in a corner and just had to have. As we walked and talked, Ann reminded me that all of these items represent who she is and what she loves.

The home is covered in pieces of history... there are family pictures from the old days and present time and football pictures, football being a big part of their lives today.

There are bookshelves covered in history books and reading for pleasure. On the mantle, which is made out of a railroad cross timber, is an old rifle that belonged to Jimmy's great-great granddaddy. The rifle was taken off of a union soldier during the war. Also hanging in this room is a sword that Jimmy had while serving in the Navy.

There are a lot of old tables in the house too, many that have been bought and refurbished. There was one in particular Ann

While standing on the porch, we began to talk about the trees, flowers, and the pond that is to the side of the house. Ann said the only thing they had when they moved there were azaleas, but they have added a lot of beautiful trees, plants, and flowers and the yard is bursting with life.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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One of the first things Ann told me was that she has six rescue dogs. Blondie is the oldest, 16, who just showed up one day, left, and then came back to stay. Baby was found under a bush-hog and belonged to a neighbor. The neighbor came to visit one day and said that was his dog and Ann replied, "not anymore".

Meika, a Rottweiler, was given to her by a parapro at Collins Elementary because she could not keep the dog where she lived. Ann found Sadie, a white lab, on the side of the road pregnant and took her home with her.

When the puppies were born, SOAPS "rescued" them from Ann and sent them to Florida to good homes. She wanted to keep one puppy and that was Bella, a LabraDane. The other dog, Marley, I didn't get to see because he loves the weed eater and he was out chasing it as Theron was weed eating around the yard.

These dogs are Ann's number one priority; she loves them!

said was "the ugliest table I had ever seen but I liked it and took it to a man in Metter to refurbish. As it turned out, the table was built out of the most incredible wood and I got it for a great price!"

Another item I thought was interesting was a camel saddle that hangs on the wall on the screened-in porch. Ann saw the saddle in a store in Atlanta, liked it, but did not know what it was until she paid for it. Walking out of the store, with the saddle on her back, a stranger walked by and said, "I hope you don't have the animal that goes with that!"

While standing on the porch, we began to talk about the trees, flowers, and the pond that is to the side of the house. Ann said the only thing they had when they moved there were azaleas, but they have added a lot of beautiful trees, plants, and flowers and the yard is bursting with life.

As we walked outside, I noticed a large Japanese maple tree to my right. Ann's mother gave the tree, just a very small sapling, to them as a wedding gift 30 years ago. The tree has grown and is gorgeous; it was very green and vibrant, but Ann said the tree is even prettier in the fall when it changes color.

Looking around and seeing the plants, I could only imagine how colorful and full of beauty the yard is in the spring! There was one warning..."when you walk out here, you learn to look where you walk because you might have unwanted guests (snakes)!"

I could have stayed and talked with Ann for hours about her home and the items used to 16

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The home is covered in pieces of history...there are family pictures from the old days and present time and football pictures, football being a big part of their lives today. There are bookshelves covered in history books and reading for pleasure. On the mantle, which is made out of a railroad cross timber, is an old rifle that belonged to Jimmy's great-great granddaddy.

The rifle was taken off of a union soldier during the war. Also hanging in this room is a sword that Jimmy had while serving in the Navy.

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decorate. During our conversation, I could tell how proud Ann was and what it means to her‌ "God shared this home with us and I worked hard to make it a home, one that represents me and what I love. This home is my heart.

Because God shared it with me, I share it with others by having luncheons, parties, bridal showers, etc."

Thank you, Ann, for sharing your home and some of your stories with me.

From the minute I drove up and until the time I left, I could tell how proud you were of your home. The memories and the stories you had to tell were interesting and some had a lot of history behind them. I hope that you can enjoy your old farmhouse that has been turned into a home for many, many years to come! ď • TCM

Hwy. 23 North (801 W. Barnard Street) Glennville, GA 30427

912.654.3433

www.rotarycorp.com

799 W. Barnard Street Glennville, GA 30427

912.654.3436

www.duramatic.com

Hometown Living At Its Best

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finalTattnallMagAd2566_LDP-2566-14 RP Tattnall County ad 9/30/14 3:13 PM Page 1

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If you’re one of the fortun ate folks who’s discovered Rusty Pi g barbeque, you might already know we start prepping and cooking in the wee hours. You might know we make our own sauce from an old family recipe. That our meat is never frozen, and ever ything we pr epar e is as fresh as it gets.

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“Reaching Out to Families” Since 1999

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• Home Hospice Services • The Area’s Only Hospice House • Grief Support & Bereavement Services • Medical & Social Workers

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904 Mt. Vernon Road • Vidalia, GA 30474

Story by Gail Dixon Photos by Pam Robertson, Tattnall County High School & Gail Dixon

Each year Dr. Ted Moody and his group bring a choir, known as Ugandan Thunder, to tour the United States.

The love offerings from their performances are used to help the orphanages in Uganda.

Dr. Ted Moody, aka Big Daddy as he is affectionately called in Uganda, is the founder and director of "Pennies for Posho". Dr. Moody attended Middle Georgia College, Mercer University, Luther Rice Seminary and the Southern Baptist Center for Biblical Studies. He has been preaching for over 40 years, 13 of those in full-time evangelism. He has spoken at over 200 high schools and colleges, and was invited on three different occasions to speak at the State Capitol of Georgia. He has preached to a President of the United States and four governors. Through his years of evangelism and being a pastor, nothing could prepare him for what was ahead in Uganda.

In February 2006, Dr. Moody, with a group from the church he was pastoring, went on his first mission trip to Uganda. Little did he know that trip would change his

life forever. One of the local pastors in Uganda asked Dr. Moody if he could help his school because the children were starving. If you do not know Dr. Moody, he is a big man with a heart made of gold, and when the pastor asked him for his help, his heart broke because he had no way to help these children at that time. For an entire year he could not get this out of his mind; he knew he had to do something to help.

In 2007, that is exactly what he did! Dr. Moody asked some of his pastor friends to donate their churches' Vacation Bible School money to help. I do not know about your church, but we collect a lot of change at our VBS as did Dr. Moody from these churches. The staple of the Ugandan diet is posho and this is where the name "Pennies for Posho" was born. (Posho is like grits, but it is made from ground up corn flour mixed in water with

The Ugandan Thunder Children’s Choir is a nationally acclaimed choir which consists of 22 multi-talented children. They range in age from 9-16 and are from the Royal School and Orphanage in Uganda, East Africa. The Royal School is ranked among the top ten schools in all of Uganda. These children sing songs in African and American styles and their concert is packed with high-energy music, dancing, and interaction with the audience. These children come from one of the poorest countries on the planet, but you will be amazed at the love, joy and peace they express in their young lives.

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a thick consistency of a tough batch of mashed potatoes. The traditional way to eat posho is to roll a handful into a ball with the right hand and then dip it into a sauce or stew of vegetables or meat.) In this ministry, the main priority for each child is that he/she grows in a relationship with Jesus. Dr. Moody and his staff give Him all the praise for His blessings upon the ministry and ask for everyone's prayers as they seek to follow His guidance to expand their ministry in Uganda.

In 2008, Dr. Moody left the pastorate to devote his time to this ministry.

"Pennies for Posho" began with four orphanages and has now grown to 18 26

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and includes about 5,000 children. Each year Big Daddy and his group bring a choir, known as Ugandan Thunder, to tour the United States. The love offerings from their performances are used to help the orphanages in Uganda. Through support for this ministry, "Pennies for Posho" has been able to build four dormitories for the orphanages, a chicken house to supply eggs and meat, dig new wells and repair old ones, build a medical hospital in Lugazi and a new high school.

The Ugandan Thunder Children's Choir is a nationally acclaimed choir which consists of 22 multi-talented children. They range in age from 9-16

and are from the Royal School and Orphanage in Uganda, East Africa.

The Royal School is ranked among the top ten schools in all of Uganda.

These children sing songs in African and American styles and their concert is packed with high-energy music, dancing, and interaction with the audience. These children come from one of the poorest countries on the planet, but you will be amazed at the love, joy and peace they express in their young lives.

Music is an integral part of the children's education. From this education comes a highly trained choir that makes a 7,800 mile, 16-hour airplane flight to perform in schools and churches in the United States.

These children are dressed in authentic, colorful costumes and sing and dance to Ugandan drum songs (Harry Butler, Gadsden Times.com).

On Tuesday, January 13, Tattnall County High School and Pineview Baptist Church were honored to have Ugandan Thunder perform. Dr. Moody (Big Daddy) introduces the choir (he calls them his babies) and they come out singing and dancing. Six of 18 churches are represented and all of the children are orphans except for one and his daddy is a pastor at one of the Ugandan churches.

Each church that hosts Ugandan Thunder is asked to prepare a meal for the children and adults. Now, keep in mind these children are used to eating posho so their tummies had to adjust to our food. Meals prepared for them on designated nights include chicken and dumplings, chicken strips and fries (they love French fries), spaghetti, vegetables, soup, sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs, and pizza. Ugandans generally do not like chocolate or sweets such as brownies, cookies and cakes. They love watermelon, fruit in season, and vanilla ice cream! If one of the children has a birthday, the host church is asked to have a birthday cake, as did Pineview

Pennies for Posho Through support for this ministry, “Pennies for Posho� has been able to build four dormitories for the orphanages, a chicken house to supply eggs and meat, dig new wells and repair old ones, build a medical hospital in Lugazi and a new high school.

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Hunger Facts:

The group also has tables set up where you can purchase items that were made in Uganda. Items such as handbags, bowls, animals (zebras and giraffes), nativity sets, jewelry (necklaces made from paper), and t-shirts; the money from these items helps to take care of the choir’s needs.

Baptist. This is a great opportunity to be able to visit with the children. They enjoy talking to you, loving on you, and finding out about your life as well as sharing about themselves.

These children sing, dance, quote scripture, give their testimonies, and show their love for the Lord! They involve the audience by going out and choosing people to dance, which is enlightening when you see a teenager or an adult trying to dance like these choir members. The most touching part of the performance is when each child chooses one person in the audience, goes to that person, prays a prayer for that person (a prayer like you have never heard before), and then puts a cross necklace around his/her neck. I was fortunate enough to be one of the recipients of the cross necklace and it was awesome.

There is just no way to describe how I felt as Juliana prayed for me. I am not sure there was a dry eye from any of the 22 people that were privileged to have one of these children pray for them.

The prayer was so intimate, personal, spiritual, and emotional that it had to come from Juliana's heart and from 28

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God! Throughout the performance, Big Daddy will tell about the children and ask them to tell something about themselves. You can see the love in his eyes and the love in their eyes when they are around each other. One of the ladies in the group will tell you about some of the orphans and how you can be an adoptive parent for just a few dollars a month. Once you adopt one of the Ugandan children, you can send goodie boxes and love them like they were your very own. A love offering is taken up at some point during the performance to help support "Pennies for Posho". The group also has tables set up where you can purchase items that were made in Uganda. Items such as handbags, bowls, animals (zebras and giraffes), nativity sets, jewelry (necklaces made from paper), and t-shirts; the money from these items helps to take care of the choir's needs.

If you have never had the opportunity to see Ugandan Thunder perform, you have missed a true blessing from God, it is certainly a life-changing experience!  TCM

• Every five seconds a child dies of hunger.

• 15,000 children die every day of hunger or diseases related to malnutrition. The majority of these children who die live in Sub-Saharan Africa, in countries like Uganda.

• A third of Sub-Saharan Africa's population, nearly 200 million people, will go to bed hungry tonight.

• In the United States, one child out of 165 will die before the age of five. In Sub-Saharan Africa, one out of six will die before their first birthday.

• 80% of African families live on less than $2 a day.

• In the United States we waste about 3,044 pounds of food every second of the day.

• For the cost of super sizing your hamburger meal, "Pennies for Posho" can feed a hungry child in Africa for two days.

• The population of Uganda is currently 34.5 million. It is growing at a rate of 3.2% annually. If it continues at this rate, it is estimated that by the year 2025 the population will be 56 million, and by the year 2050 the population will be 106 million.

"Pennies for Posho" feeds 5,000 children three meals a day, 365 days a year.

Footnote: On June 17th the Ugandan Thunder Choir performed in Washington, DC. The President was not there, but there were many dignitaries in attendance.

For more information about "Pennies for Posho" or Ugandan Thunder, visit penniesforposho.org.

IF YOU NEED TO BE HOSPITALIZED,

pital

ough to care.

Trey Price, RN

you want care that is compassionate and convenient.

Evans Memorial Hospital offers advanced medical services for the folks in Claxton and neighboring communities. Our medical staff is made up of physicians who specialize in family practice, internal medicine, and general surgery. Many specialists offer satellite clinics at our facilities, so that our patients can be treated close to home. Our emergency department is open 24 hours aKathy day, seven Akins, FNP days a week, so we’re here when you need us.

nate and convenient. hat offers advanced munities. Our medical e, internal medicine, our facilities, so that partment is open 24 d us.

