400 Edition W h a t ’s
u p
i n
N o r t h
MAY/JUN 2009
G e o r g i a
Your Local Parks
Fun, Free, and Waiting for You Great Local Parks in North Georgia
FREE
May/June 2009 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 Sarah Mansfield, Sales/Distribution Kim Maples, Inside Sales 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 seven 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.
400 Edition
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...
I
look out my office window as I write this and the trees are so green and lush. All of the rain we have had has given us the most beautiful spring we’ve had in several years. The dogwoods and azaleas were picture perfect. You can almost see Bob’s garden growing. I’m sure everything he planted has come up and I can hardly wait for some of it to get ready to eat. Take a look at our articles on your local parks. There are many others that we did not have room to mention. Go to your county Parks & Recreation Department and see what they have to offer you. Most have summer programs available for the entire family. Could there be a more perfect occasion than an impromptu picnic in the park? So—get together some fried chicken, deviled eggs, hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, lemonade, and apple pie. Take your family on an old-fashioned picnic. It’s the spirit, not the food, that makes this meal special. Play some games and just enjoy the time. On May 25 we will celebrate Memorial Day, a day we remember those who have died in our nation’s service. There are many stories regarding its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. It is not important who was the very first; what is important is that Memorial Day was established, as a day we could come together to honor those who gave their all. Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over
the years and many Americans have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Take time this year to attend the ceremonies in your area. June 14 is Flag Day. Now more than ever we need to celebrate this holiday and remember what our flag means to us. As on Memorial Day, think of all the people who gave their lives for our flag and the country it represents. Do you still feel proud when you stand at attention and salute the American flag? If you don’t, have a good long talk with yourself. Things may not be going as we like right now but that has nothing to do with our freedom and what this country, and our flag, was built on. We just need to get down on our knees daily and pray that God will turn all this around. He can bring our country back to the way it should be, but He wants to do it on His terms. Do you want the alternative? Until next month…stay happy!
On the Cover G
etting ready for a the end of school, Andrew Snider is practicing for summer break! Whether you’re in elementary school or spending time at the Senior Center, the local parks in North Georgia can be a place of fun, fitness, and relaxation. Andrew has gone head-overheels for Lumpkin County ’s Yahoola Creek Park, a 500-acre park on the northern border of the Dahlonega city limits. Yahoola Creek Park sports multiple soccer and baseball fields, eight tennis courts, and a 1.6-mile hiking trail that is the first phase of a planned 4-mile trail. The cover scene was taken at the Yahoola Creek Trail Conservancy garden, which offers examples of native plants and conservation effort information, and is the location of the trailhead. For more details, see www.yahoolacreektrails.org. The park is typical of the excellent facilities available for the county ’s park and recreation activities. Picnic tables are situated along beautiful Yahoola Creek—the perfect setting for a family lunch. Yahoola Creek Park is only one offering in the counties that hug GA-400. Each county has made significant investment to provide beautifully maintained sporting facilities and green spaces, protecting the natural beauty of the area and offering a bounty of options for exercise and good old fresh air. The parks offer a place for families to bond and children to remain in touch with nature. Be sure to check out the information on Dawson and Forsyth County parks found in this issue. 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.
May/June 2009 Volume 6, Issue 3
Your Local Parks
4 A Park for Every Interest in Forsyth County
10 The Wonderful Parks of Dawson County
Contents
Columns
continued
13 To Your Health 14 Lumpkin Gold 15 Comma Momma 16 Reflections
Columns
6 Leibel on the Law
9 Historic Forsyth
12 Gardening
17 Mind & Heart 22 Knowing Wine 23 Good Eating—Il Forno 23 Real Men Cook—Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Brown Sugar Maple Pork Loin
A list of major distribution points in North Georgia can be found online at www.400edition.com.
A Park for Every Interest in Forsyth County
by Emily Sane, Department of Communications
S
earching for ways to spend playground. your summer days? When it For those wanting to find fun inside, visit the comes to parks and recreation park’s Recreation Center. The center houses two opportunities, Forsyth County gymnasiums, a fitness gym with indoor walkis the place to be. ing track, and multiple Central Park disc golf Whether you want classrooms for diverse to hike a trail, play activities. disc golf, or take the family camping, Forsyth County’s parks have you covered. Spend the day at the park and learn about Forsyth County’s history. Poole’s Mill Park features the historic Poole’s Mill Spend the day covered bridge. Built in at the park and 1901, the bridge crosses participate in the Settingdown Creek. indoor and outdoor After crossing the activities. Central Park feabridge, eat a meal you can cook on the charcoal tures several outdoor amenities, grills near picnic tables. Adults and children including a 27-hole disc golf will enjoy the horseshoe pits. Children will also course and a mountain bike trail. enjoy the park’s playground. Fun can also be found outside at the park’s baseball, softball, and soccer fields, tennis and volleyball courts, walking path, and 4075 Spot Road (Visitor Center)
Poole’s Mill Park 7725 Poole’s Mill Road
Poole’s Mill Park covered bridge
Central Park 2300 Keith Bridge Road
Shady Grove Campground camp site
400 Edition
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
Sawnee Mountain Preserve 2500 Bettis-Tribble Gap Road
Spend the day at the park and explore nature. Sawnee Mountain Preserve allows guests to interact with nature while learning about it. The Bettis-Tribble Gap entrance features an amphitheatre, playground, picnic area, and hiking trails. The Spot Road entrance hosts the Visitor Center, which includes exhibits, a library, a classroom with laboratory, a native plant garden and water feature, and a tree house and tree canopy walk. Whether you hike to the Indian Seats or relax on the rocking chair porch, adults and children will experience nature up close.
Shady Grove Campground 7800 Shadburn Ferry Road
Spend the day (and night) at the campground and pack some marshmallows. Shady Grove Campground hosts over 110 campsites for tents and RVs. Restrooms with showers are available. The campground features a playground and a
sand beach with a lake swim area. The campground will remain open this year through early November. Check-in time is 8:30am and check-out time is 3pm. Reservation prices and procedures can be found at www.forsythco.com.
Windermere Park 3355 Windermere Parkway
Spend the day at the park and bring your dog. Windermere Park features a dog park. The fenced area allows dogs to run and roam in a confined grassy area. The park also includes a walking path, nature trails, and a picnic pavilion. Adults and children will enjoy the large open grass field. Gather a group to play outdoor games. Children will also enjoy the park’s playground. To receive additional information regarding these or other park facilities in Forsyth County, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 770.781.2215 or visit www.forsythco.com.
Silver Sneakers Fitness Program – Get Fit, Have Fun
Offering something for everyone, classes at the Silver Sneakers Fitness Program at the Lumpkin County Senior Center can help improve overall strength, flexibility, range of movement, and balance for everyone. Your instructor guides you through exercise with resistance tools at your own pace. A chair is used for seated and/or standing support, stretching, and relaxation. Regular strength training can reduce the signs and symptoms of arthritis, osteoporosis, obesity, and back pain. Increasing cardio endurance impacts your health by improving metabolism, sleep, self-esteem, fat utilization, quality of life, blood sugar control, and bone density Classes are held on Tuesday and Friday at 9:30am. Wear comfortable clothing and rubber soled shoes, and bring a water bottle. Silver Sneakers is provided by your
health plan and/or is free if you are 55 plus. At the Lumpkin County Senior Center, seniors have free access to all of the amenities and activities, including exercise equipment, pool room, beauty shop, computer room, craft room, Yoga Flow, massage, Wii System for sports (baseball, bowling, golf, tennis, and road racing), picnics, outings to parks, tours, trips, etc. There are no initiation fees or monthly fees for membership in the program. Come join us at the Lumpkin County Senior Center and continue to make healthy choices, follow your doctor’s advice specific to your health concerns, and enjoy how much better you feel. Call 706-864-2358 for more info, come by, 266 Mechanicsville Rd., Dahlonega, GA or visit our web site at lumpkincounty.gov (select Departments, then Senior center).
