Sunday, October 31, 2010

1967 - Army Pictorial Center in Astoria

Yes, I've been to Astoria, Queens, where the Bunkers lived.  I saw houses that looked just like Archie and Edith's.

After Basic Training at Fort Benning I was ordered to the Army Pictorial Center in Long Island City to become a TV cameraman.  Since the TV operation was inoperable at the time, they changed my MOS (military occupational specialty) to camera repairman.  For that simple reason, I never became a combat photographer as several of the guys at APC had been.  Repair means maintenance, so in Vietnam I was a member of the 27th Maintenance Batallion of the First Cav.


The main studio building of the Pictorial Center houses the largest sound stage on the eastern seaboard.  It was the Paramount Studio until the movie business moved out to Hollywood. The building down the street also was used by APC.  The barracks - block building - was across the street, out of view at right. 

Although, I was fascinated by pictures in my youth, it was the Army that set me on a course to become "The Snapshooter of Soperton".  The association with talented troops and wise mentors during those few months really inspired me.

My best friend was a turkey farmer from rural Illinois. We had a few "stars" at APC, actors who volunteered or were drafted.  John (Johnny) Crawford who played "The Rifleman's" son in the TV series, Angela Lansbury's son, Peter Shaw.  

During the Christmas season of that year, the civilian guards were taking time off, so a few other troops and I got to be guards.  The duty allowed us to see every room of the entire center and what was done in each area.  Another duty of the guards was to sit at one of the doors to check in the people who worked there.  That's how I met Percy Ricks, or he met me, as he noticed our common name on my name tag. He was a civil service employee at that time, but he had already retired from the Army in the highest rank that an enlisted man can hold.  Percy grew up in Adrian, Georgia, and remembered the Harrell family most fondly.  (Our Harrells - Horace and Elmo.)  Years later, Percy Ricks was retired again and he and his wife moved back south to live, locating near Augusta - halfway between his Adrian home and her home in South Carolina.  He remembered the Ricks boy from Soperton, so while he was calling on homefolks in Adrian, he surprised me by showing up at the Soperton News office one day. We had a great time.

The Army Pictorial Center shut down in the early 70s, but the main studio was renovated and "rewired" with the latest technology, and it turns out TV and motion picture productions today as Kaufman Astoria Studio. 

The center continues to live on the internet.  http://www.armypictorialcenter.com/ Go to the website, click the personnel roster, scroll right to the Rs, scroll down to my picture, look right and see that John Wayne and I are side by side.

America has always loved motion pictures, especially in the 30s and 40s before television. During World War II, the Army Pictorial Center was created to take advantage of that industry and harness its power. Directors like Frank Capra gave their talents to the war effort. All of Hollywood was willing to pitch in, and movie stars worked in APC films. "Why We Fight" was an Academy Award winning heroic series of films. Probably the best award or accolade APC ever received was from a German officer:

"We had everything calculated," said Nazi Field Marshal Von Keitel after WWII, "except the speed with which the Allies were able to train their troops ... our major miscalculation was in underestimating their quick and complete mastery of film education."

Our troops grew up watching movies, so they understood what movies were about.  The Army Pictorial Center was still making training films when I was there.  I even had a background role in a film we produced on the M-16. One of my cousins saw me in it when he did his basic training. 

So, never belittle pictures, photos, movies, video as being simply silliness. As Von Keitel learned, pictures win wars!

SLIDESHOW:  Now playing over on the sidebar is a short slideshow of  the Army Pictorial Center and related slides.  You can click to stop the show and see the enlarged photos and captions in the Picasa album.


William A. Ricks
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Friday, October 29, 2010

1980 Syrup Making with the Athel Goss Family


80 1029 08
October 29, 1980

From the beginning in 1973, the featured exhibit of the Million Pines Festival was the cane grinding by the Athel Goss family. Visitors, if they had known, would have enjoyed seeing syrup making, too, just three blocks away on New Street at the Goss home. Clayton Stephens was a welcome guest of Mr. and Mrs. Goss, and we will need some help identifying all the people.

Others that week: Football, Forestry Pageant, Nursing Home, Don Palmer's deer, Halloween spooks, McLendon, Barrett, Redwine, Glisson and Heath, Ag student prize winners, James Peacock's rattlesnake, kudzu, work in Iva Park.


