Laurel of Northeast Georgia February 24

Welcome

Tracy McCoy

Publisher/Editor 706-982-9197

Cindi Freeman

Manager | Marketing 706-982-0216

Melynda Hensley

Marketing | Graphics 706-970-0765

Hey all, It is the “month of love” and one might think that means flowers in brilliant reds and pinks or it might include rich milk chocolates in a red satin box or it might involve sparkling diamonds in velvet boxes.

But I’ll be honest there isn’t much in this life I love more than a big ol’ red cow with spiked up hair! I’ve always had a fondness for the bovine. When I spoke with our cover artist Walton Bohorquez about this issue I suggested something “love or winter” and he captured both, at least for me. This cow and its herd are grazing in temperatures that drive the rest of us inside. Especially since today as I write to you it reached a high of 28 degrees. Sitting at my computer in fuzzy slippers, jeans and my favorite sweatshirt, I am still a bit chilly. Winter is showing itself for sure!

So we will share with you some recipes for homemade sweets for your love, a hike for February’s warmer days, scenes from a beautiful mountain wedding, and more from Walton’s camera. Love is so much more than one day a year and while it can be romantic, it can also be memories of your Granny, getting back to nature, your four-legged babies, growing flowers, praise and worship, or meeting and making new friends. Yes, I know that was a run-on sentence, but all of those things are in this issue and bring joy, and I love that.

If I were to send you a Valentine it would be filled with sweet words about how much we love our readers and advertisers. It would be decorated with hearts and flowers and the sentiment behind it would be as heartfelt as my love for that cow on the cover. So consider yourself sufficiently showered with affection and kind words. Enjoy this month and share the love!

Stay warm!

Tracy

FEBRUARY 2024 | VOLUME TWENTY-ONE | ISSUE TWO

D’Anna Coleman Assistant Manager Graphics 706-782-1600

Writers & Contributors: John Shivers, Peter McIntosh, Rabun Paws-4-Life Tori Carver, Jonan Keeny, Lorie Thompson, Danielle DeWit, Mark Holloway Pastor Michael Rogers, Liz Alley, Tricia Moore, Roger Glenn, Dick Cinquina

LAUREL of Northeast Georgia 2511 Hwy 441 N., Clayton, GA 30525

www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com | 706-782-1600 gmlmagazine@gmail.com Lucas McCoy

Graphics | Writing 706-782-1600

Copyright 2024 by Rabun’s Laurel Inc. All rights reserved. The Laurel of Northeast Georgia Magazine is published twelve times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to the Laurel of Northeast Georgia magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings.

Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel magazine or any of its staff areresponsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine.

The Laurel of Northeast Georgia 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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Contents The Arts

Faith in Christ

10 - Cover Artist - Walton Bohorquez 12 - North Georgia Arts Guild

42 - R4G - Sacrifice 42 - Life is a Blessing

A Taste

Healthy and Well

16 - Family Table 20 - Oh for the Love of Chocolate

46 - Be Still My Heart 48 - A Caregiver’s Guide

Around Town

Homes

28 - Winterfest & Block Party 30 - My World Travels 32 - A Wedding Story

The Outdoors 34 - Adventure Out 36 - A Dog’s Tale 38 - Firmly Rooted 40 - Rabun Paws-4-Life

52 - Harry Norman Luxury Lake & Mountains

Looking Back 56 - Featured Veteran - Eric Miller 52 - Rabun County Historical Society

Just Thinking 60 - Lizzie Writes - Granny

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The Arts

ON OUR COVER Walton Bohorquez Tracy McCoy

I

t is not uncommon for us to have people contact us about artists, photographers, writers, poets and others with extraordinary talent. When our February cover artist’s sister Samia came by on business she suggested that we see her brother’s photography. Her brother Walton has been snapping photos since he was old enough to maneuver the camera on his mom’s cell phone. She sent samples and I called inviting them to visit my office with more photos.

Shy at first, Walton sat down and showed me a nice variety of photos. I found him to be insightful for his age. Walton is a student at Rabun County High School and at 16 years old his eye is impressive. He sees the world through his lens, the good and the bad. He photographs things and people who are close to his heart. “I like to take photos of nature and people, expressions and light speak to me.” he told me during our interview for this article. I asked if he sees the photo in every scenario and his response was yes, the sign of a gifted up and coming photographer.

He talked of visits to the Aquarium and the first time he saw a man with a big camera with an impressive lens. He remembers thinking that he wanted a camera like that one. Like most people he shoots photos with his cell phone which is great for a computer screen but not always sufficient for printing. Walton is now the proud owner of a Sony Alpha Series 7 that is a very impressive camera with great capabilities. The new equipment combined with his ability has the potential to produce photography with the ability to communicate with the viewer. A great photograph should be able to tell a story through its composition, lighting, and most importantly its subject matter. Walton Bohorquez could definitely make a name for himself in the photography world.

We talked about his family, because they are very important to him. He told me that his mother is very artistic, she has a thriving plant collection and sees beauty in everything. His father owns two businesses Lorenzo’s Landscapes and Lorenzo’s Rock Yard and during the summers Walton works for him. He told me that his dad has taught him about business and how to be successful. Closest to his heart are his siblings. His sister Samia, he described as creative, talented, sentimental yet strong and insightful.

His younger brother William is smart and energetic. His grandparents are important to him as well, in fact he took a photo of his grandmother saying he had never seen a photo of her before. Walton has a cousin that he is also very close to.

When we spoke about school his favorite subjects are Biology and World History.

He is looking forward to exploring the Audio/Visual class. His favorite teacher is Amy Jarrard, RCHS Art Teacher. He said she is encouraging and “real.” He likes school but I think he would prefer to be exploring with his camera. I asked if he could visit or live anywhere when he is grown where would it be and he quickly answered Greenland because it is so “wild and different.” Walton would like to pursue his photography and build his technical abilities. I see no reason why he couldn’t do that and I expect great things from this incredible young man.

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NGAG Show and Tell Challenges Tricia Moore

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t our NGAG member meetings, we usually have an artist present a program on their artistic specialty. While we all love the programs presented by these artists, some members expressed a desire to know more about what kind of art our members created. So we discussed how this might best be done and decided to dedicate one program per year to a members’ Show and Tell, where members bring a sample of their work and tell us what inspires them to create. Our first Show and Tell occurred in February, 2017 and was wildly successful. Since then, the Show and Tell program has been one of the most popular and well-attended programs of the year – so much so that it was recently decided to have a Show and Tell Program twice a year!

In November of 2022, the board discussed ways to inspire the members’ creativity. Lynn Roe, a member of the board, told about the challenges used in a group she had been in, and the idea appealed to the board. The challenge provided a prompt or theme for the creation of art. Our first challenge was “Winter Blues” for the February 2023 program. It was amazing to see how this challenge topic was interpreted by the various members. In October of 2023, the challenge topic was “Opposites”. Again, the guild members did not disappoint.

Following are some of the statements from the artists regarding their work.

Eric Hollifield

Kathy Ford

Jean Mitchell

Kathy Ford’s mosaic represented the opposites of day and night.

She states, “I selected ‘SunMoon’ (Day and Night) as those shapes, crescent and round, are Sue Zarter recognizable and easy to do in tile. I used smalti to fill the two heavenly bodies – a type of tile not usually grouted, stained glass for the sun’s rays and center, and vitreous glass tile for the night sky – black and dark blue, and the sunrise sky of blue and orange.”

“My opposites were above and below. My painting is from a series of ‘visual notes’ I’m making to flesh out a graphic novel. I wanted to portray the underskin of home life. What hides beneath our foundations? Do secrets bind or threaten a community?”- Eric Hollifield Jean Mitchell, a potter, stated “… I briefly told the story of how ceramic clay is produced by this earth when comparing the original clay to the final ceramic art piece. When viewing all the processes I go through in producing a piece, I am copying what nature has done, only in the opposite direction.”

“My opposites were inside and out. It’s a photograph of me, painted over, except for one eye looking from behind the paint. The third eye sees inside of you. My dental x-rays are glued over the mouth.” – Oryn Hollifield As a quilter, Sue Zarter chose to illustrate the opposites of black and white in a quilt she created for a wheelchair patient. She states, “I find both motivation and satisfaction in knowing

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that the quilts I make often become cherished keepsakes for the recipients and helps them know they are loved.”

Diane Rush also chose the opposites of black and white in her painting. “When I thought about opposites, and my paintings, in particular, something starkly juxtaposed would be simple and lacking in bright colors.

Therefore, a statement in black and white, of black on white,” Diane states.

“The Ocean is a desert with its life underground and the perfect disguise above.” This was a favorite lyric from a 70’s song Joey Aldrich-Burel always wanted to paint.

The Opposites challenge gave her the chance! “I painted and collaged my desert on a huge canvas. Included were the native flora of the Sonoran Desert. Having been scuba diving in the Florida Keys and a lover of all aquariums, the Florida and Caribbean fish became my ocean. I collaged my fauna into the desert and finally created my 50 year-old idea. So my opposites can be Flora and Fauna, Ocean and Desert, Land and Sea.” Diane Rush

Lewis Hinely’s opposites acrylic painting depicts both a solar and lunar eclipse. One occurs during the day, the other at night. In a solar eclipse, the moon is between the earth and the sun. In a lunar eclipse, the earth is between the sun and the moon.

Mark Barton, as a photographer, did a high contrast image of their dog Selah, a mahogany and white border collie. “I converted the color image to black and white and boosted the contrast, eliminating most of the gray to an almost pure black and white image.” He then created an inverted image, transforming the positive image to a negative image, and printed the two images side by side.

The “Opposites” challenge clearly shows the diversity and originality of NGAG’s members. Our next challenge is “Movie Titles.” I can’t wait to see what our talented members create in their effort to illustrate this theme.

Lewis Hiney

Mark Barton Tricia Moore is a retired teacher, having taught both English and Art in public and private school settings. She is currently an active member of the NGAG and has held several positions on the board.

With her background in both art and writing, she feels that writing the NGAG featured artist article in the Laurel of Northeast Georgia is a good fit and something that she will greatly enjoy doing.

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Family

A Taste

F

ebruary is a great month to focus on your home, health, and family. My home could use some attention, as it needs a significant clean-out due to our rat-packing, never-throwanything-away habits! If you ever need anything, ask us. Between Mountain Man and me, we probably have it! The question is, can we find it?

Our January resolution was a commitment to thinning our providence. We plan to organize our collective “collateral,” as Mountain Man calls it, and thin it to reveal the most essential items and keep only those. Wish us luck as we tackle Mountain Man’s barn and workshop. We may be lost forever as we penetrate the far reaches of that jungle. Stay tuned to see if we own the barn or if the barn owns us!

