The World Police & Fire Games are designed to promote sport and fraternity within the police and firefighting communities, and the 2011 Games scheduled for August 26 – September 5, will coincide with the 10-year remembrance of September 11, 2001.

Palmeri to Compete in 2010 World Police & Fire Games

First held in 1985, the Games are now the second largest multi-sport competition in the world, drawing 15,000 competitors from 70 countries, participating in 68 sports.

Palmeri, a resident of Ellijay, is currently a 22-year veteran of the Atlanta Fire Department’s Station 21.   Originally from New York City, Palmeri’s father spent nine years as a Ladder Truck Drive in the New York Fire Department. “It’s in my blood,” says Palmeri of following in his father’s footsteps.

The 2011 Games will honor two themes – Remembrance and Gratitude. “I was in the fire station on September 11, and recall that day vividly, watching and praying for everyone,” says Palmeri.  “I can only hope that my bike ride to New York City will help to build awareness of the dedication and passion that all emergency responders have to the citizens they serve.”

Palmeri will be competing in the road cycling and mountain biking competitions, along with friends and fellow firefighters, Rodney Deese of Atlanta and Douglas Kerns of Dalton.

Palmeri, owner of Cartecay Bike Shop in downtown Ellijay, has been a leader and advocate in the north Georgia biking scene for a number of years, and was responsible for helping to obtain Gilmer County’s designation as the “Official Mountain Bike Capital of Georgia.”

The planned two-week ride next fall will require the use of customized Carbon Fiber road bikes designed by Palmeri, who began building bikes as a teenager with his father in a backyard wood shed.  The three riders plan to coordinate their trip by staying overnight in fire stations along the route.  “My previous longest ride was from Ellijay to St. Louis, but this trip beats that one by about three hundred miles,” adds Palmeri.

For more information, or to sponsor Palmeri’s trip or participation in the 2011 World Police & Fire Games, visit www.cartecaybikes.com or email mike@cartecaybikes.com.

Gilmer County, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains just an hour north of Atlanta, is the “Mountain Biking Capital of Georgia.”  With more than 150 miles of trails, Gilmer County has a trail for any skill level.  For more information, visit www.gilmerchamber.com.

“Even with the nation’s sluggish economy, we continue to have success enrolling students both domestically and internationally, and we anticipate starting the year with approximately 100 Cadets, our largest enrollment in several years,” says COL (Ret) Bill Jenrette, President of LWMA.  “This demand validates our success in educating and developing exceptional young men, and our 100 percent college acceptance rate continues to be one of our greatest recruiting tools,” he added.

While in-state students represent around 45 percent of the current Cadet population, the Academy’s administration continues to make strides internationally in its recruiting efforts, focusing on Central America and Mexico.  “With our strong Internet presence, we’re now able to reach potential families across the globe, and we’ve re-established relationships in Latin America that are proving beneficial,” says MAJ (Ret) Joe Watson, Director of Admissions.  According to Watson, the Academy is exploring the development of a Spanish version of its Web site at www.lwma.org.

The remainder of the Cadet population hails from the Southeastern and Eastern United States (35 percent), the Mountain states and the West Coast (15 percent) and Central America and Mexico (5 percent).

The Academy’s summer school program and the continued success of its athletic programs, especially soccer, have also contributed to increased enrollment.  “We’re developing academic, athletic, military and extra-curricular programs that potential Cadets find interesting,” says Jenrette.  LWMA recently introduced an ACT preparatory program in addition to offering Advanced Placement Courses and dual enrollment through accredited online courses offered by Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City, AL.

LWMA is one of less than 30 military boarding schools nationally, educating young men from grades 6-12.  LWMA is designed to not only educate, but to teach traditional values such as leadership, patriotism, respect, self-discipline, and accountability.  Sports, such as football, soccer, baseball, and basketball are also offered, and the Academy is a member of the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) and participates in the Associations sports and academic competitions.  Additionally, the Academy’s JROTC program is designated an Honor Unit with Distinction and is among the top five percent in the nation, a designation that it has retained for the past 35 years.  For more information, visit www.lwma.org.

