Georgia Mountain Laurel August 17 by The Laurel of Northeast Georgia

From the Publisher

Georgia Mountain Laurel Mailing: PO Box 2218, Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 2511 Highway 441, Mountain City, Georgia 30562 706-782-1600 • www.gmlaurel.com

Fresh and Local, Farm to Table, Field to Fork... all of these terms mean the same thing. Food grown as responsibly as possible, harvested and served fresh. This is not a new idea in the mountains, it is a tradition. My family has gardened for generations, planting big gardens to feed big families. The harvest was picked and cooked on the same day with the abundance canned or frozen to provide food for winter. This way of life is still alive and well, in fact it is rather en vogue.

Publisher/Editor - Tracy McCoy Assistant Editor - Luke McCoy Assitant Editor - Nikki Dunbar Art Director - Dianne VanderHorst Office Manager/ Account Executive - Cindi Freeman Account Executive - Melissa Williams-Thomas Account Executive - Melynda Hensley Photographer/Writer - Peter McIntosh

This issue features this healthy way of life from everyday to special occasion. We also have our eye on Rabun County this month. Like bragging on your own family in a way as Rabun is our home, it is where we live and play. We are thankful for the beauty of our county, the heart of Rabun County and the businesses who have supported us for now 14 years! We are blessed to live here. We hope since last month you have found a cool place to enjoy the summer. Our wish for you is always the same: that your cup is full, your days are accomplished, your health is great and you are blessed! Happy August friends! Tracy

Contributing Writers: Scarlett Cook, Jean Hyatt, Mark Holloway, Susan Brewer Steve Jarrard, MD, Lisa Harris, John Shivers, Emory Jones, Lorie Thompson, Natalie S. White, Gayle Darugh Copyright 2017 by Rabun’s Laurel Inc. All rights reserved. The Georgia Mountain Laurel 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 GML 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 Georgia Mountain Laurel maintains a Christian focus throughout their magazine. Rabun’s Laurel, Inc. reserves the right to refuse content or advertising for any reason without explanation.

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August 2017

A Taste 12 14 16 17 18 20 24 26 28

Come Leave Your Heart in Rabun Mountain Tradition - Danny Burch’s Beans Rabun County - Farm to Table In the Kitchen at Beechwood The Dillard House Celebrates 100 Years Featured Farms - A Few of the Best Bon Appetit Osage Farms - Thank God for a Farmer The Family Table

Arts & Entertainment

In This Issue

32 36 38

North Georgia Arts Guild Rabun County Music Festival Rhapsody in Rabun - Auction Items

Mark Your Calendar 39 40 43 44 46 50

Scaly Mountain Summer Festival Mountain Happenings - Our Calendar Solar Eclipse Festivities in the Mountains Eclipse Jewelry at Phoenix Jewelry Franklin Area Folk Festival “And the Sun is Eclipsed by the Moon”

Outdoors 52 54

Adventure Out Mountain Nature

Faith in Christ 58 60 62 63

Busyness (Biltmore Church) Bless Your Heart River Garden His Last Days Passion Drama

Mountain Homes 64 68

Flo’s Life is Good Harry Norman Featured Property Tiger Mountain Vineyards

Just Thinking... 72 76 80

Lovin’ the Journey Notes from a Southern Kitchen By the Way

Health & Wellness 81 84 86 10

August 2017

Healthcare Designed Around You Adams’ Hearing Live Healthy & Be Well gmlaurel.com

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August 2017

Come Leave Your Heart in Rabun by John Shivers

“W

here spring spends the summer,” the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce once boasted about the 377 square miles of what some call “God’s Country.” The county that was named for Georgia’s eleventh governor, William Rabun, is famous for its climate and its hospitality. Follow that up with some of the most breathtaking scenery to be found anywhere, and Rabun County is where all aspects of a quality life converge. Some call the resulting collaboration equally close to heaven on earth. Rabun County, Georgia has long been a crossroads destination. Situated in the extreme northeastern corner of Georgia, hugged up against North Carolina and South Carolina, the region that now boasts three recreational lakes, has long sounded the siren call of a quieter and more satisfying lifestyle. For those seeking respite from all the many maladies of a rat race existence, Rabun offers a win-win pescription. Even before 1776, when Georgia delegates Lyman Hall, Button Gwinnett, and George Walton signed their names to the document that declared this country free from English rule, early tourists were already documented in what is now the Rabun area. Explorer and naturalist William Bartram, one of the earliest known visitors to this beautiful but remote and isolated region, was already discovering what so many have learned in the almost 250 years since. Rabun County is a place to be, and for so many different reasons. So many reasons, you could almost write a book… and in fact, educator and historian Andrew Jackson Ritchie did just that. As the founder of the Rabun Gap Industrial School (now Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School), Dr. Ritchie’s Sketches of Rabun County History, was first published in 1948. His words about the early beginnings of this land that one Rabun native has declared as part of a spiritual vortex, gave life and breath to the original settler families. Their origins and their early stories sculpted Rabun County into the destination it is today. When Bartram visited in 1775, the Cherokee Indians were the sole inhabitants. His private journal entries that survive him, recorded his travels and his reaction to all he saw. As Bartram tells the story, he crossed into eastern Rabun County from present day South Carolina, in an area around the confluence of the Chattooga River and Warwoman Creek. Later in his journey, he traveled to a junction of Cherokee trails called Dividings. That junction today goes by the name Clayton. He then hiked north to Passover that would, in time, become Mountain City. He also climbed Rabun Bald, the second highest mountain peak in Georgia. In fact, the county has eight peaks that are higher than 4,000 feet, and over 60 that exceed 3,000 feet in elevation. That’s a lot of lofty peaks that contribute to an even more lofty lifestyle. It’s easy to understand how the beauty spoke to Bartram’s spirit. His Rabun ramblings are memorialized by the Georgia portion of the hiking trail known in the nation’s southeast as the Bartram Trail. Bartram was a tourist passing through. Ritchie came to Rabun Gap and stayed for a time. Both made their marks; in turn, both were marked distinctly by the spirit of all that is Rabun. Whether your stay classifies as full-time or part-time, fret not. What does matter is that you come to this country where mountain peaks caress the sky, and valley floors provide a plethora of enjoyments and pastimes. Take a gander at the menu of possibilities. For starters, Rabun County is a place of unique venues and adventures. As the only county in Georgia with three state parks, Black Rock Mountain, Moccasin Creek, and Tallulah Gorge, the opportunities to get out there and find some of the same nature that enthralled Bartram, is literally only footsteps away. These are but three of the gateways that lead to the Rabun experience. Add to this the number of hiking trails and breathtaking vistas, some looking into the two adjacent states, and you understand why Bartram was so enthralled. 12

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There are also three major lakes, Burton, Rabun, and Seed, that add yet another multi-faceted perspective to the menu of prospects. These three areas of watery entertainment were developed by Georgia Power in the early 1900’s to generate electric power, and cover some 3,850 acres. While the lakes’ surfaces offer opportunities for boating, skiing, swimming, and relaxing, the fishing available below the surface is par to none. What’s more, the lakes serve as backyards for many of the homes that line the 138 miles of shoreline. In the 2010 federal census, Rabun County’s population totaled 16,276. During the summer months, however, the head count nearly triples, thanks to those who maintain part-time homes in Rabun County, as well as those who pass through four distinct seasons out of the year. The county also boasts a large number of trout streams, including the Tallulah River and its tributaries, the Coleman River, and Charlie’s Creek. Rabun’s eastern border is formed by the Chattooga River of whitewater rafting fame, and the high elevation gives the region the distinction of the snowiest county in Georgia. That same attribute contributes to its milder, mellow summer climate. Either way, climate makes a definite contribution to the Rabun experience. But life doesn’t begin and end on the lakes or at the campgrounds and on hiking trails. Oh, no, that’s just the beginning. Because of its remote nature in the days past, families had to be self-sufficient. What they raised, they ate. Had it not been for those crops that grew on the mountain hillsides, they wouldn’t have eaten. Today, farmers markets, roadside food stands in season, and even supermarkets have changed the question “what’s for supper?” But in a flashback to earlier days, Rabun County is one of the state leaders in the farm to table cuisine campaign, where local eateries proudly prepare and serve locally grown ingredients. Rabun County is also home to several vineyard/winery operations. It doesn’t get much better than this. But if you’ve got good eats, you’ve also got to have a great place to lay your head between meals. Motels, bed & breakfast operations, camp grounds, short-term rental cabins, golf resorts, and rooms in private homes all offer the perfect night’s sleep to complement a great meal. And there’s more. In recent years, thanks to all these attributes, bridal couples have discovered the abundant emotional perks to saying “I do…” against a backdrop of native beauty and majesty in Rabun County. From Tallulah Falls, Lakemont, Wiley, Tiger, Clayton, Mountain City, Rabun Gap and Dillard, all these towns lie alongside Highway 441 that snakes its way north and south throughout the county. Visual, musical, and performing arts abound, crafts and craftspeople, family activities, and specialty shopping opportunities bid welcome along major traffic corridors, and on the side roads that lead to discoveries. Rabun County is easily accessible from Atlanta, Asheville, North Carolina, Greenville, South Carolina, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Unlike William Bartram, who literally hacked his way into the county, getting to the northeastern most corner of Georgia is as easy as getting in the car and asking the GPS for routing to God’s Country. Leaving, however, is a lot more difficult. Rabun County may be a place where spring spends the summer, but it’s also a place where, once you’ve visited, your heart lives year round. The place simply grows on you. ....................................................... To plan your visit consult www.explorerabun.com or www.gamountains.com gmlaurel.com

August 2017

A Mountain Tradition

Breaking Beans & Swapping Tales by Tracy McCoy

im and Jean Burch moved to Rabun County from Hayesville, North Carolina in 1957. They purchased a home from Noah Moore. The home sat on sixty acres on Kelly’s Creek Road in Rabun Gap, Georgia. Perfect mountain views in the distance and fertile bottom land in the valley made for the perfect homestead for the Burches and their five children, Mike, Danny, Martha Dale, George Henry and David. Jim Burch plowed the ground below the house on the other side of Kelly’s Creek Road and put seed in the soil. He was quite the gardener, of course something most families had was a garden; it helped put food on the table. This family and many others were Farm to Table before it was a thing! This is where this story begins...in Jim’s garden.

your children to plant, harvest and preserve their own food is one of the most valuable things you can teach them. Just ask Danny Burch...that’s what we did.

Families have farmed the land in Rabun County since the first families settled here. While exceptional vegetables, fruit, flowers, and trees are grown county wide it is common knowledge that the land in the valley boasts some of the richest dirt in the county. Jim and Jean planted corn, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, okra, and squash. Jean, who was the Postmistress for years at the Rabun Gap Post Office, canned and froze the harvest from the Burch garden each year. Jim and Jean raised their children in the garden, teaching them how to pull corn, pick beans and tomatoes, cut okra, and dig potatoes. Teaching

When I arrived at the brick home with the long front porch, I found a group of family and friends breaking beans and swapping tales, a scene I am not unfamiliar with. I, in fact, have memories of my own family gathering on my grandparents’ and my own parents’ front porch with baskets and bowls, a kitchen towel draped across knees and casual conversation. There was laughter and reminiscing while the beans are strung, snapped, and dropped into the bowls. The gathering was a decades old annual event, “Doin’ the Beans”.

Who in the world is Danny Burch? Well if you attended or graduated from Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in the late 1960s – early 1970s you may know him, or if you took a math class at Rabun County High School from 1977 to 1994, you should know Mr. Burch. He retired at the end of the 2016/2017 school year after 40 years of service. He is well thought of in his community, and that spurred neighbor and friend, Malinda Cannon to send me a text that I needed to be on the Burch’s porch on Monday, July 11th. I didn’t question, I just went.

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“If you can find a weed in Danny’s garden, you’d be doing something,” Jean Kelly Lindstent shared. Inviting us to come was partly her idea because she’s been part of this event for many years and has been a recipient of the harvest. Danny’s sister Martha Burch Quinn and her husband David were also there to help. “Even a city boy from the streets of Atlanta can learn to snap beans,” David Quinn remarked. This led Jean Burch, now in her 90s, to ask him just how long he’d been part of this family, and his answer was 38 years. Working up beans on the swing was Judy Burch and her sister Rosa Hrovat, and seated nearby was Opal Dodgins. In wooden rockers on the other end of the porch were Jean Lindstent and Brenda Rickman Cook. Danny and Judy raised their own children, Justin, Jeneé, and James, to work in and appreciate the garden as well. There is one thing I noticed that seemed familiar, and that was bare feet and iced tea. The baskets of beans lined the edge of the porch and I have to say they were gorgeous beans without a blemish on them! There are four types of green beans planted in Danny’s garden: Blue Lake, Hastings Corn Field, Half Runners, and what they call Vinson Beans (because the seed came from the Vinson family). This group has perfected this process over the years and has taken what some might find an agonizing task and made it celebratory! Danny had the hottest job for sure this day, running the canner, but without missing a beat, he told us how everyone who works in the garden hoeing, weeding, picking, and then working up the vegetables also benefits by taking their fair share home. It’s a beautiful arrangement and it’s how it should be. The Burch basement has plenty of storage for the jars, and on our visit there were more empty jars than full ones, but that problem was going to soon be remedied. Beans are not the only veggie that comes from Danny’s garden. Like his dad, he plants the basics and the family works up the beans, puts up corn on the cob and off, makes sweet and dill pickles, Zucchini relish, pickled beets and peppers. They make salsa and spaghetti sauce and they freeze okra and can it in vinegar, which Danny says is as good as fresh! I enjoyed my visit with this family and their friends, and in traditional Rabun County style, we left with a “mess of beans” in a grocery sack. I love this family tradition and have to say the beans were mighty tasty!

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August 2017

Rabun County

Photos here and on our cover taken by Chef David Darugh Beechwood Inn - Clayton

Farm to Table Capital of Georgia by Gayle Darugh

n 2014 the Rabun County Commissioners recognized a request from the Rabun County Tourism Development Authority to recognize the local bounty and entrapeneurship coming from the farms of the area. On January 26, 2015, the Georgia House of Representatives took it a step further and issued a resolution declaring Rabun County the Farm to Table Capital of Georgia. Sponsored by Rep. Stephen Allison , the Resolution recognized that Rabun County is uniquely positioned to claim this identity because no region in Georgia is more perfectly located amid such a diverse variety of highquality farms, mills, dairies, ranches and vineyards.This recognition as Georgia’s Farm-to-Table Capital isn’t something that this region needs to grow into because Rabun County has been walking this walk for decades. It is part of who we are and this is our opportunity to embrace that identity, celebrate it locally, and champion it to the rest of the state and the country. This area has long been known for farm fresh bounty. As early as 1917 the traveling public flocked to the Dillard House to dine on just-picked produce from Carrie and Arthur Dillard’s gardens. In 1922 Lura Buchholz opened Beechwood Inn as a Summer House, feeding her guests fresh farm products. An old Clayton Tribune ad from 1931stated that “the inn had all the modern conveniences: fresh vegetables from our garden, fresh milk from our dairy, chickens and eggs daily from our poultry yard, and the most appetizing things to eat on the market.”

