3-30-10

Happy Easter! Special Easter Services and Dine Out Deals Page 3A

Indians Drop Tough Game Against Lakeview- Pg. 8 Letters to the Editor- Page 4A

Volume 01

Issue 06

Butterworth speaks out on Health Care Plan “We Must Make Our Voices Heard”

By Sen. Jim Butterworth

Early this week, when Washington leadership forced their version of health care reform through to the president’s signature, the speaker of the House invoked very powerful words. Nancy Pelosi quoted the Declaration of Independence saying we have honored “the vows of our founders, who in the Declaration of Independence said that we are ‘endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’”

I offer to Speaker Pelosi that she should have kept reading. If she had, she would have read that “to secure these rights, governments are to be instituted among men.” The United States Constitution actually gives states the right to further protect citizens from federal encroachment. It is not up to the federal government to create such mandates as requiring every citizen to purchase health care. We must continue to fight for what we know is right.

Thirty-eight states across the country are see BUTTERWORTH on page 6A

Contents

Page 2A Calendar page 3A & 7A School & Comm. page 4A Editorial Page 5A obits/ church news page 6A Jumps and Community

pages Sports

8A-10A

page 11a Classifieds

page 12A Coupon page (shop locally)

Lake Chatuge Lake level as of 9a.m.

Monday, March 29th

1921.30

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One section 12 pages

March 30,2010

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Former Senator Nancy Schaefer and husband, Bruce, found dead Towns County loses an advocate of family and children

Becky Landress Tribune Editor

In an apparent murder/ suicide, former Senator Nancy Schaefer (73) lost her life.

The GBI released information Saturday night stating that Mrs. Schaefer’s husband, Bruce (74), apparently killed the former senator in her sleep and then turned the gun on himself in their Habersham County home last Friday.

The couple’s bodies were found by their daughter around 6p.m. Friday evening. On Saturday afternoon, autopsies were done on the Schaefer’s and an investigation was done by the GBI. John Bankhead, GBI

spokesman, stated that their investigation turned up several suicide letters written to family members by Bruce Schaefer, in the couple’s home. “A GBI medical examiner determined that Mrs. Schaefer died from a single gunshot wound to the back and Mr. Schaefer died from a single gunshot wound to the chest,” Bankhead said in a statement.

Nancy Schaefer was known for her Christian values, long term marriage, works for children and families and as a Conservative politician.

Schaefer was a twoterm senator. She lost her seat in 2008 to Habersham County Commission Chairman Jim But-

terworth in a north Georgia Republican runoff.

She represented the 50th district, including Banks, Franklin, Habersham, Hart, Rabun, Stephens, and Towns counties, and part of White County.

Several Towns County residents were present at the Atlanta Capitol when Nancy Schaefer was sworn in as our Senator in 2005, including Truman, Wanda, Rinday and Amber Barrett and Reuben and Nighta Davis.

(Above) Former Senator Nancy Schaefer during her last visit to Towns County on November 29, 2009 she spoke to the North Georgia Patriots on Family and Children’s issues..

L-R Dr. Tom Brown with FairTax, Former Senator Nancy Schaefer, Dr.Dan Eichenbaum, Nighta Davis founder of the Patriots.

Former Senator Schaefer often visited Towns County, with her last being on November 29, 2009, when she spoke to the North Geor- (Right) Nancy Schaefer and see SCHAEFER on page Commissioner Bill Kendall.

6A

Osborn has to ‘wait it out’

Alderman could take up to 60 days to reach a decision an opportunity to present a tape, made by the late Jess Gibson, during a new trial.

The original trial, which found Osborn guilty during the summer of 2008, was also presided over by Judge Alderman.

Motions such as these, are typically handled by the original judge. Often, they are denied and the defense moves on to appeal to the Georgia Court of Appeals. The decision by Alderman could take as long as 60 days to be determined.

Osborn was housed at the Union County Deten-

tion Center during the Motion for a New Trial process.

If Alderman awards that the defense is entitled to a new trialOsborn would have an opportunity for a much less sentence, especially if the playing of the tape in question does what the defense claims, could exonerate him from the most severe charge of Aggravated Assault.

Currently, Osborn is sentenced to 45 years with 20 of those years to serve.

Osborn is not projected Becky Landress/ Tribune photo to complete his sentence Osborn listens while Attorney Brian Steel explains their reasons to Judge Alderman. until June, 2028.

Broun to Hold “Simple Truth” Town Halls

Towns County 4-H members participate in CPA

Becky Landress Tribune Editor

Eddie Osborn, his attorney, and family, are forced to play a game of ‘wait and see’.

Osborn’s Motion for a New Trial began last Friday, March 19, and wrapped up on Monday afternoon. All of the reason cited by Brian Steel, Osborn’s attorney, were laid out during those two days in front of Judge Lynn Alderman. Those reasons included; mistakes made by Osborn’s original defense team, the jury selection process and

Dr. Broun to discuss health care, jobs, and the future of our economy U.S. Representative Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) today announced that he will host “Simple Truth” town halls next week in Lincolnton, Hiawassee, and Carnesville: “There is an opportunity to provide lasting solutions to the problems we face in our economy,” said Broun.

“We can unleash the power of our small businesses and put people back to work. We may have lost one battle in the effort to reform health care financing, but it is never too late to do the right thing for hardworking Americans and embrace policies that are centered on the entrepreneurial spirit of our job creators.”

For more information about the upcoming “Simple Truth” town halls, constituents may call either the Augusta office at (706) 447-3857 or the Toccoa office at (706) 886-1008.

Broun will hold his Towns County Town Hall Meeting at the following location and time: Hiawassee 6 PM – Wednesday, March 31 Towns County Courthouse 48 River Street

Becky Landress Tribune Editor

Around three dozen 5th and 6th grade 4H students headed out Saturday morning for Union County to participate in Cloverleaf Project Achievement.

The students were given the opportunity to participate in their choice of more than 40 categories ranging from Ocean Ecology to Performing Arts. Seventeen Towns County 4-H’rs brought home either a first, second or third place ribbon. Those placing in the competition were: Adam Penland, Michelle Miller, Katherine Bryant, Dale Forrester, Morgan Ditmore, Palmer Dernehl, Taylor Underwood, LeAnn Dean, Bailey Chastain, Lexi Pettengill, Angel Thomas, Alyssa Chastain, Dawson Hunter, Madison Landress, Jocelyn Byers, Andrew Rogers and Jessie Tittle. (Not all participants were available for photo)

Towns Tribune March 30, 2010 Page 2A

calendar events and community news Free Food Distribution Regular meetings Chili, Chili, Chili Free Food Distribution Commissioner’s meeting 3rd Thursday of every month at 5:30 in the court-

room. hiawassee council meeting is the 1st Tuesday of each

month at 4 p.m. young harris council meets the 1st Tuesday of each month. towns county school board meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the auditorium.

Community Calendar Mountain Computer User Group meets the 2nd Monday of each month in the Goolsby

Center, Young Harris College. All meetings are open to the public. Great door prizes will be awarded to members present. A Q&A session will begin at 6 PM (prior to the feature presentation at 7PM) so bring your questions and we will try to find an answer. Come join us for an interesting evening about computer topics.

The Mountain Coin Club meets on the 3rd Tuesday

of each month. Early activities begin at 5:30. Meeting follows at 6:30 p.m. The club meets at Cadence Bank in Blairsville. For more information, call YOCS, 706379-1488.

Writers Circle, a new writing program begun by

Glenda Beall, will hold the first writing class, Who are You and Why Do You Write? Tuesday, April 6, 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. at her studio on Chatuge Lane, Hayesville, NC. Class fee is $35.00 except for those who have discount coupons. To register or learn more about this class and upcoming classes throughout the spring and summer, contact Glenda Beall, writerlady21@yahoo.com or call 828-389-4441. At 1:00 p.m. Wayne Drumheller will hold a free class on creating your own digital books with Creative Memories software. Those who come in the morning and wish to stay for the afternoon class should bring a bag lunch. Coffee, water and snacks will be provided.

Computer Club To Discuss Snagit, a Screen Capture

Program On April 12th at 7PM there will be a presentation of Snagit by MCUG Secretary/Treasurer George Donegan. George, a founding members of the club, will present and demonstrate Snagit, a Windows based screen capture program. A Q&A session will begin at 6 PM (prior to the presentation) so bring your questions and we will try to find you an answer. Join us for an interesting evening discussing home computer stuff.

The meeting will be held in the Goolsby Center, Young Harris College. All the Mountain Computer User Group meetings are open to the public the 2nd Monday of each month. Great door prizes are awarded to members present. For more information please go to www. mcug.org.

Castaway- Pet of the Week

Precious is a cute little girl residing at the shelter. She is very loving and fairly vocal for such a little package. She loves people and lots of attention, she would be a great lap cat. She’s not a real big fan of the other cats, so she may prefer the

food, ice cream, and fire There will be a free food distribution Tuesday, April safety demonstrations by 5th, 2010. The distribution will be held at The Towns the firemen, especially County Food Pantry from 2pm-6pm. All that are in geared to the children. need of food assistance are encouraged to attend. If This year there will be you are unable to pick up your food please contact the a 5K race, going from the pantry at 706-896-4783, prior to distribution day so square to the Fairgrounds arrangements can be made to deliver your food. All and back starting at 9 clients and inquiries are confidential. a.m. You can run, walk, or push the baby carriage-we’ll wait.

Cooks will get their thing going at 8 a.m. with unique booth decorations Win the top prize of and cooking. Judging of in Athens and Rock Eagle $300 with your special their chili will be by five by: Rob Stoneham 4H Center near Macon in chili recipe. Like belly local judges who will not When: April 1 buttons, everyone has know whose chili they Towns Co. Recreation May. On April 17th the Towns Co. Sharpshootone, but your chili can be are tasting.

Center (on the lake) the winner!

Last year we were Yep, its going to happen ers will be in Athens, GA The Towns County overwhelmed with the again. The Towns County competing with several Fire Corps is putting on wonderful attendance Sheriffs Office is going other counties hoping to the second “Fire in the estimated at several thou- up against the Towns shoot their way into the Mountains” Chili Cook- sand. Seems everyone Co. 4H Sharpshooters in State Championships off on Memorial Day Sat- loves chili. Go to the Fire a re-match of last years again at Rock Eagle urday, May 29, 2010 on Corps website at town- shoot off between the 4H where last year they shot the square in Hiawassee scountyfirecorps@.org kids and TC Sheriff Chris against over 500 shootGA to benefit the Towns to get your application Clinton and his Depu- ers and top teams from all County Fire Rescue blank, rules, and infor- ties who last year gave over the state. mation about last year’s the kids a run for their Department.

