Page 8 THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD December 9, 2015 We’re not going to even do all Concert...from Page 1 the hits. We have 21 in a row, and we’ll probably do 17 or 18 Young Harris lights no other band rivals their we’ve been doing sound checks, of them. We still have a couple accomplishments. we’ve looked at all the old to learn. The band recorded 21 songs, kind of edited some of “So for us, it’s all up the night with Christmas consecutive Top 40 hits, 11 them down. It’s exciting to be refreshing, and anybody that’s Top 10 hits and three No. 1 onstage. No one is sitting there come to see us in the last 20 singles – “Mama Told Me (Not thinking about the hamburger years has not seen this set, so it To Come),” “Joy to the World,” they’re going to eat after the is a new set. Once in a while, do “Shambala,” and “One,” among show. We’re all like, ‘Whoa! the obvious – do the hits.” others, are songs that have stood Look at each other, cues.’ Hutton and Morgan, both the test of time and continue to “It’s almost like a young LA-based artists, have been dominate the global airwaves band again. It’s that tightrope getting together of late to play and digital frontier alike. wire you walk, and everybody’s around and record. Morgan is And bringing Morgan looking for cues, and after the an accomplished songwriter, aboard has had a revitalizing show hugging each other. It’s a so there’s no telling what Three effect on the band. great feeling.” Dog Night will be putting out “In a strange way, we As far as what fans can in the coming year. were kind of on automatic for look forward to Saturday, Jimmy Greenspoon, an a while – it was so easy the last Hutton said the band will be iconic keyboardist in the rock couple of years for us,” said playing all the old hits and ‘n’ roll industry and original Hutton. “Cory was in Buffalo, crowd favorites. member of Three Dog Night, the guitar player’s in Detroit, “The funny thing about also passed away this year, with the drummer is in Florida. that is, we haven’t done that for Eddie Reasoner filling in and Everybody is spread out all 26 years,” said Hutton, noting learning the parts made famous over. And we weren’t doing that until recently, the band’s by Greenspoon. sound checks, we would just live show favored deep album Three Dog Night tickets show up. cuts over hits. “It’s not like are $48, and the show starts at 7 “Everything changed in we’ve been going around just p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 12. the last month or so, where doing this set, this is all new. Higher stakes means Clinton...from Page 1 more pressure on the students. At the Young Harris Santa gets old,” he said. getting to sing, but insisted that A senior capstone, according Old or not, Santa still he did not feel like a rock star. a real problem up until now. August at the Movers and Christmas Tree Lighting on to Whitt, allows students to Friday, Dec. 4, Mayor’s Park manages, in one night, to get While some kids were Come Jan. 1, we’re actually Shakers Speech Contest, explore some areas of interest going to have a little bit higher boasted a huge turnout. Christmas gifts to all the kids telling Santa their Christmas analyzing the United States before committing themselves in the world. The secret to his lists, others were free to sample starting pay,” he said. dairy industry. For some, it was to see the to a major in college or a Christmas tree light up. Others success? the array of cookies, brownies He added that pay for After Fairless spoke, career. individual officers would also came to watch their children “We’re well organized. and other baked goods that Brooke Whitt, a new English “I am a true believer We organize everything, and we the Enotah Garden club had increase. teacher and head of the Senior perform a selection of Christmas in education and that good songs in honor of the holidays. know where everybody lives,” prepared. “We’re going to $14 an Capstones program at Towns schools make for good hour starting in Jan. It’s still Still others came to sample he said. “This tree lighting has County High School, spoke communities. It’s not only for Fortunately, modern been done in excess of 40 years, not competitive with some of regarding senior capstones. the array of baked goods and college, it’s for life. Students refreshments that the Enotah technology has helped and the Garden Club has been the other neighboring counties. Whitt was formerly a teacher have an opportunity in high The other counties like White Garden Club displayed inside streamline the process. involved the majority of those and CTAE director in Lumpkin school, or should, to explore a “We use computers now,” years. It’s an annual tradition, County, they can drive right County. the community center. little bit before the stakes are Finally, they came to see said Santa. and we’re so glad tonight that it across the hill and make a lot “I’ve had the opportunity so high and it’s time to start more money. But we’re at least Santa. After the tree was lit, Santa He said he had a message