The Oconee Leader

For hundreds of photos and constant updates about Oconee events and people, go to theoconeeleader.com

This Week:

Online Issue 37

Volume 10

From the Oconee to the Apalachee

Thursday, December 10, 2015

OCHS v Madison Co

Photo Gallery

theoconeeleader.com

Online

Christmas Parade

Photo Gallery

theoconeeleader.com & on Page 3

News

ROB PEECHER/Oconee Leader

You couldn’t have asked for better weather for a Christmas parade than what Oconee County had this past Saturday. There was just the right of chill in the air to make it feel like Christmas, but not so much as to make it too cold. The sun was out and the sky was clear, and thousands gathered along a closed Main Street to watch the parade go by. From Volkswagens to fire trucks, school bands to Boy and Girl Scouts, tractors to baton twirlers, there wasn’t much that the parade didn’t offer. Grand Marshal Amery Harden of Oconee State Bank had a busy weekend, also serving as chairman of the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation’s Holiday Market, but Harden’s busy weekend was rivaled by the busy weekend Santa Claus had, talking to children Friday night at the Watkinsville Tree Lighting ceremony and then being in the parade Saturday morning. For more photos from the parade, see Page 3 and 8 and also visit theoconeeleader.com.

Market launches OCAF Christmas activities

BY ROB PEECHER

The Oconee Leader

Group fears

Bishop bypass Page 2

Sports

PACS Football

Season ends Page 4

Whether they were looking for the perfect gift for friends or family or trying to find something special for themselves, shoppers at OCAF’s annual Holiday Market couldn’t help but find just the right buys this weekend.

Some 70 artists and vendors filled the old gym and the 1902 Building at the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation this past weekend, offering everything from handmade jewelry to wooden toys to books, stained glass to paintings to clay pots.

Woodworkers occupied several booths, there were vendors selling homemade jellies, hand-crafted bird houses and fine art photography. Over the course of the three days, hundreds of shoppers came through the event.

Alice Deal, who lives in Athens, was among the shoppers who comes to the Holiday Market every year, and her reason was simple.

“I come here every year because it’s local and it’s artists. I like local and I like artists,” Deal said.

Sara Lee Parker, an Athens artist participating in the Holiday Market for the third year selling hand printed textiles, said she’d had a good weekend.

“It’s been great,” Parker said.

“It’s a very supportive community out here for artists.”

Cindy Farley, the director at OCAF, was at the Holiday Market throughout the weekend, and she was thrilled with the way it went.

“It was at least as good as what we had last year, and there were a lot of new people coming through, which is great,” Farley said.

The Holiday Market fills two of OCAF’s buildings, and Farley said greeters at the door many times told

ROB PEECHER/Oconee Leader

Sara Lee Parker (center), who creates hand painted textiles, was among the vendors at OCAF’s Holiday Market this weekend. She talks to customer Alice Deal (right) while Parker’s mother, Beverly Parker (left), helps at Parker’s booth.

people to make sure they went through both buildings and then had to show people where the other building is.

Farley credited the quality of the vendors for bringing so many people to the Market, but she also credited OCAF’s volunteers for the hard work they do to get the event ready. Throughout the weekend, volunteers were available to help the artists by standing in for them when they needed a short break and making sure there was fresh coffee and water available for them, and Farley said she heard from some of the artists that the volunteers at Holiday Market are part of what keeps them coming back.

Sylvia Dawe, who was selling

handcrafted jewelry, said she has sold her work at OCAF’s Holiday Market for several years.

“This is the best market I do every year,” Dawe said. Dawe, who lives in Oconee County, has customers who come to find her booth year after year. “This is a place to meet old friends,” she said.

Dawe said she sold a piece of jewelry, a silver and brass goat, to a man who plans to ship it to his daughter who is stationed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“So a goat that was made and bought in Oconee County is going to be shipped all the way to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that’s very great to me as a cosmic notion,” Dawe said.

The Holiday Market is the first of

several events OCAF has planned through the holidays.

Many of the artists who participated in Holiday Market will still be selling their art through the Artists Shoppe at OCAF. Featuring 50 OCAF member artists, the OCAF Artists Shoppe, which will run Tuesday through Saturday, Dec. 8 to Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. gives shoppers another chance to buy from many of the artists who were at the Holiday Market, plus a few others.

This Saturday, Dec. 12, OCAF will host two sessions of its Mingle with Kringle. The first session will ‘OCAF’ Page 3

Please see

Group fears DOT plans for bypass will destroy farms Page 2

Thursday, December 10, 2015

BY MIKE SPRAYBERRY The Oconee Leader

The long-discussed widening of US 441, which would include a bypass around the town of Bishop, received more attention from a group of citizens last week in the wake of news that the project will be funded with state rather than federal dollars.