Gilmer County, Georgia, August 8, 2010 – Apple orchard owners in Gilmer County, Georgia’s Apple Capital, have high expectations for a strong apple harvest this fall, with warm days, cool nights and just the right amount of rain to produce a strong crop of more than a dozen varieties of delicious Georgia-grown apples.

Orchard owners along Gilmer County’s Apple Alley (Hwy. 52) have spent thousands of hours preparing their crop for this fall.  This year’s cold winter provided ample “rest” for the trees to flower and bloom this spring.  Workers took to the fields pruning trees, mulching, irrigating and planting new trees. “We are currently in the process of thinning out some of the apples, to ensure that the mature ones receive ample sunlight which helps the fruit develop sweetness and beautiful color,” says Janice Hale of Hillcrest Orchards.

According to Hale, apples aren’t the only things growing at Hillcrest Orchards, as several newborns have arrived at the orchard’s petting zoo, including baby kids (goats), calves, kittens and chicks.  “We’ve built our business into a great family experience, with pick-your-own apples, pig races, wagon rides, our petting zoo, and bakery and farmer’s market, featuring fried apple pies, apple cider doughnuts, apple juice, homemade fudge, apple fritters, homemade ice cream, and more.

Gilmer County Apples

“We’re expecting a great season, with Gala, Golden Delicious and Red Delicious apples coming in by the end of August, and Honey Crisp, Cameo, Mutsu, Rome Beauty, Granny Smith and many more varieties ready by mid-to-late September,” says Andy Futch of R&A Orchards.

Paige Green, President of the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce indicated that this year’s Georgia Apple Festival could be the largest in its 39-year existence.  “We have more than 300 vendors scheduled to attend the festival this year, including handmade arts and crafts, on-site demonstrations, entertainment, music, demonstrations, and more,” says Green.  The Georgia Apple Festival is held the second and third weekends of October.  For more information, visit www.georgiapplefestival.org.

However, visitors to Gilmer County can quickly fill their schedule with a host of other activities, including visiting local shops and restaurants for some local flare, or taking to the outdoors for hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, fishing or exploring.

For visitor information and traveler specials, information about apple orchards and houses along Apple Alley, other activities, and accommodations, visit www.gilmerchamber.com, or join our fan page on Facebook at The Ellijays.

Gilmer County, Georgia, July 12, 2010 – Visitors throughout the state of Georgia who are looking to spend some time getting to know the great outdoors, but may be somewhat intimidated due to a lack of experience or knowledge, need not worry, as several businesses and associations in north Georgia’s Gilmer County are now offering “Get Back to the Outdoors” classes and guided expeditions designed to provide novices with a higher level of confidence to explore a host of outdoor activities.

Travelers to north Georgia can visit www.gilmerchamber.com to find a list of local businesses offering classes and guided trips for activities such as hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, camping, kayaking, canoeing and fishing.

Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Gilmer County is blessed with a significant amount of public land, including nearby favorites such as the Rich Mountain Wilderness Area, Cohutta Wilderness Area and Chattahoochee National Forest.  In fact, more than half of the county is designated as public land, making Gilmer County the perfect base camp for your next adventure.

“In addition to having plenty of room to roam, our ‘Get Back to the Outdoors’ programs, supported by local businesses and associations, are a great for getting families together for a fun outing, and a refreshing way to introduce kids to the outdoors,” says Paige Green, President/CEO of the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce.

Mountain Biking – A walk through historic downtown Ellijay may lead you past Cartecay Bike Shop, but visitors may often find a note posted on the door by owners Mike and Terri Palmeri stating “On a ride with some new friends.”  The Palmeri’s, active road and mountain bikers, often close-up shop to take visitors on guided rides along any of Gilmer County’s 150 + miles of single track trails, including the well-known and Super Epic Pinhoti Trail, Bear Creek, Mountaintown Creek, Stanley Gap, Carters Lake and River Loop, located just minutes from downtown.  Scenic road rides are also offered, with Fort Mountain and Burnt Mountain loops being regional favorites among cyclists.

