Happy Thanksgiving 2016

NOV. 22, 2016

Tifton, Georgia

478-227-7126

tiftongrapevine.com

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

IT WAS ONCE A 'MOVEABLE FEAST'

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Thanksgiving Day is one of those few remaining times during which Americans across the country gather and collectively pause for a moment.

Before our society and our culture became fragmented, it was once the norm for families to sit down together each night and share dinner. Obviously, that still occurs but


	FDR carving the Thanksgiving turkey at Warm Springs.

not to the extent of bygone days.

In television's early days, Americans had a shared experience around the TV, since there were so few channels. Before that, families gathered around the radio, usually tuning into the same stations -- especially during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats."

Interestingly, FDR is a pivotal figure in our modern-day Thanksgiving observance. Because of Roosevelt, Thanksgiving was officially set as the fourth Thursday of November.

Previously, Thanksgiving was traditionally observed on the last Thursday of the month, following the precedence set by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. However, it was up to the

president each year to formally proclaim the observance. In 1939 , the last Thursday was Nov. 30 -- the fifth Thursday of the month -- and some business leaders feared they would lose money, especially during the Depression, because there were only 24 shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas .

Thus, Roosevelt announced that Thanksgiving would be a week earlier that year. For many years, FDR celebrated Thanksgiving Day at Warm Springs here in Georgia . He presided each year over a dinner with the patients, mostly children, at the polio rehabilitation center , and he always insisted on carving the turkey.

So, at Warm Springs on Nov. 23, 1939, Roosevelt presided over the annual Thanksgiving dinner and wished all Americans a Happy Thanksgiving that day. But in most states, his words were not heeded. Many Americans steadfastly observed the day on the traditional last Thursday. The controversy grew during the next two years as FDR set Thanksgiving as the next to last Thursday of November, while some states defiantly set the date as the last Thursday. Family members living in different states were disrupted as the date was different from state to state.

Finally, Congress had had enough, and in 1941, enacted a law setting Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of the month for everybody.

By the way, one of our iconic Thanksgiving images, Norman Rockwell's painting entitled "Freedom From Want," is part of a set of paintings the artist did to illustrate the "Four Freedoms" that Roosevelt recited in his 1941 State of the Union address: The freedom of speech, the freedom to worship God in our own way, the freedom from want, and the freedom from fear. The images were used to sell War Bonds during WWII.

DIVERSIFIED ENTERPRISES NAMES NEW DIRECTOR

Diversified Enterprises in Tifton has named David Wilber as its director, succeeding Marion Curry, who is retiring after 18 years.

Diversified Enterprises, a community-operated program under the Tift County Board of Health, advances the integration, growth and interdependence of people with disabilities within their home communities.


	WILBER

Previously vice president of community alternatives in Virginia, Wilber has several decades of leadership experience in organizations supporting individuals with disabilities.

"Following Marion is truly an honor; she has been a visionary leader and advocate for assuring that individuals living with disabilities are fully contributing members in their communities" Wilber said.

"That has been demonstrated by the person-centered focus and strength of Diversified Enterprises and the highly regarded team that works there. It's exciting to be part of the path forward making a difference in the lives of people living with disabilities in greater Tift County and supporting them to live, work and play in their communities."

Wilber's 30-year career in human services includes managing and overseeing services for adults and children, directing agency work, advocating for people with disabilities, building strong community relationships and influencing statewide policy. He is married with two children, and has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Old Dominion University and a master's degree in management from Troy University.

Under longtime director Curry, Diversified Enterprises was the first such program in Georgia to move from facility to full community-based services. The program has continued to expand, now serving 120 people in eight counties with a staff of 160 and a budget of more than $5 million.

Its residential program is individualized and has broken new ground by creating specialized options in supporting people previously institutionalized to be contributing members of their community.

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON

HOLIDAY CONCERT NOV. 29

Get into the spirit of the holidays with the annual holiday concert at 5 p.m. Nov. 29 in the Chapel of All Faiths at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The concert is a part of the First Tuesday Concert Series.

Dr. Susan Roe, head of the ABAC fine arts department, said the holiday concert has

been held annually for 15 years and is open to the public at no charge.

The evening will include a prelude from Dr. Andy Lagrimas, assistant professor of piano and theory; a welcome from Roe; and a reading from Dr. Brian Ray, professor of English and theatre.

The concert will feature the ABAC Jazz Singers under the direction of Roe, the Instrumental Ensemble under the direction of Johnny Folsom and accompaniment by Lagrimas.