I don’t have any room to talk about Mountain Man, as I have too much stuff piled into my domains. Please don’t ask my children about my pantry or refrigerator. I always have ten kinds of cheese, five bottles of mustard, seven flavors of hot sauce, and lots of pickles. I needed graham crackers at Christmas, and I had two packages in my pantry. One expired in 2020, and one in 2021. So, no judgment towards Mountain Man for his extensive collateral collection.

I recently found two packages of Providence Farms Beef Shanks in the deep recesses of one of my freezers. I bought a beef a couple

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Table Lorie R. Thompson

of years ago, and they have been hiding there for a while. Fortunately, they were vacuum-sealed and still fabulous!

Beef shanks are one of my family’s favorite meals, and “finding” a package hiding out in the freezer is like finding a gold nugget!

Every famous chef has an “Osso Bucco” recipe made with veal shanks in their repertoire. I love a similar dish made with beef or pork shanks. Let me tell you how I make them.

Begin by seasoning the shanks with kosher salt and a sprinkle of garlic powder. Rub the seasoning into the shanks on all sides and allow them to come up in temperature for 30 minutes. Use the time to chop 2 cups each of onions and carrots. Finely chop 3-4 stalks of celery and 3-4 garlic cloves and reserve.

Dredge the shanks in flour. (I use self-rising flour for dredging. The leavening agents in the flour make the crust better.) Heat 2-3 T of olive or avocado oil in the bottom of a heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid. This is a perfect place to use an enameled Dutch oven.

Brown the shanks on all sides and remove them from the pan. Add more oil and soften the onions and carrots for 2-3 minutes. Add the celery and garlic and 1-2 tsp of salt. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes while stirring. In the center of the pan, scrape back the vegetables and add 3-4 T of tomato paste, allowing it to brown a little. Stir the tomato paste into the vegetable mixture.

Add 2 C of a good red or white wine and one cup of water. Or, instead of wine, you can use 3 C of beef or chicken stock and 1-2 T of balsamic vinegar to give it more body. I use red wine for beef shanks and white wine for pork shanks.

Add the shanks into the pot along with a couple of stems of thyme and one stem of rosemary. If using dried herbs, 2 tbsp of thyme and 1 tbsp of chopped rosemary. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper or black pepper. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and place in a 325-degree oven for 2 - 2.5 hours.

I like to make these a day ahead, cool them completely, and refrigerate them in the pot overnight. The next day, remove any congealed fat off the top and reheat in a 325-degree oven for 30 - 40 minutes until they are heated through.

If eating on the same day you cooked them, tilt the pan up and spoon as much fat off as possible.

Serve the shanks over creamy polenta or mashed potatoes. Polenta is a finer ground version of grits. Bob’s Red Mill Polenta is a good choice. To prepare, bring 2 C of water with 1 C of half and half to a boil and 2 tsp of salt. Swirl in 1C of polenta, stirring to keep it from sticking. Turn down the heat and cover with a lid. Simmer on very low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water, if needed, to maintain the creamy texture. Add 1/2 C of grated parmesan cheese just before serving. Creamy polenta is marvelous with the shanks and the vegetable ragout from the pot. - Continued...

A TASTE

of the Mountains

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FAMILY TABLE continued...

I served the polenta and shanks alongside roasted Brussels sprouts. To prepare these, trim the ends off the sprouts and slice each sprout thinly. Rough chop a red onion. Slice one half of a lemon as thin as possible. Place all in a bowl and toss with 2T olive oil and the juice from the other half of the lemon. Spread them on a sheet pan and season them with lemon pepper seasoning, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper. Roast at 385 degrees for 20 minutes. Turn and roast for ten more minutes until sprouts are tender and starting to brown. Serve with shaved parmesan cheese.

I love these Brussels sprouts so much that I will make a double or triple batch on Sunday evening with no seasoning beyond salt and olive oil. Use a food processor to slice them when doing a large batch. Roast them in olive oil, with the red onion and salt, and don’t completely cook them. Season one night with the lemon pepper and lemon juice. The next night, add 2 T of Mae Ploy Red Chili Sauce. A third well-loved seasoning choice is crumbled bacon and 2 T of Balsamic Vinegar. Add your seasoning of choice and spread the sprouts on a sheet pan. Place in a hot oven long enough to heat the sprouts thoroughly.

Use this winter season to make your home and kitchen the best they can be for your family. I hope you will enjoy these recipes. May God bless you and your family.

Lorie Thompson is a REALTOR at Poss Realty in Clayton, Georgia. Her expertise in her industry is second only to her culinary talents. Lorie is a dynamo in the kitchen. Honestly if she prepares it, it will likely be the best you’ve ever had! Lorie and her husband, Anthony (Peanut), make their home in the Persimmon Community. She is the proud mother of Joe Thompson and Kendall Thompson.

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Oh, for the LOVE of Chocolate Tracy McCoy

W

ho doesn’t love chocolate? I am sure there is someone out there but surely there isn’t more than a handful worldwide. I am a chocolate lover and thought it might be a good idea to share some homemade confections recipes. You may opt to make these yummy sweets for your Valentines this year. My niece, Emily and her family make Buckeyes as treats for those who are special to them. Being Ohio Buckeye fans, this candy pays homage to the team they love so much. The recipe came from her husband Chris’ mom, who handed it down to her children. Chris is teaching their daughter Saylor to make these delicious treats. It is a family affair and maybe that will become a new tradition for you and yours. If you have a recipe that is something that brings your family together, please share it with us. You can send it by email to gmlmagazine@gmail.com with “recipe” in the subject box. Hope you have a happy and sweet Valentine’s Day.

White Chocolate & Raspberry Truffles 2 cups white chocolate ¼ cup heavy cream 1 ½ Tablespoons corn syrup 1/3 cup raspberry jam 1 ½ Tablespoons raspberry liqueur 2 cups white chocolate, melted or tempered.

In a microwave safe bowl, combine chocolate and cream.

Microwave on high power in 15 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.

Stir in corn syrup.

Fold in jam.

Gently mix in liqueur.

Pour into a small rectangular glass casserole dish.

Cover with plastic wrap.

Allow to cool completely at room temperature.

Refrigerate for 6-8 hours, until completely firm.

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Use a 1-inch cookie scoop to portion candy onto prepared pan.

Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Coat hands with powdered sugar, and roll candy into balls.

Cover and return to refrigerator.

Dip each ball into chocolate and place back on parchment-lined sheet pan.

Allow chocolate to set.

Chocolate Pecan Coffee Toffee I cup unsalted butter ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup sugar 2 teaspoons molasses pinch of sea salt or kosher salt 2 oz of Espresso 1 cup milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips (your preference) 1/3 cup chopped pecans

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OH-IO Buckeyes 1 lb Blue Bonnet® margarine 2 lbs creamy Jif® 3 lbs powdered sugar Combine first three ingredients using your hands. Shape into balls slightly smaller than a walnut. Place apart on waxed paper covered cookie sheets and lay Saran Wrap® draped over the top and cool in the refrigerator to let harden (this is important).

While Grandma Gibson’s recipe called for semi-sweet chocolate pieces and grated parafin wax, Chris and Emily found that Candiquick® works just as well and is a bit easier. So at this point melt the chocolate candy coating in the microwave and use a toothpick to dip the peanut butter balls. Place the chocolate coated buckeys on the wax paper lined cookie sheets and allow to cool in the refrigerator until the chocolate is hardened. The recipe makes 8 dozen buckeyes and they freeze well.

TOFFEE continued...

Line a baking dish with parchment paper (9”x11” or smaller) Melt butter, sugars, molasses, salt and espresso in medium saucepan. Cook, stirring/whisking occasionally over medium-high heat until temperature reaches 250 degrees. Begin stirring constantly until temperature reaches 300 degrees. Use a candy thermometer.

Pour toffee into baking dish, Spread evenly to your preferred thickness. Allow it to set for a minute, then sprinkle chocolate chips over toffee Let soften a minute or two, then spread chocolate evenly over toffee. Sprinkle your chopped pecans on top.

After it all cools, bread apart toffee into chunks and store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

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Around Town

Small Town Famous d Breakfast with Ara Tracy McCoy

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hen I started writing Small Town Famous a few months back, I wanted to highlight people who are making a difference in the mountains. Those among us who have a story to tell, which ultimately we all have one. But these people are more likely to tell someone else’s story before they tell their own. These people have servant hearts, they put others ahead of themselves. They are unique in that they go above and beyond in service to others. So recently I had breakfast at Clayton Cafe with Ara Joyce.

I knew very little about Ara, other than she wears a lot of hats, stays unbelievable busy, and is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones here in Clayton. I wanted to ask about her upbringing, what drives her and how she keeps all of the balls in the air. Doing so over breakfast sounded like a great idea to me.

Ara Elizabeth White (Joyce) was born in Boone County, West Virginia. She grew up in Bosses Camp, a Coal Camp, because her father was employed in the mining industry. Life was not always easy, especially during the strikes. Mr. White went to work crossing the picket lines and suffered greatly for it. He was a “company man” who had a family to feed and a job to do. That same determination can be seen in his daughter. Mrs. White and her daughters made and sold jams/jellies and other things at the farmer’s market to help the family get the money together to leave the Coal Camp.

Moving to Beckley, West Virginia where Roger White became a lobbyist for the West Virginia Gaming Commission. Ara began attending a private Catholic School, she was 8 years old and was “daddy’s girl”. She watched him and learned a great deal about business and people from her father.

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Before graduation, Ara began taking night classes at a local college. Some of her early jobs included ski instructor, river guide, and operating a beverage cart at the local country club. She attended College of West Virginia (now West Virginia University), College of Financial Planning, Piedmont College and North Georgia Technical College, she continues to take classes for certifications loving to learn new things. She met her husband, John Joyce, while working at the ski resort and they have spent the last 24+ years together. John and Ara never had children of their own but finished raising her nephew, Zach, who is currently enlisted in the United States Navy and is testing for Chief. She and John are very proud of the man Zach has become.

Her work history is diverse yet something from each job added to the successful businesswoman she is today. She worked with the Young Republicans for Joe Manchin during his campaign for Governor Afterwards, Ara took a job in Pennsylvania with Telespectrum Worldwide as Regional Director of Quality. She sold Real Estate for a few years before the couple started their own company Joyce White Renovations. For a dozen years John and Ara flipped houses. She says her time in Pennsylvania was about making money, expanding their world and finding their place in it… which would eventually be Rabun County, Georgia.

In 1995 Ara was hiking the Appalachian Trail where she broke three toes. She was near the Rabun/Towns county line and hitchhiked in to Clayton to doctor them up and rest a few days. Like most people do, she fell in love with Clayton. So when the opportunity presented itself for her husband John to take a position in Georgia she asked if there was a place for her with Edward Jones in Clay-

ton. The answer was no, so she took a location near Lake Hartwell. Six months later the office in Clayton became available and the rest is, as they say, history. Today she has established a strong presence in the area, growing the business, in fact her office is getting a major overhaul inside and out this winter.

