New facility to create 80 jobs

Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that Diana Food, a global provider of natural ingredients to the food and beverage industry, will create more than 80 new jobs and invest $50 million in a food processing, manufacturing and research and development facility in Banks County.

“Diana Food’s decision to establish a presence in Banks County is a testament to Georgia’s top-ranked business climate,” said Deal. “Georgia offers the transportation network required for growing companies and a workforce second to none. I am confident this strategic Banks County location will provide significant benefits for Diana Food as the company continues its growth in the southeast.”

Diana Food manufactures a wide range of clean ingredients with a guarantee of product quality, traceability and food safety. The company has more than 1,000 employees, nine production plants, 11 sales offices and seven research and development facilities. Diana Food is part of the Symrise Group, a manufacturer of food ingredients, flavoring and fragrances.

“Banks County, Georgia is the best partner for our new manufacturing Plant and Research and Development facility in North America,” said Yannick Riou, president of Diana Food. “Setting up a new facility in the US is a key milestone in our company development allowing us to stay always closer to our customers, access to a high quality of local and sustainable sourcing while committing in a long term perspective to the regional economy.”

The approximately 90,000-square-foot facility will be located in the Banks Crossing Business Park and will consist of office, manufacturing and warehouse space on nearly 40 acres. The facility will be predominantly dedicated to meat processing.

“We’ve been competing for Diana Food against more than 25 communities in the U.S. for a year and a half,” said Scott Ledford, Development Authority of Banks County chairman. “Diana Food brings high paying jobs for our people.”

“While we’ve hit some singles and doubles in economic development, this is Banks County’s first grand slam ever,” said Banks County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jimmy Hooper. “Creating jobs has become an expected duty of local government. We know that Diana Food is committed to outstanding corporate citizenship as it becomes a major employer in the community.”

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Project Manager Joshua Stephens represented the Global Commerce division in partnership with the Development Authority of Banks County, Georgia Power and Georgia Quick Start.

“This is a huge win for Banks County and an incredible example of the important role Georgia’s existing manufacturing industry plays in attracting new businesses to our state,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Thanks to the collective efforts of all involved, this new facility will have long-term benefits for Banks County, Northeast Georgia as well as the state’s agribusiness economy.”

The Lady Raiders got back on the winning track with a 40-31 win over visiting Apalachee, while the Raiders dropped a close one, 47-38 on Friday night.

The girls are now 15-8 overall and 3-5 in region play, while the boys are now 1-21 and 0-8. The Lady Raiders sit in fifth place in the six-team region, and have two regular season games remaining – January 31 at Dacula and February 3 at Winder.

The Friday night games against Apalachee marked the final regular season home games for the Raiders and Lady Raiders seniors.

NGTC Foundation Director Cynthia Brown presents the Marlowe-Evans GOAL scholarship to Jeffrey Nichols of Lakemont.  Joining them is scholarship co-founder, Bob Evans.

North Georgia Technical College recently awarded Jeffrey Nichols of Lakemont, Ga., the 2017 winner of the NGTC Foundation’s Marlowe-Evans GOAL Scholarship.

GOAL (Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership), a statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia, honors excellence in academics and leadership among the state’s technical college students. The Scholarship, founded in 2005 by Jim Marlowe and Bob Evans, is given to one of the 12 GOAL semifinalists at NGTC who exemplifies the spirit of Bob Evans and Jim Marlowe through their community service and willingness to help others.

This year’s award was presented by Evans to Nichols at the annual GOAL banquet in the Ramsey-Hunter Dining Hall on the Clarkesville campus. The twelfth recipient of the Marlowe-Evans GOAL Scholarship, Nichols volunteers his time with his church and Future Farmers of America in addition to time he devotes to his college studies.

“In addition to being a second generation NGTC student in his family, he works full time and has an internship with the Banks County Sheriff’s Department,” said NGTC Foundation Director Cynthia Brown. “It’s amazing that he prioritizes his time so he can not only study, but also be a wonderful ambassador of the college to his family and friends at his church and the FFA in Clayton.”

Nichols was chosen from all of the students who were nominated as candidates this year. In order to qualify for consideration to be a GOAL nominee, applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and demonstrate exemplary work ethics. Nichols, a criminal justice student, was nominated by his instructor Stephen Hill.

Chomsy Khamvilay, age 52, of Cornelia, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, January 28, 2017.

Mrs. Khamvilay was born on February 1, 1964 in Laos. She was preceded in death by her father, Bounlap Khampouang, and husband, David T. Khamvilay. Mrs. Khamvilay was a member of the Lao Family Association of Habersham and the Buddha Sattha Dhamma. She was formerly employed with Fieldale Farms and Mount Vernon Mills.

