Northeast Georgia Living • Fall 2016

Vol. 17 No. 3 • Display until Nov. 30, 2016

NORTHEAST GEORGIA VIEWS

What will you have?

Melissa Herndon Publisher/Chairman/Editor-In-Chief

◆ DESIGN & PRODUCTION

My first memory of eating barbecue is of eating at a place in eastern North Carolina called Lewis’ Barbecue. All the locals to this day refer to it as “Rooster’s.” How one gets barbecue out of a rooster I’ll never know, and it boggles my mind to even try to figure it out. My early barbecue dining experiences there consisted of walking into the restaurant, being told to take a seat and picking up the menu that was nudged between the napkin holder and salt and pepper shakers. The choice was between small or large barbecue plates served with french fries or potato salad, cole slaw and hushpuppies. There were a few other short order items available, but the main dish was barbecue. ◆ I can remember sitting at the table and hearing a slow shuffling sound

Happy Trails,

Melissa Herndon

2 Northeast Georgia Living

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Scott Goodwin ADVERTISING DESIGN

A.W. Blalock Brenda Ritchey CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

A.W. Blalock Lindsey Brackett Mollie Herndon Pamela A. Keene Sydnah Kingrea Sara Powell William D. Powell M.J. Sullivan Melissa Tufts CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Josh England Pamela A. Keene Sydnah Kingrea Roman Pietrs William D. Powell Phil Pyle M.J. Sullivan ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Mollie Herndon CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

Mollie Herndon DIRECTOR OF DISTRIBUTION Photo of Melissa Herndon by Mark Herndon; Gumlog Barbecue by Melissa Herndon

coming toward me. I looked up, and there stood a grey-haired, brown-eyed man wearing a full-length white bib apron. He simply looked at me and said, “What will you have?” I told him, and he took the other orders and shuffled back to the kitchen. I came to know him as Leonard, and he took my order from the time I was a small child until I was in college. His demeanor was always the same, as was the taste of the barbecue, which was reliably good. ◆ I grew to love that place, and to this day when visiting North Carolina, I like to go in to enjoy a plate of barbecue along with homemade potato salad, slaw and the best hushpuppies in the world! Leonard has long left this world, but I still have my memories of him and his shuffling swagger. ◆ Moving to Georgia in 1984, a new world of barbecue served in a whole new way opened to me. It took some getting used to ... changing out potato salad for potato chips and hot hushpuppies for loaf bread. The slaw stayed the same, but a new surprise was the stew that came along with the barbecue plate. I have grown to enjoy the Georgia barbecue experience, and in this issue we would like to introduce you to some of our favorite barbecue joints on the Barbecue Trail. What I discovered in Georgia was that barbecue has many forms ... chopped or pulled meat, brisket, ribs, chicken and on it goes. So, now that your mouth is watering, hit the trail and find your new favorite joint while enjoying fall in beautiful Northeast Georgia!

Thanks for sharing your time with us.

A.W. Blalock

Mollie Herndon SOCIAL MEDIA

Sydnah Kingrea

◆ We invite you to share your views on Northeast Georgia Living. Please mail your comments to P.O. Box 270, Franklin Springs, GA 30639, or email us at negaliving@yahoo.com.

Visit us at facebook.com/ NortheastGeorgiaLivingMagazine.

Northeast Georgia Living, ISSN 1545-5769, is published quarterly in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter by Marketing & Media Resources at 454 College Street, Royston, GA 30662. 706-246-0856.

Subscription price is $14.00 annually.

USPS Number 021-578 at Royston, GA 30662.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Northeast Georgia Living Magazine, P. O. Box 270, Franklin Springs, GA 30639-0270. The cover and contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Reader correspondence and editorial submissions are welcome. However, we reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all contributed material.

www.NortheastGeorgiaLiving.com

LETTERS I RECEIVED MY SUMMER 2016 issue of Northeast Georgia Living today and was delighted with the Made in Georgia article [“Summer Favorites: Southern Wind Artwear”]. Thank you so much for including me and featuring the shirts. That was very kind of you and nice to be shown beside Mollie Herndon’s Bangles By Mollie. Her jewelry is beautiful and I am anxious to see the whole collection.

We are opening a gallery in Hartwell with my t-shirts, paintings and interior design studio. We’ll be sure to include you with an invitation for the grand opening later this summer.

Thank you again for your kindness.

I am quite honored.

Debra Taylor Hartwell, GA

BACK ISSUES CATCH UP ON Northeast Georgia. Back issues of Northeast Georgia Living for Fall/Winter 2000 through Summer 2016 are available in limited quantities for $5 per copy. (Sorry, Spring/Summer 2002 is no longer available.) Send your name and mailing address along with a check or money order payable to Northeast Georgia Living, P.O. Box 270, Franklin Springs, GA 30639. Please specify the issue(s) and quantities desired.

SUBSCRIPTIONS BRING NORTHEAST GEORGIA home! A one-year subscription of four issues – Spring, Summer, Fall and Holiday/ Winter – is only $14, and GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS are only $12.

To subscribe, visit Northeast GeorgiaLiving.com or call 706-246-0856 today.

4 Northeast Georgia Living

In This Issue

55

48

52

Arts: Quilters From the Hart

38

QUILTING IS THE ART of stitching together pieces of fabric, but the folks who enjoy the art do something special. Members of Hartwell’s Quilters From the Hart guild gather to make quilts for themselves, their family members, friends and various charity causes. By Sara Powell

Trails: BBQ

LET’S GO GET SOME barbecue on our trail to some old, some new, and some tried and true joints in Northeast Georgia. I guarantee, you’ll leave each one debating the methods and sauces. What you won’t debate is that in Northeast Georgia’s “ring of fire” you’ll find the joint that is your personal favorite and by which all other barbecue will be measured. By A.W. Blalock

60 FLY FISHING ON THE SOQUE RIVER

Fall Tablescapes

55

WINDING ALONGSIDE THE PICTURESQUE route of scenic Highway 197 is the Soque River, rimmed by beautiful mountain foliage. Recently, the stream has emerged among fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts as one of the best trophy trout streams in the Southeast – and perhaps the world. By Lindsey Brackett

PREPARING FRESH MOUNTAIN TROUT 60 MOUNTAIN TROUT IS A surprisingly versatile entrée option. From a simple grilled recipe to something a little more exotic, you will be pleased to find out how tasty trout can be. So enjoy each and every one of our fresh mountain trout recipes during this autumn season.

By Sydnah Kingrea

6 Northeast Georgia Living

48

52

THE HARVEST SEASON BRINGS to mind thoughts of brightly colored falling leaves, spiced cider, pumpkin pie and the holidays to come. If you plan to host gatherings in your home during the coming months, or if you just want to boost the autumn spirit, you may benefit from our fall tablescape inspirations. By Sydnah Kingrea

48

RESTORATION WARRIORS 44

NOSTALGIA MAKES OWNING AND driving a car from yesteryear appeal to many. Having a car from the past is a way to remember, and in a sense relive, happy times gone by. While there are occasionally some nicely restored cars available to buy, in most instances the enthusiast finds one that needs restoration, requiring skills that most owners do not have. But these restoration warriors have the passion and the skill to bring old cars and trucks “back to the good life.” By William D. Powell

DEPARTMENTS Made in Georgia Fall Favorites

8

ENJOY OUR SHOWCASE OF wonderfully crafted food, art and more created in Georgia. This issue features Adcock Pecans, Hughes Sorghum Syrup Mill and Hunter Cattle Company. By Mollie Herndon

10

Spotlight Northeast Georgia Fall Hits

CHECK OUT OUR TOP picks for festivals, food, art, music, performances and fall fun in Northeast Georgia. By Mollie Herndon

Gardening Plums for the Georgia Piedmont

10

14

YOU KNOW IT’S BEEN a good plum season when you find yourself in the kitchen at midnight eating a dozen plums just so they don’t have to go into the compost bin. Fall is the time to plant these fruit tree seedlings. By M.C. Tufts

Antiques Unearthing Buried Treasure

16

AFTER SEARCHING FOR BURIED treasure for over 45 years, Joe Malcom considers himself seriously addicted. He has amassed a colorful collection of thousands of old bottles. By M.J. Sullivan

Vines The Organic Wine Grape Experiment

18

ORGANIC PROTOCALS ARE USED to grow experimental rows of Norton grapes at Tiger Mountain Vineyards, where co-owner Martha Ezzard lends her name to the bottles of this dark red wine. By M.J. Sullivan

Books Broad River User’s Guide

16

20

PART OF GEORGIA RIVER Network’s series of guidebooks, Joe Cook’s new book, published by the University of Georgia Press this year, provides residents and visitors alike a superb reference for this last undammed Piedmont river. By Melissa Tufts

Destination Sevierville, Tennessee

22

TO ENJOY THE BEAUTY of the Great Smoky Mountains a bit away from the big crowds, put Sevierville on your radar this autumn. Known as the hometown of Dolly Parton, Sevierville has a world of offerings to enjoy while avoiding the crowds. By Pamela A. Keene

Let’s Go Somewhere Today Day Trip

26

AWESOME ALPHARETTA. By Pamela A. Keene

Let’s Go Somewhere Today Events

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28

FALL EVENTS INCLUDE CRUISE-INS, festivals, fairs and food. By Mollie Herndon

Music Ethan Crump

42

AMERICANA AND TRADITIONAL COUNTRY music is what Hartwell’s Ethan Crump writes and sings. “I’m going where my music leads me.” By William D. Powell

Reflections ... on a season to build memories

64

FROM A CHILD’S PERSPECTIVE, the foothills of Northeast Georgia were like peaks, and I was on an excursion to the “cold” mountains from the flats of Florida. Though it was not yet my home, I always felt like I was going home. By Sydnah Kingrea

Cover Notes PHOTOGRAPH BY WILLIAM D. POWELL STYLING BY BOB McCONNELL

64 Fall 2016 7

MADE IN GEORGIA

BY MOLLIE HERNDON

fall

favorites

Georgia has an abundance of human and natural resources. Here are a few of our favorite examples of entrepreneurship that result in products you will want to become familiar with this fall.

Adcock Pecans

Adcock Pecans is your destination for outstanding, truly Southern nuts and sweets.

Based out of Tifton, Ga., this company offers the finest pecans, peanuts and candies the state has to offer. Among their great products is one particularly delectable item – the praline pecans. These are not your average candied pecans; each pecan tastes like a mini praline, just like grandma used to make! You’ll want to get your hands on bag after bag of these tasty treats. You can purchase these along with countless other goodies on their website, www.adcockpecans.com.

Hunter Cattle Company

Nestled in small-town Brooklet, Ga., Hunter Cattle Company is a family-owned company devoted to the production of grass-fed, antibiotic- and hormone-free meats. The Hunter family opened their farm hoping to create a self-sustaining operation free of over-processed and industrialized food. The farm soon grew to attract neighbors and friends and has now become a full-fledged meat company!

Their fresh products include “Hot Georgia Night” sausage, grass-fed beef brisket, Boston butt, filet mignon and so much more. For further information on these meats, please visit www.huntercattle.com.

You won’t find better syrup than at Hughes Sorghum Syrup Mill, located in scenic Young Harris, Ga. This family-owned business prides itself on producing high-quality syrups on a small neighborhood farm. Owners Olin and Lois Hughes have been creating syrup for over 50 years! You won’t find their products in stores or online, which makes them a great Northeast Georgia destination for a day trip in the mountains. Locals and city dwellers alike indulge in this Southern delight every chance they get. For further information on these syrups and how to purchase, please call 706-400-8420.

8 Northeast Georgia Living

Special Photos

Hughes Sorghum Syrup Mill

SPOTLIGHT NORTHEAST GEORGIA

fall

hits

Gifts & Prayers: The Romanovs & Their Subjects

Through December 31, 2016 This exhibit at the Georgia Museum of Art in Athens features never-before-seen artifacts from the royal Romanov family of Russia. Reigning for over 300 years, the Romanovs were the second dynasty to rule over Russia. Some artifacts include the personal cigar box of Alexander II, jewelry worn by ladies of the royal

BY MOLLIE HERNDON

29th Annual Big Red Apple Festival

October 8, 2016 This annual event in downtown Cornelia attracts festivalgoers from all over the state! Bring the whole family for a day of fun that will include live music, a cake walk, games, food vendors and more. Be sure not to miss out on the classic car show or mountain hayrides! This exciting festival, which runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., is most definitely worth the day trip. For further information on this event, please visit www.corneliageorgia.org.

