The Paper February 26, 2015 Edition

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STARs and TOTYs honored by Chamber The Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce paid tribute to the top students and teachers in the three local school systems Monday evening at its annual reception for STAR Students and Teachers.

The event, held at the Commerce campus of Lanier Technical College, recognized the five STAR students representing Commerce High School, East Jackson Comprehensive High School, Jackson County Comprehensive High School, Jefferson High School and Heritage Academy, along with the teachers each of those students chose for the STAR Teacher honor.

In addition, 20 teachers chosen as Teacher of the Year for their individual schools were honored, three of which were named by each school system as the System Teacher of the Year.

The STAR Students and Teachers recognized were Jefferson High School STAR Student Bruce Logue who selected Hope Mer-

Reception pays tribute to Jackson County’s top SAT scorers and outstanding teachers

edith as his STAR Teacher; Commerce High School’s STAR Student Helena Kesler who selected Matthew Dahlke; East Jackson County Comprehensive High School’s STAR Student Ryan Robinett who selected Tammy Barnett as his STAR Teacher; Jackson County Comprehensive High School’s STAR Student Tristan Gaskins who selected Steven Bowles as his STAR Teacher; and Heritage Academy’s STAR Student Austin Keener who selected Darlene Brown as his STAR Teacher.

The STAR Students each received a certificate from the PAGE Foundation, a $50 Tanger Outlets Gift Card, a certificate from the Gwinnett Braves for four tickets and an invitation to throw the first pitch at a game, a $25 check from First Commerce Bank and

a special resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives commending their individual achievements.

The STAR Teachers each received a certificate from the PAGE Foundation and a resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives.

The individual Teacher of the Year award recipients for Commerce City Schools included: Christie Barker, Commerce Primary School; Lynnly Drinkard, Commerce Elementary School; Steven Parker, Commerce Middle School; and Peter Reitz, Commerce High School.

For the Jefferson City Schools, the Teachers of the Year recognized were: Hope Foster, Jefferson Elementary School; Candice

Bowler, Jefferson Academy; Michael Pace, Jefferson Middle School; and Tommy Knight, Jefferson High School.

From the eight Jackson County Elementary Schools, the winners included: Judith Gault, Benton Elementary; Sandi Flint, East Jackson Elementary; Crisy Holder, Gum Springs Elementary; Vicki Allen, Maysville Elementary; Melanie McMurray, North Jackson Elementary; Heather Allison, South Jackson Elementary; Lynne Romo, West Jackson Intermediate School; Aja Ledford, West Jackson Primary School.

The Jackson County Middle School award winners were: April Davis, West Jackson Middle School; and Amy Johnson, East Jackson Middle School. The Teachers of the Year for the two Jackson County High Schools included: Jason Powers, Jackson County Comprehensive High School; and Holly Canup,

See CHAMBER, 5A

RB expanding in Jackson County

Winter worries LeAnne Akin The Paper

Logistics center operations will relocate into Prologis I-85 park from smaller building in Walnut Fork Industrial Park

Eyes were cautiously looking back to the skies Wednesday as another band of winter storm activity was pushing toward the Northeast Georgia area. School systems announced early release times or closures as some governmental entities took direction from Gov. Nathan Deal and also closed their doors early in anticipation that additional snow or ice may be in store. This comes after

a blanketing of snow on Monday morning. During last week’s winter weather, Jackson Electric Membership’s system control center was ground zero

of tracking and managing the outages experienced in the Gainesville, Jefferson, Lawrenceville and Neese districts which impacted 85,000 customers.

A total of 92 broken poles were replaced. Learn more about how outages are managed at www. jacksonemc.com/news/ jemco-news/2015

VILLAGE AT DEATON CREEK

Tennis court repair likely delayed

By JEFF GILL

Regional staff

Spring may arrive without fixes to a troubled tennis court at the Village at Deaton Creek neighborhood in Hoschton.

The Hall County Board of Commissioners appears poised to reject the lone bid on repairs, which was brought on because of cracks that followed the installation of a sewer line several years ago.

The one bid, submitted by Southeastern Tennis Courts in Lilburn, calls for adding a new surface to the court, and that’s not satisfactory to residents.

“While it’s a good-looking product and kinda nice to walk on, you’re putting a cushion product on a bad foundation,” said John Mercer, a Deaton

Creek resident who has been vocal on the issue, at a recent commission work session.

“It’s the foundation ... that’s the problem and until we fix that, whatever you put on top is not going to hold up,” Mercer said.

The sewer line was built under tennis court No. 3 in 2009, with the soil being removed and the court rebuilt on top. That work was done by Southeastern, said Ken Rearden, Hall’s public works and utilities director.

The county was notified in February 2014 of the cracks in the tennis courts appearing again, following an August 2013 repair for $6,000.

In December, Mercer presented the issue to the commission, providing aerial shots of the cracks and repairs to the court. He said no one wants to

play on the court which he said was only marginally.

Commissioner Scott Gibbs has said he wanted to put the court back to the state it was in “before we disturbed it.”

The county has budgeted $55,000 for the work and Southeastern’s bid was $31,500.

“We searched and called around,” Rearden said of the effort to find a contractor. “We had 21 court builders that we sent this (proposal) out to.”

Mercer said the neighborhood was hopeful the work could be done in early spring.

However, “we understood that probably was not going to happen, so we are amenable to several months’ delay if that’s necessary,” he said.“If it has to be rebid so we can get the proper foundation, that’s doable for us.”

JEFFERSON – United Kingdom-based RB (formerly Reckitt Benckiser) will expand its Logistics Center Operations by moving into a brand new 750,000-square-foot building to be located in the Prologis I-85 Jefferson Industrial Park. The facility currently employs 75 full-time associates.

RB will move from their 350,000-square-foot facility in the Walnut Fork Industrial Park once the new building is completed.

Along with providing distribution of their products to retailers in the southeast, the new facility will also have new packing capabilities for some of their products.

“Today’s announcement by RB is great news for Jackson County. RB has been one of our longest tenured International based businesses and their reinvestment in our community is a testament to our Business Climate and Workforce,” said Jackson County Commission Chairman Tom Crow.

RB will be the first tenant in the Prologis I-85/Jefferson Park.

The park is a 385-acre park located off Interstate 85 in Jefferson. Prologis Park I-85 features cross dock capability and 36-foot clear height and has a build-out potential of more than 3 million square feet. Located one hour north of downtown Atlanta in the I-85 corridor near two key interchanges, the facility will serve the metro Atlanta area and southeastern United States.

“The I-85 corridor in Jackson County is Atlanta’s best-performing submarket, and land for large-scale development is increasingly scarce,” said Kent Mason, vice president, market officer, Atlanta. “Class-A space is in high demand in Atlanta, and we are well-positioned to provide the best solutions for our customers.”

RB’s expansion marks the latest in a string of expansions and new investment for the community. Jackson County’s location along the I-85 corridor in Northeast metro Atlanta along with a strong preforming workforce has led to many industrial announcements. The RB expansion will bring a total of 3,644,000 square feet of new Industrial construction currently in Jackson County.

“The City of Jefferson couldn’t be more pleased that RB has chosen us for this major expansion. RB is a strong corporate citizen and we look forward to their continued growth and prosperity. The new jobs this expansion will create are also very welcome,” said Jefferson Mayor Roy Plott.

Early voting under way for Hall County SPLOST

By FARAH BOHANNON

fbohannon@clickthepaper.com

Early voting got under way Monday for the referendum which would give Hall County its seventh special purpose local option sales tax, a collection which is projected to raise $158 million over the next five years.

If the SPLOST VII referendum gets voter approval on March 17, collection of the penny on each dollar of sales would begin July 1.

The continuation of the 1-cent special tax for capital projects and infrastructure improvements has been receiving negative comments from some Hall County residents but others point to the needs on the project list and insist that everyone who spends money in the county – not just property owners – can help foot the bill for those projects.

Some critics argue that the special election was moved to March because it would have never passed last November.

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Other concerns include existing debt and building more “stuff” that the county cannot afford to maintain. SPLOST money is spent on everything from road improvements and public works projects to libraries and parks to public safety operations and building construction.

Government officials have said that without SPLOST, property taxes will increase, and critics say that’s an inappropriate threat from those government officials.

Hall County Administrator Randy Knighton, who frequently leads public input meetings regarding SPLOST, said his role is to inform and educate, not advocate and Braselton Town Manager Jennifer Dees says she believes the same.

Dees says that there are a lot of improvements that can be made in the Hall County portion of Braselton if SPLOST passes, but says the town will not suffer greatly if it does not. She said that not as much will be com-

Volume 9, Number 17 Obituaries 4A Police report 2A Puzzles 7B Schools 5A Sports 1-2B

pleted, but improvements will still be made without SPLOST money. She says that her job is to inform the community about SPLOST, not to advocate or push a certain opinion.

“We will not miss something we never had,” said Dees. “Yes, there are some great improvements that will be made if it passes, but we have already budgeted money for these projects out of our general fund if it does not pass.”

Under the SPLOST intergovernmental agreement between Hall County and all its municipalities, the town is set to receive $1,270,589 for streets, sidewalks and the stormwater system in the Hall County portion of Braselton.

Clermont, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Gillsville, Lula, Oakwood and Buford are also part of the SPLOST divvy formula.

More specifically, Braselton’s Clearwater subdivision has had major stormwater issues, and there are plans for SPLOST money to ad-

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dress the problems. Dees said one of the issues is major clogging that occurs when tree branches fall into the storm drains.

SPLOST money would also be used to connect the neighborhoods along the new Highway 347 to allow the residents in that area to have nice places to stroll.

Village of Deaton Creek resident Phyllis Mercer says she is excited about the multipurpose path part of SPLOST, but has mixed feelings about it overall due to a debt issue.

“I think a project that will add sidewalks to my area is commendable,” said Mercer.

“Residents who live in Deaton Creek, Reunion and Sterling all want to live in a town where we can walk about on sidewalks, and we want beauty and ambiance.”

Mercer said that SPLOST is great for funding projects such as upgrades to the county-

See HALL COUNTY SPLOST, 2A

The Paper P.O. Box 430 Hoschton, GA 30548

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The Paper | Thursday, February 26, 2015

POLICE REPORTS Jackson County Sheriff’s Office ■■ The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office secured arrest warrants Feb. 7 for Fernando Morales, 20, of Jefferson, on charges of child molestation and cruelty to children in the first degree.

Morales allegedly sexually abused the young female victim over a three-year period. Morales has yet to be arrested on the outstanding charges and authorities believe Morales may have fled out of the state or the country.

■■ Deputies responded to a Feb. 19 report from a Highway 124 location behind Pizza Hut where the complainant said a suspicious vehicle was parking there. Upon investigation, it was learned the driver was the complainant’s daughter who had moved out earlier in the day. The father wanted to talk with the daughter but she declined. The man left the area.

■■ An irate man who came into the Jackson EMC office Feb. 18 to complain he was still without electricity was escorted from the area after he made racist comments and was cursing and yelling loudly while waiting for a supervisor to come out and talk with him.

■■ A driver on Interstate 85 reported damage to his Peterbuilt tractor-trailer after debris from the highway hit the brake lines, causing the brakes to lock up and the truck to jack knife on Feb. 18.

■■ Deputies responded to a Duncan’s Mill Lane location Feb. 17 where a patient under hospice care had passed away. The coroner’s office was notified.

■■ A man who attempted to hide from authorities inside an AC Smith Road on Feb. 16 was taken into custody on outstanding felony warrants including drug charges and a failure to appear warrant from Madison County.

■■ A threat made by a worker against another at a Valentine Industrial Parkway business brought law enforcement to the scene.

Both parties were talked to and both were sent home for the rest of the day by the employer.

■■ A verbal dispute was reported Feb. 14 at an Old Kings Bridge Road address where a woman became upset that another woman was at the house which is still in her name. She had come to retrieve her eyeglasses and was yelling and screaming outside as she demanded to be let in. She got her glasses

and left.

■■ A possible burglary was reported Feb. 12 at an Oak Park Drive address when the resident arrived home to find lights on and the front door unlocked. She also heard someone running from the area when she arrived. No sign of forced entry was found although a wallmounted picture had been broken.

■■ Deputies responded Feb. 13 to the area of Belmont Highway to assist at the scene of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. The Georgia State Patrol arrived to investigate and the injured man was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

■■ A Hoschton man called to report that his friend with whom he had been doing meth for the past several month had threatened to kill him for telling his wife about their drug use and thus breaking up his family.

The complainant said he was mad because the other man has a cell phone that belongs to him and he wouldn’t call him back so he could get the phone.

■■ A lookout issued by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation issued Feb. 10 had the Braselton Police and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office searching Interstate 85 after the vehicle being sought was located by a Braselton unit which had impacted with the car which wrecked on Highway 53 just inside Barrow County. Police were looking for items thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit. A camouflage pack containing suspected methamphetamine was located hanging from branches of a tree along the interstate near mile marker 128.

■■ A pedestrian who was stumbling into traffic on New Kings Bridge Road on Feb. 10 was charged with pedestrian under the influence and taken to the Jackson County Jail.

■■ A civil dispute was reported Feb. 10 after a businessman from Winder and will be pursuing action against a man who took out a loan, purchased electronic equipment and moved to a Mark Dodd Road address without making good on the loan. A deputy accompanied the complainant to the location in January in hopes of reclaiming the property but the man said he had gotten rid of the property when he moved.

■■ The theft by taking of a chain saw was reported Feb. 7 after a man when to a Plainview Road location to assist a friend. He left the chain saw on the porch while he went inside. When he came back

HALL COUNTY SPLOST Continued from 1A

■■ A driver playing loud music and laying drags twice when he left the scene of where his mother had been stopped Feb. 22 for violations of no tag and dark window tint was cited for reckless driving and improper starting. The 24-year-old had laid drags as he drove the Ford Crown Victoria from the Shell Station on Athens Street and went to retrieve his mother’s license. When he returned, he spun out again, spinning tires even longer than before. Another officer transported the driver who said he was allergic to dogs and could not ride in the truck with a K9 officer.

All in all, citizens and town officials, such as Mercer and Dees say they believe SPLOST is a positive due to the proposed projects and improvements, but there are always concerns about its passage as some people will always oppose a tax, even if it is an extension of a local penny collection.

“The rules and facts about SPLOST are very clear,” said Dees. “As a town manager,

Investigating an accident at QuikTrip on Feb. 22, the officer smelled the strong odor of alcohol on a female who had reportedly backed her Freightliner into another tractor-trailer. The driver was charged with driving under the influence in a commercial vehicle.

The 43-year-old driver from Florida declined to notify her employer to give the location of the truck.

■■ A theft by taking was reported Feb. 21 at Old Dominion Freight Line on Henry D. Robinson Boulevard where the chain on an automatic gate had been cut to gain access to the property. Two trailers had been forcibly entered but an inventory of the missing property, different types of medication, had not yet been conducted.

■■ A driver parked at the Pendergrass Flea Market reported two center caps had been removed from her Cadillac Escalade on Feb. 22.

■■ A passenger in a Ford Crown Victoria stopped on Borders Street for darktinted windows on Feb. 20 was taken into custody on an active Jackson County warrant for child support.

■■ A written bomb threat was reported Feb. 19 at Jefferson Middle School. Police responded to the 2:35 p.m. report.

■■ A fraudulent telephone solicitation was reported Feb. 19 by a man who said he was called by someone claiming to be a federal agent who demanded that he call another phone number to talk with him or warrants would be issued. The complainant notified local police with the number the man was to call.

■■ A burglary was reported at El Centinela on Gordon Street on Feb. 19 after a large TV and 10 liquor bottles were found missing between Feb. 2-10.

■■ A shoplifting was reported Feb. 20 at Family Dollar. A female in a white Kia reportedly took a $3 can of air refreshener but an officer parked nearby never saw a car matching that description.

■■ A 34-year-old female was taken into custody Feb. 20 and charged with simple battery after an incident at a Magnolia Avenue address.

The woman, who had taken prescription medication, became out of control and emotional after consuming alcohol.

■■ A 30-year-old Jefferson woman was arrested on charges of maintaining a disorderly house and possession of cocaine after two Feb. 19 calls to the address. Neighbors complained of loud music and then called again when someone was banging on their door. An odor of

my job is to inform and educate everyone about this tax and what it entails.

“For us, we have put our SPLOST into projects such as roads instead of buildings, because the cost to maintain buildings can be so high, and SPLOST does not cover that.

SPLOST covering streets and roads projects actually makes our maintenance costs decrease,” Dees said.

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■■ A 14-year-old female driving a golf cart too fast down a hill on Crimson King and Autumn Park on Feb. 16 was transported to the hospital by Gwinnett medical personnel after complaining of an ankle injury. The responding Braselton Police officer arrived to find the female on the ground near the overturned golf cart. A pas-

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senger, who said the cart was traveling too fast when the driver lost control, jumped from the cart before it overturned; he was uninjured.

■■ A tractor-trailer driver reported damage to his vehicle which occurred when the truck struck a tree limb hanging down on Interstate 85 during the Feb. 16 winter weather. Another tractortrailer driver also reported damage to his rig after it was hit by a tree downed by the winter weather.

■■ A verbal dispute was reported Feb. 20 at an Autumn Flames Drive address where an alarm activation was reported by EMC Security.

■■ The driver of a Freightliner truck reported to be driven recklessly on Interstate 85 on Feb. 21 was taken into custody for driving under the influence and failure to maintain lane. A quantity of suspected synthetic cannabis was found.

■■ A disturbance was reported Feb. 22 outside the Pilot Travel Center after he saw the mother of his children with another man when she was meeting for a child custody exchange with his parents. He is prohibited from contact with the children and rushed to the car and began cursing and yelling. The man maintained the other man, who was carrying a pair of brass knuckles, pointed a gun at him. Others at the scene denied the presence of a firearm although an inoperable black plastic 1911 style was found in a vehicle which was searched.

The original aggressor was charged with disorderly conduct and the other man was also cited although he was originally placed under arrest for concealing a weapon.

■■ A driver accidentally struck a gas pump at the Pilot Travel Center on Feb. 22 and caused damage to the pump handle, paper towel holder and fire extinguisher box.

■■ Two people were questioned Feb. 22 related to the reported theft of pine straw from a lot in Bakers Farm. A truck with a suspended registration which matched the suspect’s vehicle was stopped on Thompson Mill Road. The stories of the driver and passenger about where they had gotten the pine straw did not match up. The builder was contacted and is determining who owns the pine straw and if they want to prosecute the pair.

■■ A mother was allowed to take her children from a White Walnut Way location on Feb. 22 after the children’s father had left them alone. The children contacted their mother to report the father had struck one child in the head after questioning him about stealing a cigarette which may have contained marijuana.

The officer noted the odor of marijuana in the home. The Gwinnett County Department of Family and Children Services was contacted and police were unable to make contact with the father.

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burnt marijuana was smelled by officers who were told by those leaving the apartment that all the marijuana had been consumed. The woman declined a consent search of the apartment but officers found a glass pipe with cocaine residue in her jacket pocket.

■■ Police were called to a Jefferson Walk Circle location on Feb. 19 for a death investigation involving a 52-year-old female.

■■ A burglary was reported Feb. 16 at a Borders Street address. Missing was a big-screen TV valued at $1,000 and jewelry valued at $4,500. A half-carat diamond ring, a white gold tennis bracelet and a gold ring were missing and the home was ransacked ■■ Ice apparently caused a tree outside an Old Pendergrass Road home to snapped and fall onto the house on Feb. 17. A report of a suspicious noise was reported to bring an officer to the scene.