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
400 Edition
Leibel on the Law Nobody wants to think about death by Steven K. Leibel
M
ost mornings, we wake up, kiss our kids, and vault into our day-to-day routines with little thought for our own mortality. We find purpose and fulfillment in large and small ways, helped along by the people we love. At the end, though, what do our lives mean, and how do we express that meaning to those around us? Are there ways to continue adding to the collective good, to leave the world just a little better off than when we found it? Instead of avoiding the duties of estate planning out of fear and dread, we need to view the responsibility differently. We should embrace those final arrangements as a way of securing and extending our legacy, as a clear-eyed strategy to make the most of the meaning we work so hard to forge every day. Estate planning offers some empowering, life-affirming chances—for the redemption and healing that come from setting the record straight and making things right, for extending an unexpected leg up to someone in need, for nurturing and strengthening not only our loved ones but also our community. Simply put, we need to think of estate planning as a bold act of living rather than a depressing concession to dying. As a lawyer, I am called upon to help people make their final expressions through estate planning; the establishment of trusts; the creation of scholarships and endowments; the perpetuation of the written word; and a variety of other foresighted tactics to plan for the future and enhance the experience of those who come after us. One client was a university professor who established a scholarship in his name for a deserving student. How many people—not just the students but also their families and the people they will help later on in their professions—would that bequest ultimately benefit, generation after generation? In addition, the professor’s memory will live on with honor. Others have preserved their unique talents and personal stories by having a book of poetry, reminiscences, or family history published posthumously. Imagine a great granddaughter, decades later, marveling with pride at the creativity and thoughtfulness of this documentary record. Some clients leave bequests to hospitals, philanthropic organizations, activist groups, and various charities, ensuring another wide-ranging, community-enriching domino effect with every life touched. The beneficiaries can be four-legged, too. What better way to acknowledge a pet’s unflagging devotion than to bequeath a gift to a local shelter or an animal-welfare group while making arrangements for the pet’s ongoing care? A typical estate plan consists of several elements: a will; an assignment of power of attorney; and a living will or health-care
400 Edition
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
proxy (medical power of attorney). In some instances, the most sensible approach is to establish a trust, which, despite its reputation, is not the exclusive domain of the wealthy. Trusts are legal mechanisms that put conditions on when and how assets are distributed. They also help lower estate and gift taxes and divvy up assets among heirs without the costs, delays, and publicity of probate court. Some trusts also provide a valuable shield against creditors and lawsuits. Still, even if a trust is in place, you also need a will to cover any holdings outside of it, regardless of your net worth. Dying without a will, which is known as dying “intestate,” can prove both expensive and divisive for your heirs. In fact, the sooner and more explicitly you outline your intentions to family and friends, the less likely they will suffer from conflicts—and the regrettable estrangements that sometimes ensue—after you are gone. Estate laws, like the markets, are subject to change with every legislative session in Washington or Atlanta, so an informed, trustworthy lawyer is essential to protecting your assets. For example, the federal estate tax exemption—the amount that may be left to heirs free of federal tax—has been rising gradually and is expected to hit $3.5 million in 2009. Also, if you leave all of your assets to your spouse, you do not use your estate tax exemption and instead increase your spouse’s taxable estate, which means that eventually your children probably will shoulder a bigger burden. It also defers many of the hard questions about asset distribution until after your spouse’s death. When should you start the process of estate planning? Now, no matter the size of your bank account. The possibilities for putting your assets to good use— whether they are Microsoft stocks or your grandmother’s hand-stitched quilts—are endless. In the right hands, estate planning can herald a beginning rather than an end. Steven Leibel is a Georgia personal injury Superlawyer with offices in Dawson County and in Dahlonega. He currently serves as 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.
Antiques
North Georgia 3
4
5
1
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 – 678-455-1191 www.freds-beds.com *See our ad on page 15.
1
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 Mill whole grains and fresh local produce. Buy-Sell-Trade. 4300 Dawsonville Highway
2
400 Edition
2
(Highway 53) 770-205-7800 www.cottonwoodvillage.net *See our ad on page 5. 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
3
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,
4
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
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. Iron Accents Owner Valerie Kirves & designer Terri 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 Open Monday - Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday 12:00pm to 5:00pm. 770-539-9093 www.ironaccents.com
5
Historic Forsyth Around Old Forsyth
O
ver the past year or so while writing these Historic Forsyth articles for 400 Edition, I have emphasized that I left Forsyth County in 1963, yet I still own land and have family there. We do visit several times a year. I simply write about my memories from the ’40s and ’50s and it helps that I wrote my memoirs over ten years ago. A wonderful teacher at old CHS and the original FCHS, Gladys Kennemore Barrett, probably provided the initial spark for my interest in history. During her career, she wrote numerous articles concerning the early twentieth century of this county and was widely respected in state historic circles. After retiring from teaching, she authored a well-received small book, A Walk Around the Square. In respect to her, I thought about a drive around the county as it existed half a century ago before its meteoric growth. As a teenager during this decade, I vividly remember the dating traditions and the various hangouts around the county. We did not have the huge shopping malls and multi-cineplexes of today. Just as Forsyth never had a foot of railroad track, it never possessed a drive-in movie theater. The nearest one for most of the county was the old Buford Drive-in Theater between Riverside and Sugar Hill in Gwinnett County. While I only had three serious girl friends during my high school years, the choice for any first date was the old drive-in. Now I see why I never had many serious girl friends, yes? Classically, a movie was followed by a stop at a drive-in restaurant. With the current glut of autos in the GA400-9-141-Bethelview Road complex, few realize that in the ’50s this was the site of a very popular eating establishment: Curt Vaughn’s Bar-B-Que on old US 19. Curt’s was probably the favorite after-date site in Forsyth County for many years. A close second was the Dixie Grill in Ducktown. This was a favorite among those on the western and northern side of the county. I can still remember hearing Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line” the first time over those powerful outdoor speakers. Of course, significant dates such as the Junior-Senior Prom (which was a prom and not a dance until the FCHS Class of 1958 changed all of that) or the All-Sports Banquet necessitated a pilgrimage to THE VARSITY (which was and still is the largest and most famous drive-in in the world) near Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Strangely, the classic dinner was a chili dog, an
by Donald Pruitt
order of greasy onion rings, a fried peach pie, and a frosted orange. Ugh! By the way, the frosted oranges today are nowhere near what they were 50 years ago. Would you believe that they freeze them ahead of time and then serve them frozen? If Mr. Gordy were still living! As Alan Jackson poetically opined in his song about the Chattahoochee River, many guys, after taking their dates home, would visit a well-known spot near that stoic river subsequently dammed to create Lake Lanier. At this spot, through a rather complex signaling system, certain beverages could be obtained (yes, the county was dry in the 1950s). Thereafter, certain country grocery stores/gas stations drew these fellows somewhat like a moth to a bright light bulb—what, you think I am going to plagiarize a very beautiful song? There was the Buford Crossing Gulf and the Haw Creek Gulf. There, the beverages could be consumed while the young males exchanged stories of their latest amorous conquest or dream of girls from Dawson County! As I have detailed in an earlier article, there would often result more serious activity such as drag racing. Indeed, for many years in the 1950s there were two distinct white lines painted across GA 20 just above my home near Haw Creek Gulf. Not coincidentally, these two lines were separated by the distance of a quartermile. I have mentioned Mrs. Gladys Kennemore Barrett here, and in the next months I hope to write more about her and several other teachers at the Old Cumming High School, and the thenbrand-new Forsyth County High School that was opened in 1955. Let me hear from you. 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 longtime member of the Historical Society of Forsyth County. He can be contacted by email at sazabylex@ctc.net.
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
400 Edition
The Wonderful Parks of Dawson County I
f recreation and leisure are what you are looking for, Dawson County has something for everyone. Dawson County Parks and Recreation (DCPR) has a variety of amenities and recreational opportunities for all ages and lifestyles. The “Get Up, Get Out and Get Active” motto for DCPR is in keeping with the versatile offerings available through your local recreation department. Veterans Memorial Park, Rock Creek Park, River Park, and War Hill Park offer many active and passive recreation opportunities.
