It matters to God

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January 31, 2015

Mark 4: 3-8, “He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: ^{3 ‘}Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. ⁸Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.’”

Jesus’ method of teaching can at times be confusing, so confusing, that even the disciples questioned what He meant. Jesus used parables to engage the listeners in something they could understand – every day life events. The parables were also meant to stimulate our minds and to make us think for ourselves.

God’s word is available through out the world. With today’s technology and the ability of travel, there are very few people who cannot be reached by God’s word. The tough part is how do they (we) hear the word?

The parable above tells us how the word of God is heard and received. Jesus later explains the parable to His disciples in Mark 4:14-20. He tells them the seed which was sown on the path is like a person who hears the word of God but Satan comes and takes the word from them. I call it “the inaudible” truth. Ever tried to give advice to a brick wall? Those words just splash right back in your face. Without a willingness from the listener to allow the words to penetrate his/her mind, the Word of God is quickly lost, like throwing seed to birds.

The seed which is sown on the rocky places can be an example of how some of us respond to God’s Word. Have you ever heard an inspirational sermon which fills your heart with joy and motivates you to change the way you think or to change your actions, but the moment you step out of the church and life hits you, all is forgotten. There is no core within to attach and therefore the Word of God cannot take root. “In one ear and out the other” is an old adage which describes this portion of the parable well.

The seeds among thorns describe those who hear God’s Word, know it is the truth, but disregard it. They know what is right and wrong. They know their lifestyles do not line up; but, the desires for sin are greater than the desire for God. His Word is choked out by the thorns around them.

The final seed sown, on good soil, is accepted and lived out on a daily basis. It is the seed that will change the world. It is the seed that spreads the Word of God by living it on a daily basis.

What are you? Maybe a little of all at various times in your life. When you hear God’s word, ask Him to show you how it applies to you. Stop worrying if Susie two rows in front of you is listening and start listening yourself. What is God trying to convey to you in the scriptures? How we hear the word and put it into practice in our lives matters tremendously to God.

SAT bell foul-up

By

Joy Purcell

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January 30, 2015

School bells raised an alarm for some students and parents at Habersham Central High School recently after the bells repeatedly rang during the Scholastic Aptitude Test. The bell foul-up happened during testing on January 24.

Parent Ken Ruddell says he was “personally outraged” by the repeated interruptions during the 5 hour test. “My three kids were tormented by this alarm, as were all of the children there,” Ruddell says. “Try writing a timed essay with that in your ears – not possible. Try figuring out math problems or reading.”

Habersham County’s Director of Secondary Schools Pam Dalton says, typically, bells are deactivated on weekends and, by default, during SAT testing because the test is always administered on a Saturday. She says the bells that rang last weekend took the students and test administrators by surprise. “We suspect that the bells rang due to recent work that had been performed on the system,” Dalton explains.

Dalton says the staff member who coordinates the test is filing a report with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) but does not anticipate it will be considered a major disruption. “Interruptions of this type (lasting less than 10 minutes) are not required to be reported as testing irregularities to the state assessment division during state-mandated tests.” Although the SAT is not a state-mandated test, Dalton says similar guidelines apply.

The SAT stakes are high. Many colleges base their admissions on student SAT scores.

Ruddell says his three children are taking the ACT next month, but last Saturday was the only time they’ll take the SAT. “There is no doubt their performance was adversely impacted, how much, is yet to be determined,” he says.

While there’s nothing that can change the situation for his kids, Ruddell says he hopes other students who take the SAT in Habersham won’t face similar disruptons in the future. “Someone needs to assure our students that this won’t ever happen again.”

Make up tests for SATs are not allowed once the student has tested. They can re-take the test as often as they like but must pay each time they do. Habersham County is one of many testing sites located throughout the state.

The SAT will be administered again at Habersham Central on May 2.

Habersham students sing to the top

By

Michelle Wetherbee

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January 30, 2015

The 2014 Georgia National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition was held at Georgia State in early November. Students of Teachers who are members of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) ages 15 through adult prepare Classical and/or Broadway songs and perform before other NATS teachers for comments and awards. Students from all over Georgia enter based on their age and training level and first, second and third place awards are given in each of the 28 categories. The first place winners in each category perform one song in front of the participants in a large recital hall (800 seats) at the end of the competition.

