Fort Gaines syrup makers to benefit cancer patient

Syrup-making runs in the Carter family.

Fort Gaines resident Joe Carter has helped prepare cane syrup with his family since he was 8. And, for the past two decades, his family and friends have been making cane syrup at Fort Gaines’ annual Christmas at the Fort Arts and Crafts Fair.

Last year’s fair was the first in which Carter’s late father, Bill, did not participate.

“We were going to quit (doing it),” said Carter. “But then a great need came up.”

Carter’s sister-in-law, Teresa, was diagnosed with liver cancer two months ago. Carter’s family is familiar with cancer – Carter’s dad died of lung cancer in May 2009 and Billy, Teresa’s husband, successfully battled kidney cancer for four years, though he lost a kidney in the process.

Cancer is also costing Teresa. She and Billy had to give up their three foster children, ages 18 to 24 months, when Teresa began her chemotherapy treatments. They also have four of their own children, ages 5 to 18.

Teresa is now undergoing her third round of chemotherapy and Carter says she’s staying strong.

“(But) understandably, this has brought about some unexpected bills for them,” said Carter.

So, this Saturday, Carter, brother Joel and friends David Copeland and Neil Parker will make syrup again at Christmas at the Fort. All the money they raise from syrup sales will benefit Teresa.

The men will make the syrup on site and offer a quart for $8, a pint $4 and a gallon of cane juice for $2.

“Of course, the more we sell, the more it will help Teresa and Billy, but they need prayer too,” said Carter.

Carter and his group will begin syrup-making at 7 a.m. (EST) but the fair begins at 10 a.m. and lasts until 4 p.m. (EST) in the Fort Gaines’ Frontier Village on the bluff overlooking the Chattahoochee River. According to a press release, more than 100 vendors will sell crafts and food.

The fair will also feature demonstrations in basket weaving and, of course, syrup-making. Entertainment will include singing and dancing.

Festival of lights

The Fort Gaines annual Festival of Lights will also open for the season Saturday at 6 p.m. (EST) and will be open every evening from 6 p.m. to midnight (EST) until Dec. 31.

According to a press release, Pastor Ralph Estes’ yard will be decorated with more than 500,000 lights. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

The Festival of Lights is located on Georgia Highway 39 five miles north of Fort Gaines, Ga. Call 229-768-2789 for more details.