VSU hosting Read Fest 

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University’s Odum Library and James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services will host Read Fest 2017, 9-11 a.m. Friday, April 14. Michael Holt, an associate professor and reference librarian in the Odum Library, said 288 prekindergarten students from the Valdosta City School System and Lowndes County School System are scheduled to attend the 11th annual event.  The children will spend the morning participating in a variety of activities, including games, crafts, read-along stories, coloring and singing, according to a press release from VSU.  They will be offered ice cream from V State Dining and take home a goody bag with a new book provided by the Dewar College of Education and Human Services. Read Fest is just one of VSU’s many community outreach literacy initiatives, all of which are designed to help children build literacy skills, gain confidence and be more motivated to want to read for both pleasure and study, according to the press release.  It is supported by donations from Chick-fil-A at North Valdosta, Aramark, Follett, Bruster’s and VSU’s Dewar College of Education and Human Services. Read Fest is part of the university’s celebration of National Library Week, April 9-15. The 2017 theme is “Libraries Transform.” Read Fest activities will be held on the first floor of the Odum Library.

 

Beacham notches several wins in ag mechanics

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Colquitt County High School FFA member Kirk Beacham won first place in the area lawnmower operations and maintenance CDE recently. The contest is designed to develop skills in operating commercial lawn mowers and various pieces of machinery safely, as well as maintaining the commercial lawnmower in a safe and productive matter. This marks the third event that Beacham has placed first in the field of Ag Mechanics. He also placed first in the EMC electrical wiring contest and his ag mechanics team placed first at area where Beacham was the high individual overall. He placed third in Georgia at the state competition that was held at the University of Georgia on Saturday, March 18.

 

‘A Service of Darkness’ to be presented Friday

LIVE OAK, Fla. — The Covenant First Presbyterian Church of Live Oak will present to the community, “A Service of Darkness,”  by Dale Wood on Good Friday at 7:30 p.m.

William Poplin will direct a choir of 20-plus voices in seven very moving choral meditations on the last words of Christ. This Service of Darkness commemorates the suffering and death of Christ, and is based on the ancient Tenebrae. Dating from the 8th century, Tenebrae was originally celebrated on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Holy Week. It represented the darkness that fell over the earth as the Son of God was crucified.  In Christmas services, candles symbolize the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. The use of candlelight in a darkened church on Good Friday dramatically portrays the fading light of the world as Christ was leaving it. Candles are extinguished following each choral meditation: however, one candle will remain indicating that death only seems to triumph over Christ. The community is invited. All who attend this very solemn service will find Easter more glorious than ever.  

 

TU Humanities Division to spotlight students, faculty

THOMASVILLE—Thomas University’s Division of Humanities has two events planned that will showcase the talents of its students and faculty members. The Faculty Performance Showcase will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, in Flowers Foods Executive Classroom inside Smith-Bonvillian Hall on TU’s Forbes Campus. Performances include passages of Shakespeare with Lisa Mitchell, MusicArt performance art with Division of Humanities chairman Karl Barton and Rich Curtis, Sonnets by Sandra Simonds, and “Everywoman,” Bonnie Woodbery’s modern take on the Medieval “Everyman” morality play, in which Everywoman is made to reckon with her penchant for expensive shoes. The full cast of the applied Humanities faculty takes part, including cameos by Jason Dunn and June Dollar. The Humanities Student Showcase will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 20, in the Student Life Center on TU’s Magnolia Campus. The event will include a printmaking and photography exhibit, a performance by the TU Jazz Ensemble along with the debut of the 2017 Night Hawk Review, TU’s arts journal. Students also will read their works from the Night Hawk Review and guest poet Josephine Yu will read her work. There is no admission fee for either event, and the public is welcome. For information,  (229) 227-6964 or email actu@thomasu.edu.

 

High school student art exhibit at college library

DALTON, Ga. — Dalton State College’s Derrell C. Roberts Library sponsors an exhibit through April 21 featuring the artwork of three Dalton High School students in the class of Trevor Ledford. The students are Laura Shaheen, Abby Reyes and Juan Gonzales. The exhibit is in the Media Lab on the first floor of the library. An opening reception will be held on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library. The reception is free and open to the public.

 

JCPenney at Tifton Mall receives company’s highest distinction

PLANO, Tx. — J. C. Penney Company, Inc. recently honored its top performing stores with the Founder’s Award at a special ceremony held on March 28 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. With more than 1,000 JCPenney stores across the country, General Manager Floyd Albertson was one of over 85 store leaders recognized by Marvin R. Ellison, chairman and chief executive officer, and Joe McFarland, executive vice president of stores, for significantly contributing to the Company’s success during 2016. The Founder’s Award is presented to General and District Managers for leading teams that excel in the areas of financial performance, customer and client service, and business expertise.