This year 4 awards were given to students of local NATS teacher Ms. Lilly/Lillian Wayne-Buck. Ryan Long, a senior at Tallulah Falls School and last year’s First Place Winner at the Cornelia Kiwanis Talent Show and Second Place Winner at the State Kiwanis Talent Competition, won first Place in Broadway and Second Place in Classical music in his respective categories. Brianna Bakoledis, a sophomore at Habersham Central High School, won Second Place in Classical music in her category and Ginny King, Director of Sautee School of Dance, won Second Place in her category. Pictured above, left to right are Bakoledis, Long and King.

Congratulations to all!!!

Haikham Sisavath

By

Staff Report

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January 30, 2015

Haikham Sisavath, age 51, of Cornelia, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at her residence.

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Life in Motion

By

Nora Almazan

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January 30, 2015

“The cold can’t stop us!” Eli & Zach Taylor, Clarkesville, GA

Suspect captured in manhunt

By

Joy Purcell

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January 30, 2015

Kevin Tatum — Tatum is taken away by Tallulah Falls Police for questioning.

A four-hour long, multi-agency manhunt in Tallulah Falls ended without incident Thursday when officers captured the suspect inside a house on Gilbert Gate Road. 25-year old Kevin Tatum was arrested and charged with simple battery and false imprisonment following a domestic dispute at his parent’s home on state park property.

The victim’s identity and relationship to the suspect have not been confirmed.

GBI Special Agent in Charge Kimberly Williams says at no time was the public in any danger.

“Today the victim of the crime made contact with the Tallulah Falls Police Department and requested assistance,” says GBI Special Agent in Charge Kimberly Williams. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation because the alleged crimes occurred on state property.

Tallulah Falls Police Chief Bill Goatcher called in three other state and local agencies to assist in the search for Kevin Tatum after he reportedly stole prescription drugs from the house and disappeared into the woods behind Tallulah Falls Middle School off of Highway 365. State agencies were involved in the search because the alleged crimes occurred on state property. There was also concern for Tatum’s safety.

Officers from the Georgia State Patrol, Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division and the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call. A Georgia State Patrol helicopter hovered overhead as officers combed the woods searching for Tatum. He was captured around 4:15pm. Tatum was examined by paramedics and taken into custody.

Tallulah Falls School President Larry Peevy speaks with law enforcement officers outside the gates to the main TFS campus on Hwy. 365.

The TFS Middle School and main campus were locked down during the manhunt as a precaution.

“We took an action based on a phone call from the Sheriff of Habersham County who notified us that there was a search going on for a fugitive in the area and, so, we did a normal lockdown,” explains Tallulah Falls School President Larry Peevy. He assures parents, “At no time during the lockdown were their children here in any danger whatsoever.”

Williams says, “This was isolated. There was never anybody in danger and currently the investigation is ongoing.”

An EMS crew from Habersham examined 25-year old Kevin Tatum after he was captured. He did not suffer any injuries.

Kevin Tatum is being held in the Habersham County jail.

Harrison expected to be named HCHS head coach

By

Joy Purcell

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January 29, 2015

coach benji harrison.001 — Coach Benji Harrison carried the Jackson Panthers to back to back playoff appearances in 2012-2013. He hopes to the same for the Raiders starting this year.

Jackson County head football coach Benji Harrison is expected to be recommended for the job of head coach at Habersham Central High School on Monday. Sources tell Now Habersham Harrison is the final candidate for the job. He was selected from among at least ten candidates who were interviewed for the position.

Harrison has been head coach at Jackson County Comprehensive High School since 2012. According to the news website OnlineAthens, he resigned his position there on Tuesday. Jackson County Athletic Director Adam Lindsey issued this statement:

“He took a program that had been struggling for quite some time and gave it a lot of energy and confidence. With him taking us to the playoffs for the first two years, it was huge for our football team and community. That has been a spark for our other programs. … It’s a devastating loss, but our goal is to get out there and find the next guy who can do that too.”

Harrison compiled a 12-20 record over three seasons with the Panthers. He led Jackson County to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2012-2013, the first consecutive playoff bids for the Panthers since 1986-1987. Jackson County finished 6-5 in Harrison’s first season as head coach, its first winning record since going 8-2 under Don Golden in 1992.

Harrison was offensive coordinator at Flowery Branch High School in Hall County before moving to Jackson. He also coached at Elbert and Franklin County High Schools. Coach Harrison was a standout quarterback at Stephens County High and lettered all four years at Presbyterian College.

Harrison and his wife, Thomasyne, have two young daughters.

Habersham County school board member Robert Barron says he’s pleased with Harrison’s selection. “I think, from all the paperwork and everything else that I’ve seen, he comes highly qualified. I can’t think of a better person to lead our program in the direction we need it to go.”

Habersham County has been searching for a new head football coach since Michael Pollock resigned last November.

