Georgia Mountain Laurel May 18 by The Laurel of Northeast Georgia

May 2018

t is spring in the mountains and the season is underway! In years past we have produced a separate magazine for our Lake residents titled Cabin & Cove. This year we decided to make our May magazine our Cabin & Cove issue and share it with our lake residents to welcome them back to the mountains! Locals, visitors and lake residents all enjoy our mountain lakes and their beauty is worth celebrating. We visited the all new Barn Inn at Lake Rabun, spoke with Jake Barnes at Atlanta Marine at LaPrades about boats and featured two gorgeous lake homes. Dr. Jarrard addressed lake safety and the Georgia Mountain Homebuilders Association included a list of their members for quick reference. Our Mountain Happenings calendar is stocked with events to keep you going all month long! So get out and enjoy spring... the summer heat is right around the corner. For all of our moms who enjoy the Laurel, Happy Mother’s Day! Thank our advertisers for this great magazine!

Tracy May 2018 • Volume Fifteen • Issue Five Georgia Mountain Laurel Mailing: PO Box 2218, Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 2511 Highway 441, Mountain City, Georgia 30562 706-782-1600 • www.gmlaurel.com

Publisher/Editor - Tracy McCoy Assitant Editor - Lucas McCoy Art Director - Dianne VanderHorst Graphic Artist - Nikki Dunbar Office Manager/ Account Executive - Cindi Freeman Account Executive - Melynda Hensley Photographer/Writer - Peter McIntosh Contributing Writers: Jean Hyatt, Mark Holloway, Stephen Jarrard, MD, Lisa Harris, John Shivers, Emory Jones, Peggy Payne, Pastor Michael Rogers Lorie Thompson, Kendall Rumsey, Samantha Thacker, Copyright 2018 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

Life & Leisure

Arts & Entertainment 10 12 14 17 34 36 38

Cover Artist - Mark Holloway North Georgia Arts Guild A Brush with Fame at Timpson Creek Gallery The Southern Highland Music Foundation Broderick Crawford - Artist Lakemont Gallery Around Back at Rocky’s

Affairs to Remember 42 46 48

Mountain Happenings Event Calendar Rabun County Bands & Rhapsody in Rabun Sid Weber Cancer Fund Golf Tournament

Faith in Christ 52 54 56

78 80 84 86 88 90

Harry Norman REALTORS® Featured Home GMHBA - Member List RE/MAX of Rabun REALTORS® Featured Home Take Your Porch Back 24/7/365 Woods Furniture Barn Inn at Lake Rabun

A Taste

Pack a Picnic, Spring is Here The Family Table Dreams Do Come True - Clayton Cafe

Health & Wellness 100 103 104 106 108

Adventure Out Mountain Nature Paws 4 Life Atlanta Marine at LaPrades

Lovin’ the Journey Notes from a Southern Kitchen By the Way Reeves Hardware Opens - A History Rabun Manor

Mountain Homes

94 96 98

Life is a Blessing River Garden R4G - New Birth

Outdoors 58 60 62 64

66 68 70 72 74

May 2018

Live Healthy & Be Well Well Nourished Adams Hearing DeYoe Wellness Clayton Health & Fitness

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You Just Have to Meet Mark Holloway! by Tracy McCoy

n my history here at the Laurel, I rarely sit staring at the screen not sure where to begin. Since I first met our May cover artist, I have been in awe. I have told countless people that this is a guy you should know. He told me once that the way to a successful business was to remove the word no, from your vocabulary. He jumps over the moon for his clients at Fresh Start, he is a “make it happen” kind of fellow. I thought I knew him well until we recently visited for this interview. He has been afforded an adventurous life, or better said, he has made it one. I can’t wait to introduce you to my friend Mark Holloway, but honestly, where do I begin… Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina to a Decorated Combat Veteran Officer father and loving, kind mom. He is the middle child with an older brother and younger sister. His family moved around due to his father’s military career living from Hawaii to Germany to Mexico City. Mark attended high school and graduated while living in Germany where he was the news editor of the Frankfurt American High School newspaper in West Germany. This is where he gained interest in photography. His first camera was a leather collapsible SX70 Polaroid. He went from bag boy at the Post Exchange in Frankfurt, to selling cameras in the photography department at age 16. His next camera was an Olympus 35 mm, but when he purchased a used Nikon his passion was set on fire.

In 1978 Colonel Holloway retired and bought a home in Fort Myers, Florida. Mark attended Jr. college there. Mark was apart of a college bible study and met a girl named Carol. She was 17 years old and in Cosmetology School. That night he had the honor of leading Carol to Christ. The study group made plans for the next Friday night and at the last minute everyone dropped out but Carol, so Mark took her out on a full-fledged date. They went to a nice restaurant for dinner and the more time he spent with her and the more he got to know her the more he liked her. The couple began dating. He was leaving for the University of Florida in the fall, but that summer they toured with Carol’s parents who had a gospel music band called Sounds of Glory. Carol was the group’s stylist and Mark was their photographer. By the end of the summer he and Carol had fallen head over heels for each other. Mark asked Carol’s dad for her hand in marriage. You’ll love the engagement story… while out to eat with the band at Carol’s graduation celebration, salad plates in hand, he proposed and she said, “YES”! Mark took her to Fort Meyers Jewelers, spending his $900 life’s savings on her rings. After worship one Sunday, Mark and Carol went to his parents to tell them of their plans to marry. Mr. Holloway said if you are old enough to get married you are on your own. The couple decided to wait a year planning for July 25, 1981. After they married Mark and Carol lived on campus in married housing and he worked three jobs

while his new bride cut hair. Mark got a job as a Jazz announcer on a PBS radio station. Once he finished college he was offered a job as a reporter at WMAZ-TV in Macon, Georgia. News was perfect for Mark but it was honestly the highest highs to the lowest lows in one day. One day he remembers was riding in the winning hot air balloon of a race one morning to standing over the slumped over man who lost his life in a horrible accident in the afternoon. Mark found himself praying for victims on the scene and the stress of it wore on him. He worked in this position for five years. He had aspired to be a reporter in Atlanta but his news passion was fading. The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and later Turner County Development Authority came calling. In March of 1993, Mark and his family were active in a thriving congregation in Tifton, becoming its first student pastor remaining 15 years. At that time God opened a door for Mark to move his family to the mountains. Carol and Mark and their two teenagers, Victoria and Garrett stepped out on faith moved to Rabun County. They bought a cedar cabin in Tiger, Georgia. It was weathered so Mark went to Clayton and purchased a pressure washer and he transformed their home. A Florida doctor noticed and asked Mark to transform his mountain cabin too. Locals Rhonda Lundsford and Mary Lou Faulkenberry quickly endorsed Mark and Carol’s new company and out of thin air, Fresh Start Property Stewards was born, going from zero customers in 2007 to over 450 clients today. Their motto is “We are your eyes, ears and hands when you can’t be.” Mark believes photography has little to do with the camera and

everything to do with the eye. It’s about composition, subject and lighting. Nature presents so many opportunities if you’re watching. Writing Lovin’ the Journey and Short Treks for our magazine has presented many photographic opportunities for this nature lover. Mark has quite a list of accomplishments in his portfolio. He is an Ironman, a seven-time marathoner including Boston and New York. He is a certified rock climber and guide, an active member of Search and Rescue, an Emergency Medical Responder, and Swift Water Rescue Swimmer. He is a published author, has survived two terrorist bombings, has numerous degrees including a Doctor of Ministry. He is a hunter, cyclist, backpacked Europe at the age of 16, has led 15 mission trips, and smuggled bibles into Vietnam. Mark Holloway is crazy in love with Carol. They have a marriage ministry, Start Strong where they coach prospective young couples. Their daughter Victoria has a degree from NGTC in photography and works in Atlanta. She is their miracle child and daddy’s little girl. Garrett built himself a Tiny House on a 70 acre farm south of Athens. He is an installer for Budget Blinds and is an award winning actor on the state and region level. Mark and Carol are deeply proud of their kids. So, now that you know Mark Holloway, I hope you cross his path. If you do shake his hand and you will make a new friend. His photography is not usually sold, in fact he has the best of the best printed on canvas and often takes prints right off the wall of his home and gives them to their guests. He will no doubt continue to capture life and nature extraordinaire! I am glad to call the Holloways my friends.

NORTH GEORGIA ARTS GUILD Filters at Work in the Life and Art of Alan Zarter by Susan Brewer

lan Zarter maintains two roles in the art world. First, he is a photographer using computer software to “paint” over photographs he has taken previously. He creates a new image, which he prints using an ink-jet or giclée printer that digitizes the color and tone to produce painted original works of art. Alan’s second role is to produce reproduction (originals) for artists of their work. This collaboration with other artists is one he enjoys. For their sake and for his own, he is sensitive to images found online that are used without permission. Some artists don’t put in place copyright protection, but most do, including Alan. His most recent works filters images he refers to as “every-day.” “Alice’s Garden” is an example. It is made up of two spinning epicenters of marble-like twirls; white-lined arcs are drafted above colorful flowers and green growth. The original photograph, though, was of a fence edged by flowers. Look closely; the fence is still there. Fences, walls, and transitional pathways make up the conceptual explorations he favors. Another of his works is a boat on water at sunrise with mountains in the background. Of this he created a Turneresque seascape, heightened by altered color into mystery. These different styles vary to a degree that doesn’t conform to the art world’s standards of consistency in the use of styles, types, and subject matter. This suits Alan. He is pushing the edges. He breaks other rules: he hopes viewers will touch the surface of his painted images and for that reason doesn’t place them behind glass. Filters, then, are a part of Alan’s artwork, but they are also an appropriate metaphor for Alan’s life: filters of experience. He sees things differently with reason. One stands out in particular. He suffered the lose of some dearest to him tragically – on multiple occasions. This may explain Alan’s deeply-held philosophical world view. Like a much-loved garden, he carefully tends the opinions he holds. He purposefully asks questions about what and why things are the way they are. These questions make up the subscript of Alan’s artwork, too. Alan may have a filter in use with regards to the future, too. For two decades beginning in 1981 Alan took part in rolling out the “information age.” He began selling Apple’s first personal computer, the Apple II. Until then, computers were only used by hobbyists and large businesses. That changed. By 2001, Alan had sold other kinds including the Macs (Apple’s Macintoshes) as well as the personal computers manufactured by IBM. These decades trained his eyes to see past norms and conventions most assume will never change. This work made him aware of the power of new trends and the broad reach of sweeping change to topple convention. Alan’s drive is to test these tools of change against his own creative endeavors. This effort is inventive, complex, experimental; it is about ushering in new ideas and new ways of doing things. His work currently hangs in the Echo Gallery and Artist Colony in Suwanee at 3982 Cherokee Trail, Suite 120, 30024. Find his work online at azfineart.com, visit facebook.com/alan. zarter, or email lumigraph@charter.net.

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May 2018

Trey McCarley “Connects” With His Art Show to hang at Timpson Creek By John Shivers

painting is like a book cover until the viewer is given a chance to emotionally connect with the artist behind the brush strokes, and in that moment, the painting becomes fine art. Arkansas native and landscape artist Trey McCarley makes this comparison when speaking of his work that has drawn such global acclaim. Art lovers will have the opportunity to make that connection for themselves beginning on May 19, when the artist hangs his work at Timpson Creek Gallery in Clayton through June 14. While this degreed landscape architect is well versed in portrait and still life, plen-air landscape remains his passion. It is a love he has pursued with determination as bold and vibrant as the strokes of his brush and palette knife. Critics evidently agree because he was recently named to the Top 21 Under 31 by Southwest Art Magazine. This amazing young man will be on site at Timpson Creek on Saturday May 19 from 10:30 a.m. ‘til 5:00 p.m. to meet and greet and talk about his art. Critics applaud his creativity and visual discernment, nurtured in part by his landscape architecture credentials. Through this universal appreciation for nature, the style of his work renders a sense of place and holds the intimacy of the soul that so captivates those who view his unforgettable paintings. To learn more about this remarkable artist whose spirit and content will remain with you long afterwards, his web site http:// treymccarleyart.com is an excellent place to start. The best place to end up is at Timpson Creek Gallery on May 19, where you can meet him in person and find yourself emotionally connected as well. Timpson Creek Gallery is located at 7142 Highway 76 West in Clayton. For additional information, check www. timpsoncreek.com or call 706.782.5164.

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Tom Nixon… and The Southern Highland Music Foundation Tom Nixon was born in the Persimmon community in Rabun County. He has been a member of The Foxfire Boys since 1982 and is the owner of Blue Ridge Music. After graduating from Rabun County High School in 1985, Tom attended Kennesaw State University, Piedmont College and Texas Technical University. He received a B.A. in education, specializing in math and music, with an administrative credential. After college, Tom taught at Rabun County High School for two years. For the next ten years Tom worked in the Ninth District, as a curriculum specialist, program specialist and staff trainer. Tom’s love of music and education led him to begin giving music lessons to children and adults in various locations around Rabun County. Tom founded Blue Ridge Music, and added fellow Foxfire member Dean English, as a second instructor. Blue Ridge Music is located at the corner of Hwy 441 and Hwy 76 in Clayton. Classrooms soon began to fill up, but Tom found that many of his students struggled to pay for their lessons and many more, who wanted to learn, simply could not afford to pay. This troubled both Tom and Dean, and the other instructors at Blue Ridge Music. This was the spark that led Tom to create a new non-profit organization, dedicated to furthering the musical arts, through donations and fundraising. This new organization was to provide no cost music instruction for both children and adults, who had a desire to learn to play, but lacked the necessary funds. In July 2013, Tom formed the Southern Highland Music Foundation. Tom’s appreciation and love of music began in his home growing up. His father is a musician and music was encouraged in his early years. Music was an integral part of worship as Tom grew up. He was also exposed to musical influences in the school band and chorus programs. The Foxfire Music Program, during his high school years, greatly influenced Tom’s direction because the program allowed him to develop his own style and explore his preferred musical artistry. The Foxfire method, used in classroom instruction lends itself to student involvement, not only in the music class, but the other Foxfire classes. Students are encouraged to learn from each other and to explore their heritage. This is the basis of the Southern Highland Music methodology and what has made the program so successful. When the student’s creativity is unleashed, they learn at an accelerated rate. Learning becomes something they desire and it makes an impact on every area of their life. Tom experienced this for himself as a Foxfire student and seeks to carry on this tradition at SHMF. The Foxfire music program ended many years ago, but, SHMF continues its music program in that tradition. They offer young and old an opportunity to learn in a similar setting. The foundation assists students who might not have the opportunity to attend classes, due to financial struggles. SHMF hopes to not only fulfill, but also to expand the music education opportunities that were once available in our local community. We have all witnessed years of federal and state budget cuts which have greatly reduced music and art classes in our schools. Nurturing a wholesome and unifying music culture is paramount and can be done by making instruction possible for all who have an interest. We hope to share with you, over the next several pages, the strides that we have been made, information about our teaching and our students, and how you can help us make an impact on our community.

Music makes us want to live.

You don’t know how many times people have told me that they’d been down and depressed and just wanted to die, but then a special song caught their ear and that helped give themrenewed strength.

That’s the power music has. Mary J. Blige

Music is the universal language of mankind. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Music is the voice that tells us that the human race is greater than it knows Napoleon Bonaparte

Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul... it is a gift from God Martin Luther

When words fail, music speaks. Irene Huang

Final Thoughts about The Southern Highland Music Foundation The quotations which we have used throughout this narrative are presented here to remind us of the spiritually uplifting value of music upon our own human nature... to remember that music has always been the universal language of the spirit and touches us where words cannot. Music is a gift to us from God to transform our sorrows into joy and to touch us all where words cannot There has never been a time, in our history where the spiritual needs of our children have been greater. The situation is very dire and many different sorts of interventions are needed to uplift our children and our community. The redeeming values of musical instruction and spiritual mentoring have not been emphasized in our school curriculum for decades and our core values of love, compassion and unity have been greatly weakened. Our organization was founded with this need in mind and is based upon teaching a variety of spiritually uplifting and wholesome music in our schools, in order to create meaningful lives for our children. By providing no cost musical instruction, spiritual mentoring and musical instruments in our classrooms, we can help our children lead more fulfilling lives. We believe that music can be an incredible force for good; and uplift and unite our families; thereby filling this very real need in our community.

