Volume 15, No. 6 June 2017
City Scoop
The City of Vienna is an Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.
Blood Drive in Memory of Sheriff Van Peavy
Vienna City Hall
203 W. Cotton Street, Vienna, Georgia 31092
Friday, June 9, 2017 ~ 11:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact the Dooly County Chamber of Commerce, (229) 268-8275.
Donations Sought to Build a Home for Nicholas
By Bambie Hayes
In 2016, the Crisp Area Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors chose the family of William & Laura Grace and their son,
Nicholas Hooks, to obtain the inaugural home in Dooly County, Georgia. Nicholas was born with cerebral palsy and
requires constant care. Nicholas' current living situation leaves his family without sufficient space and accessibility
to comfortably care for Nicholas. Therefore, Crisp Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking sponsors to make this home a
reality for Nicholas. The new home will have 3 bedrooms, 2 handicapped accessible bathrooms, wheelchair ramps, wider
doors, lower counter tops, etc.
The Dooly County build is named in memory of Dooly County’s long-time sheriff, Van Peavy, who served the Dooly
County community for over 30 years. Sheriff Peavy passed away in January 2015. His son, Craig Peavy, is the current
Sheriff of Dooly County.
Crisp Area Habitat for Humanity is a 501c3 Christian-based, non-profit organization that services Dooly and Crisp
County, Georgia. Your giving spirit and willingness to help ensures that Crisp Area Habitat meets our objectives to provide
home repair and affordable homeownership to families in Crisp and Dooly Counties.
We have been in existence since 1994 and have built 25 homes and renovated 12 homes for low-income families and
senior citizens in our area.
In 2015, the Board of Directors, decided to expand our service area in to Dooly County, Georgia. Dooly County is a small
rural community with a population of over 14,300. The area is largely agricultural with 29.2% of the population living below
the poverty line. Affordable housing remains a significant issue with several families paying over 40% of their monthly
income towards housing costs.
Donations may be mailed to Crisp Area Habitat for
Humanity, P. O. Box 1191, Cordele, GA 31010 or via
PayPal at crispareahabitat@bellsouth.net. Please note on
your donation that it is for the GRACE family. For more
information, contact Bambie Hayes at 229-271-8000
office or crispareahabitat@bellsouth.net.
Pictured L-R: Mrs. Laura Grace, Mayor Hobby Stripling, Sr.,
Mr. William Grace, Mr. Nicholas Hooks, and Ms. Bambie Hayes.
John Teate Bradley Laird Patrick Owen
Eclectic Bluegrass Fusion Trio
www.plucktones.com
(229) 942-0101
Plan a Day-Trip along the
Georgia Grown Trail 41
“Explore the Trail to find a
true Southern Experience”
www. georgiagrowntrail41.com
The Mission Statement of the City of Vienna
To deliver to the citizens of Vienna and
others high quality municipal services.
Our Purpose
To be dedicated to the citizens' quality of life, planning and
preparation that will ensure development and growth for
our community. To provide Public Services that exceed the
expectation of Citizens. To be creative and innovative in
our approach to the needs of Citizens, recognizing the trust
and confidence that our Citizens place in us as caretakers
of Governmental Services.
Summer Blood Drive
Vienna First Baptist Church
Providence Hall (VFB Church Fellowship Building)
127 Church Street, Vienna, Georgia 31092
Thursday, June 22, 2017 ~ 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact the Vienna First Baptist Church Office, (229) 268-4386
Vienna Celebrates Historic Preservation Month
By Janet Joiner, Community Development Director
Since 1973, the month of May has been known as “Historic Preservation Month.” This is a great time for communities
to showcase their historic resources and promote the social and economic benefits of historic preservation. The Vienna
Historic Preservation Commission (VHPC) sponsored two preservation events during the month of May and presented
several awards to supporters in the community who have done an exceptional job in preserving the City’s history.
The first event was held at the newly restored Henley Building now owned by Mr. John Penney. The VHPC presented
Penney with an Historic Preservation Award for the preservation and restoration of a major historic resource in
Downtown Vienna. This building was on the verge of collapsing when Penney stepped in and beautifully restored it.
Now the city will be able to enjoy this resource for many more years to come. Southwest Georgia Rehabilitation, Inc.
has opened a physical therapy clinic on the ground floor.
The second event focused on the preservation of local history and one of Vienna’s most distinguished citizens, United
States Senator Walter Franklin George. The VHPC and Mr. Bert Gregory hosted “An Evening with Senator George” at the
Gregory home on East Union Street. This lovely Neoclassical Revival structure was home to the Georges for a short
while.
Mercer University Professor, Dr. Jamie Cockfield entertained guests with a reading from the biography of Senator
George that he has just recently completed. The book is entitled, “A Giant from Georgia” and is to be published by the
Mercer University Press in 2018.
