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Norman honored
Towson, MD – With the release of the 2014 Capital One Academic All-District Volleyball Team this week, Piedmont has seen its first two-time honoree with Lady Lion volleyball player KAITLIN NORMAN making the list. Norman was one of seven players from District V to be honored overall and one of two from the USA South to don the honor.
Norman is the first Piedmont student-athlete to be named a Capital One Academic All-District honoree as she made it all the way to Academic All-American status in 2013. The Good Hope native will now be eligible once again for Academic All-American selection, a listing that will be released on Tuesday, December 9 by CoSIDA (the College Sports Information Directors of America).
Recently named a 1st team All-Conference selection by the USA South this past week, Norman is a three-time All-Conference honoree and also earned All-Freshman honors in her debut season with PC in 2011 while the Lady Lions were a Great South Athletic Conference member. Norman’s career includes more than 1,000 kills as one of the most feared hitters throughout her four years wearing the Green and Gold.
A graduating senior for Head Coach Sid Feldman, Norman ranked in the top ten in the USA South in kills per set, total kills, and hitting percentage. On her final day competing in Piedmont’s famed Cave Arena, Norman put down 17 kills in a pair of wins in conference play for PC that secured the Lady Lions’ 10th straight season with 20 wins or more.
Majoring in Biology while maintaining a perfect GPA in her academic pursuits, Norman plans to pursue her doctoral of physical therapy at the University of North Georgia.
The Piedmont College volleyball team wrapped up the 2014 campaign having posted a 10th straight season with 20-wins or more doing so with a 20-13 overall record. The Lady Lions’ year came to a close in the conference quarterfinals with PC falling to the #2 seed out of the North Division, Averett University, after Piedmont finished as the #3 seed in the South Division with an 11-5 record in USA South play.
Norman was selected for this year’s Capital One Academic All-District honors through voting by CoSIDA members in District V, which encompasses Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale), have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. In addition, nominated student-athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s matches at their respective positions.
Margarette Ivester Smith
MARGARETTE IVESTER SMITH, age 74, of Alto, Georgia, passed away at her residence on Friday, November 7, 2014 following an extended illness.
Hope and laughter are Loffredo’s legacy
Long time Habersham County United Way Executive Director Bonnie Loffredo retired on Nov. 6. She served with the local United Way for 17 years and spent the past 14 years leading it. Loffredo was ‘roasted and toasted’ by past and current board members during a dinner held in her honor on Thursday at Habersham Electric Membership Corporation in Clarkesville. In fitting tribute to Loffredo the dinner also served as a fundraiser. Over $1,000 was raised for the Habersham County United Way.
Following her retirement dinner, Now Habersham spoke with Loffredo. She says she is humbled by the recognition and appreciation shown to her but says the greatest reward is seeing the hope that United Way gives to those in need. “Whenever we shot video and saw these people saying ‘thank you’ it felt good and it meant a lot just knowing that you’ve done something to give them hope in their lives.” Loffredo adds, “To have no hope is just the darkest place to be and so that’s what we’ve always wanted United Way to do is to just step in there and in some way give hope to those who may not have any here in Habersham County.”
Hope and laughter; Loffredo provided both in abundance during her years as the local United Way’s executive director. The humorous stories that were shared about her during Thursday’s dinner (see video) might leave some wondering, ‘are they true?’ Ask her family and they’ll tell you unequivocally, yes.
Loffredo’s daughter Jenny Holbrook agrees with the accolades that were lavished on her mom Thursday night. “She is a wonderful, wonderful woman, always giving, always helping, no matter what, and it could be anybody, she would give you the shirt off her back.” Holbrook says hearing others speak highly and lovingly about her mom makes her proud but there is that other side to her mom. “What I found funny was that people saw the other side of the haphazard, crazy kinda dog lady that normally people don’t see, so it was fun to hear that, too.”
No one knows Bonnie Loffredo better than her husband, Bob. He’s a professor at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland. Bob Loffredo is quiet and unassuming; the calm in the eye of Hurricane Bonnie. Presenters joked during the dinner that his name stands for “Bail Out Bonnie” and he says that he has (bailed her out) many times. He describes life with Bonnie these past 17 years as, “Sometimes challenging. A lot of times Bob was bailing Bonnie out at the last minute. There was stuff we had to get done but she did the job of three people, so I was part of that.” He says it was nice seeing his wife honored and remembered for her work. “I think the fact that so many people came out to honor her just shows the kind of job that she’s done.”
She may be retired now but Bonnie Loffredo’s work isn’t through. She continues to serve the Habersham County United Way as a volunteer. She encourages others in the community to do the same. “We can all do something. Most of us can give something financially to support charitable organizations. I think that’s important but your time is also important.” Loffredo says there is a huge need for volunteers among United Way’s 25 local non-profit agencies. She says those agencies would “love” to have someone call them up and volunteer their time and talents, even if both are limited. “Just do something for someone else,” Loffredo urges.
