Waycross Magazine

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Spring/Summer 2016 • Issue 27
Bless God, America!
Life is busy, and we want you to spend time where it means the most.
So whether you’re looking to save for college, renovate the kitchen,
or buy your first home, your friends and neighbors at
Waycross Bank & Trust are here to help.
Proudly Serving Our Community Since 1988
501 Tebeau Street • Waycross, GA 31501 • 912-283-0001
www.WaycrossBankandTrust.com
NMLS #518424
Congratulations to Ervin Nard.
Ervin is GHSA State Champion
in the Discus for AAAAA.
Cynthia and Walt Eddings of
Southern Harvest
Produce at OHC’s Way
Green Market.
Congratulations to Zane
Markle on earning his
Eagle Scout. Zane is
shown with his parents
Chris and Heather. A
graduate of Pierce
County High School.
Zane wants to be a
lawyer.
Satilla Faith
Channel 15
912-287-0948
WAYCROSS
magazine
Issue 27 - Spring/Summer 2016
2511 Mahan Drive • Waycross, GA 31501
Publisher & Design: Dave Callaway
Distribution: 5000
WAYCROSS Magazine is published 2 times a
year by Callaway Advertising. All rights
reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without
written permission is prohibited.
Contact Publisher:
[email protected]
www.waycrossmagazine.com
912-287-0948
https://www.facebook.com/Callaway-Adver tising236215486428361
We pray daily for our men and women in
the military and in public safety. May God
Bless each of you. The webpage address
for Blue Lives Matter is:
http://bluelivesmatter.blue/
VITA-MART, INC.
ìA Vitamin & Health Food Depotî
Open: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday 9 am - 3 pm
We ship anywhere in the U.S. & Canada
MICKY MULLIS
912-285-9306
FLANDERS SHOPPING CTR.
2509-B Plant Avenue
Waycross, GA 31501
Jr. Boys 1st Place
Jr. Boys Runner Up
Jr. Mite Boys 1st Place
Jr. Mite Girls Runner Up
Jr. Mite Boys Runner up
Jr. Mite Girls 1st Place
Private Parties
Meeting Rooms
Catering
KD’s Cafe can help
you with everything
285-3300
504 Elizabeth Street
Wa y c r o s s
National Technical Honor Society • Spring 2016 Induction Ceremony
at Coastal Pines Technical College
L u c a s a n d T h o m a s Fa m i ly D e n t i s t r y, I n c
Welcome to Our Practice
Dr. George Thomas and Dr. Jason Lucas welcome
you to our family dental practice in Waycross, GA.
From the very first phone call, our entire team is
dedicated to making sure that you always have a
comfortable and rewarding experience with us.
Doctors Thomas and Lucas hold a shared philosophy
of caring relationships and a commitment to
excellence in dentistry.
1600 Alice Street
Waycross, GA
Phone: 912-285-3140
Fax: 912-285-0260
www.thomasandlucasdentistry.com
e-mail: [email protected]
Dr. Virginia Carson is retiring as President of South Georgia State College. We wish Dr. Carson well in her
retirement. She has earned it. Shown with Dr. Carson are l-r, Elle Carson, Mrs. Camilla (Carson) Moss, Carson Moss, Mr. Bryan Carson, Mr. Francis Carson, Dr. Virginia Carson, Mr. Frank Carson, Mrs. Kristen Carson and Ricks Carson.
James and Alicia Johnson, Owners
505 State Street • Waycross, GA 31501
912-283-1313 • [email protected]
“The Difference is Delicious!”
ive
a
on
Dr
ac
W
Ware County at Sunset. Drone photo by Keith Douglas.
Waycross-Ware County Chamber of Commerce
Allie Dance, Membership Director, Chamber
Born & raised in Brunswick, GA. I attended the College of
Coastal Georgia. I worked my way through college at a locally
owned restaurant on Jekyll Island, where I worked myself into
upper management with an emphasis in event planning. In
2014, I opened a small women's clothing boutique in downtown
Waycross and fell in love with the area. I am so excited to be
back in Waycross, and I'm looking forward to getting to know the
community through the Chamber of Commerce.
Amy Dixon, Administrative Director, Chamber
Amy has been with the Chamber since June 2013; she works
closely with both the Membership and Executive Director on behalf of our business community. She is from Jacksonville,
Florida where she attended Florida State College. In 2009 she
relocated to Blackshear, Georgia with her husband and three
children.
Allie and Amy can be reached at 912-283-3742 from 9am til
5pm.
1503 Tebeau St. • Waycross
www.musicfuneralhome.com
912-283-1414
Locally Owned & Operated by Rodney Music
•
•
•
•
•
Commercial
Industrial
Residential
Roll-Off
Stationary Compactors
3473 Harris Road • Waycross
Okefenokee Heritage Center Artists of the Month
Phyllis Perry
Houston Cooper
Waycross Area Community Theater presents the Music Man Cast
January 31st at First United Methodist Church
Thank you for
your service.
Debbie Dean
Debbie Dean
Brantley County is home to Debbie Dean. She is married and
has two children and three grandchildren. Debbie has always enjoyed the outdoors and is appreciative of country life. Some of her
favorite outdoor activities include nature walks with her grandchildren, camping, fishing, canoeing, bike riding, and photographing
God's beautiful creation. Debbie treasures the time she spends
with her family and friends.
Debbie can be reached at [email protected].
81st Annual Waycross-Ware County Chamber Banquet
Ralph and P. O. Herrin Business and Industry Award
Henry Clarke presented by Danny Yarbrough w/wife Carol
McGregor Mayo Agriculture Award
Kager Moody (l)
Presented by Joseph Slusher
Katherine Foss Education Award
Carol McCloskey (surrounded by Memorial Dr. friends
Presented by Franklin Pinckney
Jack Williams Community Service Award
Mary Beth Butler
Presented by Roger Williams
Randy Sharpe Health Hero Award
Dr. Mukesh Agarwal and Dr. Nishi Agarwal
Presented by Congressman Buddy Carter
Gus Karle Award
Tara Crosby Morrison
Presented by Larry Gattis
Photos by Myra Thrift
Society Editor
Waycross Journal-Herald
81st Annual Waycross-Ware County Chamber Banquet
Outgoing Chair, Sara Coggin with her husband
Brian.
The chamber banquet committee celebrating Eva’s time as Exceutive Director. Eva has accepted a position with Coastal Pines Technical College. We wish her well.
Enjoying the chamber banquet, l-r, are Gus Karle, CSX
President Clarence Gooden, Eldee Rutland and Sue
Clark. It is always our pleasure to be in the presence of
Photos this page by Toni Nelson.
greatness.
Brunswick • Jesup
Waycross
1-877-281-0777
Waycross
Thank you for volunteering to assist ten families to have a better life in our community.
&
L e e Ha rd w a re
BUILDING SUPPLIES
721 Albany Avenue • 912-285-0287
LEE Industrial Supply • 1-877-588-4711
w w w. l e e h a r d w a r e a n d b u i l d i n g . c o m
Where Hardware
Isn’t a Sideline
Superior Customer Service
Miles-Odum Funeral Home and Crematory
130 Screven Avenue • Waycross
www.milesodumfuneralhome.com
912-283-2525
Concert at the Ritz Theater. Left to right, Trombone: Larry Gattis and Matt Knox, French Horn: Jenny Varnadore, Tuba: Jeff Nelson,
Trumpet: Alan Carter and Kathy Cox.
2016 Ware County Recreation
Lady Gators 10U GRPA State Champions!
Congratulations!
Front Row – l-r, Kaleigh Joiner, Josie Augustine,
Shayla Pittman, Madilyn Medders, Zoe Crowe, and
Raygan Dixon.
Middle Row – l-r, Madi Morgan, Kate Howell, Aniston
Delk, Abby Hudson, Erin Meeks, and Taylor Vaughn.
Back Row – l-r, Coach Alana Meeks, Coach Kelli
Delk, and Coach Garrett Crowe.
Not in the picture: Bryton Borg
If you’re looking for
a health care provider,
Southeast Georgia
Health System is
ready to help.
Just call
1-855-ASK-SGHS
(1-855-275-7447)
When you call our FREE
Need a doctor? health care provider referral
1-855-ASK-SGHS
line, we’ll help you find just
1-855-275-7447
the right provider for you and
your family.
sghs.org
Welcome to Dr. Ingrid Thompson-Sellers
as Interim President at South Georgia
State College.
!
!
5/2016
© 2016 SGHS
PAGE STAR Region 11 Winner Rachel Dekom from Glynn Academy with her
STAR Teacher John Eye. L-R, Libby Carter, Jimmy Carter, Annie Akins, Rachel
Dekom, and John Eye. Congratulations!
