Editor’s note: As usual, the new Swamp Gravy play is highly reccommended, site and sound unseen. If it’s anything like all the rest, it will be a hit for anyone with a pulse, a little hearing and sight. They keep getting bigger and better, and this season with sound.
A lonely visitor brings more than his company as he travels through turn-of-the-last century Colquitt, Georgia. The gift this mysterious stranger leaves behind will hide a small secret and reveal a great truth. The gift will pull a family together in its abundance and will pull a town together after the gift is lost.
This year’s production of Swamp Gravy: Visiting Hours is a blend of mystery, music, and mischief with tales of visitors - family and strangers alike - who sometimes bring more than we expect. These characters may test Colquitt’s never-ending hospitality, but they make for some unforgettable “visiting hours.”
Swamp Gravy’s plays, steeped in the Southern art of storytelling, are based on true stories told by the community and dished up with a healthy serving of original music and traditional hymns. Swamp Gravy’s world renowned cast of 100 volunteers brings these stories to life in what has become Georgia’s celebrated Official Folk Life Play.
Swamp Gravy: Visiting Hours is written by playwright Jules Corriere and directed by Swamp Gravy’s original artistic director, Richard Geer. The performances run Thursdays through Saturdays, including a Saturday matinee, throughout October. To experience the play that “…united a town and moved a nation,” please call 1-229-758-5450 or visit www.swampgravy.com.

It’s happening! According to a very recent press release, Colquitt has been chosen as the site for one or more theme parks plus other developments.
In last week’s edition, we told you of some of the negotiations in progress. Here are more details based on a news release by the company making the plans and acquisition of sites.
Jerry Wallace Developments of Destin, FL, announced its decision to build a multi-million dollar themed resort in Colquitt, Miller County, GA. The plans call for seven football field sized enclosed super structures “The World” featuring replications of world renowned travel destinations to be constructed inside of the Colquitt city limits.
The project grew even more when Dealmaker Developments, LLC, a Wallace affiliate, announced their intentions to co-develop with Jerry Wallace. Their plans are for a second site including three additional enclosed super structures, “The Landmarks,” featuring replications of U.S. landmarks. “The Landmarks” primary attraction will be a center pavilion themed after Tara presenting the south as the Gateway to America. Construction is planned to begin the last quarter of 2006 with the first phase being completed early 2007.
This project has real pedigree. Jerry L. Wallace known as “The Dealmaker” has over $4 billion dollars in planning or development. He is a renowned author and developer. His flagship resort “Laketown Wharf” is the largest all inclusive condominium resort on the Gulf Coast. In addition to Wallace’s considerable experience, Hugh Darley of IDEA Inc has signed on as lead project planner and consultant. Darley is known for his pioneering as an Imagineer at Disney, his design of The Star Trek Experience at the Hilton Vegas and coincidentally, his participation in the 2002 master plan of the City of Colquitt, GA.
The Colquitt project is spearheaded by Dealmaker Developments President, Darren Zuppardo who not only led the successful sellout of Wallace’s Western Themed Resort in Texas, but secured the acquisition(s), contract(s) and approval(s) for “The World” and “The Landmarks” in Miller County.
Mega-developer Jerry L. Wallace became attracted to this area when one of his executives visited nearby Bainbridge and suggested that he consider a project in Miller County that would enhance their up and coming movie soundstage. After his visit Mr. Wallace said he [Jerry Wallace] “couldn’t imagine a better site for some type of resort project. The people and businesses remind me of what traditional American values should be.”
Dealmaker Developments contracted to purchase and renovate Crooked Oak Golf Course. The course designed by Author Davis now includes plans for new landscaping, a new club house, a golf academy, vacation villas, new entryway, paved paths, and various other improvements to the already popular golf facility. Dealmaker Developments also plans to build various new sub-divisions on the adjoining land.
Overseeing this project with Zuppardo is Rodney Bell, president of Jerry Wallace Developments. Both welcomed the opportunity to co-develop with their mentor Jerry Wallace. Zuppardo said, “I saw an amazing opportunity to participate in a project that would not only vitalize the community but also preserve the integrity of Colquitt, the small town southern charm.”
A spokesperson for the developers who talked of the need to “tread lightly,” said that the developers had diligently researched the project’s impact on Colquitt and Miller County and had met extensively with various officials, land owners, and citizen groups. He also stated that an action panel, consisting of local and regional officials and a cross-section of citizens, will soon be assembled to oversee and advise the development as it progresses through its phases. Plans are to schedule a public forum for open discussions. The general public is encouraged to come and participate with any suggestions or concerns regarding the development.
At the time of this release, the developers said that they will soon begin securing financing for phase I & phase II [estimated at $90,000,000] and intend to explore financing opportunities with Miller County banks and determine to what extent they will elect to participate. When pressed for more details about what opportunities are available for local businesses to take part in the development, Zuppardo said that area contractors and businesses would be given preference wherever possible. He further stated that the project would not only increase tax revenues for the school system and significantly increase business for merchants and service providers in Miller County, but additionally it would create approximately 400 new jobs, ranging from entry to executive level positions.
Speaking for Wallace, Bell said that they had previously met with and are most grateful for the cooperation given to them from Mayor Jerry Chapman, City Manager Cory Thomas, Miller County Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Dr. Howard Small, Miller County Recreation Authority Chairman John Martin, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Veryl G. Cokey, County Attorney Danny Shepard, City Attorney Ronald Rentz, Miller County Board of Education Superintendent Robert Phillips, Colquitt/Miller Arts Council Executive Director Jennifer Trawick, First State Bank President Donald Brooks, Miller County Commissioners, Recreation Authority and Development Authority, Colquitt City Council, Jerry Grimsley, Joy Jinks, Karen Kimbrel Waver M. Perry, Charlotte Kikel, Smiley Grow, Richard Henley, Jerry and Mavis Phillips, L.N., Linda and Mark Cleveland, Wanda Martin, Pam Smith, Merri Jordan, Virginia Warren, Randy Clenney, Swamp Gravy and Henny Penny Productions and other community leaders.

