[Nature Watching With The Alibug] - On the Road Edition: The Altamaha

By: Alisa Johnson Brown, Nature Correspondent 

~ Special to The Chronicles ~ 

When I get home from a trip, I get so caught up in birds at home, that I fail to share more of the trip! But these are Black-bellied Whistling Ducks. When I first became aware of these ducks, I asked, "do they really whistle"??.. The answer is yes! There were rather large flocks of them in the Altamaha WMA! On this day, they blended in nicely with that hot, ochre-colored mud and the same colored muddy water. They are typically found year round in Florida, but only along the E Coast of Georgia and about halfway up the coast of South Carolina!

"Quack, Quack!"

Darien, GA is OLD!! It was established as a port on the Altamaha River by Scottish Highlanders in 1736! There are numerous things to see and do in and around Darien. (and a number of REALLY good places to EAT!! 😁) Ft. King George is one of the oldest places...There's a story about me and an alligator my friends will never let me forget that happened at Ft. King George. 😆 One of my favorite places is Two-way Fish Camp and Mudcat Charlie's restaurant, which are in the same place. The restaurant is 'decent'...not as good as in previous years,...but definitely not bad. And when it's hot on that dock, the restaurant is a good place to get an ice-cold sweet tea....or something just a tad stronger!! The fun thing is wandering around on the huge dock where fishermen, private and chartered, have come back in to clean their catch! It's fun to see what they came up with, but the real fun is watching what ELSE comes!! The minute the water from the cleaning hose starts hitting the river, the gators are alerted. Because that sound means DINNER! This time two BIG gators started heading toward the place the fish heads and entrails would fall. And then, there was another little surprise I have never seen! A little Snowy Egret has obviously discovered 'lunch' too!! 😯

GATOR!

Egret

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I saw some interesting birds at the Altamaha WMA this past weekend. I have only personally seen this bird in Arizona! And even though they can be found occasionally in the Carolinas, and along the Gulf Coast, I don't think they are that common in Georgia! It's a very LONG-legged bird!! 

~Black-necked Stilt~

- Alisa Brown 

Multi-generational Newtonian & former WGFS radio host, Ms. Alisa loves the outdoors, birds, the arts, fine dining & great music. She's also got a thing for pirates... An absolutely wonderful woman, we're so glad to have her beautiful nature pics here at TPC. 

Steve Horton's Press Release Announcing His Candidacy for Mayor of Covington

*the following is a press release provided to TPC from Steve Horton who has officially declared his campaign for Mayor of Covington. I plan on interviewing Mr. Horton soon so be on the look out for a future piece. As always, thanks for reading. - MB McCart, Ed. 

|||||||

I would like to take this opportunity to announce publicly my intentions to run for the office of Mayor for the City of Covington in the upcoming November 5th, 2019 election.  

Former Covington City Manager, Steve Horton

I am a life-long resident of Newton County and I have lived in Covington for more than forty-five (45) years. My wife Mary and I have one son and daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren who also live in Covington.  Regarding my education, I have a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from Mercer University and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from Troy State University.

Though I will not discuss, in great detail, my overarching political thoughts or platform at this time, I would like to point out to the citizens and voters who may not know me and remind those who do that I am no stranger to government operations at the City of Covington.   I fully retired from employment with the City of Covington after nearly thirty-six (36) years of service. Some of the positions that I held, while working there, include, but are not limited to: City Manager, Deputy City Manager, Public Works Director, Safety Risk Manager, and Police Chief.  There are many things that occurred while I was at the City of Covington that I am proud of, too many in fact to list here. However, a number achievements that I was, to some extent, involved in while employed at the City are worthy of mentioning. While serving as City Manager, Covington became a City of Ethics.  While serving as Public Works Director, I along with other City and County personnel worked together whereby the City of Covington obtained the “Signature Communities” designation along with joint partner Newton County. In 2003, the city was named a “City of Excellence”. In 2005, the City of Covington received an award for planning monies as a result of being named a recipient of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s “Livable Centers Initiative Program”.  Additionally, while serving as City Manager, Covington was named one of only three (3) cities in the entire country to have four (4) departments as nationally accredited agencies. This occurred when the E911 and Public Works operations, in addition to the Police and Fire Departments, also became accredited. In 2007, Covington was named a top 20 finalist in the prestigious and national “All America Cities Award Program”. Through joint efforts put forth by me and other “Leadership Collaborative” members, Covington and various other local governments within Newton County now operate on the same budget cycle which allows for better joint venture opportunities and joint financial planning efforts.   While serving as Police Chief, the Covington Police Department provided daily assistance with security for the 1996 Olympics that was held in Atlanta and was in charge of providing security for that portion of the Olympic Torch Run that came through Covington and the associated downtown festival. Between 2005 and 2009 I had direct oversight of the Covington Airport expansion activities where the runway was extended from 4,200’ to 5,500’. The Airport expansion efforts also included multiple land acquisitions that would later become necessary in the relocation of the Airport Terminal Building to its present day location. In 2012, I was named Local Government Administrator of the Year by the Northeast Georgia Regional Development Center and one of Newton County’s Shining Lights.