Sky Valley Fall Fest

October 22, 2016 What’s better than a classic fall festival in the scenic Northeast Georgia mountains? Make a trip up to Sky Valley for the 3rd Annual Sky Valley Fall Fest, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Sky Valley Pavilion. Enjoy great food, live music, arts, crafts and more! Bring your furry friends for a “HOWL-O-Ween” costume contest as well. For further information on this event, please visit www.skyvalleyga.com.

Christmas Tree Lighting & Visit With Santa

Cigar box with enamel miniatures celebrating the coronation of Alexander II

10 Northeast Georgia Living

Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas

November 25-December 1, 2016 Downtown Dahlonega will be your source for fun holiday events this fall with their “Old Fashioned Christmas.” Festivities include extended shopping hours at your favorite downtown shops, horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas music, trolley rides and more! The square will be decorated gorgeously for the holiday season. For further information, please visit www.dahlonega.org.

Special Photos

court, medals, badges and more. The exhibit provides an opportunity to have a truly unique encounter with the rich history of a fascinating culture! For further information on this event, please visit www.georgiamuseum.org.

November 22, 2016 Celebrate the holiday season at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. in beautiful downtown Hartwell! Watch the tree light up while the little ones visit with Santa, or knock out some holiday shopping at the many downtown shops. This festive event is sure to get anyone excited for the holidays! For further information on this event, please visit www.hartwellmainstreet.com.

Garden

Gateways Take this autumn walk into the forests of Northeast Georgia from the lodge at Brigadoon, where world-class fly fishing awaits on the beautiful Soque River.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROMAN PIETRS

GARDEN

BY M.C. TUFTS

Plums for the Georgia Piedmont

Y

ou know it’s been a good plum season when you find yourself in the kitchen at midnight eating a dozen plums just so they don’t have to go into the compost bin. This happened the last day of harvesting our bonanza plum jubilee this past summer. We had over 100 pounds of small, succulent Satsuma plums in buckets all over the kitchen and dog trot getting riper by the minute in the scorching summer heat. We found room for most of them in the two refrigerators at the farm but just couldn’t let go of those last overripe dripping-sweet purple plums; they would have fermented by morning. And so we risked yet another bellyache from too much goodness.

It’s impossible to know what causes such huge fruit production in a given year.

Were the winter rains last year just the ticket? Was the pruning we did in January worth the effort? Were the pollinating bees especially happy with the timing? Did planting native plum trees near the orchard a few years ago finally pay off in dramatic cross-pollination? Or were the eight-year-old trees we nursed through years of drought just finally giving up and putting out as much fruit as possible in a last ditch effort at procreation?

We’ll never know, but what we do know is that 2016 was “quite a year for plums,” as we walked around saying to anyone who would listen to us throughout the month of July, as more and more plums started maturing. (At one point we parked a wheelbarrow under one of the trees just to catch the falling fruits.) And what about the intensity of the flavors? Perhaps the dry May and June was just what the plums wanted to become concentrated little bombs of flavor.

A few years back, we planted about a dozen Chickasaw plum tree seedlings at 14 Northeast Georgia Living

the drip edge of our huge post oak, about 30 feet from the garden. These small native plum trees naturally grow at the edges of woods and fields and along fence lines. So we mimicked that by planting them within 30 feet of the domestic plum trees we had placed in rows several years ago, hoping a healthy relationship would develop between “natives” and “immigrants.” Santa Rosa, Methley, Damson and Satsuma plums have all done well on our Madison County farm, where we use no pesticides or other petroleum-based products.

While many people complain that fruit trees are too much trouble and need lots of attention, our experience has been the opposite. We have pruned them three times in eight years and only watered them in the first few years, which were drought-ridden. Since 2013, we have done nothing but one light pruning. The only fertilizer we have added around them is a few wheelbarrow loads of horse manure, which we applied in winter, and which we allowed to break down naturally.

We get most of the common enemies of fruit trees (wind-borne fungi and bacteria, Japanese beetles, etc.), but our trees manage to withstand attacks. The one problem we have had is the common fungus that emerges when fruits are touching each other as they mature. We do our best to remove tight clusters of fruit and let one or two single fruits grow to maturity.

While this hands-off method of growing plums may mean a major collapse of the orchard in the coming years, we can honestly say that in 2016 we could not have

had one more plum. Now we are enjoying plum jam and tarts, the perfect companion to an autumn supper of greens, brown rice and the purple hull peas we shelled on the porch last summer while the plums ripened in the buckets all over the house.

Fall is the time to plant fruit tree seedlings. If you mix the different kinds of plum trees we suggest, you will have plums over a 10-week period. We recommend the following: Chickasaw native plums These are small and popular with birds. They mature in June. Because they have large seeds, they are best enjoyed when you are out on a walk. They serve the natural system well, attracting top-notch pollinators, like birds and honey bees.

Santa Rosa Santa Rosa plums are a large oval purplish-red variety that tends to be firm. They can be both sweet and tart at the same time. Santa Rosa is self-fertile and ripens in mid-June.

Damson Damson plums are not common in grocery stores, but they are delicious.

The fruits are round to oblong in shape and have smooth, shiny, deep purple skin.

The firm yellow flesh has a spicy, tart flavor. Damson plums are great for cooking or for making jam or wine.

Methley Methley plums mature in June and have deep reddish-purple skin and streaked flesh. The tree is a self-fertile Japanese variety. Very flavorful.

Satsuma This is our favorite of the domesticated plums. It is a large Japanese variety with dark, solid red skin and dark red flesh. The fruit is firm and juicy and gets more intense the longer it ripens. The Satsuma plum needs a pollinator to produce heavy crops, which come in late July in our area. ◆

ANTIQUES STORY AND PHOTOS BY M.J. SULLIVAN

Unearthing Buried Treasure “

I

t’s like digging for buried treasure,” says Joe Malcom, reflecting on his passion for excavating antique bottles. “It all started in 1969 when I was nine years old and my dad asked me to go along on a dig to the local dump. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I loved being with him, so I tagged along. Our only tools were a pick, shovel and small garden trowel. We dug for several hours, finding old perfume, Castoria and flavored extract bottles, in addition to some bottles from the 1800s. After one day of poking around in that old dump, I was hooked.”

After searching for buried treasure for over 45 years, Malcom considers himself seriously addicted. “It’s like gold fever in the Old West. About every two weeks I just have to go digging.” Although his wife, Gloria, is supportive of what might be considered his avocation, she does not share his compulsion. “In the thirty-one years we’ve been together, she has only gone with me a couple times. I can’t really blame her,” says Malcom. “Digging for bottles is not for sissies.”

He says diggers run into all types of obstacles when bottle hunting. “It’s a dirty, sweaty business. Not only do you have to dig your way through several layers of dirt, you often encounter Kudzu vines, snakes, poison ivy, privet hedge, broken glass, rusty 16 Northeast Georgia Living

With a passion for digging, Joe Malcom has amassed a colorful collection of thousands of old bottles, like this prescription bottle from Carmichael Drug Co. and a straight-sided amber CocaCola bottle with a Dalton imprint.

nails, old farm implements, horse shoes, tin cans and anything else you can imagine. Sometimes when I get done I feel like I’ve been beaten with the proverbial stick.” That is why Malcom and other experienced diggers come prepared, not only with hedge clippers, shovels, picks and probes, but with long-sleeved shirts, dust masks and heavyduty mesh gloves as well. He also recom-

mends one more aid for the serious digger’s arsenal: a tetanus shot.

Malcom advises that it is always necessary to ask permission from landowners before placing a shovel.

States also differ in their restrictions on digging; they have differing restrictions regarding digging in old privies, for instance. One of Georgia’s main prohibitions is on digging on land deemed historical – for example, in and around the town of Madison, which is considered to be a historical landmark. Other sites that interest avid diggers are old municipal dumps, buried creek beds, ravines, abandoned plant locations and bottling works.

According to Malcom, the thrill of the hunt is always worth the time and effort spent searching. “I have a friend over in Savannah who has been digging Civil War dumps for years. He finds not only old

bottles from the 19th century, but all manner of antique relics. His collection of artifacts looks like a museum. It’s too bad that most of those dumps are now under golf courses, subdivisions or concrete, with their treasures lost forever.”

With more than four decades of collecting and thousands of finds to his credit, Malcom is presently on a quest to complete a very specific collection of straight-sided Coke bottles. He says at one time there were 73 Georgia cities and towns bottling for Coca-Cola, and the bottles manufactured in these locations bore the name of the town. He has acquired 68 bottles of the total number.

Unrelentingly he continues to search for the other five, which bear the names Cornelia, Lawrenceville, Chipley (now Pine Mountain), Abbeville and Elberton.

These missing bottles are rare and quite valuable – sometimes selling for thousands of dollars – hence Malcom’s continued passion for probing the earth.

In addition to his Coke bottles, Malcom also has a large collection of antique bottles of various sizes, shapes, colors and brands. “I really don’t sell much, but I have thousands of bottles that I can trade with other collectors.

However, one time I did take a lot of ‘60s bottles to auction. When one of my bottles was bid up over $500, Gloria instantly gained a new appreciation for why I explore. She was squeezing my arm with every raised bid.”

Offering advice to novice diggers, Malcom says, “There is a big difference in bottles buried between three feet and ten feet. When possible, go deep. The deeper you go the more likely you are to find older, rarer treasures.” He says he has been on digs that descended down 15 feet or more. But he cautions, “On such excursions it is wise to have a second man in case of cave-ins.”

For “probing” questions, or if you have one of those five missing Coke bottles, you can contact Malcom by email at oldbottleman587@gmail.com. ◆

Interested in bottle digging?

Contact John Joiner at 404-538-6057. He is in charge of the Atlanta Bottle & Pottery Show & Sale, which is held in Smyrna the first weekend in June.

Another source is the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors. Visit them online at www.fohbc.org.

Fall 2016 17

VINES STORY AND PHOTOS BY M.J. SULLIVAN

The Organic Wine Grape Experiment Another organic enthusiast, David Koball, vineyard manager at Bonterra Vineyards in Hopland, Calif., has successfully employed similar protocols to produce organic wine grapes in Mendocino County for over 14 years.

In addition to the control of invasive bugs, Koball says he is dedicated to establishing an environment that attracts beneficial insects. One technique used is ground cover. “The more things you have growing in your vineyard, the more real it becomes in terms of a naturally functioning ecosystem,” says Koball. “We use Queen Anne’s lace and different clovers in our cover crop mix to help us attract beneficial insects.”

For the Ezzards picking the right variety of grape was key to the success of their

M

artha and John Ezzard, coowners of Tiger Mountain Vineyards in Tiger, have one of the oldest wineries in Northeast Georgia. First opening their doors to the public in 1999, the couple has had almost two decades to study wine grape varieties and growing techniques. So it is no wonder that they would be the first in the region to explore the possibility of using organic protocols for growing grapes. Technically the grapes they chose for their experiment cannot be certified as strictly organic because they are grown in proximity to other vines that are sprayed, and because the chosen vines themselves are grown in soil once exposed to chemicals. Still, employing organic growing methods does put the experimental grapes into a unique category.

These pampered grapes are grown in two 18 Northeast Georgia Living

adjacent rows of already established vines.

A buffer row separating them from the rest of the vineyard helps maintain their experimental status. Finally these specially grown grapes are harvested, processed and bottled separately.

It was Martha who first became curious about restricted growing practices. So in 2008 she began incorporating organic protocols. Five years later, they bottled their first vintage of the experimental varietal. According to Martha, “This is the first step in Georgia toward creating organic wine. Even though it is not certified organic, it still bears an interesting taste of the Tiger Mountain earth in its natural state.” Organic regimens used in the ongoing experiment include such things as non-chemical pest control, proper drainage, pruning, fruit thinning and cover crops.

Organic protocals are used to grow experimental rows of Norton grapes at Tiger Mountain Vineyards, where co-owner Martha Ezzard (above) lends her name to the bottles of this dark red wine.

experiment. Because of its American pedigree and disease-resistant characteristics, they chose the American cultivar Vitis aestivalis, better known as Norton and sometimes referred to as Cynthiana in other parts of the country. Well adapted to the soil and climate here in Northeast Georgia, this grape is purported to have been used by the Cherokee to make a drink for use in their sacred rituals. This variety was also cultivated by Thomas Jefferson in Virginia. You can’t get more American than that.

“Trying to grow anything organically is really a challenge,” says Martha. “Since we can’t chemically spray the vines for mildew, our first line of defense is our trellising system. We use the Geneva Double Curtain system, which enhances airflow and hopefully discourages growth of the powdery menace.” To control pests she sprays the leaves with organic neem oil. In addition, just like Koball she encourages beneficial insects through the use of a cover crop, which includes clover grown directly beneath the vines.

Although they have tried pest traps, Martha says these devices have not proved very effective.