■■ A 21-year-old was charged with simple assault after a concerned citizen reported a man dragging female by her arm into a Lawrenceville Street apartment during a Feb. 17 argument.

The complainant was concerned about a child in the household.

■■ A Hidden Lakes Trail resident reported Feb. 17 she suspected a family member with taking some of the prescription medication she was taking after a recent traffic accident.

■■ A driver stopped after a stop sign violation on Feb. 18 was also taken into custody for driving while unlicensed.

Another driver stopped Feb. 18 for speeding was also charged with driving while unlicensed.

■■ An open door was reported Feb. 18 at a Georgia Belle Drive where renovations are apparently going on. There was no sign of forced entry.

■■ A domestic dispute was reported at an Isaiah Drive location. One of the parties involved in the verbal dispute was advised to leave the property.

■■ An 18-year-old Jefferson High School student involved in a Feb. 19 altercation with a juvenile was transported to the Jackson County Jail to face affray charges while the Department of Juvenile Justice was contacted about the juvenile suspect. Two other persons possibly involved in incidents leading up to the fight may also be facing charges of disrupting school.

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proximately $10.4 million, must be paid. Her desire is to know how the county plans to raise the funds to pay that debt is SPLOST does not pass. She said that an increase in property taxes may be forced or some other proposed projects such as a library remodel or a new fire truck may have to wait in order to pay off the existing debt. Communities often earmark SPLOST to pay down existing debt on previous projects.

In spite of her concerns, Mercer says believes SPLOST contains good, sound infrastructure that will improve several different areas of Hall County, especially when it comes to public safety and technology upgrades.

Jefferson Police

Winder Hwy(53)

wide 911 system since technology is always improving, but she cannot escape the debt issue. She said her current feelings come from what has happened in years past.

“One of my concerns is the fact that my neighborhood is on the south Hall sewer system,” said Mercer.

“There is massive debt from a proposed project that was supposed to take our sewage and route it to Gainesville to be processed. After that, it was to be returned to where it came from. Huge pipes and pumps were built a few years ago, and they have yet to be used. The growth that was projected never happened.”

Mercer’s concern is that whether SPLOST passes or not, the large debt, that is ap-

out, the chain saw was gone and the two people outside denied any knowledge of the chain saw’s location. A deputy responded to the location and saw a green Poland with a toggle switch described by the complainant under a tarp which had been blown up by the wind. The chain saw was returned and the victim declined to press charges against the suspect who has previously stolen from the property.

■■ A civil dispute was reported Feb. 7 on Jackson Trail Road where there is an ongoing dispute about a property line. The complainant contacted authorities about people riding four-wheelers and hunting on her property.

■■ A Billie Dean Drive resident complained Feb. 7 about someone hitting golf balls toward his home. He expressed concern about possible damage to property. A previous complaint was filed in October.

■■ A verbal dispute was reported Feb. 7 at a Kiley Drive address where a juvenile was attempting to move out. A deputy advised she could face prosecution as a runaway if she left home without permission before she turned 18. The family was advised to work out their issues.

■■ A Honda Civic with flashing blue lights was stopped on Highway 441 on Feb. 8 and the driver was transported to the Jackson County Jail. The driver had previously been stopped and advised the violation was a felony and he assured law enforcement he would change out the lights on the vehicle he purchased several months ago.

■■ A Hummer driver with no tag light was stopped Feb. 7 and arrested for driving while unlicensed. He had just been released from jail in Clarke County on the same charge. He was carrying an international license which he said he secured online.

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The Paper | Thursday, February 26, 2015

Church is stepping up to help fight malaria

By The Rev. Tim Taylor

Ebenezer United Methodist Church

What is 210 million years old and kills a million people per year? No, it’s not the official technique for twerking… It’s the mosquito. I have lived in the South my entire life, thanks to the Grace of God. I have not, however, been exposed to this elusive mosquito. I have been around ‘musskeetas’ and have grown to truly, passionately dislike ‘skeeters.’. I have been told by some of my more formal friends that these three species are very closely related.

Recently, it has been breaking my heart to think of how a little gift of less than a tank of gas, even for a hybrid, can save the life of God’s children in sub-Saharan Africa. Taylor You see, they have ‘mozzies’ that carry the malarian virus. A simple mosquito net, purchased for a mere $10, will provide a safe sleeping environment for someone. No parent should ever have to bury their child… ever! No child should be orphaned because we opted for a large-sized fast food meal.

Another way that we at Ebenezer UMC in Jefferson are stepping up to fight malaria is through our “Scratch for Skeeters” program, which will run now through Labor Day. Everyone knows what skeeters are. One cannot help but scratch a bite. We are using the monetary term scratch. By asking everyone

to contribute $1 per ‘skeeter’ bite to the Imagine No Malaria campaign, we are scratching two itches at once. We will feel better on the outside and the inside. We may even consider a volume discount for those whom the ‘skeeters’ love especially dearly.

Funds are tax deductible and can be donated through Ebenezer UMC “Scratch for Skeeters,” 1368 Ebenezer Church Road, Jefferson, GA 30549. For more information on Ebenezer UMC, call 706-367-4269, or visit us at WWW.EbenezerUMCJefferson.org. For more information on Imagine No Malaria, visit WWW.ImagineNoMalaria.org.

Located in the Jackson Trail Community since 1832, EUMC is one of the oldest churches in Jackson County. We’ve been around a long time, but we are by no means stale.

EUMC currently has Sunday School at 10 a.m.and a traditional service at 11 a.m. Ebenezer UMC also holds a community small group Bible study, 2:42, on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. Ebenezer UMC currently serves the spiritual needs of people in more than six counties, with the intent to serve wherever people need to hear the Gospel and feel loved.

You can also contact the Rev. Taylor at ttaylor@EbenezerUMCJefferson.org, You can also go to www.facebook.com/EbenezerUMCJefferson or follow at twitter.com/ EUMCJefferson

Lenten fish fry begins Knights of Columbus Council #15212 at St. Catherine Laboure is sponsoring its Lenten fish fry again this year: In Service to One, In Service to All. Each Friday through March 27, you can enjoy a delicious fried fish dinner. Service is between 4:30-7 p.m. at Crow’s Lake in Jefferson. An adult plate is $8 and includes fish and tartar sauce, French fries, cole slaw and tea or lemonade with dessert available at a nominal charge.

The Knights have changed back to the original fish that they started with. The original fish are better suited to the Knights’ cooking skills and will provide the higher quality that they want to provide to everyone.

CHURCH NEWs The Lenten Season is here and we invite you to worship with us at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in preparation for Easter. During this time we will be celebrating the “Divine Liturgy” according to the 1928 Book of Common Prayer at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.

Holy Trinity is located at 7049 Spout Springs Road and all are welcome.

For more information, visit www. holytrinityflowerybranch.org or Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Facebook.

The free clothing shop is still in the need for donations for infants, children, men and women. The shop is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 1p.m. for those in need. sss New Community Church says Together We Make A Difference. Join in awesome worship and scripture teaching at New Community Church located at 126 Merchants Park Drive in Hoschton. Sunday services are at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays with relevant teaching,

Fur Ball fundraiser for Humane Society offers some Las Vegas flair The fifth annual Fur Ball is back with another exciting evening of entertainment planned for guests at the Braselton-Stover House on Saturday, March 21. The event, which benefits the Humane Society of Jackson County, gets under way at 7 p.m.

The presenting sponsor is once again Tracy Jordan of West Jackson Medicine Center.

This year’s theme is “Viva Paws Vegas” with sights and sounds from the 1960’s era of Elvis & Sinatra’s Rat Pack. Guests will enter Club Pair-a-Dice Casino to try their luck at the gaming tables, then enjoy dining and dancing, a cash bar and silent and live auctions.

Guests can even pose for their “glamour shots” in the photo lounge – and this year’s raffle prizes will be spectacular.

To top it off, there will be a fabulous Tribute to Elvis show starring Doug Thompson, where The King will get up close and personal with his breathless fans.

And, yes, there will even be showgirls .

Tickets are $60 per person and are available online

at www.HSJC.com Proceeds from the event directly support the many valuable programs provided by the Humane Society of Jackson County on a daily basis, as well as the shelter building fund.

Get your tickets early, since space is limited and this is a sell-out event every year.

Let’s not gamble on the future of all the animals that need our support.

They’re counting on us to help them, so get your tickets today. We’ll bet you’ll have a really swingin’ time.

For more information please contact the Fur Ball committee at FurBall2015@ windstream.net.

MEET RYLEE The Humane Society of Jackson County has a num-

ber of canines and felines in foster care.

Among them is Rylee, a 3-1/2-month-old friendly little girl with a sweet disposition. She get along with other dogs. Rylee loves to play and romp around.

Rylee is hoping for a home of her own. If you would like to make Rylee a part of your family, go to www. hsjc.com and fill out an application so humane society volunteers can learn a little about you. If you have any questions, call 706-367-1111.

The adoption fee for dogs is $150.

P U B L I X M Y S T E RY C O U P O N

#

‘Scratch for Skeeters’ is launched by Ebenezer

See What 1¢ Gets!

Bring this coupon to Publix on February 26, 2015, and find out what one penny gets you! Good with your purchase of $10 or more.

Limit one coupon per customer per day. Excluding all alcohol, tobacco, lottery items, money services, postage stamps, gift cards, and prescriptions. Customer is responsible for all applicable taxes.

Reproduction or transfer of this coupon is strictly prohibited.

Effective February 26, 2015 at participating stores in Ga., Ala., and Tenn.

A child‘s plate is $5 and extra fish are $2 each. Dine in or carry out. The dates are Feb. 27, March 6, March 13, March 20 and March 27. Proceeds from the sale go to funding Knights of Columbus projects supporting both the church and the community.

engaging worship and life changing experiences.

IMPACT Student Ministry is held in the Student Center at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Contact the New Community Church office at 706-658-0300 or visit www. newcommunityonline.com. sss

LU# 10323

Six Sigma Green Belt Training

First Baptist Church of Jefferson will host its Men’s Ministry at 6:15 a.m. on Monday, March 2, in the fellowship hall to hear guest speaker Brad Charles, who works with the CUBIT Foundation.

The foundation helps meet both the physical and spiritual needs of people in Central and South America. Each Sunday services begin at 10:50 a.m. for the church’s contemporary worship in the annex and at 11 a.m. for the rraditional sorship in the sanctuary. The church food bank is open from 1-3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week except for major holidays. The church is located at 246 Washington St., in Jefferson. Visit www.fbcjefferson.org.

See CHURCH NEWS, 7A

Family Friendly Event Ten local teams from Jackson County competing for the right to say

“I am smarter than a 10 year old!”

Silent Auction with lots of great items just waiting for the right person to bid on them.

Live Auction for some great packages and services.

Local, affordable 40 hour course!

American Society for Quality knowledge based!

Win audience participation prizes!

March 5, 6 p.m. • Jackson EMC Auditorium Benefits Adult Education Programs in Jackson County.

For more info call 706-367-8574

FREE ADMISSION

www.laniertech.edu 770.531.4500 A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia

EOI

4A

local

The Paper | Thursday, February 26, 2015

Obituaries Eddie Lee Archer

Died Feb. 22, 2015 Eddie Lee Archer, 58, of Jefferson, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015.

Born in Nicholson, he was a son of Mrs. Nell Gibson Archer of Jefferson and the late Bobby Lee Archer. He was a member of the Redstone Methodist Church. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Wayman Archer, Eugene Archer and Joe Archer; and sister, June Irwin.

Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Shirley Seagraves; sons, Brandon Archer of Nicholson and Joey Hollis of Jefferson; daughters, Amy Flanagan of Homer and Jessica Rainey of Panama City Beach, Fla.; sisters, Helen Pyles of Jefferson and Barbara Campbell of Greensboro, brothers, Dean Archer of Jefferson and David Archer of Athens; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

The funeral service was held Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Stowers officiating.

The burial followed in the Redstone United Methodist Church Cemetery with Doug Archer, Drew Archer, Cody Denton, Taylor Archer, Audie Gibson and Alex Chambers honored as pallbearers.

Please make memorials to the family at P.O. Box 234, Jefferson, GA 30549.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Callie Smith Christopher

Died Feb. 19, 2015 Callie Smith Christopher, 92, of Gainesville, formerly of Duluth, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015.

Survivors include her daughters, Carrie Elaine Smith of Gainesville and Clarice Smith Parks of Buford; 12 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Virginia Lingerfelt and Minnie Dyer, both of Braselton; brother and sister-in-law, Dallas and Gail Green of Braselton; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Born Aug. 13, 1922 in Alpharetta, she was a seamstress and member of Concord Baptist Church in Duluth. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh Christopher; and children, Cynthia Annette Roberts, Patricia Smith and Jerri Whited.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, in the chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with the Rev. Larry Youngblood and Mr. Greg Parks officiating. Interment followed in Peachtree Memorial Park in Norcross.

Flanigan Funeral Home & Crematory, Buford The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Vans Randell Brinson Clinkscales

Died Feb. 19, 2015 Vans Randell Brinson Clinkscales of Commerce died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015,at her residence, Traynham, after a brief illness.

Born Feb. 11, 1927, at her childhood home of Sampala in Madison, Fla.,she was a daughter of the late Benjamin Wardlaw and Floride Randell Brinson. She graduated from Madison High School. She was a member of Madison First Baptist Church, where she played the organ, piano and violin.

In 1949, she received her AB degree with a major in music from Brenau College in Gainesville. She was a member and served as president of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. She was a member of the Senior Honor Society, H.G.H. and was listed in the 1949 edition of Who’s Who students in American Colleges. While at Brenau, she met Judge Maylon Baxter Clinkscales, and they mar-

ried Oct. 5, 1949, in Madison, Fla. After moving to Commerce, she was a member of Pine Tree Garden Club for more than years. She was president of the Garden Club Council and hosted the first statewide flower show in Commerce. She also served as president of Commerce Elementary School PTA and was president of the Commerce Band Booster’s Club in which she was also a member for more than years. She was president of the library board and was instrumental in establishing the current facility, which was formerly housed in a single room in city hall. She and her husband also owned and operated South Pacific Motel in Panama City Beach, Fla., in the 1960s and 1970s.

She was known for hosting lavish parties for her husbands’ business associates, family and friends of the community. She was a life member of the Capital City Club and Country Club in Atlanta, and a member of the Athens Country Club. She has been a member of Commerce First Baptist Church and Commerce Presbyterian where she shared her talents in floral arranging and music. Following the death of her husband of 40 years, she continued to use her talents in music to sing in choirs led by her son-in-law.

She continued to contribute to the community by tending the garden plot at the intersection of Washington Street and Jefferson Road for 30 years.

Survivors include her children, Maylon Baxter Clinkscales Jr., and wife Kim of Panama City Beach, Fla., Floride Randell Clinkscales Kinsey and husband Darrell of Athens and Milton Brinson Clinkscales and wife Andrea of Commerce; grandchildren, Howard Darrell Kinsey Jr., and wife Anna of Watkinsville, Dr. Vans Randell Kinsey of New York City, N.Y., Kaylon Dru Clinkscales and Maylon Baxter Clilnkscales III (‘Trey) of Panama City Beach, Fla.; and her first great-grandchild, Benjamin Noel Kinsey of Watkinsville.

Graveside services were held in Jackson Memorial Gardens in the Garden of Rest on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015.

Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Josefina Dimas

Died Feb. 22, 2015 Josefina Dimas, 95, of Pendergrass, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015.

Born in El Salvador, she was a daughter to the late Cruz and Norberta Perez Dimas. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was a homemaker. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Miguel Alas.

Survivors include her daughter, Angela Dimas of Pendergrass; sister, Celia Dimas of Los Angeles, Calif.; brother, Simon Dimas of San Francisco, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.

The memorial service was held Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Oconee Branch in Athens.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

June Evans

a homemaker.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, James E. and Patty Evans of Voluntown, Conn.; daughter, Shelia Smith of Winder; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson and sisters, Birdie Jo Paxton and Betty Lou Shiflett, both of Lindale.

A graveside service was held Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, in East View Cemetery in Rome with the Rev. Dennis Shaw officiating. Memorials may be made to Morningside Baptist Church, 580 Miles Patrick Road, Winder, GA 30680.

Carter Funeral Home, Winder The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Ed Grealish Died Feb. 16, 2015 Edward Platt Grealish Jr., 76, of Winder, retired United States Marine Corps Sgt. Major, died Monday, Feb. 16, 2015.

Born Aug. 19, 1938, in Augusta, Ed was educated iat Sacred Heart Elementary School and the Boys Catholic High School in Augusta.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on Aug. 19, 1955, and retired Feb. 29, 1980. While on active duty, his primary military occupation specialties were infantry, reconnaissance and drill instructor. This including three tours as a drill instructor, three tours in Vietnam and other outstanding duty stations. Ed’s decorations include The Bronze Star with Combat “V” for valor, three awards of the Purple Heart Medal, two awards of the Navy Achievement Medal, three awards of the Presidential Unit Citation and eight awards of the Marine Corps Good Conduct, along with many other unit awards.

Ed was a Gold Legacy life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars where he served as an All-State Post Commander, Outstanding District Commander and All-American State Commander. He was also a life member of the Purple Heart Association, life member of Marine Corps League (Augusta), life member of American Veterans (Statham), member of Legion Post 163 (Statham) and Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 262 (Winder). Ed was assigned to many national committees with the National Headquarters of VFW. He fell in love with the National Military Assistance Team, which was just starting up. After this assignment, he was offered the job as the Military Assistance Chairman for a period of three years with the State of Georgia, where, through the generosity of the post, auxiliaries and department headquarters, much monetary help was provided to the deserving military families.

It was during this time that Ed realized that the children of many active and deployed service members would be without Christmas. Ed established “Operation Santa” for all the military families of Georgia. He devoted much of his time to collecting toys from VFW members and other organizations and then distributing them all over Georgia. He believed that every child should have something for Christmas.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward P. Grealish Sr., and Mary Geraldine (Morton) Grealish; and sister, Mary Catherine Sullivan (husband Harold).

Survivors include his beloved wife, Carol Ann Grealish; sisters; Barbara (the late Bernard) Mulherin and Patricia (Tommy) McElveen; sons, Edward (Carol) P. Grealish III and Brian (April) P. Grealish, U.S.M.C. (ret.); daughters, Sharon (Geoff) Reynolds, Judi (Robert) Girardeau and Lynda (Stacy) Weaver; stepson, Troy Soukup; stepdaughter Debora (David) Frost; 16 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass, officiated

by Father Ted Johnson, was held Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at St. Mathew Catholic Church in Winder. Interment will be at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made in Ed’s name to the VFW “We Care” fund for military families, VFW Headquarters, P.O. Box 3025, Macon, GA 31205-3025.

Smith Memory Chapel, Winder The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Miriam Nightingale Hall

Died Feb. 23, 2015 Miriam Nightingale Hall, 82, of Jefferson, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2015.

Born in Paterson, N.J., she was a daughter to the late Daher H. Nightingale and the late Lillie Lawrence Nightingale. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and was in one of the first original classes of Weather Hawks in the Air Force, serving during the Korean War. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree at Marysville College and later taught school and retired from the DeKalb County School System. She was a member of the Union Baptist Church in Winder, where she sang in the choir.

She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Sonny and Ali Nightingale.

