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NOV/DEC 2008

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North Georgia Christmas

Holiday Recipes Create a White Christmas at White Interiors

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Families and couples searching for Christmas with an authentic hometown feel and a return to romanticism will find the enchanting North Georgia mountains town of Dahlonega an extraordinary place to be during the holiday season with its Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration. The small town sparkles with life-sized Christmas cards, thousands of white twinkling lights, and special events at most downtown merchant businesses. Dahlonega’s chalets, bed-and-breakfast inns, cabins, and hotels are even “wrapping up” value-added packages to offer visitors during the festivities, which begin on November 28 and continue daily through the first weekend in January. For information on packages and a schedule of events, go to www.dahlonega.org or call the Dahlonega Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-231-5543.

Cavender Creek Cabins

Need a central location from which to enjoy the host of fall festivals? Or is a cozy romantic retreat more your style? Our complex is North Georgia’s premier cabin resort. Cavender Creek Cabins are set in the breathtaking natural beauty of the North Georgia Mountains and blend a rustic setting with luxurious accommodations to create a variety of unique atmospheres that will please even the most demanding guest. Our romantic and familysize cabins are situated only four miles from the historic Dahlonega Square. Most cabins offer a hot tub located outside on a covered porch, overlooking beautiful Cavender Creek or our private pond. Visit our web site and be sure to take our virtual tours. www.CavenderCreek.com - 706-864-7221 or 1-866-373-6307

Corkscrew Cafe

A night on the town in Dahlonega is not complete without dinner at Corkscrew Cafe. Located next door to the historic Holly just off the square, Corkscrew offers a full range of lunch and dinner fare. For lighter appetites, order the duck salad, which features roasted duck breast over a fresh mound of mixed greens, topped with caramelized onions, mandarin oranges, and sugared pecans. The traditionally prepared fresh trout, rack of lamb, or hand carved filet mignon please the heartier appetites. Our desserts and appertifs offer the perfect ending to your meal or the final curtain at the Holly. Our expansive wine list honors both local and international labels. Owners Rob and Coleen Rotunno are happy to suggest the right match for your meal. Wine tastings on the last Sunday of each month from 4:00-6:00pm are paired with our savory appetizers. The charming cafe and enclosed patio can be the perfect backdrop to your private party or let us bring our memorable catering to you. Open Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30am-9:00pm; FridaySaturday, 11:30am-10:00pm, Sunday 12:00-9:00pm. Reservations recommended. www.TheCorkscrewCafe.com - 706-867-8551

Forrest Hills Resort

This beautiful, intimate resort is set within 140 acres of wilderness. Lush nature invites you to relax in a variety of accommodations ranging from a luxury private

cottage with a hot tub, to a B&B room, rustic cabin or one of their 2, 3, 5, 8, 12 or 16-room lodges. Onsite amenities include a destination spa & wellness center, restaurant with separate dining for couples, groups & families, outdoor pool, plus riding stables, 2-mile walking trail, fitness center, meeting rooms, outdoor wedding gardens, chapel & more. Forrest Hills Resort has been nominated as one of the top 100 US Resorts for ten of its 30 years of existence. 135 Forrest Hills Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533. 770-534-3244 - 1-800-654-6313 - www.ForrestHillsResort.com

Paul Thomas Chocolates

Dahlonega is a sweeter place, thanks to Paul Thomas Chocolates at 39 South Chestatee Street. Founder of Hoffman Chocolates in Florida, Paul and Lori Hoffman have brought the joy and complexity of making fine chocolate to the North Georgia mountains. Located just off the square, you’ll want to smell and taste the sweet delights at Paul Thomas Chocolates. Specialties include milk and dark chocolate; chocolate-covered pretzels, nuts, and fruit; and truffles. Take home a piece of Dahlonega with you—one-of-a-kind, chunky Dahlonega Gold Bars. Stop by to see what top-notch ingredients, a lifetime of expertise, and a true passion for candy-making can produce. www.PaulThomasChocolates.com - 706-864-6333

Piazza

Fine Italian Cuisine served in an intimate atmosphere – this is the Piazza experience. Entrees include mouthwatering pastas, veal, chicken, seafood and beef specialties. All entrees are served with Piazza’s signature salad bowl, warm bread boule and olive oil-balsamic dip. A great wine list complements the menu. Whether you are looking for a romantic evening for two, a fun outing with friends, or a family get-together, Piazza is the perfect spot. Two convenient locations: just off the square in Dahlonega, and in the heart of Big Canoe Village. Great outdoor deck dining at Big Canoe. Watch for our Dawsonville Piazza coming late 2008. Open for lunch and dinner 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. Reservations suggested. Big Canoe 706268-1686; Dahlonega 706-867-9881. www.piazza-restaurant.com.

More Local events & places at Dahlonega.org

November/December 2008 Volume 5, Issue 9

Contents

Favorite Holiday Recipes, page 50

Christmas

Columns

11 Christmas in Blue Ridge

continued 13 Travel Talk with Jenny

15 Jasper’s Night of Lights

14 Reflections

17 Cover Story—Holiday Wishes from White Interiors

16 Your Fitness Coach

25 Christmas in Roswell 29 Christmas in Cumming 29 Christmas Lights 54 Head to Dahlonega for an Old-Fashioned Christmas

Favorite Holiday Recipes

18 Real Estate Reality 19 Notes from a Nature Watcher 19 Lumpkin Gold 22 Common Cent$ Investing 24 Leibel on the Law 26 November Reading

50 Vinny’s on Windward

30 Mind & Heart

50 Kitchen Angels

32 Fun by 400

52 Heart of the Home

33 Comma Momma

52 Ray’s Restaurants

34 Captain Clay’s Fishing Report

53 Whole Foods Market

35 Skin Deep

53 Sharp Mountain Grill

36 The Shepherd’s Journal

Columns

36 To Your Health 37 Historic Forsyth

8 Getting Informed

46 Bluegrass Notes

9 Your Vision Source

47 Jim’s Journeys

10 Gardening

48 Knowing Wine

12 Through a Woman’s Eyes

49 Good Eating—Piazza

A list of major distribution points in North Georgia can be found online at www.400edition.com. November/December 2008

400 Edition

November/December 2008 Carole Lee, Founder/Creative Design Linda Merritt, Founder/Sales/Executive Editor Beth Snider, Founder/Sales/Creative Design Rhonda Bailey, Associate Editor/Sales Will Dunne, Sales/Distribution Stacy Guidice, Sales/Distribution Sarah Mansfield, Sales/Distribution Bob Merritt, Sales/Distribution Brooke Morris, Creative Design Cindy Proctor, Sales/Distribution Sharon Waldrop, Sales/Distribution Nancy Wright, Proofing

Contributing Writers: Anne Amerson

Steven Leibel

Charles Cook

Dr. Joyce Nations

Clay Cunningham

Donald Pruitt

Dr. Mark Feinsilber

John Roberts

Nancy Forrest

O’Connell & Sanders

Robin Toms Grier

Linda Ragland

Bill Hutcheson

Dawn Rowley

Martha Hynson

Patrick Snider

Sharon Keating

Staff Writers: Rhonda Bailey

Bob Merritt

Carole Lee

Linda Merritt

Jim Leeds

Beth Snider

Nancy Wright

400 Edition is published monthly in Dahlonega, Georgia, with distribution in thirteen counties. Viewpoints expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of the publishers, staff or advertisers. 400 Edition is not liable for inaccurate or erroneous information posted in advertising or event submissions. Ads must be submitted by the 28th of every month, unless arrangements have been made in advance. Content and presentation of advertisements is subject to editorial review and modification. Ad dimensions and pricing may be obtained by calling 706-867-6455 or 866-867-7557. These specs may also be viewed at www.400edition.com. Writers may submit material to editor@400edition.com. Submissions are subject to approval by the editor and may be edited for space, requirements, and style. The deadline for submissions is the 20th of each month. Contents of this publication become the property of 400 Edition and the original author and cannot be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. This publication is printed by Walton Press in Monroe, GA.

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420 Wal-Mart Way, Suite 171 Dahlonega, Georgia 30533 Phone: 706-867-6455 Toll Free: 866-867-7557 Fax: 678-623-0605 www.400edition.com info@400edition.com

From the Editor...

alk about a weather change. We went from short-sleeve sunny days to having to wear a jacket in just a few hours. Those of you who know me know I’m thinking about where I can go to get out of this cold. I do not, never have, and never will like anything about being cold. But the cool weather sure made some beautiful colored leaves. I look outside my kitchen window and see beautiful gold leaves on a hickory tree. A little further out in the yard, the dogwoods are a dark red. God has made them a beautiful thing to behold. Welcome to our Christmas issue. Thanks to our friends at White Interiors, our front cover puts you in the Christmas spirit. Times have been a little hard this year, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a wonderful Christmas. Just having your loved ones near is worth more than a lot of expensive gifts. Another thing that will put you into the Christmas mood are the many recipes we

have in this issue. Surely you will find just the right thing to make for an upcoming party or family gathering. Among all the excitement of this holiday, don’t forget about that tiny baby who was born in a manger so many, many years ago. As the song says: It was not an ordinary baby, It was Jesus Christ the King. Share that message with everyone you come in contact with this holiday season. It’s the best gift you can give anyone. Until next month…stay happy.

On the Cover

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” We’ve been humming that tune for several months, thanks to a zealous music director at church who believes it is never too early to start practicing for the Cantata and the fact that the “most wonderful time” is fast approaching. The staff at 400 Edition is on that list of folks railing against the way-too-early retailers exhibiting Christmas—can you at least wait until after Halloween? Of course, some of you really clever folks already have each present purchased and possibly even wrapped. We applaud you, but you probably should have at least waited for all of the goodies in this issue. We encourage our readers to look first in their own hometown for Christmas shopping—and shopping all year long. By shopping locally and supporting the small businesses in your area, you are securing their future and that of the area that you have chosen as home. If you have a stylish person on your list who seems to have everything, White Interiors should be the next stop on your journey for the perfect gift. We have known the folks at White Interiors since they opened several years ago, and have always loved to see what’s new. They not only carry high-quality, attractive lines of home furnishings and accessories; they also arrange and merchandize is such a beautiful way—a way that always allows me to see those very items in my home. Full-scale redecorating doesn’t have to be in your plan in order to enjoy shopping at White Interiors, although they have a very talented staff of decorators if it is. The shop is full of centerpiece items that are the basis of your design or the finishing touches, but it is the staff that makes it a pure delight to stop by White Interiors. They are the reason you get a very special feeling when you enter the doors. Meet the owner and staff of White Interiors on page 17—and then be sure to stop by their showroom north of Kroger in Dawsonville. As lovely as White Interiors and all of the other shops represented in our magazine are, the real reason for the season—the birth of Jesus Christ—is a great excuse to plan some good ole family time. If you think we’ve had events and happenings around North Georgia before, you haven’t seen anything yet! You’ll be hard-pressed to decide which Christmas tree lighting you’ll attend. Maybe you can make a long weekend plan to visit all of them. The crowds of people around the squares in towns like Dahlonega and Blue Ridge remind us that the traditions of our forefathers are still important to most families in the United States. No matter how much our society “progresses,” most of us still seek safety, simplicity, and a sense of community. This Christmas season, be quick with a smile, but slow to become impatient; be the first to offer help, but the last to require thanks; and become a source of joy and inspiration to those around you by offering big smiles, hearty laughter, and a song. Enjoy your holiday and God bless you and your family! Don’t hold back; tell us how you really feel about 400 Edition. We love receiving feedback from our readers and advertisers. Call us at 706-867-6455, toll free at 866-867-7557, or send an email to info@400edition.com.

Getting Informed

Welcome To My World—Paul Thomas Chocolates

Although chocolate has been around in Western Europe since 1519, and introduced in the United States around 1760, unique mysteries still are being discovered. Today we hear reports from the media and research papers of the health benefits inherent in dark chocolate. In this regard, there are over 1500 complex food compounds found in chocolate. Early explorers traveling to Mexico and South America discovered the natives of those regions coveted the cocoa for its special powers and used the bean or the dark liquid essence from the cocoa as a form of exchange. Introduced by Spanish Conquistador Cortez to the King of Spain, it was avidly sought by King Charles the First and even used as currency for a time. Cocoa trees grow and flourish only 20 degrees either side of the Equator. Africa and South America harvest the largest crops of cocoa beans. What is unique about the cocoa tree is that the fruit only grows on the trunk and main structures of the tree. The gourd-like fruit is split open and the beans found within become the main component of chocolate as we know it, and the flavor many of us crave. The making of fine chocolates starts with the cocoa bean, but there are many other steps taken to bring you the flavor, texture, and variety we all savor. Making chocolates can be complex and technical, much like a chemistry class, combining ingredients to get the proper texture or flavor you are seeking. An improper ratio of

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“cream-to-sugar-to-cocoa-butter-to-chocolate liquor” may cause the mixture to set too soft, and not be able to hold its temper and have that crisp shine you have come to recognize as high quality. The word “temper” has to do with the cooling of the blended cocoa bean liquor, cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids from 105 degrees Fahrenheit to between 85 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit, while constantly stirring the mass to create new crystals. When the chocolate is “in temper,” caramels, butter cream, or truffle centers can be coated with the tempered chocolate, creating the high sheen. When a chocolate is “in temper” you can add markings on each piece identifying what the center consists of; an “R” signifies a raspberry cream, “M” for maple, or a corner-to-corner stroke for a caramel piece. This form of marking is called stringing. Stringing has been a method of marking chocolates since the 1970’s and will only work if the chocolate is “in temper.” Making fine chocolates is the blending of many elements to create a flavor we all enjoy and can share with many others. The cocoa tree consists of many species, much like our apple trees here in Georgia. They are all apples, but have different taste, texture, and qualities. The same goes for the cocoa; each has a quality your chocolatier may be

November/December 2008

by Paul Thomas Hoffman, Sr. looking to capture in his chocolates. The blends at Paul Thomas Chocolates are cocoa beans from the Ivory Coast of Africa, Brazil in South America, and the Island of Trinidad. The temperature at which these beans are roasted is as important as the selection of the bean itself. The cocoa bean consists of a large quantity of oil, called cocoa butter, which is the most expensive component of the cocoa. Cocoa butter is also used in pharmaceuticals, and by the beauty industry for some of the bases in their cosmetics. The chemistry of confections determines the very flavors or textures you enjoy. The truffle is a wonderful blend of heavy sweet whipping cream and chocolate, whipped into a soft pudding-like center—but at what creamto-chocolate ratio? Each chocolatier has his own formula, with some basics that must be maintained. Add a little peppermint, or pomegranate—or even my favorite, a little chile oil— and a new confection is created. Butter Crunch, or toffee, is a combination of butter and sugar cooked to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit, with almonds roasted in the rich mixture. It’s finding the correct ratio and temperature to create the flavor or texture you are looking for. Then add a nice coat of milk or dark chocolate and you have Paul Thomas Chocolates’ signature Almond Butter Crunch. The flavor of caramel comes from the scorching of the heavy cream along the walls of a copper kettle, mixed with sugar and corn syrup, and perhaps some butter; but the temperature will make all the difference in the texture. Overcook it and you will have an “all day sucker”—great taste, but so hard you can only suck on it to get the flavor. Too low a temperature and it will just flow, unable to hold a shape or acquire the caramel flavor. With both the chemist in the chemistry class and the chocolatier in the candy kitchen, the results are what counts. It will be about the formula they have created. For the chocolatier, it is the flavor and texture of the confection, and for you, the good fortune to enjoy their chocolates delights. Paul Hoffman is an acclaimed chocolate maker and founder of Hoffman Chocolates, a Ft. Lauderdale icon. After retiring to Dahlonega, Paul and wife Lori create chocolate delights at Paul Thomas Chocolates. See www.PaulThomasChocolates.com or phone them at 706-864-6333.

Your Vision Source! D

iabetes is a disease that interferes with the body’s ability to use and store sugar and can lead to many health problems. Too much sugar in the blood will cause damage throughout the body, including the eyes. Anyone who has, or may be at risk for, diabetes is encouraged to have an annual eye examination. Diabetes affects 18.2 million Americans, 5.2 million of whom may not know they have the disease. If you have diabetes, or a family history of diabetes, you should have a dilated eye exam or retinal scan once a year. If you are a diabetic, follow your physician’s regimen for controlling your blood sugar level. A major study has shown that better control of blood sugar slows the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the health problems associated with diabetes. It is a disease of the eye that can cause blindness. Diabetic retinopathy can weaken and cause changes in the blood vessels that nourish the retina, the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy may include blurred vision, difficulty seeing well at night, cloudiness, and/or “floaters” in your field of vision. But the early stages of diabetic retinopathy may produce no visual symptoms at all. That is why it is so important for anyone who has diabetes or a family history of diabetes to have a yearly comprehensive eye health examination. Early detection and treatment are essential, because once damage has occurred, the effects are usually permanent. The condition usually affects both eyes. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they will develop diabetic retinopathy. There are 2 classifications of diabetic retinopathy: 1. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. This is the early stage of the disease, in which there will be no symptoms, or very mild ones. The blood vessels in the retina are weakened, causing tiny bulges called microaneurysms to protrude from their walls. Fluid may leak from these microaneurysms into the retina. 2. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy: This is the more advanced stage of the disease. The retina becomes more oxygendeprived, secondary to circulation problems. This will cause neovascularization (new growth of fragile blood vessels) in the retina and into the vitreous. The

by Dr. Joyce M. Nations

new blood vessels may leak blood into the vitreous, which will cause clouding of the vision. Glaucoma and retinal detachments are also more common with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. If it is left untreated, it can cause severe vision loss and even blindness. Several other risk factors exist for diabetic retinopathy. Hispanics and African Americans are at a greater risk for developing the disease. People with other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, are at a greater risk. Also, pregnant women face a higher risk for developing diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Treatment for diabetic retinopathy varies depending on the extent of the disease. It is directed at trying to slow or stop the progression of the disease. In non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, monitoring may be all that is required. Diet and exercise, along with following your doctor’s advice, will be necessary to keep blood sugar levels controlled and to keep the disease from progressing into proliferative diabetic retinopathy. If the disease progresses, it may require laser treatment (photocoagulation) to stop the leakage of fluid from blood vessels in the retina and the macula (central vision), and to stop new blood vessels from forming. In more advanced cases, a surgical procedure may be necessary to remove and replace the gel-like fluid in the back of the eye called the vitreous. What can you do if you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to help prevent or slow the development of diabetic retinopathy? Take your prescribed medications, stick to your diet, exercise regularly, control high blood pressure, lower your cholesterol, avoid alcohol and smoking, and have your eyes checked once a year by your optometrist. Dr. Nations practices at Cherokee Eye Group at 591 East Main Street in Canton and at Dawson Eye Group at 5983 Hwy. 53 East, Suite 250, in Dawsonville. She received her Doctor of Optometry degree and her Masters of Public Health degree in 1993 from the University of Alabama. She is a member of the American Optometric Association, Georgia Optometric Association, and Vision Source.

November/December 2008

400 Edition

Gardening

by Linda Ragland, Master Gardener

Gardening for the Holidays

It’s

here again! That magical time of the year when we work ourselves into a frenzy buying and wrapping gifts, giving to charity, mailing cards, preparing holiday treats and sumptuous meals, gathering with family and friends, and decorating everything we can reach. Every year I ask Santa for a “cherry picker” so I can reach the tops of pine trees to string lights. Santa stubbornly refuses to grant my wishes—something about cost and crazy (not necessarily in that order). Well, despite my infirmity, I decided to climb up the tree and string the lights the hard way. This of course wasn’t a good idea but I was determined to light up the tree. The branches on the white pine were evenly spaced and easy to climb, but getting the lights out to the ends of the branches was a bigger challenge than even my stubbornness could overcome. The lights didn’t look that bad, but after I put away the ladder, half of them went out. Disgusted, I unplugged the rest of them and left them up there. There are much easier (and safer) ways to decorate the exterior of our homes for fall and winter. Small evergreen trees and shrubs can be planted in appropriately sized planters and window boxes. Good choices to use:

• Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’); zones 3-8; grows 2”- 4” a year; prefers full sun but tolerant of some shade.

• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), pruned

into the desired tree or ball shape, will be right at home in a sunny window box. It is popular in Europe because of the association with Mary. The flowers changed from white to blue after she laid her cloak on it, and blue is the traditional color associated with Mary. If you buy a rosemary “Christmas tree,” be sure to shop carefully. The festive-looking trees may look great, as they are sprayed with anti-transpirants before going to market, but could very well be dead. If possible, check the roots to see if the roots are dry or black with rot. Rosemary is a thirsty plant but will die if the roots sit in water. It will thrive in cooler temperatures of about 50° but not below 40°.

• Dwarf Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens

‘Suffruticosa’) is hardy to Zone 5, grows slowly and only to about four feet high.

• Hicks Yew (Taxus x media ‘Hicksii) is a

beautiful choice, hardy to Zone 4, that doesn’t like afternoon sun. It will get quite large but can easily be transplanted.

• Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata), hardy to Zone

4, is also a very good choice, growing only four feet tall and no more than a foot in diameter.

• Bosnian Pine (Pinus leucodermis), hardy to

Zone 4, looks very Christmas-y and grows very slowly.

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November/December 2008

Planting Evergreens in Containers Containers should be proportionate to the size of the plant or plants. I like to place pottery shards over drainage holes and then cover the bottom with landscape cloth. (I keep a roll in my potting shed and cut off what I need for all of my container plantings.) Fill the pot half full with a very good, somewhat coarse potting mix that drains well. Place the plant(s) in the container and tamp more soil around the plant(s) to the same level grown in nursery pots. Thoroughly soak the plant(s). Maintaining Evergreen Containers The number one killer of evergreens in the winter is thirst. Be sure to water them on a regular basis with cold water. If a hard freeze is expected, wrap the containers in bubble wrap for good protection. Dressing Containers for the Seasons Absolutely gorgeous colorful cabbages and kale provide spectacular color and texture. Evergreen ivy in contrasting colors placed under the shrubs looks lovely and provides a good base for accessory embellishments. Pansies create a colorful, long-lasting display. Play with color combinations for the look you want. Hellebores are beautiful in a window box in late winter and can be transplanted later. Small pumpkins, dried corn, and gourds give a big pop of color for an autumn theme. Solar lights in containers with adequate sunlight are gorgeous. Christmas lights, ribbons, bows, colorful ornaments, artificial apples, and other decorations create a wonderful festive look for the holidays. There are numerous shrubs and plants, lights, and embellishments that can create a beautiful welcoming entrance to your home during even the drabbest weather. My young widowed mother would bundle up the six of us every Christmas Eve and drive us all over town to see the lights and decorations. She joined in the choruses of “Oohs” and “Aahs” as we slowed in front of particularly well-lit and lovely homes. Now I know she was likely trying to calm us down so we could sleep in anticipation of Santa, but suspect she loved it as much as we children did. It’s worth climbing a resin-covered pine tree to create that type of magic. If Santa won’t bring my cherry picker this year, I may give it another go.

