The Miller County Unit of the American Cancer Society has done it again. Everyone present at Monday evening’s “Love Lights A Tree” program was inspired and moved by people who had been touched in some way by cancer.
The American Cancer Society had led the way in finding prevention and research methods to treat and hopefully cure the deadly disease.
An estimated 556,00 Americans are expected to die from cancer in 2005. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1,334,100 new cases of cancer were identified in 2004, and about 553,400 died of cancer in that year. Prostate cancer remains to be the number one cause of cancer deaths, claiming over 157,000 victims last year. In Georgia, over 31,000 cases will be diagnosed this year. The five year relative survival rate for cancer victims was 60%, which represented a 1% increase from 2004. Different cancer types such as ovarian cancer, have a 90% survival rate if caught in its early stages.
These statistics are driving the American Cancer Society to press harder for a cure. The local unit has worked tirelessly to make this year’s “Love Lights A Tree” program the most successful. Countless volunteers contributed hundreds of dollars to ensure its progress and many, many hours.
On Monday, December 12, the community joined together on the courthouse square lawn around the live Christmas tree. Margaret Ann Daniels, a cancer survivor and president of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, welcomed the crowd to this year’s program.
The Rev. David Womack of Bellview Free Will Baptist Church gave an inspirational devotion and led the large crowd in prayer.
The crowd enjoyed two Christmas musical renditions by the children of New Life Learning Center. After the singing, the Miller County High School and Middle School Band, under the direction of Spence Salter, entertained everyone with Christmas music.
Suzette Little recognized the cancer survivors that were in attendance.
Betty Jo Toole, projects chairperson, thanked everyone for their continued support of the “Love Lights A Tree” project.
“A special thanks to the Miller County High School Band and Director, Mr. Spence Salter, the children from the New Life Learning Center and all the staff at the New Life Learning Center, Rev. David Womack, pastor of Bellview Free Will Baptist Church, Lisa Spooner for typing and printing the program, the trustees and Mr. Russell Nash for putting the lights on the tree, Suzette Little for getting the acknowledgements out to everyone,” stated Mrs. Toole. Also, she gave a special thank you to the survivor, Jerry Joiner, who lit the tree, and everyone who helped in anyway to make the night a truly “Love Light” night.
Together we are making a difference. It’s important to know that our donations will be used wisely as the American Cancer Society continues leading the way in cancer research, prevention and treatments. The American Cancer Society spends approximately $130 million each year on cancer research.
Almost everyone in our community has been touched by cancer in some way, whether the loss of a love one, your own diagnosis or that of a friend or neighbor down the street. Cancer has infiltrated every segment of our society and community.
The Good News.
More than 132,000 Georgians are alive today--saved from cancer because of research that has developed treatments to cure cancer. Thirty-two American Cancer Society researchers have won the Nobel Prize, the highest accolade of scientific achievement. Dr. J.M. Bishop, Nobel Prize winner and American Cancer Society grant recipient said a few years ago “For the first time in my career, I have come to believe that we will eventually conquer cancer.” This is good news, and we are living in the time when we see this coming to pass.
Research is the key to conquering cancer.
Together - we are saving lives.
Together - we are helping others.
Together - we will win.
Mrs. Toole commented, “Tonight we are grateful to hear from one that is going through treatments that research has developed. Jerry and his wife, Brenda, retired and moved to Colquitt. They are very active in the Colquitt United Methodist Church where Jerry teaches Sunday School and Bible studies. He is a lay speaker and member of the Gideons. He is also active and holds the office of Service Officers in the American Legion Post. Jerry was Senior Vice President with Bank America for 38 years. He taught banking for many years and was selected Teacher of the Year. He also co-authored a book “Principals of Banking.”
After Jerry spoke and turned the lights on the “Love Lights a Tree,” the crowd joined in singing “Joy to the World.”
Rev. Womack gave the benediction.

