From the Publisher
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-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. 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! Love 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 and Mark Holloway will tell us a bit about how to achieve longevity in our relationships. 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.
X OX O Tracy February 2017 • Volume Fourteen • Issue Two • Copyright 2017 Georgia Mountain Laurel Mailing: PO Box 2218, Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 2511 Highway 441, Mountain City, Georgia 30562 706-782-1600 • www.gmlaurel.com Copyright 2017 by Rabun’s Laurel Inc. All rights reserved. The Georgia Mountain Laurel Magazine is published twelve times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to GML magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel magazine or any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. The Georgia Mountain Laurel maintains a Christian focus throughout their magazine. Rabun’s Laurel, Inc. reserves the right to refuse content or advertising for any reason without explanation.
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In This Issue Arts & Entertainment 8
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Cover Artist - Sandra Copenhaver Art for the Homeless North Georgia Arts Guild
Affairs to Remember 14 16 18
Shine Up Your Dancing Shoes The Sweetheart Ball for FAITH Our Coming Total Solar Eclipse Event Calendar Winterfest
A Taste 20 22 24
Bon Appetit Cold Weather Solution The Family Table
Faith in Christ 26 28 30
Life is a Blessing Bless Your Heart River Garden
Outdoors 34 38
Adventure Out Mountain Nature
Life & Leisure 40 42
Lovin’ the Journey Thank You, Rick Michaels
Health & Wellness 44 48
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Live Healthy & Be Well By the Way
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On Our Cover
Art for the Homeless Incredible Love by Tracy McCoy
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ou would look at Sandra Copenhaver’s art and think she’d been painting all her life, but you’d be wrong. This very talented lady didn’t pick up a brush until 1999, but once she did she can’t stop painting. Sandra began with oil paint and brushes and progressed to a knife. Watercolor is so different from oil painting yet Sandra is also an accomplished watercolorist. Adapting from her Georgia summer surroundings where she paints mountain sunsets to her Florida winter home where she paints Blue Herons and beach scenes, Sandra paints what she sees. Perhaps it is a mountainside or a still-life of hydrangeas or the lovely pink roses on our cover, all of her paintings speak life. After a chance meeting with a friend’s son who is a Monk from New York, his testimony added love to the life Sandra breathed into her artwork. Father Lawrence works with the homeless through the Bronx Friary. He shared his work with Sandra and it touched her to the core. She realized that nothing happens void of the Creator. She felt strongly that she wanted to help the homeless in her own neighborhoods and she would use her art to do it. Thus her personal ministry, Art For The Homeless was born. Sandra committed to donate a portion of the sale of every painting to help men, women and children who find themselves homeless. Each year she has made a difference in the lives of those who lack shelter. She divides her donations between Georgia and Florida. 2013’s donation went to God’s Mobile Home through Wiley Presbyterian Church. 2014 found Sandra’s donation going to CASA an organization in Inverness, Florida. In 2015 profits went to the Sanctuary Mission in Homosassa, Florida. Last year Sandra gave to Mission in Citrus. She actually visited the shelter that houses men and women who have found themselves homeless. The shelter has a large bus that shuttles necessities out into the city to homeless veterans who live in tents in the woods. Her donation actually bought beds for the Mission in Citrus. This year Sandra will split a donation of $1,900 between Wheeler
Mission ministries in Indianapolis, Indiana and FAITH, Inc. here in Clayton, Georgia. Sandra enjoys a rich connection with art guilds and organizations. She compares her time behind the easel to that of a trout fisherman waist deep in flowing water. She says that she feels most at ease when she is painting. She loves to know she is giving back through this beautiful gift she has been given. She believes that her capabilities are God inspired and she knows her mission is. We hope you will support Sandra in her endeavor. We have included a larger than normal array of art. A full body of Sandra’s work, sold and unsold can be seen at her new Shutterfly website www.sandracopenhaverart.shutterfly.com or her regular website www.sandracopenhaver.com. She has a great Facebook page where you can purchase her art as well – www. facebook.com/arthomeless. You may also contact the artist direct by calling 352.586.3774 or e-mail her at JASC1397@aol.com. Giving to people who you don’t even know without prompting is pretty sweet! In fact my friend, it is what love is all about!
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- NGAG – 0217 – 517 words
North Georgia Arts Guild Susan MacGregor: Passionate Description By Jo Mitchell
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e’ve all heard of the power of the ‘pen’ to create words that affect our minds and emotions: Descriptions of people we’ve known, places we’ve visited in reality and in imagination. Events of the past and a possible future: word pictures. But the pen and the pencil also form lines that enclose spaces. And within these spaces are shapes that come alive under the perceptive eye, and exquisite articulation of artist Susan MacGregor. Her ability to capture with colored pencils and acrylics, the essence of the creatures she brings to life is uncanny: magnificent lions, a curious little bird, a coy tabby cat, sandpipers dancing along the shore. It’s not by accident that we’re drawn closer to inspect Susan’s art, as her passion and talent are honed by childhood hardships, a creative eye turned outward to living nature, a competitive spirit and continually searching for more and better. Susan feels the impact of her subjects on the senses: an Arabian steed galloping into the wind, or hears seabirds and waves crashing. This is how she would like her viewers to connect. Her ideas are derived from experience, such as observing bald eagle parents teaching their fledglings how to fish. Or inspiration arises merely from a desire to create. While enthralled with the process, completion at times brings disappointment, such as the feeling when finishing a good book, that she’s losing a good friend after all the time shared getting to know her subject. Before Susan starts some pieces she gets a “mental concept”, but it doesn’t always work out and then it’s back, literally, to the drawing board. Or she travels, as her last trip to Israel where there were/are “still so many pictures coming”. While she paints what she 12
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sees, she invokes artistic license and eliminates features that mar the effect of the composition. Most important for Susan is to make a statement, “cause a mood or evoke a feeling.” She finds it a challenge to “give life to a work, make it memorable” if possible. Her goal is to “improve, never stay the same…never, ever get stagnant.” Susan considers her talent a God given gift, but has never taken it for granted: “…I worked hard, and drew, and drew…taking books out of the library on anatomy until I could build something from the skeleton out.” After 25 years in opera and musical theatre, it was back to art, which now includes handmade sea glass jewelry. Susan has been accepted into juried shows at Helen and Currahee Art Centers and Chestatee Artists Guild. She’s been awarded in 2014 – Helen Art & Heritage Center First Place, honorable mention; in 2015 – Helen Art & Heritage Center, First Place - Best in Show - Grand Champion; in the Spring 2016 Show, First Place, Grand Champion, First Place and in the Fall 2016 Show, Second Place, honorable mention. You may view Susan’s work at the Sautee Nacoochee Center, Helen Arts and Heritage Center and Currahee Art Center (Toccoa, GA.) A wider scope of work is available at: allnaturesimages.com. She may be contacted via email: suz5072551@aol.com.
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Shine Up your Dancing Shoes, Sweetheart, It's Time For the Ball!
