Christa … queen of Cave Spring Still Got Cotton in My Blood

From The Valdosta Times

he statewide sales tax holiday has never been timed right.

If scheduled for the days prior to school starting, some people said the tax break came too early to get a break purchasing items assigned to students by teachers.

If scheduled after school started, some people said the break came too late for families to purchase school clothes and supplies without the burden of taxes.

Too early or too late, the sales tax holiday has been a regular part of back to school shopping for Georgia residents for years. But not this year. It will come neither too late nor too early. Instead, it will not come at all. There will be no 2017 sales tax holiday.

Retailers recently told the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development and Taxation Committee the lack of a sales tax holiday will hurt Valdosta-area businesses.

Retailers located near state lines, such as Valdosta businesses, will feel the loss more than retailers deeper in the state, according to store representatives addressing the chamber committee.

Location was part of the impetus for former Valdosta-area state Rep. Ron Borders and former state Sen. Tim Golden championing the sales-tax holiday.

The tax holiday has always faced opposition, especially from county commissioners, elected city leaders and school board members across the state. Many government officials say the holiday affects tax money needed for local government coffers.

Legislators said the measure for a tax holiday is passed annually by sneaking it onto the agenda for a vote. It faced opposition this year and the General Assembly did not pass a sales tax holiday.

While the chamber meeting focused on how the lack of the sales tax holiday could hurt business, it did not mention the number of families who have come to rely on the summer dates to offset the expense of sending children back to school.

The lack of a sales tax holiday may be a hard lesson for families preparing to send youngsters back to school. One that will cost them more in the stores and may cost students upon returning to class.

Afew years ago, I wrote a column about Cave Spring. Today I’m going to revive it, with a few minor changes and updates.

In that column I compared this tiny city with Andy Griffith’s “Mayberry.” Jimmy Stewart’s “Bedford Falls” (It’s a Wonderful Life), and the mythical Scottish city of “Brigadoon.” I ended that piece stating that the residents of Cave Spring are living in a Norman Rockwell painting, and I invited everyone to come and share a true piece of Americana. And, many of you have.

This was one column that I got a lot of response to. In Mayberry there was “Aunt Bee” and in Bedford Falls, Jimmy Stewart’s wife had the same sort of characteristics. In Scotland of course, they had their beloved Mary “Queen of Scots.” It has dawned on me that if Cave Spring had a queen it would have to be Christa Jackson. There are many reasons that I feel that way, and one I’m going to share with you. Those of you who are acquainted with Christa already know what I’m talking about. The rest, well, read on.

First and foremost, Christa exhibits the kind of charm and grace that is still found in many Southern women. The kind that Margaret Mitchell captured so well in her novel “Gone With The Wind”. No, not Scarlett, but Melanie, who was played so well by Olivia DeHaviland. You remember, she was nice to everyone (even Scarlett), married Ashley, impressed Rhett to no end, and always spoke highly of everyone. Rare qualities in today’s world, but that is Christa. A long time educator and administrator for St. Mary’s School, she has spent most of her life being a role model for young people to emulate. She is certainly the standard that all young girls should hope to achieve. I think the three most important things to her are faith, family and country, and once a year this queen puts all three together.

Many years ago while watching a Fourth of July parade on television, one of her young boys asked why Cave Spring wasn’t celebrating the founding of the country, and shouldn’t they take pride in its birth. Many of us would have shrugged that off or went into a long drawn out excuse of why we didn’t know. But not Christa! She grabbed up her boys, put them in a wagon, gave them a U.S. flag, and dressed herself as the Statue of Liberty and off they go, around and thru Cave Spring waving the flag as they went.

I must deflect here for a moment. Christa is also a big Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings fan. I know this because in 1978 they brought forth a No. 1 hit titled “Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys,” and the song continued “make them be doctors and lawyers and such.” Christa followed their advice, and turned out two doctors, one lawyer, and one such (successful businessman and farmer, closest to a cowboy). Now, back to business.

This parade has continued and grown over the years. There are now horses, golf carts, tractors, antique cars, lawnmowers, walkers, politicians, motorcycles and any other type of conveyance you can think of. One theme, no rules. Show the flag or the colors! The parade is still designed to celebrate the founding of the country. And, at the end of the parade, you got it, the queen herself doing the best imitation of a living, breathing Miss Liberty that I’ve ever seen!

I was just 18 the first time I sailed into New York harbor on a U.S. Navy warship. I made a point to go topside and see the Statue of Liberty as we sailed by. It made cold chills run up my back and I had no doubt as to why I was there. I have the same feeling when this wonderful lady comes down the street.

The parade is on July 4 beginning at 9 a.m. You don’t have to be in the parade, in fact, most aren’t. Just be here and maybe bring a chair, line the streets, and enjoy yourself. But if you DO want to be in the parade and you are riding, line up on Perry Farm Road, and if you are a walker, assemble at the Old Depot.

Cave Spring goes all out on the Fourth. Starting on Saturday, we will hold a car show at City Hall. Bands will be playing in the gazebo. The pool and cave will be open and picnickers are welcome in the park. Then, when the sun goes down, we will celebrate with an enormous fireworks display that will rival any around. I hope you didn’t miss it yesterday.

Sunday is a church day in Cave Spring, and at 6 p.m. (tonight) at the First Baptist Church, Miss Liberty and staff will host the annual salute to our veterans. It’s always a packed house, come early to make sure you get a seat, the blessing is automatic. Our queen goes all out to make this a memorable event.

After the parade, the Methodist Church will be offering homemade ice cream, with many different flavors. The pool will be open, all the merchants and some of the best restaurants in Floyd County will also be open. Or if you prefer, bring a picnic basket, a blanket or just find a piece of grass to sit on in the park or elsewhere.

The Cave Spring Welcome Center will be open and would love to have you come for a visit. The cave will be open, and you can let the little ones wade in the creek. Walk over to the pond near the cave and maybe see a two-foot rainbow. Here’s my point … this is just an old time celebration to honor the founding of our country. Come and spend the day, or just come and rejoice in the fact that you live in this country.

Christa knew years ago that many people are visual learners. A lecture just won’t cut it. She is a firm believer in show and tell. Let your children and grandchildren be a part of it and experience America. And, if you are old like me, it will bring back a lot of memories… ones that are cherished.

There’s another reason also. This country is in pretty bad shape right now. I can’t really get a grip on what’s happening to her except I don’t like it. Maybe nobody but you will ever know you stood up just one more time for Uncle Sam or in this case, Miss Liberty. I can’t imagine a veteran in Floyd County or any surrounding county not celebrating this wonderful day. After all, they served and fought for our freedom and the right to have these parades. I don’t care if you are a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Tea Party or just plain ole Independent like most folks, please just come and honor America! Hasn’t she been pretty good to you? Let’s not lose her now! So, synchronize your watches for July 4 and set your GPS for Cave Spring!

And once more, thank you Christa, for starting this wonderful event! MIKE RAGLAND