Best of North Ga Mountains Issue 43 8-7-19

ISSUE #43

THERE'S JUST SOMETHING 'BOUT A MERCURY

TED SMITH/29

Calhoun hosts annual Northwest Georgia Fair Sept. 6-14, while Ellijay’s Apple Festival follows on two weekends in October

DETAILS/PAGES 5, 14

RICK PRICE SEEKS A CONNECTION LORA BUNCH'S MUSIC/12

Food, Music, Art, Events, Things To Do, Places To Go, Adventures, Local Writers, Humor...And Much More!

y a h w o H d e v sa ! y a d the 'Ancient Ones' provided solution to Civil Defense mission of long ago, 79-year-old Buddy Autry recalls /6

MINER WITH A MISSION Pat Dotson reflects on her grandfather's work with the Tennessee Copper Company/ 32

Health tips for a good life / 48-53

2ND ANNUAL HOW TO CHOOSE GUIDE /17-26

Publisher: Mitch Talley Publisher’s Boss: Cindy Talley Founder: Robb Newman Founder’s Boss: Thia Newman Distribution: Eddie Ash, O. Myback Issue Graphic Design: Mitch Aug. 7, 2019 Talley, Cray Ola Writers: Mitch Talley, (c) 2019 The Best of Robb Newman, Thia the North Georgia Mountains, Inc. Newman, Lora Bunch, Raland Patterson, Kathi Editorial submissions Hill, Kathi Chastain, encouraged; send to bestofnorthgamountains@ John Shivers, Patricia Kovsky-Dotson, Ted yahoo.com or mail to 312 Smith, Rebecca Strobl, Double Tree Drive SE, Calhoun, GA 30701.

Joe Cobb Crawford.

#43

To advertise or suggest a story idea, call Mitch Talley at 678-882-6741.

Hay saves the day!

Buddy Autry was Gordon County's Civil Defense director in the '70s; a magician—The Great Hieronymus—for decades; and a storyteller since he started talking. Joyce Young has heard many of his tales in the past couple of years as she has visited with him and driven him around. The 79-year-old Autry gets a kick out of their monthly trips to the Rome Storytellers Club (and dreams of starting one in Calhoun). Recently, Young began recording and transcribing some of his stories and tidbits of Georgia history, including the story below of an experience he had while working in Civil Defense.

Back when I was Civil Defense director in Gordon County, there was a drowning down on the Etowah River in Bartow County...on Father’s Day, I believe.

Come to find out, the victim had carried his 11-year-old son out to fish in the river. The daddy only had on a pair of shorts and brogan shoes and was carrying a shotgun...in case he saw a snake. The boy was fishing on the side of the river, and his daddy got out to the fish trap in the middle of the river so he could see his son and both sides of the river as well.

Now the fish trap was built in the river by the Ancient Ones, the first Indians in this part of the country. They took rocks and piled them up in a circle all the way to the top of the river. They had one spot on the downriver side that the fish could get in, and they’d wade down the river and make a wild noise and run the fish into the fish trap; then, they’d get in the trap and pull the fish out.

That’s the way they did their fishing.

Well, the drowning happened on a Sunday, and Bartow County Civil Defense and the Sheriff’s Department responded. They started poking around and dragging the river to see what they could find. They couldn’t find anything. We got the call Sunday afternoon and went down on Monday.

To get to the site, we had to park in the pasture just off of 411 where there was a narrow trail that went down to the site. If you had a small

By WILLIAM S. (BUDDY) AUTRY

6

vehicle, you could get it down there and turn it around, then come back out. But you couldn’t get a regular-size car down in there; if you did, you’d just have to back out.

When we got in there, we noticed a sand bar about five feet from where we were standing. They had two boats in the water, so we went

Nelson Mandela: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

down there and stood on the sand bar where they took the boats out, and we went up and down the river to see if we might see something or whatever.

We were just getting ready to pull out for the day, when I looked up, and there was an old Indian couple standing up on the path where we’d just come in.

Harold, the Civil Defense director from Bartow County, said, “Can we help you?”

And the Indian man said, “She say bring fodder, put in river, find body.”

I reached up and took one bundle of fodder from the old man and handed it to Harold, who handed it to one of the men in one of the boats. I reached around to get the other bundle. As I did, I accidentally—on purpose—touched the Indian's hand. It was cold, and it felt like a piece of leather that had been tanned and processed.

I took the second bundle of folder and handed it to Harold, and he turned around to put it in the boat. I turned around to say something else to the two...but they weren’t there!

About that same time three men appeared walking the path: a deputy sheriff, a Game and Fish ranger, and one of Harold’s Civil Defense volunteers.

One of them asked, “What have you got there, Harold?”

“It’s a bundle of fodder.”

“Where in the world did you get a bundle of fodder?”

“That old Indian couple brought it to me.”

“What old Indian couple?”

“Well, you had to have seen ’em ... ’cause they were right there,” Harold responded, pointing to the path.

“Harold, there ain’t been nobody on this road coming down here since we started.”

One of the boys in the boat asked, “What are we gonna do now, Buddy?”

I said, “Well, take one bundle of fodder and put it in the fish trap where the old man was standing. And put the other one in the middle of the

8

river.”

So we did that. And had two bundles of fodder in motion—one in the fish trap bobbing up and down, and one in the middle of the river bobbing up and down. The river was pretty swift. You could throw a leaf in and it’s gonna scoot on down the river, but that bundle of fodder would just sit there.

“What are we gonna do now?”

I said, “Well, I’m gonna go home, get me a bath, get me a good meal, and go to sleep, then come back tomorrow—and we’re gonna find the body and pull it out of the river.”

So they agreed. We went back the next morning, getting down there a little after sunup.

Two boys got in the boat. I couldn’t go down right then because the Jeep I was driving had a flat tire. So I got my jack out and started to jack it up as they disappeared down the river.

Soon I heard a faint voice on the radio come in that said, “We found him.”

I said, “What did you say?”

“We found him.”

“Where are you?”

He described a place further down the river where there was a bridge.

He said, “Go on 411 towards Rome, take your first road to the right, then go to the intersection and take that road to the right, come over the bridge and turn into the pasture.”

We did, and sure enough, they had the deceased man tied to the boat—still in the river, but tied to the boat. That’s because if you find a body in the river, the coroner has to pronounce it dead before you can move it because there could be foul play involved.

I asked my boy in the boat to tell me about it. He said, “You see that oak tree across the river?”

I said, “Yep.” “See that little twig hanging down?”

See HAY, Page 39

Oscar Wilde: "You can never be overdressed or overeducated."

An interview with a musician...

12

RICK PRICE I traveled up to the Crimson Moon in Dahlonega which is one of my favorite venues. The food, atmosphere and entertainment are always top notch in my book. This trip I had the pleasure of meeting with Rick Price. It was great getting to know more about him and hearing his music. I know you will enjoy reading all about him as well.

Lora: Where are you from?

Rick: A little town called Beaudesert

By LORA BUNCH

in Queensland, Australia, but I have lived most my life in Sydney, Australia.

Lora: Do you remember the first song you wrote? What was it if so?

Rick: I started writing as a teenager but didn’t take it seriously until my mid 20s and then I started preparing to make a record.

Lora: Do you recall a time when you just knew that music was something you had to do in life?

Rick: It’s always been that way for me. I was a child performer and had a family band. I have been on stage since 9 years old and never consid-

'Connection with people is the most important thing for me. I want to see that I can move people with my music.'

-RICK PRICE

Unknown: "Sometimes we're all too quick to count down the days that we forget to make the days count."

ered any other career path.

Lora: Do you play any instruments?

Rick: I play guitar, piano, drums and bass. I dabble with string instruments.

Lora: How old were you when you started singing and playing music?

Rick: I was 7 when I started playing guitar and singing from much younger. My mother said when I was 3, I stood at the top of the stairs with a tennis racket singing and pretending to play the guitar.

Lora: What places have you been doing shows?

Rick: I have traveled all over Australia and played night clubs there. When I was older I played side man and opened for other artists.

I have also sung radio and television commercials for a living. I put my first record out in 1991. I started traveling into other countries all through Europe, Asia, and America.

Lora: Is your family still involved in your career?

Rick: No, not any more.

We all went in our own direction and I just went out on my own.

Lora: What’s your favorite song of yours?

Rick: I don’t really have a favorite, and to me it’s like trying to pick your favorite child.

Lora: Who is your biggest musical inspiration?

Rick: When I heard James Taylor for the first time I remember thinking there is something amazing about this guy, and I began to investigate him more.

Lora: Where can we find your music?

Rick: All social media sites and I have a website as well.

Lora: Where is a place you have not performed that you would like to?

Rick: I would like to perform in Italy. I have never been there, but I think it would be nice to sit on a beautiful hilltop in a little village and play.

Lora: What would you like to see in the future for your music?