More than all these things, I am most proud of the relationships that I was able to develop over the years with the citizens, business people, and employees here in the City of Covington.  Each one of you is more than just another face to me. While serving you, I always did my absolute best to ensure that you were treated compassionately and fairly.  If you elect me as your Mayor you can expect the same from me in the future.

Even though there were many proud moments and good times, while I was with the City, there were challenges too.  In December 2007, while serving as City Manager, the nation including the City of Covington experienced the start of what was obviously one of the worst economic recessions that has taken place in the last one hundred years.  With the help of others at the City of Covington, utility and tax rates were kept as low as possible. Though we did evaluate and hold off on filling some non-critical positions whenever associated employees resigned or retired, we never exposed employees to layoffs or reduced work weeks as did numerous other public and private sector employers during the same time period.  

Today and looking ahead, some people are concerned that tough economic times may, yet again, lay ahead for the City of Covington.  If true, some difficult decision making may be required. Certainly and in all cases, government leaders can and should do more to manage and/or scrutinize how we expend government resources.  “Buying what you need and needing what you buy” are good foundations to work from. Additionally, we should do more work on improving how Covington partners with other governments, quasi-governmental entities, and private businesses to maximize taxpayer and/or ratepayer monies and resources.  Though a lot has been done, more work can and should be done, along with our community partners, to define and strengthen our local economic development efforts and bring more and better job opportunities to our community.

I look forward to meeting and talking with many people as this campaign progresses.

Sincerely,

Steve Horton

###

[Perrin Lovett] - Death of a Cigar Shop: A Smoke Shop Mirror for America

This one is a little short by my standards. My ultra-secret project is winding down and, honestly, I’m worn out. A new short work of fiction is materializing. As much time as it’s consumed, it’s still not quite ready.

Several ideas for this week presented themselves in due order. One kinda sorta made it, here, today. But, I needed a context. And, brothers and sisters, I found it, in a most unlikely manner, in a most likely place.

I have, for many years now, been a frequent fixture at various cigar shops, from Florida to New Hampshire. This afternoon, with a rare bit of “time off,” I decided to visit one of my former favorites. My purposes were two-fold: to have a smoke and to work on this column. Of the two, the smoking might be going more smoothly:

Picture by Perrin.

The place looks mostly the same as it has for the past seven years since the big relocation in the Summer of 2012. I understand sales have been up. Was it an 18% increase in 2018? 14%? Some increase. The numbers for this year already show an 8% growth. That’s great for the house’s bottom line. Yet, something is different. Some things.

I’ve changed too, these past few years. Whereas I used to come to relax and enjoy the company, now I’m usually working on this infernal little machine. The smoke (sometimes drink) helps. But the relaxation just isn’t here anymore. And, the company has changed a bit.

The past one to two years, at this particular shop and others nationwide, a new demographic has taken up the hobby. To be blunt, they’re louder, less interesting, and maybe a tad cruder than the old-timers. And, at night and on weekends, they bring forth yet another element. If you know what I mean, it’s just a matter of time before a deal goes wrong and the CSI team is in the parking lot. That might not be so good for business.