During the evening, the VHPC presented the Heritage Preservation Award to Mrs. Beth English who has shown
outstanding leadership, courage, and dedication to heritage preservation in the City of Vienna. English has been a strong
advocate for preservation for many years and was recently appointed by Governor Nathan Deal to the Georgia Historical
Records Advisory Council.
Guests of the event enjoyed music by The Pluck Tones trio and delicious hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
Beth English received the
Heritage Preservation Award
from the VHPC presented by
Janet Joiner.
John Penney receives an Historic
Preservation Award from LaVern Bradley.
Pictured L – R: John Penney, LaVern Bradley,
Chairman of the VHPC and Carlene Penney.
Photo by: Laura Stephens
Pictured L – R: Caitlin Penney, Bridget Hathcock, Earl Clark, Janet Joiner, Gloria
Alexander, Michael Ramsey, LaVern Bradley, Ann Stripling, Mayor Hobby
Stripling, Carlene Penney, John Penney and Carla Penney were in attendance for
the VHPC Historic Preservation Award presentation to Mr. Penney.
Photo by: Laura Stephens
Janet Joiner presented a token
of appreciation (a “George for
Georgia” campaign button) to
Dr. Jamie Cockfield.
Graduates of the Walter F. George School of Law attending
“An Evening with Senator George” are shown with Dr. Jamie
Cockfield. Pictured L-R: Kimberly Reid, George Peagler,
Rebecca Tydings, Dr. Cockfield, John Davis, and Bert Gregory.
S. Trussell Medical Center
1212 E. Union Street, Vienna, GA Phone: (229) 268-8865
Mary “Beth” Webb Dr. Frances Ferguson Monica Lancaster Moon
Family Nurse Practitioner Internal Medicine Physician Assistant
WE ARE HERE FOR YOUR HEALTH
CARE NEEDS AND CONCERNS!
Come see us!
Office Hours: Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Photos from the
“Clean as a
Whistle”
A very special
thanks to our local
Plates are $7.00 each
Pregnancy Care Center Appoints Executive Director
Jeanie Brimm of Byromville is the new Executive Director
of the Pregnancy Care Center. She has begun setting up the PCC office located
at 1129 North 5
th
Street Extension in Cordele, Georgia.
The purpose of the PCC is to share the hope of Christ through Biblical
counseling, resources and education in the areas of crisis pregnancy, post-
abortion trauma and sexual purity.
For more information about the PCC and how you or your church can help, please contact
Jeanie at pcc.crispdoolywilcox@gmail.com. She or one of the board members will be happy to
come and share with your organization.
Follow PCC at www.facebook.com/crispareapregnancycare.
Contributions are vital to the success of PCC and may be mailed to Pregnancy Care Center,
P. O. Box 1182, Cordele, GA 31010.
203 West Cotton Street
P O Box 436
Vienna, Georgia 31092
www.cityofvienna.org
(229) 268-4744 City Hall (229) 268-6172 Fax
Elected Officials
Hobby Stripling, Sr., Mayor hobb[email protected]
Cell Phone: (229) 938-7320 Home Phone: (229) 268-4374
Beth English, Mayor Protem benglish@swga-easterseals.org
Randall Almond, Councilman randall.alm[email protected]
Walter Brown, Councilman walter.br[email protected]g
Albert King, Councilman albert.king@cityofvienna.org
City Hall Phone: (229) 268-4744
Community Development
Janet P. Joiner – Community Development Director
[email protected] Phone: (229) 268-4920
Larista F. Thompson – Vienna Main Street Director, Keep Vienna
Beautiful Director & Georgia State Cotton Museum Curator
[email protected] Phone: (229) 268-4921
Velvet S. Layfield – Code Enforcement Officer
[email protected] Phone: (229) 805-3652
Public Works Department
Phone: (229) 268-4429 Office After Hours Phone: (229) 322-5250
Jeffrey Priest – Assistant Superintendent [email protected]
Vienna Police Department
Phone: (229) 268-7033
In an emergency, please call 911.
Cozie Ray – Police Chief
Jeri Williams – Admin. Assistant / Municipal Court Clerk
Michelle Lawson – Municipal Court Deputy Clerk
Velvet S. Layfield – Animal Control Officer
[email protected] Phone: (229) 805-3652
Vienna Volunteer Fire Department
In case of fire, please call 911.
Michael Causey – Fire Chief
Phillip Warren – Assistant Fire Chief
June 2017
Calendar of City Meetings
(Dates & Times are Subject to Change)
June 12
6:00 p.m.
Vienna City Council Meeting
City Hall
June 13
6:00 p.m.
Vienna Event Planning
Committee Meeting
City Hall
June 14
11:30 a.m.
