One of the best parts of being at Bristol on practice and qualifying day isn’t just the roar of the engines, it’s the quiet moments in between. Drivers aren’t rushing off to race; they’re pausing, connecting, and sometimes making a fan’s day.

NowHab’s Tyler Penland and his son, Oliver, got to live that magic on qualifying day at Bristol. They met several drivers, shared a few smiles, and even collected some autographs.

For this proud NASCAR-loving dad, it was more than a day at the races; it was a memory-making day with his son.

“This is the final call for Officer Eddie Neal, Badge number 103, of the City of Toccoa Police Department”…

And with those words, a 27-year veteran of the force stepped into retirement.

Captain Neal completed his final tour of duty on July 31. Keeping with tradition, E-911 Dispatch recognized the occasion with a final call – a transmission over the police radio marking the end of his career.

“Throughout the years, Officer Neal has served with honor, integrity, and courage,” the dispatcher said, praising him for upholding the “values of his profession.”

“Today, we honor your commitment, your sacrifice, and the legacy you leave behind. Officer Neal — Badge number 103 — you are now 10-7, 10-42 for the last time.”

“We thank you. We salute you. And we wish you a long, healthy, and happy retirement,” the dispatcher said before adding, “You will always be part of this family.”

Neal’s longtime colleagues stood by as the transmission was broadcast through the parking lot. Loud applause rang out before Captain Neal made his final sign-off.

Colleagues, friends, and families gathered for a retirement party in Neal’s honor. He sported a t-shirt that said it best: “Retired Police Officer. Time To Give It Arrest.”

Before severe weather rained down late Wednesday, Northeast Georgians were treated to a beautiful sunset.

Two Habersham Countians captured the calm before the storm.

Demorest resident Rick Austin photographed an amazing shot of lightning in the clouds as the sunset painted the sky purple.

Sherri Purcell captured a gorgeous photo in Clarkesville as the sun set lower in the sky drawing the day to a close.

Alison Cathey captioned this purple skyscape, “The beauty before the storm in Alto.”

Sheila McCutcheon shared another image of a sunset before the storm.

Share your sunset and storm photos with us on Facebook at #NowWeather.

Four-year-old Henslee Ivester may be little, but she’s got a big heart. While out with her dad, Jeremy Ivester, on Father’s Day weekend, Henslee spotted police cars parked nearby. Her mom, Jessica Ivester, says her young daughter knew exactly what she wanted to do.

With tiny hands and a heart full of love, Henslee placed small figurines of Jesus on the vehicles. “For extra protection,” she said. It was her way of saying thank you to the officers who serve and protect her community.

Henslee’s simple act spoke volumes in a world often marred by hate and division.

“She just loves everybody,” her parents said.

A good lesson for kids of all ages on this Father’s Day Sunday.

She stood alone on the downtown Clarkesville square, quietly expressing her concern for the nation. Cars and trucks passed as she stood for hours in the sweltering heat, holding an upside-down American flag.

Her solitary stand came on a day of coordinated demonstrations nationwide, calling attention to what participants say are growing threats to democracy and civil liberties.

She arrived at 10 a.m. and remained throughout the afternoon, quietly making her stand.

“I’m here because it’s important to speak,” she told Now Habersham. “I’m nearing the end of my life. I have much less in front of me, much more behind me, and I have concern for what I might be leaving behind for those that are younger.”

Though slowed by age, her conviction remains strong.

“I can’t do some of the things I used to do,” she said. “But I can come stand here with my ‘we are in trouble flag.’”

The White County Senior Center annual Easter Bonnet Contest results are in, and the winners are…

Prettiest: Patricia Poole
Most Outrageous: Dot York
Funniest: Charles Haynes
Most Colorful: Sue Castleberry

“Thanks to all the seniors who filled our Senior Center with Easter joy!” said White County Senior Center Director Barbara Overton.

Dozens of people walked through downtown Clarkesville on Friday carrying small wooden crosses. It was part of the Clarkesville Methodist Church Community Cross Walk, held annually in observance of Good Friday.

On the Christian calendar, the Friday before Easter commemorates Jesus’s crucifixion. Over 50 people joined this year’s Cross Walk to recognize the day’s significance.

Participants walked a mile through town carrying small wooden crosses, stopping at different points to worship. They shared in a time of prayer and scripture at the Clarkesville gazebo and sang hymns of praise at the Old Clarkesville Cemetery.

On Easter Sunday, April 20, Christians around the globe will celebrate the resurrection of Christ as told in the Bible.