Veterans Memorial Park
Veter ans Memorial Park Veterans Memorial Park, located at 186 Recreation Road off Highway 9 North and formerly known as Dawson County Park, was renamed to pay tribute to our local veterans who have served our country proudly through various branches of the armed services. VMP is home to Dawson County’s Veterans Memorial Wall, the Dawson County Senior Center, Burnette Football Field, and Lloyd Crane gymnasium. The park is a living tribute to many who have donated land and given their time and physical labor to establishing the first park in Dawson County. VMP boasts the largest open air outdoor pavilion in the park system, as well as the only outdoor public pool in Dawson County. In addition to being home to the Dawson County Girls Fast Pitch Softball program, VMP also has six ball fields, a quarter-mile walking track, a playground, and a smaller pavilion. The VMP pool will open to the public on May 23, and on May 29 DCPR will be hosting its first outdoor concert at VMP featuring “The Status.” In June, VMP will be the host site for the 2009 Dizzy Dean District Tournament for 11- and 12year-old girls fast pitch softball.
Rock Creek Park
Rock Creek Park, located at 445 Martin Road off Highway 9 South, is a state-of-the-art active
10 400 Edition
recreation complex. RCP is home to the newly formed Dawson County United Soccer Club, as well as to many recreational baseball, tee ball, travel baseball, and basketball teams. The RCP Recreation Center is open year round and houses a weight room, community room, several small meeting rooms, two gymnasiums, and administrative offices for the Parks and Recreation Department. Outdoor amenities include a playground, two picnic pavilions, tennis courts, a 1.1 mile walking/jogging trail, and a native plant garden soon to be designated a bird sanctuary by the Audubon Society. RCP will be host to the 2009 “Dawson Day” Community Fireworks event for Dawson County on July 3 starting at 5:00pm. The fireworks show is scheduled for 9:15pm. The event will include music, food, children’s activities, and local vendors in a festival-type atmosphere. This year’s Presenting Sponsor for the event is Dawson Community News, and the entire community is invited to come out and enjoy the festivities.
River Park
River Park is located on Highway 9 South at the Etowah River Bridge. It is one of the newest parks in the Dawson County Recreation System. River Park has a launch site for canoes and kayaks, as well as a picnic area, swings, and benches for enjoying the peacefulness of the beautiful Etowah River. The canoe and kayak trips down the Etowah are a great way to enjoy the native foliage and species along the river. The trip takes approximately four to five hours to the takeout on Kelley Bridge Road. There is no fee to launch at River Park but there is a fee at the takeout on the Kelley property at Kelley Bridge Road. The Kelley family has been gracious to the community in offering the continuous use of the takeout, and remains a valuable Partner in Recreation. Brochures are available at the park. More information can also be found on the Dawson County web site.
of Engineers for War Hill Park. Also in 2008, Dawson County received a grant from the Land and Water Conversation Fund for the purpose of rehabilitating the park. The rehabilitation project began in January of 2009 and most of the improvements were ready for the park opening April 1. All 14 primitive campsites have been completely renovated, including new picnic tables, lantern hooks, grills, burn pits, retaining walls, and surface treatment. In addition, the day use picnic area has received the same quality improvements, the pier has been completely rebuilt, and the beach received 225 tons of new beach sand. The final item on the list of improvements is a new bathhouse with showers, scheduled to be complete before the end of the camping season. The Dawson County Parks Department invites everyone to come out and enjoy the new beach volleyball court, or take the kids camping for the night or fishing for the day. Many area residents enjoy their morning and afternoon walks through the park, as well as the new sunset swing overlooking the lake. If you are interested in hosting or sponsoring a fishing tournament, contact the Dawson County Parks Department for permitting and approval. Dawson County is fortunate to have a wealth of amazing natural resources. With Amicalola Falls State Park, the approaches to the Appalachian Trail, the Mountain Stewards Trail System, Dawson Forest WMA, the Chattahoochee National Forest, Lake Lanier, and our many rivers and streams, there is truly something for everyone. The Dawson County Parks System complements these natural resources through collaboration and partnerships aimed at and focusing on improved quality of life for the citizens of Dawson County. The Parks and Recreation Department encourages us to not only “Shop Dawson” but to also “Play Dawson.” So “Get Up, Get Out and Get Active” by visiting one of your local parks. The rewards are priceless.
War Hill Park
War Hill Park is the latest addition the Parks System in Dawson County. In 2008 the Dawson County Board of Commissioners entered into a 25-year lease agreement with the United States Army Corps
War Hill Park
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
by Lisa Henson
Lisa Henson is the Director of the Dawson County Department of Parks and Recreation. To see more information on these parks and other facilities available in Dawson County see www. dawsoncounty.org.
It’s OK To Play in the Dirt
T
oday’s economy squeeze is in some ways a blessing in disguise to many Americans. The primeval urge to grow our own food, beautify our immediate surroundings, and express our independence is being felt all across this great land. Our efforts are seen in front and back yards, and for the first time many children and their parents are being reintroduced to the art of growing their own vegetables and fruit. Grandparents are being called on to share the knowledge and experience that helped their parents get them through the Great Depression. The big difference is that most families today have only a small space to plant. Many front and back yards are sharing space with an edible garden. Here in Georgia the topsoil is pretty good, especially in rural areas; but where homes have been built en masse, the topsoil has been disturbed and needs some help. This help is available from Dahlonega’s Gold City Landscape Supply Company, known to many area residents as Rockin’ Robin. They have been around for a long time, serving Lumpkin, Dawson, Forsyth, Hall, White, and Gwinnett counties. They are located at 7490 South Chestatee, two miles east of GA400 on Highway 60, in Dahlonega. What used to be a dirt hauling business has grown into more than a landscaping business. Everything you might need
to assist you in the art of playing in the dirt is supplied. From landscape timbers of many kinds and flat rocks, pave stones, and decorative boulders weighing into the tons, the selection continues through a complete line of creek gravel (down to small pea gravel), mulch, sand, and a wide selection of dirt. If you need fill dirt to level a garden spot, rich topsoil to grow things in, or compost to aid in enriching your ground, Gold City Landscape Supply Company has it all and more, as you can easily see by visiting their Dahlonega location. The business is impossible to miss, thanks to the large rocks and mountains of dirt. There’s also a huge display of yard art in the form of concrete statuary—water fountains, angels, Georgia Bulldogs—and concrete benches and chairs. Brighten up the spot you call home by paying a visit to Rockin’ Robin and his wife Jan at Gold City Landscaping Supply Company. You’ll know you’re there when you see Robin’s latest sign. It’s on the side of a large vintage truck, and reads “ROCKIN ROBIN.” Notice the 30-ton boulder—Robin can load anything. Call 706-867-6209 or 770-540-2129, or just stop by. They offer delivery in a timely fashion, or you can pick your order up yourself and save. They accept VISA and MasterCard. Call for prices and a delivery schedule.
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
400 Edition
11
Gardening by Linda Ragland, Master Gardener
M
Bamboo, Kudzu – They’ll Both Take Your House
y very-possibly-soon-to-be-ex, or late, husband Joe (it’s still debatable) brought home three huge 15-foot-long clumps of BAMBOO! “Are you out of your mind?” I shrieked. He calmly stated, “I can control it and, anyway, everybody at the flea market was buying it.” Somehow I couldn’t imagine a line of cars and trucks pulling out on the highway with these insidious clumps of invasive vegetation trailing behind. “I am going to plant it down at our pond,” he said. My arguments fell on deaf ears. He is determined to destroy the tiny pond by closing it in forever with a bamboo forest. Even the gorgeous black bamboo, Phyllostachys nigra, that I have been coveting for years can take over an area. If I could justify paying $100 for a pot, I would keep it contained in a large pot so the roots couldn’t roam to the next town. I can’t understand how something that invasive is still so expensive. Golden bamboo, Phyllostachys aurea, is listed as an invasive weed in Georgia by the University of Georgia. One would think that Joe, a graduate of that esteemed university, would heed their advice. The darn stuff can grow up to 40 feet tall and its aggressive rhizomes spread as fast as my waistline on a cruise ship. Native to China, Golden bamboo was introduced in 1882 in Alabama. Someone thought it would make a nice privacy fence and I imagine they got one; probably haven’t been found to this day. Of course the best excuse my stubborn spouse can raise is that bamboo is NECESSARY for fishing poles. It thrives in full sun and loves moist soil. Once it is established, it is almost impossible to remove. It actually thrives on some herbicides and about the only way to eradicate it is to do a “whack-a-mole” thing by cutting it off as it emerges. This will require great diligence and family members working shifts. I learned about bamboo in the driveway of our first home in Columbus, Georgia. I had bags of potting soil stacked against a fence and was shocked to see bamboo had grown through THREE bags. I would be fearful of lying in a hammock in an area with bamboo.
