400 Edition January 2010

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400 Edition W h a t ’s

u p

i n

N o r t h

January 2010

G e o r g i a

Happy New Year!

Drink it warm

Cocoas and coffees and teas, oh my!

FREE


January 2010 Carole Lee, Founder/Creative Design Tim Herrel, Sales Linda Merritt, Founder/Sales/Executive Editor Bob Merritt, Director of Sales Beth Snider, Founder/Sales/Creative Design Nancy Wright, Proofing

Contributing Writers: Anne Amerson

Sharon Keating

Clay Cunningham

Steven Leibel

Dr. Mark Feinsilber

Dr. Joyce Nations

Nancy Forrest

Donald Pruitt

Robin Toms Grier

Linda Ragland

Martha Hynson

Patrick Snider

Staff Writers: Rhonda Bailey

Linda Merritt

Carole Lee

Beth Snider

Bob Merritt

Nancy Wright

400 Edition is published monthly in Dahlonega, Georgia, with distribution in three 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 and paid in full by the 20th 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 866867-7557. 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 15th 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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From the Editor... H

ere we are at the beginning of another new year. It seems strange to write 2010. It will take a few weeks to stop writing 2009 on letters, checks, and other documents. We are creatures of habit. It is always interesting to think of the New Year’s resolutions that we make every year. I’ve never personally been big on that, other than always thinking that this is the year I’ll be skinny. I wouldn’t take any bets on that happening. I love food and it likes to stick to me. My grandson and I were making cookies before Christmas and I thought about how much fun that was and how we hardly ever do it anymore. We’re always thinking about how many calories it’s going to amount to. And that’s not taking into consideration all the sugar in those morsels. Oh, well. Sometimes you just have to forget all that grownup stuff and have fun. 400 Edition hopes you had a beautiful Merry Christmas. It is a good time of the year. Keep all that love around you every day. I haven’t seen the stats yet, but I’ll bet there was less money spent this year. We are all thinking about how to stretch that dollar. We had a wonderful Christmas and spent very little on gifts. It is just the idea of being

together. Your family may be like ours—we are scattered all over the country. Some may not have been here with us but they are always in our thoughts and hearts. We hope you enjoy our recipes on warm winter drinks. It was fun finding these and I’ve already decided to make several of them. There is nothing like a good hot cup of cocoa, coffee, or tea when it freezing outside. You all enjoy this New Year 2010. Make it a good one for yourself and your loved ones. Things may not be like we want them—but how we feel in our minds and hearts is under our control. Until next month…stay happy!

On the Cover

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othing warms your bones like a good cup of hot coffee, cocoa, or tea. It is a welcoming treat when you come in out of the cold. We hope you enjoy our featured recipes and use and share them for many years. Thank you, thank you to our advertisers who make this publication possible. You are wonderful folks and we appreciate all you do. We wish you a prosperous New Year. Readers, shop with our advertisers and tell them you saw them in 400 Edition. On February 14 we will celebrate St. Valentine’s Day. We are inviting our readers to send us a short item (about 50 words) about their favorite Valentine Day or their favorite “Valentine.” Advertisers, we encourage you to advertise your business in the next issue. February is a good month for gift certificates, visits to the spa or beauty salon, sending flowers, and jewelry. Guys, remember diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Call 706-867-6455 to talk to someone about advertising. You may also place an ad through our web site: www.400edition.com. For the month of March, we will have a historic theme. Several folks have starting writing articles on that subject, but we always have need for more. If you have knowledge about some historic events or places, please submit to linda@400edition.com for consideration. Pictures are also needed. They should be scanned at 300dpi and sent to us as an attachment. More detailed instructions are on our web site. 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.


Contents

January 2010 Volume 6, Issue 8

Warm Winter Drinks, page 12

Columns

Columns

4 Reflections

16 Mind and Heart

6 Getting Informed

17 Your Vision Source

8 Historic Forsyth

18 Leibel On the Law

9 To Your Health

continued

22 Knowing Wine

14 Fun by 400

23 Good Eating – The Woodbridge Inn

15 Comma Momma

23 Real Men Cook – Scotch Eggs

A list of major distribution points in North Georgia can be found online at www.400edition.com. January 2010 • www.400edition.com

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from the ground up.

designed to respect your site and the environment.

planned to harmonize your lifestyle and budget.

fabricated of enduring products with a lifetime structural warranty.

Read our 17 Green Principles at lindal.com/ green17 Independently Distributed by:

Blue Ridge Cedar Homes Dawsonville, GA

706-216-2511

www.lindal.com/blueridge

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

Christmas Memories

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he Christmas season started for many of you as soon as the shopping centers opened on Black Friday. For me and my family it started with the first performance of our church Christmas Cantata. The performances were December 11, 12, and 13. What an awesome performance and what a grateful audience. The sanctuary has a seating capacity of 600 and over a three-performance period 1600 people were in attendance. Not bad for a small church in Dawsonville, Georgia, is it? Every year the crowd grows and the performances get more powerful. The First Baptist Church of Dawsonville has my gratitude for starting so many people’s Christmas season out right by reminding us that Jesus is the reason for the season. The Easter Cantata is another performance you and your family and friends will enjoy. This performance will be announced in this publication, so watch for it. My first experience with Christmas came at the early age of five. At that time in my life I had not been introduced to the experience of Christmas and had no idea who Jesus was. A bell ringer for the Salvation Army turned our family name in to a local Baptist church in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where we lived. I have written in Christmases past of pulling my wagon through the snow and Christmas lights to that church. Their generosity was overwhelming that night and the food they brought by made Momma cry. Even though I didn’t know what was going on then, I still appreciate their thoughtfulness. It was probably around the age of nine when the story of Jesus hit home. By that time we children had been made wards of Pulaski County and eventually placed, all six of us, in The Methodist Children’s Home in Little Rock. Every Christmas we spent six or seven days with some Arkansas family. Out of all the homes I visited, I remember my stays with Houston Nutt and Dimple Bursott. Houston Nutt was the father of the now-famous Arkansas Razorback coach. Dimple Bursott was the first person I spent the holidays with. I still recall the night she came to get me. As she walked up to me in that big lobby, I thought how she looked like a red-headed Claudette Colbert , the movie star. She was short, about five foot tall, but she had a heart as big as all outdoors. She and her husband lived on a farm in Jacksonville, Arkansas. That farm helped me get my head and heart situated. I spent many Christmases with them and stayed in close touch until her death. She will always be one of the greatest women I ever knew and she is always a part of my Christmas season. There is no doubt we fell into the classification of “poor.” We never knew what we were missing because we did not know how it was supposed to January 2010 • www.400edition.com

by Bob Merritt be. Maybe that’s why this year makes me sad in many ways. I feel sad for the kids who are used to a big Christmas but who won’t have one this year, or will have it scaled way back. I realize from childhood experiences that children will accept less when it is explained to them that next year may be better. Back in 1991 I was working for a printing company that was growing out of its building space. We weren’t surprised when they bought a small house next door. Although the house was old, it was in good condition. Horton Brothers Printing needed the space, so it would be torn down. Before the wrecking crew came, we were allowed to see if we wanted anything in the interior. The only thing left was a homemade frame roughly made to hold a broken mirror in the bathroom. It was passed over by everyone else, but my eye caught sight of a scratch on the back side of the mirror that allowed a small bit of type from a newspaper to show. My curiosity got the best of me, so I took the mirror off the wall and took it back to the shop. No doubt the folded newspaper was used to ease the vibrations that occurred when the train came by. The brittleness of the edges caused me to handle it carefully. The next day on my lunch hour I took the pages to a friend whose architectural firm had a huge laminating machine. He very carefully laminated the pages. It might have ended there, except the curiosity of a fellow worker took it to a different level. The date on the Arkansas Gazette was December 1905. One of the articles was made up of letters to Santa Claus. “I wonder if any of these people are still alive?” Rick asked. With the aid of a local phone book, he surprised us all when he made contact with one. The Crowe-Burlingame Auto Supply is popular in that area and one of the letter writers was named Burlingame. The letter requested that Santa bring him an apple and orange. Rick’s inquiry revealed that the man on the other end of the phone line was the grandson of the letter writer. He revealed to Rick that his grandfather was indeed alive and in two days would be having his 90th birthday. The man couldn’t think of a better present than that laminated bit of newspaper, and offered to buy it. I couldn’t think of anyone who would appreciate it more, so I gave it to him. Every Monday for a year, the grandson had chocolate-filled donuts delivered to us. Sometimes all that we can give is to say “I love you.” I hope you had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year. God bless.


Goals of a Montessori School The main purpose of a Montessori school is to provide a carefully planned, stimulating environment that will help the child develop an excellent foundation for creative learning. The specific goals for the children who attend a Montessori school:

Developing a positive attitude toward school - Most

of the learning activities are individualized; i.e., each child engages in a learning task that particularly appeals to him because he finds the activities geared to his needs and level of readiness. Consequently, he works at his own rate, repeating the task as often as he likes, thus experiencing a series of successful achievements. In this manner, he builds a positive attitude toward learning itself.

