Taking a moment to say “thanks”, again

August is an uncertain, unassuming month. It’s not quite Autumn, but with school starting,you can’t really call it summer. August sometimes feels like it’s not really sure it’s in the right place at all. Sort of like how you feel on your first day in a new job, or the first day back at school. Be that as it may, August 1, 2024, is almost here. It will quietly slip in the back door. This is the 213th day of the year. Christmas is 147 days away, and the election is 97 days off, but don’t get stressed out. One thing August is just right for is wrapping up the loose ends of summer, taking a deep breath and preparing ourselves for the seasonal wonders of Fall. In that spirit, I wanted to revisit three local news stories from recent days about three standouts who deserve special mention and our extra thanks.

It’s lucky for us that Butch Parrish decided nearly four decades ago that serving Emanuel County in the Georgia House of Representatives was the right place and the right part for him. On July 15, Representative Parrish, the second longest-serving member of the entire Georgia House of Representatives, presented this community with a check for $250,000. from the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Council for the Arts. These funds will assist in the completion of the Karrh Community Arts Center which will be a major enhancement and attraction for downtown Swainsboro. This grant assistance is just the latest in the long, long history of instrumental involvement by Representative Parrish in the progress of Swainsboro and Emanuel County. On behalf of a grateful community, Thanks, Butch!

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In 2003, Ronnie Shumake organized and held the first “Future Generation Youth” Book Bag Drive. From a grass roots effort to provide students with school supplies for inside and outside of the classroom, this boot strap operation has grown to amazing proportions. This year, on July 27, the project celebrated its twenty first anniversary. Although the drive has grown far beyond expectations, the simple goal of encouraging children to get a good education by providing free school supplies is still the main mission and driving force. On behalf of hundreds and hundreds of grateful students, Thanks, Ronnie!

On his first day on the job Mike Strobridge hopped on the back of a fire engine headed to his first call. The siren was blaring, the truck was rolling, but not getting up to speed. The trouble was soon detected. The fireman behind the wheel that day was not the regular driver and didn’t know how to manage the gear shifting. From that rough start, things improved vastly over a 50-plus year career with the Swainsboro Fire Department. Strobridge climbed all the way to the top and became Chief in 2003. His tenure was a solid record of progress throughout the department and recognition throughout the state. Mike’s dedication to the job centered around the many people who were impacted by his service and professionalism in emergency operations and life-threatening situations. On behalf of those you served since 1971, Thanks Chief and Happy Retirement!

All too often, we take the exceptional people around us for granted, and assume that their talent, their hard work and their sacrifice “is just part of the job”. Nothing could be further from the truth. We should all thank them every chance we get. They don’t do it for the recognition, but thanking them will help to remind us all of what really makes a community strong, and what each of us can do to help keep it that way. Once again, thanks to these special community standouts!