The Paper January 1, 2015 Edition

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New Year’s Day program marks 88th year Since 1927, Jackson County has been keeping alive the tradition of thanking God for New Year’s blessings, and 2015 will be ceremonially rung in along the same fashion.

The 88th annual Jackson County New Year’s Day Program will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, in the auditorium of the Jackson County Administrative Building.

The community is encouraged to come out and be in attendance.

The first such New Year’s Day Program was held in 1927, with Judge W.W. Dickson presiding, and State Court Solicitor Don

Jackson County officials keeps alive tradition of giving thanks, looking ahead to good things

Moore, who has presided since 2005, will continue in that leadership role. He said it is a service of thanks for good things of the previous year and to dedicate the New Year with prayer for continuing blessings.

This year, Joe Brooks, pastor of Cave Springs Baptist Church in Jefferson, will be the featured speaker. He will be introduced

by Jackson County Tax Commissioner Don Elrod.

Jackson County Clerk of Court Camie Thomas will introduce county officials and special guests and Lydia Cosper will sing “God Bless America.”

TeenPact, a Jackson County organization dedicated to preparing students for business

and political leadership will again host the event and provide coffee and doughnuts.

“All are invited to attend the program, with the purpose of thanking God for the blessings ofthe past year and seeking divine guidance and blessing for the upcoming year,” invites Moore.

Others who have presided at previous programs include the late Col. H.W. Davis, the late Judge R.H. “Bob” Griffeth, Superior Court Clerk Billy N. Elder, the late Judge J.T. Wilkes, Superior Court Clerk Reba Parks and Judge David Motes.

Jefferson readies to interview city manager finalists

Scott Rogers Regional staff

Lane Stringer of McGarity’s Business Products unloads office furniture on Dec. 26 in front of Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton. Below: Furniture movers quickly move dozens of chairs inside the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton The new hospital is set for an April 2015 opening.

Health system is expanding Braselton hospital, Urgent Care centers, Corporate Plaza opening in 2015

By JEFF GILL

Council vote on Hoschton 2015 budget set for Monday session

Regional staff

The Northeast Georgia Health System is going through a growth spurt, with its influence reaching far beyond its Gainesville base.

“We have been in very high capacity, day in and day out,” said Tony Herdener, chief financial officer. “You combine that with (population) growth and (people) getting older, we’re in a high-need part of the country.”

The health network is moving hundreds of employees into a new corporate support center off Frontage Road in Oakwood, where it has refurbished an old Sam’s Club store.

It’s also preparing to open Medical Plaza B at the new Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton campus off Ga. 347 in South Hall. The 100-bed hospital itself is slated for an April opening.

By FARAH BOHANNON

fbohannon@clickthepaper.com

See HOSPITAL, 3A

Health care jobs are growing in demand across region, nation

By JOSHUA SILAVENT

Regional staff

Certain industries seem inherently fraught with political controversy. Big oil. Big pharma. Big government.

But maybe none riles so much partisan passion as the business of health care, particularly since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, colloquially and often derogatorily referred to as “Obamacare,” in 2010.

But no other industry also presents better job security today.

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According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth in the health care industry is expected to far outpace any other in the state of Georgia between 2012 and 2022.

Indeed, health care-related occupations dominate the list of fastestgrowing jobs during that span, with advanced practitioners — physicians assistants, nurse practitioners and nurse midwives — all in the top 10.

Moreover, health care jobs account for about four in five of the top 25 fastest-growing occupations in the Peach

Volume9, Number 10 Police report 2A Puzzles 5B Sports 1-2B

Jefferson Mayor Roy Plott says the two finalists for the city manager position will be in the community next week for the next phase of the selection process.

Narrowed from the field of nine potential job candidates interviewed by the selection committee headed

by Plott is Ben C. Andrews III, the community development director of Americus, and Jason Tinsley, the county administrator for the Wayne County Board of Commissioners.

There were 59 applications originally received when the city began looking for a replacement for John Ward, who spent 10 years as city manager before accepting a similiar post Andrews in Boone, N.C. “Each of the candidates will be given a day where we tour him around the community, allow him time to meet with several key department directors and then have an afternoon interview with the council,” said Plott.

“These will most likely happen on the 8th and 9th of January.”

Plott said on the heels of that process will be contract negotiations which could be pursued with both individuals,” said Plott, who notes that John Ward was in in negotiations with officials Boone, N.C., for several months before he accepted their of- Tinsley fer.

“I’m hoping we can get this done quickly, because I know the community is waiting,” said Plott.

State over the next seven years.

And evidence of this can be seen right here in Hall County.

“They’re all in very, very high demand,” said Mimi Collins, CEO of The Longstreet Clinic in Gainesville.

Collins said the clinic now employs about 70 full- and part-time advanced practitioners, up from just a handful when Longstreet opened about 20 years ago.

Moreover, with recent expansions

See HEALTH CARE JOBS, Page 3A

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The Hoschton City Council is expected to approve the 2015 budget at a 5:30 p.m. meeting on Jan. 5.

A detailed copy of the proposed budget is available to the public at the City Hall building.

The 2015 proposed budget hearing was held Dec. 17 during which Mayor Theresa Kenerly and the council members discussed the budget proposal.

Hoschton’s general fund budget is set at approximately $330,000 for 2015 with the biggest portion going toward city employee salaries and employee benefits which have just recently been approved for those who are full-time, administrative fees and contracted services.

Hoschton’s budget plans call for more than $747,000

to be collected to go into its water and sewer fund in 2015 with total expenses equaling $653,000 to the city. The city hopes to see that fund at $93,000 in the black.

In other business, Hoschton City attorney Thomas Mitchell said the city should submit all ordinances by next summer to an online codifier for municipalities called Municode, after taking the time to rewrite and update city ordinances during 2014.

He said Hoschton will be able to start rewriting zoning ordinances once these are submitted. A suggestion from Mitchell was to hire a University of Georgia student as an intern to help with this process, especially since the city’s zoning code has been in place since 2004. The last update was in 2008.

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The Paper | Thursday, January 1, 2015

‘Outsider’ Lutz reflects on Hall commission term

By JOSHUA SILAVENT

Regional staff

“I think I was seen as an outsider,” said former Hall County Commissioner Craig Lutz. “And I really ran as an outsider.”

For good or bad, Lutz was widely viewed as a lightning rod in county politics.

In a sit-down interview with The Times last week, Lutz discussed his accomplishments, regrets and lessons learned from his four years in office.

Kathy Cooper was sworn in to Lutz’s District 1 seat, representing South Hall, earlier this month. Lutz did not run for re-election to his seat, instead seeking the Republican nomination for the Public Service Commission, won by incumbent Lauren “Bubba” McDonald.

With a few exceptions, Lutz said there was little left on his legislative agenda that warranted a run for another term.

“I believed in getting in with an agenda,” Lutz said, adding that, for the most part, he’s satisfied with what he was able to get done.

Helping to improve the county’s financial position is among Lutz’s proudest achievements, he said. Since coming onto the board of commissioners, the county’s reserves have grown, employee furloughs have been scrapped and retirement contributions have been restored, for example.

POLICE REPORT Jefferson Police ■■ A previously reported terroristic threats case in which a temporary restraining order was issued was based on false information, according to one of the parties involved. The complainant said she was fearful for her safety and that of other young family members.

■■ A driver who failed to yield the right of way at the intersection of Washington Street and Sycamore Street on Dec. 21 was taken into custody for driving on a suspended license.

■■ A first-degree forgery was reported Dec. 21 at Tabo’s after it was learned that checks in the amount of $400, $700 and $650 were written on a bank account that no longer exists. The man attempted to cash another check for $750 and was advised the construction company which supposedly issued the checks for work completed were bad.

■■ A theft by taking was reported Dec. 20 at the Pendergrass Flea Market after the operator of Pocket Change Coins realized two coins, an 1889 Carson City Morgan silver dollar valued at $1,200 and a 1921 Peace silver dollar valued at $185 had been replaced by two lesser expensive coins. Surveillance showed a bearded black male in his late 30s or early 40s wearing a New York Yankees baseball cap in the area. The possible suspect was driving a silver SUV, possibly an Acura.

■■ A woman who sold two dogs she listed on craigslist reported Dec. 21 that the $100 bill the man paid her was counterfeit. The woman was told by a Shell gas station owner that the same man, who formerly ran a tattoo business next door, attempted to pass the fake bill at their store.

■■ A battery and cruelty to children report was filed Dec. 21 after a man was witnessed shoving and striking a woman at a Gordon Street location while the children they were exchanging were in the car. The woman suffered a cut to the cheek after the man threw a set of keys into her face.

The man had left the scene.

■■ A female reportedly threw a log or piece of concrete into a door on Highway

Wins, losses, lessons learned for outgoing South Hall commissioner

Lutz “That kind of accomplishment was a four-year accomplishment,” Lutz said.

On a more personal level, Lutz said he is most proud of helping to establish the Hall County State Court Veterans Court earlier this year, helping give veterans and their families the tools and resources they need to get on a “path to wellness, recovery and rehabilitation.”

Lutz admits he didn’t get everything done he had set out to do. Perhaps his biggest regret is not getting an opportunity to address consolidating Hall County and city of Gainesville governments.

“That was something that when I came into office I was really hoping I could get on the ballot,” he said.

Though county officials have roundly supported the

idea, Lutz said he was still unable to get the support necessary with pushing forward on a nonbinding resolution to make it happen. The timing never was quite right, particularly given city officials’ opposition to the plan.

“I think that was the majority of the hindrance that we had,” Lutz said. “The city and the county, we do sometimes a delicate dance.”

Though Lutz had been a Flowery Branch city councilman prior to joining the board, his expectations of the job were surpassed in many ways.

“I had a very good idea of what I was getting into,” he said, but the volume of work was revealing.

Lutz added the time commitment of the post was something he might have underestimated.

In addition, one of the biggest lessons he learned is that some residents have misconceptions about the actual role of the commissioners, Lutz said.

“A lot of people saw what we did as probably bigger than what we actually had control over,” he added, pointing out that debate over taxes are most prevalent at the board of commissioners meetings even while local municipalities and school boards take a major share of

New district engineer welcomed The Town of Braselton hosted a November reception honoring Brent Cook, named recently as the Georgia Department of Transportation’s new district engineer for the 21-county Northeast Georgia District 1, which includes Hall, Jackson and Barrow counties.

Cook, assistant district engineer since 2013, took over duties in mid-September from Bayne Smith, who is now serving as the DOT’s director of field services.

Cook, who lives in Cumming, began his career in the DOT’s training program in 1992, moving in 1998 to Gainesville-based District 1 as planning and programming engineer. While assistant district engineer, Cook

LeAnne Akin The Paper

Brent Cook, who is now serving as Georgia Department of Transportation district engineer for the 21-county Northeast Georgia District 1, was greeted by Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce president/CEO Josh Fenn and Hoschton City Administrator/Clerk Jacqueline Crouse at the reception hosted by the Town of Braselton. also served as district preconstruction engineer.

He was awarded the Commissioner’s Award of Merit in 2000 for his efforts to increase public involvement and input in the early stages of project development.

Cook earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Georgia Tech.

Attending were current and former Braselton town officials, other city and county officials, Northeast Georgia Regional Center officials and invited guests.

129 after she fought Dec. 20 with her boyfriend over the car they own together.

Police had previously been to the address after another argument about the car. The female was charged with criminal trespass and taken to the Jackson County Jail.

■■ The license plate was reported as stolen off a 2001 Honda Shadow parked at the Pendergrass Flea Market on Dec. 14.

■■ A couple who stopped along Lakeshore Drive on Dec. 20 to assist an abandoned dog found a wallet which they turned over to police.

■■ A custody dispute was reported Dec. 20 by a father at the BP after his ex-wife had not arrived to deliver the child according to a court order.

■■ A harassment by telecommunications was reported Dec. 16 at Jefferson Middle School. All communication is now blocked from the juvenile suspect. Another harassment by telecommunications was reported Dec. 13 by a man who works in Jefferson and a mother reported she is receiving harassing communications from her son.

■■ A verbal dispute was reported Dec. 17 from a Mahaffey Street location where a man did not want his children leaving with their mother because of concerns about her possible involvement in drugs.

■■ A disorderly conduct and criminal trespass incident was reported Dec. 15 inside a Jefferson Terrace apartment where a man got angry and busted a television.

■■ An identity theft report was filed Dec. 17 by a Jefferson man who said he learned someone had used his information to open a Sprint account which now totals $731.06.

■■ An identity theft case was reported Dec. 16 by a Jefferson man about a past due account for $1,320.54 which does not belong to him. No merchandise was shipped to his address and paypal is now investigating.

