L-O-V-E, that beautiful four lettered word that can make us feel emotions we’ve never felt both bad and good. This is the month that we celebrate it! Whether you have just fallen in love or fall in love over again each day OR have glorious memories of a love that has passed, all of these things are a huge part of why we are here. We were created to show love and accept it, actually commanded to love by our Creator. Love goes beyond the one whose hand you hold and lips you kiss. It is also a part of our friendships, our families and mankind as a whole. I try to show love each day and like a kid with a triple decker ice cream cone, I lap it up! I ove hugs and pecks on the cheek, really, who doesn’t?
This issue speaks of love in many different ways, from the good work that FAITH does to filling bellies at The Family Table with Lorie Thompson. We’ll explore with Peter McIntosh who demonstrates his love for the outdoors and exceptional photography each month in Adventure Out. You’ll find a little love woven throughout our pages. This issue will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy for sure!
We’d like to wish you Happy Valentine’s Day and hope that you are loved and cherished by someone special. For our single readers don’t feel left out, celebrate with friends, that is good love too!
Don’t despair; spring is on its way and who doesn’t LOVE spring? In the meantime get out and explore this pleasant place we call home.
XOXO
FEBRUARY 2025 | VOLUME TWENTY-TWO | ISSUE TW0
Writers & Contributors: Peter McIntosh, Victoria (Tori) Carver, Scarlett Cook PastorAvery Lawrence, John Shivers, Liz Alley, Dick Cinquina, Susan Cookson, MD, MPH, FACP, R., Mark Holloway, Dawn Kluver
The Outdoors
Just
A sweeping bend in the National Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, upstream of Earl’s Ford. The sunsplashed west bank is Rabun County, Georgia; the shaded east bank is Oconee County, South Carolina.
A snow-covered Clayton, Georgia from the summit of Black Rock Mountain.
The tranquil waters of Tallulah Falls Lake reflect the concrete arch of the Old U.S. 441 (Terrora Circle) bridge.
The distinctive profile of a distant Mt. Yonah from Black Rock Overlook.
The high Blue Ridge peaks that straddle the Georgia-North Carolina border are visible from the rocky summit of Pinnacle Knob.
On Our Cover - Our Friend Anthony Lampros
From U.S.
441 in Dillard, Ridgepole Mountain and Grassy Ridge dominate the horizon.
Our February cover features the photography of Rabun County native, Anthony Lampros. A retired Black Rock Mountain State Park Superintendent, he currently coaches track and cross-country for the Rabun school district—his alma mater. However…sit down and have a conversation with this man, and you’ll quickly find out that his impressive resumé barely scratches the surface of who he is. And, as is true of the best among us, Anthony’s true strength lies more in the humility he exudes than in the sum of all his accomplishments.
Maybe it’s his simple north Georgia roots… or the influence of his faith and community? Locals might remember a young Anthony tagging along with his father—Dr. Pete Lampros—on house calls all over the county. “My dad was busy day and night. He delivered 300-400 babies locally,” he said. “And he considered every one of them family.”
Like many country kids, Anthony was also impacted by his involvement in 4H and Boy Scouts. “Once, I put together a project on substance abuse in 4H—” he smiles at the memory. “And somehow, Jimmy Carter, who was governor at the time, heard about it. He invited me to the Capitol. My Scout leader suggested I wear my Boy Scout uniform. So I did it…while representing 4H!”
Anthony earned his bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Park Resource Management from the University of Georgia in 1980-- working at Lassen Volcanic National Park in California every summer—a life-directing experience he will always be grateful for. After graduating, he cut his teeth for the park service in South Carolina and a few years months, eager to get closer to home, Anthony worked for Vogel State Park and Moccasin Creek in Georgia (which, ironically, was established by his grandfather, Game and Fish Director Fulton Lovell, before it was transferred to state parks). His heart, though, belonged to Rabun’s own Black Rock Mountain State Park—which is Georgia’s highest state park and showcases some of the most outstanding scenery in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“I applied for the superintendent position there,” Anthony says, “But I covered my bases with applications to the Everglades and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. I landed my dream job— and just weeks later, I had park ranger offers from the other two as well!”
Black Rock Mountain State Park today reflects 25 years of hard work, spearheaded by Anthony. New scenic overlooks, improved picnic and camping areas, native plants and cohesive landscaping, and the creation of a picturesque nature trail that encircles Black Rock Lake.
Dawn Kluver & Tracy McCoy
Anthony & Sharon Lampros
from
With the finish line in sight, a smiling Anthony Lampros passes mile 26 of the 2022 Boston Marathon. His phone in hand because he had his granddaughters on video as he finished the last part of the race.
From the observation deck of Black Rock Mountain’s summit visitor center, early-morning fog completely obscures the city of Clayton.
He was also involved in the completion of the Marie Mellinger Center, the enclosed activity center that hosts events and park-related programs.
“It was a labor of love that so many played a part in,” Anthony says, making sure to give credit where due. “My staff was the best of the best. Tracy English, Hayward Lovell, Bill Fountain, Tommy Emory, Amy Speed, Hubert Hooper and Carol Chastain. And advocacy of Black Rock Buddies, Debbie Chisholm and Norma and Duane Campbell. Without all of the support of so many incredible people, nothing—nothing at all—would have been achieved.”
A glance at the cover photo—and those included in this article—reveal a skill and passion for nature photography that Anthony has honed even more since his retirement from park services. His eye for capturing the intricacies of nature and the stunning vistas of north Georgia was first tempted by a photography elective he took while getting his degree at the University of Georgia. He didn’t pick photography up seriously until he began distance running after he noticed how years of desk work had begun, as he says, “to affect my waistline.”
“I’d always hated running. But when I found the old Nike’s I’d bought during my ranger training, I put them on, vowing I’d start walking daily. But that day in my blue jeans—old hillbilly that I am—I ran three laps around our park home. I still hated it, but I vowed I’d run that mile every day.”
And he did—working his way up to 5-, then ten-miles, hating every step. But one spring day, while running around Wolffork Valley, Anthony was stopped in his tracks by the ‘holler’ of tree frogs and soft ‘moo’ of cattle in the lush valley below. “I was so focused on hating the run that I was missing out on all the beauty. Now, I never run, hike or walk without my camera!”
In 1995, Anthony applied to run the New York City Marathon. “I’d completed several 5k’s and worked up to 17-mile runs but hadn’t yet done the full 26.2 miles. When my wife, Sharon, and I made the trip north, I told her: If I make it to the finish line, great. If not, at least I tried.” Race day dawned cold and windy—and by mile 19, Anthony felt certain he was done. “I was colder than I’d ever been and bowed my head
Viewed
Tallulah Gorge’s north rim, the waters of the Tallulah River cascade over L’eau d’Or Falls into Hawthorne Pool.
and poured out my exhaustion and loneliness to God. And right there on that road, he spoke to my heart, saying: ‘Son, I won’t run this race for you, but I will run it with you.’ When I crossed that finish line, all I could do was thank Him. I got the medal, but He got the glory!”
Somehow, Sharon hadn’t seen Anthony cross and was frantically searching the crowd for him. When she finally found him, she consoled him, convinced he’d collapsed somewhere along the road without finishing the race. But Anthony unzipped his jacket and held up his medal and she threw her arms around him. “That embrace was as memorable as the race!”
It’s clear, in speaking with Anthony, he couldn’t do this—or any of life—without his wife of 43 years. Their love story is a great one: Anthony’s father was the doctor who delivered Sharon. “I was sweet on her from the time she was in 9th grade, but she was 3 years younger than me. I gave her my class ring, but her mother made her give it back, fearing she’d lose it. The next day I went to Harper’s 5 & 10 and bought a ring she could keep.”
After Anthony graduated from the University of Georgia, they ran into each other at the former Deal’s Drug Store in Clayton. “She was carrying a baby, so I assumed she was married. Turns out, her mother was simply babysitting. I asked her out that same day and the rest is history.” The couple have three adult children and four grand daughters. “Family is my life!”
This past December, Anthony completed his 76th full marathon, the Gulf Coast Marathon in Mississippi—one, Anthony says, is the hardest he’s ever run due to the never-ending headwind, not the terrain. “A quick hug and kiss from Sharon at mile 23 was the best moment of the race. It was the pick-me-up I needed for those final three miles!”
Coach Lampros, as he is now known, would never toot his own horn— but honestly, with a 77th marathon planned for April (his 12th Boston Marathon!) what high school runner wouldn’t want to emulate this man?
Spring has Sprung with the North Georgia Arts Guild Sassafras Artisan Market
Helen Rogers – NGAG
In April, Spring is stirring in the mountains. Snowy white blossoms of bloodroot dot the landscape and coves fill with gently fluttering trillium. Tender leaves are unfurling painted in a youthful green hue that can only be rendered in early spring. Native deciduous trees like the water and white oak, red maple, flowering dogwood, eastern redbud, tulip poplar, sweetgum and buckeye all begin their march through the seasons.
Among the many deciduous trees of Georgia stands the genteel Sassafras, host tree native to every county in the State. Like many of our native trees and plants in Georgia, the sassafras was an important tree to native peoples who used leaves to flavor foods, and infusions from the bark and roots to treat illnesses. Early settlers adopted some of these uses, making sassafras tea with leaves, and sarsaparilla from the root.
Well-rooted in the local culture, the North Georgia Arts Guild (NGAG) has named their main fundraising activity, the Sassafras
Artisan Market. This market is a two day juried art and fine craft show during the last weekend of April. Begun in 2016 as Celebrate Clayton, the Market raises funds for the NGAG Scholarship Program. To date, the NGAG has awarded nearly $40,000 in scholarships to young future artists from the region.
The Market draws from a pool of artistic talent across the Southeast. In 2024, the NGAG hosted 70 artists from Georgia and the surrounding region. Many fine arts and artisan crafts are hosted in this event, including painting, fiber arts, leatherwork, woodwork, metalwork, jewelry, pottery, papier mache, basketry, bookbinding, photography and artisan food products. Photos of just a few of last year’s artists’ products are included in this article.