Hiking, Backpacking and Camping – With the Southern terminus of the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail minutes away, hiking, backpacking and camping are a cornerstone of outdoor activities for visitors to Gilmer County.  Family members Travis, Shirley and Whitney Crouch, owners of North Georgia Mountain Outfitters, are teachers of all things outdoors, offering guided group hiking and camping trips through some of the nation’s most beautiful and remote backcountry, as well as selling quality outdoor clothing, supplies and equipment.

Additionally, the Benton MacKaye Trail Association (BMTA), supporting the 300-mile Benton MacKaye Trail and celebrating its 30^th Anniversary this year, frequently offers monthly Fun Hikes for any skill level.  “Our Fun Hikes teach newcomers about trail navigation and safety, and we provide great fellowship with other hikers,” says Publicity Director, Marge Heller of the BMTA.  Visit www.bmta.org for more information about Fun Hikes.

Kayaking and Canoeing – During the summer months, kayaking, canoeing and tubing down the Cartecay River is always a family favorite.  Folks who want a little more out of the trip can turn to Woody and Jenny Janssen of Cartecay River Experience to provide instructional classes.  “Kayaking is the type of sport or hobby that provides great exercise with a break-taking view,” says Janssen.  Cartecay River Experience and Eagle Mountain General Store both offer calmer tubing expeditions down either the Cartecay or Coosawattee Rivers.

Numerous other outfitters, guides and rental companies are available to support each person’s specific need.  “While our local business owners offer great products and services, they can also offer some excellent folk lore, and provide outdoor goers with some superb recommendations,” says Green.

For visitor information and traveler specials, visit www.gilmerchamber.com, or join our fan page on Facebook at The Ellijays.

Camp Hill, Alabama, June 15, 2010 – Though school is out across most of the nation, new Cadet recruitment at Alabama-based Lyman Ward Military Academy (LWMA) is a year-round process, and school administrators are turning to an untapped resource in their outreach – allowing Cadets to showcase daily life through its newly launched Cadet Life blog at www.lwma.org/blog.

“One of the leading concerns in our recruiting efforts is being able to appropriately describe the day-to-day life of a Cadet, and our new Cadet Life blog gives potential students the opportunity to read first-hand the emotions, challenges and successes from some of our Cadets,” says MAJ (Ret) Joe Watson, Director of Admissions.

LWMA has seen its share of challenges during the past decade, including financial difficulties, and the inaccurate rumor of the Academy’s closing.  “We’ve weathered plenty of storms, yet we continue to grow and develop exceptional young men.  We’ve managed to increase the diversity of our Cadet population, and we continue to maintain a 100 percent college acceptance rate, a fact that the entire Lyman Ward family looks to with pride,” says COL (Ret) Bill Jenrette, President of LWMA.

Lyman Ward administrators selected five Cadets from among a number of volunteers, allowing each to provide a glimpse into daily activities such academics, military instruction and drills, free time and athletics.  “We view this as an outstanding way to build relationships with future students.  Our Cadet bloggers are capable of telling the LWMA story and answering prospective Cadets questions in a way that we as administrators cannot,” added Jenrette.

“When I was first told that I was being sent to military school, I was terrified,” writes Cadet Larry Woods of Anniston, AL in a recent blog posting.  “I wish there had been a blog when I was a new Cadet, as it would have provided a great guide as to what to expect, and taken some of the anxiety out of attending a military school” writes Woods.

LWMA is one of less than 50 military boarding schools nationally, educating young men from grades 6-12.  LWMA is designed to not only educate, but to teach traditional values such as leadership, time management, respect, self-discipline, and accountability.  Sports, such as football, soccer, baseball, and basketball are also offered, and the Academy competes on the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) level.  Additionally, the Academy’s JROTC program is designated an Honor Unit with Distinction and is among the top 5 percent in the nation, a designation that it has retained for the past 35 years.

