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Welcome
laurel of
Northeast Georgia
July 2022 • Volume Nineteen • Issue Seven
from the Publisher Oh July, July… you will be so hot! As I write to you it is June and the temps are well above 90 degrees. As I sit in my house with the air conditioning humming, I think of growing up with no such thing. Box fans in the windows, folding notebook paper back and forth to create a fan. We didn’t know anything else so we were happy with that. Maybe life is better that way. Today if we have a “blip” in the cooling system we are miserable. If we’d find some shade on the porch and a wooden rocker the evenings would cool us down. I have such fond memories of sitting on the porch at my Papa and Granny’s on Warwoman watching the fireflies dance in the darkeness. Your glass of tea sweating as much as you were and yet we didn’t die, we stayed outside till dark came and we talked till then. I miss those days, but they aren’t gone. All we must do is take off everything we can (we don’t want the neighbors to talk) fix that glass of Tetley or Lipton with plenty of ice and hit the porch swing. As a nation we’ll soon gather to celebrate our country, its freedom and its greatness. What makes our nation great is its people. We all have a job to do, so do it well because all are equally important to the success of America. In the Georgia mountains we are blessed beyond measure. Life is challenging but we’ve seen harder times. We know how to survive and we also know how to help others, the beauty of this part of this world. I’ve never seen a place or people like you, to watch you rally around others who are in need, you have been taught well how to be a good neighbor. As cliché as it sounds, I am proud to be an American and thankful for the freedoms I enjoy and truthfully box fans aside I am so grateful for this air conditioning! Happy 4th, enjoy the Laurel this month and share it with someone, they’ll be your friend forever! May God continue to bless America and you, let’s commit to pray a little harder for each other. Tracy
Laurel of Northeast Georgia Mailing: PO Box 2218 - Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 2511 Highway 441 Mountain City, Georgia 30562 706-782-1600 • www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com Contributing Writers: Emory Jones, Jan Timms, Lorie Thompson, Dick Cinquina, Tori Carver, Nancy Boger, Deena C. Bouknight, Jordan M. Poss, Jaime Smoot Speed, Jonan Keeny
STAFF Publisher/Editor - Marketing - Tracy McCoy Art Director - Dianne VanderHorst Graphics - Lucas McCoy Marketing & Office Manager - Cindi Freeman Assistant Office Manager - D’Anna Coleman Sales Associate / Writer - Michael Detrick Writer - John Shivers Photographer / Writer - Peter McIntosh
Copyright 2022 by Rabun’s Laurel Inc. All rights reserved. The Laurel of Northeast Georgia Magazine is published twelve times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to the Laurel of Northeast Georgia magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel magazine or any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. The Laurel of Northeast Gorgia 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
Contents Arts & Entertainment 12 16 20
Cover Artist - Jack Blades Explore Rabun - Magical Mountain Music Gallery 441
Around Town 24 30 32 32 34 36
Michael on the Map Timpson Creek Turns 40 Open Door at Alley’s Christine’s Celebrates 20 Years. General Store - Forging a Future Franklin Heritage Festival
Southern Fare 38 42 44
Bon Appétit Family Table Dillard Bluegrass & BBQ
Outdoors 48 52 54
Adventure Out Firmly Rooted Transplanted
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Faith in Christ 58 60
Wisdom Hunters Sean of the South
Live Healthy and Be Well 62 66
Preventing Heatstroke Pet Health
Mountain Homes 70 72 74 80
On the Shores of Burton... Farm-to-Table Can You Picture Yourself as the Innkeeper? A River Literally Runs Through It
Looking Back 82 86
Rabun County Historical Society Foxfire
Just Thinking 88 90
Letter to America By the Way
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The Arts
On Our Cover
Jack Blades – Painting Life Experiences
“P
ainting my life experiences” is truly what he has done. Imagine a handsome young man at the helm of a Yacht with canvas perched in front of him with brush in hand. The captain of this vessel is also an artist. He is painting the blue aqua and turquoise waves that surround him. I am not sure there is enough space here to cruise the life experiences of Jack Blades, but let’s try. Born on the South Jersey shore town of Brigantine, he has spent his life less than a mile from the ocean. His father (Jack Blades), also an artist, had a great influence on all four of his children. Jack and sisters Suzi, Dawn and Heather are all creatively inclined, each with their own passion. As a boy he remembers his dad painting and he was by his side watching closely. Jack was also inspired by his father’s close friends, Gary Giberson, a world class decoy and bird carver and carver John Fish. Their influence sparked the urge for Jack to transform wood into detailed art. When he was a young man he obtained his Captain’s license and hit the road to South Florida, landing in Palm
Beach Gardens. He began his career as a Yacht Captain and spent as much time on the water as off for the next couple of decades. Traveling around America’s eastern coastline and the Caribbean was a dream come true. The people he met and the places he journeyed created memories that he’ll always treasure. Along the way he put brush to canvas painting sea turtles, giant waves, pelicans, boats and incredible sunsets. Marine art was his passion and he always incorporated the nautical blues and greens that he loves so much. He and his family settled in Tiger, Georgia in 1994. Making the move with him was his mom (Ginny Blades) and sister (Suzi) and an aunt and uncle, (Judy and Dan Maxwell). Not long after moving Jack met the neighbor at the bottom of the hill, Chuck Gardner. “Chuck and some friends were sitting around a bonfire at a ‘pasture party’ one night. They were dragging this old barn wood into the fire and Chuck couldn’t stand to see it burn. He started pulling it out of the fire saying, ‘I’ll make something out of that’ and he did. Chuck Gardner began making barn wood rustic flags,” Jack said in a recent interview. After moving here and meeting Chuck, Jack began learning from him, an apprenticeship of sorts. When Chuck decided to sell his flag business, Jack was the perfect one to take it over. Today Jack creates these flags using the same methods Chuck had, producing a quality piece of weatherproof art for indoors or out. 12 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - July 2022
Jack doesn’t sit still for long, he lives a very active life. He is putting his art first these days, creating in his “workshop” most days. He has picked up some side jobs as a handyman which is fitting because he can build, fix, and do almost anything that is asked of him. “When I am working, my mind is on what I have going on in the shop and what I want to make next,” Jack said. Creativity is not in short supply, in fact, I get the impression that there aren’t enough hours in the day to complete all of the projects he thinks of. Jack began as an oil painter but found he lacked the patience to wait weeks for a painting to completely dry. He explored other mediums but settled on painting on canvas and wood with acrylics. He paints in bright bold colors, always including oceanic hues. For now Jack has traded ocean shores for lake shores and his yacht for a mountain cabin. He is replacing sea turtles with flora and fauna native to the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. He sees bears and barns in his future artwork. He has added benches and wakeboards to his offerings and most all of his art is suitable for outdoors as well, making it great for porch and boathouse art. “I love commissions and am game for whatever someone has in mind. His art is on display at Gallery 441 in the Heart of Dillard or you may contact the artist directly by calling 561398-1113 or you may e-mail jackbladesart@gmail. com. His work is also featured on his Instagram (@woodflagartstudio or @jackbladesart). Jack will also attend the upcoming Summertime Mountain Artisans Arts and Crafts Show in Cullowhee, North Carolina on July 1 and The Highlands Mountain Top Art Show in Highlands, North Carolina August 27. Most Saturday mornings Jack is manning his booth at the Clayton Farmer’s Market by the Northeast Georgia Food Bank on Highway 441 in Clayton. July 2022 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - 13
Finding Art 14 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - July 2022
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The Arts
Magical Mountain Music O
ne thing we are known for in the mountains is our unique musical heritage. Many people may only think of Bluegrass when they think of Appalachian Music, but Appalachian music first arose when people from various European and African countries intersected in the mountains, bringing their own traditions and cultures together to form a new music style, now known as “OldTimey” music. It is the culmination of nearly 300 years of musical influences from around the world, has contributed to nearly every modern musical genre and is a part of our history that we treasure and are proud of!
Early Rabun County musicians Grady Nixon on fiddle, Everett Nixon on banjo and other Tallulah Falls students, circa 1925
Tallulah Falls student musicians circa 1920, including Grady Nixon on harmonica, Gertrude Kilby on guitar and Hazel Nixon on banjo 16 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - July 2022
Old-timey music encompasses various styles that originated in rural America, particularly in the Southern Appalachians, before recorded music and radio were widely available. This wasn’t music meant for performance’s sake, it was music made in the home and in community spaces, generally for personal entertainment, dancing, worship and mourning. It is a synthesis of European and African music… fiddle traditions from Scotland, Ireland, England, France, and Germany; ballad traditions from Scotland and England; and vocal, rhythm, and instrumental styles from West Africa. Much of this is embodied in the union of European fiddle and African banjo music. This music is so much a part of who we are because it was passed down from family member to family member, just like cooking recipes, sewing and weaving skills, other functional crafts and even liquor making! Everyone participated
Music on the Mountain at Foxfire Museum
The Foxfire Boys at the Dillard Bluegrass & BBQ Festival
Marie Dunkle & Margie Swint, “Caledonia Women,” at Tiger Mountain Vineyard
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Magical Mountain Music and music was taught one on one, many not even reading traditional music, using shape notes instead. And dance developed along with it – square dancing, clogging, buck dancing and other types of folk dance. Music and dance were the primary form of entertainment for our ancestors and an intrinsic part of life in the rural mountains of Southern Appalachia. Today, old-timey music is still alive and well here in Rabun County, as well as the many types of music that have evolved from it. Stop by Blue Ridge Music to enjoy an impromptu jam session with Tom and the gang on the front porch. Get yourself up to the newly reopened and renovated Mountain City Playhouse for a quick lesson in buck dancing and then join in evening’s fun when the band gets going. Plan an afternoon at one of our local wineries which feature performances by many of our wonderful local artists while you sip and savor their wine and the spectacular mountain views. You can also learn more about the history of music in the Southern Appalachians at the Foxfire Museum. There are so many ways to experience our wonderful musical heritage as we celebrate it every day in some form or other. Music is a part of just about everything we do, from worship, to dining, festivals, gettogethers and events of all kinds. And when you come to the mountains, you are welcome to join in, kick up your heels, hum along, tap your toe or simply listen and smile. However you choose to enjoy it, be prepared to be entertained. In Rabun County music fills the air and our hearts. We hope you’ll come and be a part of our song!
Jam session on the porch at Blue Ridge Music
Dancing Lessons at the Mountain City Playhouse
Dancing to the band at the Mountain City Playhouse 18 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - July 2022
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The Arts
Gallery 441 in the Heart of Dillard
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f you haven’t visited Gallery 441 in the “Heart of Dillard”, you truly are missing out. A wonderful addition to the Rabun County art community, the gallery features the work of 40+ artists. Sally Rich-Kolb has created a thoughtful and inviting gallery. While pleasing to the eye, Gallery 441 could also be described as interactive.
