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ay is here and summer is right around the corner. Warm spring breezes and many showers have gotten us to this month. May means that the Mountain Laurel will be blooming and will cover the mountains with beauty; funny that we share the same mission. This issue will shine the light on Macon County, North Carolina, a continuation of our summer of thanks to the counties that support us. You will see the many reasons to visit and explore Macon and discover their outdoor wonders, lovely towns, eclectic shopping opportunities and dining choices. Are your kids going to camp this summer? We did our homework and have comprised a list of day and weeklong camps for the little ones and teens. If this is the first year you and your children are considering camp we are offering some basic tips on how to survive the time away. May is Foster Care Awareness month and we sat down with a precious family this month and we are so glad to share their story. If you have ever considered fostering this is a great month to look into it and a great place to start is www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth or call your local Department of Family and Children’s Services Enjoy this issue and you May! Tracy
May 2017 • Volume Fourteen • Issue Five • Copyright 2017 Publisher/Sr.Editor - Tracy McCoy Editor/Writer - Luke McCoy Creative Director - Dianne VanderHorst Designer - Nikki Dunbar Office Manager/ - Cindi Freeman Marketing Executive - Melissa Williams-Thomas Marketing Executive - Melynda Hensley Copy Editor/Writer - Jan Timms Photographer/Writer - Peter McIntosh Contributing Writers: Jean Hyatt, Mark Holloway, Steve Jarrard, MD, John Shivers, Emory Jones, Lorie Thompson, Kendall Rumsey, Laura Harbuk, Peggy Paynce, Cyndy Brogdon, Susan Brewer, Linda Barden
Georgia Mountain Laurel Mailing: PO Box 2218 Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 2511 Highway 441 Mountain City, Georgia 30562 706-782-1600 • www.gmlaurel.com Copyright 2017 by Rabun’s Laurel Inc. All rights reserved. The Georgia Mountain Laurel Magazine is published twelve times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to GML magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel magazine or any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. The Georgia Mountain Laurel maintains a Christian focus throughout their magazine. Rabun’s Laurel, Inc. reserves the right to refuse content or advertising for any reason without explanation.
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In This Issue
Outdoors 10 16 20
Adventure Out Mountain Nature Goin’ to Camp
Arts & Entertainment
24 26 28 30
Cover Artist - Carol Wilson North Georgia Arts Guild Creative Framing & Windows Rabun County Music Festival
About Town - Macon County 32 34 36 38 40 41
Spotlight on Macon County Franklin Chamber - Discover us! Franklin Chamber Moves Highlands Chamber Silver Threads and Golden Needles Mountain Springs & Spa
A Taste 42 46
Bon Appetit The Family Table
Faith in Christ 50 52
Thompson Family River Garden
Mark Your Calendar 56 57 58 60 68
Body Composition Testing
Life & Leisure 54 70
June 9th at YourTime Fitness
You’ll Find It at Parker Ranch Wheels - Bud’s Barracuda
Health & Wellness 72
745 N. Main St. Clayton, GA
Live Healthy & Be Well
Just Thinking...
Visit www.gmlaurel.com for more info!
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The Fur Ball Sid Weber Memorial Cancer Fund Airing of the Quilts Event Calendar & Festivals Highlands Motoring Festival
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Lovin’ the Journey Notes from a Southern Kitchen By the Way
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Adventure Out Sunset Rock by Peter McIntosh
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ince the focus of this May issue of the Georgia Mountain Laurel is the region just north of the state line we’re going to visit a lovely rock outcropping just outside of Highlands, NC called Sunset Rock. The official name is Sunset Rock at Ravenel Park, property owned by the Ravenel family that they donated way back in 1914. It’s now cared for by the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust. From Horse Cove Road, it’s a 6/10 mile hike up a gravel road if you want to get a little exercise. Otherwise you can do as most folks do and drive up to this spot which offers stunning views of the Southern Appalachians as well as the little hamlet of Highlands down below. (If you choose to drive up, please don’t block the road. Parking is very limited so I suggest hiking up and bringing a headlamp for your hike out after sunset.) There are two nice benches facing west as well as plenty of soft spots to relax and catch a sunset. Sunset Rock is a romantic spot to be sure but don’t get too amorous as this is a popular place for folks of all ages. On my last visit a talented minstrel and his friends were there to enjoy
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the evening. And it’s not just sunsets up there; there are plenty of wildflowers here and there so keep an eye out. On your way to catch a sunset you could stop by Mountain Fresh Grocery for some trendy gourmet snacks. Happy hiking! And without delay, my poem for May: On metamorphic rocks of Gneiss and Schist, We’ll see mountain views that are hard to resist. And as the wind whispers gently through the tall pines, I think you’ll agree, this place is devines!
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Getting there: From Main Street in Highlands at the intersection of Hwy 28 and Hwy 64, go west on Horse Cove Road 4/10 mile. Parking is just across from the Highlands Nature Center if you choose to hike or just follow the road but don’t block anyone when parking please.
To see more of Peter’s photos or if you have a question or comment: www.mcintoshmountains.com.
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Great Blues can curl their necks into an S shape.
Great Blue Heron stalking lunch.
Mountain Nature The Heronry by Jean Hyatt
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y nephew Chris who lives in north Arkansas recently posted on Facebook a photo of some Great Blue Herons’ nests along the river behind his house. Just three or four years ago, he noticed one couple building a nest there, and raising the young. This year he has counted four nests, and at least six birds. He says the nests are in an area where about 50 buzzards roost every night. Go figure that one out.
ground or in shrubby habitat. The male seeks out the nest site, and will court the female from his chosen tree. Some heronries contain several nests per tree; nests can range from about 20 inches across, up to about 4 feet across and 3 feet deep. They are built anywhere from 15 feet to 100 feet above the ground. Nests are expanded each year, as each heron couple add their own building material to a nest. According to Cornell Lab’s website, it really isn’t known whether the same herons use the same nests as they used the previous year, but one male was known to have used the same nest for several years. They had a camera on the nest, and this particular bird was missing a toe, so they were fairly positive it was the same bird. Great Blue Herons can live up to about 25 years, and will normally begin breeding during their third year.
Great Blues and other herons nest in colonies, sometimes with other species, and sometimes only herons. The nests are built Males and females look alike, and they both sit on the nest by the female, but the building materials are gathered by the to keep the eggs warm. Clutch size is usually 2 to 6 eggs, male and brought to the female for arrangement. These birds and herons will generally have only one or two broods per normally nest in trees, but sometimes build their nests on the
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year. The babies grow quickly; at birth they typically weigh less than 2 ounces, but by the time they are 6 weeks old, they are almost 4 feet tall. No wonder those nests are so big! The fledglings leave the nest anywhere from 60 to 80 days after hatching.
This bird is arranging the nest to just the right size and shape.
Probably everyone has observed a Great Blue Heron fishing. If undisturbed, they will stand very, very still, and will strike with lightning speed when lunch goes swimming by. Their necks are made especially for this. We normally see the neck stretched out when the bird is looking for food, but in flight or at rest, it is able to fold the neck into an “S” shape. Herons will sometimes use a nest platform. They will nest near either salt or fresh water, within one or two miles of a good foraging spot. We spot one standing in Little River in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park almost every time we go to Cade’s Cove. Locally, Kingwood had a resident Great Blue for several years, but I haven’t seen it lately.
to observe many Great Blues and other birds nesting near the Ashley River. Watch out for the alligators though. By Jean Hyatt
When I was young, growing up near where my nephew lives in Arkansas, I don’t ever remember seeing a Great Blue Heron. So I think the species has expanded since then, and I do very much enjoy seeing them now. If you get down to Charleston, SC sometime, check out the Audubon Swamp Garden, a part of Magnolia Plantation where you will be able
Jean and her husband Richard own and operate Mountain Nature in downtown Clayton. They can be reached at 706.782.0838.
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** Don’t forget to turn off your outside lights at night. Use motion detector lighting, shields, and IDA-approved lighting so you don’t impose your light on those who want to see the stars. I believe God made night dark for a reason. Please help keep it that way. **
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Animal Behavior and a Total Solar Eclipse By Dr. Stephen Arbitter, DVM Rabun Animal Hospital
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n keeping with our intent to present a different aspect of a total solar eclipse each month in the “Laurel”, we are pleased to have Dr. Stephen Arbitter as our guest columnist. We asked Stephen to speak to the effects an eclipse may have on animals. You will find the information both extremely practical and very useful.
Come join us for the upcoming “OutASight Festival” at RGNS on eclipse day, the 21st of August 2017. Our website (http://explorerabun.com/total-eclipse/) contains a great deal of information about eclipses in general, and all the events planned for Rabun County. Let us start by stating that animals in general are very intuitive and smart. Those of us that have spent a lifetime observing animal behavior know that dogs can predict the weather, sense danger or even detect human medical issues such as epilepsy and diabetic sugar emergencies. As a veterinarian who practices emergency medicine, it is a truism that we see far more animal emergencies during full phases of the moon. Other weather changes and phenomenon (such as earthquakes and tremors, sudden changes in barometric pressure and rain and thunderstorms) all affect animal behavior. Bearing this in mind I decided to research data available in the scientific literature that looks at the affect a total eclipse may have on the health and mental well being of our domestic animals. Many studies dealt with large animals such as dairy cattle, horses, sheep and goats. The conclusion – a significant drop in grazing, eating, drinking and milk production occur during a total eclipse. These studies also show a concomitant impact upon animal behavior in geographic locations where the eclipse is 80% or greater. During an eclipse, dogs and cats will exhibit behaviors similar to that seen during an earthquake: They may hide or whine as if frightened, and vocalize and pace as if wanting to warn others of impending danger. Expect a decrease in normal eating and drinking behavior. Nocturnal animals may become confused by the darkness and emerge cautiously as if it is night. A 2010 citizen scientific initiative (eclipse watch) tracked and observed animal behaviors and verified many of the effects discussed above. My recommendations – put horses in the barn and dogs in their crates to create a sense of “home” and well-being. (This is doubly true if the animal has storm or separation anxiety.) This will keep horses from colliding with fences or hurting a leg while running in fear. Crating will also keep dogs from running to hide, or trying to break into or out of the house. Crating will also provide safety and security for the few hours during the eclipse. I am excited about this unprecedented natural event coming to Rabun County. My desire is to watch the eclipse safely with my family without having to come in to Rabun Animal hospital to treat an avoidable animal emergency. Follow my advice and we’ll avoid meeting on eclipse day! Stephen Arbitter DVM Dawgdoc@reagan.com 706.746.5100
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Day camps are a good start for younger children and a good way to prepare for sleep over camp. Kids get the experience of camp but get to go home at night; better for younger children and those who don’t have a lot of experience being away from home. Most kids will let you know when they are ready for sleep over camp by asking to go to camp or showing interest in camp. There is no magic age and it varies greatly with each individual. Most children will have a bout of home sickness as part of the first sleep over camp experience and sometimes this is a little easier for children aged 9 or 10 than it is with older children going away to camp for the first time. For first timers a shorter camp of a week or even a weekend may be best to start and it is good to have some practice sleep overs with relatives or friends. To help your child with anxiety about going away to camp for the first time get them excited about it. Allow them to be a part of researching and choosing a camp. If your child has a special interest, a camp geared toward that interest may be the first step in the right direction. Let them help with the shopping, packing and getting ready for camp. Talk with your child about your experiences and the fun you had at camp, maybe even about your experience with homesickness. Listen to their concerns and reassure them that there are counselors and adults who are there to help. And even though you may be more anxious about them being away than they are about going, don’t relay that to them. Let them know you will miss them, but at the same time you know they will be having a wonderful time.
