Cabin & Cove Spring/Summer 2014 by Cabin & Cove

In this issue: 4

~ Cover Artist - Anthony Abreu

~ Peter Dietrich - Mountain Artistree

~ Adventure Out with Peter McIntosh

~ Summers at the Bynum House

~ The Crews Home on Lake Chatuge

~ The Browning Home on Lake Burton

~ Event Calendar

~ Lake Burton Fun Run

~ The Rabun Ramble

~ How About A Dip - Recipes

~ Refreshing Watermelon - Recipes

~ Mountain Wineries

~ Five Days to a Fitter, Healthier You

~ Ten Questions with US Congressman Collins

Publisher/Editor - Tracy McCoy Art Director - Dianne VanderHorst Copy Editor - Jan Timms Staff Photographer - Peter McIntosh Office Manager - Cindi Freeman Marketing Executives Robin Welch - 706.490.3697 Kitty Stratton - 706.490.2200 Melissa Williams - 706.982.4777 Cindi Freeman - 706.782.1600 Contributing Writers: David Miller, Peter McIntosh Heather “Lulu” Johnson, Scarlet Cook, John Shivers, Leckie Stack Cabin & Cove magazine is a publication of Rabun’s Laurel, Inc. Mailing: PO Box 2218 Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 633 Highway 441 South Clayton, Georgia Phone: 706.782.1600 Website: CabinandCove.com E-mail: info@CabinandCove.com

Welcome to

Cabin & Cove

Lake Chatuge photo by Terry Barnes Copyright 2014 by Rabun's Laurel Inc. All rights reserved. The Cabin & Cove magazine is published twice per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to Cabin & Cove magazine's right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Cabin & Cove magazine or any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine.The publisher reserves the right to accept or decline submissions without explanation. Rabun’s Laurel, Inc maintains a Christian focus in all of its publications.

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

Todd Erlewine Construction Custom Residential Construction and Renovation Specialist

706.982.0197 rterlewine@gmail.com Lakemont, GA 23 Years of Experience Licensed & Insured References Available

My Pledge: Do the job RIGHT and give the best value for the money, EVERY time, The way my dad taught me!

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

A Southern Artist at Heart -Anthony Abreu “I came to these mountains for the awesome beauty, and the inherent kindness of the people. To be blessed in a way that allows me to capture this spirit, on canvas, is a magnificent bonus.” - Anthony A. Abreu

ong before he was selling his work in the mountains of Northeast Georgia, artist Anthony Abreu was fly fishing streams in the area he called home for so many years. This knack for casting the line, the patience and attention to minutia that it takes to fish for trout is not unlike those traits necessary to produce paintings with the detail found in Anthony Abreu’s canvases. In his case, a picture truly is worth at least one thousand words; each of them unique and loudly expressive. Recently Anthony shared the following with me for you: “I am continually asked how I come up with ideas for my paintings. How do I know how it is supposed to look, and is the painting from a photograph or from my mind?” “How long did it take you to paint ?” “ It must have taken forever, they exclaim !” “It looks so real!” For most of us in our early childhood, we visualize ourselves as many things – from Doctors to Lawyers to Indian Chiefs, as the saying goes. For me, I would become a famous artist and paint pictures like I saw in my bible book and my Mom’s collection of National Geographic magazines. By the time that I entered the first grade, I had begun drawing and it did not take long before my friends and playmates nicknamed me “The Painter”. From the first day I ever picked up a pencil and a piece of paper, I was challenged and motivated to do the next picture… just a little bit better. Since the first grade my career choice has taken me through a wonderful journey! A scholarship to the Ringling School of Art, successful art exhibits and awards , opportunities to meet, be mentored and influenced by famous artists, and provide commercial illustrations for large companies and influential magazine publishers. Best of all, to meet those folks who would eventually collect my work and pay me to do it !!” The longest part of my painting begins with my composition. It is the part that takes me the longest and some of my most successful paintings were years in the making. The Lake (the painting on the cover of this issue) came from

Spring/Summer 2014

my love of fly fishing, the North Georgia mountains, and nostalgia. I have file cabinets that are full of research materials I have collected over time. Each little photo, sketch, or scrap of material is filed away there as reference for my future projects. The Lake began as an idea and I wanted to paint it. Like putting a puzzle together, I began to build it on one of my many drawing tables. The large tree came from a photo I took in Florida. The fly fishing gear is mine. The wonderful blue boat was from vacation photo and actually had a hole in the bottom of the boat….I loved the old worn wood, the colors, and I wished I had owned it in its prime. The mountain scenery from an actual fly fishing trip in North Georgia.” The Lake was built from my mind’s eye and my visual aide collections. Put together until all was just right for the painting I wanted to present. I decided on a canvas size and laid out my pattern for painting. Thank goodness I had lots of small little tubes of green paint and the patience to paint a thousand green leaves! “As The Lake was being painted, I recalled a movie in which a vehicle was rambling down an old bumpy road…thus Going Fishing is brought to life! Next would be Shadow Cast and then Morning By The Lake representing those fond moments I shared with my family on the porch of our Georgia home. I have recently produced three paintings to join my Native American Series and in between have turned my attention to a series of paintings I have wanted to do for many, many years. The series will be of famous women from history. I am painting them in a style more like that of the old Masters. So far this is my wife’s favorite… please meet ~ Juliet.” Collectors who have found themselves mesmerized by canvases branded with the distinctive Abreu signature hold their breath waiting to see what will come from this artist next, assured it will be one they can’t live without. Find Anthony Abreu’s art at Dream Givers Gallery at 359 East Tugalo Street in Toccoa, Georgia 30577, The Highlander Gallery at 33 Valley River Avenue, Suite C in Murphy, North Carolina 28906, High Country Art at 491 East Main Street in Blue Ridge Georgia 30513 or online at www.abreufineartgallery.com where you’ll find more information about the artist.

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

Peter Dietrich

Wood Spirits and Green Men Where Mountain Art-is-tree

here are just people you meet in this life that you are sure everyone should meet. Individuals who are so unique and possess such a positive outlook they are “contagious”. Somehow in their presence you are a better person. I had the pleasure of meeting one of these people this month, and I want to share him with you, our readers. Meet Peter Dietrich, financial guru, Florida REALTOR, boat captain, artist and owner of Mountain Artistree. His newest title is homeowner and resident of Rabun County, Georgia, one he is enjoying very much now. Peter and his wife Bell have made their home on Bridge Creek Road just south of the old Wood’s Store across from Murray’s Cove Road. On the left hand side of the road there you’ll find a little workshop now home to Mountain Artistree.

them. If that sounds hokey, remember the calm I mentioned earlier I attribute that calm to living in the “now”. Peter is also a man of adventure and Bell can attest to that. After leaving the corporate world, Peter moved to Florida where he began selling real estate and that is when he met her, the love of his life. They began seeing each other and he called her at work one day and said, “You have a year to get ready; we are leaving on an adventure.” She asked, “Where are we going?” His reply was, “Alaska, I think.” When he came home that evening he told her of his plans for a boat and he had just the guy to build it; he estimated it to take a year and then they would take off for Alaska and they did. They designed and built

With a briefcase and calculator in one hand and a chainsaw and chisel in the other Peter Dietrich lived in the world of business always longing to be in solitude with a piece of wood and some carving tools. Like so many of us he was caught up in making a living putting his desires on hold. To say that Peter has an electric personality is an understatement yet there is something about him that is calming. He spoke with me about wood and finding the right piece to carve what he calls Wood Spirits and Green Men. It was on a trip to find wood that Peter realized rather than finding the right piece he sat down and let the right piece of wood find him. Peter has learned that each piece of wood has a character all its own and every knot or wormhole adds to the finished piece. We all have “knots and wormholes” and those are the things that make us unique. All preconceived notions and plans are set aside when he begins to carve; he often times watches the face take shape and the “personality” unfold. There is a method to Peter’s madness and it is to be in the moment when he carves. All yesterdays and tomorrows are on the back burner and that time and place are all that is in his focus. He lives his life that way enjoying every single moment and relishing in

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Peter Dietrich - Mountain Artistree a welded aluminum pilothouse cruising catamaran with a top speed of 36 knots. They started on the Olympic Peninsula west of Seattle, Washington and travelled north all along the coast of British Columbia and into Alaska and back. The Dietrichs cruised for four months, covering thousands of miles, reaching into countless rivers and bays, and anchoring out most nights to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the wilderness. To look the part of a boat captain, he let his hair and beard grown out and chuckled at memories of men nodding with a “Mornin’ Captain” on the docks. Charting their course with maps and charts they sometimes traveled up to 200 miles a day, while still resting to capture calving glaciers, countless ice bergs and majestic snow capped granite mountains. They ran along with whales and dolphins, watched bears and moose for hours, felt the mist off of enormous waterfalls hit their faces and spent every moment of the trip enjoying each other. They spoke of storms, rough seas and a few pretty scary days but wouldn’t trade that time for anything. When the adventure was over they shipped their vessel to Florida where they cruised the Gulf waters for several years before selling her and began plotting the next chapter in their life and it in-

cluded mountains, our mountains. Peter began looking around and found Rabun County and contacted a local realtor who had just the perfect piece of property for him. He bought it and that brings us to the little workshop on the side of Bridge Creek Road and chisels and chainsaws. When I asked what tools he uses, he told me the wood dictates that and when I asked about patterns, a smile spread across his face and leaning back in his chair he told me the wood dictates that too. His flannel shirt and “working man hands” mix well with his hearty laugh and enthusiastic nature. He is the kinda guy you enjoy being around. The kinda guy everybody should come to know. Mountain Artistree and Peter Dietrich were at Celebrate Clayton in April with his Wood Spirits and his Green Men. His work won best in show and rave reviews by the judge. You will enjoy meeting Peter and talking with him, he will look you in the eye, shake your hand and you will be caught in the moment because that is where Peter Dietrich stays! Mountain Artistree is located off of Charlie Mountain Road in Tiger, Georgia. Peter may be reached by calling 941.321.5799.

