4.22.10 Union Sentinel

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Perdue takes on Health Care bill

Off shore drillings a "go" and Georgia's not saying "no" Georgia sure to benefit with jobs and energy By SEN. CHIP PEARSON Editorial

Georgians applaud President Obama’s decision to allow offshore drilling along the mid-Atlantic coast. With the state unemployment rate at 10.6 percent, we understand that tapping into U.S. oil and natural gas resources offshore would create hundreds of thousands of new, well-paying jobs, boost the state and local economies, and help secure our energy future. We also know many factors play a role in whether or not development will ever occur. If the president has our best interest in mind, he needs to act quickly and prudently on his words. The oil and natural gas industry supports 9.2 million American jobs, and more than 145,000 of those jobs are right here in Georgia, according to a PricewaterhouseCooper study. The same study also found that the oil and natural gas industry contributes a critical $12 billion to our state’s economy. If we were to develop Canadian oil sands, the state could see an additional 10,000 jobs created between 2011 and 2015, according to the Canadian Energy Research Institute. These are wellpaying jobs in refining, among other indirect employment opportunities in construction, manufacturing and agriculture.

Not only could Georgians use the additional jobs, we could use the extra energy. We are high energy consumers. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Georgia’s industrial sector is the largest energy-consuming sector in the state. Our energy-intensive wood and paper products industry requires a growing energy portfolio to produce goods that all Americans rely on. Expanded oil and natural gas access just makes sense. It would create desperately-needed American jobs, secure our future energy supplies, and help stabilize Georgia’s and the nation’s economy. President Obama should understand this. Yet his support for punitive policies, including capand-trade and $80 billion in new taxes on U.S. energy companies, suggests otherwise. Excessive regulation and taxation would only impede economic recovery, force companies to send jobs overseas, and jeopardize our energy security. The president is on the right track by opening sections of the mid-Atlantic coast for offshore energy development. But without action to back up his words, Georgia and the rest of the country will continue to rely on foreign oil as the state and national economies remain dangerously unstable. So while we applaud the president today, we ask that he takes us forward—rather than leading us backward.

Through Mountain Mists

By ETHELENE DYER-JONES Columnist

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Volume 16, Issue 16

Contributed Photo

From left to right: YHC President Cathy Cox, Kiwanis Club of Blairsville Past President and upcoming Lieutenant Governor Elect Sonny Mahan, and YHC Circle K International Chapter Advisor Joy Day.

Kiwanis generous to local students Young Harris College recently received a $1,500 check from Sonny Mahan, Kiwanis Club of Blairsville Past President and upcoming Lieutenant Governor Elect, on behalf of the Georgia Division of Kiwanis International as a contribution to the College’s Local Scholarship Campaign. The check was presented in appreciation to the College for hosting the Georgia District of Kiwanis International Convention FridaySunday, July 31-August 2. The Kiwanis Club of Blairsville served as host club with members of the local Key Club, Young Harris College Circle K, Boy Scouts and Civil Air Patrol acting as guides. “Over 2,000 Kiwanians attended the convention and enjoyed our beautiful mountains and spectacular campus,� said YHC Circle K International Chapter Advisor and Public Services Librarian Joy

In the years since I’ve been writing about people, places and events in these “Through Mountain Mists� columns, there are many surnames familiar to Union County’s residents, past and present, that I have not yet mentioned. To use mountain vernacular, It is hard to “get a round to it� for all of them. I like to examine the 1834 and 1840 census records of Union County to pinpoint names and see if I can trace some of the descendants of those listed. I found no Ledford families in the first

Day, a member of Kiwanis Club of Blairsville. Kiwanis International is the world’s largest service organization with more than 8,400 clubs comprised of nearly 280,000 members in 96 nations and geographic areas. This global organization of volunteers is dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Members develop youth as leaders, build playgrounds and raise funds for pediatric research, help shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, mentor the disadvantaged and care for the sick. The Kiwanis Club of Blairsville is dedicated to serving and supporting young people in the immediate area around Blairsville, Ga., through numerous projects. The club meets every Monday at Antoinetta's Restaurant in Blairsville at 12 p.m.

For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Blairsville, contact the chapter at kiwanis@businessservicessolutions.com or visit www.kiwanisclubofblairsville.org. About the Local Scholarship Campaign: More than 150 students from the surrounding counties of Towns, Union, Fannin and Gilmer in Georgia and Cherokee and Clay in North Carolina are currently enrolled at Young Harris College. Reflecting a commitment by the College and the local community to these students, the Local Scholarship Campaign was established to raise funds to support the educational goals of local students at Young Harris College. The Young Harris College Board of Associates, a 29-member group of local business and civic leaders who serve as ambassadors for

(1834) census, but by 1840 there were three families of Ledfords, that of Benjamin with nine members at that time, that of Thomas with eight in his household, William, with ten, and George with eight. The total population of Ledfords in Union in 1840 numbered thirty-five. Whether Benjamin, Thomas, William and George were related, maybe brothers or cousins, I did not uncover. Maybe readers and descendants of some of the first four Ledford families can add some light on this puzzle. Because I did easily find informa-

tion on Benjamin J. Ledford and some of his descendants, this will be the present focus. Ledford is an interesting surname. English, deriving from the Anglo-Saxon, it is what we call a habitation name, or a name derived from the place where the first lived bearing this name. The prefix, spelled variously “Hlude� “Lud,� “Lyd,� and later “Led� (and add to that earlier “Latch�) come from the Anglo-Saxon and means “loud, fast-flowing river.� Suffix of “Forde� meaning a shallow place for crossing the river, the name,

See Scholarship, page 6A

By GOV. SONNY PERDUE Colunmist

Governor Sonny Perdue appointed Frank C. Jones as the pro bono Special Attorney General to direct Georgia’s participation in challenging the federal health care legislation recently passed by Congress. Georgia is joining the lawsuit filed by 18 other states in federal court in Florida at no cost to the state. "The importance of this legal challenge demands the very best representation possible and that is exactly what the state is receiving from Frank C. Jones," said Governor Perdue. "Frank is one of the best and most respected lawyers in the state. We are grateful he recognizes the importance of this challenge and is taking up the cause on behalf of Georgians." Jones is currently Of Counsel at Jones, Cork & Miller in Macon, a firm at which he practiced from 1950 to 1977. From 1977 to 2001, Jones was a Partner at King & Spalding in Atlanta. His professional involvement includes past service as President of the American College of Trial See Perdue, page 3A

then, described the people from the shallow place beside the loudflowing river. They were identified by where they lived. Later, rivers themselves got names, so those who dwelt by them might receive the name of the river itself with the addition of the suffix ford, to indicate they lived near the river crossing. What we know as Ledford originated around Somerset and Devonshire in England. In Anglo-Saxon records as early as 997, families named Lydford lived in Devonshire. Ludesfords were listSee Mists, page 3A

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CO LU MNS & O P I N I O NS

By Jim Fitzgerald Sentinel Columnist

LEANING LEFT

Do you remember the movie called The Producers? The downand-out director was fleecing little old women by selling them shares in his next play. Of course, he grossly oversold the number of shares and had to look for a play that was sure to fail. That way, he got to pocket the money and “comfort� the little women over their poor luck. They never knew the game was rigged – until the play turned out to be wildly successful. I was reminded of this play upon finding that Goldman Sachs, the most trusted and admired Wall Street investment firm, was charged with rigging the investment game against its own clients. The firm has been charged with bundling very poor investment grade debt and selling it to their clients, all the while collaborating with a hedge fund manager, with whom they jointly selected the poor investments to bundle, and knowing this manager was betting the debt would go into default. The hedge fund manager made over one billion dollars in 2008 while Goldman Sachs clients took a severe beating in the financial markets. According to the Wall Street Journal, these charges may prove to be the tip of the iceberg for many of the top investment firms on Wall Street. Most people are probably not surprised by this reckless and unethical behavior as we have come to expect our financial system to be overloaded with greed. Since the repeal of

the Glass-Steagall Act in 1999, institutions that previously were prohibited from engaging in both commercial and investment banking were allowed to merge and expand into any type of financial transaction. The floodgates of hell were opened and it only took ten years before they brought this country to its knees. The Democrats are trying to address the financial abuses of Wall Street and to prevent another financial collapse. After the banking collapse of 1929, Congress passed the Glass-Steagall Act in 1932 and 1933 (two different acts addressing the banking system and named after the sponsors, Carter Glass, D-VA, and Henry Steagall, D-AL) and the effect was to regulate banking. The provisions of both acts were successful until its shortsighted repeal in 1999. For what appear to be specious reasons, Republicans are opposed to the Democratic plans to re-regulate the financial industry. The main reason Republicans say they oppose the proposed regulations is that they will lead to more taxpayer bailouts of Wall Street. They are referring to a provision that requires financial firms to pay into a $50 billion fund that would be used to wind down any too-big-to-fail firm that was collapsing, thus preventing a taxpayer bailout. The industry is being charged to bail itself out so that taxpayers no longer are forced to repeat the bailouts of 2008, a most distasteful matter. This “bailout fund� is little different from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) that was created in 1932. Banks pay into the FDIC

and that money is used to handle failing banks, of which Georgia has had an abundance since 2008. The FDIC is no more a taxpayer bailout for the banks than is the proposed bailout fund for large financial institutions. In my opinion, too many Democrats and Republicans in Congress are beholding to Wall Street. It will be a miracle is substantial reregulation is passed but at least the Democratic plan, though weak, is stronger than the Republican plan. Republicans have decided, even on important matters like this, to continue to be the Party of No, or as Sarah Palin says, hell no. They are making a big mistake taking the side of Wall Street – and make no mistake about it, that is exactly what they are doing. Main Street plays second fiddle in the Republican Party. For the life of me, I cannot understand the Republican worship of free markets. They speak of the wisdom of the markets and how free markets will regulate themselves, as if free markets have a mind of their own. However, men run the markets, rig the markets, defraud the markets, and pursue greed without regard to ethics or morality. We must have the markets, but we need transparency, honesty, and ethical behavior. It is a sad commentary on man that regulations are necessary to curb unbridled greed. I would hope Congress would re-pass the GlassSteagall Acts of 1932 and 1933 and be done with it. These acts worked well for over 60 years; bring them back. Let us separate commercial from investment banking for the last time.