12 400 Edition
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
If Joe likes bamboo, I’m sure his next purchase will be a root or two of kudzu, Pueraria montana var. lobata. Kudzu, a member of the pea family, is another lusty Asian import. Kudzu was introduced into the U.S. just before bamboo in 1876 as a forage crop and an ornamental plant (it definitely creates interesting topiaries). Southern farmers were encouraged to plant kudzu to reduce soil erosion. By 1953 it was declared a pest weed by the USDA after it had smothered and killed many native plants and trees under solid blankets of leaves, and its sheer weight uprooted entire trees and shrubs throughout the South. In fact, one of its nicknames is “The vine that ate the South.” Kudzu grows rapidly, as much as a foot a day and up to 60 feet in a season. The roots are unbelievable, weighing 400 pounds or more and 6 feet long or longer. As many as 30 vines grow from a single root crown. Just try digging that up. The plant spreads by runners and rhizomes and by vines that root at the nodes to form new plants. It can also spread by seeds that can sneakily lie in wait for years to germinate. The best and easiest method I have seen used to kill kudzu is a herd of hungry goats corralled in the vines for several seasons. They eat every sprout that comes up and after a few seasons, fewer and fewer sprouts emerge, until the roots finally starve to death. Of course then the seeds will begin to sprout and the process begins again. There are a lot of uses for kudzu as well as erosion control; food and medicinal studies are continuing today. I was able to find several interesting recipes online at nancybasket.com. Basket weaving using the long supple vines is very popular. We were taught the art by a Garden Club of Ellijay member, Meg Wilson. Meg gathers the vines just after the leaves fall in November and creates beautiful baskets and containers. I know just the project—a kudzu basket just big enough to weave around Joe. It will look lovely out in the new bamboo patch. Linda is a Master Gardener and a member of The Garden Club of Ellijay, Garden Club of Georgia, and National Garden Clubs.
Northside Hospital
To Your Health
In The Right Hands, A Robot Can Do Miracles… But who’s performing your surgery?
Imagine major surgery performed through the smallest of incisions and with significantly less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster return to normal daily activities. All of this is possible with robot-assisted surgery, an effective, minimally invasive alternative to both open surgery and laparoscopy. With the da Vinci® Robotic Surgical System, surgeons and hospitals are rewriting the standards for surgical care. However, it’s important to know who is performing your surgery, because it’s not just state-of-the-art technology that leads to better patient outcomes; the experience of the individual who is operating that technology is key. Despite its name, robotic technology does not place a robot at the controls of your surgery. Your surgeon still controls every aspect of your care. In the right hands, robotic surgery can resolve bladder problems, restore a woman’s fertility, and treat cancer. And the team behind the most robotic surgeries in Georgia is in Atlanta…at Northside Hospital.
professional; you are in the hands of your surgeon and of a supporting team. With so much going on in the operating room, it’s very important that you have an experienced surgeon and surgical team—working together—performing your surgery. The robotic surgical team at Northside Hospital has worked together for years, and this brings a superior level of teamwork and skill to the hospital’s robotic surgery program. Northside is home to many of the country’s finest surgeons available in health care today. Many of the surgeons on staff at Northside are pioneers in laparoscopic surgery and are nationally and internationally recognized for their expertise in minimally invasive techniques, such as robotic surgery. Combined with the skill and experience of the operating room nurses and surgical technologists, this level of expertise is critical to the success of utilizing new technology like robotics. Physicians at Northside were among the first in Georgia to perform robotic surgery and now train other physicians from across the country on how to use this state-of-the-art technology.
Unparalleled Skill and Experience
#1 in Robotic Surgery in Georgia
With robotic surgery, as with traditional methods, you are not under the care of just one medical
Because Northside Hospital is a leader in providing state-of-the-art surgical services,
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
more surgeries are performed here than at any other hospital—not only in Atlanta, but in all of Georgia. Northside also leads the state in robotic surgery—performing more robotic procedures, including prostatectomy and hysterectomy, than any other Georgia hospital. Northside ranks in the top 5 percent of all robotic GYN programs and in the top 10 percent for robotic prostatectomy programs in the United States. Having also played host to the state’s first robotic-assisted bladder removal and the first robotic-assisted pyeloplasty (kidney reconstruction), Northside views robotic technology as having great potential for minimally invasive procedures in a growing range of specialties. New advances in surgical technology allow Northside to stay at the forefront of the medical field. In the right hands, a robot can do miracles. Robot-assisted surgery is changing the experience of surgery… for the surgeon… the hospital… and most importantly… for the patient. For more information about Northside Hospital’s robotic surgical services, call 404851-8200, or visit www.northside.com for a free physician referral.
400 Edition 13
Lumpkin Gold
by Chris Worick
James Boisclair and His “Free Jim” Gold Mine
O
ne of the more interesting characters from Lumpkin County’s early history was James Boisclair, a freed slave known as “Free Jim.” He became one of the wealthiest merchants in Dahlonega and was also a successful gold miner. Born in 1792, in Wilkes County, Georgia, Jim belonged to Daniel Grant, who states in his Last Will and Testament that he feels slavery is unjust. Grant decrees his slaves should be set free when the women turn twenty-eight and the men thirty-one years of age. Daniel Grant’s son, Thomas, inherited ownership of the slaves upon his father’s death and was instructed in the will to teach the slaves to read the scriptures. Between 1814 and 1815, Thomas ran into financial difficulties and Jim was sold to Michael F. Boisclair, of Augusta, Georgia. While still in servitude on the Boisclair plantation, it’s quite possible that, given Jim’s ability to read and write, he was used in a capacity that would benefit him later in life. Gaining his freedom by the execution of Daniel Grant’s Will in 1823, Jim remained in Augusta, where his activities are unknown. Laws concerning freed slaves in antebellum Georgia were very specific on what freed persons of color could do. A white guardian had to be appointed for a former slave in all legal matters including owning property. This did not preclude freed blacks from procuring work or establishing themselves in business and making a profit. Jim moved to the newly established frontier town of Dahlonega in late 1833. He had established himself in business by 1836, selling baked goods, mercantile items, and liquor, which got him in trouble, not only in court but with the Baptist Church. After having his liquor license for two years, Jim was found guilty of selling “spirituous liquors” on the Sabbath. Since he was a member of the
14 400 Edition
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
Baptist Church, this was severely frowned upon and Jim was excommunicated for about a year until he recanted and allowed back into the congregation. By 1842, Jim had accrued enough money that he decided to try his hand at gold mining. Purchasing a lot with the help of two local residents, Jim opened a mine known as the “Free Jim” and worked it for several years with great success. When gold was discovered in California in 1848, many Georgia miners headed west in search of the new El Dorado. Sensing an opportunity to make a fresh start, Jim left with 40-50 miners from the area in late 1851. Jim is known to have operated a mercantile business and saloon at a mining camp known as “Negro Hill” in El Dorado County, California, 1852-1853. Folklore tells us that Jim was killed in a dispute over a mining claim sometime after 1853. The only legacy James Boisclair left behind was his “Free Jim” gold mine that can still be found on old mining maps of Lumpkin County. Chris Worick is a member of the Lumpkin County Historical Society and an avid researcher of local history. He has recently published a book entitled James Boisclair And His “Free Jim” Gold Mine.