Neither HCHS Athletic Director Geep Cunningham nor Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper will officially confirm Harrison’s selection. Cooper says, “The search committe is continuing to make progress and they’ve narrowed the field considerably.” He says nothing is official until the board votes.

That may happen Monday when the school board meets in a special called session. The agenda includes a personnel recommendation and executive session.

The meeting will be held at 4:30pm in the school board meeting room at the school administrative office on 132 West Stanford Mill Road in Clarkesville.

Tallulah Falls School on lockdown

By

Joy Purcell

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January 29, 2015

Tallulah Falls School is on lockdown at this hour as police comb the woods for a man who took prescription pills from a nearby residence. Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell says the lockdown is a precaution, “We don’t believe him to be armed and dangerous.”

Terrell says law enforcement is concerned for the man’s safety and officers are now searching for him in the woods off Gilbert Gate Road directly behind the middle school.

Terrell says the Tallulah Falls Police Department called in the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office around 12:30pm to assist. They’re now waiting on a Georgia State Patrol helicopter to arrive and help in the search.

Terrell says the school was notified and put on lockdown as a precaution in the event the man did try to enter.

The investigation is being handled by the Tallulah Falls Police Department.

Now Habersham will update details as they become available.

Sweet Breads to relocate

By

Joy Purcell

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January 29, 2015

sweet breads burned — (photo courtesy Atlanta Journal and Constitution)

(photo courtesy Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

The owners of the former Sweet Breads Cafe in Clarkesville say they plan to reopen another restaurant, but it won’t be in Clarkesville. The popular restaurant burned to the ground last March. The property where it once stood was sold to Clarkesville insurance agent Matt Mixon this week.

The city of Clarkesville will pay $750 a month to use this empty lot during clean-up and restoration efforts.

Mixon paid $100,000 for the empty lot. He has agreed to lease it to the City of Clarkesville for $750 a month for 12 months so that construction crews can have access to the rear of the nearby historic buildings on the square that also burned. Mixon says, “I don’t have any plans yet for the property but will work with the city in the meantime for them to save costs on demolition and (to insure) minimal disturbance for the parking and businesses on the square.”

Clarkesville City Councilwoman Barrie Aycock says the lease agreement gives Clarkesville the “right of first refusal” if Mixon should decide to sell. Clarkesville purchased three of five buildings that burned on March 5, 2014, after fire broke out inside Sweet Breads Cafe. A fourth property was later donated to the city.

Sweet Breads owners Lee Hull and C.B. Henson say they’re delighted to have sold the property to Mixon. Hull tells Now Habersham, “I now sleep in peace knowing he can deal with the ‘good ‘ol boy’ system that Clarkesville government still mandates, as I never could.”

Hull and Henson had a number of disputes with the City of Clarkesville while they were in business. The city attempted to buy the property from them after the fire but the two parties could not agree on a price. The original asking price was $150,000.

The contractor has 60 days to clean-up and stabilize the burned out historic buildings on the square.

Hull says he’s now looking at property to reopen Sweet Breads. “Close, but out of this town as to not have any more headaches or heartaches the Clarkesville city government has given me and me them.”

Hull emphasizes his new business “will be very close” and says he’ll disclose the location soon. He adds, “I look forward to serving our patient patrons once again.”

A little bit of oil

By

Nora Almazan

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January 29, 2015

Yesterday I was reminded of a Bible story from 2 Kings 4:1-7. It is a story of a recently widowed woman who came to Elisha for help. Her husband, who was a man of God, died, owing a debt. She had very little money and the Creditor was coming to take her children to sell into slavery. I can only imagine the terrifying and gripping fear of this dear woman. Many people in today’s economy have lost material things – maybe a house foreclosure, a car repossessed, a business closing, job loss, 401k depletion – but children? Being seized and sold into slavery? I frantically created scenarios of what “I” would do: hide them in a secret room under my house; send them to relatives overseas; cross the border into Mexico. All ridiculous, I know, but I felt her pain.

Elisha asks her what she has and the only thing of value is a little bit of oil. He tells her and her children to go throughout the neighborhood and gather jars. When the task is completed, Elisha, through God, begins to pour the oil into the jars. Before her very eyes it multiplies until there are no more jars. She takes the oil, sells it, and has enough to live on the rest of her life. Creditor paid in full!

Sometimes when I am praying I feel God shout out to an angel, “Can you get me a pen? Nora Almazan’s on her knees again!” Of course I am teasing but, oh, the problems I bring to God for myself, my children, my friends, the government, world hunger, the military, Israel. I wonder if I give Him a headache.