Ware County Star Student • Lindsey Smallwood
Shown at the STAR recognition luncheon l-r, Lamar and Staci Smallwood, Lindsey, Danny Gill, Superintendent Jim LeBrun and
Principal Bert Smith.
Region 11 Winners
Appling County High School
Student: Hannah E. Hughes • Teacher: Ms. Angela McLean
Bacon County High School
Student: Marina D. Johnson • Teacher: Mr. Danny McLean
Brantley County High School
Student: Shereen Farooq • Teacher: Mr. Blake Johns
Camden County High School
Student: Lilly Claire Merck • Teacher: Mrs. Lisa Wolfe
Charlton County High School
Student: Hannah E. Murray • Teacher: Mr. John Boatwright
Glynn Academy
Student: Rachel Anne Dekom • Teacher: Mr. John Eye
Jeff Davis High School
Student: Jordan Ernst • Teacher: Mrs. Betsy Downer-Brown
McIntosh County Academy
Student: Cassandra M. McCullough • Teacher: Mr. Zach Zachry
Pierce County High School
Student: Nicholas A. Markowich • Teacher: Mrs. Susan Brauda
Ware County High School
Student: Lindsey A. Smallwood • Teacher: Mr. Danny Gill
Wayne County High School
Student: Wesley J. Peebles • Teacher: Mrs. Melinda Chancey
Russell Bates l, Wayne Morgan
Actual photograph
With online security and data breaches being the top stories in the news over the past 18 months, it isn’t surprising that banks and
credit card companies are taking action to protect their customers. One local institution, Waycross Bank & Trust, knew that offering
this security to their customers wasn’t a matter of if, it was a matter of when.
Their path to do so, however, is one that dates back to founding values of the bank. Russell Bates, President and CEO of Waycross
Bank & Trust, elaborates, “We’ve planned for some time to transition customers to the more-secure chip debit cards. When we started
talking about what those cards would actually look like, the idea was proposed that we support a local artist. As a community bank
founded to support neighbors and local businesses, it aligns perfectly with our mission.”
The bank approached photographer Wayne Morgan, an area icon when it comes to capturing picturesque scenes of the Okefenokee region. Morgan’s photographs have hung in the state capital and have been purchased by dignitaries such as Jimmy Carter and
Sonny Perdue. He was the winner of the Judge Ben Smith photography competition in 2007, 2008, and 2009, and has released five
books: Satilla Solitude, Kase for the Environment, Satilla Solitude 2nd edition, Okefenokee Swamp - Wild and Natural, and Zirkle to
Alaska, which just hit shelves earlier this year.
Morgan has countless breathtaking pictures of the area, and WB&T worked with him to identify one unique to the area. The end result are new debit cards which feature a beautiful still shot of the Okefenokee Swamp taken by Morgan the spring of 2013.
Customers of WB&T will begin using the new technology this week. Debit cards with chip technology offer a greater level of protection
than traditional magnetic strip cards because each time a chip transaction takes place, a unique, one-time code is created and the
transaction information is encrypted. This makes it harder for cardholder information to be stolen.
“We have a commitment to our customers to protect their information, and offering debit cards with chip technology is one more
way we follow through on that promise. Being able to support a local artist in the process makes it even better,” said Bates. For more
information on debit cards with chip technology, or how you can further protect your sensitive information, please visit the website at
WaycrossBankandTrust.com, call (912) 283-0001 or stop by 501 Tebeau Street.
Morgan’s books can be purchased at the Okefenokee Heritage Center, Plant Café in downtown Waycross, Jerry J’s in Nahunta, or
on his website at WayneMorganArtistry.com. By Katie Stewart, Retail Marketing Manager | WB&T Bankshares, Inc.
Wayne Morgan’s Artistry
If interested in contacting Wayne, his email is [email protected], his
website is www. WayneMorganArtistry.com and his phone number is 912 2880810.
Turpentine Lane
Okefenokee Heritage Ctr.
1
Barry Nobles
Barry Nobles was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He is a 7th or 8th generation working in woods, Cutting timber or logging, saw
milling, or stumping. Barry’s family began working in the woods in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi,
Louisana, Texas, and Florida.One of Barry’s hobbies is collecting items related to pine trees.
He stumps with his father, Johnny Nobles. They stump the following counties, Bacon, Jeff Davis, Coffee, and Atkinson.
They harvest the stumps with excavators with shear heads so they can cut the brace roots off and the tap roots. These stumps are
loaded onto semi-truck trailers and shipped to Pinova Inc. in Brunswick Georgia for processing which removes the Rosin from the
stumps. The Rosin from the stumps is used in many different products such as women’s makeup and soft drinks. The caramel coloring comes from the darker Rosin. The sticky tape used on baby diapers is made from the clear Rosin. Products from the stumps are
used in more ways than he knows.
3
6
2
4
A Historical Context of the Turpentine (Naval Stores) Industry in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal
Plains of Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida
Contributors include Brian K. Greer, Fort Stewart/Hunter AAF, S. Dwight Kirkland, Southeastern Horizons, Inc.,
and Martin Healey, LG2 Environmental Solutions, Inc.
aval Stores production is among the oldest industries in
the world. Ancient Egyptians used pitch (evaporated resin
or gum) to produce an age-enduring varnish for the
preservation of mummies (Dyer 1963:1). Noah was commanded
by God in the book of Genesis to “Make thee an ark of gopher
wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark and shalt pitch it within
and without with pitch” (Genesis 6:14).
Among the earliest accounts of tar and pitch production is that
of Theophrastus (372-287 B.C.), a Greek scholar, who recorded
various ways of obtaining and processing resin (gum) in his day.
No one knows for sure when pine resin (gum) was first used in
what is now the Southeastern United States. Archeological evidence indicates Native Americans recognized the usefulness of
raw pine gum and the tar and pitch resulting from its burning (inadvertent distillation). These products were used to help secure
stone and/or bone tools to wooden hafts, attach fletchen to arrow
shafts, and waterproof cordage, baskets, or fabrics.
Evidence of such has been found in archaeological contexts
as early as 11,000 years ago during the late Paleoindian Period.
It was also perhaps used as an ingredient in potions or medicines, and pine knots were used as torches to light the way in
darkness. It is probable that gum was intentionally heated in
small batches to produce tar or pitch. While these people certainly knew about and exploited pine gum, tar, and pitch in a variety of ways, there is no evidence that particular individuals or
groups of Native people specialized in gathering and/or trading
in this commodity. It was simply gathered as needed and used
N
for the purpose at hand. Shortly after Europeans arrived in the
New World, they readily recognized the possibility of naval stores
production. Europeans brought with them the knowledge and
skills required to prepare tar and pitch, developed over centuries
in northern Europe. One of the first descriptions of naval stores
production in North America is that associated with the exploration of the Gulf Coastal Florida by the Spaniard, Panifilo de
Narvaez in 1528. Narvaez landed near present-day St. Petersburg with an army of about 300 men seeking gold and other
riches. After battling the Indians and having no success at finding
riches, he ordered his men to construct four rafts (sometimes referred to as boats) to use in a downriver voyage to the sea from
the interior of Florida. They made tar and pitch from the pine
knots and dead trees to waterproof the ropes, sails, and caulking. They soaked saw palmetto fibers with the tar and used this
as caulking between the timbers. It is the first record of the actual
production of naval stores by Europeans in what would become
the United States.
However, it was not until over a century later that the first true
naval stores industry was established in North America. There
are indications that, in 1606, French settlers in Nova Scotia were
the first to produce significant quantities of naval stores. It is believed they formulated these products from red pine (Pinus
resinosa) or jack pine (Pinus banksiana) growing in the area, but
there is no evidence they produced enough for export. It is assumed they were used for domestic and medicinal purposes
only.
Two years later, in 1608, a group of six Polish settlers, skilled
in the Old World techniques of producing pitch, tar, soap, and
other products, came to the English colony of Jamestown. They
were brought to Jamestown after it had nearly failed following the
leadership of the Poles, the Jamestown settlers cleared the land,
built a small factory, and began producing naval stores. The
colony not only survived but was able to fill a ship with naval
stores for the return to England. This marked the first export of
naval stores from the New World. In the most rudimentary procedure, the Jamestown settlers cut a blaze on a pine tree from
which the gum flowed. After a time this was scraped from the
tree. Another process involved collecting pine gum by boring
holes in trees and catching the gum in a container. Kettles were
then used to heat pine gum until most of the volatiles evaporated
away. The resulting mass, referred to as tar or pitch depending
on the viscosity, was cleaned by filtering or straining and used to
caulk the joints, cracks, and crevasses in wooden ships. In some
instances, trees were set ablaze which resulted in the exudation
of resin and carbonization on the tree trunk. The carbonized
resin or tar was then scraped from the tree and used. Serious tar
production began shortly after 1620, in New England. The New
England pine wood used to extract the resin was largely from
pitch pine (Pinus rigida). These were inferior gum producers
when compared to the longleaf (Pinus palustrus) and slash
(Pinus elliottii) pines that nine would later be tapped further
south in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Still, the wood extraction method was popular and lucrative.