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Sweetheart Ball for FAITH
or nineteen consecutive activity in the home. They are all years, suits and tuxedos to often the victims themselves have been donned to escort of not only physical and mental February 11, 2017 - 6 PM – 11 PM ladies in satin and heels, to dine abuse but sexual as well. The Rabun County Civic Center and dance the night away at the Power House is equipped to Featuring the Dirk Howell Band Sweetheart Ball. What sounds handle in a professional, caring Live Auction by Golden Memories Auction like a Valentine’s event is actually and confidential way each case Catering by The Dillard House the primary fundraising event for that comes through their door. FAITH (Fight Abuse in The Home). Located in an adjacent county An organization known for the Power House offers services offering victims of domestic abuse a hand up and way out. Men, to children and teens in Rabun, Habersham, and Stephens women and children who suffer at the hand of someone who is counties. All services are free to the children and his/her caregiver. supposed to love and care for them have been given the support Both FAITH’s shelter and the Power House for Kids are funded they need to change their lives. Getting out of a dangerous and through grants, fundraising efforts and donations, but more help potentially deadly relationship is one of the hardest things a is needed. A thrift store was opened in 1995 in Dillard, Georgia woman, man or child can do. It takes courage and determination and was later moved to Main Street in Clayton. It operates by and typically physical violence is accompanied by mental and selling donated clothing, home goods, and furniture with all emotional abuse, leaving a victim feeling less than able to get proceeds going to FAITH. In 1998 FAITH organized what would away. Children are the least able to leave a home where domestic end up being their largest fundraiser, The Sweetheart Ball. The violence is present for obvious reasons. complete history of this organization is documented in detail on In 1993 it was determined that a domestic violence shelter was needed in Rabun County. Sadly violence in the home has been a problem longer than any of us care to think about. Through the years since need was identified the organization, established as a 501c3 corporation, has continued to offer services to those affected by domestic violence and abuse. Led by an Executive Director, Caroline White for many years until she retired from the position and today led by Mark Smith, a small staff and a lot of dedicated volunteers have provided services to hundreds of people. FAITH has a shelter where victims can live while starting over, they provide counseling services, personal and legal advocacy, job and parenting training, resources for food and clothing, transportation, referrals within the community and support groups. This is the tip of the iceberg, the good work that FAITH does only those who are helped fully understand. It is only through autonomy that victims can feel safe and free to share. The Power House for Kids provides free and confidential services to alleged victims of abuse. Children often witness the criminal 14
their website where you’ll find information on all of the services they provide. So what can you do to help? Well you can polish your dancing shoes and buy your tickets to The Sweetheart Ball for starters, then you can take a look at the Wish List on their website (faith-inc. org) and see where and how you can help there. You can also apply to be a FAITH volunteer. All volunteers are vetted and must be approved which is another way that they ensure the privacy and security of the victims. When you see the light in the eyes of someone who has been so badly hurt and mistreated and through the efforts of FAITH and its staff and volunteers they have a new start, your heart will melt. You can not imagine the good things that can and do happen to change lives through this organization. For more information we recommend you visit faith-inc.org or call FAITH office: 706.782.1003 or Power House - CAC: 706.886.2290. Donations may be sent to FAITH PO Box 1964, Clayton, GA 30525-0050.
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Meet Mark Smith – FAITH’s Executive Director
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. Mark Smith is a native of Rabun County. Born the son of Alton (Smitty) and Marjorie Smith, Mark graduated from Rabun County High School in 1969. He went on to marry Amanda Ramey Smith and is the father of three amazing children, Cody, Dylan and Jade.
After RCHS, Mark went on to attend undergraduate school at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinsburg, North Carolina. He earned a B.A. in Banking and Finance After which he earned his M.B.A. from Emory University. Mark could have gone to work in Atlanta in big banking but had a desire to serve the community he called home. So he returned to Rabun County where he worked in banking for 38 years. Mark left banking in 2012 and spent a couple years selling insurance before the opportunity presented itself to work as director of The Power House for Kids in Stephens County. Much different work than he had ever done, this new challenge had this banker spending his days making life better for children who had suffered unspeakable trauma and violence. Many children having suffered at the hand of the very people who were supposed to be loving and protecting them. Mark Smith opened his heart and rolled up his sleeves accepting this new role and working diligently to expand and improve the Power House for Kids program. After Caroline Wallis left her position the board of FAITH was faced with the challenge of replacing her. She had set the bar high because she had given her heart and soul to the organization. The board saw those same attributes in Mark and he was chosen as Executive Director of FAITH late last year. Mark would have told you that he would continue in banking until he retired and thought he’d be happy there. Settling into this new position Mark shared this powerful statement with us. “In this capacity I can truly give of myself to help others who have endured some really bad stuff and help them find healing and peace. I have realized that in every opportunity I can look for the good I can do to make a difference. I believe this is exactly the place I was meant to be.” Mark spoke with gratitude and hope as do the people that he is able to help... like Liz who voluntarily spoke with me about her new life since leaving FAITH.
Meet Liz
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AITH has helped me so much and are still helping me. They are amazing! Everyone in the organization, from Mr. Mark to the ladies in the office to the head advocate are so special in their own way. We (the people living in the shelter) are each there with our own individual problems. It’s like a community; a family. They all work so dilligently to help us find hope and strength and help us break free from our abuser. I walk taller and straighter and I got my smile and my life back. That is important to me. FAITH gave me inner strength. They gave me so much hope and taught me that I did have a future and that they would always be there to help me. Mr. Mark is so kind and is always smiling and cheerful. All it takes is for someone to walk in the door of FAITH and they’ll show you how to become empowered. They teach us everything about living from cooking and cleaning to balancing our checkbooks and paying bills. I never knew how strong I really was. I now have a roof over my head, my sweet pets and I are happy, we are all well fed. I have a job and I am on my way to a great future. They have no idea how much they have helped me. I love them all so much!!”
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Our Coming Total Solar Eclipse
By Alan Price – Chair Solar Eclipse Coordination Committee (SECC)
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s if living in Rabun County and the surrounding area is not blessing enough, we are most favored of people. On a Monday in August, on the 21st day, at 2:35 in the afternoon, the heavens will go dark and we shall experience that most rare of astronomical events – a total solar eclipse. From coast to coast, only 11 states will be so blessed, and in our state, the “line of totality” will pass over the Dillard area before bisecting South Carolina on its way to the Atlantic. If you live in Atlanta or Charlotte, Macon or Asheville, you are out of luck as your eclipse will be only partial. It will require a trip to Rabun County to see a total solar eclipse, one of the most inspiring sights in nature. On that day in August, the Rabun County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) will host an event almost as unique as the eclipse itself. Rabun Gap Nachoochee School will be the site of an “OutASight Eclipse Festival” that will feature something for everyone: • Vendors, souvenirs, music • Giant jumbotrons displaying the NASA progressive satellite feed as the eclipse progresses. • Eclipse presentations at Reardon Auditorium by professors from the Georgia State Physics and Astronomy Department. • Plus…a few thousand of your neighbors, near and far – all coming together to see a once-in-a lifetime event. Tickets, sold at the gate, are only $5/person and include admission and a pair of eclipse viewing glasses. We will hold this event rain or shine and one thing is for certain – the sun WILL go dark that afternoon! As an added benefit, Rabun County has the longest duration of total darkness in the US -2 minutes and 35 seconds of the 90-minute event. Only once each 375 years does a total eclipse occur on the same spot on the surface of the earth so best come see this one and not wait for the next! Special eclipse T-shirts are available at various locations around Rabun County – at $15/ shirt they are a beautiful bargain. Purchase and wear your shirt, support the designated sponsors, and become an eclipse enthusiast. For information on the multitude of eclipse events planned in Rabun and more about the OutASight Eclipse Festival, check out the TDA website at “explorerabun.com/total-eclipse/” . See you there!