I ask myself, “Why did Elisha have the power to multiply the oil and save the widow’s children? Is he a super hero? Is he different from me?” And the answer is Elisha and I were created by the same God. We serve the same God. God is the same today, yesterday, and forevermore.

Elisha called upon His God and had the FAITH to know God would prevail.

God knows your burdens. He knows mine. And He cares about every single one of them. What’s missing in our story and Elisha’s? The Faith to know He has us covered.

Dancing with the Habersham Stars Teams 1 & 2

By

Michelle Wetherbee

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January 29, 2015

Team One for the exciting dancing competition is Alan NeSmith, a regional publisher with Athens-based Community Newspapers Inc., lives in Cornelia with his wife, Heather, and their two young sons, William and Fenn. NeSmith is publisher of The Northeast Georgian. He oversees the operations of The Clayton Tribune, White County News, The Dahlonega Nugget, and the Dawson News and Advertiser, as well as Georgia Mountain Press. NeSmith, a graduate of The University of Georgia, got ink into his veins early, through the tips of his fingers. When he was 8, he became an inserter in the mailroom of his family’s twice-weekly, The Press-Sentinel in Jesup, Ga. He currently serves as Chairman of The Habersham Chamber of Commerce, and is a board member of The Rotary Club of Habersham County, The Georgia Press Association, The First Amendment Foundation and The Jekyll Island Foundation. NeSmith and his wife Heather were members of Leadership Georgia’s Class of 2010, and served as program chairs in 2011. He currently serves on the 2015 Board of Trustees for Leadership Georgia. They are members of the First Baptist Church of Cornelia. Away from work and civic duties, NeSmith enjoys time with his family, fishing and hunting.

Nesmith’s partner is Habersham’s own Carrie Elrod. She has a BFA in Dance from The Boston Conservatory. Elrod began her dance training at Dance-A-Lott in Cornelia, GA and has studied many mediums of dance throughout her career. While in Boston, she was a recurrent featured soloist, and performed professionally in New York City where she lived and worked for many years before returning to be with family in early 2011.

Carrie has been active within the community appearing on stage and/or choreographing for many Habersham Community Theatre productions such as The King and I, as well as, Theater Central’s Guys and Dolls and up-coming production of Footloose. She works with individuals of all ages and ability levels to prepare for events such as professional or college auditions, talent shows, and weddings. Additionally, she has been an instructor at Premiere Dance and Performing Arts Academy since August 2012 teaching a variety of classes including Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, the occasional Zumba Fitness dance party, and Theatrical Movement.

To cast your votes for Team Nesmith-Elrod, vote for team 1.

Team 2 is headed by Ivy Hall. Hall and her sister started Initials, Inc. an award-winning fashion & lifestyle company that blends style, function & personal service while offering social selling opportunities across the country. A graduate of the university of Georgia, Hall is a member of the Habersham Camber of Commerce, the Habersham Executive Women’s Group and is a committee member of the Fran Stapleton Afterschool Care. She and her husband, Scott, live in Habersham County. Her partner is Chad Johnson.

Chad Johnson has been employed with the Department of Public Safety – Georgia State Patrol since 1996. He currently holds the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC) and is the Post Commander of GSP Post 7 Toccoa which covers Rabun, Habersham and Stephens Counties. Chad was born and raised in Habersham County and is a Habersham Central High School Class of 1989 graduate. Chad attended Georgia Southern University and Gainesville State College – Associate of Arts in Business Administration. He currently lives in Mount Airy, GA and is an active member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville. He is a Board Member of area Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and supports and participates with Operation 1 Voice, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to rising funds and awareness for the financial needs of children and families of wounded and fallen Special Operations Forces soldiers. In the previous three years, Chad had the honor to humbly participate with special operators from the United States Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines, as well as, with other law enforcement personnel and firemen, as they cycled from the Naval Amphibious Base in Little Creek, VA, Eglin Air Force Base in Valparaiso, FL and Marine Corp Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to Georgia in honor of fallen and/or wounded Special Operations Forces soldiers.

Chad is the son of James Johnson and Maria Fennell of Clarkesville. He has two older brothers, Ricky and Tim Johnson. Chad has been married to his beautiful wife Celeste for 11 years and they have a wonderful 8 year old son Michael. In his free time, Chad enjoys cycling, golfing, skiing, spending time with his family and friends, and of course now dancing. Most importantly, Chad is a believer in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.

Locally this team is known as “Chivy.”

To cast your votes for Team Hall-Johnson, vote for team 2.

To vote and to reserve your tickets, visit https://www.gacircleofhope.org/