Page 4A THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD March 16, 2016

Ron Willis USCG “Old School” If I Could Turn Back Time Grass Tetany Ron was born 73 years The There are several reasons It seems spring has in- ago in Nebraska growing up I don’t enjoy the annual sleep- The deed sprung! This bout of warm around cattle and horses and Veterans’ robbing tradition known as weather we’re having is quite never thought about serving Corner “Daylight Saving Time.” I’m the improvement to the cold From the America in our USCG. After Scott not particularly fond of hav- Middle Path wet winter we had this past year. Ground Up a really nasty Midwest winter Drummond ing the clocks “fall back” in Grass is finally going to start Melissa and walking up in the snow to USCG Veteran November, either. The primary By: Don Perry greening up, and if you own Mattee the roof of their home, Ron’s reason is one shared by many: cattle, it’s an important time to dad, a WWII Army Veteran brethren in the USMC, and We don’t appreciate having our 1966 when Congress again prepare for grass tetany. Also a day, but some may need up to announced, “It’s time to move seriously lacking by many only biological clocks disrupted. acted, ostensibly for the good known as the “grass staggers,” 35 milligrams. Unfortunately, to Florida.” Once there, Ron a few years younger, in today’s Some of us take up to three of the people but in reality, to this disease occurs when there magnesium oxide, which is the learned to love the water and society. Ron ended his tour of weeks to recover from this appease broadcasters and the is an imbalance of minerals, main source of magnesium in his parents reminded him that duty serving on an 82 foot patrol intrusion, and studies have sug- transportation sector. Over the specifically magnesium, in the supplements, is not very readily he needed to be preparing for boat and several small boats out gested that we never do fully years, just about every alleged blood of the cow. Older, early eaten because cows don’t particu- his future. He took that as an of Padre Island, TX. recover from these artificial benefit of Daylight Saving Time lactating cows are the most sus- larly like the taste. However, you obvious hint. Having already Returning to Florida, Ron mutations of rhythms that took has been challenged by science, ceptible to this disease. can counter this by mixing corn, befriended several in the local pursued his college education hundreds of thousands of years and evidence for negative side While grass tetany can soybean meal or molasses with USCG Auxiliary, Ron enlisted initiating a career with what to develop. effects caused by messing with occur in the fall and winter, it’s the supplements. You can also in the USCG. His first year after was Southern Bell Telephone We are already divorced the time has accumulated. Cur- most commonly seen in spring use magnesium sulfate as an al- boot camp was prime duty at Company as an engineer and from much of what is natural rently DST is favored by the re- as wet, cool weather is followed ternative because it tastes a little a USCG LORAN station near retired in 1996. May I add that by our burgeoning technol- by warmer temperatures. Cases better, but be careful with this if Ron and his wife Sharon have tail industry, which prefers that West Palm Beach. That changed ogy, isolated in our climate- of grass tetany are usually seen your cows are being fed corn co- abruptly about a year later when both served wonderfully in our we have more daylight hours controlled cubes, bathed in the to shop after work. That alone when cows graze on ryegrass, products as the increased sulfur he was transferred to another USCG Auxiliary, with Sharon’s tall fescue, bluegrass, and small provided by the magnesium sul- LORAN station about 750 miles superb culinary and planning electromagnetic radiation of should reduce the chances that our addiction to entertainment Congress will do anything to grain, and most severe cases are fate could lead to toxicity. north of the Artic Circle in skills combined with Ron’s caused by lush, rapidly growing abilities, his down to earth com- and communication. Further appease the growing dissatis- While we at the extension Greenland, where upon his ar- grasses. However, the risk of rival, Thanksgiving Day 1964 mon sense and natural leader- disrupting our sleep cycles faction with time changes. office can help you analyze your it was -26 degrees and dark 24 ship skills. They are a winning just adds injury to injury. Not The Ancients had a direct your cows becoming sick from soil and forage test results, if you hours a day. He describes this team! Moving here in 2013, they to mention the insult. The idea and effective way of dealing this disease greatly decreases if suspect your herd is experienc- as “living in an alien world”. love our small Towns County of having something as bloated with natural cycles of daylight they can forage in a pasture that ing grass tetany, it’s important to Surviving the elements was a Community. and incompetent as Congress and dark: They changed their is 30% legumes such as clover contact a veterinarian immedi- primary