Rabun County offers, amongst many others, blueberries from Tiger Mountain Orchard, summer produce from Osage Farms, fresh fish from Andy’s Trout Farm, wine from Tiger Mountain Vineyards, Stonewall Creek, Twelve Spies and Noble vineyards, Pork from O-Hana Farm, honey from Blue Ridge Honey Company, syrups from Hillside Orchards Farm, beef from Blalock Meat, and Grits from Barker’s Creek Mill. There is no other place in the State that grows and distributes the diversity of foods, wine and value added products for consumers and chefs than the North Georgia Mountain Region does. There are larger regions, like the Central Valley of California, that produce far more farm products than Rabun County. The thing is, virtually all the food grown there is exported from the region and immediately, sold into national markets or overseas. In California, as almost everywhere with huge farms, the existing agricultural economy is geared toward large volumes, big distances and national markets, and for supermarket managers who depend on a steady, high-volume supply system, working with local farmers can be a clumsy and laborintensive process of person-to-person communications that hampers business as usual. We know that much of the food and other products produced in Rabun County stays here. At Fortify Kitchen and Bar, at Lake Rabun Hotel, at the Farmhouse at Persimmon, at Beechwood Inn, an overalled visitor shows up at the back door. The chef interrupts food preparation to meet the farmer, who steps out of a produce laden pickup truck, dust caked under its windshield wipers. The tailgate is lowered, and several boxes of fresh produce are unloaded. The two make a quick exchange, pens scribble in spiral notebooks, and they shake hands. The farmer goes on his way. The chef delights in the freshness and beauty of the purchase. These direct exchanges are how a great deal of locally grown produce reaches any given product oriented restaurant, but they aren’t a very efficient means of delivery for big box commercial producers. The system works in our farm to table community.

Today there are more restaurants, more award winning chefs, and more markets offering fresh and local products than anywhere else in Georgia. Local restaurants utilize the abundance of regionally-grown products to create a Farm-to-Table freshness that’s unparalleled in this in the state. While many farms ship their products across the country The commitment and variety of our local food producers, the pride — a process that can take days — local restaurants can pick up fresh of many of our local chefs in seeking out local products, and the product in the morning and serve it to patrons for lunch and dinner. growing importance of our county as a culinary destination makes it a perfect fit for designation as the “Farm to Table Capital of Georgia.” 16

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In the Kitchen at Beechwood Inn by Tracy McCoy

ecently my staff journeyed just a shade west of downtown Clayton to Beechwood Inn to experience a cooking class, something offered by the Darughs for those who would like to learn more about Farm to Table cooking. This particular day they planned to prepare Mushroom Ravioli with a Mushroom Bisque, an Arugula & Golden Beet Salad and a genuine southern favorite Fried Green Tomatoes with House-Made Gingered Tomato Marmalade. The cooking classes at Beechwood Inn are taught by Master Chef David Darugh in the well equipped commercial kitchen at the inn. This day with Beechwood branded aprons waiting the ladies were greeted and instructed to put on their aprons, the fresh mushrooms were soon to arrive. David Darugh grew up in his parent’s restaurant in Sonoma, California so this setting is not new to him. He studied at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa, Johnson & Wales in Providence Rhode Island, in Dijon, France and in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Gayle Darugh is the inn’s Head Pastry Chef and honestly creates some of the most exquisite deserts like her bread pudding (my favorite) pictured here. When Pete and Therese Chomout from Curly Top Mushroom Farm arrived with a basket of fresh Shitake Mushrooms, it was very interesting to learn that they brought in around 1500 oak logs and drilling holes every four inches they inserted spores that would grow into these large mushrooms. This basketfull had been handpicked that very morning. The Chomout’s joined Melynda, Melissa and Cindi for the cooking class. Carol Crista from Dogwoods in Clayton also attended the class. The ladies enjoyed making their own pasta and learning how to handle the dough as it is brought through the pasta maker. They spoke of how much they learned yet how easy it was to do. They remarked on how adept David was and the ease with which he worked. Each one of our Laurel ladies tried their hand at creating ravioli. The rich flavorful mushroom bisque that covered their cheese and Shitake stuffed raviolis was incredible, they haven’t stopped talking about it yet. The Arugula salad was lovely with a large golden beet and an edible flower from the Beechwood garden. The dressing was made from what David called aged sherry vinegar which is stored in wooden casks and aged 30 years. Over that span of time the vinegar

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August 2017

The Dillard House Celebrates 100 Years By Tracy McCoy

he Dillard family boasts a rich history in Rabun county and their reputation of providing quality lodging and outstanding southern meals dates back to Carrie and Arthur Dillard. Miss Carrie was quite the lady, a wonderful cook, gifted gardener, had a keen sense of business and she was known for a her warm welcoming nature. She taught her children and grandchildren how to treat each guest as family. She and Arthur began the Dillard House in 1917 in the Rock House which still stands today and still houses visitors. The Dillard House is synonymous with Rabun County, in many circles it defines us and if you’ve ever stayed or had a meal there you never forget just how good it was. John Dillard Sr. invested 47 years into running the day to day operations, adding a state of the art convention center and upgrading many amenities. After John’s passing last year his wife Louise took over as CEO with children, John Jr. and Natalie working along side her to take The Dillard House into it’s 100th year. Known for their southern cooking served family-style, the restaurant’s menus vary slightly but you can count on an award-winning meal. The restaurant has earned two reader’s choice recognitions from Southern Living magazine. One for Best Breakfast/Brunch Restaurant and one for Southern Favorite Restaurant. Three meals a day are served in the ample dining room overlooking the valley with distant mountain views. You will often find a line waiting to dine but rest assured it is well worth the wait. Waiting gives you an opportunity to visit with other guests or browse the Dillard House gift shop. In the gift shop you will find many wonderful treasures. You can purchase their signature jams and jellies, relishes, pickled vegetables and even a Virginia Sugar-Cured Country ham.

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BEECHWOOD INN loses 8% of is volume to evaporation and becomes deeply concentrated and mellow; a rich base for a lovely salad dressing

The Dillard House restaurant is truly a southern culinary experience. From the time you enter the door till you walk out fully satisfied you are treated like family and fed like you’re around your grandmother’s table. The food is prepared with you in mind, carefully hand breaded and seasoned to perfection. You can expect a table full of food and take out boxes are available. If you want seconds all you have to do is ask. A sweet finish can be enjoyed if you have room! This really is an amazing meal. Allowing The Dillard House to cater your event or hosting an event on the property is a wise decision. Weddings are memorable and receptions are orchestrated with ease. Imagine a horseback wedding with a mountain view beyond a summer meadow with a spread for your guests that is unrivaled. Catering menus are available on their website along with information about all that the Dillard family offers. The Inn started with a modest six rooms but the hotel has grown to include 90 guest rooms and suites, more than 23 cottages and chalets with all of the standard amenities. They have a petting zoo that the younger guests love and the Dillard House Stables are on site offering visitors guided horseback rides. The pool is available to all Dillard House guests and with the exquisite views it makes a relaxing stay even more enjoyable. The hotel and grounds are perfect for family reunions, corporate events, church retreats or intimate get-aways. This 100th anniversary year has been quite a celebration and in true Dillard family tradition they have passed on to their guests special weekend packages and hosted events offering guests the opportunity to celebrate with them. For upcoming events we recommend that you visit their website www.dillardhouse.com or you follow them on Facebook @dillardhouse and on Instagram (dillardhousegeorgia). Make plans to join in the celebrations, come for the week, a weekend or stop in to enjoy a meal with your family. The Dillard House is located at 768 Franklin Street in Dillard, Georgia 30537. Reservations can be made by calling toll-free 1.800.541.0671. For more information visit www.dillardhouse.com. gmlaurel.com

The fried green tomatoes were topped with a Gingered Tomato Marmalade that they made in the class. Another taste that has kept conversation going about how much they enjoyed the class and the meal. The three sat in the dining room at Beechwood Inn looking out at Black Rock Mountain. The classes at Beechwood are quite educational as David Darugh’s knowledge of farm to table cooking, culinary practices and fine wine is quite extensive. The garden at Beechwood offers visitors to the inn and those who enjoy dinner at Beechwood the freshest possible organically grown food. We live in a time when knowing where the food we eat originates and is grown seems more important than any other time in history. Why? Because we have learned that the nutritional value of fresh organic food over pre-packaged chemical laden foods. Don’t we all want to feed our families the healthiest food possible? I know I do. The ladies felt that they could easily take what they learned and replicate the meal in their own homes. They remarked about how much more satisfying the homemade pasta was over store bought. The mushrooms were exceptional as well and we thank the Curly Top Mushroom Farm folks for bringing their fresh shrooms over for us and it was a pleasure to meet them. You can find them each Saturday at the Clayton Farmer’s Market outside the teaching kitchen at the North Georgia Food Bank on Saturday mornings. Be sure to let them know you saw them in the Laurel and we invite you to visit Beechwood Inn’s website for information on lodging, dining opportunities or a schedule of Cooking School classes at the inn. You will not be disappointed. On our cover this month is a tasty platter of heirloom tomatoes grown in the Beechwood Inn garden. The photo was one taken by Innkeeper and Chef David Darugh. He has quite a collection of photos from the classes and his own cooking. We are honored to share them with you, now go get a napkin you are drooling! For an abundance of information visit Beechwood Inn’s website www. beechwoodinn.ws. You are going to really enjoy their website and we hope you will take the next step and enjoy this award-winning inn. We are so fortunate to have so many fine farm to table businesss in our mountains. August 2017

Featured Farms - A Few of the Best by Natalie White

Natalie White

Hello friends, my name is Natalie White and I’m a self-professed nerdy adventurist. I’m 33 years old and my husband Jason and I live in beautiful, rural north Georgia with our two fur babies: Australian Shepherds, Aussie and Quigley. For the past ten years I taught English, Literature, Seminar, and Yearbook in Hall County. I am now embarking on a career dream joining the Herff Jones yearbook team where I will support staffs and advisers across Northeast Georgia. And if that’s not enough, I make time to freelance write, edit, and even blog. You can also find me teaching spin at Better Body Fitness in Habersham. I drive a yellow Mini Cooper named Penny Lane so if you see us out and about, wave!

Fresh Markets.

For those of us born and raised in the south (or for those of you who just wished you were), there’s no better place to buy fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables than at your local farmers’ market. Period. Farmers’ markets offer food of superior quality, help support smaller-scale farmers in an environment that’s more and more difficult (and rare), and increase the amount of local food available to shoppers. Then there’s “know your farmer, know your food.” When you buy directly from a farmer, you’re pretty much guaranteed real freshness (we’ve all seen farmers’ market produce last two or three times longer than supermarket produce). You’re supporting a local business — even a neighbor! And you have the opportunity to ask, “How are you growing this food?” Farmers’ markets are not just markets. They’re educational systems that teach us how food is raised and why that matters. From savoring produce at the peak of freshness to meeting the people who grow your food, there are countless reasons to support farmers markets. Plus, they’re just so much fun! So, here’s a list of some local joints you should know, go, and enjoy.

RABUN COUNTY

Mill Gap Farm, located at 63 Mill Gap Lane, in Tiger, Georgia is Mill Gap Farm, owned and operated by Chuck and Amy Mashburn. Known for their chemical-free vegetables, they also focus on under-appreciated legumes, edible flowers, nuts, and herbs. Go out and take a farm tour, any Saturday from now till November, or hit them up at the Clayton Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings from 9 till 1. Regardless of what you buy and try, don’t leave without their signature garlic braid. It’s a can’t miss! Osage Farm, located inside the Chattahoochee National Forest, at 5030 US-441, in Dillard is owned and operated by 5th and 6th generation family farmers, Ricky and Clint James. Having opened in 1973, Osage Farm is open everyday from May through October from 8am to 6pm. This 1,000 acre farm provides locally grown, seasonally ready produce, pasture, and even Christmas trees. With beans by the bushel, cabbage, squash, and cucumbers fresh off the vine, Osage also provides other locally sourced must-haves including juicy South Carolina peaches. Want to know what is fresh and in season? Check them out on Facebook at Osage Farms, Inc. 20

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If you’re in downtown Clayton on a Saturday morning, hop on over to the Food Bank and visit the Clayton’s Farmer’s Market from 9am to 12:30 pm. The address is 108 Plaza Way, but with truck loads of fresh produce and seasonal goods, and a long line of early morning customers, you won’t be able to miss this pop-up market. With suppliers such as Taterville Farms, art from Holly’s Gorgeous Paintings, honey from Paul’s Pretty Good Honey, and even live music, this market is also an event. Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, you can also follow them on Facebook for more live updates at Clayton Farmers Market.

HABERSHAM COUNTY

If you blink, you might drive right past them but you better back up and pull over because Fritchey’s Gardens & Roadside Produce Market has been feeding Habersham County for more than 36 years. Located at 6033 GA-17, in Clarkesville, owner/operator Nancy Fritchey focuses on her customers just as much as her produce. With one-on-one personal service, Fritchey’s features okra, corn, tomatoes, and the largest, most glorious sunflowers. Don’t believe me? Then take a walk and peak out over the sunflower overlook. It’s free of charge. Before you leave, make sure you grab a signature milkshake or even some locally sourced meats from Wauka Meadows Farms. Open seven days a week from April to November, you can even shop from them during the off-season on the honor system. Follow them on Facebook at Fritchey’s Gardens & Farm Fresh Market.

UNION COUNTY

Having just celebrated ten years on June 3rd, Union County Farmer’s Market is boasting more than a birthday. Located on 148 Old Smokey Road in Blairsville, it is truly for all ages. With pride in their agricultural roots, the 2007 development of this market provides growers, artisans, beekeepers, bakers, potters, and painters a place to sell their goods. Open till October 28th, stop by on Saturdays from 7am to 1pm or Tuesdays from 2pm to 6pm. You can also grab breakfast or lunch on Saturdays provided by the Logan Turnpike Mill at the Market Diner. For a full list of all 90 vendors, including Alpaca products from Annie’s Dream Alpaca Farm, visit their website at www.ucfarmersmarket.com.

HALL COUNTY

Moving from farthest north to the farthest south, we couldn’t talk about fresh markets and not mention Jaemor Farms located off 365 at 5340 Cornelia Highway in Alto. The Echols family at has been harvesting crops from this land for 105 years. With homemade ice cream, fresh cakes, apples, peaches, and produce by the basket loads, you can literally watch the produce being picked. You can also snag boiled peanuts, locally sourced canned jams and about every produce imaginable. Just don’t forget to pack a cooler for this one-stop shop. Claiming as the largest of this kind in Georgia, Jaemor is a farm, a market, and an experience. With peach trees lining the entrance, this farm also hosts date nights for couples seasonally, fall apple or pumpkin picking, a corn maze in October, and even canning classes. You can also plan a farm field trip or book one of their event facilities. Come for the peaches (Georgia Belle are in season) but leave with a hot pie! Follow them on Facebook or check out their website at http://www.jaemorfarms.com.

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August 2017

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August 2017

Bon AppĂŠtit by Scarlett Cook

he long waited eclipse is almost here and if you are like the rest of the area, you have house guests. On the morning of the eclipse, serve this leisurely brunch and everyone will be ready to view the awesome show nature is providing in our corner of the world. No need to rush your guests; start them off with a libation and a few of these wonderful dishes and your work is done. So get ready and sit back and watch the show.

Spicy Bloody Marys Serves 4

1 Cup vodka 1/4 Cup finely minced onion 1 Small garlic clove, finely minced 1 Small jalapeno, seeded and chopped 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 Teaspoon hot sauce 2 1/2 Cups tomato juice 4 Teaspoons horseradish 1 Teaspoon celery salt 1/2 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Lime wedges or pickled green beans or okra pods and / or celery sticks to serve In a blender, puree the vodka, onion, garlic, jalapeno, lemon juice and hot sauce. Add the tomato juice, horseradish, celery salt and pepper. Blend to combine. Serve over ice with salted rims and added garnishes.

Easy Grits Serves 6

6 Cups chicken stock 2 Cups whipping cream 4 Tablespoons butter 2 Large garlic cloves, finely minced 2 Teaspoons salt 1/4 Teaspoon pepper 2 Cups quick grits Tabasco to taste

Bloody Orange Cosmos Serves 1

1 Strip lemon peel 1/3 Cup cranberry-raspberry juice 1/4 Cup blood orange vodka 2 Tablespoons triple sec Rub the rim of a chilled martini glass with the lemon peel and put it in the glass. Fill a shaker with ice cubes and add the juice, vodka and triple sec and shake well. Strain the drink into the prepared glass.