■■ A female was taken into custody for battery Dec. 27 after a family violence incident at a Bailey Park Drive address. She attempted to prevent a male from leaving the residence and he sustained injury.

■■ An entering auto was reported Dec. 16 in the Buhler Quality Yarns parking lot.

Taken from the truck was a deer rifle. Access was gained by busting the back window.

BRIEFLY Ceremonies set for swearing-in of BOE members, county commissioners Jackson County Probate Judge Sherry Moore will be swearing in the three Jackson County Board of Education members at the 9 a.m. New Year’s Day program being held in the auditorium of the Jackson County Administration Building.

District 2’s Tim Brooks, District 3’s Celinda Wilson and District 5’s Steve Bryant were re-elected to the school board.

Moore will swear in reelected District 4 Jackson County Commissioner Dwain Smith and District 3 Commissioner-elect Ralph Richardson Jr., at the start of the Jan. 5 meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. Both commissioners will be out of town on New Year’s Day. The Jan. 5 meeting will convene at 6 p.m. in the

grand jury assembly room at the Jackson County Courthouse.

Commission Tom Chairman Crow to give ‘State of the County’ to Tea Party Jackson County Commission Chairman Tom Crow will address the Tea Party Patriots of Jackson County with “The State of Jackson County” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8.

Past accomplishments, future plans and challenges that will face the county and a breakdown of the various elements of county taxation policies will be areas of Crow’s discussion.

The citizens of the county are invited to present their suggestions, concerns and questions. The discussion is sponsored by the Tea Party Patriots of Jackson County and will be at the Jefferson Club House.

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Continued from 1A Various questions were asked about this process, including the possibility of paying the city attorney fees for the work that would go into rewriting the zoning ordinances. Mitchell suggests

using Jackson and Oconee counties as models to keep costs low.

Mitchell estimated $10,000 in legal fees.

The Jan. 5 meeting will convene in the council chambers at Hoschton City Hall at 79 City Square. City hall will be closed on Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day.

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The Paper | Thursday, January 1, 2015

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HOSPITAL

Continued from 1A Also, Urgent Care centers are set to open soon in Dacula and Cleveland.

“Making sure we have access points throughout the region is consistent with health care reform,” Herdener said.

The health system’s last big construction project was the North Patient Tower in April 2009.

The $180-million addition to the main campus off Spring Street in Gainesville features 96 surgical beds, 32 intensive care unit beds, a waiting room for the Ronnie Green Heart Center and 23 operating rooms and postanesthesia care units.

It also introduced a stacked stone, natural-look aesthetic to the system’s future buildings, said health system spokesman Sean Couch. That look can also be found on the new Northeast Georgia Physician Group West Jackson facilities on Highway 124 in Hoschton where Dr. Marissa Mercado and Dr. Scott Ellis are practicing and new Northeast Georgia Physician Group Hamilton Mill at 3575 Braselton Highway in Dacula where Dr. Inchol Yun and Dr. Jody M. Bahmiller are seeing patients. The Dacula office at 852 Dacula Road will have its grand opening and free winter wonderland celebration from noon to 4 p.m. on Jan. 10. Dr. Linu Joseph will be providing care at that location.

The health system opened Medical Plaza 400 in Dawson County in April 2013 north of the intersection of Ga. 53 and Ga. 400.

“Medical Plaza 400 gives us the opportunity to expand more of our outpatient and specialty services directly in the Dawsonville community,” health system spokeswoman Melis­sa Tymchuk said at the time.

And though it didn’t involve brick and mortar, the health system took another leap forward when it earned a Level II trauma designation in December 2013. The designation increases the number of seriously injured patients who can be treated at the hospital, potentially saving even more lives.

In a $14-million conversion of the 109,000-squarefoot Sam’s Club building, the health system is bringing under one roof employees who had been scattered at several locations.

The move, possibly affecting as many 500 employees, will be mostly finished in February, said Mark Pinkerton, facilities project manager with the health system.

The health system received a certificate of occupancy for Medical Plaza B on Dec. 18 and immediately began moving in furniture.

“This is an important milestone in the growth of Northeast Georgia Health System, and it marks the beginning of our preparations in Braselton to outfit the beautiful new building for the care of patients,” said Anthony Williamson, Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton president.

Scott Rogers Regional staff

Crystal Smith and other Northeast Georgia Health System customer service representatives have moved into their new corporate plaza at the old Sam’s Club in Oakwood.

LeAnne Akin The Paper

On a recent blustery day, crews were working on the bridge which will connect the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton campus to the River Place where Medical Plaza 1, which houses an Urgent Care center, (below) is located. Inside the new medical office building, Medical Plaza B, practices will begin seeing patients on Jan. 12 while the hospital will not open until April 1.

Workers are installing equipment and technology during the next few weeks, and the first round of practices start seeing patients Jan. 12, said Williamson.

The first round consists of Cornerstone Surgery of Braselton, Neurophysiology Services, and the North Georgia Physicians Group’s Bariatric & Metabolic Institute, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Interventional Pain Medicine, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Surgical Associates and Vascular Center.

The second round, set for opening Jan. 19, features the cardiac testing laboratory and The Heart Center of NGMC. Medical Plaza I opened several years ago off Ga. 347 near the new hospital Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton construction “is essentially complete, though the contractor will work through small items on the punch list into February,” Williamson said.

The next few months will be spent on moving furniture, installing equipment, testing technology and processes, and training staff,

among other tasks, he said.

The opening, while targeted for April, “is a fluid situation with many moving parts that could affect the date,” Williamson said. “We do want to stress to the public that while Medical Plaza B is opening in mid-January, we’re still months away from the hospital opening, which includes the Emergency Room.” Urgent Care Braselton is providing care at Medical Plaza 1.

The new hospital will have some 800 positions, up significantly from earlier estimates.

Through Dec. 16, the system had filled 374 positions and still was recruiting for the remaining 425.

Applications are being accepted online at nghscareers.com, and the health system is planning job fairs in the coming months, with the first of the job fairs being held simultaneously at Braselton and Gainesville on Jan. 13. Additional dates for local job events will be announced later as well as offsite job fairs being planned for the Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C., later this month and other locations are also being researched.

The Braselton hospital could further boost the fasttransforming area near Gwinnett and Barrow counties. Also reflecting the growth is a new four- and six-lane Ga. 347 built and being built between Ga. 211 in Braselton and Interstate 985 in Buford.

“Hospitals have a way of being an economic engine,” Herdener said.

Tim Evans, vice president of economic development for the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, has said residents should expect a

Hospitals have a way of being an economic engine.

Tony Herdener Chief financial officer of Northeast Georgia Health System domino effect, with other businesses and practices opening after the hospital takes off.

“And those people who work in the medical center will have a cafeteria, but

they’ll need other places to eat,” he said. “There’ll be other things that open up as a result.”

LeAnne Akin also contributed to this article.

Great Careers Begin Here

HEALTH CARE JOBS Continued from 1A

to the clinic’s comprehensive care program, new openings in these positions remain available.

Advanced practitioners are also in high demand with the opening this spring of the new Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Braselton.

Gail Detraz, director of physician recruitment for the Northeast Georgia Health System, said the organization’s physician group, which includes advanced practitioners, has also grown recently at the hospital in Gainesville.

Detraz said the Affordable Care Act has “definitely” spurred job growth across the health care industry as a greater focus on and incentives for preventive care become the norm.

For Collins, growth in the industry, however, predates changes in national health care law, continuing a trend that began in the last decade.

“I think it’s been happening in the industry anyway,” she added.

Hall County seems to benefit from this growing industry in many ways, including the quality of lifestyle.

And as more and more well-trained and highly credentialed health care work-

ers relocate here, that in turn spurs a larger and more qualified pool of applicants.

“It’s just a great place to recruit people to,” Collins said.

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The Paper | Thursday, January 1, 2015

CHURCH NEWS White Plains Baptist Church will have a New Year’s Eve Singing with The Homeland Boys on Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 8-10 p.m. White Plains Baptist Church is located on Highway 124 in Jefferson. Call 706-658-6545. sss On Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 7 p.m., The Church @ Pierce Road in Winder will be having a New Year’s Eve Praise Service featuring a southern gospel group, youth singers, speaker Brother Pineapple and CPR Band. The Church@Pierce Road is at 231 Pierce Road in Winder.

The pastor is Brother Terry Hawkins. sss The Mitchells will be singing at Holly Springs Baptist

Church in their New Year’s Eve Service on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 8:30 p.m. Holly Springs Baptist Church is located at 1365 Old Loganville Road in Loganville. Call 770-294-5585. sss Hoschton United Methodist Church will hold worship srevice at 11 a.m. on Jan. 4.

Women of Faith will meet at 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall The members of Hoschton United Methodist Church wish each and every one a Happy New Year.

Hoschton United Methodist Church is located at 12 Mulberry St., and Bell Avenue behind City Square. Contact Pastor Marvin Mason at 706-654-1422. sss Christmas Camp at The

Children’s Place at New Liberty United Methodist Church will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Bring a Friend Day allows currently enrolled children to bring a friend to camp for free plus new families interested in visiting The Children’s Place at New Liberty United Methodist Church’s Christmas Camp can drop by for a reduced rate of $20. The New Year’s Eve party will include a Christmas cookie bakeoff and a bounce house and more fun. Call 706-8702838 for details about required paperwork. sss Calvary Baptist Church invites everyone to its First Friday Singing on Friday, Jan. 2, at 7 p.m. In concert will be southern gospel singers The Troy Burns Family along with the Calvary Church Choir. A love offering will be taken.

Calvary Baptist is at 1975

OBITUARIES Alice Sharpton Edenfield

Died Dec. 23, 2014 Alice Sharpton Edenfield, 80, of Commerce, died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014.

Born in Winder, she was a daughter of the late Omer and Elizabeth Thompson Sharpton. Mrs. Edenfield.

She was a hairstylist and owned the Hair Dock in Jefferson. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Edenfield Sr.; and her son, Kenneth Edenfield Jr. Survivors include her sons, Michael (Tenay) Edenfield of Commerce, Jon (Gene) Edenfield of Blue Ridge and Bruce (Christy) Edenfield of Athens; daughter-in-law, Cindy Edenfield of Commerce; sister, Betty Henry, and brother, J.C. Sharpton, both of Covington; grandchildren, Allison Edenfield, Kelsey Edenfield and Tyler Edenfield, Justin Segars, Chris Cronic and Kelly Cronic; and five greatgrandchildren.

The funeral service was held Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home. The burial followed in the Evans Memory Gardens.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

Runelle Jones Fleming

Died Dec. 26, 2015 Runelle Jones Fleming, 84, of Commerce, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at Northridge Medical Center.

Born in Duluth, she was a daughter of the late Hulon and Pearl Davis Jones. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Commerce and was a homemaker. She was a University of Georgia graduate with a home economics degree.

She was also a member of a bridge club.

Survivors include her husband, Hailey Fleming; sons, Al Fleming of Commerce, the Rev. John Fleming of Jasper and Randy Murphy of Cumming; sister, Shirley Knox of Duluth; brothers, H.I. Jones of Suwanee and Ricky Jones of Duluth; 10 grandchildren; and 13 greatgrandchildren.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 28,, 2014, at First United Methodist Church of Commerce with Dr. David Bowen and the Rev. John Fleming officiating. Interment followed in Grey Hill Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to First Methodist Church of Commerce, P.O. Box 755, Commerce, GA 30529.

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

Emma Jane Forrester

Died Dec. 26, 2014 Emma Jane Forrester, 68, of Gainesville, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with interment in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Born Nov. 26, 1946, in Hall County, she was a daughter of the late Fred Joseph Barnes and Fannie May (Hill) Barnes. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Jerry Forrester; son and wife, Andy and Teresa Forrester of Hoschton; son, Scott Forrester of Gainesville; granddaughter, Kayla Forrester of Lula; brothers and

sisters-in-law, Fred and Inez Barnes of Gainesville and Benjamin and Joan Barnes of Jefferson; sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Earl Thomas, Ruby and Thurmond Parker and Barbara and Leon Buice, all of Gainesville; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Sam and Charlotte Forrester and Phil and Vickie Forrester, both of Gainesville; brothers-in-law, Ed Forrester and Ben Forrester both of Lula; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and John Buffington of Gillsville; and number of nieces and nephews also survive.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia, 2150 Limestone Parkway Suite 222, Gainesville, GA 30501.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

Duane Garrett

Died Dec. 28, 2014 Duane Garrett, 86, of Winder, died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014.

He was a charter member of Morningside Baptist Church and he was a charter deacon. He owned and operated The Auto Sales Company of Winder for 35 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Bertie Mae Garrett; wife of 51 years, Geraldine Nash Garrett; and a grandson, Cory Ridgeway; and brothers, James, Jessie, Harold and Bob Garrett .