The Academy will host an Open House on its 300-acre Camp Hill campus on June 19 and July 17, and admissions personnel will be in Huntsville on June 23, Daphne on July 13 and Pensacola on July 14.  For more information, visit www.lwma.org.

Bartels and Craig

Craig, who spent eleven years in the National Football League looking for the end zone, has partnered with WFN, and both are now looking for one lucky person to take fishing as part of a WFN Bay Area promotion.  With the promotion, WFN launched www.wfnbayarea.com, a web site specifically dedicated to fishing in the Bay Area.

“It’s always great to have the opportunity to meet the people who supported me throughout my football career,” says Craig.  “The Bay Area is a great sports town, but our residents also love getting out on the water and fishing, and I’m looking forward to a great day of fishing with our contest winner,” added Craig.

Craig, a three-time Super Bowl Champion and four-time Pro Bowler with the 49ers, will pick one lucky angler who will win the “fishing trip of a lifetime” with Craig, hitting one of the Bay Area’s best fisheries.  The winner and Craig will have their fishing adventure covered by a WFN crew, and it will air on the network, giving the lucky winner a rare chance to appear on national television.  The grand prize also includes $1,000 in cash and WFN merchandise.  The promotion ends on May 31, 2010.

Craig Takes a Handoff

Bay Area fans are encouraged to visit www.wfnbayarea.com to enter for their chance to win, answering the question “Why is everyday a great day for fishing?”  The site features articles about gear and tackle, and fishing tips from local charter captains and fishing guides.  Fans can also upload their own trophy photos.

“I hope to introduce my son to fishing in the near future, and having a resource like WFN locally sure would be great in getting him interested,” says Mark Gadduang of San Bruno, who attended the autograph signing with his son, Calel, age six.  “Roger Craig is one of the all-time greats, and deserves a place in the NFL Hall of Fame.  He helped mold what many fans consider today’s typical running back – a leader on and off the field, who could block, receive and run,” says Gadduang.

San Antonio, TX, May 11, 2010 – The mission statement behind ArmyBassAnglers (ABA) is “SUPPORT.DEFEND.FISH” – and Faculty of Fishing, the nation’s leading provider of online educational courses for anglers, announces its support of ABA through a multi-year sponsorship to raise funds for Returning Heroes Home and The Lone Star Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Faculty of Fishing (FOF) will commit five percent of sales where ArmyBassAnglers is selected as the referred organization through the company’s web site.  FOF will donate funds to both non-profit organizations, helping support phase two of construction of a Returning Heroes Home facility at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, as well as providing much needed funds for recreational and therapeutic activities for members of The Lone Star Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

“We’re proud to join forces with ArmyBassAnglers, and what impresses me about this organization is its strong belief in continuous personal development, and that falls right in line with our purpose.  We are committed to bringing a quality fishing learning management system, regardless of the level of a person’s current fishing knowledge, helping to enhance each participant’s fishing abilities, which in turn will lead to more success on the water,” says Terry McClymont, an avid angler and founder of Faculty of Fishing.

According to McClymont, this new partnership will allow military personnel from across the world with the opportunity to upgrade their fishing experiences, regardless of where duty calls.  “Through this sponsorship, Faculty of Fishing will soon become the resource of choice for anglers looking to improve their skills through a fun, informative and challenging format that provides the necessary content for any skill level,” added McClymont.

As an additional incentive, FOF will provide a five percent discount to anyone using the code “ARMYBASS.”  “FOF has designed an easy to watch, 12-hour course that you can take at your own pace, and that will enhance any angler’s experiences, and the entire ArmyBassAnglers is benefiting from this information, and it’s certainly giving us an edge come tournament time,” says MAJ Cody Roberson of ArmyBassAnglers.