Can you remember when you never saw a deer in Miller County, or this part of Georgia? I hunted for over 30 years over this part of Georgia and never saw one. That is the past. Deer hunting today has become a big business for landowners with supplemental income
In just a few years, deer population in Georgia has risen from under 200,000 in the early 1970s to as many as 1.4 million today.
The deer hunters now have almost unlimited kills of deer because the population has gotten so dangerous for the driving public.
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, there are estimates that deer causes 50,000 auto accidents per year in this state. This represents 13.5 percent of all crashes. Seven people were killed in those wrecks.
There are very few days that go by, especially in deer season that there are not wrecks in Miller County involving deers.
On Saturday, December 10, Earl Lee Anderson of Rt. 3, Colquitt, was traveling on SR 91 north of Colquitt when a deer crossed the highway. Anderson stated that he attempted to miss the deer, but struck him with the front of his 1994 Ford Ranger. This occurred at 7:45 p.m.
On Sunday, December 11, Lisa Ann Staib-Peterson of Crawford St., Colquitt, was traveling north on U.S. Hwy. 27 at the intersection of the Griggs-Lucille Road when a deer crossed in the path of her vehicle and caused damage to her 2003 Ford Expedition.
“This is the norm to have several wrecks a week due to deer running in front of, in the side or attempting to jump over vehicles,” one officer stated.
During the rut season, the deer move much more, and there are more wrecks from this most dangerous of animals in Georgia.
Georgia is listed by insurance companies as number five in the nation in deer/auto crashes. The result of deer accidents nationwide goes in to tens of millions of dollars in damages.
Deer also hit farmers where it hurts, in the pocketbooks. Some farmers in the area state that in some fields, deer eat the leaves off peanuts and then dig them up to get to the nuts.
Some quail hunters state that deer cause havoc on food plots set out to feed quail.
Deer in Georgia and the U.S.A. seem to be a blessing and a curse. Over the past few years, deer population has gone from almost no deer population to an over abundance of deer. The deer hunters love it. The drivers hitting deer on our roads and highways has become a danger.

A series of “Hallelujah’s” came from Ralph Wilcox’s mouth when he was given the green light to let the construction of the 22,000 square-foot movie sound stage begin. If you ask Ralph Wilcox on any given day how he is doing, his constant reply is “I’m consistent.” There is something to be said about consistency. Two and a half years ago Ralph Wilcox came to Colquitt with a vision, and he has not wavered since. RC& D Golden Triangle and visionaries Joy Jinks and Karen Kimbrel embraced the concept of using the television industry as a vehicle of economic development, leveraging on the success of Swamp Gravy to support their belief.
As a result of delays and setbacks, many were asking and doubting if there would even be a sound stage in Colquitt, and if so when. The time is now! Ralph Wilcox, Southwest Georgia Film Commission director and executive producer of Schuster’s Cash Video/Television Production Company, LLC, along with his partners Joy Jinks and Karen Kimbrel and staff members, Brenda Cheatem, executive administrative production coordinator to the president; and Judy Jones-Colston, marketing-corporate director, proudly announces that construction of the brand new 22,000 square-foot movie sound stage has begun.
Wilcox said, “It has been an uphill journey in terms of getting all of the demands in place. Murphy’s Law reminds us that if anything can go wrong, it will. However, there is something to be said about consistency. Perseverance counts, and the foundation was laid long before any concrete or cement was poured in the Industrial Park.” The sound stage becomes a marketing tool. Production companies will come to Colquitt and the Southwest Georgia region to use the facility that will have a 30 ft. Green Screen. A Green Screen is used as digital images are projected onto it. Many of the Hip Hop industry professionals now have to travel Los Angeles to use Green Screen. They will be able to come to Colquitt when the sound stage is completed. The rule of thumb is that whatever the budget is for a production company, one half of that budget will be left in the area in which the project was produced.
The sound stage will also have a state-of-the-art HD Editing Suite. This is not only good for attracting production companies but also good for training students and giving them hands-on experience.
