News

Judge Reflects on Ordeal
2007 09 24

One particularly powerful chapter focuses on Judge Pickering’s March 28, 2004, interview on the CBS news magazine show 60 Minutes with veteran journalist Mike Wallace.

Wallace, feared by politicians and public officials for his ability to get to the truth regardless of the consequence, gave 16.74 million Americans a chance to get to know Pickering and hear what Mississippians had to say about the charges of racism lodged against him by Schumer, the People for the American Way and other critics.

One of the real stars of the 60 Minutes piece was veteran civil rights activist Charles Evers, the brother of slain NAACP field director Medgar Evers. Charles Evers staunchly defended Pickering in front of a national television audience and told of his efforts to battle the Ku Klux Klan in Jones County in the 1960s.

Evers recently read Pickering’s second book.

“Unlike those who attacked him in Washington, D.C., I know Charles Pickering personally; and I know his positive record on race relations, civil rights, and equal protection for all,” said Evers. “Washington liberals attempted to portray him as a racist; they sickened me. I’ve been in the fight. I have the wounds. I know the truth. If you are interested in promoting better race relations, you should read Charles Pickering’s story.”
Original Article

Senator Zell Miller to Hold October Book Signing in Dahlonega
2007 09 24

U.S. Senator and former Georgia Governor Zell Miller will autograph books at a book signing for his new book, The Miracle of Brasstown Valley, in Dahlonega on Saturday, October 13th from 11am - 1pm at the Gazebo adjoining the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce offices on the Historic Town Square.

The newly released book follows the history of Northeast Georgia and stories about the mountains, the people, their ways and the birth of a college in Brasstown Valley. Dahlonega history is predominant in the early part of the book. The stories begin through the eyes of an itinerant Methodist preacher, The Reverend Artemus Lester, who trained in Dahlonega with Presiding Elder A.C. Thomas in 1884 in preparation for his ministry. He rode into Brasstown Valley on a mule, started Young Harris College, then left before a single class was held - never to return. It also depicts Judge Young L.G. Harris, the major College benefactor, and early President, Dr. Joseph Sharp, who left his indelible impression on the College.

The storyline of the book is about the miracle in Brasstown Valley, Young Harris College, that managed not only to survive through storm and strife but to touch thousands of lives in a positive and profound way. It also includes the mystical valley, Choestoe, “where the rabbits dance”, the nation’s first “gold rush” in Dahlonega, and the fascinating and educated Cherokees who lived and suffered in Northeast Georgia.

The Miracle of Brasstown Valley is the seventh book written by Senator Miller, and reveals the extent of his knowledge of Georgia history, particularly Northeast Georgia history. It shows his ability as a fascinating storyteller who holds the readers interest throughout the book. Many thanks to the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce for the use of the gazebo for the book signing.

For additional information on Senator Miller’s book signing, please contact Bill or Helen Hardman at 706-864-5619.
Original Article

Pickering Speaks at JCJC
2007 09 21

Integrity and honor were the words most often used when Judge Charles Willis Pickering Sr. spoke to the crowd at Jones County Junior College.

The first speaker this year for the Rho Sigma Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa’s Honors Topic Lecture Series, Pickering spoke about his new book, A Price Too High: The Judiciary in Jeopardy.

The event was co-sponsored by the newly created Charles Pickering Honors Institute, which will academically challenge students, as well as teach them leadership qualities.

Said JCJC President Dr. Jesse Smith of Pickering, “Judge Pickering is very strong in his faith and his integrity. Honor is earned over a lifetime. If you have integrity and the will, you can make a difference. We cannot be more proud of having our honors institute named after Charles Pickering because he embodies what it means to have integrity.”

Pickering, an alumnus of Jones, told students about two battles that are ongoing in the United States: A culture war that separates historical and religious traditions from modern secularism, and the proper procedure to change the constitution.

Citing passages and life experiences from his book, Pickering gave examples of his ongoing battles, beliefs and solutions to the problems the country faces.

“Judges do not have the power to change the constitution,” said Pickering. “It’s contrary to the will of the American people.”

Pickering shared his belief that an amendment to the constitution is the only way a change should be made, and he said he stayed in the fight for this belief for four years.

“For almost 200 years the amendment process worked well,” he said. “These amendments dealt with hot button social issues. The only way to change the constitution is to use Article 5.”

After more than 10 years on the bench, President George W. Bush nominated Judge Pickering to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, but a minority in the U.S. Senate obstructed his confirmation for more than two and a half years. On Jan. 16, 2004, President Bush recess-appointed Judge Pickering to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Pickering chose to retire at the age of 67.

