ome is where the heart is and where a lot of us have spent the majority of our time recently. I have noticed more cob webs, walls that need a fresh coat of paint and dreamt of new flooring and windows, and furniture. How bout you? Have you cleaned out closets, attics and junk drawers? Might be a good time to get those projects done and it’s always easier to call a pro!
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On the real estate front it is most definitely a sellers market meaning it’s a great time to put that home or property on the market. Buyers are looking for home and the mountains are where they want to be. If there is an industry that Covid-19 has not affected, it’s the real estate market. We have featured four incredible homes in this issue from three of our best companies so be sure to take a look at those. There are some terrific recipes in this issue and Peter takes us on an exciting trip to Hardman Farms. This entire year has been a roller coaster thus far, but businesses are beginning to open up and visitors are making their way to northeast Georgia. Most business owners and encouraging social distancing and masks. With all of the unknowns with this Coronavirus it just makes sense to take precautions as much for others as for yourself. We do hope you are all staying well and have plans to celebrate with family and friends the birthday of our nation. Call ahead about events to be sure they are still planned. Be safe in your travels and enjoy July!
Tracy
Publisher/Editor - Tracy McCoy Assistant Editor - D’Anna Coleman Art Director - Dianne VanderHorst Graphic Designer - Lucas McCoy Office Manager/ Account Executive - Cindi Freeman Account Executive - Melynda Hensley Photographer/Writer - Peter McIntosh
Contributing Writers: Mark Holloway, Stephen Jarrard, MD, John Shivers, Emory Jones, Jan Timms, Jacie McCall Lorie Thompson, Liz Alley, Emory Jones, Joel Hitt, Dick Cinquina, Karla Jacobs, Will Griffin, Kendall Rumsey
Georgia Mountain Laurel Mailing: PO Box 2218, Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 2511 Highway 441, Mountain City, Georgia 30562 706-782-1600 • www.gmlaurel.com
July 2020 • Volume Seventeen • Issue Seven Copyright 2016 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 Mountain Homes 8 10 12 16 20 26 30
Cover Artist Randy’s Gas, Steel & Welding Harry Norman Luxury Lake & Mtn Featured Home Reeves Renovation Harry Norman Luxury Lake & Mtn Featured Home Poss Realty Featured Home Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Featured Home
A Taste 36 38
Bon Appetit The Family Table
Affairs to Remember 42
Mountain Happenings Event Calendar
Outdoors 46 50
Adventure Out Lovin The Journey
Faith in Christ 52 54 56
R4G-Will Griffin River Garden Grandmas Prayer Journal
Health & Wellness 60
Live Healthy & Be Well
Looking Back 64 74
Rabun County Historical Society July 4th Celebrations
Community 62 63 66 68 69 70 71 72
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Of These Mountains Stacked & Stoned Hurt Stolz, P.C. Habitat for Humanity Through My Eyes By The Way The Sky Is Falling Pt.1 A Childs Pack of Four
On Our Cover
The Heart of Rabun Kevin Croom by Tracy McCoy
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ave you ever met someone who makes it all look easy? Whether it is mastering Crossfit, the challenging fitness program that has left many lying in the dust or capturing a photo so extraordinary it leaves the viewer in awe of God and His earth, Kevin Croom makes it look easy. Always up for a challenge and a new beginning this radio station owner, radio broadcaster, turned REALTOR® has embraced life and refuses to let go. Some have said he doesn’t have an enemy in the world because everybody loves Kevin. Perhaps it is his personality or his winning smile, or his willingness to trudge up the side of a mountain, jump in a plane with friend and boss Scott Poss and explore property from the aerial view. Kevin will leave no stone unturned in an effort to achieve his goals. If your sale or purchase has been on that list, then you know what I am talking about. His eye for photography has served him well in his real estate career and has been an asset to those who trust him to represent them. “I love my job! Meeting people and helping them find their place in the mountains has been a dream come true.” Kevin has been on the team at Poss Realty since 2017 and has listing and selling many mountain homes. “It is a sellers’ market right now, and I am looking for listings. I have buyers who are looking and it’s a great time to make the decision to sell. Homes and property are selling quickly in this market.” Photography has been another great source of pleasure for this dog-loving, kind human. His first camera found a place in his hands as a teen. Nikons and Canons are the Fords and Chevys of the camera world. Kevin’s first car was a Plymouth and his camera is an Olympus. He has his own style and it is threaded throughout his expansive portfolio. He is a self-taught photographer, learning in the field for the most part. His favorite subject has and will always be his dogs Bongo and Sarah Belle. His collection also includes sunsets and sunrises, miles of layered mountains, clouds, curvy roads, macro anything, a fresh fawn in the morning light, and rusty, dusty life. When he isn’t listing and selling property, walking the dogs, or shooting photos, he is spending time with his dad, Clayton Croom, playing with great nephew Cason or pushing his limits at Rootdown Crossfit in Clayton. Living life is what Kevin does best with a smile, a twinkle in his eyes and kindness in his heart.
FYI you can see more of Kevin’s photography on his facebook page. If you are interested in talking with Kevin about real estate or would like to take a peek at his listings you have a couple options: www.heartofrabun.com or on Facebook @kevincroompossrealty. Finally a good ol’ fashioned phone call might be the best idea… 706-982-1371.
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In Business Randy’s Gas, Steel and Welding
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he name Randy Teague and welding are almost synonymous. With over 20 years in the business Randy made the decision to retire and take it easy at Randy’s Horse Camp, a business he has near his home hosting campers and guests looking to ride the mountain trails. A week was all it took for him to return to work, opening his own business Randy’s Gas, Steel and Welding located in the Emery’s Woodworking building located at 5312 Highway 441 South, in Tiger, Georgia. Randy will offer steel and welding supplies, can work with clients to customize their metal projects (handrails, gates, signs, etc.) Basically if it can be welded, he can do it. The gases that Randy will make available are: Oxy Acetylene, C25, Helium, Argon and Nitrogen. With Emery’s Woodworking and Randy’s Gas, Steel and Welding conveniently housed in one location you can get your wood or steel project underway, buy supplies you might need or have it done for you. For additional information please call 706-982-0899 or 706982-2942
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This Home is a Reflection of Its Owners by John Shivers
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olks who live in glass houses are cautioned about throwing stones. But when that home is located on a prime piece of Lake Rabun real estate, mere feet away from water’s edge, it’s okay to toss a stone or two. For that matter, you can throw a stone, throw a party, throw out a “y’all ALL come!” blanket invitation to family and friends. This breathtakingly beautiful house of glass and wood and stone at 5340 Brandon Mill Road in Lakemont reflects all that’s good about life on the lake. Just ask the kids in the magical tower. They’ll tell you about the wizardry, the magnificence of this architectural masterpiece that will keep your jaw dropping in amazement and awe. Every time you turn a corner in this 3,626± square foot unforgettable home, you’ll vow it can’t get any more interesting. And you would be oh, so wrong. It’s one of those houses that the longer you live there, the more intriguing that home becomes. This six bedroom, four and a half bath lodge straddles an architectural divide. Is it rustic? Contemporary? A traditional lake home, paying homage to the lake lifestyle heritage? Massive, innovative stonework – columns, fireplaces, staircases, accents - that harken to the home’s mountain roots, and other finishes, carry this home across several styles. The result is a house you’ll be proud to own; a dwelling that’s as artistic and unique as those discerning buyers who choose it. If ever a home was designed for living, this one stands out in the crowd. Whether you’re going to be outside during a Rabun
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County lakeside summer or inside to celebrate the holidays and usher in a new year, this home delivers in a big way toward your reputation as the hosts with the most. Outdoors, you’ll find open decks and screened porches, with the picturesque lake views just a stone’s throw away. You and your guests can choose between the sports court, a playhouse, your own private sandy beach with 327± feet of lake frontage, or simply sitting, chilling, enjoying the lake’s infamous ambience. The lyrical accompaniment of a babbling brook, the fire pit and the expansive entertainment deck atop the two-stall boathouse expand the outdoor enjoyment footprint. Designed along the same eclectic architectural lines as the house, fully-equipped,
state-of-the-art boat storage below gives way to party-central up top. The entertainment space includes both covered space and areas open to the wild blue yonder. An outdoor kitchen and a rejuvenating hot tub provide still more options for using this great asset. There’ll be no disappointment when winter cold takes the party indoors. Enter through the base of the tower to experience the soaring heights of the two-story, vaulted great room, where the home’s massive, exposed, timber-frame skeleton crowns the center of “action alley.” A pair of custom-crafted black wrought iron chandeliers draw the eyes upward, and a massive stone fireplace, one of three, provides an anchor and focal point for this versatile living space. The room flows seamlessly into the dining room and kitchen with high end appliances and finishes, all with unbelievable views of the water. The master suite has its own private deck overlooking the lake. Two guest rooms, the family room and screened porch enjoy those same views. Three other kid-themed bedrooms and bath in the magical tower create a home conceived in the luxury and promise that lake living fulfills, away from the rat race and the heat of the city. This home is a great place to throw stones. Harry Norman, REALTORS® Luxury Lake and Mountain Agent Evelyn Heald represents this magnificent property. Contact her at (cell) 404-372-5698 or (office) 706-212-0228 for more information.
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A New Look for a Rabun County Favorite
Reeves Hardware Company
one. A right leads you to their hardware department which got a facelift as well leading you back to the firearms, hunting department. Back up in front of hardware you’ll find coolers filled with Coach Joe’s line of foods, grill and outdoor kitchen accessories, and a sampling of the clothing that is available upstairs in the clothing department that got spruced up last year and continues to grow!
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eeves Hardware Company which includes various departments in multiple stores is a favorite of locals and visitors to the mountains and has been for decades! The store opened as a simple hardware store but has evolved into a shopping destination. Updates have been over the years but late last year the decision was made to do a substantial remodel and work began over the winter with a Grand Re-opening planned for May. The global pandemic hit and got in the way of those plans. The store had to shut down non-essential sections of the store and limit shopping to curbside for weeks. The Reeves family lost their mother/grandmother Carol Reeves in late April and lost their father/grandfather Lewis Reeves Jr. in late May. Employees and friends gathered on the street in front of the store to pay tribute to each one and the communities prayers have been with this family who has lost so much. When the family could open their doors back up with a commitment to observe safety precautions to keep their employees and customers safe, they did. They and we invite you to go by and see the renovation. The first thing you’ll notice when you walk in the door is that the check out desk is now in the middle of the floor making the traffic flow so efficient. A seasonal display area is set up showcasing the season’s must haves! New flooring and the new layout makes your initial impression a welcoming continued on page 18
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If you took a left after passing the new counter at the entrance you would find yourself in the gift department that has added some new and exciting lines, a special area now for housewares and a new bridal registry near gift wrapping. There truly is something here for every member of the family! If you continue up or if you enter just south of the main entrance you’ll find Reeves Furniture and you’ll find many changes happening here. Their entrance also got new flooring and truly everything got touched, from railings painted to new walls to fresh paint and the upstairs is basically all new. You will find beautiful luxury and casual home furnishings from the brands that they have trusted and some new ones. New art and home accessories, an all new Hunter Douglas showroom, mattress showroom and outdoor furniture upstairs and downstairs. The renovations really made an incredible difference in the look and feel of the store except that you will still find all of the wonderful things you expect when you think of Reeves Hardware and the same smiling faces will greet you when you walk in, same knowledgeable staff to assist you and the same family that appreciates your business.