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“Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.� Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Mountain Happenings - February & March, 2017 March 24th - April 2nd 2017 Wine Highway Weekend 21 participating wineries throughout Northeast Georgia Info: georgiawine.com
March 31st James Gregory’s Funniest Man in America
WHITE COUNTY February 18th Fasching (German Mardi Gras) Helen Festhalle, Helen Info: 706.878.1908
HABERSHAM COUNTY February 10 80’s Adult Tacky Prom Cornelia Community House Cornelia Info: 706.778.8585 th
STEPHENS COUNTY February 11th and the second Saturday of the month Second Saturday Historic Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132 February 20th and the third Monday of each month Career Coach Stephens County Library parking lot Toccoa Info: www.gmrc.ga.gov/ WorkforceDevelopment The Ritz Theater The Schaefer Center, Toccoa Info: www.ritztheatertoccoa.com February 2nd Milkshake Mayfield February 9 ABBA FAB Info: www.negaconcerts.com th
February 25th Clarkesville Mardi Gras Old Clarkesville Mill Ballroom Clarkesville Info: 706.754.2220 February 25th Assault on Mount Currahee 36 mile bike ride from Historic Train Museum in Downtown Cornelia to Mount Currahee and back again Info: 706.778.8585 February 26th Free Parenting Workshop Alternatives to Spanking Family Resource Center Clarkesville Info: 706.778.3100
February 11th Steve McGee Valentine Concert
March 3rd - 4th Lightwire Theatre presents “The Ugly Duckling”
February 4th Ceramic Jewelry Class
BabyLand General Hospital Cleveland Info: 706.865.2171 www.cabagepatchkids.com
February 17th - 19th Sautee Nacoochee Arts Festival 2017 Valley Harmony Show
February 11th Valentine’s Celebration
March 11th Concert - 8th and Ivory
March 11th St Patrick’s Day at BabyLand Helen Arts & Heritage Center Helen Info: 706.878.3933 www.helenarts.org
February 26th White County Student Art Competition - “Ties That Bind” March 16th Art Exhibit and Reception Helen - Past, Present & Future
February 23rd - 26th, March 2nd - 5th The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Musical
March 30 Route 66 Info: www.negaconcerts.com th
February 3rd - 5th and each Friday – Sunday Discovery Tours
March 25th 28th Annual Trout Tournament Helen Festhalle Helen Info: 706.865.5356
February 18th - 19th Helen Winter Festival
Habersham Community Theater Clarkesville Info: 706.839.1315 www.habershamtheater.org
February 11th and the second Saturday of the month Southern Gospel Music
Sautee Nacoochee Center Sautee Info: 706.878.3300 www.snca.org
February 5th Distant Voices Video
March 18th, 25th Herbal Creations Class March 19th Cherokee Life in the Valleys Yonah Mountain Vineyards Cleveland Info: 706.878.5522 www.yonahmountainvineyards.com February 4th and each Saturday Live Music Saturdays February 4th - 5th and each Weekend Wine Cave Tour and Tasting February 12th and the second Sunday of the month Reserve Wine Tasting February 18th and the third Saturday of the month Masterpiece Mixers
White County’s Inaugural WinterFest: Arts & Trolley Tour 145 Artists - Two Days - Three Locations - One Price
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ebruary 18th and 19 three White County Centers are partnering to bring about the first WinterFest: Arts & Trolley Tour. Sautee Nacoochee Center will sponsor the Sautee Nacoochee Arts Festival 2017, to be held at the Unicoi State Park and Lodge, the Fireside Arts & Crafts Show in Helen and the Helen Winter Festival at the Helen Arts & Heritage Center. Watch live art demonstrations throughout the two-day festival as artists actively create and bring to life new and exciting pieces. Pottery, paintings, jewelry, fused glass, fiber art and more make up a variety of the artwork available in both the galleries and festival. Guests may register for drawings held throughout the weekend for opportunities 18
to win original art and fine craft prizes, all donated by local artisans. A Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Service is being offered on both days connecting the three venues. Hop-On and see the sights of Unicoi State Park & Lodge, City of Helen and Sautee Nacoochee Historic Districts. Hop-Off and experience the 145 artists and crafters demonstrating and selling unique art representing the North Georgia Appalachian Foot Hills. Festival hours on Saturday will be from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call 706.878.3300 for more information.
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Unicoi State Park and Lodge Helen Info: 706.878.2201, 800.573.9659 www.unicoilodge.com February 18th - 19th 42nd Annual Fireside Arts & Craft Show March 3rd 2017 Taste of the Town Info: 706.865.5356 Smithgall Woods Cleveland Info: 706.878.3087 www.smithgallwoods.com
March 18th “Finnegan’s Farewell” A Mystery Dinner Theatre Show by the North Georgia Community Players Dillard House Conference Center Dillard Info: 706.782.0066 March 25th Wine, Dine and Punchlines (part of the Wine Highway Weekend) Dillard House Dillard Info: 706.746.5348
February 4th, 11th Survival Preparation and Skills
Tallulah Gorge State Park Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.7981
February 11th, 18th Dulcimer Making and Playing
February 10 - 12 Full-Moon Suspension Bridge Hike
February 25th Volunteer Training
February 22nd; March 29th Senior Ranger Wednesday
March 11th Close Encounters of the Bird Kind March 18th Flies and Fly Water North Georgia Zoo Cleveland Info: 706.348.7279 www.northgeorgiazoo.com February 4 and each Saturday in February Winter Wonderland Tours Winter Wolf Encounter th
February 18th, 25th Snake Preview Porcupine Quill Jewelry & Art Class March 4 - 5 Kick Off Weekend th
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March 11th - 12th, 18th - 19th Bouncing Baby Days RABUN COUNTY February 11th FAITH Sweetheart Ball Rabun County Civic Center Clayton Info: 706.782.1003 February 11th Chocolate and Wine Bash Tiger Mountain Vineyard Tiger Info: 404.277.9040 February16 North Georgia Arts Guild Program - Members Show and Tell The Amara Center Clayton Info: www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com th
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Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4191 www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com
February 5th Brasstown Concert Association The Jewel Tones Info: 828.837.1863
February 11th Gene Watson & Earl Thomas Conley
February 10th Jim Lloyd
March 7th ZZ Top in Concert
March 3rd Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble
March 11th Wynonna & The Big Noise in Concert
March 4th Empty Bowls
March 25th MercyMe in Concert
March 5th Brasstown Concert Association Vega String Quartet Info: 828.837.1863
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February 5th; March 5th Sung Compline Service St. Clare’s Episciopal Church Blairsville Info: 706.745.0607 February 9th Career Coach Saint Francis of Assisi Church Blairsville Info: 770.538.2727
Rabun Arena Tiger Info: 706.212.0452 www.rabunarena.com
The Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center Blairsville Info: 706.745.2655
February 11th; March 11th Junior Rodeo February 12th; March 12th Barrel Racing
March 3rd Meat Preservation Workshop
March 17th - 19th Tinker Moffitt
March 24th Personal Safety Seminar
TOWNS COUNTY February 2nd and the first and third Thursdays of the Month Plein Air Painters of Hiawassee ArtWorks Gallery & Gifts Hiawassee Info:706.896.0932
CLAY COUNTY, NC
February 7th and each Tuesday Trivia Night Lobsta’s Young Harris Info: 706.896.1214
February 18th Mac Arnold & Plate Full of Blues
March 31st - April 1st Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival Young Harris College Young Harris Info: www.yhc.edu/storytelling Crane Creek Vineyards Young Harris Info: 706.379.1235 www.cranecreekvineyards.com February 3rd and each Friday Friday Evening Tapas & Acoustic
Peacock Performing Arts Center Hayesville Info: 828.389.2787 peacockperformingarts.center
March 18th Song Writer’s Showcase
MACON COUNTY, NC February 18th and the third Saturday of the month SEBA Jam Cowee School, Franklin Info: www.coweeschool.org February 24th - 26th Root Bound Old Edward’s Inn Highlands Info: 828.526.8008 March 10th - 12th, 17th - 19th HCP Dinner Theater Episcopal Church of the Incarnation Highlands Info: 828.526.8084 Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts Franklin Info: 866.273.4615; 828.524.1598 www.GreatMountainMusic.com February 4th Blessed and Unbreakable Tour Selah with Guest Speaker, Missy Robertson of Duck Dynasty February 10th The Booth Brothers
March 31st - April 1st, 7th - 9th “The Sunshine Boys”
February 18th We’ve Only Just Begun: The Carpenters Remembered
John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown Info: 800.365.5724 www.folkschool.org
March 3rd Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
February 3rd Sara Grey Concert February 4th, 18th March 4th, 18th Contra and Square Dance
February 4th and each Saturday Winery Tour / Vinekeeper’s Kitchen
February 2017
March 17th - 18th “Charlotte’s Web” by the Overlook Theatre Company March 24th The Texas Tenors Concert March 31st Mickey Gilley Concert
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Bon Appétit
Winter’s Last Hurrah! by Scarlett Cook
ur weather has been a bit unusual lately, but you can be sure that winter is not over yet! While we wait for spring to arrive and with it lighter foods, we still need some “stick to your ribs” foods. Everyone has a recipe for soup,
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but this one may be a little different from yours so give it a try. Round out the meal with these salad, bread and dessert recipes and maybe this will be one less menu you have to come up with. Stay warm. Chive Muffins Makes 12 2 Cups plain flour 1 Teaspoon baking powder 1/4 Cup dried chives 1 Tablespoon sugar 1 Tablespoon brown sugar 1 Egg, slightly beaten 1 Cup milk 1/4 Cup melted butter Preheat oven to 400˚ and grease a 12 cup muffin pan. Combine flour, baking powder, chives, sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl.