graduates. A former professor remembers that he easily aced the class he taught in foreign affairs. A school publication contained an article written by Obama. A former roommate has also come forward with information about their time there. And finally, there is no way Obama would have been admitted to Harvard Law School without having graduated from somewhere! The second email claimed that Obama had cancelled the 2009 National Day of Prayer, held each year by Christians throughout the country, and then sanctioned a National Day of Prayer for Muslims on Capitol Hill. This time I went to www.snopes.com and checked it out. The National Day of Prayer was not cancelled. Obama did decide not to have the public White House ceremony which was held annually during the eight years of the Bush administration. Instead, he signed a proclamation announcing the day of prayer and urged Americans everywhere to pray for their country and leaders. There was never a publicly-sanctioned National Day of Prayer for Muslims. There was a privately organized event for Muslims to pray for America that took place in the nation’s capital in September of 2009. A little something called freedom of speech allows them to do that, just as it allows Christians to gather around the flagpoles in communities all over America on the National Day of Prayer. We Christians had better not try to take that right away from others, because if we do, it will soon be taken away from us. Frankly, what we know about Obama is enough to worry me –

I don’t need people going around making stuff up! I don’t buy all these conspiracy theories and outlandish accusations. There are well-respected conservative journalists like George Will and William Kristol who would be all over these stories if there were anything to them. Occasionally, bloggers do uncover stories that turn out to be true and eventually get picked up by the mainstream media (like the ACORN scandal). Until that happens, it seems to me we should ignore rumors and speculation. Such falsehoods are spread by members of both political parties. Another email that made the rounds a few years ago claimed that President George W. Bush had the lowest IQ of any president from the past fifty years. This information supposedly came from a study by an organization that does not even exist. It listed the twelve presidents that have served in the past 50 years in their order of IQ. Interestingly, all those with top IQ’s were Democrats, with Bill Clinton having the highest one of all! I used to just delete these emails, but I am now engaged in a campaign to stamp out ignorance. As soon as I get one, I check it out on sites such as Snopes or www. factcheck.org. Then I send the link to the person who forwarded me the email and suggest that they check out future emails for themselves. The Internet provides a wealth of valuable information. Unfortunately, it is also the source of rumors and outright lies. We all need to make it our personal responsibility to verify information before we pass it on to others.

SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE

By Paula Canup Sentinel Columnist

In last week’s column, I urged both Democrats and Republicans to tone down the rhetoric, stick to the facts, and have civil debates about the serious challenges we face as a nation. I also mentioned that people should stop the spread of false and malicious emails. Well, it so happened I was on the receiving end of two such emails this week. I seem to get a lot of those in my inbox, and since most, though by no means all of my friends and family are quite conservative, the vast majority of what I receive is aimed at Obama and the Democrats in Congress. The first email suggested that Barack Obama never actually attended Columbia University where he claims to have graduated in 1983 before attending Harvard Law School. It said that NO ONE has ever come forward who actually remembers being there with him. Mysteriously, Obama has refused to release his transcript from the school or any of the papers he wrote while in attendance. This dearth of information has led to wild speculation on the part of ultraconservatives. Did he lie about his education? It took me less than three minutes to type “Obama Columbia University� into Google, and right away, I was directed to a web site that debunks urban legends and other falsehoods. It turns out it is true that Obama has never released any papers from his time at Columbia, making it appear that he has something to hide. However, it is NOT true that no one remembers him from his time at the school. Columbia claims him as one of their

EDITOR'S INBOX If the Census Bureau knows that 65% of all Americans have returned their Census form why couldn't they take that data and extrapolate it up to 100% thereby saving all that money trying to get the last 35%? After all, market research firms can take small samples and deliver results with accuracy rate of +/- 3%. Surely a 65% sample would be much more accurate. Patrick Malone

RECLINING RIGHT

By James F. Davis Sentinel Columnist

Leah Ward Sears is believed to be on President Obama’s short list for the US Supreme Court due to the recently announced retirement plans of Justice Stevens. I was invited by my daughter to a reception for Sears, then Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. Ward Sears is the first female chief justice in the United States and the first African American in Georgia to be elected to state wide office. My daughter works for Cornell University and was arranging a meeting of Alumni in the Atlanta area with the Chief Justice, a Cornell graduate. My daughter’s invitation was contingent on my promising to NOT ask any questions until the cameras were off. Ward Sears gave a passionate discussion including the breakdown of the black family and the need for more government funding to teach black fathers to be more responsible. During her presentation, she blamed Ronald Reagan for the breakdown of the black family. I asked her why she blamed

Ronald Reagan. She said that he was governor of California when no-fault divorce was passed by the CA state legislature. I replied, “The breakdown of the family is not just a black problem. You mentioned in your speech that by 1972, 70 percent of all black children were being born out of wedlock. Well today more than 25% of all white children are also born out of wedlock.� “In 1965, the year that the Great Society legislation was passed, less than 10% of black children were born out of wedlock and 80% of all black children lived in a home with two parents. But that legislation destroyed that because the government gave a 14-year-old girl who got pregnant and had a child out of wedlock, a free separate dwelling away from her parents, free food, medical and dental services plus money for expenditures. It gave an incentive to be irresponsible.� “Until people recognize what caused the problem, it will never be fixed.� She actually fell back and put her hands up as if to protect herself and kept repeating, “I could not disagree with you more!� But it appeared to me that she had never

heard that argument and was processing it. One of the biggest problems I find with Liberals is that they have been so indoctrinated and self-isolated that they are not even aware that philosophical opponents might have a fact based logical point of view. They really have no idea what conservatives actually think. Typical of many Liberals, the topic was immediately changed and I was interrogated. Being the only white person left in the group, I was asked “What do you think the about the Reverends Jackson and Sharpton?� I replied without hesitation, “They are pimp extortionists and if I were black I would be ashamed to think that anyone would consider that they represent me!� There was a long uncomfortable silence until a black woman blurted out, “Thank you, thank you, finally a white man who is not afraid to speak the truth.� You would be surprised what will happen when you refuse to keep quiet about politically incorrect off limit topics. Someone might learn something.

YOUR HEALTH MATTERS

My daddy would tell me, “It’s because you are so sweet!� Not since I was a little girl, living in Florida, has anything enjoyed my sweetness as much as they (?) have since moving to the mountains. To my knowledge, all I did was walk across my yard and now I’m covered in red, itching, annoying welts. Folks tell me that I have a good case of CHIGGER BITES, also known as redbugs. One of my neighbors said, “In Alabama, we called them no-see-ums.� Probably no creature on earth can cause as much torment for its size than the minute chigger! They are so small that most cannot be seen without a magnifying glass— unless when they are grouped together in large numbers and then appear red in color. I decided to do some research on the itchy chigger! Chiggers are the larvae of the harvest mite, Trombicula alfreddugesi. The eight-legged adult harvest mites are bright red and are seen crawling over the soil surface when one is spading the garden during the warm days of springtime. They look like small velvety red spiders. In the early spring, these adult mites lay eggs in the soil that hatch into the larval chigger stage. After hatching, chigger larvae climb up onto vegetation from which they can more readily snag a passing host The larval chigger moves very quickly on the plants and ground and crawls onto feet or legs. On its host, the chigger usually moves about until it reaches a place where it is somewhat confined, such as around ankles, under socks, or behind knees. When people sit on chigger-infested ground, frequently they may get severe chigger bites around the waistline or in the crotch area, especially under belts and elastic

By Claudia Parks RN Columnist

bands of underwear. Chigger larvae do not burrow into the skin, nor suck blood. Ticks feed on blood; chiggers do not. Chiggers are not known to transmit any disease in this country. The chigger has a special mouthpart for feeding. A chigger’s saliva will at first harden the walls of the hole made by the mouthpart. This hardening gives the chigger a “straw� to use for feeding and prevents our body from closing off the hole made by this pest. Once the chigger has made its hole, (often around a hair follicle) and inject a fluid that prevents blood from clotting, it can now feed. Its saliva will actually liquefy our skin cells, which the bug now uses for food. The fluid causes tissues to be inflamed; each bite has a characteristic red welt with a white, hard central area. The inflamed tissues effectively camouflage the tiny red chigger in the center of the itching bump. The chemicals or proteins in a chigger’s saliva will cause itching in the area where the tiny red bug feeds. This itching is delayed; we sense intense itching about 24 to 48 hours after being exposed to chigger bites. Some itching might

be detected in 3 or 4 hours but the worst sensations a day or two later. Skin Care: After returning from a chigger-infested area, launder the field clothes in hot soapy water. Infested clothes should not be worn again until they are properly laundered. As soon as possible, take a good hot bath or shower and soap repeatedly. The chiggers may be dislodged, but you will still have the enzymes causing the severe itch. For temporary relief of itching, apply hydrocortisone crème, calamine lotion, benzocaine; menthol or pramoxine anti-itch cream may be soothing. Keep bite areas clean and treat three times daily. At bedtime, take an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which can both relieve nighttime itching and help you sleep. The “paintingâ€? of bites with clear nail polish to destroy the chigger is probably not effective. By the time the bite itches, the chigger has already fed and dropped off. See your doctor if you suffer an allergic reaction (such as hives) to chigger bites or if over-the counter treatments fail to relieve severe itching or if you develop a secondary bacterial infection. Next week I’ll give more information on avoiding and elimination of chiggers. Claudia Parks, RN, is a former doctor’s office and emergency room nurse and retired as an educator from Fulton County (GA) Schools. She writes Your Health Matters as a public service; the information here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Claudia and her husband make their home in the beautiful north Georgia Mountains, near Blairsville. Claudia can be reached at yhm@windstream.net

Activity is all about us; too much, sometimes, for peace of mind. How can stillness and calmness permeate an excess of activity? The Psalmist had the right idea: “Be still and know that I am God.� (Ps. 46:10) How can repose be turned into vibrancy and aliveness? Are we not speaking of dichotomies here, opposites, contradictory states? But to be still in activity and vibrantly alive in repose bespeak a mind-set without excess worry and with confidence in self and in outcomes. The center is in balance. May we return to the center. -Ethelene Dyer Jones

