Miss America Visits south Georgia 

CHULA, Ga. — Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell will be in south Georgia on Thursday, Jan. 19. Cantrell is the keynote speaker for Tiftarea  Academy’s  “An Evening with Miss America” dinner. Cantrell was crowned Miss America on live television in September 2015 after representing Georgia in the competition. She is the first Miss America from Georgia since 1953 when Miss Georgia Neva Jane Langley was awarded the title. Originally from Warner Robins, Cantrell is preparing for a move to Nashville, TN where she will be pursuing a career in country music. Tickets are $30 a piece or $275 for a reserved table for 8 and must be purchased in advance. Dinner is included in the ticket price. To purchase, call 229-382-0436 or visit Tiftarea Academy’s webpage for more information: www.tiftareaacademy.com.

 

Goodwill expands service to Milledgeville with Job Connection, donation center

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. —Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA is pleased to announce the expansion of its career services offered to residents of the Milledgeville area with the upcoming opening of a new Job Connection^SM and donation drive-thru. Currently under renovation at 2596 North Columbia St., in the center adjacent to Wal-Mart, the location will provide full Job Connection career assistance services, employment and business assistance opportunities through Goodwill Staffing Service, and a convenient Goodwill donation drive-through. During construction, an attended Goodwill donation truck is accepting donations at the site from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

The new facility is expected to open this month. For more information, email Vicki Mills, Goodwill Director of Marketing and Communications, at vmills@goodwillworks.org, or call 478-363-1478.

 

League of Women Voters to discuss library funding

DALTON, Ga. — The League of Women Voters of the Dalton Area hosts a meeting at noon Tuesday at the Western Sizzlin in Dalton about library funding. The League of Women Voters of Georgia is doing a study of the library system in Georgia with an emphasis on use and funding. Julie Walker, state librarian and assistant vice chancellor for the Board of Regents, University System of Georgia, is the speaker. 

 

Silver Ring challenges teens 

VALDOSTA — A youth ministry hosts an event this month challenging teens to rethink relationships and sex. Silver Ring Thing is an international youth ministry inspiring teens to re-think the end goal behind love and relationships, according to a press release.  The organization’s newest tour, New Standard, challenges students to raise the bar and refuse to conform to societies standards of sex. “Our culture has set the bar so low for today’s teens that the only way is up,” SRT President Jason Burtt said. “When students are presented the honest truth and empowered to live with great dignity and worth, the response is incredible.” The live concert-style event will be held 7-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center, 3101 N. Forrest St.  The event is $6 online or $8 at the door and an optional ring is available for $20.  There will be a parent’s session beginning 7 p.m., which is designed to help parents support their child’s decision. The SRT tour team, a group of 20-somethings from across the U.S., encourages students to “control their bodies and hold out for something better — sexual intimacy within the bonds of marriage,” according to the press release. “During a high-energy, action packed event, tour team members share their stories of success, failure, forgiveness and hope using skits, humor, drama, commercial parodies and personal testimonies.” Sponsored by Choose Now, Options Now, Repeat Boutique, Adams Orthodontics, Citizens Community Bank, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, James Eunice Foundation and WAFT Radio, SRT will promote these values and ideals with the hopes of reaching as many teens as possible. More information or to register: Visit www.silverringthing.com/events/valdostaga.