Wednesday, September 07, 2011
I was part of a chain gang this evening
The Oconee County Recreation and Parks Department ran two games consecutively at the Oconee County Middle School, complete with a rooster crowing in the background and Georgia basketball coach Mark Fox in attendance this evening watching his #14 son's team come up a little short on the 20-6 score. It was fun being part of the team of parents pulling the ten yards of chain up and down the sidelines. I would be happy to volunteer again anytime.
My son recorded a pair of solo tackles and made the final kick off go further than anyone else's kick off of the evening. He played both ways at tight end and at linebacker. He did a very good job of getting in the way. It was darn near impossible for me to run the spotter and down turning device while watching out for #24. And they have just started to play together. QB Congolose scored two TDs and speedy #3 the other. I wish I knew all the names of all the players but at his point I was just happy to help out in any way, shape, or form by helping with the chores. I am giving Lowell the opportunity to play this his sixth grade year to decide if he wants to continue in the path of his Grandfather Robert Lowell Hodges and play football. Apparently his grandmother is terrified of him playing tackle football, but I just want some
It was very odd listening to the other coaches calling out their plays. Dr. Walpert, Mr. Baughans and Deputy/Dectective Hood all kept their team in with their experience and direction. I had seen all three of the families numerous times. I salute them all for their service and dedication to the youth of Oconee County. Together with Coach Fox's kid, this team figured up to be a force to be reckoned. Young QB Hood played like Jerome Bettis to Jace Baughans' Billy Sims. But this was not meant to be this evening for the Warriors in this first game of the year. This was a great "non-standing" in the program run by Trevor Ross at the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department. The Mountaineers and Wildcats
started out the evening's games.
Next Tuesday, September 13th shall see the Warriors and Mountaineers kicking off at 6:00 pm followed by the Seminoles taking on the Yellow Jackets. Both teams missed practice yesterday but will practice Thursday. I might go scout the Wildcats and Seminoles on the 15th in the only game in the league at North Oconee High School. There will also be a NFL Punt, Pass and Kick Competition from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday, September 24th (the same day at the Picture Day at Herman C. Michael Park.
The Oconee Bowl is Thursday, October 20. Each week someone gets a bye week, meaning they are not going to get to play a game. The Yellow Jackets have the last bye week before the playoffs.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
TONHS Qualifying Results for Fall 2011 Election from Fred
Congrats to the qualifiers for the Town of North High Shoals Council
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:02:48 -0700
From: ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com
Subject: TONHS Qualifying Results for Fall 2011 Election from Fred
To: ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com
Sincerely,
Dan MatthewsDate: Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:02:48 -0700
From: ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com
Subject: TONHS Qualifying Results for Fall 2011 Election from Fred
To: ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com
Dear Fellow High Shoalers, August 31, 2011
A single person has qualified for each of the following positions up for election this year on the town council. Mike Beall qualified to run for Mayor; Jason Wisniewski qualified for Post1; and Steve Holzman qualified for Post 2. Jason and Steve are each running unopposed for their second terms, and Mike is running unopposed for Mayor. You might have noticed that Mike has been a regular attendee at our town council meetings over the last several years; he has served on the council before as a council member.
Next NHS Council Meeting ………………………………………September 21st
Community meeting on SPLOST…………………………………October 24th
Town Web Site………………………………………………………www.northhighshoals.org
Thanks for your support of North High Shoals; I'll see you at the next meeting.
Peace, Fred Johnson
Monday, September 05, 2011
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Saturday, September 03, 2011
USA Track & Field - Team USA's men golden in long jump and 4x400m
Congrats to Watkinsville's Adam Nelson on his showing in the World Championships
USA Track & Field - Team USA's men golden in long jump and 4x400m
Friday, September 02, 2011
Thursday, September 01, 2011
TONHS Notes for July & August 2011 from Fred
From: Fred Johnson ilovehighshoals@yahoo.comDate: August 28, 2011 2:00:58 PM EDTTo: Fred Johnson ilovehighshoals@yahoo.comSubject: TONHS Notes for July & August 2011 from FredReply-To: Fred Johnson ilovehighshoals@yahoo.com
Dear Fellow High Shoalers, August 28, 2011An election is upon us. Post 1, Post 2, and Mayor are up in this election. The council set election qualifying dates for August 29, 30, and 31. Specific information about the election can be found at the town web site.In other NHS news……..Mayor Kraeling announced that she would not be seeking re-election. On October 24th the council will be hosting a town meeting at High Shoals Elementary School to listen to resident ideas on two SPLOST projects: roads and town hall. Community members are concerned about the decrease in hours and danger of closing of our post office; they want to make sure people are aware of it and using it to increase the likelihood that it will remain open. The council set the millage rate at the same level as last year. We continue to have council members and volunteers work on various projects in the town; check on details below.Election Qualifying Dates ………………………………………August 29th, 30th, and 31stNext NHS Council Meeting ………………………………………September 21stCommunity meeting on SPLOST…………………………………October 24thTown Web Site………………………………………………………www.northhighshoals.orgThanks for your support of North High Shoals; I'll see you at the next meeting.Peace, Fred JohnsonUnofficial Town of North High Shoals Council Meeting NotesJuly 18, 2011By Fred JohnsonCouncil Members at the Meeting: Council Members Mayor Kim Kraeling, Jason Wisniewski, Steve Holzman, David Lawrence, and Stephen Arnold.Citizens and Guests: Mike BeallAgenda Setting
- Motion by Council Member Dawe to accept agenda. 2nd by Council Member Wisniewski. Approved 5-0.
