Monday, June 29, 2009

The Soperton Sign - It's a Love Story

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The Sign Man has extended his mission world wide in his own internet site, TREUTLEN E-NEWS. But it all started with a simple sign and love.
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Hundreds of motorists every day traveling in Soperton on GA 29, pass by the neighborly signs between McLeod's and Sammons Funeral Home. They enjoy seeing the birthdays, local businesses, anniversaries, and humor, especially about Crow-Mart. A few people know how THE SIGN started, but most have no idea. It came from the heart of a loving husband.

Since this is being written by a close friend, who can get away with it, I can say things that the Sign Man couldn't or wouldn't. If it gets by Marlee's careful inspection, it will be posted.

Many of you already know that the Sign Man is also known as Ricky Reese, experienced furniture salesman, chain store manager, produce manager, cemetery and large tract grass cutter, philosopher, humorist, sports enthusiast, and member of the THS class of 1979. Above all, he is the husband of Cynthia and father of Kate.

Like any other good husband, Ricky puts his wife on a pedestal, even when he is surfing every sports channel, fussing, or preaching. Wives put up with a lot, even argue as who has the most peculiar hubby, but they keep hanging in for 10, 20, 30 years and on and on...

Ricky, even when she is not around, believes that his wife is the smartest woman alive, the 10-foot "Bunny Rabbit" who can jump tall buildings in a single bound. He gives her jewelry when she says she doesn't want jewelry. He surprises her with flowers, but readers of her newspaper columns know all this. This background is for internet readers who don't see her writing.

Cynthia is an experienced writer, who learned the craft by reading all her life. She has been writing a weekly newspaper column since 1993. (Also news editor for several years.) She turned to writing fiction to produce extra income, and soon Harlequin Romance publishers determined that her manuscript was a salable product.

Cynthia received the message in August 2006. Ricky was so proud of her! He did a crazy thing. He splurged and rented a lighted portable sign to recognize his wife's accomplishment. He put it right on Main Street so everybody could see it.

Ricky had to contract the rented sign for three months. The frugal country boy was raised to not waste anything, so he put the sign to use, announcing birthdays and more. Then people came to him and insisted on paying a few dollars for messages. Even local businesses found the Sign to be a convenient reminder of their special sales. It was worth paying for another's month sign rent to accommodate Christmas messages.
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If anybody had known the Sign would become historic, more pictures would have been made. By the time Buck was recognized, the second sign had been added.
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By early 2007, it was obvious that a permanent sign was needed, so a used one was bought. By Spring that year, the demand was so great, another used sign was added, to provide four sign faces.
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First Sign photo on the internet.
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When yours truly started the BillRicksofSoperton blog later in 2006, the sign messages became a part of the regular posts. The first one read: "11-18-2006 Lauren and Jonathan May U Live Happily Ever After."
The first photo of the Sign went on the blog in April 2007, honoring Gene Bowers as the Citizen of the Day. Photos soon became a regular part of the blog.
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Kids especially enjoy seeing their names in big letters on the Sign for their birthdays. In Memory messages, such as Steve Warnock's, recognize that memories live on. There is no price for honoring military service personnel, especially when welcoming them home. Anyone with a wedding anniversary of 50 or more years deserves a sign for free.

The Sign Man's big heart is evident in his work on the Sign. It takes endurance to hang letters in 100 plus heat index. It's even worse in the rain and cold. Many a time I've held an umbrella for the Sign Man in a settled-in rain, and on cold nights it has taken 3 or 4 hand-warming sessions to finish a job.

The Sign is used to promote churches, schools, activities, and more, but the modest fees also are put in good use. The Sign Man provides meals, cakes, fruit baskets, flowers, drinking water, and cash to a variety of people and causes. He was so touched by the heat injury of Barry Stokes, he campaigned and personally raised money. He raises people up in prayer. He frequently posts Scripture verses. He helps with benefits for people in need of prayer, support, and financing.