Comma Momma They’re Not Rules? by Nancy Wright
I
n the last year or so, I’ve discovered to my chagrin that the grammar rules I’ve been so hard-nosed about all these years are not actually rules at all. They’re merely the usages that were standard when I was being taught English. I honestly can’t recall whether my teachers ever used the word rule, or the word usage, or the words standard English. They simply taught us the way to write and speak “properly.” It may be my own fault that the usages they taught me are so deeply embedded in my gizzard that I go through life automatically “correcting” things. Take, for example, the who/that “rule.” In formal written English, I cannot see a phrase like “the contributors that helped” without changing it to “the contributors who helped.” It’s who for people, that for things. That’s always been cast in stone for me, perfectly clear-cut—and a rule I simply MUST make everyone else follow. But now I find out that the rule I learned is no rule at all, merely a usage that was commonly taught in the Fifties. Here’s a comparable situation. I was working on a technical book recently that still contained the marginal notes between the editor and the author, so I took a minute to, as it were, read over their shoulders. The editor was pitching a hissy fit because the author frequently used “This” as the subject of his sentences (as in “This is not a problem in most databases”) and by golly, said the editor, you can never, EVER, do that. The poor author (a native speaker of English) was quite taken aback, because, he said, he’d used that construction forever and had never heard that you couldn’t do it. I agreed with him. My reaction to the editor’s hard-nosed position was, “What planet are you from, you doofus? There’s not a THING wrong with using ‘This’ as the subject of a sentence! Are you nuts???!” But since it was in no way part of my job to insert myself into that battle, I had to settle for just yelling at my computer screen.
But I am beginning to understand how the editor got to that place; somewhere along the line, she was taught by some teacher that that was a rule. And she now takes it as an unbreakable rule in formal written English, the same way I take the who/that thing as an unbreakable rule in formal written English. Except she hasn’t gotten to the point where she can acknowledge that not all the rules we were taught ARE rules. One professional copy editor recently had this to say about rules: “There are indeed rules of grammar and usage, but fewer of them than you are likely to have been taught. And many of you have been taught things that are just not so.” This was in fact the case with one man who wrote on one of the Internet’s many language blogs: “In seventh grade, my teacher corrected a paper in which I wrote ‘all of a sudden.’ She said it should be ‘all of THE sudden.’ I started writing it (and saying it) this way for years—and argued with people about it, with my teacher’s admonishment as my ‘proof’ of its correctness. But after finally researching it, I realized that my teacher was (gulp) wrong!” As the blog host pointed out, the teacher wasn’t so much wrong as just a couple of centuries out of date. In any case, it behooves us to be cautious about “correcting” other people’s rule-breaking based on our own understanding of what the rules are. We might be...um... wrong. 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.
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
400 Edition 15
Home—Can You Go Back? by Bob Merritt Life is a mirror. We look forward, that’s the future. We look back, remember and learn—that’s a reflection.
I
f you are from a small town in this country, you may be able to go back and find things just like you left The Sea Wall them. On a recent my trip to Little Rock, youth. For a moment Arkansas, I found we fast-forwarded to Horton Brothers little that would ever draw me back. Printing Company where I spent my I answered the question, “Can you last 14 years in North Little Rock as a ever go back home?” with a new commercial printer. answer: “Who would want to?” I Just a couple of blocks east put have always said that you can only us in the heart of my brother Bill tear a house down so far and even the and my stomping grounds. If it was rats will leave. This was the condition going on, it was going on here, and I found in parts of Little Rock. Places if it was happening, it left some I used to play and feel safe in would kind of mark here. As we sold our terrify me today. I returned for a few newspapers we witnessed the soldiers days to visit old friends, attend the th passing through town on the way 110 anniversary of the Methodist to their basic training before being Children’s Home where I was raised, shipped off to war, to become a man and photograph old landmarks for or become a casualty. We walked this article and a book I am writing. among them as they spent precious With the thought in mind of sharing time in search of a good time, many a little of my history with my of them for the last time. grandson, Aaron Snider, we set out The Argenta Drug Store has not to photograph landmarks that stood changed over all these years, and out in my past. Like an obedient a step inside is a journey into the grandson he forced himself to hang past for those of us who were there. out with Grandpa that day. We made In those days the streetcar stopped a day of it by covering places from just outside. Today a trolley car has North Little Rock (north, downtown, brought back memories as it carries and the river area). passengers from North Little Rock to In North Little Rock our first stop downtown Little Rock, back across was at St. Joseph’s Orphanage, where the Arkansas River, ending at the we kids stayed while our parents got turnaround in North Little Rock. It’s their act together. As we motored not a long ride like the one we used into Levy (part of North Little Rock) to take, but it is long enough to stir I was saddened to find the rock memories. All three theatres are gone, schoolhouse had been torn down. replaced by other businesses; but to While I was going to school there I those of us who got our education remember going in from the movies, the the front door and The Ol d entrances M out the back, beating ill Daddy back home. Needless to say I failed that year, but the schoolhouse is a memory. As we drove downtown, Aaron listened as I told story after story recounting adventures of
16 400 Edition
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
are still there—only the marquees are gone. On the corner of Main Street the marble city hall still stands without a change. The inside still smells the same—a little musty, a little clean, and a bit old. We spent some not-so-good times here. After we drove past the farmers market (now the police department) we drove down to the riverfront. It felt a little eerie as we drove through the concrete entrance of the “seawall,” since we always climbed the metal ladders as kids. I showed Aaron where hundreds of displaced families built temporary homes of cardboard and tar paper against the seawall. I told him about witnessing a cruel few minutes when the sheriff burned them out and sent them off into the night. We were fortunate enough to live in a one-room shack just on the other side. It wasn’t much but it was home to mom, dad, and us six children. The seawall by now must have a thickness equal to the concrete because each year the high school art department paints historical murals on the seawall. The seawall has been extended to twice its original length, with matching concrete replacing a section of earthen wall. Before we left the area we parked on the median and I told Aaron we are sitting where our house used to sit. There was this place back then called “The Old Mill.” It was one of the most beautiful places on
earth and in our world. It was a long walk for us and we only visited it a couple of times a year. Bill and I were two river rats a long way from home and in an elite place where we didn’t fit in, yet we felt at home there; and the same feeling was there as we revisited. Everything changes, and should you be from a town that has been frozen in Argenta Drug S tore time, think of it as a blessing. With all the changes in the Little Rock area it is the place I still call home. ome St. Joseph’s H As we turned our attention toward Little Rock we headed to the Clinton Library. The library only came along a few years ago but that spot was part of my favorite fishing spot on the Arkansas River. From there I worked and played for thirty-five miles and all my adult life in Arkansas. Some things have changed, and some functions of these points of interest have diversified in order to survive. If you have follow memories that can be shared, take a day or two in your footsteps and share a and record them for a record of your history moment and love you for your thoughtfulness. before it’s too late. If you can share it with a child or grandchild, you share the memories; and some sweet day many years from now, someone else will
Is Therapy for You?
Mind and heart mind & heart
C
onsidering the substantial volume of material written over the years about psychotherapy in its various forms and philosophies, relatively little has been written to help the consumer decide whether or not to enter therapy in the first place. As commonplace as therapy seems to be in our pop culture, at times even to the point of faddishness and caricature, it would be a mistake to assume that it therefore has such widespread applicability that virtually anyone can benefit from it. On the contrary, experienced clinicians have been aware for some time now that therapy is not an appropriate intervention choice for everyone, nor does every person who enters therapy benefit significantly from it. What we have learned about therapy over the decades is that it is an interpersonal process, taking place over time between a patient (or “client”) and a therapist, with the ostensible goal of helping the patient to resolve issues and/or feelings that have been troublesome in his or her life. In effect, the patient might be an individual (adult, child, or adolescent), a couple, or a family. The success of the aforementioned process of therapy is, of course, heavily dependent upon the nature and quality of the patient-therapist relationship, of which trust is an essential element. Even when there is a viable interpersonal match established between a patient and therapist, however, there are other variables at play that help determine whether the process will be a productive one.