Monthly Business:
- Presentation of Draft Minutes for June, 2011. Motion by Council Member Holzman to accept the minutes with edits. 2nd by Council Member Arnold. Approved 5-0.
- Presentation of Financial Statement for June, 2011. Motion by Council Member Holzman to accept the financial statements. 2nd by Council Member Arnold. Approved 5-0.
Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
- No Comments were made.
Old Business:1. Street Update
- Council discussed speed limits in town and the collection of data on Hillsboro Road.
- The resurfacing of Gober Road by the county. The Council discussed the use of LMIG funds of up to $10,000 along with city funds and SPLOST funds to pave Jefferson.
- Of course the Council continued to discuss plans to slow traffic on Hillsboro after the road is paved.
2. City Park Update
- Council Member Lawrence reported on maintenance that is ongoing at the park including dead tree removal and signage. The Council also discussed placing a barbecue grill in the park.
3. Town Hall Maintenance
- Council Member Wisniewski reported that he had help from Mike Beall and John MacKay to complete the gutters on the town hall. He is looking at other repairs needed to the structures and grounds.
4. J. MacKay Annexation
- John MacKay and Lorena de Santa have written a letter to the council expressing interest in having their property at 1130 Lexington Court, which is partially in the city limits, brought into the city limits. Council Member Holzman has completed some mapping on the subject, and Mayor Kraeling has alerted the town attorney to this request.
5. Abandoned structures
- Mayor Kraeling has completed discussions with the town attorney concerning abandoned structures and will be writing letters to the owners of such structures to make them aware of the city codes that apply.
6. Code Enforcement Officer
- The council will make sure copies of the code are made available in town hall and online.
- Motion for Mayor Kraeling to send postcards out to the town alerting people of their responsibility to follow town codes by Council Member Holzman. 2nd by Council Member Dawe. Approved 5-0.
New Business:1. Request for "no thru trucks" sign on Jefferson
- Council discussed town signage with an emphasis on no-thru truck signs on Jefferson and Plantation. Council Member Lawrence volunteered to replace no-thru truck signs that are missing.
2. Hillsboro/Park Road Signs and Speed Platforms
- Council discussed town signage with an emphasis on no-thru truck signs on Jefferson and Plantation. Council Member Lawrence volunteered to replace no-thru truck signs that are missing.
3. Prepaid 911 Fee Ordinance
- Mayor Kraeling explained the state requirement for the town to pass this ordinance. The town had the required readings of this ordinance and it is ready for a vote. The town needs to pass this by December. The council also discussed the renumbering of town roads.
4. Election Qualifying Dates
- Motion set election qualifying for the positions of Mayor, Post 1, and Post 2 for August 29, 30, and 31 by Council Member Lawrence. 2nd by Council Member Arnold. Approved 5-0.
5. Occupation Tax
- Council Member Dawe discussed that the wording of the tax and notification needs to be updated. Council decided to notify people of this part of the code.
6. Town Clerk Pay
- Mayor Kraeling explained all the additional duties our clerk has taken on, including the treasurer's position. She asked the council to raise the clerk pay $2 per hour.
- Motion to set the clerk's salary at $18 per hour by Council Member Holzman. 2nd by Council Member Arnold. Approved 5-0.
Mayor's Update:(All requests to be on the agenda must be submitted at least 7 days before a meeting. Direct your agenda items to Town Clerk Carolyn Pritchett or any Town Council Member. Look for the agenda for the next council meeting on the town's web site one week before the next meeting. The next council meeting will be held at 7: 30 pm on Monday, September 21, 2011.)