Survivors include her children, Warren (Shannon) Hall of Jefferson and Suzanne Maria Hall of Bogart; sisters, Fareida Nightingale of Ellington, Conn., Hanna Holmes of Shirley, Mass.,and Janna Donald of Vernon Rockville, Conn.; brother, Walter M. Nightingale of Bolton, Conn.; and grandchildren, Olivia, Julia, Annabelle, William, Alyssa, Christopher and Mallory Hall.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, in the chapel of Evans Funeral home with the Rev. David Cook officiating. The burial will follow at 2 p.m. in the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, prior to the service.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

T.J. Haggerty

Died Feb. 20, 2015 Thomas Joseph “T.J.” Haggerty, 31, of Flowery Branch, died unexpectedly Friday, Feb. 20, 2015.

Survivors include his mother Lorie Brady and stepfather Larry White of Canton Mich.; father David Haggerty and stepmother Wanda Parnell of Flowery Branch; stepsister Alexandra Kathleen White of Westland, Mich.; stepbrother Dr. Nicholas White of Boston Mass.; stepsister Amanda Harris of Atlanta; and grandmother Janice Haggerty of Ft. Myers, Fla. Giving of himself and his time was his greatest passion with more than 15 years

Died Feb. 18, 2015 June Evans, 87, of Winder, Georgia died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015.

Born in Moulton, Ala., she was a daughter of the late Joe and Birdie Ethel Corum Putnam. A resident of Winder since 1976, she was the widow of the Rev. Henry Evans. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Tina Victoria Evans. Mrs. Evans was a member of Morningside Baptist Church and was

of volunteering to national and International organizations along with numerous local community organizations. Quick with a smile, quick with a laugh, ready in a nanosecond to help anyone and everyone in need, his presence lives on in the countless recipients of the contributions he made in life and in death.

A celebration of life will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, 2015, at Lake Lanier Sailing Club, located at 6206 Commodore Drive in Flowery Branch.

For more information go to www.tjhaggerty.info.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Sue Fields Heard

Died Feb. 15, 2015 Sue Fields Heard, 65, of Dacula, died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015.

She was preceded in death by her father, Leon Fields; and grandparents, Lonnie Son and Thermos Mitchell, and Lawson and Edith Fields.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and Heather Heard of Dacula and Chris and Nara Heard of Alpharetta; grandchildren, Amelia Heard, Ella Heard, Audrey Heard, and Reese Heard; mother, Peggy Mitchell Weeks of Charlotte, N.C.; brother and sister-in-law, Vernon and Shirley Fields of Sugar Hill; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Born April 10, 1949 in Sugar Hill, she was a 1967 graduate of North Gwinnett High School and was retired as a logistics coordinator for Cooper Transportation Company in Hoschton. She was a member of North Metro Baptist Church.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, in the chapel of Flanigan Funeral Home with Pastor Bobby Linkous officiating. Interment followed in Broadlawn Memorial Gardens in Buford.

Flanigan Funeral Home & Crematory, Buford The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

James Hendon

Died Feb. 22, 2015 James Hendon, 65, of Winder, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015.

Arrangements were being handled by Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Hwy 53, Hoschton, GA, 30548, www. lawsonfuneralhome.org, 706-654-0968.

The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Rachel Wright Hunter

Died Feb. 19, 2015 Rachel Wright Hunter, 90, of Winder, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015.

Born Jan. 17, 1925, in Statham, she was a daughter of the late David Emory and Mary Lou Wright. She was also preceded in death by husband, W.J. Hunter; brothers, Rufus Wright and J.T. Wright, and sister, Ruth Griffeth.

Survivors include her sons, Bobby Hunter and wife Brenda and Barry Hunter and wife Kim; grandchildren, Phillip Hunter, Kimberly Almond, Kalie Hunter and Matthew Hunter; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, in the Midway Christian Church Cemetery in Winder.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder

The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Brenda Jane John

Died Feb. 19, 2015 Brenda Jane John, 52, of Auburn, died unexpectedly and joined our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015 Survivors include her parents, William Mickle Sr. and Betty Jane Norton; sons, Alexander Robert John and Zachary Sterling John; father of her sons, Robert Lee John; siblings, Vanessa JoAnn Wallis, William Mickle Norton Jr., John David Parsons Jr. (Laurie Ann) and Devera Michelle Chandler (Henry Glenn); aunts, Charlotte Long and Glenda Fitch; 12 nieces and nephews; and s16 great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by grandparents, Edgar Long, Bob Bennage, Vera Bennage, Aubrey Parsons, Clara Parsons, Glenn Norton and Sarah Norton; uncle, R. Lamar Long; and father, John David Parsons.

Born in Jacksonville, Fla., on Oct. 17, 1962, she graduated from Stone Mountain High School in 1980 and worked in the fields of finance and restaurant service. On May 30, 1992, she married the father of her children, Robert.

In May 1993 and July 1995 respectively, she welcomed her two handsome sons, Alex and Zach, who were the most important part of her life. A devoted mother, she enjoyed cooking, music, laughter and the thrill of finding a great bargain. She was always willing to take in stray animals and nurse them back to health with loving care. She was a spiritual woman and relied on her faith to help her during difficult times.

She will be deeply missed by her friends, family and all who knew her.

A viewing and visitation is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at the Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, located at 3481 Hamilton Mill Road.

In lieu of flowers, Brenda would have appreciated donations to the Gwinnett Humane Society in her memory.

Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, Buford The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Vivian Catherine Mathews

Died Feb. 23, 2015 Vivian Catherine Mathews, 89, of Winder, died Monday, Feb. 23, 2015.

A native of Jackson County, she was a daughter of the late Otis and Annie Lee Cronic Tanner. She was also preceded by her husband, Ralph J. Mathews, in 1999. Mrs. Mathews loved to cook and was famous for her pound cakes. She also enjoyed flower gardening.

She had resided in Barrow County for most of her life, was a member of Cedar Creek Baptist Church, and was a former employee of Carwood Manufacturing Company.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Joan Mathews of Winder; grandsons and spouses, Josh and April Mathews of Marietta, Justin and Jody Mathews of Suwanee and Jeremy and Linsey Mathews of Flowery Branch; great-grandson, Hudson Michael Mathews; and sister, Betty Snider of Albany.

See OBITUARIES, 7A

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schools

The Paper | Thursday, February 26, 2015

5A

Katie Griffin For The Paper

Jackson County Comprehensive High School STAR Teacher Steven Bowles who was selected by JCCHS Star Student Tristan Gaskins; (Right) East Jackson Comprehensive High School STAR Teacher Tammy Barnett who was selected by EJCCHS Star Student Ryan Allen Robinett, ith Dr. April Howard, Superintendent of Jackson County Schools. with Dr. April Howard, Superintendent of Jackson County Schools

Katie Griffin For The Paper

Jefferson City Schools STAR Teacher Hope Meredith was selected by Jefferson High School Star Student Bruce Logue, with Jefferson City Schools Superintendent Dr. John Jackson

COVINGTON – Members of the West Jackson Middle FFA chapter attended the Georgia FFA Association’s Discovery Conference on Jan. 23-24 at the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center near Covington. The Discovery Conference is for middle school students and allows them to meet other members and get excited about the opportunities the FFA has to offer.

At the conference, FFA members were challenged to expand their comfort zones, set goals, and realize the importance of agriculture in today’s world. Members engaged in a personality test to determine their strengths and weaknesses, took part in an FFA quiz competition, and met with nearly 500 members from across the state of Georgia. The Georgia state FFA officer

Katie Griffin For The Paper

Commerce High School STAR Teacher Matthew Dahlke who was selected

by Commerce High School STAR Student Helena Kesler, with Dr. Joy Tolbert, Superintendent for Commerce City Schools

Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) will send four exceptional student delegates on an allexpense paid leadership trip to Washington, D.C., June 11-18 for the 2015 Washington Youth Tour (WYT), but the deadline is quickly approaching.

Only one semi-finalist will be selected to represent their high school.

Applicants must submit their application packet to their counselor or guidance office immediately.

Deadlines vary by school!

Schools’ must submit their

Heritage Academy STAR Teacher Darlene Brown who was selected by Heritage Academy STAR Student Austin Keener, with Mrs. Louise Jones

Continued from 1A East Jackson Comprehensive High School.

Each school system announced their overall systemwide Teacher of the Year for the 2013-14 School Year.

For Jefferson City Schools, Superintendent Dr. John Jackson announced that the winner was Candice Bowler, from Jefferson Academy.

Dr. Joy Tolbert, Superintendent for Commerce City Schools recognized Christie Barker as the Commerce City Schools’ Teacher of the Year. Barker teaches at Commerce Primary School.

For the Jackson County Schools, Board of Education chairman Michael Cronic revealed that East Jackson Comprehensive High School’s Holly Canup was the Teacher of the Year for the countywide school system.

Each of the three systemwide teachers of the year received a framed certificate, a $50 Tanger Outlets Gift Card and a resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives.

“To be a STAR Student you must have the highest SAT Score and be in the top 10 percent of your senior class. These students are the best of the best! Each STAR Student chooses his or her teacher to win the STAR

team presented the conference and said they worked to show young agricultural education students the many benefits of being a member of the FFA. “The Discovery Conference is an amazing opportunity for young FFA members,” said State FFA Vice President Luke Nelson. “The conference provides an engaging, interactive experience for students that attend, and we hope it will ignite their involvement in the FFA throughout middle and high school.”

Those West Jackson Middle FFA members attending the conference included: Kait Harris, Noel Plunkett, Summer Howington, Ashlyn Tomlin, Lucas McCune, Savannah Van Buren, Hannah White, Cam Tunctan, Eli Babb and Marin Davidson.

D.C. tour youth tour deadline is Feb. 27

Katie Griffin For The Paper

CHAMBER

WJMS FFA’ers attend Discovery Conference

Teacher award. The winners from each system will go on to a regional event in Athens next month and have a chance to continue on to a state level later in the year,” said Shawn Watson, the Chamber’s chairman of the board.

“The program is coordinated throughout the state in association with Chambers of Commerce and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE).” He explained that in order to receive a STAR nomination,

students must have the highest score on at least one part of the three-part SAT exams, and be ranked in the top 10 percent of their class based on grade-point average (GPA),” said Watson.

Sponsors for the reception and awards ceremony included: Advance Driving Academy, Georgia Power, Peach State Federal Credit Union, Buhler Quality Yarns, Funopolis Family Fun Center, Huber Engineered Woods and Southeast Toyota Distributors.

nominee’s application to Jackson EMC by Feb. 27.

The four winners of this award will earn the prestigious title of a WYT delegate and an all-expense paid leadership trip to Washington, D.C., joining more than 100 of Georgia’s brightest students and roughly 1,600 students sponsored by electric membership cooperatives across the country.

Candidates must be a high school sophomore or junior at least 16 years of age at the time of the trip, with demonstrated leader-

ship, academic excellence and interested in learning about leadership, civic service, American history and U.S. government.

Nominees will be chosen by their high school guidance counselors/teachers or are home-schooled students living in a Jackson EMC member’s household who are interested in the program.

All of the details, an application and FAQ’s are available from high school counselors or on the cooperative’s website at www. jacksonemc.com/wyt.

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Thursday, February 26, 2015

forum

6A

Snow is nice; ice is ugly

W

hen I was a kid in Social Circle, our town doctor used to make an ice sculpture of sorts when it got really cold.

Dr. Barton would take some tree limbs, arrange them in an interesting pile and turn on the water hose.

The ice would form over the limbs and it made an interesting ice show.

I saw that scene repeated way too often in the past few days.

There is something picturesque about water freezing on trees. Then, they start falling over power lines and knocking out the services we consider vital. The beautiful ice sculpture turns ugly really fast.

On the night of the ice storm, I stood out on the porch and heard the sound of creaking and cracking limbs in almost every direction. It is not a pretty sound. It is the weather equivalent of fingernails on a chalkboard.

I went out West a couple of winters ago and saw the deep drifts of snow around Park City, Utah. It was beautiful.

Snow is pretty but ice is not. Ice breaks limbs, some on trees and others on people.

Ice also is mysterious.

You may not see ice until your feet have slid out from under you. A moment later, the ice is cooling you where you sit. It is not nice.

Snow does an airbrush accent to trees. You want to grab your camera and go outside and take a picture. It gives the roof of your house a lovely white finish that makes it look all cozy, especially when a steady puff of smoke is coming out of the chimney.

Snow makes people happy. Kids love to go outside and play in it. Playing in the snow is just plain fun.

Ice makes people angry, especially when the lights go out. I know this by reading their lovely comments

Harris Blackwood on the Internet. That’s the new wrinkle in all of this.

While the lights, heat and water may go out, folks can still communicate with their tablets and smartphones. They charge them in the car cigarette lighter and chat away.

My mother did not live in a home with electricity until she was in high school. She did without it for 15 years of her life. Her parents, who were in their 40s, never had the convenience of electric lights.

They weren’t available in rural Georgia.

Now, if we go 15 minutes without lights and heat, it is awful. If we go a full day, it is even more awful.

When the ice storm was at its peak, an estimated 75 percent of the homes in Hall County were without power. Mine was one of them. I got up the next morning and used my gas range to cook a little sausage and make a little frying pan toast. The oven, unfortunately, is electric.

I felt bad when we reached a second night and many dark homes were still awaiting electricity to return.

Folks were saying ugly things about the power companies. Those folks were working around the clock in the ice and, at times, in the dark to get the power back on. It’s a job I wouldn’t have.

I hope we don’t have any more ice sculptures in our yards. I also hope to see the bucket trucks leave town in the glow of our lights.

Harris Blackwood is a Gainesville resident whose columns appear weekly.

Snow makes people happy. Kids love to go outside and play in it. Playing in the snow is just plain fun.

Letters policy Send letters to editor@clickthepaper.com; fax, 706658-0177; or P.O. Box 430, Hoschton, GA 30548.

Please include name, hometown and phone number.

Letters should be limited to 300 words on one topic and may be edited.

The First Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

P.O. Box 430 Hoschton, GA 30548 9924 Davis St., Suite 8, Braselton, GA 30517 www.clickthepaper.com

Publisher Charlotte Atkins General Manager Norman Baggs Editor LeAnne Akin

Nicknames are badge of honor in South For some reason Southerners, more than any other region, love nicknames. It’s really a show of affection when we care enough to bestow a nickname rather than call a person by his Christian name.

I know people who are called Hog, Frosty, Tater, Bug, Tackle Box, Tractor and Hoss. Stripes is so named for the time, long ago, that he spent on the chain gang. And once, when I was a teenager, we named sweet Jimmy “Big Star” because that was the name of the grocery store where he worked. He’s now grown into a respectable adult with children but those of us who knew him then still call him “Big Star.” He always laughs because it takes him back to a sweet moment in time and I always laugh because I can hear the sweet voices of our youth chiming “Hey, Big Star.”

To be honest with you, a nickname well-given in the South is a badge of honor.

Just up the road from us lives a man with one arm.

Often, I have remarked on him as we drive past because he impresses me. He’s always working. Mowing grass. Wash-

Ronda Rich ing the car. Cleaning the yard. He used to work at the small grocery nearby as a bagger. He’d always offer to take my groceries to the car but I’d, in turn, assured him that I’d be fine, doing it myself.

“You shore? Be glad to help.”

That neat, well-kept house where he lives has become a landmark of sorts.

When I’m giving directions to Tink or such, I’ll often say, “You know where the one-armed man lives?”

Sometimes I forget that my husband is an extremely well-mannered, well-raised Yankee. But I certainly remember when I mention the one-armed man because he will rile up and say, “Baby! That’s not nice. Don’t call him that.”

He’s also from Los Angeles where they tend to adhere to perfect political correctness to the point of being boring and dry. I don’t

know a single person in L.A. who has a nickname.

When he chides me for things such as this, I always give him a look of absolute, exaggerated bafflement.

“What?”

“That is not nice.”

This happened several times — to the point that I almost stopped referring to him that way lest I have to go through the chastisement and the expended energy of the exaggerated bafflement. One morning, I was running and called out “hello” to him as he stood at the edge of his yard, smoking a cigarette and, no doubt, contemplating dummies who run when there are surely better things to do.

“Good day to run, ain’t it?” he asked.

That question began a conversation so I stopped to talk. I realized that through the years of seeing and speaking to him that we didn’t know each other’s names. I told him mine. He nodded and exhaled a puff of smoke. He told me his.

“Oh. Nice to meet you, Warren,” I said.

“No.” He shook his head furiously. “Not Warren.

One Arm.” It had to register. “One

Arm?” I repeated.

“Yeah. One Arm.” He rolled his armless shoulder toward me as if to say “Idiot.”

“My real name’s Randall.

Ain’t nobody ever called me that. Always been called One Arm. Always.”

It is fair to say that I ran home much faster than I ran away from home. Boy, I couldn’t wait to put my chastising husband in his place. I was in the kitchen when he returned from an errand.

“Hey, come here,” I called out in smile-cloaked voice. “I’ve got something to tell you. Remember the one-armed man?”

“Baby ...”

I held up my hand to stop him. “Before you chastise me, hear my story.”

He couldn’t believe it.

Then, he laughed.

“You Southerners sure are good sports.”

Yeah. That’s right. We are. Unless, of course, you’re an outsider calling us names then we’re not so nice about it.

Ronda Rich is the best-selling author of several books.

Sign up for her newsletter at www.rondarich.com. Her column appears weekly.

Facts for counties about H.B. 170

The following facts provided by the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia were shared with the Jackson County Board of Commissioners at their Feb. 16 board meeting meeting

by County Manager Kevin Poe, who serves as the legislative liaison for the county.

FACT: Through the work of the Joint Study Committee on Critical Transportation Infrastructure, the General Assembly has indicated it supports increasing the amount of funding available for state and local transportation infrastructure. House Transportation Chairman Jay Roberts has stated that, as a matter of public policy, and to ensure transparency, all taxes on motor fuel should be devoted to transportation. Currently, a significant portion of the state and local sales taxes on motor fuels are used for purposes other than transportation. Georgia must invest in its transportation infrastructure to remain competitive for economic development and job creation. By ensuring that all taxes on motor fuel support transportation, HB 170 helps meet that objective.

FACT: HB 170 does not create a tax increase to be imposed by local governments. The State is giving local governments a home rule mechanism to convert current revenues that come from the sales tax on motor fuel to an excise tax. Passing the local ordinance is necessary to ensure the excise tax collections are legally classified as local revenues. Without a local levy, those collections would become state revenues subject to annual appropriations by the General Assembly. The excise tax collection and distribution will function in the same way that the current sales tax collection occurs.

Without the ability to replace these

lost revenues, counties would likely have to increase property taxes.

FACT: The estimated revenues from the conversion from an excise tax to a sales tax puts 99 of counties ahead and creates a permanent, predictable funding source. Current sales tax collections are based on a $2.59 per gallon average price of gas that is reset every six months by the Governor. This means, for example, that the 2 local sales tax collected today by most counties (SPLOST and LOST) is equal to roughly 5 cents per gallon. This index is expected to drop to closer to $2 per gallon in March, meaning local sales tax per gallon will fall to 4 cents per gallon. The excise tax replacement for local sales tax in HB 170 is 6 cents per gallon – and it’s indexed for inflation instead of being based on the cost per gallon of gas.