In a large saucepan combine the stock, cream, butter and garlic. Add salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in grits and cook over low heat, until thick and creamy, about 10 minutes. Add Tabasco.

August 2017

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Baked Asparagus and Egg Gratin Serves 4

1 Cup Panko 2 Tablespoons butter, melted 1 1/4 Pounds asparagus, cut into 2” pieces 1 1/2 Cups whipping cream 1 Garlic clove, finely minced Salt and pepper 8 Large eggs Preheat oven to 350˚. Grease 4 large ramekins. In a pie plate, toss the Panko with the melted butter. Bake for 6 minutes, stirring once, until golden. Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Add the asparagus and cook until it is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain the asparagus and rinse with cold water. Put the asparagus pieces on paper towels and pat dry. In a saucepan, simmer the cream and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Divide the asparagus pieces between the baking dishes. Crack 2 eggs into each dish; pour the garlic cream sauce over each one and top with the buttered crumbs. Bake for 15 minutes or until the egg yolks are set.

Mango and Melon Salad Serves 4

1/4 Cup unsweetened shredded coconut 1/3 Cup chopped nuts – pecans, walnuts, pistachios or a mixture 1/4 Cup fresh lime juice 1 Tablespoon minced candied ginger 1 Tablespoon packed mint leaves 1/2 Teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Salt and pepper 1/2 Honeydew melon, cut into 1/2” chunks 1/2 Cantaloupe, cut into 1/2” chunks 1 Mango, cut into 1/2” chunks In a small skillet, toast the coconut over medium high heat until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool. Stir in the nuts. In a blender, puree the lime juice with the ginger, mint and red pepper until smooth; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the melon and mango puree. Just before serving sprinkle the fruit with the coconut and nuts.

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August 2017

Osage Farms

...

Thank God for Farmers!

By Tracy McCoy

icky James was born in Scaly Mountain, North Carolina and he planted his first cabbage field at age 11. He has farmed ever since. He married Melinda Long and the couple has two children. Grown now, Clint and Cody are both married. Clint and his wife Ann have two children: Willa, age 3, and Hank, 4 months. Cody married Karl Zoellner. Another key member of the James family is Steven Bloedow, who is another son. He is married to Highlands native Nicole Talley. They have two sons, Coby, 9 and Colson, 6. The James Family began farming commercially in 1973 in Scaly Mountain and “the valley” in Rabun Gap. The family opened Osage Farm at it’s current location on the east side of Highway 441 in Rabun Gap, Georgia about 1998. Osage Farm is open everyday May – October. In years past, the family grew here and in Florida in the cooler months, but today Osage Farm produce is grown locally. When I inquired about what vegetables they grow, it was easier for Melinda to tell me what they didn’t have! The family does their best to be good stewards of the land so future generations can continue to farm and raise fresh produce. “We eat what we grow,” Melinda said, “and feed it to our families.”

Photo by Natalie White

Along with the abundance of produce, Osage Farm offers their customers Blalock meats, cheese and milk from a small family owned dairy in Mills River, North Carolina, and specialty breads made in Ellijay, Georgia. They sell Blue Ridge Honey from Bob Binney. They also have Sylvan Falls Mill meal and grits. Jane Tomlin, a lifelong friend of Melinda’s, is also the owner of Tomlin’s BBQ, and they have a barbecue shack on the property where you can grab a sandwich or take home some pork by the pound. Tomlin’s BBQ is available Friday – Sunday at Osage Farm. It takes a lot of faith to be a farmer. When you put a hardshelled seed in the soil you are depending on the Creator to send the sunshine and the rain. Ricky James has done just that for almost a lifetime. It is his passion to grow good food. He works from sun-up to sun-down, his family by his side. Next time you enjoy fresh vegetables from Osage Farm think about the James family and thank God for farmers! Osage Farm is located at 5030 US-441 in Dillard, Georgia. For more information call 706.746.7262 or visit www. osagefarm.com. 26

August 2017

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August 2017

The Family Table By Lorie Ramey Thompson

he last week has been a tough one for me and my family. We lost my beloved sister, Debra to Alzheimers. She was a vibrant and beautiful person in years gone by and watching the slow erosion of her mind has been tough and painful. This cruel disease is so bad that you welcome death for your loved one. That is just not right. As my family gathered to mourn the loss of my sister, we shared memories of childhood and better days gone by. In the conversations, we talked about the many meals we have shared. My sister, Debra was famous for bringing broccoli to the family dinners. So much so, that she was teased about it. She was a great Mom and prepared a hot breakfast and a healthy supper for her family even while working fulltime as a teacher. Broccoli was one of the veggies that her children enjoyed, so it was on the family get-together table anytime she was there. My brothers teased her about the broccoli but she also brought lots of other great dishes to the table. One of her most delicious was a squash casserole. I made a version of Debâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s squash casserole this weekend for our family. Let me share it with you: I put a little twist on it by finishing it on the grill for an added smoky flavor. The recipe is for a big pan. You can easily reduce all ingredients in half for a smaller version. Also, this may be finished in the oven. Squash Casserole- 8 cups of sliced yellow squash. 2 onions, chopped. SautĂŠ squash and onions over medium heat in 1/2 stick of butter until soft. In a separate bowl, mix 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup, 1/2 cup of sour cream and 1 tsp granulated garlic. In another bowl add 1/2 stick melted butter, two sleeves of crushed Ritz Crackers and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Add soup mix and 1/2 of cracker mix to cooked squash. Stir to fully incorporate. Pour mixture in a greased casserole pan. Add additional cracker mixture to the top of the casserole. A disposable aluminum pan works great for the grill. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbling. No family gathering is complete without pound cake! This old-fashioned treat is a staple of funeral and holiday gatherings. It transports easily and invites you to use various toppings such as fruit, sauces or ice cream. Pound cake recipes are very simple; Cream the butter/ shortening with the sugar. Add the eggs. Add the flour. Mix and bake. Anyone can make a pound cake. Here are a few tips to make yours the best pound cake you have ever eaten.

Assemble all of your ingredients. 2 Cups of sifted all purpose flour. When measuring the flour, dip the measuring cup into the flour and level across the top using a spatula or the back of a knife blade. Sift! If you do not own a sifter, place the flour in a bowl and use a whisk to stir it up. This lightens the flour. I use a piece of parchment paper or even a paper plate to sift the flour onto. It can then be used as a funnel to add the flour easily into the mixing bowl. Break 6 eggs into a measuring cup. It is important to use the best quality eggs you can get.

August 2017

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1 stick of unsalted butter and 1 cup of Crisco. Butter makes pound cakes taste good, but Crisco gives it a flaky outside crust. I use both to achieve a flaky crust and great flavor. Measure 2 cups of granulated sugar. Here is the key to a pound cake: All ingredients should be room temperature. Cream the butter, Crisco and sugar together until it resembles whipped cream. It takes a while to do this. Keep mixing until the shortening and sugar are creamy and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl often. Add 4 eggs, one at a time until fully incorporated. Add 1/2 of flour and mix thoroughly. Add the two additional eggs and blend thoroughly. Add remaining flour and

blend. Add flavorings and blend one last time. Scrape down sides of bowl and mix by hand a few rounds. Make certain all ingredient are completely mixed. Pour into greased and floured pound cake pan or Bundt pan. I use Bakers Joy spray but the best crust comes from butter and flour. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Start the cake out in a COLD oven. Do not pre-heat. Turn cake out of pan immediately after removing from the oven onto a cooling rack. Allow the cake to cool completely before placing it on a plate in order to keep the bottom of the cake crunchy. My favorite topping is home-made caramel sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream. To make the Caramel add 3/4 cup of Dark Brown Sugar into a heavy skillet with 3 T of butter. Heat over medium heat until sugar is melted completely. Use a heat

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resistant spatula or a wooden spoon to stir. To the boiling sugar mixture, add 1/2 cup of half and half and stir until incorporated. If you like salted caramel add 1/2 tsp of Kosher salt or flaked Sea Salt. My family loves grilled fruit and this goes beautifully with grilled pineapple or peaches. If the cake is little stale, brush it with butter and grill slices of the cake alongside the fruit! Delicious! Say a little prayer for my family as we grieve the loss of our dear Debra. Donate to Alzheimers research and pray that it never strikes in your own family. I hope that these dishes might bring a little comfort and joy to you and your family at your own Family Table.

August 2017

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August 2017

from the North Georgia Arts Guild

Mary Beth Stager - Beading Like Crazy

By Susan Brewer Photography Credit - Dwight Walters @dwightwaltersphotography.com

n Mary Beth Stager’s A-framed studio, there is an enormous triangular window. Hanging in front of it, spelled out in foot high, 3-D letters is the word, “CREATE.” That is Mary Beth’s mission. Her work room studio is an artist-craftsman’s paradise: chaotic, as well as ordered. Organized around a central table, the sloping eaves hover above containers full of beads and other small, beautiful objects of interest—drawer after drawer of them—in addition to her working tools of the trade. A tiny drill and drill bits, John James milliner needles, sets of pliers, stringing materials of nylon line and silk thread, thread conditioner, cutters, burners, scissors, a bead mat, and small scoops…. As a beader and jewelry maker, she has found herself lumped in with crafters at shows, but says this is a mistake. She sees herself as an artist, instead. Her statement raises the question about the difference between the two and asks us to take a closer look. Art reduces the world into forms of inter-

est and comprehension, often by telling a story. And craft involves making things by hand—which is central to her work. In my opinion, she has the soul of an artist and the hands of a craftsman. Her mind and wit are pointed and funny, and her work at times interprets the world with humor, warmth, and compassion. However, she is also a beader, and beading is a craft. Mary Beth finds herself in both worlds at once. Her struggle, then, is to find one within the other. Mary Beth relocated to Rabun Gap last year from Flowery Branch with her husband she lovingly calls the “Mad” Germ a n , Tom Stager. She was born and raised in a small town outside Blue Ridge. She came from a family of rock hounds (meaning collectors of mineral specimens), and attended Berry College. With a degree in art, she struggled following school. Her path eventually led her to Italy to study Renaissance art history, then detoured. She married Tom, and began teaching computer software applications. All of this was layered onto her maturing skills as a technical writer and illustrator. Her beading projects, I learned, are engineered through netting, joining, and hitching. Mary Beth told me her inspiration often begins with travelers’ tales. In listening to her, it’s clear her imagination is full, absolutely full, of ideas and stories on how things are seen. For instance, she shared the story with me about the One-Eyed Owl pin /

August 2017

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pendant: he suffered tragically and lost one eye that had to be stitched closed. He still felt the call of compassion, though, and donated his beak to charity. Another creation juxtaposes death and beauty: an heirloom sculpture named “Yes, Dear” Deer, a deer skull—that is pretty… scary— that includes two different sets of antlers, and is adorned in princess-like pearls and has eyelashes made of spikey clock parts. Mary Beth asks us to see the world differently, which is an art, not a craft. To get in touch with, email her at mbstager@gmail.com.

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August 2017

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Finding Art

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August 2017

Rabun County Music Festival 2017 Summer Concert Season Finale JOE GRANSDEN AND HIS BIG BAND It’s a Beautiful Thing Sunday, August 13, 4 – 6 PM Rearden Theater at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Tickets - $27 Sponsors: Anne & Milt Gillespie and Jackie & Clifford Bell The Rabun County Music Festival will conclude the Summer 2017 concert season, on Sunday, August 13 with perennial favorite Joe Gransden and His 16-Piece Big Band. Joe Gransden is a jazz singer and trumpet player who regularly plays around Atlanta with his big band. John Scatena, the owner of Café 290 in Sandy Springs where Joe and his band play twice a month, had this to say about him: “He’s unique because he plays the trumpet like Chris Botti. He sings like Sinatra, Michael Bublé and Harry Connick, Jr. He’s a great conductor and arranger, and he’s a great entertainer when he talks to the audience.” The Rabun Music Festival is fortunate to have Joe Gransden and his Big Band perform for us regularly. It’s always an unforgettable afternoon of music. Buy tickets - $27: • Online: www.rabunmusicfestival.com • Rabun County Welcome Center - check or cash • The door the day of the concert - check, cash or credit card--$5 surcharge for individual tickets sold at the door for that day’s concert 2017 Scholarship Recipients The Rabun County Music Festival Association is committed to supporting Rabun County students who wish to further their education in the fields of visual or performing arts. Scholarships are awarded based on plans for continued study, as well as financial need, school and community service, and academic achievement. Any graduating senior in Rabun County who has attended high school in the county for a minimum of three years is eligible.

August 2017

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Scholarships are also available to students who are home schooled. In recognition of the founders and first two chairmen of the Rabun County Music Festival Association, the HaywoodHoppes-Bell Scholarship was established. In addition to the above criteria, the Haywood-Hoppes-Bell recipient must demonstrate a background of excellence in music and a commitment to continuing the study of music or music education as a college major or minor. Jane Hash, a graduate of Rabun County High School was awarded the Haywood-Hoppes-Bell Scholarship for 2017. Passionate about music, Jane plays multiple instruments, including the flute/piccolo, clarinet, guitar, banjo, ukulele, and is currently learning the violin. She has performed with her church choir, Rabun County High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s select choir, Encore, and the Rabun County High School Band. Jane plans to major in Music Education at the University of North Alabama. Her parents are Caroline and Andrew Hash from Clayton. Abigail Gilbert, a graduate of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School was awarded the second scholarship. Abigail was active with musical theater at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School and has excelled both academically and as a student leader. She plans to pursue a BFA in Musical Theater at Arizona State University. Abigailâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents are Angie and Chris Gilbert from Scaly Mountain, North Carolina.

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August 2017

Rhapsody in Rabun 2017 Auction Items

hapsody in Rabun 2017 will be held for the first time on a Saturday night, August 12th. The doors will open at 5pm and the Silent Auction will be ready for bidding at this time in the diner. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be available in the diner at 5pm also. If you would like assistance to the diner, a golf cart with driver will be available on the upper level to transport you to and from the diner. The Auction Committee is very excited about the items that will be available for our patrons. To wet your whistle, here are some of the items featured in the photographs. An adult rocking chair by “Granddaddy John”, a commerative Rhapsody in Rabun Folk Art Jug painted by Barry Miller, Glass pedestal Bird Bath by Kate Parrish, the last available original painting by the late Tom Landreth “Race Day at New Orleans Yacht Club”, Hand-painted chest by Kathy Ford, a refurbished White Sewing Machine Stand (including drawers) with Sun Flowers painted by Lee Johnson, an Ikebana Large Bowl on a pedestal by Natures Clay, one of a kind Glass Beaded Necklace by Silke Cliatt , Metal Wall hanging for your cabin from Cindy’s Dragonfly, Large red pottery jug, US Flag on vintage barn wood from Rabun County by Chuck Gardner (donated in memory of Michelle Gaglio) and photos by Michelle Crawford of Black Rock Mountain in the Fall and Tallulah River. Other special items not in the photographs: An original design by Master Jeweler Richard Neeler of Phoenix Jewelers of a pendant with a diamond cluster (total weight 1 carat) enlayed on a black druzy onyx with a 14K gold pearl enhancer and hanging on a strand of fresh water pearls, two matching handmade Adirondack chairs from Carpenters Corner, a side-line experience with the Rabun County Wildcats and two Athletic Booster Club seats with parking pass, an official 2016 ACC champs football from the Clemson Tigers (2016 National Champions), Cocktail Pontoon Cruise on Lake Burton, half-day quail hunt with lunch for two hunters (25 birds, dogs provided, quail dressed at end of hunt), and an outdoor fish gas cooker. There will be over 200 items, as well as a large selection of gift certificates from merchants and restaurants. We are refining our check-out process in order to process our patrons as quickly as possible. Also, the ballroom will be open on Sunday, August 13 from noon to 4pm for pickup of items. Come and be a part of raising money for our own talented North Georgia Community Players. For information for tickets please go to RhapsodyinRabun@gmail.com.