Goin’ to Camp by Dianne VanderHorst
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ummer camp. It’s a rite of passage and an experience remembered for years, even decades. For most children it allows them their first real taste of independence. There are still structure and schedules and counselors to offer guidance and help, but kids get a taste of taking care of themselves without mom and dad looking over their shoulder. Summer camp exposes kids to diversity. It connects them with other kids they might not normally meet, from different geographic areas and with different ways of living, most times resulting in new and treasured friendships. They get to experience new and different activities they would not normally get to try. Camp gets kids outdoors and enjoying nature. Most summer camps do not allow electronics or cell phones, but campers are kept busy, their days filled to the brim. You may think, “What will my child do without television?” but you’ll be surprised. They won’t miss it. 20
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Do communicate through mail or e-mail if the camp allows, but do not be overly concerned at the letter written the first day or so when your child is probably a little homesick. Usually by the time you get the letter your child has made a complete turnaround. If you’re worried feel free to call the camp and let them know your concerns. The adults and counselors are there to help your child have a good experience and sometimes all it takes is a little extra attention or a listening ear to turn things around. If you haven’t already made plans for your child’s summer take some time to look into summer camp. Northeast Georgia and Western North Carolina offer a wide selection of Sleep Over and Day Camps. A week in the great outdoors and being close to nature is a wonderful experience, plus summer camps are geared to helping your child develop independence and the knowledge that they can succeed, all masked in fun activities. gmlaurel.com
Summer Camps in Northeast Georgia and Western North Carolina STEPHENS COUNTY
RABUN COUNTY
Camp Fire Georgia 92 Camp Toccoa Dr. Toccoa, GA 706.886.2457
Camp Dixie 153 Camp Dixie Ln. Clayton, GA 30525 706.782.3717
Camp Mikell Camp Mikell Rd. Toccoa, GA 30577 706.886.7515
Camp Rainey Mountain 1494 Rainey Mountain Rd. Clayton, GA 30525 706.782.3733
HABERSHAM COUNTY North Georgia Christian Camp 531 Christian Camp Ln. Clarkesville, GA 30523 706.754.4513 Athens YWCO Camp 3388 Thacker Rd. Clarkesville, GA 30523 706.754.8328 Camp Hawkins 800 Rudeseal Rd. Mt. Airy, GA 30563 706.894.1678 WHITE COUNTY Woodlands Camp 1242 Old Blue Creek Rd. Cleveland, GA 30528 706.865.0853 Strong Rock Camp 577 Horse Range Dr. Cleveland, GA 30528 706.3481533 Camp Coleman 201 Camp Coleman Dr. Cleveland, GA 30528 706.865.4111 Camp Barney Medintz 4165 Hwy. 129 N. Cleveland, GA 30528 706.865.2715 UNION COUNTY Woodruff Scout Camp 31 Woodruff Dr. Blairsville, GA 30512 706.745.6110
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Ramah Darom 70 Cam Darom Clayton, GA 30525 706.782.9300 Athens Y Camp 1000 Y Camp Rd. Lakemont, GA 30552 706.754.6912 Camp Chattooga for Girls 1010 Y Camp Rd. Lakemont, GA 30552 706.754.3329 Life Teen Covecrest 25 Falls Dr. Tiger, GA 30576 706.782.5961 TOWNS COUNTY Camp Hosanna Pope Rd. Hiawassee, GA 30546 706.897.7465 WinShape Camps for Girls Sunset Dr. Young Harris, GA 30582 844.972.2677 CLAY COUNTY, NC Truett Baptist Camp 346 Truett Camp Rd. Hayesville, NC 28904 828.389.8828 MACON COUNTY, NC The Mountain Retreat 3872 Dillard Rd. Highlands, NC 28741 828.526.5838
Some county parks and reacreation departments offer day camps or special events for Summer. Check with your local recreation department and local churches for events for your children this summer. Stephens County Parks and Recreation Dept. 199 Rose Lane Park Drive Toccoa, GA 30577 706.886.5101 Habersham County Parks and Recreation 120 Paul Franklin Road Clarkesville, GA 30523 706.839.0234
Macon County Parks & Recreation 1288 Georgia Road Franklin, NC 28734 828.349.2090 Highlands Parks and Recreation Department 600 North 4th Street Highlands, NC 28741 828.526.3556
Day and Specialty Camps
June 5th - 9th, 12th - 16th Summer Camp (ages 5 -12) June 26 - 30 & July 14 Teen Art Camp
White County Recreation Dept. 327 Asbestos Road Cleveland, GA 30528 706.865.5275 Towns County Recreation Dept. 150 Foster Park Rd. Young Harris, GA 30582 706.896.2600 Union County Recreation Dept. / Meeks Park 310 Wellborn St. Blairsville, GA 30512 706.439.6074 Clay County Recreation Park Myers Chapel Road Hayesville, NC 28904 828.389.3532
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July 24th - 28th Caring for the Winged Ones (ages 6 - 12) Highlands Historical Society Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 June 12th - 16th Kelsey Kids Camp (ages 8 - 11)
Sautee Nacoochee Center Sautee Info: 706.878.3300 www. snca.org
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Rabun County Parks and Recreation Department 400 Rabun Park Drive Tiger, GA 30581 706.782.4600
June 19th - 23rd Junior Ranger Camp (ages 6 - 12)
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Helen Arts & Heritage Center Helen Info: 706.878.3933 June 12th - 16th Summer Kids’ Camp 1 (ages 7 - 12) July 10th - 14th Summer Kids’ Camp 2 (ages 7 - 12) North Georgia Zoo Cleveland Info: 706.348.7279 www.northgeorgiazoo. com July 24th - 26th Jr. Zookeeper Day Camp (ages 8 - 12) July 26th - 29th Overnight Teen Camp (ages 12 - 16) Smithgall Woods Cleveland Info: 706.878.3087 www.smithgallwoods.com
Highlands Nature Center Day Camps Highlands Info: 828.526.2623 highlandsbiological.org May 30th – June 2nd Plants a Plenty (ages 4 - 6) June 6th - 9th Cycling Through Nature (ages 6 - 9) June 13th - 16th Citizen Scientists (ages 9 - 10) June 20th - 23rd Eco-Trekkers Round 1 (ages 11 - 14) June 27th - 30th Wildlife Warriors (ages 10 - 13) July 4th - 7th Nature Play (ages 4 - 6) July 11th - 14th Aquatic Adventures (ages 7 - 8) July 18th - 21st Eco-Trekkers: Round 2 (ages 11 - 14) July 25th - 28th Hogwarts in Highlands (ages 9 - 10)
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Cover Artist
Carol Wilson
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by Tracy McCoy
arol lives in “the house with the view” overlooking Wolffork Valley. It is beautifully decorated with her stained glass art and her nature photography. The house is not the story, but it is part of the story. The stained glass is not the story, but it too is part of the story. The story is how this lady has positioned herself so comfortably behind the lens of her Canon camera with a 300x power lens. Carol Wilson was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia. She spent most of her professional life in social work. Carol gained a degree in psychology and worked in a crisis center for mentally challenged people. She later worked as City Marshall in Savannah mostly with zoning cases. She served as Architectural Director at The Landings on Skitaway Island, Georgia and then years later in that position at The Ford Plantation. Carol’s parents had vacation homes in the Northeast Georgia mountains throughout her life and she, like so many, fell in love with the area early on. She married and had a beautiful daughter. Her husband bought a cabin in Canada and he spent a lot of time there. Carol found the art of stained glass an outlet for her. She created some beautifully intricate pieces and often did commissioned work for people. She was often contacted by clients who wanted to see her most recent work. She decided that she needed to invest in a nice camera to shoot the glass pieces for clients and classes. When she did so, she bought her first Canon camera. A good photographer has just “the eye” and sees the world differently than the rest of us. Carol found that she was using the camera for more than snapping pictures of her art; there was the bird outside her window or the butterfly in the flower garden or the flowers, or the mushroom. Anyone can take a picture of a mushroom but Carol crawled on the ground to
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shoot under the mushroom. She would wait on the perfect picture for hours sometimes. It was where she was most comfortable. After the death of her husband and her mother, Carol and her father talked of coming back to the mountains and buying a home that they both could use. They came to the mountains and looked at several places but none more beautiful than the “house with the view” overlooking Wolffork Valley. They returned to Savannah and soon after her father fell and then moved in with her. They put off the house buying plan. Complications and poor health followed and Carol’s father was in the hospital in serious condition. He told Carol to go forward and to buy the “house with the view” in Rabun County. In fact he was so serious he asked a friend to come to the hospital and pick her up and drive her to the mountains to buy the house. She did and has never regretted it. Her father didn’t get to come to the mountains and it was after he passed away that Carol moved into the home on the side of the mountain. Her only decision each day is where to have her coffee. Her 180 degree view is breathtaking and something she never tires of. Her home is filled with her art and her photography. She no longer works with glass but finds herself with the camera most days. She has more than 2,000 images on her laptop and all but those of her family are of nature. Plants, animals and landscapes are the subjects of most of her photos and she has captured some amazing things that are rewards for her patience and diligence. The zebra butterfly and the hummingbird moth are two that come to mind. Countless flowers that are unique and lovely. One could spend hours looking and listening to photos with Carol.
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Listening? Yes, each photo comes with a memory or a story. Carol admits that her photography has changed the way she views the world. She wants to capture every moment and share it. When she came to my office with hundreds of photos I suggested she create note cards that people could buy and send. For every card sold at least two people would take pleasure in her photo. She got busy putting together collections and found some locations eager to carry them. You can find Carol’s cards at Billingsley’s Nursery in Rabun Gap and Rabun Animal Hospital and The Fabric Station in Mountain City. She will of course sell art prints, photos on wood for hanging or as shelf art and she has done custom calendars and canvas totes. Carol has photographed people and pets; she will do corporate work and commissioned photos. Most women at Carol’s stage in life are not as active as she is; they are most certainly not chasing butterflies and crawling on the ground to see what the bottom of a mushroom looks like. She is the young at heart, sometimes feisty, talented lady who lives in “the house with the view” in the valley. To reach Carol you’ll find it best to e-mail her at kelly.wilson1223@gmail.com.
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North Georgia Arts Guild Suzy Coffeen, Painter of Light and Color
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by Susan Brewer
n Grapes and Beans in Clayton recently, a painting of a charging grizzly bear caught my attention, part of a collection by Suzy Coffeen. The owners of the restaurant Kelly and Stacy Stewart encouraged me to view and purchase her works. Steps led me toward a bear there, whose look lured me into another world, and I felt – something – a connection to this ‘living’ creature. It turns out Suzy Coffeen was not born in the mountains; nevertheless, she is of them. It also turns out that her hands, together with her husband’s, have invested time in the care of animals, which is revealed in both her water-color and oil painting. She confirmed that many of the creatures she depicts look directly into the eyes of the viewer. “I like eyes,” she told me. Her subjects convey character: the steadfastness of her own red, shaggy-haired Scottish Highland cow Winona and the devotion of her Great Pyrenees McKinley as well as the raptor-like attention of the barn cat Cheddar. “My husband names all our orange tabbies ‘Cheddar,’” she said. These are subjects she knows and loves. I asked her to imagine what words her four-legged subjects might say to us. “My job,” she said, catching me, “is to paint the image. I concentrate on light and color. To me, all painting is about that.” Pure, simple. To Suzy, the beholder’s eye should be pleased. That’s enough. She follows the artist Patty Calderone who teaches all techniques of painting and sells art out of her Calderone Art Studio and Gallery on Highway 246 near Dillard. Many weeks Suzy joins with Patty and a small group at the studio, where she paints and learns by osmosis. Patty’s guidance developed Suzy’s efforts. Suzy was given support early in her career from Joan Facey and Dick Carwood of the Gershon Benjamin Foundation; they admired and purchased her works. This occasion marked a turning point for the painter. “Nothing like that had ever happened to me before. I was so happy I cried and cried,” she said. This gift of recognition by these experts solidified her commitment to her work. “Be sure to say how much that meant to me,” she told me. Done. Her other favorite thing to paint besides eyes is water. She shapes small Alpaca fiber objects and creatures, too, made from wool from her own four animals. She and her husband Richard Davis, live on a farm in Long Creek, South Carolina, east of Clayton, with the alpacas, chickens, cats, cow and dog. There Richard operates Natives Plus (http://www.nativesplus. com), cultivating geno-typed spore-grown ferns, hellebores and perennials to promote bio-diverse principles of “conservation through propagation”. Nurturing, then, is a family value.
Suzy is also a co-owner/manager of the Chattooga River Resort and Campground (http://www.chattoogaresort.com/) which this month is holding the 5th Annual Long Creek Music Festival on Memorial Day weekend (http://www.longcreekfest.com/). For three days, eleven bands will provide hip family musical fun. Her artwork is also available at the lodge at the campground. To learn more, contact Suzy by emailing her at longcreekleaves@gmail. com, or calling 864.873.7310. 26
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Creative Framing
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• Sally & Betty Ann DO Windows! by Tracy McCoy
ou don’t get a second chance to make a great first impression and your store front is so very important! Does it make customers driving by even turn their heads? The windows at Creative Framing in Franklin, North Carolina’s windows do catch your eye, thanks to a little help from their friends! Janice Cummings and Kris Sterrie are two artist friends who keep their store looking its best. Sally Dyar and Betty Ann Bryant began by helping Janice put products in the windows and they soon realized it just wasn’t visible to passersby. So the painting began and these ladies realized the colors needed to be bright and they used their incredible imaginations to come up with seasonal or holiday themes for the windows. They work well together although Betty Ann with her dental hygienist and jewelry artist background tends to work with smaller brushes and closer to her subject while Sally is a bit freer working with bigger brushes and standing a little further back. The two complement each other well and there’s a good reason why. Sally and Betty Ann have been friends for 38 years. Their sons became friends first in pre-school and brought them together. The two met Janice when she began going to a knitting group the ladies attended. That was five years ago and their friendship continues to grow. Sally and Betty Ann have been mistaken for each other. With similar hairstyles and because of their great friendship, both admit to being flattered when confused with the other. Betty Ann’s In the Pits jewelry line is available at Creative Framing. On occasion other artist such as John Sill are guest window artists. When the ladies wanted to paint a bird but couldn’t get the look they had envisioned, John came to the rescue. They kept that bird for months and kept building around it. These ladies don’t decorate halfway. They put an abundance of thought into what they put on the windows at Creative Framing and if you drive by or stop in and see them at work, Sally will be the one with the big brush and Betty Ann will be working on the details!
