Second Street Corridor Connector nears completion. Plus, five more positive stories amid COVID-19
During the coronavirus pandemic, Middle Georgia has witnessed several members of its community step up to help out in any way they can, and it is also nice to be reminded that good things are still happening in the community.
Organizations are making strides, people are winning awards and students are receiving felloships to travel the world.
Here is a list of the positive stories that have happened in Middle Georgia.
Macon leaders took their first walk across the Second Street Corridor Connector
Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert and Commissioner Larry Schlesinger walked across the Second Street Corridor Connector for the first time April 29.
The Second Street Corridor Project links Interstate-75 and Interstate-16 through Second Street, and the plan is to finish the 10-year project by the end of the summer.
“It builds the vibrant urban core that serves as the hub city for the Middle Georgia region,” Reichert said. “We can almost see the finish line ahead.”
Macon nonprofit named quarterfinalist in national contest
Independent We Stand announced its quarterfinalists for the 2020 America’s Main Streets Contest, and NewTown Macon is among the finalists. The winner of the contest will receive a $25,000 grand prize, according to a news release.
“NewTown Macon is the driving force behind the growth and redevelopment of downtown Macon, creating a vibrantly diverse community people are proud to call home,” said Scott Mitchell, owner of Travis Jean Emporium and chair of NewTown Macon’s Main Street board.
Voting end May 24, and people can vote for NewTown Macon at www.mainstreetcontest.com/profile/17. The 10 finalists will be announced on June 2, and the winner will be announced around July 4, according to the release.
Peach County woman won national virtual biking contest
Natalie Sauro, of Peach County, was one of five winner’s of Zwift’s Machines For Freedom Join the Swarm series, according to Zwifts website.
Zwift, a virtual training for running and cycling, collaborated with Machines For Freedom to create virtual, group bicycle rides for women.
Sauro was nominated for the contest and won because of her dedication to encourage women to ride bicycles as a way to find health and fitness, according to the website.
“There are so many barriers of entry for a woman to get out and ride a bicycle. Some of these barriers include lack of self-confidence, intimidation, fear, and cost to purchase equipment. My husband and I decided to turn our workshop in our back yard into a Zwift studio for ladies to come and ride together,” Sauro said to Zwift. “The Swarm Rides have shown how women can be supportive of each other and encourage each other to overcome fear and intimidation. My hope is to inspire other women in all walks of life, whether it is a new mom who needs that break, or a budding college lady who needs a break from all the stress of school. I strive to connect with them personally either in my Zwift studio or out on the road group ride.”
Macon recreation department helps church distribute food to children
The Macon-Bibb County Recreation Department will be helping Abundant Word of Grace distribute free meals to children 17 years old and younger from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. May 4-29 at different recreation facilities, according to a news release.
“We consider it a privilege to partner with the Macon-Bibb Parks and Recreations Department,” said Pastor Calvin Arline, in the release. “While we know that our community has many needs, we’re just glad that we can do our part by providing two nutritious meals a day to children who would otherwise go without.”
Abundant Word of Grace will be providing the food, and recreation staff will help distribute it.
The food will be given away at the following recreation departments.
- Frank Johnson Recreation Center - 2227 Mercer University Drive
- Bloomfield-Gilead Park - 1931 Rocky Creek Road
- Memorial Park - 2465 Second Street
- Rosa Jackson Recreation Center - 1211 Maynard Street
- South Bibb Recreation Center - 7035 Houston Road
- Freedom Park - 3301 Roff Avenue
- Theron Ussery Park - 815 North Macon Park Drive
Robins Air Force Base conducts flyovers of Middle Georgia hospitals
As part of the Air Force Salutes program, Robins Air Force Base will send an F-15 to flyover Middle Georgia to salute people on the frontlines battling the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a news release.
The 339th Flight Test Squadron in conjunction with the 561st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Robins Air Force Base will conduct a local flyover at 2 p.m. Tuesday and will fly over Coliseum Medical Centers and The Medical Center, Navicent Health in Macon, Perry Hospital and Houston Medical Center, according to the release.
Mercer students make great achievements
Mercer University students have received prestigious fellowships in their fields of academia. Here is a list of their achievements.
Mercer University School of Medicine Master of Family Therapy student Quinten Oppong received this year’s Christus Powell Minority Fellowship from the Georgia Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. The award is awarded to one student each year of a minority background who shows a commitment to a career in marriage and family therapy, according to a news release.
Mercer University senior Will Darragh received Fulbright U.S. Student Award to serve as an English Teaching Assistant in South Africa, and seniors Sarah Harris and Jessica Lewis were selected as alternates in Cote d’Ivoire and Spain, according to a news release.