Pop-up art events, as well as, featured artist exhibits and classes are planned each month. Some classes on the July agenda include a leather class with Tom Slavicek, time to be determined. A watercolor class with artist Mary Beth Stager is scheduled for Monday July 11th 5-7 pm and a hand building clay class with Beckie Barden July 14th 5-7 pm. Artist Lizzy Falcon will be painting a bus, date to be determined. Check her link on the website. On July 27th Mary Beth Stager will conduct a beading class where participants will make earrings from 5-7 pm. You’ll want to gather your friends and family and plan a visit to explore Gallery 441 or register for some of their fun and engaging classes. The best way to stay “in the know” about upcoming events is to follow Gallery 441 on social media @ gallery441intheheartofdillard. Stop in at 6795 Highway 441 North in the Heart of Dillard building. For more info call 770634-2379 or visit www.heartofdillard.com
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Around Town
Michael on the Map presents Michael at the Lake By Michael Deitrick Take 7: Exploring Lake Burton via Scenic Highway 197 In this series I will be traveling to the towns of northeastern Georgia and western North and South Carolina, sharing my adventures and discoveries as I meet the locals who make up the area. Hop in my Jeep and let’s hit the road! Going into my seventh column documenting my travels throughout this area, I hope you are not yet weary travelers. For those who have been my fellow journeyers since the beginning – and for those who may have jumped on the ride somewhere along the way – we have so far made some pretty great stops in Hiawassee, Franklin NC, Tallulah Falls, Clarkesville, Lake Rabun/ Lakemont, and most recently the part of Lake Burton known as Timpson’s Creek. Here in the hot summer sun of July, I am taking you to the other side of Lake Burton, where strong history is matched with true backwoods wilderness. Far removed from the steep and narrow (European comes to mind) winding roads along the serpentine coast of Lake Rabun and travelling further away from US Hwy 441, you enter wider, grassier territory; a hinterland with (almost) zero service. Here in many places, you are forced to disconnect from your devices and leave the rest to nature. And on this day, I was in the mood for some raw British Invasion rock, so queue up The Animals and let’s take a backcountry ride. 24 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - July 2022
Lake Burton, which covers 2,775 acres, was once so remote that it was not accessible by automobile. It now boasts one of the most impressive collections of upscale lakeside homes in the nation, but we won’t be doing a tour of homes today. My first stop, instead, has been essential to the lake and the area in general for some 102 years, long before luxury homes and fancy speedboats (though it caters to them now). Sitting proudly on the Wildcat Creek Cove of Lake Burton, the site that is now home to LaPrade’s Marina was first created to house the men who built the dam that created Lake Burton, complete with an elbow-to-elbow dining hall where folks celebrated the end of the oft-grueling workday, and made merry. It was thereafter used as a fishing camp. General Manager Katie Long, born and raised in Rabun County, remembers going there as a child. “My dad worked at the fish hatchery, and we lived on this side of the lake my whole life. I remember going with him to the restaurant up on the hill.” The old dining hall.
But she also remembers what drew her back. “When I first started driving, I saw this new building being built. The timbers were going up and I was drawn in. You could see straight through what it was becoming, but these huge timbers… Nothing else around here looked like that. I wanted to work there.” And so she did. In a fun twist of fate – which illustrates the interwoven history of the area – Katie is related to John Wright Burton, who oversaw the original dam workers. Her dad still has some of the original ledgers about the operation stowed safely in boxes; timestamped relics of a bygone era. This part of Lake Burton has come a long way from handwritten ledgers (and tooth-pulling, as an example of one of them), and LaPrade’s is today one of only two marinas to service this beautiful North Georgia retreat. “We have a lot of Atlanta people that are back and forth throughout the summertime, but we also have slip tenants from California, Florida, Colorado… People who come here every year. The continuity of seeing the same people here over the years is incredible. You never know when somewhere is going to impact your life the way Parade’s has mine.” And those of so many others. LaPrade’s also has four restaurants, full marine sales and service, and beer and wine sales to satiate most anyone coming to check them out for the first time. Leaving LaPrade’s I was ready for a bite and beverage myself, so I headed over to Bleu Canoe, who also has strong roots in the Lake Burton community. What was once long-ago Laurel Lodge Restaurant and Cabins is now Bleu Canoe Restaurant and Campground. Keeping the original concept, but reenvisioned by current husband and wife owners Jim White and Lee DeLeo, when I asked Jim what he likes most about his unique spot near the banks of Lake Burton, he rightfully boasts about his 36 year-history in the Cajun food canon. Right after he adds, “We have rehabbed 3 original cottages from the 1940s, and also have 8 tiny homes on site, each with their own fire pit.” Quaint. Rustic retro. Oysters on Wednesdays. Live music on Thursdays. Interest piqued. I’ll be back. On this hot July Saturday, I asked my server Cierra what the best thing on the menu was. She quickly responded with absolution, and I did not hesitate to order her recommendation of Mahi Thibodaux. I paired my blackened mahi-mahi covered in crawfish étouffée and served over white rice with a Hurricane cocktail (that was not light on the rum). Cierra was a little concerned the bartender had made it too strong for me because “he’s writing about us!” July 2022 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - 25
Around Town
Michael on the Map presents Michael at the Lake
I’m no Hemingway, Faulkner, or Fitzgerald, but if my cocktail tastes like a child’s birthday party, the printed message will be critical and clear. Cierra and I took a photo together later. If you come around the bend (from any direction) you’re sure to come upon another longstanding famous spot on this side of Lake Burton. Brooks Lil General Store – affectionally known
simply as “Brooks” – is referred to by those who know it as “somewhere you can hear the stories summers past in the walls.” Stocking everything from sundries to live bait, the walls are littered with pictures of celebrities from erstwhile times through today. Upon asking the locals about this unimposing artifact, most responses elicited made me think of the Joyce Carol Oates short story title Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? (That story had supernatural elements. This place may not be haunted, but it is indeed a haunt.) There are a couple other spots worth mentioning about this sprawling side of the great Lake Burton. To visit Mr. Bud’s Camp Ground is to step into a vintage vestibule RV and camper park, where you can visit with their owners of these mobile compartments under the shade of sheltering branches. Some travelers stay for a day; some for a season. Such is the nature of such a crossroads. And lastly, priding itself on being “where spring meets the summer”, Moccasin Creek State Park is also a necessary stop for all of the naturists out there. I get most of my kicks tubing down and climbing waterfalls and climbing most things I shouldn’t, but this 32-acre park is relatively flat, offering a great easy-moderate hike for adventurers of all badges. The payoff is the small but beautiful Hemlock Falls, which is a great place to just sit and take it all in. Take a deep breath. Enjoy the earth and negative ions. And in closing my visit to Lake Burton’s backside – until next time my hitherto companions – I will leave you with a song originally recorded by Nina Simone and since covered by other artists I love such as Elvis Costello and Lana Del Rey. But playing in my mind right now is the version by Eric Burdon and The Animals… “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good. Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.”
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Around Town
Timpson Creek Gallery – A North Georgia Staple for 40 Years
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ecile Thompson, owner of Timpson Creek Gallery, opened her doors in 1982. The gallery began with an intimate group of vendors, local and American artists and the custom wood furnishings made by her husband, Dwayne Thompson. The gallery has evolved over four decades; filled with a curated collection of quality pieces that Cecile likes. Timpson Creek Gallery is an extension of her home. Offering quality antiques (American and European), home furnishings and décor, jewelry and art, Timpson Creek Gallery is your source on the lakes and across the region.
Custom interior design services are offered by Cecile, utilizing only the finest fabrics and embellishments, rugs, and draperies that she can find. She travels the world to find the perfect touches for each client she works with. Cecile Thompson is known for her keen eye. She is sought after for her design, which has graced homes throughout the United States. It is her love of textiles and art that bring people from around the world to visit the ever changing array of procurements. “We know every single one of our vendors. We believe in selling only high quality, American-made items to our customers, ones we can stand behind,” Cecile said. This statement is a testiment to their dedication to local and regional artists, American craftsman and small business owners. Timpson Creek Gallery is located at 7142 Highway 76 West, Clayton, Georgia. Their website www.timpsoncreek.com and their social media pages @timpsoncreekgallery offer you a glimpse of the Timpson Creek Gallery experience. 30 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - July 2022
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Around Town
The Open Door at Alley’s Ol’ Store
Christine’s Home Decor A Reputation for Quality
A Treasure, Right Under Our Nose!
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hristine’s Home Decor is celebrating 20 years in business and there are many reasons why. Christine Basey and her team of designers have brought incredible craft and superior customer service to Macon County and neighboring Rabun as well. With over 27+ years of restorative experience and workmanship combined, they are an excellent choice for decorative fabrics, custom interior design, window treatments for residential homes and commercial businesses, and the most sophisticated custom upholstered furniture and reupholstery services. Christine has an extensive selection of fabrics with 1,000s of choices. You are sure to find the perfect one. Scott is Christine’s husband and the couple make a great team. Scott does all of their upholstery work and is certified as a window treatment installer. Whether it is one wingback chair or the entire house, their goal is to exceed your expectations. One customer put it like this, “I have had several items repaired and upholstered with Christine and it is always a beautiful and professional job. My favorite has been the custom slip covers for a sofa. I am about to start another project with window treatments! We are lucky to have her here!” Christine had this to say, “We are absolutely committed to customer satisfaction. We guarantee that the highest quality of workmanship and fabric materials will be used on every piece of furniture we restore. Whether we are doing in-home updates, window treatments, or complete bedding, we always emphasize quality design.” This explains why her clients return, that and her reputation for honesty and fair pricing. Christine’s Home Decor is located at 9958 Georgia Road in Otto, North Carolina. For more information or to schedule a consult call 828-524-7007 or check them out online at www.christineshomedecor.com.
ow many times have you discovered a hidden treasure that was right under your nose? It seems that is exactly what I’ve done. When I “googled” Open Door at Alley’s Ol’ Store, Tripadvisor.com was among the first site to pop-up. Why? Because the reviews are plentiful and five star! Is it possible that people who don’t even know where Lakemont, Georgia is know more about this tucked away store and eatery than I? Yes, that is exactly what I found. Reviewers spoke of bologna and pimento cheese sandwiches, meatloaf to die for and cold refreshing drinks in a “very chill atmosphere”. They mentioned key lime pops and other delicious deserts, a vintage feel with an open kitchen and gift shop. I am convinced to visit soon! The store has a rich history dating back to 1925. Alley’s store opened offering Lakemont residents and travelers a place to buy gas, grab a loaf of bread or jug of milk and visit with neighbors. It even served as a post office at one time. It was owned by the Alley family for nearly 83 years! When the family sold the store it got a new vibe, yet the “step back in time” flavor has been preserved, adding to the distinct charm. Owner, Caroline Brown invites you to discover Lakemont and enjoy lunch or shop. You’ll find many reasons to eat, shop and stay at The Open Door at Alley’s Ol’ Store located at 8476 Old 441 S. in the village of Lakemont, Georgia. For more information call 706-960-9333 or visit www.opendooratalleys.
com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
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Around Town
Forging a Future by Going Back in Time An interview with Mary Beth Hughes of The General Store By Michael Detrick and then making that happen. So, I am just having a blast playing general store! MD: And you are much more pleasant than Mrs. Oleson from Little House on the Prairie! So, you’re really changing the trajectory. MBH: Haha! And yes, we are. I had a guy come in recently looking for electrical tape and duct tape. I didn’t have them then, but I do now! But the best part is my sons and daughters-in-law are partnering with me in this endeavor and it’s truly becoming a family-owned business. My son Nate came and put in all this new shelving for our growing grocery area, with even more to come. MD: Tell me about some of your locally sourced products.
