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We Play Here: New Albany After-School Football Team Builds Players, Character

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If you drive by C.W. Heath Park in Albany after school in the afternoon, you’ll see a busy scene across the practice fields. That’s where one of Albany’s newest Pop Warner football teams is practicing, along with their cheer squad.

The team, named the Georgia Gators, joins the ranks of other Pop Warner teams across South Georgia in practice and competition each week. Students ages 6-12 are eligible to take part in the after-school activity.

But it hasn’t been a walk in the park for the team’s organizers. Anthony Rivers and TyQuasha Gilbert took on the roles of team President and Vice President, respectively.

The football team and cheer squad meets for practice each weekday after school, and attends scheduled league games on Saturdays. It’s a lot of hours each week for these two and all the other volunteers who show up to help the team for practice and games.

The cheer team for the GA Gators Pop Warner football team in Albany practices their routines.

Gilbert, who is a full-time teacher, says the league provides a constructive after-school outlet for kids in a safe and welcoming environment.

While the football team is practicing regularly, Rivers noted the team doesn’t have all of their needed equipment yet – mainly helmets for players. Kids football helmets don’t come cheap, and he said the team is still in need of about 20 more.

If you would like to donate a helmet to the team, they have established a partnership with R&S Sports shop in Albany. Supporters can call or visit the sporting goods store and let them know they wish to purchase a helmet for the Georgia Gators Pop Warner Team.

R&S Sports can be reached by phone at (229) 888-3755 and the store is located at 3212 Gillionville Rd in Albany. Gilbert also has a team Cash App account set up at $THEGEORGIAGATORS. You can follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Team members of the GA Gators Pop Warner team line up at the scrimmage line for practice.

The Gators play their home games in Albany at Dougherty High School on Saturdays, and travel to other cities for away games. Some games in the league are held as far away as Columbus, GA.

Pop Warner is a non-profit youth football, cheerleading and dance organization, with programs across the United States.

According to its website, Pop Warner’s core focus is to serve youth, striving to encourage and increase youth participation in football, cheerleading and dance, ensure a safer and positive playing environment for all participants, and instill life-long values of teamwork, dedication and a superior work ethic on the playing field and in the classroom.

Pop Warner describes its mission as the following:

To enable young people to benefit from participation in team sports and activities in a structured environment. Through this active participation, Pop Warner programs teach fundamental values, skills and knowledge that young people will use throughout their lives, while emphasizing the importance of academic success.

To provide fun athletic learning opportunities for children. Specifically, Pop Warner seeks to familiarize players and spirit participants with the fundamentals of football, cheerleading and dance. Pop Warner strives to inspire youth to practice the ideals of sportsmanship, scholarship and physical fitness as reflected in the life of legendary coach Glenn Scobie “Pop” Warner.

You can learn more about Pop Warner at their website, and the introductory video below.

229 Life regularly covers things to do, where to eat, and places to explore and visit across South Georgia. Do you have an event you would like to share with the best people in South Georgia? Submit yours on our community calendar here.

Copyright 229 Life 2023. All rights reserved.

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September Events You Should Know About In South Georgia

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Hello September

September is here, college football is back, and there are lots of things happening across South Georgia that you need to know about. This list is not all-inclusive, but covers notable events across different cities.

Don’t see your event? You can add it to the 229 Life Community Calendar HERE. Let’s take a look at what’s in store.

Upcoming September Events

Thanks for checking out this list of monthly events. It will be updated as more are added to the list. Don’t forget, you can add your event to the Community Calendar page. We welcome all event submissions.

There are lots of events happening across South Georgia, and 229 Life wants to make sure you’re aware of them.

When it comes to things to do in Albany, GA, things to do in Leesburg, GA, things to do in Moultrie, GA, and every South Georgia city we cover – we want your experience to be the best it can be.

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Copyright 229 Life 2023. All rights reserved.

Dairy Queen Blizzards Will Be 85 Cents For Two Weeks: How To Get Yours

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85 cent Dairy Queen Blizzards

Dairy Queen is celebrating their new Fall Blizzard menu with a cup-flipping limited time deal: Blizzards for 85 cents. No, that’s not a typo. Here’s what it means and how you can get in on this short and sweet offer.

Here’s the deal

Beginning September 11 and continuing through September 24, Dairy Queen is offering small Blizzards for just 85 cents. This price flip celebrates the last 38 years of the Blizzard treat, originally introduced in 1985.

The company says it’s going all-in on Autumn for this deal, even if the temperatures are not quite as cool as we wish. “The new Fall Blizzard Menu is here to help you embrace fall with full fervor!” Dairy Queen wrote in a news release.

How to get the 85 cent Blizzard deal

To claim your 85 cent Blizzard, you will need to do the following:

  • Download the Dairy Queen app
  • Sign up for DQ Rewards
  • Look out for the one-time deal in the app

That’s it! Note it may take up to 24 hours for the deal to appear in the app once you have signed up. And with any great deal, there’s a caveat: you can only redeem it once. Each deal is limited to one person and may not be valid for delivery.

What are the new Dairy Queen Blizzard flavors?

With Dairy Queen going all-fall, the new Blizzard flavor lineup includes the following options:

  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Pie Blizzard
  • Choco-Dipped Strawberry Blizzard
  • Oreo Hot Cocoa Blizzard
  • Caramel Fudge Cheesecake Blizzard

Returning favorites on the fall menu include the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard and the Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Blizzard. Not to worry though, DQ still offers its original Blizzard classics.

Don’t want to wait to try the new fall flavors? You don’t have to, because the new limited-time 2023 offerings are already available at participating locations.

Find your nearest Dairy Queen location here.

