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THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2008
Editor: Angela Gary
Phone: 706-367-2490
E-mail: AngieEditor@aol.com
Website: www.mainstreetnews.com
Opinions
“Where the press is free and every man
able to read, all is safe.”
— Thomas Jefferson
Time to pack up
decorations again
I t was that time again...time to disassemble and
pack up the holiday decorations. We had been
admiring the decor for about seven weeks now.
With so many commitments in the weeks ahead, I
had to get a jump on things and put it all away, oth
erwise there would be a good chance that it would
appear that we were celebrating Christmas in July.
The house seemed so dark after having five trees
lit up throughout our home. Many nights I would
turn off the lamps in the den and just sit and admire
the tree, which was adorned
with over 800 little white
lights.
The tree dripped with only
silver and gold ornaments — a
sight to behold.
Then there was the Victorian
tree. It was a tall skinny tree,
which fit perfectly in the
corner of the foyer. The soft
pink and white lights reflected
nicely against the beautiful
glass ornaments. The tree was
covered in roses, pearls and
ribbons.
There was also the tree in the kitchen. Cookie cut
ters hung on the tree by red and green plaid ribbons.
The rest of the decorations consisted of a variety of
nice beaded fruit.
My daughter had asked if she could have a tree
in her room. We lucked up and found a small pink
one. I let her choose her own ornaments. She picked
sweet ones, which pertained to ballet.
Last, but not least, was my favorite tree, the mem
ory tree. This tree displayed only the very special
ornaments.
It has always been the family favorite! The tree
was covered with hundreds of multi-colored lights
and was the largest of all.
The memory tree contained a lot of different orna
ments from my own childhood, such as a few pieces
of a paper chain, which my sister and I worked so
hard to make at age seven, along with the many
keepsakes which were given to me over years by my
aunt. Many of the cute ornaments which my children
made for our family in the past also hung from the
tree. There were also a variety of ornaments from
different destinations which we had visited.
It was a sad, depressing two days as I removed the
trees and other decorations from the spots in which
they sat or stood for such a brief period of time.
Hauling boxes up and stairs was sure a workout.
I was reminded that packing up is something that
is never fun to do, however, when I hear Christmas
music playing in some stores in late July, it will be
sweet reminder that before I know it, I will soon be
unpacking once again.
sherri
Stephens
Sherri Stephens is a contributing columnist for The
Banks County News. She may be contacted at athen-
swriter@gmail.com.
The Banks County News
Founded 1968
The official legal organ of Banks County, Ga.
Mike Buffington. ..
Scott Buffington . ..
Angela Gary
Chris Bridges
Sharon Hogan
Anelia Chambers .
April Reese Sorrow
Co-Publisher
Co-Publisher /Ad. Manager
Editor
Sports Editor
Reporter
Receptionist
Church News
Phones (all 706 area code):
Angela Gary Phone 367-2490
Angela Gary Fax 367-9355
Homer Office Phone 677-3491
Homer Office Fax 677-3263
Advertising Phone 367-5233
Sports News 367-2745
Sports Fax: 367-9355
Member: Georgia Press Assocication
National Newspaper Association
Georgia Sports Writers Association
www.mainstreetnews.com
Looking back over 2007
W alking through our
nation’s capitol with
some of the county’s top
leaders as they spoke on our county
to senators and representatives.
Getting to know our county leaders
better as we put on a united front for
Banks County.
Sitting through days of testimony
in a brutal murder trial that changed
so many lives.
Going to the annual Chamber
banquet as top entrepreneurs and
business owners were recognized
for what they are doing for Banks
County.
These are just a few of the events
I covered in Banks County over the
past year. It was a year of highs and
lows for the county, as well as the
state and nation. A drought, hints
of a recession and the continuing
conflict in Iraq are just a few of the
headlines that we saw from across
the station and nation.
Here in Banks County, I started
the year covering the Rucker trial. It
was an emotional trial of a crime that
didn’t have to happen. It was a look
at how drugs can destroy lives and
how one bad decision can ruin your
life.