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sat down with Mary Beth Hughes on the front porch of The General Store for my March column of Michael on the Map on Tallulah Falls, and the two of us quickly hit it off and developed an instant friendship. Fast forward a few months and I paid my friend another rocking chair visit to get the scoop on what’s going on with her now. MD: So, I know I’ve seen you since March, but let’s talk about what’s new and exciting at The General Store these days. MBH: Well, so much! July is our two-year anniversary, and I couldn’t be happier about where we are two years later because I’ll be honest… At the beginning of 2021, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen. I didn’t know if we were going to be able to make it. But there is just so much going on in Tallulah Falls right now. Tallulah 1882 is in full-swing, and Tallulah Adventures is getting ready to launch with Wander as their retail partner. And then, the ultimate of course was being able to buy this building in May of 2022. MD: I have of course been to the tearoom (1882) and am closely following the emergence of Tallulah Adventures. Both are awesome additions to the area. I did not know you bought the building. That’s major! MBH: Yes, it really is! Now that I own this building, I feel much more settled. I still have a lot of the great inventory and merchandise that we were known for at Tallulah Point Overlook those 26 years, but this new vision for what I want to do and what I can do has realty come into focus. And with the whole neighborhood really waking up and my customers are coming in and they’re looking for this and that, it’s so much fun to pay attention to what people are asking for
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MBH: We have local produce from my son, and from Chef Inger Smith. We are also carrying Inger’s chicken salad, pimento cheese, and pesto. All delicious. We have Banner Butter (small batch cultured butter made here in Georgia). Local Ho House Eggs from Lakemont. And of course, Maria Loveless’ SkyeBurger veggie burgers, also from Lakemont. MD: That’s a great lineup up local goods; a great representation of foods made by the folks who make up our community. MBH: It’s just all so circular; and just all comes back together. We’ve stuck together throughout the years. My connections with the people here that I do business with go back for so long. It’s what happens when you live in a community for 32 years, and when you’re involved both as a resident and as a business owner. MD: I haven’t been here for nearly as long but the tightknit nature of it is definitely something I’m excited about. MBH: And it’s just going to get better!
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Around Town
Hometown Heritage Festival in Franklin, NC July 16, 2022
T
he downtown merchants of Franklin, North Carolina invite you to the 9th annual Hometown Heritage Festival July 16, 2022 from 9am to 4pm. The Festival will feature Airing of the Quilts, Appalachian demonstrators, local crafters/artisans, food trucks, live music, gospel sing-a-long, giveaways, antique cars and so much more. Join us all day downtown for some good old hometown fun. Free admission and public parking are available. A great opportunity to shop local, buy local, eat local, and visit local museums, the Hometown Heritage Festival is sponsored by Macon County TDA/TDC, SOFHA. Craft Vendor applications are still being accepted at www.streetsoffranklinnc. org or email thestreetsoffranklinnc@gmail.com. You can also check out our facebook page.
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Southern Fare 38 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - July 2022
Bon Appétit
Warm Weather is Here By Scarlett Cook
W
arm weather has brought local veggies and fruits. So let’s make cool and easy salads. These recipes can be used over green salads and veggies. You know the latest big topics is to eat more plant-based food. For a hearty fare top the salad with chicken or seafood. Try one of these dressings on your favorite salad and you just might have a new favorite one. Tarragon Vinaigrette Makes 1 cup
1 Green onion chopped 1 Teaspoon Dijon mustard Pinch of sugar 3 Teaspoons fresh lemon juice 3 Teaspoons tarragon or white wine vinegar 3 Tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon 3/4 Cup virgin olive oil Salt & Pepper to taste
Buttermilk Horseradish Dressing Makes 1 Cup 1/2 Cup buttermilk 1/2 Cup sour cream 1 1/2 Tablespoons horseradish or to taste 2 Medium garlic cloves 1 1/2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 Cup chopped fresh parsley Pinch of sugar 1 Teaspoon lemon zest Salt & freshly ground black pepper
In a medium bowl combine all ingredients except oil and salt and pepper. Whisk in the oil. Season with salt and pepper. Dressing will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks. Pour over a green salad that has tomatoes. Tarragon goes well with them.
Combine all ingredients except zest and salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and add remaining ingredients. Dressing will keep in fridge 5 – 7 days. This dressing is also delicious on a baked potato instead of butter or sour cream.
Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette Makes 1 cup
Caesar Dressing Makes 1 cup
1 Large red bell pepper 2 Large garlic cloves 2 Teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1 Teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1 Teaspoon salt Dash of Tabasco sauce or to taste 3/4 Cup virgin olive oil Freshly ground black pepper Peel, half and core the red pepper. Put all ingredients except oil and black pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth. With blender on low speed add the oil slowly until the dressing emulsifies. Pour into a bowl and season with black pepper. Dressing will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks. This is delicious on a spinach salad with feta, olives and walnuts. It is also good as a dip for toasted French bread.
3 Medium garlic cloves 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 4 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 egg yolks or substitute 1/2 teaspoon of heavy cream and a tablespoon Parmesan cheese Dash of Worcestershire sauce or to taste 6 Anchovy fillets, finely chopped 1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese 3/4 Cup olive oil Salt & pepper to taste Combine all ingredients except oil in a blender. Mix well and add the oil in a steady stream until dressing emulsifies. Dressing will keep refrigerated for 5 – 7 days. Pour this over a Romaine salad with cooked and chilled shrimp and serve with garlic bread and a cheesecake and you have a wonderful light meal for lunch.
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The Dillard Bluegrass and Barbeque Festival is Back
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e’re back! After a couple of years off due to the pandemic, we are excited to be holding the 25th Dillard Bluegrass and Barbeque Festival, August 5th and 6th. We think this is going to be one of the best festivals yet. Everybody from the bands, the artists, the vendors and our supporters are ready to get out and enjoy some live music, good food and fun! As many people may not know, our festival is a non-profit event. We have over 100 volunteers that help make this happen each year. Through their efforts we have been able to help many local charities over the years, including Paws 4 Life, the 4H Club, Community Pantry, Sid Weber Memorial Cancer Fund, the Boy Scouts, FFA and environmental groups Chattooga Conservancy and Main Spring. We are proud to support these groups and hope to continue to do so. This year, as in the past, we will have some of the best bands from all over the southeast. Our Headliner, Nick Chandler and Delivered, has won numerous awards over the years, and this year we are proud that Nick has been nominated in several categories for the International Bluegrass Music Association awards. Other groups include our own Foxfire
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Boys and Curtis Blackwell and the Dixie Bluegrass Boys. Many returning groups will be with us again, too. A popular band from Tazewell, TN, Shadow Ridge will be here, and from Sharpsburg, GA we have Brushfire once again. From just up the road in Otto is John Duncan, “The Asheville Fiddler”, who will be bringing his string band and some of the best in Old Time music. Several more will perform to round out the show. You can take more than tunes home with you, too! We’ll have arts and crafts vendors in a juried show again this year featuring hand made goods of all descriptions. Bring your Christmas and Birthday wish list. And there will be plenty of good food. Of course barbeque is on the menu, as well as ice cream, funnel cakes, Italian ice, full meals from the Dillard House and other delicious goodies. I’ll guarantee if you leave hungry it’ll be your own fault. Kid’s activities will be on site and a cooking school both Friday and Saturday taught by a world class chef for those wanting to learn the finer points of barbeque. We hope to see you there! Two days of fun and music, arts and food, in Dillard under the big top. Follow the signs to our free parking on site and enjoy some bluegrass hospitality.
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Clayton, GA Downtown
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Outdoors
Adventure Out
Clayton, Georgia - The AT’s newest “Trail Community.” By Peter McIntosh
Wildcat Mountain Sunset
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or my July article, I’m happy to announce that Clayton, Georgia has been designated as a trail community by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. So we’re rolling out the welcome mat to all the hikers looking for a place to relax, recharge and resupply making their way along the trail. Some are thruhikers, heading all the way to Maine, others are section hikers, making a shorter point to point adventure. And it’s a win-win as we benefit from the hikers dollars and the trail benefits as we learn more about how to support this amazing natural resource. And fear not, I’ll have some nice hiking destinations at the end of this article. The effort to have Clayton listed as a “Trail Community” was spearheaded by Rob Gasbarro, Bill Bennett and Cory McCall. They’re the owners of the outdoor equipment/sporting goods store, Outdoor 76, located on Main Street across from the Universal Joint. These guys have been catering to hikers for years, offering shuttle services to and from the trail crossing on Hwy 76 West at Dick’s Creek Gap. At their store they have laundry available for hikers, as well as a shower, and perhaps most importantly, a place to relax and drink a cold one.
And while these guys were at the forefront of this effort, it takes a community to become a “trail community.” At the celebration announcing Clayton’s status as a trail town, many local and regional
Owners of Outdoor 76: Rob Gasbarro, Bill Bennett and Cory McCall. They played a big part in having Clayton named a “Trail Community”.
Peter McIntosh is an accomplished professional photographer. His photography is displayed in collections across the country. His passion for nature and the outdoors is what fuels his column. His work is available as fine art prints. Peter offers one on one and small group instruction on camera operation and photography. To see more of Peter’s photos, or if you have a question or comment, visit Peter’s website: www.mcintoshmountains.com 48 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - July 2022
A Foggy Appalachian Trail
luminaries were there showing their support. “The folks here are so excited about Clayton’s new “Appalachian Trail Community” designation,” said CJ Thompson, Manager of Marketing & Tourism for Rabun County. “It will be fantastic to be a part of the bigger A.T. community. We have so many things to offer our hiker friends and are so happy that the word will finally get out up and down the Trail what a great place Clayton is and how welcoming its people are.” On hand were Clayton Mayor, Kurt Cannon, Rabun County Manager, Darrin Giles, Mickey Duvall, Rabun County Chamber of Commerce Business Development Manager, Rick Story, Forward Rabun Director and Martha Revelo, an Outreach Director for U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock. Also lending support were Drew Ball, Regional Director and Sarah Adams, Georgia Regional Manager of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Georgia ForestWatch volunteer extraordinaire, Melanie Martin Vickers. I’m almost done naming names here but these people deserve recognition. The event could not have taken place without two hard working, civic minded volunteers, Cricket Werkheiser and Dana McFarland. Many thanks to all. Now if you’re not familiar with the AT or want to get reacquainted with the trail, here’s your chance. I have two nearby, relatively easy, Appalachian Trail adventures listed below. Happy hiking!
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Outdoors Rocky trail to the top of Tray Mountain
The view of Lake Burton from the top of Tray Mountain
Wildcat Mountain: From the parking area at Hogpen Gap, we’re going to hike south on the AT. (2 x 6 inch white blaze) It’s actually west, but in AT terms it’s south. The trail leads off into the forest across the road from the parking area and ascends via switchbacks about ¼ mile to the top of the ridgeline. At the top of the ridge the AT continues off to the right and a side trail (blue blazes) leading to a shelter goes to the left. This is our trail, which we follow for about another ¼ mile until coming to an opening on the right, leading out to the rock face, offering a spectacular panoramic view. Cowrock Mountain is just across from you and to the northwest are the many layered mountains of the Nottely River Watershed and to the southwest are the Appalachian Foothills. This is a great place to watch a sunset, even better with a little wine and cheese. And if you have a nice headlamp, you won’t be afraid to stay past twilight since it’s such an easy hike out.
nearing the top, just a little bit further. Upon reaching the rocky summit you’re rewarded with spectacular views to the north and south, the view to the east is just past the summit. Looking north, you can see Georgia’s highest mountain, Brasstown Bald, that’s the mountain with the tower on the top, there’s also Bell Mountain (the visible white quartz on top), Hightower Bald, Lake Chatuge and White Oak Stamp. Off in the distance, you can see North Carolina’s beautiful Snowbird Mountains. Looking south, the most prominent landmark is the uniquely shaped Mount Yonah. And now let’s look east toward our beloved Rabun County. The body of water you see is Timpson Cove on Lake Burton. To the right of the lake is Charlie Mountain with Glassy Mountain right behind it. And on the left, some distance away, majestically stands Rabun Bald. I love Trey Mountain.
