Overflow crowd for Sunday DAR dedication of Patriot Park

The Reverend John Andrew chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated the new Patriot Park in Watkinsville Sunday before an overflow audience of several hundred people in the side yard of Mike Thornton's property just across the business route of Highway 441 where it connects with State Route 15.

The local chapter of the DAR is the youngest in the state, and at least 17 American Revolutionary soldiers have been identified with Oconee County ties, including a distant relative of mine in  John Harris, buried on Barnett Shoals Road in Oconee County.  Names such as Elder, Fambrough, Haygood, and Nunnally are represented on street signs, historic markers and the cemeteries all across Oconee County, Georgia and coming out of the town once called Big Springs coming from Creek Indian territory and home to Eagle Tavern and Elder Mill Covered Bridge, here honored in a duplex bird house to hoisted upon the small parcel of land soon in yet another wonderful award from the DAR in the ceremony.

I was also very happy to have a cousin of mine Walker Chewning dressed in period wear and carried the Georgia flag. Walker and his wife Jo An Chewning traveled to Watkinsville for the event along with veterans and patriots from all over Georgia for this event and even brought their pooch along for the journey.  Everyone from motorcycle riders to elderly people in the newfangled stroller chairs dotted the peripheries.

Lots of children were in attendance as well and some ran up to play on the lovingly restored vintage 1938 filling station on the Thornton family property.

Coincidentally there once was a gas station on the exact triangle of property where the Patriot Park is was once a filling station as well, making the switch to a park all the more involved and expensive. The EPA still has to take readings four times a year on the property, which is not adorned with a big granite monument and white flowering dogwoods, knockout roses, October Glory maples, hollies, gardenia and Virginia Sweetspire. Work has been going on since 2008 on the transition and cost nearly $15,000.00.

Brigadier General Maria L. Britt spoke about women in history and her family and received an award.  Watkinsville Mayor Joe Walter addressed the audience about the evolution of the small space in very short time frame.   Oconee County Board of Commissioners chairman G. Melvin Davis welcomed the audience and recognized dignitaries in the audience. Revered Larry Davidson received an award for community service and Rodger Carroll received a Community Patriot Award. Elected officials including State Senator Bill Cowsert and members of the BOC including John Daniell, Margaret Hale, Chuck Horton. Several members the Oconee County Board of Education and Watkinsville City Council were in the audience as well.

The local DAR chapter has also been cleaning up and indexing the cemetery in Watkinsville and will be conducting a $15.00 tour March 20 led by Melissa Piche of North Georgia Tours. They are also supporting the Boy Scout Troup 537 and their 3rd annual Flag Retirement Ceremony from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Briarwood Baptist Church.

They are accepting applications for new memberships at http://revjohnandrew.georgiastatedar.org or you can email danadar@bellsouth.net for more information. Or you can check out http://www.dar.org for more information.  The Oconee County Historical Society was also in attendance and you may find out more about them at http://www.oconeehistory.org.

For more photos from the event please check out my facebook page, linked at the top of the blog.

Will catching rain catch on with public? || OnlineAthens.com

Watkinsville lobbyist works to help educate elected officials on interesting ways to save water. Well written article by Walter C. Jones of Morris News that was also in the Rome News Tribune.

Will catching rain catch on with public? || OnlineAthens.com

47 people turn out to clean area of Elder Mill Covered Bridge Saturday morning

The weather was near perfect Saturday morning for a large contingent of people to perform the back breaking work of picking up a sadly amazing amount of garbage both on the sides of Elder Mill Road and in both branches of Rose Creek in far southern Oconee County, thanks to organizer Melissa Steele.

 

The fine folks of Antioch Church allowed us to gather in their fellowship hall and hear from Steele as well as people from the Altamaha Riverkeeper and locals organizing a forum later in the month.  After signing a waiver and receiving instructions, we headed out to pick up garbage. It was astonishing the amount of crap people carelessly toss out the window of their passing vehicles. We found coolers, tires, bottles and cans of every kind, large pieces of metal and the requisite cigarette wrappers and coffee cups. We filled up two large black plastic garbage bags, one with recyclables and others with generic trash of the un-recyclable variety.

Equally astonishing is the fact that some people did not want or did not give permission to Steele for us to wander on their property and remove refuse.  In some instances, especially near the church on Antioch Church Road, that did not stop the small army of volunteers from picking up litter.

