Monthly Archive for November, 2007

Bet You Did Not Know This About Toombs-Montgomery-Vidalia-Lyons!

Published
by
Wilson
on November 5, 2007
in Podcast
. 0 Comments

Elizabeth Harvill is one of those young, energetic, creative, and dedicated people that motivate others and generate excitement. Why, by the end of this interview I wanted to take a week off work and have her plan my vacation right here in the Toombs County area. (Actually, Elizabeth depressed me because once again I have proven that I have no idea what is goin’ on right here in my own backyard.)

Elizabeth is the Executive Director of the Vidalia Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Notwithstanding Elizabeth’s high marks in letting the world know what this area has to offer, it is a little disturbing to interview someone and find out for the first time that someone has a farm 3 miles from my office that has dozens of exotic deer from all over the world. And to think you can see glass blowing in downtown Lyons, just blows my mind. Promoting these and other attractions are Elizabeth’s job, but I had no idea that she had 500+ motel rooms to do it with. That may not sound like much to people in Atlanta, but I remember when I first came to Vidalia we had 3 or 4 motels and probably only one that a visitor might actually want to stay in.

Want to get to the country for real? Tour a farm or a pecan orchard or a Vidalia Onion factory.

You may have been to the Vidalia Onion Festival in the Spring (April 25-27, 2008), and you may have heard of our incredible Air Show, but have you seen Tales from the Altamaha, a local folk play that is gaining regional and state recognition. And when it comes to genealogy, The Ladson Genealogical Library is nationally recognized.

While I am proud to live in the Vidalia-Lyons-Toombs-Montgomery County area, this interview reminds me that home is what you make it and we all have the ability to make our hometown better.

 
 Elizabeth Harvill, Vidalia Area Convention and Visitors Bureau [27:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (220)

Tennessee and Florida and Georgia: Water and Development

Published
by
Wilson
on November 3, 2007
in Blog
. 0 Comments

I was in Tampa last Thursday and Friday and happened to pick up a regional newpaper to read at breakfast. What do you think is on the front page? Articles about water. The first one was about Tennessee. I am sure you have already heard about Orme, TN.

Orme has actually run out of water. Their water source was a mountain stream that is now dry and the mayor has the local fire engine make daily trips to Alabama (of all places) to haul water to the city’s tank. The mayor turns the value at 6 pm and the residents cook, wash, bath and save some water for the next day. At 9 pm he closes the valve and everyone waits to repeat the exercise 24 hours later.

But when it comes to Florida, it seems they are way ahead of us when it comes to being concerned about water. They seem to be seriously considering pumping water from rivers like the St. Johns, to the overdeveloped central Florida (Disney World). Ocala is talking about water.

I guess Florida still has water in its rivers and lakes!

But it appears that only Woodstock, GA, takes the water challenge seriously. Recently, it held a rain dance to end the drought, but a poor turnout apparently has doomed us to another 6 weeks of winter. (I guess that statement makes as much sense as a rain dance!)

I can’t figure out whether Atlanta has 250 days of water left or 81 or whatever. At least the Governors of the 3 states are talking.

But I am tired of Perdue and the rest blaming someone, whether Alabama’s Governor or the Army Corps of Engineers. I have not heard anyone offer a solution which leads me to believe that there may not be a solution other than the cessation of the drought. If that is the only real solution, we are probably in more trouble than they want us to know. If that is the only real solution, by the 2008 election we will know for sure whether we are lucky or whether we need to send a delegation to Orme, TN to study their techniques for hauling water to 3+ million people.

Buy a Tag, Support Childhood Cancer Research

Published
by
Wilson
on November 3, 2007
in Podcast
. 0 Comments

Joanna Tag Jeff McAfee has seen the worst life has to offer. He and his wife, Misty, lost their daughter Joanna to cancer. Joanna was only three and half years old when she was diagnosed with Stage IV Alveolar Rhabdomyocarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. She left this life for another one on December 22, 2005 at age six.

But the McAfees are the kind of people that can turn their personal pain into hope for others. They formed the Joanna McAfee Childhood Cancer Foundation. And while the Foundation is small, through the contributions of hundreds in the Warner Robins area and elsewhere, it has been able to help some 19 families and children in less than 2 years. It might be $50 for gas or $100 for food or a weekend break from the stress of it all, but all of it donated with the love that Joanna inspired during her all to brief life.

UGA Coach Mark Richt is lending his support to the Foundation.

Jeff has plans that will hopefully increase the funds the Foundation is able to use to benefit children and even promote research into childhood cancer. That plan involves you and your car tag. With the help of his local representative, the Georgia General Assembly has approved the “Joanna Tag.” Maybe you never bought a specialty tag as an alumni of UGA or another school. Maybe you haven’t really thought about it, but the “Joanna Tag” offers you an opportunity to make a choice to support a worthwhile cause.

When you buy a Joanna Tag, $10 of the $25 fee goes to the Foundation. It adds up. Even if you already have a specialty tag, maybe you have more than one vehicle.

Whether you buy a tag or not is really not the issue. The issue is the fight, the mission and purpose of Joanna’s Foundation:

The mission of the Joanna McAfee Childhood Cancer Foundation, Inc. is to raise awareness, provide support and fund research for childhood cancer.

Those of us closest to Joanna never want to forget the battle she fought. Her fighting spirit inspired us to create a foundation in her honor to support other children stricken with cancer. We will strive to serve our purpose with a similar spirit, determination, and godliness as Joanna.

You can donate or, more importantly, help spread the word. Either way, Joanna would be happy!

 
 Jeff McAfee, Joanna McAfee Childhood Cancer Foundation [27:18m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (264)