William A. Ricks
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It's Not a Dirty Word


Work is not a dirty word.
Profit is not a dirty word.
Politics is not a dirty word.

None of the dictionary definitions (bottom of page) cover my definition of politician. I learned it right in my own hometown, observing true professionals.  I won't call names, but many of my homefolks will recognize them by characterization.

A politician is one who cares about every voter and the voter's family and friends. He (she) calls, writes, and/or visits every voter, not a form letter, but one-to-one contact.

A politician cares about his community.  He serves in a variety of unpaid ways: doctoring livestock, help on legal matters, coaching children's teams, contributing to churches, buying meals and donating groceries, speaking when the right word needs to be said, laughing or quietly smiling or otherwise expressing good humor, praising every good deed by any person, catering to rich or poor alike, leading motorcades to distant sports events, stopping traffic so cheerleaders can dance under the traffic light in the middle of town, creating a historical society so the community will know who they are and where they came from, being a friend to sportsmen and lying about fishing if called up, serving on boards, committees, clubs or other organizations because they really believe in the cause, being the friend and advocate when the voter or member of his family is in trouble and scared, helping anyone who is down and out by personal assistance (even money out their own pocket) or through cutting through red tape.  In addition to all those things and more, he tends to the duties of the office, too.

During the most of my adult life my community has been well served by politicians with that caring attitude.  We have been fortunate, indeed.  Some people prefer calling them public servants, and they are, but a true politician is one of the most important persons in any society.  They can get things done because they know their people intimately.

Now, you're thinking that I've been living in a dream world. Nope.  I knew them - the ones who have departed and the ones who remain.  They were alive, flesh and blood, imperfect, loved and hated. Like the voters who elected them, they were real people.

I don't worry about what aggravating TV commercials say about politicians.  Actually, I don't even watch commercials, as I don't subscribe to local stations, just cable channels.  Now, who's in the real world - the one who watches TV?

Somebody mentioned the ad about Nancy Pelosi in the red Cadillac, so I looked it up on YouTube. Pretty funny! Has no bearing on reality, but still funny.  The polls are scary, as is everything near Halloween.  Be glad when the political season is over, and everybody can face reality again.

When we read the definition of politics we realize it's all about people. Government of the people, by the people and for the people. My favorite politicians in Soperton have given me my hope for America, not parties nor TV commercials nor some friend's interpretation of economics.

I've learned that the only way to understand politics or politicians is by knowing people.


Definitions of POLITICS
1
a : the art or science of government
b : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy
c : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government
2: political actions, practices, or policies

3
a : political affairs or business; especially : competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government)
b : political life especially as a principal activity or profession
c : political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices

4: the political opinions or sympathies of a person

5
a : the total complex of relations between people living in society
b : relations or conduct in a particular area of experience especially as seen or dealt with from a political point of view politics> politics>

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/politics

William A. Ricks
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Thursday, October 28, 2010

1975 Cross Country Track


75 1029 02
October 29, 1975

I can't recall ever making any pictures of Cross Country competition for Treutlen except for these.  Maybe some of the former student athletes can help me here, but did we have Cross Country as regular events?  Our competition that day was Cochran.  Cross Country running was quite popular at RIT, as more people turned out on Saturday morning to watch the running than turned out later in the afternoon for the football game. I know that has to be hard to believe by people who've never traveled outside the southeast.

Others that week: The school bus accident, small rattlesnake lying on the curb on Main Street in front of J. C. Stephens' used furniture store, Jack & Jim Ellington, midget football, corn milling festival exhibitor, the Neil Gillis House, football, Wheeler homecoming, trick or treat proclamation, Doris Nevels, TPS program, 4-H history of fashions exhibit for the festival.


William A. Ricks
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Testing

I've never tried posting a Facebook link, so here goes.  The photos are amazing.


Eddie VanDerbeck's Photos - Deer Cam 102210


http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=457162641164&set=a.457155211164.250359.636001164&pid=5492518&id=636001164

You may have to join Facebook to see the critters.


William A. Ricks
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YOU ARE THERE - October 30, 1985


During the peak years, the Million Pines Festival employed two "ambassadors" who worked only for expenses, brothers Ralph and Gene Pullen.  Originally from McRae, Gene and his wife made their retirement home in Soperton. Both were very intelligent, crafty, and hard working. Gene made the ticket gazebo used at every festival. 
Windsor's column for the week was about Ralph, who as a 27-year-old bachelor, built an ox cart and drove it all the way to the 1934 World's Fair in Chicago, causing delight at every town and crossroads during the Depression.

