laurel of Northeast Georgia

April 2023 • Volume Twenty • Issue Four

From The Publisher

Oh, for the love of art! From some of Georgia’s finest artists to amateurs like myself, this part of the world is rich with creative minded people. Many years ago, things like quilts and clothing were made out of necessity but today we consider quilts fine crafts and their patterns a work of art. Nothing is more magnificent than a handmade piece of furniture just take a look at Dwayne Thompson’s work at Timpson Creek Gallery. Art is therapy, offering an escape from the stresses of life. Most any artist will tell you that a canvas and brush is their most tranquil place. This issue is will celebrate the creativity that is so prevalent in these southern Appalachian mountains.

On April 15 & 16, 2023 Dahlonega will host their 25th Annual Bear on the Square Festival. It’s an incredible weekend of music and art with the Appalachian tradition of storytelling to entertain audience members of all ages. There will be free concerts by nationally recognized musicians preforming bluegrass and old-time music. All free!

Plan to attend the Sassafras Artisan Market April 29 & 30 at the Rabun County Civic Center. With a new name, in a new place but offering the same great experience this welcomes many of the same great vendors who came to the mountains each year for Celebrate Clayton. An indoor and outdoor event offering fine art and craft, music and great food! Come hungry and bring your purse! Enjoy artist demonstrations, make and take projects and shopping with excellent vendors.

May brings the Of These Mountains Spring Marketplace. The outdoor event has been a huge success and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. So mark your calendar for May 13th 2023 10am – 5pm. To experience the flavor of the festival visit Of These Mountains’ retail location on East Savannah Street and stop in to Nina’s Milkshake Bar and Pizzeria next door. We appreciate all of our readers and advertisers. We ask that you visit them and shop local every chance you get.

So it’s gonna be an artsy April!

Get out and enjoy spring!

Tracy

PS. The little bird on the cover is the Eastern White-breasted Nuthatch known for snatching seeds and nuts from feeders, which they are easily attracted to and wedging them into the bark’s crevices. The birds then use their very sharp beaks to break the shells and retrieve the contents. Smart birds and how they got their name Nuthatch!

Laurel of Northeast Georgia

Mailing: PO Box 2218 - Clayton, Georgia 30525

Office : 2511 Highway 441

Mountain City, Geo rgia 30562

706-782-1600 www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com

Contributing Writers:

Tricia Moore, Tori Carver, Lorie Thompson, Dr. Sue Aery, Jaime Smoot Speed, Dick Cinquina, Roger Glenn, Joey Thompson, Mark Holloway, Jonan Keeny, Liz Alley, Flashback Article by ?

Staff

Publisher/Editor - Marketing - Tracy McCoy

706-982-9197

Art Director - Dianne VanderHorst

Graphics - Lucas McCoy

Marketing & Office Manager - Cindi Freeman

706-982-0216

Assistant Office Manager - D’Anna Coleman

Writer - John Shivers

Photographer / Writer - Peter McIntosh

Copyright 2023 by Rabun’s Laurel Inc. All rights reserved. The Laurel of Northeast Georgia Magazine is published twelve times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to the Laurel of Northeast Georgia magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel magazine or any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. The Laurel of Northeast Gorgia maintains a Christian focus throughout their magazine. Rabun’s Laurel, Inc. reserves the right to refuse content or advertising for any reason without explanation.