RALPH OLIVER, age 78, of Alto, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2014.
Piedmont hosts “Familia Day”
Demorest – Piedmont College will be hosting its first “Familia Day,” from 5–8 p.m., Nov. 20, at the Swanson Center on the Demorest Campus. The event seeks to bring together and encourage college-bound students and their families from Hispanic communities in northeast Georgia.
Activities will include a variety of informational college-track sessions; campus tours; faculty interaction; and a keynote presentation by David Araya, a founder of HoPe, a non-profit organization promoting leadership, education, and community service to Hispanic high school students. The event will end with dinner and entertainment in Brookside Dining Room.
For more information about Familia Day, visit www.piedmont.edu/events, contact Analilia Gowan at 706-778-3000 ext. 1238, or email agowan@piedmont.edu.
“Pink out” turns into green for Relay for Life
During the recent “pink out” at the HCHS vs. North Forsyth football game, Fellowship of Christian Athletes took donations to benefit Habersham Relay for LIfe. FCA student leader Seth Nicholson organized workers to help with the event.
The slogan for the night was “your change could change a life”.
Seth is shown presenting Elizabeth Jenkins, a relay for life representative, with a check for $75.00. FCA appreciates the donations given at the game.
Commissioners to discuss scenic byway
After more than a year of dialogue and debate the battle continues over Habersham County’s proposed Soque Scenic Byway. The Habersham County Commission will discuss the proposed byway Monday during its monthly commission meeting. Opponents of the byway are expected to attend the meeting to voice their continued opposition to the plan.
Supporters of the plan want the Georgia Department of Transportation to designate Highway 197 North and other roads feeding into it as a scenic byway to preserve the county’s natural beauty and attract tourists. The Habersham County Commission passed a resolution earlier this year in support of the byway.
Opponents are asking the county to rescind its support. They fear a byway would infringe upon personal property rights. Despite assurances to the contrary, opponents aren’t budging. They’ve launched a petition drive and are traveling through Habersham, knocking on doors, soliciting signatures against it.
Anyone wishing to speak about the byway – or any other topic – during Monday night’s commission meeting must be on the agenda. Those who sign up to speak by tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 14, will get five minutes to speak. Those who sign up to speak on the night of the meeting will be allowed three minutes at the podium.
To get on the agenda call Habersham County Clerk Crystal Ward at 706-839-0200 or email her at cward@habershamga.com.
The Habersham County Commission meets Monday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. in the new Habersham County Judicial Center off Stanford Mill Road in Clarkesville.
For a copy of Monday night’s Habersham County Commission agenda click here.
Proposed Route
This is a description of the proposed byway route as presented on the Habersham County government website:
“The Soque Scenic Byway is a 46.9-mile long route in the northern portion of Habersham County. Much of the route parallels the Soque River. The byway passes through downtown Clarkesville and several smaller communities. Travelers along the route experience a variety of settings including magnificent vistas of the river and mountains; woodlands, forests and creeks; various parks, preserves and conservation areas; small farms, agricultural and rural countryside; a small- town main street; diverse and distinctive architecture; and, most importantly, the Soque River corridor itself.”
To learn more visit the Habersham County website at https://www.habershamga.com/soque-scenic-byway-program.cfm?lid=412
TFS hosts largest ever Grandparents Day
Grandparents attended class with Tallulah Falls School middle school students as part of the school’s annual Grandparents Day. Shown, from left, Joey Dekoskie, an eighth grader with grandparents Phyllis and Ed Ross, all of Clarkesville.
Frozen pipes? Your homeowner’s coverage may help
Atlanta – With freezing temperatures expected across the state over the next few days, Commissioner of Insurance Ralph Hudgens wants to remind Georgians that if their homes are damaged by the extreme cold, they may get financial relief through their homeowners policies.
“Depending on the source of the property damage, you may or may not be covered,” Hudgens said. “Here’s what a typical homeowners policy may pay for”:
• Repairing damage to internal plumbing caused by freezing will generally be covered by your homeowners policy. The policy should also pay for damage to carpeting, furniture, and other belongings caused by your own pipes freezing.
• However, damage from water entering your home from an outside source, such as a broken water main, may not be covered. Damage from external waters may be classified as “flood” or “seepage,” which is not covered by a standard homeowners policy.
• If you live in an apartment or condominium, and water from an upstairs neighbor’s pipes damages your property, you will be covered under your own renters (or condo owners) policy. If you don’t have such coverage, the neighbor’s liability policy may pay for your damage, but only if you can prove the neighbor was negligent.
• Repairs to frozen pipes on your property but not in the home, such as in your yard, are not covered by standard homeowners insurance.
Commissioner Hudgens also warned that cold temperatures sometimes result in dangerous fires as a result of carelessness with home heating devices. For example, if you use space heaters or wood stoves in cold weather, remember to keep them away from combustibles like curtains and bedding.