The destruction this murder left
will be felt forever by the families of
those involved. The Rucker family
filled the courtroom each day as the
trial unfolded. I felt their pain and
keep them in my prayers. A loss like
this is something that you never get
over.
Next up for me was a trip to
Washington, D.C, organized by
the Banks County Chamber of
Commerce and attended by city and
county leaders. It was a whirlwind
trip and we met with as many sena
tors and representatives as we could
during the two-day visit. It was great
to see how the legislative process
works, as well as
getting to know
our county and
city leaders bet
ter. I am always
so proud that our
leaders take the
time out of their
busy schedules
to go on this trip.
An in-person
visit is so much
more impressive
than a phone call or letter.
I have participated in the
Washington, D.C., trip since the
chamber first began doing it. I
always learn something new about
Banks County. I have also gotten to
know so many county and city lead
ers better. We are usually so busy
during our day-to-day work lives
that we don’t take time to know
each other. On these trips, we have
time while waiting at the airport and
between the appointments each day
to just talk. It’s been great to learn
about the personal lives of people I
only knew through work.
Also in 2007, I attended other
chamber events, including the ban
quet, picnic and political forum. The
banquet and picnic were both fun
events with a large crowd in atten
dance. It’s great to see so much com
munity support for our chamber. I
also enjoyed learning more about the
candidates at the political forum. I
wish more people would attend these
forums because it’s one of the only
or few chances you get to see all of
the candidates together. It’s always
very informative to see how they
answer questions and interact with
the crowd.
Another event I covered in Banks
County in 2007 that made me proud
of our community was the recreation
department’s Little League opening
day. Hundreds and hundreds of chil
dren, coaches, parents and supporters
gathered for this event. It’s wonder
ful to show our children that we
support them. It’s events such as this
that really bring a community closer
together.
I also took photos at the veterans
program at Banks County Middle
School and was touched and over
whelmed by the students, staff, guest
speakers and others on the program.
It was a very moving tribute to the
veterans who served our country.
It’s nice to see young people show
respect to their elders — especially
those who served our country so val
iantly.
Another assignment for me over
the year was interviewing our
new district attorney. I was very
impressed with Rick Bridgeman and
look forward to what he will do for
our county and the Piedmont District
Circuit. It’s exciting to see someone
who has ideas to improve the image
of this very important office.
One fun story I covered during the
past year was the Christmas festivi
ties at Phyllis McConnell’s home. It
was truly a delight to tour her home
and visit with Phyllis and Ralph.
Touring her home is sure to bring
a smile to the face of all who pass
through.
Also during 2007, I attended meet
ings of the board of commissioners,
board of education, Homer City
Council and county development
authority. We have many fine folks
working to make our county a better
place to call home, and I appreciate
them.
I look forward for what is ahead of
us in Banks County in 2008.
Angela Gary is editor of The Banks
County News. She can be reached at
AngieEditor@aol.com.
angela
gary
Letters to the Editor policy given
The Banks County News has estab
lished a policy on printing Letters to
the Editor.
We must have an original copy of
all letters that are submitted to us for
publication.
Members of our staff will not type
out or hand-write letters for people
who stop by the office and ask them
to do so.
Letters to the Editor must also be
signed with the address and phone
number of the person who wrote
them.
The address and phone number
will be for our verification purposes
only and will not be printed unless
the writer requests it. Mail to,
The Banks County News, P.O. Box
920, Homer, Ga. 30547.
E-mailed letters will be accepted,
but we must have a contact phone
number and address. Letters that are
libelous will not be printed.
Letters may also be edited to meet
space requirements. Anyone with
questions on the policy is asked to
contact editor Angela Gary at
AngieEditor@aol.com or by calling
706-367-2490.
(SCED 547160)
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News department contact numbers
Anyone with general story ideas,
complaints or comments about the
news department is asked to call edi
tor Angela Gary at 706-367-2490.
She can also be reached by e-mail
at AngieEditor@aol.com.
