Decorating year-round with roses

Floral fads may ebb and flow, but the rose's appeal remains constant, well beyond a Valentine's Day vaseful.

Teens, parents learn the rules of the road

There are a lot of free activities parents and teens can do together for two hours. But how many of those activities have the potential to save a life? Parents Reducing Injuries and Driver Error is a free driver safety course and takes only two hours to complete. The course is offered throughout the year at 4 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Classes are held at the Lumpkin County YMCA, 365 Riley ...

Honduran teen grows coffee in Habersham from homeland beans to pay for college

Kevin Candelario Arita grew up around coffee as a child in the mountain village of Mar Azul, Honduras.

Ugandan choir will perform in Gainesville

On Feb. 3, Gainesville will get a visit from some very important African ambassadors. The Watoto Children's choir will perform "Beautiful Africa: A New Generation" at The Highlands Church on Cleveland Highway.

Avoid serious injury by de-icing walkways

While we may not be waking up to several inches of snow this morning, we are likely dealing with the slippery aftermath of a wintry mix.

Cold-soothing chicken soup gets a vitamin C boost from roasted lemons

It seems that just about everyone I know has been eating soup. And I am pretty certain it's not because it's National Soup Month. Whether it's your grandma's chicken noodle or not, soup is comforting.

History center exhibit highlights 9 presidential visits to the county

The next time you drive down Bradford Street in Gainesville, or take a stroll around the square, look down.

Gainesville wildlife artist Jay Kemp to be honored at Charleston event

Lying on the ground in the northernmost part of the Rocky Mountains, Jay Kemp found what he was looking for.

Local churches offer course to help those in need of money management training

Several Gainesville churches are preaching a message of peace. That is, financial peace. Northside Family Worship Center, Northlake Baptist Church, Lakewood Baptist Church, all in Gainesville, are currently helping people learn to manage their finances with Financial Peace University. Other churches including Gainesville First United Methodist Church, Lanier Hills Church North Campus will be offering the course in the coming months. Financial Peace University is a nine-week course designed by personal money-management expert and radio ...

Lyman Hall students aim to help build wells for families in Africa

Most elementary students don't have to think about where they'll get water to drink; it's down the hall and comes out of the fountain.

Gainesville WWII veteran honored for his service during his 90th birthday celebration

At 90 years old, Frank Downing's class of peers is a small one. As a World War II veteran, the numbers become even more elite. For his recent birthday, Downing's children were on a mission to make this celebration the best yet by going to great lengths to ensure that his military service was properly recognized. Based on the happy tears glistening in his eyes throughout his party, one could speculate they made the Purple ...

Performance tackles the fear, challenge of battling cancer

Cassidy Elliott paused for a moment, took a deep breath and stood motionless as her muscles trembled. A tiny bead of sweat formed on her forehead. She only had one thing on her mind.

'Lincoln' tops Academy Award nominations

Around the Home: Off the menu and off the hips

Yes, it's possible to make smart dining out choices. Some restaurants now post nutritional information such as calorie content on their menus. More in-depth information is usually available in pamphlets at the location or on their websites. The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offers these strategies that may help you make better choices: If you know what the healthier choices are, plan what you'll order before leaving for the restaurant. Then, if possible, order before ...

From soil to plate, minus the chemicals

Cooking with farm fresh ingredients isn't exactly a new idea. People have doing it for centuries.

Gainesville minister pens book

When David Glover's grandson Zachariah Kyle Emerson was born in 1998, the Gainesville man felt blessed.

Banking fresh food

The recent rain has been very good for the Georgia Mountain Food Bank as the seeds from its first community garden begin to grow and flourish.

Winners of Brenau barbecue contests will advance to world finals

Two teams competing in this year's Brenau Barbecue Championship will also be selling their pork to hungry visitors at the event. But it's almost by accident that either team exists.

Student council collects books for community library

Fifth-grader Heartley Twiggs loves to read fiction books and thinks kids are better off when they read books they enjoy.

Wedding bells, blues and venues

Brittany Evans wanted a storybook wedding but what she got was something more like a movie.

Couple conquers 70 years together

In 1940, C.W. Davis hitched a ride from a driver in a red Ford, ultimately securing a movie date with the woman behind the wheel.

Jehovah’s Witness experiences an influx of hope

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - On the day the Boston Marathon bombing transfixed the world, Mark Watkins of suburban Kansas City, Mo., lay face to face with a crisis of life, death and faith.

Better-for-you BBQ chicken

Barbecue chicken is one of my favorite summertime dishes. I like every part of it - the tomato-based sauce (the spicier the better), the crispy skin, even the bones.

Properly preparing a picnic

The school year is winding down and Memorial Day is just around the corner. Activities such as boating, camping and picnicking are fun ways to experience the great outdoors.

Ask cook: Correct way to cut lettuce

Question: It used to be forbidden to cut lettuce with a knife. Only tearing by hand or cutting with a plastic knife was acceptable. But now I see TV chefs regularly chopping lettuce with a regular knife. What is responsible for this change in thinking?

Singles meet and mingle

For 52-year-old Gina Sweet, it had been awhile since she hit the dating scene. Luckily for her, family members gave her the Cinderella treatment before she ventured out to Cocktails & Conversations, a brand-new speed-dating venture in Gainesville.

Racing to the front

JEFFERSON - It was anything but a regular school day for the 15 local middle schools students who participated in the Jackson Electric Membership Corporation Junior Solar Sprint competition May 3. Using one of the Earth's brightest resources, the sun, students put their hand-built solar sprinters to the test in a fast-paced race competition at Road Atlanta in Braselton.

Perfect pink present for mom

Editor's note: North Hall High School junior Catherine Sartain, 16, wrote this column for her journalism class about Mother's Day.

Her husband is her 'hero'

"It will be a blessed Mother's Day for my kids, my granddaughter, my wife," Grady Nolan said, his voice cracking slightly. "And for me."

Lay leaders lend a loving ear

BATH TOWNSHIP, Ohio - The Stephen Ministry is looking for compassionate men and women who want to help people who are hurting.