SEE ALSO

https://nowgeorgia.com/your-guide-to-easter-services-during-holy-week/

Moonshadow Farm’s Heirloom Tomato Plant Sale was the place to be on Saturday, April 12th located at 310 Spencer Drive in Demorest, Georgia. The day was a huge success from experiencing the beautiful blue skies, learning about Heirloom Tomato Plants, harvesting seeds, and the unique flavors the tomatoes offer.

A trailer hauling hay received a helping hand when the bales fell off, blocking traffic on Paul Franklin Road in Clarkesville.

Person after person jumped from their cars to lend a hand. Even a teenager on a dirt bike pulled in to assist. Different ages, sizes, genders, and races pulled together to complete the job.

The road was cleared quickly, but the feeling left in the hearts of those who helped and observed will remain.

Community truly matters.

The sixth-grade class at Tallulah Falls School performed a rousing holiday performance for students, friends, and family on Wednesday, December 18. The performance consisted of a compilation of holiday poems recited by the nine sixth graders.

The students spent their recess time twice a week practicing the classic “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and other holiday favorites, such as Shel Silverstein’s “Snowball” and Kelly Roper’s “The Dreaded Christmas Fruitcake.” They ended the performance with a lively rendition of “The 12 Days of Winter Break,” leaving the audience smiling and laughing.

“This group of kids was dedicated to the process, and I am so proud of the performance they shared today. It’s not easy to perform in front of your peers with little rehearsal, but they did it beautifully,” said drama teacher Carrie Layer.

In keeping with her Christmas tradition, Shirley Alley, owner of Unforgettable Creations honored a local veteran for the holiday season Wednesday afternoon. The little unassuming shop on the corner of Sutton Mill Road and GA 197 North is where the tradition began when she opened her shop in 2020.

Alley has celebrated the reason for the season by giving back to the community, more specifically to a local veteran each holiday season. She partnered up with then Grant-Reeves VFW Cornelia Post Commander Bill Miles to make the selection for the deserving veteran.

The veteran is presented with a wreath or a Christmas tree, decorated by Alley, of their choosing from her humble little shop. They receive a couple of prepared gift baskets of goodies and a poinsettia. The baskets are made in partnership with a couple of Alley’s “elves” that wish to not reveal their identities with it being so close to Christmas.

The veteran

This year’s honor was bestowed upon local Desert Storm Army veteran Jim Morgan. He is the Commander of the Cornelia American Legion Post as well as the Commander for the local Disabled American Veterans chapter. Morgan is active with the Grant-Reeves VFW Post in Cornelia as the Captain of the Grant-Reeves combined Honor Guard. The Honor Guard performs ceremonies and services for special events and holidays and funerals for area veterans.

SEE ALSO: The power of one: the story behind Wreaths Across America

Morgan can be seen assisting veterans across Northeast Georgia from Clayton to Cumming. Whether it’s assisting a veteran at the Cumming Golden Corral on Veterans Day or helping a veteran fill out paperwork to receive VA benefits, Morgan is there. He is a veteran’s veteran.

In addition to the gift baskets and poinsettia, Morgan selected a small Christmas tree from Unforgettable Creations.

After receiving the gifts, a shy Morgan shared that he felt “truly humble and very grateful.”

Alley, the spunky young lady of nearly 80, was a bit more excited with how she felt about giving to a veteran each year. “I get so excited over something like this,” she said. “Ever since my father was a P.O.W., my hat goes off to every veteran.” She also shared her thoughts about a man in uniform. “I am telling you, you can take any man, put him in a uniform, no matter what he looks like, and God, he’s hot,” she said with a laugh.

Arlington

Alley’s wreath creations do not stop with local veterans. She has made wreaths for the VFW Post in Cornelia as well as for the gates at the VFW cemetery, according to Miles. One of her wreaths has made it all the way to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. In 2022, Miles saw an opportunity to recognize her for her contributions to area veterans.

SEE ALSO: Wreaths Across America remembers the sacrifice through hope

He attended the National VFW Legislative Conference that is held in the nation’s capital each March. Miles recommended to the state’s VFW legislative delegation that they should place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After applying several months in advance, Miles received the approval from Arlington National Cemetery for the delegation to perform a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb with Alley’s wreath in hand.

Why she honors veterans

Why does Alley do this each year one may ask? She has a soft spot for veterans. Her father was a World War II veteran. During the war, her father was a tail and ball turret gunner for bombers flying bombing missions over Germany. She tells the story that her father’s plane was shot down over Berlin during the crew’s first day-time bombing mission.