FACT: local excise tax dollars have a broader range of approved uses than SPLOST sales tax dollars. SPLOST dollars can only be used for capital projects. While excise tax dollars are restricted to transportation, they can pay for salaries, maintenance and operations. This will allow counties to pay for a larger part of their transportation budgets through the excise tax and free up general fund dollars.

Most counties spend more on transportation in their general fund than the excise tax is projected to collect.

FACT: The formula for sharing the excise tax revenues with cities is based on 2/3 centerline miles and 1/3 population. This is not a new formula. This is the same formula that currently is used for Local Maintenance Improvement Grants (LMIG) that is set at the state level. It does not require service delivery agreements or negotiations between counties and cities.

FACT: An increase to the GDOT

budget means even more funding for local government transportation beyond excise tax collections. LMIG funding is set at a minimum of 10 of the annual GOOT budget. Increased state excise tax revenues are estimated to provide an additional $60 million to $70 million in LMIG funding.

FACT: There is no negative impact on counties that passed the T-SPLOST. T-SPLOST collections are not impacted by HB 170 because motor fuel sales are exempt from the tax. In fact, these counties will have a leg up on getting even more of their transportation needs addressed because of the additional infusion of funds. The three regions that passed the T-SPLOST all still have millions of dollars in projects that could not be funded based on the projected TSPLOST revenues.

FACT: No one wants to hurt funding for schools. The General Assembly is working on a solution for the loss of ESPLOST revenues. Boards of Education are restricted by the State constitution on the kind of revenues they can collect. Legislators are aware of this major concern and are working on other options that have yet to be released.

FACT: The Georgia Municipal Association and many cities have been very vocal about their opposition to HB 170. One of their top concerns is that they will no longer be able to spend taxes generated from motor fuel sales on projects other than transportation. Many cities budget little or nothing for transportation and few have transportation maintenance and operations budgets comparable to counties. In addition, they claim that the LMIG formula favors counties.

That may be true, but keep in mind that counties own 70 of all roads in the state, while cities own just 10.

local

The Paper | Thursday, February 26, 2015

OBITUARIES Continued from 4A

A funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, in the chapel of Carter Funeral Home. Interment will be in Cedar Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Carter Funeral Home, Winder The Paper, Feb. 26. 2015

Gary Nix

Died Feb. 22, 2015 Gary “Crazy” Nix, 52, of Jefferson, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015.

Mr. Nix would cut firewood for people and he enjoyed playing cards. He was preceded in death by his sister, Kay Carter.

Survivors include his mother, Dot Carter; daughter, Amanda Dawn Nix of Braselton; sisters, Tina Whisnant of Arcade and Teresa Stancil and husband Ray of Gainesville; and nephew Jason Carter.

Lawson Funeral Home of Hoschton has charge of arrangements.

The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Sara Ruth Elrod Prickett

Died Feb. 19, 2015 Sara Ruth Elrod Prickett, 89, of Commerce, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015.

She was a daughter of the late Early and Myrtie Reece Elrod. She was also preceded in death by her husband, William Styles Prickett; grandchildren, Greg Hayes and Beth Rogers; three brothers and two sisters.

Survivors include her

children, Juanita Scally of Toccoa, Carolyn (John) Simmons of Commerce and Debra (Paul) Rogers of Commerce, Lester (Aggie) Prickett of Thomasville, and Wanda (A.J.) Wood of Commerce; grandchildren Audrey Smith, Bradley Hayes, Sammy Simmons, Missy Madden, Susan Goins, Kay Hanson, Carrie Murphy, Scarlett Sylvain, Amanda Evans, Tabitha Calhoun, and Renee Wood; 20 great-grandchildren; and half-sister, Sue (Don) Holbrook of Toccoa.

Services were held Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home with the Rev. Sammy Simmons officiating. Interment followed in Jackson Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Ivie Funeral Home, Commerce The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Kenneth H. Propst

Died Feb. 21, 2015 Kenneth H. Propst, 90, of Winder, died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015.

Born in Concord, N.C., he was a son of the late Clarence and Beatrice Propst. He was also preceded in death by siblings, Wesley Propst, Betty Baker and Peggy Angley. Mr. Propst was a former resident of Atlanta and had resided in Winder for the past 18 years.

He was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and was an active member of the Winder First Baptist Church.

He was the former owner of Propst Insurance Agency and was a Mason.

Survivors include his wife, Ernestine Propst; chil-

CHURCH NEWS Continued from 3A

sss Hoschton United Methodist Church will host Primetimers Bingo and lunch at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27, in the fellowship hall.

First Sunday Communion will be at 11 a.m. March 1 in the sanctuary. Sunday school is at 10 a.m. with children in the church classrooms and adult Sunday school in the fellowship hall.

Women of Faith meet in the

dren, Kevin Howell Propst of Dunwoody and Nancy (Craig) Propst Johnson of Knoxville, Tenn.; grandchildren, Alex Johnson, Claire Johnson, Peyton Propst and Harper Propst; siblings, Phil (Ethel) Propst of Hilton Head, S.C., Richard (Lib) Propst of Charlotte, N.C., and Barbara (Johnny) Andrews of Concord, N.C. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, in the chapel of Carter Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Walston officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agape Hospice, 208 Memory Lane, Winder, GA 30680 and Winder First Baptist Church Building Fund.

Carter Funeral Home, Winder The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

James E. Reynolds

Died Feb. 19, 2015 James E. Reynolds, 83, of Winder, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, at his residence.

A native and lifelong resident of Barrow County born Sept. 3, 1931, he was a son of the late Bud and Pauline Smith Reynolds. He was preceded in 1998 by a son, Jimmy Reynolds. Mr. Reynolds was the owner of Reynolds Appliance Sales and was a member of Winder Wesleyan Church.

Survivors include his wife, Frances Reynolds; children, Donald (Brenda) Reynolds and Chris (Shelby) Reyn-

fellowship hall at 2:30 p.m. om Sunday March 1.

Bible study on Wednesday, March 4, begins with dinner at 6:15 p.m. and the study of the Book of Romans at 7 p.m.

Mark your calendar for the Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 28.

“Come Home to Hoschton United Methodist Church where YOU have People.” The church is located at 12 Mulberry St., in Hoschton. Call the church office at 706-654-1422. sss Arbor Pointe Church, located

olds, all of Winder; daughterin-law, Kathy Reynolds of Winder; brother, Kenneth (Betty) Reynolds of Winder; grandchildren, Tripp Reynolds, Adam Reynolds, Amanda Chester, Blake Reynolds, Dylan Reynolds and Jamie Baldwin; and eight great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, from the chapel of Carter Funeral Home with the Rev. Greg Moore officiating. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Winder Wesleyan Church, 64 E. Midland Ave., Winder, GA 30680.

Carter Funeral Home, Winder The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Phil Roberts

Died Feb. 19, 2015 Phil “Boat” Roberts, 59, of Winder, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015.

A native and lifelong resident of Barrow County, he was a son of James and Betty Miller Roberts of Winder.

He was a carpenter.

Survivors, in addition to his parents, include his wife, Jennifer Roberts; children, Dawn and Mark Dunahoo of Winder, Heather Roberts of Norcross and Carrie Ann Roberts and P.J. Roberts, both of Winder; siblings, Terry (Brenda) Roberts of Bethlehem, Gail (Jr.) Dailey of Winder, Ronnie (Barbara) Roberts of Winder, Lynn Roberts of Dacula and Jimmy (Denise) Roberts of Winder.

A funeral service was held Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, in

at 115 Towne Center Parkway in Hoschton, invites you to the “Close Encounters” worship series that continues through Easter. The Bible tells stories about people whose lives changed after they encountered Jesus. The same can be true for us! The weekly worship service is at 10:30 a.m. Adult Sunday School and a youth class are offered before the service; children’s Sunday School and nursery are offered during the worship time.

The church is hiring a parttime children’s ministries director. This person will nurture

the chapel of Carter Funeral Home. Interment was in Barrow Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to The Winder Wesleyan Church, 64 E. Midland Ave., Winder, GA 30680.

Carter Funeral Home, Winder The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Jennifer Diane Rutledge

Died Feb. 13, 2015 Jennifer Diane Rutledge, 37, of Social Circle, died Friday, Feb. 13, 2015.

Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Highway 53, Hoschton, GA 30548, www.lawsonfuneralhome.org, 706-6540966, has charge of arrangements.

The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Maria Grams Schreiber

Died Feb. 19, 2015 Maria Grams Schreiber, 84, of Maysville, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015.

Born in Gurschdorf Sudetenland Republic of Czechoslovakia, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Rosa Grams. She was a homemaker and a member of St Catherine Laboure’ Catholic Church.

Survivors include her daughter, Chris Rudio and her husband John of Maysville; grandchildren, John Patrick Rudio, Alexandra Marie Adams and Michael Christopher Rudio; and great-grandchildren, Hunter, Coral, J.P., Michael Findley and Heidi.

Memorial services will be announced.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson

an environment where children are invited to know Christ, connect with one another, and reach beyond the church to love and serve. Key responsibilities include overseeing the weekly Sunday School and nursery program as well as coordinating special events and activities for children and families. To inquire, please visit www.arborpointe. org or call 770-272-6778. sss A “Get Well” benefit for Travis Harkins will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28. Beginning at 11 a.m. at Center Union

7A

The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Jack Rivers Stapleton

Died Feb. 20, 2015 Jack Rivers Stapleton, 84, of Statham, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at his home.

Born June 16, 1930, in Stapleton, he was a son of the late Marie Rivers and Edgar Jones Stapleton. He attended Georgia Military College. He served in the United States Army and was a Korean War veteran. After serving his country, he went into bridge construction and later was employed by and retired from the Georgia Power Company. Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing and people. He was an avid lover of history and nature. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Moore Stapleton; son, Jack Moore Stapleton; and brothers, Albert Sydney and Edgar Jones Stapleton.

Survivors include his children, Jennifer and husband Phil Thornton, John and wife Clarissa Stapleton, Kay Stapleton and Bruce Stapleton; grandchildren, Quincy and husband Darin Damron, Asa Thornton, Anna Stapleton and Jeremy Kiley; and greatgrandchildren, Halladay and Coralyn Damron.

A graveside service was held Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery in Bethlehem. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder The Paper, Feb. 26, 2015

Baptist Church in Braselton, barbecue plates and chicken stew will be sold. The church and the community will be helping to raise funds for the family. Buy tickets in advance and pick up the day of the benefit or stop by to purchase your plates and stew on Feb. 28.

Plates will include meat, beans, chips and a cookie for $8 with chicken stew for $6 a quarter or five quarts for $20. For tickets, call Calvin at 678-410-3074 or Tabitha at 678-654-4868.

The church is located at 302 Ednaville Road in Braselton. sss

REAGAN AT HAMILTON Family Medicine, Urgent Care & Diagnostic Center

Wa l k - i n s & A p p o i n t m e n t s Open 365 days WELCOME

Jeffrey Culpepper, MD

We are pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Jeffrey Culpepper as Medical Director of Reagan Medical Center at Hamilton Mill. Born & raised in Jefferson, Georgia, he is a true localite. After training in Family Medicine at Savannah, GA, he has been Board Certified and practicing in Georgia since 1995.

Now accepting new patients To schedule an appointment, please call

678-546-9800 3685 Braselton Hwy., Ste 100, Dacula, GA 30019

www.reaganmedical.com * Please call the office for details. Subject to change without notice

8A

The Paper | Thursday, February 26, 2015

Spring Term Registration

Zoom on over to Braselton to learn more about BULLI and our Spring courses, including The History of Racing in Georgia!

Join Brenau University Learning and Leisure Institute (BULLI), an organization for mature adults who enjoy learning, connecting with peers, staying active and having fun!

SPRING TERM REGISTRATION • BRASELTON To register please come to: TOWN HALL 4982 Highway 53 Braselton, Georgia 30517 For more information call 706-654-5720 With campuses in Gainesville and Braselton, BULLI offers a broad range of courses to educate your mind and energize your body. Academics, health and wellness, the arts and self-improvement. Everything from history to contemporary issues, exercise to art, computers to gun safety, finance to wine... and more!

No scholastic requirements, credits, homework or tests.

Join BULLI and discover the fun of lifelong learning!

COME ENJOY SOCIALIZING WITH YOUR PEERS WHILE LEARNING!

BULLI – Where Intellectual Curiosity Meets Friendship and Fun!

CMYK Thursday, February 26, 2015

Sports

PLAY BALL!

Lady Dragons’ title hopes end with first-round home loss

B

Griggs’ HR not enough as Panthers fall 8-3 against Athens Christian

BY COLIN HUBBARD

sports@clickthepaper.com

Charles Phelps The Paper

Jefferson’s Mariah Starks inbounds the ball against the Banks County Lady Leopards.

BY CHARLES PHELPS

cphelps@clickthepaper.com

JEFFERSON — The Banks County Lady Leopards’ tough region served them well in the opening round of the Class AAA state basketball tournament.

Down 2-0 early against the No. 2 seed Jefferson Lady Dragons, the Lady Leopards rattled off 9-0 run and never looked back.

The third-seeded Lady Leopards ended the Lady Dragons’ season and championship hopes with a 52-44 defeat.

The Lady Dragons finished the season with 20 wins including a 14-game winning streak, which ended in the Region 8-AAA tournament final against Morgan County.

“We picked a bad night to play bad,” Jefferson head coach Jason Gibson said.

“Some of what Banks County does to you in terms of the run-and-jumps and the pressure that they put on you, it forces you into situations that you normally don’t have to be in.

“I don’t feel like our kids played very well offensively.

I thought we shot the ball awful. We didn’t even take a lot of threes. We missed so many point-blank layups that we

didn’t deserve to win the basketball game playing the way we played.”

Jefferson was led by sophomore Abbie Franklin’s 20 points. She scored 16 in the second half, including two 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter, which cut the Lady Leopards’ lead to seven (5144) with under a minute to play.

Franklin was named girls’ co-Region Player of the Year.

Banks County’s Kaitlyn Duncan scored a game-high 23 points, including 14 in the third quarter. Allison Smith added nine points, all of which came in the second half.

Duncan scored six points in the opening quarter as the Lady Leopards opened up an 11-3 lead. The Lady Dragons responded in the second quarter outscoring the Lady Leopards 9-4 and the deficit was three (15-12) at halftime.

Five Lady Dragons scored in the second quarter.

Duncan scored the Lady Leopards’ opening six points in the third quarter en route to 14 points. She hit eight free throws in the quarter as well.

Smith connected on a buzzer-beating jump shot to

See jefferson, 2B

MC boys’ LAX, Miller open with dominant performance over W. Forsyth

BY CHARLES PHELPS

cphelps@clickthepaper.com

HOSCHTON — The Mill Creek boys’ lacrosse team showed Monday night they are versatile in how they attack, score goals and how quick they are to respond to adversity.

The Hawks (1-0) upended the West Forsyth Wolverines 9-5 in their season-opening game at Markham Field.

Senior Ian Miller snagged a hat trick with two first-half goals and one in the third quarter.

Cold conditions and rain from the weekend left the field a sloppy mess and Mill Creek head coach Bo Adams said he was “amazed” they got the game in.

Even in the not-so-conducive conditions, his squad performed well.

“For the first time, field being in not great condition and wet, they played pretty well,” Adams said.

Younger players got a lot of playing time in the second half due to the Hawks’ commanding 7-1 lead, Adams explained.

“We were trying to get everybody in,” he said. “It happens (sometimes). We (have) some young players that are really good that need to get that time.”

On Miller’s stellar performance to start the season,

Adams said, “He’s what he is. He’s good. He’s quick. He’s smart. He looks for assists (and) not always to score all the time, so that’s great. He’s a great player and he makes us better just because he’s the quarterback on the field.

He’s talking. He gets people moving.”

After an early first-quarter goal, the Hawks attacked again as Nick Eldridge found Eddie Grieco, who put the ball past the Wolverines’ goalkeeper to grab a 2-0 lead with 7:42 left in the opening quarter.

Over two minutes later, Miller grabbed his first goal and bumped the Hawks’ lead to 3-0. The first quarter ended with that score.

With 10:24 left until halftime, Miller rifled his second goal into the net to extend the lead to 4-0. The Hawks’ fifth first-half goal came from junior Zach Roper with 3:08 left in the half (5-0). They carried the same lead into the second half.

The Hawks’ scoring-barrage continued in the second half. Jeremy Kohn found Blake Christian for a passand-goal with 6:35 left in the third quarter (6-0).

The Wolverines got on the scoreboard (6-1) with 4:21 left in the third. The Hawks

See lacrosse, 2B

ATHENS — The best way to start off your season as a hitter is to hit a home run on your first at-bat of the year.

That is exactly what Jackson County sophomore Chris Griggs did last Friday night, but his home run was the only lead the Panthers gained in what was an 8-3 loss at Athens Christian.

Griggs finished his night at the plate going 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Colby Cole added a triple in the sixth inning to finish his night 1-for-3 with one RBI, while Joel Ellis added a hit and an RBI as well.

“I didn’t even know the ball went over the fence until I got to third base,” Griggs stated. “It felt good to get that, but as a team we didn’t play very well. I know we are a lot better than how we played tonight.”

As a team the Panthers allowed 11 stolen bases, Colin Hubbard The Paper walked seven batters and Jackson County pitcher Coleman Barbee delivers a pitch against Athens Christian Acadcommitted four errors.

“It is a really good thing emy last Friday. this was our first game of the year because we stunk,” dler Pethel gave the Eagles the lead (2- bottom half of the third to run the score Jackson County head coach Tommy 1) on a single up the middle. to a commanding 6-1 lead behind yet Fountain stated. “We didn’t do a very Fountain opted to go to his bullpen another error by the Panthers’ outfield. good job of throwing strikes tonight and after losing the lead, bringing in rightGriggs led off the fourth inning with a that led to poor plays defensively and hander Jace Latty, who quickly found hard-hit single up the middle, followed you cannot do things like that against a himself in a bases-loaded jam. by another single from Ellis. quality opponent.

With a chance to end the inning, But, the bottom half of the order “But that happens and we will get bet- outfielder Ryan Fogarty dropped a fly wasn’t able to get the base runners ter.” ball, allowing two more Eagles to score, across, leading to another scoreless inAfter Griggs’ home run in the top of stretching the lead to 4-1 headed into the ning. the first, pitcher Coleman Barbee toed third.

The score remained 6-1 until the top it up for the Panthers in the bottom half Jackson County was blanked in the of the sixth inning when lead-off hitter and got out of a bases-loaded jam to hit column yet again in the third in- Travis Vickers slapped a single up the maintain a 1-0 lead. ning. Griggs’ home run was the only hit After a quick 1-2-3 inning for Athens through three innings.

Christian pitcher Austin Turgeon, ChanThe Eagles added a pair of runs in the See panthers, 2B

Soccer: Hawks fall to Grayson in OT; Lady Hawks lose 4-0

BY KYLE FUNDERBURK

sports@clickthepaper.com

HOSCHTON — Opportunities were in abundance for the Mill Creek Hawk boys’ soccer team last Friday, but they were unable to capitalize and turn opportunities into points.

Instead, it was the Grayson Rams who found the back of the net midway through the first overtime period to beat the Hawks 1-0.

Mill Creek’s Brenton King was caught offside three times and the team got the ball into the box 17 times but weren’t able to score on any trip.

“Early in the game, we had five or six great chances,” Mill Creek head coach Sean Garnett said. “If we put some of those away, then it’s a different game.

“I’m proud of the effort our guys gave defensively. Offensively, we have to break that goalless streak. When we had the one-on-one opportunities, I think if we had one more pass, we had one more guy running free on the other side.”

