November 2014
Julie Barnett
Leigh Barnett
REALTOR速
REALTOR速
Cell 404-697-3860
Cell 404-931-3636
141 S. Main St. Clayton, GA
706-212-0228
www.lakeburtonhome.com for VIRTUAL TOURS FEATURED HOMES
The Meeting House on Lake Burton $5,900,000
Rockmore Garden Estate on Lake Burton $5,900,000
Panorama Point on Lake Burton $3,875,000 Mountain Reflections on Lake Burton $2,795,000
Swept Away on Lake Burton $2,695,000
Family Fun on Lake Burton $2,250,000
Perched on Lake Rabun $2,185,000
Tucked Away Cove on Lake Burton $1,950,000
Laurelwood Cottage on Lake Rabun $1,795,000
Lake Burton Bliss $1,695,000
Private 1.13 Ac. Lake Burton Lot $1,690,000
Serendipity on Lake Burton $1,550,000
1.74 ac. Lot in Cherokee Cove $1,595,000
Charming Cabin on Lake Burton $1,595,000
Quarter Moon Place on Lake Burton $1,250,000
Laurel Falls on Lake Burton $1,425,000
Winsome Lake Burton $1,495,000
Forever Young on Lake Burton $1,195,000
Fishing Cabin on 2.51 Ac. Lake Burton Lot $1,195,000
Cute as a Button on Lake Burton $1,195,000
The Lodge at Goldmine Falls $579,000
Trout Haven on Lake Burton $695,000
1.37 Fee Simple Ac. on Lake Rabun $895,000
16 +/- Ac. of Privacy in Persimmon $485,000
2.26 Ac. Lot on Lake Burton $575,000
3BD/2ba In-town Charmer $129,900
Call Julie 404-697-3860 or Call Leigh 404-931-3636
www.lakeburtonhome.com
for a complete listing of properties and VIRTUAL TOURS
141 S. Main St. •Clayton, GA • 706-212-0228
Finding Art
Finding Art
Mountain Happenings November and December, 2014 STEPHENS COUNTY
November 1st Tour de Tugalee Bike Ride Tugaloo Corridor, Toccoa Info: 706.886.8614 November 1st - 2nd Toccoa Harvest Festival Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.282.3309 December 5th Christmasfest & Lighting of the Tree Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.282.3309 December 5th - 6th Festival of Trees Historic Courthouse, Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132 December 6th Christmas Parade Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.716.0490 December 7th Toccoa Symphony Orchestra Georgia Baptist Conference Center Toccoa Info: 706.886.8614 December 13th Christmas at Traveler’s Rest Tugaloo State Park, Toccoa Info: 706.356.4362 The Northeast Georgia Community Concert Series Shaefer Center, Toccoa Info: 706.297.7014 November 13th The Malpass Brothers December 11th “Cinnamon Grits Christmas in the South” HABERSHAM COUNTY November 27th - January 1st Christmas in Cornelia Holiday Lights Spectacular Cornelia City Park, Cornelia Info: 706.778.4654 December 6th Habersham County Christmas Parade Downtown Clarkesville Info: 706.778.4654 December 13th A Downtown Clarkesville Christmas Downtown Clarkesville Info: www.clarkesvillega.com
Habersham Community Theatre Clarkesville Info: www.habershamtheater.org December 5th - 7th, 11th - 14th “A Christmas Chaos” December 31st “Elvis” New Year’s Eve
at Grant Street Music Room Clarkesville Info: 706.754.3541 November 15th - Col. Bruce Hampton November 22nd - Rolling Nowhere December 12th - The Social Engineers at Tallulah Gorge State Park Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.7981 November 1st - 2nd, 8th - 9th November 15th - 16th Whitewater Releases November 1st, 9th, 15th White-Water Watching Hike November 6th / December 5th, 6th Full-Moon Suspension Bridge Hike November 28th Walk Off the Turkey WHITE COUNTY September 11th - 14th September 18th - November 2nd 44th Annual Oktoberfest Helen Info: 706.878.1908 November 1st Unicoi Wine Festival Hardman Farm, Helen Info: 706.865.5356 November 8th Advanced Land Navigation Smithgall Woods Park Helen Info: 706.878.3087 November 8th - 9th Civil War Expo Helen Riverside Park, Helen Info: 800.858.8027, 706.878.2181 November 28th - 30th December 6th - 7th 7th Annual Christkindlemarkt Downtown Helen Info: 706.878.1908 November 28th Annual Lighting of the Village Downtown Helen Info: 706.878.2181
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December 6th Annual Christmas Parade Downtown Helen Info: 706.878.2181 December 6th Annual Christmas in the Mountains Festival Downtown Cleveland Info: 706.865.5356