200 North River Street Claxton, GA 30417

(912) 739-2611

417 • 912-739-2611 • evansmemorial.org Hometown Living At Its Best

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Tattnall C Greater Tattnall Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet - 2015

“Tattnall Through the Decades”

Lifetime Achievement Awards - TOP LEFT: Reidsville Volunteer Fire Department: Chief Jimmy Kirkland and John Mock; TOP RIGHT: Glennville Volunteer Fire Dept: Jim Anderson, Fire Chief Rod Kirkland & David Baxter; MIDDLE LEFT: Cobbtown Volunteer Fire Dept: BJ Collins, George Holland, Fire Chief Larry Collins, Buddy Collins, Kenny Pauly & Keller Wilcox; MIDDLE RIGHT: Jan Powell Volunteer Fire Dept: Frank Allan Kersey & Shirley Kilglore; LEFT: Collins Volunteer Fire Department: Jimmy Jarrell Lifetime Achievement Award RIGHT: Bobby Collins (All Awards presented

by Tammy Wilds)

Citizen of the Year Awards - LEFT: Zuber Malek with his son Yusef Malek; RIGHT: Elaine W. Wallace Presented by Tammy Wilds

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County The Greater Tattnall Chamber of Commerce Junior Board of Directors Greater Tattnall Chamber of Commerce presents their Junior Board of Directors for 2015/2016

LEFT SENIORS SEATED (L to R): Faith Nopal, Jacey Folsom, Hope Nopal, Kayla Tootle, Devon Merrill (Vice President), Coleman Purcell (President), Katie Huffmaster (Secretary/Treasurer), Alex Sierra, Kaleb Terrell. MIDDLE (L to R): Kevin Hunter, Tara Gay, Laquarius Smith, LaDasha Sallie, Marlee Dasher, Kaydee Rowland, McKenzie Harden, Hannah Tillman, Mercedes Wells, Marissa Nomura, Dree Wicker, Savannah Blocker, Blake Heilman. BACK (L to R): Haley Rigdon, Jeremiah Barnett, Blake Durrence, Destini Lawson, Kaleb Todd, Hunter Smith, Adam Stephens

RIGHT JUNIORS, SEATED (L to R): Jessica Fletcher, Madeline Thompson, Cassidy Holland (Secretary Elect), J. Daniel Shuman (President Elect), Ramsi Whatley (Vice President Elect), Avery Eason (Treasurer Elect), Courtney Peters STANDING (L to R): Paige Oliver, Natalie Gore, Taylor Oliver, Dyana Velez, Harley McCumber, Dhruv Patel, Merari Resendiz, Jordan Keffer, Morelia Arroyo, Kayla Keeton

TOP (L to R): Special Service Award - Ruth Anderson; Community Involvement Award - Truckers for Tattnall: Stacy Wilds, Tammy Wilds, Danny Jones, Lynn Jones and Joey Anderson; Business of the Year - Clyde Woolard of The Rusty Pig; MIDDLE (L to R): Business Persons of The Year - Greg Parker and Dana Potts; Service Business of the Year – Reidsville Service Center; Employee of the Year (Business) - Janice Thompson; Employee of the Year (Government) - Stacey Wilds; LEFT (L to R): Junior Board Member of the Year - Dusty West; Special Volunteer Award - Shanna Clark (All awards presented by Tammy Wilds) Hometown Living At Its Best

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Spirit

A Winning With the help of three horses, Jesse Walker overcomes a mysterious sickness, finds her niche as an equestrienne, and becomes a World Champion in dressage.

I

Story by Jackson Sharpe Photos provided by Daphne’s Images

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“I would be standing up, and my legs would just stop working,” equestrienne Jesse Walker says.

Peculiar health issues like asthma and joint pain had followed Jesse since the age of 3. When Jesse turned 14, she hit an extreme eight-inch growth spurt, which doctors guessed was the cause of her joint pain. When further tests ruled out arthritis, the easiest explanation was Jesse was being dramatic.

Growing up on the Ohoopee River, Jesse was an accident prone outdoor adventurer. “My mom put me in gymnastics so I could learn how to fall,” Jesse laughs. Although she loved sports like softball and soccer, she hadn't found her niche.

“When I was little I always wanted to ride horses,” Jesse says, “but my parents thought I was just in an I-love-ponies phase.” Finally convincing her parents, Daphne and Michael Walker, otherwise, Jesse began taking riding lessons in 2005 at the age of 11. “I had to travel to Swainsboro to ride once a week, and then we started going twice a week, and then I began helping out at the barn to pay for extra lessons.” On the farm, her trainer, Mrs. Kathryn, taught Jesse basic equestrian disciplines like balance and control.

As a child, Jesse originally trained with Holly, a small bay colored horse with uncommon white sprinkling through her dark legs. Holly's show name was 'West Side Stories' Angel,' but she was far from angelic. “I was the only person who wanted to put up with her,” Jesse says.

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Once, when Jesse was cleaning Holly's hoof, Holly bit her. “Holly's facial expression was pure hatred,” Jesse laughs. Despite Holly's edgy spirit, Jesse took her to her first National's Show. “I was 16 at the time, and I had purple hair. So Holly was the horse with the weird colored legs, and I was the girl with the weird colored hair.”

Although Jesse was able to get a blue ribbon with Holly in jumping, Holly wasn't fit for dressage, which Jesse describes as “a ballet with a horse.” Dressage is competed in a rectangular ring, measuring 20 by 60 meters with markers lettered “A, K, E, H, C, M, B, and F” specifically placed around the ring. The rider must perform a series of maneuvers, traveling from point to point, while a judge critiques every movement. Jesse says, “They're judging you on geometry—how well your shapes are made, consistency of pacing, transitions, how well the rider works with the horse, and demeanor.” It should look like the rider is having a telepathic conversation with the horse.

“I had lots of years of losing,” Jesse says.

“It was four years before I got my first blue ribbon.” Jesse's first time at Nationals with Holly, she placed 11th out of 19 people. Instead of sinking her head in defeat, Jesse was ecstatic thinking, “So I beat eight people?”

Jesse and Rakke have a long way to go, but there is no doubt they have a bright future of blue ribbons. In the meantime, through all the trials and mistakes, they can take Mrs. Kathryn's advice: “Don't worry about falling Jesse. The ground will catch you.”

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As an equestrienne, Jesse needed to keep her legs strong to cue and control her horse, but she began having bouts of unexplainable joint pain during dressage tests. She managed to hide her pain from the judge, but once she was off her horse, Jesse was in agony and tears.

At the age of 17, Jesse says, “I went through knee braces and therapy. I had cortisol shots, more therapy, and then a knee surgery on both knees.”

The surgery seemed to help for a short while, but Jesse began noticing other disturbing changes in her body.

Jesse tried living life as normal, enrolling in college and taking a full load of courses. However, her grades, normally A's and B's, took a sudden drop. She was failing her classes, and no amount of studying could help her pass. “My brain couldn't retain new information,” Jesse says. Her short term memory was failing her. She would be out driving and get a phone call from her mom asking, “Where are you?” Only Jesse wouldn't know. “Everyone forgets where they're going at some point, but it was happening to me every day,” Jesse recalls. “It was a very scary time.” She was forced to drop out of college.

In the back of her mind, Jesse remembered going to the doctor as a child after getting a bulls-eye sore from a tick bite. She had asked her doctor if she had contracted Lyme Disease, but he assured her it was impossible to get from a tick in Georgia. In the South, several factors of the black legged tick's environment and diet make getting Lyme Disease extremely rare, but not entirely impossible.

“When I was 18, I finally demanded my doctor do a varied blood test,” Jesse says, “and the only thing that showed up was Lyme Disease.” Jesse's mom had also had a curious medical history of unexplained illness. After seeing the list of Lyme Disease symptoms she said, “Jesse, I have got more of these symptoms than you do,” so she also tested positive for Lyme Disease. “We think I may have contracted it from my mother's womb, which is why I have always had so many health problems,” Jesse says.

Finally having answers, at the age of 19, Jesse found a specialist in Tampa, Florida, whom she and her mother saw monthly. “I had a constant IV port in my arm, and a nurse would come out and change it, and I'd give myself a little ball of antibiotics,” Jesse says. The IV port had to be

covered with a bag, so even routine activities like washing her hair became a struggle.

It wasn't until that fall, after completing antibiotic therapy, that Jesse enrolled in her last semester in college and began riding again. “Basically, I had to start from the very beginning. I had no riding muscles,” Jesse says. During Jesse's struggle overcoming Lyme Disease, a horse named Cheri was simultaneously facing a health crisis.

Mrs. Katheryn's horse, Cheri, a prized Morgan breed, unexpectedly colicked. Mild colics can be treated at home with medicine; however, Cheri was taken to UGA for surgery. “Cheri's belly was cut open. After that she couldn't be ridden for months,” Jesse says.

By strange coincidence, Jesse and Cheri's rehabilitation coincided. “Mrs. Kathryn was worried she'd be heartbroken if she rode Cheri and wasn't able to do anything with her,” Jesse says. However, Mrs. Kathryn entrusted Jesse with reconditioning Cheri. “Me and Cheri built ourselves back up together,” Jesse says. “I regained my muscle and balance and remembered what I was supposed to do with my body.”

“We worked really well together,” Jesse says, “so Mrs. Kathryn said I could ride Cheri that competition season, and she'd show her horse, Bay Eagle.” Jesse took a steady pace with Cheri, walking for a month before trotting.

“You build a relationship with your horse,” Jesse says. “Kind of like dog training, you have to be 'alpha,' but you have to be working with them. You can't abuse your power. Horses are very sensitive.

You take a deep breath—they feel it. You tighten your stomach muscles—they feel it. So if you're Hometown Living At Its Best

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staying cool, calm, and collected they're going to relax and read your signals.”

Their very first competition together at the Citrus Cup, a qualifying show for Nationals, Jesse and Cheri won all three dressage tests, taking home overall high points for all levels and a plaque with the names of winners from previous years.

“It wasn't until I started riding Cheri, who had that mindset of competition and dressage, that I started thinking about being very exact and doing what I was supposed to do,” Jesse says. “I had done well in shows but I was never like a winner. It was a whole new world.”

Jesse's winning spirit spilled over into her academic life as well. Her last semester in college, she took six classes, had two jobs, and was conditioning Cheri while helping out at the farm. “That was the most focussed semester I had in my entire life,” Jesse says. “I was training five days a week and I'd go to the gym twice a week before class.”

Jesse and Cheri went on to compete in the Dixie Cup, open to all breeds, and then Southern States, a Morgan breed show, where they scored their highest dressage score of 85.7%, easily qualifying them for Nationals. Mrs. Kathryn warned Jesse, “This will be your first time showing dressage at Nationals. You might not win. Don't let it beat you down.”

That October in Oklahoma, equestrians and horses from all over the nation poured into the competition arena. Rows upon rows of bleachers encircled practice rings with freshly tilled dirt as competitors readied themselves. “Everyone 36

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purchases stalls, but some people will buy about five extra and break them down to create a living room with buffets and a TV to watch the competition rings,” Jesse says. “The fancier barns go all-out for Nationals.”

Unlike qualifying events, at Nationals there are two judges watching from the front and side views of each rider, making mistakes twice as visible. Judges comment out loud on a riders performance, and their personal scribes make notes for scoring so the judge's eyes never leave the rider.

Jesse's first dressage test at Nationals, she placed first and got a blue ribbon. Mrs. Kathryn told Jesse, “Well now you're spoiled!” Winning her first test calmed Jesse's nerves a bit too much, and she took 3rd in the second test. Jesse says, “Mrs. Kathryn came up to me and said, 'No ma'am! You've worked too hard,' and she took me into the practice ring and started working on what my score cards said I did poorly.”

“On the last test I was in control.” Jesse says. “I told myself to concentrate. It's just a six minute dressage test.”

Her body rigid, Jesse shifted her hips, barely pressing, and Cheri took the cue and turned left. Moving one finger to Cheri's mouth, she subtly signaled another movement, exhibiting the seemingly telepathic cues judges look for.

Winners normally lead by fractions―Jesse won by four percentage points.

Judges average the two best scores of each rider to determine who is champion, and Jesse couldn't wait to see the results. At the end of the bleachers, scorers were putting blue ribbons and cards together on tables. Thinking they hadn't tallied her score yet, Jesse couldn't help but ask if she had won. “They told me, 'Yep. You're World Champion.'

They handed me a leather halter and a plaque, a ginormous ribbon for me and one to put on Cheri's neck, and a horse blanket that had 'World Champion' embroidered on it. I walked back to our stable where Mrs. Kathryn, Jamie, and my mom were and I was in shock. I just said, 'Guys!' and everyone saw me and freaked out.”