When it comes to the grape’s archenemy, the Japanese beetle, Martha has taken direct action by salting the soil around the vines with Milky Spore. These microscopic bacteria are known to kill the grub stage of the beetle. True to its reputation, it is safe for people, pets and wildlife, including bees. In addition it does not affect streams, ponds or ground water. All in all, it is a power-packed powder that has been approved for use by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Every year Tiger Mountain Vineyards harvests about a ton of their experimental grapes, which translates into 48-60 cases of wine, appropriately labeled “Martha’s Norton.” According to Martha, “It is a rich red wine with hints of blackberry, dark cherry and even chocolate. To my palate it is similar to our regular Norton, but it has a smoother taste. Like other dark red wines, it pairs well with beef, pork and Italian dishes such as lasagna. It also complements the savory taste of aged cheeses.”

If you would like to experience the fruit of Martha’s experiment, visit the winery online at www.tigerwine.com for directions and hours of operation or call them at 706-782-4777. ◆ Fall 2016 19

BOOKS

BY MELISSA TUFTS

A

s this is being written, the Broad River is running low and clear. The dry summer months will give way to autumn shortly, but in the meantime it’s a great opportunity to just sit in the river and cogitate – just daydream or fish quietly in the clear pools where fish congregate – rather than worrying about doing much serious kayaking or canoeing. This is why we love this river. It is a constant in our hectic lives, a reminder of the gentler side of Nature. The dragonflies lazily skim the water’s surface, cooters slide into shallows off of bobbing submerged logs, and our feet are grateful for the cool, sandy bottoms of “our” river.

In Joe Cook’s new Broad River User’s Guide, published by the University of Georgia Press this year, residents and visitors alike have a superb reference for this last undammed Piedmont stream. Part of Georgia River Network’s series of guidebooks, Cook’s book was created in cooperation with the Broad River Watershed Association, which was established in 1991 to protect and support the maintenance of the river’s water quality and scenic character. The author is executive director of the Coosa River Basin Initiative and coordinates the annual Paddle Georgia event, which is directed by the Georgia River Network.

The format of Cook’s book is especially effective: excellent photographs of natural and cultural elements, from old mills to 19th-century bridge piers, combined with a vertical map of the entire river allow the reader to take a “trip” just by perusing the book. Excellent text conveys the rich cultural history of this river, including the role the river played in the lives of Native Americans and its importance to some of the early Anglo-European settlers who migrated from the coast up the Savannah River and west into the Piedmont. Above all, however, the guide conveys a deep appreciation for the river’s natural resources and wildlife.

Three main forks comprise the Broad River: the North and Middle forks, which begin in Stephens and Habersham Counties, and the South Fork, which 20 Northeast Georgia Living

emerges from rolling farmland near Commerce. These forks run for about 110 miles before creating the main river, which flows for 60 miles or so before converging with the Savannah River.

Kayakers, canoeists and tubers abound in warm months, sometimes straining the river’s capacity for sustainable recreation, but the fall, winter and early spring seasons seem to allow her to rejuvenate.

We’ve had the best luck viewing numerous birds (eagles, ibis, herons, etc.) in the spring and fall months. One of our favorite memories was watching a family of four baby raccoons climbing out 30 feet over the river on a drooping sycamore branch while their mother kept a watchful eye from a crook in the tree. A huge abandoned hornet’s nest seemed to be of interest to the curious babies. And just below the branch, strutting in the shade of the riverbank, were six immature ibises.

The book includes detailed information about plant and animal life as well as knowledgeable advice on how to enjoy the river, either by floating or by just finding a nice sandbar or bluff to sit on to view the laurels and migrating ducks and swooping kingfishers.

Broad River User’s Guide (ISBN 9780 820348889) is available from local bookstores or the University of Georgia Press.

Other books in the series include the Chattahoochee River and Etowah River User’s Guides and are equally informative and inspiring. ◆

Fall 2016 21

DESTINATION

BY PAMELA A. KEENE

Finding Autumn in

Sevierville,Tennessee

22 Northeast Georgia Living

Sevierville and Sevier County, not just in the fall, but any time,” says Carroll McMahan, special projects facilitator and Sevier County historian. “It all depends on what you want to do and where your interests lie.”

As a historian, McMahan knows all the hidden gems in the county, including the site of the Civil War Battle of Fair Garden, the newly restored Blowing Cave Mill and the nearby Harrisburg Covered Bridge, which crosses the East Fork Little Pigeon River. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (bridgestunnels.com/bridges /tennessee/harrisburg-covered-bridge/).

If you dare, visit Forbidden Caverns, one of more than 8,350 caves in Tennessee. It’s open year-round except for major holidays.

Guides lead one-hour tours through the

Clockwise from top: English Mountain; Historic Riley Andes house, home of resident artist Robert Tino; Forbidden Caverns; Harrisburg Covered Bridge

Special Photos

I

n the fall, the Great Smoky Mountains beckon leaf-watchers to eastern Tennessee, but most of the folks will make Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge their destination because of the myriad shows and attractions found there. To enjoy the beauty of the mountains a bit away from the big crowds, put Sevierville on your radar this autumn.

Known as the hometown of Dolly Parton – her Dollywood Resort is located in nearby Pigeon Forge – Sevierville has a world of offerings to enjoy while avoiding the crowds. In 2015, it was named one of 20 Small Towns to Visit by Smithsonian Magazine.

“The statue of Dolly Parton on the Courthouse Square is very popular, but there is so much more to see and do in

dramatically lighted caverns past glittering stalactites and stalagmites, past columns and curtain formations of mineral deposits and along a crystal-clear underground stream. The rare formations of white cave onyx are dazzling (forbiddencavern.com).

Tennessee’s Museum of Aviation is located in a 35,000-square-foot hangar adjacent to the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport. Exhibitions change periodically, and visitors can expect to see two rare P-47 Thunderbolts from World War II and flyable craft from throughout the Vietnam Era. Veterans of these conflicts serve as docents and willingly share their memories for future generations. You can learn the story of James Doolittle, Medal of Honor recipient and commander of the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo in World War II (tnairmuseum.com).

Surely you’ve heard of Bush Beans? The world-famous baked beans are made in nearby Chestnut Hill, about a dozen miles from Sevierville. You can tour the Visitors Center and Museum to learn the history – it’s pretty amazing – of the many varieties of these baked beans. The café on the property is open to visitors as well, and it’s a chance to eat some good ol’ Southern cooking and some of the café’s sweet desserts, including pinto bean pecan pie and sweet garbanzo bean cake (bush beans.com/en_US/visitors-center).

Sevierville was founded in 1795. Its distinctive Beaux Arts-style courthouse was built in 1896 and provides the focal point of downtown, where retail and dining revitalization is taking place. Build your own doughnut at Courthouse Donuts and try the Bumble Bee with vanilla icing, warm caramel drizzle, Hershey’s chocolate and honey or the orange Creamsicle with vanilla icing, orange Tang and marshmallow créme.

Lunches are made to order (courthouse donuts.com). There’s also a good quilt shop downtown.

Tennessee landscape artist Robert Tino is resident artist at Sevierville’s historic Riley Andes home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home also showcases the craftsmanship of African-American wood artisan Lewis C. Buchner (1856-1924), a former slave who became a renowned furniture, mantel and staircase craftsman. Tino’s brilliantly colored landscapes of the Smoky Mountains are exhibited throughout the home, which also includes a shop for purchasing origiFall 2016

23

nals, limited edition prints and other items (robertatinogallery.com).

You can’t come to Sevierville without eating like the locals do. The hardest part is deciding what to eat and when. The Diner (thediner.biz) on Winfield Parkway makes hand-dipped shakes and malts and buffalo burgers, which are served by waitresses wearing colorful poodle skirts. You might drive right past Tony Gore’s Smokey Mountain BBQ and Grill (tonygore.com), but don’t. Start with their trademark fried green tomatoes, battered onion rings or T’s loaded spiral-cut potato chips and then pick your entrée from a choice of finger-lickin’ good ribs, beef brisket, hand-dipped battered catfish or smoked sausage. Be sure to save room for dessert. Tony’s mile-high, madefresh cakes, which range from coconut to German chocolate, are meant to be shared, and there will still be enough leftovers to take home.

The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant (applewoodfarmhouserestaurant.com), the Applewood Grill and the Apple Barn Winery, located next to each other on Apple Valley Road serve up good Southern hospitality. Sample farm wines and then browse the gift shop. Choose from the Applewood Grill or head over to the restaurant, where fried apple fritters land on the table before you settle into your seat. Food at the restaurant is served family style and features standards like crispy fried chicken, countryfried steak, roasted turkey and dressing and even chicken livers. Save room for dessert – dessert seems to be a signature item no matter where you eat in Sevierville – and end your meal with a sweet hand-crafted treat.

Notable events this fall and winter in Sevierville (visitsevierville.com) include the Robert Tino Smoky Mountains Homecoming Festival, Oct. 7 through 9, the Bruce Street Brew Fest (eventbrite.com/ e/bruce-street-brewfest-tickets-26458 834085), Oct. 22, with music and beers from more than 30 home and professional brewers, and the Rose Glen Literary Festival (roseglenfestival.com) to be held on Feb. 25 at the Sevierville Convention Center and featuring June Hall McCash, twice named Georgia Author of the Year. ◆

Getting there Sevierville is located in eastern Tennessee on US Highway 441 and about 15 miles north of the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For more information, visit visitsevierville.com.

24 Northeast Georgia Living

Fall 2016

25

LET’S GO SOMEWHERE TODAY STORY AND PHOTOS BY PAMELA A. KEENE

Day Trip

I

f you haven’t been to Alpharetta lately, you’re in for some awesome treats. Long known as the home of North Point Mall (off Georgia 400) and the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Alpharetta is full of attractions both historic and new and has a wide vari-

26 Northeast Georgia Living

ety of restaurants and destinations that can provide a fun-filled day trip, regardless of your age or interests.

Explore Alpharetta’s past by taking the History Walk, which showcases historic homes and sites and tells of the town’s storied past on 22 historical markers. The brochure is free at the Alpharetta Welcome Center (www.awesomealpharet ta.com/about-alpharetta/welcome-center/).

Be sure to see the Mansell House & Gardens – a Queen Anne home built in 1912 and surrounded by gardens – and the Milton Log Cabin; both are open by appointment for tours.

Alpharetta honors the men and women of the military with the Walk of Memories at American Legion Post 201, 201 Wills Road. This path, which is comprised of nearly 8,000 inscribed bricks, is highlighted by monuments commemorating World War II, the Korean War and the

Vietnam War and includes displays of an M60 tank and a Huey helicopter (www.awesomealpharetta.com/what_to_ do/walk-of-memories/).

Downtown Alpharetta is filled with galleries, boutiques and stores teeming with all kinds of treasures, from local art to fine antiques. On Saturdays, the Alpharetta Farmers Market occupies Old Canton Street, a curved street running from Milton Avenue to Canton Street. Here you will find local fruit, vegetables, meats, handcrafted baked goods, artisan olive oil and balsamic vinegars, among other things. The market is open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., so bring a cooler for your purchases to keep them cool as you continue to explore all that Alpharetta has to offer.

If you’re bringing a little girl between the ages of 8 and 14, Georgia’s only American Girl Boutique & Bistro, located at North Point Mall, is a must-visit. This year’s

American Girl of the Year is Lea Clark, whose family trip to Brazil changed her life. Have tea with Lea and her friends and enjoy a banana split in the Bistro. (www.awesomealpharetta.com/what_to_ do/american-girl-boutique-bistro/).

You could spend the whole day at Avalon, an 86-acre multi-use live, work and play development of walkable shopping, dining and entertainment options that include Georgia’s fourth and newest Tesla car store, 75 retailers and 15 restaurants. Opened just two years ago, it’s a comfortable, casual and welcoming community that offers a diverse array of retail and restaurant choices in a parklike setting.

For food at Avalon try Ted’s Montana Grill for lunch or drop in for a fresh gelato at Caffé Anitco, a Neapolitan café that serves Italian street food and pizzas. Be sure to make a dinner reservation at Oak Steakhouse for delicious beef and incredible service.

Even if you don’t want to shop, a trip to Avalon is a treat, a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In the Plaza every Friday night from mid-April through October, Avalon Nights Live features bands that play everything from ‘50s to current pop and rock. Locals and visitors – including families with young children and retired people who want an evening out – bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics to kick back at the end of the week (www.experienceavalon.com).

