Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

PAGE 12 A BARROW NEWS-JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2016 GRANT WINNERS Jackson EMC community relations representative Karen Ewing presents all the Bright Ideas grant winning teachers in Barrow County middle schools with a check recognizing their innovative classroom projects. Pictured, from left to right, are: Karen Ewing, Jackson EMC; Ginger Crosswhite, assistant prin cipal, Haymon-Morris Middle; Brad Bowling, principal, Westside Middle; Melissa Miller, teacher, Haymon-Morris Middle; Tina Kinchen, teacher, Westside Middle; Dee DeBold, teacher, Westside Middle; Elizabeth Moore, teacher, Westide Middle; Christina Morris, teacher, Westside Middle; Hannah Croy, teacher, Westside Middle; Holly Shepherd, teacher, Bear Creek Middle; Aprille Williams, teacher, Russell Middle; Leah Jordan, teacher, Russell Middle; Dr. Jennifer Wood, principal, Bear Creek Middle; and Paul DeFoor, principal, Russell Middle. 8 Barrow teachers at 4 schools win grants Jackson Electric Mem bership Corporation (EMC) recently awarded four Bar- row County middle schools $11,979 in Bright Ideas grant funds for eight innova tive classroom projects. Barrow County Middle School Bright Ideas Grant winning teachers were: Holly Shepherd, Bear Creek, $1,285 for Grizzly Garden; Melissa Miller, Haymon-Morris, $954 for Exploring Renewable Ener gy; Elizabeth Moore, West- side. $1,270 for Mobile Edit ing; Christina Morris. West- side, $1,532 for Un mundo de la exploracion; Tina Kinchen, Westside. $1,819 for 3D Physical Science; Dee DeBold, Westside, $2,000 for Dragsters/Bridges; Leah Jordan, Russell, $1,950 for Audio Books; and Aprille Williams, Russell, $1,169 for Media Maker Space. In 2016, Jackson EMC awarded more than $65,700 in Bright Ideas grants to 53 teachers in 29 schools across its service area, marking an increase of more than $15,000 from 2015. The Bright Ideas Grant Program awards up to $2,000 to middle school teachers in the Jackson EMC service area for inno vative classroom projects that would go unfunded otherwise. An independent judges panel evaluates the applica tions based on measurable goals and objectives, inno vation, student involvement and implementation plans. For more information on the Jackson EMC Bright Ideas Grant Program, visit www.jacksonemc.com/ brightideas. Book Review: ‘Rogue Lawyer’ by John Grisham Reviewed by June Smith It seems plausible that all of us have read at least one of John Grisham’s many novels. If you are like me, I find his novels to be very complimentary of lawyers in general...that is, until this one. Yes, there are some rogue lawyers and Grisham exposes many of their capers in his latest novel, “Rogue Lawyer.” Grisham introduces us to what appears to be a new character, Sebastian Rudd, whom I feel certain we will encounter over and over in future novels. Sebastian doesn't have a brick and mortar office but is a “mobile lawyer:’ His office was fire- bombed probably because he offended gang members, police, insurance compa nies, other lawyers, and his ex-wife. He now operates out of a bulletproof van packing a pistol, sticking very close to his paid bodyguard and liv ing out of a different motel room every night when he is arguing his always contro versial cases. Rudd is not your typical “smooth” lawyer. He works only with his bodyguard, swigs bourbon and patron izes cage fights, known to many as human cockfights. But he is the lawyer you want at your side when something unpleasant hits the fan. He loves taking on the underdog because he feels that’s who he is too. I found myself cheering him on more than once. While the setting isn’t clear, I’d guess its some where in the Southwest with in contemporary time. His client is a brain damaged 18-year-old dropout named Gardy who is accused of the double murder of two girls in a small town called Milo. Gardy does not make a good impression in the courtroom because of his tattooed and pierced body and his con stant smirk. He appears to be rough and unkempt. Rudd is the only lawyer for miles around willing to defend him. Rudd just loves the challenge of a fixed fight having to “claw and raise hell” in a courtroom. Gardy gives him that opportunity. His intellect and yet aloof personality at times remind ed me of House, the televi sion doctor with a distinct attitude. The story is suspenseful and at one point Rudd finds himself interacting with a serial killer who promises to divulge the location of the police chief’s missing daughter. In that interac tion, Rudd becomes a per ceived threat to the police force and becomes more fearful of them than the seri al killer. He proclaims that a lawyer like him is forced to work in the shadows since the police often cheat and as a result, he is forced to cheat even more. If you like Grisham, you will find this novel one of his finest. It’s a page turner with all the usual roller coaster situations that most charac ters encounter in Grisham’s novels. At this stage in his writing career, it’s amazing that he can still hook us with his distinctive characters, tricky legal predicaments, and rewarding endings. This is truly one of Grisham’s best, so enjoy the read! I did! June Smith is a retired English teacher who writes book reviews for The Bra- selton News once a month, Her email address is teach- erjsmith@bellsouth.net Area announcements Holiday giveaway is Nov. 20 The Feeding the Multi tude annual holiday give away is set for Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Jefferson Civic Center. There will be a hot Thanksgiving meal, clothes closet, health and beauty services, door prizes and games and community ser vices. The event is open to the public and intended for those in need. Lunch will be served from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Free services will be offered while supplies last starting at 1:30 p.m. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Porsha Williams at 678-763-8525 or Regina Bush at 706-247-1984. ‘Turkey Shoot’ planned in Jackson Co. The Jackson County 4-H Archery team will hold a “Turkey Shoot and Family Fun Day” at 7 p.m. on Fri day, Nov. 18, and at 9 a.m„ 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sat urday, Nov. 19. The event will be held at 167 Wages Bridge Road, Athens. The 18-meter indoor FITA competition will be open to all ages. The cost is $10 per shooter. On Nov. 19, there will be inflatables and a mechanical bull set up from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wristbands for these activities will be $10. Vendor booths will be set up with Christmas gift items offered for purchase. Lunch and drinks will be available to purchase. Drawings will be held for give-aways. Tickets will be $2 each or one ticket for each donation to Jackson County Family Connection. Items needed for donation include: Soap, deodorant, shampoo, tooth brushes, tooth paste, mouthwash, pest control, lice treatments, socks, underwear and gift cards. Pre-register for the event at https://goo.gl/forms/ rJMUNbp41 cDrkV m 13. The event will benefit the Jackson County Family Connection program. For more information, call Holly at 706-654-7236 or Melissa at 678-234-6657. Parade set Nov. 19, entries sought “Centennial Christmas” is this year’s theme of the annual parade ushering in the holiday season in Bra- selton. Parade entries will assemble at the Braselton Tech Center on Hwy. 53 on Saturday, Nov. 19, and the parade winds its way into the historic downtown beginning at 10:30 a.m. “We are excited to see how entries will tie in our centen nial celebration theme,” said downtown director, Amy Pinnell. “They might want to depict a certain decade or use a birthday theme - lots of options. Prizes will be awarded in three categories - theme, spirit and best in show. Parade entry forms are available at www.down- townbraselton.com or in the downtown office in the Bra selton Brothers center.” Judges are charged to consider several elements, including festive colors, materials, costumes, spon sor signage or holiday greet ing, props, craftsmanship and creativity. The holiday festival is staged in the Bra selton Town Green, and the Venerable Tams will per form a free concert during the afternoon hours. For this and other events in Braselton, visit www. downtownbraselton.com or call 706-684-0369. Woman of the Year luncheon ahead Nov. 16 The Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce will host its ninth annual Woman of the Year Luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 11:30 a.m.-l:30 p.m.. at the Commerce Civic Center, located at 110 State Street. Commerce. Betty Cantrell. 2016 Miss America, is the key note speaker for this year’s Woman of the Year Lun cheon. In September of 2015, Betty Cantrell, from War ner Robins, became the first Miss Georgia since 1953 to take home the crown. As Miss America 2016, Betty embarked on a year of service that took her on a national tour to educate audiences on her plat form — Healthy Children, Strong America — encour aging children to make healthy choices and to stay physically active. She also continued to entertain the nation with her vocal per formances, as well as serve as the National Goodwill Ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. She grew up on a 700-acre farm in Warner Robins and aspires to one day perform on Broadway. She plans to perform at the Nov. 16 event. For ticket and sponsor ship information, contact the chamber at 706-387- 0300 or email Leigh Carroll, membership coordinator, at lcarroll@jacksoncountyga. com. Braselton tree lighting is Nov. 12 Braselton concludes its 2016 movie season on Sat urday, Nov. 12, with “Ice Age: Collision Course” under the town green’s stars and hosts the annual lighting of the town’s tree. The festivities will be staged on the Braselton Town Green from 5-7 p.m. including food trucks and concessions. Holiday entertainment will show case the town’s tree as a special guest does the honor of lighting it. The movie is free to all who are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. This and other family-focused events celebrating the town’s cen tennial are at www.down- townbraselton.com. . . Save The Date , • LJ 16th Annual LJ Share the Blessing Event Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016 11AM - 1PM Winder-Barrow High School 272 N. Fifth Ave., Winder FREE Services Available: Hot Meal • Healthcare Services Food Pantry • Toy Shop • Barber Services Volunteer Opportunities! Clothes Closet Food Pantry- Toy Shop Kitchen Prep Kitchen Serving Volunteers Must Register @ SpiritofSharinginc.org or Call Towanna Johnson 678-602-0976 Donation Drop-Off Location and Times: White Oak Spring Missionary Baptist Church 123 E. New St., Winder 9am to 12pm on Nov. 12,19, and Dec. 3,10, and 17. Items Needed: Canned Goods, New or Lightly Worn Clothing, Coats, New Toys and Toiletries For donation information, contact Albert Johnson, 770-851-2918, Cassandra Harris, 706-461-0457 or Towanna Johnson, 678-602-0976