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

Moccasin Creek Cove - Lake Burton Sprawling 4+ acre family compound on Lake Burton. 4BR/2.5BA main house with rocking chair porch and concrete patio. Hardwood floors, rock fireplace, eat-at island in the kitchen, walk-in pantry and lots of windows for the views. Two carpeted bedrooms, 1.5 baths and laundry complete the main level that boasts 10 ft. ceilings. The finished lower level has a huge family room. Two carpeted bedrooms, a full bath and extra storage space. The exterior of the home is wood and has a new metal roof. The 2 BR/1BA guest house is carpeted and has a wood burning stove on a raised hearth. Screened porch and outdoor screened kitchen. $749,000 RE/MAX of Rabun call Jon Barnwell 706.212.2131

Murray Cove - Lake Burton Relax on the screened porch and enjoy views of Lake Burton. Large deck steps down to a flat yard with a noisy creek. Open-concept living room and kitchen with a stone fireplace. Two bedrooms are on the main level, upstairs is a private master bedroom featuring a walk-in closet and bathroom with jetted tub. Out back is covered parking for boats or an RV, and separate workshop/storage building. The boathouse has two stalls, observation deck, storage closet, and a shoreline seawall with a nice protected area to swim. Excellent sunset & fireworks views from this newer home, just easy steps from the water. Privately owned, fee-simple lot. $1,320,000 RE/MAX of Rabun call Jon Barnwell 706.212.2131

Blalock Goldmine - Lake Burton One of the best deals on Lake Burton, this well maintained 4BR/4BA home has the space you need, and the location you want. Great view of a large cove, but far enough back that you can swim in peace. Large mountain stream borders the property, paved access to concrete driveways with plenty of parking, no-steps entry on both levels, walk-out boathouse with incredibly easy access. Large home with many recent additions including modern kitchen, master suite, guest suite, dining room, elevator, screened lake house porch, and tuck-under garage. Boat house is partial covered with sun deck, two-slip with hoists, stationary dock, floating dock, and easy location to pull in and out. Great water views from the house! $1,099,000 RE/MAX of Rabun call Jon Barnwell 706.212.2131

Adventure Out - Bell Mountain by Peter McIntosh

n this adventure were visiting a mountain in Towns County that offers splendid views in all directions but most especially overlooking the town of Hiawassee and beautiful Lake Chatuge. Our destination is Bell Mountain, sometimes called Bell Knob. The top of the mountain features twin peaks of jagged white quartz and since this spot can be accessed by ATV, serious four wheel drive, or short hike, it’s the go to place for folks who like to spray paint the rocks. I’m not a fan of desecrating nature by any means but these rocks have been painted so many times, it’s almost become artwork. But graffiti aside, this place is still well worth a visit. Off to the southwest you can see Georgia’s highest mountain, Brasstown Bald and if you scramble up to the top of the painted rocks, you can see in all directions with Trey Mountain to the southeast and Hightower Bald to the Northeast. But the view overlooking the lake is the real payoff. But do keep in mind this place is probably crazy popular in the warmer months, especially on weekends so I highly recommend visiting this spot during the week.

This would be a great spot to stay and watch a sunset and the lights of Hiawassee slowly emerge in the twilight. Be prepared, bring a headlamp or two, some snacks and maybe a bottle of local wine. Happy hiking!

And on a wing, here’s my poem for spring: A springtime adventure, we’re going to take, To a beautiful spot overlooking a lake. With crazy painted rocks and a view that’s swell, You’re sure to enjoy this mountain named Bell

Getting there: Bell Mountain is accessed via Shake Rag Road which is off of Hwy 76 W just east of Hiawassee. It’s 25 miles from Hwy 441 in Clayton. If you’re coming from Helen or thereabouts, Shake Rag Road is 1.3 miles east of the intersection of GA Hwy 75 and Hwy 76. There is a convenience store at the intersection called the Lake View Store and a power substation, just across the road. Shake Rag Road is a single track

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

paved road for the first 1.6 miles. It then bears to the left and become gravel. This is a steep and not well maintained road so don’t try this without four wheel drive. After about 1/2 mile you’ll come to a turnaround with a gaited road leading up to a cell tower to the south, and a really bad, red clay Jeep road heading north. We park here and ascend the Jeep road to the north. If you have a serious, lifted off road vehicle, give this road a shot but don’t blame me if you break a transaxle or something. This road is steep to be sure but it’s only about 1/3 mile to the top so it’s not too bad hike. And if you want to scramble on the rocks, please be careful. To see more of Peter’s photos or if you have a question or comment, visit: www.mcintoshmountains.com

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Summers at The Bynum House A

s a child, I was fortunate to have a grandmother who owned and operated a “summer resort” in Rabun County. Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year, my personal exposure was short lived as I came along on the cusp of the operating years of The Bynum House, early 60’s – 1970, which was the year she closed. The Bynum House was a rambling hotel with 12 guest rooms in the “Main” house and 6 cottages scattered along the premises. My daddy and his siblings were born in the “White Cottage”. Some of the other cottages were named for families that vacationed there year after year. My grandfather, Thad L. Bynum started the Bynum House originally as a boarding house to serve travelers coming through on the Tallulah Falls Railroad in 1913. I never knew my grandfather, but I have always considered him a visionary---he catered to the tourism industry. Over time, he added a clay tennis court, the first nine hole golf course in the county as well as the first in-ground cement pond (swimming pool) where many people in Rabun learned to swim over the decades. After my grandfather passed away, my Grandmother Bynum and Aunt Roslyn Strickland took over the reins and operated the Bynum House till closing. What a treasure to be a child and exposed to such wonderful experiences! Imagine the characters that passed through and stayed there? The guest rooms were never locked and to my knowledge, there was not one single report of any thefts. Three family style meals were served daily prepared by the cooks, Wes and James. All cakes and pies were lovingly baked by Dot Beck from the Warwoman community. Her sugar cookies and cinnamon rolls were signature desserts for our family reunions until she could not prepare them anymore. Guests were summoned to meals by ringing the big dinner bell. Kids (and some adults) would line up in front of the bell hoping to get a chance to ring it and as many kids were standing there, they would all get a tug. The dining room was also open to the public for meals and many dignitaries and celebrities of that era graced our family with their presence. I loved spending the nights with my grandmother, Irene Bynum. My Nana’s bedroom was considered “open air”, meaning

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

screened in and no air conditioning. Of course there was no air conditioning in any of the rooms at that time and the guest bathrooms were all “down the hall”. One of the coolest things about the Bynum House is most of the staff that worked there were local people and most of the teenagers that worked there also boarded for the summer. I loved being allowed to go up on the hall where the “dorm” rooms were. It had a “college life” feel to it. A lot of my kin folk on my mother’s side of the family worked there. I can remember Nancy Craft (Waldrep) gathering kids together in the evening and taking us down by the ping pong house and she would tell us ghost stories and if we were lucky, we would have a séance. Becky Derrick was the lifeguard one particular summer and she was scolded for wearing a bathing suit that showed her appendix scar! Remember the times, obviously too much skin showing. One of my favorite memories was when it would turn dusk. William Ledbetter who served dually as maintenance/bellman would ask me and my sister Becky to join him on his rounds to turn all of the pathway lights on. He would hold one of us up in the trees as we would reach for the hidden light switches that “only we knew about”. In the evenings after dinner, guests would hit the rocking chair porch, while some guests would elect to hang out in the big open lobby and have sing-alongs around the piano. This was of course, before karaoke. Bingo games were called, ping pong and shuffle board tournaments would commence---till this day I can vividly recall the “clink” of shuffleboard discs hitting one another. In my mind, I served as the “tour guide” for the children guests. My favorite “tour” to take them on was to gather as many that dared, and then have them follow me to the gate of the pasture where my Uncle Ronald kept his herd of cattle. The kids would gingerly line up sitting along the fence while I would impress them with my skills of petting the “bull”. Most times I was petting just a plain old cow but they never knew the difference! I am approached regularly by people that want to share their memories of this special place in Rabun County history. I have been in the middle of the ocean on a cruise ship and have someone find out where I am from and they or someone in their family has visited the Bynum House….she was that far reaching. One thing for certain, our kids today won’t ever experience that kind of summer life. There were no distractions, no travel team practices to attend, no technological gadgetry going off all of the time, just a beautiful and peaceful slice of life. We had it all! Submitted by: Irene Bynum

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

Crews With Eclectic Taste

hrough a series of “God winks” and stars aligning, educators Pam and Bill Crews find themselves at home on the shores of Lake Chatuge. Their dream-come-true, completed in November 2012, was brought to life by Brown Haven Builders. Pam and Bill both praise the builders, saying the experience of working with them “could not have been better.” The Crews desire for a second home began twenty years ago, when business meetings brought them from Atlanta to Hiawassee. Like most, they left wanting to spend more time in the mountains. The couple visited friends in the area for a number of years before deciding to find a place of their own. Originally they looked for a ready-built home, but when their realtor showed them land on Lake Chatuge, they jumped at the chance to build on the lake-front property.

