The first guest on Monday's “Mornings unPhiltered” show was Dr. Ron Shiffler, Dean of GSU's College of Business Administration.
    Shiffler told host Phil Boyum about how the just-completed Homecoming Weekend was a great time to touch base with all returning COBA alumni. Shiffler said that by connecting with them on campus, it's easier to get alumni to reaffirm their support for the program, which, like every college department, faces shrinking budgets.
    In addition, Shiffler said he made a lot of business connections, both for potential new students as well as possible employment opportunities for new graduates. Former COBA Professor Lewis Stewart is currently in charge of keeping track of the alumni database.
    At this moment, they know where 14,000 graduates are, out of some 16,000 who have graduated since the program was established back in the 1960's. If every graduate gave $50, Shiffler said, then all of the program's needs would be met.
    Shiffler said that some alumni came back on Friday, and were assigned to teach classes. One of the returning alumni, Dennis “Radio” Jones, who is the owner of several radio stations in Macon and Augusta, told Shiffler that he listens to the “Morning's UnPhiltered” show
     Brooks A. Keel, the new GSU president, stopped by the Chamber of Commerce's Tailgate Party at the Homecoming game. Shiffler also said the monthly “Business After Hours” gathering is set for Thursday at Sea Island Bank between 5 and 7 p.m.
    Shiffler said that the Chamber's Farm Family Luncheon will be held Friday at the Bulloch County Agribusiness Center on 151 Langston Chapel Road. The Chamber names a “Farm Family of the Year” at the banquet and awards a scholarship to an agricultural student.
    The second guest on the show was Shay Morgan, who is presenting “The Nutcracker” beginning Thursday at the Averitt Center. It will be the sixth year the Nutcracker has been performed at the Emma Kelly  Theater in downtown Statesboro. The performance by the Statesboro Youth Ballet will feature 80 area dancers, actors and actresses, along with two professional dancers.
    The first audition was held in August, and then four-hour long rehearsals began back in September. The younger children attended eight practices, while the older students attended some 22 practices. Morgan said that the children come from as far away as Sylvania and Metter, but most are from Bulloch County.
    There will be evening performances of the Nutcracker held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and a matinée on 2 p.m. on Sunday.  After the Sunday show, there will be a meet-the-cast party at Sea Island Bank.
    Prices for the performances are $20 for box seats, $18 for regular adult tickets, and $10 for youth tickets.
    For more information or to reserve tickets, call 912-212-ARTS on Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Averitt's box office on Tuesday-Friday from 1-5:30 pm.
    The major sponsor for the The Nutcracker in Bulloch County is Sea Island Bank, who is joined by its sponsoring partners Thigpen, Lanier, Westerfield & Deal CPA; Moogerfeld Internal Medicine; and Maxwell Palmer Architects and Engineers.

     “Mornings unPHILtered” airs live Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on statesboroherald.com and also simulcast on WWNS-AM 1240 on the radio. You also can listen anytime at BoroLive.com on statesboroherald.com