Christmas In Blue Ridge

he excitement of the holidays will soon be upon us. There might be no better place to enjoy them than the beautiful town of Blue Ridge, Georgia. If you have never been to Blue Ridge, the holiday season is the perfect time to experience this quaint and delightful community. The “Light Up Blue Ridge” event will be held on November 29, with activities planned throughout the day. Things begin at 11:00am and culminate at 7:00pm with the lighting of the Big Tree, which turns downtown into a magical wonderland. There will be musical entertainment throughout the day on three stages, with free horse carriage rides and trackless train rides through downtown. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the Blue Ridge

Scenic Railroad at 1:00pm and you can get free photos with Santa at the downtown gazebo. It will truly be a memorable day for you and your family. The downtown merchants will be keeping their shops open until 9:00pm that evening, so that you might enjoy the wonderful galleries, antique stores, shops, and restaurants that this magical small town has to offer. During the holiday season, The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway offers Santa train rides, and you are strongly encouraged to make your plans ahead of time as these delightful rides sell out quickly. You can reach the office at 1-800-934-1898. Christmas in Blue Ridge will be a gift to your family that will be cherished for years to come.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner by Stephani Satterfield “Something magical began to happen among the villagers. As each person opened their heart to give, the next person gave even more. And as this happened, the soup grew richer and smelled more delicious.” —Stone Soup, retold by Jon J. Muth

as lines, a lost job or job search, a recent loss of a loved one, or a family member or friend serving overseas or far from home. Each of us has faced difficulty this year. The pilgrims who celebrated what we know as the first Thanksgiving also faced extreme hardships. They landed at Plymouth just as winter began. Roughly half of them died because of disease or starvation. After the first harvest, though, they found something to celebrate. Some of them had survived. Their harvest would be plentiful enough to get them through the winter. They had welcomed strangers, the Indians, into their community, and they had forged a home for themselves in this strange new world. At Cumming First United Methodist Church (CFUMC), we have something to celebrate this Thanksgiving, too. You, our community. Each Thanksgiving Day, CFUMC opens its doors to the entire community for a Thanksgiving feast. Yes, there are hardships that we all have faced and will face, but there is always room to give thanks. Perhaps a neighbor called just to say hello. Someone at the store let you go in line first so that you wouldn’t have to wait. Maybe you just found out that you will be a grandparent soon. Even if you cannot think of a reason to give

thanks right now, we ask that you join us on Thanksgiving Day. We don’t ask that you bring anything or do anything special. Just come, eat, and share. Share your pain, your smiles, your hopes. Give yourself the opportunity to be with others who probably are experiencing the same thing as you. Give us an opportunity to be there for you. We won’t ask anything of you, except that you come with a somewhat hearty appetite. If there’s one thing we love to do, it’s eat. Give thanks with us and join us on Thanksgiving Day anytime from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Come as you are, by yourself or with your family. We, the CFUMC family, will give you a meal to nourish your body. When we come together as a community to give thanks, we will share more than a meal, though. As we eat and celebrate together, we will open our hearts to each other. Just as the villagers’ soup grew more delicious as the villagers gave more, our community as well will grow stronger and richer as we share with each other. All we ask is that you come, give thanks, and share. Our address is Cumming First United Methodist Church, 770 Canton Highway, Cumming, GA 30040. Please call 770-887-2900 or email jwalden@cfumcga.com for more information. November/December 2008

400 Edition

Through a Woman’s Eyes

by Martha Hynson

A Real-Life Angel

he angel said, “Fear not for I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” I can only imagine how the shepherds must have felt on that very first Christmas as they were going about business as usual, tending their sheep, when suddenly an angel appeared proclaiming God’s love. I can only imagine how it must have felt to be present on that holy night when God’s son—Immanuel, which means “God with us”—came into the world. But because of that night, we don’t have to imagine, but can experience first hand, God with us. And even though we weren’t there with the shepherds on that hillside, I believe that today, as we go about business as usual, God still places angels in our lives to proclaim His love. Two of the angels God has placed in my life are my sisters. For Christmas, several years ago, one

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of them gave me a heart-warming gift—delicate, angel-shaped sugar cookies tucked inside a wicker basket. Old-fashioned and made with love, the cookies represented everything wonderful about Christmas, but it was the card nestled next to them that warmed my heart most of all. It revealed the best part of the gift—that a donation had been made to Anna’s Angel Fund. This fund was started by a young girl named Anna, who had been a student at the north Georgia school where my sister is a teacher. Anna was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in June 2003, at the age of 12. Her mother says, “The outpouring of love and support for her from family and friends was amazing. Anna was overwhelmed with gifts and cards. But the more Anna was showered with love, the more aware she became of the other children at the hospital who were

not getting the same kind of support. It touched Anna deeply and was very hard for her to accept.” In October 2003, just four months after her own diagnosis, Anna started Anna’s Angel Fund to help other children whose lives had also been devastated by pediatric cancer. Included with the card my sister gave me were page after page of stories of families who had been helped by Anna and her Angels. Anna’s mother explains, “The beauty of the Angel Fund is that it gives Anna a way to help the children and families who touch her heart, and it gives her a very special and positive focus while offering her supporters a wonderful way to show they care. Because children with cancer have little control of things in their lives, giving them control whenever possible is a wonderful thing. The Angel Fund helps give Anna some control over the pain she sees around her and

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makes a wonderful difference for other children at the same time.” On the very first Christmas, God sent angels to proclaim his love. Two thousand years later, he still does. I can only imagine how the families who are being helped must feel as Anna and her Angels proclaim to them in the most practical ways that His name is still Immanuel. As you celebrate this season, I hope you’ll take time to visit www.annasangels.org to learn more about Anna’s Angel Fund, and let’s remember that, as exciting as it must have been for the shepherds to see the angels, we can experience something even more spectacular. We can be angels this Christmas to someone who needs to be touched by God’s love! Martha Hynson is a wife, mom, teacher, and freelance writer from Watkinsville, Georgia.

Travel Talk with Jenny by Jenny Reed

Traveling During Troubled Times – Take 2

t is not hard to hear news of a slumping economy—just turn on the television. It is enough, it seems, to keep anyone for traveling these days, particularly internationally. However, that is not the case. Despite recession worries, travel trend watchers say Americans aren’t giving up their vacation plans, just simply being more cost conscious. With these economic challenges, I thought I would revisit this topic we talked about back in the spring, and reiterate creative ways to travel. The cruise lines, tour companies, and resorts are stepping up to the plate with special deals and packages. Nationwide winter travel booking figures show most of the leading destinations this year are not linked to the euro. In addition, there are still countries and destinations where the U.S. dollar is strong. From the Caribbean and South America, to Asia and simply staying in the U.S., there’s still hope for an affordable vacation. The top spots include Alaska, Orlando, Cancun, Honolulu, Dominican Republic, and Argentina. The cruise industry has been reaping good business from vacationers now attracted by the value of “drive time” vacations. The cruise industry projects 12.8 million people will take a cruise this year, up 200,000 from last year. Do you remember as a child getting up in the wee hours of the morning to be piled into the family car to drive to a vacation destination? There is a surge in these “drive time” vacations again. As mentioned before, Georgia and the surrounding states have beaches, mountains, state parks, and lakes to explore. From a cruising perspective, the Atlanta area is an easy drive to such ports as Mobile, Jacksonville, Tampa, Charleston, and Port Canaveral. Here again are some key things to remember when planning your trip: • Travel off-season. Every destination has a season that is considered a “value season.” This means lower prices and fewer crowds. January and September are great months to find great travel rates. • Go where the dollar is strong. Visit or cruise to such areas as the South America, Barbados, Jamaica, or Switzerland. Passports are required for international air travel. • Make it a surprise! This is the perfect time to plan next year’s

trip and stay within budget. Also, you can present a gift certificate at the holidays and have the family help plan the actual trip. • Book a travel package. Very often you can save money by booking package deals that include the airfare, hotel, meals, car rental, etc. • Use promotional “City Cards” to save on attractions. Cities around the world offer City Cards/ Passes to tourists that promise savings through discounts on top tourist attractions and public transportation. This is especially true for Orlando. • Be creative with the planned activities. Plan a picnic lunch, hike along a bubbling stream, fly kites on a windy day, or skip rocks across the mountain lake. • Travel with extended family or with groups of friends. Split the car rental bill or carpool, split the room costs, and take a halfprice vacation. Or rent a house together on the beach during off season. • Seek the advice and services of a seasoned travel agent. Unlike a mega online travel seller, these experts not only provide invaluable and personalized service but can oftentimes get unadvertised deals. It is nice to be able to talk to the same person when you have a question. So plan ahead, seek advice, and travel! Don’t let the economy or bad media discourage you from truly enjoying time together with your family. Whether it is long weekend at the lake or a cruise to Caribbean, relax and enjoy the escape from reality. It is amazing what being away from the cell phone, television, email, and work can do to regenerate the soul! With over 16 years of travel experience, Jenny Reed plans cruises and land vacations worldwide. Her agency does not charge a service fee. She can be reached at 678-947-5115, via email at jenny@ OurCruisePlanner.com, or via her website at www.OurCruisePlanner.com. Travel article suggestions always welcomed!

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400 Edition 13

Noah Harris: Our Gentle Warrior

by Bob Merritt

Life is a mirror. We look forward, that’s the future. We look back, remember and learn—that’s a reflection.

t was time for Noah’s conversed, the R&R to end and he night was filled would return to Iraq with thanks and and his destiny. As he gratitude for looked around his home the contribution in Dawson County, it is each had made easy to imagine some of to the other’s the grateful thoughts he life. As they had. He loved the house pulled out of built by his dad, his mom, the driveway the and his contribution as next day, Noah he grew up there. Noah had his favorite spot Rick & Lucy Harris high on the hilltop where he communicated his feelings and decisions with God. Just the day before, he had journeyed to the mountain retreat with his dad where they both opened their hearts. The things he wanted to say to his dad had lain heavy on his heart and somehow he knew that this was the time to say them. As he looked into the eyes of his dad he told him how much he loved him and how grateful he was for his guidance, companionship, dedication, and nevercompromising love. “I am now my etched in his mind everything he could own man and have a destiny to fulfill of the North Georgia he loved so and I want you to know how much it dearly. means to me.” Not enough can ever be said Now it was Rick Harris’ turn. As about a mother’s love. Lucy loved he looked at the boy before him, he Noah with a love that seemed to warn realized his son was now a man. her to crowd as much as possible into Somewhere Noah had made the every day, because her son had a transition and Rick couldn’t have destiny to fulfill. She started by giving been prouder. As Rick responded Noah birth in the house they had built to the emotion that was swelling up for him. In that house, the surrounding inside him, he felt Noah was trying acreage, and two counties, Lucy and to lay out some memories in case he Rick Harris raised their son. He grew didn’t come back. As the two men strong and very athletic. He excelled

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as a leader in the Ellijay school system, both in his classes and in sports. Noah had a zest for life and every day he shared it with his mother as they drove the twenty miles to Ellijay where she was an English teacher. There is a bond between a mother and son that sometimes requires no speaking, and this was true with Noah and Lucy. As they delivered Noah to the rendezvous base, she held tightly as if she knew she wouldn’t hold him again. There was no doubt in his mind as Noah spotted his band of brothers at the far end of the room. Noah stood strong with not a tear in sight, but he knew he had to go; so with parting words of “my men need me,” he gave his final hugs and kisses to Rick and Lucy. He hesitated only long enough to squeeze the outstretched hand of his father and seal things with his mother with a strong hug and a firm kiss on the cheek. With all that done, Rick turned and walked off to join his group. As Lucy and Rick watched Noah draw near his group, he stopped as if to turn around for one more look as he had done before. This time he didn’t turn around; instead he walked into the outstretched arms of his brothers. Noah was a man now and he knew grown men don’t cry; but I’m thinking Noah passed a milestone at

November/December 2008

that moment and knew he could cry later but not now, not in front of his group. On June 17, 2005, 1st Lieutenant Noah Harris would give his life for his country, his men, and the country he was fighting to make free. Noah left so many friends across this country and across the world that pages wouldn’t hold their names. I have been touched by Noah’s story and the dedication demonstrated by Lucy and Rick by their writing a book to tell the world about their son, his poetry, zest for life as he lived it, and his hopes for the future of his country and her people. As much as it says, it says a lot about a mother’s love and a father’s dedication. Recently I sat in the audience at the Dawson County Library and felt humbled by the reading Rick and Lucy Harris gave from their book Simply American: A Gentle Warrior & His People. It was a superb reading as the two different voices read excerpts from the 423-page book. I wondered how they could read such a closeto-home and personal story without tears. Lucy related that they reserved their “crying time.” The 30-minute program is thought-provoking, soulsearching, and joyous at the same time. Our freedom is guaranteed by the sacrifices made by the men and women like Noah Harris. For more information on the book or readings, visit www.simplyamerican.com or contact the Harrises at ricklucyharris@gmail.com. Thanks to the painting and photograph by Big Dog Photographer Terry Stephens, Noah Harris will be affectionately remembered as American Bulldog.

Jasper’s Night Of Lights O

n Friday, December 5, the Jasper Merchants Association (JMA) will again turn Main Street in Jasper, Georgia, into a magical fantasyland of lights, sounds, and smells of the holiday The Bowen family season. animals, visiting with Santa and Mrs. Last year, under the direction of Claus, meet-and-greets with special Committee Chair Marie Nolan and characters, and the Lighting of the Assistant Chair Ross Galbreath, the Tree ceremony. traditional daytime JMA Christmas A special performance by parade was revamped into what is Nashville recording artist Bobby now known as the JMA Night of Bowen of Bobby Bowen Ministries Lights Christmas Celebration. The (www.bobbybowen.com) is certain evening event became an instant to be a highlight of the evening. success, with over 60 parade Bobby is a former member of the participants, 15 food and craft award-winning MidSouth Boys vendors, and between 3,500 and and continues to perform part-time 4,000 attendees. with the group Heritage Road. He Continuing to build on that has 25 years of experience singing success, the Jasper Merchants Southern and Christian Country and Association invites you to join us will truly inspire you this holiday as Main Street will once again don season. Bobby Bowen’s special her sparkling robe of lights, add guest appearance is sponsored by just a touch of her sweet holiday Nolan Electric, Inc., and lodging is perfume, and gracefully step out provided by The Woodbridge Inn. onto Christmas Avenue. Many of our downtown The enchanted evening begins merchants will also be open, so with the popular JMA-sponsored please stop by for a visit. Who Parade of Lights, a spectacular knows, you just might find the light show of floats, vehicles, perfect gift for that someone special, walkers, and animals making their or a great new place to eat. way slowly up Main Street. Local Then, just like it did for dignitaries will be featured along Cinderella, the evening will come to with the official JMA Fantasy of an end with the closing ceremonies Lights float, Santa with Mrs. Claus, and announcement of the parade and and perhaps even the sneaky restorefront window contest winners. appearance of a certain “green one.” We look forward to seeing you This year’s parade promises to bring out the creative side of participants Friday, December 5, from 6:00pm with its delightful “’Twas the Lights to 10:00pm. JMA will be accepting before Christmas” theme. The only new unwrapped toys at the question is, who will take home top hospitality booth for the Toys For float honors? Tots program. The evening doesn’t stop there; Night of Lights is designed to following the festive parade, plenty celebrate the Christmas season as of old-fashioned family fun and well as promote the revitalization entertainment await, including and continued growth of downtown the kids’ area with face painting, Jasper. Proceeds benefit local ornament decorating, jumping castle, families in need this Christmas. For and petting zoo. You’ll find strolling sponsorship, contest, vendor, parade, carolers and characters, art and craft or volunteer information, please booths for buying gifts, along with contact Marie Nolan, Committee plenty of food vendors offering full Chair, at 770-856-4076 or marie@ meals, desserts, snacks, and hot pickenstoday.com. Applications can drinks, so be sure to come hungry. be found online at NightOfLights. Other events include a live org or PickensToday.com. Nativity performance complete with November/December 2008

400 Edition 15

Your Coach Your Fitness Fitness Coach Ten Ways to Prevent Holiday by Dawn Rowley Weight Gain Studies show that the average person gains one pound between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. While a single pound may not seem daunting, these studies have also shown that eighty-five percent of the people in the study still had that pound before the holidays the following year. This article is designed to help you avoid gaining that extra weight and compounding it year after year.

1. Plan for holiday traditions to contain activity. When possible,

modify current traditions to include physical activity. Walks through lighted displays, ice skating, skiing, and caroling are just a few examples. Ditch the car and take to the sidewalks and paths for a more active holiday season.

2. Schedule your exercise – your gift to yourself. Schedule time for

your workouts around your other commitments. By making exercise a priority, you can work off any extra calories that you might eat. Exercise is also an effective appetite suppressant and will help alleviate holiday stress.

3. Just because it’s there, doesn’t mean you have to eat it. There they

are—all of your favorite foods, ready to be devoured. With a little bit of control, you can have some of all of your favorite foods and leave the table satisfied, but without that stuffed feeling. Portion control by only putting a small amount on your plate, and you will be able to have a few bites of each of your favorite dishes without sabotaging your fitness goals.

4. Never skip meals before a celebration. Saving up for that big

meal or party is a disaster in the making. You’ll arrive famished and end up overeating. Couple that with a few drinks and watch your will power disappear. A better plan is to eat regular meals and have a healthy snack along with a glass of water before you head out to the celebration. This will curb your appetite and allow you to make better food choices.

5. Eat smart and make sure that healthier items are offered. Eat

healthier foods first to satisfy your hunger and eat more caloric foods sparingly. If you are entertaining, remember to offer healthy alternatives to the traditional holiday fare. Your guests will appreciate it. Don’t stand near a food-laden table—you’ll be tempted to nibble. Instead, put your food on a plate and sit to eat.

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6. Pack a snack when you are on the go. How many times do we get

caught shopping and don’t take time for a meal or snack? We end up eating at the food court or at a fast food restaurant on the way home. Pack some healthy snacks such as trail mix or protein bars for those hunger emergencies.

7. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. You won’t believe how quickly

the calories in alcohol add up. Just 2-3 drinks will add 300-450 calories. Alternate alcoholic beverages with a glass of water to reduce the number of calories you take in. Light and low-carb beverages will have fewer calories but will still add up quickly.

8. Get sufficient sleep. New studies

have shown a correlation between adequate sleep and weight gain/ retention. Sleep deprivation may affect some components of metabolism that influence hunger and weight gain.

9. Reduce stress. Stress is a major

contributor to overeating. You can manage your stress by scheduling time for exercise, scheduling your daily activities to help manage time, and getting an adequate amount of sleep

10. Some exercise is better than none. On days when you absolutely

cannot fit in your regular workout, opt for a shortened version. Take one or more 10-minute walks. Exercise is cumulative with respect to caloric expenditure, which means that four 10minute walks would be the equivalent of a 40-minute walk. So if you can’t find that hour to get to the gym, use the time you have wisely.

By following the ten ways to prevent weight gain this holiday season, you will avoid putting on the pounds, and get a head start on the January rush to fitness. Happy Holidays! Dawn Rowley is a Certified Fitness Coach with twenty years of experience in group exercise and personal training. As owner of Flexible Fitness Solutions, based in Duluth, Georgia, Dawn helps people who want to get and stay fit by providing motivation, support, guidance, and education. She is certified by ACE (American Council on Exercise) and is also a Premier Master Fitness by Phone® Coach. If you have any fitness questions, please contact Dawn at 770418-9919 or dawn@flexible-fitness. com and visit www.flexible-fitness.com.

Cover story— Holiday Wishes from White Interiors by Judith Johnson, Owner

s the holiday season approaches, I reflect on how truly blessed I have been to have lived and spent Christmases in several foreign countries, such as Canada, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. I have traveled extensively throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe and feel fortunate to have visited in many homes, from royal palaces to mud huts and Bedouin tents. But at Christmastime, the USA and my home are where I am at peace, to share good times with family and friends. I am delighted to be the owner of White Interiors and look forward to spending time with clients, vendors, and staff, and sharing the sights, sounds, and spirit of the season. The trees are decorated and the store is filled with scents of balsam, cranberry, and Corinne’s Moravian tea. Whether you need a gift, holiday décor, or to make your home look fabulous for an event, we are ready to assist with any of your holiday needs. We welcome you in, to share the spirit and meet our wonderful staff. We invite you to come in and browse and meet our “family.” Tracey Smith is Store Manager and Designer, a degreed fine artist specializing in graphics and Visual Communications with twenty years experience in Visual Merchandising. She has been with White Interiors since its conception, designing interiors, managing our workroom, and purchasing all inventory for the store and clients’ special requests. She specializes in event décor and holiday decorating. Mike McCormick makes things happen with expertise in electrical work, carpentry, and wood finishing. He enjoys any challenge our clients bring to the table, from hanging chandeliers to delivering furniture with professional courtesy. Corinne Thornton brings her retail and visual experience to the store, adding warmth and charm to all she touches. Her 27 years of catering make all our store events delectable. Tracy Unger, Debbie Kilpatrick, and Lisa Hanson assist our clients in and around the store with an exceptional level of custumer service. Hunter Collins and Renee Ortiz receive shipments, make deliveries, keep the store clean, and help make the showroom functional as well as beautiful. Mary Jane Martin is our bookkeeper, who retired from Wesleyan School Bookstore and now graces us with her contagious laugh and sense of humor. On November 18, from 6:00pm-9:00pm,

please stop by for a Holiday Grand Opening and celebration. Joining us will be Feng Shui Master Donna Collins, Jewelry and Chandelier Designer Dorian Webb from New York City, and several of our furniture vendors. The floor is filled with many new additions from High Point. Jane Graves with Mary Kay cosmetics can show you the brightest holiday colors and how to pamper yourself this season. lt will be a fun and friendly night to mingle and get into the holiday spirit. White Interiors continues to ensure the utmost in customer service and superior creative talent. Going forward, we are offering competitive pricing on great upholstery lines like Wesley Hall and Hickory White. Look for our advertisements in 400 Edition for monthly promotions and our latest handpicked items and store events. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage each of you to pause, count your blessings, and remember in your prayers our troops who are fighting around the world and will not be home with family and friends this year. God bless each and every one of them and their families.

Yes, Jimmy Stewart, It’s a Wonderful Life!

White Interiors 278 Highway 400 North, Suite 1100 Dawsonville, GA 30534 706-216-1230

November/December 2008

Judith Johnson, White Interiors owner

400 Edition 17

Real Estate Reality

by Amber Lincoln, Team DNA

ith just the stroke of a few keys, you can find a myriad of resources on the Internet to help you in your search for a new home. Besides property listings, you can find out about specific communities, schools, and mortgage options. Prudential Real Estate has made three great resources—Environmental Profile, Property Profile, and Value Range Estimate—available on prudential.com/realestate that provide detailed real estate information just by keying in a U.S. property address. With this wealth of information at your disposal, do you really need a real estate professional to represent you? Absolutely. Think of it this way: When you go to an unfamiliar place, sure, you could do a self-guided tour. However, your tour is much more rewarding and enriching when you have someone who is familiar with the location to guide you along, because he or she has inside knowledge on the history, culture, and stories that you may not have otherwise received. (You can also treat your own ailments, pull your own teeth, and represent yourself in court, but it is easier and usually more effective to rely on a professional.) The same can be said about real estate agents. Their role is more than someone to drive you around from property to property. They can be a great resource and a huge time saver for you, especially if you’re a homebuyer relocating from another community. He or she knows the local area, including home values, taxes, utility costs, and school data, and may even be knowledgeable about resources pertaining to your special interests or needs. For instance, should you require help relocating an aging parent with you, your real estate professional may be able to direct you to local services or organizations for the elderly. Your real estate agent can familiarize you with the processes involved in buying a home, alert you to potential risks, help you determine how much house you can afford, and explain alternative financing strategies, as well as provide tremendous moral support.