Survivors include his children, Myron Garrett (Vickie), Debbie Greene (Lee) and Deann Tkalec, all of Winder, and Becky Ridgeway of Bethlehem; brothers, Bill Garrett of Winder and Donald Garrett of St. Louis;sisters, Colleen Winkler of Cleveland and Carolyn Crane of Jefferson; grandchildren, Dean Garrett (Valarie) of Winder, Heath Garrett (Terri) of Newman, Matthew Greene (Candy) of Winder, Cody Ridgeway (Hannah) of Gratis, Jordan Tkalec of Winder and Jacob Tkalec of Atlanta; greatgrandchildren, Hannah, Abram, Rebakah, Grace, Courtney and Alex Garrett, Chandley Greene and Corey James Ridgeway; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec, 31, 2014, in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. J. L. Yopp officiating. Interment was in Barrow Memorial Gardens.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

Helen W. Kimbrell

Died Dec. 27, 2014 Helen W. Kimbrell, 82, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014.

A native of Winder, she was a daughter of the late Beverette and Annie Mae Wright Williamson. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Ronald Allen, and three sons, Kenneth Allen, Darrell Allen and Phil Allen. She was a member of Bear Creek Baptist Church and was retired from Barrow Manufacturing.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, in Smith Memory Chapel with the Rev. Jack Segars, the Rev. Johnny Wright and Bill Franklin officiating.

Burial followed in Barrow Memorial Gardens.

Honored as pallbearers were Shane Prickett, Mitch Allen, Jeff Kiley, Jonathan Franklin, Zachary Wilson and Chase Wilson.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Randolph

Kimbrell; children, Patricia (Jimmy) Joy, Vickie (Danny) Wilson and Patricia (James) Smith; sisters, Reba Segars and Eloise Franklin; grandchildren, Kasie Ingram, Shane Prickett, Zachary Wilson, Chase Wilson and Brandon Smith; and greatgrandchildren, Jolee Ingram, Jaden Ingram, Carter Prickett, Reagan Cooper and Kiley Smith.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

Denver Early Knight

Died Dec. 19, 2014 Denver Early Knight, 84 of Alto, died Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.

Mr. Knight was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. He loved drag racing, hunting and gardening.

Survivors include his wife, Minnie Scoggins Knight; sons, Bruce Knight of North Carolina, Nolan Knight and wife Brenda of Alto, Dana Knight and wife Kelly of Braselton, Brooks Adair and wife Michelle of Loganville and Reed Adair, also of Loganville; daughters, Diane Hewett and husband Kenneth of Duluth and Robin Knight of North Carolina; brothers, Floyd Knight and wife Christine and Dewey Knight, all of North Carolina; 10 grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.

A memorial service will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at 117 Harley Drive in Alto. Contributions may be made in memory of Denver Knight.

Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

William Richard Langford Jr.

Died Dec. 26, 2014 William Richard Langford Jr., 72, of Maysville, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, at his residence.

Born in Pendergrass, he was a son of the late William Richard and Vivian Webb Langford Sr. He was a member of Holly Springs United Methodist Church and was a cattle and chicken rancher.

He was also a member of the Goldwing Riders Association and the Harley Owners Group. He enjoyed motorcycle riding as his hobby. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Pittman Langford; and grandson, Luke Langford Fyffe.

Survivors include his daughters, Lynn Langford (Sterling Howard) of Maysville, Ann Langford Hopkins (Ron) of Maysville and Cindy Langford Steinbrecher (Daniel) of Braselton; sisters, Sara Nichols of Pendergrass, Vikki Parham of Social Circle and Jackie Fichter of Flowery Branch; brother, Dwight Langford of Pendergrass; significant other, Debbie Turner of

Highway 82 in Statham. The pastor is Dr. Ronnie Healan. Call the church office at 770-7255164. sss New Hope Baptist Church will host the award-winning family southern gospel singing group The McKameys for a night of song on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m.

There is no admission fee, but a love offering will be accepted.

New Hope Baptist Church is located at 211 Stapler Drive in Nicholson. Call 706-658-6545. sss Cross Pointe Mill Creek is a church in the community for the community that meets at Mill Creek High School on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. with programming for all ages. Come experience a church where you and your family will feel at home and make a powerful difference in

Maysville and her daughter, Kayla Frady (Ethan) of Demorest; grandchildren, Storey Fyffe, Noah Steinbrecher, Addison Steinbrecher, Liam Steinbrecher, Ella Steinbrecher, Tripp Hopkins, Crew Hopkins and Bella Kayt Hopkins.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, at Holly Springs United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jerry Cameron and Mr. Bruce Wright officiating.

Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society – Mt. Vernon Golf Tournament, Attn: Bruce Wright, P.O. Box 649, Alto, GA 30510.

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

Shirley Ann Lovinggood

Died Dec. 26, 2014 Shirley Ann Lovinggood, 76 of Elberton, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2014.

She was a member of The Elberton Church of God. A nurse, she worked for Hartwell Heart Care Center. She was preceded in death by her parents, D.A. and Edna Powell Poole; husband, S. J. Lovinggood; and a son, Mark Lovinggood.

Survivors include sons, Joey Lovinggood (Del) of Winder and David Lovinggood (Donna) of Elberton; grandchildren, Jennifer McCoy, Matthew, Emily, Nicholas, Aundrea, Mellisa, Kelly and Sam Lovinggood; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, at The Elberton Church of God with the Rev. Tim Adams officiating. Interment will be in Elmhurst Cemetery in Elberton.

Smith Funeral Home, Winder The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

Sharon Darlene Mauldin

Died Dec. 25, 2014 Sharon Darlene Mauldin, 65, of Statham, died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in the Lawson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mike Vernatt and James Mauldin officiating. Interment followed in the Hoschton City Cemetery.

Lawson Funeral Home, Hoschton The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

Michael Hodges Mize

Died Dec. 25, 2014 Michael Hodges Mize, 60, of Winder, died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014.

Arrangements are being handled by Lawson Funeral Home, 4532 Highway 53, Hoschton, GA 30548, www. lawsonfuneralhome@windstream.net, 706-654-0966.

The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

Bertha Phillips Morris

Died Dec. 27, 2014 Bertha Phillips Morris, 98,

our community. You can find out more information at www. cpmillcreek.org or facebook. com/cpmillcreek The Rev. James Merritt is lead pastor. sss Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Flowery Branch invites you to worship with Father Bill Humble, the Rector of Holy Trinity, who leads the regular Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. in the Divine Liturgy.

There is a free clothing shop for those in need which is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Anyone who has new or slightly used winter clothing for all age children, men and women, especially coats, warm hats and gloves is encouraged to donate those items. Please help us help those in need.

Visit www. holytrinityflowerybranch. org and Holy Trinity Anglican Church on Facebook.

of Jefferson, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014.

Born in Jefferson, she was a daughter of the late John Robert and Onie Elizabeth Williams Phillips. She was a member of The Eastern Star and Walnut Fork Baptist Church. She was a homemaker who enjoyed canning fruits and vegetables from the garden she and her late husband, M.S. Morris, nurtured. She was also preceded in death by six brothers and three sisters. She was the last surviving member of her original family.

Survivors include her sons and their wives, Mike and Ada Morris of Winder and Stanley and Janet Morris of Jefferson; granddaughter; Amanda Hester and her husband Dale; and greatgrandchildren, Hayden and Addison Hester.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 a.m. to the hour of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Regional Office, 886 Mulberry Street, Macon, Georgia 31201.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Regional Office, 886 Mulberry St., Macon, GA 31201.

Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

Guy Owen Pittman

Died Dec. 25, 2014 Guy Owen Pittman, 97, of Jefferson, died Thursday Dec. 25, 2014.

Born in Jefferson, he was a son of the late Guy T. Pittman and the late Irene Brown Pittman. He was a retired lawyer with Equifax and was a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving in World War II. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Frances Braddock Pittman.

The funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, in the chapel of Evans Funeral Home. Burial followed in Jackson Memorial Park.

He survived by a special friend, Jennie Snare of Commerce.

Memorials may be made to the Bethany United Methodist Church, 4659 Brockton Road, Jefferson, GA 30549 Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

Wanda Marie Reed

Died Dec. 22, 2014 Wanda Marie Reed, 74, of Braselton, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2014 at her residence.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in the chapel of Memorial Park South Funeral Home

with interment following at Memorial Park South Cemetery. The Rev. Gary Wilson officiated.

Born July 8, 1940, in Gainesville, she was a daughter of the late Roy and Jeanette Browning. Raised in Hall County, she had resided in Gilbert, Ariz., for the last 25 years and had just moved back to the area. Mrs. Reed was a member of Cross Point Baptist Church in Tempe, Ariz., and a former member of Corinth Baptist Church in Gainesville.

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, David Reed; sons and daughtersin-law, Jeff and Chere Reed of Braselton and Chuck and Trellis Reed of Gainesville; 10 grandchildren; two greatgrandchildren; brother, Phillip Browning of Cleveland, Georgia; sisters, Lavonia Shirley of Pensacola, Fla., and Glenna Chapman of Tampa, Fla.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Janice and Raymond Kenny of Pensacola, Fla., and Dinah and Dennis Lynch of Covington,; sister-in-law, Nancy Browning; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to Eagle Ranch, P.O. Box 7200, Chestnut Mountain, GA 30502, 770967-8500.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, Flowery Branch The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

Opal Hammons Slusher

Died Dec. 27, 2014 Opal Hammons Slusher, 86, of Winder, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, after an extended illness.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, in the Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel with Dr. Frank Cox officiating. Interment followed in Hamilton Mill Memorial Gardens.

Survivors include her children, Charles Mills and wife, Pauline, of Flowery Branch, Rhonda Gillespie and husband Bill, of Commerce, Donna Lee and husband, Pete, or Winder, Gloria Kolleda and husband, Bruce, and Jeff Slusher and wife, Lisa, all of Lawrenceville; grandchildren, Tim Mills, Roger Mills, Jonathon Mills, Kimberly Roberts, Angie McCurry, Eric Lee, Amber Adams, Kyle Kolleda, Natalie Tarpein, Alan Kolleda, Joe Slusher, Charles Slusher, Jake Slusher and John Slusher; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and sisters, Irma Hubbs of Port Orange, Fla., and Neva Kaplan and husband Milt, of Barbourville, Ky. Born in Stinking Creek, Ky., she had lived in the Atlanta area for the past 45 years. She retired as a technician at Ciba Vision and was of the Christian faith.

Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, Buford The Paper, Jan. 1, 2015

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5A

Making keepable resolutions It is the season of those wonderful New Year’s resolutions. I don’t know what bothers me the most, making them or breaking them.

Back in the 1980s, someone asked me what sign I was born under. I’m pretty sure it was a sign reading “All You Can Eat Buffet.”

Just as soon as I get through dreaming of a white Christmas, I start dreaming of a smaller girth. I usually wake up hungry from that dream.

When I was a boy, clothing makers used polite names such as “husky” to describe lads like me. At first, I wasn’t offended by that term. Then I realized it was the same name they used for dogs from Siberia who are used to pull crosscountry sleds.

After you get a few years older, you graduate to the big and tall department.

I remember the first time I ventured into that territory. A sales clerk asked me which of the two I was looking for. I’m 5-foot-4, do you think I’m looking for tall?

Every year, I think this is the year. Then, I see those old girls who I’ve hung out with for decades. You know them: Betty Crocker, Aunt Jemima, Mrs. Fields, Little Debbie and Sara Lee, just to name a few.

Will I resolve to lose weight and exercise more?

As sure as grits are groceries I will. Succeed? Let’s hope so.

If this is your year to lose weight, more power to you.

In the meantime, I think I’m going to focus on some much smaller resolutions I can complete and feel good about. On top of that, I have 365 days to make them happen.

■■ I want to write more — not columns. One per week is plenty. I want to dust off my stationery and write people for no particular reason. Just to say thanks or I care or you mean so much to me. Emails are a cop-out.

Harris Blackwood It takes a little thought to put pen to paper.

■■ Call people for no reason. There are some people who I would like to call and just say hello. Maybe they’re not the Internet type and a phone call would make their day.

■■ Do something nice for someone on just any day.

Buy someone a bouquet of flowers on a day that is not their birthday or take a sick friend some hot chicken soup. Sometimes people just need a little touch on an ordinary day.

■■ Attend the funeral of a stranger. Ask local funeral directors if they occasionally have customers who have few friends or family.

I want to just go and pay my respects to someone who deserves a little kindness as they leave this world.

■■ Go visit someone when you don’t know what to say. Your action of showing you care will speak volumes.

■■ Give a kid a dollar for no reason. A man did that for me one day and I thought it was a great moment. I still think about it.

