GOD'S ABUNDANCE MARKET

God's Abundance Market, our FREE FARMER'S MARKET for those IN NEED, is in their new home, inside, beginning TODAY, December 10, 2009.

The new location is at New Life Church at 1048 North Main Street, Clayton, GA 30525. Their hours are 6 pm to 7 pm.

Holiday Shopping Extravaganza and Festival of Trees

Friday, December 4, 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

*********FREE ADMISSION*********

Photos with Santa
Pets...........Friday Children..............Saturday

Christmas Gifts that will entice any holiday shopper!!!!!

Rabun County Civic Center
201 West Savannah Street

For more information contact: Margaret Dunn
706-212-2149 or email: mdunn@rabuncountygov.com

Congress on the Square

US Rep. Paul Broun is holding “Congress on the Square” from 1-4 PM Tuesday November 3, 2009 at Mountain City City Hall. Residents are invited to drop by his mobile office and speak to congressional staff members about any federal concern. Two members of his staff will be providing information about health care reform and assistance to residents who are seeking help on federal issues. Maybe you can help to make this known to the citizens of Rabun County.

BBQ Fundraiser for RCMS

Rabun County Middle School will have a chicken bar-b-que on Sat. Nov. 7th. All proceeds will benefit the students. Tickets are available for advance sale only. They are $7.00 each. Please consider supporting our school. Call 706-782-5470 (school office) to order your dinners.

RCHS Marching Wildcat Band audio performance

The Rabun County High School Marching Wildcat Band performed at the annual Lake Hartwell Marching Festival in Hartwell this past Saturday. They earned "straight 1s" (e.g., the highest score - SUPERIOR) in all judged categories from the panel of judges. The categories are: colorguard, percussion, drum major, and band (three judges). Link to audio from the event. First you will hear the last few measures of the band's performance, followed by applause. Next, you will hear the judges announce the Rabun Band's scores followed by applause.

Compassionate Care Animal Clinic Open House

Community Awareness Day, Sat. Oct 3

Community Partnership of Rabun is hosting a Community Awareness Day on Saturday Oct 3 10am-2pm at the Family Life Center of Clayton First United Methodist Church on Ministry Mountain. Civic groups, service providers, churches, nonprofit organizations, clubs, and other groups are encouraged to register for a table and let the public know who they are and what they do. Members of the community can learn about different opportunities available within the county and meet the people of each organization. There will be children's activities, food, and more.

Please contact Community Partnership of Rabun at 706-782-8390 or rabuncpr@windstream.net for more information or to register.

Auditions for North Georgia Players

The North Georgia Community Players announce AUDITIONS for their upcoming play( DEC. 5,6,11,12,&13)
"NUNCRACKERS" (the Nunsense Christmas Musical) by Dan Grogin. This is a musical-comedy.

Auditions w/be held Fri. August 7 @ 7:00 and Sun. August 9 @ 3:00. at the Dillard Playhouse.
Needed: 5 women, 1 man, 4 children (8 to 14 yrs) All cast members must be able to sing and dance.

For information: please call: Bronwyn Randel, Show Director
@706-78204492

Band Boosters & Band Patrons --

A car wash fund-raiser will be held at the Bynum Insurance parking lot on Saturday, July 10 from 9:00am until 1:00pm. Donations of $10 will be appreciated.

Funds from this car wash will be placed in the trip account for the next band tour (in a couple of years). Funds will be allocated for the tour expenses of car wash workers.

Questions should be directed to Tami McCutcheon at 706-746-5050. Please come out, support the band, and help them build-up finances for the next great Rabun County Symphonic Band tour!

Neighborhood Bible time

Tabernacle Baptist Church will have Neighborhood Bible Time from July 12 to July 17, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for children in the 1st through 6th grades. Refreshments are served every night. Warrior Wars (children in the 7th through 12th grade) will also take place from July 12 to July 17 at 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with free food every night. Registration for both of these events takes place an hour early. To get additional information, call 706-782-2734 or go to www.tbchurch.org

Good News in the Battle against the Woolly Adelgid!