In the non-profit world Ara is most known for her work with Rabun’s Paws for Life. Stating she grew up a fan of “dumpy animals” meaning those that were unwanted. Her family helped Greyhounds retired from racing transition into pets who could adapt to being couch dogs. Bred to run, these magnificent animals love to run and they do it very well. What they had to learn was how to navigate stairs, walk on a leash and be loved. So working with shelter animals was a natural fit for her. When Boggs Mountain became Rabun Paws 4 Life she became actively involved, eventually joining their board of directors. Ara served in whatever capacity she was needed, holding multiple seats on the board. Currently she is in charge of fundraising. When Covid 19 began, Ara had just lost her father a few months prior. She found herself with some time on her hands with her office shut down in the wake of the pandemic. She saw how the shutdown affected fundraising for Paws and realized all of the local non-profits were being hit hard.

Always having been someone who cans jellies, jams, butters, relishes and such she spent a lot of time in the kitchen. Ara loved to make these delicacies and always just gave them away, but she decided that maybe her efforts could help the dogs and cats she loved. She started a business to help these charities called Just Cause. You’ll find her at local markets and festivals selling her canned goods for a just cause! As the pandemic continued she realized that this wasn’t enough, so she partnered with local business owners who shared her passion for helping others. With their help she start-

ed Currahee Nights the first Thursday of every month at Currahee Brewing Company and quarterly Spaghetti Nights at Clayton Cafe.

Raising thousands each year and spreading the money around to other charities that needed the funds. Canning, beertending, organizing events, keeping her Edward Jones business going and growing… I had to ask, how?

Remember the Beatles song, With A Little Help from My Friends.

Well she didn’t sing it, but she did sing the praises of what she calls “her tribe” which includes a list of like-minded professionals who saw her passion and said, “count me in.” Ara says she could never do all of this by herself, she credits her work family (Heather Burrell and Allie McDowell) first because they keep the office going and keep her on track. Her friends Hillary Marshall, Diana Russell and Cyndy Brogden are usually by her side and her husband John encourages her to exercise some self-care. John is her best friend and knows her better than anyone else.

Bonnie Edmonds, owner of Clayton Cafe provides all of the food for Spaghetti Nights, Chef Seth donates his time cooking, local businesses work as waitstaff with all proceeds going to the selected charity. “Currahee Nights” work much the same with tips from guest “beertenders” and servers going to the charity of choice.

Scott Mazarky has been unbelievably supportive of her efforts at Currahee Brewing Co. Ara’s only requirement is that Rabun Paws 4 Life gets a spot at both places each year. Prior to Covid-19, Ara organized a Chili Night event at the Food Bank of North Georgia and there is talk of breathing some life back into this event in the near future.

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When I asked her what she and John like to do in their time off she said that they are “boring in a weird way.” My expression must have prompted her to continue. She said that they love to travel and during those travels, have toured Fortune 500 companies to check them off her bucket list.

John is in the chemical business, so they also visit waste and treatment facilities on their travels and she said she likes to visit recycling and landfills. Ara recognizes that we are headed towards some serious issues with our landfill and if we don’t find a solution she believes we will be in trouble in the coming years. Touring other landfills offers insight into

possible solutions for ours, “it’s interesting, everyone does something just a little different and maybe we can have a little take away from each”. There again, this lady is always thinking of ways to impact her community in a positive way.

In the beginning of our chat, when talking about her dad, Ara said that he taught her that everyone has a WIIFM. When you can determine what that is, you can move forward and find mutually beneficial ground. What is WIIFM? Well it is an acronym for “what’s in it for me.” We all have something that drives us. Some my call it finding your “why.” She expressed how valuable that information had been for her and that she had used it throughout her career. So, I had to ask her what was her WIIFM? After some thought, she told me that she hopes to leave a legacy of service to others. Greater than that is to create a ripple effect that would continue long after she is gone. That is a WIIFM I can embrace! Thanks Ara for your kind heart. You and those who help you deserve recognition and sincere gratitude for your efforts.

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Downtown

Clayton

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Winterfest 2024 Come for a weekend of Family Fun!

T

he Clayton Merchants and Business Association will be hosting Winterfest on February 16th & 17th. CMBA members partnering with the City of Clayton invite you to come experience Winterfest in downtown Clayton. Great shopping, dining and lodging, as always. CMBA says be sure to grab a hot chocolate at Clayton Cafe or White Birch Provisions to keep you warm while you look for the snowmen. If you are coming from afar, go ahead and book a room, a cabin or stay at one of our incredible inns. You can find that information on the Visit Clayton website www.visitclaytonga.net.

Businesses will be placing “snowpeople” all around town. Join in on the Snowman Scavenger Hunt for a chance to win great prizes. There is one things we guarantee… family fun! Veterans Park (across from Reeves Hardware) will be the site of activities for “kids” of all ages. So plan to join us February 16th and 17th as we celebrate winter in the mountains. For more information follow the Visit Clayton (@visitclaytonga) on Facebook.

Also mark your calendar for the Clayton’s Block Party, Saturday March 16th in Downtown Clayton. Enjoy music, food trucks, a Cruise-In and more. The Streets will close at 3 pm for our 4-8 pm event. Don’t miss it and look for more information in our next issue. All CMBA hosted events are sponsored by: Reeves, City of Clayton DDA, Beck Funeral Home, Clayton Cafe and Market, Isadora, Rabun ABC, Two Sisters and Yourtime Fitness.

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My World Travels Jonan Keeny

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ell, Santa Claus came through, and Miles got a bunch of cars for Christmas. Given his continuing all-thingswheeled obsession, it made sense to spend a Saturday at the Miles Through Time Automotive Museum in Clarkesville.

Leading up to our visit, I tried to explain to Miles what he should expect. You know, “you may look, but you probably can’t touch,” and all of the other things that parents say to kids prior to a visit to any place that has artifacts on display…

Anyway, immediately after stepping through the doors to the museum, I was hit with the smell of motor oil. Not unpleasant at all, and, while I still can’t place exactly where or what or when, that smell immediately took me back to my childhood. And the sight of those old cars stopped Miles in his tracks. So many questions!

And dad had so few answers! I have to admit that I have never been a “car guy.” But for a few hours on that Saturday morning, I could certainly understand why so many people are enamored with automobiles. And while I can’t wax poetic on horsepower or torque or compression or any other cool car lingo, I am confident in telling you that no matter how old or how modern, there is much beauty and artistry in each car on display to be taken in.

If you’re lucky, Sean Mathis (Founder) and Truitt Phillips (Director) will be there while you’re visiting. Seek them out if you can! These two men are super-passionate about what Miles Through Time is and can be, and they seemed genuinely happy that we were there.

If my Miles had gotten his way, we might all still be there…And I think Mr. Mathis and Mr. Phillips would have enjoyed every second of my little big boy’s interrogation!

I think my favorite thing about Miles Through Time is that the exhibit changes pretty constantly. That is, the museum only owns

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about 15 of the vehicles, so car collectors and aficionados from all over the place contribute to the museum to make it what it is: A singular place where you can see automotive history from its inception to the modern day. I can’t wait to return with my dad in a few weeks.

In keeping with the Miles theme, you might have noticed that it’s pretty much always time for a snack as far as he is concerned…So let me tell you about Hangry’s, located just a couple of miles from Miles Through Time. Reminiscent of one of my favorite NYC hangouts, Welcome to the Johnson’s, Hangry’s is equally nondescript, but it is also equally a joy to experience. The very-reasonably-priced-and-delicious fare consists of burger, dogs, and other various sandwiches, along with fried pickles, fries, and the like. When Miles received his hot dog, one of his favorite foods, he delightfully exclaimed “It’s red! That’s my favorite color!” (Make a note of that in the unintentional daddy wins column, folks.) Wyatt was also pleased with his burger and fries, which he tackled after we split an order of the fried pickles. If you find yourself hungry in Clarkesville, treat yourself to the tasty food in the no-frillsin-a-good-way atmosphere of Hangry’s. The staff were so friendly and patient with us first-time diners, and the steady stream of customers is a clear indication that you’ve come to the right place to grab some grub.

Sometimes, My World requires unplanned Travels, like when 10-year old

Wyatt breaks his arm playing soccer (anyone surprised by that?!?!?!) after school. So it only seems fair to shout out the wonderful people at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School who took care of him, calmly explained to me what happened, and then delivered him to me after some precautionary measures. And, of course, I have to shout out the equally wonderful folks at Mountain Lakes Medical Center who picked up the treatment from there, did mostly-painless x-rays, and got him squared away with a plan for further evaluation. I think that this might be my favorite thing about living in northeast Georgia: No matter what speed bump or pothole we might hit on our Travels, we can always find help. Sometimes it’s neighbors helping to clear downed trees from our road, sometimes it’s a church member helping with the boys on a Sunday morning, and the list goes on and on…Despite how rural we are in this beautiful area, help can always be found. I hope to contribute more to this culture of helping as 2024 continues…

Jonan Keeny was born in Topeka, Kansas, he got older in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and then he lived a bunch of other places. A lifelong learner and a full-time dreamer, the prospect of grand new adventures gets him out of bed in the morning, with some additional assistance from his two blonde-haired, blue-eyed alarm clocks, of course! Jonan recently rediscovered his passion for photography, which keeps him quite busy tromping around the woods, stopping at random places on the side of the road, and uploading photos to his website, www.myworldpics.com, and his Insta, @dude4disney. When he isn’t wrangling two little boys, he’s likely hanging out with his wife, Mary Lauren, reading a book to learn something new, or dreaming of life’s next adventure and Walt Disney World. Regardless of the activity, he’s probably participating in it while wearing funky socks and a cool hat.

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A Wedding Story

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Matis

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ndrew Matis was just planning to get a workout in the day he first laid eyes on Stella Rickman and she had planned the same. A few glances exchanged got both of their pulses up more than the workout. Tall, dark and handsome and strikingly beautiful, Andrew and Stella were both intrigued by the other. It wasn’t long before a message came through social media from Andrew to Stella and they began dating. They had many things in common and enjoyed each other’s company. Honestly they look as if they were made for each other.

Andrew’s family owned a vacation/second home in Sky Valley, Georgia and he moved into the home full time. Stella started college at what was then Armstrong College in Savannah, Georgia but they continued to date, spending every free moment together. They had been together for six years when Stella’s grandfather, Arthur Speed’s, battle with Leukemia reached an end. When Andrew asked for a few minutes alone with him as the family gathered, Stella didn’t question why. She later learned that Andrew had asked her grandpa’s permission to marry her and it was granted.

As a little girl Arthur would take Stella to the head of Dick’s Creek where the creek flows into the river. There is a waterfall there logically called Dick’s Creek Falls.