I can add more to this list, but you get the idea. This is a list of resolutions I can really do something about and I would imagine some of them would get repeated.

If I stay busy enough with things like this, I won’t have time for a snack.

Happy New Year!

Harris Blackwood is a Gainesville resident whose columns appear weekly.

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

Please include name, hometown and phone number.

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

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

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

Publisher Charlotte Atkins General Manager Norman Baggs Editor LeAnne Akin

Steve Kelley Creators Syndicate

Looking back before I look forward When the New Year arrives every year I, like most, look forward to the next 12 months filled with promise, opportunity and a chance to reform from bad habits.

I’ve already done that.

In early November, I went on a serious diet instead of waiting until mid-January.

Tink was puzzled.

“Don’t do that now. The holidays are coming,” he said.

I knew that but my clothes were getting tight so I knew that if I waited, I would spend two months worrying over what to wear that would fit properly.

“Besides,” I said, “if I wait, I’ll probably gain more weight.” I plunged in and triumphed over temptation.

I don’t need to resolve to exercise more. I did that in good measure in 2014. I ran faithfully a few times a week — even in the humid, unrelenting summer — and six months ago, I bought a fantastic Pilates machine to which I am equally faithful.

It would be useless to vow to work harder or even smarter. My work days are routinely 12 to 14 hours, leaving Tink to say often, “You are the hardest

Ronda Rich working person I have ever seen.” I still fall short of doing all I’d like but I’m not a slacker. I can live with that.

So, instead of using this time to look forward, I’d like to look back at three people who left our lives in 2014 and pay tribute to what each taught me.

Dot Burkett was the first and, for our family, the most painful. What seemed to be simple indigestion was, in truth, malicious pancreatic cancer. We prayed, we cried — then, less than a month after diagnosis, we sorrowed together under the searing July midday sun.

There was no finer Southern woman. That would be impossible. She spoke sweetly — always — with a soft, Southern drawl. She placed the utmost importance on family and when it came to cooking, no one

was a finer Southern cook than Miss Dot. Her devotion to the Lord, church, Sunday School and her mission group were legendary so when we lost her, we lost both good food and a prayer warrior of unmatched proportion. Six days before she was called to her heavenly reward, I received a handwritten thank you note for several books I had sent for her to read during chemo. I keep it in the piece of orange pottery on my kitchen island to remind me — good manners should prevail until the end.

Don Light, historic in Nashville as a powerbroker and star-maker, died two weeks after sweet Dot. He had guided me and mentored me since I was 21. He did so much with his life, beginning with his time as a drummer on the Grand Ole Opry. He was a founding director of the Gospel Music Association and the man credited with discovering and launching the American icon known as Jimmy Buffett. His memorial service paid tribute to his accomplishments and the lives he touched.

Mine was one. He called

every birthday without fail.

I still have his voicemail from my last birthday and will miss it in a few weeks.

A Chinese proverb says, “When an old man dies, a library burns down.” That was Don Light. He took a library of wisdom, experience, and knowledge with him. I shall miss his friendship and counsel.

Gene Palmer touched my life in a way that few might understand. He passed softly into the night, touching the hand of the Lord as he crossed the River Jordan. Few men have known more trouble on earth or caused more trouble than my friend, Gene, yet his lesson remains: People can change.

Our cynicism screams “No!” But they can. As Gene would tell you if he were here, “Jesus can do anything. Just look at me.”

My life is better for knowing these three people. Now, it’s much sadder for the losses.

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

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

Sheriff ’s Youth Homes helping children As we close out the year of 2014, we would like to thank everyone who donated toys and food for our Christmas drive. We were able to furnish toys to approximately 80 children, in addition to furnishing toys to Commerce Police Department and the Jefferson Fire Department to distribute. Through your generous donations, Christmas was much brighter for many kids.

During December, the Sheriff’s Office hosted a Mid-Atlantic Wrestling event at Jackson County Comprehensive High School. his event was a fundraiser for the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes and $7,000 was raised for these kids.

We also held a golf tournament in April 2014 for the Youth Homes.

Each year, citizens of Jackson County will receive letters asking for support for the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes. Some of you may ask, why support children in other counties, but we would like to explain the Youth Homes to you.

Many of us grew up watching Sheriff Andy Griffith as he portrayed the role of shepherd protecting the sheep of Mayberry. The principle that made the show a success is the same principle that inspired the Sheriffs of Georgia to adopt a new strategy in the 1950’s in an effort to protect “their” own sheep.

In the late 1950’s, the growing population of neglected, abused and abandoned children became more apparent. The Georgia Sheriffs quickly realized it was an epidemic that needed to be addressed. The Sheriff’s began taking steps toward a better future by building safe and secure homes for these children.

In the 1960’s the first Youth Home, the Boys Ranch, was opened. The Boys Ranch then merged with Cherokee Boys Estate to form the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes, Inc. Eventually, three additional homes were opened.

From the beginning to the present, the campuses have achieved their sole purpose of protecting and preserving Georgia’s youth.

It’s safe to say Georgia’s Sheriffs are fulfilling their roles as shepherds and are protecting their sheep.

Sheriff Janis Mangum The Youth Homes can nurture 160 children through residential care and hundreds in other Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes programs. Therefore, it’s safe to say Georgia’s Sheriffs are fulfilling their roles as shepherds and are protecting their sheep.

The cost associated with these homes weighs heavily on the Sheriff’s Association and public assistance is continuously needed. Charitable contributions are welcome at all times.

Take a look at their website to get further information.

The following are the locations of the Youth Homes in Georgia: ■■ Boys Ranch in Hahira ■■ Cherokee Estate in Dalton ■■ Pineland in LaGrange ■■ Mountain View in Chatsworth and ■■ Herrington Homestead in Nunez Many years ago, Jackson County School Superintendent Dr. April Howard, who was at that time a principal, saw a need in a child’s life. Sheriff Evans shared with me about the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes and a process was started to try to get this child placed there. During this time, we traveled to Pineland for an interview and that is when I saw that children in need could have a chance at a decent life in the Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes. Sheriff Evans started the paperwork and this young person went to Pineland and stayed until graduation from High School.

The Georgia Sheriff’s Youth Homes are available to children of Jackson

Sheriff Janis Mangum County, as well as children throughout the State of Georgia. If you are familiar with a family who may be struggling and need assistance, please contact me for more information.

Children have it tough growing up in the times we live in. Children need structure, guidance, and discipline in their lives. But most of all, children need love. Some never hear those three little words “I love you,” which is what they need to hear the most.

So the next time, you get that letter asking for support of the Georgia Sheriffs Youth Homes, you will have a more clear understanding of what it is all about.

If you have 30 minutes to spare a week, sign up to be a mentor through Lindsay’s Legacy program. There are children in all of our schools who need mentors. Kids need someone to encourage them. You will be surprised that difference you can make in their life.

Thank you all for your continued support of the Sheriff’s Office, while we support the children of Jackson County and the State of Georgia.

God Bless, Janis Jackson County Sheriff Janis Magnum is a lifelong resident of Jackson County, having grown up in the Jefferson community and attending Jefferson City Schools. Her office can be reached at 706-367-1199. Visit www. jacksoncountysheriff.us or follow her on Facebook.

6A

CLUBS

The Paper | Thursday, January 1, 2015

Girl Scouts help spread holiday cheer to others For the third consecutive year, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Troop 7430 celebrated the holidays with the community by caring and participating in various activities.

The girls took part in activities which build character, confidence and courage.

They made in-kind donations to the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta which included a range of items from CDs to doll sets.

They were part of the Christmas Stroll n Roll parade in Flowery Branch and brought smiles to many folks by caroling at The Oaks Senior Living Center in Braselton plus Ivy Springs Manor Senior Living Center in Buford on Dec. 20.

They generously donated to local children from various counties within the state of Georgia through the InKind Donations program from the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“These amazing scouts went beyond what was expected and contributed again for the third consecutive year,” said Scout Leader Linda Gonzales. “I had a Junior Scout say, ‘I enjoy giving gifts to other kids my age. It makes me feel happy that I helped them have a great Christmas.’”

Girl Scout Troop 7430 participated for the third time in the annual Stroll n Roll Christmas Parade in Flowery Branch on Dec.6.

Some of the them rode their decorated scooters while the other Girl Souts in the troop handed out candy canes to the crowd. Most of them wore their Santa hats as they engaged with their community during and after the festive event despite the rain.

A Brownie scout said, “I like riding my scooter with the troop in the parade.”

These Girl Sxouts are a good example of sisterhood because they help each other constantly and kindly unite with other scouts, say their leaders. Each level completes activities that may vary yet they still embrace their sisterhood while earning their patches.

Troop 7430 enjoyed caroling along with Cub Scout Pack 151 on Dec. 20. Each Girl Scout and Cub Scout had a little booklet with carols.

They courageously sang several carols at each location in Braselton and Buford and then mingled with the folks a bit after handing out reindeer candy canes.

“I am extremely proud of them for their awesome performance -they are a wonderful group of girls!

Girl Scout Ava Williams says, “I liked singing Feliz Navidad” and then Girl Scout Elena Gonzales said, “Me, too and next time we can bring some figgy pudding.”

Elena I. Gonzales took her time talking and making friends with the audience after caroling. (pic with scout in red tutu) “They gained valuable character skills that they can utilize throughout life aside scout patches,” said Linda Gonzales. “The Girl Scouts are looking forward to repeating this activity next year with the Cub Scouts of Pack 151 from Flowery Branch and Hoschton area and that is wonderful.”

Girl Scouts in Troop 7430 of Greater Atlanta are Junior Level: Tegan Deschenes, Andrea Contreras, Elena I. Gonzales, Sara Boyd, Bella Rendas and Paris Malcolm; and Brownie Level: Ava Williams, Tatum Caruthers, Julia Caron, Bennie Roberts, Kori Mitchell, Maddox Wilson, Cheyenna Lennox, Brooke Kamarad, Nylah Anderson, Grace Ryan, Eva Doyne and Amanda Hartig.

Jackson County 4-H was represented by Emme Griffieth, Andie Ellett and Samantha Mooney at the Junior Conference where the club earned second place in most collected for Northeast Georgia.

4-H’ers attend conference

The Girls Scouts, pictured in front of the Christmas tree, provided donations to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for the third consecutive year. The Scouts joined with Cub Scout Pack 151 for caroling (below) Their co-leaders are Linda Gonzales, Sue Williams,

Kelly Deschenes and Michaela Ryan.

More than 617 volunteers, teen leaders, junior participants, and 4-H staff gathered at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton from Nov. 8-9 to attend the annual Georgia 4-H Junior Conference, a 26-hour event filled with community service projects, classes, workshops and fun activities.

Participants from Jackson were Andie Ellett, Emme Griffieth, Samantha Mooney and 4-H Agent Keri Hobbs.

Junior conference is a state wide event designed for Junior 4-H’ers ( 7th and 8th graders) to experience belonging to a group of peers, demonstrate generosity through service projects, master subject matter through classes and workshops and exercise independence as they learn about possibilities available through Georgia 4-H. Also providing an opportunity to build leadership skills, youth have the chance to represent their peers by serving on a Junior Board of Directors which works with an adult committee to plan the conference.

Representing Jackson County on the Junior Board of Directors was Andie Ellett, an eighth grader at West Jackson Middle School.

Classes instructed by high school 4-H’ers and adult volunteers included curriculum on healthy living and bullying prevention.

Andie Ellett displayed her exhibit on meningeal worms in llamas in the Exhibit Fair.

The conference also provided a variety of entertainment and recreation such as a dance; color run; an amazing race; inflatables; a performance by Clovers & Company, the Georgia 4-H Performing Arts group; and multiple games such as Frisbee golf, flag football, ultimate Frisbee, relay races and a talent show. Speakers included greetings from the State 4-H President and a 4-H staff member who started as a 4-H’er in the fifth grade and where his 4-H road has taken him.

Service projects, which were designed by 4-H’ers, provided participants with the opportunity to exhibit generosity and benevolence. Together, the 4-H’ers, 4-H staff, and teen leaders collected over 8467 items to fill Christmas stockings for deployed military troops, sewed 70 stockings, wrote

more than 166 letters for military troops and 650 cards and brought 906 canned foods for local food banks.

4-H’ers also collected $433 in change to be donated to 4-H families who are currently facing cancer treatments. In addition to the outstanding service projects, 4-H’ers continued their 12-year tradition and collectng and selling pop tabs to benefit the Ronald McDonald Houses of Georgia. This year 4-H’ers collected around 14,000 pounds of pop tabs for a total donation value of around $9,000. This year the donation will go to the Ronald McDonald House at Peachtree-Dunwoody Road in Atlanta. The project began in 2002 when seventh and eighth grade 4-H’ers presented the idea to 4-H administration.