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Another benefit is having a strong advocate during the negotiating process. Real estate agents can help you objectively evaluate an offer, then work to negotiate a favorable contract. During the process, he or she will review the contract and obligations before you sign, explain how contingencies and release clauses work, and so on. And something easy to overlook is a real estate agent’s familiarity with the complexity and risks inherent in the process. In the years I have been practicing I have been continually amazed at how quickly a seemingly simple transaction can grow legally complex and risky. When complex questions arise, a real estate agent can help you quickly locate an attorney or other licensed professionals whose services you may require, such as home inspectors, engineers, surveyors, and lenders. As your single point of contact, a real estate agent can manage the entire transaction, including coordinating inspections, keeping in touch with the other real estate professionals, managing the documentation for the loan process, monitoring deadlines associated with contingencies, providing applicable paperwork, estimating closing costs, and helping prepare for a smooth and uneventful closing. If you’re about to begin the process of buying or selling a home, consider involving a real estate professional. When the stakes are high, it’s comforting to have a specialist by your side.

Amber Lincoln, Realtor for Team DNA. Dave Cohen, Marketing Director for Team DNA. Contact Amber at 404-502-3242, Prudential Georgia Realty 706-344-6700. View website at DNASELLS.com

Notes from a Nature Watcher I have seen some interesting exceptions to the low seed and fruit set that has been characteristic of many tree and shrub species this year. Last year’s Easter freeze killed many important flowers and cost our white oaks most of their acorn crop. The black oak flowers were also killed but they already had acorns set from the previous year’s flowers. This was fortunate for our wildlife species that rely on acorns for survival. This year the white oaks are really making up for last year’s shortage of acorns. We thought for a while that we were under siege when the acorns from our nearby white oak began to hit the metal roof of our storage building. We nearly need hard hats when we are under any of the trees of the white oak family. Walking is also a bit risky as the ground is often covered with a layer of brown, crunchy marble-like acorns, a bit hazardous under foot to say the least. The squirrels have been overwhelmed by the abundance and must be worn out by all the burying activities. I am sure they will be responsible for an overabundance of oak seedlings come next spring. The ground under all of our Chinese chestnut trees is covered with the spiny husks of the chestnuts. They not only add a new dimension to walking, but also make mowing an exciting activity as the husks become sailing missiles as they are propelled from beneath the mower deck.

by John Roberts

Several other tree species have responded to last year’s freeze-limited seed/fruit crop by overproducing this season. Several of our black walnut trees have their limbs weighted down by the super-tasty favorites of many. They seem to be a bit smaller than usual but will certainly make up for size by their numbers. I will have to look for an old family recipe for persimmon bread since it looks as if we will have bushels of them from one of our trees. The first freeze is nigh so they will be ready for harvest very soon. We have already enjoyed the output of our resident apple trees. Apple bread and fried apples from our trees were rare last year but great this year. It is also time to drive to Blue Ridge for our annual fried pie and cider fixes. Our fall colors are shaping up to be one of the best ever so far. The sourwoods, dogwoods, and sumacs are not only gorgeous but have lasted for a long time so far. It is a joy each day to note the changes. I am truly thankful for my digital camera, since I would go broke buying film and paying for developing and printing. John Roberts is a Georgia Master Naturalist who is Camp Host at Trackrock Campground near Blairsville, Georgia. He is also a retired USDA-ARS Research Plant Pathologist, having spent over 40 years as a scientist in wheat breeding and pathology.

Lumpkin Gold

by Anne Dismukes Amerson

The Night The Stars Fell

t 3:00am on November 13, 1833, people in Dahlonega were awakened by flashes of bright lights and the sound of excited and frightened voices. Throwing back the covers and rushing outside, they discovered that the sky was almost as bright as in broad daylight. Voices were crying out in fear that the world was coming to an end, and many people were on their knees praying loudly and beseeching God for mercy. Today we know that this remarkable phenomenon was an unusually dramatic meteor shower, but for the people who lived in 1833, it appeared that the heavens were on fire and all the stars were falling. This remarkable display of light was not limited to north Georgia but terrified people throughout North America. Newspaper accounts indicate that almost no one was left unaware of the amazing spectacle. It would be interesting to know if the crime rate dropped over the next few days!

The following quote is taken from an 1894 article published in The Gainesville Eagle, recounting W. P. Rivers’ memories of the village of Gainesville in the 1830s: “A singular phenomenon of that time was one known as the ‘falling of the stars’—a meteoric shower which caused much consternation among the people. Thinking the day of judgment was at hand, many families were frightened out of all sense of propriety, and a family of Reeds, near neighbors of ours, not overly religious, expecting to hear Gabriel’s trumpet calling them to account, prayed lustily for mercy and exhibited great alarm.” Dahlonega resident F. M. Whelchel was a lad of eight years in 1833 and often related his memories of the event. In later years his daughter Nunnie wrote a small booklet entitled “Dahlonega, Her People, Environments and Charms” in which she mentioned his memories of the event many people of the time thought was the coming of “Judgment Day.”

Nunnie noted that Dahlonega “was incorporated in 1833, a year marked by a most wonderful phenomena, the “Meteoric Shower, commonly referred to as Falling of the Stars.” According to Internet references, meteors (commonly known as “shooting stars”) are startling streaks of light that appear in the sky when particles from outer space are incinerated in Earth’s atmosphere. Meteor showers occur when Earth passes through the orbit of a comet. The prolific display of light in 1833 resulted from particles left in the atmosphere by the comet known today as Tempel-Tuttle. The meteor shower is called the Leonids because the streaks of light appear to stream from a point in the constellation Leo. The Leonid meteor shower actually occurs every year around November 17. However, they are rarely as dramatic as they were on November 13 of 1833.

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Fred’s Beds & Furniture With a great mix of new, used, and consignment furniture, Fred’s Beds & Furniture offers bargain hunters amazing deals on just about anything you can think of! Fred’s also offers many choices of Simmons, Golden and RestMaster bed sets at well below suggested retail prices and backs up its claim to have “The Best Mattress Prices!” It’s worth the trip! Open Monday thru Friday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am to 5:00pm. Closed Sundays. Located in the Old Matt Schoolhouse at Hwy 369 & Bannister Road in North Forsyth County – 5 miles West of Hwy 400. 5710 Namon Wallace Road, Cumming, GA 30040 Phone – 678-455-1190; FAX – 678455-1191 – www.freds-beds.com *See our ad on page 15.

Mill whole grains and fresh local produce. Buy-Sell-Trade. 4300 Dawsonville Highway (Highway 53) 770-205-7800 www.cottonwoodvillage.net *See our ad on this page.

Cottonwood Village Antiques 10,000 square feet of merchandise: collectible firearms and militaria, fine art, period estate furniture, glassware, china, tools, pottery and linens. Visit the Country Store for handmade herbal soaps and lotions, soy candles, homemade jams, jellies and vegetables, Nora

Fran-Tiques Located less than 2 hours from Atlanta, in scenic Union County. Something for everyone— fabulous, unique finds in every nook and cranny. True antiques to collectibles, including furniture, glassware, silver, china, books, vintage clothing, jewelry, linens, and lace. Open 7 days a week. 505 Cleveland Street, Blairsville, GA 1/2 mile from the Square on Highway 129. 706-745-1705 *See our ad on page 18.

Old School House Antiques & More Mall The Old School House is more than just a mall, it’s an experience. 13,000 sq. ft. of antiques, furniture, gifts, collectibles and more. As you walk the spacious hallways to the sound of oldies music you are put at ease at the sights and smells that make it a truly unique shopping experience. Located at the intersection of Hwys. 115 /52 and Coppermines Rd. between Dahlonega and Cleveland, Georgia 706-867-8604 or www.oldschoolhousemall.com *See our ad on page 43.

Yonah Mountain Treasures One of North Georgia’s most unique stores, Yonah Mountain Treasures features the work of more than 75 area artists, potters, woodworkers, and others. This store is a museum, art gallery, book nook, and country store all in one. In addition, Yonah Mountain Treasures has wonderfully unique items that will add to the décor of any mountain home or cabin. Here, you’ll find original paintings by Judy Bynum George, Susan Hage, Cornbread, Jack DeLoney, and John Kollock. They have wooden creations, custom picture framing, imported jewelry, and even old photo restoration. And at Yonah Mountain Treasures, candy is always “A Dollar A Dip!” Highway 75, two miles north of Cleveland, GA, next to the Yonah Burger. 706-348-8236. *See our ad on this page.

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Iron Accents Owner Valerie Kirves & designer Teri Winans (previously of Endless Treasures) have merged the worlds of iron, architecturals, antiques & design to create a wonderfully eclectic mix of old and new. Shoppers are sure to enjoy browsing the various vignettes throughout the store that feature unique handcrafted pieces including new & vintage furniture, home décor, garden accessories, architecturals, seasonal florals, and gift items. Located in Clermont, Georgia, on the corner of highway 129 and Oxford road just 8 miles south of Cleveland and north of Gainesville. 6415 Cleveland Highway, Clermont, Georgia Open Monday - Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday 12:00pm to 6:00pm. 770-539-9093 or www.ironaccents.com *See our ad on page 47.

Vista Ventures Overlooking beautiful downtown Blue Ridge, you will find one of North Georgia’s finest antique shops. We are conveniently located on East First Street with storefront parking available. We look forward to showing you quality American antiques at affordable prices. We also offer our refinishing services to the public. You will also find unique small treasures and decorative accessories in our showroom. Open Monday through Saturday 10:00am until 5:00pm and by appointment. 3608 E. First St. #101, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. 706-946-6789

Queen of Hearts Antiques & Interiors Buy Unique. Buy Antique. Queen of Hearts truly has something for everyone. Spend an afternoon shopping our extensive collections at your leisure. Give a gift – to yourself or for someone else – with meaning, something to be treasured and passed down for generations. Gift certificates are available. Three Atlanta locations make shopping convenient wherever you are. Alpharetta: 678-297-7571 Stonewood Village 670 N. Main St.; Buford: 678-714-0643 Next to Hobby Lobby 4125 GA Hwy 20; Marietta: 678-453-0600 next to Old Time Pottery, 2949 Canton Road. Open 7 days a week: MondaySaturday 10:00am-6:00pm, Sunday 1:00pm-6:00pm. *See our ads on pages 23 & 24.

North Georgia

Antiques 7

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Ivy Interiors Downtown Alpharettaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest unique antique boutique abounds with gifts and treasures. Magical decor fills this charming little shop. Fine antique furniture, vintage books, nautical treasures, equestrian collectibles and wonderful home accessories fill each room with warmth and style. Contemporary jewelry, inspirational gifts, gourmet foods, monogrammed linens and Christmas ornaments are just some of the many holiday gift giving items you will find at Ivy Interiors. Enchanting shopping at its finest! Open Mon-Sat 11-5 Sun 1-5 52 N Main Street Alpharetta, GA 30004 770 777-2050 ivyinteriors@att.net *See our ad on page 23.

November/December 2008

400 Edition 21

Common Cent$ Investing: The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

n October 3, 2008, President Bush signed H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the “Act”). The Act, often referred to in the media as the “bailout” or “rescue” bill, is a legislative package that is made up of the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), the Energy Improvement and Extension Act, and the Tax Extenders and Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act. Key provisions of the Act:

Financial Bailout Provisions

• Authorization of government to purchase troubled assets: The Act creates a new Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), which authorizes the federal government to purchase “troubled assets” (which includes residential and commercial mortgages, and securities, obligations, or other instruments that are based on or related to such mortgages) from financial institutions either directly or through auctions. • Imposition of limits on executive compensation: In a case where the Treasury Department purchases troubled assets directly from a financial institution, the Act allows the Treasury to set compensation standards, prohibits golden parachutes, and allows the Treasury to recover “unearned” bonuses previously paid out. In cases where a financial institution sells more than $3 million through the TARP program, and participates in an auction purchase, the Act limits the annual deductible compensation to CEOs, CFOs, and other executives to $500,000, and limits golden parachutes. • Allowance of ordinary income tax treatment for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock losses: The Act allows specified financial institutions to treat losses incurred in the sale or exchange of preferred stock in Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac as ordinary losses. This treatment generally applies to the sale of preferred stock held on September 6, 2008, or sales or exchanges of preferred stock on or after January 1, 2008, and before September 7, 2008. • Extension of mortgage forgiveness exclusion: The tax code generally treats cancelled debt as taxable income. The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 excluded from gross income discharges of up to $2 million of indebtedness ($1 million if married filing separately) secured by a principal residence and incurred in the acquisition, construction or substantial improvement of the residence. The Act extends this exclusion from December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2012. • Temporary increase in FDIC insurance amount: The Act increases the FDIC and

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Credit Union Share Insurance Fund deposit insurance limit applicable to depository institutions and credit unions from $100,000 to $250,000. The increase will be in effect only until December 31, 2009.

AMT Relief

• Another AMT “patch”: The Act includes another AMT patch for the 2008 tax year. Consequently, for 2008 only, the AMT exemption amounts are $69,950 for married couples filing jointly and surviving spouses, $46,200 for single taxpayers and heads of household, and $34,975 for married couples filing separately. Further, for 2008, taxpayers can continue to apply nonrefundable personal tax credits to reduce AMT liability as well as regular federal tax liability. Additionally, the Act accelerates the application and refundability of unused long-term minimum tax credit, and provides specific relief for AMT liability that results from the exercise of incentive stock options (ISOs).

Extended Tax Breaks— Individuals • Extension of additional standard deduction: The Act extends a provision allowing an additional standard deduction for real property taxes paid by taxpayers who do not itemize that was enacted earlier this year by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The amount of the deduction is the lesser of the amount allowable as a deduction of state and local real property taxes, or $500 ($1,000 for married persons filing a joint return). The provision was set to expire at the end of 2008, but is now extended through 2009. • Extension of deduction for state and local taxes: The Act further extends a provision originally enacted as part of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, and extended through 2007 by the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, that allows individual taxpayers to elect to take an itemized deduction for state and local general sales taxes instead of the itemized deduction for state and local income taxes. The Act extends this provision through 2009. • Extension of deduction for qualified higher education expenses: The Act extends the above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses through 2009. The maximum deduction is $4,000 for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $65,000 ($130,000 for married persons filing jointly) or below, and $2,000 for taxpayers with an AGI of $80,000 ($160,000 for married persons filing jointly) or less. Taxpayers whose AGI exceeds those amounts are not entitled to a deduction. • Extension of deduction for teacher’s November/December 2008

by Robin Toms Grier, Registered Investment Advisor Representative classroom expenses: There is an above-theline deduction for up to $250 annually for classroom expenses paid for or incurred by an eligible educator for books, supplies, computer and other equipment, and other supplementary materials. The Act extends this deduction through 2009. • Extension of tax-free distributions from IRAs for charitable purposes: The Act permits taxpayers to make tax-free distributions of up to $100,000 from IRAs for charitable purposes through December 31, 2009. This provision had previously expired December 31, 2007. • Modification of refundable child tax credit: The Act lowers the 2008 earned income threshold for purposes of the refundable portion of the child tax credit to $8,500 (from $12,050).

Tax Provisions— Businesses

• Extension and modification of R & D tax credit: The Act extends the research and development tax credit to cover expenses paid or incurred on or before December 31, 2009, and increases the alternative simplified credit from 12 percent to 14 percent of qualified research expenses that exceed 50 percent of the average qualified research expenses for the three preceding tax years. • Extension of renewable energy tax credit: The Act modifies the credit and extends the placedin-service period through the end of 2009 for qualified wind facilities. The placed-in-service period for other energy sources such as geothermal, closed-loop biomass, hydropower, landfill gas, and trash combustion facilities is also extended through December 31, 2010. The Act also creates a new energy production category—marine renewable—which is energy derived from waves, tides, and currents. • Extension of FUTA surtax: The bill extends the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) surtax of 0.2 percent through 2009. • Extensions of other business tax incentives: The Act extends though 2009 several business tax incentives including: • Indian employment tax credit • New market credit • The 15-year straight-line cost recovery for qualified leasehold improvements and qualified restaurant property • Deduction for charitable contributions of food inventory • Deduction for charitable contributions of book inventory to public schools • Deduction for corporate contributions of computer equipment for education purposes • Qualified Zone Academy Bonds

• Rehabilitation tax credit for Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone buildings • Work opportunity tax credit for employers who hire employees who were affected by Hurricane Katrina is extended through August 28, 2009

Energy Incentives

• Extension and modification of residential energy tax credits: The Act extends the tax credit for residential energy-efficient property from 2009 to 2016. The Act removes the $2,000 maximum limit on solar electric property. Further, the Act adds new types of equipment that qualify for the credit: (1) wind energy equipment, which qualifies for a tax credit of up to 30 percent of the cost, capped at $4,000, and (2) geothermal heat pumps, which qualify for a credit of up to 30 percent of the cost, capped at $2,000. Additionally, the residential energy conservation property credit, which provides a credit of up to $500 for purchasing energy-saving products, such as windows, insulation, and HVAC systems is extended through 2009. The Act adds two new types of improvements that qualify for the credit: (1) biomass fuel stoves with a thermal efficiency rating of 75 percent or more, and (2) asphalt roofs with cooling granules. The Act also clarifies that water heaters must have either an energy factor of at least 0.80 or a thermal efficiency rating of at least 90 percent to qualify for the credit. Note, however, that while the credit is worth up to $500 for various improvements, the credit is limited to $200 for windows and to $300 for biomass fuel stoves. • Creation of tax credit for electric vehicles: The Act creates a new tax credit of $2,500 to $7,500 for plug-in electric vehicles. The credit will start to phase-out after 250,000 qualifying electric vehicles are sold. Vehicles that qualify will need to be certified under the Clean Air Act and meet the California low-emission standards. Higher tax credits are also available for electric vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings of more than 10,000 pounds.

• Creation of tax-free fringe benefits for bicyclists: The Act provides a new tax break for people who commute by bicycle. Employers can provide a tax-free fringe benefit of up to $20 per month to cover “reasonable expenses incurred by the employee” for the purchase, improvement, repair, and storage of a bicycle that is regularly used to commute between the employee’s home and office. This bicycle fringe benefit will begin in 2009.

Disaster relief

• Temporary tax relief for areas damaged by 2008 Midwestern severe storms, tornados, and floods: The Act applies and modifies certain GO Zone and Hurricane Katrina tax relief measures to the “Midwestern disaster area.” The term “Midwestern disaster area” means: (1) an area declared a major disaster area by the President on or after May 20, 2008, and before August 1, 2008, by reason of severe storms, tornados, or flooding occurring in any of the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, and (2) determined by the President to warrant individual or individual and public assistance from the federal government for damages attributable to such severe storms, tornados, or flooding.

For more information contact Robin at 770-887-2772, or by email at rgrier@harborfs.com. This material is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax adviser, investment professional, or insurance agent. Before making any financial commitment regarding the issues discussed here, consult with the appropriate professional adviser. Securities offered through Harbor Financial Services, LLC Member FINRA/SIPC, Clearing Raymond James & Associates, Inc. Member FINRA/ SIPC. Robin Grier Financial Services, Inc is not an affiliate or Subsidiary of Harbor Financial Services, LLC Robin Grier Financial Services, Inc., is not an affiliate or Subsidiary of Harbor Financial Services, LLC.

awesome ALPHARETTA georgia Unwrap the

Alpharetta is overflowing with holiday

Magic k

cheer. We are making shopping merry by offering special hotel rates and the chance to win shopping, dining, hotel stays and spa certificates worth more than $1,500. And we’re throwing in a personal shopper, too! Register online or visit by December 30.

Alpharetta Welcome Center 20 North Main Street, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004 800-294-0923 | www.AwesomeAlpharetta.com Don’t miss the 31st Annual Tree Lighting Celebration on December 7 at 5PM, downtown Alpharetta.

Spend an afternoon with us, shop in leisure,

enjoy refreshments and let us help fulfill your holiday gift list. One trip-One listMany gifts-Many choices. Give a gift with meaning, something to be treasured, and able to be passed down for generations.

BUY UNIQUE. BUY ANTIQUE. Store-wide savings Nov 15 - Dec 15 Alpharetta: 670 N. Main St 678-297-7571 Buford: 4125 Ga Hwy 20 678-714-0643 Marietta: 2949 Canton Road 678-453-0600

Hottest Happy Hour in Alpharetta Daily Drink Specials beginning at 4PM Ladies Night Thursdays beginning at 4PM Live Brazilian Samba Jazz beginning at 6PM Lounge and Bar open until 2 AM! 11405 Haynes Bridge Rd. Alpharetta, Georgia 30004 Reservations: 770-569-9199 WWW.SAGEWOODFIRETAVERN.COM

Downtown

Alpharetta’s newest unique antique boutique abounds with gifts and treasures. Magical decor fills this charming little shop. Fine antique furniture, vintage books, nautical treasures, equestrian collectibles and wonderful home accessories fill each room with warmth and style.

November/December 2008

Monday-Saturday 11AM-6PM, Sunday 1PM-5PM 52 N Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30004 770-777-2050 | ivyinteriors@att.net

400 Edition 23

Leibel on the Law Unemployment Compensation

adly, the Associated Press reported that 400 jobs in the Milledgeville Rheem air conditioning plant would be cut. The move comes after the plant laid off about 180 employees in August. Plant manager Randall Layne said in a

memo issued to employees that some of the layoffs would be temporary. He added, “Business conditions will determine when employees will be called back to work.” In today’s economic climate, the loss of jobs will lead to claims by workers for unemployment benefits. In Georgia, this program is administered by the Georgia Department of Labor. Benefits are paid to workers from monies collected by the Department from employers doing business here. According to the Department of Labor, unemployment benefits are supposed to be temporary income for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own and who are either looking for another job, have definite recall to their job within 6 weeks of the last day worked, or are in approved training. Eligibility for benefits is determined based on past wages, reason for job separation, and job search requirements. Claims for unemployment insurance may be filed at any Georgia Department of Labor Career Center. Claims are not retroactive to the last day worked and should be filed as soon as possible. Due to the economic problems we are experiencing, President Bush signed into law an emergency unemployment compensation act which extended benefits for an additional 13 weeks equal to one-half of the original maximum benefit amount. Hopefully the economy will improve soon so that there will be no necessity for you to file for benefits. However, many people will need this temporary assistance, and this article is intended to help as a guide on what to expect. According to the Georgia Department of Labor rules, when filing a claim an individual should bring: • Their Social Security number • Employer-issued separation letter or

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by Steven K. Leibel notice, if one was provided

• Names and addresses of all employers for the last 18 months, and the dates worked for each • Proof of immigration status if not a U.S. citizen • Personal check with account number and bank routing number, if you want benefits deposited directly into a checking or savings account • Record of job search Income for purposes of determining weekly benefits doesn’t include Social Security, vacation pay, severance pay, reserve duty pay, or pay for jury duty. However, when signing up for benefits these should be reported. Generally employees will receive benefits when laid off, but can also be eligible for benefits when terminated by their employer for lack of work, or for the convenience of their former employer. A discharged employee may be denied unemployment benefits when he or she “has been discharged for failure to obey orders, rules, or instructions, or for failure to discharge the duties for which he or she was employed.” Before such disqualification is appropriate, the employer must show that the discharge was caused by the deliberate, conscious fault of the claimant. If benefits are being contested by the company, an initial determination is made by a claims examiner of the department. Both the employer and the employee have a right to a hearing before an administrative hearing officer employed by the Georgia Department of Labor if dissatisfied with the initial decision. Before the hearing occurs, a notice is issued. Either side has a right to gather witnesses and other evidence for presentation at the hearing. In fact,

November/December 2008

the Department of Labor can issue subpoenas upon request of a party to the proceedings, to compel the attendance of witnesses. Translators are also provided at the Department’s expense. At the hearing, both parties have a right to produce documents, give testimony, and cross examine witnesses. It is a trial—although a very quick one! After a decision is reached by the hearing officer, an appeal to the Department’s Review Board can be made. Finally, the decision can be appealed to the Superior Court for a final review. A DOL handbook can be accessed online for a claimant’s review at http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pdf/ forms/dol424b.pdf. A Superior Court must uphold the DOL’s factual findings if there is any evidence to support them. The Court’s duty is to review whether the record supports the initial decision of the administrative agency. The superior court is not supposed to weigh and evaluate the evidence or make its own credibility determinations; rather that Court merely determines whether the DOL’s decision was supported by any evidence [See Solinet v. Johnson]. In addition to unemployment benefits, terminated employees are also entitled to other protections including, under certain circumstances, continuation of healthcare benefits under federal or state law. These valuable benefits will be covered in another column. Steven Leibel is an attorney in Dahlonega. He was selected by the Judicial Nominations Commission as a candidate for an appointment to the Superior Court. Mr. Leibel has also been named a Georgia Super Lawyer for the fourth year in a row. You can contact him at 706-867-7575 or 678-458-2050.

