Members of Sunrise Rotary learned recently about the new logistics class at the College and Career Academy. Twenty-three students are operating a warehouse distributing books for real-world experience. From left are club President Michelle Liotta; Ashley Kieffer, director of the business logistics management program at the Career Academy; and Barbara Prosser, chief executive officer of the Career Academy. Sunrise Rotary meets at the Guyton Christian Church Center, 105 Third Street, at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesdays.

Gilbert Miller/For Effingham Now

Mustang Senior soccer players, Pedro Butista, James Clark, Mathew Diego, Michael Reed, Dillon Smith and Donald Quinones, Not pictured is Ruby DeRouen.

Growing tomatoes is a popular hobby and enjoyment for the home gardener. It has been difficult to grow tomatoes during the past several years due to an assortment of factors:

• Extreme temperatures

• Dry conditions

• TSWV — Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus

• Blossom-end-rot.

TSWV is caused by tiny insects which are known as thrips. These insects can transmit a virus that is detrimental to tomato plants. The insects have cost Georgia farmers millions of dollars in the damage they have caused to tomatoes, tobacco and peanuts.

The thrips that carry the virus and transmit it to the tomatoes will cause the plant’s foliage to turn purple. The leaves will also have a bronze cast look to them. The fruit will have mosaic/mottled configurations of a lighter color green on the outer fruit peeling.

There are several varieties of tomatoes that are resistant to TSWV that are available. Amelia, Crista, BHN 444, and BHN 640 are some of the resistant varieties just to name a few. Check with your local agriculture and garden supplier for the availability of these varieties.

Blossom-end rot appears as a small water-soaked spot near the blossom end of the tomato. The spot eventually enlarges and becomes dry, sunken, and brown or black. The cause of blossom-end rot is insufficient calcium uptake by the plant.

Any condition that reduces the plant’s roots ability to absorb water sets the plant up for blossom-end rot. Several factors can reduce the root’s ability to absorb water: root-rotting fungus, nematodes, under watering, over watering, soil compaction or over-fertilization.

To prevent blossom-end rot, maintain a soil pH of 6.0 to 6.5 and supply adequate levels of calcium through applications of dolimitic limestone or gypsum. Avoid drought stress and extreme moisture fluctuations by using mulch and deep, timely irrigation once or twice a week. Avoid over-fertilizing plants with high ammoniacal nitrogen fertilizers. Excessive nitrogen can depress the uptake of calcium. Foliar applications of calcium with products such as Blossom End Rot Stop are only short term fixes.

Hopefully, you will have better conditions to grow tomatoes this year than you have experienced in the recent years. Good luck with your tomatoes this growing season and I hope you have a bountiful harvest.

Bill Tyson is the coordinator for Effingham County Cooperative Extension of the University of Georgia. Email him at wtyson@uga.edu or call the Extension office at 754-8040.

A breakfast and symposium on domestic violence for employers, agencies and organizations will be held on April 23 at the Effingham College and Career Academy.

The breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m. followed by the symposium from 9:15 a.m. until noon.

Speakers for the event are Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Michelle Buchmeyer, Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie, EMA Director Ed Myrick, E-911 Director Jay Spinks and Hannah Jenkins, a lieutenant with the Effingham County Fire Department.

The event is free.

For reservations and information email evwitness@windstream.net or call Effingham County Victim Witness Assistance Program at 912-754-7064.

The event is presented by the Savannah Chapter of Human Resource Management as a community collaborative for the Effingham County Victim Witness Assistance Agency. Hadden Insurance is sponsoring the event.

Owners say economy has been too slow to rebound

Walt's TV, Appliance and Furniture Store in Springfield is going out of business after 58 years.

Bonny and David Gnann said today they’ll miss the customers they’ve served for four generations. “It’s been a hard decision,” Bonny Gnann said. “But we decided to quit fighting it and worrying ourselves to death every month. We’ll miss the customers dearly and we’ll miss doing this.”