If you will be visiting Alpharetta during the week, plan your trip to avoid the rush-hour traffic on Georgia 400. Of course, Saturdays are ideal because of the farmers market and are a great time to stroll through historic downtown and Avalon. If you’re staying for dinner on a weekend, consider making reservations, because with Alpharetta’s wide variety of restaurant choices, dining out is always a popular activity for locals. ◆

Getting There Alpharetta is located just off Georgia 400, south of Milton in Fulton County. For more information, check out the website at www.awesomealpharetta.com. Featured events this fall include the Milton Avenue European Market from Sept. 17 through 18 and the Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters Festival from Oct. 7 through 8.

CRUISE &PERUSE JACKSON COUNTY Car Show: Oct. 1, City Square, Hoschton. This event will be presented by the American Street Rodders. Visit www.cityofhoschton.com.

TOWNS COUNTY Georgia Mountain Fall Festival: Oct. 715, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.

Enjoy arts & crafts, food, demonstrations and more! For further , please visit www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

RABUN COUNTY The Great ARTdoors Festival: Oct. 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Hambidge Center, Rabun Gap. For further information, please visit www.explorerabun.com.

LUMPKIN COUNTY Gold Rush Days Festival: Oct. 15-16, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., downtown Dahlonega.

Celebrate the rich history of Dahlonega while enjoying various artists, vendors and more! For further information, please visit www.dahlonegajaycees.com.

ATHENS/CLARKE COUNTY Lickskillet Artist & Market Festival: Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Lyndon House Arts Center, Athens. Enjoy the work of various talented artists! For more information, visit www.lickskilletathens.org.

DAWSON COUNTY Cruz-In: Nov. 18, 5-9 p.m., downtown Dawsonville.

Visit www.dawson.org.

Restored vintage cars, like this 1961 Chevorlet Impala, bring back memories of the good life. See page 44 for our story on restoration warriors, then check out our calendar for car shows in Northeast Georgia.

28 Northeast Georgia Living

BY MOLLIE HERNDON

Fall 2016

EVENTS ATHENS/CLARKE COUNTY

BANKS COUNTY

www.visitathensga.com (Chamber of Commerce: 706-549-6800; Convention & Visitors Center: 706-357-4430 or 800-653-0603)

www.bankscountyga.org (Convention & Visitors Bureau: 706-677-5265; Chamber of Commerce: 706-677-2108 or 877-389-2896)

“Gifts & Prayers: The Romanovs & Their Subjects”: Sept. 3-Dec. 31, Georgia Museum of Art, Athens. View never before seen artifacts from the royal Romanov family of Russia. For information, visit www.georgiamuseum.org.

Hop Harvest Festival: Sept. 24, 4:30-8:30 p.m., Terrapin Beer Company, Athens.

For further information, please visit www.terrapinbeer.com.

32nd Annual North Georgia Folk Festival: Oct. 8, Sandy Creek Park, Athens. Enjoy arts & crafts, children’s activities, food and more! For information, please visit www.visitathensga.com.

AthHalf Health & Fitness Expo: Oct. 8, noon-6 p.m., The Classic Center, Athens.

For further information, please visit www.athhalf.com.

AthHalf Race: Oct. 9, 7:30 a.m., downtown Athens. For further information, please visit www.athhalf.com.

Spooktacular Sprint 5k: Oct. 22, 6:30-10 p.m., Banks County Windmill Sports Complex, Homer. For further information, please visit www.bankscountyga.biz.

BARROW COUNTY www.cityofwinder.com (Chamber of Commerce: 770-867-9444; Auburn City Hall: 770-963-4002; Bethlehem City Hall: 770-867-0702; Carl City Hall: 770867-1308; Statham City Hall: 770-725-5455; Winder City Hall: 770-867-3106)

Spooktacular Festival: Oct. 28, 5-10 p.m., Jug Tavern Park, Winder. Bring the whole family to enjoy trick-or-treating, food vendors, games and more! Please visit www.cityofwinder.com.

DAWSON COUNTY www.dawson.org (Chamber of Commerce & CVB: 706-2656278 or 877-302-9271)

49th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival: Oct. 22-23, 9 a.m., downtown Dawsonville. Celebrate fall with live entertainment, great vendors and more!

For further information, please visit www.dawson.org.

Trunk-or-Treat: Oct. 31, 4-7 p.m., Rock Creek Sports Complex, Dawsonville. For further information, please visit www.dawson.org.

Veterans Day Celebration: Nov. 11, Dawsonville. Honor our veterans at the CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

Photo of Impala by William D. Powell

FALL SAMPLER

LET’S GO SOMEWHERE TODAY

FALL 2016 EVENTS annual Veterans Day Parade and celebration! All veterans are welcome to participate. For further information, please visit www.dawson.org.

ELBERT COUNTY www.mainstreet-elberton.com www.elbertga.com (Chamber of Commerce: 706-283-5651; Main Street: 706-213-0626; Bowman City Hall: 706245-5432)

Bowman Fall Festival: Sept. 24, downtown Bowman. For further information, please call 706-245-5432.

Granite City Fall Festival: Nov. 5, town square, downtown Elberton. For further information, please call 706-283-5651.

FORSYTH COUNTY www.cummingforsythchamber.org www.cityofcumming.net (Chamber of Commerce: 770-887-6461)

Farmers Market: Every Wednesday & Saturday in September, Cumming Fairgrounds, Cumming. For information, please visit www.cummingfair.net.

Play at the Park Family Festival: Oct. 1, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fowler Park, Cumming.

Spend the day enjoying food, entertainment, children’s activities and more! For further information, please visit www.playatthepark.com.

Cumming Country Fair & Festival: Oct. 6-16, Cumming Fairgrounds, Cumming.

For further information, please visit www.cummingfair.net.

Fast Pace Race: Oct. 22, Cumming Fairgrounds, Cumming. For information, please visit www.fastpacerace.org.

FRANKLIN COUNTY www.franklin-county.com www.cityofroyston.com www.canongeorgia.com www.lavonia-ga.com (Franklin County Chamber of Commerce: 706-384-4659; Royston DDA: 706-245-7577; Lavonia DDA: 706-356-1923)

Lavonia Fall Festival: Sept. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., downtown Lavonia. For information, please visit www.lavonia-ga.com.

Canon Fall Festival: Oct. 1, Canon.

Enjoy food, music and more! For information, visit www.canongeorgia.com.

30 Northeast Georgia Living

Royston Fall Festival: Oct. 8, downtown Royston. For further information, please call 706-245-7577.

HABERSHAM COUNTY www.habershamga.com www.habershamchamber.com www.corneliageorgia.org www.clarkesvillega.com (Chamber of Commerce: 706-778-4654; Better Hometown-Cornelia: 706-778-7875; Clarkesville City Hall: 706-754-2220; Cornelia City Hall: 706-778-8585; Demorest City Hall: 706-778-4202)

Gospel Choir Showcase: Sept. 20, 1 p.m., downtown Cornelia. Enjoy the music of various gospel choirs! For further information, please visit www.cornelia georgia.org.

7th Annual Taste of Clarkesville: Sept.

24, noon-3 p.m., downtown Clarkesville.

Come taste food from all of the great restaurants Clarkesville has to offer!

Enjoy wine, live entertainment, door prizes and more! For further information, please visit www.tasteof clarkesville.com.

29th Annual Big Red Apple Festival: Oct. 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., downtown Cornelia. With live music, a cake walk, games and food, this event promises to be fun for the whole family! For further information, please visit www.cornelia georgia.org.

Christmas Lights Spectacular: Nov. 24Jan. 1, 6-11 p.m., Cornelia City Park, Cornelia. For further information, please visit www.corneliageorgia.org.

HALL COUNTY www.hallcounty.org www.gainesville.org (Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce: 770532-6206; Convention & Visitors Bureau: 770536-5209; Main Street Gainesville: 770-297-1141)

Taste of Gainesville and Craft Beer & Wine Festival: Sept. 24, 6-9 p.m., Lake Lanier Olympic Venue, Gainesville. Try scrumptious foods from Gainesville restaurants while viewing beautiful Lake Lanier. For further information, please visit www.gainesville.org.

Historic Downtown Farmers Market: Sept. 30, 2:30-6:30 p.m., town square, CONTINUED ON PAGE 32 Fall 2016 31

FALL 2016 EVENTS downtown Gainesville. For further information, please visit www.gainesville.org.

HART COUNTY www.hart-chamber.org www.hartwellmainstreet.com (Chamber of Commerce: 706-376-8590 or hartchamber@hartcom.net; DDA: 706-376-0188)

6th Annual Scarecrow Bash: Oct. 1-31, Hartwell. Decorate your scarecrows for this year’s Scarecrow Bash! For further information, please visit www.hartwell mainstreet.com.

The Mayor’s Monster Mash: Oct. 31, 4-6 p.m., Depot Street, Hartwell. For further information, please visit www.hartwell mainstreet.com.

Christmas Tree Lighting & Visit With Santa: Nov. 22, 6 p.m., downtown Hartwell. For further information, please visit www.hartwellmainstreet.com.

JACKSON COUNTY www.tourjacksoncounty.com www.cityofhoschton.com www.commercega.org www.mainstreetcommercega.com www.cityofjeffersonga.com www.mainstreetjefferson.com www.braselton.net (Chamber of Commerce: 706-387-0300; Commerce DDA: 706-335-2954; Jefferson Better Hometown: 706-215-3345; Jefferson City Hall: 706-367-7202; Braselton City Hall: 706-654-3915)

Fall Festival: Sept. 23-25, Hoschton. For further information, please visit www.cityofhoschton.com.

Jefferson Farmers Market: Sept. 24, 8 a.m.-noon, South Public Square, Jefferson. For further information, please visit www.tourjacksoncounty.com.

Ghost Tour: Oct. 15, Hoschton. For further information, please visit www.cityofhoschton.com.

Braselton Antique & Artisan Festival: Oct. 21-23, downtown Braselton. For further information, please visit www.braseltonfestivals.com.

Trick-or-Treat: Oct. 31, 4-6 p.m., downtown Commerce. For further information, please visit www.commercega.org.

Braselton Zombie 5k Run: Oct. 31, 9:30 a.m., downtown Braselton. Registration 32 Northeast Georgia Living

begins at 8 a.m. For information, please visit www.downtownbraselton.com.

Jefferson Holiday Market: Nov. 4-6, Jefferson Civic Center. For further information, please visit www.mainstreet jefferson.com.

One Stop Holiday Shop: Nov. 18, Hoschton. For further information, please visit www.cityofhoschton.com.

LUMPKIN COUNTY www.dahlonega.org (Chamber of Commerce: 706-864-3711 or 800-231-5543; Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Center: 706-864-3513)

Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty Bike Ride: Sept. 24-25, Lumpkin County High School, Dahlonega. Competitive cyclists will take on the North Georgia mountains in the annual Six Gap Criterium.

For further information, please visit www.dahlonega.org.

5th Annual Chestatee Artists Holiday Show & Sale: Nov. 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Community House, Dahlonega. Visit www.chestateeartists.org.

Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas: Nov. 25-Dec. 31, downtown Dahlonega.

Enjoy a series of fun holiday events from the end of November and throughout the month of December. For information, please visit www.dahlonega.org.

MADISON COUNTY www.madisoncountyga.org (Danielsville Chamber of Commerce: 706795-3473)

Madison County Fair: Sept. 20-24, Comer. For further information, please visit www.facebook.com/comerfair.

OCONEE COUNTY www.oconeecounty.com www.oconeechamber.org (Oconee County Chamber of Commerce: 706-769-7947; Welcome Center: 706-769-5197)

Scarecrow 5k Road Race: Oct. 15, Oconee Chamber of Commerce, Watkinsville. For further information, please visit www.oconeechamber.org.

Fall Festival: Oct. 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Rocket Field, Watkinsville. Visit www.oconeechamber.org.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34 Fall 2016 33

FALL 2016 EVENTS Hardigree Wildlife Sanctuary RibbonCutting: Oct. 19, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Hardigree Wildlife Sanctuary, Watkinsville. For further information, please visit www.oconeechamber.org.

RABUN COUNTY www.gamountains.com www.downtownclaytonga.org www.explorerabun.com (Chamber of Commerce: 706-782-4812; Civic Center: 706-212-2142)

Harvest Stomp: Sept. 24, 1-5 p.m., Stonewall Creek Vineyards, Tiger. Enjoy the annual Harvest Stomp at Stonewall Creek, a re-creation of the iconic “I Love Lucy� grape-stomping. For further information, please visit www.stone wallcreek.com.

Foxfire Mountaineer Festival: Oct. 1-3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Rabun County Civic Center, Clayton. For further information, please visit www.explorerabun.com.

Sky Valley Fall Fest: Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sky Valley Pavilion. Come out and enjoy great food, music and more in scenic Sky Valley! For further information, please visit www.skyvalleyga.com.

