No, it’s not a mirage, gas is below $3 per gallon in Georgia and it’s going to get even cheaper. Travel experts say prices are expected to continue to fall through the holidays.
According to USA Today the post-summer travel drop in prices is related to two things: The switch to cheaper winter-blend grades and plunging ethanol prices. The news agency reports 10% of the nation’s gas stations are reporting sub-$3 a gallon gasoline. A year ago, just 3% were.
Monday’s 2.6-cent gallon drop – the biggest daily drop in 11 months – came despite a late day uptick in crude oil and wholesale prices Monday. ~ USA Today
According to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, gas prices are down nationwide by an average of 25¢ per gallon over this same time last year. Currently the national average price for regular unleaded gasoline is $3.034 per gallon. Average prices are even lower in Georgia where a gallon of regular unleaded gas sells for around $2.92.
These are the cheapest gas prices motorists in the U.S. have seen since December 2010.
Numbers 14:26-34, “The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: 27 “How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites. 28 So tell them, ‘As surely as I live,declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say: 29 In this desert your bodies will fall–every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me. 30 Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 31 As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected. 32 But you–your bodies will fall in this desert. 33 Your children will be shepherds here for forty years,suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert. 34 For forty years–one year for each of the forty days you explored the land–you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.'”
All of us face situations in which we want to grumble, complain, criticize, and protest. It is easy to be drawn into the pit of despair and self-pity. According to the scripture in Numbers, one day of negativity and grumbling has the power to draw us into a year of bondage! 40 days became 40 years for the Israelites and the Lord clearly declares to them, “I will do to you the very things I heard you say…” Could it be our very thoughts and words become our destiny simply because we uttered them?
When the enemy wants us to see all that is wrong with ourselves and our lives; with the people around us; with our children; with our careers; God wants us to see it the way He sees it – quite differently from the enemy.
Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
When your tongue starts to grumble; when your attitude reflects negativity and discord, remember Philippians 4:8. Force yourself to see the positive. Force yourself to think differently. Occupy your mind with the voices of truth. Start today to change the way you see your circumstances and the people around you.
Tractor manufacturer Kubota is expanding its operations in north Georgia. The company has signed a deal to build a new plant in the Gateway Industrial Centre off Highway 365 in northern Hall County, right next door to Habersham. The new plant is expected to bring 650 new jobs to the region over the next several years.
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) made the announcement today during a campaign stop in Cornelia. Deal is running for re-election against State Senator Jason Carter. Both candidates are focusing on jobs and the economy in the final days leading up to next Tuesday’s election.
According to a news release issued by Gov. Deal’s office, the plant will be built on 180 acres and Kubota will invest $100 million in the project. The company already has plants in Gainesville and Jefferson. Those plants are expected to remain open.
Director of the international investment team at the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Scott McMurray assisted KMA on behalf of Georgia, along with the Gainesville-Hall County Chamber of Commerce.
“This is a significant project for Gainesville-Hall County,” said Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce CEO Kit Dunlap. “Our commitment to supporting existing industries such as Kubota and their suppliers will produce jobs and support small businesses throughout the region.”
“Georgia’s longstanding business relationship with Japan is enhanced when companies such as Kubota choose to expand here,” said GDEcD Commissioner Chris Carr. “Not only has Kubota become a flagship for other Japanese companies to locate to Georgia, but they continue to invest in our thriving manufacturing sector, utilizing our solid logistics infrastructure and creating quality jobs for our well-trained workforce.”
Kubota Manufacturing of America (KMA) employs nearly 2,200 people in Georgia. The company has operated in the state for 26 years.
Lindsey Brown, seen here in her senior portrait, may be moved out of ICU in the next couple of days.
Habersham Central High School senior Lindsey Brown is back in the intensive care unit at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, just days after her condition was upgraded.