was a clear night and so many to re-enter the classroom, which performing for real. So we for the children of Towns people came,” said Marsha competitive with neighboring is kind of unusual. Sometimes came through the crowd, much hope that a senior capstone to the delight of the children, in County. Elliot of the Enotah Garden Union County. So that’s a you don’t get that opportunity will allow students to do a big plus. And that’s not from order to wish everyone a Merry “They just need to love Club. once you move out of it. And little bit of research into areas their parents and be good from Regarding the success of budget increases, that’s actually I moved back in because I Christmas and hear each kid’s of interest before they are now until Christmas. We watch the night, Young Harris Mayor from us finding new ways to really believe that the heart of Christmas wishes. called upon to start taking them all year long. So it’s a Andrea Gibby said that she save money. Hats off to the education is working with our “One little girl asked me, those classes and paying for special time, and they just need believed that people were drawn staff,” he said. students and ensuring they are ‘Are we going to get snow for them. Let’s make sure we’re to be good,” he said. to the sense of community. Following Sheriff ready for what’s coming. I think Chr istmas?’ And I said I would really interested in medicine or After singing, Owen “People are drawn to this. Clinton, Austin Fairless of the stakes are higher today than like to have snow,” Santa said in education or whatever you’re Manous, a student at Towns I really do believe that. It’s the Towns County Middle School they were when I was coming an exclusive interview with the interest may be,” she said. County Elementary School, sat cutest thing,” she said. gave the speech he gave in out of school,” she said. Towns County Herald. Santa, Mrs. Claus and on Santa’s lap and was going the elves have been working to tell him what he wanted ...from Page 1 diligently up at the North Pole in for Christmas, but was so Hiawassee Tree preparation for Christmas. overwhelmed he forgot what luminaries lit tonight in memory “We’re busy right now, he was going to say. and honor of individuals from real busy. The elves are going, Nevertheless, Jennifer Towns County, the funds from and it’s hard for me to get away Manous, Owen’s mother, that go to support the Court sometimes, but I always come was happy to watch her child Appointed Special Advocates,” to this. These people are so nice, perform before the Christmas said Ruf. and it’s a great community, and tree lighting. “Our organization trains I try to come to Towns County “This is our first year. and recruits volunteers to speak every year. There are a lot of nice We enjoyed listening to our for the best interests of children children. Sometimes I can’t hear children sing, that was the best in juvenile court. So abused exactly what they’re saying. The part,” she said. and neglected children who elves have got me a little hard Owen said that his are taken into care by the state of hearing. Age does that, too. favorite part of the night was are appointed a CASA by the judge, and we speak up for their She said that there are interests,” she said. Bridge...from Page 1 three basic funds. One is the general fund. The other two are Enotah CASA is trying Right before the main entrance, to be more proactive in its on Highway 66. the water and sewer funds. help others in need is asked to about reporting issues. So “If you’re going across the there’s a service entrance. All “They all have to be Hiawassee outreach, and so mountain toward Gainesville, of the beginning works of the Ruf predicted that using the volunteer. we’re addressing it and trying separate. Water and sewer are “We’d like to do more to create some change,” she you know that there are two plant is going to be completely considered proprietary. They Christmas lighting ceremony bridges being worked on, redone. There hopefully will would gain exposure for the events in Towns County. So said. have to stand on their own. They expanded and moved. When be bigger and better sewage have to. That’s by law. Under organization. we’re kind of getting our name Even for those who didn’t containers,” she said. out. I got a number of potential light luminaries, the gathering that is completed, we are next general fund, you will see things “We don’t usually do that on the list,” said Young Harris However, the wastewater much in Hiawassee, and that’s volunteers, too. The most was a definite success. Thanks like capital replacement and all Mayor Andrea Gibby plant has encountered a hitch of that. You can only use capital another reason why I thought it important thing is to find other to the Hiawassee Ambassadors, “The bridge on Highway that Mayor Gibby hopes can be would be a good time, because volunteers who are interested decorations abounded, not just replacement for things that are of 66 that is across from the sewer fixed as soon as possible. capital replacement value. You there were so many