Helping each child develop self confidence - In the Montessori

school, tasks are designed so that each new step is built upon what the child has already mastered, thus removing the negative experience of frequent failure. A carefully planned series of successes builds an inner confidence in the child, assuring him that he can learn by himself. These confidence-building activities likewise contribute to the child’s healthy emotional development.

Assisting each child in building a habit of concentration

- Effective learning presupposes the ability to listen carefully and to attend to what is said or demonstrated. Through a series of absorbing experiences, the child forms habits of extended attention, thus increasing his ability to concentrate.

Open Houses January 24th • 2-4pm Speaker at 3pm

February 28th • 2-4pm 4pm • Dr. Kathy Howell • Setting Boundaries with Kids

will all be students at some time in our lives. A deep, persistent, and abiding curiosity is a prerequisite for creative learning. By providing the child with opportunities to discover qualities, dimensions, and relationships amidst a rich variety of stimulating learning situations, curiosity is developed and an essential element in creative learning has been established.

Developing habits of initiative and persistence - By surrounding

the child with appealing materials and learning activities geared to his inner needs, he becomes accustomed to engaging in activities on his own. Gradually, this results in a habit of initiative— an essential quality of leadership. “Ground rules” call for completing a task once begun and gradually results in a habit of persistence and perseverance, including replacing materials after the task is accomplished. This “completion expectation” gradually results in a habit of persistence and perseverance.

Fostering inner security and sense of order in the child

- Through a well ordered, enriched but simplified environment, the child’s need for order and security is intensely satisfied. This is noticed in the calming effect the environment has on the child. Since every item in the Montessori classroom has a place, and the ground rules call for everything to be in its place, the child’s inner need for order is directly satisfied. To get some advice from the experts, call Dawson Montessori at 706-265-0002; 1732 Perimeter Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534; www.dawsonmontessori.com.

Fostering an abiding curiosity

- In a rapidly changing society, we January 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition


Getting Informed— Don’t Get Scammed on SEO It’s been a while since our last installment of Getting Informed. Although there are many topics that I’d like to share with you, I’ve finally decided on what has become one of the biggest scams on the web— Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Don’t get me wrong—there are lots of folks out there legitimately helping web sites rank high in Google, Yahoo, and now Bing, along with the other three or four search engines that really matter. As in many areas of technology, however, the scammers prey on those who don’t really understand what it takes to get to the top of those search results. Most of our clients have a good relationship with us, so when they receive a notification of any kind about their site, they contact us to make sure it seems like a real deal. This is the best way to avoid getting scammed, of course—have a web designer you trust who knows what they’re doing. Even if you have to pay a few dollars to have them evaluate a potential service for you,

it can save you thousands. The best example I can provide is a real e-mail string in which I personally participated. I must admit that when I received this notification, my “scam alert” sounded loud and clear. I participated just to have a current example of how these folks work. For the sake of space, I’ll summarize some of the correspondence, but the language is important, so please bear with me! I’m also changing the name to protect the probably not innocent, but since I didn’t bite, I feel compelled to not call out this particular company. On November 9, 2009, I received the following message from “seo.scammer”@gmail.com (not a real address, as they’re never this obvious): “Hello, my name is ‘scammer’ and after examining your website, I believe I can help you improve your Search Engine Rankings. Do you wish you could increase your online leads? Getting much more traffic from search engines? It is much easier and more cost-effective than you might think. We have helped a lot of businesses thrive in this market and we can help you! Contact me at “seo. scammer”@gmail.com and I’ll share with you the cost and the benefits. See you at the top!”

My first clue that this was not legitimate was that it was being sent from a free account. In this case it was gmail, but could easily have been yahoo, msn, or hotmail. A legitimate SEO company wants to brand itself at any opportunity, just like any company does, and will have a company e-mail address. Also, there was no information about “scammer’s” company or location. So I responded with: “Hi, ‘scammer’ - I would be very interested in hearing what you could do for us. Please tell me the basics and cost estimate. Also, what is your company name, please?”

Ah—“scammer” thinks they have a bite. They reply immediately with: “Hi Beth, We have superb prices and I will be glad to help you and give you primary SEO analysis

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for free. a few words about us: As mentioned in my previous email, my name is “scammer” and I’m an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) expert. I have promoted numerous websites in the last couple of years with great success... Promoting websites nowadays is all about establishing a level of authority for search engines on specific keywords. What we do is listing your website in as many pages as possible over the internet and creating quality back-links to it. It is highly important that the pages linking to the website, will have high Page Rank and focused content which matches your keywords. In order to boost the process we create new pages in well respected websites and create original content for them accordingly… Feel free to contact me at my personal email: ‘scammer’ company e-mail address.”

Okay, so guess what? I’ve edited for space, but these seem fairly sound except for that “What we do is listing your website in as many pages as possible over the internet and creating quality back-links to it.” This translates into listings on link farms—those sites that are simply endless web site listings that offer no real value and are ignored by Google and others. To implement “quality back-links” requires that they be experts in our field (and yours). My immediate reply was to ask him what I would search for to find his company in the #1 spot on Google: “So what are the ‘desired keywords’ for your company, ‘scammer’?”

Their not-so-immediate reply (one day later): “Thank you for your reply. You can choose any keywords you like to promote your website, as a finger rule, when I promote a website, I include my strongest words in it’s name, in this case we are holding the top position for SEO and Connect in a number of variations. Would you like me to send you a free analysis on your website for your desired keywords, I will be more than glad to.”

This seems like an innocent misunderstanding of my question, but I wanted to make sure they really answered my question, so my immediate reply: “No, ‘scammer.’ What I’m asking is

January 2010 • www.400edition.com

by Beth Snider what your top keyword phrase for the site ‘scammer’ web site.”

I can tell they’re having to respond carefully because a day later I received: “The site is new, therefore its currently listed only under ‘scammer company name.’ […additional sales pitch, attempting to baffle me with smoke and mirrors…] If you would send me your site URL and 3 keywords or phrases you want to dominate, I can send you a SEO report with recommendations (at no cost).”

Ah—so now “scammer” tells me basically that they can’t achieve these results for a new site, right? And they never tell me their keywords. Of course, being a web designer, I go to their site and see their list of keywords by issuing a “View, Source page” command within my browser. A quick Google search on these phrases did not include them on the first 13 pages. Also, “scammer” told me they had already performed an analysis of my site, so why would they need our URL? So I respond accordingly: “We already show up as the #1 position when someone types in our company name, so I’m not sure I’m sold on what you could do for me when you can’t demonstrate doing it for your own company. Once you can demonstrate results for your own company with a search phrase pertinent to your field, let me know and we’ll take a look again.”

Made sense to me, but their reply after two days was that their results had nothing to do with our results. I maintain that if they are the experts, wouldn’t they be implementing this strategy for their own business? I’m a firm believer that the proof is in the pudding. For some useful information on SEO, please read “Helping People Find Your Web Site” on the home page of www.3by400.com. By the way, our key search phrase is “Joomla in north Georgia” and we are number one in Google. Beth Snider is a founder of 3by400, a North Georgia-based business consulting company that specializes in marketing and automating organizations. Visit her company’s web site at www.3by400.com. Send your IT questions to beth@3by400. com.



Historic Forsyth

by Donald Pruitt

Sports Memories: Fact Or Fiction?

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ast month I wrote about the baseball museum developed by Johnny Tallant, and his dedication to Coach Almon Hill and the establishment of high school baseball in Forsyth County. From my discussion with Tallant, I believe that we both harbor a desire for more recognition of past sports achievements in the county and better ways to preserve the memory of all that has gone on over the past 75 years. While the Historical Society of Forsyth County has recently been dedicated to calling attention to high school achievement (i.e., the displays at the old restored Cumming High School), I would hope that a new effort could be initiated to insure better retention of records and visual images in an organized fashion and not depend on “old codgers” like me who have vague, sentimental recollections of the past. As a case in point, I had written back in early 2008 about the “golden era” of Forsyth County High School basketball in 1957-58 and had recounted from my memory about a game in the 1957 State Class B Playoffs between FCHS and Stone Mountain. I believed fervently that the score had ended at 12-11 in Stone Mountain’s favor, as they had “frozen” the ball much of the game. Recent research into GHSA records reveals the final score as 39-29. Perhaps the score at halftime was 12-11 and that was fixed in my memory. Ironically, FCHS had defeated Stone Mountain earlier in the season by 30 points. That is from my recollection and we cannot substantiate that. The internet is a wonderful medium for research. It confirms that the decade of the ’50s was, indeed, a time of excellence for CHS/FCHS athletics. We can discover that the Cumming High School boys and girls basketball teams first appeared in the State