The Crews Home - Lake Chatuge -

Bill & Pam

From the outside, the home appears a compact dwelling. In reality, it can sleep eighteen guests due to a clever floor plan and finished lower level. A generous span of living room windows gives

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

The Crews Home a view of the lake and a sense of space. In the open-concept kitchen, the dark soapstone countertops compliment the tate-olive island and green-glass backsplash. A fireplace anchors the living area, with the master bedroom and bath off to the right. Complete with walk-in closet, the master suite provides the Crews with their own private views of the lake. The decorating theme here is birds. In other rooms, the theme is nautical, or cycling, each represented by unique decorating touches, from semaphore pillows to spoked bicycle wheels, painted and hung on the wall. The home began as a plan Pam found through Southern Living, but adjustments were made along the way. One shift was to bump-out a wall to make space for a large dining room table purchased on Craigslist. Likewise, a column dividing the kitchen and dining room was expanded to become a pantry made to fit a pair of rustic garden gates from Silkroute in Atlanta. A framed 1920’s wool bathing suit found on eBay adorns the pantry’s back wall that faces the dining room and entryway. It’s a quant historic touch, one that showcases Pam’s ability to find items from various sources and combine them in an eclectic modern aesthetic. Her design also shines in the downstairs wet bar. The ground floor, originally planned to be left unfinished, now boasts four bedrooms, a full bath and a game area complete with a mini-shuffle board table and Bill’s framed Uni-

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

versity of Oklahoma gymnastic team memorabilia. Behind the wet-bar, Pam had the cabinet maker use traditional hickory in a non-traditional way. She had him hang the grain horizontally, a twist that gives the rustic wood a modern flair, as does the floating cypress bar supported by hidden stanchions – an idea Pam gleaned from Pinterest. Traditional touches appear in the home as well. In the bunkroom, each of the six beds proudly displays a quilt owned by Bill’s grandmother. Also an educator, the grandmother’s quilts were often gifts from her classes, and they bear the names of students going back to 1938. Upstairs, just off the living room, the roofed porch features a rock fireplace surrounded by comfortable chairs, each with a wool blanket for the winter months. The expansive views out here are of Bell Mountain, the far-off Anderson Bridge and Brasstown Bald, punctuating a sinuous strip of ridgeline in the distance behind the deep-water lake. The new home has already provided the Crews with many fond memories, and with a wedding party planned there this summer, the couple will be able to share their good fortune with family and friends many more times in the future. by Heather Leigh Johnson - photos by Peter McIntosh

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

A Lesson in the Art of Living

The Browning Home - Lake Burton -

Billy & Sandy

rom the outside, Sandy and Billy Browning’s house on Lake Burton appears admittedly traditional. But once inside, the home reveals impeccable taste, rare materials and solid design. The couple was introduced to the area in the 1980s and the idea to live on the lake permanently lingered after they left. Sandy says they returned in 1994 to finally “rule out” the idea and instead bought a cabin near Timpson Cove. That place proved too small for full-time life, so the Brownings bought a larger place across from Goat Island that offers an incredible view. With no lake access, the couple’s first priority was to build a milled cypress boathouse. It’s here that the Brownings host their popular Fourth of July ice cream social. Built to Billy’s exacting standards, the steel-framed boathouse has been a prime fireworks-viewing spot for countless guests. In 2000, construction started on the home. In truth, it began two years earlier, when Billy began the search for build-

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

ing materials. Raised in the construction business, he knew what he was looking for and he reveled in hunting for old feed and cotton mills as sources for heartpine beams and boards. In the great room just inside the front door, hand-hewn boards and chinking provide a rustic backdrop for the coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection of antiques. From this central area, the home branches off in two wings. The kitchen with the guest rooms above stands to the left, while the master suite and painting studio are to the right. The coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room is on the main floor, behind a cozy private den. In their room, Palladian windows provide a view of rhododendron and the lake. The Brownings planted over seven hundred rhododendron along the shore and the bushes have

Spring/Summer 2014

matured into an impressive stand. Upstairs, guest rooms have their own theme, be it nautical, fishing, horses, or bunkhouse. Each room boasts lamps and fixtures Billy created from every imaginable object â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an antique

www.cabinandcove.com

continued...

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

camp stove, plaid thermos, prop pistols, boat motors and gear shifters, wooden reels and ice fishing decoys. His pieces are works of art, finely crafted with unique materials. Sandy’s art adorns the home too. Her accomplished landscapes feature familiar images and places, such as creels of trout and the Anchorage marina. She once ran an antique shop and her refined eye continually discovers treasures. It helps that Billy loves to restore wooden boxes, clocks, servant bells and signs. With lively delight, they can tell the story of finding each piece, whether it occurred in Atlanta’s Scott Antique Market or at sales in France and England. Together, the two have decorated their home in an eclectic style all their own. Off the great room, the spacious kitchen showcases and reflects Sandy’s Village Church pottery collection. Serving plates, platters, dishes and tureens adorn the countertops and walls. A custom-made white chandelier above the island features metal silhouettes of the sheep, steeples and trees seen in the pottery. The design continues in the round dining table that repeats the design elements while featuring more plates beneath its glass top. Past the kitchen but before the garage and workshop, an ‘outhouse’ bathroom made completely of barn wood features a bucket for the sink and a water pump for the faucet. Throughout the house, wherever one looks, the eye discovers art of every type, from antiques to lake views, landscapes to lamps that combine to make the home a primer in collecting and living with passion. The home is on the market and it will be a lucky buyer who inhabits this fine home which reveals its best secrets on close study. Information on the Browning Home can be obtained by calling Tom Stanfill of Re/Max of Rabun at 770.355.0659

“Sandy’s art adorns the room too. Her accomplished landscapes feature familiar images and places...”

by Heather Leigh Johnson - photos by Peter McIntosh

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Mountain Happenings June 13th - 15th Northeast Georgia Arts Tour Habersham, White & Rabun Counties Info: www.artstour.org

June 7th Ultimate Late Model

STEPHENS COUNTY

August 31st USCS "Sunday of Speed" Spring Cars

May 1st and the first day of each month through August Nature Walk at Tugaloo Bend Tugaloo Bend, Tugaloo Corridor Info: 706.886.2132 May 10th / June 14th July 12th / August 9th Sage Market Stephens County Market Building Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132

May 31st 70th Anniversary D-Day at Currahee 10K, Memorial Walk & Jake and Jack Track Currahee Mountain, Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132 June 2nd Currahee Run Currahee Mountain, Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132 June 16th - 20th Summer Drama Camp Schaefer Center, Toccoa Info: 706.282.3309 Special Events at the Toccoa Motor Speedway, Toccoa Info: 706.491.4493 May 17th Fast Track Touring Race

at the Habersham Community Theatre Clarkesville Info: 706.839.1315 www.habershamtheater.org

June 28th - David Fry July 5th - Lingo

HABERSHAM COUNTY

May 24th Tugaloo Bend River History Tour Walker Creek Boat Access Tugaloo Corridor Info: 706.886.6831

July 25th - The John King Band

June 21st - Cicada Rhythm

May 16th Stephens County Toccoa Chamber Golf Tournament Currahee Club, Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132

May 22nd WNEG’s Annual Senior Expo Rose Lane Gym, Toccoa Info: 706.886.5101

June 27th - Dixie Still

June 14th - The Darnell Boys

July 19th - Dank Sinatra

The Cornelia Summer Concert Series The Historic Depot, Cornelia Info: 706.778.8585 ext. 280 May 30th - The Regulars Band

Ida Cox Music Series Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.282.3309 www.mainstreettoccoa.com

May 10th Power House for Kids 1K/5K/10K Georgia Baptist Conference Center Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132

May 18th - 19th ACS Relay for Life Stephens County High School Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132

July 3rd Monster Mini Stock & Southeastern Sportsman Series

August 2nd 11th BIG E Fest & ETA Competition Grant Reeves VFW, Cornelia Info: 706.499.1370

May 8th - 10th Weekend of One-Act Plays

July 12th - Those Cats July 26th Local Showcase - Toccoa Talent

May 3rd and each Saturday through September Clarkesville Farmers' Market Old Clarkesville Mill, Clarkesville Info: 706.778.4654 May 9th March of Dimes Walk for Babies Pitts Park, Clarkesville Info: 706.982.0896 www.marchforbabies.com May 9th / July 18th Friday Night Flicks Pitts Park, Clarkesville Info: 706.778.4654

June 13th - 15th, 19th - 22nd "Christmas Belles" July 31st - August 3rd, August 7th - 10th "The King and I" WHITE COUNTY May 2nd and each Tuesday & Friday through September Bingo Helen Chamber of Commerce Festhalle, Helen Info: 706.878.1908 May 2nd / June 6th / July 4th August 1st First Fridays Pickin’ on the Porch Inside Out Sautee, Sautee Info: 706.878.0144