As early as 1650, restrictions were placed on some New England settlements in the gathering and burning of fat wood to produce tar. As dead wood became increasingly scarce, people
slowly turned to the living tree for raw materials. This was done
by making a large blaze on the tree (wounding) and returning
later to scrape off the exuded gum. By 1715, a law was passed
in Massachusetts to oppose the forest depletion. This law came
largely too late in New England since the bulk of the tar industry
had already begun to move south to the new colony of Carolina.
As Virginia’s settlement progressed and the Province of Carolina
was established in 1629, the concentration of naval stores production began moving southward. While this was largely due to
the loss of most of the pine forests, the better gum production of
the longleaf and slash pines of the mid-Atlantic, southern Atlantic, and Gulf Coastal Plains was also a factor. Once naval
stores production was established in Carolina, a bustling industry developed. When Carolina was separated into northern and
southern colonies in 1729, most of the naval stores production
was centered in South Carolina. However, as settlers moved up
the Cape Fear River, the industry spread rapidly into North Carolina. North Carolina became the major producer and exporter of
naval stores by the 1770s. While kiln production of tar and pitch
from fatwood was prominent from the early 1700s until about
1850, it lasted to a lesser extent into the twentieth century.
About 1875, serious naval stores production began in Georgia. Industrialization was expanding worldwide and this lead to
an increased market for naval stores products. Many North Car-
olinians moved to the Georgia pine belt and began distilling pine
gum into turpentine and rosin. Production began in northern
Florida shortly after that, and Georgia and Florida became the
leading producers of naval stores by the turn of the twentieth
century. While naval stores products would also be made in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and eastern Texas, none of the
production in these states would reach the levels in Georgia and
Florida. Gum naval stores reached its highest level in 1908-09
when approximately 750,000 barrels of turpentine and 2,000,000
barrels of rosin were produced.
In the early part of the twentieth century (1910-1920) several
researchers made discoveries that increased the production of
gum. Eloise Gerry, of the U.S. Forest Service, discovered that the
resin ducts responsible for exuding the gum were more numerous at shallower depths in the wood than were being cut into the
trees. Before that time, the deep chipping removed this valuable
high gum producing tissue. Others also learned that shallow
chipping and narrower streaks could almost double the life of the
tree and greatly reduce the mortality caused by deep chipping. In
1936, the Southern Forest Experiment Station, of the U.S. Forest
Service, began to test the effectiveness of various chemicals in
stimulating gum flow. Over the course of several years, these investigations led to the conclusion that a 50 percent solution by
weight of sulfuric acid was the best agent. The practice of spraying fresh scrapes with this solution began just after World War II.
Eventually, only the bark was removed during chipping, leaving the wood of the tree undamaged and in good growing condition. By 1963, more than 90 percent of the growers were
spraying acid on freshly-cut bark streaks.
Uses of Naval Stores Products
Pitch
From ancient times until the advent of iron/steel-hulled ships,
the bulk of naval stores products were used for waterproofing the
hulls and accouterments of sailing ships. Oakum (old twisted
rope) was driven into seams, cracks, and/or crevasses in the
decks and hulls of ships using specialized tools. The oakum was
then covered with melted pitch poured from pitch ladles. A ship’s
rigging and ropes were also pitch treated to waterproof them and
retard rotting. This treatment was usually done in the filament
stage before the strands were formed into a rope.
Tar
The primary use of tar during the sailing period was for rigging
and waterproofing. Terrestrially tar was used as a medicine to relieve the sore hooves of mules, to cover plow lines, to coat the
bottoms of fence post to retard rotting, like axle grease for wagons, and as an ingredient in composition roofing. Tar was used
as medicine for eczema and psoriasis. Mixed with honey, it was
claimed to be a cure for the common cold and prevent pneumonia.
Turpentine
The primary use for turpentine was as a solvent for paint and
varnish. It was heavily used as such by the automotive, railroad,
and building trades and by the rubber industry. It was also used
by the general consumer for paint thinner and household uses.
The use of turpentine in the pharmaceutical industry was relatively small. It was used in disinfectants, liniments, medicated
soaps, and salves. Turpentine was also used in shoe polish, furniture polish, cement, cleaning agents, stain removers, drawing
crayons, printing inks, indelible marking ink and to waterproof
cloth, tents, and covers for wagons; it also acted as an insecticide. One of the earliest uses was as an illuminant. It was mixed
with castor oil to produce a fluid used in lamps.
Rosin
Almost 85 to 90 percent of the rosin produced was used in
paper products, primarily as paper sizing. It was also a component in soap or varnish, from 1930 to 1932. By the 1940s, the
major consumers of rosin were pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Rosin was used as a paper coating in a treatment referred to as “sizing” which prevented the paper from acting as a
blotter and allowing the bleeding of inks. Another major use was
to produce varnish. From 1922 to 1932, rosin oils, greases, and
printing inks accounted for about 5 to 25 percent of the resin consumption.
The complete project story can be found on the web at
https://denix.osd.mil/cr/upload/A-Historical-Context-of-the-Turpentine-Naval-Stores-Industry-in-the-Atlantic-and-Gulf-CoastalPlains-of-Georgia-South-Carolina-and-Florida.pdf.
There are over one hundred pages that describe Naval Stores
in this project. We just did not have the room to print it all.
Key to Pictures
#1 Barry with large stump, 5 tins, 3 cups, aluminium, metal and galvanized cups
#2 L-R back items 1st, 2 wooden tree calliper
(this measures the diameter of the tree)
cup cover, wood hack, dip iron, bark hack,
wood hack, and 2 long items are pullers
#3 Stump with chop box and dip iron and dip
bucket
#4 Tar cups, ax in the picture was used to
chop the box in the stump in picture #3 and it
is called a box ax. The next tool is black smith
made and it is used to trim the bevel of the inside of a wooden barrel. It is a type of drawing
knife.
#5 Tar cups
#6 Sled with 2 tar barrels, a dip bucket in the
top of one barell. A cat face with a tin and a
tar cup and at end of picture is a scrape box.
The pictures on this page courtesy of the Georgia
Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village at ABAC.
Turpentine Still
Processing Turpentine
Wiltronics
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912-283-9459
The
Night
Hunter
The cold Georgia night’s
sleepy silence was broken by the
sound of two excited hounds as
they struck a fresh hot scent. It
was a sound which always
seemed to make the night
hunter’s heart warm on the coldest of nights. Slowly, Ole Stan
rose to his feet. He stepped a
by Clint Bowman
short distance away from the small fire
burning next to the old half buried log. It had taken the two
hounds a good long half hour or more to strike a trail.
Beholden Stanley Williams had been wondering what the
delay was. It wasn’t normal for the old male and his little gyp
companion to be so slow in hitting on a trail, as raccoons were
more than plentiful along the Satilla. Known simply as Ole Stan
by his friends and others around the region, he had been named
Beholden by a grateful frontier mother after too many failures in
trying to birth a son. Her thankfulness to the Good Lord had saddled her son with a name which, more than once, led to impromptu exchanges of knuckle sandwiches out behind the local
meeting house. It seemed that most of the local boys after a few
of these Sunday experiences decided to call Beholden Stanley a
shorter, friendly name.
Ole Stan now listened carefully. His eyes searched the sky
here and there as his nose tested the wind. “Don’t seem like the
clouds are going to build up yet,” he muttered. “Ahroooo, yip, yip,
ahroo…” the two hounds were getting excited. The night hunter
picked up his rifle and checked to see that his firing cap was in
place. The dogs quieted. The sound of a barred owl drifted
through the woods on the night’s slow breeze. In the far distance,
the distinct snarl of a large night hunting cat sounded. “Wonder
what’s happened to them two?” he muttered to himself. “This ain’t
right,” he thought.