400 Edition

Playoffs in 1950. This run continued to rise, with the FCHS boys and girls teams reaching the 1958 State Class B finals. A pinnacle was reached in basketball in 1959 as the FCHS girls were crowned as State Champions in their first year of Class A competition. Unknown to me until recently was the fact that the ’58-’59 Boys FCHS Track Team placed the capstone on the decade of the ’50s. Bill Barnett had led FCHS football to its first winning season ever. He also won the Class A State shot put event (coincidentally, Ralph Perry placed second). Jerry Brannon won the State Class A high jump and broad jump events. All this allowed FCHS to fall one point short of the overall team champion, Carrollton. This track excellence had begun a year earlier when Jerry McWhorter, Berry McWhorter, Jerry Brannon, and Roger Shadburn had been the top mile relay team in the Class B event. In effect, Jerry won three gold medals, which would rate him as one of the top athletes to ever represent FCHS. Further, we can verify that the 1994 South Forsyth girls slow pitch softball team was Class AA State Champs, while the 1998 North Forsyth baseball team won the Class A State playoffs. Nevertheless, there are many things we cannot authenticate. Did Harold Whitt score 55 points in a 1957 basketball game against Jefferson? What was the overall record of the ’56 FCHS baseball team? Did D. D. Castleberry pitch three victories in 4 days at the 9th District playoffs in 1956? Was D. D. Castleberry the first FCHS/CHS product to play college sports when he became the ace of the staff at Truett-McConnell Junior College? Was Ledford Pruitt the first player from the storied FCHS basketball program to play at the four-year-college level when he played at West Georgia College? Too, what about all the January 2010 • www.400edition.com

baseball leagues that flourished from the ’30s to the ’60s that featured former high school baseball stars and featured community teams from Forsyth, Fulton, and Cherokee County? I have some old Super 8mm movie film made of a game in 1965 at the old Daves Creek baseball field. I need to transfer it to DVD and preserve it for posterity. Now, there are five large high schools in Forsyth County. Johnny Tallant has provided a possible example of how to provide an archival repository for sports records and memorabilia. Johnny suggested a Sports Historical Group several years ago. Now, Coach Travis Jarred, a coach at North Forsyth, has created a Forsyth County Sports Historic website. I hope that the Historical Society of Forsyth County and the school system Athletic Departments can co-operate with him to develop a sort of Forsyth County Sports Hall of Fame. I encourage anyone with additional ideas to contact me by email. 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@windstream.net.


NORTHSIDE HOSPITAL Taking The Pressure Off Sciatica

To Your Health

by John J. Moss, M.D., medical director, Northside Hospital Spine Center “My sciatica is acting up.” That’s how many people describe the sharp, burning, or tingling sensations they experience in their lower back and legs that comes and goes. In some cases, sufferers feel gripping pain right down to the tips of their toes. Sciatica is an incapacitating pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates down the leg, as a result of irritation to the sciatic nerve. It often starts slowly and usually in one leg, but may get worse after standing or sitting; at night; when sneezing, coughing, or laughing; or when bending backwards or walking more than a few yards.

The causes of sciatica The most common cause is a herniated disc (also called a slipped or ruptured disc), referring to the cartilage-like cushions between the vertebrae in the back. These spinal “shock absorbers” allow the back to turn and bend easily. In short, they keep it flexible. But when damaged, they can break open or bulge (a herniation), putting pressure on the nerves that branch out from it, including the sciatic nerve. Sometimes the cause of the problem is obvious—an accident, a fall, sneezing, or bending over; but more often than not, there is no direct event that causes symptoms.

Finding relief An epidural injection of steroids may provide relief for sciatica symptoms. Although surgery can be an option, about 80 percent of people find relief without it. Staying active, but avoiding heavy lifting, bending, and twisting, also may allow you to get back to normal

activity more quickly. Of course, if you have sciatica, this isn’t the time to take up a new sport. Being active means moving around, but not intensely enough to exacerbate the pain. Try physical therapy. Supervised exercises and medical treatments can relieve pain, increase mobility, and build strength and endurance to prevent future flare-ups.

Managing your sciatica With simple lifestyle changes, you can safely manage your symptoms: • Practice good posture. • Try walking, always with good posture, or cycling. • Swim, using the strokes you can do comfortably. • Invest in a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) device to modify the pain signals transmitted to your brain. • Sit in a chair with proper support. Make sure your office chair lets you sit at proper ergonomic height. • Sleep on a firm mattress. Try adopting the fetal position, or lie with a pillow between your knees. • Do 20 to 30 minutes of stretching exercises daily. • Maintain a healthy weight.

Comprehensive spine care closer to home Northside Hospital’s Spine Center, in Forsyth and Atlanta, offers self referral and appointments, within 24 hours in most cases, and is equipped to diagnose and treat any condition that involves the spine. Most major insurance plans are accepted. For more information or an appointment, call 404-459-1809. www.northside.com

Instead of a spoon, try using a stick of cinnamon, a peppermint stick, or a chocolate straw to stir your hot drink. You never know what flavors you might like together. January 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition


Knitting Group Supports Northside Breast Cancer Patients

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ountry Gourmet Café and the Bare Knitting Ladies in Cumming recently hosted their first-ever Stitch for the Cure, benefiting the Northside Hospital-Forsyth Breast Care Center. Approximately 25 women from around the Forsyth community participated in the event by knitting and crocheting chemo hats for breast cancer patients at the hospital. Additional handmade stitchery crafts, as well as event T-shirts and other donated items from local merchants, were sold at the Café throughout October to raise money for the Breast Care Center. Nearly $2,000 was collected from the sales and event registration fees. “We are so grateful to Country Gourmet Café and to all of the wonderful ladies who participated in this event to support Northside,” said Susan Casella, breast care program coordinator at Northside Hospital. “More cases of breast cancer are treated at Northside than at any other community hospital in Georgia and this money will go a long way in providing more education, treatment, and research for our patients.” During the event, while many women enjoyed the opportunity to meet new friends and socialize for a great cause, others, new to the craft, enjoyed instruction on how to knit and crochet. Breast cancer education was provided by Northside Hospital, with personal experiences shared by local breast cancer survivors. Lunch and snacks were provided by Country Gourmet Café. Country Gourmet Café is located in Downtown Cumming at 101 West Courthouse Square. For more information, visit them online at www. countrygourmetcafe.com. For more information about the Bare Knitting Ladies or about participating in future Stitch for the Cure events, contact Sharon Corio at 770-888-3099 or Adele Siler at 678-4287460. For more information about breast cancer services available at Northside Hospital, visit www.northside.com.

My Favorite Snowfall by Vanessa McBrayer

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he blizzard of ’93 was the most incredible snow experience that I have ever known. Having lived in this area my whole life, I was shocked to hear the weatherman actually refer to the snow in feet instead of inches. Instead of having a “snow day” off from school, my little brother and I had a full week off. I was twelve years old and was so excited when I awoke to see the snow blanketing the ground because I knew we would get to stay home; but my thrill soon fizzled out as I realized that we had no power—which meant no TV, no video games, and dear God, NO TELEPHONE! What was a preteen to do, stuck under one roof with her parents and little brother?! Since we had little warning of the blizzard, we didn’t prepare with extra groceries. My brother and I scooped up the cleanest looking snow and brought it in to Mom, who made us bowls of yummy snow cream that really hit the spot. We also ate sugar sandwiches, and sardines with crackers. Our only source of heat was our wood heater that we took turns sitting in front of, and quilts that we stayed huddled up in the entire time. For lighting, we had two lanterns, and flashlights. When I took my first step off the back porch I sank down into the snow past my knees. I turned back to see my little six-year-old brother and all I saw was the top of his head. He had stepped off the porch and sunk straight down into a drift, and was up to his nose in snow! We pulled him out and he ran inside to warn Daddy, who was putting on his boots. He yelled, “Be careful out there, Daddy. The snow is deep!” My brother, Daddy, and I made a snowman and dressed it up with Daddy’s hat and pipe. Then, my brother thoroughly enjoyed karate-chopping it down. Daddy pulled us down our sloping yard in a plastic swimming pool and we had a blast playing with the dogs, who were just as amazed as we were to be in a solid white wonderland. I remember feeling like we were in the middle of a snow globe. Daddy took pictures of the snow-covered tree branches draping down over the road. Then he and my brother went out into the forest to hunt and chop more wood for the fire. They were hard at work providing for the family while Momma and I stayed inside, finally having the heart-to-heart talk that we needed to have

Local Celebrities to Host Evening of Hope Gala

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breast cancer (l-r) Judi Haverland, lla, breast care survivor; Susan Case Northside program coordinator, rio, owner, Hospital; Sharon Co fé; and Adele Country Gourmet Ca Realty. Siler, Keller Williams