Christmas in Roswell

ollhouses, high tea and a wedding—if you’re looking for a holiday tradition beyond lights and Santa, plan on celebrating “Christmas in Roswell.” The authentic South comes alive in Roswell, especially at Christmas. At Smith Plantation, you’ll find Christmas Around The World. This gorgeous home is decked out with traditional decorations from Switzerland, France, Scotland, among other countries where the family visited or had ties.

For dollhouse lovers, Barrington Hall’s A Dollhouse Christmas is a must-see. Meticulously decorated large-scale dollhouses and recreated room boxes are the inspiration for this traditionally decorated 1842 historic home. And at Bulloch Hall, the theme Christmas Across The USA highlights 12 cities, and is done by local groups, stores, and individuals. For a truly magical holiday evening, hop aboard the trolley and visit all three homes, bathed in candlelight. The Southern Trilogy Candlelight Tour is from 5pm-9pm on November 29.

Or enjoy a taste of old-style southern elegance by gathering your girlfriends (guys welcome too!) for Christmas High Teas at Bulloch Hall. You’ll sample a delicious twocourse tea, served by ladies in period

clothing, and tour the 1839 home of Mittie Bulloch. High tea is served at 4pm December 2, 3, 8, 9, 11, and 16.

Romance, history and Christmas—all combine for Mittie Bulloch & Theodore Roosevelt’s (Sr.) 1853 Wedding Reenactment. What a unique holiday celebration! Step back in time as a guest at this nowfamous wedding that produced the 26th President of the U.S., Theodore Roosevelt. Hour tours beginning every half hour from 6:30pm to 8:30pm on December 18. Cost for individual home tours is $8 for adults and $6 for children; tours available Monday-Saturday from 10am-3pm, and Sunday from 1pm-3pm, on the hour. Christmas Around the World runs November 15-January 7; 770-641-3978. A Dollhouse Christmas runs November 22-December 30; 770-640-3855. Christmas Across the USA runs November 22-January 4; 770-9921731. Passes for all three are $18 for adults and $15 for children, and can be purchased at the homes or at the Roswell Visitors Center. Costs for the Candlelight Tour are $20/$25 in advance, and $15/$20 at the door, for adults/children. Tour includes admission to all three homes and a fun trolley ride between homes. High Tea costs are $35 per person; this sells out quickly so make your reservations early at 770-992-1731. Wedding Reenactment costs are $12/$6 for adults/children; call 770992-1731 for reservations. For more information, contact the Roswell Visitors Center at 700-640-3253 or info@cvb.roswell.ga.us, or visit www.visitroswellga.com.

November/December 2008

400 Edition 25

November Reading For Fun and Learning

ovember is the month of autumn and Thanksgiving celebrations. The first U.S. Thanksgiving Proclamation was given by George Washington in 1789. Abraham Lincoln designated Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, thanks to the relentless efforts of Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale. A new U.S. President and family will be moving into the White House next year. Although I have visited the White House, I did not get to meet the President or the First Lady. I do remember catching a glimpse of the First Dog. An historic event beginning November 15 at the Atlanta Civic Center is “Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs” Egyptian exhibition, presented by the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University. This presentation features over 130 treasures from King Tut’s tomb as well as items from other ancient Egyptian sites. These artifacts were not part of the previous King Tut exhibition. Every month is a good time to count our blessings and enjoy the resources available at our local libraries. Always supervise children’s internet time. Happy reading!

Autumn

www.theholidayspot.com (Ghanty Associates): Recipes, games, and history for seasonal events and holidays. Robbins, Ken (1998). Autumn Leaves. NY: Scholastic Press. Easy children’s non-fiction. Schnur, Steven (1997). Illustrator, Leslie Evans. Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic. NY: Clarion Books. Easy children’s non-fiction.

King Tut

www.tutlanta.com (2008 AEG Live); www.kingtut.org (2008 Arts and Exhibitions International); www.carlos. emory.edu (click Education and then Odyssey Online for Egyptian information). “Entering King Tut’s Tomb, 1922.” www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/tut.htm (2000). Howard Carter narrates his eyewitness description. Nardo, Don (2005). King Tut’s Tomb. San Diego, CA: Kid Haven

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November/December 2008

by Lynda Holmes, Ed.D. Press. Juvenile children’s non-fiction. Biography of the boy king and history of the tomb.

Thanksgiving Anderson, Laurie Halse (2005). Illustrator, Matt Faulkner. Thank you, Sarah:The Woman who Saved Thanksgiving. NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. Easy children’s fiction. Crane, Carol (2003). Illustrator, Helle Urban. P is for Pilgrim: A Thanksgiving Alphabet. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press. Juvenile children’s non-fiction. Quatrains A-Z, with history lessons included. Poems selected by Livingston, Myra Cohn (1985). Illustrator, Stephen Gammell. Thanksgiving Poems NY: Holiday House. Easy children’s nonfiction. The Plimoth Plantation (2005). Giving Thanks: Thanksgiving Recipes and History from Pilgrims to Pumpkin Pie. NY: Clarkson Potter. Non-fiction.

Life in the White House

www.whitehouse.gov/history/whtour. History of the White House with online, panoramic tours. The National Children’s Book Alliance and over 100 contributors (2008). Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. Fiction and nonfiction. All ages.

On the horizon for December:

Pearl Harbor Day, December 7

www.nationalgeographic.com (National Geographic Society): Type Pearl Harbor into the search line and click for info, including a multi-media map and timeline. White, Steve (2007). Illustrator, Jerrold Spahm. Pearl Harbor: A Day of Infamy. NY: Rosen Publishers. Teen non-fiction. Lynda Holmes, Ed.D. (GAWriter1 @yahoo.com), is an author and educator in Flowery Branch, GA. She is a member of the Northeast Georgia Writers and the NGCSU Stonepile Writers, www. stonepilewriters.edublogs.org.

The State of the Library by Claudia Gibson, Chestatee Regional Library System Director

have exciting news! The numbers are in and Chestatee Regional Library System continues to grow and excel, providing the residents of Dawson and Lumpkin counties with quality opportunities for free access to information and entertainment. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2008, the library system circulated 335,944 items, an increase of 202% in the past ten years. Using the population figure of 48,318, provided by the Georgia Office of Planning and Budget, the system circulated, on average, 6.95 items for every resident in the two counties. Forty-eight percent of the population (23,347 people) hold an active PINES library card. The public computers were used 30,288 times last year; that is a whopping 5251% increase in the past ten years. Information Specialists answered 14,969 reference questions in FY2008. The libraries were visited 191,642 times, up 134% in ten years. I am excited that you are using your public library. I have been asked if libraries are needed or used as much, with so many people having computers and access to the Internet at home. As you can see by the numbers, the answer is an overwhelming yes. Let me give you a few reasons why. With the rising costs of everything from food to gasoline, our taxpayers turn to public libraries to provide entertainment, communication, research, and job-related information. Library members tend to use the libraries more when they cannot afford to travel or buy entertainment. People are also more reluctant to spend $25 for a new hardcover book, purchase a recent magazine, or rent the new DVD they want to see, so they go to their public library and borrow it instead. Your public library is becoming known as a gathering place, a place where seniors as well as younger people can gather to socialize and interact in a safe, comfortable environment. Programs offered at your library bring people together to learn new job skills, hobbies, or how to send an email. Pre-school children attend story times to prepare for

kindergarten. Older children and teens come to the library to locate sources for homework assignments or to participate in one of the many programs offered by the library, from gaming to book discussions. Seniors come to the library to read the newspapers, drink coffee, and chat about news events. People from out of town often come to the library to check email or to research family ancestry. Dawson County Library recently held a job fair at the library and more than 200 of your friends, family members, and neighbors attended. In addition to those who visit the library in person, many phone calls and email requests come to the Information Specialist each day. Often, entrepreneurs and potential businesses request demographics of our counties, or help with formulating a business plan. We receive frequent requests about something that was in the newspaper 50 years ago, what legal form is necessary for a grandparent to take their grandchild to the doctor, information about a bill that is going to be voted on by the state legislators, or what currency is used in another country. As you can see, your library is a busy place. Our employees are here to help you locate anything you might want or need, and we take pride and joy in making sure you are happy with the services provided to our members. None of this would be possible without strong support from our local county managers and commissioners. Because they know how important public libraries are to the quality of life in every community, and the public librariesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; impact on economic development, they have continued their support and contributed to the great libraries you have here today. Be sure to thank them, so they know how much you appreciate the quality library services provided to Lumpkin and Dawson counties, and we will continue to do our very best to be good stewards of the funds they entrust to us as we strive to serve you in the best way we can.

November/December 2008

400 Edition 27

Reflections of Christmas Past ‘Tis the season. It’s hard to believe Christmas is here. I think of all the Christmases of past years; it’s a time we can go back in our life, reminiscing about memories passed down from our families. It’s a good time to celebrate the holiday season with reflections of a simpler time. I love to use natural decorations for the holidays. Hang pine cones from wide ribbon from a chandelier, use fresh garland swags on the inside of windows, or hang a live wreath in the center of a mirror to add aromatic holiday touches to any room. I like the simple style of a live wreath placed around the base of a large glass hurricane, which looks great as a dining table centerpiece or a holiday accent on a sideboard. The dining room is the heart of the home during the holiday season. I like to hang small swag from the back of each

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dining chair from a ribbon. There is something magical about a colorful gingerbread house sitting on a dining sideboard reflecting an old-fashioned decoration. Bunch ornaments together for visual impact on a large tree. Your collected pieces won’t get lost in the expanse of green and go unnoticed. Create a simple, elegant palette of silver and green for a mantel. You don’t have to be a floral designer for this arrangement of fresh-cut evergreen and round silver ornaments. Frame holiday cards between two pieces of glass, sealed at the edges with book binding tape—a simple holiday decoration that can be used year after year. A crystal bowl filled with glass ornaments makes a festive centerpiece. Add a few springs of pine and intertwine with glass beaded garland. At Christmastime, fresh greenery fills the house with the natural smell of the holidays. Small touches make a big difference. For natural decorations, use dried hydrangeas, twigs, pinecones, fresh flowers in water vials, pomegranates, and dried artichokes to add a woodsy theme— you can collect all natural decorations as you stroll through your garden. Perk up your place settings and add some spunk to the plates you’ve been using for years with these ideas. Clear off the dining room table, and pull out your china. Let’s shake things up, and add a new twist to your tablescape. Relax, you won’t have to start from scratch; we’re just going to help you enhance what you’ve already been using. Try these ideas to get your own creative juices flowing, and put together some dressed-up, elegant place settings. Bring out your Christmas pattern in November to get a full month of enjoyment out of the cherry china. Pair with arrangements of red carnations and green kermit

November/December 2008

by Cynthia Aiken

mums. Try tiny vases or shot glasses as containers, and place two or three across the top of each place setting. Many family gatherings are more casual these days, so follow that dress code for your china. Start with a basic white plate. Add subtle color with tinted glass dishes. Stack salad plates for a layered look. Coordinate the napkin with the glass plate and then tie fresh herb sprigs, such as rosemary, around the napkin as a ring and attach a colorful tree ornament as a party favor for your guests to keep. A simple holiday plate can take on a whole new look with bold linens. A red quilted place mat turns dressier china into a look perfect for a casual get-together. Attach a name tag and a cutting of nonpoisonous berries to create a clever place card for a formal dinner. Tie the berry cluster with satin ribbon. No matter how you incorporate them, tiny berries offer big impact for holiday decorating. Don’t forget to go all out decorating your entrance. Use a simple large basket filled with greenery, berries, and pinecones that says “Welcome to my home”…and welcome to the holiday season. Pull out all your holiday decorations and enjoy displaying your collections, reminiscing of past Christmases. It’s like traveling down a path of wonderful holiday memories. Enjoy adding a few new things to your existing collections for the holidays. Get an early start to decorating your home for the holidays and enjoy entertaining with family and friends, creating memories and new family traditions that can be passed down to our younger generations. Cynthia Aiken Interiors – Mountain Cottage has moved to a new location in The Foothills Village, just outside the gates of Big Canoe. Her new location will feature a kitchen showroom. Please stop by for a preview of the latest ideas in kitchen designs.

Christmas in Cumming

rts & Crafts Show - Friday and Saturday, December 12-13, 2008 Make sure you plan to attend the 12th Annual Christmas in Cumming Arts & Crafts Show on Friday, December 12 (4:00pm10:00pm), and Saturday, December 13 (10:00am-5:00pm). The show, held inside the heated Cumming Livestock Barn located on the City of Cumming Fairgrounds, attracts over 7,500 people. There will be over 100 festive booths in the show. Admission is $1.00; children 12 and under free. While the Christmas in Cumming Arts & Crafts Show is taking place, there will be free photos with Santa on Friday from 6:00pm–9:00pm, and on Saturday from noon-3:00pm in the barn. There will be a Christmas Light Show, hayrides, and caroling on Friday evening from 7:00pm-10:00pm.

Come join us to hear the sweet sounds of local elementary school 5th grade and church choruses starting at 7:00pm on Friday. Don’t miss this opportunity to shop for unique handmade arts and crafts. Come and enjoy holiday cheer while shopping for hand-woven sweet grass baskets, Christmas ornaments and wreaths, fudge and nuts, piggy banks, photography, paintings, and more. For more information on the Christmas in Cumming Arts & Crafts Show, please call Bill Watson at 770-423-1330. Directions: Take GA400 to Exit #15 (Bald Ridge Marina Road). Go west; continue straight to the third traffic light and turn left; stay straight and the City of Cumming Fairgrounds will be a quarter of a mile on the right. The Arts & Crafts Show will be held in the large red barn adjacent to the arena.

C.R.A.F.T. Opens in Blairsville

hat a breath of fresh air in the concept of shopping! And just in time for the holidays. Remember the small businesses that offered a tea room for parties and small meetings? They were primarily visited by ladies’ groups; but thanks to the vision of owner Janice Taylor, the concept has been opened up to men, office meetings, and women who would like to include North Georgia-produced gourmet food items. A number of differently decorated rooms will offer displays of items ranging from jams and jellies to fiber arts to pottery paintings. Each room will be decorated to give a relaxed feeling, while the charm of the surrounding tour rooms soothes the cares of the day and sends you back into the world in a better mood and with a

feeling that you have been pampered. C.R.A.F.T. in Appalachia is the first store of its kind in North Georgia. The open doors swing wide for tourist and crafter, local or visiting. Located at 1310 Young Harris Highway, 1½ miles north of downtown, they’re open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00am until 5:00pm. For more information, call 706-745-8660; see their ad in this issue for a free introductory gift.

Christmas Lights

ou don’t have to go out of Dahlonega to see beautiful Christmas lights. From the Dahlonega square, drive out Highway 9 South about two and a half miles. Look to your right and you will come to the home of Pat and Mary Ann Cain. Their home is on Old Federal Road and can easily be seen from Highway 9. The Cains have been decorating for many years. Go another mile or so and take a left (the only way you can turn) on Ben Higgins Road. You can’t miss the lights of Charles and Barbara Brown, and Dan and Dola Davis. The Browns offer hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows. The Browns have been decorating over 15 years. Dan and

Dola have beautiful decorated trees. Turn around and go back to Highway 9 South; turn left, toward Dawsonville. Go about half a mile, just past the intersection of Highway 52 East. On the left you will see the home of J.D and Syble Brown, who have been decorating for five years. You will see many different scenes, including jumping dolphins, and snowmen on the lake. All of these families have worked really hard to make your Christmas the best one ever. The lights will be turned on on Thanksgiving night and will remain on thru Christmas. Don’t miss these beautiful lights, and have a very merry Christmas.

November/December 2008

400 Edition 29

Wall Street and Main Street: Insight on Layaway

Mind and heart mind & heart

he volatile nature of today’s economy, as we settle into what seems to be a bona fide recession, has caused unsettling anxiety for almost all of us. Uncertainties in the stock market, coupled with a lack of clear survival directions for the common investor to take, have endangered the financial futures of many Americans, particularly those approaching or already in retirement. After watching their financial portfolios sustain sudden 40% decrements, it is no surprise that many individuals who might not otherwise have needed or sought help are now appearing at mental health centers and private clinicians’ offices. The predominant symptoms seem to be of those of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but oftentimes depression and a sense of hopelessness accompanies the anxiety as well. Through the media, we have all been told about how corporate greed and flexible consumer credit availability over the past one or two decades have set the stage for our economy to falter, and many also blame the Bush administration for making matters worse with failed economic policies and heavy military expenditures. A few brave financial analysts, however, have also laid some of the blame at the feet of the consumer, who has quite understandably been cast in the role of the victim in this tragic economic drama. Nevertheless, there are factors to consider when we look deeper into the nature of the “victimization” of the American consumer in our credit-based society. The aforementioned greed of corporate America, exemplified by the media’s reporting of stratospheric CEO salary levels and profit sharing, often obscures the fact that the average middle-class citizen has likewise not been a stranger to greed, albeit on a smaller individual scale. No other civilized society known to this writer has been witness to such an orgy of “conspicuous consumerism” as has been witnessed here in America for decades now. The American

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Mark P. Feinsilber, Ph.D

consumer’s inability to delay gratification and his corresponding need to acquire things immediately have become his ultimate Achilles’ heel. Readily seduced by “easy” credit terms and the “planned obsolescence” of many consumer goods, creating a false need to keep replacing things, the consumer has found it all too easy to indulge in what I refer to as nAcq, or the “need for acquisition.” In many civilized nations of western Europe, credit is extended very sparingly to their citizens and its use is generally frowned upon, even seen as highly undesirable. This attitude pertains not only to relatively small items, but even to the purchasing of homes and automobiles. As a result, most people in Europe actually save up for what they want to purchase, and if they can’t afford something right now, they either forego it or wait until they can. When they do purchase something substantial, such as a home or an expensive automobile, they hold on to these acquisitions for long periods of time; in the case of homes, at times for generations (higher construction quality and stricter building codes make this possible). Corporate America is now giving us an “opportunity” to do this in a small way going into this upcoming holiday season by bringing back the “layaway plan” on a large scale. In some class-based societies (such as in England or Germany, for example), one’s real social status is ultimately determined by family name, not by whether or not one’s BMW is getting a bit long in the tooth. This state of affairs has been going on there, of course, for literally hundreds of years. It was in part an abhorrence of class-based systems that led our own founding fathers to design a different kind of society for Americans, of course. In the world’s extended family of many older nations, America is admittedly only an adolescent, but a very powerful and influential one nevertheless. However, like adolescents, its citizens tend to live excessively in the here and now; are often prone to impulsive behavior November/December 2008

(spending); and show a distinct disinclination to think about the consequences of their actions, preferring instead to project blame externally. It is easy to sit back and let Wall Street, Alan Greenspan, President Bush, and others shoulder all the blame for our current financial plight. What is more difficult, it seems, is to look within ourselves and realize that we have also been victimized by our own deeper psychological needs: a need for “status,” a need for material possessions and, most of all, a need to have what we want, when we want it. These “adolescent” societal needs will hopefully give way in the future to more mature needs, characterized by restraint, humility, patience, and gratitude. Ironically, this financial crisis is in some ways forcing us to grow up and realize that all the financial leeway that we have been given by our own society has actually been retarding our growth rather than creating status and security. Perhaps what has really been “put on layaway” in America most often is insight. As a footnote: To paraphrase Shakespeare, “Life is not so much having what one wants, but wanting what one has.” Mark P. Feinsilber, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years’ experience treating adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families; and is a founding member of the Behavioral Health Association of Forsyth (BHAF). His practice is located at 6030 Bethelview Road, Suite 401, in Cumming. Appointments or other consultations can be arranged by calling the administrative office at 770-205-5760, and more detailed information can be found at www.APSDoc.com.

400 Edition Online Forums We receive a considerable amount of feedback on 400 Edition, but we know there are many of you who have questions and feedback for our regular columnists that go unvoiced. In addition to our monthly print issue, you can now find your favorite columnists’ articles posted to our web site each month. Once registered in the forums, you can add your comments or ask our writers questions for more in-depth information, even about columns that are no longer available in print form. The forums are an interactive way for you to continue to gain knowledge from the experts and share your favorite articles with friends and family across the globe! To gain access to the forums, go to www.400edition.com and select the “Register” link underneath the red Login box on the right-hand side of the screen. Alternatively, you can go directly to the registration form at http://www.400edition.com/index. php/Create-an-account.html. Fill out the form with valid information, then be sure to read and accept the terms and conditions before you submit your form. Once the form is complete and you understand the rules, click the “Send Registration” button. A message will be sent to your e-mail account asking you to confirm your account by clicking a link. Once your e-mail account has been validated, a message comes to the 400 Edition administrators, who will approve and enable your account. You will also receive a message when the approval has been completed. Once your account is confirmed and approved, return to www.400edition.com and enter your selected username and password in the login box. This process enables you to see a new menu item at the top of the screen labeled “Forums.” By hovering over that menu item (placing your mouse over it, but not clicking), you will see an option to “Go To Forums.” Click that option and you will enter the Forums. You will now be presented with a list of Forums representing the columns you see each month in the print edition. If you click the forum title, you will see topics for each month posted. By clicking the topic title, you can read the column. If you wish to ask a question or post feedback, simply click the “Reply” button. Try out our forums and see what you think. If you run into trouble, simply look under “How To” on the top menu for tips and answers to most questions concerning your account. If you’re still stuck, send an e-mail to webmaster@400edition.com. Have fun!

Find more information about Dahlonega Old Fashioned Christmas on page 54. November/December 2008

400 Edition 31

Fun 400 by

Courtesy of ActivityConnection.com. Answers on page 38.