Alley reminisces her father’s story that none of the crew had ever used a parachute until that day. Her father and crew survived the incident and were taken prisoner by the Germans in Berlin until the Russians liberated the POW camp at the end of the war.

When severe weather hits, linemen hit the road. They travel throughout their communities, and often others, restoring electrical service to those left without.

Their jobs require them to leave their families for days, sometimes longer, as they work to get the grid back up and running.

Those family separations can be hard, making this reunion all the sweeter.

In a heartwarming social media post, Hart EMC posted a picture of one of its linemen, Logan G. Patton, holding “his precious Opal.” He had not seen her for four days, but the pair briefly reunited on Sunday.

“He finally got to see her on a short lunch break!” the post read. It continued, “We all miss our families and can’t wait until everyone is back on. Thank you all and keep us in your prayers.”

The post accompanied encouraging news from Hart EMC that it had restored service to most of its members. As of midnight Monday, Sept. 30, about 1,300 Hart EMC members remained without power.

In the days after the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, makeshift memorials sprang up around campus. Flowers and balloons were laid at the flagpole and the sign at the school entrance.

A solitary bouquet appeared in the center of the Apalachee Wildcats football field.

Each item left expressed the love and grief of a community in mourning, but none, perhaps, spoke louder than a spray of carnations and lilies sent from Texas.

The spray stood beside the LED sign welcoming the community to Apalachee High School. The pink ribbon on the arrangement spoke another name from the headlines after a similar tale of tragedy and trauma in May 2022 — Uvalde.

Attached to the bouquet was a card that simply read, “We know what you are going thru! We totally get it! Love, Uvalde, Texas.”

They say a picture’s worth a thousand words. In this case, the card says it all.

A young entrepreneur sets up outside his home in Clarkesville with fresh vegetables he grew in his garden.

Colton Braswell sells corn, yellow squash, cucumbers and more on Mondays and Thursdays. His vegetable stand is located on the Toccoa Highway a few miles past the Habersham County Fairgrounds. Stop by and enjoy!

“After 25 years of Baldwin Clean-up Day, we are proud to say we are still Keepin’ it Peachy Clean.”

That’s the message Baldwin shared on social media after another successful annual clean-up day this past weekend. This event is held annually in conjunction with Earth Day.

On Saturday, April 20, Baldwin’s mayor and council worked alongside city employees and residents, picking up the litter others left behind. They cleaned up roadsides and public spaces, such as the Farmers’ Market and Downtown City Park, and planted a few trees.

“The week prior is Clean-Up Week, where our Public Works staff pick up larger items that residents want to dispose of,” explains Baldwin Mayor Stephanie Almagno. “This year, we received a variety of items, including broken children’s toys, tires, a refrigerator, and scrap metals. All of this is in an effort to keep our city clean and to help our residents who might not have the ability to dispose of large items.”

While this annual event focuses on clean-up, it is primarily about community – taking care of and taking pride in the place people call home.

“It’s events like these where residents and friends of Baldwin share hometown pride. Organized by the Baldwin Events Committee and run by the Public Works department, Clean Up Day saw a record-breaking turnout,” says Mayor Almagno. “We hope that this annual event reminds everyone who comes to Baldwin that we are a community that truly cares for each other and our environment.”

Fostering that sense of community pride, each year, the city asks Baldwin Elementary School students to submit artwork for the annual volunteer t-shirt to go along with the event theme, “Keepin’ it Peachy Clean.”

This year’s winners are as follows:
First Place: Leanna Wiseman (5th grade)
Second place: Adalynn Sheffield (4th grade)
Third place: Samantha Jimenez

Today marks what would have been the 82nd birthday of Georgia’s late former First Lady Sandra Dunagan Deal. To honor her life and memory, former Gov. Nathan Deal, along with family and friends, visited Riverbend and White Sulphur Elementary Schools in Hall County. They spent the morning reading to students, emphasizing the importance of literacy and the joy of learning.

“Today was a big DEAL,” White Sulphur Elementary School Principal Suzanne Chadwick tells Now Habersham. “We all felt excited, appreciated and valued. It was so honorable to be a part of such a memorable day.”

As an educator, Deal dedicated much of her life to the education and well-being of Georgia’s children. As First Lady, she traveled to every school district in the state, reading to students and instilling a love for reading.

Sandra Deal passed away on August 23, 2022, after a battle with cancer, but she left a lasting impact on thousands.

“We are just so blessed and honored to have the former Governor, his family, and his close friends visit these two schools today,” says Hall County School Superintendent Will Schofield. “Sandra’s legacy will endure in the lives of those she influenced with her advocacy, compassion, and love. She was an example to us all. I can’t help but think that the teacher in her must be smiling this morning as she watches the eyes of these students lighting during reading time.”