Ernest and Madie Arrington celebrated their 50th anniversary.

The Historical Society displayed a variety of political paraphernalia, including pencils, pads, and Herbert Warnock, himself, plus maps, copy of the Ordinance of Secession, surveyor's book of 1784 for Washington County, when it included Treutlen.

A new shipment of dresses arrived at The Mulberry Bush, just in time for the tri-school pageant.

The Lions Club enjoyed a catfish and mullet supper.

Jimmy Brantley registered the first deer in the annual deer contest, sponsored by the Sportsman's Club, but the one captured by the camera was killed by Ray Hardy: 195 pounds, 9 points.

Johnson County beat Treutlen, 16-13.

Over 700 movies were in stock at Soperton Pharmacy.

Correction: the newspaper ad that week showed that the Halloween Carnival would be at Fowler cotton gin property, not Waller, as stated the previous week.

William A. Ricks
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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Happy Accident






I scanned old color slides all afternoon last Monday. It was worth it to revisit a photo I hadn't looked at in almost 40 years. January 1968: On the way from the Army Pictorial Center to the Nevada Test Site, we flew right over Hoover Dam on the approach to Las Vegas airport. One of my happiest photo accidents ever.

I'm gratified by the reactions of my Facebook Friends:

JJ: awesome pic Mr. Bill!

SCR: WOW!!!!!

JG: Fantastic!

MSW: What an amazing photograph.

JEJJr:That is COOL!

MV: That is so beautiful, Amazing Bill.

PHS: An awesome wonder created by God Himself!! He allowed you to be his instrument and show this magnificent phenomenon!!

GP: What a great shot! It reminds me that our Lord has a better perspective and invites us to come to His point of view!

DMP: Mr. Bill....I too had that view a few years back but unlike you I did not snap a picture of it...... :0

TBB: In 1985 we were traveling across the Hoover Dam and they were working on it and we had to stop for a long time. It gave us an opportunity to really explore it. It is really magnificent!

BH: What a shot....should be in photo magazines. The Hoover Dam is a magnificent structure....just like this picture.

RHO: Love this!!!!!

William A. Ricks
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YOU ARE THERE - October 29, 1980


Michelle McLendon was Miss Treutlen County Forestry, and Mandy Ware was Little Miss Pine Seedling.

A Halloween Carnival was set for the Waller cotton warehouse on N. Second St. 

Ricks's column recalled grocery stores of his youth, Red's and Harrells.

A photo composite of the SHS Class of 1948 was published.

Teen of the Week: Michelle McLendon.

Jim L. Gillis, Jr. was named Chairman of the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Vikings beat ECI, 17-7.

Congressman Bo Ginn was slated to speak at the annual EMC meeting in Lyons,

William A. Ricks
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

YOU ARE THERE - October 29, 1975


School bus driver, Larry Bright, recently hired and formerly of Ohio, lost control of his bus in a sandy part of Sterling Mill Road near Orland and crashed into a pine tree, causing minor injuries to at least eight students. A few days later Bright was arrested on federal charges from Ohio. (A great embarrassment to the superintendent of that time.)

Welcome home to Soperton! Glen and Pamela Powell after your previous residence in Augusta.

Administrator Roy Stewart advertised for RN's for the hospital.

The Elementary Football League sponsored championship wrestling at the old gym.

Ricks's column "Christmas in November" was about the successful football teams of Coach Bill Bass.

Windsor's column was his impressions of the previous Million Pines Festival.

The scouts were selling Benson's sliced fruit cake. (Remember how good it was?)

Jack Ellington and son Jim earned their pilot licenses.

William A. Ricks
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Monday, October 25, 2010

Veterans Helping Veterans

If my calendar notes are correct, Vietnam Veterans may receive new disability compensation as early as November 1.  Senator Jim Webb called for a 60-day delay for the Senate to consider new Agent Orange presumptives, and the sixty days will end October 31.

While we wait, here is an interesting article of how people in Massachusetts are helping Vietnam Veterans claim their benefits, which include those for the living veteran or the veteran's widow.

"These benefits could open up a whole new world for the recipients, where their quality of life is enhanced a hundred times more than if they never filed a claim," said Kevin O'Connor, a Vietnam veteran.