The NGAG also recognizes several artists every year for exemplary work. In 2024, three artists were recognized: Angela Ebert for jewelry, Audrey Stamps for pottery, and Sadie Huntley for art quilts.
In addition to the many talented artists who sell their wares, the
show features large L.L. Bean canvas totes hand painted by a Guild artist and filled with original art, each tote valued at over $500. These totes are raffled off at the show with proceeds going to the scholarship program —raffle tickets are $20 each, and 3 for $50. This year, Lewis Hinely and Joey Aldrich-Burrel, will be offering their painting skills to decorate the exterior of the totes.
The Sassafras Artisan Market is free to attend and located in the Municipal Building in Downtown Clayton at 201 West Savannah Street. The market is at the Rabun County Civic Center in the outdoor pavillions, and will be open rain or shine. There will be food trucks, so bring your appetite!
Please come join us April 26-27, 2025, and support your local artist community. For more information, please check out the Sassafras Artisan Market website at www. sassafrasartisanmarket.com.
In addition, NGAG meetings are open to the public. Please join us some time. You can find out information about programs and upcoming events at our website: www.northgeorgiaartsguild. com.
Bon Appetit
Winter is Still Hanging Around, Let’s Eat Comfort Food!
Scarlett Cook
As I write this there is snow and ice everywhere. I always heard if the snow stayed 3 days more will come! The forecast is for the Siberian Express Artic cold to arrive soon so hang in there. These recipes will warm and fill you up without breaking the bank. The salad recipe is easy to customize so use what you have on hand.
Chicken Lasagna Serves 8
1 8-Ounce package egg noodles
½ Cup butter
½ Cup plain flour
1 Teaspoon basil
1 Teaspoon salt
½ Teaspoon pepper
4 Cups chicken broth
4 Cups chopped cooked chicken
24 Ounce Ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
1 Large egg, lightly beaten
2 Cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
¾ Cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 13” x 9” baking dish.
Cook noodles according to package directions; drain and set aside.
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour and 3 seasonings. Cook 1 – 2 minutes stirring constantly.
Add broth stirring until smooth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 – 8 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Stir in chicken and remove from heat.
Combine Ricotta (or cottage) cheese and egg and mix well.
Spoon 1/3 chicken mixture into prepared pan. Top with half each of chicken cheese mixture and Mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers ending with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 1 hour.
Refrigerator Biscuits*
Yields 24
1 8-Ounce cream cheese, softened
½ Cup butter, softened
1 Cup self-rising flour
Preheat oven to 400°. Grease miniature muffin pan. Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed until mixture is creamy.
Gradually add flour, beating at low speed until just blended. Spoon into prepared pan filling cups 2/3 full. See Note.
Bake for 17 minutes or until golden brown.
*Or cover and store dough in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cook biscuits as needed for 3 days.
Salad with Buttermilk Dressing
Serves 4
¾ Cup Mayo
½ Cup buttermilk
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 Tablespoon finely chopped onion
1 Clove garlic, minced
¼ Teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
Pinch red pepper flakes
4 Cups salad greens
Optional grape tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, red cabbage or croutons
Combine all ingredients except salad greens. Stir with wire whisk until blended.
Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve dressing over salad greens.
Easy Carrot Cake
Yields 1 9-inch cake
2 Eggs, lightly beaten
1 8-Ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 8.25 Ounce package yellow cake mix
1/3 Cup mayo
1 Cup shredded carrots
¾ Cup chopped pecans
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
½ 12-Ounce container cream cheese frosting (or homemade frosting)
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour 9” square pan.
Combine cake ingredients in large bowl, stirring until blended. Pour into prepared pan and 30 minutes or until pick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.
Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Spread frosting over cake and serve.
Sweet love for your valentine
A Classic Southern Dessert
(Family Features) Delight the chocolate lovers in your family with this easy recipe for a Southern classic like Mississippi Mud Cake.
Find more sweet recipes at Culinary.net.
Mississippi Mud Cake
1 chocolate cake mix (15 1/4 ounces)
1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
3 eggs
1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
1 can (16 ounces) chocolate fudge frosting
1 bag (16 ounces) miniature marshmallows
1 cup chopped pecans
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan.
In large bowl, using electric mixer on low speed, combine cake mix, water, oil, peanut butter and eggs. Stir in chocolate pieces. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.
Pour marshmallows over top of cake. Return to oven and bake 2-3 minutes, or until marshmallows are somewhat melted.
In microwave-safe bowl, melt fudge frosting in microwave.
Drizzle frosting over melted marshmallows. Sprinkle pecan pieces over frosting. Allow cake to cool completely before serving.
A Sweet Evening-Ender
(Culinary.net) Nearly anytime can be a good time for a decadent dessert. This Creamy Raspberry Mocha Parfait, which combines the flavors of instant coffee, chocolate and raspberries, can be a perfect nightcap to almost any meal.
Find more dessert recipes at Culinary.net.
Creamy Raspberry Mocha Parfait Servings: 4
2 tablespoons hot water
1 tablespoon instant coffee
1 packet chocolate pudding mix
2 cups milk
1 carton whipped topping
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups raspberries whipped cream, for topping chocolate powder, for dusting
In small bowl, mix hot water and instant coffee. Cool completely.
In medium bowl, mix milk and chocolate pudding mix until blended and thickened. Add cooled coffee; mix well. Add whipped topping; mix well. Chill.
In large bowl, add heavy cream, cream of tartar and vanilla extract. Beat mixture to form peaks. Gradually add sugar. Continue beating mixture until stiffer peaks form.
In four parfait glasses, layer chocolate pudding mix, whipped cream mix and raspberries. Top raspberries with additional chocolate pudding mix, dollop of whipped cream, another raspberry and dust with chocolate powder.
HBlue Ridge Honey Company Offers Beekeeping Classes
ave you thought of being a beekeeper but were not sure about it or don’t know where to start?
Here you go ... basic instructions for starting your own bee hive will be taught in this two part class. You’ll receive 3 hours of classroom style instruction taught by some of the best in the beekeeping business.
Choose the date that works best for you. Jan 18, Feb 15 or March 29. Additionally you’ll receive hands on training with live bees the afternoon of March 29th
Blue Ridge Honey Company has a store full of everything you might need to get started. We encourage you to learn before you buy.
Beekeeping is an art and science and all of us at the Northeast Georgia Mountain Beekeepers Association want to help you get started.
To enroll or for additional information call Blue Ridge Honey Company at 706-782-6722 to enroll.
Don’t hesitate, call today because space is limited.
Mark Your Calendars
Don’t Miss Clayton’s Block Party and Cruise-In March 15th
Clayton, Georgia, a picturesque town nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is gearing up to host its annual spring Block Party and Cruise-In. This much-anticipated event brings together locals and visitors alike for an evening of classic cars, music, and delicious food trucks.
The downtown Clayton Block Party and Cruise-In, hosted by the Clayton Merchants and Business Association, transforms the charming streets of downtown Clayton into a vibrant hub of activity. You will enjoy classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles lining the streets, showcasing their timeless beauty and craftsmanship. Enthusiasts and onlookers alike marvel at the gleaming vehicles, sharing stories of their own automotive passions.
Local businesses eagerly participate in the festivities, welcoming shoppers and diners to explore all that Clayton has to offer. From boutique shops to the nine downtown restaurants, businesses roll out the red carpet for visitors, offering special promotions and deals to coincide with the event. The vibrant energy of Clayton’s Block Party infuses the town with a sense of community spirit and togetherness, creating a memorable experience for all who attend.
Foodies will also delight in the offerings at the event, with food trucks stationed along South Main Street near Reeves will be serving up a delectable array of treats. This year they’ll welcome back Lobster Dogs and Sugartopia, and new food trucks will include: Blue Hound BBQ, Suzi’s Funnel Cakes, Sunday Diner, Two and Breakfast Babes. Families can enjoy a leisurely stroll down the bustling street, sampling a diverse range of culinary delights and soaking in the sights and sounds of the event.
Music adds to the festive ambiance of the Block Party creating a lively backdrop for the event, inspiring attendees to make lasting memories with loved ones. It is a great time to see old friends and make new ones.
Overall, the Clayton Block Party and Cruise-In is a celebration of community, camaraderie, and classic Americana. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a food lover, or simply looking for a fun evening out with family and friends, this event promises something for everyone. So mark your calendars for March 15th from 4 – 7 PM, gather your friends and family and join the fun in Clayton, Georgia. Let the good times roll! For more info visit www.visitclaytonga.net.
F.A.I.T.H., Inc. Prepares for Annual Sweetheart Ball, Supporting Victims of Violence and Abuse
For nearly three decades, F.A.I.T.H., Inc. has been a cornerstone of support for individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in the Mountain Judicial Circuit. One of the organization’s most significant efforts to sustain its vital programs is the Sweetheart Ball, an annual fundraising event that has grown into a community favorite.
The proceeds from the Sweetheart Ball go directly toward programs and services that provide crucial resources, information, and compassionate support for men, women, children, and families affected by violence and abuse. These funds are critical to F.A.I.T.H.’s mission and support the day-to-day operations of our domestic violence shelter and the Power House Child Advocacy and Rape Crisis Center. In 2024, we provided safe shelter and healing services to more than 2,500 people. That is far more than we could have imagined when F.A.I.T.H., Inc. began, and we anticipate those numbers to continue to rise.
When the Sweetheart Ball was first conceived, Jane Bingham, the inaugural chair of the event committee, recalled the motivation: “There were no social events in the wintertime, so we thought, let’s do a Sweetheart Ball. Women deserve to be treated like sweethearts, and it was an opportunity to raise awareness and educate the community.”
Over the years, the Sweetheart Ball has flourished, becoming F.A.I.T.H.’s most significant and impactful event. This enchanting evening of joy, connection, and shared purpose in creating meaningful change draws wide community support.