people out in working with the children,” on the tree, but also throughout plant is at or below water level. “At the moment, the that also would hear about our she said. the square. can redo the fence. You can redo If you’re ever standing on the problem we’re running into is roads. But you cannot use it for mission and what we do, and “The number of children “I’m just tickled. It’s bridge when the creek’s rising, that service road and the road a lot of people on the square who are in care went up 40 a very enthusiastic group water and sewer,” she said. you know that it needs to be going left is not big enough Next, the City passed who could be touched by it,” percent this year from last of folks. We have all new raised. So we’re next on the for the actual trucks that need she said. year. It’s across the board. I ornaments and everything. a motion to adopt the 2015 list. Next June is the date where to get in there. And if we can’t amended budget as presented Ruf, a CASA volunteer do believe some of it is our And I’m so happy that we’ve they will start construction. It’s figure out a solution, then we herself for the past eight years, community advocates, such done this, and I hope it will be a on Nov. 3. The City Council going to be raised and moved could possibly end up paying also passed a motion to adopt hopes that CASA will be as educators and doctors and continuing thing,” said Connie 150 feet toward the golf course,” more, because we may have to more active in Hiawassee in people in churches, see needs Fisher, head of the Hiawassee the proposed 2016 budget as she said. use smaller containers and that presented on Nov. 3. the future, so anyone hoping sometimes that they report, Ambassadors program. She went on to address an could increase cost,” she said. to use the holiday season to and they’re more conscientious A motion was approved ongoing project, the expansion Next, she addressed some to draft an amendment to the of the wastewater plant. concerns that have been voiced Alcohol Ordinance to include those children shopping. They “It’s beautiful, it’s looking over the city budget. ...from Page 1 help them shop, and rather than the results of the Nov. 3 alcohol Shop with a Cop good, it’s on time, we’re on “It’s very easy to not referendums. A motion was then somebody just buying the kid a budget, it’s great. So we have a understand this, because it’s donation, which will go toward “We are a mortgage bank gift and handing it to them, the approved to set a public hearing making sure children in need that deals directly with Fannie couple of pieces of things we’ve really different than personal regarding the new Alcohol children have an opportunity to got to work out that also have to budgeting and it’s really get the best Christmas possible Mae and Freddie Mac. We offer choose what they want and to Ordinance, which has been set when the chief and his helpers all types of mortgage lending do with DOT. If you are going to different form the private sector for Jan. 5, 2016, at 6:45 p.m. use that money to buy for the the plant, there’s a main entrance. budgeting,” she said. take the kids shopping soon. – FHA, VA, conventional, other people in their family.” “We were all worried that anything that’s out there.” Baxter, a loan officer this would be our last year, but The Blairsville office, with Corridor Mortgage, 28 was filled with music and donations are coming in pretty having just opened in 2014, agreed with King, adding Thomason...from Page 1 performances that lasted the good now,” said Chief Wright. is giving to Shop With a Cop that she’s always amazed by of them I didn’t know – they tickets she would be needing whole night through, followed “This is the biggest donation for the first time this year, and the children’s capacity for got up on the stage and gave for the event, and Thomason by a dance that went well into we’ve gotten. I appreciate Chief Wright looks forward sharing. the Georgia Mountain Fair a invited her family and several the late hours that Saturday. them, because they have been to that continuing gift-giving “They want to get for lot of recognition as they were friends who have been longtime Now that she’s a Hall so generous. I just can’t say spirit Corridor Mortgage has their families, and pretty much making their speeches, because volunteers and supporters of of Famer, Thomason joins the likes of Ray Stevens, Rhubarb thank you enough for all of our already shown within the they know what they want to they had played here at the the Fairgrounds. donations. community. get when they get there,” said Jones and many, many more Fairgrounds.” Cole founded the Hall who have done so much for “Donations have been “This season, as part of Baxter. “They know what they Thomason received her of Fame with her husband, down some this year, but they’ve giving back, we’re working want to get for their parents, Country Music in Georgia. nomination back in August from John L. “Johnny” Carson, who In 1981, the same year recently picked up, and this with some cancer patients,” and if they have