Senior Center Activities

Thomaston-Upson Senior Center is open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. The center has an exercise room and free lending library.

Reflection’s Day Program is an Alzheimer’s daycare available from 7:00 am until 4:00 pm weekdays.

Lunch is available at 11:30 am for $1.25, the menu varies daily.

This weeks activities include puzzles & games on Monday, exercise on Tuesday, Bible study on Wednesday, exercise classes on Thursday and a Field Trip to Wal-Mart with lunch at Norris’s  (cost $12) on Friday. The kitchen will be closed on Friday, August 5th, due to the Field Trip.

Additional activities this week include Quilting at 1 pm Monday and playing Bridge Tuesday, Wednesday (instructional) and Thursday.

Women’s Pilates is being offered Monday and Wednesday at 4 pm. 

Thomaston-Upson Senior Center
302 South Bethel Street
Thomaston, GA
706-647-1607

Upson Humane Society

The Upson Humane Society will meet Tuesday, August 2nd, 6:30 pm at the Thomaston Civic Center. The meeting will be held in the Arts and Crafts room. They generally meet the first Tuesday of each month and there are no dues associated with membership.

Class of ‘76

The R.E. Lee class of 1976
held their 35th reunion this weekend.

The group gathered at the Woodall House on West Main Saturday evening for dinner and a chance to share some old memories.

The class of ‘76 was the 100th anniversary class to graduate from Lee. Sixty five members of the class attended the reunion.

Click on above pictures for a larger view, for a slideshow of more pictures, click HERE.

Fun Day At Weaver Park

The Thomaston-Upson Recreation Department held a Summer Fun Day at Weaver Park Saturday.

Over 200 attended the festivities that included lunch and the water slides.

Mississippi Comeback Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1/4 cup of chili sauce
• 1/4 cup of ketchup
• 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon of spicy mustard
• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 8 turns of the pepper grinder
• Couple dashes of hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning 
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• The juice of 1/2 of a lemon

Instructions
Put all of the ingredients in a blender and process until well mixed. Store in fridge. Use on everything!

Hospice Service For Those That Serve

As a We Honor Veterans Partner, Thomaston Hospice Incorporated will implement ongoing Veteran-centered education for their staff and volunteers to help improve the care they provide to the Veterans they proudly serve. The nation is seeing many of the Veterans who served in World War II and Korea pass away and the number of deaths of Vietnam Veterans is beginning to rise.

By recognizing the unique needs of our nation’s Veterans who are facing a life-limiting illness, Thomaston Hospice is better able to accompany and guide Veterans and their families toward a more peaceful ending. And in cases where there might be some specific needs related to the Veteran’s military service, combat experience or other traumatic events, Thomaston Hospice will find tools to help support those they are caring for.

“All hospices are serving Veterans but often aren’t aware of that person’s service in the armed forces,” said J. Donald Schumacher, National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) president and CEO.

“Through We Honor Veterans we are taking a giant step forward in helping hospice and palliative care providers understand and serve Veterans at the end of life and work more effectively with VA medical facilities in their communities.”

Alison Uphold/Thomaston Hospice Community Representative

Black Moon

We have all heard the phrase “once in a blue moon”.
But have you heard of a “black moon”?

Every ten to thirteen years, a month will have two new moon phases. This will occur tomorrow night.

With a new moon there is a feeling of starting anew, a fresh start, a new beginning. Although the new moon data is not as popular as the full moon, the dates are sought out by many people who know just how meaningful the new moon event can be.

In the dark twilight of the black moon, we just don't sense the significance of the new moon phase. We are less likely to look up when the moon is not as bright.

Summer Fun Day

Thomaston-Upson Recreational Department and Family Youth and Child Alliance (FYCA) are teaming up to sponsor Back to School Summer Fun Day at Weaver Park on Saturday, July 30, from 10 am to 2 pm.