Initial expectations of treatment held by the patient, particularly as they apply to time frames, seem to play a major role in determining whether treatment will proceed until some “corrective emotional experience” occurs, or whether it will end prematurely. Most of us have been conditioned by the wonders of modern medicine to expect and often achieve rapid relief, if not resolution, from many common physical ailments. When a patient consults a therapist, some of this “quick fix” mentality tends to (wrongly) transfer over to the therapy process and, therefore, initial expectations of the time frames of potential change can often be unrealistically short. While there are in fact many situations that can and do benefit from short-term (e.g., 3-10 sessions) psychotherapeutic interventions, others involving longer-term issues and/or symptoms can sometimes take many months or even years to treat effectively. The amounts of time and resources necessary to commit to such an endeavor can be considerable; yet, unfortunately, these can be compromised by the generally short-term orientation of today’s managed care-driven insurance culture. Nevertheless, with some issues there is no way to effectively shorten the process without resulting in just a “band-aid” solution to what may really be a deep-seated and long-standing emotional issue. When I conduct initial intake sessions with prospective patients, the above considerations about therapy and its various demands are discussed candidly and openly, and for good reason. It is May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
Mark P. Feinsilber, Ph.D.
important that patients understand up front, as much as possible, what is involved in a proper therapeutic process as far as time, resources, and general commitment are concerned. In this way, a more informed and rational decision can be made by the patient about the desirability of whether or not to commit to continuing the process beyond initial intake. There is certainly no shame in realizing that therapy might not be one’s particular cup of tea and bowing out early. For those who do continue, therapy can alternately be a rewarding, enlightening, challenging, frustrating, and liberating process. Like many other worthwhile life processes, therapy involves some work to be effective.
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 17
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.
Flag Day-June 14, Graduation, Memorial Day-May 25
Alpharetta
Entrepreneur Certificate Program
Through May 20 at 6:00pm at Northpoint Executive Suites, 11175 Cicero Drive. Join us for a certificate program that combines practical, hands-on experiences and guest presenters. For more information, visit ngcsu.edu/ce/entrepreneur or call 706-864-1918.
Tour of Atlanta
May 22-25 more than 500 cyclists from over 20 states and several countries compete for a $15,000 purse. The tour is the showcase event of the Georgia Cup, which is the largest ProAm cycling series in the nation. For more information, contact Tour of Atlanta at 678-297-0102 or info@georgiacup.com.
14th Annual Celebrate America 5K/10K
May 25 from 7:30am-10:30am at 7730 North Point Parkway. A great warmup for the Peachtree Road Race. Net proceeds benefit several local non-profits, including Happy Tails and Canine Assistants. Contact Karen Daniel at Karen. daniel@interfaceglobal.com. Admission is $20.00 before May 17, $25.00 after.
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
Skin Cancer Screenings
May 20 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Northside Hospital-Infusion Center, 5670 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Ste 1150. Preregistration is required. To schedule an appointment, call 404-845-5555 and press “0”. For more information about skin cancer, visit northside.com.
Give The Gift of Blood
May 27 from 7:00am-5:00pm at Northside Hospital, 980 Doctors’ Centre, Ground Floor, Classroom B, 980 Johnson
18 400 Edition
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
Ferry Road. As long as you are healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds and are 17 or older, you can give. For more information, call Debbie Lucca, 404-845-5185 or email debbie.lucca@northside.com
“The How to Guide”
June 1 from 12:30pm-2:00pm at Northside, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Road. Join Jamie Smith, PT, CLT, of Northside Hospital, for this program on how to travel this summer. Janie will discuss various lymphedema precautions that can be implemented while traveling and will review exercises that are recommended during extended travel to keep lymphatic fluid moving. RSVP 404-843-1880. No charge.
Blairsville
Mountain Gospel Convention
May 15-17 at 6:00pm, downtown. Shape Note to Rock, solo to chorus. All perform on 5 stages. Free, donations appreciated. Details at UnionCountyHistory. org. For more information, contact Sam Ensley at 706-745-5493 or history1@windstream.net.
“Celebrate the Lake” Spring Tour of Homes
May 23-24 beginning at 11:00am at Lake Nottely. Features Lake Nottely homes, benefits 8 charities. $25.00 tour and 5 raffle tickets. Details at lakenottely.org or Blairsville Chamber at 706-745-5789. For more information, contact Lynn Varian at 706-897-5669 or email lynnvarian@brmemc.net.
Spring Arts and Crafts Festival May 30-31 from 10:00am-5:00pm at Blairsville Town Square. Juried artists and craftsmen exhibitors, space added Student Art Exhibit, live music and dance performances. Free admission. For more information, contact Janet Hartman at 706-994-4837 or email manager@downtownblairsville.com.
6th Annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games
June 13-14 at 9:00am at Meeks Park, Hwy 515. The stage is set and if you listen you will hear the sounds of bagpipes, drums and sounds of Scotland come alive as the marching bands get the games underway. Visit the Clan tents, pitched along the Butternut Creek and pick out your favorite kilt. See the competition of the cabor
toss or who can run the kilted mile the fastest. Visit the Scottish food vendors for a taste of Scotland. Visit our website at blairsvillescottishfestival.org. For more information, contact Debra Edwards at 706-745-5789 or 877-745-5789 or email info@blairsvillechamber.com.
barbershop harmony and fun. Three area high school students will compete in song for the title of “Adeline Idol,” with cash prizes awarded to the winner and the two runners up. For information and directions, contact Gail McGuire at 706-781-5134 or email gsmcguire@ windstream.net.
Cruise-Ins at the Square
Canton
First Saturdays from April-October, 4:00pm until dark. Cruisers invite any classic vehicle owner to participate, registration is free. All free to the public. Vendors welcomed, and so are volunteers. See us on-line at blairsvillecruisers.com for more information and contacts.
Blue Ridge
Harvey
Through May 31 at 7:30pm at the Blue Ridge Community Theater. Elwood P. Dowd is probably one of the most loved characters of stage in the 20th century. He has just one problematic character trait, his best friend is a an invisible 6 foot rabbit. This comedy is well known and wonderfully done. For more information, contact Elizabeth Hunt at 706-632-9223 or email info@blueridgecommunitytheater. com.
Front Row Center
May 16 at 7:00pm at The Performing Arts Center, Fannin County High School. Smokie Mountain Melodies, the area chapter of Sweet Adelines International, presents its 3rd annual evening of
Festival of the Arts
May 16-17 beginning at 10:00am at Brown Park in historic downtown. Festival highlights include a juried art exhibit with over 50 fine regional artists, a literary fair, children’s art activities evening performances by the Cherokee Theater Company. For more information, contact Judy Bishop at 770-479-8045.
Mammogram Screenings
May 19 at Kroger, 8020 Cumming Hwy at East Cherokee Dr. and May 27 at 4045 Marietta Hwy at Prominence Point Pkwy. ScreenAtlanta, a community service of Northside Hospital, offers convenient screenings and breast health education on a year-round basis. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 404-851-6070.
Diabetes Support Group
Every fourth Tuesday of every month from 6:00pm-7:00pm at Northside HospitalCherokee’s Education Building, 201 Hospital Road. The meetings will provide all attendees with moral support, clinical information, guidance and advice about
living with diabetes. For more information about joining the diabetes support group, contact Jean Elliott at 678-493-1503 or email jean.elliott@northside.com.
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. Call 404-843-1880 for information. No charge.
Cleveland
Fabulous 50’s on the Square
May 16 at 5:00pm on the square. Wear your poodle skirts, slick back your hair and join us for 50’s music, food, arts and crafts and fun. For more information, contact Maria Juardo-Flynn at 706-969-3336 or email info@helenga.org.
Cumming
Church Services at the Lake
Sundays, through September 6 at 9:00am at Bald Ridge Marina Chapel. Cumming United Methodist Church. For information call 770-887-2900 or go to cfumcga.com.
Free Stroke Screening
May 17 from 1:00pm-4:00pm at Northside Hospital, 1400 Northside Forsyth Drive,
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
400 Edition 19
Events!
Classroom A and B. The screenings are free, but registration is required. Call 404-845-5555 and press “0” to schedule an appointment.