The sudden sound of splashing in the river opposite his sandbar fire startled Ole Stan. He gripped his rifle tightly and
crouched, ready to fight if need be. Then the light danced off the
eyes of the two hounds as they swam the short distance to the
sandbar and scurried quickly up to the fire’s warmth. The hunter,
now completely surprised, watched them come. Both dogs had
their tails down and kept glancing back across the river. The little
gyp was obviously afraid. The old male, Silas, was growling low
and soft as if to say, “Watch out boss, troubles over there!”
It was when Silas moved around to his master’s left side, and
his growling took on a louder, and more vicious sound did the
night hunter realize that there was a movement now in the palmetto bushes on the far bank. The newly risen moon was providing a good bit of light this night; though over there the bushes
were in shadow and only dark shapes at best. Slowly he
crouched and tightened his grip on his rifle. His right hand slid to
check on the availability of his long knife safely waiting in its
sheath. Slowly, Ole Stan began to back away from the fire and
into the shadows offered by the young sweetgum and tulip trees
which were attempting to grow their way slowly out from the bank
to take over the sandbar. Calling softly to the gyp and Silas, he
moved quietly back until he was within the young trees. He carefully placed a small group of three larger trees against his back.
He now kept his eyes on the far bank. The two dogs stood, one
on each side.
Silas, standing on his left, seemed to be clearly watching
something across the river and continuously emitted a low growl
which Stan was sure carried its way across the quiet waters. The
only sounds other than the dogs were the slight ripples in the
river of some passing catfish or gar. “Likely a big gar,” muttered
Stan as he waited, now down on one knee. The gyp whined quietly. The scream of the distant big cat drifted down the river. Silas
never wavered, kept his focus across the river. “Yep,” muttered the
night hunter, “One thing at a time, old boy, and one thing at a
time.” The hoot of the barred owl sounded again from far off
across the river.
Which came first, Stan was never sure. Whether it was the
suddenly loud snarling growl of a bark which exploded from Silas
or the unnerving appearance of three men emerging from the
river where none had been before, Silas could never figure out.
All three were clearly seen in the moonlight as they now ran
across the white sands in the moonlit night! One carried a spear
and was on the left of the three. The others carried either knives
or hatchets; Stan wasn’t sure. He also never could remember
how his rifle came to be cradled in his left armpit, and his knife
appeared in his right hand, it just happened.
The sharp crack of the rifle and the explosion of sparks
seemed to announce to the world that once again two cultures
were in disagreement. The middle Indian simply fell, face down
into the sand and lay still. Silas, with a loud snarling growl,
launched himself on a curving run to the left as he attempted to
attack one of the warriors by biting his lower leg. The spear-carrying warrior leaped the last few feet as he thrust his spear at the
hunter! The gyp barked a scream of fear, turned and ran into the
night.
Without thinking, with years of frontier survival experience
coming into play, Stan swung his rifle around and crashed it into
the spear knocking its tip aside! Thrusting forward with his long
knife, the leaping Indian provided a lot of the power with which
the long knife now ripped into his upper arm. Badly cut, the man
twisted trying to get away from the knife. Landing, his feet tangled and slid in the mix of mud and sand in this border area of
the sandbar, and he fell backward away from the night hunter’s
slashing knife.
Stan, slashing towards the falling Indian warrior, didn’t stop
moving but spun around to face the last one. The one Silas had
gone for. Silas had paid a price for his devotion. His head gashed
open by the man’s knife, the old hound still gamely tried to catch
the moving brave’s leg. The brave swung a wooden club at the
dog but missed. The man’s attention distracted, he never saw the
long barrel of the rifle as it crashed into the top of his head. He
fell with only the sound of his body hitting the ground to be heard.
Stan, remembering the fallen warrior to his right swung his knife and eyes
quickly that way, ducking his head and crouching expecting a blow to come.
There was no need. The man, wise in the ways of frontier fighting, knew when to withdraw. His arm is badly injured; he was retreating down the sandbar holding a clump
of Spanish moss grabbed from a low hanging tree limb
against his badly bleeding arm. His dangling injured arm
still carried his spear, but the fight was lost. Stan straightened up and watched him go.
Suddenly, realizing his left side hurt, he looked down to
see an arrow dangling from his buckskin shirt! His side felt
wet. Suddenly another arrow landed at his feet, where he
now saw three others standing with their tips buried in the
sand. Looking across the river, he saw two dim figures on
the far bank. They now turned and walked back into the
darkness, the dim motion of palmettos moving marked
their passage.
Stan quickly began reloading his rifle. Silas walked over
and lay down on the white sands nearby and quietly whimpered. In the distance, the owl’s hooting call was finally answered from upriver.
A week or so later, three older frontiersmen sat on the
front steps of the Kettle Creek meeting house. They listened as Ole Stan stood in the late evening shade of an
old oak and talked to a small group of new comers to the
community. He held a length of rope loosely in his hand
which was tied about the neck of the little gyp. “Now this
here dog is a first class hunter. She will trail anything, especially coons. Yep, first class. Never backs down no matter
what, she…..”, on he went as the old men now chuckled
and elbowed each other as they lit their pipes.
In the distance, an owl hooted a greeting to the new
evening. And far off down the creek came the sound of an
old dog as he announced the finding of a raccoon’s scent.
Ole Stan glanced that way, handed the rope to a young
man nearby and said,” Yep. Top notch, she is. Just give me
one of the pups when she brings a litter. Now, I’ve got to
go.”
Grabbing up his rifle which had been leaning against the
oak, he checked his long knife and walked off quickly towards the sound of a very excited hound… with a happy
smile, a warm heart…. and a ripple of quiet laughter from
the old frontiersmen.
“Hang on, boy, I’m coming!” he quietly said, lengthening
his stride. From the nearby oaks shading the meeting
house, an owl called into the night.
Clint Bowman teaches Social Studies
at Waycross Middle School. He lived in
Africa for 17 years as a Baptist missionary working as a teacher, coach, and
trainer. He grew up on the northern
edge of the great Okefenokee Swamp
and roamed parts of its edges and
along the Satilla River as a young man.
He has been married to his wife, Harriet
Willis Bowman, for 38 years and they
have 3 children and 7 grandchildren.
2016 Inductees • Ware County Sports Hall of Fame
Newest Sports Hall of Fame members l-r, Fred King (representing his brother, Arias Davis), Martha Williams Silas
(representing her late husband, Benjamin Silas), Donnie Miller, Richard Young, Edwin Lastinger and Craig Barnes.
The Hall’s History
A telephone conversation between two long time friends (Coot Cribb and Paul
Robinson) in early 1985 led to a meeting at the YMCA with others of like mind which
resulted in organizing what is known today as the Waycross-Ware County Sports
Hall of Fame. Those two, with a combined total of eight decades of sporting experience, called a meeting for June 20, 1985 to discuss their plans and the organization
was formed.
A constitution and by-laws were adopted along with a method of electing inductees and for securing nominees that included a call for public submission of
names.
Of the first 11 directors chosen, nine are deceased. They are, Oscar Moody, E. L.
“Coot” Cribb, George Bowen, Paul Robinson, Vernon Willis, Fleming Tyre, Bill Green,
Jimmie Lee Dowling, and Robert Nabers.
The first induction banquet was held in 1986 with 15 former local athletic greats
becoming charter inductees in the Hall of Fame. The Hall was also granted tax exempt status, making contributions tax deductible. At the 1987 banquet, 10 more former stars were inducted. The 1988 ceremony saw five more inductees admitted. The
Hall also began to recognize a male and female student-athlete from each local high
school that year. Each succeeding year five new inductees and the student-athletes
have been honored. The total number of people enshrined is 166.
The Micky Rigsby Scholar
Athlete winners are
Kobe Manders and Lexi
Price.
Photos by Gary Griffin
5:00 pm show
This is Center Stage Studio’s presentation of Circus, Circus. Ann Combs is the Artistic Director for Center Stage Studio located in
downtown Waycross. The show features participants ranging in ages from 3 to 20, they representing talent from five surrounding
counties. The show is not about how the children’s performance, it is about learning discipline. It does not matter they forget their routines, or take a fall or drop their batons or forget their lines. It is about building character and learning to think on their feet, knowing
how to do team work. It is about learning life’s lesson that one must work hard, try to do your best and life goes on no matter what
happens.
The instructors at Center Stage are Maisie Stewart, Lisa Clarson, Kim Moore; Courtney Anderson, Dde Jordan, and Van Jackson.
The assistant instructors Cassady Todd, Caitlyn Kenney, Sarah Jamie Johnson, Julianna Johnson, Emily McDermott and Caitlyn Wilson.
The office staff includes Cyndee Kenney and Tabitha Thomas. The sound engineer for the show is Terry Kenney.