Spicy Chicken & Three Bean Soup Makes 6 generous servings
Combine egg, milk and melted butter and add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.
2 Chicken breasts, skin removed 3 Cups water 1 28-Ounce can whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped 1 Bay leaf 2 Teaspoons Creole seasoning or to taste 1 Teaspoon chili powder 1 Teaspoon paprika 1/4 Teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 Teaspoon onion powder 1/4 Teaspoon red pepper Dash hot sauce Dash soy sauce 1 15-Ounce can French style green beans 1 15-Ounce can lima beans 1 15-Ounce can black beans
Spoon batter into greased muffin cups, filling each one twothirds full. Bake 18 – 20 minutes. Remove from pan immediately.
Combine all ingredients except beans in a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover and reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Remove chicken from soup and shred into bite sized pieces. Return chicken to pot and add beans. Cook 20 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving.
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Citrus Fruit Salad Serves 4 1/2 Cup vanilla yogurt 2 Teaspoons honey 1 Teaspoon lemon juice Dash of nutmeg 2 Large bananas peeled and cut into 1/2” slices 1 15-Ounce can grapefruit sections, well drained 1 15-Ounce can Mandarin orange sections, well drained Lettuce leaves Combine yogurt, honey, lemon juice and nutmeg. Add fruit and stir gently. Serve on lettuce.
Chocolate Chip Bars Makes 4 dozen 1 Cup softened butter 1/2 Cup sugar 1/2 Cup firmly packed brown sugar 2 Eggs 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/4 Cups plain flour 1 Teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 Cups quick cooking oatmeal 1 12-Ounce package semisweet chocolate chips 1 Cup chopped pecans Preheat oven to 375˚ and grease a 13”x9” baking dish. Cream butter; gradually add sugars, beating well at medium speed. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Combine flour and soda; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in oats, chips and nuts. Spread mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool and cut into squares.
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Create a Cold-Weather Solution
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hile it can be a challenge, there are several ways to pair food and wine appropriately during winter, despite bitter weather.
Just because it’s colder doesn’t mean it’s time to stop enjoying the lively and nuanced flavors of chilled wine. While once only sipped on warm days of summer, rosé, for example, has become a year-round wine to enjoy any time with its crisp and cool strawberry and rhubarb flavors. A warm, comforting dish, like this Roasted Chicken with Salsa Verde from James Beard award-winning chef Jonathan Waxman, combines well with rosé during the cold season. As the chicken roasts in the oven, it warms the kitchen and fills the house with wonderful aromas, tempting any chef or home cook to steal a sip of wine. One reasonably priced wine that matches chicken well is Angeline California Rosé of Pinot Noir. The crisp flavors of light red fruits combine with the herbs accompanying the chicken. It’ll also complement the many other flavors of winter, when an array of dishes hit the table and challenge hosts to find the right wine to serve. For more wines that work well in wintertime, visit angelinewinery.com. (Family Features) Chicken and Salsa Verde Recipe courtesy of chef Jonathan Waxman be added to chicken stock). Using heavy chef’s knife, cut out breastbone. Season halves with sea salt and black pepper. Place chicken halves, skin side up, on two sizzle platters and dab with olive oil. Cut lemon in half and place 1 half, cut side down, next to chicken on each platter. Salsa Verde: Roast chicken 35 minutes, basting every 1/4 cup capers in salt 10 minutes. When done, remove chicken 4 anchovy filets to platter and pour off excess fat. Cut each 3 cloves garlic breast in half and cut the thigh from the 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leg. Serve with salsa verde (recipe below) 1/2 cup chopped arugula and garnish with roasted lemon. 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil To make salsa verde: Soak capers in cold 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro water 1 hour then drain. 1/4 cup chopped tarragon Soak anchovies in cold water 15 minutes 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives then pat dry and remove bones. 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil Using mortar and pestle, smash capers, 1/4 teaspoon sea salt anchovies and garlic, until smooth, then transfer to large bowl. To make chicken: Heat oven to 450 F. Add all herbs and olive oil. Wash chicken in hot water. Dry with Season with sea salt. paper towels. Pair each serving with Angeline California Using kitchen shears, cut out backbone Rosé of Pinot Noir. of chicken and remove any fat (this can Chicken: 1 fresh chicken (4 pounds) sea salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 lemon
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The Family Table by Lorie R. Thompson
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appy February and happy Valentine’s Day! February is the month we celebrate Presidents’ Day and even Groundhog Day, but Valentine’s Day is the star of the calendar. Valentines’ Day brings a surfeit of candy hearts, cupids and lots of pressure to be “in love”, even if only for one day of the year. If you do not currently have a sweetheart, Valentine’s Day may be referred to as “Single’s Awareness Day”. It is a holiday designed by merchants, but there is still some good in it. I am always in favor of a reason to show other people that you love them! Obviously, Valentine’s Day is not too big a deal at my house. I acknowledge it and I still expect to get a mushy card and an extra “I love you” but I asked my husband years ago to save the money he would spend for Valentines’ Day flowers. I prefer my romance in the form of kindness shown to me every day of the year and I get that from him. Now don’t get me wrong… I like my mushy card on Valentine’s Day but I love it when I get an unexpected bouquet of roses that he grew himself or wildflowers that he picked from the side of the road. I don’t need candy hearts and store-bought flowers on one particular day to confirm that he loves me. I know that by how he treats me every day.
In a medium sized saucepan, bring 3 cups of water and 1 cup of half and half to a gentle boil. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Slowly stir in 1 cup of stone ground grits and allow the pot to return to a boil while stirring. Turn the heat down to low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. After 10 minutes add 6 ounces of grated, white Cheddar cheese. Use good quality, aged cheese. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Thin grits with a little water if they get too thick.