May 17th 52nd Annual Mountain Laurel Festival Downtown Clarkesville Info: 706.754.2220

May 17th and the 3rd Saturday of each month through September Swinging in the Vines Music Series Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards Sautee Info: 706.878.1056

May 17th Inaugural Strawberry Festival Jaemor Farms, Alto Info: 770.869.3999

May 16th - 18th Southern Worthersee VW-Audi Car Show Helen Info: 706.878.2271

May 31st Steve Bryson CD Release Concert & Party Grant Street Music Room Clarkesville Info: 706.754.3541

May 24th Bavarianfest Helen Festhalle, Helen Info: 706.878.2908

June 20th Friday Night Flicks Cornelia Train Depot Cornelia Info: 706.778.8585

May 29th - June 1st 14th Annual US Riders News Reunion Run & 8th Annual Southeast Victory Run Helen Riverside Park, Helen Info: 478.237.3761

August 2nd Back to School Bash Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center Clarkesville Info: 706.754.2220

June 5th - 7th 41st Annual Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race Helen Info: 706.878.2271

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

June 14th Shriners' Parade Downtown Helen Info: 706.878.2181; 800.858.8027

May 24th and each Saturday evening through mid November Saturday Evening Music Concert Series

July 4th Annual 4th of July Fireworks Behind the Alpine Village Shoppes and Helen Welcome Center, Helen Info: 706.878.2181

July 26th - 27th Folk Life Festival

July 25th - 26th 10th Annual Show and Shine for Cystic Fibrosis Open Car Show Helen Info: 706.795.2264; 706.296.6896 August 14th - 17th Destination Helen Bike Rally Helen Info: 706.878.0076 August 23rd 6th Annual GarlicFest Loganberry Heritage Farm Cleveland Info: 706.348.6068 August 30th Folk Pottery Show & Sale Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia Sautee Info: 706-878-3300 ext. 307 at Yonah Mountain Vineyards Cleveland Info: 706.878.5522 May 3rd and each Saturday Tour de la Cave and Barrel Sampling May 11th / June 8th July 13th / August 10th Masterpiece Mixers Painting & Tasting Party Info: 678.982.1100 August 30th CrushFest 2014 at the Helen Arts & Heritage Center Helen Info: 706.878.3933 www.helenarts.org May 10th Mother's Day High Tea and Cake May 13th "Arty Party" - The Basics of Pine Needle Weaving May 20th History of Movie Making in Helen and White County June 10th Moonshine in Helen and Thereabouts in White County July 7th - 11th, 14th - 18th 2014 HAHC Kids' Art Camp

at The North Georgia Zoo Cleveland Info: 706.348.7279 www.northgeorgiazoo.com May 10th - 11th Celebrating Moms May 13th / June 10th July 8th / August 12th Mommy & Me at the Zoo May 18th / June 15th July 20th / August 17th Behind the Scenes Tour July 12th / August 9th, 30th - 31st Sunset Tour July 28th - August 1st August 4th - 8th Junior Zookeeper Day Camp at Smithgall Woods Park Helen Info: 706.878.3087 May 3rd and each Saturday - May 24th Wildflower Hunts May 3rd and the first Saturday of each month First Visit Tours May 10th Wilderness First Aid May 17th / June 21st / July 19th August 16th Youth Fishing Day at Buck Shoals June 2nd and each Monday thru July 28th Georgia Master Naturalist June 14th Kids' Day at the Park June 23rd - 27th Buzz on Bees, Bugs and Birds July 7th - 11th All About BUGS Camp July 21st - 25th Eco Kids' Camp: Caring for the Winged Ones August 23rd Gold Fever and Golden Memories at the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association Sautee Info: 706.878.3300

August 13th An Artful Taste of Helen

May 6th and Tuesdays & Thursdays through August Silver Fit Exercise Class / Yoga Class

at Unicoi State Park Helen Info: 706.878.2201

May 6th - 7th / June 11th - 14th SNIPPT: Ping Pong Tournament

May 24th - 25th and each weekend through mid November Visiting Artists Series

May 6th, 20th / June 3rd, 17th Contra Learn & Dance

Spring/Summer 2014

continued

www.cabinandcove.com

Mountain Happenings

May 9th - 11th Stone Soup by Sautee Stars

May 17th - 18th Community Chorale Spring Concert May 24th 25th Annual Pig Out Barbecue Info: 706.878.9349 May 31st / June 28th Community Contra Dance June 1st Dance Recital

June 9th - 13th, 16th - 20th Summer Arts Camp RABUN COUNTY May 2nd and the first Friday of each month through October irst Friday Fest Downtown Clayton Info: www.downtownclaytonga.org May 2nd - 3rd Mountains of Hope Clayton UMC on Friday Clayton City Hall on Saturday Info: 706.982.9197 www.mountainsofhoperabun.com May 3rd and each Saturday Simply Homegrown Farmers' Market Clayton City Hall Complex Clayton Info: www.simplyhomegrown.org May 3rd and each Saturday Night through November Bluegrass on the Square Tallulah Falls Opry House Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.6040 May 10th Spring Farm Day Hillside Orchard Farms, Tiger Info: 706.782.4995 May 10th North Georgia 50 Run / Race the backroads of North Georgia's lake region Info: www.NorthGeorgia50.com May 11th Awakening of the Vines Tiger Mountain Vineyards, Tiger Info: 706.782.4777 May 14th and the 2nd Wednesday of the month Cabernet & Canvas Nights Timpson Creek Gallery Info: 706.782.5164 May 17th 5K / 1K Fun Run: Clayton Rotary begins at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Rabun Gap Info: www.claytonrotary.com

May 24th and the 4th Saturday of each month Hambidge 4th Saturday Weaving Demonstration Hambidge Center, Rabun Gap Info: www.hambidge.org June 6th - 7th Annual Flower & Liturgical Arts Festival St. James Episcopal Church Clayton Info: 706.782.6179

June 7th Lawn Party

May 18th Fur Ball Rabun County Civic Center Clayton Info: 706.982.1284

June 7th Tallulah River Kids' Fishing Rodeo Tallulah River Info: 706.754.6221 June 16th - 20th Summer Literary Art Camp Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Rabun Gap Info: 706.982.9004 June 24th Alternative Fuel Vehicle Road Show Clayton City Hall, Clayton Info: www.AFVRoadshow.com July 4th July 4th at Sky Valley Sky Valley Info: 706.746.5676

at the Rabun Arena Tiger

June 6th - 8th 3rd Annual Bar W Rodeo Info: 706.781.9880 June 21st / August 16th NBHA Horse Show Info: 706.982.0792

June 28th Wateree Cutting Horse Show Info: 864.876.6272 the North Georgia Community Players Dillard Playhouse, Dillard Info: www.ngcommunityplayers.com June 20th - 22nd, 27th - 29th "Foxfire" July 17th - 20th, 25th - 27th "The Little Mermaid" Rabun County Music Festival Rearden Theater Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Rabun Gap Info: www.rabunmusicfestival.com June 22 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra July 6th the Beatles Tribute

August 3rd Sentimental Journey Orchestra August 17th Emile Pandolfi

July 4th 4th of July Celebration at Dillard House Dillard House, Dillard Info: www.dillardhouse.com

at Stonewall Creek Vineyards Tiger Info: 706.212.0584

July 5th Annual Rabun Ramble 5K and 10K Road race Lake Rabun Pavilion, Lakemont Info: 706.782.7043

May 24 Music - Sweet Charity Benefit for Richard’s Kids

July 5th 4th of July Fireworks at Lake Burton Lake Burton Info: www.lakeburtonfireworks.com

at Tallulah Gorge State Park Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.7981

July 19th Annual Clayton Crawl Downtown Clayton Info: www.claytoncrawl.org August 1st - 2nd Dillard BBQ & Bluegrass Festival Dillard Playhouse, Dillard Info: www.dillardbbq.org

May 17th Smokie Mountain Melodies presents “Sing the U.S.A.” Young Harris College, Young Harris Info: 706.745.5943 May 24th County Wide Yard Sale On the Square, Hiawassee Info: 706.897.3798; 404.754.3430 May 24th Mountain Wine Country Festival Crane Creek Vineyards Young Harris Info: cranecreekvineyards.com June 7th Relay for Life 5K Towns County Comprehensive School Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4966 June 7th Tool Box Bash - Annual Dinner Dance by Habitat for Humanity of Towns/Union Location TBA Info: 706.379.2484 August 23rd - 24th The Young Harris Art Fest Mayors Park, Young Harris Info: 706.400.8014

July 20th Embraceable You

July 4th Lake Rabun 4th of July Fireworks Lake Rabun Info: www.lakerabun.org

July 12th, 26th / August 9th Children's Heritage Day at Foxfire Foxfire Museum, Mountain City Info: 706.490.3977

May 10th Bass Tournament for Relay for Life Georgia Mountain Fair Boat Ramp Hiawassee Info: sherry.parramore@brmemc.com

August 23rd Dash to the Vineyards Begins at Brasstown Valley Resort, Ends at Crane Creek Vineyards Info: 706.896.4966; 706.896.4933 August 30th Chili Cook-Off on the Square Downtown City Park Hiawassee Info: 404.754.3430 August 30th Grape Stomping Festival Paradise Hills Resort, Blairsville Info: www.paradisehillsresort.com

