Son of U-2 Pilot Francis Gary Powers slated to make presentation Tuesday

LIVE OAK, Fla. — The Suwannee County Historical Commission will welcome Gary Powers Jr. to town on Tuesday, April 11. Powers is the son of Francis Gary Powers, the U2 pilot shot down over Russia in 1960, and is an expert on the downing of the plane and the Cold War. He founded the Cold War Museum in Virginia and he acted as a consultant for the 2015 movie starring Tom Hanks called Bridge of Spies, a drama depicting Powers Sr.’s capture and release from Russia. Powers Jr. travels across the globe making presentations about the U2 shoot down and the Cold War. Of particular interest locally is that Francis Gary Powers Sr.’s first wife was born in Suwannee County. Suwannee County Historian Eric Musgrove wrote an article about the Live Oak-born wife Barbara for the Suwannee Democrat a year and a half ago. In it he said, “Francis Gary Powers was tried by the Soviet Union for espionage in August of 1960. Live Oak-born wife Barbara, as well as Powers’ parents, were present during the trial and appeared devoted to her during the long ordeal. Barbara vowed to stay in Moscow until “I’ve done everything possible” to have her husband released, hiring her own attorney separate from her in-laws’ attorney. Powers was found guilty and sentenced to three years in prison and seven years of hard labor. Before Barbara returned to the United States, Soviet authorities allowed her one hour with her husband behind closed doors.” For those enthralled by this era of history, be sure to attend the presentation starting at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 11, at the Suwannee County Judicial Annex located at 218 Parsley St. SW. The event is Free to the public. Powers will have books for sale.

 

Talk on old mill baseball leagues set

DALTON, Ga. — The Whitfield-Murray Historical Society meeting is at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Crown Gardens and Archives/History Center, 715 Chattanooga Ave. Thomas Veve presents the program “Mill League Memories,” which will detail the old mill baseball leagues in Dalton. The public is invited. The program sponsor is The Georgia Humanities Council. Free old style baseball concessions such as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, Cracker Jack, Moon Pies and RC Cola will be available.

 

YMCA hosts LIVESTRONG

TIFTON, Ga. — Tiftarea YMCA is ready to LIVESTRONG. The Y is hosting LIVESTRONG, a 12-week program focused on physical activity and well-being for adult cancer survivors, in partnership with the LIVESTRONG Foundation. The program will meet twice a week,10:30 a.m.—noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays at Tiftarea YMCA at 1657 Carpenter Road. The program will start on April 11. The program is free and open to all cancer survivors. Participants will need to pre-register at the Tiftarea YMCA. A doctor’s release form also needs to be completed before the start.

 

Learn how to care for daylilies

QUITMAN, Ga. — TheQuitman Garden Club hosts seminar on how to care for daylilies, April 11, 3 p.m. Historical Museum, 121 N. Culpepper St., Quitman. Speaker: Mark Singletary, owner of Jammin’s Daylily Garden, Lakeland.

 

First Church of the Nazarene hosts singer Lindsay Huggins

TIFTON, Ga. — Christian recording artist Lindsay Huggins will bring her music and ministry Sunday, April 9, at 6 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, located at 3024 Tift Ave N. Huggins, an award-winning soloist, will perform a worship concert, with classic hymns and new songs of praise, in her distinct inspirational country style. The concert will feature music from her latest album release “Then Jesus Came,” including the radio hits “Praying Women” and “Nothing He Can’t Redeem.” This special time of music and celebration is free and open to the public and all are invited to attend. A love offering will be received. For more information, call First Church of the Nazarene at 229-402-6595. Huggins will also be part of the Southeasten Southern Gospel Music Convention on April 7-8, held at the UGA Conference Center. To learn more about Lindsay Huggins, visit www.lindsayhuggins.com