One of my ways to express my love to my husband is to cook his favorite foods for him. One of his favorite meals is Shrimp and Grits. It is not hard to make, but it does take a little effort and a little time. Let me share my recipe with you: This will make four generous servings. If you are making this dish for a
Now for the shrimp: I prefer the medium size and will always buy Wild Caught Georgia Shrimp if I can get it. You can peel and de-vein your own or buy it pre-cleaned. You will need 1 1/2 – 2 pounds of shrimp for 4 generous servings. If you buy 21 – 25 count shrimp that means that you should have 21 – 25 shrimp in a pound. Two pounds should give you 10+ shrimp per serving.
romantic Valentines dinner for two, cut the grit recipe and the amount of shrimp in half or make the full amount and enjoy the left-overs. It is great re-heated. You can make these grits ahead of time and refrigerate them. Thin them with a little water when you re-heat and they are ready to serve.
To prepare the shrimp pan, melt 1/2 stick of unsalted butter in a heavy skillet. Add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Cook garlic in butter for 1 – 2 minutes on medium heat. Do not brown garlic. Just get it soft. Turn off heat. Prepare shrimp to cook and
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prepare your garlic and butter while the grits are cooking but don’t throw those shrimp in the pan until the table is set and you are ready to serve! Now for the ham gravy: I know you are thinking “whoever heard of gravy with shrimp?” Well, just give it a try! Rinse two slices of country ham in cool water to remove excess salt and pat dry with a paper towel. Slice ham into small pieces. In a heavy skillet, add 1 stick unsalted butter and sliced ham. Cook over medium heat for 3 – 5 minutes turning ham frequently. Add 2 tablespoons of self rising flour and brown flour in butter. Turn heat off and allow to cool. Just before serving time, turn heat back on pan. Add one 12 ounce can of evaporated milk and 1/2 cup of water. Heat slowly while stirring
constantly. (Use a whisk!) Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Continue to stir and cook for 3 – 5 minutes. Remove from heat as gravy begins to thicken. Now, finish the shrimp! Turn butter and garlic pan to medium heat. When butter is hot, add peeled and de-veined shrimp and toss in butter as it cooks. Squeeze one half of a fresh lemon on the shrimp. Add 1 teaspoon of fresh or dried parsley to shrimp. Cook for 3 – 4 minutes until shrimp are pink. Do not overcook! Remove from heat. To serve: place a big serving of the cheesy grits in a bowl. Place 2 – 3 tablespoons of ham gravy on top of grits. On top of gravy add shrimp with a spoon of the garlic butter on top. Serve it while it is hot! So, now you know how to make Cheesy Grits that go great with breakfast or with shrimp or sausage for supper. You know how to make Country Ham Gravy. It is fantastic with shrimp and grits or with biscuits for breakfast. The Garlic Shrimp are great with grits, but just as good served over pasta. I hope you will gmlaurel.com
enjoy all three components of this meal together and individually. Make this Valentine’s Day special with a commitment to be extra kind and generous to the people you love best, every day! Cook them something special and enjoy it at your Family Table!
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Life is a Blessing Speak Life & Love by Tracy McCoy
Every word we utter either speaks life or death. It may be about our marriage or relationships, our finances, our health or our children. That’s powerful talk isn’t it? Well let me explain what the Bible says about your words and mine.
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ords connect us to God and to each other. If you’ve ever had a disconnect with someone words were involved. Want a good marriage? Make it better with your words. You can build up or tear down, the choice is yours. It might be negative words or your tone that make the impact, either way scripture tells us that our words matter! “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21-22. That child that loves you hangs on your every word. That wife or husband who just needs kindness from you but gets just the opposite, don’t they deserve to be treated like you want to be treated? Once words come out they cannot be taken back, the wound is already inflicted and sometimes they cut really deep and leave scars! Jesus said... “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37. He also said “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34. The words we speak are a reflection of what’s going on in our heart and soul. If you are feeling guilty, so am I. Our words either align with God’s plan or Satan’s plan. God’s plan for you is to become like Christ, to be a light for others, to show love to everyone, YES everyone! Satan hopes you’ll gossip about your neighbors and your friends. He hopes to cause divisiveness among your family, cause problems in your home and spread hate across our nation and he will use our mouths to do it.
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BUT, remember, the same mouth that damaged that relationship has the power to heal it. There are seven divine words that lead to healing, they are... “I was wrong, will you forgive me?” It’s never too late to mend a relationship with God or anyone else. Lift each other up and quit tearing each other down. You can speak good over someone before they even deserve it. Your words of grace can change people. It can plant seeds of love that are like a vine that will spread! Speak life to your family, your friends, your co-workers, the man who changes your oil, the lady who rings up your grocery order, the stranger on the street. Who sticks out in your daily grind as someone who speaks life? Aren’t there times that someone can turn your day around with the right words? In the same way they can destroy it! Quit being hateful, unkind, self-righteous and bitter. Today, make your mouth “a fountain of life” - Proverbs 10:11. Be “slow to speak” in general - James 1:19. Encourage more than you critique. Seek opportunities to speak tenderhearted words - Ephesians 4:32. Say something affectionate to a loved one at an unexpected time. Seek to only speak words that are “good for building up,” that “give grace to those who hear” - Ephesians 4:29. Be a person whose mouth is full of life. There’s no better time than to start today!
Proverbs 18:21
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Bless Your Heart
Confessions from my Soul… By Lisa Harris
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am confessing. I have an undeniable strong hold that I cannot shake. It has wrapped its strong-willed grip around my heart and won’t let go. It’s called Hallmark. Yes people…Hallmark. I’m a romance junkie, a fool for love, enamored with the hokie scenes I know are coming. Delighted with the fake snow, the terrible décor they use and even the few wardrobe changes. I could care less. I LOVE every word…every line…every kiss. Maybe it’s because I live in a world of men who delight in making fun of me. Well…not entirely true, my husband tolerates and even indulges me. I think most weekends, I’ve even sucked him into my Hallmark world. I thought I’d even gotten my sixteen-year-old on my side until one night as he was sitting on the sofa, he realized he was watching it. Horrified at himself he yelled, “Mom, you’re sucking me into your illness!” and ran out of the room never to return. Ha! He didn’t realize that was my plan. Now, I had peace and quiet as I watch the ‘beautiful’ people (and they are always gorgeous, skinny and blemish free) fall in love, then have a disagreement, then realize their love for each other and end the movie with a fabulous kiss. Well, it looks fabulous… maybe it’s not. Sometimes (then I shake it off) but, sometimes I think, I should be doing other things with my time. Things that count for eternity. Things that count in my family’s life. Then I turn it on and see Candance Cameron Bure or Lacy Chabert with their leading men and completely and utterly become pulled into the disease. As a little girl, I loved make believe…as a grown woman, I still do. I think God is okay with that.
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However, I do fight it. I promise I do. Then as the new year of 2017 approaches, where I will anticipate new goals, new achievements, new ideas, new promises to keep, I will commit to just one night per month of Hallmark. Then I’ll fail. Miserably. I know I will. I would come closer to a commitment of losing weight. Hmmm…probably not but sounded good. The reason I’ll fail is after Christmas is the promise of Hallmark Valentine movies. I mean, how do you NOT watch Hallmark at Valentines? So…now you know my weakness, my Achille’s heel. My flaw as a human being. A minimum of two hours per week that I can’t get back. Yes, I’m a Hallmark Junkie. And no one can shame me otherwise. It is what it is. Don’t judge. Anyone else like me? Lisa Harris is a phenomenal faith writer, a mother and wife, and published author. She lives with her family in Dallas, Georgia. Lisa speaks to women with an encouraging message of hope and purpose. To reach Lisa please e-mail bless_ your_heart@yahoo.com. gmlaurel.com
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A place where new life springs forth out of despair, failure and death.
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death…”
A place where God brings physical, emotional and spiritual healing to you.