Rick: Connection with people is the most important thing for me. I want to see that I can move people with my music.

Lora: What are three things (not people) you cannot live without?

Rick: I am not much for material things. I don’t have a lot of possessions, but I love my guitar, piano, and vintage drum kits and instruments that I wouldn’t want to part with if I didn’t have to.

Lora: What are the top songs on your playlist right now?

Rick: I am loving Mavis Staples at the moment who is a gospel singer right now. I love Nora Jones and her latest stuff also. I am enjoying Willie Nelson’s jazzy folk record.

I am listening to quite a bit of Miles Davis also.

Lora: Who are the members of your band?

Rick: I am a solo artist but at times I do work with other musicians but mostly just as a solo artist.

Lora: What hobbies do you have outside of music?

Rick: When I have down time I like to watch movies and take photographs. I am into spiritual things and spend a lot of time on that.

Rick is a talented singer/songwriter who has a fantastic outlook on life. He is laid back and doesn’t focus on the future and material things in life. It comes through in his music as

well.

You can hear his stories of the people and events in his life while listening to his song lyrics and find a connection in your own life and experiences. I know you will all enjoy hearing his songs as much as I did, so head on over to social media and YouTube and see for yourself what a wonderful sound Rick brings to us all.

Unknown: "Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life."

15

HOW TO CHOOSE

2nd Annual

It’s a puzzling world out there.

Let our experts at local businesses help you sort it out!

17

HOW TO CHOOSE Making repairs to the body of your car, however small, requires the expertise of professionals at a reputable body shop.

If you find an auto body shop that is trustworthy and dependable, it will ensure that your car, truck, SUV or minivan is repaired quickly, affordably and correctly.

The shop you choose should be able to complete all manner of work, from a minor touch-up to a full-body repair.

Your friends, family and colleagues might have recommendations. After all, auto body shops are an unfortunate, but necessary, part of life for most people.

Have a list of companies, research each shop on the Internet and read customer reviews.

Testimonials, negative and positive, should be considered. But keep in mind that no business has a 100 percent satisfaction rate.

Someone will always be displeased. Also, more people are likely to leave a negative rather than a positive comment.

AN AUTO BODY SHOP A good source for finding an auto body shop is your local newspaper. Local businesses advertise and many times you can find special deals to help save you money.

Once you have created a list of shops, contact them on the phone and ask pertinent questions.

How long have they been in business? What are their specialties? How soon can you bring your vehicle in for an inspection?

Ask to set up an appointment for a free inspection. Then further investigate the business.

Look around their lobby. Is it clean? Do they have their license and any awards or certificates posted? Do they care enough about their customers to offer reading material, coffee or water?

Consider their prices. Are they comparable to other body shops? While you want to find that deal, remember, cheaper is not always better.

Understand that you will often get what you pay for when it comes to auto body work.

Low prices may be tempting, but they typi-

cally mean sub-par work, used parts and paint that is incorrectly applied.

Feel free to ask the manager or owner for references before they work on your car.

You can also check their previous work.

When you see a car with paint drips, panels that are misaligned or paints that don't match, look elsewhere. You will not save money if you need to have the improper work redone.

The shop should inspect your vehicle for repairs that are not readily visible. Oftentimes, there are hidden damages that cannot be detected until repair work begins on the vehicle.

Finding an auto body shop may not be the most pleasant business because it usually means your vehicle has suffered some kind of damage.

But finding the right shop will make the experience much more pleasant and you will be happy with the repairs. Especially if you find the right shop that knows how to repair your vehicle so it looks the same as before, or even better.

CELEBRATING 41 YEARS 1978-2019

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HOW TO CHOOSE A Party Rental Company

Have a big event on the calendar? Whether you’re planning a shindig for dozens of guests or a happy afternoon for neighborhood kids, a party rental business can be a big help in making your event a success.

They can provide everything from seating and tents to cutlery and entertainment assets. For kids’ parties, they’re also an excellent place to inquire about inflatable bounce houses and other fun activities for rent.

Whatever your need, you’ll want to pick a rental business with a devotion to excellent customer service. After all, you don’t need to add the stress of dealing with spotty service to the many things on your party planning list.

Here’s what to look for in a good party rental outfit.

Selection and Quality Not all rental companies are equal, and the most obvious way you can tell the difference is by the products they provide — both in quantities to pick from and the quality of their offerings.

Some rental companies place their emphasis on one particular type of event, such as weddings, children’s birthday parties or corporate retreats. You can see this from the supplies they offer for rent and how many different styles you have to pick from.

A wide selection is important, especially if you’re trying to use a very specific color scheme or decorating theme and need lots of options at your disposal. The more choices you’ve got, the more likely you’ll be able to turn your dream party into reality.

But like any service, you typically get what you pay for in party rentals. You need to know precisely what kind of quality to expect so your event will end up looking chic, not cheap.

Advice and Expertise Another thing to consider is how experienced the company’s owner and staff are in the event planning industry.

Seasoned professionals are typically better than newcomers because they can think of potential questions to ask and problems you might have before you’ve even thought of them. They’ve been around the block, so to speak.

The best rental companies will have the personnel with the kind of background that will help you plan and execute the perfect party. They’ll listen closely to your needs and find ways to make your event run as smoothly and stress-free as possible.

Professionalism Unfortunately, not all party rental companies are run by true professionals. The best ones, though, make their quality obvious by the level of service they provide.

Because planning a party involves lots of communication, coordination and detail work, you need to find a rental company that responds

quickly and professionally to your requests.

Does a real person answer the phones? If you leave a voicemail, do they respond promptly? Do they reply to your e-mails quickly and clearly? All these things can help point you in the right direction so you’ll know what to expect when you work with them.

Reputation Fortunately, there’s another easy way to find the best party rental companies. They’ll have a good reputation in your community.

Good rental companies will be able to provide you some references so you can look into their track record. If your friends, family members or coworkers have used a certain company in the past, though, firstperson references are the most reliable way to know what you can expect. Because different party vendors often work together in a local area, from caterers to event planners and others, you should also look for a rental company that has a reputation for being easy to work with.

HOW TO CHOOSE A Musical Instrument

It’s never too late to learn how to play an instrument.

And good thing. Because playing an instrument can be excellent for your mental health.

It can help you to be more alert, stimulates the brain and helps improve memory. Children who learn to play a musical instrument at an early age are often better with reading and math than their nonmusical peers.

Most importantly, though, playing an instrument is an awesome way to relax and have fun.

So, how do you choose the right musical instrument? Here are a few pointers to help you along.

Discover Instruments You Like Your musical preferences will give you lots of insight. Which instruments are most pleasing to you?

For some people, listening to a drum solo is inspiring and exciting. For others, it seems like a bunch of noise.

Your first step is to look at the music in your collection. Which instrumental songs get those toes tapping and creative juices flow-

ing?

Talk to a Music Teacher A professional music teacher can guide you toward the right choices.

Sometimes there are physical reasons why some people cannot play specific instruments. The shape of the mouth, the size of the body or hands and condition of the teeth might all help or hinder your ability to play an instrument. A professional will help you identify the best matches for your physique.

Try Some Instruments Trying different musical instruments will give you a good idea which one is right for you. Most musical stores will allow you to test instruments at their location. Visit when the store is not crowded for the best opportunities to play.

The music store should be a hub for musicians in your community. Look for a store that has been in the same location for a long time. The shop may offer music lessons, or they should know of private lessons in your area. Look for knowledgeable salespeople who love music.

Rent the Instrument Some beginners opt to rent rather than purchase an instrument. It is a wise decision if you’re not sure you want to take up a particular instrument. Purchasing an instrument is a big investment. It is a great way to get your feet wet without committing yourself.

Try to rent your instrument from a company that will let you apply payments to another instrument if you change your mind.

Also, rent from a company that also services the instruments it owns. Most instruments need maintenance and repair periodically.

Take Lessons Finding the right teacher can make your experience a success. After all, no one can learn to play an instrument overnight.

Beginners don’t have the skills to master advanced instruments in the beginning. It doesn’t make sense to purchase professional-quality equipment unless you are certain that you are sticking with it for a long time.

Read reviews on the Internet. Talk to professional musicians about the instruments they like best.

HOOTENANNY’S MUSIC We rent school band instruments!

Open 10-6 Tuesday through Saturday Closed Sun-Mon

lBand Instrument Rentals, Lessons, Strings, Accessories lNew & Used Guitars, Pianos and Band Instruments lFolk Instruments – Dulcimers, Banjos, Mandolins lRepairs lWe buy, trade, & consign!

572 Maddox Drive, Suite 201B, Ellijay, GA l 706-692-1752 l www.hootmusic.net

HOW TO CHOOSE A dirty pet with unkempt hair can throw off your whole home with unpleasant smells. In addition, forgoing proper grooming for your furry friend can be bad for its health.

If your pet is in need of a haircut and a good bath, you may want to check out a local pet grooming service.