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about school and friends, and I enjoyed hearing her stories about wintertime when she was a little girl. She told me about how she and her brothers and sisters would have walk to school in the cold. Knowing that about her helped me understand when she plowed her way down the road in her little car to get to work on Monday morning. We had to brush our teeth with melted snow and did not shower for days. Bored to tears, we played cards by the lanterns and listened for news on the radio. We heard that many people had died, and as miserable as we were, we realized that we were not nearly as unfortunate as we thought. Giving up on the television coming back on any time soon, we eventually found other ways to entertain ourselves—each other. We told ghost stories with the flashlight held under our chin. We played cards by the lanterns until the same games got so old that we made up new ones. We watched my brother do impersonations and laughed at our little comedian. The hustle and bustle of life was jolted to a quick stop and we were left with nothing to distract us from actually getting to know each other again. There was no ball practice, band practice, or errands to run. There were no televisions blaring and no phone connected to my ear. We were forced to reconnect with each other. Looking back, I know why the snowy days we spent trapped together stand out in my memory as special. My brother and I grew up and moved on, so I look back to remember the times when we were all together. Vanessa McBrayer, her husband, three cats, a dog, and five fish make their home in Dawsonville. Her hobbies are writing, hiking, gardening, and traveling. Life Philosophy: Appreciate the simple things in life.

oin local radio celebrities Kaedy Kiely (97.1 The River) and Scott Slade (AM750, WSB) for an American Cancer Society gala event. This event will feature live music by 3 Way Street band, elegant dining, as well as silent and live auctions. The Evening of Hope Gala will take place on Friday, January 29, from 7:30pm to 10:30pm at the Metropolitan Club, 5895 Windward Parkway in Alpharetta. Sponsorship opportunities are available and tickets can be purchased at a special rate of $200 per couple or $125 per person. Call 770-814-0123 to order tickets, make a donation, or request sponsorship. Sponsors will receive special seating, promotional recognition, and an invitation to the VIP Reception. Kaedy Kiely is the Survivor Honoree and Scott Slade will emcee the event. The gala will be hosted by honorary chairs Sandra and Richard Bowers, with Medical Honoree Frederick Schwaibold, DO. The event is chaired by Adele Hamilton and Nancy Alterman. For additional information on The Evening of Hope Gala, contact Adrienne Rissley at 770-814-0123 or adrienne.rissley@cancer.org; for more information on the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer. org. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. January 2010 • www.400edition.com


The Perfect Wedding Dress

by Christi Franklin

uying your wedding gown is one of the most important parts of wedding planning. Why? Because your dress will be the centerpiece of the wedding. Still, there’s no need to stress out about dress shopping. The right dress is out there waiting for you, and these simple steps will help you to find it. Just remember this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to find that perfect dress; more importantly, have fun! Set the date: How long do you have to plan your perfect day? The length of your engagement dictates your shopping schedule. Most designers’ gowns can take up to 20 weeks plus the time for alterations, so you want to allow 6-9 months to receive your gown. Prior to the first time you try on a bridal gown, set a budget and make sure that the store you choose is clear on your budget; do not try on gowns that exceed what you are willing to spend. Bridal gowns typically cost between $500 and $5,000. Don’t worry if you’re on a tighter budget, though; there are plenty of ways to find the perfect dress at the right price. Make sure to shop with a support system. Your shopping companions should support

B

you and have a clear understanding about your goal and what your style and budget are; they should respect the fact that it is your wedding, and offer advice only when asked. When do you know it is the one? Buy the dress that you do not want to take off. When you put your wedding gown on, you will know it. You will want to wear it out of the store and may even shed a few tears. For more information, please visit Christi’s Bridal & Formal Wear, 66 South Dawson 400 Center Lane, Suite 230-235, in Dawsonville; we offer bridal gowns between $200 and $2,000, from designers such as Maggie Sottero and Casablanca Bridal. Christi’s Bridal also offers mother attire, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses, tuxedo rental, invitations, wedding planning, shoes, and accessories. Call 706265-8500 for more information, or visit www.

January 2010 • www.400edition.com

christisbridal. com and www. cynthiaseventplanning.com

400 Edition

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Warm Winter Drinks T

here is nothing like a good hot cup of cocoa, tea, or coffee to make you feel all warm and cozy on a cold day or night. It just seems to warm you all the way to your bones, especially hot cocoa. We have put together some recipes for good warm winter drinks that we hope you will enjoy. Surprise your family and friends with one of these tasty drinks. Items like the Wassail can be prepared and then used throughout the day or evening. This would be good drink for a Super Bowl party. Many of the recipes can be stored and used for months. You may want to put some of these

Spiced Tea Mix 1-pound 2-ounce jar of Tang 1 3-ounce package lemonade mix 2 cups sugar 3/4 cup instant tea 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cloves 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon Mix all the ingredients well and put into jars that will seal tightly. Use 2 heaping teaspoons to a cup of boiling water. Mix well.

cinnamon. Microwave, uncovered, on 100% power for about 4 minutes or just till steaming hot. Add the tea bags. Cover and steep for four minutes. Remove tea bags, lemon slices, and cinnamon. Pour into two mugs. Garnish with additional lemon slices, if desired.

Cran-Apple Tea 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice 1 1/2 cups water 4 herbal tea bags, cinnamon apple 4 cinnamon sticks

Mulled Cider

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar 1 dash salt 2 quarts cider 1 teaspoon whole allspice 1 teaspoon whole cloves 1 3-inch stick cinnamon 1 dash nutmeg Combine sugar, salt, and cider. Tie spices in cheese cloth. Add to cider. Slowly bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Remove spices. Serve hot with cinnamon stick.

Lemon Spice Tea 2 cups warm water 1 tablespoon honey 2 lemon slices 2-inch stick cinnamon (broken into small pieces) 2 tea bags Lemon slices (optional) In a 2-cup measure, combine water, honey, lemon slices, and

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homemade goodies into jars and give as gifts for various holidays. If you are counting calories, here is a quick tip for mocha coffee. Take one packet of sugar-free hot chocolate and mix it with a cup of coffee, instead of water. Compared to a coffee house mocha latte, this version will cut about 190 calories, 9 grams of fat, and 17 grams of sugar. And it really tastes good! Want a romantic evening? Build a fire in the fireplace, grab a warm and fuzzy blanket, serve one of these delicious hot drink recipes, and cuddle with your honey.

In medium saucepan, bring cranberry juice and water to boil. Add tea bags and cinnamon sticks. Remove from heat; cover and steep for 5 minutes. Place cinnamon sticks in preheated mugs. Add brown sugar to tea mixture. Stir until dissolved. Pour hot tea into mugs. Serves 4.

Hot Cocoa for a Crowd 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 1/4 cups cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup hot water 1 gallon milk 1 tablespoon vanilla extract In a 6-quart saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, and salt; stir until mixed together well. Gradually add the hot water to the cocoa mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil. Boil for two minutes. Add the milk and heat to serving temperature,

January 2010 • www.400edition.com

stirring frequently. DO NOT BOIL after adding milk. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour into mugs and add marshmallows, if desired.

Cider Tea 3 cups boiling water 2 family-size orange pekoe tea bags 3 cups apple cider 3 teaspoons honey Pour water over tea bags. Steep 8 minutes, discard bags. Stir in cider and honey. Serve warm.

Luci’s Wassail 1 gallon of cran-apple juice (or 2 quarts apple and 2 quarts cranberry) (Use the sugar-free when available, if you like) 1 whole orange 3-4 whole cinnamon sticks Whole cloves Whole allspice Optional: Small bag of Red Hots Pour juice into crock pot or slow cooker. (Save bottles to store remaining wassail.) Heat on high until hot. Peel orange, and insert whole cloves all over the orange. Add orange, 3-4 whole cinnamon sticks, and about 20 whole allspice. Add small bag of Red Hots candy for sweeter, more “cinnamon-y” flavor. Simmer for two hours to let wassail “mull.” Serve hot. Refrigerate in original juice bottles, and microwave in cup to heat.


Mocha Coffee 1 14-ounce can evaporated milk 2 cups strong coffee 1 cup hot water 1/2 cup pure cocoa powder 1/2 cup sugar In a suitably sized saucepan, mix together the cocoa powder and sugar. Add the hot water and whisk lightly until smooth. Heat gently for 2 minutes until the mixture turns thick, stirring constantly. Add the evaporated milk and the coffee. Heat to just boiling, beat, then serve as desired.

Almond Cappuccino 2 quarts brewed coffee 4 cups evaporated skim milk 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract In a large saucepan, combine coffee, milk, and sugar. Cook on medium high heat, stirring occasionally until mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat and add extracts. Serve hot. Serves 16

Black Forest Coffee 4 cups hot brewed coffee 1/2 cup chocolate syrup 1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice Whipped cream Chocolate syrup Maraschino cherries Combine hot coffee, chocolate syrup, and maraschino cherry juice; mix well. Pour into mugs. Top with whipped cream and a cherry, and

drizzle with chocolate syrup. Serves 6.