It was a “happy place” for her holding many special memories. It was about a month after her grandpa passed and the couple were going out to dinner. Both dressed up, they headed out and Andrew said he wanted to stop by the falls on the way. Stella told me she should have known something was up but she didn’t really give it a second thought. They reached the spot where she had spent so much time as a girl and she leaned over looking towards the falls and when she turned around Andrew was down on one knee with a ring in his hand. He asked if she would be his wife and she said yes!

Stella says they planned for a year, marrying at the Waterfall Club at Lake Burton, where Andrew is employed. The location was breathtaking, the staff attended to every detail imaginable and it was the perfect fall day. Stella’s stylist Leah Huggins and her team from Grateful Head Salon in Cornelia, Georgia came to the club to pamper and prepare the bride and her six attendants. Meanwhile Andrew and his six groomsmen were getting ready. The ceremony was written by Stella and officiated by Rick Story, a member of Stella’s family. Music was performed by Adam Wolfe and their photographer was Anthony Stalcup, both were outstanding. The event was catered by Waterfall Club and their cake was included.

“Everything was perfect and everyone who was part of our special day was incredible. We could not have done any of it without our families. My mom, aunts and mother-in-law were unbelievable. The wedding was all I could have dreamt of, then we were off for the most spectacular honeymoon ever!” Stella shared. Admittedly her favorite part of her entire affair, the couple went on a Honeymoon cruise around the Mediterranean. They flew into Italy, boarded the boat and toured seven countries: France, Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, Africa, Morocco and returned to Italy. They described the honeymoon as “mindblowing and eye-opening!”

The couple reside in Rabun with Andrew still at Waterfall Club and Stella working as a Radiation Therapist at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.

They love nature, enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and adventure!

Thank you Andrew and Stella for sharing your wedding story with us. We wish you a lifetime of happiness!

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The Outdoors

Adventure Out

Whiteside Mountain, NC Peter McIntosh

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on the eastern end of the mountain. From here are splendid views to the northeast and the numerous granite domes of the Sapphire Valley. Take a break and enjoy the distant mountains. But the best is yet to come.

The trail begins at a parking area about 6 miles east of Highlands.

This is a fee area where you pay $3.00 and hang a parking permit on your rear-view mirror. There are restrooms available there, and a couple of information boards with maps and descriptions of the flora and fauna. The footpath begins by ascending some wide steps before joining an old roadbed. And just up this old road is where the loop begins, one trail leading up some steps on the right, the other continuing along the road. I suggest staying on the road and climbing gently up the backside of the mountain. This is a nice wide trail, so you and your Valentine can walk side by side a good part of the way. This part of the trail terminates at a large turnaround

Now the trail becomes a single-track footpath as you ascend along the top of the cliff face, which gives Whiteside Mountain its name. Almost right away there is a viewing platform that offers a panoramic look at the cliffs of Whiteside, as well as The Devil’s Courthouse, and many mountains and foothills to the south.

Continuing up the trail, there are many more “view spots” so take your time and enjoy them all. At the highest point on the mountain, 4,930 feet above sea level, is a nice rocky knob to stop and have a snack, some hot cocoa, or share some Valentine’s candy. From this high point you can see the upper portion the Chattooga River watershed below you with South Carolina’s Table Rock Mountain in the distance. To the west is Georgia’s second highest mountain, Rabun Bald, and far off on the horizon is Tray Mountain, just north

t’s February once again. Valentine’s month and a good time to take your special someone to a romantic overlook. The romantic view spot we’re visiting is Whiteside Mountain in North Carolina.

Whiteside features not just one overlook, but many, with stunning views in several directions. This is a two-mile, well-maintained, moderate loop trail.

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of Helen, Georgia. Just past this high point is a split in the rocks that leads out to a pointed little spot that’s somewhat similar to the prow of a ship. It’s a bit scary to go out there, but it is fenced and it is safe. From this overhanging rock you can look back across the cliff and see the first overlook you stopped at earlier. Now the trail begins descending with a couple more vistas along the way. Then the footpath enters the forest and descends, more steeply now, along the northwest side of the mountain. There are several stairs, some steel grate walkways and switchbacks, and a few muddy spots on your way back to the parking area, so please be careful.

Like many of the mountains in the southern Appalachians, the high point of Whiteside Mountain is also a great spot to watch a sunset.

Just be sure to have a light of some kind, preferably a headlamp, to hike out safely. Happy hiking.

No need to get frantic, here’s my poem romantic: Bring some chocolates, some wine, or maybe hot cocoa, ‘Tis no need to rush, you can be a slow-poke-o.

So if you want to get on your Valentine’s right side, Listen to me and take them to Whiteside.

Getting there: From downtown Highlands, NC, go east on U.S. 64 5.5 miles and look for a Whiteside Mountain sign on the right. Turn right and go ½ mile to parking area on the left.

To see more of Peter’s photos or if you have a question or comment: www.mcintoshmountains.com

Peter McIntosh is an accomplished professional photographer. His photography is displayed in collections across the country. His passion for nature and the outdoors is what fuels his column. His work is available as fine art prints. Peter offers one on one and small group instruction on camera operation and photography. To see more of Peter’s photos, or if you have a question or comment, visit Peter’s website: www.mcintoshmountains.com February 2024 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - 35

A Dog’s Tale Danielle Dewit

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t the age of 11, I remember watching the movie “Gorillas in the Mist” that featured the life of esteemed animal activist Dian Fossey. There is a horrible scene in that film that is forever emblazoned into my memory. It was at that moment that I discovered my life’s purpose would be to serve the animals. Fast forward to 2013, and I was the proud mom of three furry rescue babies, Tinkerbelle, Muffin, and Sport. I knew better, but I went to an adoption event at Petsmart to meet a woman named Ginger Dean who ran Ginger’s Pet Rescue. Her tagline was, “Saving dogs from death row”. I remember thinking this sounded so horrific, yet effective. I had to know more. Thus, I left that day with my very first foster dog named Olga, and the rest is pretty much history. I took in more and more dogs, yet was paying all the bills myself. I figured it would be easy enough to start my own 501(c)(3) and at least begin to collect the adoption fees to help offset the mounting vet bills.

At work one day, I was reading a collection of short stories by Mark Twain. I had been thinking about what to call my foundation for months. There it was, “A Dog’s Tale”.

I promptly went to the state that day and

registered my entity. The problem will never end, until we educate our children in schools and our communities on the cause of our nation’s pet overpopulation and the overcrowding of our shelters. A Dog’s Tale Animal Foundation has a vision to run a fleet of mobile spay and neuter units across the country. These mobile units will go into low-income communities, pick dogs up from their front doors, spay and neuter them at no charge, and hand them back to their owners. Rabun County is in desperate need of the very first mobile spay & neuter unit. All we need is the funding to turn our dream into a reality. The animals deserve it.

A Dog’s Tale Animal Foundation is hosting its first annual “Strut Your Mutt” gala at 12 Spies Vineyards on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 7pm. Tickets will be on sale soon. In the meantime, the foundation can be reached at www.adogstale.org. We are in desperate need of Amazon Wish List items, volunteers to walk the pups, and monetary donations for our spay and neuter fund. Danielle DeWitt, the Executive Director, can be reached at danielle@adogstale.org. #woof

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Firmly Rooted

Flower Season is Upon Us Victoria “Tori” Carver

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resh flowers, already? If all goes according to plan, YES, we should have fresh flowers beginning in early February.

When sharing with you each month, I try to highlight flowers or growing topics while they are in season. However, I thought I would change gears and start the year by giving you a rundown of our flower plans for the coming year and how you can join in on the excitement of fresh, locally grown, cut flowers.

First up are tulips, daffodils and hellebores. Instead of “soil-forcing” tulips again to bloom in February, I am trying my hand at hydroponics this year. If you are unfamiliar, hydroponics is a technique of growing plants using a water-based solution instead of soil.

So far, it has been amazing to see this growing technique live and in-person. It is too soon to tell which method we prefer, but I will keep you posted. As always, you can follow me on Instagram or Facebook to get the play by play.

When tulip season starts to wind down, ranunculus season should start ramping up. Last year was the first season I grew ranunculus and they made such an impression on me that I will grow them as long as I flower farm. I loved them THAT much!

After that, we should step right into the remainder of spring flowers that are currently growing on the farm. If everything grows as I hope, we will have snapdragons, feverfew, sweet William, dara, bupleurum, bells of Ireland, pincushion, calla lilies, allium and everyone’s favorite, PEONIES. Fingers crossed they show up at Mother’ Day again.

I will then spend the early summer months focusing on growing the dahlias and heirloom chrysanthemums. Last season, heirloom chrysanthemums were somewhat neglected because we worked so hard to carry flowers through the entire summer. Dahlias and chrysanthemums need to be fertilized properly, pinched, weeded regularly, staked or netted, and just babied a little bit more than most flowers. I plan to make them a priority this year so we have an amazing late summer/fall season.

As I mentioned earlier, you can join in on the flower fun in a few different ways. First, we offer weekly spring subscriptions. The advantage of a subscription is you are assured to receive a flower bouquet instead of taking your chances at the pick-up porch. We offer a weekly subscription for five weeks, bi-weekly for six weeks, or an on-going weekly subscription for the duration of spring that automatically bills to your debit or credit card once a week. Detailed information can be found on our website at www.firmlyrootedflowerfarm.com or you can message or text me to sign up.

You can also visit our porch pick-up location which is stocked every morning during tulip season. The pick-up porch is first come, first served and is operated on the honor system.

We also offer wrapped bouquets at White Birch Provisions coffee shop in downtown Clayton, and lastly, you can reach out to me directly to order or reserve a bouquet as needed.

I hope this little run down has everyone as excited as I am for the start of flower season!!

Victoria (Tori) Carver is a flower farmer. From the thousand bulbs and plants that she puts in the ground each year she creates lovely bouquets. Tori and her husband and children make their home in Clayton, where they are a treasured part of the community. If you are interested in Firmly Rooted Flower Farm please reach out by email to firmlyrootedflowerfarm@gmail.com or phone 706-490-0041.

You will also enjoy their website at www.firmlyrootedflowerfarm.com 38 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - February 2024

Three Purr-babies Looking for a Home

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he new year is well underway at Rabun’s Paws 4 Life and the shelter is full of wonderful cats and dogs that are in need of good homes and lots of love. The shelter is at near capacity and is in need of adoptees like you. Their Foster from Afar program is an outstanding way for you to get to know a pet before you commit. Your participation goes a long way towards socializing the pets, helping them get ready for forever homes. You donations of time, money, food, and supplies is appreciated more than you could ever know. We have a “wish list” and you can shop online and have your donation shipped directly to the shelter if you choose, or you can drop it by, we always love to see you.

