Gate Way Park Flooding 2010

Cherry Blossom Festival Preview

This Blog Post features the Gate Way Park in Macon, Georgia. The abundance of Winter rains has caused the Ocmulgee River to be at or above flood stage for the most of 2010 thus far.

Here you can see the top rail of the Bandstand which is under water. Out in the river the water is moving quite fast. I took these pictures during the 8 o'clock hour this morning. An overcast morning that changed to rain.

I just had to capture these Cherry Blossoms this morning. They looked quite nice for this being the 9th day of February.

Of course I had to also get a close up shot. This one was taken with a flash so that the background is dark.

No visit to Gate Way Park is complete without taking time to reflect on the greatness of Otis Redding.

2010 Southeastern Flower Show

4-6 February - Atlanta, Georgia

In addition to the shrubs and flowers which are in abundance at the Southeastern Flower Show you can also learn about gardening to grow items that you will enjoy to eat. This example of a raised bed impressed me.

This grouping of flowers caught my eye. I could not resist taking a photograph. One of the benefits of attending the Annual Southeastern Flower Show is that it is in Winter and you have an opportunity to view beauty in a bleak time of the year.

Several displays featured fountains set up in gardens which were designed and constructed by several Atlanta area Garden/Landscape Firms.


I found this area garden to certainly showcase the beauty of a garden even though the blooms are not in season at the same time.

A Photography Contest is a part of each Southeastern Flower Show. In recent years it has become a juried contest. I submitted eight images and one was selected. Here you are viewing the Flower Child along side of the Winning Entry in the "Flower" Section. It is a Night Blooming Cereus that I entered. For this show the entries must be framed and under glass. The photos are all for sale as a fund raiser. This image has already been sold twice. Which means I will have to have another print made and also a frame. I am grateful that My Bride was with me as we visited the Flower Show so that she could take this picture.

The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity

Macon, Georgia

Remembering the Dedication of the Organ

This Holtkamp Pipe Organ was dedicated on Sunday, February 7, 1965. This Sunday, February 7, 2010 will mark the 45th Anniversary of this magnificant instrument. You are certainly welcome to attend the Sunday Morning Worship at 11:00 A.M. Sunday, February 7, 2010.

This instrument is used every Sunday so if you cannot attend this Sunday, please plan to do so in the near future.

God's Blessings To You!!!

Mercer University School of Medicine

28 January 2010 - I realize that I am late with this Blog Entry. The students at this Medical School conducted their Third Annual Talent Show. Prior to the show the medical students conducted a "Fund Raiser" for the citizens of Haiti. They made homemade desserts which were evaluated by their peers as well as those who attended the Talent Show. In order to vote you had to purchase a ticket. You were then allowed to sample each desserts and exercise your vote by placing your ticket in the appropriate container by the dessert you considered the best.

I do not know how much money was gathered, but I do know that the desserts were grand, as well as the performances of the Medical Students who participated in this event. The entertainment ranged from vocals, guiter solos to sit-down comedy.

What did I learn from attendance at this event? I can certainly tell you that soon there will be Doctors who are skilled in more than one craft. Of course, I suspect that this has always been the case. I was impressed and I will place the 2011 Mercer Medical School Talent Show on my schedule.

Advertising in Macon, Georgia

A new sign is now in operation in Macon, Georgia.

Mediocre Performance

Public Education in Bibb County Georgia

Recent Media Coverage has achieved the level than many citizens in Bibb County Georgia have desired for years. Public Education in Bibb County has not lived up to the citizens expectations for decades.

Work With Me, Please.

I have memories of the era when one of my Children attended Miller Middle School. This was in the 1980s. At the time my family lived a few hundred feet from Rosa Taylor Elementary School in Macon, Georgia. When it came time for Middle School at the former A.L. Miller Building we decided riding the School Bus would be an appropriate means of transportation for our child. Often he would come home from school and relate how the Bus Driver would proceed out Forsyth Road and then realize that a mistake had been made and would then turn around and proceed back toward Macon and the Miller Middle School.

I spoke to the Director of Transportation and/or his Secretary frequently and was always informed that they would resolve the problem. I even discussed the situation with the Principal of Miller Middle School who acknowledged that the Children riding a certain bus were frequently late for School, but it was a problem that he could not resolve. Please bear in mind that at this time I was the "Ways and Means" Chairperson for the Parents Group at Miller and we conducted a major fund raiser so it was not like I was a non caring parent who only griped when the system picked on my kid.

Needless to say this situation went on for months and my frustration with the system increased until one morning in December I stopped by the Bibb County Court House to discuss the situation with the Chairman of the Bibb County Commission. You will recall that way back then the School Board had to have approval for the Operating Budget by the Board of Commissioners. I was there early in as much as I got off of work at 7:00 A.M. Once the Chairman arrived I indicated that I needed to discuss a situation concerning the Bibb County School System.The late Mr. Emory Green listened with great interest and assured me that he would indeed resolve the issue. Within three days the situation was resolved and the driver of the school bus for my child knew how to travel from the area of Rosa Taylor Elementary School to Miller Middle School without having to turn around in the vicinity of the Dairy Queen on Forsyth Road. A new driver was hired.