Family members say Brown has suffered serious setbacks in her recovery over the past 48 hours. She was returned to ICU Monday night due to critically low sodium levels. Her mother, Alice Roland Brewer, says Brown is suffering from seizures and has had several episodes where she stopped breathing. She had to be stabilized by the hospital’s Medical Emergency Team. Brown is undergoing tests to determine the exact cause of her symptoms. Brewer says neurosurgeons and trauma physicians suspect they’re the result of “frontal cortex trauma.”
The 18-year old Brown was critically injured last week in a rollover wreck in Hall County. Her mother – a teacher at Habersham Central – says Brown is suffering from an “evolving injury,” meaning doctors expect to see progress over time. Brewer says her daughter eventually will be moved to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta for neurological and cognitive rehabilitation. No word on when that might happen.
Dayden Roland shows his support for his cousin Lindsey Brown during Saturday’s NGYFA league football game.The 8U Raiders showed their support for Lindsey Brown Saturday by wearing yellow tape on their wrists and sporting her initials and scripture in eye black. The team is coached by Brad Moore. Assistant coaches are Lindsey’s uncle Scott Roland, Nathan Hunnicutt, Frank Henry and Chad Johnson.
Meanwhile, Habersham Countians continue to show their support for Brown and her family. On Saturday the 8U Raiders North Georgia Youth Football League team wore yellow tape on their wrists and eye black with the words ‘pray’, ‘LKB’ (Lindsey’s initials) and ‘Isaiah 40:29-31’ painted on it.
Lindsey Brown was on her way to work in Cornelia around 10 a.m. on Oct. 20 when the pick-up truck she was driving crashed on State Route 365 near Belton Bridge Road in Lula.
Have you seen the teal painted pumpkin on your facebook feed? Wondered what it was about? Well, for those parents whose children have life-threatening food allergies, the project aims to make Halloween Trick or Treating, a fun, carefree event. According to the Food Allergy Research and Education Foundation, “the Teal Pumpkin Project is designed to promote safety, inclusion and respect of individuals managing food allergies – and to keep Halloween a fun, positive experience for all.” The idea for the event started in East Tennessee two years ago and was such a success that the National Organization picked up the idea and aims to make it and annual event across the US. The website https://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project#.VE7lp_nF_zc offers many ideas for allergy free treats and other infomation and assistance for individuals and families with food allergy concerns. Join in on the Teal Pumpkin Project and help make Halloween all treats, for all children.
The band "GoatNeck Road" was among several that provided entertainment during the Artfest.
It started three years ago as during a converstation between friends, Anne Crocker Christol and Philip Ballard, two art enthusiasts. That first event hosted just under 20 vendors. The two friends knew they were on to something. The Art Fest is held twice a year, the Fall show is always the last saturday of October, the Spring show, the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. “We want to continue to grow, stronger and better each year,” says Christol. This weekend, they had their best show yet. 78 vendors displayed their creations to over 4,000 visitors. Natalie Jane’s of Cornelia provided food, Currahee Vineyards provided wine and craft beer. 4 music acts provided a show of their own while attendees milled around the field of creations. “From 9:30 until we ended the show, the traffic was steady,” noted Christol. Mark your calendars for the Spring show, May 9, 2015. “Like” them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/279305535593853/?fref=ts to stay up to date.
Folk artist Sam Granger of Lula models his “liberty” hat.Nick Morris of Cornelia turns a bus into a colorful mural. Nick, along with his wife Amanda, used an estimated 30 cans of environmentally friendly spray paint for this project. The bus was provided by Alonzo Wade of Alto. The Morris’s own Crispy Printz in Cornelia.Peter Loose of Hull, Ga. adds details to snakes he painted on a parasol.Anne Mayton of Clarkesville looks at pottery crafted by Polly Sherrill of Atlanta.Sabrina Sloat uses her artistic talents to help turn her son Ian Sloat into a temporary zombie. They were preparing for the Kiwanis Zombie Fun Run to be held in Clarkesville later that day. Ian later got the final artistic touches applied by Candace Crowe of Celtic Crow Tattoo in Clarkesville.Jill Haack of “Art in Jill’s Garden” in Gainesville paints Santa Claus faces on oyster shells she picked up at Edisto Island, S.C.Sunny skies encouraged hundreds of art lovers to attend the Fall Artfest 2014 held Saturday at the Burnt Burbon Pottery Gallery and Studio at 330 Foster St. in Cornelia. Event organizer Anne Crocker Christol said they had 78 artists, some of national and international acclaim showing their artwork. Christol said she was “thrilled to death by the turnout and the level of artistic talent represented. It’s a fun event.” In addition to the copious displays of art, there was music, food, and libations available.