The group, calling itself Positively Oconee, held a meeting December 3 “to share information about the project and discuss its implications for the county.” Organizers and as many as 40 other citizens, many farmers, discussed the project’s potential routes and impacts, and possible steps to learn more and voice concerns to county officials and the Georgia Department of Transportation.

“We have been told ‘We’re starting from scratch.’ We’ve also been told ‘This is the map,” said Russ Page of a proposed route on display at the meeting and his uncertainty of its relevance. “How many farmers that are along this

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route have pins and tape on your farm? How many of you were told DOT is coming out there and putting those tapes on your land?”

Page went on to describe the presented route as “the one that they favor” and expressed concerns about it.

“It’s almost like they were trying to hit as many functioning family farms as they possibly could. It hits eight family farms, just the Bishop Bypass. Then you get down and it crosses over into Farmington, crosses 441 and hits more.”

If such a route is followed, the consequences to those farms, according to Page, could be devastating.

“What is it going to do to these farms?” asked Page. “Well, some of these farms, it will take the edge off of it, but for the most part, this road goes right through the middle of the farm and it would mean, in some cases, that the cows would be on one side of a four-lane highway and the

cow’s feed and the barn and the workers’ facilities and the farmer’s house would be on the other side.

“That puts that guy out of business. You won’t see tractors driving across this four-lane road.”

Page also alleged a lack of transparency in the process.

“Evidently, the county and GDOT have been discussing the road widening for several months in secret. We don’t like that anymore.”

Page expressed a broader goal for the group and said this issue was the first of many the group hopes to address.

“What we want is for you to understand what this road would do and what it would do to farms.

Positively Oconee is going to attempt to bring many, many topics to light. This is just the first one because it has already happened.”

Though not in attendance at the December 3 meeting of Positively Oconee, Oconee County Commission Chairman Melvin Davis

stated he was aware of a group meeting, but had not received an invitation. Still, Davis commented on the project’s current status.

“My understanding, and I think GDOT officials confirmed that right now they are looking at a route or routes or whatever needs to be done with a Bishop Bypass.

I do know they have done some preliminary review or surveying, but to my knowledge, there is not a route determined.

“I do know that since before I was in office, going back 15 or 20 years, there have been a multitude of routes, maybe seven, that have been looked at on both the east and west sides of Bishop, but none to my knowledge have ever materialized in any way. Maybe a pencil across a county map or surveys. I know that whatever the finalized proposal might be, it has to go through several reviews: environmental, archeological and historical. Those questions have to be answered.”

Davis emphasized that the proposed widening of US-441 and construction of a Bishop Bypass would be a state-funded GDOT project and that the county’s role, if any, would be limited to one of input.

“I would hope that they would listen to input and I think that they will,” said Davis. “Obviously, I think they would want the route that would be least objectionable.

I know that when you put a road where one hasn’t been before, somebody isn’t going to like it and somebody is going to like it.

I think it’s too early to get all worked up over.

“I am glad there is interest, and I think GDOT wants to ensure citizens have opportunities to share their thoughts and recommendations as they go through the process. It’s just like a rezoning issue. You need to have thoughts and feelings from the public on what could be done in any particular project.”

Oconee State Bank recognizes employees of the year

Oconee State Bank recently recognized its employees of the year, and four employees received the honor.

Employee of the Year and Officer of the Year awards are selected from a vote of all bank employees, and Volunteer of the Year is an award given each year to the employee who has the most hours logged for both bank and community events. This year, OSB named two officers of the year.

Coleman Benko and Sara Dunn were both named Officer of the Year, Joelle Yarbrough was named volunteer of the year, and Herbert Adams was named Employee of the Year.

“I’m very surprised and flattered at receiving the Officer of the Year award. It’s such a pleasure to work every single day in an environment that fosters success with people who lead by example,” Benko said.

Dunn has been at the bank since 2003 and said she enjoys working closely with customers.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

OSB employees (left to right) Coleman Benko, Herbert Adams, Joelle Yarbrough and Sara Dunn.

“While we take great pride in offering our accountholders safe and secure electronic solutions that simplify their everyday banking needs, it is the relationships,

friendships, and personal connections I have made along the way that mean the most to me,” Dunn said.

Adams said he moved to the area in 2001

after retiring so he and his wife could be close to their daughter and grandsons. He said he took the job at Oconee State Bank because, “I knew I needed to get out of the house.” A courier for the IT department, Adams said he considers it a privilege to work at the bank.

“It is easy to come in each day when you work with such a great group,” Adams said.

Yarbrough said she is humbled to receive the award and that she does not volunteer because she wants recognition for herself.

“I feel strongly about serving the people in my community and setting an example for my two children, Will and Audrey, to use their gifts to help their fellow citizens,” Yarbrough said. “Winston Churchill once said, ‘We make a living by what we get.