Almond Hot Chocolate 6 ounces good-quality bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa, plus more for garnish 2 cups almond milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup almonds, roasted 2 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped Chocolate-covered almonds (instructions follow) Place the chocolate and cocoa in a mixing bowl. Bring almond milk to a boil in a saucepan. Pour over chocolate and cocoa and whisk well to melt and make frothy. Stir in vanilla. If available, use a hand blender or hand mixer to make it even more frothy on top. Pour into mugs and serve immediately. Dust with cocoa to garnish and serve with chocolate-covered almonds. For chocolate-covered almonds: Place a metal bowl containing the chocolate on top of one inch of water in a small saucepan. Bring water to a low simmer; stir chocolate until melted. Remove pan from heat. Working quickly, dip half of each almond in melted chocolate. Let dry on waxed paper, and serve. Serves 4

Aunt Jan’s Hot Chocolate Mix 1 large Nestle Nesquik powder 1-pound box powdered sugar 1 (14-quart) package Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk 1 large Coffee-mate Dump all ingredients into extralarge mixing container, and mix thoroughly together. Stored in tightly sealed container, this would last all winter if it just weren’t so good! To serve: Fill cup almost half full of mixture. Add hot water to fill cup and stir.

January 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition 13


Fun 400 by

New Year’s IQ

1. When was the first New Year’s Eve ball dropped in Times Square? A) 1907 B) 1925 C) 1915 D) 1901

2. What does Auld Lang Syne mean? A) Another year passes B) Time long ago C) Old long ago D) Time for fun

3. Which of the following is one of the top 10 New Year’s resolutions in the United States? A) Eat more B) Donate more C) Become more organized D) Take better care of skin 4. What city drops a green beach ball decorated with Christmas lights? A) Portland, Oregon B) Bangor, Maine C) Malibu, California D) Orlando, Florida 5. What city’s countdown is done with an elevator? A) Los Angeles, California B) Paris, France C) Seattle, Washington D) Austin, Texas 6. True or False? March was once the first month of the year. 7. The Jewish New Year is called? A) Rosh Hashanah B) Yom Kippur C) Yamim Noraim D) Sukkot 8. In what year did Great Britain adopt the Gregorian calendar, which restored January 1 as New Year’s Day? A) 1620 B) 1752 C) 1776 D) 1680 9. What is the most watched parade on New Year’s Day? A) The Tournament of Roses Parade B) Hollywood Holiday Parade C) Macy’s Holiday Parade D) Walt Disney World’s New Year’s Parade 10. The month of January is named after? A) Juturna B) The Roman god Janus C) The Greek god Januarius D) A Roman goddess

11. What is the most common New Year’s resolution? A) Find a better job B) Stop smoking C) Save more money D) Lose weight 12. What is the oldest known holiday celebrated by mankind? A) Samhain B) New Year’s Day C) Christmas D) Easter 13. What did the Celtic priests of the Middle Ages hand out to people in celebration of the New Year? A) Wine B) Champagne C) Mistletoe D) Eggs 14. Before the annual festival took place at what is now called Times Square, where did New Yorkers celebrate the coming year? A) Staten Island B) Trinity Church C) Atop the Empire State Building D) St. Patrick’s Cathedral 15. What was the original name of the area known as Times Square? A) It has always been called Times Square B) It did not have a name before Times Square C) Long Acre Square D) Triangular Crossroads 16. Who is mainly responsible for us celebrating New Year’s Day on January 1st? A) Pope Gregory B) Pope Benedict C) Julius Caesar D) P. T. Barnum 17. How much does it cost to attend the Times Square New Year’s celebration? A) $5.00 B) $10.00 C) $20.00 D) It’s free!

Courtesy of ActivityConnection.com. Answers on page 17.

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January 2010 • www.400edition.com


Comma Momma Close Still Doesn’t Count, Part 6 by Nancy Wright

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s we’ve seen in earlier columns, close doesn’t count when it comes to word choices. Here are a few more of those word pairs that frequently trip speakers and writers up in their efforts to use today’s standard English. Reek/wreak. To reek typically means to smell bad, either literally or metaphorically: “The week-old garbage in the kitchen reeked.” To wreak means to inflict: “The hurricane will wreak havoc along the exposed parts of the coast.” So when a study guide declares that “God is reeking havoc on the city of Nineveh”...well, wrong word, folks. Undue/undo. Undue is an adjective that typically means inordinate or excessive, and is often seen in the phrase “undue influence.” Undo, on the other hand, is a verb that means to return something to a previous state (“undo the damage” or “undo the package”). Perspective/prospective. Perspective is a noun that essentially means point of view: “From his perspective, the changes in the law were bad.” Prospective is an adjective referring to a future condition: “Prospective students visited the campus.” Parody/parity. A parody is a literary form that mimics the style of some other work for satiric or comic purposes. The Onion (online and print editions) is a skillful parody of journalistic writing, often done so well that readers mistakenly take its “news stories” to be the real thing. Parity, which sounds much the same as parody when spoken, is a noun usually used to mean equality or equivalence. Feint/faint. A feint is a move designed to fool an opponent; it’s often seen in a boxing, fencing, or military context. Faint can be an adjective meaning weak (“a faint aroma of cigar smoke”), a verb meaning to black out briefly (“I think I’m going to faint”), or a noun meaning the blackout itself (“Her faint alarmed the family”). Naughts/knots. Naughts are zeroes (“The amount on the check ended in a heartwarming

number of naughts”), although you don’t see that usage very much anymore. In the singular, naught means “nothing”: “It was all for naught.” One of the several meanings of knot is “a unit of speed”; knots are used instead of miles per hour to express the speed of boats and planes. So when a big-city daily’s online story of a plane crash says, “The plane hit the house at an estimated 200 naughts,” someone is sure to e-mail the reporter to say “Um...the word you’re after is knots.” And when naughts gets changed to knots on the newspaper’s web page less than half an hour later, you can be sure there’s a reader out there somewhere doing a fist pump. [Do not ask me how I know this to be true.] At least the reporter was responsive—and maybe also grateful that the misuse didn’t make it into the print edition. Regrettably, some bizarre usages do make it into print. Here’s one I saw recently that’s not so much a matter of word choice as it is a garbled conflation of sayings. You may be familiar with various expressions used to indicate that life is great and the future looks rosy; for example, “I’ve got the world on a string” or “I’ve got the world by the tail.” Another one is “The world is my oyster.” So what do you get if you put all those in a blender and push the Scramble button? You get—I swear I am not making this up—“I’ve got the world by the oyster.” Oh dear. I don’t think that’s what they mean by “creative writing.” Nancy Wright does occasional editing and proofreading, and formats technical books for a specialty publishing house in New York. She and her husband live in White County; you can contact her at adairmill@windstream. net. You can visit the forums at www.400edition.com to read some earlier columns.

January 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition 15


Video Game Addiction: Is Your Child an Addict?

Mind and heart mind & heart

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n recent years, I have noted an increasing number of parents bringing in their children for treatment to address such observed symptoms as increased irritability, falling or failing grades, lack of interest in things that were previously enjoyable (i.e., sports, etc.), and difficulty sleeping. In the past, these symptoms were typically seen as classical diagnostic indicators of childhood or adolescent depression, but in recent years clinicians are beginning to look a bit further to rule out one more potential culprit: video games. Recent clinical neurological research has shown that during video game play, the brain becomes flooded with large amounts of dopamine (a neurotransmitter) in the same way that this chemical gets released during the use of dangerous recreational drugs, such as amphetamines. Since dopamine is a moodregulating hormone and excessive amounts create a “high,” addiction to video games can be chemical, not just psychological. Recently, the world’s first Video Game Detox Center was opened in the Netherlands, where patients were observed to experience actual physical withdrawal symptoms. It appears that addiction to video games can arrest the social, occupational, educational, and emotional development of children and teens in the same way that alcohol and drugs can, and therefore the need for early intervention in this process is quite obvious. Towards this end, here are some typical “diagnostic” questions that parents can ask themselves about their children’s video gaming habits: • Does your child play almost every day? • Does he or she play for extended periods of

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time (more than 3 or 4 hours at a time) ? • Does your child tend to lose all track of time when he or she plays? • Does your child play for excitement? • Is your child irritable if he or she cannot play? • Will your child sacrifice social and sporting activities to play? • Are his or her grades suffering because of video game play? • Have you tried to limit playing time, but in vain? If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, your child may be experiencing a problem with video games; the more items answered “yes,” the greater the problem and the more likely there is an addiction. As with any addiction, prevention tends to be easier (and more affordable) than treatment. Here are some preventive steps that parents should consider taking: 1. Avoid early exposure to video games: the younger a child begins playing (even on a computer or Game Boy), the more likely he or she is to develop an addiction. 2. Limit access. Keep gaming systems and computers in common living areas of the house, since children are more likely to develop an addiction if they are allowed to play privately in their rooms for hours on end. 3. Create a daily media time limit which includes TV, video games, and computer January 2010 • www.400edition.com

Mark P. Feinsilber, Ph.D.

usage for your children, ideally no more than 2-3 hours per day on the average, with some adjustments made for weekday and weekend scheduling demands. 4. Balance your children’s video gaming with other activities, such as sports and other extracurricular pursuits, to help interrupt the addiction process. 5. Above all, set firm limits. If a child keeps asking you for “five more minutes,” or “one more level,” he is telling you indirectly that he has (or is developing) a gaming addiction. If implementation of the above limits does not seem to be correcting your child’s gaming addiction issue, seek further intervention through the help of a qualified mental health professional. 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.