William A. Ricks
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GBC To Decide on Women as Pastors

I'm asking people to comment on women as pastors and would love to hear from you. Just reply and I will add to the collection. I will eventually write an article, but I won't use names or personal references. Thanks, Bill

When it came out that the Georgia Baptist Convention was planning to "disfellowship" a Baptist church because its senior pastor is a woman,  I asked my Facebook friends to comment in private about the issue.  That was early April, and now it's about time for the convention to meet (November 15-16).

Here are the responses from Facebook Friends:

Woman #3  (OBEY CHRIST AND HIS WORD) God's Word addresses this and the opinion of man should not be entertained. That is how the fall of man began in the beginning and how "new religions/cults" are formed...by the opinions of man. I am to believe and obey Christ and His Word and nothing else added to or taken from.


 Man #2  (GOD GAVE US A BRAIN AND A HEART) Women's lives have changed over the last 40-something years. I would prefer to hear my sermon from a man; however, there are women with complex lives who may be touched by a sermon that comes from a woman who has lived their life. Question: If someone goes to the altar, and accepts Christ in a church led by a woman pastor, and is Baptized by this pastor, does this nullify the whole salvation process? I would think not, as you can be saved anywhere. I do understand, however, the importance of following the Bible, word-for-word, but in some situations outside of the most important ones, I think that God gave us a brain, and a heart to use. If the word of God is being preached, and people are being led to Christ, what's the harm? I (know) a pastor in Alabama. Again, my opinion shouldn't matter as much as someone who has diligently, and thoroughly studied the Bible. I just don't see any harm it it. I believe some women can lead certain people, where some men can't.

Woman #2  (BIBLE IS VERY CLEAR) Women are not called to be pastors. The Bible is very clear that a pastor and/or deacon be the husband of one wife and only that will work! GOD's word is true and very clear!

Man #1  (NO PROBLEM WITH MESSENGER) Reminds me of a posting I made about flag waving,in your face spewing religion. I believe if you practice your faith it will manifest itself. Walk the walk not talk the talk. I personally don't have a problem with the sex of the messenger just the message.

Woman #1  (NO PROBLEM) See no problem with women serving as clergy or as ministers, don't believe the role is for the male gender only. Having known many women led to this through the Methodist & Episcopal Churches and being friends with many know that the path to this role was not always easy. God, in my opinion does not look solely at gender when leading those that serve in His name. my 2 cents worth -

Woman #4  (NOT BIBLICAL) I do not believe women should be main preachers in a church. Women can be lay ministers , teachers , and other offices of the church , but not a main preacher. I don't believe it is Biblical.

Woman #5 (THINK OF DEBORAH) I believe that the Bible teaches that men are to lead the church body. However, It is clear in God's word that women are viewed in high esteem. I once had a conversation with a woman that stated that if her daughter wanted to be a pastor, then she should be. My thoughts on the subject is that if the woman has a heart for God then He will create a place for her in his work that will be just as satisfying as the job of elder or overseer. Think of Deborah, a prophetess and also a Judge that led the Israelites into battle. What a great work she did for the Lord. If all women could be as the woman of proverbs, we wouldn't have time to worry about what we couldn't do because we would be too busy about the work we could do. I have had the opportunity experiencing many things in this life. I can say that I do not feel slighted in the least for not having opportunity to be a pastor. Just because we want somEthing doesn't mean it is what we should do or that it is right. Wishing doesn't make it so. :)

Woman #1  (GOD'S WILL)  I know of two married couples with both husband and wife serving as Episcopal Priests. All serve @ different parishes as our Bishop believes it would be a conflict for husband and wife to serve @ the same parish. Seems to me it would be good for ordained women to serve as well as they may be able to reach some that the men could not or would not think to be available to in the Community. It is difficult for people to think of change being good. I don't believe God's will can be boxed up and rigid no matter what people interpret in the Bible. I learned through a study of Theology primarily that when reading the Bible the time and people scripture was written for is important, as important as what it might say to us today. (And I don't know that all thoughts of God's will should always be based on what Paul wrote and thought.) I am hesitate in quoting scripture to nail my thoughts to so firmly, but have learned through experience that women ordained clergy have a place in the life of those that Believe. And all my experiences with them have been for the good.