We make a life by what we give.’ I am at my happiest when I am able to use the talents God has given me to serve others.”

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‘OCAF’

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Page 3

Continued from the Front

run from 10 a.m. to noon and the second session will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission to Mingle with Kringle is one unwrapped toy to be donated to Toys for Tots or $2. But no one will be turned away.

In addition to the opportunity to have their picture made with Santa, kids can also participate in making crafts and hear stories from Mrs. Claus.

“We’ll have crafts for kids – they can make gingerbread houses and we’ll be doing the Peaceful Village again this year,” Farley said.

This year, OCAF will also host a performance from puppeteer Hobey Ford at each session of Mingle WithKringle.

Parents can also sign up their children from kindergarten to fifth grade for a workshop with Ford on Friday, Dec. 11, at 4 p.m. The workshop, which costs $12, will give children an opportunity to create their own shadow puppets. For more information on the workshop, visit ocaf.com.

For hundreds of photos and constant updates about Oconee events and people, go to theoconeeleader.com

This Week:

Warriors

‘I am extremely proud’

WARRIORS TITANS SPARTANS WOLVERINES LIONS

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Basketball

First home game Page 5

Spartans

MATTHEW CALDWELL/Oconee Leader

Prince Avenue Christian junior Noah Campbell and senior Kevon Hudson hug following the Wolverines’ loss to Eagle’s Landing Christian last Friday in the semifinals. For more photos of the game, see theoconeeleader.com.

Season ends in semifinals for Wolverines with 35-14 loss

BY MATTHEW CALDWELL

Basketball

Non-region game Page 5

Online

For photos of North Oconee’s wrestling team from Saturday’s matches, see theoconeeleader.com.

Online

The Oconee Leader

Prince Avenue Christian’s road to the Georgia Dome came to an end last Friday night to a familiar opponent.

The Wolverines had their season end for the second straight year to Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy with a 35-14 loss at home in the semifinals of the Class A private school state tournament. Last year, ELCA beat the Wolverines 47-17 in the quarterfinals. The Wolverines also lost to the Chargers 33-0 in the championship game at the Georgia Dome in 2012.

“We got closer to our goal of winning it. It’s a moral victory but we didn’t get beat as bad as we did last year. We closed some ground on them a little bit, but they are the cream of the crop in single-A. They are like Buford in single-A. We are struggling to catch up with them.

We are gaining. It’s just not going as fast as I’d like,” said head coach Jeff Herron. “I am never going to be pleased unless we win it all and I don’t want our kids to be, but at the same time I want these kids to understand they have had a great year. We are 12-1. A lot of people would like to say they were 12-1.

And we won the region for the third

-Jeff Herron, PACS head coach

time in a row, which was one of our goals. We have been fortunate and we’ve been blessed all year long.

We haven’t had a lot of injuries and things like that. Our coaches did a great job. The kids responded well.

The seniors did a great job leading us. I feel bad tonight. I feel bad for our team and our seniors especially, but the sun will come up tomorrow.”

Eagle’s Landing Christian will play Saturday morning for the Class A private school state championship against Aquinas, a team the Wolverines beat 42-12 on August 28 in the season opener.

Aquinas beat Stratford 35-28 in the semifinals last week. Stratford is coached by Mark Farriba, who was

head coach of the Wolverines the year they went to the championship game in 2012.

The Wolverines’ defense forced the Chargers to a three-and-out on the first possession of the game.

After a 6-yard run by Kevon Hudson on the Wolverines’ first play of their first drive, Andrew Hayes ran 61 yards for a touchdown. Jared Pringle’s successful PAT gave the Wolverines a 7-0 lead just 2:03 into the game.

The Chargers missed a 51-yard field goal on their next possession and the Wolverines took over on their own 20, but they didn’t stay there long. Jordan Hightower ran 45 yards to the Chargers 35.

The Wolverines were able to get

‘PACS football’ Page 7

Please see

Oconee County hosts annual boys’ volleyball tournament

Oconee County hosted its annual boys’ volleyball tournament last Friday night. Pictured are members of the winning team – Chris Johnson, Bennah Okoth, Connor McCarty, Connor Tate, Emily Boswell, Cole Tate, Thomas Murray and Cam Conglose.

For photos of Athens Academy’s wrestling team from Saturday’s matches, see theoconeeleader.com.

“It’s tough on our seniors. That’s the sad part. I have never gotten over losing my last game as a senior and these kids won’t either, no matter what. That’s sad because they have had a great year.”

one more first down and reached the Chargers’ 17-yard line, where they faced a fourth-and-four. The Wolverines lined up for a field goal but a delay of game penalty backed them up five yards, and the field goal attempt was no good and the game remained 7-0 in favor of the Wolverines.

