Celebrates 5 Years in Fayette County!

Your local Club Z! office is proud to announce that they’ve reached a major milestone in education-over 1,000 students served! Since November of 2004, Club Z! has helped over 1000 students in Fayette County achieve their academic best by overcoming obstacles to learning.

Halloween isn’t just about ghosts and goblins! The Frederick Brown Amphitheater will host the “Not so Frightful” Storytelling and Halloween party on October 24 and even Pete the Cat promises to show up and provide fun for children of all ages! The party is scheduled to begin at 4 pm and is a free event.

From left are Larry Seay, Mark Ballard and Ricky Seay. Photo/Michael Boylan.

Brothers Larry and Ricky Seay decided to take their brother-in-law Mark Ballard to Los Angeles for his birthday. Fans of the game show “The Price is Right,” the men went online to get tickets and add trying to get on to the show on their list of sightseeing events in L.A. What followed was a “most excellent” adventure that all three county residents are still wearing mile-wide smiles from.

“We went out there to have fun,” said Ricky. “And we did.”

If you want to help lead the fight against cancer in your community, the American Cancer Society invites you to join the Relay For Life committee in Fayette County. The Relay committee shapes the Relay For Life event in your community, and as a member, you can play a vital role in making Relay the best possible experience for all participants. You can also help the American Cancer Society fight cancer and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays for everyone.

Hood Avenue Primary first grade students had a very special visit from Johnny Appleseed. Mr. Appleseed shared stories with the students and really made the stories come alive with a pot on his head and apples in his bag. "This was a great way to conclude the first grade reading unit for our students," says principal, Dr. Kennedy.

ENCORE!FAYETTE is now accepting applications for the Class of 2010, becoming the second class of the community-based, non-profit organization. A major goal of ENCORE!FAYETTE is to provide 25-30 retirees (or semi-retirees) the background and knowledge of the community and comprehensive look at issues and challenges facing the County, its public and private agencies, organizations and institutions.

Peachtree City, Georgia: Kids from all over the metro-Atlanta area gathered at the offices of Gallopade International to learn how good writing is a lifetime essential skill. The writing workshop was titled, “Do You Think I Could Write for Disney One Day, Mrs. Marsh?” For an hour and half the kids learned how to improve their writing skills and explore the wonder of turning what is in their head and their heart into words on a printed page. They focused on educational and career paths that would benefit from a talent and love of writing, including programs at colleges such as the Savannah College of Art and Design and companies like Disney.

Karate students at Martial Arts America participated in a team competiton to see which team could collect the most school supplies.  The School Supply Drive was established to assist schools with needed school supplies for students and classrooms. Alina Abrahams, who is a 2nd degree black belt and Head Instructor at the Fayetteville Martial Arts America, presented Sara Harp Minter Elementary School with school supplies.  The supplies will be used to assist teachers and students who may be in need of basic school supplies.  Martial Arts America is a Partner in Education with Sara Harp Minter Elementary School.

The Men’s Ensemble at Sandy Creek High, made up of members of the Select Mixed Chorus, are $1,000 closer to funding a trip to perform with the Grammy award-winning group, Chanticleer, this spring in San Francisco.

Eight World War II veterans that served aboard the USS Nicholas DD47 held a reunion in Fayetteville recently.

Guests of host Huie Bray, they saw the sights of north Georgia and discussed, once again, their adventures aboard the ship that carried the Allied officers to the USS Missouri to sign the peace treaty ending World War II in August, 1945.

Westpark Toastmasters members recently welcomed Thomas Haft as a new member of their club. Thomas visited for almost six months as a guest of club member Paulette Bass. Paulette is the first documented developmentally disabled Toastmaster to achieve the Advanced Communicator status. Thomas, who is also developmentally disabled, said he hopes to follow in her footsteps and achieve his Competent Communicator status within his first year of membership. Reid Spearman, Vice President of Membership for the Westpark club, welcomed Thomas into the club on the day of his induction ceremony.

More than 30 exhibitors will be showcasing their arts, crafts, and specialties at Fayette Senior Services (FSS) first Apples & ArtFest next Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is open to the public and there is no admission cost.

The Men’s Ensemble at Sandy Creek High, made up of members of the Select Mixed Chorus, are $1,000 closer to funding a trip to perform with the Grammy award-winning group, Chanticleer, this spring in San Francisco.

Roscoe Jenkins Funeral Home hosted the Baccalaureate Service for the 40 recent graduates of Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service.

Rolling out the seventh annual American Cancer Society’s Cattle Barons’ Ball is well underway.  We understand that there are still many questions about this western style event, which has raised nearly one million dollars for the Southern Crescent Chapter of the American Cancer Society.  This November 7th at the Dolce Atlanta-Peachtree is expected be another amazing time.  We do understand there is still some confusion about the details of the events, so below is attempt to clarify any questions.

The top three teams at this year’s Dragon Boat Races in Peachtree City were World Gym Staff in first place, Peachtree City Running Club in second place and Falcon Aviation in third place. The World Gym team is made up of not only personal trainers, but managers/supervisors, group fitness instructors, child care and front desk staff. Kim Hershey, general manager of the local World Gyms, stated that it was “truly a team effort from a group of individuals who all believe in the importance of staying fit. ‘Fit To Paddle’ is our theme.”

