2 - May 2020
May 2020 - 3
From the Publisher
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ou know how we all wished for more free time? We hoped for more time with our kids and spouses. We promised, when time allowed, that we would tackle those home projects that have been set aside for too long. While none of us thought that a horrible virus would be the reason we would find ourselves with extra time on our hands, well… here we are! Sheltering in place in the mountains of Northeast Georgia is not all that bad. With Spring well underway, the pleasing temperatures and bright blue skies lend themselves to “blue bird days”. Our downtowns have not been this quiet in decades and riding down Highway 441 is like a step back in time. The Covid-19 pandemic is frightening with deaths topping 25,000 in the United States at press time. Never did we dream that we’d be wearing masks to the grocery store, gloves to pump our gas, wiping off our car door handles and buying up toilet paper like it’s gold. We must remember during this time and into the future, after all of this is behind us, that kindness matters. Don’t take more than you need, leave enough for your neighbors. If we’ve learned anything, it’s that we can live with less.
Georgia Mountain Laurel Mailing: PO Box 2218, Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 2511 Highway 441, Mountain City, Georgia 30562 706-782-1600 • www.gmlaurel.com
May 2020 • Volume Seventeen • Issue Five Publisher/Editor - Tracy McCoy Assistant Editor - D’Anna Coleman Art Director - Dianne VanderHorst Graphic Designer - Lucas McCoy Office Manager / Account Executive - Cindi Freeman Account Executive - Melynda Hensley Photographer/Writer - Peter McIntosh Contributing Writers: Mark Holloway, Stephen Jarrard, MD FACS, John Shivers, Emory Jones, Jan Timms, James W. Hurt, Jr., Karla Jacobs, Lorie Thompson, Emory Jones, Ken Rumsey, Dick Cinquina, Rev. Michael S. Puma, Fred Cruz, Holly Beth Anderson
Many businesses have found ways to still serve their customers in creative ways, whether it is curb-side service, home delivery or sidewalk pick-up. Most are finding ways to continue operating through shortened hours, online stores, telemedicine, meetings through digital online platforms that allow us to gather while still sheltering in place. Everyone’s hair is longer than they want it, nails are growing out, we can now spot 6 feet without measuring and we appreciate our jobs and families. So all in all maybe the things we are learning are not all bad. Maybe we can carry the good that we have learned into our future once the virus has passed. We will be left smarter and stronger in how to care for ourselves and our families. I bet that most homes will have a pack of extra toilet paper put back, just in case. Stay safe, wash your hands and don’t touch your face! Air hugs, Tracy
Copyright 2016 by Rabun’s Laurel Inc. All rights reserved. The Georgia Mountain Laurel Magazine is published twelve times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to GML magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel magazine or any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. The Georgia Mountain Laurel maintains a Christian focus throughout their magazine. Rabun’s Laurel, Inc. reserves the right to refuse content or advertising for any reason without explanation.
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May, 2020
In This Issue
On Our Cover… Meet Winnie Outdoors 8 Adventure Out 12 13 14
PAWS 4 Life Arrange to Change Lovin’ the Journey
Affairs to Remember 18 20
Lake Burton’s Young and Thriving 100! Mother
A Taste 22 24 28
Bon Appétit
The Family Table The Food Bank
Faith in Christ 30 32 34 35
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he little angler on our cover this month is none other than Winona “Winnie” O’Day, daughter of musician Scott Low and Nicole Kelley. Destined to be in waders with fly rod in hand, this adorable little 3 year old will grow up on the shores of Warwoman Creek at the Hatch Camp and Art Farm owned by her parents. Winnie and older brother Avi Leon-O’Day (age 12) and little brother Hank O’Day (8 months old) are definitely part of the reason that Scott and Nicole are so involved in conservation, protecting the waters and the creatures who live there and are living close to nature. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the farm is currently closed but that doesn’t mean that there are not flies dancing on the surface of the water and record speckled and brown trout being caught. When this is over there will again be guided tours, concerts by the creek, art on display and a gathering of friends old and new. For more information on the Hatch Camp and Art Farm follow them on Instagram or Facebook (@hatchcamp) or call 706-782-3747. Or just stay tuned here, we will share more of the goodness that happens on the creek in an upcoming issue.
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Life is a Blessing Grandma’s Prayer Journal River Garden R4G
Life & Leisure 36 38 40
Of These Mountains By the Way Legally Speaking
Mountain Homes 42 46 50
Best of Both Worlds on Burton Feel Just Like Home Arrange to Change
Health & Wellness 52 54
Live Healthy and Be Well Spring Skin Care 101
Yesterdays 56
Rabun Historical Society Industry Scale Logging in Rabun County
May 2020 - 7
Adventure Out
A Stay At ByHome Scenic Tour Peter McIntosh
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opefully by the time you’re reading this, travel restrictions will be easing a bit. But to err on the side of caution and safety, this month I’m just posting photos of some of the many destinations we have here in the Southern Appalachians. Stay strong, stay healthy and we’ll be back on the trail soon. Peter And what do you say to a poem for May? Let’s be of good cheer, there’s no need to frown, Despite the fact that we’re all hunkered down. We can still get outdoors, and enjoy nature’s art, As long as we’re staying..... six feet apart. Boaters at Tallulah Falls
To see more of Peter’s photos or if you have a question or comment: www.mcintoshmountains.com
Tallulah Falls Bridge
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Wesser Bald
Chattooga Narrows
May 2020 - 9
Adventure Out
Rabun Bald
Hemlock Falls
Pinnacle Sunset
Pinnacle Rhodie
Yellow Branch Trail
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Pinnacle Rhodie
Sunset at Black Rock Mountain State Park
Yellow Branch Falls
May 2020 - 11
Stay Pawsitive with a Pawjama Party!!! When we were all told to sit and stay. And this year’s FurBall had to go away, Sadness flooded our homes and virtual meetings, But the animals at the shelter sent us greetings. They said “don’t be sad just get to thinkin’, There is a solution so everything won’t be stinkin’. Why don’t you have a party everyone can enjoy, Where people sit on their couches and the animals hang out with their favorite toy!” The Committee could not decipher their meaning,
All of the sudden the ideas came out beaming. A Pawjama Party is on the way, We will stay home, support the shelter and virtually play!!! Stay tuned for details…. They will be here honey, Get ready for the BEST Pawjama Party to help us raise money. To keep the animals of our community happy, Help Paws keep the kitties fluffy and the puppies yappy!!!!! Stay Tuned… more information is on it’s way… Facebook, Instagram, Website Rabun Paws 4 Life, Inc.
Our shelter is located at 261 Boen Creek Road, Tiger, GA 30576. Call us for information, or to report lost/ missing/found animals in Rabun County 706-782-5422. Donations for the care of our animals are always appreciated. Mail to PAWS 4 Life – PO Box 216, Clayton, GA 30525
Sponsored By
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Lovin’ the Journey
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Panic and Mist By Mark Holloway
hat is clear to me is most everyone values life, at least their own. Clearly the masses don’t want there individual life to end. So exaggerated precautions and extreme measures are becoming the standard. ‘Social distancing’ has replaced a warm, friendly hug. 70 or 80 years seems like a long time to live. But that time span, if you’re able to live that long, is really just a vapor. Deep down, we all know our time here is finite. Whether I’m a God-chaser, God-hater, or Goddoubter, I see proof of my ‘limited lifetime warranty’ every time a pass a funeral home. If I know my expiration date is certain, then it makes sense I’ll hoard my days, or at least I’ll hoard the stuff I fill my days with.
So this explains the panic. If I recognize my days are limited and I’m uncertain what’s beyond my last breath, then it seems logical to desperately claw and grasp at whatever floats as I sink in unknown waters. There was a man who was a spiritual leader in a famous Middle Eastern city. He cautioned us with the sobering news, life is a vapor. His name was James and he was Jesus’ little brother. Early one morning I sat quietly in my deer stand up in a tree. I could see my breath as the sun came up. It seems as though I was able to see each atom as it sparkled in the sunlight with every gentle exhale. But only for a fading second.
