ABAC opens campus for prospective students Feb. 4

TIFTON, Ga. — Registration for winter cheerleading and basketball has begun at the Tiftarea YMCA. Fees are $45 for members and $65 for non-members, with applications due to the YMCA by Feb. 1. For both sports, the cost includes a dri-fit jersey. Registration after Jan. 31 will apply a $10 late fee. Basketball is divided up into two age groups, 8-10 and 11-13. Both are co-ed. Evaluations take place at Tifton’s United Methodist Church Jan. 26 and Feb. 2. Cheerleading is available for girls ages 7-13. The seasons run from Feb. 7-March 20 and cover eight regular season games. The YMCA is also looking for volunteer coaches for cheerleading and basketball. No experience is required and training will be provided by the Tiftarea YMCA. For more information, contact Tiftarea YMCA at 229-391-9622.

 

North Hamilton Elementary student wins district spelling bee

North Hamilton Elementary School hosted their spelling bee Nov. 17. A group of 12 students represented their fifth- and sixth-grade classes. The second runner-up was sixth grader Leanna Adkins. The first runner-up was Alexander Dorminey, a sixth-grade student. The champion was fifth-grade student, Sarah Welch. On Friday, the three winners attended the Hamilton County District Spelling Bee representing North Hamilton Elementary School. Dorminey was named the District Spelling Bee winner. 

 

Mentoring program to focus on children in foster care

MOULTRIE, Ga. — While all children tend to benefit from mentoring and strong adult role models, those in foster care have particular needs that mentors can help meet. A training session is being planned to help Moultrie mentors meet those needs. Sponsored by Titus Ranch, a provider of mentoring services in Moultrie, and The Forgotten Initiative, a national, Christian organization helping to meet the needs of foster children, the training will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at St. Mark’s Anglican Church. The cost is $15 and includes lunch and training supplies. Email colquittcounty.ga@theforgotteninitiative.org to pre-register or visit the Facebook page, Colquitt County, GA: The Forgotten Initiative.

 

Church gathering items for Albany tornado victims

DALTON, Ga. — Pine Grove Baptist Church in Dalton is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, and Saturday, Feb. 4, to take in items for the victims of the Albany tornadoes. Any and all types of items are needed such as school supplies for all ages, bookbags, blankets, pillows, socks, sippy cups, baby items and water. Residents can use clothes for all ages, housewares, diapers, formula, nonperishable foods, hygiene items, toiletries and gift cards for any amount. If you have any questions, contact Debbie Thornton at (706) 264-8630. The church is at 4004 Airport Road S.E.

 

Georgia College gets $80,000 grant to continue prevention of childhood obesity

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Live Healthy Baldwin – a program at Georgia College’s Center for Health and Social Issues – recently received an $80,000 grant from the Healthcare Georgia Foundation. The grant will continue to fund childhood obesity prevent efforts that began in 2010. Funding will expand four key areas: the Bicycle Friendly Community program in Milledgeville; promotion of physical activity in local schools; the Safe Routes to School work with Baldwin County; and the Live Healthy in Faith initiative. Live Healthy Baldwin’s focus is to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic in Baldwin County by 2020 – through policy and environmental change by creating opportunities for physical activity and increasing access to healthy food. The organization was created in 2009 and funded until December 2103 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the country’s largest foundation supporting improvement of health and healthcare. This new grant extends that funding.

 

Scavenger hunt winners named

VALDOSTA, Ga.  – Wild Adventures Theme Park recently surprised the winners of the “Find Our Hearts” scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt opened the park to thousands of guests following clues leading to hidden hearts. Gary and Terri Brown of Nashville were told they were one of three finalists and were coming to the park for a drawing. The Browns had already been selected as the winners. Wild Adventures team members were presented with a gift basket and four gold season passes reserved in their names for the next five seasons.