We thank the Center Stage Dance Company officers and parents Trina Dill, Becky Murray, and Tracy Johnson. The not-for-profit
competitive Dance Team won five first places at the “ENCORE” Dance Competition at Georgia Southern University in March. The
group was also invited to perform at Universal Studios in April and participated in the Dance is Universal seminal to enhance their
dance education.
8:00 pm show
FaMiLy
Granddaughter Kathryn as she prepares for the Science Olympiad. Her dad, J.
W. just got back from a mission trip to Honduras. Her brother Jackson participated with his church youth group as they assisted families in need. Vacation
Bible School at 1st Baptist in Blackshear included Jones, Natalie, Allison,
Jenna, Caroline, and Kathryn. A Submerged experience was enjoyed.
Annie, Sarah, Tripp, and Nicholas enjoying
time on the water at the Bluff. David at the
TPC. David coaches soccer, baseball and
softball at the McIntosh Rec Dept.
Brian enjoying time at the beach. In
his spare time he coaches football,
basketball, softball, and baseball at
the Pierce County Rec Dept.
Jones Herrin just hit his first home run
in Blackshear. Congratulations!
ormer members of the Waycross Hairdresser’s Association met recently to review news articles and memorabilia found in a collection of scrapbooks donated to the CPTC Library on
the Waycross campus. The scrapbooks, compiled by area cosmetologists and members of the
Association, were presented to the college library in hopes that students who are motivated to
accelerate their careers will read about the various activities to learn ways to promote their talents, advertise their business, and build a clientele. Current CPTC students and local cosmetologists, especially those who were active in the local hairdressers affiliate, are invited to visit the
CPTC Library to enjoy the books. The scrapbooks are also available to the general public.
F
Pictured back row l-r, Onecia Lanier Selph with grandson Carson Goss, Jerrell Bednar, Janice
Summerall, Annise Proctor, Becky Williams Blount. Front Row l-r, Arlene Dixon, Nona McLeod,
Sarah McClelland, and Leigh Barnard.
SAS Director Terry Anderson
Honored for Years of Service
Years ago, Waycross’ Terry Anderson was working as a registered nurse in the hospital emergency room when she encountered her first sexual assault victim. She recalls, “That situation will
always remain burned into my memory.’’ That encounter sparked a
“compassionate fire’’ for her. Today she is “famously’’ known as
director of Satilla Advocacy Services, which assists victims of sexual assault and child abuse in a six-county area.
For “her dedicated service as director of SAS for 25 years,’’ Mrs.
Anderson was honored by Mayo Clinic Health System with a 25year Certificate of Service/Appreciation, calling attention to her
caring and professional compassion for hundreds of victims. The
presentation was made to her by Natasha Boatright, Operations
Manager, who is Anderson’s immediate supervisor.
In accepting the honor certificate, Mrs. Anderson pointed out
that “I have said it before and will say it again. I am blessed to live
in a community that continues to work to help victims in our community. I so appreciate all who support SAS and Mayo Clinic
Health System. Through the years, I have encountered many victims in all types of abuse. God opened many doors to help open
the advocacy center to help the victims in a six-county area. I have
had the privilege to work with community leaders that have organized an agency that supports victims and families.’’
Mrs. Anderson commented, “It has been an honor to work at
SAS since its beginning, supported by our local hospital. Deep appreciation goes to so many wonderful people who make SAS work
to help so many victims.’’
Mrs. Anderson and husband Shan are parents to two children,
Corey Beverly and Blake Beverly. She began her nursing career as
a nursing assistant in 1972 at the local hospital. She graduated in
1975 with a nursing degree from South Georgia College and then
began working in the emergency room of the hospital.
Satilla Advocacy Services, part of Mayo Clinic Health System is
the local rape crisis center and Child Advocacy Center, providing
extensive services to victims and their loved ones. SAS provides a
24-hour crisis line, counseling services, forensic interviews, forensic exams, volunteer advocates, court accompaniment and prevention education.
In a six-county area, SAS sponsors Stewards of Children’s programs, an intense teaching on how to detect child abuse and report it, taught by prevention education coordinator, Zina Ponsell,
another dedicated SAS associate. She works in the Waycross Judicial Circuit providing multiple programs to help bring awareness
and prevent child abuse.
According to Director Anderson, “We began working on the
SAS project in 1996 with task forces to see what was needed. We
opened our doors of SAS in 1999.’’
For more information about Satilla Advocacy Services, its crisis
line, or the Child Advocacy Center, contact SAS at 285-7355
Terry Anderson, Dedicated “Helper’’ of Sexually Abused
Women and Children, As Director of Satilla Advocacy Services, Honored with 25 Years of Service Certificate by Operations Manager, Natasha Boatright, Mayo Clinic Health System.
Story and Photo By Nickie Carter, SAS Board Member
The
Start!
“What a crowd! What dedicated runners and volunteers. My deepest gratitude for all those showing up and making this a successful way of bringing
awareness to prevention of child abuse and sexual assault,’’ said Mitzi Tyre,
run coordinator/nurse practitioner and Terry Anderson, director of Satilla
Advocacy Services, the agency which provides services for
sexual assault survivors in Ware, Pierce and surrounding counties. The Ware
County Fire Department “Heroes” ran in their full gear to make a point: “Stop
Notes furnished by Nickie Carter
Child Abuse!’’
Ware County Fire Fighters
Nurse Practitioner AliceTaylor (left) and SAS
DirectorTerry Anderson stand amidst a field
of flowers. Each flower represent 2014 sexual
assault survivors.
Jessica Moore,
Kendall Moore and
Bailey Moore sang
the National
Anthem.
Chief Tony Tanner
Nickie Carter and Heather Hall
Gomie the Clown with Mason and
Elizabeth Grantham.
The Bald Eagles Return by Doug Walker
Balladeer John Denver got it right when he penned the lyrics to Rocky Mountain High. “I knew he’d been a poorer man if he never saw and eagle fly,” Denver
wrote back in the early 1970s.
The bald eagle has made a comeback which Georgia game biologists have
called remarkable, going from one known nest on St. Catherine’s Island in late
1970 to more than 200 known nests in 2016.
The shrieks of joy when children see a bald eagle in the wild are enough to understand how their experiences in the wild are much richer than John Denver
could have imagined 40 years ago. Some of the raptors, particularly the pair who
have nested on the Berry College campus in Rome for the past five years are
easily visible to the public. It’s not uncommon on a pretty winter weekend day to
see 30-50 people gather behind the Berry College indoor athletic center to watch
the eagle soaring over the campus.
Historically, bald eagles were commonly observed along the
Georgia coast and in the Okefenokee Swamp a century ago. The
symbol of American independence, strength and pride were only
rarely seen elsewhere across the state.
The Okefenokee Swamp remains ideal habitat for bald eagles,
but it’s a massive area to cover when you’re looking out for a paddle and looking for nests. Greg Nelms, a wildlife biologist with the
DNR in Waycross, said that if there have been nests in the
swamp in recent years, there is a chance they could have been
lost during big wildfires that torched thousands of acres in 2007
and again in 2011.
Nelms did say he gets occasional reports from people in the
Waycross area who have spotted bald eagles. “They’re usually
see sitting in a big pine tree next to somebody’s pond,” Nelms
said.
Bob Sargent, director of the Nongame Conservation Section of
the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, said aerial surveys earlier this year did not reveal any nests in Ware County, but
the state doesn’t have the budget to scour the state hunting for
nests. They simply survey the nests that have been reported to
their regional offices or the Nongame Conservation office in
Forsyth.
In the years following World War Two, when DDT became a
part of the ag-ricultural the eagle population experienced a rapid
decline. The DDT washed off the crops, got into the waterways
and ingested by the fish that were a primary food source for the
eagles.
When eagles laid eggs, the shells were so thin that they broke
when the eagles were incubating their young. They were unable
to reproduce and as the mature birds died off, so the entire
species did.
Almost.
Like other states across the country, but the late 1970s Georgia started a project on Sapelo Island to reintroduce the bald
eagle to Georgia. The idea was to raise captive bred young eagles in a “hacking” tower. Eagles tend to return to the general
area of where they learned to fly when they mature and begin the
process of raising their young. Mind you, if an eagle nest was
found near the entrance to the Okefenokee Swamp Park just
southeast of Waycross, that doesn’t mean it’s young would come
right back to that spot. “General area” for an eagle could be anywhere from 60 to 600 miles,
Several years ago the talons of a dead eagle were recovered
near a nest on Carters Lake in Northwest Georgia. One of the
talons had a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tag indicating the bird
had been released as a captive eaglet near Williamsburg, VA.
