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Valdosta Civic Roundtable

January 6, 2011

 

The first meeting of 2011 was called to order by Club President, Jane Osborn. The meeting was held at Hildegard’s in downtown Valdosta. Members present were: Julie Halter, Donald Davis, Dennis Marks, Cheryl Oliver, Gretchen Quarterman, Karen Yawn, Jane Osborn & Leslie Jacobs. Visitors today were:

Alana Miller, Elaine Ruggiero & Katelyn Connell.

Members who were unable to attend, but sent replies were: Jerome Tucker, Becky Barnes & Heather Evans.

News from members:

Dennis Marks/Lowndes County Democratic Party – will have their monthly meeting on Monday & election of officers prior to that. The Rotary Club is continuing their Imagination Library Project, which places books in the hands of children before they start school to improve literacy rates. Feb. 15th, the Law Enforcement Dinner will take place. This is a fundraiser to assist members of law enforcement who may need assistance due to disaster, such as fire, etc.

Donald Davis/Lowndes County Historical Society – The latest issue of “Yesterday & Today” was handed out. There are many interesting stories of our past & this newsletter continues to remind us of our heritage in the area. Pick one up today, if you haven’t seen it! Mark your calendar for Sat., Feb. 5 to hear Tommy Tart speaking at 10:30.

Julie Halter/VSU Continuing Education – There are too many exciting classes to list here, but a few of interest are Photography & Dancing for Fitness. Call 244-6484 or go to: www.valdosta.edu/conted for more information & to sign up.

Gretchen Quarterman/LAKE – they had a good meeting this week; there is concern that the Industrial Authority & Bio-Mass need to be more transparent. Everyone is encouraged to attend local city & county meetings – be involved! There is a meeting of the Metro Planning Organization on Jan. 11th.

Karen Yawn & Katelyn Connell/The Haven – During the holidays, 40 donors provided Christmas gifts to needy families. Karen is just back from maternity leave. Congratulations on your new daughter!

Cheryl Oliver/Turner Center – Treasurer’s Report: $125.85 is the bank balance after paying all expenses from the Christmas luncheon last month. It is time to renew your membership with the Roundtable, if you haven’t already done so. $15 a year is all that it costs! This Monday, Jan. 10, there will be a Gallery Reception, free & open to the public, from 5:00-7:30. There will be an auction going on to benefit student scholarships. On Jan. 23, at 2:00, at the Mathis Auditorium, you can see “Aluminum”. This is part of the Presenter Series & will be very entertaining for children & adults. Also coming is “The Music Man” in February & “Grease!” in March.

Jane Osborn/Community Calendar – Through VITA, some will be eligible for free tax preparation. Call 234-2364, to learn more. Megan’s House, an Easter Seals residential facility, will be opening soon. There are still some needs, call Dana at Easter Seals, 247-6912. Hospice of South Georgia is offering classes for Grief Support. The Goodwill Career Center offers Georgia Work Ready Testing every 2nd & 4th Saturday. For more info, go to: www.gaworkready.org. Due to an oversight, nominations & elections of officers for the 2011 Valdosta Civic Roundtable weren’t held, so it was agreed upon by the members present that the 2010 officers would remain in their current positions. Be thinking of ‘stepping up’ for an office, so that when we accept nominations in October, there will be some willing participants. There is a long list of things of interest in Jane’s Community Calendar. If you’re not on her email list, you should be!

Leslie Jacobs/Jacobs’ Ladder – United Way still needs your contributions! Please turn in those pledge cards, if you still have one. We have a need for volunteers for the following mornings (weather permitting): Wed., Jan. 12 & 26, Thurs., Jan. 13 & 27, Fri., Jan. 14 & 28. Please call Leslie, if you can help & for more information. 794-1188.

It has been decided to try a new location for our Roundtable meetings. Please plan to join us in February at Studio 51, on Baytree Road. We hope to see you there!

That completes the news from the January meeting of the Valdosta Civic Roundtable.

Leslie Jacobs,

Secretary