PACA

Civil War music comes to the Rome City Auditorium Thursday night March 1 as the 8th Regiment Band, Georgia Volunteer Infantry / 8th New York National Guard Band presents a concert of 19th Century American music on 19th Century instruments.

Winter Furlough commemorates the opportunity troops had each winter to go home, take time off from the battlefield or to recuperate from injuries.

According to Encyclopedia Virginia Union and Confederate soldiers usually didn’t fight from December through March. Soldiers who didn’t try to make it home during winter lulls built more permanent camps with log cabins and chimneys, and took time to rest, heal their wounds, and engage in leisure activities.

Weather was influential in shaping events during the Civil War. Weather concerns helped determine overall strategy as well as tactics on the battlefield. Generals looked to the skies to decide when to begin spring campaigns, cursed at flooded rivers for impeding progress, and pushed their men to endure the extremes of the Southern climate. Weather also colored the war experience for soldiers and civilians. Becoming a veteran soldier meant being seasoned by the weather as much as being transformed by combat.

Winter Furlough takes place March 1, 2012 at 7:30PM at the Rome City Auditorium, 601 Broad Street, Rome. Parking is free.

The concert is a major fundraiser for the band to continue its mission of bringing 19th Century American brass band music to the people of Northwest Georgia and the nation during the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War.

For more information call Jim Belzer at 706-346-4446 or John Carruth at 706-232-4567.

photo by Jeff Warren, Pickens County Progress

Pickens County Progress staff report

The Tater Patch Players will present the remarkable comedy Dixie Swim Club for two more shows, February 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. They are proud to announce that last weekend brought them their first sold out show (and two near sell-outs). They urge everyone to get tickets by going online. If the online process gives you trouble, the Tater Patchers say you may call the theater at (706) 253-2800 or send an email to taterpatchplayers@gmail.com and someone will get in touch to help you.

This wonderful comedy, by the playwriting trio Jones, Hope and Wooten, features five women, who met on a championship college swim team, who get together one August weekend every year on the Outer Banks over 50 years of their lives.  They share laughter, strong opinions, occasional bursts of temper, and their hopes and fears.  Men and women have come to see this show at the Tater Patch Theater, and left with nothing but smiles.  Some of the comments heard from the audience were very revealing.  “This show is about me and my friends.”  “I have never enjoyed an evening as much!” “Your comic timing is perfect.”  And, from those who were visiting the venue for the first time,  much admiration was heard for the theater.  “I can’t believe you have a real theater here in Jasper.”  “We knew you had built this place, but had no idea it was so nice.”

The troupe urges you to come out and see for yourself.  The theater is located at 95 Philadelphia Lane, off Old Philadelphia Road near the WalMart.  There is a map and lots of other information, including a link to buy tickets, on their website at www.taterpatchplayers.org.  And they’re pleased to announce that auditions for the next comedy — The Foreigner — will take place on March 4th and 5th.  That show is another hilarious comedy, set in a fishing camp in South Georgia.  Check the website or look for articles in the Pickens County Progress for more details.

photo caption: Self-absorbed Lexie (actress Lynn Mulkey in water togs) centers the universe round herself even when her friends won’t have it, in Act I of The Dixie Swim Club, playing now at the Tater Patch Theater off of Old Philadelphia Road in Jasper. Shown (l-r): actresses Kim Martin, Ellen Painter, Mulkey, and Janet Vardaman. Photo/Jeff Warren

Learn to quilt this Thursday, February 23, 2012,  from 10:30am-12:00pm at VanGoghs Hideaway.  All supplies are included in the $13 fee for this Beginning Quilting class. 

VanGoghs Hideaway is located in the lower level of the Burnt Mountain Trading Center building at 14 Mark Whitfield Drive, Jasper.  Hours are Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 12pm-5pm.

Internationally renowned harpist Elisabeth Remy Johnson will be at First Baptist Church of Jasper at 7:00 this Sunday night, February 26, 2012. She will be presenting the music that she will be playing in March as featured artist at the Mid Atlanta Harp Festival. She will also make some insightful remarks about the music to help your understanding.

Elisabeth Remy Johnson was appointed principal harpist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 1995. Ms. Remy Johnson was a featured performer at the 2010 International Harp Festival in Rio de Janeiro, and will be the featured artist of the 2012 Mid-Atlantic Harp Festival.