It reminded me of James’ warning. My life really is a vanishing mist. At least this present life of mine is just that, a temporary vapor, like a curious, recognizable cloud formation in the sky which quickly changes shape and is gone. These are interesting and troubling times. I turned 60 recently and am observing occurrences never before seen. The panic, tension, fear, and angst tell me people sincerely and honestly don’t want to die. I get it. If this is all there is, or may be, then I get it. Grab what you can and all you can while you can. But there is a better way to live. There is a better way for me to hope. This virus will pass. But the scar on the tree bark will remain for a long time, telling a story to future generations. When I was a teenager, I saw with my own eyes the fingernail gouges in the concrete walls of Dachau’s gas chambers. The desperate souls have long departed, but their marks remain. We are all the same in at least one regard...we don’t want life as we know it to change or end. This simple notion points back to the intimate reality, my life here isn’t permanent. We must let panic and desperation serve as a marker, an indicator, a warning: There must be something more and I must be about finding out what is beyond the vapor. Mark and Carol Holloway are the owners of Fresh Start, a company dedicated to being the your eyes, ears and hands when you cannot be. They call themselves property stewards because they intend to care for your property as they would their own. To reach Mark please call 706-490-7060.
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May 2020 - 15
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Welcome Spring May 2020 - 17
Lake Burton’s a Young and Thriving 100!
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By John Shivers
hen the dammed up waters of the Tallulah River began to collect and rise behind the walls of the newly-finished dam that would create Lake Burton in late 1919 and 1920, no one could have foreseen or even imagined what the outcome would be one hundred years later. As the waters rose, the village of Burton, the second largest town in Rabun County, near where gold had been discovered, forever disappeared from view. Now it’s a century later, and the emphasis has shifted. In Burton’s place, almost like a mythical phoenix rising from the watery ashes of the past, emerged today’s multi-faceted Lake Burton community. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, and concluding on Labor Day weekend, the traditional lake season, Lake Burton residents have a solid menu of special activities planned to commemorate this one hundredth birthday. In 1920 the special nature of the 2,775 acre lake centered around its hydro-electric generating capabilities. A century later, the emphasis has shifted one hundred and eighty degrees. From Burton’s population of some two hundred individuals, gold of a different sort has been discovered once again. Lake Burton is known as one of the most popular recreational lakes in Georgia, and boasts a summer population of thousands, scattered around its 62 miles of shoreline. Old Burton lives now only in the history books, but Lake Burton and its people, through the efforts and auspices of the Lake Burton Civic Association, is another story entirely. The lake’s second century will launch with a summer-long slate of special activities designed to commemorate the heritage and launch the future. What a festive summer season this promises be. The community is invited to join their Burton neighbors for such highlights as a one-of-a-kind lake parade, a glimpse into some of the lake’s beautiful homes, a nostalgic tug at the past, a chance to hit the highland links, a meal reminiscent of a Lake Burton classic, and a sky full of color and promise. There’s even a new pictorial history that will forever unite yesterday with tomorrow. This is gonna be one more memorable Lake Burton season!
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What a great way to raise the funds that the LBCA, a 501-c-3 organization, reinvests into the Rabun community, and into scholarships given to local deserving students! Parade of the Classic Past There are some classics that only become more priceless in many ways with the passage of time. Just like antique furniture and classic cars, classic wooden boats that also date back some one hundred years, are highly prized by those who own them. They’re also pretty to behold, as you run your hand along the polished mahogany hull, savoring the slim lines and quaint detailing. Sunday, May 24 of Memorial Day weekend, a parade of these exquisite watercraft owned exclusively by Lake Burton folk, will launch from Timpson Creek Cove at 11:00 a.m., cruising to LaPrades and arriving at about 1:00 p.m. The boats will be congregated in one area where fans and wanna-be-fans can see these beauties up close and personal, and talk with their owners. Food will also be available for purchase. The Homes of Burton Lake Burton offers recreation and family enjoyment on the water and on the waterfront, where many beautiful homes are found. Many are designed by noted architects and are within themselves works of art. Come Saturday, June 27, five of these grand residences will be open for tour. Tickets must be obtained through a Lake Burton resident, at which time, details, times, and other pertinent information will be received. Attendees will park at a designated location and be ferried from home to home by a flotilla of pontoon boats. What better way to see the lake in all its summer beauty! Hole in One Potential Waterfall Club in Clayton on the northern end of Lake Burton is a popular venue with lake folks, and nowhere is this more true than at the LBCA’s annual golf tournament set for Friday, July 31 this year. This chance to play the Waterfall course is
limited to two foursome’s per hole, and usually sells out early. Register your participation now through the LBCA web site. The Bash to End All What’s a birthday celebration without a great meal? On Saturday evening, August 22, the Lake Burton community will gather at the new dining hall at Camp High Harbour for a celebratory meal. The birthday feast will be served family style, with a menu of fried chicken and vegetables borrowed directly from the archives of the once famous LaPrade’s Marina and Fish Camp. LaPrade’s was a Lake Burton fixture that drew diners from near and far for many years, before it burned in 2005. Some 20-25 pieces of art from lake and local artists will be offered for auction, with proceeds to benefit the LBCA’s community reinvestment activities. Tickets will be sold to LBCA members first, and any remaining tickets will be available first-come to the public. Going Out With a Blast Every good thing must come to an end, but nowhere is it written that good things can’t go out with a bang. That’s how it’ll be on the evening of Saturday, September 5, when the LBCA closes out its centennial celebration with a spectacular display of sound and color. Once the curtain has dropped on the day, a massive display of fireworks will be shot into the night sky from the northern end of the lake, around Jones Bridge, with Waterfall Club and the North Carolina mountains as a backdrop. Big Red is a Big Deal One of the fixtures of an earlier Burton era is the community firetruck affectionately known as “Big Red.” It hasn’t managed to hold on to its youth and vitality, though, and desires to arrest the erosion were soon proven to be cost-prohibitive. Through a stroke of good fortune, the LBCA was able to find an almost identical clone to Big Red, with much of the restoration already done. That vehicle was purchased almost entirely with donated designated funds, and will be a part of community and LBCA activities. Funds are being raised now to ensure future maintenance and upkeep. One for the Books “Our Southern Eden,” a 250-page coffee table book written by Lake Burton resident, writer and photographer Mike Maffett, will be ready for release by Memorial Day, in conjunction with the LBCA’s centennial birthday bash. This book is destined to become a future keepsake and features over 339 photos and maps that capsule and document the Lake Burton story. Book signings are still to be determined, but copies can be ordered by going online to http://lbca.net/page-18112. At age one hundred, Lake Burton continues to age gracefully and with a knack for encouraging the good life. Keep up with what’s going on this summer on Burton by checking out the LBCA’s website at www.lbca.net. Please note: This article went to press during implementation of the statewide Coronavirus restrictions. To learn of any changes for the events outlined here, consult the Lake Burton Civic Association’ website www.lbca.net.
May 2020 - 19
Mother by Fred Cruz
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omewhere between the youthful energy of the teenager and the golden twilight years of a women’s life, there lives a marvelous and loving person known… as mother. A mother is a curious mixture of patience, kindness, tolerance, understanding, discipline, industry, purity, and love. A mother can be at one and the same time, both love lore and counselor to a heart-sick daughter, and a head football coach to an athletic son. A mother can sew the tiniest stitch in the material for that dainty prom dress, and she is equally experienced in threading through the heaviest of traffic with a large station wagon. A mother is the only creature on earth who can cry when she’s happy, laugh when she’s heartbroken, and work when she’s sick. A mother is as gentle as a lamb, and as strong as a giant. Only a mother can appear so weak and helpless, and yet at the same time, can put the fruit jar cover on so tightly that even dad can’t get it off. A mother is a picture of helplessness when dad’s around, but a marvel of resourcefulness when she’s all alone. A mother has the angelic voice of a member of the celestial choir as she sings the Brahms Lullaby to a baby held tightly in her arms; and yet the same voice can dwarf the sound of an amplifier when she calls her boys in for supper. A mother has the fascinating ability to be almost everywhere at once, and she alone can somehow squeeze an enormous amount of living into an average day. A mother is old fashioned to her teenager. She’s just “mom” to the third-grader, and she’s “mamma” to the little two-year old. There’s no greater thrill in life than to point to that wonderful women and be able to say to all the world, “That’s my mother.”
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Bon Appétit Let’s Celebrate Cinco de Mayo By Scarlett Cook
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ast month we (even those among us that aren’t Irish) celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day and enjoyed great Irish food while we wore our traditional green outfits so that we didn’t get pinched. We have another chance this month to pretend again and to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Here are recipes to help you plan your observance, even if it has to be virtual. Do I have any tequila; now where did I put that margarita salt and do I have any limes….
