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PAGE 8A THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2008 Social News Free job training for Banks County seniors Legacy Link offers free job train ing for Banks County residents age 55 and older. The senior community service employment program offers part time on-the-job training positions for qualified people. The qualifications include: age 55 and older, must be a resident of the state and must meet federal low-income guidelines. “The purpose of the program is to offer a temporary stepping stone back into the work force,” officials say. “Positions are not meant to be permanent employment.” On-the-job training means that the participants will be assigned to train at a government or non-profit agen cy for 20 hours per week. The pay will be minimum wage for any time spent training, attending approved classes or program meetings or any other related training activities. Program participants perform a wide variety of duties, including clerical/office support, providing social services to other seniors and members of the community, help ing in the kitchen of senior nutrition sites and other tasks. The participants will also undergo assessment, testing and counseling while in the program. Participants will also be referred to jobs in the area as they become available. The program is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Labor through the National Council on the Aging Inc. For more information, call 770-538-2650. Hospice of NGMC offers free grief camp for kids Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) has announced the dates for Camp Braveheart, an annual five-day camp designed to address the unique needs and developmental stages of kids and teens who have experienced the death of a loved one. The camp is composed of three sessions based on ages of partici pants: •Elementary school: June 16-20, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at River Forks Park, Gainesville. •Middle school: July 7-11, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at River Forks Park •High School: July 21-25, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Niyelo Ropes Course Facility, Cleveland At Camp Braveheart, kids learn they are not alone in their grief. Camp provides a safe place for campers to share and explore their loss with the support of counselors, volunteers and other campers. Camp Braveheart is designed to create a meaningful growth experi ence through fun and creative thera pies, recreational activities and sup portive adult role models. Campers leave with a better understanding of grief, its impact and various positive coping skills, according to the health system. Camp Braveheart is provided at no cost, but space is limited and regis tration is required. For more information or to register, call Jen Sorrells at 770-533-8528. Sales tax holidays set by governor The annual “back to school” sales tax holiday and the energy efficient products sales tax holiday will be on the calendar again this year, accord ing to Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office. “Sales tax holidays continue to provide Georgians with much need ed relief when purchasing everyday household items, back to school supplies and, this year, water effi cient products,” Perdue said in a statement. “Past experience shows that retail stores will also benefit from an increase in sales, helping local economies to prosper.” During the annual “back to school” sales tax holiday, Georgia shoppers will have the opportunity to purchase certain clothing items, computers and computer accesso ries tax-free. The “back to school” sales tax hol iday begins at 12:01 a.m., Thursday, July 31, and continues until mid night Sunday, Aug. 3. Georgia’s fourth annual Energy Star sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 2, and continues until midnight on Oct. 5. During that period, products with the Energy Star designation will be exempt from the state sales and use tax. WaterSense products will be eligible for the tax-free sales tax holiday during this period. WaterSense will help consumers identify water-efficient products and programs. The WaterSense label will indicate that those products and programs meet water efficiency and performance criteria. For additional information on WaterSense, visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense/. The sales tax exemption is intend ed only for individuals and their personal use. It does not apply to purchases made for resale, pur chases by businesses, items leased or rented, or items sold at sports facilities, theme parks, restaurants, public lodging establishments and airports. For more information, visit www. legis.state.ga.us. PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER CASE MANAGERS MEET Resource Development Case Managers (RDCMs) from Region 2 met at the White County Department of Family and Childrens' Services (DFCS) office on April 11 to coordinate next month's National Foster Care Month activities. National Foster Care Month is observed every May. RDCMs are charged with recruiting and training foster parents in their respective coun ties. Pictured are (seated L to R): Gail Bender, White County; Gabrielle White, Forsyth County; Michelle Wiggers, Rabun County; Kim Goss, Banks County. In back: Diana Thorton, Stephens County; Alisha DeLozier, Lumpkin County; Jason Burke, Hart County; Stephie Chambliss, Hall County. Not pictured here: Jennifer Moye, Dawson County; Annie Murphy, Habersham County; Kim Patterson, Towns County; Heather White, Hall County. COCHRANS WIN HAY CONTEST Pictured from right, Georgia Farm Bureau 1st vice president Donald