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Good news
0620Goodnews-Red
Members of Keller Williams Realty recently donned their red shirts as part of the company’s "Wear Red Day." Members of the realty team volunteered their time at the new Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Gainesville and performed other community service projects. The day was officially recognized by Gov. Sonny Perdue and the state with an official commendation, stating that on May 13 "all Keller Williams associates across the United States and Canada will actively engage in a coordinated effort to improve aspects of their local communities." - photo by For The Times

The Gainesville Music Club recently held music scholarship auditions at Brenau University in Gainesville.

Derek Vann, son of Gary and Gayle Vann of Norcross, received the Gainesville Music Club High School Senior Scholarship. The Norcross High School senior studies piano with Lois Finlay of Clarkesville. He plans to enter Georgia State University in Atlanta as a piano performance major this fall.

The Loula Mae Romberg Scholarship for college music majors was awarded to Jeff Akana, son of Patrick and Becky Akana of Suwanee. The junior vocal performance major studies voice with Barbara Steinhaus at Brenau University.

Sharon Keane, daughter of Jim and Janet Keane of Cleveland, was named first alternate for the Loula Mae Romberg Scholarship. The freshman piano performance major studies piano with Lois Finlay at North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega.

This scholarship is in honor of the late Loula Mae Romberg, a founding member of the Gainesville Music Club and well known Gainesville pianist.

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The Longstreet Clinic recently raised $36,088 for the 2010 March of Dimes campaign, making the multi-specialty clinic Hall County’s top large business fundraiser. Renee Ward served as team captain.

Employees raised money through "Blue Jeans for Babies" payroll deductions, raffles, T-shirt sales and donations. The Longstreet Clinic also served as a presenting sponsor of the May 1 March for Babies. There were close to 80 Longstreet Clinic staff and family members and more than 700 total participants at the 4-mile walk held at the clinic.

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The Georgia Mountain Food Bank recently surpassed the 1 million pound mark.

Since opening its doors in October 2008, the food bank has distributed approximately 1.1 million pounds of food and grocery products through a network of nonprofit partner agencies in Hall, Lumpkin, Union, Dawson and Forsyth counties.

Currently working out of more than one facility owned by Hollis Transport in Flowery Branch, the food bank hopes to have a permanent home in the near future to increase capacity and be able to meet the growing demand in its service area.

As an affiliate of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the Georgia Mountain Food Bank collects and distributes surplus food and grocery products for distribution to nonprofit partner agencies in the Georgia mountain region.

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The 24th annual Mansfield Oil Golf Classic recently raised $300,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Held at two Chateau Elan courses and the private Legends Golf Course, a record 310 golfers teed off at the event. The day also included a raffle and a silent auction, both made possible by community donations.

The golf tournament made the Mansfield event one of the largest for MDA in the country; $2.5 million has been raised for MDA in the past 24 years.

MDA is a voluntary health agency working to find treatments and cures for 43 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and community services and far-reaching professional and public health education.

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Lifeline recently hosted a luncheon to honor volunteers who work with the emergency response system. Special guest speaker was Tom Smiley, pastor of Lakewood Baptist Church, who congratulated Lifeline volunteers for 26 years of preserving the dignity of the physically disabled, medically at risk and older adults in our community. Guests also paid tribute to Jim Telford, founder of Lifeline.

This past year, volunteers for Lifeline, an affiliate of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, have installed 110 units, driven more than 13,901 miles and given more than 1,420 volunteer hours, allowing subscribers to continue living independently in their homes with the security of knowing they can quickly access help if they need it.