Here’s how to pick the best one for your pet.

Get Referrals Family and friends should be your first stop.

They might know of a good pet groomer in your area. Referrals are a large part of any business. Most groomers make an extra effort to make sure their customers are satisfied. If you are coming to a groomer via a recommendation, tell the person. The groomer will be happy to know that their business has a great reputation. It is likely they will go the extra mile to make sure you are pleased with their services.

Groomers are most often found in large pet stores, veterinary offices and stand-alone storefronts. You can find them through your local newspaper, Yellow Pages or online. Make a list

A Pet Groomer

of groomers that are conveniently located near your home or business. You will drop your pet off and picking them up later in the day.

Visit and Ask Questions Visit groomers on your list and inspect their shops. Check for cleanliness and professionalism. The service area should smell fresh and clean. The pet waiting room should also be free from debris and chemicals.

Observe how the groomer and staff interact with animals and customers. Nothing can be more difficult than a slick, wiggly pet. But a groomer should be gentle. He should never yell or jerk a pet around.

Inquire about their services. Do they groom both cats and dogs? Is there a separate waiting area for the two types of pets? Can you choose the shampoo?

Are nail clippings and anal gland expressions part of the package, or do these services cost extra?

Checking about these things ahead of time will spare you the shock and disappointment

when you bring your pet home. Some groomers do not perform these services. It’s important to know what you can expect.

Also, be sure to ask about medical services.

What happens if your pet has an emergency while they are at the groomer? Does the groomer have a relationship with the local veterinarian?

Another option is a mobile pet groomer.

These professionals have a vehicle with everything they need to groom your pet in front of your house. If traveling is inconvenient, mobile pet groomers might be an option for you.

Bringing Your Pet Prior to scheduling an appointment, bring your pet to their office. Observe the relationship between your pet and the groomer. Are they comfortable with each other?

Tell your groomer if your dog is sensitive to having his or her nails trimmed or ears cleaned.

Some dogs are terrified of the hair dryer. Mentioning it to your groomer help the situation be more successful and less stressful.

HOW TO CHOOSE A Motorcycle Dealer

If you’re a motorcyclist looking for a new bike or are just considering getting into motorcycling for the first time, a reputable motorcycle shop should be your first stop. A good bike dealer can tell you which models best suit your needs and price point, while also turning you on to motorcycling resources you may not have known were out there.

Before you head down and pick up a new bike, though, there are a few things you’ll need to handle. Many people don’t realize that you need a motorcycle license to operate one legally. That will require a trip to your local DMV for a written and road test..

Your local licensing office can also fill you in on motorcycle training programs available in your area. Once you have your license, here are some steps to take in order to find the right dealer for you.

1. Decide on the Type of Bike When you are in the market to purchase a motorcycle, first decide do you want a traditional ride, or a newer 3 wheel ride that are known as Trikes. Once you decide if you will be riding on 2 or 3 wheels, now you

have to choose a style of bike.

A sportbike is optimized for speed, acceleration, braking and cornering on paved roads, typically at the expense of comfort and fuel economy when compared to other motorcycles.

A touring bike is a type of motorcycle designed for comfort. The Honda Goldwing is KING when it comes to a comfortable ride.

A Harley Davidson Touring is a good ride, too. However, the comfort of a Goldwing is unmatched.

A cruiser bike is typically riding with feet forward and the hands up, with spine erect or leaning back slightly.

2. Research Dealers Start researching dealers by looking online. Let the type of bike you want guide you toward the right dealers. Contact several locations and ask questions. Do they offer new and used bikes? Ask them about your preferred model. Do they have inhouse financing? Ask about their hours of operation and maintenance process.

Note any dealers who are unavailable for

your call. If a company is difficult to contact, that is a warning sign.

3. Check the Reviews Once you have a list of prospective dealers, check customer reviews. It will tell you about the quality of customer service you will receive from customers who have had experience dealing with the company before you shop there.

4. Visit the Dealership Once you have narrowed your list, it is time to visit locations and begin shopping.

If you find a machine you like, speak with a salesperson. Focus on how he or she is talking to you. Note their knowledge level, kindness, honesty and quick service.

The most essential quality is trust. If you don’t feel like you should trust the dealership or salespeople, walk away.

5. Choose Your Motorcycle Dealer Once you feel as though you have found a good dealership, inspect their bikes.

Sometimes, a dealership will permit a trusted mechanic to check the vehicle before you purchase it.

R&R TRIKES & OUTDOORS nFull Service Department nUsed Motorcycle Sales nTrike Installation nParts, Accessories nTires, Batteries & More

www.rtrikes.com 291 Burnt Mountain Rd. l Jasper, GA 30143 l 877-207-2170 l Motor Trike Top 10 Dealer Since 2007

HOW TO CHOOSE A Storage Center

When you need to move, travel or simply find more space in your house, self-storage can be a good deal. And if you’re looking into self-storage, chances are you’ve noticed there are a great deal of storage facilities looking to attract your business. Storage centers are increasingly popular solutions for safely stashing your worldly possessions on a temporary basis.

There are some important aspects to consider before selecting a storage facility.

Location Location is a key factor when selecting a storage company. Your ideal facility should be close to your home or office for ease of access. If you need to add or take something out of storage, you will be glad that you picked a convenient location.

Security No one wants their items stolen. This is why most storage facilities offer some sort of safety measures to protect their units. However, not all facilities are as security-focused as others. Security measures could include security fencing, limited access, individual security locks, video surveillance, and even security guards. How secure you want the

facility will depend on what you are keeping there, but it is definitely worthwhile to verify a company’s security measures before you sign on with them.

Unit Sizes and Climate Control Features The amount of belongings you have will determine the unit you need. Some self-storage centers offer units as small as 24-square feet. If you are storing furniture or a vehicle, you will probably need a unit that measures at least 300-square feet.

Also, if you are storing sensitive items, such as musical instruments, look for a unit that has climate control. You can request to have an air conditioned or humidity-regulated unit.

Insurance Call your homeowner’s insurance provider and check if your things are insured when stored in a storage facility. You may find that you need to choose a unit with certain security features or climate control to qualify for insurance coverage.

You may also discover that your insurance company is not willing to cover your items while in storage. If this is the case it should still be possible to purchase insurance from

the storage facility you are renting space from.

Hours of Access Determine how often you will need to visit your items. Some people store their belongings for several months. They may only need access to them once or twice during that time. Other people might need to visit their unit several times a week.

The hours of operation should fit your schedule easily. If your schedule is unpredictable, you might consider using a storage center that is open 24 hours a day.

Price Don’t search for a bargain. Price should not be your only consideration. After all, if you choose an inexpensive facility, they may be cutting back on important aspects. Maybe they don’t have as much security as other facilities. Maybe the building is not maintained well. Selecting a facility based solely on a low price may cause you to pay in other ways. It is not fun having your items stolen or damaged. Of course, within a storage facility, a smaller unit will be cheaper to rent than a larger one. But if the overall prices are lower than average, be very cautious.

ABSOLUTE STORAGE Don’t have enough room at home? We can help!

lRV and boat storage lA wide variety of sizes lConveniently located l24-hour accessibility lSecured location

528 Maddox Drive, Suite 1, Ellijay, GA l 706-276-2430

HOW TO CHOOSE A Nursing Home

As your loved ones reach their final years, they may encounter medical care needs that family members aren’t able to handle alone.

And ensuring that your loved ones are as comfortable and safe as possible as they age is paramount to guarding their quality of life.

That’s where a good nursing home facility comes in.

A nursing home can provide a comfortable living environment for your loved ones while ensuring that all of their needs are met. As an added bonus, you can rest assured knowing that quality medical care is always nearby to meet any medical emergency that may arise.

You can’t put a price on that peace of mind.

Here are a few things to think about if you believe someone you love could benefit from nursing home care.

Visit the Facility Take a tour of the potential facility. You should intuitively feel warmth and safety in this environment. Your visit will also provide clues about the general atmosphere and morale of

the residents. There should be lots of natural light, cheerful colors, bright wall art and hints of laughter from the staff and patients.

Focus on the cleanliness, staffing levels and the appearance of other residents. Is the air fresh and free from unpleasant odors such as urine, feces and stale food? Are there enough nurses and attendants on duty? Are residents appropriately dressed? Do they seem clean and freshly bathed?

Bring the prospective resident along for the tour. This facility may become home. Your loved one deserves to have a voice in selecting the facility. Feeling welcomed are cues that this could be a positive living experience.

Socializing is important. Are there opportunities for residents to meet each other? Regular activities such as music and crafts or an outdoor area for enjoying the sunshine will enhance quality of life.

Most nursing home facilities are happy to provide a tour of the building. Once you see the environment, ask for a consultation with a

staff member. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions and address special needs of the prospective patient.

Possible questions might include availability of physical and occupational therapy, accommodation of patients’ doctors’ appointments outside the facility and access to barbers and beauticians for the residents.