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. Albert Einstein

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May 2018

Broderick Crawford Award Winning Artist, Carver & Conservationist by Tracy McCoy

he very first issue of our magazine was published in April 2003, under our company name, Rabunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Laurel. On our cover for that premiere issue was a hummingbird painting by local artist Broderick Crawford. In this our 15th year we are planning to revisit some of the people who were in our first issue and we are beginning with Broderick. Broderick was a jeweler, with jewelry sales and repair his primary business. He ran the jewelry store and his wife Michele ran Crawford Art Gallery. Broderick estimates that 95% of his business at that time was jewelry and 5% was art sales. In the years that followed, that steadily changed with more and more demand for his art. His store, then located down the street from his current location, slowly transformed from glass cases to framed art. In 2007, encouraged by his wife Michele, Broderick became a full time artist. name Broderick Crawford became known beyond the tristate area of Georgia and the Carolinas. The artist, to this day, has not fully realized the depth of his talent. Looking at the detail in his paintings leaves one in awe, yet he finds things he might do differently next time. Broderick has a competitive nature and a drive to succeed. It was that combination that prompted him to enter his first art contest. One win led to another, year after year. He has received dozens of awards for his art over the years, including ten

Growing up hunting and fishing in Rabun County, Broderick naturally was drawn to nature and wildlife. Painting trout and birds, landscapes, scenes from rural life, and historic locations around the area. His art gained popularity with each year as not only locals, but visitors and second home owners as well discovered his work. Painting was at first an escape, something Broderick did as a boy. Drawing came natural for him from his elementary school days. Later in high school he began to add paint to his drawings. Now, it was part of his daily life. He found it amazing that what he enjoyed most, was now his â&#x20AC;&#x153;workâ&#x20AC;?. Spring, summer, and fall kept them busy in the gallery, but he and Michele spent winter months on the road, up the east coast, doing the wildlife art show circuit. This is when the 34

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First Place finishes. This year already he placed second in the North Carolina Duck Stamp competition and second in the California Upland Gamebird Stamp contest. In March he won the Iowa Duck Stamp Competition and last month he placed first in the Delaware Trout Stamp competition. In 2015, Broderick was awarded fourth place in the Federal Duck Stamp competition, the most prestigious waterfowl art competition award in the nation. The Federal Duck Stamp competition contest originated in 1934 and it is the toughest to win. The contest is truly the best of the best. Broderick will send a 2018 entry in later this year. He stands a very good chance of winning this competition. Stay tunedâ&#x20AC;Ś For nine years Broderick has exhibited at the Southeastern Wildlife Expo (SEWE) in Charleston, South Carolina. It is the only show he does at this stage of his career. SEWE is the largest wildlife art show in the country. This past winter, SEWE chose thirteen Georgia artists from the SEWE show past and present to exhibit their art in a special exhibition at The Booth Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. Broderick Crawford was one of the thirteen artists chosen. This was a huge honor and well deserved. One of his greatest accomplishments was when his art work was chosen as the winner by the state of Georgia to represent Trout Unlimited on a Georgia car tag. Proceeds from the sales of the tag and renewal each year goes to Georgia DNR for their conservation efforts. Rabun County benefits greatly from the funds raised from the car tag. Conservation is extremely important to the Crawfords and something they work to support. Broderickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art goes well beyond the canvas. He is an award winning carver as well. Carving all species of waterfowl, shore birds, and song birds. This artist enjoys a challenge and working with his hands. When I asked if there was art that he would like to experiment with, he shared that he is

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becoming looser with his style and enjoys trying new things. He actually has a bucket list of competitions he would like to enter. He spoke of a time limit on these opportunities, due to his age. He plans on competing a few more years, but the competitions are getting harder with a younger group of artists starting to emerge into the competitions, but Broderick Crawford will likely leave this world with paint on his hands. If you are in Clayton, a visit to Crawford Art Gallery is encouraged. While Broderick paints in his home studio the beginning of the week, he paints in the store on Fridays and Saturdays. Stop in and meet Broderick and Michele at 108 North Main Street in Clayton, Georgia. You may visit online at www.broderickcrawfordart.com or call 706.782.8379. Also follow them on Facebook @crawfordartgallery.

May 2018

Lakemont Gallery

akemont Gallery has entered their 10th season in the new location (moved in last year) next to Open Door at Alley’s Ol’ Store. Shoppers have found the new location to be more user friendly without all the steps. The building has almost as much personality as the old Lodge building, having once been a flour mill and sporting hundred-year-old timbers, siding and roof. The timbers and metal ceiling inside give the gallery a fashionable rustic/industrial look that provides the perfect ambience for displaying art. Including artist/owner Virginia McClure, there are 3 painters, as well as 3 furniture makers, 3 potters, 3 photographers, and wood crafts produced by three people. The threesoms just happened , no plan. Painters: Virginia “Ginny” McClure is known for her landscapes depicting mostly local scenery and is best known for her canoe paintings. The landscapes are peaceful and meditative and are worshipful of the beauty of nature here in God‘s country! The canoes were once just the vehicle to get to the pretty places on the lakes, but, as it became more difficult to get out on the water, the canoes took on an emotional and nostagic meaning. She is currently restocking the depleted supply of canoe paintings. Kay Hibbard is a realistic landscape and figure painter whose UGA background overlaps with Ginny’s, but she is a different temperament, having a degree in Math. She currently has paintings of brightly colored, sunlit barns, cows, and trees on display. The third painter is Ray Alban, whose high energy, dashing painterly style reflects spontaneity and immediacy. He works plein air, outdoors on site, and is able to capture the essence beautiful local sites in fanciful colors. Furniture makers: Dennis Banks is the star of the furniture world with his intricate

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inlay and twig tables. Old timer, Weyman Evans charms with his pine slab and laurel tables, shelves and benches, and master craftsman, Chris Wilbanks wows us with his black walnut slab tables. Potters: Carol Van Sant pottery with its richly glazed leaf patterns has been with the gallery since inception: she is an old favorite. Carolyn Rice Hassenzahl is also a favorite with her relief finishes, while Mud Fairy, Tonya Kimsey, is relatively new and also does 3-D relief finishes, such as a butterfly applied to a pitcher or a lace pattern pressed into the clay, and don’t forget beautiful color glazes. Wood burning crafts by Nicholson Ridge are produced through a family effort. Her husband and son cut the wood, turn bowls and sand and finish while the designer, Brenda Nicholson, populates plaques, bowls and “sticks” with brightly colored birds, animals, barns and trees accompanied by Bible verses and sayings of wisdom. The lettering and black line are done by burning. Photographers: Terry Guthrie, Kathy Hamdy Swink, and Kevin Croom all capture the beauty of the local scenery. The gallery is currently open weekends, Friday and Saturday 12 - 5 and by appointment 706.424.7322 and this summer, hopefully 5 days a week.

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May 2018

Dorethey Gorham by Tracey Burgess

orethey Gorham is a gallery favorite with her detailed memory paintings. Her finesse with a paintbrush, even the smallest, using a horsehair, is phenomenal. It is quite fun to study her pieces for long periods because you, the viewer, will see tinier, different snippets of detail

with each viewing. One would think that Dorethey has been painting, and perfecting her style, over the course of her lifetime. But not so…as a hobby, she enjoyed cross stitching, and she did not even think about painting until she could no longer hold a needle to create her cross stitch pieces.

For some reason, a paintbrush was different, and she found she could hold a brush and continue her creative outlet by painting. Her memory pieces include any number of themes, but constant in most of her work are churches and angels. If a church is not the focal point of the painting, you can bet that tucked away in a corner, or in the background on the horizon, will be one in the distance. Also constant are the angels; they are always present in her work. As a collector, something to quest for are the pieces with the

devils, as these are rare and go quickly. Devil hunting in Dorethey’s work is like playing “I Spy.” You never know when you will spot a red devil slinking around the corner of the church or hiding under a bridge. While her angels are a part of her work, and can be called signatures of her creations, another part that cannot be ignored are her frames; there again, these are signatures of Dorethey’s. The frames are made by her husband, Mike, and intricately painted by Dorethey, all custom to enhance each of her paintings, making all of her frames, like her paintings, one of a kind. Dorethey has shared that many times, she will spend as much time on the frame as with the painting itself. The gallery offers Dorethey Gorham’s work in a variety of sizes, the smallest being 6x6 square… now that is a lot of detail in a tiny amount of space, but all quality. Stop by the Around Back at Rocky’s Place gallery to see Dorethey’s paintings and play “I Spy!” You can find us, Around Back at Rocky’s Place, at 3631 Hwy. 53 East at Etowah River Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534 on Saturdays, 11-5 and Sundays, 1-5, or gladly by appointment. 706.265.6030 or visit us online at aroundbackatrockysplace.com.

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Downtown Clayton, Georgia

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Mountain Happenings June 8th - 10th Northeast Georgia Arts Tour 2018 Rabun, Habersham, White & Towns Counties Info: www.ArtsTour.org STEPHENS COUNTY May 5 Toast of Toccoa Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.782.3232 th

HABERSHAM COUNTY May 12th Veterans Jamboree Neal McCoy Concert Downtown Cornelia Info: 706.778.8585 May 19th 56th Annual Mountain Laurel Festival Downtown Clarkesville Info: 706.754.2220

June 2nd and each Saturday, June through August Ida Cox Music Series Downtown Toccoa Info: idacoxmusicseries.com

June 1 - 3 , 7 - 10 “Anne of Green Gables” Habersham Community Theatre Clarkesville Info: 706.839.1315 habershamtheater.org

The Ritz Theater Toccoa Info: www.ritztheatretoccoa.com

June 15th Friday Night Live Downtown Clarkesville Info: 706.754.2220

May 3rd Nitrograss Concert May 12th Southern Gospel Music: The Watkins Family May 19th Cherry Cherry Concert June 7th and each Thursday in June and July Summer Movies at the Ritz June 8th Southern Gospel Music: The Chuck Wagon Gang

WHITE COUNTY May 5 26th Annual WineFest Habersham Winery Helen Info: 706.878.9463 habershamwinery.com th

May 10th 2018 White County Business & Health Expo Babyland General Hospital Cleveland Info: 706.865.5356

May 19th Katie Deal Concert Hardman Farm State Historic Site Sautee Info: 706.878.1077

May 5th Old School Garden Spring Plant Sale 76W City Hall Complex Clayton Info: 706.782.9730

May 26th The Crusher Vineyard & Trail Race Yonah Mountain Vineyards Cleveland Info: 706.865.5356

May 12th Heritage Day Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center Mountain City Info: 706.746.5828

May 26th Bavarianfest Festhalle Helen Info: 706.865.5356

June 2nd Paws 4 Life Fur Ball Rabun County Civic Center Clayton Info: 706.782.4892, 828.369.0559

June 23rd Live Music - Here Now The Cottage Vineyard & Winery Cleveland Info: 706.878.2181

June 30th Rabun Ramble Road Race 2018 Lake Rabun Pavillion Lakemont Info: 917.903.8961 www.RabunRamble.com

RABUN COUNTY

June 30th Blackberries & Bluegrass Hillside Orchard Farms Lakemont Info: 706.782.2776 www.hillsideorchard.com

May 5th and each Saturday Bluegrass on the Square Tallulah Falls Opera House Tallulah Falls Info: www.tallulahfallsgeorgia.org May 5th and each Saturday The Clayton Farmers’ Market NE GA Food Bank Clayton Info: 706.782.0780

Tallulah Gorge Park Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.7981 May 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th Aesthetic Water Releases May 26th - 28th Gorge Floor Hike

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June 2nd High Bluff Loop - National Trails Day June 16th Tempesta Waterfall Hike 12 Spies Vineyard Rabun Gap Info: 813.335.2886 www.12spiesvineyards.com May 5 Teddy Baker on the Deck th

May 19 , 27 Monica Spears Concert th

May 26th - Eli Mosley June 9th Blessing of the Vines Hatch Camp & Art Farm Clayton Info: 706.782.3747

May 26th - Memorial Day Roping June 2 M&K Quarterhorse Show nd

June 21st - 24th Southeastern Mounted Drill Team Competition June 30th - July 1st Bar W Rodeo May 4th - 5th APPALACHIAN FOOD & WINE TRAIL Travel the 515 Highway corridor of the Blue Ridge mountains and enjoy the tastes of 4 wineries, food & wine. 4 Vineyards - Odom Springs Vineyards, Paradise Hills Winery Resort, Crane Creek Vineyards and Hightower Creek Vineyards Info: 877. 745.5789 706.745.7483, 877.745.7483

May 11th - 13th Mom and Me Fly Fishing Weekend

TOWNS COUNTY

May 12th Live Music - David Nickie & Guests

May 4th and each Friday Night in May & June “Gazers of the Galaxy” Brasstown Bald Recreation Area & Visitors Center, Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4137

June 16th Live Music - The Welfare Liners Rabun Arena Tiger Info: 706.212.0452 May 12th; June 9th Junior Rodeo May 13th; June 10th, 17th Barrel Racing Exhibition May 19th - Bull Riding

June 16th Concert - Doctor Paul Music Barn, Hiawassee Info: 706.970.2112 June 30th - July 1st Made in Georgia Festival Towns County Rec Center Young Harris Info: 706.896.4966

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Hamilton Gardens Hiawassee Info: www.hamiltongardens.org

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4191 georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

April 14th - May 12th (Saturdays & Sundays) Plant Sales & Garden Events

May 19th 2018 Georgia Mountain Eggfest

May 5th Plein Air Painting

May 26th Jay & The Americans, The Classic IV & The Tams in Concert

May 12th Garden Tea & Fashion Show May 26th 5K Run/Walk for the Rhodies Music on the Square 2018 Hiawassee Square Hiawassee Info: 706.896.2203 May 26th Holman Autry June 2nd Baumann Family June 9th John C Campbell Cloggers June 16th Bliss & The Boys June 23rd - Mark Shane June 30th Gnarly Fingers Crane Creek Vineyards Young Harris Info: 706.379.1236 May 4th and each Friday Friday Evening Tapas & Acoustic May 26th Clusterfest Music Festival

May 2018

June 30th Justin Moore Concert UNION COUNTY May 3rd and the first Thursday of the month Shop Late Thursday Downtown Blairsville Info: 877.745.5789 May 6th & each Saturday & Sunday Live Music Paradise Hills Resort Blairsville Info: www.paradisehillsga.com May 7th and each Monday (excluding holidays) Garden Tour The Georgia Mountain Research & Education Center, Blairsville Info: 706.745.2655 May 19th SAFE Kids’ Fishing Derby Nottely Marina Blairsville Info: 706.379.1901 May 26th Memorial Day Parade Downtown Blairsville Info: 706.745.6341

Mountain Happenings June 9th - 10th 15th Annual Blairsville Scottish Festival & Highland Games Meeks Park, Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789 June 21st Buy Local Extravaganza North Georgia Technical College Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789 June 23rd - 24th 11th Annual Mountain Fling North Georgia Technical College Blairsville Info: 706.896.0932 June 30 Lake Nottely Boat Parade U.S. Hwy 19/129, Blairsville Info: 706.745.3638 th

Corner Concerts Downtown Blairsville Info: 877.745.5789 May 26 - Tom Floyd Band th

June 23rd Betty & the Do a Lil Pickin’ Band Union County Saddle Club Arena Blairsville June 15th - 16th 2018 Blairsville Pro Rodeo Info: 706.435.8298 June 30th Sacketts Summer Sizzler Jackpot Barrel Race Info: 706.897.2292

John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown Info: 800.365.5724 folkschool.org

June 16th Taste of Scotland Festival Downtown Franklin Info: 828.524.3161

Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery, Suches Info: 706.838.4723

May 1st and Each Tuesday Beginner Contra & Square Dance

May 4th Veterans’ Appreciation Fishing Rodeo

May 11th - Lee Knight

June 23rd - 24th Highlands Village Square Art & Craft Show Kelsey-Hutchinson Park Highlands Info: 828.787.2021

May 4th - The Moon And You May 12th, 26th June 16th, 18th - 23rd, 30th Contra & Square Dance

June 1 - Seniors Fishing Rodeo st

June 2 - Kids Fishing Rodeo nd

May 13th Young Artists Concert

CLAY COUNTY, NC

May 17th - Brasstown Ringers

May 3rd and each Thursday through September 4th Hayesville Farmers’ Market Historic Courthouse Square Hayesville Info: 828.389.6305

May 11th - 13th, 18th - 20th “Into The Woods” June 2nd Songwriters Showcase

Cowee School Franklin Info: coweeschool.org

May 25th - Emily Schaad

May 12th - Contra Dance

June 1st - Sara Grey

May 19th and the Third Saturday of the Month SEBA Jam

June 15 Boomchuck Swing Time th

May 12th - 13th Springtime Bazaar Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hayesville Info: 828.389.3704 Peacock Performing Arts Center Hayesville Info: 828.389.2787 thepeacocknc.org

