Local

Tom Porter, Pickens County Sportsman’s Club president and past chairman of the Kids Kottage Commission, left, presents a donation check to Judge Brenda Weaver and Kids Kottage Commission Treasurer Don Van Landingham.

Tom Porter, Pickens County Sportsman’s Club president and past chairman of the Kids Kottage Commission, left, presents a donation check to Judge Brenda Weaver and Kids Kottage Commission Treasurer Don Van Landingham.

Kids Kottage reopened, fully functioning after shutdown

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
The Gilmer County Kids Kottage only recently reopened after being closed for much of last year. Already, an increased need has been seen for the place for supervised visitations between children and family members separated by court proceedings or other factors.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Homestead policies updated, officers elected at BOA meeting

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Members of the Gilmer County Board of Assessors elected officers for 2021 while approving a few policy changes during a brief meeting held Thursday, Jan. 21, in the county courthouse’s jury assembly room.  Assessors office policies pertaining to homestead exemptions were updated.
Above, Annette Busateri, Martha Heffner and Nancy Sauls are pictured in a 2020 rehearsal for the play, Exit Laughing. Originally scheduled to open last March, the stage comedy will be part of the 2021 community theater lineup at the George Link Jr. Gilmer Arts Playhouse.

Above, Annette Busateri, Martha Heffner and Nancy Sauls are pictured in a 2020 rehearsal for the play, Exit Laughing. Originally scheduled to open last March, the stage comedy will be part of the 2021 community theater lineup at the George Link Jr. Gilmer Arts Playhouse.

Gilmer Arts plans reboot of live theater, music

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
After almost a full year with curtains closed at its downtown Ellijay playhouse, Gilmer Arts plans to resume holding live theater and concerts there beginning this spring.
Gilmer Genealogical Society board members participate in a recent Zoom meeting.

Gilmer Genealogical Society board members participate in a recent Zoom meeting.

Genealogical society meeting virtually, planning during pandemic

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Though its membership has not convened in person since early last year, the Gilmer County Genealogical Society (GCGS) is still a functioning organization that, during the continuing pandemic, is planning for an eventual return to live meetings.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Gilmer High locked down briefly

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Gilmer High School and Mountainview Elementary were locked down for an hour on Wednesday morning, Jan. 27. According to an email from Gilmer High Principal Carla Foley the lockdown began at 7:54 a.m. when a student reported seeing a gun and ammunition in another students’ bookbag.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

New COVID vaccine appointments on hold

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
After thousands of appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations have been booked throughout the North Georgia Health District, it was announced last week that no new appointments will be made until health departments in the six-county region receive another shipment of vaccine.
Clockwise from top: Chris Wang, outgoing Gilmer Chamber board chairman, interviews former Georgia Bulldogs head football coach Mark Richt during the chamber’s annual meeting, presented as a Zoom webinar last Thursday. Gilmer Public Safety Director Keith Kucera is shown with the Gilmer Chamber’s 2020 Community Champion Award. Bryan Staggs, Chamber Member of the Year.

Clockwise from top: Chris Wang, outgoing Gilmer Chamber board chairman, interviews former Georgia Bulldogs head football coach Mark Richt during the chamber’s annual meeting, presented as a Zoom webinar last Thursday. Gilmer Public Safety Director Keith Kucera is shown with the Gilmer Chamber’s 2020 Community Champion Award. Bryan Staggs, Chamber Member of the Year.

Gilmer Chamber presents awards, looks back, forward at annual meeting

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
The Gilmer Chamber added another first to its 2020 scrapbook last Thursday -— the organization’s first virtual annual meeting.  Past year-end chamber meetings welcomed guests to the Ellijay First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Planning to keep Gilmer rural

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
How to keep Gilmer County from being swamped by new residents was a major topic at a recent Board of Commissioners work session. “Growth is coming,” Chairman Charlie Paris said. “We want to make sure Gilmer County remains a rural agriculture county.
Paul Standard

Paul Standard

New Standard set at Gilmer High

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Paul Standard brings 36 years of football coaching experience and a wealth of success to Gilmer High School. Standard, 58, was named Gilmer’s football head coach Jan. 13. He has spent the past week and a half meeting with current assistants, players and getting to know those in the community.
Book sculptor Ted Wray stands in front of a collection of his art work currently on display as part of a juried exhibit at the Gilmer Arts Gallery.

Book sculptor Ted Wray stands in front of a collection of his art work currently on display as part of a juried exhibit at the Gilmer Arts Gallery.

Wray’s book sculpting reveals pages like you’ve never seen them before

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Books bound for the recycle bin or dusty shelf corners become enlivened canvases in the hands of a local artist who works in the genre of book sculpting.