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There are times when technology definitely has its advantages. Case in point. You’ve heard me preach for years about researching political candidates to assist in making an educated vote. However, I felt that as a newspaper we were not bringing you enough information about candidates to assist readers. That is no longer the case. [Full Story »] 

The turpentine gulag was in full swing in 1958 and we had 40 families of hands who lived in ‘quarters’ and were either employed in field labor or turpentining. Turpentining was a hot, dirty, nasty, hard way to make a meager living but at that time in history, a dollar was a silver dollar and worth 30 times what a dollar is worth today. Being as the turpentine business was filled with such drudgery, it was no wonder that on the weekends, after payoff on Friday afternoon, it was time for many of the hands to go to the ‘juke’ and boogie down all night. Every quarters had a juke joint and ours was no exception. At this particular time, the ‘juke’ was in old man Frank Baker’s house. [Full Story »] 

Just this week, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 6oth anniversary as a monarch and announced her plans to continue to serve her nation in the years to come. She’s a very young 85, and her husband, Prince Phillip, is 90. She has worked with 12 prime ministers during her 60 years on the throne and has signed 3500 bills into law. Only the second British monarch to celebrate a diamond anniversary on the throne, she remembered her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, as the other. In her yellow suit and trademark matching hat, she spoke of using the wisdom of old age to guide her in her work. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

I would like to thank the many people that showed up to the benefit concert that was given in my honor on May 11, 2012 at St. Paul Church of God in Christ in Surrency. Let me go back first of all and honor my Pastor, Supt. James Frank Carter and wife, Elect Lady, Joyce Carter, along with their daughter, Jacqueline Carter that worked so tirelessly to get in different renowned singing artists to come and make the concert a great benefit from their hearts about the love of Jesus. [Full Story »] 

Appling Wrestling will be hosting a Youth Wrestling Camp starting on June 4. The camp will feature Bradley and Bryan Benton who hold six state wrestling championships. [Full Story »] 

After 32 years in the Legislature, State Representative Tommy Smith will not be seeking reelection to the Georgia House of Representatives. Smith said that he is strongly considering a race for Governor in the year 2018. He plans to devote at least five and a half years to the campaign, in order to organize an effective political network throughout the state, and to raise the necessary funds required to win the election. [Full Story »] 

Mildred Turner Butler, 84, died Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at her residence. Mildred was born Nov. 8, 1927 in Appling County to the late Joseph Turner and the late Eva Victoria Holland Turner. She was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church since the age of 10. Ms. Butler taught Adult Sunday school for 50 years and held numerous other positions in the church. After retirement from Department of Family and Children Services, she worked with ATEC on Adult Literacy Committee and with Appling Healthcare First Step Program. She was a loving mother, grandmother and devoted to her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Benney Eugene Butler, a sister, Jincy Turner Crosby and a nephew, Gary Crosby. [Full Story »] 

Betty Lou Collins, 54, died Sunday, May 20, 2012 in the Appling Healthcare System. Mrs. Collins was born Aug. 2, 1957 in Appling County to the late Bloyce Coy McDaniel and the late Mattie Lou Davis McDaniel. She was a member of Spring Branch Baptist Church. Betty was a former employee of We Care Too Transport. [Full Story »] 

Sandra H. Dawson, 66, died Tuesday, May 22, 2012 in Appling Healthcare System. Sandra was born Sept. 28, 1945 in Appling County to the late Jessie Thomas Hardwick and the lat Lily Merle Edenfield Hardwick. She was a member of Zion Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a son, William Thomas Ashmore. [Full Story »] 

Whopping 33 candidates qualify for lThe following is a list of candidates that qualified for public office last week. [Full Story »] 

By Jamie Gardner

At a work session meeting held on May 14 Appling County Board of Education District 4 representative Randy Crawford requested that the board consider allowing a special committee to review the renovation plans for Fourth District Elementary School. Following that meeting a committee made up of stakeholders from the school and the school system including current Lead Teacher/Administrator of Fourth District Greg Williams, PTO President Lori Fowler, Crawford, Superintendent Scarlett Copeland and Chief Operating Officer Winton Herrin met with Lentile Construction (construction management firm) and the system’s architect concerning possible changes to the renovation plans that were previously approved in November 2011. [Full Story »] 

The Appling County Pirates (34-3) lost game one of the State Championship series 2-4 against the Pierce County Bears (30-8) on Saturday. The Pirates were able to get a big win in game two, 12-1 in five innings, to force a game three that has been delayed due to Tropical Storm Beryl until Thursday, May 31 at 6:00 p.m., weather permitting. Visit our Facebook page for further updates. [Full Story »] 

Don’t forget that one of Baxley’s own, Byron Buxton, son of Felton and Carrie Buxton, could be a top pick, if not the top pick, in the Major League Baseball Draft starting on Monday, June 4. [Full Story »] 

Jake Barnes has signed a golf scholarship to play at South GA College, located in Douglas. [Full Story »]