This year’s gala promises to be a night to remember. The evening will begin with a performance by Luke Riley Smith, whose Sinatra-style crooning will set a romantic and sophisticated tone. Dinner will be catered by Epting Events, featuring a menu “infused with the flavors of the South, enlivened by local tastes, presented with unique flair, and served with Southern hospitality.” Following a lively auction, attendees will dance the night away to Velvet City Sound’s music, ensuring the night ends on a high note.
Scheduled for February 8, 2025, The Sweetheart Ball will occur at the Rabun County Civic Center from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Tickets and additional information are available through F.A.I.T.H.’s website (www.faithinc.org) or by contacting the organization directly at 706-782-1003.
Downtown Clayton Welcomes You
Downtown Clayton Welcomes You
Adventure Out Bell
Mountain Park
Peter McIntosh
On this adventure, we’re visiting a mountaintop park in Towns County that offers splendid views in all directions, but most especially overlooking the town of Hiawassee and beautiful Lake Chatuge. It’s a great spot to take your Valentine to catch a romantic sunset. Our destination is Bell Mountain Park, located at the top of Bell Mountain. For many years, if you wanted to take in the views from this peak, you had to park and hike up a steep, muddy Jeep road to the top. Well, now it’s paved all the way up, with a nice parking area and two observation platforms. One of the platforms is adjacent to the parking area and is handicapped accessible. (There’s a nice plaque here dedicating the park.) The other is on the very tippy-top of the mountain, up a well-constructed stairway. For a time, the top of the mountain was quarried for its white quartz and the rock that remains has been spray painted by countless “artists.” I’m not a fan of desecrating nature by any means but these rocks have been painted so many times, it has become artwork. And now the stairways and observation platforms are part of the painted craziness. But graffiti aside, this place is still well worth a visit. Off to the southwest you
can see Georgia’s highest mountain, Brasstown Bald, and if you scramble up to the top of the painted rocks, you can see in all directions with Trey Mountain to the southeast and Hightower Bald to the Northeast. But the view overlooking the lake is the real payoff. But do keep in mind, this place is probably very popular in the warmer months, especially on weekends. So I highly recommend visiting this spot during
the week. As I said before, this is a great spot to stay and watch a sunset and the lights of Hiawassee slowly emerge in the twilight. Be prepared, bring a headlamp or two, some snacks, but leave the adult beverages at home since alcohol is not permitted in the park. Happy hiking!
For month number two, another poem for you: The road may be steep, but don’t get frantic, This mountaintop beauty spot is quite romantic. The top of this mountain might be cold I suppose, So bring a warm blanket and hold your Valentine close.
Getting there: Bell Mountain is accessed via Shake Rag Road which is off of Hwy 76 W just east of Hiawassee. It’s 25 miles from Hwy 441 in Clayton. If you’re coming from Helen or thereabouts, Shake Rag Road is 1.3 miles east of the intersection of GA Hwy 75 and Hwy 76. There is a convenience store at the intersection called the Lake View Store and a power substation, just across the road. Shake Rag Road is a single-track paved road leading all the way to the top, 3 miles from Hwy 76. Stay on the paved road as there is a sign, about 2.5 miles in, where Shake Rag Road bears off to the left. Stay on main paved road. This is a very steep road so don’t try it if it’s icy and make sure you have good brakes. It’s steep coming down as well!
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
Firmly Rooted
Tori Carver
For most of my life, my clothes, my home decor, and even my nail color have been neutral colors. You know… cream, tan, black or very muted colors. Then growing flowers enters my life where black and tan do not exist and a new fascination for color is born. As with most things I take on, it’s never just surfacelevel—I love to explore and understand things deeply.
Because of this newly found fascination with color, I’ve been toying with the idea of color theory as it relates to flower arrangements for several months now. I am creative at heart and although I grow and create flower arrangements, I actually follow more artists and painters on social media than I do flower farmers. I’m particularly fascinated by their color combinations and the way they mix paints to create new hues. Most often, the first thing I am drawn to in a painting is their use of color.
If you’ve ever explored color theory, you know it can be overwhelming. While color preferences are deeply personal, I believe certain combinations naturally appeal to the eye because of the underlying principles of color theory.
To understand how it all works, let’s take a step back to high school art class. You might recall the basic color wheel: primary colors (red, yellow, and blue), secondary colors (orange, purple, and green), and tertiary colors, which are the six shades created by mixing a primary color with a secondary one. But it doesn’t stop there— there are also hues, tints, tones, and shades of each of these twelve basic colors. In fact, there are thousands of variations that have emerged from these basic building blocks. The Pantone Formula Guide, for instance, lists over 2,390 colors in its color-matching system. It’s incredible to think that all of those colors are derived from just three primary colors. It’s a reminder of how vast and beautiful the world—and our Creator—really are.
So how does all this technical stuff apply to flower arranging? Well, when crafting flower arrangements, there are five elements every floral design is composed from: Form, Line, Space, Texture and Color. While I tend to keep things simple (after all, I usually just arrange flowers in mason jars), I pay special attention to the color aspect while also trying to incorporate space and texture.In flower design, there are many different color harmonies. Some of the most common are complementary, contrasting, and two of my personal favorites: monochromatic and analogous. Analogous color schemes involve three or four hues that sit next to each other on the color wheel—think shades of yellow, orange, and red. Monochromatic designs use different hues, tints, or shades of the same color, like varying shades of pink.
This past year, I started experimenting with complementary and contrasting colors. One surprising arrangement that I absolutely loved paired yellow and purple flowers—opposite sides of the color wheel. It’s amazing how colors that seem so different can work so harmoniously together.But understanding color combinations goes beyond just picking colors that look good together—it’s also crucial to consider whether the colors are warm or cool. Every color has both warm and cool versions, and in my opinion, this subtle difference can make or break a design. Take pink, for example: if it has yellow undertones, it leans warm; if it has blue undertones, it’s cooler. Similarly, while yellow is generally considered a warm color, a yellow with a blue undertone will appear cooler. Even greenery has warm or cool undertones! So unless you are intentionally creating an arrangement with a
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
riot of color in any hue, tint, tone or shade, it is important to use ingredients that are either all warm tones or cool tones.
While I’m no color expert or floral aficionado, I’ve spent years studying and observing arrangements—dissecting every nuance I can. And while Form, Line, Space and Texture should be taken into consideration and utilized as much as possible, I truly believe that color is the most important element and is what first draws us to a particular arrangement.
As I approach my sixth growing season, I look forward to continuing to experiment, study, and learn from the endless color combinations my garden has to offer. Regardless of the long and hard hours it takes to grow a garden, it continues to be a gift and I am grateful. Thank you for following along on this flower journey of mine. Your support and encouragement mean the world.
String Bean Finds a Home
Tracy McCoy
Bill and Wendy Bennett are passionate dog lovers whose lives are intertwined with their four- legged companions. Bill a devoted Buckeye fan and Wendy a singer actress, made a significant transition in 1984 when they moved from the state of Ohio to Georgia where Bill had a stage crew job at the Alliance Theater. Bill met Wendy while they both worked for the Outdoor Drama Tecumseh, Bill as a stage technician Wendy an actress. On occasion Bill even graced the stage where he got to square dance with the stunning brunette, Wendy. The chemistry between them was undeniable and soon enough, Wendy had stolen Bill’s heart. Today they continue to dance through life together, side by side.
The Bennett’s spent the majority of their married life in Gwinnett County, where they raised four children. Bill moving on from the theater into the Corporate world working for an office furniture company and Wendy creating a successful singing career performing with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Young Audience’s of Atlanta. Now the that the kids are grown the couple finds joy in being grandparents to two little ones. Wendy had connections to a family that owned a charming home in Horse Cove, nestled near the picturesque town of Highlands, North Carolina. With fond memories of childhood vacations spent on the mountain plateau, Wendy wanted to share that experience with Bill and their children. They dreamed of making the mountains their permanent home one day and began exploring western North Carolina and northeast Georgia in 2005. They discovered a uniquely rustic cabin at the base of Glassy Mountain in 2007 and purchased the home. It is a home adorned with a breathtaking wall of windows that embraces the surrounding forest. In 2017, after their youngest son, graduated high school the Bennetts made a permanent move to their Tiger home.
Upon relocating to the mountains; Bill took on part-time work with a security company before joining a rafting company as a river guide. His journey continued as he attended a men’s Bible study in Franklin, North Carolina, where he discovered Outdoor 76, an authentic outdoor store located on Main Street in Franklin. It was a perfect match for Bill, and he became a beloved fixture at their Clayton location, making friends everywhere he goes.
In the Bennett household, furry family members often numbered between four to five at any given time, with rescue dogs being their primary choice—save for one little Basset they once had. With a particular fondness for hounds, the loss of their beloved redbone, Lily, hit the family hard. At the same time, they had a lab-mix named Bonnie, who humorously bore the nickname “Bossy Bonnie” for her larger-than-life personality. Despite her commanding presence, Bonnie craved companionship, prompting them to welcome Scully, a more easy-going dog who was perfectly content to let Bonnie take charge. Missing the presence of a hound after Lily’s passing, Wendy began perusing various rescue sites. This led her to a promising lead from Everette Lampros at Paws 4 Life. After spotting a captivating black hound named String Bean in the local newspaper, Wendy was driven to visit the shelter, planning to volunteer there that day.
Bill will tell you that Wendy is the driving force in their family, keeping everything running smoothly. Bill, on the other hand, finds exhilaration in cycling, particularly in mountain bike racing, cycling six days a week in those days. After their youngest son graduated, Bill embarked on an adventurous six-week journey exploring the stunning Appalachian Trail.
