Page 10 THE TOWNS COUNTY HERALD September 9, 2015 EMC...from Page 1 Ride...from Page 1 Jerry Nichols, who was nomi- liam Prather, the EMC Board North Georgia News, and or ated from Sprayberry High nated by the EMC Board of of Directors’ president, de- the Towns County Herald. School in Marietta, where he was Directors. clined the nomination to seek See this week’s Charles a member of the school’s ROTC In Fannin County, Larry another term on the board. Duncan column on Page 4 program and band. Skip Wells Williams is unopposed on the For results from the for more details about the Scholarships will go to students ballot after gaining admission 2015 EMC Annual Meeting, EMC Board of Directors’ in those programs, as well as stu- to the ballot by petition. Wil- read the Sept. 16 edition of the decisions. dents in any club or organization within Sprayberry. “Everything that I do, whether it be ride a bike or, next weekend I’m in Chattanooga for a bass tournament with Marines & Mickey, so everything that I do, I do for him,” said Wells of her son. “Everything is for Skip. Everything is to keep his legacy and his memory alive. Whatever it takes for me to do that, that’s what I’ll do.” Sunday’s ride offered bik- the ride humbling, and Nicko- of that, and we’re still fighting ers, many of whom were U.S. las, who wasn’t yet born when it, whether people with PTSD veterans and public safety per- the 9/11 attacks happened, or with loved ones and family sonnel, the opportunity to com- looked back on that fateful day members. It’s always going to memorate fallen heroes – from and said that thinking about be like this, every year.” members of the Armed Forces the tragedy made him sad, but After reaching their desti- to firefighters, police officers that the patriotic support was nation at the Copperhead Lodge, and other first responders who uplifting. bikers and those along for the The BRMEMC membership was extremely vocal in 2014. Photo/Shawn Jarrard lost their lives in the attacks of “That day changed the ride were treated to live music 9/11. lives of the whole country,” and barbeque lunches prepared Friends Jeremy Jones and added Jones, who served six by the Athens Hog Chapter, and Duck Race... Scott Pulliam made the ride with years in the Army. “Not only the Cycle World of Athens paid for the race. Coach Stowers has other Kris Smith and her 11-year-old people that lost their lives that the food with their many partner “It’s something that’s fun fundraising goals in mind son Nickolas, all from Daniels- day, but due to that day, all the sponsors. that kids can watch, and a lot of on top of a new mat for his ville, and they agreed that the men and women – 6,700 have “The food is free, the the campground people come Indians. scenic ride gave them plenty of lost their lives in Afghanistan ride is free and the fun is free, down to watch them, so it’s a “Our operating costs time to reflect. and Iraq since that day, and but freedom ain’t free – don’t fun time and it makes us some for travel and hotels and stuff Smith, who has a daughter that’s why we do this, to honor forget,” said Cycle World Sales money, and that’s a good thing, like that usually run $2,500 to serving in the U.S. Army, called them. We lost so much because Manager Barry Brugh. too,” he said. $3,000,” said Coach Stowers. The team needs new “And I promised the kids when Arrive...from Page 1 mats because the old ones we went to Disney that if we have reached the end of their could do $5,000 a year, that was frighteningly realistic. lifespan. we would try to go to one big “They choose whether “We’ve been borrowing out-of-state tournament every they’re drinking and driving Union County’s mats for the Coach Jeff Stowers four years so that they got to or texting and driving, and last four years for our tourna- go at least once in their high it slows down their response ment, and it’s just hard on the He’s optimistic. This school careers,” he said. time through a steering wheel mats, carrying back and forth in year alone, the team has raised The team is often invited and through a computer that’s the weather. So it’s time,” said almost as much as the previous to out-of-state tournaments hooked up to it, and shows Coach Stowers. two years combined. but is unable to attend due to them what it would be like. Mats are expensive. A “Last year we didn’t do funding, but that is something Every student in high school new one costs about $12,000 as well, we made about $2,500 Coach Stowers is hoping to will go through it,” she said. and requires plenty of fundrais- or $3,000. The kids have done change because he knows his Students who go through ing effort. a good job selling ducks, and wrestling team deserves the the simulation get an added “I’m kind of hoping that the community’s been really best. benefit. this duck race gets us if not supportive, so I’m hoping that “Hopefully, this year “They get a picture ID over the top then at least close we’re going to profit some- after we get this mat we won’t of them driving it, and on the to the top,” said Stowers. “We’d where in the neighborhood of need another one for a long backside they have an app $5,000 this year,” said Coach like to have it for our King of time, so we’ll be able to put that you download into your Daulton Rogers takes off the goggles. the Mountain tournament that Stowers. “The first year we that money in the bank. We’ve phone, and it disables your we’re going to have this year probably made $2,000, last year been invited to wrestle at sev- phone whenever you get in the students watched a graph- and driving than from drink- in the Recreation Gym, but if we made about $3,000 and this eral places in the country and your car so you can’t call or ic video to inform them of the ing and driving. It happens nothing else we want to order year we’ll make about $5,000. we haven’t been able to go yet, text while you’re in the ve- consequences of distracted or four times more often. And it so we can have it for next We hope that as it goes on we’ll so that’s kind of our endgame. hicle. You can dial 911, but drunk driving. there’s research into it that season.” get bigger and bigger.” That’s our goal,” he said. that’s the only thing that will “We found out through you are more distracted and work while you’re driving,” this program today that you’re it’s harder to text and drive said Dr. Hobbs. four times more likely to be than it is to drink and drive,” Towns Farmers Market in full swing Before the simulation, in a car accident from texting Dr. Hobbs said. By Mason Mitcham other areas. I like getting new Heritage Festival looks back at yesteryear Towns County Herald ideas from them, because Staff Writer they’ll come in and they’ll tell By Shawn Jarrard me how they cook some of Towns County Herald The Towns County Farm- these things or whatever and Staff Writer ers Market is in full swing this it’s interesting to hear, and then season, and on Saturdays, one I can go home and try that, The Union County His- can stop by and grab some fresh too,” she said. torical Society’s annual Heri- fruits and vegetables from local One thing that some tage Festival offers residents farmers and gardeners. might overlook is the “Ask a of Union County and beyond Rock Hill Farms, owned Master Gardener” table. glimpses into the yesteryears of and operated by former Towns “We have this here for mountain living. County Sole Commissioner availability to people who Every Labor Day Week- Truman Barrett, is one of the have any questions regard- end, handmade arts and crafts largest providers to the market, ing gardening, have literature vendors set up shop in front though smaller gardens have available for them, and just try of the Mountain Life Museum their place, too. on Cleveland Street in Blairs- Sheleila O’Neal to answer any questions,” said Just ask Sheleila O’Neal, Marsha Elliot of the Towns- ville to showcase the various who sells produce from her okra. This year, however, she Union Master Gardener As- skills available throughout the 2-acre garden. won’t be doing a fall garden. sociation. region. “It’s not a huge garden, “I’m trying to get rid “We have lots of re- Festival volunteers get but it’s big enough that I can of some voles that are in my sources available to us thor- into costume to demonstrate life have a little bit of extra stuff to garden. They have just devas- ough the University of Geor- in simpler, though not necessar- bring over here.