Julie Calhoun, the reigning 2006 Miss Colquitt, will be competing for the title of Miss National Peanut Festival beginning Thursday, October 12.
Julie is the 20-year-old daughter of Jerry and Sharon Calhoun. She is attending Albany Technical College where she is majoring in radiology. She has a younger brother, Matt.
Julie will arrive in Dothan, Alabama, at 7 a.m. (CST) on the morning of October 12. All contestants will be staying at the Dothan National Golf Resort and Hotel.
The preliminary competitions will begin on Friday, October 13, at the Dothan Civic Center at 6:00 p.m. (CST). Fifty beautiful young ladies will be competing for the coveted title of Miss National Peanut Festival Queen this year. Julie will be entering the pageant as contestant #39. This year’s theme is “Peanut Pride,” which is a tribute to America’s Armed Forces.
The finals will be held on Saturday, October 14, at 6:00 p.m. (CST). The pageant will be televised on WDHN, Channel 18. The top 10 contestants will be announced after each contestant is introduced. The pageant has added something new this year. After the top 10 contestants compete, the select group of young ladies will be narrowed down to the top 5, one of which will be crowned the new Miss National Peanut Festival.
After the finals, the contestants and their dates will attend a Queen’s Ball at the Quality Inn Hotel.
Julie attended orientation in June and has been participating in the many scheduled activities for the contestants. She has made many new friends. Julie considers it a great honor to carry on the tradition of representing her hometown in the pageant. The Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority is sponsoring Julie in the pageant. Good luck wishes to Julie may be made by sending them to Julie Calhoun, Miss Colquitt, Contestant #39 @ Dothan National Golf Resort and Hotel, 7410 Highway 231 South, Dothan, AL 36301. Gifts and cards will be received on Thursday and Friday at the hotel. No Saturday deliveries are allowed nor are any deliveries allowed at the Dothan Civic Center.
Julie would like to thank all of her hometown friends, the local businesses and her family for the support she has received as she has prepared for this pageant.