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Downtown Clayton
Stay - Dine - Shop
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Kick Back and Enjoy All Lake Burton Has to Offer by John Shivers
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ake Burton is known as a “recreational” lake. Those early shakers and movers who tagged the lake in western Rabun County with that reputation, would be awe-struck today to learn how appropriate their intentions were. And nowhere is that promise better fulfilled than in the home at 87 Lynchburg Lane in Clarkesville. The lucky folks who live in this house have a front-row 1.22± acre lakeside seat on the fun. This Cape Cod style home on two levels provides plenty of sleeping space for the large family or the people with many friends. Five bedrooms and two bunk rooms afford plenty of flexible overnight hospitality options. Five full baths and two half-baths complement the bedrooms, and the bunk rooms afford both double and single sleeping accommodations. If you live in the city, Friday won’t come soon enough, and if you’re lucky enough to live here full-time, you’ll never want to “go to town!” Spacious is one of just many descriptive adjectives that define this 5,615± square foot home. But there are many others. Bright and light. High end style and finishes. Fantastic views. Room to breathe and live the highly-desired lake life that goes along with the property deed.
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Inside, a neutral white-on-white palette throughout provides the perfect foil for the outdoors that floods in, thanks to the vast expanse of glass. Splashes of color pop, as do the grooves in the tongue-and-groove walls and the warm, honey-tones of the antique chestnut flooring. This house with the decorator show house style doubles as a warm and cozy, very comfortable place to call home. A floor to ceiling stone fireplace anchors the great room and provides great heat as well for those nippy winter evenings. A second fireplace is found in the lower level living space, along with a second kitchen. This area opens onto a covered patio overlooking Burton, and provides space for outdoor entertaining, as well as access to the fire pit and the adjacent two-stall boathouse. The main level gourmet kitchen includes an oversize island and breakfast bar, solid surface counters, furniture-quality cabinetry, and top-of-the-line, professional quality stainless steel appliances including two dishwashers, microwave, restaurant style range and oven and large side-by-side refrigerator. A generously appointed walk-in pantry with wine cooler is only steps away. The formal dining area that seats eight or more is sandwiched between the great room and the kitchen, and has a built-in, lighted china closet. All three rooms enjoy an elevated view of the lake waters. Custom bookcases, vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and other unique architectural elements further contribute to the livability and visual appeal. A two-car garage provides parking space and additional storage. Anchoring one end of the main level is the master suite with generous closet space. The en suite bath echoes that spacious aspect, and includes a free-standing soaking tub, separate shower, and his and her vanities in matching chests. A separate seated make-up vanity area adds additional versatility. But if you’re going to live on the lake, you need to really live it up ON the lake. House your watercraft in the lower level of the two-stall boathouse. And when you’re not on the water, you can be looking out over the pristine Burton waters from your vantage point on the second level. Adjacent to the boathouse a dive dock adds another element of fun. Talk about kicking back! If a lodge-style home worthy of its Lake Burton address would give you the opportunity to kick back and relax, contact Agent Julie Barnett at Harry Norman, REALTORSŽ Luxury Lake and Mountain about MLS #8435235 at 404-697-3860 or at the office, 706-212-0228.
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Clarkesville, Georgia
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Wood’s Mercantile
Picture Yourself in This Rural Mountain Retreat By John Shivers
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icture it. A meandering country lane bordered by brilliant white rhododendron blooms. Sounds like something out of a mountain tourism photo, doesn’t it? In the case of the driveway at 377 Hope Haven Land in Rabun Gap, it’s more than just a beautiful picture. It’s most definitely real and when you live in the house at the end of that lane, it’s also yours! Picture that. In addition to the custom arts and crafts style home, and detached three-car garage, storage space, and a barn, there’s one other perk that goes with the package: a breathtaking panoramic view of the Wolffork Valley that’s the subject of
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many tourism photos. You’ll even get a fire pit overlooking that four-season vista. Perched atop one of the mountains in the northern end of Rabun County, this custom-designed rock and timber home accented with cedar corbelled gables and all-wood exterior, provides equal livability inside and out. Talk about a place to hang your hat. This twenty year-old home that emerges from the forest of rhododendron sits among mature plantings and landscaping that lend an air of solidity and permanence. It anchors the view from the home’s many windows, and you get the sense the house has been there always. What a great place to call home. What a great place to kick back and embrace a lifestyle that is uniquely Rabun County. One of the first things you notice upon entering the house is the sheer amount of wood used for walls, ceilings and floors. Naturally finished tongue-and-groove pine vertical and horizontal paneling and wainscoting provides the perfect foil for drywall and other finishes. The ceilings are also tongueand-groove. A massive stone fireplace anchors the living area on the main floor and provides a source of warmth and cozy eye candy on cold winter nights. This 3,773± square foot two story home provides the ultimate in comfortable living. From the covered timber frame entry to the open decks and covered porches on the rear, whoever lives here will find so many places to relax and entertain. The use of no-maintenance Trex® on all these outdoor porches means no worry and even more time to enjoy your rural retreat. Four bedrooms and four baths make it easy to host overnight guests or to house a large family. The wide open spaces on the main level only increase this home’s ability to accommodate large groups and to flow them easily. A spacious kitchen with more than ample cabinets in pecan and a full-complement of stainless appliances makes meal preparation a snap. The resident chef will enjoy the topof-the-line range and oven, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher. Whether they’re cooking for two or twenty-two, this kitchen is large enough for more than one cook to work comfortably, and there’s a spacious pantry as well. A buffet / breakfast bar expands the kitchen’s versatility and aids in feeding the crowd. Thanks to the home’s siting and the many windows, natural light flows throughout, and marries the great outdoors with the comfortable living the home’s designers envisioned. Three of the home’s bedrooms are on the main level. In the lower daylight level, a spacious suite ideal for in-laws or adult kids and a game room provide more options for good living. But here’s the kicker. In addition to the beauty of the site and the livability of the home, this property is being sold with all the furnishings. All you have to do is move in and kick back. Picture that! Catch this opportunity now. Call Jim Blalock at Poss Realty at 706-490-1404 or at the office 706-746-5962. Reference MLS #8799352.
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Ride Into the Northeast Georgia Sunset By John Shivers
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f the king of the old west cowboys, Roy Rogers, had ever seen the spread at 1261 Preacher Campbell Road outside Clarkesville, he’d have been crooning “Happy Trails to You…” in the hills of northeast Georgia! Now’s your chance to take his place on this pristine 22± acre equestrian estate in the shadow of beautiful Mt. Yonah. The rolling pastures and wooded groves are the backdrop for some great country living. Between the new barn and a “ranch house” that’s grander than anything those horsemen of old could ever have envisioned, the buyer who calls this 6,000± square foot homestead theirs will be a part of the best of both worlds, inside and outside. This luxury Craftsman home employs the traditional stone ledge and board and batten exterior with braced gable ends and round-top windows. A massive timbered covered front entryway bids one and all a hearty welcome. Pristine attention to exterior architectural detail is a big clue to what lies beyond the leaded glass front door.
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Upon entering, your eyes immediately spy the tongue and groove vaulted ceiling that crowns the great room, the dining room, and the open, spacious kitchen. Everywhere you look, there’s wide open space in this portion of the home. A two-sided stacked stone fireplace separates the living room and the dining room, where twelve or more can easily gather. This is one of five fireplaces in the home. Premium hardwood floors, nine-foot-plus ceilings and exposed beams further enhance the perception of space… space… space. In the gourmet kitchen that’s large enough for the resident chef and a few assistants as well, high end quality furniture style cherry cabinetry holds the full complement of stainless steel appliances including an induction cook top, convection oven, dishwasher, indoor grill, and oversize refrigerator. Granite tops the cabinets, an island and breakfast bar. The adjacent breakfast room increases seating space, and the walkin pantry adds to the convenience factor, as do the nearby mudroom and laundry. The master bedroom is on this main level, and the en suite bath contains separate soaking tub and shower, dual vanities, and oversized walk in closets. There are three other bedrooms and three additional baths and a half-bath, a library/office, a gym and family room, a recreation room large enough for a pool table, a theater/media room, and a wine cellar. The attic could be finished for additional living space. On the daylight terrace level is an apartment ideal for in-laws or live-in staff, complete with bedroom, bath, kitchen and living area. Covered and screened porches look out on beautiful northeast Georgia four-season mountain views, with facilities to cook and dine watching the sun drop below the trees. This home delivers a comfortable, luxurious lifestyle both indoors and outdoors, and is at best an ideal marriage between country farm and city ambience. The garage holds three cars, and there’s generous parking space besides. The four stall barn is new, and in addition to space for the horses and adjacent tack room, there’s also a wine tasting room with a bar, a dining room with yet another stacked stone fireplace, and an outdoor deck. Ten acres are fenced pasture lands that offer several different options. Run-in stalls and a large riding ring are waiting for the sound of hoof beats and soft whinnies. If you’re ready to climb into the saddle for this exquisite horse property, contact Meghann Brackett at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Georgia Properties with offices in Clayton and Clarkesville. Her cell phone number is 706-968-1870 and the office number is 706-778-4171. Her email address is meghann. brackett@bhhsgeorgia.com. This property is MLS #8737290.
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Finding Art July 2020 - 35
Bon Appétit Backyard Picnic By Scarlett Cook
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t doesn’t have to be a holiday like the 4th of July to have a picnic; just grab a blanket or wipe off the family’s picnic table and have dinner outside. These easy recipes have familiar ingredients and won’t break the bank. So pull out the paper plates and plastic flatware (or anything that can stand up to a meal outside) and enjoy a “night out”.
Honey – Pecan Chicken Strips Serves 6 1/2 Teaspoon salt 1/2 Teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 Teaspoon ground red pepper 1/2 Teaspoon black pepper 2 Pounds chicken breast strips 1/4 Cup honey 1/4 Cup Dijon mustard 2 Garlic cloves, minced 2 Cups finely chopped pecans 1/2 Teaspoon curry powder 1/2 Cup Dijon mustard 1/2 Cup honey Preheat oven to 375˚. Place chicken in sealable plastic bag. Combine salt, thyme, red pepper and black pepper; sprinkle over chicken. Combine 1/4 cup mustard, 1/4 cup honey and garlic; pour over chicken. Seal bag and chill at least 2 hours. Remove chicken from marinade. Dredge chicken in pecans. Place on greased rack in a foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until chicken is done. Stir together 1/2 cup mustard, 1/2 cup honey and curry powder. Serve sauce with chicken.
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Bacon & Onion Potato Salad Serves 6 – 8 4 Pounds red potatoes 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream 1 Cup mayonnaise 1 Teaspoon salt 1/2 Teaspoon black pepper 1 Bunch green onions, chopped 1/4 Cup fresh flat leaf parsley 4 Bacon slices, cooked and crumbled Boil potatoes until tender. Drain and let cool. Cut into 1/2” slices. Stir together sour cream, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Stir together potatoes, sour cream mixture, onions and parsley in a large bowl. Cover and chill at least one hour. Sprinkle with bacon just before serving. Red Grapefruit Salad Serves 6 1/3 Cup juice from canned red grapefruit segments 1 Teaspoon grated lemon rind 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil 2 Tablespoons honey 1 1/2 Teaspoons mustard 1/4 Teaspoon salt 1/4 Teaspoon black pepper 1 Bag prewashed spinach 1 Cup shredded carrots 1 Can red grapefruit segments 1/4 Small red onion, minced Croutons Whisk juice, lemon rind, lemon juice, oil, honey, mustard, salt and pepper together. Divide spinach onto 6 plates; layer carrots, grapefruit segments and onion over spinach. Drizzle with dressing. S’mores Sundaes Serves 4 2 Cups chocolate chunk ice cream, softened 20 Graham crackers, crushed 1/2 Jar marshmallow cream 4 Teaspoons semisweet chocolate mini-morsels Stir together softened ice cream and crushed crackers in a bowl. Cover and freeze until firm. Spoon ice cream into four bowls; top with marshmallow cream and chocolate morsels.