Searching for an Old-Fashioned Christmas M S Q E B L R U O I D E D W E B H H Q Z

J P E T E G S H L A D B Z O G I P O R I

M R O S B N B X T I W Z K O G I W M R K

T N N P E P P E R M I N T D N Z A E T V

E I U K C A S E C E U D X E O D S M N S

T N C T P O G L K A E H C N G P S A M T

N I A P C A R A L C R O I T S N A D D F

D A L C I R C N O E N O G O T W I E N A

K E T R Y T A R A E B W L Y N W L D A R

S P R I I D A C S T U N T S E H C Y L C

L A E U V T N L K R E D I C M T I N R S

C R R S E I M A W E A E P Y A K I P A T

V F H E S X T J C H R S T U N L A W G F

C A N D L E S Y T N E V D A R M K T A I

S U G A R P L U M H G J V B O U G H S G The list of words below can be found horizontally, vertically, diagonally, forwards, and backwards. ADVENT APPLES BELLS BOUGHS CANDLES CANDY CANE CAROLS CARRIAGE RIDE CHESTNUTS CIDER DATES DECORATE DICKENS

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November/December 2008

EGGNOG FRUITCAKE GARLAND GIFTS HOMEMADE NATIVITY NUTCRACKER

ORNAMENTS PEPPERMINT PINE CONES POPCORN SUGARPLUM TIN TINSEL TREE WALNUTS WASSAIL WOODEN TOYS

Comma Momma

by Nancy Wright

“Please” Don’t “Do” This!

unctuation abuse of all sorts is widespread, and various organizations and blogs labor earnestly to make sure the situation doesn’t go unremarked. The “Blog” of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks (quotation-marks.blogspot.com) chronicles a common misuse of quotation marks that drives grammarians wild. Quotation marks have numerous legitimate uses, the most obvious being in dialog (The candidate said, “Vote for me.”) or in material being quoted (“Four score and seven years ago...”) or with words used in something other than their usual fashion (I don’t “proofread” conversation). Quotation marks are also used to indicate irony, that literary device that lets you know that what the writer says and what the writer means are not the same. If you’ll imagine the writer snorting “Yeah, right” immediately after the word in quotation marks, you’ll get the sense of this usage: The councilman and his “niece” <snort><yeah, right> were observed last night leaving The Pink Pussycat Lounge. You encounter these ironic quotation marks often, even in conversation. When your sister makes quotation marks in the air with her fingers when she says I saw your “friend” Derek the other day, you understand right away that she knows that Derek is NOT your friend. Her “air quotes” are a signal that there’s a <yeah, right> in there. Irony is a perfectly appropriate, and exceedingly common, use of quotation marks

(both the written kind and the air kind). But one thing quotation marks should never, never, NEVER, EVER, be used for is emphasis. That use of quotation marks is wildly inappropriate, and instantly identifies you as—get ready for my favorite epithet—an illiterate bozo. The quotation marks in the column headline above, as well as the ones in the name of the blog I mentioned, are ludicrous and unnecessary. Another example: This handwritten sign someone photographed and submitted to the quotation-marks blog: Please “do not” remove papers from this canteen. If it continues the papers “will be” stopped. The quotation marks around do not and around will be are idiotic. Presumably these are words that the creator of the sign wanted to emphasize—but quotation marks are never appropriate for emphasis. Underlining would be appropriate for emphasis here. All caps would be appropriate. Underlined all caps would even be appropriate. But quotation marks are never EVER appropriate in this scenario, and they immediately mark the signmaker as a full-blown doofus. In the words of one linguist, “Emphatic quotation marks are usually mocked as an illiteratism.” Knowing that quotation marks should never be used to indicate emphasis, the literate reader will almost always interpret such usages as irony. And the unintentional irony is almost always funny.

November/December 2008

Seen on a preschool van: Transporting “Happy” Children. Can’t be emphasis, must be irony: “Happy” <yeah, right> Children. Then there’s the menu item suggesting Try our seasonal soup: Roasted Green Chili with “Chicken.” Those quotation marks, with their implied <yeah, right>, only serve to make you wonder what that “chicken” really is. Eeeeyew. Yes, I’m far too quick to label folks illiterate bozos. But dear heart, if you use quotation marks for emphasis, I’m sorry, there’s just no way to sugar-coat this: You may not actually BE an illiterate bozo—but you will definitely be perceived as one. Get help.

Nancy Wright does occasional editing and proofreading, and formats technical books for a specialty publishing house in California. She and her husband live in White County; you can contact her at adairmill@windstream.net to correct her spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Or you can explore the new forum at www.400edition.com and share your thoughts with Comma Momma and other readers.

400 Edition 33

Captain Clayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fishing Report Lake Lanier - November 2008 Water Temperature: 70 degrees and falling Lake Level: Approx. 1053 and falling

ell, no encouraging news on the lake level. The lake continues to fall and close in on the record low of last year, with almost no media coverage. The list of boat ramps closing continues to grow. Be sure to check with your local tackle shop as to which boat ramps are still open. At this time, the only boat ramps open are Tidwell, Clarks Bridge, Charleston, and Shoal Creek. The Charleston boat ramp will be the last one to close.

Stripers: The best way to describe the striper fishing is to call it a yo-yo. Some days the fishing has been great and some days the fishing has been very hard. When the stripers are feeding, they are highly visible. The fish are schooling in groups of ten to twenty fish for the most part, all over the south end of the lake. The best bait has not been the traditional redfins and super spooks. The best bait has been a newer swimbait called the Sebile Magic Swimmer in chrome or white lady. Retrieve the lure with a slow steady retrieve so that the bait swims about a foot under the surface. Over the last few weeks, we have caught more fish on the Sebile than with live bait. The

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birds will begin to show up with each passing week to make the search for the schooling fish easier. If you do not want to chase the schooling fish, pull free lines with herring across main lake points on the south end of the lake. The pattern is slowly developing and will get stronger around Thanksgiving. Be sure to put the free lines out at least Jeff 100 feet behind the boat. A free line is simply a hook and live bait dropped out behind the boat and allowed to run free using the trolling motor to slowly move across the point. The status of the night bite using large Bomber plugs up shallow has been hit or miss. Be very careful if you venture out on the lake at night, with the low lake levels.

Picture of the Month Deal, October 15, 2008

Bass: The bass have been schooling on the surface throughout the day. Same as the stripers, the number one bait has been the Sebile Magic Swimmer in chrome or white lady. If you want to try a different bait, try the five-inch chrome and blue redfin and reel it just under the surface. On the windier days, try an old-time favorite: the chrome and blue

November/December 2008

half-ounce Rat-L-Trap. With the Rat-LTrap, just cast to the windy points and reel. If the water is calmer, go to the plastics. The dropshot rig will continue to work as it did in September. Look for the fish on the graph and drop it right to them. A good worm to try is the Spotsticker RC Watermelon Pearl worm. If you do not like the dropshot, be sure to keep a spoon tied on the line. Try a Cotton Cordell C.C. spoon or the .6 white foil Flex-it spoon. Most of your bites will be on the fall. Start on about a 20-foot bottom and work deeper. This pattern will get stronger as the water temperature drops. Overall, be flexible this time of year and try different things until you hit a good pattern. With the changes in weather, the pattern can change quickly. Lastly, be safe with the falling lake levels. The Corps of Engineers does a great job marking obstructions, but still take care. Captain Clay Cummingham Catching Not Fishing Lake Lanier Guide Service 770-630-2673 www.catchingnotfishing.com U.S.C.G. Licensed Captain

Skin Deep

by Sharon Keating, BSN, NCMES

So You Think You are Serious about Skin Care?

t times it is fun to reflect and assess life, even if it is just a slice of life. The slice I have been assessing is this: What is the most common request that my clients bring to me? Hands down, it is, “I just want to look better.” WOW! That could mean anything, so my response is usually, “What do you mean?” Or “What bothers you most?” Surprisingly, most women appear to have realistic expectations. What I mean by this is that most claim that they do not “want to look 30 years old again.” But, in reality, their true expectations are very unrealistic. Most people want instant results. Let’s ponder that for a moment...is anything truly “instant”? Do we grow older instantly? Do we gain extra pounds instantly? Do we become healthy or unhealthy instantly? You get the picture. I understand that there are a lot of advertisements out there that promise the fountain of youth, but read the fine print, i.e., “A series of treatments is required.” This can mean anything from five treatments to literally an eternity of treatments. My favorite is “Consult with your physician.” Translated, this means “serious treatment for serious issues” and includes everything from injectables, to laser treatments, to surgery. So, in reality, are the ads misleading, and have we been swept off our feet by the New American Dream: “You can have it all and look good too, without any effort”? Don’t get me wrong, I believe we can have “it” all and look good too, but “it” ALL requires effort, consistency and time. Isn’t it true that in order to achieve a different outcome, we must change what we are doing? By now you must be thinking one of two things: “I get the point” or “get to the point.” The number one concerns I hear that cause distress to my clients are dark spots on the skin, skin tone, and texture. These concerns have more to do with external factors than internal, or the intrinsic factors of aging (genetics). What do I mean by that? Plain and simple, these issues were caused by sun exposure and neglect. For example, if you do not work a muscle, it becomes “flabby” and/or shrinks and is weakened. But if you work that muscle, it becomes strong, performs well, and looks pleasing. Was that muscle permanently damaged from neglect? No, it just shrinks and does not perform well. What if you were to experience

an injury to that muscle? Do you need to tend to that injury, provide appropriate rest, nutrition, care, and therapy to heal that muscle? Yes, because if you neglect that injured muscle, the risk of permanent injury or disability is always a possible outcome. Why do we think that our skin is different from any other organ or limb? Why do we think we can abuse and neglect our precious “earth suit” that is our identity and protects us, and not experience some permanent damage? Let’s look at the three most common complaints, their origin, and remedy:

Hyperpigmentation (“Age Spots”)

Why are they called age spots? Are babies born with age spots, dark spots, or freckles? No, they come with age—rather, they come with high doses of sun exposure— guaranteed. (“High dose” varies from person to person, depending on skin type. A high dose for some is precious little.) Are they preventable? Mostly. Are they reversible? Not truly, and control is a lifelong battle. This statement bears repeating: not truly, and control is a lifelong battle. How difficult is hyperpigmentation to treat? Difficult. This condition is difficult to treat because once dark spots appear on the surface, this is a sure sign that permanent DNA changes have occurred. In other words, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” What is the BEST treatment? Sun protection and daily application of excellent quality skin care products obtained from, and used as directed by, a skin care professional.

stores, or department stores, and for the most part, are unavailable via Internet sales. Why is that? Because they contain active ingredients that are similar to prescription drugs. Not only that, but they are pH correct and designed with high tech delivery systems that enhance penetration of the skin. Therefore, they are regulated and cannot be sold directly to consumers. In other words, if you are using creams and lotions and brand name items that came from a drug store, grocery store, department store (even if you paid a lot), or the Internet, you are not practicing good skin care and it is unrealistic to expect much improvement or results. We are aging every day. Is it realistic to believe that one treatment (of anything) is going to reverse decades of growing older, not to mention heavy doses of neglect and abuse? Stopping the clock is serious business that requires serious action with serious tools. Professional Skin Care Products are the savviest tools in the box and they offer a

measure of control. Why would you want to sell yourself short and miss out on some of the most exciting advancements that can actually enhance the effectiveness of any laser or resurfacing treatment you choose? For some, topical products will cause enough improvement that invasive procedures are no longer necessary. Serious about skin care? How serious? Serenity Medical Health & Beauty Spa, the Serious Skin Care Anti-aging Specialists—We’re ready when you are ready! Call 706-265-6467 to learn more about the subject of restoring, repairing and renewing your appearance. Sharon Keating is a Registered Nurse and nationally certified MediEsthetic Specialist with 30 years’ experience. She is the owner of Serenity Medical Health and Beauty Spa in Dawsonville, Georgia. info@serenity-spa.com or 706-265-6467.

Tone and Texture

Again, these are disruptions caused by the environment and by lack of the appropriate nutrition to the skin. Best treatment: Sun protection and daily application of excellent quality skin care products obtained from, and used as directed by, a skin care professional. If there seems to be a recurring theme emerging, then take pride that you are very astute. Professional At Home Skin Care Products are the key and supporting foundation to treating hyperpigmentation (age spots), tone, and texture. The key words here are Professional Products. Professional products are not available in drug stores, grocery

November/December 2008

400 Edition 35

The Shepherd’s Journal: Ponderings from the Edge of the Flock by Bill Hutcheson

“Training Myrtle” Grief eventually comes to all families. Grief touched Pastor Christopher Dean’s family when their Chihuahua departed this life tragically in early August. Stanley had been a pet favorite of the whole family and of many guests who visited the Deans. After several weeks of grief, the Deans’ older

18 September 2008

The DVD arrived this week. After viewing it a couple of times, it seemed clear and easy enough. So today Myrtle and I started with a simple command, down. The trainer said the trick to a calm, loving, obedient dog is teaching him/her to trust you as pack leader. He said that the length of time necessary to train a dog is directly related to how much the dog perceives himself/herself as leader. Myrtle seems to be a pretty submissive pooch, but her dachshund genes may account for a bit of a stubborn streak. I thought the fact that she came to us already a year old with no training may make training more difficult, but not so, according to the

Northside Hospital

daughter surprised them with another pet, a little dog that appeared to be a Dachshund/Chihuahua mix. The family branded her with the name Myrtle. Myrtle possesses several desirable traits: She’s loving, loyal, energetic, not very noisy, and pretty good with strangers. On the other hand, she’s been

video trainer. He said you can definitely teach old dogs new tricks. That’s good to know. The first training went pretty well. In just about five minutes Myrtle understood what I wanted when I said, “down.” She didn’t always want to do it, but she understood and complied. She seemed to think I was angry with her when I gave her the down commands, but I played with her in between commands to assured her that I was not angry. She’s learning! Myrtle is learning new respect—new trust in me as pack leader. She cannot understand how important her trust and obedience may prove to be. She cannot see how this

hard to housebreak, which has displeased Mrs. Dean, especially. So Chris ordered a “sure-fire” dog training DVD and began the process of teaching Myrtle some simple commands and where to potty. The process of training Myrtle became the avenue to teach Chris a lesson or two.

simple command may one day save her life. OK, this looks too much like the human spiritual life! Becoming a follower of Christ requires a similar willingness to respect God as my leader. A growing respect comes from obeying God’s commands, like “forgive as you have been forgiven,” or “pray for those who persecute you.” I hear and understand what God says, but I don’t always want to comply. Isn’t that because I can’t possibly understand how important trust and obedience may prove to be? In order to comply, I must humble myself; that is, relinquish whatever control I think is mine. I want to hold

To Your Health

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic illness that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or is not able to effectively use insulin to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. This excess of glucose can be extremely harmful to the body and can

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ultimately lead to severe damage of the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Measures can be taken to prevent the disease, and treatment is available for those already diagnosed.

Take Preventive Measures

Preventing diabetes can be as simple as eating healthy and exercising regularly. Some prevention methods: • Lose excess weight. This can be accomplished by cutting down portion sizes, avoiding fatty or high calorie foods, and minimizing fatty and sugary snacks and desserts. • Eat more fiber. Foods high in fiber such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts can help regulate and improve your blood sugar levels. • Exercise regularly. Regular exercise—at least 30 minutes, five days a week—will help you keep your weight down and stay healthy, and prevent you from becoming a victim of diabetes.

How Diabetes Is Treated

Unfortunately, there are no known cures for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, but there are ways to help treat diabetes and live comfortably with the disease. Some treatment methods: • Lose weight if you need to. By losing excess body weight, people can help themselves stay healthy and keep their blood sugar at appropriate levels. • Eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of nutritious and healthy foods such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Be sure to see a registered dietitian to obtain a meal plan to meet your daily caloric needs. • Implement a regular exercise regimen. This is most necessary for people suffering from Type 2 diabetes. • Take diabetes medicine, pills, or insulin, as prescribed. • Monitor your blood sugar regularly. • Plan to attend a “Self Management

November/December 2008

The Hutchesons moved to Dahlonega in 1993 as shepherd-family of the Dahlonega Baptist Church. Bill enjoys tinkering around the house, listening to guitar music, napping with his granddaughter, and watching the Food Channel (then messing up the kitchen).

by Roshan Khaki, R.D., L.D., C.D.E., coordinator, Northside Hospital Diabetes, Nutrition, and Weight Management Program

The Frightening Truth About Diabetes According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 23 million people in the United States, or about eight percent of the population, are currently battling diabetes mellitus. More commonly known as diabetes, this disease affects more than 5 million Americans who are unaware of their condition because of the absence of any signs or symptoms of the disease. It is projected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that by 2050 the number of afflicted men, women, and children could double to more than 48 million. You or a loved one could be part of this frightening statistic.

on to control over my life. Isn’t that precisely because I don’t see how the simple commands, given to us in the Bible, are part of God’s plan to redeem my life from its self-centeredness? May I be as patient in training Myrtle as God is patient with my slow pace of learning. AMEN.

Training Program” at a hospital clinic to learn about managing your diabetes. All methods of treating diabetes help to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent serious complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, nerve disease, stroke, and blindness. If all preventive measures are followed, a diabetes diagnosis might be avoided. With the cause of diabetes still unknown and the number of diagnosed cases on the rise, diabetes is fast becoming a worldwide epidemic. Everyone must take the time to learn about and take preventive measures against this life-threatening disease. By doing so, many can prevent diabetes from affecting their family. For more information about diabetes, call Northside Hospital’s Diabetes, Nutrition, and Weight Management Program at 404-851-6023, or visit us online at www.northside.com.

Historic Forsyth

by Donald Pruitt

’49 Cumming Football Bulldogs

ollowing my piece earlier this year (February/March) on the Forsyth County high school football teams of the mid-1950s, I received some comments about earlier gridiron teams at old Cumming High School (CHS). I had faint memories of attending a game in 1949 at old Bona Allen Field in Buford as a 9-year-old youngster. Nevertheless, few records are available about that period and some are obviously incorrect. Indeed, in composing the article on the team associated with the new Forsyth County High School campus that opened in September 1955, I had mistakenly represented this effort as the first 1949 Cumming High School Bulldogs Football Team venture into football in Forsyth County. After some research and conversations with some folks involved, I have pieced noted that he had some good size and speed, together a vague picture of that period, but and the other nineteen boys who came out were in particular, the actual first football team in eager to learn. Cumming—the ’49 Cumming High School There were 22 brave lads making up this Football Bulldogs. historic group, including Jimmy Hamby, In 1949 the new principal of Cumming Harold Wallace, Bobby Bagley, Frank Stripland, High School was Mr. W. L. Chambers, who Charles Farr, Howard Mauldin, Shirley Day, was an ex-football coach. He had introduced Thomas Fagan, Donald Williams, Dan Loggins, a successful football program at Ellijay, GA, Gene McClure, Harold Green, Kenneth in 1946 and he hoped for similar success in Norwood, Frank Poole, Leon Holbrook, Forsyth County after hiring an experienced Homer Summerour, Lynn Holbrook, Marcus coach in Nelson Wood, who had coached at Holtzclaw, George Ingram, Charles Martin, and Marietta and had molded some good teams. Allan Farr. Edwin Pruitt was not shown in the However, when Coach Wood assembled this attached photo and it is not known whether the first group of young men, he found that only above names are aligned with that photo. three of them had ever played any organized Of course, as mentioned by me earlier and football at the JV or high school level. Captain by a sportswriter at the Atlanta Constitution Dan Loggins had played JV ball in Miami, in 1949, high school basketball had always FL, before moving to Cumming. Quarterback been king in Cumming and Forsyth County; Charlie Farr had been on a good JV team at and there were few, if any, football/basketball Brown High in Atlanta, and Frank Stripland stars at CHS (or FCHS later) like those had suited up as a B-team fullback at Smith found at other area schools such as Buford or High in Atlanta. At least these three knew Stone Mountain. Unfortunately, this situation the difference between a shoulder pad and continued to exist for well over another decade a hip pad. Unfortunately, most of the team and certainly stymied any long-term success had no idea about most of the rules, nor were in a football program. One can only imagine they familiar with the team positions and what “Titans of the Gridiron” Joel Poss, Jackie responsibilities. Nevertheless, Coach Wood Thomas, or Charles Hardin would have been in November/December 2008

those early years. While some games in 1949 were probably held at the old Bona Allen field in Buford, there are indications and eyewitness accounts of home games being played at the old baseball field off of Pilgrim Mill Road behind the Rec Center and swimming pool. There were no lights at this field; therefore, that would have necessitated day games. Too, it is strange that the records shown for the 1949 team on the official GHSA web site are obviously seriously flawed, as some of the old newspaper accounts that exist provide much better documented information on those early games. I continue to attempt better documentation for this season, as well as for the 1951 and 1952 editions of the Cumming HS football program. Look forward to seeing the results and personal reflections of those who remember the ’49-’51 Bulldogs. Note: I am hoping that some readers can provide me information on the 1950 and 1951 Bulldog football squad. Further, it would be appreciated if someone can provide newspaper or eyewitness accounts for any of the ’49-’51 games. Please contact me by email or by going to the new online Forum for 400 Edition. Donald (Don) Pruitt is a 1958 graduate of FCHS and a 1963 UGA graduate. While Don and his wife, Sula Echols Pruitt, have lived outside of Forsyth County since 1963, he has a love of Forsyth County history and genealogy. He still has family here and tries to return “home” from North Carolina, where he has lived for 39 years. Donald is a long-time member of the Historical Society of Forsyth County. He can be contacted by email at sazabylex@ctc.net .

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Events, Events,

Tip: Keep in mind that 400 Edition is released on or about the 15th of each month. That means your event needs to be submitted via our web site 30-45 days prior to your event date, and no later than the 1st of the month. We have to have all the information requested on the submission form, so be sure your form is complete. Just go to 400edition.com and click “Submit an Event” on the home page.

Alpharetta

November 15 at 6:30pm at North Point Mall. Enjoy a holiday story with Santa. Also drawings for prizes, cookies and milk. Seating is limited. Santa will be between Belk and Dillards. For more information, contact Christine Fey at 770-740-8636 or email christine.fey@ggp.com.

Santa’s Welcome Parade

November 16 at 1:00pm at North Point Mall Food Court. Seed and Feed Marching Band will accompany Santa. Register to ride in Santa’s sleigh before at Guest Services. For more information, contact Christine Fey at 770-740-8636 or email christine.fey@ggp.com.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

November 28-December 20 at 2:00pm at ACT1 Theatre, 180 Academy St.. Hilarious Christmas tale running Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday matinees at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church. Tickets $12.00-15.00. For more information, call 770-663-8989 or email lkmatchen@bellsouth.net.

Mistletoe 5K Run & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk

November 28-December 24 at Kudzu Playhouse. Traditional Charles Dickens holiday classic for the whole family. Go to kudzuplayhouse. org. Prices $13.00-$19.50. For more information, call 770-594-1020 or email kudzuplayhouse@aol.com.

December 6 at 8:30am at Alpharetta Swimming Pool, 1810 Old Milton Parkway. Benefits Second Wind Dreams bringing seniors to forefront of society. Food, music and awards follow the run at the Mansell House and Gardens next to pool. Register at active.com. For more information, call 678-566-5035 or go to mistletoerun.com/index/html.