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It’s a beautiful arrangement and proves to be working to bring folks in the door. If you haven’t been to Creative Framing, the incredible art on the windows is just the beginning! They are located at 482 Depot Street in Franklin, NC. For more into visit www. creativeframingnc.com, find them on Facebook or call 828.349.4468
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Rabun Music Festival 2017 Season
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by Linda Barden
ecure your tickets early for the five fabulous concerts scheduled this summer for the Rabun Music Festival – your Sunday afternoons will never be the same! All concerts are held in the welcoming atmosphere of the beautiful Rearden Theater at Rabun Gap- Nacoochee School. The 2017 season line-up offers a variety of great musical entertainment, ranging from classical to rock & roll. Ordering your tickets online is easy, convenient and secure at www.rabunmusicfestival.com. Season Line-Up You’ll discover and appreciate many new musical experiences from this wonderful variety of artists! June 18th Atlanta Symphony Orchestra - $45 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is performing for the 14th consecutive season. www.atlantasymphony.org Sponsor: United Community Bank; Co-Sponsors: Stonewall Creek Vineyards • Tiger Mountain Vineyards July 2nd Jim Curry - $27 Jim Curry performs a tribute to the music of the late John Denver. www.jimcurrymusic.com Co-Sponsors: Mike and Carol Brady • Dr. Vince and Nancy Skilling
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July 16th Phil Dirt and the Dozers – A Rock & Roll Oldies Show - $27 The Dozers perform the vocal harmonies of the Beach Boys, the Four Seasons, the Eagles and many more. www.phildirt.com Co-Sponsors: The Clayton Tribune • Happy Jack Graphics July 30th Barbra and Frank - The Concert That Never Was - $27 Two great artists pay tribute to the music of Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra. www. barbraandfrank.com Co-Sponsors: The Betty and Davis Fitzgerald Foundation • ReMax of Rabun – Members: Poss, Hopper, Barnwell, Cantrell, Blalock and Anzo August 13th Joe Gransden and His 16 Piece Big Band – It’s a Beautiful Thing - $27 Gransden’s big band is one of the hottest and busiest groups on the jazz scene. www. joegransden.com Co-Sponsors: Anne and Milt Gillespie • Jackie and Clifford Bell Buy Season Tickets and get one concert free! Enjoy a $28 savings when you choose one of the season ticket packages:
• Season Ticket for all five concerts: $125
• Summer Concert Package (does not include ASO): $80
Season tickets are available online or at the first concert. Season tickets are not available at the Rabun County Welcome Center. How to buy individual concert tickets: • Online: www.rabunmusicfestival.com • Rabun County Welcome Center, check, cash or credit card • At the door the day of the concert, check, cash or credit card--$5 surcharge for individual tickets sold at the door for that day’s concert Mark your calendar, call your friends, and plan now to enjoy this great season of musical entertainment! All concerts begin at 4:00 PM, so the timing is perfect for socializing afterwards.
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Macon County, N.C.
Where Magic and Beauty Abound by John Shivers
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hat makes the southeastern mountain regions so special, so enticing? Is it the secluded coves or the eye-catching, breathtaking vistas of purple, camel back humps on the horizon? How about vivid sunrises and sunsets? Could it be the view from soaring peaks? Or is it the magnificent majesty of the streams, kicking and frolicking over rocky beds, cascading down time-worn paths? One location that encompasses all of those attributes, and eagerly embraces those who succumb to the lure of the mountains is Macon County, North Carolina. The county that hugs the Georgia state line on its southern border means many different things to all manner of people. Depending on who you ask, you’ll usually get as many different answers are there are questions. The good news is, all those answers will be on target. For some people, the 520 square miles that constitute this ruggedly beautiful mountain region are their year-round homes. In a locale where the requisite four seasons crisply and distinctly subdivide the calendar; those who live here full-time are heir to the best of all worlds. For others, the tenures are of shorter duration. Their residency in the county is part-time, either seasonal or periodically throughout the year. Still others are visitors, tourists, who arrive in Macon County deliberately and leave reluctantly, only when the real world demands their return. Each year, some of those who call the region home on a parttime basis take the steps to get their mail delivered here yearround. Still others only dream about what might be, what should be, what could be.
Highlands, NC Photos by Carol Wilson
So what is it about this place, originally settled 189 years ago, that calls out and speaks to the hearts and souls of those who encounter life in Macon County? Usually when a place is defined by contrasts, one side or the other ends up shortchanged. But in this case, the differences are more of a victory for all sides, and a defeat for none; save for those who must depart for other destinations, leaving a part of their soul behind. As it turns out, those souls join a long line of people who have discovered the spiritual lure of this land, this place of beauty and simplicity, nourishment against the elements of everyday life. There are two main towns in the county – Franklin, the county seat, and Highlands, some 20 miles southeast of Franklin. But before today’s inhabitants, even before 1828 when the county was named for U.S. Representative Nathaniel Macon, there were earlier settlers with their own souls. Souls that fed off that magic that still calls out so alluringly today. The Cherokee Indian Nation lived, hunted, fished and died here long before the first European settlers arrived. Sheltered by some of the oldest mountains on earth, in the area where Franklin sprawls today, was “Nikwasi”, literally translated as “center of activity”. It is today the center of government for Macon County. The souls of these earliest inhabitants remain in the form of the Nikwasi Mound, which was the spiritual vortex of the area, and location of the ever-burning sacred fire. The flames had
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been kept alive since the dawn of their culture, estimated at sometime in the 16th century. The mound is thought to have been where the Cherokee tribal leaders hosted members of British delegations in the area in 1727 and again in 1731.
Franklin, NC Photos by Carol Wilson
Franklin the town was established in 1820, actually predating the creation of the county by eight years. While the town has much to recommend it, one of its main calling cards is the abundance of gem stones found in the region. It’s not called “The Gem Capital of the World” without justification. The Cowee Valley north of town boasts numerous mines in which those in search of the pretty and the semi-precious stones can prospect to their hearts’ content. Who knows? With rubies, sapphires and garnets abounding, as well as some more elusive minerals, there’s no telling which might turn up. Twice a year, the town hosts “Macon County Gemboree”, and the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum is a great place to start a mining adventure. Admission is free and information is plentiful. Plus, in homage to the Scots, who were instrumental in settling the area, the Scottish Tartan Museum is another must-see. Twenty miles away, several degrees cooler and several feet higher in elevation is the town of Highlands. It was founded almost 50 years after Franklin, when two enterprising businessmen used a map of the United States to plot its location. They drew straight lines from Chicago to Savannah and from New Orleans to New York. Fortunately for those living and visiting in Highlands today, the lines intersected high atop a mountain. The town’s name was inspired by its elevation, and a center of trade and commerce was born. Because of that altitude, Highlands enjoys a significantly cooler temperature year-round than the remainder of the American south. While year-round population figures are only about one thousand individuals, summer in Highlands can find twenty times that number enjoying all that the town has to offer. It’s no wonder both towns are destinations. Five U.S. highways – 19, 23, 64, 74 and 441 bisect the county, along with North Carolina Highways 28 and 106. And scattered between and around the two incorporated towns are numerous unincorporated communities with unique sounding names: Aquone, Iolta, Peek’s Creek, Scaly Mountain. Townships with handles such as Cartoogechaye, Flats and Sugarfork give visitors many options when it comes to seeking GPS directions to a Macon County location. Many of these quaint sounding monikers are Cherokee in origin. Those original settlers may have been gone from the region for more than 175 years, but the imprint they left is still alive and flourishing today. The Macon County land mass lies within the Nantahala National Forest, designated and established by the U.S. government in 1920. Its name derives from the Nantahala River, one of many waterways in the county. Nantahala translates from Cherokee as “Land of the Noonday Sun”. But the Nantahala River isn’t the only wet attraction game in town. Macon County proudly lays claim to a number of majestic, breathtaking waterfalls. Cullasaja Falls is part of the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway and comes from yet another Cherokee word meaning “honey locust place”. There’s also Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls is the only waterfall in the state that one can drive a vehicle under. The thundering waters flow over an overhanging lip of earth, allowing visitors to walk behind the falls and still remain dry. Quarry Falls is located alongside U.S. Highway 64 southeast of Franklin, on the way to
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Highlands. It’s popular with the locals for the large, deep pool that is perfect for swimming, and is famous for its nickname: “Bust Your Butt”. Then there’s hiking, camping, picnicking… antiques and boutiques, restaurants and places to rest your head abound. Museums, musical entertainment, dramatic productions and artists and galleries, gift shops and four seasons give everyone much to embrace and enjoy. What makes Macon County, North Carolina so special? Any and all of the aforementioned attributes contribute, as the locals will quickly tell you. You’ll have to decide which of these attractions speak loudest to you. The folks are waiting to help you make that decision. By John Shivers For more information on Macon County, contact: Franklin Chamber of Commerce, 425 Porter Street, Franklin, NC 28734; 828.524.3161; www.franklin-chamber.org. Discover Franklin, info@discoverfranklinnc.com; 828.524.2516. Highlands Chamber of Commerce, 108 Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741; 828.526.2112; highlandschamber.org.
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Franklin Chamber of Commerce Discover Us! by Linda Harbuck Photos by Eric Haggart
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ur beautiful mountains are beginning to show the first signs of spring as we are gearing up for a great year. Spring is so wonderful and refreshing in the mountains. Those signs of new life when the trees get their first buds and the spring flowers peeping up through the bare ground, gives us a feeling of renewed hope and a fresh beginning. Franklin has been voted the #1 Best Small Outdoor Town for two consecutive years (2015 & 2016), by readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. We attribute this honor to our location in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest where outdoor activities abound. In addition to having 47 miles of the Appalachian Trail (the most famous foot trail in the world) located in Macon County, we are blessed with many other foot trails to explore and enjoy. Many of the trails lead to beautiful waterfalls and unforgettable scenic overlooks which will be engrained in your memory forever. Find your outdoor adventure here where you have many choices from fishing in a mountain stream to a leisurely day on our pristine Nantahala Lake for fishing or skiing or just relaxing. Mining for your 34
own gems is still our most addictive activity and finding your own precious stone for that special piece of custom jewelry is unforgettable. Canoeing and tubing in the Little Tennessee River or taking a leisurely walk alongside the river on the Little Tennessee Greenway will awaken your senses and provide you with healthful exercise. For the more adventurous outdoor enthusiasts, conquer the rapids in a raft or kayak, soar above the trees with a zipline experience, take a mountain bike ride or test your casting & fishing skills with a fly fishing expedition. While we may have some cold or rainy days, this would be a perfect time to enjoy inside activities and unique shopping opportunities. Our Main Street is blessed with three great museums (all within easy walking distance of each other), and many one of a kind shops. We have the only Scottish Tartans Museum in the United States right here in Downtown Franklin. This museum is a direct extension of the Scottish Tartans Society in Scotland. The museum not only displays Scottish Tartans, but covers various aspects of the Scottish experience – culture, history,
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dress, migration and military. Visitors are invited to view their family tartan, connect with their clan and learn about the history of Highland Dress. Many people are surprised to learn that they have Scottish ancestors when they begin researching their surnames. In addition to the museum, there is also a wonderful gift shop for your shopping pleasure before you leave. As you stroll down Main Street on your way to the other two museums, you will find many other interesting shopping opportunities. You will find several shops where you can view and purchase many handcrafted items and works of local artisans. When you reach our “Town Square”, look to your left and you will see the Gem & Mineral Museum located in Franklin’s historic “Old Jail”. This museum has thousands of specimens on display including a local ruby weighing 2 pounds! There are six rooms dedicated to the cataloguing and preservation of gem and mineral specimens from around the world as well as North Carolina and of course Macon County. We are home to the famous Cowee Valley where rubies and sapphires have been found for over 100 years! Just beyond Town Square is the Macon County Historical Museum. This museum is housed in the J.R. Pendergrass Building which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building is an excellent and little altered example of early twentieth century retail store design. The building is complemented by original fixtures from the old store and a fascinating variety of artifacts and photographs illustrating Macon County’s past. When the evenings get warmer, the Gazebo in Town Square comes alive with music every Saturday night from Memorial Day through October. Live performances by local and area musicians include Bluegrass, Country, Gospel and Old Fashioned Rock ‘n Roll. Free entertainment begins around 7:00 PM each Saturday evening. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy a fun evening of fellowship and fun in Downtown Franklin, NC. For more information visit our website at www.visitfranklinnc. com or call us at 828.524.3161.
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The Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center
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by Linda Harbuck
here’s an old saying that goes along the line of “you can’t look ahead without looking back”. The time for looking into the future for the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center is now. For many years, the Franklin Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center has been looking for a new location to reside, and though there were some opportunities, the right one never quite presented itself. Until recently, the need for an improved facility and location was pushed to the back burner and to the “to do list”, in a manner of speaking. However, with the increased population and vehicle traffic in the town of Franklin, the NCDOT began plans to construct new traffic patterns within the town, one of which was to add a traffic circle in front of the Chamber of Commerce building on Porter Street. The plan to improve traffic in the area would put into motion the need for the FACC to find a new location. The current facility that is home to the Franklin Chamber was constructed in 1969 and has been home to the Chamber ever since. The Chamber has served as a main information hub for visitors and locals since opening its doors, acting not only as the area’s Chamber of Commerce, but also as the area’s Welcome Center. The land was donated by the Burrell family, who at the time, owned and operated the Burrell Motor Company. The search was on for a suitable location to relocate to, and when the property at 98 Hyatt Road presented itself, a new vision was put into motion by the Chamber Board of Directors and staff, to facilitate the acquisition and renovation of what was once the Simple Elegance building
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near the Holly Springs Shopping Center off of US 441/23 bypass. Careful negotiation and due diligence of the board of directors saw the purchase of the building and property and almost immediately renovations began. The new Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center facility has allowed us to open up even more space to highlight the best of what our area has to offer, by creating a walk-through “Area Attractions” space that immerses the viewer into the attractions and gives them a taste of all there is to see and do in the area. The goal of the new building is to raise the awareness and excitement for all things Franklin, and become a beacon for the future of our entire community. There is even more space available for our members to display their menus, pamphlets and information in our brochure area. In addition, we will have a larger retail space for Franklin-centric items and an area for selling drinks, snacks and locally sourced products.
with the area to find our building. The new location is right off the busiest highway in Macon County, with lots of parking, while also allowing for easy directions via multiple routes, in to downtown Franklin. More traffic means more exposure for our members and easier access to information will provide visitors to Franklin a more enjoyable visit. To keep up with the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/franklinchamber and for more information about the Franklin area, see our website at www.visitfranklinnc.com.
