A popular literacy initiative in Habersham County is taking a new direction this spring, bringing in a nationally recognized author and former NFL player for a special community event.

One Book Habersham, a partnership between Habersham County Schools, the Northeast Georgia Regional Library System, Piedmont University’s education department, and Volunteers for Literacy of Habersham County, will host Malcolm Mitchell for a public book signing event on April 14 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cornelia Community House.

A New Approach To A Community Tradition

Each year, One Book Habersham selects a children’s book to distribute across the county in February, followed by a visit from the author in April for school programs and a community event.

This year, organizers have partnered with Mitchell and his Share the Magic Foundation, expanding the program’s reach and impact.

Mitchell, a former University of Georgia standout and Super Bowl champion, has become widely known for his work promoting literacy through his foundation.

Event Details

The April 14 event will be a drop-in book signing open to the community.

Each ticket includes:

• Admission for two people
• A copy of Mitchell’s book, The Magician’s Hat, for signing
• One photo with Mitchell

Tickets are $10 plus a $1 convenience fee and can be purchased by scanning the QR code on event materials or by visiting GoFan and searching for the event.

A Message Rooted In Literacy

According to event organizers, Mitchell’s story reflects the mission of One Book Habersham.

Growing up, Mitchell faced challenges that made reading difficult, but through determination and support, he developed a love for books. Today, he shares that message with students across the country, emphasizing how literacy can open doors and create opportunities.

Learn More

More information about the program is available at www.onebookhabersham.org.

The event offers families a unique opportunity to meet an inspiring speaker, receive a signed book, and celebrate the importance of reading in the Habersham community.

Georgia could take an unconventional path toward ending the twice-yearly clock change—by effectively moving itself into a different time zone.

In an interview, State Senator Bo Hatchett explained a new legislative effort that would allow Georgia to observe the equivalent of daylight saving time year-round, even if Congress remains deadlocked on the issue.

A Workaround to Federal Gridlock

For years, states like Georgia have been waiting on Congress to approve permanent daylight saving time. While more than 20 states—including Georgia—have passed laws expressing their intent to make the switch, federal law still requires congressional approval before states can adopt daylight time year-round.

Congress has come close. The Sunshine Protection Act passed the U.S. Senate in 2022 and the U.S. House in 2024, but neither chamber completed final passage, leaving the effort stalled in Washington.

“That’s why we’re looking at another tool,” Hatchett said.

Moving to Atlantic Time

Instead of waiting on Congress, the proposed legislation would allow Georgia’s governor to petition the U.S. Department of Transportation to shift the state from the Eastern Time Zone to the Atlantic Time Zone.

Here’s why that matters:

• Atlantic Standard Time is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time
• During daylight saving months, Georgia already operates on the same clock as Atlantic Standard Time
• By switching time zones and observing standard time year-round, Georgia would effectively remain on what residents know as daylight time

In practical terms, clocks wouldn’t change from what people experience today during daylight saving months—but they would stop “falling back” in November.

A High Bar for Approval

The move would require approval from the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, who evaluates such requests under what’s known as the “convenience of commerce” standard.

Hatchett acknowledged that Georgia likely wouldn’t succeed alone.

“I don’t think the Secretary of Transportation would be able to grant this unless and until our neighboring states also petition,” he said.

That’s why lawmakers are already coordinating with nearby states:

• Florida leaders have expressed interest in similar legislation
• South Carolina lawmakers are also considering action
• Broader regional participation could strengthen Georgia’s case

What Happens Next

Before any federal petition can be made, the proposal must still pass through the Georgia House and be signed by the governor.

If approved, the bill would give the governor until December 31, 2026, to formally petition the federal government.

Hatchett said early conversations in the House have been encouraging, with no significant opposition reported so far.

Why Lawmakers Are Pushing the Change

Beyond convenience, supporters point to growing concerns about the health impacts of switching clocks twice a year.

“I think the majority of Georgians do not like our current system,” Hatchett said, noting widespread constituent support for staying on daylight time permanently.

The issue has drawn bipartisan backing in the Georgia Senate, where the effort has been described as overwhelmingly supported.

A Long Shot—But a Strategic One

Hatchett acknowledged the odds of success may be slim without broader regional support, but said the effort is about more than just one proposal.

“This is just another tool we have… to keep the conversation going,” he said.

If successful, Georgia could become one of the first states to effectively adopt permanent daylight time—without waiting on Congress—by simply redefining what time zone it calls home.

After more than 30 years as a cornerstone of downtown Cornelia, Books with Appeal will soon close its doors—marking the end of an era for a business built as much on relationships as it was on books.

Originally established in its current form in the early 1990s, the store was the vision of the late Glenda Boling, who purchased an existing bookstore and relocated it to its longtime home near the post office.

Though not known as an avid reader herself, Boling built the business around something even more powerful—people.

“She loved books, but she loved the people more than anything else,” said her daughter, Vicki Boling Jones, who now owns the store.

For those who want to hear more of her story in her own words, a full video interview is available here:
https://youtu.be/07SaDyI7xuA

A Store Rooted in Relationships

Over the years, Books with Appeal became far more than a place to buy books. It was a gathering place, a shipping hub and, for many, a daily stop.

Boling adapted as the retail landscape changed, adding UPS services early on—long before online shopping became widespread. That service helped keep the store relevant as traditional book sales began to decline.