August 2017

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Scaly Mountain Summer Festival

’all are invited to take part in our annual Scaly Mountain Summer Festival on Saturday, August 12, 2017. The Scaly Mountain Community Association (SMCA) is holding this fun-filled event at the Scaly Mountain Fire Station just off Highlands Road at 169 Hale Ridge Road Scaly Mountain, NC. This is a great time where all neighboring communities gather to eat, drink, and get to know each other better. There is something for everyone. Festivities begin at 9 AM and go until 4 PM. Locally homemade arts and crafts such as pottery, jewelry, children’s clothing, and so much more, will be available for purchase. Enjoy homemade ice cream, food, and beverages all day, and you can buy fabulous homemade baked goods to take home. Games will be provided for the kids with prizes, and everyone can experience touring the firehouse and fire trucks. There will be live entertainment by guitarist extraordinaire, Ronnie Evans, from 10 AM -1 PM. Vendors are invited to bring your Arts, Crafts, Tools, and Household Items. There will be both indoor and outdoor spaces available for $20. Indoor spaces are limited, so reserve yours early. 6’x10’ spaces with tables are available, and set-up is open Friday PM from 4-8 and Saturday AM from 7-9. Take part in our Scarecrow Contest. There is no entry fee and all the scarecrows will be used in the Scaly Mountain Community fall decorations. The Chili Cook-off is another annual fun event. This year the contestants will be MEN ONLY; a prize will be given to the winner of the judge’s choice and one to the winner of the tasters’ choice. Entry fee is $10. Join the fun and experience small town living at its best. Event sponsored by the Scaly Mountain Community Association. Contact Chairperson Grace Crouch, 850-2517355 or Tom Fussell, 828-526-3881 with any questions. The Scaly Mountain Community Association (SMCA) is a volunteer membership 501(c)(4) organization to benefit residents and property owners of Scaly Mountain. gmlaurel.com

August 2017

Mountain Happenings STEPHENS COUNTY August 1 and each Tuesday and Saturday through October Stephens County Farmers’ Market Broad Street, Toccoa Info: www.mainstreettoccoa.com/market st

August 5th and each Saturday in August Ida Cox Music Serics Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.898.5777

August 3rd - 6th, 10th - 13th “Monty Python’s Spamalot”

RABUN COUNTY

August 18 Movies on Main: Batman

August 21 Totally Toccoa Street Party First Citizens parking lot Downtown Toccoa Info: mainstreettoccoa.com

WHITE COUNTY

August 19th Drunk on the Wind Concert

August 11th Southern Gospel Music: Echoes of Mercy & Bryan Latham August 21st NASA Presentation of the Solar Eclipse September 9th Southern Gospel Music: Troy Burns Family HABERSHAM COUNTY August 4th - 5th 14th Big E Fest & ETA Competition Main Street Special Event Facility Cornelia Info: 706.201.8232 August 5th and each Saturday through September 30th Clarkesville Marketplace Farmers’ Market Downtown Clarkesville Info: 706.778.9374 August 18th - 20th Antique Car Show Habersham County Fairgrounds Clarkesville Info: 706.754.2220 September 8th - 16th Chattahoochee Mountain Fair Habersham County Fairgrounds Clarkesville Info: 706.754.2220

August 5th and each Saturday through October 28th Summer Concert Series August 5th - 6th and each Saturday and Sunday through October 29th Visiting Artist Series

August 12th and the second Saturday of the month Second Saturday Historic Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132

The Ritz Theater The Schaefer Center, Toccoa Info: www.ritztheatretoccoa.com

Unicoi State Park & Lodge Helen Info: 706. 878.2201

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

September 30th 8th Annual Taste of Clarkesville Downtown Clarkesville Square Clarkesville Info: tasteofclarkesville.com

August 5th and each Saturday Live Music Saturdays Yonah Mountain Vineyards Cleveland Info: 706.878.5522 September 7th - 10th, 14th - 17th September 21st - 24th September 28th - October 29th Oktoberfest Helen Info: 706.878.1908 September 9th Fall Fest BabyLand General Hospital Cleveland Info: 706.865.2171 www.cabbagepatchkids.com

August 4th; September 1st Sweet Charity & Friends Concerts Main Street, Clayton Info: 727.434.4499 August 4th - 5th 21st Annual Dillard Bluegrass & Barbeque Festival Dillard City Hall Fairgrounds Dillard Info: www.dillardbbq.org August 5th and each Saturday Clayton Farmers’ Market Covered Bridge Shopping Center Clayton Info: 706.490.1179 August 5th and the first Saturday of the month through December Build Your Own Canjo Black Rock Mountain State Park Mountain City Info: 706.746.2141

August 5thand each Saturday Bluegrass on the Square Tallulah Falls Opry House th September 16 Tallulah Falls Georgia’s Spirit of Appalachia Food, Info: 706.754.6040 Wine & Art Festival Hardman Farm State Historic Site August 12th Sautee Nacoochee Rhapsody in Rabun Gala & Auction 706.878.1077 Rabun County Civic Center, Clayton Info: 706.490.1494 th September 30 www.rhapsodyinrabun.com Agri-Fest Country Market 2017 Freedom Park August 13th Cleveland Joe Gransden & His Big Band Info: 706.865.5356 Rabun County Music Festival Rearden Theater, RGNS Rabun Gap Sautee Nacoochee Center Info: RabunCountyMusicFestival.com Sautee Info: 706.878.3300 August 19th www.snca.org Elvis is in the County Tiger Drive In, Tiger August 1st and the first & third Info: 404.680.5066 Tuesdays of the month www.tigerdrivein.com Learn & Dance August 3rd - 6th, 10th - 13th “Sherlock’s Last Case” August 20th Bean Creek Choir

August 2017

August 19th Total Blackout Bash River Falls at the Gorge Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.0292 www.riverfallsatthegorge.com

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August 19th - 20th Total Eclipse Pre-Party Stonewall Creek Vineyards Clayton Info: 706.212.0584 August 19th - 21st Solar Eclipse Family Friendly Fun Andy’s Trout Farm, Dillard Info: 706.746.2550 www.andystroutfarm.com August 19th - 21st Solar Eclipse Weekend Timpson Creek Farm Clayton Info: www.timpsoncreekfarm.com August 19th - 21st Total Solar Eclipse An Unforgettable Weekend Dillard City Hall, Dillard Info: 706.746.5891 August 20th Eclipse Golf Tournament & 19th Hole Festivities Sky Valley Country Club and the City of Sky Valley Info: 706.212.0241 www.skyvalleyga.com August 20th Eclipse Lecture and Information Session Rearden Theatre, Rabun Gap Info: 706.212.0241 www.rabungap.org

Tallulah Gorge Park Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.7981

August 12th and the Second Saturday of the month Second Saturday Artists’ Talks

August 2nd, 16th Sunset Hike

August 19th and the third Saturday of the month Third Saturday Nature Hikes

August 6th - Full Moon Lake Paddle August 7th; September 6th Full-Moon Suspension Bridge Hike

TOWNS COUNTY

August 12th Twilight Paddle

August 5th and each Saturday through September 2nd Music on the Square 2017 Town Square, Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4968

August 19th Bear-ly TRY-Athalon

August 26th Vintage Camper Rally Riverbend Campground Hiawassee Info: 706.896.1415

August 21st Total Solar Eclipse Festival September 2nd - 4th Gorge Floor Hike September 9 - 10 , 15 - 16 September 23rd - 24th Aesthetic Water Releases th

September 16th - 17th Women’s Wilderness Weekend Community Garden Clayton City Hall, Clayton Info: 706.212.0241 August 14th Getting Started with Backyard Chickens August 28th Growing Native Medicinals

August 21 Total Solar Eclipse Viewing Party Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School Rabun Gap Info: 706.746.7467 st

August 21st Total Eclipse Viewing Heaven’s Landing Clayton Info: 706.982.5245

September 11 Fermenting Vegetables September 25th Just Add Water: Dehydration 101

August 11th Oak Ridge Boys in Concert

September 2nd Hank Williams Jr.

August 12 ; September 9 Junior Rodeo th

September 15th - 16th Dailey & Vincent LandFest

August 19th Full Speed Ahead Agilities

September 16th Dishin’ and Junkin’ The Dillard House Dillard Info: 822.541.0671

Hambidge Center Rabun Gap Info: 706.746.5718 www.Hambidge.org

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August 21 Total Solar Eclipse Tailgating Party st

August 5th, 13th September 10th, 30th Barrel Racing

August 24th - 26th Rabun County Fair

September 21 Grow-Cook-Eat Farm & Food Tour Food Bank of Northeast Georgia Clayton Info: 706.782.0780

August 12th Chubby Checker & Gary Puckett & Union Gap in Concert

Rabun Arena Tiger Info: 706.212.0452

August 26th; 30th Jazz Saturdays Tiger Mountain Vineyard Tiger Info: 706.782.4777

September 28th Business Showcase Towns County Convention & Recreation Center, Young Harris Info: 706.896.4966 Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4191 www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

August 21st Eclipse Viewing and Festivities Dillard City Hall Fairgrounds Dillard Info: 706.746.5891

September 16th - 17th 5th Annual Celebrate Autumn Arts & Crafts Show Towns County Recreation Center Young Harris Info: 706.896.0932

September 16th M&K Quarter Horse Pleasure Show

Crane Creek Vineyards Young Harris Info: 706.379.1235 www.cranecreekvineyards.com August 4th and each Friday Friday Evening Tapas & Acoustic August 18 - 21 Tomato Daze Weekend th

UNION COUNTY

July 1st - September 16th The Great Folk Art Parade August 5th and the first Saturday of the month First Saturday Grist Mill Visits

August 1st and each Saturday & Tuesday through October 24th Union County Farmers’ Market Old Smokey Road Blairsville Info: 706.439.6043

August 2017

August 1st and each Tuesday & Thursday through October 12th Canning Plant Blairsville Farmers’ Market Blairsville Info: 706.439.6043 August 4th and each Friday through October Trash and Treasures Union County Farmers’ Market Blairsville Info: 706.439.6043 August 4th; September 1st Cruise In Union County Farmers’ Market Blairsville Info: 678.773.5934 August 4th - 5th North Georgia Community Flower Show Haralson Memorial Civic Center Blairsville Info: 706.400.8139; 706.897.5348 August 4th and each Friday through October Friday Concert Series Old Historic Courthouse, Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493 August 18th - 20th Get Off the Grid Fest Union County Saddle Club Blairsville Info: getoffthegridfest.com August 19th and the third Saturday of the month Cruise In on the Square On the Square, Blairsville Info: 678.773.5934 August 21st Eclipse Viewing Party Union County High School Football Stadium, Blairsville Info: 877.745.5489 August 21st Food Truck Festival & Viewing Party Meeks Park, Blairsville Info: 877.745.5489 September 2nd - 3rd Mountain Heritage Festival Mountain Life Museum Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493 September 2nd - 3rd North Georgia Gun Show Pat Harralson Civic Center Blairsville Info: 877.745.5489 September 3rd Cruise-In at the Nursing Home Union County Nursing Home Blairsville Info: 678.773.5934

Mountain Happenings September 9th Mountain Music & Arts & Crafts Festival Vogel State Park, Blairsville Info: 706.745.2628 September 22 - 24 St. Frances of Assisi Fall Festival St.Francis Assisi Church Blairsville Info: 706.897.9270 nd

September 23 17th Annual “Puttin on the Dog” Fundraiser North Georgia Technical College Blairsville Info: 877.745.5789 rd

Peacock Performing Arts Center Hayesville Info: 828.389.2787 peacockperformingarts.center.com

August 18th - 21st 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Fest Highlands Info: 828.526.2112

August 11th - 20th “Don’t Dress for Dinner”

August 19th Laurel Garden Club Kitchen Tour Highlands Info: laurelgardenclubhighlands.com

September 2nd The Sentimental Journey Orchestra September 23rd Songwriters Showcase 21 John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown Info: 800.365.5724 www.folkschool.org

Georgia Mountain Research & Education Center Blairsville Info: 706.745.2655

August 1 and each Tuesday Beginning Contra & Square Dance

August 7 and each Monday (No Tour on August 21st) Garden Tour

August 11th Dulcimer Celebration Concert

August 4th - Rosin Sisters

August 18th Plants of the Bible Seminar

August 12th, 26th September 9th, 23rd Contra & Square Dance

Paradise Hills Resort and Spa Blairsville Info: www.paradisehillsga.com

August 25th - Blue Eyed Girl September 7th - French Ida September 15th - Wood, Wire & Clay September 22nd - Spirit Fiddle

August 5th and each Saturday Live Music Series

September 29th Michael Ismerio & Ben Nelson

August 21st Solar Eclipse Celebration September 2nd 4th Annual Grape Stomp Fest

MACON COUNTY, NC

CLAY COUNTY, NC

August 4th and each Friday Friday Night Live Town Square, Highlands Info: 828.526.2112

August 4th and each Friday through Friday Night Summer Concert Series On the Square Hayesville Info: 770.438.1451

August 5th and each Saturday Pickin’ on the Square The Gazebo on the Square Franklin Info: 828.524.2516

August 5th Hot Summer Nights Goldhagen Art Studio Hayesville Info: 828.389.8847

August 5th and each Saturday through September 2nd Saturdays on Pine Kelsey Hutchinson Park Highlands Info: 828.526.5841

September 16th Cherokee Heritage Festival Cherokee Homestead Exhibit Hayesville Info: 828.389.3045; 828.389.6531 September 23rd 6th Annual Pet Celebration Historic Hayesville Square Hayesville Info: 706.896.1244; 828.389.3704

August 19th Twilight 5K Kelsey Hutchinson Founders Park Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 August 21st Total Eclipse Block Party Downtown Franklin Info: 828.524.2516 August 26th Classic Car Cruise-In on Main Main Street, Franklin Info: 828.524.4418 August 26th - 27th The Village Square Arts & Craft Show Village Square, Highlands Info: 828.787.2021 September 14th Denim & Dulcimers Highlands Historic Village Highlands Info: 828.787.1050 September 16th Dahlia Festival Highlands Recreational Park & Civic Center, Highlands Info: 828.787.1050 September 30th CTCI’s Walk for God, Country & Family Veteran’s Memorial Park, Franklin Info: 828.349.2090 The Highlands Playhouse Highlands Info: 828.526.2695 August 3rd - 19th “The Fox on the Fairway”

August 11th - 12th Mountain High BBQ & Car Show Macon County Fairgrounds Franklin Info: 828.524.3161 August 17th Over the Moon Party Schneck Barn, Satulah Mountain Highlands Info: laurelgardenclubhighlands.com

August 24th - September 3rd Tenderly: the Rosemary Clooney Musical Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival Info: 828.526.9060; h-cmusicfestival.org August 4th Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center, Highlands

August 2017

August 5th Albert Carlton Library, Cashiers August 6th Final Gala Concert & Dinner Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center, Highlands Dinner to follow at Highlands Falls Country Club, Highlands Cowee School Franklin Info: www.coweeschool.org August 19th and the third Saturday of the month SEBA Jam August 19th 13th Annual Franklin Folk Festival August 26th - Zoe & Cloyd September 16th Becky Buller Band Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts Franklin Info: 866.273.4615; 828.524.1598 www.GreatMountainMusic.com August 4th Is Genesis History? The Documentary Film August 6th Voiceless - The Movie presented by the Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center August 11th - Shenandoah August 19th The Return (Beatles Tribute) August 21st 2017 Eclipse NASA Live Stream & Block Party Bash September 1st - David Crowder September 14th - Bill Engvall September 30th Bella Fleck & Abigail Washburn Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center Highlands Info: 828.526.8084 highlandscashiersplayers.org August 24th - 27th August 31st - September 3rd “Crossing Delancy” September 16th, 23rd, 30th PAC Concert

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Solar Eclipse Festivities in the Mountains Totally Toccoa Eclipse Event August 21st Historic Downtown Toccoa will host The Totally Toccoa Street Party from 12pm - 3pm in the First Citizens parking lot across from the Ritz Theatre. There will be food, live music, and giveaways, including safety glasses which will be provided to everyone! There will be live-streaming of the NASA presentation inside the Historic Ritz Theatre. For more information call 706.782.3269 or mainstreettoccoa.com.