June 21 - Summer Solstice

May 3rd - 4th, 10 - 11th, 17th - 18th Aesthetic Water Releases

August 30th -31st Mountain Heritage Festival Mountain Life Museum, Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493

May 14th / June 13th - 15th August 10th Full-Moon Suspension Bridge Hike

at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa Young Harris Info: 706.379.4606

TOWNS COUNTY

May 10th - 11th Mother’s Day Show Info: 706.400.8014

May 3rd and each Saturday and Tuesday in April & May Vino and Vibes Hightower Creek Vineyards Hiawassee Info: 706.896.8963

www.cabinandcove.com

July 4th - Fireworks

continued

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Mountain Happenings

at The Ridges Resort & Marina Hiawassee Info: 706.896.2262

June 6th - 8th The Antique Classic Wooden Boat Show June 7th - 8th "The Ridges Landing" Festival at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4191 May 1st - 11th The Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens May 10th Bi-Annual Candidates BBQ May 17th Georgia Mountain Eggfest June 3rd 9th Annual Taste of the Southern Highlands Info: 706.896.4132 June 13th - 14th Appalachian Wine & Jazz Festival July 4th 4th of July Fireworks July 18th - 26th Georgia Mountain Fair August 7th - 9th Georgia Mountain Moonshine Cruize-In UNION COUNTY May 1st (and each Mon., Wed., Thurs. & Sat.) Knitter’s Knitch Classes 64 Bracketts Way - Ste. 6, Blairsville Info: 706.835.1078 May 1st and each Thursday Trivia at the View Union County Community Center Blairsville Info: 706.439.6092 May 1st & the first Thursday of each month Living Will Workshop Union General Hospital Blairsville Info: 706.745.2111 May 1st - 3rd Friends has a Big Book Sale! Community Room Union County Library, Blairsville Info: www.foucl.org May 2nd & the first Friday of each month Blairsville Cruise-In Union County Farmers Market Blairsville Info: 706.897.5857 www.blairsvillecruisers.com May 2nd and each Friday Night Friday Night Concert Series Historic Courthouse Downtown Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493

May 3rd & the first Saturday of each month Cruise In on the Square On the Square, Blairsville Info: 706.897.5857 www.blairsvillecruisers.com

May 31st - June 1st Spring Arts & Crafts Festival Downtown on the Square Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493

May 5th (1st Monday of each month except holidays, then 2nd Monday) Alzheimer’s' Support Group Cadence Bank, Blairsville Info: 770.789.2044

June 13th Ceilidh Dinner Blairsville Scottish Festival Methodist Church Activity Center Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789; 866.745.5789

May 6th Buy Local Extravaganza Union County Community Center Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789 May 7th and each Wednesday BINGO Haralson Memorial Civic Center Blairsville Info: 706.300.5722 May 8th Overcoming Depression Union General Hospital, Blairsville Info: 706.745.2111 May 10th Casting for a Cure Bass Tournament Lake Chatuge, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Boat Ramp, Hiawassee Info: 706.379.3121; 828.837.1017 May 17th Tri-State Business Women's Expo Farmers' Market, Blairsville Info: 706.897.2072 May 19th & the 3rd Monday of each month Shape Note Singing Practice Old Union Courthouse, Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493 May 21st - 22nd, 24th - 25th Spring Arts & Crafts Festival On the Square, Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493; 706.994.4837 May 23rd - 24th Friends of the Library Trash & Treasure Sale Union County Civic Center Blairsville Info: www.foucl.org May 24th CLBC Make a Way with a 5K Meeks Park, Blairsville Info: 706.994.2107 May 24th Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony Downtown on the Square Blairsville Info: 706.745.6341 May 24th - 25th Arts in the Park Downtown City Park, Blue Ridge Info: 706.632.2144 May 31st Relay for Life of Union County Union County Farmers Market Blairsville Info: www.relayforlife.org/unionga

June 13th Kilted Golf Classic Blairsville Scottish Festival Butternut Creek Golf Course Blairsville Info: 706.439.6076; 877.745.5153 June 14th - 15th 11th Annual Blairsville Scottish Festival & Highland Games Meeks Park, Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789 June 22nd "Run with the Realtors" Summer Sizzler 5K Meeks Park, Blairsville Info: 706.781.3030

at Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association Blue Ridge Info: 706.632.2144 June 21st "A Rocking Good Time" Benefit Auction / Gala June 24th - July 18th Summer Youth Art Program June 28th - July 26th Community Quilt Exhibit at the Blue Ridge Community Theater Blue Ridge Info: 706.632.9223 May 15th - June 1st “Cactus Flower” June 6th - 7th The Roxie Watson Band June 9th - 22nd Sunny D Children's Theater Summer Camp July 10th - 27th "Always a Bridesmaid" August 2nd Krista Detor in Concert August 9th Diane Durrett in Concert

June 28th - 29th 8th Annual Mountain Fling North GA Technical College Blairsville Info: 706.896.0932 July 4th Independence Day Celebration Vogel State Park, Blairsville Info: 706.745.2628 July 4th Lake Nottely Boat Parade Lake Nottely, Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789

at the Copperhead Lodge Blairsville Info: 706.835.7433 May 9th - Raven and Red May 10th - Scott Stambaugh May 16th - Paul Constantine May 23rd - Keren Leppo May 24th - Ty Bates Live May 25th Poolside with Mike Watson

July 4th Independence Day Fireworks Meeks Park, Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789

June 13th - Justin Bridges

July 19th - 20th 16th Annual Butternut Creek Festival Meeks Park, Blairsville Info: 706.781.1221

at the Rock Creek Fish Hatchery Suches Info: 706.838.4723

July 25th - 26th Green Bean Festival Downtown on the Square Blairsville Info: www.greenbeanfestival.com at the Georgia Mtn. Research & Education Center Blairsville Info: 706.746.2655

August 15th Preserving Your Garden Bounty Seminar

May 9th Veterans’ Appreciation Fishing Rodeo June 6th Seniors' Fishing Rodeo June 7th Family Fishing Festival June 14th Kids' Fishing Rodeo CLAY COUNTY, NC

June 7th Nature Inspires Garden Tour

www.cabinandcove.com

May 30th - The Beatals

May 3rd and each Saturday thru October Mountain Valley Farmers’ Market Downtown Hayesville Info: 828.361.7261

Spring/Summer 2014

May 7th and each Wednesday thru October Brasstown Farmers’ Market Brasstown Info: 828.360.2498

Brasstown Community Center Concert Series Brasstown Info: 828.837.3797

May 10th Mountain Cookoff Festival Vic Payne’s place on Settawig Rd. Info: 828.389.3704

May 24th - Just Us

May 17th - 18th 2nd Annual Women’s Expo The Ridges, Hayesville Info: 877.389.3704

July 12th - Wilson Family

May 22nd and each Thursday through September Evening Harvest Market On the Square, Hayesville Info: 828.508.0812; 828.389.0941

August 23rd - Lone Mountain Band

May 23rd - 24th Rodeo & Freestyle Motocross Cutworm's Corral, Hayesville Info: 706.897.0956 June 7th Car-B-Que On the Square, Hayesville Info: 877.389.3704 July 12th - 13th Festival on the Square Hayesville Info: 828.389.0129 July 24th - 26th Farm Fest On the Square, Hayesville Info: 828.508.0812; 828.389.0941 The Hayesville Summer Concert Series On the Square, Hayesville Info: 877.389.3704 May 23rd Susan Riley & the Junction Band June 6th - Bill Rinaldo June 13th Paul Constantine June 20th - Stone Cold Country June 27th - Sherri Hedden July 18th - Leather & Lace July 25th - Just Us August 8th - Playing on the Planet August 15th - Irons in the Fire August 22nd - Lee Holland August 29th - Gnarly Fingers by the Licklog Players Creekside Plaza, Hayesville Info: 828.389.8632 April 24th - 27th / May 2nd - 3rd “Jake’s Women” June 6th - 8th "I Hate Hamlet" July 24th - 27th "Smoke on the Mountain"

May 10th - Carolina Blue Grass Boys June 14th - Barker Brothers June 18th - Kelley Family July 26th - Nations and Blackwell August 9th - Brandon Davenport

at the Peacock Playhouse 301 Church Street, Hayesville Info: 828.389.2787 May 17th - Mark Nizer May 30th - June 1st, June 6th - 8th “Godspell” July 26th "The Red Hot Sugar Babies" August 8th - 10th "Noises Off" at the John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown Info: 828.837.2775; 800.FOLKSCH May 6th and each Tuesday Beginner Contra & Square Dance Weekly Series May 9th - Firefly Concert May 10th, 24th June 7th, 21st / July 12th Contra & Square Dance May 16th ETSU Country Pride Concert May 23rd - Bob & Amy Buckingham May 25th Brasstown Concert Association Young Artists Concert Info: 828.389.4210 June 6th Lorraine and Bennett Hammond June 13th Fletcher Bright & the Dismembered Tennesseans June 20th Steve Hickman & John Devine June 28th Annual Gala & Benefit Auction July 12th Shape Note Singing MACON COUNTY, NC May 8th - 11th / July 23rd - 27th Highlands Road Gem Show Corner of Hwy. 441 & Highlands Road Info: 828.369.6341 continued