The Lady Pirates’ Junior Varsity won the Baconton Jr. Varsity Tournament Saturday, September 30, at the Baconton Blazer Field in Baconton.
In the first game of the tournament, Miller’s JV defeated the Mitchell County Eagles, 18-1.
Joanna Richardson pitched a no-hitter. She had four strike-outs and gave up only one walk and one run.
The Pirates had 10 hits. Jessica Roberts and Christina Tabb both hit doubles with Tabb also connecting for a single. Heather McDonald had two hits with Olivia Andrews, Joanna Richardson, Macey Richardson, Nikki Girffin, and Isabella Lawson all adding a hit.
Scoring the 18 runs were Amber Haff 3, Andrews 3, Hunter Cleveland 2, Brooke Widner 1, Tabb 1, Roberts 1, Beth Anne Phillips 1, J. Richardson 1, M. Richardson 1, Niki Donley 1, Lawson 1, and McDonald 2.
Andrews, Roberts, J. Richardson, Donley, McDonald, and Lawson each had an RBI. Tabb had four RBI’s.
The second game of the tournament had Miller facing on the Baconton Blazers and taking another decisive victory, winning the game 7 - 1.
Brooke Widner was on the mound for the Pirates. She recorded four strike-outs, two walks, three hits and one run. Heather McDonald relieved Widner in the fourth inning and was credited with two strike-outs while allowing one walk, one hit and 0 runs.
Olivia Andrews slammed out a triple with Amber Haff, Widner, Christina Tabb, and Nikki Griffin each batting singles.
Andrews had one RBI and one run. Haff added two runs with Widner, McDonald, Niki Donley and Macey Richardson crossing the plate for a run apiece.
The Baconton Blazers received second place, and Mitchell County received third place in the tournament.
This was the final game for the Jr. Varsity Lady Pirates, who went undefeated for the season.
The team consisted of Amber Haff, Brooke Widner, Lacy Phillips, Isabella Lawson, Jessica Roberts, Olivia Andrews, Christina Tabb, Jenna Phillips, Shena Cheatem, Beth Anne Phillips, Nikki Griffin, Niki Donley, Hunter Cleveland, Joanna Richardson, Heather McDonald, and Macey Richardson. The girls were coached by Renza Israel and Richard Prescott.

Lt. Governor Mark Taylor spoke to a good crowd of invited guests of Birdsong Peanut at an early morning breakfast at Tarrer Inn, Friday, September 27.
After a wonderful breakfast, Gerald Garland welcomed the crowd as well as Lt. Gov. Taylor.
A candidate for governor and an Albany native, Taylor thanked everyone for coming out so early. He gave an outline of his campaign. He indicated that he wanted to improve our educational system, which he thought would boost the state’s economy and help citizens find better paying jobs.
He proposed to spend more on local schools and the University System of Georgia instead of cutting them.
Taylor proposed to eliminate assessment of state property tax. He gave his ideas on health care including his plans of PeachKids which the parents would pay $40 per month to cover their children. He stated that if he was elected governor, he would propose to eliminate sales tax on over-the-counter medication.
He talked about getting tougher on crimes against children and violent crimes. He stated that he would support tougher penalties against people using the internet and computers to send pornography to children and stated that he would like to allow juries to invoke the death penalty to those convicted of rape two times.
Taylor stated that Georgia needs a new governor, and he wanted to be the people’s choice.
There was no mention of his defeat of Secretary of State Cathy Cox or if she would support the Democratic winner of the bitterly contested race. There were no questions asked when Taylor opened the floor to questions.
Democratic candidate Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor will face incumbent Republican candidate Governor Sonny Perdue in the November General Election for the office of governor of the State of Georgia.

Week of October 1, 2006