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Erected in 1975, the monumental 20-foot-tall structure stood as a fitting tribute to the vital role of peanuts in Turner County's economy and the lives of its farmers. The monument holds a special place in the hearts of the community, dedicated to the memory of Nora Lawrence, a cherished journalist and co-publisher of Ashburn's esteemed local newspaper.
Over the years, the Peanut Monument gained significant recognition, earning the title of Georgia's official peanut monument in 1998 and becoming an instant landmark when celebrities Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher captured a memorable selfie in front of the illustrious nut, sharing it with their followers on Instagram. The monument even found its way into popular culture as a clue on the national television show Jeopardy. The reconstruction efforts were spearheaded by Ashley Miller, the Executive Director of the Ashburn Turner County Chamber of Commerce, and a team of dedicated volunteers. "So many people have told me growing up they knew they were home when they saw the Big Peanut on the Interstate. It really represents so much to so many people here, it's more than just a nut," said Miller. The reconstruction was no small feat, especially after the devastating impact of Hurricane Michael in 2018, which left the Peanut Monument in dire need of repair. Turner County Young Farmers led the local charge to recover by initiating a GoFundMe campaign that garnered support from people near and far, raising $4,730. The Turner County Art Council contributed an additional $12,000, and families even honored their loved ones' passing by requesting donations to the Big Peanut in lieu of flowers. Despite these efforts, the estimated restoration cost surpassed the raised funds. In a remarkable show of support, State Senator Carden Summers partnered with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to donate $55,000 in July of 2022, followed by an additional $10,000 donation from AgGeorgia Farm Credit. With these necessary funds secured, the search for the right candidate to undertake the reconstruction began. Interim County Manager Nick Denham found the perfect match in Cole Sercer, a skilled resident of Turner County and the owner of Sercer Machine and Fabrication. Along with Justin Dallas and Jake Rice, Sercer dedicated approximately 800 man-hours to meticulously craft a 16.5-foot-tall sheet metal replica of the peanut, complete with an exquisite crown to sit atop the existing base. "We needed someone with the talent, the means, and the willingness to take on the job probably no one's ever done before," expressed Denham, expressing his gratitude to Sercer and his team, "I'm proud we were able to find someone from Turner County to do the work and not have to go out of state for it." Sercer shared his experience, stating, "It was built with an English wheel, each piece of metal had to be hand bent and shaped to get the curves in it just right." The Rededication of the Big Peanut is open to the public, and attendees can look forward to several speakers and a commemorative gift until they run out. For media inquiries and further information, please contact: Ashley Miller Executive Director Ashburn Turner Co. Chamber of Commerce Phone: 229-567-9696 Email: [email protected] |