The Colquitt Miller Arts Council hosted the Colquitt/Miller County Chamber of Commerce First Friday Breakfast at the Tarrer Inn on Friday, November 4. Jennifer Trawick, executive director of the arts council, presented a program to update attendees about the murals of Colquitt.
She started out by introducing members of the Colquitt Miller County Arts Council staff that were attending the meeting.
After giving away door prizes, Trawick began her program which focused on the Millennium Mural Project. This is a program that the arts council started in 1999 after receiving a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture. The USDA gave each state a Rural Enterprise Grant, and Colquitt was chosen for the state of Georgia. Jennifer went on to explain the process of each mural that is painted, beginning with deciding on a building. Once the building is chosen, and agreement must be worked out between the owner of the building and the arts council to make sure that the mural is going to be cared for if needed. Stories are then picked to be featured on the mural, and a “call for artists” is sent out. Each artist sends in a sample of what he/she sees for the mural, and the mural committee chooses the artists based on the submissions. The committee then talks with the artist about the details of the mural and makes sure that it is representing the stories as well. Once this is completed, the supplies are ordered; the wall is prepared, and painting is started.
Our mural currently in progress is being painted on the Colquitt/Miller County Fire and Rescue building. This wall was prepared by applying Marine Grade plywood to the wall, and the cracks were filled in with caulk. Once completed, a primer was placed on the wall. Artist Cheryl Hardin is using Nova paint to complete this mural. Once completed, the “Nuthin’ But A Will” mural will cost approximately $30,000. This money is currently being collected through donations, grants, and fund-raisers like the MAY-HAW production which will be held in January and February of 2006. Go by the fire department and watch the progress.
At the conclusion of the presentation, Trawick showed the State of the Arts program that aired on Georgia Public Broadcasting that featured the story of Colquitt’s 10th mural “Summer in the Swamp.” State of the Arts filmed this project from the beginning to the dedication ceremony and featured it on their show.
The Colquitt/ Miller Arts Council has become one of the larger employees in the area as well as helping to draw visitors to our area to see the Cotton Hall productions and help the economy of Colquitt, Miller County and Georgia.
Watch for an article in the near future with just how much the arts council and all of the things that are being done under its umbrella of activities is helping in the economic development of this area and all of Georgia.

On Monday, October 31, Deputy Sheriff B.J. Josey, with the K9 officer along, stopped a vehicle on Cox Road in Miller County.
Deputy Josey called Investigator Ben Nix to the scene to assist in the search for marijuana. The two officers found the driver of the vehicle in possession of marijuana. The type marijuana that was found gave the officers reason to believe that there may be more located at the offender’s residence.
After the offender, Tony Cox, 48, of 436 Cox Road, was charged and arrested, and after he had been read his waiver of rights, the offender told the two officers that there was more marijuana at his residence. Cox stated that he did not know how much. The officer asked if it was more than an ounce. He stated that he wasn’t sure but was told over that amount was a felony charge.
The offender was asked if he would corroborate by signing a consent to search for more marijuana. Cox stated he would corroborate, and his residence was searched. There were several baggies of marijuana found. There were a number of boxes and grocery bags found that contained marijuana as well as marijuana plants hanging throughout the house drying.
All of the illegal drugs were photographed, inventoried and taken into custody for evidence in the case.
On November 1, Sheriff H.E. Glass, Investigator Nix and Jail Administrator Lavon Cook interviewed the offender. Cox stated that he wanted to go home with a clean slate. The offender stated that there was more marijuana in his freezer and plants growing in a field that he wanted to turn over to the sheriff.
When the officers went back to the residence, they retrieved 19 bags of marijuana, 10 marijuana plants in full bloom that were over eight feet tall. The total weight has not been determined at this time, but will go into pounds. The marijuana that was bagged will have a street value of between $40,000.00 and $50,000.00.
Tony Cox has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and manufacture of marijuana.
The suspect has been released on two $5,000.00 bonds.
Sheriff Glass asked that anyone who has knowledge of anyone using, selling or growing any of this addictive illegal drug, to contact the Miller County Sherriff’s Department, the Colquitt Police Department of the Pataula Drug Squad. Any information or tips on illegal drug use will be kept is strictest confidence.

Colquitt Coupon Days start today with participating merchants offering great gifts, gift certificates and money to the lucky participants. The Colquitt Coupons in this edition will be the only ones provided by this newspaper. Cut them out, fill them out and take them to the participating businesses.
You do not have to buy anything to participate, but the Colquitt businesses are ready to help you with their goods and services while you are there. Some of the participating businesses will have Colquitt Coupons available for their customers to place in their boxes.
The rules to enter are simple. Register as many times as you have Colquitt Coupons to enter with. You must be 18 years old or older to participate. Winners will be announced in the Wednesday, November 23 edition of the Miller County Liberal. Each participating business will draw its winners and call them in to the newspaper. That’s it!
Start filling out those Colquitt Coupons worth over $2500.00 today. Deposit them in the stores and businesses as often as you go in.
Watch next week for more information on what Colquitt is doing to show its appreciation of its valued customers.
Colquitt Coupon Days are starting now and will end just in time for Christmas as you have the chance to win some of those valuable gifts being given away by Colquitt’s finest businesses. Participating Colquitt merchants are American Pie Etc., Blooming Business, Chick-A-Dees, Cedar Head Mayhaw Co., Bride & Gift Gallery, Grow Drug Co., Crooked Oak Golf Course, Dixie Detailing & Accessories, Fre-Jan’s, K-Lynn’s Jewelry, Into the Forrest, Natural Effects, PeopleSouth Bank, Market on the Square, Petro, Chan Long, Kay Ford, Royal Collection, Swamp Things, Nora Kate’s, D & G Sunbeds, Subway, Wilkin’s IGA, Miller County Liberal, Helen’s Pirate’s Cove, Colquitt/Miller Arts Council, Pat Sammon Chevrolet, The Wear House Etc, Hardee’s, Moore’s ACE Hardware, The Posie Patch, Road Runner Seafood, Red’s Liquors, Tarrer Inn, Bevis’ Furniture Company, MacArthur’s, Merchants & Farmers Bank, Twelve Oaks Antique, RonCam, Pic-N-Sav, and Tradition’s.

Hubert and Barbara Stafford have been in the grocery business for over 28 years and have strived to offer their customers and friends the best buys when shopping at Stafford’s Market, a conventional, full service store.
“Last week, the name of the store was changed, along with many other improvements that will help give our customers better prices and better service. With expenses increasing, we have decided to decrease the ones we can control and pass the savings on to our customers,” the Staffords stated. “At a conventional grocery store, you may pay cost plus 20% to 30% or more. Under the concept of Pic-N-Sav, our new name, the customer will pay cost + 10%. Cost $1.00 + 10%. You pay $1.10.”
The new store has had new fixtures installed to better display a larger selection of goods for the shopping public.
Hubert and Barbara Stafford and their many dedicated employees, some of which have been with them since they started many years ago, invite you all to come check the Pic-N-Sav weekly inserts and ads in the Miller County Liberal for prices so low you will not believe them.
“You will be pleased with our low prices. This cost + 10% concept will be good for our loyal customers. We are here to serve you as before, but with better prices, more products, and the same friendly people who appreciate your business,” the Staffords stated.
The store is the same other than many new products and fixtures. The people are the same to welcome you and your business to this new concept, with prices almost too good to be true. The store is still at the same convenient location at 301 East Crawford Street (US Hwy. 27) in Colquitt.

Week of November 6, 2005