Talk with Others You might have a chance to talk with a relative of a patient who is currently living in the nursing home. Don’t be afraid of asking them for honest opinions about the facility.

Query them about the staff and quality of care received by the residents. Solicit their input on whether you should place your own loved one in this facility.

Ask the Doctor If you are still unsure about your decision, or if you have reservations about the facility, discuss the matter with your loved one’s primary care physician who should also be able to recommend good nursing facilities in your area.

PARKSIDE ELLIJAY www.ParksideEllijay.com

lOn-site rehab center lPrivate & semi-private rooms lRestorative nursing services l24-hour licensed staff lPerson centered care lEmergency call system in each room

lFlat-panel TVs lOn-site salon lTemperature control in each room lPrivate, enclosed courtyard lCommunity-wide Wi-Fi lWorship services

1362 S. Main St., Ellijay, GA l 706-276-4808

HOW TO CHOOSE A Pediatric Clinic

The cold, clinical atmosphere of a doctor’s office, not to mention the prospect of getting a shot, can make children seriously uncomfortable.

Luckily, a skilled pediatrician has special training to make your child feel comfortable.

And that’s good news, considering that a bad medical experience in childhood could lead to your child risking a life of health problems by avoiding the doctor’s office as an adult.

If you’re looking for a pediatrician for your child, here’s how to get started.

Recommendations Family, friends and acquaintances will likely have recommendations about good pediatricians in your area. Parents will be happy to share about their experiences at the pediatrician’s office.

You can also check with your family doctor or OB/GYN who delivered your baby.

They will have informed recommendations

to help you select the best doctor.

Don’t just collect one or two names. Ideally, you should have a list of at least three professionals. It will help you compare and made the right selection.

Insurance Next, look at your insurance policy. Find out if any of the people on the list are part of your network plan. Remember that children visit the doctor more frequently than adults because they catch a lot of viruses while building up their immune systems.

Doctors not covered by your insurance should be crossed off your list. You might also reconsider your insurance policy.

The Visit Bring your child along for this meeting. It will help you gauge their interaction.

The doctor should make your child feel at ease. He should be patient, tolerant and friendly.

You must feel comfortable with this medi-

cal professional as well. He should take the time to answer your questions thoughtfully.

Inquire about their emergency policy.

Does the office accept walk-ins? If your child gets sick in the middle of the night, can you call the pediatrician or nurse? Find out about office hours and when you need to visit the hospital instead.

Is the office decorated with children in mind? Is it a safe, inviting atmosphere?

Does the practice use modern equipment?

Are exam rooms clean?

Many pediatricians now offer separate waiting rooms for children who are not sick.

These “well child” waiting areas help stop the spread of viruses. If your child is there for a checkup, it is a bad idea to have him sit next to another child who has the flu.

With this strategy, you should have an easier time selecting a pediatrician. Choosing well now will save you time and trouble in the future.

204 Professional Court, Calhoun, GA ** 189 Professional Court, Calhoun, GA **5 Medical Drive NE, Cartersville, GA

706-625-5900

Monday – Friday, 8AM -5:30PM www.agcpediatrics.com

Newborn to 21 years of age lMost Insurances Accepted lSports Physicals lAsthma

lSame Day Sick Appointments lWell Visits (Well Clinics in both locations) lImmunizations

lBehavioral Health Services lADD/ADHD & Mental Health lSe Habla Espanol

HOW TO CHOOSE A Realtor

Real estate agents are your biggest allies when it comes to buying or selling a property.

They have specialized knowledge that will help guide you through complicated contract issues.

They’ll also be able to inform you of the precise steps you need to take just before buying or selling.

It goes without saying that you shouldn’t make any property decision under the advisement of an agent you don’t trust. So, do your homework and pick an agent you can have faith will get the job done right.

Real Estate Agent vs. Realtor A real estate agent may or may not be a realtor, but every realtor is required to be a licensed real estate agent.

To become a realtor, a real estate agent has to join the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This allows him or her to attend industry meetings, get NAR newsletters, and access software and educational tools.

Realtors adhere to a strict code of ethics and have solid knowledge of the real estate busi-

ness. These professionals have been trained well, which means they will provide you with the best service.

Where to Start Looking Recommendations are one of the best ways to find a qualified real estate agent or realtor.

Ask people in your social network for referrals.

Sometimes agents are good at helping clients purchase homes, but not as skilled at selling them. Keep that in mind when searching for the right professional.

Comfort Level At the initial consultation with a prospective real estate professional, focus on your comfort level while interacting with them.

Do you get the feeling they are genuinely concerned about your needs? Or are they focused on their commission? Do they know the current housing market? Can they negotiate a contract?

It is important that you feel comfortable with the agent. You must trust that this person can behave ethically and help you secure a good

GoCindyWest.com

deal.

Communication and Planning Your agent should be an effective communicator. If you are selling your home, your agent should develop an effective marketing plan, explain it to you, and respond to any questions or concerns you have.

The marketing plan will probably involve placing advertisements and conducting open houses to invite the public for home viewings.

If you are purchasing a home, the agent should listen to your guidelines and price ranges.

Above all, your real estate agent needs to provide updates on progress. Do not work with someone who does not return phone calls or emails.

More Resources To get a better idea about the process of buying and selling a home, conduct some research on your own. Real estate magazines contain good information and can be a great way to start your research.

By Ted Smith Marion T. "Ted" Smith is the author of a new book, “Life in the Park: A Novel.” It is available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.

There's something 'bout a Mercury Five years ago there was a knock on my front door. It was my neighbor up the hill. When I opened it, he said, I bought you a car. It was a 1940 Mercury Eight 4-door, in remarkable condition for its age. It had a flathead V-8 and suicide doors. There was only one significant dent and not much rust at all on the body. It was garaged for years in a chicken house and, get this, it runs. True, the engine doesn’t have that much power and it’s a bit wobbly driving it down the road, but I’ve seen many 74-year-olds in worse shape.

It immediately brought back memories of my late Uncle Ed. He was a Mercury man. When I was a boy, all men were one type of automobile or another. My father was a Plymouth man. Another uncle and my father-inlaw were Chevy men. I was a Chevy man, too. My ex-wife, my father-inlaw’s daughter, was a Ford woman, probably out of pure spite, and when we got married people didn’t give us long because mixed marriages never work. There were Ford men, too, in the family, but nobody talked about them much.

When I was around 10, I remember with joy riding in the back seat of

28

Uncle Ed’s ’54 2-door Mercury one Sunday. That car was a real cruiser. We rode over to Cloudland Canyon and had a picnic, just me and Uncle Ed and Aunt Flonnie.

She was a great cook, and we had fried chicken, just like her mother Rosa Alice used to make. Ed wasn’t a bad cook either, on a grill, and I have yet to find a match for his hamburgers.

But what made the day really special was that Aunt Nonnie (as we called her) made fried apple pies, a lot of fried apple pies, and I got to eat all the fried apple pies I wanted, sitting in the back of that Mercury as we cruised along toward the Land of Dade.

My father had one once, too, a ’56 2-door two-tone gray hardtop. It was sweet, at least until I ruined it. He bought the car in Ohio, and the only thing wrong with it was the motor wasn’t in good shape, so he built one. It was a Ford engine, but he painted it in Mercury colors so nobody could tell. As they used to say, that car would walk the dog.

Martin Luther King Jr.: “Intelligence plus character – that is the true goal of an education.”

I was just another stupid kid then and drove too fast. One night coming home on Old Highway 53, I got behind a slow car and waited impatiently until we topped a hill just south of Shannon. I knew there was a straightaway ahead, and if there were no oncoming lights, I was prepared to go right by that car. True enough, the road was clear, and I pushed the pedal down.

But to my shock, the car began to cut into my lane. The guy was turning off on the Old Shannon Road to the left, but either his blinker didn’t work or he hadn’t bothered to use it. In a split second, I floored that Mercury and with the engine roaring just slipped between him and a mailbox with inches to spare. I can still see that mailbox clear as a bell outside the driver’s side window. It was so close that if the mailbox door had been left open I would have hit it.

Somehow my father found out about it the next day. I have no idea how he did things like that, but it was hard to get anything past him. It was uncanny, really. But he still let me drive the Merc.

Unfortunately, later I was in Rome one day on my way to see my girlfriend and I came up behind a line of cars turning onto Shorter Avenue where the Welcome Center now stands. I eased off to the right to go by them since I was going to Celanese Village, but the right front wheel began to slide down into a large ditch.

Before I knew it, I had scraped up the right side of that beautiful car.

Broke my father’s heart and he sold it. I've always felt a little bad about

that.

My favorite Mercuries have always been the catfish ones, like in Grease. We had one in my father’s junkyard around the time of the ’56.

