Page 10 THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD December 2, 2015 wrestling tournament, this is have a Class AAA team out of Wrestling...from Page 1 the second biggest wrestling Florida coming, and we have tournament in the state of a Class AAAA team out of Historically, KOM has tournament allows for Towns Georgia every year,” said Tennessee coming. We’ve got taken place in the Towns County County residents to get in on Coach Stowers. “That’s different classifications in North Middle School gym, but this the action of supporting the something to be really proud Carolina coming. This is really 10th anniversary tournament students of the county in their of, for a town our size to be a chance for us to show off the will take place for the first endeavors to be successful able to put on an event like fact that kids from a little bitty time ever in the state-of-the-art student athletes. that, and for it to be a positive town in North Georgia can be Towns County Recreation and And none of it could event. competitive with anybody, and Conference Center, and will happen without the continuing “A lot of times we go you don’t have to go to a Class span two days, with wrestling support of many already. to tournaments and they’re AAAAAA school to be a good starting around 5:30 p.m. on “It takes a lot of work, it not positive experiences for wrestler.” Friday, Dec. 4. really does,” said Coach Stowers people, but I’ve never had a Towns County wrestling The tournament is true on tournament organization. complaint from a wrestler or has enjoyed much success double elimination, so every “Just like everything, the a coach or a parent about how leading up to the Varsity KOM team wrestles until they have finished product is what people our community treated them or tournament. lost twice. are going to see. The behind- anything like that. Everything The Indians went 2-1 and Friday night wrestling the-scenes work that nobody has been super positive. We finished second in the Melee in is varsity only and will run for knows about is what takes all look for that to continue, and the Mountains tournament at four rounds on six mats, and the time, and really, we’ve had hope that as the tournament home on Friday, Nov. 20. ...from Page 1 wrestling will pick back up on parents that have been working continues to grow, people will And on Saturday, Nov. Clinton Saturday, Dec. 5, at 9 a.m., and on this for the last three months. come in and recognize the kind 21, Towns placed third in the but we usually get started When the sheriff’s will go until a team is declared Since school started we’ve been of effort that goes into it and be Union County Invitational, with around Thanksgiving,” Sheriff office receives the name of an King of the Mountain, probably in the planning stages, and even appreciative of that.” individual placers as follows: Clinton said. “Our Sheriff’s underprivileged family, they around 5:30 or 6 p.m. last spring, when we decided Tickets for the two-day Angel moss finished Christmas Parade (scheduled will reach out to that family JV teams will also wrestle we were going to be able to event can be purchased for fourth at 106 pounds; Kaine for Saturday, Dec. 5th) is to obtain a wish list from the on Saturday, so the JV squads move it out to the rec facility, $15, which will cover the cost Hoffman finished first at 120 usually the big kickoff event, child/children and try to find will have three mats and the we started planning with some of both days of the tournament, pounds; Thomas Mitchell but some people are already at least one item from that varsity will have three mats. of the guys at the rec facility or folks can buy a one-day finished first at 126 pounds; donating.” list. The parents can then pick “We’re really and stuff like that about things ticket for $10, and money Dylan Roberts finished first at Last year, the fund up the items, or have them appreciative of (Towns County that we needed to do and make raised will go toward covering 160 pounds; Daulton Rogers provided gifts to more than 215 discreetly brought to the home, Sole Commissioner) Mr. Bill happen. the cost of equipment as well finished first at 170 pounds; local children, but according to if need be. Kendall and the rec department “It’s been a long time as travel expenses, because the Russell Cox finished first at Sheriff Clinton, he’s seen the “The family can then people allowing us to have it in the works, and this Friday team travels so much. 182 pounds; and Harold Cox fund benefit as many as 280 do Christmas however they out there,” said Coach Stowers. and Saturday really is the “We hope that it has an finished third at 195 pounds. children during his tenure as want,” Sheriff Clinton said. “Space has been our biggest culmination of probably impact in our community, as Looking ahead to this Sheriff. “If they want the gifts to come issue, because we wrestle in the thousands of hours of work well as being a good thing for weekend, Coach Stowers would “We serve the children of from Santa, or to come from middle school gym, and we can and preparation by lots of our kids,” said Coach Stowers. like to invite everyone in the Towns County, that otherwise mom and dad, that will be only get three mats in there, and different people. I can’t thank “Our kids, we travel all over community to join him and his wouldn’t get Christmas gifts completely up to them.” there are only a certain number my wrestling parents enough the state to wrestle matches and Indians in welcoming the more due to financial hardships,” According to Sheriff of fans you can get in there for all the stuff that they tournaments all over the place, than two dozen teams to Towns Sheriff Clinton said. “Each