Airplane lovers young and old swoop in for Cracker Fly-In

August Watkins, 8, and Tate Watkins, 6, love airplanes. Grandfather Jerry Henderson said the boys love them so much that they draw airplanes, make paper airplanes and play with model airplanes. So naturally the two boys had smiles on their faces Saturday morning as they stood at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport in Gainesville for the 42nd annual Cracker Fly-In. The brothers, who were hoping to win a free ride on a Huey helicopter, were able ...

July 11, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Lula pays tribute to war heroes

As the summer heat filled downtown Lula on Saturday night, people gathered around the fountain and brick wall in Lula's Veterans Park for a candlelight service and dedication of 204 new bricks inscribed with the names of war veterans.

July 03, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Ham radio operators talk to world, visitors, at field day event

"Amateur radio is almost like magic," said Larry Tyson, a club member of the Lanierland Amateur Radio Club. "You can talk into this electronic box with a microphone and a piece of wire strung up between trees and talk all across the world - that is amazing."

June 26, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Kitchen inspections for May 21-June 3

May 21 The Hickory Pig 3605 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville Score: 91, Grade: A Blender pitcher not cleaned properly after last use. Utensils need to be cleaned properly to allow sanitizer to work properly. Container with utensils under prep table with utensils stored with food debris on them. Food handler with diamond wedding band. Food handler with watch. Backflow preventer is needed on hose spigot on porch. Inspector: Laurie Wentworth Biscuit Delite 3605 Thompson ...

June 19, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Kitchen inspections

Butterfly release at Laurel Park benefits nursing home

"The butterfly release is a legend," said Sabrina Souders, one of the event coordinators of the Butterflies by the Lake festival. "You make a wish, and you release the butterfly, and your wish goes to the heavens."

June 12, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Car show helps stock food pantry for needy

Oldies music filled the corners of downtown Flowery Branch early Saturday morning. But the spotlight wasn't on the music. It was on the cars. Car owners shined their hoods as they prepared to be judged in the ninth annual Car Show and Cookout, sponsored by Spirit of Joy Church. Garen Dodson, pastor of the church and organizer of the event, said the show normally brings out 50 to 60 cars and 200 to 300 spectators. ...

June 05, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Kitchen inspections for May 3 - 10

May 3 Gainesville-Hall County Meals on Wheels 430 Prior St., Gainesville Score: 100, Grade: A Inspector: Donna Black Hall County Senior Center 434 Prior St., Gainesville Score: 99, Grade: A Box of single service items on floor. Inspector: Black Chestatee Middle School 2740 Fran Mar Drive, Gainesville Score: 93, Grade: A Wiping cloths for serving line stored in container without sanitizer. More detailed cleaning needed under serving line shelving - water, food ...

May 29, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Kitchen inspections

Brenau barbecue event fills bellies, raises scholarship funds

Barbecue enthusiast Bear Sloan barely slept Friday night.

May 29, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Volunteers clean up streams, streets in Oakwood

Volunteers grabbed their gloves and litter sticks Saturday morning for the second annual Oakwood Stream and Roadside Clean-up at Oakwood City Park.

May 22, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Friends of the Parks holds 14th annual butterfly release

Some insects make you run out of the room in search of a fly swatter. But others, like butterflies, can make you marvel at their beauty. These delicate creatures were the highlight at Wilshire Trails Park Sunday as Friends of the Parks and Greenways held the 14th Annual Butterfly Release. At 3 p.m., 1,650 butterflies were handed out in individual packets, and released into the air. "This marks the opening of the parks for the ...

May 16, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Rubber ducks take a dip in Lake Lanier

It is not every day that you see 15,000 rubber ducks in Lake Lanier. But the yellow ducks were ready to race Saturday at Clark's Bridge Park on Lake Lanier in the 12th annual Rubber Duck Derby, which benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County. Leading up to the event, people could "adopt" a duck through a $5 donation. Donors also could buy multiple ducks for $25 or $100. John Gram, a board ...

May 16, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Cotillion celebrates elegance and beauty

Joslyn Keels, 8, and Raina Keels, 4, woke up at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. After all, it takes time for two princesses to get ready for a big day. The girls were chosen by Mount Zion Baptist Church in Flowery Branch to participate as "princesses" in this year's May Day celebration at Fair Street IB World School. May Day is a harvest festival, which existed as the spring celebration of the harvest in the 1700s. The ...

May 08, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Spring festival helps budding artists

April may be known for showers, but it is the April flowers that help make the Spring Fling festival in Dawsonville a gardener's dream come true.

May 02, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Marchers unite to raise funds for healthier babies

Emma Gilreath is a fighter.

May 01, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Gainesville's Wilshire Trails playground gets even more fun

Get ready to swing, climb, jump and crawl. The new playground at Wilshire Trails Park in Gainesville is expected to be finished Saturday. "Our plan has always been to have the new playground ready by the Friends of the Parks 14th Annual Butterfly Release on Sunday, May 16," said Julie Butler Colombini, marketing and communications coordinator for Gainesville Parks and Recreation. "It think it is going to be the perfect celebration for the new playground." ...

April 25, 2010 | Jennifer Messer | Local

Archive By Author - Jennifer Messer