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Richard
Smith Speaks to the Kiwanis Club
Richard
Smith (pictured with Kiwanis President Elect Jimmy Nichols), President
of The Mountain United Soccer Association, spoke to the Kiwanis Club
during their regular meeting at Antoinetta’s Restaurant May 18, 2009.
The Association was started in 1984. initially they were based at Young
Harris College, moved to Meeks Park, and in 1996, they were able to
lease land from Elan Water Co. When Cott Beverage took over the
property, the lease continued, and there are currently two Olympic sizes
soccer fields which are used by 300 players on 27 teams. There is a $60
registration fee for each player, which does not cover the Association’s
cost. Richard is extremely grateful to the support which they receive
which enables the program to be viable. Richard said it is extremely
gratifying to watch youngsters who have participated in the program grow
up to be responsible and productive adults Indeed a University of
Georgia study was able to correlate a decrease in juvenile (7 to
17 years old) crime rate with increased recreational opportunities.
Anyone who is interested in participating in or supporting the Mountain
United Soccer Association can contact Richard Smith at (706) 745- 7865.
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Joe Garner
Speaks to the Kiwanis Club
Joe Garner, Superintendent of the University of
Georgia’s Mountain Research and Education Center provided the Kiwanis Club of
Blairsville with an update of the Faculty Research projects going on at the Center.
There are two cold hardiness studies, which have
benefitted from the cold temperature extremes prevalent this winter.
Slides were shown of the apple rootstock study where the trunks have
split on the south side of some the trees due to the temperature
variation. It was pointed out that painting the trunk with white latex
paint will lessen the effect and help protect the tree. The cold
temperatures have also caused some palm cultivars to be damaged this
winter. A temperature of 3 degrees F was recorded at the weather station located at the Center on January 16,2009.
The cold hardiness evaluation of palms started in June 2005.
Research continues on the remediating the wooly
adelgid effect on hemlocks.
The economics of chemically treating the
hemlocks has improved due to a drop in the price of the chemicals.
In addition to the research function, the Station
supports the Community Council and their Plant preservation activities,
youth programs, and adult education programs .A spring tour of the
Station will be offered in several weeks, and will be announced in the
newspaper.
The Kiwanis Club of Blairsville appreciates the
Station’s activities, and is pleased to support the Community Council
and their youth programs.
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At the regular Club meeting on Monday January 16th
there was an interclub from the Kiwanis Club of Lumpkin County.
Pictured are Delores Cartyle, Dyann Beaty, Michael Davis, and Club
Secretary Walter Breyers. Walter presented a very interesting program
about his trip to the
Netherlands
for the four hundredth anniversary of the invention of the telescope,
sponsored by the Antique Telescope Society.
The Kiwanis Club of Blairsville is dedicated to serving and supporting
young people in the immediate area around Blairsville through numerous
projects. The Kiwanis Club meets at the Antionetta's restaurant in
Blairsville at 12:00 Noon on each Monday. Come join in the fun with us.
For more information, contact President Sonny Mayhan by email at
Sonny.Mayhan@brmemc.com
Photos provided by:
Bo Wright
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