On top of the list of benefits to the new location are accessibility and visibility. The old location for the Chamber and Welcome Center had a small parking lot with very limited parking. It was also a task for out of town travelers who weren’t familiar
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From the Chamber
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Highlands, NC
elcome to Highlands! As the Executive Director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, we’re proud to be part of Macon County, North Carolina, and introduce our town to the readers of the Georgia Mountain Laurel Magazine. The Highlands Chamber is a major player in the economic development of Highlands and Macon County and serves as the tourism arm and promoter of events, services and businesses in the area. Located on a plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains, within the Nantahala National Forest, the town’s elevation is 4118, making it of one of the highest incorporated municipalities east of the Mississippi River. It’s a virtual rainforest with plenty of sunshine, creating a lush microclimate which appeals to botanists as well as nature lovers. Our Biological Station and Nature Center attracts visitors and researchers from around the world.
weather of surrounding cities such as Atlanta, Greenville, Chattanooga and Knoxville – all only a two-hour drive through the gorgeous mountains. Speaking of summer, this year a total solar eclipse will take place on Monday, August 21. Highlands is in the direct path of the total eclipse and will be one of the best viewing locations in the U.S. We have a weekend of activities planned during our Highlands Eclipse Festival Weekend. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.facebook.com/ events/178784799288610/. Highlands has been on many of the “best” lists for travelers and residents. This once more seasonal town is now a year-round destination with top-rated hotels, dining and entertainment. Named one of America’s Top Small Town Arts Places, Highlands has a Performing Arts Center and Playhouse where opera, ballet, Chamber music and plays are presented. And, music can be heard outside at our recently renovated Kelsey-Hutchinson Park and Town Square from May through October. In the winter, the park turns into an outdoor skating rink. If looking for visual arts, The Bascom
Waterfalls, rivers, lakes and hiking trails surround our town and are an outdoor traveler’s dream. Trout fishing is at its best in the pristine waters. The summer’s cool temperatures bring visitors and seasonal residents from the warmer
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offers permanent and visiting arts and artists of all genres, as well as classes, music and special events. No town is complete without terrific food. Highlands has four Wine Spectator awarded restaurants as well as casual and alfresco dining. It’s such a top-rated food town that thousands of visitors come to attend our annual Highlands Food & Wine Festival in November of each year. This year the festival is November 9 – 12. For more information, visit our website: https://highlandsfoodandwine.com/schedule/ The Main Street in Highlands is one of beauty with specialized shops lining the street. Shopping is at a premium here with stores offering something for anyone – or that special gift or treat for yourself. We hope you will visit our paradise in the mountains. Join us for our annual July 4th Celebration (named one of the top “Small Town July 4th Celebrations in the U.S.”), our Halloween on Main Street – or for our exquisite Fall Leaf season, showcasing our mountains in full color. Our goal is to better serve you during your visit with us. We have an App (http://highlandschamber.org/highlands-app/) that includes a Visitor Guide, which will help you find all that Highlands has to offer. Also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ to share your experience in Highlands. We hope to see you in Highlands! Bob Kieltyka, Executive Director, Highlands Chamber of Commerce http://highlandschamber.org
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Silver Threads & Golden Needles Knit & Hook, Weave & Spin, Whichever you fancy!
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ecent years have seen a resurgence of interest in fiber arts. I can remember my mother’s basket of yarn and various hooks and needles. We wore booties, hats, mittens and scarves all crafted by her loving hands. I still enjoy an afghan in harvest gold and avocado green (circa: 1974). But today’s yarns and threads, and even today’s tools, are much different than my mother used. Enter into the equation specialty yarn shops and the fiber arts take on a whole new dimension. Discover Silver Treads and Golden Needles in uptown Franklin and you will find all you need to become a true fiber artist! Store owners Virginia Murphy, daughter Kristin and best friend and fellow crafter Amy Murphy pride themselves on offering their customers the finest in custom dyed yarns and roving. Silver Threads and Golden Needles offers yarns and roving from over two dozen major manufacturers and for those
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clients with more unique fiber needs, they have small stashes from specialty companies. You’ll be amazed by the many types of needles available. Today’s knitters can choose from bamboo straight, circular and double pointed types that come in all sizes. Crochet hooks also can be purchased in bamboo and even a new line of ergonomic Soft Touch metal hooks and aluminum too. They also have some specialty options made from rosewood. If you have an interest in learning knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, tatting, dyeing and needle felting, Silver Threads and Golden Needles offers weekly classes and they are very reasonably priced. For a full schedule of classes and more information on the products available we encourage you to visit their website at www. silverthreadsyarn.com or call 828.349.0515. To visit the store you’ll find them located at 41 East Main Street, Franklin, North Carolina.
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Mountain Springs and Spas
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ountain Spring Spas &Pools is located in Franklin, North Carolina and has been serving Western North Carolina and Northeast Georgia since 1989. Owner Ken Wyckoff invites you to his store in Franklin for a relaxing and enjoyable shopping experience. They carry HotSpring Spas, the world’s bestselling brand of spas and hot tubs. In fact, Mountain Spring Spas & Pool was recently awarded “The Hot Spring Spa Dealer of the Year Award for 2014.” They are experts in their field and use nothing but the latest technology for pools and spas. From choosing equipment to water chemistry questions, the sales staff and service department are always available to support you before, during, and after the sale. “We are proud of our factory-certified, inhouse technicians. They are available to give site recommendations for spa purchases, install your new spa and provide repair if needed. We also provide pool equipment repair, cleanings of spas and pools and winterization of pools and spas,” Ken said. To enhance your pool and hot tub experience, they also carry various spa accessories such as spa and pool water maintenance products, jet kits for hot tubs, spa covers, spa steps, spa cover removal systems, and much more! The showroom is located at 611 Highlands Road in Franklin, N.C. 28734. For more information, call (828)369-2871.
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Bon Appétit Hooray for May!
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by Scarlett Cook
ow that we have survived the funky winter and turbulent spring weather, May has arrived. It is now safe to pack up the long johns and sweatshirts and pull out the pretty pastels of the season. This meal will get you out of the kitchen fast and let you enjoy the warm weather. Enjoy.
Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry 4 Servings 12 Ounces frozen broccoli florets 1 Cup frozen sliced carrots 1 Small can sliced mushrooms, drained 1 Tablespoon water 3/4 Cup stir fry sauce 2 Tablespoons cooking sherry 1 Tablespoon sauce 1 Teaspoon jarred minced garlic 1Teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil 1 1/2 Pounds flank steak, cut diagonally into strips 1/2 Teaspoon black pepper 1 Package of yellow rice cooked per package directions
In a bowl, combine the broccoli, carrots, mushrooms and water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 7 – 8 minutes. Stir once during cooking time. Drain well and set aside. In a small bowl combine the stir fry sauce, sherry, soy sauce, garlic and pepper flakes. In a wok (or large skillet) heat the oil over high heat. Season beef strips with black pepper. Add beef and cook for 2 minutes or until cooked thoroughly. Remove meat to a plate. Add drained vegetables to wok (or skillet) and cook for 2 – 3 minutes. Add beef to wok. Add sauce to wok and stir ingredients well, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the wok. Cook 1 – 2 minutes more or until piping hot. Serve over prepared rice. 42
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Twisty Cheese Breadsticks Serves 4 1 Sheet puff pastry, thawed 1 Egg 1 Tablespoon water 1/2 Cup grated cheese – use whatever you like Preheat oven to 400˚. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Unfold pastry onto a cutting board. In a small bowl lightly beat egg and water with a fork. Using a pastry brush spread ½ of the egg mixture onto the pastry. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the cheese and pat it down so that cheese sticks to the pastry. Carefully turn pastry over and repeat egg wash and cheese. Using a pizza cutter cut pastry into 1” strips. Carefully twist each strip and place on the foil lined sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. These are best eaten warm. Chocolate Strawberry Sundae Sandwiches Serves 4 1 Package chocolate chip cookies or chocolate chip chocolate cookies 1 1/2 Cups fresh strawberries, sliced 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar or to taste 1 Pint strawberry ice cream Chocolate syrup Whipped cream Chopped pecans In a medium bowl combine strawberries and sugar, mashing the berries lightly. Place a cookie in 4 small bowls. Top each with a scoop of ice cream. Divide the strawberries over each of the bowls and top each with a second cookie. Drizzle chocolate sauce over each sundae, spoon whipped cream over sundae and sprinkle with pecans. This recipe works well with any fruit and ice cream combination. gmlaurel.com
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The Family Table S by Lorie Thompson
pring in the mountains is an exciting time. The gorgeous green color of the new leaves mixed with the snowy, white of the dogwoods make driving to work a pleasure. I love to watch the daily climb of the new-green color as the leaf growth slow marches up the mountain slopes. Best of all, spring’s cool nights and warm days make it the perfect season for camping! My uncle JL Mckay organized a springtime family camping trip to Tugalo Lake, each year. It was a wonderful weekend, spent with all the cousins. Fishing for catfish, cooking great food and always, lots of laughter!
Thinking of the annual spring camping trip, I dusted off my Dutch ovens and made a few of my camping recipes. This is not gourmet cooking. Camping recipes have minimal ingredients that will transport easily. A box cake-mix, a canned pie filling and pre-packaged seasonings make cooking outdoors simple. All of these recipes will work in your oven or crock pot at home. If you follow the on-line cooking blogs you have probably already seen the recipe for Mississippi Roast. Robin Chapman from Mississippi is credited with inventing this recipe and it has taken the internet by storm! It is a fantastic roast! The basic recipe is for a 4 pound beef chuck roast sprinkled with a package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix and a package of McCormick’s Aus Jus Gravy Mix. On top of the roast add 1 stick butter and 7 pepperoncini peppers. Cook it in a crockpot on low heat all day. I have added a few more diced up peppers, and a couple of sliced, sweet onions, all bedded down underneath the roast. This is a great camping recipe. It pairs beautifully with a pot of egg noodles or even served on loaf-bread.
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You can cook this in a Dutch Oven on the edge of your camp fire with coals, or charcoal briquettes added periodically as the old ones die out. The rule for Dutch Oven cooking with charcoal briquettes is to take the Dutch oven diameter number and add 3 briquettes on top. Subtract 3 briquettes underneath. So, a 12 inch oven would have 12+3=15 on top and 12-3=9 underneath. This works for any size Dutch oven and should give you a temperature around 350˚. In my back-yard, I have a “Bean Hole” to cook in. This one has been lined with firebrick but camping it would be nothing more than a whole in the ground. My husband dug the hole and placed fire brick in it to create a level floor and walled sides. We use charcoal on the bottom and the top of the Dutch oven and cap the bean hole with a rock for a lid and it creates an outdoor oven. This is a great way to cook “hands-off” for the whole day, as having the semi-sealed area holds the heat in and removes the need to replenish the charcoal.
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The next camping dish was shared with me by my husband Peanut. He got it from his fishing buddy Jack Carpenter. Evidently, when Jack gets to the lake in the morning, he will find a nice deserted stretch of shoreline and he will put his lunch on to cook. He makes this “Tin Can Chicken” and it seems to be a perfect recipe for fishing or camping. Start by preparing your cooking vessel. Take a gallon tin can and puncture holes around the bottom edge and on the bottom of the can. Make a hoop handle with a coat hanger wire. Bring 7 charcoal briquettes to a gray ash. (Use good quality charcoal.) Place the hot charcoal in the bottom of the can. Take one 3 pound chicken. Season it to your taste. I use Cavendar’s Greek Seasoning. Double wrap the chicken with heavy duty foil. Place chicken in tin can on top of charcoal, being careful not to puncture foil. Hang the can in a spot where other fisherman will not see it and steal your lunch. (I have heard that this has happened.) Cook until the charcoal is completely burned out. Enjoy! Camping is vacation so you can have dessert! One of my favorite camp oven desserts is Cherry Dump Cake. I know Dump Cake doesn’t sound too great, but give this a try. If you cook it at home it is wonderful with vanilla ice cream. When camping it is great on its own or with squirt bottled whipped cream. In your Dutch oven, melt 1 stick butter. Pour melted butter into a cup and reserve for top of cake. Pour two -21 oz cans of cherry pie filling into the Dutch oven. Sprinkle a
box of yellow cake mix over the top of the cherries. Drizzle melted butter on top of the cake mix, spreading as evenly a possible. Bake in a medium oven (350˚) for 45 minutes to one hour. A great variation is to add a can of crushed pineapple and chopped pecans to the cherry pie filling.
a clear evening, stargazing from your bed is magnificent. I love to lie snuggled in my sleeping bag, looking at the stars and listening to my family telling stories around the campfire. Throw in a whippoorwill singing and I am a happy camper! That is the good stuff!