Why is is any easier to toss out garbage instead of taking the extra effort to throw things away where they belong? While I am sure there are people I am forgetting to thank, I wish to give proper acknowledgment to area homeowners Pat Adams, John Berry and John English for allowing us access to their property. There is a buttload of property near the Covered Bridge for sale and well worthy of purchase by our Board of Commissioners for a park.

Other people I knew and saw included a large contingent of Girl Scouts, Jonathan Veit,  Kate McDaniel and Robert Wyatt. I finally met Ian Giles and had our photo taken by Blake Giles of the Oconee Enterprise newspaper. It was just hot enough to work up a good lather walking the mile or so we did down the side of the road.  I can only hope the people in the water were equally successful in their efforts.

'Buck a pack' cigarette tax would benefit Georgia || OnlineAthens.com

Interesting editorial and I am not too familiar with Rep. Ron Stephens, but I agree with his sentiments
'Buck a pack' cigarette tax would benefit Georgia || OnlineAthens.com

Congressional staff to hold meetings || OnlineAthens.com

So if you want to see Congressman Paul Broun's birth certificate, medical license or ask him anything else, here is your chance in the hinterlands of the 10th district
Congressional staff to hold meetings || OnlineAthens.com

What Broun wouldn't say generates a buzz || OnlineAthens.com

Congressman Paul Broun cannot resist opening mouth and inserting foot no matter what the topic of discussion.
What Broun wouldn't say generates a buzz || OnlineAthens.com

Video: President Obama's message for OFA

Friend -- After Wednesday's bold announcement about the path forward on health reform, President Obama recorded a message specifically for Organizing for America supporters. I hope you'll watch it. And once you watch, please add your name to the growing list of volunteers committing to work with the President during the final march for reform. Watch the video here: http://my.barackobama.com/PresidentsMessage Thanks, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America

Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to: oconeedemo.crats@blogger.com Update Address / Email | Unsubscribe

March Watkinsville City Council agenda

AGENDA
CITY OF WATKINSVILLE
March 10, 2010

CALL TO ORDER

QUORUM CHECK

MINUTES
1. February 10, 2010

APPEARANCES
1. Jan & Heather Weisenborn – business license – Generations Montessori – 26 School Street
2. David Sparr – business license – Oconee Sports Center – 1260 Greensboro Highway
3. Tamara Maddox – business license – Zion Skate Park LLC – 1051 Business Boulevard
4. Tamara Maddox – business license – Zion Skateboarding LLC – 1051 Business Boulevard
5.Tamara Maddox – business license – Zion Skate Shop LLC – 1051 Business Boulevard

ADMINISTRATION
1. February 28, 2010 Reconciliation Report

MAYOR’S REPORT

CITIZEN’S COMMENTS

OLD BUSINESS
1. Public Hearing #2 & Consideration: Bird Sanctuary Ordinance
2. Crosswalk repair update
3. SPLOST Management update

NEW BUSINESS
1. Public Hearing #1: Subdivision Regulations Amendment


EXECUTIVE SESSION
1. Personnel Matter

Join us: Rally for Georgia kids March 8th

Raising taxes is not something I support very often, but given the crisis that the State of Georgia is in, something has to be done, and this is merely a beginning.
Woven brightly, 

Carol Porter: Georgia a great state and has everything -- except leadership | savannahnow.com

Carol Porter: Georgia a great state and has everything -- except leadership | savannahnow.com

Perdue slams lawmakers over higher education cuts | ajc.com

Perdue slams lawmakers over higher education cuts  | ajc.com

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Exclusive: RNC document mocks donors, plays on 'fear' - Ben Smith - POLITICO.com

The Party of No is now the Party of Fear
Exclusive: RNC document mocks donors, plays on 'fear' - Ben Smith - POLITICO.com

Citing health care vote, Deal delays departure from Congress | Political Insider

So in other words, Nathan Deal is a lying sack of shit much in the vein of John McCain. 
Citing health care vote, Deal delays departure from Congress | Political Insider

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Universities' plans called scare tactics || OnlineAthens.com

