‘Goats will go where we either can’t or won’t.’ Here are five positive stories.
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.
Sheep are making way for a new park, nonprofit organizations receive grants and local hospitals and students receive awards.
Here is a list of the positive stories that have happened in Middle Georgia.
Sheep make way for new Macon park
Several sheep and one goat are clearing out undergrowth in an area of Macon near Ingleside Village as the first step in creating a passive park, according to a news release.
Macon-Bibb County’s Parks & Beautification Department is working with The Cud Crew to clear out the area between East Buford Road and West Buford Road off of Ingleside Avenue.
“This is a unique idea but several major cities (Atlanta, Savannah) have had great results using sheep and goats for clearing,” said Parks & Beautification Director Mike Glisson, in the release. “Also, with the creek eventually flowing into the Ocmulgee river, we wanted to take an environmentally friendly approach, and the goats help us achieve that objective. They will also eat all the nasty poison ivy and briars making it easier for the tree company to work safely. Goats will go where we either can’t or won’t.”
The 13 sheep and one goat are expected to be there for around a month before the next phase of clearing out dead trees.
The United Way of Central Georgia announced next round of grants
The Community Foundation of Central Georgia and the United Way of Central Georgia announced its next round of grants from the Central Georgia COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund, which provides funding to local nonprofit organizations that are helping people impacted from the pandemic.
The organizations announced the fifth round of grants May 8 totaling more than $65,000, according to a news release.
- The Macon Arts Alliance received $42,000 to create a support fund for artists in the region who have lost work due to the coronavirus outbreak.
- One World Link received $22,500 to help keep local AmeriCorps members engaged in food distribution logistics and child care resource mapping.
City of Eatonton received $3,000 to provide assistance in bills, food and more to 75 families.
Local hospitals received award in patient safety
Coliseum Medical Centers and Coliseum Northside Hospital in Macon and Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin received the Healthgrades 2020 Patient Safety Excellence Award, according to a news release.
“Our number one priority is and has always been the safety of our patients,” said Dr. George Harrison, Chief Medical Officer at Fairview Park Hospital and Interim Chief Medical Officer for Coliseum Health System. “You’re hearing a lot about hospital safety in the news. People need to know that they are safe coming to our hospitals for surgery or during a medical emergency. It can be very dangerous to delay care.”
2020 Georgia Scholars
Nearly 300 graduating seniors from across Georgia have been recognized as 2020 Georgia Scholars, a program that recognizes students who excel at school, in their communities and at home, according to a news release.
Several of the students are from Middle Georgia school systems. Here is a list of the students who were recognized.
- Paige Riser: Rutland High School, Bibb County School District
- Colson Jones: Perry High School, Houston County School System
- Vennela Gosukonda: Houston County High School, Houston County School System
Mackenzie Harden: First Presbyterian Day School, private school
Kathryn Davis: Stratford Academy, private school
Austin Murray: First Presbyterian Day School, private school
Mercer University students chosen for prominent positions
Several Mercer University students have been selected for prestigious positions to serve all over the world.
- Mercer University graduate Emily Cadle was chosen to serve in the Peace Corps in Zambia, according to a news release.
Mercer graduate David Stokes was chosen to serve in the Peace Corps in Morocco.
Mercer graduate Mason Thornton was chosen to serve in the Peace Corps in Peru.
Mercer graduate Jessica Lewis received a Fulbright U.S. Student Award and was chosen to serve as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Spain.
Mercer graduate Johna Wright received a Fulbright Graduate Study Award and will pursue a master’s degree in comparative social policy and welfare at Tampere University in Tampere, Finland.
Mercer College of Professional Advancement graduate students Sidney Minor and Leslie Preveaux recently received National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation Minority Fellowships. Each fellow receives funds to support their education as well as training, professional development and mentoring, according to a news release.