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The Family Table By Lorie Thompson
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appy July! If your family is like mine, the BBQ grill and the smoker will get their workout this month, but sometimes cooking indoors (in the air conditioning) and having the meal prepped early in the day is just the right thing. Let me tell you about one of my family’s favorites! This meal can be prepared early in the day and easily reheated at serving time. It gets better each time it is heated. When my brother, Cannon, was serving in Viet Nam, his wife, Ruth, lived with a friend on the Army base in Texas. Her friend, “Hoppy,” taught Ruth many of her family’s traditional Mexican dishes, and Ruth brought them home to us. We were eating Mexican food in Wiley, Georgia, and loving it, long before Rabun County had a real Mexican restaurant. The fresh, spicy food still hits all of my buttons and is one of my all-time favorites! Let’s start with Carnitas. Slow-cooked pork is always a big hit in my house. I use an Insta-pot to make them, but overnight in the crock pot will work, too. Start with a 4-6 pound pork shoulder or “Boston Butt.” I like the shoulder meat as it has higher fat content than the loin or the ham, which can get dried out with long cooking methods. Cut it into similar-sized pieces. Cooking time will be based on how large your pieces are. I cut mine into four or five parts from a 5-6 pound Butt and cook it for 60 minutes in the Insta-Pot. Thoroughly season all sides of the meat with garlic
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powder and salt or garlic salt. Use the Saute’ feature on the Insta-Pot or in a skillet, to completely brown each side of each
piece. When the pork is brown, add 4-5 dried Guajillo Peppers with the stems removed and 2-3 Pasilla peppers. You can buy these dried peppers at the grocery in the Mexican food section. They are very inexpensive and bring a ton of flavor to the dish. Add one whole onion, sliced and 3-4 garlic cloves, sliced. If you have an orange, cut it into quarters and place it in the pot, too, for added flavor. Cook in the Insta-Pot on high pressure for 60 minutes, with a natural pressure release. (another 45 minutes.) I serve the Carnitas with warm corn tortillas, home-made Cilantro and Lime Rice, cumin-spiced, Black Beans, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole. Let me tell you how to make the rest of this meal. For the rice, follow package directions for 1 cup of dry rice. I like Jasmine Rice for this. (You could use boiling bag rice, too; add in a little garlic powder to prepared rice instead of the fresh garlic listed below) To your cooking liquid, add 1 tsp of finely minced garlic and 1 tsp of salt—Cook rice following the directions. Fluff the rice with a fork after cooking. Add two finely chopped green onions (scallions) while still warm and allow the rice to cool. After the rice has cooled, add the juice and zest from 1 lime, 1/2 cup of finely chopped Cilantro, and a dash of red pepper flakes. For the black beans, drain and rinse two 15 oz cans. Add to a skillet with 2 T of bacon drippings or oil. Cook beans and mash with a wooden spoon as you cook them. Add 1/2 tsp granulated garlic or garlic powder and 1/2 tsp Cumin to the beans along with 1 1/2 C of liquid from the Carnitas. Continue to heat until the beans are soft. Add more liquid if needed. For the Pico, finely chop eight small or four large ripe tomatoes. To the chopped tomatoes, add 3-4 finely chopped green onions, 1/2 C finely chopped Cilantro, and 1-2 Seeded, Jalapenos. (taste the pepper for heat and add accordingly.) Season the vegetables with salt. Add 2 T of red wine vinegar and the juice from 1/2 half of a lime. (Add more if the lime is dry.) Taste for seasonings and adjust as needed. The Guacamole will only be as good as your Avocado. Look for dark-skinned, Haas Avocados. Pick ripe fruit, but not soft with the stem end still intact. Cut three Avocados around the seed pod. Twist to open and remove the seed pod using a sharp knife hacked into the seed. Scoop the Avocados into a bowl and add the juice of a lime. Add 1 T of mayonnaise, and 1 T of sour cream, add 1/2 tsp of cumin, crushed red pepper, chili powder, and 2 T of your Pico mix. Mash all ingredients with a fork until thoroughly mixed—taste for seasoning. Cover with plastic wrap that is in direct contact with the Guac to prevent the Avocados from turning brown. continued on page 40
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The Family Table continued
When you are ready to serve your meal, reheat your pork by pulling the chunks of meat into serving-sized pieces. Place the pulled pork into an oven-proof pan and put under the broiler for a few minutes until the Carnitas are warm and crispy. Serve the Carnitas alongside the Refried Black Beans, Cilantro and Lime Rice, warm corn tortillas, Guacamole, and Pico De Gallo. Add in some Queso Fresco Cheese, sour cream, pickled jalapenos, and a big pitcher of Horchata or Margarita’s and enjoy a Mexican inspired feast! I hope you will enjoy making this Mexican inspired meal. It is an easy make-ahead meal that keeps your time in the kitchen to a minimum when your family and guest are with you. It is an easy meal to share out tasks if you have help offered. My family usually makes Pico and the Guac while I do the rice and beans. Let them help you! May God bless you and your family this Summer with warm, sunshine-filled days, cool nights made for good sleeping, and lots of spicy Mexican food.
Lorie Thompson is a REALTOR at Poss Realty in Clayton, Georgia. Her expertise in her industry is second only to her culinary talents. Lorie is a dynamo in the kitchen. Honestly if she prepares it, it will likely be the best you’ve ever had! Lorie and her husband, Anthony (Peanut), make their home in the Persimmon Community. She is the proud mother of Joe Thompson and Kendall Thompson.
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Mountain Happenings CCCRA Friday Summer Concert Series Bring your favorite lawn chair, your sweetheart and family, and come out for our FREE summer concerts on the Historic Courthouse Square in downtown Hayesville! No registration or tickets required! Red Bucket Donations appreciated. Food and beverage service available at 6pm and music gets underway at 7pm. For information, 828-415-1623 July 3rd - The Elderly Brothers July 17th - Wyatt Espalin & Friends July 31st - Southern Vantage August 7th - Chris Stalcut & The Grange August 21st - Alex Key & the Locksmiths September 4th - Gnarly Fingers September 18th - Caribbean Cowboys September 25th - Lindsy Beth Harper Band October 2nd - Kaleb Barrett and Band CCCRA’s Friday Night Concert Series is currently scheduled to begin with a concert on Friday, July 3rd. However, North Carolina is still in Phase 2 of reopening, and until we see the numbers we are allowed to host in Phase 3, our concert schedule is subject to change. Please check our website www.cccra-nc.org and look under events to see the schedule as it is updated. All concerts are held outdoors on the Square of Hayesville, NC
The Ida Cox Music Series The Ida Cox Music Series returns to Downtown Toccoa, running every Saturday from July through September. Each concert begins at 7pm with an opening act, followed by a headliner at 8pm. The event is free and open to the public. We encourage you to bring a lawn chair. Food, cold drinks, beer, and wine will be available from local vendors. We ask that you please considering supporting Downtown Toccoa vendors when you come down to hear the music. NOTE: Main Street Toccoa will be utilizing all CDC-recommended guidelines for hosting public events during the Ida Cox Music Series. Areas will be clearly marked six feet apart for families to gather. We also encourage the use of
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masks and will have a limited supply available at each concert. A handwashing station will be set up. Additionally, for the first time ever, we will be LIVE STREAMING the entire concert series on Facebook for folks to watch from the comfort of their homes, should they prefer to remain home. July 4th - Abbey Road Live!, Beatles Tribute July 11th - Edgar Loudermilk, Bluegrass July 18th - Simple Life Band, Classic Rock, Blues, Country July 25th - Alman Brothers Tribute, Southern Rock August 1st - Dirty Roots, Country & Southern Rock August 8th - Split Shot, Classic Rock August 15th - Radio Rangers, Americana August 22nd - Packway Handle, Bluegrass August 29th - Milkshake Mayfield, Jazz September 5th - Toccoa Jazz, Jazz September 12th - ThunderGypsy, Southern Soul & Blues September 26th - Randall Bramblett, Southern Roots Rock For more information, please contact the Main Street Department at 706-282-3232.
Celebrate the 4th of July in Hiawassee The 4th of July Lake Chatuge Boat Parade will begin at the Sunset Bay Cove at 10:30am Saturday, July 4 and will move past the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, under the Anderson Bridge, and past the Hiawassee Beach before disbanding. For more information, 706-896-4966 The prettiest place to watch fireworks on the 4th is at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds! Family friendly and plenty of room for everyone to spread out & enjoy. Bring your American Pride and let’s celebrate America’s Birthday! Fireworks begin at 9:45pm. For more information, 706-896-4191
Fireworks at Hayesville, NC Fireworks sponsored by the Clay County Chamber will be held at the Clay County ball fields in Hayesville, North Carolina. For Information, 828-389-3704
4th of July Fireworks Over Franklin Fireworks sponsored by The Town of Franklin begin at 9:30pm on the Highlands Road. For more information - 828524-2516 or www.townoffranklin.com
Fireworks in Blairsville, Georgia Watch the skies over Meeks Park light up with an explosion of color! Come out and enjoy this beautiful experience. Come early and enjoy all the extra activities for the family and find your perfect place to watch the show. Meeks Park, 11 Pool Lane (1/2 mile west of Blairsville HWY 515W), Blairsville, Georgia. For more information - 706-745-5789 or www.visitblairsvillega.com
4th of July Rodeos Rabun County 4th of July Celebration Rodeo July 2nd & 3rd at Rabun Arena. 100 E. Boggs Mountain Rd.
Clarkesville Market Place Saturdays 9am - noon through September Beside the Gazebo, on the Square in Clarkesville, GA Local Produce, Crafts and more! For Information - 706-778-4654 Clayton Farmers’ Market Each Saturday 9am-12:30pm through October Seasonal Fruit & Vegetables, Meat, Mushrooms, Plants, Herbs, Grains, Baked Goods, Jams & Jellies, Flowers, Crafts & More. For more information - 706-490-3837 In the Northeast Georgia Food Bank Parking Lot 46 Plaza Way - Clayton, GA 30525 Community Market of Rabun County Saturdays 9am-1pm through October Local Produce, Art & More
- Tiger, GA 30576.
August 8th - Rabun County Car Show, 10am-3pm
Bar W Agricultural Scholarship Fund Rodeo
at the Rabun County Pavilions (Behind the Civic Center) 201 West Savannah Street - Clayton, GA 30525 For Information 706-982-9432
Top cowboys and cowgirls will compete in 8 events: Saddle bronc riding, Steer Wresting, Bareback bronc riding, Team Roping, Calf Roping, Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, Rodeo Clown. Bleacher style seating - first come, first serve. FREE parking. $15 Adults, $10 Kids, ages 5-10 Kids under 5 Free Event starts at 8 PM each night, gates open at 6 PM.
Georgia Mountain Moonshine Cruiz-In July 30 & 31 - August 1, 2020, 8am-5pm at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds - Hiawassee, GA
Saturday July 4th & Sunday July 5th, 2020 at Cutworm’s Corral, 4637 Downings Creek Road, Hayesville, North Carolina.
For more information - 770-548-2358
Enjoy three fun filled days of good ole mountain hillbilly fun. See a Pioneer village, real moonshine still in the works, mountain crafts, and plenty of hot classic cars, trucks, bikes, rat rods and more! For Information - 706-8964191, georgiamountainfairgrounds.com
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), events may change. Though accurate at press time, please confirm details with event organizers. July 2020 - 43
Have a Happy 4th of July!