Survivors include her sons, Billy Khamvilay, of Cornelia; John Khamvilay, of Cornelia; sisters, Bieng Khamphouang, Tieng Khamphouang; brothers, Khanty Khamphouang, of California; Chieng Khamphouang, of California; Vieng Xay Khamphouang, of California; grandchildren, Karissa Lia Khamvilay, and Sophia Grace Phom-Khamvilay.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, Thursday, February 2, 2017, and Friday, February 3, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. each evening at the funeral home.

Arrangements are in care of Whitfield Funeral Home & Crematory, South Chapel, 1370 Industrial Blvd., Baldwin, Georgia. 706-778-7123

Those wishing to express online condolences to the family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.

The Clarkesville Main Street Design Committee recently awarded The Art-Full Barn with the Clarkesville Main Street Award of Excellence. From left to right: Tonya Fowler Kimsey, Greg and Gail Kimsey (owners); Wendy Behrens, Teresa Barry and Mary Beth Horton, Clarkesville Main Street.
 The Award of Excellence recognizes a downtown business or property whose owner has gone above and beyond the call of duty to make their property appealing to the eye.   This includes excellence in building rehabilitation; attractiveness and creativity of window display, yard, and sidewalk, storefront or landscaping.

The Design Committee selected The Art-Full Barn as the recipient for their creativity with the mural on the rear of their building.

“The committee is always looking for ways to keep Clarkesville appealing and interesting,” Clarkesville Main Street Manager, Mary Beth Horton said. “The mural adds a bright and energetic entrance into downtown, and makes an otherwise empty wall a piece of art.   When you drive into town, you can’t help but notice the work!”

“We are thrilled with the finished mural!”said Gail Kimsey, one of the owners of The Art-Full Barn.  “People have stopped in the store every day since the day Nick began painting because they saw the mural and wanted to learn about the store and the artist.  Nick did a great job combining our request for something creative and FUN with his own personal style, and produced a piece of art that sparks that ‘Oh, cool!’ response from admirers of every age. It’s fun to watch the folks who stop to take pictures pick out their favorite section of the mural.”

Nick Morris, or “NACK” as he signs his murals, along with his wife Amanda, own and operate Crispy Printz, which specializes in environmentally safe screen-printing on all manner of surfaces.  Visit crispyprintz.com to see an array of work from these two very talented artists.

“The Main Street Award of Excellence was created to encourage Clarkesville residents and business owners to develop and maintain their properties or business in an attractive manner, thereby improving their own neighborhood and ultimately the downtown as a whole,” explained Bill Gresham, Design Committee member.

Horton added that another downtown mural, funded by the Georgia Council for the Arts Vibrant Communities Grant, will be completed spring 2017, and will further add to the visual experience of downtown.

The Awards are selected based on committee nominations, and are recognized quarterly. For more information, contact Clarkesville Main Street at 706-754-2220.

Don your mask, beads and dancing shoes. Mardi Gras is coming back to the Mountains!

Clarkesville Main Street presents the 5^th  Annual Clarkesville Mardi Gras, an award winning gala designed to raise funds for the Downtown Façade/Sign Grant Program.     The event will be held Saturday, February 25^th at 6:00PM at the Habersham Event Center.

The masquerade party includes a N’awlins-style cuisine prepared by local restaurants, dancing, drinks, a photo booth and the crowning of the King and Queen.  A silent auction will also take place in the hallway outside of the ballroom.

The event is a fundraiser for the Downtown Clarkesville Façade/Sign Grant, a financial assistance program available to business and building owners in the downtown district.  In its first four years, the Mardi Gras event has raised over $42,000 for the grant, and assisted with forty downtown beautification and restoration projects.

“This event seems to gain momentum each year,” explained Mary Beth Horton, Clarkesville Main Street Manager.   “I think we’ve definitely gotten the attention from the community, and we are grateful for that.”  Horton stated that since 100% of the ticket and silent auction proceeds go to downtown beatification and restoration projects, “those attending Mardi Gras feel like stakeholders.”

King Sponsors include:  South State Bank, Gresham Planning & Development, Norton Mountain Properties, Century 21 Community Realty, The Orchard Golf & Country Club and Soque River Bison.  Queen Sponsors are Wild Berry Cottage and The Kiker Law Firm.  Springer Mountain Farms will host the Mardi Gras Photo Booth.

Tickets are $35 each and include dinner, dancing and party favors.  Group tables can also be reserved.  The event is designed for guests 21 and older.

Tickets may be purchased by calling 706-754-2220, or by visiting www.clarkesvillega.com.

Ruth Yonkers Llornes, age 98, of Cornelia, Georgia, formerly of Bronx, New York, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2017.

Mrs. Llornes was born on January 30, 1918 in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen E. and Alma Battie Dodd; first husband, Joseph R. Llornes; second husband, Charles Yonkers. Mrs. Llornes was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cornelia, where she was a Sunday School Teacher. She was a retired Supervisor with Bell Telephone with 30 years of service. Mrs. Llornes loved shopping, and was a kind and generous woman.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Frederic Joseph and Barbara Llornes, of Lakework, FL; grandchildren, Connie Napoltiano, Joseph Llornes; great-grandchildren, Anthony, Thomas, Star, and Harley.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel with Rev. Blaine Walker officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at the funeral home prior to the service.