Song of Solomon 8:6
Love Is Strong As Death The Holy Bible is precisely clear in God’s dealing with illicit drugs, and abused prescription drugs that become addictions. There are many passages that address this, and the Bible word for mind-altering drugs is “pharmakeia”. This is where we get our word “pharmacy”. God is not referring to clinical medicine given in the correct dosage by a trained good honest doctor to help you recover from illness. God is referring to something very evil in nature. The definition in the Strong’s New Testament Greek dictionary is “a drug, a spell giving potion, a drug maker or seller(dealer) of sorcery to drug someone”. The Book of Revelation is clear that all those who give drugs to others, or make or sell these drugs are sorcerers who are going to hell if they do not repent and turn to God. It also tells us that “by this sorcery (drugs) were all nations deceived”- the downfall of man! See Revelation 9:21, 18:23, 21:8, 22:15; Acts 8:9-24. The story of “strong man” Samson in the Bible is a perfect example of how toying with sin, like toying with drugs, can ruin your life. Delilah (a picture of drug addiction or anything that allures you), was an evil woman who took him by sexual allurement and when she had him in her clutches, she robbed him of all his renown strength and his eyesight. He was left completely helpless. Queen Esther, a godly woman who lived about 475 BC, was used mightily of God to deliver her people from certain death. She is a picture of a loving relative or a friend who wants to truly help someone who is caught in the death grip of addiction. She helped by telling her husband, the King, the truth and exposing the deadly undercover plot and the evil men who were behind it. She shined the light on the evil and brought it out into the open so it could be dealt with. Her husband got rid of the evil men promptly. We must sound the alarm! How do we come against this evil to defend those we love 2500 years later? We must do as Esther did, and report the entire matter to the King. Our King is King Jesus, our coming King, we are His bride. As Christians, we are God’s warriors in the warfare being fought against us and against those we love. This is where we stand in the gap for others. We are not fighting flesh and blood enemies, our enemy is spiritual. There is a young man in northeast Georgia whose testimony is that he was on drugs and headed downhill to destruction, but his family kept on praying for him and loved him enough to let him go to jail. That was the turning around point in his life. We are not to enable those we love by trying to protect them from the consequences of their wrong life choices, we are to love them by putting them in the hands of God, and let God be God in their life. Today, this godly man is working with others who are struggling as he once was, and pointing them to Jesus Christ. Through the power of God he is making a tremendous impact on lives in this area! 30
Relatives and friends who love you do not give you drugs! They always tell you the truth. As a friend or relative your part is to pray, stand in the gap for them without ceasing, call out to God for help, and trust Him that He will do it - PERIOD! Love them enough to let THEM come to the place where they will give the pieces of their life to Him. He makes all things new. Jesus is the Savior, not us. He knows how to rescue them from addiction. Trust Him and He will do what needs to be done. The Bible warns us in Ephesians 6:10-20 that our enemy in this warfare on drug and alcohol addiction is not flesh and blood. Our battle is spiritual and our King, Jesus Christ has already won! We stand in His might and in His victory. God is saying to you that you are His Ambassador and He is sending you out to speak boldly the words of the mystery of the gospel that He gives you to speak to others, and He will always tell you what to say to them. We often don’t know what to say, but He always does, and you will hear His words rise up in your heart. We are to love others as God loves us. We love others by praying for them, and standing in the gap before the Lord for them, and taking their case to the Court of Heaven. Drug and alcohol addiction is sweeping our land and unless we take a stand and fight as God tells us to fight there will be no victory in this battle. We are instructed to rescue the perishing. Many who are caught in the trap of addiction have no hope without the prayers of people who care and know how to pray effectively. The Lord is calling you, you are His Ambassador of love. God is speaking: “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, and that I should not destroy it; but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30 We hear Him and respond: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here I am; send me.” Isaiah 6:8 RIVER GARDEN A Christian ministry bringing people to reconciliation, to God, to self, and to others. Can we be of help to you? P.O. Box 112 Lakemont, GA 30552 706.782.5435 706.490.3063
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Adventure Out Upper Satula Falls and Lower Satula Falls by Peter McIntosh
n this adventure we’re going on a road trip up to Highlands and then down Highway 28 to visit a pair of nice waterfalls, Upper and Lower Satula Falls. Both of these cascades are visible from the highway so folks who don’t get around so well can enjoy this trip. And since this is the “Love” issue of the Georgia Mountain Laurel, this would be a nice road trip to take with that special someone. Since this is such an easy adventure, be sure to stop at any and all overlooks along the way. And when you’re in Highlands, get a bite to eat or go to Sweet Treats and get you and your Valentine a delicious treat. Or walk through town
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From downtown Highlands take Hwy 28 south for 2 1/4 miles and Upper Satula Falls will be on your left. The cascade is on private property but is easily visible from the road. Lower Satula Falls is about 3/4 mile further down the road. There is a parking area for this waterfall on the right. This is a long narrow cascade that’s best viewed during the winter. And besides the falls, this overlook offers a stunning view of the Blue Valley below and just across is the majestic Rabun Bald, Georgia’s second highest mountain. If you have binoculars, you should be able to make out the observation tower at the top of the mountain. (You can see it in the photo if you look carefully.) And up to your right is the beautiful, rocky faced Satula Mountain. Happy Roadtrip! No need to whine, here’ my Valentine’s rhyme: Let’s hop in the car and go for a ride, To see two nice waterfalls along the roadside. Don’t let the cold winter keep you indoors, Invite your special paramour to get out and explore! Getting there: From US 441 in Dillard, take Hwy 106 to Highlands, turn right on Main Street (Hwy 64) and then right again on Hwy 28 on the other side of town. The first falls is 2.25 miles on the left; the second cascade is 3/4 mile down the road on the right. You can retrace your steps and go back through Highlands, or continue south on Hwy 28 into Georgia and turn right on Warwoman Road. Look for the sign pointing to Clayton, just past the Satola community. If you end up in Walhalla, SC, you’ve gone way too far. 34
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To see more of Peter’s photos or if you have a question or comment: www.mcintoshmountains.com
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Mountain Nature Birding Adventure by Jean Hyatt
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ost of you who know us know that we love adventures. So last February when it got cold, we decided to head to Florida to visit our children and grandchildren, and to take the opportunity a couple of days beforehand to visit the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, west of Titusville. Our daughter lived for awhile in nearby Melbourne, and told us about the birds she had seen on her visits to the refuge. So while we had driven through the area once before, we wanted to spend a couple of days there this time to see what we could see. Snowy egrets seem to like to pose, but this one is quietly fishing. The painted bunting was much smaller than I had anticipated, smaller than the Indigo Bunting that we see here in spring and summer; smaller than a goldfinch even. It is also much faster, and I was able to get several blurry photos of them flying away. They are easily spooked, so a sudden movement from the porch of the visitor building will send them scurrying. They come to feed often, though, so if you are still and patient and there aren’t a lot of jittery people around, you will probably be able to see one. Or several. We looked for, and found a few scrub jays on the island, too. Florida scrub jays live in only three locations and are listed
Spoonbills can stand as easily on one leg as two! The refuge has a visitor information center, with very friendly and helpful personnel. They maintain a bird feeding station just a few feet off the porch of the building there, where you can watch for the Painted Bunting, one of the most colorful birds I’ve ever seen. I had never seen one until last year, as they frequent the south and east coast of Florida, and the coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina. There is a separate population of this bunting which migrates from Mexico into Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Painted bunting at the feeder. Momentarily.