“You must learn to be still in the midst of activity, and to be vibrantly alive in repose.� -Indiri Gandhi

Worth Considering... A Thought for Today

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PUBLISHER: Frank Bradley EDITOR: Jacob Harris EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Debbie Walker CIRCULATION: Debbie Walker BOOKKEEPING: Pat McCollum

Continued from page 1A

06/12/1864), a daughter of Porter and Martha Morgan Ownbey. A land deed for 123 purchased acres along Hominy Creek in Buncombe County, North Carolina was registered to Benjamin Ledford in 1829. In 1832, he added another 100 acres to his holdings. The town of Candler, NC was founded on land held by Benjamin. But, like many of their neighbors, Benjamin and Grace Ownbey decided to migrate to the mountains of North Georgia when Cherokee lands opened up for white settlers. He sold his land in North Carolina in 1839 and moved to Union County, Georgia to acreage he secured on Ivy Log Creek. There he erected a log cabin, cleared the land for farming. There this couple reared their large family of twelve children: Hannah (1819) Josiah (1820), Silas L. (1822), Sarah Mareilla (called Sallie, 1824), Martha M. (named for Grace’s mother, 1826), Porter L. (named for Grace’s father, 1827), Amy Vianna (1830), John C. (named for Benjamin’s father, 1832), Carolina L. (1834), Patterson (1835), Benjamin Mercer (first name for his father, 1838), and Pinckney (1840). Grace Ownbey Ledford died in 1864, during the Civil War, and was buried at the Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery, Gum Log District of Union County. Grace

lived to see all of her children reach adulthood except for the youngest, Pinckney, born in 1840, who was fourteen when his mother passed. Benjamin, widowed, married the second time in Union County to Sarah Salena Chapman Miller, widow of Civil War soldier Henry Miller. Their marriage took place September 18, 1868. Salena was much younger than Benjamin (04/18/1837 – 06/24/1920). Salena’s parents were Solomon and Adeline Odom Chapman. Three children were born to Benjamin and Salena: Solomon S. (1870), Mary (1873) and William (1875). The birth of these three later in Benjamin’s life brought his total number of known children to fifteen. Benjamin J. Ledford died March 24, 1892, having reached the advanced age of ninety-two. He was laid to rest beside his first wife, Grace, in the Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery, Gum Log. Salena lived until June 24, 1920. She, too, was buried in the Ebenezer Cemetery. Lives and exploits of some of the fifteen of Benjamin Ledford’s children will be explored in subsequent articles. This pioneer and his descendants, whose surname meant from ancient times “dweller beside the loud, roaring river,� made a difference in the early life of Union and other counties where they migrated.

Perfect legislation for the recession By Sen. Jim Butterworth Columnist

We are now in the homestretch of a long legislative season. The Senate and House confirmed that the last day of the 2010 Legislative Session will be April 29. With this looming deadline, comes the stark realization that we still have much work left to do. Major legislation was deliberated under the Gold Dome this week that will aid a financially weary Georgia to emerge from the dark tunnel of a budget crisis. We passed a massive tax relief package affecting nearly every Georgian. House Bill 1055 is called by some as the Georgia Taxpayer Relief Act of 2010. You deserve a fair and honest tax system, not one that over taxes and forces you to subsidize the activities of others. The measure eliminates, by phase-out, the taxes on all senior retirement income. Once fully enacted the tax cut is expected to be more than $250 million per year. It also eliminates the state ad valorem property tax. This is a triumph for property owners, as the state will no longer be involved in taxing property. The State of Georgia currently levies an ad valorem tax on all property, and is a component of local property tax bills. Removing the state ad valorem tax will have no effect on counties, cities and school funding.

Another component of the bill decreases taxpayer burdens by updating antiquated state fees. When a fee does not cover the cost of the service provided, Georgia taxpayers shoulder the excess cost of the activities when they are not participants. Clearly, something is not right. In addition, if this measure had not passed, the General Assembly would have been forced to cut an additional $100 million in critical areas of education, healthcare and public safety. To put it in perspective, this is a total of nine teacher furlough days we are saving. Some of the fees that will be implemented are currently a burden to Georgia’s taxpayers. For example, we’ll impose a $150 fee for individuals appealing DUI license suspensions, rather than the state covering costs of such a proceeding. This will save taxpayers three million per year and is essentially a way to raise funds on a more voluntary basis, rather than a sweeping increase in taxes. Finally, this measure creates a 1.45 percent hospital fee to fund the state Indigent Care Trust Fund. Because it was proposed by the hospitals themselves, and supported by all hospitals in the 50th Senate District, I had no reservations in supporting this legislation. All funds raised will go straight into the Indigent Care Trust Fund, which will be used to

provide medical care for Georgia’s children and poor. Not one dollar from the hospital fee will go into the state General Fund. The Indigent Care Trust Fund will prevent major cuts to Medicaid funding and help keep open at least thirty Georgia hospitals that were rumored to close without financial assistance. The fee has potential to earn the state over $200 million dollars and it maximizes Medicaid dollars to receive an additional $500 million of federal dollars for state Medicaid. Hospitals are supporting this bill because while they do pay the fee, they will get a higher reimbursement rate from the Medicaid patients they see. Another major milestone was achieved when the House passed the FY 2011 budget to the Senate this week. Passing a balanced budget is our one constitutional obligation during the legislative session. Now that the Senate has the budget, we will review and adjust it so that we are passing the budget that works best for Georgians. As always, I am proud to serve my constituents of the 50th district of Georgia and I continue to work on your behalf. While we are nearing the end of the legislative session, I invite you to continue sharing your thoughts with me. I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful weather Georgia offers this time of year!

April 11, 2010 Norma Louise Szczepanski arrested for driving w/lic suspended or revoked 2nd (city)

April 16, 2010 Joel Anthony Bonanno arrested for open container; failure to maintain lane; DUI 1st offense

Rafael Salazar Hernandez arrested for driving while unlicensed

Frankie Lee Freeman arrested for DUI 1st offense; tail-light reqirement; failure to maintain lane; driving w/lic suspended or revoked 1st

Michael Brandon Efird arrested for possession of marijuana less than 1 oz; driving while unlicensed; passing within 200 ft of oncoming traffic; passing on hill or curve; passing in no passing zone (5 counts); speeding in excess of maximum limits (2 counts); aggrevated assault; crossing guard lines with weapons/drugs/intoxicants; fleeing/attempting to elude (1 in 10 yrs) April 12, 2010 Christopher Alexander Dockery arrested for child support April 14, 2010 Joshua Luke Jenkins arrested for battery Adam James Dye arrested for battery (FV); disorderly conduct (2 counts) Angela Renee Petty arrested for interferance with a 911 call; battery Lori Claudette Miller arrested for obstruction of officer; giving false info to LE Myron Reed Shupe arrested for aggravated stalking April 15, 2010 Patrick Cody Hamil arrested for no proof of insurance; speeding in excess of maimum limits Candace Sky Phillips arrested for deposit account fraud Eric Joseph legendre arrested for probation violation Danny Gary Patterson arrested for use of communication facilty in committing or fracturing a crime (2 counts); possession of marijuana; poss and use of drug related objects; drugs not in original container; unlawful to purchase, possess, or have control of any controlled substance Michael James Goode arrested for manufacture, distribute, dispense, sell controlled sustance (4 counts); distribution of marijuana; use of communikcation facility in committing or fracturing a crime

Call (828) 389-8338

Samantha Danielle Edmonds arrested for underage consumption Mary Ann Green arrested for contributing to the deliquency of a minor Mary Elisabeth Plott arrested for tag light required (city); driving w/lic suspended or revoked 1st (city) Ronald James Beck arrested for deadly weapon at public gathering Christopher Wayne Bostick serving time Tammy Darnell Barnes arrested for failure to maintain lane (city); DUI 1st offense (city); driivng w/lic suspended or revoked 1st (city) April 17, 2010 Jonathan Emanuel Dayton arrested for probation violation April 18, 2010 Alejandro Potenciano Archumdia arrested for driivng while unlicensed; failure to maintain lane Steven Richard Gutierrez arrested for DUI under 21; statutory rape; furnishing alcohol to minor; aggravated child molestation; child molestation Tatiana Marie Gromova arrested for parole violation; financial transaction card fraud (11 counts); financial identity fraud (2 counts); theft by taking; VGCSA possession Christopher Earl Golden arrested for reckless driivng; speeding 15-19 miles over speed limit; passing in no passing zone James Arthur Jones arrested for theft by shoplifting Frankie Jeanette Bowling arrested theft by shoplifting Chad Edward Anderson arrested for deposit account fraud (7 counts)

Perdue: Continued from page 1A

Lawyers, President of the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society, 22-year member of the House of Delegates for the American Bar Association, President of the State Bar of Georgia and Member of the American Law Institute. Jones also currently serves as Trustee Emeritus of Emory University and Trustee of Wesleyan College in Macon. "I am honored by Governor Perdue selecting me to lead Georgia’s team and I look forward to adding our state’s perspective to the others that have joined this challenge," Jones said. Governor Perdue also appointed the following Georgia attorneys as deputy Special Attorneys General: Mike Russ, retired Partner at King & Spalding; Jason Alloy and

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CORRECTIONS: If you find a mistake of fact in the Union Sentinel that is serious enough to warrant a correction or clarification, call or stop in so we can make it right in the next week's edition. Email us at union@georgiaSentinel.com

Union County Arrest Report April 11- April 18, 2010

Mists: ed in the Domesday Book of 1086. A John Lodeford applied in London in 1450 for a marriage license. William Ludford married Vertue Rocker at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent in 1669. Further anglicized, the prefix became “Led� with the addition of the suffix “ford.� The ancestors of Union County’s Benjamin J. Ledford (02/03/1800 – 03/24/1892) have been traced to a John Ledford who settled in North Carolina prior to the Revolutionary War. His son, John, Jr., the father of Benjamin, fought in the Revolution, thus giving this family ties back to that important event in American history. John Ledford, Jr. had rather extensive land holdings in Buncombe County, North Carolina on Hominy Creek. Therein is seen that tendency still, probably ingrained since Anglo-Saxon times, of Ledfords settling and clearing land near a “loud flowing stream�—creek or river. John, Jr. (wife’s name unknown) had six children, four sons and two daughters, listed in the 1800 census in Burke County, NC, but names of these six, except for Benjamin, are unknown to this writer. Who knows? Maybe the four Ledfords in Union County, Georgia in 1840 were brothers. We can only wonder until this is uncovered and proved. Benjamin Ledford married first Grace Ownbey (07/30/1799 –

828-389-8338

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the address listed below: Union Sentinel, PO Box 1996, Blairsville, GA 30514.