May 19th; June 9th English Country Dance Series

June 2nd Annual Gala & Benefit Auction

May 4th - 6th 2018 Annual Plant Sale Behind Clay County Extension Office, Hayesville Info: 828.389.6305

June 17th - Concert: The Clydes

June 29th - Just Us

Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts Franklin Info: 866.273.4615; 828.524.1598 GreatMountainMusic.com

MACON COUNTY, NC May 11th - 13th Mother’s Day Gemboree Robert C. Carpenter Community Building, Franklin Info: 828.369.7831 May 12 Airing of the Quilts Downtown Franklin Info: 828.524.7766 th

May 26th Mountain Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale Highlands Ball Field, Highlands Info: 828.526.5841 June 1st and each Friday through October Friday Night Live Concert Series Town Square, Highlands Info: 828.526.5841 June 7th - 10th Highlands Motoring Festival Highlands Info: HighlandsMotoringFestival.com

May 19th Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper Concert

June 22nd Steve Hickman & John Devine

May 12th American Girl Tea Party Trinity Assembly of God Franklin Info: 828.369.5544

June 23rd The Bascom’s Family Day The Bascom, Highlands Info: 828.526.4949

May 2018

May 4th - Tonya Tucker May 18th - Tim Hawkins June 8th Taylor Mason - Laugh-Out Loud Comedy & Ventriloquism June 22nd - 23rd, 29th - 30th The Leader of the Pack - The Musical Life of Ellie Greenwich Highlands Performing Arts Center Highlands Info: highlandspac.net May 12th National Theatre Live - Macbeth May 24th - 27th May 31st - June 3rd HCP: Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s Some Enchanted Evening, A Musical Review June 17th The Official Blues Brothers Band June 21st - 24th An Evening with Danny Kaye June 30th Tapestry: Music of Carol King

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May 2018

Rabun County Bands Love, Honor, Unity, Determination, Self-Discipline

by Spencer Salter – Rabun County Band Director

he Rabun County Band program has produced a source of excellence for our county, state, and country. The bands, including the high school band, middle school band, and elementary school band, have consistently performed at a superior level for over thirty years in concerts, parades, athletic events, and nationally known events. The program has flourished and has represented the Rabun County School system in a positive way gaining the respect of many well-known musicians and legendary band directors. The Rabun County school system’s band program dates back to 1957, when W.H. Ashburn was hired as the school system’s first full-time band director. The band has been under the guidance of many proven directors such as Miss Ann Alford, Mr. Myron Medlin, Mr. Don Cheyne, Mr. A.W. Derrick and Mr. Mark Monroe. The band is currently under my direction, I am Mr. Spencer Salter and I am assisted in the band program by Miss Sarah Dunn. It has consistently averaged around one hundred and fifty members that range from sixth grade to twelfth grade, and has produced many outstanding alumni that continue to support the band program. The list of distinguished alumni includes: doctors, lawyers, teachers, business people, and those who serve or have served in the armed forces. The band regularly performs each year for many venues including all of the football games and some Saturday marching band festivals. Performances also include a Christmas concert,

a spring concert, and concert band festival. During the 2017 and 2018 school year, the bands have performed for over twenty-five venues, and recently the high school and middle school bands made superior ratings at concert band festival. Love, Honor, Unity, Determination, and Self Discipline are the words that hang on the wall in the Rabun County band room. Those words are what our band program has lived by for over 50 years and that is why the Rabun County bands are “SUPERIOR”. The Students Speak... Since the Rabun County Band Boosters are the recipient of the Rhapsody in Rabun event this year we wanted to talk to some of the students to see how being band members had impacted their lives. How it had helped them in meeting their goals and how being a member of the band had helped define them. Our participants are members of the High School and Middle School bands. Allen Hughes is a junior and is the captain of the band. Mallory York is a freshman. Sarah Abernathy is an eighth grader and in the middle school band. She marched with the high

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school band during football season. Why did you choose to join the band? Allen - When I was younger I would go to the football games. I would watch the band and thought that it would be fun to be in the band, so later I joined band. Mallory - There was a saxophone in my closet. I was already taking piano, so I thought I might as well try playing this too. Sarah - I chose to join band because I’ve always liked music and have always wanted to play it. Also, because it’s kind of a family tradition. I’m very thankful that I did so, because now I have many more friends that are fun to play music and march with. How has band impacted you and helped you meet your goals? Allen - I think the big one is it has helped me to cooperate well with others no matter who they are. Also, teamwork and the friendships I have made through band is big as well. Mallory - Band has impacted me in many positive ways. It has given me the desire to be like my band directors, to be better. I want to major in music and probably be a band director. Mr. Salter and Ms. Dunn are my role models. Sarah - Band has helped teach me discipline, but it also has helped me learn how to get along with different people. How do you feel about the term “band geek?” Allen - I really think that it’s a playful term that mostly band members call each other. I never really hear nonband members call a band member a geek. It’s just more of a term we call ourselves. I take it as a positive term that means someone is enthusiastic about band. Mallory - I am the absolute definition of a band geek. When people say to me ‘you’re a band geek’, I say ‘yeah I know’. I am proud to be a band geek. Sarah - I love the term solely because it describes me and the majority of my friend group. It is an honor to be called such, and I’ll never let anyone tell me otherwise. What three words describe you as a band student? Allen - Powerful, emotional, helpful. Mallory - Dedicated, dedicated, dedicated. Sarah - Grateful, fun, and disciplined. Make plans today to attend the Rhapsody in Rabun gala to support these students and the others who consistently make us proud. The gala is planned for Saturday August 11, 2018. The event is held at The Rabun County Civic Center in Clayton, Georgia. To make your reservations, make a donation or for additional information visit www.rhapsodyinrabun.com gmlaurel.com

May 2018

Rabun County Cancer Patients Win!

abun County cancer patients will again be the winners of the Annual Sid Weber Memorial Golf Tournament

The Sid Weber Golf Tournament will be held on Wednesday, June 20th at the Sky Valley Golf Course located in the Sky Valley Country Club in Sky Valley, Georgia. The tournament will begin at 1 pm with a shotgun start, followed by an awards dinner and auction. The cost to play in the tournament is $150 with all proceeds going to benefit The Sid Weber Fund. For registration info please contact Kent Wilson at 706.746.0657 or kandcwilson@windstream.net. Registration forms are also available at the Sky Valley Pro Shop. The Sid Weber Fund is making a difference in Rabun County by offering non-medical financial assistance to its clients. We can help with mortgag payments, utility bills, gas cards, assistance in locating support groups, and the Road to Recovery program provides transportation to and from treatments. The fund has assisted over 330 clients and has distributed over $580,000 since its founding in 2005.

Battling cancer is hard, but SWMCF offers mountains of hope to their clients. If you are battling cancer or have a friend or family member who needs help, please call 706.746.3350. Your information is always confidential. For additional information visit www.sidwebercancerfund.org.

May 2018

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May 2018

Happy Memorial Day!

May 2018

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May 2018

Life is a Blessing

Beating Hearts are What Matter by Tracy McCoy

have enjoyed being a mother more than anything else I have ever done. It has been my greatest blessing in this life. Like most moms I think I have the best kid ever created, and I do. I was 32 years old when my son Luke was born. God knew that was best for both of us. I was settled down and married to my forever man. We planned to try to get pregnant and were successful on almost our first try. I prayed to God for a child and kinda hinted around that I’d like to have a boy. Carrying and birthing him were easy. I knew my life was changed the minute they laid him on my chest. I was instantly in love and fully aware that he was a gift from my Heavenly Father. Raising him has been easy. He has never given us a minute’s trouble. Now, honestly I know he isn’t perfect but he is intelligent, handsome, caring and funny. He has made me laugh almost every day of his life.

never got out of the store without at least one if not a pack of 5 Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars. While watching this little guy at the store I noticed his mom. She was very pretty and well dressed, probably in her late 20s. What struck me most was how involved his mom was with her cell phone. Meanwhile the little boy said, “Mom, you ever seen this one?” When no response came, he said it again, “Hey Mom, you ever seen this one?” Obviously involved in her phone she either didn’t hear him or chose to ignore him. So he got a bit louder and again asked had she ever seen the orange monster truck he was holding up for her to see. With eyes never leaving her phone she nodded her head. I started towards her to explain that this day would never happen again. That her little guy would soon grow up and his Hot Wheels collection would be put away. I wanted her to engage with him, to cherish him. I wanted her to see the wonder in his eyes and to bend down and look at the cars with him. I wanted to go over and get on the floor with him myself and look at every last one of those cars. But I drew back because people don’t want to be told how to parent their children. Most (me included) get a little defensive about their phones and she would have thought I was a stranger looking at cars with her kid. What I am is a mom who would give anything for 15 minutes of floor time with a pile of little metal and plastic cars. To set up the orange track and time how fast the cars go would be the perfect way to spend an afternoon. I’d love to have those moments back, but they are gone. Luke and I now have discussions about technology, politics, God and what’s for supper. I still enjoy him as much as I ever did. I am a mom with some regrets, who wishes she could put an old lady’s head on a young woman’s body. I honestly wasn’t judging her because I myself get lost in my cell phone at times. It was because she will regret that she let her phone come first. The day will come when her son is taller than she is and she will long for time with him. Why does it take us a lifetime to figure all of this out?

Luke has always loved wheels. He had more trucks and cars than any little boy could ever play with. An only child, I may have spoiled him a bit. I loved to watch him play. He would lay on his side with his face on the carpet and watch his cars roll. He raced them, took them apart to see how they worked. Today at 21 he knows cars and trucks! I am not sure if he knows it but in the very back of his closet is a bag with probably a couple hundred toy cars in it. Recently I was at a store doing some shopping and as I headed toward the check out I saw a little boy about five years old sitting in the floor in front of display of Hot Wheels cars. His eyes darting from one to another, I stopped and watched him because he reminded me of my Luke. We 52

Cell phone, computers, Facebook, Instagram and the rest of it is robbing us of quality time with those we love and those who love us. Beating hearts are what really matter. Big eyes and little hands only last for a short time. Invest in your children, your marriage, your relationships. Stop and look people in the eye, leave the phone in the car, shut the computer off and go for a walk with your favorite person or visit your mom. They don’t last forever either. Life is fleeting so make each day count. Spend your time with your family and give your scrolling finger a rest. Those memories will be so precious to you someday. Happy Mother’s Day!

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May 2018

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May 2018

New Birth by Michael Rogers – Pastor of Wolfcreek Baptist Church

ust a few days ago I set my eyes on my new granddaughter. What an exciting time to finally get to see and experience the birth of my first grandchild. Of course, I think she’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever set my eyes on, and I tend to be biased since she’s mine. Last night as I was looking at her small ears and fragile skin and the comfort in her expression as she laid in her mother’s arms. It took me back about to twenty-three years ago when my children were being born and realizing how quickly time would pass, and they would start having children of their own. Twenty-three years flew by extremely quick and has put a new meaning to the scripture that saysFor what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. As I reflected on memories of the past, I remembered several occasions when teaching my own children about life, knowing how quickly time would

pass that they would be raising children of their own in the near future. A friend once told me years ago to always remember we are raising adults, not children.

Now My daughter, the mother of my new granddaughter Norra is an adult, and everything we prepared her for is now coming to pass. It has been a joy pursuing my daughter throughout the years and now to join with her and her husband to pursue their daughter in the years to come is so exciting. And to see the benefits of the pursuit taking hold and manifesting itself in the life of this precious child will be most rewarding and comforting thing a grandparent can experience. Just as I pursue my children and now my grandchild so does the Lord to us as individuals. The pursuit of God in an amazing thing that I experienced before salvation and soon after. For God to chase us for years in many situations, and then we accept him during that chase has to be a delight to the Lord. I’m overly excited and looking forward to the new pursuit that I will experience with my new grandbaby Norra, and I’m eager to see the pursuit of God in her life. I thank God for his examples in the Bible; He pursued Adam and Eve in the garden, He pursued David in the cave, Peter on the beach, Paul on the road to Damascus, and many others throughout history. As I continued to ponder this gift lying in my daughter’s arms, I was overwhelmed with excitement, joy, happiness, and wonder. These emotions came about because of God’s faithfulness and knowing he is the gift giver. I recall what the Apostle James said- Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Knowing this truth seems to bring another level of thought 56

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to the purpose of our lives and just how wonderful life is. While driving home from my visit I thought of God and how it must be for him when the new birth in a person’s life takes place. What joy God must experience when we come into the family of God through the new birth that Jesus made possible and spoke about; “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. As I experience the emotions and joy’s that have come through the birth of my granddaughter, it gives me a glimpse of the nature, thoughts, and joy that God himself possesses. I took my finite thinking a step further and remembered the scripture that says the angels rejoice when someone becomes saved, born again. If I’m at church and someone gets saved, it’s something I rejoice about, and at the same time, the angels rejoice in the same. If the people in the church and the angels in heaven rejoice then how could God not do the same? God is good, and I’m thankful for the joy that we can experience through knowing him and the joy’s that come through his work on the cross that gives us purpose and peace knowing God has a perfect will for our lives through Jesus Christ our Lord. May you stop and recognize today that God is a pursuer and a gift giver and shares in the joys of life with you. It’s time to

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get beyond an angry God and dwell in the grace, mercy, and Love of God. Pastor Michael Rogers of Wolfcreek Baptist Church invites you to visit with his congregation any time. If you don’t have a church home you are welcome. The church is located at 652 Wolfcreek Church Road in Tiger, Georgia.

May 2018

Adventure Out

Tallulah Gorge State Park - The Short Line Trail by Peter McIntosh

ince this is the “Lakes” issue of the Georgia Mountain Laurel, we’re going to visit the lesser known lake of Rabun County’s “String of Pearls,” Tallulah Lake, and it’s adjunct foot path/bike path, the Short Line Trail. The Short Line Trail is a part of Tallulah Gorge State Park and the trail gets its name from the old abandoned railroad line it follows. It’s a flat, wide, and paved pathway that can be used both for walking and bicycling. From one end to the other, this trail is 1.45 miles in length, so if you were to walk there and back, it’s almost 3 miles. But for those of you just want to get started on an exercise program, you don’t have to hike the whole way. Maybe go for 15 minutes or so, take a break on one of the numerous benches place along the trail, and then walk back to your car. A good compromise is to start at the parking area on Terrora Circle and walk upstream along the Tallulah River, cross over the river on the beautiful suspension bridge and then follow along the river downstream to the Terrora Road Bridge. You can walk around a timber gate, cross over the river on Terrora Circle and rejoin the Short Line Trail, just downstream from your car and soon you’ve made a nice loop hike, just over a mile in length. Also, the shoals of the river near the Terrora Circle bridge are re58

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ally pretty and make a nice reward for your efforts. This is a great trail to use if you’re getting back into hiking shape. There are cute markers placed along the trail with interesting facts about the native animals and a suggestion for some type of exercise. Keep it up and in couple of weeks, perhaps you’ll be ready to extend your walking, maybe all the way to the end, or on many of well-marked side trails on this part of Tallulah Gorge State Park. I particularly enjoy the sections of the trail where the rail line was cut through deep rock.

I like to think about the folks in years past, riding on the Tallulah Falls Railway that knew these rock cuts meant they were almost at their destination, the resort town of Tallulah Falls. When the trail ends at the road on the south end, you’ll see the old bridge supports where the railroad crossed the river. The Short Line Trail is dog-friendly, on a leash please, and popular for groups and couples. And it’s great for bicycling on the trail and on Terrora Circle, the road which runs alongside Tallulah Lake. There’s very little auto traffic so it’s very safe for biking. And, as I said before, there are lots of benches and beauty spots in this part of the park, so bring a snack to share and enjoy the day. Consider walking back along the lakeside road as the Mountain Laurel along the lake can be stunning this time of year. Happy hiking! Now without delay, here’s my poem for May. Across the river and along the lake, It’s a lovely park trail that’s easy to take. With cool water flowing and wildflowers blooming, You can hike on this pathway or go bicycle zooming.* * Just not too fast, please. Getting there: From US 441 in Clayton, go south for just over 9 miles to Terrora Circle on the right. This is also the southern terminus of Old 441 in Rabun County. Go 1/2 mile and look for well marked parking area on left. There are other parking areas as well if you want to start from another location. This is a fee area ($5.00) so I suggest you purchase an annual pass for $50.00 good at any of Georgia’s state parks. Passes are $25.00 for seniors 62 and older, active military and veterans also get a discount.