From U. S. Congressmen to the Soperton Possum, the high and lowly are equally recognized by the Sign Man. From Barbaro to Tony Stewart, sports figures are noted. The sign, with its history of less than three years, records the brevity of life. On the original sign Buddy Rogers birthday was noted. Later other signs raised Buddy in prayer and mourned his death. The same for Myra Henry.
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The Sign Man Philosophy posted on an early sign continues today in all of Ricky's ventures, including the TREUTLEN E-NEWS. It's all about love of family, life and community.
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The Sign Man Philosophy: "Learn from the past. Enjoy today. Tomorrow is not a promise."
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This post approved by Marlee.
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Sunday, June 28, 2009

What's in the Pine Tree?

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DO YOU SEE IT?
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DO YOU SEE IT NOW?
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HOW ABOUT IT NOW?
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IT'S A MOURNING DOVE ON THE NEST.
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THESE ARE THE EGGS.
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This post approved by Marlee.
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Saturday, June 27, 2009

It's Fishing Time!

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All the rivers and lakes are dropping this week because of all the fish that are being caught. Robbie Mullis took his son Jaden fishing and look at the results- a big ol' bass.

Now, all of you parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, it's time to put your kid's big catches on the TREUTLEN E-NEWS. If you are in Soperton, stop by the home of sign on Main Street. If nobody is there, try one of the cellphone numbers posted on the front door. We are usually nearby and always eager to make the picture. Bring your dead rattlesnakes, too.

Grade us, comment, and forward this to your e-mail friends.
This post approved by Marlee.
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Friday, June 26, 2009

Christian Family Center's New Life - conclusion

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CHIEF JUDGE RECOMMENDS CFC

Dwayne H. Gillis of the Waycross Judicial Circuit writes: "I have had theopportunity to use the Christian Family Center (CFC) as an alternative sentencing option and in lieu of prisonforseveral years now. I have also referred many families with loved ones who are suffering from addiction to the Christian Family Center. The founder and staff ofCFC are humble in spirit and earnest in their unselfish effort to help those who are suffering from addiction.

"....CFC is the best program that I, as a judge, have to use as an alternative sentence or referral."
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Well constructed martin houses are made and sold at the CFC.
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PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS BY THE E-NEWS AUTHOR

We showed up at the Christian Family Center unannounced and uninvited, but we received sincere welcomes. It had been a few years since we last visited and we hadn't talked with anyone at the center in the meantime. We shook hands with office staff and Mr. Stuckey took us on tour showing every nook and cranny of the campus. The men were working at several jobs. Everyone, young or older, was friendly and showed genuine southern hospitality with good humor. They were interesting talkers. They had an air of pride, similar to that one would experience in the military or in some correctional facilities. They were quick-paced and ready for action. Teamwork was going well.
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Sanding a sturdy table.
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After the tour Mr. Steverson answered every question that hadn't already been answered by other staff. He addressed past problems and corrections, from negative comments on Topix to coming up to date with the sewage disposal in a growing institution.

He expressed appreciation to the people of Treutlen County, the contributors and the businesses CFC patronizes. Some donations are anonymous, some are monetary while other gifts include such things as timber for the sawmill.
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The picnic table is finished with polyurethane. Notice the distinctive edge, the curvature of the tree trunk.
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Brother Kea said that God had always provided a way, as he expressed his gratefulness for those who shared his vision and believed in the practical ministry of the center.
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The sawmill's lumber is stored in a spacious woodshed.
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A last comical note. Like other working families, the center offers a lot of chicken in the meals. So much that some of the men have concluded that CFC means Christian Fried Chicken!
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HOW TO CONTACT THE CFC

Mailing address: Christian Family Center, P. O.Box 149, Rockledge, GA 30454.

Physical address: 21 Outreach Lane, Soperton, GA 30457. Intersection of I-16 and GA 29, between Soperton and Dublin.

Telephone: 912-529-6712 (Mon-Fri, 8-5)

Fax: 912-529-5655 (anytime)

Website: www.cfcnewlife.org

Email: email@cfcnewlife.org

ONWARD

The long ago vision of Rev. Robert Kea has grown as an institution, but also in introducing countless people to Jesus's love, salvation, and life.

Even the emblematic part of the vision has been realized in the cross towering above the trees.
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This post approved by Marlee.
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Thursday, June 25, 2009

Christian Family Center's New Life - part 2

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THE MISSION - Part 2 of 3
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The ages of the Christian Family Center men range from 25 to 40, although a few have been as young as 19 and others are approaching senior status. Some of them admit themselves with support from family. Others are mandated by court/probation/parole.