It was a 1949 2-door, just like in the song "Mercury Blues." The body was in great shape, the black paint in good condition, and it had the original horsehair seats. But the engine was bad and, without the prescience of knowing how valuable it would become in later years, my father had it crushed for scrap metal.

At one time old cars had a distinctive interior smell, something to do with their actually being made out of good steel and natural fabrics. That ’49 had that smell, too, but you didn’t want to sit on those seats wearing shorts. The 1940 Mercury Eight had that same smell when I opened the driver’s door. Odors are one of the most powerful forms of time travel.

My neighbor up the hill didn’t actually give me the Mercury Eight, of course. I never thought he was serious. I know him better than that. He’s the same guy who would not let me give him any of the tomatoes in my garden every year because he says they taste better if he steals them.

But I got him back, at least a little. I told him he could leave me that Mercury in his will. Problem is I’m still waiting.

Oh by the way, do you know the difference between a 1940 Mercury and a 1940 Ford?

About $20,000.

Yeah, I don’t get it either.

Henry Adams: “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”

29

32

A miner with a mission

By Patricia Kovsky-Dotson Mining was dangerous back in Granddaddy's day This story is not only about a miner and his work, but also about the legacy he left for those that follow. This miner worked with the Tennessee Copper Company located and in operation then in Copperhill/ Ducktown, Tenn. Although this miner has been deceased for almost 100 years, his

Theodore Roosevelt: “Believe you can and you are halfway there.�

Claud Smith

influence and character still remain in his family, with some of them still living in or near the Greater Copper Basin.

Of course, you never knew him and have never even heard of him. His name is Joseph Alexander (Claud) Smith. I never had the privilege of knowing him, yet he is my grandfather. My mother always referred to him as “Papa,” so I suppose he will be referred to here as “Papa.” I only wish that I could have known him, at least a portion of his short years on this earth. He has made an impact upon not only his family, but the church, his employer, and the community.

Papa was born in Marion County, N.C., in 1885.

His father was Thomas Smith, and his mother was Anna Heirs Smith. His father died when he was just a small boy, and his mother soon married James Mack.

He moved to Tennessee when he was just a small lad and helped his stepfather work on the farm in the summer and went to school in the fall and winter months.

His early life and employment at a very young age was in Madisonville, Tenn. He began his mining career in the coal mines there and in Alabama.

He moved to Ducktown, a known mining town when he had just turned 18. After about a year he moved back to Madisonville and did some of the coal mining work for about four years.

On his first move to Ducktown he met his future wife, Ida Bell Davis, and they were married in 1906. Together they lived back in Madisonville until 1911 and then made their final move to the mining town of Ducktown/Copperhill. This is where the legacy begins, for they became the

Elbert Hubbard: “The teacher is one who makes two ideas grow where only one grew before.”

33

parents of six daughters and one son, with my mother being the first born.

As I attempt to recapture the life of Claud Smith, my information comes from the family, especially my mother. Unfortunately, we have no photographs of him, as they probably did not have equipment back in those early days. The photograph of him in this story was taken in a miraculous way with a cell phone camera, and then enlarged professionally. The original small photo was in a huge group of people, but now, we can see his face. Oh, yes, I see it in all of his children. The rest of the story is in my vision and the facts from my mother. All of his remaining family now is just grandchildren and great-grands.

What a legacy he left us in religion. He was a member of the Mine City Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and served on the pulpit committee. His father was a Methodist Circuit-rider preacher. His interest was serving the church and its members by helping in many ways.

His next interest and involvement was in the lodges of that day. He was a member of Ducktown Lodge No. 241, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Junior Order of Elks. His most honored one was being a member of the Masonic Lodge. He became a Thirty-Second Degree Mason, with all of the intricate details, and was an official also in this organization, having accomplished many helpful projects.

Once he was sent to Nashville, Tenn., to represent the Masonic and Odd-fellow lodges. His company sent him to Denver, Colo., to repre-

34

sent the Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers Union, He also traveled many states, mostly on business trips, in the only car he ever owned. It is hard to imagine even a car back in that day, but he had a Dodge Touring car!

This grandfather of mine was far beyond his early age, and as you can see he was thought of as a born leader.

He loved his family and supported them in every way. Mama said they always knew when it was time for Papa to come home from work, and they would run out to the street to meet him.

Other times of togetherness were going on family picnics, visiting relatives, and attending an occasional church or family reunion. On one such occasion, Mama said to her brother, “Don't eat beans. Eat blackberry pie. We have beans at home!” Families had little time nor money in those days for vacations or extra activities.

As Mama was growing up, she wanted a piano so badly. She said that Papa went to the store and bought her one. She never learned to play, but my sister and I, along with my own children, took lessons on it. and I have this old, simple piano today.

From some of these events one would assume that he was pretty well off as we say. But miners and most other workers did not make much money back in the early days. I am sure with a wife and seven children, it took all he could make to keep them going.

In his papers was found a check for $14.20 from the Company, seemingly for a job of some sort, for which he got one-tenth of the intake.

Anonymous: “I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday.”

Taken out of his check was $14.17 for purchases at the Ducktown Company Store. He was actually written a check for $.03, which was all that was left!

One of his papers from the Burra Burra Mine stated that he signed a contract for 7'x8' drilling, with the contractor paying for the dynamite and tram, at the rate of $7.75 per foot. It was signed on June 5, 1922 by the foreman of the mine. Nobody knows what this meant, or if it was how the mining was done. We have no record of his pay as a miner.

As a community leader, he rubbed shoulders with the haves and the have-nots. We have a copy of a “note” written by one of his friends for which he had signed a note for money at the bank. This shows the education of some of the people back in that day.

“March 19, 1922. this is to make Claud Smith safe in sinning a note for me for $7==something dollars miners stat bank. I will give him a lean on my red cow she shall not be sold or traded until this note is paid in full. Allso i will give him a lean on two watches. One is a 21 jewell illinois five year case with a diamond in back of case. The other one is a l5 jewell Elgin case. I won't trade them until I pay it off. It will bee due June 29, 1922, sind D.N. Hughes.” (Amount of note was not legible).

Now, how did he get all of these things accomplished? As I have stated, when he was only 18 years of age, he went to work at the Tennessee Copper Company, and naturally, in the mines because of his early experience. He became the first “powder boss,” which meant seeking

and finding the proper place to dynamite into the ore.

With all of his past experience, knowledge, and leadership ability, he would have probably been considered somewhat in the area of our present day mining engineers, for they had none in that day and figured things out as they went. In mining, this man seemed to be far ahead of other miners of the day.

His mine was called Burra Burra Mines, located in Ducktown. He was considered the best drill man in Burra Burra Mines. On July 4, 1921, in a contest for the best drill man, he won the prize, a $20 gold piece. He outdrilled the drillers from London and Mary Mines, which were other local mines of the Company.

As happened in that day, there were some accidents. Once his leg was injured and he was out of work for a while. His good friend, Dr. Lucius Kimsey, who was a road commissioner or some such authority, asked him if he would go with him to work on the road over the mountain which would later be named the Kimsey Highway. Being over an undeveloped mountain, it was never a real highway, but a road over the mountain which bypassed the river road leading to Cleveland, Tenn. In time, it became usable, but is now something like a Forest Service road.

No doubt, he could not be still even with an injury. He went with Dr. Kimsey and set dynamite to blast the huge rocks to be removed to make the roadbed. Dr. Kimsey engineered a namesake for himself, but injured Papa was there to help his friend.

Aristotle: “The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living differ from the dead.”

35

Many stories came from this road building experience. Mama said that they found a spring where they could get water and where they kept their milk and lunches cold while they worked. Many years later the spring was still there by the roadside.

The most exciting story was when they were in their car and met a wagon pulled by horses with the wagon bed filled with cabbage. When the horses saw the car which was an unusual sight in those days, they reared up in fright, turned over the wagon full of cabbage. This horrible event wrecked the car and sent it and the cabbages over a high ravine. Worst of all, it left Papa and some cabbages up in a tree down in the ravine.

Best of all, nobody was hurt badly, mostly the pride in both vehicles!

After recovering from his accident, he returned to the mines where he worked for around 20 years. With no mining safety as such, and with the danger of drilling and blasting dynamite, his life came to an end on May 17, 1925. Somehow, with this tragic accident, his mission was complete.

At 2 in the afternoon, when he sat down to rest after drilling 90 feet, on the 12th level, a large rock fell, crushing the left side of his chest and making a flesh wound above his left eye, killing him instantly. We ask the question of “why,” when he had made such a mark on the community and the company. He surely had much more to give. We do not know the answer to this question which has, no doubt, been asked a thousand times by his family.

This was a terrible, unbelievable shock to his family as well as the entire community.

He left a wife and seven children with a terrible loss of a husband and father, and, yes, to make their way by themselves through time. He also was mourned by three brothers and one sister. He was loved, not only by his family, but by the entire community.