To see more of Peter’s photos or if you have a question or comment: www.mcintoshmountains.com

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May 2018

Mountain Nature

Spring Bird Care by Jean Hyatt poles. If you are not able to find such a safe place for feeders but still want to help the birds, you can put out eggshells to provide muchneeded calcium for the mother birds, or hang banana peels away from your house to attract gnats for hummingbirds. Put out a few strands of yarn, and watch which birds take it for lining their nests. It’s always fun to find a nest with brightly colored strings interwoven through the nest material. Do not use lint, though. Lint hardens as it slowly dries after a rain, resulting in a cold uncomfortable lump in the nest.

he birds are really busy in May. Some have begun a nest, and may already have little ones to care for. They will be very busy feeding their babies as well as themselves and may need some extra help from us. We can help by providing fresh water, food (either on plants and trees and bushes, or via your feeders placed in a safe spot), and places to build their nests and hide from predators. Fresh water is a must for birds. They drink and bathe and teach their babies to do the same. One of our early customers showed me a picture she had taken many years ago with four or five baby bluebirds splashing around in her birdbath. Not only are birdbaths good for the birds, but it brings us humans a lot of joy as well. Change the water often though, because it quickly grows algae, and mosquitoes lay their eggs in it. If you see the mosquito larvae wiggling around, dump them out immediately and fill the bath with fresh water.

Nesting songbirds also need hiding places. I’ve been clearing some brush and unwanted tree upstarts from my yard in recent weeks, and have been making brush piles here and there for later burning. I really have been amazed at how many birds I see flying into and out of those stacks. So if you have a place that you aren’t really using in your yard, make a brush pile for birds to hide in. Dense evergreens will serve the same purpose. Cardinals and brown thrashers especially like dense foliage for nesting. When we help the birds survive, we also help ourselves. We restore the gift of nature around us. Note from Jean & Richard: We will be closing our shop this month due to the sale of the building where we have done business for the last several years, and the new owners’ plans for it (which doesn’t include us!). We have very much enjoyed our time here in Clayton - almost 15 years - and our customers and neighbors are the best anywhere. We thank you all for the many compliments on our articles, our product, and our store. Remember to enjoy the trees and flowers, the walks in the woods and especially the birds. And turn off your lights at night and enjoy the heavens as well.

Food for the hard-working parents is essential during nesting season. You can provide this by keeping your feeders filled with oil-rich food, such as sunflower, safflower, and other seeds and nuts. Place your feeders in such a way that the seed cannot be reached by cats, squirrels, or bears. Cats are natural hunters and will catch pretty much anything that moves if they can. Squirrels can clean out your feeders in just a few hours if you let them, and may gnaw away the portal in your nest box for their own babies. And bears can smell food for quite some distance and can do great damage to your feeders and

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May 2018

Paws4Life Meet Sandy...

PAWS 4 LIFE IS A WONDERFUL AND CARING SHELTER FOR THE DOGS AND CATS OF RABUN COUNTY!

am blessed to be able to have volunteered there for two years as a Legacy Link worker in their senior community program. Fortunately, I was hired on as the front desk receptionist almost a year ago. Since I stay at my desk answering the phone and greeting people I cannot possibly pick a favorite animal. They all tear at my heart strings. I see them come in scared, some hurting, and all not knowing what is going on. We have a wonderful staff that consists of a director, manager of animal health, intake manager and three kennel techs. All of them truly care for all the animals and take the best of care for them. We also have volunteers who come consistently to socialize and care for them, but we can always use more. In closing, I would just like you to know that we are limited in space and funds and can definitely use all the help we can get. Please, if you are wanting a dog or cat to add to your family come visit us, first. Paws4Life is located at 261 East Boen Creek Road in Tiger, Georgia 30576. They encourage you to visit their website www. rabunpaws4life.com or call 706.7812.5422. When you call, tell Sandy you read her story in the Laurel.

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May 2018

At Home in the Mountains at LaPrades

by Tracy McCoy

n 1969 Larry and Melissa Barnes brought their family to North Carolina for the summer. Upon returning to Florida, Father Tom Fitzgerald and his wife Martha from St. Redeemers in Sarasota, Florida suggested the Barnes family visit their place on Lake Seed. They did and fell in love with Rabun County. The next summer they rented a home for $500 for the month and rented a ski boat for an extra $50. This became a family tradition. Larry and Melissa began looking for a summer home. They bought a place on Lake Burton for $12,500, which was a stretch back then. “I spent two months every summer in a bathing suit on Lake Burton. I met locals and lake families and made friends that I still have today.” Unable to stay away from the water, Jake attended SNYU in Brockport, NY on the Erie Canal. His career in suitand-tie corporate sales began in New York, taking him to Florida, and eventually Atlanta. Jake decided to strip off the wool suit and silk tie and jump into something where his heart belonged. Boat sales seemed attractive to Jake, with his history and love for all things water-related, it was a logical choice. Jake worked for 20 years in boat sales before joining Atlanta Marine. He was very impressed with the humble beginnings of Atlanta Marine and how quickly Kurt and Lisa Backus went from selling boats from the garage of their home to owning six successful locations in North Georgia. When they decided to add a location at LaPrades Marina, Kurt and Lisa knew that Jake had many friends in the area. He was familiar with the lakes and wanted to be here. It was a win-win! Jake felt that his prayers had been answered. Today he works in boating attire and his office is located next to the marina looking out on Lake Burton. For 24 years Atlanta Marine has provided brands such as Bennington, Moomba, Supra, and Robalo for demo and purchase.

During the summer, Atlanta Marine leases boats to High Harbor YMCA Camp for their use. At summer’s end, these minimally used boats come in and are sold at a significant discount. They are like brand new and a great deal for anyone looking to buy. Typically these boats are purchased before summer is over. It is a beautiful arrangement for the campers and Atlanta Marine is proud to offer a quality boating experience and lifetime memories to the children. Jake sells new boats and can get a limited supply of previously owned ones. He knows boats inside and out and has valuable connections to locate the perfect watercraft for you through Atlanta Marine. Kurt and Lisa Backus are committed to introducing an enjoyable and rewarding lifestyle to their customers. They strive to offer only the best products and support to their customers with unparalleled service. They carefully chose the lines they represent, selecting companies that shared their common goals, which included making you a customer for life. Jake is eager to do the same, which is why he was the perfect choice for their Lake Burton store at LaPrades. Jake and Atlanta Marine value the opportunity to earn your business, whether you are looking to buy your first boat or you trade in each year, they can take care of you, working with you one on one to find the perfect fit for you. Once that decision is made, if financing is needed, Atlanta Marine has solid partnerships with leading marine lending institutions, meaning that the best loan packages are within your reach. Atlanta Marine’s favorite part of our purchase is putting that boat in the water and ensuring that you and your family are comfortable with it and to teach you everything you need to know about boating. They look forward to sharing in your favorite memories.

LaPrades Marina is under new ownership and some exciting things are going on. The Chophouse is open for business and the season is off to a great start. Stop in and meet Jake, let him take you out on beautiful Lake Burton for a ride in one of these luxurious boats. You may find you can’t live without it! Atlanta Marine at LaPrades is located at 25 Shoreline Trail, Clarkesville, GA 30523. Call Jake at 706.212.8704 to schedule your visit or just drop by. For more information e-mail jake@atlantamarine.com

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May 2018

Quitting destroys your soul. I will always choose to fail on my way to success instead of giving up. Ironman is the world’s premier endurance event. I have no reasonable explanation why I competed in the grueling race. At the time, there were 28 Ironman venues worldwide. I unwittingly chose the Louisville Kentucky Ironman, where more athletes drop out than any other IM race. I would learn that small fact two weeks after I ran down the lighted spectator ‘chute’ and crossed the finish line. Folks quit that particular race because of heat. The Louisville Ironman taunted with blistering summertime temps in the 90s. I picked that venue simply because we have family there...and there were slots still available. I wonder why. The event has since been moved from August to October.

Lovin’ the Journey Mile 85

Frustration proved to be my friend. That January I’d been swimming in a lap pool and was humiliated by how far I couldn’t swim before getting winded. As a runner and cyclist, I was insulted. I decided to improve rather than quit. In the process, I discovered I could swim farther and farther as weeks past. Eventually, the insanity of Ironman raised its hand from the back of the classroom. I could run and bike great distances so the swim was the mystery element.

by R. Mark Holloway

Mystery solved. I trained for eight months. I’d met my mentor, Margo Schneider, multiIronman and Canadian record holder. She’s a neighbor. She offered me early and critical counsel. There’s a local charity, Sid Weber Memorial Cancer Fund, which supports struggling cancer patients with money to keep lights on, food on the table, and gas to get to medical appointments. I approached the all-volunteer group and asked if I could raise $5000 for them through Ironman. We partnered up. I eventually graduated from a small lap pool to Habersham’s Aquatic Center’s Olympic-sized pool. By May, I was swimming in the cold deep waters of Tallulah Lake, nearly end to end, a mile each way.

here’s a small downside to writing for this stellar publication. Tracy lets me write what I want. That’s not the downside. Occasionally, she honors me with a specific assignment. But mostly she just lets me put on paper whatever random thought pops in my head like an early spring weed. The downside is I often write about my crazy, adrenaline-induced life and I can sound like I’m bragging. It’s sorta like the person who answers, “I’m blessed.” when you ask them how they’re doing. If your life ain’t so good, the guy who says his life is great comes off sounding arrogant. Sigh. I reckon it’s a matter of position or perspective. If you and I were both climbing out of a perilous deep well and I yell down, “Hey, Billy! I’m almost at the top!” you might think I’m bragging. Actually I just might be merely reporting the facts accurately. So it’s with a reasonable measure of hesitation that I tell you I completed a 140.6 mile Ironman triathlon at age 53 in 14 hours and 34 minutes in 92 degree heat. But I can’t tell you about what happened at mile 85 of the cycle stage (2.4 mile swim/112 mile bike/26.2 mile run) without first telling you the context. I think we all have our ‘Mile 85’. Most of us will stare down our crisis moment eventually. It’s in that struggle we choose to either dig down and find our fire or we quit. Quitting and failure are two different beasts. One is good and one is bad. Failure pushes you to success.

Towards the peak of training, I would swim two miles, bike 100 miles and run 20 miles back to back. My training days would start before sunrise and end after sunset. I didn’t know any better. I knew from marathon training to simulate a race-day distance over time. I merely applied that technique to my triathlon training. Three weeks before Ironman, Margo asked me how training was going. I told her about my ‘brick’ workouts, which is when you combine more than one activity into a training session. I told her all my triple bricks had gone great. The veteran triathlete was shocked. She’d never heard of anyone swimming, riding AND running those distances during training. I was ignorant. But she said, “Mark, you’re ready.” Three weeks later, an hour before sunrise, my Ironmate Carol kissed me goodbye along the Ohio River. Splash! I swam upstream nearly a half mile then all 3000+ of us turned at the buoy downstream for two miles. An hour and thirty five minutes later, I climbed out of the river and ran to the large tent to change into my cycling gear. The temperatures weren’t hot yet but I could feel them coming. I blasted out of the transition area with loads of energy, atop my bike with 112 miles of Kentucky Bluegrass ahead of me. My Mile 85 moment was still hours ahead, lurking like a mountain lion waiting for prey. I settled into my cadence, found my pace and my rhythm. We left Louisville’s congestion behind, trading it for mile after country mile. Although there are thousands of us pedaling over the rolling hills of horse farms, fences, and asphalt, there really only is the whirring sound of bike chains, tires, and wind. The atmosphere is almost peaceful.

May 2018

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As the dozens of miles go by, the mercury rises. La Grange is a small town east of Louisville and droves of spectators catch busses there to line the streets and cheer their athletes. Not only would Carol greet me coming out of the water, she traveled the 55 miles out to La Grange just for a glimpse of support. Seeing her was enough to keep me going. Training in the mountains for an event like this is a curious prospect. The elevations more than prepared me but the cooler temperatures here didn’t. My Mile 85 moment was getting closer. You get loads of time to think while your heart pumps, your quads flex, and your lungs work. But mostly, you just pedal. The cloudless sky offers no comfort. The sun hangs overhead like a heat lamp. Cyclists would ease past then drop back, tempting me to change my pace. I resisted. The 90 degree heat had squarely established its dominance. I’d properly hydrated and eaten every twenty minutes. Fueling becomes rhythmic too. It must. During the endurance event, I would burn through 10,000 calories.

I told my self, “I can get to Mile 90.” So I blocked out everything but Mile 90. Five miles breezed by as I pondered the kindness of my Coach. At mile ninety, I encouraged myself, remembering all of the 100 mile training rides from Tiger to Cashiers, Helen, Clarkesville, and beyond. At mile 90 I said, “I can get to Mile 100. I’ve riden 100 miles a number of times.” So Mile 100 became my focus. I thought of it and it alone. Soon I was in the outskirts of a Louisville. 100 miles greeted me like an old friend from his front porch. Then something powerful happened. “Twelve more miles to the staging area of T-2, Transition Two. Then my bike stage will be completed.” So I rolled on. Hydrating, snacking, and checking my watch. I now calculated I’d arrive back to the Great Lawn at 4 pm, two and a half hours ahead of the mandatory cut off time. I cruised in, hung my bike on my designated rack, begging my cycling legs to convert to running legs to get me to the tent to change. I sat there in the shaded buildingsize tent heated by the sun to a seemingly 500 degrees. I didn’t care. I was busy soaking in a sweet reality. I still had 8 hours to complete the marathon when I’ve done so before in the three hour range.

I’m getting tired. My Mile 85 moment arrives. I’m grinding west back towards Louisville with an impossible 27 miles to pedal. My mind rudely interrupts the moment, announcing “I’m tired.”

A wave of truth began to wash over me. I indeed was going to be an Ironman.

The walls closed in. The heat baked. My doubts appeared like an apparition...an uninvited ghost arriving to beat me down and off my bike. I began to ask myself, “Why am I doing this?” The 112 mile bike stage now loomed like a monster. I was tired and still only at Mile 85. The emotional weight of still being nearly 30 miles out was crushing. But the worst part was about to hit like a mental tsunami. I barked at myself, “Mark, you idiot. Once you make it back to Louisville, you still have to run 26.2 miles and the thermometer is still rising.” My Mile 85 is here...like a gang of street thugs circling for the kill. Maybe you’ve had your Mile 85. Maybe you’re in it right now. Maybe your doubts are bigger than your hope. Mine seemed so. At my absolute lowest moment of Ironman, my head hanging across my handlebars, dangling from my weary shoulders, I nearly quit. But what about all the cancer patients back home? They face their Mile 85 everyday.

Before I’d even laced up my Asics for the marathon stage, I knew my training had paid off. If I’d wanted, I could have virtually walked the 26.2 mile course past Churchill Downs, the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory and other amazing sites with time to spare. The sun had set and my marathon was nearing the end. The crowds lined downtown sidewalks and the lighted finish line was in view. The huge Ironman banner stretched across the street above the electronic finish, waiting like a needed hug. Carol, our son Garrett, and a host of friends and family cheered me across the finish line. The official Ironman announcer’s voice boomed through the monster public address system, bouncing off the huge downtown walls. His words, “Mark Holloway from Tiger, Georgia...Mark, YOU are an Ironman!” still echo in my heart today. Mile 85 was well behind me. But Mile 85 has become my friend. Perhaps I’ll one day return to that exact spot and stack some stones like in the Old Testament as a monument to when the Lord coached me.

Then I did something critically smart and enormously desperate. I said out loud, “Jesus, I need you.”

I have Mile 85 moments still today. But training and a deep friendship with my Life Coach keep me moving forward. Quitting isn’t in my script.

Something amazing happened next.

See you on the trail.

He told me three simple words, “Trust your training.”

Mark and his wife Carol are the owner of Fresh Start Property Stewards. A company dedicated to being your eyes, ears and hands when you can’t be. He is also our cover artist this month. Mark can be reached at 706.490.7060

Hot, feeling depleted and exhausted, I unpacked His instruction. “Let’s focus on Mile 90, and forget everything else.”

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May 2018

Notes

from a Southern Kitchen Blessings of Water by Kendall R. Rumsey

s residents of these mountain lands we call home, one of the greatest and most blessed assets we enjoy are our waterways: the lakes, the rivers, creeks, ponds, and waterfalls all provide a sense of enjoyment that provide recreation and commerce.

a sense of wonder.