Clinton, one of the questions comfortably. sacrificed to help out. My wife and this is one of the weekends County. year the community steps up that he’s frequently asked is: “And so we’re hoping and my family have sacrificed that we can stay at home and “We’ve got a lot of people and makes donations of toys, or “Is this for Towns County that this alleviates those two time with me to try to make this just show our hometown fans up here who have never seen a the money to buy toys.” children?” issues, because we’re going to event happen.” and our schoolkids the kind of wrestling match, and this is a Those interested in “And my answer is, ‘yes be on six mats on Friday and Above all, Coach Stowers work that our kids put in, and great chance to watch not only donating to the cause can do it is,’” Clinton said. Saturday. If this alleviates some hopes that, for the sake of the that we’re competitive with our kids, but kids from all over so at several local businesses, Although there is no of those issues, then we’re kids involved, the community every classification of school the Southeast compete at a the Towns County Courthouse, official deadline to make a going to try to go to a full 32 rallies and comes together in that we wrestle. great venue that’s going to have or at the Towns County jail. donation or nominate a family teams next year for the varsity full support of the King of the “There will be every plenty of good food and lots of “This is a really great in need, the TCSO prefers tournament, or get as close as Mountain tournament this year classification in Georgia good places to watch from,” program that I’m truly blessed to have every family taken we can to 32, anyway.” and in years to come. high school represented said Coach Stowers. “It’s just to be a part of,” Sheriff Clinton care of before Dec. 23. If you Not only does Varsity “I hope the community this weekend. We have going to be a good event, and said. “It’s definitely one of the wish to contribute financially KOM shine a spotlight on kind of takes some ownership Class A teams, we have I hope everybody comes out to greatest things that I get to do by check, make the check Towns County as a regional of it, and really embraces the Class AAAAAA teams and support them.” as Sheriff. The community has out to: “Sheriff’s Empty wrestling powerhouse, the fact that, aside from the state everywhere in between. We been tremendous. There has Stocking Fund.” If donating never been a case where we’ve toys, they should be new and years ago. When she came Hiawassee voting district and known about a child and not unwrapped. Voting...from Page 1 yesterday, it was put back put into the Young Harris been able to serve them.” perfectly, exactly the way we voting district. Then, those come to Atlanta and help fix changes that are made as far had voted in the past. So we’re individuals that were along the problem, but redrawing as voting precincts. That did going to get that down and get Fodder Creek Road were taken Hiawassee...from Page 1 the precinct lines created more not occur, and the newer board all this done according to law out of the Hiawassee voting problems than it solved. members were not aware of and our timeframes before our district and put back into the getting it started. And from that, will show up, and of course, “When it was done, it it. Notification cards were not first election in 2016,” said Macedonia voting district. The the Hiawassee Ambassadors Crystal Fairless, who is one of was done in such a fashion issued. By law, when they make Oliva. Tate City voting district remains program has worked very the Towns County Chamber of that it was not conducive to the the changes at the state level, “There were some issues unchanged,” explained Bryan. faithfully out there. They have Commerce workers, will be the way we have voted historically they’re required to send out the with this map that some of your “So there were three all worked really faithfully out mistress of ceremonies. for many, many years, and it cards,” said Oliva. citizens were voting away from voting districts that were there for the last week or so,” “The mayor will kick off was not conducive to the way The elections board has their original polling place,” changed and amended, and that said Mayor Mathis. the program with a welcome, people live as far as census data spent the past year attempting explained Bryan. would be your Macedonia, your Last year, the City of and Rev. Steven Taylor from and as far as 911 data. So we to correct the maps, and this Bryan worked with Hiawassee, and your Young Hiawassee held a Christmas McConnell Memorial will say knew there was an issue, but week, Faith Bryan, who is Towns County 911 Mapping Harris voting districts,” she tree lighting, but it is hoping a prayer, and then probably of course we were overridden information services director Director Marty Roberts to added. to top previous efforts with a Alan will sing, and then a tree by that,” said Oliva. of the Georgia Mountains re-order the precinct maps At the meeting the Towns better ceremony this year. lighting, and then luminaries The issue afterward was Regional Commission, came according to the way they were County Board of Elections, each “We just didn’t have any preceded by Megan Corbin. that the public was not notified up to Towns County to help. before the data loss. signed the new map, signifying time to get the last one pulled Then Santa will ramp up the of the changes. “Thanks to Faith, we “Those individuals that that they had adopted it and that together or anything, and it evening. We’re planning a “You have 60 days to have it fixed and are going to were to the west of Highway it was now the official voting turned