The old-timers, at this particular place… I’ve written before about the qualities of the men (almost always men) who visit better tobacconists. I’ve said they are smarter than average - and they are. But, right here and now, I’m reminded that “smarter than average” really isn’t all that much. I am literally typing this while listening to the same damned conversation - from the same men - that I’ve heard six (or sixteen) dozen times in the past decade. It’s of events, not of ideas. Ideas are mentioned from time to time, though usually by me. I can talk to myself at home.

It’s off right now (PRAISE GOD!), but Plato’s electronic cave wall lurks nearby. Any other time, any other day, the TeeVee is almost always blaring away, with messages to dull, to hypnotize, and to degrade. The old and the new groups are simply in love with the boob tube. I’m not.

I’m also not grossly obese or overweight. I take no medicines nor suffer any chronic ailments. I am not a boomer. I have less and less use for popular culture (if any). It now occurs to me that it may be as much “me” as it is “them.” Either way, I’ve come to whatever realization this is over many months of study, conscious and otherwise. And, I imagine that when I leave this afternoon, I’m leaving for good. Or, at least, I won’t be hanging out with the crowd (either of them) anymore. Maybe this place now joins the ranks of my grab n’ go sources. I’m not really worried.

So, how does this reflect upon the affairs of a nation? Hell, I’ve gotten this far - with much effort - and I don’t feel like going any further. Just read this article about the new brand of illegal invaders (from countries where IQs average dangerously close to the clinical retardation cutoff line). Then, read about how similar arrivals affect once peaceful, civilized places. Now, consider there is a U.N. plan - which won't ever work to fulfillment - to move about 700 million (that's not a typo nor hyperbole) more such persons into the U.S. in the next few decades... Maybe one can see where I would go with this relationship if I wasn’t tuckered out. I am.

exactam

**Quality will resume immediately! And, that bit of new fiction will be exciting and directly related to a slew of current events - with a little twist. It’s not a Tom Ironsides story though it is related to his fictional world. It’s a tale I’ve been trying to pull together for maybe 16 years. Ironsides is rocking along too - I think I’ve got something like 65 (printed) pages of his novel/novella already crafted. More of all of this, soon. Happy June 2019!

- Perrin Lovett 

 

 

[MB McCart] - Proposed FY 2020 Budget for Newton Co. Would See a Huge Growth of Government & Highest Taxes in County's History

Teaser: 1st Report 

Look for an expanded report tomorrow morning - Thursday 6/6/19

By MB McCart, Editor 

Folks, this publication has been getting its hands into the proposed FY 2020 budget - totaling an amount pushing $70 million - for Newton Co. & it ain't looking good...

For starters, the taxpayers of Newton Co. will by far see their highest property taxes ever as most folks could've already gathered after having seen those recent assessments. Revenues for this year's property taxes are estimated to be approx $36 million, an increase of  $3 million & rate of growth of 9.3% over last year's. 

Also, a couple of new revenue streams for the county. As you'll remember, it was very important for the county to start making money on "non-traditional tobacco paraphernalia." That'll be adding $12,500 to the county's coffers. So there's that.

As per usual, though, the big problem is spending. This county is addicted to it. The proposed budget would see an increase of over $3.5 million representing an increase of 5.4%.

The two most concerning items with expenditures in my opinion: 

- An increase of $3 million for salaries & benefits representing a 7.8% rate of growth 

- Debt Service for the county increasing $26.2%

I think some people think I'm being hyperbolic when I talk about how bad & dire the financial situation is in Newton Co. I'm not.

Check out the expanded report tomorrow morning. 

- MBM 

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[Ellis Millsaps] - Son of a Preacher Man, Ch V

Son of a Preacher Man: A Rock & Roll Cowboy Grows Up Southern Baptist                                                       

Chapter Five: The Lake of Fire and Brimstone

Except for missing Wagon Train I was happy with my church life at six years old. I got to see my friends there, I enjoyed the Bible stories and the Sunday school books with their pictures of kindly Jesus gathering the little children unto him. Sometimes I’d listen to my father's sermons, but if I tired I could lie down in the pew and rest my head on my mother's or my sister Wylene’s lap. Wylene would have been seventeen, and she would tickle my face with torn shreds of church bulletins.