I relate this story now to simply indicate that mediocre performance has been accepted for so long in the Bibb School System that most citizens who have a concern about their Children have already resolved the problems of the past by using other School options here in Middle Georgia. These options have included private school or simply moving out of Bibb County. Of course Home Schooling has also become popular.

Yes, this is a sorry situation that has been allowed to grow for far too many years. I point this out so also let my peers know that this mediocre performance has become a way of life within our School System here in Bibb County Georgia. The situation has endured for so long that the current culture is to continue to accept mediocre performance.

I appreciate the current media emphasis on Public Education in Bibb County, but please be aware that mediocre performance is not a new development. So what can be done to improve the situation? There are those who are calling for Ms. Patterson to resign. I would submit that this may not be the answer. Until a level of proficiency and caring is the watch word throughout the system, no one person can improve the current situation. What about the level of concern about improving our education in Bibb County by other members of the Central Office Management?

I would submit that some on the current school board are also responsible. We have members on the School Board who do not even desire to hear from the citizens who fund their activities. They do not desire to hear from "We The People."

You can be sure that I will post a comment to this Blog Post regarding those who desire to not receive concerns from a Citizen of Bibb County.

You may recall that until recently the School Board had to submit their budget to the County Commissioners for approval. I as well as other concerned citizens made this a campaign issue a few years ago when seats on the Board of Commissioners were up for election.

We now have a School Board that is allowed to set their own tax rate, which is as it should be. We now have the option of replacing the school board if things are not proper instead of having to replace the Board of Commissioners and the School Board. That is but one of the concerns I had when I ran for the Board of Commissioners in the recent past.

As we proceed forward I would encourage all the citizens of Bibb County to become involved in monitoring the activities of our Duly Elected School Board Members. After all they are the ones who set policy and determine the focus of education in our County.

We certainly deserve better than what we have received over the past thirty or maybe even forty years. Our current crisis is not a recent development. The situation has been festering for a long, long time.

The crisis can best be resolved when all are aware that Mediocre Performance will no longer be acceptable.

Wesleyan Drive At Rivoli Drive

West Bibb County Georgia

Railroad Crossing

Although this rough railroad crossing appears to be a temporary problem until new rail track is laid it would appear to me that the crossing could be smoother. While I am not an engineer and have not been formally educated as the proper method to lay asphalt I to think that a smoother temporary fix could have been achieved.

Check it our for yourself.

Tucker Road at Rivoli Drive

West Bibb County

Railroad Crossing

Recent letters on the Viewpoints Page of The Telegraph discussed this Railroad Crossing. I decided to conduct an investigation as to the extent of this rough Railroad Crossing.

2010 Oratorical Contest

and

Black History Program

It was my good fortune to be able to attend this event sponsored by the following organizations:

Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Macon Chapter

100 Black Men of Macon Middle Georgia

&

The Historic Douglass Theatre

Twenty Nine scholars ranging from the age of 10 to 19 participated in this Oratorical Contest this morning at the Historic Douglass Theatre in downtown Macon, Georgia. The participants were from the following schools of Middle Georgia:

Allexander II Magnet School

Ballard-Hudson Middle School

Bloomfield Middle School

Central High School

Heritage Elementary School

Howard Middle School

William Hubbard Middle School

Mary Persons High School

Middle Georgia Christian School

Miller Magnet Middle School

Northeast High School

Jessie Rice Elementary School

Rutland Middle School

Rutland High School

Warner Robins Middle School

There were twelve participants in the 10-12 age group. This segment consisted of students who presented topics which were "Giving" or "The Past, The Present, The Future, The Dream." They each had from three to five minutes to present their prepared speeches in the "Speak Up! Speak Out" portion of the program. Most of the participants presented speeches on "The Past, The Present, The Future, The Dream" title. The first four presentors discussed their backgrounds and captured the hearts of the entire crowd in attendance. They had experienced extremely difficult child hoods. I was impressed. All twelve participants delivered exceptional speeches and certainly reflected well on the individuals and families who had fostered their development. Each can certainly be very proud of their accomplishments and the willingness to talk to all in attendance. In my notes regarding the performances of this age group I quickly wrote the word "Bravo" as the program moved to the next age level.

There were thirteen contestants in the Junior Teens group in the ages from 13 through 15. These contestants were required to talk on the "The Past, The Present, The Future, The Dream" topic. Like the younger participants, this group was required to give a speech at least three minutes duration, but no more than five minutes. I will share some of the quotes that I gleaned from these scholars:

• I can achieve, I can maintain my high grade point average as I remember my past.
• The holes in my pants that I may now have will turn into 0s on my pay check.
• Let us all pray for Haiti

I also was impressed by the conduct of the contestants. As they returned to their seats on the stage their fellow contestants displayed gratitude and smiles to each other.

• One contestant spoke of the challenges of the past and quickly reminded us that they were still standing. Then went on to list their specific goals.
• Acknowledged the we face challenges
• If I maintain a correct focus away from drugs, etc., I can achieve. My dreams are with Jesus.
• I appreciate my Mother who cried, fussed and loved me.

