Take back America 2010

The 10th District Chapter of FreedomWorks will sponsor a rally to “Take Back America - 2010”, June 27 from 3:30-7 p.m. at the Gazebo in downtown Lavonia. The event is based on the issues of today and what is happening to your rights as set forth in the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. Information on the Amendments to the Constitution will be presented by state and local political and nonpolitical personalities, elected and nonelected, while talented local musicians perform songs that are identified with American patriotism. For more information call Freedom Works Director Delores Gresham at 706-356-7134.

Blood Drive at Petro Shopping Center

The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at Petro Stopping Center in Carnesville, just off Interstate 85 at exit 160, Wednesday, July 1 from noon to 5 p.m. All donors will receive a T-shirt and a chance to win a $1000 gas card

Tugaloo July 4th celebration

Tugaloo State Park will celebrate July 4 Independence Day the old fashioned way with the traditional bicycle parade, old time games and a miniature golf tournamenet for ages 12 an under. Blood Bought will be in concert at 7 p.m., July 11; and Junior Ranger Day Camps will run July 13-17 for 6-8 year olds, and July 20-24 for ages 9 to 12. For additional information, visit www.georgiastateparks.org or contact the office at 706-356-4362

Leadership Franklin

Find out how you can help make a difference in the future of our community by joining the 2009 Leadership Franklin class beginning Sept. 10. Deadline for applications is July 10; space is limited, so get your application today from the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce office or online at www.franklin-county.com. Questions about Leadership Franklin can be directed to Debby Harbin, chairperson, Leadership Franklin Committee at chamber@franklin-county.com or 706-384-4659.

Benefit for Jessica Thornton Brown

A Poker Ride, to benefit the Jessica Thornton Brown Kidney Transplant Fund, will be held July 25 at The Flats Bar in Canon. Registration begins at 10 a.m.; the cost to ride is $20 and $5 for passengers. The ride begins at 11 a.m. and will include stops in Royston, Lavonia and Anderson.

Franklin County Class of 99 reunion

The Franklin County High School Class of 1999 will hold its 10th reunion, Aug. 1. The day will be-gin at Victoria Bryant State Park for a day of family fun from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and will end at the Melting Point in Athens from 6 p.m. until midnight. Cost is $30 per person or $40 per couple and is to be paid on or before June 26. Payments should be mailed to FCHS Class of 1999, P.O. Box 780, Royston, GA 30662. For additional information, email franklinlions99@gmail.com or visit Facebook/Myspace.

Survivors support :

A new support group in Franklin County will meet the second Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m at Pennington Chapel in Sandy Cross. A meal will be provided. Come learn about issues that you may be facing and enjoy fellowship with other cancer survivors/patients. If you have any questions, contact Allen Carmichelle at 706-245-9246.

Educational programs:

The Franklin County Learning Center, sponsored by Step of Faith Outreach, Inc., offers the following programs at the old Lavonia Elementary School/Head Start building, 84 Hartwell Rd, Lavonia. After school program/mentoring for ages K-12: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; Tutoring in math and reading: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for grades K-5 from 4-5 p.m., grades 6-8 from 5-6 p.m., and grades 9-12 from 7-8 p.m.; GED program (using the Athens Tech GED test): Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 6-8 p.m.; Parenting/nurturing classes (through Hart Partners): Tuesday, 6-8 p.m.; and Computer Lab: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 5-8 p.m. All programs are free. For more information, call Patsy Watkins at 706-491-3820 or Ken Watkins at 706-491-5460.

MOPS:

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) of Franklin and Stephens Counties meets the second Tuesday of each month at Tom's Creek Baptist Church from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mothers of children between the ages of 0-5 years share in the struggles and joys of motherhood and enjoy speakers, crafts, food, games and fun fellowship. Childcare is provided. Call 706-779-2474 for information.

Medicare answers:

Attention Medicare beneficiaries and/or their caregivers. Georgia Cares regional program, part of Legacy Link Area Agency on Aging, will be at the Franklin County Senior Center on the fourth Tuesday of each month to answer questions about Medicare programs. If you need assistance with a specific medicare problem, bring any related correspondence with you to the senior center from 10-11 a.m., 6885 Hwy. 145, Carnesville.