And after the service ended there would be freeze tag while the deacons and other menfolk-- almost all WWII veterans-- would smoke cigarettes and shoot the shit or speak of comrades whose shit had been shot. It was, as the first Bush would say thirty years later, a kinder, gentler time. There were lightning bugs in the soft summer night and I was so fast and agile at freeze tag. There were frozen maidens in waiting and I was their Sir Galahad.

That was my life until sometime in the summer of 1957. I was six years old and attended every revival service, and there were a lot of them, like three home with guest evangelists and three away that my father preached. During this particular revival, not only did I miss a whole week of westerns, but the guest preacher was a man named John Ayers who put the fear of god in me.

[I've been writing this over several days. At this point, Memorial Day 2019,  Wylene died. It wasn't unexpected. I was watching Saving Private Ryan which I’d recorded for the occasion - my first viewing of a brilliant film. War is hell. Those young Americans charging French beaches where half of them were sliced into shreds with their feet still wet to save the world from fascism, made me think of today's young americans and the threat they face. They don’t have to charge Omaha Beach; they just have to vote - ( damn, that was a long aside from an aside. Get ready now; back to the sentence) when Cynthia told me she'd seen from messaging that Wylene had passed.

It’s a long movie. I said she'll still be dead when I saved Private Ryan and I’d deal with it then.

When I finished the film, she was, in fact, still dead.  I cried buckets. I’d meant to tell you more about Wylene-- eleven years older than I, my last surviving sister-- except Clara, sixteen years older. She’s in an institution ( I can’t call Clara.They won’t let her have a phone. She throws it at the other residents)-- but I didn't figure on her (Wylene, back to the sentence at hand) up and dying while I was in the early chapters.

My mother had almost raised four daughters before I came along. She left a lot of my rearing to them, especially Wylene. Wylene was my first best friend. I believed that Jonah had lived in the belly of a whale and I also believed in Satan. Lucifer did not bother me in my waking hours but in my earliest dream I can recall I am in a beautiful garden when Satan, replete with horns and pointy tail, entices me with a shiny apple. He is so oily slick and the apple looks so good, but I am fearful because I know this story. I call out for Wylene and she comes running. Satan,  terrified of my sister, vanishes.

I have lost a layer of protection I will never regain. I'll cry some more and get back to John Ayers and the lake of fire and brimstone later. Selah.

 Ellis Millsaps

Ellis "Da" Millsaps is a recovering Attorney but has worn many hats over the years: father, bus boy, stand-up comedian, novelist, wiffle ball player, rock'n'roll band manager, and at one time wrote a popular and funny column for The Covington News. A Fannin Co. mountain boy originally, Mr. Millsaps now stays at the mill village of Porterdale by way of 20 years in Mansfield. Usually funny and at times irreverent and subversive, he leans left in his political philosophy but can always be counted on for a pretty darn good write-up. The Chronicles are proud to have him involved... 

[Bess Tuggle] - Memoirs of Surviving Children: Kitchens, Kids & Family

My best friend and I raised our boys’ together. Between the two of us, we had six boys. Biological sons’. That doesn’t include the kids that decided to move in with us, at any given moment, and expect to be fed. There were a lot. A LOT! The most I’ve ever seen around my kitchen table was 18, but there could have been a few more hidden around the corner, in the closet or under the bed. We both had the same problem – collecting children.

We also both tended to collect pets. When I say pets I mean dogs, cats, chickens, cows, goats, snakes, squirrels, tarantulas, rabbits, birds, pigs, baby deer… Oops, she had peacocks and guinea hens, too. Not that we searched for them, they just seemed to gravitate towards our houses. There was NEVER a dull moment.

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The kitchen in both households was the main congregation room. The kids –all- flocked to the kitchen. Breakfast, lunch, supper, snacks… Food, in general.

All the pets learned that, too. Neither of us had a 5 second rule. If food hit the floor, the first animal that got to it WON. Kids included. If you wanted to see a major feeding frenzy, drop a piece of watermelon on the floor and try to guess who’d get there first. Bacon could raise it to a whole new level.