Getting there: From Burton Dam Road and GA 197 go 3 miles to GA 356.
Getting there: From Burton Dam Road and GA 197 go south 3 miles on Hwy 197 to GA 356. Turn right on 356 and go 11 miles. The road ends at GA 17–75. Turn right on GA 17–75, about 1 mile keeping an eye out for F.S. Road 79 on the right. Turn right on F.S. 79 and go a little over 8 miles to Tray Gap. It’s a three way intersection with a trail crossing. FS 79 can be bad/rutted in places so it’s best to have a least an all-wheel drive vehicle.
Go 11 miles on GA 356 to intersection with GA 17-75 at Robertstown. (stop at Fred’s Famous Peanuts for some terrific garlic fried peanuts) Go north about 3/10 of a mile on 17-75 and turn left over the Chattahoochee River onto Alt 75. Go a little over 2 miles to an intersection with the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway (GA 348) on right. It’s 7 miles to Hogpen Gap and the Appalachian Trail. Tray Mountain: This hike starts at Tray Gap, where we’ll hike up the Appalachian Trail, about 1 mile, to the top of Tray Mountain. From Tray Gap the trail ascends gently along the southwest side of the mountain before turning to the left for a few long but easy switchbacks which traverse the western side of Tray. The trail now begins to curve around slowly to the north side of the mountain. Just at the spot where the trail turns sharply right, there’s a rocky overlook facing almost due north. From here you can get a glimpse of Lake Chatuge. The short scrub oaks now indicate you’re 50 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - July 2022
For a new AT community, here’s my poetic opportunity: So I guess it’s time for a celebration, Now that AT wise, we’re an official destination. And here are two hikes here I’m sure you’ be liking, So get out and get going and let’s go do some hiking. If you’d like to volunteer with our trail friendly efforts, reach out to the guys at Outdoor 76: https://www.outdoor76.com/ To see more of Peter’s photos or if you have a question or comment: www.mcintoshmountains.com
Outdoors
Firmly Rooted I want to Grow By Tori Carver
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his month’s flower spotlight is the beloved sunflower. Would you believe I have a like/dislike relationship with sunflowers? As a home gardener, I tried to grow sunflowers for many years and finally gave up. Improper soil? Not enough sunlight? Bird and pest pressure? Who knows, but I had a bitter taste every time someone mentioned their love of sunflowers. Fast forward a dozen years and I am a flower farmer who grows sunflowers. What?!? I believe they call that “full circle”. During my extensive research prior to taking the flower farming plunge, every book and article I read encouraged growing sunflowers. In a nutshell, every flower farmer worth their salt grew them. I’ll be honest when I say my heart sunk every time I read sunflowers were a “must”. I knew from experience I couldn’t grow them, so I assumed I was destined for failure. Much like everything with flower farming, I dove in headfirst and committed to growing sunflowers… or at least giving it a noble effort. I applied what I had learned and I’m happy to say my first harvest was quite exhilarating. An interesting little tidbit I learned is sunflowers don’t have to be those giant flowers that tower above and have heads the size of Rhode Island. The secret to producing blooms that work well in arrangements is spacing them close together. Planting them 6 inches apart will produce smaller stems and manageable sized flower heads. In addition to spacing them close together, I start my sunflower seeds in trays and transplant the seedlings into the garden when they are 4 to 6 inches tall as opposed to direct seeding. While this is an extra step, I’ve found that I have much less loss due to bird (and probably rabbit) pressure. One year I tried putting those little green plastic berry baskets over each seed when I direct seeded so the birds couldn’t reach the new sprouts. It worked great except every time it rained or strong winds came through, I was chasing little green baskets all over the garden. Definitely not the best use of my time. I’m now a firm believer in starting seeds in trays. Sunflowers take 55 to 65 days to mature and only produce one flower per stem. There are also branching varieties but I’ve found they take up more space than I am willing to part with at this time. Because single sunflowers are such a quick crop, I succession plant. I plant seeds every week or two throughout the season so I’ll have a constant supply until late September. I grow a large variety of colors that range from the traditional yellow with dark brown center to a lemony yellow, golden yellow with green center, and even dark red and white varieties. While sunflowers may never hold the coveted “favorite” flower spot in my heart, they are firmly rooted in my top ten. Sunflowers are currently available for porch pick up so be sure and check out my Instagram and Facebook page @firmlyrootedflowerfarm for availability.
Victoria (Tori) Carver is a flower farmer. From the thousand bulbs and plants that she puts in the ground each year she creates lovely bouquets. Many enjoy her flowers in their home each week. She has established a subscription program for her customers or a honor-system bouquet sales for random purchases. Tori and her husband and children make their home in Clayton, where they are a treasured part of the community. If you are interested in Firmly Rooted Flower Farm please reach out by email to firmlyrootedflowerfarm@gmail.com or phone 706-490-0041. You will also enjoy their website at www.firmlyrootedflowerfarm.com
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Outdoors
Transplants By Jonan Keeny
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hen the world shut down in early 2020 (remember that?) our family opted to spend the lockdown in Rabun County. Our rustic house here had always been used solely as a temporary getaway in the mountains. However, in this case, we chose to deal with a negative situation by making an extended (and open-ended) trip to one of our favorite places. Perhaps the biggest challenge with this change of scenery was how to keep our seven- and two-year-old boys entertained. We went from having a relatively flat backyard that was a perfect size for two active little ones to having a property that was mostly driveway and mountainside. And, due to the state of the world at the time, pretty much all our “go to” activities were off the table. And even though part of our preparations for this change included making several trips to the mountains just to bring essentials for the boys, Nerf battles and marble runs are temporary. We needed a long-term project…So we (also known as “I”) built some raised garden beds. Explaining what the beds were for and describing how seeds work (in layman’s terms, of course; I’m no botanist) to a couple of little guys was a challenging task. Following every answer to the questions of “why?” and “how?” was at least one additional “why?” or “how?” that barely kept my mind afloat as I attempted to tread water in a sea of Google searches in the hope of honestly satisfying the curiosity of two inquisitive little minds. So, we planted flowers, herbs, and vegetables in pots on the windowsill. We kept them watered. We waited. We watched. We watched and we waited. We watered. And in a few days, we had sprouts! (A huuuuuuuuuuuge weight off daddy’s shoulders…Yes, I still remember how to do this! Special shoutout and thank you to my parents, whom the boys call Mimi and Papa, in northeastern Pennsylvania. Many years after the fact, my forced time in the garden during my childhood continues to reap benefits.) And then, we transplanted. But here’s the thing…My preference is to do as much as possible without the help of electricity, gasoline, etc.; Charles Ingalls-style, if you will. For instance: Slamming the four-tined hand tiller into the earth and twisting the soil into submission takes some effort and time. And while I enjoy the “extra” work that my body must produce on its own, I tend to second-guess myself when, after a few short minutes, my little helpers are spent and it’s my turn once again. But every additional minute is another minute spent with my sons. (Until their desire to watch television or to play video games becomes an insurmountable obstacle, that is. But I digress.) And yes, we do get frequently distracted by ants and worms and bees and butterflies and ladybugs and…I wouldn’t have it any other way. Jonan Keeny was born in Topeka, Kansas, he got older in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and then he lived a bunch of other places. A lifelong learner and a full-time dreamer, the prospect of grand new adventures gets him out of bed in the morning, with some additional assistance from his two blonde-haired, blue-eyed alarm clocks, of course! Jonan recently rediscovered his passion for photography, which keeps him quite busy tromping around the woods, stopping at random places on the side of the road, and uploading photos to his website, www. myworldpics.com, and his Insta, @dude4disney. When he isn’t wrangling two little boys, he’s likely hanging out with his wife, Mary Lauren, reading a book to learn something new, or dreaming of life’s next adventure and Walt Disney World. Regardless of the activity, he’s probably participating in it while wearing funky socks and a cool hat. 54 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - July 2022
Of course, our efforts have yielded varying degrees of success. A vacation to visit family that turned into an extra week’s stay due to COVID put a damper on things our first year. Last year, a different set of circumstances limited our ability to even get started, but we did our best. And this year, we’re focusing on flowers to add some vibrance to our little spot on the mountain, which might seem like we won’t produce any food. But…All our flowers are edible! Regardless of each year’s bounty, I see this tradition continuing in years to come. Serendipity is something to be embraced and built upon whenever possible. At least that’s how I see it. But these days, just a couple of years removed from the uncertainty of 2020, our boys are the plants. The transplants, as it were. They got their start in one place, but now they grow and thrive in another. They’re both doing great in school, they make friends wherever they go, they are active in after-school and church activities, and they’re quickly becoming little men with quirky personalities, a wide range of interests, and kind hearts. And for the record, mommy and daddy are thriving, too. I won’t argue one bit if you call us an entire family of transplants. Thank you, Rabun County. Thank you for being a wonderful place that has become the fertile soil in which we have transplanted our roots.
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Faith
Teach Us to Pray Lord by Boyd Bailey – Wisdom Hunters
“The Lord’s Prayer is our prayer and template.”
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earthly aspirations. He prays for God’s Kingdom to be ushered onto earth with the splendor of heaven’s resources. Our globe governed by God, for God and with God. The prayer of Jesus pronounces God king!
The prayer of Jesus, otherwise known as the Lord’s prayer, is our model for prayer. Jesus, in customary fashion, created consistent time to be with His heavenly Father. One day, upon conclusion of His private prayers, a perceptive disciple asked Jesus for prayer instruction for himself and the other disciples. Yes, this prayer of Jesus’ was birthed out of intimacy with His heavenly Father. He instructed on prayer with authority, because He prayed with authority.
The prayer of Jesus is our model of how and what to pray. Begin and end with Him. Satan shrinks back at the supplicants set forth by our Savior. Thus, we take to heart the heart of our Lord in His instructions to pray. The words are not a magical chant, rather a divine mandate to: seek the love of our heavenly Father, fear His holiness, align with His will, ask His provision, receive His forgiveness, trust His power and announce His glory. Pray His prayer as your prayer!
ne day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.” Luke 11:1-2
The prayer of Jesus is as much about the spirit of the prayer as it is the words of the prayer. Indeed, the Lord spoke about prayer having just prayed. Only minutes before He bowed in humble worship seeking the face of His heavenly Father. He gloried in the glory of the One from heaven who sent Him to earth to save the world. Oh, what a privilege to pray in the presence of our all-wise God. Our spirits are expunged of all selfish pride and replenished with selfless humility. The reverent and submissive spirit of our Lord’s prayer is the navigator for our prayers. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). Our flesh seeks to dismiss the power of prayer by questioning its effectiveness, “Does it really matter if I pray or not?” “Are things truly any different after I pray than before I pray?” In His prayer Jesus desires all men and women everywhere to pray with hands lifted high in praise and hearts bowed low in protracted submission. He’s heavenly minded with
“I will certainly pray to the Lord your God as you have requested” (Jeremiah 42:4). Prayer Heavenly Father, my prayer is for the prayer of Jesus to be my pattern for prayer, through Christ’s love and in Jesus’ name, amen. Application Consider praying the Jesus prayer one phrase at a time, stopping to reflect for two minutes and continue through the prayer. Related Reading 1 Chronicles 29:10; Daniel 9:3-4; Acts 4:24; 2 Thessalonians 1:12
Boyd Bailey is the founder of Wisdom Hunters, Inc. and author of our daily devotionals. By God’s grace, Boyd has impacted wisdom hunters in over 86 countries across the globe through the Wisdom Hunters’ daily devotionals, blog, and devotional books. For over 30 years Boyd has passionately pursued wisdom through his career in full-time ministry, executive coaching and mentoring. Since becoming a Christian at the age of 19, Boyd has begun each day as a wisdom hunter, diligently searching for Truth in scripture, and through God’s grace, applying it to his life, and now sharing that with thousands of others. Boyd Bailey is the founder of this ministry and he was kind enough to allow us to share this one with our readers. Visit www.wisdomhunters.com or find them on Facebook @wisdomhunters. 58 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - July 2022
“Fear Not” In the Bible 365 times
Thank God because we need to be reminded to “Fear not” and trust God every day.
