2010 Tour de Tugaloo

Save the date to go "Rollin' on the River" for the 8th annual Tour de Tugaloo--Sat. November 6th beginning at Yonah Dam Rd. Toccoa, GA at 10am.

• 22, 42, 62 mile routes plus a 5 mile fun ride for young or casual riders
• Gentle to challenging terrain for every skill level
• You can put the pedal down or set a leisurely pace to check out some of the local sights. Rider maps include locations of historical sites for those who would like to explore the area while cycling
• Friendly and well stocked SAG stops with toilet facilities. Drop your gear or clothing and continue to ride. Our SAG support team will take it back for you.
• Long Sleeve Tee Shirt
• Post ride amenities including massages, food and entertainment
• Prizes and Giveaways: to be announced.

Proceeds benefit the Stephens County Foundation whose mission is to preserve and support education and environmentally sound practices along the Tugaloo River Corridor. More information at: http://www.tuglaoocorridor.org/


Come for the ride and stay for the Harvest Festival going on in downtown Toccoa Nov 6 & 7. A fun-filled family event featuring handmade arts and crafts, kids play area, food and music and entertainment.

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Thanks,
Tour de Tugaloo Staff
For the latest info - Visit http://www.tourdetugaloo.com/

Toccoa Falls College Receives Excellent Ranking in U.S. News and World Report

Washington, D.C. – August 17, 2010 – Toccoa Falls College recently earned the 46th (the first tier) spot among Regional Colleges in the 2011 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News Media Group. This exclusive ranking came after surveying more than 1,400 schools nationwide.

The college’s name will be listed in the September issue of U.S. News and World Report, on newsstands starting August 31. Over the past two decades, the U.S. News college rankings, which group schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has grown to be the most comprehensive research tool for students and parents considering higher education opportunities.

After learning the news Toccoa Falls College president Dr. Wayne Gardner said, “It is very exciting to have Toccoa Falls College ranked in the first tier of the US News and World Report. This ranking shows the excellent progress we have made over the past few years in our academic growth and public recognition.”

The 2011 Best Colleges feature the established rankings of the Best National Universities and Best National Liberal Arts Colleges, while also including rankings of A+ Schools for B Students, Great Schools at Great Prices, and Up-and-Coming Schools, among others.

The 2011 Best Colleges package provides the most thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of up to 16 widely accepted indicators of excellence. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings, the key measures of quality are: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and, for National Universities and National Liberal Art Colleges, "graduation rate performance" and high school counselor ratings of colleges.

Toccoa Falls College is considered one of the top Christian colleges in the nation. The campus consists of more than 1,100 acres, which is bordered by national forest. Its graduates serve in various vocations around the world. Degree programs include: Business Administration, Biology, Cross-Cultural Studies, Teacher Education, Counseling-Psychology, Biblical Studies, English, and much more. For more information about Toccoa Falls College and a complete degree listing, please visit http://www.tfc.edu/ or call 1-888-785-5624.

Thanks from Cross International

Over 500 Orphans Rescued by the WRAF Family

Chuck Burge, Jack Eason, and Mike Shelley

Thanks to everyone who has made a $68 one-time gift to rescue an orphan off the streets of Mozambique and place them into a Christian home. To make your gift during the WRAF and Cross International "Day of Hope and Rescue" click here.

African Orphans Need Your Support!

At 16, Rute's mother, father and oldest sister died, leaving her the head of a household and caretaker of the family.

"Everywhere we turned, we heard about the crisis with orphans. Virtually every ministry I visited and every person I met seemed to be struggling with the problem on some level. Most pastors have taken in one or two children themselves, and no matter what ministry they are leading, they've expanded their program to include some outreach for these children," explains Jim Cavnar, president of Cross.

Some younger orphans are taken in by Christian families. In other cases, a teenage daughter or son may try to keep the family together with the help of the church. It's a difficult life, but with mentors and assistance from Christians, these families have a fighting chance to stay together.

"During our visit, we met several of these struggling families, and we offered our help. One young girl named Rute Salomao was living in a mud and straw house that was literally on the verge of collapsing. After returning, we sent funds to build a new cement block house for the family. It wasn't expensive by U.S. standards, but it has had a huge impact on living standards of the family, providing them with security and a solid foundation upon which they can rebuild their lives," Cavnar says.

In most other cases, children are taken in by Christian families – usually at great personal sacrifice. Poverty is a way of life in Africa, so these host families are usually struggling themselves, and they welcome any support the church can provide. Discovering this, Cross International agreed to help by funding the basic needs of the orphan by giving the host families help with food, clothing, medicines, educational expenses and other basic human needs.

The cost of this outreach – just $68 per child for the entire year – represents an astounding opportunity to provide significant help...for very little money.

"These people lead a very simple life and their needs are modest," Cavnar explains. "Still, it's amazing to think that we American Christians can have such a big impact for so little money. For just $68, we can effectively rescue a child. We can give these little ones a greater sense of security – and new hope for the future.

Ultimately, seeing the needs in Africa should bring the words of James 1:27 to mind – True religion is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world. Clearly, God's heart is broken by the suffering of these vulnerable children, and He is honored when we Christians realize that fact and respond as an act of service and worship. That alone should be reason enough for us to take up this challenge and help Africa's orphans in any way we can.

To make a contribution toward this effort using our secure Internet form, click here.

Day of Rescue Phone # 888.979.2009

#1 Culprit in Food Poisoning

Poultry fingered as No. 1 food poisoning culprit

By MIKE STOBBE
AP Medical Writer

ATLANTA (AP) -- Cooking chicken on the grill this summer? Be careful. Poultry is still the leading culprit in food poisoning outbreaks, health officials said Thursday.

Chicken, turkey and other poultry accounted for 17 percent of the food-borne illness outbreaks reported to the government. Beef and leafy vegetables were close behind, at 16 percent and 14 percent


read the full health report here

Road Home - Aug 10

Here's the link mentioned by Steve on today's Road Home: http://www.ccmmagazine.com/digital/issue/2010/aug/pageflip.aspx

Road Home - Aug 9

Link mentioned by Steve on today's Road Home: http://www.courageousthemovie.com/