Mark your calendars (or better yet come purchase the Rabun Paws 4 Life calendar with events already penciled in) for our February 19th Clayton Cafe Spaghetti Supper to benefit the shelter. You’ll enjoy salad, spaghetti, garlic bread, dessert and a beverage (non-alcohol) from 5 pm – 8 pm for $25 a plate. Wine and beer are available for an additional cost. Bonnie is so generous to donate the food and they are so grateful for everyone’s continued support.

Shan Hi, my name is Shan. I am 5 months old and I am a male tabby. I came here as a stray in December 2023. I am very shy, but once you have me in your arms, I am okay. I love to lay with my kitty friends at the shelter. If you would like to come spend some time getting to know me and consider allowing me to join your family, that would be so great. I am looking for a fur-ever home!

Peaches Hey! I am Peaches, a 1 ½ yr old black and white Tuxedo female. I was brought in as a stray in August 2023. I may seem a little timid but I love all pets and all of the hugs you can give. They say I am sweet and cute.

If you are looking for a new fur-baby maybe it could be me! Come and visit and let’s spend some time together and maybe, just maybe you’ll want to take me home.

Misty Hello, my name is Misty. I am a 1 yr 8 mo old tabby cat. I came in as a stray in October 2023. I am a bit of a diva and love to be the center of attention. I love to meow!

I am super sweet and very loving, just ask anybody. I think if you just dropped in for a visit we could be great friends, you see I want a family to call my own and a home where I am loved. So, what do you think?

Am I the one you’ve been looking for?

If one of these pets is the one you’ve been looking for please contact the shelter at 706-782-5422 or email Everette at elampros@rabunpaws4life.com.

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Faith in Christ

Sacrifice Pastor Michael Rogers

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n recent months, I’ve found myself consistently in awe of the remarkable sacrifices people are making for causes larger than themselves. Whether it’s the dedication of missionaries, the bravery of American soldiers, the commitment of IDF forces, or the sacrifices of countless others, their courage in the face of sacrifice is truly unparalleled.

on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;”

Dr. Bob and Edith Burney, Dr. Jim Britt—these were giants who significantly impacted my life, challenging my sense of contentment, security, and pleasure through their exemplary commitment to sacrifice within their ministries. My encounter with the Burneys at the Tri-State Bible Institute twenty-five years ago marked the beginning of a profound appreciation for their selfless dedication during their thirty-five years of teaching in Nigeria. The choice to forgo the possible comforts of pastoral life in the United States for a mission field in Nigeria spoke volumes to me about the depths of sacrifice.

While the Burneys and Dr. Britt have concluded their lives here on earth, their legacies remain through the impact of their sacrifices.

Presently, new acquaintances in sacrifice cross my path, none more poignant than the sacrifice my brother, SFC Dustin Rogers, is currently undertaking for our country.

SFC Dustin Rogers His recent deployment, despite familial obligations and the passing of our father, underscores the gravity of his commitment.

Dr. Jim Britt, a pastor who could preach to the heights of figures like Adrian Rogers and John MacArthur, further enriched my understanding of sacrifice during our days at Tri-State and as my pastor. His decision to transition from a prominent pastoral role to dedicating himself to missions through W. Jim Britt Ministries, surrendering retirement benefits in the process to fund the ministry, left a permanent mark on my perspective. These encounters compelled me to reevaluate my own values, revealing a deepseated reliance on security, contentment, and pleasure.

In Philippians 3, the Apostle Paul’s renouncement of personal entitlements, positions, and accomplishments is a portrait of true sacrifice. Philippians 3:7-10 reflects a profound willingness to relinquish worldly attachments to fulfill God’s purpose according to His will. The Apostle Paul wrote, “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God

In July, when duty called once more, my brother responded with selfless will while leaving behind a wife, a beloved two-year-old son, and an ailing father. His return home amidst a deployment to attend to our father’s final moments, oversee funeral arrangements, and provide support to our mother, only to then return overseas within days, showcased a level of sacrifice that transcends the ordinary. This brief homecoming didn’t allow him the time to process all he had endured. The subsequent holiday season, marked by a quick Christmas morning Skype call, highlighted the profound separation he experiences from his family.

With twenty-five years in ministry, I’ve encountered various moments demanding personal sacrifice, yet none have paralleled the depth of commitment my brother is currently demonstrating. It is an honor to acknowledge SFC Dustin Rogers as my brother, and the example he sets amid these challenges, inspires pride while imparting profound lessons on the true essence of sacrifice—a lesson I aspire to embody in my future endeavors.

Michael Rogers is the pastor of Wolf Creek Baptist Church. He and his wife Susan have three grown children and three wonderful grandchildren. Michael works at Tallulah Falls School as Director of Plant Services. He enjoys spending time with family and flipping houses. Michael considers it an honor to be part of R4G to help with the furtherance of the Gospel.

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Life is a Blessing

Who’s Pulling For You? Tracy McCoy

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f it weren’t for winter we’d never appreciate spring or summer.

Fall is a welcome reprieve from the heat of summer but we know winter is coming. I know there are some who love winter. I used to be one of them. Growing up in Michigan I loved the snow and the cold, now five plus decades later my bones hurt and snow means the power is probably going out and that could be for an hour or days. Winter is uncomfortable but I know that before long my daffodils will peak through the ground and days will get longer and then spring will return full of hope. Oh there’ll be a cold snap or three but then winter and all of it’s discomforts will be a thing of the past until next year. As is life. Bad days make us appreciate good days. Rain makes us appreciate sunshine, and visa versa.

Perhaps it’s all to do with perspectives. I read a book once titled The Noticer by author Andy Andrews. In it a man named Jones seems to show up with great wisdom for all he meets. Jones runs into a homeless man sitting on the beach. The man is preparing to eat food that he found in a trash can. Down-trodden and weary, yet glad to have the company, he offers to share his lunch with Jones.

“All I found today was a beef stick and this can of sardines,” the man says, as Jones sits beside him. As it is through the book, Jones says something like...”There are always two ways to see things. It could be that we are just eating scraps from a trash can in the sand or that we are enjoying surf and turf, oceanside.”

I should read that book again, I might need a refresher from Jones or I could turn to John 16:33, James 1:2 or better yet, Philippians 4:6-7. Seems the book I have laying beside me offers more insight than anything I can find on the bookstore shelf. I am not saying there is no value in fiction or even non-fiction books that offer insight. I am simply saying that none offer more than the Word of God. Time and again we are reminded that trials will come, they are basically guaranteed because we live in an imperfect world. 2 Corinthians 5:7 reminds us to live by what you believe will happen (faith), not by what you see. I know that spring will come again but when I look at the barren trees and frozen ground it’s easy to forget that.

When my stack of bills is bigger than my stack of cash, it’s easy to lose hope. In the same way when the test results are not what we hoped for, fear and dread overtake us. We forget that God is bigger, His promises are rock solid and His love for us is as big as the east is from the west and His plan for us is eternal.

Jesus told us in Matthew 11:28-30 to come to Him when we are weary and burdened, because He offers rest. He goes on to tell us to take His yolk upon us and learn from Him. What does He mean by yolk? Well think about how a farmer puts a yolk on his livestock

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so that one doesn’t have to do all the pulling, rather the two walk side by side and pull together. Then Jesus reminds us that He is gentle and humble in heart and we will find rest for our souls in Him. The next part says “My yolk is easy and My burden is light.”

In studying that part of the verse I realized that we are definitely the “weaker ox” in this scenario. We stumble and we sin, which raises another question, what are you and I yolked to currently?

Greed? Lust? Selfishness? Anger? Pride? The list of what we could be pulling along with us is lengthy and ultimately it boils down to two options; sin or Christ.

Sin feels pretty light when everything is going great. We are just living our lives anyway we choose enjoying all that it has to offer.

But sin is deceitful and in Romans 6:23 Paul writes that the wages of sin are death. He could have just as well used yolk for wages, then it would read the yoke of sin leads to death. If you read further in this verse you learn that death doesn’t have to win, you have a choice. A free gift was given when Jesus died on the cross and if you choose to turn your back on sin and take His yolk upon you… while the path might not always be easy, you’ll never walk alone.

When life is too much, you have a Savior who will carry the weight and offer rest.

What does it mean to follow Jesus? It means you are free from your past, it means you no longer have to pull it all by yourself. You can trust that He will never leave you and that His yoke leads to a love and life you’ve never known. Oh trust me, winter is still coming, hard times are guaranteed, but you know that there is rest and Heaven awaits you when this life is over. Death will no longer have power over you. Jesus invites us to find our rest in his death-defeating, freeing and easy yolk. How? How do we choose between sin and Jesus? In Psalm 119:2-3 it tell us “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in His ways!” Seek Him with your whole heart, not half-heartedly. Do the next right thing and if you stumble go to Him and ask for forgiveness. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins! Paul said in Romans 10:5-17 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Matthew Henry, who wrote one of the most used commentaries on the whole bible, said this: “Such is the nature of all Christ’s commands, so reasonable in themselves, so profitable to us, and all summed up in one word, and that sweet word, love.”

I can only end with one verse, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That my friend is a blessing!

Healthy & Well

Be Still My Heart…

Understanding AFib Tracy McCoy

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trial Fibrillation is a quivering or irregular heartbeat. Typically, a very rapid heart rate which may or may not produce symptoms. So, it is possible to be living your life while your heart is “in AFib”. The danger of this common arrhythmia, that affects millions of people in the US at any given time, is blood clots that could potentially cause a stroke, heart failure, and other related heart complications.

The heart is comprised of four chambers: the left atrium and right atrium are the upper chambers and the lower ventricle and right ventricle are the lower chambers. Each chamber plays an important role in your heart’s functioning. They manage your heartbeat and blood flow throughout your body. We’ve all felt our heart beat, especially when we are scared or excited. The process is much more complex than we realize.

Each chamber has to do its job for our heart to function at peak performance and the rest of our body, too. The right side of your heart takes deoxygenated blood from your body and pumps it from the right atrium to the right ventricle through the tricuspid valve. The right ventricle then forcefully pumps this blood through your pulmonary valve into your pulmonary arteries and out to your lungs. In your lungs, your blood receives the oxygen it needs to nourish the rest of your body. It is then replenished and ready to continue traveling through your pulmonary veins back to your left atrium.

Once this this oxygen rich blood enters the left atrium, it is almost ready to travel around your entire body. The left atrium sends this blood through your mitral valve into your left ventricle. This is the last stop within the four chambers of your heart. The left ventricle actively pumps the blood through your aortic valve so it can travel

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the rest of your body. This process happens with each heartbeat.

Isn’t that incredible? There is only a second to rest before the process begins again.