Under the guidance money. No comment on of 7 NRA certified fireIt is an event for the event. See you there! who actually won but the arms instructors from whole family to enjoy kids have bragging rights the Chatuge Gun Club with entertainment, and Sheriff Clinton and the TC Sharpshooters ICL Announces Courses for Spring his men turned out to be have shot their way into a 1st Class Act and good the state championships Term sports to boot.

7 out of the last 10 yrs.

The Institute for Continuing Learning (ICL) at This match will be open The fundraiser at the Young Harris College is celebrating its 19th anniver- to the public and will be Rec. Center will help the sary with an exciting lineup of classes for the spring a fundraiser for the team kids get ready for all the term beginning the week of April 12. One of the high- and will be held at the TC upcoming competitions. lights will be a series of free seminars entitled An Rec. Center on the lake Stop on by and watch Ounce of Prevention Equals a Pound of Cure on three from 3pm to 5pm. The our kids take on Towns successive Saturdays – May 15, 22 & 29 at 10 am in public is welcome and Co. finest. The Shooting the Wilson Lecture Hall in the Goolsby Building on it will aid the kids with Team will again be sponthe campus of the college. There is no charge for these the additional equipment sored by The Sons of the seminars and pre-registration is not required. they might need in the American Legion. upcoming competitions Spring classes include:

Towns County Sheriffs Office VS Towns County 4H Shooting Team

•Barbara Lewis’ INTRODUCTION TO BRIDGE on Mondays at 10 am •Ann Marie Stanczyk’s HAVE YOUR CAKE…AND EAT IT TOO on Mondays at 1 pm •Jerry Taylor’s GEORGIA HISTORY on Mondays at 1 pm •Elaine Delcuze’s SPRING WILDFLOWER RAMBLES on Mondays at 3:15 pm •Andy & Tom Moschetto’s COOKING WITH ANDY on Tuesdays at 2 pm •Tom Striker’s NORTH GEORGIA BIRDING on Wednesdays at 9 am •Ed Endres’ THE WAR OF MY GENERATION:WWII on Wednesdays at 1 pm •Dr Leon Lee’s SURPRISED BY JOY: A LOOK AT THE POEMS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH on Wednesdays at 3:15 pm •Rev. Darris Baker’s JERUSALEM JAMES on Thursdays at 10 am •John Roberts’ GENETIC ADVANCES: FRIEND OR FOE? on Thursdays at 1 pm •Tony Ward’s ALIEN PLANTS: TAKING OVER A NATURAL AREA NEAR YOU on Thursdays at 1 pm •Eric Seifarth’s WINE MAKING IN GEORGIA: VINEYARD TO MARKET PLACE on Thursdays at 3:15 pm •Jean Gora’s LIVING AND DYING UNDER THE THIRD REICH on Fridays at 1 pm •Nancy Simpson’s POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP on Fridays at 3:15 pm •Lee & Robin Roberts’ THE HOW-TO OF ORCHIDS, AIR PLANTS, HOUSE PLANTS, AND HERBS on Saturdays at 9 am •Sheila Rodgers & Jill Long’s AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION EQUALS A POUND OF CURE on Saturdays at 10 am.

Relay for Life Upcoming Events • Community Bank and Trust as well as the Chatuge Regional Hospital & Nursing Home with be having bake sales at each location on April 2nd. Stop by to pick up some locally baked fresh goods.

• CareSouth Homecare will be having a yardsale on April 3rd. All proceeds will go to Relay for Life.

Household items, toys, clothes (all sizes), books, furniture, ect.

• United Community Bank Junior Board of Directors Easter Bake Sale is Friday April 2nd. From 9-5 in the bank lobby.

• Chatuge Regional Hospital is raffling a Wheel Barrow full of gardening items. Tickets at $1 for 1, $5 for 6. Contact hospital for information and/or stop by.

It is on display! Drawing will be held April 9th.

• Brown & Pink “Fight Like a Girl’ T-shirts contact any local team- They will be on sale as long as the supplies last!

Anyone with any questions reguarding how they can volunteer or a specific event please feel free to call 706-897-3228.

be the only feline in the home. Precious is spayed and up to date with her vaccinations. Call June at 706-379-2169 for more information on adopting her.

Castaway Critters has lots of cats and dogs available for adoption.

Regency Hospice announces men’s This week two cats at Coffee Group: the shelter gave birth, both had four kittens. If New Location: Grinds and Glazes you would like to make

233 Hwy 515 a donation for the care of

Blairsville, GA the animals, you may send Dates: 1st and 3rd Tuesday, 10am -11:30am it to 1732 John Smith Rd. For more information please call Jan Deverauh, E., Blairsville, GA 30512 Chaplain at Regency Hospice in Hiawassee, GA at or go to our website castYou can obtain more detail on all the classes and 1-800-577-8791 or 706-896-1251. away-critters.org download a registration form at www.iclyhc.org.

Contact Bob Langenbacher in Young Harris (706379-2660) or e-mail icl@yhc.edu for additional information. ICL is a not-for-profit organization with BID FOR SOLID excess operating moneys going toward scholarships WASTE TRANSPORTATION AND DISfor students at YHC. In its 20th year of operation, the POSAL FOR TOWNS COUNTY, GA Institute offers a wide range of educational opportunities for adults of all ages.

Towns County is accepting bids on the transportation and disposal of its solid waste. Bid specifications may be picked up at the commissioner’s office during regular business hours.

NOTICE:

All proposals must include certificate of insurance and a Letter of Certification for the landfill to be used for disposal.

All bids must be sealed and marked “Sealed Bid for Solid Waste”. The bids will be opened at the County meeting on April 15, 2010, at 5:30pm at the Towns County Courthouse. The bids can be brought to the meeting or mailed to: Towns County Commissioner 48 River Street Suite B Hiawassee, Ga. 30546 Towns County reserves the right to reject any and all bids for any reason.

Towns Tribune March 30, 2010 Page 3A

Happy Easter- from the Tribune and your local merchants Easter Services at Good Shepard Episcopal Church

Recreation Department and United Community Bank to Host Countywide Easter Egg Hunt The Easter Bunny is coming to the Towns County Recreation Ball Fields on Saturday. April 3, 2010, and the Egg Hunt begins promptly at 10:30 a.m.

The Towns County Recreation Department, along with United Community Bank in Hiawassee, will be hosting its annual Easter Egg Hunt.

All boys and girls through age 9 are invited to come out and join in on all the fun.

The hunt will be held on the recreation ball fields located on Highway 76 just west of Hiawassee. Entrance to the ball field complex will be through the upper gate located near the Georgia Mountain Fair office. The hunt will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. and will last approximately 1 hour.

There will be over 2500

eggs, including prize eggs to be found.

The hunt is FREE to all boys and girls ages 4 through 9. There will be 2 age divisions for the hunt: 4, 5, & 6 year olds: 7, 8, and 9 year olds. A special activity is being planned for children 3 years and younger.

There will be Cash Prize Eggs, Toy Prize Eggs, and a Grand Easter Basket to be given away in both age division.

There will also be a drawing for a Mother’s prize.

Make plans now to join the Recreation Department and United Community Bank for all the fun on Saturday, April 3, at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call the Recreation Department at 706-896-2600 or United Community Bank in Hiawassee at 706-896-4186.

From the Manger to the Cross Pine Gove Baptist Church’s Easter Play will be April 4, Easter Sunday, @ 7 p.m. Pastor Dwayne Patterson invites you to come and enjoy the play. We hope that it will be a blessing. Church is located off of Swaims Road on 17-69, going towards Hayesville, NC.

Easter Conta at West Union Baptist West Union Baptist Church welcomes you to attend an Easter Conta on April 2, at 7p.m. We will serve refreshments afterward. Rev. Jason (Homer) Helston.

Celebration of Holy Week at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Hayesville will include Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday services.

Maundy Thursday will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 1. Two services will be held on Good Friday, April 2, at 12:00 Noon and 7:00 P.M. On April 4, Easter Sunday, we celebrate His Resurrection, the holiest of holy days in the Christian calendar. Services will be held at 8:30 and 10:45 A.M. Reverend John Rice, Pastor

Towns Tribune March 30, 2010 Page 4A

opinions and editorials

What’s on your mind?

Letter to the Editor: With Spring in the air and flowers blooming, I, like so many others, am trying to lose weight. It seems like we constantly “diet” with different fads from shakes to micro-waved meals. I went by the Relay for Life event on the square this weekend and this thought came to my mind: Why aren’t we emphasizing to our kids how to LIVE cancer free? Why do we continually bombard our kids with sugars, fats, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, food colorings, and junk foods containing MSG’s (monosodium glutamate) that are all collectively known to have adverse effects?

In my opinion, living a life cancer FREE is eating more natural foods – free of toxins, eliminating tobacco use, reducing EM radiation (cell phone, computer, and TV use), reducing stress, oxygenating your body (exercising), balancing your body’s pH level and having a close relationship with God. Please don’t misunderstand me- I’m all for helping those in need (I baked a cake for the Relay for Life Cake Walk but made it without vegetable oil – I used applesauce and orange juice instead).

We all know that smoking increases your risk of developing cancer. Don’t

you think what we eat might effect our risk of developing cancer? You don’t “catch” cancer, doesn’t it develop?

Some people wonder why cancer rates are so high- look at what we do to our bodies that our grandparents DIDN’T do- it wasn’t in their lifestyle!

We need to make a change in our habitswe are slowly killing ourselves and our kids! It is up to us to teach our young people how to eat right, exercise, and live a life without obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, depression, and cancer.

I recently read the book titled, Natural Cures They Don’t want you to Know About, and I recommend every household having a copy to read- it has changed the way I approach grocery shopping and feeding my family, although my husband is still skeptical.

Big name food manufacturers don’t care if we get cancer or other health problems- they are getting what they want- MONEY. It is my wish for Towns County residents, Georgia residents, and residents of this great nation to rally together and join the Food Revolution (the show airs on Friday, March 26 at 8 pm on ABC)!! /s/Heather Moss

To the Editor: Why has Georgia had so many bank failures- more than either Florida or California or of the two combined? Yes, the retirement community and vacation home markets have been hit especially hard, but North Carolina and Florida have at least as many of those properties. Could it have something to do with the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance? /s/ Michael Valinoti What a concert!

Editor: Five Star kudos to Mr. Chris Adams on his latest chorus concert, on March 16, especially the way he showed the way your voice can be made not only vocally but with your hands. In the last five years since Mr. Adams has been

here, the talent of our students has been cultivated. He has brought to Towns County voices from around the world.