To me the solution to the Republican manufactured Budget Crisis is simple, raise all taxes and fees across the board, no discrimination, no favoritism. Then start with the top 5% of the wage earners on the state payrolls, and eliminate 5% of their salary. Again, do this across the board, no choice except early retirement. Yes we will lose some of our top wage earners on the State of Georgia payroll, but so be it. Also a $2.00 tax on packs of cigarettes is another good place to start. Representative Bob Smith of Oconee County wants to cut books to the library and it seems like he is using this budget crisis as a means to go after other programs like tenure and projects that are an anathema to the G.O.P. (I wish Georgia voters would wake up and end the tenure for the people who got us into this mess). Label us tax and spend liberals if you must, but Democrats are not afraid to raise taxes when the ship is sinking.
Universities' plans called scare tactics || OnlineAthens.com

A final vote on health reform message from our Commander In Chief

Friend -- Last Thursday's first-of-its-kind summit capped off a debate that has lasted nearly a year. Every idea has now been put on the table. Every argument has been made. Both parties agree that the status quo is unacceptable and gets more dire each day. Today, I want to state as clearly and forcefully as I know how: Now is the time to make a decision about the future of health care in America. The final proposal I've put forward draws on the best ideas from all sides, including several put forward by Republicans at last week's summit. It will put Americans in charge of their own health care, ensuring that neither government nor insurance company bureaucrats can ration, deny, or put out of financial reach the care our families need and deserve. I strongly believe that Congress now owes the American people a final vote on health care reform. Reform has already passed the House with bipartisan support and the Senate with a super-majority of sixty votes. Now it deserves the same kind of up-or-down vote that has been routinely used and has passed such landmark measures as welfare reform and both Bush tax cuts. Earlier today, I asked leaders in both houses of Congress to finish their work and schedule a vote in the next few weeks. From now until then, I will do everything in my power to make the case for reform. And now, I'm asking you, the members of the Organizing for America community, to raise your voice and do the same. The final march for reform has begun, and your participation is crucial. Please commit to join with me to take reform across the finish line. Essentially, my proposal would change three things about the current health care system: First, it would protect all Americans from the worst practices of insurance companies. Never again will the mother with breast cancer have her coverage revoked, see her premiums arbitrarily raised, or be forced to live in fear that a pre-existing condition will bar her from future coverage. Second, my proposal would give individuals and small businesses the same choice of private health insurance that members of Congress get for themselves. And my proposal says that if you still can't afford the insurance in this new marketplace, we will offer you tax credits based on your income -- tax credits that add up to the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history. Finally, my proposal would bring down the cost of health care for everyone -- families, businesses, and the federal government -- and bring down our deficit by as much as $1 trillion over the next two decades. These savings mean businesses small and large will finally be freed up to create jobs and increase wages. With costs currently skyrocketing, reform is vital to remaining economically strong in the years and decades to come. In the few crucial weeks ahead, you can help make sure this proposal becomes law. Please sign up to join the Organizing for America campaign in the final march for reform: http://my.barackobama.com/commit When I talked about change on the campaign, this is what I was talking about: coming together to solve a huge problem that has been troubling America for 100 years and standing up to the special interests to deliver a brighter, smarter future for generations to come. I look forward to signing this historic reform into law. And when I do, it will be because your organizing played an essential role in making change possible. Thank you, President Barack Obama

Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Athens Area Dems Breakfast - 13 March (reservations due Monday)

This is an Athens Area Democrats meeting I would really like to attend, and may actually be able to do so. Reservations need to be made by Monday.

Woven brightly, 

Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.

Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 07:25:50 -0500
Subject: [oconee] CCDC FW: AA Dems Breakfast - 13March

 

Dear CCDC members and friends,

Please read the email below about the next AAD (Athens Area Democrats) breakfast on Saturday, March 13.

Hope you can attend.

Sincerely,
Karen Solheim
CCDC Vice Chair for Communications

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From: anitabarney@charter.net
To:
Subject: AA Dems Breakfast - 13March
Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2010 08:38:35 -0500

ATHENS AREA DEMOCRATS BREAKFAST

SATURDAY, March 13

 AT 9:00AM

TRUMPS
2026 S. MILLEDGE AVENUE * ATHENS, GA

TOPIC: MEDIA AND POLITICS IN A POST- JOURNALISM WORLD

SPEAKER: BARRY HOLLANDER, Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication

Reservations must be made by: Monday, March 8. 

Cost: $14. Pay at the door cash or check made out to CCDC.

Reservations are guaranteed. We must pay for all reservations. Seats will be available for those who want to hear the program but prefer not to eat breakfast.

Please make reservations with Anita Brannen at anitabarney@charter.net; or 706-543-1480  
or Denise Ricks at uselessandnogood@hotmail.com; or 706-247-3558.