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Faith
Sean of the South America –
Dear Sean,
The nation is going down the toilet, bro, and it is people like you (no offense) who are inadvertently doing more harm than good. I don’t mean to be a hater, but Americans suck right now, dude. I know you mean well, but nothing’s going to change if you keep writing little candy-coated vignettes and ignore our problems. Thanks, Not Feeling Very Patriotic This Year deployed. There was an incident. Now he has a prosthetic leg. She had children with him. They’ve gone through hell. Today, he stays at home, caring for kids, packing lunches, kissing scraped knees. She cuts hair. “You wouldn’t believe our cool life,” says Candy. “Having kids has actually healed my husband’s heart.” Her oldest brought her husband to classroom career day. It had been a long time since he wore his old uniform. He told his story and made his forefathers proud. Dear Unpatriotic,
How about Don:
A few candy-coated vignettes for you:
A white-haired mechanic who’s had grease under his fingernails since his teens. And for almost that long, he’s driven the same ugly Ford. The vehicle finally gave up the ghost. Don junked the truck and has been hitching rides. On his birthday: a catered Dunkin Donut breakfast, greeting cards, balloons, and something else. His coworkers led him outside, blindfolded. A red Ford Ranger with fifty-seven thousand miles. Wrapped in a big ribbon.
Meet Mary—single mother with three kids. Her husband shot himself with a hunting rifle after serving in Iraq. She goes to baseball games, soccer games, piano recitals, 4H Club, Girl Scouts, and still finds time to make supper. She works as a receptionist, and helps her brother-in-law landscape on weekends. “Some days I don’t know if I’m gonna cry or scream,” she told me. “I keep telling myself, God’s gonna gimme strength.” Here’s some more candy-coating: John. Guitarist and singer. He’s played in small bars since high school. His father called John a “loser,” and “lazy.” Not true. John met a girl. A dental assistant, attending school to become a dentist. Her parents are immigrants, she doesn’t have much money. They got married. John gave up music to work three jobs and fund her tuition. “I spend my days on scaffolding,” said John. “Painting commercial buildings, and part-time with an electrician, man I’m hauling ass, but I love her.” God bless love. Another: I’ll call her Candy —that seems appropriate. She met a man. She was a hairdresser, he was military. He got
Anyway, you have every right to not like where this country is going, friend. And who am I to tell you how to feel about your own country? But when those fireworks go off on the Fourth of July, I’ll be watching. And thinking. Thinking about single mothers, mechanics, dental students, pain-pill addicts, homeless drunks, county prisoners, veteran amputees, immigrant students, preachers, burnt-out bartenders, football coaches, nurses, electricians, factory workers, janitors, writers. You. And my granddaddy, who fought hard just to pay bills, turn soil, and forget the War that changed him. I’m talking about ordinary people. Americans. I’m sorry you don’t feel patriotic this year. But as for me, I am proud as hell. Bro.
Sean Dietrich is a columnist, novelist, and podcast host, known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Newsweek, Southern Living, Garden and Gun, The Tallahassee Democrat, Good Grit, South Magazine, Alabama Living, the Birmingham News, Thom Magazine, The Mobile Press Register, Laurel of Northeast Georgia and he has authored thirteen books, and is the creator of the Sean of the South Podcast.
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Healthy and Well
Heatstroke
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure By Tracy McCoy
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s I write this month, the temp is nearing triple digits and it’s mid-June. It leaves me to question what July and August have in store for us. Hot steamy summers are a signature of the South, making working outdoors uncomfortable and sometimes unhealthy. Protecting your skin from sunburn is important to prevent skin damage and skin cancer but protecting yourself from the heat is imperative to prevent heat stroke. Heatstroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. Called the most serious form of heat injury, a heatstroke can occur if your body temperature rises to 104° F or more. If left untreated it can quickly damage your brain, heart, muscles and kidneys, making this an emergency! Damage from heatstroke worsens every minute that treatment is delayed, increasing risk of serious complications or even death. The signs and symptoms of heatstroke can vary from person to person but typically they include: • High body temperature: 104° F or above. • Altered mental state or behavior: Confusion, slurred speech, agitation, delirium, seizures and coma. • Change in sweating: Skin that is hot and dry to the touch. Heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise can make your skin feel dry or slightly moist. • Nausea and vomiting: You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit. • Flushed skin: Your skin may appear red as your temperature increases. • Rapid breathing: Your breathing may be rapid and shallow. • Racing heart rate: Your pulse may significantly increase due to the stress placed on your heart to keep your body cool. • Headache: A throbbing headache. If you or someone you are with shows symptoms of heatstroke you must take action by calling 911. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Meanwhile you can take the following steps to help: • Move the person into shade or indoors where it is cooler. • Remove excess clothing to help reduce body temp. • Cool them off however you can. For instance put them in a cool tub of water or a cool shower. Spray with a garden hose, sponge with cool water. Put them in front of a fan while misting with cool water or place ice packs or cold wet towels on their head, neck, armpits and groin. Working hard in the heat may not be something you can avoid. Your job may require it or you may have duties that you can not avoid. If possible do your work early in the day or late when the sun
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is not overhead. There are two main types of heatstroke: • Non-exertional or classic heatstroke. This happens simply from exposure to hot, humid weather, especially for long periods of time. Often this happens to folks who are older or have a chronic illness. • Exertional heatstroke is caused when the body temperature rises brought on by intense physical activity in hot weather. If you are exercising or working in hot weather you can experience exertional heatstroke. This is most likely to occur if you are not accustomed to high temperatures. While heatstroke can happen to anyone, there are factors that can increase your risk, they are: • Age. Your ability to cope with extreme heat depends on your central nervous system. In young children their CNS is not fully developed and in the elderly their CNS may be deteriorating. These factors make their bodies less able to handle changes in temperature or exposure to extreme heat. • Exertion in hot weather. Participating in sports, exercising or training such as in the military in hot weather are two examples of situations that can lead to heatstroke. • Sudden exposure to hot weather or lack of air conditioning can lead to heatstroke. If you are traveling to a climate much hotter than you are used to, give yourself a couple days to adjust. If you don’t have air conditioning or it becomes inoperable use fans to help keep yourself cool.
• Medications can affect your ability to stay hydrated and respond to heat. Be especially careful if you take medications such as heart medications, blood pressure pills, diuretics or even antidepressants or antipsychotics. If you are concerned talk to your doctor or pharmacist. • Certain health conditions can increase your risk of heatstroke. If you have a heart or lung disease, are obese, have a sedentary lifestyle or have a history of heatstroke you may be at an increased risk. There are ways to help prevent a heatstroke. We’ve all heard the saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Taking a few easy steps can help reduce your risk of problems in the heat. • Wear loose fitting clothing to allow your body to cool properly. • Protect against sunburn. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours. • Drink plenty of fluids. Water is always great but some of the sports drinks offer electrolytes that may help. Staying hydrated is so important all of the time but especially in warmer months or if exposed to extreme heat. • Don’t sit or leave anyone in a parked car. This seems to be a commonsense issue and I am shocked when I see in the news that children or pets are left in hot cars. Perhaps some are unaware of how fast temperatures can rise in an automobile. The temperature in a parked car can rise as much as 20° in less than ten minutes. It is NEVER safe to leave your child or pet or anyone in the car during warm or hot weather, even if the windows are cracked. If you can not take your child or pet with you leave them in the care or someone else. • If possible avoid being out or doing strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day. Do your gardening or yard work either early or late. Drink plenty of fluids and find a cool spot to rest periodically. • Be aware and cautious. If medications or health issues have you at an increased risk avoid the heat and act fast if you feel ill while outdoors or exposed to high temperatures. Take care this summer and be mindful of your body and how you are feeling. When spending time or working during these hottest days of summer take care to prevent complications from heat exposure. Summertime is our chance to get outside and have fun, but just take care to do so safely. Remember to keep an eye on your little ones, our elderly and pets too.
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Healthy and Well
Keep Your Pet Cool and Hydrated This Summer By Jaime Smoot Speed
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riday is set to be a real scorcher, with highs of 102 degrees Fahrenheit expected.” When you hear this forecast, your pet may not be the first thing you think of, but I encourage you to make it a habit of planning your day with your pet in mind. Consider whether you must leave your pet outside unattended or in your car. If it feels hot to you, it feels hot to your dog. Consider that their normal body temperature is 101.5 +/- 1 degree …. this is considered a fever for us. Then consider that they cannot sweat and they have a fur coat. Some dogs are overweight, have thick undercoats, have short noses, or have pre-existing health conditions that make heat worse for them. The most common question we get is about keeping your pet in the car. Even on a warm day, simply cracking a window, sunroof, or parking in the shade is often not enough. Dogs pant off their excessive heat, and the brain signals for them to find somewhere cooler to lie down. When they are in the car, they are unable to seek a cooler place, their panted air just comes right back to them, and the windows are heating the inside air every minute. Some people leave the car running while they run inside. While this may seem like a good idea, what if the a/c malfunctions or the car turns off? Keep these trips to an absolute minimum or avoid them at all. Lastly, keep this in mind: if it is 70 degrees outside, it is 100 degrees inside a closed car. If it is 90 degrees outside, it is 140 degrees inside. Heat acclimation, which is where the pet’s body adjusts to the surrounding tempera-
tures takes approximately 60 days. This is why heatstroke is the most common in the beginning of spring and summer. Internal temperatures greater than 105.8 degrees can cause nervous system damage and internal temperatures greater than 109 degrees can cause irreversible brain damage. Golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, and all brachycephalic breeds are at the highest risks. Heat stroke, or clinical hyperthermia, carries a guarded prognosis with a mortality rate believed to be about 50%. If you suspect an animal of heatstroke, mist with cool or room temperature water and place in front of a fan, but do NOT use cold water. Drive to the hospital with the air on or the windows rolled down. Do not place wet towels on the pet as this prevents proper evaporation. Also keep in mind that cooling pets too quickly can be dangerous, so do not attempt to do this solely on your own. This type of emergency needs a team of experienced technicians and veterinarians to manage. Prevention is key to keeping your dog safe from hot temperatures. Always allow them to have access to water, consider a cooling vest or cooling towel – these are specially designed to allow for evaporation, and bring a handheld fan. Lastly, consider carrying a pet first aid kit in the car with a thermometer. Most importantly, listen to your pet – if they are panting heavily and wanting to find somewhere cool, allow them to follow their instincts. I hope you and your pet enjoy your time together this summer safely!