Since that date, 4-H’ers have raised more than $88,000 to support Ronald McDonald Houses across the state by selling 143,236 pounds of pop tabs.

Jackson County 4-H’ers contributed 231 pounds of poptabs; earning second place in most collected for Northeast Georgia.

Students at Gum Springs Elementary collected the most tabs in Jackson County followed by East Jackson Elementary.

The date for next year’s Georgia 4-H Junior Conference is set for Nov. 14-15, 2015.

Georgia 4-H provides fun, exciting and educational events year round for all youth ages 9-19. For more information, contact your local County Extension Office http:// www.caes.uga.edu/extension/office.cfm or call 1-800-ASK-UGA1.

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Open Sun – Thur 11am-10pm: Fri & Sat 11am – 10:30pm

Tuesdays - $1.00 12 oz draft beer Wednesdays - $2.75 12 oz Margaritas Mixed Drinks, Beer & Wine Served Everyday 55 Freedom Parkway, Hoschton 30548

706-824-0209

www.lagunamexicangrill.com

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We are excited to announce that our patients in Barrow and Jackson Counties will now have access every weekday to the primary care services and easy access to specialists, labs, imaging & pharmacy services that we have been proud to provide the community since 1983 in our Lawrenceville Clinic.

WALK-IN PATIENTS WELCOME! Please call ahead so we can better serve you.

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Auburn 1383 Atlanta Hwy 678-407-7891

Winder 175 N. Broad St. 770-868-1144

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Jefferson 2784 Winder Hwy 706-367-1894

www.GwinnettCliniC.com

CMYK Thursday, January 1, 2015

Sports

B

Hawks blow by Bulldogs at West Forsyth Christmas Tournament; Lady Rebels trek south, upend Lady Hawks

BY CHARLES PHELPS

cphelps@clickthepaper.com

CUMMING – The Mill Creek Hawks’ basketball team delivered a 69-46 win over the Forsyth Central Bulldogs last Saturday at the West Forsyth Christmas Tournament.

Shaheim Powell led the Hawks’ scoring with 15 points.

Scotty Chadwick and Evan Richardson each added 10 points.

MCHS head coach Chad Rogers said the “focal point” at halftime was to get the ball inside and score. In the second half, that’s exactly what they did.

“I’m proud of the boys for following through. The execution was excellent,” Rogers stated. “We looked 10 times (better).

We are going to have to knockdown threes and outside shots.”

The Hawks never trailed during the victory and found themselves in a tie twice (0-0, 2-2). Powell and Davion Clark both scored four points as MCHS took a 15-9 lead into the second quarter. They also ended the quarter on a 4-0 run and continued it as the second quarter began, scoring the quarter’s first six points to extend the lead to 21-9.

Powell scored five points in the quarter and Chadwick added four points. The Bulldogs rallied to cut their half-time deficit to eight points, 36-28.

At the start of the third quarter, the Hawks again began with a 6-0 run to separate themselves from the Bulldogs. Powell scored six points in the quarter, while Chadwick added four points for the second consecutive quarter.

The Hawks outscored the Bulldogs 22-10 in third quarter.

Richardson scored four of his 10 points in the fourth quarter. Christian Mancillas and Keetone Glover each added a bucket as well.

The Hawks’ defense gave up only eight points in the final quarter.

“We didn’t change anything,” Rogers said. “We’ve seen that throughout the season. We just want to continue to hold ourselves to that excellence and that effort of everyone running the floor and getting after it defensively.”

Charles Phelps The Paper

Mill Creek’s Charles Botchway scores against Forsyth Central.

Lady Rebels 58, Lady Hawks 50 Tatum Ragsdale dropped 14 points including eight points in the second half in last Saturday’s loss to Maryville (Tenn.)

High School.

“Those Tennessee teams are always very fundamentally sound,” Mill Creek head coach Ashley Phillips said. “They

Late fouls stall Lady Tigers’against Madison Co.; boys’ team scores season-high 61

BY COLIN HUBBARD

sports@clickthepaper.com

COMMERCE — The Commerce Lady Tigers came off arguably its best win of the season over in-county-rival Jackson County a week ago.

Standout freshman Mya Jones has had her way scoring the basket over the course of the season including a 40-point performance earlier this season and is averaging over 20 points per game.

Headed into the Commerce Christmas Tournament, which they hosted, the Lady Tigers wanted to have a strong outing in the first round when they tipped-off with the Madison County Lady Red Raiders last Saturday night.

The back-and-forth affair ended with the Lady Tigers suffering a 64-52 loss.

“Last Tuesday night, we played the game of the season against Jackson County,” Commerce head coach Brad Puckett stated, “and, tonight we looked like we didn’t have a clue what we were doing.”

The Lady Tigers came out of the gate very slow, turning the ball over three times which gave the Lady Red Raiders an early 7-0 lead.

Mya Jones scored the Lady Tigers’ first six points to cut the deficit to 9-6.

On CHS’ next possession, Brasha Jones tied the game at 9-9, but MCHS answered with a 13-4 run and led 22-13 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the teams trade shots. CHS was outscored by two points and trailed by 11 at halftime, 35-24.

Mya Jones was held to 1 of 7 shooting in the second, but had nine points at halftime.

The third quarter got underway and the Lady Tigers began to click on both sides of the ball. Mya Jones began to sink shots on her way to eight third-quarter points.

Sister, Brasha Jones, added two 3-pointers and Asia Jones added two free throws.

The Jones’ sisters combined for all 16 thirdquarter points and the Lady Tigers and Lady Red Raiders were tied at 40-40 going into the fourth quarter.

Mya Jones sat at a game-high 17 points in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Red Raiders went to the free-throw line 10 times in the final quarter and Mya Jones found herself on the bench after a technical foul, which allowed Asia Jones to finish the game with a game-high 18 points.

The three sisters finished the game with 45 of the team’s 52 points.

“The technical foul deflated us,” Puckett said. “You could see shoulders sag on the court. I’m not going to make excuses for us because it is what it is, but we are playing like a very young and immature team right now.

“We are starting three freshmen, a sophomore and a junior, and we’re playing like it.

Our attitudes are killing us right now. Until we can figure out how to play the game with passion and how to overcome adversity, then we’re not going to get a whole lot better,” he continued. “I guess I need to start making practices so hard that they start to learn how to handle adversity. I thought that practices we’re hard, but I’ve got to raise the bar in the coming days.”

have a lot of shooters. They really know how to play.

“They exploited some things in the first half and we really struggled with our shooting. We (had) a couple of kids who made some shots in the first (half), but not a lot. We only scored, what, 20 first-half points, so we were struggling against their zone.”

Madison Phillips and Meredith Schulte each scored 13 points. Schulte scored seven points in the fourth quarter. Phillips scored 10 points in the first half, seven in the first quarter.

Even with Phillips’ strong opening quarter, the Lady Hawks trailed 14-11 and saw the deficit grow to eight by halftime, 28-20.

However, a 9-0 run early in the third quarter drew the Lady Hawks even with the Lady Rebels, 31-31.

Maryville opened the lead back up to 36-31 but five-unanswered points by MCHS tied the game at 36-36 heading into the final quarter of play.

After a Schulte free throw to start the fourth quarter, the Lady Hawks held their final lead of the game as the Lady Rebels went on a 15-2 run to take control of the game.

“We executed better in the second half against the zone,” Phillips said.

He also cited fatigue as a factor and the lack of subbing players in and out in the second half as the squad was making the potential-come-from-behind run.

“That’s a tough call when you’re making a run. Do you want to sub and make sure they don’t get tired,” he explained. “If you do, you disrupt the run. I made a decision not to sub and it may have come back to hurt us a little bit.

“But, down the stretch, what I saw was they (Maryville) made shots. We missed shots. We didn’t really turn the ball over. We got pretty good shots but we just weren’t putting them in and they were. Sometimes it is as simple as that. We need to do a better job of converting our opportunities.”

The Lady Rebels scored 22 points in the fourth quarter and built the lead to as much as 51-39 before putting the game away at its final score.

Leopards faster than Panthers at Commerce Christmas Tournament a quarter as they finished the night shooting 38 percent from the field on 23 of 61 shooting and just 21 percent from three-point range.

“I keep telling my players that this season is a marathon, not a sprint,” Butler said. “We just need to be playing our best basketball at the end of the season and we will get there.”

Madison County 72, Commerce 61 The Commerce Tigers started the season off 2-8 and had suffered three consecutive losses when they headed into play against the Madison County Red Raiders last Saturday.

The Tigers scored a season-high 61 points, but it wasn’t enough to get past the Red Raiders.

KJ Jones led the Tigers’ scoring with 14 points, going 7 of 9 from the free-throw line.

Kirk Vaughn added 13 points, respectively, 10 of which came in the second half.

Commerce traded shots with the Red Raiders and held a 9-8 lead midway through the first quarter, but trailed headed into the second.

The second quarter did not go the Tigers’ way as turnovers and missed opportunities piled up.

They shot 37 percent from the field to Madison’s 48 percent.

Jones led Commerce in scoring at the break with nine points. The team trailed at the half, 40-24.

“We got down a big enough deficit to where it was very difficult to fight and claw our way back into the game,” Commerce head coach Drew Williams stated. “We only had five rebounds in the first half. They (MCHS) dominated on the offensive boards and we just could not box them out to give us a chance to score.”

The Tigers came out in the second half very strong, knocking down five of their first six shots to cut the lead to as little as seven and they outscored Madison County 37-32 in the second half.

“If we can ever put four quarters of basketball together, we’re going to be a dangerous team,” Williams explained. “But, for whatever reason we just can’t do it right now.

That’s what it boils down to.

“We need maximum effort. It seems like we let off for a quarter every game, so we will need maximum effort moving forward to get better and win ball games.”

Colin Hubbard The Paper

Commerce Lady Tiger Mya Jones puts up a shot.

Lady Leopards 52, Lady Panthers 28

Colin Hubbard The Paper

Jackson County’s Malique Wade puts up a shot during last Saturday’s game against the Banks County Leopards.

BY COLIN HUBBARD

sports@clickthepaper.com

COMMERCE — The Jackson County Panthers were coming off of a good win against the Commerce Tigers and a hard-fought loss to Madison County headed into play last Saturday.

But, the Panthers ran into a 10-1 Banks County team in the Commerce Christmas Tournament and fell 78-56.

Jackson County was led by Christian Smith, who had 12 points on 5 of 10 shooting, followed by 10 points each from Malique Wade and Joel Ellis.

“We knew coming in that this would be a good challenge for us in playing a great team like Banks County,” Jackson County head coach Chuck Butler said. “Their strength is our weakness. They have all the size, especially in rebounding, so it was a tough task for us tonight.”

The Panthers found themselves down 5-0 early, but fought back to cut the lead to two midway through the first quarter. But, the Leopards charged to a 17-11 lead by the end of the quarter.

The Panthers jumped out to a quick 5-0 run in the second quarter behind a Smith 3-pointer and two free throws by Stephen Fogarty.

Later, Smith connected for another three to cut the lead to 23-19, but the Leopards answered with a three of their own by Travne Cain to give them a seven-point advantage.

They increased their lead to 14 (37-23) at halftime behind 10 points from the team’s 6-foot-7 center, Austin Venable.

“Technical fouls in the second quarter really swung the game for us as well,” Butler explained. “When you compound technical fouls with personal fouls, that can put a game out of reach.”

Venable and the Leopards continued to dominate in the paint as he added another five points, giving them a 23-point lead going into the fourth quarter.

No Panther scored more than four points in

In what has been an up and down season for the Jackson County Lady Panthers, in which they have overcome illness, adversity and anything else thrown at them, they sat at 5-6 on the year headed into the Commerce Christmas Tournament against the Banks County Lady Leopards.

However, the game did not go as planned in the 24-point loss.

Ashlyn Loudermilk led the Lady Panthers’ scoring with 14 points and six rebounds, going a perfect 6 of 6 from the field.

Standout player Briana Love, who leads the team in scoring this year, went 2 of 9 from the field and finished with five points.

“Our biggest test we had coming into this game was our defense,” head coach Julie McCutcheon said. “We wanted to shut down Jody Milford of Banks County because of her ability to take over a game and we held her to three points, so we did a good job of that.

“But, Banks County is a good team, so it was going to take more than that and it didn’t go our way tonight.”

The Lady Panthers jumped out to an early 8-3 lead, but the Lady Leopards answered with a 9-0 run to close out the first quarter with a 12-8 advantage.

The second quarter was disastrous for the Lady Panthers. They shot 40 percent from the field in the second but made only four shots and piled on the turnovers to find themselves down big at the half, 34-16.

Loudermilk managed to score 10 points in the second half, but that was the only bright spot.