At the awards ceremony, Jesse and Cheri suited up in their victory attire. Suddenly, Jesse was in a photo shoot surrounded by other champions in the coliseum. “All I had to do was trot around the ring for pictures, which somehow was so much harder,” Jesse says.

That December Jesse finished her last semester with all A's and a degree in General Studies, and she moved to Baxley and trained a trail horse for the next seven months. It was there, Jesse says, “Mrs. Kathryn's friend, Leah Flowers, had a gelding named Ochwalkee Creek's Rakke Cepone Corakko, and she needed someone to put miles on before she could sell him. Jesse volunteered and instantly fell in love with Rakke, whose name means “Big Boy Horse.”

“Rakke had basically gone through puberty in the womb,” Jesse says. “He was born with teeth and testicles. He was supposed to be left a stallion but he was too mean, so they gelded him, and now he is the biggest snuggle-bug ever.”

Before meeting Jesse, Rakke began training when he was two, and when he turned three he became deathly ill for an unknown reason. “His owners had his grave dug,” Jesse says. “But one day, he just started drinking water again and went about his way.”

Even Mrs. Kathryn's daughter, Jamie, who had ridden Rakke before Jesse, said Rakke would kick at the rider's legs. “But Rakke is different to me than he is to other people,” Jesse says. “I guess he just really liked me from the start.” When she's with Rakke, Jesse says, “I'm radiating control. It's really a mental thing, but it works in the animal world along with a lot of positive reenforcement.”

One day, after Jesse had been training Rakke, Leah Flowers offered her the first opportunity to buy Rakke before anyone else.

Jesse had been saving for a car, but she had never owned a horse and couldn't let Rakke go.

“I really couldn't turn down that offer,” Jesse says. Finally, after 10 years of riding, Jesse had her own horse.

“When I'm driving to Mrs. Leah's farm, Rakke will see my car, walk to the other side of the pasture, and wait at the gate for me.

Horses feel things just like we do, and gets excited when he see me.” On her phone, Jesse has pictures of Rakke, like any other pet owner. “This is him being a goofball wearing a baseball cap,” she says, or “This is him giving me a hug,” but more than the average pet, Jesse's special bond with horses has allowed her to grow and find her niche.

When Jesse began training Rakke this year, she started with the basics. “You can't show intro-level at Nationals,” she says. “I'm not worried about winning, but I knew Rakke could be a World Champion from the moment I started riding him.”

In May, Jesse and Rakke finally had their first competition together. “I just didn't want to make a fool out of ourselves and I wanted Hometown Living At Its Best

37

For this competition year, Jesse and Rakke will compete at intro-level. Rakke has learned walking and trotting but has yet to master the canter, which will take a lot of muscle building and practice. After her first win with Rakke, Jesse says, “I feel even more spoiled than what happened with Cheri.”

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to give Rakke a positive experience in dressage,” Jesse says. Even in unfamiliar surroundings at the Dixie Cup, Rakke surprised Jesse by staying calm and composed.

Competing together for the first time, Jesse and Rakke won both dressage tests, taking home high-point for the amateur category and overall high point for all dressage divisions with a score of 72.2%. “I cried the whole day,” Jesse says. “Especially when we got the blue ribbon.”

For this competition year, Jesse and Rakke will compete at introlevel. Rakke has learned walking and trotting but has yet to master the canter, which will take a lot of muscle building and practice. After her first win with Rakke, Jesse says, “I feel even more spoiled than what happened with Cheri.”

Jesse and Rakke have a long way to go, but there is no doubt they have a bright future of blue ribbons. In the meantime, through all the trials and mistakes, they can take Mrs. Kathryn's advice: “Don't worry about falling Jesse. The ground will catch you.”  TCM

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Story and Photos by Gail Dixon

r

the Collector Ryan Adamson keeps alive the love of the land passed down to him. His passion for his family’s Beard’s Bluff property that was once inhabited by the Creek Indians keeps that glimmer in his eye as he soaks up the history left behind.

Ryan Adamson is a collector of many things, but those things are from his family’s property and have lots of meaning and value to him. The family’s property is in the Beards Bluff area and was once inhabited by the Creek Indians. A lover of history, Ryan could sit and talk about his family and the history behind it for hours.

When I met Ryan to interview him for this article, we began our journey at his home. I have never seen so many points (arrowheads, spear heads, bird points, knives, and scrapers) in one location; beautiful shadow boxes full of these points collected on the family land. Other items collected are turpentine collection cups, Indian pottery, bottles, old coins, Civil War buttons, and a musket ball.

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TOP LEFT Ryan Adamson’s great granddaddy, Dewey plowing with the mule. LEFT Ryan by one of the native pine trees. TOP RIGHT An oak tree at the Matty Boone home site. This is where they would go for family reunions.

His cousin had her wedding pictures there. As children they would play in this tree and would find chicken eggs in the cross of the tree where they had laid.

FAR BOTTOM Musket ball.

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“My great-granddaddy, Dewey Adamson, bought this property in 1941 for cattle, turpentine (Naval Stores) and timber production. I have all types of cups used to collect the tar from the trees,� Ryan says. He showed me a clear glass cup that was used to collect tar from the trees but they soon found the glass cups could not be used because the sun would shine through, get really hot, ignite and start a woods fire. Other items I saw included a 1909 Herty cup that was named after the inventor, Dr. Charles Herty, a Creager cup, and loaf pan cups.

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TOP OF THE PAGE A knife that Ryan made out of an arrowhead.

ABOVE Points, including arrowheads, spear heads, bird points, knives and scrappers.

FAR RIGHT Ryan at his favorite fishing spot.

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Looking further into his collection, I saw pictures that were framed, by Ryan, from old wood. He also showed me a “No Trespassing” sign that his great-granddaddy had made that had bullet holes in it! Included in his stack of pictures was an old black and white picture of the Turpentine Still on Highway 301, which his family donated to Lincoln County. I love looking at old family photos so I was amazed when I saw one of Dewey Adamson plowing behind a mule.

George Adamson, Ryan’s granddaddy, played a big role in Ryan’s life. He collected hundreds of points and taught Ryan how to do the same.

George’s love of the land and the stories he told were instilled in Ryan and he is trying very hard to preserve the land.

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LEFT Glass bottles. BELOW Ryan’s great granddaddy, Dewey’s “No Trespassing” sign with bullet holes.

BOTTOM Turpentine Still. FAR RIGHT The butt of the cypress tree at Quiller Landing.

Some of the pottery that Ryan has collected has different designs on it. One in particular that I liked was a piece where the Indians used corn to roll across the clay and make indentions. One piece of pottery looked like a little dog’s foot that maybe a little Indian girl had made, I could see the imprints of the toe nails on the foot. Another piece of pottery in Ryan’s granddaddy’s shadow box was a face with one ear missing. It was amazing to look at pottery that was made hundreds of years ago by Indians.

Another thing that was really fascinating was the items that Ryan makes from the points that he finds, including a knife made out of an arrowhead. He also makes his own arrowheads and points. An interesting fact is that he uses the bottoms of Mason jars to practice making the arrowheads. Ryan told me that he made his mother an arrowhead out of a blue Mason jar with the number “7” on the bottom. This practice is known as flint knapping.

Before going to the creek and visiting some of the family spots, Ryan had to take me out to his work area 48

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and show some items…one was a wooden door that came from his granddaddy’s house that he plans to use at his cabin. He has a stack of cypress boards drying that he plans to use in his cabin also. He pulled the cypress out of the creek. They used to float logs down the creek to various sawmills set up along the Altamaha River. Some of these logs would sink on their journey down river.

These sunken logs are called dead heads and are still preserved in the creeks and river today.

Ryan has his great-granddaddy's cane mill. It's very rare because it's a large horizontal mill. Most old cane mills are vertical double roller mills powered by horses or mules. This mill was once powered by a steam engine but his great-granddaddy converted it over to power take off (PTO) and used tractors to grind cane. This mill was set up with an evaporator pan for mass production instead of the traditional 60 gallon syrup cast iron kettle.

Then it was time for the real field trip,,,through the swamp! The first place we stopped was the Matty Boone

home site. There was a beautiful old oak tree standing with moss hanging from it and Ryan had a story to tell. He said that the Boone family had a family reunion there once. The older folks told stories about chickens laying eggs in the tree.

As children, they would climb the big live oak to gather eggs from the fork of the tree.

As we were riding Ryan would tell me about the land and how some of the pines are natural pines and not

planted plantation style pines. This was land that his great-granddaddy walked through and it would make Ryan “feel like I stepped back in time.” Not only are the pines natural growth, so is the ground cover. The understory is rich in native grasses, legumes, and forbes.

This type of longleaf pine-grassland ecosystem is very beneficial to wildlife.

This is what the natural native pine forest is supposed to look like. He also says, “The cheapest tool for managing

property is fire. You fight wildfire with prescribed fire. Burning reduces unwanted mistory and gives the land that park-like appearance. I burn on a three-year rotation and divide my property into several burn blocks. My granddaddy would burn at night during the growing season to promote grass growth for his cows. Since I've been burning I've seen a significant increase in wildlife, especially bobwhite quail.”

The next stop was to see the cabin Hometown Living At Its Best

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that Ryan is renovating for himself. This cabin was a tenant house for his granddaddy’s workers. The path in front of the cabin is where the Creek Indians walked. After the Indians, it was known as the Macon-Darien Road; men used this road to return home after floating logs down the river. It was once used as an old stagecoach road to deliver mail to folks who lived in the piney woods. Ryan has cut heart pine, pecky cypress, yellow poplar, eastern red cedar, and black walnut and is waiting for it to dry so that he can finish the inside of the cabin. There’s a fence out front that is made of split railed fat lighter’d wood 50

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that makes the cabin look rustic.

Ryan is very familiar with trees and greenery on his land; he could talk about it for hours and not say the same thing twice. He said that people think he just walks along and picks up the artifacts but he has walked many miles and has to look carefully to find these items. The best time to look for the points is after a good rain during the fall and winter around any sand hill clear cut close to a drainage system. “It’s neat to find points and pottery untouched by man since the Indians made it to survive off of,” said Ryan.

Arriving at Stafford Lake, an oxbow lake (a dead lake with no current) off the main river, we got out to take pictures of the beautiful scenery; a place that is peaceful, quiet, and full of nature.

This is a private lake where Ryan and his family fish a lot and another spot to find points, which Ryan says are “surface finds” because he can find them on the banks of the lakes and the creeks.

As we continue our “field trip”, Ryan tells me that his friends make fun of him because they say he had rather look for artifacts than to deer hunt.

Being very honest, he says that’s true; he enjoys looking for artifacts, but he also enjoys looking at the wildlife. By the way, we saw a big beautiful buck cross the trail as we were riding. Ryan hunts enough to keep meat in the freezer but that’s about all. Most of his finds are on top of the sand ridges because that’s where the Indians would camp.

Our last stop was at the Swamp Shack at

Quiller Landing on Beard’s Creek. There sat a little “shack”, which was a metal building that serves its purpose, set up for hunting and fishing. It is mostly used during hunting season when it is not so hot. Beside the shack is a huge cypress tree stump also known as a "jump butt" that Ryan pulled up from the creek. There is an indention in the stump where men used that indention as a marker for cutting the tree down over a hundred years ago. In front of the shack you can see the remains of a chimney.

This chimney was left from a cabin where two brothers lived when they ran the Beards Bluff Ferry across the river in the mid 1800’s.

From the shack we went to the creek so Ryan could show me where he loves to fish and look for points. He even took his shoes off and walked in the water. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as pretty as this creek with the relic flat top cypress, huge oaks, tupelos, and black gums. One really interesting nature formation was a sweet gum tree growing up from the inside of an ancient cut over cypress tree.

Riding with Ryan on his family’s property was very interesting and I learned a lot of history; history that I never knew about Tattnall County.

Ryan works with the Fort Stewart Fish and Wildlife Division on Fort Stewart. He is the Senior Wildlife Technician that primarily works with game and nongame species including threatened and endangered species.  TCM

ABOVE Stafford Lake, a private lake where his family enjoys fishing.

RIGHT Fence made out of fat lighter’d. The road beside it where the Indians use to walk. It was also the stage coach route where they would deliver mail and then became the Macon-Darien Road.

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246 S. Main St., Suite F Reidsville, GA 912-557-6014 Hometown Living At Its Best

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Story By Marsha Cunningham Reba Kennedy, Ronnie McCall & Allison Cobb/Tattnall Journal

Many awards have been bestowed upon Reba Kennedy over her teaching career. But she said that the most rewarding thing to her has been watching students that she taught become successful adults.

