Editor’s note: This review covers July through December. The first half of the review was in last week’s edition.
JULY
Nearly 700 cadets from more than 50 high schools converged in Milledgeville for a week of leadership training at Georgia Military College’s (GMC) JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge Camp.
Georgia College & State University (GCSU) had 141 student-athletes named to the 2023-24 Peach Belt Conference’s Presidential Honor Roll.
BCSD received one of 10 No Kid Hungry Georgia Grants, which helped the district reach even more kids with summer meals.
Milledgeville’s City Council unanimously approved a resolution amending the city ordinance regulating retail package sales of alcoholic beverages. The amendment effectively lifted a moratorium established in January on the issuance of the licenses, but also banned the acceptance of license applications for six years, unless the city changes the ordinance.
Georgia College & State University in partnership with Kit Modus Dance Company hosted their first Summer Intensive program, a community dance program. The hope was to make it a long-term event for each summer.
Georgia Military College hosted the Georgia Chapter Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Associates’ Youth Leadership Academy July 14-19 for high school students across Georgia.
Georgia Military Preparatory School hosted Wrestling Camp July 15-17 to teach 10 elementary school campers the basics of wrestling.
Four students in Georgia Military College’s Biology Club embarked on an underwater fish survey July 17-19 near Panama City Beach to identify and collect data on a variety of fish species. They discovered the Regal Demoiselle (Neopomacentrus cyanomos), a non-native fish in the Gulf of Mexico.
Georgia College celebrated the completion of its solar project with the city of Milledgeville July 29 in its Magnolia Ballroom. Through grant funding GCSU offered a free certificate course blending business and solar physics to provide $20,000 worth of solar panels to Baldwin County’s water treatment facility.
Eighteen students graduated from Georgia Military College’s Executive Leadership Program, which is an experiential learning program for recently graduated seniors. The program took place from June 17-July 31.
AUGUST
Georgia College & State University’s Max Sheppard was named a Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar.
Georgia Military College appointed Captain Michael S. Fredie, U.S. Coast Guard (retired), as the vice president of Junior College Operations.
Allied Arts hosted two exhibits through August focusing on landscapes and the beauty of nature. The “Welcome to my World” exhibit focused on landscape artist Robert Jorns from Monticello and how he sees the beauty of the world around him, despite his difficult health journey. The second exhibit showcased the three winners of Allied Arts’ “I Love Georgia” Plein Air event.
Baldwin County Superintendent Dr. Noris Price announced her retirement and was elected president of the Georgia School Superintendents Association.
Georgia College & State University achieved its largest fundraising yearto- date in Fiscal Year 2024, securing more than $8.8 million in charitable donations.
Price presented at the Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues event Aug. 21 at Central Georgia Technical College. According to her presentation, the district was “doing good” but there was still more progress to be made. The Milledgeville City Council unanimously passed the ordinance setting new charges for sewer services, water services, water and sewer tapping and connection fees, and other related fees and deposits.
Georgia Military College President Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, USA (Ret) announced his retirement Aug. 26. Caldwell assumed the role of president in November of 2013 becoming GMC’s 21st president after a 37-year career in the United States Army.
SEPTEMBER
Baldwin County was among 36 communities approved for the $1.25 million Community Development Block Grant. One million dollars went to water and sewer upgrades, while $250,000 was spent to rehabilitate three homes at 156, 158, and 164 Marion Street.
The Oak Hill Middle School Future Farmers of America chapter was awarded two grants totaling $8,000 for the 2024-25 school year.
The first grant of $5,000 was used to engage plant science students in hands-on learning by growing vegetables hydroponically. The second grant of $3,000 helped address food insecurity and hunger-related issues within the community by donating eggs grown in the school’s agriculture plot to the local community.
Milledgeville/Baldwin County Allied Arts hosted an artist reception for Chad Wilson and the Creator’s Corner in Allen’s Market on Sept. 6. The Creator’s Corner featured Randy Newton and the Flamingo Road Live Show and multiple vendors.
GCSU hosted the Partnership of Inclusive Innovation’s (PIN) Creative Showcase. At this event, Georgia College and three educational institutions presented an overview of their 2024 projects funded by PIN.
Chick-fil-A provided five different children’s books and Georgia Military Preparatory School students packed them into bags, which included handwritten, inspiring notes. The bags were delivered to the GMC Prep kindergarten and first grade students. Holly Croft, associate director of Georgia College & State University’s Special Collections, was appointed to a threeyear term on the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council by Gov. Brian Kemp. The group meets once a year but works online to review applications for funding, choose worthy preservationists for annual awards and tends to other historical state issues. GCSU Flannery O’Connor Institute for the Humanities hosted a free, four-day conference Sept. 12-15 on campus to bring scholars and the community together to analyze, reminisce, and discuss the work and influence of Flannery O’Connor.