On the other side of the field, the Hawks’ defense kept the Rams’ attack from getting close to the goal. When Grayson managed to get close, goalkeeper Jason Chavez and the defenders shut them down.

“I thought our defense played well, not just our goalkeeper,” Garnett said.

“They have two great strikers and we did a great job containing them.”

When 80 minutes expired, Mill Creek and Grayson were tied 0-0. Then, despite being in different regions, the officials decided to continue the game in overtime.

Three minutes into the first of two five-minute overtime periods, Chavez made great save on a shot by Waillys Cuellar, but it setup Grayson with a corner kick that Cuellar scored on to break the tie.

The Hawks failed to threaten the Rams’ net in the final eight minutes.

Lady Rams 4, Lady Hawks 0 The score doesn’t represent how close the game between the Mill Creek Lady Hawks and the Grayson Lady Rams really was.

Grayson’s Jennifer Westendorf recorded a hat trick in the four-point victory.

Both keepers combined for 10 saves, but the Lady Hawks didn’t have the lethal striker the Lady Rams had, which was the difference in the game.

“It was a terrific game,” Mill Creek head coach Vince Hayes said. “I feel

Jones sisters, Lady Tigers make Elite Eight

BY CHARLES PHELPS

cphelps@clickthepaper.com

COMMERCE — Freshmen normally aren’t the go-to players for any team, especially during the playoffs.

But for the Commerce Lady Tigers, freshmen playing at a high level is the norm and that was no different last Friday during the Lady Tigers’ 56-38 firstround win in the Class A Public state playoffs over the Montgomery County Lady Eagles.

Freshmen sisters Asia and Mya Jones combined for 46 points (Asia 27, Mya 19) of the team’s 56 points in the win.

However, Mya left the game in the fourth quarter due to injury. The extent of the injury was unknown.

“It was a complete team effort,” coach Brad Puckett said. “Earlier in the year, we had one or two people doing everything for us, and right now, everybody is doing something.”

Outside of the lucrative scoring by the Jones sisters, Puckett praised 5-foot-10 sophomore Savannah Mullis’ effort on the boards as she snagged 14 rebounds, along with four points.

He said if he had to give a player of the game award, it would go to Mullis.

“She (Mullis) did everything we told her to do,” he said. “She found No. 33 (Talijah Brown), which was their (Montgomery County’s) biggest player, all night and she never let her get her hands on the ball very much.

“She made sure they were one-anddone. I told the girls coming in, ‘They’re not great shooters, but they get the ball

like they did a really great job at making adjustments in the second half and they had some players who were good enough to get in space and dangerous enough when given opportunities.

“We had our own opportunities. Obviously, in this game, you’re going to get four or five chances and they’re going to get four or five chances. In close games, it comes (down) to who can make the most of those.”

Westendorf scored her first of three goals seven minutes into the game. It was the only score of the first half. Both teams were even with their opportunities. The Lady Hawks missed four shots in five minutes. The first two shots from Brooke Wilson and Madison Steimer were on target but stopped. Wilson missed off target with her second attempt and Isabel Eigenbauer missed a wide-open shot.

Just over 12 minutes into the second half, Westendorf scored her second goal of the game to give Grayson a 2-0 lead.

The rest of the second half was controlled by the Lady Rams. Lady Hawk defenders stood strong, but Westendorf completed the hat trick with less than four minutes left to play and Brittany Montgomery scored on a penalty kick with 47 seconds left on the clock.

up to the basket and they get second and third attempts because they crash the boards so hard. And we can’t let that happen.’ And Savannah was all over the boards tonight. Once she got it, she chinned it, she took care of it, got it to our point guard so that we could run our offense.”

Asia and Mya Jones combined for 15 of the Lady Tigers’ 19 first-quarter points, including two 3-pointers, en route to an early 19-11 lead. Commerce built the lead to 30-19 by halftime behind stellar defensive play, which created a few more opportunities for the high-octane Lady Tigers’ offense.

The defense didn’t let up in the third quarter as it held the Lady Eagles’ offense to seven points, but the offense

See commerce, 2B

LOCAL soccer

local sports

local baseball

Soccer Totz registration open

Sports action this weekend

Travel team registration open

Jackson County Parks & Recreation Soccer Totz registration is open. Registration is $60 and is open until April 3. A $15 late fee will be added if registered after March 20. The co-ed program is for kids ages 2-3. A parent must attend and participate in the training sessions. The program meets for six Saturdays beginning April 4 at Lamar Murphy Park. For more information, call 706-367-6350 and visit www.jacksonrec.com.

Soccer: Mill Creek vs Dacula, 5:30 p.m. Friday, at Mill Creek; Jackson County vs Hart County, 5:30 p.m. Friday, at Jackson County Lacrosse: Mill Creek boys vs Etowah, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, at Duncan Creek Park Baseball: Jackson County vs Madison County, 5:55 p.m.

Friday, at Jackson County

Registration is open for the North Georgia Travel League for 10-and-under and 12-and-under baseball and 14-andunder softball. The cost is $500 per team; fee includes umpires, scorekeeper, 12 games, one practice slot per week during the season beginning March 2. Play begins March 23. Games will be played at Lamar Murphy Park at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Rick Sanders at 706-367-6350 or rsanders@jacksoncountygov. com.

2B

sports

The Paper | Thursday, February 26, 2015

COMMERCE Continued from 1B

managed only eight points of its own, and the lead was 38-26 starting the fourth quarter.

However, Asia Jones saved her best for the fourth quarter as she scored 12 points, including the opening six points. Mya Jones scored the next four points as part of a 10-0 Lady Tigers’ run and bumped the margin to 48-26.

Asia Jones scored the next six points and

Mullis grabbed her second bucket of the night to put an exclamation point on the victory.

Asia credited passing and penetrating the ball away from the defense helped the offense.

“I was thinking just keep shooting the way I’m shooting,” she said. “Never let up. Never let down, you know. Keep going.”

On how she played when Mya exited the game, she said, “I feel like I had to step my game up, you know, step in for my sister. Just let the team know that I’m still here.”

Eagles fall to Leopards in first round of Class AAA playoffs

Colin Hubbard The Paper

Jackson County’s Chris Griggs at the plate last Friday against Athens Christian Academy.

Griggs recorded a home run in the 8-3 loss.

PANTHERS

Continued from 1B middle and Cole sent a deep fly ball over the head of the Eagles’ center fielder en route to an RBI triple.

After a Griggs fly out, Ellis singled to right to score Cole to cut the lead to 6-3 headed into the bottom half of the sixth.

But, the Panthers’ rally fell short as the Eagles added two more runs in the sixth and put the game out of reach.

Fountain added, “It’s a lot easier to field

fly balls in this weather than ground balls and Athens Christian did a good job of hitting it hard on the ground at us.

“I take the blame for how we played today,” he said. “We’re going to go back to work starting tomorrow morning and work on getting better defensively.”

The Panthers got on track Monday as they defeated White County 2-0.

Griggs and Max Wilson pitched a two-hit shutout. Griggs recorded seven strikeouts.

Caleb Mathews recorded the Panthers’ lone two hits.

Charles Phelps The Paper

JEFFERSON

Continued from 1B close the third quarter and give the Lady Leopards a 3830 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Duncan and Smith combined for eight of the team’s 14 fourth-quarter points.

“To be a good basketball team and to win championships, you got to do two things, you have got to defend and rebound, and you have got to make layups and free throws,” Gibson said.

“Those two things. You can’t miss the point-blank opportunities like we did and then miss free throws like we did and expect to beat good basketball teams.”

He called Duncan a “tough matchup” for the Lady Dragons’ man or zone defense. He added Smith’s buckets in the second half kept his team at arms’ length from the lead.

Down seven points with 47

seconds left to play, Gibson felt the game wasn’t out of reach.

“I’ve been in situations where (there) was 52 seconds, down 10 and came back and forced overtime,” he said. “So, I know there was time, we just couldn’t get enough plays. I don’t think there was a situation all night where we really found any type of rhythm and some of that’s credit to Banks County for how they play defense.

“Other times I thought it was a credit to us not letting ourselves get into any type of rhythm because we would miss the open layups.”

Gibson is disappointed for his seniors that the season ended with a first-round exit.

But, he hopes the younger kids will learn from the game, atmosphere and come back next year and be “better” from the experience.

“State tournament games are physical and sometimes the younger kids need to

learn how to play in that type of situation,” Gibson explained. “If they will go back and work, and I’m talking all, freshmen, sophomores, juniors, if they will go back and work their tails off, they’ll be better players next year.

“Hopefully we’ll be in this same situation again and have a chance to move on through the state tournament...I look back on it tonight and I’m frustrated and I’m upset and I know our kids are upset, but I’m not going to let one game define how our season ended up. I think our kids worked hard all year. Hopefully we can learn and come back and build on this for next year.

I’m proud of our kids, just unfortunate that it ended this way.”

The Jefferson boys’ basketball team lost to the oneseeded East Hall Vikings 5334 last Wednesday in the first round of the Class AAA state playoffs.

East Jackson freshman Drue Drinnon at the free-throw line last week against Banks County.

BY CHARLES PHELPS

cphelps@clickthepaper.com

HOMER — If there was a winning formula for the second-seed Banks County Leopards in the Class AAA state playoffs, it was get it to the big men.

Last Thursday in the team’s first-round game against three-seeded East Jackson, that’s exactly what they did as freshman Drue Drinnon’s game-high 28 points wasn’t enough to match the Leopards’ combination of junior Zac Orr (21 points) and senior Austin Venable (16 points) in the Leopards’ 62-56 first-round win over the Eagles.

“The game against Banks was tough,” Drinnon said.

“We started off hot in the first quarter and fell (off) from that.

“We were in the game and one of our key players fouled out in the fourth quarter and that hurt us really bad.”

However, the sting of the first-round loss didn’t diminish the Eagles’ success throughout the 2014-15 season. They finished the season 18-11 and beat three teams the program had never beat before, Jefferson, Elbert and Hart County.

“This year has been really tough on my part but also really fun,” Drinnon explained. “It has made me a better player. We accomplished a lot this year.

“We achieved a lot of goals that we set coming in to the season.”

Banks County head coach Mike Cleveland said after

the win, “I was proud of the kids. That was a great highschool basketball game. East Jackson has a very good team and I thought that was two good teams matched-up.

“It came (down) to a couple of shots late and a couple of stops late. I’m very proud of my kids for the win.”

Orr, a 6-foot-6 junior, scored 14 of his 21 points in the second half, including three free throws in the final 31 seconds. He started fast with eight points in the opening quarter but failed to score in the second quarter.

After halftime, that all changed.

“Coach (Cleveland) is always telling me, ‘Even if you’re in a slump, just keep working hard and let the game come to you,’” Orr said after the win. “If I keep doing that, then I’m going to get the shots.

“I may miss a few, but I know not to let it get to my head, because as a good player you don’t want to let that influence you. You want to keep playing hard and just take the right shots. They’re going to fall for you eventually if you keep working hard.”

The Leopards started cold and Drinnon took advantage of the opportunity, connecting on back-to-back 3-pointers and helped the Eagles to an early 9-2 lead.

However, Orr and Venable combined for 10 points (Orr 8, Venable 2) as part of a 12-2 run and the Leopards led by one (14-13) after the first.

“I just got a good start,”

Orr said. “I was feeling my shot and it just kept going. I just felt like I could penetrate their (East Jackson) zone and just get the shots I was looking for all night.”

Drinnon hit his third 3-pointer to start the second quarter and a back-and-forth tussle for the lead ensued.

Venable added six points for the Leopards, but it was East Jackson senior Devonte Tuggle who made the biggest splash with seven points, including a 3-pointer to give the Eagles the lead 27-26 at halftime.

Tuggle finished the game with 13 points.

Down 31-29 in the third quarter, the Leopards found another gear as Orr and junior teammate Zez Steeple combined for 13 points to close the quarter and put the Leopards ahead for good (4231).

Steeple finished the game with 10 points.

The Eagles cut the deficit to four points twice (48-44, 50-46) behind Drinnon’s 14 fourth-quarter points, but the rally fell short as Venable scored eight points and Orr his final seven to put the game away.

“It was a great experience,” Drinnon said about the season. “Everybody says that we have changed the culture at East Jackson.

“They (the fans) supported us at the end of the season at Oconee (County) and it helped us make it to state. This year as a whole has been great. Playing for coach (David) Boyd has been a great experience.”

Rogers steps down as boys’ basketball coach at Mill Creek

BY CHARLES PHELPS

cphelps@clickthepaper.com Charles Phelps The Paper

Top: Mill Creek’s Ian Miller (45) gets ready to attack the net during the Hawks’ 9-5 win over West Forsyth on Monday. Bottom: The Mill Creek boys’ lacrosse team during a timeout.

HOSCHTON — Mill Creek boys’ head basketball coach Chad Rogers announced Monday he is stepping down after six seasons.

“The time was right,” he said Tuesday afternoon. “I want to try and be around my family more at this time.”

Rogers has two children, a boy and girl, who are getting older, he explained.

“They have something going on all the time,” he said. “I want to be there for them and try not to miss as much as I already have.”

He is staying at Mill Creek teaching and as an assistant football coach. Rogers has coached for 17 total years (15 as a head basketball coach and 16 as both an assistant football and head basketball coach).

He said the assistant position isn’t as “time consuming” as the double duty coaching he ‘s experienced over the past 16 years.

In his tenure as head coach, the Hawks reached the state playoffs three times including this season’s team, which finished 16-13 and finished fourth in Region 7-AAAAAA. They were eliminated by Shiloh in the first round of the Class AAAAAA state playoffs.

He said there was no good way to address the team, but he kept it short and to the point.

“I just told them, ‘Thank you for a great season, for being great teammates with each other and for how you played the game.’

“I hope they respect the fact that I spent a lot of my time coaching and now I want to spend even more time with my family...I’m not going anywhere. I will still be here at Mill Creek. I look forward to seeing them around and for years to come. We are all friends for life,” he continued. “They will do great for the next head coach. I just want them to keep working hard and I’m excited about the future of Mill Creek basketball.”

Lassiter racks up 16 hits in rout of Mill Creek in baseball opener

BY CHARLES PHELPS

cphelps@clickthepaper.com

LACROSSE

Continued from 1B responded as Miller completed the hat trick and the team carried a 7-1 lead into the final quarter.

“Offensively, I thought we did pretty well executing with what we had to deal with condition wise,” Miller said.

On his hat trick, he said he saw “over pursuing” Wolverine defenders and they chased the stick which created opportunities for him.

“Me being a very small guy, I can keep my balance pretty well,” Miller said. “So, I can sit there and take a hit and get the ball (out) pretty quickly, either a pass or a goal.”

The Wolverines added four goals in the fourth quarter, but Colton Eubanks and Noah Miller scored the Hawks’ final two goals to put the win away.

Eldridge picked up his second assist on Eubanks’ goal.

The Hawks play Etowah, Saturday 7:30 p.m., at Duncan Creek Park.

HOSCHTON — The Mill Creek Hawks’ baseball team struggled to produce runs offensively and struggled to limit the opposition’s opportunities defensively in the squad’s home-opening game last Saturday.

The Hawks (0-1) yielded three first-inning runs en route to a 7-1 loss against Lassiter.

After getting the first two runs across the plate, Lassiter added the third on an RBI single with two outs. They finished the first inning with four hits.

They added two more runs (5-0) in the second inning with another RBI single and an RBI sacrifice fly.

Lassiter added its final two runs in the top of the seventh on back-to-back RBI doubles to put the game away.

The Hawks’ lone run came off a bases-

loaded, two-out single in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Lassiter produced 16 hits vs. Mill Creek’s four.

CMYK Thursday, February 26, 2015

features Russian adoption ban traps families

BY C.L. ABERCROMBIE

Regional staff

The last time the Romano family saw its potential adoptive son Yura, it was in an orphanage in the St. Petersburg area of Russia.

They showed him cellphone pictures of his biological brother Bogdan, whom the Romanos had already begun the extensive process to adopt as well.

“Yura was like ‘Oh! Bogdan!’ He was like kissing the phone, trying to talk to him on the phone,” Pam Romano said. “It was heartbreaking.”

Pam and her husband, Mark Romano, of Jefferson first met Bogdan when their family participated in an orphan-hosting program in Hall County in 2010. Bogdan was just 4 years old, and he returned to Russia thinking he hadn’t found a family during his time in the United States.

“My heart was really broken for him, because he’s in a special-needs orphanage,” Pam Romano said.

“He’d probably live his entire life behind institution walls.”

In September 2011, the Romanos began the grueling process of adopting Bogdan, including the completion of a home study and several background checks. In Russia, Bogdan’s paperwork soon revealed he had a brother, Yura, who had been labeled an invalid.

Bogdan, who is now 9 years old, and Yura, who is now 7 years old, have been in orphanages together and apart throughout their short lives.

“We prayed about it and we felt like the boys had been through enough trauma and we didn’t need to separate them again,” Pam Romano said. “Whatever condition (Yura) had, we felt God would equip us and prepare us for it.”

The Romano family, including daughters Jamie, 14, Joy, 16, and son Ryan, 19, traveled to Russia in November 2012 with the belief they would bring their new sons home within the next year.

But in December 2012, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill that banned all adoptions of Russian children by Americans.

For Pam Romano, who had already prepared two rooms in her house for Bogdan and Yura, the move is more than just another development in geopolitical strife.

“For the longest time I couldn’t even bear to look in there,” Pam Romano said. “If I did go in there I’d cry and pray.”

The bill, which became effective Jan. 1, 2013, effectively canceled 46 pending adoptions, including those of children who had already met their prospective adoptive families and believed they would soon be going home to live with them in the U.S. According to Romano, the ban affected three families in North Georgia in addition to her own.

The Romanos recently agreed to participate in a documentary investigating the plight of those families.

The project will serve as a senior thesis for Ksenia Strelets, a Russian native of Volgograd, who is completing her master’s degree at the Academy of Arts University in San Francisco.

The documentary is a complex project for Strelets, 25, who was motivated to make it after her own experience as a Russian living in the United States.

“I know how it is important to have this ability to go to school here, to have all these opportunities, unlimited opportunity honestly,” Strelets said. “When I heard about this law happening, obviously I was really touched because I thought it was so wrong to do that.”

According to Strelets, the Russian people’s opinion of the ban is complicated.

“It’s really hard to tell because everyone has their own opinion, and a lot depends on the media and propaganda,” Strelets said. “People who have been here and met American people are actually really against the ban, but of course a lot of people are supporting it because they just don’t understand what’s going on.”

In Russian houses of government, the ban was called the Dima Yakovlev Act. Dima Yakovlev was the birth name of Chase Harrison, a Russian orphan who died of heatstroke in 2008 after his American adoptive parents left him in a parked vehicle for nine hours.

American critics of the ban see it

See ADOPTION, 2A

3B

Arbor Day tree-planting and Foliage Fest ahead for Jefferson Heritage Tree Council The Jefferson Heritage Tree Council is set to hold the city’s annual Arbor Day recognition at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 6.

While the date had originally been announced for Feb. 20, freezing ground temperatures and the threat of rainfall prompted the Tuesday decision for the date change.

The public is encouraged to join in the tree-planting event on Kinney Hill at the Jefferson City Park.

The ceremony begins first with an Arbor Day proclamation read by Jefferson Mayor Roy Plott.