The Chargers got inside Wolverines’ territory again on their next drive but it ended with a punt.

After punting on two of their first three drives, the Chargers didn’t punt again until the fourth quarter.

The Chargers tied the game at 77 with 5:55 left in the half with a 14-yard run.

On the ensuing possession for the Wolverines, they were forced to punt after a three-and-out. The Chargers returned the punt 62 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead.

The Wolverines went three-andout on their next possession. The Chargers took a 21-7 lead on the third play of the ensuing drive with a 27-yard touchdown run. A flag was thrown by the officials but was waved off.

“They said he called holding and then he said in the middle of the

Contributed photo

Page 5

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Thursday, December 10, 2015

Oconee County swept at home against Madison County

BY MATTHEW CALDWELL

More online...

The Oconee Leader

Heading into their first Region 8-AAA game earlier this week, both the Oconee County Lady Warriors and Warriors basketball teams were still searching for their first win of the season.

Last Saturday, the Lady Warriors lost 51-26 to Madison County to fall to 0-3 and the Warriors lost 59-46 to Madison County to fall to 0-6.

In the long run, those early non-region games won’t determine any potential seeding for region and state tournaments and can only help make the teams improve.

“Like we did last year, we have a tough non-region schedule,” said Lady Warriors head coach Jeanette Looney. We play mostly 4, 5 and 6A teams. That helped us tremendously last year. The non-region record is not the most important thing. The region record puts you in a position to be where you want in the tournament. Our outlook is we want to get better, play these tougher teams that will press us and stretch us for us to get up to speed on what we need to do so we can compete in the region.

We have a strong region.

It’s athletic and some good teams are in our region.”

“I keep telling the guys nobody likes where we are at right now, but you have to keep putting your head down and go to work every single day and find a way to get better,” said Warriors head coach Richard Wehunt. “If you will do that, no one will remember how you played in late Novem-

For photos of Oconee County’s game against Madison County, see theoconeeleader.com.

MATTHEW CALDWELL/Oconee Leader

Oconee County’s Sara English drives to the basket in the third quarter of the Lady Warriors’ game against Madison County last Saturday.

ber and early December. As long as you keep a positive attitude and get better, you will get to where you need to be in January and that is when it counts the most.”

The Lady Warriors trailed Madison County 17-12 after the first quarter but battled back and tied the game at 17 two minutes into the second quarter.

When the quarter was over, Madison County was up

25-17 and when the third quarter came to an end, Madison County led 36-19.

“We played pretty decent the first half. Our goal was to keep the ball off of their post player. She is a pretty good post player. We did a good job with that,” Looney said. “In the second half we scored two points in the third quarter and that was the death knell. The third quarter is what they

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say is the crucial quarter.

“Our possessions were not very efficient. We just didn’t get some good shots off. But we are young. We will keep working and we will get there.”

Ansley Hart had six points to lead the Lady Warriors. Sara English had five points.

“We are a very young and inexperienced team. We just have to continue to improve. We are our own worst enemy at times. Just too many turnovers and not coming and executing our offense. We have to improve on those things,” Looney said. “We are improving but it’s going to take a while. We had to pull up a lot of JV players and they have to get better.

That’s where we are – just trying to get better every game.”

The Warriors and Madison County were tied 12-12 after the first quarter of the boys’ game. Madison County built a 28-21 lead at halftime but the Warriors cut the lead to 32-28 early in the third quarter. It was the closest the Warriors got to the lead the rest of the game.

“We had a pretty good start to the third quarter. We got some good looks in the basket. They weren’t layups by any means but they were some opportunities we didn’t cash in on. We compounded the mistake

by not getting back in transition defense,” Wehunt said. “Number 21 for Madison County ran rim to rim three straight possessions on us. It went from 32-28 to 38-28 with us missing some makeable opportunities and some poor transition defense. At that point we are playing catch-up the rest of the game.”

Corderius Paschal and Ben Huckaby both had 11 points.

“Ty (Paschal) is an exciting player to watch,” Wehunt said. “He is not even fully in basketball shape yet. He was all over the place and playing with a lot of effort. He is playing a lot and is earning more playing time. “(This season) has been different than my first two years. We are a much younger basketball team but my first two years as a head coach, we didn’t have to deal with being as reliant on football guys coming to basketball,” Wehunt said.

“The football team had a good year last year but we didn’t have a lot of key guys that were coming to us from football like we did this year.”

Oconee County played at Jefferson earlier this week in the region opener.

Oconee plays Friday night at North Oconee and hosts Flowery Branch on Saturday at 6 p.m. in a pair of non-region games.