Rev. George Passmore, a beloved preacher, did his funeral service, with the Masons in charge of the burial. Mama said a very large crowd attended. He was buried at the nearby Zion Hill Cemetery in Turtletown, Tenn. In that day for 50 cars to go to the cemetery was an indication of his popularity. People from nearby towns came, children from the school, and of course, the Company and all of his membership organizations were represented.

Now, what? This beloved father, miner, church and community worker left a wife and seven children, with the youngest only 4 years old.

There was, of course, no father, and no income to support them. The company compensation was only $60 per month for only eight months.

Evidently, back then, there was no insurance or other compensation.

36 30

Regrets came at his death, and my biggest regret is not knowing growing up to ask my grandmother or mother something about how they survived. I feel sure, the church, organizations and neighbors helped as they could, and prices were not as high as today. Remember, back then, everyone was sort of poor in the early years but did what they could, and these support organizations were never heard of at the time.

Well, Mama, being the oldest child, and only 16 at his death, soon had to go to work to help support the family. The Southern Bell Telephone Company was in its infancy there and hired her as a telephone operator. Her brother, next in line, began work in various car garages in the area and later became a machinist. After schooling, the other girls when of age began housework for others until they could get better jobs.

Though we might feel sorry for this family, and we do, we know that the Miner With A Mission somehow instilled in them to be a surviving family. Yes, the Mason organization wanted to put the children in one of their homes. My mama was the oldest and was over age for the home. My blessed grandmother chose not to allow this but to keep the family together. Survivors to the end!

After his death, another sad loss came to this family a few years later.

The baby girl, who was only 4 years old at her father's death, lost her life with an unknown sudden illness. She was only 10 years old at her death.

As we often say, “All is well that ends well.” All of his children were successful in life. Some had highly secret jobs with the government, while others married well with some making their own careers. Life was not easy in the younger days, but this must have made them fighters.

This miner's family made it through and took turns caring for their mother until her death.

Was this part of the miner's mission? It seems he did everything successfully, and with great love and honor. He went through life, as it seems to me, bound and determined to accomplish, seemingly as fast as he could. It was a blessed thing that he seemed to have had a mission, for with his life ending at age 40, he had to hurry to accomplish what for most people takes a longer lifetime.

Yes, this Tennessee Copper Company miner was far beyond his years in mining and other honors he acquired. He left a legacy for those who followed. I can see it, not only in his children, but in the whole set of his seven grandchildren. I feel that though we never knew our grandfather, his character and forward characteristics are instilled in us as we have made our lives. Yes, we owe our gratitude for our legacy, in part, to the grandfather miner we never knew, to this outstanding miner with a mission.

Terry Williams: “What is the most important thing one learns in school? Self-esteem, support, and friendship.”

Living past your expiration date When Mom was in her early 80s, a pacemaker was installed. She was at first anxious about the device, but the surgeon soon lessened her worries. His words were so comforting that the modern medical device’s benefits were bragged about.

She’d echo what the doctor had told her: “With my pacemaker I can jog, swim, and even snow and water ski. Ain’t that something? Never could do any of those things before. The Notley River ran through our farm when I was a young girl, but I never did learn to swim. Doc says now I can.”

Mom lived to be 95 before she reached her expiration date. Never once were the things attempted the doctor had told her were possible with the pacemaker. It was just a senior moment misunderstanding. Still, just as God commands us all to do, she rejoiced each day to be alive.

Expiration dates have been on my mind of late. Maybe it’s because in my house, appliances whose warranty dates have expired have been failing left and right. But, it all really began when I bought that new high dollar light bulb for my stairwell.

As a parsimonious bargain seeker, I closely studied my purchase.

The warranty on the side of its box said the bulb would not expire for 22.8 years. That’s right! Twenty-two years and nine months. A haunting thought rushed to my penny-pinching mind. Questions arose. I

reasoned: If that’s true, this light bulb will still be shining bright long after Joe Cobb Crawford has expired. Do you really want to buy something that’s going to live longer than you? Who will return this high price bulb for a warranty replacement if it expires at say, only 19 years and eight months?

But, it’s possible that it may just last 22.8 years. I further reasoned: Lighting technology has come a long way since Edison invented the first light bulb. Still, I countered with the fact that device warranties almost always seem to expire two days BEFORE the device’s demise. Strange isn’t it, how manufacturers can build things that do that? How do they know in advance how long things will last?

Trying to stay positive, I countered again with, but this bulb may have a chance at making it to 22.8 years. So, I bought the pricey light bulb.

As for Joe Cobb Crawford, I have no idea what my own expiration date is. Only God knows and He’s not telling. What He does tell me is to enjoy life every day and let your little light shine. That’s part of God’s simple plan for me.

Hope you will consider doing the same.

By JOE COBB CRAWFORD

From: SIT A SPELL: An Anthology by Joe Cobb Crawford, The Poetry Company

Hay

Continued From Page 8 The twig—he broke it off and brought it to me later on—was about the size of a pencil lead. It was a small thing, about like somebody’s hair, really, but I could see it just as plain as day across the river.

I said, “OK. Where was the fodder?”

“Right beside him, within five feet of him, bobbing up and down in the water.”

And I said, “Well, where was the other one?”

He said, “It was in the middle of the river, bobbing up and down in that fast water.”

“OK. You saw the man. You unhooked him from the tree limb there and secured him to the boat. What happened?”

He said, “Both bundles of fodder...pheeew! ...shot right straight down the river.”

“OK. That tells me one thing: The Indians knew what they were talking about!”

But the Indians weren’t there. The Indians—Terhune was their name—had lived there next to the river, on top of the mountain, about three or four hundred feet straight up. The only thing left there now was the chimney. The house had burnt years ago. Come to find out, they had lived there several years. They would have been over a hundred years old if they were still alive when they came to bring us the fodder.

They were always doing good for the people there. For instance, in one home, there was a death in the family. They had absolutely nothing. They couldn’t see how they could bury him because they didn’t have enough money to pay the undertaker. And they had no food. Within an hour after the death, the Terhunes showed up at their house with a wagon full of food...and a casket.

Another time, there was a family that had a house fire in the middle of the night. Back then, out in the woods where they lived, it would take a good day to get down to Cartersville on foot or a horse or wagon or whatever you had to go with. But there’s no way anybody could get in there to put the fire out. Yet while the house was still burning—2 o’clock in the morning—the old couple showed up with a horse and wagon...and clothes. Clothes in correct sizes for all the people that were involved in the fire: children, the woman, the husband. Shoes and clothes exactly to fit every one of them, still with the price tags on. At 2 o’clock in the morning—where did they get them?

I don’t know, but I sure was glad they did what they did. And if they hadn’t dropped that fodder in to us, we probably would’ve had to have waited until the body floated up on its own, and that takes three or more days.

That was my first opportunity to work with the Indians. And that’s something I never will forget.

I learned from my daddy about the fodder helping finding a dead body. He told me several years ago—when I was a kid—that if there was a body in the river, put a bundle of fodder in where the body was last seen and it would go straight to the body. And that’s how I knew to do it when we had the drowning there in Bartow County. It worked! It works all the time...especially when the Indians bring it to you.

Yogi Berra: “I’m not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did.”

39

What doesn't kill you...

23 makes you weak as dishwater!

They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

In truth, what doesn’t kill you makes you weak as dishwater.

If you’ve read previous columns, you know I’ve had some physical trouble lately. A herniated disc crushed a nerve causing incredible pain and the loss of the use of my leg. But with a good doctor, the right medications, and aquatic physical therapy, my leg has been getting stronger and I’m able to do everything by myself except stairs and getting in and out of the tub.

However, during my ninth session in physical therapy, I began to shake uncontrollably, to the point I was helpless. Husband helped get me dried off and dressed; the staff got a wheelchair and got me to the car. One of them took my blood pressure while commenting that my lips were blue. She looked at my husband after looking at my blood pressure and said, “Get her to the emergency room NOW!” I don’t remember that trip; I don’t remember being taken in the ER or the electrodes being put on my chest and belly. I do remember the doctor saying, “She’s gray! Fever 103!” I remember the bottom reading of my blood pressure being 118.

I remember the doc saying they were going to do a CT Scan and were giving me a broad based antibiotic, even though they weren’t sure what was wrong. IV fluids were started (and I don’t even remember the stick!).

At first they thought I was highly contagious, though they didn’t know if it was viral or bacterial.

After several blood cultures, the truth finally came to light: I had sepsis in the blood. And then, a day later, it was determined to be caused by E. coli. After being able to pinpoint what was wrong, a specific antibiotic was given.

The next question was how had this happened to me? I had passed a kidneystone the Friday before this happened on Wednesday. They believe this was the start of the whole problem. All I know is when my fever got down to 101, the ER doc looked at me and said, “You got here barely in time.”