ABOVE RHS Reba Kennedy’s 4th grade class.

Educational theorists and consultants have devoted hours to examining elementary level effective teaching strategies , resources and standards. Journals and textbooks are filled with ideas for preservice teachers to prepare them for the classroom and the intricacies of educating young children. As years have passed we have become more knowledgeable and more sophisticated in educational practices.

But one teacher, with more than 50 years of experience in classrooms, does not feel the process of teaching is as complicated as we might espouse. Reba Kennedy retired from teaching at 79 years old after 53 years of teaching grades 2-4. She does not say teaching is easy or that there is a silver bullet, but she believes that with compassion and hard work you can help children learn. Key elements to success, according to Reba, are creating a firm, but caring environment and teaching the child to focus.

When you listen to Reba Kennedy talk about teaching, you understand what it must be like to have a passion about what you do with your life. She can tell you about the year she had forty fourth graders (including Roger Kennedy and Brenda Tatum) all day long and when, many years later, she taught 10 at-risk children pulled out of their regular class for one period. She said she always tried to teach the way the children needed to be taught. In her mind she received a gift of a new class each year, and when she got to know them, she ensured that the student learning was a match to the readiness and interest of the children. Today we use terminology such as differentiation and tiers of learning, but to Reba it was meeting the needs of children in a way that just "made sense." Her first year of teaching, when she was 20 years old, she had four reading groups in her third grade class.

Over the years, Reba taught the standards assigned to the grade level, but she says she didn't fret over them. She knew the things that were included in the standards for each grade and when she went about the business of teaching children, instead of standards and content, the standards and content always got taught. In every child's life that was touched by her teaching, she carved out a place of hard work, focus, expectations, and love. She never lost sight of her mission - to help children learn and love doing it.

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ABOVE Golden Apple Award presented by PAGE for 50 years of service. FAR LEFT Reba and husband, Jimmy, when she received PCA Teacher of the Year. BELOW 2009 WTOC-TV Top Teacher Award presented by Sonny Dixon.

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Many awards have been bestowed upon Reba over her teaching career. She was named Teacher of the Year at Pinewood in 1976 and Teacher of the Year for Reidsville Elementary School for 1989 and 1997. PAGE presented her with the Golden Apple Award for 50 years of educational service in 2007 and WTOC selected her for the prestigious Top Teacher Award in 2009. But she said that the most rewarding thing to her has been watching students that she taught become successful adults. While she has helped many children overcome a rocky start, she remembers especially one child who struggled as she began in her class, but made great progress. This child later received a full scholarship to college. These memories are her most treasured awards.

Reba Kennedy was born to Lenton and Julia Wilson and grew up in the Mendes community. She was blessed to have 7 step-siblings waiting for her when she arrived. When asked about her experiences in a "blended family", she said she never thought about her family as any different than anyone else's. Everyone was just family. Three of her brothers became teachers and she attributes her love of teaching to her

mother, who always loved to read.

She graduated from Glennville High School at 16 (During this time the eleventh grade was the final grade in school.) and went to Georgia Teachers' College. When she completed college, she began her career in Reidsville and taught third and fourth grades for thirteen years. After her second year of teaching she married Jimmy Kennedy. Through their long and deep relationship, they have become best friends and support partners for life. They recently celebrated their 64th anniversary. Eleven years after they were married their daughter, Emma, was born and changed their lives forever.

Reba and Emma stayed at home together until it was time for Emma to begin school. At this time they both went to Pinewood and Reba taught third grade for nine years.

Emma became, as the old expression says, their "pride and joy!" She later received her bachelors degree in music from Shorter, her masters degree in piano performance from UGA, and her doctorate in organ performance from UGA. Emma's love of music is a reflection of the love of music that her mother shared with her.

Emma married Marvin Pettyjohn and they have two sons, Calvin and Conner. They reside in Winterville, a suburb of Athens, where she teaches music at Emanuel College.

In 1980 Reba began teaching at Reidsville Elementary School in a second grade position. She remained at that school (and grade) for the next 30 years, until her retirement at age 79. During these years she saw many changes in education, and in children. Her greatest concern is the lack of interest and attention span of many of the children.

LEFT Ronnie McCall and Coa with Mrs. Kennedy sharing a book she used when she taught Ronnie.

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LEFT Reba, Jimmy and Ema. ABOVE 60th anniversary celebration.

"Teachers must work even harder now to keep the students interested and engaged," she says. But she also reminds teachers to find out about the child's life and really care about them. "They know if you care", she says softly and with great conviction.

The Kennedy's have a strong spiritual life and have been a constant presence at Reidsville Baptist Church for many years.

Reba has used her love of music and teaching in the church as a Sunday school teacher and choir pianist. It was touching to her that the venue chosen for her 50 years of Teaching Celebration was her beloved church.

Reba Wilson Kennedy's pace of life may be slower these days, but her memories are bright and lively. A visit with her will bring to life years of joy in classrooms filled with rambunctious or studious boys, serious or frilly girls, and of memories of books such as Spinning Wheels, Liza Lizzard and Dick and Jane. But most of all, a visit with her will bring a sense of someone who dedicated her life to teaching and loving children, and who now can smile with pleasure at a job well done. ď • TCM 62

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Story by Gail Dixon Photos Provided by Brenda Richardson, Kibbie Ringer, Steve & Miriam Lynn, Allison Cobb, & Gail Dixon

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L Reidsville Veterinary Clinic is a progressive practice in medicine, technology, and ideas. Their mission is to provide excellent quality, compassionate care, and life-long health for pets. There is an exceptional support staff working with Drs. Steve and Kibbie. The clinic is familyoriented, and is committed to providing quality veterinary care while maintaining an atmosphere of respect, support, and healing. The staff is likewise dedicated to keeping up with the latest advances in medicine and technology.

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Like most people, I love dogs. In my mind, one dog especially stands out -- my Chihuahua, Max. Max was originally my brother’s dog, but, since my brother often had to do training out of town, I was chosen as the “babysitter”. Max loved staying with us and I made a habit of spoiling him rotten. I was apparently so successful at this that my brother eventually gave Max to me. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the healthiest dog and would often get sick and require the services of a veterinarian. Usually, the vet would say it was just a cold or an infection, and would give Max a shot. But, after several visits to the vet's office, where he was repeatedly diagnosed with a cold, the vet said that Max's tonsils had to come out. Worried about Max undergoing surgery, I decided it was time to get a second opinion.

In those days, I was working in Tattnall County, so I decided to enlist the services of Dr. Steve Lynn at the Reidsville Veterinary Clinic.

After meeting Steve, I told him about Max’s symptoms and about the recommendation my vet had made, and he agreed, as he so often puts it, to “take a look at him”. I was so anxious about Max’s potential surgery that I didn’t realize I could follow him to the exam room while Steve did the exam. So, I handed Max over to Steve, and he was taken back while I sat out front. When the exam was over, Steve called me in to talk. He jokingly informed me that during the examination, Max had quickly earned the nickname “Buzz Saw,” because of his sharp teeth and eagerness to use them. They even had to wrap gauze around his muzzle to keep him from biting anyone while Steve did the exam. I was so relieved when he told me Max simply had allergies and we could begin a series of injections that would help to control Max’s allergy symptoms.

When he’s not at the clinic, Steve and Miriam spend their time in the country on their farm with a menagerie of animals, including a draft horse, a donkey, a cat, four dogs, a herd of cows and over a dozen chickens. Dr. Steve’s activities outside of work include raising cattle and numerous other outdoor activities. Miriam is enjoying a well-deserved retirement after working as a school nutrition director for 38 years, 30 of which were in Tattnall County. Beth visits often from Savannah and hopes to come back home to Tattnall in the future.

Before he began his career in veterinary medicine, Dr. Steve Lynn was born in Savannah, Georgia and later moved to Tattnall County. After graduating from Reidsville High School in 1970, Steve attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), transferred to the University of Georgia and applied to UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1977. While in vet school, Steve met his future wife, Miriam, and they have been happily married for 35 years.

After graduating with his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Steve worked in Douglas, Georgia at Dockery Animal Hospital. He later worked in Statesboro and Savannah before deciding to move back home to Tattnall County.

By July of 1982, Dr. Steve was working days in a mobile home that served as his newly opened veterinary practice, while working nights at the Savannah Emergency Clinic. After nine months of commuting back and

forth, Steve realized that he could not continue to do both jobs and decided to focus on his own practice full time.

After practicing in the mobile home for four subsequent years, he had enough saved up to build his current facility in 1986. When he started out, his work was evenly split between large animal and small animal cases. Over the years, however, it has gradually transitioned into an almost exclusively small animal practice.

Shortly after his new clinic was Hometown Living At Its Best

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Kibbie, John, and their boys have embraced life in Tattnall County. Currently first graders at Reidsville Elementary School, Jones and Barrett are also growing up spending time at the clinic.

Occasionally they can be found there after school or after hours when their mom has to answer an emergency call (especially when their mother is delivering puppies).

They have animals at home, as well, with three dogs and two cats to occupy their time. John has found a place in the area working with Aimtrac at the Case tractor dealership in Brooklet. His work has fostered the boys’ love for machinery and agriculture.

built, Beth, his daughter, was born in 1987. From an early age, she had the same affinity for animals as her father, and spent a lot of time with her dad at his clinic. The family spent many years together showing livestock and traveling throughout the state showing pigs and sheep. After high school, Beth followed in her father's footsteps and went to both ABAC and UGA. After completing her Master’s degree, she was accepted

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into the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2015. She is currently employed at Southside Hospital for Animals in Savannah, but occasionally drops in for a consult (or just to visit).

During our interview, Dr. Steve told me that there have been four major milestones in his life: the day he got married, the day his daughter was born, the day she graduated from vet school, and the day in 2012 when he and Miriam were hit by a drunk driver while riding their golf cart. Both he and his wife were seriously injured in the accident, and Steve’s attitude towards life has changed because of it. “As a result of the wreck,” he says, “the practice has changed. Before the wreck the practice was a good mix of large and small animals. After the wreck, it is about 95% small animals because I am not physically able to do the physical part of large animal practice. We are blessed to be able to do what we can, and we make the best of it.”

Five years ago, Dr. Steve hired Dr. Kibbie Richardson Ringer to help with his practice. Kibbie was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and moved to Tattnall County in the spring of 1981, after her father took a job with UGA doing crossbreeding research of the beef cattle herd at the Georgia State Prison. Kibbie enjoyed animals and

Dr. Steve said that there have been four major milestones in his life: the day he got married, the day his daughter was born, the day she graduated from vet school, and the day in 2012 when he and Miriam were hit by a drunk driver while riding their golf cart. Both he and his wife were seriously injured in the accident, and Steve’s attitude towards life has changed because of it.

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ABOVE Sweet Max. The writer would like to express “Thank you both for loving animals, large and small, and doing everything you can for them! I know I could not have made it with Max, who was 16 when he died, without your love, help, and knowledge!”

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showing livestock from an early age.

She also benefitted from the mentorship of Dr. Steve during her senior year at Tattnall County High School through the school’s work-based learning program. After graduating in 1997, she attended ABAC for two years, during which she met her husband, John. She then transferred to UGA, where Kibbie received special dispensation to begin veterinary school before finishing her Bachelor’s degree in 2001. This allowed her to complete the senior year of her undergraduate program and her first year of vet school at the same time.

When she graduated in 2004, she had obtained a DVM. After vet school, Dr. Steve encouraged her to seek out experience at other clinics before returning to work in Reidsville. Dr. Kibbie found her first job as a licensed veterinarian in

Douglas, Georgia at Lindsey and Wills Animal Hospital. A year and a half later, she and John got married and moved to South Carolina to be near his family.

After the move, Kibbie started work at the Dutch Fork Animal Hospital near Lake Murray, where she practiced with four other doctors. She enjoyed her time there and the variety of cases that the practice offered, but nevertheless was happy when she and her husband moved back to Tattnall County in the fall of 2009 after the birth of their twin boys, Jones and Barrett. After the move, she returned to work at Reidsville Veterinary Clinic, where she continues to enjoy working to this day.

Reidsville Veterinary Clinic is a progressive practice in medicine, technology, and ideas. Their mission is to provide excellent quality, compassionate care, and life-long health

for pets. There is an exceptional support staff working with Drs. Steve and Kibbie. The clinic is family-oriented, and is committed to providing quality veterinary care while maintaining an atmosphere of respect, support, and healing. The staff is likewise dedicated to keeping up with the latest advances in medicine and technology.

When medical answers aren’t easily found, further research is done until a diagnosis is made. New equipment has also expanded the capabilities of the clinic, including a digital x-ray system, cold laser technology, and ultrasound services. A wide range of veterinary services are offered, including vaccinations, routine surgery, dental care, laser therapy, and emergency medicine and surgery. They also provide hospitalization, critical care, and boarding facilities. Even though the clinic’s hours are regularly stretched to accommodate emergencies, Dr. Steve says, “Despite the long hours, being able to practice in my home county makes it worthwhile.”