Stuckey said, while touring the campus, "The rules are simple - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
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Stuckey in the expanded dining area. The original dining room in the background is the center's original building. You won't recognize it today, but it was the Snack Shack that once stood on Metter Road across from today's First Baptist Church (Troup Street) office.
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Near the CFC entrance and office is a large painted stone, inscribed with the familiar "love chapter" of the Bible that ends "faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Steverson's daily motto is "If a man is willing, God is able.
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The CFC's mission is to provide a Christian environment for men seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. The goal is to meet the physical and spiritual needs of men as we teach them Bible Based Recovery.
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The center's belief is that spiritual awakening is necessary to staying clean and being happy and productive.
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While being Christian, CFC is interdenominational and does not ask a man to accept any church creed and dogma that would conflict with their own personal beliefs. Daily Bible study and chapel attendance are required.
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Some of the men may have medical and psychological problems. The center provides transportation for treatment.
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The center urges self-sufficiency and work therapy. Every man has a full day from 6:30 in the morning until evening worship ends at 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. The day includes breakfast worship, Life Recovery class, work till noon, half hour for lunch. continue work until 4:00, supper at 5:00.
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Even Saturdays include a half-day of work. First Sundays are for visitation by family and others. Other Sundays are family worship days. Families usually bring covered dishes to supplement the other food.
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The center has connections with a Dublin facility for men who need de-tox. There are short programs for returning graduates and behavioral modification classes for those who need them.
Entry fee for the New Life program is $750, and following months are $400 each.
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The program and the campus is simple, rural, active, work oriented, spiritual, focused, and, above all, Christian. No TV, CD, DVD, MP3, or ipod. AM/FM radio are permitted.
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Go to the CFC website to see a more detailed description of the program. (www.cfcnewlife.org)
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SEE CONCLUSION TOMORROW
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This post approved by Marlee.
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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Christian Family Center's New Life

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PART 1 OF 3 - THE DREAM
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A few years ago, actually more than a few, a middle-aged Methodist minister called on his cousin, a hard-working farmer and county leader, to share a dream, a vision.
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The visionary preacher was Rev. Robert Kea, and his cousin was beloved County Commissioner W. W. Kea, who deeded a tract of land to fufill the dream. It was one of the most potentially valuable sites in the county, at the intersection of the Dublin road and the first completed miles of I-16.
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Everyone who knew Wilbur Kea was not surprised when he gave the land to Jesus. Rev. Kea's vision was the sight of a large cross of Jesus towering over the growing traffic of the Macon-Savannah expressway.
Rev. Kea's dream grew into the Christian Family Center, emphasizing Jesus Christ as Lord and a focus on families.
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Today CFC has a New Life ministry, an extension of Kea's dream, a non-profit, Christian based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for men to break the bondage of addiction, and restoring the suffering families.
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Tuesday afternoon, Administrator Hank Steverson talked about the center's gains, including the 92 clients and staff, the EPD-certified septic system for a hundred people, fish pond, fenced softball field, physical fitness room, chapel, expanded dining room, scrupulously clean kitchen, the Christian environment, mutual respect, spiritual healing.
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Steverson, himself, several years ago, was one of the clients, as are some other staff members. Ronnie Stuckey went through the six-month program five years ago. He had great success with the Captain D's Seafood chain, administering 17 stores and owning five. He's building a house just across Mercer's Creek, which will be bequeathed to the center. "I want nothing better than to live here and help men like myself through Jesus."
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As President of the Center, Rev. Kea is assisted by Clinical Coordinator Don Gillis, Mark Rotter, and others.
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SEE PART 2 TOMORROW
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Monday, June 22, 2009

Future Cheerleaders....or Olympians

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It's a little bit warm in the Cyndi Truett Clark gymnasium right now for the Gym Frogs to do their stuff, but several of them turned out during much of the June practice. These are a few of the younger students, but lessons are offered from pre-k to fifth grade. The coach is Carrie Burton.
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This post approved by Marlee.
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Monday, June 15, 2009

More Progress on the New Jail

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The work has come a long way with the new jail since we showed you pictures at the stages of foundation and floor. By June 5 concrete block walls were taking shape. Today the steel structure has been roofed and metal sides have added on three walls, as door framing and block work continues inside.
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