CMYK Thursday, September 25, 2014
features
3B
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS Braselton Library story time. Story time for the Braselton Library includes two Inchworm sessions. For ages 2-3, story time is at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays with a Friday lap sit for babies at 10:30 a.m. For ages 4-5, Bookworms is held at 11:30 a.m. on Fridays. Farmers Markets. The Braselton Farmers Market is from 4-7 p.m. on Fridays in downtown Braselton on Harrison Street while the Jefferson Farmers Market is from 7-11 a.m. on Saturdays in downtown Jefferson. Enjoy music at the farmers market in Jefferson as The Sunroom Gang entertains Saturdays from 7:30-11 a.m. Hall County Master Gardener Fall Expo. Returning Friday, Sept. 26, and Saturday, Sept. 27, to Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center, 1855 Calvary Church Road in Gainesville, the extravaganza features vendors from many aspects of a gardeners’ favorite things to shop for, such as garden themed woodworking, glassworks, pottery, tools and of course, enough plants to surprise and delight. There will be vendors with a variety of plants, yard art and food. Speakers will cover topics such as ‘Good Bug/Bad Bug’ and ‘Fall Vegetable Gardening’, and ‘Why Natives?’ and ‘Transplanting and Planting’. The gates are open on Friday from 8:30-5 and on Saturday from 8:30-4. There is a $2 per adult admission fee. Children are admitted free, but pets have to stay home. More information is available at 770-535-8293 or www.hallmastergardeners.com. Author Dickie Hoard discusses new book. The Jefferson Public Library will present “An Evening with G. Richard Hoard: Writing for Your Life,” at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Hoard will discuss his new book “Through Fear of Death,” a novel that draws from his experiences as a minister and a hospice chaplain. Hoard will also discuss his first book, “Alone Among the Living,”
a coming of age memoir about the 1967 murder of his father, Jackson County Solicitor General Floyd G. Hoard. Copies of “Through Fear of Death” and “Alone Among the Living” will be available for purchase and signing at the event. The cost of the books are $20 each or two for $35. For more information, call the library at 706-367-8012. SAR, DAR to pay tribute to Kit and Peggy Braselton. The Lyman Hall Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Colonial William Chandler Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will dedicate grave markers commemorating the service of Compatriot Herbert B. “Kit” Braselton Sr., and DAR Peggy Watlington Braselton at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, in the Braselton Family Cemetery. The cemetery is located on Jesse Cronic Road. Woodbine Cemetery Cleanup. Volunteers are being sought to help clean up gravesites in the Woodbine Cemetery beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. Join with the Albert Gordon American Legion Post 56 to help clean up veterans’ graves or join the Main Street volunteers as we clean up grave sites that will be included in the 2014 Haints & Saints Tour. Call 706-367-5714 for more information or to volunteer. Low cost, spay/neuter. Leftover Pets offers low cost spay/neuter surgeries at the clinic at 610 Barrow Park Drive in Winder. October clinic days are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Prices are $85 for a female dog over 25 pounds, $65 for a female dog up to 25 pounds, $55 for a male dog, $55 for a female cat, $35 for a male cat. $5 discount for any surgery patient no older than 5 months (as determined by Leftover Pets veterinarian). All surgery prices include a free rabies vaccination. No added fees for in heat or pregnant animals. FiSee HAPPENINGS, 7B
LeAnne Akin The Paper
Bob and Christine Martinello with their children, 20-year-old David, a student at the University of Georgia, 18-year-old Tina, a Georgia College student, and 16-year-old Steven, a Greater Atlanta Christian student, are sharing their family tradition of sharing Christmas love notes with each other and other family members even those across the country at Christmas.
