Saturday, March 16, 2024

 

Ninth Old City

Flower Festival

15 - 18 March 2024

Macon, Georgia

This Festival has a special History which is summarized below.

 

Old City Flower Festival

In Macon, Georgia


The first 8 Festivals were held in the Middle of January.  The concept was to celebrate the Unity aspect of our Society here in Macon, Georgia during a time of the year when there was not much to celebrate.  Christmas was over and there was no event in January.  The Old City Focus was that the host Church had to be in Macon at least 100 years.  It was and still is promoted as an “Event of interfaith unity!”  The 2024 Festival was held the first week-end of the Cherry Blossom Festival.

First St. Joseph Catholic Church 2012

Second Christ Episcopal Church – 18 January 2013

Third First Presbyterian Church 2014

Fourth Vineville United Methodist Church 2015

Fifth St. Joseph Catholic Church 2016

Sixth Mulberry United Methodist Church 2017

Seventh St. Paul Episcopal Church 2018

Eighth Centenary United Methodist Church 2019

A Covid – 19  Break

Ninth St. Joseph Catholic Church 2024

The Congregations that participated in the 2024 Festival were:

First Baptist Church of Christ

First Baptist Church - New Street

Christ Church

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Saint Peter Claver Church

The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity

Lizella Baptist Church

Centenary United Methodist Church

Martha Bowman United Methodist Church

Mulberry Methodist Church

North Macon Presbyterian Church

Vineville Methodist Church

First Presbyterian Church

First Baptist Church of Gray

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

Mount Zion Baptist Church

Saint Francis Episcopal Church

Vineville Baptist Church

Along with the Host Church - Saint Joseph Catholic Church



The following are pictures of the arrangements which supported the Ecumencial Event - "For the Greater Glory of God!"


The Main Altar of Saint Joseph Catholic Church
































From the author of this Blog Point of  View this was the most inspiring Old City Flower Festival.



Friday, March 01, 2024

 Number 28 to the top Six


 

 

Alan F. E. Thiese

                                                 13 February 2024

 

The President of the United States of America

The Senate Majority Leader

The House of Representatives Speaker

The Senior Senator for Georgia

The Junior Senator for Georgia

The Eighth District Representative for Georgia

 

Greetings,

 

Number 28 in the Series.  Yes we are all experiencing challenges in our respective lives.  I am often reminded of this bit of History which I will quote here from the works of Thomas Paine as I learned from reading an article in Wikipedia: 

“Winter 1776 was a time of need in the colonies, considering Philadelphia and the entire rebel American cause were on the verge of death and the revolution was still viewed as an unsteady prospect. Paine wanted to enable the distraught patriots to stand, to persevere, and to fight for an American victory. Paine published the first Crisis paper on December 19.[6]

Its opening sentence was adopted as the watchword of the movement to Trenton. The opening lines are as follows:[7]

These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

Paine brought together the thirteen diverse colonies and encouraged them to stay motivated through the harsh conditions of the winter of 1776. Washington's troops were ready to quit until ordered by Washington to be read aloud Paine's Crisis paper and heard the first sentence, “These are the times that try men’s souls.”[5] The pamphlet, read aloud to the Continental Army on December 23, 1776, three days before the Battle of Trenton[citation needed], attempted to bolster morale and resistance among patriots, as well as shame neutrals and loyalists to support the cause:

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

 

As I view our current Situation, You Mr. President have sold out our United States of America to several Foreign Countries.  On the top of the List is China and Ukraine through your involvement with the business schemes of the Son, who  You and Jill Love.  You have stated that fact many times when you verbalize your Love for Hunter.  Like You and any Parent who cares, I Alan also Love My Sons.  That stated I did not appreciate some of things they did in their Youth.  In fact I let them know that what they were doing at the time was not appropriate for their own future.  Fortunately they also can now appreciate the wisdom of My Counsel and Concern.  They have overcome the challenges of their Youth and they did so because Many People including My Self were in Prayer for them.  Fortunately they saw the impact of their own stupid ways and resolved them within ten years.  I get the impression that Your Hunter still does not realize some of the actions he has taken have resulted in consequences that He Fails to Realize is endangering the Security of our beloved USA.  Love of Family is Necessary, but not at the expense of the entire United States of America.  I suspect that each of you can appreciate the previous comment.  You were elected to do what is best for “We The People!” of the U. S. A.  Not just your own immediate Family or the enhancement of your personal wealth.  Enough about our Dear Children.

 

As we all look forward to the election/s of 2024 we must consider the impact of prior activities of our Government.  In March of 2010 our Government approved the “Affordable Care Act” or ACA.  Since then I would suggest that the entire Health Care Industry has learned that they can Bill the U. S. Government at ever increasing rates to insure that they can cover the cost of the Patient’s Procedures while still insuring a profit.  In fact a “profit” so generous that Many Health Care Organizations are now acquiring a monopoly in the areas that they now operate in.  However the downside to this is that our Citizens in rural areas are now not served simply because it is not cost effective for the major “Care Chains” to operate in these remote areas.  The drive for many patients in the “Network Hospital Chains” has now caused a loss of focus on what “real health care” should be.

 

Yet the citizens who have benefited from the Health Care afforded by the passage of the ACA of 2010 are beholden to the People who made this possible. 