P.S. If you have ever heard a thunderstorm in the jungle, which I have, you would have been amazed by the chorus “African Thunderstorm”. /s/ Ben Sutton

Your Representatives are returning home for Spring Break and I encourage you to let them know how you feel about the passage of this bill (health care) and their entire process that blatantly disregarded your voice. /s/ Darla Dawald, National Director/ Patriots

Excitement expected at GOP Meeting by: Gary Meier

Tuesday, April 6 at 6:30 pm will be an evening of excitement and fun as entertainment, speeches, a straw poll and appearances from numerous political campaigns converge at the Towns County Republican Party meeting at Daniels Restaurant.

The evening will kick off with a stirring rendition or two by internationally acclaimed and two time International Country Gospel Singer of the Year, Buddy Benedict.

Headlining the event will be Georgia State School Superintendent Kathy Cox. She will report on the current education financial crisis facing Georgia and answer questions from teachers, administrators and the general public. Superintendent Cox invites all

Just a Thought...

Doug MacGinnitie

educators in Towns and Union Counties to attend this meeting.

Also speaking will be Doug MacGinnitie, candidate for Secretary of State.

MacGinnitie is one of three candidates vying for this important state position.

He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Emory School of Law, served as a White House Intern in the Reagan administration and has spent his entire career in the business community.

His platform includes an emphasis on helping small businesses by getting the government out of the way, protecting the military’s right to vote and ensuring fair and honest elections. His five guiding principles are ethical leadership, lower taxes, less spending, limited government and individual freedom.

Austin Scott, candidate for Governor, will be the concluding speaker. Scott considers himself to be the economy candidate. He plans to improve Georgia’s economy by promoting conditions conducive to entrepreneurs and businesses. He promises to reduce both the capital gains tax and corporate income tax to attract additional businesses to Georsee GOP MEETS on page 6A

Becky Landress

What a week…

This has been a difficult week on so many levels.

Often, putting stories out there, subjects me to criticism. Don’t get me wrong, I can handle it. I also hear so many positives which helps.

Both just kind of go with the territory. It just gets kind of hard to adjust to some of the comments you can endure- usually anonymously- that aren’t favorable. I am a big girl though. I put on my big girl undies and just deal

with it. What more can you do?

On a personal level, I start feeling overwhelmed at times. I start feeling sorry for myself with no real reason to do so. I start in with the typical, “I am a decent person.

All I try to do is live my life…. go to work, love my family, and perform my job to the best of my ability.” Then, I wise up and realize that those that want to trash talk, don’t care. They probably don’t even know me personally. How can they, when they won’t walk through the door to the office and voice their concerns while looking me in the eye?

Right along with every one else, I deal with life’s little “oopsies”, as my kids called them when they were younger. Sometimes we are handed lemons. If you like it- make lemonade; otherwise, throw the little boogers as hard as

you can. That is what I tend to do.

Mortgage payments, car loans, insurance premiums, utilities.. you name it… they are always there. For many, the work to pay those isn’t. It gets hard.

I have written about dealing so many times. I know I often sound like a broken record, but those things never go away. For a time, they can get easier, but like a rainy day… they always come again. We can get stronger though.

In fact, I think that is why we are often submitted to trials. Those trials make us stronger. They build us up. Like a soldier trained for battle… we become prepared.

As a friend, neighbor or just a fellow child of God, we can all help one another. We can be a little less judgmental. We can offer a hand when we can and we can always offer our prayers. In due time, they will be answered.

Towns Tribune March 30, 2010 Page 5A

church happenings and obituaries Journal of a Living Lady In loving Obituaries With... Nancy White Kelly

Think of a four-letter word. Gotcha!

No doubt your mind just conjured up something ugly that would have gotten your mouth washed out with soap in by-gone days. My parents weren’t prudes, but damn and hell were the two worst words I ever heard them say. Those rare utterances always surprised me.

After we married, Buddy became a walking lexicon for his naive wife. Being a Mississippi country boy who went straight from high school to the Navy, he was well acquainted with what I call gutter language.

Some unfamiliar words he interpreted had more than four letters. Buddy taught me that a “broad” was a non-complimentary term for a worldly woman and that a bitch was not only a mother dog but an uncomplimentary description of a nagging female. It didn’t take long for me to fondly attach myself to the term “lady.”

Toilet talk isn’t humorous to me either. When I was a teen-ager, my friends would tease me because I blushed at the slightest suggestion of anything lewd. Half a century later I still blush.

Some things were just meant to be private. Start talking about constipation or gassy exuberances and likely you’ll lose your audience. What occurs in the bathroom ought to stay within the confines of the necessary room built for that purpose.

I must now confess that a new four-letter word has entered my vocabulary…

“Crud.” It isn’t in the dictionary, but I can define it easily because Buddy and I have both had this convoluted cold in the past few days.

He got the crud first.

memory of Mickie Morgan

For days I endured his sneezing, coughing, laryngitis, dirty tissues and ill mood. Just as he was getting over the worst of July 18, 1962 - March 24, 2009 his crud, my head started buzzing. Nasal passages It has been a year since dripped like a broken faucet and my voice you left us. During your life here on earth you sounded like a man’s. faced many challenges Nothing about me and still protected those is simple. I have had you loved, even to the metastatic adenocarci- end. You left us all with noma, histoplasmosis, precious memories; not renal azotemia, and an that of pain and heartacute myocardial infarc- ache; but of your beautiful tion. How could the smile,encouraging words, four-lettered crud be so giving heart , uncondibad? Memory fades at tional love, and strength. my age, but I do believe To us you were a loving this crud was the most wife, mother, daughter, complicated, congestive, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, cotton-picking cold in my daughter-n-law, sister-nlaw and friend. You are lifetime.

While lightening may truly missed by all that not strike twice in the you touched in your joursame place, the crud does. ney here on this earth.

We had hardly changed The poem below is our the bed sheets when encouragement that we Buddy relapsed. Round hold on to till we meet again. two of crud for him.

Don’t Grieve for Me Buddy and I are polar opposites in many ways Don’t grieve for me, for so it should not be too now I’m free, surprising that we handle I’m following the path illnesses differently. I God laid for me, prefer to suffer in silence.

I took his hand when I Should an unexpected heard him call, sickness require that I I turned my back and left disturb my doctor’s golf it all. game you can be sure I am I could not stay another nigh unto death. Buddy, day, on the other hand, has to laugh, to love, to work his doctor’s cell phone or play, number on speed dial. tasks left undone must My philosophy regard- stay that way, ing something like the I found that place at the common crud is that “this close of the day. too shall pass.” Buddy’s If my parting has left a isn’t known for such opti- void, mism. When he picked then fill it with rememup the phone last week, bered joy, I quickly intercepted his a friendship shared, a call and sent the hearse laugh, a kiss, back. As much as I dislike Ah yes, these things, I too throwing money away on will miss. a cold that would likely Be not burdened with cure itself, a doctor’s visit times of sorrow, had to be cheaper than a I wish you the sunshine of funeral. It is always pos- tomorrow. sible that this crud could My life’s been full, I be masquerading as the savored much, Swine flu. good friends, good times, The smiling doctor, a loved one’s touch. who knows Buddy quite Perhaps my time seemed well, obliged him with all too brief, a double-barreled shot, don’t lengthen it now a prescription for antibi- with undue grief, otics and a steep bill for lift up your heart and sympathetic services. share with me, God wanted me now, he CRUD! nancyk@windstream. set me free. net Author Unknown

Glenn Gooch Mr. Glenn Gooch age 85 of Wren Drive Blairsville passed away on Saturday March 20, 2010 in the Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta following a brief illness. Mr. Gooch was born on June 15,1924 in Suches, GA,the son of the late Homer W. Gooch and the late Maebelle Wilkins Gooch. Glenn was a veteran of the US Army of WWII, with the 4th Infantry Division and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

He was a life member of of the VFW Post 7394. Glenn had served on the Board of Education for twelve years, Clerk of Court for twelve years and was the Commissioner of Union County for twelve years. Glenn was a loving father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather.He was preceded in death by his first wife, Leota Elizabeth Gooch, and wife Betty Gooch, a grand daughter, Glenda Gooch and a brother Tom Gooch. Mr. Gooch was a member of the First Baptist Church of Blairsville.

Surviving Mr. Gooch are two sons and one daughter in law, Doug and Nancy Gooch of Blairsville, Glendon Gooch of Blairsville, three brothers and sister in laws, Bill and Minnie Gooch of Smyrna, Ervin and Barbara Gooch of Suches, Ned and Carol Gooch of Suches, six sisters, two brother in laws, Kathleen Fitts of

Ulysses Edward Sampson Ulysses Edward Sampson, age 86 of Young Harris, GA passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2010 in Chatuge Regional Hospital following an extended illness.

He was born October 21, 1923 in Towns County, the son of the late William Perry Sampson and Cora Bell Howell Sampson. He was a lifelong resident of Towns County, and a Deacon of Old Union Baptist Church, having been ordained in West Union Baptist where he served as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and Choir Director for many years. He served as Choir Director at Old Brasstown Baptist for 5 years, and at Old Union for 14 years.

He was a veteran of World War II serving from August 19, 1943 – January 25, 1946.

He served with the 162nd Infantry Regiment, 41st Division, as a rifleman in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan, also working with occupational troops, receiving these medals: Combat Infantryman Badge – Rifle Exp; Good Conduct Medal; WWII Victory Medal; Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with Bronze Stars; Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star & Bronze arrowhead; Ruptured Duck WWII Honorable Discharge Lapel Pin. After returning home he furthered his education by attending Young Harris College, North Georgia College in Dahlonega, GA and Western Carolina University with a Master of Arts in Education. He taught

Dahlonega, Claramae Kidd of Gainesville, Inez Crook of Jackson, GA, Mary Ann and Jessie Mayfield of Buckhead, GA, Sandra and Jerry Bailey of McDonough, Blondine Bryan of Dahlonega, four grandchildren, Jeff, Stephen, Brittany and Jake Gooch, five great grandchildren, many other relatives and friends also survive.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday March 23 at 1pm from the First Baptist Church of Blairsville with the Rev. Danny Parris, Rev. B.A. Buchanan.

A eulogy was given by Rev. Stacy Dyer and Doug Gooch.The following gentleman served as pallbearers, Chandler, Patrick and Jake Gooch, Terry Jones, Kenneth Jenkins and Curtis Colwell. Serving as honorary pallbearers was Jack Lance, J.W. Payne, Allen Conley, Carlton Colwell, Charles Hill, Charles Jenkins, Dr. George Gowder and Loyd P. Gooch. Interment followed in the Union Memory Gardens Cemetery with the North GA. Honor Guard conducting military honors. In lieu of flowers if you wish,the family requests that memorials may be made to the Glenda Gooch House.

Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville in charge of the arrangements.

You may sign the family guest book and send condolences on line at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com

13 years in elementary school, first at Gum Log School (two-teacher school) and Young Harris Elementary. He served almost 20 years on the Towns County Board of Education. He retired from working at Young Harris, GA Post office in 1988.

He is survived by his Wife, Dorothy Greene Sampson of 61 years, Son and daughter-in-law Melvin Edward Sampson and Claire of Conyers, GA; granddaughter Chloe Elizabeth Sampson of Dallas, GA; Son and daughter-inlaw Philip Lanier Sampson and Teresa of Young Harris, GA; granddaughter Brittany Lee. Sampson of Young Harris, GA; one step-granddaughter Sydney Stowe of Dallas, GA; one sister Lois Rogers of Hiawassee, GA; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

A funeral service was held Friday, March 12, 2010 2:00 p.m. at Old Union Baptist Church, with Rev. Jimmy Rogers, Rev. James Paul, Rev. Jimmy Hogsed; music by R. Terry Hooper; Pallbearers Burt Rogers, Gene Rogers, Lamar Sampson, Wilfred Davis, Mike Stephens, David Rogers; Honorary: Bryan Bryson, Ernie Sellers, Thomas Wood. Interment in Old Union Church Cemetery with US National Guard conducting military honors: TAPS was played by son Melvin E. Sampson. The family received friends at Old Union Church Thursday night from 6:15 to 10:00 p.m.

Banister Funeral Home of Hiawassee in charge of arrangements

We miss you so much.

Easter Sunrise Service at Pine Grove Baptist Church Kevin and Kery Morgan Monroe and Gazette Mountain Grace Baptist Church in Young Harris, Morgan Pine Grove Baptist Church Easter Sunrise Service will be at 7 a.m. on April 4th.

Georgia (directly across the road from Gibby’s FurKerwin, Sandy, Wendy, The Church is located off of Swaims Road on 17-69, going towards Hayesville, niture store on Hwy. 76). Event will take place on Kyle, and Tori Morgan NC.

Easter Outreach Program

April 3, 2010 from 12 to 3p.m. Join us for pony rides, crafts, Easter egg hunt, games, bouncy house, face painting, food, and fun. Come out and join the fun while celebrating the true meaning of Easter!

Annual Community Sunrise Service Celebrate Christian Hope! The annual “Community Sunrise Service” will take place Easter Morning, April 4 at 7:00 a.m. at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.

Music, scripture and worship will commemorate the grand event of resurrection and the hope it inspires.

This event is sponsored by the Towns County Ministerial Alliance. Rev. Fred Whitley will speak.

Pastor Dwayne Patterson invites everyone to come and worship the Lord.

Old Man Standing by the Road Driving south toward Atlanta on a hot August day, I saw a shabby old man standing by the road holding a crumpled brown bag.

He crawled into my car surrounded by a pungent odor. He told me his name Thomas Jefferson Madison- and that he was trying to find his way to Florida. Mr. Madison was a seasonal worker in the orange groves but had worked his way up to South Carolina picking peaches. The peach crop was short, or he had been late getting there; anyway, he was laid off shortly after arriving and was paid nearly nothing.

Someone had dropped

From the Cove...

him off between South Carolina and Atlanta and he had no idea where he was. Unable to read, road signs meant nothing to him, making hitchhiking nearly impossible.

His only hope was to get a rail yard where he could hop a freight train to Florida. How did he know if he might catch a train to Chicago instead of Florida? I asked. He said someone would always help him catch the right train. Other than asking how to board the right train, he didn’t have to talk to anyone.

I asked Mr. Madison if I could buy lunch for him. He accepted but was very uncomfortable going into a Waffle House full of people with frowning eyes. I felt perfectly

relaxed, thinking “to hell with those SOBs. They know from nothing.” It soon occurred to me that I was stuck with that gentle old man. What was I going to do? I had delivered him right inside the I-285 beltway of Atlanta where he could never find his way out through that maze of roads and intersections!

I had no choice. Mr. Madison would have to be delivered to the massive railroad yards in south Atlanta, nearly thirty miles from where we were. He assured me that he had been in that yard before and would have no problem finding a train to Florida.

As I dropped him off in the middle of that hyperactive rail road

yard, I asked if he could use a little money. He accepted ten dollars only as a loan. He asked for my name and address, which I wrote down and handed to him. He obviously did not expect charity from anyone, nor did I expect that he would ever pay that debt.

In case you were wondering about the brown paper bag, it contained several wieners left over from a package the man had purchased three days before he crawled into my car. It’s best never to pick up a drifter unless you wish to adopt or do all you can to send him on his way. /s/ Clarence Newton

Towns Tribune March 30, 2010 Page 6A

community news and jumps TCFC Doubles the FUNdraisers schaefer

Juggling posters, Big Band tickets, Chili Cook-off rosters and all the details of staging two major events in a matter of weeks has the Towns County Fire Corps really, really busy lately. On May 9 (Mothers Day) the Brasstown Big Band Benefit takes place at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, and on May 29 the Hiawassee Town Square is the site of the 2010 Fire in the Mountains Chili Cook-Off. Both events, sponsored by the TCFC, benefit the Towns County Fire Rescue Department.

Towns County Fire Chief Mitch Floyd, who has worked closely with the organization since he introduced the concept to Towns County in late 2008, has high praise for the group’s accomplishments to date, and is awaiting news on federal grants for which the organization will provide matching funds. Over the eighteen months since

it began, the TCFC’s president, Brenda Hunt, has rallied members through fundraisers and special projects, from last year’s inaugural Fire in the Mountains Chili Cook-off to fix-up’s at fire stations and monthly training-night dinners for firefighters. “We especially need someone to help coordinate the dinners,” Hunt says of a favorite project among firefighters.

Dr. Bill Wendel, chairman of the Brasstown Big Band Benefit, hopes to see every seat in the Anderson Music Hall filled for the concert on Mothers’ Day. “We urge students to take advantage of the $5 tickets, bring their families and make a day of it. Our ticket prices range from the $5 student seats to the $10 and $15 sections, with a front and center group of ‘Patron Tickets’ available for $25 that will include a Meet the Band reception with refreshments and

butterworth

coming together and taking drastic steps to adopt legislation that will protect states’ rights and block the unconstitutional mandates that are being forced upon us and our children. I am happy to report that Georgia is one of these states. Your state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 317 out of the Senate last week, which says that no law can mandate you to participate in any health care program. State leadership is also pursuing available avenues for legal action against the legislation.

stituents because they are elected to serve at the will of the people. In order to serve at the will of the people, they must be open to listening to the people. We were misled to think that leadership in Washington, including the president, reached across the aisle for bi-partisan support. I contest that the only bipartisan aspect of this bill was the opposition. Several Democrats walked across the aisle to vote against the health care bill because they understood their role as an elected public servant.

The architects of the Declaration of Independece wrote that our state and national leaders derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” Understandably, we expect our leaders in Washington to take a stand for their con-

This is not the first time in recent history that we have seen Washington turn its back on the American people. After seizing control of the automobile industry, Washington has now stolen control of our health care industry with bribery and arm-

continued from page 1A

finger food following the benefit performance.”

A friendly rivalry keeps the atmosphere light at TCFC meetings where Chili Cook-off co-chairs Perry Bush and B. J. Peters trade promotional ideas with concert head Bill Wendel. “We put up posters for each other, talk a little event smack, and do our best to make it fun for everyone involved,” says Peters, who adds, “When there’s this much work to be done, we have to enjoy ourselves a little along the way.”

Interested newcomers are welcome to attend the next scheduled meeting of the Chili Cook-off committee, slated for Tuesday, April 6, Fire Station 1 at 5:30 p.m. Membership in the Towns County Fire Corps requires no dues, just a background check to comply with Homeland Security procedures.

For more information visit www.TownsCountyFireCorps.org.

Have you had your dreams interpreted?

Not by a professional, most likely. Now is your chance. Send me your dream. Your dream could be the “key” to a solution.

“Keys” in a dream can be a spiritual “power-tool” to “unlock” a mystery. This week’s dream: In Dreamer’s Own Words: “Family/others preparing for trip. Packing, dressing, buying last minute necessities.

Dropped all of keys at gas station. Found them/ relieved. Dropped a few again several times. At one point, we sewed something in effort to get ready. Old boyfriend tried to seductively distract me from preparation. Knew others did not realize true intent. Rebuffed him-was concerned about social retaliation. Knew had to have bathroom-knew that

they simply wanted it for “appearance”.

I wanted bathroom to be respectful to those we were meeting: can’t go to meeting in dirty jeanscould hurt/offend/thwart Godly outcome. Competed with sister mostlyKnew this trip/meeting was of importance beyond what they could understand. Was stressed-trying to be sensitive to familyyet knew my preparation was more important-knew about true meaning of trip-mistakes could cost lives of many. Felt as if I had had vision of possible horrible events and family was blind to potential harm. Keys were silver.”

Interpretation: Dreamer, you are focused on your mission to move into your calling. You understand that the spiritual is important to your goal. Others in your spiritual circle do not see now important it is to you to achieve the goals of

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A

gia Patriots on family and children’s issues.

Schaefer was also instrumental on obtaining various grants for Towns County. One of those included an $18,700 grant from the Georgia Public Library Services for the Mountain Regional Library System. At the library, she presented the check to the Late Mayor of Young Harris, Dan Nichols.

your ministry. There are many distractions like old issues that seem to keep you busy. You may feel stressed about your spiritual journey. Something from the past sometimes distracts you from your calling but you put it out of your path. You are working hard to hold on to the goals to your calling.

Requirements: Give your dream a title, is it color or black & white, your feelings, in less than 110 words. Send to thedreamseer@gmail.com all dreams will remain anonymous. Addresses of inappropriate emails will be blocked. I will not be able to interpret all that are submitted, but I may select yours! I, The Dream Seer, have studied dreams under Streams Ministries/Stir The Water Network (http:// www.interpretmydream. com/) for 6 years. I have over 400 dreams certified with a 96% accuracy rate.

I mentor under some of the most gifted dream interpreters alive today, from Australia, England, China, Germany, & the U.S.

Schaefer. The Schaefer’s were a blessing to many who were privileged to know them. We are reminded that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and as the Schaefer family mourns their loss, they can be assured that Amy and I will keep them in our prayers for many months to come,” said State Senator Jim Butterworth.