They were flushing my system with fluid, to the point I started hav-

ing pain breathing. My lungs, upon X-ray, were being pressed with fluid, and some had seeped into the lower left lobe (the radiologist said pneumonia, the doc disagreed, I don’t know). So a diuretic was started IV. They weighed me just before I went to bed one night. I weighed 162. I said I’d gained weight; they were silent.

They woke me up the next morning and put me on the scales immediately. I weighed 164. They stopped the IV fluids. Let’s say I considered getting a blanket and pillow and lying down in the bathroom floor, as all I did was visit the powder room every hour on the hour all night long.

The pain was intense around my lungs, and I couldn’t take a deep breath.

They woke me up at 2 a.m. to weigh me.

I weighed in at 156. That’s a lot of trotting to the little girl’s room!

When two blood cultures finally came back clear, I was discharged, though I was having pain in my left side when I tried to take a deep breath. My lungs were clear, and I told the doctor I thought it was something to do with my back. I had lain for more than an hour on my left side, arm elevated, head cocked for an echocardiogram (a fascinating thing!).

Sure enough, a rib head was out. Boy, did it feel good to get that baby put back in!

Home felt so wonderful after being away for six long days.

I’m still weak as a kitten, and not able to resume my aquatic physical therapy yet. I have to get stronger before I can stomach myself again in a bathing suit.

I am a little anemic, due to flushing out my system so rapidly and severely, but surely my appetite will return and I’ll get that back in order quickly.

In one month they’ll do another X-ray and blood culture to make sure nothing is lurking around inside.

I covet your prayers, and no one knows how loved I have felt.

Things I have learned: Crying is very easy when you are really sick. I cried every time a friend came through the door. Most of them brought books, or

flowers, and when I returned home, wonderful meals, more books, conversation, and one of Ellijay’s finest rocks (pictured at right)!

Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, Episcopalians, non-denominational, and Jews prayed for me.

People all over the United States were praying for me.

Do you know what this means to me? I have no words. The Bible says in Revelation 5:8 that “angels were holding golden bowls full of incense that were prayers of the saints.” Prayers smell like incense to God. How can I help but believe that these sweet aromas, which please God, did not help in my healing? I know it to be so.

I learned that my family is the best family in the entire world. Husband only left my side when Daughter was there. We urged her not to miss work on her new job, but the supervisor let her keep her phone beside her at all times. As soon as she got off work, she would come to the hospital and stay while Husband went home to walk and feed the dog, make sure everything was okay otherwise, and then come back. Daughter would get back home around 11 at night so she could get ready for bed to return to work the next morning.

This went on for six days. And after I returned home, Husband has continued to be the best nurse there is, with Daughter taking over in the evenings.

Me? I’m glad they didn’t run away!

My “normal” life - Story Time, Write On!, my writers’ group, visiting my mother, eating out with friends, working on the new novel - all seems to be a distant memory. But surely, with God’s continued help, I can get back in the groove soon.

Now that you know my medical history, I can’t wait for you to corner me at the grocery store with yours. I’ll listen, truly, I will!

42

William Butler Yeats: "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."

No way to fix broken trust While living in Germany I made a point of flying home each year for my Dad’s birthday.

When I was home for his 79th I wandered up to my grandparents’ old homestead. I began to reminisce about my wonderful childhood with Papaw and Mamaw. You’ve read the pondering about my grandfather’s temper, his respect for sharp tools and how he created my first bow.

Another event came back to me while I was at home that I had almost forgotten. My grandfather was a man who believed his word was his bond. Once he decided a person couldn’t be trusted, he would have nothing to do with them.

I told you before how strong-willed and stubborn he was. Knowing this, you’ll appreciate his reaction to Neil Armstrong becoming the first man to walk on the moon. I was away at college when the moonwalk took place.

I came home the next weekend and could hardly wait to talk to Papaw and Mamaw about the historical event. I had the shock of my life when Papaw said, “Son, you don’t believe they really went to the moon, do you? They just made a movie and put it on TV. Our government is made up of crooks and liars, and they could never do something that hard.”

“But Papaw, I do believe we really landed men on the moon,” I said.

He insisted, “Trust me, son, it’s just a big lie. They never actually do anything.”

I’m not sure what caused my grandfather to develop such a total lack of trust for our government; however, he died eight years later still believing the moon landing was just another sham by the government.

My father has similar strong feelings about trust, and I suppose I do, too. Let me ask you: Do you work for a company based on trust? What

is trust anyway? My feeling is that another word for trust is dependability.

Trust is doing the right thing simply because it’s the right thing to do.

True trust is knowing that if we give someone our word we will perform or die trying. It also means that if one of the team members makes a promise, the rest of the team will make sure it isn’t broken. The difference in an awesome team and just a group of workers is the client’s trust in them. Can they depend on you and your team?

I once had an agent (I’ll call him John) who lost more clients than any agent in my region. It seemed strange to me because he was a true people person.

Everyone seemed to love to be around him, including his clients. I called a few of the clients that had terminated with him, and after about the sixth call I could sum up all of their complaints in one statement.

“John is a nice guy, but he never does anything he promises.”

When I confronted John with this information he was visibly shocked and hurt that his ex-clients felt that way about him. To improve the situation, I helped him find an administrative assistant who was so organized that she kept her Campbell’s Soup in alphabetical order in her pantry at home.

I then gave John only one law he had to obey: “Anytime you make a promise to a client, be sure you put it on your administrative assistant’s ‘to do’ list.”

Did it work? Well, every year after we hired that AA, John was in the top 10 percent of the company’s sales force.

There are more people than you believe who respond as my grandfather did. You can only lose your honor or trust once with them. I like to compare trust to a fragile Christmas tree ornament. Once it’s broken, there is no way you can repair it.

Try 30 days of gratitude, to see what life has brought, the lessons that have built you up, the people you've forgot.

If all the things you're thankful for, could stare you in the face, maybe you'd see that life's not hard, through this shift of conscious space.

To the mother of my children, I owe you everything.

I hold you in my heart, Your praises I will sing.

Use every moment as a tool, forget what trips you up, look inside your heart right now, and know that You're Enough!

Such a hard decision, To choose a different mother.

I'm so glad that you chose me, And did not choose another.

Be thankful for the stuff that works, and for the light of day, bow your head to the highest God, have faith, and even pray.

You will not be forgotten, Your love they will know.

You will not lose your children, Our family has just grown.

Do what you can, to change your ways, go on now, please begin, once you open up your life to spirit, you'll see, Love Always Wins.

I admire your strength, Such courage this will take.

But I will hold your hand, A good life for them we'll make.

-SHANNA DUDLEY

-SARA WINICK HERRINGTON

Lips so smooth that…

When kissed fervently…

Will poison me…

Yet I ache longingly to die…

As you softly breathe…

A mesmerizing flame…

Of lusting desire and endless love…

Against the nape…

Of my fragile, trembling neck…

Moving swiftly…

Yet exquisitely In for my final fate…

Of my long awaiting demise…

Our soft lips touch…

And my final breath…

I shall willingly…

Give to you…

-CHELLE LANCE

CORNER

POETRY

48

BROUGHT TO YOU BY... nAOSM (ASSOCIATES IN ORTHOPEDICS AND SPORTS MEDICINE) nCNA NURSING SCHOOL OF CALHOUN

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” - John C. Maxwell

GOOD HEALTH - GOOD LIFE

UNDERSTANDING AFIB Irregular heartbeat can lead to several complications ' FAMILY FEATURES

Oftentimes, seeking to improve your health starts at your core – your heart.

One common condition to be aware of is atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.

Currently impacting up to 6.1 million Americans, AFib is projected to double by 2030, according to the American Heart Association. One in three individuals is at risk for developing AFib over the course of his or her lifetime, and the likelihood of developing the condition increases by almost 40 percent after the age of 55.

The average person living with AFib has a five-fold increase of experiencing a stroke than someone with a regular heartbeat. However, proper diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the chances of associated heart health complications, including stroke.

The first step toward managing AFib and preventing serious health complications is gaining knowledge about the condition. The experts at the American Heart Association are working to elevate awareness with these facts: Causes While in some cases the cause is unknown, AFib can be the result of damage to the heart's electrical system from other conditions such as longstanding, uncontrolled high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and heart disease. For example, smokers are 20 percent more likely to develop AFib than nonsmokers.

Symptoms and signs A person living with AFib may have symptoms like a fluttering heart-

beat, but he or she may not have symptoms at all. Nearly 80 percent of people who report having AFib note they did not experience symptoms, which can lead to the condition being overlooked or confused with other conditions, such as anxiety.

“Atrial fibrillation can be challenging to diagnose,” said Dr. Georgeanne Freeman, a board-certified family medicine doctor and American Heart Association volunteer expert. “If you are feeling out of the ordinary, whether it's a racing pulse or irregular heartbeat associated with shortness of breath and fatigue, it’s time to speak with your doctor to learn your risk for AFib and lower your chance for stroke.”

