Farmer hit with 2 thefts; shots fired during one

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Colquitt County detectives are investigating two thefts from farmer Mike Mobley, including one in which shots were reportedly fired. Mobley is listed as the victim in both cases, which were reported on Sunday, sheriff’s office reports said, but he was not the one who reported being shot at. Francisco Sanchez, of Pine Circle, said several shots were fired at him in the 1100 block of Mitchell Suber Road. During that same incident, a fertilizer pump pulley system, valued at $2,000, was reported stolen. In the other incident, on Luke Road, a $2,500 fertilizer pump was reported stolen. The sheriff’s office report did not indicate that anyone was injured.

 

ABAC to host ‘Elephants in the Coffee’ premiere

TIFTON, Ga. — A one-hour documentary titled “Elephants in the Coffee,” produced by Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Associate Professor of Journalism Thomas Grant and his students, will premiere on Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. in Howard Auditorium on the ABAC campus.  This event is free and open to the public. The documentary shows how the expansion of coffee plantations in Southern India led to conflicts between humans and elephants. With hundreds of people and dozens of elephants dying each year, the film explores the question of whether farmers can co-exist with this endangered animal. Since its initial viewing, “Elephants in the Coffee” has won Best Documentary at the Doc Sunback Film Festival in Kansas. On Aug. 29, the film will be shown at Georgia Southwestern State University.  The documentary will also be shown in Washington, D.C. in September, and the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival in New York City in October. It has also been selected by film festivals in Russia, India, Lithuania, Estonia, Italy, Canada, and the United States. Presently, Grant is trying to get wider distribution.

 

Guild to hold annual festival

DALTON, Ga. — The Creative Arts Guild’s 54th Annual Festival of Fine Arts and Artisan Crafts is Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16-17, with a ticketed Preview Party on Friday, Sept. 15. Festival is a yearly celebration of the Guild’s mission of bringing art and arts experiences to the area and making them available to everyone. The weekend event is free and open to the public. First presented in 1963 by the newly formed Creative Arts Guild, Festival continues to be a true family activity and a wonderful way for all to enjoy the arts, organizers say. Festival weekend begins on Friday evening with the Taste of Dalton: Festival 2017 Preview Party introducing the juried Indoor Festival Exhibit. During this ticketed event, guests may make purchases from the exhibit, sample fare from some of Dalton’s finest restaurants and be the first to view and shop the Outdoor Artist Market. The Clint Schmitt Jazz Quartet will keep the evening on a lively note. For more information or to purchase Taste of Dalton tickets, visit www.creativeartsguild.org. For ticket purchase help, call (706) 217-6677.

 

Watson-Brown Foundation Junior Board awards $28,732 to area historic sites

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — The 2016-17 Watson-Brown Foundation Junior Board of Trustees – which funds preservation projects in Milledgeville and surrounding communities – recently awarded over $28,700 to five historic sites. The junior board helps preserve Middle Georgia history by doing research, reviewing proposals and recommending projects for funding. The board functions as part of the educational programming at Georgia’s Old Governor’s Mansion, a unit of the academic affairs division at Georgia College. “There are only three junior boards like this in the world,” said Matt Davis, coordinator of the Milledgeville chapter and director at the mansion. “We would like to send our congratulations to this year’s grant recipients. The junior board is to be commended for their hard work during the grant process.” Georgia’s Old Capital Museum in Milledgeville received $6,310 for window restoration at the Brown-Stetson-Sanford House. Rose Theater, a performing arts building in Forsyth, received $8,800 for restoration. Macon Arts Alliance received $5,996.25 to stabilize a historic home in the city’s Mill District Artist Village. Washington County Historical Society received $2,876 to restore windows at Brown House Museum in Sandersville. Old School Museum in Eatonton got $4,750 for exhibition cases and materials. 

 

VSU Happening set for Thursday 

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Valdosta State University’s front lawn will be ‘Happening,’ 1-4 p.m., Aug. 24.  Community businesses, religious organizations, nonprofits, on-campus organizations and more will be among the more than 300 exhibitors who plan to attend The Happening 2017, according to a VSU press release.  The Happening vendors will provide information, recruitment opportunities, activities, free samples and/or giveaways, according to the VSU Happening webpage.  Dr. Vincent Miller, vice president for student affairs, said The Happening showcases what Valdosta has to offer.  “Blazer Nation looks forward to The Happening every fall, and we expect thousands of students to attend,” Miller said in a statement.  “This is a very special, once-a-year tradition at VSU, one that introduces new and returning students to the wonderful opportunities offered by our community and our university.” The Happening is sponsored by the VSU Office of Student Life, the press release stated.  For more information on The Happening, contact Trisha Taylor, (229) 333-5674 or tltaylor@valdosta.edu or visit valdosta.edu/happening.