About The Banks County news. (Homer, Banks County, Ga.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2023)
PAGE 2A BANKS COUNTY NEWS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023 Social News Student, teacher recognized at Rotary meeting The October Student of the Month and Teacher of the Month from the middle school were recognized at a recent meeting of the Banks County Rotary Club. Banks County Middle School Counselor Hannah Healan introduced Student of the Month Edie Wilson from the sev enth grade. After receiving recognition and acclaim, Edie announced that she selected Ms. Ryan Whitehead to be the Teacher of the Month. The guest speaker was Shana Shoden, the Outreach Co ordinator with MedLink. She provided am update on the construction of the new building on US Hwy. 441 (just north of Banks Crossing). In other business Carol Ayers, who is a new associate member with the Town of Homer, was officially present ed with her blue name badge after having completed the club’s orientation training criteria. Immediate Past President Rick Billingslea had a very special presentation of appreciation for Ms. Holly Koo- chel, Banks County Middle School. Ms. Holly was recog nized for all her efforts leading the middle school Interact program. “She is integral to the execution of the Food2Kids pro gram as she leads the Interact students in packing the bags every week dining the school year. Interact is a student program affiliated with Rotary International,” leaders state. Rotarian Alicia Andrews presented a check to the club for Food2Kids. She explained that it represented a portion of the prize money that she and her husband Lincoln An drews earned, as the Geaux-2-BBQ team, in a recent com petition. Rotarian Alicia Andrews presented a check to the club for Food2Kids. She explained that it represented a portion of the prize money that she and her husband Lincoln Andrews earned, as the Geaux-2-BBQ team, in a recent competition Guest speaker at a recent meeting of the Banks County Rota ry Club was Shana Shoden, the Outreach Coordinator with MedLink. Rotary president Doug Cheek is shown with her. Carol Ayers, who is a new associate member with the Town of Homer, was officially presented with her blue name badge af ter having completed the club’s orientation training criteria. She is shown with Rotary president Doug Cheek. Banks County Middle School counselor Hannah Healan in troduced the Student of the Mont, Edie Wilson (left) and the Teacher of the Month, Ryan Whitehead (right). REP. ERWIN TALKS TO RETIRED EDUCATORS The Jackson County Retired Educators heard from State Representative Chris Erwin of Banks County on Thursday during a meeting held at the Empower College and Career Center. Representative Erwin spoke about educational topics taking place inside the Georgia government and how he is handling these issues as the Chairman of the House Committee of Education. Beef cattle workshop to be held on Nov. 16 Banks County Exten sion and the Banks County Cattlemen’s Association will be hosting a hands-on workshop looking at utiliz ing blood-based pregnancy testing in beef cattle herds. Dr. Pedro Fontes, UGA beef reproductive special ist, will lead this workshop and demonstrate chute-side pregnancy testing, as well as sample collection for mailing samples. “Pregnancy testing through blood samples has increased in popularity in recent years and is an af fordable choice for com mercial producers to be able to verify bred heifers and cows as early as 30 days post breeding,” county ex tension agent Zach McCann stated. He added, “This can be a valuable tool for identifying open cows sooner, and help shorten the calving sea sons.” % ARNELL DESIGNS EMORIALS An MED Enterprises Co. Serving this community since 1962. Ask about the FREE gift with purchase. Office located at 220 Hwy. 441 S. in Commerce, GA. 706-335-4066 Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday By appointment only • Closed Sunday **We accept M/C, Visa and offer a lay-a-way plan. He added, “To learn more about how to use these tools in your beef herd, please join us on November 16 at 5:30 p.m. at 157 Silver Creek Farm Drive, Lula.” This program is offered free of charge. RSVP by calling the Banks County Extension Office in Homer at the following phone num ber, 706-677-6230. Fun By The Numbers 6 9 4 7 5 8 7 9 1 2 4 3 6 1 3 8 7 5 6 2 3 5 4 1 9 8 2 9 1 7 8 9 3 4 1 2 2 8 Ninth District to offer home heating help Brenda Dalin, program director of Ninth District Op portunity, Inc. has announced that home heating help for the elderly and medically homebound for Banks, Barrow, Clarke, Dawson, Elbert, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Oconee, Ogletho rpe, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White counties is available. Households in which every member is age 65 and older -OR- is medically homebound due to health reasons may apply for assistance with their heating bills beginning on December 1, 2023. One-time payments will be made by check issued to the home energy suppliers. Eligibility for the program is based on the income of all household mem bers. When applying for assistance, persons will present veri fication of age for everyone in the home, verification of all household income received within the past 30 days (check stubs, public assistance checks, unemployment checks, etc.); verification of Social Security numbers for everyone in the home, verification of citizenship (driver’s license, state ID, etc.), and the most recent heating bill and electric bill. “Please bring all documentation as we can no longer ob tain the information for you,” leaders state. All eligible applicants are asked to contact Ninth District Opportunity, Inc.’s scheduling system December 1, 2023, beginning at 8:30 a.m. by telephone at 855-636-3108 or go online to https://ndo.appointment.works/ea. Phone lines and website for scheduling will not be active until the opening date of the program and no appointments will be made by telephone or online until this time. No walk-ins will be taken. Appointments will be scheduled until all funds are ex hausted. Additional information will be made available online at www.ndo.org. Only households 65 years of age and older or medical ly homebound may apply beginning December 1, 2023. Applicants that do not meet the required criteria will be denied. The general public may apply on January 2, 2024, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. is an equal opportuni ty agency while providing services without regard to age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, nation al origin, or any other classification or category. Wounded Warriors deer hunts planned in Banks County Organizers seek donations; volunteers Wounded Warriors and Bonfire Warriors will host two deer hunts this year in Banks County — Nov. 16- 18. The hunts will consist of an evening hunt on Thurs day morning, an evening hunt on Friday and a morn ing hunt on Saturday. Organizers are seeking volunteers to cook and serve as guides, as well as additional land near Lula for more hunters and money donations. For more information on either of the planned hunts, contact Chris Chapman att 706-367-9511 or chrisc@ chapmanfence.com. Bluegrass jam held monthly in Maysville A bluegrass jam will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Soundboard, located at 8 Homer Street, Maysville. “Bring the family and enjoy an evening of wonderful bluegrass music,” organizers state. Also, “Better yet, bring your instrument and join in the fun.” The bluegrass jam is held the first Tuesday of every month. HOLIDAY AD DEADLINE Classified and Display Ads 12 Noon, Thursday, Nov. 16 for the Nov. 22 publication Office will be closed Thurs. 11/23 and Fri. 11/24. The Banks County News 33 Lee Street • P. O. Box 908 Jefferson, Ga. 30549 (706) 367-5233