Patients that experience symptoms with AFib might complain “My heart skips beats, flips and flops, or feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest, especially when I am active.” Some say, “I feel nauseated, light headed, or weak. Just a little short of breath or winded with exertion.” Others have no symptoms at all and their doctor finds it during a routine exam. Whatever the case, the sooner it is diagnosed, the better. If you think of the right and left atrium as reservoirs, it will help you understand what happens during AFib. The upper chambers beat irregularly therefore not pumping enough blood out to the lungs and the rest of the body. This blood that is left in the “reservoir” pools and can form blood clots. This is extremely dangerous because a clot can be pumped out of the heart to the brain, causing a stroke.

Roughly 15% to 20% of people who have strokes have this heart arrhythmia. Patients with AFib are routinely prescribed blood thinners to prevent clots. Left untreated, AFib doubles the risk of heart-related deaths and is associated with a fivefold increase in risk of stroke. Yet many people are unaware that AFib is such a serious condition.

AFib can come and go, it might last for a few minutes or hours.

Some have symptoms for as long as a week. Sometimes it is constant and the heart does not reset on its own. Sometimes it is constant and lasts longer than a year. Medicines or a procedure may be needed to correct the heart rate to prevent blood clots. Sometimes AFib can be caused by a malfunction of a valve, which may need to be repaired or replaced.

If you think that you or someone you love has symptoms of AFib, there are some important steps you must take. First, know your symptoms. Next, visit your doctor for a checkup. He/she may recommend you see a heart specialist (cardiologist) to get the right treatment and reduce your risk of stroke and heart failure. Follow your physician’s directions to the letter and follow up. Keep up with checkups and listen to your body. Always, if you have chest pain, seek immediate medical help. This could mean that you are having a heart attack.

Where there is love there is life.

Mahatma Gandhi

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Caregiver’s Guide to Easier Days

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f you are a caregiver, you may use intuition to help decide what to do when caring for your loved one. There are no textbook answers on how to relate to someone with memory loss. It can be as individualized as the patients themselves. Unfortunately, dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is counterintuitive, meaning that often the right thing to do is exactly opposite of what seems like the right thing to do. Below is some practical advice and just an example of the help and information you’ll find through the local Dementia Support Group that meets each Tuesday at noon. The group, under direction of Mary Lou Faulkenberry and Suzanne Holcomb, gathers in the lower level of the Clayton Presbyterian Church at 150 N. Church Street in Clayton, Georgia.

Being reasonable, rational, and logical will just make it harder on you and the patient.

When someone is acting in ways that do not make sense, caregivers often try to explain the situation, calling on him/her to act differently. However, the person with dementia may not have the ability to understand any longer, so he/she does not respond to our arguments, no matter how logical. Straightforward, simple sentences about what is going to happen are usually the best.

Dementia patients do not need to be grounded in reality.

When someone has memory loss, they often forget important things. For instance, that his/her mother is deceased. When we remind him of this loss, we remind him about the pain of that loss also. When someone wants to go home, reassuring him that he is at home often leads to an argument. Redirecting and asking someone to tell you about the person he has asked about or about his home is a better way to calm a person with dementia.

You cannot be a perfect caregiver.

Just as there is no such thing as a perfect parent, there is no such thing as a perfect caregiver. You have the right to the full range of human emotions, and sometimes you are going to be impatient or frustrated. Learning to forgive your loved one as well as yourself is essential in the caregiving journey.

Therapeutic lying reduces stress.

Most people tend to be honest with people, especially parents.

However, when someone has dementia, honesty can lead to distress both for you and the one you are caring for. Does it really matter that your loved one thinks she is the volunteer at the day care center? Is it okay to tell your loved one that the two of you are going out to lunch and then “coincidentally” stop by the doctor’s office on the way home to pick something up as a way to get her to the doctor? Sometimes these little lies are 100% necessary and what is best for all.

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Making agreements doesn’t work.

If you ask your loved one to not do something ever again, or to remember to do something, it will soon be forgotten. For people in early-stage dementia, leaving notes as reminders can sometimes help, but as the disease progresses, this will not work. Taking action, rearranging the environment, rather than talking and discussing, is usually a more successful approach. For example, getting a tea kettle with an automatic “off” switch is better than warning someone of the dangers of leaving the stove on.

Doctors often need to be educated by you.

Telling the doctor what you see at home is important. The doctor can’t tell during an examination that your loved one has been up all night pacing. Sometimes doctors, too, need to deal with therapeutic lying. For instance, telling the patient that an antidepressant is for memory rather than depression.

Ask for help before you are desperate. You can’t do it all.

When people offer to help, the answer should always be “YES.” Have a list of things people can do to help you, whether it is bringing a meal, picking up a prescription, or staying with your loved one while you run an errand. This will reinforce offers of help. It is harder to ask for help than to accept it when it is offered, so don’t wait until you “really need it” to get support.

It Is easy to both overestimate and underestimate what your loved one can do.

It is often easier to do something for our loved ones than to let them do it for themselves. However, if we do it for them, they will lose the ability to be independent in that skill. On the other hand, if we insist individuals do something for themselves and they get frustrated, we just make them agitated and probably haven’t increased their abilities to perform tasks. Not only is it a constant juggle to find the balance, but be aware that the balance may shift from day to day.

Tell, don’t ask.

Asking, “What would you like for dinner?” may have been a perfectly normal question at another time. But now we are asking our loved one to come up with an answer when he or she might not have the words for what they want, might not be hungry, and even if they answer, might not want the food when it is served. Saying, “We are going to eat now,” encourages the person to eat and doesn’t put them in the dilemma of having failed to respond. Another great tactic is to have healthy snacks available and easy for them to reach. Setting a bowl of grapes, or their favorite snack sitting by their chair may encourage them to eat.

Taking care of yourself is just as important as caring for the dementia patient.

Finding support from family or friends is important, but sometimes it’s hard to voice frustrations to those closest to you. A dementia support group is a safe place to share your concerns and hear from others that are dealing with the same things you are. An hour away is sometimes just what you need to recharge and continue caregiving. Mary Lou and Suzanne have extensive experience in caregiving for patients and helping caregivers like you find the resources and answers they need. Care for the caregiver is what the Dementia Support Group is all about. If you need someone to talk to or want more information, please call 706-782-2167.

Be there for others but never leave yourself behind.

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Homes

Featured Home

The Turquoise Building Proclaims “Opportunity” John Shivers

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hen it comes to buying property, aspects like location, visibility, flexibility, and versatility become part of the equation. At 29 Falcon Street in Clayton, you’ll find an investment opportunity for a retail/retail -residential enterprise in a prime location that doesn’t come along every day.

You’ll know where you are when you see the turquoise building on the hill. The huge, round, eye-catching steel signs in front of the building confirm that you’ve arrived. They’re like homing signals, serving as useful points of reference for potential customers on Highways 441 and 76 East. This 1,696± square foot standalone building lends itself to so many possibilities.

Its varied layout, with numerous rooms, varying ceiling heights, curious niches, and quirky architectural character, has served this property well in its most recent 17-year role as a successful art gallery. It was also once the site of a popular restaurant. An added plus is the additional studio and office rental space, and an outdoor market area on the large covered deck.

Now it’s ready for its next reincarnation, and is suitable for use as a boutique showroom, upscale retail space, cafe, bakery, yoga studio, spa, beauty salon, or medical offices. Go in a different direction and repurpose this property as a trendy event venue for art gatherings, product launches, or cultural events. The property is zoned NS, and if you need to live here while operating any of these businesses, add a shower to the existing plumbing, and you can call it home.

From its perspective on the hill overlooking the busiest thoroughfare in Rabun County, some three blocks east of downtown Clayton, whatever business occupies this space will enjoy high visibility and easy accessibility. Parking for six to eight vehicles is part of the site, and additional street side parking is available on Falcon Street.

Talk about a sound investment opportunity in a prime destination hotspot!

In addition to a spacious galley style kitchen, the large entry space is filled with light from four new, custom skylights trimmed in wood.

There’s a new shingled roof, entry door, and two windows. A separate office, as well as a laundry closet, and central heat and air further sweeten this deal.

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The ample porch wraps around the entrance and showcases stunning four-season views of the town and Black Rock Mountain. During the summer, you’ll find welcome respite from the heat and a refreshing breeze, as well. It also provides shelter from winter’s elements.

There’s a loading dock and attractive, lush, and flowering landscapes surround the property.

Harry Norman, REALTORS® Luxury Lake and Mountain agent Rosa Icela Carter, cell number 619-921-1796, is waiting to show you GMLS #20139038. You can also contact her at the Harry Norman office, 706-212-0228.

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Hire A Professional

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Featured Veteran

ERIC MILLER

Chief Master Sergeant,United States Air Force, Retired Roger Glenn

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ric Miller grew up in Louisville, Georgia which is south of Augusta in Jefferson County. He was raised in the country, but based in large part on the extensive military service legacy of his family including a grandfather that served in World War II he joined the Georgia Army National Guard even before he had graduated from high school. That decision would certainly expand his horizons, and be a central theme of his life which continues to this day, although he is now retired and lives in Persimmon.

Not surprisingly, his ASVAB scores (that’s an acronym for a test that the services give to potential recruits that is generally thought of as an aptitude (or IQ) test. If you score well on it, you generally are given more ‘career field’ options, and in Eric’s case he chose the Engineering Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) and after completing his basic training (aka boot camp) and advanced individual training (AIT) he served in a National Guard unit based in Augusta. But in 1985, he was deployed to Grenada and he made the fateful decision to transition to active duty and to transfer to the United States Air Force, so he traded his green uniform for a blue one and it wasn’t long before he completed training to become an Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) mechanic. AGE mechanics are responsible for maintaining all the equipment used to service aircraft on the ground.

But his technical school at Chanute Air Force Base (AFB) in Illinois had resulted in more than a new set of vocational skills. It is there that he met his wife, Aurore who was a fellow student, and they were assigned to a maintenance squadron at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. When Eric received a 15-month “unaccompanied tour” in Turkey, they decided it would be best for her to separate from the Air Force in 1989. Upon his return, they moved to Barksdale AFB, LA and then to Royal Air Force Base Alconbury in England where he served as a maintenance instructor. Next came Dyess AFB, TX with a deployment to Saudi Arabia supporting Operation Southern Watch. In 1998 he began a 9-year period at Robins AFB

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(Warner Robins, GA). This included assignments as Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academy Instructor, AGE Production Superintendent, and NCO Academy Director of Education as well as a deployment to Quatar in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Finally, in 2007 he was promoted to Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt) which is the highest non-commissioned rank in the USAF and was reassigned to Kirtland AFB where he was part of establishing the service program for a new USAF airframe, the CV-22B Osprey. His most notable assignments were that of Director of Education at the USAF Robins NCO Academy and Superintendent of the Maintenance Squadron back at Kirtland (a full circle experience for him) until he eventually retired in 2010.