As a boy I was fortunate to enjoy the many waterways of our community.

My days of water skiing and tubing are probably far behind me, but now I enjoy lakes, creeks, rivers, and waterfalls in a new way. I appreciate them.

A small creek ran beside our house and I was often found wading, catching crawfish, and skipping stones. During my teen years, the lakes of Rabun and Burton drew me. I learned to water ski there, the thrill of the boat pulling me out of the water as I glided along the surface first on two skis and eventually bouncing across the wake on a slalom. Days on the lake were always good ones. When I think back on my life, some of my fondest memories take me to the lake. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t own a lake home, but luckily friends opened theirs to us, and whether it was a slow stroll in a pontoon, swimming in the waters, tubing, or early morning outings, skiing in blue jeans because the water was so cold, I will always cherish my memories of lake days and those who shared their homes with me. When I lived in Florida, the ocean was my refuge. It brought me the same joys as the lakes of my mountain home. The powerful rise of the tides was as majestic as anything I have ever seen. Many mornings, when I lived in Florida, I found myself on the beach, watching a magnificent sunrise over the calm seas, those mornings gave me a new appreciation for the power of God and the beauty of a world that sometimes feels turned on its head. Recently, I had an opportunity to visit my former Florida home. My first morning there, I woke up early in my hotel room, jumped in my rental car and drove to the beach. I wanted to see the sunrise. I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disappointed that morning as the orange, pink, and yellow hues burst across the sky filling my soul with 68

It was during those years living in Florida that I developed a new appreciation for water, and once I moved back to my Georgia home, I began to explore the waterways of Rabun and our surrounding areas in a new way.

Not far from my house, there is a beautiful multi-level waterfall. When I am at a place in my life that needs reflection, I hike to the waterfall, plant myself on a small bench that was strategically placed for perfect viewing, and sit. As I sit before the falling waters, I can let my cares wash away, the waters bouncing off the rocks below give me the opportunity to assess the situations in my life and gain clarity. It never fails that I walk away with a clearer resolve than I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have when I started my walk. When I am feeling adventurous, Bull Sluice, on the Chattooga River, often calls my name. I love sitting on the rocks of Bull Sluice and watching the adventurers in kayak and canoe slip through the rapids and over the rushing waters of this mighty river. And when I have nothing on my schedule, a free day to relax and enjoy the beauty of our mountain home, I take a drive around the lakes. No matter the time of year, a drive around the lakes is a day well spent. In the Fall, there is no better place to see the beautiful colors of autumn reflected on the trees that surround our waters. In winter, the icy waters and those same trees, now naked, create a mysterious landscape. The promise of renewed life is on full display during the spring. Wildflowers burst through the soil and the waters seem to be gearing up for a wonderful summer of fun and laughter that echoes on the waters.

May 2018

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When summer comes and the waters warm, our lakes are at their best. It is fun to watch the boats criss cross across the waves or groups of people sitting on their docks, soaking up Vitamin D and relishing the summer suns. As I drive the lakes, I have a favorite spot where I usually stop for a swim and let those waters of our lakes wash over me, a welcome home that brings me back to a childhood filled with memories. I know how fortunate I am to live in this blessed land, and as I have gotten older, I appreciate the waterways for the incredible display of nature that they represent. The lakes, waterfalls, rivers, ponds, and creeks of our home may give us amazing recreation and for many provide their livelihood, but they do even more than that. These lakes, waterfalls, rivers, ponds, and creeks also provide a solace from the world, they give us peace, a time for reflection and memories that last forever.

Kendall Rumsey is a resident of Clayton, Ga. He is owner of imPRESSed, a custom imprint company and publishes the blog, Notes from a Southern Kitchen. www.impressedstyle.come www.notesfromasouthernkitchen.com

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May 2018

By the Way…

Ah, the splendor of the Southern language! by Emory Jones

s Mark Twain so aptly put it, “Southerners speak music…” I couldn’t agree with Mark more. In fact, I grew up thinking Southern accents and phrases were so lovely and colorful, the rest of the world must be jealous. I learned that wasn’t the case on my first cab ride in New York. I still remember that cabby cocking his head and asking, “Whear youse from?”

We like to dress up speech by describing water as “tooth-cracking cold” and a passed-on possum as being “graveyard dead.” We’re a polite people and “Don’t sass your Mama” are the first words many of us heard. And Elvis was right: “ma’am” and “sir” really do belong behind “yes” and “no.” By the way, we wave a lot too - even if we don’t know you, we’ll still wave.

“The great state of Georgia, and more specifically, North Georgia,” I Y’all is the word Hollywood keeps stumbling over. The movie industry replied proudly. and television folks still don’t get that you don’t use y’all when you’re He wasn’t impressed. “Was you in Deliverance?” he asked. “Cuz you talking to one person! I’m not sure they even want to get our dialect down. I mean, Julia Roberts is a Georgia girl, but the way she talked in sound like you was in Deliverance.” Steel Magnolias was down-right disturbing, bless her heart. I wouldn’t have been offended if he’d just added, “Bless your heart.” My cousin, Wayne, travels a lot, and he says there are more than one Sure, we Southerners use the language differently, but that’s not a bad hundred Southern dialects. I guess Wayne’s right; Texans talk differently thing. Down here, we’ll name a dog Rooster, and a cat, well, we don’t than South Carolina folks. Louisianans have their colorful Cajun, while always name cats, but when we do, it’s a humdinger. Now that I think we mountain folks have our own special twang. And, while their dialect about it, my grandmother once had a cat named Humdinger. Or maybe sounds pleasant, only a Virginian can truly understand another Virginian. that was her gun. Heck, we’ll name cars if you don’t watch us. But our speech has undergone changes lately, and the two main reasons We mash elevator buttons instead of pushing them. We make your picture for that are AC and TV. The first one took us off the porch and the second while other folks take it, and to us, every soft drink is a Ko-Cola, even if away from the kitchen table. But that doesn’t mean we’re starting to it says Pepsi on the can. sound like the rest of the country. Not yet anyway. I think that’s great, ‘cause if there’s one thing I hate, it’s something I can’t stand. Now, don’t get me wrong. I have no axe to grind with folks who don’t sound like us. In fact, I love to hear mid-westerners converse, and I grin like a possum when a New England politician makes a stump speech. But the Southern accent never sounds so sweet as it does when you’re far from home. I learned this years ago when I spent a summer in Europe. While in France, and as homesick as a newly weaned calf, I overheard an Alabama lady ordering escargot. If not for her husband, and a 40-year age gap, I would have married that woman right there by the Louvre Museum.

May 2018

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May 2018

Reeves Hardware Opens

Where It All Started 90 years Ago

May 2018

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e all know what we term “movers and shakers”, those people you know who change the landscape. They get the job done. Innovators! Lewis Reeves, Sr. was one such man. Born to F. M. Reeves, a banker in Cornelia, Georgia, Lewis and his brother Randolph were given a car by their father. They sold the car and with the funds they invested in the Clarkesville Hardware business. Unsatisfied in Habersham, Lewis came to “take a look at” Clayton. At only 18 years of age, he rented a storefront. A mere 15’x50’ space which he planned to make a hardware store. There were “naysayers” who doubted this man would make it. Others had rented this space and failed. There were other hardware stores in town and many were sure this one would come and go. But they didn’t yet know the man behind the counter and his tenacious nature. A man of character with plans to better himself, but more than that, his community. The same year that Lewis started Reeves Hardware on the corner of Main and Savannah, the country witnessed the beginning of some turbulent times. The Great Depression would change this nation and last a decade.

built further north. Lewis Reeves Sr. was also part of a group of locals who helped bring Rabun Mills to Rabun County. On a civic note, he helped organize the local branches of the Lions Club, Rotary Club, and the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile, Lewis watched Rubye Dickerson come to work at Georgia Power Company across the street from his hardware store and he declared, “I’ll marry that gal,” and he did the following year. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves started a family in the years to come, first with daughter Barbara, then another daughter Lou came along, and next would be a son, Lewis Jr., and finally daughter Fran. Each one of the Reeves children grew up in the store, working after school and on weekends. Lewis Sr. was quite the businessman, well respected and instrumental in keeping the wheels turning in Clayton. When gas was rationed during the depression, he sent Lex Bleckley in horse and buggy to meet the train to off load stock and haul it up the hill to the store. This was a time when bartering was a way of doing business and helping your neighbor came natural. Mr. Reeves was good to the people who did business with him. He helped many people through difficult times.

The Reeves’ oldest daughter Barbara attended college and there she met her future husband Frank Hickox and soon after, the couple married and moved to Tennessee. With the business growing by leaps and bounds, Lewis Sr. called the couple and asked them to come home to help in the family business, which they did.

When Mr. Reeves saw a need in his community, he found a way to fill it. He thought that people needed a place to buy furniture in town. Without adequate floor space, he strung a bed frame through the rafters in his store and hung it up. In no time a purchaser came through his door, a customer who, in fact, never finished paying for the bed. This was the beginning of furniture sales. As other space up the street became available, he took it on. Meanwhile, he began logging, putting a crew and string of draft horses in the woods to cut timber. When a local band mill burned, Mr. Reeves purchased what was left, and with those few assets, he started the Blue Ridge Lumber Company. In the mid 30s Lewis Hamby came to work with Lewis Reeves and a friendship that would span decades was formed. The two began building homes in Highlands, North Carolina, building some of the first homes in the Highlands Country Club. The men even branched out building commercial buildings in Highlands. In Rabun, they built the Satolah and Persimmon school houses. Reeves began stocking some building supplies around this time and he began delivering them to Highlands. Out of this effort grew the Highlands branch of Reeves Hardware and Furniture Company. Lewis Sr. had a way of organizing a team of good honest men and women who he could trust to manage and run his businesses. It was the only way he could have ventured out to begin other enterprises. The upstairs of his Clayton store was vacant and work was needed in Rabun county, so in the early 50s, Lewis Sr. traveled North to talk with the executives at Clayburne Manufacturing and he successfully convinced them to open a sewing plant in Rabun County. Lewis offered his upstairs space as a place for local women to be trained to sew for the plant. Machines were brought in and many local women were taught to use them and when the plant opened in 1952, their workforce was properly trained. Afterwards, the space was used for home furnishings as that department expanded. Lewis Sr. had worked alongside friend and business associate John V. Arrendale and Col. J.F. Gray and the three men were instrumental in establishing Black Rock Mountain as a State operated park. Mr. Arrendale owned a large portion of the land and Lewis paid Almon Giles to cut the original road up the side of the mountain. In later years, the Herman Talmadge Road was

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As space south of the original location filled up with items Mr. Reeves or Rubye saw the county needed, the company continued to grow. Hardware and furniture grew to include home goods and some sporting goods. As the county grew, the stock did too. People’s needs grew as their families did and times changed. In the late 70s the Reeves family renovated the entire block of buildings they had acquired over the years to house the store’s growth. Lewis Sr. served his community in many ways on a business front, but also he served as a councilman for Clayton for over a decade and served five one-year terms as Mayor of Clayton. One of those years, much in need of a vacation, he decided not to run. During the election, he and Rubye had taken their family to Florida to relax and when he returned he’d been elected again.

Daughter Lou followed suit. She attended school in Virginia and while she was in Florida she met Joe Luke. After she completed college, she moved to Florida where the couple married. Joe was in the Navy and when his tenure was done, they made their home in Clayton and also became an important part of the business. Son Lewis attended Georgia Tech for his education. Over the years, Lewis Sr. had been grooming his son to take the business over. He expected hard work out of all of his children, but as father’s often do, they push their sons a bit harder than their girls. Lewis Reeves Sr.’s father F.M. Reeves had been in the banking industry for years and was then President of First National Bank of Cornelia, Georgia. He was ready to step down and called on his son to take his position at the bank. Lewis Sr. accepted the position and in turn called on his only son to take over his position as President and General Manager of Reeves Hardware and Furniture Company. Lewis Jr. was ready and willing to take the business on. He had been there his whole life and knew the ins and outs, the capable employees had become like family to him, and it was a perfect fit. To top it all, he asked his high school sweetheart Carol Watts to become his wife. She accepted and the couple was married. The baby of the family, Fran, decided to study Marketing and Interior Design at Gulf Park in Mississippi, the University of Georgia, and The New York School of Interior Design. She then returned to Clayton and married her high school sweetheart, Vaughn Rogers. Fran has been the cornerstone of the furniture department bringing her interior design education and marketing degree and putting it to work in the store. The empire that Lewis Sr. and Rubye had built on the corner pales in comparison to the family they had built. Fully confident that his children and their spouses could carry on the business he had started, Mr. Reeves took to banking, after all he was a guy who believed anything was possible and had the spirit to make it happen! Next month we will continue the Reeves Hardware and Furniture Company story as they celebrate 90 years in business. The store in Clayton has many things planned for their celebration on Saturday June 9th. From 4 pm – 7 pm. They will close down Main Street in Clayton to celebrate their anniversary. Everyone is invited to attend their event, which will include live music, food, a car show, and a kid’s corner, complete with an ice cream truck and more. There will be a lot of give-aways as well! The Reeves family hopes you will join them for an evening of fun as they celebrate all five of their locations and pay tribute to Lewis and Rubye, show their appreciation for Barbara, Lou, Lewis, and Fran and all of their employees past and present. Reeves, the store and the family, are dear to so many, it will be a grand celebration!

May 2018

Destination:

RabunManor

Relax, Recharge, Reward Yourself by John Shivers

Isom invest to create that experience is just as painstaking as was Mrs. White’s dismantling of the home over a hundred years ago.

he spacious, inviting front porch on the stately white home high on the hill in Dillard, Georgia beckons one and all to come, sit, enjoy. Make some memories. The valley views and the eastern mountain range in receding hues of color are part of what make Rabun Manor Bed & Breakfast a destination location.

The original part of the inn that houses the bed & breakfast functions has, since the new owners came onto the scene, undergone an extensive renovation guided by a professional designer. The result is five, equally unique guest rooms in the main house, plus two guest cottages. Furnishings are 14th century French antiques with period-appropriate draperies, fabrics and accessories.

But a destination for what? Think weddings. Corporate and church retreats. Class and family reunions. Bridal and baby showers. Receptions. Overnight stays in ultra-comfortable accommodations with expansive breakfasts for B&B guests. Friday and Saturday night dinners and Sunday brunches for everyone else. Rabun Manor is definitely a destination, but it’s also an experience first rooted in the early 1900’s.

The restaurant addition to the original home can seat some 200 in a variety of configurations, including some outdoor seating. For dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, from 5:30 p.m. ‘til 9:00 p.m., be prepared to enjoy one of Chef Eric’s signature offerings, which depends in large part on what fresh ingredients he can purchase locally. Sunday brunch offers a selection of traditional breakfast items as well as main meal offerings and fresh fruit. The chef is also available to custom design meals and refreshments for any function occurring on the property.

This former private home and mountain getaway began life in 1837 as a school house in Clarke County, where the children of John R. White in Whitehall, Georgia were educated. In 1906, when Mrs. White wanted a mountain summer home, she numbered every board in that old school house, dismantled it, and had it shipped by train to Mountain City, Georgia, where the Tallulah Falls Railroad set it down.

Rabun Manor is famous as a northeast Georgia wedding location. One stop does it all, and if a couple lacks a minister, Nancy Childress is a retired ordained United Methodist Minister, who can officiate their vows. In fact, the property is a 2017 recipient of Wedding Wire’s Couple’s Choice Award.

Mule wagons hauled the components from there to a destination high on a hill near Mrs. White’s sister’s home, and reconstruction began. It was a painstaking process, but the end result was a welcoming haven for the White family and friends for many years afterward. The result has become Rabun Manor, located on Carolina Street overlooking Highway 441. It was a destination in the beginning, and thanks to the efforts of new owners who purchased the property in 2011, it once again enjoys that distinction. The home where Mrs. White welcomed her guests and made them feel welcome is a destination with hospitality as the cornerstone and enjoyment and relaxation the hallmark of each guest’s experience. The work that owners / innkeepers Rev. Nancy Childress and Ginger

“Eat… Stay… Experience Rabun Manor,” the innkeepers say. It’s where memories have been made since 1906! For lodging reservations, check out the inn’s website www.rabun-manor.com. Walk-ins are welcome in the restaurant, but reservations are encouraged, especially with groups. Both lodging and dining reservations and information are available by calling 706-746-2060. Rabun Manor is located at 205 Carolina Street in Dillard, Georgia, and accepts all major credit cards. Gift certificates are available. Look for Rabun Manor on www. weddingwire.com and www.eventwire.com.