After Georgia started releasing baby eagles on Sapelo Island
in 1979, the hacking program was expanded to Butler Island,
then to Lake Allatoona in Northwest Georgia.
In 2005, there were 82 known nests in Georgia. In most cases,
it takes a stroke of luck for someone to stumble across a nest.
Hence, biologists believe there are more nests across the state
than are actually “known.”
Two years later, in 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the
list of federally endangered wildlife. However, the bald eagle is
still considered as a threatened species in Georgia.
The 2016 surveys conducted by Wildlife Biologist Todd Schneider and Bob Sargent, the new head of the Nongame Conservation Section of the Georgia DNR revealed 201 active nests
across the state. Chatham County, surrounding Savannah, was
home to 22 nests, the largest concentration of bald eagles in
Georgia. Decatur County, surrounding Lake Seminole in Southwest Georgia had 19 nests this year. 13 nests in Camden County,
and ten were recorded in Glynn County.
Statewide, the nests spread across more than 60 Georgia
counties, have pro-duced at least 240 young eagles. 16 of the
nests still had incubating adults during the last survey on April 8,
so the chances for Georgians from the Okefenokee Swamp on
the Florida line to the Cohutta Wilderness on the Tennessee line
get greater and greater every year.
Young eagles on a nest overlooking
the Etowah River.
A nest behind LaFayette High School in Walker
County.
Doug Walker is Associate Editor of the Rome
News-Tribune in Rome, GA. Rome is in northwest Georgia and hometown to the late Jim Pinson of Waycross Journal-Herald and Willie
Character. Doug lives in Adairsville, GA, and his
hometown is Falls Church, VA. He is a graduate
of Auburn.
You may remember him as Doug Cook,
News Director at AM 1230 WAYX and FM 102.5
WLTE in the late seventies and early eighties.
Doug provided news reports mornings on the
Lou and Dave Show, noontime, and afternoon
drive. He is very professional, and I am glad to
call him my friend.
His full name is Douglas Cook Walker, and
since we already had a Doug Walker businessman in town, we settled
on him using his middle
name for an air name.
Doug is married, has two
stepchildren and five
grandkids.
We are grateful Doug
has shared one of his
passions with us.
Doug Walker
Dr. Robert T. Bussey
The renaming of Victory Drive that runs past the high school
to Dr. Robert T. Bussey Parkway. In honor of Dr. Bussey, who
lived his life in the field of education to help the youth of our
community grow and prosper. This honor is well deserved.
The Bussey Family at the dedication and unveiling
of the new sign.
WAYCROSS s e e n
The annual Holy Week Service/Luncheon series was a great blessing and success
in 2016 at First Baptist. Many people from different churches attended. The Kitchen
Committee and volunteers served over 500 meals this year. These dedicated members
labored sacrificially to provide some of the best meals in the rich history of this event.
The committee l-r, Carolyn Tanzer, Gloria Thomas, Joan Walden, Leland Eldridge,
Carolyn Peavy, Marjorie Rew, Beth McClelland, Jennifer Stewart, Ruthie Conner,
Susan Welch, Becky Dell, Gayle Everett, Teresa Ganas, Ed Brown and Ann Eldridge.
Not pictured is Lisa Durrence, Paula Day, Evelyn Murphy, and Frances Dye.
We congratulate you all on a job well done. The church services each day were outstanding. Many local ministers took part.
Holy Week
in
Waycross
The choirs of First United Methodist and Trinity United
Methodist combined to present a Christian concert My
Savior’ Love with Mary McDomald who is a free-lance
composer/arranger of Christian choral and keyboard
music. She lives in Tennessee. The choirs were
outstanding.
Barbara Chase, Bookeeper
Church Secretary
Thanks to Serrell Zeigler, FUMC, (l)
Mary McDonald, and David White,
TUMC, for helping to make the concert
so good.
P_rn_ll Ro\_rts
M_mori[l P[rk
Pam McComb-Podmostko, (l) Sandra Moultie and Lisa
Nobumoto all participated in the program. Sandra is
the Waycross lady that has spearheaded the park’s
bame change. Lisa sang and has a beautiful voice,
and we have a story written by Pam in this issue.
Mayor John Knox (l) and Rev. David White of Trinity
United Methodist Church. David gave the invocation.
This is Vivien Brown on the
left who came all the way
from Scotland to attend the
Pernell Roberts Memorial
Park Dedication. Shown with
Vivian is Sandra Moultrie.
This is a permanent display at
our Okefenokee Regional Libray.
A meal at Pernell Roberts Memorial Park
Reflecting on my friendship with Pernell by Pam McComb-Podmostko Landover Hills, MD
We all have friendships in our lives. Some are short-lived; some are for a season, and some leave their fingerprint on your heart
forever, even after the person is gone. My friendship with Pernell was one of the later; he left his fingerprint on my heart, and he will
always be with me. I first “met” Pernell when I was just 8, the first time I watched Bonanza. I was immediately drawn to him that Sunday evening so very long ago. It would be another ten years before I would meet him in person. That Tuesday afternoon when I went
around with him visiting Viet Nam vets in the Bethesda Navy Hospital in Maryland, he introduced me to several people by saying;
“This is my friend, Pam.” The first time he said it I wondered if I’d heard him correctly (his “friend”?), the second time he said it, I knew
I had. It touched my 18-year-old heart, and I determined that very day that Pernell would be MY friend for the rest of my life. And so
he was. Living 3,000 miles apart we had limited connect through most of the years, but the last ten years of his life we were in regular
contact, through letters, phone conversations, and visits I made to Los Angeles.
We talked about many things through the years; he shared memories of Waycross with me, we talked
about his work sometimes, we talked about spiritual things, and we talked about our lives as people do
in a friendship. We did not always agree on everything, but we agreed to disagree, and it never affected
the friendship in a negative way. We shared some similarities; we both had strong opinions about certain
things, we both had things in our lives we were passionate about, we both felt like life was often unfair,
and we both felt there needed to be more humanity in the world. We laughed together and on two occasions we shed tears together. I wear my heart on my sleeve; he was very protective of his emotions most
of the time, but we trusted one another. Every year I would call him on his birthday and sing Happy
Birthday to him, and he would chuckle, and sometimes I would call him on my birthday to tell him I was
calling so he could wish me a Happy Birthday. We always had a good laugh about that.
My two fondest memories of him were towards the end of his life. I flew out to see him a few months
after he’d had surgery for pancreatic cancer. Before going, I made a DVD for him of clips of various roles
Pam & Pernell 1972
he’s played, still photos of his various characters, and photos I had taken of him through the years. I
added music, and it was a “This is your life” kind of DVD. We were in his living room; I was sitting on a chair, and he was on the couch.
Right before it started playing he patted the couch and asked me to sit next to him so we could watch it together. Watching it with him,
and seeing his reaction and emotions as he watched it is something I will never forget. It was a precious snippet of time; both of our
hearts were touched that afternoon. Sharing that intimate, private time together and the conversation we had as some tears were
shed was nothing short of an unbelievable blessing from God.
The other memory of our times together that will always remain the most precious was our last visit (July 13, 2009) just six months
before he passed away. It was a beautiful afternoon, and we sat on his deck as we reminisced about our friendship. We both knew it
would be our last visit given the distance between where he and I lived and how sick he was at that point. Even though he was very
sick, he looked remarkably well. He had shaved his beard and in all the years I’d known him, I’d never seen him without his beard
when we were together. He had on a nice pair of jeans and a denim shirt; if I hadn’t known how sick he was, I would have thought he
was the picture of health. One of the most important things I will share about that visit was that he was at peace. He was a man that
was not always at peace, not with the world, not with himself and not with the Lord. But, that day, he was at peace. Life was coming
full circle for him in a short time; he knew it, and I knew it, as did others that loved him. We shared our thoughts and feelings about
several things that afternoon, we held hands much of the time we talked and though neither of us spoke the words, we didn’t want the
visit to end. But all good things must come to an end and a few hours after I’d gotten there that day, it was time to leave. We had a
routine that we always followed when we would part, and this last visit would not deviate from that, except
for one thing. He always walked me to my car, we would hug, I’d kiss his check and say “I love you Pernell
and God does too.” He would pat my back as the hug ended and said: “I like you too kid.” This time, he
walked me to my car, we hugged, I kissed his cheek and said: “I love you Pernell, and God loves you too.”
