Lana Minchew

There is a vegetable garden growing right in the middle of the city of Waycross on the land next to Cobblestone Realty and adjacent to the Federal Building. Cobblestone agent, Mark Osburn, and Billy Harper planted rows and rows of corn, potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, beans, peas, okra, tomatoes, butternut squash, cucumbers, and watermelons, as well as one long row of sunflowers. Cobblestone agents and their families along with residents of the court sanctioned Caddy Shack, a halfway house for men, have enjoyed the fruits of Mark's and Billy's labor.

If you enjoy baking, maybe you would like to whip up a batch of homemade Christmas treats for your special pooch. Nothing beats the taste of special holiday goodies baked just for them by their loving pet parents.

Sophie and Dakota would like to share one of their favorite holiday recipes -

Gingerbread Biscuits

• 3 cups of whole wheat flour
• ½ cup of molasses
• ½ cup of water
• ¼ cup of canola oil
• 2 tablespoons of ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon of ground cloves

Preheat oven to 350°.

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly in a large bowl.

Roll out dough on floured baking board to about 5mm thick.

Using a dog bone shape cookie cutter to cut as many shapes until the dough is all used up.

Place cut dough on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake the cookies for 30 minutes.

Allow it to cool for at least 2 hours before serving.

Depends on the size of the cookie cutter as to how many treats this recipe makes.

Merry Christmas from Sophie & Dakota!

The 12th Annual Gram Parsons Guitar Pull and Tribute Festival will be held on Sept. 17, 18, and 19, 2009 in Parson's home town of Waycross, Georgia. Headlining this year's musical event will be Leon Russell, Charlie Louvin, Randall Bramblett, Tommy Talton, Ian Dunlop, and Bloodkin.

The weekend tribute officially begins on Thursday evening at the Waycross College Fine Arts Auditorium from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. At 9:30 p.m. the show moves to Cypress Creek Bar and Grill until closing. Friday's entertainment begins at 6 p.m. at the Okefenokee Fairgrounds and goes till midnight, then picks up again Saturday at 3 p.m. and continues non-stop until midnight.

Leon Russell, long known for his trademark image of long hair, flowing beard, and top hat, is as ingrained in America's musical heritage as blues, rock and roll, and bluegrass is. And he does a fine job covering all those styles to this day. Russell will perform Friday Sept 18 at 10:30 pm at the Okefenokee Fairgrounds.

Also featured during the 3-day celebration will be Abby Owens, Amanda Lynn Taylor, Ashton Herrin, The Bearfoot Hookers, Brothers Marler, Connor Griffin, Corey Bradley, The Crabgrass Cowboys, David Kraai and The Saddle Tramps, Deepwell, Devils in Disguise, Dixie Wreck, Hayshaker, Hickory Wind, Jack Cadillac, Marlin Brackett, The Modern Eldorados, Quartermoon, Ray Harris, Ross Pead, Sam Hester, The Georgia Pines, The Woodgrains, Tracie Mattox, and Uncle Dave and The Younguns.

Advance tickets for the entire 3-day event will sell for $30 per person. Tickets are available in Waycross at Hickory Wind Music in Satilla Square, Wiltronics Music on Valdosta Highway, and Cypress Creek Bar and Grill on Memorial Drive.

If you'd rather pick and choose which shows to attend, admissions are as follows:
Thursday 6-9 p.m. at Waycross College: $5
Thursday 9:30 p.m. - 2 am at Cypress Creek: $5
Friday 6 p.m. - midnight at Okefenokee Fairgrounds: $20
Saturday 3 p.m. - midnight at Okefenokee Fairgrounds: $20
Children 12 and under receive free admission.

On-site RV and tent camping will be available this year. Fees for camping are as follows:
One night fee: $20
Two-night fee: $30
Three-night fee: $40

No drum circles will be allowed; however, acoustic guitars are welcome. Arts and crafts, music, and food vendors will scatter the grounds as well. Be sure to bring a comfortable lawn chair or blanket and cooler, if you wish; but please leave pets at home.

Attendees may register to win an Epiphone acoustic guitar with hardshell case. Winner will be drawn Saturday Sept. 19, at 10 p.m. and you must be present to win.

For advance ticket purchase by credit card, vendor application, tribute information, or sponsorship inquiries, contact Dave Griffin of Safe at Home Productions Inc. at 912-288-3712.

Visit www.gramparsonsguitarpull.com for a downloadable ticket order form, schedule of performance times, and links to artist websites.

Brantley County Board of Education
272 School Circle
Nahunta, GA 31553
Phone: 912-462-6176

Nahunta Primary School
479 School Circle
Nahunta, GA 31553

Atkinson Elementary School
4327 Hwy. 110 East
Waynesville, GA 31566

Hoboken Elementary School
224 Church Street
Hoboken, GA 31542

Nahunta Elementary School
9110 Main Street South
Nahunta, GA 31553

Waynesville Elementary School
5726 Old Waynesville Road
Waynesville, GA 31566

Brantley County Middle School
10990 Hwy. 82
Nahunta, GA 31553

Brantley County High School
10804 Hwy 82
Nahunta, GA 31553

Pierce County Board of Education
114 Strickland Avenue, Suite 4
Blackshear, GA 31516
Phone: 912-449-2044

Blackshear Elementary School
5217 Georgia Highway 121 North
Blackshear GA 31516

Patterson Elementary School
3414 Drawdy Street
Patterson, GA 31557

Pierce County Middle School
5216 County Farm Road
Blackshear, GA 31516

Pierce County High School
4850 County Farm Road
Blackshear, GA 31516