Jaime Smoot Speed was born in West Virginia, went to James Madison University with a BS in molecular biology, then worked at Johns Hopkins doing research until attending UGA for Vet School. She graduated 2010 and moved to Clayton with her husband who is a native five years ago. She works at Clayton Veterinary Hospital. She opened Claws & Paws in December 2020. You can reach Claws & Paws at 706-212-7322 or visit their website: claytonpawsandclaws.com or on facebook and instagram: @claytonclawsandpaws
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Professional Services
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Mountain Homes
On the Shores of Burton, Your Paradise Awaits By John Shivers
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estled in the hills around Lake Burton and mere minutes away from the well-known Waterfall Country Club on Highway 76 west of Clayton, the home at 81 Pepe Road offers many opportunities for yearround living. With four bedrooms and four full baths, the potential for both family and guests to enjoy the lifestyle that Rabun County lake living delivers is fantastic. Throughout this lakefront cottage, white tongue and groove walls and ceilings, pine flooring and exposed rafters provide a backdrop for casual comfortably formal living inside. An abundance of glass strategically placed throughout the 2,020± square foot, two-level rustic lodgelike home marries beautiful ridgeline mountain views and stunning lake vistas into a relationship meant to last a lifetime.
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The biggest conundrum you’ll face when you’re “in residence” will be whether you want to enjoy life indoors or outside. With an .87± acre lot easily accessible to Clayton only ten to twelve minutes away, you can vegetate or get out and about when you live here. It promises to be a hard choice. Do you relax in one of the rocking chairs on the open, spacious outdoor decks, in one of the comfortable chairs inside the screened porch, or on the covered patio areas on the lower level? Or do you venture farther out and enjoy a blaze in the lakeside flat yard and the fire pit that expands the living potential? Or perhaps the siren call of the lake will be stronger than you can resist. The two-stall boathouse is there to allow for swimming and simply kicking back on the covered porch. This home offers so many opportunities for living life to the max, it’s like a no-brainer. All that’s lacking is the name of a new discerning buyer on the deed! It truly is a win-win situation. And what’s inside is as varied, comfortable, and beautiful as the outside. The great room offers a generous seating area around a stone fireplace with a wall of sliding glass doors showcasing the lake view. Vaulted ceilings and oversize beams lend an air of cozy, but rustic elegance to the entire space. Custom bookcases are the cherry on the sundae. In the oversize adjacent kitchen, a hammered copper farmhouse sink, and concrete countertops stained to mimic wood-tones, a stone backsplash, and top of the line stainless appliances make this a virtual paradise for the resident chefs. Only steps away, a dining area that can comfortably seat six or eight for breakfast or Christmas dinner expands the home’s flexibility. French doors that lead to a screened dining porch overlooking the lake allow the homeowner to feed the masses. A spacious walk-through wet bar with a copper sink, under counter refrigerator and wine storage is easily accessible from both the kitchen and great room. The entire floor plan is geared to convenience and double duty. Toward that end, a main floor guest bedroom, full bath, and a generous size laundry room right off the kitchen save many steps each day for the homeowners. The main level owner’s suite includes a private bath with slate tiled shower and a private lakeside screened porch. The lower level includes a bunk area with full bath and a guest bedroom with access to a full bath. Each space features sliding doors that lead out to covered porches and a lakeside deck. Check out GAMLS #20048230, and picture yourself in this fantastic home right on the shores of Lake Burton. Contact agent Julie Barnett at Harry Norman, REALTORS® Luxury Lake and Mountain at 404-697-3860 or at the office, 706212-0228. July 2022 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - 71
Mountain Homes
ANGEL OAK HOME
Farm-to-Table By Nancy Boger
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arm-to-table” may be a relatively new term, but the principle is as old as humanity. After all, mankind was created and placed in a garden abounding with perfect food. Through the centuries, our food got farther and farther away from the farm, and evolved into mass produced, preservative-laden packaged commodities, often unrecognizable as anything that came from nature.
for food transforms it into artwork on our plates – a delight to the eyes and the palate. The colors are vibrant, the flavors exquisite. Menus are changed seasonally, or even daily. Food is served at its peak, fresh and flavorful. Diners can peruse the list of local farms and sources that supplied the meal they are enjoying. This is real food, grown by real people, just down the road a piece.
Fortunately, some folks realized this was not the healthiest way to eat. The hippies of the 1960s and 70s preferred “natural”. The dangers of pesticides began to be exposed. A few restaurants opened specifically to serve local, sustainable agriculture. Groups were formed to promote and oversee organic farming. Thus, the “Farm-to-Table” movement was born.
And we all know the difference. I mean really, would you rather have a tomato from Daddy’s garden, or one of those pale, plastic-looking orbs grown in a hot house thousands of miles away? How about peaches soft and Georgia sweet, so full of juice it drips down your arm on a July day? Sure beats those rock hard ones from distant lands in January. Fresh milk, cream, butter and eggs all just taste so much better than their mass-produced versions.
But what exactly is this ever-growing approach to nourishing our bodies? Broadly, it refers to food that is locally-grown, and goes directly from the farm (or garden) to your table – whether in a restaurant or your own kitchen. The term itself is not regulated, so beware the marketing hype and misuse by some eateries and supermarkets these days.
In addition to more savory meals, farm-to-table eating has other benefits. Food is healthier and more nutritious, with less chance of contamination. The local economy is supported, and there is minimal harm to the environment. Younger generations learn sustainable agricultural skills and discover that food doesn’t just come from the grocery store or drive thru.
Here in northeast Georgia, we are blessed with an abundance of agricultural products, affording the opportunity for us to truly eat locally. Farmers and gardeners provide a vast array of colorful, nutritious fruits and vegetables, eggs, dairy, and humanely grown meats. The area’s numerous vineyards supply us with wines to complement the fresh foods and turn our meals into veritable feasts.
Of course, many of us grew up with gardens, and spent our summers eating fresh squash, cucumbers, black-eyed peas, butter beans, okra, cabbage, tomatoes, blackberries, peaches and more. It’s what we had for supper every night, and maybe some fried chicken, if Granny decided to wring a hen’s neck that day. And if we were really lucky, we might even get a sip of Papaw’s homemade muscadine wine! So, were we truly the ones pioneering a “movement”? No, we were just simple folk eating simply – which I think, is closer to the way God intended.
Several award-winning restaurants in our section of the state take advantage of this bounty, and truly embody “Farm-to-Table” practices. Discerning chefs carefully curate the freshest ingredients, and in some cases, even grow their own. Their passion and respect
“The eyes of all look to You; You give them their food in due season.” Psalm 145:15
Georgia native Nancy Boger is Director of Operations at Angel Oak Home in Toccoa, and a professed “foodie”. She and her husband Keith live in Clarkesville and enjoy dining at area farm- to-table restaurants, and gathering with friends at local vineyards.
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Mountain Homes
Can You Picture Yourself as the Innkeeper? By John Shivers
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t’s a magical Shangri-La. The lyrical essence of mountain waterfalls performing in exquisite concert. Music to de-stress by, if you will. And when guests lay themselves down to sleep at 4982 Highway 441 in Tiger, GA, stress won’t stand a chance. It’s a hidden gem located so close off the beaten path, yet so far away from the hectic pace of everyday life. You’ll find all of these attributes and more at The Cascades Inn, with a solid history of positive reviews. The next owner will have a sound reputation and repeat clientele to help them continue offering hospitality Rabun County style. The Cascades Inn, a unique mountain retreat nestled ‘mongst cascading waterfalls, offers two cabins and seven guest suites that can sleep between two and six individuals. U.S. Highway 441 that runs only yards away is a main traffic corridor
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from Florida to the Great Smoky Mountains. Down through the years, more than one traveler has discovered this 1.71± acre piece of paradise. Perched high on the banks over the tumbling waters of Tiger Creek, with 343± feet of creek frontage, the sanctity and the privacy of this beautiful wooded setting are just some of the amenities. Thanks to the various decks, the views that accompany the comfortable lodgings are breathtaking and legendary. Many of the private accommodations have the luxury of looking down on the tumbling, majestic waters. For those seeking closer solace, steps lead down to the creek-side sanctuary that has both delighted and mesmerized for many years. Indeed, this testimonial left on the Inn’s website sums up the essence of a guest’s experience: “It is a very quiet, relaxing place. We had the ‘Honeymoon Suite’ which was awesome with the private balcony. It is a great location easy to get around and see all the local waterfalls and attractions, just in case the waterfalls at the resort are not enough for you.” Located six miles north of Tallulah Gorge and four and one-half miles south of Clayton, this very active and complete vacation rental business and real estate package offers a solid opportunity for a discerning buyer. Lakes Rabun, Seed, and Burton are nearby, along with the waters of the Tallulah River and the Tugalo River. Thousands of acres of U.S. National Forest lands and hiking trails are right outside. All rooms have access to gas BBQ grills and outdoor seating. There are many decks, seating, and swings by the creek, along with a large fire pit for guest enjoyment. While these lands are particularly beautiful during spring’s laurel blooming season as well as autumn’s colorful leaf season, in reality, the area’s attributes are available every day of the year. There are trails that wind in and around the surrounding forest. They go down to the edge of the waterfall and up behind the cabins. The trails are lined with rabbits, squirrels, birds and other forest critters, and lots of pretty flowers. Guests stay overnight, enroute to other destinations. They stay for several days at a time, as they explore all that Rabun County has to offer. And some even reserve the entire facility for the ever-popular weddings staged in the area, for family reunions, and even business meetings and retreat sessions. In addition to the sleeping accommodations, there’s also a room suitable for dining and meetings that can seat 25.
For more details on the buildings and amenities included in this offering, see the property web site thecascadesinn.com. To see GA MLS #20031425 first-hand, contact Scott Poss at Poss Realty at 706-490-2305 or at the office at 706-782-2121.
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Professional Services
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Mountain Homes
A River Literally Runs Through It By Deena C. Bouknight
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n off the beaten path Clayton property has as its approach, its major feature, its view from multiple windows: the Tallulah River. It is a privileged property, in fact, that sits on the impressive river, which is 47.7-mile-long and runs through Georgia and North Carolina. But in North Georgia, the Tallulah River travels through Rabun County and ends in Habersham County, cutting through the Tallulah Dome rock formation to form the Tallulah Gorge and its several waterfalls. Said Graham Fowler, based in Atlanta, who has owned the property as a family and friend getaway for the past three years, “Just yesterday [June 13], I was sitting on the deck, which is 30 feet from the edge of the river, where the view is spectacular. But what I was enjoying most was the sound of the river. I just closed my eyes and listened.” Homes along the river, unlike area lakes, are minimal. Yet, a brick stunner on Garrett Branch Road is not only built on the acre-plus landscape incorporating the river, but rather into the landscape. In fact, the Tallulah River, which provides a spectacularly scenic introduction to the house during a five-minute approach, is what homeowners experience daily from a spacious, 1,000-square-footplus overhanging deck atop a giant white-rock boulder. The 250-foot water frontage property’s sensory experience is of water flowing over rocks, the seasonal changes in hardwood trees, and wildlife galore. But just as remarkable as the natural surroundings is the home’s 2,600-square-foot interior. Central in the three bedroom, two and a half bath, two-story home is the massive and impressive kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances. The kitchen space accommodates and is
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equipped for everyone from a seasoned cook to a master chef. And, for entertaining and everyday living purposes, the home’s design has the kitchen’s wide open space flowing into the equally airy, fireplace-apportioned great room. Light floods the expansive spaces due to the multitude of windows. And from the windows, of course, is a view of all the natural surroundings – most importantly, the river. “I like to walk down to the bridge and feed the fish,” said Fowler. “It takes only 10-15 seconds for them to show themselves. I’ve gotten to know them, in a way, and enjoy seeing them in their natural habitat.” The generous master bedroom has a fireplace for cozy winters, yet plenty of glass doors open to the deck during warmer seasons. The master bath marries a modern, glassed-in shower space with a stand-alone, claw-foot porcelain tub. The other full bath’s Jack and Jill design is ideal for couples and guests. Built-in bonuses upstairs are a coffee bar and intimate balcony. Plus, a new, 600-squarefoot vaulted-ceiling yoga room was added to provide flex space for various purposes, such as a striking home office, a practical bunkroom, a roomy workout area. Both an attached and detached garage, and a parking pad, offer space for vehicles and recreational equipment. And the mudroom/laundry room sports a shower – ideal for cleaning up after fishing, swimming, gardening, and more in this nature-lover’s hideaway. Also, noted Fowler, Denton Branch Falls is a little over a mile’s walk (or drive to the trailhead and then a 15 minute walk), and about four miles drive dead ends at the entrance of Nantahala National Forest, with access to the Appalachian Trail and a hike to High Falls. “This property might be an acre and some change,” he said, “but it is surrounded directly by national forest [Chattahoochee] and there is a whole lot of nature to access.” To learn more about this property or for a showing contact Tina Anzo at 404-9642363. July 2022 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - 81
Our History
The Rabun County Historical Society
The Story of African-Americans in Rabun County Slaves, Segregated Work Camps and a Grandmother Who Was Purchased By Dick Cinquina
Village for Black workers at the Terrora hydro plant construction site
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frican-Americans were among the earliest residents of Rabun County. They were slaves.