Finally there is good news in the battle against the Woolly Adelgid that is destroying our hemlocks. A new non-profit organization called “Save Georgia’s Hemlocks” is educating homeowners in north Georgia about new treatments that can save hemlocks even after they have been infested. And the treatment is very low cost, often less than $0.30 per inch of tree diameter.

Donna Shearer of “Save Georgia’s Hemlocks” has advised us of a one hour informational session they will conduct this Saturday, July 11th at the UGA Extension office in Clayton at 10:00AM. Seating will be limited.

Click here to learn more about Save Georgia's Hemlocks...

Air National Guard Band of the South Free Concert!

The Dillard House will be hosting the Air National Guard Band of the South's Free Concert on Friday, July 3rd, at 7:00 pm, as part of their Fourth of July weekend celebration.


"The Air National Guard Band of the South Concert Band is the unit’s largest ensemble. Comprised of all members, the group performs a varied program of light classics, popular favorites, instrumental features, as well as traditional concert band literature. Under the leadership of Captain Alan B. McConnell, the concert band performs throughout the southeastern United States as “Goodwill Ambassadors” for the Georgia Air National Guard."

Fourth of July Events at The Dillard House are scheduled as follows:

July 3rd
5:30 pm to 8:00 pm --- Steak and Seafood Cookout
7:00 pm --- Air National Guard Band of the South Free Concert

July 4th
12:00 pm ------ Outdoor Hamburger Cookout
4:30 pm ------- Live Band
5:30 pm ----- Outdoor BBQ
Dusk -------- Fireworks Show

Dedication of new cross on Black Rock!

This Friday night, June 26th marks the dedication of the new cross on Black Rock!

Come to the vacant lot between Wal*Mart and Home Depot (adjacent to 441) and help us celebrate the return of our memorial landmark. Bring your own chairs so you can stay and enjoy the program.

Beginning at 8:15 pm, there will be entertainment by The Foxfire Boys and M.M.M. (Men 'Macon' Music). The dedication will begin at 8:45, and shortly thereafter, the cross will be turned on permanently. Ceremonies should come to an end around 9:15 pm.

Don't miss out on this historical event!

Vacation Reading Program at the Rabun County Library

Wednesday, June 17 & Thursday, June 18:

"Where the Wild Things Are"

Readers' Theatre directed by the North

Georgia Community Players

Ages 9-12 10:30 -11:30 a.m.

You must come both days...Wednesday is rehearsal

and Thursday is performance! Invite your family to watch!

_________________________________________

Week 4: Creative Art in the Library

Monday, June 22: Dramatic Reading

with Arlene Roach from North Georgia

Community Players

All ages 10:30 a.m.

________________________________

Tuesday, June 23: "Word Art" with Artist Laurence Holden

Ages 6-8 10:30

_________________________________

Wednesday, June 24: Finger Painting With Mrs. Kim

Preschool 10:30

_________________________________

Thursday, June 25: "Handy Art"

With artist Molly Murphy Mayes

Ages 9-12

________________________________

Week 5: Dance & Decorate in the Library

Monday, June 29: Line Dancing

With Debbie McClain

Ages 12 and up 6:30 P.M.

__________________________

Tuesday, June 30: Cake Decorating

Ingles Bakery Dept.

Ages 7-12 10:30 a.m.

______________________________

Wednesday, July 1: Preschool Patriotic Party

10:30 a.m.

______________________________________

Thursday, July 2: Square Dance Demonstration & Fun

All ages welcome! 10:30 a.m.

_____________________________________________

Week 6: Be Creative in the Library

Tuesday, July 7: Scott Routsong, Storyteller Extraordinare

All ages 2:00 p.m.

Scott was the winner of the 2005 New York Times

Outstanding Librarian Award! This promises to be a fun-filled

program for children & parents! Don't miss it!

