A6 THE OCONEE ENTERPRISE DECEMBER 19, 2013
Letters to the Editor
The Oconee Enterprise welcomes letters from readers. Send your letters
to The Oconee Enterprise, P.O. Box 535, Watkinsville, Georgia 30677 or
e-mail to news@oconeeenterprise.com. Letters must not exceed 300 words,
must be signed and include a daytime phone number. The editor reserves the
right to edit letters, especially for length due to space considerations.
Longtime residents
share history
The mini-lectures making up the
final segment of the recent
“Watkinsville on the Lawn” event
occurred too late for coverage in
the local papers.
They were historically important,
comprising brief narratives by six
“old time” citizens about historical
topics any citizen should have
enjoyed, because the speakers’
deep personal knowledge was all
encompassing.
The topics were:
■ The self-sufficiently and contri
butions to the economy of the
county prison system (the “chain
gang”).
■ An overview of the mayoralty.
■ How a 21-year-old man became
the leading town figure.
■ How in “choo-choo” train days,
teenage boys distributed the three
Atlanta plus one Athens newspa
pers by bicycle.
■ The complexities of compiling
and marketing the comprehensive
Oconee History.
■ Events leading to Watkinsville
installing its public water supply.
To me, the history of our town is
a fascinating topic, and an edited
version of these remarks should be
a shelf of “Oconee History
Society” documents, if one existed.
—Albert Ward
Watkinsville
Reunion rekindles high
school pride
The Oconee County High School
Class of 1998 had a great reunion
Nov. 29 at Ashford Manor.
Cassidy Carson, Rachel Huntoon,
Amanada Cunningham Bennett,
Amanda Hayes Cartrette, Justin
Reese and Jennifer Inglett can’t be
thanked enough for planning the
food and finding the Celine Dion
music.
Amanda Pritchett Ramsey, Angie
Lovern Durham, Anna Kate
Murrill, Ashleigh Jackson, Carrie
Abrado, Beth Fogle, Timothy
Adams, Charity Baker, Chris
Whitley, Erin Gallagher Forester,
Jake Sosebee, Amanda Gunter,
Jenny Scott, Cassandra Graper
Williams, Mark Malueg, Tyler
Boykin and Jill Davis Faulkner
brought memories to share. Karl
Goodhew, Andy Davis and Chuck
Roberts kept us from getting lost
on Epps Bridge and Hog Mountain
Road. Jerry Calbos, Jessica
Grayson Skelton, Karen Conley,
Kellie Colquitt, Kirby Towns,
Kristen Cumuze Feutral, Alisia
Mahatoo, Melissa Haley Shaw,
Sherri Drewry O’Mahoney, James
Adcock, Jhemika Rooks Nash,
Michael Riggins, Robin Watts,
Mary Corbin, Trey Downs,
Shannon Miller Fleeman, Matt
Hoard, Austin Marable and Justin
Foies also attended.
We are grateful for the parents and
teachers, the neighbors and
friends, who have supported us
through the years. Many of us
started half-day kindergarten
together in 1985. Mr. Sammy
Sanders urged us to try hard in
first grade at Oconee County
Elementary School. We were at
Oconee County Primary for second
grade when the doors opened in
1987. We were the last sixth
graders on Colham Ferry Road in
1991 and the last class to graduate
at Oconee County High School in
1998. Dr. Debra Harden gave us
our diplomas on the football field
during a thunderstorm. She was
soaking wet by the time it was
over, but all we remember is the
rainbow that appeared overhead as
we sang the Alma Mater. For some
reason, graduation ceremonies
were moved to the University of
Georgia Coliseum the following
year.
—Katie Bennewitz
Kansas City, Missouri
Some local moments from 2013 stand out
What a year! With so much to
choose from, these are the Oconee
Enterprise stories from 2013 that
caught my eye.
■ If Etch-a-Sketches are out
lawed: In January, a driver on
Epps Bridge Road was the victim
of an Etch-A-Sketch assault,
when one was hurled at his car by
an outlaw in another vehicle; wit
nesses say a middle finger was
involved. The Democratic Party of
Georgia immediately filed legisla
tion to compel registration of
Etch-A-Sketches and close the so-
called Toy Store Loophole.
■ Move on and move out: In
February, Paul Broun set forth his
scheme to surrender his seat in
the House of Representatives and
run for a better one in the U.S.
Senate. Although his goal is to
cut wasteful government spend
ing, his quest for a spot on the
government dole began in 1990.
Upon hearing the word “surren
der” and after considering
Broun’s likelihood of success,
Democrats, scientists, and all
creatures capable of compassion
and complex thought erupted in
spontaneous celebration.?
■ Now i know what chutzpah
means: In March, a Jimmy Daniel
Road-resident reported that his 9-
millimeter Glock pistol was miss
ing from his auto, which had been
• impounded when he was arrested
for DUI. There should be a felony
DUI called DUIA - driving under
the influence and armed. Or bet
ter yet, AUI - armed and under
the influence.