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Adventure Out
Helen to Hardman Farm Heritage Trail By Peter McIntosh
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or our July adventure we’re taking a nice easy stroll alongside the Chattahoochee River on the Helen to Hardman Farm Heritage Trail. The trail gets its name from the Hardman Farm historical site located across Highway 17 from the Nacoochee Indian Mound. The Indian mound, with the very recognizable gazebo on top is part of the original Hardman property. The farmstead was built in 1870 by Captain James Nichols. The last owner was Dr. Lamartine Hardman, who served as governor from 1927 to 1931. The site was then donated to the state of Georgia in 1999. You can learn all about it when you visit the site. Hopefully some of the structures will have reopened by time you read this. On my visit the buildings and visitor’s center were closed due to Covid-19. The trail however, is open from dawn to dusk every day and there is no fee at the parking areas at either end of the trail. The pathway itself is a one mile concrete path that leads from the south end of Helen to the Hardman Farm, running along the Chattahoochee River the whole way. Bicycles are allowed and the entire trail is handicapped accessible. There are benches here and there along the trail and an observation platform at the Nora Mills dam. I found it interesting to see the dam from this side versus
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from the highway into Helen where I’ve seen it for many decades. Also on this trail is a Hardman Farm sign with cutouts so you can stick your face in the holes for a fun FB/ Instagram photo. I would suggest starting at the Helen side so that when you’re done with your hike, you can enjoy a treat or a frosty beverage in this charming alpine village. Or cool off in the river you just hiked along by doing a nice relaxing tube trip. So down and back is a two mile total hike that could be enjoyed by the whole family. Happy hiking!
A personal recommendation: One of my favorite hangouts in Helen is Bigg Daddy’s Restaurant and Tavern, just up the road, 1/4 mile on the left, on Edelweiss Strasse from the Helen trailhead. Great food, great selection of craft beers on tap and a friendly staff. As summer goes by, here’s my poem for July: It’s a nice easy hike with lots of charm, Along the Chattahoochee to the Hardman Farm, Then back up the trail where there’s just no tellin’, All the fun you can have in the town of Helen. Getting there: The entrance to the Hardman Farm parking area and trailhead is on Hwy 17, across from the Nacoochee Indian Mound, just east of the intersection with State Hwy 75. (The road between Helen and Cleveland.) The trailhead on the Helen end is on Kollock Street, off of Edelweiss Strasse right behind the Jameson Inn on the south end of Helen.
Hardman Farm Historic Site: On the web: https://gastateparks.org/HardmanFarm Phone:706-878-1077 Bigg Daddy’s: http://www.biggdaddys.com/ To see more of Peter’s photos, or if you have a question or comment: www.mcintoshmountains.com
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Lovin’ the Journey Two perspectives
O
By Mark Holloway
ur current culture has taught me elements about history I’ve not fully appreciated until now.
History is captured by two critical features: who’s telling the story, and the writer’s perspective. I sincerely hope by now the riots have long ended, the protesters heard, and the lawless facing justice. I also hope the virus is arrested. But how these tandem events have been reported scream perspective. It’s quite convenient to celebrate lawlessness in the streets unless it’s my street. Imposing broad and sweeping controls is great unless it threatens my freedom. We humans are by nature contradictory. When we are left unchecked, we lean towards hypocrisy. Lord, help us. Read on. .... I imagine many boys and girls, men and women living in the colonies spoke with at least an echo of a British accent. There were some hints of Holland in there too, I reckon. If I’d lived during the mid 1700s in the Original 13, I can see myself as a lumber jack, a craftsman, wood worker or carpenter. I’d definitely be outdoors. Don’t hem me in. Rock climbing, distance running and cycling would come along much later. So I’d have to satisfy my adrenaline craving by making a living doing something creative and risky. I would have hunted then as I do now. Let me further set the stage. I’d be living right here in these Georgia mountains, which in the 1700s, were wild and mostly undiscovered. The reasons for me being in this land would be because the brave women and men in my bloodline risked reinventing themselves and caught a slow boat to the New World. The British soldiers and bureaucrats would have been lurking in every corner, collecting some type of payment. They would have been looking for a handout to pay for king George’s deranged lifestyle. The money they’d take from me would pay for their fancy red jackets and bosses’ big white wigs. I suppose I’d reluctantly surrender something to pacify them. After all my single hunting blackpowder rifle was no match for their arsenal, cannons, and sheer numbers of foot soldiers. I certainly would have been woods smart, but I would have been no match for their imperial arrogance. My neighbor Robert, would also be a fellow settler to this new place. But he is a Loyalist in George’s scheme and gets paid to monitor life in the area. His kids and my kids play together. He and I would share an occasional pint at our local tavern. But his story and mine are vastly different. My great grandfather left England to worship Jesus freely. His father is a lord and land baron south of London. I work the land, hunt to eat, and build to buy what my family
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needs. But I’m also connected to the influencers in the colonies. I can feel trouble brewing. Good, hardworking folks are getting pressed for more and more money. And the money doesn’t stay in the village. In fact, my ‘taxes’ are placed on a ship and leave the continent all together. My government employee neighbor keeps reminding me I owe the system for my existence. Needless to say, our conversations at the local pub are lively, and growing more and more animated. Eventually we agree to disagree. One day Robert is told to return to England with his family. He’s not a soldier and would not fit in should trouble stir. He gets asked by Parliament to write about how life was in Georgia. I get asked to write and report for another George. A city would get named for him. Two former neighbors would write about the same event. I’d write about how hardworking folks built a new life for themselves while taking up arms against foreign rulers. Robert would tell of the ungrateful commoners living ‘across the pond’ and fantasizing about a dreadful life devoid of royal culture and oversight. I hope we will remember this Fourth for something beyond our fireworks displays from Dillard, Sky Valley, Lake Rabun and Lake Burton. I hope we will all soak in the history of our land. My prayer is we will appreciate the musket fire, the soaked bandages, and legless ancestors who decided they’d rather be maimed or dead rather than controlled by tyranny. Celebrate together. Be healthy. Laugh and fellowship. Raise a pint towards heaven. Pray and cheer for our country. History is painted by perspective. My perspective is proudly American. See you on the trail. Mark and his wife, Carol, are the owners of Fresh Start, a company dedicated to stewarding the property and homes of their clients. They aspire to be your eyes, ears and hands while you are away, and your resource for anything you need, whether you are a full or part time resident of the area. Mark can be reached by calling 706.490.7060.
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“...one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
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hen we peer into the past, every nation in the history of the world has dark historical corners and weaknesses. Nazi Germany, The Soviet Union, The Roman Empire, The Assryian Empire, and The Babylonian Empire are a few examples that we as Westerners would point out as nations marred by dark events in history. Likewise, The United States of America is far from immune to the presence of dark historical truths. We could point to many examples and possibly there are many more which will never be publicly known. However, it is not my intent to point fingers, we have enough of that in our day. I would like to address three questions provoked by recent events in our nation which threaten to demolish the foundations from which we as citizens of The United States of America have enjoyed much prosperous fruit. Why do these unsightly, uncalled for, and unrighteous realities of history exist? What is the answer to the existence of events such as these? Finally, can we prevent the future propagation of such realities? Why do these unsightly, uncalled for, and unrighteous realities of history exist? Some would contend that there is a systematic agenda to propagate injustices within the World. I would say yes. However, this is no work of a national government. No, this is a work much more subtle than an institutionalized hegemony with a systematic evil agenda. This reality of unrighteous and unjust events is not the product of an external force. No, the reality of unrighteous and unjust events is solely the product of the internal forces of sin present within individuals, men, women, boys, and girls. There are some hard realities about sin which we all should know and remember. God’s Word makes it clear there is no person apart from Jesus Christ who is or has ever been immune from the reality of sin. “...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (ESV, Romans 3:23). No person is ever forced to sin; because, sin is the product of individuals acting upon their own desires. The half brother of Jesus, James writes, “...each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (ESV, James 1:14-15). This means that each individual is solely responsible for his or her own sin. “The soul who sins shall die” (ESV, Ezekiel 18:4). That leads us to the final hard reality about sin we should know and remember. God is perfectly Holy and Just, He cannot have sin nor sinners in His presence. Therefore, all sin must be punished by God. He states that the only proper punishment is death and eternal separation from Him in a real place called Hell. Regardless of your perspective on current issues, we are all guilty of sin which equally separates us from God. While this is not an equality which should be celebrated, this truth should temper our attitudes toward one another when we see another’s sin. I believe Jesus addressed this issue quite directly when He said, “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how
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By Will Griffin can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (ESV, Matthew 7:3-5). What is the answer to the existence of events such as these? Many throughout history have attempted to answer and solve the reality of injustices in the world. Ultimately all human devised plans for justice and reconciliation fail. These plans falter merely because they are the product of sinners. Long, long ago, at the first unrighteous event in the history of creation, God revealed He already had a plan in place to answer the existence of sin and evil in creation. Ultimately, God is the only proper and authoritative purveyor of a solution to the existence of injustices and unrighteousness. Solely, because He holds the only perspective which is not tainted by the realities of sin. His plan is the only sufficient and proper solution. After the fall of Adam, Eve, and therefore all of humanity, God said to the ancient serpent in the Garden, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise Him on the heel” (NASB, Genesis 3:15). This physically very small portion of the Bible sets the entire context within which the Bible is written and foreshadows God’s entire canon of revelation, and His plan for humanity and the serpent. This sentence pointed to an event that would not happen until at least 4,000 years future to its time and another event which is yet future to us, no less than 6,000 years after God first spoke this to the serpent. This one verse within the third chapter of the first book of the Bible reveals that God planned to provide the way for fallen humanity to be restored, and that God has a plan for the serpent and all who fail to follow God’s plan for restoration. God’s plan for restoration is the seed of the woman. God revealed this Man would be at odds with the serpent, He would be wounded, but He would prevail over the serpent. Though He is fully man, this seed of the woman is not merely man. This seed of the woman is fully man and fully God. He is Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a perfect, holy, sinless life. He fulfilled the Law perfectly, in fact He is the perfect embodiment of the Law. Jesus willingly died once a final and selfless death on the cross, for all who would come to faith in Him and His work. Jesus sealed this death with a work which only He, being God could do. He rose from the dead on the third day. Jesus died so that all who trust in Him would be redeemed to a restored relationship with God. Jesus resurrected so that those who have died in His death can have new life and be new creations, with new desires, and new hearts. Within this relationship which
individuals enter through faith alone in the complete person and work of Christ Alone the answer to many of our present day problems is found. It is this Gospel which levels the playing field completely, in all attributes. This same Gospel united an extremely successful and wealthy Businesswoman, a poor and previously demonically possessed slave girl, and a salty, gritty, and rough Roman guard in the First Century Church of Philippi. There was no transfer of status, wealth or position in this union. The only transfer was that of the Spirit of God graciously given to each individual, which empowered them to set aside their selfish desires and apparent differences and commune around the common profession that Jesus Christ is Lord! Finally, can we prevent the future propagation of such realities? Solely on our own as humans, no we cannot prevent the future propagation of injustices and unrighteousness. Ultimately, bickering and the constant transfer of opinions and objections across whichever medium you choose only serves to broaden and deepen the gap of polarization present within our society. This attitude will only serve to ensure the further propagation of injustices and unrighteousness. While there are some examples of honest, open, and peaceful conversations which are helpful in their time. These conversations hold no power within themselves to rescue civilization from future injustices and unrighteousness. I love our Country because it affords us the freedom to seek liberty and justice. This is a freedom I have personally taken advantage of, however; when is enough, enough? Even in seeking justice and righteousness we as sinners can be found to be full of selfishness. We as humanity need something even greater than arbitration, no matter how civil it may be. Since the fall of humanity, all of humanity has been in need of a deliverer from our fallen state before God. We are all found to be in bondage to our sin, incapable of rescuing ourselves, incapable of choosing anything but our own sinful desires. We need to be new creations, with new desires, and new hearts of flesh. Only the one true Deliverer, Jesus Christ, and surrender to Him as Lord can and will ensure abolishment of injustices and unrighteousness. He alone will crush the head of the ancient serpent and put an end to all unrighteousness. The same restoration which occurred in the First Century Church of Philippi, is available to all today. There is no need for us to level the playing field on our own, Jesus did that! You can have new desires, a new heart, and be a new creation in Jesus Christ, and the person with the opposite viewpoint can too. The call is death to self, surrender your selfish desires, and follow faithfully after Jesus. Will you consider your selfish desires as nothing, before Him? Will you submit to Him making you a new creation? Will you faithfully follow Him? This is the only option which has true power to bring change. Surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord today. Will is the Director of Adult Discipleship at Clayton Baptist Church. He and his wife, Ashley, have been blessed by God to live in Rabun County for all their lives, and they have one child. For more information about Clayton Baptist Church please visit www.claytonbaptistchurch.com or call 706-782-4588
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Grandma’s Prayer Journal Cousins and Chaos By Karla Jacobs Vacation Bible School weeks were the best weeks at Granny Cantrell’s house.