“We had way too many turnovers in this game,” McCutcheon stated. “I wasn’t pleased with that, but our effort was good. We can fix those problems in practice.

“Our youth came back out today, so we just have to continue to work hard in practice, fix the things we need to fix and be ready to go for our next game.”

We knew coming in that this would be a good challenge for us in playing a great team, like Banks County.

Chuck Butler Jackson County boys’ basketball coach

LOCAL sports

local baseball

local sports

Jackson County Hall of Fame nominations

Jackson County baseball clinics

Sports action this weekend

Jackson County athletic director Adam Lindsey will be accepting Hall of Fame nominations for the 2015 class of the Jackson County Comprehensive High School Athletics Hall of Fame until today. E-mail nomination forms to alindsey@jackson.k12.ga.us. For more information on the by-laws/eligibility requirements for nominees and committee members, visit jcpantherathletics.com and click the Hall of Fame tab.

Jackson County baseball head coach Tommy Fountain host the Future Panther Winter Hitting/Pitching clinics at the Jackson County Comprehensive High School baseball field and hitting facility. The cost is $40, if attending both clincs ($25 if attending one). The pitching clinic runs from Monday, Jan. 12-15. The hitting clinic runs from Thursday, Jan. 22-24. For more information and/or questions, contact Coach Fountain at 770-5308975 or tfountain@jackson.k12.ga.us.

Jefferson basketball is at Commerce on Saturday, while the Dragons’ wrestling squad is in Rochester, Minn. Mill Creek basketball is home against Dacula. The wrestling team is at Archer High School. The Hawks’ swim team competes at Collins Hill High School. The Jackson County wrestling team competes at the Gladiator Duals at Clarke Central High School. East Jackson basketball competes at Banks County.

2B

sports

The Paper | Thursday, January 1, 2015

2014: Year In Review Through Photos Doug Chellew The Paper

The 2014 sports year was full of magical moments and memories. Jefferson wrestling continued to show its dominance. Jefferson football went undefeated during the regular season and produced nine First Team All-Region players. Mill Creek football caught fire the second half of the season and finished second in Region 7-AAAAAA. Jackson County softball won the region championship behind strong senior leadership and the Kennedy brothers propelled East Jackson cross country into a new stratusphere. Enjoy the pictures of 2014.

Photos by Doug Chellew

CMYK Thursday, December 1, 2015

features

3B

Literacy Ball – A Novel Affair in Winder celebrates 22nd annual event Adult Literacy Barrow, formerly known as WinderBarrow Coalition for Adult and Continuing Education, urges support of the 22nd annual Literacy Ball to be held on Jan. 24, 2015, at the Winder Community Center.

The Adult Literacy Program in Barrow County emerged in the early 1990s as a result of concern and interest by the Winder Women’s Club led by then president, Beth Caldwell, and the Barrow County Board of Education.

Pam McGee was hired as Executive Director of the program. At that time, 42 percent of adults over age 25 residing in the county were classified as illiterate.

Today, through the efforts of the Winder Women’s Club, Lanier Technical College, local governments, business partners, schools, libraries and individuals, the illiteracy rate in the county has fallen to below 20 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Understanding that the “greatest barrier to economic development and growth is the absence of a literate workforce,” on Aug. 5, 1993, Barrow County became a participant in the Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP) project sponsored by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Council on Adult Literacy.

The CLCP asks a community to establish a non-profit network made of business, church, volunteer, social service, local government and schools, media and other efforts in the community to reach, influence and support those who want to improve the education. (Technical College System of Georgia website.).

The first annual Literacy Ball was held in December of 1993.

In 1999, Dr. Ron Saunders, then Barrow County School Superintendent, enlisted the help of Lisa Maloof, then CLCP Director for Barrow County, to entice a college to come to Barrow County. They began working with the City of Winder and then Mayor Buddy Ouzts to secure space.

Their efforts resulted in Lanier Technical College’s Barrow County Campus.

Duckhead Manufacturing Company donated the building previously occupied by Duckhead and its predecessor, Carwood Manufacturing Company, to the City of Winder for lease by Lanier Technical College who provided space and equipment for the Barrow County Adult Literacy Program.

On July 10, 2003, Barrow County became the seventh Certified Literate Community in the State of Georgia. Following Maloof, Sherri Perry became CLCP Director.

Today, the Adult Learning Center in Winder provides basic courses in reading, English (and ESL), math, etc. to prepare adult students to take the GED exam and allow them the opportunity to further their educations by enrolling in a college.

Many graduates of the Adult Literacy Program are then able to apply and join the regular student population of any college. In Barrow County, Lanier Technical College gives them this opportunity without traveling outside of the county. Having a college “right here in Barrow County” is a huge asset. The college not only allows those seeking a specific skill or trade (automotive, welding, nursing, etc.) to further their educations but it gives all residents of Barrow County the opportunity to take college level core courses which are transferable to any institution of higher learning within the University System of Georgia (i.e., UGA, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern, etc.) or another college within the Technical College System of Georgia.

In January, 2015, Lanier Technical College will open

its new campus at 965 Austin Road, Winder next door to Barrow County’s new Sims Academy, and the Adult Literacy Program will occupy the current Lanier Technical College facility on Athens Street in Winder. Of important note, Lanier Technical College was recently named the best technical college in the State of Georgia. This designation was, in part, due to their efforts in Adult Literacy.

At the 2014 Literacy Ball, Beth Magness was honored for her 20-plus years of service to the literacy program. She serves as Lead Instructor for the program. Dr. Ron Saunders, former Barrow County School Superintendent, serves as Executive Director of Adult Literacy Barrow. Instructors include Sally Brown, Chuck Brown, Larry Germain, Steve Miller, Glenna Seeley, Barbara Smith, Mildred Anderson, Belinda Arrington, Helen Barr (volunteer), Jill Deal (volunteer), Eleanor Green (volunteer), Kathy Saunders (volunteer), Delores Simpson, Loretta Vail, Nina Williams, and Dana Wildsmith who is lead English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor.

Improving education results in an advanced workforce; an advanced workforce results in a better economy. Adult Literacy is a “win-win” situation for every resident in Barrow County no matter what your economic level.

The Literacy Ball is the primary fundraiser for the Adult Literacy Program. Volunteers begin planning the event immediately following the conclusion of the previous year’s event.

Lynn Hammond is again chairing the volunteer group.

Volunteers include: Sherri Perry, co-chairwoman, Dr. Ron Saunders, Sandra Brown, Rushia Cooper, Kelly Holliday, Jannie Jennings, Lisa Maloof, Kelly McDaniel, Marilyn McKendrick, Victoria Patrick, Janet Segars, Stephanie Sorrells, Gayle Steed and Susan Wages .

Funds raised from the Literacy Ball support Adult Literacy instruction, GED exam scholarships, college scholarships for GED graduates, matching funds to secure grant funding and English Literacy instruction.

Businesses are encouraged to sponsor the event through their tax deductible donations at the Platinum ($1,000 includes eight tickets to the Ball), Gold ($750 includes six tickets), Silver ($500 includes four tickets) and Bronze ($250 includes two tickets) levels. For the first time, the Literacy Ball Committee sought a “Presenting” sponsor which resulted in South State Bank’s generous donation of $3,000.

The annual Literacy Ball – A Novel Affair brings together almost 300 friends and dignitaries to support Barrow County’s Adult Literacy Program. Black tie is optional.

For the third year in a row, the Band of Gold will provide the music. The event will be catered by Cornbread & Caviar, and Top Dawg Tavern will host the cash bar. Many local residents have donated items to be raffled during the event.

Hors d’oeuvres will be served starting at 6:30 p.m.; dinner will be served at 7 p.m. and the live music and raffle will begin around 8 p.m.

Any business seeking to sponsor the Ball is asked to contact Dr. Ron Saunders, Executive Director of Adult Literacy Barrow, at 770-8684089. Individual tickets are $75 per person ($57 of which is tax deductible).

Tickets may also be purchased by contacting Dr. Saunders at the Lanier Technical College’s campus at 89 E. Athens St., Winder, GA 30680 or Lynn Hammond at 770-3078450.

To learn more about Adult Literacy Barrow, visit the webpage at www.adultliteracybarrow.org and our Facebook page.

‘On the same team’

Family becomes stronger after teen and parents get help at Eagle Ranch

By KRISTIN OLIVER

Regional staff

Arianne Hernandez is an introverted teenager.

She used to have trouble communicating with her family, and she had a tendency to isolate herself.

Thanks to Eagle Ranch, her troubles are nearly gone and her family couldn’t be more grateful for her transformation.

Hernandez, her mother Aimee Gonzalez and stepfather Jose Gonzalez tried everything to maintain peace in their home, from parenting books to home schooling. Finally, they found Eagle Ranch, a Christian children’s home in South Hall County for boys and girls in crisis.

“Things were getting really tense, always,” Hernandez said. “I was completely disconnected from my family and I made a point of isolating myself.

When I did see them, we were just fighting.”

Hernandez had some academic and behavioral trouble throughout middle school. Her mother home-schooled her in ninth grade, which helped academically but didn’t ease the tension at home.

Jose Gonzalez, who’s been in his stepdaughter’s life since she was 2 years old, said Hernandez didn’t rebel the way many teenagers do, but her anger still disrupted the home.

“I don’t know that I saw a rebellion in her, but it was hard,” Jose Gonzalez said. “It was very hard to listen to her be disrespectful and challenge her mom all the time.”

The Gonzalezes decided to send their daughter back to public school for 10th grade, at which point Aimee said her daughter “immediately spiraled again.”

“I’ve always been reading up on self-help and parenting books,” Aimee said. “But I just felt stuck and hopeless, because I just didn’t know how to help her this time.”

Aimee turned to her circle of friends at church for help. One friend said she put her son in military school and it worked for their family. So the Gonzalezes decided to look for residential homes in North Georgia that could help Arianne find the right path.

“Giving up was not an option,” Jose said. “We wanted to do what was best for her.”

They found Eagle Ranch, one of the only faithbased ranches in North Georgia, and only a few miles from their own home.

Aimee said the ranch “seemed too good to be true,” but Arianne was not open to the idea at first.

She had just started 10th grade and didn’t want to give up her life and her privileges.

In the end, Hernandez said she went willingly to the ranch, because she wanted to change her mood as much as her parents did.

“We didn’t want to dump her off somewhere, but we knew we needed help,” Aimee said. “We knew we needed her to have some time away from us, but we also wanted to be part of the process.”

The process at Eagle Ranch includes counseling for the child and family, residential living for the child on the ranch and a partnership with the parents throughout the child’s stay.

Hernandez, who went to the ranch on Oct. 13, 2013 and graduated this month, lived in the Blessing Home for girls with house parents John and Jordan Cunnings.

“She came just really frustrated at the world,” John Cunnings said. “From her family, she just butted heads with her mom and had a hard time

Photo by Shannon Jackson For The Paper

Arianne is back at home with her family after her graduation on Dec. 16.

Photos by Shannon Jackson For The Paper

Jose Gonzalez, left, and Aimee Gonzalez, right, sent their daughter Arianne to Eagle Ranch in October 2013. She is happy to return to her family after graduation. (Top) The Gonzalez family reconnects with their daughter, Arianne, who graduated from Eagle Ranch, a Christian children’s home in South Hall County, last week. knowing how to share her feelings.”

John Cunnings said it was important for Arianne to learn there were people who had the same goals she did.

Arianne said it didn’t take her long to love life on the ranch. She enjoyed being surrounded by nature and often spent time with her friends stargazing or taking pictures on the ranch’s 230 acres.

She said the most important thing she learned over the last year was effective communication tools she could take home after graduating from the ranch.

“She was on the defense all the time and felt like it was always Arianne against her mom,” Jordan Cunnings said. “During their time here, they learned they’re actually on the same team. It was just about that shift from her thinking everyone was against her to realizing, ’Oh there are actually people who really care about me, especially my mom and stepdad.’”

Through the parent counseling offered at the ranch, Aimee said she and her husband learned the problems at home were not entirely their daughter’s, and much of the solution lay with them.

“We have a choice-consequence model here at the ranch,” said Stefanie Long, director of communications at Eagle Ranch. “What we try to help parents understand is the importance of making it clear to their child that there is a consequence for a choice and following through on that.”

The Gonzalezes said they see a huge change in their daughter, one that began after about six months away from home. Arianne said she brings home a lot of ideas from the ranch, including holding family meetings and dividing up chores.

“Even just the wording she uses to express herself is so different from before,” Aimee said. “She’s more patient and she’s holding herself responsible for her part in any conflict or any actions she chooses.”

Hernandez said their family, like any family, isn’t perfect. They still get into arguments, but the difference now is they can always find a resolution.