Former Senator Schaefer will be missed by many within the 50th district, including those of Towns County.

< Luncheon with Zell and Shirley Miller at Brasstown Valley Resort L-R--Reuben Davis, Nighta Davis,Nancy Schaefer, Zell Miller, Shirley Miller and Bruce Schaefer.

Patriot Express Will Stop in Hiawassee

The North Georgia twisting. Soon, they will Patriots are going back be attempting to highjack to Washington for 2 environmental trade pracMarches and Rallies ! tices.

While it is important to get our message out, it is even more important to act. We are afforded the right and priviledge to vote. It is our ultimate voice as citizens when our leaders push our ideals aside. Talk with your neighbors and get involved. Write the president, call the White House and most importantly - vote. Make your voice heard.

As always, I am proud to serve my constituents of the 50th district of Georgia. As legislators, we pray each day that we will have the strength and the wisdom to build a state that is healthy and economically prosperous. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to face tough decisions, confident that our sacrifices today will mean a better Georgia for tomorrow.

S e n a t o r Schaefer stopped by often to visit life long resident Hazel Nichols during the four years Mrs. Schaefer served as Senator of the 50th District.

Senator Jim Butterworth released the following statement on the death of Nancy and Bruce Schaefer over the weekend: “This news hits the hearts of many in our community and I want to be among the first to express my deepest condolences to the family of Nancy and Bruce

The Patriot Express will pick up passengers in Hiawassee.The Patriots are going back to Washington, D.C.April 14th-19th to participate in two massive rallies and marches,talk to legisla-

gop meets

tors, and tour Washington. The Tax Day March and the 2nd Amendment March. N.J. Davis, Founder of the groups, organized 2 buses for the September 2009 event and is organizing 2-8 buses for the April events that will pick up patriots from many cities in Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Many local hiring conditions.

Also in attendance will be representatives from other state-wide campaigns, members of Young Harris College Republicans and some participants in the Youth Leadership Speech Contest.

continued from page 4A gia. Scott’s ambition is to also simplify regulatory compliance and improve

residents participated in the September 9/11 event and are going back.

Everyone is invited to participate.

If you are interested in participating in the local Patriots group, becoming a volunteer or going to Washington for the April Tax Day and Second Amendment Rallies, call 706-896-9021.

A straw poll about state-wide offices and some local issues will be conducted.

Remember, Tuesday, April 6 at 6:30pm at Daniels Restaurant in Hiawassee.

Don’t miss out on the fun.

“Next to Godliness” answers on page 11A

Towns Tribune March 30, 2010 Page 7A

Ted’s Tax Tips 2010 Tip # 1 – If you have questions about your taxes or whether you need to file call me at 706-7457998 or email at tjnoelle@ WINDSTREAM.net Tip #2 – I need to revisit a tip I gave you on the last set of tips I did. We have received a number of calls asking about it and wondering if other preparers know about it. I can’t comment about other tax preparers, but for those of you who are using the standard deduction (short form), take your real estate tax receipt where you paid your taxes in 2009 to your preparer. The IRS is allowing the real estate taxes to be added to the standard deduction which increases your deduction and decreases your taxable income. This means you will pay less taxes.

Tip # 3 – We have received several calls asking about the GA Income Tax Refund. For the first few days of the season, the GA refund was being received very quickly, but recently it has slowed down. There is a toll free number you can call to find out about your refund and it is 1-877-423-6711. In the

GA Tax Instructions, the toll free number listed on page 3 is incorrect. You will need your social security number and the number of dollars you are expecting. Do not be surprised if they tell you your return has not been processed and to wait 2 to 4 weeks before trying again. I do know they are quite far behind in processing the returns, especially the returns you send in on paper. That is one of the reasons I strongly suggest using E-FILE, because it does not have to wait to be keyed into the system. Or you can go online to www.dor. ga.gov and look for the refund information.

The locations and hours for the FREE preparation and E-FILING of your tax return are as follows: HIAWASSEE – United Methodist Church MONDAY – 9 AM to 2 PM BLAIRSVILLE – First Baptist Church of Blairsville TUESDAY AND THURSDAY – 9 AM to 2 PM I may close the doors early if we have more customers than we can handle by 2 p.m.

“Wonderful Wednesday” Cathy Cox, President of Young Harris College will be highlighting the “Wonderful Wednesday” program on Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 at Mountain Presbyterian Church.

The evening program will include students from the Music and Drama Departments performing excerpts from school productions and their favorite music and readings.

Coaches and players from the Athletic Department will bring features of the new women’s and men’s basketball programs as well as a retrospect of the long established and winning NCAA baseball program.

President Cox and other Administrative personnel will discuss the growth of the two-year to four-year world class institution, and the new and on-going construction plans and the

future considerations in our community.

Dinner will be available at 6:00 P.M. and the program will begin at 7:00 P.M. Mountain Presbyterian Church has a long and memorable association with Young Harris College and is very excited about their plans for expansion to a four year liberal arts college. Plan on attending this outstanding program and invite your friends.

Mountain Presbyterian Church is located between Hiawassee and Blairsville at 3831 Highway 515 East (2945 Young Harris Highway). Please call the church office before April 2nd to confirm reservations if you plan to attend.

706-745-8036. TuesdayFriday 10 till 3 e-mail mtn@mtnpres.org

Community & Columnists

OPERATION PUP (Prevent Unwanted Pets, Inc.)

Your life organized

“Spay & Neuter – The Kindest Way To End Pet Overpopulation”

contribution to the public good.

Do you have a boat, rv, jet ski, car, trailer, recreational vehicle, sitting around gathering dust and just don’t want the hassle of getting rid of it?

Call 1-888-706-8577 and donate it to Operation PUP. Help yourself with a valuable tax deduction while you’re helping cats and dogs. It’s a fast and easy way to make a difference.

When you make a charity boat/car donation: •Get free vehicle pickup whether it’s running or not.

•Avoid confusing Department of Motor Vehicles paperwork or Smog hassles.

•Qualify for an IRS tax deduction.

•Avoid all the headaches of selling with a boat/car donation; no expensive want ads, no taking phone calls, no showing it repeatedly, no price haggling...

•Live operators 7 days a week at 1-888-7068577.

•Simple and hasslefree.

•Your charity donations will help PUP substantially increase its

Boat and car donations are fast and easy with PUP’s vehicle donation program.

Donate boats, cars, trucks, vans, planes, even lots and real estate. Your donation is as easy as a phone call.

How the donations work. When you pledge your donation, our Vehicle Donation Processing Center takes your donor information over the telephone, and handles all of the documents, vehicle donation pick up, charity auction sale and distribution of the proceeds to PUP. They guarantee payment of all expenses with your boat or car donations. Donate a boat or car to free yourself from the hassles of selling and give something to your Community at the same time. PUP has already helped citizens fix lots of cats and dogs since the beginning of the year, improving their quality of life, and avoiding thousands of unwanted animals! Help us keep the momentum going!

Do you need help with spay & neuter? Want to volunteer or donate?

Contact us at Operation PUP, PO Box 1038, Hiawassee, Georgia 30546 or call 1-888-496-2387

Spring into Organization- Setting The Tone For An Organized Year

of season clothing. Try using them without lids in the pantry to keep small, boxed food items separate and easily inventoried, or inside of cabinets to hold pouches of dry sauce and salad dressing mix.

Clear or translucent wall bins. These are plastic pockets, which hang on the wall. They are perfect for storing papers, magazines, mail, bills, blank forms or catalogs. Be sure to label each one clearly so they don’t become catch-all places to toss things.

Color-coded folders.

Use color to identify different types of information. This system works best if the information is stored together in blocks in a file box. If a file is misfiled into the wrong section, you can easily spot it because of its color designation.

You can have an organized home or office it if you give yourself the right tools, invest a chunk of time and allow your creative energies to flow.

Remember, organization is simply knowing what you have and being able to access it at the moment you need it.

Whatever systems you choose to develop in your home and work place to meet that need are fine, as long as they are simple and easy to maintain.

These inexpensive organizing tools will help you get organized and stay that way.

Spring is here and this year you decided to get organized but may still have no idea how to begin. You’ve probably heard the old adage that “having the right tool is half the job.” This wisdom applies to organization as well. You can’t get organized if you don’t have the right tools to get the job done. Here are five organizing ideas to get your home or office categorized, organized and simplified.

Clipboards. Hang several clipboards with different types of information on wall hooks in your home. Label them with large letters so they can be easily identified from a distance. They can be used for keeping mail, bills, client invoices, driving directions, catalogs, kids schedules and paperwork from school, emergency numbers, neighborhood or family phone lists, coupons, chore sheets or your shopping list.

Clear plastic bins.

Clear bins of all sizes are Monica Ricci has been an great organizational tools. organizing and productivity They are ideal for cor- specialist since 1999. She ralling items, and their offers onsite consulting, as transparency allows you well as motivational semito see the contents inside nars and workshops. She has easily. These tools are been featured on HGTV’s great for grouping small Mission:Organization and office supplies on a shelf, is the author of Organize Ask Dr Don: Your Office In No Time.

My husband and I feel like we are at war with the staff members memos or Reach Monica at www. school our children attend. They are not being taught mail, kids art supplies, CatalystOrganizing.com or the values we believe in. Do you have any sugges- games, toys, tools, house 770-569-2642. painting supplies, or out tions?

In fact, I do. You are not the only parents who talk to me about this concern. My response is that there is no easy answer, but let me offer some suggestions. First, Art Works Artisan Centre is proud to present Ann Thompremember that it is primarily parents’ responsibility son of Hiawassee as April’s Artist of the Month. Come by to develop character in their kids. Not the school’s, Art Works on Saturday, April 3rd, from 1 – 4 pm to meet this and not even your church or synagogue’s, though talented artist. You will also have the pleasure of watching hopefully they can be a help. It’s up to us to create a Judy Brotherton, this month’s demonstrating artist, as she deeply-held value system that will weather whatever quilts with vintage fabrics from the late 1800’s - 1930’s. storm our kids meet when they walk out our front This event is sponsored by the Mountain Regional Arts and door. Remember that character is both caught and Crafts Guild, Inc. Ann’s work will be featured throughout taught – and both of those happen best at home. The the month of April at Art Works, located behind the Holiday Inn Express on Big Sky Drive. Hours are from Monday topic is important enough we’ll spend the next couple through Saturday from 10 – 5. For more information, call of columns getting very specific.

Ask Dr. Don...

Artist of the Month

706-896-0932.