Arrangements are in care of Whitfield Funeral Home & Crematory, North Chapel, Demorest, Georgia. 706-778-1700

Those wishing to express online condolences to the family may do so by visiting whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.

Shannon Johnstone’s dog photographs may look like fun portraits of man’s best friend, but they are deadly serious.

“These are not cute pictures of dogs,” Johnstone said. “These are dogs who have been homeless for at least two weeks and now face euthanasia if they do not find a home. Each week I bring one dog from the county animal shelter and photograph him or her at Landfill Park, a former landfill converted into a public park. … However, this landscape offers a metaphor of hope. It is a place of trash that has been transformed into a place of beauty. I hope the viewer also sees the beauty in these homeless, unloved creatures.”

Johnstone is a tenured associate professor at Meredith College in Raleigh. She received a BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an MFA in photography from Rochester Institute of Technology.

“Landfill Dogs” has been featured in national and international exhibitions and magazines and was most notably on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer and CNN.com. Her first book, “Landfill Dogs,” came out in November 2015. More information can be found at landfilldogs.com.

“Landfill Dogs,” an exhibition by the Raleigh, North Carolina, artist is on display now through Feb. 25 at the Piedmont College Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art in Demorest. Admission is free, and museum hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The museum is located at 567 Georgia Street, Demorest.

For more information, contact director Rebecca Brantley at rbrantley@piedmont.edu or call 706-894-4201.

HMC is one of only six hospitals to be named to the Georgia Hospital Association Circle of Excellence. Representing Habersham Medical Center at the recent GHA Patient Safety Summit were, left to right, RN and Director of Quality Teri Newsome, RN and Chief Nursing Officer Dede Arnau, and Chief Executive Officer Jerry Wise. 

Habersham Medical Center is being recognized for excellence in patient quality and safety. HMC received four awards during the annual Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) Partnership for Health and Accountability’s (PHA) Patient Safety Summit held January 11-12, 2017 in Greensboro, Georgia.

In the “Hospitals With Less Than 100 Beds” category, Habersham Medical Center earned a first place award for its project entitled “Improving Transition of Care through Effective Communication” and a third place award for the Medical Center’s project aimed at “Falls Prevention.”

“At Habersham Medical Center, we are always looking for ways to enhance the patient experience and to continuously improve our processes so we can provide the best quality care possible,” says CEO Jerry Wise.  “The ultimate goal with any of our improvement projects is not to win awards, but to set a new standard for rural healthcare.”

According to RN and Chief Nursing Officer Dede Arnau, “Our “Transition of Care” project focused on better communication between all healthcare providers from the emergency room and inpatient unit to home health and long-term care.  In addition, our “Falls Prevention” project focused on enhancing patient and family engagement and providing education on ways patients and their families can help reduce the risk of falls at home and while receiving medical treatment.”

Habersham Medical Center also received the Joshua Nahum First Place Award for Infection Prevention and Control.  “This was a huge honor for us,” adds RN and Director of Quality Teri Newsome.  “This award was presented for Habersham Medical Center’s low surgical site infection rate, which is only 0.63 percent; lower than the national average of 0.75 percent.  We were nominated against other hospitals and healthcare systems across the state, regardless of size or bed count.”

Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome won second place and Piedmont Newnan Hospital was third. The award was presented by Armando and Victoria Nahum in memory of their son Joshua, who died in Maryland from a hospital-acquired infection. The award also came with a $1,500 grand prize, according to Newsome.

Habersham Medical Center is also now included in the prestigious 2017 GHA Circle of Excellence, an honor given to Georgia hospitals and health systems that have demonstrated a sustained commitment to quality and patient safety as evidenced by earning three or more PHA Patient Safety Awards within five years.

There are currently only six hospitals in the GHA Circle of Excellence: Emory University Hospital Midtown, Habersham Medical Center, Morgan Memorial Hospital, Northside Medical Center, Redmond Regional Medical Center, and WellStar Cobb Hospital.

“These annual awards recognize Georgia hospitals and healthcare organizations for achievement in reducing the risk of medical errors and improving patient safety and medical outcomes,” says GHA President and CEO Earl V. Rogers.  “We applaud Habersham Medical Center for its leadership and dedication to quality and patient safety and its commitment to providing the best and safest care possible for its patients.” 

Donald Andrew McClure, age 75 of Lula, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at his residence.

Born in Gillsville, Georgia on July 11, 1941, he was a son of the late Otis McClain and Lillie Parr McClure. Mr. McClure was a retired supervisor with AMF – Potter & Brumfield and was also retired from SKF TRW Bearings Division.  He was a member of Lula United Methodist Church.  Mr. McClure was a Lula City Councilman from 1980 – 1983.  He also was a former Cub Master with Lula Cub Scouts Pack 227 at Lula Elementary School from 1974 – 1977.  He was a member of the NRA and enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports in his spare time.