June 21, 1978 I have written several times in other books lately; but tonight I have so much to remember. I’ve been sick the past several days with Shingles. I have felt so bad and had to stay so medicated that all I’ve done is rested and slept. During this time though, we have had Bible School at Bethel. I kept 7 of the grandchildren at night and Darrell & Chad, who stayed with Ronald, were here during the day. Part of the time I had Mark and Rene. The children had a ball and I was astonished at how well they got along. None of them were ready to go home when the week was over. I am so proud of them, and so glad they love to come to Granny’s and Papa’s. I hope I can always keep communication open with them.
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–Claudine Cantrell
he best week of summer each year was the one we all spent with Granny Cantrell and Papa Fred during Vacation Bible School week at Bethel Baptist Church. Their tiny house felt even tinier with laughing children and running feet filling it up. Granny was undaunted by the noise and the mess, and even shingles couldn’t stop her from hosting as many grandkids as could come that week. Vacation Bible School was one of the highlights of summer, at least for Baptist kids, and it is still a staple of southern summers for many. For about three hours every morning for a week, we went to church for Bible stories, songs, crafts, run around time, and snacks—vanilla butter ring cookies you could put on your fingers and eat around the petal-shaped edges were my favorite. I wore myself out marching around to “Father Abraham” and singing about Noah building the arky, arky. Every morning, Granny Cantrell got all of us ready, fed, and to the church on time, a remarkable accomplishment I didn’t fully appreciate until I had kids of my own. The older grandkids helped the younger ones get dressed while Granny filled the table with a huge country breakfast including pan after pan of fresh buttermilk biscuits we filled with butter and honey. Some of my fondest memories are sitting around her big farmhouse table splitting open biscuits and smothering them in milk gravy. We couldn’t all fit in Granny’s car to drive to church, so the older boys always walked, and Granny would let the younger ones take turns driving back home on the dirt road to her house. You had to be big enough to see over the steering wheel before you could be in the driving rotation for obvious reasons. The best part, though, was the time the grandkids, along with a niece and nephew or two, spent together after VBS was over for the day. I adored my cousins—still do—and the chance to spend a whole week at Granny’s house without our parents was always a treat. Although we had our moments, as all kids do, we were a low drama group, and I don’t remember many times that we didn’t get along, even after a whole week of togetherness. We were in close quarters at Granny’s house, often sleeping three to a bed, so we were motivated to keep the peace. When the weather was good, and sometimes when it wasn’t, we spent most of the daylight hours outside swimming in the lake and exploring the mountains. We damned up creeks, caught crawdads and salamanders, and searched high and low for the gold that legend claimed was hidden in a cave nearby. We made forts in the woods and climbed Granny’s apple tree. In the heat of the afternoon, Papa Fred cut us a watermelon on the big flat rock out in front of their house, and we would get so sticky we’d have to take a dip in the lake to wash the watermelon juice off. Summer memories of our time at Granny and Papa’s house are precious, and I am grateful that they wanted us there with them as much as we wanted to be there. Jesus and family were the foundations of Granny’s life, and she wanted her grandkids to have a healthy dose of both. We were having too much fun at the time to realize she was building her legacy in us and giving us the gift of the kind of lifelong friendships only cousins can build.
Karla Jacobs is a freelance writer, a soccer mom, and a community volunteer with deep family roots in the North Georgia Mountains. When not writing about pop culture, policy, and politics, she can often be found hiking backcountry trails with her family. She lives in Marietta, Georgia with her husband and their two teenage children.
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“Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall.� - John Dickinson
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Looking at Cataracts
Live Healthy and Be Well
By Stephen Jarrard, MD, FACS
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any of my patients have told me about having some vision problems, and the difference proper treatment made in their quality of life (and vision, of course). Let us briefly address the topic of cataracts. We will address the causes, treatment, and of course a word about prevention to try and prevent or limit them in the first place. I will add a caution that this is the “Cliff’s Notes” about cataracts, and ask you to refer to your eye care and vision professional for more details and, of course, a good regular eye exam should be part of your overall health
and wellness plan. A cataract occurs when the natural lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. The lens is behind the pupil, and serves to focus the light entering the eye onto the retina at the back of your eye for sharp, clear vision. When the lens is cloudy, you can imagine that the light is limited and the images can become distorted and inaccurate. The word “cataract” comes from a Latin word which means “waterfall.” It is thought that it may have been named this because in some severe cases, the lens can turn white and be seen through the pupil, resembling the way fast running water (waterfall) looks white. The most common cause of cataracts is just getting older. The proteins in the fluid of the lens start to change and become more opaque instead of clear and transparent. There can be varying degrees of this, from mild cases which are annoying to severe, causing almost complete blockage of the light or even blindness. Age related cataracts do not usually happen acutely (or suddenly), but progress over time. Sometimes, it happens so gradually that you may not even know how bad it was until you are treated and can see well again! So, if you are getting a bit older, like we all are, and begin to notice more difficulty appreciating colors, contrast, and sharp details; if it’s harder to see to read, drive, and you have trouble recognizing faces until they’re much closer; or you start to be bothered more by glare from lights – see your local eye care provider for a good exam to make sure you are not developing cataracts. Besides the natural aging process, there are some other things that may contribute to the formation of cataracts, or may accelerate their progression. Ultraviolet light is one of those factors. UV-B (remember from skin cancer article, “B for bad”) is especially thought to be a culprit in the formation and progression of cataracts. There is some evidence that wearing sun shades or glasses that filter UV light can help prevent this condition. You certainly do want to wear some kind of protection if you are going to be exposed to a lot of direct natural (sun) or artificial (tanning bed) ultraviolet light. Other causes include certain diseases that are related to cataracts, smoking, and certain medications. If you are diabetic, you have an increased chance of cataracts later in life. Also, people born with Down’s syndrome are more prone to develop cataracts. Smoking will increase your chances of developing this condition by a factor of two to three. And certain drugs, most notably steroids, have been seen to increase the chances of significant cataract formation and progression. So, you cannot prevent getting older, and we do not want you to, but there are some factors that you can control which might help. Try to limit UV exposure or wear some good sun shades that filter out UV light (not just cheap fashion lenses). If you are diabetic, as with everything else, keeping your sugar under tight control can limit the effects of the disease, including reducing the chance of cataracts. If you smoke, please stop or at least limit your smoking and this will help not just cataracts, but many other conditions, as well! And, as we have talked about before, steroids are powerful medicines that should not be taken lightly. They should be for certain conditions, usually with time limits, and should only be used as advised and prescribed by a healthcare professional.
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If you are found to have cataracts that are significant enough to treat, eye surgery is usually indicated. Drops may be used in milder cases, and there is still research going on about that, but for now – cataract surgery will restore your vision in the quickest and most complete manner. The surgery is almost always a “same day” surgery, performed under local anesthesia, and the recovery period is short and painless (if you follow your eye surgeon’s instructions – please do). The procedure involves numbing the cornea, making a small incision to get to the lens, using an ultrasonic instrument to liquefy the lens material, and removing that liquid before inserting a new artificial lens in its place. You may wear a patch for a day or two, but from what I hear, you will be amazed at how well you see after the procedure! Usually one eye at a time is done, so then you can look forward to having the other eye done a short time later, if needed. 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 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, and on Facebook see the page rabundoctor. Until next month, live healthy and be well, and SEE well!
“To ensure good health: eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.” - William Londen
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PILLARS By Kendall R. Rumsey
Pillar: a supporting, integral, or upstanding member or part; “a pillar of society”.
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very family and community has them, pillars are the people who make us better, who lead lives of example. Pillars are the people who carry our moral compass, they are the ones we look to for guidance and we look up to for the lives they
lead.
As we have tried to maneuver our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the saddest things to me has been the inability for families to bury their own with the farewells they deserve, home-going services where the community held those who grieve and gather in respect to those lost. During the pandemic, many have been lost, many of them pillars of communities and families. Allow me to introduce you to just a few. Carol and Lewis Reeves Jr. were leaders of the community their entire adult lives. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves were available anytime a group or resident needed assistance. Through their leadership of the Reeves retail brand, Mr. and Mrs. Reeves were both reliable resources for the community. They built a business that was home-grown and dedicated to quality. Their business, family-owned and run has been a staple for anyone living and visiting Rabun. Now in its 92nd year, many under Mr. Reeves leadership, the Reeves company has never lost its vision, still serving, and supporting the community. Carol and Lewis Reeves Jr. will forever be pillars of Rabun County. He wasn’t really my uncle, but that is what I always called him. Bill Maxwell was actually my second cousin, but I called him Uncle Billy my entire life. Most here will not know Bill Maxwell, but for my family he was a pillar. His rich southern drawl, humor, and love of everyone he encountered was infectious. Uncle Billy passed away just as the affects of COVID-19 were starting to hit the country, unfortunately his funeral had to be postponed. When I moved back to Rabun, Uncle Billy would sometimes drive up to the store from his home in Elberton just to sit around and chat. “Hello Padna” was always his greeting as he walked in the door. He would sit and talk for an hour or so and then be on his way until his next visit. As a child Uncle Billy was always larger than life, loud and full of laughter, he was the type of man I enjoyed just sitting and talking with, no agenda, just talk. I learned a lot about love of family and country from Uncle Billy and I learned about trusting God to get you through difficulties. Uncle Billy was one of a kind and I will miss him until I see him again one day. Uncle Billy Maxwell, forever a family pillar. Frances Duvall was a figure in my life from my earliest days of childhood. A true lady, Mrs. Duvall was one half of a dynamic couple that created hundreds of jobs for Rabun citizens. When my family was at our lowest, Mrs. Duvall was a shoulder to cry on and a friend, when she was struck by a like tragedy, I am thankful my family was there for her. With a smile on her face and a kind word for anyone she saw, Mrs.
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Lewis & Carol Reeves
Duvall always had a story or recollection to tell, she was a mother for the entire community and thankfully her family shared her immense love with all of us. The next time I go to a football or basketball game, it will be hard not to see her sitting on the 50-yard line or center court. I always tried to stop by and see her at those games, she was a Wildcat supporter for her children, then grand-children and finally her great-grandchildren, but she was also a supporter for every other kid that put on red and white and entered the field of competition. I count Frances Duvall as a blessing in my life, she will always be a pillar of Rabun County and for me personally, her love and kindness will never be forgotten. COVID-19 robbed these pillars of an appropriate farewell, their lives serve as examples to us all, of how to be the kind of person that makes a difference. Undoubtedly for each of us there are other pillars not mentioned here, may they all rest in peace and know that they made the world a better place.
Uncle Billy Maxwell
These pillars have now been promoted to glory, their impact on us all is appreciated, they had lives well lived and we will forever be indebted to them for the contributions they made. Thank you to the pillars and may you rest in eternal peace.