___________________________________________

Wednesday, July 8: Creative in the Kitchen

"Edible Play-Doh" Preschool 10:30 a.m.

____________________________________

Thursday, July 9: Creative Cooking with

Chef Toby Hunter Ages 9-12 10:30 a.m.

____________________________________

Summer Finale Monday, July 13 6:30 p.m.

Music performed by Blue Ridge Music students! Reading certificates will be awarded! Refreshments and prize drawings! Don't miss it! Everyone is invited!For more information about upcoming events at the Library, visit their website

Persimmon Creek Vineyards hosts Chamber Business After Hours

Persimmon Creek Vineyards hosts the Chamber's 'Business After Hours' on May 29 from 5:30 - 7 pm. No charge to attend. RSVP by Friday, May 15 at 706-782-4812.

Chick-fil-A offers "Free Breakfast Thursdays"

Chick-fil-A features “Free Breakfast (entrée) Thursdays” during May, 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (no purchase necessary; one per customer per day).

USFS Opens New Chattooga River Ranger District Office

USFS invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of the new Chattooga River Ranger District office on Friday, May 22. Ribbon cutting ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by open house from 1 - 5 pm. Tour the new office on US 441 in Tallulah Falls.

Dark Sky North Georgia

The Rabun/Habersham Chapter of Dark Sky North Georgia, a member of the International Dark Sky Association, meets every third Monday. The mission of the organization is to stem the tide and reverse the effects of light pollution in North Georgia. The light flare from municipalities and residential areas blocks our view of the night sky, and negatively impacts numerous birds and animals, including the world’s human population. Nature intended for all creatures to experience periods of darkness.

The Rabun/Habersham Chapter of Dark Sky North Georgia seeks everyone's input in finding win/win solutions, and to encourage public officials to adopt measures that alleviate the problems, save energy, and preserve the beauty of the mountains, and the world. Luckily, light pollution is the easiest kind of pollution to solve!

Meeting location and details can be obtained by phone or email:

Jim Reaves
BlackBearCreek1@aol.com
770-861-7308

Test Drive a Ford to benefit RCHS Band Boosters

On Saturday, May 9, Duvall will have several new Ford vehicles at Rabun County High School. They are participating in a promotional program where by Ford Motor Company will pay $20 per family that tests drives a Ford vehicle....up two 300 test drives!!! Proceeds will go to the RCHS band boosters.

Work Ready Certification

Many employers in our area are now requiring a Work Ready certificate. The test is free, administered on the 3rd Monday of every month in Clayton. Please call the Chamber of Commerce at 706-782-4812 to sign up for the next test taking session.

Chamber offers Business Advisory Team

The Chamber of Commerce now offers a Business Advisory Team (BAT) for members seeking one-on-one coaching from senior business leaders in Rabun County. To request enrollment in the BAT program, please contact Sean Brady at the Chamber, 706-782-4812.

Chamber of Commerce Breakfast

Sean Brady, Executive Director of the Chamber and Development Authority of Rabun County, will share results of feedback he's received from Chamber members over the past 100 days and outline the Chamber's membership plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Sean will introduce new tools and benefits that will soon be available to Chamber members. The breakfast will be held on Thursday, May 7, at the Dillard House. The cost to attend is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. RSVP 706-782-4812.

Help Stamp Out Hunger

The Rabun County post offices and the PEARLs Jr. Woman's Club of Rabun are partnering to conduct the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Saturday, May 9. This is a national effort to combat hunger. Please leave non-perishable food items in your mailbox or deliver to your local post office. The route drivers will collect the donated food and leave at their post offices. The Jr. Woman's Club members will then pick up the food from the post offices and deliver to Community Partnership of Rabun for distribution. Please go to www.helpstampouthunger.com or call Community Partnership at 706-782-8390 for more information. Download flyer to post in your place of business

BLUE RIDGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA invites musicians to join

Blue Ridge Symphony is a regional (local) orchestra with members of all ages (teens through retirees) and with varying degrees of experience. This is an all volunteer orchestra and performances always benefit local charities.

