Black Bear Festival this weekend

CHATSWORTH, Ga. — The Black Bear Festival is Saturday and Sunday in Chatsworth. It is the 10th anniversary of the event. There will be a kid’s corner, 5K and One Mile Fun Run (beginning Saturday at 7 a.m.), Pumpkin Contest (Saturday at 2 p.m.), food, arts and crafts, music, Beauty Contest (Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), Pet Parade (Sunday at 1 p.m.), wrestling, hay rides and Scarecrow Mania Awards (Sunday at 12:45 p.m). Miss Georgia, Patricia Ford, is scheduled to attend on Saturday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. For the car, truck, tractor and motorcycle show, contact Kenny Hunt at (706) 618-3163. For more information, call the chamber at (706) 695-6060. 

 

Trick-or-treat slated for Oct. 31

VALDOSTA, Ga. – Trick-or-treat is scheduled for Halloween in the city. The Valdosta Police Department announced the city’s annual trick-or-treating festivities will be 6-9 p.m., Oct. 31. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Valdosta youth are a part of an estimated 41 million children — ages 5 to 14 — across the United States who could potentially be out trick-or-treating this Halloween for an estimated $22 billion of chocolate and non-chocolate confectionary treats. To ensure the traditional evening is both safe and enjoyable for residents, extra police patrols will be scheduled during the trick-or-treating hours, according to the VPD.  The city offers Halloween tips for residents and their young family members: 

• Children should walk in pairs, and always stay on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, they should walk on the edge of yards, and as a last resort on the edge of the road.

• Adults should accompany children, especially those younger than age 12.

• Children should wear reflective clothing.

• If a costume includes a mask, an adult should ensure the mask does not restrict the child’s visibility.

• Adults should pin a slip of paper on their children with their child’s name, address and phone number inside a pocket, in case he or she gets separated from the group.

• In addition to selecting a safe route with good lighting, children should be equipped with glow sticks or flashlights with fresh batteries to increase visibility.

• Adults should inspect treats before children are allowed to eat them. Throw out unwrapped or unpackaged candy.

• Children who eat a meal before they trick-or-treat may be less likely to eat the candy before an adult can approve it.           

• Eliminate any distractions inside of cars, so drivers can concentrate on the road and surroundings.

• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.

• Motorists should drive slowly and cautiously through residential neighborhoods. Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.

• Parents who are driving and parking in or near neighborhoods should obey the “No Parking” signs and all curbs painted red or yellow that prohibit parking. They should also park safely well off the road shoulder of major roads, and be sure not to block the entrances to neighborhoods or private driveways.

 

Bread making class offered

BRANFORD, Fla. — Susan Larson will demonstrate the art of bread making while giving an interesting history on bread Monday, Oct. 17. Larson also will be teaching how to make gluten-free bread. The class will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Branford Library. Call the library at 386-935-1556 or see the front desk to make a reservation for the class.

 

Author to host writing, genealogy workshops

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Best-selling romance novelist Rebecca Hagan Lee, who is also an expert at genealogy, will lead two workshops Saturday at the Moultrie library, 204 Fifth St. S.E.: One tied to her vocation and the other to her avocation. At 10 a.m., Lee will teach “What the Heck Does It Say? Deciphering Old Handwriting in Genealogy,” which will provide practical advice on how to understand very old, English-language documents. From 2 to 4 p.m., she will lead “Basic Novel Writing and Introduction to National Novel Writers Month.” National Novel Writers Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing, the library said. On Nov. 1, participants will begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30. The workshop is intended as a guide to anyone interested in participating. Both programs are free and everyone is welcome. Please call Aileen McNair at 229-985-6540 or email ram@mccls.org for more information. 

 

Georgia Military College celebrates Alumni Weekend

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. – Georgia Military College (GMC) is welcoming alumni and friends to celebrate with them on Oct. 14-15. The weekend will include GMC Prep’s homecoming game against Glascock County. The United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Command Exhibition Parachute Team, known as the Silver Wings, will parachute the game ball in. On Saturday, the 138th Corps of Cadets will participate in the alumni parade beginning at 10 a.m. at GMC’s Grant Parade. Alumni Award recipients for Honorary Alumni, GMC Service Award, and Alumni Achievement Award will be recognized during the program.