David Gnann said big box retailers, furniture sales on the Internet, so many more stores selling furniture and the bypass around Springfield all hurt the business over the years, but they were able to adapt to the changes.

They found a niche serving customers who liked the quality of their furniture, buying local and the service they provided.

They could have continued in business if only the housing market and economy had improved faster, he said.

“There are positive signs of the economy turning, but not fast enough,” Gnann said.

Gnann’s father Walter started the business 58 years ago. It’s been in its current location or one building away the whole time.

The store employed 15 people at its peak about 15 years ago. It has six workers now.

The 40,000-square-foot store is packed with furniture that’s priced 30 percent to 70 percent off, for a sale that started today and is expected to last about 90 days.

“I hate to see them go,” said City Manager Brett Bennett. “I grew up in Springfield. Walt’s has always been there. It’s a part of Springfield.”

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation bomb unit responded to a Rincon address today in response to some suspicious material.

The material was found to be harmless, Rincon Police Chief Phillip Scholl said.

Scholl said the call stemmed from a teenager high on drugs who thought he had made a bomb.

“He had put stuff in a pill bottle,” Scholl said. “In fact the contents weren’t even illegal.”

Officers felt it best to have the material examined by the GBI, Scholl said.

“It was a false alarm,” he said.

The teenager was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

A large number of cats are showing up in some Effingham County neighborhoods and one resident has had enough.

Gladys England, who lives in Willowpeg in Rincon, has trapped 11 adult cats and 4 kittens over the last 11 days, she said. She said her neighbor has also trapped a number of cats.

England believes someone is dropping these unwanted cats off and wasting taxpayers’ money.

“If people don’t want these cats they could take them to the shelter themselves,” England said.

Workers from the Effingham County Animal Shelter have come to England’s home almost every day for two weeks, she said.

“They know my name when I call,” she said.

Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie said the cats are keeping animal control busy.

“We have been hammered with feral, trapped and abandoned cats,” McDuffie said.

Adam Kobek, the director of community relations for the county, said while there are spikes in feral cat numbers several times throughout the year, a higher than average number are now being seen.

“Spring Hollow and the Willowpeg areas have been providing quite a few trapped animals to the shelter of late,” Kobek said.

Calvin Morris, administrative assistant at the shelter, said dozens of feral cats and kittens are being left on other people’s property in the county. He said if people would stop feeding stray cats, they might not attract so many strays. People tend to drop off cats at places where they think someone else will feed them, Morris said.

“Bring them here instead of dropping them off on someone else’s property. We won’t fine you or send you to court.”

The county encourages residents to have their animal spayed or neutered to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to assist with animal over population. The Animal Control facility will accept abandoned or trapped animals Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feral animals can carry rabies and other diseases so caution should be used when dealing with these animals. If residents have any questions they should contact the Effingham Animal Control facility at 912-754-2109. If a domesticated or feral animal breaks the skin by scratching or biting citizens should immediately contact the Environmental Health Division of the Effingham Health Department at 912-754-6850.

A tree fell on a Springfield home Sunday afternoon, displacing three people. 

Effingham County Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to the home at 832 Railroad Ave., said Robin Wingate, executive director of the American Red Cross Southeast Georgia Chapters. 

Three adults were displaced, and power had to be turned off until the house is made safe again, Wingate said.  

Volunteers provided funds for food.  The family has insurance and has a place to stay tonight, Wingate said. 

South Effingham got goals from Alex Granzow, Eli Pulkinen and Garrett Vance in defeating Wayne County 3-2 on Friday in the Region 3-AAAA semifinals.

Granzow had an assist and Billy Heister had eight saves for the Mustangs.

South Effingham will play Statesboro for the region title on Tuesday.

SOUTH EFFINGHAM 3,

WAYNE COUNTY 2

Goals—SE, Alex Granzow, Eli Pulkinen, Garrett Vance. Assists—Granzow.

Saves—Billy Heister 8.

The Mustangs beat Burke County in baseball Tuesday night to win the Region 3-AAAA semifinal.

South Effingham won the game, 14-4.