I continued to be impressed with the attitude and the smiles shared among the contestants.

• Education leads one out of the cotton fields.
• Another speaker discussed great pride in their heritage as they looked to a terrific future.
• I was the fuel that kept their fire going as the contestant focused on those in the past who labored under difficult conditions.
• To those who think that the upcoming generation can not achieve greatness one contestant challenged the peers by stating this: "Let us prove them wrong. We can rise to the challenge.
• Another contestant acknowledged that as a young adult to set high goals. Make something our of life. This contestant stated that the goal was to become a veterinarian by attending Georgia Tech and Cornell.

I must state that the above quotes may not be as delivered, but I think that my comments accurately reflect what they conveyed.

The final contestants were the Senior Teens in the 16 to 19 age group. There were four contestants.

• The first speaker focused on the current situation. We were informed that while we now have a Black President, we still have far too many black men in prision. We were urged to set higher goals.
• The next speaker acknowledged on the past struggles and stated that they suceeded because they trusted in God. They knew that one day they would overcome. We were all challenged to take time to get to know each other.
• The third speaker presented a wonderful analogy of the past, the present, the future and the dream by comparing with the weaving of a garmet. The focus of the speech was the wonderful looking cloth of the future - a fancy weave. Reach for excellence.
• The final speaker presented a dramatic speech. While we can appreciate our legacy, we must also be active in our future. An act as simple as voting was stressed. Be proud of our legacy and be ready to acknowledge that "I" am the future. The question was also asked: "How can I not?" with reference to using each individuals full potential.

As I contemplated this event the following comments are germane:

• Many experienced difficult situations in their past but they learned from them and proceeded on with their lives because of actions by adults and/or their Church Family.
• Many shared personal experiences during their speeches. Always an effective method of delivering the point.
• Given the ages of these participants and contestants, each of them is to be saluted for their willingness to participate in such an event.
• Several of the presentations brought tears to my eyes.
• I appreciate that not one speaker presented the required topic in what I anticipated would be a "Cookie Cutter" speech. Each one covered the assigned topic in a new, refreshing way.

All of the participants and contestants displayed great poise. I, as an attendee was impressed. I do not think that during my Junior School High and/or High School days that I could have presented any topic with the clarity, background and knowledge that these 29 scholars displayed this morning. Their conduct certainly reflects well on themselves, their families, their educators, their church families, their schools and their communities.

Well Done!!

"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"

An early patriot, Patrick Henry concluded a speech he gave on March 23, 1775 with this famous quote. He had spoken about the impending "Revolution" involving the Colonies as they struggled to obtain freedom from the King of England.

Well, we all know the rest of the story. Our United States of America went on to become a new Nation that focused on Liberty and Freedom.

As I listened to our President's State of the Union Message last evening I did not hear much, if anything about Liberty for all Citizens or our continued enjoyment of the Freedoms that our Forebearers struggled so hard to achieve.

I trust that as "We The People," continue to monitor the actions of our duly elected leaders that we remind them that they serve us and that as a County we are not willing to give up our freedoms.

Thank You!!

"The Mile High Club"

a

Matt Rutherford Novel

by

William Rawlings

I, the Flower Child have been serving on Jury Duty this current week. Yesterday, January 26 I was able to read the complete book as I awaited selection to a panel to be considered for a Jury of Twelve. I, along with many others were in a Court Room and I was not selected to perform Jury Duty. The book is an easy read, but a most compelling one. Once you commence reading you can not put it down. Of course I had to to participate in one Jury Selection Process. The author resides in Sandersville, Georgia and is a physician. It is a fiction work focused on life in Georgia as practiced by some that I would call "High Rollers."

There is an abundance of leads in this mystery novel and the conclusion is very interesting. I was spell bound and am very glad that I was able to complete this book in a day. The use of local information, including the City of Macon keeps you very interested. While it is fiction it is also quite possible that events such as spelled out in the book could happen.

Summary: A very interesting and compelling book.

Constitutional Authority

The other evening I witnessed one of the Bibb Delegation's Lawmakers explain that the Governor's recommendation to require our Lawmakers to take furlough day/s was Unconstitutional. If I understand it correctly, the Republican leadership of Georgia's General Assembly also supported the Governor's recommendation.

I find it most interesting that a member of the Democrat Party would decry any action because it was unconstitutional. But I can certainly support his concept of good government. I salute any lawmaker that wishes to abide by the Constitution, be it State or Federal.

I am proud of Representative David Lucas. He appears to have a valid understanding of the C0nstitution of Georgia.

What I can not now understand is how the leading Democrats at the Federal level can even consider their concept of Health Care when so many other citizens have publically stated that the current Health Care Reform Bills are unconsititutional.

I would suggest that we need more duly elected leaders such as David Lucas at the National Level. The first to come to my mind is Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. I just wish that Citizens such as David Lucas were in the U. S. Senate and the U. S. House of Representatives.

We certainly need his style of leadership in Washington, D. C.