Rabun County was created by an act of the Georgia legislature in 1819. The new county’s land was offered to white settlers through the Land Lottery of 1820. Unique to Georgia, this lottery system distributed 250-acre parcels in the county’s river valleys, which contained the most arable land. Parcels in the mountainous portions of the county were surveyed into holdings of 490 acres. Regardless of location, both 250 and 490-acre lots were acquired for pennies an acre. Like most mountain counties, Rabun’s topography prevented the formation of many large farms, which largely eliminated the need for a significant amount of slave labor. However, the availability of cheap land nevertheless attracted slave owners, many from South Carolina. 205 Slaves in 1860 According to the “1860 Slave Schedule” compiled by James Bleckley, 49 families owned 205 slaves in Rabun County. This stands in stark contrast to the vast slave populations on the sprawling cotton plantations farther south in Georgia. The county’s largest slave owners farmed large tracts of arable land in the Little Ten-
nessee River Valley north of Clayton and the Warwoman Valley east of Clayton. Captain Samuel Beck owned 18 slaves, making him the largest slaveholder in Rabun County. He was followed by Hiram Gibson (17), G.A. Greenwood (16), John W. Scruggs (14) and Edley Powell (13). The county’s other slaveholders owned far fewer slaves. The Slave Schedule reported that many families owned only one or two, most likely for domestic work or house chores. Many of the county’s 205 slaves were children. The oldest was listed as 72. Most were in their 20s and 30s. Samuel Beck came to Rabun County from Pickens, South Carolina without slaves to participate in the 1820 land lottery. He won 490 acres along Dick’s Creek in the Warwoman Valley. After serving as captain of a battalion of Georgia volunteers in Florida’s Seminole Wars during the 1830s, Beck started acquiring large tracts of land. He eventually owned more than 2,000 acres, stretching east from his initial homestead to the Chattooga River. To meet his labor needs, Beck acquired slaves. Slave Owner Voted Against Secession Beck and Horace W. Cannon were chosen to represent Rabun County at Georgia’s secession convention in then-capital Milledgeville in January 1861. Reflecting the county’s generally pro- Union sentiment due to the absence of widespread slavery and their fear that war would wreak havoc on Rabun’s economy, slaveholder Beck and Can-
Dick Cinquina holds graduate degrees in history and journalism, making his work for the Rabun County Historical Society a natural fit for his interests. He is the retired president of Equity Market Partners, a national financial consulting firm he founded in 1981. In addition to writing monthly articles for the Georgia Mountain Laurel, Dick helped produce the Society’s new web site and is involved with the renovation of the group’s museum. After vacationing in this area for many years, he and his wife Anne moved to Rabun County in 2018 form Amelia Island, Florida.
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Blue Ridge Hotel staff, circa 1912
Labor crew on the Tallulah Falls Railroad
non initially voted against secession. However, bowing to intense pressure from firebrands, they ultimately voted to secede.
his history over 70 years ago.
Hiram Gibson, a South Carolina plantation owner and the county’s second largest slaveholder, purchased 1,000 acres of farmland in 1851 in the Little Tennessee River Valley in the vicinity of present-day Mountain City. He moved his family and slaves to the site. His granddaughter eventually opened a boardinghouse that became the York House hotel on a portion of this land.
Jobs for African-Americans
Slavery in Rabun County grew modestly over the two years following 1860, based on information compiled by Andrew Jackson Ritchie, author of the 1948 Sketches of Rabun County History. He listed 60 families that owned 248 slaves in 1862. Although Ritchie did not provide a source for these statistics, it can be assumed that part of the increase in the county’s slave population resulted from births. However, given the increase Ritchie reported in the number of slaveholding families, it is a virtual certainty that slaves had been purchased by new owners at auctions in Atlanta or other southeastern cities. Slaves Likened to Horses Based on what Ritchie said was his personal acquaintance with former slave owners, he was certain Rabun County’s slaves had been treated kindly. “It was simply a matter of good business management to treat the slaves kindly and keep them in healthy and comfortable condition. To be a good slave master was like being the owner of a good horse. An able-bodied slave man was worth several horses. A slave child was always valued at $100 or more. An adult slave man in good physical condition was in some cases valued at $1,000.” Following emancipation, some newly freed blacks continued working the land of their former owners, probably as sharecroppers. According to Ritchie, “There was something about them and their experience as slaves that made them feel as if they were members of the old master’s family.” A Rabun County native, Ritchie was expressing beliefs that probably were widely held at the time he wrote
The coming of the Tallulah Falls Railroad in the late 1800s created job opportunities that drew large numbers of African-Americans to Rabun County. Black workers were hired to build the line’s roadbed. The railroad spurred the development of tourism, first in what became the resort mecca of Tallulah Falls and then in other communities as the railway was extended north. Hotels became a prime source of employment for African-Americans. The railroad also facilitated the logging industry, which employed many black workers From the construction of the Tallulah Falls hydroelectric dam that started in 1910 through the completion of the Nacoochee Dam in 1926, Georgia Railway and Power, the predecessor of today’s Georgia Power, hired hundreds of African-Americans for dam construction labor. Work camps were segregated. The “Negro Workers Village” at the site of the Mathis Dam’s Terrora powerhouse included 93 one-room shacks, 42 two-room shacks and a dance hall. Segregated Schools Work camps were not the only thing that was segregated in Rabun County. So were the public schools. According to a state survey of Georgia’s rural schools in 1914, black children attended two of the county’s 29 one-room schoolhouses. The Well’s Chapel School was located in Rabun Gap, while Ivy Hill School in eastern Rabun County was near what was called “Colored Town.” The 1914 survey indicated that 80 black children were enrolled at the two segregated schools. In a Clayton Tribune article, Hattie Fortson, who attended Ivy Hill, said desks, books and playground equipment all came from the white schools. Many of the books were missing pages. “It used to make me so mad. You never knew the beginning or the end of a story.” Sadie Owens added, “If you got into arithmetic, you had to start in the middle of the book and had no idea what went on before.” Motor oil coated the floor of the Ivy Hill School to keep the wood Continued... July 2022 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - 83
Professional Services
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RABUN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Cont... from rotting, and sawdust was used to keep students from slipping on the oil. Fortson said her shoes would be covered with oil and sawdust by the time she returned home. Wells Chapel School The 1914 state survey included a glowing comment about the Well’s Chapel School for black children. “Pupils here read remarkably well and with thorough understanding...Children could write well and answer intelligently all questions that were asked. The methods of teaching were far above the average.” Nothing remotely similar was written about the county’s 27 white schools. Since African-American students could not attend Rabun County’s segregated high school, they were forced to travel to Cornelia or Toccoa, which had black high schools. Fortson said her father drove her and her sisters to Tallulah Falls, where they caught the bus to Cornelia. Rabun County High School started admitting black students in 1965. “The Whites Was Bad On The Coloreds” In a 1977 interview conducted by the Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center in Mountain City, Harley Penland, an African-American, said, “My mother’s name was Georgia Scruggs. She was from here. The Scruggs had bought my grandma and so my mama carried their name.” “This place used to be tough country, you know,” Penland continued. “The whites was bad on the coloreds. It was almost as bad as the way they treated Georgia Power dam construction workers the Indians. I don’t know which was the worst. They kept the coloreds to do at the Tallulah Falls hydro plant the work and run the Indians onto the reservation.” He recalled the time a jury found an African-American guilty of a crime and recommended that he be placed on a chain gang. “The judge said, ‘I oughn’t to do that but because he’s a (N word), I’m going to give him some time (on the chain gang). That’s the reason I tell you this place used to be bad.” Depression Spurs Black Outmigration With the onset of the depression in 1929, jobs vanished for African-Americans as well as whites. Harley Penland said many of his friends and relatives simply left Rabun County in search of employment. “It got so we couldn’t get jobs at all, and then some scattered to Atlanta and up to New York and around to other places...They could get work then by going north.” America started preparing for World War II by the late 1930s. Manufacturers of airplanes, tanks, guns and munitions were clustered in northern cities and along the West Coast. Lured to these regions by jobs in defense plants, millions of African-Americans abandoned the South. Rabun County’s black population shrank dramatically. Rabun County’s population of African-Americans is far smaller today than it was in the 1920s. The U.S. Census reported that 106 African-Americans were living in Rabun County in 2020. In his 1948 history, Andrew Jackson Ritchie guessed that the “negro colony” in eastern Rabun County also totaled about 100 residents. He wrote, “They are well behaved and are on good terms with their white neighbors. We have no race trouble with these people.” Learn more about our history by becoming a member of the Rabun County Historical Society. Membership and complete information about the Society’s museum are available at www.rabunhistory.org. The newly renovated museum at 81 N. Church St. in downtown Clayton, which houses the Southeast’s largest collection of Tallulah Falls Railroad artifacts, is open Thursday-Saturday from 11 to 3 and Sunday from 12 to 4. The Society is a not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, making membership dues and donations tax deductible. Visit us on Facebook. July 2022 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - 85
Our History
Fishing tales from the Foxfire magazine Adapted from Spring 1981
Lawton Brooks
“What grows the fastest of anything in the world is a fish after it’s caught ‘til you tell about it.”
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n the late 1970s, Foxfire students went around to their neighbors and community members asking all kinds of questions about fishing here in the North Georgia Mountains. They put their findings into a whole magazine issue dedicated to fishing. They learned about what type of fish live here - and which ones were introduced to our streams - how to catch them, and how to cook them. They got several tall tales along the way, from twenty-pound catfish or nine-pound trout. As we take to the lakes this summer, we decided to share a few of our favorite tales with you: Lawton Brooks: “I found this fish, oh, I guess, four or five months ahead of the time I caught him. But I couldn’t get him to hit nothing. I tried everything. My wife’d catch lizards and we’d try those. I didn’t tell nobody where I fished at. It was right down the railroad going by our house. The creek went right in beside the mountain there. Hit a big rock and turned back right under the rock there. It was right deep and it was swift through there. It might be that when you put your bait in there, it went by too fast for him to catch it. He didn’t want to fool with it or something. I’d slip down there sometimes and see him out. I’d look over in there and sometimes he’d be in a hole that deep. I’d go to the house and tell Florence, my wife, “I’m gonna catch him. It may take me six months to do it, but I’m gonna catch him.” So they started a revival meeting down there at the church below the house. One evening - it was the prettiest evening to fish - I went out there and I fished and I fished, and fooled around and caught me a little ol’ crawdad. I cut his head off, hooked him on that hook, and had me a line, I mean a stout ‘un. I had me a big ol’ cane pole, long as from here to the door yonder, and I put that thing on that pole. I put me on a great big ol’ beaten-out piece of lead and I rolled it around there.