In addition to his parents, Mr. McClure was also preceded in death by his twin brother, Doyle H. McClure; brother, Cecil McClure; sister, Judy Martin.

Surviving are wife, LaVerne Griffin McClure of Lula;  daughter and son-in-law, LaDonna and Steve Irvin of Gillsville; son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Kim McClure of Lula; grandchildren and spouses, Stacey and Leslie McClure of Lula, Olivia and Shane Whitfield of Demorest and Jared and Haleigh McDougle of Lula; great grandchildren, Ian Abernathy, Aubrey McClure, Jase McDougle and Dani Whitfield; five step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jimmie Lou and Talmadge Hulsey of Murrayville, Evelyn and Monroe Garrett of Suches and Carolyn and Jerry Standridge of Gillsville; sister-in-law and spouse, Jeanette and Jim Bryant of Homer; sister-in-law and spouse, Helen and Billy Sexton of Gainesville; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends; special caregivers, Tricia, Cara and Jennifer with Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, at the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart with Rev. Phil Ferguson, Rev. Charles Taylor and Rev. Steve Lewallen officiating.  Interment will follow in Antioch Holiness Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lula United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 439, Lula, Georgia 30554 or to Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, 2150 Limestone Parkway, Suite 222, Gainesville, Georgia 30501.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home (706-778-8668) of Cornelia is in charge of arrangements.

Louise Graham Oliver, age 82 of Cornelia, Georgia passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2016.

Born in Jacksonville, Georgia on October 14, 1934, she was a daughter of the late Dave & Lottie Lee Clements Graham. Mrs. Oliver was retired with Southern Bell after 37 years of dedicated service and in later years enjoyed helping her daughter, Louann, with her restaurant, Sweet House Barbeque. She adored life, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Louise especially doted on her beloved dog, Kosmo. She was a member of the Lula United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Buddy Varnadoe, brothers & sister-in-law, Robert & Geraldine Graham, Clifford Graham, and brother-in-law, Grady Owens.

Survivors include her children: Pat & Dr. Joe Noggle of Mt. Airy, GA; Louann Acee of Cornelia, GA; David & Marilu Oliver of Suwanee, GA; sister, Anne Owens of Lumber City, GA; sister-in-law, Dorothy Graham of Warrenton, GA; grandchildren, Dillard & Xan Noggle of Commerce, GA; Loren & Lindsey Noggle of Sandersville, GA; Ashley & Kris Kendrick of Royston, GA; Corey Noggle of Dahlonega, GA; Nicholas Hendricks of Buckhead, GA; great-grandchildren, Landon & Jackson Noggle of Commerce, GA; Mitchell Noggle of Sandersville, GA; several nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at 12:00 Noon Saturday, February 04, 2017 from the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Lewallen officiating. A reception will be held immediately following the service at Sweet House Barbeque, 161 Quality Foods Shopping Center, Cornelia, GA. 30531

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.

Georgia Congressman says measure gives U.S. time to “get refugee policy right”

Georgia’s 9th District Congressman Doug Collins issued a statement Monday defending President Trump’s travel ban on seven Muslim-majority nations. In a press release, Collins says the executive order is related to the United States’ national security:

“Protecting the people of the United States remains the top priority of its leaders, and thoughtful vigilance on this front has made our nation a beacon of hope to people throughout the world. It is possible to welcome refugees to our country while maintaining robust national security measures, and it is time to restore balance to this relationship by evaluating our entry processes in light of credible threats to our citizens.

The executive order allows re-entry to lawful permanent residents and does not represent a comprehensive ban on entry to people from certain countries. In this temporary measure, President Trump has given us the opportunity to get refugee policy right going forward.”

Trump signed an executive order on immigration on Friday that bars citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia from entering the United States for the next 90 days. It also suspends the admission of all refugees for 120 days. The ban has been enthusiastically received by many Trump supporters who say the president is keeping his campaign promise to make America safe. Others criticize the ban as un-American.

Ban backlash

Protests erupted Friday at airports across the country. Democratic Sens. John Lewis of Georgia, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Cory Booker of New Jersey were among the elected officials who joined in the protests. Meanwhile, Democratic Senate minority leader Chuck Shumer of New York says he’ll ask for a vote on the Senate floor Monday night to repeal the ban.

Republican Senators John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina broke the GOP silence on Capitol Hill Sunday and issued a joint statement condemning the ban:

“Our government has a responsibility to defend our borders, but we must do so in a way that makes us safer and upholds all that is decent and exceptional about our nation.

It is clear from the confusion at our airports across the nation that President Trump’s executive order was not properly vetted. We are particularly concerned by reports that this order went into effect with little to no consultation with the Departments of State, Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security.