■ Kids say the damdest things: In
May, Oconee County deputies
went to a New High Shoals Road
home on an arrest warrant. Two
women, one with a toddler,
answered the door and denied
knowing Derek, the subject of the
warrant. With the smell of mari
juana heavy in the air, they gave
the deputies permission to search.
The one with the child took the
deputy to another room, where
she again denied knowing Derek.
The deputy asked the boy if he
knew Derek. His answer? “Yes.
Meet the
G Ratedeer
He can boost the rate
on your CD.
Earn .65% APY* for 11 months
with our Ratedeer CD
PLUS
get a boost to .70% up to 1.15% APY,*
depending on the Ratedeer you choose
Community &
Southern Bank
800.901.8075 • myCSBonline.com
'Annual Percentage Yield. APY assumes principal and interest
remain on deposit until maturity. Interest is compounded and
credited to the balance quarterly. Minimum opening deposit for
11 month CD/IRA is $500. A penalty will be imposed for early
withdrawal. One Holiday Bonus CD per primary Social Security
number. Offer is available for consumer and business accounts
and not available for public fund accounts or other financial
institutions. The Rate / APY is .65% plus the bonus and depend
ing upon the bonus awarded, will be between .70% 8 1.15%. At
maturity, the CD will renew automatically for the same term and
at the market rate set at the time of maturity. Offer is effective
December 2,2013 and may be withdrawn at any time.
Member FDIC
John
MacKay
Approachin
g the Line
He is hiding in the kitchen.”
Canine deputy Cago executed the
warrant.
■ Put some effort into it: In July,
a deputy approached a car that
was straddling two lanes of traffic
on Monroe Highway at Mars Hill
Road. The man behind the wheel
smelled of alcohol, prompting the
deputy to ask him if he had been
drinking. One would expect the
traditional “two beer” response,
but this gentleman apparently did
n’t have the time or sobriety to
pull that off. His response was a
noncommittal “Not really.” A
field sobriety test followed, which
he failed.
■ And put up a parking lot: At its
meeting in November our county
commissioners, Republicans all,
voted down a proposal to allow
chickens in back yards. Even
when the chickens are pets or for
family eggs, and even if the back
Land For Sale!!!
Oconee County
Price Mill Tract, +/- 336 Ac, $4225/Ac.
Dixie Wood Tract, +/-182 Ac, $3990/Ac.
Hancock County
A Woody Creek Tract, +/- 77 Ac $995/Ac.
^ Fort Creek Tract, +/-146 Ac $995/Ac.
Call Jesse Johnson with Southern Land Exchange.
(cell) 706-614-4855, (off) 706.549.5050
yards consist of several acres in
which goats, horses, and cattle are
permitted. So much for that “less
government” thing.?
We’ve got some crazy people in
this county, and it’s not just the
politicians! Come on people, get
your car, your guns (like you’re
ever without them!), an intoxicant
or two, and an elective office.
I’ll put you in next year’s
review.
John MacKay is a retired
lawyer living in North High
Shoals. The opinions expressed
are those of the writer.
MAKING SENSE
OF INVESTING
Visit a REAL Christmas Tree Farm!
Choose & Cut your own Fresh-
Christmas Tree
CHOOSE FROM 60 ACRES
Virginia Pine, Cedar, Green Giant
Leyland Cypress, Arizona Cypress
Fresh Cut Fraser Firs
Register for $100 Drawing
Open November 23 rd - December 21
Daily 9-5:30
Hayride on Weekend through
Tunnel of lights $1.00
Visit Grandma’s Christmas Shop!
COVINGTON
Jaddi Creek
CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS
706-343-1855
www.jackscreekfarm.com
Stocks
Mutual funds
Bonds
Government
securities
CDs
Money market
funds
IRAs
Tax Advantage
Bonds
...and much more.
Call or stop by today!
Serving the Oconee and
Athens areas for more than
14 years!
Financial Advisors • Watkinsville
Wesley Scott
706-769-1156
Matt McKinney
706-227-2943
www.edwardjones.com
Member SIPC
Edwardjones
MAKING SENSE OF INVESTING
ATHENS GEORGIA
Food Service Equipment & Supplies
www.manningbrothers.com
Banquet & Catering
Supplies
• Glassware, Flatware, China
• Bar Equipment
& Supplies
• Cookware & Utensils
• Commercial Cooking
& Refrigeration Equipment
210 Sandy Creek Drive
Athens, Georgia 30607
706-549-7088
M-F 8:30 a.m. - 5:00
a t) 4- J +
* 4
* j
A; >> A -
+ open +,
J TO THE .
I fcliy * PUBLIC! .
'4. Mo
Entire purchase
Cash & Carry Only
'Discount applies to “In Stock”
merchandise only. Must present this
ad to receive discount. For online
orders add this code: MANNING10
Good for entire month of December!