Athens Academy basketball

Non-region wins against Oglethorpe for ACAD

BY MATTHEW CALDWELL The Oconee Leader

Athens Academy was swept by WashingtonWilkes but swept Oglethorpe County last Tuesday and Friday, respectively, in a pair of early non-region games.

The Lady Spartans lost 31-30 to WashingtonWilkes and beat Oglethorpe County 39-31. Last Saturday in a Region 8-A game, the Lady Spartans lost 6257 to drop to 2-3 overall.

Their three losses have been by a combined 11 points.

“I couldn’t be happier with the energy everyone is putting in. As a coach you are never necessarily excited about the close losses for them. I want them to have the success that I feel like they deserve based on what they have been putting in in practice,” said head coach Brian Olson. “I believe this group of girls is going to have a lot of success in the future and we are starting to see the beginning of that. It’s a positive outlook for the season.”

Gracen Daniels had 10 points against WashingtonWilkes. Gabby Mastandrea had seven points.

“As we improve every day, I have to give the girls credit. They want to be held ‘ACAD hoops’ Page 6

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Thursday, December 10, 2015

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Page 6

Weynand scores career high in Lady Titans win, North Oconee hosts Oconee on Friday

Robert Wylie with family

Wylie signs to swim at West Virginia

BY MATTHEW CALDWELL The Oconee Leader

Oconee County senior Robert Wylie has been a competitive swimmer with Athens Bulldog Swim Club since he was around 11 years old. He started swimming in summer leagues when he was 8.

During that time, he has trained and swam at the University of Georgia’s Ramsey Center for home meets and traveled all over for meets.

With his high school tenure winding down, Wylie looked at around 20 schools before deciding between West Virginia (Big 12), Kentucky (SEC) and Georgia Tech (ACC) - three big schools in three difference conferences.

He chose the program in the Big 12 and he signed his letter of intent last month to join West Virginia University’s swim team.

“It’s pretty exciting. It is

‘ACAD hoops’

accountable. We have been working hard as unit.

Everything we have asked them to do, they have done,” Olson said. “Every game we have had this season has been a different scenario. This game was a scenario we haven’t faced yet. They will learn from it.

The next time we are faced with this situation, we will come much better than we did tonight.”

The Spartans fell to Washington-Wilkes 69-64 but defeated Oglethorpe County 61-46 for their second win of the season.

Jacob Hudson had 26 points against WashingtonWilkes. Matt Moseley had 13 points.

“They are well coached, very athletic, a lot deeper than we are but it was a good game for us. We’ve only been with the starters for about four practices.

another big stepping stone.

I am looking forward to getting up there and swimming fast,” Wylie said. “I have been talking to them for over a year now. After I took all of my recruiting trips, it was a place that seemed like home the most.

I really like the coaches there.”

Wylie said swimming with ABSC has helped him get used to traveling long distances to meets, and being around college athletes has been beneficial to him as well.

“I definitely have traveled a lot and got used to the travel side of it, so I don’t think that will be a problem. Swimming against some pretty tough competition is probably going to make it be easier to have to race people faster than me every time, especially being a freshman,” Wylie said.

“Getting to walk around and be in the same place as

the UGA swimmers really makes a difference seeing how they act and seeing how they work and their attitude. That has rubbed off on me a little bit. It’s been a lot of good examples that have been set for me from the coaches since they are coaches at UGA and the swimmers that are around the pool. I have been fortunate to have a lot of people be such good examples for me to try and follow.”

Wylie said he is being recruited for the mile, the 400-IM, the 200-backstroke and 500-freestyle.

“It has been a lot of countless hours swimming up and down the pool,” Wylie said. “Recently I have been putting in a lot of time in the weight room and doing a lot of cross training stuff. That has made a difference. It’s a lot of time and sacrifice but it is worth it.”

Continued from Page 5

More online...

For photos of Athens Academy’s games against WashingtonWilkes, see theoconeeleader.com

Everything we didn’t do well, we can get better at,” said head coach James Banks after the Washington-Wilkes game. “We are proud of our guys with the fight and intensity. We are not disappointed in them because everything will be corrected and we will be a better ball club in the next two or three weeks.

“I liked the heart. I liked the movement. I liked the shots that we took early in the half. I like that we played a lot of guys to see what the rotation will be like,” Banks said. “That

will take a few weeks. We are excited. They had great success in football so they already had a winning attitude. They are in much better shape than we have ever gotten them back from football, so that’s a plus.

We will be fine. Everything is correctable. Everything is right there in front of us.

We will keep plugging away, keep getting better as a group and keep developing our cohesiveness, and we will be fine.”

Banks said their goal is to win the region.

“I told them it’s a process.

They are working hard towards those goals. You’d like to get the wins but it’s all in the process. It’s a long journey,” Banks said. “It will be a nice journey with this group. They have bought into one another and bought into the system. We will keep getting better.”