There will be a water slide, exhibits, games and a hot dog lunch. Starter school supplies will be awarded to the first 200 children to register at the park. This is a free event and promises to be fun for the entire family.

Back to School

Back to School 2011-2012

Orientation/Open House Schedule

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

8:30 am to 10:00 am  7th grade Orientation at ULMS (gym)

10:30 am to 12 Noon  8th grade Orientation at ULMS (gym)

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm  Kindergarten Orientation at ULSE (cafeteria)

2:00 pm to3:00 pm  1st grade Orientation at ULSE (cafeteria)

3:00 pm to 4:00 pm  2nd grade Orientation at ULSE (cafeteria)

4:00 pm to 5:00 pm  3rd grade Orientation at ULSE (cafeteria)

Thursday, August 4, 2010

8:00 am to 9:45 am  6th grade Orientation at ULMS (Team 1, gym)

10:00 am to 11:00 am  9th grade Orientation at ULHS (gym)

11:15 am to 1:00 pm  6th grade Orientation at ULMS (Teams 2 & 3, gym)

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm  4th grade Open House at ULNE

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm  5th grade Open House at ULNE

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm  Open House at ULPK & ULAS

9th Grade Academy

Thomaston-Upson Schools to Launch 9th Grade Academy for 2011-2012 School Year

Upson-Lee High School 9th Grade Academy is the freshman year for students at ULHS.

One goal of the academy is to ease the transition from middle school to high school. Another goal is to retain the community atmosphere among students and teachers.

Highly qualified teachers will work closely with one another to ensure that all ninth graders are mastering the demands of the rigorous, college-prep curriculum embodied in the Georgia Performance Standards. In addition, U-L 9th Grade Academy will offer courses and support initiatives at all levels to ensure that all academy students are promoted to the 10th grade and are on-track to graduate.

Research has indicated that the transition from 8th to 9th grade is extremely important to the academic achievement and success of high school students.

Cricket Chirps: Nature's Thermometer

Did you know that you can tell the temperature by counting the chirps of a cricket? Here's the formula:

To convert cricket chirps to degrees Fahrenheit, count number of chirps in 14 seconds then add 40 to get temperature.

Example: 30 chirps + 40 = 70° F

To convert cricket chirps to degrees Celsius, count number of chirps in 25 seconds, divide by 3, then add 4 to get temperature.

Example: 48 chirps /(divided by) 3 + 4 = 20° C

Sybil Lovejoy Is Employee Of The Month

Sybil Lovejoy has worked with the Recreation Department at the Civic Center for over 32 years, she jokes that she “came with the building.” Her voice is what thousands of callers have heard over that span of time and she has managed the main office for three different directors; James Dawkins, Terry Peek and Mindy Daniel.

Sybil is the Upson County Employee of the Month for July and was presented with a certificate by County Manager Kyle Hood at Tuesday night’s commission meeting.

Sybil will be retiring on August 5th and she was the guest of honor at a reception held today at the Civic Center, over a hundred friends dropped by to wish her well. Sybil was presented with a yard swing by her co-workers for she and her husband Larry to enjoy.

Pet Shop

Here is a sweet little male puppy ready for adoption from the Animal Shelter. Just a few months old and already gets along well with others. If you are looking for a companion for yourself or your children stop by and visit with him, or any of the other animals waiting for a home.

Adopting a pet is simple. Have a picture ID, be at Least 18 years old, choose a pet, answer a series of questions and sign the spay/neuter contract. All animals adopted by outside residents of Upson County will be neutered or spayed by a veterinarian in Upson County before they leave.



Upson County Animal Shelter
2371 Yatesville Hwy
Thomaston, GA 30286
Phone: 706-646-4526
Email: goldthangs_2000@yahoo.com

There are many to choose from, large or small, let’s save them all!

City Fish Pond Open

The City of Thomaston fish pond is open Monday and Thursday from 5 pm to 10 pm, weather permitting. The pond is located in the Greatest Generation Park on North Church Street.