“She was constantly looking for other avenues to bring in revenue,” Jones said, noting that her mother eventually expanded into shipping, returns and special book orders to meet customer needs.

But what truly set the store apart was Boling’s personal connection with her customers. She knew them, cared about them and often stayed involved in their lives beyond the store’s walls.

That connection turned customers into something more like family.

A Family Legacy Continues—and Comes to a Close

When Glenda Boling passed away unexpectedly in 2019, her husband Jerry, along with staff and family, made the decision to keep the store open.

With the help of longtime employee Alicia—who had just begun working at the store months before Boling’s passing—the business continued operating, carrying forward the same spirit that had defined it for decades.

After Jerry Boling’s passing in early 2024, the responsibility of the store fell to Jones.

In recent months, she worked to reimagine the space—rearranging the store, expanding offerings from local authors and hosting events like book readings and author meet-and-greets in an effort to bring new life into the business.

“We really put a focus on local authors,” Jones said. “You’d be amazed at how many are right here in our area.”

Despite those efforts, the challenges facing independent bookstores proved difficult to overcome.

The Realities Facing Small Bookstores

Like many small, independent retailers, Books with Appeal struggled to compete with the pricing power of major chains and online giants.

In some cases, Jones said, large retailers are able to sell books at prices lower than what independent stores can purchase them for wholesale.

“It’s really difficult for a brick-and-mortar store to stay in business,” she said.

While services like UPS brought steady foot traffic, they did not generate enough revenue to sustain the business long-term.

More Than a Bookstore

For Jones, the decision to close is not about a lack of passion—but the realities of time and responsibility.

In addition to the bookstore, she now manages several other family businesses left behind by her father, a lifelong entrepreneur.

Still, closing the store has been deeply emotional.

“It’s been very emotional for me,” she said. “But hearing customers come in and talk about my mom—that touches my heart.”

A Final Chapter—and an Invitation

As the doors prepare to close, Jones is inviting the community to stop in one last time—to browse, to shop and to say goodbye.

The shelves still hold a wide selection of books, gifts and works by local authors, many of whom found a home on those walls thanks to Bolling’s vision.

More than anything, the closing of Books with Appeal marks the loss of a place where community came first—a reminder of the role small businesses play not just in commerce, but in connection.

And as Jones reflects on her mother’s legacy, one thing is clear:

The story of Books with Appeal was never just about books.

A sold-out crowd gathered Thursday evening at Piedmont University’s Mason Scharfenstein Museum of Art for a special screening of Stalking the Big Cat, a documentary exploring the life and legacy of Hall of Fame baseball legend Johnny Mize.

The film, produced by Hal Jacobs, brought to life the remarkable journey of the Demorest native, known across Major League Baseball as “The Big Cat” for his powerful swing and consistent hitting.

But beyond Mize’s well-documented achievements on the field, the documentary also shed light on lesser-known chapters of baseball history—particularly the connections between Major League players and Negro League stars during a time of segregation.

One of the figures featured in the film is Red Moore, a standout first baseman in the Negro Leagues. His inclusion provided a meaningful parallel to Mize, as both men played the same position during an era when the sport remained divided along racial lines.

The film explored how Mize and other Major League players would occasionally compete in exhibition games against Negro League teams—though notably not in the segregated South. Instead, these matchups took place in smaller Midwestern towns, offering rare glimpses of integrated competition before it was formally allowed.

Mize’s exposure to more diverse competition extended beyond those exhibitions. The documentary highlighted his time playing baseball in Cuba and other Latin American countries, where he shared the field with players of color years before Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947.

Those experiences added important context to Mize’s career, illustrating how the game itself was already more interconnected than official league structures at the time might suggest.

The screening also featured guest speakers and community members who shared stories, insights and memorabilia connected to Mize, creating an atmosphere that blended history, storytelling and local pride.

For those who missed the sold-out showing, there will be another opportunity to see the film. Stalking the Big Cat is scheduled to air on Georgia Public Broadcasting on May 4th, bringing the story of one of Habersham County’s most celebrated figures to a statewide audience.

For many in attendance, the evening was more than just a film screening—it was a chance to revisit the legacy of one of Habersham County’s most notable figures while gaining a deeper understanding of the broader history of the game he helped define.

The Tallulah Falls School Indians golf teams turned in a strong performance on the road Wednesday, with both the boys and girls squads picking up wins over Rabun County Wildcats.

The Indians secured the team victory with a score of 167, finishing ahead of Rabun County’s 173. On the girls’ side, the Lady Indians also claimed a win with an 85-95 final.

Leading the way for Tallulah Falls was Max Pulliam, who carded a team-best 38. Ryder Cantrell followed with a 41, while Rylee Smith posted a 43. Tate Turpin (45) and Owen Earp (46) rounded out the top five scorers.

Additional contributions came from Kalvin Ngov, Jayden Hangbo and Emmitt Likins, who each shot 48, while Wyatt Dorsey finished with a 55.

On the girls’ side, Maeve Hatcher earned low medalist honors with an impressive 41. Handley James followed with a 44, and both Alex Rokoska and Kathi Ashique recorded rounds of 47.

Head coach CJ Stockel said the match served as an important opportunity for growth as the season continues.

“Today was a time to sharpen the iron,” Stockel said. “When you compete, every round is a chance to get better and prepare for what’s ahead.”

With another win under their belts, the Indians continue to build momentum as they move deeper into the season, showing depth across both the boys and girls lineups.