Your Vision Source!

by Dr. Joyce M. Nations

Retinitis pigmentosa Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a rare inherited disease in which the lightsensitive part of the eye called the retina is damaged. The retina is a delicate layer of cells in the back part of our eyes that acts like the film in a camera and picks up the picture and transmits it to the brain. The retina contains rods and cones. These light-sensitive rods and cones located in the retina are slowly damaged in RP. Over time this progressively degenerates. Rods provide side (peripheral) and night vision and are more affected than the cones, which provide color and clear central vision. The first signs of RP usually occur in early childhood or adolescence and both eyes are typically affected. The first sign someone will notice with RP is often night blindness or the slow loss of peripheral (side) vision. Over time, the disease will cause further loss of the peripheral vision. Vision at night will be poor and the field of vision will begin to narrow. As the disease progresses, people with RP may often bump into furniture and other objects as side vision worsens and they only see straight ahead. They see as if they are in a tunnel (thus the term tunnel vision). Fortunately, most cases of RP take a long time to develop and vision loss is very gradual. It may take many years for loss of vision to be severe. Many people with RP do not become legally blind until their 40s or 50s and may retain some sight all their lives. Others go completely blind from RP.

by

Fun 400 1. A - 1907 2. C - Old long ago 3. C - Become more organized 4. B - Bangor, Maine 5. C - Seattle, Washington – The elevator on the east side of the Space Needle rises to the top. 6. True - The old Roman calendar had March as the first month of the year.

The progression of RP is different in each case, but eventually blindness results. It is not well known what causes RP, but we do know the disease is inherited. You can have RP even if your parents do not have it. This would require at least one parent to carry an altered gene associated with RP. In fact, about 1 percent of the population can be considered carriers of recessive genetic tendencies for RP. Currently, there is no cure or treatment for RP. There is research that indicates that vitamin A and lutein may delay the rate at which the disease progresses. Your optometrist can give you more specific information on nutritional supplements that may help you. If you’re suspected of having RP, a comprehensive eye examination from your optometrist will be necessary, along with visual field testing to determine any loss of your peripheral vision, and a dilated evaluation of the retina. Because it is an inherited disease, research into genetics may one day lead to prevention, or a cure for those who have RP. Individuals with RP usually consider the use of low vision devices that can help magnify and illuminate objects at home and at work. There are many new low vision aids, including magnifying and telescopic lenses, night vision scopes, and other devices that are available to help people maximize the vision that they have remaining.

An optometrist can provide these devices, as well as advice about other training and assistance to help people maintain their independence and be productive. 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.

Answers from page 14.

New Year’s IQ 9. A - The Tournament of Roses Parade 10. B - The Roman god Janus 11. D - Lose Weight 12. B - New Year’s Day was first observed by the Babylonians about 4,000 years ago. 13. C - Mistletoe 14. B - The Trinity Church 15. C - Long Acre Square

7. A - The Jewish New Year is called Rosh Hashanah

16. C - Julius Caesar

8. B - 1752

17. D - It’s free! Courtesy of ActivityConnection.com.

January 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition 17


Leibel on the Law The Season’s Reflections by Steven K. Leibel

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he recent visit of our Georgia Supreme Court to the Historic Dahlonega Courthouse gave me pause to reflect upon the importance of the rule of law. I thought about the people who lined up outside of the historic Courthouse to have a chance to sit in the courtroom to listen to the arguments inside. I watched as the Court listened to the lawyers debate a death penalty case, and silently applauded when the Justices asked many questions, eliciting information that would assure justice in every circumstance. As I watched our Supreme Court deliberate in these two cases, I felt great pride in being an American lawyer. I reflected on our societal blessings of a sound and sturdy legal system, and its important role in helping us remain well grounded in the principles of freedom and democracy. We in our country expect fairness, and justice. We want our society and our institutions to be free from bribery, avarice, and corruption. We expect the law to ensure justice. We want stability in business, fairness in criminal proceedings, freedom from arbitrary arrest, freedom from government interference in our lives, the right for each child to receive an adequate education, and our right to enjoy our family and our property. We expect fairness in marriage, equity in divorce, and compensation when we are injured due to the negligence of others. We expect fairness in the workplace, and the right to pursue the American dream. We want our children to enjoy these freedoms well after we are gone. In short, we expect and depend upon the rule of law. As I sat and listened, I remembered how our Court made decisions that became binding on the parties, and how all accepted their judgment.

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Respecting the judgment of a Court as a final decisionmaker gives our society strength to succeed. Unlike in many other parts of the world, where lawlessness interferes with everyone’s rights, we can enjoy the freedoms that we take for granted because we have an orderly way to resolve our disputes. In our country we depend upon fair interpretations of legal principles that promote and govern civilized conduct. Fortunately we respect the rule of law as an integral part of our lives. Due in large part to our respect for the law, we Americans enjoy the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and which are enforced through our Courts and the justice system. As we just experienced the holidays, with the joys of family and friends, we should also remember that the Courts have helped in our holiday spirit. Freedoms to worship and believe are traditions and freedoms guaranteed under our Constitution, and valued by our system of justice. Steven Leibel is a Georgia personal injury lawyer with offices in Dawson County and in Dahlonega. He currently serves a member of the Georgia Bar Board of Governors for the Enotah Circuit. He is a Commission member of the Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission. He is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell for his legal ability and ethical conduct. He can be reached at 706-867-7575 or 404-892-0700. Questions about his column can be sent to his email at steven@leibel.com. Nothing in this column can be construed as the giving of legal advice. Legal advice can only be made through an attorney-client relationship. The statements made in this column are for general education purposes only.


Crown Mountain Women’s Health Welcomes Dr. Robert Brown A naturalized American citizen, Dr. Robert A. Brown was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Brown obtained his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) in London, Canada. He was awarded two Gold Medals at graduation for leading his class in Radiology and Pediatrics. He graduated with honors his final year. Dr. Brown continued his academic work at UO and obtained his fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Canadian board certification from the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, after four years of study and residency. During this time, he was the senior author in research that is still quoted in major obstetrics textbooks and has been published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Brown has lectured at major conferences on his research. Dr. Brown immigrated to the United States in 1992. Prior to this, he practiced eleven years in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. During that time, he served as President of Medical Staff and Chief of Department at St. Joseph’s

Hospital in 1986 and 1989 respectively. After immigration, Dr. Brown practiced for ten years in Kansas. Most recently, he practiced in Champaign, Illinois, where he was the Department Chairman in a ninemember OB/GYN Department at Provena Covenant Hospital, a tertiary care center. Dr. Brown was a Clinical Assistant Professor in Obstetrics at the University of Illinois Champaign Campus. With over 6000 babies delivered, Dr. Brown enjoys all aspects of the care of his pregnant patients, including the care of both well expectant mothers and those pregnant patients with medical problems. Dr. Brown has participated in the care of pregnant patients with complex medical illnesses. Dr. Brown has extensive experience in all general gynecological surgeries, including urinary incontinence, where he is performing less invasive surgeries and is designing a program for the investigation and treatment of incontinence. Dr. Brown has performed many vaginal hysterectomies with great success,

January 2010 • www.400edition.com

and other operations related to pelvic organ prolapse. Dr. Brown has now relocated to Dahlonega, Georgia, and is in practice at Crown Mountain Women’s Health with offices in both Dahlonega and Dawsonville. Dr. Brown plans to practice for the rest of his career in smalltown Georgia, and is delighted and thankful to be working with Dr. Amber French, Dr. Brandon Reynolds, and the wonderful staff at Crown Mountain Women’s Health. Dr. Brown is accepting new patients in both Dahlonega and Dawsonville. To make an appointment, call 706-864-3400. Also see www.crownmtnwomenshealth.com