All citizens 50 and older are welcome to fish at no cost, the pond will be open through October 27, 2011.

Senior Center Activities

Thomaston-Upson Senior Center is open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. The center has an exercise room and free lending library.

Reflection’s Day Program is an Alzheimer’s daycare available from 7:00 am until 4:00 pm weekdays.

Lunch is available at 11:30 am for $1.25, the menu varies daily.

This weeks activities include puzzles & games on Monday, club meeting on Tuesday, Bible study on Wednesday, exercise classes on Thursday and bingo on Friday.

Alzheimer’s support group will meet Thursday at 6:30 pm.

Thomaston-Upson Senior Center
302 South Bethel Street
Thomaston, GA
706-647-1607

Distinguished Young Women

Thomaston and Upson County are being represented in the 2012 Distinguished Young Women pageant. Janie Boyt (left) 17, a senior at Upson-Lee is the daughter of Greg and Leslie Boyt and Ivy Pope, 17, a senior at Upson-Lee is the daughter of Christy Pope.

Distinguished Young Women is a national scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments.

Distinguished Young Women has a presence in all 50 states with more than 400 local programs in towns and cities across the country. The competition for scholarships begins at the local level during the junior or senior year for high school girls. Each Distinguished Young Women program evaluates participants in the following categories: Scholastics (20% of overall score), Interview (25% of overall score), Talent (25% of overall score), Fitness (15% of overall score), and Self-Expression (15% of overall score).

Matinee Show:                                               Evening Show:
Saturday, July 30 · 1:30pm - 5:30pm                 Saturday, July 30 · 6:30pm - 10:30pm
                                                Jennie T Anderson Theatre
                                                 Cobb County Civic Center
                                                  548 S. Marietta Parkway

Chamber Chat…

BOARD ELECTIONS

The Chamber Board Election Ballots will be sent out to the full membership the end of July and will be due back to the Chamber office by August 5, 2011.

Veterans Seminar

Thomaston Hospice attended Thursday’s Department Of Labor Veterans Seminar held at Southern Crescent Technical College’s Community Development Center on East Main Street.

Veterans from Upson and the surrounding counties learned about different resources that are free and available to all Veterans.

Resources included; State Benefits, Disabled Veterans Outreach programs, Education Programs, and Health programs.

The response was great and the most asked question that was, “When is the next Seminar?”

Kaylee Neighbors Wins Miss Central Georgia Teen America

Thomaston’s Kaylee Neighbors won the Miss Central Georgia Teen America.

The pageant was held in Griffin last Saturday, July 16th and is a preliminary for the Miss Georgia Teen America.

Kaylee will compete this February in McDonough for the title of Miss Georgia Teen America.

The pageant is a scholarship program for girls ages 12-18.

Kaylee is 14 and is the daughter of Jeff and Alicia Neighbors. She is a freshman at Upson-Lee High School.

Julie's Garden Spot: Avoiding Poison Ivy

The rash from poison ivy, oak or sumac usually starts out with red blotches but as we scratch, it develops into painful itchy pus-filled blisters. 

In the case of poison ivy, the rash is caused by an oily substance called urushiol that is carried in the leaves, stems and roots. One billionth of a gram can cause a rash. When you come in contact with it, you have about 15 minutes to wash it off with soap and water in order to avoid a reaction. If you don’t, your body develops sensitivity to it and over the next 24 to 48 hours, you will develop a rash.  If left untreated, the resulting sores can become infected. 

Besides causing severe infections, poison ivy can also be dangerous when any part of the plant is burned and resulting smoke is inhaled. Firefighters in particular have to be very careful because once this smoke is inhaled, it can cause severe irritation to the lining of their lungs, mouth and nose. Also, their faces and any part of their body exposed to the smoke will develop the rash.  

In summer, there is a sharp increase in the number of cases reported because we spend more time outdoors. About 90 percent of people will develop an allergic reaction to poison ivy.  Approximately 55 million Americans a year experience reactions to poison ivy, oak and sumac resulting in 1.5 million emergency room visits annually.  