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Featured image courtesy of Dairy Queen

Copyright 229 Life 2023. All rights reserved.

Where To Find Live Music In Albany, GA

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Lots of live music

If you’re looking for where to find live music in Albany, GA we’ve compiled this list of places to check out. It’s pretty comprehensive, but probably won’t cover every single place. So if you’re looking for live music near me in the Albany area, take a look at these 14 places.

Harvest Moon

An icon of Albany and known for its food, drinks, and music, Harvest Moon delivers a lively environment and consistent live music each week.

Loco’s Grill and Pub

This popular place to eat burgers, wings, and a host of other food and drink options is a staple location in Northwest Albany, with live music and plenty of seating.

Oglethorpe Lounge

Another Albany icon, the Oglethorpe Lounge is a good time dive bar with a lively, yet cozy atmosphere where guests can enjoy drinks and live music.

Pretoria Fields Brewery

Pretoria Fields Brewery

One of the first places people think of for live music in Downtown Albany is Pretoria Fields Brewery. In addition to all the fresh beer on tap, this laid back location offers bands and music fans lots of space to enjoy performances.

Cork’s Wine & Charcuterie

Taking upscale to the next level, this fine dining restaurant and wine bar offers live piano and other styles of music in its intimate Albany setting.

Austin’s Firegrill & Oyster Bar

Austin’s Firegrill & Oyster Bar delivers an authentic blend of food, music, and fun. With plenty of restaurant seating, guests can enjoy a meal with indoor and outdoor seating options, and live music inside or outside on the location’s large deck.

Lee Pub

Lee Pub

With a laid back atmosphere, this popular sports bar is just over the county line in Lee County. Guests can stop in for a drink and enjoy ample seating, TVs for sports games, and regular live music.

Roosters Tavern

Roosters Tavern

Also in Lee County, Roosters Tavern offers a relaxed environment where guests can eat, drink, and listen to live music each week.

Manor House Pub at Merry Acres

Manor House Pub at Merry Acres

A location all its own, the Manor House Pub at Merry Acres is an escape without ever leaving Albany. Visitors can enjoy drinks at the bar and regular live music in a friendly atmosphere.

Henry’s Fine Edibles

Right on Dawson Rd but just tucked away enough, Henry’s Fine Edibles offers a quality restaurant environment for people to eat and drink, and listen to live music each week.

The Grille House

The Grille House

Located in Downtown Albany, The Grille House offers live music along with food and drinks for guests in its roomy location just steps from the Flint River.

Lil Whiskey River

Lil Whiskey River

Known for its pool tables, poker runs, and cheap beer, Lil Whiskey River is a dive bar that offers regular live music to guests.

Riverfront 2 Bar-B-Q

Riverfront 2 Bar-B-Q

This Lee County restaurant claims some of the best barbecue around, and delivers live music on a regular basis to guests.

Mellow Mushroom

With lots of space to eat, drink, and listen to live music, Mellow Mushroom is a staple visit for music lovers. This chain pizzeria keeps things local and regularly schedules live music and bands.

Have you been to all of these live music destinations in and around Albany, GA? Are there others you recommend? Let us know in the comments below.

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Copyright 229 Life 2023. All rights reserved.

Aldi To Buy Harveys, Winn-Dixie Stores In Southern Grocery Deal

Aldi, the popular discount grocer said it plans to buy 400 Harveys and Winn-Dixie supermarkets across the South. Southeastern Grocers, the current owner of the stores, made the announcement in a release on August 16, 2023.

Details of the deal

The Jacksonville, Florida-based company said under a proposed merger agreement, Aldi will acquire all outstanding capital stock in the all-cash deal. This is Southeastern Grocers full portfolio of Harveys and Winn-Dixie store brands, with approximately 400 locations across Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.

After the sale is complete, Aldi will operate most of the stores under their current brands. But they will consider some locations for converting into their Aldi store format, the release said. Neither of the companies shared how much the deal was worth.

Aldi is one of the fastest-growing grocers in the US, and the acquisition puts the company in to better position in its goal to add 120 new stores by the end of 2023. That would bring the company’s US footprint to 2,400 locations. This aligns with the company’s statement that they are doubling-down on expansion plans.

In South Georgia, Aldi operates two stores – one in Albany and one in Valdosta. Winn-Dixie has South Georgia locations in Bainbridge and Valdosta, and Harveys has South Georgia locations in Americus, Cordele, and Fitzgerald.

Company leadership weighs in

The CEOs of both companies released these statements:

“Like ALDI, Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket have long histories and many loyal customers in the Southeast and we look forward to serving them in the years to come,” said Jason Hart, CEO, ALDI. “The time was right to build on our growth momentum and help residents in the Southeast save on their grocery bills.”

“This merger agreement is a testament to our successful transformational journey and the tireless work of our dedicated associates who serve our communities,” said Anthony Hucker, President and CEO, Southeastern Grocers. “ALDI shares our vision to provide exceptional quality, service and value – and this unique opportunity will evolve our business to benefit our customers, associates and neighbors throughout the Southeast.”

As a separate part of the deal, Southeastern Grocers is selling all of its Fresco y Más operations to Fresco Retail Group, LLC, an investment group strategically focused on food and grocery. Fresco Retail says it plans for all stores and pharmacies in the Fresco y Más banner to continue operating as they are presently.

Subject to regulation and approvals, the merger is expected to close in the first half of 2024.

Aldi is one of America’s fastest-growing retailers. Founded in Germany, the company opened its first store in 1961. It’s U.S. headquarters are located in Illinois. Aldi boasts more than 2,000 stores across 36 states.

Featured image courtesy of Aldi.

Copyright 229 Life 2023. All rights reserved.