I love camping. I love to cook outdoors. There is no pressure to make it perfect. It is okay if something is a little crisper than you would like or if there is a little ash in your food. It is camping! Hot food is a treat in itself and being outside makes everything taste better. My favorite part of camping is bed-time. I have a tent with a see-through, net top and on
Wishing you many evenings of warm meals, campfires, stargazing and family. The good stuff!
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Lorie Ramey-Thompson is a local realtor with Re/Max Of Rabun. Lorie is available by appointment as a private chef and offers cooking lessons.
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National Foster Care Awareness Month
“Love Can Change a Generation” by Tracy McCoy
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he Thompson home is alive with the laughter of children. This is not new for Yance Thompson who grew up with his father in ministry at a home for boys. “I had many, many brothers over the years. I felt that God was calling us to foster and Meredith was apprehensive because she didn’t think she could give a child up. She was more interested in adopting.” The couple prayed together and put it in God’s hands. While seeking guidance through prayer, God showed Meredith that letting go is part of loving. The Thompsons began the process to do either. Not long after finishing classes, their first call came and Meredith and Yance went to pick up a little one. He became their second son. In two years the couple has fostered over a dozen children and recently walked into a court room to adopt three at one time. “We love our children and feel they’ve been brought into our lives by God. We are all adopted by our Heavenly Father, joint heirs with Christ,” Yance told me with a newly fostered baby in his arms. “Meredith and I want to share that love with the kids who come into our home.” The Thompson’s own son, Ky, has welcomed all of these siblings and children with open arms. “All of my kids get excited when the phone rings, asking ‘are we getting another child?’” she said with a smile. Yance and Meredith’s kids got more than a mom and dad; they got grandparents,
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cousins, aunts and uncles. The whole Poss and Thompson families have fallen in love with these children. The children they foster are no different. “We treat them all the same, loving them and trying to show them how special they are,” Meredith shared. Kids don’t end up in foster care because they have been cared for. Not to say that parents don’t love their kids, they do it to the best of their ability. Often drug and alcohol abuse is at the root of the neglect or abuse that results in children being removed from the home. Some children live every day hungry and dirty. Many are physically, mentally or sexually abused. Countless children in America are abandoned, left to fend for themselves. Every child should be treasured. They deserve to be safe with clean clothes, food to eat and to be shown love. “There are adults who can’t imagine what my kids have been through,” Meredith said. “Don’t we all want to know that we matter to someone?” “If you are afraid or not willing to be hurt, don’t do it,” Meredith said. “The kids test you; they push you to see if you will walk out of their lives, too. They try to make you prove your love for them.” Older kids in foster care are often over looked; they feel like it’s their fault that they are in the system. Many feel that if they had done something different their parents would have loved them enough to care for them. It takes a lot of work to show them that it isn’t their fault. “We are simply stewards with God’s children,” Yance said. “They need stability, love and a family, and we can provide these things.”
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Every child that passes through the Thompson’s arms leaves something behind. “We wanted something to remember them by. So we capture their foot or hand print and keep it with a photo. If a child comes through our home, they will always be part of our family and will forever be welcomed here. Yance and I honestly have made a commitment to love these kids and that doesn’t change when or if they leave,” Meredith said. The couple agrees that with six kids in their life right now they are exhausted but they lie down each night and know they are doing what the Lord wants them to do and the rewards far outweigh the challenges. Yance and Meredith also enjoy interacting with the families of the children that have been in their care. Reunification is the ultimate goal in foster care. If children can be placed back with the family that is what many feel is best. In the event that this is not possible and children become available to be adopted, the foster parents are given that option. This was the case with their adopted children, one son and two daughters. Placing children in a stable, healthy home where they are safe and provided for is what it’s all about. The community support the Thompsons have been shown is overwhelming, from teachers to preachers and even their neighbors who stop in with food for the family or offer to pick gmlaurel.com
up one of them after ball practice. The family is so grateful for the help. “I want to encourage people not to be scared. Open your door and foster these kids. There are so many who need a home. It is the most rewarding thing we’ve ever done. We see it as an opportunity to change a generation,” Yance said as we finished our visit. You’ll notice in the photos that Meredith finds creative ways to share her children’s accomplishments and the family having fun, while hiding their faces for their protection and privacy. Meredith shared that she prays over each child because she knows that God has a plan to prosper them, give them hope and a future. The Thompson’s oldest daughter has expressed an interest in fostering when she grows up. She has seen that if you foster with love it changes other people’s lives, like it has her own. If you have considered becoming foster parents please don’t hesitate. I am reminded of this scripture in John 3:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” Please make the call today, your help is needed. For information on fostering or adopting a child in need you may visit www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth or call your local Department of Family and Children’s Services.
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You’ll Find it at Parker Ranch By Luke McCoy
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odern life is hectic, between phones, computers, television and social media it has become difficult to find a place to relax and escape; luckily we have one such place right here in Clayton. Allow me to introduce you to Parker Ranch, an escape from today’s busyness and over-stimulation. The Parker Ranch is currently owned and operated by Becky Hoover and Paula Jones. The quaint Inn began life as a summer home for the Atlanta LeCraw family in 1907 and is infused with a rustic yet elegant atmosphere that is so intrinsic to homes of that bygone age. Around the middle of the 20th century the Parkers purchased the property, named it the Parker Ranch and began renting “Tourist Rooms” with home cooked meals. A few iterations later here we are back at the ranch. Situated at 95 Parker Lane in Clayton, Georgia, a mile out of town on a 6 acre mountain estate surrounded by towering trees and suffused with fresh mountain breezes you’re sure to enjoy the peaceful tranquility of this place. Whether you’ve come to sample Clayton’s delicious farm-to-table cuisine, to explore one of the multiple gorgeous hiking trails or to shop
in the eclectic galleries and shops, the Parker Ranch caters to all comers. Also available for guests and groups are a number of art, music and wellness workshops. The ranch is also available to host your retreats, reunions and other small celebrations. The lodge has a wonderful oak paneled great-room complete with a massive stone fireplace perfect for curling up next to on cozy evenings and the bead-board dining hall is perfectly suited to accommodate large groups for catered meals or classes. The covered porch provides a place for you to sit and enjoy, spend time with, and get to know your fellow visitors as-well as a place to take in the placid scenery of the surrounding area. So if you need a haven from the rush of modern life plan your trip to Parker Ranch and enjoy life at a simpler, more comfortable pace. For more information on The Parker Ranch (rates, workshops, rooms, etc) visit www.parkersranch.com or email becky@ parkersranch.com or call at 404.373.0566. 54
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A Night for the “Paws”… 5th Annual Fur Ball
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he Fur Ball is Rabun Paws 4 Life’s signature annual fundraiser, supporting the rescue, care, placement and potential rehoming of all of our animals every year. Save the date, June 3, 2017; you don’t want to miss your opportunity to help our animals! Don your Sunday attire by joining us at the 5th Annual Fur Rail at the Rabun Civic Center beginning at 5:00 PM to celebrate our animals. Treat yourself to a festive, fun-filled evening and to make a difference for our dogs and cats! • Enjoy sweet & unsweetened tea, water, beer or wine. • Savor a buffet of delicious dishes from local restaurants. • Revel in friendly competition during our silent and live auctions. Our live auction auctioneer...the amazing Greg Peters! • Dance and sing along to your favorites with the always entertaining Sweet Charity’s Rockin’ Replay. At Rabun Paws 4 Life, Inc., Georgia’s first no-kill open admission shelter, we accept all the abandoned, surrendered and abused dogs and cats that come through our door. Many of them are scared, anxious and confused. Through the generosity of our supporters, we provide the medical care, spay/neuter programs, socialization and rehabilitation that these companion animals need to thrive so they can become treasured family members and enjoy the lives they deserve. RP4L recently received the 2nd highest grant award in Georgia for spay/neuter programming. Paws received $8000.00 this year from the funds that the Georgia Department of Agriculture collects from the sale of the Dog and Cat Sterilization License Plates. (Hint, hint – buy your own Spay/ Neuter license tag. They come in cat and dog versions.). The
amount awarded is based on the numbers of procedures performed at low or no cost to the community through our organization’s programs. The goal of the Georgia Department of Agriculture Grant is to reduce the number of unwanted animals in the state of Georgia through the sterilization of animals. By reducing the number of animals, there will be less neglect, abuse and abandonment in the community. This will help Rabun Paws 4 Life toward achieving our mission of making a positive difference in Rabun County. Needless to say, the Board of Directors is proud of our staff, volunteers and the community for helping us to achieve our goals. In 2016, over 598 dogs and cats were spayed through our shelter and our spay/neuter programs. This has greatly reduced the unplanned/unwanted kitten and puppy population in Rabun County. Please get your animals SPAYED and NEUTERED. It is important to the future of our community! It takes a community of dedicated businesses, companies, organizations, donors, volunteers and individuals to help our shelter achieve its mission of improving the lives of pets and people through service, education and advocacy. Caring for these companion animals is very expensive, especially with all the medical costs we need to cover but, it’s also very important to the community that we provide that level of care to animals. Make your Fur Ball reservation at www.rabunpaws4life.com. Tickets – individual adult tickets – $40. Table sponsorships: seating for four $250; for six $350; for eight $475; for ten $600. Tickets for children 11 – 15 years old $15; 10 years & under free. For additional information contact Rebekah at 706.782.4892 or Cyndy at 828.369.0559. We hope to see you there!
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We Need Your Help Rabun County
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by Peggy Payne
he Sid Weber Memorial Cancer Fund brings mountains of hope to Rabun County cancer patients and their families. The fund has helped over 300 patients and has dispersed more than $540,000 to cancer patients since the founding in 2005. They provide assistance for nonmedical needs such as, rent, mortgage payments, groceries, electric and gas payments and provide gas cards for doctor appointments. The Road to Recovery provides volunteers to drive patients to Toccoa and Gainesville for treatments. Our major fundraiser is our golf tournament. But fundraising activities begin with our Bridge and Rummikub on June 15th at Sky Valley Country Club. Registration begins at 9:30 AM. Lunch is served at 12:30 PM after which play continues until 4:00 PM. The cost is $50 per player. For information please call Sally Shearon at 706.746.6584 or Helen Kleiber at 706.746.5958 Then on June 20th a Putting & Chipping contest is held at Sky Valley Golf Course. Everyone is welcome! Bring your putter and join the fun. The golf tournament will be held on June 21st at Sky Valley Golf Course. The tournament begins at 1:00 PM with a shotgun start. Box lunches will be donated by The Cupboard Cafe and following the tournament is an award dinner with a silent and live auction. You may pick up a registration form at the Sky Valley Pro Shop or please call Ken Wilson for more information at 706.746.7488.
volunteer as a driver for the Road to Recovery program or you may make a gift to the fund in memory of a friend or family member. You can volunteer and support our fundraisers. The SWMC Fund supports Rabun County cancer patients who need help! If you need help please call Tammy Whitmire – Patient Coordinator at 706.746.3350, your information is confidential. For information or to donate visit www. sidwebercancerfund.org or mail to SWMCF PO Box 485, Rabun Gap, Georgia 30568.
To continue our work we need your help and support. What can you do? You can make a donation to the Sid Weber Memorial Cancer Fund, you can become a sponsor for the golf tournament, you may play in the tournament, you can
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“The Airing of the Quilts Festival” in Franklin, NC
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n 2009, a committee was formed to begin a quilt block trail in the beautiful mountain town of Franklin, NC. The group received funding from Franklin’s TDA and TDC to help develop the trail and led by Quilt Trail president Deb Heatherly, they set a goal of hanging 25 blocks. Over the next few years, the committee worked to reach this goal and the trail which is now complete, has blocks located throughout the county. Blocks along the “Macon County Quilt Trail” can be found on barns, historic churches, homes, an old general store and on businesses through the town. It takes the better part of a day to see them all and maps are for sale to lead you along the way. In 2010, the Macon County Quilt Trail Committee decided to host their first “Airing of the Quilt” festival to bring attention to the trail. The Saturday of Mothers’ Day weekend was chosen as the date for the annual event, as a way to honor the talented ladies who have kept the quilting tradition alive and passed it on to our present day quilters. Quilt trail block owners were asked to hang quilts at their block locations and downtown merchants were asked to hang quilts as well. The result was a beautiful display of color and the Airing of the Quilts Festival was born.
On Saturday May 13th rom 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM check out the quilts hanging in various locations downtown and around the county. Craft vendors will be located in the gazebo area of downtown with a variety of wares and many non-profits will have tickets for sale for their 2017 fund raising quilts. The Historic West’s Mill District of Cowee, just a few miles from downtown, will feature quilts and tours of historic Rickman’s Store and Pleasant Hill Church. There will also be quilting demonstrations from the Cowee Quilters. Maps for the Macon County Quilt Trail with its 25 wonderful quilt blocks, which started the event at NC Mountain Made and Deb’s Cats N Quilts. There will be a free tour bus going from Gazebo at 10:00 AM & 11:00 AM will travel the quilt trail to Cowee School. From 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, there will be an auction at the Gazebo, which will include vintage quilts. All proceeds will go to nonprofit. There will be a wool felted demonstration at town hall. Craft vendors will be alongside all of the quilts. For more information contact Linda McKay at 828.524.7766. 58
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Festivals In Union County, Georgia Spring Arts & Crafts Festival Downtown Blairsville th th May 27 – 28
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he 2017 Blairsville Spring Arts and Crafts Festival is Blairsville’s annual fun filled Memorial Day weekend. Over 60 vendors offer a unique blend of hand produced merchandise. Artists and craftsmen exhibit on the Square surrounding Union County’s Historic Courthouse. The festival also has ongoing Bluegrass and County Music throughout the day. And let’s not forget the food – hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages, cold drinks and more. Plus there are many local restaurants and retail shops to peruse and pick up that special find.