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Anderson Family Medicine The flu season in Georgia is in full swing. Now is the perfect time to get an H1N1 vaccine, even if you think you’ve already had the flu. The flu seasons runs all year long in Georgia. We see the flu in large numbers only during the fall and winter season due to people being indoors. Last year, Georgia had over 23 different strains of Influenza. It is never too late to get the flu vaccine. The beginning of a new year is also a good time to look at your health status and see what needs to be updated. Adult immunizations are a good place to start. You should have had a current pneumonia vaccine within the past ten years, or at least one if you are over 65. All of us should have the pertussis vaccine, as this prevents us parents and grandparents from giving pertussis (whooping cough) to our children and grandchildren. This vaccine is a 3-in-1, as it will also make you current for tetanus and diphtheria. This is also a good time to look at your whole health. Let’s begin with a full physical, which allows us to perform a hands-on examination as well as a complete laboratory evaluation of you in order to assess any

cardiac, diabetes, or other disorders and risk factors. Also, it is an excellent time to look at your family history to see if there is a “Uncle Alfredo” lurking. Anderson Family Medicine focuses on achieving and maintaining good health as well as high quality patient care. With easy accessibility and longer appointment times, patients know that Dr. Larry Anderson and his staff are working to achieve patients’ optimum health. Dr. Anderson is Board Certified in Family Medicine and is a Governor of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. He is also the Medical Director for both the Dawson County prison and the Good Shepherd Health Clinic. Anderson Family Medicine, through its subsidiary Lab ReSource, also offers corporate medicine. Drug screening and alcohol breath testing can be done on site; the facility also offers DOT physicals. Results are available within 24 hours. Anderson Family Medicine is located at 400 Dawson Commons Circle, Suite 410, Dawsonville, just off Highway 53 East. Walk-ins are welcome, or call 706-265-1335 to schedule an appointment.

Events!

Tip: Keep in mind that 400 Edition is now released on or about the 1st of each month. Your event needs to be submitted via our web site 30-45 days prior to your event date and no later than the 20th 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.

January 1 - New Year’s Day January 18 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Atlanta

Three Kings Day, Dia De Reyes

Sunday, January 3, 1:00pm, 130 West Paces Ferry Road. The holiday festivities don’t have to end in December! In January, the Atlanta History Center celebrates the Hispanic holiday Dia de Reyes, or Three Kings Day. Come learn about this tradition of our southern neighbors through storytelling, music, live performances, complimentary food, and other fun activities designed for the entire family. This program is free. For more information: 404-814-4000 or AtlantaHistoryCenter.com. Funding for this program is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of Fulton County Arts Council, the Institutio de Mexico, and the Mexican Consulate.

Homeschool Day: Struggles and Strides: 19th Century

Monday, January 11,1:00pm., 130 West Paces Ferry Road. The Atlanta History Center offers special monthly

20 400 Edition

programs for homeschool students and their families. Each month explores a different subject, through exhibition tours and a variety of activities geared toward kids from toddler to teen. This month, discover how people with the odds against them turned their difficult social struggles into national strides. The first program in this two-part series explores the 19th century issues of slavery, the Trail of Tears, immigration, and Reconstruction. Funding for this program is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration

Thursday, January 14, 10:00am to 12:00pm. The State of Georgia celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., through speeches and musical performances. Past performances have featured either the Spelman College Chorus or Morehouse

January 2010 • www.400edition.com

College Glee Club. North Atrium State Capitol, 206 Washington Street.

Cumming

Luncheon Event

Thursday, January 21, 11:00am, Windermere Golf Club, 5000 Davis Love Drive, Cumming, GA 30041. Topic: Fashion Show presented by Chico’s. Cost: $20; reservations by January 14. For more information, go to our website: www. forsythcountynewcomersclub.org

Riders in the Sky

Saturday, January 16, 8:00-10:00pm. Cumming Playhouse. For thirty years Riders In The Sky have been keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers, reviving and revitalizing the genre. And while remaining true to the integrity of Western music, they have themselves become modern-day icons by branding the genre with their own legendary wacky humor and way-out Western wit, and all along encouraging buckaroos and buckarettes to live life “The Cowboy Way!” Visit www.playhousecumming. com for details and tickets.

Mardi Gras Variety Show

Sunday, January 24, 7:30pm, Cumming Playhouse. Variety Show with singers and dancers from Dazzlin Dames and Sophisticated Ladies as well as Cumming Playhouse singers. For more


information, contact Linda Ledbetter at 404-245-7949 or Drlindaledbetter@aol. com.

The Chuck Wagon Gang

Sunday, January 31, 3:00pm, Cumming Playhouse. The Chuck Wagon Gang has entered its 73rd year of singing the old songs, and singing them the way “Dad Carter” taught his kids. A simple style, yet a distinctive sound, is credited with helping preserve the legacy of the music so many love. While time has brought much in the way of progress and development in our time, the Chuck Wagon Gang has continued to strum and sing its way into the history books as the oldest mixed quartet that has continuously recorded what has come to be known as “grass roots” Gospel music. Over the years, the group has managed to record well over 750 songs, and sell nearly 40 million records. There can’t be a Chuck Wagon Gang concert without “The Church In The Wildwood,” “Higher,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “Echoes From The Burning Bush,” and many more. Visit www.playhousecumming.com for details and tickets.

An Evening with Mark Twain

Saturday, February 6, 8:00pm, Cumming Playhouse. Kurt H. Sutton was born in Mannheim, Germany, immigrating to the United States in 1950. He grew up in Canton, Georgia, graduating from the University of Georgia in 1968. He then taught for six years in his hometown and in North Carolina, where he received his MA. Ed. Adm. He has performed as a speaker, trainer, musician, and entertainer for 30 years. In “An Evening with Mark Twain” his instruments include harmonica, guitar, and banjo. He has appeared in the movie “Go Tell It on the Mountain” featuring Paul Winfield, and “Night Shadows” featuring Wings Hauser. Visit www.playhousecumming. com for details and tickets.

Dahlonega

Mountain Music & Medicine Show

Saturday, January 2, at The Historic Holly Theater on West Main St. (just off the Square) in Dahlonega. Pre-show 7:00pm; show starts 8:00pm; $15 admission. This show has won three GABBY awards from the Georgia Association of Broadcasters for the best locally produced radio program in the State of Georgia. Amazing—especially considering that the show is an allvolunteer effort. Purchase tickets on-line or call 706-864-3759. www.hollytheater. com

Mountain Memories Bridal Event

Sunday, January 24, 2:00-5:00pm , Bridal Event presented by NGCSU & Kappa Delta Sorority. If you are planning a winery or mountain wedding, then don’t miss this opportunity to meet premiere specialists from across North

Georgia. Sample decadent desserts and hors d’oeuvres, enjoy live music, win prizes, and experience our bridal lounge. Choreographed fashion show presented by JB Jams, Kappa Delta, and Christi’s Bridal & Formal Wear. For more information: 706-969-2979 or 706-2658500. www.cynthiaseventplanning.com or www.christisbridal.com

Dawsonville

Christmas Tree Recycling

All Dawson residents, bring your Christmas trees to the Dawsonville Home Depot drop-off site on Saturday, January 9, between 10:00am and 2:00pm. No trees after 2:00pm, please. Residents may also drop off trees at the Dawson County Transfer Station and Recycling Center located at 946 Burt Creek Road the week of January 2 - 9 during regular business hours.

Helen

Beginning Bee Keeping

Saturday, January 16, 10:00am to 12:00pm. Learn about basic bee keeping and how to start a hive. Berry Wright, professional honey producer for 45 years, will discuss assembling equipment and installation of bees. A trip to the apiary will be included, weather permitting. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087. Smithgall Woods Conservation Park, 61 Tsalaki Trail.

Dulcimer-Making Workshop

Saturday, January 23, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Assemble, sand, and finish an all-wood Appalachian dulcimer with dulcimer maker and musician Bob Thomason. All tools and supplies are provided. No woodworking experience is required. Register by January 8. $85 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087. Smithgall Woods Conservation Park, 61 Tsalaki Trail

Jasper

Christmas Tree Recycling

Saturday, January 9, 9:00am until 4:00pm, Bring One for the Chipper; Park n Ride across from Chamber of Commerce. Drop off your undecorated Christmas tree for recycling. For more information: Keep Pickens Beautiful 706-253-3600.

Norcross

Meet the Author: Steve Berry

Saturday, January 16, 6:30pm, doors open at 6:00pm. Seating is limited. Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center, 10 College Street, Norcross, GA. Free event open to the public. The author will host a discussion and signing for his new book, The Paris Vendetta. Books available for purchase from Eagle Eye Book Shop. For more information: 770978-5154 or www.gwinnettpl.org

January 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition 21


400 Edition Wining & Dining

Knowing Wine

by Nancy Forrest

Syrah and Shiraz

“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.”

