Habersham EMC celebrates 75th year with 'John Kollock's Guide to 75 special places'

To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Habersham EMC, one project has been completed and released.  Experience Northeast Georgia:  John Kollock's Guide to 75 special places is a four-CD set audio tour narrated by Clarkesville artist John Kollock that highlights 75 "must see" locations in eight Northeast Georgia counties.  "We wanted to do something that would promote this area and give back to the communities we serve through economic development at the same time," says Todd Pealock, HEMC President/CEO.  "So we asked artist, John Kollock, and writer, Emory Jones, to team up and create something memorable.  The result exceeded our wildest expectations.  This is not only entertaining and informative, but it also preserves an incredible amount of history.  In addition, all HEMC proceeds will be used to support the promotion of the product for the region and local chambers of commerce.  The guide features locations in Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White Counties. 

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SCDA May Newsletter

The State of Stephens monthly newsletter is now posted on the SCDA website.  Click below to read the recent development activities in Stephens County, Georgia. 

SCDA May newsletter

Local Resident Honored on U.S. House Floor

Stephens County Family Connections and Communities in Schools Executive Director Toni Childress receives a special recognition.  A representative from Congressman Paul Broun’s office, Toccoa Mayor David Austin, and others surprised Childress on Wednesday at a meeting to present her with a special recognition that Representative Broun recently read into the Congressional Record.  Wanda Tate, who works for Representative Broun,  said Broun recognized Childress on the floor of the House for her work in Stephens County.  “It was just to pay tribute to Toni Childress and her outstanding work in the community and for this organization,” said Tate. “This is part of a Congressional Record that was done in February. The congressman actually gets up and reads (this) on the (House) floor and it is part of the record forever now.”  Broun’s remarks for the Congressional Record recognize Childress for her work to improve literacy in Stephens County, collect coats for children who need them, and fight child abuse in the community, among other things.

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Toccoa Hosts Fox Theatre Block Party

The Fox Theatre Institute and Toccoa Main Street program teamed up for a downtown block party Thursday night on Doyle Street in front of the Schaefer Center.  The block party provided an opportunity for the Fox Theatre Institute to recognize the ongoing renovations taking place at the Schaefer Center and officially present the city with a $10,000 grant that the institute awarded to Toccoa last year.  Fox Theatre Vice President and General Manager Adina Erwin said the Fox Theatre started its institute as a way to help other historic theatres.  “The Schaefer Center, like many historic theatres around the state can be a catalyst for community building and economic development, a catalyst for arts development, a community galvanizing force in Toccoa,” said Erwin. “We know that this can happen because we have seen it happen so many times and it is a part of the Fox’s story and it is a reason we do what we do.”

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Toccoa Hosting Block Party Tonight

Downtown Toccoa will host a block party tonight to celebrate ongoing renovations to the Schaefer Center.  The block party will take place tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. along Doyle Street in downtown Toccoa, next to Toccoa City Hall and the Schaefer Center.  Toccoa Main Street Events Coordinator Sharon Crosby said that the Fox Theatre Institute is bringing this event to Toccoa to recognize the work being done at the Schaefer Center.  “The Fox Theatre has given us a grant, so we are very excited about that,” said Crosby. “They will be presenting it to our mayor (tonight). It is just a celebration of all of the renovations that are being done at the Schaefer Center.”  The whole event is free to the public.

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The Fox Music Block Party in Downtown Toccoa

 Downtown Toccoa streets will be filled with music as the Fox Theatre Institute presents the alternative folk group “Von Grey”. The free concert is this Thursday, May 2, from 5 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and everyone is invited!  “Von Grey,” a group of four sisters from Alpharetta, has already received national attention for their music by appearing on David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Brian Williams, and more. Reese Watson, a native contemporary country artist, will open at 5 p.m. followed by a performance by the Dance Studio and an award presentation from the Fox Theatre Institute.  Von Grey will perform at 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will stay afterward to take photos and signatures with fans. Local musician Chuck Taylor, with his unique blend of folk and country sounds, will perform after the Von Greys at 7:30 p.m.  The Northeast Georgia Community Concert Series will host tours of the Schaefer Center and, in addition to the music concert, free children’s activities will be available as well as free food and give-aways.  The event will take place along Doyle Street, next to City Hall and the Schaefer Center. In the event of rain, the concert will take place inside the Schaefer Center.  For more information, visit the website  mainstreettoccoa.com/von-grey or call the Main Street Office at 706.282.3232.

Labor Commissioner Speaks At Boys and Girls Club Dinner

Appearing in Stephens County Tuesday, the state’s labor commissioner said it is important for a community to engage its children to ensure a bright future.  Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler delivered that message as the keynote speaker at the 21st annual Toccoa-Stephens County Boys’ and Girls’ Club Benefit Dinner held at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Toccoa.  Butler thanked those businesses and individuals who support children through programs such as the Boys’ and Girls’ Club and make a difference in both the life of a child and in the greater community.  He said programs like the Boys’ and Girls’ Club are essential to help children succeed.  “These programs are preparing a lot of our young people that may not have some support systems at home sometimes, to teach them the things they need to know, different kind of social skills, soft skills that they need to have so they can be successful in the job market,” said Butler.

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