He was silent, and he didn’t end the hug. He softly said, “I love you too.” We both knew it was our last
goodbye, and it was heartbreaking. I didn’t want him to see me cry so I got in my car and slowly pulled
Pam & Pernell 2009 away. My tears were heavily flowing at that point, and as I looked in the rear view mirror, there he was, in the
middle of the street, waving goodbye until I went around the corner. I’ll never forget it. I wondered if I’d ever see him again, in this life (I
knew I wouldn’t) or in eternity (I could only hope at that point). Though I suspected it, it wouldn’t be until six months after he died, that
I found out that he had indeed made the most important decision he’d ever made and I now know I will see him again, when my life
here on earth comes to an end.
Some friendships are short-lived, some are for a season, and some leave their fingerprint on your heart. Thank you for leaving your
fingerprint on my heart Pernell; until we meet my friend again…
F[n Not_s
Hi, thanks for covering the Pernell Roberts Park Dedication. I understand you might want 'some words' from us. I didn't know if you
wanted to include this, we weren't all in the same place at the same time for the blessing at Lydia's.
Blessing that would have been read by Rev. Fred Roberts, a distant Roberts cousin, at the post-Pernell Park Dedication Luncheon
God of us all, we thank You for this day, and for gathering us together on the four winds. As we celebrate the life and service of others,
may this food and fellowship enable each of us to serve. In Your name, Amen.
B. B. Roberts
Pernell Roberts stood up for what he believed in, even though it cost him in many ways. Pernell held to his beliefs and was not
afraid to show it or say it publicly. Pernell Roberts earned my respect as a humanitarian, actor and man by not only his words but his
actions.
NANCY THUNHERST, PARK FOREST, IL
I have never seen Pernell Roberts in a role that I did not love watching, but Pernell, the man, warms my heart.
He became disillusioned as a young man while teaching Sunday School in Waycross, but he determined to make changes. He
marched in Alabama in 1965, and he fought for minorities against studio bosses, both ideas were unpopular at the time, but he "answered the call."
Many fans love him, and he is remembered as an honorable man. I thank Waycross for giving his name to the park in which he
played as a child.
Etta Massingale, Newport, KY
In 2011 at a Bonanza Convention, I had the pleasure of sitting at the dinner table with Pernell's wife, Eleanor Criswell; Eleanor is
a very gracious and kind lady. It was a dream come true, as I had followed Pernell's career through my life. Having never met Pernell,
meeting Eleanor was the next best thing.
My husband and I attended the dedication of the Pernell Roberts Memorial Park in Waycross, GA. It was a well-deserved tribute
honoring Pernell's life. I will always respect Pernell for his acting and singing talents, as well as the issues he supported.
Becky Dennis, Roanoke, VA
I came from Texas for the Pernell Roberts Memorial Park Dedication. Waycross is the friendliest town I have ever visited. I have
been to every state in America (except Alaska) and never have I met people who were more welcoming. From the people at the hotel,
restaurants, retailers, city officials and everyday citizens, they went above and beyond to be helpful and kind. The editor at the local
newspaper gave my friend and I a personally guided tour. The mayor personally welcomed us and was willing even to take a "selfie"
with us. It's no wonder that Pernell was proud of his hometown. I hope that someday I will be able to return for another visit. Thank
you to the entire city of Waycross!!
Cheryl Joseph
My name is Kim Simon, architect, 57 years old. I live in Gary, Indiana, and I'm a Pernell Roberts fan. I was a little kid when I started
watching Bonanza, and Pernell Roberts became my hero. The first I saw Pernell Roberts I was eight years old, his presence in my life
was very significant, and He influenced a lot in my education. He did not let opinions lead himself, fame or money, choosing to do
what he liked and felt right, and helped many people. He was and is a true example of ethics in a human being, always concerned
with human rights. Our memory is clear, your serious face, and your sweet smile. Echoes his sensible words, rational words, .and at
other times funny words. With his secure voice, some phrases have become strong and unforgettable. At times a gentle, polite and intelligent and at other times, a simple and humble man, with a big heart concerned about everyone around. A human being is so rare
and special.
Kim Simon, Gary, Indiana
I would like to thank the people of Waycross for making the park dedication successful. The Quality Inn where we stayed was so
gracious in helping meet our every need as we began planning the event. I plan to send a letter thanking them, as everyone was so
nice.
Diane Posey
F[n Not_s
My fondest memory of Pernell Roberts is when I was eight years old, and Bonanza came to Sunday nights at nine p.m. I loved the
Cartwright family, but Adam stood out because of his black clothes but most of all he was the best big brother ever on television. He
was always taking care of Hoss or Joe. The number of episodes that you saw it is too numerous to mention. But the dynamic presence he brought to that role in the family structure had such impact that once he was gone the show was never the same because
the family dynamic was not there and no one could fill his shoes.
Sharon Young. Lake Charles, LA
My fondest memories of Pernell Roberts began with Adam Cartwright. Loved him in “The Crucible” and singing ‘Endless Road.’
Brilliant as Doctor John McIntyre in “A Fall to Grace.” Would have loved to joined Gonzo and him top of Titanic.
Mostly wanted to be an actress in “Doctors and Other
Strangers.” Hezekiah Horn had me both crying and applauding.
As Sam Boone his acting was second to none. Recall as
teenager thrill of hearing DJ on radio play “Mariah.”
Pernell’s reading of “Desiderata” and Shakespeare’s “Seven
Ages of Man” just some memories that will stay with me forever.
Maggie Joesbury, Walsall West Midlands, England. UK
Fondest memory, becoming a fan and seeing ‘Bonanza,’
and ‘Trapper John, MD,’ for the 1st time in reruns, while also
seeing Pernell on a new show, ‘F.B.I.-The Untold Stories.’ In
the years since, hearing about the ‘real,’ Pernell and while
not only was he a talented man but what a humanitarian he
was! When I think of Pernell, I think of Waycross, too and
what a wonderful place it must be to have a man like him as
a native and representing such a wonderful city!
Kimberly Waites, Chandler, AZ
I had the honor of being at the dedication/renaming of the
park for our beloved Pernell Roberts. I have been a fan of
his for many years, and I jumped at the chance to be there
to participate in honoring this lovely man. Unfortunately, I
never had the chance to meet Pernell in person like other
lucky ones who were there, but he meant so much to not
only myself but to the world. All the time I was sitting at the
dedication, I had tears running down my face, but not all
sad tears, but tears of joy as well. As I sat there, luckily in
the front row, with all my new friends surrounding me, I just
felt that somehow, Pernell was also there. If anyone could have figured out a way to come down from above and join us in that morethan-happy occasion, he could have done it; I know he was there somehow, and he felt and received the love we had and always will
have for him... He had a lot of love for people in general, especially the people who needed help and support for a better way of life. I
think in my heart, that was the best thing I ever did, to go to Waycross and meet all the wonderful people who live there and, of
course, who used to live there.
I have never been so overwhelmed by the love and friendship shown to all of us by the gracious and loving people of Waycross... I
will always have love in my heart for your city. I cried all the way back to Iowa... and it has crossed my mind since I have been back
here to pull up roots possibly and make Waycross my home.....it is a distinct possibility as I am not happy here....It is a choice between Waycross and one other place, much farther away, but the opportunity exists for both places in my heart. Thank you, again,
Waycross and His Honor, Mayor Knox and all the friends I made there. I am sending my love to all.
Andrea Cartwright, Iowa
On]_ C[ll_^ @^[m by Robert L. Hurst
His testimony was short and to the point: “I loved my childhood. I was happy in Waycross. The people there are wonderful. …” Mrs.
P.E. Roberts, speaking of her son, Pernell Elvin Roberts, Jr., pointed out that, together with his hometown, his love –perhaps his passion –centered on acting. He agreed in a letter to me before the publishing of my This Magic Wilderness: Part II that his interest in
drama began with “a rather gratuitous encounter with Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet that was required reading in
Waycross High School.”
Born Pernell Elvin Roberts, Jr., on May 18, 1928, in Waycross, Georgia, he would die of pancreatic cancer in Malibu, California, on
January 24, 2010, at the age of 81. His publicity VITA lists his active years from 1949 to 2001. And, according to those who knew him,
this period was filled with his being involved in some of the best theatrical performances in the era in which he lived. In 1949, four
years after his being graduated from Waycross High School in 1945, Roberts made his first professional stage debut with Moss Hart
and Kitty Carlisle in The Man Who Came to Dinner, according to Wikipedia Encyclopedia. Of special mention during this 52-year period are the lives he gave “Adam Cartwright” on Bonanza (1959 -1965) and “Dr. John McIntyre” on Trapper John, M.D. (1979 – 1986).
