When a cold winter wind turns to warm springtime temperatures, like it did Wednesday, December 28, strange things sometimes happen.
The photo above was shot by Mike Roberts as the twister-like cloud moved from Miller County into Decatur County.
The call went out over Miller County from 911 that the conditions were favorable for a tornado watch. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings.
The funnel shaped cloud was first reported at approximately 4:00 p.m. by Investigator Rick Morgan. He stated that the cloud looked like it was coming down when it crossed State Highway 310, approximately seven miles south of Colquitt. The twister-like cloud took an easterly direction near Whites Bridge Road and went on toward U.S. Highway 27 in a southerly direction.
If the twister touched down, there was no reported damage in Miller or Decatur counties.
The tornado watch was in effect from 1:54 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
It was just March of 2005 that a tornado did drop down in Miller County and destroyed many homes and much property as it ripped across this area. Miraculously, no one was killed, but there were a number of serious injuries, and millions of dollars in damages took place.
The year 2005 was the worst damage to Miller County by tornado that has ever been recorded. Many homes and much property have not been repaired or rebuilt from this giant storm.
For many years to come, Colquitt and Miller County people will have a higher respect when tornado conditions occur due to the tremendous damage done by that one tornado. There have been multiple tornadoes reported at the same time in Miller and surrounding counties during the season in this year of the worst tornadoes.
With the unseasonably warm weather, we can expect more bad weather and tornadoes to occur as the warm air and cold air collide.
Citizens are requested to report twister-like cloud sightings to the Miller County 911 operators as soon as possible and to seek a safe place as quickly as you can.
There was a tornado watch in effect all over southwest Georgia, including Miller County this Sunday and Monday until 2:00 p.m. Monday afternoon. There were reports of heavy rains from 3” to 5” Sunday night and Monday morning including good amounts of hail and thunder and lightning with gusts of wind up to 30 m.p.h. The unseasonably high temperatures of up to 70º make for dangerous weather with highs and lows coming together when the norm is supposed to be cold.

These twins still enjoy celebrating their birthdays at 92 years young. In fact, they’ve been celebrating their birth for several weeks now.
Una and Uva Mason both attend the Miller County Senior Center, and they started singing the birthday song early in the month of December. They both are faithful attendees of Bellview Free Will Baptist Church, and the birthday twins were recognized as the oldest twins at their church, not to mention they are the oldest regular attendees.
On Wednesday, December 28, 2005, their birthday, Una and Uva were guests of honor at a very special birthday luncheon party held at the home of Terry and Betty Jo Toole. With over 20 of their friends, relatives and buddies attending the sit-down luncheon and bingo party, a good time was had by all.
With this many elderly folks and cars gathered, there were several calls asking what was going on. The questions were: “Did someone pass away?” or “Why didn’t I get invited to the party?”
It was reported that there might be some gambling going on with all that many at a party and all known bingo players. A police officer checked out the party and found that there was a lot of bingo games going on and prizes being given, but no money was involved.
Both birthday girls still get around on their own with the help of a stick or some wheels, and at times live at their own homes when not visiting their daughters. They both have quit driving, though, since several vehicles have been totalled. They are still not sure if they were at fault, or the other folks were driving too fast. They both still like to go with others.
Uva claims to be the oldest, since she was born first back 92 years ago to the late Joseph and Eva Ingram. Not only are the twins identical, they married brothers. Una Sanders Mason was married to the late Bill Mason. They had one daughter, Sarah M. Long of Bainbridge. Uva Sanders Mason was married to the late Jordan Mason. They had three children: Meale Earl Webb of Morrow, Betty Jo Toole of Colquitt and the late Talmadge Mason.
The twins also have one baby brother, Talmadge Sanders, 88, of Colquitt, plus a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Those attending the fun birthday party were Lydia Sheffield, Nan Deflor, Talmadge Sanders, Dixie Harrell, Mary Ethel Johnson, Sylvia Newsome, Waver Perry, Dorothy Milliner
Martha Hardy, Vertie Weaver, Stephanie Odum, Sara Long, Tammy Richardson, Joanna Richardson, Mealie Webb, Priscilla McVey, Brenda Jones, Pat Bush, Laura Hays, Betty Jo and Terry Toole.