Rabun County Celebrates the Eclipse all Weekend Long August 19th River Falls at the Gorge will host the Total Blackout Bash. DJ Chris Fuller will start at 7:00pm! Bring a finger food and come enjoy the party! We will dance the night away under the summer stars! Admission is free to campers, $15 per person for others. Reservations are requested. 706.754.0292 or www.riverfallsatthegorge.com for more information. Come out on August 19th and 20th from 1pm – 5pm for a Total Eclipse Pre-Party at Stonewall Creek Vineyards. There will be Eclipse Music and Dancing, wine tasting and Eclipse Wine Brownies. Admission is free, $10 wine tasting fee. 706.212.0584 for information. August 19th - 21st Dillard will be the site of the Total Solar Eclipse – An Unforgettable Weekend. From 10am – 5pm special events will be ongoing at the City Hall Fairgrounds in Dillard: Bluegrass Music, BBQ, Wine Tastings, Arts & Crafts Exhibits and Solar Seminars with Linda McKenna, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador; all leading up the the Grand Show on Monday. Call 706.746.5891 for more information. Timpson Creek Farm will host the Total Eclipse Weekend August 19th - 21st. There will be events celebrating the roles of the Sun and Moon in Organic and Biodynamic Agriculture and an actual viewing of the Eclipse on August 21st. TimpsonCreekFarm. com for more information. On Sunday, August 20th, 1pm & 6pm – 9pm Sky Valley will hold the Eclipse Golf Tournament & 19th Hole Festivities. Golf your way through one of the most beautiful courses anywhere and end your day with a fabulous band and great food. www.skyvalleycountryclub.com for more information.

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August 20th at 5pm there will be an Eclipse Lecture and Information session from Eclipse Experts at the Rearden Theater, Rabun GapNacoochee School in Rabun Gap. Then on Monday from 11am - 4pm there will be a viewing party with music, food, and screens set up across the viewing area to watch as a NASA feed is shown with experts walking us through what is happening as the eclipse touches each state, beginning on the west coast and coming across before it leaves on the east coast. www. rabungap.org for more information. Come watch the total solar eclipse at the Tallulah Gorge State Park on August 21st from 1pm - 3pm. Pre-eclipse activities include live music, crafts, recreational and educational activities. Experts will be on hand to answer questions about the eclipse. This is a free event and open to everyone. 706.754.7981 for more information. $5 parking fee per car required. Heaven’s Landing will be hosting a TOTAL ECLIPSE PARTY! Join them at 1pm for a Cook-Out And a Grand Ole’ Time Before the Total Eclipse. Call 706.982.5245 for more information.

friends and neighbors for this once in a lifetime event. Call 877.745.5489 for more information. The Food Truck Festival & Viewing Party will be held August 21st at Meeks Park in Blairsville. Admission is Free; 877.745.5489 for information

North Carolina Celebrates the Solar Eclipse August 19th - 20th Andy’s Trout Farm in Otto will be hosting special events to celebrate the eclipse. There will be special activities for kids and on Saturday night a fish fry with music and square dancing. 706.746.2550 for more information.

Viewing the Solar Eclipse in Franklin, NC The Town of Franklin will host a Solar Eclipse Block Party from 1pm to 6pm in Downtown Franklin. There will be music by Last Five Standing, an 18’ tall wet slipping slide for the kids’ and many other fun activities. 828.524.2516 for more information.

Total Solar Eclipse Tailgating Party at The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, Georgia

Franklin Chamber of Commerce will host a Viewing Party at the new location of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, 98 Hyatt Road. Refreshments will be served and viewing glasses will be available. 828.524.3161 for more information.

From 12pm-4pm The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds and Hamilton Gardens parking lot will be the site for tailgating, kids’ games, food, and music. Admission is $5 per car load. For more information contact the Towns County Chamber, 706.896.4966.

Entegra Bank Corporate Center will host a Spectacular Solar Eclipse Viewing Event. Festivities will begin at Noon at the Entegra Bank Corporate Center and in the meadow below the Corporate Center. 828.524.7000 for more infromation.

Eclipse Celebrations in Union County Crossing Creeks RV Park is hosting a Total Solar Eclipse viewing Party August 21st from 12pm-4pm. Join them for hamburgers and hotdogs. Eclipse glasses will be available. www.crossingcreeksrvresort.com for more information. Paradise Hills Resort and Spa in Blairsville will be hosting a Solar Eclipse Celebration August 21st from 2pm - 6pm with live music, food and wine. www.paradisehillsga.com for more information. August 21st there will be an Eclipse Viewing Party at the Union County High School Football Stadium in Blairsville. Join your

August 2017

The festivities will begin at 11am at the Smoky Mountain Performing Arts Center with music on the front lawn. Inside the theatre there will be a live video stream provided by NASA as some of their top scientists share commentary as the eclipse happens. Admission to the event is Free. 828.524.1598 for more information.

Highlands Hosts the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Fest Weekend August 18th - 21st the town of Highlands will be hosting the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Fest. There will be many exciting events throughout the entire weekend leading up to the total solar eclipse at 2:30pm on Monday. 828.526.2112 or highlandseclipsefest.com for more information.

Solar Eclipse Jewelry M

any collectable items have been created to commemorate the Total Solar Eclipse that will take place on August 21. There are several different t-shirts, hats, and things of this nature that people will purchase to celebrate and remember this once in a lifetime event. Master Jeweler Richard Neller, owner of Phoenix Jewelers thought it worthy of a timeless piece of jewelry. He has created three different Eclipse pendants that can be pre-ordered. He will offer a silver pendant or a 10K, 14K, or 18K gold or platinum pendant with chain included. The 18K and platinum pendants are special order pieces with a deposit required. Richard is pleased to also offer engraving on these pieces.

Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future. Robert H. Schuller

The pendants are lovely and could easily be worn with casual attire or dress. The celebration of this event has been incredible with events planned all along the way. Richard will be set up that day at the cross section in front of the Dillard House with wood craftsman Steve Owens. For information or to pre-order your Solar Eclipse piece, call Phoenix Jewelers at 706.782.0862 or stop in at 91 E Savannah Street, Suite 403 in Clayton, Georgia 30525.

August 2017

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August 2017

“Let the sun shine...” or not! Franklin Area Folk Festival, a Prelude to the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse!

s our area ramps up for the historic Solar Eclipse set to take place in Franklin on August 21, 2017 at 2:35 pm, we want to offer a prelude to the big event – The 13th Annual Franklin Area Folk Festival, “A Celebration of Appalachian Heritage” being held on Saturday, August 19, 2017 from 10 am to 4 pm at Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center. Nestled in Cowee West’s Mill Historic District at 5 Cowee School Drive in Franklin, NC, the Center is a unique showcase for demonstrating the everyday skills, crafts, and music of our ancestors. And it is a FREE event! What can you expect? The Franklin Area Folk Festival celebrates all things Appalachian! This family-friendly festival features live heritage demonstrations, Appalachian crafts, old-time mountain music & SEBA (SouthEastern Bluegrass Association) jammin’ sessions, Civil War Re-enactors camped on the grounds with infantry drilling and firing demonstrations, kids’ activities, food, textiles, tours, & more! Artisans inside Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center will exhibit Macon County’s rich heritage by teaching us about pottery, textiles, painting, and local history. By linking our future to our past, the Franklin Area Folk Festival sponsors handson activities to allow visitors to experience what mountain life was like way back when. These folks learned at their parents’ knee woodcarving, moonshinin’, weaving and spinning, and all the many other heritage skills they’ll be demonstrating. Once known as the Quilting Capital of the World, displays from the Smoky Mountain Quilter’s Guild including kids’ make-it/take-it project and the Cowee Quilters will help showcase this important heritage. Some additional highlights include special quilts on display (like the famous Cabarras Quilt, The Celebrate America Autograph Quilt, the original World’s Largest Quilt), the village blacksmith, flint napping, woodworking/woodcarving, Border Collies’ demonstrations, Front Porch storytelling, farmer’s market, one-room school, old-time music, and more. Performances of mountain music, gospel, and bluegrass tunes will exemplify a very important cultural heritage of the Appalachian region. In addition to performance stages inside and outside, we are partnering with SEBA to provide jammin’ sessions. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring their instruments and join in! Inside on the gym stage, children ages 18 and under are encouraged to compete in the Mountain Youth Talent Contest (performances in traditional Appalachian music, storytelling and dance) sponsored by Jackson County 4-H with support from Catch the Spirit of Appalachia (sign-up on our website). New this year, we will feature an area for selected songwriters to perform their renditions of old-time and bluegrass music. And, downtown, located on the vacant lot/field beside Ace/Fox Mercantile at the corner of Palmer Street and 441 S, an Antique Car Show will be held where visitors can come view vintage cars/equipment, then hop on a free shuttle bus out to Cowee for the festival celebration. This shuttle will run throughout the day. Or, if you prefer to make the scenic drive out to Cowee valley, free parking will be designated offsite with a shuttle to drop you off right at the front door of Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center. Also, as part of the Women’s History Trail project, through portrayals and stories, we hope to provide a living history lesson to help you learn more about pioneer women in Macon County. For anyone making plans to be in Franklin for the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse, Monday, August 21 (DiscoverFranklinNC.com), be sure to join us at the festival the Saturday before, August 19, 2017! Come learn about the culture and folkways of our Southern Appalachian Mountains by engaging in one of the many living history experiences, a trademark of the Franklin Area Folk Festival, “A Celebration of Appalachian Heritage.” This FREE event is co-sponsored annually by the Folk Heritage Association of Macon County and the Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center and support from Cowee Community Development Organization, Scottish Tartan Museum, Macon County Historical Museum, Macon County Arts Council, Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce, Blue Ridge Heritage Music Trail and others. The festival is made possible by grants from the Franklin/Nantahala Tourism Development Committee and the Tourism Development Authority of the Town of Franklin. For more information visit: FranklinFolkFestival.com or call 800.932.5294. 48

August 2017

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August 2017

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Century 21 Scenic Realty 3680 Hwy. 76 - Young Harris, GA 30582

Call Richard Kelley: Office 706.896.8633, Mobile 706.781.5220 richard@mountvalleyacres.com - www.mountvalleyacres.com

LOOK NO FUTHER!! Here is a One-of-a-Kind Lake Front Estate with 5 Bedrooms & 4.5 Bathrooms sitting on .66 Acres. This Home has so much to offer. It has possibly the BEST Kitchen/Breakfast Room on the Lake with Antique Post & Beam Cathedral Ceilings, Huge Granite Island, AGA Legacy Oven & Gas Fireplace. The Spacious Lakeside Master Suite has 10’ Ceilings, Stone & Tile Steam Bath & Jacuzzi and a Huge Walk-In Closet. Terrace Level has a Media Room, Game Room & an Office Space. There is a Deepwater Covered Dock, Tons of Lakeside Living Space, Decks, Patio/Stone Fireplace/Arbor, Waterfall/Pond, Bermuda Lawn and so Much More!! You’ve got to see it to believe it!! The Home can also be Sold with the Adjoining Lot next door with Beautiful Landscaping and a 40 by 30 2 Car Garage plus an Unfinished Second Floor Workshop. The Lot also has a Private Deepwater Covered Boat Dock. It is Listed at $495,000. See MLS#: 268706

Here is a Great 3 Bedroom 3.5 Bathroom Home sitting on 1 Acre located at the top of the Mountain in the lovely Smokerise Subdivision. This CraftsmanStyle Home is Very Spacious, has an Open Floor Plan, Two Master Suites as well as an additional Guest Bedroom & Loft Area. Enjoy the view of the Fireplace and the Sunrise over Lake Chatuge and the Mountains from the Master. This Home has many custom additions such as Hand Thrown Pottery Wash Basins, Travertine Counters in two Bathrooms, Natural Stone, Antique Dry Sink in the Powder Room and Much More! The Basement has a Stone Fireplace and with just a little bit of work can be finished off used as additional space for whatever your heart desires. Outside there are Extensive Deck Areas and an Outdoor Fireplace that makes a Great Area for Entertaining. Home also has Central VAC. This Home is a Must See!

This is a MUST SEE!! 4 Bedroom 4 Bath home sitting on almost 3 Acres on Shooting Creek. Approx. 400 ft. of Creek Frontage. When Lake Chatuge’s water level is up you can get a boat to property. 1933 backs in to the property. Great Home for Family. Beautiful Full Sized In Ground Pool with a Slide in the Backyard. Hardwood Floors throughout, Great Rock Fireplace in the Living Room, Hickory Cabinets & an Island in the Kitchen, Separate Dining Room, Spacious Laundry Room, Walk-in Closet, Double Vanity & Garden Tub in the Master Bath, 2 Car Attached Garage, Wrap Around Deck to enjoy the Mountain Views, Beautifully Landscaped Gentle/Level Yard and so much more. Full Unfinished Walkout Basement with Additional 2000 Sq. Ft. of useable space. There are an additional 18.48 Acres available.

Spectacular Craftsman Style Home with Stunning Views of Lake Chatuge and the GA & NC Mountains. Emphasis on Detail. Dramatic Specialty Ceilings. Luxury Moldings and Millwork. Vaulted & Beamed Ceilings. Custom Hand Painted Features throughout. Nine Stained and Vintage Glass Installations. Two Full Kitchens with Granite Counter Tops. Two Open Concept Great Rooms. His & Her Offices. Luxury Master Suite with Sitting Area, View & Private Balcony. 4th Floor Studio Apartment. Wine Cellar. Four Floor Elevator (Largest Residential Size Available). Heart Pine Flooring. Tall Ceilings with Multiple 8’ Doors. Four Gas Fireplaces. Sunroom. 4 Bedrooms, 5 Baths. Fiber Optic to the House and CAT 6 Cable throughout. Amazing Attic & Basement Storage. Low Maintenance Exterior. Home Security System. 1500 Sq. Ft. of Multi-Level Decks Overlooking Beautiful Lake Chatuge and Mountains. Energy Efficient Windows & Doors. Stamped and Stained Driveway and Walkways. High Efficiency Heat & Air Conditioning. Deeded Lake Access. Quiet Cul-De-Sac.

2573 Hy Top Road - $1,595,000 - MLS#: 266544

143 Ash Road - $479,000 - MLS#: 269412

1011 Smokerise Drive - $474,000 - MLS#: 266431

1916 Lakeview Summit Dr - $1,375,000 - MLS#: 268152

“…And the Sun is eclipsed by the Moon.” “Eclipse”, Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon by Cathy Turner, Sky Valley Resident

abun County will be at the center of a spectacular, unforgettable astrono-mical display on Monday, August 21, 2017. Anyone who has seen pictures of a total solar eclipse or the diamond ring effect is, I’m sure, impressed at the beauty. However, seeing a total solar eclipse in person will blow you away. In March, 1970, just before my 17th birthday, my parents & I drove from Raleigh to Greenville’s East Carolina University campus. Several miles outside of this farm town, cars were starting to back up alongside the road. Crowds of people carried chairs, blankets, coolers as they walked towards town, reminiscent of the New York Woodstock concert which had just occurred 6-7 months before. At ECU, the physics department had the telescope, camera and scientific equipment set up; there were astronomers, newspaper reporters, amateur photographers – all gathered in a central, paved area. Charts were posted showing the progression and coverage of the Earth to expect. Note, at this time, there were no cell phones, uTube, or Facebook – there were only television, radio, and instamatic cameras. Vendors were selling cardboard pinhole viewing boxes, drinks and snacks, and special protective sunglasses. There were pails of water to safely view the reflection of the whole progression. Anticipation was in the air.