The Mustangs are 18-6 overall and 10-2 in the region.

South Effingham will face Wayne County for the region championship game at 6 p.m. on Friday. The game is in Jesup.

Wayne County is 11-4 overall and 4-2 in region play. The Yellow Jackets are 6-0 at home. The Mustangs are 8-1 away.

South Effingham 1-3 in play against Wayne County.

GAME 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E L

South Effingham 1 2 4 4 3 - - 14 17 1 6

Burke County 0 0 0 0 4 - - 4 6 6 7

The third Mars Theatre Bike Ride was held on Saturday and despite the cool and rainy weather it was a success again this year, organizers said.

Ride organizer Gussie Nease said 42 riders participated.

The event is a fundraiser for the Mars Theatre restoration project.

Nease said while the final numbers aren’t in, she believes Saturday’s ride raised about $6,500 for the Springfield theatre.

The Theatre recently received a grant from the Fox Theatre Institute (FTI), an Atlanta-based outreach program created by The Fox Theatre. It is helping the Mars continue a multi-phase plan that includes rehabilitating the interior lobby and adding restrooms. In addition to its work with FTI, The Mars Theatre has worked with a team of SCAD students to construct a 3-D model of the building and prepare documentation that will allow them the opportunity to be nominated for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Nease said a great group of volunteers made the ride possible.

Volunteers for this year’s ride were: David and Marty Hendrix for Trivent at Ebenezer; Loretta Hinely, Danny Hardin and Kim Calahan at Clyo Methodist Church; Brittany Dasher and a Georgia Southern Student at Mizpah United Methodist Church; Garrett Neidlinger and two Georgia Southern Students at Egypt; Wayne Kight and Irma Davis at Marlow Methodist Church. The SAG drivers were Lamar Crosby, Ricky Stille, Garrett Neidlinger, Larry Weddle and Bob Skiljan.

“Scott Morgan was my rovering driver to make sure all was ok,” Nease said.

Erin Rahn Phillips, Lisa Wood, Sandra Hendrix, Kim Calahan and Harriett Ambrose were volunteers at the sign-up.

Nease said next year’s ride will be held on April 26.

BOSTON — Josh Reddick and Brandon Moss of the Oakland Athletics visited an 11-year old boy Monday who was injured a week ago in the bombings at the Boston Marathon.

Moss and Reddick, who both previously played for the Red Sox, are in town for the start of a three-game series Monday night against the Red Sox.

They spent time at Boston’s Children’s Hospital, visiting Aaron Hern, who is from the Oakland area, and had his left leg hit by shrapnel in the bombings.

Oakland manager Bob Melvin talked about how the two players were glad they went and were emotional from the visit.

“I (spoke) with Mossie a little bit,” Melvin said in the dugout, while the players were stretching prior to the game.

“He said that he was very glad and it was a very touching moment, and that the perspective that you get when you’re there talking to someone that’s been involved — as opposed to coming out here and losing a baseball game, it’s pretty insignificant — they were glad to do it and they’re probably better for it, too.”

Melvin also discussed how it was when the team was making its way to the hotel Sunday night.

“It was a pretty eerie feeling last night driving up,” Melvin said. “You look down Boylston Street and it’s still closed, with all the TV trucks and satellite trucks still in the area. You can only imagine what it was like at that time.

“That’s the great thing about baseball and sports, we’re able to provide some entertainment for two, three hours, whatever it is.”

Moss is in the starting lineup, batting third and playing first. Reddick is hitting seventh and playing right.

Local artists and authors displayed their talents at the inaugural Authors and Artists event at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Saturday. Members of the Effingham Theatre also staged a performance of “Harry’s Hotter at Twilight.”

The event was organized by Malissa Hall and Lisa Scarbrough.

Featured authors included, Julia Arrants, John and Jo Crosby, Malissa A. Hall and Tracy Wilson.

Featured artists were: Norman Blackwell, artist and author; Steph Calvert, illustrator; Lynne Chandley, jewelry designer; David Hendrix, photographer; Lisa Scarbrough, photographer.