Family Health Expo
May 17 from 1:00pm-4:00pm at Northside Hospital-Forsyth. All are invited to attend this free event to learn about the hospital’s wide range of programs and services,
The Joy of Connecting
May 19 at 7:00pm at The Columns at Pilgrim Mill. The Joy of Connecting is a relaxed dinner/networking gathering for women business owners, entrepreneurs, other professionals that are seriously interested in strengthening and growing their business. Reservations and prepayment required. Contact Annette at Annette@PaintedLadyEnterprises.com or visit our website at TheJoyofConnectingCummingGA.com.
Summer Technology Camp
Through May 23 registration, June 8-11 and 15-18 from 9:00am-1:00pm at Piney Grove Middle School. Ever wanted
to design your own website, program a video game or become a digital storyteller? The camp is open to any public, private, or home schooled 2nd-8th grade students who reside in Forsyth County. $95 per student per course must be received by May 23. To access the registration form and other information visit forsyth.k12.ga.us/techcamp or email mevans@forsyth.k12.ga.us.
Mammogram Screenings
May 26 at Kroger, 2325 Bethelview Rd at Hwy 20. ScreenAtlanta, a community service of Northside Hospital, offers convenient screenings and breast health education on a year-round basis. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 404-851-6070.
Barbershop Singers
Healthy Pregnancy Series
May 21 at 7:00pm at Crown Mountain Women’s Health. Discussion and demonstration of Massage Therapy during pregnancy. For more information, contact Linda Carter at 706-864-3400 or email crownmountainhealth@yahoo.com.
Literacy Coalition 2009 Pie Baking Contest
May 23 at 11:00am at Hancock Park, block behind square. Enter your best pie or just show up and savor a wide selection of dessert pies from the areas best cooks. All proceeds are donated toward purchase of books and mailing costs for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. For more information, call Sharon Kridel at 706-864-4906 or email skridel@windstream.net.
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.
May 28 from 7:00pm-8:00pm at Crown Mountain Women’s Health. Discussion on Biodential Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). For more information, contact Linda Carter at 706-864-3400 or crownmountainhealth@yahoo.com.
Asthma Education
Women’s Club BBQ Dinner
Third Wednesday of each month from 6:30pm-8:00pm at Northside Hospital, Bennett Education Center, Classroom A, 1400 Northside Forsyth Drive. Topics covered include What is Asthma, Trigger Control, Medications and Proper inhaler and peak flow meter techniques. Free Peak Flow Meters provided to all attendees. A one-time fee of $15.00 is required. Call 770-844-3822 to register. For more information call Sandy Gandee at 404-851-6309 or visit northside.com.
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
A Guaranteed Blessing
Due to the increased volume of meals for senior adults, a new South route is needed in the Lumpkin County area. If you have a couple of hours to share each week, along with a vehicle, we need you! Call Rhonda at 706-864-2358 for more information.
Garden Expo
Anti Aging Series
June 5 at 4:30pm at Community House, N. Park Street. $7.00 tickets include a pork BBQ sandwich, baked beans, cole slaw and drink. Purchase tickets from any DWC member or at the door. For more information, contact Lana Hootselle at 706-864-0245 or email lhootselle@windstream.net.
Book Discussion
Veterans Memorial Park on Highway 9 North. Mike Berg, Chairman for the Dawson County Board of Commissioners will be our keynote speaker. Mr. Berg is also a Viet Nam Veteran. Please call Pam at 706-265-6278 for more information.
Heart In Hand Quilt Show
Through May 29 at the Bowen Center for the Arts. For further info, contact Marcia Chelf at 706-216-2787, or visit the web site at dawsonarts.org. Or call Jacquelyn Somerville at 706-531-0030.
Ellijay
R T Henson Home and Art Gallery Show
May 16 from 10:00am-5:00pm and May 10, 17 from Noon-5:00pm at Shuttle Service Ellijay Church of Christ. The home and art gallery of well known RT Henson will be open to the public two weekends in May. Admission is free. For more information visit rthenson.com, contact Kathe Hall at 706-692-5625 or email Kathe@rthenson.com.
Friends of the Library Bookshelf
Through May 29 at 10:30am at Gilmer County Library. All books are gently used, fiction and non-fiction. For more information, contact Linda Kotula at 706-636-3562 or lkot@ellijay.com.
Helen
Southern Worthersee
May 16-17 at 10:00am. Presented by H2O Tuning VW Audi Club. VW and Audi car show. For more information, contact Chris Cooley at 205-222-8411 or info@helenga.org. 36th Annual Hot Air Balloon Race June 4-6 at 7:00am. First balloon to get to I95 wins race. Tethered balloon rides and other events. For more information, contact Helendorf Inn at 706-878-2271 or go to info@helenga.org.
June 9 at 1:00pm at the Lumpkin County Senior Center. The book, “The Whisling Season” by Ivan Doig available from the library. Email rhonda@3By400.com for information or call 706-864-2358 for directions to the center.
U.S. Rider News Reunion
Art Appreciation Show
June 13 at 1:00pm downtown. Clowns, cars, fun for all. Please call to confirm start time. For more information, contact Helen Welcome Center at 706-878-2181 or info@helenga.org.
Through August 13 beginning at 8:00am at Hoag Student Center, NGCSU. Artwork by faculty of NGCSU on display. For more information, contact Marilyn McKinnon at 706-864-1423 or email mamckinnon@ngcsu.edu.
Affordable Travel
If you are interested in traveling to New York City, Pennsylvania, or Branson, Missouri, please contact Gail Monroe at 706-864-2358 for information.
Dawsonville
May 16-17 from 9:00am-5:00pm at Hancock Park (one block behind the town
20 400 Edition
square). The Georgia Mountains Master Gardeners will have a plant sale, plant clinic, children’s activities, and programs. You can enjoy one of several wildflower walks with one of our expert Master Gardeners. For more information, contact Randy McAbee at 706-864-6590 or email rmcabeer@gmail.com.
Memorial Day Service
May 25 beginning at 3:00pm at the
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
June 5-7 at 10:00am. Motorcycle group reunion. Vendors and activities. For more information, call 888-374-3371 or info@helenga.org.
Shriners Parade
Hiawassee
Georgia Mountain Roots and Music Festival
June 5-6 beginning at 4:00pm at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. Hear 2-days of traditional and contemporary Bluegrass, Americana and Folk music in the Anderson Music Hall. Bring your instruments and enjoy the Pickin’ Pavilion, shop through arts and crafts booths, and sample some tasty cuisine. For more
information, call 706-896-4191 or email gamtfair@windstream.net.
Jasper
Bent Tree Annual Yard Sale
May 23 beginning at 9:00am at Bent Tree Campground. For more information visit bent-tree.com..For more information, contact Ray Perry at 770-893-2032 or email rperry@marketblazer.com.
Main Street Cruise-In
May 23 at 4:00pm at Downtown Main Street. View vintage automobiles. 50/50 Drawing, refreshments available. For more information, call Maxine Moore at 706-692-2031 or email sarah@400edition.com.
Jasper Farmers Market
Through October 31 from 7:30am12:00pm at Lee Newton Park. Opening day and tenth year of operation. Vendors will sell fresh vegetables and fruits in season, crafts and arts, and much more. For more information, call 706-253-8840 or visit pickensmg.com.
Pickens County Library
For more information on any of the following events, call 706-692-5411 or sequoyahregionallibrary.org. Genealogy Explorers: May 30 at 10:00am. A website construction specialist will speak about the capabilities and uses of genealogical websites.
Drama Camp for Tater Patch Players
June 6 from 9:00am-Noon and 1:00pm4:00pm. Children ages 8-12 will receive acting, singing, stagecraft, and movement instruction by experienced actors and directors. Please register as spaces are limited. Vacation Reading Program: June 4 at 2:00pm. Author and storyteller, Diane Z. Shore will kickoff our summer reading program with a rollicking good time. This program will get your child excited about reading and writing while having loads of fun. Karaoke Night: June 8 at 6:00pm. Are you the next singing sensation? 7th through 12th graders interested in this program must register in advance. Beginning Crochet: June 11 at
10:00am. Participants will take home their own work of art. For students 8 years old and older. Pinch A Pot Workshop: June 11at 2:00pm. Bring the family and create and decorate a clay pot using the same techniques Native Americans used long ago. Bookfair: Through June 14 at 9:00am. Browse our great selection of books, craft kits, and novelty items for purchase. Watercolor Workshop: June 15 at 10:00am. A local artist will introduce students ages 8-12 to the world of watercolor. Space is limited please register in advance.