Rabun County Recreation Department Trunk-or-Treat: Oct. 28, 6-8 p.m., Rabun County Recreation Department, Tiger. Visit www.explorerabun.com.

Trunk-or-Treat at Tallulah Gorge: Oct. 31, 5:30-7 p.m., Tallulah Gorge State Park. Enjoy games, costume contests, and of course, candy! For further information, please visit www.gastateparks.org/ tallulahgorge.

Georgia Sky to Summit 25k/50k: Nov. 5, 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sky Valley Pavilion. Enjoy one of the most scenic races the Southeast has to offer! For information, please visit www.explore rabun.com.

Clayton Cluckers Turkey Trot 5k: Nov. 24, 8-10 a.m., Fromage, Clayton. For further information, please visit www.downtownclaytonga.org.

Festival of Trees/Holiday Arts & Crafts Extravaganza: Nov. 25-26, Rabun County Civic Center, Clayton. For further information, please visit www.explorerabun.com.

Christmas in Clayton: Nov. 25, 5-8 p.m., downtown Clayton. For further information, please visit www.downtown claytonga.org.

34 Northeast Georgia Living

Santa on Saturday: Nov. 26, noon-3 p.m., downtown Clayton. Bring the kids to visit and take photos with Santa! For further information, please visit www.downtownclaytonga.org.

STEPHENS COUNTY www.mainstreettoccoa.com www.toccoagachamber.com (Chamber of Commerce: 706-886-2132)

Currahee Military Weekend: Sept. 29Oct. 2, Toccoa. This annual event includes a 5k/10k race, Veterans Parade and more! For further information, please visit www.mainstreettoccoa.com.

Martin Fall Festival: Oct. 29, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., downtown Martin. This event includes arts & crafts, kids’ activities, a cake walk, food and more! For further information, please call 770-861-1955.

Toccoa Harvest Festival: Oct. 29-30, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., downtown Toccoa. For further information, please visit www.mainstreettoccoa.com.

Costume Parade: Oct. 31, 10 a.m., downtown Toccoa. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes for children ages 4 and under. For information, please visit www.mainstreettoccoa.com.

TOWNS COUNTY www.mountaintopga.com (Chamber of Commerce: 706-896-4966; Towns County Tourism: 706-896-0589)

Lake Chatuge Classic Golf Tournament: Sept. 27, 9 a.m., The Ridges Golf Course, Hayesville, N.C. This event is sponsored by the Towns County Chamber of Commerce. For further information, please visit www.mountaintopga.com.

Business Showcase: Sept. 29, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Towns County Convention & Recreation Center. This event will be hosted by the Towns County Chamber of Commerce. For further information, please visit www.mountaintopga.com.

Appalachian Craft Brew, Stew & Que Festival: Oct. 22, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee. Enjoy beer from over 20 different craft breweries in Georgia and North Carolina, artists, food, music and more. For further information, please visit www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 36 Fall 2016 35

FALL 2016 EVENTS UNION COUNTY www.blairsvillechamber.com www.downtownblairsville.com (Chamber of Commerce: 877-745-4789 or 706-745-5789)

Blairsville Sorghum Festival: Oct. 8-9 & 15-16, Meeks Park, Blairsville. For further information, please visit www.blairsvillesorghumfestival.com.

Hometown Halloween on the Square: Oct. 29, downtown Blairsville. For further information, please visit www.blairsvillechamber.com.

WHITE COUNTY www.whitecountychamber.org www.helenchamber.com www.helenga.org (Convention & Visitors Bureau: 706-878-5608; Helen Welcome Center & Chamber of Commerce: 706-878-1619; White County Chamber of Commerce: 706-865-5356)

46th Annual Oktoberfest: Sept. 22-Oct. 27, 6-10:30 p.m., the Festhalle, Helen.

This annual festival features great food,

music, traditional German dances and more! For further information, please visit www.helenga.org.

Agri-Fest Country Market: Sept. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Freedom Park, Cleveland.

For further information, please visit www.helenga.org.

6th Annual “Pottery Comes to Town” Festival: Sept. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Freedom Park, Cleveland. For further information, please visit www.helenga.org.

2nd Annual “Strut Your Mutt” Halloween Costume Party: Oct. 19, 6-8 p.m., Sautee Village Park, Sautee. Bring your furry friends for their very own Halloween party! For further information, please visit www.helenga.org.

Art-Oberfest: Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Helen Arts & Heritage Center, Helen. For further information, please visit www.helenarts.org.

Boo at the Zoo: Oct. 29-31, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., North Georgia Zoo, Cleveland. For further information, please visit www.myfavoritezoo.com.

2nd Annual Wine Olympics: Nov. 5, 1 p.m., Sautee Village Park, Sautee. For further information, please visit www.insideoutsautee.com.

Festival of Trees: Nov. 9-Dec. 10, Holiday Inn Express, Helen. For further information, please visit www.helenga.org. ◆

FREE LISTING FOR YOUR EVENT! To list events in future issues, send an email to negaliving@yahoo.com or mail hard copies to P.O. Box 270, Franklin Springs, GA 30639.

Deadline for the Holiday/Winter 2016/17 Events Calendar is Oct. 10, 2016. Please include events covering the period from Dec. 1, 2016, through March 20, 2017.

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our listing of scheduled events. For additional information and for confirmation, please call either local sponsors or chamber of commerce offices.

36 Northeast Georgia Living

ARTS QUILTERS from the HART

BY SARA POWELL • PHOTOS BY WILLIAM D. POWELL

Members of Quilters From the Hart work at the “Little House” on a whole-cloth quilt. The quilt square samples (opposite page) will be used in upcoming projects.

Q Q

uilting is the art of stitching together pieces of fabric, but the folks who enjoy the art do something special.

They stitch their love into all of their work; they stitch themselves together as a group with threads of love, friendship and encouragement; and they produce something to be cherished now and down through the generations.

Located in Hartwell, Quilters From the Hart is a guild of about 30 women who gather to make quilts for themselves, their family members, friends and various charity causes. As with most quilters, their homes and those of their family are well-endowed with their creative work. However, they are not about to stop quilting, because quilters love to quilt. Instead they bring comfort to others with their efforts. The charity quilts – 50-plus in the first six

months of this year – also allow them to try different patterns and color combinations.

Jacalyn Shamblee, president, said that they recently completed a stack of baby quilts that will go to the Shriners hospital in Greenville, S.C. Other charity quilts go in a multitude of directions.

Preemie quilts go to the hospitals in Anderson and Athens.

Children’s and mothers’ quilts go to the hospitals, as well as to the domestic abuse center in Hartwell. Lap quilts are perfect for folks in Hartwell’s two nursing homes and for folks in the Brown Convalescent Center in Royston. Wounded veterans and the VFW receive full-sized patriotic quilts, and quilts of all sizes are made available to the fire department to give to people who have been burned out of their homes. (Continued on page 40) Fall 2016

39

THE QUILTERS

Gild member quilters include (clockwise from top left): Lynne Shaw, Evie Secrist, Shirley Kowalski, Betty Van DeMark and Sibyl Hamrick working at the “Little House” on a whole-cloth quilt; Joann Gordon; Joyce Bays; Susan Meek; Evie Secrist and Jacalyn Shamblee (president).

The guild, which is approaching its 20year mark, meets twice a month in the downstairs community room at the Hart County Library. The first of these meetings is a work day during which members work on their own projects and/or work on joint projects. On one work day a member was sewing binding on a lap quilt, several members were working on cutting out flowers to be appliquéd to the border of a quilt top, two friends were pinning a quilt top for a gift to one of their grandsons, and yet another was sewing colorful strips of fabric together for an as-yet undetermined project.

The second gathering of the month generally starts with a “show-and-tell” during which members bring in their latest personal projects and is followed by a program of some sort. Recently one member demonstrated an appliqué technique. Another time a speaker shared hand-dye techniques for fabric. One unusual program was on the use of feed sacks in vintage quilts. Now that Ann and John Dunn have opened Annie’s Pretty 40 Northeast Georgia Living

Pieces in Hartwell, the members can also take advantage of demonstrations, classes and speakers there.

In addition to the meetings at the library, one of the long-time members, Lynne Shaw, has a separate guest house at her home that has become the quilters’ “Little House.” Inside is a quilt on a frame that various members of the guild come and hand quilt. As opposed to a pieced quilt, the particular quilt in progress is a whole-cloth one, with the pattern printed on the fabric. The group had never worked on a project quite like this one and so have taken it on as a challenge.

Quilting is the primary focus of the weekly afternoons at the Little House, but the friendly banter enhances the time. Taught by two earlier members who are British, the group has a “proper English tea time” halfway through the afternoon. Occasionally, the tea time overtakes the quilting time, one of the members said with a grin.

Although quilting can be done by a

single person, Quilters From the Hart members say that they do better work together than they do individually, particularly because each one brings different skills to the table – or, as at the Little House, to the frame. They also call it their therapy, because they share their joys and sorrows, as well as their creativity and skill. A number of the members have been widowed and can testify to the ministry of friendship and support they have received from their sister quilters.

The husband of a quilter once was heard to say that quilters buy fabric, cut it up into pieces and then sew the pieces back together. Another husband has been known to call this group the sew-and-sews.

Surely these comments were made with a smile and a wink, because quilters are among the best groups of people when it comes to supporting each other’s work.

Whether it is handheld needles or ones in a machine that are doing the stitching, the beauty and usefulness of the finished product warms more than the body. â—† Fall 2016 41

MUSIC ETHAN CRUMP STORY AND PHOTO BY WILLIAM D. POWELL

Talking On Pitch

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he lights in the music hall dim, and the stage falls silent. Then from the side, musicians emerge, one with a bass, two with guitars and one with drumsticks. As the lights come up, a fresh-faced young man with a guitar stands at center stage. With a slight turn and a nod, he gives the signal to start.

From that point the stage comes alive with music, and the standing-room-only crowd enthusiastically welcomes Ethan Crump to town.

Americana and traditional country music, which he says come out of “roots music” – country, folk, jazz and blues – is what Hartwell’s Ethan Crump writes and sings. He wrote his first song, “Waiting Here on You,” when he was 18. His first audience was his family and friends. From them he got affirmation and encouragement to continue.

Over the past year he has written “Hellfire and Amazing Grace,” “Mary Ann, Come on Home” and “Mason County Blues.” These songs have been recorded and can be downloaded from Amazon.com.

CDs are available through his website: www.ethancrump.com. Several new songs will be released within the year.

Last fall Ethan attended a songwriter’s workshop in Nashville, Tenn., hosted by well-known Americana music artist Mary Gauthier, a regular at the Grand Ole Opry. There he was able to work one-onone with her. She further affirmed his writing and singing talents and encouraged him to pursue a career in music.

On the recommendation of a singersongwriter friend, Ethan entered NewSong Music’s LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition in Black Mountain, N.C., this past spring. His original work, “Hellfire and Amazing Grace,” was judged to be the best of over 300 entries. In December he will join nine other regional winners in New York City at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts to compete for the 42 Northeast Georgia Living

national grand prize.

With his win in Black Mountain, Hartwell’s own Ethan Crump hit the country music world like a storm. With gigs in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Kentucky, this teen sensation plays and sings like a seasoned professional.

Music has been a part of Ethan’s life for as long as he can remember, he says. He and his family always had the radio on, and when she would let him, he borrowed his sister’s CD player. As a kid he was always humming a tune.

Ethan took piano lessons as a child, but after a few years he decided that the piano was not for him. He got his first guitar when he was 10. He did not pursue learning how to play it, however, until he was 12, when he heard about a teenager in Lavonia who gave guitar lessons from his home and who taught Ethan the fundamentals of playing.

Ethan started playing blues jams with his electric guitar in small venues in Athens before he was 15. Over the next couple of years he started doing solo performances and playing with bands. Through these experiences he matured as a musician.

Early influences on his work were Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. More recently he has been influenced by singersongwriter John Prine. It has even been said that he sounds like a young John Prine.

Writing songs is how he expresses his thoughts and feelings – a therapeutic experience, he says. Performing focuses on entertaining the audience. He characterizes his singing as “talking on pitch,” as he is communicating with his audience through his song. Ethan composes the lyrics as well as the chords, rhythm and melody of his songs.

Family has been the paramount influence in his life, he says. He speaks affec-

Ethan Crump, a finalist in New Song Music’s 2016 LEAF Singer-Songwriter Competition, performs at High Cotton in Hartwell. tionately about various family members but almost reverently about his paternal grandmother, who he calls “Nannie.”

Nannie, he said with a chuckle, is “strong as a pine knot and tough as Georgia clay.” When Ethan was a child, she cooked what he calls “a Thanksgiving dinner” every day at noon, which she served to the various family members who came to her table, one of whom was Ethan. It was the people and stories heard at her table that influenced much of who he is and what he writes.