May 2018

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Franklin, North Carolina

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May 2018

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May 2018

Views, Location, Privacy

Find All This in a Cove on Lake Burton by John Shivers

The lake and the mountains have become my landscape, my real world.

Georges Simenon

May 2018

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ome is where the heart is, and when your heart resides in this secluded cove on Lake Burton in western Rabun County, you’ll know for certain that you’re home! What’s more, it’s not a case of having to choose. Inside or out, summer or winter, this is a property designed for living to your heart’s content. Aside from the generous 1.75 acres on which this multi-faceted property is located, there are so many different aspects guaranteed to check box after box on your wish list. From its location in your own private cove on the main lake, this Burton gem offers a rare trifecta … main lake location, panoramic mountain views, and a flat lake front. Very few steps are involved in living to the max on this property. Inside, the fantastic just gets better. With lots of windows that bring the spectacular views indoors, to interesting architectural angles and shapes, the main level includes a vaulted living room designed for some quality time in front of the rugged stone fireplace. The master suite with en suite master bath, and the recently updated kitchen that features stainless appliances and solid surface counters, also anchor the living level. A second full bathroom and a separate dining area are found on this floor.

Upstairs, four additional bedrooms and two full baths translate into ample space, allowing you to entertain and comfortably sleep family and friends. There’s even ample parking for all their vehicles. “Come one, come all!” you’ll be saying, because this home and its lush grounds were designed for a full and active lifestyle. Once you experience it, you’ll never want to leave the lake! The sun room that leads off the kitchen opens to the private outdoor living space that includes a patio, a deck with a gazebo, and a noisy creek as background music to all the possibilities. The lakefront features a seawall, an extensive wharf, and a twostall boathouse with lifts and storage. You can relax in your easy chair with a good book and a breathtaking four-season view of Charlie Mountain, take your boat out for a morning of fishing or an afternoon of watersports and visiting with your neighbors, or enjoy a cookout with family and friends on the spacious deck that connects the house with the waterfront. Privacy and convenience are the marriage found in this Lake Burton listing. Because access is via mostly paved roads, it’s possible to venture into Clayton quickly and easily, get the groceries and get back to the solitude of this mini-paradise by the time your guests arrive for their memorable visit. And if you’re ready to bring yourself to the lake year-round, a public school system and two private schools are available for families with school-age children. Lake Burton is a sought-after address for those looking for a getaway home and for those who can wake up on the lake yearround. This home is offered by Harry Norman, REALTORS Luxury Lake and Mountain agents Evelyn Heald 404-372-5698 or John Dinos 404-314-4575, office: 706-212-0228 and reference GAMLS #8086653.

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May 2018

Home Builders Promote Industry, Protect Home Owners by John Shivers

he northeast Georgia counties are a prime location for home ownership, whether it’s your primary residence, or a second home where you escape from the rat race. But when it comes to building that home, remodeling your quarters, or enhancing your property, there’s a right way and a wrong way. One of the worst wrong ways is to employ a non-licensed workman to execute your plans and dreams. A licensed professional, on the other hand, will have the appropriate credentials, carry the necessary types and levels of insurance to protect the homeowner, handle the necessary permitting, and by following good business practices, be more likely to finish the job right the first time. So how do you find that right professional to ensure that you’re not disappointed? In Rabun, Towns and Union Counties, you need look no further than the Georgia Mountain Home Builders Association headquartered in Clayton. This non-profit, 501 C(6) trade association represents and unites the building industry in these three counties. They provide educational programs, keep members abreast of technology

Builder Members Rabun Austin & Butler Builders, Inc. Jeff Butler 706-490-1360 jeff_butler@windstream.net Bear Gap Timber Structures Chrissy Laws 706-968-0775 chrissy@lawsrealty.com www.beargapcabins.com Bill Griffin Construction Inc. Bill Griffin706-982-0259 wng@windstream.net C.H. Builders Inc. Andrew Hunt 706-982-1700 chbuilders@windstream.net Charles Moore Builders, Inc. Chuck Moore 706-490-2098 cmbuilders@myemc.net Clay Contracting Chris Clay 706-982-2793 clay_chris@yahoo.com www.claycontracting.com David Dickerson Builders LLC David Dickerson 706-490-3953 ddickersonbldrsllc@yahoo.com

Dennis Thompson Construction Jamie Thompson 706-490-0064 DTCCI@windstream.net www.lakemontdrydock.com Dresser & Associates Jay Dresser 706-490-2742 dresserj@windstream.net Faletti, Inc. Paul Faletti 404-234-7987 pfaletti@bellsouth.net www.rockfordfarm.com GVickers Enterprises, Inc. Gregory Vickers 404-427-1140 greg@gvickers.com www.gvickers.com

In addition, the Association, which is located at 837 US-76 #113, Clayton, GA 30525 works closely with state and local lawmakers to help bring about legislation that supports local economies without doing harm. GMHBA members are also members of the Home Builders Association of Georgia as well as the National Association of Home Builders. Learn more about the Association by logging onto gmhba@ georgiamountainhba.com or by calling 706-782-9260. Georgia Mountain Home Builders Association members who work to create and promote a favorable climate for quality construction and the best value on supplies and services in Rabun, Towns and Union Counties include…

Little River Home Builders Inc. Chet Darnell 706-982-9235 chetdarnell1@gmail.com

Rabun Remodel, LLC Jim Bogle 706-982-9114 www.rabunremodel.com

McCracken Builders, Inc. John McCracken 706-490-1976 mccrackenbuilders@gmail.com

Thompson Custom Homes Jon Thompson 470-258-0751 jethompson724@gmail.com

Morgan Fazzary Fine Homes Morgan Fazzary 706-308-3557 morganfazzary@gmail.com

Wood Brothers, Inc. Barry Wood 706-782-5689 abarrywood@gmail.com www.woodbrothers.org

R & B Concrete Company, Inc. Rick Buchanan 706-490-2626 rickbuchananconstr@windstream.net

York Builders Tommy York 706-782-7422 twyork@windstream.net

Rabun County Board of Commissioners Erik Blalock 706-490-1555 eblalock@rabuncounty.ga.gov

Kilby Construction, Inc. Jerry Kilby 706-746-2459 salk@windstream.net Larry Gipson Construction Larry Gipson 706-782-2448 Larry Horton LTD Larry Horton 706-782-6735 hortonltd@windstream.net www.hortoncustomhomes.com

The payoff benefits both builders and homeowners, and homeowners have a resource to locate the correct contractor for their job, and they can feel comfortable that the providers they hire are qualified and capable.

Rabun Builders, Inc. Kurt Cannon 706-746-3723 rbi@rabunbuilders.com www.rabunbuilders.com

Jeff Eller Construction Jeff Eller 706-490-2683 jeffellerconst@yahoo.com

improvements, building code changes, and provide a forum for social interaction and involvement. GMHBA strives to create a favorable climate for quality construction.

Rabun Co. Habitat for Humanity Marcus Booker 706-782-9203 mkbooker@windstream.net

May 2018

Towns Brown Haven Builders Terry Smith 706-896-0891 terry@brownhavenbuilders.com www.brownhavenbuilders.com The Dernehl Co. Bob Dernehl 706-970-0176 Email: bob@dernehlcompany. com www.dernehlcompany.com

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Union Calvin Collins Construction Calvin Collins 706-745-8498 cccinc@windstream.net Combs & Son Construction Inc. Jimmy Combs 706-781-5746 Associate Members Appliances City Plumbing & Electric Supply Co. 706-746-2890 www.cpesupply.com 4505 Highway 441 North Rabun Gap Ga 30568

United Community Bank Kayla Pitts 706-782-7100 kayla_pitts@ucbi.com www.ucbi.com

RJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Concrete Inc. Ronald Brewer 706-982-0049

Building Supplies

Disposal/Site Recycle

Harbin Lumber Company Doug Tillman 706-356-4300 dtillman@harbinlumber.com www.harbinlumber.com

Metro Site, Inc./Metro Site Recycle Fred Mansfield 706-335-7045 fmansfield@metrositellc.com www.metrositellc.com

Taylor Concrete Foundations Max Taylor 706-782-4652

Reeves Building Supply Steve Weinelt, David Ramey, Jeff Godwin Phone: 706-782-4219 sweinelt@reevesacehardware. com www.reevesacehardware.com

Architect & Design Pritchett + Dixon Todd Pritchett 404-375-2589 todd@pritchettdixon.com www.pritchettdixon.com

Supply Mart Randy Humphries 706-782-4495 supplymart68@gmail.com

Automotive

Cabinets & Countertops

Duvall Automotive John Bradshaw 706-982-0929 jbradshaw81@hotmail.com www.duvallautomotive.com

Gillespie Cabinet Shop, Inc. Danny Gillespie 706-490-1911 dannygillespie@windstream.net www.gillespiescustomcabinetry. com

Banking

K&C Granite, Inc. Keith Vickery & Carl Pless 706-680-2079 or 706-988-4921 kcgranite01@yahoo.com

First American Bank & Trust 706-782-3232 www.firstamericanishere.com 550 HWY 441 S, Clayton, GA 30525 Oconee Federal Savings and Loan Association 706-782-3738 www.oconeefederal.com 221 Hwy 76 E, Clayton, GA 30525 www.oconeefederal.com Rabun County Bank Dan Free 706-782-4571 dfree@rabuncountybank.com www.rabuncountybank.com 121 Rickman Street Clayton, Georgia 30525 South State Bank Shanon Stewart 706-782-1010 shanon.stewart@southstatebank. com www.southstatebank.com

Mountain Lakes Rolloffs Steve Jones 706-949-9845 mountainlakesrolloffs@gmail. com

Floor Covering-Wood Richard Riggs Country Wood Works Wood Floors & More 706-778-WOOD(9663) 706-424-2689 m www.countrywoodworks.com Geothermal Byers Well Drilling Inc. Lon Dillard 706-781-4582 byers@brmemc.net www.bryerswelldrilling.com Grading

Drywall Kilby Construction Inc. Jerry Kilby 706-746-2459 salk@windstream.net Electrical Supply City Plumbing & Electric Supply Co. 706-746-2890 www.cpesupply.com 4505 Highway 441 North Rabun Gap Ga 30568

Nichols Contracting, Inc. Will Nichols 706-782-7798 Heating & Air Northeast Georgia Heating & Air Randy Speed 706-782-7825 negahvac@windstream.net www.negahvac.com

Electrician

Home Technology Solutions Doug Ward Integrations Doug Ward 706-776-1450 sales@dougwardinteration.com www.dougwardintegration.com

Burrell Electric Ronnie Burrell 706-782-1650

Insulation-Spray Foam

Rameyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Custom Cabinets, Inc. 324 Babe Ramey Road Clayton, Ga. 30525 706-782-6384 www.rameyscustomcabinets. com

Mountain NRG Electrical Contractors Brian Stephens 678-776-8849 b.stephensnrg@yahoo.com mountainrge.com

AirTight Insulation of Northeast GA Chad & Kay Keller 706-202-7043 kayckeller@bellsouth.net www.insulationnega.com

Concrete Foundations

Excavating

Bleckley Concrete Foundations, Inc. Scott Bleckley 706-782-9979

McCrackin Contracting Madison McCrackin 706-782-5087

Go Green Spray Foam Professionals Greg Reece 706-633-7591 gogreensprayfoam@gmail.com

Morgan Concrete Co., Inc. John Morgan or Adam Brady 706-746-3011 or 706-969-8429 adambrady@morganconcrete. com www.morganconcrete.com

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Insurance

Exterminating American Pest Control Tim Culpepper 706-782-4113 timc@ampest.com www.ampest.com

May 2018

A W Adams Insurance Agency Allen Adams 706-782-5100 awadamsins@windstream.net www.awadamsins.com

Home Builders Association Members Continued Ash/Welborn Insurance Tim Smith 706-778-2244 info@ashwelborn.com www.ashwelborninsurance.com Wayah Insurance Group Hunter Strickland 828-524-4442 strickland@wayah.com www.wayah.com Landscaping Don Bluster Landscapes, Inc. Don Bluster 706-499-6818 donbluster@gmail.com Painting Clay M. Nash Painting, Inc. Clay Nash 706-782-7411 nashpaint@windstream.net JMZ Painting Co 706-982-1906 jmzpaintingco@gmail.com www.jmzpainting.com Paint-Retail Clayton Paint & Flooring Center Keith Toller 706-782-2741 claytonpaint@windstream.net www.claytonpaint.benmoorepaints.com Reeves Building Supply Tommy Shriver 706-782-4219 tshriver@reevesacehardware.com www.reevesacehardware.com Plumbing All American Plumbing of Clayton Henry Radford 706-782-9804 allamericanplumbingofclayton@windstream.net www.aapofclayton.com Bleckley Plumbing Bryan Bleckley 706-782-7132 Propane Gas & Appliances Blossman Gas & Appliances, Inc. David Deal 706-782-8305 ddeal@blossmangas.com www.blossmangas.com 82

Real Estate

Water Filtration/Purification

Georgia Mountains & Lakes Realtors Association 706-782-7751 rabuncobor@windstream.net www.rcbor.org

Metro Water Filter Co. Tom Matthews 706-499-5146 www.metrowaterfilter.com

Remodeling Dresser & Associates Jay Dresser 706-490-2742 dresserj@windstream.net

Clayton Welding & Supply Bobby Ramey & Sean Ramey 706-782-3431 claytonwelding@windstream.net www.claytonweldingsupply.com

Morgan Fazzary Fine Homes Morgan Fazzary 706-308-3557 morganfazzary@gmail.com www.morganfazzaryfinehomes.com

Rabun Metal Products, Inc 706-782-4224 www.rabunmetal.com 4428 Old 441 S Tiger, GA 30576

Welding

Service Plus Restoration Burt Clark 770-295-9637 burt@serviceplusatl.com www.serviceplusatl.com

Well Drilling

Roofing

Byers Well Drilling Inc Lon Dillard 706-745-2166 byers@brmemc.net www.byerswelldrilling.com

Georgia Mountain Roofing Jerry Taylor 706-490-1121 jerry@gmroof.com

Sam Davis Well Drilling, Inc. Brian Jordan 706-782-3782 waterwells@windstream.net

Stonework

Windows & Doors

Alejandro Sosa Stone Alejandro Sosa 706-969-2395 sosarivera41@gmail.com

Reeves Building Supply Steve Weinelt, David Ramey, Jeff Godwin 706-782-4219 sweinelt@reevesacehardward.com www.reevesacehardware.com

Classic Rock, LLC Will Clay 706-212-0369

Woodworking/TimberFraming/ Carpentry Work

North GA Stone, Inc. Bob Kaser 706-745-5532 Email: rckaser2@gmail.com

MoreSun Custom Woodworking Inc. Stephen Morrison 864-647-1669 steve@moresunwoodworking.com www.moresunwoodworking.com

Utilities Blue Ridge Mountain EMC Sonny Mahan, Darrin Ingram 706-379-3121 sonny.mahan@brmemc.com www.brmemc.com

Otis & Company Keith Ivester 706-754-8332 Email: hww@windstream.net Yonah Mountain Timber Frames Neal Binder 706-282-0047 info@yonahmountaintimberframes.com www.yonahmountaintimberframes.com

Georgia Power Company 1-888-660-5890 www.georgiapower.com Georgia Power Land Dept. Cheryl Parker 706-782-1450

May 2018

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May 2018

Find the Light on

Lake Burton

Inside and Out, This Home Embraces Bright Lifestyle 84

May 2018

of Rabun

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he old real estate axiom “location… location… location” has never been more appropriate than when it’s applied to the almost 5,000 square foot, four-seasons home located at 162 Pepe on Lake Burton west of Clayton. But location is only the beginning of all the attributes you’ll call your own, when the deed to this property has your name on it. Along with that location, outside on the more than one and one-half acre lot, you and your guests will enjoy a long, breathtaking view of the lake that has long been a destination for discerning buyers. Turn your eyes in a different direction and you’ll feast upon some of the most gorgeous northeast Georgia mountain views. Views that evolve from the brilliant blooms of spring to the multi-colors of autumn, luscious summer foliage and winter vistas worthy of a Pat Buckley Moss pen and ink sketch. Throw in that 162 Pepe is only a short distance from the entrance to Waterfall Club, and you have an address that assures a quality lifestyle with myriad opportunities for enjoyment and relaxation. The beautifully-landscaped waterfront lot includes a seawall, stone patio and fire pit. On the water itself, a two-story, two-stall boathouse with a partially-covered and screened upper deck only add to the options for living well. But the good times don’t stop there. If the outdoors amenities are spectacular, what’s inside this traditionally-styled home clad in long-lasting Hardiplank siding with massive stone accents is fantastic, and so comfortably livable at the same time.