Through attacks from modern secularists against his beliefs, including his Christian faith, he continued to stand by his ideals. Pickering said that faith and the encouragement of family and friends is what sustained him and his wife.

He told the students that in all aspects of the country and its government, a restoration is needed for civility and respect for one another.

More than 70 students, faculty and members of the public lined up for a book signing after the lecture, including Kimberly Sanford of Seminary, a student in the inaugural class of the Charles Pickering Honors Institute.

“I thought it was a great day for the college,” said Sanford. “Judge Pickering is a great man and has influenced us in so many ways. He’s given us great opportunities, and I’m so happy to be a part of the honors college.”
Original Article

Pickering to give guest lecture at JCJC
2007 09 10

Former federal judge and Jones County native Charles Pickering is returning to his alma mater of Jones County Junior College Tuesday, Sept. 18, for a free lecture and book signing for students and the general public.

Pickering recently released his second book, “A Price Too High,” which follows the controversy surrounding the nomination by President George W. Bush for Pickering to serve as a judge on the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Pickering’s appointment was blocked by the U.S. Senate, but he served on the circuit court for almost a year as a recess appointment by Bush.

The book received favorable reviews by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour and journalist Mike Wallace of television’s “60 Minutes” who said, “Charles Pickering Sr. has written an extraordinary book.”

“A Price Too High” follows Pickering’s first book, “Supreme Chaos,” also about the federal judicial confirmation process.

Pickering received an associate’s degree from JCJC in 1957 before going on to the University of Mississippi where he received a law degree in 1961. He is currently senior counsel with the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell and Berkowitz.

The lecture and book signing will be held in the JCJC Fine Arts Auditorium at 10 a.m. The event is co-sponsored by JCJC’s newly created Charles Pickering Honors Institute and the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.

For more information call Honors Institute Director Mark Taylor at 477-4030.
Original Article

Zell Miller Holds Book Signing on Saturday
2007 09 06

If you haven’t gotten a copy of Zell Miller’s latest book, which was released in July about the same time the last Harry Potter book came out, then you might want to stop in at Jeff Hansen’s bookstore just off the square in Blairsville.

Not only will you have an opportunity to buy a great book, but the author himself will be on hand to personally autograph it.

You might want to get to the Book Nook early though for there is sure to be a line. Doors open at 10 a.m. and the former Georgia Governor and U.S. Senator is scheduled to be there until 11:30. Well, maybe a bit longer if the line still extends outside around the corner.

Miller has written several books during his political career covering topics from politics to mountain music. Some have topped the national best-seller list, including Corps Values and a Deficit of Decency.

Yet none will have greater appeal to the audience of these north Georgia and western North Carolina mountains than his latest book, The Miracle of Brasstown Valley. In it he reflects his love of the area and its people.

True, these mountains are a miraculous place, and Zell Miller has helped to make it so.
Original Article

Book Review:  The Miracle of Brasstown Valley
2007 09 06

Gov. Zell Miller’s latest book The Miracle of Brass Town Valley, will probably have a much smaller audience than his previous six books, two of which made the New York Times Best Sellers list.

Miller, with history professor credentials, describes the book as a true story of the miraculous creation of a college in a remote mountain valley at the turn of the 19th century and the captivating characters who with the grace of god, made it happen; the Methodist circuit rider, still in his 20’s, who came into th valley riding a mule; a wise soft-spoken widow who breathed life into the infant school; a wealthy church layman whose generosity for Christian education was great; and a college president who was more at home on the farm with his britches legs rolled up.

In telling the story of the creation of Young Harris College, the author weaves together a story that promotes the heritage of the North Georgia mountains.

As a descendent of a pioneer Brasstown Valley family (Adam A. Nichols, 1798-1862) I found the book historically accurate and intellectually inspiring.

Miller’s love for his heritage is evidenced by his placing on the book cover a portrait by his mother, Birdie Bryan Miller. The scene depicts Double Knob mountain and the stream from which the widowed Mrs. Miller gathered stones to build a home for her children, Jane and Zell,

The author acknowledges he took some liberties when he concludes in the foreword - while all the people, places and events are real, in some instances I have filtered their undocumented words spoken long ago through my imagination. But as we say in the mountains, this is “pert near” how it happened.

The book is a “must” read for the serious student of Appalachian history and culture. Thank you Zell and Shirley for loving and living your mountain “roots”!
Original Article