Visit his website to find a venue near you, as his performances are a treat. Likely you will keep coming back for more.

Although his future is unknown, he plans to continue writing songs and performing. “I’ve never been very practical, and I’m going where my music leads me.”

Keep an eye on Ethan Crump, as he is going places. ◆

RESTORATION WARRIORS STORY AND PHOTOS BY WILLIAM D. POWELL

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Back to the Good Life

or most people, a car is just a car, but not for a “gearhead.” The Urban Dictionary defines a gearhead as one “who is totally into cars and is very knowledgeable about how to modify and fix them.” Such is the case for several car restoration warriors in Northeast Georgia.

Nostalgia makes owning and driving a nice car from yesteryear appeal to many.

Having a car from the past is a way to 44 Northeast Georgia Living

remember, and in a sense relive, happy times gone by. While there are occasionally some nicely restored cars available to buy, in most instances the enthusiast finds a car that needs restoration, requiring skills that most owners do not have.

Skilled auto restorers Sammy Bowers and his friend Roger Herring of Hartwell have been working on cars since they were boys growing up on farms in Hart County. In 2010 Sammy started the total

restoration of a 1961 Chevrolet Impala he had bought 20 years before from an estate sale. A year later, Roger joined Sammy in the project. When finished in 2012, the 1961 Chevrolet was ready to drive, show and enjoy.

Sammy’s show car caught the attention of other car enthusiasts with nice old cars in need of restoration, and they asked Sammy to restore their cars. Over the past four years, Sammy and Roger have

Dennis Brown (1967 Ford F150 pickup)

Larry Skelton (1962 Chevrolet C10 pickup)

1961 Chevrolet Impala 2-door hardtop owned

by Sammy Bowers.

Stanley Reed interior.

Sammy Bowers (1970 Chevrolet Chevelle)

Stanley Reed

Phil Bryant (1961 Willys Jeep pickup)

restored 23 cars and have more cars lined up waiting their turn.

Roger and Sammy do the restoration of the frame and body. Each piece is carefully restored or replaced and brought back to original or better condition. The owner then brings an engine and drivetrain that have already been restored and are ready to install. Once the car is in driving condition, it is taken to an upholstery shop for a new interior.

Another restoration warrior is Larry Skelton, also of Hartwell. Larry began “turning a wrench” as a teenager and in 1974 opened a small shop beside his home.

Since then Larry has restored lots of cars for himself and others. During the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, he built hot rods. Since the mid1990s, Larry has specialized in refitting the mechanical components to cars undergoing restoration. One of his areas of specialization is the customization of factory wiring harnesses in order to facilitate the use of the late-model fuel injection systems used in modern hot rods.

A restored car must look good. The body panels must be straight, and the paint must glisten. Dennis Brown of Royston has been restoring car and truck bodies for the past 45 years and is sought out by enthusiasts for his skilled work.

While most of Dennis’ work is “insurance work,” he says his first love is “working on old cars and bringing them back to life.” He manages to squeeze in four or five restorations a year. As with other restorers, several old car owners are waiting to have Dennis put his touch on their cars.

The “go-to” man for engine rebuilding in the area is Phil Bryant of Franklin Springs.

Phil has made a reputation for meticulously rebuilding engines and has rebuilt hundreds since he opened his business in 1986. He is reputed to be one of the best engine builders in Northeast Georgia.

The final step in auto restoration is the interior. After a car has had all of the body and paintwork done and the engine and drivetrain installed, it is time to restore the interior. A favorite upholstery shop in the area is R&R Seat Shop in Royston. Stanley Reed is known among enthusiasts as one who can provide the show-quality interior needed to complete the restoration.

Stanley started doing auto/truck upholstery in 1982, building seats for cus-

tom vans. The business quickly grew, and today he has a team of six who restore or replace the upholstery in anything from golf carts, airplanes and boats to cars and custom vans and trucks.

Stanley and his team turn out beautifully handcrafted interiors using any color or type of material the customer chooses. Generally there are six to eight cars waiting in line for interiors. One of Stanley’s well-known interior restorations is of Sammy Bowers’ showwinning 1961 Chevrolet Impala.

Over the years Stanley says he has seen it all. Recently a customer brought him the seat from a ‘50s International truck that had been sitting in a shed for years and was home to nesting rats. While a restoration challenge, the seat left the shop better than new.

The craftsmen who work on these cars respect their fellow restorers’ skills and form a network that is linked to owners by word of mouth. While not inexpensive, when completed, an authentically restored car is not only a delight for the owner to drive and enjoy but a good investment.

A fully restored classic car is desired and sought by many.

When local car shows or cruise-ins come to your area, go have a look. The only problem with looking is that you may decide you can’t live without one in your garage. ◆

Fall 2016 47

TRAILS BBQ

BY A.W. BLALOCK

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very Thursday, barbecue pork was sold by the pound at Spiers Grocery in the small rural town deep in the south of Georgia where I grew up, where, early in the morning so many years ago, a fire was built in the screened-in pit behind Mrs. Spiers’ store until the hot wood coals were just right (as determined by the black man who helped out at the store and served as the cook on that day) and the heavy screen racks were loaded with the pork butts that would become our supper on that night each week. Spiers’ barbecue – or as Mama’s best friend, Elsie, always said in her refined Southern accent, “BAH-be-cue” – came pulled off in large chunks and pre-slathered with a tomato-based sauce that was all we knew barbecue to be. Mama would send me or one of my brothers to Spiers for a pound of barbecue ordered at the meat counter and wrapped in white butcher paper, a bag of “regular” Lays potato chips and, if we were low on bread, a loaf of Colonial white bread.

A pint of Spiers’ Brunswick stew – by which I still measure a good stew – was ladled hot into a cardboard container and sealed securely for the short walk home.

Everyone has their own version of this story, making barbecue one of the most personal din-

No rt he ast Ge orgi a’s

R i ng of Fi re

48 Northeast Georgia Living

ing experiences that most of us share in Northeast Georgia.

Books and television shows and national contests are dedicated to the subject, making barbecue one of the most debated foods of all time.

The sauce is often at the center of these debates, but without a good piece of meat that satisfies the many opinionated palates, the sauce is just a personal preference. Whether it’s pork that’s pulled or chopped, whether it’s ribs or chicken or even brisket (which my dad would argue was not actually barbecue), it all starts with the meat.

Travel along most any road in Northeast Georgia and you’ll pass a “barbecue joint” that serves up some version of one of our favorite foods to eat and savor and enjoy – and debate.

Stephen and Jane Tomlin serve their styrofoam plates out of a small red building along Highway 441 just south of Dillard.

Pulaski Heights BBQ in Athens serves their version in an old manufacturing building of red brick walls and industrial interior. Bar-H Barbeque in Franklin Springs, a restaurant with a

Bar-H photo by Phil Pyle

Bar-H Barbeque

homey exterior, was built specifically to serve the many aficionados of good barbecue in a setting that we’ve come to think of as what a barbecue joint should look like in the South, complete with checkered oil tablecloths and paper plates holding large slices of homemade layer cake bound in plastic wrap and displayed on the counter by the cash register.

Cooking methods have changed over the years: some still cook in those screened-in pits out back, some cook their butts and briskets on the iconic black drum smoker, and some use a hybrid of a large gas or electric rotisserie oven with wood burning in the bottom to impart the desired smokiness we have come to expect. Some use secret rubs, some use basting sauces, and some just go naked with a little salt and pepper. o let’s go eat some barbecue on our trail to some old, some new and some tried-and-true joints in Northeast Georgia. And I guarantee, you’ll leave each one debating the merits of pulled pork versus chopped, sweet tomato-based sauce versus peppery vinegar, sweet tea versus a “co-cola,” and cake versus pie. What you won’t debate is that in Northeast Georgia you’ll find the joint that is your personal favorite and by which all other barbecue will be measured.

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From Blairsville, follow the cars south on Highway 19 for several miles to Jim’s Smokin’ Que. You can’t miss the red cabin with a big porch and patio and several variations of pink pigs painted on signs and on the red siding, plus a pair made from old propane tanks. It can be a busy joint, but the long lines move fast. Jim and Donna Guess have been cooking low and slow for over five years. From the wood cabin interior, they serve a fine, smoked baby-back rib with color to the bone, served sliced and ready for eating. Moist, meaty and plentiful chopped pork is cradled into an artisanal roll, with three sauces on the table to choose from. (Their version of vinegar sauce is surprisingly good.)

The stew is excellent, but seems over the Blue Ridge Mountain they like a chunkier version than you find in the Piedmont.

Pork, ribs, chicken, turkey, brisket, stew, plus additional sides and menu items 4971 Gainesville Highway, Blairsville, Ga.; 706-835-7427; Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

The large windows of old storefronts look out onto busy Athens Street and the nicely landscaped courthouse in downtown Winder. Inside is a bright, busy joint with black and white checkered floors and red walls hung with patriotic images. Have a seat anywhere and a friendly waitress will take your order for pork, ribs or chicken – and if baked beans are your weakness, Smokin’ Po Boys make theirs from scratch ... the beans alone are worth the trip. For nearly 10 years, St. Louis-style ribs have come off the smoker, dry to the touch but moist and tender with color to the bone. Sauce names like Sneaky and Sassy may be hard to decipher, but with pulled pork as good as this, a taste-fest would be acceptable. Seasoned Texas garlic toast is a welcomed change to loaf bread – which you won’t need to sop up their Brunswick stew, as the chef shows in owner Michael Welch with his version that is smoky, sweet and chunky.

Pork, ribs, chicken, stew, plus additional sides and menu items 67 West Athens Street, Winder, Ga.; 678-425-9374; Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.8:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Just past downtown Elberton, going south on Highway 17 and just before the Ingles parking lot, is a bright red trailer serving barbecue that’s worth eating outside for. White’s Old South Bar-B-Que has a special touch with their smoky-flavored chopped pork (if you’re lucky it will have some bits of “bark” chopped along with it), ribs prepared with a knee-weakening rub, and smoky chicken halfs. The Brunswick stew is worthy of being sopped up with a piece of white bread. Chad White opened his walk-up joint 14 years ago and has been selling out every Friday and Saturday, to the disappointment of those who pull in late, where they’re waved off with a “Sold out! Come back again!” from Chad. Their meats are cooked in an electric rotisserie-style oven with some mighty good wood burning inside which gives White’s barbecue its signature flavor.

Pork, ribs, chicken, stew, plus additional sides and menu items 895-A Elbert St., Elberton, Ga.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. until sold out Fall 2016 49

As you head along Highway 441 through Rabun Gap, the mountains separate and create a valley floor where good things grow. You’ll probably notice Osage Farm Produce Market first, but sitting just to the left next to the freshpicked pumpkins in the fall is a little red shack, home of Tomlin’s B-B-Q, where good things are served through the window. After years of successful competition cooking, Stephen and Jane Tomlin opened their joint in 2005. In 2009 they were selected as having one of the top five pulled pork sandwiches in America on “Live With Regis & Kelly.” Over seven years later they’re still making award-winning barbecue, some creative and delicious homemade sides, and homemade desserts.

Pork, ribs, chicken, brisket, turkey, stew, plus additional sides and menu items 5030 Highway 441 N, Rabun Gap, Ga.; 706-746-2690; Open MayOctober, Friday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

In 1946, Zeb Dean began serving pit-cooked barbecue in a little building clinging to the shoulder of Highway 29 a few miles north of Danielsville. Over the years, additional rooms were added to the original building, creating a collection of low-ceilinged spaces with undulating floors that are a testament to their years of service. At Zeb’s Bar-B-Q, you’ll only find original pit-cooked pork barbecue, chopped and served on a plate with slaw and stew and a bag of Lays “regular” potato chips or on a sandwich. Loaves of white bread accompany the condiments on each table. It’s pretty much the way it’s been done for these 70 years and is carried on today by members of Zeb’s family. The sauce is a peppery vinegar served warm in a cruet – for milder sauce, just pour; for hotter sauce, shake it up a bit. (Word is that they now offer a sweeter sauce as well.) The Brunswick stew has the taste and texture and years of not tampering with the recipe which puts it at the top of my stew list.

Pork, stew, plus additional sides and menu items 5742 Highway 29, Danielsville, Ga.; 706-795-2701; Wednesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Is it a barbecue joint? Is it a fish lodge?