When he’s not at the clinic, Steve and Miriam spend their time in the country on their farm with a menagerie of animals, including a draft horse, a donkey, a cat, four dogs, a herd of cows and over a dozen chickens. Dr. Steve’s activities outside of work include raising cattle and numerous other outdoor activities. Miriam is enjoying a welldeserved retirement after working as a school nutrition director for 38 years, 30 of which were in Tattnall County. Beth visits often from Savannah and hopes to come back home to Tattnall in the future.

Kibbie, John, and their boys have embraced life in Tattnall County.

Currently first graders at Reidsville Elementary School, Jones and Barrett are also growing up spending time at the clinic. Occasionally they can be found there after school or after hours when their mom has to answer an emergency

call (especially when their mother is delivering puppies). They have animals at home, as well, with three dogs and two cats to occupy their time. John has found a place in the area working with Aimtrac at the Case tractor dealership in Brooklet. His work has fostered the boys’ love for machinery and agriculture.

Over the years, Max began to mellow out in his old age, and he and Dr. Steve were able to put many of their differences aside. Dr. Steve’s ongoing research resulted in him finding a new medicine that had just arrived for skin allergies, so he recommended that I try it with Max. By this time, poor Max was almost naked; he had very little hair because of the allergies and looked pitiful. But, after I began giving Max the new medicine, he started growing hair. Within a month's time, he began to look like a little dog again. Through the years, even though Max developed other problems, Dr. Steve would always come to the rescue, time and again.

After Dr. Kibbie started at the clinic,

she also saw Max several times. As luck would have it, she had no problems with Max whatsoever, leading her to joke that Dr. Steve and Max had the same disposition and that's why they couldn't get along. Finally, after 14 years of allergies, seizures and heart problems, Max went to doggie heaven. Even at Max’s death, Dr. Steve, Dr. Kibbie and the Reidsville Veterinary Clinic staff could not have been any better to us.

Thank you both for loving animals, large and small, and doing everything you can for them! I know I could not have made it with Max, who was 16 when he died, without your love, help, and knowledge! Truly, you two are veterinarians with a heart!  TCM

[Dr. Steve Lynn]

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I

“I started keeping bees16 years before I got locked up,” the inmate said. To keep his identity anonymous, we'll call him Bee Man—BM for short. Smith State Prison is where BM works as an inmate teaching a beekeeping class, and further, he even wrote their curriculum. “You can't study these little creatures, learn about them, and not get interested. It's mind boggling how smart they are,” BM says.

One day, a man asked BM to help him get rid of several empty hives. Instead of destroying them, BM says, “I saw dollar signs. I was going to sell them, but I started learning about bees and went from one hive to twenty the first summer, and by the next spring I had one-hundred.” However, BM's wife didn't care much for the hives. Once, she busted through a door frame, Hometown Living At Its Best

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The University of Georgia donated bee suits, veils, and feeders, and even decided to administer the official test for inmates to become Certified Beekeepers. According to Warden Williams, Lenwood Roberts, “Keeps something green growing year-round,” in the garden within the prison, so it's no surprise his love for nature got him involved with bees. Working alongside BM, Lenwood says, “I knew nothing about bees at all, but he caught me and everyone else up to speed.” Now, Mr. Roberts helps BM teach the class and says, “Beekeeping is tough and tedious work, but it's addictive.

I've even got two hives at home, and I plan to expand.”

knocked over a side table, tore her necklace, and hurt her shoulder, all to avoid a bee that never stung her.

Although the market for bees was growing, keeping up the hives was hard work, taking up time BM didn't have. “One day, a man with a bee company in Michigan came down to my house and bought everything I had,” BM says. The company, Garners Apiaries, merged with Spell Bee Company in Baxley, and is now one of the bigger bee companies in Georgia.

After becoming an inmate in Smith State Prison, BM left everything behind, including his few personal bee hives and a fishing boat—he dreamed he'd retire shrimping. Prison presented BM with plenty of time to think, so it wasn't long before an idea began buzzing in his head. BM remembered

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[Assistant Warden of Care and Treatment, Angielea “Angie” Henry]

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According to BM, Young Harris University also administers the same test with a pass rate of 60%, which presented a challenge to the inmates.

No one wanted to fail. “Our men were mature, and they studied,” Ms. Henry says. “You have to study because you've got to learn about the different hives and different diseases that harm the bees.” The inmates took it upon themselves to form daily study groups, even quizzing each other in their bunks obsessively.

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reading a magazine about prisons in Illinois and Florida, who had begun beekeeping programs to train inmates in the bee trade.

These programs significantly improved their recidivism rates, prisoners returning to prison, from 40% down to only 6%.

The current Assistant Warden of Care and Treatment, Angielea Henry, remembers, “The inmates, at that time, were in lock down. They couldn't go anywhere, and they needed something positive to do.” BM sent a letter to Stanley Williams, who was Warden at that time. After about two weeks, the Warden decided to discuss starting a bee program at Smith State Prison. “So that August he bought us some bees, and I wrote the curriculum for the class, got it started, and we went from there,” BM says.

A main goal of the bee class at Smith State Prison is providing inmates with a potential source of income once they are in the outside world.

“There's a future in bees,” Kenneth says. As their teacher, Lenwood has the advantage of seeing the guys change as they go through the program. “They are in awe of how the bees produce honey and take care of their hive. It's so precise and specific,” he says, so much so the wonder of bees speaks to them on a spiritual level.

Working together with the inmates, current Warden, Doug Williams; Assistant Warden of Care and Treatment, Angielea “Angie” Henry and Horticulture Instructor, Lenwood Roberts, knew the inward impact the program would have on the inmates.

“We didn't have any funding,” Ms. Henry says. “I had to do a lot of begging—they say I'm good at it!”

Ms. Henry’s dedication to getting the program going had no limits. Once, BM spotted a group of lost bees swarming outside the perimeter on a prison tower.

From inside the chain-linked fence, BM guided a brave Ms. Henry through catching the bees all by herself. Ms. Henry also worked with Mr. Robins and

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Mr. Price from Bulloch County Extension Services to get in contact with Rhett Kelley from the Ogeechee Bee Keeping Association in Statesboro, and they continue to donate a steady sugar supply for feeding bees and have even donated a few hives and frames.

But the connections didn't end there. Rhett Kelley contacted his cousin, Clay “Bear” Kelley, the president of the Georgia Beekeepers Association, who introduced Jennifer Berry and Keith Delaplane from the University of Georgia to Smith State Prison's program. Ms. Henry says, “They thought what we were doing was so

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good, and they started supporting us because the state didn’t have any funds available.” In fact, UGA was so impressed with BM's comprehensive curriculum, they are hoping to begin using it for their own classes.

The University of Georgia donated bee suits, veils, and feeders, and even decided to administer the official test for inmates to become Certified Beekeepers.

According to Warden Williams, Lenwood Roberts, “Keeps something green growing year-round,” in the garden within the prison, so it's no surprise his love for nature got him involved with bees. Working alongside BM, Lenwood says, “I knew nothing about bees at all, but he caught me and everyone else up to speed.” Now, Mr. Roberts helps BM teach the class and says, “Beekeeping is tough and tedious work, but it's addictive. I've even got two hives at home, and I plan to expand.”

When the first flyer advertising the class went up throughout the prison, 60 inmates signed up, but the class could only accommodate 15. As an inmate arriving at L-Building, where many of the bee class students live, Eron Moore was asked to join the class.

Having lived in metro-Atlanta all his life, Eron had never spent any time in the country, much less working with bees. “At first, I was like, 'Nahhh. No thanks,' but

It has been proven that honey never spoils, lasting for thousands of years. It is Smith State Prison’s hope the impact their bee program has on the inmates will be just as lasting.

they starting talking about how much they enjoyed it and I began reading the text book with them. I wanted to know how nature taught these bees to act like they do, and it amazed me.”

As one of the first dozen students to try for certification, Eron, along with BM, Lenwood, and Ms. Henry, took the test administered by UGA. According to BM, Young Harris University also administers the same test with a pass rate of 60%, which presented a challenge to the inmates.

No one wanted to fail. “Our men were mature, and they studied,” Ms. Henry says. “You have to study because you've got to learn about the different hives and different diseases that harm the bees.”

The inmates took it upon themselves to form daily study groups, even quizzing each other in their bunks obsessively.

“It's relaxing for them to study and work with bees,” Ms. Henry says.

“When inmates have long sentences, it's something for them to do that gives them hope. Because you can't just put them out here and throw away the key.

You've got to give them something to hope for.”

Busy with the duties of the Assistant Warden, Ms. Henry didn't have time to study, but she still wanted to take the

test to ensure inmates felt better about their own scores. However, her plan backfired when Smith State Prison had a 100% pass rate, leaving the inmates to poke fun at Ms. Henry for being the only one who failed.

Having graduated the bee class, Eron Moore dreams of one day starting his own restaurant, growing fresh produce and having bees to pollinate his crops.

For now he is dedicated to tutoring curious new students like Kenneth Drew, who says, “At first, I came to the class for the honey, but once started learning what the bees do and how they do it—it amazed me. . . , but it's definitely about the honey,” he laughs.

Daniel Riggs says he originally signed up for the class to help make parole.

“Honestly, it's a pretty cool little thing to learn once you get over the fear of bees landing on you,” he says.

A main goal of the bee class at Smith State Prison is providing inmates with a potential source of income once they are in the outside world. “There's a future in bees,” Kenneth says. As their teacher, Lenwood has the advantage of seeing the guys change as they go through the program. “They are in awe of how the bees produce honey and take care of their hive. It's so precise and specific,”

he says, so much so the wonder of bees speaks to them on a spiritual level.

Although the prison isn't allowed to sell the honey they produce, it is BM's hope to have it circulating throughout prisons. Many inmates, who have graduated the program, even hope to transfer to other prisons as teachers spreading the program across the state.

BM says, “Rogers, down the road from the prison, rents 300 hives two or three times a year.” Warden Doug Williams' goal, once the bee program grows, is that Rogers could rent bees from the prison instead of outside sources.

In the back of the prison near L-Building, on the lawn of a fenced-off yard, sit under a dozen hives. It's there the inmates learn how the queen bee communicates with her bees though pheromones and how worker bees fly freely in and out of the chain-linked fence to pollinate, never failing to return to the exact spot of their hive at the prison. It has been proven that honey never spoils, lasting for thousands of years. It is Smith State Prison's hope the impact their bee program has on the inmates will be just as lasting.  TCM

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A quality, affordable education with the chance to make lasting friendships while living in your own home away from home.

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Making Our Community A Better Place To Live From grandparents to parents to the quickly coming of age third generation, Claxton Poultry continues to serve Tattnall County hand-in-hand. Our roots run deep in the area, providing jobs, paying taxes, offering scholarships and serving our community at every turn.

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Claxton Poultry Farms • P.O. Box 428 Claxton, Georgia 30417 • 912-739-3181 92

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Strickland’s Pharmacy

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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Story by Marsha Cunningham Photos by Dawn McDaniel Owens and provided by Holly Howard Durrence 94

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H

Holly Howard Durrence is known, locally and lovingly, as the Litter Queen. She has combined her love of walking with her desire to help beautify Tattnall County. In the past two years, she has walked 3,212 miles while picking up trash on the highways near her home. To make others aware of the litter problem, she posts pictures on Facebook of the trash that she collects. These postings have encouraged others to also begin a trash pickup campaign near their homes. In an interview for the Tattnall County Citizen of the Year, she said, "We can change the world with our own two hands, but we must USE our own two hands."

Holly comes from a long line of highly respected Tattnall Countians.

She was born on January 8, 1963 to Barbara Balkcom Howard and the late Billy Howard, Jr. Barbara is well known as a person who left her imprint on education in Georgia.

Holly's grandfather and uncle are well known as successful wardens at Georgia State Prison during critical times in its history.

The names of many of her family members will bring memories to most Tattnall County residents as persons who made a difference. Being born into this family, with constant support and encouragement that she "could do anything she wanted to do," empowered her to do just that.

She married Lew Durrence in 1981 and they have two sons, Ellis and Eric, and one grandchild, Ella. Lew now provides another supportive role in her life and admires and encourages her. When the boys were born, Holly wanted to leave her eight to

five job with Civil Service in order to spend more time with the family, but continue to contribute financially. After study and careful planning, she decided to build and manage four chicken houses on their farm. Lew retired from his job eighteen years later and now they work the houses together.

