VSU presents lynching art exhibit

VALDOSTA, Ga. — A new exhibit will visit a tragic and horrifying incident in South Georgia history. Valdosta State University Archives and Special Collections will present “Mary Turner and the Lynching Rampage,” Feb. 15-March 31 in Odum Library’s William Mobley Reading Room, according to university officials. The display of ink images, created by pressing woodcarvings onto paper, depicts a string of lynchings that took place in May 1918 in Lowndes and Brooks counties, according to a VSU press release. The only known female victim was 20-year-old Mary Turner, who was eight months pregnant at the time. The artist, Rachel Marie-Crane Williams, will discuss her artwork and the history of lynchings, 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, in the Odum Library Auditorium. The talk will be followed by an opening reception in the William Mobley Reading Room.  Refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge and open to the public. The 1918 lynching rampage began when Sydney Johnson, a black man, shot and killed Hampton Smith, a white plantation owner from Brooks County accused of regularly beating and abusing his workers, according to the university. A mob of hundreds began searching for Johnson and others who were allegedly involved in the murder.  At least 11 people were lynched that week, including Turner’s husband. When Turner spoke out against the violent killings, the mob came for her. The angry crowd took her to the Brooks County/Lowndes County border, tied her by the ankles, and hung her upside down from a tree. They poured gasoline over her body and burned off her clothes. They cut the baby from her womb before riddling her body with gunshots. No one was ever charged in the lynchings. A historical memorial was erected in 2010 at the site of Turner’s killing. “Mary Turner and the Lynching Rampage” will remain in VSU Archives and Special Collections as a permanent acquisition. Viewing hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays.

 

Moultrie chamber to host career fair

MOULTRIE, Ga. — The Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce will host a Career Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southwest Georgia Community Action Council Event Center, 912 First Ave. S.E. in Moultrie. The Career Fair will feature businesses who are chamber members that are seeking to add to their current staff. “We have several members who are looking for additional employees,” stated Chamber President Tommie Beth Willis. “With our growing community, businesses are in need of additional staff to meet the needs of their customers. We are excited about this growth and want to provide a pathway to connect businesses with potential new employees.”The Career Fair is open to the public for those who are seeking employment. All applicants are encouraged to come prepared to meet and talk with business owners and representatives. “We invite everyone locally and in surrounding counties to join us for the fair to learn more about employment opportunities,” Willis said. For more information about the Career Fair, please contact the Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce at (229) 985-2131.

 

First Presbyterian welcomes Reverend Tiffany Chaney

TIFTON, Ga. — The Reverend Tiffany Chaney will be coming to preach at First Presbyterian Church on Feb. 25. She will preach at the All Welcome Lutheran Worship service at 9 a.m. and again at the 11 a.m. service for First Presbyterian. Holy Communion will be celebrated during the Lutheran service at 9 a.m. She will be available during the Sunday school hour to talk about “doing church” as well as her experiences as a bi-vocational pastor and a mission developer in Montgomery, Alabama. For more information about Chaney, contact Vickie Horst at 229-386-3240. Chaney is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She serves as Pastor and Mission Developer of Gathered by Grace, a mission community serving young adults in Montgomery, Al. and Tuskegee, Al.

 

Fiddler Crab Festival to host second Jam Audition

LIVE OAK, Fla. — The second Suwannee River Jam Audition will take place Saturday in Steinhatchee during the 10th annual Fiddler Crab Festival. The auditions get underway at 10:30 a.m. with solo artists. Band auditions begin at 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at 7 p.m. Soloists and duets will all take part as each tries to impress the judges with their country music performances hoping to make it to the final SRJ audition April 13 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak. The winners from April 13 will entertain on-stage at the Jam from May 2-5. Bands chosen at the Fiddler Crab Festival and Feb. 24 and March 10 at the SOSMP will go straight to the Jam without further auditions. Signed up to be part of Saturday’s solo auditions are TrinityAnn Martinez (Inverness), Ashley Holbrook (Orange Park), Richard Scarborough (Windermere), Cliff Dorsey (High Springs), Fiona Chalmers (Mims), Kameron Williams (Mayo) and Brandon Heape (Ocala). Bands participating are Southern Burn (Gainesville), Danny Dawson Band (Pearson, Ga.), Trey Tucker Band (Lake Butler), Sondra Hunt Band (Lake Butler) and Broken Trust Band (Perry). To learn more about the Fiddler Crab Festival in Steinhatchee on the Gulf of Mexico, how to get there, what’s happening during the festival and more, please go to https://www.steinhatchee.com/10th-annual-fiddler-crab-festival.   Future auditions are set for Feb. 24 at SOSMP for bands only; March 10 solo, duets and bands at SOSMP and the finals; April 13 finals for solo and duet winners. All SOSMP Jam auditions begin at 7 p.m. in the Music Hall. Admission is free.

 

Jones appointed to Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee

ATLANTA — State Sen. Burt Jones (R-Jackson) was recently appointed to represent Georgia on the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade (IGPAC) on behalf of United States Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer. “I am honored and humbled to be appointed to such a prestigious committee,” said Jones. “It’s vital to address state and local issues at a higher level in order to receive the best outcome for our citizens by recommending policy changes to those who serve on the federal level. I look forward to working with leaders across our nation to provide insight on issues that we face as a state to best advise representatives on trade.” The IGPAC is a branch of the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) that addresses state and local government trade policy matters with the USTR.  Jones will begin his service for the IGPAC’s new charter term on April 4, and will serve in this capacity along with representing the 25th district in the Georgia Senate.

 

Stage production celebrates Black History Month

DALTON, Ga. — “Sparks from the Past,” a stage production celebrating Black History Month, is Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Emery Center, 110 W. Emery St. in Dalton. Organizers say the production “highlights less well-known individuals who sparked change and positively influenced mankind’s future by simply being true to themselves.” The event is free and is presented by community volunteers. For more information, call the Emery Center at (706) 277-7633.