Avocets are migratory and we loved seeing these search for their supper. 38
as a threatened species because they live only in scrub oak communities, which are constantly being developed. Florida scrub-jays are a little different from the western scrub-jay in the placement of their coloring. They are bright blue, similar in color to a common blue jay. There is a 7-mile long motor trail loop, Black Point Wildlife Drive, from which you can see many different and more common birds. February 2017
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Early morning and late afternoon are the best times, as with all wildlife. We saw many spoonbills, egrets, herons, cormorants and coots, as well as white pelicans, osprey, kingfishers and avocets, which almost always had their heads under water. You can also drive into other areas of the refuge, even other areas of the island north of the refuge and access the Atlantic Ocean, if it isn’t too cold and windy for you. The National Wildlife Refuge shares the island with the Kennedy Space Center to the south, which I have also visited, and it is well worth spending an extra day in the area just to see it. The first time we went there was in the mid 1980s when they had a small visitor center and several pioneer rockets on display. Now there is much more to see and do there, and if you go, be sure and see the Atlantis shuttle display - it is beyond awesome, and will make you proud. To watch a video of some coots scaring up breakfast at the refuge, go to our Facebook page under Mountain Nature & Wild Bird Supply, click on videos, and choose the one with all the black birds in the photo. Jean and her husband Richard own and operate Mountain Nature in downtown Clayton. They can be reached at 706.782.0838. ** Don’t forget to turn off your outside lights at night. Use motion detector lighting, shields, and IDA-approved lighting so you don’t impose your light on those who want to see the stars. I believe God made night dark for a reason. Please help keep it that way. **
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Lovin’ the Journey
I do....love my marriage.... by Mark Holloway
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ne of the benefits of a long life is learning things along the way.
This year Carol and I will celebrate 36 years of romance together. We married young. I began my senior year at Florida wed to an 18 year old beauty who signed up for adventure.
If I were to boil down 36 years into syrupy goodness, these would be some of my thoughts. Get on the same page spiritually. If you’re not, there’s a lifetime of potential conflict in store. If one spouse values spiritual health more than the other, the marriage priorities will be out of step. I had a relative who married an atheist. She tiptoed around my uncle and made everyone else do the same when visiting their farm. No bueno.
We’ve learned a few things along the way, mostly by just staying awake and not skipping class.
Carol and I invest lots of time in young couples heading towards happilyever-after.
Some folks skip class. I’ve observed many folks put more thought into the wedding than the marriage.
Matter of fact, I won’t perform a wedding unless the couple is ‘all in’ for the prep part. We take the love birds on hikes and talks. Weeks and weeks are involved.
I’ve seen more time and effort invested in buying a home or car than investing in a sound beginning. I’ve never understood the disconnect. I’d much rather build a solid life together at the start than pay the price of a faulty foundation. Carol and I are exploring tapping some of our maples for syrup. In addition to perfect weather conditions and hard work, there’s a lot of sap-boiling involved to get down to the sweetness.
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Build memories. Carol and I haven’t stopped falling in love. We keep having fun. I’ve long believed there are no boring circumstances... only boring people. I refuse to be bored. The only thing worse than being a bore is being a bore to a bore. Yikes. Add children to the marriage. But a childcentered home spells a slow death for a marriage.
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If the children become the focal point, the kids lose in the end and mom and dad find themselves as strangers when the children move out and away. Folks tried to tell me we were empty nesters when our youngest went off to college. I’d tell them, “As long as there’s a mama eagle and a daddy eagle here, the nest ain’t empty.” Keep your love on. In times of conflict, the greatest threat to my marriage is wanting to turn my love off. When you’re hurt or angry, the instinct is to turn your love off. But staying connected is life-giving. No TV...in the bedroom. Why have that distraction in the playground? Carol and I consider our bedroom a sacred place. We don’t discuss heavy life topics there. As we drift off to sleep and a serious discussion starts up, one of us will jokingly say, “Do we need to put on a pot of coffee?” We also coach young brides and grooms; if you’re gonna be a pig, be a pig anywhere but the bedroom. Keep it clean, fresh and a place devoid of heaviness. Make the bed. Clutter another room. Any room but the bedroom. Foster a Christ-centered marriage. This single nugget, beyond all the others, will kill the selfish monster living inside us. If I put myself at the center, I’ll find myself alone, with plenty of time to serve myself. Good marriages don’t take work. Crappy marriages do. But a good marriage doesn’t require work anymore than enjoying a good steak requires work. Good marriages require effort. But they don’t require work. Change the paradigm. Perhaps there will be a young man and woman holding this month’s issue in their hands and decide to elevate the marriage above a fancy dress, expensive flowers, costly bar tab and a band. I’ve noticed folks talk more about a happy couple than their happy day. See you on the trail.
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Thank you
A Veteran’s Spotlight by Lucas McCoy charge of 145 men and women. Between beginning his career and his retirement, Rick was stationed at Fort Campbell, Fort Lee, Seoul, South Korea, the aforementioned Fort Carson, Fort Hood and two separate stints in our nation’s capital receiving a Master’s Degree from Georgetown University and serving at both the Pentagon and the White House. Rick was also deployed twice during the course of Operation Iraqi Freedom; first in Kuwait making resupply runs into Iraq and second as Division Transport Officer for the Multi-National Division Baghdad (1st Cavalry Division).
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ick Michaels has lived a life of service and it continues today. Rick, with the support of his wife Bonnie, is the owner of Rabun County’s Chick-fil-A restaurant. It’s well known for its delicious food, outstanding customer service and dedication to community. As a 20-year veteran of the United States Army, his commitment to service aligns with the Chick-fil-A brand. Rick was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the son of an Air Force Sergeant. Following a tour in Vietnam, his dad left the military and moved his family back to Tennessee. Rick finished high school in Jefferson City, Tennessee and graduated from CarsonNewman University where he met his wife, Bonnie. Rick was inspired to join the ROTC program after being mentored by his neighbor who served as the Professor of Military Science at the university. Rick found he enjoyed the discipline that came with ROTC and saw value in the leadership tools that were taught therein. He desired to apply those qualities to other areas of his life and felt the best place to learn to do so would be in the United States Army. A full military scholarship and the concept of service above self set Rick on the path to a career in the military.
When asked what challenges most modern veterans face he replied that access to medical and psychological care is what he believes to be the greatest challenge facing today’s veterans. After 20 years of service, Rick retired in 2015 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Rick was the Vice President of a transportation company for a brief period of time after retiring but knew he wanted more. Together with his wife, he decided to apply for an owner/operator position with Chick-fil-A because of his admiration for the company’s values, generosity and dedication to customer service. Over the following year, Rick interviewed for a variety of locations and upon visiting Rabun County and receiving such a warm welcome, they knew that this was the place where they wanted to raise their children and make their home. Rabun County is so full of likeminded people who love serving others and this family fits right in! Chick-Fil-A supports the schools and the community, as a whole, hosting family and school events and sponsoring local scholarship programs. So, the next time you walk into Chick Fil-A of Clayton, or make a trip through the drive-thru, take time to meet Rick and Bonnie. You will see a true servant’s heart! Thank you Rick Michaels for your service to our nation!