concern for everyone Ron’s words of wisdom deciding the time, doesn’t help schedules accordingly. Roman and alfalfa. Your cows are at ately. Treatment for this disease there, and as an ET (electronics that he wishes to share with pass the time on that grumpy water clocks used different greatest risk of acquiring grass often requires the administration tech), Ron and all the Coasties our young folks: One: Join the Monday after the change. scales for different months of tetany if your pasture soil is of intravenous fluids or injec- had to keep our LORAN station military and learn a marketable Blame Benjamin Frank- the year. Last year as an act of low in magnesium but high in tions which should only ever be up and running 24/7/365. “Old skill. Two: “My experience in lin, who suggested the time personal protest, I kept a watch potassium and nitrogen. A basic done by a trained professional. School” adequately describes the military had as much to do change to save on burning on Standard Time and simply soil test can help you determine Cows that have been treated Ron and those of us for which with getting a job within a good candles. Or we can blame rescheduled everything on my these levels in your pastures. and are recovering should be re- it became our imperative duty to company as a college degree. Canada, which was the first calendar. It was a bit confusing, Should your soil results show moved from the pasture and fed keep our old WW II era equip- A degree gets you in the door, modern country to adopt the but a good mental exercise - low magnesium and low pH, you a diet of hay and concentrates. ment up and running. Whether but your service in the military practice, and Woodrow Wilson, and cathartic. can correct this by adding dolo- Be watchful of those cows in it was a patrol boat or LORAN will get you the job.” Finally, who signed the practice into Changing our schedules mitic limestone which will raise your herd that have previously station, we learned how to “Veterans have a very special law at the end of World War I to to match the natural rhythms mineral levels and the pH. had grass tetany as they are more improvise, not always “by-the bond with each other that lasts save energy, following the lead of the planet...no, I think we’re Cows with mild cases likely to get it again. book”. It was literally life or a lifetime. No matter if you of Germany, which began using much too sophisticated for that. stop producing milk and ap- So remember, a mineral a death for us old school “Hooli- were enlisted or commissioned DST in 1916. Roosevelt made Perhaps I am just having a pear nervous. Those with acute day keeps the veterinarian away! gan’s Navy” personnel to know officer, short timer or career DST year-round during WWII, harder time adjusting this year, grass tetany stop grazing, are Feeding your early lactating how to “Improvise, Adapt, and military, that bond will always when it was known as “War and my skin is still crawling unusually alert (heads and ears cows magnesium on a regular Overcome”, something we be there for support.” Time.” After the war, there from hearing my wife play are up constantly), stagger, or basis will almost certainly keep unknowingly shared with our Semper Paratus were no universal standards for Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back repeatedly lie down and stand grass tetany at bay. DST in the United States until Time” to taunt me. up again. Cows in this stage are Don’t forget about my easily startled and upset and col- upcoming High Tunnel Pro- lapse shortly after. Once a cow gram on March 21st! It will Rabun County, Georgia collapses, immediate treatment last from 1:00-3:30pm at the Letters to The Editor Chestatee-Chatta- Executive Director of is needed to prevent convulsions Georgia Mountain Research Letter to the Editor: hoochee RC&D Council’s RC&D and death. and Education Center. Topics On Tuesday, March 8, I was invited to speak to a group work area is the 13 counties of To prevent grass tetany in include choice crops for high Northeast Georgia from Union of Hiawassee business owners about the annual Towns County your herd, feed your cows either tunnels, pest management, and down to Forsyth over to Hart a high magnesium supplement how to apply for one. One hour Clean Sweep Week. Imagine my surprise when I entered a room and up to Rabun. This week the Frank of about 50 - 60 people who had gathered to hear about not only or a free choice mineral that is of pesticide credit for private spotlight is on Rabun County Riley 8-12% magnesium. During lacta- and commercial applicators will ways to improve the appearance of downtown Hiawassee, but to the northeastern most county learn of the many resources available to them for free! A newly in Georgia. As early as 1760, tion, cows need at least 15 grams be given. elected city council member, Liz Ordiales, had arranged the meet- explorers came to the area now ing to determine interest in creating a strategy that will make the known as Rabun County and in downtown area more appealing and address ways to add new and the 18th century, the population the State of Georgia’s north- sustainable businesses to the