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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 BANKS COUNTY NEWS PAGE 7 A A look back at 2020 What a year! I’ve seen more chal lenges this year than in any other year of my life. Still, when looking back. I’ve learned so many lessons in 2020. and I plan to us those for years to come. Over the past few months, my fam ily has dealt with the loss of two fam ily members. God has used this to remind me that life is precious; I should not get so busy that I don’t spend time with my family and closest friends. This year we have been cautioned to stay away from people, but I'll use FaceTime if need be. I want to make memories while I can. Also, I have learned the importance of giving a compliment. For instance, so many times, I think, “Her hair looks great!” or “I love that outfit,” and I don’t express my thoughts. I know compliments go a long way in encouraging others. God has al lowed me to take notice of thoughtful words that have been spoken to me, and He has helped me realize the im portance of kind words. My niece, Kinsey, reminds me so much of myself when I was at 19 years-old. She’s in college, and at times, she feels so overwhelmed. She mentioned biology II, with ter ror in her voice. Thanks to the Lord, she made it, and she’s talking about Chemistry II next semester. We’ve all faced seemingly impos sible situations this year, but Kinsey’s story reminds me that hard work pays off. When things get difficult, persevere and be strong. Another important lessons I’ve learned in 2020, is to appreciate the lit tle things. There have been times that I have rejoiced at finding dry beans on a grocery shelf, and I’ve looked every where for a pack of toilet tissue. Fve always found success at one place or the other. Fve looked in the meat counter and read the sign. “Limit 2,” and Fve walked and looked at the empty shelves that once held miles of cleaning supplies. I was also reminded that God al ways sees us through; I haven’t miss es a meal, and I haven’t ran out of the essentials I need for everyday living. Looking back. I find it hard to be lieve that our churches had to shut down, and I was quickly reminded that we can still worship together online. My greatest blessing came when I started watching my son. Zach, teach Sunday school online. When his church reopened, I just knew this would end, but no, God had other plans. Zach had so many folks asking him to continue his lessons; I’ve realized God opened the door for a new min istry. Many of the folks who watch the lesson online are the people who don’t go to church. It doesn’t end there. There have been many times I’ve logged in and watched my dad lead the singing at his church. Oh what a blessing it is when I see my dad rejoicing in the Lord at 84 years young. Lastly, Fve learned to be thankful for good health. If we can see, let us praise the Lord. If we can walk, speak, and if our limbs all work, we should praise the Lord. My family and I have walked through some health issues, but we are still standing on the solid rock and the firm foundation. As we turn the page on a new year, I pray that we will reflect on God’s many blessings during 2020 and wait with anticipation to see what God has for us in the coming year. Sherry Lewis is pastor of New Be ginnings Worship Center sherry lewis Mt. Carmel Brotherhood breakfast cancelled for January The Mt. Carmel Baptist Church monthly brotherhood breakfast for January is cancelled due to the current virus and CDC recommendations. “We will be monitoring things and will update every one concerning the February breakfast.” organizers state. The brotherhood breakfast is held the second Sunday of each month and is open to the community. Mt. Carmel Baptist Church is located at 2405 Hwy 51 S., Lula. For more information, call the brotherhood coordinator, Gordon Worley at 770-287-4638. Community Brotherhood cancelled for January The Community Brotherhood, normally held at the Ho mer United Methodist Church, will not be holding their monthly breakfast for the month of January. “Due to the current virus and CDC recommendations, we have decided to cancel the monthly breakfast for Jan uary,” organizers state. “We will be monitoring things and will update every one concerning the February breakfast.” Baldwin holiday hours listed Baldwin City Hall will be closed on Friday, January 1 for New Year’s Day. The Baldwin City Hall will have new operating hours effective January 1, 2021. City hall will be open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day Mondays through Fridays. Year in Review A look back at the headlines from 2020 Continued from Page 5A •Homer City Hall re opened to the public, after a split decision by the city council with Mayor Doug Cheek casting the deciding vote. •Highway 164 in Banks County was named the Hoyt “Dink” Memorial Hwy. •After only four days of school, Banks County Mid dle School sixth graders returned to virtual learning due to COVID. Students were informed to return to virtual learning through Sept. 8. •A Census update was held with data collected on line and in person. •Plans were announced that Northridge Medical Center would be closing in October. SEPTEMBER •Rep. Doug Collins said that some 200 possibly il legal SK Battery Plant im migrant workers had been discovered being secretly trained in welding skills at an abandoned chicken farm in Banks County. •Banks County coroner Mark Savage offered sup port for the regional Med ical Examiner’s Office to stay open in Macon. •The county’s Historic Courthouse and Jail re ceived renovations thanks to efforts of the Historical Society and board of com missioners. •An honorary procession of public safety vehicles was held following a pri vate family funeral service for Lydia “Lisa” McClure, who established the Banks County E-911 Department and served the county through community service for 50 years. •Patriot Day was held in Homer with prayer and fel lowship. •A request for Harris Meats to locate in the coun ty was approved. •Face masks are now re quired at Homer Town Hall following action taken by the city council. •A Peace Pole was dedi cated in downtown Homer by the Banks County Rota ry Club as members of the community gathered around the lawn in front of the His toric Courthouse. •Face masks are now re quired in the Banks County Annex Building