Weekly Update: October 2019

Kaolin Festival






Kaolin Festival Presenters

Burgess Pigment Company
Imerys Performance Minerals
City of Sandersville
The Sandersville Georgian
Washington County Board of Commissioners







Platinum Sponsors

Breaking Free
Citizens Bank of the South
Development Authority of Washington County
Dominion Resources
Sandersville School Building Authority
Technidyne Corporation
Thiele Kaolin Company
WACO 100











Gold Sponsors

B-H Transfer Co.
Fraser Roofing
Frederica Acres
Friends of Tommy Smith
Georgia Military College
Howard Sheppard, Inc.
Moreland Altobelli Associates LLC
Pineland Communications
Raymond Pounds Tree Services
Sandersville Railroad Co.
George D. Warthen Bank
Trojan Battery
Washington EMC









October 5

Online Registration



Silver Sponsors

Bob West Landscape
Sammons Insurance
ABC Women's Clinic





T-Shirt Order Form



Bronze Sponsors

AgGeorgia Farm Credit, American Railcar Industries, BASF,
Bulk Chemical Services, C&H Paving, Central Fence Co.,
The Dairylane, Georgia Power, Helton Electrical Services,
Jet Food Stores, John Dana, Maricela's Mexican Grill,
Queensborough National Bank & Trust, Quik Mart of Tennille, Rainey Oil Co.,
Sandersville Builders Supply, Sandersville Rotary Club,
Southeastern Performance Minerals, Sweat & Associates,
The Law Offices of Howard & Davis, Town & Country Real Estate,
WACO Collision Repair, Wiley Home Center





Cyclists to help lead the 2019 Kaolin Festival Parade

Washington County hasn’t had a bicycle parade… until now! This year, Kids Bike League will help lead the Kaolin Festival Parade on bicycles. Anyone young or old, who can ride a bicycle (or ride in a wagon behind a bicycle) is welcome to join Kids Bike League as we ride in the parade.
 
This summer, Kids Bike League started in Sandersville as an initiative between the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail and the Washington County Recreation Department to empower our next generation with the skills needed to ride bicycles. Kids Bike League, with the help of over 15 volunteers from the Sandersville Police Department, First Love Kids, Sandersville Rotary and more, taught bicycle riding skills such as balance, confidence and safety to approximately 50 kids ranging in age from 2-years to 12-years.
 
As a way to continue excitement about bicycle riding, health and wellness in our community,  Kids Bike League will ride in the 2019 Kaolin Parade.
 
“Many communities around the world have bicycle parades that get rally the entire community in a creative & fun way,” said Mary Charles Howard, Executive Director of the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail.  “Most of these parades are 4th of July bicycle parades, but the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail sees the Kaolin Festival Parade as an opportunity to annually incorporate bicycles in our traditional community celebration. We encourage everyone to decorate their bicycle in the 2019 Kaolin Festival theme of “70’s” for the parade ride.”
 
If you are interested in riding your bicycle in the parade, see information below and contact Mary Charles Howard at hello@GeorgiaHiLo.com.
 
The Georgia Hi-Lo Trail is a 250-mile-trail connecting Athens to Savannah, Ga (through Warthen, Sandersville & Tennille). The Trails’ mission is to transform the economy of rural Georgia on a global scale by investing in its existing assets: its people and place.



Friends of the Festival

AGrowStar, B&D True Value, Barker & Associates Land Surveyors,
Blacks Insurance Agency, Edward Burton, Franklin Propane Gas,
Herb's Fish Place, Heritage Inn of Sandersville, Hodges Land & Timber,
May-Smith Service, Moye's Insurance: A Dohery, Duggan, Hart, & Tiernan Co.,
NB&PW Club, Polly & Wendell Tompkins, Quick Loans of Washington County,
Sandersville Veterinary Clinic, Shear Perfection, State Farm,
Tennille Assisted Living, Twin City Auto Parts, Twin City Country Club,
Wright & Wright P.C. CPA's
 

Community Events




Painting  of Buffalo Soldiers in Art Exhibit at the Brown House Museum
Monday Oct 7 from 5-7













To get an awesome Lantern Tour t-shirt that helps support the historic Old City Cemetery, click here!














4-H Pansy Sale Order Form



Community Branding Survey




Washington County Community Identity and Branding Project
Survey available at www.brandwashingtonco.com.
 

WACO Schools







OFTC Boasts Highest TCSG Enrollment Increase this Fall



OFTC –Based on the official Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) seven-day enrollment report, Oconee Fall Line Technical College (OFTC) boasted a 35.6% enrollment increase for fall 2019, the highest increase in the state amongst TCSG colleges.

OFTC’s enrollment increased from 1,329 in fall of 2018 to 1,802 in fall of 2019. OFTC President, Erica Harden attributes the growth to the College’s focus on serving students, retention, community involvement, and working with various student populations including 389 dual enrolled high school students and dislocated workers.

“We are excited to see this type of increase in our fall enrollment,” Harden said. “I know these results are a culmination of the hard work and dedication put in by the College’s faculty and staff and we are thrilled to have such an opportunity to impact the 11 counties we serve within our local communities.”

Not only did OFTC tout the highest percentage increase in the state but their numbers were 15.2% higher than the second highest increase.

And while many students may cite the helpfulness of college instructors and staff, program availability, and convenience as reasons for choosing OFTC, three first-semester students shared their reasons for choosing OFTC this fall.

“I chose to attend OFTC this fall because I did dual enrollment my 12th grade year in high school,” shared Christasia Foreman. “I loved the experience of being a part of OFTC so much that I decided to continue my education here after graduation.”

“What I love most about my experience so far,” she continued, “is the nice faculty and staff, and the cleanliness of the campus. I have yet to come across anyone who wasn't willing to lend a helping hand and I love how everyone is so warm and welcoming.”

Andrew Hancock is a dual enrollment student taking welding classes and says what he loves most is the small class sizes and hands-on experience. “What excites me most about being at OFTC is the hands-on teaching from my instructors,” he shared. “I feel like I will be well prepared for a career when I finish my diploma.”

Austin Zueck saw an education from OFTC as a way to learn a trade and make connections with local industry. “What I enjoy most is the hands-on nature of the courses,” he shared. “You don’t just read for hours out of a book; you can really get involved in the job itself.”



For more info about OFTC or their 100+ programs of study, visit the College’s website, OFTC.edu.
 

Local Business









UGA Barn Sign Shirts available locally now at Geo.'s Quarters!



















Fall Color Collection

The Washington County Chamber of Commerce





 
Chamber of Commerce Weekly Newsletter - Weekly Update: October 2019