Dalton’s Georgia Army National Guard unit gets send-off Monday

DALTON, Ga. — A send-off for members of Dalton’s Troop C, 1-108th Cavalry, a unit of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Georgia Army National Guard, begins on Monday at 10 a.m. at Rock Bridge Community Church, 121 W. Crawford St. in Dalton. Maj. Will Parker, a spokesman for the 48th, said the Dalton unit is scheduled to spend nine months in Afghanistan. Some of the 48th’s soldiers will remain behind. Charlie Rosenquist, family readiness group chair, said Mayor Dennis Mock is scheduled to speak at the ceremony. After the ceremony, a reception is at 11:30 a.m. at the Georgia National Guard Armory at 709 W. Crawford St. Buses will arrive at the Armory at 1 p.m. and travel from Crawford Street to Walnut Avenue to Interstate 75. Rosenquist said she hopes people will line the streets to cheer and wave as the soldiers make their way to I-75. For more information, call Rosenquist at 706-980-4145.

Trump to name Chambliss to Intelligence Advisory Board

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced his intention Wednesday to appoint five individuals to his Intelligence Advisory Board. Former Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Moultrie is one of them. Others to be named to the board include Jeremy Katz of Illinois, James Donovan of Virginia, Kevin E. Hulbert of Pennsylvania and David Robertson of New Jersey. Chambliss served on the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services committees during his 12 years in the Senate. He was vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence from 2011 to 2014. Prior to his election to the Senate in 2002, he served several terms in the House of Representatives, where he served on similar committees. Since leaving Congress, Chambliss — formerly an attorney in Moultrie — has become a partner with the DLA Piper global law firm. As an appointee to the Intelligence Advisory Board, Chambliss would offer advice on and deliberate in confidential matters regarding U.S. intelligence, according to a report by Atlanta TV station 11Alive. The board itself operates as an independent element within the executive branch and has been around for more than 60 years, the report said. The group exists exclusively to assist the president as an independent source of advice.

Houses of Hope playhouse raffle benefits House of Hope

TIFTON, Ga. — Anyone in the market for a great Christmas present can enter to win one while contributing to a good cause. Tiftarea House of Hope is selling tickets to win Houses of Hope; five playhouses built and donated by local organizations. The houses are on display at the Tifton Mall. Tickets are $10 each or three for $25. The drawing will be held at the mall at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1. For more information contact Martine Hill at 229-382-9010 or Rosemary Hightower at 229-402-2610.

Live Oak Library to host ‘A Christmas Carol,’ Smithsonian Exhibit

LIVE OAK, Fla. — A live performance of “A Christmas Carol” will be presented at the Live Oak branch of the Suwannee River Regional Library next week.

Local resident John H. Bell will perform the Christmas classic Monday at 6 p.m.

The hour-long performance will take the audience back to 1840s London where Ebenezer Scrooge reviews (and previews) his life guided by three spirits that attempt to reset Scrooge’s “ethical hard drive.”

The performance is an annual gift to the community as part of the Live Oak Artist Guild’s outreach and education program.

Later in the month, the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street exhibit “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” will arrive at the library for a month-long stay. The exhibit will be on display from Dec. 17 through Jan. 26.

More information about the exhibit as well as special programs planned during its stay will be forthcoming.