Frequent childhood vacations in Rabun County- especially camping off of the Tallulah River were a magnet for Eric, and so he purchased some land in 1992 off the Coleman River and built a home in 2009 that they have lived in since. The Millers like to fish, and Eric likes to hunt - your classic outdoorsman. Eric is also a musician and he went on to earn his BA in Music after retiring. Later, he resumed his pilot training, and is now a commercial pilot and instructor, is working on his airline pilot certificate, and is building an airplane. Some of you may know him from his stint as a drummer with the local band named Obediah. The Millers have put down roots in Rabun County, and plan to stay. They have two sons, both of whom are Army Veterans, one of whom is still on active duty.

Their older son Joseph works for Rabun County Sheriff’s Office as a Corrections Officer. Their younger son, Corey is an Army Staff Sergeant in Civil Affairs at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and over 14 years of active duty service. They have five grandchildren, two who live locally- Laura and Benjamin, and three that live in North Carolina- Lilium, Levi, and Porter.

Rabun County is fortunate that the Millers call our community HOME.

A Look Back

The Bank of Clayton

Town’s First Brick Building, Panics, Bank Runs, and the Great Heist Dick Cinquina

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tashing cash in a mattress or burying it in the backyard were two ways Rabun County’s people could “save” money during the 1800s.

It was not until the early twentieth century that a third option became available.

In January 1904, a group of citizens invited W. S. Witham, president of Georgia’s Witham Banking, to discuss the organization of a bank in Clayton. Witham, who owned a bank in Cornelia, agreed to invest half of the $15,000 that was needed to fund the bank. To raise the remaining $7,500 of capital, shares of bank stock valued at $100 were sold to about 25 investors, many of whom purchased multiple shares. By becoming the bank’s largest shareholder, Witham appointed the bank’s board of directors, hired an experienced cashier to run the bank, and provided deposit, burglary, and fire insurance. At Witham’s request, Clayton donated a suitable lot for the bank building.

Finally, with an eye toward protecting the bank from fire, he wanted the town only to permit the construction of brick, not wooden, buildings going forward. Eager for a bank, Clayton also granted this request.

Bank of Clayton Opened in 1904 Having gained state regulatory approvals, the Bank of Clayton opened later in 1904. The new bank building, Clayton’s first brick structure, was located on South Main Street in what is now called the Reeves Block.

Due to the county’s isolation from the national economy, the Bank of Clayton survived the nationwide Panic of 1907, a six-week stretch of runs on banks in New York and other urban areas in October and early November. The panic was triggered by a failed stock market speculation that caused the bankruptcy of many banks and two large Wall Street brokerage houses. Without a central bank to inject cash into failing financial institutions, banking titan J.P. Morgan led a group of financiers that put their own money on the line to bail out Wall Street and restore confidence in the banking system. Their effort worked. This action led to the establishment of the Federal Reserve System in 1913.

Bank Emerges Relatively Unscathed from 1926 Panic The Bank of Clayton experienced another unsettling situation in 1926 when Florida experienced a bank panic caused by the collapse of rampant real estate speculation. The contagion quickly spread to Georgia. During a ten-day period in July, 117 banks closed in the two states due to runs on banks by panicked depositors demanding their money. Since federal deposit insurance had to await New Deal legislation, depositors lost millions of dollars.

The July 22 edition of the Clayton Tribune reported, “During the panicky financial conditions that prevailed last week, all over the state and into Florida, The Bank of Clayton came out of the flurry none the less able to care for its customers. Some few, in a moment of uneasiness, drew out their deposits, some few called for a part of their deposits, while those who knew best as to the bank’s condition sat steady and lost no sleep over the conditions…During the most critical period of the situation, the officials of the bank went quietly about their business and handed out money to everyone who asked for it…and together with the confidence which the officials are held, 58 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - February 2024

contributed toward averting anything that was even embarrassing to the bank.” However, it also is true that the bank continued to benefit by serving a geographically remote county, insulated from outside economic forces.

Directors and Customers Fared Well In recounting the Bank of Clayton’s history in 1930, the Clayton Tribune proclaimed, “The bank has been greatly instrumental in the growth and progress of the town and county...Since the organization of the bank, stockholders have received in dividends the sum of $52,177.50 or an average of more than two thousand dollars per year.” That was an astonishing return on investment for shareholders residing in an impoverished county. However, customers also fared well, with the newspaper reporting, “Interest to the amount of $136,298 has been paid to time depositors.”

The Tribune continued, “The bank has passed through several panics and financial depressions since its organization and has been able to weather the storms with little the loss of a penny to its depositors…The Bank of Clayton has withstood all the onslaught to the banks and came out stronger than ever and with the confidence of the people unshaken in their local institution.” This soaring encomium was penned just as the full fury of the Great Depression was about to bear down on northeast Georgia.

Great Depression and a Bank Run The Bank of Clayton had total assets of nearly $407,000 in January 1928, the year preceding the stock market crash that ushered in the Great Depression. By January 1931, assets had declined by about 25%. This was a huge hit for a small rural bank, but matters were going to get much worse. By early 1933, depositors, suffering from unemployment and the resulting economic hardships, started a run on the town’s bank. The Bank of Clayton was left on the verge of bankruptcy.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was sworn into office as president on March 4, 1933. Two days later, he proclaimed a “bank holiday” to stop the bank runs occurring across the nation. From March 6 to March 10, all banking transactions in the country were suspended. During this period, Roosevelt presented Congress with the Emergency Banking Act that empowered the president through the Treasury Department to reopen banks that were deemed solvent or capable of becoming solvent. Both houses of Congress passed this legislation with less than one hour of debate.

Bank Permitted to Reopen With passage of this legislation, 4,000 banks were found to be totally insolvent and permanently closed. Banks deemed solvent or needing some assistance were permitted to open on March 15. Federal bank examiners concluded the Bank of Clayton could regain full solvency. The Clayton Tribune reported in its March 16, 1933 issue, “The Bank of Clayton received a permit from R.E. Gormley, the State Superintendent of Banks, Wednesday morning to open and start business on its way again.” The bank opened its doors with deposits totaling $9,149.30, compared to $260,000 in 1931. Apparently, the bank just squeaked through the Treasury Department’s solvency review.

It was thought the bank would institute a policy of limited deposit withdrawals. However, this was not implemented, since no large withdrawals were made following the bank’s reopening. In fact, depositors who had withdrawn their money a week earlier, now started to return with their cash. The newspaper wrote, “The opening of the bank has put a new life into business, which has been slumped considerably for the time of the holiday, but it is the opinion that everyone will see a new day in business during the coming year.” This optimistic forecast could not have been more completely wrong, since the Depression dragged on for the rest of the decade. However, the Bank of Clayton managed to survive.

Bank Heist of 1934 About 18 months after the bank reopened in 1933, it was robbed by what the Clayton Tribune dubbed “machine gun bandits.” Five men armed with the “Tommy Guns” of Prohibition lore entered the bank on a mid-August 1934 afternoon. Unable to open the bank vault, the robbers stole $1,830 from the cash drawer. The newspaper reported, “They hastily crammed the bills in a sack and ran out of the bank. A large crowd was on the street and those near the bank were ordered to keep still and quiet.”

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Just Thinking

Lizzie Writes…Granny Liz Alley

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very year, I get down my Foxfire volume 3, turn to page 465 entitled “Aunt Nora Garland,” and reread the details of my Granny’s life. I thought it would be nice to write about her early life here in this article, but alas, it felt like I was reciting facts, so I closed the book and began to write from my heart. My Granny never came to any of my school programs; she never colored with me or got me anything for Christmas besides a box of chocolate-covered cherries, though I do love those. She didn’t call my mother and ask to speak to me to hear my voice, and I don’t remember ever spending the night at her house. Granny never learned how to drive, never wore pants, never wore a drop of make-up, and the thought of dying or cutting her long hair that stayed in a bun never entered her mind. I don’t think it did anyway; I never heard her ponder such a thing. She had a slew of grandchildren, and grandmothers back then were not trying to be “Super Grannies.” Although she was not a grandmother like modern-day grandmothers, I knew how much she loved me. Sometimes, when I get the Foxfire book down, I stare at the picture of her sitting on her Naugahyde sofa. One Christmas, Paw Paw told her to go to Cannon’s Furniture and pick out a new sofa; the Naugahyde one was ripped and torn. She chose a fabric one, with wagon wheels imprinted on each cushion. “Sit down, Lizard,” she’d say and rub her hand across the cushion. “Ain’t it purdy?” I sat down, not caring much for the wagon wheel design, but basking with her in its newness.

Granny kept candy at the foot of her bed under the blanket she kept folded there. Bless. Like every other grandkid, my brothers, sisters, and I found that hiding place. She never said a word about us eating all her candy. She bought chocolate stars and peanut brittle from Harper’s Five and Dime. Sometimes, she’d have a piece or two while she and Paw Paw watched shows like Gunsmoke and Bonanza.

I remember picnics on Black Rock Mountain after church. When picnics were not sandwiches, but avocado green casserole dishes with tiny white flowers on the side filled to the brim. Aunt Sissy might bring fried chicken, Aunt Laney deviled eggs and beans.

One time Mama brought a ham with pineapple slices on top, and Aunt Winnie always brought banana pudding in the same bowl; she left it to me when she died, and it sits in my cupboard. One time, I remember Mama bringing pear halves from a can. She arranged them on a platter with lettuce, gave each one a dollop of mayonnaise, and then topped them with a bright red Maraschino cherry. The final touch was a sprinkle of grated cheese. She’d seen this in a magazine and was proud as a peacock over making it. Uncle Brother, Mama’s oldest brother, balked at the sight, and I could tell it hurt her feelings. But she was vindicated when he tried it and liked it so much, he had two more. When I was a teenager at one of these picnics, Granny and I walked from the picnic tables to the scenic view. I had on a blue dress with a white collar. Granny was a full head shorter than me, a little slip of a thing. We stood on the edge of the mountain without words. After a while, she leaned her head against my shoulder, and we stood some more.

I left for college after high school and then went to work in Atlanta.

I was on my way home from work, about to get off on Cobb Parkway, where I lived, when a robust and familiar scent came through my car: the smell of Granny’s kitchen. It came, and within a few seconds, it was gone. My Paw Paw had died five days before, and I’d had Granny on my mind. The feeling and scent were so intense, I called Mother when I got home. She answered, saying she was just picking up the phone to call me. Granny had died an hour before.

Granny, who was soul-sick over my Paw Paw’s death and told him as she stood at his coffin, “I’ll see you in a few days,” took to her bed and died of a broken heart. Granny was a deeply religious woman in all the best of ways. I believe God granted her this wish.

The memory of Granny’s spirit leaving this earth makes me wonder about when my time comes. Will I softly touch the cheek of those I love? I know I will make my way to the mountains if I die in Newnan, where I live. It will be the first time I make that trip with no traffic. I’ll be sure to stop and view Tiger from my favorite spot, at the top of Pleasant Place Road. I may even rush through the gap at the top of Tiger Mountain. Maybe I’ll go by Black Rock and see Granny in the smokey clouds above, waiting to bring me home.