siblings, so longtime friend Gary Hammond passed away in 2010. helps a lot with us. Right now, said King of the company’s it’s not like they just want to as the founding of the Atlanta of the band Little Thunder, who “When Johnny and I Country Music Hall of Fame, it’s looking like probably 25, 30 overarching charitable go and blow that money on has performed many times in formed the Atlanta Country kids that we’ll be able to take endeavors. “We do a golf themselves. They think about Thomason began working at Anderson Music Hall and is an Music Hall of Fame in 1981 the Fairgrounds as a secretary, this year.” tournament every year where others. I think that’s what it’s for the purpose of honoring all about, and it’s rewarding to Atlanta Country Music Hall of before working her way up to Last year, Chief Wright we raise money for Special Fame Inductee himself. persons and organizations for took 46 children Christmas Olympics, and I think we see the kids do that.” office manager and then general When it comes to “He said, ‘I think that their outstanding contributions manager. shopping in conjunction with raised over $50,000 in one day you’re very deserving of it, and achievements in the music Family Connection out of this year. It’s a very giving- children, those working at And in that time, Corridor Mortgage are very because you’ve been booking industry, we created different Thomason has seen and booked Towns County Schools, and as back company.” talent for so many, many years, categories that would set us always, he said that donations As far as why they’re much aware of the fact that a lot of talent at the Fairgrounds, families need places to live, and I just think that you need apart from any other Hall including Alan Jackson, George are accepted year-round and are giving to Shop With a Cop for a to be inducted into the Hall of of Fame,” wrote Cole in a more local donation, King said and that homes are an integral Strait, Kenny Chesney, Toby very much appreciated. Fame.’ And I said, ‘What an letter to Inductees and guests. Keith, Reba McEntire, Conway Rebecca King, branch she and her staff appreciate part of continuing to build a community. honor – thank you for nominating “Regardless of your category, Twitty and more. manager of Corridor Mortgage the local law enforcement and me,’” said Thomason. you are a member of the Atlanta Thomason is no stranger Group’s Blairsville office, said everything they do, including “We are very interested in being a part of this Once nominated, Country Music Hall of Fame, to accolades, having received that she’s proud to work for a Shop With a Cop and keeping Thomason underwent a rigorous and no one is more important the James H. Drew “Fairman company that donates so freely the community safe. community,” said King. “Our business is putting people in vetting process by Hall of Fame than the others – we are all of the Year” award in 2002 to worthy causes within its “Given what’s going homes. We want to continue Founder Phyllis A. Cole, who family.” from the Georgia Association offices’ communities. on in our world right now to help families find homes, studied Thomason’s many “This year, we are of Agricultural Fairs, as well as “Corridor Mortgage and in our country, it’s very whether they’re a first-time accomplishments. honoring 44 greats in the having been a past recipient of is a mortgage company that important for us to support home buyer, whether it’s a “I had to send in my Country, Bluegrass, Gospel and the Towns County Citizen of the was founded in 2000,” said our law officers, and let them construction loan, or whether information about what I’ve Western Music industries,” the Year award, among others. King. “They have grown along know that we appreciate the it’s someone moving into the done here at the Georgia letter continued. “They range So being inducted into the the Eastern seaboard, and in job they do,” said King. “In area. Home ownership is our Mountain Fair, and details about from radio stars, TV stars, Hall of Fame is a fair highlight 2014, decided to move to the Hiawassee and Blairsville’s business, and it’s important to the music that we’ve booked, teachers, musicians, singers, to a long career devoted to South. Georgia’s first office case, these guys take it back the growth of our area.” the acts we’ve booked, and songwriters, promoters, entertaining and bringing in was opened here in Blairsville to the community even further Both King and Baxter how many years we’ve been in booking agents and artists on dollars to the region. with myself, Lisa Baxter and with their Shop With a Cop are from Hiawassee, and business,” said Thomason. the national, state and local “I’m thankful – this Teresa Lockaby. We service program. Towns County is part of their After going through levels.” is a huge honor, and I’m North Carolina, Georgia and “And we think it’s service area with Corridor that information, Cole called The evening of Nov. appreciative of it, very much Tennessee. important that they go with Mortgage Group. Thomason to ask how many so,” said Thomason.