Josh Belinfante of RobbinsLaw LLC; Pitts Carr of Carr & Palmer; John Parker and Keith Blackwell of Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP; and Mercer University law professor David Oedel. These lawyers will also serve the state on a pro bono basis. Other Georgia attorneys have offered to assist with the challenge, and may

participate as the case requires. Other states involved in the lawsuit include Florida, South Carolina, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Louisiana, Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Indiana, North Dakota, Mississippi, Nevada, and Arizona. Virginia is pursuing its own litigation.

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UNION SENTINEL ‡ 7KXUVGD\ $SULO

C A L E NDA R Union: Upcoming Events .Union General

Hospital Auxiliary Experience the Frenzy! Masquerade $5.00 Jewelry and Accessories SALE. Monday, May 3, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm. Held at the Union General Hospital— Old Lobby. Sponsored by the UGH Auxiliary to raise funds for scholarships and special needs at the hospital and nursing home. Cash and credit cards accepted.

We appreciate your support! Old Union Baptist Church You are invited to our Revival starting Sunday, April 25 with services at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM; services on Monday 26th, Tues 27th and Wed 28th will begin at 7:00 PM. Our guest speaker is Rev. Johnny Foster, a native of Ranger, Cherokee County, North

Carolina. He has been blessed with three sons (one a Pastor in Maiden, NC) and three grandchildren. Rev. Foster is current Senior Pastor of Truett Memorial Baptist, Hayesville, NC. Rev. Foster attended Fruitland Bible Institute of Hendersonville, NC and has pastored a number of churches in Western North Carolina to include Mt. Pisgah at Warne. He has preached over

70 revivals and led in church renewal. He has been involved in Mission work in Germany, Africa and the Philippines. Special singing is scheduled each night and will include: Emily and Steven Phillips and the Friendship Choir, Ms. Pam Corn, Ms. Joy Squires, and the Truett Memorial Baptist Choir. Old Union Baptist Church is located on Highway 76, Young Harris GA .Blairsville Garden Club The Public is invited to the annual Blairsville Garden Club

and abused animals. Just 4 hours to walk dogs. Just 4 hours to groom dogs or cats. Just 4 house to clean the cattery. Just 4 hours to transBuilding & New Hope Counseling tice or business in the area. Meet- port dogs and/or cats to the vet. If at 71 Hospital St. ings are held every Tuesday of the you have just 4 hours a week to Wednesdays - 6 p.m. Open discus- month at 8 a.m. at Grinds N Glazes volunteer your time and energy, Road to Recovery sion meeting at Union County Avi- in Blairsville. For more informa- please contact Castaway Critters Are you a cancer patient? Do you ta Community Partners. 41 Hospi- tion, please contact Susanne John- at 706-781-3992 or call Martha at need a ride to and from your treat- tal St., Suite 100, Blairsville. son, President, at 706-781-1678 or 706-379-2729. ment sessions? A lack of transpor- Fridays - 8 p.m. Open discussion Cathy Wheeler at 706-781-1050. Trout Unlimited tation should not be the reason why meeting at Union County Annex & Ga. Mtn. Writers Club Trout Unlimited meets the 2nd cancer patients do not receive the New Hope Counseling, 71 Hospi- We meet 10 a.m. to noon the second Thursday of each month at Calife-saving cancer treatment they tal St. Wednesday of the month at the St. dence Bank conference room in need. The American Cancer Soci- All the meetings are open & any- Francis of Assisi Catholic church Blairsville at 7:00 p.m. For more ety offers their Road to Recovery one can attend. For more informa- on the Young Harris Highway. information, please call Marcus program to help transport cancer tion regarding any of these meet- We have no membership dues or Tuschel at 706-835-9010. patients to and from their treat- ings, please call 706-897-9775, HOHFWHG RIÀFHUV DQG PHHW WR VKDUH Experimental Aircraft Associament. The Society has a toll-free 706-896-6263 or 706-745-4066. our writings and provide helpful tion number that you may call, and an Bereavement criticism, inspiration, motivation The Experimental Aircraft Associoperator will put you in touch with Support Group and encouragement to each other. ation - local tri-state EAA Chapter local volunteers that give cancer Meeting Everyone is welcome. You do not #1211 meets the third Thursday, 7 patients without personal transpor- Welcome to a community bereave- have to be a writer - just visit and p.m. of each month at Blairsville tation rides to and from their can- ment support group. A place to enjoy listening to readings and dis- airport. For more information, cer treatment sessions. Give them share your thoughts and feelings cussion. You will be entertained – contact Jim Olson at 828-557a call at 1-800-ACS-2345. and grow together with others and maybe acquire a new interest. 2446. Man to Man who have experienced the loss of Call for information: Larry Casey Shooting Creek Prostate Cancer Support Group— a loved one. First Thursday of ev- at 781-6636 or Ellie Dobson at Basket Weavers 3rd Monday of every month from ery month at United Community 745-0678. Knights of Columbus, The Shooting Creek Basket Weav5:00-6:30 p.m. at The Cancer Bank, Small Community Room, North Georgia Council Knights of ers Guild meets on the 2nd Wed. Treatment Center Auditorium, 750 Blairsville from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 Columbus, North Georgia Council, of each month from 9:45 until 2:00 Deep South Road, Blairsville. p.m.We will only meet once per monthly meeting is on the second at the Shooting Creek Community Parkinson’s support month. Facilitator: Suzanne Repp, Thursday of the month and meets &HQWHU ÀUH VWDWLRQ LQ 1& 5HOur group meets at 3 p.m. on the LCSW. The group is presented 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi freshments are served and a busi2nd Wednesday of each month in by Regency Hospice and is free Catholic Church in Blairsville. All ness meeting is held before a weavthe conference room of the Union of charge. Please call 1-800-577- active members are invited to at- ing project is presented. For more County Public Library. For further 8791 or 706-896-1251 for more tend the meeting and social hour. information, contact Joan (Guild information contact Paula Wilde at information. Bagpipe Instruction president) at 706-896-1534. (706) 745- 6594 or Peter and Hel- Young Harris Al Anon The Appalachian Saint Andrew’s UC Republican Party en Schultze at (706) 745-9171. The Young Harris Al Anon Family Pipes and Drums bagpipe band The Union County Republican Alcoholics Group will meet at 12 Noon every is offering free instruction to all Party holds its monthly meetAnonymous Tuesday in Young Harris, Ga., at who want to learn how to play the ings on the third Saturday of each Blairsville group meets every Sharp Memorial United Method- Great Highland Bagpipe or learn month at Victoria’s Sweet Shop. Monday and Wednesday night at ist Church, Room 105. For more Regimental Drumming. The band Meetings begin at 9am and have 8 p.m. and Saturday mornings at 8 information, please call 706-781- meets each Saturday from 9:30 an optional breakfast for $6. More a.m. at the Mountain Presbyterian 3158. a.m. to 12 noon in the Parish Hall information can be found at www. Church on Hwy. 515. For more in- Your Journey From of Saint Clare’s Episcopal Church uniongop.org. formation call 706-994-4462. Mourning to Joy for instruction and practice. For Tri-State Business T.O.P.S. GriefShare is a Biblically-based further information, please call Women TOPS (Take Pounds Off Sensibly) weekly support group for people 706-835-9071 or 706-745-3526. Women business owners in the trisupport group is moving to a new grieving the death of someone Mountain High state area are welcome to attend location at Zion United Methodist close. It’s a place where you can Hiker's Schedule and join our weekly meeting every Church, 4812 Young Harris Hwy. be around people who understand Mountain High Hikers schedule Tuesday at 8am. Meetings are held Time weigh in 5:00; meeting starts how you feel and the pain of your two hikes each Tuesday, occasion- at the Blairsville Restaurant with at 5:30. Come join us to learn how loss. At GriefShare, you’ll learn ally specialty hike, and regular trail breakfast available to those interto lose weight the sensible way. valuable information that will help maintaining trips- all in the beauti- ested. Come and see how women Membership fee of $24 includes \RX WKURXJK WKLV GLIÀFXOW WLPH LQ ful mountains of North Carolina are making an impact as leaders in monthly magazine subscription. your life. and Georgia. our community. For more informaMonthly awards and contests, A GriefShare group meets ev- Check the web site: Mountain- tion visit www.tri-statebusinessweekly programs on nutrition and ery Tuesday, from 6:30 to 8:30 HighHikers.org for schedule and women.com. health. For more information call p.m. starting September 1, at All meeting locations or call 828-389- Republican Women Sandy at 706-835-1607. Saints Lutheran Church in Blairs- 8240 for information. Of Union County Morning Coffee ville. Call 706 745-7777 for more Kiwanis Club The RWUC meets the fourth TuesGroup information. The Kiwanis Club of Blairsville is day of each month at 7pm. MeetRegency Hospice announces dedicated to serving and support- ings are held in the Brackett Room Men’s Morning Coffee Group at ing young people in the immedi- at the United Community Bank. Mary Ann’s Restaurant. For men ate area around Blairsville through For more information visit www. who have a lost spouse, partner, GWRRA meets numerous projects. The Kiwanis RepublicanWomenOfUnion.org. or experienced other losses and Chapter J of the Gold Wing Road Club meets at the Cobb’s Mill Mothers of would like to share with other Riders Association (GWRRA) restaurant in Blairsville at 12:00 Preschoolers men, please join us on Tuesday at meets the fourth Saturday of each Noon each Monday. Come join in 0236 ,QWHUQDWLRQDO D QRQ SURÀW D P :H PHHW WKH ÀUVW DQG WKLUG month at Daniel’s Steakhouse, the fun with us. For more infor- mothering organization, creates Tuesday morning of each month. Hiawassee, GA. We eat at 11 AM mation, contact President Charlie communities and resources to help For more information call Su- followed by the meeting at 12:00 Krick at (706)781-6793. make "better moms who make a zanne Repp, Bereavement Coun- during which rides and other activ- DAV better world." A MOPS group is a selor at Regency Hospice in Hia- ities are announced and discussed. The Disabled American Veterans place where moms can come-just wassee, Ga., at 800-577-8791. We encourage current members meet monthly on the second Mon- as they are-to build friendships, reCancer Support of the GWRRA and anyone inter- day of each month at noon in the ceive mothering support, practical Group ested in becoming a member to Old Nursing Home, Room 116, in help and spiritual hope. Join us At the United Community Bank in join us. All motorcyclists are wel- Blairsville. Please join them. because better moms, make a betHayesville, N.C. Patients, fami- come and we look forward to see- Club 180 for Teens ter world! Visit us at www.MOPS. lies and friends are all welcome to ing participants from other chap- Join us on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. org attend. United Community Bank ters. There are great rides coming for fellowship, fun and snacks at Mothers of Preschoolers meets on is located at the corner of Hwy. 64 up and we hope many of you will Choestoe Baptist Church, 4455 the Third Thursday of each month and Hwy. 69. Meeting time is 6:00 join us. Choestoe Church Rd., located in the new fellowship hall at First p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The group will For further information, contact south of Blairsville off Hwy. 129 Baptist Church of Blairsville from meet twice a month (on the 2nd Chapter Director, June Gottlieb, and Hwy. 180. For more informa- SP &DOO WKH FKXUFK RIÀFH DW and 4th Mondays). For more in- 706-896-7403 tion and directions, please call the 706-745-2469 for more informaformation, please call Janet Curns Tri-State Business church at 706-745-6370. tion or email us at mopsofblairsevenings at 828-389-0295. Mountain Sounds Women ville@gmail.com. Narcotics Formerly known as Business We meet every 2nd & 4th Tuesday Smokie Mountain Anonymous Weekly Women of Blairsville, the Tri-State from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30p.m. at the Melodies Meetings List Business Women is an organization Senior Center in Blairsville. No Smokie Mountain Melodies is a laMondays - 7 p.m. 12-Step meeting of entrepreneurial women in Geor- matter if you just started playing dies barbershop-style chorus whose at Union County Annex Building gia, North Carolina and Tennessee the dulcimer or if you are expe- PHPEHUV FRPH IURP ÀYH FRXQWLHV located at 71 Hospital Street. This who own and operate their own rienced, come join us for a good in North Georgia and Western is an open meeting. Union County businesses and are a positive force time playing your favorite songs North Carolina. As a chapter of Anti-Drug Coalition. in the community. Their vision and and learning new songs. For more Sweet Adelines International, the Tuesdays - 4 p.m. Open discus- mission is to support one another information, please contact LaDale chorus is committed to a goal of sion meeting at Towns County in continuing success through net- at 706-835-1688 or raydale@ advancing the musical art form of Avita Community Partners. Meet working and marketing. windstream.net. Hope to see you barbershop harmony through eduat 1100 Jack Dayton Circle, Young If you are a woman in business in at our next meeting! cation and performances. Harris, Ga. the area, there is a place for you Just 4 Hours Smokie Mountain Melodies meets Tuesdays - 7 p.m. Discussion to receive support, gain leads, and Just 4 hours a week can make a big every Tuesday night at 6:30 at the meeting at Union County Annex spread the word about your prac- difference in caring for abandoned First United Methodist of Union