Roswell
Volunteer at Barrington Hall
If you love history, if you love interacting with people, if you love beautiful architecture and decorative arts, if you love antiques or if you love historic gardens, Barrington Hall may have a volunteer opportunity for you. After you sign up to volunteer, you will be given training. The hours are very flexible and based on your availability. For more information call 770-640-3855.
Volleyball Camp—4-6 grade
June 8-11 at 9:00am at Roswell High School Gym. Fourth-sixth graders volleyball camp. Introduction to game of volleyball with lots of fun activities. For more information, contact Naomi Kirk at 770-552-4500 or email kirkn@fultonschools.org.
Volleyball Camp—7-11 grade June 8-11 at 1:00pm at Roswell High School Gym. Seventh-ninth graders. Teach the girls skills of volleyball. For more information, contact Naomi Kirk at 770-552-4500 or email kirkn@fultonschools.org.
Young Harris
Juried Art Exhibition
Through June 1, opening reception April 3 from 5:30pm-7:30pm, located at the Brasstown Valley Resort’s new art gallery, 6321 U.S.Hwy 76. For further information, visit themountainartsassociation.org.
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
400 Edition 21
400 Edition Wining & Dining
Knowing Wine
by Nancy Forrest
“Confucius once said that plain rice to eat, water to drink, and one’s arm as a pillow were quite enough for earthly happiness. Confucius was a wise and gentle soul—but he never tasted Champagne.” —from Bottled Wisdom by Mark Pollman)
The Tasting The Independent Living Program (ILP) Annual Charity Wine and Beverage Tasting benefiting the disabled was held at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead on Thursday, April 2, 2009. ILP is a highly individualized residential program that enables people with disabilities to choose creative living options. It offers a range of support, from a few hours a week of case management to fulltime direct care support in the client’s home. The benefit event featured fabulous food, wine, and high end beverage selections in an exclusive hotel ballroom setting. The variety of items in the concurrent silent auction was vast and deep, with more than 100 items available for bidding. For seafood lovers, this is the event. Tuna tapas and thick hearty salmon were among the choices. Many white wines, and several champagnes, were available to mix and match with the seafood. My favorite restaurant sampling was the fresh sushi with its spicy wasabi. Some of my favorites wines enjoyed were the Silverado, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Gundlach Bundschu rich, earthy Merlot. Fantastic dessert variations of small mousse-like brownies, rich chocolates, and mini crescent-shaped cookies dipped in chocolate completed a perfect evening.
I stopped at this station twice! Don’t miss next year’s event…a great cause and yummy from start to finish.
Auction Items
Celebrity chef dinners Five-star vacations One-of-a-kind jewelry Specialty liquors Weekend use of an exotic sports car • Kitchen consultation & design
• • • • •
Vineyards and Beverages • • • • • • • • • •
Altamura Winery Balvenie Scotch Chalk Hill Winery Duckhorn Winery Grgich Hills Winery Macallan Scotch Ramey Winery Robert Mondavi Winery Silver Oak Winery Trefethen Winery
Atlanta’s Finest Restaurants • • • • •
• • • • • • • •
103 West Added Touch Catering Aja Aria C&S Seafood & Oyster Bar Grand Hyatt Buckhead Hi Life Nava Paul’s Rathbun’s South City Kitchen Steel Restaurant & Lounge Serpas
Wine of the Month
Snoqualmie “Naked” Gewurztraminer, Columbia Valley, WA Made with organically grown grapes. Spicy with juicy fruit, pineapple, and grapefruit. Slightly sweet; a good cocktail wine, or try with Indian food.
Available at: The Wine Store
8455 Holcomb Bridge Road Alpharetta, GA 30022 (770) 641-1900 http://www.thewinestoreinc.com Visit BIN 75, The Wine Store’s own tasting room next door. Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm
by Sharon Waldrop
Restaurant Reviews for the GA 400 Corridor Il Forno
An Italian Restaurant and Bar, 29 Highland Crossing, Suite 112, Ellijay, Ga. 30540 706-515-1555 | www.ilfornoellijay.com Fare: Authentic Italian / Price: Moderate / Atmosphere: Elegant With a Comfortable Feel
N
o longer do you have to travel to Atlanta to experience fine dining! Elegance has come to the small mountain town of Ellijay in a big way. Il Forno (which means The Oven) is a classy restaurant with incredible gourmet cuisine. As you enter the restaurant you have the feel of “Old Italy.” There is a raised circular bar to your right that features a full array of beverages, and the dining area is softly lit, with beautiful murals of the Italian countryside on the walls. From the sauces to their breads, dressings, and marinades, nothing is pre-made or frozen, EVER. The menu is quite extensive, with special attention paid to the customers’ likes and dislikes. There are eight distinctive sauce choices to accompany your pasta,
such as the Pistachio Pesto made with pistachio nuts instead of the usual pignoli. Their Bolognese sauce is cooked for ten hours and started fresh every morning—and is certainly worth the wait. My husband and I chose a Friday night to dine and were delighted to find they offer fresh fish specials on that particular night. As we walked through the front entrance, we were treated to a wonderful keyboardist playing soft music as we started our dining experience. We started our meal with an appetizer. We chose the crab cakes and were delighted to find they were made with real crab meat and plenty of it, served with a rich red pepper remoulade on the side. For his main course, Marv
chose one of the Chef’s specialties, a Veal Scallopini Saltimboca, and was not at all disappointed. The tender, almost white veal was pounded thin and served in a rich butter, sage, and white wine reduction with real Prosciutto di Parma. I chose the Stuffed Mountain Trout. It came completely boneless and was wrapped around a tremendous amount of real crab meat, a meal in itself. (After living on the Chesapeake Bay, I am something of a “crab snob.”) The dish was drizzled with a creamy dill sauce with fresh dill to complete the beautiful presentation. It was absolutely wonderful! When dining at Il Forno, it is best to come hungry, as the portions are large and the prices are
so reasonable. Our experience was so satisfying, we have returned several times and have been rewarded with excellent cuisine in every single thing we have been served. You no longer have to travel to experience amazing food, in a warm, casual atmosphere; it has come to the mountains. Owners Rick and Sharon have truly created a very special place! Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday–Saturday, and for Sunday brunch from 11:00am-3:00pm Reservations are strongly recommended for Friday and Saturday nights.
Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Brown Sugar Maple Pork Loin
Real Men Cook—Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Brown Sugar Maple Pork Loin
by Patrick Snider
• 1 boneless pork loin roast (4 to 4 1/2 pounds), trimmed • 1 pound regular breakfast bacon • 1 cup dark brown sugar • 1 teaspoon cayenne • 1 teaspoon powdered ginger • 1 cup crushed pecans (optional) • 2 tablespoons maple syrup (Grade B or amber) • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar • 1 tablespoon cornstarch • Special equipment: an instant-read thermometer
Preheat oven to 350°F and position rack in the middle of the oven. Pat pork loin dry and place in a roasting pan. Mix together sugar, cayenne, ginger, and pecans in a small bowl. Pack sugar mixture over pork loin. Lay bacon slices crosswise over pork loin, overlapping slightly, and tuck ends of bacon underneath pork loin. Roast pork loin until thermometer registers 140°F, about 1 1/4 hours.
Stir together 1 tablespoon each syrup and vinegar until combined. Brush vinegar mixture over bacon slices and continue to roast pork loin until thermometer registers 150°F, about 10 minutes more. Remove from oven and let stand in pan 15 minutes. Transfer roast to a cutting board with a lip, reserving juices in pan, and let roast stand, uncovered, while making sauce. Skim fat from pan juices and
May/June 2009 • www.400edition.com
discard, then transfer jus (reserving 1 tablespoon jus) to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Stir together the tablespoon of jus and the cornstarch, then whisk into saucepan of jus. Simmer, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in remaining tablespoon syrup. Serve pork loin with sauce.
400 Edition 23