Effingham County High School defeated Glynn Academy in baseball Tuesday night, 4-0.

Hits made by the Rebels came from Cal Baker (1), Kyle Ward (1), Josh Gilliam (1), Jack Burns (2) and Dusty Baker (1).

Spencer Gillis pitched 7 innings for the Rebels, allowing 1 hit. Gillis threw 77 pitches for 56 strikes, 8 strikeouts and 21 balls.

REBEL BASEBALL 2013 (4) AT GLYNN ACADEMY (0)

REBEL BASEBALL 2013 AB R H BI GLYNN ACADEMY AB R H BI

Cal Baker 2 1 1 0 Josh Robinson 3 0 0 0

Kyle Ward 4 1 1 1 Conner Buchanan 3 0 0 0

Eric Knox 4 0 0 0 Ryan Lawless 3 0 0 0

Josh Gilliam 4 0 1 1 Zach Kirk 3 0 0 0

Alec Arnsdorff 2 0 0 0 Zach Lamper 3 0 0 0

Jacob Teston 3 0 0 0 Caleb Robinson 1 0 0 0

Jack Burns 3 0 2 1 Sam Stalvey 2 0 0 0

Josh Edge 2 0 0 0 Garrett Lee 2 0 0 0

Brandon Davis 1 0 0 0 Austin Green 2 0 1 0

Dusty Baker 3 1 1 0

*Jesse Whaley 0 1 0 0

TOTALS 28 4 6 3 TOTALS 22 0 1 0

REBEL BASEBALL 2013 200 001 1 -- 4

GLYNN ACADEMY 000 000 0 -- 0

LOB--REBEL BASEBALL 2013 6, GLYNN ACADEMY 2. ERR--Austin

Green (2), Garrett Lee. 2B--Kyle Ward, Jack Burns.

SACB--Alec Arnsdorff, Cal Baker. SB--Kyle Ward, Jesse

Whaley.

REBEL BASEBALL 2013 IP H R ER BB SO HR

Spencer Gillis (W) 7 1 0 0 1 8 0

GLYNN ACADEMY

Ryan Lawless (L) 7 6 4 2 1 7 0

PB--Conner Buchanan. WP--Ryan Lawless (3). SO--Jacob Teston

(2), Kyle Ward, Josh Edge (2), Dusty Baker, Eric Knox,

Ryan Lawless, Zach Lamper (2), Sam Stalvey, Caleb Robinson,

Conner Buchanan, Josh Robinson (2). BB--Cal Baker, Caleb

Robinson.

4/23/13 Rebel Baseball 2013 at Glynn Academy

Rebel Baseball 2013 at Glynn Academy Box Score

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E L

Rebel Baseball 2013 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 6 0 6

Glynn Academy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 2

WP: Spencer Gillis, LP: Ryan Lawless, SV: -

Country singer William “Billy” Currington, whose hometown is Rincon, was indicted by the Chatham County Grand Jury today for making terroristic threats against Charles Harvey Ferrelle on April 15. 

Currington was also indicted on a charge of abuse of an elder person by inflicting mental anguish upon Ferrell, who is more than 65 years old.

According to the Grammy nominated artist’s website, his top 10 hits include “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer”, “That’s How Country Boys Roll” and “People Are Crazy.”

The Effingham County Rebels shut out New Hamstead 11-0 on April 22.

Getting hits were John Ratchford (1), Josh Gilliam (1), Jack Burns (1), Josh Edge (1), Ryan Ratchford (2) and Dusty Baker (2).

Jesse Whaley pitched five innings for the Rebels, giving up only one hit. He threw 76 pitches and had 10 strikeouts.