Dr. Joseph and Patricia Samprone of Gold Canyon, Ariz., were named Sept. 12 as recipients of the University System of Georgia’s 2024 Regent’s Hall of Fame Alumni and Distinguished Friends Award during the 20th annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala. The Samprones were nominated by Georgia College for more than 40 years of campus involvement.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida’s Gulf Coast at the end of September and brought devastation from Florida to the Carolinas with impacts across multiple states. Gov. Brian Kemp reported that 25 Georgians died in the storm, though Baldwin County Emergency Management Director Wayne Johnson stated Baldwin County was not heavily affected.
OCTOBER
Game Warden Jaron Hollinshead of Baldwin, Putnam, Jones, Twiggs, Wilkinson, Houston, and Bibb counties was awarded the 2024 Georgia Level Torch Award. The Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division’s Torch Award is presented to a game warden who has worked less than five years as a wildlife enforcement officer, shows a desire to protect the resources and develop professionally, and demonstrates exceptional ability and initiative in the performance of duties, including public education.
Midway Hills Primary added a fridge to their Little Pantry project to be able to offer water bottles, produce, eggs, and other cold items to the public for those in need.
Allied Arts hosted its Haunted Milledgeville exhibit showcasing a variety of mediums telling the history of Milledgeville. This year’s exhibit has expanded to encompass three rooms in the house. Baldwin County and communities across the states affected by Hurricane Helene united to bring supplies and comfort to disaster areas. Volunteer pilots and civilians helped to deliver supplies from areas such as Augusta all the way to Anderson, S.C.
Baldwin County joined thousands across Georgia setting a record for one-day early voting for the Nov. 5 General Election.
Lockerly Arboretum was decorated with its first ever art exhibit for the holiday season. Forest Forms, by Huelani Mei, comprised of 18 sculptures ranging from five feet to 20 feet tall depicting flora and fauna.
The Baldwin High School Band of the Braves was crowned grand champion, amongst winning other awards, at the Hurricane Classic at Monroe Area High School.
The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to accept a bid for the construction of 20 new courts.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, Milledgeville hosted its annual Deep Roots festival, which featured the third annual Steak-Off competition. Jean Skillen, from Huntsville, Ala., won the Steak A competition, while Randy McKnight, from Jacksonville, Fla., claimed victory in Steak B.
Jacqueline Northington, who worked at what was known then as the Macon Hospital for 27 years, was honored in a ceremony hosted by the Nurses Honor Guard of Georgia, Inc for a lifetime of service.
NOVEMBER
Seeking Asylum debuted a new mini exhibit Oct. 26 titled “Death at the Asylum” in its Fast Fading, A History of Central State Hospital exhibit. Fast Fading is the first exhibit to be housed in the former CSH train depot as part of an ongoing renovation project by Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at The Depot to transform the depot into a cultural museum.
Georgia Military College’s Marine Biology class took a field trip to Jekyll Island to gain professional experience in the field of marine biology and engage in research.
Baldwin County went red as all four Republican candidates prevailed. Donald Trump was elected as president of the United States.
The Baldwin County School District participated in National Bullying Prevention Month and honored Unity Day, a holiday to unite against bullying.
The Baldwin Band of the Braves received two grand champion titles at their first and second competitions and placed third overall in their last competition during marching band season. Price was nominated as a Hidden Hero, a crowdsourced campaign that highlights educators making a difference in their community in Georgia. Baldwin County’s Board of Commissioners broke ground for the Real Time Crime Center.
Georgia Military College tied for second in the national Ethics Bowl in Ehiram, Utah. William Brunson of Baldwin High School was named District Teacher of the Year.
DECEMBER
Oak Hill Middle School was named a Math Leader by State Superintendent Richard Woods for growth and achievement on the Algebra End of Course exam covering the newest math standards.
Courtney Chavers was named as the Milledgeville city clerk.
Georgia College & State University and the Middle Georgia Regional Library system partnered to gather the oral history of Central State Hospital (CSH) through a grant program funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. On Dec. 7, a symposium was held to celebrate the end of the grant and bring the community together.
Georgia’s Old Capital Heritage Center at the Depot hosted Christmas at the Brown-Stetson-Sanford home, recreating what Christmas felt like for the families that lived within the home.
At the 2024 President’s Gala at Georgia Military College, GMC President Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell IV, USA (Ret.) announced the 2024 recipient of the President’s Leadership Award as Rob Posner, who is founder and CEO of NewDay USA.
The Baldwin County School District School Nutrition Department was recognized for its Farm to School program.
The Center for Recreation Education Arts Technology and Enterprise, Inc. (CREATE) in partnership with Community Baptist Church, Oconee Outfitters, and Kennesaw State University donated 46 brand-new bicycles to the Baldwin County Board of Education.