Childs presents a Vermeer Rebel TM800 Trailed Mower to Jackson County Farm Bureau members Swayne and Sue Cochran, Lula. As the winner of the 2007 Georgia Farm Bureau Hay Contest, Mr. Cochran won the free use of his choice of a piece of Vermeer hay equipment for one year with the option of purchasing the equipment at a discount at the end of the year. The Cochrans received the trailed mower in early March in plenty of time to use for the 2008 hay season. Winners of the 2007 GFB Hay Contest were named during the 69th annual GFB convention held in December. The Cochrans previously won the contest in 2001 and 2002 and placed second in the contest last year. The Cochrans raise 30 acres of Tift 44 and Russell grasses for horses and cattle. His submitted hay sample had a relative forage quality rating of 143.07. birth annoucement Regan Alyssa Cochran Regan Alyssa Cochran Ken and Vickie Cochran, Jefferson, announce the birth of a daughter, Regan Alyssa Cochran, on April 24, 2008, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville. She joins a sibling, Milan Cochran, 2-1/2. The grandparents are Tom and Ruby Brumbalow, Cleveland; the late Carole Brumbalow, Alto; Robin Kilgore, Crossville, Ala.; and Kenny and Anne Cochran, Flowery Branch. The great-grandparents are Lola Colston, Alto; the late Matt and Ruby Brumbalow, Norcross; the late JR Brown, Summerville; the late Beatrice Castle, Rockmart; Mary Cochran and the late Dewey Cochran, Flowery Branch; and the late Evelyn and Bob French, Virginia Beach, Va. Nix reunion ahead June The family of Wesley and Wilda Nix will hold a reunion at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church fellowship hall, Hwy. 51 West. All family and friends are wel come, coordinators say. For more information, call Ruby at 706-677-3018 or Louise at 706-677-3547. 'Mamma Mia' production planned for the Fox Theatre in June Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus’ “Mamma Mia,” the musical based on the songs of Abba, will return to the Fox Theatre for a one-week engagement June 10-15. Tickets are on sale now. The performance schedule is: 8 p.m. on Tuesday-Friday, June 10-13; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 14; and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 15. Ticket prices are $25 to $64 and can be purchased at the Fox Theatre box office and Ticketmaster outlets, as well as online at www.ticketmaster. com and by phone at 404-817-8700. Orders of 20 or more may be made by calling 404-881-2000. Seen by over 30 million people around the world, “Mamma Mia” is celebrating six sold out years at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway and is currently playing record-breaking engage ments in Las Vegas and on National Tour across the United States. The original West End production has played more than 3,500 performances, an international tour has played in more than 30 foreign cities and the feature film will be released July 18. “Mamma Mia” tells the story of Donna, who owns a small hotel on a Greek Island. She is about to let go of Sophie, the spirited daughter she raised alone. For Sophie’s wedding, she has invited her two lifelong best friends — practi- cal and no-nonsense Rosie and wealthy, multi- divorced Tanya. Both were members of her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos. Sophie also invited three special guests of her own — three men from Donna’s past. Over 24 chaotic hours on the island, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled. “Mamma Mia” was inspired by the storytelling magic of Abba’s songs, from “Dancing Queen” and “S.O.S.” to “Money, Money, Money” and “Take A Chance On Me.” The Atlanta production of “Mamma Mia” is presented by arrangement with Broadway Across America-Atlanta. Today we celebrate our planet. Today we commemorate its nature. Today we renew our commitment to nurturing both. The NEW Waste Management. Our planet is truly miraculous. It not only gives us beauty, but it also provides for us. So it’s worth celebrating. And nurturing. That’s why the NEW Waste Management is commemorating our planet’s wondrous nature as a committed supporter of Earth Day. We take care of our Earth every day with advanced recycling programs that employ the latest methods for sorting plastics and glass. We’ve pioneered effective technologies that turn waste products into clean energy. Our efforts to care for our planet are making a difference. Your efforts can too. Celebrate Earth Day with us by recycling plastics and cans, planting trees and promoting environmental awareness. An uncompromising commitment to nurture our Earth. It’s another way we’re making a difference. One community at a time. From everyday collection to environmental protection, look to the NEW Waste Management. The Banks County News Get the local school, church, sports and other community news delivered to your home each week! Just clip the coupon below to begin saving today over the newstand price! Name Address City State Zip Subscription rates for The Banks County News are as follows: $19.75 per year for Banks and adjoining counties; $17.75 per year for senior citizens in Banks and adjoining counties; $38.85 per year for delivery elsewhere in Georgia; $36.85 per year for delivery elsewhere in Georgia with senior citizen discount; $44.50 per year for delivery out of Georgia; $42.50 per year for delivery out of Georgia with senior citizen discount; $42.20 per year for the military with APO address. Enclosed is my check for $ or □ MC or □ VISA # MainStreet Newspapers, Inc. 33 Lee Street, P O. Box 908 Jefferson, GA 30549 706-367-5233 Fax: 706-367-8056 Website: www.mainstreetnews.com Expiration Phone