profile, not just more of the same! of Cherokee in the area was so ernmost point. The county is It was exciting to feel the energy in the room as people generated heavy that this portion of the named for William Rabun, who ideas and suggestions for a better downtown. Given the size of this Appalachian Mountains was served as the 11th Governor of group, it appears many people are ready for fresh ideas and a plan sometimes called the “Chero- Georgia from his election in for progressive and managed change that leads to action. And they kee Mountains.” There were at 1817 until his death in 1819. are eager to be involved! The other two newly elected city council least four Cherokee settlements In 1828, the Georgia General members, Anne Mitchell and Kris Berrong were also present as a in what would later become Assembly transferred a portion part of what may be the beginning of a new future for Hiawassee. Rabun County. A Middle settle- of Habersham County to Rabun Watch the paper for the next meeting date and plan to attend. You ment called Stikayi was located County, and in 1856, the legis- don’t have to be a business owner to want to be a part of something on Stekoa Creek, probably lature used portions of Rabun exciting that affects all of us in the area. It is about time! southeast of the present-day and Union Counties to create Grace Howard Clayton. An Over-the-Hill Towns County. In 1898, the settlement called Tallulah was Tallulah Falls Railway was con- To the Editor: located on the upper portion of structed on a north/south track the Tallulah River. There were through the county and one of It is becoming easier these days for the Towns County sports also two Cherokee settlements the most popular stops along fan to become more complacent about local high school athletics. of unknown division, Chichero- the railway was Tallulah Gorge. I have observed countless times over the last decade or so as the he, which was destroyed during Deliverance (1972), a highly TCHS administration has unceremoniously released very quali- the American Revolutionary popular film about a group of fied and excellent coaches, particularly in football and basketball. War, located along Warwoman city men taking a canoe trip As someone who has had a slight insider’s view of the pressures Creek, east of Clayton, and in north Georgia, was filmed that coaches face on a daily basis, any season with a new coach Eastertoy which was located largely in Rabun County and is a season in preparation for the next one. When you’re also near the present-day Dillard. after the film’s release, Rabun rebuilding at a very small single-A public school, chances are the Despite the prominence of the County experienced an increase coach is looking even further ahead. Yet these factors have rarely Cherokee, there is evidence in tourism, with the number of Towns County mattered to those who never step into a coach’s office. With each that other Native Americans visitors going from hundreds rebuilding year as a new TCHS coach has the daunting task of were in the region before them. to tens of thousands. By 2012, Community Calendar familiarizing himself with new teams, new personalities, and new A mound similar to others 40 years later, tourism was the across North Georgia is located largest source of revenue in the student demographics, many of our local sports fans eagerly await Every Monday: for another supposed miracle season that will surely be provided about one mile east of Dillard county. Starting in the 1920s, and is likely a remnant of an many of the improvements in Bridge Players Village Condos Clubhouse 12:30 pm through the leadership of the glorified new coach. Any grasp of Bingo Brasstown Manor 9:30 am patience is thrown out the window. Expectations are usually high earlier mound-building Na- the county can be attributed tive American culture known to the establishment, growth Every Tuesday: and unrealistic, and once again by the end of the school year, an- Free GED prep. Old Rec. Center 4 pm other once-hailed, now-reviled coach is sent on his way. as the Mississippian culture. and expansion of the Chat- Every Thursday: One remarkable trend seems to be occurring in this frequent William Bartram was one of tahoochee National Forest in Free GED prep. Old Rec. Center 4 pm rotation of coaches... most of these said coaches are not lifelong the early visitors to Rabun the county. The county’s three Every Friday: County and according to his major lakes were created in the Bridge Players Village Condos Clubhouse 12:30 pm local citizens (gasp, the dreaded “outsider”... surely not here in journal entries for May, 1775; early 20th century by Georgia Towns County). Alcoholics Anonymous Red Cross Building 7 pm Bartram crossed the Chattooga Power for hydroelectric power Every Sunday: Parents also appear to be a key player in these situations. River into Georgia near its generation. Lake Burton covers The people who possess the least knowledge of what occurs at Alcoholics Anonymous Red Cross Building 7 pm confluence with Warwoman 2,770 acres and has 62 mi of First Monday of each month: practices, in the locker rooms, or in the school classrooms, seem