MATTHEW CALDWELL/Oconee Leader

Emma Weynand (pictured) scored a career high 27 points and the North Oconee Lady Titans beat Lakeview 65-59 last Saturday in a non-region game. The Lady Titans improved to 3-2 overall with the win. The Titans lost 77-55 to Lakeview to drop to 1-4 overall. North Oconee hosts rival Oconee County on Friday night. The varsity girls begin at 7 p.m., followed by the varsity boys. North Oconee hosts Apalachee on Saturday at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Page 7

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‘PACS football’

play after he threw the flag, he figured out we were holding them instead of them holding us,” Herron said. “He thought he should have called defensive holding if anything. I thought the kid was down myself. I couldn’t see it well but that was a big play.”

The two teams went into their locker rooms with the Chargers up 21-7 at halftime.

“I felt like we played as well as we could possibly play in the first half,” Herron said.

“We just missed some chances. It got frustrating because I felt like we had a chance to be up 21 or 24-0 in the first half. We got some inopportune penalties. We slipped down a time or two. We shot ourselves in the foot a little bit. I got frustrated and didn’t do as good a job coaching as I should

have at that point.

“The punt return was a big play. We felt like we had a clip that they missed. We weren’t our usual self in the kicking game tonight. Punts and their returns really hurt us. We had a couple of kickoff returns where we were inches away from breaking.

You’ve got to convert. Against somebody that good when you get those chances, you’ve got to make them pay and we weren’t able to do that in the first half.”

The Wolverines got the ball to start the third quarter and, just like their opening drive of the game, found the end zone on their opening drive of the second half.

Noah Campbell ran 39 yards for a touchdown and cut the lead to 21-14 following Pringle’s PAT with 8:52 left in the quarter.

The Chargers were stopped on their own

18 on the ensuing kickoff, but a 22-yard run and a 9-yard run set up second-and-one from their own 49. On the third play of the drive, the Chargers ran 51 yards for a tou chdown to take a 28-14 lead.

The Wolverines went three-and-out on their next drive and threw an interception on the following drive.

The Chargers took a 35-14 lead with 11:53 left in the game.

“In the second half, we got wore down.

It is what it is. They did it to us last year and they did it again this year,” Herron said. “We made some good adjustments at halftime. We have a lot of kids playing both ways. They don’t have any. That became a factor as the game wore on. It’s something that we’ve got to be able to overcome but we weren’t able to do that tonight.”

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Continued from Page 4

This year’s senior class went 42-9 with three region championships in their four years on the team.

“It’s tough on our seniors. That’s the sad part. I have never gotten over losing my last game as a senior and these kids won’t either, no matter what,” Herron said.

“That’s sad because they have had a great year. I can’t say it enough. I am extremely proud of what they have accomplished.”

For the players returning, preparations for next season began this week in the weight room.

“We will get in there and lift Monday and get two weeks in before Christmas and then take a little break,” Herron said, “and then come back after Christmas and get after it hard.”

Page 8

Thursday, December 10, 2015

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Oconee Christmas Parade

Downtown Watkinsville held its annual Christmas Parade last Saturday.

With the theme of “Dashing Through the Snow,” the parade included floats, marching bands, antique vehicles and a visit from Santa Claus.

Photos by Rob Peecher

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Thursday, december 10, 2015

Tell our advertisers you saw them in The Oconee Leader • Go to theoconeeleader.com for picture galleries Let us help you find your new career today!

Installation / Maintenance / Repair

To Advertise: Phone 706.208.2290

Accounting / Finanance/Insurance

1000

Accounting / Finanance/Insurance

Installation / Maintenance / Repair

1260

Major Manufacturing Facility in Athens, Georgia has an Immediate opening for: Industrial Maintenance Person

3 to 5 years’ experience in the field Machinist skills preferred Must have: High School Diploma/GED Georgia Work Ready Certificate Physical Exam/Drug Screen Rotating Shifts (3 shifts) Excellent Benefit Package

Please send resumes to: 7000010962@ad2job.com EOE/M/F/V/D Installation / Maintenance / Repair

1260

Maintenance person wanted: Maintenance person/life safety director for small 40 suite assisted living community.

Must have valid driver’s license, Good customer service skills, & Basic computer skills.

Experience in apartment turnover and basic maintenance skills required.

Please apply to Morningside of Athens 1291 Cedar Shoals Drive Athens Ga 30605 (706)227-0919

1000

Assistant CFO: Northridge Medical Center – Commerce, GA. The ACFO will provide support in all efforts to ensure the financial viability of the hospital by establishing and monitoring financial and budgeting affairs. This position will be a part of the senior management team.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting or related field. Minimum of 3 years’ sufficient management experience required in the area of hospital revenue cycle.