Starfish Learning Center:
The Starfish Learning Center in Royston and the Lavonia after School Learning Center are now open. The Lavonia center is open on Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. at the Fairview Missionary Baptist Church on Jones St. The Royston center, located in the Gaines Community Room, is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 4-5 p.m. for elementary, 6-7 p.m. for middle school, and 7-8 p.m. for high school. Donations, volunteers and partners are needed. Call 706-245-8652 for additional information.

AA:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), meets every Thursday 8 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce in Lavonia. This is an open meeting for men and women.

MOMS Club:
The MOMS Club of Royston-Hartwell is part of a national nonprofit organization specifically for stay-at-home moms, offering support, fun activities, interesting speakers, play groups, “Moms Night Out” (an occasional “Couples Night Out”), and much more. For information on meetings, contact Jeni Cox, president, at 770-364-2378 or email cox669953@bellsouth.net. Learn more at www.momsclub.org.

15^th Annual Juried Art Show

The Annual Juried art show will be held at the arts center at 338 E. Howell St. from June 5-July 1. Work may be in water color, oil, acrylic, pastel, drawing, pottery, sculpture, weaving, fibers, basketry, photography, mixed media or wood. For more information call Vicki Pope at 706-376-1015 or email vpope194@hartcom.net

Classical Guitar Concert by Jeffery Bianchi

Classical Guitar concert will be held at the Arts center at 7:00 on June 25^th. For more information contact MaryAlice Ray at 706-376-6591 or email maray@hartcom.net

The Pre forth Extravaganza

June 26^th:

Sidewalk Sales Downtown (starts at 9:30)

Dancing on Depot (from 7-11) 11^th annual Dancin’ on Depot street dance. Music begins at 5:30 and Gates open at 5:00 on Carolina st. Tickets at the gate will be $5 ea. The EXTRAORDINAIRES will be performing this year. Remember to bring your children, lawn chairs and dancing shoes. Contact the Hartwell Downtown Development Authority for more info. 706-376-0188

June 27^th:

Pre 4^th Arts & Crafts Extravaganza (9:00 – 3:00) This festival will be filled with music and fun community events on the square in Hartwell. Free admission to the festival.

Pre 4^th Live Entertainment (9:00-3:00) This will take place on Carolina St. by CVS.

Pre 4^th Extravaganza Children’s parade (10:30) Judging will take place at 10:00 and will be at Bell’s shopping center and goes down Howell St. and will be ending at the City Hall Parking lot. For more info. call Kelli Schell at 706-377-4900

Pre 4^th Chicken BBQ (3:30 – 5:30) At eh Hart EMC building. Price per ticket is $6.50 and includes a half chicken, Cole slaw, potato chips and a brownie. Thickets are available at the Hart County chamber office or from any Hartwell service League member you can also call Ann Murry at 706-379-9731

Community Band Concert (8:00) An evening of patriotic music provided by Hart county community band and directed by Alan Tolbert at the Big Oaks Recreation area. Free admission to the concert.

Pre 4^th Fireworks (Dusk) Enjoy a tremendous fireworks display at the Big Oaks Recreation area by the Dam. Fireworks are sponsored by the Hart County Chamber of Commerce and the Hartwell Service League. Free admission to the Fireworks.

The Hart County Historical Society presents and Old time Singing

Now in its fourth year the Old Time singing is sponsored by the Hart County Historical society and is set for 4:00 on June 28^th at the Liberty Congregational Church. The event is Free and everyone is welcome to attend.

Children’s Craft Camp

The Hart regional arts council is sponsoring a Children’s craft camp from 10:00-1:00 July 6-10 and 13-17. Cost is $35 a week per child or $10 a day. All classes are held at the Art Center at 338 E. Howell St. There will be a different craft daily. To register call MaryAlice Ray at 706-376-6591 or email maray@hartcom.net

Work Force Ready Assessment

Attention Job Seekers! The next FREE Work Force Ready Assessment is July 22nd.

