The Mashpee Planning Board will consider changes to the town s zoning bylaws to encourage private developers to redevelop dilapidated or underused properties in town, following a discussion on this topic
Cold water and cold drinks: What to expect at Helen s 2021 Fasching festival Participants in the Fasching River Parade and Party ride tubes down the Chattahoochee River in Helen, Georgia on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019. The Fasching celebration is a Bavarian version of Mardi Gras. - photo by Austin Steele
Dozens of people dressed in vibrant green, gold and purple attire will brave the freezing Chattahoochee River in the name of revelry and German tradition during Helen’s 10th annual Fasching festival.
The sidewalk and tubing parade will flow into the alpine village from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6.
The festival, which serves as something like a German Mardi Gras in Northeast Georgia, includes celebrations and drinking ahead of Ash Wednesday and the 40-day season of Lent and fasting observed in some Christian traditions.
Rep. Matt Dubnik named Chairman of House Education Committee
State Representative Matt Dubnik of Gainesville was recently named Chairman of the House Education Committee by the Georgia House of Representatives’ Committee on Assignments. In his new role, Rep. Dubnik will oversee all aspects of legislation regarding Pre-K and K-12 education in Georgia.
Rep. Dubnik represents District 29, which includes portions of Hall County, and serves as a member of various other committees. He has been a member of the Georgia House of Representatives since 2016.
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File/Rob Moore
HELEN – Helen’s annual Fasching events will continue citywide, despite the required cancellation of the Helen Chamber of Commerce’s annual gathering in the Festhalle.
Newly sworn Mayor Pro Tem Fred Garmon and other city officials stressed the events planned around town for the weekends of Jan. 29-31 and Feb. 4-6 will continue as planned.
The large-scale gatherings at the Festhalle, however, have been cancelled due to Gov. Brian Kemp’s executive order regulating venues during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Helen Festhalle, operated by the Helen Chamber of Commerce, is classified as a venue.
Fasching, celebrated in Austria, Bavaria and Berlin, features pre-Lenten festivities celebrated in grand style. People traditionally celebrate in costumes at various Carnival community events and individual parties.