Woman #2  (A LIVING EXAMPLE)  I grew up with a female minister. She was not only the most amazing woman, but it was HER love of the Lord, that turned me on to Christianity. She could preach like no one's business. Every word that come out of her mouth was meaningful and it felt as if she was speaking directly to you. She showed the "youth" of my church how "cool" being a Christian was. Not only was she the best minister I have ever had the priviledge of knowing, but she turned out to be one of the best family friends we could have asked for. OH, and not only was she the senior minister at my church, but she was also lesbian.
I learned so much from her...Faith, Love, Compassion, Acceptance, and Understanding.

Woman #2  (THIS PRECLUDES WOMEN) The Word of God proclaims, “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent” (1 Timothy 2:11-12). In the church, God assigns different roles to men and women. This is a result of the way mankind was created and the way in which sin entered the world (1 Timothy 2:13-14). God, through the apostle Paul, restricts women from serving in roles of teaching and/or having spiritual authority over men. This precludes women from serving as pastors, which definitely includes preaching to, teaching, and having spiritual authority over men.

There are many “objections” to this view of women in ministry. A common one is that Paul restricts women from teaching because in the first century, women were typically uneducated. However, 1 Timothy 2:11-14 nowhere mentions educational status. If education were a qualification for ministry, the majority of Jesus' disciples would not have been qualified. A second common objection is that Paul only restricted the women of Ephesus from teaching (1 Timothy was written to Timothy, who was the pastor of the church in Ephesus). The city of Ephesus was known for its temple to Artemis, a false Greek/Roman goddess. Women were the authority in the worship of Artemis. However, the book of 1 Timothy nowhere mentions Artemis, nor does Paul mention Artemis worship as a reason for the restrictions in 1 Timothy 2:11-12.

A third common objection is that Paul is only referring to husbands and wives, not men and women in general. The Greek words in the passage could refer to husbands and wives; however, the basic meaning of the words refers to men and women. Further, the same Greek words are used in verses 8-10. Are only husbands to lift up holy hands in prayer without anger and disputing (verse 8)? Are only wives to dress modestly, have good deeds, and worship God (verses 9-10)? Of course not. Verses 8-10 clearly refer to all men and women, not only husbands and wives. There is nothing in the context that would indicate a switch to husbands and wives in verses 11-14....

Woman #7  (POMPOUS POPPYCOCK) Those who believe the Bible reject women pastors, and those who give in to culture accept women pastors. Such thinking is pompous poppycock. Some have said “I believe the Bible teaches that a woman should not serve as a pastor.” That would have been an statement of their belief, and I would have defended their right to say such. However, when they assert that those who support women pastors do so not on scriptural grounds but rather because they follow the dictates of culture, they go too far. There are people who adamantly support women pastors on biblical grounds. I am one of them and will make what I understand to be the biblical case for women pastors.

Woman #7 quoted extensively from an article by Dr. Rick McClatchy published by Mainstream Baptists of Oklahoma a few years ago
http://www.mainstreambaptists.org/mob/woman_pastor.htm

This is one quotation:
In other letters of Paul, one finds references to women praying and prophesizing in public worship (1 Cor. 11:5) and contending at his side in the cause of the gospel (Philip. 4:23).  Also, in his letter to Timothy, Paul gives instructions about women deacons (1 Tim. 3:11).
Coupled with these examples of women in ministry are three basic theological truths, which seem to indicate women should be involved in all aspects of the church’s life.  First, There is no indication that any spiritual gift was limited to men (1 Cor. 12:7-11, 14:31, 1 Peter 4:10).  Second, all God’s people were called his priests without any hierarchy of males (1 Peter 2:9, Rev. 1:6, Rev. 5:10).  Third, all human distinctions were removed in Christ who united them (Gal. 3:28). Paul believed that through faith in Jesus Christ all become God’s children--one family in which those things that separated them were broken down.  Now Jews and Gentiles were of the same family, the Christian master now saw the slave as an equal brother (Philemon 16), and the man now saw the woman as an equal human being and as a sister in Christ.

Man #1  (JUDGING PEOPLE) I just have a big problem with people interpreting scripture and then trying to force feed people their interpretation and judging people accordingly.

Woman #6  (LEADING) Every time I hear this question, I think about something a pastor's wife said to me many years ago . . . "wherever you see a woman in the church leading, there's a man who has not answered his calling."  It's a really strong statement & she wasn't saying women aren't called to serve; it's the "leading" part that the scripture seems clear about. Personally, my strongest Christian influences were all women and I know that I, myself, have been used to lead others to Him - - - all without standing in the pulpit."