The Fayette County Civitan Club installed the officers for the 2009-2010 year September 25th at their annual banquet. Serving the community and its needs the new officers are:, President: Mike Jones, President-Elect: Bill Grist, Immediate Past President: Chuck Clanton, Vice President: Darryl Chaney, Secretary: Carl Hall, Treasurer: Charlie Prince, Chaplain: Doug Burcher, Sgt. At Arms: Dan Arnett, and Directors: Ted Allred, Wayne Evans, Tom Hamill and Bob Tallier.  The officers were installed to begin their year of service by Club member and past President David Tolbert.  The Civitan slogan for this year is “Civitan Rocks Your World”.  The Club is inviting you to attend a meeting and join their efforts in supporting our community needs.

The Heritage of Peachtree Travel Club takes many interesting trips to various locations around Georgia, usually taking one big trip a month. In August, they enjoyed a trip to the Little White House at Warm Springs followed by lunch at the Bullock House. Most recently, the Club spent the day at the Georgia Aquarium, and watched the Beluga Whales. The group then ate at the famous Varsity, an Atlanta landmark.

Hood Avenue Primary hosted its first training session today, September 29, 2009, for over 30 Literacy Reading and Math Coaches. These are parents and community members who are partnering with Hood Avenue Primary School for Student Success. They received training on various reading and math activites that they will use while working with students. Each Reading and Math Coach have committed 30-40 minutes 2-3 times per week. The Literacy Reading and Math Coach Project is one of the school's initiatives for this school year. The school is so excited to have this strong partnership with the  parents and community members that will benefit the students.

Ten year old Skylar Nicholson, newcomer to Fayette County, will be performing at Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, TN, during the upcoming Christmas season. Skylar will be playing the role of a young girl in the professional show “O Holy Night.” The role will have her telling the Christmas Story with her on-stage grandfather. The show will also include a live Nativity Scene. This is just one of the many shows Dollywood will be performing this holiday season.

Peeples Elementary and Rising Starr Middle schools have become partners with Georgia’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.

Precision parachuting, gravity-defying jets, thundering jet trucks and vintage warbirds mark the 12 edition of The Great Georgia Airshow (GGAS) to be held at Falcon Field Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10 and 11. The aviation festival, presented by the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City and the Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF), Dixie Wing, will again showcase modern and historic military aircraft, thrilling aerobatics and activities for the entire family.

Chris Stevers picked up a guitar at the age of 13 and started playing songs by the Eagles, Hank Williams Jr. and Lynyrd Skynyrd with his friends. By the time he was 18 and a graduate of Fayette County High School he had a band, Southern Bred, that found a lot of local fans, including Y106 Fm DJ Rhubarb Jones. The band played a lot of events and opened for some big country music acts. Eventually, Stevers got married and focused on his career and his marriage, but the desire to play music never left.

Girl Scout troops 187, 189, and 19103, painted the town pink for breast cancer awareness month by tying pink ribbons on Main Street Fayetteville’s lampposts.  The pink ribbons kick-off the service unit's 'Pink Party' which is a breast cancer awareness event and birthday party for founder Juliette Gordon Low, who died from breast cancer.  The Girl Scouts tie ribbons in honor of breast cancer survivors, for those who are fighting breast cancer, and for those who walk to raise money for breast cancer research. The ribbons also kick-off Fayetteville's "Ladies Night Out" event hosted by Paul-Ann Gray of Once in a Lifetime Events. Ladies Night Out will take place Oct. 10, from 4-8 p.m. at the gazebo and Heritage Park.  Troop 189 would like to thank Jan's Florist and Gifts for yards and yards of ribbon. Photo/Special.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle announced the winners of its ‘Best Places to Work in Atlanta’ survey, and Bank of North Georgia's employees voted their employer as one of Atlanta's 2009 Best Places to Work, coming in at No. 3 in the large employer category. Bank of North Georgia, a member of the Synovus family of banks, is the only bank listed in the top 10. This ranking, based on surveys and comments submitted by team members, represents the fifth time in seven years Bank of North Georgia has earned a place in the top 10 for ‘Atlanta’s Best Places to Work’ among large companies in Atlanta. The bank came in at No. 3 in 2008 as well.

Fayette County’s Competitive Edge Inc. is the recipient of this year’s “Best of Tyrone Award for Human Resources Management Consulting."  The award is given annually by The U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) based in Washington, D.C.  The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.  The USCA especially identifies and honors companies, nationwide, that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. Competitive Edge, Inc.  is one of those companies.

Art students at Fayette Middle have been busy scaring up a unique display for the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Scarecrows in the Garden event.

A life-sized middle schooler with a backpack and riding a skateboard, titled Skatecrow, will be one of 125 scarecrows adorning the garden October 1-31.

Over 1,500 people gathered at the Fayette Chamber’s Find it in Fayette! Community Expo held on September 15th at New Hope Church, setting a new record for attendance at this annual event. Business owners as well as community members enjoyed visiting over 130 exhibitors who showcased their products and services at the county’s largest tradeshow.

The public is invited to celebrate Oktoberfest Monday, October 26, 5-8 p.m. at Fayette Senior Services’ Life Enrichment Center, 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville. The event will feature authentic German food and beverages including bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad, fresh baked breads, apple strudel, and Kuchen. Guests will also be entertained by an authentic German Polka band. Attendees will be given the opportunity to help "grow" the garden by purchasing memory bricks and other items that will be available during the event. Tickets are only $15 and may be purchased at Fayette Senior Services, 4 Center Drive, Fayetteville.

Owen Henahan, 8, a cub scout with Pack 74 in Fayetteville, Ga. is working to support our troops both here and abroad during the annual Popcorn Fundraiser. This effort, called “Operation Popcorn,” has a goal to provide a little bit of the comfort of home to the men and women of our Armed Forces.