• If you use a kerosene heater, make sure it has an automatic switch that shuts it off if it tips over. Never use gasoline, which can explode.
• Don’t burn trash or cardboard in a fireplace. Make sure the damper in your chimney is open before starting a fire.
• Keep matches and lighters away from children. Don’t let them play around space heaters, the fireplace or with electric blankets.
• Make sure all fuel-burning appliances and fireplaces are properly vented. If you suspect a gas leak in your home, leave immediately and call the gas company from elsewhere.
• Install an adequate number of smoke alarms. Most fatal fires start between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., while the family is asleep. The advance warning of a smoke alarm may mean the difference between life and death. Nine out of 10 fire victims are already dead before the fire department is even called, mainly from smoke and toxic gases.
HCHS Coach Pollock resigns
Habersham Central High School Head Football Coach Michael Pollock has resigned. Habersham County Superintendent of Schools Matthew Cooper confirmed Pollock’s resignation in a statement:
“I can confirm that Coach Pollock turned in a letter this morning to Athletic Director, Geep Cunningham, resigning from all of his coaching responsibilities at Habersham Central. This letter of resignation will be presented to the board of education for official action on Tuesday, November 18th @ 7:30 a.m.”
Pollock has been the HCHS head football coach for two years. The school’s varsity football team posted one win during that time.
Coach Pollock was hired on March 11, 2013 to succeed Stuart Cunningham who also resigned. Pollock, who played UGA football as a walk-on, was hired after being fired from his previous job as football coach at Americus-Sumter High School in south Georgia. In a widely publicized incident Pollock allegedly kicked a player in the backside during practice at Americus-Sumter High. He was fired after serving a month long suspension.
Despite questions and concerns that were raised about that incident during the hiring process, the Habersham County School Board unanimously voted to hire Pollock and he stepped into the job facing big challenges. Perhaps his toughest challenge, next to the initial round of scrutiny he faced, was how to successfully carry a team from a school the size of Habersham Central through the highly-competitive 6AAAAAA high school football region.
It was a formula for success Pollock never found.
He came to Habersham with a 36-17 overall winning record – 21-6 in region play – and leaves with a record of 37-34, 22-23. Pollock’s coaching history includes 16 total state playoff appearances and until coming to Central he had never had a losing record.
Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper says Pollock did not state his reasons for resigning in the letter he submitted on Thursday. Coopers says Pollock resigned just his coaching duties; he’s still teaching math at Habersham Central High School. Pollock’s teaching contract runs through May 27, 2015.
Cornelia man injured in motorcycle wreck
A Cornelia man is recovering from injuries he suffered in a motorcycle wreck. The Georgia State Patrol says 33-year old Matthew Waller suffered upper extremity injuries when he was hit by a van Sunday in front of the old Walmart in Cornelia.
The State Patrol says Waller was attempting to merge into traffic from the southbound center left turn lane on SR 105/Hwy. 441 when the van, driven by 17-year old Steven Loeffler of Cornelia, pulled into his path from the access road between Subway and Advance Auto Parts. Loeffler told authorities he pulled into the center lane to avoid hitting another car.
Waller was transported to Habersham Medical Center in Demorest. Loeffler and a 14-year old passenger in his car, Christina Loeffler of Cornelia, were uninjured.
Loeffler is charged with improper use of central lane.
Click If You Care
“Click If You Care” is the theme for today as hundreds of non-profits across Georgia participate in the third annual Georgia Gives Day. From now until midnight you can easily donate to the charity of your choice at home, at work…anywhere…online.
Volunteers for Literacy of Habersham County (VFL) is among the local non-profits participating in today’s state-wide online fundraising campaign. VFL’s mission is “To empower people through literacy so they can lead more productive and fulfilling lives.” VFL sponsors three signature programs: Read to Succeed, English as a Second Language and GED Scholarships. All programs are free and serve residents of all ages in Habersham County.
VFL President Shelby Ward says donations are vital to helping the agency continue its work in providing literacy tools and training for children, youth and adults in Habersham County. “Volunteers for Literacy survives and thrives on the goodwill and generous donations of people in our community. All of the money we receive through donations goes back into our community through programs and projects that help to improve the overall quality of life here in Habersham.”
VFL supports Habersham’s elementary and middle school students by sponsoring the annual county-wide Scripps Spelling Bee, paying for author visits to schools, distributing free books from the Book Bank to children and families who need them and by supporting local summer reading programs. VFL also provides free English and Civics classes to immigrants through VFL ESL and LiFT University and the organization helps make academic and career advancement possible for adults through its GED Scholarship program.
Ward says, “We serve the entire community but can not continue to do that without the community’s financial support. We hope you’ll consider donating to VFL today on Georgia Gives Day.”