Musicians are needed in all sections of the orchestra. If you are between the ages of 13 and 103 and are "reasonably proficient" at your instrument, please come and join us! We accept bookings throughout the Blue Ridge areas of Georgia and the Carolinas.

We practice on the 1st Tuesday and 3rd Thursday each month at

First Christian Church
Mountain City
at 441 and Black Rock Mountain Road

Practices begin promptly at 7:15 pm and end at 8:30 pm.

For information, please call Ty Alexander at 706-490-5741 or email ty.88keys@gmail.com

Rabun County Republican Party

YOU ARE INVITED
MONTHLY MEETING OF THE RABUN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY

The Cupboard Restaurant in Dillard
Saturday, April 4TH
9:00 AM

Commissioner Katheryn Granberg will discuss Rabun County taxes and the county budget for 2009-2010

Breakfast $10.00
Bring a friend. . . it's your money!

Boy Scout Troup 6 - Onion Sales & Camp Cards

Clayton Boy Scout Troop 6 invites everyone in Rabun County to visit our web site, check out the Troop and see what is happening with these fine boys. We would also like you to click on ONION SALES and FUND RAISER / CAMP CARDS to help support the boys efforts to raise funds for summer camp, a summer trip and Troop equipment.

The onions are Georgia famous Vidalia onions - fresh and delicious! We will be taking orders until April 13th and the onions will be available for pick up by the end of the month.

The Camp Cards are discount cards that give everyone savings at local stores like Ace Hardware and restaurants like McDonalds, Burger King and Subway. This years feature is for Braves buy one get one free tickets - which can be used over and over again. These cards can be purchased through the mail - quick and easy and are good for an entire year!
Surf over to our web site at http://bsatroop6rabun.com and see what we are doing - we appreciate all the support we receive. Click on CONTACT US, order some onions or Camp Cards and let us know what you think!

Thank you for your interest in our future leaders of America.

Peter Denike, Scoutmaster

Satolah VFD Spring Benefit

Call for Cloggers

The Mountaineer Festival (in September in Clayton, GA) is looking for some 'local' clogging groups that do traditional clogging. If you know of anyone that fits this description please ask them to contact

Chashe Hunnicutt, Coordinator
Rabun County Civic Center
25 Courthouse Square, Suite 201
Clayton, GA 30525
706-212-2149

BLUE RIDGE BOYS CHOIR ~~NOW FORMING~~

The Blue Ridge Boys Choir is currently seeking boys ages 9-14 who wish to become the very best they can both musically and personally.

AUDITIONS
Auditions are scheduled throughout the year by appointment. Auditions generally take about 15 minutes and are informal. The auditions are designed to test the boy’s vocal range and to obtain a feel for his musical abilities. No prior music training is necessary and all boys with a sincere interest are encouraged to audition.

REHEARSALS
Rehearsals are held each Friday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 at the studios of Dance on the Mountain Ensemble in Tiger, Georgia. Repertoire includes classical, liturgical and popular music. NOTE: REHEARSALS BEGIN MAY 1, 2009.

TUITION
Tuition is $60 per 3-month quarter. Tuition may also be paid in one annual payment of $200. A one-time entrance fee of $15 is charged upon admission.

Please note that it is the policy of the Choir that NO boy will be denied the opportunity to sing in the Choir due to an inability to fulfill financial obligations. Therefore, scholarships are available upon request.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
There are many opportunities for parents, family members and friends to be involved in Choir activities. Please be an active supporter by volunteering to help.

UNIFORMS
Boys must provide their own uniforms as specified by the current dress code (i.e., white shirt, black pants, etc.).

INFORMATION AND CONTACT
Ty Alexander at 706-490-5741. Email ty.88keys@gmail.com

3rd Annual Earth Day Kite Festival Planning Workshop

Saturday, March 21, 10 A.M to 12 Noon at the Center on Warwoman

Please attend if you are interested in helping shape an annual event that contributes to Rabun County's sustainability. The kite festival's goal is to provide a day of family fun while sharing information on how we can build a healthy, sustainable future while lessening environmental degradation.