Man #3  (NOT BE HEAD OF A CHURCH) I don't think that women should pastor a church. I thought about it and went to scripture. Scripture tells me Women should not. I think that they can speak as motivational speakers but not be head of a church. I don't think of women being less than but God designed us for purpose not to be equal.  Not that I'm saying there not equal but not in God's design of Men and Women. I think thats why we have so many divorces.I know I probably sound like a pig but this how I feel. I think in a lot of areas women are stronger than us because of how they stayed by Jesus's side. Women tend to serve more in church, a lot of women go by their self and wish that there husband was there, you never see a husband without there wife. I think the reason is that man was designed to be head and if he wants to go the wife will follow but not the other way around. 

Woman #6  (QUESTION) Scripture says that men who are ordained should have only "one wife". Does that mean that any man who has been divorced should not serve as a pastor or even a deacon?

Woman #8  (SONS AND DAUGHTERS) Do you know who the first evangelist of the risen Lord was?
Did you know that Deborah was a woman-- She was Judge and Leader of Israel? Did you know that there were women who helped repair the walls in Nehemiah. Did you know that it was prophesied that both the sons and daughters would prophesy-(speak the oracles of God).
Did you know that two hundred years ago that the only proper place for a woman was in the home and though she was well able to raise the great men who would become leaders- playing a vital role in society--that she was not allowed to vote for who would lead.
Did you know that in Isaih it is a profound mystery that in the last days it says that a woman will surround a man.
Do you realize that the promise of a savior comes thru the seed of a woman--Genesis

Woman #7 (LIVING EXAMPLES) I have had two of the greatest examples any girl could have. My grandmother (named) was one of most kind loving honest woman that has ever walked the face of this earth. She helped so many people in her walk with Jesus. He was all she could talk about . Now, My Mother , (named) the sweetest most caring woman in all the world. She have ministered to so many, stood in the gap in prayer. I have seen people healed through her pray, lost souls saved . I could go on and on. 
The question was... “What do you think of Woman being Pastors” ...My answer is...of the two examples I have had , there is no way anyone could convince me that it is not of God. Too many lives have been touched by God thru these woman and the lives they have lived for Jesus. 


Woman # 8  (GOD TALKED ME INTO MINISTRY) Did you know that in the spirit realm there is no difference between male and female---but in the physical realm, man has kept the law on his side because he is the stronger vessel.
Do you realize that if Christ is truly our head and authority we will do as He does and say what He says and we shall lay down our life for another and we shall sacrifice ourselves for the Church--that is the body--the Bride of Christ.
Did you know that though cutting the grass and taking out the trash and painting the house and repairing the roof is a man's job--there are many women who had to do it-and with pleasure because there was none available, willing and able to do the job for their parents. This was how God talked me into following Him into the ministry.
He had to really work on me because of the notion that women were not allowed to preach.

------------------------------
My comments:

Although there are sources that are more current, which you can Google, the website containing the article which Woman #7 used, also offers volumes of information for those who want to look into the "SBC Takeover" and resulting changes. 
http://www.mainstreambaptists.org/index.html 

 The Southern Baptist Convention has gone through dramatic changes during the past two decades. Not necessarily better or worse, but far different from the denomination that existed before 1975.  

Georgia Baptist Convention leadership has followed the SBC model in recent years, and the move to disfellowship a church for having a woman as senior pastor is the latest example in Georgia.

Baptist churches and their associations are autonomous.  Just as Baptists espoused individual freedom in their leadership to put the religious clause in the Constitutional Bill of Rights, each church is independent.  Baptist churches work together in Associations, such as Daniell Association containing cooperating Baptist churches in Toombs, Treutlen, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties.  Then there are the state conventions, such as GBC, and the SBC itself.

A Baptist congregation has freedom to call a woman pastor if the majority agrees.  The GBC cannot stop that, but if their plans for next month's convention go through, the church with the woman pastor will no longer have ties with the GBC.  Ties with the SBC or an Association must be decided by those bodies separately.

One of my friends of another nomination says that the Catholics are becoming more like Baptists, and Baptists are becoming more Catholic.  He said it; not me.