Cinco de Mayo Shrimp Cocktail Serves 6 1 Package grape tomatoes, chopped 1/2 Red onion, thinly sliced 1/4 Cup chopped fresh cilantro 1 Jalapeno, seeded 2 Garlic cloves 1/4 Cup fresh lime juice 2 Teaspoons sugar 1/2 Teaspoon salt 1/4 Teaspoon pepper 1/4 Teaspoon chili powder (or to taste) Process in a blender or food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Place in a glass container and cover; chill at least overnight. 30 Unpeeled large, fresh shrimp 1 Large avocado, diced (when ready to serve) Tortilla chips Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add shrimp and cook 2 – 3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Drain and rinse with cold water. Chill for up to 24 hours or at least 4 hours. Peel shrimp leaving tails on and devein if desired. Stir avocado into sauce. Spoon sauce into 6 chilled martini glasses or small bowls. Place 5 shrimp around each glass or bowl. Serve with tortilla chips.
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Taco Lasagna Serves 9 1 Pound lean ground beef 1 (1.25 ounce) Package taco seasoning 1 (11 ounce) Can corn with green and red peppers, well drained 1/2 Cup water 1 (8 ounce) Container soft onion-and chive cream cheese OR make your own with an 8 ounce package cream cheese and your choice of herbs 2 Cups (8 ounces) shredded Mexican blend cheese 4 1/2 Cups salsa 9 No-boil lasagna noodles Toppings – sour cream, fresh cilantro or sliced olives Preheat oven to 375˚. Brown beef in a large skillet, stirring to break up clumps. Stir in taco seasoning, corn and 1/2 cup water. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally until thickened. Add cream cheese, stirring until melted. Remove from heat and stir in one cup of the cheese. Spread one cup salsa in the bottom of a lightly greased 13” x 9” baking dish. Cover with 3 noodles – do not allow noodles to touch each other or the sides of the dish. Cover noodles with 2 cups of meat mixture and 3/4 cup salsa. Repeat layers ending with salsa. Cover with remaining cheese. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 – 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and edges are lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes. If desired, serve with toppings
Strawberry Salad with Cinnamon Vinaigrette Serves 6 – 8 Salad 1 (11 ounce) Can Mandarin oranges, well drained 1 Pint fresh strawberries, stemmed and quartered 1 Small red onion, thinly sliced 1/2 Cup chopped pecans, toasted 1 Avocado, sliced 1 (10 ounce) package romaine lettuce Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Vinaigrette 1/3 Cup olive oil 1/3 Cup Raspberry vinegar 1 Tablespoon sugar 1/2 Teaspoon salt 1/2 Teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 Teaspoon pepper 1/2 Teaspoon hot sauce or to taste
Combine all ingredients in a jar; cover tightly and shake vigorously. Chill at least 2 hours before serving. When ready to serve, pour half of the vinaigrette over salad; toss well. Serve remaining vinaigrette with salad.
May 2020 - 23
The Family Table
“Tightening Your Belt” By Lorie Thompson he last few months have brought significant changes to our World. The COVID 19 pandemic has turned our lives upside down in a short amount of time. “Sheltering in Place” is the current situation and looks as though it may be in place for a while.
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I have been to the grocery store several times, especially in the early stages of the pandemic. I stocked up on some of the staples, such as beans, flour, rice, cornmeal, canned milk, salt, and a few seasonings. I am sure you did too, based on the fact that the grocery store shelves are still almost bare in the grain and staple aisles. Over a lifetime selling Rabun County real estate, I have seen business great and not so great. During a slow business season, one of my best friends and fellow agent, Judy Horton, would say that she and her husband Larry, were on “The Austerity Program.” I knew this old saying was from the Great Depression-era, and I’m sure Judy had heard her Daddy, Mr.
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Roy Adams, talking of it. I’m sure that for Judy, going on the Austerity Program meant going to “the picture show” only once a week instead of their usual twice a week. Judy was referencing what my Daddy called “tightening your belt.” Being careful with money and supplies was a way of life for my parents. They were born in the late 1920s and lived through the Depression. Lesson number one in “tightening your belt” is to use what you have. Let me give you some ideas on how to use up that surplus stock of food. Creamy Rice Pudding is a classic. It is low cost and delicious. I traditionally made it using canned milk and sugar until I saw Ree Drummond using sweetened condensed milk. I used my recipe and traded out the sugar for the sweetened condensed milk. Combined with the evaporated milk, it makes a decadent pudding. A perfect recipe to make when you are camping as the rice and the canned milk are so easily portable. Let me tell you how I make it:
In a separate bowl, mix one can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 tsp of vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon, (if you have not already cooked the rice with the spices), and one egg. Add the sweetened condensed milk and egg mixture into the rice stirring to incorporate. You can add in raisins, craisins, or dried cherries or a mixture of them. Rehydrate the raisins and cherries in 2T of Marsala Wine, Sherry, Whiskey, or water. (I had Marsala from making Chicken Marsala. I’ll share that recipe soon.) Drain the dried fruit and add to the rice pudding. Serve warm or cold.
Add one 12 Oz can of evaporated milk and 3C water into a boiler with 2T of butter. (In the interest of economy, add a little water to the milk can to get the last of the milk and pour it into the pot) Add 1C of rice. Add a pinch of salt. Bring just to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes or until rice is tender and creamy. (Add in a half stick of cinnamon and a half of a vanilla bean pod if you have it. Otherwise, you can add the ground spice and liquid vanilla at the end) Remove from heat when rice is getting tender and creamy. One of the pantry staples that I bought was canned Salmon. In my childhood home, my Mama made Salmon Patties regularly. They were okay, but not my favorite. Now I understand that they were a budget-stretching meal for her. She used flour and eggs in her patties. I dress mine a little more, ramping up the flavor and making them similar to Crab Cakes. They are almost as good as Crab Cakes for a fraction of the cost. Let me tell you how.
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In a medium-sized bowl beat an egg. Add juice from 1/2 lemon, 2T of mayonnaise, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and crushed red pepper, 1 tsp parsley, 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning or Cajun Seasoning. Finely dice green onions and mild red peppers, (or you could use a little can of pimentos). Add chopped onion and pepper to egg mixture. Drain the Salmon and remove all skin and bones. Add to egg mixture and very gently fold it in. Add 1/2 C of seasoned bread crumbs, gently combining. With your hands, gently form into 6-7 patties. Compress them only enough to hold together. Don’t pack them down hard. Fry in a heavy skillet using your favorite oil until well browned on both sides. Serve with Remoulade sauce. To make the sauce, in a mixing bowl add 1C of your favorite mayonnaise (as long as it is Blue Plate), 2T of prepared horseradish, 1T of ketchup, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tsp of Old Bay or Cajun Seasoning, 1T of pickle juice. (Sweet or dill, your choice). Stir well and serve alongside “Sal-mon Cakes.” I did not know until recently that I mispronounced Salmon. Baby Girl, who is a restaurant manager and has a chef boyfriend, recently corrected me, saying, “it is not ‘Salmon.’ It is ‘Sa-mon.’” To which I replied that when I took her “Sal-mon” fishing in Alaska, and she was reeling in a “Salmon” that was as big as she was, it was okay that I called it “Sal-mon.” She agreed, and as successful fishers of Salmon, we have decided the rest of the World is wrong! Make these Wonderful Salmon Cakes tonight and use up some of the pandemic food supply. Make sure that all who enjoy them know how to pronounce “Sal-mon” correctly. Enjoy this time with your family, and do some cooking to share at your family table. May God bless you and keep you safe from harm and evil.
Lorie Thompson is a REALTOR at Poss Realty in Clayton, Georgia. Her expertise in her industry is second only to her culinary talents. Lorie is a dynamo in the kitchen. Honestly if she prepares it, it will likely be the best you’ve ever had! Lorie and her husband, Anthony (Peanut), make their home in the Persimmon Community. She is the proud mother of Joe Thompson and Kendall Thompson.