An announcer on loud speaker gave a constant update on how much of the sun was covered by the moon. At about 25% coverage, you could notice that the light around you seemed “off” – a white, cool light rather than a warm, yellowish light. You look up through your safety glasses and see a bite taken out of the sun – thrilling but without the impact of the naked eye. Background music played a big part in the event. In the late 60’s and early 70’s, rock bands and loud music were The Thing. Nowadays, with any type eclipse, most Boomers think of Dark Side of the Moon, but that album wasn’t released until 1973; the Star Wars sound track is another space favorite

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but that movie didn’t come out until 1977. In 1968, 2001: A Space Odyssey was the biggest hit mainly because it was one of the first movies utilizing computer-generated special effects but also the soundtrack was powerful. The opening theme song was played at this eclipse during total coverage so people knew they could take off their safety glasses and gaze up. Back to the eclipse coverage: By now the sun is 50-75% covered – around you it looks dark like a storm is brewing but you know the sky is clear your surroundings look dull, colors seem faded and you feel as if you’re in a dream - a very surreal experience. Suddenly, at 100% coverage, it is now twilight in the middle of the day, the air is cooler and you can take off your protective glasses and gaze up: everyone is staring up, mouths open, at this flat, black disc in the sky where the sun should be. The stars are coming out and you cannot help oohing and ahhing, laughing and crying – it is very emotional…intense and so awesome! I will NEVER forget that sight. And I never thought I’d get to experience it again in my lifetime! Now with our technological advances, at our OutaSight Party we will be able to witness through a NASA feed the progression of the eclipse from Oregon to South Carolina on the giant video screens. Think of the excitement we will feel building as the Path of Totality moves from Oregon to the next states, to Tennessee, then we will be next! This is an over-powering event of a lifetime for all ages. For Rabun County information on activities leading up to and on the day of the eclipse, please go to: ExploreRabun.com/total-eclipse. Rabun-Gap Nacoochee School is pleased to host renowned astrophysicist Dr. Keith Bechtol at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 20 at Reardon Theater. His presentation is titled, “Light and Shadows: the Eclipse and other Cosmic Wonders”. Come prepare your senses for the Great American Eclipse. gmlaurel.com

August 2017

Adventure Out

Woodall Shoals on the Chattooga River by Peter McIntosh

n this adventure we’re heading to a great place to cool off during these dog days of summer. It’s Woodall Shoals, located on the South Carolina side of the Chattooga River. This beautiful set of rapids is very easy to get to, less than 3/10 of a mile each way from the parking area. Woodall Shoals is both a put-in and take-out for rafters and kayakers and can be very busy on weekends. There are two trails from the parking area that lead to the river so you can walk in one way and come out by the other. I suggest you hike in via the trail that leads past the primitive campsites, which is located at the far end of the parking area near the privy. From this trailhead, you’ll descend some stairs before leveling off on an old roadbed. This is a heavily used camping area with lots of side trails going this way and that. Just beyond this open area, the trail descends for a short bit through Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel. (This is a great trail for spotting wildflowers in the understory by the way.) The sound of the river will now be in earshot and, if it’s a weekend, you’ll most likely hear people as well. Now the trail joins back up with the wide main trail and then splits again with two paths leading down to the river. Both trails end up at nearly the same place, a broad beach

offering easy access for watercraft. On the downstream end there is a trail that crosses a creek before following along the river. Along this area there are lots of places to climb down to the river and enjoy a great view of the shoals just upstream. On the upstream end of the sandy beach there is a calm shallow pool, great for wading or swimming for kids. And just up from this pool are some wonderful rocks to scramble on, leading out to the churning rapids of Woodall Shoals. These rocks aren’t dangerous, but please do be careful and don’t play in these rapids, no matter how good a swimmer you are. This spot is my favorite because from these rocks you get a great view of the river, both upstream and down. Also it’s a great place to catch some rays, have a picnic, and wave to the rafters and kayakers as they go by. Happy hiking! As our summer nears end, my August poem begins: When the weather turns hot, don’t get all sweaty, Come dip your toes in a gentle river eddy. With fast moving rapids, and a calm wading pool, Woodall Shoals is a great place to stay cool.

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Getting there: From Hwy 441 in Clayton, take Hwy 76 East 8 miles to the Chattooga River. Cross the river and continue 2.3 miles to Orchard Road on the right. Turn right on Orchard Road and go 3/10 mile to Woodall Shoals Road on the right. This road comes up quickly so keep an eye out for it. Stay on Woodall Shoals Road to the parking area and turn around at the end.

To see more of Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photos or if you have a question or comment: mcintoshmountains.com

RUTH CAMP 706.499.4702

ruth@ruthcamp.com www.ruthcamp.com

BILL CAMP

PO Box 519 - 132 E Waters Street Clarkesville, GA 30523 706.754.5940

706.499.4720

VIRTUAL TOURS AVAILABLE

bill@billcamp.net www.billcamp.net

"CRABAPPLE COTTAGE" PLAN! 10 Acres! WANT BREATHING SPACE? 5 WOODED ABUNDANCE OF FRESH AIR! 26+ ACRES LOCATION, LOCATION! Cul-de-sac RV Parking & barn. $699,900 (8076495) setting, 3 car garage. $629,500 (8146589) ACRES! $599,900 (8127813) w/Creek SETTING! $549,900 (8042869)

INSTANTLY APPEALING! In-ground Gunite Pool. $519,500 (8213720)

COMFORTABLE HOME! 4+ ACRES! $489,000 (8201729)

PICTURE PERFECT SETTING! In Premier SO NICE TO COME HOME TO! Trailwaves highspeed Golf Community! $450,000 (8053202) Internet! In Ground Pool! $429,000 (8107832)

BRAND NEW HOME! Priced below NEW CONSTRUCTION! 5 bedrooms providing GOLF COMMUNITY MASTERPIECE! On 2 appraisal.! $349,900 (8167876) lots w/mountain views! $899,000 (8217954) abundance of space! $307,500 (8157398)

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August 2017

CLOSE TO LAKE BURTON!! Salt water pool! $499,900 (8217964)

Mountain Nature

Clayton’s Hidden Treasure by Jean Hyatt

finally got around to going to Stekoa Creek Park a couple of times last spring, and was charmed. Tucked away just north of Clayton between old and new Hwy 441, it is a great place for a picnic, for a quick walk, or just to wander the trails and enjoy the sounds of the creek, the birds, and the wind rustling through the leaves of the trees. I went there again in the heat of summer, and was surprised at how cool and pleasant it was. A few of the raised beds of wildflowers

Most travelers on the main highway can see the wildflower garden and shaded arbor atop a mound in the park as they drive by. There are two separate stairways and one gently sloping pathway from the top of the mound to a walking path below. There is a rain garden off to one side where runoff from above is filtered through a rocky ditch then a pool-like vegetation area where the water is clarified before it flows through some perforated pipes and gravel to provide water for the root systems of native plants. Rushes and other water-tolerant plants have been established here. One of the most appreciated aspects of the park, to me, was the extensive plantings of native plants, shrubs, and trees. Last spring I enjoyed the flame azalea, sweet shrub, and stonecrop all in bloom, as well as the native trees, some of which had identification signs for people like me who want to know what kind of tree that is. I’m forever looking up something I’ve seen in one of the field guides we carry in the store, so it is nice to see the identification right there to store in my brain for a short while till it flies away (all too often in this time of my life!).

Franklinia Blossom

When I was there last month, I happened to catch the Franklinia tree in bloom, which was a first for me. The Franklinia was noted by William Bartram in his travels to Georgia in 1775 along the Altamaha River. It is extinct now in the wild, but has been saved by cultivation as an ornamental tree. There is also a mountain camellia in the park, but it was past its bloom time. I noticed a cardinal flower as well (thanks to the ID tag, for I could not identify one unless it was blooming) which should be sporting its brilliant red petals in August. Up on the mound, the black-eyed susans and coneflowers were rampantly blooming. As I walked along the path to the south end of the park, I could hear the trickle of the creek and many birds in the trees. I heard the wood thrush’s melodic call, along with some cardinals, wrens, and others. A little bird hopped along in front of me for several yards. I couldn’t see it clearly, as it would fly ahead every time I got near it, but I think it was a Louisiana waterthrush. Parking for the park is by the flea market in the old Don’l building. The grounds are well-maintained with the picnic area mowed, the pavilion clean and inviting, and the trails cleared of overgrowth and branches. The restrooms are clean and there is a handicap ramp from the parking lot to the pavilion. The Chattooga Conservancy, many hard-working volunteers, unselfish donors, and the city have done a wonderful job of creating and maintaining an attractive natural area and tying it to the natural history and cultural heritage of this area. For you walkers with Fitbits, it’s 1000 steps to do just the main walking trail, but it’s 2000 if you wander down to the creek a couple of times, then meander up onto the mound as you are walking. It’s a lovely way to get your exercise.

I liked this fern planter. Just one of many surprises you’ll find.

Jean and her husband Richard own and operate Mountain Nature in downtown Clayton. They can be reached at 706 782-0838.

** Don’t forget to turn off your outside lights at night. Use motion detector lighting, shields, and IDA-approved lighting so you don’t impose your light on those who want to see the stars. I believe God made night dark for a reason. Please help keep it that way. ** 56

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to sit, listen, and enjoy Him. Luke 10:39 says Martha was “distracted.” She wasn’t avoiding Jesus because she was snapchatting her boyfriend that her dad doesn’t approve of; Martha wasn’t dodging Jesus because she was the kingpin of a drug empire and wanted to shirk God’s commands…she was just too busy.

Busyness by Matt Kendrick

f we’re honest, for most of us, it isn’t the Hollywood sins that choke out our faith, it’s all the worries of life. The daily grind and endless distractions make it too noisy for us to hear God clearly each day. It’s the urgency of every moment, the entertainment options that we enjoy, the 24-hour news cycles that we cling to. All of the distractions and noise around us simply box the Spirit of God right out of our day. In the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10, we see a woman who loved Jesus but thought she didn’t have enough time

What if we unplugged, changed our schedule, and decided to sit and listen to Jesus? What if we decided that enjoying time with Jesus was better than watching the ballgame, checking the news, or responding to the email? How would we even go about doing that? What we need to do is reorient our attention onto Jesus. In order to reorient attention onto Jesus we have to do 3 things: 1.

Create margin

Choose rest in Christ over busyness

Unplug from technology

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First, we have to create margin so that we can be reminded often who we are and whose we are. Martha was so busy that she became “anxious and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41). Her busyness allowed her to forget that Jesus cares about her circumstances and troubles. We are the same! We over-schedule, say “yes” to too many things, and then technology or media eats up any other margin that we might have. We each have to create space and margin in our daily lives so that we can sit and enjoy time with God by reading His Word and praying. Second, we have to choose rest in Christ over busyness. Busyness makes us feel accomplished. Busyness makes us feel needed or important. The fact is, however, busyness distracts us from the “good portion” (Luke 10:42) that Jesus offers to us. We must choose to prioritize our time with God, because, in Jesus, we find true rest for our souls (Matthew 11:29). Lastly, we have to regularly unplug from technology. If you think you don’t have time to be idle and seek the Lord in some stillness, evaluate the media you have consumed in the past 14 days. Between Netflix, social media, and puppy videos on YouTube (not to mention texts, emails, and notifications), how much time have you invested in technology and media in the past 2 weeks? Enough with the excuses; we do have time. We must decide to unplug from the phone, tablet, and TV and choose to “be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10). Martha loved Jesus. She wasn’t doing anything bad, she was just being pulled away from what is better.

Matt Kendrick is Next Generation Pastor at Biltmore Church. Biltmore Church is one church with many locations. With campuses in Franklin (Smoky Mountain Performing Arts Center), Arden, Hendersonville, West Asheville and Suwannanoa, North Carolina, this is a church that exists to glorify God, by making disciples that Reach up, Reach in, and Reach out. They invite you to join them in person or online at www.biltmorechurch.org for their current series Beyond Sunday.

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August 2017

Bless Your Heart

by Lisa Harris

God May Throw in Granite Counter Tops…

nanswered prayers. This has been me for the last 12 years…the same prayers, for the same son, almost every day for years. Exhausting, frustrating, painful, and oh so many times I’ve had to dodge the truth when asked about him and all I’d say was, “He is well,” and quickly change the subject. He was not well. In his latter teens, our son was struck with panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and at that time I had not a clue what all this meant. For the first several years I would just say, “Can’t you just make yourself function?” Or, “What is there to be anxious about, just live your life!” To say we struggled would put it lightly. Jobs came and went, doctors came and went, also. We dealt with his thoughts of not wanting to live and there were many days I lived in fear that I would not have him. He had a tight support group with two special friends and lots of family, but I know he always felt alone. At times, he hung on tight to God and whispered, “Help,” and God was faithful to pull him out of the muck and mire. But, it didn’t last.

I recall my pregnancies with my children. The months of anticipation, the days of nausea, and other unpleasant ailments and the unrelenting pain of labor and delivery. Then came the moment of holding my baby and the memory of pain and longings were instantly gone. All that mattered was God gave me this soft, warm gift to love.

It’s always in God’s timing. ALWAYS. Never, ever, mine, yours, or anyone’s.

Years have gone by and I would complain, “Really God, when are you going to fix him? When will you take this from him?” Or my zinger, “You already have our daughter, please let me have my son back.” I examined myself, my husband did also, we prayed for forgiveness, for things we may have said or done. We claimed scriptures, we counseled with others, and we waited. We would see glimpses of hope and then it would fade once again. It’s always in God’s timing. ALWAYS. Never, ever, mine, yours, or anyone’s.

This is how I compare our years of yearnings for our son. God answered and the pain is instantly gone. I’m not remembering the years the locust has stolen, I’m enjoying what God has given back. What do I see in my son now? I see gratefulness. Just pure gratefulness for God giving man the abilities to create medications to help him. Grateful for his career in sales, grateful we stood by him even when we were so very, very weary and discouraged. Grateful he chose light over darkness.

In his gratefulness, our son wants to gift us. I get that, even though we say it’s not what we want him to do. We understand his need to bless us. Our son has heard my wishes for granite countertops for my kitchen. That’s what he wants to do. I giggle over God’s sense of humor. For the years and years of unanswered prayers, for the dark days, the depressed hearts, the longings for what every mom wants for their child. I’m getting granite countertops.

Then it happened. God answered our years of faithful prayers.

He’s getting his dad a yard guy.

The correct medication that alleviated his anxiety was given, a fabulous job that uses his talent in sales was awarded. He is traveling by plane, talking with people, laughing, even making futuristic plans for his life. What turned him around? God’s timing is my one and only answer. I don’t know why He didn’t do it sooner. Were there lessons to learn? Lessons for our son and/or for us? Maturity to gain? Did he have to go through this to prepare him/us for something in the future? I have no clue.

We don’t ‘need’ those two blessings. God already abundantly blessed us. He gave us our son back. (But if counter tops and a yard guy are thrown in, well…I’ll accept like any Southern gal would, graciously!) Do I hear an Amen?

I just stand in awe. 60

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“Behold, I will bring health and cure, and I will cure them and will reveal unto them abundance of peace and truth.” Jer 33:6 A place where new life springs forth out of despair, failure and death. A place where God brings physical, emotional and spiritual healing to you.