Family sharing ‘Christmas Love Box’ to enrich holidays By LEANNE AKIN
lakin@clickthepaper.com
Are you looking for a holiday gift that will inspire families to share and leave a legacy of love? Do you want a gift to share with your family that will show how much they really mean? A treasured tradition in the Martinello household which began 15 years ago is now being shared by the Braselton family through a new product which Christine Martinello recently told the Friends of the Braselton-West Jackson Library she would love to see Target store shelves next to the Elf on the Shelf display. Bob and Christine Martinello started the tradition of writing down short notes at the holidays and those writings are read aloud and shared with other family members. Now, the Martinellos have developed a method for helping other families share their love – one note at a time. They provided a sneak peak of the Christmas Love Box in late July during a gathering at the Sarazen Cottage at Chateau Elan. The event was complete with decorated Christmas trees, Santa hats and holiday eats and treats. You were put in the holiday spirit as the couple shared the special sentiments generated by love
notes which got their beginning when their children were young. Even if the child could only draw a picture, everyone participated in composing what each other member of the family meant to them. According to Christine, her collection of holiday love notes shows how the family love has grown as her children have matured. For the sneak peak, the Martinellos explained how the product came to be. Christine was prompted to explore the market potential when she “gifted” the Christmas love note concept to a friend. After Christmas, the friend shared how the experience had helped to bring her family together and said it must be shared. Bob read his poetry, Christine shared from her children’s story and David and Tina read from some of their favorite love notes. The Martinellos call it magic when the love box comes out each Christmas and the love is captured on the notes. When Christine’s father passed away two years ago, there was comfort to be found in re-reading love notes shared from Christmases past. And when son David left for college, he asked to have a couple of special love notes to carry with him as a reminder of family. Christine shared the story of a mother who took her three children to the toy store and left empty-
handed. There was not another toy which could show the children how much they are loved. Putting the focus on the love of family and the joy of the season rather than stressing out over getting everyone that “just right” material thing is a target of this family activity. Even when family members live across the country, you can connect via Skype, for example, and still share your love notes. “The Martinellos hope “this tradition will bring love, gratitude and spirit back into Christmas.” Christine is an international speaker and author sharing insights about leadership, loving life and Momager® topics. She has written two books, “The Momager Guide: Empowering Moms to Leave A Loving Legacy” and “Atlanta’s Real Women.” Bob has been a corporate real estate executive with Fortune 500 technology companies for more than 30 years but he is also a poet whose verse is included in the Christmas Love Box along with Christine’s children’s story and the adult “how-to”guide to make the Christmas Love Box an important part of family holiday traditions. Preorders are now being taken for the Christmas Love Box. To learn more or to order, visit ChristmasLoveBox.com or go to www. facebook.com/christmaslovebox.
Showcasing the artwork of Linda Griffiths and Sarina Roth
Braselton DDA is hosting Downtown Hoedown By FARAH BOHANNON
fbohannon@clickthepaper.com
Cowboy up, partner! It’s almost time to give a toast to Braselton at the Downtown Hoedown. This event is hosted by the Downtown De-
velopment Authority (DDA), and members say they are excited for a boot scootin’ evening of fun and entertainment. The Downtown Hoedown is Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Braselton-Stover House.
For The Paper
Linda Griffiths has a collection of her original art which will be featured in the silent auction at the Downtown Hoedown being held Oct. 2 at the Braselton-Stover House.
Stonewall’s BBQ will provide dinner while Dave Boyd will serenade the attendees with his music. There may even be Moonshine, but that’s just the word on the street — you have to attend to see. Other than fun dancing and delicious barbecue, there will be an art auction. Local watercolorist Linda Griffiths, known for her cows and goats, and photographer Sarina Roth are teaming up with the DDA to offer one of a kind, original works of art. Griffiths creates a unique showcase of original art, from watercolors to photography, from oils and mixed mediums, to creative gifts. She is an extremely talented artist who particularly enjoys creating masterpieces of cows and goats, which is how so many people know about her. She is the owner of The Birdhouse Studio & Gallery and thoroughly enjoys sharing her talents with others. Sarina Roth is the owner and photographer at Never The Rock Photography for businesses, publications and families. She also has fine art available for sale at selected galleries, one being the Braselton Gallery. On Friday, Oct. 10, Roth will celebrate nine years in business with a gathering at Higher Grounds Coffee House at 11 a.m. Never The Rock Photogra-
phy has also served the community through its services for families, businesses, magazines and events. They have provided mentoring for students and workshops for civic and homeschooling groups as well as donated to charities and fundraisers. Griffiths and Roth are two of Jackson County’s most talented artists, and a piece of their artwork would surely look beautiful in anyone’s home. Tickets are $45 each and a table for 10 is $400. For those who cannot attend, donations can still be made and sponsorships are still available. The proceeds from this event will be used to fund the Braselton Downtown Development Authority, an organization that works to assure the long-term economic stability of Downtown Braselton by maintaining the small-town character of the district. It also ensures that the town remains a wonderful place to live, work and play. Visit www.downtownbraselton.com for the registration form or for more information. Please complete and email, fax or mail it to the Downtown Development Office. Checks should be made out to the Braselton DDA. For questions, call Amy Pinnell at 706-684-0579 or send an email at apinnell@braselton.net.
For The Paper
Sarina Roth has put together a number of Never the Rock Photography pieces for the Braselton DDA fundraiser.
Never the Rock marks 9th year Never the Rock Photography is joyfully celebrating nine years of business in October. To show appreciation to the community, they are having a gathering on Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. at Higher Grounds Coffee House in Braselton. The theme of the anniversary celebration is “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow...” Roth said, “I am giving the Lord the glory for these nine years of business.” There will be door prizes and giveaways, hors d’oeuvres and cake and a celebratory toast with sparkling cider. Personnel from the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce will make an appearance in their Never the Rock Photography T-shirts. For more information, visit the Never the Rock Photography facebook page or call Sarina Roth at 678-897-7792.