Hard work is a part of Holly's life, as she has gone about her routines at home and on the farm. She has performed tasks from feeding, watering, and Hometown Living At Its Best

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on the inside.�

As you talk to Holly you can feel the energy and goodness in her words. She is a natural beauty who is completely transparent in her appearance and actions. A friend vividly described her when she said, "She wears her diamonds on the inside."

picking up the dead chickens to rewiring the motors. She will admit that "catch night" just about kills her, but she is always there. Does she hire help to clean the houses after the chickens are removed? No, she says if something needs to be done, and she can do it, she will.

Another passion for Holly is reading. She enjoys reading in her free time, but also listens to recorded books while walking or working in the chicken houses. This passion has led her to volunteering at the public library. She is a past member of the Library Board and a current member of Friends of the Glennville Library.

Holly's mother, seeing a Facebook photo of Holly hanging her clothes on her outdoor clothesline, announced to everyone that her daughter was one of the original environmentalists. Holly does embrace many green ideas about this world, but it seems that her 96

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practical, direct, and kind approach to life is the thing that propels her life to many of her endeavors. Her daily measure of success is when she goes to bed she must be able to say at least one thing that she did that day to make the world a better place.

As you talk to Holly you can feel the energy and goodness in her words. She is a natural beauty who is completely transparent in her appearance and actions. A friend vividly described her when she said, "She wears her diamonds on the inside." She is a person with practical intelligence. At three years old, she could quote Shakespeare, and now can discuss any topic with a sound point of view. But her philosophical and intellectual sides are always balanced with hard work, kindness and compassion. Her life moves far beyond her good words and thoughts and are constantly put into action in her community. When she heard about a mother with five children who were in need, she used social media to garner support from the community. She had great responses and then specified the items that were lacking.

These boys were ready for school with new clothes and shoes and all the school supplies listed in the Sentinel. Furniture for the house has been donated and Holly and Lew picked it up and delivered it to the family. Over $2000.00 to be used for utilities and other areas of need have been raised because of Holly's compassionate actions and her ability to recruit friends who want to be involved in helping others.

This past year Holly decided to check off one more thing on her bucket list and try the Appalachian Trail. She made the thirty mile section of the trail in two days and plans to return to complete the entire trail at a later point in her life. Preparation for the hike included carrying a 30 pound backpack on her Litter Patrol walk for the month prior to her adventure.

One of Holly's practical philosophies is that if you never slow down - you never get old. When you pass her on the highway with her litter bag you will know that she has found her own Fountain of Youth. ď • TCM

Holly does embrace many green ideas about this world, but it seems that her practical, direct, and kind approach to life is the thing that propels her life to many of her endeavors. Her daily measure of success is when she goes to bed she must be able to say at least one thing that she did that day to make the world a better place.

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Hinesville Office 737 South Main Street (912) 408-1051 Hometown Living At Its Best

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Get The Glennville Sentinel delivered to your mailbox!

Subscriptions are $27.00 ($25. + tax) in state and $32.40 ($30. + tax) out-of-state. Street sale single copy is 81¢ (75¢ + tax). E-Edition subscriptions are $27.00 ($25. + tax).

There are several special supplements through the year: Senior Moments (February & October), Glennville Sweet Onion Festival (May), Kids & Critters (Summer), and the Football Edition (August).

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912-654-2515 • FAX: 912-654-2527 Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

www.glennvillesentinel.net

Pam Waters, Editor•editor@glennvillesentinel.net

105 West Barnard Street, P.O. Box 218, Glennville, GA Hometown Living At Its Best

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While Jeanette Deloach does not like bright lights or recognition, she has received many awards and accolades over the years due to her commitment to the community. Local organizations have awarded Jeanette with titles, plaques and places of honor in parades. But the award that she said was most surprising was when she was approached by WTOC as the Winner of the Jeofry Jones/Winton Bell Humanitarian Award. The application for this award defines candidates as those who are “kind, caring, charitable, and compassionate towards others in their community.” She and her family were sent to Washington, DC to participate in the national level competition. She states that her motivation to be involved in community activities is that she wants to be a part of making Tattnall County a better place. She takes pride in working for her hometown.

Jeanette is a humble, generous woman who values family and community, and her life certainly reflects those values. She is the heart of her family and the cornerstone of her community. The daughter of the late Theron and Carrie Swain, she grew up in Reidsville and graduated from Reidsville High School.

She has three children, Michael Deloach, Donna Wiggins, and Karen Wilkes and ten grandchildren.

Her response to the question of what are you most proud is a resounding “family.”

In 1962, Jeanette started work at the Tattnall Bank as a bookkeeper. During the 48 years that she worked there, she has served as teller, loan officer,

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by Marsha Cunningham photos by Dawn McDaniel Owens & Jeanette Deloach

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security officer and compliance officer. She also worked for 3 years at the Heritage Bank and is currently with the Reidsville Bank. With over 50 years of banking experience, she is an extremely valuable employee.

But her life goes far beyond her banking expertise. She uses that knowledge as a tool to help others in the community. If you see her sitting with a customer in her office, don’t think they are just chatting after completing their business. She is probably setting up a time after work to finish their paperwork, help balance their checkbook or provide financial advice.

Jeanette has served diligently on committees and boards from the Rotary Club to the American Heart Association and many more too numerous to list. Various school groups have benefitted from her membership, including her participation on the School to Work Committee that received a million dollar grant. But the organization that may be most special to Jeanette is the American Cancer Society. Having worked with the group for over 20 years, she has impacted many lives.

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9/21/15 9:13 AM

Words do not adequately describe Jeanette, but we know that Tattnall County is a better place because of her being a part of it. xx

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Her involvement with the Relay For Life has contributed to the thousands of dollars raised for cancer patients.

Jeanette herself has been touched in a very personal way with the American Cancer Society, as she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1998. She is currently a survivor and strong supporter of others who suffer from this disease.

When the Hobby Show was no longer a viable craft show, Jeanette spearheaded a new idea and co-founded the Wiregrass Festival. This continues to be a very popular festival. She also worked with other community members to revive the Tattnall County Chamber of Commerce, which is now an active organization.

But there are many unsung victories for this humble woman. Few people know how many hours she spends quietly helping someone in need. She receives calls at all times of the day and night from friends and strangers, because they know her as someone who will respond. Her rewards from these actions are most often the satisfaction of having helped others, but occasionally, she will also find a basket of fresh vegetables or home-made goodies on her porch.

In high school, Jeanette was a basketball star. But she later decided that bowling was more of a lifelong sport. She began bowling in 1962 and continues to enjoy it immensely. She is a member of a Vidalia league and a traveling league. She attends national tournaments and often returns with more trophies to put on her mantle.

There are those people in this world who go so far beyond expectations, that it is hard to paint the picture of their life in words. In the application for the Humanitarian Award, Rachael Harrelson wrote that it is extremely hard to describe the extraordinary woman that is her grandmother, Jeanette Swain Deloach. We agree with Rachael that words do not adequately describe Jeanette, but we know that Tattnall County is a better place because of her being a part of it. ď •TCM Hometown Living At Its Best

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by Brendon Folsom H photos provided by Daniel Shuman

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When I first walked into Daniel Shuman’s living room I was greeted by what appeared to be the head of the largest billy goat I’d ever seen.

When I asked about the head, Daniel told me the beast was called an aoudad and that he had hunted it some time ago while on a trip to the mountains. I suspected then, in that moment, that Daniel was a man of action and my subsequent chat with him and his wife confirmed that suspicion not only adequately, but resoundingly.

Daniel Shuman is indeed a man of action; he is a man that has, according to his wife, “done so many things for this county and its people.”

Daniel was born on March 18, 1939 to Mr. Jim Shuman of Reidsville and Mrs. “Billie” Sarah Smith of Claxton.

When I asked him about his father, Daniel had few words to say, choosing instead to inform me that his father had “done very well” and certainly, if history should be the judge, those words couldn’t be more accurate or more flattering. Mr. Jim Shuman owned and operated Shuman Market in Reidsville for 40 years before retiring in his late seventies. It was there, at his father’s store, that young Eva Lou Groves met young John Daniel Shuman not long after his return from military service in 1962. I asked Daniel how he came to meet his bride-to-be and he humorously responded that the match had come as a result of “a bit of entrapment” on the part of his pastor’s wife, who admired the young Daniel’s devotion to his church. The pastor’s wife encouraged Eva Lou to visit Shuman Market and the rest, it seems, is history. Daniel and his wife have been active in the Methodist church for most of their lives, her working for many years as a church volunteer and him teaching Sunday school for over 30 years.

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I couldn’t help but chuckle when Daniel told me that “[the] first year [they] were married, [he] was in college and she was paying the way,” mostly because it seemed the gesture was absolutely thoughtful of the young Eva Lou, and it served as evidence that the young couple was able to stay together despite financial worry and concern. However, it wouldn’t be long before Daniel completed his studies at Georgia Southern. He graduated in 1965 with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education. Daniel told me that he was “this close to signing a contract to become a coach” when he was approached by Mrs. Selina Sharpe, the Welfare Director of Children Services, with a job that she claimed “would be perfect” for the young Daniel. It was then in July of 1965 that Daniel began working as a Court Services Worker – working specifiably with juvenile delinquents. He would stay in that same position for 34 years; in his words he was “one of those few people who never changed jobs again.”

I asked Daniel to elaborate on his 34 years of working with the Atlantic Judicial Circuit and he chose to share with me a story about a young man he had worked with years ago in the program who went on to become a pastor at a local church.

Daniel did not provide any names, but he did tell me about a time he visited the young man’s church. During the visit, the pastor asked Daniel to stand up and then told his congregation that he would not have been there that day if it hadn’t been for Mr. Daniel Shuman. I could feel the emotion in Daniel’s voice when he told me “that’s always been my success story,” and I am inclined to believe and honor him for the love and support he provided to the county’s juvenile delinquents during his 34 years of service with the court. xx

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Daniel’s professional career did not end in 1999, however.

In 2000, he was elected County Commissioner and went on to serve the county in a very different way. He mentioned that he “considered the county’s money as his own money” and many of the works he petitioned for the county reflect that same mentality.

During his time as Commissioner, Daniel was personally responsible for negotiating a contract that resulted in two years of Inmate Detail, free of charge. He worked laboriously to lobby for the maintenance of the county’s dirt roads and petitioned for the construction of new, paved roads. Perhaps the three most important of Daniel’s acts as County Commissioner were construction based. He told me of a time during which the county was in danger of losing a grant to build a new senior center because no land was available for the construction site. “I couldn’t accept that,” Daniel told me. He went on to discover that the county did, in fact, have the land required for the center, but it was owned jointly by the county and the

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school board. He made a personal plea to the school board for the other half of the land needed for the senior center, they agreed to the deal, and the Senior Services Center was built.

In 2001, not long after he was elected as County Commissioner, Governor Sonny Purdue extended Daniel an offer to serve as Chairmen to the Georgia State Board of Juvenile Justice. When he received the call from the Governor’s assistant, Daniel said that he “would have to think about it.” This shocked the assistant who said, “Mr. Shuman that is not the answer the Governor would like to hear.” Daniel told the assistant that that would “just have to be his answer,” because he was not sure about his feelings concerning the appointment. Despite of the rocky start, Daniel would go on to serve as Chairman of the State Board of Juvenile Justice for many years.

Daniel was also pivotal in his role in getting the new high school planned, lobbied, and built. He went all around the county lobbying for the school’s construction and finally, in 1992 the Tattnall County High School was built as a result of the combined efforts of the Bond Committee for the Tattnall County High School, of which Daniel was the chairman. When I asked him how the voting went down for the new school, Daniel told me “the bond passed overwhelmingly.”

Daniel was also kind enough to share with me a story about how the Tattnall County Hospital almost closed down xx

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years ago. At the time, Dr. Johnny George of Savannah would regularly inquire about the status of the hospital from Daniel, and when the hospital was in danger of closing Daniel facilitated the sale of the hospital to Dr. George and his company. As a result, the hospital stayed open and Tattnall County was able to retain its resident hospital – a hospital that operates on an average of 30+ individuals a day.

Despite of all of Daniel’s accomplishments as County Commissioner, his time as a Juvenile Court Services Worker seemed to be his most fulfilling.

When I asked him what he was most proud of, out of all of his activities during his professional career, he told me that that man who had become a preacher after a history of delinquency during childhood was his finest display of professionalism and accomplishment. “Nothing feels better than knowing you helped someone else,” Daniel told me. It was then that I discovered that Daniel Shuman was not only a man of action, but a man of compassionate action. I left his home that much more satisfied, having met both a distinguished man and a kind man. TCM

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By Ronald E. McCall Photos provided by The Tattnall Journal and Allison Cobb

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Pioneers and progress

S

The Tattnall Journal has been serving the citizens of Tattnall County for the past 136 years.

