Author: Submitted

Students at Indian Creek joined in celebrating Constitution Day on Friday, Sept. 16. Many students showed their patriotism by dressing in red, white, and blue. Local attorney, Mrs. Julee-Brooke Lewis, visited Mrs. Jaime Taylor’s class and talked with kindergarteners about the importance of our U.S. Constitution. After examining a replica, the students wrote and signed their own constitution. It goes something like this: “We the kids of Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Stacy’s Class…In order to learn and have fun, we will follow the rules and be kind to one another. We will take care of one another and be a…

Conzuelo Lerma Ruiz, age 45, of Douglas, GA passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2016, at Tift Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Ms. Ruiz was born on November 8, 1970, in Mexico to Angela Ruiz and the late Aldolfo Lerma. Survivors include: her mother, Angela Ruiz of Brownsville, TX; three sisters, Naty Lerma of Mexico, Magdalena Anguiano of Ambrose, GA, and Erika Anguiano of Seattle, WA; six brothers, Carlos Lerma of Minnesota, Fabian Lerma of Mexico, Fernando Lerma of Texas; Jose Lerma of Texas, Martin Lerma of Virginia, and Guadalupe Lerma of Texas; several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends…

James Edward Burkett, age 88, of Douglas, GA passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2016, at his residence following an extended illness. Mr. Burkett was born on December 11, 1927, in Hazlehurst, GA to the late James Freddie Burkett and Dora Beatrice Alexander Burkett. Survivors include: his two daughters, Ann (Donald) Hall of Douglas, GA and Rhonda (Arley) Waters of Nicholls, GA; three sons, Freddie (Denise) Burkett of Alma, GA, Eddie (Connie) Burkett of Douglas, GA, Gary (Sheila) Burkett of Denton, GA; eighteen grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by…

Indian Creek kindergarteners had a special visitor recently to help them learn the letter M. Jake Grantham, son of Cray and Greta Grantham, played his mandolin for each class. What a great way to help students make the connection between the letter “M” and its sound in the word, mandolin! Thank you, Jake, for sharing your talents with us! – Submitted

Students at Eastside Elementary School recently participated in Constitution Day, and everyone was invited to wear red, white, and blue while we celebrated our government’s birth. Various activities were planned in all grade levels that included learning more about the separation of powers, a “messed up” version of the Constitution in which students had to find and correct the mistakes, and some even read the Preamble! We had a great day celebrating America’s history. – Submitted

Loraine Joyce Abercrombie DeFreitas, age 87, of Broxton, GA passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2016, at her Residence. Ms. DeFreitas was born on July 10, 1929, in Newnan, Georgia to the late Gilbert Abercrombie and Katie Huffmaster Abercrombie. Survivors include: Daughters: Felisha Moseley of Broxton, GA, Libby Defreitas of Nicholls, GA. Son: Maj. Gen. John (Mina) DeFreitas of Clarksville, MD. Sisters: Helen (Mickey) Huddleston of Thomasville, GA, Ellen Edgar-Wolfe of Thomasville, GA. Grandson: Neil (Brittany) O’Steen , Granddaughter: Katie (Kevin) Adams, Grandson: John Moseley, Grandson: Donnie (Amy) Hodges, Grandson: Michael (Hillary) Hodges. Preceded by: Father: Gilbert Abercrombie, Mother: Katie…

The Okefenokee Heritage Center will celebrate the arts with one of our longest running programs – The Annual Ben Smith Juried Art Competition. This year marks 40 years that the competition has been held. Entrants have the opportunity to win cash prizes for first and second place in the categories of painting, photography, graphics, and three-dimensional. The late Judge Ben Smith was an icon in many different ways to the people in southeast Georgia, as a judge and as an historian, but his impact on the arts will be celebrated at the OHC through the contest and exhibit. Judge Smith,…

West Green Elementary School celebrated Constitution Day on Friday, September 16. The assembly began when the NJROTC Color Guard presented the colors and the Pre-K and kindergarten students led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Then, third grade students led everyone in the singing of “The National Anthem.” After that, students were recognized for creating Constitution Day artwork. Next, second grade students read the Preamble to the Constitution and first grade students shared their Constitution Mini Books. Afterward, State Representative Dominic LaRiccia shared inspirational words about the Constitution of the United States, as well as the Constitution of Georgia. The…

These students are the perfect attendance winners for the second week of Coffee Middle School’s Perfect Attendance Awareness Month. 6th Grade: Emily Banda and Natanael Tapia 7th Grade: J’lend Richardson and Ryan Fields Come to school every day next week and you could be one of our new winners! Congratulations! – Submitted

LIVESTOCK NEWS It’s time to tag steers and heifers for the State 4-H & FFA Show which will be held in February at the Georgia National Fairgrounds. Tagging will take place on Thursday, September 22, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Coffee High School Animal Science Building. If you have a conflict with this date, please contact Mr. Michael Berry at CHS or the 4-H office at (912) 384-1402. Also, the Coffee County Goat Show will be held on Saturday, September 24, starting at 10 a.m., at the Wiregrass Arena in Nicholls in conjunction with Nicholls Founder’s Day. Please…