See http://www.hart-chamber.org/hart-chamber/wfr.htm

OPTION A:

The next Work Force Ready "Paper Test" date is

Wednesday, July 22nd

Starts at 8:45am at the downstairs room of the Adult Learning Center.

Call the Hart County Chamber to register for this assessment at (706) 376-8590.

We must have 15 people sign-up in order to offer the test.

This is a FREE assessment.

OPTION B:

The FREE Work Force Ready Assessment testing will also take place at the Elberton Campus at Athens Technical College on Wednesday Afternoons & Friday Mornings.

The Georgia Dept. of Labor will be in Hartwell, Wednesday, July 8th from 9-3 at the Hart County Chamber Office, located next to the First Baptist Church at 31 E. Howell St.

Have you taken the Work Force Ready Assessment and are you still unemployed?

See http://www.hart-chamber.org/BeWorkReady.htm

Volunteers Needed:

Help is needed at VistaCare to make items for a special group of hospice patients and their loved ones. To volunteer, contact Gail Manter, manager of volunteer services at VistaCare Hospice, toll free at (877) 228-9888 or evenings (706) 376-4245.

Library Sewing Group

Wednesday afternoons craft group meets from 1:00 to 3:00 in the General Purpose room. They work on a wide variety of both unusual and historical handcrafts in all sorts of mediums and with members of all ages.

2009 MCYA REGISTRATIONS & FEES

MCYA will hold it's first Registrations on the following dates:

July 11th (FOOTBALL CAMP) $15 (Lunch & T-Shirt included)

2009 Registration Fees:

Football $60 (Includes Game Jersey)

Cheerleading $30 Reg. Fee

The Executive Board has elected to change the Cheer Uniform. We have used the same uniform for the last 3 years and they feel a change is needed for numerous reasons. However, the Board did make the ruling in the By-Laws the "New" uniform will be guaranteed to be used for 3 years.

The cost for Uniforms are as follows:

Return Cheerleaders who have there poms already will be $80
New Cheerleaders who need poms will be $105

**MCYA offers Payment plans for both Football & Cheerleading. We especially know some of our families are being hit by the economy. We truly don't wish to see a child not to continue in the sport they love because of $$. We offer very flexible plans!!! The earlier you register the more time you will have to make payments! SO REGISTER EARLY.

We also will have uniforms for try-on this season!

If you have any questions regarding cheerleading please contact Wendy Barker at 706-788-3830 or email at bark2418@windstream.net

Football questions please contact Sherry Hawkes at 706-795-3978 or email at SherryH@uga.edu

Celebrate July 3 in Elbert County

The Elbert County Chamber of Commerce will present the 14th Annual Fireworks show over Lake Russell at the Richard B. Russell State Park July 3 with beach music from 6-9 p.m. and fireworks at 9:20 p.m. There is an $8 per vehicle entrance fee; alcoholic beverages prohibited

The Sons of the American Revolution

The Sons of the American Revolution will gather at the South Carolina I-85 Welcome Station at the SC/GA line, July 3 at 11 a.m., to celebrate the lives of soldiers of the American Revolution. The event will consist of a colonial color guard, a brief memorial service, laying of wreaths by various chapters, and conclude with a rifle volley. Visitors to the event may wish to bring a folding chair.

SHARE! Your Heart and Home:

The SHARE! High School Exchange program is seeking volunteers-with or without children for the ‘09-‘10 school years. Volunteers provide a bed and meals. Students are between ages 15-18, have their own medical insurance, spending money and will attend the school closest to the host family’s home. If you have ever thought about hosting an exchange student now is the time to call for more information. Call 1-800-941-3738 or 1-800-941-9792 or visit www.sharesouthwest.org

Become a CASA volunteer:
CASA serves Franklin, Hart and Elbert Counties and help from members in our communities is needed in many ways. If you would like to become a CASA volunteer, contact Ashley Welborn at 706-245-9999 or visit www.casaofnejc.com.

What's going on?
Email us, so that we can get the word out: lynn@foxnewsradio810.com or call us at 706-246-0059

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