Poison ivy is a woody plant with three-leaf clusters. Leaves can be smooth or notched. The plants produce white berrylike fruit that produce even more poison ivy plants as they come in contact with the soil. 

There are several “look alike” plants that grow in our area such as Virginia creeper and blackberry vines. If you are unsure of whether to avoid such plants, the best advice is still, Leaves of three, let them be!”

Senior Center Activities

Thomaston-Upson Senior Center is open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. The center has an exercise room and free lending library. Reflection’s Day Program is an Alzheimer’s day care available from 7:00 am until 4:00 pm weekdays. Lunch is available at 11:30 am for $1.25, the menu varies daily.

This weeks activities include exercise classes Tuesday and Thursday, Bible study on Wednesday and a Farmers Market will be open on Friday.

Thomaston-Upson Senior Center
302 South Bethel Street
Thomaston, GA
706-647-1607

Dog Days

The phrase "Dog Days" conjures up the hottest, most sultry days of summer. The Old Farmer's Almanac lists the traditional timing of the Dog Days: the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11, coinciding with the heliacal (at sunrise) rising of the Dog Star, Sirius.              

The rising of Sirius does not actually affect the weather (some of our hottest and most humid days occur after August 11), but for the ancient Egyptians, Sirius appeared just before the season of the Nile's flooding, so they used the star as a "watchdog" for that event.

Since its rising also coincided with a time of extreme heat, the connection with hot, sultry weather was made for all time:
"Dog Days bright and clear,
Indicate a happy year.
But when accompanied by rain,
For better times our hopes are vain."

Fire ‘n Ice Summer Salad

From the Kitchen of Deep South Dish
Dressing:
1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
1/4 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon horseradish
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon mustard seed

Salad:
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 small red onion, cut in half and sliced thin
1 jalapeno, chopped fine
3 large tomatoes, cut into chunks
2 medium cucumbers, peeled and sliced thin

Combine both of the vinegars with the sugar, salt, horseradish, and celery and mustard seeds in a small saucepan. Stir and bring to a boil, boiling for 1 minute. Set aside.
In a large glass bowl, combine bell pepper, red onion, jalapeno and tomatoes. Pour the hot vinegar and sugar mixture over the vegetables and set aside to cool.
Add the cucumbers, stir & cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for several hours. Use a slotted spoon for serving to drain excess liquid off when serving.

Pet Shop

All across the country there are animals that have been lost, displaced or abandoned, some by accident, some by owners that couldn’t look after them. This is true for Upson County as well.

The Upson County Animal Shelter and Humane Society work hard to take care of these animals and find loving homes for them, unfortunately not all make it.

If you are thinking of adding a furry friend to your family take a look at the pets available through the animal shelter and give them a chance. There are many to choose from, large or small, let’s save them all!

We would like to introduce you to our Pet Of The Week.

This beautiful dog appears to be a redbone mix. He is super friendly, well behaved and very happy! He has already been neutered, and is ready to go.

All he will need is a rabies shot and the twenty dollar adoption fee.

Adopting a pet is simple. Have a picture ID, be at Least 18 years old, choose a pet, answer a series of questions and sign the spay/neuter contract. All animals adopted by outside residents of Upson County will be neutered or spayed by a veterinarian in Upson County before they leave. 

Come Visit Us!

Upson County Animal Shelter
2371 Yatesville Hwy
Thomaston, GA 30286
Phone: 706-646-4526
Email: goldthangs_2000@yahoo.com

Screen On The Green

The first Screen On The Green was held Friday night in front of the Thomaston-Upson Civic Center. The event was sponsored by Windstream and although rain threatened, a crowd of about 300 was on hand to see the movie Rio.

Vendors were set up around the track, the Northside Fire Department brought a fire truck and a mobile Fire Safety House to teach children what to do in the event of a fire.