Since September 14, 1933, The Tattnall Journal has carried the slogan “Tattnall’s leading newspaper since 1879” beneath the publication masthead. In fact, a case might be made for or against that statement, but author and Tattnall County historian, John P. Rabun. Jr., has made the most compelling argument that The Tattnall Journal has roots dating back to 1878 or 79 in his book, Stories from the Tattnall Journal 1905-1950. According to Mr. Rabun’s research, The Hinesville Gazette published a statement on April 21, 1879, that “We acknowledge the reception of a copy of The Democrat (The Reidsville Democrat) published at Reidsville in the adjoining County of Tattnall by Messrs.

Symons & McGee.” Thus began The Reidsville Democrat which appears to be the county’s first known newspaper, but it would not be without competition for long. The Reidsville Enterprise, edited and published by R.A. Daniel, became a competitor about a year later.

In the April term of 1890, the name The Tattnall Journal first appeared in the grand jury presentments. In the 1898-1899 Georgia Gazetteer, The Tattnall Journal was listed as the only newspaper published in Tattnall County.

Mr. Rabun provides two theories for the emergence of The Tattnall Journal. There is evidence that the two early newspapers, the Democrat and the Enterprise, competed through 1882, and the Enterprise continued publication through 1888. He thinks it is probable that the two papers combined their operations in some fashion between 1882 and 1888. He believes it is probable that the name was changed in 1890 to The Tattnall Journal as the third name for the newspaper that was first published in

1879.

Another theory is that The Democrat and The Enterprise did not merge to form one newspaper after 1882 but perhaps the Democrat became dormant in the mid-1880s. Assets, including rights to the name and press, might have been sold to new owners who revived the paper as The Tattnall Journal in 1890.

The Tattnall Journal survived the early years where the newspaper business was, by most accounts, a hand to mouth existence in which newspapers could start up and fail within

a short period of time. As a result, the early existence of The Journal was turbulent and uncertain. The following list of owners/editors tends to indicate the pitfalls to successful operation that early newspaper publishers/editors faced.

ABOVE Front row (l to r): Cyndy Hadnot, Lillian Durrence, Brenda Smith, Robin Poole, Michele Rapp, Allison Cobb. Back row: William Carwell, Lavene Bell, David Avery, Dub Bell, Ronnie McCall, Jimmy Kirkland and Russ Rhoden. LEFT Russ, Dawn and Chase Rhoden Hometown Living At Its Best

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Dates are approximate.

Fred W. Symons and Henry J. McGee; The Reidsville Democrat; 1879 through the mid-1880s Robert A. Daniel; The Reidsville Enterprise; 1880 - 1889 Albert A. Ellenwood; The Tattnall Journal; 1890 - 1894 Cordelia Ellenwood (wife of Albert A. Ellenwood); The Tattnall Journal; 1894 - 1896 George C. Folsom; The Tattnall Journal; 1896 – 1904 (sold to E.C. Collins due to Folsom’s personal illness) E.C. Collins; The Tattnall Journal; 1904 (sold to Zack Smith) Zack Smith; The Tattnall Journal; 1904 - 1905 (sold back to George Folsom whose health had improved) George G. Folsom; The Tattnall Journal; 1905-1909 Lula Folsom; The Tattnall Journal; 1909 -1915 (George’s wife, Lula took over the paper upon George Folsom’s untimely death) Lassie Melvine (L.M.) Rhoden; The Tattnall Journal; 1915 – 1941 Russell B. Rhoden; The Tattnall Journal; 1941 -1999 Russell J. Rhoden; The Tattnall Journal; 2000 - present The short tenure of The Reidsville Democrat and The Reidsville Enterprise, as well as the one year ownership of E.C. Collins and then Zack Smith in 1904, is evidence of the uncertain financial future those pioneers in the rural newspaper business often faced at the dawn of the 20th Century. Although large counties like Tattnall certainly needed a newspaper, it was, at best, a risky business. A paper’s survival could be manipulated by local politicians who had the power to designate the official county organ. Supporting the wrong candidates could result in loss of that designation as evidenced in 1908 when The Tattnall Journal lost out to The Tattnall Times in Hagan. John Rabun 124

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notes that when Keech Burkhalter, Editor of the Times located in Hagan, GA (then part of Tattnall County), heard that The Tattnall Journal was Lula Folsom’s only means of financial support after George Folsom’s death, he voluntarily gave up his paper’s lucrative county business in order to help Mrs. Folsom. Perhaps that benevolent gift to Mrs. Folsom is one of many reasons The Journal survived.

It is apparent that George Folsom elevated the status of The Tattnall Journal to a professionally written and edited news medium of the period during his 15 years at the helm.

Reidsville attorney Hershel Elders wrote a tribute to Mr. Folsom after his sudden death in 1909 that ended with, “We know what a great paper he built up.

Had it not been for The Tattnall Journal, would our county be what it is today?

Folsom’s tenure was the beginning of incremental, but aggressive, journalistic improvement and print technology that would be necessary for the traditional newspaper to compete successfully with modern technological competitors including radio and television news.”

Lassie Melvin (L.M.) Rhoden was born in Berrien County September 25, 1887. He came to Reidsville in January 1907 and began working briefly for George Folsom at The Journal. He married Blanche Smith on September 4, 1907, and they moved to Moultrie for several months. They returned to Tattnall County, but instead of going back to The Journal, he and John Gross founded The Glennville Observer.

By 1914, L.M. was the editor of The Journal, and he bought it in 1915. That purchase initiated what Mr. Rabun refers to as the Rhoden Dynasty, which spanned a century in 2015.

He embraced and emulated Folsom’s successful approach by publishing a solid county newspaper and becoming a strong booster for his adopted county. He was a good writer with a notable sense of humor. He and his

wife immersed themselves in civic affairs in Reidsville and the Reidsville Methodist Church. He was a Sunday school teacher, the first president of the Reidsville Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the committee to lead the Reidsville Centennial Celebration, secretary of the Tattnall County Fair, and scoutmaster of the first Boy Scout troop organized in Reidsville. No doubt his strong involvement the community served him well as a conduit to the news of the day while developing a trusting relationship with his readers and advertisers.

L.M. and Blanche had seven sons and one daughter, and five sons followed him into the newspaper business. Harry became the owner/editor of The Lyons Progress, and W.B. became the owner/ editor of The Jesup Sentinel. Russell B. Rhoden became the owner/editor of The Tattnall Journal in 1941. Frank (Buck) Rhoden was Linotype operator for The Augusta Chronicle, and Jack Rhoden was the Linotype operator for The Houston Press in Houston Texas.

The other brothers were Smith Rhoden, Civil Service, and Eric Rhoden of Monroeville, Alabama. Their daughter, Marion Frances Carmichael, was a registered nurse in Swainsboro.

Russell B. Rhoden was born January 4, 1917 and began working in the family business at age 14. He spent a year working for The Vidalia Advance before purchasing The Journal in 1941.

Russell followed his father’s example of community involvement and was a strong supporter of local business. He worked to get the Canoochee EMC facility to locate in Reidsville; he was a member of the board of stewards of the Reidsville Methodist Church; he served as President of the First District Press Association, and he was a charter member of the Reidsville Lions Club in 1944. For entertainment, he was a charter member of the Reidsville Grand Rascals. He thoroughly enjoyed politics particularly at the local and state level.

Like L.M., he had a good sense of humor as evidenced by the fact that he was a member of the Reidsville Grand Rascals, which met monthly on the bank of the Ohoopee River.

Russell married Yvonne Yeomans of Collins on November 25, 1937. They had two sons, Wilton Russell, born in 1938, and Charles Bernice, born in 1946. Both followed their father into the newspaper business. Wilton was managing editor from 1962 until his retirement in 2000, and Charles was Associate Editor for 20 years at the time of his death in 1994.

Wilton married Harriett Rogers on June 14, 1959, and was blessed with two children, Ramona and Russ.

Charles married Gloria Whitaker on September 15, 1965, and had three children, Tina, Tammy and Wally. Both Gloria and Tammy were employed with The Tattnall Journal for a number of years.

Russell expanded the printing business to fit the needs of competition in the 20th Century. In the 1960s during the Linotype days, he began printing election ballots in Tattnall and some surrounding counties. The ballot printing business expanded into many counties around the state, and in particular, to those counties that utilized outside printing facilities to publish their newspapers. In the late 1970s, he and Wilton began a program, which coordinated with the high school journalism class at Reidsville High School to produce a monthly school newspaper, The Tiger Times.

The program eventually expanded to several high schools in surrounding counties, which provided students with experience in journalistic writing and publishing a newspaper.

On April 17, 2000, Russell J. (Russ) Rhoden, son of Wilton and Harriett Rhoden, purchased The Tattnall Journal and became the publisher.

Russ graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1996 with a degree in

Printing Management, and he worked in the family business from 1996 until he purchased the paper. He married Dawn Howard of Glennville, a teacher at Tattnall County High School, and they have one son, Chase. Russ became the 4th generation of the Rhoden family to own the newspaper since 1915.

Throughout its existence, editors of The Tattnall Journal utilized effective news writing combined with human-interest stories, often of a historical nature, and solid current events commentary, including frequent injections of humor to maintain a solid readership base. News items cited in

John Rabun’s excellent book Stories from The Tattnall Journal 19051950 include the historical first by Miss Martha Kelly who was the first female in Tattnall County to register to vote after the passage of the 19th Amendment (Women’s suffrage) in 1920. In 1923, an article heralded the near completion the hydro-electric dam on the Ohoopee River at the Rocks, which was on the property of W.A. Nail. Some years later, the dam would be dynamited allegedly by shad fishermen. During the Great Depression,

BELOW Brick from the old building that was torn down. BOTTOM block imprints used on old printing press, Tattnall Bank and Journal. RIGHT Old staple machine still used today too.

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SHOWN An old Kluge letterpress used during the mid 1900’s for job printing.

the arrival of the Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1256 in Reidsville on Saturday, October 21, 1933, after a fiveday trip from Salt Lake City, Utah was noted with enthusiasm in The Journal.

In February 1939, the beginning of the Rural Electrification project in Tattnall County was great news for all. On January 28, 1942, an article stated that the World War II Tattnall County Rationing Board announced the approved tire allotment for cars during the month of February was 8 tires and 7 tubes for the entire county. For trucks, the approved allotment was 23 tires and 39 tubes. On June 28, 1942, a sobering story ran in The Journal that Mr. and Mrs. J. Madison Smith received word their son, J.M. Smith, was being held as a prisoner of war in Japan. In February 1944, the Reidsville Lions Club received its charter and the German Prisoner of War Camp in Reidsville, located between Oak Tavern and the W.S. Smith warehouse, was nearing completion. Sadly, a story on July 4, 1946 noted that the War Department listed 29 Tattnall County boys who died 126

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during WW II. In the age of specialization and instant communication systems, Russ Rhoden has managed to follow the examples of George Folsom and his own ancestors who owned and edited The Tattnall Journal since 1915. He understands that the newspaper must be an integral and useful part of the community with quality reporting featuring local news events mixed with human interest stories that illuminate the character of the people of Tattnall County. He has, however, departed from previous owners in that he has hired a team of writers, some of whom are former teachers with backgrounds in history and writing, and business specialists, which have allowed him to concentrate more on various projects to continue and expand both the newspaper and the state-of-the-art printing business. Beginning in 2013, all available issues of The Journal were scanned and placed in a digital storage system, which has served to make The Tattnall Journal an exciting research tool for historians and genealogy researchers. Currently, subscribers get a weekly copy of The Journal along with the ability to go online and research limitless topics simply by typing in the name of an individual or event to access the digital archives.

The Journal technology department is currently installing the same system for many weekly and daily newspapers throughout South Georgia and the State.

Additionally, the printing arm of the business, Tattnall Printing, uses modern printing technology to print and bind various items for businesses and schools in Tattnall and surrounding counties including football programs, carbonless forms, brochures, business cards, envelopes and more, and he continues the ballot printing service Russell began in the 1960s. Currently, Tattnall Ballot Solutions provides absentee ballot

printing to over 30 counties throughout the state of Georgia.

Russ has continued to increase variety and competence on his staff during his 15-year tenure. Currently that staff includes Russell J. Rhoden, Editor/ Publisher; Allison Cobb, Assistant Editor; Lillian S. Durrence, General Manager; Brenda Smith, Copy Editor/ Staff Writer; Robin Poole, Graphic Design/Ad Rep; Michele Rapp, Typist/ Staff Writer; David Avery, Staff Writer/ Columnist; Ronnie McCall, Staff Writer; William Carwell, Sports Writer; Cyndy Hadnot, Accounting and longtime employees, Jimmy Kirkland and Dub and Lavene Bell, who oftentimes work behind the scenes to ensure that production is met in a timely manner.