Fire broke out Thursday, Oct. 23, in this abandoned mobile home at 181 Edgewood Drive in Mt. Airy. Investigators have ruled it was arson.
Reward money of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for setting fire to an abandoned mobile home in Mt. Airy.
The fire broke out around 8:15 Thursday night. It gutted an unoccupied doublewide located at 181 Edgewood Drive. Officials say there was no power connected to the trailer. The State Fire Marshall’s Office investigated and spokesman Glenn Allen says, “Investigators were able to make a determination that this fire was intentionally set.” Allen could not discuss what led investigators to that conclusion but says they are asking for the community’s help in finding whoever’s responsible.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is asking for help to find those responsible.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is asking anyone with information to please contact the Georgia Arson Control Hotline at 1-800-282-5804. You may also visit www.georgiaarsoncontrol.com online. Callers may remain anonymous.
You know it and I know it. The wheel that squeaks the loudest always gets greased first. The complainer, the whiner, the pusher, the puller…whatever it takes to be heard, human beings have bought the “squeaky wheel” phenomena. And most of the time the squeaker gets his way, but not with God.
“He who is slow to anger has great understanding.” Proverbs 14:29
One of the fruits of the spirit, which God clearly indicates are present in true Christianity, is self-control. Many of us want to slip that one under the carpet and choose not to include it in our “fruit salad;” however, God is pretty clear on His instructions about anger. I’ve heard it justified that even Jesus got angry…once…in the house of His Father…over men gambling and selling…so…I can yell and scream at the cashier at Walmart because I had to wait in line. Hmmmmm…
“Understand this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God wishes and requires.” James 1:19-20
Several years ago I was given the opportunity to speak with a gentleman who was born in Poland but spent years in a Nazi concentration camp. At the age of 12, he was sent to study piano in Moscow, Russia. In route, he was imprisoned with several scientists from Russia. A child prodigy of sorts, he was robbed of his opportunity to be a concert pianist by the Germans. He later studied medicine after the war and never returned to Poland because his entire family was killed during the invasion. When I spoke with him, his demeanor appeared slow and languishing and yet his wit was quick and intelligent. As he talked of his ordeal,the realness of it all felt as if it had just happened; although he was a much older man now. “You are stronger than you know,” he said to me, pointing a finger ridden with arthritis. “Every day other men, scientists by profession, encouraged me with that one phrase. ‘You are stronger than you know.’ Do not allow life and people to make you angry for when you do, you are accepting the way they are treating you. There is a solution for everything, you just need to find it.”
Responding to our struggles and obstacles instead of reacting to them allows us to feel God’s power in our soul.
Proverbs 16:32, “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.”
Often when I myself feel frustrated, I remind myself, “There is a solution for everything. We just need to find it.”
Be a listener. Put thought in what you are going to say. And through your actions, promote righteousness as God wishes and requires.
She was the frumpy-looking 47-year old who took the world by storm. When Scottish singer Susan Boyle first took to the stage to audition for Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, the judges and audience sneered. Chances are you saw the video; you, me and 100-million others. It went viral on You Tube and within days Susan Boyle was an international, internet singing sensation.
If you haven’t seen the video, watch it. If you have seen it, watch it again. It’s a great study on judgmentalism and dreams.
Watch the young woman in the audience roll her eyes. Watch Simon Cowell’s reaction when Boyle tells him her age. Each time she opens her mouth to speak the jeering in the audience grows louder and the judges’ skepticism grows stronger. The audience outright laughs when Boyle says her dream is to become a successful professional singer like “Elaine Paige” (who, on this side of the pond, had heard of the English singer/actress Paige before Boyle mentioned her name?). Yes, judgements were flying in Glasgow that night and then something amazing happened…Susan Boyle opened her mouth and she sang.