Kendall Rumsey is a resident of Clayton, Ga. He is owner of the lifestyle brand Of These Mountains and author of the blog, Notes from a Southern Kitchen. www.ofthesemountains.com www.notesfromasouthernkitchen.com
Mrs. Frances DuVall
C
helsea Rumsey Cohee was born with a smile that can turn anyone’s day around and she allows her incredible attitude to permeate every endeavor. If she has helped you buy or sell a house you are familiar with her energy and get it done attitude. If you have had the pleasure of chatting with her and sharing your business at LivingRabun. com you know how genuine she is and finally if you have seen her new line of handmade jewelery and one of a kind distressed tees, you’ve experienced her creative side. Multi-faceted, Chelsea has always been a crafty girl, loving DIY projects and so this drive is what led her to create S t a c k e d & S t o n e d her own line of jewelry and the coolest shirts you’ve seen since the 70s & 80s. Retro style and fun as hell, you’ll love these two things paired together with a pair or jeans and your favorite pair of sandals you will find yourself “summer ready”! Where can you find S t a c k e d & S t o n e d? Well you might follow their facebook page for pop-up trunk shows, visit her Instagram @stacked.and.stoned, check out her upcoming Etsy store (stackednstoned) or just give her a call if she isn’t selling a house, she’ll answer and if not leave her a message and she’ll get back to you 706-982-9677
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RABUN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Electricity for Atlanta: Six Hydroelectric Dams, A Submerged Town and Silenced Waterfalls By Dick Cinquina
W
hen executives of an Atlanta electric utility peered into Tallulah Gorge in 1909, they quickly saw the answer to their problem.
A growing Atlanta was hungry for electricity. The Tallulah River roaring through the gorge would power a hydroelectric generating plant. Every kilowatt of that electricity would be transmitted to Atlanta. Problem solved. However, an even larger vision was taking shape. The 1,200-foot drop in elevation along a 26-mile stretch of the Tallulah and Tugalo rivers in Rabun, Habersham and Stephens counties was ideal for additional hydroelectric plants. Six dams and generating stations ultimately were built between 1913 and 1927, sending 166,420 kilowatts of power to Atlanta. The Tallulah and Tugalo rivers thus became the most completely developed, continuous stretch of waterway in the country for hydroelectric power.
Tallulah Falls Power Plant and penstocks at the bottom of the gorge
The development of these rivers was hailed as one of the engineering marvels of its time. But progress can come at a price. In the case of Rabun County, progress meant one entire town had to be submerged under 65 feet of water. And the raging Niagara of the South in Tallulah Gorge was tamed and silenced forever. Starting in northern Rabun County and moving south, the six hydroelectric facilities along the Tallulah and Tugalo Rivers are: Burton (forming Lake Burton), Nacoochee (impounding Lake Seed), Mathis Dam and Terrora Plant (creating Lake Rabun), Tallulah Falls (forming Lake Tallulah), Tugalo (creating Lake Tugalo), and Yonah (impounding Lake Yonah). All six plants are still in operation, and some of the original generating equipment remains in use today.
Burton Hydroelectric Plant Built in 1919, the Burton dam was not intended originally as a hydroelectric generating station. Instead, it was planned as a storage and flow-regulating facility for the Tallulah Falls plant that was built about 20 miles downstream several years earlier. Georgia Railway and Power, a predecessor of Georgia Power, started acquiring the entire town of Burton and much of the surrounding land in 1917. Sixty-five property owners eventually Burton Dam under construction in 1918
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sold thousands of acres to the company. These families moved to higher ground in the Tallulah valley or settled in Tiger and Habersham County. Construction of the 128-foot-high Burton Dam was completed in December 1919, and the reservoir was completely filled by August of 1920. The town of Burton was completely submerged under 2,775-acre Lake Burton. Capable of holding five billion cubic feet of water, the lake’s reservoir was the equivalent of generating 55 million kilowatt-hours at the Tallulah Falls plant. The hydroelectric powerhouse, considered of secondary importance to the dam, was not completed until 1927. The Burton plant had a generating output of only 6,120 kilowatts, the second smallest capacity of the six plants.
Nacoochee Hydroelectric Plant The Nacoochee dam and plant are located downstream between Burton Dam and Mathis Dam at the head of Lake Rabun. Completed in 1926, the dam, which is 75 feet high and 490 feet long, impounds 240-acre Lake Seed. The facility’s hydroelectric station includes two generating units for a total operating capacity of 4,800 kilowatts, making it the smallest of the six plants.
Mathis Dam and Terrora Hydroelectric Plant Mathis Dam, 108 feet high and 660 feet long, is downstream from Nacoochee and impounds 834-acre Lake Rabun. Completed in 1915, the dam was initially built to create a storage reservoir for the Tallulah Falls plant. The Terrora hydroelectric plant was not built at the dam. It was located farther south at the head of Tallulah Lake (impounded by the Tallulah Falls Plant) to take advantage of the 190-foot drop in elevation between these two lakes. To best capture this drop, a mile-long tunnel was blasted through a mountain of solid rock to take water from Lake Rabun to the Terrora hydroelectric station. In late 1923, two crews starting blasting through the mountain from opposite sides. Nine months later in 1924, the two teams met. The tunnel was hailed at the time as the longest in the Southeast. At the south end of the tunnel, two steel penstocks or pipes, each nine feet in diameter and 900 feet long, pass the water to two 8,000-kilowatt generators. The Terrora plant entered service in 1925.
Tallulah Falls Plant Mathis Dam Construction in 1913
The Tallulah Falls plant is the oldest and largest of the six hydroelectric plants on the Tallulah and Tugalo Rivers. It was also the most controversial, sparking Georgia’s first environmental battle. Georgia Power Company purchased land at the rim of Tallulah Gorge and started building Tallulah Falls Dam in 1910. Due to the need for additional capital to finance this mammoth undertaking, the company was reorganized through a series of mergers into Georgia Railway and Power Company. In response to environmental damage caused by the dam’s construction, Helen Dortch Longstreet of Gainesville spearheaded a highly vocal movement to save Tallulah Gorge, heralded as the Niagara of the South. It was feared that the dam would reduce the flow of water through the gorge to a comparative trickle. Mrs. Longstreet and her colleagues ultimately were proven correct. A lawsuit was filed contesting Georgia Railway and Power’s claim to ownership of the gorge. If the Rabun County court had
Nacoochee Dam and Hydro Plant impounds Lake Seed, photo 1927
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Hurt Stolz, P.C. - James Warren Hurt, Jr.
New Office in Clayton
I
have talked with many folks in the fourteen years that I have been with the Laurel and in all settings, but I don’t remember a more beautiful setting than the patio of Stonewall Creek Vineyards overlooking the lush grapes growing under the shadow of Glassy Mountain. Jimmy and Emily Hurt are “regulars” at Stonewall Creek and have been since coming to the mountains to rent a cabin for the weekend a decade ago. As the story goes, they fell in love with the mountains and like so many others wanted to live here someday. Jimmy’s first trip to Rabun County happened when he was an 8-year-old boy coming to Camp Dixie for boys. There’s more to that story coming in this article. James Warren (Jimmy) Hurt Jr. was raised in a family of attorneys and he was determined that was not the direction he would go. Born in Macon, Georgia and raised in Cordelle, Jimmy aspired to be a doctor. After he graduated from high school, he attended the University of Georgia earning a degree in Microbiology. The year was 1989 and the poultry industry was facing an E-Coli crisis. Goldkist Poultry was looking to hire a Microbiologist and Jimmy got the job. That job evolved into a management position and then made a lateral move to logistics. Putting practices in place to improve quality, ensure product safety and that it met the USDA guidelines were his primary responsibilities. He was placed in a plant in Boaz, Alabama. When he left Goldkist, he moved back to Athens, Georgia and went to work with Seaboard Farms. This company provided half of the chicken that went to Chick-fil-A at the time. Jimmy hired in as quality control putting practices in place to ensure the chicken from Seaboard Farms met all USDA requirements. In fact, his cell phone number was on every box of chicken that left their plant. He only got one call during his years there. What he gained from this employment was insight into corporate practices, food safety and inspection processes. When Seaboard Farms was bought out by ConAgra Foods, Jimmy was responsible for introducing their inspectors to the processing procedures he had put in place to ensure quality. The inspector argued there were too many people involved in the process and it was too lengthy. Jimmy explained why every step was necessary to meet USDA requirements and ensure safety and quality. The inspector stopped him and said, “You don’t seem to understand that my company has bought your company” and Jimmy replied with, “You don’t understand that if quality is compromised,
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I quit.” Did I mention that there were 20 attorneys in his family beginning with his great grandfather Warren Mixon? At that point having seen wrongs that needed made right, Jimmy Hurt went to law school and became the 21st attorney in his family. He was not the typical law student, he was older with real world experience, a wife and two children. He knew that his interests lie in Consumer Law as a Plaintiff’s attorney. He also practices personal injury law, but found his niche in financial injury. His typical client might be facing debt collection, or an elderly person who has been scammed, or someone who has been taken by a company offering national debt adjustment. After graduating from Georgia State College of Law in Atlanta he moved his family back to Athens and began looking for a job. Gene Mac Winburn, a prominent Georgia trial lawyer, was looking for a young aggressive trial lawyer and a colleague had given Mr. Winburn Jimmy Hurt’s name. Jimmy didn’t wait for Gene Mac to call him, he picked up the phone and called saying, “I am the lawyer you are looking for.” He was hired on the spot and hit the ground running, earning a reputation as professional with a personable yet assertive litigation style. Working in this prominent firm gave Jimmy experience that was more valuable than even he realized. When Gene Mac Winburn passed away, Jimmy and partner the Hon. Irvin Stolz started their own firm Hurt Stolz, P.C. in Athens, Georgia. Former Judge Stolz had a solid reputation having served on the Georgia Court of Appeals as well as President of the State Bar of Georgia. Known for getting results, Hurt Stolz clients agree that knowledge and experience allow them to put their trust in these professionals to help them navigate the legal system. Now with an office in Rabun County, mountain residents can expect the same. Practice areas include: Consumer Protection, Debt Collection Defense, Protection and Recovery from Debt Collection Harassment, Credit Reporting Errors, Fraudulent Debt Adjustment, Fraudulent Debt Settlement, Premises Liability, and Personal Injury. Emily met Jimmy when she was working as Executive Director of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. The couple met at a conference that Jimmy attended with his father who is also an attorney Mr. James Warren Hurt, Sr. The two began seeing each other and planning a future which led to the trip to the mountains. As they say… the rest is history.
Now fast forward from age 8 to age 50 and Jimmy Hurt is touring a community where his new bride Emily wants to live. He had dreams of a mountain cabin and she had picked a more modern home with an incredible view. He wasn’t sold on the house or the property, but the agent wanted to show him the amenities of the development. Passing a pond, a memory flooded Jimmy’s mind, stopping he asked their agent what this property used to be? The response was Camp Dixie, a summer camp for boys. So today, Jimmy and Emily Hurt live on the same property where he was a camper as a young boy. The couple enjoy living in Rabun and have made many friends like the owners of Stonewall Creek Vineyards where they got married. The Hurts like to travel, Jimmy enjoys saltwater fishing, wine tasting and really finds his place in front of the smoker. A master at the art of smoking all kinds of meats, he makes his own rubs and sauces. Emily thinks his barbecue is second to none. He has a trailer smoker and even catered their wedding! One cannot adequately write about Jimmy Hurt without mentioning his two incredible children. His son, James Warren (Tripp) Hurt III, graduated from Furman University with a degree in Physics and went on to graduate from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Tripp is an Olympic hopeful in Track and Field. Jimmy’s daughter Vaille Lawrence is a 2019 UGA graduate with a degree in Psychology. Vaille is an avid horseback rider and competitor riding both Eastern and Western styles. She and her husband Ray have made their home in Colbert, Georgia. If you are in need of legal assistance, you can reach Hurt Stolz, P.C. by calling 706-395-2750 or visit www.hurtstolz.com. Jimmy’s office is located in the offices of Stockton & Stockton at 191 S. Main Street in Clayton, Georgia.
