Author: Submitted

At George Washington Carver Freshman Campus (GWCFC), the Agriculture (Ag) classes have been working in the school’s garden. Many crops have been planted from previous classes last semester. While in the garden, instructor Spencer Highsmith showed his class how to harvest some of the crops. The crops that were planted included broccoli, carrots, collards, mustards, and cabbage. Highsmith also showed his students the correct way to pick each plant by hand. The class is also learning about the different types of leaves and their shape. In the past, Highsmith has delivered some of the crops to nearby neighbors of GWCFC,…

As February approaches, the Okefenokee Heritage Center is geared up to host a series of events in celebration of African American History Month. Rehearsals are currently taking place at the OHC with Purlie Productions for a production of “God’s Trombones” – a series of seven sermons written by James Weldon Johnson, author of Lift Every Voice and Sing. These sermons were written down to show how slaves used to share the Bible to people who could not read. The sermons go through the entirety of the Bible and will be separated with Slave Spirituals, arranged by Mr. Willie Character, and…

Rev. Ruby Smith, age 82, of Douglas, Ga. passed away on Friday, January 27, 2017, at her residence following an extended illness. Mrs. Smith was born on December 27, 1934, in Coffee County, Ga. to the late Henry Kinch Hilliard and Lovie Wooten Hilliard. Survivors include: her son, Jackie Fred Smith, Sr. of Douglas, Ga.; three daughters, Brenda Jean Copeland of Douglas, Ga., Janice McLaughlin of Macon, Ga., Sherry Giardina of Alachua, Fla.; adopted son, Rev. Darrell Smith of Waycross, Ga.; sister, Inez Smith of Broxton, Ga.; eleven grandchildren, Jamie Brown, Victoria Kitchens, Jacqueline Kristin Taylor, Jackie Fred Smith, Jr.,…

Coffee Middle School Cluster 7D teachers celebrated students who made honor roll for the second nine weeks with a breakfast reception. The students were very appreciative, and both the cluster teachers and students worked hard to achieve this honor. Cluster D teachers are Keela Swinson, Therese Paulk, Ed Connell, CleeAnn Carver, Amanda Clement, Annette Harris, and Glenda Newton. Keep up the good work! – Submitted

Miss Marisalyn Grace Taylor, age 9, of West Green passed away suddenly Thursday evening in Fitzgerald, following a brief illness. She was born July 2, 2007 to Daniel Taylor and Jennifer Grace Spires. She was a student at Fitzgerald Elementary School. Survivors include: Her Father, Daniel Taylor of West Green, GA; 1 Brother, Ayden Cole Taylor of West Green, GA; 1 Sister, Morgan Alexis Taylor of West Green, GA; Paternal Grandmother, Kathy Jean Thomas Taylor of West Green, GA; Maternal Grandmother, Terri Lynn Harper of Broxton, GA; Paternal Great Grandmother, Carrie Jean Thomas of Nicholls, GA; Several Uncles, Aunts, Cousins…

Mrs. Alma Mackey Avera Sears, age 96, of Douglas, GA passed away Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Suwannee Valley Care Center in Lake City, Columbia County, Florida following an extended illness. Mrs. Sears was born December 19, 1920 to the late William Henry Avera and the late Mackey Nicholls Avera. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Phillips and two grandchildren, Christi Douglas and Cameron Blasingame. Mrs. Sears was an active member of both Pine Grove Baptist Church and the Red Hat Society. She had retired from B. C. Moore & Sons, where she…

Sarah Ellis, age 83, of Douglas, GA passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2017, at Shady Acres Health and Rehab following an extended illness. Mrs. Ellis was born on November 14, 1933, in Telfair County, GA to the late Johnny Leroy Kinnett and Sally Jane Vickery Kinnett. Survivors include: her daughter, Charlene (Carlton) Metts of Douglas, GA; son Lawton Leroy Ellis of Douglas, GA; two brothers, Walter (Karen) Kinnett of Parsons, TN and Sammy (Lesa) Kinnett of Lakeland, FL; three sisters, Bobbie Peterac, Myrtice Smith, and Sally Powers all of Lakeland, FL; five grandchildren; two step grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; two…

First Academy first graders delivered cards to a Douglas fire station on Thursday and gathered around in small groups to pray over each firefighter. “They were bold and not afraid to pray aloud for these men and women,” school representatives stated. “We are so proud of them.” – Submitted

Indian Creek students were completely amused and entertained this week by Mr. Eric Litwin, author of the Pete the Cat series along with The Nuts and Groovy Joe. Mr. Litwin’s hilarious presentation engaged students and helped them understand the process of becoming a successful writer. He has set many of his stories to music and movement which was completely engaging to our elementary students. Mr. Litwin’s books have won 18 literacy awards, including Theodor Geisel Seuss Honor Award. He is also a #1 New York Times Best Selling author. Teachers and students alike had a blast during his entertaining and…

Chris Papierz has been teaching history at various schools for around ten years and has a military past as a Marine. However, he is now engaging himself in some of the governmental processes that he has taught in his classes. Currently a world history teacher at the George Washington Freshman Campus (GWCFC) and a past middle school teacher, he is very aware of the textbook demands of political action. Now, he is seeing these requirements firsthand. Adding to his experiences, he recently went to Washington DC to watch the latest Presidential inauguration. Papierz closely followed the election and involved himself…