The event activity will then move to the end of Memorial Drive at Highway 11 where five newly-planted cherry trees will be dedicated to the five Jefferson Mill workers who died in World War II. These soldiers were PFC Willard H. F. Doster, PFC Lammoth Joe Hanson, PFC Francis Marion Hollis, PFC Ostell Franklin Jarrett and Lt. Bassford Redd.

The original cherry trees were planted by Morris Bryan Jr., to honor the World War II veterans and his mother, Mildred Bryan, was an enthusiastic supporter of this effort, help-

ing establish a monument at the Jefferson Memorial Stadium honoring the five mill workers who lost their lives in that conflict.

The American Legion Albert Gordon Post 56 Color Guard will participate in this dedication and will follow with the playing of “Taps.”

This dedication will mark the beginning of the Jefferson Heritage Tree Council’s two-

year project to replace the cherry trees that have died or are in declining health along Memorial Drive and circling Kinney Hill. The Tree Council will be pursuing grants and commemorative donations in completing this project, honoring local servicemen and women of all wars.

“The city arborist, Susan Russell, has been working to coordinate this significant event that also serves as the benchmark for an ongoing campaign to replace the once flourishing cherry trees that once welcomed visitors to the city in spring who came from all over the state for the Georgia Games and for other events at the stadium,” said Mary Dugan, a member of the Jefferson Heritage Tree Council.

For additional information about Arbor Day or the cherry tree project, contact City Arborist Susan Russell at 706-201-7893 or email

Walter Reeves will be special guest at 5th annual Foliage Fest The Jefferson Heritage Tree Council (JHTC) is holding its fifth annual Foliage Fest Tree Fair and Music Festival on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Foliage Fest will be held at City Park in Jefferson on Old Swimming Pool Road in Jefferson.

Special guest Horticulture expert Walter Reeves will be making an appearance as a very special guest this year. Reeves is known throughout the Southeast for his television and radio shows and newspaper columns where he offers information to homeowners regarding tree selection and care, gardening and residential landscape maintenance. He’ll be available at select Foliage Fest vendor booths and for a live public appearance to answer questions from festival attendees.

Tree sale The Foliage Fest event was inspired by the Jefferson Heritage Tree Council as a way to maximize the opportunity of planting season to increase healthy urban tree canopy. JHTC will hold a pre-sale of trees prior to Foliage Fest so that the trees can be picked up at the Saturday event. Trees, shrubs and other locally grown foliage will be offered for sale the day of the event from many regional growers.

For ordering pre-sale trees, go to jeffersontreecouncil.org.

Music The line-up of performances for this event features several award-winning, renowned talent, including Red Oak Southern Strings, Mark Garrison and Friends (of BlueBilly Grit), Center Stage and 82 Spur. Other live performances will mount the staging area throughout the day.

Food & arts & crafts exhibits Visitors to the 2015 Foliage Fest can expect even more booths and growers at the event

For The Paper

Horticulture expert Walter Reeves will be answering questions from festival attendees. this, such as Redd’s Que & Stew offer a broad range of foods and year with an expanded outdoor campus. Terrapin Beer Company and local restaurants will offer beverages. Registration is open for all growers and vendors who produce live goods, trees, shrubberyand produce. Those who make natural, handmade items, “green-related” arts and crafts or garden and yard arts are welcome to apply.

Contact For additional information, email jeffersonfoliagefest@gmail.com or call Michel Bowers at 706-367-4651. Vendor Applications can be downloaded from www.jeffersontreecouncil.org.

Tree orders being taken through March 16 The Jefferson Heritage Tree Council is currently taking orders for 3-gallon and 7-gallon trees.

The selection of trees includes a variety ornamental and flowering trees, shade trees, native trees, and fruit trees. The 3-gallon trees are prices from $16 to $20, and 7-gallon trees are from $40 to $45, depending upon variety.

All orders must be pre-paid.

Orders will be accepted through Monday, March 16.

Trees will be available for pickup on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Foliage Fest. The festival is being held at the Jefferson City Park, at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Old Swimming Pool Road. Pickup alternatives are available.

Many of these trees are eligible for a City of Jefferson utility bill credit through the Tree-Bates program.

Order forms may be downloaded from www.

cityofjefferson.com, www. jeffersontreecouncil.org, or may be picked up at the Jefferson library or at the City of Jefferson water department. Information about the Tree-Bates program can be obtained from the same sites and locations.

For questions or additional information, contact city arborist Susan Russell at 706-201-7893 or email cityarborist@cityofjeffersonga. com.

Rockin’ the Green 5K is among March 14’s activities in downtown Braselton Registration is open for the annual “Rockin’ the Green 5K” race in downtown Braselton.

The popular fitness run begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 14.

A $25 registration fee is required

by March 1 and guarantees runners an event tee shirt. Registering after March 1 is $30. Runners may register online at www.tinyurl.com/braselton2015 or by contacting the downtown office at 706-684-0369.

Tracey Shelton was last year’s race winner in the 30-39 female category. She said “what a great way to kick off spring – a little running and lots of fun with friends and neighbors taking in the sights of our beautiful downtown.”

The run will begin a day of fun festivities for families including tours of the historic grist mill, a sidewalk chart art contest, painted benches and chairs for purchase and food vendors.

Seat Yourself is a “chair-ity” fundraiser for the Braselton

Downtown Development Authority will be held in conjunction with Milling Around Downtown.

Local artists and craftsmen have turned ordinary chairs and benches into works of art which willl be for sale on Frances Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 14. Proceeds from the fundraiser will help downtown programs.

You can see the benches and chairs which are placed at several downtown business locations including Braselton Antique Mall, Independence Bank and inside the Braselton Brothers Store complex breezeway.

Also on March 14, the Rock the Chalk sidewalk chart art contest is returning. The contest is open to all ages and skill levels but sidewalk squares will be limited so pre-registration is recommended.

Also on tap for the Milling Around Downtown will be food trucks set up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and downtown merchants

Mary Beth Rice, who took third in the 50-59-year-old female category, and Tracy Shelton, who was first in the 30-39-year-old female division, are anticipating this year’s Rockin’the Green 5K set for March 14, the day a number of activities will be taking place in downtown Braselton with Milling Around Downtown. will be joining in with specials and sales.

Contact downtown director

Amy Pinnell at 706-684-0369 or apinnell@braselton.net. Visit www.DowntownBraselton..com

4B

features

The Paper | Thursday, February 26, 2015

‘Author of Year’ triologist featured at Brenau event Victoria Wilcox was Friends of the Library special guest at recent membership gathering More than 125 years after the death of legendary Georgia-born Old West gunfighter and gambler John H. “Doc” Holliday, Brenau University will host a special program Tuesday, March 3, that explores the continuing prominence in popular culture of Holliday and others whose principal claim to fame was a 30-second gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, Oct. 26, 1881.

Free and open to the public, the program features Georgia “Author of the Year” Victoria Wilcox, who has produced a trilogy of novels based on the life of Holliday. The Last Decision, the third book in the Wilcox series titled Southern Son: The Saga of Doc Holliday is scheduled for publication in May. Wilcox will sign copies of the first two books, Inheritance and Gone West, following the program in historic Pearce Auditorium on the Brenau Gainesville campus.

Signed copies of The Last Decision can be pre-ordered that evening as well.

Noted film critic Eleanor Ringel Cater, a self-acknowledged Doc Holliday aficionado, joins Wilcox on stage for a wide-ranging discussion of the Holliday story in fact and fiction.

Members of the audience are encouraged to dress up in Western attire and take advantage of an old-timey photo booth, stocked with some extra western-style accessories for selfies and other photos to post on a special webpage for the event.

Brenau students will get into the act as well with some events leading up to the main program, including a screening of the film, Tombstone, in Thurmond McRae Lecture Hall on the Brenau Gainesville campus at 7 p.m. Monday, March 2, and some fun

instruction in learning the mathematical and critical thinking concepts applied in Doc Holliday’s favorite game: poker. Wilcox also will appear at the Gainesville Rotary Club meeting at noon Monday, March 2, at First Baptist Church.

Wilcox, founding director of the Holliday-DorseyFife House Museum, which opened in 1996 in the historical Fayetteville, Georgia, spent close to two decades on what would become the research for her fictional trilogy.

Wilcox was the featured speaker at the member appreciation events hosted recently at Country Inn & Suites by Friends of the Braselton-West Jackson Library.

“I didn’t start out to be a novelist,” said Wilcox, who has become over the past two decades arguably the leading authority on Holliday.

“I was just answering TV and newspaper reporters’ questions about the people behind the Holliday House.

But every time I was interviewed, the reporters got their facts wrong. So I made up a fact sheet for their reference, and they still got it wrong. Then I wrote out an eight-page handout, detailing dates and names – and they still got it wrong.”

Ironically, she selected historical fiction instead of biography as a means to set the record straight.

She said that she concluded she “should leave the confusing facts to the historians and use them as a basis for a well-researched historical fiction instead.

Then, people who didn’t usually read history could read the history, wrapped around a great story.”

Wilcox was interested in a little-told aspect of story: the nexus of the real Holliday story and the basis for the fictional characters created

by Atlanta author Margaret Mitchell in her southern classic Gone with the Wind. The fictional Scarlett O’Hara’s best friend Melanie Hamilton appears to have been based on Doc Holliday’s first cousin (and first love interest) Mattie Holliday.

The fact that Doc Holliday died on Nov. 8, 1887, and Mitchell was born 13 years later, also on Nov. 8, threw oil on Wilcox’s creative coincidence juices since she, too, was born on Nov. 8.

Much of the misinformation, Wilcox asserts, comes from movies and television, which have drawn on the Doc Holliday character in one form or another since the beginnings of both those

Victoria Maddox decided she “should leave the confusing facts to the historians and use them as a basis for a well-researched historical fiction instead. Then, people who didn’t usually read history could read the history, wrapped around a great story.

Lunch and Learn will be hosting Darrell Huckaby Darrell Huckaby, who shares “The Wit and Wisdom of the Last Southerner,” will be the guest program at the upcoming Lunch and Learn program presented by the Friends of the BraseltonWest Jackson Library.

Born and raised in the North Georgia mill village of Porterdale, Darrell Huckaby now lives in Conyers, Georgia with his wife Lisa, and their three Children, Jamie, Jackson, and Jenna.

He teaches AP US History and Current Issues at Heritage High School and his syndicated newspaper columns appear in a number of papers across the state.

The “ What The Huck?”

Commentary can be heard on the Moby in the Morning radio show every Huckaby Wednesday at 7:50 a.m.

A proud graduate of the University of Georgia, Huck is the author of ten books and travels extensively across the South, speaking to church and civic organizations as well as corporate functions.

His down home humor and unique reflections on life in the South” the way it was, the way it used to be, and the way it ought to be” make him a favorite with his readers and on the banquet circuit.

The Friends of the Braselton-West Jackson Library are pleased and proud to have “Huck” and his humor at the March 11 Lunch and Learn program at 11:30 a.m. at the Braselton Municipal Court Building.

Bring $6 for soup, salad, rolls and dessert to the Community Room in the rear of the Municipal building.

Call Debbie at 678-9635423. Reservations are appreciated, but not necessary to attend. See more at www. facebook.com/braseltonlibraryfriends

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LeAnne Akin The Paper

Victoria Wilcox was welcomed to the Friends membership appreciation gathering by president Dan Aldridge. A large crowd attended the western-theme event which was held at Country Inn and Suites in Braselton. See more scenes at ClickThePaper.com

media. Earp, who lived until 1929, actually hung around early Hollywood with silent film cowboy stars Tom Mix and William S. Hart, who both were pallbearers at Earp’s funeral. But the EarpHolliday-OK Corral story really did not catch on there until the 1930s – and then the pace was relentless. Two of the most successful films were Kevin Costner’s Wyatt Earp in 1994 with Dennis Quaid as Holliday and Tombstone a year earlier with what is regarded by many as an Oscar-worthy film char-

acterization of Holliday by Val Kilmer.

And as if the “real legend” was not enough to distort the real history of the Georgian, Holliday characters have made appearances in episodes of the British TV science fiction series Dr. Who and in a gunfight with crew members of the starship Enterprise in the third season of the Star Trek series on American TV. Still, Wilcox says she loves it all, and she ticks off her own favorites in the Holliday oeuvre and among the

re-enactors in an eclectic group that includes 1930s Latin heartthrob Caesar Romero, Walter Huston, Victor Mature, Jason Robards, Kirk Douglas, Willie Nelson and Dennis Quaid’s brother, Randy, in a 2000 film Purgatory.

Why? “It was the ‘because’ that fascinated me,” said Wilcox, “and why this Southern boy became a Western legend.”

For more information on the upcoming event, visit www.brenau.edu/doc-holliday or call 770-534-6160.

FEATURES

The Paper | Thursday, February 26, 2015

5B

‘Are You Smarter Than a 10-Year-Old’ is March 5

Fundraiser, silent auction will benefit Certified Literate Community Program in Jackson Co.

Sometimes we all wonder if we are as smart as kids in school today. We all like to think that we are but the question still looms.

Now is your chance to come to the “Are You Smarter Than A 10-YearOld?” event that will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 5,in the Jackson EMC auditorium in Jefferson and see if you can answer some of the questions that adult teams will be asked.

Nine teams, made up of three adults from throughout the county, will be vying for the right to say they are smarter than a 10-year-old at the end of the evening.

Each team will be asked questions in different categories and will have an opportunity to get help from a group of 10-year-old students from schools throughout the county. They can choose to use the students answer or go with their own response.

If a team gives an incorrect answer, they will have one opportunity to pay a mulli-

gan and remain in the game, or they will be knocked out of competition.

Last year’s winning team, the City of Jefferson, will be trying to hold on to their title for another year. They will have some stiff competition with eight other teams trying to claim the title as their own.

The event t is presented by the Jackson County Certified Literate Community Program to raise funds for the Jackson County Adult Education Center located in Commerce in the Lanier Technical College campus.

A full-time GED class and basic adult education classes are held Monday through Thursday and an English As A Second Language class is held Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Classes are also held in the Jackson County Correctional Institute, the Potter’s House and now at South Jackson Elementary School. There is no cost for any of these classes.

The Jackson County CLCP works to provide some GED

scholarships, post-secondary scholarships, buy books and equipment for the classes and other items that are needed to help provide an educational opportunity for adults in Jackson County that did not finish high school. All proceeds from this event will be used for this purpose.

There will be a silent auction with lots of great items available and waiting for your bid. There will also be a live auction with some great packages being auctioned to the highest bidder. There will be audience participation prizes for those in the audience that correctly answer some questions asked by the Master of Ceremonies Andy Garrison Admission is free but donations will be accepted to benefit the adult literacy program. This is a familyfriendly event that will be enjoyed by all.

Anyone that would like to donate items for the silent auction or would like more information on the event,

LeAnne Akin The Paper

Last year’s “Are You Smarter than a 10-Year-Old” competition found the City of Jefferson team of Councilman Seve Quinn, city arborist Susan Russell and Councilman Mark Mobley as the winning team. The city team will be defending its title at the March 5 fundraiser for Jackson County Certified Literate Community Program. Also pictured is Chamber board chairman Shawn Watson, emcee Andy Garrison and Sandra Fite, coordinator of the program. contact Sandra Fite at 706367-8574.

For information on any of the GED or basic education classes, contact Gwenn Evans at 706-335-9549.

GED special offerings are ending Feb. 28 Until Feb. 28, there are two special offers to help you get started toward your reality of earning your GED. In the first offer, you can

take the GED Ready practice test for $1. Included with this offer you: save $5 on each practice test you take, find out if you’re ready to take the GED test, get personal study plans to help you score higher and see the exact pages and chapters you need to study.

In the second offer, you save $10 on your first GED test. This is good for your first GED test subject. You can combine this with other state and local offers and save even more. Start with any of the four test subjects:

Reasoning Through Language Arts, Math, Science or Social Studies. You must schedule by Feb. 28 to save.

For information on these offers, call Gwenn Evans at the Jackson County Adult Education Center at 706-3359549 or email at gevans@ laniertech.edu South Jackson Elementary School is also now partnering with Lanier Technical College to provide Adult Education GED preparation classes, and there are also other locations for students to take classes.

Event theme is Lights! Camera! Relay!

Motorcycle club makes historic $2,500 donation to Piedmont Rape Crisis Center Local motorcycle enthusiasts marked their club’s longevity by making a sizable financial contribution to a group serving the victims of sexual violence.

In January, members of the East Atlanta chapter of the Iron Order Motorcycle Club held a fundraiser in recognition of their club’s 10-year anniversary. Members selected the Piedmont Rape Crisis Center (PRCC) as their beneficiary, and more than 300 individuals joined together to donate $2,500.

PRCC Executive Director Susan Schuenemann said the club’s contribution represents the largest financial gift to her organization from a single entity. PRCC is an advocacy program serving the primary and secondary victims of sexual violence with free services for adults in Banks, Barrow and Jackson counties.

Cash said the funds will assist PRCC with its 24/7 crisis hotline, forensic exam accompaniments, court accompaniments and

awareness / education efforts. She said her organization greatly appreciates the generosity exhibited by what some may consider an unlikely source.

“To look at the members of the Iron Order, their outward appearance may be intimidating to some,” Schuenemann said. “But if you look past the rough-and-tough exterior, you will find a fun-loving and kind-hearted group of individuals who love to ride and give to others in need.”

Pull, president of the club’s East Atlanta chapter, and Iron Order members emphasized their desire to supply a worthwhile local non-profit with extra resources to increase their services.

“Not only was it our anniversary celebration, but we wanted to make sure that giving back was a club priority,” Pull said. “The Iron Order is proud to partner with the Crisis Center and support the work they do for those with such serious needs.”

www.keepjacksoncountybeautiful.org

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Braselton-Hoschton is now organizing for the 2015 season with teams forming and registering online.

Plans are also being made for campsites an fundraising with this year’s theme, “Lights! Camera! Relay!” in mind.

Relay For Life will be held from 3-10 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, in Braselton Park.

“This year’s event has been moved to a Saturday, daytime event to allow for more daytime fundraising and we are encouraging more family-friendly fun,” said campaign chairman Joanne Gentile.

The January kickoff meeting was the

first opportunity to register a team for the event to be held .

Sign up today and help Relay For Life of Braselton-Hoschton finish the fight against cancer.

The world’s largest grassroots fundraising movement, Relay For Life mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and provide participants with an opportunity to fight back against the disease.

To join a Relay For Life in your community, call 706-543-2240, or visit RelayForLife.org/BHGA. You can also contact

Joanne Gentile at jgentile62@gmail.com

into SpringRecycliNg with

On Saturday, April 25, 2015 • 8AM - NOON Jackson county Transfer Station / Landfill 12 hendrix Drive, Jefferson, gA 30549

DocumenT ShreDDing

LimiT: 2 copy Paper Sized Boxes Per Person.

e-cYcLe

computers, monitors, Printers, copiers, Scanners, Fax machines & other electronic devices An Atlanta recycling Solutions employee will be collecting $20 per television for recycling.

ALSo recYcLe

Paint (5 gallons free, each additional gallon $2 each), Fluorescent Light Bulbs (6 free, additional $1 each), Auto oil & Batteries, household Batteries. good used clothing & Shoes, eyeglasses & hardback/Paperback Books. Vacuum cleaners, microwaves & Small metal will be taken to Transfer Station.

Drug TAKe BAcK

Jackson county Deputies will be on hand to collect prescription, over the counter, no longer needed and expired drugs. no needles or needle containers accepted of any kind.