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The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia
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he Food Bank of Northeast Georgia was founded in 1992, in Athens, Georgia, in an effort to end hunger in fourteen counties. In that first year, the Food Bank distributed approximately 350,000 pounds of food to 36 partner agencies. In 2016, the Food Bank added a second location in Rabun County. This distribution center enables the organization to better serve the counties of Georgia’s mountain region. This expansion included a state of the art facility complete with a teaching kitchen, commercial kitchen, and frozen food processing line. We are extremely proud of the work done in our local branch. Our Teaching Kitchen programs are open to the public and include our Jr. Chef program which is focused on educating children on the benefits of cooking and eating healthy meals. We also offer hands-on adult cooking classes, nutrition lessons, chef demonstrations, farmers’ market activities, and farm-to-table dinners. Proceeds from all our events support the Food Bank’s efforts to feed and educate our neighbors. Our commercial kitchen is utilized by several local chefs who create their products right here in Rabun County, including David Sweeney’s Seedy Bars, Carlton Chamblin’s Farm to Cocktail Shrubs and Maria Loveless’s Skyeburger. With more than 25 years of experience serving the community, the Food Bank now distributes more than 11 million pounds of food to our fourteen county service area through more than 225 partner organizations every year. Beyond providing fresh and nutritious food to the needy, the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia wants to empower people to make healthy choices and learn new skills. Call us today to find out how you can qualify for our free cooking classes! Phone: 706-782-0780
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Memorial Day... ...is the day that’s set aside to remember with gratitude and pride all those who served and died for our FREEDOM. May your day be filled with memories and peace. God Bless America
May 2020 - 29
Life is a Blessing Shelter in place.
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By Tracy McCoy
ounds simple enough, right? I’ve always longed to be a stay at home wife and mother… until now. Any given day I can think of at least 920 places I need to go. I don’t, I go out in my yard and walk and to the store only when it’s necessary which is a drastic change, I am at a grocery store almost every day when there is not a virus to fear. Fear, how many times are we told not to fear. “Fear not” is found in the Bible 365 times… that’s ironic isn’t it? It’s as if our Father in Heaven knew we’d need a daily reminder to trust Him. I find myself thinking about that multiple times a day. I am a fearful worrier. I always have been and likely always will be. Letting go is hard for me, it is something I have to work at. Some might say my faith is not great enough or I would know that God is in control. I say I am human and there must have been a lot of people like me in God’s word or the message would not be repeated 365 times. My fear and anxiety are often overwhelming and all I can do
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is hit my knees and pray. I seek shelter in God. I look to Him for peace in my storms. That is truly the only place I’ve ever found peace. It’s peace that passes all understanding. Being a believer doesn’t mean you are bulletproof, it means you know God is. You believe in a power greater than yourself, an all powerful, all knowing, everywhere God who can stop the storm or will never allow His children to ride it out alone. Being a believer doesn’t mean that trials will never come, it means God will walk every step with you and carry you when you can go no further. Today is Good Friday and as I write to you I am thinking about how Christ’s death conquered our death. Once you turn to Jesus and accept His gift of eternal life, nothing can separate you from God, not even physical death. Jesus was scorned, beaten, spit on and nailed to a wooden cross on Good Friday. That can even be found in Jewish history, if you don’t believe the Bible. The empty tomb is widely considered to be a fact of the ancient world. Not all scholars agree as to what caused
the tomb to be found empty, but as far as the tomb itself actually being left without the body of Jesus, this is pretty wellestablished even among critical scholars. There were nearly 500 eye-witness accounts from Jesus’ followers and those who opposed Him after the empty tomb was found. All of these facts from both biblical and historical sources are meaningless unless you apply the work of the cross to your life and your heart. When you realize that Jesus died for you, it becomes a very personal issue. His greatest desire is to have a very personal relationship with you and me. He already knows every detail of your life and loves you even in your mess. I know that because He has loved me in the middle of mine. There is nothing bigger or stronger than God. I can not understand or explain many of life’s hardships. Cancer, Alzheimer’s, addiction, job loss, failed marriages, viruses, all of these things touch our lives. These troubles will come because we live in an imperfect world, but I know for a fact that whatever I’ve faced, God has been there. Am I fearful of Covid-19? Yes I am. No one wants to suffer or see a family member or friend sick, but daily I am praying for mine and for yours. I have committed to pray for every human on this planet, because every single one of them is important to God. We are His creation and it’s about love. I struggle with fear but I know how to love, I see it in the life of Jesus and it is Him who I follow. He is my shelter, my Savior and my Lord. Shelter in Jesus.
May 2020 - 31
Grandma’s Prayer Journal
Praying the Fear Away By Karla Jacobs
Jan. 31, 1982 – 2:30 am Tonight I find it impossible to sleep. Besides my arthritis pain, I have a problem to face that I’ve never had to face before. I find myself filled with fear. Many times in my life I’ve faced major surgery and yet I wasn’t as afraid as I am now. Maybe this is caused from the things that happened to others in the past. Probably, it is because it is happening to the one I love the most. Maybe it is because he is so afraid. I find myself trying not to think about it, yet I know I must face it with courage and strength so I can help Fred…Although Fred is only going for heart x-rays and tests, I know it could lead to surgery. This has been a miserable day… Father, we know we have failed Thee many times and Father we are unworthy to call upon your Holy Name…Take away this fear in our hearts and show us what is thy perfect will. We read in your work, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out all fear because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect,” 1 John 4:18. “This is the confidence we have in Him. That if we ask anything, according to His will, He heareth us and if we know that He heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” 1 John 5:14-15. Thank you Jesus. –Claudine Cantrell My favorite book is Cold Sassy Tree by Georgia author Olive Ann Burns. It’s the story of young Will Tweedy growing up in Cold Sassy, a small Georgia town modeled after the real town of Commerce. The story opens with the death of Will’s grandmother and follows the fallout from Grandpa Blakeslee’s marrying the much younger Miss Love Simpson, a hat-maker at his store, a scandalous three weeks after Grandma Blakeslee died. Burns, a writer for the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, wrote much of Cold Sassy Tree while undergoing treatment for lymphoma, which she was diagnosed with shortly after starting work on the book. The prospect of chemotherapy and its side effects terrified her. She had already accepted the fact that she could die, but she was most afraid of living day after day, “cold and shivering in the pit of my soul,” as she put it. According to her editor, Katrina Kenison, in her Reminiscence at the end of Burn’s unfinished sequel, Leaving Cold Sassy, one dismal January day before her chemotherapy treatments began, Burns, kneeling alone in her living room, fervently prayed to God for courage. She did not ask God to make her well but to give her the courage to face her treatment. “Lord
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God,” Burns prayed over and over, “please help me not to be afraid.” “A half hour went by, and Olive Ann rose from her knees with the realization that her prayer had been answered,” Kenison continues. “The fear was gone. It was a moment she would remember with awe and gratitude; in the years that followed, she said, she never had to repeat that prayer.” The fear of the thing can often be worse than the thing itself. Fear robs us of peace and robs us of joy. It disrupts our sleep and overshadows our hope. It makes the future look bleak and scary. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us “For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” That’s an easy concept to hang onto with our minds, but our hearts tremble in the face of life-altering circumstances. I’m writing this from the dining room table of my mom’s house on Lake Rabun. It’s the second week of the coronavirus lockdown, and we have decamped from our Marietta home so we can practice social distancing inside a different set of walls for a while. These are anxious times. We watch the news and see infection and death rates rising exponentially as the economy crumbles. We worry that our hospitals will not be able to handle the patient loads and that our loved ones who work in the healthcare industry will get sick. All the experts can give us are best-case and worst-case scenarios, educated guesses really, as we huddle in our homes to “flatten the curve,” and no one can tell us how long we will shelter in place or when we can resume our normal lives. Many of us are feeling fearful.
Fear is part of our human makeup, and God knows this. That is why prayer is the antidote to fear. When we take our fear and anxiety to God, God soothes us in our souls, and we can find enough courage to face whatever the future brings. We may not like it, but we can find peace with it. Sometime later Granny came back and added the following note to the passage above: “After this prayer, God gave me peace of mind that everything would be all right. I went to bed and slept. The next day we went to the hospital for tests. Although there were many anxious moments until the tests were over, underneath it all we felt God’s presence and a deep knowledge that everything would be all right, even if Fred faced heart surgery.” (Granny notes in a later passage that Papa Fred did not have to have surgery.) It takes courage to ask God to remove our fears, but as Olive Ann Burns and my grandmother discovered, God can fill us with peace in place of that fear. My prayer is by the time you read this we will be easing into a new normal and on the road to recovery. If we aren’t there yet, I will continue to pray that God will take our fear and give us peace. Karla Jacobs is a freelance writer, a soccer mom, and a community volunteer with deep family roots in the North Georgia Mountains. When not writing about pop culture, policy, and politics, she can often be found hiking backcountry trails with her family. She lives in Marietta, Georgia with her husband and their two teenage children.