William A. Ricks
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Friday, October 22, 2010

1985 Tri-Hi-Y Girls on Festival Billboard


85 1023 09
October 23, 1985

Many means of advertising and promotion were used during the "glory days" of the Million Pines Festival; that's why the crowds came.  We asked that a picture of crowds of people be illustrated on the billboard, but the sign company had given such a good price that it was impossible.  So we added our own crowd: the lovely ladies of the Treutlen Tri-Hi-Y, who did a lot of good work for the festival that year.  Please help identify the ladies.

Others that week: Pie in the Face: Coach Mendensky and Principal Kenny Foxx, football, Homecoming - the queens were Cathy Brinson and Cheryl Phillips, Midget football, John Brewton and Judge West, Boosters Spaghetti Supper, Scouts tearing down old building, Caroline Driggers with time change clock, wedding anniversary, C. G. Foskey's taters.


William A. Ricks
http://billricksofsoperton.blogspot.com 
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Thursday, October 21, 2010

1980 Go Team!


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October 22, 1980

It was a tough struggle, and THS came out on the short side with Metter, 29-22.  But the cheerleaders did a great job keeping spirits high for the team and the fans.

Others that week: Pageant contestants, tennis courts being painted, Gene Smith, TES, Homecoming, Ag classes perfect attendance 40 days, Gaston McLendon with timber rattler, cleaning the park, sportsman gun winner Kaase, shots of Zelma Ricks and copies of Burns ancestors for festival book.


William A. Ricks
http://billricksofsoperton.blogspot.com 
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

1975 October 22, 1975


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Holton Chapel Youth
Holton Chapel Advent Christian Church hosted the Southern Region Youth Rally with 100 young people and sponsors attending. How many can you name? The full photo shows the entire building. In more recent years the building burned. We weren't sure if the church had photos of the old building, but if they need a print of this we would be glad to donate one (up to 13"x19").

Others that week: Lots of photos of the Glenwood Bicentennial. the Neil Gillis House, football, FHA District Meeting, Clayton and William Stephens copying grave markers for the "Marked Graves of Treutlen County" book, Hospital Administrator Roy Stewart, Glenwood Mayor Gerdna Joiner and Commissioner Mackie Simpson, FBLA initiation, Bluebird Trail, and Bill Ricks walking.


William A. Ricks
http://billricksofsoperton.blogspot.com 
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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

YOU ARE THERE - October 23, 1985


Cheryl Phillips and Cathy Brinson were Homecoming Queens.

Mr. and Mrs. Julian Wade of Millen celebrated their 50th anniversary.

The Boosters Club cleared $1,200 with their spaghetti supper.

Judge Phil West spoke to the Sportsman's Club; John Brewton, President.

The Goat Man's Friend
PSC Commissioner Billy Lovett celebrated his affiliation with the Georgia Republican Party.

The Vikings beat Toombs Central, 60-0.

C. G. Foskey grew three sweet potatoes ranging from 7 to 9 pounds.

The festival promotional tabloid circulation grew to 100,000, distributed to Treutlen and 23 surrounding counties.  

The advertised Goat Man was a no-show. We learned later that he had been mugged in California while on a visit to his friend Morgan Fairchild.   He had mentioned their friendship during the 1979 festival.   I never doubted him after seeing how women reacted to him while we were having breakfast at Ma Hawkins Restaurant on the way from his yellow bus home north of Jeffersonville to the Soperton festival grounds that Saturday morning.

Reference-   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ches_McCartney


William A. Ricks
http://billricksofsoperton.blogspot.com 
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YOU ARE THERE - October 22, 1980

There were 13 contestants for Forestry Queen and 40 for Little Miss Pine Seedling. (Didn't have those other divisions back then.)

The railroad requested of the city that train speeds be raised from 15 mph to 25 mph.

Ella Brooks received a National Geology Award.

Teen of the Week was 1979 graduate Kelly Collins.

The Spanish Club visited St. Augustine, FL, with Mrs. Brown, Mr. Lee, and Mrs. Morgan.

Stuart Stanley Day was observed.

Metter defeated Treutlen, 29-22.

Treutlen County was featured in "Brown's Guide," a popular state magazine of the time.

As the festival grew, so did its promotion.  The newspaper insert circulation was 35,000 in Treutlen and nine surrounding counties.

William A. Ricks
http://billricksofsoperton.blogspot.com 
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