and Court house. •The Banks County Health Department offered special clinics for school immunizations. OCTOBER •Early voting started for the November election. •Banks County science and agriculture students are using technology this school year provided through a Tanger grant. •The annual Maysville Autumn Leaf Festival was held. •The Banks County Chamber of Commerce CVB held a golf tournament fundraiser at Chimney Oaks Golf Course. •The Gillsville City Council discussed building a deck or screened area on the back of the building at the city park. •The Banks County High School homecoming court was named: Paycee Jack- son, Miss Freshman; Nazli De La Garza. Miss Soph Fun By The Numbers 8 2 9 5 3 1 8 2 6 4 9 7 4 5 3 7 1 3 6 5 9 3 2 8 4 7 5 3 8 6 2 4 7 omore; Georgia Simmons, Miss Junior; Anslee Bram- lett, Miss Senior; Payton Jackson, Homecoming Queen: Austin Ivey, Home coming King; and Ronnie Jones, Mr. Senior. •The Lula City Council agreed to spend $91,945 to repair Victoria Lane, which was washed out due to flooding. •1,547 ballots were cast during the first week of ear ly voting in Banks County for the Nov. 3 election. •The Homer City Council is continuing to work out de tails for a planned residen tial development at Chim ney Oaks Golf Course. •The Banks County Board of Commissioners received a $50,000 Homeland Secu rity Grant. The grant funds will be used by the BOC to improve security at county buildings. •The four school princi pals reported at the board of education meeting that low numbers of COVID cases are currently reported at the schools. NOVEMBER •The issue of whether a tax abatement was prom ised to the owners of Banks County Golf LLC was a point of contention at the BOC meeting. •A dozen of concerned citizens got together at Clas sic Overlook Park to discuss safety concerns on Scales Creek Road and Highway 51. •Banks County received $382,869 in grant funds for road infrastructure work. •Susan Sorrows of Com munity Recovery Center in Banks County received the Activist of the Year Award from the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse. •After the November election, a run-off election will be held in Georgia for three races: David Perdue vs. Jon Ossoff for a Senate seat; Kelly Loeffler vs. Ra phael Warnock for a Sen ate; seat; and Lauren “Bub- ba” McDonald and Daniel Blackman for a seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission. •A Veterans Day program was held at the Historic Train Depot in Lula with 95-year-old World War II veteran Mordecai Wilson among those in attendance. •Homer officials met with school board leaders to dis cuss a proposed increase in water rates. •Banks County has had 701 COVID cases report ed since March, with 107 reported in the past two weeks. •The BOC approved a $686,202 bid for a culvert replacement project at Ste ven B. Tanger Boulevard. •The Banks County Planning Commission rec ommended denial of two rezoning requests from a businessman who wants to bring industrial develop ment to the Martin Bridge area of Banks County. DECEMBER •Christmas in Lula was held at the Train Depot with virtual visits with Santa and a parade part of the festivi ties. •Keep Banks County Public Notice Election Day Polling Place December 14, 2020 Due to Covid, notice is hereby given that the January 5, 2021, Runoff General Election, Special Election will take place at the Banks County Recreation Department, located at 607 Thompson Street, Homer, Georgia, on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Andra Phagan Banks County Election Supervisor Beautiful received a Gov ernor’s Circle Award for its outstanding achievement in community beautification and environmental respon sibility. •Banks County coroner Mark Savage was named president of the Georgia Coroners Association for the 2020-21 year. He was also voted as the Georgia Coroner Association’s Cor oner of the Year. •The Banks County Board of Commissioners denied two rezoning requests for 900 acres at the Martin Bridge area that would have changed the property to an industrial designation. •The Banks County Sheriff’s Office received a $45,000 grant from the Governor’s Office of High way Safety. •Christmas in the Park was held in Maysville with visits with Santa, local ven dors and a presentation of “The Polar Express” part of the festival. •The latest data, shows 827 COVID cases have been reported in the county since March. Twelve Banks County students currently have a positive status. •A recount of ballots in Banks County confirmed the original election results that President Donald Trump heavily carried the county over Democrat Joe Biden. The machine recount was completed in the county as part of a statewide recount requested by the Trump ad ministration. •The Banks County School System moved to remove learning on Dec. 16 due to COVID. Superinten dent Ann Hopkins reported that the number of cases among staff made it difficult to provide personnel to cov er the school. •The Baldwin City Coun cil agreed to hold an elec tion on March 16 to fill the vacant Post 4 council seat. •The latest data from the Georgia Department of Pub lic Health shows 227 more positive cases of COVID in the past week, for a total of 1.028 since March. There have been 17 deaths in the county since March due to COVID. •As part of the club ini tiative to contribute to lit eracy in the community, the Banks County Rotary Club donated books to the local school system in honor of guest speakers this year at the club’s monthly lunch meetings. •The Banks County Emergency Medical Ser vice workers have been of fered the COVID vaccine by Georgia Public Health. Public health. This includes EMS front line workers (EMTs and paramedics) and fire first responders. Compiled by Angela Gary Public Notice Intent to Tabulate Early December 14, 2020 Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 21-2-386 notice is hereby given that the tabulation of the absentee ballots returned of votes cast in the January 5, 2021, Runoff General Election, Special Election will take place in the Office of the Election Supervisor, located at 226 Candler Street, Homer, Georgia, on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 beginning at 9:00 a.m. Ballots will be scanned but no tabulation will occur before 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Andra Phagan Banks County Election Supervisor