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The ambience of the immaculately-groomed interior can be summed up in one word. LIGHT! Everywhere you look, from the Great Room with its massive stacked stone chimney and hardwood floors to the four bedrooms and three and one-half bathrooms on the main level, brightness floods in from all directions. The interior spaces have recently been upgraded, and include a gorgeous new kitchen including a new butler’s pantry with coat hooks and cubicles connecting with the two-car garage on the main level. On the finished terrace level, you’ll find the home’s second fireplace and access to the beautiful covered living porch right outside, adjacent to the stone fire pit. The new tile floor on this level guarantees a designer finish that allows for easy maintenance, as living shifts from inside to outside year-round. A large bedroom, spacious bathroom, and second half-bath are found on this level. But it doesn’t stop there. The abundance of quality storage space on the bottom level exceeds what you’d expect. This year-round, one-of-a-kind home is in the Rabun County School district, but is also within easy driving distance of two top-quality private schools, one on either end of the county. This home is located just ten convenient miles west of Clayton on U.S. Highway 76, via Deer Hill on the left, then left on Pepe. To schedule an opportunity to visit this prestige property, contact listing agent Scott Poss with Re/Max of Rabun at 706-782-7133 or 706-490-2305 or by email at possrealty@gmail.com. Reference MLS listing #8331503.

May 2018

You Built It to Enjoy Take Back Your Porch! By Tracy McCoy

furniture or lugging the cushions in to keep them clean. No more days spent cleaning that nasty pollen and dust off of your furnishings only to find it again the next day.”

othing is worse than returning to your mountain or lake home to find half an inch of yellow pollen covering your entire porch. So instead of enjoying it, you spend a day cleaning it. Dust, pollen, wind, rain, and bugs are inevitable in the spring, summer, and fall. So what is the SOLUTION? Call Porch Living 24/7/365 and let them show you their innovative product line that can solve all, yes all, of your problems. Well, maybe not all of them, but your porch problems they can solve. I recently visited Cathy Walker’s home near Lake Burton. Cathy has a beautiful screened porch with lovely outdoor furniture. She has a fireplace, a grilling porch, and a deck with a gorgeous view of the mountains and lake. Cathy faced the same issues we have discussed here and she began to search for an answer. What she found was a product that could make her porch usable all year, it kept the rain and pollen out, the bright fabrics and rugs protected from the sun’s harmful rays! It was easy to use, versatile, custom, and yet very affordable. She had it installed on her porch and she couldn’t quit talking about it. Cathy decided to make it available to her friends around the lake and surrounding area by becoming a Sales Consultant for the product. Kurt Cannon, a seasoned builder with 30+ years in the building industry, was so taken with the product he joined Cathy in the business and the two formed a company called Porch Living 24/7/365. I had to see it for myself, I could not understand how the product worked. “It nests” Cathy had told me, “and in an instant your closed up secure porch transforms into a screened porch for you to enjoy. When you are ready, you push down or up on the panels and in no time it is all closed up, secure, and clean. No more covering 86

I was honestly amazed by how many options you have with these panels and how sturdy they are. Challenged to put my fist through it, I tried and even though it stretched to show the print where my hand was, the 10 mil vinyl rebounded in seconds. The strong aluminum frames come in a variety of colors to compliment your porch. The vinyl panels, clear as glass, never obstruct your view. Honestly, I was amazed! Kurt being on board is a huge asset with his custom building experience. In fact, Kurt has such an eye that he has even finds ways to maximize space and add functionality for their customers. This team is pretty remarkable; it doesn’t take long to see how well they work together. It’s obvious that finding SOULUTIONS to transform your porch into livable space that you can enjoy is what drives them. Cathy is still as in love with this product as the day it was installed at her own home. Whether it is a new build, a remodel or just an upgrade, Porch Living 24/7/365 is the SOLUTION everyone has been looking for. They are typically in and out in a day and you can enjoy your porch that evening. Showcase porches are available for you to see or you can visit The Fireplace on Main Street in Clayton just adjacent to The Universal Joint. Porch Living has a life size porch set up there. You have to see it to believe it! Don’t spend another day cleaning your porch, it’s time to enjoy Porch Living 24/7/365! Their past customers are elated and they want to share their stellar testimonials with you. Call Cathy Walker at 770.765.7714 or Kurt Cannon 706.490.1490 or visit www.rabunbuilders.com and click on the Porch Living tab. You are going to thank us!

May 2018

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May 2018

Woods Furniture

Small Town Charm and Big City Selection

oods Furniture, named “Habersham’s Best Furniture Store” is located on the square in Clarkesville, Georgia. It has been providing families with quality home furnishings since 1961, then owned by Hal and Ernestine Woods. The store was later sold to Benny and Lois Wood, and then purchased from Lois by Mike and Sherry Callahan. Mike was a furniture salesman who had called on the store for 32 years before purchasing it. His extensive knowledge of the furniture business made taking ownership of the store a natural fit. Mike and Sherry were determined to continue the tradition of excellence set in motion by the previous owners. Woods had a reputation for unparelled customer service and was known for offering the best possible brands of home furnishings on the market. Something their loyal customers had grown to expect. They have been blessed with the loyalty and friendship of previous customers as well as the addition of new ones. Their staff are as loyal and dedicated as they come, many having decades of service to the company. They know the products, are knowledgable about the manufacturing process, the warranties offered, and can advise and help you choose the perfect piece or furnish your whole home. Woods Furniture is proud to carry a strong line of American made furnishings. Artisan and Post is only one of the many American-made lines offered at Woods. Made from the finest native grown hardwoods, their products are a perfect blend of function and fashion. The pieces include English dovetail drawer construction, smooth running dual ball bearing drawer guides, and Mortise and Tenon construction for strength and stability. Piston activated whisper close drawers and an ultra-smooth acrylic finish on interior drawers, sides and bottoms provide a seamless operation. These pieces are available in many woods and finishes, and one can even select the knobs and drawer pulls to complement their décor. A large percentage of their business is custom orders. You will also find quality home furnishings like Broyhill, Bassett, La-Z-Boy, Stearns & Foster, Kincaid, and Paula Deen - perfectly southern style! And a host of additional lines whose products will enhance every room in your home. If a bedding purchase is in your future, you will be impressed with the excellent selection of mattress sets, bases, frames and bedroom suits. Their selection of recliners and easy chairs, living room ensembles, dining tables and chairs, accent tables, décor, outdoor furnishings and gifts will amaze you as well. If they don’t have what you are looking for they will go the extra mile to find it for you. Woods is a well-rounded team of professionals - all of whom are focused on solving problems and bringing beauty, comfort and function to homes and offices throughout Northeast Georgia. You will find the store located at 1475 Washington Street in Clarkeville, Georgia. Their website can be found at www.woodsfurnitureinc.com and they can be reached by calling 706.754.4144.

May 2018

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May 2018

The Barn at Lake Rabun A Fresh Perspective on a Historic Lakemont Landmark

he Barn at Lake Rabun was purchased by a group of friends who adore the beauty and simplicity of the North Georgia mountains and grew up enjoying Lake Rabun and its surrounding areas. Scotty Mitchell and Jason Gilbert, Sarah and Van Thurston, and Dave Parks admired the old barn for its charm and rich historic past. This collaboration of comrades worked together toward a simple but universal desire to restore the barn into a place where family and friends could gather, rest, and unplug with carefree comfort in one of the most desirable spots in Georgia. The original barn is a century old structure situated on a historic sight. Once a 500 acre estate owned by CocaCola executive Samuel Candler Dobbs, it functioned as a horse stable for the estate. The structure echoes the history and traditions of old Lakemont, combining an extensive use of large river stone and timbers from the surrounding area. The exterior has its own distinct personality boasting a dramatic cat-ski roof line reminiscent of a colonial saltbox style. After numerous owners and renovations, the latest transformations reveal a more open and sociable floor plan infused with classic yet updated features.The unveiling begins with a custom barn door entry and striking antler handles that suggest what is to follow. Once 90

May 2018

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inside, guests are greeted by a grand stone-floored foyer and dining room that leads into the great room. Scotty Mitchell designed the house with warmth and comfort giving it a relaxed elegance. Tasteful features include the reclaimed heart pine floors, touches of leather and iron, and soft wool carpets that run throughout the house. Each room contains a subtle reminder of the barn’s past whether a pair of leather riding boots, a hunting trophy, an antique horse feeder, a bit, a bridle or a riding habit. The once separated living areas are now reshaped into one large yet intimate space in a soft palette that showcases the gallery of original art, bronzes, antiques, and custom furniture. There is a large stone fireplace and multiple seating areas that can accommodate large gatherings while still feeling cozy for smaller groups. The dormer windows in the great room create more openness while offering a visual surprise at dusk. The expansive commercial kitchen gleams with European pottery, copper, and stainless. It is fully appointed for guests to prepare their own gourmet meals or to bring in a private chef or Caterer. Guests can also enjoy a casual meal at the custom-built bar table in the kitchen. The media room, adjacent to the front foyer, has the most comfy sectional to snuggle into and watch movies or the big game on the large screen. The home sleeps seventeen comfortably in the seven private bedrooms and eight and a half baths. The bedrooms are designed with serene comfort in mind. Each King bedroom features The Barn’s own “Barn Bliss”, Talalay organic mattress complete with luxurious European linens, and all of which have a private bath with marble vanities and slate tile floors. Additionally, there is a bunk room with custom-built bunk beds and a separate “hayloft” with bean bags and TV for kids to escape with their games and movies. Outside, relax in the cool mountain air and gentle breezes under manicured hardwoods on two acres of native plantings across from one of Georgia’s most beautiful mountain lakes. Treat yourself to a bonfire under the stars; swing on the two-person rope swing overlooking Lake Rabun; and enjoy the expansive 1000 square foot deck that accommodate large or more intimate events under the tree canopy with glimmering lights. The views are particularly striking at sunset when the light shimmers across the water and through the trees! After sunset guests are captivated by MoonTechs’ elaborate lighting design that sets the mood for any occasion. The landscape architecture and installation was provided by Live Oak Manors and W Designs. Jason and Scotty were the visionaries of the 5000 square foot barn renovation. They implemented it together with a lot of help from talented partners, friends, and family just in time for the premier event; their own wedding. It was the perfect chance to show off how beautifully they are matched personally and professionally. The couple continues to expand their renovation and design expertise in the North Georgia Mountains and will eventually live there fulltime. Jason Gilbert has a professional landscape lighting company, MoonTech, and Scotty runs her interior design business, Scotty Mitchell Designs. Sarah and Van Thurston enjoy Lakemont fulltime. Whether at The Barn or their personal home, the Thurston’s make you feel like family. Sarah and Van have an affinity for hosting and are enjoying a personal renaissance; cooking, making wine in their cellar, growing hops for their home-brewed beers, and making charcuterie for their enjoyment. Dave Parks is a fourth generation Georgia native. Dave lives in Atlanta where he has had a lighting gmlaurel.com

and electrical business, Lightscapes of Atlanta, since 1986. It is not surprising that together the five partners have created a warm, inviting haven with extraordinary character that glows at night like a Lantern on the hill! At last, The Barn’s doors are open again for extra guest visiting the lake, family reunions, birthday parties, work retreats, weddings, a holiday residence, a girls’ weekend or any excuse to create a memorable experience with family and friends. When guests rent the The Barn at Lake Rabun, the entire house and grounds are theirs to enjoy! Visit their website: thebarnatlakerabun.com,vrbo.com/1103652 or airbnb.com/rooms/22627411 to reserve.

May 2018

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May 2018

Pack The Picnic Basket Spring has Arrived

ho doesn’t love a picnic? Whether it’s lakeside, on the creek, mountainside, on the boat, in the pasture, under the willow or on the back porch, food is always better outside. We decided to share two stand-by recipes for sandwiches to go in your picnic basket with fresh fruit, sliced veggies, chips or potato salad. We included some “spins and suggestions” of how to serve it and what you could add. We love to hear how you like the recipes we share with you and how you might have changed it up. So, pack the basket and let’s go, it’s spring in the mountains!

Southern Caviar (Pimento Cheese) 4 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar sheese lightly packed (about 12 ounces) 1 four ounce jar diced pimento, drained 4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature ½ cup mayonnaise ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon Tabasco Sauce Dash of seasoned salt Fresh ground pepper Shred the cheese (or buy it that way) and add to a large mixing bowl. Add drained pimento and set aside. Next blend together the mayonnaise, cream cheese, cayenne, Tabasco, pepper and seasoned salt until creamy and smooth. You can use a food processor to blend it works great. Add the mayo mixture to the cheese and blend with a spatula until combined. Chill until served. Great for sandwiches or just with a spoon! On the sandwich or in the wrap add: Applewood smoked bacon, sliced tomato, french fried onions, or ham. You can put it on a bun or the bread of your choice. Plain or toasted.

May 2018

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Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Salad 3 lbs chicken breast 3 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning 1 tablespoon oil 3/4 cup plain 0% Greek yogurt 3/4 cup reduced fat mayonnaise Juice from half lemon (about 1 tablespoon) 1 tablespoon white baslamic vinegar 2 teaspoons dried tarragon 1/2 Vidalia or sweet onion, chopped (about 3/4 cups) 3 celery stalks, chopped (about 1 cup) Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste Preheat grill or grill pan to medium heat. Place chicken breasts into a large bowl or ziplock bag and add lemon pepper seasoning and oil. Toss around so that seasoning and oil coats all of the chicken well. (You can put in fridge to cook later at this time.) Place chicken on the grill. Cook on each side for about 6-8 minutes each, depending on size and thickness of chicken (meat thermometer should read 165 degrees) In a small bowl, make dressing for chicken salad by combining Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, white balsamic vinegar, dried tarragon, salt and pepper. Once chicken is cooked and cooled, dice into small pieces and place in large mixing bowl. Add onion, celery and dressing and stir to combine. Season with coarse salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. You could serve this on a panini roll, fresh bread, crackers, in a wrap or just eat it with a fork! You could add bacon either in it or on it. You could add a slice of tomato with plenty of salt or you could slice some Granny Smith apple nice and thin and lay them on top. Whatever you choose, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be tasty!