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Mountain Happenings

May 10th Airing of the Quilts Downtown Franklin Info: www.maconcountyquilttrail.com May 10th Franklin Garden Club Plant Sale Clock Tower Downtown Franklin Info: 866.372.5546 May 10th American Girl Tea Party Cowee Baptist Church Franklin Info: 828.369.5544; 828,586.8969 June 5th - 8th Highlands Motoring Fest Highlands Rec Park & Civic Center Info: 866.526.5841 June 6th Macon TRACS 7th Annual Rummage Sale Macon County Fairgrounds Franklin Info: 828.369.8975 June 12th - 15th The Taste of Scotland Celtic Festival Downtown Franklin Info: www.tasteofscotlandfestival.org

June 21st and each Saturday through September Highlands Farmers Market Kelsey-Hutchinson Park Info: 828.347.2165

June 14th - 15th August 23rd - 24th Village Square Art & Craft Show Pine Street Park, Highlands Info: 828.526.9227 June 28th - 29th Mountain Artisans Summertime Show WCU Ramsey Center Info: 828.524.3405 mountainartisans.net July 4th 4th of July Parade and Celebration Downtown Franklin Info: 828.524.2516 ext. 304 July 4th 4th of July Fireworks in the Park Macon County Recreation Park Franklin Info: 1.866.372.5546 July 4th July 4th Fireworks Highlands Info: 866.526.5841

July 19th 9th Annual Franklin Folk Festival Downtown Franklin Info: www.Franklinfolkfestival.com

June 21st Concert - Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper

July 24th - 27th 49th Annual Macon County Gemboree Macon County Community Building Franklin Info: 828.524.3161; 800.336.7829

August 16th 2nd Annual Cowee School Celebration

August 8th 6th Annual Mountain High BBQ Festival and Car Show Macon County Fairgrounds Franklin Info: 828.524.3161 www.MountainHighBBQFestival.com at the Historic Cowee School Macon Heritage Center Franklin Info: 828.349.1945 May 10th Concert - Red June

at the Highlands Playhouse Highlands Info: 828.526.2695 June 12th - 29th "Little Shop of Horrors" July 3rd - 20th "Pippin" July 24th - August 16th "9 To 5" Friday Night Live Town Square, Highlands Info: 866.526.5841 June 13th / July 4th / August 15th Johnny Webb Band

May 13th and each Tuesday Cowee Farmers' Market Info: 828.524.8369

www.cabinandcove.com

July 26th Concert - Frank Solivan & Kirty Kitchen

June 20th / July 18th Southern Highlands

Spring/Summer 2014

June 27th / July 25th / August 29th Mountain High Dulcimer Group July 11th / August 1st, 22nd Macon Grass Band August 8th Fred Kopp Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival Info: 828.526.9060 July 5th - 6th David and Julie Coucheron July 11th - 12th Edward Arron July 18th - 19th Jazz Meets Classics August 1st - 3rd Tim Fain August 10th Vega String Quartet at the Highlands Botanical Gardens Highlands Info: 828.526.0188 June 2nd, 9th, 16th, 20th, 23rd July 7th, 11th, 18th August 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th Botanical Garden Tours June 4th, 18th / July 2nd, 16th August 6th, 20th Volunteer in the Garden June 16th - 18th / July 23rd Botanical Garden Workshops June 27th Nature By Night Info: 828.526.2623 Saturday On Pine Kelsey-Hutchinson Park Highlands Info: 866.526.5841 June 21st - Caribbean Cowboys June 28th - Jerry's Bones July 5th - Shane Bridges July 12th - Hobohemians July 19th - Telico July 26th - Ben Sutton Band

at the Highlands Nature Center Highlands Info: 828.526.2623 May 26th - August 16th Nature Center Weekly Programs Mondays - Botanical Garden Tours Tuesdays - Family Nature Activity Wednesdays - Storybook Science Programs Thursdays - Zahner Lectures Fridays - Animal Feeding Time Saturdays - Featured Creature June 3rd - 6th / July 8th - 11th August 5th - 8th WOW! A World of Wonder (ages 4-6) June 10th - 13th / July 15th - 18th Nature Works (ages 10-13) June 12th Owl Prowl June 17th - 20th Junior Ecologists (ages 11-14) June 24th - 27th, July 29th - August 1st Amazing Animals (ages 7-10) July 11th 11th Annual Salamander Meander July 22nd - 25th Mountain Explorers (ages 10-13) August 1st Snakes of the Highlands Region at the Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center Highlands Info: 828.526.8084 May 10th MET Opera Cenertola by Rossini May 22nd - 25th, May 29th - June 1st “Mama Won’t Fly” at the Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts Franklin Info: 866.273.4615; 828.524.1598 www.GreatMountainMusic.com May 17th - “Mercy Me” June 6th - Loretta Lynn June 13th - 38 Special June 27th - July 6th "Oklahoma!" July 26th - Travis Tritt August 1st - Gimme Abbey August 15th - Dailey & Vincent

Enjoy Summertime at the Lake!

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF THE LAKE BURTON FUN RUN! “Bringing friends and families together for fitness Since 1984”

ake Burton Fun Run was started in 1984 by founder Robert Nichols and is dedicated to serving local residents with an event that offers good, clean, safe, fitness and fun. Open to all runners, joggers, and walkers. In 1998 the course became certified by USA Track and Field, making the Lake Burton Fun Run a world class event. In 2010, the board of directors decided to become members of the Road Runners Club of America to continue to meet professional standards. The local chapter is named the Lake Burton Road Runners Club, Inc. a non-profit organization of which the Lake Burton Fun Run is the sole event. The board of directors of the Lake Burton Fun Run would like to invite you to come enjoy this year’s 30th annual event on Saturday July 5th beginning at 9:00 AM. Participants should be ready to line up at 8:15 AM. This year’s race is a themed event and everyone is invited to wear their favorite Lake Burton Fun Run t-shirt from the past.

They have an exciting day planned to raise funds for the three Lake Burton fire departments, Rabun County Emergency Services and the Rabun County Sheriff’s K-9 program. The Fun Run starts at Moccasin Creek State Park and ends at LaPrade’s Marina with collector t-shirts, refreshments, awards, and festivities for the whole family. The run is limited to the first 1,000 registered runners so register EARLY! No registrations on race day. For additional information please visit www. lakeburtonfunrun.com. Come join the fun! Fun Run Week Events Duck Tape Regatta: Race Start Time 5 pm, Friday July 4th Build Time (11:30 AM - 3:30 PM) Judging Time (4 - 4:30 PM) Lake Burton Fun Run: Start Time 9 AM Saturday, July 5th Line up (8:15 AM) Lake Burton Fireworks: Show Time 9:30 PM, Saturday July 5th Be on site (9 PM)

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

RABUN RAmBLE FUNdS LOCAL CHARITIES Lake Rabun Association Helps Rabun County

he eighth annual Rabun Ramble Road Race is now scheduled for Saturday, July 5, 2014 at 7:30 am. The combination 5K (3.1 miles) and 10K (6.2 miles) race starts at the Lake Rabun Pavilion near Hall’s Marina on Lake Rabun Road in Lakemont, GA. The race began nine years ago with an idea of a few runners winding their way on the shores of Lake Rabun on July 4 weekend. The first year yielded over 275 runners and this coming year they’re expecting 800. The race is now officially part of the Lake Rabun

the Fund has helped 90 Rabun County high school seniors attend college. Scholarship recipients receive $2,000 toward tuition bills or other costs each year for all four years of college. They are chosen based on academic performance and financial need from Rabun County High School, and more recently, the Rabun Gap Nacoochee School. Last year race director Sandy O’Brien handed over a $16,000 check to the Lake Rabun Foundation. Those funds helped six students foot the bills at the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Geor-

Association’s Fourth of July’s activities. Proceeds go to the Lake Rabun Foundation, which helps fund many local charities including F.A.I.T.H., the Rabun County Library and the Lakemont-Wiley Volunteer Fire Department. But the lion’s share of the LRA Foundation money goes to the Lake Rabun Fund Scholarship Program. Since its inception in 1987,

gia State, Emory, Young Harris and many more. “Each year the added money from the race should make it possible to help out some other deserving Rabun County students,” says O’Brien, “and the runners have a blast. Talk about a win-win situation.” Applications are available on line at www.rabunramble.com OR at the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce.

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

How About a Dip? by Scarlett Cook

he warm days of summer are here and it seems like everyone wants to come and visit. After the long cold days of winter when even if the bears didn’t hibernate but the humans did, it is indeed time to visit old friends and make new ones. And how better to do that than have a pre-dinner get-together on your porch, patio or boat house. After some nibbles and a cool drink, then you and your guests are off to dinner and you didn’t even have to clean your house! Easy Ranch Dip

Pesto & Cream Cheese Dip

1 Cup cottage cheese 2 Tablespoons milk 1/2 Cup plain yogurt 1 Tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 Teaspoon chopped fresh parsley 1/8 Teaspoon onion powder 1/8 Teaspoon garlic powder Put cottage cheese and milk in blender and process until smooth. Fold in yogurt and remaining ingredients. Pour into serving bowl and cover. Chill until ready to serve – at least two hours. Serve with any or all of the following: baby carrots, julienned zucchini & yellow squash, radishes, cherry tomatoes broccoli florets or red, green, yellow or orange pepper strips.