Link:
<http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?moduleurl=http:%2F%2Fmaps.google.com%2Fhelp%2Fmaps%2Fstreetview%2Fuserphotos-mapplet.html&mapclient=google&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=33.92529,-83.378828&spn=0.003721,0.008283&t=h&z=17&msid=110961336561658592690.000463fd8b145bdbfa770>

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Stop cuts to higher education in Georgia

Dear Voter, As you may know, Republican lawmakers in Georgia are targeting higher education in an attempt to hide their fiscally irresponsible ways. You can read more about these violent cuts to our state colleges and universities at the Macon Telegraph, Georgia Public Broadcasting, the Rome-News Tribune, and the Gainesville Times. Proposed changes include: Over 4,000 lost jobs for college faculty and staff. Termination of college majors, even as students are currently enrolled. 50% of county extension agencies closed. Closing the State Botanical Gardens and the student radio station at UGA, reduce GA Tech library hours by 42%, close GA State library on weekends. Removal of 5 undergraduate programs at the Medical College of Georgia. Elimination of 4-H programs statewide. Closing some satellite campuses; rejection letters for previously accepted new students. State Senator Seth Harp even suggested that a 77% tuition increase, effective this calendar year, would be okay with him.   Sign our petition to STOP the cuts to Georgia colleges and universities. Our public education system is being bled dry by the Republican leadership in the State Capitol. Once we reach 5,000 signatures, we will personally deliver it to Georgia's political leaders that treat public education with such contempt- including the insensitive Senator Harp. Sign the Petition HERE Please forward this email to friends and family that support Georgia's great colleges & universities. Every signature makes a difference. Sincerely, Ashley Collier McBride, Political Director Democratic Party of Georgia georgiademocrat.org | contribute

1100 Spring Street Suite 408
Atlanta, GA 30309

This message has been forwarded by pamtdavisrealtor@aol.com. As the recipient of this forwarded message you have not been added to any email list.

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$60 million in proposed cuts for UGA alone

Here is the proposed $60 million Georgia budget carnage for those who care to seek it out. Thanks to Dr. Tony Glenn for providing it.

From: Tony Glenn
Sent: Wed, March 3, 2010 3:04:09 PM
Subject: [oconeedemocrats] $60 million in proposed cuts for UGA alone

 

Here is a link to a PDF outlining the proposed cuts to the state's university system.  The PDF outlines cuts for each institution.  

http://www.usg. edu/fiscal_ affairs/document s/summary_ of_reductions. pdf

UGA is the first school outlined, with $60 million in proposed cuts.  Unless the yahoos under the Gold Dome wake up, there goes 1418 currently filled positions.  There goes the State Botanical Gardens.  There goes 4H.  There goes WUGA.  There goes the Griffin Campus.  There goes half of the County Extension offices.  There goes entire academic programs.

Of the proposed $60 million in cuts, the great majority of that will be felt right here in the Northeast Georgia region...... Clarke, Oconee, Madison, Oglethorpe, Barrow, Jackson.  Lost jobs, lost income, ever-decreasing city and county revenue, and the downward spiral continues.

Tony

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Colleges, lawmakers seek balance in dealing with cuts | ajc.com

 The Georgian Republican lawmakers have heard the roar of the masses, and people are not too happy with the idea of shutting down the State Botanical Gardens, 4H and County Extension offices, among other ill advised ideas. Our own Representative Bob Smith finally makes a comment about the current situation, the first time we have heard from him since the new Speaker of the House David Ralston switched him off the chairmanship of some powerful committees.
Colleges, lawmakers seek ‘balance' in dealing with cuts  | ajc.com

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Patriot Park dedication scheduled this weekend in Watkinsville in front of Jittery's Joe's at Hwy. 15/441 business convergeance

People dressed in Revolutionary War period wear will highlight the Daughters of the American Revolution's dedication of the pocket park where the 441 Business Route meets Highway 15 at the 5 points style intersection in the heart of Watkinsville 2:00 pm Sunday.
Patriot Park dedication scheduled this weekend || OnlineAthens.com

Valdosta State gold standard met by area principal from OCMS

VSU's GOLD Standard

VALDOSTA -- The VSU Alumni Association presented three alumni with the Graduate of the Last Decade Award (GOLD) -- an honor bestowed upon graduates who excel within 10 years of graduation.