This is a new column that could be good or bad in the Miller County Liberal. The name of the column could be changed if you come up with a better one.
The rules and policies will be made and changed as the column and need develops. Your submissions should be short, (30 words or less). They can be suggestions of things that are needed in the community, opinions of what needs to be addressed, and how it should be handled. I am sure there will be many more things.
Your submissions can be a grunt, a gripe, or a pat on the head for someone or something.
Your submissions may be edited. We will not use bad language or libelous accusations. The idea is to make us, and those in charge of making things happen, get done. At times officials just don’t know about situations.
Also someone said, "An old bird dog likes a pat on the head even if he just ran through the covey." We hope that you will also say good things when they happen.
You can send your submissions by e-mail (terrytoole@mac.com), FAX (229-758-5549), snail mail to As You See It, P.O. Box 37, Colquitt, GA 39837) or bring it by the Liberal office. Please do not call in your submissions for this column.
You do not have to sign your submission unless you would like your name known.
If you have an idea to make this work, we welcome your thoughts.

As the year, 2006, begins, the news of 2005 is now history. To recap last year, here is summary of the articles found in the Liberal. This final glimpse of 2005 will appear in four installments, covering three months in each segment.
JANUARY
On Friday, December 31, 2004, Chief Deputy Lynwood Houston was given a fare well luncheon and presented a plaque for his many, many years of service to the people of this area. Sheriff H.E. “Buddy” Glass thanked his chief deputy for all he had done in Colquitt and Miller County to make this a better and safer place to live and raise a family. “He is not only my chief deputy, but a friend that I have depended on as a fellow officer,” Sheriff Glass stated. The retired deputy has been in the law enforcement business most of his adult life.

The Miller County courtroom was almost filled to capacity with family and friends on Thursday, December 30, 2004, at 2:30 p.m. The large crowd of well-wishers witnessed the newly elected officials taking their oaths, and being officially sworn into office. The newly elected officials began their terms on January 1, 2005.

Mr. Ralph Wilcox and his Lucky Penny partners, Joy Jinks and Karen Kimbrel, are happy to announce the official ground breaking ceremony for the new 22,000 square foot sound stage, which will be located at the Industrial Park. The federal government has allotted $194,000, toward the construction of the sound stage. How wonderful it is to say that the state government has added an additional $499,999 for the same purpose, to assure that this sound stage becomes a reality.

On Friday, January 21, 2005, Matthew Daniel Sheffield of Colquitt received his license from the Secretary of State’s Office in Macon to practice the profession of funeral director and embalmer under the laws of the state of Georgia. Matt is a 1997 graduate of Miller County High School and a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in 2002.

Birth Announcements: None
Deaths: Hazel Joyner Houston, Leslie Lynwood Sanders, Minnie Mavis Robinson, Sandra Kendrick Pritzl, Waymon Donley, Lillie Pearl Thompson Hewitt, Jerry Cleo Banks, Ollie Merle Gibson, Johnnie Mae Burr, George Crowder Davis, Garrett Lavarr Cooper, James Edward “J.E.” Kelley, Willie J. “Buddy” King, Pauline Phillips Chambless
FEBRUARY
Members of the now famous Boys Choir of Tallahassee were the star performers Sunday, January 30, at Cotton Hall in Colquitt. The 145 young men are from inner city who just love to sing classical, patriotic, spiritual, regional, show tunes, and popular music. Started in 1995 under the auspices of the School of Social Work at Florida State University, the Boys’ Choir of Tallahassee’s motto is “No Excuses.”

Jaclyn Nicole Newberry, daughter of Carlton and Karen Newberry, is Miller County High School’s STAR Student for the 2004-2005 school year. Nicole has chosen Mrs. Leigh Ann Walton as her STAR Teacher. Mrs. Walton teaches English and is the MCHS advisor for the annual and journalism classes. Each year a top academic senior is named STAR Student in each participating high school. To receive the STAR nomination, students must have the highest score in one sitting on the SAT taken through the November test date of their senior year and be in the top 10 students in their Continued from page one
class. Each STAR student selects his or her STAR Teacher. High School STAR students compete for system and region titles.