Towns Tribune March 30, 2010 Page 8A

Sports

Indians Drop Tough Game Against Lakeview

By Rainer Arnold Tribune Sports Editor

The Towns County Indians of coach Shannon Moss fell to the high powered Lakeview visitors last Thursday at home.

The Indians started out well and kept the visitors from Gainesville from scored as many runs as usual. Lakeview gained a 2-0 first inning lead and upped that to 4-0 in the second. In the meantime the Indians left two runners stranded in those two inning. An appropriately timed hit would have made the game a tie.

As in years before, the Indians hit well enough to win many games, however, they seldom are at the right time. see INDIANS LOSS page 10A Alan Turpin makes it to second.

2nd Half Rally gives TCMS 6-0 Record Tough game against Lumpkin makes it 7-0

By Rainer Arnold Tribune Sports Editor

The 5-0 Lady Indians of coach Paula Whitehhead were tested last week by host White County. The undefeated girls MS soccer team was trailing most of the game until McKenzie Moss tied the game midway through the 2nd half. Then a clutch goal by Faithe Robinson kept the Lady Indians ‘ record unblemished with the winning goal with 13 minutes left in the game. The Lady Indians upped their record to an unblemished 6-0. see TCMS SOCCER page 10 A

Faithe Robinson dribbles ball through 2 defenders

Georgia Bulldogs

High School Sports Soccer

Hold First Spring Scrimmage

by UGA Sports Communications- www.georgiadogs.com

ATHENS, Ga. --- The Georgia football team scrimmaged for around an hour and a half at Sanford Stadium under clear skies and windy conditions on Saturday morning.

also added that offensive lineman A.J. Harmon suffered a leg injury during the scrimmage. “Hopefully this will get him over the hump as the spring continues.”

“I thought the offense This marked the Bull- did a great job today dogs’ eighth practice of distributing the ball,” the spring and their third Wooten said. “We were practice in as many days. having fun out there and not trying to think too “Today was a good day much.” for us,” said head coach Mark Richt. “The guys Flanker A.J. Green played fast, there were also had a 40-yard touchvery few balls dropped down catch as tailbacks and very few penalties. Caleb King (six carries, We did have couple 79 yards) and Washaun missed tackles and Ealey (nine carries, 64 assignments, but overall I yards) combined to lead think it was a good day.” Georgia’s ground attack.

At quarterback, MettenRicht added that flank- berger finished 7-for-10 er Rantavious Wooten with 157 yards and one started the spring out slow touchdown while Aaron but picked up the pace Murray was 10-for-15 on Saturday. Wooten with 125 yards, one hauled in six catches for touchdown and one 146 yards, including a interception. Logan Gray 65-yard touchdown catch finished with six complefrom quarterback Zach tions for 37 yards.

Mettenberger.

On defense, line“He struggled a little backer Akeem Dent had bit earlier in the spring, six tackles and safety but had a pretty good day Bacarri Rambo had five today,” said Richt, who stops and a interception.

Makayla Underwood outruns several defenders and shoots a goal.

In addition, Shawn Williams returned a 30-yard interception for a touchdown and Jakar Hamilton added three more tackles.

“I thought the defense was being aggressive today,” Dent said. “We gave up a couple big plays early on, but I thought we settled down later in the scrimmage. (Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham) was a little more conservative with the play calling today just to make sure everyone was on the same page and up to speed.”

The Bulldogs have six more practices before they wrap up their spring with the annual G-Day game on Saturday, April 10. The next time Georgia practices is on Tuesday, March 30.

(G)Towns County (B)Towns county (G)Towns County

2 0 2

Union County Union County Union County

2 10 5

(B)White County 1 North Hall (G)Athens Christian 4 Prince Avenue (B)Athens Christian 1 Hebron Academy (G)Athens Christian 3 Hebron Academy (B)Riverside Academy 5 Dawson County (B)Athens Academy 5 Lakeview Academy (G)Athens Academy 5 Lakeview Academy (B)Lumpkin County 1 North Hall (G)Lumpkin County 2 North Hall (B)Pickens County 0 Chestatee

4 1 4 2 0 0 0 4 3 5

Tennis

Baseball

Towns County Towns County Towns County Towns County Towns County Towns County TCMS Union County Union County Union County Athens Academy Athens Academy Athens Academy Athens Christian Athens Christian White County White County White County White County White County Fannin County Fannin County

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Towns Tribune March 30, 2010 Page 9A

Down the Road...

Community News

Real Estate... understanding the trend, locally

The Appalachian Trail Russell Stookey The Appalachian Trail is a continuous marked footpath that goes from Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia.

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,175-mile long public footpath.

Conceived in 1921 and completed in 1937, private citizens built the trail and thousands like you each year volunteer to maintain its footprint. This footpath traverses scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild and culturally resonant lands through 14 of the eastern United States.

There, I have “lifted” all the stats from the web so enough of the stats.

About 4 million people each year venture onto the AT and enjoy the wonders of nature.

The Appalachian Trail is within driving distance for 2/3rds of the entire population of the United States.

People of all ages and abilities enjoy short walks, day hikes, and long-distance backpacking journeys.

It offers a variety of opportunities for viewing spectacular scenery, for exploring, for adventure, for exercise, for nature study, and for renewal.

The A.T. is managed cooperatively by the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), volunteers from 30 local A.T. Clubs, the USDA Forest Service, and other public landmanaging agencies.

Within this partnership, thousands of volunteers do much of the work each year to keep the Trail open for all to enjoy.

The Trail is on more than 75 different federal and state forests and park lands.

Starting a Springer Mountain in Georgia the next large city is Ashville, North Carolina.

From there you walk to Roanoke, Virginia and then into “YANKEE LAND”.

You do not want to be walking North in winter.

The recent cold snap and snow we had in Hiawassee was enough winter for me.

Imagine sleeping in it.

All along the way are little towns like Hiawassee which the hikers find intriguing.

Many have never been in the South before and rely upon “movies and media” for the perceptions of Southern Folks.

They are amazed we have indoor plumbing and wear shoes.

They are equally amazed how friendly and helpful everyone is here in Hiawassee. That makes me proud.

Since I moved to Hia-

wassee I have developed a habit of hauling hikers to the next trail head whenever I can.

I always give them my business card and ask a simple favor; write me when they finish the trip.

I get letters and emails all the time from all over the United States.

With the coming of the good weather this year the hikers are out in numbers and this week I hauled a couple of truck loads to the trail head and brought more back to town. The Hiawassee Inn is doing a booming hiker business.

Today I took four new hikers over toward Clayton and dropped them off.

They had walked in from Springer and were headed into North Carolina.

These are fine people who love nature, life and camping.

You would have to love camping since the thought of walking all day, day after day, sleeping in the woods and eating that alleged food they sell campers would make me feel like I was back in the military again.

These days I rough it when the cable is out.

As I dropped this hiker crew off I noticed something. One of them was blind.

He is walking the entire trail from end to end alone.

No dog, no friends, no help at all. Just two white canes.

As they unloaded some hikers offered to help him but he waved them off. He is just another hiker like them.

Still, I had the most overwhelming urge to run help him in some way.

He neither wanted help nor would he likely have accepted it.

As I watched him go up the trail I felt ashamed that I bitch and complain sometimes at how rough life is for me. Don’t we all?

It makes me wonder what kind of person I would be if tomorrow I were blind?

The Appalachian Trail is a character builder and character tester.

It may test your ability to stick with it and may show the weakness in yourself and your life but you will return from it changed and for the better.

So how do you walk over 2,000 miles, day after day, week after week?

One step at a time.

And that is a life lesson; take it one day at a time.

That blind guy, he’ll make it all the way since he is an American and we are some tough folks who can endure anything and keep moving on down the road.

Hikers pick up boxes and mail sent to them at a local drop off point, the Blueberry Patch, in Hiawassee.

Ken Bryant has been a life-long real estate investor. He possesses a Master’s degree with a concentration in statistics and research from Florida International University’s School of Public Affairs and Services in Miami and is an international consultant to the financial institutions and governments involving global macro-economic issues. Ken joined RE/MAX Hiawassee Realty as an Associate Broker in 2009.

Todd Turner, Associate Broker with RE/MAX Hiawassee Realty has been a Realtor for 24 years. He is a graduate of Towns County High School, Young Harris College and Georgia Southern University. He holds the GRI and e-PRO professional designations and was the Top Producer in Towns County for 2009.

This week we will look at how Florida and Atlanta exert economic influence on Hiawassee, Young Harris and the surrounding area. Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Miami, Sarasota, Buckhead, Lilburn, Roswell, Acworth, Marietta and Dunwoody are important cities and suburbs in the real estate lifeblood of the Mountain and Lakes region.

This is the third article in a series on the real estate market in Towns County. The first week we saw how the local market was experiencing a classic over supply/under demand market downturn. Last week we looked at the national real estate market and documented many bright spots that indicated we have bottomed out nationally and started to recover some lost ground in our real estate values. This week we will look at the two largest areas where our buyers come from and what is taking place in their real estate markets. We’ll also talk about how those other markets influence ours.

Although exact data isn’t available, my observations (Todd) during a typical market of where buyers originate from in Towns County would be 35% Florida, 35% the Atlanta area, 15% locally and 15% from else where. These figures can fluctuate from time to time. For instance during the run up in prices in 05-06’ my best guess would be that our ratios looked something like this; 45 % Florida, 25% Atlanta, 25 % locally and 5 % elsewhere. Looking back on this, values in Florida had escalated quickly. Many buyers were selling their homes for fantastic gains and rolling them into mountain property. In addition, homeowners were taking equity out of their homes and purchasing second homes in our area. This snowball effect in transaction numbers brought more and more local buyers in to play. All of these factors fueled a sharp climb in Towns County values which we have seen in the charts in published in the first two articles.

Buying activity in Florida peaked late 2005 and dropped significantly in 2006 and slumped hard in late 2007. This had a ripple effect on our markets.

Typically we will lag our two driver markets by 3-12 months. We saw a sharp drop in sales transactions in Towns County in the August 2006 numbers. Florida

continued to slump and then the Atlanta market began to slow significantly by 2007. With both the Florida and Atlanta markets declining abruptly our market dropped into uncharted territory in sales transaction in 2008.

Charts for different cities in Florida can be found at http://housingbubble.jparsons.net Due to lack of space those individual charts won’t be published with this article. In Orlando according to Yahoo Real estate the Tampa area has found a plateau in value declines with a total of an approximate 45% drop from peak to bottom landing at 2002 prices. Miami while still trending down has seen values try to make a bottom at around a 50% drop in values leveling off at 2001 prices. Orlando has fared better with drops in the 35% range but is still trending down. Values in Orlando are at the 2003 price levels.