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“In All Things Love Was Always His Gift” Reverend Michael S. Puma, Lead Pastor of Black Rock Baptist Church
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y name is Reverend Michael Puma, but for time’s sake you can call me Big Cat or for an official name you can call me Rev. Cat. My family and I moved here to the Clayton area in 2015 to be closer to my in-laws. My mother-in-law was a Sunday school teacher at Rocky Grove Baptist Church. Little did I know that would some day change my life. It took some time and some persuasion, but I eventually gave in and went to church. As I sat there in doubt and hatred, Pastor Kyle Watts brought a message to the church that would change my life. Fast forward to the present and I am now a sinner saved by grace called into the ministry by God, who ordained me as a pastor to spread his gospel. Thanks to the love of Christ my life has taken a complete turn. I am a new man, the old has died and the new has risen. As days go by and months pass, the clock slowly ticks and times goes by. I begin to think about all that God has given to me. The Lord has truly blessed us with great gifts. First our salvation which is given to us through his death, burial, and resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 states “Moreover brethren I declare unto you the gospel which I preach unto you which also ye have received and wherein ye stand. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. And that he was buried and he rose again the third day according to scripture.”
honor thy father and thy mother, so my days in this world may be many. So give honor to your mothers, in doing so Christ will find righteousness in you. The next is compassion and care. In John 19 verses 25-27 it states “now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother’s sister Mary the wife of Cleophas and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, woman behold thy son. Then saith he to his disciple, behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” Through this we see even Christ knew of the importance of his mother. He had compassion and love for both her and John, and with these two verses showed his love and concern for not just them but all of us. Faith in Christ through love and honor is the last of which I would like to speak to you. We as believers in the word of God are commanded through scripture, that only with faith in Christ and repentance of our sins will we have eternity in heaven. But it is only through the blessings and love of Christ to us that any of this is possible. Through Christ all mothers are given to us as blessings. They are put here to teach us right from wrong in all that we do. Like Lois and Eunice were to Timothy, my mother-in-law was to me. I would like to end where I began. Christ’s love, which is shown to us through the mothers in our life, shows that love was always his gift to us. Have a great May and a blessed Mother’s Day to all. Remember Christ is love. God Bless to all. To contact Michael, email lgpuma0910@gmail.com or phone 706-490-2842
The next gift that was given to us by God is something that I feel is truly special to us all. Something that is unique to each one of us, and something that at this particular time of the year we find ourselves celebrating, our mothers. Through this gift we come to an understanding that Jesus Christ’s gift to us is love. Our mothers along with all the mothers of scripture are a testament to the love Christ has for us all, and through that love we learn many things. Several of which I would like to share with you in this article. The first is honor, God gave the ten commandments on the mount. In Exodus chapter 20 verse 12, we are commanded to
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Of These Mountains
Lessons Learned in Seclusion By Kendall R. Rumsey
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don’t remember when I first heard the words Corona Virus, but I am sure I had no idea how it would change our lives when news of the disease crossed my path. In a matter of days, everything about our “normal” lives changed. My store that had only been opened for two weeks closed, restaurants no longer offered dine-in options and stores were suddenly out of toilet paper, Lysol, hand-sanitizer and other essentials. To say it was a shock to the system would be an understatement. I decided early on: I had been sick before and I have been broke before, the good Lord got me through in the past and I knew he would guide my way through this change in life. As the reality of the Corona Virus started to settle in, long days and weeks alone became a reality. The loneliness of an empty house, Netflix binges, too much eating and quiet…. lots of quiet was my new norm. In the quiet of days at home, I started to appreciate the simplicity of life more. I found happiness in Facebook memes. Quick texts between friends turned into longer conversations about life and dreams. I have learned a lot through those quiet days at home, lessons I hope I don’t forget when life fully returns to “normal.” As a business owner, you must get creative when the world closes down. We did that: Facebook Live Happy Hour events on Fridays, special discounts for shopping online and lots of social media promotions. And people responded. I am so fortunate that people like the Of These Mountains brand and I owe an appreciation for the great product we produce to my team. But even more than that, I am thankful that people, friends and strangers alike, bought things they probably didn’t need, just to support a small business. It’s nice to know in today’s world people still support each other in times of need. During the days and weeks that followed, and we learned more about the severity of this disease, social distancing and shelter in place became words we were all familiar with.
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Taped lines started appearing on floors, grocery stores had one-way arrows on aisles, while gloves and masks became part of our daily wardrobe when venturing out. During those days, I found kindness. People were more likely to allow a stranger to pass and even over the barricade of a fabric mask, a friend’s smile could still be seen in their eyes. In those days of self-isolation, I learned just how much I value my friends and family. How much a hug, kiss or just a pat on the back means. I learned how generous the people of our world can be, how important those we often overlook are to our day to day existence and how, when we work together, even when apart, we can overcome any obstacle. Like all of you, my days of self-isolation were difficult, but in the stillness of those days, the greatest lesson I learned was to listen, just be quiet and listen. During those days, listening to my heart gave me inner strength. The quiet listening made me value life, relationships and our freedoms even more. Those days of silent listening helped me through one of the hardest seasons of my life. By the time you read this, I pray that we are back to “normal.” But in that prayer, I hope we are experiencing a new normal, one that reminds us of how important our neighbors are, how much a simple act of kindness can change the world and how if we just sit and listen, the answers are usually right in front of our face. I hope this new normal becomes our standard long after the corona-virus passes. I hope this new normal leads us to a better society, one that values all that we have been given. Sometimes, it’s good to reset. We have now had that chance. Let’s see what we can do with it! Oh, and one more thing I learned during self-isolation…… I learned that a crazy, gay, tiger keep from Oklahoma could keep us all entertained and make us realize just how awesome our normal lives really are.
Kendall Rumsey is a resident of Clayton, Ga. He is owner of the lifestyle brand Of These Mountains and author of the blog, Notes from a Southern Kitchen. www.ofthesemountains.com www.notesfromasouthernkitchen.com
By the Way... Toilet paper is on a roll By Emory Jones
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don’t think any of us will soon forget what history will call “The Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020.” There’s been nothing like it since that run on toothpaste during the Solar Tsunami of 1964. They say it started from an inaccurate RFD-TV report stating that the first symptom of this new virus was the backdoor trots. Turns out the story was, in fact, about a sporadic turkey disease, but you know how rumors persist once they get out there. I didn’t realize the situation’s seriousness until my wife’s birthday came, and one of her friends sent her a three-pack of single-ply tissue, gift-wrapped. Judy was so touched, she teared up. Then she had me go to the bank to put one roll in a safety deposit box. Since my pet pig, Cunningham, and I had inadvertently forgotten Judy’s birthday, we figured, while we were in town, we’d wait for the Brinks truck to arrive at the grocery store, then buy a pack of two-ply and come out smelling like a rose.
In compliance with the new law, Judy had just made two facemasks from one of her old double-breasted brassieres. Cunningham naturally assumed one of the masks was for him, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him otherwise. So, before we left, I gave him mine and grabbed that old ski mask I wear when it snows, for myself. When we got to the bank, we put our masks on and went inside. In no time, the manager walked up. “I suppose you know why we’re here,” I said, assuming I wasn’t the first person to put toilet paper in a safety deposit box. The man swallowed hard and nodded. “What about the pig?” “His mask isn’t required by law, but we don’t want anybody to get hurt, do we?” “Just tell me what you want,” the manager said, wiping his forehead. “Toilet paper,” I said. “It’s my wife’s birthday.” “Not money?” “No, we came to town for toilet paper.” “I can get that for you.” “Great,” I said. “You really are a full-service bank! We’d like two-ply if you have it.” He ran into both bathrooms without even knocking and came back with six rolls. “What else?” he asked, placing the toilet paper on that desk where they keep the chained-down pens. “Well, I was going to put one in our safety deposit box, but I guess there’s no need now.” I reached for my wallet to pay, but he wasn’t about to take any money because he stuck both hands in the air and said, “No! Please! There’s no need for that.” “All right then,” I said, picking up the toilet paper. Just then, Cunningham grunted and moved towards the manager, who raised his hands even higher. “What’s he want?” His voice seemed awfully high-pitched. “Oh. I promised Cunningham one of those little suckers you give out to large depositors. Would that be alright?” We must have more money in that bank than Judy lets on because that generous man placed the entire sucker jar in front of Cunningham, who squealed thanks and rolled the container towards the door with his half-bra-covered snout. I walked out the door backwards to make sure he didn’t spill any. Outside, we heard sirens in the distance and figured they must be blocking off the road for the governor or something, so we left in a hurry. I still don’t understand how the stores can all be out of toilet paper, and yet they give it away free down at the bank.