A Chris “MESS” Carol

Holiday Celebration

A Christmas Carol

Story Time with Santa

information, call 888-777-0010 or go to americangirl.com/stores/location_atl.php.

December 3-20 at 11:00am at Kudzu Playhouse, 10743 Alpharetta Hwy. Christmas play for children by children. $6.50 for children 3-9. For more information, call 770-594-1020 or email kudzuplayhouse@aol.com.

A Little Knight Music

December 5 at 6:00pm at St. Thomas Aquinas 535 Rucker Rd. Medieval fest includes an evening of dining and entertainment. For more information, call 770-475-4501 or go to sta.org.

Addy’s Quilt Crafts

December 5 at 4:00pm at American Girl, North Point Mall. Girls bring Addy’s world to life in this hands-on class on how to make a quilt out of paper using traditional patterns. Free for girls 8 and up. For more

Fun 400 by

Answers from page 32.

Searching for an old-fashioned christmas

December 6-7 from Noon-4:00pm at Scotsdale Farms, 15639 Birmingham Hwy. Santa visits; Children make reindeer food; 15 Minute DecoratorDeck the Halls and Greenery Bundlesevery hour. Refreshments and live music. For more information, contact Monica Singer at 770-777-5875 or email scottsdalefarms@bellsouth.net.

Alpharetta City Band Concert

December 7 at 3:00pm at the Adult Activity Center, 13450 Cogburn Rd. Holiday-themed musical presentation just before the Community Tree Lighting. For more information, call 678-297-6140 or email seniors@alpharetta.ga.us.

Community Tree Lighting Celebration

December 7 at 5:00pm at Historic Downtown Square. Annual lighting of the 45’ live spruce with 10,000 white lights, music, children\’s performances and Christmas classic reading. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on fire truck for free visits, photos, hot chocolate and crafts. Horse and buggy rides carolers, elves and more! Don’t miss the Old Log Cabin tour. For more information, contact Kim Dodson at 678-297-6078 or email kdodson@alpharetta.ga.us.

Cookies with the Clauses

December 10 at Noon at Alpharetta Community Center. Meet the Claus’ at this fun family event. Free. For more information, call 678-297-6100 or email accprograms@alpharetta.ga.us.

Healthy for the Holidays

Courtesy of ActivityConnection.com.

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December 11 at 11:30am and 5:30pm at Harry’s Farmers Market. Dieticians and chefs provide tips to survive battle of the bulge that accompanies holiday cheer. Free. For more information, call 770-751-2660 or go to wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/alpharetta.

November/December 2008

Holiday Parent & Child Workshop

December 12 at 10:00am at Crabapple Government Center. Children can make a holiday art project and parents make a holiday card. Cost $10.00-15.00. For more information, call 678-297-6165 or email arts@alpharetta.ga.us.

Breakfast With Santa

December 13 at 8:30am at Adult Activity Center, 13450 Cogburn Rd. Visit with Santa and enjoy a healthy breakfast. For toddlers-age 10. Registration required by December 10. Bring new gift for charity. For more information, call 678-297-6140 or email seniors@alpharetta.ga.us.

Celebrating the Season

December 13-14 from 11:00am-4:00pm at Scotsdale Farms, 15639 Birmingham Hwy. Children make bath salts for mom; 15 Minute Decorator-Yuletide Table and Greenery Bundles. Refreshments. For more information, contact Monica Singer at 770-777-5875 or email scottsdalefarms@bellsouth.net.

Friends of the Library Book Sale

First Saturday of every month, beginning at 10:00am at 138 Canton Street. This is the Friends principal source of income to support library programs and purchase books and capital improvements. See website to donate books! Call 770 475-9214 or email statham@mindspring.com for information.

Atlanta Kid’s Circle

From 6:30pm-8:00pm at Northside, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C225. Call 404-843-1880 to sign up and learn start date of program. Program runs 4-weeks on consecutive Thursdays. No charge for this event. This 4-week program is a support program for children 5-12 who have a parent or grandparent with cancer. Children who participate in this program will: (1) Learn about changes caused by illness in the family through songs, games and creative activities, (2) Learn to identify their own feelings about cancer and how it affects them personally, and (3) Learn strategies for coping with stress and ways to take care of themselves.

Priscilla the Pink Pig Rides Again

November 1-January 4, 2009 at Macy’s Lenox Square upper-level parking deck. The ride travels along train tracks to carry

Events!

children and parents through a life-sized storybook that includes the original Pink Pig, Green Dog and other holiday friends. Macy’s donates a portion of the proceeds from each ride to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. For more information and hours of operation, call the Macy’s Special Events Hotline at 770-913-5639 or visit macys.com/pinkpig.

Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C225. Come join us for this monthly offering where individuals diagnosed with any type of blood cancer, and their loved ones can join in an open and supportive environment. This group supported by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Give The Gift of Blood

Smokie Mountain Melodies

November 21 from 7:00am-5:00pm at Northside Hospital, 980 Johnson Ferry Road NE, Classroom B. According to the American Red Cross, about four million people need blood each year in the United States, which equates to one person every two seconds. As long as you are healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds and are 17 or older, you can give blood every 56 days. For more information, call Debbie Lucca, 404-845-5185 or email debbie.lucca@northside.com

Blairsville

Chorus with Sweet Adelines International meets every Tuesday, 6:30pm at the First United Methodist Church of Union County on 515, just down the highway from North Georgia Technical College. If you love barbershop music and can carry a tune, join us. For information contact 706-379-1078.

Canton

Give The Gift of Blood

Mondays from 1:00pm-3:00pm and Wednesdays from 6:00pm-8:00pm. The Wellness Community-Northside, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C225. No charge. Explore new ways to deal with stress and cancer. Requires attendance at a Newcomers Meeting, a brief interview and a commitment to regular attendance. RSVP 404-843-1880.

November 25 from 10:00am-3:00pm at Northside Hospital, Education Building, 201 Hospital Road. According to the American Red Cross, about four million people need blood each year in the United States, which equates to one person every two seconds. As long as you are healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds and are 17 or older, you can give blood every 56 days. For more information, call Tracy Posey, 770-720-5117, tracy.posey@northside.com.

Support Groups for Gynecological Cancer Patients

Community Chorale Christmas Concert

Support Groups for Cancer Patients

First Thursday of each month from Noon-2:00pm. Northside Atlanta, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite C-225. Explore new ways of dealing with the stress of cancer and learn techniques to become partners with their health care team. This networking group is for women who have or have had gynecological cancer including ovarian, cervical and uterine cancer. RSVP 404-843-1880. No charge.

Support for Men Who Are Supporting Women

Second Thursday of the month from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Northside, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody, Suite C225. If you’re a man who is caring for a woman with cancer, this is the group for you. Join other men for this once-a-month support group to openly discuss the challenges and triumphs of having a wife, girlfriend or daughter with cancer.

Blood Cancer Support

Second Thursday of the month from Noon-2:00pm at Northside, 5775

December 14 at 3:00pm at Canton First United Methodist Church. Magnificat by Johann Sebastian Bach and Many Moods of Christmas, arranged by Shaw and Bennett--familiar carols. 70-voice auditioned group. For more information, contact Bea Flint at 770-479-5702 or email beaflint@windstream.net.

Drop-in Breast Cancer Support Group

First Thursday of each month from 10:00am-Noon at Northside Hospital, Diabetes Classroom, Educational Center. Meet with other people who have or have had breast cancer and together examine the emotional and psychological effects and changes, in addition to sharing ideas and information. There is no charge. Call 404-843-1880 for information.

Cumming

In The Mood with the Mood Swingers

November 20-23 at the Cumming

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Events,

Playhouse. Cumming’s own singin’, swingin’ grandmas are back, by popular demand to delight audiences with their unique vocal harmonies. Kathy Russell, Pat Groman, and Cheryl Rogers sing about family, friendship, love, and life in their own inimitable style. Accompanied by Bob Russell, their music director and arranger, songs include music from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s with a touch of Broadway thrown in. Thursday night is Baby Boomer night, with an opportunity to win prizes. Go to playhousecumming. com or 770-781-9178 for time and pricing.

Keeping Your Teeth Strong Before, During and After Treatment for Cancer

November 20 from Noon-1:00pm at 1200 Northside Forsyth Dr., Bldg. 1400, Classroom A. Free classes for cancer patients and their loved ones, sponsored by The Wellness Community and Northside Hospital – Forsyth. Cancer patients can suffer from significant problems related to oral health while going through chemotherapy and radiation. Join Ryan Edwards, DMD, of Windermere Dental for this informative program. Come learn how best to care for your mouth before, during and after cancer treatments. Classroom A. Lunch provided. RSVP 404-843-1880.

Christmas in Central Park

November 22 from 10:00am-5:00pm and November 23 from 1:00pm–5:00pm. Features unique arts and crafts and items for the holidays, food booths, children’s activities, music and entertainment. Entertainment will be ongoing throughout both days and Saturday evening will end with the “Lighting of the Tree” at 5:30pm. Pictures with Santa will be available from 10:30am–4:30pm on Saturday, and 1:30pm–4:30pm on Sunday and Mrs. Clause will be there too. For more information call Paula Chambers at 678-455-8540 or e-mail pwchambers@forsythco.com.

NGCSU Symphonic Band Concert

November 23 at 3:00pm at North Forsyth High School. Premier instrumental ensembles present an afternoon of popular works for the wind band, American marches, film music and jazz classics. For more information, contact Marilyn McKinnon at 706-864-1423 or emailmamckinnon@ngcsu.edu.

Give The Gift of Blood

November 25 from 11:00am-4:00pm at Northside Hospital, Bennett Education

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Center 1400 Northside Forsyth Drive. According to the American Red Cross, about four million people need blood each year in the United States, which equates to one person every two seconds. As long as you are healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds and are 17 or older, you can give blood every 56 days. For more information, call Jamie Kelley, 770-844-3838, jamie.kelley@northside.com.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

November 27 from 11:00am-1:00pm at First United Methodist Church, 770 Canton Highway. Free dinner for everyone. Spend the holiday in the real spirit of Thanksgiving – with lots of people to become friends and family. Home delivery for shut-ins available. Call 770-887-2900 for information.

Lunch n’ Learn

December 2 beginning at 11:45am at 513 W. Maple St. This monthly event is for everyone. New members learn about the products and services available at the Chamber. Existing members learn about anything new that is going on and everyone gets a chance to network. Join us for an interactive presentation and networking activity. You will receive a list of attendees’ contact information. Please register by November 26 by calling 770-887-6461 or send an e-mail to cfccoc@cummingforsythchamber.org. Lunch is included and is provided by Domino’s Pizza. $5.00 members, $10.00 for non-members. For more information, contact Maggie Schmitz at 770-887-6461 or email cfccoc@cummingforsythchamber.org.

Financing Your Small Business

December 3 beginning at 11:45am at 513 West Maple Street. This discussion focuses on the necessary qualities and personal traits required for starting a business; the steps required to achieve success and take your company to the next level and insights into why banks say no, but how you can still obtain funds or reduce the amount of money needed by “thinking outside of the box.” Learn the most effective way to obtain Small Business Administration Guaranteed Loans, including a review of the bank decision and underwriting process. Free for members, $10.00 for non-members. Bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided. Register by contacting cfccoc@cummingforsythchamber. org or call 770-887-6461. Please park in the events facility lot. For more

Events!

information, contact Alex Gubbins at 770-887-6461 or email agubbins@ cummingforsythcumming.org.

The North Atlanta Christmas Spectacular

December 6 at 2:00pm and 6:00pm and December 7 at 3:00pm and 6:00pm at First Redeemer Church, 2100 Peachtree Parkway. Christmas like you’ve never seen it. A giant broadway-style musical production with incredible sets, costumes and special effects with a cast of over 400. Free admission. For tickets call 678-513-9400.

Kiwanis Food Booth

December 6 at Noon at the Welcome Center. Support the Kiwanis as they raise money for the children of Dahlonega. They will be selling food items on the square as the day progresses and the parade passes by. All proceeds help children in our community for pj drives, scholarships, Christmas and much more. For more information, contact Hope Laughlin at 706-864-4673 or email hopekiwanis@yahoo.com.

AT&T Legislative Forecast

December 10 at 11:45am at Polo Golf and Country Club. Please join us as we host a joint meeting with the Rotary Club to hear from the legislative delegation about what to expect (and what not to expect) from the legislature in 2009. To register or for more information, contact James McCoy at 770-887-6461 or jmccoy@cummingforsythchamber.org.

Barbershop Singers

Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm-9:30pm at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1125 Bettis Tribble Gap Road. Forsyth County Barbershop Singers invite men ages 18-105 to visit our rehearsals. Men, if you like to sing, this is for you. No experience required. For information call Jerry Frank at 770-886-8670 or email Jerry_frank@bellsouth.net.

Support Group for People with Cancer & Their Loved Ones

Tuesdays from 6:30pm-8:30pm. Northside Hospital, 1400 Northside Forsyth Drive, Suite 180. Join other cancer patients and their loved ones as they search for answers to the cancer challenge. Rachel Newby, LMSW, of The Wellness Community, Atlanta, will be the facilitator. Cancer survivors and their loved ones are encouraged to attend this free group for education and exchange of ideas. RSVP at 404-843-1880.

Counseling for Senior Adults

Monthly, second and fourth Wednesday from 9:00am-12:30pm, free individual counseling, by a qualified therapist, at the Forsyth County Senior Center, 595 Dahlonega Highway. Please call Mary Johnson to schedule an appointment at 770-781-2178.

Dahlonega

6th Annual Kiwanis Talent Showcase

November 15 at 6:00pm at The Holly Theatre. Talent of all ages from all over. All proceeds go to The Community Helping Place. For more information, contact Dale Farmer at 706-864-1035 or email farmerda@alltel.net.

The Brad Mehldau Trio

November 15 at 8:00pm at Hoag Auditorium at North Georgia College and State University. A celebrated Jazz Pianist with Bassist, Larry Grenadier and Drummer, Jeff Ballard. For more information, contact Marilyn McKinnon at 706-864-1423 or email Mamckinnon@ngcsu.edu.

All American Piano Celebration

November 15 at 4:00pm at The Gloria Shott Performance Hall. An annual piano celebration at NGCSU. For more information, contact Marilyn McKinnon at 706-864-1423 or email Mamckinnon@ngcsu.edu.

Coffee & Dessert with the Madrigal Singers

November 20 and 21 at 8:00pm at Gloria Shott Performance Hall, Nix Mountain Cultural Center. Join us as the NGCSU Madrigal Singers present the humorous “Latte Cantate,” an updated, modernized version of J. S. Bach’s “Coffee Cantata,” along with a set of vocal jazz and other selections appropriate to the concert’s theme. Tickets: $5.00 adults, $2.00 children; free for NGCSU students, faculty and staff.

Classical Guitar Summit

November 21-22 from 8:00am–10:00pm at Hoag Student Center Auditorium. The two-day event features recitals, seminars, and master classes from distinguished artists, including Luther Enloe, Duo ATL, John Sutherland and the Athens Guitar Trio.

Two Photography Shows

Through November 23 at 40B Public Square South. Two photo shows open with a reception on October 4 from

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Events, 2:00pm-4:00 pm. For more information, contact Jeff Kryder at 706-482-0204 or visit krydergallery.com.

NGCSU Orchestra Concert

November 25 at 8:00pm at Gloria Shott Performance Hall. For more information, contact Marilyn McKinnon at 706-864-1423 or email mamckinnon@ngcsu.edu.

Len Foot Hike Inn Ladies Hike

November 29-30 beginning at 8:00am at Amicalola Falls State Park. This is an overnight hike 5 miles each day. We will spend the night at the Len Foote Hike Inn atop Amicalola Mountain. This a moderate hike and an awesome experience and is for ladies only. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Don’t miss the opportunity to walk off your Thanksgiving feast. For more information, contact Kym Abernathy at 770-312-8316 or email whymwito@comcast.net.

Luminaries on the Square

December 5 at 6:00pm at Welcome Center. Want to honor a friend or family member, or maybe memorialize someone you lost this year. Dedicated luminaries will be lit on the square for 1 night only. For more information, contact Walt Breyer at 706-864-8207 or email whbreyer@alltel.net.

Old Fashioned Christmas

November 28 beginning at 5:00pm on the square. The month long celebration begins with the lighting of the square and a parade. Plenty of other festive holiday events continue almost daily throughout December until after New Year’s with caroling, entertainment, wine sampling, live theater Christmas events.

A Christmas Carol

December 7 at 2:00pm at Lumpkin County High School. Tickets are $15.00. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 706-265-8389. Attendees will be offered a selection of homemade holiday desserts, coffee and Wassail during intermission. Bring your families’ traditional holiday dessert to display. Judging will be held with awards given for: Presentation; Taste; Holiday Theme. Submit your recipe and history or family tradition for placement in the Family Connection cookbook, “Connecting Lumpkin County Families Through Traditional Holiday Desserts.” Entry deadline is November 24. Professional bakers are welcome to showcase a special holiday themed dessert, but it will not be entered into the contest. For more information,

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contact Brenda Cronan at 706-265-8389 or bcronan@lumpkin.k12.ga.us.

Junior Tennis Clinic

Every Monday, 6:00pm-7:00pm at Yahoola Creek Park Tennis Complex. NGCSU coach Kent Norsworthy helps your child learn or expand their tennis skill. $10.00 per person per clinic. To sign up for the clinic, or for more information, contact Kent Norsworthy at 706-974-3274 or email tknorsworthy@ngcsu.edu.

Adult Cardio Tennis

Every Wednesday, 7:00pm-8:00pm at Yahoola Creek Park Tennis Complex. NGCSU coach Kent Norsworthy leads you in a fun, music-filled tennis-based cardio program that will increase your skills and your heart rate. $10.00 per person per clinic. To sign up for the clinic, or for more information, contact Kent Norsworthy at 706-974-3274 or email tknorsworthy@ngcsu.edu.

Dawsonville

KARE for Kids, Inc.

We will be accepting applications for assistance for the 2008 Christmas season at the following locations: November 15 and 22 from 9:00am11:00am at Ric Rac and Gainesville Welding; November 17 from 3:00pm6:00 pm at Robinson Elementary School and November 24 from 3:00pm-6:00pm at Black’s Mill Elementary School. If you have any questions concerning KARE for Kids, please call 706-216-5273 or email info@kareforkids.us.

Christmas Open House

December 6 from 4:00pm-9:30pm at The Lodge at Amicalola Falls State Park. Join us in celebrating the holiday season. Enjoy live musical performances, kids crafts, visiting with Santa, and more. For more information, contact Andrea Tucker at 706-265-1969 or email andrea.tucker@dnr.state.ga.us.

The Splendor of Christmas

December 12 & 13 at 7:00pm; December 14 at 11:00am and 3:00pm at First Baptist Church of Dawsonville. Join the celebration of Christmas with modern favorites and classic carols as we worship through music. 900 Highway 9 North, just off the Dawsonville square. See www.FirstBaptistDawsonville.com or call 706-265-2612.

Events, Events! Ellijay

Key Ingredients: America by Food

Through November 16 at the Gilmer County Library. Local showing of a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition which delves into the historical, regional and social traditions that merge in everyday meals and celebrations of the American table.

collect toys for the White Christmas Program. For more information see NacoocheeVillage.com or call 706-878-1234.

Hiawassee

Mountain Regional Arts & Crafts Guild

November 29 at 6:00pm, downtown. Celebrate the holidays with a parade, fireworks, entertainment and shopping . For more information, contact Kathy Robinson at 706-635-2782 or email karob97@ellijay.com.

Second Tuesday at 6:00pm, 308 Big Sky Drive (behind the Holiday Inn). The Mountain Regional Arts and Crafts Guild, Inc will meet. If you would like to learn more about the guild, we invite you to the next meeting as our guest. Contact us at 706-896-0932 or mtnregartscraftsguild@hotmail.com or visit mtnregartscraftsguild.org.

Gainesville

Jasper

Light Up Ellijay

Everyone Is A Work of Art

December 4-February 15 at Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green Street. Artist Gregory Johnson, will be at the opening reception on December 4. The exhibition of twenty figurative bronzes have been selected from a body of work done during the last fifteen years. Soft, classical compositions realistically rendered of common people, children and historic figures represent a purity of his emotion and commitment to unique subjects. Admission is free. Call 770-536 2575 or go to quinlanartscenter.org for information.

Voices of North Georgia

December 5-6 at 7:30pm at Saint Paul UMC. Presents the Voice of Christmas concerts. For more information, contact Diane Brower at 770-534-5141 or email diane_negasc@bellsouth.net.

Helen

Track Chic’s Tailgate Party for Pink

November 16 from 3:00pm-8:00pm at 6965 Main Street. Charity Benefit for the American Cancer Society and White County’s White Christmas to ensure that the less fortunate children in the North Georgia Mountains enjoy a Merry Christmas. Tickets are $40.00 per person and are available online at trackchic.com, Habersham Winery, and White County Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland. Call Theresa Earnheart at 678-534-8572 or email info@trackchic.com

Father Christmas

December 13 from 1:00pm-6:00pm at Nacoochee Village. Welcome in the Christmas with complimentary pictures with Father Christmas, appetizers, mulled cider, and candy. Christmas Music plays throughout the Village and we

6:00pm-7:00pm. The hour-long family music program will start at 7:00p.m. The decorated trees will be on display from December 1st through December 29th. For more information, call 706-692-5411 or go to sequoyahregionallibrary.org.

Professional Women of Pickens County

December 4 from Noon-1:00pm at Pickens County Chamber of Commerce. “Striving to better our community, each other and ourselves through involvement, commitment, and encouragement.”

Make & Take Gifts

November 10 at 6:30pm at Pickens County Library. Is your cash flow low this season? Teens are invited to learn how to make gifts for family and friends. All participants will make at least one gift to take home. Registration required. For more information, contact Pickens County Library at 706-692-5411 or go to sequoyahregionallibrary.org.

Madeline MacNeil Dulcimer Concert

November 18 at 7:00pm at Bent Tree’s Club Tamarack. A world renowned singer and player of hammered and mountain dulcimers presents music that explores Celtic and Appalachian traditions. Come hear the Lark of the Shenandoah. For more information, contact Carol Lesley at 770-893-2019 or email carol.lesley@tds.net.

Turkey Time

November 20 at 4:00pm at Pickens County Library. Youth of all ages are invited to put together a personalized “holiday pack” to take on vacation. Registration is required. For more information, contact Pickens County Library at 706-692-5411 or go to sequoyahregionallibrary.org.

Genealogy Explorers

November 29 at 10:00am at Pickens County Library. Discussion of Church and Court Records research tools and procedures. For more information, contact Pickens County Library at 706-692-5411 or sequoyahregionallibrary.org.

Festival of Trees

December 1 at 6:00pm at Pickens County Library. The special evening begins with the children’s activities from

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Events,

For more information, contact 706-692-5600 or go to pickenschamber. com/Professional-Women-of-PickensCounty.

Nights of Lights

December 5 from 6:00pm-10:00pm at downtown. A magical fantasyland of lights, sounds, and smells of the holiday season. Night of Lights is designed to celebrate the Christmas season as well as promote the revitalization and continued growth of downtown. For more information, contact Marie Noland at 706-692-1164 or email info@knowpickens.com.

