Christmas Came To

Macon, Georgia U. S. A.

On December 2, 2012 I published a Post here concerning the lack of a 2012 Christmas Parade in Macon, Georgia.  It did happen on December 9th.  The pictures tell the story.  Enjoy!!!!!!

Holiday Artists' Market

Middle Georgia Art Association

2330 Ingleside Avenue

Macon, Georgia  31204

The Gallery at 2330 Ingleside Avenue is open for your shopping pleasure during these hours:

Tuesday - Friday  12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Saturday  12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Closed on Sunday and Monday

Work by the following Artist is featured during this Market

Ginny Atkins

Jean Brennan

Glenda Clance

Linda Embry

Glennean Grossman

Sheila Kelly Johnson

Suzanne Lawler

Leslie Miller

Alistair Quinn

Bea Pyles

Karen Shockley

Mae Thurston

Martha Tisdale
Theresa Trail

Macon, Georgia

United States of America

I am confident that most everyone who resides in Middle Georgia has seen this scene.  Now before you read any more of this Blog Post you can certainly appreciate the fact that this post would be published.  Some would even say that they saw this one coming.

Just a few hours ago as I was conducting my errands I heard a "Radio Broadcast" where the announcer informed us all that a member of the City Council of Macon, Georgia has proposed that a pension be granted to those duly elected leaders who may have "served" in excess of ten years.  I believe the announcer said ten years.  What a self serving recommendation!!!!  You and I know that most individuals who actually work at full time jobs have to have far more years of service than ten years.  Note I stated "full time jobs!!"  Yet there are those on Macon's City Council who feel that it is appropriate to pay a pension to someone who has served a mere ten years in a part time job.  Yes, I am also aware that these esteemed Council People often receive E-Mails and even letters and phone calls from citizens of Macon.  Yes, I am also suggesting that these same duly elected leaders who sought re-election time after time knew the compensation they would receive for their "part time service!!!"

Now we have these same self serving esteemed elected leaders seeking additional funds to allow them to "retire" at the expense of the citizens of Macon, Georgia.  Sounds like a nice gig if you can get it. 

While I am not now a citizen of the City of Macon I am also aware that in the future after consolidation that I along with thousands of other citizens will be paying the funds to support this pension scheme.  I do not know if this is a well thought out scheme; but I am confident that for those who may qualify, if this scheme is enacted, they will continue to live their respective lives at the expense of all who reside in Bibb County.

Now to enlighten those who may know me, I do enjoy a retirement pension.  However I will also point out that I served 21 years active duty in the Navy to qualify.  This was not a part time position, and often called for long periods of separation from my family.  I knew what I was getting into when I enlisted.  I have no regrets of my choice.

For those who are seeking this Pension Scheme from the City of Macon for part time service may now be regretting their choice.  Why else would they be seeking a "Pension?"

Additionally, I also receive a "Pension" from my seventeen years of actual work at Brown and Williamson Tobacco Company right here in Macon, Georgia.  This was certainly no part time position.  I have fond memories of twelve hour days and often these twelve hour days were performed for thirteen days in a row.  I have yet to meet a duly elected Member of Macon's City Council that can claim that fact.

So, you may be concerned, just as I am.  Why would any body seek a "elected servant position" and then seek to be paid a pension.  Something just does not appear to correct and proper with this proposal.

Some may think that it is our time.  As I recall my studies of World History, Egypt, Greece, Rome and even Britain only saw about 200 years of power.  Maybe it is time for the United States of America to be part of this series.  After all we are 236 years old.  I realize that Macon, Georgia has not been around as a City as we know it; but I would submit that the "Council Chambers" displayed in the picture above can validate that we have been here for quite a period time.  So maybe we have already beat the odds!!!!

A Grand Mercer Christmas!!!

November 30, 2012

 A very Special Gift from the Mercer Singers and the McDuffie Center Strings in cooperation with Mercer University, the Georgia Public Broadcasting Corporation, the Brandenburg Productions and the Townsend School of Music teamed up to provide a delightful Christmas Present to all of Middle Georgia on Friday, November 30 and Saturday December 1, 2012 at the Grand Opera House in Macon, Georgia.

The shows were taped for release to the more than 350 public broadcast stations for the 2013 Christmas Holiday viewing throughout the United States of America.

Inspiration and the lead grant for this production was provided by Carolyn Townsend McAfee, Tom McAfee and Julie McAfee. 

The Program was performed by the Mercer Singers, which were 42 in number and the Members of the McDuffie Center Strings Ensemble which has a roster of 26 players from around the World.

The performance was dynamic and delightful!!!! 

Prior to the posting of this Blog Entry I decided that it would also be very appropriate to show a series of pictures of the future home, right here in Macon, Georgia on College Street of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings.  It is at 315 College Street and is now known as the Bell House.

Several years ago I learned that the appropriate color for the ceilings of old homes here in the South was Blue.  The color Blue because you could then sit on the porch and look up and see the blue sky, no matter what the weather.

I, also take this opportunity to Wish Everyone involved with the "A Grand Mercer Christmas" a very Blessed Christmas and a wonderful 2013. 

Thank You!!!!!

What About Christmas?

Macon, Georgia

For many years I have attended the annual Christmas Parade in Macon, Georgia.  If I recall correctly, it was usually held on the first Sunday of December at 3:00 P.M.

Unless I missed it, I do not recall seeing any information about the 2012 Christmas Parade in Macon, Georgia.

Maybe we are all too caught up on the "Winter Holidays" as some refer to this season of the year.  No matter what, I just had to post this entry and also a quote from a book review about the book - "The Town that Forgot About Christmas.

It Is Sad to Forget the Real Meaning of Christmas.

""The Town That Forgot Christmas" is a delightful and inspirational children's Christmas picture book. The 9 3/8 inch by 10 1/4 inch book has 25 pages. Every other page is a full page full color illustration. The illustrations emphasize each character and their emotions in the story. This book would make a great read aloud in the Sunday School or school classroom. It could be read in 15 minutes or less.

The story centers around a city where the people have grown selfish and wicked. The children shouted and fought and they didn't play together. They didn't share. Grown ups scowled and complained. They didn't help each other and they didn't care. Everyone was cranky and mean. But most importantly they had forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. One day an unusual and somewhat mysterious man, named Matthew, from a far off place came to town. As I read the story my imagination led me to believe that Matthew could have been an angel sent from God to help the townspeople rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. I also thought that this man could be St. Matthew himself who came to the town that forgot Christmas to once again tell the story of the first Christmas as he did 2,000 years ago in the first book of the New Testament.

Matthew makes friends with the children and people in the town. Because Matthew was a carpenter, he could fix many things for the people in the town. Besides fixing things, Matthew encouraged families to play games with their children. Soon families spent time playing together instead of arguing and complaining. The town became a much happier and better place but they still didn't celebrate Christmas. Matthew begins carving real life size figures for a creche for the town. Christmas is fast approaching and it looks like Matthew may not get all the figires carved for Christmas. A wonderful miracle occurs in the town - the townspeople come together in a real spirit of cooperation to help carve and paint the life sized statues for the creche. On Christmas Eve, Matthew mysteriously disappears just like he appeared and the townspeople rediscoveer the true meaning of Christmas.

While this is a beautiful Christmas story, it is a story that teaches cooperation, unselfishness and kindness as well. This book does mention Jesus as the Son of God on one page and ends with the quoting of scripture from Luke 2: 10-11 - " Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.""