Everette is a remarkable asset to Paws 4 Life, forming supernatural connections with the animals that come under their care. When Wendy arrived at the shelter, she expressed her desire to meet String Bean. Everette emerged, cradling the dog in his arms, ready to share his story. String Bean had been discovered wandering alone in the Persimmon community, picked up by Rabun County Animal Control and brought to the shelter. The poor hound was hungry, scared, and plagued by anxiety. It soon became apparent that he was terrified of sudden noises and most people, to the point of refusing to step over a threshold. String Bean’s past will always remain unknown, but his struggles were vividly evident in his fearful demeanor. After returning home, Wendy felt uncertain about whether or not to adopt him. But when she shared the details with Bill, he simply responded, “I want to meet him.”
On their return to the shelter, Bill formed an instant bond
with the lanky black hound, whose expressive face and loving heart captured his attention. They welcomed String Bean into their home, introducing him to Bonnie and Scully. Bill gently carried him inside, and their initial meeting went smoothly. But the following day, during a group walk, String Bean managed to slip his collar and dashed away. Bill embarked on a heartfelt search for him, calling his name throughout the day, and even contacted Everette to alert the shelter in case someone found String Bean. That night, Wendy woke Bill, having heard String Bean barking outside. Bill ventured out to find the hound racing in circles around their home, yet he was still too frightened to approach.
This surreal chase continued for days. Despite their best efforts to lure him in with food, String Bean remained elusive. Bill reached out to Everette and Becca, the shelter’s director, for assistance. With their guidance, they set out treats to entice String Bean closer. Everette sat patiently on the ground, quietly waiting for the fearful dog to approach. Finally, after a prolonged period of coaxing, Everette succeeded in calming String Bean enough to carry him back home, gently cradling him in his arms as he ushered him into the warmth and safety of the Bennett household.
hold String Bean close, nurturing the bond that was slowly growing between them. Wendy devoted her time to helping him feel secure, offering gentle encouragement as he navigated the challenges of his new environment. There were tough moments, but the determination of both Bill and Wendy shone brightly, and they never wavered in their support for him.
A year has passed, and the transformation is truly remarkable. String Bean has blossomed into a vibrant bundle of energy and personality, zipping around the house with an exuberance that brings joy to everyone. Meanwhile, Scully lounges lazily on the couch, soaking up the comfort, while Bonnie plays the watchful guardian, keeping an eye on the other two. Together, Bill and Wendy create a home saturated with love, and an atmosphere of warmth and acceptance.
String Bean darted about seeking refuge in the cozy nook nestled between the plush ottoman and the sofa. This became his sanctuary, a safe haven where he could observe and slowly acclimate to the rhythms of his new family. Bill, with his gentle demeanor, would often sit down and gently
If String Bean could voice his thoughts, he might find a way to convey a message to the dogs and cats still waiting at the shelter: patience is key, for the right family will eventually find you. To Bill and Wendy, I imagine he would express heartfelt gratitude. “Thank you,” he might say, “for not losing hope in me when I was learning that your intentions were kind. Thank you for the delicious food, for the cozy bed that cradles me at night, and for the abundant hugs that make me feel cherished. Thank you for giving me a true home and for welcoming me into your family.” Yes, if String Bean could talk… this is undoubtedly what he would express with all his heart.
If you have room in your home and heart for a dog or cat, Paws 4 Life stands ready to help you find the right one to fit your family. They will work with you to make sure that your adoption is successful. The animals in their care are deserving of a home, the question is, will it be yours?
Paws 4 Life is located at 261 Boen Creek Road in Tiger, Georgia. They are open 10-4 Tuesday-Friday and 10-3 on Saturday. Their website, www.rabunpaws4life.com, offers a look at adoptable pets, a wish-list of much needed supplies and ways that you can help. Volunteers are always needed, to walk the dogs, play with the cats, foster from afar or donate time or funds. Help them help these sweet animals.
Just Thinking
Lovin’ the Journey Peas and Carrots
Mark Holloway
When you think of February, your mind may drift to Valentines Day. I have friends who protest expensive greeting cards by standing in the aisle and reading a few favorites to each other and then putting them back on the rack.
I am a romantic at heart. But I truly celebrate Carol all year long. We go on date night every single week. We fiercely protect the sacredness of our 44-year marriage. Often, we get to coach couples towards ‘happily ever after’, taking them on hikes as we unpack the life treasure we’ve found together.
Good marriages don’t take work. Bad ones do. Good marriages require investment, but not work. I don’t ’work’ at a fun vacation. I don’t ‘work’ to eat a good steak. So why should I view my marriage as work? A bad paradigm is like a bad parachute.
I met Carol in 1980 at a college Bible study. She was finishing her cosmetology degree in her senior year of high school. She reluctantly went to the Bible study at her sister’s begging. She met Jesus that night. The black sheep of her family became a new woman that Tuesday. By Friday, she and I went on our first date in my uncle’s convertible. We dined on great food and laughter at a famous beach restaurant. The Gulf’s sunset glow was no match for the twinkle in our eyes.
Four months later, she said ‘yes’ and a year later we began my senior year at Florida as a young married couple.
Unashamedly loving your wife isn’t cheesy emotionalism. Actually, it’d be hypocritical of me to live any other way.
This season as new grandparents is sweeter than I’d imagined. We started having children nine years after our honeymoon and our daughter waited into her early 30s to marry. So, we’re first-time grandparents in our early/mid 60s. Thankfully, we’re blessed with really good health and are positioned to be very active grandparents with lots of trails to hike, bike, and run with little ones!
I’d say our secret can’t be put into a formula. Instead, we’ve always grown closer to Jesus which has drawn us closer to each other. We’ve also enjoyed an abundant life, embracing every moment of adventure as it comes. We also don’t demand each other be Jesus for the other. That’s a crushing burden and unrealistic expectation.
Probably our greatest treasure isn’t the gifts we’ve given each other or our stuff. Building great memories together is our greatest asset. On a whim, or fanciful reflection, we can go back to an experience and retell it or relive it… savoring its sweetness again.
We get to do this…together. It still seems unreal, like a wonderful dream on repeat. Some guys are trapped by their own neglect. Some marriages go into auto pilot.
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 excellent care to the homes and property of their clients. For More Information call 706-949-5937
But my marriage is second only to my relationship with our Creator. I stand guard over this regal gift. I position myself as sentry over her heart. I’ve made it my life’s work to know her love language and celebrate her personality rather than attempt to change it.
Recognizing her preciousness in the sight of God keeps me anchored and calibrated. We were a good fit from the start and David Deaton coached us well. He’s still very much alive and I give him a wink and a nod for being a tight knot specialist. There are no boring circumstances, only boring people. We don’t wait for thrills and adventure to come our way. Instead, we ‘play in traffic’, stay in the flow, live on the edge, and embrace the unexpected. God knew I needed an adrenaline balance and Carol is that sane, voice of reason. Peas and carrots, I reckon.
So, February’s calendar finds us well into a new year. Maybe we need to abandon any hollow resolutions (if we haven’t already) and simply live vibrantly because the ‘flash of light’ turning point drives us to better choices and a better life. Then, perhaps on December 31 this year, we just might look back and see we actually changed course and are living our dream. See you on the trail.
Lizzie Writes
Don’t Chase The Shoes
Liz Alley
They were black with a pink stripe and $40.00 at Marshalls. They were inexpensive running shoes, and I wanted them. They had my size, 8.5, and I was about to do a little happy dance in the aisle when I tried them on and realized they were too small. What!? I went to the size 9, they didn’t have them, 9.5, no luck. I returned to the 8.5 and tried them again just to be sure; they were too tight. Now I really wanted them. My running shoes get their fair share of mileage. The black ones at home in my closet were in pretty rough shape. My closet had four other pairs of running shoes, but they weren’t black. The next day, I thought about driving to another store to see if they had the same shoes. I thought about asking my daughter to look at the Marshalls in the town she works in. “How?” I wondered over and over. “Can I get those shoes??”
The next store had a beautiful round table with four upholstered club chairs on casters. Suddenly, the table in my kitchen, which I’d loved when I bought it and thought to be just fine this morning, was lacking. Why? Because it was not this table, not these chairs upholstered in a yummy pale green fabric. I shooed away the images of my grandchildren and what damage they could inflict on these chairs in a short amount of time. There was also the fact it was a table of four, and when I had my family over for dinner, more than one person would not get to sit down. “Still,” I thought, “wouldn’t it be worth it for those yummy chairs?” I told myself I would never want another table or chair until the day I died if I could have this one. My refrigerator came to mind when I looked at the price tag: $3500. The diagnosis was that the blinking light inside my fridge might mean the power panel needed to be replaced, which would be expensive. Also, I need new tires, and I have huge copays from my recent surgery and hospital stay. But did I mention the chairs were upholstered in a yummy pale green fabric?
My niece texted me the next day, “Hey, let’s go to Zion National Park in Utah and hike Angels Landing!” “Okay!” I said as I opened the fridge to get a drink. The light blinked on and off. “Remember me?” it said in “refrigerator Morse code.” I closed the door.
I’m invited to a Valentine’s party, yay! The invitation says, “Please dress all in pink, purple or red.” I’m not a big pink, purple or red person, so I must buy something. I found an inexpensive outfit online, but look, I’ll get free shipping if I also buy one other thing, so okay, yes, that would be the prudent thing to do. I found a dress, then another one, and the inexpensive outfit was not so inexpensive anymore.
I’ve made goals for this year, but that doesn’t mean the wants have stopped; if anything, they’ve doubled down. When one want is satisfied, another takes its place. I glanced at my kitchen table, “I’m not mad at you,” I said. I opened the refrigerator door to the blinking light. “I’m a little mad at you, though,” I said.