Healing is of the LORD In studying the Word of God closely, we can find hidden treasure in the Bible! This treasure is hidden in the meanings of the words used in scripture verses that are spoken by Almighty God for you! We will look into the accurate definition of the verse written above from Jeremiah 33:6 and other verses in the Bible that reveal hidden treasure that the LORD has been just waiting for you to find! As we read Jeremiah 33:6, the verse above, we see that the Lord has used the word “cure” twice in the same sentence, and we know He is not redundant. We know that every word is God breathed and is accurate to convey the truth. When we look into the Original Hebrew Dictionary of the Bible to understand the true meaning of the English translation, we can discover hidden treasure! The treasure is in the definition of those two words “cure”. They do not have the same meaning and they are translated from two different Hebrew words that were used in the original text. CURE – Hebrew – Marpe, meaning #1: “Medicine, cure, healing remedy” CURE - Hebrew – Raphah, meaning #2: “To mend, cure, heal. A physician to repair by stitching, to thoroughly make whole, to slacken, to cease” Our part is to (1) stand upon the truth of the Word of God as Medicine, Cure and Healing and (2) take His medicine daily/hourly by speaking the Word of God aloud over ourselves, and (3) believe He will do what He said in the Word of God - as we are ministered to by expert Physicians and Prayer Warriors who are God-sent. (4) Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Healer and He shall bring it to pass! We see in Jeremiah 33:6 that the LORD uses expert physicians coupled with His own power to heal you, if you call upon Him in prayer. We also see that the LORD Himself brings healing to you from Himself and from doctors. Our part is to stand upon the Word of God that told us He will bring health and cure, and cure us with an abundance of peace and truth! That peace and truth are very, very important because when we are sick, only the perfect peace of God can carry us through the healing process! And that peace comes as we believe Him and relax in Him to do what He promised in His Word! He does not lie. As we believe Him, He gives us what He promised – Believing is necessary! Some healings are instantly given to us, most are not. Most healings occur over a period of time and in this length of time, God does a wonderful work within us of building our trust in Him day by day, 62

until it is done and we are well! We are praying with many cancer patients who are walking out of the disease with great faith in the LORD and renewed strength in their bodies. The LORD gives us great faith as we lean upon Him and His power. Several cancer doctors in Atlanta have told us that 85% of their patients who get well are ones who pray. Another cancer doctor has told us they had noticed some of their patients felt a conflict in seeing doctors for help if they were believing Christians, and we were asked for permission to use a River Garden teaching as a comfort to those patients – that being a believing Christian who prays, and going to a medical doctor for help are NOT in conflict! Praise the LORD. God uses doctors according to His Word! Jesus Christ took our sins upon Himself on the cross, He also took our sin nature and our sickness and disease! “He, Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses” Matthew 8:17. Jesus Christ took our sins, our sin natures, and sicknesses on the cross, so we don’t have to bear them! We are to thank Him, and give our sicknesses to Him! We will look at another precious Bible verse that brings healing, health and courage. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14. A heart patient who was suffering from a rapid heart beat, and was under doctor’s care was standing on this verse of scripture. He was under the care of an expert physician who had done a procedure to stop Atrial Fibrillation and his heart rate had begun racing out of control instead. After much prayer and faith in the LORD, his heart responded well and he was allowed to go home. For several weeks he experienced racing heart rates again, but each time he turned to his Bible to read the Psalms aloud and within minutes his heart rate stabilized! He was speaking the Word of God over himself and that Word was medicine to his heart! Jesus Christ is his Savior and Jesus Christ is the Word of God! Praise the LORD! RIVER GARDEN A Christian ministry bringing people to reconciliation To God, to self, to others. Can we be of help to you? P.O. Box 112, Lakemont, GA 30552 706.782.5435 706.490.3063

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THE 34TH ANNUAL PRESENTATION OF THE TIMELESS STORY – LABOR DAY WEEKEND HIS LAST DAYS PASSION DRAMA “Multiplying the Loaves and Fishes”

ith 34 years of sharing the story of Jesus’ last days, the volunteers who create this regional passion drama understand how small things given faithfully can be multiplied far beyond the efforts and talents originally given. Like the boy with the loaves and fishes, they recognize the miracles that can come from being willing to share from what they have. This year the efforts of countless volunteers are being multiplied into two major events: The traditional outdoor presentation of HIS LAST DAYS will be on Labor Day weekend in Tallulah Falls, GA at 7:00pm on Saturday September 2nd and Sunday September 3rd. The drama site is located on Scenic Loop 15 on beautiful pastoral property of Tallulah Falls School. Over 250 cast and musicians recreate Biblical scenes in the large outdoor setting. Those attending are asked to bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating. An offering is taken to help meet expenses. This year the Smoky Mountain Center for the Preforming Arts in Franklin, NC will also host a benefit concert: A GLIMPSE OF HIS LAST DAYS at 7:00pm on Saturday October 28th. Reflecting the traditional outdoor passion drama, this the stage version will be a live musical concert based on the cantata by Dallas Holm, highlighted by close up pictures from the outdoor drama and live on-stage scenes from Jesus’ last days. The choir and cast of the Tallulah Falls, GA outdoor passion drama will bring this glimpse of His Last Days from their experience of 35 summers of enactments of Jesus’ life. This is not just an Easter story – but a continual timeless narrative of faith. Tickets will be $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 & under. For additional information on both these events check websites: www.brokenvesselsminitries.com www.greatmountainmusic. com or call 706-476-7939

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August 2017

Flo’s Life is Good! by Tracy McCoy

iawassee Park Senior Living is part of the Baptist Retirement Communites of Georgia. The community continues to develop, but as of 2017 there are thirtyfour cottages nestled on the side of a gentle rolling hill overlooking Lake Chatuge. The senior neighborhood sits alongside Highway 76 in Hiawassee, Georgia, a beautiful mountain town that defines lake living.

Florence Ford-Gerrard goes by Flo, she has for 92 years now, but you’d never know by talking with her that she is a senior. In 1970, Flo and her husband Frank Ford moved from Jupiter, Florida to Union County, Georgia. Frank and Flo served in World War II. Frank was a member of Patton’s 3rd Army and Flo served in the WAC (Women’s Army Corp) caring for amputee soldiers at McCloskey General Hospital near Waco, Texas. While Flo served stateside, Frank walked from France to Czechoslovakia, serving as a Scout.

Each home is not only handicapped accessible, but the home is also built around the needs of the aging population. Custombuilt with their needs in mind. The cottages are bright and happy, each one offering breathtaking mountain and lake views. Residents at Hiawassee Park feel secure and are in an atmosphere of caring neighbors and staff who become their friends and like family. The clubhouse is a bustling center of activity each day, be it a rousing card game, a special presentation, interesting class, or fun activity, there is something to do each day.

The Fords have been lifelong entrepreneurs, having owned a carpet store, a custom carpet workshop, and even a grocery store. Flo stayed home many years raising her three beautiful daughters, but helped her husband in the running of the businesses as well. After Frank died, Flo began to travel and she fell in love with it. She told me she had explored every continent but Asia. When she was in her late 70s she was caregiving for an elderly lady who was ill and later passed away. She had become friends with the lady’s husband, and after her death Flo kept in touch with him. They talked often and walked together enjoying each other’s company. Their friendship grew into a loving relationship and the two decided to marry. His name was Ken Gerrard and the two had a blast together traveling and enjoying life. Ken passed away two years ago leaving Flo alone again.

The grounds boast a garden area where residents can grown their own flowers, herbs, or vegetables, a shuffle board area, a picnic area with tables, and a lovely gazebo. The clubhouse offers an exercise room, a resistance pool with retractable treadmill, arts and crafts area, computer room with wifi, a gathering area with large screen TV, and a beautiful fireplace. Socialization is encouraged because many times seniors are left alone, sometimes going days without even a conversation. As they age, seniors feel great loss when friends pass, and they feel hopeless and often afraid. Not the case here! We wanted to speak to a resident of Hiawassee Park to get an inside perspective, and heavens was I ever in for a treat! Allow me to introduce you to Flo...

Flo is resilient and has such a zest for living. She is intelligent and vivacious with a keen sense of humor. She has never met a stranger and laughs that she has about 9 daughters, 3 she gave birth to and 6 that have adopted her. Even at her age today, she does not lack energy. The day we spoke, she had a two o’clock card game to get to and the next day her personal trainer was coming to exercise with her. Her most recent trip was a National Geographic Expedition to the Artic where she watched the polar bears. You see, Flo is working a bucket list, something she thinks all seniors should have. For her 92nd birthday she wanted to go sky-diving, but heeded the wishes of her family and didn’t do that, but she did go for a motorcycle ride. Another one crossed off the list.

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With great sadness in her voice, this exceptional lady told me that at the time she looked at Hiawassee Park, she had no friends left. She had outlived them all and two husbands. She longed to feel safe and secure, to socialize, and she had so much to share with others. Flo has found these things and more in her senior living community. She stays active, has many new friends, more “adopted” children and a new Malteese puppy named Snowflake. She is more computer savvy that most folks in their 90s, she enjoys Solitare, and checks her e-mail and keeps up with the Stock Market too. She told me she loves living at Hiawassee Park, she is enjoying life again and is having fun. I asked her what advice she would give me, at 51, about living and how to be happy. Here are Flo’s 8 tips for a happy life...

1. Don’t worry! “I have 3 children all living far from me, I

have 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and I don’t worry about them. Worry robs you of happiness. I let them worry about themselves and I just enjoy them.”

2. Do something that you love or that makes you happy everyday. “I love to have fun and make people laugh. Life is short do whatever it takes to be happy!”

3. Cook healthy food. “I eat organic because it makes me feel better, it’s part of why I stay healthy. I don’t have anything wrong with me; the doctors are amazed.”

4. Exercise! “I have always been active but now I work with a

trainer who has helped me get strong, it makes a difference at my age to have that strength.”

5. Help others. “Be a good friend” 6. Save for retirement. “If you haven’t already done this, start

saving today. Put what you can back and when you get 80 you’ll have something to live on. Invest in a good stock that is safe. Put your money to work for you.”

7. Make a Bucket List and work it! “Do the things you’ve always wanted to go, leave nothing undone.

8. Worship. “If you can get out and go to church, go, for the

fellowship and learning. Give God praise. If you can’t go, worship at home. I have church right here in my home, me and Snowflake.”

One of the things that makes this a great choice for seniors is the Joyful Hearts Senior Care that assists residents at the Park and surrounding area. They have over 40 years’ experience in caring for senior adults and work to meet the needs. Whether the Joyful Hearts Home Care clients live in the Hiawassee Park community or choose to remain in their own home, they offer many valuable services. The association of Joyful Hearts and Hiawassee Park is just another way that the folks at Baptist Retirement Communities work to provide everything residents need to remain healthy and active in their later years. Maybe Hiawassee Park is the perfect place for you to find that sense of community or perhaps your parents are looking for a home. You can find an abundance of valuable information online at www.brcga.org/hiawassee-park/ or by calling 762.500.2021 to schedule a tour. Who in this world wouldn’t want to be neighbors with someone as awesome as Flo!

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Harry Norman

Featured Property

Tiger Mountain Vineyards Awaits YOU!

an you magine the possibilities on this 82+ acre property currently operated as the award-winning Tiger Mountain Vineyards? Located at the base of beautiful Tiger Mountain in Northeast Georgia, this well established vineyard is only minutes from the quaint and popular town of Clayton, Georgia. Just a 2 hour drive from Atlanta, it is an easily accessible spot with incredible potential for expansion as a winery, hotel/lodge, working farm, wedding destination, or for your personal quiet enjoyment. Facilities on the property include a 6,000+ sq. ft. winery/tasting room that easily receives over 14,000 guests each year, and has a Wine Club with over 1,000 current members. The vineyard grounds are a popular wedding and special event destination. Also included is a 3,000+ sq. ft. 75 year old historic dairy barn that has been revitalized as The Red Barn CafĂŠ, a small eatery that operates seasonally and attracts over 1,000 loyal patrons annually. This property represents an exciting, turn-key opportunity to acquire a well-established, highly recognized and iconic business. There is excellent growth potential to expand the operationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wine production, destination weddings and special events, and even the creation of on-site lodging. Currently, no residence is included in the offering. Even so, there are multiple estate home building sites with beautiful views overlooking the vineyard, countryside, and mountains. 82+ acres with 10 acre planted vineyard 6,000+ sq. ft. wine tasting room and a 3,000+ sq. ft. converted barn restaurant Within a 15-40 minutes of Lake Burton, Lake Rabun, and Highlands, NC Only 5-10 minutes from downtown Clayton Excellent growth opportunity of vineyard, wine production, special events, and lodging Sale is exclusive of wine inventory

This property is for sale through Harry Norman Luxury Lake and Mountain REALTORS. For more information or to see the property please call 706.212.0228 or visit their office located at 141 South Main Street in Clayton, Georgia or visit online at www.harrynorman.com. gmlaurel.com

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A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken. - James Dent

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Lovin’ the Journey by Mark Holloway

AMAZING THINGS CAN HAPPEN. SOMETIMES UNEXPECTEDLY.

hankfully I’ve never been plagued with ear infections. I can only remember ever having one. I was in my early 30s. My right ear was so clogged I kept clearing it by holding my nose and mouth shut then blowing. The relief would last for half a minute then I’d be back to not hearing again on that side. I’d try and clear my ear for a day or two. Finally I went to a specialist. He said he’d have to deal with the infection first. Several weeks later I returned for the bad news. I’d blown a rather large hole in the ear drum from all the pressure blowing. The hole started as a small perforation. Not good. Because I wasn’t in pain, didn’t work under water, and scored at the bottom of the normal hearing range, he said he’d not suggest surgery. I wasn’t up for drilling behind my ear to sew on a patch inside my skull. Plus he said the procedure wasn’t a sure bet. So for years I simply asked God to heal me. In faith, I’d visualize a healthy ear drum with no massive hole. We’re quite active. We hike, cycle, mountain bike, trail run, rock climb, swim and kayak. I’d grown accustomed to wearing a wax plug to keep any water out of my inner ear. The thought of pond scum invading my cranium was terrifying. And not much scares me.

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On 9/11, I was actually at my doctor’s for a routine wellness exam. I’d warned him about my ear. He forgot to tell his nurse, who irrigated my ear drum with salt water.

equalize pressure in your head when changing elevations? I could always hear a wind tunnel blowing through the hole when I’d hold my nose and blow.

I remember asking Jesus to take me onto heaven. I writhed in pain for half an hour as a stunned and helpless nurse watched in horror.

The large opening was there just before my visit with Steve.

Time passed and I became quite proficient at plugging my ear. Months of open-water Tallulah Lake swim training for Ironman would pass uneventfully. In Louisville, Kentucky there is a sign along the Ohio River warning you to not enter its polluted waters…unless of course you’re competing in Ironman and need to swim 2.4 miles of it. Thankfully in 2013 I came out of the water with none of the Ohio in my ears, lungs, or stomach. My ear plugs held. I would finish the 140.6 miles healthy.

And then it was gone. Dr. Jarrard suggested I go visit my friend Chris who not only owns Adams Hearing Aid Specialist, but also a fascinating camera. He let me see live video of my healed ear. Bodies of water look quite different to me now. I’ve never been afraid of water…just what it could do to my inner right ear. Those days are gone. Lately I’ve been diving into Lake Burton with reckless abandon with my wife, kids, and friends. I even splashed headfirst into the ocean without even a care.

But plugging my ears had become so routine, I had swimmer’s wax stashed everywhere.

I’m thankful for Steve and Chris and their professional confirmations of my Great Physician’s touch.

Then recently something amazing happened.

See you on the trail.

