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Pictured are free books and optional summer enrichment activities at the front entrances of Gilmer County Schools. Activities were constructed to be fun and engaging and keep students’ academic skills sharp over summer break.

Pictured are free books and optional summer enrichment activities at the front entrances of Gilmer County Schools. Activities were constructed to be fun and engaging and keep students’ academic skills sharp over summer break.

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Activities in place to minimize academic regression over summer

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
If Gilmer Schools reopen as scheduled this fall, it will have been nearly five months since students were in a traditional class setting. Students have not been in classrooms since March 13 because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Oscar and Edna Poole are pictured in front of their East Ellijay family business Poole’s BBQ. Oscar Poole sports the yellow suit and red, white and blue accessories that brought him attention in the worlds of food and politics.

Oscar and Edna Poole are pictured in front of their East Ellijay family business Poole’s BBQ. Oscar Poole sports the yellow suit and red, white and blue accessories that brought him attention in the worlds of food and politics.

Barbecue restaurateur, conservative political enthusiast Col. Oscar Poole passes at 90

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Col. Oscar Poole, a longtime Gilmer County resident whose East Ellijay barbecue restaurant became known far and wide for both its home cooking and conservative political functions, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2020. He was 90 years old.
Masks are a good idea to protect others in the case you may have the virus, but are asymptomatic, or show no signs of the virus.

Masks are a good idea to protect others in the case you may have the virus, but are asymptomatic, or show no signs of the virus.

Gov. continues to open state

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Gov. Brian Kemp continued his phased opening of the state of Georgia, setting dates for more businesses to open, but he left precautions in place. In relaxing of rules put in place because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Gov.
The headstone of Clarance W. ‘Tommy’ Rogers at Varnell Cemetery in north Whitfield county, killed in Vietnam on June 16, 1967. An inscription reads, “Sacrifices of every generation make more precious the heritage we have as Americans.

The headstone of Clarance W. ‘Tommy’ Rogers at Varnell Cemetery in north Whitfield county, killed in Vietnam on June 16, 1967. An inscription reads, “Sacrifices of every generation make more precious the heritage we have as Americans.

“He grew up pretty hard ... and never complained’

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
When Clarance Rogers was 5 years old, his father passed away at the young age of 30. Although not the oldest of four siblings, he was the first boy to come along, in 1945.
Gilmer County Library Sidewalk service is how the Gilmer County Library is safely checking out books and other material to customers. Above, staff member Cortny Crawford puts reserved material on the sidewalk service table in front of the local library.

Gilmer County Library Sidewalk service is how the Gilmer County Library is safely checking out books and other material to customers. Above, staff member Cortny Crawford puts reserved material on the sidewalk service table in front of the local library.

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Library begins phased reopening with new sidewalk service

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
A new way of getting books and other items into the hands of customers is in place as the Gilmer County Library continues its first phase of reopening after being closed to the public since March.
The literary genres of fantasy, mythology and fairy tales are being highlighted during this year’s Summer Reading Program at the Gilmer County Library.

The literary genres of fantasy, mythology and fairy tales are being highlighted during this year’s Summer Reading Program at the Gilmer County Library.

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Library summer reading program going virtual in June, July

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
The Gilmer County Library’s Summer Reading Program, which would normally invite families, children and adults to the library to enjoy live educational entertainment and activities, will be offered online in a virtual format this year.
From left, cast members Annette Busateri, Martha Heffner and Nancy Sauls rehearse a scene for Exit Laughing in March. The community theater production that was originally set to run March 27-April 5 will be rescheduled for next year.

From left, cast members Annette Busateri, Martha Heffner and Nancy Sauls rehearse a scene for Exit Laughing in March. The community theater production that was originally set to run March 27-April 5 will be rescheduled for next year.

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Gilmer Arts plans to reopen gallery, playhouse June 1

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Gilmer Arts plans to reopen both its downtown Ellijay playhouse and art gallery next week. Both facilities, which have been closed to the public since March, are scheduled to reopen Monday, June 1. “Things are constantly changing.
Judy Wilson of Hometown Florist & Yesterday’s Decor Furniture snapped this photo of the traffic coming into downtown Ellijay Sunday morning.

Judy Wilson of Hometown Florist & Yesterday’s Decor Furniture snapped this photo of the traffic coming into downtown Ellijay Sunday morning.

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Memorial Day weekend brings visitors to Gilmer

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Memorial Day usually brings visitors to Gilmer County and marks an official beginning of the summer season. Many were wondering what would happen following the shelter in place orders with COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and guidelines in place for social distancing for some businesses.