Johns Creek

Up 400 Art Show & Sale

November 21-22 at 9:00am-5:00pm at Hwy 141-Peachtree Parkway-10475 Medlock Bridge Road. Just in time for the holidays. Ivy Falls Shopping Center. This is a fine art show and sale specialty boutique type atmosphere. Grab your friends and join us. It’s free. For more information call 770-377-7336 or email joycelynhairston@comcast.net.

Christmas Gala and Holiday Pops Concert & Reception

December 6 at 8:00pm at St. Benedict Church 11045 Parsons Rd.. Boston Popsstyle concert performed by full orchestra with adult and children\’s choirs. Features selections from Tchaikovsky\’s Nutcracker and other traditional favorites. Champagne-dessert reception. For more information, call 678-748-5802 or email info@johnscreeksymphony.org.

Roswell

Christmas Around the World

November 15-January 7 at 10:00am at Smith Plantation. Plantation tours of antibellum home decked out with decorations from around the world. For more information, call 770-640-3253 or email info@cvb.roswell.ga.us.

The Peasall Sisters

November 16 at 3:00pm at the Roswell United Methodist Church. This bluegrass and gospel concert is free (a love offering will be taken.) For more information call 770-993-6218 or go to rumc.com.

Christmas Across the USA

November 22-January 4 at 10:00am at Bulloch Hall. Historic home decorated with highlights from 12 US cities. Christmas festivities also include Christmas High Teas on December 2, 3, 8, 9, and 16. Mittie Bulloch and Theodore Roosevelt’s 1853 Wedding

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November/December 2008

Reenactment on December 18 on the half-hour from 6:30pm-8:30pm is a unique holiday event. Also the Southern Trilogy Candlelight Tour which includes tours of Smith Plantation, Barrington Hall and Bulloch Hall on November 29 from 5:00pm-9:00pm is a magical evening, featuring all 3 homes bathed in candlelight, with trolley transportation from home to home. For more information on costs, times and reservations (recommended) see visitroswellga.com call 770 640-3253 or email info@cvb.roswell.ga.us.

A Dollhouse Christmas

November 22-December 30 at 10:00am at Barrington Hall. Meticulously decorated large-scale dollhouses and room boxes decorate this 1842 historic home. For information, call 770-640-3253 or email info@cvb.roswell.ga.us.

Annual Holiday Book Sale

December 6 at 10:00am at Roswell Regional Library, 115 Norcross St. Gift quality books, special year end bargain table of non-fiction books priced at just .25. Collectibles and likenew current fiction. Come shop and save.. For more information, contact Barbara Knapp at 770-992-9548 or RoswellBooks@aol.com.

Celebrate the Season

December 7 at 3:00pm at Roswell United Methodist Church. Full symphonic chorus, Chamber Singers, organist, and Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet welcome the season with popular sacred and secular Christmas favorites. See website for cost mosingers.com. For more information, call 770-594-7974 or email staff@mosingers.com.

Sautee Nacoochee

Tellabration

November 15 at 8:00pm at Sautee Nacoochee Center for an international story telling event. We will have several legendary storytellers that you don’t want to miss. Go on line for tickets at snca.org or call 706-878-3300.

Evening Star

November 22 at 8:00pm at Sautee Nacoochee Center’s main theatre. This concert series is a special double bill with Craig Carothers and John Williams Davis. A gallery reception for the new show “Affordable Art Annual Holiday Show,” the night of the concert, will be held from 6:30pm-8:00pm in the center gallery. For more information go to snca.org or call 706-8788-3300.

Events! Contra Folk Society Festival

November 29 at 6:30pm at 8:00pm in the gym at the Sautee Nacoochee Center. The music of the evening will be played by “Burning Desire String Band” with Fred Park calling the dances. Tickets are adults are $7.00 and children $4.00. For more information go to snca.org or call 706-8788-3300.

Sautee Players

December 6 at 8:00pm and December 7 at 2:00 in the theatre of the Sautee Nacoochee Center. The Players will perform original stories collected from surrounding counties about life in the mountains. For more details and tickets go online at snca.org or call 706-878-3300.

Community Chorale

December 12-13 at 8:00pm and December 14 at 2:00 at the Sautee Nacoochee Center. The Chorale celebrates their 20th anniversary, with a theme of Christmas and celebration. For more information on tickets go online at snca.org or call 706-878-3300.

Suwanee

My Heart Goes Home for Christmas

December 14 at 7:00pm at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Sugar Hill Stake Center at 4833 Suwanee Dam Road. Marking the fourth year for performing free community concerts, the Sugar Hill LDS Choir will perform its annual Christmas concert. For more information, contact Cindi Pickett at 404-375-7882 or visit the choir’s website at sugarhillldschoir.org.

Waleska

Carols By Candlelight

November 16 at 3:00pm at The Falany Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors and children age 12 and under. For information and to order tickets, call 770-720-9167, or go to reinhardt.edu/fpac.

Heritage Holiday Bazaar

November 22 from 9:00am-2:00pm at Heritage Baptist Fellowship at 3615 Reinhardt College Parkway. Wrap up plenty of fun and goodies just in time for the holidays at the 11th annual Heritage Baptist Fellowship Holiday Bazaar. A favorite for those who love the gift baskets, ornaments, crafts and delicious food. New this year is the Festival of Trees, with ornaments and fully decorated trees on display and for

sale. Other favorites include homemade fried apple pies, homemade soups and chili and ham and sausage biscuits. Also features a garden room and silent auction. Benefits local and world missions as well as projects for the church. For more information, call 770-479-9415.

Woodstock Fall Arts Gala

Through November 28 at the Woodstock Public. The public is encouraged to view and then to vote on their favorite piece, for there will be a People’s Choice Award. Contact Regina Hines at 770-479-1262 for more information.

Diabetes Prevention Class

Second Tuesday of the month from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Northside-Cherokee Medical Office Building (Towne Lake), 1st Floor conference room, 100 Stone Forest Drive. Open to anyone at risk for or already diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Participants will learn how to count carbohydrates, learn the difference between insulin resistance, pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes, learn about blood glucose levels and obtain nutrition and healthy meal tips. The cost is $35.00. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, please call 404-845-5555 and press “0.”

A Christmas Carol

December 5-24 beginning at 8:00pm at The Towne Lake Arts Center. The Dickens’ classic comes brilliantly to life with original songs and your favorite carols. For more information, contact G L Grooms at 678-494-4251 or director@tlaclive.org.

The Lazy Elves

December 6-24 beginning at 10:00am at Towne Lake Arts Center. The elves want to play rather than work! What will happen if they don’t finish the toys on time? For more information, contact G. L. Grooms at 678-494-4251 or director@tlaclive.org.

Brasstown, NC

John C. Campbell Folk School Fireside Sale

December 7 at 10:00am. Shop for handmade items made by local and regional craftspeople as you stroll through our beautifully decorated Keith House. For more information, contact Kate DeLong at 828-837-2775, 800-FOLK-SCH or email info@folkschool.org.

November/December 2008

400 Edition 45

Bluegrass Notes W

e enjoyed the great pleasure of chatting with bluegrass legend Del McCoury recently. Here’s a sample from our interview:

Del’s Story

“My oldest brother taught me to play guitar when I was about 9 years old, but I was never impressed with all the songs he sang. He sung all the popular songs of the day like Roy Acuff and Ernest Tubb and Little Jimmy Dickens, and Bill Monroe, too. But I was never impressed with music until I heard Earl Scruggs. And I thought, ‘Man!’ And that’s what did it for me. And that was 1950. I went with Bill Monroe [in] February ’63. I didn’t stay with him that long—just a year. I quit, got married on February 9th that very year, and moved to California… I only stayed there about six months; moved back to Pennsylvania. We started having a family, and they all grew up there and went to school there. They [sons Ronnie and Rob] were startin’ to play banjo and Ronnie said he was doin’ better than me, so I thought, ‘well I’ll just play mandolin.’ What really got Ronnie started, though, was a show I played in NYC… with Bill Monroe and some other bluegrass acts. And Bill took a likin’ to Ronnie and he put his mandolin in his lap—he was only maybe 13 then, I think. And he put his hat on him and he said, ‘Now here, you play this.’ And it got Ronnie interested. [Rob] is really a great band banjo player as far as, like, backing up a singer and playing with the band. He’s really good at that, he really

46 400 Edition

is. I tried to get him to do an album of instrumentals, but he don’t think much about it. He just likes playin’ in a band. He don’t get the recognition, I don’t think, that he deserves. He’s been playin’ it since he was nine. That means a lot, too. He’s got a great feel for that instrument.”

Ronnie’s Album “Little Mo’ Mccoury”

“Ronnie’s always wanted to do a children’s album and he did that and he’s taken the band out and they’ve done some shows. Without me! With those songs, from that record. I’m tryin’ to get them to go out and do some things on their own ’cause you never know how long I’ll do this. I’m 69 now, but I still feel good. I feel great… and I’m singin’ fairly good.” (Laugh)

Del’s New Box Set

“They tell me I’ve been doing this for roughly 50 years now. It’s hard for me to remember when it all started, but anyway, my manager, or it might

by Kevin O’Connell & Julie Sanders

have been Ronnie, I don’t know who it was, came up with the idea that we ought to do 50 songs for my 50 years in the business. And we just called it 50-50. We went in the studio last winter and re-cut 35 songs—some of the most requested things that I’ve done through the years that people still request. It didn’t really take us very long because the band knows ’em. When I go on stage, I never have a set list. We just get out there and do whatever. I’m fortunate people do request songs that I’ve recorded all through the years. The guys are playing songs I recorded before they were born. They learned ’em from the records. And it’s going to be out the end of this month [October]. We’re gonna do another studio album before Christmas.”

“I’ve Endured”

“The lady that wrote that, her name is Ola Belle Campbell-Reed. She was a Campbell, but she married a Reed. She wrote a buncha’ songs. She’s from over there in Western Carolina. She wrote ‘High On The Mountain.’ She told me one time, ‘You should let me sing you some songs.’ She said, ‘Come up to the house and I’ll sing ’em all for you.’ So I recorded them. And ‘High On The Mountain’ was one of them. That would have been right around 1970—late ’60s, I guess. And she sang me ‘I’ve Endured,’ too. She wrote that one. She told me that she sang these songs to Ralph Stanley and Bill Monroe and that they never recorded them or nothin’ and then after I recorded ‘High On The Mountain,’ I remember her saying that Bill got a little huffed at her because he wanted it.”

November/December 2008

The Economy

“I figured it would be tough on some of the smaller venues. But all this summer, I’ve played some of the major festivals like Telluride and this one we just played, they call it Shakori Hills in Pittsboro, North Carolina, and that place was packed. I couldn’t believe it. Most of the people there drove there and I’m sure they’re not all local people.” See you!

Remember cold weather just means bluegrass pickers go inside to play, so find an event and enjoy! Maybe we’ll see you there. Kevin O’Connell and Julie Sanders live near Turner’s Corner, north of Dahlonega and Cleveland. Kevin is president of the Southeastern Bluegrass Association and is serving his second year on the board of directors; Julie is in her first year on the board. The couple also emcees bluegrass festivals and other events. Since 2003, their Internet radio station has been webcasting bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and old-time mountain music via Live365. com, the world’s oldest and largest Internet radio network. Kevin and Julie cordially invite you to tune in and enjoy bluegrass, old-time string band, and bluegrass gospel music at www.MountainEchoesRadio.com.

Jim’s Journeys …. Of the mind, body, and spirit

by Jim Leeds

Christmas – The Greatest Gift of All

n my humble opinion, Christians throughout the world will once again fail to recognize the greatest gift ever bestowed on mankind by God. December 25 will come, with all the wonderful music, candlelit services, and pageants performed by children of all ages. We’ll celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, and continue to be blind to what Jesus’ life and death truly represented. Thanks to Augustine of Hippo and his theory of Original Sin, many of our church services include a rite of confession in which we beg for God’s mercy in forgiving our sins—ignoring the fact that we believe Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of all sins. It seems to me that instead

of a ritual whereby we beg for forgiveness, we should have a ritual of thanksgiving! We should be dancing and singing and thanking God for his mercy, rather than pleading for it. Later in the service, most Christian churches repeat either the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed. In both versions, we acknowledge that Jesus died, was buried, and was resurrected. Then we acknowledge that Christ will come again… to judge the living and the dead. Wait a minute! Jesus came to forgive our sins. In fact, I’ve heard various members of the clergy tell how Jesus will act as our defense attorney on Judgment Day. I realize there are many things about faith and religion that

require us to think in terms of “both/and” rather than “either/or.” There are paradoxes that are part and parcel of every orthodoxy, but I doubt if Christ will be our defense counsel, our judge, as well as our prosecutor. I opt to believe that Jesus is on my side and will help guide me through whatever sort of final exam I have to face. I prefer to dance for joy that God sent such a wonderful gift to me. As for Augustine of Hippo, he’s also the guy who came up with the theory of a Just War. Before men such as he came around, it was against the Christian belief to serve in the military. That was switched around so that you could not serve in the military unless you were a Christian.

November/December 2008

When humans come up with such interpretations of the Bible… that seem to fit their particular needs, I see no reason why I can’t come up with my own interpretations. So, if you like my thinking, let’s all meet at the town square and dance for joy as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior! Amen! And Merry Christmas! Jim’s Journeys, at various times, recount the jaunts of his mind, body, and soul. To read more of what Jim Leeds has to say about the world around him, you can visit his blog at www.jimsjourney. wordpress.com. To comment on anything you read in this column, feel free to contact Jim at jim@400edition.com.

400 Edition 47

400 Edition Wining & Dining

Knowing Wine

by Nancy Forrest

Pinotage

he native Pinotage is the best Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot but this known wine grape of South Africa. view is changing. While it may never It is locally grown there and is called be as popular as the other well-known Hermitage. Abraham Perold, the father reds, its reputation is on the rise both of this crossed grape, created Pinotage locally and internationally. Competition from the Pinot Noir and Cinsaut grapes in placement has raised its status and it now 1925. It is thought that Perold wanted to holds a place along with the noble reds take the finicky, hard-to-grow, fruity Pinot of the world for its great potential and Noir and mix it with the heartier, diseasequality. resistant Cinsaut. Kanonkop Estate and Clos Malverne During its early years, the grape was are both well-known producers of not accepted well by reviewers and was Pinotage. Others are Wellington Cellar, considered only for blending with other Boland Cellar, and Stellenzicht. California red grapes, typically Cabernet or Pinot makers of Pinotage are Sutter Ridge and Noir. However, a few local grape growers Phoenix. It is also produced in Zimbabwe, Wine of the Month remained faithful to Pinotage and by the New Zealand, and Canada. Beyerskloof Pinotage Reserve late ’80s a renewed interest in the national As a non-mainstream variety, Pinotage 2006 South Africa. grape of South Africa bloomed. Bottles has its own unique and distinctive flavors. Berries, plum, and woody spice. of Pinotage were found to last a long time For more information on Pinotage and the Fine tannins with structure. Goes and age as well as any of the best reds South African Pinotage Association, visit well with grilled meats. worldwide. the web site www.pinotage.co.za. Give the Gift of Meals to Seniors The disease-resistant grape has a thick skin and stands up well to humidity. in Forsyth County Holiday concentrated flavorsthis and body. It is alsoSeason. Pinotage is usually medium to deep red known to display a sweet paint or varnish “Pinotage adds a distinct and individual and purple in color. The grape ripens early or acetone-like bitterness. element to a blended wine—simply and is a good producer. In its distinctive The grape tends toward high tannins because no other wine is like it. Pinotage flavor, it displays plums, cherry, smoke, and low acids. It maintains its fruity flavor opens the wine in its youth, and adds banana, cassis, and blackberries. Oak when drunk young and pairs well with remarkable fruit tannins and plushness.” aging brings out flavors of coffee, beef and lamb. —Mike Ratcliffe, Managing Director, chocolate, and cedar. It is typically a big Many experts say that Pinotage Warwick Estate wine with a full mouth feel and displays will never be a known shelf name like

FORSYTH COUNTY SENIOR SERVICES Home Delivered Meal Holiday Gift Certificate Program

Wine Quote of the Month

Provide meals for one day, one week, one month, one year. Senior Services Holiday Meal Program Meals are $3.33* each andCertificate will be Give the Gift of Meals to Seniors in Forsythwith Countyathis Holiday Season. Provide for one day, one week, one month, one year. delivered Gift Certificate as meals shown below. Meals are $3.33* each and will be delivered with a Gift Certificate as shown below.

Happy Holidays! “A meal shared is a meal enjoyed” and I have enjoyed sharing this meal with you! From

Please make checks payable to Forsyth County Senior Services, Holiday Gift Certificateto Program, and mail or deliverSenior to: Please make checks payable Forsyth County Services, Forsyth County Senior Services Holiday Gift Certificate Program and mail or deliver to: 595 Dahlonega Highway Cumming, GA 30040 For additional information, Forsyth County Senior Services at 770-781-2178. Forsythcall County Senior Services gifts are tax deductible. 595*All Dahlonega Highway

Cumming, GA 30040

by Stacy Guidice

Restaurant Reviews for the GA 400 Corridor Piazza

Dahlonega 706-867-9881 | Big Canoe 706-268-1686 Fare: Italian | Price: Moderate | Atmosphere: Warm

Let Us Spoil You

• Best Seafood in Forsyth

• Kansas City BBQ Ribs

• Fresh Seafood Daily

• Banquet Facilites

• Homemade Cornbread

• 200 years of Experience

• Fresh Baked Cobblers

• Serving Sunday Brunch

• Prime Rib on Thursdays • Fresh Cut Steaks

11:30-2:00 • Play Ping Pong for Charity

Call today to schedule your showers, receptions, rehearsal dinners, or Christmas Party! Our lodge atmosphere is the perfect setting for any group, complete with a banquet facility that seats up to 55 and an indoor patio area with seating for up to 25. Our menu variety is sure to please all of your guests! Lunch 11:15-4:00 Lunch 11:15-4:00 Lunch 11:30-4:00 Lunch 11:30-4:00

365 Peachtree Parkway (Highway 141) Cumming, GA

770-886-0100

November/December 2008

Dinner 4:00-10:00 Dinner 4:00-10:30 Dinner 4:00-10:30 Dinner 4:00-9:30



Monday-Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

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calzones, raviolis, baked pastas, and chef specialties, as well as a low carb menu, a rarity for an Italian restaurant. There are upscale dinners as well as simple Italian favorites to choose from. Ordering pasta is especially fun because you get to “mix and match” everything and select exactly what you want—pasta, sauce, veggies, and meats—from clams, mussels, or grilled sirloin to herb crusted salmon. My husband chose the Italian sausage with mushrooms and Gorgonzola Alfredo sauce. I could not resist the traditional Chicken Picatta with pasta marinara. Both our meals were delicious. Next time I will try my second choice—the spicy Fruiti Di Mare over pasta. Although I had enjoyed a sufficiency, I had heard rumor of a wonderful warm chocolate cake with ice cream, and it called my name. It is everything you want in a decadent dessert—a deep rich chocolate, perfect warm gooey consistency, opposite cold vanilla cream. The perfect complement for the remainder of my red wine. Owner David Meyer has a sister Piazza in Big Canoe with delightful outdoor dining. He also has an upscale steakhouse, The Porter House, opening soon next door to Piazza in Dahlonega. Justin Mason, Piazza’s chef, will also serve as chef at The Porter House. Justin was recently chef at the five star restaurant Vidalia in Washington, DC, and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. With a taste of Piazza under our belt, we can’t wait to try The Porter House. Piazza is open for lunch and dinner from 11:00am to 9:00pm seven days a week; the phone number is 706-867-9881 (Big Canoe is 706-268-1686) and reservations are suggested. You can check out the menu and wines at www.piazza-restaurant.com. If you’re looking for warm atmosphere, great service, and fine cuisine, Piazza is a fun place to meet friends, bring family, or rekindle romance. And when you go, be sure to tell them you read about Piazza in 400 Edition.

The name Piazza just sounds like an Italian party, but its definition is “public square or gathering place.” And so the Dahlonega restaurant is aptly named on both accounts—being a fun place to gather, and being just off the square. Piazza is casual, country Italian, and you could be in the hill country around Rome instead of the mountains of north Georgia. As you walk in, the muted light and colors, especially at sunset, make you feel like you are walking into a sophisticated dinner party. My husband and I were seated in a romantic corner table in the crowded main dining room. The picture windows let in just enough light to pick up the red tones of the décor, and created a warm energy we enjoyed the entire evening. We perused the wine list, a good blend of American and Italian selections. Prices are reasonable and you will recognize many wines. My husband felt funny ordering the “Little Black Dress” Chardonnay that I liked, but his Pinot Grigio was excellent. We started with a beautiful tower of an appetizer—warm tomato, goat cheese and bacon with basil pesto, balsamic vinaigrette, and Kalamata olives. It is excellent and we used the crusty warm Italian bread boule to get all the saucy mixture. Appetizers include several seafood selections, including black mussels steamed in wine with fresh tomatoes, homemade crab cakes with roasted red pepper and pesto aioli sauces, and sizzling shrimp sautéed with artichokes and fresh tomatoes. In addition to the wonderful bread served warm with their signature olive oilbalsamic dip, Piazza is also known for its house salad bowl served with each meal. You toss and serve the crisp romaine with peppers, parmesan, black olives, and homemade balsamic vinaigrette at your table. Piazza specializes in fresh, locally grown ingredients, prepared in modern combinations. The extensive menu includes pastas, individual pizzas,

100 yds. Exit 13 - Peachtree Pkwy (Highway 141)

400 Edition 49

Favorite Holiday Recipes

Favorite Holiday Recipes Vinny’s on Windward Ciabatta Bread and Tomato Soup

4 1/2 pounds tomatoes, vine ripened 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup garlic cloves, finely chopped 3/4 cup onions, diced 1 quart chicken stock 1 tablespoon soul (salt n’ pepper) 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper, coarsely ground

Peel and core tomatoes. Cut in halves and place cut side down on sheet pan. Brush tomatoes with olive oil and one half of chopped garlic. Place in oven at 350 until tomatoes blister and get color. Remove tomatoes from the oven and remove seeds, reserving both the pulp and the juice. Rough chop the tomatoes. Reserve the juice and pulp separately. Heat the remaining olive oil and sauté the onions and remaining garlic until they are limp. Deglaze with the reserved juice, add reserved tomatoes, and simmer for five minutes. Season with kosher salt and pepper (soul). Process in food processor; leave chunky. Let cool to room temperature. To serve: Ladle into warm bowls over torn pieces of ciabatta bread. Top with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Vinny’s on Windward, 5355 Windward Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30004. Call 770-772-4644 for reservations.

From the Kitchen Angels Almond Apricot Dip

Serves: 12 1 7-ounce package dried apricots 24 whole toasted almonds 4 ounces melted white candy coating Stuff each apricot with an almond. In a microwave safe bowl, melt candy coating. Dip each apricot halfway in coating, allowing excess to drip off. Place on a waxed-paperlined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until set. Store in refrigerator.

Appetizer Wreath

Serves: 16 2 8-ounce tubes refrigerated crescent rolls 1 8-ounce package softened cream cheese 1/2 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon dill weed or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets 1 cup finely chopped celery 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell peppers Celery leaves Remove crescent dough from packaging. Do not unroll. Cut each tube into eight slices. Arrange in a 11”circle on a greased 14” pizza pan. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes before carefully removing to a serving platter. Cool completely. In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, dill, and garlic until smooth. Spread over the wreath and top with broccoli, celery, and red pepper. Form a garnish bow with celery leaves.