So plan your Memorial Day weekend and visit us in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains and the 2017 Spring Arts and Crafts Festival in downtown Blairsville, Georgia. Festival hours are from 10:00 AM th – 5:00 PM Saturday the 27 and Sunday th the 28 . For more information call Joanne Sales, 706.745.5493.
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Mountain Fling
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14 Annual Blairsville Scottish Festival & Highland Games Meeks Park, Blairsville th th June 10 – 11
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n June 10 and 11 Meeks Park in th Blairsville will be the site of the 14 Annual Blairsville Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Discover your “clan” and hang out with locals and visitors enjoying traditional games, Highland music, dancing and food with a Scottish flair. Watch border collies herd sheep and falcons swoop down on “prey” or check your roots at the Heritage Tent. Children can compete in their own Highland games. For the “wee ones” there’s face painting and train rides. The weekend includes a Scottish Rock Concert, Kilted Mile Run, Massed bands, Bonniest Knees Contest, Kirkin’ of the Tartans (church service) and a Mini Cooper parade!
North Georgia Technical College, Blairsville th th June 24 – 25
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n June 24 and 25 The North Georgia Technical College in Blairsville will be the site of the Mountain Fling, a juried Art and Craft Show organized by the Mountain Regional Arts and Crafts Guild. There will be fine art, fine crafts and crafts exhibitors. There will be approximately 50 artists and crafter booths with a light lunch available for purchase. Show hours are Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Sunday 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. For more information contact the Mountain Regional Arts and Crafts Guild, 706.896.0932.
Festival hours are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM June th th 10 and 11 . Admission is $10 per day or $15 for two days, Children 12 and under free. For more information call 706.745.5789.
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Mountain Happenings - May & June, 2017 STEPHENS COUNTY
HABERSHAM COUNTY
May 6th Toast of Toccoa Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.282.3309
May 4th National Day of Prayer Habersham EMC Clarkesville Info: 706.778.4806; 770.539.3211
May 13th and the second Saturday of the month Second Saturday Historic Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132 May 15th and the third Monday of each month Career Coach Stephens County Library parking lot Toccoa Info: www.gmrc.ga.gov/ WorkforceDevelopment
May 5th Chamber Cup Golf Tournament The Orchard Golf and Country Club Clarkesville Info: 706.778.4654 May 13th Victory Home 2nd Annual Spring Swing Festival Victory Home Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.6030
May 27th – 28th A Day at the Fort Fort Hollingsworth Alto Info: 706.244.1239 June 16th Relay for Life of Habersham County Sam Pitts Park Clarkesville Info: 706.768.1357 Habersham Community Theatre Clarkesville Info: www.habershamtheater.org June 2nd Movies on Main: Mamma Mia June 16th - 18th, 22nd - 25th “A Streetcar Named Desire” Habersham Community Players
June 3rd and each Tuesday and Saturday through October Stephens County Farmers’ Market Broad Street Toccoa Info: www.mainstreettoccoa.com/market
May 13th United Community Bank Shred Event to benefit Relay for Life United Community Bank Clarkesville Info: 706.894.3409
June 3rd and each Saturday through July Ida Cox Music Series Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.282.3269
May 19th Friday Night Live: Music on Main & Classic Cruise In Downtown Clarkesville Info: 706.754.2220
May 4th and each Friday Song Dragon’s Rock’n Karaoke
The Ritz Theater The Schaefer Center, Toccoa Info: www.ritztheatretoccoa.com
May 20th Relay for Life Yard Sale United Community Bank Clarkesville Info: 706.768.1357
June 10th Chris Henry & the Hardcore Grass
May 6th Southern Gospel Music: Debra Perry & Jaidyn’s Call
May 20th 55th Annual Mountain Laurel Festival Downtown Clarkesville Info: 706.754.4216
May 12th Emily West Info: 706.297.7121 www.negaconcerts.com June 1st and each Thursday in June Summer Movies at the Ritz June 9th Southern Gospel Music: The Roy Knight Singers
May 20th Mountain Laurel Festival 5K and Kids’ Fun Run Habersham EMC Clarkesville Info: 706.754.6575
Grant Street Music Room Clarkesville Info: 706.754.3541
May 13th Saturday Night Special “Skynard Tribute”
June 17th Jess Goggans Band WHITE COUNTY May 2nd and each Tuesday & Friday until September BINGO Helen Festhalle Helen Info: 706.878.1908 May 6th 25th Annual Winefest Habersham Winery Helen Info: www.habershamvineyards.com
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Victory Home’s 2 Annual Spring Swing Festival
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aturday, May 13 the Victory Home will be hosting its 2 Annual Spring Swing Festival. The festivities will include BBQ, games, a bounce house, local artists and craftsmen booths, a silent auction, live music, a plant sale and a special one day sale at the Victory Home Thrift Store. Come out for an hour or spend the day. The festival hours are from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The Victory Home is located at 320 Victory Home Lane in Tallulah Falls. All proceeds go to the support of the men of Victory Home. For more information call 706.754.6030.
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Yonah Mountain Vineyards Cleveland Info: 706.878.5522 www.yonahmountainvineyards.com
May 27th Bavarianfest Helen Festhalle Helen Info: 706.878.1908 June 1st – 3rd Helen - Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race Wilkins Field Helen Info: 706.878.2271 June 12th – 16th Kids’ Summer Camp 1 (ages 7 – 12) Helen Arts & Heritage Center Helen Info: 706.878.3933 BabyLand General Hospital Cleveland Info: 706.865.2171 www.cabagepatchkids.com May 18th Business Expo 2017 Info: 706.865.5356 June 18th Cabbage Patch Kids Tea Party Hardman Farm State Historic Site Sautee Nacoochee 706.878.1077 June 3rd National Trails Day June 6 Anna Ruby Tuesdays
Sautee Nacoochee Center Sautee Info: 706.878.3300 www.snca.org May 2nd and first & third Tuesdays Learn and Dance May 5 – 7 and each Friday – Saturday Discovery Tours th
May 13th Richard Smith in Concert May 19th – 21st Disney’s Peter Pan JR May 20th / June 24th Community Contra Dance June 4th Doris Davenport in performance June 5th – 9th; 12th – 16th Summer Camp (ages 5 – 12) June 17th Holler Games June 26 – 30 & July 14 Teen Art Camp th
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May 14th and the second Sunday of the month Reserve Wine Tasting May 20 and the third Saturday of the month Masterpiece Mixers th
May 27th The Crusher Vineyard & Trail Race Smithgall Woods Cleveland Info: 706.878.3087 www.smithgallwoods.com June 10th Kids’ Day at the Park June 19th – 23rd Junior Ranger Camp North Georgia Zoo Cleveland Info: 706.348.7279 www.northgeorgiazoo.com
May 21 and the third Sunday of the month Behind the Scenes Tours May 26th – 29th Memorial Day Weekend at the Zoo (Free admission to all Veterans and children of deployed parents) RABUN COUNTY May 6 and each Saturday Clayton Farmers’ Market Covered Bridge Shopping Center Clayton Info: 706.490.1179 th
May 6 and each Saturday Bluegrass on the Square Tallulah Falls Opry House Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.6040 th
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May 27 Red, White and Bluegrass Sky Valley Pavilion Sky Valley Info: 706.746.0005
May 13th and the second Saturday of the month Saturday Artist Talks May 20th and most third Saturdays of the month Nature Hike Food Bank of Northeast Georgia Clayton Info: 706.782.0780
June 17th The Market at Lake Rabun Lake Rabun Pavilion Lakemont Info: lakerabun.org
May 21st Mountain Chef Dinner
June 18th Rabun County Music Festival Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Rearden Theater, RGNS Rabun Gap Info: RabunCountyMusicFestival.com
Tallulah Gorge State Park Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.7981
June 15th Grow-Cook-Eat Farm Tour
May 9th / June 9th Full Moon Lake Paddle May 14th / June 18th; 24th Twilight Paddle May 20th – 21st Women’s Wilderness Weekend
May 1st / June 3rd Learn to Spin (Yarn)
May 24th Sunset Hike
May 13th Foxfire Heritage Day
May 27th – 29th Gorge Floor Hike
Black Rock Mountain State Park Mountain City Info: 706.746.2141
Rabun Arena Tiger Info: 706.212.0452 www.rabunarena.com
May 5th Build Your Own Piñata May 6 / June 3 Build You Own Canjo th
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May 6th Hidden Gem Hike May 13th / June 10th Volunteer Day May 19 Home School Friday th
May 27 Memorial Day Events th
June 2nd Make Your Own Walking Stick
May 18th North Georgia Arts Guild Program Imagination: More than a Frame of Mind by Paula Van Huss The Amara Center Clayton Info: www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com th
June 3rd 5th Annual Fur Ball Rabun County Civic Center Clayton Info: 706.201.3397
Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center Mountain City Info: foxfirefund.org
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June 20th Arrowheads through the Ages
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May 6th – 7th and each Weekend Wine Cave Tour and Tasting
May 9th Mommy & Me at the Zoo
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May 6th and each Saturday Live Music Saturdays
June 2nd and the first Friday of the month through September Sweet Charity & Friends Concerts Main Street Clayton Info: 727.434.4499
June 3rd National Backpacking Day June 9th Build Your Own Guitar Hambidge Center Rabun Gap Info: 706.746.5718 www.Hambidge.org May 6th and the first Saturday of the month Grist Mill visits
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May 6th Rabun County Fair Small Tractor Pull May 13th / June 10th Junior Rodeo May 14th; 20th; June 11th Barrel Racing May 27th Memorial Roping Event June 17th - 18th Full Speed Ahead Agilities June 24th M&K Quarter Horse Pleasure Show TOWNS COUNTY May 4th and the first and third Thursdays of the Month Plein Air Painters of Hiawassee ArtWorks Gallery & Gifts Hiawassee Info: 706.896.0932 May 2nd and each Tuesday Trivia Night Lobsta’s Young Harris Info: 706.896.1214
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Mountain Happenings - May & June, 2017 May 5th Lake Chatuge Classic Golf Tournament Brasstown Valley Resort Golf Course Young Harris Info: 706.896.4966 May 6th Chatuge Regional Hospital and Nursing Home Health Fair Chatuge Regional Hospital Hiawassee Info: 706.896.2222 June 2nd North Georgia Highlands Seafood Festival Mayors Park Young Harris Info: 706.897.6179
May 27th Clusterfest Music Festival UNION COUNTY May 1st and each Monday, Wednesday and Saturday Knitter’s Knitch Class Blairsville Info: 706.835.1078 May 5th 14th Annual Kilted Golf Classic Old Union Golf Course Blairsville Info: 706.745.7359
June 10th - 11th Home & Garden Show Towns County Recreation & Convention Center Young Harris Info: www.expomanagementinc.com
May 6th S.A.F.E.’s Kentucky Derby Party Union County Community Center Blairsville Info: 706.379.1901
Ridges Resort & Marina Young Harris Info: 706.896.2262
May 13th High Heels and Hard Hats Gala North Georgia Technical College Blairsville Info: 706.379.2484; 706.439.6300
June 3rd Wooden Boat Show
May 18th Buy Local Extravaganza North Georgia Technical College Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789
June 10th About Boating Safety Class Info: 770.535.5499 Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4191 www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com May 13th Sawyer Brown and Little Texas
May 27th Memorial Day Parade Big Bed Race Downtown on the Square Blairsville Info: 706.745.7341 May 27th Relay for Life Union County Farmers’ Market Blairsville Info: 706.835.8384; 770.297.1176
May 20th Georgia Mountain Eggfest June 10th Corey Smith June 23rd Martina McBride
May 27th – 28th Spring Arts and Crafts Festival Downtown on the Square Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493
Hamilton Gardens Hiawassee Info: 706.970.0011 April 15th – May 14th (weekends) A ‘Blooming’ Affair May 20th Celebrate the Gardens Info: townscountyhomeowners.com Crane Creek Vineyards Young Harris Info: 706.379.1235 www.cranecreekvineyards.com May 5th and each Friday Friday Evening Tapas & Acoustic
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May 6th and each Saturday Winery Tour / Vinekeeper’s Kitchen
June 9th Mother Nature’s Bounty: Lecture and Garden Tour Georgia Mountain Research & Education Center Blairsville Info: 706.745.2655 June 9th Kilted Golf Classic Blairsville Scottish Festival Butternut Creek Golf Course Blairsville Info: 706.439.6076; 877.745.5153