This event is a sponsored collaboration between Casual Classics and First Baptist Church of Jasper. Tickets are free.

Mardi Gras in the Mountains is an annual event hosted by Georgia Mountains Hospice, the Rotary Club of Jasper, and Ellijay and Jasper Councils of Knights of Columbus.  Money raised from this event provides funds for charitable needs in the communities served.

A King and Queen of the Gala Event are determined by votes cast before 9pm of the event evening.  Click here to cast your vote.  Nominees for 2012 King are Dave Garner (Pickens County), Steve Purvis (Gilmer County), Donnie Henriques (Cherokee County), and Scott Yochum (Dawson County).  Nominees for 2012 Queen are Carolyn Hice Bruce (Gilmer County), Dawn Popadics (Pickens County), Melissa Lowrie (Dawson County), and Dr. Jan Henriques (Cherokee County).

This year, the event is already sold out, so make plans to purchase tickets early for 2013 Mardi Gras in the Mountains.

Pickens County certainly has no shortage of musical talent, and that is evident just by the selection available at local resturants on a Friday night.  See what catches your eye, er, ear, and make plans to enjoy a good meal with some entertainment included.  (All links to further information are underlined.)

Fuego Mexican Grill will host Bryan Martin 6-9pm.  Martin can be previewed here performing ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’.  Fuego is located outside of Big Canoe, off Steve Tate Hwy at 60 North Gate Station Dr.  Fuego serves traditional Mexican fare.

Kelly’s of Jasper has Nate Morgan & Hogleg performing 8-11pm.  Kelly’s is near Wal-mart at  896 Old Philadelphia Road.  They serve traditional American dishes.

Forno Italian Restaurant in the IGA Shopping Center in Marble Hill has live jazz from The Allen Christopher Duo beginning at 6:30pm until 9:30pm.  Forno Italian Restaurant is located at 218 Foothills Parkway.

Appalachia Grill will host the sounds of Spanish Guitar by Marc Unger 6-9pm.  Appalachia Grill is located at 3909 Steve Tate Hwy in Marble Hill, and offers casual fine dining.

Rocco’s Pub has the CC Morgan band this Friday starting at 7:00pm (view band video here).  Rocco’s Pub serves traditional American dishes, and is located at 47 Mountainside Village Pkwy in Jasper on Hwy 515.

How long has the US celebrated Black History Month? 2012 is the 36th year.

Who is credited with the original idea of celebrating the place of blacks in US and world history? The son of former slaves and the second black person to receive a degree from Harvard University, historian Carter G. Woodson is known as the “Father of Black History”. In 1926, Dr. Woodson initiated the celebration of Negro History Week–the precursor to today’s Black History Month.

Who signed the first Black History Month proclamation? President Gerald Ford-1976

Why do we celebrate Black History month in February? Black History Month commemorates the birthdays of two leaders who fought slavery. Abraham Lincoln, born February 12, 1809 signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed slaves in the confederacy. Frederick Douglas, February 1818, was a former slave who escaped to become and abolitionist speaker and one of the main African American political leaders of the 19th century.

What is the 13th amendment to the Constitution of the United States? The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery, was adopted by the 38th Congress. Ratification was completed December 6, 1865.

What year was Martin Luther King Day first observed as a federal holiday? 1986

How did the 24th Amendment advance the cause of civil rights? It made poll tax illegal.

Who Said: Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which were overcome while trying to succeed. . . . Booker T. Washington

Friends of the Pickens County Library will meet Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 7:00pm for the opening of the 2012 program season.  The speaker of the evening will be Neal Whitten, author of The Gift of Wisdom: Lessons for a Lifetime. This warm, readable, and inspiring book for all ages imparts the treasured wisdom of our elders. This non-fiction work is drawn from interviews with 25 older Americans who represent various ethnic, economic, religious and social groups.

Friends of the Pickens County Library is a private, non-profit organization, dedicated to enhancing the Pickens County Library.  In addition to financially supporting the library, the Friends presents programs of interest to the community about eight times a year.

Meetings are held at the Pickens County Library, 100 Library Lane, Jasper, Georgia.  For more information please contact the Pickens County Library at 706-692-5411.