ABAC Arts Connection Director Wayne Jones will perform "Sweet Little Jesus Boy," followed by an audience sing-a-long that includes "The First Noel," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "O Come All Ye Faithful," and "Silent Night."

Roe will perform "O Holy Night" and "An Angel Breathing Out" before the ABAC Jazz Singers and the ABAC Instrumental Ensemble join past and present ABAC music students in the performance of "Everywhere Christmas Tonight."

For information, contact Roe at 229-391-4943.

TALKIN' TURKEY

Kindergarten students are ready for turkey time at Len Lastinger Primary School during its Thanksgiving luncheon the other day. Many parents, friends and family members also attended.

Thursday, November 24

BJ's at Springhill is OPEN to the PUBLIC!

A fabulous Thanksgiving Day menu will include:

Roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, baked ham, sweet potato soufflé, baby butter beans, cream corn, macaroni and cheese, roast beef, rice pilaf, green beans, asparagus, Celebration salad, broccoli salad, pasta salad, 24-hour fruit salad, pimento cheese, crackers and croissants, marinated vegetable salad, rolls, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, caramel cake, coconut cake, mile-high chocolate pie, 12-layer chocolate cake, and much more. Tea and coffee are included.

$12 per person. Children 5 and under are free.

Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Reservations are suggested, and walk-ins are welcome.

Text BJ at 229-392-2913 for reservations

and for takeout orders.

Happy Thanksgiving from our team

to you and your family!

BJ's at Springhill

"Where Everyone is Welcome!"

5 E. Springhill Road, Tifton

229-382-2913

Dec. 3, Downtown Tifton

Parade ~ 5 p.m.

Join Us for Downtown Tifton

Christmas Open House

5 p.m.~9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1

LEADERSHIP TIFTON CLASS GRADUATES

The Leadership Tifton Class of 2016 concluded its year-long schedule with a graduation ceremony last week at Spring Hill Country Club .

Tifton Mayor Julie Smith spoke to the group, stressing the value of community involvement. Graduates include Steve Bjorkman, Abbey Bowen, Ashley Davis, Monica Dotson, Heather Fletcher, Brooke Harnage, Catherine Lewis, Jason Morris, Michael Phillips, Jared Ross, Sunny Ross, Ebony Rowell, Judy Shiflet, Jodie Snow, Amy Tatum, Jonathan Taylor, Laci-Jae Webb, Dorian Williams and Melissa Wood.

"Best-Selling Truck for 39 Straight Years"

511 West 7th Street

(229) 382-1300

griffinford.net

DON'T LET YOUR LEFTOVERS LINGER

For many families, the prospect of turkey sandwiches and turkey soup after Thanksgiving is almost as exciting as the big meal itself.

While that succulent leftover turkey may be tempting, proper food handling is necessary to keep that after-holiday treat from becoming a food-poisoning trap.

"Leftover turkey will keep in the refrigerator, at or below 40 degrees (Fahrenheit), for three or four days," said University of Georgia Extension food safety specialist Judy


	Keep leftover turkey in refrigerator no more than fours days, says UGA Extension specialist.

Harrison. "Use the stuffing and gravy within one or two days."

Here are Harrison's tips for prolonging the enjoyment of your Thanksgiving turkey without risking illness.

Stuffing Safety

It is best to cook stuffing outside the turkey, but if you stuff the bird, you need to remove the stuffing from the bird before it's brought to the table. Harmful bacteria are more likely to be a problem if the stuffing stays in the bird after cooking.

Go ahead set aside some "leftover" stuffing before you serve dinner, and put it up in the refrigerator.

Put a timer on that turkey

Don't leave the turkey out after the meal. From the time the turkey comes out of the oven, you have about two hours to carve it, serve it and then refrigerate or freeze the leftovers.

So that it cools quickly once it's in the refrigerator, slice the meat, and store both meat and stuffing in shallow, covered containers. Be realistic about how much turkey you can eat in four days, and freeze the rest.

Freeze it for the future

For longer-term storage in the freezer, Harrison recommends packing leftovers in freezer containers, freezer paper or in heavy-duty aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn.

Frozen turkey, stuffing and gravy should be eaten within a month for best quality.

Be sure to bring any leftover gravy or other liquid leftovers to a rolling boil before serving. Reheat any solid leftovers like stuffing or meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, measured with a food thermometer.