Each year this FREE event draws hundred of people who enjoy kite flying, demonstrations, contests, food and educational offerings. Come help this year's festival be an even better celebration of our community's commitment to an environmentally sustainable future. The
festival will be Sat. , April 18, on the Rabun-Gap Nacoochee School softball field.

Contact Laurence Holden (707-212-0044); laurenceholden@windstream.net

Auditions

The North Georgia Community Players announce AUDITIONS for their upcoming all teen play, "THE HOBBITT" written by J.R.R. Tolkien. Auditions are on Tuesday March 31 and Wednesday April 1, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Dillard Playhouse Theater. There are parts for youngsters in the 6th to 12th grades.. The play, a fantasy comedy, will be staged July 10,11,12, 17, 18, & 19. 2009. Lynn Queen will direct. For information: call (706)782-0343

COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS AVAILABLE

· FREE—in exchange for a share of your harvest
· 10’x20’ individual plots
· Or work in larger Glory Seeds Garden and earn shares of weekly harvests
· All seeds, tools, fertilizer, water, mulch provided
· Organic gardening coaching available
· 10-minute drive from downtown Clayton
· All ages and abilities welcome
· First-come, first-served
· Farm uses organically approved methods and has applied for exempt certification

Must attend kick-off meeting: SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 10AM (Rain or Shine)
Glory Seeds Farm, 2528 Rickman Airfield Rd., Clayton (Hwy. 441S to Seedtick Rd., then 2 miles and turn right onto Jim McCrackin Rd. Farm is at end of road on left after crossing creek.) Questions? Call 706-212-0084

This is a partnership between the Sustainable Mountain Living Community, a citizens’ group, and Glory Seeds Farm, a 501(c)(3).

Rabun County Budget Hearings

The Budget Hearing process is where decisions are made that determine what property taxes will be. Meetings are usually held in the Commissioner Conference room. Everyone is invited to attend.

Budget Hearings for the FY 2009/2010 will be held at the Rabun County Courthouse as follows:

Tuesday, March 24th – 9:00AM

Tuesday, March 31st – 5:00PM

Thursday, April 2nd – 5:00PM

Tuesday, April 7th – 5:00PM

Thursday, April 9th – 5:00PM

Tuesday, April 14th – 5:00PM

Tuesday, April 21st – 5:00PM

Thursday, April 23rd – 5PM – Review Preliminary Budget

Tuesday, May 12th – Public Hearing on Budget – 9:00AM

Special Called meeting to approve Preliminary Budget 9:30AM

Tuesday, May 26th – Final Adoption will be held at 5:15PM

Rabun County Republican Party Convention

The Republican Party of Rabun County will hold its annual convention on Saturday, March 14, at 9 a.m. at the Rabun County Courthouse. Party officers as well as delegates to district and state conventions will be elected. The party extends an open invitation to anyone who is interested in attending.

Commodity Foods Distribution April 9

Ninth District Opportunity, Inc., in cooperation with local volunteers, will be hosting a Surplus Food Distribution at the Rabun County Park and Recreation Dept on April 9, 2009 starting at 9:00 am.

Individuals with qualifying income will be eligible to receive food from the USDA Surplus Food Distribution:

Income Guidelines
1 in Home $ 1,173
2 in Home $ 1,579
3 in Home $ 1,983
4 in Home $ 2,389

For details, contact Brandie Potts at (706)782-3704 or visit us online at www.ndo.org.

Commodity Food Distribution

What: 9th District / USDA Surplus Food Distribution
When: Tomorrow! Wednesday- March 4, 2009 @ 9:00am
Where: Old Gym at Rabun County Rec. Department (just south of High School on 441 south of Clayton)

Great American Clean Up

April is Great American Clean Up. Volunteers are needed to help clean up Clayton during the week of April 1-7. Please plan to meet at City Hall on April 4 to pick up bags, vests, gloves and find out more.