If you’re looking for an example of how to do that look no farther than Bonnie Loffredo. For the past 17 years she has given of her talent, time, money and heart to make Habersham County a better place. She takes no credit though: Her faith informs her life. “God requires of us what He gives us. If He just gives us a little bit of time then He just expects that little bit to be used, but then when He gives us bigger things He expects bigger things to be done.” Loffredo says.
As she departs her job with United Way Loffredo leaves behind words of wisdom borne of experience.
“We live in a blessed community,” she says. “We live in a blessed nation. Much is required of us and we can do so much that can make a difference in, one by one, the lives of people and then, all together, the whole county and the whole nation.” She warns against getting too caught up in a worldview of life. “You can’t look at things like, ‘Oh man, the issues are so huge.’ You just take one little bit at a time, one little kid, you know, at a time and then see what God does. He just requires what He puts in front of you and He gives you a love and a passion for it, it’s not like you have to do something you hate. It’s doing something you love and being selfless about it. Don’t get caught up in all the stuff that the media says, that you have to have this or that or this is important or that’s important, what’s important are people’s lives and showing kindness. Those are the important things.”
First to be humble…
There are very definite scriptures which explain to us how to be esteemed by God.
Isaiah 66:2, “…This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”
He tells us first to be humble. Matthew George Easton wrote in his Bible dictionary regarding humility, “a prominent Christian grace. It is a state of mind well pleasing to God; it preserves the soul in tranquility and makes us patient under trials.”
2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Psalm 25:9, “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.”
Second, He wants us to respect His Word.
Psalm 119:16, “I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.”
Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
It seems simple enough – be humble and honor His Word; but we make it so complicated. Christianity should not be on display; and yet, many of us make it so. Some put on a show on Sunday and a different show on Monday. For some, it will take a lifetime to get what God is trying to say. We live in a world which lusts for power; money, greed, self are the norms. God expects just the opposite from us. He tells us that power resides with the humble; wisdom dwells in His Word.
Today, meditate on His Word. Evaluate how you measure up against humility and obedience to His Word. Talk with God about it. Become esteemed by God.
Life in Motion
“Just yesterday it seems, I held his daddy the same way. I don’t want to blink.” -Rolando Almazan
Whitewater release at Tallulah Gorge
Photo by Robert Maxwell, April 15, 2014.
Whitewater rafting and kayaking enthusiasts from across the U.S. are heading into Tallulah Gorge today to enjoy the second to last weekend of whitewater releases from the Georgia Power dam.
During whitewater releases the water through Tallulah Gorge typically flows at a rate of 500-700 CFS making it a Class IV-V whitewater run (advanced paddlers, no beginners). Paddlers put in at the gorge and follow the Tallulah River to Lake Tugalo.
Whitewater will be released from the dam today and tomorrow, Nov. 8-9, and again next weekend, Nov. 15-16. After that, no more whitewater or aesthetic water releases are scheduled in Tallulah Gorge until next spring.
For information about whitewater rafting/kayaking through Tallulah Gorge visit American Whitewater online.
You can register to hike down to Bridal Veil Falls in the gorge to watch kayakers and rafters paddle the Tallulah River. The hike is strenuous. The cost is $15 plus $5 parking. To register call Tallulah Gorge State Park at 706-754-7981 or visit https://gastateparks.org/TallulahGorge online for more information.
dates are Nov. 1-2, Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-16.
Jeffrey Carl Johnson
Mr. JEFFREY CARL JOHNSON, age 71, of Clarkesville passed away Friday, November 7, 2014.
20-win season comes to a close
Martinsville, VA – For four seniors, Friday marked the final time they would don the Green and Gold as the Lady Lions exited the USA South conference tournament with a quarterfinal loss to Averett University 3-1. Since Piedmont joined the USA South in 2012, the Lady Lions have reached the tournament each season, and have had their year cut short by the Cougars each time.
The Lady Lions jumped out in front in the first set to take their lone win of the afternoon in a close 25-23 victory. The teams were tied 15 times in the set including at 23 all before a service ace by senior Jennifer Opper and a ball handling error by the Cougars led to the final two points of the set.
In the second set, momentum swung toward the Cougars as it was close early, but Averett ran away with it ending the set with seven straight points to take the 25-14 win and knot the match up a 1-1. It was again the unlucky seven by Averett that proved to be too much for Piedmont in the third set as the Cougars reeled off another seven straight points after Piedmont had been leading 16-15, stretching their own lead to 22-16 before eventually taking the set 25-18.
In the final set of the match and the season, Piedmont couldn’t seem to get anything going early as Averett jumped out to a 6-1 lead before Head Coach Sid Feldman called a timeout to rally his team. The Lady Lions fought back to being down just a single point at 14-13, but again, the Cougars scored seven straight and eventually sealed the match with a 25-15 win.
