Page 2A NORTHTHE NORTH GEORGIA GEORGIA NEWS NEWS July 29, July 2015 29, 2015

Stevens...from Page 1A hits like The Streak, Gitarzan, songs for years, and after a lot, and I was in Atlanta, and support whatever you want to and Everything Is Beautiful. while it’s second nature,” said I was going to maybe go to put up there, and sometimes, And this Saturday, Ste- Stevens. “You just sort of hear Georgia Tech and study archi- if you want it to look a certain vens will be doing what he a phrase or something, or see tecture. But as it turned out, way, you’ve got a lot of prob- does best. something on a billboard, and my music publisher in Atlan- lems to deal with, because “The show is going to it gives you an idea for a song. ta, Bill Lowery, encouraged gravity is always working. be vintage Ray Stevens,” said And so, the process is part me to stay in the music busi- There’s a lot of math in music, Stevens. “I’m going to be do- craft and part inspiration. The ness, and so I studied music at too, so I think the two are kind ing a lot of my hits, old and craft part kicks in a lot when Georgia State, and it worked of kin to each other, architec- new, and a lot of other songs you get the inspiration to start out pretty good.” ture and music.” that I just like. And of course, with.” Fortunately, he pursued Tickets for the 7 p.m., I’m going to be talking about Stevens was 17 when he his musical talents, giving Saturday, Aug. 1, concert at things, a little bit of conversa- got into the recording indus- multiple generations of listen- Anderson Music Hall are on tion. It’s more music, though, try, and looking back on his ers the opportunity to have sale now, for $48 and $38 for than anything else. I have a career, the now 76-year-old their own favorite Ray Ste- the two levels of the music great band, and I think the entertainer could have taken a vens song. hall respectively, and tickets folks will like it.” different path entirely. “I still get a kick out will be available at the gate. With a songlist popu- “At that time, I didn’t of architecture, on a limited Stevens invites all com- lated by the likes of Gitarzan even know for sure that I was scale, of course, because I ers to his humor-filled perfor- and Jeremiah Peabody, to the going to stay in the music didn’t really get the training mance. recently released hit Taylor business – it worked out that to design big buildings or “I know they’ll en- Swift Is Stalkin’ Me, many way,” said Stevens. “I was bridges or anything like that,” joy the show,” said Stevens. may wonder how Stevens a typical 17-year-old guy, I said Stevens. “But I love resi- “Come to the show and have a comes up with such colorful guess, and didn’t know what dential and small buildings. good time. The show’s about characters and song ideas. I was going to do. “I love the challenge fun, and I think you’ll have “I’ve been writing “I liked architecture a mathematically. You’ve got to fun if you come to the show.”

Cagle...from Page 1A in his third term as lieutenant Finally, an avid triath- governor. An interesting note, all reservations must be made governor. lete himself, Lt. Gov. Cagle Lt. Gov. Cagle has never lost on or before Friday, Aug. 14 As lieutenant governor, leads Healthy Kids Georgia, a political race. by contacting the Chamber Cagle championed the Charter an effort to encourage local Chamber President office at (706) 745-5789. The Systems Act, which improved partnerships that introduce Cindy Williams encourages cost to attend the event is $25 education in our state while children to healthy lifestyle locals to make plans to join for Chamber members and providing a path to career options. the chamber in welcoming Lt. $35 for the general public. At- technical education for Geor- Lt. Gov. Cagle is widely Gov. Cagle to Blairsville and tendees may also register and gia’s high school students. considered to be the favor- Union County. make payment online at www. Additionally, Lt. Gov. ite to become Georgia’s next Due to limited seating, VisitBlairsvilleGA.com. Cagle launched the Georgia College and Career Acad- emy Network, a partnership EMC...from Page 1A between local community vote at the annual meeting in member, exercise your right Music Hall.” leaders, school systems, and September. to vote. The EMC Annual Meet- Georgia’s technical colleges. “The EMC has 43,000 “I’d also like to en- ing is booked for Sept. 12 at members,” Phillips said. “It courage the membership to Anderson Music Hall. The sure would be nice for the turn out in force at the annual membership is invited to at- membership to send a man- meeting,” Phillips said. “His- tend, Phillips said. date to the Board of Direc- torically, the EMC Annual “And we urge them to tors in September. If you’re a Meeting is held at Anderson attend,” he said.