Wilcox has attended numerous festivals, conferences, and events in Hollywood, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta this past year, and this is why many people have been asking the question, “Where is Wilcox?” Now that he has laid the foundation, he has been going out marketing and lining up projects to build on the foundation. Many writers and directors have submitted their projects to the Southwest Georgia Film Commission Office and Schuster’s Cash for consideration. Attracting work is critical, and that cannot be done sitting in Colquitt on the telephone!
Acting classes will resume full speed ahead in the latter part of January 2006, and the dates will be announced. The afternoon classes will be held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. This class will be open to former Miller County High School students who have trained in the program and also to former students in neighboring counties who have been part of the acting classes. New students from the eight grade to college level are welcome to participate. An acting class will also be available to interested adults on Thursday evenings from 6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. There will be limited space, so please call the Henny Penny Studios at (229) 758-8188 to reserve your spot today. Being a citizen of Miller County will not guarantee one a job, either in front or behind the camera. What will at least insure the potential for employment will be preparation.
The Southwest Georgia Film Commission, Schuster’s Cash Video/Film/Television Production Company, The Miller County Development Authority, and the Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend a press conference Friday, December 16, 2005, at 11:30 A.M. Ralph Wilcox, along with his supporters, will be announcing that the construction of the movie sound stage has begun.
Wilcox has made it very clear that even though he has been able to accomplish a great deal with the help of his friends, he continues to give God the Glory. It is by the grace of God that we have come this far. There is yet much to be done. He needs the continual support, prayers, and participation of all who want to be a part of this great new venture.
Southwest Georgia Film Commission Office, Schuster’s Cash Video/Film/Television Production Company, Miller County Development Authority and Miller County Chamber of Commerce invite you to a press conference announcing the beginning of construction of a brand new movie-television sound studio on Friday, December 16, 2005, at 11:30 A.M. at Miller County Industrial Park.
In the event of rain, the press conference will be held at the existing Henny Penny Studios at 104 N. First Street.
All believers and supporters are encouraged to attend this media event.

The Diabetes Awareness Seminar held Wednesday morning, December 7, was a resounding success. It was a first for Colquitt, as well as for Miller County Hospital, who sponsored the event.
Hospital CEO Harley Smith welcomed an overflow crowd of diabetic patients who were eager to find out what was new in treatment and research in the disease that is almost epidemic in the U.S.A. and especially in Southwest Georgia.
CEO Smith then introduced Kevin Woodcock, Sr. diabetic specialist with Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals.
Mr. Woodcock gave a brief overview of the seminar and invited everyone to go into the adjoining room to see how companies had set up to show some of the latest developments in living with diabetes better.
Dr. Jorge Arango, retina specialist with Eye Center South in Dothan, Alabama, went over a number of procedures available now in the treatment of eye disease as a result of dubieties.
During a break, those attending checked out the vendors and received door prizes as well as literature on treatment and care of diabetes.
Shaun Cauley, Miller County Medical Center director for wound care, gave a wonderful presentation on care and treatment of wounds or problems of the feet and toes due to diabetic problems. He told patients how to live normally with diabetes and showed some of the newest and most advanced treatments.
Kevin Woodcock gave a presentation of the many diabetic medications and supply updates of some of the newest things available and things to come soon.
Tina Smith gave an excellent presentation on diabetic nutrition and what was good for a diabetic to eat and do to make life better and safer.
Shawn Whitaker, Director of Nursing at Miller County Hospital gave the closing remarks concerning care and treatment of diabetes.
A delicious lunch was catered by The Tarrer Inn and hosted by Nova Pharmaceuticals. The meal was served under the direction of Tina Smith and one that diabetics can live with and enjoy.
Those attending thanked the Miller County Hospital, and especially CEO Smith and Mrs. Dot Wainright for helping to provide these services to the people in this area to have the most knowlegable doctors, technicians and specialists in their fields to come and share with those who attend the meetings to help make living healhy and enjoyable.

Week of December 11, 2005