Philip Brown, Kenneth Grant and Steve Pugh were recognized amid the record crowd of 4,616 Blazer fans during halftime of the men’s basketball game against West Georgia Saturday, Feb. 27, at the P.E. Complex.

Meet VSU’s Gold standard!

Philip Brown, ’03, ’05 and ’06

Philip Brown decided long ago that he would not stand on the sidelines of life, but be a player -- battling for positive change. The principal of Oconee County Middle School in Watkinsville, Ga., is passionately committed to serving the 800 students on his campus as well as the educational interests of the state.

“As a principal, I view the chance to work with kids as one of life’s greatest opportunities, but with opportunity in life, comes great responsibility,” said Brown, who graduated from VSU with degrees in education, instructional technology and educational leadership. “Valdosta State helped provide me with the knowledge and skills to take on this challenging responsibility. Without the guidance from great professors and coaches, my opportunity for success would have been limited.”

Brown, who is pursing a doctorate in Middle School Education through the University of Georgia, has presented at more than 20 educational association conferences and compiled more than 10 publications as book chapters or journal articles. His honors -- including the Most Outstanding Education Specialist Student at Valdosta State -- are as long as the list of area schools he has influenced with his positive management style.
He is married to fellow VSU graduate, Katherine (Backes) Brown, ’05, a teacher at J.J. Harris Elementary School in Clarke County. Katherine is finishing her doctorate in gifted and creative education at the University of Georgia.

How did VSU prepare you for what you are doing today?

“My time at VSU was spent learning from mentors like Dr. Barbara Stanley, who constantly counseled me on different aspects of teaching and also motivated me with career advice and suggestions. Also during my time as an undergraduate student at VSU, I worked with the men’s basketball program as a student assistant coach. This coaching opportunity provided me with a chance to learn from two outstanding coaches and leaders, Jim Yarbrough and Todd Sheppard. Their knowledge of coaching and motivating their players showed me the importance of always understanding and supporting my students, parents and teachers. These are just three of the Valdosta State University mentors who helped me along the way, but their expertise and advice has resonated through each of my experiences in the field of education.”

Oconee County governmental offices closing

Borrowed directly from the Oconee Enterprise webmail blast:

County government offices closing early

BOC meeting cancelled
Published:
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 12:35 PM EST
Due to inclement weather and hazardous driving conditions the Oconee County government announced an early closing for today. Government offices will close at 1 p.m.

The county commission meeting scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. has been cancelled. The two items scheduled to be acted upon at tonight's meeting will be rescheduled for action at the April 6 regular meeting.

James Holland retirement party

Woven brightly,
Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.

From: Altamaha_Riverkeeper@mail.vresp.com
To: danmatt@hotmail.com
Subject: James Holland retirement party
Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 17:16:22 +0000

Click to view this email in a browser

You are invited to honor James Holland's 10 years of service as the Altamaha Riverkeeper on May 1, 2010 at a reception from 4-6:30 p.m. at Open Gates Bed and Breakfast in Darien.   Please participate and show your support for James Holland and the Altamaha Riverkeeper's evolution into the next decade.  All contributions will be matched dollar for dollar by an anonymous donor. Learn ways to participate at: http://www.altamahariverkeeper.org/ The reception features Randall Bramblett, singer, songwriter and musician http://www.randallbramblett.com/ a tribute performance by nationally known author and founding board member Janisse Ray, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janisse_Ray and Trapeze Queen and dance artist Susan Murphy, founder of Canopy Studio, http://www.canopystudio.com/ The event will be a chance for friends and colleagues to roast James with a favorite story and thank him publicly. Ways to participate: • Become a sponsor: various levels available • Attend the dinner and reception: $250 • Attend the reception: $25 We need your help to celebrate James and ARK's successes and meet the continuing challenge    to protect our water for future generations of families and children.    Create a Page for James' Memory Book To celebrate his retirement, and to thank him for a decade of leadership and service, we are creating a "Memory Book" to be filled with tributes and greetings from his friends and colleagues, something that he will be able to look at over and over. Create a one page letter. It should be 8 1/2 by 11, to fit in a plastic page protector. Make it however you like. Say whatever you like. It can be one sentence or a full page. It can have photos, drawings, mementos, poems, a painting. If you create the page in a computer format, you can email it to www.altamahariverkeeper.org and we will print it and add it to the book or mail page to: Memory Book for James c/o Waters 895 Catherine T. Sanders Road Reidsville, GA 30453

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Altamaha Riverkeeper PO Box 2642 Darien, GA 31305 Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Online Petition to Create an Elder Bridge Park

Please consider signing this petition to ask the Oconee County Board of Commissioners create an Elder Bridge Park around our crowned jewel Elder Mill Covered Bridge.