The truth is, I don’t even want all the things I want. Once I have them, the thrill is gone. As of this writing, I’m sitting at the same kitchen table, and my old black running shoes are on my feet. I have said no to Utah but kept the Valentine outfit; nobody said I was perfect. My car has new tires, but my refrigerator is still blinking. There is a long list of unpurchased items that I said no to. Overall, under-consuming is having its way with me and is very powerful. The other day, I restyled the bookshelves in my kitchen and appreciated random things I didn’t even see anymore that were right in front of me. I’ve been intentional about what I buy, giving myself a buffer of time before I purchase anything, time to do things like have a chat with my old table and blinking fridge. Less stuff, less soul fatigue, a clearer mind, and greater control, I have to say, feels good. Now, me and my old black shoes are going for a run.
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, chipped, worn, and weathered into pieces that are precious again. She is the mother of two daughters and has four 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.
The Greatest Love Story Ever Told
Pastor Avery Lawrence
Iwould like to think that I have the greatest love story ever…. Nawana and I have been married for 22 years now. Things haven’t always been easy, in fact, marriage is rarely easy. It takes work. I remember the first time I met her. Her blue eyes still sparkle the same as they did that night. We had a little smalltalk and I remember thinking, wow, who is this girl?? I asked her to dance and she obliged. I don’t remember the song, I don’t remember the exact date, or time. But I do remember the way she looked at me. As we made our way across the wooden dance floor, she said the most romantic thing. “You need to find you a good woman and settle down” My romantic reply was, “That’s the last thing I need!” She stole my hat as we were dancing. I had no idea that my heart would be the next thing she stole. We only talked in passing for the next few months. She was still pretty and I was still shy. When we next talked, I got up the nerve to ask her out. She said yes and that was the beginning of forever. Our first date was one for the books. She ordered steak and I knew she was a keeper. We talked for hours and I couldn’t wait for our next conversation. I knew after only a few months, that she was the one. Our courtship was everything it should have been, including some unexpected ups and downs. The hardest thing I did was pick out an engagement ring. I wanted flashy and big, but she has always been one to appreciate the simpler things! I finally found the perfect ring and three months later, I asked her to marry me.
and the reception was grand…. So grand, that we were the last people to leave. SHE had to make sure everything was cleaned and put back in place. I stopped by Dairy Queen and picked up a couple hotdogs and onion rings for supper (pure romance). The planning of the wedding was in the middle of the final stages of the house. We ended up delaying our honeymoon for 2 days to meet the bank appraiser to finalize our mortgage. It was a lot of work, but we built a home together, and moved in two weeks after the wedding. Things seemed more difficult then, than now. We had to learn how to operate as a family with a pre-teen daughter. In our first 10 years, there were equally as many surgeries in our house. We’ve been through some stuff.
During this time, I had started back to college full time in the evenings. There was a realization that I would now have a family to take care of. We continued to find time to date and decided to build a house together before our wedding day. One simple test to see if a marriage will last is to build a house together. The wedding day would come a year and a half after our first date. The morning of our wedding, I was ironing tablecloths for the reception. The wedding was perfect
We have grown a lot, spiritually and emotionally. She has stood by my side through 4 degrees, a calling to preach, and a calling to pastor. Never once has she discouraged me on our journey (except the time I talked about getting my doctorate). We have now reached the stage in our lives where material things just don’t matter anymore. Memories are much more important. I like to think that we have the greatest love story ever but, there is one that is greater. In our family we use the word “agape” a lot. Its Greek roots hold
Avery Lawrence is Pastor of Persimmon Baptist Church. He is a native of Rabun County and has a great love for Jesus and passion to share the gospel. Avery is the assistant principal at Rabun County Middle School and is loved by all. He is married to Nawana and is step-dad to Casi Best, but more than that he is “Poppy” to Anni and Homer Liam.
a definition that can only be defined as “the way God loves us.” The formal definition says that it is a selfless love; a love that is expressed no matter the conditions. My summary for it this is, “no matter what you do, I love you.”
God’s love story began long before mine. Our creator had a plan to send Jesus to fulfill the Law. Just as light can not clean a dirty room, but only reveal dust and dirt in a darkened room, the Law could not save people; only reveal their sins. God sent Jesus, his only son, to become the payment for our sins. Romans 5 tells us:
1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Only God would be able to provide this atonement, or payment for our sins. One of the most memorized verses in the evangelical church is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” He loves us with an unconditional love…a love that can only come from Him!
Getting Real With Prayer
Dawn Kluver
Every world religion has an exercise or discipline meant to connect man to a spiritual entity. In Christian denominations, the backbone of our relationship with God is prayer. It is supposed to play a primary role in both our churches and in individual lives. Often though, we relegate prayer to pastors at Sunday gatherings—or limit it to desperate whispers when we need something.
I wonder if one of the reasons we devalue prayer is that our impression is formed by human traditions that disappoint instead of encouraging us through beautiful biblical examples of man’s communication with God. I remember sitting around the dinner table at my grandparents’ home, sneaking glances at my cousins, while my deeply devout farmer-grandpa singsonged: Oh gracious and loving Heavenly Father—Thou has bestowed upon these, your humble servants, the bountiful produce of this earth—May we partake of these gifts from Thy hand and seek to glorify Thee with our hearts and lives— In the name of Thy precious Son, our savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.
The pastor of my childhood church prayed in much the same way every week, only much longer. For a long time, I believed God spoke King James English.
Or what about that beloved church tradition: prayer meeting. How often do we get together, purportedly to pray, but spend more time socializing and sharing endless details of our requests than we do talking to Jesus? And what of thanking Him for answers or dwelling on God’s sovereign intervention in our world? Usually, we go around the circle and the brave among us bullet-point for God’s sake what was discussed. Then the last person closes with a litany of anything that was forgotten so we can end on time. Amen.
A few years ago, my husband and I were involved in a prayer group that…wait for it… PRAYED. We spent 5-10 minutes chatting and then, with no agenda but to be together with our God and each other, we came before Him with whatever was on hearts. Sometimes it was a need for healing, or finances, or family issues. Back story wasn’t needed… God knew! Other times someone would start singing a praise song and we’d all join in—or maybe pray back the words of a Psalm. Some weeks, only one or two prayed. Silence spoke volumes. More than once we prayed in tandem,
expanding on someone else’s words. No one felt pressured to pray, and because it wasn’t about the ‘right’ words or going around a circle or filling the space, our hearts were free to listen and speak to God.
Since then, I have craved this deeper connection with my heavenly Father—alone, with my husband, or with friends. And I’ve allowed Him to strip away the idea that prayer is boring or useless or archaic.
Now, whether I’m praying alone or with others, I’ve learned to be myself. No need for practiced speech, meaningless repetition, or old fashioned language! I wouldn’t have a conversation with my husband using a manufactured emotional voice so why would I do so with God? And He certainly doesn’t need long-winded elocution!
In the first verses of Matthew 6, Jesus hits hard at inauthentic spiritual practice—including prayer. He reminds us that prayer isn’t about drawing attention to ourselves. Sometimes, we need to be alone with just God. There is a place for group prayer—or prayer from the pulpit at church. But when we do pray for and with others, it should be focused on praising and thanking God and bringing needs before Him—not on making an impression upon anyone with our words.
In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus demonstrates what communicating with God looks like. And though there are countless things we can learn from the Lord’s Prayer, it’s how Jesus begins that impacts me the most: Our Father. Isn’t that how a true connection with Him always begins—with the understanding that Jesus made a way for us to be God’s children? So now, we simply and respectfully go to Him as much-loved sons and daughters and talk to Him about what’s on our minds. And believe me—once you get this real with prayer, you won’t ever want to stop.
Dawn Kluver is a writer by trade and passion—and a hospitality entrepreneur by default. She has worked in advertising and marketing, and with her husband, has owned a dementia care facility, a restaurant, a seasonal rental business, and a remodeling company. Her work includes the novel, Jumping In Sunset (Multnomah Publishing, 2005). She and her husband are building a home in Otto, NC, and hope to never move again!
Is Fluoride Safe and Effective for Optimal Dental Health?
Susan T. Cookson, MD, MPH, CAPT US PHS (Ret.) Rabun County Board of Health Physician
The American Dental Association (www.ada.org) has declared February as National Children’s Dental Health Month. This month-long observance is to promote the benefits of good oral health for children and their caregivers and teachers. The observance is promoting tooth brushing, tooth flossing, limiting sugary drinks and snacks, drinking fluoridated tap water, and seeing a dentist regularly to prevent and treat oral diseases. Oral diseases are the most widespread health conditions, affecting over half of the world’s population, from young children to the elderly.
One of the ten great public health achievements of the last century was fluoridation of drinking water. This began in 1945 and by the end of last century had reached 144 million Americans. Fluoridating drinking water is a safe and inexpensive way of preventing tooth decay (cavities) for children and adults, regardless of income or access to dental care. Fluoride works by repairing and preventing teeth damage caused by bacteria in the mouth. Mouth bacteria produce acid when we eat and that acid dissolves minerals in our teeth, making them weak and vulnerable to decay. Fluoride replaces those minerals lost by acid and makes the enamel harder to dissolve. I did not have fluoridated drinking water when growing up and as a result had many cavities and have many fillings.
The US Public Health Service (PHS) recommends community drinking water be targeted at a level of 0.7 mg/L of fluoride. This level is 3 times below the safety level set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prevent mild or moderate dental fluorosis. Fluorosis, a cosmetic condition, changes the appearance of tooth enamel by making permanent white spots or lines caused by excess fluoride intake during tooth-forming years (before 8 years old). The latest report published by the Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority (rcwsa.org) gave low and high levels that were in the range of the targeted US PHS levels as were the levels reported for 2018 and 2022. In a large review study, this level of water fluoridation prevents cavities by 25% in children and adults (Iheozor-Ejiofor, Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2015).