We offer competitive salaries, PTO, 401(k), Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits!

Please send resume to: jjones@northridgemc.org or tkubasta@northridgemc.org

EOE/M/F/D/V Drug Free Workplace

Logistics / Transportation

1320

Driver- CDL/A $3000 Sign On Bonus for Experienced Drivers Paid Out within 30 days of 1st dispatch!

HOME WEEKLY NEW Southeast Regional PAY INCREASE!

Company & Independent Contractors Needed 6 Day Refresher Course Avail.

In Business over 50 years!

Logistics / Transportation

1320

Logistics / Transportation

1320

Northeast Sales Dist., Co. is accepting applications for local Route Delivery drivers.

Route delivery experience is a plus. Class A CDL is required.

A seven-year MVR and a background check must be provided with application. Good pay plus benefits. Benefits include 401k, health, life, disability, dental, paid vacation and more.

Apply in person at Northeast Sales 840 Ronald Wood Rd., Winder, GA 30680.

M-F 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. 678-963-7700.

Email address meberling@nesdi.com.

Medical / Health

1380

Medical / Health

1380

Morgan Memorial Hospital Registered Nurse (RN) – PRN Seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) to work on a PRN status.

The candidate must hold current licensure in the state of Georgia and have CPR/BLS and ACLS certifications.

Apply online at www.mmh.org Or send resume to Sarah S. Phillips, HR Fax: 706-342-2742 e-mail: sarahp@mmh.org Morgan Memorial Hospital is a Drug Free Workplace/EEOC

1260

Medical / Health

LPN needed to run 40 suite assisted living community.

Needs excellent communication skills and customer service skills, & basic computer skills.

Managing small staff of 20 nursing assistants/on call for emergencies.

Please apply to Morningside of Athens 1291 Cedar Shoals Drive Athens Ga 30605 (706)227-0919

1380

Busy medical practice in need of the following positions: Certified Medical Assistants, Medical Lab Technicians, Emergency Medical Technicians.

We offer competitive compensation and good benefit package.

Please email resume to RMGjobs@reddymedicalgroup. com

Find that perfect new employee -- call 706.208.2290!

Medical / Health

PageA7 9

aThens banner-herald

Medical / Health

1380

•

1380

The Northeast Health District is looking for a Registered Nurse to assist with the coordination of the Infectious Disease Program.

Under general supervision, this nurse will provide clinical expertise, training and leadership to public health nurses on STD’s, HIV, TB and other infectious diseases. This nurse will coordinate infectious disease prevention and educational programs within the community and will participate in the emergency preparedness program. The nurse will provide case management and advise clients on health maintenance and disease prevention. Opportunities for supervising support or lower level staff may arise.

Minimum training & Experience: Current Georgia license to practice as a registered professional nurse AND one or more years in a managerial, supervisory or leadership role.

Preferred Qualification: Professional experience in public health nursing, or experience with HIV/AIDS, STD, TB and other infectious diseases desirable.

Generous benefits include 12 paid holidays, annual and sick leave, health insurance, and retirement plans.

Salary ranges from $40,000 to $45,000 based on experience.

To apply, go to https://www.governmentjobs.com/ jobs/1244568 and then follow instructions on the website to apply.

Please apply ONLY through the DPH website.

Deadline to apply is December 13, 2015.

855-378-9335 EOE KLLM.com

To Advertise, Call 706.208.2290

Surgery Center of Athens, LLC Fast paced surgery center is looking to fill the following positions: RN- Full Time position with two years of Pre-operative Nursing experience RN-Full Time Pre-Admissions coordinator with two years of Preoperative Nursing experience Surgical Technologist-Full Time with minimum two years experience in multi-specialty OR RN-PRN position with minimum two years experience in Pre-op, PACU, or OR Circulating Surgical Technologist-PRN position with minimum two years experience in multi-speciality OR

Reliable, flexible, team players needed.

If you are a people person looking for a rewarding job please apply. No holidays or weekends.

Send resume to kmixon@surgerycenterofathens.com Installation / Maintenance / Repair

1260

•

Education/Training

1180

Now Hiring Full Time & Part time teachers.

Minimum requirements: Childcare experience required, CDA minimum preferred, Energetic, Team Player who is passionate about children Great benefits and work environment.

Apply onsite, download app at www.krk23ga.com, or call 706-546-9400 for info.

Morgan Memorial Hospital Med-Surg RN – Full Time Nights – 2 Positions Available Seeking a Registered Nurse (RN) to work full time Nights in the Med-Surg Department. The candidate must hold current licensure in the State of Georgia and have CPR/BLS, ACLS certification.

Must be willing to work weekends when needed.