out okay, and we just program that won’t last longer make changes. You have 30 get our card notifications out, 76 were taken out of your precincts map. wanted to have one this year. than an hour so the children will days to notify the public of any which should have been done I think it’s going to be a pretty get to see Santa before they get lighting and all of that,” said tired,” she said. wishing Happy Holidays from “I know that Blairsville got people who basically don’t Mayor Mathis. Soon afterward, the Meals...from Page 1 the gift giver. does it on an annual basis drive anymore and there’s not a The ceremony will take children will visit with Santa “We can do a little around the Christmas holidays, family member around, so we place immediately following and Mrs. Claus. they just get frozen meals, provide them with a hot meal. the conclusion of the Towns “We have packages of because it’s too far a reach gift certificate if there’s because a lot of people are someone they want to sponsor also looking for ways to write We help with the providing of County Sheriff’s Christmas candy to give to every child who at the center to provide a hot lunch so they get their three Parade, which should be comes to visit Santa and Mrs. meal for them, so we’ll provide particularly. Some people want off the donations, and we are to be anonymous. A lot of them a nonprofit, so I can give a meals a day. There’s a couple sometime around 6:30 p.m. Claus,” said Fisher. them with frozen meals for the out there that I firmly believe This year, the tree She is hoping this year’s week. So there are many types are from churches. If someone, receipt for that for them to say, knows their neighbor gets use in their taxes. So a lot of that this may be the only meal lighting is named “Christmas in tree lighting will far surpass of action we take to make sure they get each day, as sad as that the Mountains Unity Christmas last year’s. that people needing meals get meals from Meals on Wheels people are looking at the year’s and wants to contribute to the end to make donations for that is,” said Parker. Celebration.” “The Hiawassee provided with those meals.” People interested in Connie Fisher, head of Ambassadors program went Typically, donations are fund, then I’ve got the gift purpose,” said Parker. certificate that can say this meal The Meals on Wheels donating can help to provide the Hiawassee Ambassadors out and solicited funds, and pooled into a general fund, meals for an amount of time program, said that attendees thanks to the generosity of our but Parker says that the gift is provided to you courtesy program benefits mostly the of your neighbor,” explained elderly and the homebound. ranging from one day to a full can expect a warm and festive citizens and the businesses certificates will allow someone year’s worth of meals. The cost celebration. in our community we’ve to donate meals to a specific Parker. Many recipients have nobody to Although the gift look after them and are unable of one meal is $3.68, one week “We will have free had donations, and we’ve person for Christmas, so from is $18.40, one month is $80.96, hot chocolate and free purchased new ornaments. We Thanksgiving until New Years certificate program is new in to look after themselves. Hiawassee, Parker said it has “We’ve got amputees, and one year is $971.52. All entertainment,” said Fisher. have completely decorated the Day, all meals delivered in this gifts are tax deductible. “Enotah CASA, the Court- gazebo. We will have three way to senior citizens in need been practiced for some time we’ve got disabled, we’ve in surrounding areas. appointed advocates for dogwood trees as you enter the will include a special certificate foster children, will have Hiawassee Square lit up as well, some luminaries dedicated and we’ve put lights around the ...from Page 1 sings,” said Mayor Gibby. in the community room. Then to people, and there will be City of Hiawassee sign,” said Young Harris She said that the vocals were we bring in Santa Claus. Then a lighting of the luminaries Fisher. while the Enotah Garden Club she said. usually provided courtesy of the families can go in and have all around the square, as well “Thanks to the City of of Young Harris provides other Mayor Gibby expects a Towns County Kindergarteners treats and the kids can have their as two local personalities, Hiawassee and the mayor as well refreshments, like cookies and large number of residents to and first graders. pictures taken with Santa. It’s Alan Kendall from McConnell as members of the community. hot drinks. show up for the lighting and “If it’s not raining we all just a good community night,” Baptist Church, and Megan We’ve had tremendous support. “Andrea speaks, and then Santa Claus, as is the cause meet outside around the tree said Mayor Gibby. Corbin, who is the latest Towns And we could not have gotten everybody’s going to sing every year, even for a city as and the gazebo, and there’s “I always think the best County Teen Idol. They’ll be the lights on the trees without a song, and then Santa will small as Young Harris. singing and playing, and then thing about it is that it brings singing and entertaining us. Of those folks,” she said. appear. And all the kids get so “I don’t know that we’ve at one point we will light the the community together. There’s course Santa and Mrs. Claus excited,” said Wade. ever taken a headcount, but tree. I let the kids count down,” so many people here and some According to Mayor there’s always a lot. It is a good she said. people know it and some don’t, Gibby, Young Harris City has amount,” she said. After the tree is lit in but it’s just a really, really Music...from Page 1 been lighting the Christmas For the ceremony, Young Mayor’s Park, everyone in sweet night that people can get together and talk, and talk unlike today’s music where Wanted You to Know.’ I’m more tree since 1970. She personally Harris will borrow the talents attendance goes inside to the it’s evolved into pop, this is of a love song type guy. That’s began participating as a young of Towns County Schools’ Community Room of City Hall to old friends and meet new friends and gather. They gather true Country Music. This is just me. I like the heartbreak,” girl soon afterward. chorus and band for a variety to visit with each other and the last of it. Well, hopefully he said. “It’s an annual tradition of holiday-themed songs. have treats. together. It’s a chaotic world, but we have a night that’s still, not the last of it. I hope it gets If Appleby counted that’s been going on 40- “The high school “The Enotah Garden better,” he said, adding that he himself a huge fan, he wasn’t something years. The Enotah band generally plays. The Club always has food prepared and it’s about community,” said alone. Amber Bohrer, 30, and her Gibby. considered Diffie to be in the Garden Club actually helps put elementary school usually same category as Chesnutt. uncle, Robert Burns, 37, drove it all on. It’s a lovely tradition,” Appleby spoke for many from Tennessee and Florida, other fans when he said that he respectively, to see the show. we had helped. One year, we had as the parade may be, Sheriff was able to relate lyrically to “I grew up listening to ...from Page 1 Clinton urged that people not even more than that. Typically Mark Chesnutt. Just real country Parade that’s about normal, somewhere Chesnutt and Diffie’s music. forget the meaning behind it. “I think it’s the things sound. I want something I can Christmas presents, and part of through, and we do give out “For me, probably the around 200-plus children that we the tradition each year to kind candy to the kids. I don’t think end up serving each year,” said they sing about that’s the relate to. Not half-naked and neatest thing about the whole difference. Honestly, some of sitting on a tailgate. If you think of signal our big kickoff of the it’d be much of a Christmas thing is just the community Sheriff Clinton. drive is we have the Sheriff’s parade if we didn’t do that. “So far we’ve not had a the songs about pickup trucks about it, every new country song getting involved in this project of today talks about a half-naked Christmas Parade,” said Towns That’s part of being a kid and helping out kids, and otherwise situation that we’ve known about and broken hearts and drinking County Sheriff Chris Clinton. watching the parade,” he said. these kids wouldn’t get anything that we weren’t able to serve beer. That’s a lot of the things girl sitting on a tailgate. I mean, The parade will, as always, Each year, the parade has for Christmas,” said Sheriff that child or that family. And that people relate back to old I’m the biggest Luke Bryant fan contain a number of creative a theme. This year, the theme is Clinton. “That’s just what really we hope to be able to continue Country Music to where this around, but if you give me Mark floats provided by local churches “Christmas in the Mountains.” touches my heart every year, it’s that tradition of being able to new country has evolved into Chesnutt, Sammy Kershaw, and and businesses. “And each year the theme just something I’m very honored make sure that we do that. It’d other things. I do think that as of Alan Jackson, I’m going to take “We actually have people kind of goes along with some to be a part of.” be heartbreaking to me to have a right now, this is the last of the them over Luke,” said Bohrer. judge the floats, and we give out of the ideas for the parade, and The Sheriff’s Empty situation where you knew about Country Music,” he said. Burns expressed that awards for the floats. The people of course people don’t have to Stocking Fund usually serves a child and didn’t have the money Asked what his favorite Diffie and Chesnutt were among who participate in the parade, follow that theme, but it’s just a high number of children to serve them or the toys to serve song was, he replied instantly, the last few artists making “real” there’s no fee, but they are asked something that we traditionally who would not otherwise get them, but we have not had that “Too Cold at Home.” Country Music. to bring an unwrapped gift for do. There’s always some anything for Christmas. happen,” he said. “That’s about, it’s too hot “As opposed to Crossover a boy or a girl,” said Sheriff remarkable floats. We had one “It’s tremendous. We The parade will start out to fish and too cold at home. Country, where you’re mixing Clinton. last year that actually had a typically serve over 200 children from the Georgia Mountain It’s about being hot everywhere pop rock and Country Music “People from around the fireplace, and they were sitting every year in Towns County, and Fairgrounds at 5:30 p.m. this together. I’m not with all that. community, some of the churches but there’s no love at home. No around it. I think they ended up last year – there was some last Saturday, and will end up at love being at home. I also like When you think of Country and some of the businesses, they getting an award for that last minute stuff that happened on McConnell Memorial Baptist just enter their own things in some of his other ones, like Music, you don’t think of Elton year,” said Sheriff Clinton. Christmas Eve – but last year the Church and Park Sterling Bank ‘Almost Goodbye’ and ‘I Just John,” he said. the parade. I’ll lead the parade As exciting a spectacle count was right at 220 kids that near Downtown Hiawassee.