Union: Recurring Events SUPPORT

ACTIVITIES

plant sale at the United Methodist Church, 938 Highway 515 on Saturday, April 24. This annual event begins at 8:00 and ends at 4:00. Look for the big blue United Community Bank tents and the large tables loaded with blooming goodies. The “Gardening with Heart and Soil� Seminar will take place inside the church facility for registered guests, but the plants are for sale to the public as well as seminar attendees. All of the perennials and more have been grown by Blairsville

Garden Club members at home and in greenhouses. The annuals are fresh from Speedling’s Nursery and have been potted and nurtured by members for this fundraiser. The Garden Club uses the funds to support Vogel State Park plantings, Junior Garden Club, High School scholarships and much more. Remove all the “stuffâ€? from your auto trunk, line it with plastic and come to the church \DUG DQG Ă€OO LW XS ZLWK RXWVWDQGing plant materials. Hope to see you there.

County in Blairsville, Georgia located at 859 Highway 515. Any women who have a love of singing are welcome to join. For more information call the Director, Phyllis Baker at 706-379-3836. Forming Gourmet Dinner Club Share superb dinners with other ÀQH GLQLQJ FRQQRLVVHXUV PXVW have some gourmet cooking skills and room to host candle light, sit down dinners in your home. Full time and part time residents welcome. Hiawassee and Young Harris. Limited membership. Call Diane 706-835-5007 Amateur Radio Attention HAMs and anyone interested in Amateur Radio. The North Georgia Tri-State A.R.C. (Amateur Radio Club) meetings are held on WKH ÀUVW 7XHVGD\ RI HDFK PRQWK DW 7 p.m. at Branan Lodge in Blairsville. All of our meetings are open to the public. Our next meeting is to be held December. For more information about joining the Club or becoming a HAM, call Don Deyton at 706-781-6665. Amateur license testing will be held on December 7th in Blairsville at 310 Welborn Street, Blairsville, GA. Contact Bob Ochs at 706-8384728 for more information. Computer Club On April 12th at 7PM there will be a presentation of Snagit by MCUG Secretary/Treasurer George Donegan. George, a founding members of the club, will present and demonstrate Snagit, a Windows based screen capture program. A Q&A session will begin at 6 PM (prior to the presentation) so bring your questions and we will try to ÀQG \RX DQ DQVZHU -RLQ XV IRU an interesting evening discussing home computer stuff. The meeting will be held in the Goolsby Center, Young Harris College. All the Mountain Computer User Group meetings are open to the public the 2nd Monday of each month. Great door prizes are awarded to members present. For more information please go to www.mcug.org. Auto Club The next meeting of the Good Neighbors Auto Club will be on Thursday starting at 7:00 PM. Meeting to be held at Brothers Restaurant in Murphy, NC. All meetings are open to the public and are held on the third Thursday of each month. Mountain Community Seniors Mountain Community Seniors will meet this Thursday, April 7th, at 2 PM at the Senior Center in Hiawassee. Our speaker will be Robert Brewer, County Extension Agent for Towns County. Come join us as Mr. Brewer gives us gardening tips for vegetables and plants. We look forward to seeing our friends and neighbors in Clay and Union Counties join us for refreshments and getting some ideas for their gardens. Organizational Meeting ,I \RX DUH D &HUWLÀHG 0DVWHU Gardener interested in supporting projects in Towns and Union counties, please join us at 6PM, March 18th at the Blairsville Civic Center for an organizational meeting. We will discuss potential projects, as well as review possible meeting locations and dates and time for monthly meetings. For additional information, please contact Patti Bransford at 706-896-6430, or cell 706-7814040. email: bransford@brmemc.net The Master Gardener Program in Georgia is a volunteer training program designed to help Extension agents transfer researchbased information about gardening and related subjects to the

public by training home gardeners. For more information about the Master Gardener program in your area, contact the Cooperative ([WHQVLRQ RIĂ€FH QHDUHVW \RX Mountain Coin Club meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Early activities begin at 5:30. Meeting follows at 6:30 p.m. The club meets at Cadence Bank in Blairsville. For more information, call YOCS, 706-379-1488. MOAA The Blue Ridge Mountains ChapWHU RI WKH 0LOLWDU\ 2IĂ€FHUV $Vsociation of America (MOAA) meets the third Monday of each month at various area restaurants. All active duty, National Guard, reserve, retired, former military, Public Health Service, NOAA ofĂ€FHUV ZDUUDQW RIĂ€FHUV DQG VXUYLYing spouses are invited to attend. For information please contact one of the following individuals, in North Carolina: Jim Ferrell at 828335-9203, and in Georgia: John Quinlan at 706-896-2430, or visit www.moaa.org/chapter/blueridgemountains. Relay for Life Wig Drive We all know how irritating it is when we’re having a bad hair day, but can you imagine how it must feel to be losing your hair, and possibly even your hope? With the “A Good Hair Dayâ€? Wig Drive sponsored by The Cancer Center at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) and The American Cancer Society, you can help restore hope to cancer patients who are battling the emotional and physical effects of chemotherapy. During the “A Good Hair Dayâ€? Wig Drive, The Cancer Center will be collecting donations of pre-loved and newly acquired wigs, wig stands and wig hair products. Through a partnership with Lanier Technical College, students in the school’s cosmetology department will clean and restyle all donated wigs. These wigs will be given away free of charge to women who may not have access to the resources or finances to obtain one otherwise. The wig drive will begin April 1 and culminate with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on June 4, 2010. Wig drop off locations include: NGMC Radiation Oncology Department (bottom floor of the Outpatient Building) The Longstreet Cancer Center Oncology Specialists of North Georgia, a division of Northeast Georgia Diagnostic Clinic Southeastern Gynecologic Oncology (office of Dr. Andrew Green) Hall County Relay for Life at Road Atlanta in Braselton on June 4, 2010 Wig donations are tax deductible (name and address needed to send tax form). By donating wigs and associated products, you can help give a good hair day to people in need by rebuilding their self-confidence and give them a new perspective as they undergo cancer treatment. For more information, contact Lisa Mahon, NGMC Breast Cancer Patient Navigator, or Elida Lopez, American Cancer Society Patient Resource Navigator, at 770-219-8800.