Liz Alley was born and raised in Rabun County in the city of Tiger. She loves to write. She is an interior designer specializing in repurposing the broken, tarnished, chipped, faded, worn and weathered into pieces that are precious again. She is the mother of two daughters and has three grandchildren. She divides her time between her home in Newnan and Rabun County.

Liz would love to hear from you, drop her a line at Lizziewrites0715@gmail.com

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Continued from page 59

The bank robbers sped south in their getaway car toward Tiger, scattering nails on the road to stop the pursuing car of Sheriff Luther Rickman. Avoiding the nails by driving on the wrong side of the road, Rickman chased the fleeing men all the way to Greenville, South Carolina, where he lost track of them. The leader of the group, Zade Sprinkles, was arrested later in Marion, North Carolina for stealing a car during the group’s flight. He was sentenced to five years in the state penitentiary. Upon his release in 1939, Rickman took Sprinkles back to Clayton where he was tried and convicted for bank robbery. None of the money taken from the bank was ever recovered. However, the New Deal’s Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation covered the loss.

The bank’s business continued to grow in coming decades, and by the early 1960s, the bank had outgrown its 1904-vintage building.

The Bank of Clayton opened a larger, modern facility on the Reeves block in the mid 1960s. Then in 1977, the bank opened a still larger building on the corner of East Savannah Street and Highway 441.

Regions Financial Corporation acquired the Bank of Clayton in 1996 and continues to operate a branch bank in that corner building.

Learn more about our history by becoming a member of the Rabun County Historical Society. Membership and complete information about the Society’s museum are available at www.rabunhistory.org. The museum at 81 N. Church St. in downtown Clayton, which houses the Southeast’s largest collection of Tallulah Falls Railroad artifacts, is open Wednesday-Saturday from 11 to 3. The Society is a not-forprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, making membership dues and donations tax deductible. Visit us on Facebook and Instagram.

Dick Cinquina is the retired president of Equity Market Partners, a national financial consulting firm he founded in 1981. Holding graduate degrees in history and journalism, Dick recently published Mountains, Moonshine and a Railroad, which tells the always colorful, occasionally contentious and frequently humorous history of Rabun County and northeast Georgia. Dick also writes history articles that appear in the Laurel.

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Lovin’ the Journey R. Mark Holloway unning takes you places.

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I know there’s been a burning question churning inside your soul this February. No, your quest doesn’t involve politics, inflation, or social media. Your mind has been vexed and perplexed with this: Are joggers and runners the same?

So, since you asked, I’ll settle that riddle for you.

There is a difference between jogging and running.

Joggers don’t run as far and don’t track their miles or name their routes. They don’t have fancy gadgets and technology telling them their pace and heart rate. They focus more on fashion, making sure their ensemble is synched up with social media trends.

Runners train in the same shorts, shirts, and shoes until they wear out. Runners buy shoes based on how light they are. Joggers purchase for style points.

Runners train in the rain, snow, and even at night.

Joggers don’t train. They jog.

The Northeast Georgia mountains are always calling if you’re listening. Some folks let the call go to voicemail. Obey the trail.

But then there are us crazies. We run for many reasons.

Along the way, we become hack medical professionals. We not only can spell Iliotibial; we also know where your patellar tendon is and we know the cure for plantar fasciitis.

We also know running isn’t bad for your knees. Wearing tons of extra weight? Now that’s bad for the knees, for sure.

BTW, your I.T. band runs from your hip on the outside to below your outside knee. When it’s tight, there’s a special stretch you can do.

Joggers, on the other hand, wear wind suits.

Did your New Year’s resolution involve running and you’ve already quit? You are probably a jogger.

When you leave the jogger’s world and become a runner, you will most likely experience a low resting heart rate. Your heart pumps slower and stronger, delivering blood oxygen quickly and efficiently to your body, and particularly the brain.

After several miles, a runner’s high kicks in. Dopamine, adrenaline, and endorphins release and create a euphoric feeling.

Some folks emphatically tell me they hate running. There’s a reason for this hate.

When you begin to run, your quads (thighs) demand more oxygen (way more than walking and your quadriceps are your body’s biggest muscles). This increased demand sends a message to the lungs: Send help! The lungs, in turn, order up more blood from the heart. The brain, rather suddenly, signals the heart to pump more blood. All of this cardiovascular activity creates a sense of panic in the mind and thus... the hate.

Most folks start out too fast, causing a loss of wellbeing, then panic. Then they stop.

The jury is still out on stretching. Many folks stretch muscles which aren’t even used while running. Or they stretch muscles in a fashion that running doesn’t even demand. This can cause injury. If you feel a ‘ping’ or tightness, a gentle stretch of that particular area is helpful during a run. And gentle stretching after a run is good.

Research shows you need comfortable shoes. Period. You don’t walk around in uncomfortable shoes or boots, right? So why run in uncomfortable shoes? There’s a lot of overthinking when it comes to running shoes and shoemakers run all the way to the bank. (Read “Born to Run” by Chris McDougall for an insightful trip into the running world and the shoe industry.)

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I typically only run on pavement when I’m training for a traditional marathon. This conditions my feet and legs for the 26.2 miles on a hard surface. Otherwise, I run trails. They’re more inviting, beautiful, and safe.

Trail options here are seemingly endless. You can choose from the Appalachian Trail, the William Bartram Trail, Pinnacle Knob, Stonewall Falls, Black Rock, and Tallulah Gorge State Park trails, and so many more.

You don’t have to look too far for a mentor or running coach to help get you started. Mix and mingle and most likely the runners will find you.

Running is inexpensive. There’s very little to buy. Most other cardio hobbies involve lots of money.

So, here’s my advice: Act like it’s January 1 and start your year all over again. Reset your head. Pump some blood. Move your feet. Like my sensei Stan Cottrell says, “If you rest, you rust”.

See you on the trail.

Mark and Carol Holloway are outdoor adventurers and love the thrills of rock climbing and hikes to waterfalls and exploring all of God’s creation. They own PropertyStewards.com and are passionate about delivering excellentcare to the homes and property of their clients. For More Information call 706-949-5937

February 2024 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - 63

28 Transom Wiley GA • 4,600 SQ FT .75+-AC • Two Commercial Buildings • Currently a Church w/ playground • 4-5 Classrooms, 3 Baths, 2 Offices MLS 20167416 $550,000 Sam Rumsey 706-982-9673

23 Abby Lane Clayton GA • 1,836 SQ FT 1+-AC 3/2.5 • Ranch Style Home • Turn Key • 2 Car Carport, Gas Fireplace MLS 20164776 $550,000 Jim Blalock 706-490-1404

559 Whispering Dale, Clarkesville • 1,728 SQFT • 3/2 • 2.7 +- Acres • Full Unfinished Basement • Private Back Deck MLS 10211397 • $570,000 Frank Parsons 678-787-5404

9 Breton Highlands Ct., Clayton • 2,966 SQ FT .46+-AC 5/3 • Impeccably Decorated Home • Large Deck w/Privacy • Lower Level Separate Entrance MLS 10238122 $639,000 Roger Glenn 770-312-7940

152 Clark Lane Clayton GA • 4,472 SQ FT 4.69+-AC 4/3.5 • End of Rd. Privacy • Amazing Backyard • Garden House or Guest House MLS 10239792 $795,000 Kasie Campbell 706-982-4770

114 Depot Clayton GA • .67+-AC Commercial Sale • 40x60 (2400 SQFT) • Mechanic Shop with lift • Office and Storage Buildings MLS 20144006 • $825,000 Kevin Croom 706-982-1371

5737 Crow Creek Lakemont GA • 1,848 SQ FT 1.54+-AC 3/2.5 • Seed Lake Home w/ large porch • Lake Frontage w/Boathouse • Well Maintained Home MLS 10239708 $949,000 Laura Glenn 404-312-8658

5192 Wolfork Rd. Rabun Gap • 800 SQ FT Living Quarters • 21.32 AC Fenced Open Land • Mtn and Valley Views • New septic approved for 3 BR MLS 10232926 $995,000 Nic Poss 706-982-0872

Congratulations Marsha Ramey

1575 Lloyds Cove Scaly Mtn. NC • Hand Built Log Home • 1,532 sq ft, 3BR/2BA • 130+ Acres Mostly Usable Land!

• Creeks & Streams, Meadowland MLS 20159694 $3,500,000 Lorie Thompson 706-490-1820

1091 Presshaven Hill Rd Lakemont • 4,448 SQFT 1.88 AC+- 4/4 • Lake Rabun Peninsula Lot, • 500 ft lake frontage • Lakefront Home w/ views MLS 10235881 $4,500,000 Scott Poss 706-490-2305

Northridge is located on the northern ridges of Tiger Mtn. Estate Tracts of 3 to over 10 acres in pristine forest featuring clear springs, creek and outstanding mtn./valley views.

Scott Poss 706-490-2305

Top Lister and

Tiffany English

Top Seller

FEBRUARY FEATURED LISTING

987 Kings Row, Lakemont GA • 1,288 SQ FT • .6+-AC • 3/2 • Newly Renovated • Single Slip Boathouse • Furnishing Negotiable • Fee Simple MLS 20161175 $1,500,000 Rob King - 404-386-7526

A Tradition of Trust Poss Realty would love to be your connection to fulfilling your dream of living life in the mountains of Northeast Georgia. Let our team of real estate professionals guide you through the process and make your dreams a reality. Give us a call today!

Scan for all of our listings!

Jim Blalock 706-490-1404

Evan Bone 404-227-5497

Kasie Campbell 706-982-4770

Myra Chapman 706-982-0364

Nate Conkling 407-876-0242

Robyn Conkling 407-717-6971

Kevin Croom 706-982-1371

Tiffany English 706-490-1012

Ken Fortney 706-461-1133

Laura Glenn 404-312-8658

Roger Glenn 770-312-7940

Gail Hopper 706-490-2152

Rodney Hopper 706-490-0701

Ann Inman 256-622-0334

Cheryl Justus 706-982-9329

Rob King 404-386-7526

Evans Lockwood 404-279-5497

Ronnie Owings 404-702-3629

Frank Parsons 678-787-5404

Jim Phelps 229-881-6044

Nancy Plate 828-226-0199

Nic Poss 706-982-0872

Scott Poss 706-490-2305

Joanna Radford 706-490-2724

Ali Ramey 706-970-7527

Marsha Ramey 706-490-1035

Penny Ramey 706-490-1610

Page Rhoad 770-861-3149

Susan Rickman 706-490-2077

Sam Rumsey 706-982-9673

Joe Thompson 706-982-3423

Lorie Thompson 706-490-1820

Debra Thornton 706-490-2712

Visit Our Office at 809 Highway 441 South Clayton, Georgia 30525 www.PossRealty.com 706-782-2121