Creek. He later went through shoreline, Lake Rabun cov- Mtn. Amateur Radio Club 1298 Jack Dayton Cir. 6:30 pm to dictate the bulk of what goes on in Towns County sports. a junction of Cherokee trails ers 840 acres and has 25 mi First Tuesday of each month: For example, a new assistant coach and his wife moved into called Dividings which would of shoreline, and Lake Seed Alzheimer’s Support group McConnell Church 1:30 pm our area this year who demonstrated nothing short of outstand- later become Clayton, and covers 240 acres and has 13 American Legion VFW Post 7807 4 pm ing character. His players showed improvements in all realms of then traveled north to an area mi of shoreline. Rabun has Hiaw. City Council City Hall 5:30 pm their respective sport, he demonstrated great leadership with our called Passover, which would the second and third highest Young Harris City Council YH City Hall 7 pm young people both in the classroom and on the field/court, and he later become Mountain City. peaks in Georgia: Rabun Bald First Wednesday of each month: invested a lot of time in them... certainly more than most coaches His travels in Rabun County at 4,696 feet and Dick’s Knob at Quilting Bee McConnell Church 10 am I have been familiar with. Last week he was informed that he are memorialized today by the 4,620 feet. The county’s eastern First Thursday of each month: was not a proper fit for Towns County Schools, and would not Georgia portion of the hiking border with South Carolina is Stephens Lodge #414 Lodge Hall 7:30 pm be returning next year. Some may be surprised. Sadly, I feel that trail known as the Bartram formed by the Chattooga River, Third Monday of each month: Trail. The Georgia General the largest tributary of the Tu- Hospital Auxiliary Cafeteria 1:30 pm this is once again par for the course. We’ve seen way too many of Water Board Water Office 6 pm these unfortunate situations occur in recent years for me to feel Assembly passed an act to cre- galoo River and then Savannah ate the county on December 21, River. The high elevation along Third Wednesday of each month: any differently. Quilting Bee McConnell Church 10 am To any and all coaches who have been chewed up and spit 1819 becoming Georgia’s for- the divide gives Rabun County ty-seventh county. The north- the most snow of any in county Third Thursday of each month: out by TCHS athletics, I am sorry for what you have had to deal Commissioner’s Mtg. Courthouse 5:30 pm with. I promise that your efforts have not been in vain, and your ern border of the county was in Georgia, and this also gives Friendship Comm. Clubhouse 6 pm future is likely brighter than ever. To Towns County Schools, established as latitude 35°N, it mild weather throughout the Third Saturday of each month: which is the boundary between warmer months of the year, Goldwing Road Riders Daniel’s Restaurant 11 am I strongly encourage you to please invest in new faculty in the Georgia and North Carolina, leading to the county’s slo- same manner that many of them invest in you. Please welcome Fourth Monday of each month: and due to irregularities in gan, Where Spring Spends the Red Cross DAT 1298 Jack Dayton Cir. 5:30 pm valuable “outsider” input. Not doing so keeps our area set back an early survey, the Georgia- Summer. in time twenty years, and not in a positive manner. Also, please Fourth Tuesday of each month: North Carolina border at Rabun For more information on Lions Club Daniel’s Restaurant 6 pm refrain from giving into parental pressure. Their little Johnny or County’s northeast corner was Rabun County or any of the pro- little Johnnita will be okay. I say this with all due respect to people Fourth Thursday of each month: erroneously set several hundred grams provided by Chestatee- Republican Party New Senior Ctr. 6:30 pm whom I have worked with and for, and with all due respect to the yards north of the 35th parallel, Chattahoochee RC&D contact Fourth Friday of each month: institution I attended K through 12. giving this location at Ellicott’s Frank Riley, Executive Director Square Dance Club Rec. Center 7 pm Alan Kendall Rock the distinction of being at: [email protected]. Publication No: 635540 Advertising, News deadlines: Friday at 5 p.m. Towns County (1 Year) $20. Out of County (1 Year) $30. Entered as second-class matter on Novem- TownsLegal OrganCounty of Towns CountyHerald ber 8, 1928, at the post office at Hiawassee, Georgia under Act of March 3, 1879. With additional mailing points. The Towns County Herald is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the cost of the actual space involved. Kenneth West Charles Duncan Shawn Henrikson Lowell Nicholson All subscriptions must be paid in advance by cash, check or credit card. Postmaster: Send change of address to: Owner/Publisher Editor Copy Editor Photographer Towns County Herald, P.O. Box 365, Hiawassee, GA 30546. Office located at: 518 N. Main St. Suite 7 “The Mall”, Hiawassee Joe Collins Shawn Jarrard Mason Mitcham Website: Phone: (706) 896-4454 Fax: (706) 896-1745 Email: [email protected] Advertising Director Staff Writer Staff Writer townscountyherald.net Or mail to: PO Box 365, Hiawassee, GA 30546