Suddenly all those years she spent taking acting and voice lessons, singing in her church choir and performing karaoke in her town’s local pub came together in one magical moment. That night, preparation met opportunity and Susan Boyle’s dream took flight.
Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle performs in front of a sold-out crowd at Atlanta Symphony Hall in Atlanta. Her sixth album Hope! was released today, Oct. 27.
That dream carried Boyle to Atlanta on Sunday, on the final leg of her first U.S. concert tour. I had the pleasure of being there, along with some other folks from Habersham, and I can tell you firsthand Susan Boyle is still quirky, still down to earth and her voice is still simply amazing. More than once her vocals on songs such as “The Way We Were,” “Wild Horses,” “The Impossible Dream,” “Oh, Happy Day” and her signature rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” brought us to our feet. It was 2-hours of pure delight, and though she didn’t hit every note perfectly, she filled Atlanta Symphony Hall with happiness. We cheered her for her talent but also for her inspirational story.
Susan Boyle is a village girl from Scotland who grew up being told she had a learning disability (she reportedly has since been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of autism). She was bullied in school, spurned in love, remained steadily unemployed, lived with her parents and devoted her adult life to caring for her aging mother. When her mother passed away Boyle mustered the courage to audition for Britain’s Got Talent as a way to honor her. When she stepped onto that stage back in 2009 it appeared as though she didn’t have much to offer the world except a hapless history and far-flung dreams. And then, she sang.
Susan Boyle’s story was a reminder to all of us in that sold-out crowd in Atlanta last night about the strength and triumph of the human spirit: A reminder to people everywhere that we should believe in ourselves even when the world doesn’t.
But how many of us do?
It’s hard to look in the mirror with confidence when you hear the world saying you’re worthless. Maybe you’re unemployed, failing in school, involved in a bad relationship, financially poor, physically challenged, spiritually empty or demoralized by unrealized dreams. Whatever your circumstance I assure you, you’re not alone. Our community is full of people wishing their lives were different. But wishing and dreaming alone won’t cut it. You have to act.
Susan Boyle did and look where it got her. She’s sold over 19 million albums worldwide, won two Grammy awards, performed for the Queen of England and continues to move and delight audiences around the globe.
NGTC GED graduate Irene Ensley spent 12 years working to earn her her general equivalency diploma. She graduated on Oct. 16, 2014.
Earlier this month I had the privilege of delivering the commencement address at North Georgia Technical College’s GED graduation ceremony in Mt. Airy. Fifty high school dropouts of various ages achieved what many thought they never would – they got their diploma and, with it, renewed hope for a better tomorrow. Irene Ensley of Fannin County was among them. Ensley spent twelve years working to earn her general equivalency diploma. Twelve years! She could have quit and settled for the lot life had handed her but she didn’t. She had a dream and she worked to achieve it. Today, Ensley is in her second semester at NGTC working toward a degree in accounting. She’s working for the day when preparation meets opportunity. The day when her new dream takes flight.
I’ll tell you as I told those graduates:
If there was ever a time in life when you felt unworthy…If there was ever a time you felt yourself less than or not as much as you would like to have been…LET IT GO. Let go of your insecurities and low self-esteem. Let go of those things in the past that held you back. Let go of any excuses you might have used for not achieving what it is you want to achieve in this life. Let those things go and let tonight be a new beginning. See yourself as you truly are….WORTHY.
I wrote and believe every word of it. I see the evidence of dreams well played and well lived in the likes of Irene Ensley and Susan Boyle. They dreamed a dream and now they are living it. What’s stopping you? Maybe it’s time to step out onto that stage and risk it all for one moment of magic. As the author Earl Nightingale wrote, “Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.” It’s your life, your dream…now live it!