- Mayor Kraeling informed the council of a fund-raising ball game in Watkinsville.
- Audit materials for the year have been delivered to Mr. Hawkins and Mr. McNair.
- The town is registered under the SAVE and E-Verify systems.
- Mayor Kraeling informed the council that she will not be running for re-election, but she would continue to help the town as is needed.
- Motion made by Council Member Holzman to adjourn. 2nd by Council Member Arnold. Approved 5-0.
Unofficial Town of North High Shoals Council Meeting NotesAugust 15, 2011By Fred JohnsonCouncil Members at the Meeting: Council Members Mayor Kim Kraeling, Jason Wisniewski, Steve Holzman, David Lawrence, and Violet Dawe.Citizens and Guests: Suzanne Beall, Jon MacKay, and Fred JohnsonAgenda Setting
- Motion by Council Member Holzman to accept agenda. 2nd by Council Member Lawrence. Approved 4-0.
Monthly Business:
- Presentation of Draft Minutes for July, 2011. Motion by Council Member Holzman to accept the minutes with edits. 2nd by Council Member Lawrence. Approved 4-0.
- Presentation of Financial Statement for July, 2011. $44,500 in the checking account. $34,790 in the money market account. $121,813 in the SPLOST account. Motion by Council Member Holzman to accept the financial statements. 2nd by Council Member Wisniewski. Approved 4-0.
Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items:
- No comments were made by the public.
Old Business:1. Street Update
- Council Member Lawrence asked that the council set Monday, October 24, 2011 as a community meeting for the council to hear from residents about SPLOST road and town hall spending at HSE. The council is planning to mail postcards to residents to advertise the meeting. The town will also run a notice of the public meeting in the local paper.
- Council discussed continuing efforts to control speeding in the town and trucks cutting through.
- Mike Beal and Council Member Lawrence completed their volunteer effort to place no thru truck signs in town.
2. City Park Update
- Council Member Lawrence told the council he would ask for help in the community to fix the rope on the flag poll and get a new flag. (I saw that he recruited Stand Brown to help him fix it last week.)
- Council Member Lawrence purchased more sand for the sand box.
- Council decided to order more bulbs with a matching grant from the Watkinsville Garden Club.
- Motion to purchase a grill for the park not to exceed $400 by Council Member Lawrence. 2nd by Council Member Dawe. Approved 4-0.
- Council Member Holzman will be installing a barn owl box in the back of the park. The Council discussed a chimney sweep tower in the park.
3. DOT Update
- Mayor Kraeling continues to work with the DOT. She is getting help from the DOT to increase our allotment of funds for paving roads.
4. J. Mackay Annexation Request
- Mayor Kraeling informed the council that work continues on this subject, but no new information was ready at this time.
5. Abandoned Structures
- The council continues to monitor and work with residents on two abandoned structures in town. Progress is being made on these properties through letters and other communications. Council discussed options to continue to deal with the barn in the park.
New Business:1. Post Office Concerns (J. Mackay)
- Jon MacKay led discussion on the concerns over the possible limiting of hours or closing of the post office. People in town were encouraged to use our local Post Office.
2. Any Needed Road Signs
- Council discussed signs that were missing around town and the inventory of signs owned by the town.
3. Date for Town Meeting on Streets
- Handled above….Monday, October 24th at 7pm
4. Election Qualifying Dates
- Qualifying dates have been set for August 29, 30, & 31 from 8:30 to 5 pm and closed for lunch
5. Set Millage Rate
- Council members discussed setting the millage rate and settled on maintaining the same rate.
- Motion to approve set the millage rate at 1.35 mills by Council Member Holzman. 2nd by Council Member Dawe. Approved 4-0.
Mayor's Update:(All requests to be on the agenda must be submitted at least 7 days before a meeting. Direct your agenda items to Town Clerk Carolyn Pritchett or any Town Council Member. Look for the agenda for the next council meeting on the town's web site one week before the next meeting. The next council meeting will be held at 7: 30 pm on Monday, September 21, 2011.)
- Mayor Kraeling told the council that we have an estimate of $500 for fixing the copier. The council will need to decide what to do about copies
- Mayor Kraeling informed the council of a SPLOST training class for council members available to the town.
- 911 public meetings will be held at the next two town meetings.
- Motion made by Council Member Holzman to adjourn. 2nd by Council Member Wisniewski. Approved 4-0.
