Social Security Column MEDICARE: GENERAL ENROLLMENT AND GENERAL INFORMATION By Cindy G. McCubbins Social Security District Manager  in Gainesville GA Need Medicare Part B? If you’re eligible, now is the time to sign up. The general enrollment period for Medicare Part B runs from January 1 through...

Dear Editor: For the past few years, we have heard of the “bullying” problem in our school systems.  In a few cases, the individual who had been bullied committed suicide.  While I agree this is a serious problem, I must wonder why it is so important today, compared to when I attended school in...

Leaning Left Jim Fitzgerald It can be so easy to get caught up in daily squabbles that the big picture can get lost. The big picture that I am referring to here is the future of our quality of life. In the past I have written about free trade and open global markets with the conclusion that our quality...

Cicero wrote in 55BC “The budget should be balanced, the treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, and the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled . . . lest Rome becomes bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.” In...

The Green Column by Richard C. MacCrea, Andrews Valley Initiative rmaccrea1@gmail.com Builders Need to Learn How to Build Affordable and Green What do you think of when you hear “green?” Solar panels. Geothermal heating and air conditioning. Increased cost. But most people cannot afford extra costs,...

EXTENSION TIPS BY ROBERT N. BREWER, JR. SPACE HEATER SAFETY TIPS *Keep all spaces heaters a least 3 feet away from combustibles. *Use space heaters only as a supplementary source of heat. These devices are not intended to replace the home’s heating system. *Do not us extension cords with space heaters. *Inspect...

Mountain Community Chorus begins spring season with auditions beginning at 6 PM and rehearsal beginning at 7 PM, Monday, Feb. 7th at the Clegg Recital Hall, Young Harris College, GA. For more information visit www.mapaa.org.

McConnell Memorial Baptist Church Weekday preschool has openings in the 4 year old program. For more information, contact Melanie Messer, Director, at 706-896-2281. Musician Tim Veasey & Rev. C. C. Veasey at Unity Church of the Mountains Sunday January  30th, Dr. C.C. Veasey will be our guest speaker. ...

Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver Workshop A workshop for family caregivers of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia will be on Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at the McConnell Memorial Baptist Church, 84 Church Street, Hiawassee, GA  30546 from 10 am to 2 pm.  On the agenda...

Feed Fannin is offering a 3-session course on gardening, beginning Saturday, Jan. 22 and continuing Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, 9:30-noon. Classes will cover planning your garden, planting your garden, and pest control.  Cost is $10.00 and includes a free soil analysis. Space is limited. Reserve your place...