Coweta News, Zen Notes and Musings
By JOHN A. WINTERS, Publisher
News from here, there and the internet.
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Governor Brian P. Kemp named the Honorable Erica L. Tisinger to the Superior Court of the Coweta Judicial Circuit. She will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of the Honorable Bill Hamrick to the Georgia State-wide Business Court earlier this year. The Coweta Judicial Circuit comprises Coweta, Carroll, Heard, Meriwether, and Troup counties.
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The confetti in Times Square has thousands of people’s wishes written on them. In 2015 “wishfetti” became a part of the tradition. People write their wishes for the new year and submit them to the Wish Wall in Times Square (or online) and those wishes are turned into the confetti that falls over the crowd at midnight.
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The non-profit Can’t Never Could, which was formed after the death of Rob Estes from brain cancer, has decided to dissolve. The board of directors, along with the Estes’ family, has created the Can’t Never Could Fund through The Piedmont Healthcare Foundation. CNC was created to help individuals and groups facing adversity and personal battles. Remaining funds were dispersed in keeping with the goals of CNC.
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The Coweta Community Foundation (CCF) announced recipients of their 2022 Traditional Grants received a record $117,472 distribution of funds and an additional $1,500 of in-kind donations through its Mentorship Program. Awards were given to 31 nonprofit organizations that represent small to medium organizations and some larger organizations serving Coweta residents. The grants range in amounts from $500 to $5,000 each, representing a broad range of services, according to Kristen Webb, executive director.
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Kiribati, also known as Christmas Island, is located in the Central Pacific, and is one of the first countries to celebrate the New Year. American Samoa is one of the last.
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Mayor Brady has issued a proclamation declaring Newnan Fire Department Radio #1264 as Firefighter Damien Sorrells’ radio number. Henceforth it will no longer be used by the City of Newnan Fire Department. Sorrells, 44, passed on October 11, 2022. The proclamation from Mayor Brady was presented to Sorrells’ wife, Tiffany Sorrells.
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Nominees for the Kiwanis Clubs’ Citizen of the Year are: Samantha Brazie, Cynthia Bennett, Chris Doane, Jimmy Ellison, Dean Jackson, Dr. Pamela Johnson, Pastor Terri Lemons, Maureen Schuyler, Kristen Timoteo, Michael E. Winslett. More information to come.
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The first New Year’s celebration dates back 4,000 years. Julius Caesar, the emperor of Rome, was the first to declare Jan. 1 a national holiday. He named the month after Janus, the Roman god of doors and gates. Janus had two faces, one looking forward and one looking back. Caesar felt that a month named after this god would be fitting.
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From the Newnan Junior Service League: We have been busy this month!! We were proud to present a check to the Coweta Community Food Bank for a record breaking $68,770.22 from Can-A-Thon! That’s over 200,000 cans for @oneroofoutreachnewnanga!! Additionally, Canongate Elementary won the competition for most food/funds collected from county schools and were presented with a $500 prize to go towards a school project or program. We are thankful for a supportive community that generously gives to those in need!
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A dog named Patron helped Ukrainian emergency services find 200 unexploded bombs. President Zelenskyy awarded Patron the Order of Courage.
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West Georgia Technical College has received a $40,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation to be used for student scholarships and student competition teams. Of the amount donated, up to $2,500 of the grant will be used towards the sponsorship of a competition that highlights the CNC/Manufacturing program such as Skills USA.
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A father who wanted to spend Christmas with his daughter bought tickets for all six flights she worked as a flight attendant so they could be together on the 24th and 25th of December while flying around the country.
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Every year, The Heritage School raises funds for the Newnan Junior Service League’s (NJSL) annual Can-A-Thon. This year, Heritage Hawks raised over $26,000 — a record-breaking amount for the school’s yearly fundraiser. The effort, led by Key Club Sponsor and Heritage faculty Gina Watkiss and the Key Club members, make significant contributions to the Can-A-Thon every year.
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A garbage collector in Bogotá, Colombia, has collected over 25,000 books people had thrown out and this year he opened a public library for poor children on the ground floor of his house.