Other common symptoms include dizziness, weakness, faintness or confusion; fatigue when exercising; sweating and chest pain or pressure.

At-risk populations Anyone, at any age, can develop AFib. People over age 50, those with high blood pressure or other forms of heart disease and those with a family history of the condition are at highest risk and should discuss their medical history with their doctors.

GOOD HEALTH - GOOD LIFE

LOOK! DOWN ON YOUR PLATE! Try these 10 super foods to help support your health FAMILY FEATURES

The health community has long praised the benefits of vitamins and nutrients derived from natural sources. For those looking to improve their health or take preventative measures, these 10 natural super foods can be incorporated into your daily diet to help support your health: Green Tea – Armed with a special type of antioxidants called polyphenols, green tea can decrease plaque formed in the arteries and can fight prostate cancer.

Rosemary – Studies have shown this powerful spice can reduce the risk of stroke, as well as protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

Almonds – Full of plant sterols and amino acids, almonds can help lower high cholesterol and promote muscle growth. These handheld treats are also rich in vitamin E, which can protect skin from sun damage.

Fatty Fish – Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fatty fish such as salmon, flounder and sardines can lower the risk of heart disease.

Bananas – This easy, portable snack is loaded with essential potas-

sium, which regulates the nervous system. Bananas also offer loads of vitamin B-6, which aids immunity and metabolism.

Whole Grains – These powerful body defenders have been known to boost immunity, protect against various cancers and reduce cholesterol.

Eggs – These energy-packed breakfast favorites contain a special type of protein that helps build muscle strength more than other proteins.

When compared to other breakfast foods, eggs can also keep you feeling fuller longer with fewer calories and fat.

Spinach – Chock-full of magnesium, potassium and various vitamins and nutrients, spinach can prevent clogged arteries and protect against prostate and colon cancers.

Soy – This protein-packed food contains isoflavones, which can aid in treatment and prevention of prostate cancer. Also, research from the Food and Drug Administration shows that 25 grams per day can help lessen the risk of heart disease.

Dark Chocolate – Satisfy your sweet tooth and improve blood flow to the brain at the same time. Dark chocolate can also lower blood pressure and increase skin’s resistance to UV rays.

Find more health-conscious tips at eLivingToday.com.

GOOD HEALTH - GOOD LIFE

PREVENTING ALZHEIMER'S How the Internet can lend a hand by increasing pace of research FAMILY FEATURES

Over the past 10 years, researchers have learned Alzheimer’s disease starts much earlier than the onset of symptoms – 10-20 years before an individual, family member or friend might notice the signs of the debilitating disease.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5.5 million Americans, of all races and ethnicities, age 65 and older currently live with Alzheimer’s disease, which is expected to grow to more than 7 million people by 2025.

The first-of-its-kind Alzheimer Prevention Trials Webstudy (APT Webstudy), funded by the National Institutes of Health, aims to increase the pace of research by enlisting thousands of healthy volunteers who can quickly be enrolled in clinical trials focused on preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Enrollees in the APT Webstudy can use the internet to help stop the disease while being alerted to changes in their own memory function.

“In order to change the lives of the numerous people and their loved ones who will be affected by Alzheimer’s, we need everyone to get involved with prevention efforts,” said Paul Aisen, MD, co-principal investigator of the APT Webstudy. “The bigger the army of volunteers, the faster we can work to prevent this terrible disease.”

Volunteers can access the Webstudy when and where it is convenient for them, such as on their computer or tablet, or even a public library; anywhere they can access the internet. Volunteers participate in regular online memory testing. If there is a change in memory function, eligible volunteers are alerted and may be invited to a no-cost, in-person evaluation at one of the research sites across the country.

“This is an opportunity for everyone to help future generations avoid

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the suffering caused by Alzheimer’s,” Aisen said. “With enough volunteers, we will be one step closer to seeing the first Alzheimer’s survivor.”

Researchers are looking for a diverse group of people ages 50 or older who have normal thinking and memory function. Volunteers must be willing to answer a few questions about their family and medical history and provide information about their lifestyles.

Volunteers will take online memory tests every three months, each one about 20 minutes long.

If you are interested in participating, visit aptwebstudy.org to learn more.

GOOD HEALTH - GOOD LIFE

DON'T LET STROKE HIT TWICE FAMILY FEATURES

Not all strokes can be prevented, but making healthy lifestyle choices, like exercising, eating right, maintaining a healthy weight and treating conditions such as high blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure can help reduce your risk of another one.

While there are about 7.2 million stroke survivors in the United States, people who have had a stroke are at high risk of having another one. In fact, about one in every four stroke survivors will have a second one.

Efforts like Together to End Stroke, an American Stroke Association initiative, nationally sponsored by Bayer Aspirin, work to educate stroke survivors and caregivers about how they can avoid a second occurrence.

Because the consequences of a second stroke can be more detrimental than the first, it's important to recognize the signs, which come on suddenly, and act quickly. An easy way to remember the most common warning signs is the acronym F.A.S.T., (F - face drooping, A - arm weakness, S speech difficulty, T - time to call 911).

Talk to your doctor about medications that may help you with your stroke prevention efforts. For example, taking aspirin regularly or other blood clot prevention medications can help reduce the risk of another ischemic stroke.

Consider following the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association's "Life's Simple 7" to achieve ideal health: Don't smoke. Smoking puts you at higher risk for heart disease and stroke. Quitting is one of the best things you can do to improve your health and add years to your life. You're more likely to quit for good if you prepare for your last cigarette and the cravings, urges and feelings that come with quitting.

Be physically active. A good starting goal is at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week, but if you don't want to sweat the numbers, just move more. Find forms of physical activity you like and will stick with and build more opportunities to be active into your routine.

Eat a healthy diet. Healthy eating starts with simple, healthy food choices. You don't need to stop eating your favorite meals, just use substitutions to make them healthier. Learn what to look for at the grocery store, restaurants, your workplace and other eating occasions so you can confidently make healthy, delicious choices whenever and wherever you eat.

Maintain a healthy weight. The benefits of maintaining a healthy

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weight go beyond improved energy and smaller clothing sizes. By losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight, you can also reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. There's no trick to losing weight and keeping it off, but the majority of successful people modify their eating habits and increase physical activity.

Control cholesterol. Having large amounts of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the bad cholesterol, in the blood can cause build up and blood clots, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. Reducing your fat intake, especially trans fats, often found in fried foods and baked goods, can help reduce your cholesterol. Adding more foods with omega-3 fatty acids like fish and nuts, as well as soluble fiber and whey protein, helps in managing cholesterol.

Manage blood pressure. Nothing causes more strokes than uncontrolled high blood pressure. Of the 116.4 million people in the United States who have high blood pressure, fewer than half have it under control, putting them at increased risk of stroke. Lowering your blood pressure by 20 points could cut your risk of dying from stroke by half.

Control blood sugar. By managing your diabetes and working with your health care team, you may reduce your risk of stroke. Every two minutes, an adult with diabetes in the United States is hospitalized for stroke. At age 60, someone with type 2 diabetes and a history of stroke may have a life expectancy that is 12 years shorter than someone without both conditions.

For more information on how to prevent stroke, and a complete list of warning signs, visit strokeassociation.org/americanstrokemonth.

PAW’S CORNER by Sam Mazzotta

PUZZLES4KIDS - by Helene Hovanec

Safely show off your new puppy (c) 2019 KING FEATURES SYNDICATE, INC.

DEAR PAW'S CORNER: Our puppy "Clyde" is about four months old, and we can't wait to show him off this summer. We have several outings to the park planned, as well as a group camping trip. Is there anything we should be wary of when taking him out to meet his adoring public? -- Jesse and Tom in White Plains, New York DEAR JESSE AND TOM: Congratulations on your new puppy!

Taking Clyde out to meet people is a fine idea, and it sounds like you're planning ahead to cover any contingencies. He's at just the right age to do so: older than four months, so that he's developed enough to interact with other dogs and people, and his immune system is strong enough to fight off most threats (as long as he's had his shots on schedule). He's following commands and learning to walk on a leash.

Here's a few more things to do: * Give Clyde some early socialization by scheduling play dates with dogs you already know well. These don't have to be very long; meeting for a few minutes during a walk, for example. * Plan a few trial runs to the dog park and the people park; schedule them during off-peak hours in the early morning so you have more control over Clyde's interactions. * Avoid taking him out on very hot or humid days; aim for early morning or late evening at the height of summer. Bring plenty of cold water just for Clyde to drink. * Watch Clyde for signs of being overwhelmed if he's around crowds of people or dogs. Take him to a less crowded area if he seems stressed out.

Send your tips, questions or comments to ask@pawscorner. com. (c) 2019 KING FEATURES SYNDICATE, INC.

A pet supply boutique providing full service grooming for cats and dogs in the greater Ellijay community Premium grooming by appointment; walk-ins accepted if schedule allows.

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