Anyone with comments, ques
tions or suggestions relating to the
county board of commissioners,
county government, county board of
education, Maysville City Council
and crime and courts is asked to
contact staff member Chris Bridges
at 706-367-2745 or by e-mail at
chris@mainstreetnews.com.
Bridges also is sports edi
tor of the paper and covers local
high school, middle school and
recreation sports.
Anyone with comments, ques
tions or suggestions relating to
Alto, Lula, Baldwin and Gillsville,
should contact Sharon Hogan at
706-367-5233 or by e-mail at
sharon@mainstreetnews.com.
Calls for information about the
church page should go to April
Reese Sorrow at 706-677-3491.
Church news may also be e-mailed to
asorrow@mainstreetnews.com.
The Banks County News
website can be accessed at
www.mainstreet.news.com.
Southern Gospel
says goodbye
to another icon
U nfortunately, I must begin the
new year with sad news.
“Big” Jim Hamill, for
decades the stage leader of The
Kingsmen Quartet, passed away recently
after battling several illnesses. His death
leaves a major void in the Southern
Gospel Music industry that I doubt will
ever be completely filled.
I read of Hamill’s passing in the most
recent issue of Singing News magazine,
the authority for news in the Southern
Gospel field. As I read the account of his
passing, my mind went back to my child
hood when I first
became associated
with Hamill and his
work.
My father owned
a couple of record
albums by The
Kingsmen and
Hamill was featured
on both of them.
Even at this time,
he had already
been at his craft
for many years,
decades even.
While he stood out with his singing on
those records, it was his stage presence
which he was most known for.
Part comedian, Hamill would MC the
shows for The Kingsmen, making friend
ly fun of the other group members and
telling jokes suitable for family members
of all ages. One of my favorite stories he
would tell revolved around how friends
of the group would always make sure
members were given plenty of good food
to eat. Hamill, who was somewhat of a
large man as evident by his nickname,
would joke, “We were only 100 pounds
when we started out, but everyone kept
wanting to feed us.”
While “Big” Jim could have fun with
the best of them, he was also a great
singer in his own right. He sang lead on
the mega-successful “Excuses” which
was No. 1 longer than any song on the
Southern Gospel Music charts.
Hamill was a legendary name in his
field, but Southern Gospel Music is
different than all other brands. The per
formers — even the best — don’t make
millions of dollars on record deals. Even
after being on the road for decades and
making numerous albums, including solo
ones, Hamill was experiencing financial
hardship after he and his wife battled
several medical problems in recent
months.
To show the difference in performers
in this field and other types of music, the
article in the Singing News which talked
of Hamill’s passing asked fans to send
donations to Hamill’s family so his wife
could pay off the second mortgage on
their home. The couple had been forced
to get a second mortgage simply to pay
their bills and keep food on the table.
The couple’s home address in North
Carolina was printed in the magazine,
showing once again how different per
formers in this music field are.
I never had the opportunity to see
“Big” Jim Hamill perform in person. By
the time I managed to see The Kingsmen
live, he had already retired from the
group. I did have the chance to see him
at his best on several concert videos with
the group and it was if I had known him
all my life. He was like a grandfather fig
ure you just wanted to be around and lis
ten to as he told stories. He loved life and
his good-natured approach as a performer
made me as instant fan.
Hamill once said he didn’t like the
term “fan” rather he preferred “friend.”
He would tell those in attendance at a
concert that they were “friends” of The
Kingsmen. With his passing, Southern
Gospel Music has lost a true friend and
true icon in Jim Hamill. It won’t be the
same without his big heart, his big smile
and his big presence on stage.
And while he may not have like the
term, I will always consider myself a fan
of his. In a day when performers embar
rass themselves at every turn, “Big” Jim
Hamill was truly a role model that one
could look up to without shame.
Fans wishing to contribute to the
Hamill family may do so at 126 South
Joyce Street, East Flat Rock, N.C. 28726
in care of Jan Hamill.
Chris Bridges is a reporter for The
Banks County News. Contact him at
706-367-2745 or e-mail comments to him
at chris@mainstreetnews.com.