Closer to home Atlanta has seen values drop too but not as severely as Florida. Charts for the Atlanta area can be found at www.redfin.com . According to the Case -Schiller report the Atlanta area has seen values drop approximately 20% and make a slight adjustment upwards to return to value levels equal to 2001-2002.

These charts show a symbiotic relationship to our Towns County market. We can definitely say “So goes Florida and Atlanta, so goes Towns County”.

So the most important question becomes when will our two driver markets turn around? While we haven’t seen those trends reverse we are seeing possible bottoms forming in the residential real estate market in several cities. Investors are purchasing foreclosures in droves and for now inventory is shrinking. Interest rates have remained low. These are all positive movements toward a stabilizing market.

While we are focusing on the improvements in Florida and Atlanta to lead us back to positive growth in Towns County there is one huge factor we need to discuss that will likely dictate the direction of our real estate market here in Towns County for at least the next 15-20 years. The Baby Boomers.

Beginning this year the first of 78 million people born in the United States between 1945 and 1960 will turn 65 and reach retirement age. These numbers are huge and portend a massive potential group of buyers who will be looking to downsize to second home and retirement areas. The mountain and lakes region will be a prime location for many of these new retirees to move to. According to Economist, Futurist and Author, Harry S. Dent, the Southeast, Southwest and Rocky Mountain regions are the top three areas that this migration will take place. We might be delayed a few years because of the downturn but retiree numbers are growing and waiting on the sidelines. While many of these boomers will end up in Florida, more and more will decide to skip the hurricanes, high taxes, congestion and hot summers and choose the mountain areas. Towns County can expect to continue to see an influx of new residents well into the 2020’s.

Next week we will explore more of the positive factors that will propel our Towns County market into recovery and expansion. We will take a look at when the buyers from Florida and Atlanta may return and when the Baby Boomer retirement migration will arrive. Space allowing we may also look at what Towns County needs to do to be ready for them.

‘Local Yokel’ We need Yokels!

If anyone has a photo to submit to take part in our ‘Local Yokel’ column, please send us a photo and the name of the Yokel to townstribune@gmail.com or you can drop your photo off to us at 101 South Main Street Unit 4, Hiawassee.

How well do you know your neighbors? What about significant parts of history located around Towns County?

Well, this is a brand new column, exclusive to the Towns Tribune, to test your knowledge.

Each week, a new ‘Local Yokel’ or a place from Towns County’s past will be featured. It is up to you, our readers, to identify the ‘Yokel’ or ‘Hangout’ each week. Answers to who or what will be featured the following week, along with the winner’s name.

The first to correctly identify, will receive either a 6 months subscription to Towns Tribune or three free classified ads (to be used anytime within a year).

On March 20th students from FSA traveled to Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Georgia to compete in the Georgia Social Studies State Fair. Sixth grader Noah Bryant had previously taken first prize in the county and regional fairs to win the opportunity to compete against students from across the state.

FSA 6th grader Noah Bryant won First PLACE in the geography catego-

Send your guess to townstribune@gmail.com Be sure your name and a way of contact is included.

We will respond if you are the winner. Have fun and good luck!

This week: Identify at least three of the players above from the 1944 Girl’s Basketball team.

Bryant places first ry for his project “Inside Genocide: How and Where Does It Occur.” In addition, Noah was recognized for and won an award for “The Best Geography Project” at the fair by representatives from the Georgia Geographic Alliance. Congratulations to Noah on his amazing achievement and thank you to all of the FSA students that competed this year, as well as their teachers and parents

for their support.

Local, regional and state social studies fairs annually present exhibitions of student work from grades 5-12. Each project is designed to show research and con-

clusions about the study of people and their relationships to their physical and social environment.

Noah Bryant is the grandson of Dr. and Mrs. Jim Bryant of Hiawassee, Georgia.

Towns Tribune March 30, 2010 Page 10A

Indians Loss

Sports continued from page 8a

In the third inning the Indian defense tightened up and allowed not runs for the visitors. And, before the game ended the visitors had scored 9 runs to the home standing Indians’ 4.

Lakeview upped their record to 6-0 in the region and 11-2 overall while the Indians fell to 3-5 and 5-8 overall.

The game played under threatening weather conditions was exciting and much closer than the score indicated. Also, it should be noted that the Indians are a young team with only two seniors on the squad.

I Wish I COULD DO THAT !!

Taylor Denton delivers a strike

Coach Vardo instructs his base runner at first.

Coach Moss takes a little time to talk to his pitcher and catcher

tcms soccer continued from page 8A A hand ball in the penalty area gave White County a 1-0 lead after they converted a PK from 11 yards out.

Towns County’s goalkeeper, Taylor McCarter, was helpless, as is the case generally in penalty kicks such as these.

The hosts then turned on the heat and after some injury subs for the Lady Indians managed anoththemselves an almost unsurmountable 2-0 lead.

However, a great goal by Makayla Underwood with a nice shot from outside gave the Lady Indians a boost going into the locker room with

Sports Talk... with Rainer Arnold

a 2-1 score.

After a positive pep talk by Whitehead, and midway through the 2nd half, McKenzie Moss managed to get the ball near midfield, out dribble 3 defenders and send the ball past the goalkeeper to tie the game at 2-2.

The goal from Robinson clinched the come from behind victory, 3-2, for the Lady Indians.

Whitehead was very proud of her team’s overall performance and noted that Moss “had the best game I ever saw!” She added that this should boost the overall confidence of

the team after they were down 2-0 against a very strong opponent. “I am very proud of them!”

after a nice give and go with McKenzie Moss.

Moss played another great game according to Whitehead who had nothing but praise for TCMS versus Lump- the quality performance kin County of her entire team .

The TCMS soccer girls of coach Whitehead The Lady Indians raised their season record will play their last home to 7-0 with a 2-0 win at game this Thursday , at Lumpkin County last 5 pm, followed by the Friday afternoon. The boys game, against South first goal came in the Habersham prior to the first half by Faithe Rob- Region Tournament on inson and the second one April 18th. came in the second half

by Makayla Underwood

(Above)McKenzie Moss set to take ball from a defender and get shot off on goal

I know all of us at some time, have sat in front of TV and seen something we knew we could not do and wondered how the people on TV did!!! Take those people from the Chinese Circus or people from Ringling Brothers.

Well, I can now say, with relative positiveness that I saw something last week that very few people in the world can do.

So, what did I see? I saw a woman bend her body into a pretzel like shape and balance her entire body on her hands.

I am attaching a photo so you can see and believe that she can do this. This lady is, however, no circus performer, but a mere resident of Hayesville, NC. Actually, she lives but 500yards from the Georgia line off Bell Creek Rd. Her name is Tammie Clark and she and her husband, Harold, are living here after moving up from Myrtle Beach, via Sylva, NC. Tammie recently attended a seminar in Charleston, SC where she practiced Universal Yoga with Andrey Lappa.

I never heard of this Lappa guy, but apparently millions of others have. But then I thought Yoga was just some form of stretching that movie stars do and people who are limber. Not old people who can’t touch their toes, like me. But Andrey Lappa is one of the foremost Yoga masters in the world. He is all over YAHOO and YOUTUBE and such.

So, especially within the Yoga world, he is a someone.

Anyway, Tammie was inspired by this Yoga Master and began to work out and attempt to master this type of Yoga.

And, as we all know, it is better to have a work out partner than do it by

(left)Kaila Reece “traps” ball in midfield.

Tammie in a rocking chair like suspension posture Tammie on her hands with her body suspended parallel to floor and not touching the floor

Linda doing a one legged posture

yourself. Tammie is no different. She had a work out buddy from before, Linda Schnepf. I have seen Linda work out, and for a middle aged woman (55), she is in pretty good shape. I have tried to keep up with her at the gym in Hiawassee and could not. Oh, Tammie is 43, and a former cheerleader, weigh lifter and yoga practicioner.

So, together these two embarked on conquering Universal Yoga. Tammie is way ahead of Linda since she started with Yoga in 2000 with Ki Curtis in Young Harris and later, after having moved to Myrtle Beach, with Dawn Yager, who introduced her to Andrey Lappa.

The work out with Lappa was for the entire weekend and now she is on her own attempting, with the help of her friend Linda, to master the newest challenge in her life. The two work out 6 days a week and rest on the 7th. Rest assured that they are goal oriented and disciplined. Strength, flexibility and personal passion is at the center of both these girls’ routine.

To learn more skills is what drives them both.

There are 128 position in Universal Yoga and she will learn them all. Check out the pictures and see, or go to YOUTUBE and check the master out.

But more than just the difficult postures, these two girls are happiest when they are doing Yoga. It makes them feel younger and more alive. Not a bad way to live. I just wish I could do 50% of one of the postures that they do without having to be taken to the hospital. But then they do train almost 2 hours every day and are at this time simply trying to inspire others to train in Yoga and help their own health situation. It inspired me, but I am a little old for that, but actually I ought to try it. They might even help me.

Towns Tribune March 30, 2010 Page 11A

Classifieds & Politics

classifieds

AAntiquesos

landscaping

Pets

Hiawassee Antique Mall 460 N. Main St. Hiawas-

A & R Residential and Commercial Lawn Care.

Plant, turf and grassing, lot clean-up mulching and retaining walls. 706994-2457.

03-02-10 to 06-08-10

All New Happy Jack

see, 706-896-0587.

Unique Finds: 50 Dealers.

Antiques, Vintage

Jewelry, Furniture, Glassware, Pottery, Figurines, Primitives, Porcelain, Fine Linens, Books, Collectibles.

Open Year Round Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5

AAutosutos 2006 Chevy Colorado 4x4

misc.

Paying Cash for Gold

necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, watches, charms, pendants and coins. Cash offer made on the spot, paying top price. Condition doesn’t matter- broken, bent, or intact! Call today: 706896-1380 2-23-10 to 2-23-11

with Z71 Sport package.

Single cab, Excellent condition inside and out. Well maintained. High mileage due to commute. $8500; Stainless Steel 6ft. Prep Table. $100. 706-896706-299-3159.

1941.

Also looking for a Help Wanted cuban press.

03-23 to 03-30 Towns County Sheriff’s misc. Thrift Office is currently seeking qualified applicants for Store patrol division. POST Certified preferred. ApplicaNAVIC”S Thrift Store-tions may be downloaded located at 678 Bell Creek Road across from the from website at www. $5.00 store. townscountysheriffsoffice.com or may be picked Hours: Monday/Saturup at the Sheriff’s Office at day 10-4 4070 Hwy. 339 (Crooked Phone: 706-781-7565 Creek), Young Harris, GA. Supports the local TOWNS COUNTY FOOD PANTRY 03-16-10 to 03-30-10

Rentals

Kennel Dip II: Kills: fleas. ticks, stable flies, and mange mites without steroids. Biodegradable, Hiawassee Feed and Farm Supply. 706-896-1319. www.happyjackinc.com.