Russ Rhoden’s managerial style is straight-forward. He hires qualified personnel and encourages them to do what they do best. Obviously that’s very much in line with the pioneering style of previous owner/editors, which helped The Tattnall Journal effectively serve the citizens of Tattnall County for the past 136 years.  TCM Sources: Stories from The Tattnall Journal 19051950, John P. Rabun, Jr. 2008 The Heritage of Tattnall County 18012-12; edited by The Tattnall County Heritage Committee; Ronald E. McCall and Lyndal Tatum, Co-Chairs “The Tattnall Journal Icon Dies at age 82”. The Tattnall Journal, June 10, 1999 Conversations with Dorothy (Dottie) Hicks Conversations with Russell J. Rhoden Photos researched or taken by Allison Cobb

Tattnall Journal 1915

The LM Rhoden family

A Piece of the Past Since September 14, 1933 The Tattnall Journal has carried the slogan “Tattnall’s leading newspaper since 1879” beneath the publication masthead. In fact, a case might be made for or against that statement, but author and Tattnall County historian, John P. Rabun. Jr., has made the most compelling argument that The Tattnall Journal has roots dating back to 1878 or 79 in his book, Stories from the Tattnall Journal 1905-1950.

BELOW LEFT Charles Rhoden BELOW RIGHT Wilton Rhoden BOTTOM Russell Rhoden

LM Rhoden

The old Journal

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Southern FLAIR

Site Contractors

Caroline , Nash & Kennedy Hodges

Dinner Parties Events ~ Banquets Receptions Casseroles 128

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1570 Levi H. Kennedy Road • Reidsville, GA 912-739-8867 • Fax: 912-739-8868

Dubberly & McGovern Attorneys At Law

Prescriptions • Merle Norman • Gifts/Jewelry Children’s Toys • Southern Twist Boutique

CENTRAL Pharmacy

Domestic • Real Estate • Personal Injury Wrongful Death • Disability • Social Security P. O. Box 458, Glennville, GA • 912.654.3952

912.654.3031 114 W. Barnard Street • Glennville, GA

K INGS P UMP & Technical Service

•Farm Irrigation •Deep & Shallow Wells •Sprinkler Systems 119 West Barnard Street Glennville, GA 30427

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Julianne Hearn, Agent

Caughey Hearn

912-654-4747 401 N. Veterans Blvd.

Glennville, GA 30427 (Right next to Dairy Queen)

912-739-4545 7573 US HWY 280 Claxton, GA 30417 (Right across the street from NeSmith Chevrolet)

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Dasher Industries, Inc. P.O. Box 926 102 Dasher Rd.

Glennville, GA 30427 WALT DASHER ~ BLAKE DASHER

(912) 237-1844 (912) 282-4838

Specializing in the purchase of pine and hardwood timber. Complete site prep operation from land clearing to bedding, road construction and tree planting. Call us today for all your timber management needs.

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C I T

Y

O F

COBBTOWN James R. Collins, Mayor Danny Ray Collins Don Sikes Angie Powell Gerald Powell Debra Burns

912.684.3448

JACK & DOTTIE BAILEY HICKS

REIDSVILLE INSURANCE AGENCY WWW.REIDSVILLEINSURANCE.COM

KRYSTAL YOUNGBLOOD-TRULL AGENT

912.557.4311 PO BOX 250 REIDSVILLE, GA 30453

Georgia Eye Institute has been providing comprehensive eye care for people of all ages for more than 20 years.

The eye specialists at our new office are dedicated to providing the quality of medical care you expect, using state-of-the-art-technology and advanced medical techniques.

Shawna Strub, O.D. Primary Eye Care Glasses & Contact Lenses

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Your vision. Our focus.

912.55 7.4000 246 A SSth Main SSeet Reidsville, GA 30453

Joseph R. Gussler, M.D. Cataract and Refractive Surgery Cornea and External Disease

605 South Veterans Blvd.

Glennville 912.654.4700 gaeyeinstitute.com

912.557.6785 223 West Brazell Street Reidsville, GA 30453

Front: Elliott Lanier, Owner, Trey Kirkland, Hadley Lanier, Kim Y. Tatum, Jones Lanier, Derek Montford and Logan Lanier, Owner Back: Dalton Powell, Alan Horne, Cade Kirkland and Ildefonzo Perez

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Around every corner in our amazing community, there are treasures that lay awaiting discovery. Beauty is indeed all around us and in endless supply. Take a look at a few more reasons

Photo by Allison Cobb

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why we love Tattnall County.

Photo by Allison Cobb

Photo by Gail Dixon

Photo by Dawn McDaniel Owens

“if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.”

- Ronald Dahl Hometown Living at Its Best

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Photo by Allison Cobb

Photo by Allison Cobb

Photo by Allison Cobb

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Photo by Allison Cobb Hometown Living at Its Best

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Photo by dawn McDaniel Owens

Photo by Allison Cobb

Photo by Allison Cobb

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Photo by dawn McDaniel Owens

Photo by Allison Cobb

Photo by dawn McDaniel Owens

Photo by dawn McDaniel Owens

“Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back and realize they were the big things.�

- Kurt Vonnegut

Hometown Living at Its Best

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Photo by Daphne’s Images

Photo by Allison Cobb

Photo by Allison Cobb 138

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Photo by Allison Cobb

Photo by Allison Cobb

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.�

- Antoine de Saint Exupery from The Little Prince Hometown Living at Its Best

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Photo by Allison Cobb

“A flower does not think about competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.”

- Zen Shin Photo by Gail Dixon

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reidsville family dentistry

912.557.6307 115 Medical Arts Drive, Reidsville, GA 30453

City of Collins 912.693.2581

P. O. Box 96, Collins, Georgia 30421

Where customers are friends... and jewelry is seen as a symbol of life’s

unforgettable moments.

109 Church Street Vidalia, GA (912) 538-8981 www.arlenesfinejewlery.net Hometown Living At Its Best

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pine forest

201 N. Veterans Boulevard, Glennville pineforestnurseryandflorist.com

912.654.2427 • 800.231.6923

GEORGIA POULTRY EQUIPMENT CO. Commercial Poultry & Hog Equipment Electrical & Ag Supplies General Hardware Plumbing & Metal Roofing

912.654.2879

317 N. Veterans Blvd. Glennville, GA30427 142

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giddy goat An Artists’ Co-op featuring Geri Wasdin of Farmer Framer, Professional Custom Picture Framing since 1984, Billie Strickland of Gera-Bee Junction, Oil and Watercolor Paintings, Gourds & Crochet, A Variety of other Local Artists and Craftspeople With a Varying Selection of Treasures such as Handcrafted Soaps, Jewelry, Scarves, & More.

Reidsviie VETERINARY CLINIC

Carpet, Ceramic Tile, Pergo, Natco, Wood, Vinyl, Tile, Glass Block, Marble, Brick Pavers

912-537-8100

D r. S t e v e L y n n • D r. K i b b i e R i n g e r

Practicing here for over 29 yeaa!

912.557.4993

103 Stockyard Road, Vidalia, GA • Doug Williams, Owner

ALTAMAHA PEST CONTROL

After Hours: 912.557.4401 7061 HWY 280 East • PO Box 266 • Reidsville, GA

Clark and Shaw Monument Company

GOING GREEN

using Botanical Pestisides!

P.O. Box 834 Claxton, GA 30417

856 Lyons Center Road • Lyons, GA 30426 912.537.1201 • 912.739.1206

(912)526-4444 • 866-839-4563 Hometown Living At Its Best

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Index of Advertisers

24Seven Family Fitness & Tanning Centers …….... 53 Ace Hardware ………………..............................…. 131 Affinis Hospice …..............................………………. 77 AirTech Heating & Cooling Inc. ………....…………. 120 Allergy & Asthma Clinic of SE Georgia ..…………. 118 Altamaha Pest Control …………................………. 143 Amicita Home Health ……....................……………. 77 Arlene’s Fine Jewelry ………...................…………. 141 Armstrong’s Cricket Farm ............…………………. 100 B & B Plumbing ………..........................…………. 108 Baxter Forest Products, Inc. ……………..........……. 89 Baxter’s Body Shop ……….....................…………. 101 BetterLiving Therapy & Fitness …………......………. 98 Brannen-Kennedy Funeral Homes …………………. 99 Bulloch Pediatrics Group ………………..............…. 90 Bumper to Bumper-Glennville Auto Parts ………. 120 Camping World ……….............................…………. 63 Canoochee EMC ……...........................……………. 91 Central Pharmacy ………….......................………. 129 City of Cobbtown …….........................……………. 130 City of Collins …………..............................………. 141 City of Glennville …………..............................………. 7 City of Reidsville ……………..............................……. 1 Clark and Shaw Monument ………….........………. 143 Claxton Oil Company ………...................…………. 111 Claxton Poultry Farms .......................................... 92 CleanWay ……………......................................……. 76 Coastal Empire Plastic Surgery …………………...... 57 Collins Mobile Homes …………...................………. 79 Community Hospice ……………................……. 22-23 Dasher Industries, Inc. …………................………. 130 Dermatology Associates of Savannah ….…………. 78 DQ Grill & Chill ………..............................…………. 52 Dubberly & McGovern …….................……………. 129 Duramatic Products ……………......................……. 19 Dyess Heating & Air ………….......................………. 92 Elite Care DME, LLC …………....................………. 110 Elite Insurance Group ……..................……………. 110 Evans Memorial Hospital ………………........…. 29, 54 Fiesta Mex Mex ………...........................…………. 119 Folsom Farms …….............................……………. 119 Fries Farms LLC …….............................……………. 92 GB Bank Group, Inc. ……......................……………. 56 Georgia Dermatology ………....................…………. 93 Georgia Eye Institute ……………...................……. 131 Georgia Poultry Equipment Co. ............…………. 142 Georgia Power ………….................................………. 9 Glennville Chamber of Commerce ……….....…. 40-41

Glennville Sweet Onion Festival ………………..... 2-3 Graham’s Floor Covering ………...........…………. 142 Hawk’s Point Golf Club …………………................. 74 Hodges Brothers Enterprises, Inc. ………………. 128 Kennedy Network Services, Inc. …………….......…. 5 King’s Pump & Technical Service ……………….. 129 Lasseter Implement Company …………....………. 98 Mascot Pecan Shelling Co ………………........…. 109 McCurdy’s on Main ………………...................…. 121 Meadows Advanced Wound Care Center ……... 118 Mi Plaza ……....................................……………. 108 NeSmith Chevrolet ………....……. Inside Back Cover New York Life …................................…………...... 39 Optim Spine ………..................…………. Back Cover PhotoShop by Allison …………............………. 65, 75 Pine Forest Nursery & Florist ………….....………. 142 Reidsville Family Dentistry ………………........…. 141 Reidsville Insurance Agency …………......………. 131 Reidsville Pharmacy ……………..................……. 131 Reidsville Veterinary Clinic ………........…………. 143 Renasant Bank …………….........................……. 109 Rotary ………….........................................………. 19 Rusty Pig BBQ ……….......................…………. 20-21 South Georgia Bank …………....................………. 99 South Georgia State College ……………….......…. 88 Southern Flair …………...........................………. 128 Southern Medical Associates ……………....……. 111 State Farm ……................................……………. 129 Strickland’s Pharmacy ……………................……. 93 Tales from the Altamaha ……...........……………. 130 Tattnall County Commissioners .. Inside Front Cover Tattnall Insurance ………….......................………. 89 Terrell’s Heating & Air ..................…………………. 88 The Bow Shop …………...........................………. 128 The Claxton Bank …........................………………. 78 The Drug Store ……............................……………. 55 The Georgia Institute For Plastic Surgery ……... 100 The Giddy Goat Galleria …………………............. 142 The Glennville Sentinel ………..............…………. 101 The Greater Tattnall Chamber of Commerce . 30-31 The Real Squeal …………………......................... 130 The Supply Company …………................………. 121 Triangle-J, Inc. ……….............................…………. 79 Vidalia Golf Carts …......................………………. 143 Vidalia Heritage Academy …………...........………. 64 Vision Source Professional Eye Care ……………. 141 Watermelon Creek Baptist Church ……….………. 90 Wiregrass Designs …………......................………. 91

Please thank these sponsors for making this publication possible!

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2015 Issue

Optim Spine got me back to me.

Born to Teach

One of the most rewarding things to Mrs. Reba Kennedy is watching students that she taught become successful adults.

A Winning Spirit

With the help of three horses, Jesse Walker overcame a mysterious sickness and became a World Champion in dressage.

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Optim Healthcare is a collaboration between Optim Orthopedics and the physician-owned Optim Medical Center-Tattnall.

Reidsville Veterinary Clinic takes personal care to another level with their desire to treat the animals of Tattnall County with great love.

H o m e t o w n L i v i n g at i t s B e s t

Ryan Adamson keeps alive the love of the land passed down to him through generations.