This week's market
Go get some fresh local food behind Eagle Tavern this Saturday morning
Date: Thu, 1 Sep 2011 07:56:11 -0700
From: oconeefm@yahoo.com
Subject: this week's market
To:
Sincerely,
Dan MatthewsDate: Thu, 1 Sep 2011 07:56:11 -0700
From: oconeefm@yahoo.com
Subject: this week's market
To:
Please come join us this Saturday morning at the Oconee Farmers Market behind the Eagle Tavern.
This is week two of scuppernong season. Not only can you buy them fresh, but you can get them in the form of scuppernong pie!
It's also the middle of Georgia's pear season. Try a sample of pear butter!
Fall may be coming, but there are lots of late summer vegetables: tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, okra and squash, to name a few. Our vendors will also be bringing grass-fed Senepol beef, pound cakes, pies (pecan, peach, sweet potato, apple, chess, pear, and the aforementioned scuppernong), muffins, banana bread, cakes, cookies, dog biscuits, boiled and fried peanuts, pork skins, beef jerky, jam, local wildflower and sourwood honey, lip balms, and shea butter products.
This is week two of scuppernong season. Not only can you buy them fresh, but you can get them in the form of scuppernong pie!
It's also the middle of Georgia's pear season. Try a sample of pear butter!
Fall may be coming, but there are lots of late summer vegetables: tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, okra and squash, to name a few. Our vendors will also be bringing grass-fed Senepol beef, pound cakes, pies (pecan, peach, sweet potato, apple, chess, pear, and the aforementioned scuppernong), muffins, banana bread, cakes, cookies, dog biscuits, boiled and fried peanuts, pork skins, beef jerky, jam, local wildflower and sourwood honey, lip balms, and shea butter products.
Market Manager
www.oconeefarmersmarket.org (currently being updated)
Matthews qualified to run for Mayor of Watkinsville
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, call 706-372-1062 (cell), 706-769-1131 (home), 706-353-0032 (work)
MATTHEWS QUALIFIES TO RUN FOR MAYOR OF WATKINSVILLE
Dan Matthews paid the filing fee late Wednesday afternoon, August 31, 2011 at the Watkinsville Community Center to qualify to run for office of Mayor of Watkinsville, Georgia. It is Matthews’ second attempt and third election after forcing a Run-Off in this summer’s Special Election in the Georgia House of Representatives District 113.
Matthews has attended many of the Watkinsville City Council meetings during the last several decades, both as a writer and a concerned local homeowner. He has been a resident of Morgan Manor Estates subdivision since 2001. He lives with his soon-to-be 12-year-old son Lowell and dog Josephine. He loves watching his son play sports.
Matthews has served on several volunteer committees including the Historic Sites and Tourism Committee for the Oconee County government. He has worked for the Oconee County government twice, once working for the Recreation and Parks Department as a Gym Supervisor in the John T. Brannen building of the Herman C. Michael Park, and also in the Eagle Tavern when it served as the Welcome Center. He continued to volunteer in the Recreation Department coaching last year. He entered the department to successfully win a $35,000.00 grant from Coca-Cola for a new outdoor basketball court this year.
Currently Matthews is employed at the Law Offices of Eric K. Krasle and Associates in downtown Athens as a Legal Secretary, Law Clerk and paralegal in a position he just entered his sixth year. Recently he was also in the employ of attorney Dave M. Hudgins, who has moved to a new location. Both have run for office themselves, and inspired Dan’s public service. Matthews graduated from UGA in 1986 with a degree in Telecommunication Arts.
Matthews recently appeared in the Krasle-produced film “Athens Burning” and has also had extra roles in the Disney-produced film “Remember the Titans” and in the locally filmed television series “Somebodies” and “Breaking Away.” He has hosted his own radio shows on NewsTalk 1340 WGAU AM and 90.5 FM WUOG. One of his first front-page local news stories writing for the Athens Banner-Herald and Daily News newspapers was about Watkinsville Mayor Sammy Sanders deciding not to seek another term, and giving way to Toby Hardigree’s tenure as Mayor. He freelanced for the newspapers for more than a decade.
“I love Watkinsville,” is what Matthews responded as to why is he running for the office of Mayor of Watkinsville. “I want to continue the policies of Mayors Joe Walter and Jim Luken, and I look forward to working with city council members Brian Brodrick, Mike Link, Samantha Purcell, Henry Norman, and Toby Smith, if given the opportunity by the voters of Watkinsville Tuesday, November 8th or before in early voting.” He looks forward to serving the residents of the City of Watkinsville and meeting them in restaurants, churches, gatherings, businesses and concerts. He welcomes invitations to your events.
Matthews may be contacted via email at danjmatt@bellsouth.net and has numerous Facebook, blogging, and other social media contacts. His Twitter feed is “lowellsdad.”
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