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Legally Speaking Tips to Protect Your Financial Health in the Age of Coronavirus By: James W. Hurt, Jr.
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n most of our lifetimes, we’ve not seen anything like the COVID-19 pandemic that has brought much of our day-to-day life to a grinding halt. Almost everyone on the planet is concerned for their physical health and well-being. But, you should also be concerned about your financial health in these uncertain times. Here are a few tips I’d like to share on how you can proactively protect finances and credit health.
Protecting Your Home The recently passed CARES Act provides foreclosure relief for those with federally-backed home loans, which account for about 70% of all American mortgages. Under the Act, homeowners are entitled to request forbearance on their loan for an initial period of 180 days. Forbearance means “the action of refraining from exercising a legal right, especially enforcing the payment of a debt.” This means that during those 180 days, you would not be required to make your usual mortgage payments, and no fees, penalties, or interest would accrue on your loan beyond the terms of your contract. In addition, you have the right to renew for another 180-day period at the end of the initial term. If you think you may not be able to pay your mortgage in the coming months, I urge you to look into this program. To determine if your mortgage is backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, two of the largest backers of federal loans, visit www.makinghomeaffordable. gov, click the option for Get Answers, then Find Out Who Owns My Mortgage. If you find that you do not have a federally-backed home loan, talk with your lender. Some banks and mortgage lenders are approving these types of programs on a case-by-case basis even though they are not required to do so. Finally, and of utmost importance to note, is that this is not a mortgage forgiveness plan. You will still be expected to pay the full amount of your loan, but you may be allowed to skip payments during this period so as not to cause unnecessary hardship on you or your family. Whether your mortgage is federally-backed or not, you will need to work with your lender to set up the forbearance and the terms for which you will repay the missed payments.
waiving certain fees, increasing credit limits, and offering accommodations for temporary hardships due to COVID-19. I have found while paying my own monthly bills, that a few consumer credit card companies such as Chase, Citibank, and American Express have notices at the top of their websites asking if you have been adversely affected by the pandemic. If you find that you are having trouble paying your credit card debt, follow the prompts online to send a secure message to your lender. If you don’t have online access, call the customer service number on your current bill. It is my hope that if you take advantage of their offers to help upfront, you will be able to keep from defaulting on your accounts. Student Loans Federal Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) will have payments suspended through September 30, 2020. If you have one of these types of student loans, you should have received a letter postmarked in April 2020. While the payments are suspended, the loans will not accrue any interest and will be treated as if payments had been made. In addition, the suspension period will have no negative impact on your credit report. If you don’t have a Direct or FFEL loan and feel you may have trouble making payments, contact your lender and try to negotiate a payment hiatus or other terms. The bottom line is not waiting to take action. With a few proactive steps, you may be able to keep your home loan, credit cards, or student loan bills current so that you can resume normal life when this pandemic ends. Stay safe out there.
Protecting Your Credit Consumer Credit Cards Federal regulators are encouraging banks and other lenders to work with customers to meet their financial needs, including
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James W. Hurt, Jr. (Jimmy) is the principal and managing partner of Hurt Stolz, PC, a consumer protection and personal injury law firm serving the state of Georgia from Athens and Clayton offices.
You’ll Live the Best of Both Worlds on Burton By John Shivers
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ountain or lake? Lake or mountain? Many homebuyers wrestle over this dilemma when they’re searching for a house in northeast Georgia. The idea of a home nestled deep in the hills has appeal. For others, the prospect of a lakeside lifestyle is their idea of paradise. With the home located at 14 Gwinnett Lane on Lake Burton, with a Clarkesville mailing address, the mountain lovers and the lake lovers can literally find middle ground. An added plus for this newly-constructed home on two± acres is the 500± feet of lake frontage, literally a stone’s throw away. Inside, the house is a blank slate just waiting for its new owners to apply their individual stamp and style on a floor plan that absolutely screams, “Live in me! You’ll love it!” Glass is an important component of this contemporary rustic home on two levels. Thanks to the home’s close proximity to the water, the outside literally comes inside from so many
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different angles. You’ll always feel you’re “on” the water! At the same time, given the location, the lot size, and the siting of the house, privacy is paramount. Again, the best of both worlds. And it just gets better. A double garage attached to the house, adjacent to the kitchen, and a detached two-car garage nearby, both served by a paved drive, provide plenty of car access and storage. A partially covered deck that runs much of the length of the backside of the house overlooks the water, and an outdoor fireplace greatly expands the living potential. A diving dock and a two-stall boathouse with a second floor that architecturally matches the house anchor the water’s edge. Six bedrooms and six and one half baths make this home ideal for a family with children still living at home. Between award-winning public and private schools, there are numerous educational options. If your family is grown and far flung, this Lake Burton residence makes a perfect gathering place for those precious family reunions. Or if you just have many friends and aspire to be the hostess with the mostest, this home, where all but one bedroom has an en suite bath, can handle the job easily and efficiently. Laundry areas on each level equate to even more convenience. The main level includes three bedrooms, one of which is the master suite that opens onto the deck and overlooks the water. There’s a great room with a coffered ceiling that gives the room a unique angle with space for two different conversation areas. A stone fireplace and built-in bookshelves anchor the room. On the opposite end of this expansive area, open to all the action, is the spacious kitchen equipped with a full complement of stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink, and an island. The adjacent dining room overlooks the view, and a breakfast bar provides additional dining space. Shaker inspired custom cabinets with solid surface tops
make meal prep a pleasure, and there’s a walk-in pantry. The second level boasts three more bedrooms, and there are numerous and spacious closets throughout both levels. In addition to the additional sleeping space, there’s a multi-purpose area that could become a TV room for the kids, a private retreat area for the adults, or an office for the owner who works from home. There’s also a kitchenette in this area, and many views. Whether you’re lured by the mountains or the lakes, this home affords both possibilities all in one package. Harry Norman, REALTORS® Luxury Lake and Mountain Agent Evelyn Heald represents this spectacular home, GMLS #8650706. Contact Evelyn at (cell) 404-372-5698 or (office) 706212-0228 for more information and to view this property.
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You’ll Feel Just Like You’re Home! By John Shivers
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ou’d think that a house with as many windows as you’ll find in the home at 6 Peach Orchard Way in Rabun County would be short on privacy. And you’d be wrong. This contemporary, two-level home with attractive rustic touches was built in 2004 in the Stonewall Creek Orchard development west of Tiger. It’s more than 4,009± square feet of living space is graced with generous amounts of glass to bring the outdoors in, as well as an almost “offthe-grid” degree of sanctuary, thanks to the 4.88± acre park-like setting. Guests to the home approach via a winding drive bordered in places by low, native stone walls, to discover a generous, brick-paved parking area adjacent to the soaring front portico and two-car garage. At first glance, the welcoming windows are just a clue to what’s yet to be. You feel like you’ve come home. The builder sited this home to maximum advantage, as you discover once you’re inside, where a spacious open floor plan, crowned with a tongue and groove vaulted ceiling, creates the realistic illusion of space aplenty. No cramped areas in this home that’s designed for comfortable living in every corner. A stone-faced fireplace designed for gas logs and built-in cabinets and shelves anchor the living end of the great room, which has ample space for multiple couches and easy chairs. The kitchen, which is a gourmet chef’s delight, provides custom cabinets, convection oven, and a large workspace island with breakfast bar seating, and a full, walk-in pantry. Adjacent to the kitchen is extra counter and storage space in the cozy bar sink station. Just steps away is the dining area where twelve or more can easily be seated. Also located on this level is the library, with built-in custom cabinetry and shelves, making it ideal for a reading retreat, or for the homeowner who needs to combine pleasure with business, by working from home.