Such a hasty process risks harmful results. We should not stop green-card holders from returning to the country they call home. We should not stop those who have served as interpreters for our military and diplomats from seeking refuge in the country they risked their lives to help. And we should not turn our backs on those refugees who have been shown through extensive vetting to pose no demonstrable threat to our nation, and who have suffered unspeakable horrors, most of them women and children.

Ultimately, we fear this executive order will become a self-inflicted wound in the fight against terrorism. At this very moment, American troops are fighting side-by-side with our Iraqi partners to defeat ISIL. But this executive order bans Iraqi pilots from coming to military bases in Arizona to fight our common enemies. Our most important allies in the fight against ISIL are the vast majority of Muslims who reject its apocalyptic ideology of hatred. This executive order sends a signal, intended or not, that America does not want Muslims coming into our country. That is why we fear this executive order may do more to help terrorist recruitment than improve our security.”

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker said Sunday the administration should immediately make revisions to the executive order.

Trump fires back

Trump fired back at McCain and Graham on Twitter Sunday calling their statement “wrong” and the senators themselves “weak on immigration.”

The joint statement of former presidential candidates John McCain & Lindsey Graham is wrong – they are sadly weak on immigration. The two…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017

…Senators should focus their energies on ISIS, illegal immigration and border security instead of always looking to start World War III.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 29, 2017

The president shows no sign of backing down, explaining on Twitter that no advance notice was given to prevent the “bad” from rushing into the country. “A lot of bad ‘dudes’ out there,” he tweeted.

The president, who has a penchant for expressing himself through social media, took to Facebook Monday to explain his decision. In a post on his verified Facebook page Trump insists the ban’s not about religion but about “terror and keeping our country safe.”

Trump says the U.S. will again issue visas to all countries “once we are sure we have reviewed and implemented the most secure policies over the next 90 days.”

The 2017 Piedmont College softball season is set to begin in just a few weeks and Head Coach Terry Martin has announced the 2017 schedule highlighted by the Piedmont Classic, a home tournament on February 18 & 19.

The Lady Lions will also head to the Grand Slam Tournament in Raleigh, North Carolina for the second straight season.

Piedmont has a total of 22 contests scheduled to be played at Walker Athletic Complex this season including the season opener on Saturday, February 4 at noon for a doubleheader against Brenau University. This marks the first time since 2014 that the Gainesville, Georgia based school will travel to Demorest for contests on the diamond.

A week later, the Lady Lions will hit the road to take on Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama on February 11th with games set for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The Lady Lions were 1-2 against the Panthers in 2016, a year that saw the BSC squad post a 37-10 record. The third time these two teams met last season was at the Mount Berry Regional in the NCAA Tournament where the Panthers won 6-4.

Next up on the schedule is the host of the Mount Berry Regional from last season, the Berry College Vikings who lost in the regional final to Emory. The Vikings were 39-8 last season and won the SAA Tournament Championship over Birmingham-Southern.

The Piedmont Classic features four teams as Piedmont plays host to Greensboro, Millsaps and Emory & Henry College. Piedmont will face Greensboro on February 18 at noon followed by Millsaps at 4:30 p.m. later that day. The Lady Lions will then take on Emory & Henry on February 19 at 9:00 a.m. and have a rematch with Millsaps at 1:30 p.m. There will be a total of four games each day with each team playing two games per day.

Piedmont will then head to the Grand Slam Tournament in Raleigh, North Carolina the next weekend for games on February 25-26. On the 25, Piedmont will face Olivet College at 9:00 a.m. and Christopher Newport at 3:00 p.m. then on Sunday PC will take on Emory University at 9:00 a.m. and Averett University at 11:00 a.m.

Following the two tournaments, Piedmont will begin the conference portion of the schedule taking on Wesleyan College on February 28 at 2 & 4 in Macon, Georgia. The Lady Lions will play the first three doubleheaders of the conference schedule on the road this season heading to LaGrange March 4 for games at 1 & 3 and Huntingdon on March 5 with games at 12 & 2.

The Lady Lions will then return home for the longest home stretch of the season with 10 games played from March 7-March 22 at Walker Athletic Complex. Piedmont will host Christopher Newport to begin the home stretch on March 7 stepping outside of conference play for one of the final times in 2017. This will mark the second game against Christopher Newport as the two are set to meet at the Grand Slam Tournament as well.

The busiest week of home competition begins on Wednesday, March 15 as Piedmont hosts Agnes Scott, followed by a Friday doubleheader against William Peace University on March 17. On March 18, N.C. Wesleyan will be in action at Walker Athletic Complex and Salem College will conclude the home stand on Wednesday, March 22 as Piedmont hosts eight games in eight days. Piedmont was 4-2 against those four teams last season.

Piedmont will make the conference trip to Virginia to take on Ferrum and Mary Baldwin next with a doubleheader against the Panthers on March 24 and a twinbill against the Fighting Squirrels on March 25.