Artichoke Bruschetta

Serves: 12 1 6 1/2-ounce jar drained and chopped marinated artichoke hearts 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese 1 seeded and chopped Italian plum tomato 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh baby spinach 5 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 clove finely chopped garlic 1 10 1/2-ounce loaf french bread baguette In a large bowl, combine artichokes, cheese, tomato, onion, baby spinach, mayonnaise, and garlic. Cut baguette into 30 slices and top with artichoke mixture. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Broil 3-4” from the heat for 3-4 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Makes 2 1/2 dozen.

Artichoke Caprese Platter

Serves: 12 2 7 1/2-ounce jars marinated artichoke hearts 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 6 sliced Italian plum tomatoes 2 8-ounce balls fresh halved and sliced mozzarella cheese 2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves Drain artichokes, reserving 1/2 cup marinade. Cut artichokes in half. In a small bowl, whisk vinegar, oil, and reserved marinade. On a large serving platter, arrange artichokes, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

Artichoke Crostini

Serves: 16 This would be great to serve with pasta. Especially basil-parmesan angel hair. 1 1-pound sourdough baguette, cut into 32 slices 2 cups chopped tomato 1 14-ounce can water-packed artichoke hearts, rinsed, drained, and chopped 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper Place baguette slices on a foil-lined and greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with olive oil and bake at 325° for 7-10 minutes or until crisp. Cool on a wire rack. In a bowl, combine the tomato, artichokes, basil, oil, seasoned salt, and pepper. Spoon onto bread slices.

Asparagus Roll Ups

Serves: 24 24 thick fresh asparagus spears 2 sticks softened butter, divided 1 8-ounce package softened cream cheese 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese 24 slices white bread, crust removed Boil asparagus for three minutes, and shock in cold water. Dry on paper towels and set aside. Melt one stick butter and pour into small baking dish. In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining butter with cream cheese and blue cheese. Spread the mixture evenly on one side of each bread slice. Top each slice with an asparagus spear and roll up. Trim any overhanging asparagus and dip the rolls in melted butter. Cut each roll into four pieces and freeze until ready to use, or at least 30 minutes. Bake at 400° until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Kitchen Angels S

ix years ago when First Baptist Church of Dawsonville found itself in need of someone to head up its food ministry, Jan Nix and Vicki Lay volunteered for the job. Shortly thereafter they were joined by new church members Valerie Albertson and Connie Warwick. And so the Kitchen Team was formed. None of the four had any formal training in the field but all had plenty of experience cooking for family and friends. Jan is the mother of two, with one grandchild. Vicki also is the mother of two, with five grandchildren and another on the way. Valerie has two children and three grandchildren, and Connie has two children and three grandchildren with another on the way. As the ministry grew, new members were added to the Team: Sandi Espy, Renee Brooks, Kathleen Price, Heidi Braddock, and Jeri Holbrook. Sadly, Vicki had to step down because of numerous other church and family responsibilities. The Team, soon given the title of “Kitchen Angels” by the church’s pastor and staff, serves a delicious meal each Wednesday night to an average of 120 folks. The menu varies from soup and sandwich to lime chicken with shrimp and asparagus garnish, and the salad bar itself rivals that of any fine restaurant. Thanksgiving calls for turkey and dressing, and orders are already being received for the cornbread dressing offered

Avocado Goat Cheese Dip With Whole Wheat Pita Chips

Serves: 20 1 package pita bread, sliced in half and cut into 8 triangles 3 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and cut into chunks 1 clove finely chopped garlic 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice 4 ounces softened cream cheese 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese

Sprinkle pita triangles with olive oil and with seasoning of your choice. Lay flat on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350° until chips are crisp and slightly toasted. Rotate chips twice while baking. In a bowl, combine avocado, garlic, and salt. Use food processor to mix ingredients together. Add lime juice, cream cheese, and goat cheese, pulsing until smooth and well blended. Add more salt if needed.

Bacon And Spinach Wrapped Scallops

Serves: 15 20 fresh spinach leaves 10 uncooked and halved sea scallops OR 20 large peeled and cleaned shrimp 10 strips bacon, cut in half widthwise OR 10 strips precooked bacon Lemon wedges Fold a spinach leaf around each scallop half. Wrap bacon over spinach and secure with toothpick. Place on a

for sale by the pound for members’ holiday tables. Everyone is so tired of turkey and ham by Christmas that the annual church-wide Christmas dinner consists of blackeyed peas, greens, cornbread, and pork roast. The Angels also prepare for a traditional Valentine banquet and an Easter Sunday sunrise breakfast. Upon any occasion calling for food, you’re sure to find them in the kitchen, and they’re right on the spot with individual meals for members who are ill, and on the sad occasion of a funeral. The Angels operate as a team but each individual contributes her own talent: Jan is chief cook and recipe person. She must know, or can find, a recipe for anything in the world. Valerie is the organizer and keeps everyone straight with her lists: grocery list, to-do list, clean-up list, etc. You name it and she’ll have a list for it. Connie keeps a smile on faces with her desserts and joke of the day. Renee is the go-to person. Give her a job, any job—from repairing the plumbing to making biscuits—and she’ll either do it herself or find someone who will. When she enters the kitchen the often-

heard welcome is, “Here comes trouble!” Sandi is the only Angel with a full-time job, and she still manages to be there in time to serve on Wednesday nights and often gives up her day off to work in the kitchen. Heidi is “Dependable Angel.” Give her a job and then forget it, because it will be done and done right and on time! Kathleen is the back-up dessert person and the children’s menu consultant. She and Renee come up with a child-friendly meal on Wednesday night to serve at the Kids’ Café. Jeri can be given any job large or small, clean or dirty, and she will gladly take it on with no complaint. Then, of course, none of this can be accomplished without the support and assistance of the cleanup crew Gil Espy, Elaine Johnson, and Margaret Johnson. So, you see, each of these Angels has a halo of her own; but when by faith and God’s grace their choir is assembled, you’re guaranteed good fun, good fellowship, and good food! They’re more than happy to share some of their recipes with 400 Edition. If that makes you hungry for more, a full collection of recipes can be found in the Dawsonville First Baptist Church’s cookbook now on sale at the church or through any member.

baking sheet lined with foil and greased. Broil 3-4” from heat for 6 minutes on each side or until bacon is crisp. Squeeze lemon over each, or serve with lemon wedges. Cocktail sauce or tartar sauce would be good to serve with this. Serve immediately. Yields 20.

crackers on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 250° for 2 hours, or until bacon is done. Do not turn. Drain on paper towels; serve hot.

Baked Vidalia Onion Soufflé Or Dip

Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Bites

Serves: 6 1 pound sliced Vidalia onions 2 tablespoons butter 1 10 3/4-ounce can cream of chicken soup 2 tablespoons flour 2 large beaten eggs 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

Serves: 15 1 cup pineapple juice 1 cup fresh orange juice 1/4 cup soy sauce 3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar 1 large fresh pineapple, peeled and cut into chunks 12 slices bacon, cut crosswise into thirds Soak 36 toothpicks in water for 30 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a large bowl, combine pineapple juice, orange juice, soy, and brown sugar. Add pineapple, cover, and chill 30 minutes. Drain pineapple, discarding marinade. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with Pam. Wrap each pineapple chunk with 1/3 slice of bacon, and secure with a toothpick. Place on prepared baking sheet, and bake at 400° for 30-35

minutes, or until bacon is crisp. Serve warm.

Bacon Crisp

Serves: 15 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1 sleeve Waverly Wafers crackers 1 pound sliced bacon, cut in half Place one teaspoon of cheese on each cracker and wrap tightly with a half strip of bacon. Place the wrapped

November/December 2008

In medium skillet, saute onions in butter until tender crisp, about 5 minutes. In medium bowl, combine cooked onion, soup, flour, eggs, and cheese; mix well and pour into greased 8 x 8 glass baking dish. Bake at 325° for 25-30 minutes or until brown and bubbly. Serve with french bread rounds, crackers, or Frito scoops. To serve as a vegetable side dish, add more eggs.

400 Edition 51

Favorite Holiday Recipes

From the Kitchen Angels Basil Cream Cheese Bruschetta

Serves: 12 12 slices french bread Olive oil 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomato 2 tablespoons chopped green onion 1 tablespoon chopped ripe olives 4 ounces softened cream cheese 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil

Place bread slices on cookie sheet lined with foil. Pour enough olive oil on foil to dip one side of each slice of bread. Broil 6-8” from heat for 3-4 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the tomato, onion, and olives. Set aside. Combine cream cheese and basil. Spread over the untoasted side of bread. Broil 3 minutes or longer until cheese has melted and edges are golden brown. Top with tomato mixture. Serve warm.

Calico Clams Casino

Serves: 10 3 6.5-ounce cans chopped clams, reserving 2 tablespoons of juice 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 4 strips cooked and crumbled bacon 3 tablespoons seasoned bread crumbs 3 tablespoons melted butter 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons finely chopped celery 2 tablespoons finely chopped red bell pepper 2 tablespoons finely chopped yellow bell pepper 2 tablespoons finely chopped green bell pepper 1 clove finely chopped garlic Drain clams, reserving 2 tablespoons juice. In a large bowl, combine the clams and remaining ingredients, stir in the reserved clam juice. Spoon into greased 9” baking dish. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned.

Caponata Spread

Serves: 30 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium peeled and diced eggplant 1 medium finely chopped onion 1 1/2 cups water, divided 1 envelope Lipton’s Savory Herb with Garlic soup mix 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley Salt and pepper Pita chips In a 10” skillet, heat oil over medium heat and sauté eggplant with onions for 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 3 minutes. Blend soup mix with remaining water and stir into eggplant mixture. Bring to boil and simmer, uncovered, stirring

Local Restaurant Favorites Squash Casserole by Cherie Martin

Makes 8 servings Prep: 15 minutes. Cook: 30 minutes. Bake: 30 minutes. 3 pounds yellow squash, cut into 1/4”-thick slices 1 small onion, chopped 1 1/2 tablespoons salt 16 saltine crackers, divided 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 large egg, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/8 teaspoon salt

In a Dutch oven, cook first three ingredients, in boiling water to cover, 25 minutes or until squash is very tender. Drain well, and mash mixture with a fork. Crush 10 crackers, and stir into squash mixture; stir in 1/2 cup cheese and next five ingredients. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 11 x 7 inch baking dish. Crush remaining 6 crackers and sprinkle over casserole; sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese evenly over casserole. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until cheese melts and casserole is bubbly. Note: To make ahead, prepare recipe as directed, but do not top with crackers or cheese. Cover and chill overnight. Remove from refrigerator and let stand

Ray’s Restaurants Harvest Vegetables

1 medium parsnip, peeled 1 medium rutabaga, peeled 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and seeds removed 2-3 medium beets Roast the beets in a 300° oven for 45 minutes. Beets are done when they are soft. When beets are done, peel and dice. Dice the parsnip, rutabaga, and squash into desired size pieces and place on an ungreased sheet pan. Drizzle extra

occasionally, 20 minutes. Stir in parsley, salt, and pepper. Serve with pita chips.

Caramel Fruit Dip

Serves: 25 2 8-ounce packages softened cream cheese 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup caramel ice cream topping In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Add caramel topping and beat until blended. Serve with fruit. Refrigerate leftovers.

Crab Toast

Serves: 16 4 ounces room-temperature butter 5-ounce jar Kraft Old English cheese spread 4 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 tablespoon dijonnaise mustard 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic 3 drops Tabasco sauce 2 6-ounce cans Crown Prince crab meat, drained well 1 package English muffins (you can even use 1 1/2 packages) In a small pot, sprayed with Pam, melt butter. Turn off fire and add cheese spread. Stir until cheese melts. Add mayo, mustard, lemon pepper, garlic, and Tabasco. Mix well and add crab meat. Mix and spread on English muffins. Place on cookie

30 minutes. Uncover and top with crackers and cheese; bake as directed.

Cherie Martin is the host of Heart of the Home, shown live on ETC North GA, now Monday-Friday. See www.HeartofTheHomeatETC.com for full schedule.

virgin olive oil over vegetables and toss lightly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. Place in a 425° preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes or until vegetables start to brown. Combine with cooked beets and enjoy!

Recipe/photo courtesy of Ray’s Restaurants, Ray’s on the River, Ray’s Killer Creek and Ray’s in the City. Go to www.raysrestaurants.com for information.

sheet lined with foil and sprayed with Pam. Cut in half or fourths before baking. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Excellent to serve with soups or salads for a luncheon. Easy to fix and can be frozen before baking.

Layered Pizza Dip

Serves: 20 1 8-ounce container room-temperature chives and onion cream cheese spread (substitute: 8-ounce regular cream cheese, and add chives and dry minced onion) 1/2 cup pizza sauce 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper 1/3 cup finely chopped pepperoni (substitute: 1/2 pound browned ground chuck) 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Bagel chips or crackers Brown ground meat if you are substituting for pepperoni. In a greased 9” deep dish pie plate, layer cream cheese spread, pizza sauce, bell pepper, meat, and cheeses. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until dip is hot and cheese is melted. Serve hot with bagel chips or Frito scoops.

Pork Tenderloin

Golden Roasted Turkey

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix the carrots, celery, and onion with the thyme leaves. Stuff the turkey cavity loosely with this

3 cups bite-size Cheez-Its 2 cups sourdough pretzel nuggets In a 4-5-quart slow cooker, mix butter, taco seasoning mix, cinnamon, and red pepper. Add remaining ingredients and toss gently. Cook uncovered on low heat setting 3-4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes until nuts are toasted. Pour onto cookie sheet to cool.

Apple Glazed Pork Loin

Tex-Mex Dip

Serves: 12 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided 1 3-4-pound boneless pork roast 1 12-ounce jar apple jelly 4 teaspoons Dijon style mustard 3 teaspoons lemon juice, divided

1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream 1 2-ounce jar diced pimientos, drained 1 4-ounce can chopped undrained green chilies 1 tablespoon dry minced onion 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning In medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate until serving time.

Slow Cooker Spiced Party Nut Mix

Serves: 25 6 tablespoons melted butter 1 1.25-ounce envelope Old El Paso taco seasoning mix 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 cups pecan halves 2 cups roasted unsalted cashew nuts 2 cups walnut halves 2 cups blanched whole almonds

3 tablespoons olive oil 3 pounds pork tenderloin 2 teaspoons garlic pepper 1 teaspoon salt 3 large onions, sliced 1 cup beer Parsley Small sliced rye bread or sliced French bread

Serves 10-12. 14- to 15-pound turkey 2 carrots, roughly chopped 2 stalks celery, roughly chopped 2 onions, roughly chopped 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 2 cups 365 Everyday Value™ gluten-free chicken broth 1/2 cup white wine 4 tablespoons 365 Everyday Value™ butter, melted Ground black pepper to taste

In medium pot fry pork loin in oil for 3 minutes on each side; sprinkle with garlic pepper and salt. Add onions and beer. Cover and simmer on medium heat 15 minutes or until most liquid has evaporated. Slice and place on 8 x 13 greased Pyrex baking dish. Using slotted spoon, arrange onions on top of meat. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with small rye bread or french bread, and Tex-Mex dip (below).

mixture, scattering the leftovers on the bottom of the turkey roasting pan. Add chicken broth and white wine to the roasting pan. Place the turkey, breast side down, on a rack placed over the vegetables and broth. Brush half the melted butter all over the back of the turkey. Sprinkle with black pepper. Roast one hour, breast side down, basting once with pan juices. Remove pan from oven; carefully turn the turkey breast side up, using paper towels or clean rags as holders. Do not pierce the skin with a fork to turn. Brush the entire top of the turkey with the remaining melted butter

Rub 1 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper over roast. Place on a rack in a shallow foil-lined and greased roasting pan. Bake uncovered at 350° for 45 minutes. In a saucepan, melt jelly over low heat. Whisk in mustard and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Brush roast lightly with jelly mixture. Bake 30 minutes longer or until meat temperature is 160°, basting once with jelly mixture. Let roast stand for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Stir drippings in pan to loosen browned bits. Pour into a measuring cup and skim fat. Stir the remaining jelly mixture, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into drippings. Heat through and serve with roast.

and sprinkle with black pepper. Return to the oven for approximately 3 more hours, testing for doneness with a meat thermometer starting at 1 1/2 hours. Continue testing approximately every 15 minutes until temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from oven and let rest 30 minutes before carving. Reserve the drippings to make gravy.

Recipe courtesy of Whole Foods Market, 5945 State Bridge Road, Duluth GA 30097, 678-514-2400. To order a Thanksgiving meal, go to www.wholefoodsmarket. com/holiday, or visit our store.

Doreen’s Sunday Sweet Potatoes

Cranberry Orange Relish

Prepared by Cherie Martin

by Chef Kelly, Sharp Mountain Grill

Topping 1/3 cup flour 1/3 cup butter 1 cup chopped pecans 1 cup coconut 1 cup light brown sugar

Cook cranberries and sugar just until cranberries burst. Add remaining ingredients. After mixture cools, pour into dish lined with ornamental greens.

3 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup canned milk 1/3 cup melted butter 2 beaten eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla

2 bags fresh cranberries 2 cups sugar 6 oranges, seeded and diced 1 bunch green onion, chopped 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon salt and pepper mix 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon horseradish

Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes.

Cherie Martin is the host of Heart of the Home, shown live on ETC North GA, now Monday-Friday. See www.HeartofTheHomeatETC.com for full schedule.

Courtesy of Sharp Mountain Grill, 50 Depot St., Jasper, GA 30143. Call 706-692-5879 or go to www.sharpgrill.com for reservations..

November/December 2008

400 Edition 53

Head to Dahlonega for an Old Fashioned Christmas V

isits from that jolliest of elves on the ornamentstrewn Historic Public Square. Beautiful bed and breakfast inns decked to the holiday nines. Restaurants serving up holiday dishes and live music. Mulled cider, Christmas concerts, a Holiday Art Show, and shops stuffed like Christmas stockings with all your favorite things. Dahlonega gets into the fa-la-la of the season on November 28 when the Square is lit up to welcome visitors for a month-long season of shopping and celebration. Come get a taste of a Norman Rockwelllike Christmas with an Appalachian twist during this month-long event in Dahlonega; visit www.dahlonega.org for all events and activities. Many events on the historic Dahlonega square are free. For a detailed schedule of events and theatre fees and dates, go to www.dahlonega.org; or call the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1.706.864.3513 or toll-free 1.800.231.5543. Don’t miss a chance to enjoy an Old-Fashioned Christmas in Dahlonega.

4:00pm - On the Square: Award presentation to merchants for decorations 5:00pm - On the Square: OldFashioned Christmas Parade 6:00pm - On the Square: Lighting of the Christmas Tree 8:00pm - The Historic Holly Theater: The 1940’s Radio Hour will return you to 1942 America during the holidays with a live broadcast of “The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room

December 7

1:00-5:00pm - Visitors Center: Santa Claus

December 4

10:00am - Cranberry Corners: Pajama Party Sale.Wear your jammies and receive 25% discount on most every thing 8:00pm - The Historic Holly Theater: The 1940’s Radio Hour will return you to 1942 America during the holidays with a live broadcast of “The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room

December 5

10:00-5:00pm - The Frog Hollow Company: Father Christmas photo sessions (by appointment) 4:00pm-6:00pm - Paul Thomas Chocolates: Judy Linn will be playing guitar with vocals 5:00pm - On the Square: Gallery Walk, Merchants Open House Dusk - On the Square: Kiwanis Luminaries at Dusk

November 28

On the Square at Dusk - Lighting of the Square

November 29

10:00-5:00pm - The Frog Hollow Company: Father Christmas photo sessions (by appointment)

7:00pm - Cranberry Corners: Free Concert by Celtic band Emerald Rose 8:00pm - The Historic Holly Theater: The 1940’s Radio Hour will return you to 1942 America during the holidays with a live broadcast of “The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room 10:00-5:00pm - The Frog Hollow Company: Father Christmas photo sessions (by appointment)

1:00-3:00pm - The Fudge Factory: Vera LeFevre telling Christmas stories

November 30

1:00-6:00pm - On the Square: Santa Claus in front of Visitors Center

54 400 Edition

December 9

4:00-5:00pm - Chestatee Library: Teen Holiday Get-together for ages 11-17.

December 11

6:30-7:30pm - Chestatee Library: Evening Holiday Story Time and Craft with storyteller Tracy Walker

8:00pm - The Historic Holly Theater: The 1940’s Radio Hour will return you to 1942 America during the holidays with a live broadcast of “The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room

December 12

4:00-8:00pm - Naturally Georgia: Mulled wine and dessert pairings 8:00pm - The Historic Holly Theater: The 1940’s Radio Hour will return you to 1942 America during the holidays with a live broadcast of “The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room

December 13

1:00-6:00pm - Visitors Center: Santa Claus 1:00-2:00pm - Visitors Center: Lumpkin County High School Chorus performs seasonal favorites

December 6

Upstairs Downstairs - Mulled wine and cookies every Saturday through Christmas

1:00-6:00pm - On the Square: Santa Claus in front of Visitors Center

2:00pm - The Historic Holly Theater: The 1940’s Radio Hour will return you to 1942 America during the holidays with a live broadcast of “The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room

1:00-4:30pm - Visitors Center: Santa Claus 2:00-4:00pm - Upstairs Downstairs: Live music by pianist Tee Smith

November/December 2008

2:00-3:00pm - Visitors Center: Lumpkin County High School Jazz Band 8:00pm - The Historic Holly Theater: The 1940’s Radio Hour will return you to 1942 America during the holidays with a live broadcast of “The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room

December 14

1:00-3:00pm - Paul Thomas Chocolates: Dip your own peppermint stick in chocolate; for children 10 and under 1:00-5:00pm - Visitors Center: Santa Claus 1:00-6:00pm - Visitors Center: Sleigh Bell Tour of B&B Inns of Dahlonega, which will offer holiday decorations, tours, and refreshments. 2:00pm - The Historic Holly Theater: The 1940’s Radio Hour will return you to 1942 America during the holidays with a live broadcast of “The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room

December 18

December 19

1:00-3:00pm - Paul Thomas Chocolates: Christmas Carol Sing-Along featuring Matt Carter on the keyboard 8:00pm - The Historic Holly Theater: The 1940’s Radio Hour will return you to 1942 America during the holidays with a live broadcast of “The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room

December 20

1:00-6:00pm - Visitors Center: Santa Claus 2:00-4:00pm - Upstairs Downstairs: Live holiday and classic music by Tee Smith 8:00pm - The Historic Holly Theater: The 1940’s Radio Hour will return you to 1942 America during the holidays with a live broadcast of “The Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade” from the Hotel Astor’s Algonquin Room

December 21

1:00-5:00pm - Visitors Center: Santa Claus 5:00pm - Progressive Dinner Gallery Walk, themed Peace on Earth in honor of National Peace Day, starts at Hummingbird Lane Art Gallery and ends at Paul Thomas Chocolates and Upstairs Downstairs Public area decorations compliments of Georgia Mountain Master Gardeners.