Last year Georgia Gives Day raised over $1.4 million for non-profits. More than 1,700 organizations participated. Organizers say they hope to raise even more money this year.
The Georgia Gives Day website, which provides a year-round online giving platform for nonprofits, has now raised $2,352,153 since launching in 2012.
To donate to VFL or other local non-profits visit the Georgia Gives Day website at https://www.gagivesday.org/c/GGD/. You may also donate year-round through the Georgia Gives Day website. All donations are tax deductible.
The little YOU that could
The Little Engine that Could, one of my all-time favorite children’s books, pops up in my memory banks during times of doubt. As he puffs away to bring Christmas presents to the boys and girls on the other side of the mountain, he hums a steady chorus of words, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.” While stronger more able ones could have taken the broken-down train over the mountain, for various reasons, they didn’t. No, the little blue engine defeats the odds and delivers the gifts for the children before the morning light peaks through the sky.
There are days when I have forgotten to think “I can.”
I’m not sure when and where it creeps into our minds. Maybe somewhere around 12 or 13, those awkward middle-school years of braces and acne. Maybe somewhere between our junior year of high school and those infamous college applications. Maybe in our early twenties when those job interviews turn out to be a waste of time and our bank account holds $20.00. Maybe somewhere after failures have joined us a bit more than successes.
Yes, somewhere, we decide life isn’t going to be the way we planned. We drop our dreams in the nearest waste basket and settle for what is left.
The insecurities, the negative voices, and the fears take up residency in places they do not belong.
The word “what” by itself is simply a question; “if” by itself is simply a possibility; but together, “what if” can bring enlightenment. What if I decided to go back to school? What if I applied for that job? What if I started my own business? What if I asked her to marry me?
And if we answered our own questions like the little engine that could, maybe we could pull some of those dreams out and recycle them. It’s not about our age or where we find ourselves in life; what it’s really about is our minds.
My grandmother loved the phrase, “You are what you eat.” She insisted on fresh fruits and veggies for what we put into our mouths directly impacts how we feel. While her statement may be true, I think it’s far more significant to say, “You are what you believe.” What we tell ourselves we are; what entertains our thoughts; what occupies our brains, we become.
Its time to start believing in “you” again. It’s time to start peeling off the layers others have labeled you to be and start reclaiming the desires you once had before doubt and vulnerability crept in. Its time for you to shout within yourself, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.”
It’s time to become “the little YOU that could.”
Life in Motion
” If we could only learn to love each other as our dogs love us.”
– Michelle Wetherbee
A Mother’s Heart: Finding God in the Ruins
Loretta Dalton is a life-long resident of Habersham County and a teacher in the public school system. She and her husband Anthony live in Baldwin. The Dalton’s son Jonathan committed suicide when he was 18. Dalton says her son struggled with anxiety and became addicted to painkillers before to his death. Although he was never formally diagnosed she says, “I believe that he was suffering from depression and addiction and life seemed hopeless to him.” She says the last six months of his life “were very difficult.” Dalton shares her story here in the hope that other families facing similar circumstances might be helped. What you are about to read is a mother’s heart.
The day brought heat that was almost unbearable. I awoke from a restless night of wondering when the journey would end; wondering if life, as I once knew, would ever be again.
And, then it came.
The single ring of the doorbell brought news that would change my family forever. The two strangers said something about apparent suicide. Did I hear them correctly? Was he really gone? Had all of my prayers gone unheard? Did God forsake me? Had He not heard the countless times I had cried out to Him to deliver my son?
The strangers continued to talk as I stood in the doorway of my home; a home where love was abundant; a home where the children were taken to Sunday School and taught to love Jesus; a home where Christian parents struggled daily to counteract the evils of the world and keep their children safe. A home that is now empty: one child happily married, successful and thriving and the other dead, apparently from his own hand.
As one of the strangers delicately presented the details of the tragedy, I stood silent. The fear and anxiety of the previous months suddenly disappeared and a feeling of peace engulfed me. Was I in shock? How could I hear these words of destruction and feel peace? Was it the presence of God or had the stress overtaken my mind? Had God chosen to show up now after my life was in ruins? Had He been with me all along? Had He healed my son? Had He answered my prayers?
As the days turned to weeks, months and years, feelings of sorrow, regret and fear have eroded those intense feelings of peace. Feelings of failure often creep into my mind and attempt to cloud my view of God’s plan. I often let the judgmental words of others momentarily dull the peace. But, it never completely goes away.
God’s peace and love are present among my ruins.
The home that once seemed so empty is full of God’s blessings: a loving husband of twenty-nine years who shares my joy and sorrows as we live a life that neither of us would have planned, a beautiful new grandson that has brought life back into our world and a precious daughter and son-in-law who remind us that there is still much life to live.
Would I have chosen this journey? Absolutely not! Do I feel God working and bringing good in all circumstances even among the ruins? Praise the Lord, yes!