Author: Submitted

Barbara Taft, age 83, of Nicholls, GA passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, at Genesis Healthcare in Hazlehurst, GA following an extended illness. Ms. Taft was born on December 11, 1932, in Pearson, GA to the late Gordon Lee White and Willie Lee White. Survivors include: her two sons, John Quincey Taft, Jr. of Nicholls, GA and Gordon Lee (Mona Chaney) Taft of Nicholls, GA; daughter, Gloria Jean Hurlbert of Nicholls, GA; eight grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. The family will receive friends Friday, January 8, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral Services will…

The bottom line for employee engagement is that managers matter. Front-line managers have more control over employee engagement levels than any other contributing factor—more than senior management, more than company pride, and even more than money! The Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Dale Carnegie Training to offer a free session called “The Manager-Employee Relationship: The Bottom Line for Engagement” on Monday, January 25, from 10a.m. to noon at the Atrium Event Center in downtown Douglas. Managers are the biggest determining factor of their team’s willingness to go the extra mile or even stay with the company. Dale Carnegie…

The 2015 Friends of Satilla Regional Library’s Gingerbread House Decorating Contest was a success! Organizers would like to thank all of the participants who took the time to come up with such creative designs; they were all winners! There was live music, laughter, and refreshments. Door prizes donated from the following businesses and organizations – Story Wealth Management Group, BeanTree Soap, Malcolm’s Pharmacy, Video Warehouse, Rockin’ 8 Cinemas & Bowling, Coffee Alliance of the Arts, and All About Soles – were also given out during our time together. Hopefully next year’s happenings will be just as splendid! – Submitted by…

Congratulations to Mrs. Scottie Adams for being selected as Coffee Middle School’s teacher of the month for November. Adams is pictured above with CMS Principal Sherri Berry. – Submitted

DouglasNow.com’s Robert Preston, Jr. was the speaker at the Douglas Kiwanis Club meeting Tuesday, Jan. 5, at the Flyin’ Cowboy restaurant. Preston spoke about his experience as a news media witness to the execution of an inmate at the state prison in Jackson, Ga., in January of 2015. The Kiwanis club members greatly appreciated his talk. – Submitted

Tyrone Sam’s complete game of 22 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals helped propel the South Georgia State College Hawks to their first conference win Wednesday night. SGSC (13-3, 1-2) defeated the South Georgia Tech Jets 71-61. Other leading scorers were Dunavon Robinson (12 points, three rebounds, and three assists), Zaquavion Smith (11 points), and Karim Mawuenyega (10 points). Both teams set the tone of a hard-fought, defensive struggle early in the game. Head Coach Cory Baldwin said the Jets utilized multiple defenses, which helped them build a five-point halftime lead. The Jets extended their lead in the…

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 89th Annual Event on January 28, 2016 at the Central Square Gym. In addition to the changing of Chamber Chairman and business awards, this year’s speaker at the Annual Event is Douglas native Joe Sports. Sports has played many different roles in Coffee County. He has served as a congressional aide, television newsman, political leader, legislative consultant, and is a former editor of The Douglas Enterprise. Joe is the son of E. W. and Mae Sports. He grew up on Walker Street in Douglas where he attended and graduated from Coffee High School…

Ms. Betty Nell Smith Lott, age 74, of Ocilla, GA passed away Monday, January 4, 2016, at the Irwin County Hospital following a short illness. Ms. Lott was born April 22, 1941, to the late Dan Smith and the late Nancy Troupe Smith. Survivors include: 1 Daughter: Debbie Cheryl (Larue) Batten of Douglas, GA; 1 Son: Elisha Darrell Lott of Douglas, GA; 2 Brothers: Lonnie B. Smith and Dan Smith, Jr. both of Douglas, GA; 3 Grandchildren: James (Courtney) Batten of Sanford, NC, Kayla Batten and Brandi Batten both of Douglas, GA; 3 Great Grandchildren: Lanie Batten and Gunter Batten…

Mrs. Frances Batchelor, age 81, of Douglas, GA, passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at Satilla Hospice House in Waycross, GA following an extended illness. Ms. Batchelor was born in Broxton, GA on October 16, 1934 to the late Jimmy Polk Greene and Isobel Merritt Greene. Survivors include: Sisters: Sherry (Wayne) Smith, Tellico Plains, TN; Sue (Jesse) Brantley, Douglas, GA; Brother: Jimmy (Lucy) Greene, Suwanee, FL: grandsons: Johnny Leedom, Clay Leedom, and Jason Leedom; five great grandchildren; Step-daughters: Charlene (Randy) Roberts and Elizabeth (Pete) Herndon; Step-sons David (Donna) Batchelor and Michael (Teresa) Batchelor; five step grandchildren and special sisters-in-Law:…

The Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is set to hold a Maximum Service class focusing on customer service at the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce. This class is a five-week course that will take place every Tuesday from January 19 until February 16 from 10 a.m. – noon. The cost for the class is $49. This class will provide training and tools for excellent customer service. Throughout the program, participants will learn ideas to differentiate your business, add value, and create profitable relationships with your customers. Some of the topics that this program will focus on will be defining…