S

hiraz and Syrah are names for the same dark skinned red wine grape, one that thrives in both warm and cool climates. Cooler climates make for a spicier Shiraz and warmer climates produce fruitier wines. The grape originated in France and is called Syrah in France, Europe, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand and most of the U.S. The name Shiraz (or sometimes Hermitage) is used in Australia. It is grown in many countries and makes a very full bodied red wine. Syrah can stand alone, but is often used in blended wines. It is estimated to be the world’s seventh largest variety. The grape has many other names: Antourenein Noir, Balsamina, CandiveHignin Noir, Marsanne Noir, Schiras, Sirac, Syra, Syrac, Serine, and Sereine. It should not be confused with Petite Syrah, which is a different grape variety and descendant of a cross-breed of Syrah and Peloursin. Syrah continues to be the main grape of the Rhône valley and France has the world’s largest Syrah plantations (more than half the world’s

total Syrah acreage). Most famous are the Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf du Pape. In France the Syrahs are a bit more peppery. It was introduced to Australia in 1832 and today is Australia’s most popular red grape. Most known for their Shiraz are the Barossa and Hunter Valleys along with McLaren Vale region. Australia’s shirazes tend to be more intensely fruit driven and have a world renown reputation as a source of this highly rated wine. Syrah first appeared as a wine grape in California in the 1970s. It is typically referred to as Syrah when produced in the French style and Shiraz if produce in the Australians style. It is also grown in the states of Oregon and Washington. When young it has lively dark berry, chocolate, espresso and black pepper characters and smooth tannin structure. It is widely used as a blending grape in red wines as it helps to balance other varieties. This grape has very concentrated flavors and high tannins, and ages well for considerable time (15 years or longer).

W. C. Fields

Wine of the Month

Toasted Head Shiraz, CA

Deep color with aromas of raspberries and blueberries. Black cherry, oak, and cedar notes. Full tannins. Syrah goes well with beef, grilled/barbequed meats and spicy foods like Mexican and Indian dishes. Regardless of country, this grape has shown it can create some fabulous full bodied wines.

Quick and Easy Appetizers Roast Beef ’n Swiss Tortilla Roll-Ups

These clever roll-ups, great for appetizers or a quick snack, use prepared dressing and deli items to go together fast. 2 tablespoons Caesar ranch dressing 2 flour tortillas (7- to 8-inch) 2 large leaf lettuce leaves, torn to fit tortilla 4 ounces thinly sliced deli roast beef 4 slices (3/4 ounce each) Swiss cheese product 2 teaspoons diced red onion Pickle wedges, if desired Spread 1 tablespoon dressing on each tortilla, covering entire surface. Top each with lettuce leaf and half of beef, cheese, and onion. Roll up each tortilla tightly. To serve, cut roll-ups into 1-inch slices. Insert cocktail toothpick into each to secure. Serve with pickle wedges.

Lettuce Bundles

Put a spin on veggies and dip with produce-packed lettuce wraps and a zesty citrus sauce. It’s ready in 30 minutes!

1/2 cup orange juice 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel 2 heads butterhead (Boston or Bibb) lettuce, separated into 24 medium leaves (or 12 large leaves, cut in half) 1 large red bell pepper, cut into thin 2-inch-long strips (about 1 1/2 cups) 1/2 English cucumber, cut into julienne (matchstick-cut) strips (1 cup) 1 cup julienne (matchstick-cut) carrots In 2-quart saucepan, stir orange juice, sugar, cornstarch, and

pepper flakes with wire whisk until cornstarch is completely dissolved. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Boil 1 minute, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in vinegar and orange peel. Cool completely, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, on center of each lettuce leaf, place equal amounts of bell pepper, cucumber and carrots; roll up, leaving ends open. Secure with toothpick; place on serving platter. Serve bundles with sauce.

Easy Bruschetta Snacks

Move the other appetizers out of the way; this bruschetta snack will easily be the quickest to go!

6 teaspoons olive oil 4 1/2 teaspoons sesame seed 1 can (8-ounce) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls or 1 can (8-ounce) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations® refrigerated seamless dough sheet

January 2010 • www.400edition.com

1 can (6-ounce) pitted ripe olives, drained 1 cup finely chopped tomato 3/4 cup grated Parmesan and Romano cheese blend Heat oven to 375°F. Brush large cookie sheet with 1 teaspoon of the oil; sprinkle evenly with 2 teaspoons of the sesame seed. Unroll dough; place over sesame seed, firmly pressing perforations to seal. Press to form 15x12-inch rectangle. Brush dough with 2 teaspoons of the oil; sprinkle evenly with remaining sesame seed. Bake 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in food processor bowl with metal blade, or in blender container, place olives and remaining 3 teaspoons olive oil. Process until olives are finely chopped. Spread olive mixture over partially baked crust. Top with tomato and cheese. Bake 5 to 7 minutes longer or until edges are golden brown. Cut into rectangles. Serve warm. 15 appetizers


by Bob Merritt

Restaurant Reviews for the GA 400 Corridor The Woodbridge Inn

44 Chambers Street, Jasper, Georgia 30143 706-253-6293 | www.woodbridgeinn.net Fare: German | Price: Moderate | Atmosphere: Casual

I enjoy bringing all these Good Eating places to your attention. 400 Edition’s credibility in its selection is at 100% due to our first-hand experiences. We visit the restaurant and grade them on the menu, service, cleanliness, and overall appearance. We are proud to bring back to you The Woodbridge Inn and Lodge in Jasper, Georgia. Back in August of 2007 we introduced many of you to them, and to my amazement many of you haven’t been there yet. I like to think of the Woodbridge Inn as a place you and a few good friends can visit and expect to be treated well, fed well, and appreciated. Recently I found myself in Jasper and was drawn to the Woodbridge Inn, only to find them closed. Some time back I had met Hans Rueffert, the chef, who along with his wife Amy owns the inn and lodge. They are only open for dinner (supper), and for brunch on Sunday. Linda and I drove over after church on a recent Sunday to enjoy the brunch. I am happy to say that nothing has changed, and why should it? Hans has always been our chef and Amy always takes care of the atmosphere, sees to the charm, and in

Real Men Cook— Scotch Eggs

general orchestrates all those things that make you feel welcome and appreciated. Some people collect coins or stamps; Hans collects menus, and has menu books for sale on site. There is a lot of history associated with The Woodbridge Inn. This was once all Indian territory, and today signs still point to their longtime presence in the area. The Cherokee Indians held Sharptop Mountain in highest reverence. They held morning prayers as the sun rose over the mountain. Built in 1849, the Inn welcomed Floridians by the droves in the summer. The wood bridge was built in the early 1900s. The on-site attractions and surrounding views continued to draw visitors back year after year. Being located in Jasper is a big plus. Jasper is a town where festivals and activities are going on year-round. The many Main Street coffee shops and restaurants add to any visit, and the marbledecorated lawn of the courthouse is a must-see. Now to the part you want to know about, the dining experience. This is a German dining

experience, and most of the menu items embody German cuisine. Our meal started with a white asparagus and artichoke heart bisque, which was beyond delicious. I ordered German Bratwurst grilled and served with Tante Putzi’s sauerkraut. The bratwurst was served on a bed of stewed potatoes with a side of stewed carrot slices. Linda had the Wiener schnitzel, and cherry cobbler for dessert. The menu boasted such items as pan fried flounder, blackened chicken pasta, chicken parmesan, sautéed fresh Georgia trout, Swedish-style meatballs, Cajun spiced shrimp and grits, and eggs Benedict with Canadian bacon and cheese. Sunday brunch hours are 11:00am to 2:30pm. The restaurant is closed on Monday; open for dinner the rest of the week from 5:00pm until 9:00pm.

Scotch Eggs

by Patrick Snider

1 pound pork sausage meat 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 4 hard-cooked eggs, peeled 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 egg, beaten 2/3 cup dry bread crumbs 1 quart oil for deep frying In a medium bowl, mix together the pork sausage and Worcestershire sauce. Combine the flour, salt, and pepper; mix into the sausage. Divide the sausage into four equal parts. Mold each part around one of the hard-cooked eggs, rolling between your hands to shape. Place the beaten egg and bread crumbs in separate dishes. Dip the balls into the egg, then roll in the bread crumbs until coated. Shake off any excess. Heat the oil in a large saucepan or deep fryer to 365 degrees F, or until a cube of bread dropped into the oil turns brown in 1 minute. Lower the eggs carefully into the hot oil. Fry for 5 minutes, or until deep golden brown. January 2010 • www.400edition.com

400 Edition 23


Happy New Year!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” Declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

The owners and staff of 400 Edition pray for a joyous and prosperous new year for our readers, advertisers, and country. Start your prosperous new year by shopping with the advertisers who support 400 Edition! Accents by Moggy

J. Thomas Salon

Anderson Family Medicine

John’s Salon

Blue Ridge Cedar Homes

Lava Hair

Chocolate Moose

Mario Hair Studio

Chopsticks

The Medical Spa

Christi’s Bridal

NGCSU Continuing Education

Crown Mountain Women’s Health

Northside Hospital Rug Outlet

Dawson Eye Group

Steven Leibel

Dawson Montessori School

Trackrock Campground

First Baptist Church of Dawsonville

White Interiors

Hair Designs by Arnette

Woodbridge Inn Yonah Mountain Treasures


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