"Community NIGHT" TO BENEFIT CASTAWAY CRITTERS PET RESCUE TUESDAY, APRIL 27TH 4:30 PM 8:30 PM BROTHERS RESTAURANT AT WILLOW RANCH ON HIGHWAY 76, YOUNG HARRIS Submit your events

to the The Sentinel Community Calendar!

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Garry Ciesielski

Garr y William Ciesielski, age 67, Blairsville, GA , GA , passed away Th u r s d ay, April 15, 2010 in St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta. Gar y was born in Garden City, MI. He was a member of First Baptist Church Of Blairsville and did the Golf Cart Ministr y at the Church. He took up the money for the Wednesday night suppers. Sur vivors include sister, Sherr y and Dick Moriarty of Blairsville, brother, Larr y and Mar y Ciesielski of , A Z, brother, Mickey and Anne Discher of Geneva, OH, 1/2 brother, Timothy Vincent of , CA , 1/2 sister, Cindy and Dave Duley of Chulavista, CA , Aunt, Florence Ruth Carnley of Blairsville, GA , several nieces and nephews, and his Church family. Memorial Ser vices will be held at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall following the meal with Dr. Fred Lodge Officiating. Interment will be in Laurel Hills Memor y Gardens. In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorial donations be made to help defray funeral expenses and to buy a grave marker for Garr y, to Sherr y Moriarty, 238 Ross Ridge Rd, Blairsville, GA 30512. The family will receive friends at the fellow ship hall from 4:00 until 5:00 on Wednesday. Cochran Funeal Home of Blairsville, GA in charge of arrangements. You can sign the guest register and send condolences @ www.cochranfuneralhome.com.

Billy Curlee

MSGT Billy A . Curlee (USA Retired), age 80, of Blairsville, GA passed away April 18, 2010 at his home following an extended illness. Mr. Curlee was born March 11, 1930 in Salisbur y, N.C. to Sam and Nellie Curlee. Bill ser ved for 21 years in the US Army primarily as a First Sergeant of numerous Calvar y Troops. He was a decorated veteran of the Korean War. He also taught ROTC in the Atlanta City School System for 23 years. After retirement Mr. Curlee ser ved with the North Georgia Honor Guard and ser ved as its President for many years. He was also a leader in the local community coaching many 4-H BB Gun Championship Teams and working with local veterans groups. Bill was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Bill was of the United Methodist Faith and was a faithful member and leader at Coosa United Methodist Church. Sur viving Mr. Curlee is his wife of 57 years, Rebecca L. Curlee, his brother Jack Curlee of Greenville, S.C., his son and daughter in law Steve and Kit Curlee of Blairsville, GA , and Sam and Shelby Curlee of Blue Ridge, GA ., and his daughter Terri Harris of Villa Vica, GA . Also sur viving Mr. Curlee are six grandchildren and four great granddaughters. A memorial ser vice was held on 11 AM April 20, 2010 at Coosa United Methodist Church, 767 Mulky.Gap Rd., Blairsville GA with full honors by the North Georgia Honor Guard The family will greet visitors in the fellowship hall starting at 10 AM prior to the Memorial Service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Bill Curlee Memorial Fund of Coosa United Methodist Church. Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville in charge of the arrangemen.

CO M MUN I T Y Tributes Dan Davis

Dan W. Davis Jr., age 56 of Blairsville, GA , formerly of Key Largo, FL lost a 12 year battle to cancer and passed away Monday, April 12, 2010 in

in2008.Mr.Jones was of the Presbyterian faith. Sur viving Mr.Jones are his loving wife of fifty years,Eulalie Jones of Blairsville,one son, Allan David Jones Jr.of Blairsville,one sister,Esther Albanese of Dunedin,FL.,two brothers and sister in laws,Daniel R .and Judy Jones of Ocala,FL.,Ross and Trish Jones of Clear water,FL.,two grandchildren, Ashley and Zachar y Jones,several nieces,nephews,many other relatives and friends also sur vive. A memorial ser vice will be held on Wednesday April 23,2010 at 3:00pm from the Holly Hills Cemeter y with the North GA .Honor Guard conducting militar y honors.In lieu of flowers if you wish,the family request that memorials may be made to the North GA .S.P.C. A . PO Box 781 Young Harris,GA .30582 in memor y of Mr.Jones. Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville in charge of the arrangements.You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

Blairsville, GA . Before moving to Blairsville Dan had a home repair business in Key Largo. He had worked in construction all his life, and also worked in security at Coconuts Grill in Key Largo. Dan was and avid fisherman and enjoyed fishing ever y weekend. He was preceded in death by his father, Dan W. Davis Sr., and his grandparents, Clyde and Antoinette Markowski. Sur vivors include: daughter & son-in-law, Stephanie Leigh and Robbie Anderson of Key Largo, FL; son, Matthew Daniel Davis of Key Largo, FL; mother, Rose Davis of Blairsville, GA ; granddaughter, Kayla Leigh Anderson of Key Largo, FL; sister and Mrs.Rebrother-in-law, Kathy and Brad nee Suzanne Sherman of Blairsville, GA ; Joyce age 49 nieces and nephews. of Pat ColGraveside ser vices were be well Rd. held Saturday, April 17, at 11:00 Blairsville am at Providence United Methpassed away odist Church Cemeter y with Dr. on WednesJohn Kay officiating. day April The Cochran Funeral Home 14,2010 at of Blairsville, GA in charge of her home arrangements. You may send following condolences to the family and a brief illness.Mrs.Joyce was sign the guest register at www. born on April 2,1961 in Corpus cochranfuneralhome.com Cristie,TX .,the daughter of the late Corrine Palmer.She was a loving wife,mother,sister and Susan grandmother.She enjoyed decoG. Howard, rating and spending time with of Blairsville her family.Mrs.Joyce was of the and Smyrna, Episcopal faith. Sur viving Mrs.Joyce are Georgia, was united her her loving husband of twenh u s b a n d , ty years,Fred Williams of son,Nicholas Harr y How- Blairsville,one Huey of Blairsville,one daughard, and our Heavenly Fa- ter and son in law,Desiree and ther, on Tues- Daniel Ford of Blairsville,one Burrell of day, April 13, sister,Shawn Blairsville,two brothers and 2010. She was the daughter of the one sister in law,Mark and Donlate Floy L. and E. T. Bradley, Sr. na Zahn of Houston,TX .,Roy Susan was preceded in death by Howard of Houston,TX .,one Suzanne her husband of 59 years, Harr y grandchild,Claire Ford,niece and nephew,Jessica V. Howard. Sur viving is her son, Rich- and Charles Burrell,several ard “Rick� Howard of Powder o t h e r , n i e c e s , n e p h e w s , m a n y Springs and Blairsville, Terr y other relatives and friends also Howard-Hagen, son-in-law, sur vive. Funeral ser vices will be Doug Rhodes and grandson, Bradley Hagen of Greenville, held on Monday April 19,2010 at 2:00pm from the MounSouth Carolina. Susan was a cherished and tain View Chapel with the Helton officiatadored wife, mother, grand- Rev.Jerr y mother and friend. Her family- ing.The following gentleman centered life was admired by all will ser ve as pallbearers,Fred that had the pleasure of knowing Williams,Nicholas Huey,Daniel Ford,Charles Burrell,Mark Zahn and loving her. A private celebration of Su- and Roy Howard.Interment will san’s life will be held with her follow in the Mt.Pleasant Bapimmediate family in the near tist Church Cemeter y.The famfuture. The family requests that ily will meet with friends at the memorials be made to Regency funeral home on Sunday evening Hospice, P.O. Box 494, Hiawas- from 6-9pm. Mountain View Funeral see, GA 30546 or a charity of Home of Blairsville in charge of your choice, in her honor. Mountain View Funeral Home the arrangements.You may sign of Blairsville welcomes you to the family guest book and send sign the family guest book and condolences on line at www. you may send condolences on- mountainviewfuneralhome.com line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com John Rockwell Kenyon, Jr., of BlairsMr. Allan ville, GA , David Jones passed away Sr.age 72 Sunday, April of Pitt Rd. 11, 2010 in Blairsville Union Genpassed away eral Hospital. on Tuesday He was 89. Feb.2,2010 Born April at his home 1, 1921, in following an extend- Charlotte, NC, John was the ed illness. firstborn child to the late John Mr.Jones was born on May Rockwell and Lillie (Crowell) 5,1937 in Pittsburg ,PA .,the son Kenyon. John graduated from of the late Earl Oscar Jones and high school in Charlotte and the late Alice Virginia Keefe continued on to the University Jones.He was a veteran of the of North Carolina until he enUS Navy of the Korean War.He tered the militar y. A decorated World War II retired from the Florida Power Corporation with over 34 years Veteran, John ser ved as a Naval of ser vice.He was a member of Aviator in the Pacific Theatre on the American Legion and the the USS Enterprise. He received S.P.C. A .He was preceded in numerous medals and ribbons, death by a brother,Earl O.Jones including the Distinguished

Renee Joyce

Susan Howard

Susan Howard

John Kenyon

Flying Cross and four Air Medals, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon with three stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal and the American Campaign Medal. John flew the F6F Grumman Hellcat, part of the first VF-90 night flight group participating in the campaigns of Okinawa, Iwo Jima and the first carrier strikes on Tokyo. In 1947 he married Jess Clontz, from Monroe, NC. They made their home in Dunwoody, GA , where together they raised three boys: John Rockwell, III, Robert Benton and David Sterling. John worked 35 years for International Har vester, and he and Jess retired to Niceville, FL in 1980. They moved to Blairsville, GA in 2001, where they would remain until John’s death. John and Jess enjoyed life together. In their earlier years, they spent a lot of time on the golf course, loved playing bridge, and spending time with family. John often quoted scripture and was a practicing Presbyterian. Sur vivors include his wife, Jess C. Kenyon of Blairsville, GA ; sons John R . Kenyon, III, and his wife, Brenda, of Woodstock , GA ; Robert B. Kenyon and his wife, Judy, of Austin, TX ; and D. Sterling Kenyon and his wife, Kathr yn, of Woodstock , GA ; brother, George Kenyon of Charlotte, NC and sister, Betty Graham of Raleigh, NC; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. John was predeceased by his brother, William S. Kenyon, of Charlotte, N.C. Memorial ser vices will be held Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 11:30 am at North Lanier Baptist Church, 829 Atlanta Road, Cumming , GA . Phone 770-7815433. Militar y honors will be provided by the US Navy. Preceding the ser vice, the family welcomes friends at 10:30 am. Funeral arrangements were made by Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. You may sign the guest register and leave condolences at www.cochranfuneralhome.com

