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Valdosta Civic Roundtable

October 7, 2010

Members present: Jane Osborn, Harriet Messcher, Pam Brewer, Suzanne Ewing, Karen Yawn, Dennis Marks, Heather Evans, Cheryl Oliver, Terri Whitlock & her guest, Renee Parker, Leslie Jacobs & a visitor, Estelle Rose.

Unable to attend, but replied: Katie Hardin (Hospice), & Donald Davis (Lowndes County Historical Society & Valdosta Sesquicentennial Committee).

Jane welcomed all & her first order of business was to urge members to make nominations for the Louie Peeples White Service Award as soon as possible.

Harriet Messcher: is no longer working with LAMP, as she resigned her position, to move to Winston-Salem, NC in November. She is still available for consulting on fundraising issues & may be reached by

email at: HPM To The Rescue.com. We wish you much happiness, Harriet!

Pam Brewer: Choices for Life – There is an on-going need for foster parents.

Suzanne Ewing: VSU Continuing Education – Learning in Retirement classes are offering many varieties of classes for every interest. Check them out!

Karen Yawn: The Haven – This is Domestic Violence Awareness Month & so there are many opportunities for the community to take part in. On Sat., Oct. 9^th, there will be a table set up in Hahira at the Honeybee Festival. On the 12^th, they will be at The Depot in Clinch County. On the 13^th, at VSU, there will be a training class from 10-4:00 PM. There will be a Kids Awareness Day at Saunders Park on River Street, on 10-23, from 11-2. Contact The Haven @ 244-4477 for details.

Cheryl Oliver: Turner Center for the Arts – The Presenter Series will be starting on Oct. 21^st, with ‘S Wonderful, the new Gershwin Musical. Call 247-2787 for info & tickets. On 11-8, there will be a reception from 5:00 – 7:00, free & open to the public. On Nov. 11, there will be a tribute to the music of World War II. The Treasurer’s Report: $375.49 in the Valdosta Civic Roundtable account at Sunrise Bank.

Terri Whitlock: American Red Cross – Hurricane season is about over (the hurricanes may not know this though!) Red Cross is helping the community through training in disaster preparedness & CPR/First Aid. They found about 200 VSU students at The Happening last month, who are interested in volunteering in different areas. They will be heading up the holiday mail for heroes & online gift catalog up again this holiday season.

Dennis Marks: Lowndes County Democratic Party – Early voting is going on now. All eligible voters should be making informed choices as there are a lot of offices to be decided, as well as five amendments to vote on. Events of interest: Joe Martin will be at the Hugh Chancey barn on 6374 GA Hwy. 122 E, Hahira, on Sun., Oct. 10th, from 3-5 PM. Sanford Bishop will debate Mike Keown in Thomasville on Oct. 12 at 6:15, in the Municipal Auditorium. On Oct. 26, there will be a reception at the Rainwater Conference Center for Chamber of Commerce members only, from 5-7 PM. Then at 7:00, there will be a political forum hosted by AAUW, open to the public.

Heather Evans: Goodwill – Heather is working hard to let the community know that the Goodwill Store also houses a training center, complete with computers, fax machine, job training, resume writing, etc. They offer testing to help get the unemployed or out of work person ready for employment. For info call 316-1216.

Jane Osborn: Community Calendar; some items mentioned are the So. GA Partnership to End Homelessness will sponsor “Have a Heart for the Homeless” on Nov. 6, from 10-2 PM at Crossing Jordan Baptist Church. Free classes for those interested in homeownership are sponsored by the GA Dept. of Community Affairs. Call 245-1330/ext.22, for details. GA Legal Services Program offers free tax preparation for those whose income is $49,000 or less. Call 333-5232. Romeo & Juliet is being offered in the Sawyer Theater at VSU. Call 333-5973.

Mrs. Estelle Rose: Hahira/Lowndes County Community Outreach Development Corp. – this is a group which promotes high school students who excel in all areas of their lives by offering a summer camp & a Cotillion Debutante Ball each year.

Leslie Jacobs: Jacobs’ Ladder Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. – We are in the middle of the United Way campaign & I’d like to make sure that everyone has had the opportunity to fill out a pledge card, or make your contribution. If you need a card, call me or the United Way office. Your donation to United Way helps people in our community! Belk Charity Day is coming up on Sat., Nov. 6. From 6-10 AM, the store is open for holders of the Charity Day ticket. I’ll mail tickets to anyone who is interested in purchasing one or more. There is a need for weekday volunteers to help with our school day program.

Please call Leslie for info at 794-1188.

That’s all the news I have for now. Please remember to be thinking of a nominee for the Louie Peeples White Award & get that to Jane Osborn as soon as you can. Thanks!

In preparation for our December luncheon: please pick up a back-pack or suitcase & a stuffed animal for a child being taken from their home & going in through DFCS.

We will meet again on Thursday, Nov. 4^th, at Hildegard’s, in Downtown Valdosta. Hope to see you there!

Leslie Jacobs, Secretary