Local

Otis and Shirley Suddeth work on getting their “cornfield” green beans in jars at the Gilmer County Cannery.

Otis and Shirley Suddeth work on getting their “cornfield” green beans in jars at the Gilmer County Cannery.

Gilmer cannery open for season

The Gilmer County Cannery is open for its 2022 season. Located on the campus of Clear Creek Middle School at the Clear Creek Agricultural Education Center, the cannery welcomes customers to bring their fruits and vegetables to the facility for processing.
Gauge Crump, 11, lines up a shot during the American Poolplayers Association Junior Championships held earlier this month in St. Louis, Mo.

Gauge Crump, 11, lines up a shot during the American Poolplayers Association Junior Championships held earlier this month in St. Louis, Mo.

Young pool player scores big in national tournament

A young pool player from Gilmer County carried his cue to St. Louis, Mo., and returned with a third-place victory in the 2022 American Poolplayers Association (APA) Junior Championships.
Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store volunteer Phil Welsh, left, delivers box fans to Gilmer County firefighters Steven Crenshaw, Alicia Wingfield and Adam Gravitt.

Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store volunteer Phil Welsh, left, delivers box fans to Gilmer County firefighters Steven Crenshaw, Alicia Wingfield and Adam Gravitt.

Gilmer Fire, FHC partner for free fan program

Gilmer Fire and Rescue is again partnering with Faith, Hope and Charity (FHC) Recycle Store to provide free box fans to local residents who need them. The fire department recently received its first delivery of 50 box fans from FHC, which purchased the fans from Lowe’s.
Joining district finance director Trina Penland from left are newly-certified staff members Sabrina Teague, Regina Hill, Penny Griggs, Page Reynolds, Maria Nieves, Brittany Lomonaco, Amber Kerr and Amy Rogers. Not pictured, Mandy Sanford.

Joining district finance director Trina Penland from left are newly-certified staff members Sabrina Teague, Regina Hill, Penny Griggs, Page Reynolds, Maria Nieves, Brittany Lomonaco, Amber Kerr and Amy Rogers. Not pictured, Mandy Sanford.

GCSS finance department recognized by state; Staff completes certification

There was cause for celebration in the Gilmer County Schools’ finance department. It was announced at Monday’s board of education work session that district finance director Trina Penland and her staff’s exemplary practices have been recognized by the state.
Members  of the Gilmer County Optimist Club will be outside the East Ellijay Walmart Friday and Saturday July 22-23 collecting money and school supplies for their annual Stuff the Bus drive benefitting Gilmer County schools.

Members of the Gilmer County Optimist Club will be outside the East Ellijay Walmart Friday and Saturday July 22-23 collecting money and school supplies for their annual Stuff the Bus drive benefitting Gilmer County schools.

Optimist Club holds Stuff the Bus drive this weekend

Members of the Gilmer County Optimist Club hope to be busy as Santa’s elves at Christmastime during an upcoming back-to-school event.
Georgia’s Sara Mosley laces one of five hits versus LSU on April 23 to become the second player in school history with a five-hit game. Pictured courtesy Mackenize Miles/UGA Athletics.

Georgia’s Sara Mosley laces one of five hits versus LSU on April 23 to become the second player in school history with a five-hit game. Pictured courtesy Mackenize Miles/UGA Athletics.

UGA slugger Mosley lands on All-American, All-SEC teams

The University of Georgia’s Sara Mosley has added All-Conference and All-American honors to her illustrious softball resume. The UGA junior third baseman was either the team leader or second on the roster across eight offensive categories.
John and Mark Pettit find a shady spot to cool off and hopefully “dial in some rain” on their family cattle farm.

John and Mark Pettit find a shady spot to cool off and hopefully “dial in some rain” on their family cattle farm.

Praying for rain, waiting on Mother Nature

“The farmer prays for rain,” the old saying tells. That’s been especially true this hot and mostly dry summer, confirmed a Gilmer County beef cattle farmer. “It’s definitely been drier than in the past few years this summer.
The overturned dump truck that ran head-on into a bulldozer on a “haul road” back in the day of the construction of Carters Dam. (U.S. Corps of Engineers photo)

The overturned dump truck that ran head-on into a bulldozer on a “haul road” back in the day of the construction of Carters Dam. (U.S. Corps of Engineers photo)

Remembering the building of Carters Dam

Rather than drive a four- to five-mile gravel “haul road” out of the Carters Dam construction area in its early days, surveyor Bill Moore decided to take a bulldozed dirt road that was steep but looked navigable.
A map released by the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission show the proposed Amicalola Falls Scenic Byway route in Gilmer County.

A map released by the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission show the proposed Amicalola Falls Scenic Byway route in Gilmer County.

Gilmer included in proposed scenic byway

Twenty-seven miles of road that passes through Gilmer County is included in a scenic byway plan currently being proposed to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). Gilmer is among three north Georgia counties through which the proposed Amicalola Falls Scenic Byway route passes.
Soon-to-be-former East Ellijay resident MyKey Cook, center, says goodbye to Police Chief Larry Callahan, left, and City Planner Mack Wood, right.

Soon-to-be-former East Ellijay resident MyKey Cook, center, says goodbye to Police Chief Larry Callahan, left, and City Planner Mack Wood, right.

People made the difference for departing avid volunteer

If Gilmer County isn’t losing one of its “volunteeringest” senior citizens in MyKey Cook, it’s certainly losing one of the most willing to volunteer her time.