ABA consists of 12 pro staff anglers, all of whom are active duty or retired U.S. military. The group currently fishes the Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail and Bass Champs, and gained national prominence as the Ceremonial Launch Boats for the past two Bassmasters Classic.

Returning Heroes Home, a 12,000 square-foot rehabilitation center, is funded solely by private donations and provides space for wounded soldiers undergoing treatment in San Antonio, allowing them to spend private time with their friends and families when they are not actively participating in rehabilitative treatment.

The Lone Star Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America, a congressionally chartered veterans service organization established on 19th of August 1989, is locally involved in the support of its members or veterans who served in the armed forces that have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction, in the North Texas area.

“We don’t consider ourselves professional fishermen, but professional soldiers who just happen to be really good, avid anglers with a far more important mission.  We strongly encourage anglers to enroll in Faculty of Fishing courses and take advantage of this great offer to enhance your fishing IQ, support our wounded soldiers and paralyzed veterans, and further your experience on the water,” says Roberson.

For more information about Returning Heroes Home or Fishing for Freedom, make a contribution, view tournament schedule or subscribe to the ABA e-newsletter, visit www.armybassanglers.com.  For more information about the Lone Star Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, visit www.mypva.org.  For more information about Faculty of Fishing, or to sign-up for a course, visit www.facultyoffishing.com.

Lakes Sidney Lanier and Allatoona, just outside of Atlanta, are two of the most frequently visited lakes in the nation, averaging a combined 14 million visitors annually. Atlanta’s urban sprawl can be found along the shorelines of these lakes, yet Carters Lake, situated one hour north of Atlanta in Gilmer County, looks much like it did when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed it in 1977.

North Georgia's Carters Lake

“Carters Lake is unique in that commercial and residential development is prohibited, resulting in 62 miles of pristine shoreline,” says Lu Ann Lackey, Park Manager.  “The only structures on the lake are at the Carters Lake Resort and Marina, which accommodates park guests with boat slips, fuel, marine supplies, concessions and cabin and boat rentals.”  When you begin planning your next lake outing, consider Carters Lake:

Great for Family Skiing – For those using starter skis, or for wakeboarding and water skiing enthusiasts looking to practice some new tricks, Carters Lake is perfect due to its size, depth and limited boat traffic.  At 3,200 acres, Carters Lake is the deepest lake in the state, reaching depths of 450 feet.

Boat-In Camping – Most folks are used to hiking to their favorite campsite, but how about boating to your campsite?  Twelve primitive boat-in campsites are available, and campers can tie their boat up next to their tent.  The lake also has plenty of sites for RV goers.

Day-Trip – Carters Lake is perfect for a family outing or reunion.  The area offers group picnic shelters, playgrounds, game courts, fishing decks, scenic overlooks and hiking and biking trails.

Fishing – The clear, deep waters are home to a variety of freshwater fish, including walleye, a species not often found in the Southeast.  Largemouth, striped and hybrid bass are favorite species for guided and recreational fishing trips.

Exploring – Visitors often take to the lake’s many hiking and mountain biking trails to explore the vast array of ecosystems and wildlife.  Carters Lake is designated as an Important Birding Area by the Audubon Society, and its Hidden Pond Songbird Trail features blinds for viewing and managed areas to attract songbirds.

Kayaking & Canoeing – The Coosawattee River is well known for its excellent kayaking and canoeing, but is better known as the story behind the James Dickey canoe-adventure novel, Deliverance, which became a classic movie starring Burt Reynolds.  Several organizations are currently working on a kayak and canoe trail, launching in Ellijay, passing through Class I/II rapids on the Coosawattee River, and ending on the calm waters of Carters Lake.

For visitor information and traveler specials, visit www.gilmerchamber.com, or join our fan page on Facebook at The Ellijays.

www.wfnbayarea.com

San Francisco, California, March 30, 2010 — Roger Craig spent eleven years in the National Football League looking for the end zone.  Now, Craig has partnered with World Fishing Network (WFN), the nation’s only 24-hour fishing lifestyle TV channel, and is looking for one lucky person to take fishing as part of a WFN promotion to celebrate its introduction to the Bay Area today. With the promotion, WFN and Craig kick-off the launch of a Web site at www.wfnbayarea.com, a site specifically dedicated to fishing in the Bay Area.