Support Spirit Nights at Chic-fil-A

March 3: Rabun County Special Olympics
March 17: Rabun County Elementary School
March 31: Rabun County Special Olympics

Chamber Business After Hours ~ March 19

Tallulah Falls School will host the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce and the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce at a Business After Hours, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

A Note from Reverend Don Barber

Extra, EXTRA read all about it!

I believe in a world filled with challenges, and much bad news daily, you will enjoy some good news from the mountains of Georgia!

The links below will touch and inspire as today's local newspaper featured Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church living what we believe; loving God and loving our neighbors!

Today's newspaper, FRONT page of "The Clayton Tribune"


Today's Opinion / Editorial in "The Clayton Tribune"

Our MARCH food distribution will be Wednesday, March 18 at Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church!

Now go to the website, go buy a paper, call the paper and tell them "thank you for covering such positive news", forward this e-mail to your friends invite them to join you for church, and encourage them to come help with our upcoming food distributions throughout 2009!

grace and peace,

Don

Rev. Don Barber
Senior Pastor
Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church
Rabun Gap, GA

Educational Symposium for Tourism Professionals

19th Annual Winter Chautauqua
Sunday, March 1 - Monday, March 2

Sponsored by the Northwest Historic High Country and Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Associations, the Winter Chautauqua's general session speaker will be Taylor Bruce from Southern Living Magazine.

Registration for the tourism conference is open – all details available at: www.WinterChautauqua.com. Pay online or print the registration to send in with your check. Please click here to download the event's brochure which includes a registration sheet. This is a large file and may take a few moments to fully load. Register by February 25th to avoid the late registration fee.

Attention: Tourism Partners

The Tourism Product Development Dept of GDEcD is exploring offering a number of one-day, low-cost workshops around the state, dealing with topics such as tourism internet marketing, finding sponsorship, creating partnerships, grant sourcing and funding, etc.

Mary Stansfield, Project Manager for Tourism Product Development with GDEcD, is conducting a survey in order to target areas of greatest need. Would you please take just a few moments to take this short, five question survey? www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=zbOfnpKfmhIzQRUiv_2fVpHg_3d_3d

If you have any questions, please contact:
Mary Stansfield, Project Manager
Tourism Product Development
Georgia Department of Economic Development
478.696.3186 - Cell

Please suggest in your comments that one or more of these workshops be held in Rabun County.

John Oxendine to Speak February 28 at The Dillard House

An invitation to the community: learn how you can save on insurance!

Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine will be in Rabun County next Saturday as guest speaker at a luncheon sponsored by the Rabun County Republican Party. Commissioner Oxendine will explain the savings that could be available to you in the next month as a result of new Insurance Service Organization (ISO) ratings.

Anyone interested in hearing Commissioner Oxendine is encouraged to attend this luncheon meeting at The Dillard House next Saturday, February 28, at 11:30 a.m.

GMFA Meeting

The Georgia Mountains Foodways Alliance meets Monday at 7:15 p.m. at the Center on Warwoman, and it's a pot luck dinner, too, for those who wish to participate.

2009 dues are $12/single and $24/family/business.

Free Wellness Class

Free Wellness Class on Osteoarthritis
Thursday, February 26 at 4 p.m.

Mountain Physcial Therapy
1218 N. Main Street

Please call 706-782-2585 for more information

SPECIAL SWEETHEART BALL AUCTION ITEM!!!!!

The F.A.I.T.H. Sweetheart Ball Auction committee has an extra special opportunity for you to bid on this year! We have a two week stay in a beautiful two bedroom condo at the St. James’s Club in sunny Antiqua for the two week period beginning March 8 of this year. This is conservatively valued at well over $5000., and will go to the highest bidder with no reserve.