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May 2018

The Family Table

It is strawberry season! Hoo-ray! by Lorie R. Thompson

eagerly await the arrival of the first of the spring strawberry crops. I have a beautiful copper jam pot where magic happens when you put fresh strawberries, sugar and a little lemon juice into it! Incredible home-made jam comes out. I have not yet had the pleasure of buying strawberries this season and making jam, but by the time you read this article, I will have a shelf full of wonderful strawberry jam. In the meantime, I made some magic happen for my family today with some grocery-store berries, served over homemade shortcake and Cream Anglaise. (Cream Anglaise is a fancy name for a thin custard.) While I was busy cooking the Cream Anglaise and the shortcake, I had a beautiful chicken and veggies roasting on the grill. No mess. No fuss. A perfect meal for a Sunday evening with the family. I hope you will enjoy trying these recipes! In preparation for cooking the roasted chicken, pre-heat your gas grill to medium heat. Coat a large black iron skillet or a steel cook pan with olive oil. Layer your favorite vegetables in the pan. I used potatoes, onion, garlic, Brussels sprouts, and carrots. You can use any vegetable. It will take a while to cook this chicken at low heat, so keep the vegetables fairly thick and in large chunks. Layer them into the pan and season with salt and pepper. For the chicken, use a medium sized, organic chicken. Rinse the chicken in cool water and remove the giblets and neck. Pat dry with a paper towel. To â&#x20AC;&#x153;Spatchcockâ&#x20AC;? the chicken, remove the b a c k b o n e and split the breastbone so that the chicken will lay flat. This is very easy with a set of poultry shears. If you do not have shears, you can simply split the chicken with a knife. Season both sides of the chicken, ending with the breast side facing down. I seasoned with a sprinkle of sage, garlic salt, 96

crushed red pepper, and fresh rosemary. Use your favorite seasonings. Thinly sliced lemons add a huge pop of flavor! Drizzle the chicken with olive oil before placing on the grill. Use a low flame for the first hour on all burners in the grill. After one hour, turn the burner under the chicken off with heat coming form the opposite side of the grill. Keep lid closed tight. In my grill at 250 degrees, this chicken cooked for 3 hours. Turn the chicken over with the breast side up for the last hour of cooking. The legs and wings will pull away from the joint very easily when it is done. Check with a meat thermometer with the thickest part of the thigh reading at 165 degree. Before serving, place the pan under the broiler in the oven for 4-5 minutes, to crisp the skin and serve hot. Roasted golden beets with fresh goat cheese is an easy and wonderful accompaniment to this meal. To prepare, scrub the golden beets under cool water. Pare off any root ends or tough areas. Cut the beets into a uniform size. Toss the beets in olive oil and place in a heavy cast iron pan. Season with salt and a pinch of fresh rosemary or thyme. Roast alongside the chicken or in the oven at 375 degrees until the beets are tender. When the beets are tender, serve with fresh goat cheese. May is the month for Ramps, too. If you have never eaten Ramps, you should try them. By the end of May they will be gone until next spring. Our favorite way to have them is marinated for 30

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minutes or so in a a little olive oil and then grilled alongside what ever meat we are serving. They taste like a cross between an onion and garlic. They are one of the first wild greens of spring to emerge, and have sustained many mountain folk in years gone by. Try them! To make the short-cake, pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees. In a bowl, add 2 cups of self-rising flour, 1/2 cup of sugar and mix in one stick of softened butter, until it is well blended. Add 1 cup of whole milk or buttermilk, a little at a time, until a dough is formed. Spoon equal sized biscuits onto a greased baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown. Rinse 2 pints strawberries and cut off caps. Slice into a bowl and and cover with 1/2 cup of sugar. You can add a tsp of lemon or lime zest or a tablespoon of orange juice to the berries if you want a little extra zing. For the Cream Anglaise, in a medium sized boiler, add 1 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream and 1/2 cup of whole milk. Heat milk until it is steaming. Do not allow to boil. Turn the heat down as it gets near the boiling point. In a mixing bowl, add 4 egg yolks and 1/2 C sugar. Beat with a hand mixer for several minutes until all sugar is dissolved and the egg yolk mixture looks like â&#x20AC;&#x153;ribbonsâ&#x20AC;?. Slowly add one half of the hot milk into the egg yolks, slowly incorporating them and stirring constantly. Then add the egg yolk and hot milk mixture back to the hot milk pan and continue to stir, using a rubber spatula. Over low heat, continue to stir. The mixture will have a heavy foam on top. It will look like melted ice cream. When the foam on top starts going away and you see the middle of the pot begin to bubble, immediately remove from the heat. gmlaurel.com

Continue to stir after removing from the heat. Add 1 tsp of good vanilla and/or 1 tsp of almond extract. Set the pot in a bowl of ice water and stir until the pot has cooled and the mixture has quit cooking. Place Cream Anglaise in the refrigerator and hold until serving time. The Cream Anglaise is wonderful in a cup of fruit or drizzled over or under the shortbread. Serve with whipped cream if desired. I am thankful to the good Lord each and every time I share his blessing of good food with the ones I love at my own family table. May God bless you and yours. Enjoy!

May 2018

Dreams Do Come True

The NEW Clayton Cafe by Tracy McCoy

f you have any doubt that each life experience primes you for the next, take a look at the life of Bonnie Edmonds. She has worked at and/or managed most restaurants in the mountains. If you know her, you are aware of the level of customer service she expects from herself and those she works with. Bonnie’s big smile and friendly personality are not the only things that have made her perfect for her newest venture. She loves people and she loves food! It is nothing for her to put in 60 – 80 hours a week in the restaurant business, until now, working for someone else. Bonnie Edmonds is the new owner of The Clayton Cafe! The Clayton Cafe has been a fixture on Main Street in Clayton for decades! Its reputation for the best country breakfast, best fried chicken, and homemade desserts will remain, but the rest will be updated and improved! Bonnie has worked with the finest cooks and waitstaff anywhere in her career. She is pleased to say she has assembled the ultimate of both to work with her at the cafe. The Industrial Farmhouse décor will pair well with the freshest fruits, vegetables, and meat available. Every menu item will be homemade and freshly prepared. The restaurant will have a front and back dining room, open kitchen, and the ability to take your name down and text you when your table is ready so that you can browse downtown Clayton while you wait. The Clayton Cafe will offer family-style take-out sizes perfect for entertaining, to enjoy on the porch, out on the lake, or for your picnic. Bonnie’s tagline is Great Food, Great Service & Great Friends. This has been her dream come true and if you think Bonnie worked hard before, you can only imagine her dedication when working for herself. The Clayton Cafe will open late April with the following hours: Monday – Wednesday 7 am – 3 pm, Thursday – Saturday 7 am – 8 pm. It’s a new day at an old favorite! For more information stop in at 50 North Main Street in Clayton, Georgia or call 706212-CAFE.

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A Taste of the Mountains

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May 2018

Live Healthy and Be Well! “Summer (safe) fun and first aid” by Stephen Jarrard, MD, FACS

am going to interrupt our series on cholesterol, treatments, and alternative treatments that have been the subject of the past two months. I want to comply with this month’s theme of the Georgia Mountain Laurel’s Lake Issue, and welcome everyone back to this beautiful part of the world for the upcoming season. Although winter has held on and spring has seemed like it would never come, I know that soon we will again be blessed with the good weather we all love. So, this column is written with that hopeful outlook in mind. We have talked many times that our degree of health and wellness is improved by regular activity. In this beautiful area in which we are blessed to live, we have many opportunities to get out and about. See other Laurel articles by my friends Peter McIntosh and Mark Holloway, who always give us good advice about things they have done that we can also do, and hopefully in a prepared and safe manner so that we may fully enjoy them but be ready to take care of any mishaps that may unfortunately occur. With this in mind, I was recently asked to comment on what might make up the contents of a good first aid kit to have at the lake, to take on a hike, or to a camp site. It is also a good idea to have such a thing around the house for those little accidents and such that happen working on the house, in the yard, or in the garage or workshop. Although there are many commercially available kits of this type, it would not be hard at all to make up one with a few basic supplies and some equipment easily obtainable around town (such as one of our fine pharmacies and our hometown hardware store).

For cleaning and bandages: Alcohol wipes Small bottle of normal saline or sterile water (250 mL) Small bottle 3% hydrogen peroxide or betadine (antiseptic) Small pack of “wet ones” Band Aids (various sizes) Roll of gauze Gauze pads (4x4, 2x2) Medical tape Basic Meds: Benadryl (both liquid and some topical cream) Ranitidine 150 mg (OTC “Zantac”) Ibuprofen/Tylenol 1% Hydrocortisone cream Silvadene cream/ointment (good for burns) Bacitracin/Neosporin type ointment Calamine lotion Equipment: Small tool or tackle box, or mobile pack Small pair “needle nose” pliers (getting out fish hooks, etc) Tweezers Small scissors Cravate or cloth rag (for sling or pressure dressing) Epi Pen (for anyone around with severe allergies) Coban wrap Ace Wrap

I would start out with a small, durable box such as a small tool box or tackle box. You may even want to get a brightly colored box so that it is visible, and mark it well. For hiking, some type of durable “pack” would be better, so that it could be more mobile. You will want everyone in the family to know the location and be able to get it easily when needed. Your supplies should fit in here, and it will keep them organized, hopefully dry, and most importantly, all together in one place. Here is my recipe for the contents of a basic first aid kit. You may add to it as needed, or as your personal experiences dictate. 100

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Remember, the best way to stop bleeding is direct pressure with some gauze or dressing. If this does not work, the wound is deep, or the bleeding is brisk, apply pressure and take the person to an Emergency Room. Likewise, if the bleeding from an injury to an arm or leg is heavy and pulsatile, apply some type of tourniquet between the injury and the heart and head straight to an ER. For simple cuts and scrapes: stop bleeding, and clean the area well before applying a clean dressing. If the wound is more serious, or might need to be closed with sutures, go see a provider as soon as possible. A tetanus shot may also be needed if out of date. In the case of a serious allergic reaction, be it bee stings or contact with an environmental substance or medicine causing hives, lip swelling, swelling (edema) around the eyes: give some OTC Benadryl (25 mg), one of the Ranitidine (150 mg), Tylenol or Ibuprofen, and apply some hydrocortisone cream to the area if there is time. If the person is known to have a serious allergy to what has happened, administer the Epi Pen as needed. These early steps may halt or limit the reaction, but do them ON YOUR WAY to the ER, Urgent Care, or your doctor’s offic, and be sure and tell them about any treatments you performed before you arrived.

While these basic tips are not all inclusive, and hopefully not needed, some basic first aid knowledge and a well supplied “kit” will help you in case you need them. 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 Facebook, check out the rabundoctor page, and on Twitter, follow for health tips and wellness advice @rabundoctor. Until next month, live healthy and be well!

Sprains and strains will benefit from some ice to limit swelling, and the Tylenol/Ibuprofen for pain control and as an antiinflammatory. If on a joint such as the ankle or an elbow, the Ace wrap compression will also supply some stability and relief. Refresh yourself on the Heimlich maneuver in the case of a choking situation. Get behind the person and wrap your arms around placing your doubled hands just under the breast bone and squeeze / apply pressure in and up to force air out of the chest and hopefully dislodge the item from the windpipe. gmlaurel.com

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A Visit to Adams Hearing

Can you Hear Me Now? by Tracy McCoy

hearing loss on the quality of one’s life. This makes him very good at his job. Karen wears hearing aids and so she truly has first hand experience on what it’s like to have your hearing compromised and how much better life is when you can hear normally.

earing loss can be isolating, frustrating and challenging. It is something that is often age-related but can also be genetic. It is one of those things that we might not even realize we battle until someone points it out. My son was the first to tell me “You can’t hear!”. Then I began to notice that I’d turn my head to hear better. I had expressed my concerns to Chris Adams, owner of Adams Hearing in Savannah Place Shoppes in Clayton. He invited me to come by for a hearing test. I put it off because I didn’t want to face that my hearing might be declining. Isn’t it enough that I am fighting wrinkles, gravity, my failing memory and vision? Finally the day came, it was time to do check my hearing. I called Chris and scheduled to come in. I wanted to share my experience.

The good and bad news is while I do have some hearing loss and I can hear better with hearing aids, I can wait as it isn’t negatively affecting my life just yet, despite what my son says. I did wear a “trial pair” that Chris programmed for me, working to ensure I was comfortable. I was amazed at the things I could hear that I had been missing and saddened that I didn’t even realize I wasn’t hearing them. The devices could be programmed through an app on my smart phone and adjusted that way likewise. My phone worked through the hearing aids and there is no doubt I could hear better. I know that they are in my future and when I am ready, Chris and Karen will be ready to fit me in my forever pair. Knowing what I know now, I won’t be apprehensive to keep a watch on my hearing and Adams Hearing will be my choice for better hearing. If you think your ability to hear is compromised, make an appointment, the test is free and you might be as amazed as I was. Adams Hearing is located at 91 East Savannah Street in Clayton, Georgia. To schedule your appointment call 706.782.0109. For more information visit their website at www.adamshearingaids.com find them on Facebook @adamshearingaid.

I was greeted by Karen, Chris’ wife, who works side by side with him. Chris came out and welcomed me as well. We went into the examination room and I sat down in front of headphones and what I’ll call a “clicker”, it is a signaling device like the contestants use on Jeopardy. Chris began by checking my ears with an otoscope, to see if I had wax build up or anything else that might be effecting my hearing. He announced there might be a bit of wax but not enough to be causing a problem. Next he administered a hearing test. I wore the headphones on my ears and he instructed me to push the red button on the “clicker” each time I heard the sounds. The sounds were different each time it seemed, some I could hear easily and others just barely. I even admit I pushed the button cause I thought I heard something. Once that part of the test was complete Chris put a different set of headphones on from forehead to my Occipital bone in the back of my skull. Developed during the 1970s, bone conduction technology is a method of audio transmission that funnels sound waves to the inner ear via bones in the skull. This test concluded the next phase of the exam. Chris is very knowledgable not to mention kind and gentle. He and Karen are “salt of the earth” types, who truly want to help their clients hear better. Chris is very sensitive to the effects of 104

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Better Health the Natural Way

eYoe Wellness is pleased to announce the opening of their Acupuncture and Pain Management practice in two locations in Northeast Georgia. One is located in Blairsville, Ga. and one in Rabun Gap. The practice is owned by James DeYoe, LAc, Diplomate, our Licensed Acupuncturist, who holds a Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (NCCAOM). The practice opened in March James DeYoe, LAc, DIPL, LMT of this year. The Wellness Center offers the following services to both communities: Acupuncture, Pain Management, Nutritional Counseling, Sleeping and Anxiety, Massage Therapy as well as other services. Acupuncture is an age old practice that has proven benefits. James DeYoe uses Acupuncture for the treatment and prevention of many conditions: to balance mood, balance hormones, digestive problems, inflammation and arthritis as well as many others. DeYoe Wellness is a Wellness Center geared towards eliminating pain without the use of prescription medication. Their philosophy is to treat the whole person and not the symptom. The Wellness Center is open Monday- Friday 9am-6pm. They can be reached at 678-982-7714 or by emailing deyoewellness@gmail.com. More information can be found on their website www.deyoewellness.com. Take the step towards better health the natural way today.

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Dr. Wilbanks

Clayton Health & Fitness

Focused on Excellence, Results and Changing Lives by Tracy McCoy

layton Health & Fitness has defined itself as a “health club”. The entire facility is centered around better health for its members. The caring staff are dedicated to address nutrition, as well as physical strength and conditioning. From their 20/30 Fast Track program to gym membership and personal training, they are set up to address your total health. They stock products that are 20/30 friendly and good for everyone who is trying to make better snack and meal choices. Their smoothie bar provides healthy meal alternatives or protein products essential for after workout nutrition. Having just completed the 30 day program myself, I can attest to the benefits of the weight loss program. Weight has always been a battle for me and I have tried many meal plans and diet programs with failure being the outcome most of the time. When I attended the informational seminar, I felt challenged, and I felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation. They stressed to me how essential it was to follow the plan to the letter, so I set about planning my meals and preparing for the inevitable temptations that would come. I will admit I was hungry the first few days, but common sense dictates that when your caloric intake is reduced you may be hungry. I was able to satiate the pangs with water and program approved drinks. I did experience headaches, as I cut my processed foods out and substantially reduced my intake of caffeine. But that, too, subsided just days into the plan. I watched each day as weight fell off. I followed the plan and at day 30 I had lost 22 lbs. I feel less bloated, more energetic, and for the first time in my life, I am taking a look at what triggers me to overeat. I am paying attention to portion sizes and realizing it doesn’t take near as much to fill me up. Whole foods and clean eating have become my new normal, and as I enter the “Listen to your Body” phase, I will discover how to add more variety, yet maintain a healthy, weight loss sustaining food list. All the while learning how to make this my way of life. So, to say that Clayton Health and Fitness is into the life-changing business would be an accurate assessment. The health center is an impressive 18,000 square foot facility with state-of-theart machines and spacious turfed small group training areas feature functional movement circuit training and a group exercise studio. The supervised KidZone with a kid-friendly entertainment area makes it perfect for young moms and dads to get their workouts in. Personal training is available for individuals and groups, too. Their strength training equipment offers a cutting edge pin-loading system. The list of classes offered includes Yoga, Pilates, and Zumba, and accommodates all skill levels. There are top-of-the-line free weights with squat racks, benches and a variety of dumbbells. Along with all the other services CHF offers, they have recently added “SilverSneakers”, a health insurance subsidized program that provides a free membership for those eligible. In addition to SilverSneakers, they have also recently launched their Massage Therapy services. To keep you entertained during your workouts, Clayton Health and Fitness has installed 55” television screens throughout the club. When you are done, you can relax in the sauna before you freshen up in the floor to ceiling showers in their locker rooms. Rodney Morris, the owner of Clayton Health and Fitness made this statement: “We are excited to have opened a health club of this magnitude in Rabun County. Our core purpose is to change lives for the better and we anticipate that this health club will do just that for those in the Rabun County community. After all our vision statement is ‘Results for Everyone’.” Clayton Health and Fitness, LLC is one of the clubs owned by the Morris family. The first of the WNC clubs was founded in 1988 by Dr. Ed & Barbara Morris, today the clubs are owned and operated by their son Rodney Morris. Their rich 30 year history and dedication to accomplish their core values by providing excellence in facilities, programs, and services to help members achieve their goals and maximum potential for health and fitness. 108

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