Visit www.wfnbayarea.com for Your Chance to Win

Craig, a native of Davenport, Iowa, grew-up with a fishing pole in one hand, and a football in the other.  “I spent many a day fishing creeks and tributaries that feed the Mississippi River,” says Craig.  “My friends and I would fish for bluegill, perch and catfish, and while I always enjoyed the thrill of fishing, I mostly enjoyed the meal afterwards, as my aunt would prepare a meal of fried catfish, biscuits and syrup – a Craig family delicacy,” says Craig.

Craig, a three-time Super Bowl Champion and four-time Pro Bowler with the 49ers, will pick one lucky angler who will win the “fishing trip of a lifetime” with Craig, hitting one of the Bay Area’s best fisheries.  The winner and Craig will have their fishing adventure covered by a WFN crew, and it will air on the network, giving the lucky winner a rare chance to appear on national television.  The grand prize also includes $1,000 in cash and WFN merchandise.

Visit www.wfnbayarea.com for Your Chance to Win

Craig, a resident of Palo Alto, still spends time on the water fishing, often taking inshore and offshore trips around the Bay Area, heading to the Sacramento Delta for some largemouth bass, or traveling with friends to Alaska for halibut and salmon.  “In my younger days, fishing was much like football to me – very competitive.  But now, I find it to be a very relaxing hobby, and I can’t wait to get back on the water with our WFN winner,” Craig added.

WFN’s high definition channel, WFN HD, is available in the Bay Area on DISH Network (channel 394), AT&T U-verse (channel 1679) and Verizon FioS (channel 317 and 597 for HD).

Bay Area fans are encouraged to go to www.wfnbayarea.com to enter for their chance to win, answering the question “Why is everyday a great day for fishing?”  In addition to entering the contest, site visitors can post their own Bay Area fishing stories, favorite fishing spots, best guides, favorite boat ramps, best bait and tackle stores and top marinas.  Visitors can also upload photos and video of their own Bay Area trophy catches or fishing trips.  The site also includes articles and content about gear and tackle, fishing tips and the 2010 season from local charter captains and fishing guides.

Visit www.wfnbayarea.com for Your Chance to Win

As part of the promotion, fans will get a chance to meet and get an autograph from Craig on Saturday, May 22, 2010. He’ll join the WFN team at Hi’s Tackle Box to host an autograph signing at 40 Chestnut Avenue in South San Francisco; (650) 588-1200.  Anglers and fans who visit the store during the event will meet their Bay Area hero, receive a special autographed Craig photo, and have the opportunity to sign up for the contest.

“The Bay Area is one of the nation’s top fishing markets and the demand for WFN is huge —which is why we’ve decided to launch this major promotional initiative here,” said Mark Rubinstein, President & CEO of WFN. “The diversity of fisheries in the Bay Area is what is so compelling, with tremendous saltwater fishing that includes inshore, offshore, bay, pier and surf fishing, rivers and streams with trout and salmon, and one of the nation’s leading largemouth bass fisheries in the Sacramento Delta,” says Rubinstein. 

About WFN: World Fishing Network

WFN: World Fishing Network is the only 24/7 television network dedicated to all segments of fishing with programming that covers instruction, tips, tournaments, travel, food, boating, outdoor lifestyle and more. WFN also delivers the beauty of fishing in stunning High Definition with WFN HD, a separate network that delivers 100 percent HD programming 24/7.

Originally launched in December 2005, WFN and WFN HD are available in more than 20 million households through North American cable, satellite and telecommunications distributors.  In the U.S., distributors include AT&T U-verse, Charter Communications, Comcast, DISH Network, Verizon FiOS and others. For more information, visit www.WFN.tv.