Because this is such an unusual opportunity, we will be accepting telephone bids between now and the close of business on Friday of this week at 706 782 1003. Call with your bid and a telephone number where you can be reached Saturday night between the hours of 7:00 and 8:30 PM. We will give you an opportunity to bid on this item live Saturday night, even if you will not be able to be at the Ball.

This is a great opportunity to have a terrific warm winter getaway at a bargain price and help a wonderful organization. That telephone number again is 706 782 1003.

There are only a few tickets remaining for the Ball. Call Debbie Martin at the Chamber of Commerce to reserve your tickets now.

A Letter of Gratitude from Caroline White

February 13, 2009

Dear Friends of FAITH,

The year 2008 turned out to be a very challenging year for us at FAITH. In my nearly nine years here, I have never seen the demand for our services so great. Despite the growing numbers of victims we served, 2008 has also been a huge blessing for us and I wanted to share some of those with you.

We continue to work diligently on our 1 million dollar capital campaign “A Place to Heal.” We most recently received a $20,000 grant from the Georgia Power Foundation. With all of your help and other grants, we have raised over $660,000 to date. With the economy in the shape it is we know the giving will slow down; however, we still have high expectations to complete the campaign within the next year. Our new shelter has brought a sense of peace and serenity to our residents as well as to our staff. Our residents are incredibly thankful and seem to take great pride in the place. We have been full for months and are expecting to remain full for months to come.

Our Power House for Kids Child Advocacy Center has also had a larger demand for services. In a typical month, the CAC averages 15 new alleged sexual abuse cases; however, in December alone, 34 new cases were brought to the Center. After months of only having two available staff persons at the center to handle new and older cases, we were awarded a grant for an additional part-time advocate beginning this month. This is a huge blessing for us!

We are thrilled to announce that our Power House was selected to begin a telemedicine program collaborating with the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta group. This exciting new program will allow Children’s Healthcare physicians to provide real-time consultations during the sexual abuse exam, video-conferencing for case management and training sessions for medical and community professionals. The District Attorney, Brian Rickman, believes this will greatly enhance his ability to prosecute the perpetrators! We are looking forward to beginning that program this year.

Our Violence Prevention Program continues to educate young people in the schools as well as adult organizations in the tri-county area about resources available for victims of abuse and strategies to avoid getting involved in an abusive relationship. We are seeing more dating violence and date rape amongst our teenagers so we are heavily focused on assisting our young people with life skills to “read the signs” before it is too late. By the end of the school year, over 2,000 young people of all ages will have heard our message!

I hope you are as excited as I am about the work FAITH continues to do in our community. It is because of people, like you, that we are able to assist so many each year. Your support, encouragement and prayers are very much needed and appreciated.

Sincerely,

Caroline K. White

League of Women Voters

Sean Brady, Director of the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Authority, will be the guest speaker at the League of Women Voters (where many men are members!) on Monday, March 2nd at 11:30AM at the Feed Mill in Rabun Gap.

The League of Women Voters meets on the first Monday of each month.

Clayton Climate Savers Open Hose

The Clayton Climate Savers are hosting an open house Sunday Feb 22 1pm-3:30pm at St. James Episcopal Church. Community members can stop by to see what the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League team is all about.

The team is the only one in the Northeast Georgia area, and hopes to inspire others to team up. Come and learn what this team of kids (ages 9-14) has done this challenging season.

They will have the robot going and all the items on display from their research project and presentation and hope to get others interested so more teams can form in this area.

To find out how to form a team of your own, contact Jan Nash at 706-782-7411 or go to www.firstlegoleague.org

Clean your bird feeders! Alert!

Several dead birds have been found in Rabun County and are being tested for Avian Salmonella at the University of GA lab. The County Extension Office is working with the Environmental Health Department in monitoring the situation but asks that everyone please take down your birdfeeders, clean them out using bleach and water, and do not put them out again for one month. To report any incidents of dead songbirds to the County extension office call 706-782-3113 or Rabun Health Department's Environmental Health Division at 706-212-0289.