Is it a steak and seafood place? Nearly 45 years ago, Lalon Farmer opened up a barbecue stand as, word has it, a front for moonshining. It became so popular that it expanded into a full-service restaurant and is run today by his sons – minus the moonshine. Since then, folks have made their regular weekend journey along Gumlog Road to a low-profile building nearly hidden behind the trees at a curve in the road. Gumlog Barbecue & Fish Lodge serves the traditional mix of pulled pork, ribs and stew as well as chicken, steaks, fish and shrimp. Flavorful ribs and pulled pork are served with slaw and fries, but a side of Brunswick stew is hard to beat; it has a texture that holds the goodness together. Everything is cooked up fresh and brought to your table fast by friendly servers. A variety of tables, chairs, booths and oil cloths are arranged beneath paneled walls sporting taxidermied bass and authentic old Coca-Cola signs. Ironically, they only serve Pepsi.

Pork, ribs, chicken, stew, plus additional sides and menu items Jane Tomlin 50 Northeast Georgia Living

106 Whitworthschool Farmer Court (just off Highway 328/Gumlog Road), Lavonia, Ga.; 706-356-4061; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9:45 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-7:45 p.m.

Coming in from the east on Highway 76, Lake Chatuge and the city of Hiawassee begin to mingle for a few miles. Not far past downtown is an old roadside store repurposed with a bright patio and a view of the lake and distant mountains dressed in seasonal colors.

Happy Hawg Real Pit Bar-B-Q has been open now

going on five years. Owner Kelly Robider runs a nice joint.

The pit-cooked pork is pulled from the barbecued butt and chopped on order. The ribs are smoked without rub or sauce, creating a beautiful dark shell with meat still white and served with no sauce on them. Kelly is dangerously creative with his table sauces, but serving a travel corridor with people coming from the Carolinas, the creativity pays off. Their stew is not a traditional Brunswick stew, but it’s fresh and tasty and chunky and a great side.

Pork, ribs, chicken, turkey, stew, plus additional sides and menu items 1586 Highway 76, Hiawassee, Ga.; 706-896-0012; WednesdaySunday (hours and days vary by season)

An old brick manufacturing facility down narrow Pulaski Street in Athens was the site of L.M. Leathers’ Sons from the 1940s. Today, it’s the site of the rebirth of an old factory which has been repurposed for small businesses, giving birth to a new kind of barbecue joint. Chuck Ramsey opened Pulaski Heights BBQ about four years ago in this lofty urban space and serves pork that is pulled just once, then placed in a generous pile on a butcher paper-lined metal tray along side the best bun I’ve ever had, homemade bread-and-butter pickles and a wide choice of sides. (Try the squash casserole.) They have a variety of sauces, but not particularly needed on meat that is so full of flavor, which comes from their notso-secret rubs. (See their story on the back of the menu.) If you’re lucky, the urban experience is heightened when the train goes by right next to the building.

Check out the specials board for ever-changing items.

Pork, ribs, chicken, brisket, stew, plus additional sides and menu items 675 Pulaski St. #100, Athens, Ga.; 706-583-9600; Sunday-Tuesday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; WednesdaySaturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Some joints are all parking lot for good reason. Owner Brian Hart’s Bar-H Barbeque in Franklin Springs has been filling his lot and satisfying customers for 20 years. The homey exterior invites you in to a large dining hall with checkered oil cloths on the tables and western-themed knick-knacks, tin advertising signs and other memorabilia spaced at random on the walls. Cheerful young ladies bring you a small bag of Lays “regular” potato chips and a cup of ice when you sit down. The chopped pork is lean, and their thinner barbecue sauces – limited to mild and hot – soak deep into the meat. For chopped pork lovers the plate is all you can eat.

Their stew is good with just the right texture – and best of all, it’s bottomless; those same young ladies come around often to keep you filled. The baby-back ribs are thick and meaty, moist and tender, with bones that pull out clean.

It’s a slice of layer cake over pie for me, and Bar-H has several homemade kinds to choose from at the counter.

Pork, ribs, chicken, stew, plus additional sides and menu items 1380 E. Main St., Franklin Springs, Ga.; 706-245-0022; Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Hugging the side of a BP station at the intersection of Highways 400 and 53 in Dawsonville is Big D’s BBQ, where owner Darren Muenchow and his friendly staff have been taking your orders at the counter for seven years. The tight entrance with an orderly line backed up to the door is plastered with polaroids of satisfied customers. Listen as they sing out your number, then pick up your pulled pork, St. Louisstyle ribs that are meaty and moist and tender, chicken, or brisket, all cooked on big smokers just outside the kitchen window. If you’re eating in, the dining area is hung with racing car fenders and front ends and expired car tags – appropriate for a town known as the birth of modern racing. Their Brunswick stew with large chunks of meat is a meal in itself.

Don’t be wary of the blackened ribs – they’re not burned, but colored and tenderized by Big D’s secret rub, which even arm twisting would not reveal.

Pork, ribs, chicken, brisket, stew, plus additional sides and menu items and breakfast 6566 Highway 53, Dawsonville, Ga.; 706-216-6706; Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

(A second location in downtown Dawsonville hugs the side of the Exxon station at 236 Highway 53 W.) ◆ Fall 2016 51

Fall Tablescapes

BY SYDNAH KINGREA

STYLING BY BOB McCONNELL • PHOTOS BY WILLIAM D. POWELL

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he harvest season brings to mind thoughts of brightly colored falling leaves, spiced cider, pumpkin pie and the holidays to come. If you plan to host gatherings in your home during the coming months, or if you just want to boost the autumn spirit, you may benefit from these fall tablescape inspirations we have assembled. Not only have we included designs that feature traditional fall colors, pumpkins, pinecones and candle accents, we have also aimed for more creativity this season, adding in moss combinations, ferns and even a few colors that unexpectedly complement conventional autumn hues.

For our first tablescape idea, we gathered flora and greenery native to Northeast Georgia in order to create accents that echo the vibrant colors and shapes of the great outdoors. For our base, we reclaimed an antique wooden dough tray similar to those used in decades past for kneading large portions of dough for daily bread.

This wooden tray pays homage to the many women throughout history who spent hours and days preparing memorable meals for their families and friends to enjoy during the harvest season. We hope it will inspire you and your family to set time aside to enjoy each other’s company around the table this season.

The long wooden dough tray is filled with pinecones still holding the scent of the fresh air they grew in, as well as with gourds and variegated pumpkins, which remind the beholder of the blessed harvest. A touch of forest moss ties the warm colors together with an interesting twist. To add dimension and interest, we also included deer antlers, which will excite the hunters in the family. If men make up most of your family, you might even enjoy adding a few brightly colored shotgun shells to the piece to introFall 2016

53

duce a more whimsical touch. This design is already quite eclectic, so don’t be afraid to add your own unique touch. Play with unexpected colors. Adding cornflower blue highlights and bright yellow bursts just builds on the vibrant nature of this decorative collaboration. This large-sized centerpiece makes a bold statement on an expansive dining room table or an entryway table and is a great way to welcome visitors into your home throughout the season.

In recognition of the classic decorating schemes that have been gracing our tables for years, our second tablescape features a simple arrangement where the faded colors of summer dominate the design. An arrangement of multiple shades of hydrangea blooms offers a simple tablescape that doesn’t overwhelm.

You might include wild grape vines to add interest and texture to this simple but elegant centerpiece. The addition of candle holders and table runners make this a versatile design that can be used with any table in your home, from side tables to dining room tables.

Use our third tablescape idea as inspiration for a glamorous entryway table for the season. Few decorating options are as versatile as glass hurricanes. Place hurricanes and candles in the sizes and shapes of your preference on an entryway table and surround them with the comforting colors of fall. While glass hurricanes filled with candles are beautiful just as they are, don’t hesitate to build on the sparkle and warm light they provide by adding bejeweled artificial ferns, glittery fall leaves or golden acorns around the base of the vases. You can fill in around the candles with beads or leaves or even string lights for an iridescent glow.

For those who prefer calmer hues over bright oranges and reds, we offer this final tablescape idea. Use a white ceramic pumpkin – or carve out a real one if in season – filled with light green, soft purple and muted red succulents along with a few sprigs of forest moss to create a one-of-a-kind tablescape that catches the eye and calms the spirit. The addition of pinecones or antlers can add a rugged touch to this fairyland spread. Small tea lights or long taper candles will finish off this customized seasonal decoration in a warm and elegant fashion. Again, because this tablescape can use a wide variety of elements, it can be made any size and used with any table in your home. ◆ 54 Northeast Georgia Living

Fly Fishing

ON THE SOQUE RIVER

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Angler Alex Jaume at Fern Valley on the Soque.

inding along the picturesque route of scenic Highway 197, entirely contained within the borders of Northeast Georgia’s Habersham County, is a little-known secret. The 30-milelong Soque River (pronounced suh-KWEE) is rimmed by beautiful mountain foliage and flows through the heart of charming downtown Clarkesville. Recently, the Soque has emerged among fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts as one of the best trophy trout streams in the Southeast – and perhaps the world.

Narrowing its niche even more is the river’s prestige among fly fishermen. This delicate sport involves a lure that mimics an insect on the water. The lure’s weight is entirely held by the line itself. Accuracy takes practice, and trophy-size trout are not often caught without experience and guidance.

Fly fishermen prize the Soque River for its cool temperatures and limited access. Private guides are recommended and sometimes required since most of the river is privately owned. Often, guides are locals, as familiar with the best fishing water as they are with where to find the truest Southern-style biscuits and gravy. By ensuring anglers are properly catching and releasing fish, guides help maintain this stream’s status as a destination for fly fishermen from Rainbow Trout all over the world.

Marty Simmons and his wife, Glad, saw their dream of living among the mountain laurel and azaleas come true when they purchased private property along the Soque Brown Trout many years ago. Soon, they

BY LINDSEY BRACKETT Fall 2016 55

realized their stretch of riverbank was a precious commodity and incorporated as Fern Valley, a private-access site for fly fishermen.

With reasonable rates and a limited number of anglers each day, Fern Valley is a place where fishermen can come and enjoy the tranquility of casting in open water. Plenty of deep runs are filled with trophy-size rainbow and brown trout. All sections of the river along Fern Valley are productive and wadeable.

At Fern Valley, guides are encouraged but not required for the experienced angler. Hunter Morris, with Fly Fishing North Georgia, fishes Fern Valley almost exclusively. “The layout of the water there is just great because it’s wider than other places upstream,” he notes. “It’s also a really friendly atmosphere.” Guide Ron Thomas says Glad and Marty “are the nicest folks in the world, and they bend over backward to make sure their guests have a good time.”

In addition to enjoying that big catch, fishermen can take advantage of Fern Valley’s day-use amenities. After all, the

Rainbow Trout at Fern Valley on the Soque.

56 Northeast Georgia Living

best fishing stories are told around a roaring campfire and over a cup of hot coffee.

Packages begin at $110. Call 770-5974219 or visit fernvalleytrout.com.

J

ust up Highway 197, nestled among the 300-year natural growth of rhododendron and tucked next to the Chattahoochee National Forest, is world-renowned Brigadoon Lodge.

Here, anglers can stay for several days or the weekend, enjoying catches of 30plus-inch stream-bred trout. Guides describe Brigadoon as the place that never disappoints.

Brigadoon’s enormous bend of the Soque River was privately purchased by owner Rebekah Stewart 35 years ago.

Revered among anglers for the sheer rock cliffs that line the riverbank, this stretch of the Soque sits shaded in the midst of the ancient forest. The old growth trees create a stunning landscape and literally feed the river – and its huge trout – in a cycle of true natural sustainability. To the north, where the property abuts the Chattahoochee National Forest, another mile and a half of

public fishing access can be found.

Because this section of the spring-fed river was never logged out or used to graze cattle, the water remains cool and the fish abundant. Owner Stewart says, “It is at least fifteen degrees cooler than the water in Atlanta.” Beneath the trees, the river remains in shadow and offers a fly fishing experience unlike that of open water.

The trophy sections at Brigadoon are divided into 12 beats fed by seven springs and creeks, all with breathtaking views. In the fall, expect stunning foliage to surround the river as the leaves change.

Another unique feature of Brigadoon is what Stewart calls its “limited access.” The river is designated non-navigable, and the Brigadoon property encompasses both sides of the river, which means that Brigadoon provides the most private fishing experience in Northeast Georgia.

Brigadoon Lodge faces a vista of cliffs and waterfalls, inviting guests to stay awhile. Single rooms or cabins can be rented for individuals, groups or families.

A private chef is available upon request.

Fishing packages begin at $175, and lodging information is available upon request.

Visit brigadoonlodge.com or call Rebekah at 706-754-1558.

In historic Batesville, you’ll find Riverside Trout Fishing, family owned and operated by folks who regularly fish the area. Here the river teems with brook, brown and prize-winning rainbow trout.