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I throwed that line right on over in there with that crawdad and I went on off to church. I put the pole up under a rock and stuck it in the bank. We come on back and he’d bit my line. He was on there! I tell you what I done. I’d pull him out from under that rock and he’d go back. And I’d get him back out and he’d go back under. He’d swallow the plug [I had on the line] way down. There wasn’t no way he could have got loose without breaking the line all the way, because he’d done got it down past that tough place in his throat here. He ain’t gonna get that hook out. As long as you’ve just got him up here in the mouth, he can throw ‘em out. But I know he swallowed that thing for I had it hooked right through both his lips, and I knowed he’d have to swallow the whole hook, and sure ‘nough, he had. I fooled with that ol’ rascal a long time, pulling him in and out, pulling him in and out. The next time I started with him, I just took right on out through yonder just a’runnin’ with my pole, draggin’ him. Sure enough, he come out on the sandbar and [my friend] fell down on top of him. So I reached around under [him] and I finally got to his head and got right up in his gills and I said, “We got ‘im now.” I forget how long he was, but boys! He was a whopping fish. And no telling how long he’d been in that creek. And everybody had fished by him. I’d been a’fishing by him for over a year before I ever knowed he was in there.” Florence Brooks, Lawton’s Wife: “One time [when I was fishing] up yonder on Burton Lake on a bridge, I saw a pretty hole way up across there and I just drew back and threw my hook under there. I hooked something and it just broke loose. Since Lawton was fishing above there, I just thought, “Doggone it, he’s caught my fish!” And I swear, I liked to have caught a deer in the nose! It was in that water, covered up, all but its nose sticking out. I thought it was a rock. When I got it in the nose, it jerked loose and got out of the water and left there. It’s the truth! It tickled Lawton to death. [This was] last summer. I knew it was a big one but I wasn’t sure if it was a fish. I told Lawton that if I’d have got him good, he would have jerked me in. I don’t want to catch me another deer!” For more stories and advice on fishing, check out Foxfire 11 or visit Foxfire’s website to explore our digital resources. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for the return of Heritage Days at the Foxfire Museum on July 8th and 9th! Learn more on our website at www. foxfire.org
Foxfire is a not-for-profit, educational and literary organization based in Rabun County, Georgia. Founded in 1966, Foxfire’s learner-centered, community-based educational approach is advocated through both a regional demonstration site (The Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center) grounded in the Southern Appalachian culture that gave rise to Foxfire, and a national program of teacher training and support (The Foxfire Approach to Teaching and Learning) that promotes a sense of place and appreciation of local people, community, and culture as essential educational tools. For information about Foxfire, visit www.foxfire.org, or call 706-746-5828.
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Just Thinking
Land That I Love by Jordan M. Poss
I
left the mountains nine years ago for two good reasons: work and getting married. I love my work, and I love my wife and the three children we have had since then, but that move was hard for two other reasons: first, I’m a country boy, and leaving Rabun County for the suburbs and freeways of upstate South Carolina was a trial; and second, in my exciting new job I had to teach American History. At Clemson I had studied medieval Britain and military history, and so when the first college to give me a job saddled me with US History I had a lot of work to do—refreshing my memory, filling in gaps, studying things I had never cared about. And it wasn’t just a challenge because of the narrowness of my training. There was the subject itself. Thanks to teaching it, for the first time I developed a whole, beginning-to-end picture of the history of the United States, and it wasn’t all pretty. But I believe in approaching the past charitably, taking the good with the bad and neither apologizing nor condemning, striving only to present it as fairly and clearly as possible so that a student can put themselves in the shoes of long-dead people and understand them. That’s what I strove to do. I grew a lot, and those poor students who had me during my rookie year seemed to, too. But I actually stumbled into the most important lesson I learned that year on the last day. I’m a storyteller by nature and teach history as a narrative, and that day I felt that even the still unfinished story of the United States deserved a summing up. I can’t remember my exact words, but I said that during our year we had studied both the good and the bad, and seen the criminal as well as the truly heroic. Some people, I said, will want to emphasize only the good; others will dwell entirely on the bad. Both of them will probably have some ulterior motive for doing so and will tell you that it’s wrong to criticize something you love or wrong to love something with so much to criticize. Both approaches will mislead you. I concluded with the only words I do remember exactly: “Don’t love it because it’s perfect, love it because it’s yours.” When you love something because it’s yours—your old dog, your fixer-upper house, your high-maintenance car, your orneriest family member—honesty about its flaws isn’t a threat. Honesty is freedom. Honesty also offers perspective. The last few years people from all sides of the political spectrum have indulged in some staggeringly
hyperbolic talk, the kind of talk that reveals a memory thinned and hollowed out by the news media’s search for the latest and most scandalous and social media’s thundering echo chamber, the kind of talk that shows a shallow understanding of history. We have had worse violence among our own citizens. We have had more corrupt elections. We have had more dishonest media. We have allowed graver injustices to whole groups of people. We have had greater threats to the Constitution. We have been more divided. We have even had worse, much worse, epidemics. I think everyone understands the way history can put things into perspective. We are historical creatures. In the same way that we all understand our own life stories as stories, we also instinctively take the long view when we need some relief from our problems in the present. That makes history important, and unfortunately anything important is the object of political feuding today. This too is understandable, up to a point. Americans have never settled what exactly the American “nation” is. We’re not a nation in the literal sense—a group of people with common ancestors—like the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. We come from many nations. (My own ancestors are German, English, and Welsh. Just so many “white people” to some, but wildly different and interesting groups, especially in their places in the American story.) An alternative was to propose America as a nation united by core political principles. This is the vision familiar from the Gettysburg Address—not a nation of blood but of ideals. But that was obviously untrue at the time and wasn’t really settled by the outcome of the Lincoln’s war, and so another alternative, of Americans as a nation united simply by a shared history, with shared heroes and shared glories, came to the fore. For a while. Not everyone has studied or even thought about these competing visions in these terms, and many people feel bits of all of them. And so as partisans tear apart American history and what it means today, they don’t argue but talk past each other. What I’d like to propose—not as a solution, because we have plenty of those, but as a balm—is a way to cut through the ups and downs of American history, the political disputes, and the vexed and unanswerable question of what makes 300 million people of hundreds of different ethnic backgrounds a nation: love of country.
Jordan M. Poss is a native of Rabun County, in the beautiful north Georgia mountains. In 2010 he graduated from Clemson University, where he studied Anglo-Saxon England and military history, with an MA in European History. He currently teaches Western Civ and American History at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, South Carolina. He lives in upstate South Carolina with his wife—a Texas native—and three children. He has authored four novels to date and has appeared on many podcasts. For more information on Jordan’s writing, his books and podasts please visit www.jordanmposs.com
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And I mean country literally. This is what it originally meant to be a patriot—a lover of one’s patria, one’s fatherland. It strikes me that when we sing a lot of the grand old patriotic songs, we sing explicitly about this topic as the thing that actually unites us, physically. In “America the Beautiful,” in “God Bless America,” and in “My Country, ‘tis of Thee” we sing of skies, mountains, prairies, farmlands, woods, and wilderness. Even Woody Guthrie’s atheistic rejoinder to these songs falls back on “This Land,” in vibrant detail, as the best thing about America. These songs celebrate over and over the place where the American story played out in all its glory and confusion. This country is a beautiful country. Growing up in Rabun County taught me that, and even without the sight of the mountains during the day or the sounds of a creek to lull me to sleep at night, I have found great beauty where I live now. Beautiful places are tucked away here and there by the thousands all over America. But you can’t find them sitting in front of a TV or doomscrolling through a newsfeed or chipping in your two cents’ worth in the latest Twitter kerfuffle. We were designed and created to live in the physical world, with each other, face to face, breathing the same air. So my hope this Independence Day is that more people will break free of their cable news or their social media or their preferred political candidates for the real world, and that they’ll get out into the country and see it unfiltered, honestly, and with each other. And if we purpose within ourselves to love our country for what it is, because it’s ours, maybe we’ll also start loving each other for what we are. That’s the best I can hope for. I am, after all, not a history teacher first and foremost, but a country boy.
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Just Thinking
By the Way - Taking a pig to a play is not as easy as you think
W
hen my pet pig, Cunningham, failed to win the role of a horse in that new Valley Voices outdoor drama up at Hardman Farm outside Helen, his little feelings were naturally hurt. After all, he has much more acting experience than either of the two equine actors they cast instead of him. But, having spent time in Hollywood and being the acting professional he is, the pig opted to forgive and forget. And to show those two horse actors there are no hard feelings, Cunningham wanted to attend the play personally. So did my cousin Wayne and his girlfriend Viola Mae. Since Wayne and Viola Mae had never been to a play, I determined it might be best to take everyone to a dress rehearsal first. You know, sort of ease them into it in case they didn’t know how to act. A lot of people don’t, you know. We were late getting to the farm because Viola Mae wanted to stop at the store to pick up a little something to munch on during the performance. We arrived just as the director was yelling at the actors to get into their respective places. I guess she wasn’t expecting an audience because she started yelling at us, too. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “Don’t you know this is a closed set?”
“No, it’s not,” said Wayne. “It was wide open. We just walked right in.” Viola May didn’t say anything, but she offered the director a Twinkie, which I thought was nice of her. I guess the director wasn’t hungry because she just laid her script down and pointed to Cunningham. “Is that a pig?” she asked. “Sort of,” I said back. “He’s really an actor. Don’t you remember rejecting him for the role of a horse?” To tell the truth, I don’t think she did. I guess seeing Viola Mae having those Twinkies must have made Cunningham hungry because he started nibbling on the play manuscript the director had left lying WAY too close to him. She should have known better if you ask me. Anyway, when she yelled at the poor pig to stop, it startled Cunningham so much that he inadvertently swallowed the entire manuscript, binder and all. Everybody thought it was funny but the director. Anyway, since the play rehearsal was about to start, she told us to sit down and be quiet and ran back up to the stage in a big hurry. Now, those of you who have seen this Valley Voices play know that it starts off with a bang. I mean literally. A guy off-stage fires an old-timey black powder rifle at a make-believe bear in a pretend pumpkin patch. Looking back on it, I guess I should have warned Wayne about that gunshot, but I didn’t. And when that rifle went off, Wayne had a bad flashback to the time his daddy’s still got raided when Wayne was just a boy. Wayne ran toward the stage like a mad man, yelling, “Save the copper, Save the copper!” Naturally, Viola Mae took off after him. She would have caught him, too, if she hadn’t had to turn around and pick up all those Twinkies she dropped. Right after that, the director called off the entire dress rehearsal and sent all the actors home, even the horses. Every bit of this could have been avoided if she had just put the pig in the play in the first place, as she should have.
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 seven books. Emory is known for his humor, love of history and all things Southern. He and his wife, Judy, live on Yonah Mountain near Cleveland. 90 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - July 2022