But recently, concerns about the safety of fluoride–a naturally occurring mineral in food, water, soil, and rocks–have appeared in the news. Per Johns Hopkins’ Public Health on Call, people have been trying for decades to connect fluoridated drinking water to health risks. Except for fluorosis, which is of cosmetic concern, robust research studies have disproved the proposed connections of hip fractures and bone cancer with fluoride. But more recently, there is concern of brain development of the unborn child and in young children with fluoride exposure. One 2019 Canadian study concluded that a fluoride exposure during pregnancy could decrease IQ but only in boys (Rivka Green, JAMA Ped). However, the methods of that study were problematic and many “subsequent studies have not shown that same effect, and in fact, have shown an opposite [beneficial] effect” (Public Health on Call, Nov 26, 2024). Then in August 2024, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) summarized non-rigorous studies from non-US countries (including the Canada study) looking at fluoride exposure higher than 1.5 mg/L in drinking water–more than twice the US PHS targeted level–and found an association with lower IQ in these non-US children. But they concluded that there was NO
Susan Cookson, MD, MPH, FACP (retired, US Public Health Service) is an accomplished Infectious Diseases Board-certified Physician with a Master’s degree in public health. She is also an Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine Board-eligible Physician. Susan’s resume is quite impressive including a 25 year career with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 years with Dekalb Board of Health and 3 years with the Georgia Division of Public Health. Today, Susan resides in Rabun County and is working for the Rabun County Board of Health as a Preventive Medicine consultant.
evidence that US PHS targeted level of fluoridated water has a negative effect on children’s IQ (NTP, CASRN: 1698448-8). People who are not scientists or public health experts do not understand these studies and are drawing wrong conclusions.
However, many of us do not have the benefit of community drinking water, including the majority of Rabun County. The US Office of Dietary Supplements recommends an adequate daily fluoride intake to be:
• 3 years and less: between 0.7mg-0.01mg
• 4-8 years: 1mg
• 9-13 years: 2mg
• 14-18 years: 3mg
• Females 19+ years (including if pregnant or breastfeeding): 3mg
• Males 19+ years: 4mg
Foods that are high in fluoride include oatmeal, raisins, potatoes, canned shrimp, and brewed black tea and coffee (plants get fluoride from the soil) (https://nutritionsource. hsph.harvard.edu/fluoride/). Other sources of fluoride include fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash. A dentist may also recommend fluoride varnish or sealant, fluoride gel or foam, and/or fluoride supplements. Fluoride is absorbed in the gut and stored in bones and teeth. The unabsorbed fluoride is eliminated in the urine. Children
absorb fluoride better than adults, as their teeth and bones are still forming, that is why they need less fluoride than adults.
Now back to the National Children’s Dental Health Month. Besides brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice daily and flossing once daily, eating less sugary drinks and snacks, taking in adequate fluoride daily, the last promotion is seeing a dentist twice a year. Rabun County Health Department at 184 S Main St, Clayton offers a dental clinic for children 18 years old and younger as does Habersham, Stephens, and Union County Health Departments. Call (706) 212-0289 to make an appointment in Rabun County for the clinic that meets at least twice monthly. The dental clinic is for any children without dental insurance and able to pay the low Medicaid cost at time of services, or for those enrolled in Medicaid insurance plans. Not to exclude adults, there is the Community Dental, a collaboration of the Rabun County Health Department, the Rabun County Commissioners, and the Rotary Club of Clayton. If you are older than 18 years, have no dental insurance, do not exceed a certain income level, and live or work in Rabun County you are eligible for this low-cost dental clinic. Call (706) 960-9035 to make an appointment. But currently the Community Dental is making appointments for tooth extractions only.
Let’s make February a time to start better dental habits from brushing regularly, to eating less candy and more food with fluoride, to getting a dental check-up!
Unlocking the Benefits of EmSculpt: The Ultimate Body Sculpting Solution
In today’s fast-paced world, achieving a toned and sculpted body often feels like a challenging endeavor. Even with regular exercise and a balanced diet, stubborn fat and weak muscles can remain obstacles to your fitness goals. Enter EmSculpt, a revolutionary non-invasive treatment that has been taking the world of body contouring by storm.
What is EmSculpt?
EmSculpt is a cutting-edge body sculpting technology that uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy to target both fat and muscle. Unlike traditional fat reduction treatments that focus solely on eliminating fat, EmSculpt builds muscle and burns fat simultaneously, making it the only FDA-cleared procedure of its kind.
During an EmSculpt session, the device induces powerful muscle contractions, known as supramaximal contractions, which are not achievable through voluntary effort. These contractions force the muscle tissue to adapt, leading to muscle strengthening and toning.
The Benefits of EmSculpt
EmSculpt offers a host of benefits, making it an ideal choice for individuals looking to enhance their physique without surgery or downtime. It is a viable option for athletes, elderly individuals for strengthening, and men and women who just want to look and feel better. Here are the top advantages of this innovative treatment:
1. Simultaneous Muscle Building and Fat Reduction
EmSculpt targets two fitness goals in one treatment. It increases muscle mass while reducing fat, helping you achieve a more sculpted appearance. Clinical studies show an average of 16% increase in muscle mass and 19% reduction in fat after a series of treatments.
2. Non-Invasive and Painless
Unlike surgical procedures like liposuction or tummy tucks, EmSculpt is completely non-invasive. There are no needles, incisions, or anesthesia involved. Most patients describe the sensation as an intense workout rather than discomfort.
3. Quick and Convenient
Each EmSculpt session lasts about 30 minutes, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule. Whether you’re targeting your abdomen, buttocks, arms, or thighs, you can resume normal activities immediately after treatment.
4. Enhanced Core Strength
For individuals with weak core muscles, EmSculpt can be a game-changer. Strengthening your core not only improves your physical appearance but also enhances posture, stability, and overall physical performance.
5. Boosts Confidence
Achieving your fitness and aesthetic goals can have a significant impact on your confidence. EmSculpt helps you feel more com-
fortable and self-assured in your own skin, whether you’re rocking a swimsuit or simply going about your day.
6. Benefits for Senior Citizens
As we age, maintaining muscle mass and strength becomes increasingly important for overall health and mobility. EmSculpt can be particularly beneficial for senior citizens by helping to combat age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia). Strengthened muscles can improve balance, reduce the risk of falls, and enhance the ability to perform daily activities. Additionally, the non-invasive nature of EmSculpt makes it a safe and accessible option for older adults who may not be candidates for more intensive fitness regimens or surgical interventions.
7. Complementary Benefits for GLP-1 Weight Loss
For individuals using GLP-1 medications for weight loss, such as semaglutide, liraglutide, or tirzepitide, EmSculpt can play a vital role in body transformation. While GLP-1 drugs are highly effective at reducing body weight, they can lead to muscle loss alongside fat loss. EmSculpt helps counteract this by building and preserving muscle mass during the weight loss journey. This ensures a balanced and toned appearance, enhancing overall results and supporting metabolic health. Additionally, by targeting specific areas, EmSculpt helps refine and sculpt the body in ways that diet and medication alone cannot achieve.
Who is EmSculpt For?
EmSculpt is suitable for a wide range of individuals, many mentioned above. Whether you’re looking to tone up after significant weight loss, target stubborn areas resistant to exercise, or simply enhance your fitness results, EmSculpt can help. However, it’s not a weight-loss solution and is best for those who are already close to their ideal body weight or in conjunction with weight loss efforts.
What to Expect During an EmSculpt Treatment
During your session, you’ll lie down comfortably while the EmSculpt device is applied to the targeted area. The treatment involves a series of muscle contractions, including tapping phases to reduce lactic acid buildup and prevent soreness. Most patients require 4-6 sessions, spaced a few days apart, to achieve optimal results.
The Takeaway
EmSculpt is revolutionizing the way we think about body contouring. By combining fat reduction with muscle building, it provides a comprehensive solution for achieving a toned, sculpted physique without surgery or downtime. Whether you’re looking to enhance your workout results, target stubborn areas, or improve muscle health as you age, EmSculpt offers a safe, effective, and convenient path to a stronger, more confident you.
Ready to transform your body? Consult with the certified EmSculpt providers at Clayton Family Medicine in Clayton to learn more about how this innovative treatment can help you reach your health, fitness and aesthetic goals. Visit Clayton Family Medicine at 458 North Main Street in Clayton, Georgia. You can schedule an appointment by calling 706-960-9550 or visit online at www.claytonfamilymedicine.com.
Unlock the Life-Changing Benefits of a 1-Year Fitness Routine
Imagine a healthier, happier you just one year from today. What if dedicating yourself to a consistent fitness routine for 12 months could dramatically improve your life—not just physically, but mentally, financially, and professionally? Science tells us it can. With the right support and environment, you can transform your future while unlocking benefits like increased life expectancy, reduced health costs, and better mental health. At Clayton Yoga & Barre, we’re here to help you make it happen.
The Tangible Benefits of Fitness
Research shows that committing to a fitness routine for just one year can add 3-7 years to your life expectancy. That’s not just more time—it’s better quality time. Regular exercise reduces the risk of future diseases, including a 20-30% reduction in cancer risk, a 58% reduction in Type II Diabetes risk, and a 50% reduction in heart disease risk. By investing in your health now, you’re preventing costly and life-altering conditions later.
Speaking of costs, staying fit can save you an average of $1,437 annually in health expenses. That’s money back in your pocket—or an opportunity to invest in other areas of your life.
Fitness isn’t just about physical health; it’s about thriving mentally and professionally. Regular exercise can lead to a 48% reduction in anxiety and 43% improvement in mental health days. It also boosts productivity by 15%, adding 75 more productive days to your year. Imagine using that extra energy and clarity to land a promotion, start your dream business, or finally write that book you’ve been thinking about.
Why Most Resolutions Fail
It’s no secret that New Year’s resolutions often fizzle out. In fact, most people abandon their goals by what’s become known as “Quitters Friday”—the second Friday in January. Why? Because they lack the right environment, support, and accountability. At Clayton Yoga & Barre, we’re here to break that cycle and help you stay consistent.
Your Safe Space for Fitness at Clayton Yoga & Barre
Nestled in the heart of the North Georgia mountains, Clayton Yoga & Barre offers a boutique fitness experience designed for every age and every body. Our studio provides a welcoming, judgmentfree environment where you can focus on your personal growth. Whether you’re new to fitness or a seasoned yogi, our hands-on, private instruction ensures that you’ll feel supported every step of the way.