Piedmont allowed 58 kills in the match while only recording 35 of its own. Three Lady Lions had 7 kills each as Taylor Cramsey, Jennifer Opper and Mallory Leary all led the team with senior Kaitlin Norman just behind with 6 kills. Senior Xandy Green led the team in assists in her final outing as a Lady Lion with 19 in the match while freshman Kait Steele added 10.
Fellow freshman Randee Harvel continued to excel in her position at libero after makin the switch mid-season as she had a team-high 18 digs. Amanda Trotter added three total blocks as part of a team total of seven blocks.
The four seniors from this 2014 roster end their careers with a 91-48 overall record, a .654 winning percentage, and finished their USA South career with a 29-14 record in the league.
The Lady Lions reached 20 wins for the tenth straight season in their final regular-season contest inside Cave Arena on Saturday, November 1 with a sweep of William Peace. Piedmont ends the 2014 season with a 20-13 overall record and 11-5 in the USA South.
Roadwork on US 29 to cause delays
The Georgia Department of Transportation announces its road maintenance work schedule for north Georgia for the week ahead. Some projects will cause traffic delays.
Tuesday, November 11 is the Veteran’s Day Holiday. Crews will work Monday, Nov. 10 and Wednesday, Nov. 12 through Friday, Nov. 14. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. if weather permits. Lane closures are required for patching asphalt, a flagman or pilot vehicle will direct traffic through the work zone.
Habersham – A crew will inspect the drainage pipes for SR 15/US 441. The shoulders will be closed as needed.
Union – A crew will repair the slopes alongside SR 180 west then repair the rutting alongside the edge of SR 11/ US 129 pavement. The shoulders will be closed as the work occurs and a lane closure could be needed for the repair on SR 11/US 129.
Gwinnett – A crew will mow the rights of way along SR 20 and SR 120. Another crew will fill the cracks in the driving surface of SR 317. A lane closure is required as this work occurs. Faded striping on the roadway will be refreshed along SR 8/US 29. A lane closure is required as this work occurs.
Franklin – A crew will trim vegetation growing in the rights of way alongside SR 59. The shoulder will be closed as this work occurs. Then the crew will repair the rutting that has developed alongside the edge of pavement then clean and restore the ditches alongside SR 51. This work requires the shoulder to be closed and could require a lane closure as well.
Hart – A crew will install raised pavement markers or reflectors to mark lane striping on SR 8/US 29, SR 51 and SR 368. The work requires a lane closure and will cause delays.
Madison – A crew will manually clean the drainage structures alongside SR 72. This work requires the shoulder to be closed. Then the crew will trim vegetation growing in the rights of alongside SR 98. This work requires a lane closure.
Local attorney named Georgia’s Grand Master Mason
Douglas W. McDonald, Sr., was installed as the 2014-2015 Grand Master of Masons in Georgia at the 228th Annual Session of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. & A.M., in Macon, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 29, 2014.
Grand Master McDonald was raised to the degree of Master Mason in 1967, and is a member of Mt. Airy Lodge, No. 141, F. & A.M. He has served in many positions with the Lodge and has progressed through the Grand Line to reach his current position as the state-wide Grand Master and leader of Free and Accepted Masons in Georgia. McDonald also belongs to other Masonic Appendant Bodies, including York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Shrine.
Freemasonry has existed continuously in Georgia since 1734 and the Grand Lodge of Georgia, F. & A.M., has existed since 1786. There are currently approximately 40,000 Masons in Georgia. In the history of Grand Lodge, McDonald is only the fourth Mason from Habersham County, to be elected Grand Master.
Grand Master McDonald and his wife Carol reside in Baldwin, Georgia. He is the founding partner of McDonald & Cody, LLC, in Cornelia, Georgia, where he practices law with his partners P. Gerald Cody, Jr., and Gus McDonald.
PC Theatre to present ‘Hush: An Interview With America’
A lion lurks across the countryside, a reporter jumps out of the TV screen, FBI agents appear from the microwave; and they are all looking for the same thing: Maggie. An 11 year old girl from Hush, Kansas, Maggie Parks has a vivid imagination. She dances with angels and talks with lions. But, when a television reporter believes Maggie really can see angels, she and her father are thrust into a media spotlight that threatens to destroy them both. Can fantasy live in the era of the 24-hour news cycle? “Hush: An Interview with America” is a thought-provoking look at the modern media through a child’s eyes.
Presented in the Swanson Center Blackbox Theater in Demorest, performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Nov. 20-22; and 2 p.m., Nov. 23. General Admission tickets are $5. Piedmont College students, faculty and staff are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.piedmont.edu/fa by clicking on “PC Theatre Schedule,” or by calling the Piedmont College Box Office at 706-778-8500 x 1355.
Directed by Kathy Blandin, “Hush” is a show where imaginations collide, dreams become reality, and every moment draws you further into the small town world of Hush, Kansas. Written in 1998 by three-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, James Still, “Hush” is a humorous and heartfelt play for young and mature audiences alike. Appropriate and exciting for all ages, “Hush” is sure to stimulate imagination, produce laughter, and quench your thirst for adventure.