Found – black male half-

grown kitten, 288 area, will give away.

706-896-9521 0323 to 0330 Found – all gray male cat,

288 area, will give away.

706-896-9521

Apartment for rent in

Hiawassee. Spacious, light, 1 large bedroom, large bathroom. All appliances, water and propane included! Private covered deck and private entrance. $475/mo plus deposit.

706-896-4988 or 706-7819917

Recreational Vehicle : Gause RV Center Sales-

Service-Part Store.

Consignments Welcome 706-896-7897 SR 288Hiawasse, GA Mobile Service Available Gause RV Center 03-23-10 to 5-8-10

real estate Lots Great time to buy or lease

Residential & Commer-

cial cleaning and painting; elderly care & catering events. Experience in all areas. References available upon request.

Reliable with fairest rates.

Call 706-970-0485.

SERVICES

Room mate needed: Room

for rent available May 1st.

No smoking, no pets. 706435-7635.

Seeking Employment

0323-0330

recreation

Seeking Employment

Seeking Employment:

Hardworking, honest, multi-skilled, fast learner looking to be a team player and an asset to my employer and coworkers.

Local resident 5+ years.

Excellent references, non-smoker, no drugs, no criminal record. Experience with office work, busy phones, records, 911 dispatch, and nursing in clinical and hospital settings. Licensed LPN in GA and N.C.- Willing to change fields. Spanish speaking. Please call (706) 379-1371 or 706-9700563, or e-mail abbamoldme@windstream.net

large private lot for RV. All hook-ups in place, beautiful views- close to Lake Chatuge and Hiawassee.

706-202-3595.

03-09-10 to 04-06-10 03-09-10 to 04-13-10

Freeman Lawn Service: Mowing Weedeating, general clean-up, airrating, seeding, fertilizing, tree cutting, painting, pressurewashing. 706-781-7590.

Jeff Freeman

SERVICES Ted’s Painting: Quality Work at Affordable Prices Interior & Exterior Painting-- Staining-Pressure Washing-Roof Cleaning--Light Carpentry--Home Improvement Call: 706-994-6398 Ted Peluso------Free Estimates 03-23-10 to 09-14-10

MOVING? CALL MEN ON

THE MOVE: Professional and effi-

cient movers, local and long distance moving and storage. Residential, 03-23-10 to 6-16-10 commercial, licensed and Ledford’s Professional insured- 877-659-6683 or 706-379-6683 Stump grinding call for a free estimate @

TLC your home. Joy/ Glen, $15 per day. 706896-9521 03-23 to 03-30

Chatuge Lawn Care Reasonable & Dependable Servicing Clay & Towns County Call 828-361-4589 or 706-379-2699 03-23-10 to 06-30-10

MASSAGE THERAPY- in the comfort of your home. Licensed. 18 years experience- 1 hour $40 & $25 for 1/2 hour. Call Gerri at 706-896-6108.

Sell your stuff!

Place your ad here for as little as $4 per week. Call 706896-0557

706-896-1380 2-23-10 to 2-23-11 Meow Meals on Wheels,

Towns County Real Estate Transactions Recorded March 1 to 5, 2010 Timothy K & Lorene Turpin sold to Carolyn Melinda Ledford 0.367 acres Tract 3 at 2000 Miller Rd. for $15,000.

JDH Properties, LLC (John D Harrison, Jr) lost in foreclosure to Grand South Bank Unit 1004, Building 1408 of Sunset Bay Condos on Hwy 76 West valued at $200,000.

Dorn Properties, Inc. lost in foreclosure to Grand South Bank Unit 104, Building 1409 of Sunset Bay Condos on Hwy 76 West valued at $200,000.

Richard C, Jr & Judy Gibson Albury sold to Richard C Albury, Sr. Holdings, LLC 80.35 acres on Albury Rd off King Cove Rd for $328,000.

United Community Bank sold to Jennifer R Moe 3.295 acres Tract 1 in Crooked Creek Connector area for $85,000.

Jerry O & Donna M Rowe sold to Mary L Brannen

Lot 1, Block A in The Pasture off Hwy 17/75 South for $70,000.

Fain Investments, LLC, (Scotty Fain) deeded in lieu of foreclosure to United Community Bank 0.79 acres the Xpress Lube Building on Oakmont Rd behind Subway in Hiawassee valued at N/A. US Bank, NA sold to Harold Eugene & Carol L Roll 0.75 acres Lot 5 in Pat-A-Gi Subdivision off Shake Rag Rd for $119,000.

Kenneth J & Jackie Avedisian sold to Eugene Lovingood 2.152 acres at 264 Bell Mountain Rd for $19,000.

US Bank, NA sold to Harold Eugene & Carol L Roll 0.75 acres Lot 5 in Pat-A-Gi Subdivision off Shake Rag Rd for $119,000.

Kenneth J & Jackie Avedisian sold to Eugene Lovingood 2.152 acres at 264 Bell Mountain Rd for

$19,000.

US Bank, NA sold to Jason R Arrowood Parcel One 2.071 acres Tract D off Fodder Creek Rd & Parcel Two 1.962 acres Tract 3 off Fodder Creek Rd for $237,500.

Bradley Hays gave to BJH Enterprises, LLC 1.003 acres Tract 2 on Riverside Dr off Hwy 17/75 South.

Martha Gibson gave to Christy Benne Moody 1.787 acres off Owl Creek Rd. Jeffrey E Generas sold to Richard Paul Generas 0.90 acres Lot 13 G Hy-Top Rd in Hideaway Point Subdivision for $28,000.

Thomas Jay Shook, Jr left to Thomas Jay Shook, III Tract 1 (1.25 acres) & Tract 2 (0.60 acres) at 4680 Wallis Rd off Plott Town Rd. 15 Transactions Totaling $1,351,500

Towns County Arrest Report Recorded 03-14 to 03-21,2010 T.C. Fire & Rescue Report William Corey Carpenter, of Blairsville, GA, DOB 04/21/1978, arrested 03/18/2010, charges: Probation Violation.

Jeffery Steven Davis, of Canton, GA, DOB 10/08/1977, arrested 03/20/2010, charges: DUI/ Drugs. Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer, Turning Movements.

Rebbeca Angel Davis, of Canton, GA, DOB 09/22/1978, arrested 03/20/2010, charges: Giving False Name or Address to Law Enforcement Officer.

Scott William Dettman, of Blairsville, GA, DOB 09/19/1979, arrested 03/18/2010, charges: Probation Violation.

Becky Marie Jones, of Canton, GA, DOB

11/25/1979, arrested 03/20/2010, charges: Giving False Name or Åddress to Law Enforcement Officer, Transactions in Drug Related Objects; Forfeitures & Penalty, Obstruction or Hindering Law Enforcement Officers.

Roy Lee Moneypenny, of Hiawassee, GA, DOB 11/13/1956, arrested 03/17/2010, charges: Public Drunkenness, Criminal Trespass.

Mitchell Ray Ledbetter, of Hayesville, NC, DOB 05/20/1991, arrested 03/14/2010, charges: Furnishing to, Purchase, or PO, Duty or Driver to Stop at R. Arturo Manuel Maldonado, of Hayesville, NC, DOB 02/16/1968, arrested 03/15/2010, charges: Probation Violation.

Citizens of the year are named

The Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors named David and Margaret Mullins, 2009 Towns County Citizens of The Year.

David and Margaret are exceptionally caring citizens that

through their selfless giving of time and effort have positively contributed to the betterment of the quality of life in Towns County. While David and Margaret have proven their commitment to service in many aspects of their life, Towns County Food Pantry is proud to have these two citizens as founding members of our ministry. Because of their initiative and leadership, these role models have raised the standard of social responsibility for us all. Thank you to the Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors for recognizing these two deserving citizens for all they do for Towns County.

A Big Thank You to Our Community!

The Masons of Unicoy Lodge and the Eastern Stars wish to extend a big thank you to our Mountain Community! The Pancake Breakfast was fantastic due to your attendance and support. We had a great time enjoying the laughter and warmth that you all brought with you to the Breakfast table. That’s the way to have a Breakfast--plenty of good food, good folks and good times! Spring is here and the season will be busy with outside activities; that is why we will have another Breakfast in the Fall and catch up on each other’s adventures. Much appreciation from the Masons, the Stars and the children that will be assisted with furthering their education right here in Towns County. We take our hats off and extend our hearts to you all. Brittnay Pack, Worthy Matron

03/15/10 12:32 R-2 Butcher Valley Rd Medical 03/16/10 02:27 R-2 Soshayma Ln Medical 04:10 R-1 Zell St Medical 14:01 R-2 Hwy 66 Auto Accident 03/17/10 12:14 U- 1 Brasstown Bald Search 21:09 E-1 Rolling Meadows Control Burn 03/18/10 11:33 E-1 Ket Shook Rd Power Line on Truck 14:16 R-2 Hwy 66 Medical 14:22 E-1 Hospital Landing Zone 17:15 E-1 Hwy 76W Chimney Fire 03/19/10 07:52 E-1 Barrett Rd Fire Alarm 09:53 R-1 Brasstown Manor Medical 15:07 E-1,T-1, R-1 Bald Mtn. Park Brush Fire 03/20/10 05:05 R-1 Hwy 76 W Medical 19:48 R-2 Gumlog Rd Auto Accident 03/21/10 00:47 R-2 Plott Rd Medical 12:16 R-1 L & J Ln Medical 14:29 E-1,4 T-1 Hiawassee Wilderness Chimney 14:45 E-4,T-1, R-1 Hwy 76 E Auto Accident

Towns Tribune March 30, 2010 Page 12A

Winter Roars in on a cold wind It strips the leaves and the trees are bare A look at the mountains shows houses That we didn’t know were there The birds have migrated To warmer climes and we brace ourselves For colder times Sometimes it rains and we track in mud

“Goodbye Winter” by: Bruce Sims And it gets so cold I feel a chill in my blood We put on a sweater a warm overcoat We wear gloves and a muffler So we don’t get a sore throat Sometimes it snows in the night In the morning we wake up To the beauty Of a blanket of white

Children still play outside And get a cold nose but they Look forward to Christmas and Holiday fun We listen to carolers singing Holiday tunes but I would enjoy it more If the holidays came in June.