The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee has announced the winners of the 2008 Arbor Day Art Contest. First Place is Laila Hasnain of Mount Vernon Elementary School, and runners-up are Javy Euyoque of Dean Myers Elementary School and Oscar Contreras of McEver Elementary School. The contest was open to all fifth-graders in elementary schools in Gainesville and Hall County. This was the first year the Chamber of Commerce teamed up with the Georgia Forestry Commission for the contest. This year’s theme was "Trees are Terrific, Inside and Out." The three elementary school winners, along with school-selected winners, will move on to the National Arbor Association for a national contest. For information on the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee, Arbor Day or the art contest, contact Robin Halstead at 770-532-6206.
NRG, a Lego Robotics team from Gainesville, placed first in the research project category out of 14 teams that competed recently in Warner Robins. Members of the team are Jonathan Diaddigo, Josh Krout, Thomas Fuller, Keenan Nicholson, Dylan Easterday, Tanner Easterday and Norris Nicholson.
James Halliley from Boy Scout Troop 26 in Gainesville has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. For his project, Halliley built a shed, two benches and repaired benches around a campfire ring for First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville. He also did landscaping and general maintenance around the ring.
Davis Partrick from Troop 16 in Gainesville has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. For his project, Partrick replaced and repaired a fence, trail maintenance and used landscape timbers to outline a trail for Sonrise Camp in Gainesville. Sonrise Camp helps youth and special needs children through interaction with animals.
Navy Seaman Charles D. Smith, son of Cathy E. Coleman of Woodstock and Charles H. Smith of Cleveland, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Smith is a 1998 graduate of White County High School in Cleveland.
Johnathan E. Dills, son of Sandra J. Dills of Clayton and Denny H. Dills of Franklin, N. C., recently enlisted in the U.S. Navy under the Delayed Entry Program at Navy Recruiting District, Raleigh, N. C. Dills is a 2004 graduate of Franklin High School of Franklin, N. C.Air Force Staff Sgt. Kimberly A. Stone has deployed overseas in support of the war in Iraq. Stone, an outbound freight supervisor with 14 years of service, is normally assigned to Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Her sister, Angela Lowe, lives in Mount Airy. The sergeant is a 1992 graduate of Groveport Madison Senior High School in Columbus, Ohio.
Navy Seaman Trenton P. Mapes, a 2006 graduate of Mill Creek High School in Buford, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.