The Lady Lions will then end the regular season at home with a doubleheader against DePauw on March 28, then host conference foe Maryville College on March 31 and Covenant College on April 1.

The path leads to the 2017 USA South Championship Tournament in LaGrange, Georgia as part of the USA South Spring Sports Festival on April 7-15. This marks the first season the tournament has been in LaGrange as the Spring Sports Festival moves to the peach state from Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

The Lady Lions claimed another USA South regular season championship in 2016 with a 16-4 record in conference play and a 29-15 overall record in Head Coach Terry Martin’s 18th season. The regular season championship marked the third in four seasons for the Lady Lions and the ninth earned since the 2002 season.

The 2017 season begins on February 4 at 2 p.m. with a doubleheader against Brenau University at Walker Athletic Complex. Live broadcast coverage will be available for all home contests through the Mane Event Broadcasting Network as well as live stats for all home games provided by the Office of Athletic Communications.

Piedmont Lions Sports Information

George Nevin Wilson, 83, of Fayetteville, passed away on January 29, 2017.

He was born on October 29, 1933, in Batesville, Georgia to the late Theodore and Stella Wilson. George was a member of the Army and served in the Korean War.

George is preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth Nadine Wilson and great granddaughter, Alise Marianne Holliday. George is survived by his wife, Rochelle Wilson; daughters, Holly Gamling, Elisa and Kenneth Holliday, Janine and Sammy Captino, and Anissa and Dale Andrews.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 11:00 AM at Carl J. Mowell & Son Funeral Home, Fayetteville.

Burial will follow at Providence Baptist Church in Batesville, Georgia at 4:00 PM.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home located at 180 N Jeff Davis Drive, Fayetteville, GA 30214.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org.

Carl J. Mowell & Son, Fayetteville – Mowellfuneralhome.com.

Marvin Dewey Wade, Jr. age 69 of Demorest, Georgia passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2017.

Born in Clarkesville, Georgia on August 28, 1947, he was a son of the late Marvin Dewey Wade, Sr. and Lessie Dean Wade. Marvin served his country proudly in the United States Army in active combat during Vietnam. He was a retired carpenter and enjoyed farming for many years. He was a wonderful husband, father, & papa who made his grandchildren and great-grandchildren his life. Marvin enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, and watching old western movies. He was of the Baptist Faith and a life-member of the Grant Reeves VFW Post # 7720.

Survivors include his loving wife of 43 years: Janie Adams Wade of Demorest, GA; sons, Wayne Wade of Banks County, GA; Jon Wade of Demorest, GA; daughter & son-in-law, Crystal & Brian Gibby of Demorest, GA; brother, Melvin Wade of Demorest, GA; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joan & Garvice Thomas of Demorest, GA; grandchildren, Cody Wade of Demorest, GA; Hunter, Tristan, & Taylor Gibby of Demorest, GA; Blakely Wade of Demorest, GA; Lily Wade of Banks County, GA; Catie Grace Wade of Demorest, GA; great-granddaughter, Breelynn Wade of Cornelia, GA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, & friends.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 01, 2017 from the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with the Rev. Anthony Shore officiating. Interment will follow in the Return Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Beasley officiating at the graveside.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 until 4 p.m. & 7 until 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.

Several weeks ago, my brothers and sister and I had a day to celebrate Christmas with Mom and Dad. It was the first time since the mid-1970’s that it was just our family of origin. Usually there are in-laws and grandchildren (and now great-grandchildren) who also join us. Without them, it was quiet and low-key.

Before we ate together, Dad asked Mom if she would like to say the blessing. She agreed and said a most beautiful, heartfelt prayer. Every sentence was complete and connected. Her thought processes may get mixed up when dealing with the daily, mundane details of life, but not when she talks to her Lord.

As we held hands and prayed together, I couldn’t help wondering if this was the last time the six of us would gather around the table. Each holiday I wonder how the upcoming year will change our family dynamic. It’s not just that Mom and Dad are getting older, but we all know that it only takes a moment for life to change for any of us. None of us are guaranteed another year or even another day. As Mom was praying, I was, too.

Last year was hard on our family. Mom’s fall and broken bone changed all of us. There were also difficulties that surfaced within the James Gang (the nickname of the family Michael and I started) and tough situations that impacted our family. Some days it was hard to take a deep breath. There were days that I had agony too deep for words. I am grateful to Paul for writing of just a situation in his letter to the Romans:

A similar thing happens when we pray. We are weak and do not know how to pray, so the Spirit steps in and articulates prayers for us with groaning too profound for words. Romans 8:26 The Compass Bible

Some translations use the verb “intercedes” when describing the Holy Spirit’s prayers for us. Intercession happens when we can’t do it ourselves. The only way I can begin to understand that is knowing how my mother has prayed for me. She interceded on my behalf before I was old enough to pray. She sought the Lord on my behalf when I was too brokenhearted or hurt to pray.