Bobby Richardson Jr. has returned home to where he started with the Untied States Postal Service but will now hold the highest position offered in Colquitt. He is the new postmaster of the Colquitt Post Office. Bobby was employed at the Colquitt office in June of 1988 as a letter carrier and window clerk. This was the start of a career that has included serving as Officer in Charge (OIC) in Bluffton and Fowlstown before becoming postmaster in Cedar Springs in November 1995. From that position he served as OIC in Newton and Attapulgus before being named postmaster in Newton in April 2000. In March 2002, he served as OIC in the Pelham Post Office. Bobby became postmaster of the Donalsonville Post Office in August 2003 and remained there until his transfer to the Colquitt Post Office.

Saturday, January 29, the Miss Plantation Trace Scholarship Board held its fourth annual fund-raiser Teen and Miss Pageants in the Miller County Elementary Auditorium. Pageants for birth through 12 years of age were held that afternoon with the older pageants being held that evening. The theme of the pageants was Mardi Gras Mania. Among the winners were 2005 Baby Miss Plantation Trace, Makaylie Middleton of Colquitt. Runners-up for this group were third, Brooklyn Burgess; second, Haley Whitaker, and first, Chloe Ard. Toddler Miss Plantation Trace is Noelle Clearman of Leesburg.

Birth Announcements: None
Deaths: Lila Fortener Toole, Barbara Hudson, Florine Bailey Shippey, David Marshal Griffin, Ethell Alford, Dorothy Jones, Alma Mae Harrison, Terry Ray Harrison, Holly Ashlee Henning Campbell, Tommy Lee Geter, Sara Ann Tabb, Tiffany Ann Blankenship, Patricia Noykos Card, Christine Powell, Jeanette (Judy) Adams, Mamie Lois Warren, Terry Van “Ted” Ledbetter

MARCH
Crooked Oak Golf Club of Colquitt became a reality on March 4, as the Miller County Recreation Authority, with an assist from the City of Colquitt and Miller County, completed its purchase of Clydesdale Meadows Golf Club from former owner Jerry Grimsley. The Arthur Davis-designed course reopened last Friday to the public for the first time since December 31 of last year. Under the management of the Recreation Authority, Crooked Oak Golf Club will be one of the finest daily fee golf courses in South Georgia.

Charles Grant, one of Colquitt’s sporting greats, held his Second Annual Kid’s Day Out, Saturday, March 5. The event that drew hundreds of young people just keeps growing each year as the NFL great gives back to his community. This year, Charles Grant, now playing defensive end with the New Orleans Saints, hosted his Kid’s Day Out again at his home.

The Colquitt Relay for Life was held Friday, March 18, 2004. It was cold, wet, and fun. The Relay for Life crew collected $36,377.

The Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi held its annual Miss Colquitt Pageant Saturday, March 26, at Miller County Elementary School. Devan Fleming, Miss Plantation Trace 2003-2004, served as mistress of ceremonies. The reigning queens entertained the audience and crowned new winners. Reigning queens included Little Miss Colquitt 2004, Taylor Mock; Junior Miss Colquitt 2004, Mary Ann Adams; Teen Miss Colquitt 2004, Courtney Brownlee; and Miss Colquitt 2004, Cassie Cox.

Birth Announcements: Mckenzie Leigh Brackin, Taylor Gavin East.
Deaths: Hattie Mae Crawford Tabb, Mary Spooner Lynn, Norma J. Dean, William “Bill” Bosco, Naomi Thomas Brown, Pauline Martin Davis, Robert Henry Milnes, Frances E. (Nora) Ellis, Ronnie Musgrove, David Patton Richardson, John Lee Drake Jr., Virginia Milton Davis, Aron James Walker, Wallace Booth, L.C. Curry, Conner Allen Womble, Linda Sue Jones, Carl Phillips, Lucille Delores Riles Merritt, Rupert O. Lewis, Ruby Doris Burke Harlow, Walter H. “Bud” Grimes, Larry M. Lafferty, Mildred L. Florence, William R. Kirkland, Burke “Buck” Baldwin Dixon Jr., Max Gerald Newberry, Edna Keaton West, Alice Bradford

Week of January 1, 2006