New Horizons West recently held their Nursing Home Pageant. The 12 competitors showed off their best attire amidst a showering of crowns and sashes. Clara Chandler won the 2008 title, and may choose to participate in the state pageant in Atlanta later this year. The following awards were also given to the participants: First Runner Up: Mary Cochran; Second Runner Up: Clara Collins; Best Smile: Essie Mitchell; Best Dressed: Kathy Tench; Best Personality: Melissa Jones; Ms. Congeniality: Adonna Williams; Most Humorous: Lucille Chastain; Most Poised: Willie Forrester; Best Attitude: Mildred Sosebee; Best All-Around: Rebecca Fiero; Most Gracious: Bertha Shirley.
Gainesville resident Susan R. Easterbrooks presented a colloquium for teachers at the University of Thessaly in Volos, Greece, on March 14. Easterbrooks is a professor in the Educational Psychology and Special Education department at Georgia State University. Her latest book is "Helping Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children to Use Spoken Language," published by Corwin Press. This is her second textbook.
The Sunshine Seniors recently celebrated their annual Christmas outing with a trip to the Golden Corral in Buford. This year the group numbered about 80, including members from a senior group based in Dacula. Sunshine Seniors help promote healthy living by selling fruits and vegetables, adopting nursing home residents, monthly bowling and walking activities and workshops.
The Salvation Army’s family emergency assistance and transitional housing programs in Gainesville has been awarded $10,000 by the Jackson Electric Membership Corporation Foundation. Designed as a homeless prevention program, the family emergency services program helps families facing eviction and in need of financial resources to pay rent, utilities, food, clothing, shelter or prescription costs. Financial counseling, referral resources and networking with other agencies is also provided. Grant money from the Jackson EMC Foundation will be added to funds from United Way, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Project Share and Salvation Army donors to ensure the services continue.
Army National Guard Pfc. John D. Martin has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning in Columbus. He is the son of John Martin of Dawsonville. Martin is a 2005 graduate of North Forsyth High School in Cumming.
The Jackson EMC Foundation has awarded a $7,500 grant to For Her Glory to help the group’s work with Gainesville’s Longstreet Clinic to enable cancer patients to purchase hand-knotted wigs, compression sleeves and gloves, bras and other miscellaneous items not covered by insurance. For Her Glory, founded by Jackson County resident Judy Piotrowski, helps cancer patients who have chemically induced baldness or who have undergone a mastectomy obtain items that help restore their quality of life.