More photos of last night’s Susan Boyle concert at Atlanta Symphony Hall in Atlanta:
The crowd roared when Susan Boyle took to the stage.
Susan Boyle sang all her fan favorites.
The staging was simple, the music was pure. A nice evening at Atlanta Symphony Hall with Susan Boyle.
The Sprayberry High School choir from Marietta added sweet harmonies to Boyle’s performance.
The Sprayberry High School choir shared Susan Boyle’s dream on stage during her encore performance of “I Dreamed a Dream.”
A final wave from Susan Boyle and her Atlanta concert was over. She now heads to North Carolina then Florida where her tour ends next week on Nov. 6 in Jacksonville.
This was as close to back stage as I got. The choir room for the Sprayberry High School singers who joined Susan Boyle on stage.
Julie Prothro displays some of her all-natural make-up she developed.
Julie Prothro is on a mission. She had an ephipany one day when her kitty was licking her arm where she had just applied moisturizer. She was telling kitty no and shooing her away when she thought, “wait, why would I want to put anything on my body that would harm me if I ingested it?” So began her three year odyssey of researching the cosmetics industry. What she found astounded and alarmed her. “I did not want to go into aging trying to clear up something the cosmetic industry did to me.” Lead, mercury and other alarming ingredients are found in virtually all cosmetics sold in the US. This 60 billion dollar industry is virtually unregulated and Prothro decided she was going to have to make something on her own in order to be sure what she was putting on her body, was good for her. She developed the Make Me Ageless line of skin care with the finest all natural product sourced from around the world. Even the water used in the formulation is carefully chosen for purity.
Her goal is not to achieve great wealth with her product. In fact, she shares all the ingredients of her products. Her belief is that education is the key to women taking control of what goes in their body and on their skin. Her desire is to share what she has learned during her extensive research.
Research and teaching come naturally to Prothro. Born in Louisiana, she attended high school in Okinawa. She spent over 20 years in the IT industry all over the world. Locally, she serves as the Executive Director of Foothills Counseling Center. Shoppers may remember her clothing store on the Clarkesville square, Wandering Jules.
On Saturday, November 1st from 3-5, Ms. Prothro is hosting an event at the Garden for Wellness, 140 LaPrade St, Clarkesville. She will give a presentation on her research and the development of her Make Me line. Refreshments will be served and guests will go home with generous samples of the products. The cost for the seminar is $25.00 and seating is limited. Call 706-754-8899 for reservations.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal (R) brings his re-election campaign to Cornelia tomorrow. He’ll be accompanied by other top state-wide elected officials and fellow Republicans, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and 9th District U.S. Congressman Doug Collins.
Deal’s campaign bus tour rolls into town at 11:30 a.m. at the Community House in Cornelia. The public is invited to attend.
Governor Deal faces opposition in the Nov. 4 General Election from Democratic State Senator Jason Carter and Libertarian candidate Andrew Hunt.
Kemp is opposed by Democrat Doreen Carter. Black faces opposition from Democrat Christopher James Irvin. Collins is opposed by Democrat David Vogel.
The weather was perfect, the leaves in color, the air redolent with the aroma of apples frying. The year’s Batesville Fall Festival, “surpassed our expectations” according to Robin Workman of Memory Lane, one of the organizers of the event. Held in historic Batesville, the festival raises funds to help local organizations that work with spay and neuter programs or to sponsor adoption programs and transport of Habersham’s furry population. This year, locals and tourists converged on 197 to listen to music, enjoy visiting with each other, sample tasty treats and shop the varied arts and crafts vendors.
Bob and Diane Lampley, Clarkesville, take the used bottles from local wineries’ tasting rooms and repurposes them into environmentally friendly candles.
Mike Payne, Batesville, pauses from his mandolin concert to explain his instrument’s heritage and the Scotch- Irish immigrants in Habersham.
Tom Jones, Habersham, has been coming to the festival for 10 years. All of his apples are local and go hand in hand with his peanuts and other treats.
Bobbie Breazeale, Humane Society, shows Shirley Grant of Batesville, the Wheel of prizes.
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