Though Arianne graduated Dec. 16 and is living at home full-time, she and her family can still rely on help from Eagle Ranch. It offers after care counseling for the parents and child after the move home.

“You’re still working on it,” Long said. “You actually have more work to do on the back end, because you’ve got to get back to a new normal for your home.”

The purpose of the ranch, according to Long, is truly family restoration.

Arianne said she will miss the ranch and her house parents, but she’s looking forward to finishing the 11th grade and eventually going to college to become a journalist.

“It all doesn’t seem so far away anymore,” she said.

4B

features

The Paper | Thursday, January 1, 2015

Jackson EMC Foundation has awarded $9.2 million in area grants since 2015 The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors awarded a total of $86,000 in grants to organizations during their November meeting, including $81,000 to organizations serving area residents.

The Jackson EMC Foundation has put more than $9.2 million back into local communities since it was founded in 2005, funding 916 grants to organizations and 302 grants to individuals. Cooperative members participating in Operation Round Up have their monthly electric bills rounded up to the next dollar amount, with the “spare change” going to the Foundation.

Any individual or charitable organization in the 10counties served by Jackson EMC (Clarke, Banks, Barrow, Franklin, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison and Oglethorpe) may apply for a Foundation grant by completing an application, available online at http://www.jacksonemc. com/foundation-guidelines or at local Jackson EMC offices. Applicants do not need to be a member of Jackson EMC.

In November, the Foundation awarded: ■■ $15,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Jackson County to help rehab a former bankowned modular home and bring it up to code as housing for a single mother and her son, as well as construct a second home for a family of eight that includes three generations and two members with disabilities.

■■ $12,000 to St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Catherine Laboure in Jefferson for its financial assistance program which provides funds to families in crisis for rent, mortgage, food, transportation, gas, car repair and insurance premiums, and medical assistance.

■■ $12,000 to St. Vincent de Paul Society at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Flowery Branch for its Aid Hot Line program, which provides emergency aid to families in crisis for rent, mortgage and temporary housing to prevent homelessness and disrupted lives.

■■ $12,000 to St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Michael in Gainesville to help fund direct aid for housing assis-

tance, including rent, mortgage and temporary housing, for families in crisis.

■■ $8,000 to Athens Urban Ministries, a grassroots organization dedicated to assisting those who need a hand up in eight of the counties Jackson EMC serves, to help provide instruction and materials for GED training to promote self-sufficiency.

■■ $7,000 to Multiple Choices Center for Independent Living in Athens for its “Good Roots Project,” which trains developmentally disabled individuals organic vegetable growing techniques, providing local gardeners, commercial producers and community gardens with high-quality, organically grown seedlings, and providing the trainees with skills that could enable them to become independent business owners.

■■ $5,000 to Freedom from Bondage, an Athens recovery residence for women with drug and substance abuse dependency from Clarke, Banks, Barrow, Gwinnett and Hall counties, to help pay entry fees and rent for those who have no resources, as well as provid-

For The Paper

Jackson EMC District Manager Bill Sanders (far left) presents a $12,000 Jackson EMC Foundation grant check to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Michael’s Church in Gainesville, represented by (L-R) Charles O’Connor, treasurer; Jan Martin, vice president; Jack Capies, caseworker; and Joanne Capies, president. The funds will be used to help families in crisis with rent, mortgage and temporary housing. ing bus passes and a desktop computer to help the women look for employment.

■■ $5,000 to ChildKind, a non-profit supporting families that care for medically fragile children, to help provide in-home care instructions through its Home Based Services program, preparing parents in Banks, Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson counties to adequately and successfully care for their child or foster child at home.

■■ $5,000 to Children First, an Athens community-based

For The Paper

A $15,000 Jackson EMC Foundation grant will provide a Career & Learning Center at the Jackson County Correctional Institution (JCCI) in partnership with the Jackson County Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP) and Jackson County Adult Education Center, to offer literacy, basic adult and vocational education to inmates, reducing recidivism and allowing inmates to successfully reenter the community upon release. The grant was celebrated by (l-r) CLCP board member Shawn Watson, JCCI Counselor Suzanne Cummings, Jackson EMC District Manager Scott Martin, JCCI GED Instructor Mark Shirley, JCCI Warden Johnny Weaver, JCCI Deputy Warden Terry Shadburn, CLCP Director Sandra Fite, CLCP board member Linda Foster, JCCI Lieutenant Jeff Coots, Chairperson of the CLCP Board of Directors Gail Fly, Lanier Technical College Association Vice President of Adult Education Brenda Thomas, Jackson County Lead GED Instructor Gwenn Evans, and JCCI Chief Counselor Debbie Norris.

non-profit that works with families and the courts to ensure the children have safe, stable, nurturing living environments, to help provide supportive supervised visitation in a neutral setting for families whose children have been placed in foster care.

October awards The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors awarded a total of $96,759 in grants during their October meeting, including $76,000 to organizations serving area residents.

■■ $15,000 to the Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center Foundation, a multiuse science, history, culture, heritage and environmental facility located on a 700-acre campus in Buford, to allow students from low-income families to attend interpretative, hands-on field studies and educational programs.

■■ $15,000 to the Jackson County Certified Literate Community Program to provide a Career & Learning Center in partnership with the Jackson County Correctional Institution and the Jackson County Adult Education Center, that will reduce recidivism and allow inmates to successfully reenter the community by offering literacy, basic adult and vocational education, as well as access to social services and state/national programs necessary to offenders upon their release.

■■ $15,000 to Viewpoint Health, a Gwinnett County agency providing support to clients with behavioral health conditions, addictive diseases and developmental disabilities, to provide uninsured and underinsured

clients with primary and specialty health care by assisting with copays for office visits, lab work, and pharmacy screenings through Four Corners Primary Care.

■■ $11,000 to Our Neighbor, a Gainesville grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to assisting young adults with special challenges, to provide developmentally disabled residents with specially tailored life skills programs, exercise programs matched to their skills and access to the Francis Meadows Aquatic Center.

■■ $7,500 to Lekotek of Georgia, a charitable organization that provides children with disabilities with accessible play, adaptive technology and toys, information and resources, to provide additional staff and services through its Duluth and Gainesville satellite offices to serve six families currently on their waiting list.

■■ $5,000 to Adventure Bags, an Auburn-based nonprofit that sources and stuffs comfort bags that are distributed to displaced children through local DFCS offices, domestic violence shelters, fire departments, group homes and children’s shelters to provide comfort and security in a crisis. $5,000 to Easter Seals of North Georgia for its “Raising A Reader” program that distributes books to impoverished children in the Barrow, Jackson and Madison counties’ Head Start/Early Head Start programs and provides parent training to engage the children in reading at home to improve kindergarten readiness.

■■ $2,500 to the Spirit of Joy Food Pantry in Flowery Branch to purchase food for the more than 430 families

Jackson EMC helps fund Gwinnett Medical NICU Jackson EMC has donated $50,000 to the Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC) Foundation to help fund a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Gwinnett Women’s Pavilion at GMC-Lawrenceville.

“As a non-profit organization, GMC is able to provide new technology and expanded services at an accelerated pace through generous donations such as this from Jackson EMC,” said Cathie Brazell, assistant vice president of clinical operations and women’s pavilion director. “Our NICU provides services to about ten counties including Jackson, Barrow, Clarke and others that are also serviced by the

organization.”

The NICU, started in 1988, is a 24-bed unit caring for all high-risk newborns and is staffed by four board-certified neonatologists, five neonatal nurse practitioners and about 110 neonatal nurses, among other professionals.

The NICU is equipped with highly-specialized medical devices to treat some of the hospitals sickest patients who struggle with issues like blindness, infections, and brain bleeds. In fact, care for a premature infant is 10 times the cost to care for a healthy infant.

“Providing the proper care upfront to these very sick infants allows them to

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establish a healthy foundation at the earliest point in their fragile life,” said Jackson EMC president/CEO Chip Jakins. “Each healthy baby that leaves the NICU is a testament to the commitment of the NICU staff at the Gwinnett Women’s Pavilion.”

The Jackson EMC donation comes from margin refunds that have been unclaimed by the electric cooperative’s members. Legis-

lation passed in 2005 permits Georgia electric cooperatives to make charitable and economic development contributions of margin refunds that remain unclaimed by former members after a specified period of time.

Jackson EMC is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative providing power to more than 214,000 meters in 10 Northeast Georgia counties.

For information on the Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation, please visit www.gmcgiving.org.

About Gwinnett Medical Center Gwinnett Medical Center is a nationally-recognized, not-for-profit healthcare network with acute-care hospitals in Lawrenceville and Duluth. Offering cardiovascular, orthopedic and

neuroscience specialty care as well as a full continuum of wellness services, GMC’s 4,800 associates and 800 affiliated physicians serve more than 400,000 patients annually.

To learn more about how GMC is transforming healthcare, visit gwinnettmedicalcenter.org or follow us at facebook.com/gwinnettmedical, twitter.com/ gwinnettmedical or youtube. com/gwinnettmedical.

CMYK The Paper | Thursday, January 1, 2015

5B

ENTERTAINMENT

One-on-one time with kids proves most valuable

While I’m away, readers give advice.

On being the parent your kids need you to be: I was a divorced father of three sons and a single father caring for them during years when my ex-wife was living abroad.

They each got the same allowance, had different household tasks in rotation and took turns riding shotgun in the car.

But my most important strategy was to carve out time to spend with them individually.

It was important to me as well as to them because that gave me an understanding of how special and different each was from his brothers.

I don’t know where the wisdom came from to pursue this strategy, but now I see how they interact with their own children and realize I was teaching them as well as enjoying them. — Veteran Dad/Granddad

Carolyn Hax When our daughter, a student/athlete and honor graduate, began to explore enlisting in the Army, it came as a total surprise, and not just to us. But it was also something she had done completely on her own — exploring the alternative to “sitting four more years.”

Were we happy? No; she had scholarships and excellent college options. But we tried to choose our words carefully, and keep them few by listening to her talk about how and why she was considering this change in direction.

Her father and I selected a mix of friends to work through our concerns, fears

and have our view challenged. This helped our conversations with our daughter be more open-minded. Yes, we asked her questions to understand how she had thought this through, and with her consent met with her recruiter. We didn’t do this right every time, and it was a journey of fits and starts. But, when it became clear she was serious, her father and I realized the only things we could choose were our attitudes and response.

After all, we had raised this young adult who independently had opened doors to other horizons, and so we embraced her and honored her decision.

Yes, our military personnel are in harm’s way more often than we would like. But bubble wrap is for packing boxes, not for living life. I would rather have an adult daughter who knew her mind, made the right decision for herself and set out to live a life well-lived,

risks included, than one who bowed to pressure and fear from family.

Is it easy having your child deployed? No it is not, but bad things can happen anywhere in the world, and to think anything else is to fool yourself. — Damn Proud Army Mom On (not) choosing sides in a divorce: My wife and I had friends several years ago who had a nasty breakup, with the guy being the publicly culpable party. We took on the role of wife-comforter and supporter.

However, I also reached out as a friend to the guy. I expressed my disappointment with his actions but left the door open to friendship and listening.

As time has passed, we all moved on. They established new worlds for themselves.

We are in touch but no longer needed for support. But we were there when both

WORKING IT OUT

needed a friend.

Miscommunication and bad behaviors are shared in a relationship. The sense of failure and loss is also shared.

Two good people can have a good relationship that deteriorates into a bad situation over time. There are two sides to every breakup.

Both need friends who listen rather than judge. — S.T. On regretting your part long ago in the mistreatment of a classmate who was “different:” Young people with disabilities need to go to lunch, dinner, movies with someone other than Mom and Dad. There are opportunities to help people with disabilities become engaged in community and all of them are underfunded and understaffed.

Your local school district could point you in directions allowing for a meaningful opportunity to engage with people in your community.

If you’re serious about wanting to make amends, volunteer to help parents of people with disabilities now. Special Olympics needs coaches, helpers at their state events and adults to support their work on a one-time or regular basis.

Schools need parents to support the Best Buddies program. Make sure a high school kid with disabilities gets a ride to and from the basketball game and a seat in the front row of the student section when at the game.

As a parent of a disabled child, I promise we tend not to forget kindness and we are grateful when we don’t have to lead the charge for supporting our children becoming engaged in the community. Sometimes, being allowed to take a back seat to someone else’s passion is a great gift. — K. Chat with Carolyn online at noon each Friday at www. washingtonpost.com.

Your input sought What do you like about your paper? Send an email to editor@clickthepaper.com, call 706-658-2683, or send a letter to The Paper, P.O. Box 430, Hoschton, GA 30548.

You can also stop by and drop it off at The Paper office now located at 9924 Davis St., Suite 8, in Braselton.