Apply online at www.mmh.org Or send resume to Sarah S. Phillips, HR Fax: 706-342-2742 e-mail: sarahp@mmh.org Morgan Memorial Hospital is a Drug Free Workplace/EEOC PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

We are a well-established, progressive neurosurgical practice located in Athens, Georgia with six satellite offices.

We currently have an immediate employment opportunity available for a physician assistant. Surgical experience preferred but not required.

All applicants should have completed their medical training and have experience in patient care. Some travel required.

We offer competitive salary and benefits package.

Send resume with cover letter to: Melinda Batal Georgia Neurological Surgery 2142 W. Broad St Bldg 100, Suite 200 Athens, GA 30606 Or email to gns@georgianeuro.com

Morgan Memorial Hospital House Supervisor, RN – Full Time Nights Seeking a Nursing Supervisor to work full time Nights.

Must hold current licensure in the State of Georgia as a Registered Nurse, BLS and ACLS certifications. Supervisory experience in a hospital or clinical setting required. Must be a self-starter, have good communication, organizational, and computer skills.

Apply online at www.mmh.org Or send resume to Sarah S. Phillips, HR Fax: 706-342-2742 e-mail: sarahp@mmh.org Morgan Memorial Hospital is a Drug Free Workplace/EEOC

Let us help find that perfect new employee! Call 706.208.2290 to advertise your job opening in the Oconee Leader.

PR OFESSIONAL

A Guide to Professional Services in the Oconee County Area To Advertise: Phone 706.549.FAST Shopping

3910

Home Services

Home Services

3520

3520

Home Services

3520

Home Services

Home Services

3520

3520

Auction 10am Sat Dec 12 Cook Motor Co.

1140 Athens Road Crawford, Ga. 30630 70’ Dodge Challenger, 64 Buick Conv, 66 Corvair Conv, 67 Impala, 39 Chev, late model cars, 64 Dnepr m/ cycle w/sidecar, car parts, shop tools, lift, OK porcelain sign, OK Used Cars neon sign, trailers and lots more!

See Photo Gallery at

METAL OR SHINGLES • We do ALL the work & repairs: soffit, cornice, fascia & painting

www.samwillauction.com

706 202-2685 Sam Williamson GAL 2585

Home Services

3520

Plumber Pro Service and Drain

Your Residential Plumbing Service Experts

706-769-7761

www.plumberproservice.com www.facebook.com/plumberproservice

Master Plumber License #Mp210274 • Insured • Free Estimates

$25 First Time Customer Discount $30 Senior Citizen Discount www.gbedellconstruction.com

UlmBrothers Tree Service

Local and experienced!

We are fully insured and offer Tree removal,Trimming Pruning, Debris Removal, Insurance work, Right of way work, Lot clearing, and Stump Grinding. We pride our self on customer service and satisfaction.

Call for a free estimate today.

Office: 706-369-5300 Cell: 706-255-4941

Home Services

3520

Home Services

3520

Home Services

3520

STATE OF GEORGIA LICENSED CONTRACTOR Do you provide a professional service?

Advertise Here! Call 706.549.FAST! Home Services

3520

BAT SEASON

“Resolving Conflicts Between People & Animals” WILDLIFE TRAPPING Wildlife Detection Removal & Prevention

MARSHALL’S ROOFING

www.gbedellconstruction.com BRIAN’S TREE SERVICES HANDYMAN, ROOFING, PATCHWORK, GUTTER CLEANING,PRESSURE WASHING, & PAINTING, YARD & LEAF CLEANING, HEDGE TRIMMING & SHRUB REMOVAL, UNDERBRUSH CLEARING, STORM DRAINS CALL BRIAN 706-247-5430 23 YRS EXP. LIC & INSURED 7 DAYS A WEEK. FREE EST. SR. CITIZEN DISC. WE DO IT ALL!

Shingles, metal, patchwork, any kind of wood repairs or home maintenance.

We Do It All! Licensed & Insured 7 Days A Week Senior Citizen Discount Call Today: 706-207-0481

Bickley’s Tree Service f Tree Service f Lawn Maintenance f Stump Grinding f Brush Chipping f Bobcat f Dump Truck Insured

Lamar Adams 706-224-2079

LEAFPROOF

“Pest proof & leaf proof your gutters Free Estimates

Peyton Hopkins Call 706-546-7438 AthensExterminating.net PO Box 5772 7080 Smokey Rd. Athens GA 30604 Lic. Trapper #99993 Professional Services

3715

Professional Services

CHUCK HARDY & SONS LLC BRUSH, MULCHING & STUMP GRINDING

u Underbrush Removal u Stump Grinding u Lots Cleared u We grind brush around lakes u Concrete Removal u Demolition of Houses & Mobile Homes

Insured Free Estimates! 706-201-4380

3715

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Thursday, December 3, 2015

Tell our advertisers you saw them in The Oconee Leader