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June 10th – 11th 14th Annual Blairsville Festival & Highland Games Meeks Park Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789 June 24th – 25th Mountain Fling Arts & Crafts Show North Georgia College Blairsville Info: 706.896.0932 Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery Near Suches Info: 706.838.4723 June 2nd Seniors Fishing Rodeo June 3rd Family Fishing Festival Paradise Hills Resort and Spa Blairsville Info: www.paradisehillsga.com May 5th – 6th Food and Wine Trail (AVA’s Best) May 6th and each Saturday Live Music Series CLAY COUNTY, NC May 20th Butts & Spuds Cook-Off On the Square Hayesville Info: 877.389.3704 Friday Night Summer Concert Series On the Square Hayesville Info: 770.438.1451 May 26th Homan Autry Band June 9th Just Us Bluegrass June 16th The Red Wine Effect June 23rd Lee Holland June 30th Wyatt Espalin Trio Peacock Performing Arts Center Hayesville Info: 828.389.2787 peacockperformingarts.center.com May 6th Songwriters Showcase 19 June 2nd – 11th “Man of La Mancha”
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John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown Info: 800.365.5724 www.folkschool.org May 2nd and each Tuesday Beginning Contra & Square Dance Weekly Series May 5th Steve and Penny Kilby May 6th, 20th; June 3rd, 17th Contra Dance May 12th Brasstown Ringers May 13th English Country Dance Series May 18 Guy & Sherrie George th
May 27th Annual Gala & Benefit Auction June 2 Chuck Nation Band nd
June 8th Lorinda Jones & Nella Rigell June 16th Lorraine and Bennett Hammond June 23rd Steve Hickman & John Devine MACON COUNTY, NC May 12th – 14th Mother’s Day Gemboree Multiple locations throughout Franklin Info: 828.349.2090 May 13th Airing of the Quilts Downtown Franklin Info: 828.524.7766 May 20th and the third Saturday of the month SEBA Jam Cowee School, Franklin Info: www.coweeschool.org May 27th Mountain Garden Club Plant Sale Base Ball Field Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 June 3rd Franklin in Bloom Main Street (in front of court house) Franklin Info: 828.369.2590
June 9th S.O.A.R. Spaghetti Dinner Highlands Rec Park & Civic Center Highlands Info: 828.507.0174 June 10th S.O.A.R. Adventure Race Highlands Rec Park & Civic Center Highlands Info: 828.507.0174 June 12th – 16th Kelsey Kids Camp Highlands Historical Society Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 June 15th - 18th Taste of Scotland Festival Franklin Info: 727.424.8901 June 17th Founders Park Shrimp Boil Kelsey-Hutchinson Park Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 June 19th Pawsitively Purrfect Party The Country Club of Sapphire Valley Cashiers Info: 828.743.5752 June 22nd – July 8th “Cabaret” The Highlands Playhouse Highlands Info: 828.526.2695 June 24th – 25th The Village Square Arts & Craft Show Village Square Highlands Info: 828.787.2021 June 24th Author’s Tea Highlands United Methodist Church Highlands Info: 828.526.3376, 828.526.2746 June 30th in Highlands July 1st in Cashiers Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival Eroica Plus - Bach, Schumann, Dvorak Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center, Highlands Albert Carlton Library, Cashiers Info: 828.526.9060; h-cmusicfestival.org
June 8th – 11th Highlands Motoring Festival Highlands Info: highlandsmotoringfestival.org
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Mountain Happenings - May & June, 2017 Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts Franklin Info: 866.273.4615; 828.524.1598 www.GreatMountainMusic.com
Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center Highlands Info: 828.526.8084 highlandscashiersplayers.org
May 5th Senior Follies
May 18th – 21st; 25th – 28th “Don’t Cry for me Margaret Mitchell” Highlands Cashiers Players
May 6th Recipes Alive! Cooking Show May 26 James Gregory - The Funniest Man in America June 2nd Departure: Journey Tribute Band June 23 – 24 Workshop - The Isaacs MusicationNation th
June 23rd An Evening with the Isaacs with Special Guest Mark Lowry June 29 Mountain Voices th
June 17 PAC Gala and Concert
June 30 The Sock Hops: Red, White and Doo-Wop
June 3rd; 10th; 17th; 24th Saturdays Creature Feature June 4th Birds of the World June 5th Pollinators and the Plants that Need and Feed Them
June 24 PAC Concert th
June 5th Macrophotography: A Bug’s Eye View of Nature
Saturdays on Pine Kelsey Hutchinson Park Highlands Info: 828.526.5841
June 6th – 9th Summer Day Camp Cycling Through Nature (ages 6-9)
June 3rd Grandpa’s Cough Medicine
June 10th Celebrate World Oceans’ Day
June 10 Colby Deitz Band th
June 10th – 11th Wilderness First Aid
June 17th Goldie and the Screamers
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June 12th Carnivores of the Bog Garden
June 24th Andalyn
June 13th – 16th Summer Day Camp Citizen Scientists (ages 9 – 10)
Friday Night Live Town Square Highlands Info: 828.526.2112
Highlands Biological Station Highlands Info: 828.526.2623 highlandsbiological.org
May 19 Tallulah River Band
May 1 – 5 Wildflowers and Waterfalls
June 20th – 23rd Summer Day Camp Eco-Trekkers Round 1 (ages 11 – 14
May 26th / June 23rd Silly Ridge Round Up
May 5th – 6th Wildflower Whimsy
June 22nd Feelin’ Froggy
June 2nd; 30th Southern Highlands
May 15th – 20th Mountains piled upon Mountains
June 26th Five Senses in the Garden
June 9th Mountain Dulcimer Group
May 26th Salamander Meander
June 16th Johnny Webb Band
May 29th Garden Invaders
June 27th – 30th Summer Day Camp Wildlife Warriors (ages 10 – 13)
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Macon County in Full Bloom
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looms abound in Macon County, North Carolina this spring. First on th May 27 at the baseball field in Highlands the Mountain Garden Club will be offering plants for sale. For more information call 828.526.2112. rd
Then on June 3 experience Franklin in Bloom. Downtown Franklin will be the site of all things garden: self guided garden tours, demonstrations and exhibits, plants and specialty garden arts and crafts for sale, plus music and garden readings. More than just a sale, Franklin in Boom is a Garden Festival you won’t want to miss. 828.369.2590 for more information. May 2017
June 19th Wicked Plants
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May 30th – June 2nd Summer Day Camp Plants a Plenty (ages 4 – 6)
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June 1st and each Thursday Thursdays Exploration Hike
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May 31st and each Wednesday in June Wednesday Inquiry Investigations
June 29th Nocturnal Nature
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20 Annual Taste of Scotland & Celtic Festival th th June 15 – 18
June 15th – 18th Franklin, North Carolina will be the site of Scottish culture and fun: food, fashion, music and dancing, Highland games and demonstrations, clans, crafters continuous entertainment for the whole family. This is a free event supported by the NC Tourism Development Authority. For more information: 727.424.8901 or TasteofScotlandFestival.org. gmlaurel.com
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“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” Bo Derek
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Highlands Motoring Festival
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he Highlands Motoring Festival weekend, June 8 – 11, 2017, brings a bevy of exotic, classic cars and driving enthusiasts to Highlands for one of the Southeast’s premier motoring events. Known as the “Festival with Altitude” this celebration of the automobile draws a large following year after year. This year’s theme is “Cars of Italy” and event organizers are excited to announce several changes in weekend events geared toward bringing a bit of European flair to the mountains.
Gone is the formal gala that normally kicks off the weekend and in its stead is Monte Carlo Casino Night on Thursday, June 8th from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM at Highlands Falls Country Club. Volunteers, including members of Highlands Rotary Club, will bring the Monte Carlo experience to the festival. It has been many years since Highlands had a “casino night” fund raiser. Friday, June 9th is the ever popular One Lap of the Mountains; this year featuring a new route of less traveled roads around the Blue Ridge Parkway. This popular driving event is a detailed road rally but is non-competitive. Participants will gather for coffee and a light breakfast at KelseyHutchinson Founders Park and then depart for the day’s drive. Lunch will be at the famed Pisgah Inn, renowned for fabulous food and breathtaking views. There is a registration fee for this event and a limited number of registrations available.
on show day. The early registration fee to enter a car is $35.00. There is no charge for spectators, but donations to REACH are appreciated. The Motoring Festival Committee and hardworking volunteers work year round to ensure this festival’s success. This year they are encouraging anyone interested in helping out to become a “Friend of the Motoring Festival” by volunteering to help out at the car show on Saturday. Interested volunteers should call Jerry Hermanson at 828.526.9647 to sign up. The Festival wraps up on Sunday, June 11th with “Cars and Coffee’ on Main Street from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM. This year all proceeds from the 4-day event go to REACH of Macon County, a nonprofit dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence. For more information please visit their website at highlandsmotoringfestival.com.
Saturday, June 10th from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM is the main event, the Classic Car Show at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park. 125 entrants are expected this year with more than 2,500 visitors expected 68
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Wheels
Bud’s Barracuda by Luke McCoy
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arn Find” that term inspires excitement, interest, and in some cases no small amount of trepidation in the heart of every classic car owner. When you talk of barn find cars any number of factors could mean the difference between a well preserved piece of automotive history and a rusted pile of scrap metal and disappointment. The story of Wendell (Bud) McCurdy’s “Barn Find” 1967 Barracuda begins when it rolled out of the Dodge manufacturing plant in Hamtramck, Michigan on June 28, 1967. From there it made its way to a dealership in Stone Mountain, Georgia where, on January 3, 1968, it was purchased new by a Mrs. Beverly Jacobs for an estimated price of around $2,860. Afterwards it was later resold to the a Mr. Arthur Simpson of Brevard, North Carolina In July, 1972. Mr. Simpson would own and accumulate somewhere in the neighborhood of 78,000 miles on the car before storing it in his hay barn in 1978 when he and his wife could no longer fit their growing family into a small two door convertible. There in that hay barn it remained for 12 years; it was originally
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going to be a father-son restoration project for the Simpson family however time, as it is known to do, got away from Arthur and before he knew it it was 1990 and he asked a relative up in Franklin to sell it for him, this is where Wendell (Bud) and Judy McCurdy from Sarasota, Florida enter our tale. In the fall of 1990 Bud and his wife were traveling from Sarasota to their place in Sylva, North Carolina when Bud spotted a 1967 Barracuda convertible with a “For Sale” sign on it. Having owned a ‘67 fastback Barracuda 20 years earlier Bud was intrigued. This one had a 273 cubic inch V8 that pumped out 230 horse power and 280 ft lbs of torque from the factory and an automatic on the console as well as a bright red interior, factory air conditioner and a white top. It appeared to be in good shape although it did seem to need some new tires and a great deal of cleaning. Bud bought the car and had it transported on a flatbed back to Florida where they began cleaning the years of dust and grim from the factory white paint and chrome aided by strong soap and in the chrome’s
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case Avon “Skin-so-Soft”. After getting it clean they set about draining and replacing the various fluids, coolants and such. Bud decided to replace the spark-plugs and wires and replace the old ignition system with a new electronic unit. The old paint had suffered quite a bit in that old hay barn so the decision was made to repaint the car and after much deliberation Bud decided on original Barracuda Red. Bud, himself applied a full length thin gold and black pinstripe along the side over the upper fenders, doors and rear. When the McCurdys decided to retire they settled on Franklin, North Carolina as their forever home. They designed and built a beautiful home with an incredible mountain view and a three car garage suitable for storing Bud’s car. The couple built two vacation rental cabins on their property. Guests who visit Bud and Judy can expect an unplugged restful vacay in the quiet valley with the awesome mountain view. Maybe they even get a glimpse of the Barracuda. Bud and Judy say it’s a joy to cruise around in the red convertible and they love the interest it garners from passersby and other motorists; they say all the wave compliments and horn honks make all the effort and hard work worth it. So if you are driving through Franklin and you see a Mopar convertible cruise into town that may just be Bud and Judy so give a wave or a thumbs up to let them know you like their “Barn Find” Barracuda too. The McCurdys Eagle Crest cabins are located just 5 minutes from Franklin restaurants and shopping. For more info call 828. 369.7348.