Rick graduated ROTC in 1995 and officially joined the Army as a Second Lieutenant and platoon leader in charge of refueling aviation units. He joined the Army during the Clinton downsizing meaning that, at times, Rick was in charge of multiple platoons which, he says, readied him to be a company commander at Fort Carson, CO in 42
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Live Healthy and Be Well! “Hope for Hot Flashes” by Stephen Jarrard, MD FACS
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his month’s a r t i c l e comes from a recommendation by Lisa Romanello, who lives and deals with grapes in Rabun Gap. She wanted to know more about hot flashes – and not the good kind that others may write about in this “month of love”, but the really annoying kind that make you sweat and can keep you up at night. “Hot flashes” can be experienced as a feeling of intense heat from within, and can be experienced along with an increase in heart rate. They are typically experienced by women during the periods of peri-menopause (before and after) or during menopause itself. They may last from a couple minutes to a half hour or more. They often begin with “flushing” of the face and chest, but may spread over the entire body. Some women may have them infrequently and to a mild degree, and others may experience this several times a day and during the night. Hot flashes are caused by a lack or decline of circulating estrogen. This is what happens during menopause as the ovaries begin to taper off hormone production. It is thought by many that this change in hormones brings about changes in the hypothalamus (organ within the brain) and the autonomic nervous system, both of which act to regulate and control temperature in the body. As natural hormone levels always reach their nadir (lowest point) during the night, many women notice this problem more when sleeping. They experience “night sweats” and throw off the
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covers, only to get chilled in a bit as the flash passes. When this happens several times a night, it can significantly interfere with needed sleep and lead to reduced quality of life overall. Does this sound familiar to anyone out there? Men are not off the hook! Many may experience similar symptoms as their male hormones, mainly testosterone, begin to decline and decrease levels. This has been called “MANopause” or more accurately, andropause (as sex hormones are known as androgens). Men treated for certain type of cancers with “antiandrogen” drugs may also have this problem. Women who have surgically lost their ovaries may also experience this problem at a younger age than normal. If a younger woman still having her regular cycle starts to have hot flashes, it should be investigated to rule out thyroid problems or perhaps an issue with the pituitary gland. Treatment of hot flashes centers on replacing the hormone(s) that are becoming deficient. This is known as HRT – Hormone Replacement Therapy. In women, this involves replacing estrogen usually by giving them estradiol. It is available in pills, topical
films or patches and gels that can be applied to the skin. It is not without risk, though; as the oral forms can increase the risk of certain conditions, namely breast cancer, dementia, stroke and formation of blood clots. There is some good evidence that the transdermal types that absorb through the skin such as a cream, gel or patch, can provide the beneficial effects and minimize the adverse risks better than oral forms. But, if a woman is taking HRT, and still has a uterus, there is a need to take some
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progesterone to minimize the risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer. Men may find some relief by taking testosterone, as long as they are a good candidate after a discussion with their provider. It is a good idea, depending on the severity of your symptoms, to first try some alternative therapies that are more natural, before actual moving to HRT. Phytoestrogens are a class of substances found in ginseng, yams, red clover and soy. While no studies have shown the level of statistical significance needed to imply a true effect, they have given relief to many and show a trend toward improvement.
Also, flaxseed has been very promising as it contains a type of phytoestrogen known as lignans, which have fairly potent effects on estrogen modulation and may even be able to be used in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. A large study is now
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being conducted by the National Cancer Institute to this end. There is hope that this substance may bestow the positive effects of limiting hot flashes and improving quality of life without increasing the risk of breast cancer. There are some other medicines that are occasionally used in place of estrogen – clonidine, SSRI’s (anti-depressants) and gabapentin. These have effects on either the blood vessels directly, or the autonomic nervous system which regulates temperature in the body. If you are interested, have a discussion with your doctor and find out more about what might be right for you based upon your family history, personal history and other factors. If hot flashes are limiting your quality of life – don’t settle for that! We really do enjoy hearing from you with any questions, concerns, or ideas for future columns and/or health and wellness related issues for the Georgia Mountain Laurel. Please send an email to rabundoctor@gmail.com, or call us at 706.782.3572, and we will be sure to consider your input. This and previous articles can be now be found on the web at www. rabundoctor.com in an archived format. If you use Twitter, then follow us for health tips and wellness advice @rabundoctor. Like and follow our Facebook page at facebook.com/rabundoctor. Until next month, live healthy and be well!
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Love Yourself Enough To Live A Healthy Lifestyle
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February 2017
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By The Way
Ludlow scratched his head. “I’m not sure if this is Savannah or not. The date-o-meter says 1733, but the place-o-meter keeps blinking OGLETHORPVILLE.” Ludlow pounded the place-ometer several times, but it kept blinking OGLETHROPVILLE.
Once upon a time in Savannah
“Is Oglethorpe not going to name this place Savannah like it says in the history books?” I asked.
by Emory Jones
“Apparently not,” said Ludlow, pounding the place-o-meter again.
s you may know, I’m the owner, operator and chief mechanic of Georgia’s only publicly-operated time machine. I don’t like to brag about that, but it’s hard not
A
Before I could express my dismay, I spotted several men walking up from a boat parked on the river below us. “Is that Oglethorpe and them?” I asked Ludlow, wondering how we should address the British in 1733. I mean, with them not yet knowing about the Revolutionary War, and all.
I got the goat-powered time machine, The USS Fred MacMurray, from my friend the late Ludlow Porch, who bequeathed it to me in his will. I always assumed he’d leave it to his wife Nancy, but time-travel makes her swimmy-headed, so she didn’t really want it.
“It is,” said Ludlow, who’d quit pounding the place-o-meter to help me stare. The men wore three-cornered hats and shoes with big belt buckles on top. “Why are they wearing three-cornered hats?” I asked Ludlow.
to.
I’ll never forget our first time-out in The USS Fred MacMurray. For the trial run, we traveled back to 1733 to see General Oglethorpe found Georgia. I wasn’t convinced a one-goat time machine could take us that far back, but when we landed in sand and saw seagulls near a seashore, I figured we were close.
“Round hats haven’t been invented yet.” “Oh,” I said, feeling I should have known that. One man was a tall, thin fellow with an impressive head of red hair. He was doing a lot of pointing, so I assumed this was the soon-to-be-famous James Oglethorpe.
“Is this Savannah in 1733?” I whispered, once the goat, whose name by the way is Grady, caught his breath.
“That’s him all right,” said Ludlow. “Although he’s thinner than I thought.”
“There’s no need to whisper,” said Ludlow. “No one can see or hear us as long as we stay here in the time machine’s cyclosphere bubble.”
“He’ll put on weight once he gets a few Georgia grits under his girdle,” I replied.
“Oh,” I said. “I’ll remember that.”
“Oh,” I said.
“They haven’t invented grits yet,” said Ludlow. I hated eavesdropping, but since Ludlow was, I figured listening in must be acceptable in historical situations–sorta’ like it was with those old telephone party lines. I could only pick up bits and bobs of the conversation, but Oglethorpe was using words like “beseecheth” and I heard one fellow say they were having bangers and mash for supper. Eventually, General Oglethorpe unwrapped a little wooden sign with “OGLETHORPVILLE” painted on it. He hammered it to a pine with one of those square 1730s-style nails. When Oglethorpe stepped back to admire his handiwork, a group of women wearing sensible shoes marched straight towards him. The women didn’t even say “cheerio” to the general. Instead, they huffed right past him to the pine he’d nailed the sign to. The tallest woman snatched his little sign off and smashed it on a rock. Two others nailed up a larger sign that said SAVANNAH. The place-o-meter reflected the change right off. Oglethorpe just nodded and tipped the third corner of his hat as the women passed him on their way back. History should reflect that he also heaved a great sigh. “Well, at least they’ll let him name Jekyll Island,” said Ludlow, looking relieved that Savannah was now safely named Savannah. “I guess that’s something.” “It is,” I replied. “Where do you want to go now? These no-seeums are eating me up.” “Let’s head towards Macon and see if we can catch up with de Soto in 1540. You up for it?” I was, although I hoped 1540 no-see-ums wouldn’t bite as bad as the 1733 models. It turns out they do, but I’ll tell you about that next time.
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February 2017
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