For information, contact Susan Trepagnier at (706) 708-7198 or strepagnier@jacksoncountygov.com

Are The Markets Rigged?

This paid advertisement written by Jeff Cutter, Investment Advice by Scott Moore.

Last week John and his very lovely wife Stephanie, from Gainesville, came to my office seeking advice. They have been “do it yourselfer” investors using a big brokerage house for almost twenty years.

They said that they were “hurt” in down years such as 2001, 2002, and 2008, but not nearly as much as the average investor who lost about 37% of their portfolio. They hold stocks, bonds and mutual funds and feel that they cannot compete with the institutional or high-frequency traders.

You know something, they are right!

But I explained to John and Stephanie that the real threat to everyday investors, like them and me, is the Federal Reserve. They continue to put short-term interest rates at near zero in order to stimulate the economy. As a result of endless quantitative easing, the Fed has forced longer-term interest rates lower than the market naturally would.

Consequently, they have forced investors, many of them pre-retirees and retirees, into higher yielding assets, like stocks, thus creating

the bubble we are now seeing peek for the third time. The first time was in 2000, then 2007, and now again in early April. The concern I have for our readers is this . . . when the third bubble pops, what is your strategy to avoid the losses?

So, here is the issue with low interest rates…

When short-term interest rates are so low, hedge funds and traders can lever up at lower costs. This means they can trade at 30 to 50 times leverage, or take on more debt with low risk because the Fed has pretty much guaranteed it won’t let the market or economy go down too much without stepping in with a larger stimulus plan.

While Ben Bernanke from the Federal Reserve started the stimulus, his successor, Janet Yellen, is even more dovish than Bernanke. She’s all for stimulus, as long as necessary, to keep the great bubble from bursting.

How’s that for a long-term strategy?

That is like a guy who is going into bankruptcy who is taking on more debt to cure his debt problems!

Hmmmm . . . this is crazy and someone is going to get hurt.

Unfortunately, the larger traders, beyond those who partake in high

frequency trading, do dominate the market, thanks to those Fed policies.

You see, in a normal market, such traders’ activity would only be about 10% or so of the volume of trading, and that’s healthy. It keeps the markets in check over the short-term. But these markets are nowhere near normal.

Currently, the big guys make up 50% plus of the market volume with their unprecedented leverage.

I explained to John and Stephanie that their instincts were right, as an everyday investor or trader, you don’t stand a chance against these big guys.

They have better information and are closer to the markets. And, they’re almost always one step ahead of you.

Some of that is from high-frequency traders that are one tick ahead of us . . . but most of it is from larger traders and hedge funds that make a living looking at what smaller investors and traders are doing, and then doing the exact opposite.

Think of it as the big guys as the “sharks” who are feeding off the “minnows” like you and me!

They don’t care if the market goes up or down, and more often than not, they don’t follow fundamental trends.

They just see markets going up and when they sense that the market

has gone up too far, they jump ship, usually when the little guys have gained confidence on the run up.

Then, when you panic on each downturn they buy. This is the threat to you as an individual trader or investor.

I will tell you, Moore Weekly readers, the same thing I told John and Stephanie. Rather than trying to beat the sharks, educate yourself and find a trading and investing strategy that works for you, and then stick to that.

Whatever you do, do not chase the markets, upor down.

And watch out ahead. This latest bubble will burst and some experts believe it could be this year.

Heck, John Bogle, the president of the brokerage house Vanguard and the forefather of the buy and hold strategy, states that “We could see 2 more significant market corrections of 50% or more by the end of the decade.”

Then he says just hang in there.

Seriously? In my opinion, that is not an effective strategy.

What is your strategy to avoid this potential downturn?

We could potentially see one of the greatest stock and financial asset burst, since 1930 to 1932, just ahead!

But that’s the beauty of following the right investment system. It should help you during the ups AND downs.

My advice to you: seek financial strategies that are designed to work in your favor, regardless of the direction of the markets. And do not let your broker or your brokerage house tell you that you must buy and hold; it may cause you financial disaster! Then what?

Now is the time for you to take financial responsibility. If you don’t . . . who will?

For answers to these questions, contact Scott Moore 770-535-5000.

In addition to being a fiduciary, Scott is an Ed Slott Master Elite IRA Advisor.

210 Washington St. NW, Suite # 106 • Gainesville, GA 30501 • 770-535-5000 • 12600 Deerfield Parkway, Suite # 100 • Alpharetta, Georgia 30004 • 678-566-3590 www.MooresWealthManagement.com Investment advice is offered by Horter Investment Management, LLC a Registered Investment Adviser: Insurance and annuity products are sold separately through Moore’s Wealth Management. Securities transactions for Horter Investment Management clients are placed through Pershing Advisor Solutions, Trust Company of America, Jefferson National Monument Advisor, Fidelity, Security Benefit Life, ED&F Man Capital Markets, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by radical promoting and their editorial staff based on the original articles written by jeff cutter in the falmouth enterprise. This article has been rewritten for Scott Moore and the readers of the Moore’s Weekly Column. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security

6B

events

The Paper | Thursday, February 26, 2015

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS Tea Party Patriots Valentine’s party. “Love Always: A Delayed Celebration of Valentine’s” party will be held Thursday, Feb. 26. The party is being sponsored by the Tea Party Patriots of Jackson County. Brooks L. Benton and Sonny Cheatham, two well-known local musicians.

At this Valentine’s event, there will be door prize, prizes for answers to Valentine quizzes and an opportunity to share your favorite Valentine-related stories.

The relaxed, entertaining event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Jefferson Club House, located at 302 Longview Drive in Jefferson. The clubhouse is the building that sits on the hill above the city ball fields at the end of Old School House Road and Memorial Drive. The public is invited to this event.

Ladies Night fundraiser. Oh, yes, it’s Ladies Night and the feelings right – to have some fun and raise money for Jackson County Family Connection on Friday, Feb. 27, at the Jefferson Civic Center.

The second annual event includes food, fun, drinks and dancing with the wonderful DJTOD plus a silent auction of gently used purses and ladies accessories. Tickets are $25. To get your ticket, call Jackson County Family Connection executive director Linda Foster at 706266-7345. Tickets are also available at Swirlee’s and Commerce City Hall.

Reading with Ringling Brosthers. The Jefferson Library is participating in Reading with Ringling Brothers. Children ages 2-12 can

ADOPTION

Continued from 3B as a political move, after President Barack Obama signed the Magnitsky Act into law in December 2012.

The Magnitsky Act prohibits Russian citizens who have been accused of human rights violations from traveling to the United States and owning property or other assets here.

Strelets doesn’t know if making the documentary will incur the wrath of Russia’s government.

“We also plan to interview some Russian politicians, so it’s going to bring us closer to the Russian side as well,” Strelets said. “For me it’s important to connect the dots from Russia to here.”

There were an estimated 600,000 orphans in Russia in 2013, the first year the ban was in effect. Kids like Bogdan and Yura who are labeled as having special needs are more often turned over to orphanages because of the belief the state is more equipped to care for them than their biological parents.

North Hall-based adoption attorney Judy Sartain said she was dismayed when she heard of the ban going into effect. Sartain frequently referred her clients looking to adopt internationally to Russia, as she has observed Russian children are particularly quick to assimilate into American society.

As the mother of two Russian adoptees — Hannah, 13, and Stephen, 11 — she would know.

Proponents of the adoption ban claim Russian children are now being adopted

by Russians, but on Sartain’s

earn a free ticket to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus for reading any five books of their choice. Circus dates are through March 1 at Gwinnett Center. Pick up a Reward Card at the Service Desk and start reading, Visit www.readingwithringling. com for more information.

Peace Place Ball. A Night of Stars and Survivors will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Winder Community Center.

The 15th annual Peace Place Ball, benefiting the battered women’s shelter serving Barrow, Banks and Jackson counties, will feature musical entertainment by Shaken Not Stirred and a silent auction. A cash bar will be offered by Top Dawg Tavern and the meal will be provided by Delicacies by Amy. Tickets are $55 each or $100 per couple. Tables for eight are $450. For tickets, call 770307-3633 ext.203.

Lanier Tech Foundation 5K. The second annual Lanier Tech Foundation 5K will be held on the Oakwood campus Saturday, Feb. 28, beginning with a one-mile fun run at 9:30 a.m. with the 5K following at 10 a.m. Registration for the event is currently going on at www.active. com, or click on the college website at www.laniertech. edu. Registration for the race is $25 and includes a goodie bag and race T-shirt.

Challenged Child & Friends 5K and fun run/walk. The 23rd annual 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk will be March 1 at Riverside Military Academy.

Entry fee is $25 during preregistration which ends Feb.

many trips to Russia to adopt her children, she witnessed economic conditions which led her to believe that isn’t happening.

“Stephen has two biological brothers who are being raised by their grandparents,” Sartain said. “They told their daughter ‘We can’t afford another one,’ so she placed him in the orphanage for adoption.”

On one particular trip to adopt her son, Sartain was invited to her translator’s house for dinner. After learning Sartain already has three older biological children, he and his wife were surprised by her desire to adopt another child.

“They asked me, ‘How do you afford to feed them and send them to school?’”

Sartain said. “I explained that school was free here, and what’s one more mouth to feed? To them it was a big deal. I can imagine that it would be.”

A student at North Hall Middle School, Sartain’s daughter Hannah loves hair and makeup and the ABC Family cable network show “Pretty Little Liars.” She has the same interests as American teens and the same curiosities of all adopted children. “(Being adopted) really doesn’t affect us because I know I’m really their daughter,” Hannah said. “There are curiosities with your birth mom and everything, like you want to know who she is. My mom said we can go back to Russia one day and see if we can find her with one of the programs they have.”

Next year Hannah will begin taking classes at Lanier Career Academy to help her

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20. For teams of 10 or more, the entry fee is $20 per entrant. After pre-registration ends and through race day, the entry is $30 for individuals and $25 per entrant for teams. Registration is available online at www.challengedchild.org or www. runnersfit.com. The 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk is set to start at 2 p.m. and the 5K at 2:30 p.m. Registration on race day starts at 1 p.m.

Teamup to show your smarts.

The Jackson County Certified Literate Community Program is hosting the second annual “ Are You Smarter Than A 10-YearOld” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, in the Jackson EMC auditorium. Teams of three people each will be competing to become the winning team for 2015. This is a fun, family-friendly event that will be enjoyed by all. Admission is free but donations will be accepted to help the adult literacy programs in Jackson County. There will also be a silent auction. Call Sandra Fite at 706-367-8574.

See more on Page 5B. Lunch and Learn. The Friends of the Braselton-West Jackson Library, are pleased and proud to have author Darrell “What the Huck” Huckaby and his humor as the March 11 Lunch and Learn program at 11:30 a.m. at the Braselton Municipal Court Building.

Bring $6 for soup, salad, rolls and dessert to the Community Room in the rear of the Municipal building. For reservations, call Debbie at 678-963-5423. Reservations are appreciated, but not necessary to attend.

Gwinnett Senior Games.

fulfill her dream of becoming a cosmetologist. She sees her life as an example of all the opportunities kids can have in the United States.

“It makes me feel really sad because I got the chance, like I’m in a wonderful home, and they’ll never get that chance unless the ban gets lifted,” Hannah said. “They don’t have the experience to come to America and have a wonderful life.”

The Romano family has been petitioning various government officials since the ban went into effect, with little to no success.

“We really thought our government was going to

The 2015 Gwinnett Senior Games will be held this spring with entry deadline on March 13. Applications are now available at Gwinnett County libraries, senior centers, various businesses as well as online at www. gwinnettsenior games. org. For more information, contact Shirley Snow at 678-344-2277 or email sasnow427@comcast.net Night of Hope for Children.

The 17th annual Night of Hope for Children live and silence auction is scheduled on March 27 at the Winder Community Center. Tickets are $40 each. The evening of fundraiser for The Tree House, the children’s advocacy center working to reduce the impact and occurrence of child abuse through counseling, education, support and nurturing of children and families serving Barrow, Banks and Jackson counties, begins at 6 p.m. with the auction preview with a buffet dinner at 7. The live auction gets under way at 8. If you are interested in auction tickets or in donating an item for the auction, call The Tree House at 770868-1900. You can make a tax-deductible donation and send it to The Tree House, P.O. Box 949, Winder, GA 30680. Learn more at www. thetreehouseinc.org Seat Yourself. A “chair-ity” fundraiser for the Braselton Downtown Development Authority will be held in conjunction with the Saturday, March 14, Milling Around Downtown, which will also feature a Rockin’ the Green 5K, Rock the Chalk sidewalk chart art contest and more.

Local artists and craftsmen

fix this,” Pam Romano said.

“We thought ‘Surely they’ll go to bat for us. Surely they’ll negotiate for these kids.’ And what we learned is that they weren’t.”

Romano is one of several adoptive parents who will travel to Washington next week to lobby government officials yet again.

U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville, has met with the Romanos, and while no action has been taken by the U.S. government to recover even the Russian children who had already met their prospective adoptive parents, he said he remains somewhat optimistic.

have turned ordinary chairs and benches into works of art which willl be for sale on Frances Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 14.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will help downtown programs. Contact downtown director Amy Pinnell at 706-684-0369 or apinnell@ braselton.net. Visit www.

DowntownBraselton..com Rotary Day is March 21. The Braselton Rotary Club will be hosting a Rotary Day garage sale on Saturday, March 21, on Tuscany Drive in Braselton. A preview sale is also being planned. Look for more information to come, but for now, save the date.

Fur Ball 2015. A gala to benefit the Humane Society of Jackson County will be held March 21 at the BraseltonStover House. Viva Paws Vegas is this year’s theme.

The black-tie optional affair is a benefit gala for the Humane Society of Jackson County and is presented by Tracy Jordan of West Jackson Medicine Center. Enjoy dining, dancing, casino-style gaming, silent & live auctions, as well as a Tribute to Elvis show starring Doug Thompson. Sponsorships are available and tickets are $60. Tickets may be purchased online at www.HSJC. com . Contact Laura Collier at FurBall2015@windstream. net

setting up a team, connect to this site www.stbaldricks. org and find Artistic Expressions Hair Salon.

Rotary Club golf tournament.

The Rotary Club of Braselton will host a fundraising golf tournament at The Legends at Chateau Elan on Tuesday, April 14, with a Monday pre-event party on tap. To register your team, go to braseltonrotarygolftournament.com. You can also contact club president Howard Hardaway at 770-354-7553 or email howard.hardaway. gsb6@statefarm.com or hhowardhardaway@gmail. com Lights, Camera, Relay. The 2015 BraseltonHoschton Relay For Life will be held Saturday, May 16, in Braselton Park from 3-10 p.m. The theme is Lights!

Camera! Relay! so think movies and TV for your campsite and team theme. A familyfriendly day with games and activities for children is planned with the focus on the reasons we Relay: survivors and continuing to raise funds and awareness and reflecting on those lost. What to form a team or volunteer?

Call Mandy Ryan at 706-5432240, or visit RelayForLife. org/BHGA.

Shave-a-thon for childrehood cancer. St. Baldricks childhood cancer Shave-A Thon will be held on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Artistic Expressions Hair Salon in the Braselton Brothers Store building. Again . Interested in being a shavee or

Memorial Day parade. Planning is under way for the Jackson County Memorial Day Parade to be held Monday, May 25, in downtown Jefferson. The parade will start at 2 p.m. Main Street Jefferson is coordinating; contact Beth Laughinghouse at blaughinghouse@ cityofjefferson.com or call 706-367-5714. Visit www. mainstreetjefferson.com

“At the end of the day this is about little boys and girls,” Collins said. “This is about families willing to open up their hearts and lives to give them a better outcome, so I think there’s nothing more important from a governmental perspective than making sure that if we have people who want to help others, then we should do everything we can to make that happen.”

A large part of the campaign the Romano family has undertaken in the past two years — participating in Strelets’ documentary, lobbying government officials, speaking to reporters — is

because it doesn’t know what Bogdan and Yura have been told about why their pending adoption was put on hold.

“We want to leave a trail of evidence for them, so if we never get them home, they know we fought for them,” Romano said. “They know we advocated for them.”

For Pam Romano, it’s still all about the orphan boy kissing the cellphone picture of his brother.

“They haven’t seen each other for a year and a half now, and they’re very attached to each other,” Pam Romano said. “They will be apart forever unless they’re adopted together.”

CMYK The Paper | Thursday, February 26, 2015

7B

ENTERTAINMENT

Daughter-in-law doesn’t have to answer doorbell Dear Carolyn: I recently had occasion to drop off a package at my granddaughter’s afternoon preschool.

Believing I was doing my daughter-in-law (DIL) a favor, I timed my drive to stop at my son and DIL’s house to pick up my granddaughter and save my DIL the trip to the school.

Admittedly, I stopped unannounced, but we have a good relationship and often visit each other’s houses unannounced.

Upon arriving at my DIL’s house, I knocked repeatedly on the front door but nobody answered. My DIL’s car was parked at the house. I even took the time to look in the backyard to see if they were outside.

After trying a second time at the front door, I left.

Sure enough, after 10 minutes, my DIL showed up at the school with my granddaughter in tow. I approached my DIL and said I

Carolyn Hax was just at her house but nobody was apparently home.

She acknowledged she was there and saw me at the door, but simply blew it off saying she was running late for school. I then said to her I had knocked on the door several times with no answer.

Again she responded only she was running late and chose not to answer the door.

She offered no apology for her actions. I was stunned and deeply hurt.

In the two weeks that have followed, I have seen her three to four times but I avoid her as much as I can.

She seems none the wiser and, to her, everything remains as it was before the school incident. Meanwhile, I remain deeply hurt and feel unwelcome at my son and DIL’s house.

I can’t help but harbor ill will toward her and dread the day I am invited back into their home.

Should I forget the whole incident knowing I was wronged and take the higher road, or should I expose her for her poor behavior?

I have kept this whole incident to myself so far, not even confiding in my wife or son. — S. Wrong, you mean — not wronged. You’re two letters over the line.

OK, you have a drop-inunannounced-type relationship with your son and daughter-in-law. That’s great.

It’s also good of you to

have attempted to make your DIL’s life easier by timing your trip the way you did. In general, small favors like offering a lift to preschool are rescues in miniature for parents of young kids.

But the general good intentions of your stopping by don’t outweigh the missteps you made when you got there.

For one, being on a drop-in basis with someone doesn’t mean every drop-in will be welcome; being casual on your side of the door means she can be casual on her side, too.

Plus, you popped by apparently as DIL was in full scramble mode to get her child to school on time. She had every right not to answer the door, just as people have every right not to pick up the phone when they know they’re unable to talk.

Had she been in the shower, or changing her

WORKING IT OUT

clothes, or on the phone, or in tears over somethingorother she didn’t care to explain, would you still begrudge her ignoring your knock?

Respecting people’s privacy means respecting the fact that (a) not all times will be opportune ones for a visit, and (b) they are not obligated to explain that to you in the moment just because you’re on their front stoop.

And/or peering in their backyard, but that’s a whole other harrumph.

Remember, she had no way of knowing you were there to help; she just knew answering door would equal her being late.

And this is all assuming she told you the truth about being late.

People in their own homes do not need to explain their reasons for declining to answer the door, which means they are absolutely entitled to give a

vague explanation like, “I didn’t answer because I was running late.”

You think she “blew it off,” but maybe she had an excellent reason you’re just not entitled to know.