I never had a “nasty” kitchen. It was just lived in, as was my friend’s. I scrubbed the floor once a month (it took 4 hours on hands and knees) with engine degreaser, and I painted part of the walls quarterly. Painting the strip on the walls rose according to the age of the children. Two feet off the floor, then three, then four… It depended on where their little hands rubbed, and the size of the animals that did the same. My friend kept an egg incubator in her kitchen and dealt with the same problems. The chicks were AWESOME! There was no such thing as having all the dishes cleaned at the same time. Our kitchens were the place to –live- in and crumbs could be fought over!

My children’s father finally put a name to what we were doing. We were “building strong immune systems.” With that mix of children and animals, there was no other choice.

You can still walk in our kitchens with dirty, bare feet. You’ll probably leave with dog hair between your toes and some delicious cookies in your tummy. Cupcakes cost extra.

- Bess Tuggle 

[Melissa Parker] - Talking with Tedo Stone & Drew Beskin; Both Performing at City Pharmacy's Sunday Social Today, June 2

Today, June 2nd, at City Pharmacy. 5 to 8PM

It's time for another Sunday Social at City Pharmacy today, June 2nd. In addition to great food & drinks, patrons will have the opportunity to hear two highly heralded local musicians, Drew Beskin & --finally-- the proprietor of CP, Mr. Tedo Stone, will be doing a set. 

Q & A with Drew Beskin

Thanks for coming to town; we’re looking forward to the tunes.

Thank you for the questions! Super excited for Sunday. I have the honor of not only playing my tunes but I get to play guitar in Tedo Stone. Tedo is one of my best buddies and I love playing/making music with him. 

Drew Beskin

You’ve been on the music scene for a while in bands like The District Attorneys, Party Dolls, and Purses. How has it changed since you started?

When I started with my first band we toured a bit and tried to see if we could make it as a band. The songs were there but the band never really took off. Party Dolls and PURSES came from wanting to release albums at a faster pace. I finally decided to embrace my name and just start releasing albums under my name like Tedo.  The goal has always been the same. To write and record as many decent songs as possible.

“Nostalgia Porn” is your latest; how was the record born?

Nostalgia Porn came from always wanting my songs to sound like something I am a fan of or something that would remind me of someone/something else. I always compare other bands, movies, television and it seems like other people do the same. It reminds you of something else so its good if that makes sense. I do love the album and think it was the logical next step in my solo releases. 

Tell us about the upcoming tour & other future plans? 

Tedo and I are doing about 6 shows together this summer. We dont get to perform that much so we are really happy to be hitting Covington, Athens, Atlanta, Charleston and Macon (2x) before we go in the studio to finish Tedo's new album and then start working on my third solo album. 

Drew Beskin/Tedo Stone Summer Tour

Q & A w/ Tedo 

You’ve been in the studio; How do you prepare?

I usually record any ideas I have on my phone as they come. Once I get a decent collection of ones I think have potential I’ll bring them to the band to flesh out. In the past, I’ve tried to get very detailed with demoing out songs, adding multiple layers, drums, bass, etc.. For this record, the demos never made it past my phone with an acoustic and vocals. I reached out to Drew to assist in helping me finish putting the ideas together before bringing to the band. He’s got a knack for song structure and brought a lot of ideas from a production standpoint. Once we finished them, we shared them with Jeremy (Drums) & Philip (Bass) and met in the studio for what would be the first time we’d played them as a band.

Are you going to debut new tracks on the upcoming tour?

Most definitely. Very excited about playing some of the new stuff out live. We still have a few days in the studio finishing vocals, so it’s nice to be able to explore the vocals out live before putting them on the record.

Tedo Stone

What’s spinning this summer?

I’ve been listening to a lot of Ona & Sleepwalkers leading up to the tour Drew and I have coming up. They’re two of my new favorite bands and I’m stoked to get to play shows with them and see them live. I’ve also been listening to a lot of 90’s country. I’ve probably listened to Shenandoah’s ‘Two Dozen Roses’ 200 times in the last few weeks...

You will not want to miss this one! See you there.

- - Melissa Morgan Parker

TPC is very proud to have the talents of Melissa Morgan Parker as a Correspondent, Stringer & Contributing Writer. A multi-generational Newtonian, Mrs. Parker is a Mom, Wife, Music Lover, Artist Extraordinaire & Educator who very deeply cares about all & everyone that is the Glorious Georgia Piedmont.