At Clayton Yoga & Barre, we’re more than a fitness studio—we’re a community. Our team of experienced instructors tailors each session to meet your unique needs, helping you build strength, flexibility, and confidence. You’ll leave each class feeling refreshed, empowered, and one step closer to your goals.
Start Your Journey Today
There’s never been a better time to invest in yourself and your future. To make it easy, we’re offering an introductory 2-week pass for just $49 for all new local students so you can explore our classes and see the difference a supportive, boutique studio can make. Don’t wait for another year to pass or another resolution to fade—your journey starts now.
At Clayton Yoga & Barre, you’re not just signing up for a class. You’re committing to a lifestyle that will unlock years of health, happiness, and productivity. Don’t become part of the statistic that gives up. Be the exception. Be the person who looks back in a year and says, “I did it.”
Take the First Step
Your future self will thank you. Join us today and experience the transformative power of consistent fitness in a supportive, boutique environment. Let’s make 2025 your year of health, growth, and success.
Clayton Yoga & Barre
32 E. Savannah Street (Next door to the White Birch Inn) www.claytonyogaandbarre.com
Healthy and Well
Your Mountain Retreat Awaits: A Hidden Gem in Tate City
If you’ve been searching for the perfect escape from the fast pace of daily life, look no further. Nestled in the heart of Tate City—a serene and remote wilderness community—this recently renovated log home seamlessly blends rustic charm with contemporary elegance. Surrounded by natural beauty and offering sunset mountain views, this property is more than just a house; it’s a sanctuary.
A Scenic Journey to Your Private Retreat
Your experience begins with a scenic drive down a tranquil gravel road, where the majestic Tallulah River accompanies you for much of the journey. Upon arriving, a babbling creek welcomes you alongside a private, stone-column gated entrance. From here, a hemlock-lined driveway leads to a spacious gravel parking area, providing ample room for multiple vehicles. The serene sounds of nature set the tone for what lies ahead.
Outdoor Spaces Designed for Relaxation
The home’s outdoor features are designed to help you unwind and connect with the surrounding wilderness. The covered front porch, complete with a cozy swing, is the perfect spot to enjoy breathtaking sunsets. For gatherings and outdoor enjoyment, the wrap-around deck offers a dining area, a fire pit, and a lounge space. Whether sipping your morning coffee or stargazing on a clear night, these spaces offer the ideal setting for every moment.
Step Inside: Modern Comfort Meets Rustic Charm
As you enter the home, you’re greeted by a warm and inviting main living space. Vaulted wooden-beamed ceilings and a large masonry, wood-burning fireplace create an atmosphere of rustic elegance. Natural light floods the room, accentuating the contemporary kitchen and dining area while showcasing the stunning mountain views beyond.
The thoughtfully designed kitchen is a chef’s dream, featuring modern cabinets with a vertical pantry, a large island perfect for entertaining, and solid surface countertops. Stainless-steel appliances— including a 5-burner propane gas range—and contemporary fixtures add a sleek touch, while refinished heart-pine wood floors preserve the home’s rustic charm.
The main level includes two well-appointed bedrooms and a renovated shared bathroom. The bathroom boasts a tiled, walk-in shower, tile flooring, a large vanity sink, and updated fixtures. Upstairs, the private primary suite offers a tranquil retreat. Complete with an ensuite bathroom and a cozy loft sitting area, this space provides the ultimate in comfort and privacy.
Thoughtful Renovations and Updates
Every detail of this home has been carefully considered. From updated plumbing and electrical wiring to a tankless water heater, the property is equipped for modern living. Additional updates include new doors and windows, a full-sized washer and dryer, and a deck with contemporary horizontal wood underpinning. Underneath the deck, an enclosed storage room provides practical functionality. A whole-house generator, ring camera system, and a fenced-in side yard ensure convenience, security, and comfort.
Room to Expand
For those seeking additional possibilities, the property offers ample space to build an accessory guest cottage or outbuilding. A flat, graded area is already in place, making expansion simple and straightforward. Whether for guests, hobbies, or additional storage, this added feature enhances the property’s versatility.
Immerse Yourself in Nature
Located in a region renowned for its natural beauty, the property offers easy access to outdoor adventures. Explore nearby hiking trails, national forest lands, and designated camping areas. The Tallulah River headwaters provide premiere trout fishing opportunities, making this a paradise for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Your Dream Home Awaits
This mountain retreat in Tate City isn’t just a home; it’s a lifestyle. Combining modern updates with timeless charm, it offers the perfect balance of comfort, functionality, and connection to nature. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful getaway or a forever home immersed in the wilderness, this property is ready to welcome you.
Schedule a visit today and experience the magic of this unique mountain retreat for yourself. Your slice of paradise is waiting. Sarah Gillespie - sarah.gillespie@harrynorman.com | 404-735-6157 | rabunhomes.com
Harry Norman, Realtors Luxury Lake and Mountain | 706-212-0228 | luxurylakeandmountain.com
Service Directory
Marie Barlow Mellinger Naturalist, Environmental Crusader and Connoisseur of Rock Tripe
Dick Cinquina
“Everyone needs the sanctuary of a swamp or a forest, a far, fair place of trees, where we can go and renew ourselves with nature.”
Marie Mellinger, 1994
Marie Mellinger walking in a field of wildflowers.
These words capture the beliefs and values of one of Georgia’s foremost naturalists and environmental crusaders. Marie Mellinger of Rabun County was largely self-taught, the author of eight botany books, a tireless educator about the natural world and a fierce advocate for environmental protection that included a fight over a proposed dam with the Army Corps of Engineers. She also could instruct you about surviving in the wild on a diet of rock tripe, the inner bark of white pines and hemlock needles.
In a 1975 Atlanta Constitution interview, Marie said, “I get very emotional over forests, because the forest means something special to me.” When asked to define a naturalist 20 years later in another Atlanta Constitution piece, she replied a naturalist is “someone whose main thrust is the out of doors, who teaches it, writes about it, loves it, feels it. I don’t think you could be a good naturalist unless you feel it.” The article went on to say she “can walk the woods and see what most people never would notice. Moreover, she can identify it, tell you what its botanical name is, whether you can eat it safely, and on top of that, appreciate its beauty and historical significance.”
Spent World War II on a Fire Tower
Born in 1914 in Wisconsin, she attended a normal school to become a teacher. However, she spent World War II in a fire tower as a replacement for the forest rangers serving in the war. “It was much more fun than teaching school,” she recalled. At various times during her young adulthood, she also took botany courses at universities in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Kentucky; helped her father run a plant nursery; absorbed Potawatomi Indian culture; and did publicity work for the Wisconsin Department of Conservation.
In 1957 Marie and her husband Mel, a ranger with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, moved to Georgia when he was transferred to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. She took a job at the Savannah Science Museum, but as Marie later explained, “I could not take the coastal plains summers, because my blood pressure shot down and I’d be dizzy. So we looked for a place in the mountains.” That place turned out to be Rabun County, where they purchased a summer home in Tiger. After Mel retired in 1967, Tiger became the couple’s permanent residence. At that point, she began making a name for herself as a naturalist, both locally and statewide.
Botanical Surveys and Incredible Edibles
Marie became known for her hands-on approach to exploring nature. She led nature field trips called “roadside rambles,” conducted botanical surveys, inventoried rare plants, developed nature trails, taught workshops at state parks and fought to protect the environment. She also organized the Incredible Edibles, a group whose members dined on chestnut soup, persimmon bread, dandelion wine and other earthy delights. In addition, Marie became an authority on Cherokee culture. Warwoman Dell east of Clayton was her favorite place for nature walks, not only because of its beauty, but also because it was sacred to the Cherokee.
Marie found time to write eight books on botany and edible plants. As an author, she is best known for her scholarly 1984 volume titled “Atlas of the Vascular Flora of Georgia,” a county-by-county record of 2,697 wild plant species. Her collection of flowering and nonflowering plant illustrations, photographs and plant cuttings are housed at the University of Georgia Hargett Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
For 30 years, she also wrote weekly nature columns in the Clayton Tribune called Under the North Georgia Grapevine. A 1982 column was titled “The Waterfall Watchers” in which she wrote, “If you have never heard of the Waterfall Watchers, you are not alone. This organization has no regular meetings, no dues, no officers. You can be a solitary member or join with your friends. All you need to do is have a feeling for waterfalls and a determination to visit as many of them as possible.”
President of Georgia Botanical Society
Marie was invited to join the Georgia Botanical Society in 1969. This was something of a groundbreaking event, since society membership had been limited to a small group of professional botanists. The following year, she was elected president of the organization, the first
person not from Atlanta to serve in that capacity. Under Marie’s leadership to turn the society into a statewide organization, membership in the group was opened to anyone with an interest in botany, regardless of their academic credentials. “I don’t care if they (society members) know one plant from another. As long as they have an interest and come and support the society, I always feel that sooner or later, it (plant knowledge) rubs off on them.”
As membership grew, the society became a force of some consequence in environmental issues. Examples of Marie’s and the botanical society’s efforts included preventing the extension of the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina, stopping construction of a road up the back side of Brasstown Bald Mountain and establishing the Southern Nantahala Wilderness in north Georgia and western North Carolina. She also helped organize Friends of the Mountains to safeguard north Georgia’s natural resources from commercial exploitation.
Fighting Corps of Engineers Over Damming Flint River
In the 1970s, Marie worked on a committee of Governor Jimmy Carter to stop the Army Corps of Engineers from building a dam for a paper mill on the Flint River, which originates south of Atlanta and flows into Lake Seminole. She considered the success of this effort to be one of her proudest accomplishments.