The current Georgia state record for the largest rainbow trout is for a trout caught on the Riverside premises. Some believe the secret to the Soque is the local property owners, who keep the stream stocked and the fish well fed. Combine this with cold temperatures and natural riverbank growth and it’s easy to see why Riverside is a true fisherman’s paradise. Thomas promises “the biggest fish you’ll catch anywhere south of Alaska.”

Book a full or half day of fishing and enjoy your surroundings. Amenities include grills and covered picnic pavilions.

Packages begin at $150. Visit www.river sidetroutfishing.net or send an email to riversidetrout@yahoo.com.

Guide services are provided by individuals as well as businesses such as Unicoi Outfitters. All fly fishing in the area is catch-and-release only. Refer to each business for specific regulations. Guides are

T h i s p a ge a n d p rev i o u s p a ge : Fe r n Va l l ey, B row n Tro u t a n d R a i n b ow Tro u t by J o s h E n g l a n d

Fly Fishing on the Soque River

Fall 2016 57

Fly Fishing on the Soque River

The lodge at Brigadoon on the beautiful Soque River; former guest President

58 Northeast Georgia Living

required for your first experience at Riverside and strongly recommended for Fern Valley and Brigadoon.

Only a short drive up from Atlanta, an afternoon of fly fishing and relaxation awaits you in Northeast Georgia. Leave behind the city traffic and enjoy the crisp mountain air as you scout the best place to catch your own trophy trout along the Soque River.

• Unicoi Outfitters provides guides and equipment rentals and supplies. Visit www.unicoioutfitters.com • Ron Thomas, private guide, teaches fly tying. Send email to rbtgofish@gmail.com or call 678-316-1288.

• James Dudley, who writes a blog called “Field and Fly,” can be reached by email at james@thefieldandfly.com or by phone at 678-449-8396.

GUIDES

BED AND BREAKFAST

• Hunter Morris gives private tours with Fly Fishing North Georgia. Visit flyfishing northgeorgia.com.

• Glen-Ella Springs, Clarkesville. This Historic inn offers fly fishing packages that include to-go breakfasts, boxed

Brigadoon Lodge by Roman Pietrs

Jimmy Carter.

lunches and an allowance for their fine dining restaurant. Visit glenella.com.

• Lake Rabun Hotel, Lakemont.

Overlooking beautiful Lake Rabun, this notable stone lodge offers gourmet breakfast, fine dining and spectacular views. Visit lakerabunhotel.com.

• Lucille’s Mountaintop Inn, SauteeNacoochee. In the memorable SauteeNachoochee Valley, you can rest easy and eat well. Visit lucillesmountain topinn.com.

DINING • The Attic, on the square in Clarkesville.

American cuisine. Visit theattic restaurant.com.

• Harvest Habersham, on the square in Clarkesville. Farm-to-table restaurant.

Reservations encouraged. Visit harvesthabersham.com.

• Batesville General Store, Batesville.

Breakfast biscuits and Southern gourmet food. Visit scenic197.com/batesville general.html.

• The Copper Pot, Clarkesville. Brick oven pizza, seasonal dishes. Visit thecopperpotrestaurant.com.

• Hawg Wild BBQ & Catfish House, Clarkesville. Barbecue specialties, wings.

Visit clarkesville.hawgwildbbq.com.

• Midtown Grill, on the square in Clarkesville. Unique burgers. Visit 1midtowngrill.com.

LODGING • Habersham Villa, The Orchard Golf Community, Clarkesville. Private rooms, golf and fly fishing packages are available. Restaurant on site. Visit habershamvilla.com.

• Smithgall Woods State Park, Helen.

Cottages, fishing, hiking, biking, nearby Helen dining and shopping. Visit gastateparks.org/SmithgallWoods.

• North 40 Lodge & Cabin, Clarkesville.

Highway 197 location, convenient to town and Lake Burton. Visit stay.north 40lodge.com.

GEORGIA SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS • georgiawildlife.com/Fishing/Trout • eregulations.com/georgia/fishing/ trout-fishing/ • gofishgeorgia.com ◆ Fall 2016 59

Mountain Trout Tacos With Bourbon Bacon Slaw Recipe on page 62

Preparing Fresh Mountain

TROUT STORY AND PHOTOS BY SYDNAH KINGREA

60 Northeast Georgia Living

M

ountain trout, which can be found from the Northeast Georgia mountains all the way to Canada, is a surpris-

ingly versatile entrĂŠe option. Whether you

are in the mood for a simple grilled recipe or something a little more exotic, you will be pleased to find out how tasty trout can be. While salmon is the most popular fish in restaurants these days, high-quality wildcaught fish like our own mountain trout are just as healthy and palatable.

The three main varieties of trout found in our Northeast Georgia mountains are rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout, but brook trout are the only variety native to the east coast of North America.

Rainbow trout, while now common on the east coast, are native to the Asian and North American Pacific. Before they were introduced to North America, brown trout were found in the White Sea tributaries of Russia, in the Arctic Ocean and in the Aral Sea tributaries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. I encourage you to enjoy

Panko Pecan Encrusted Trout

a fresh mountain trout catch from our very own streams of Northeast Georgia.

4 fresh trout fillets

Whether you are camping and decide to

Breading: 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper

throw together a Grilled Trout BLT or you are planning an elaborate dinner of Panko Pecan Encrusted Trout for guests, I hope you can enjoy each and every one of these fresh mountain trout recipes during this autumn season.

Recipes continued on page 62

Drizzle: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon honey Pecan Mixture: 1/2 cup pecans, chopped in food processor or blender 1 teaspoon rosemary 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Heat the oven to 400 F. Rinse off the trout fillets and pat them dry. Combine the panko breading mixture in a bowl and set aside. Heat the drizzle mixture in a separate bowl for 35-40 seconds or until melted.

Whisk to combine the melted butter and honey and set aside. Combine the chopped pecan mixture in a third bowl. After all these preparations are completed, sprinkle both sides of the trout with the panko breading mixture and set them on a pan sprayed with oil. Drizzle the butter-honey mixture over the breaded fillets and then press the pecan mixture into both sides of them. Bake at 400 F for 10 to 12 minutes.

Serve the fillets on raisin-sprinkled couscous or your choice of grains with a fresh seasonal vegetable to complete your meal.

Servings: 4

Fall 2016

61

Simple Citrus Trout Almondine 4 fresh trout fillets Salt and pepper 1/2 cup brown rice flour or any flour on hand 3 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup crushed or slivered almonds Juice of 1 lemon Rinse off the trout fillets and pat them dry. Salt and pepper both sides to taste

Mountain Trout Tacos With Bourbon Bacon Slaw For the bourbon bacon slaw: 1 medium red cabbage 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons bourbon Juice of 1 lime 2 tablespoons maple syrup 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons chili powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder Salt and pepper, to taste 8 slices crispy bacon For the tacos: 4 fresh trout fillets 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 62 Northeast Georgia Living

and then dredge them in the flour. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter in a pan on the stove and place the fillets in the pan. Cook over medium to medium-high heat until the fillets are slightly browned and tender and then remove them from the pan and set them aside. Melt the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter in the same pan.

Add the crushed almonds and sautĂŠ. Add the juice from one lemon to the pan of sautĂŠed almonds and let the mixture stand until the liquid is warmed. Pour the butter-almond sauce on the fillets and serve with seasonal vegetables. Servings: 4 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon cumin Salt and pepper, to taste 4-6 corn or whole wheat tortillas Lime juice for additional flavor after cooking 1 avocado, sliced 1 tomato, chopped Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese Sour cream Bourbon bacon slaw is best prepared an hour or two before serving. To make the slaw, shred the red cabbage into a bowl.

Add all the bourbon slaw ingredients except for the bacon and mix them into the shredded cabbage. Refrigerate the mixture until ready to eat. Right before serving, cook the bacon until crispy and then crumble and mix it into the slaw.

To make the tacos, first heat the oven to 400 F. Prepare a pan with nonstick spray.

Rinse off the fillets and pat them dry.

Place the fillets on the pan and season them with chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Place the prepared fillets in the oven and bake them for 10 to 12 minutes. Once finished cooking, add each fillet to a heated tortilla, squeezing the lime juice onto the fillet and topping it with bourbon bacon slaw, avocados, tomatoes, shredded cheese and sour cream, as desired. This recipe is extra delicious when served with a side of seasoned black beans. Servings: 4

Grilled Trout BLT Lemon-caper aioli (recipe to follow) 2-4 fresh trout fillets (depending on how much fish you prefer per sandwich) Salt and pepper Olive oil (if sautĂŠing the fillets) 8 slices crispy bacon 8 slices of your favorite sandwich bread 1-2 tomatoes, sliced Romaine or iceberg lettuce Lemon-Caper Aioli: 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon lemon juice or juice of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon jarred chopped capers 1 garlic clove, minced 1-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard Salt and pepper Prepare the lemon-caper aioli an hour before serving the sandwiches by combining the ingredients listed and refrigerating the mixture until ready to serve. Sprinkle the trout fillets with salt and pepper, to taste, and grill them on an outdoor grill or sautĂŠ them in olive oil in a pan over medium to medium-high heat until slightly browned and tender. Crisp the bacon in a separate pan or in the microwave. Toast the bread slices and then slather them with the prepared lemon-caper aioli. Add the salted and peppered sliced tomatoes to each sandwich as well as a large leaf of romaine or iceberg lettuce and top each sandwich with grilled trout and two slices of bacon.

Close with the remaining slice of bread and enjoy! Servings: 4 â—† Fall 2016 63

REFLECTIONS

BY SYDNAH KINGREA

T

he faded blue and white tower stood in the distant hills like a landlocked lighthouse beacon. My excitement erupted within me as I recognized the familiar scenery passing through our car windows. From a child’s perspective, these hills were like peaks, and I was on an excursion to the “cold” Northeast Georgia mountains from the flats of Florida. Though it was not yet my home, I always felt like I was going home when we visited Franklin Springs, Ga. Soon we would pull into the steep, gnarled driveway of my grandparents’ residence on Swails Street. I scooted to the edge of my seat in excitement. Peering between the front car seats, I could see their smiling faces as they walked out of the ` open garage to welcome us. With the car barely slowing to a stop, I jumped out and ran into their arms. Warm hugs and familiar smells enveloped me as my grandparents pulled me in. Immediately feeling my small hands and exclaiming how cold they were, my grandmother walked us inside the cozy house, which smelled of a mixture of mothballs and wood stove smoke. My sister and I ran 64 Northeast Georgia Living

upstairs and claimed our spots in the blue room, where we threw on warmer clothes before venturing outdoors. We would spend the week riding our bikes, playing in the leaves and listening to stories of my grandfather’s childhood.

The Emmanuel College campus was a safe place for us to ride our bikes, and we rode them through the sidewalk mazes of the quad and to the Student Activity Center, where we could play games.

During the fall, we could make our way to campus from my grandparents’ house without even seeing a passing car. We would make stops along the way at the old jailhouse on King Street, pretending to be criminals, and at the enchanting Springs Pavilion. After an afternoon of exploring, my siblings and I would pedal back to the homestead for a home-cooked meal.

Toward the end of the week, my sister and I would start getting more creative with our daily activities. After discovering tricycles in the garage, we would pile leaves as high as we could manage and then, with our knees above the handlebars, drive the too-small tricycles down a hill into the fluffy, colorful embankments

we had created. After a remarkable few hours of not growing tired of this activity, we would traipse through the fallen leaves to the backyard, where innumerable treasures were hidden behind my grandfather’s old green shed. It seemed every time we visited, a new collection of rollerblades and fixed-up rusty bicycles would be available for us to enjoy. If we were lucky, we would even get to accompany our poppa to Bow Mart to pick out a few precious toys like these of our desire.

After a week of reveling in the undivided attention that only grandparents can bestow, we would have to say our goodbyes to the cool breezes and the snug fireside nights and head home. I would replay in my head the fun I had had as entertainment during the long car ride. I would spend hours picturing my grandfather as strong and brave – the way he portrayed himself in the stories he told – and struggling to imagine my grandmother as a young lady without gray hair.

Autumn in Georgia has the unique ability to bring back these memories and the soft, peaceful feelings associated with them. During the fall season, I’m often reminded of the profound sense of security and love I experienced as a child visiting Northeast Georgia. While a Godfearing, caring family was a large part of the development of these fond memories, so was this region.

There is something delightfully charming about driving through our curvy roads, stopping at the few remaining fruit and vegetable stands and watching the mountains gracefully turn from blue to burnt orange and rust red. Wherever you are in life, I hope this season brings back joyful memories, and if those memories are few, I hope it gives you the opportunity to make new ones. Take time to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you, and let it rejuvenate your outlook on life through the coming months. ◆

Photo of Springs Pavilion by Melissa Herndon

... on a season to build memories