Dooly County Chamber
Board Meeting
Please call (229) 268-8275 to RSVP
June 18
Father’s Day
June 20
6:00 p.m.
Comprehensive Plan
Community Work Session
Vienna City Hall
June 21
First Day of Summer
June 26
6:00 p.m.
Vienna City Council Meeting
City Hall
Dooly County Chamber
Announces Dates to Remember
2017 BIG PIG JIG® Parade
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Parade at 11:00 AM
Line-up to begin at 10:00 AM
on S. 7
th
Street
Call (229) 268-8275 to be
included in the parade.
2017 BIG PIG JIG®
Friday & Saturday,
November 3 & 4, 2017
For arts/crafts/exhibitor/food vendor
information, please call Cindyloo
at (229) 268-8275.
For more information about
being a cook team,
please call (229) 268-8275.
This year’s BIG PIG JIG®
theme is “Pork Wars”.
Visitors Stop at City Hall
A group of visitors from Africa stopped by city hall on Friday,
May 5th. They also enjoyed a stop at the Georgia State Cotton
Museum.
Shown in the photo with Mayor Hobby Stripling, Sr. are:
Lonny & Robert Chirambo and Ireen Chinamale from Malawi;
Marcus Wehye and Oultarcious Zakamah from Liberia; Tiasha,
Sharlene and Sheldon Chitray from South Africa; and James
and Kanha Lork from Cambodia. The group was accompanied
by Ms. Carolyn (Collier) Gibson, a former resident of Dooly
County and graduate of Vienna High School. She is hosting the
group on a foreign mission exchange.
NOTICE:
Vienna City Hall
will be closed on
Tuesday, July 4
th
in
observance of the
Independence Day
holiday.
Vienna Main Street and Keep Vienna Beautiful want
you to take an active role in your community. We are
always in need for Citizens' to serve on our
various committees.
We want the best for Vienna and could not do it
without our Volunteers. Thank you to all our present
Volunteers for your continued dedication and
participation. If you are interested in becoming a
volunteer, we would like to hear from you!
If you would like to serve, please contact the
Vienna Main Street/Keep Vienna Beautiful office,
(229) 268-4921.
Limbs & Household Goods
Pick Up Schedule
The City of Vienna Public Works Department
has announced that LIMBS/Yard Waste will be
picked up on the second and fourth
Wednesdays of the month. Large household
items will be picked up on the fourth
Wednesday of each month. Please do not
mix trash with your limbs/yard waste. Do
NOT pile limbs near power lines or fences.
Please call (229) 268-4744, if you have any
questions.
Thank you!
NOTICE!
Recycling Bins are located in the parking lot of
HomeRun Recycling, 838 Shiloh Rd., (south 7
th
Street) Vienna, Georgia. Cardboard, Aluminum,
Plastic and Glass are accepted at this location.
Please do NOT put normal household garbage in
our recycling bins!
Please flatten all cardboard boxes before
putting them in the recycling bins.
Recycle Your Printer Cartridges
Keep Vienna Beautiful is sponsoring a recycling
drive for laser jet and inkjet cartridges; old cell
phones and small electronics. Please drop off
your items at the Keep Vienna Beautiful office
at Vienna City Hall. There is a box provided for
your convenience. Thank You!
~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY ~
June 1
Sammie Felton
Public Works
June 5
L. C. Daniels
Public Works
June 8
Michelle Lawson
Cashier, City Hall
June 13
Debra Spring
City Clerk/Accountant, City Hall
June 20
Shondra Zanders
Utility Billing Clerk, City Hall
There’s a Train Chasing
Herschel Walker
By Neil Joiner
A train track runs beside Herschel Walker’s childhood home near Wrightsville,
Georgia. During the eighth grade, he got serious about getting in shape. Racing
those nearby trains became a big part of his exercise routine.
Wiley Kimbrough is the grandson of my first cousin, Sandra Bowen Wiley. He’s
about to finish the 10
th
grade at Fullington Academy. Two years ago, when Wiley
was in the eighth grade, his teacher required the class to complete a scrapbook
project. Everyone had to profile a famous Georgian. Wiley chose Herschel Walker.
Sandra, and her late husband, Lee, lived in Wrightsville for several years, about
ten miles from the Walker home. She and Herschel’s mother have a mutual friend,
a long-time neighbor of the Walker family. Their friend helped set up two
interviews.
By Wiley’s account, Mrs. Christine Walker is a fine Christian woman and a
gracious host. For the first interview, Wiley, Sandra, and other family members
went to her home. She had arranged for a phone conference with Herschel. She
invited them to stay as late they wanted, just so long as she made it to her church
circle meeting at four o’clock.
For the second meeting, Herschel was there. He showed the same generosity
with his time as his mother had. His brother, Willis, and sister, Sharon, also
welcomed their guests. Willis showed them the trophy room, a place with no
vacant spots. He said, “Herschel didn’t win all of these trophies.” He pointed to the
wall and gave Wiley a big grin. Willis said, “That one is mine.”