I was swim coaching my daughter and some pesky water got in my good ear. I couldn’t seem to get this annoying crinkling sound to go away. A week later, I broke down and went to see Dr. Jarrard. He looked in my left ear and didn’t see anything but he wanted to look in my right ear for a comparison. I warned him, “Steve, brace yourself. Remember, there’s a big hole in my right eardrum.” “Let me take a look anyway,” Steve said. Although I had been praying a long my time for what would happen next, I still was caught completely off guard. He peered into my right ear through his little black funnel and said, “That is the healthiest eardrum I’ve ever seen.” I myself am not a medical doctor. But I dreamed that I played a doctor in a skit. Your eardrum performs several important tasks I suppose. Sound passes through your eardrum and bounces back-and-forth in your inner ear causing all those magnificent little bones to create sound. Or something like that. Again my experience as an MD is limited. Within a week of Steve’s discovery, I would be spending four days becoming a swift water rescue swimmer as part of my Search and Rescue training. Plunging carelessly and repeatedly into the Chattooga’s whitewater was exhilarating for reasons other than you’d assume. For the first time since 1993, I didn’t have to cram an earplug up my ear canal to get near water. Standing along the river bank tricked out in swim rescue gear, I was a tad hesitant not sporting any ear plugs. But once I was under water and I didn’t feel any of the chilly Chattooga trespassing into my inner skull parts, the reality took hold. I was healed. Some may think God didn’t heal my ear, rather the hole just gradually closed up over time. Not so. The crevasse was easy to detect all those years leading up to my doctor’s visit last summer. Do you know how when you gmlaurel.com

August 2017

Visit East Main Street

YOU CAN’T BUY

happiness

BUT YOU CAN BUY

LOCAL

AND THAT’S KIND OF THE SAME.

- AUTHOR UNKNOWN

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Franklin, NC

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August 2017

Notes From A Southern Kitchen by Kendall R. Rumsey NotesFromASouthernKitchen.com

The Spirit of Community

recently had the opportunity to attend the “Habitat Hoedown”, a fundraising event for Habitat for Humanity of Rabun County.

The Hoedown is the organization’s largest fund-raiser, using the dollars raised to build homes for families in need. This year, Habitat for Humanity of Rabun County is building two houses that will enhance the lives of the families who will call them home. The homes built by Habitat include a monthly mortgage and sweat equity for those who will eventually live there. As I toured the silent auction items, ate amazing food by The Dillard House, and mingled among friends, it occurred to me that our community does “hands up” really well. While we live in a world often times jaded to the plight of others, these mountains, covered by laurel, are filled with people who come to the assistance of strangers and friends in need. My family has been the recipient of this giving spirit more times than I can remember. When my oldest brother passed away, this community held us up. When my mom was ill, others stepped up and helped raise me. When my brother Sam was hurt on an oil rig, a friend loaded my parents up in his private plane and flew them to the Gulf-Coast to be with him. And during my dad’s illness, and later death, this community supported us with love and friendship. We see it time and time again, and we are blessed to live in a community that stands together when our neighbors need a hand up, not a hand out. Our community responds in overwhelming ways when someone is affected by a house fire, or when a member of the family falls ill, we see the generosity of community.

The love of community is vital when we fall, and our community is always there to help us up. We carry our neighbors through times of tragedy and pain, helping them take the next step in life when sometimes it doesn’t feel like the next breath is possible. Living amongst people who care is one of the things that I am most thankful for. We don’t get everything right, but our compassion for our fellow-man is palpable. Rabun County is filled with organizations that help the community, from the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, F.A.I.T.H, and Pathways, to our Churches, school groups and neighbors helping neighbors, the spirit of community lives on in the citizenry of our county. Certainly, we will have times of despair in the future. Our community will suffer tragedies and lives will be changed in ways that pain us to imagine, but knowing that there are organizations standing by to help and citizens there to give us hope is a promise that we who live here can hold close to our hearts. As someone who has experienced the generosity of this community, I know I speak for countless others, when I say thank you. Thank you for loving us, thank you for lifting us up, and thank you for supporting us in our time of need. The community spirit we are blessed with in this area of the world, that we lovingly refer to as “God’s Country”, really is appropriate. Not only are we surrounded by a natural beauty of our landscape, but the people who inhabit these mountains display acts of kindness, love, and generosity daily. What better testament of “God’s Country” could there ever be?

Kendall Rumsey is a resident of Clayton, Ga. He is owner of imPRESSed, a custom imprint company and publishes the blog, Notes from a Southern Kitchen.

This past Spring when a beautiful child was killed in an accident, not only did the community rally to support the family financially, but with shoulders to cry on and with a lasting memorial at the child’s school that will give her classmates a place to play and grow up.

www.impressedstyle.com www.notesfromasouthernkitchen.com

We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. - Ronald Reagan 76

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August 2017

By The Way

WHY PIGS AND PLAYS DON’T MIX

by Emory Jones

hen my pet pig, Cunningham, heard that Piedmont College’s North Georgia Theater had made a play out of The Valley Where They Danced book, he naturally expected a part. After all, he’d helped write the darn thing. By that I mean he ate one of the manuscripts I inadvertently left on the porch one night. But, with him having digested so much of the material, no one could claim he didn’t have any pigskin in the game. So, we incorrectly assumed landing him a part wouldn’t be a problem. But, as it turns out, only pigs with links to show business have any pull when it comes to casting. They wouldn’t even let Cunningham on the couch. It wasn’t like he expected a grade-A part; the role Cunningham coveted was that of the dog. In the play, the dog’s name is Jack, so to get into character, Cunningham requested that I call him “Jack” from then till casting day. My wife, Judy, tried to help, but she kept calling ME Jack instead of the pig. Plus, she can’t keep from mumbling

“a-double-s” after she utters the word “Jack.” That’s just how she was raised, bless her heart. Even though we felt Cunningham was surely a shoo-in, he wanted to rehearse. That way, no one could say he got the part by being the playwright’s pet—actors get jealous you know. Cunningham already knew how to roll over and fetch, but he doesn’t speak dog, so he spent countless hours learning that. Once we got the language down, he started chasing cars. In fact, he got so good at chasing cars, one of the neighbors complained. As it turns out, his wife wasn’t comfortable having a barking pig chase her Outback down the driveway; claimed it scared the grandchildren. Still, as I told the deputy later, I’d give anything to have caught that on tape. By casting day, Cunningham’s acting was smoking hot. So, as a treat, I let him ride in the back of the truck on the way over. That way, he could get in some more barking practice. The folks at Piedmont must have heard Cunningham coming because when we pulled up, the play’s director and four members of campus security were there to meet us. They’d also brought along a professor from the anthropology department. Cunningham (A.K.A. Jack) wagged his tail and barked hello. The group just glared. “He’s here to try out for the play,” I said, eager to defuse the situation. “This is a pig-free campus,” said the professor from the anthropology department. “The only place he can get a role here is in the dining hall.” What happened next is a blur. As I recall, the pig bared his fangs and spoke loudly in dog. The lady security guard reached for her nightstick, causing Cunningham to break character and head for the hills, squealing like a pig. If his left loin hadn’t been tender from all that rehearsing, there’s no telling where he would have wound up. Anyway, by the time I caught up with him just south of Mountain City, some mutt from Macon had already nailed the play’s only dog part. Cunningham was so upset, he howled for a week. Yesterday he bit the mailman.

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Lakemont, Georgia

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August 2017

Healthcare Designed Around You 82

alking into the new Mountain Lakes Medical Center, located near Black Rock Mountain, you can feel an immediate sense of innovation. Looking around, you quickly surmise that you are standing in a place that has been completely reimagined. You can see and feel the holistic centered approach to healing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one that is modern, accessible and warm. Certainly, you think to yourself, this is the future of healthcare. A personal navigator introduces herself and explains that she will guide you to your room. Walking the corridor, you observe August 2017

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you notice that some of the people are not patients, but visitors from the community who are here on their lunch break taking in the view. Along the way, you pass wheelchairs you’ve never seen before. These transport chairs have been created by designer, Michael Graves – who himself was once confined to a wheelchair – and feature an ergonomic design to facilitate the caregiver’s needs as much as the comfort of the patient. Entering your room, you discover the dedication to enhancing the patient experience is taken to another level. As warm sunlight pours into the room through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you get a calming panoramic view of the mountains. At the foot of the bed, you find a gown that looks more like a robe. Feeling its inviting suede-like texture, you delightfully discover that it wraps in the front. Stepping into the bathroom, the modern design reveals upgraded materials and towels that make this space feel more like a hotel than a hospital. It occurs to you that comfort, privacy and dignity are emphasized here. While talking with the nurse, you learn more about the brand-new hospital. You learn that every employee from the old location will be moving to the new one, yet none of the old equipment will be. With allnew technology, Mountain Lakes Medical Center will continue to offer critical services like surgery, emergency services, advanced imaging and physical therapy, allowing it to remain within the Top 100 healthcare providers in the country.

Photo by Kevin C. Croom, photographer a simplified design that incorporates neutral and soothing colors and many natural elements. The navigator points out the outdoor “Boardwalk”. Here, you see patients and families relaxing around the fireplace, enjoying the sweeping mountain views. The airy, open space blends with the mountains and the sky, and you gain a sense of serenity. Instantly, you understand that here, connection to nature is part of the healing process. Across the Boardwalk, you spot the café. You can enjoy a cup of gourmet coffee, a fresh salad or sandwich for lunch, while dining outdoors or inside. It may take a moment before gmlaurel.com

In the design of the new hospital, families have been considered as much as the patients themselves. Every waiting area is spacious and features a nutrition station with coffee and tea. Additionally, families receive a pager to help them monitor the progress of loved ones during treatment. Now, they can move about, relax and enjoy the café and outdoor spaces of the hospital while they wait.

Surrounded by this comfortable setting, you are indeed in a place of patient-centered wellness. More than a hospital, it is to be the town “hub” and a place for the community to gather. In addition to being a place for healing and quality medical care, you will also enjoy events like author readings/ book signings, artists exhibits, wellness speakers and more. An iconic landmark of health built with compassion for the patient, Mountain Lakes Medical Center is a healthcare experience unlike anything seen before.

August 2017

Adams Hearing is Moving a Couple Doors Down!

dams Hearing, located in Savannah Place Shoppes, wanted to let our readers know that they have moved, but not far. You’ll find them a couple doors

down.

Hearing specialist Chris Adams has been in Clayton for many years serving the needs of local and part time residents. “We love helping people and this practice has given us the opportunity to meet some of the nicest people. The ultimate reward for us is when we fit a client with a hearing device and they realize that for the first time in a long time, they can hear like they should.” Chris tells us. The new location will allow them to continue taking care of their patients and serve the needs of new ones. Stop in their new office or call 706.782.0109 to schedule your free hearing consultation.

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August 2017

Live Healthy and Be Well! Get up and get out Do more, feel better, and live longer! by Stephen Jarrard, MD FACS

’d like to start off by thanking all of you who read and comment that you find the articles helpful and useful. I would also be remiss if I did not thank Tracy McCoy and all the staff at this fine publication for allowing me to share information. Also, don’t forget that this month is a “once in a lifetime” event in that a total eclipse of the sun will happen on August 21st at about 2:30 PM. We are fortunate that Rabun County is in the path of totality, so be sure and enjoy that event safely with friends and family. Do not look at the sun during this time without special protection or your eyes could be permanently damaged. Now, what if I told you one of the best “medicines” in the world was easily available, infinite supply, and costs you nothing? It will help you do more, feel better, enable you to be healthier, and is totally free? Are you ready to walk or run and get some? Well, that’s good. But to have this superb benefit, you don’t have to walk or run anywhere – just walk or run! August is a great month for this topic – increased physical activity and its overall benefits to your health and well-being. We continue the series inspired by writings of Dr. Sanjiv Chopra in a book titled The Big 5 which presents “…five simple things you can do to live a longer, healthier life.” For

August, let’s discuss the great benefits of increasing your physical activity – walking, hiking, running, biking, aerobic exercise, and even strength training. So many studies have found that increasing physical exercise is so good for you in so many ways. We know that even a small amount of vigorous exercise each week can pay off in terms of increased health, wellness, prevention of disease, weight loss, and maintenance of healthy weight, and can even make you smarter! The most obvious benefits come from strengthening your heart, lungs, and overall cardiovascular fitness. This will lower the risk of future heart disease, stroke, and vascular disease, such as arterial blockage and venous insufficiency. In 2008, a government panel sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services reviewed many studies conducted over a long period of time. Their conclusion, reported by the Surgeon General was that regular physical activity can cut the risk of heart attack and stroke by at least 20 percent. They went on to state that these benefits extend to preventing high blood pressure, prevented development or progression

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memory and ability to execute higher level brain functions. In animal studies, it was seen to increase the number of brain cells concerned with higher level function and memory. People studied were found to learn lists of vocabulary words faster and better after working out. They also report feeling better, less depressed and anxious if they exercise frequently, not to mention being smarter.

of type 2 Diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer, age related bone fractures (osteoporosis), and can also be a factor in the prevention of both anxiety and depression. What is even better news is the finding that if you already have some of the above conditions, starting exercise now can make them better, improve your overall health, keep chronic conditions from worsening, and help you live longer! One true benefit of increased exercise (that we all like) is that it helps with weight loss and the maintenance of a healthy weight. To do this, though, it must be coupled with reduction in calorie intake, usually by making smart choices and “portion control.” If you will eat healthy, fresh foods until your hunger subsides (but do not overfill), skip snacks and limit sugar, drink water and keep hydrated, and increase your activity and exercise – I can almost guarantee weight loss if you will be patient and stick with it. If you are already diabetic, increasing your activity will also help you with your blood sugar control, and help to increase “good” cholesterol levels in your body – also a plus. Exercise on a regular basis can also help lower stress, improve your attitude, ease anxiety, and help to prevent and relieve depression. This mostly has to do with increasing blood flow to the brain, but whatever the reason, these are all good outcomes. Scientists have also found that it can improve your

So, it is easy to see that increasing your activity is good for you in so many ways. But, how much is enough, and what should you do? Well, that is an individual choice based on motivation and ability. But just know that a brisk walk for 20 to 30 minutes three to five times a week can give you many of the benefits we have discussed. Also, some resistance or “weight” training on a regular basis helps to increase muscle mass and keep bones healthy and strong. You don’t have to run a marathon, but be more active in all you do. Take the stairs, park further away and walk to the store, do some light aerobics, get a “pedometer” device and try to increase your steps daily, along with challenging friends and family to keep you straight. And on that note, working out with a friend will always result in a better session, no matter what you decide to do. You don’t have to do a lot. You may not be able to do a lot. Start out slow at first, and get used to more and more activity. You will be encouraged as you see it beginning to pay off in your life, and hopefully will keep it up and gain more and more benefits in your overall level of health and wellness. For some great tips at increasing your activity across the board, visit the USDA website at https://www.choosemyplate.gov/ physical-activity-tips We really do enjoy hearing from you with any questions, concerns, or ideas for future columns and/or health and wellness related issues for the Georgia Mountain Laurel. Please send an email to rabundoctor@gmail.com, or call us at 706-782-3572, and we will be sure to consider your input. This and previous articles can be now be found on the web at www.rabundoctor.com in an archived format. If you use Twitter, then follow us for health tips and wellness advice @ rabundoctor. Like and follow our Facebook page at facebook. com/rabundoctor. Until next month, live healthy and be well!

Benefits of Exercise:

• Increase muscle strength and endurance • Alertness and increased energy level • Heart works better • Decrease for heart attack, stroke, cancer • Makes bones stronger • Control blood pressure and cholesterol gmlaurel.com

• Weight control • Improve sleep • Improve skill performance (basketball, football, volleyball, etc.) • Reduce stress, release endorphins (makes you feel good), less moody • Improved appearance

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