She was a fierce opponent of clear-cut logging. Once, when coming across a hillside full of tree stumps, Marie exclaimed, “This is one of the clear-cut disasters…Every time we cut another forest or another grove, we’re increasing the problem of water scarcity. We’re messing with our temperature controls.”
At the 1975 convention of the Georgia Conservancy, she and some allies from the Georgia Botanical Society attempted to persuade the conservancy to take a firm stand against clear-cutting. It was a confrontation between environmental purists like Marie and so-called accommodationists. Failing to carry the day, she considered the Conservancy overly dependent for financial support on corporate interests.
Agent Orange and Overpopulation
Marie also took issue with the use of herbicides. “Georgia Power has sprayed roadsides the past two years using an herbicide almost as strong as Agent Orange. They have destroyed ferns and wildflowers…If they mow, at least the plants have a chance to come back.” And she was not happy about the growing in-migration of people to this area. “Rabun County is getting overpopulated. We have no (environmental) protection. I don’t think the future looks good, environmentally.”
She was a staunch advocate of environmental education, particularly for school children. Marie stated she “firmly believes that environmental education is the final
answer. It’s the slowest way of doing things, but unless we raise up a generation that’s going to be much more conscious of the environment than the ones we have now, everything’s going to go on.”
Marie Mellinger died at 92 in 2006 at her home in Tiger. In a remembrance of her life, the Chattooga Conservancy wrote: “Marie was a strong advocate for conservation, with very little patience for those who exploited the natural world…On the other hand, she was always giving away little packets of wild seeds she had collected…or she would give away scrapbooks on various subjects like mushrooms or a particular plant that were filled with articles and pictures and whatever else she might find on the subject.”
The Botanical Society of Georgia also eulogized Marie. “Through action and words, her passion for forests and wildflowers inspired a new generation of naturalists. For that we are grateful. Thank you, Marie.”
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 is open Wednesday-Saturday from 11 to 3. The Society is a not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, making membership dues and donations tax deductible. Visit us on Facebook.
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.
Marie Mellinger leading a nature walk.
Marie Mellinger 1995 from Clayton Tribune
The Storyteller’s Legacy -
A New Love
Blake Scott
My grandmother, Janie P. Taylor, shared her life, her family and her love for Appalachian Folklore with the readers of the Laurel of Northeast Georgia as The Storyleller for 11 years until her passing on June 14, 2014. After praying and talking with our sweet friend Tracy McCoy, I will contribute articles titled The Storyteller’s Legacy from time to time this year. It is my wish for you, as readers, to embrace my stories, offering a different perspective of her stories, through my eyes. So, here’s to my Janie P. as I share her legacy doing what she loved to do…tell the story.
In my first story, I wanted to reflect on not only the love that Janie P. and I share of telling stories, but also express the many love stories that helped form my life and who I am today.
My maternal grandparents, John Melvin and Janie Pleasants Taylor married in May, 1962. After Janie P. moved back up to Rabun County with The Daughters Three (Judy, Becky and Dawne), she caught the eye of a most eligible bachelor, John Melvin Taylor. They reconnected at a Rabun County basketball game one evening, as he simply hopped up the bleachers and sat down to inquire how she made it back to Rabun County. That conversation turned into dating, fishing trips and eventually to a “wedding proposal” that went something along this line; “Janie, WOULD you marry a man like me? Now I’m not asking you TO MARRY ME, but I want to know, would you?” Naturally she said yes, and on a beautiful Friday in May, they eloped to Walhalla and got married! Their son Wesley Leamon would later come on September 17, 1963, completing their family of 6! My Big Melvin and Janie P. were married for 48 years until his passing
on May 4, 2011.
Raymond Ernest and Mary Lee Green Scott of Blairsville were my paternal grandparents. They met in 1951 while Granddaddy Ray was in the United States Air Force. First impressions go a long way, and he certainly left one on her! They enjoyed a meal and then rode on the Incline Railroad in Chattanooga, in which he made her pay for her meal and ticket! She knew she would love him, but she also knew “he was tight with his money!” They married on February 10, 1952. Their love created many memories and brought forth 4 children: Mike, Tom, Bill and Mary Ellen. Mike, my father, who was born on February 9, 1953, would jokingly tell people he was born the day before his parents got married! Naturally, my grandparents didn’t
Blake Scott is the grandson of Janie P. Taylor and shares her love of storytelling. Blake, his wife Melissa and his children … have made their home in ? County. The memories of Janie P. fill Blakes mind and heart and he looks forward to sharing some of these with you, our readers.
find it too funny and had to explain that there was in fact a year between the two dates! The two of them shared a love for God and music, in which they harmonized beautifully together. While visiting one day with my sister, Kelli, the two of them spoke about him and their shortened life together. She summed up her feelings by simply stating, “We just weren’t done loving.”
Later life love does exist! My mother reconnected with my stepfather, Dr. Benjamin Michael Smith, in June of 2014. They met many years ago and were married on July 12, 2016, at Glen-Ella Springs in Clarkesville. Mike loved and honored my mother, treating her to life experiences that were meant for the two of them! Together they went to the Kentucky Derby, many concerts, and shared the joy of being with family and friends. Mike, being a Georgia Tech graduate, learned to say, not shout, GO DAWGS after marrying a loyal UGA fan! As Mike’s health declined, my mother was by his side through it all and loved him ‘til the end. She and I held his hands as he slipped into eternity on November 18, 2024.
I met Melissa Stewart in August 1998 “cruising the strip” in Gainesville, as most young people did back then on a Friday night. We were both in college and ended up having a couple of classes together. We enjoyed hanging out together, but as life often does, it took us down different roads. We rekindled our friendship, and we went on our first date on July 28, 2011, at Mellow Mushroom. It was fantastic to see her as she was beautiful as ever! Not only did I fall in love with Melissa, but I fell in love with her sweet daughter, Katie Elizabeth! We married on June 23, 2012, at Brasstown Valley Resort in Young Harris. On June 6, 2013, we welcomed our sweet Ella Grace! Our family of four was now complete! Doing life with these three is fascinating, bringing me the most delightful blessings! My love for Melissa and my girls grows every day and I thank God for each of them daily!
I once read, “The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been and the memories we’ve made along the way.”
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
Mother Teresa
73 Cannon St • Clayton
• New build on .25+-AC • 1,700 SQ FT
• 3BR/2.5BA w/ modern rustic accents
• Open concept w/ large loft
• Granite counters • concrete island
• Electric fireplace • Spacious master suite MLS 10423604 • $499,000
Sam Rumsey 706-982-9673
208 Colony Rd • Dillard
• 2BR/2BA • 2,231 SQ FT • 10.45+- AC
• Estate featuring a restored 1922 cottage
• Enclosed sun porch
• Multiple outbuildings
• Outdoor stone walls, steps & patios
• Viewings by appt only
• This is a must-see!
MLS 10339692 • $859,000
Scott Poss 706-490-2305
600 Lookout Ridge Road • Clayton
• 4BR/3.5BA • 2,128 SQ FT • 3.79+- AC
• Traditional home near Lake Burton
• Stunning mountain views w/ back deck
• Lg grassy backyard for outdoor activities
• Located in a peaceful neighborhood MLS 10381515 • $575,000
Jim Blalock 706-490-1404
656 Brown Bear Ridge Trail • Clayton
• 4BR/3.5BA • 2,848 SQ FT • 3+-AC
• Custom Lincoln Logs home w/ fireplace
• Panoramic mountain and valley views
• Main-level primary suite w/ deck and spa
• Well-maintained with numerous upgrades
MLS 10421861 • $1,149,000
Roger Glenn 770-312-7940
817 Long Laurel Ridge Dr • Lakemont
• 4BR/3.5BA • 3450 SQ FT • .99+- AC
• Mountain retreat located in Laurel Ridge
• Stunning mtn views
• Features a master on the main level
• Inviting deck for enjoying the views MLS 10390131 • $675,000
• High-profit family-owned boutique package store business for sale
• Up to 5.9M gross sales projected
• 16 year proven history MLS 10330994 • $2,400,000 Gianna Marcellino 404-316-8351
This is the perfect place for your family. Peace and quiet abound in this serene valley, providing a rejuvenating environment. It is a hiker’s dream, located in the shadow of majestic mountains, with the Appalachian Trail running along the ridge just above the property. Bull Branch flows through the center of the cove and joins Plum Orchard Creek within the land. This 81.25+- acre property features thousands of feet on both sides of the creek. An original chestnut log cabin has been rebuilt from the foundation up, offering a tranquil overnight stay or a relaxing day retreat. The back porch, complete with a native rock fireplace, overlooks Plum Orchard Creek, making it an ideal spot to unwind at the end of the day. The property is situated just below the Blue Ridge Divide, with clean and unpolluted water sources. This ultimate family retreat offers recreational opportunities, peace, tranquility, and safety. The community is protected from overdevelopment, ensuring it will remain pristine for generations to come. It is truly a rare and unique setting. The stream flows into Lake Burton, and a boat ramp is just a few miles away. An easy 25-minute drive takes you to downtown Clayton, where you can enjoy farm-to-table dining, festivals, and shopping. Call today to schedule a visit and see this gorgeous property!
Escape to tranquility in this charming lakefront home. Nestled amidst breathtaking mountain views, this home offers the perfect blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. The great room opens onto a large screened porch, inviting you to relax and grill out. The room’s dramatic focal point is a towering stone fireplace. The main level also features a wellequipped kitchen, a cozy dining area, and a primary bedroom suite with direct access to the screened porch. Upstairs, a loft overlooking the great room provides a versatile space for a home office or additional sleeping area. Two additional bedrooms and bathrooms offer ample accommodations for guests. The lower level is an entertainer’s dream, with a den, wet bar, and a bedroom that opens onto a large stone patio leading to the lakefront. The two-story, two-stall boathouse and separate swim/sun dock provide the perfect setting for water activities. Additional features include a whole-house generator, a fenced dog lot, a gated driveway, a carport with storage, and a shed for firewood and additional parking.