Effingham County 11, New Hamstead 0

NEW HAMSTEAD AB R H BI EFFINGHAM CO. AB R H BI

JaWaun Knight 2 0 0 0 Cal Baker 1 2 0 1

Telvin Patterson 1 0 0 0 John Ratchford 1 0 1 1

Zach Kicklighter 1 0 0 0 Kyle Ward 1 1 0 0

Bobby Cupstid 2 0 1 0 Justin Sipes 1 0 0 0

Ryan Redding 2 0 0 0 Eric Knox 0 1 0 0

Eric Bayliss 2 0 0 0 Brandon Davis 1 0 0 0

Lawton McLain 1 0 0 0 Josh Gilliam 1 1 1 3

Shardravius Conner 1 0 0 0 Spencer Gillis 1 0 0 0

Jacob Bowles 1 0 0 0 Alec Arnsdorff 2 0 0 0

Evan Roberts 2 0 0 0 Grayson Seckinger 1 0 0 0

Devin Hammond 2 0 0 0 Jack Burns 2 1 1 1

Cameron Porter 0 0 0 0

Josh Edge 1 2 1 0

D.J Kirkland 1 0 0 0

Ryan Ratchford 2 1 2 0

Jacob Teston 0 1 0 0

Dusty Baker 3 1 2 3

TOTALS 17 0 1 0 TOTALS 19 11 8 9

NEW HAMSTEAD 000 00—0

EFFINGHAM COUNTY 820 1x —11

LOB—NEW HAMSTEAD 3, EFFINGHAM 7. ERR—John

Ratchford, Cal Baker. 2B—Josh Edge, Jack Burns, Dusty

Baker. HBP—Brandon Davis, Josh Gilliam, Josh Edge, Cal

Baker, Eric Knox. SACF—Cal Baker. SB—Cal Baker (2), Dusty

Baker.

NEW HAMSTEAD IP H R ER BB SO HR

Ryan Redding 3 7 10 10 4 2 0

Eric Bayliss 1 1 1 1 1 1 0

EFFINGHAM COUNTY

Jesse Whaley 5 1 0 0 1 10 0

PB—Eric Bayliss, Ryan Redding. WP—Ryan Redding (2).

SO—Eric Bayliss, Telvin Patterson, Zach Kicklighter, Ryan

Redding (2), Devin Hammond, JaWaun Knight (2), Shardravius

Conner, Evan Roberts, D.J Kirkland, Grayson Seckinger, Dusty

Baker. BB—Jacob Bowles, Jacob Teston, Kyle Ward (2),

Cameron Porter, Eric Knox.

Effingham County 11, Windsor Forest 0

On April 19, the Rebels also blanked Windsor Forest, 11-0.

Getting hits for the Rebels were Cal Baker (2), Kyle Ward (1), Justin Sipes (2), Josh Gilliam (1). Spencer Gillis (1), Brandon Davis (1) and Dusty Baker (2).

Eric Knox pitched four innings, allowing two hits. Knox threw 61 pitches an struck out eight batters.

Effingham County 11, Windsor Forest 0

EFFINGHAM CO. AB R H BI WINDSOR FOREST AB R H BI

Cal Baker 3 2 1 2 DeAndre Williams 2 0 1 0

Kyle Ward 2 1 0 0 Jason Freeman 2 0 0 0

Michael Farmer 1 1 0 0 Mason Johnson 2 0 1 0

Eric Knox 3 0 2 1 Stephon Smalls 2 0 0 0

Justin Sipes 1 2 1 0 Rayfield Bethea 1 0 0 0

Josh Gilliam 3 1 2 0 Jared Clark 2 0 0 0

Spencer Gillis 1 1 1 1 Xavier Hargrove 2 0 0 0

Alec Arnsdorff 3 0 3 1 James Kicklighter 2 0 0 0

Grayson Seckinger 0 0 0 0 Andrew Coalwell 1 0 0 0

Jacob Teston 1 0 0 0

D.J. Kirkland 1 0 1 0

Ryan Ratchford 1 0 0 0

Jack Burns 3 0 1 3

Brandon Davis 1 1 0 0

Josh Edge 1 0 0 0

Dusty Baker 2 2 1 0

TOTALS 27 11 13 8 TOTALS 16 0 2 0

EFFINGHAM COUNTY 323 12 —11

WINDSOR FOREST 000 00—0

LOB—EFFINGHAM COUNTY 9, WINDSOR FOREST 2. ERR—DeAndre Williams. 2B—Justin Sipes, Cal Baker. HBP—Brandon Davis. SACF—Jack Burns. SB—Justin Sipes, Brandon Davis, Josh

Gilliam.

