Five finalists at Ms. ABAC contest

TIFTON, Ga. — Shannon Kehoe, an agricultural communications major from Myakka City, Fla., was recently crowned Ms. ABAC 2018 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Finalists included Delaney Foster of Perry, third runner-up; Meredith McGlamory of Abbeville, first runner-up; Kehoe; Madison Williams of Winder, second runner-up; and Delanie Israel of Smithville, fourth runner-up.

 

Walmart throwing grand reopening celebration

LIVE OAK, Fla. — After a ribbon cutting last week, the celebration over the remodeled Walmart Supercenter continues Saturday. The store, located at 6868 U.S. Highway 129, is hosting a grand reopening celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. During the celebration, customers will be invited to participate in activities for children, hot dogs, pizza, free samples and giveaways. “For nearly 20 years, we have been serving the Live Oak community,” Store Manager Mickey Fendley said in a release. “With all the new improvements, we are excited to provide additional convenience and great customer service.” During the Oct. 20 ribbon cutting, local organizations Love INC, the Live Oak Police Department, Live Oak Fire Department and Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, received $8,000 in grants from the store. Among the improvements made in the store, Walmart listed the relocation of the MoneyCenter to the front of the store, Pickup located at the front of the store, a state-of-the-art electronics department with interactive displays, new layout in the bakery section and home and apparel and a completely remodeled pharmacy. There’s also a larger assortment of tools in hardware and better lighting in cosmetics, grocery and produce.

 

TEF brings ‘Biscuit’ to Center for the Arts

THOMASVILLE — Thomasville Entertainment Foundation’s Family Series continues on Saturday, November 4, with a children’s musical, ArtsPower’s production of “Biscuit.” Based on the children’s books by Alyssa S. Capucilli, this popular touring musical tells the story of a little girl who receives a special birthday present — a rambunctious little yellow puppy who loves exploring, making friends and stirring up mischief. With an 11 a.m. curtain time, “Biscuit” is free for children and students under age 18; accompanying adult tickets are $10.  Presented at the Thomasville Center for the Arts, this performance is geared toward children pre-K through second grade, but audiences of any age are welcome. TEF’s Family Series is presented in collaboration with the Thomasville Center for the Arts. Additional details and ticket information can be found at www.TEFconcerts.com or by calling (229) 226-7404.

 

Watershed cleanup event is Saturday in Whitfield and Murray

DALTON, Ga. — Whitfield and Murray County residents and others are invited to participate in the 23rd annual Conasauga Watershed CleanUp event on Saturday to help keep local waterways clean at one of seven locations. One of the largest local volunteer events in the community, the annual event is hosted in partnership with several local nonprofits, businesses and environmental organizations during United Way’s Make A Difference Day. Last year, 290 volunteers removed more than 10,000 pounds of garbage from seven locations. One of the six most biologically diverse freshwater river systems in the United States, the Conasauga River supports 24 endangered species and a dozen other imperiled species, including the Southern Pigtoe mussel and the Conasauga logperch, a fish found nowhere else in the world. This year’s event takes place concurrently from 9 a.m. to noon at seven sites across Whitfield and Murray counties. Participants are encouraged to arrive early for on-site registration. Volunteers can expect to spend a couple of hours in the morning picking up trash and, depending on the location, removing invasive plants like Chinese privet. Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes or boots, long pants and long sleeve shirts. Gloves and trash bags will be provided at each site. T-shirts with this year’s river cleanup logo will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more about the river cleanup, call Keep Dalton-Whitfield Beautiful at (706) 278-5001 or visit www.KeepDaltonWhitfieldBeautiful.org to download the event flier with directions to each site. 

 

Tubaween coming to VSU

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Valdosta State University will present a hair-raising Tubaween 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, in Whitehead Auditorium.  The concert is free of charge, open to the public, and sure to entertain ghosts and ghouls of all ages, according to VSU. Dr. Daniel “Danny” J. Rowland, a lecturer in VSU’s Department of Music, said his 14-member Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble has a rather creepy, kooky performance planned for the university’s Third Annual Tubaween.  There will be costumes, dancing, singing, purple people eating, and much more — and audience members are encouraged to dress the part as well, according to a university press release. “We had a tremendous response and a huge crowd last year and I’m hoping we can do that again this year,” Rowland said. Tubaween will feature thematic music from such cult classics as the Harry Potter film series, “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Munsters,” and “Jurassic Park.” Audience members will have a chance to showcase their best zombie dance moves when the Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble performs Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”  Tubaween marks the culmination of VSU’s month-long Octuba celebration of recitals and concerts designed to bring attention to the “under-served and under-recognized” tuba and euphonium, Rowland said. Whitehead Auditorium is located on the first floor of VSU’s Fine Arts Building, at the intersection of Oak Street and Brookwood Drive.