Larry Prather

Larr y "Bird" Prather, age 60, of Blairsville, GA , passed away at his home Th u r s d ay, April 15, 2010. Larr y was born in Ellijay, GA , a son of the late Homer and June (England) Prather. He was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran. Larr y was a member and past President of the Chatuge Gun Club, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He worked as a Postal Clerk for the U.S. Postal Ser vice since the early 1970's. Larr y was preceded in death by two brothers, Jerr y Prather and Johnny Prather. Sur vivors include his soul mate, Karen McKin of Blairsville, GA , and brother, Kevin Prather of Blairsville, GA . Funeral ser vices were held Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. from the chapel of Cochran Funeral Home with Rev. David Berrong officiating. Music was by the Kelley Trio. Pallbearers were Rex Patton, Doug England, Ed Terr y, Chuck Gillispie, Knox Garrett and Bud Murphy. Honorar y pallbearers were Daniel Murphy, Ron Delong , Bob Hughes and Darrell England. Interment was in West Union Baptist Church Cemeter y with Militar y Honors by the North Georgia Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday evening from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville in charge of arragements. You may sign the guest register and send condolences @ w w w. c o c h r a n f u n e r a l h o m e . com

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Joseph Smith

Joseph "Joe" Smith, age 77, of Blairsville, Georgia, formerly of Lenoir, North Carolina, passed away Saturday, April 17,

2010. Joe was born in Lenoir, North Carolina, a son of the late Thomas L. Smith and Mar y (Triplett) Smith. He was a U.S Army Veteran and a member of Coosa United Methodist Church. He was a former member of the Blairsville Kiwanis Club and an active volunteer for the Meals on W heels Program. Joe was an avid golfer and boater. He retired after 32 years of security ser vice from Lockheed-Martin in Orlando, Florida. Joe was preceded in death by his brother, Tommie Smith. Sur vivors include his loving wife and best friend of 43 years Dee Smith of Blairsville; brother, Eddie Smith of Lenoir, North Carolina; sister and brother-inlaw, Mar y Ida and Doug Cook of Lenoir; nephew, Beau Cook of Blowing Rock , North Carolina; nephew, Tommy Cook of Hudson, North Carolina; and loyal "four-legged" companion and friend, Sweet Pea. Memorial Ser vices will be held at Coosa United Methodist Church, on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Earl Bishop and Rev. Steve Midkiff officiating. Music will be provided by Earl and Idalu Bishop and James Stephens. If you wish to do so, the family has requested any donations be made to the Union County Humane Society; 2079 Bowling Gap Circle, Blairsville, Georgia 30512; or the American Cancer Society, Southeast Division, Inc., Union Unit, P.O. Box 2984, Blairsville, Georgia 30514. Arrangements entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville, Georgia. You may sign the guest register and send condolences at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com .

Michael Thomas

Michael Steve Thomas, 54 years old of Morganton, GA , passed away, Mo n d ay, April 12, 2010 at Fannin Regional

H o s p i - tal. He was born Februar y 8, 1956 in Polk County, TN, son of Raymond Thomas and Mildred Geneva Thomas. He worked as a lineman with Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, a member of New Union Baptist Church of Blairsville, GA . He enjoyed dirt track racing , camping & hunting. Sur viving are wife, Gizelle (Gigi) Thomas, father, Raymond Thomas, mother, Mildred Geneva Thomas, son & daughter-inlaw, Brad & Trish Thomas, son, Justin Thomas, daughter, Brittany Thomas, brother & sister in law, Ronald & Rhonda Thomas, sister & brother in law, Gail & Larr y Sutton, sister & brother in law, Jo Ann & Don McClure, granddaughters, Hailee & Hannah Mealer, granddaughter, Emilee Thomas, mother in law, Willa Mae Stephens, neices & nephews. He was preceded in death by brother, Larr y Thomas, sister, Linda Addington. Ser vices were held Friday, April 16, 2010 from the Henr y

Cochran Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kenny Beavers and Rev. Dell Tanner officiating. Ser ving as pallbearers were: Dan Chastain, Jeff Odom, Leslie Groves, Daniel Nelson, Jason Stewart, Bruce Davenport. Honorar y Pallbearers were employees of Blue Ridge Mountain EMC. Interment followed in the New Union Baptist Church Cemeter y. Arrangements were entrusted to the Henr y Cochran Funeral Home. Friends can send condolences and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes. com

NGMC serves as primary stroke center Northeast Georgia Medical

Center (NGMC) is now designated as a Primary Stroke Center after receiving advanced certification from The Joint Commission. The certification, which was developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association, recognizes hospitals that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. “The organization has worked tirelessly to ensure we provide the utmost level of care to our stroke patients,� says LaRoy Penix, MD, a neurologist specializing in stroke care at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Neurology and medical director of the Stroke Care Program at NGMC. “The certification is a direct result of the dedication physicians and staff have shown across all departments throughout the Medical Center.� According to The Joint Commission, primary stroke centers must collect and report eight National Inpatient Hospital Quality Measures for stroke including program management, patient care, educating stroke patients about their condition, organizing patient and program information and performance improvement. The Joint Commission sends reviewers with expertise in stroke care to review each center for certification. Certified primary stroke centers, like NGMC, use a standardized method of delivering care based on the Brain Attack Coalition recommendations for establishment of primary stroke centers which include: Supporting a patient’s selfmanagement activities. Tailoring treatment and intervention to individual needs Promoting the flow of patient information across settings and providers, while protecting patient rights, security and privacy. Analyzing and using standardized performance measure data to continually improve treatment plans. Demonstrating their application of and compliance with the clinical practice guidelines published by the AHA/ASA or equivalent evidence-based guidelines. NGMC is also home to an inpatient stroke specialty rehabilitation program which is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. “Our program provides treatment and support for all stroke patients, regardless of what stage of the condition they are dealing with,� says Trish Westbrook, FNP-C, coordinator of the Stroke Care Program at NGMC. Call 770-219-3840 for more information about stroke care at NGMC.

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CO M MU N IT Y & O P I N I O NS

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the College as well as a sounding board for the community, leads this effort. Each fall the Board of Associates launches the annual Local Scholarship Campaign in an effort to assist in providing aid to the students coming to Young Harris College from these six communities. Students like Julie Kelley, a sophomore allied health major from Union County, benefit from the scholarship money raised. “By receiving support from the Local Scholarship program, I have been able to stay close to home to attend college. I was not ready to move somewhere else for college, and I don’t think I would have achieved as much if I had moved away to a bigger school. This is home for me,� she said. Sophomore Kendric McDonald, an education major from Cherokee County, N.C., said, “My scholarship has meant a lot to both me and my parents. When deciding which college to attend, cost was a determining factor. Thanks to the Local Scholarship Campaign, I was able to attend

the college of my choice and play baseball at Young Harris College.� About Young Harris College: Founded in 1886, Young Harris College is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting college located in the beautiful mountains of north Georgia. Historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through the highest quality liberal arts education. Long known for nurturing students during the first two years of college, Young Harris College received accreditation in 2008 to grant bachelor’s degrees. The College currently has approximately 700 students across four divisions—Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics and Science, and Social and Behavioral Science—and plans to increase enrollment to 1,200 over the next few years. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga., is currently undergoing major campus improvements to accommodate the College’s growth. For more information, visit www. yhc.edu.

Murphy Adventist Christian School Honor Roll 3rd Quarter Honor Roll 1st grade Jason Brunner – A Honor Roll 2nd grade Isley Johnson – A Honor Roll Ashley Stiles – A Honor Roll 3rd grade Anna Weaver – B Honor Roll 4th grade Sara Brunner – A Honor Roll 5th grade George Brunner – A,B Honor Roll 6th grade Canyon Lee – A,B Honor Roll

Joseph Stephens – A,B Honor Roll Kayla Stiles – A,B Honor Roll 7th grade Elizabeth Schutte – A,B Honor Roll 8th grade Scot Brunner – A Honor Roll Brittany Goolsby – A, B Honor Roll 10th grade Jonathan Stephens – A,B Honor Roll 12th grade Astrid Weaver – A,B Honor Roll Rachel Aldrich – B Honor Roll

Legal Notice Lanier Contracting Company, Suwanee, GA will be soliciting bids for Town of Murphy, NC, Contract 2 – Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements project, which bids April 27, 2010. Subcontractor opportunities are: Electrical, Painting and Concrete. All quotes must be to Lanier by April 26, 12PM. This project is a MBE participation opportunity. 3URMHFW VSHFLÀFDWLRQ DQG GUDZLQJV DYDLODEOH SOHDVH FRQWDFW %ULDQ 7LHslau at Lanier Contracting Company, 770-932-1800 or email: btieslau@ laniercontracting.com.