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With four oversize bedrooms, three of them on the main level and a fourth on the daylight terrace level, this house is prepared to comfortably sleep family and friends galore. Four full bathrooms and a large, main level laundry-mud room ramp up the convenience factor. The expansive master suite that opens to the outside deck, features a large, en suite bath with a spa tub, tiled shower, vanity with double sinks and a generous-size walk-in closet with custom organizers. On the terrace level, in addition to the fourth bedroom and full bath, you’ll find the home gym and recreation area, large enough for a pool table and generous TV viewing space. Note the recycled tin ceilings and the rustic finish of the entire area. There’s also a one-car garage and workshop space on this level that opens to the outside. And what an outside it opens to! A burbling mountain stream flows through the property that accesses the Stonewall Creek area and backs up to the U.S. National Forest. The spectacular seasonal views are reminiscent of picture postcards that proclaim, “Wish you were here!” Closer to the house, double porches, part of which are covered, run the length of the home’s back side and lead down to a large, outdoor deck area and fire pit. You’d vow you were in the middle of nowhere when you sit in this back yard. In truth, you’re within easy driving distance of Lake Burton, local schools and recreation and downtown Clayton. Talk about the best of all worlds! Does living in such rural elegance whet your house-hunting appetite? Check out MLS #8742206. Contact Poss Realty Agent Gail Hopper at 706-490-2152 or Agent Rodney Hopper at 706-490-0701 or at the office at 706-746-5962.
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ARRANGE TO CHANGE Isn’t it the perfect time? By Tracy McCoy
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f you are like me, “shelter in place” has given me plenty of time to think, plenty of time to evaluate my priorities and plenty of time to see all the clutter around my home. Stacks of mail, magazines, the ever dreadful junk drawer and the “storage” closet. You know what I mean. We all have those places in our home where everything that doesn’t have a place lands. Maybe for you it’s the garage or the basement or perhaps the corner of a bedroom. Most of us could use a lesson in organizing and utilizing our space effectively.
Joan Hurley
Many of us hold on to things that we simply don’t need. Whether it’s a sentimental reason or that thought that you might need it later, most of us have too much stuff! Have you ever thought about downsizing, but don’t know where to start? Sometimes a fresh set of eyes and a new perspective is all it takes to get the job done. When was the last time you moved? Whether you moved in or moved out, moving is a chore many dread. Boxing up our things while protecting valuables and then doing the work yourself or hiring a moving company which can be even scarier. Moving is just plain hard work, but what if there was someone who had the skillset to take care of all of the scenarios we’ve discussed: packing, unpacking, downsizing or organizing. Well have you made the acquaintance of Joan Hurley, owner and founder of Arrange to Change? If not, she may just be the person you’ve been looking for. Joan’s dynamic personality and ability to find solutions where there appear to be none is part of what makes her so successful when working with clients to achieve the results they are hoping for. One client had this to say about Arrange to Change, “Joan was recommended to us by our Realtor. She is simply an amazing human being! Her guidance and efforts as we go through the difficult process of relocating my father to another state have been priceless. I highly recommend Joan and her services!” Great reviews are important when you are trusting your home and its contents to someone else. That level of trust can not be misplaced and so when you hear from past clients, it assures you that you are in good hands. References are not lacking for Joan Hurley, she is in demand from Northeast Georgia to Atlanta and beyond. Her services are considered essential and this is the perfect time to get these projects done. So, if your home office looks like mine or moving is in your future, calling Joan may be the best move you’ve made! To speak with her about your plans or challenges please call 770-530-2466 or visit Arrange to Change on Facebook.
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Live Healthy and Be Well!
“Up front about your back – Sciatica Update” By Stephen Jarrard, MD FACS
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must admit that a version of this article ran before about five years ago – but thought it deserving of an update. Especially as we are about to get into the summer season, and hopefully we will all be more active! As folks begin to do that, we often hear a very common complaint in the office or the ER. The story usually goes something like this… “I was (insert event here), and woke up this morning and my back is killing me, it’s hard to walk, and it is even shooting down my (right/left) leg.” Further complaints are usually along the lines of it being hard to get comfortable, keeping one awake at night, and there may even be a sense of numbness/tingling down the affected leg even to the foot or toes on that side.
video which explains all this very well: http://www.spinehealth.com/video/sciatic-nerve-anatomy-video
This is a common condition that is the result of compressing, “pinching,” or somehow traumatizing one or more of the sciatic nerve roots (from L4-L5) that exit from the lower back, which then irritates the sciatic nerve. This nerve travels down the buttock and along the side of the leg all the way to the foot. Its purpose is to provide sensory and motor innervation to the leg and foot on that side of the body. There is a short
Because sciatica is a symptom of another medical condition, the underlying cause should be identified and treated. In some cases, no treatment is required and recovery occurs on its own. Conservative treatment is best in many cases.Your doctor may recommend the following steps to calm your symptoms and reduce inflammation.
Sciatica pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or a burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move much. The pain most often occurs on one side. Some people have sharp pain in one part of the leg or hip and numbness in other parts. The pain or numbness may also be felt on the back of the calf or to the foot. The affected leg may feel weak. The pain often starts slowly. Sciatica pain may get worse: After standing or sitting At night When sneezing, coughing, or laughing When bending backwards or walking more than a few yards, especially if caused by spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal putting pressure on the cord)
Apply heat or ice to the painful area. Try ice for the first 48 - 72 hours, then use heat after that. Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or Naproxen (Aleve). Try to avoid powder type NSAIDs as they are very hard on your GI system. Perform some gentle stretching in the opposite direction of the injured side to help open up the tight space which is compressing the nerve roots. Bed rest is not recommended, although you may sometimes feel like you can’t do anything else. Reduce your activity for the first couple of days. Then,
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slowly start your usual activities after that. Avoid heavy lifting or twisting of your back for the first 6 weeks after the pain begins. You should start exercising again after 2-3 weeks. This should include exercises to strengthen your abdomen and improve flexibility of your spine – as these are the muscles that help stabilize your back and prevent injury. If at-home measures do not help, your provider may recommend injections to reduce inflammation around the nerve. Other medicines may be prescribed to help reduce the stabbing pains associated with sciatica, such as muscle relaxers (muscle spasms usually result from this condition and can make it worse). Physical therapy exercises may also be recommended. Additional treatments depend on the condition that is causing the sciatica. Nerve pain is often very difficult to treat. If you have ongoing problems with pain, you may want to see a neurologist or a pain specialist to ensure that you have access to the widest range of treatment options. Please try to avoid the trap of starting on narcotic pain medicines like Lortab, Norco, or Percocet. These do no usually help the real pain much, and are very habit forming in the long run. Your provider can help you get a good handle on and treatment/ management for this common but very bothersome condition! To younger readers out there….prevention is always the best medicine! Try to be good to your back and use proper techniques for lifting, reaching, and be careful of exercises and activities that are hard on the back. Once the disks are injured and the problem starts – it is very difficult to make it go away completely. We really do enjoy hearing from you with any questions, concerns, or ideas for future columns and/or health and wellness related issues for the Georgia Mountain Laurel. Please send an email to rabundoctor@gmail.com, or call us at 706-782-3572, and we will be sure to consider your input. This and previous articles can be found on the web at www.rabundoctor.com in an archived format. If you use Twitter, then follow us for health tips and wellness advice @ rabundoctor, and on Facebook see the page rabundoctor. Until next month, live healthy and be well!
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Spring Skincare 101
by Holly Beth Anderson
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pring skincare begins! Spring is the time we get motivated to clean out our homes, to get rid of things to start fresh. But spring cleaning isn’t just about purging physical items from our lives. After a long winter, it’s also a great time to think about purging toxins from our bodies. Your skin deserves a spring clean to keep everything fresh, glowing and gorgeous. The key to any skin or beauty regimen is consistency. The skin is made up of several layers and it takes time for skin to adjust to new climates. If you follow the main ‘musts’ your skin will be vibrant and glow year round. Spring skincare begins today! So let’s get started. Below are key essentials to keep your skin glowing and healthy.
Eat Well The old adage “you are what you eat” applies not only to our body, but also to our skin. What is lovely about spring and summer is that nature’s skin detoxifiers abound in red and blue, in the form of berries. Try eating what is in local, in season and fresh. Not only will you feel better but you will look better for your spring skincare.
Exfoliate Get rid of winter skin for your spring skincare with a gentle exfoliator and stay away from harsh scrubs and chemicals that can damage your skin. Remember your skin sheds cells every minute, think of it as spring cleaning, sweeping away winter. When I was a child my mother would exfoliate with cornmeal which is the reason I created our award winning grits & honey scrub. What customers love about it is that it is not only an exfoliator but a moisturizer as the honey leaves your skin soft and supple. Our pore clarifying mask is perfect for shedding winter and cleansing the pores without drying out your skin.
