Local

Georgia Transmission representative Dawn Jones, right, helps local business owners Dewell Sanford and Terry Hensley look at maps showing the route of a subtransmission power line proposed to run along Highway 515.

Georgia Transmission representative Dawn Jones, right, helps local business owners Dewell Sanford and Terry Hensley look at maps showing the route of a subtransmission power line proposed to run along Highway 515.

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Concerns, questions heard at open houses for power line route

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
A total of 75 people attended two public open house meetings held last week to address a subtransmission power line now routed to run along Highway 515.
Dream Flights crew chief Jenny Garza waves a 1943 Boeing Stearman biplane carrying World War II veteran John Otwell and pilot Hunter Stuckey off the runway of the Gilmer County Airport. Three WWII veterans from Blue Ridge went up in the vintage plane last Tuesday.

Dream Flights crew chief Jenny Garza waves a 1943 Boeing Stearman biplane carrying World War II veteran John Otwell and pilot Hunter Stuckey off the runway of the Gilmer County Airport. Three WWII veterans from Blue Ridge went up in the vintage plane last Tuesday.

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World War II veterans take to skies with Dream Flights

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Three World War II veterans from Blue Ridge took to the skies last week as part of a nonprofit’s trek across the eastern U.S. The Dream Flights, conducted by the visiting organization of the same name, were hosted at the Gilmer County Airport.
By Michael Andrews Mountain Life Editor Like the cowboys and wandering gypsies they sing about, a local band led by a singing, songwriting husband and wife crosses wide terrain on their latest album. Surrender Hill, the rocking country/Americana group led by Robin Salmon and wife, Afton Seekins Salmon, recently put the finishing shine on Just Another Honky Tonk In A Quiet Western Town, a 24-song collection Robin described as not so much a double concept album, but two stand-alone albums that go together.

By Michael Andrews Mountain Life Editor Like the cowboys and wandering gypsies they sing about, a local band led by a singing, songwriting husband and wife crosses wide terrain on their latest album. Surrender Hill, the rocking country/Americana group led by Robin Salmon and wife, Afton Seekins Salmon, recently put the finishing shine on Just Another Honky Tonk In A Quiet Western Town, a 24-song collection Robin described as not so much a double concept album, but two stand-alone albums that go together.

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Surrender Hill shifts into country-western overdrive

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Like the cowboys and wandering gypsies they sing about, a local band led by a singing, songwriting husband and wife crosses wide terrain on their latest album.
Proposed Gilmer County Animal Shelter design rendering.

Proposed Gilmer County Animal Shelter design rendering.

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Animal shelter expansion approved

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Gilmer County’s animal shelter will receive an upgrade, mostly with private donations. Gilmer County commissioners voted unanimously  to make the upgrades within a set budget of $1.5 million. The vote followed 40 minutes of animal lovers voicing support for the project.
Gilmer County Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins, center, receives the Frances Duncan Award from Leigh Combs, state elections liaison, left, and state Elections Director Blake Evans, right, at the recent Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Election Officials Conference.

Gilmer County Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins, center, receives the Frances Duncan Award from Leigh Combs, state elections liaison, left, and state Elections Director Blake Evans, right, at the recent Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Election Officials Conference.

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Gilmer’s chief registrar recognized for exemplary election management

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Gilmer County Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins has received an award that recognizes excellence in managing elections. Watkins was announced as this year’s recipient of the Frances Duncan Award at the   Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Election Officials Conference held Aug. 29-Sept.
Entertainers scheduled for the upcoming Dancing Goats FolkFest include The Buckskin Sheriff Band, above, as well as storyteller Chuck Reece, below left, and the music of Rowdy Yates, below right.

Entertainers scheduled for the upcoming Dancing Goats FolkFest include The Buckskin Sheriff Band, above, as well as storyteller Chuck Reece, below left, and the music of Rowdy Yates, below right.

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Folk art fest dances back to town Sept. 25-26

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
A hometown folk art festival returns to Ellijay Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25-26. The Dancing Goats FolkFest will unfold at the Artful Acres site at 518 River Street from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Above, Gilmer Sheriff’s Deputies Scott Camp, Stephanie Pim and Jeff Ellington pick up pizzas for their department from pickleball marathon participants Kelly Buddenhagen, Ruby Boes and Cathy Anderson. (Photos submitted by Ginny Jarvis)

Above, Gilmer Sheriff’s Deputies Scott Camp, Stephanie Pim and Jeff Ellington pick up pizzas for their department from pickleball marathon participants Kelly Buddenhagen, Ruby Boes and Cathy Anderson. (Photos submitted by Ginny Jarvis)

Pickleball proceeds feed first responders

News Staff
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Gilmer County pickleball players took to the courts last Saturday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11/2001 attacks and feed local first responders. Rec.
Early Saturday morning, Gilmer Fire and Rescue personnel honored the lives of the 343 firefighters who helped evacuate thousands of people from the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001, by climbing the equivalent of 110 floors at Huff-Mosley Memorial Stadium.

Early Saturday morning, Gilmer Fire and Rescue personnel honored the lives of the 343 firefighters who helped evacuate thousands of people from the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001, by climbing the equivalent of 110 floors at Huff-Mosley Memorial Stadium.

Honoring their fellow firefighters

News Staff
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Early Saturday morning, Gilmer Fire and Rescue personnel honored the lives of the 343 firefighters who helped evacuate thousands of people from the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001, by climbing the equivalent of 110 floors at Huff-Mosley Memorial Stadium.
The mixed media assemblages of Atlanta artist Richard Russell are among pieces featured in two new Gilmer Arts Gallery exhibits.

The mixed media assemblages of Atlanta artist Richard Russell are among pieces featured in two new Gilmer Arts Gallery exhibits.

Work of Atlanta artists displayed in local gallery exhibit

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
The work of Atlanta-area artists Richard Russell and Marie Matthews is being shown this month at the Gilmer Arts Gallery in downtown Ellijay. Matthews works mainly with watercolors and Russell in making collages and shrines.