2 8-Ounce packages cream cheese, softened 1 Cup chopped fresh parsley 3/4 Cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 Cup chopped pine nuts (or pecans) 2 Cloves of garlic, minced 1 Tablespoon dried basil 1/4 Teaspoon salt 1/8 Teaspoon pepper 1/3 Cup vegetable oil 1 Tablespoons margarine, melted 2 Tablespoons boiling water Shape cream cheese into 5 1/2 inch circle on a serving plate. Combine rest of the ingredients and mix well. Spoon over cream cheese. Cover and chill at least 2 hours. Serve with crackers.

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

Bleu Cheese Spread

Sundried Tomato & Cheese Spread 1 8-Ounce package cream cheese, softened 1/4 Cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 Cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 Cup drained, oil-packed sundried tomatoes 2 Tablespoons oil from sundried tomatoes 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried basil) Place all ingredients in blender and process until smooth. Transfer spread into serving bowl; cover and chill at least 4 hours. Let spread come to room temperature and serve with crackers.

1/2 (8-Ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/3 Cup crumbled bleu cheese 1/3 Cup plain yogurt 1/4 Cup chopped pecans, toasted 2 Tablespoons minced chives Combine all ingredients stirring well to mix. Serve on crackers or toasted French bread slices.

Fruit Dip 1 8-Ounce package of cream cheese, softened 1 Jar marshmallow crĂ¨me 1/2 Teaspoon vanilla extract

Chunky Salsa 1 Small can chopped black olives, drained well 1 Small can chopped green chilies, drained well 1 Large tomato, finely chopped 1 Bunch green onions, finely chopped 2/3 Cup rice vinegar 1/3 Cup vegetable oil 1 Tablespoon sugar 1/2 Teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 Teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Serve with assorted cut up fruits and/or shortbread cookies.

Combine olives, chilies, tomato and green onions in a bowl. Combine vinegar, oil, sugar, garlic powder and pepper in and jar (make sure lid is secure!) and shake vigorously. Pour dressing over vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. To serve: drain salsa and serve with tortilla chips.

Vegetable Relish 2 Tomatoes, peeled and diced 1 Green pepper, diced 1 Medium onion, chopped 3 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley 1/4 Teaspoon black pepper 3 Tablespoons olive oil 2 Tablespoons tarragon vinegar 2 Tablespoons pine nuts or walnuts, toasted Combine all ingredients except nuts and stir well. Stir in nuts; cover and chill at least 2 hours. Serve with assorted crackers or pita chips.

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Refreshing Watermelon

Delicious dishes for every mealtime

atermelon conjures images of warm weather days, refreshing sweetness and the delightful dribble of sticky juice trickling down your chin. Though it is, indeed, a delicious seasonal snack, watermelon is a healthy treat that can be enjoyed year-round and all day long, too. These recipes show how easily nutrient-rich watermelon can be incorporated into meals throughout the day, starting with a morning breakfast on the go. Variations on traditional sandwiches, salads and slaws give you more opportunities to explore how watermelon pairs with some of your other favorite dishes. For these and other recipes featuring the distinctly crisp flavor of watermelon, visit www.watermelon.org

Greek Pita Flatbread with Watermelon Servings: 4 4 wedges seedless watermelon, cut into bite-size pieces 1 cup chicken, cooked and diced 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt 1 dash cayenne pepper 2 pieces whole pita bread, halved 1/4 cup prepared spreadable herb cheese 4 large lettuce leaves Place sliced watermelon on paper towels to remove excess liquid. Mix chicken, cilantro, yogurt, garlic salt and cayenne pepper. Spread inside surfaces of pita bread halves with herbed cheese and fill each with about 1/4 cup chicken mixture. Top with watermelon and lettuce before serving.

In tall glass or to-go container, layer ingredients as follows: half each of granola, watermelon and yogurt. Repeat to create two of each layer. Watermelon Rind, Carrot and Pineapple Slaw

Breakfast a Go-Go Servings: 1

1/3 cup low fat granola 3/4 cup de-seeded watermelon chunks 5 ounces low-fat banana yogurt

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

heat until reduced to about 3 tablespoons and liquid is a thick syrup. Set aside. When cool, add remaining dressing ingredients. Whip; set aside for flavors to blend. Place watermelon on paper towel to absorb excess fluid. Place spinach in large serving bowl. Top with onion, watermelon, raspberries and pomegranate seeds. Divide onto four salad plates and drizzle with dressing.

While half of some fruits are tossed when you throw away the seeds or the peel, all of the watermelon can be used. Save your rinds and make this yummy slaw. Besides, the rind is packed with citrulline and arginine, two compounds that aid in healthy blood flow. Dressing 1/4 cup fat-free, plain Greek yogurt 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream 1 1/2 tablespoons stone-ground mustard 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon poppy seeds 2 teaspoons olive oil salt and pepper to taste Slaw 4 cups grated watermelon rind with fruit and green peel removed 1 cup grated carrot 1 1/2 cups diced fresh pineapple In small bowl, blend together dressing ingredients thoroughly. Set aside. Place watermelon rind on several layers of paper towels to soak up excess fluid. In medium-sized bowl, place dressing, rind, carrot and pineapple and toss to thoroughly coat.

Watermelon Pomegranate Toss Salad Dressing 1 cup pomegranate juice 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 1/2 tablespoons orange zest 1 tablespoon agave syrup 1 small shallot, minced 1/8 teaspoon stone-ground mustard 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil dash of salt and pepper, to taste Salad 8 cups baby spinach (one 6-ounce bag) 3/4 cup diced red onion 2 cups diced watermelon 6 ounces fresh raspberries 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds Simmer juice in small saucepan over medium-high

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Mountain Wineries

n the 1800’s the Georgia Mountains were dotted with many vineyards and wineries in a golden age of little regulation and no taxation. This era continued through the turn of the century when Georgia ranked sixth in the country among grape growing states with almost 3,000 acres of vineyards producing nearly a million gallons of wine annually. Georgia’s wine industry was closed in 1907 when the state adopted full alcohol prohibition destroying a generation of winemaking traditions brought by European immigrants to America. An unintended result was the establishment of a thriving moonshine industry. Georgia “moonshiners” became folk heroes who beat the system by literally outracing the law. Their driving skills led to stock car racing, then to NASCAR which today draws Georgia spectators second only to football. Now North Georgia is again dotted with vineyards and wineries. Georgia’s wine renaissance began in the early 1980’s when Georgia wine pioneer Tom Slick planted European vinifera grape vines to start a mountain winery. He was instrumental in the passage of the Georgia Farm Winery Bill in the winter of 1983, but it wasn’t until after his first harvest that fall that he discovered he couldn’t legally make wine from his grapes until a local enabling ordinance was passed. Being resourceful, Tom stored his newly picked grapes in a refrigerated truck for six weeks until Habersham Vineyards & Winery finally obtained a farm winery license and bottled its first wines in Baldwin in the fall of 1983. Today it produces more than 15,000 cases of wine annually. It is one of Georgia’s largest wineries and is the most visited winery in the state.

More than a decade later in 1999 my husband Bill and his partner John Ezzard founded Rabun County’s Tiger Mountain Vineyards. Their first wines were released in the fall of 2000. Tiger Mountain was soon followed by a number of wineries which opened in the Dahlonega area: Frogtown Cellars, Three Sisters Vineyards, Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Montaluce Estates. During this same time period, Eric Seifarth planted wine grapes on his farm outside of Young Harris and produced Crane Creek’s first wine in 2001. Since those early days, Georgia vineyards and wineries have continued to grow. Many of the earlier wineries have added new tasting rooms, restaurants, guest cottages and additional facilities. In the past year Stonewall Creek Vineyards and 12 Spies Vineyards have opened in Rabun County. The Helen/Sautee Nacoochee area now includes Serenity Cellars, Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards and Yonah Mountain Vineyards as well as The Cottage Vineyard near Cleveland. Cavendar Creek Vineyards opened three years ago near Dahlonega. Wine lovers can visit Hightower Creek Vineyards outside of Hiawassee before going to Odom Springs Vineyard and Paradise Hills & Spa, both near Blairsville. To the south are Serenberry Vineyards near Blue Ridge, Cartecay Vineyards near Ellijay and Sharp Mountain Vineyards outside Jasper. On the other side of the mountains are Currahee Vineyards in Toccoa and Boutier Winery near Danielsville.