 

In more recent times Many of You have worked tirelessly to insure that “Student Debt Loans” can be forgiven at the expense of the Taxpayers of our great United States of America.  As I understand it about 45 million of our fellow Americans have student debt.  I also am aware that not all debt will be forgiven, but almost every debt holder will receive some if not all debt relief.  The number of 45 million is surely a lot of votes from those who have benefited. 

 

As I see it the two previously mentioned programs

·        Affordable Care Act (ACA)

·        Student Debt Forgiveness

have benefited a lot of voters who just may beholden to the Democrat Office Holders who have developed these schemes!  Certainly a benefit to individuals seeking office this November 2024. 

 

I realize that this next comment may be viewed as a bit over the top, but if the Democrats who currently seek what I consider continued power why not by the end of May or June 2024 at the latest Develop a Federal Program that pays all the funeral expenses for those who die after 1 July 2024.  This will then assist those who are older in not having to plan for the expenses of their own demise.  This would then be another sure vote gleaner!!

 

Finally, as some in our Government continue to ignore the “Border Crisis” which some also see as a program to glean more voters for future “Democrat Office Seekers” please be sure that there are those among us who do not appreciate this potential vote gleaning scheme.

 

Which brings me to the final concern I share today.  Our Federal Leaders seem to be ignoring the “Fentanyl Crisis” which is killing our population.  I get the impression that many of you just do not give a “d__ __!”  This is also a sad situation.

 

I could take more of your time today to list other situations that are now out of hand, but I know that you are also well aware of them, but that You do not really care about us as long as you can maintain Your Power.  Yes, this is a sick and very sad situation!

 

As You lust for power and use the Evil “TicTok” scheme to generate votes Mr. President please remember That Our God is in Control” and as Maude Finley reminded us in a Television Program many years ago:  “God Will Get You For That!”

 

For those who I have not personally addressed in this Letter, please to not follow the example of our “Mister President!!”  You can do better and “We The People” continue to expect better leadership and example from each of You.

 

Thank You,

 

Alan F. E. Thiese

 

P.S. Please See Page 4

 

 

 

 

 

I am also confident that You will understand this Photo. 

 

 


 

 

 

Thursday, February 29, 2024

 Being Responsible

The Situation was resolved today, March 14, 2024 at 1:03 P.M.  Ryland picked up the Yard Trash.  Thanks to the involvement of a Bibb County Commissioner.



I retired from the U. S. Navy on 31 December 1981 and chose Macon, Georgia to be My Home for My Bride and Two Sons.  

In 1982 the First Cherry Blossom Festival was held.  I have fond memories of taking the Cub Scout Pack on a Clean Up prior to the Festival.  We picked up Trash on Riverside Drive from Pierce Avenue to Riverside Ford if I recall correctly.  It was a learning opportunity for us to learn about our fellow citizens who choose to be careless with their trash.

On 29 February 1992 My Bride and I as well as our two boys moved into our current Home.  Since then our boys have married and have families of their own and they reside where the job opportunities have given them great opportunities.

So much for that.  Today, 29 February 2024 I placed the "Pink Poodles" at our driveway in preparation for the 42nd Cherry Blossom Festival.


Did anyone have to tell me, Alan to do this task. No!! It choose to live in Macon and I am proud to be part of the annual celebration.

So, why this history?  

When I served in the U. S. Navy and served as the Leading Administrative Person on the USS Sellers (DDG-11) homeported in Charleston, S.C. we frequently left port for local operations and then a the big Cruise to the "Med" in 1971.  Prior to any departure from the homeport for any time at Sea it was my responsibility to submit a "Absent On Sailing Diary" via Mail to the Atlantic Fleet Personnel Accounting Command.  If we ever experienced a disaster at sea and sunk the families of those on board would be notified.  Of course those who were not on the ship would not have their families notified.  It was part of My Job.  At no time before we left port did the Commanding Officer tell me that I had to turn on the typewriter so I could type up the "Absent On Sailing Diary!"  I was trained to perform this task.  It was also my responsibility.  So the problem I want to discus today is this.  The "Yard Trash" at My home has not been picked up in three weeks.  It is supposed to be picked up every other week on Thursday.  I took this picture at 4:00 P.M. today, February 29th which is a Thursday.  There for no matter which week it was supposed to be picked up, the Contractor has failed.  I suspect that the Driver for the Contractor has been trained.  I also know that I do not have to call the Contractor.  He is getting paid by the Macon-Bibb County Government.  I also suspect that the Driver's Boss does not have to tell the Driver to "Pick Up Alan's Yard Trash" when he departs the Terminal on the appropriate Thursday.

I am sharing this post with My Elected Officials.  I do not know if our Mayor calls you, or tells you to be at a specific Commissioner Meeting.  You know your job and the schedule is published in an appropriate manner.  I also suspect that Our Governor does not call you to tell you to be in Atlanta for the Scheduled Sessions.  You have been made aware of the schedule and know when to be in Atlanta if you are a Member of the Macon-Bibb Delegation.  


I post this today to make this situation a matter of record.  We all know that as we prepare for and look forward to the 42nd Cherry Blossom Festival that we are anticipating many tourist to visit Macon, Georgia.  We simply all must do better in executing our responsibilities.  If I recall correctly I make my payments to the Tax Commissioner for weekly trash service.  I suspect that all of the Duly Elected Officials that run our Local and State Governments also do their individual responsibilities. 

Looking forward to a Clean and Neat Macon-Bibb County as we Celebrate!   Thank You!

Monday, February 26, 2024

Preparing for Spring!! 

I completed some Garden Work today.  Looking forward to Spring.