If you are a parent of school-age kids, you know that summer is filled with a variety of pursuits that keep them constantly on the move, help them explore new things, and enrich their lives. And if those school-age kids participate in sports, summer is also filled with plenty of team activities. Whether they’re doing a workout, inner-squad scrimmage, or an exhibition game against a rival team, this time of year is when athletes can work and play in a more laid-back atmosphere. They may even make a few new friends at practice. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself making extra room in the car on the trip to the beach for one of your child’s new-found comrades, or just having your refrigerator raided by hungry teammates. But sports in the summertime is not just filled with a bunch of loafing around. As I keep up with our Lumpkin County teams, what strikes me is that success takes time—a lot of time. Everywhere I look, athletes in our county are striving to reach the next level. In many cases, kids spend hours per day developing the chemistry necessary to have a successful team. Teams have limited weeks during the summer in which to practice as a group, and it is clear that there is a feeling of purpose in the atmosphere. Even though there may be less pressure during this time of year, the work that athletes do is just as important.

Diane Durham Stephenson Diane was born to Mary and Jacob Durham on July 20, 1930 in Birmingham, Ala. and died on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at her home in Dahlonega. She was married to Robert Stephenson in 1954 and lived in Atlanta. She moved to Lumpkin County in the late 1980s, desiring to live in a more peaceful area. After attending Stephens College, she earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Alabama with a major in Anthropology. Her early work years focused on research in health care delivery, carrying out federal contracts throughout the U.S. Spending a number of years in teaching and research at the University of Georgia, she led the women’s rights movement on campus during the 60s. This led to early termination of her contract! Thereafter she began a life long career as a general contractor in home construction, the only woman in that profession in the Atlanta area at that time. Diane helped start many human service organizations including the Atlanta Gay Center, Kidney Foundation of Georgia, NOA, Community Helping Place, and the Lumpkin Literacy Coalition. She was a founding member of the Georgia Mountains Unitarian Universalist Church in Dahlonega, having been a member of that church all of her adult life. Survivors include her life partner of 16 years, Betty Greene; her children Fred Stephenson, Donna Stephenson and partner Bill Shepherd, and Randall Stephenson; her step-children Jennifer Greene, Chris and Amy Greene; and grandchildren Lindsey and Ella Greene; and her brother John Durham. A Celebration of Life honoring Diane and her many friends will be held at the Dahlonega Funeral Home Saturday, June 29 at 4 p.m. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, .with a reception following at the Georgia UU Mountains Church in Dahlonega. In lieu of flowers, Diane requests that donations be made in her name to the Georgia Unitarian Universalist Church in Dahlonega. --- Donald Ray Gooch Retired Major U.S. Army, Donald Ray Gooch, age 74, of Dahlonega, died June 12, 2013. Don was born in Brawley, California to the late Gordon and Martha Justus Gooch. He was a helicopter pilot in the United States Army in which he was Commander five times; once with the missile site in Olathe, Kan., twice in Germany, and twice in Vietnam. He retired from his military duties to Dahlonega with his wife of 56 years. Mr. Gooch was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Lumpkin County. He is also preceded in death by many brothers and sisters. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Jones Gooch; son and daughter-in-law, Don and Killian Gooch, Austin, Texas; daughter, Deborah McGrath, Oakwood, Ga.; daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Brian McCrary, Carrollton, Ga., and Kimberly and James Hickman, Germany. Six grandchildren and a number of other relatives also survive. Funeral services for Don were held Friday, June 14, 2013 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Lumpkin County. Rev. Michael Rogers officiated. Interment followed in the Jones Chapel Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.WoundedWarriorProject.org Online condolences may be made at www.banisterfuneralhome.net Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega was in charge of the arrangements. --- Donna Grainger Mrs. Donna Grainger, age 55, of Flowery Branch, Georgia, passed away Sunday, June 9, 2013. Funeral services were held June 13, 2013 at Memorial Park South Funeral Home Chapel. The Reverend Bill Compton officiated. Donna was born on December 11, 1957 in Gainesville, Georgia. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Flowery Branch. She worked at Crossroads Deli in Gainesville as a cashier. She enjoyed creating and viewing art, tending to her bountiful garden and was a friend to all. She was preceded in death by her father, William Larry McNeal; and husband, Daniel Cleveland Grainger; sister, Lisa McNeal. Donna is survived by her mother, Rebecca (Barber) McNeal of Flowery Branch; son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Judith Grainger of Dahlonega; daughter and son-in-law, Samantha and Paul DeBoer of Flowery Branch; close companion, Mike Denier of Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Hayden Grainger, Audrey Grainger and Delia Anne DeBoer. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Good News at Noon, 810 Pine Street, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 or Set Free Cleveland, P.O. Box 1419 Dahlonega, Ga. 30533. Memorial Park South Funeral Home 4121 Falcon Parkway Flowery Branch, Ga. 770-967-5555 was in charge of arrangements. Or for those who wish online condolences at http://www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com/.