Moonshine...from Page 1A will be able to attend folk rish. “There will be a band, year – the Cruiz-In’s biggest show exhibits, swap meets, and people will sit around the year yet. buy parts from automotive cars, and anyone who wants “We’ve been putting vendors, listen to mountain to can get out and dance to the the show on the week that music and witness authentic music. school started back, so we’d mountain crafting firsthand in “It’s just going to be a just seem to have a big Satur- the fairgrounds’ very own Pio- ‘50s, ‘60s type thing in town day, and the other days were neer Village. with all the cars. The people decent, but not at their full ca- And Saturday, cruisers who don’t want to go to that pacity,” said Parrish. “I think will put on a parade that is sure and want to go to the Ray we’ll see Thursday, Friday to turns heads, as hundreds of Stevens concert, Ray Stevens and Saturday all with quite a hotrods, street rods and clas- will be at the Anderson Music bit of people in town because sic cars take to the streets of Hall starting at 7 p.m. for his school’s still out. Other than Hiawassee. concert.” that, I think the show looks “We’re going to get a Attendance was down great. We’ve got new people lineup and pull out at 5:30 p.m. last year due to rain and coming, and I think we’re go- sharp heading to Downtown scheduling, said Parrish, but ing to hit our big number this Hiawassee, where they’ll set he expects more than a thou- year. We just can’t have rain up a street dance,” said Par- sand registered vehicles this and we’ll be good.”

Pre-K...from Page 1A ested parties looking for more from the Start Pre-K providers: good academic, age-appropri- information on the UCS Pre-K Union County Schools and ate pre-K program, those kids program, or those that would Ninth District Opportunity,” are much more likely to be like to add a child’s name to said Dr. Paula Davenport, who successful as they go through the waiting list, should contact is the school system’s student school and life,” said Superin- the Union County Schools and staff services director, as tendent Steppe. Registrar at (706) 835-4321 or well as Pre-K director. Any parents or inter- (706) 745-2322. “Both providers are serving the care and educa- tional needs of families with 4-year-old children,” Dr. Dav- enport said. “Superintendent Steppe believes that exposing children to Pre-K and early learning ensures that children are ready for a great kindergar- ten year, as well as laying the foundation for future academic success.” Last year was the first year that Union County Schools housed a Pre-K pro- gram, and the program has grown from two classrooms to four classrooms for the 2015- 2016 school year. In the program, students gain valuable experience to- ward jumpstarting academic successes. “It’s a combination of structured play, so to speak,” said Dr. Davenport. “There is a curriculum that they follow, but you’re working with 4-year- olds, so it has to be fun – a lot of songs sung, a lot of art, a lot of activities and hands-on ac- tivities. “The kids get a sense of some social skills, such as lin- ing up in line and taking turns at the restroom, and going to the lunchroom and the process there. So, when they do come into kindergarten, they have the rules down pat. They know where to go, they recognize the principal and it just gives them a head start.” Both the Ninth District Opportunity and UCS Pre-K programs are funded by the Georgia Lottery, and according to Dr. Davenport, kindergarten teachers can tell right away the students who have attended some sort of Pre-K program. “There are multiple studies that show that early learning, from birth to 5 years old, is so important – they’re just little sponges, they soak up just about anything we put out there,” said Dr. Davenport. And students aren’t the only ones excited about the op- portunity to start school early. “Pre-K is so important – what I’ve seen in the research says that students who have the opportunity to attend a really