Nordson ground breaking to be held June 21st

   Official ground breaking activities for Nordson Corporation's new Swainsboro plant will be held on Tuesday morning, June 21st, at 10 a.m. The event will be held at the new site, which is located on Empire Expressway, across from the Richard L. Brown Industrial Park.

     Evans Construction Company has been selected as the general contractor for the $6.5 million dollar facility. The public is invited to attend.

2011 Pine Tree a Success!!!

     The 2010 Pine Tree Festival and Southeast Timber EXPO concluded Saturday afternoon, May 5^th, with another successful year. Early numbers indicate over 10,000 people were in attendance for at least one event during the two week festival. Early numbers also indicate the festival was a huge economic boost for our city and county with filled hotel rooms, restaurants, and increased expenditures by visitors. 
     As said in the past, an event like the Pine Tree Festival doesn't just happen. It takes months of coordination and planning.
     First and foremost, credit needs to go to this year's PTF/STE Foundation Committee members. They gave much time and energy and deserve high accolades. The Committee's vision has always been to enhance the festival year after year. Success was achieved by having events ranging from the Fabulous Flores High Wire & Motorcycle Show to the Prentice Logger Competition. Events were chosen and planned for every age group, which ultimately led to a successful festival.
     In an effort to keep the celebration of the pine tree industry at the forefront, the group held the second Pine Tree Festival Forestry Field Day for area foresters, landowners and wildlife enthusiasts. Over 125 folks attended this year's Forestry Regional Dinner held on Thursday night, May 3rd.  At that occasion, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black detailed the importance of pine tree industry to the state.
    Another prominent event saw over 200 students, representing 17 school systems from around the state, compete in the State FFA Forestry Career Development Day at the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Recreation Department Complex. Treutlen County nudging the competition to take the state's top FFA honors. Over two thousand dollars in scholarship money was awarded to the students by Swainsboro Festival Foundation, Inc., the sponsoring body of the Pine Tree Festival.
     In addition, $2,250 was given away by the Committee in scholarship monies to East Georgia College and Southeast Technical College for students planning to study in forestry and wildlife areas.
      This year's committee members are Donna Brinson, chairperson, Athen Walden, Russ Yeomans, Milton Gray, Al Lawson, Erica Priester, John Allen Bailey, John Black, Jolly Martin, Calvin Close, Bob Losser, Kay Peacock, Tessa Brown, Cody Hall, Dr. Mark Haddock, Larry Calhoun, James Canady, John Trice, Heather Cook, Mark Crosby, Jen Meadows, Richard Claxton, Lynn Brinson, Tammy Wilkes, Erma Jenkins, Tim Goodman, Mack Griffin, Johnny Payne, Daisy Reeves, Charles Schwabe, Mary Smith, Robert Barker, Jerry Cadle, Ken Warnock, and Ronnie Womack.
    While planning was most important, sponsorship for such an endeavor can never be overlooked. Special recognition needs to go to this year's corporate sponsors. Some sixty-eight businesses, industries, and individuals stepped forward to assure the success of the festival. Without them, an event of this magnitude does not happen. A complete list of sponsors can be found on the festival's new website, www.pinetreefestival.org.
    Special recognition goes to go to Ronnie Womack, Randall Ray and the Parks & Recreation crew who were tremendous in their assistance to us. In addition, we need to thank Brad Kirby and the CH2M Hill-OMI crew.
     On the state level, we would be amiss if we didn't pay tribute to the help received from the Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Department of Natural Resouces and the Warnell School of Forestry at the University of Georgia.
     Finally, we need to thank our vendors, local exhibitors, and the many people who attended this year's festival. Your interest in seeing this festival grow is most important to our efforts.
     The pine tree is a very valuable resource with unlimited potential for our county, state and nation. We here in Emanuel County are fortunate to sit at the heart of the "wood-basket" of the Southeastern United States. We should give thanks every day that we live in an area of the country that is blessed with wonderful natural resources and a very favorable climate.
    We look forward to the 2012 Pine Tree Festival & Southeast Timber Expo as we recognize this valuable commodity.-Bill Rogers, 2011 Pine Tree Festival and Southeast Timber EXPO Board Chairman