Rabun County Historical Society found in favor of the Dortch group, construction of the dam would have been halted. However, the jury ruled in favor of the company in 1912, and construction of the dam was completed in 1913. Impounding 63-acre Lake Tallulah, the dam is 126-feet high and 426-feet across the river. Completed in 1914, the powerhouse is located on the floor of Tallulah Gorge. Water from Lake Tallulah is directed to the hydro plant by a 6,666-foot-long tunnel and six massive penstocks. The powerhouse has five 12,000-kilowatt generators for a total capacity of 60,000 kilowatts. This made the Tallulah Falls plant the third largest hydroelectric facility in the nation at the time.
Tugalo Hydroelectric Plant The Tugalo Plant is located about two miles downstream from the Tallulah Falls Plant, where the confluence of the Tallulah and Chattooga Rivers form the Tugalo River. This places the facility in parts of Rabun and Habersham counties. Construction of the Tugalo dam was begun in 1917, but due to the outbreak of World War I, work was halted and not resumed until 1922. Completed in 1923, the dam,155-feet high and 940feet across the river, impounds 597-acre Lake Tugalo. By 1924, four generating units were operating in the powerhouse, giving the Tugalo plant a total capacity of 45,000 kilowatts.
Yonah Hydroelectric Plant The Yonah Plant is located three miles downstream from the Tugalo Plant. The western half of Yonah dam is in Stephens County, the eastern half in Oconee County, South Carolina. Construction of the dam was begun in 1923 and completed in 1925. Impounding 325-acre Lake Yonah, the dam is 90-feet high and 980-feet long. The hydroelectric plant was placed in operation in 1925. Its original three generators, which have a total capacity of 22,500 kilowatts, are still in use today. As a result of the hydroelectric development along the continuous stretch of the Tallulah and Tugalo Rivers, Atlanta received the electric power it needed, and a series of large recreational lakes were created in Rabun and neighboring counties. In the process, a town was lost and roaring waterfalls were silenced. And Rabun County, itself, was not fully electrified until the 1950s.
Learn more about our history by becoming a member of the Rabun County Historical Society. Membership and complete information about the Society are available at www.rabunhistory.org. Our museum at 81 N. Church St. in Clayton is open 10-2 every Monday and Friday and 11-3 on Saturday and admission is free. You also can visit us on Facebook. The Society is a not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, making your membership dues and donations fully tax deductible.
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The House That Habitat is Building
Perhaps You Can Help?
L
et me introduce you to Allison, a young woman, a native of Rabun County, and a graduate of Rabun County High School, who was diagnosed with a brain cyst when she was 17. This led to numerous surgeries over the next six years; in the end, she was left in a wheelchair. She was tenacious. She would not let this stop her. Between all those surgeries, she graduated from college with a business degree. Her generous and warmhearted family helped spur her on the entire way. And while her life was not exactly how she or her parents had planned, she was determined to face her future with a cheerful disposition. She worked part-time for her parents’ business. She met a young man online, Daniel, and they made plans to marry. Like many young couples, one of their dreams is to live in and own their home. And that is how Humanity® of Rabun County met Allison and Daniel. Finding affordable American with Disabilities Act (ADA) homes is not an easy task in Rabun County. The two had already purchased land for their home. However, the costs of building such a specialized home were out of reach. Between her part-time job and medical needs and his job at the Sheriff’s Department, they couldn’t swing it. But Habitat Rabun could help make it happen. Allison and Daniel applied and were accepted as the 2020 homeowner recipients. Their land (which was deeded over to Habitat Rabun before the build began) was cleared at the beginning of 2020. Then, COVID hit. And,
the build site has been pretty much untouched. Normally the house is well underway by summer. COVID changed everything. “Like so many, COVID has drastically impacted our funding at Habitat Rabun. Normally, we count on the proceeds from our ReStore to pay for one-quarter of each Habitat home. This year, ReStore has been closed for four months! That is a huge shortfall for us to make up. Also, ADA homes cost more to build, about 30 percent more,” explained Habitat President Pat Stueck. “Habitat believes in homes and communities. More than ever, we need our community to join us any way they can to ensure this home is built.” Event Chair Barbara Anderson said, “We have moved our annual fundraiser, Raise the Roof, from July to September 14, hoping this will help our turnout, be it live or virtual. We need our local community’s support as never before to fund Allison and Daniel’s ADA home. And we have many ways people can help! You can buy a raffle ticket, make a monetary donation, volunteer to work on the home, make an in-kind donation to the home build, bid on one of our weekly auction items, and last but certainly not least, attend Raise the Roof. We want to offer a way for everyone to be involved.” It’s easy this year to keep up with Habitat’s fundraising efforts. You can visit the Raise the Roof Event page at igfn.us/e/SE6fDA or text RAISEROOF to 41444. Not only can you view a video from Allison and Daniel, plus you can see the fundraising progress via a thermometer, and see different ways you can get involved. The event page is updated regularly, so check back often. Raffle tickets are on sale now. You could win a week at an ocean view St. Simons Island Condo, which has an ocean view, two bedrooms, two baths, plus a pool and hot tub. Habitat Rabun would like to thank Scott Poss and Poss Realty for their generosity in donating this to Raise the Roof. To buy tickets, go to igfn.us/form/5bShzQ or text BEACHRAFFLE to 41444. “Daniel and I are so thankful for the Habitat selection committee,” said Allison. “We are so grateful that they saw our need and trusted us to be partner homeowners. We appreciate the entire Habitat Board and volunteers who are working together to make this happen for us. We are also so grateful to everyone in the community who is helping us with our dream; you have no idea how much this means to us.”
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Through My Eyes by Jacie McCall
T
he thing that is on the forefront of everyone’s minds is the Coronavirus Pandemic. It is all over the news, social media, and the internet. It has impacted our lives in every way. We don’t shop the same way, eat the same way, people are out of work, kids are out of school, and seniors aren’t getting to graduate with their classmates. Although our way of living is not what we’re used to, we can look at the positive side of this mess. Slowing down and spending time with your family and so much more. I have decorated fire places, both of my bedrooms, binged on Netflix series, played video games with my friends, slept later than usual, and even got to relax. Usually I’m at basketball or softball practice or softball tournaments, not getting home sometimes until 10:30 or later. Spending roughly two months at home, children can reflect on how much their parents have done for them, other than school and a roof over their heads. I miss my friends so much though! Whenever I get the chance to go back to school I will never complain about waking up at 6:50 in the morning again! I’ve only seen my best friend Mili this whole quarantine. Mili and I desperately wish to get the opportunity to go back to school soon to be able to see our friends, who we practically grew up with, again. I miss being able to see my travel softball and basketball teammates as well. It is very strange to see the Stephens County High School Class of 2020 seniors going past my mother’s house in a parade because they can not graduate the traditional way. I know Rabun County High School seniors will have a parade too. Although it is good to be able to slow down and take the time to enjoy being with my family, the coronavirus has had positive and negative impacts on everyone’s lives. We have to look for those positives and remember we are all in this together!
Jacie is an eighth grader at Rabun County Middle School. She enjoys sports, riding 4-wheelers, swimming and baking. She has two sisters and many friends. Jacie hopes to someday become a Physical Therapist for retired athletes with sports injuries. We are pleased to share her view.
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By the Way
Camping with Cunningham By Emory Jones
I
don’t know if I’ll do it again this year because of social distancing and all, but last year, like lots of folks, I decided to go camping over the 4th of July weekend. Now, unfortunately, while I’m a big fan of camping, my wife, Judy, is an even bigger fan of NOT camping. I explained early in the marriage that camping was a tradition in my family. She explained back that it was a tradition in everybody’s family until they invented houses. But I thought that surely once I told her I was taking my pet pig, Cunningham, she’d want to come along just for the experience. Turns out I was wrong. And in her defense, there was some sort of Hallmark marathon on that Saturday. Once Cunningham and I got everything on the truck, we started looking for just the right spot. Since we had a 10-percent-off coupon for pudding-flavored pig-pellets at the local Farmer’s Exchange, we stopped there first. After they politely rejected the idea of setting up a tent under their loading dock, Cunningham and I decided Cleveland’s Freedom Park might be a good option. That way, we could watch the Kiwanis Club’s fireworks and not get caught up in
all that Dairy Queen traffic. We had no sooner tethered our tent than a deputy drove up to say that pig camping is no longer allowed in the city limits. Turns out they’d had a bad experience with some Shriners back in the ’80s. So, Cunningham and I turned towards Helen. Just as an FYI, I’d like to say that the City of Helen officially frowns on people with pigs camping between the city limits signs. From the way they acted, I doubt they even make exceptions for seeing eye pigs. But happily, Scorpion Valley, just across the river, has a much more enlightened view of camping pigs, so we pitched our tents and settled in. Now Cunningham is a patriotic pig, and like many Americans, he was upset over the rumor that, with the passing of Brexit, England may revoke America’s Declaration of Independence. He’s convinced that if that happens, they’ll make us spell labor with a “u” and ban sweet-tea altogether. To soothe his hopefully unfounded fears, I’d secretly brought some firecrackers. Nothing major, just a couple dozen M-80s equipped with high-powered Black Cat Roman candle rockets. I also brought some marshmallows for supper. Once I’d started a fire, Cunningham began to gather some toasting sticks. In doing so, he inadvertently dragged the bag of M-80s over the fire, causing them to detonate somewhat prematurely. I had the presence of mind to roll under the truck when it happened. But, Cunningham panicked. He was so upset; I had to take him to the hog hospital in Homer to get a refill on his nerve medicine. Judy must have anticipated our camping trip wouldn’t turn out well because she’d already called ahead to say that if her husband came to the hog hospital with a pig, to go ahead and have him neutered. That woman is the master of practical jokes, although that was not one of her better ones.
Emory Jones grew up in Northeast Georgia’s White County. After a stint in the Air Force, he joined Gold Kist as publications manager. He was the Southeastern editor for Farm Journal Magazine and executive vice president at Freebarin & Company, an Atlanta-based advertising agency. He has written five books, including The Valley Where They Danced; Distant Voices: The Story of the Nacoochee Valley Indian Mound; a humorous history book called Zipping Through Georgia on a Goat Powered Time Machine; White County 101 and Heart of a Co-op--The Habersham EMC Story. Emory is known for his humor, love of history and all things Southern. He and his wife, Judy, live on Yonah Mountain near Cleveland, Georgia.
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The Sky Is Falling! (Part 1) By Joel Hitt
H
ave you recently heard the above phrase that is my title? I certainly have. A woman being interviewed said these words a few days ago in a news report on the COVID-19 crisis. She was describing her feelings about the pandemic that has engulfed our planet, our discussions, and our concerns each and every day. However, I have found I have more to say than space to say it. Hence, I welcome you to part one of “The Sky is Falling.” Part 2 will come in my next column. I hope sincerely you and your family are adjusting to the extreme changes in our daily lives. Of course, my wishes apply whether you are in NE Georgia where I reside, or are a visitor to this area from elsewhere. We’re all in this together! Whether we are six feet apart or wearing masks or both; or if you live outside the Southeastern region and are reading this online, it doesn’t matter: we are united in what we are facing. Believe it or not, I first heard the phrase “The Sky Is Falling” as a young boy perhaps four or five years old. It was standard fare in our family for my mother to read stories to us children, especially at bedtime. The book I can still see in my mind’s eye was “The Tall Book of Fairy Tales.” Tall, yes, and not very wide. And I recall our copy coming apart at the seams from so much use over the years. This book is still out there online and in book stores, too. Different artwork, but the same stories. How cool!
we place our own adult selves in front of the TV screen or the computer, how easy it is to fall into some kind of trance? If we aren’t careful, we can consume big chunks of our day or evening before we know it! That’s okay sometimes, but at other times you may be burning up time better spent with the family or doing other needful things in your day or evening. Gosh, if Ceree reads this, I can hear her asking, “Gosh, Joel! Did you tell your readers where you learned about this trancething? Did you tell them that you invented it?” I hope a smile will come along with this question! By the way, if you go online searching for “The Sky Has Fallen,” beware of a terrible 2009 film going by the same title. In this cheap and yucky production, a new disease wipes out almost every person on Earth. It is a horror film not fit for your eyes or mine, and especially not a youngster’s.