Cleanse This is so important. When I lived throughout Europe and Latin America doing international business development, people would always tell me to never use soap to cleanse my face, but to use cold cream or oils. I eventually created, and now swear by, our gentle foaming cleansers that are castile based infused with essential oils. Our newest addition to our line, cleansing gel with chamomile and rose geranium is perfect for travel. Our cleansing oil is also gentle, yet effective in cleansing. Every country where I have lived, people swear by rinsing with cold water. Notice the people’s skin who you admire, apart from genetics I wonder if you will be amazed at how many use cool/cold water instead of hot water and how that affects their skin’s condition.
Hydrate When the temperature heats up and perspiration is inevitable, it doesn’t mean your skin is getting oily. Quite the contrary; it can become dryer and your
HollyBeth Organics is a USDA Organic Certified small batch company based in Clayton, GA. Our skincare products are for everyone. From dry to oily, young to mature, sensitive or acne-prone, we can help you find the perfect solution for your skin’s needs. www.HollyBethOrganics.com - 706.490.1059 – 54 N Church St – Clayton, GA
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skin can start to look dull once the sweat evaporates. You always want to drink plenty of water. I mist throughout the day with a non-alcohol based mister/toner, our rose geranium a marigold toners.
Moisturize While living in France, I learned that dry oils are the best moisturizer for both dry and oily skin.Why? A dry oil is non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging). One of my favorites is camellia oil – it sinks right into the skin and has been treasured by Japanese geisha for years. Camellia oil also has uv protection properties. You will find this ingredient in most of our products including face and neck elixir and rose geranium face moisturizer. The area around our eyes starts showing ages first because the skin there is thinner. And squinting in the sun doesn’t help. It’s best to always use a moisturizing eye cream and apply it with your ring finger from the outside in. Beyond that, summer can cause our skin to become dry. Even if you have oily skin, you still need to replenish the moisture; misters or dry oils work well. Another moisturizing trick is to let your skin breathe by going without make up, just use your moisturizer, sunscreen and don’t forget your hat and sunglasses.
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Splash Dams, Henry Ford and Singer Sewing Machines: Industry-Scale Logging in Rabun County By Dick Cinquina for Rabun County Historical Society
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ulip poplars with girths of seven feet. Tens of thousands of clear-cut acres. A sawmill cutting 13 miles of boards every day. These startling facts tell the story of what was once Rabun County’s largest industry: the environmental disaster known as industrial-scale logging.
Rabun Logging Started in 1890s Logging on an industrial scale began in Pennsylvania’s Appalachians in the 1870s and marched southward mile by mile over the ensuing decades. Major logging companies started arriving in Rabun County in the 1890s. They purchased vast tracts of land for $1 to $2 per acre from poor mountain farmers easily duped into selling at rock bottom prices. Gennett Brothers Lumber Company of Asheville, North Carolina was the first operator to conduct large-scale operations in Rabun County. The company initially operated eight lumber camps in South Carolina and Georgia along the Chattooga River. The sale of 20,000 acres of its Chattooga acreage and sawmill enabled Gennett to acquire thousands of acres on the Tallulah River in western Rabun County as well as 12,000 acres on Rabun Bald in the northeast.
Clear-Cutting Tens of Thousands of Acres The Neville Family with a chestnut log. Enormous swaths of Rabun County were clear-cut during the first decades of the twentieth century, leaving a rubblestrewn landscape where giant poplars, oaks and maples once towered more than 100 feet. The Tallulah Falls Railroad gave added impetus to uncontrolled logging by enabling companies to ship lumber to lucrative northern markets hungry for this natural resource. Trees that initially sold for 25 to 75 cents were selling for $10 a few years after the railroad was extended through Rabun County.
Hiker at Pickens Nose
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Lumber companies built their own narrow gauge railways into mountain hollows, blasting out entire hillsides to gain access to remote forests. Splash dams were built across mountain streams to build up water to a level sufficient for
carrying hundreds of cut trees. When these temporary dams were dynamited, enormous floods swept the trees down the mountain. In so doing, mountainsides were severely eroded and disfigured, while fish and wildlife populations were devastated. A sawmill built by the ByrdMatthews Company vividly illustrates the magnitude of what was happening. Located in Robertstown in nearby White County, this sawmill was the largest east of the Mississippi. At its peak in 1917, the mill cut 70,000 board-feet or 13 miles of timber every day.
Gennett Duped Into Selling Land for Lake Burton Dam
Logging Train
In 1917 Andrew Gennett was contacted by J.E. Harvey from Tallulah Falls, who wanted to buy a 1,000-acre tract along the Tallulah River near the town of Burton. Gennett sold the acreage for $40,000, which was believed to be a fair price for the timber on that tract. However, Harvey did not buy the land for logging. He did not disclose that he was a land agent of Georgia Railway and Power Company, the predecessor of Georgia Power. The company already had built a dam on the Tallulah River at the rim of the gorge for generating hydroelectric power for Atlanta. Georgia Railway and Power Germany sawmill in 1910 planned additional dams and hydro stations upstream. The geology of the 1,000 acres Harvey acquired from Gennett was ideal for a dam on that segment of the river. The new dam was completed in 1919, submerging the town of Burton under what became known as Lake Burton. When Gennett learned of the actual use of the land, he realized it was actually worth $150,000 or far in excess of the value of the timber. Having been duped by Georgia Railway, he considered this transaction “one of the most humiliating experiences� of his business career. Continued on page 58...
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Tom Harkins logging with mules
Sound Wormy and Henry Ford
Reforestation Under Weeks Act
However, it would be a mistake to feel sorry for Andrew Gennett.
In 1911, President William Howard Taft signed into law the Weeks Act, which authorized the United States Forest Service to purchase clear-cut land for controlling soil erosion, maintaining navigable waterways and reforestation.
Many of the oak trees logged on his Rabun acreage were filled with tunnel-boring insects that made the lumber unusable for boards and paneling. Though lightweight, this wood, called sound wormy, retained most of its strength. These were the qualities Henry Ford needed for the wooden wheels of his Model T and Model A autos. Ford became a major customer of Gennett’s sound wormy.
The Forest Service started buying land in Rabun County in 1913 for $7.50 per acre, which generated another bonanza for the logging companies. Having originally paid only $1 to $2 per acre, the loggers were only too happy to sell their nowworthless land at a huge profit.
Another large operator, the Blue Ridge Company, had a contract with the Singer Sewing Machine Company to furnish poplar lumber at $80 per thousand board-feet. It had to be hauled 25 miles from the head of the Tallulah River to the railroad at Rabun Gap for shipment to Singer plants in New Jersey, Connecticut and South Carolina.
Gennett was among the first to sell its clear-cut land in the county, which later became part of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The Forest Service then purchased land around Tate City from Morse Brothers in 1931 for the national forest. The federal government eventually owned roughly two-thirds of Rabun County’s land area.
In the meantime, the Morse Brothers Lumber Company pushed a narrow gauge railroad northward from Helen up along the western side of the Tallulah River. The railroad reached Tate City in 1924, where industrial-scale logging devastated a pristine valley virtually untouched since the dawn of time.
Like many deforested counties, Rabun was concerned about having this much land removed from its property tax rolls. The Weeks Act addressed this situation by providing compensation to counties in lieu of property taxes. These payments have continued to the current day, with the U.S. Department of the Interior having paid Rabun County $337,030 in 2019.
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Logging Declines By 1920s Industrial-scale logging in Rabun County declined steadily in the 1920s, since so much of the county had been clear-cut. The Great Depression killed off the remaining major operators in the county by the early 1930s. It is impossible to understate the devastation caused by unregulated logging. Magnificent old-growth forests were obliterated. Mountainsides were severely eroded. Streams were clogged with silt. Wildlife habitat was destroyed. It took decades for the county’s landscape to recover. Given this litany of environmental disasters, it is ironic that the most visible legacy of industrial-scale logging in Rabun County is the Chattahoochee National Forest. Learn more about our history by becoming a member of the Rabun County Historical Society. Membership and complete information about the Society are available at www.rabunhistory.org. Our museum at 81 N. Church St. in Clayton is open 10-2 every Monday and Friday and 11-3 on Saturday. Admission is free. You also can visit us on Facebook. The Society is a not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, making your membership dues and donations fully tax deductible.
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