You can also submit community announcements, church news, school happenings and more to editor@ clickthepaper.com

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Slash Accounting Overhead Let a veteran CFO show you how Free Consultation Reasonable Rates Call Tom Cleveland 678-989-1667 (B) 678-677-5289 (C)

Dental Technician/ Ceramist. Highly Innovative Lab Seeking Motivated Technician In C&B, Ceramics, CAD/ CAM Designer for Zirconia, & Implants.

Competitive Pay, Benefits, and Leading Edge Technology.

Southern Craft Dental Laboratory, CDL; Gainesville, GA. Send Resume/ Cover Letter Emails To scdlcare@ me.com or jeber58@gmail.com

FIREWOOD FOR SALE $100 pick-up; load.

678-936-1380

FIREWOOD- Seasoned oak. Cut & split. Free Delivery. 470-208-9530; 678-978-0645 lve msg; 678-622-1477 lve msg

Announcements Lost & Found LOST DOG: REWARD Blk & wht Cavalier Spaniel. Adult male. Lost in Sardis community Christmas day. answers to Noah. 770-503-5056

Notice ATTENTION CLASSIFIED CUSTOMERS The Times Classified Department asks that you verify and proof your classified ad(s) the first day that it is scheduled to print.

If any corrections need to be made, please contact our department, Monday through Friday, before 3pm.

The Times will not be held responsible for any issues that may arise after the first day of publication. classifieds@ gainesvilletimes.com 770-535-1199

Stuff *Antiques/Collectibles *Appliances *Auctions *Bicycles *Building Supplies *Cemetery Lots For Sale *Christmas Trees *Coins & Jewelry *Computers *Furniture *Guns *Heavy Equipment *Household Items *Lawn Equipment *Livestock *Misc. For Sale *Musical Instruments *Office Equipment *Pets & Supplies

Classification Index

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Homes & Real Estate

Acreage for Sale Business for Sale Business Property for Sale Condominiums for Sale Farms & Farm Land House for Sale - Hall House For Sale - Surrounding Investment Property Lake Home for Sale Lake Property for Sale Lots for Sale Mobile Homes for Sale Mountain Property Real Estate Wanted Surrounding Counties Vacation Property

Homes - Rental Apartments - Furnished Apartments - Unfurnished Business Property For Rent Condominiums for Rent Duplexes For Rent Houses for Rent - Furnished Houses for Rent - Unfurnished Lake Home for Rent Mobile Homes for Rent *Roommates Wanted Rooms for Rent Vacation Property for Rent *Wanted to Rent

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*All Terrain Vehicles *Antique Cars/Trucks *Auto Parts *Auto & Trucks Wanted *Autos for Sale *Four Wheel Drives *Import Cars *Motorcycles *Sport-Utility Vehicles *Tractor Trailers *Trucks *Vans

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Apr 2013

Mon. - Fri. 8:30am - 5:00pm Jobs

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*Business Opportunities *Financial *Happy Ads *Lost & Found *Notices *Personals *Situations Wanted

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*Home Improvement *Instruction *Landscaping *Misc Services *Painting & Papering *Plumbing *Pressure Washing *Remodeling & Repairs *Roofing *Welding

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The Paper Thursday, January 1, 2015

Now hiring experienced technicians (ceramic, CAD/ CAM, waxing, die-trim) E&R Dental 770-534-9090.

General Sales Agents

Must have good written and verbal communication skills with external and internal customers, with a strong customer service/satisfaction drive. Need these skill sets to succeed: commitment, attention to detail, organization, teamwork, and ability to multi-task in fast-paced environment.

Applicants should be experienced in online advertising, familiar with interpreting and explaining metric data, comfortable with softwares and technology, capable of sharing their knowledge with others and excited about selling one of the best news Web sites in the state.

We offer a competitive salary & bonus plan as well as comprehensive benefits package.

Email your resume and letter of interest including salary requirements to: hr@ gainesvilletimes.com No phone calls please.

EOE/M/H

Medical JOIN THE TIMES TEAM! Professional?

Prepared?

Producer?

We are looking for individuals who will impact our bottom line and provide solid customer satisfaction experience. You will work with a seasoned and award winning staff of dedicated and dependable team builders and team players.

Primary duties include developing new business while working to meet and exceed monthly sales quotas.

A working knowledge of Excel software, advertising layout and design is helpful, but more important is your desire to help our clients succeed. Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license with good driving record are required.

Avita Community Partners is currently taking applications for the following positions: •FT Fiscal Operations (Accounting) Manager Avita Administrative Offices- Flowery Branch •2 FT LPNs – Dahlonega Intensive Treatment Residence •Clinical Team Leader/ Mental Health (LPC, LCSW) - Cumming Behavioral Health Center •FT Mental Health Counselor (SSP1)Cumming Behavioral Health Center To see other available positions or to research/ apply for a position listed above, please visit www.avitapartners. org/career.php Only online applications accepted.

Questions - 678-5135723, EOE.

Misc. Help Wanted Carriage Nissan & KIA Hiring Service Advisors & Porters/Greeters.

Opportunity for advancement. Full- time.

E mail resume to rtapp@ carriageauto group.com or apply within. See Ryan Tapp.

No phone calls please.

Production Select Staffing NOW HIRING!!

ASSEMBLY POSITIONS Buford, GA •Temporary, 18 months •M-F, 7a-3:30p •Assembly lineassemble power tools •GED or HS Diploma required •Bonuses offered APPLY TODAY! www.selectstaffing.com EOE

Professional

*Requires payment in advance.

Local Truck Drivers Class A-CDL needed for Doraville company.

Hourly pay w/overtime, some benefits. Need clean MVR & 3+ years experience. 770-4098994 Oakwood’s Arrow Auto Auction is looking for an experienced 4 Car Hauler Driver.

CDL license required.

Apply in person: Mon thru Friday, 9am5p. at Oakwood’s Arrow Auto Auction 4712 Flat Creek Rd., Oakwood , GA No Phone Calls

Warehouse Deli Provision Co. distributor of Boar’s Head products is in need of A WAREHOUSE/DRIVER. PERSON Call M-F, 7:30am - 4pm.

770-534-8003

WRITER with web expertise Poultry Times based in Gainesville, GA. is seeking an editorial employee for our biweekly national newspaper as well as our daily updated website who can provide creativity in writing and design.

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field, prior publication is a plus.

Poultry Times uses InDesign and Microsoft Word software.

To apply send cover letter, resume and/or page design samples to dstrickland@ poultrytimes.com or P.O. Box 1338, Gainesville, GA 30503

LA-Z BOY CHAIRS. (2) Upgraded fabric & color: Parsley green & champagne beige. Well cared for. Reasonable price. $95 each. 770654-6237

Truck Drivers

Misc. For Sale

FT/PT CLASS A-CDL DRIVERSto haul live chickens in Gainesville, GA. $500 Sign On Bonus Must have 2 years verifiable experience, good MVR. Night Shift, local positions, home daily, benefits 804-784-6166

PIERCE’S PINE STRAW - Open Daily 8am-4pm.

Weather permitting .

We will Not Be Undersold.

Quality For Quality!

1507 Martin Luther King Blvd., Gainesville, GA Across from The Tire Barn. We have Grade #1 for $3.25 per bale picked up. $3.50 bale delivered. New fallen Slash. Long needle avail. 678-617-0403 678-677-6352

Sporting Equipment HOME EXERCISE GYM 10 stations, 50 body building exercise applications. Made by “Body Solid, Inc.” 83” H X 61” L X 69”W Like New! $495 770-654-6237

Homes-Rentals ApartmentsUnfurnished

SEWING MACHINEBernina PE 350. 1.5 yrs old. Gently used. Has walking foot and extra feet and knee lifter. $850. Cash only. 770532-0045,

Pets & Supplies BOSTON TERRIERPups. 8wks. old. shots & wormed. Ready to go! $300. 770-297-7634; 678-859-0648

Stuff

AMIGO 3 WHEEL SCOOTER, with elevating seat, $500.

Many other aids for handicap. 770-869-9169 NEW GM STEP RAILS, ext. cab $450; Set of 1992 Oldsmobile Wheels & Tires, $400; New NOS ‘Vette Pace Car Steering Wheel w/ box, $450. 770-654-3694

OAKWOOD $800/mo.

LULA $780/mo 770287-1456 callapartments.com

Christmas Love Bundles. CKC Miniature Doberman’ babies. Shots/wormed. $365. Orig $500.

762-448-0750 Christmas Puppies!

Mini Dachshunds. 3 Reds, 1 choc/tan. 3 males, 1 fem. All shots.

Ready for great home.

Pure breed, good temperment. $350. 770823-4963 JackRussell/Chihuahua mix very small breed Pups 8wks old. Tails docked. Good w/kids. $200-250. Call/text 678457-9782 SHI-TZU- Pups, 1 male $300 , 1 Fem. $350. 7wks old. 1st shots & wormed.

706-491-2436 TOY POODLE- CKC 1 red female left. Shots/ wormed. $300 678-6421636 706-865-1640

Rabbit Towen3BR/1BA No pets. $550mo $300 dep. 678-614-7607

FORD 2009 Mustang GT Premium, 4.6L V8, 5 spd, 45th Anniversary. 18K miles, torch red, loaded, mint cond., $22,900.

706-754-5514

Import Cars KIA 2011 Optima EX. white pearl, Loaded.

34,000 mi. $15,000.

706-973-0613 NISSAN 2006 350Z Coupe. 1 owner, Pearl wht. $10,500. 678-9365374

Mobile Homes For Rent

NISSAN 2013 370Z Coupe. Blk, MSRP $37,413. Showrm Cond.

2000 miles. Priced below market at $26,500. 770535-9912

Gainesville, S/N Hall 1-3BR $85 & up, per wk No app fee. 1 week free 770-534-7596

TOYOTA 1993 Camry.

Low miles. Satellite radio sys, Michelin’s . $2500.

706-949-4688

Cedar Springs2BR. $725; 770-287-1456 callapartments.com

Homes & Real Estate

Sport Utility Vehicles

Lots For Sale

Houses For RentUnfurnished

1 1/16 acre lot, 1/2 wooded, sits between Gainesville and Gillsville. $16,500. 678-463-9186

JEEP 2002 Grand Cherokee. 2WD, 6cyl, Pwr wind/lcks, 112k. $3800. 770-540-1215

MYRTLE TERRACES Senior Independent Living Community 1bdrm from $660 2 bdrm from $765 Certain age & income restrictions apply!

Water, trash and electric included in rent Call today for more info 770-538-0928

WASHER & DRYER Kenmore. Exc Cond. $250. 770-983-1507

Furniture

EHO WAC

Oakwood - 2/1.5, yard very safe, H/A $690$740. 678-357-5044

Appliances

Washer/Dryers Stoves & Refrig.

Mattresses.

Refrig $125-$550.

Washers/Dryers from $125. Stoves $125. We do Appliance & Service Calls! 678-714-0493

No Rent Until January 1st Expires 12/31/14 3BR/2BA Homes Call Sun Homes 888-246-2803 Countrysidelake lanier.com

3 bedrooms 2 baths Very Clean house in Sugar Hill, Ga a quite area great schools fenced in back yard. 1200 month 1100 if paid early by the 28th.

Contact Dave at 678-863-7111 or eskewdave@yahoo. com Apts/Homes. General Property Mgmt.

770-287-1456 www. callapartments.com Extra clean rental property all new appliances and flooring. 900 a month 800 if you pay early by the 28th. Mitchell Creek subdivision in Flowery Branch great schools.

Contact Dave at 678-863-7111 or eskewdave@yahoo. com

Recreation Boats & Marine SINGLE SLIP DOCK. Good shape, good wood, 40’ ramp, attached swim deck. $4500. 678-773-0589

Wheels All Terrain Vehicles POLARIS 2000 .

Magnum 325, 4x4.

Asking $1300/obo. 770540-5148

Autos For Sale CADILLAC 2003 Escalade must see /well kept /good cond. / call 678-926-3020 for more details / price $5900 / blue book $7500 priced to sell $5900.

JEEP 2007 Wrangler Unlimited X-2 WD, 4 door Silver, auto with hardtop. Jeep replaced motor at 77K currently 126K, been well maintained, excellent cond. $14,500-Call before 8pm 678-8873021

Trucks FORD 1984 F150 XLT 4 x 4 short bed with liner $5,000; 706-216-1718 139K, V8, 4WD. Antique truck going up in value.

REBUILT 351V8 motor 7,000 miles on engine.

Many new parts. Tires good. Dual fuel tanks.

Vans DODGE 1999 Caravan - $2,500; 706-216-1718; 137K, auto, 6 cylinders, new water pump, belts, brakes; fairly new tires, very good condition.

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