Both Riverbend and White Sulphur Elementary Schools will merge next year to form Sandra Dunagan Deal Elementary School in her honor.

Mount Airy’s old schoolhouse turned city hall revisited its rich musical history over the weekend when it came to life with the sounds of bluegrass music.

Two bluegrass bands performed Friday night, January 19, in the upstairs auditorium. The venue was used for concerts over 70 years ago, according to oral history and written accounts. Many up-and-coming performers passed through it on their way to the Grand Ole Opry, the stories go.

Local bluegrass artists, The Edgar Loudermilk Band, and Tugalo Holler, performed for nearly three hours Friday night in front of about 50 people. Both bands performed old bluegrass and gospel favorites as well as some of their original material. The concert was titled “Bluegrass at the Old Schoolhouse.”

Loudermilk is a Habersham County native with roots in Mt. Airy. His family still lives in and around the small town. Although Loudermilk now lives in Stephens County, he still considers Habersham County home. His grandfather went to school at the old schoolhouse in Mt. Airy.

From a phone call to the stage

Edgar Loudermilk has performed numerous times on the Grand Ole Opry stage with many notable bluegrass and country music artists over the years.

According to Loudermilk, the idea to play at the schoolhouse began last summer when he spoke with Shelley Tullis and her husband, Adam, about performing at the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair. That idea grew from those early conversations to a small concert, just to see if there was some interest.

Adam Tullis is a member of the Mt. Airy Town Council. He says the council decided to allow the performance to see if there would be any interest in the auditorium being used as a music venue like it was so many years ago.

Tullis says the council had discussed the possibility of the auditorium being used again for such events, but there is no commitment at this time.

A stop on the road to and from Nashville

According to Betty Sisk, author of the book “Once Upon a Time: Schools of Habersham County,” co-authored by Ellene Gowder, Sisk tells the story of hearing “the sounds of the Grand Old Opry celebrities on that stage: Minnie Pearl, Little Jimmy Dickens, James and Martha Carson and String Bean were among those who came to the school auditorium.”

Local artist, the late John Kollock, mentioned it in his narrative accompanying one of his paintings of the old schoolhouse: “Touring shows also appeared on the stage, including stars from the Grand Ole Opry.”

There is a little-known tradition that many in the area are not aware of about those who perform on stage in the auditorium of the old schoolhouse. After they perform, they sign a wall backstage.

Mt. Airy Police Chief Jamie Bowden gave Now Habersham a quick tour showing those signatures. He says that whether it was a play or a concert, those who performed on stage signed the wall. Many of the signatures are signed in chalk, and time has made most unreadable.

Staying true to tradition, members of both bands signed and dated the wall Friday evening.

According to Kollock’s narrative, the schoolhouse opened on January 3, 1922, and closed at the end of the school term in 1955.

Habersham County Animal Care and Control’s (HCACC) crew of Christmas characters paid a visit to The Oaks assisted living facility in Baldwin. They carried with them “trinkets and treasures” to hand out to the more than two dozen residents who live there.

Santa gave everyone a stocking with donated items from staff and volunteers. They even brought a small dog with them that warmed people’s hearts. The crew’s ringleader, Grinch, created merry mischief during their Dec. 22 visit.

In preparing for the visit, the Grinch’s alter ego, HCACC Director Madi Nix, said, “Everyone always does so much for the shelter, so it’s time for the shelter to do something nice for someone else.”

Macey Nicholson was leaving the Habersham Central High School basketball game Friday night when she captured a quiet moment that speaks volumes.

“This section is where the student section was. I was absolutely shocked to see all of them get up and leave without picking up their trash,” the HCHS alum wrote in a social media post that’s since been widely shared.

Then, a young man stepped into the stands and started picking up the trash.

“He didn’t know that anyone was watching,” Nicholson wrote. “He wasn’t even sitting in the student section.”

Nicholson gave a shout-out to the teen, who she identified as Trey King.

As it turns out, King, a 16-year-old junior at Habersham Central, has publicly stated he hopes to one day go into the ministry.

On this night, he delivered a sermon without any words.

“This is the perfect picture of selfless service and integrity,” wrote Nicholson. “The world needs more people like Trey King.”

If walking into stores before Thanksgiving and seeing Christmas displays irks you, you’re not alone. This turkey at Red Bird Acres Farm in Clarkesville went seasonal on Santa.

Thanksgiving Day is Thursday, Nov. 23.