NC declines to join SAR to promote states suing health P a t r i o t s D a y care legislation

State of North Carolina Department of Justice Roy Cooper, Attorney General The Blue Ridge Mountains April 16, 2010 The Hon. Beverly Perdue, Governor State of North Carolina Capitol Chapter, Sons of American Revolution, is promoting Patriots Day Building Raleigh, N. C. 27602 in Towns County. The chapter also serves Gilmer, Fannin, Union Dear Governor Perdue: and Rabun counties where ProcAfter the recent passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care lamations are being signed by the Act, H.R. 3590, I received requests from several elected officials to have respective commissioners. April 19, 1775 marked a moNorth Carolina join a lawsuit flied against the United States of America mentous date in our nation’s by a number of state Attorneys General challenging this legislation. founding, one celebrated as PatriOur attorneys, Including the SOlicitor General and my General Counots Day with other national holisel, have studied 'the law and the provisions of the legislation that have days. given rise to the legal action. “Hardly a man is now alive / After careful conslderatlon, I have concluded that North CarOlina who remembers that famous day will not join 'this lawsuit. I have attached a memorandum from Solicitor and year,� wrote Henry WadsGeneral Christopher Browning which outlines 'the legal conSiderations worth Longfellow in his poem upon which I base this deCision. The United States Supreme Court has that begins: “Listen, my children, held that duly ratified acts of Congress are presumed to be constitutional and you shall hear / of the midand It Is clear 'that Congress has extremely broad authority under the night ride of Paul Revere.� Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. To appreciate Patriots Day’s sigHealth insurance reform and access to health care are policy decisions nificance, we recall what happened that should be decided by elected representatives I not by appOinted on April 19, 1775 in the British federal judges. There Is ample time for elected representatives to change colony of Massachusetts. During this legislation since most of the provisions in question will not take ef- the early hours, silversmith Paul Revere and tanner William Dawes fect until the year 2013. In the unlikely event that this legal challenge does succeed I any deci- raced to Lexington to warn Samusion will likely affect all of the states I Including North Carolina, regard- el Adams and John Hancock that the British were coming to arrest less of whether our state joins. I would also draw your attention to several provisions of the law that them and to alert everyone to exwould directly address some of the frequent health insurance complaints pect trouble. Joined by Dr. Samuel Prescott my Consumer Protection Division gets from everyday North CarOlinupon leaving Lexington, the three ians. men rode quickly to tell the citiThe new law will prohibit health insurance companies from refusing zens of Concord that British solto insure people based on preexisting health conditions, as they often do diers were coming to seize their now. It would also prevent insurance companies from removing people munitions. A British patrol capfrom health care insurance policies after they suffer a serious illness or tured Revere. Dawes’ horse them accident. These are important protections for people who have suffered him, but Prescott, knowing the from unfair health insurance provi-sions and It is feared that these pro- area, escaped and galloped on to tections may be repealed In the unlikely event "the lawsuit succeeds. Concord. Answering the alarm, Problems with health insurance and health care have led the list of con- the citizens of Lexington took up sumer complaints in our office for the past five years. Instead of court arms and congregated on the vilfights and exaggerated rhetoric from both sides, it Is my hope that state lage green. Several Patriots were and federal leaders will focus on the real health care challenges people killed in a confrontation with a face every day. force of 700 British troops, thus My office will continue to carefully monitor this case and review the beginning the war for American Issues that arise, and please feel free to contact me if you should have any Independence. questions. The British marched on to ConWith kind regards, cord, sure that the militia there could be easily defeated again. But I am very truly yours, Prescott arrived with the warning, Roy Cooper and more than 400 militia from

towns along the way lay in wait at Concord’s North Bridge. “By the rude bridge that arched the flood / their flag to April’s breeze unfurled / here once the embattled farmers stood / and fired the shot heard round the world,� wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson in his “Concord Hymn.� The British retreat became a humiliating rout as the Patriots harassed them from behind every step of the way. By the time the British reached Boston, the Patriots had killed or wounded 273 redcoats, and the Patriots had lost 103 militia. News of the Lexington and Concord battles galvanized public opinion in favor of the American Revolution. The following year on July 4, 1776, Continental Congress declared Independence, a date that we celebrate annually as Independence Day. We should recognize this date in our history to remind us of the significance of “liberty and justice for all� and the sacrifices made by Patriots during eight years of struggle for American independence. The American Revolution affected the hearts of Georgians who memorialized patriots, naming 64 Georgia counties for figures evocative of those historic times. Georgia has more counties named for patriots than any other state. With this rich inheritance, we honor the Patriots, as well as other men and women who fought and supported the American Revolution. We encourage Georgians to learn more about these and other patriots while celebrating April 19. The Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter will present five county libraries with a copy of just-published “Heroes of Kettle Creek.� The battle of Kettle Creek took place in Wilkes County, just outside of Washington, Ga.

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CO M MUN I T Y

Peace poster winners

NGTC faculty and staff participated in a cross-campus quarter-to-semester planning session.

Contributed Photo

Left to Right: Silvia Garnor, Sam Arbour, Brianna Shope and Lion Louise Little.

Pictured are Silvia Garner, teacher at Blairsville Middle School; Sam Arbour from Woody Gap Middle School; Brianna Shope from Blairsville Middle School and Peace Poster Chair Lion Louise Little of Union County Lions Club. Both Brianna and Sam were awarded certificates and $25.00 checks from Union County Lions Club. The Peace Poster Contest is sponsored world wide by Lions International and this year's theme

for 2009-2010 was the Power of Peace. Brianna and Sam;s poster were sent to District 18-D for further judging and although neither took first place, Sam was awarded an additional certificate for placing 5th in the District. Lion Louise, who is also District peace Poster Chair, would like to encourage all Middle School students ages 11-13 to participate in the 2010-2011 Peace Poster Contest. Who knows, some day a

Union County student may be an International winner! A note on interest: also in attendance for this special occasion were Brianna's parents, Randy & Karen Shope, as well as her Grandmother, Betty Shope, and cousin, Macie Smith. For Sam, his parents, Willard & Lisa Arbour were present as well as his sister, Hannah. Congratulations to Brianna and Sam from your local Lion. The Lions Motto: "WE SERVE".

Trash and treasure

Contributed Photo

Semester scheduling excites students

North Georgia Technical College and the other 25 institutions in the Technical College System of Georgia will begin holding classes under the semester system in August 2011. At its March meeting, the TCSG Board approved the conversion from Quarters to Semesters. The semester system is used by more than 80% of the colleges and universities across the United States. “Many in our student leadership were enthusiastic when I told them that semesters will give students additional time to master some of the more challenging subjects that they sometimes feel rushed to complete under the quarter system,� said NGTC President Steve Dougherty. “This will be a carefully planned conversion. We have patterns to follow from previous conversions – and lessons that have been learned from them as well,� said NGTC Vice President of Academic Affairs Vicki Nichols. “Furthermore, while doing the conversion, we are actually able to make some significant improvements in pro-

grams. In fact, for the last year our faculty and staff have been actively involved in the curriculum review process for their programs. Just as we teach with a hands-on approach, we’re taking that same approach with this project.� Frequent updates on the progress of the implementation will be communicated in the coming months from both TCSG and NGTC in a variety of ways including press releases, speaking engagements, and web portals. “A fundamental, systemic change such as this can lead to a lot of confusion and misinformation so open communications during the transition period are a must,� noted Dougherty. “Even if the question seems simple or superficial, bring it forward to us. If one person is asking a question, many more will be interested in the answer.� The coordinated system-wide conversion effort is being spearheaded by the central office of the TCSG and each technical college is actively participating in the plans for implementation. The quarter to semester conversion offers

many benefits for students, communities and colleges. For example, it advances seamless education in Georgia for TCSG students by aligning academic calendars with Georgia’s primary and secondary schools as well as the colleges and universities. This conversion will provide enhanced instructional opportunities for our students and will smooth transfer and matriculation between institutions, both for those dual-enrolled high school students as well as for technical college students who choose to pursue advanced degrees. The Technical College System of Georgia is a unified system of technical education, custom business and industry training and adult education. The programs use the best available technology and offer easy access to lifelong learning for all Georgians. This system is part of a seamless education process for Georgia in which students can transfer credits efficiently as they advance from secondary schools to technical colleges and to the university system.

"Cruise into summer" Donate with Red Cross

Presenting Donors May Enter A Drawing To Win A Cruise For Two Bob Jaric is one of the friendly FOUCL volunteers who collect items for the Trash & Treasure Sale.

Contributed Photo

This is a perfect time to clean out your clutter and donate it to the Friends of the Union County Library for their annual Trash & Treasure Sale. April 27th and May 4th are the last two Tuesdays you can bring your donated items to the pavilion at the Chamber of

Commerce between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. No clothing, computers or upholstered furniture, please. A FOUCL volunteer will be glad to give you a receipt got your taxdeductible donation. If you need help transporting your contributions call Joanne Olson at 706-

781-5237. And don't forget to mark your calendar to attend the Sale on May 7th and 8th at the Civic Center. The hours are 8-2 p.m. each day. You may find that special and unique item you've been searching fro at a bargain price.

United Community Bank’s Our School Bank’s last committee meeting for fifth graders ended with a big Bingo bash! But, it wasn’t your normal Bingo game. The students played with M&M’s and ate them while they played. If you won bingo,

you didn’t just get a prize. First, the kids had to spin the ‘wheel of shame’ and do the silly task that they would land on such as drink water upside down or moon walk across the room before they received their prize. One of the more fun and challenging tasks was to

recite the alphabet backwards. It was not easy. “It was a wonderful year and I am sad to see this 5th grade class go. It has been a pleasure to have met each one of them� said United’s Sharon Arnold.

UCB m&m bingo

Towns and Union Counties The summer season is always the most relaxing and fun – sun, sand and plenty of smiles. What many don’t realize is that during the busy summer season, blood donations often decline due to vacation and summer activities, while the need for blood remains constant. The American Red Cross is asking donors to “Cruise Into Summer� by donating blood or platelets. The campaign, which runs from April 1 to June 30, 2010, gives each person who presents to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross an opportunity to enter a drawing for the chance to win a cruise for two. By donating early in the season, blood donors can donate two or more times during the summer months, helping en-

sure blood is available for patients throughout this critical time. Wednesday, May 12 Union County High School Blood Drive (604 Panther Circle, Blairsville) 8:30 am to 1:00 pm Please call (706) 745-2216 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Wednesday, May 19 Union General Hospital Blood Drive (214 Hospital Circle, Blairsville) 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Please call Amber Pruitt or Mary Murphy at 745-2111 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Walk-Ins Welcome! Appointments preferred. Thursday, May 27 Chatuge Regional Hospital Blood Drive (110 Main Street, Hiawassee) 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Please call (706) 896-7179 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Walk-Ins Welcome! Appointments preferred. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The Carolinas Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross provides lifesaving blood to 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet patient needs. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet height and weight requirements.

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