Chateau Elan, located in the foothills of the mountains, was another pioneering Georgia winery. Land near Braselton was purchased and planted by Dr. Don Panoz

Wine aficionados no longer need to travel to California or Europe for fun winery and vineyard experiences and

in 1982 and the winery opened in 1984. The 3,500 acre resort and estate winery is Georgia’s largest.

www.cabinandcove.com

great wine. What is particularly gratifying is that many of Georgia’s mountain wineries are making very good wine and winning medals in national and international competitions. In a rela-

Spring/Summer 2014

tively short time our winery pioneers have learned much about the growing and making of fine wine. The Georgia mountain wine industry has come a long way in the past thirty years and its growth and improvement are accelerating. The center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, a unit of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences of the University of Georgia, conducted a recent study highlighting the growth of Georgia’s wine industry. It shows the growing Georgia wine industry has made significant direct contributions to the state’s economy adding up to $81.6 million in product, $4.1 million in state and local tax revenue annually and creating 655 jobs for Georgians. Georgia’s mountain wineries have become veritable tourist magnets in the past thirty years and are now an important part of our visitors’ experience. People who come to visit the wineries also eat at local restaurants, purchase mountain crafts, stay at mountain inns, marry in the mountains and buy mountain homes. For a list of upcoming winery events go to www.georgiawine. com or to individual winery websites. Plan a trip and invite some friends who haven’t been exposed to the liquid delights of the Georgia mountains. They will get hooked. Leckie Stack – The Stack Farm - Tiger, GA

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Five Days to a Fitter, Healthier You

f kicking off a life-changing fitness and nutrition program seems daunting, try taking smaller steps to make it feel more manageable. Knowing just where to start can be the biggest hurdle, but once you’re on your way, you’ll find yourself on the path to new healthy habits before you know it. Breaking down a whole new lifestyle into week-by-week chunks will not only let you ease in gradually, but also allow you to make meaningful changes right from the start. Begin by charting out a week-long plan that will make you more conscious of how you approach important elements of your program including muscle toning, cardio and making nutritious food choices. Here’s a five-day schedule to get you started: Monday: Start the Week Strong – Kick off the week with a medicine ball workout, which is a great way to work various muscles all at once. Try using a medicine ball with exercises that you’re already familiar with, such as push-ups, lunges or squats, or look up demo videos online to learn some new ways to use the medicine ball. Tuesday: Turn it Up – Running is a great form of exercise, but it’s important to mix up your cardio workouts to help prevent injury and become stronger overall. Grab your friends and try a cardio-focused class, such as Zumba. Wednesday: Spruce Up Your Fruit – Working out is key to keeping fit, but so is maintaining a healthy diet. When shopping

for snacks, make smart choices that taste delicious, such as Dole Fruit in Jars, which provide five servings of all natural, fresh fruit. Try pairing with Daisy Cottage Cheese to spruce up your fruit for a tasty parfait. Simply combine Dole Sliced Peaches, Daisy Low Fat Cottage Cheese and sliced almonds in a small bowl, then drizzle with honey and enjoy. Thursday: Multi-task – Just because you’re catching up on your favorite TV show doesn’t mean you can’t work out. Clear some space between the couch and TV so you can watch while you do push-ups, crunches, jumping jacks and squats. For extra motivation, leave your fitness tools near the television as a daily reminder. Friday: Give Yourself a Star – Gold stars aren’t just for classrooms. At the end of the week, mark each day that you exercised with a star on your calendar. Whether you went for a run, hit the gym or went for a walk with friends, the calendar will be a visual reminder of how often you’ve been working out, and will encourage you to keep going. Remember, setting a long-term goal, such as running a marathon or dropping two dress sizes, can help keep you motivated over time, but also remember to celebrate your first mile run or your first five-pound loss. Keep tackling your new program one week at a time, and your goals will easily become reality. Visit www.dole.com for additional snacking ideas to get you on your way to a healthier you.

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

Health Professionals

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

Ten Questions with US Congressman doug Collins by david miller

orn in Gainesville Georgia where he maintains his residence with his wife Lisa and three children Jordan, Copelan and Cameron, Doug graduated from North Hall High School after which he attended North Georgia College & State University earning a B.A. in Political Science and Criminal Law in 1988. He later attended the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Divinity in 1996 and he went on to earn his Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School in 2007. Doug worked as an intern for Georgia Congressman Ed Jenkins Doug where he learned the workings of government and later worked as a salesman, selling hazardous material safety products to Georgia’s state, and local governments. From 1994 to 2005, he was a senior pastor Chicopee Baptist Church and at the same he and wife Lisa owned and operated a scrapbooking retail store. Doug co-founded the Gainesville law firm Collins and Csider in 2010 in which he later sold his part. In the 1980’s Doug served two years in the US Navy and after 9/11 he joined the USAF Reserve Command where he presently serves as a Chaplain (Major). He also enlisted in the 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta Georgia and was deployed to Balad Air Base for five months in 2008, during the Iraq War. Cabin & Cove reached out to Doug with the intent of learning a more about his views on his life, and career as an elected politician. So join us now as we pose our Ten Questions with US Representative Doug Collins. Cabin & Cove: When did you know you wanted to become involved in Politics? Doug Collins: My father was a State Trooper and developed an interest in working with people. That was sort of a calling in my life. Politics was something that I enjoyed. I worked with local campaigns – I interned with my Congressman Ed Jenkins. It showed me the whole system and I learned a lot about how to help people. That was the roots. Going into politics was a kind of winding road. I pastored for 11 years. I was in business and later in my life God opened up the opportunity where I felt I could serve others in a political life. And after I left the church to go back to law school the opportunity came in the Georgia House and later in the US congress.

C&C: What was your first elected position? DC: I was on the school student council and things of that sort but my first political elected position was to the Georgia State General Assembly in 2006. C&C: Why did you run for office in the Georgia General Assembly? DC: There are three reasons why I ran for the Georgia General Assembly and for US Congress. They are my children Jordan, Copelan and Cameron. Not only are my children the reasons for me but they represent the reasons people want to see government be responsive and do the things they are supposed to do because we are really planning now for the future of our children. The things we are acting on now will affect them as they grow up. I wanted do what I could with a lot of the issues on both the state and national level to make sure that one day when my kids ask me, dad, what did you do to make things better?, I could say I did all that I could. Elected office was the way I felt I could make a difference. C&C: Who or what would you say had the most impact in your life to this point? DC: Following Jesus Christ is a life decision and for reason it’s impactful every day. It’s impossible to separate that deci-

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014

sion from everyday life. There are other things as well, such as watching my father do his job as a State Trooper – It had a great impact on me. some would make jokes about the police but I saw my father come home with blood stained clothes from being at the scene of an accident or dealing with a fight. Another impact was becoming a father as well as being a part of a church - walking with people through some of the best days of their lives as well as walking with people through some of the worst days of their lives. Also something that was very impactful was serving as a US chaplain at Balad Air Base in Iraq – seeing the American Flag, talking with and administering to sons and daughters who served this country so well – many that did not make the trip back home the way that came. Those are some of the impactful things that made and make a difference in my thinking each day. C&C: What would you say are your core values? DC: For me, I think from the core value standpoint it is honesty integrity and hopefulness. I think the base tendency is to get down or depressed about what’s happening around us but my values based on my faith, tell me that there is a reason for the day, there is hopefulness. A lot of times there is discouragement in being in public life but I very much am assured that there is hopefulness for every day. I also think that when you are honest with people and when you are trying to live a life of integrity that you say you’re sorry when you’re wrong. I think putting people first is inherent to serving others in public life. C&C: You served in the Georgia General Assembly for six years – what do you regard as your major achievements? DC: My biggest achievement was working on the Georgia Hope Scholarship Program which was going broke. It was forecast to go broke in 2013 – we worked on it and now have a scholarship program that allows folks to go to school in both technical programs and regents programs for many years to come. It was one of my hardest projects but was one of my prouder accomplishments. C&C: As a US Congressman what goals have you set? DC: I think you may call it a goal or it can be called a base principle but the premise is to put people before paper. That is that everything we do in this office – in the end – whether it be a piece of legislation that could be the budget, appropriations bill, farm policy or other legislating affects people and so what I try to influence in our staff both here in Washington and back in the district to understand. In the end, When the phone rings, or dealing with emails or dealing with issues we always need to remember at the end of the day it’s about mom’s and dad’s – son’s and daughter’s that get up every day and do the everyday things of life. Within all the goals we pursue, we have to remember it’s about people. C&C: What advice would you give to someone entering elective politics? DC: I would tell them to have two things. They need to have continued...

Spring/Summer 2014

www.cabinandcove.com

doug Collins alligator skin and a tender heart. They should never confuse the two. Many times I find that folks who run for office develop pretty good alligator skin for answering questions but they let it go over their heart and they develop alligator skin there as well. You’ll never serve the public when you let your heart become callas your heart won’t be broken and I believe that anything that’s worth doing, your heart will be broken. But when you have that kind of an attitude then you’ll be able to listen to people and understand even when they disagree with you – you will know where they are coming from. But you have to have pretty thick skin too because this is an occupation, or calling that will test you. So the two things you need to have to be elected is alligator skin along with a tender heart. C&C: What do you regard as your mission in your first-term US Congressman? DC: We’ve had a couple of bills that have passed and the set the example of what we are looking to do. The bills that passed have to do with jobs and the economy one of the things we’ve heard from our businesses is the issue with regulations. One bill is called Sue and Settle which takes a look at the regulations coming out of the EPA and goes to consent decrees process. It sounds more complicated than it is and basically says that we want fairness for to business not to be bound by consent decrees that they had no input into. We are proud that its passed the house and sent to the Senate. We have also passed a bill that makes a statement on our priority for the nation of Israel and our allies in the Middle East. It’s called the Israeli QME (Qualitative Military Edge) which actually passed with large bi-partisan participation 399-0. C&C: If you could speak to anyone living or not, who would it be? DC: General George S. Patton. I love to read military stories and Patton fascinates me. Ever since the movie with George C. Scott and I began reading about him, for me he is really fascinating. I will always have my faith and one day I will sit down for eternity with Christ but for a military historic person, Patton is someone I’d like to speak with.

www.cabinandcove.com

Spring/Summer 2014