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PAGE 2B THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2008 Outdoors With Skipper Remember to take time to smell the roses H aving attended three funerals in the past week has certainly focused my attention on the brev ity of this life, even with those funerals involving folks 70 years plus. Life rapidly passes us by, and there is a lesson that all of us who love the outdoors need to learn if we haven’t already. Take time to smell the roses. I remember a few years back as my younger son, Shawn, was striving to be the best, in business and in whatever he did. I recall telling him to learn to smell the roses as he was reaching for the orchids. Nothing wrong with ambition, with drive, with wanting to be the best, but along life’s way make some time, take some time, to smell the roses. It was the yellow daffodils blooming now in the winter, at an old home site, that caught my attention. I slowed down the car and just stared at their beauty on a cold, windy day. It was my grandson Carson, just this Monday morning, as he pointed out to his grandma, that the sun was coming up. They paused to see the beautiful sun rise peeping up from across the pasture. We watched the blue-jays, the The Great Outdoors By Skipper Smith 706-677-1520 two squirrels, along with some 25 or so plain looking little birds, feasting on the sunflower seeds, as we ate breakfast today. Soon, as spring approaches, if you take time, you will notice the birds with nesting material in their beaks, looking for a place to raise a family. The trees will soon put on their greenery, and the grass will not be brown any longer. I beg you to slow down, put aside the hustle and bustle of life’s activity, and just enjoy what the good Lord has created, if only for a moment or two. Take time to send that note of encouragement to a friend who is having a rough time. Make time to spend with your children and grandchildren. Some times as dads, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, we must lose time in order to gain it. I will never forget the story of the father and son who each kept a diary. One day the dad took the son fishing. In dad’s diary were written the words for that day, “Wasted day, took Johnny fish ing.” In the little fella’s diary were these words, “Greatest day in my life, Dad took me fishing.” Or the little lad who when asked how he knew his daddy loved him? He replied, “Because he plays with me.” I called my son Shawn today to see what he was doing. It was President’s Day, and his seven- year-old son Hunter had the day off from school. Shawn said, “Dad I took the day off from my business to spend it with Hunter.” That’s what it is all about. Perhaps, my son Shawn has taken to heart, his dad’s words years ago. “Son, take time to smell the roses, while you are reaching for the orchids.” I trust you my dear reader, will do the same. Life is rapidly pass ing us by. Let’s not have regrets when we come to the end. If you have an outdoors story, give me a call. Skipper Smith is an outdoors columnist for The Banks County News. His column appears weekly. Let him know about your hunting or fishing adventure at 706-677-1520. Soccer season A SIGN OF SPRING The new soccer season for the Banks County High School Leopards sees a new head coach. Michael Boomer is now directing the Lady Leopard program. BCHS opened the 2008 season last week against Jackson County High School in Jefferson. Photo by Lyn Sengupta New Ownership! New Name! Formerly Eagle Greens at Sandy Creek Operated by: Carey Pittman Class A PGA Professional & Seth Maxwell For a Limited Time! Charter Memberships Available For Membership Information & Weekend Tee Times 706-335-8100 il 3100 Ila Rd. ji ftil Commerce, GA 30530 nfl Diamond Leopards... continued from page 1B The coach said with 15 subregion games teams will not be able to look ahead. “You have to take the schedule one game at a time,” Lord said. “You will have to prepare well for each game. I don’t think there’s a region team that we can’t beat if we play well. However, if we don’t play well, there’s not anyone in there that can’t beat us. It’s pretty even, and that’s what you want. That’s not a lot of disparity from top to bottom. That gives everyone a fighting chance and that’s all you can ask for. Nothing is guaranteed and we’ll have to go out everyday and earn each win.” SUBREGION FOES Coach Lord gave an early spring scouting report on the teams BCHS will face in the subregion in 2008: •Rabun County: “They