Yes, her explanation ought to have started with, “I’m sorry.” That’s a point in your favor. Is it one worth trashing your relationship for?

At this point, if anything, the intense grudge you’re nursing right now is the worst offense of them all to arise from this (non-)incident. So petty.

Your needs and feelings were not then, are not now and are rightfully not going to be her priority! She has her immediate family and herself to think about first. And she welcomes you freely, it seems, when circumstances allow her to.

Chat with Carolyn online at noon each Friday at www. washingtonpost.com.

Your input sought What do you like about your paper? Send an email to editor@clickthepaper.com, call 706-658-2683, or send a letter to The Paper, P.O. Box 430, Hoschton, GA 30548.

You can also stop by and drop it off at The Paper office now located at 9924 Davis St., Suite 8, in Braselton.

You can also submit community announcements, church news, school happenings and more to editor@ clickthepaper.com

JANRIC CLASSIC SUDOKU

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678-866-4142 American Family Insurance Company Home Office - 6000 American Pkwy Madison, WI 53783 006441 10/14 amfam.com

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CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 770-535-1199 www.gainesvilletimes.com

The Paper

Classifieds Services

Announcements

770-535-1199 Toll Free 1-800-395-5005

Childcare Certified Jackson Cnty substitute Teacher available for Nanny/ Baby Sitting in your home. After school spring break or sum mer.

Responsible, mature & organized. Call Michelle , 706-654-3626 Kid’s World Child Care I-985 /Jesse Jewell, $100/wk 770-297-1500 Oakwood ChildCare 5006 Mc Ever Rd. Ages: 6wks & up. $125 770-536-4671

Firewood FIREWOOD- Seasoned oak. Cut & split. Free Delivery. 470-208-9530; 678-978-0645 lve msg; 678-622-1477 lve msg

Landscaping WEED WHISPERER Total lawn maintenance, weed control, fertilize, debris removal.

Just “Leaf It” to me.

Call Mr. Green Genes 770-882-8002

Misc. Services HESS TREE SERVICE Bonded & Insured.

Free Estimates.

We also Buy tracts of timber.

855-983-5892 NRA BASIC PISTOL SHOOTING & GUN SAFETY COURSE - Only $69.00 For details 678-780-0365 or e-mail: GAFirearmsAcademy@ aol.com

Jobs Accounting Adult Care, Help Wanted

SALES CUSTOMER SERVICE ASST Gainesville, GA. location. Customer service and/or gen. office exp. Prefer 2 or 4 yr degree in Business Sales or Marketing and advanced computer skills, including Microsoft business applications. Excellent communication, problem solving and presentation skills a must. Will perform all admin job tasks and support to all team members Almark Foods 2118 Centennial Dr Gainesville, GA 30504 Email: rmaysonet@ almarkeggs.com Seeking experienced Automotive Sales Consultants $5-10k Signing Bonus.

Serious inquiries only.

For info call 770-5702944

Management CIRCULATION DISTRICT ROUTE MANAGER The Times is seeking a Route Manager to act as the company liaison with the independent contractors who deliver the Times to subscribers.

The position is responsible for handling the distribution of the Times newspaper and other products, with working in the field making up 80% of the work day.

Job Requirements Early Morning & Weekend hours Strong Communication & Organizational Skills

Announcements Lost & Found

Basic Computer Skills

LOST: Lady’s Diamond Ring. Wed. in area near Loretta’s Restaurant on Mundy Mill Rd. REWARD Call 404-402-2726

Valid GA driver’s license and insurance and reliable transportation

ATTENTION CLASSIFIED CUSTOMERS The Times Classified Department asks that you verify and proof your classified ad(s) the first day that it is scheduled to print.

If any corrections need to be made, please contact our department, Monday through Friday, before 3pm.

The Times will not be held responsible for any issues that may arise after the first day of publication. classifieds@ gainesvilletimes.com 770-535-1199

Ability to work independently

We offer competitive salary plus complete benefit package including 401K Send resume to Dan Beckwith Circulation Operations Manager 345 Green St Gainesville, GA 30501 Or e-mail to dbeckwith@ gainesvilletimes.com 770-535-6347

Medical PRIVATE DUTY LPNCornelia area. 706-7768399; 706-983-0996

CIRCULATION DEPT is seeking prospects for future route delivery in Northeast Georgia.

Must be 18 or older w/ valid driver’s license & insured vehicle. Must have reliable vehicle & backup substitute.

Jobs

Areas Available: •Gainesville •N. Hall •S. Hall •Habersham •Banks •White •Lumpkin •Dawson •Clarkesville •Cornelia

Construction

Dental DENTAL FIELD Pittman Dental Laboratory is hiring to train for fulltime positions in the dental field with great career opportunities and good working conditions.

Requirements: *Self Motivated *Detail oriented *Possess good eye hand coordination Send resume to: pittmandentalhr@ gmail.com No phone calls

General Sales Agents Looking for qualified applicants to fill a position in Carrier Sales. Candidates must have at least two years experience in the transportation industry & be able to work at least 40hrs a week. For further information please contact Aaron Conner at 770-297-0235 & send resumes to: conner@ shorelinetransfer.com

ROUTE-SALES/ DELIVERY Clean driving record, hvy lifting, local routes.

Fax resume/work history: 770-534-0093 or email: cs@ highlandmountain water.com

Office/Clerical Admin Assistant needed for engineering dept in local telecom office.

Must have excellent organizational and computer skills. Send resume to sroberts@ buskercom.com.

Looking for qualified candidates to fill a Dispatch/Data Entry Position.

No experience is required & must be able to work 40 hrs a week. For additional information please contact Aaron Conner at 770-297-0235 & send resume to: conner@ shorelinetransfer.com

Security AMERICAN SECURITY will be accepting applications for Full & Part-Time Security Officers.

Applicants must have a clear criminal history record. Apply in person Mon. thru Fri, 8am-5pm, at the security office at Pilgrim’s 949 Industrial Blvd., Gainesville, GA EOE.

*Antiques/Collectibles *Appliances *Auctions *Bicycles *Building Supplies *Cemetery Lots For Sale *Christmas Trees *Coins & Jewelry *Computers *Furniture *Guns *Heavy Equipment *Household Items *Lawn Equipment *Livestock *Misc. For Sale *Musical Instruments *Office Equipment *Pets & Supplies

Classification Index

*Sporting Equipment *Tickets *Wanted To Buy *Yard Sale *Yard Sale - Out Of Area

Homes & Real Estate

Homes - Rental Apartments - Furnished Apartments - Unfurnished Business Property For Rent Condominiums for Rent Duplexes For Rent Houses for Rent - Furnished Houses for Rent - Unfurnished Lake Home for Rent Mobile Homes for Rent *Roommates Wanted Rooms for Rent Vacation Property for Rent *Wanted to Rent

Acreage for Sale Business for Sale Business Property for Sale Condominiums for Sale Farms & Farm Land House for Sale - Hall House For Sale - Surrounding Investment Property Lake Home for Sale Lake Property for Sale Lots for Sale Mobile Homes for Sale Mountain Property Real Estate Wanted Surrounding Counties Vacation Property

Wheels

*All Terrain Vehicles *Antique Cars/Trucks *Auto Parts *Auto & Trucks Wanted *Autos for Sale *Four Wheel Drives *Import Cars *Motorcycles *Sport-Utility Vehicles *Tractor Trailers *Trucks *Vans

Recreation *Boats & Marine *RV’s/Travel Trailers

Apr 2013

For more information, please call our carrier hotline: 770-535-6347. or e-mail: dbeckwith@ gainesvilletimes.com At Home Or Office Pt/Ft 20/30hrs. Wkly $200-$500 Wkly.

Phone skills & C/S Exp. required, Pd Trng.

At Buford Office Dental Care Rx 770-271-1115 CLEANING CO. Seeking help. Exp a must.

770-535-4616

Northeast GA Oldest GM Dealership is growing. WE NEED TECHNICIANS pay up to $26 per flat rate hour based on qualification and experience. Good benefits and working conditions. Call Paul Fuller 770-718-3140

Regional HVAC/R Company looking for qualified HVAC/R Service Technician, 5 years experienced in HVAC/R service, Chillers a plus.

Great benefits; vacation, health insurance, 401K, profit sharing, schooling and competitive pay.

We promote from within.

Contact Service @ 770-614-9214 Ext. 327 dgoligoski@ georgia mechanical.com

The City of Suwanee is accepting applications for Full-Time EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I This is semi-skilled work in the operation of moderately complex construction and maintenance of streets, utilities and the City’s grounds and buildings.

H.S. diploma or GED equivalent, valid GA Driver’s License and 2 years experience in maintenance & construction required.

CDL and water operator license required within one year. Compensation: $14.64 w/full benefits.

To apply go to www. suwanee.com.

Submit application and resume to: City of Suwanee Human Resources, 330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee, GA 30024 Position open until filled.

Only applicants selected for interview will be contacted.

Drug Free Workplace.

EOE WANTED: CERTIFIED AUTO TECHNICIAN Must have own tool., Small shop with lots of work & money to be made. Call 9am-5pm.

770-318-8009; 770-9833981

EXPERIENCED PAINTER w/valid driver’s license in Gainesville area. Call Padgett’s Renovations 229-740-5674

Truck Drivers

NorSouth

is currently Hiring across our portfolio in Metro Atlanta. Please email your resume with the job title & location in the subject line to careers@norsouth.com or fax to 770-850-8230 PT TRUCK WASH. 10-15 hrs/wk. $10/hr. Must be 21 years old, have valid driver’s license, must have clean background & pass drug screen.

Cal 423-322-3064 e-mail resume to: atlanta3@smaxcorp.com

FT/PT CLASS A-CDL DRIVERSto haul live chickens in Gainesville, GA. $500 Sign On Bonus Must have 2 years verifiable experience, good MVR. Night Shift, local positions, home daily, benefits. Call Johnny, 770-530-3157 or 804-784-6166

Stuff Antiques/ Collectibles Decorator Quality ANTIQUES Koken Barber ChairGreen leather. $400; Brumby Rocker $200; Victor Talking Machine- Table model $200; Spinning Wheel $400. 770-869-9169

CDL DRIVER NEEDED. Clean MVR, local deliveries, truss delivery a plus. 770-271-1347 CLASS A CDL DRIVERS needed for local trailer spotting company.

Must have clean MVR. Top pay and benefits.

Home everyday/night.

Please call 678-771-2930 or go to our website at www. lazerspot.com Drivers w/ CDLLocal jobs in Buford, Jefferson and Athens at Morgan Concrete.

Need 2 years driving experience. Great starting pay and benefits. Call Mel (800)448-2830.

Pets & Supplies

LIVING ROOM FURN: Entertainment Center, has 2 doors & 3 shelves behind glass (includes NON-flat screen 32” Sharp TV, still in great cond.), 2 end tables & 1 coffee table. Ent. Center from Lowe’s, tables from Rooms-To-Go, all honey colored, all for $150.

770-561-5308

Guns Small Collection For Sale - 2 S&W’s email: kfd1969@ yahoo.com

Appliances

Misc. For Sale

Stove & Side by Side Refrig $400 (ice maker not working).

Dishwasher $50; Antique Sleigh Bed with box spring & mattress $200. 770869-1543

All 4- Bill O’Reilly’s Killing Books.

Hard back , excellent condition. All for $50.

Sun Beam Mix Master $30; HB Food Processor $20; HB Blender $15.

770-869-9169

WASHER & DRYER Kenmore. Exc Cond. $250. 770-983-1507

Content s of my Home For Sale. Everything goes from furniture to tools. Also Time Share and Browning Over and Under, 44 magnum & 12 gauge Shot Gun. Excellent Condition.

If you’re looking for something specific I probably have it. 706538-3161; 706-870-0211

Furniture

3 white bar stools.

Aluminum with white padded seat.

Very good condition with little use. $100 Call 678-696-5982 after 6 pm

FISHER PRICE Bounce & Spin Zebra, $15; Graco Pack ‘N Play, navy & yellow, older style, $20; VTech Table/ Walker $10; Tiny Love Mobile, w/ Mozart & Beethoven, $10; Dr. Brown’s Electric Bottle Steam Sterilizer System, still in exc. cond. $40. South Hall area. 770-561-5308 FORD 1968 Tractor 2000 w/ 60 in. bush hog, gas engine, asking $4,200.

404-435-6360

Trades

Experienced office furniture installer needed for local company. Must have clean MVR, no CDL required. Mail resume and copy of MVR to PO Box 5523 - Gainesville, GA 30504

Metal shop hiring an experienced hand rail fabricator/welder. Call Mike 706-348-1440

*Requires payment in advance.

Technical

Misc. Help Wanted

Local Dental Hygiene Student in search for patients. Last cleaning needs to be at least 3 yrs ago. If certain requirements met, cleaning could be free.

Sasha 706-982-9454 Amy 404-229-0494

CONSTRUCTON ESTIMATORCONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS Pendergrass manufacturer of fabricated architectural construction products seeks experienced Estimator. Candidates must have: strong electronic plan reading and takeoff skills, construction related degree or equivalent industry experience.

Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Access, Excel and AutoCAD a plus. Salary and benefits.

EOE. Send resume and salary requirements to: position@mmsystems corp.com

Stuff

Mon. - Fri. 8:30am - 5:00pm

Commitment to quality customer service

Notice

Child Care, Help Wanted Construction Dental Domestic Education Financial General Sales Agents Maintenance Management Medical Misc. Help Wanted Office/Clerical Part Time Help Wanted Poultry Production Professional Restaurant Help Security Technical Trades Truck Drivers Warehouse

*Business Opportunities *Financial *Happy Ads *Lost & Found *Notices *Personals *Situations Wanted

Place your ad today. Call

Services

of Braselton, Chateau Élan, Hoschton and Jackson County

*Home Improvement *Instruction *Landscaping *Misc Services *Painting & Papering *Plumbing *Pressure Washing *Remodeling & Repairs *Roofing *Welding

*Accounting *Adult Care *Carpentry *Catering *Childcare *Cleaning *Computer Services *Construction *Electricians *Firewood *Grading & Hauling *Handyman

The Paper Thursday, February 26, 2015

BED Queen Pillow Top Mattress Set-NEWstill in plastic. $200 706-347-4814 Can Deliver

PIERCE’S PINE STRAW - We now have fresh fallen #1 Slash Straw @ $3.25 per bale. Picked up $3.50 per bale delivered. We also now have #1 Savannah Long Leaf Straw. Pickup up $4 per bale. $4.50 delivered. Order while it is new & beautiful.

We are looking for Professional Spreaders.

Call me for pricing at 678-617-0403 or Margie, 678-677-6352 Call for orders after 6pm.

Thank-You Pierce’s Pinestraw We will spread!!

1507 Martin Luther King Blvd. Gainesville, GA

6 girl 3 boy chocolate labs for sale. $500. $100 deposit and remaining $400 paid at pick up. Will be ready by mid March. Mom on site, family dog. AKC registered.

770-842-9954

Mobile Homes For Rent Gainesville, S/N Hall 1-3BR $85 & up, per wk No app fee. 1 week free 770-534-7596

Roommates Wanted

Autos For Sale BUICK 2002 Century V6, 99k miles, well maint’d, Exc Cond. 4dr. $3800.

678-316-9780 BUICK 2010 Lacross CXL $16,987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335 CHRYSLER 2010 -300 26K MILES $15,987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335

CKC BIEWER YORKIE7wks old, first shots & wormed. Male $800; Female $900. Call or text 706-809-9096

MEN- Be$t, Pvt home, Fur Br, All Priv + Xtras, Oakwd 770-530-1110

Homes-Rentals

Private Rooms w/bath.

Fully furnished w/cable) No dep/util fees. $115$125/wk. 678-328-9980

FORD 2005 Taurus.

Excellent paint, am/fm/ cd, elect winds $3500. 228-254-6836

Roommate Wanted Clean, responsible $450. inclds utils. Furnished.

770-532-6527.

FORD 2009 Fusion $9987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335

Homes & Real Estate

FORD 2010 Focus $9987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335

ApartmentsUnfurnished

MYRTLE TERRACES Senior Independent Living Community 1bdrm from $660 2 bdrm from $765 Certain age & income restrictions apply!

Water, trash and electric included in rent Call today for more info 770-538-0928 Cedar Springs1BR. $595 770-287-1456 callapartments.com HOUSES & APTS. Avail in Gainesville & Hall Co. The Simpson Co. 770-532-9911 Oakwood - 2/1.5, yard very safe, H/A $690$740. 678-357-5044

Duplexes For Rent Pine Forest- Oakwood 2BR/1BA $740/mo. 770287-1456 callapartments.com

Houses For RentUnfurnished Apts/Homes. General Property Mgmt.

770-287-1456 www. callapartments.com N. HALL - CABIN Quiet. 1BR/1BA. $600+ dep+utils & Ref. No pets. 770-536-5509 No Rent Until March 1st Expires 2/28/15 3BR/2BA Homes Call Sun Homes 888-246-2803 Countrysidelake lanier.com EHO WAC

Business Property For Sale Preschool for Sale Hall/Gwinnett area Full Center over 125 Children Owner Moving Call Ms. Flowers 404419-6805

House For Sale-Hall County New 4BR/2.5BA Granite counter tops, stainless appls, wood floors, 2 freplcs, lrg gar, porch, 1.66 acre lot, approx 3350 sq ft.

Near rowing venue, 770-312-7164 or 678617-6852

Recreation Boats & Marine SINGLE SLIP DOCK. w/Party Deck. Good shape, good wood, 40’ ramp, attached swim deck & anchor poles. $4500. 678-773-0589

Wheels Antique Cars/Trucks

CADILLAC 1991 Eldorado. New frt tires, 100k. Good mpg. No wreck. $3900 678-943-8985 FORD 1965 Galaxy. 352, 2 dr, complete car. Will trade. $1875/OBO. 770912-4557

MERCURY 2008 Milan $7987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335 PONTIAC 2007 G-6 $5987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335

Import Cars NISSAN 1986 300ZX 5spd,T-top,Looks&Runs good $3000 or OBO 770-561-7032

NISSAN 2013 Sentra $13,987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335 TOYOTA 1996 Camry.

Lavender. 4cyl, 140k. $2700. 706-949-4688

Sport Utility Vehicles CHEVY 2010 HHR $10,987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335 CHRYSLER 2006 Pacifica $7989 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335 FORD 2006 Explorer $6987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335 JEEP 2004 LIBERTY $5987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335 NISSAN 2008 Rogue AWD $10,987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335

Trucks

HONDA 2009 Accord LX $11,987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335

FORD 2004 F-150 EXT CAB $7987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335

INFINITI 2005 G-35 $8987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335

FORD 2010 Ranger XLT EXT Cab $11,987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335

KIA 2011 Sorento $14,987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335 KIA 2014 Optima LX $17,987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335 MERCEDES 2000 E-320.

AWD. Loaded.

Exc Cond. $5900.

404-910-2960 NISSAN 2008 Altima SL $11,987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335 NISSAN 2012 Versa 5SP $8987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335

TOYOTA 2011 Tacoma EXT CAB $13,987 All Credit OK Call Carriage Nissan 770-532-6335

Vans DODGE 1996 3500 Van. 15 pass. 51K miles, Very Clean. $5300. Call Don 770-883-7683 GMC 2013 G2500 Conversion High-top Van, 7524 miles, 9 passenger, big screen TV, fully loaded, must see, $49,900.

678-725-3290