EFFINGHAM COUNTY IP H R ER BB SO HR

Eric Knox 4 2 0 0 1 8 0

Jack Burns 1 0 0 0 0 1 0

WINDSOR FOREST

Jake Carrillo 4 10 9 9 5 0 0

DeAndre Williams 1 3 2 2 1 2 0

PB—Xavier Hargrove. WP—Jake Carrillo (5), DeAndre Williams

(2). BALK—Jake Carrillo. SO—Ryan Ratchford, Josh Edge,

Mason Johnson, James Kicklighter, Jared Clark, Andrew

Coalwell, Rayfield Bethea, Xavier Hargrove, Stephon Smalls

(2), Jason Freeman. BB—Jacob Teston, Kyle Ward, Brandon

Davis, Grayson Seckinger, Cal Baker, Dusty Baker, Rayfield

Bethea.

South Effingham High’s Albee Johnson has signed a letter of intent to play baseball for Andrew College in Cuthbert.

Johnson had eight appearances for the Mustangs and a 2.63 ERA. He has one win and one save on the year.

“Albee has been a starting pitcher for two years,” said Ron Womack, head baseball coach at SEHS. “He has been a very tough competitor and always gives it his all.”

Johnson said he likes everything about the program at the college, which is northwest of Albany.

The South Effingham Mustang boys and girls tennis team won round 1 games of the playoffs. The teams will host Eagles Landing on Friday in the second round.

BOYS TENNIS

SOUTH EFFINGHAM 5,

MARY PERSONS 0

Singles—Taylor Merritt (SE) def. Justin McKinney 60, 6-1; Carl Mesmer (SE) def. Micah Sheppard 6-0, 6-2; Brent Jenkins (SE) def. Robert Cass 6-0, 6-1.

Doubles—Kyle Howell-Spencer Jenkins (SE) def. Zack Hogt-Ripken Dorman 6-0, 6-0; Ryan Nease-David McKinnon (SE) def. Joe Allen-Harrison Fry 6-1, 6-0,

Record—South Effingham 15-2.

Note—South Effingham will host Eagles Landing on Friday in the second round.

GIRLS TENNIS

SOUTH EFFNGHAM 4, MARY PERSONS 1

Singles—Vivian Moultrie (SE) def. Abby Owen 6-1, 6-0; Keyvona Moultrie (SE) def, Elizabeth Pierotti 6-0, 6-0; Rami Mesmer (SE) def. Alexxis Williams 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles—Halie Seitz-Kassidy Sikes (M) def. Christina Buerrero-Tinley Bailey 6-4, 7-6; Shar Figuero-Megan Spence (SE) def. Caroline Waldrest-Lellie Cottley 6-1, 6-1.

Record—South Effingham 15-1.

“God speaks to those who listen.” I read this sentence on a local church marquee board. As I have been traveling our area lately, it is interesting to read some encouraging messages. Let’s consider some unique quotes and find out if God speaks to those who read.

A few well chosen words include:

• Sign man on vacation, come inside for message.

• The best vitamin for a Christian is B1.

• Soul food served here.

• Don’t give up. Moses was once a basket case.

• Wal-Mart is not the only Saving Place.

• Never give the devil a ride. He always wants to drive.

• To belittle is to be little.

• The wages of sin is death. Repent before payday.

• We’re home for the young and the restless and the bold and the beautiful, as the world turns.

And my favorite

• God answers kneemail.

A catchy phrase is a good way to get someone to think. It’s true that if you brush up on your Bible, you can prevent truth decay. It’s good advice to count your blessings when you can’t sleep. We all know that forbidden fruit can create many jams. And it is good to remember that while Satan subtracts and divides, God adds and multiplies.

Christians, keep the faith — but not from others!