Windstream held a drawing for a number of prizes, the winners were: Fischer Williams – MP4 Player, Susan Rogers – GPS, Stacy Townsend – Snap Camcorder, Noah Townsend – Surround Sound System, Lee McKissick – Digital Picture Frame, Tammy Fallin – Digital Camera and Shawn Townsend won the 30” Flat Screen TV.

For more pictures, click HERE.

The Big Bird Bash

The Hummingbird Stage & Tap Room, 430 Cherry Street in Macon, will host it’s third quarterly Big Bird Bash.  

The event will be held on Saturday, July 16th from noon to 2:00 am. Proceeds benefit local musicians and Central Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). The first two events have raised over $4,000 for local musicians and over $3,000 for Central Georgia CASA. Tickets/armbands are $10 and can be purchased at the door or through any band member.

Local talent you may know includes, Hunter Price at 1:30 pm, Mystery Road at 2:15 pm, Will Stevens at 3:15 pm and The Dirty Sound Professors at 8:45 pm.  Along with eleven other bands and performers it promises to be an exciting evening of musical entertainment.

TUAC Quilt Show

The Thomaston-Upson Arts Council (TUAC) is hosting an exhibit during the month of July featuring the Cherokee Rose Quilters’ Guild.

Judy Bowles is president of the Guild.

Robert Corley is recognized as the oldest member of the group, he is a founding member and the only male.

Several of the quilts are for sale, they are all locally made by members of the Guild.

The Cherokee Rose Quilters’ Guild meets the first Tuesday of every month at the Thomaston-Upson County Recreation Center on Civic Center Drive. Refreshments and social time begins at 6:30 pm followed by a short business meeting at 7 pm, a presentation, show-and-tell and a mini quilt show follow.

Membership in the Guild is not limited to Upson County residents, anyone interested in learning how to quilt or helping others is welcome.

TUAC is located on the square at 118 South Church Street, (on the corner of Church and Gordon), they are open from 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 am to noon on Wednesday. For more information, visit their site at www.tuac.com

 

For a slideshow of the quilts, click HERE.

School Supply Drive

Starting today, July 12th, it is time for Thomaston Ford's annual school supply drive.

They will be collecting donations at the dealership during business hours. All the school supplies that are collected will be distributed to students in the Upson County School  system that need them.

Thomaston Ford
1011 Hwy 19 N
Thomaston Ga. 30286
Ph. (706) 648-2191

Summer Sizzle

Summer Sizzle at The Ritz - in Barnesville on July 16, 2011.

Come and join the fun! A1A Band (Official tribute band for Jimmy Buffett) will be there along with Thomaston’s own Loose Change band. Sure to be a great time.

Gates open at 6 pm. Bring your friends, blankets or chairs, and your ID. No coolers. For more information, contact the Barnesville Chamber of Commerce at 770-358-5884. Admission is $10.

Screen on the Green

Looking for something fun to do?

This Friday, July 15th bring a picnic, blanket or lawn chairs, gather all of your family and friends and enjoy Screen on the Green at the Thomaston Civic Centers track and field.

Sponsors will be there beginning at 7:30 pm with prizes and giveaways.

The movie RIO begins at 9 pm.

Blood Drive

The Sertoma Women of Upson will host a blood drive for the American Red Cross this Tuesday, June 12th.

Hours are from 2:30 pm until 7:30 pm, at the Thomaston Civic Center.

Garlic Corn On The Cobb

Ingredients

• 12 ears corn, husked and cleaned
• 12 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1/4 cup garlic powder

Directions

1. Preheat grill for medium heat, or preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Place each ear of corn on a separate square of aluminum foil. Place 1 tablespoon of butter on each one, and sprinkle with garlic powder. Wrap ears tightly with the foil.
3. Place ears of corn on the grill or in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, turning over occasionally.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 234 | Total Fat: 13.2g | Cholesterol: 31mg