Now it is my turn. Although she can pray with great eloquence and is connected to the Lord in a very special way, I still bring her before the Lord with prayers for peace and rest and comfort. Many days she is in a place where I cannot connect to her, but I know she can always connect to God. I believe without a doubt what Paul said later in the same chapter. To me, these are some of the most comforting words in scripture:

So who can separate us? What can come between us and the love of God’s Anointed? Can troubles, hardships, persecution, hunger, poverty, danger or even death?…For I have every confidence that nothing – not death, life, heavenly messengers, dark spirits, the present, the future, spiritual powers, height, depth, nor any created thing – can come between us and the love of God revealed in the Anointed, Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35 & 37

On days that she is far from me because of this devastating disease, I know nothing has diminished her love and connection to God. Her prayers still resonate with Him.

As a postscript, I want to honor a precious friend who went home today. Barbara Johnson was a precious friend and encourager to many of us. I’m a bit jealous that she’s already in the Father’s presence. I am grateful for her life and her influence on my world.

In short, A Dog’s Purpose is really nothing more than cloying, manipulative and very artificial. Moments that are designed to provide genuine, well-intentioned emotion backfire more often than not. It seems like the filmmakers believe a dog’s purpose is to have a series of cheesy moments followed by a fortune-cookie epiphany.

The movie follows the adventures of Bailey (voiced by Josh Gad) who is reincarnated through dog after dog and experiences different adventures while trying to figure out what he’s meant to be and do. Hence, a dog’s purpose. He first starts out in the 1960s with a family that has an alcoholic father and he establishes a relationship with the father’s son, Ethan (K.J. Apa).

Soon, Bailey dies of old age and is reincarnated again this time in the form of a German Shepard in Chicago for a cop and yet again for a college student who’s a hopeless romantic. There’s a subplot involving Bailey falling for another dog whose owner is very much interested in the college student. It doesn’t take much to figure out how this ends.

After another reincarnation, Bailey returns to familiar territory as a now-adult Ethan (Dennis Quaid) takes him in. $10 bucks for anyone who knows how this story turns out.

There’s very little in A Dog’s Purpose that is suspenseful or even intriguing and it’s not supposed to be, I guess. However, a lot of the plot developments come from a mile away and the whole movie by the end becomes condescending. As a dog lover, it breaks my heart but my cynicism won over.

What is a dog’s purpose? Eat, sleep, fetch, and be a good dog for its owner, not dabble in existential mumbo jumbo that attempts to pass as family entertainment.

Grade: C

(Rated PG for thematic elements and some peril.)

“Ever since she could walk and clean tables she would work at the restaurant,” says Heather Dodd of her daughter Tori. “She loved people, so, she was there all the time.”

The ‘there’ Heather is talking about is Mc’s Kountry Kitchen in Hollywood. A favorite gathering spot for locals that sits along Historic Highway 441 east of Clarkesville.

Tori was a mainstay at the restaurant during her growing up years. Her grandparents, Gary and Teresa Free of Clarkesville, own the place. Working there is a family affair. Heather and her sister Crystal pull restaurant shifts when they’re not working their regular shifts as nurses. Tori’s little sister Jordan works at Mc’s Kountry Kitchen, too.

It was in Hollywood, GA amidst the down home cooking and hometown folks that Tori Dodd found connection and purpose.

She was a light. She was a superstar in her own right before she even knew it. She brightened everyone’s day!

“Everyone who knew her loved her,” her mom says with obvious pride and delight. She describes her first born as “one of those people” who brighten other people’s lives. She tells the story of one restaurant regular who counts herself among Tori’s biggest fans. “It didn’t matter how bad she felt, Tori always found a way to compliment her and when she left she always felt better about herself.”

For Tori, giving compliments came easy. Accepting them was harder.

An aspiring model who stood just 5’2″ Tori didn’t cut the figure of an “ideal” body type, still, modeling was what she wanted to do. It consumed her in the way most people’s passions do – invigoratingly and relentlessly.

She struggled to balance her body image with her dreams, but that didn’t stop her.

“We sent her to Barbizon. She tried to do everything to make herself well-rounded. She started off doing Dance-A-Lott at a young age. Anything she could do musically she wanted to do,” explains Heather. “She played guitar. She sang at church. She loved rapping.”

After dropping out of Habersham Central High School her senior year, Tori went on to graduate from Mountain Charter High School. She enrolled in North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville. Then, last May, another Hollywood beckoned.

The 22-year old shook loose her North Georgia ties and moved out west to Orange County, California.

“She loved modeling and wanted to see if she could advance her career,” her mom explains.

While she embraced the hope and promise of new opportunities in California, Tori still found it difficult to fully embrace herself.

“Just like any other young adult she was self-conscious and sometimes got depressed about her looks,” Heather says. “She had some modeling jobs and some outpatient therapy. She was trying to get better involved in the modeling scene and get to where she was feeling good about herself.”

On January 19, 2017 everything abruptly changed.