Today we’ve allowed the electronic age to crepe into our reading time and give way to “watching time,” a more passive activity. I love it when I talk with folks who fight this “TV tendency” by keeping a book or two going at all times! And even now there are still parents who have a bedside reading ritual by which they read to their young child to soothe him or her into sleepiness. For me, it was exactly how the story of “The Sky Has Fallen” got into my young brain.
Yes, Chicken-Little indeed took an acorn on the head…but it’s quite a leap to go from that to “the sky is falling,” right? That’s the key teaching point here for the young ones to learn. And we adults can benefit from this principle as well. If you took every exclamation from your child’s lips literally as they come bursting in the door with the latest “fun and games” crisis with their neighborhood playmates, no one would be left to calm anyone down!
I hope some readers will recall “The Tall Book of Fairy Tales,” a classic collection of childhood fairy tales first published in England around 1920. While in a book store recently, I was pleasantly surprised to find the book still in print.
So let’s close by being clear about “children’s stories.” They are designed for children in most ways, yes. But even though we refer to “The Sky is Falling” as a children’s story, it seems equally relevant to adults, if we will have ears to hear! Most readers will agree with me that parents who share these stories with their young ones are benefiting also from the truths the stories bare. You love seeing your children’s eyes light up while you silently say “Oh, I get it, too” to yourselves!
Today, and especially after COVID-19 has spread around the planet, strive to be in close touch with each child, each day. Answer any and all questions you can get out of them, regarding the COVID-19 crisis. And let them tell you what THEY’VE been learning or hearing, and from which sources. This can be a real bonding exercise between parent and child…a kind of silver lining in a situation you would never have wished on your family had you any option. As always, then, when handed a lemon, make lemonade! On another couple of notes, with the advent of electronics a couple of now well-established problems have emerged: (1) It is easy to allow our TVs or laptops to become electronic baby sitters for the kids. (2) Not only that but have you noticed when
I’ll see you next time for Part II.
Joel is a retired psychotherapist from the Atlanta area where he practiced for over thirty years. But for much of his adult life, he has been a vigorous student of the natural world. He has served on several state boards related to native plants, trees, and birdlife. His current passion is to examine Earth’s slow decline as a sustainer of animal and plant life. Email: joelhitt@gmail.com
July 2020 - 71
A Child’s Pack of Four By James and Margaret Freeman Introduction by Jeff Norman
Intrigue, confusion, fear, excitement, joy, tears…it was all there, a full spectrum, and oddly enough, the embodiment of those emotions came into the frame shop one day in a small sandwich baggie. Carefully laid out before me on my design table, there they were….so famous…actual pieces of freedom. As I listened to the captivating story of how Franklin residents James and Margaret Freeman came to possess these items, their experiences seemed to me to be the type of adventure usually reserved for a spy novel or Netflix mini-series. Two small shards of concrete and a document, that’s it. But it was enough to suddenly place them into the front seat of an emotional rollercoaster that they and the world would never forget. The Freeman’s story, so poignant at a time when America is having difficulty catching her breath, is a witnessed account of the first breaths of a nation united and set free. This is their story….
I
n the summer of 1989, I had been assigned to a new position with the US Army Veterinary Corps as an exchange officer with the British Army of the Rhine in Germany. While there, my primary job was the inspection and training of British military dog units through northern Germany. One of those units was in the British sector of West Berlin and within a month or so of taking my new position I was told that that unit was due a visit. It was customary for spouses to travel to Berlin for these trips, so I was delighted that Margaret would be joining me. Back then, military travel to Berlin required “Flag Orders” and in this case, passage on the British Military Train – The Berliner. It took several weeks to organize our travel logistics and the final documentation bearing all rubber-stamped approvals for 6-13 November were now in hand. As we left our house that day, little did we know what the fast paced, heart pounding events of those next several days in the fall of 1989 would mean to the world at large. Upon departure, The Berliner and its accommodations were what you might expect from a military transport train but as we crossed the border into East Germany, it suddenly took on an opulence we previously had not noticed. Sights from our carriage window astutely reminded us that, by comparison, we were indeed traveling in luxury. Almost as if playing roles in a black and white movie, we were profoundly struck by how devoid of color the landscape was as we passed into East Germany. By contrast, as Americans we lived in a Crayola box set of 120, and the East Germans lived in a child’s pack of four - black, white and two shades of gray. After our arrival in Berlin and two and a half days of inspections, my work was complete, leaving extra time for Margaret and myself to explore West Berlin. On the 9th, we arranged with our host, the Royal Military Police (RMPs) to be escorted across Checkpoint Charlie into East Berlin for a nighttime visit. The East Berliners were accustomed to these brief visits by US service members, so our presence was not at all unusual as we walked down streets and into shops. At about the time we were being seated for a quiet dinner, little did we know that the very earth beneath us was shifting in ways not measured on a Richter scale. In disbelief, news anchors broke into scheduled radio and television programming and stumbled through announcements that they were handed only moments earlier. Seismic shock waves instantly rippled throughout every community. The timing of our visit indicated that nothing of this magnitude would be remotely possible, but defying all imagination, yes, it was true. The German portion of the physical and ideological 28 year old “iron curtain”….had fallen….the East and West would be reunited as one democracy!
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As we passed back through Checkpoint Charlie later that evening, it was like stepping into an episode of the Twilight Zone. Only hours before, the inspection of our papers by stoic armed guards, now had the added element of hastily assembled news crews. A complex spider web of cables, blinding lights and handheld cameras instantly beamed iconic images around the world. Everyone anxiously awaiting the highly anticipated throngs of East Berliners to step across the border into their new lives, however, proved to be anticlimactic. Nearly three decades of oppression and confinement left most East Berliners confused and suspicious. Some celebrations began that night at other points along the wall, but those were tame compared to what was to come. On the 10th at dawn, huge crowds of people, both East and West, were converging on hastily opened gaps in the wall, and to capture every detail, camera lenses were quickly switched to wide angle. The West German government gave every East German citizen 100 Deutschmarks as a welcoming gift, so throughout the city the banks had lines of East Berliners wrapped around numerous city blocks as people queued up to get their cash. Deprived of a democratic economy and thirsty for any taste of the good life, items like boom boxes, fresh fruit and, of course, Coca-Cola left nothing but dust on retailer’s shelves. On the evening of the 10th we returned once again to the wall but this time we had an elevated view from the Checkpoint Charlie museum. By now the crowds had become massive. A personal body space sufficient for one, was now occupied by three and their compacted press became nearly powerful enough to topple the wall itself. Tiny East German cars, bumper to bumper, freely streamed across the border into West Berlin to a deafening cacophony of joyous noise and celebration. At moments, seeing freedom, equality and justice defined before us became too much to absorb all at once. Margaret, like many others, was in tears a good bit of the time, no longer able to contain her feelings of joy. For us history was up close and personal for those days in November 1989. It was and remains the most moving experience of our lives.
July 2020 - 73
July 4th Celebrations – Old & New M
By Liz Alley
y children never knew the thrill of a box of sparklers and a wad a firecrackers as their main fourth of July entertainment. By the time they arrived in this world, huge firework displays were prevalent. When my girls, Cydney and Alley, were growing up, the fourth of July was usually spent with my family on Lake Burton. We’d be at my sister’s place, where the girls jumped from the top of the boathouse into the water below, in their red, white and blue bathing suits, their hair in ponytails, their voices whooping all the way down.
For the past 25 years or so, we’ve always had big doings on the fourth. Before the festivities, the day would start with my sister, Lynn, who would be up early to run in the Lake Burton Fun Run. She did this whether she was sick, tired, or pregnant and one year gave birth to her daughter Hannah, just three days later. She has never missed a fun run since it commenced 34 years ago. This year, in it’s 35th year, will be the first time it’s been postponed to a later date as a result of COVID19. Since my niece Hannah was born on July 7th, we usually combine her birthday with our celebration of the fourth, this seems fitting since our Hannah Raine is a firecracker herself. Our fourth includes a Boston butt slow roasted on the grill and big bowls of potato salad. One year, Lynn unwrapped a flag cake nestled in her best sheet pan. The background was white with Cool Whip, the stars made with blueberries, the stripes red bulging lines of fresh strawberries. This was back in the early 1990s when it was easier to be “wowed.” At the time, we thought her culinary talents were spectacular. Now, there may be more elaborate offerings but we still prefer the flag cake and it’s as necessary as the fireworks to make our fourth complete. When my mom and dad arrived at the boathouse, mom would be carrying coleslaw in her white dish with a glass lidded top, refusing to let dad carry it because he might drop it. Dad would settle in for about an hour, then say he sure had enjoyed himself but he’d best be heading home to check on his garden. Our meal usually started at dusk and for good reason. At lunch time, my mom, and whichever kids and grandkids wanted to join her, would head over to the Taylor’s annual 4th of July picnic. Mom’s best friend in the world was Janie P. Taylor who was married to Mom’s cousin Melvin. Every year, Janie’s son Wesley, hosts a big family picnic that includes food such as slow cooked barbeque, field peas, silver queen corn, fried okra, mac n cheese (which is considered a vegetable to all southerners) and homemade desserts as far as the eye can see. The Taylors do not play around when it comes to their picnic food. Most of the time, the picnic goers gather at the original homeplace of Ma Clyde English in Tiger. Last year, I walked through the crowded rooms where plates sat balanced on laps, and could feel the energy of the past mingled with the present. By the time the fireworks roll around, everybody is a little tired and more than a little full. Weary, red cheeked children with bulky life vests lay on their parents. My brother in law, who has never grasped the art of meandering, drives our boat full of people, like the wind down the lake and finds us the best spot for the show. Once we’re settled, I think about all the things I loved about July fourth as a kid, things like homemade peach ice cream and how my grandparents kept watermelons cold for the fourth in the creek beside their house. Big Daddy, my grandfather, would cut the melons with a butcher knife and pass out the pieces with the salt shaker in the cool shade of the porch. I remember gallons of sweet tea on picnic tables and running through wobbly walls of water from the hose in our front yard. At night, there would be lightening bugs in Mason jars, sparklers and firecrackers from across the state line and my favorite noise maker, a big spoon I clanged on mom’s black iron skillet. I tuck these memories away like the treasures they are, in the place where memories are kept. I take in the plethora of bobbing boat lights and the brilliant colors exploding against the backdrop of an inky sky. The fireworks boom echoes off the mountains along with the communal oohs and aahs from tilted heads in silhouette. Perhaps this year of all years, in light of what our country is overcoming, I hold onto these snapshots in time a little closer and celebrate a little louder that these mountains I love so much, look down on men, women and children who are free.
Liz Alley was born and raised in Rabun County in the city of Tiger. She loves to write. She is an interior designer specializing in repurposing the broken, tarnished, chipped, faded, worn and weathered into pieces that are precious again. She is the mother of two daughters and one granddaughter. She divides her time between her home in Newnan and Rabun County.
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