Woven brightly,

Daniel J. Matthews, Jr.

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To: oconee@yahoogroups.comFrom: jveit@bellsouth.net
Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 03:32:13 +0000
Subject: [oconee] Online Petition to Create an Elder Bridge Park

 

At our last meeting, we discussed efforts to advance the creation of an Elder Bridge Park surrounding the Elder Covered Bridge. One of the things we decided to do was create an online petition where people could sign up to support the idea. I created this petition tonight.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/elderbridgepark/

I tried to find a petition site that wasn't too filled with advertisements. Unfortunately, that isn't very easy.

Please send the link to this petition to as many people as you know who are supportive of the idea of creating and Elder Bridge Park.

We also decided that we would host a town hall forum to discuss the issue of creating an Elder Bridge Park. The forum is tentatively scheduled for March 25th, 7 pm at the Oconee County Library. I will begin finalizing the details of this event this week. If you can help with that process, please send me an email off the list serve.

Thanks for your time!

Jonathan Veit

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Rose Creeks clean-up THIS SATURDAY

Oconee County Democratic Committee members and Republicans, and every political stripe in between ought to be part of Melissa Steele's Rose Creeks clean ups this Saturday morning down Highway 15 at Antioch Church Fellowship Hall on Antioch Church Road some eight miles south of Watkinsville.

I do not have the waiver attached but I am sure Melissa will bring some on Saturday morning.

To: Oconee County Democratic Committee 
Sent: Mon, March 1, 2010 8:47:32 AM
Subject: [oconeedemocrats] Creek clean-up

 

Did the committee talk about the creek clean-up that Melissa Steele is
organizing?

I sent out information about it some time ago to Karen to pass along to
high school-aged Young Dems -- and to Kelly Manley, who oversees the
Young Dems at GSU, but the date has crept up on me to talk about it
among ourselves.

I meant to bring this up at the monthly meeting --

If you guys will let me know if you'll attend, I'll pass along a rough
count to Melissa.

I'll also send it to the wider list.

pjp

Melissa's message:

Hello friends!

I know I had some of you confirm that you would be at the creek clean up
a couple of weeks ago, but please confirm again. I want to make sure I
have enough breakfast for you all!

On Saturday we are meeting at Antioch Church Fellowship Hall on Antioch
Church Road, 8.4 miles outside of Watkinsville. Head down hwy 15
towards Greensboro. We will have signs on Hwy 15 as you near Antioch
Church Road. Turn right on Antioch Church Road and you will see the
church from there.

We will have breakfast, a brief safety talk, divide into teams and
provide maps and further instructions before we head out. We will be
providing bottled water ( recycle the bottles! ), sunscreen, hand
sanitizer, bug spray, gloves and trash bags. You might want to bring a
small back pack or waist pack. If you have a first aid kit, please
bring it. Of course bring your cell phones, and fyi, Verizon has the
best coverage in our area.

You WILL get your feet wet if you are going to be on one of the creek
teams, so be prepared for that with shoes you don't mind getting wet.
Hopefully some of you have rain boots you can wear. I walked part of
Big Rose today and my feet got soaked, but even on the cool day, it
wasn't too bad. You are moving so much that you warm up quickly! You
will want to bring dry shoes and socks to change in to. Long sleeves
and long pants are a must as well. There are lots of briars and
stickers along the creek! Hats are a good idea, too. The ten day
forcast calls for sunshine on Saturday!

We are also going to have road teams to pick up trash along Elder Mill
Road. The entire length of Elder Mill road has ditches full of trash
that wash down hill to either Little Rose or Big Rose. If we don't pick
up that trash we will be wasting our time. If you prefer easier, dryer
terrain, you can be on a road team instead of a creek team!

PLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG!!! You will be on other folks' property,
most of them have dogs, it could get ugly!

You will be asked to sign a liability waiver. It is attached at the
bottom of this email for your review.

Don't hesitate to email or call if you have questions, and thank you
SOOOO much for helping us!

Melissa
706-255-8528

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