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Live Healthy and Be Well! “Enjoy a good cup of coffee without guilt” by Stephen Jarrard, MD FACS “I drink coffee, because without it, basically, I’m just a cranky toddler whose blankie is in the washer.” --anonymous coffee drinker
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ast month I talked about wanting to base the next few columns on some information I have come across about things that seem to confer health benefits and may even prevent disease. Much of this is based on a good book I read recently by Dr. Sanjiv Chopra titled The Big 5 - which presents “…five simple things you can do to live a longer, healthier life.” For this month, we will present some good benefits that seem to come from drinking coffee. If you are like me, you start most days with a hot cup of coffee – and for many of us, it seems a necessary ritual. We have heard over the years much conflicting information – coffee is good for us, then a study comes out that says it is bad. When we were young, we were sometimes told “you are too young to drink coffee”, or “…”it will stunt your growth”. So, many of us did not start until college age – but since that time, it has remained an enjoyable habit. You may drink it to be more awake and alert, because you truly like the taste or both – but I want you to know that I think some reliable studies and correlations seem to show that coffee is not a bad thing. We live in the leading coffee consuming nation in the world. Americans drink about 400 million cups of coffee a day, and about 83% of us drink coffee. Most of us drink about 3 cups a day and we spend over $1000 a year on coffee. There is good news if you are in that 83% coffee is good for you. In fact, there is evidence that it may be one of the healthier beverages you can drink. Many people, when asked how much they drink, will admit that they limit themselves to maybe two cups a day, because they believe that more than that is not good for you. For most people, if you drank three, four, or even up to six cups a day – It can be very beneficial. 72
Now, there is no doubt that coffee, or the caffeine it contains, can act as a stimulant and result in insomnia, tremors, raise heart rate and blood pressure a bit and worsen reflux and heartburn. And, it certainly increases urination, as we all know when drinking a lot of coffee while driving keeps you alert - but necessitates a stop or two along the way. However, if you drink it for a while, as heavier coffee drinkers know, you will develop some “tolerance” to these effects, and they will not be bothersome. Still, the down side of drinking coffee is not too bad. There is very good evidence these days, some from valid studies and some from correlational type observations, that coffee is good for you in the long run. It seems to be very good for the liver, decreasing the chance of cirrhosis and cancer of the liver. In fact, it almost seems to be “protective” of the liver. It also has been shown in reported studies to decrease mortality (death). A 2012 article in the New England Journal of Medicine studied 400,000 people for fourteen years, and reported that participants who drank between two and six cups a day had their total mortality reduced by 10% for men, and 15% for women – and the more one drank per day (up to 6 cups), the better was the “protective“ mechanism. One caveat is that some people drink coffee but associate some unhealthy behaviors like smoking or drinking alcohol excessively – which can negate the beneficial effects. Caffeine can also help you burn fat and lose weight, but if you load up your cup with a lot of sugar, cream and syrup flavorings, or eat three donuts with your cup - you can also lessen this effect. Coffee does not seem to raise the risk of heart attack. Many heart patients are told to drink decaffeinated coffee to prevent the caffeine stimulation that might cause abnormal heart
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rhythms. But, while caffeine can raise your heart rate, is has not been shown to contribute to abnormal rhythms or heart attacks (Annals of Internal Medicine, 2008; American Heart Journal, 2009). Another good benefit is that coffee seems to promote insulin sensitivity, which can serve to prevent the development or lessen the effects of type 2 diabetes (Archives of Internal Medicine, 2009). In type 2 Diabetes, your pancreas makes insulin, but your cells are resistant to its sugar lowering effects – thus, high blood sugar. Coffee seems to make your cells more sensitive to the insulin you make, thus lessening your degree of diabetes, or at least possibly allow you to take less medicine. Coffee also contains several compounds that have anti-oxidant properties, which can help to reduce insulin resistance and inflammation in your body and prevent breakdown of body processes – another way to say “anti-aging”. Those who drink coffee regularly may find another good effect of this beverage that many of us have concerns about as we get older. Regular coffee drinkers have less chance of developing dementias, including the Alzheimer’s type and Parkinson’s disease (Journal of Alzheimer’s, 2009; Journal of the AMA, 2000). These risk reductions are not absolute – and you can find heavy coffee drinkers who do develop the above problems – but the numbers support the above statements and
as we discussed last month – the science of medicine relies on numbers obtained from properly conducted studies and experiments. So, if you enjoy coffee in the mornings to get going, any time of day as a “pick me up” or after a good meal – it is very much okay. If you drink it to wake up, or if you truly enjoy the taste of this beverage – just know that the health and wellness benefits seem to outweigh the risks, especially those “urban myths” we grew up with that were not based on science. “Coffee will stunt your growth” is a lot like “you’ll shoot your eye out, kid”! Neither is necessarily true if you know your facts and how to treat each situation. “If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.” --Abraham Lincoln We really do enjoy hearing from you with any questions, concerns, or ideas for future columns and/or health and wellness related issues for the Georgia Mountain Laurel. Please send an email to rabundoctor@gmail.com, or call us at 706.782.3572, and we will be sure to consider your input. This and previous articles can be now be found on the web at www.rabundoctor.com in an archived format. If you use Twitter, then follow us for health tips and wellness advice @ rabundoctor. Like and follow our Facebook page at facebook. com/rabundoctor. Until next month, live healthy and be well!
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Lovin’ the Journey
You too can make your comeback! by Mark Holloway switchback, mastering the rocks, roots, and drops, I reflected on his story and took his picture. In these very woods in 2003, as a newbie, he crashed, his bike throwing him off like an angry bull. The force of gravity and speed hurled him toward the unforgiving ground, headfirst.
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or Jim, things are about to go from really bad to really worse...
The ski enthusiast had just crashed into a tree at a high speed, breaking his neck, collar bone, shoulder and arm. Stretched out on the slope, inside the ski patrol’s toboggan sled, he’s about to be transported down the mountain, fully paralyzed. He’s only able to move his eyes, scanning the blue sky and pondering his life, his future. It gets worse. As his rescuers are packaging him up, he hears the loud scraping noise of a snow boarder’s metal edge grinding though the snow, the violent sound aimed directly at Jim. The reckless boarder attempts to leap over the motionless patient. The snowboard’s metal edge gashes Jim’s forehead open, knocking him unconscious. I was sharing the same chairlift with Jim at Park City Mountain Resort in Utah this spring when he told me his story. 57 year old Jim Metherall also skies on two rebuilt knees. Jim serves today as a mountain safety patrol first responder. He’s a boss! I’d already been pondering comebacks before our recent ski trip. My good friend, fellow marathoner, mountain biker, cyclist, and Rabun Search and Rescue brother, Coach Steve Patterson, is a ‘comebacker’. Stonewall-White Twister is a popular local mountain biking trail. Steve and I were recently riding its steep, challenging ups and downs and creek crossings. As the 57 year old was descending a 76
Steve’s neck was broken (C6-7). In 2013, Steve battled and beat prostate cancer. This year he had knee surgery to fix an old football injury. It’s not about getting knocked down. It is about getting back up, however many times as it takes. Steve is a man who gets back up and I’m glad to be counted among his friends. The other day Steve told me, “I have learned to appreciate living in the grace of God.” And he like the verse “My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy.” Back in Park City... My wife Carol has a comeback story too. This mountain resort owed her a redo. That’s why we were all there this spring, for her redo. In December 2014 Carol was enjoying her first day of our trip, skiing down the slopes of Park City when five-year-old Willow came up behind her. Carol had to make a split second decision. Instead of falling towards Willow, potentially further risking the child’s well-being, Carol chose to fall away, causing what ski patrol experts call a slow twist. A slow twist is when there’s not enough force to cause your ski to pop off. Instead, the ski wrenches your knee in whichever direction it chooses. Carol’s ACL, your knee’s primary ligament, snapped completely in two. Her thigh bone crushed into her shin bone. She also damaged her meniscus, which is sort of like a piece of carpet which cushions your knee joint. But my wife is a champion. She also knows how to get back up. A year and a half of rehab, after her very successful surgery, meant she’d get a second chance on the ski slopes. So our group returned to the very resort where she was injured. Our wonderful friend and surgeon, Denny Alter, attached a used hamstring-turned-ACL. God bless the kind donor who’s generosity lives on in part today. A car crash years ago also required surgery on Carol’s shoulder and other knee. Carol made her comeback. She was encouraged along the way by another good friend Melinda Siemens who guided us through at Dosher Physical Therapy. Maybe you’ve felt like you’ve been kicked in the gut, punched
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in the face, beat down...left alone... felt defeated or irrelevant, banished to the margins of life’s pages...there’s hope. You’ve now met three people who have overcome astounding physical challenges. Carol, Jim and Steve all refuse to quit. They resolve to stay in the game. They will all tell you it’s about getting back up. It’s about surrounding yourself with encouragers. It is about embracing life and defeating discouragement. If you live long enough on the planet, you are guaranteed to face struggles, challenges and maybe even a crisis or two. Perhaps the common thread among all of these is the misguided notion they’ll last forever. They won’t. If you find yourself deep in a hole, the first step to getting out is: stop digging. There’s too much life to be lived in these amazing mountains than to find yourself stuck in neutral, gripped by fearing what may never actually happen. So get up. Get out. And breathe deeply. See you on the trail. gmlaurel.com
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Notes from a Southern Kitchen
Dreams Are Like Fingerprints by Kendall R. Rumsey Notesfromasouthernkitchen.com
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ecently I got an early morning text, “I have to tell you something.” Early morning texts are never something I enjoy; early morning texts with “I have to tell you something,” immediately make me think the worst. I responded “ok”, and the person on the other end told me he was planning to move to New York in August. After the immediate relief that no one was dead or in a coma, I responded that I needed a bit of time to comprehend what I had just been told and would be back in touch. The response from the other end of my iPhone hit me over the head like a ton of bricks…..” you know I have always wanted to live in New York and I hope you will support my decision, it will be a dream come true.” Ugh….. dreams. Over the next few days I let the thought of my loved one moving to New York settle in and realized that I could only support this decision, after all dreams are made to live, not be pressed away at other people’s wishes. I picked up the phone and called to tell him he had my blessing, with the understanding that he could always come back home. Dreams are like fingerprints, we all have them and they are all different. As I get older I think about the dreams I had as a young man and how they are different than the ones I have today. In my youth, I dreamed of winning an Academy Award or living in Paris. Today, my dreams are more about others than myself. I dream that my nieces and nephew will be happy, I dream that all their dreams come true, which brings me back to New York, yes, it is his dream and I support it. I dream that my brother and his wife have a long and healthy life together and that my friends see their children and grandchildren grow up to be the best people they can possibly be. I still have dreams for myself and I have started taking strides to make them come true. I have gone sky-diving, zip lining, scuba diving and two years ago I returned to God’s Country to live. 78
This summer I am traveling west and attending a concert at Red Rocks and plan on seeing the sunrise over the Grand Canyon, both will be dreams come true. Dreams help shape us, they define who we are and set the priorities of our lives. In my 50’s I find that my dreams are vastly different than in my 20’s. My dreams today have a maturity that wasn’t there when I was younger. Much like life, as we grow, so do our dreams. It is heartening to know that I am accomplishing my dreams. I see my family thriving, I watch daily with amazement as my 2-year-old great niece learns about the world around her and the joys of each new day and my friends, while we all have pains and struggles, are for the most part in a good place. I dream and it is always a special joy when dreams come true. Another dream I have always had is to be a columnist. Writing is a hobby and a dream has always been to have a column, with a by-line in a publication that I believe in and shares my dreams for our community. You just read a dream come true for me, my published, column here in “The Laurel”. Yes, dreams come true…… you just witnessed that! Kendall Rumsey is a resident of Clayton, GA. He is co-owner of imPRESSed, a custom imprint company and publishes the blog Notes from a Southern Kitchen. www.impressedstyle.com www.notesfromasouthernkitchen.com
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By the Way...
Taking a pig to a concert isn’t as easy as you’d think by Emory Jones
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s you know, local music legend Katie Deal’s pet pig Pickles and Patsy Cline music are the two things my pet pig Cunningham love most in this world. I mean, next to me. And slop. And those peppermint pig pellets they’re always unloading at that feed mill on Cleveland’s Cemetery Street. I’d include Judy, but for some reason, my wife and Cunningham aren’t close.
“I’ve seen pigs on farms before,” I said, defending Cunningham. “Besides, that’s not your jurisdiction.”
Sadly, Pickles and Cunningham broke up after the police picked her up on a littering charge outside Lula. Cunningham took the separation hard — especially when he learned it wasn’t even his litter. But he still holds hope.
Since the mayor didn’t offer to refund our money, I’m going to make certain Cunningham gets into that concert—even if he has to dress up like Willie Nelson and walk in after midnight.
So, you can imagine how happy Cunningham was when he heard Katie Deal is performing her Tribute to Patsy Cline concert up at the Hardman Farm State Historic Site just outside Helen on May 13th. Naturally, he’s hoping she’ll bring Pickles. I’ll always remember how blissful he looked, trotting home with our neighbor’s newspaper, squealing at the news. That pig was in hog heaven.
It’s crazy, but my reasoning didn’t work. However, the mayor did say if I’d bring Cunningham by the courthouse three days before the concert, he’d see to it that he was properly dressed for the event. That was nice and all, but anybody who spends three days dressing a pig is wasting time. All you do is hose ‘em down and hang a little bandana around their neck. And some talcum powder if it’s hot. Always.
In fact, that might be an advantage, because if Pickles does come, she’d fall to pieces over Cunningham in a Willie Nelson suit. As you can tell, this is going to be quite an event, so come on out!
Cunningham wouldn’t even let me finish my ham sandwich before insisting I go online to order his ticket. Those with pet pigs know how persistent they can be; it’s endearing, really. By the time I talked Judy into telling me where she’d hidden the computer this time, Cunningham had already found it and used a pretzel to type in www.katiedealtickets.com. I took over from there. It’s best not to let pigs have unsupervised computer access — way too many pigs get hooked on the pork channel these days; it’s sad, really. I used his full name, Cunningham P. Jones. I even added a little note explaining how the P stood for pig, and that he’d like a spot near the stage and as close to the porta-potty as possible. That night, Cunningham slept with sweet dreams. All went well until the phone rang early next morning. It was the mayor of Cleveland. “Hello,” I said sleepily. “Why are you calling so early? This isn’t an election year.” “It’s nearly noon,” said the mayor. “I haven’t adjusted to the time change yet. What can I do for you?” “Did you buy a concert ticket for a pig?” “Why? Did Judy say something?” “No. Pigs can’t come. This thing is at the Hardman Farm, for goodness sake!” 80
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