In May 2016, the name of Waycross’ historic Mary Street Park became “Pernell Roberts Memorial Park,” honoring this native son who
followed his dream to be recognized internationally for his acting
ability that began in the Waycross School System and spanned into
television, motion pictures, Broadway and the recording industry.
Though he brought criticism on himself because of his stand on
segregation and his marching with Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma,
Alabama, in the 1960s, he was also praised for this lifelong active
work for human rights’ causes.
Beginning a serious studying of the dramatic arts, following a tour
of duty in the U.S. Marines in which he played the tuba and horn in
the Marine Corps Band, Roberts enrolled at the University of Maryland to advance his work in the theater; it was at UM that he gained
his first classical theatre exposure in the productions of Othello and
Antigone. This move eventually took him to Washington, D.C., & the
new Arena Stage. Two years later (and 18 plays), he received, in
1952, that call all actors desire. New York meant Broadway,
but first …
Next, he was contracted for a series of jobs with the American
Lyric Theatre, Provincetown Playhouse in Greenwich Village, the Actor’s Equity Library Theatre, the Shakespearewright’s Company at
the Jan Hus House and the Port Players in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He, then, moved to Broadway for two plays that had short runs:
Tonight in Samarkand starring Louis Jordan and The Lovers with another Georgian, Joanne Woodward (Mrs. Paul Newman). It would
be in 1956 that Pernell made his television debut in Shadow of Suspicion for Kraft Television Theater followed closely by other guest
appearances.
Pernell underscores that his introduction to the dramatic arts came through the works of William Shakespeare; he now returned to
one of the Bard’s play as Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew. He worked under the talented John Houseman at the American
Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Connecticut, in a limited engagement of Shrew, Much Ado about Nothing and The Duchess of
Malfi. His devotion to Shakespeare’s works and many of the classics placed him at odds with many of his contemporaries, but, in
most cases, he and his opponents reached agreements.
Back to New York at the Phoenix Theatre, following another Broadway play, A Clearing in the Woods, in which he starred with Kim
Stanley and Robert Culp, he gained further recognition for his acting talents. “During this engagement, I was hired by Paramount Studios to come to Hollywood to play Tony Perkins’ older brother in Desire under the Elms, which also starred Burl Ives and Sophia
Loren,” he revealed.
Now the publicists, pushing for that international recognition, grabbed those descriptive phrases for the Waycrossan: “glowering like
Heathcliff” and “a Gable-esque appearance.” Roberts, however, remained Roberts, and his success would come (and be based) on
interpretation, not on imitation. “Three years and many television appearances later, I was offered a continuing role as `Adam
Cartwright’ in NBC’s long-running Western series Bonanza. Six years later, I left the show to seek new horizons,” tells Roberts, adding
that he felt it was time to “shake the dust off his cowboy hat and jeans” and to return to the musical theatre. In 1973, he originated the
role of `Rhett Butler’ in the American premier of the musical version of Gone with the Wind at the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera and
San Francisco’s Curran Theatre.
“After thirteen years of guest starring on television, some movies in Europe, another couple of Broadway shows, I found myself in
an economic environment that was changing dramatically. In 1978, I told my agent to seek another television series because I could
see hard times ahead for the free-lance actor. We succeeded in winning the title role of Trapper John, M.D. for CBS in 1979,” wrote
Pernell for Hurst in 1981. “It has been, so far in 1981, a very successful show. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.” The medical drama
got a prime time slot and allowed Pernell Roberts to win an Emmy nomination for “Best Male Actor in a Drama Series.”
Even will all the accolades, Pernell Roberts was still a “Waycross boy,” and Pernell’s late aunt, Mrs. W.R. Culpepper, points out that
he “was just like a lot of other little boys. He played a lot of baseball.” Pernell himself, in his remembrances to Hurst, tells that his dad,
a Dr. Pepper salesman, allowed him “to work for him on Saturdays and during summer vacations. It was great exercise loading and
unloading 30 – to 40-pound cases of soft drinks all day long. …”
He stressed how his youth was balanced between his father and mother: “Being with my dad in those short periods and with my
mother in regular day-to-day times of school and after school offered a rare balance of knowing them equally. It was the foundation for
my own sense of self-esteem that has served me well in a world of insecurity,” Pernell relates.
Listing his hometown activities during his boyhood, the actor tells that being a bugler and scribe in the Kettle Creek-sponsored Boy
Scout, Troop 7, under the leadership of Dr. Charles M. Blanton offered many opportunities, such as having a great pride of accomplishment when his write-ups of the troop’s activities appeared in the Waycross Journal-Herald. “This newspaper also provided employment for me and several of my peer group,” he adds.
There were those plays in high school and the glee club, church
choirs (depending on which girl he was dating at the time) and the
Waycross High School Band under the direction of Guyton McLendon.
Pernell Roberts’ friend and co-star, Gregory Harrison, released a
statement concerning Pernell as an actor and friend to Wikipedia
shortly after the actor’s death; it, perhaps, sums up this man from
Waycross, Georgia: “Pernell was a wonderful man, a good friend and
a big part of my life, especially when I was just beginning as an actor.
He was a true inspiration to me, as he was to many actors over the
years. I was so lucky to have shared the screen with him for nearly
eight seasons and am deeply saddened by his passing. Fortunately,
he lives on in the memories of his fans, and in the hearts of the lucky
people … that he touched personally. I’ll be forever grateful to him.”
Photo Credits:
Pernell Roberts as “Petruchio” from Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, Waycross
Journal-Herald, July 18, 1951
Pernell Roberts as “Dr. John McIntyre” for Trapper John, M.D., CBS Studios, 1979
Pernell Roberts on a visit to Waycross, the 1980s(?), Photo by Robert Latimer Hurst
New Location!
Before
Suntrust Bank to Ware County Board of Elections • 408 Tebeau St
The Board of Elections is in their new
location. To find out
more you can call
912-287-4363. The
Codes Dept also
shares part of the
building.
Larinda Dirst, Election Clerk
The Honor Guard
supplied by the
Ware County
JROTC.
Ted Buford,
CPTC Board
Chair, (l-r) Judge
Kelly Brooks,
CPTC Foundation
Trustee, and Dr.
Glenn Deibert,
OTC President.
Betty Gillis, Supervisor of
Elections
Jeanette’s Catering &
Downtown Sandwich
Shoppe
4 17 Te b e a u St r e e t
Wa y c r o s s
9 12 - 2 8 5 - 8 476 Sh o p p e
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Daily Menu Specials
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[email protected]
Cecil, congratulations! Cecil is shown with family
and friends at a recent meeting of the Ware
County Commission. Photo by Carlos Nelson.
CECIL BROWN DAY
WHEREAS, Cecil Brown began his coaching career the first year that the Recreation Department was
organized in 1948; and
WHEREAS, Cecil Brown is known as a "Legend" in youth recreation because he has touched thousands
of lives as a volunteer coach, community leader and role model; and
WHEREAS, in 1975, he coached one of the greatest area recreation football teams of all time that
scored 423 points while holding their opponents scoreless for the season. The players from that 1975
team went on to win the 1981 Georgia High School Association Class AAA State Championship under
the direction of Head Coach Dale Williams; and
WHEREAS, Cecil Brown has set an impeccable example for the children of Waycross and Ware County
and taught them values which will remain with them throughout their lives; and
WHEREAS, Cecil Brown has served in numerous capacities with the Ware County Recreation Department as Coach, Volunteer, Assistant Director, Consultant and later in his career as the gym supervisor at
Trembling Earth Complex, and
WHEREAS, in honor of his dedicated service, he threw out the first pitch christening Trembling Earth
Recreation Complex during the Opening Day Ceremony when the park was first opened, March 15,
2003; and
WHEREAS, in honor of his retirement from the Ware County Recreation and Parks Department, the
Ware County Board of Commissioners voted May 9, 2016 to re-name the road leading into the Trembling
Earth Recreation Complex from Recreation Road to Cecil Brown Drive to remind everyone who visits the
complex of his lifetime of commitment to recreation in Ware County and the surrounding areas;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIMMY BROWN, Chairman of the Ware County Board of Commissioners, do
hereby proclaim today, July 16, 2016 as “Cecil Brown Day” in Ware County, Georgia and encourage all
citizens to join us in honoring Cecil for his lifetime of commitment to Waycross and Ware County. During
this time, I urge all citizens of Waycross and Ware County to join us in reaching out and supporting our
recreational programs, volunteer coaches, parents and participants as we strive to give our youth the
foundation they need to develop self-confidence, sportsmanship, self-esteem and character.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of June, 2016, and caused the seal
of the County to be affixed.
s/ Chairman Jimmy Brown
Attest by County Clerk, Cassie Morris
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