ESPN was there for a scheduled interview. Herschel politely asked them to wait,
while he spent some time with Wiley and his family. He talked about being an
overweight child, who stuttered when he spoke. His classmates made fun of him.
He told about being severely bullied one day in the eighth grade. He left school
that day with an unspoken commitment to get in top physical shape. He was
determined that he would not be bullied again.
That’s when Herschel started racing the trains. That’s when he started doing
pushups and sit-ups in such numbers that most of us shake our heads in
astonishment. Herschel’s workouts included more exercise in a day than some of
us get in a year, maybe even in a lifetime. He still has an aggressive exercise
agenda today.
Herschel’s transition was more than just physical. His coach told him that if he
wanted to play sports, he would have to make better grades. Herschel didn’t just
race trains. He raced books, and teachers, and other students. He graduated as
valedictorian.
Life after high school could have gone much differently for Herschel. He was
trying to decide between playing football for the University of Georgia or joining
the Army. He flipped a coin three times. Each time it landed on Georgia. I don’t
know if God intervenes in matters like that, but I’m sure there were some Georgia
fans praying about it. Instead of marching with Uncle Sam, Herschel ran with The
Dawgs.
The story of Herschel’s success at Georgia has been told many times. He is
widely considered to be the greatest college running back ever. With a Heisman
Trophy in 1982, plus an impressive professional career, Herschel has
accomplished more than most of us would dare even dream.
Herschel’s childhood included some challenging years, but he didn’t let that
define him. He caught a fast train near Wrightsville and rode it all over the world.
We don’t all get to have a storybook ending, but we all have a train to catch.
Herschel rode his train to stardom on the football field. But if you took away his
gridiron glory, he would still be an exceptional man. Herschel wasn’t content to
just chase the train. He made the train chase him.
Joiner’s
Corner
Georgia State
Cotton Museum
The Georgia State Cotton
Museum located at 1321 E.
Union Street, Vienna, is open
on Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.
until 3:00 p.m.; Thursdays &
Fridays, 9:00 a.m. until 5:00
p.m. and on Saturdays, 10:00
a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Other hours are by
appointment only. For further
information, please call (229)
268-2045 or (229) 268-4921.
Success!
See your goal
Understand the
obstacles
Create a positive
mental picture
Clear your mind of
self-doubt
Embrace the
challenge
Stay on track
Show the world
you can do it!
The ReStore at the
Crisp Area Habitat ReStore sells reusable and
surplus building materials to the public as
available. They also sell clothing, shoes, toys,
furniture, home accessories, appliances and
more! Check out the ReStore for details.
Like their Facebook Page at
www.facebook.com/pages/Crisp-Area-
Habitat/199062986791551.
The ReStore accepts donated goods which
are then sold to the public at a fraction of the
retail price. The proceeds help fund the
construction of Habitat homes within the Crisp
County area.
Promoting reuse and recycling . . . Crisp Area
ReStore provides an environmentally and
socially responsible way to keep good,
reusable materials out of the waste stream
while providing funding for our community
improvement work.
The Crisp Area Habitat ReStore is located at
205 East 15
th
Avenue in Cordele, Georgia. For
individual donation, please contact Crisp Area
Habitat at (229) 271-8000. If you have a larger
donation, call to schedule a pick-up by
contacting Marti Spires the ReStore Manager.
509 N. Third Street, Vienna, Georgia 31092
JUNE 2017 ACTIVITIES
FRENCH THEMED DINNER
June 13
th
and June 29
th
$32.50 per person
Please call (229) 947-3401 or email
els@fruitsofvienna.com to make your reservations.
LUNCH ON THE PORCH
June 14
th
and June 28
th
$12.00 per person
Please call (229) 947-3401 or email
els@fruitsofvienna.com to make your reservations.
Due to deadline issues the
Dooly County High School
News will return in the July
issue.
We bring our “A” Game!
KID’S PAGE
Connect the dots!
City Scoop is published monthly for the City of Vienna by Vienna Main Street. If you have articles or items that
you would like to have published, please call the Vienna Main Street Office @ (229) 268-4921 or email your
articles to larista.thompson@cityofvienna.org. All items should be turned in no later than the third week of
the month for the next month’s publication.
Vienna Main Street
P O Box 436
Vienna, GA 31092
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
TO:
Patient / Staff Appreciation Day
Friday, June 2, 2017
12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Just to say “Thank You”
We appreciate your loyalty to our office and we want to show you
just how much! A day in your honor!
Salad in a Jar Presentation Giveaways and Door Prizes!
S. Trussell Medical Center
1212 E. Union Street, Vienna, GA
(229) 268-8865
