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Eagle Scout Travis Howes

Travis Howes of Braselton recently attained the highest achievement of the Boy Scout organization, Eagle Scout.

Howes is a 17-year-old senior at Buford High School and a member of Boy Scout Troop 700 in Winder. He is the son of Bryan and Linda Howes and the brother of Brittany Howes and Josh and Brandy Emmett.

Howes, who has been involved in the Scouts since the third grade, said becoming an Eagle Scout is something he always planned to do.

“I wanted to finish out Scouting; I didn’t want to just stop halfway through after going so far with it,” he said. “Plus there’s the prestige of it – I wanted to be able to say I was an Eagle Scout.”

Before becoming an Eagle Scout, Howes had to plan and complete a major public service project. He decided to build a jon boat rack at Fort Yargo State Park. Beginning last February, Howes spent about four months planning the rack, with family members, friends, and fellow Scouts coming together to help him build it.

Continue reading Travis Howes earns Eagle Scout honors

The holidays are upon us and, before you know it, Christmas Eve will come and many will go into panic mode because they still have several names to strike off their shopping lists.

Usually, I am one of those people. With a busy schedule and a scattered mind at times, I normally find myself scrambling at the last minute to get gifts I constantly keep putting off buying.

Well, not this year.

I can proudly say that I am done with all of my Christmas shopping except for one person, and that’s far ahead of my usual schedule seeing that we are just now in the first full week of December.

Continue reading Column: Online shopping can save more than just time

In the spirit of holiday giving, Rhonda Castro of Glamour Works in Hoschton is seeking to recognize the giving of others.

A Beautiful Heart Campaign is Castro’s way of paying tribute to those who do for others by sharing an energizing and refreshing feeling.

Continue reading Hoschton business to give to giving individuals

Jackson County Commissioner Tom Crow waves to onlookers from atop a tractor in the Jefferson Christmas parade on Dec. 3. See the Gallery for more scenes from the parade.

Santa Claus came to Jefferson on Dec. 3 to welcome in the Christmas season.

The annual Christmas parade through downtown was held Dec. 3 and Katie Dunn captured scenes along the parade route.

Continue reading Jefferson Christmas Parade

Anna Carpenter, her autistic son, Landon, and his autistic assistance dog Sammy, shop at Walmart. Before Sammy arrived, Carpenter said she didn’t feel comfortable taking Landon out in public. People often stared or commented on Landon’s apparent bad behavior, not understanding he suffers from autism.

GAINESVILLE — Landon Carpenter puckered his lips and tentatively leaned toward the fluffy chocolate dog standing patiently at his side. He tried three times to give the dog a kiss, as his thrilled parents watched in amazement.

“Look at that,” his father, Matt, exclaimed, while his mother, Anna, cooed, “How sweet buddy, aw, you’re kissing him. That is so sweet.”

It’s not often that Landon, 4, gives anyone a kiss.

Diagnosed with a severe form of autism at age 2, Landon lives in a world of his own. He cannot speak and relies on his parents for almost everything, from eating to using the restroom. The milestones the Carpenters celebrate are in stark contrast to other families — they rejoiced when, after two years of coaxing, Landon finally popped a bubble. He also has just begun playing with toys.

“People don’t realize the things they take for granted,” his mother said. “For a family like us, that’s something we celebrate. And a kiss, for him to give a kiss, that’s huge. People get those all the time from their kids and they don’t realize how precious those moments are.”

Continue reading Family welcomes canine assistance dog for autistic child