“The last time we heard from Tori was the day before early that morning,” recounts Heather. “She was active on Facebook and she messaged her sister and she seemed to be fine. Then, she wasn’t active for 18 hours on Facebook and we knew something was up.”

The family considered all of the possibilities – maybe she was up late, maybe she was busy…maybe. “The normal things go through your head,” Heather says.

Then, the unthinkable.

“The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office pulled up at my house.” At first it didn’t seem unusual to Heather because she has friends who work at the Sheriff’s Office. But this was not just a friendly visit. “Officer Hall gave me information that Tori had been found in Orange County and to contact the Coroner’s Office.”

Tori Paige Dodd was found dead in Laguna Beach, California. All she had on her at the time was a credit card with her name on it.

Her cause of death, according to her mom, still has not been determined.

Tori Paige Dodd obituary

Compounding the family’s grief, a backlog in the Orange County Coroner’s Office indefinitely delayed Tori’s return home.

“It’s horrible. It’s been one hoop after another,” Heather says through her tears. “It’s like someone is just tugging at your heart and tearing it out bit by bit because you’re helpless and, even if you were there, you couldn’t do anything.”

It’s now been nearly two weeks since the Dodds learned of their daughter’s death. “We’re doing ok,” Heather says​ ​semi-convincingly. Sweet memories of Tori and the kindness of the local​ ​community have helped. “We lean on each other. Prayers. People visiting and keeping us talking about the good things​ ​that​ ​we remember. Just the comfort of knowing​ ​that Tori’s in heaven and I know she touched a lot of people while she was here. For her to be just 22 years old she lived more than a lot of 80 year old people.”

Tori’s was a life packed with living​ ​that ended far too soon.

“She had a very bright future ahead of her. I know she had many other things she wanted to do,” her mom says wistfully. She adds, “I just think maybe she touched the right person. She’s done her job and that’s why she was called home.”

Today, Tori is coming home. Her body is due to arrive at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport aboard Delta Airlines Flight #1172 at 2:09 p.m.

​​McGhee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home will be waiting. They’ll bring Tori home to Habersham where her family will greet her one last time before saying their final goodbyes.

“I just want her to be remembered for the person we all know her to be,” says her mom. “She was a light. She was a superstar in her own right before she even knew it.”

Photos from Tori’s last modeling shoot

January 2017

(click to enlarge)

A Go Fund Me page has been set up to assist the Dodd family with travel and funeral expenses. To contribute, visit https://www.gofundme.com/the-dodds.

The Habersham County Hospital Authority has signed a non-binding letter of intent (“LOI”) for exclusive discussions with Northeast Georgia Health System (“NGHS”) regarding an affiliation between Habersham Medical Center (“HMC”) in Demorest, Georgia, and NGHS.  As part of the LOI, HMC and NGHS will jointly pursue opportunities for greater collaboration, embarking upon due diligence with the goal of completing an affiliation so they can join together to best meet the healthcare needs of the community and region.

HMC, one of only six hospitals in the state to join the Georgia Hospital Association’s 2017 Circle of Excellence, will join NGHS during its period of rapid growth.  NGHS is a market leader in the 19 county region it serves in northeast Georgia. Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC), an affiliate of NGHS, is a recognized center of excellence in cardiovascular care, having been named Georgia’s number one heart hospital 12 years in a row.  NGMC was also named Georgia’s number one hospital for overall care for CareChex for the past three years (2014 – 2016).

In the spring of 2016, the Habersham County Hospital Authority commissioned a national search for a potential partner to assist HMC in meeting its long-term strategic objectives.

“We are pleased that a review of strategic options for our community hospital and its affiliation opportunities has led us to these exclusive negotiations with our longtime regional partner, Northeast Georgia Health System,” said Kim Crawford, chairman of the Habersham County Hospital Authority.  “This partnership not only brings together two health systems focused on serving their communities, but we believe that it also will enhance HMC’s mission of providing healthcare services to the citizens of Habersham County and other surrounding communities.”

“We have had ongoing discussions with the Habersham County Hospital Authority and Habersham County Commission for the past several years about the strategic direction and future of Habersham Medical Center, and we are very pleased that those discussions have ultimately concluded with this letter of intent,” said Carol Burrell, President and CEO of NGHS.  “HMC is a natural strategic fit with NGHS due to our contiguous service region and the many clinical partnerships already in existence.  We are excited about what the future holds as we work together even more seamlessly for the benefit of our shared patients.”

“The Commission is very pleased with this outcome,” said Victor Anderson, Chair of the Habersham County Commission.  “We are confident that this step will be good for the residents of Habersham County and their desire to maintain a strong local hospital in our community.”

HMC and NGHS will continue exclusive discussions with the intent to execute a definitive agreement for NGHS to acquire HMC.  Any resulting transaction would need to meet certain regulatory requirements and approvals before the transaction could be completed.   Officials say they expect that this entire process could take up to 12 months.