are much improved over the past few years. They are scrappy and well prepared. They will be fired up about the season.” •Union County: “They have a new coach and some new players that I’ve heard good things about. I think they will have a new attitude and renewed confidence. They are defi nitely a team that could beat you on any day and it’s always tough to win in Blairsville.” •Dawson County: “They made the state playoffs last year and fin ished as region runner-up to North Oconee. They return most of their team including their top two starting pitchers. They will be tough.” •East Jackson: “They have been pretty competitive in all of their varsity sports and I look for baseball to be no different. They have a good nucleus of athletes down there to work with and they will be looking to start a winning tradition.” Lord stressed again the subregion race is “up in the air.” “I like our chances,” the coach said. “We have just as good of a chance as anyone else and I like our team. The region tournament this year is state tournament format. The top two teams from each subregion will host best two-of-three series ACE PITCHER Alex Gailey will be the top pitcher for the Diamond Leopards this spring. Photo by Chris Bridges against the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds from each subregion. The winner of those series will be reseeded in a region tournament at a neutral site to determine the sides. If you win that series, you’re in state. After that, you’re playing for seeding. That’s a good setup.” NON-REGION OPPONENTS BCHS will compete against Commerce twice, Elbert County twice, Lakeview once and Jefferson once this spring in non-region con tests. “Commerce is always a fun game for us,” Lord said. “We split with them last season.” Elbert County will be a new oppo nent for the Diamond Leopards and will provide a solid test for Lord’s team. “I could only get Jefferson on the schedule once this year, but I love playing them,” the BCHS coach said. “We’ve been on the wrong end of some lopsided scores against them, but we feel like we are clos- ing the gap. Playing them is always a good measuring stick to see where we stand.” Lakeview will also provide a qual ity test for BCHS this spring. ROSTER Currently, Lord will use 17 players on the varsity roster. Players, along with comments and information from Lord, include: •Alex Gailey, pitcher, center field er, team’s No. 1 pitcher, team’s top offensive player. •Aaron Wagoner, second base, will contribute in the middle infield. •Zack Dale, catcher, a varsity start er since his freshman season. •Justin Gibbs, outfield, returning starter, strong bat, good speed. •Kasey Hudgins, pitcher, infielder, will be looked to for pitching depth and infield play. •Chris Porter, pitcher, infield, can play anywhere in the infield, improved at the plate. •Jeff Smith, pitcher, right field, returning starter in outfield, good power, mid-order batter. •Ben Thacker, pitcher, infield, good left-handed option at plate. •Justin Bowen, infielder, much improved batter, strong attitude and work ethic. •Tyler McEntire, pitcher, first base, great attitude, strong defensive skills, team player. •Tyler Hulsey, pitcher, third base, hard worker, big contributor at plate. •Wesley Angel, pitcher, outfield, reliable pitcher who can give team extra innings, hard worker. •Kyle Smith, infield, can play all over the infield, much improved. •Brett Armour, catcher, outfield, versatile, can catch and play out field, good speed, very athletic. •Chase Armour, center field, very athletic, will contribute in outfield, can catch anything. •Bill Redmon, pitcher, shortstop, very good instincts, will see time on the mound and at shortstop. •Josh Gary, manager, helps with anything we need him to, extremely important to us. 2/$ FAYGO 12 PACK Assorted Flavors Bounty Paper Towels 2 for $1 FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 1 SPRINGTIME WATER 6 Pk. 99 0 Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent $ 4 79 100 Oz. CLOROX 182 Oz. $ 79 BUMBLE BEE Canned Tuna 2 FOR $1 ANGEL SOFT Bath Tissue 4 Roll Single 2/$ Bring Your Camera & Have A Picture Taken With The GA Bulldog Mascot Hairy Dawg Thursday, February 28 From 5:00-6:00 $1 CLEANING PRODUCTS BUY ONE GET ONE FREE PRINGLES NOW ONLY! 79 0 t I Friday, February 29 C FREE Drinks & Pizza 11:30 - 1:30 COMMERCE DRUG COMPANY (tlSfiME.it V.—^Y H A R M A C Y 1751 N. Elm St. • 706-335-3111 We accept most insurance plans! Store Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-6 • Sat. 9-1