December 31st New Year’s Eve Celebration & Dropping of the Edelweiss Helen Festhalle, Helen Info: 706.878.1908 at the Helen Arts & Heritage Center Helen Info: 706.878.3933 www.helenarts.org October 23rd - December 27th “Alpine Holidays” Art Exhibit December 9th Appalachian Christmas at Yonah Mountain Vineyards Cleveland Info: 706.878.5522 November 1st and each Saturday Tour de la Cave and Barrel Sampling November 8th / December 13th Masterpiece Mixers Painting & Tasting Party Info: 678.982.1100 at Unicoi State Park Helen Info: 706.878.2201 November 1st - 2nd and each weekend through mid November Visiting Artists Series November 26th - December 13th Festival of Trees November 29th Helen Holiday Half Marathon Saturday Evening Music Concert Series at Unicoi State Park November 1st - Nelson Thomas November 8th - Evergreen at The North Georgia Zoo Cleveland Info: 706.348.7279 www.northgeorgiazoo.com November 1st - 2nd, 8th - 9th Pumpkin Smashin Fun November 11th Mommy & Me at the Zoo
at the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association Sautee Info: 706.878.3300 November 4th and each Tuesday & Thursday Silver Fit Exercise Class Yoga Classes for Youth & Adults November 4th, 18th December 2nd, 16th Contra Learn and Dance November 15th Photography Intro Workshop / Atlanta Concert Ringers with The Sautee Camerata
November 29th / December 27th Community Contra Dance RABUN COUNTY November 1st and each Saturday through November Simply Homegrown Farmers’ Market Covered Bridge Shopping Center Clayton Info: www.rabunmarket.com November 1st and each Saturday Night through November Bluegrass on the Square Tallulah Falls Opry House Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.6040 November 27th Turkey Trot for Clayton Cluckers Downtown Clayton Info: 706.982.1284 November 28th - 29th Festival of Trees and Holiday Shopping Extravanganza Rabun County Civic Center Clayton Info: 706.212.2149 November 28th Christmas in Downtown Clayton / Christmas Tree Lighting Downtown Clayton Info: 706.782.1520 November 29th Santa on Saturday Rock House Park, Clayton Info: 706.782.1520 December 6th Christmas Parade Main Street, Clayton Info: 706.782.4812 December 6th - 7th Christmas in the Mountains North Georgia Community Players Dillard Playhouse, Dillard Info: www.ngcommunityplayers.com
TOWNS COUNTY December 6th Towns County Christmas Tour of Homes Hiawasee and Young Harris Info: 706.896.4966, 800.984.1543 UNION COUNTY November 1st (and each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday) Knitter’s Knitch Classes 64 Bracketts Way - Ste. 6, Blairsville Info: 706.835.1078 November 3rd and Alzheimers’ Support Group Cadence Bank Blairsville Info: 770.789.2044 November 5th and each Wednesday through November BINGO Haralson Memorial Civic Center Blairsville Info: 706.300.5722 November 6th Living Will Workshop Union General Hospital Blairsville Info: 706.745.2111 November 6th and each Thursday through November Trivia at the View Union County Community Center Blairsville Info: 706.439.6092 November 8th Writers’ Night Out Union County Community Center Blairsville Info: www.ncwriters-west.org November 17th Shape Note Singing Practice Old Union Courthouse Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493 November 22nd - 23rd Mistletoe Market and Sugar Plum Tearoom Arts & Craft Show Blairsville Technical College Blairsville Info: 706.896.0932 November 22nd - January 6th (closed Mondays) Holiday Show & Sale The Art Center, Blue Ridge Info: 706.632.2144
November 28th - December 14th “Miracle on 34th Street” The Blue Ridge Community Theater Blue Ridge Info: 706.632.9223 December 3rd Christmas Concert The Old Courthouse, Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493
CLAY COUNTY, NC November 5th and each Wednesday Brasstown Farmers’ Market Brasstown Info: 828.360.2498
MACON COUNTY, NC November 1st and each Saturday through November 8th Franklin Farmers’ Tailgate Market 200 Block of East Palmer, Franklin Info: 866.372.5546 November 11th Veterans’ Parade Downtown Franklin Info: 828.524.2516 November 15th Annual Countywide Showcase of Student Talent Franklin High Fine Arts Center Franklin Info: 828.524.7683
November 6th and each Thursday Evening Harvest Market On the Square, Hayesville Info: 828.508.0812; 828.389.0941
November 20th Slide Lecture on Cherokee Crafts Macon County Public Library Franklin Info: 828.524.7683
November 7th and each Friday Night Friday Night’s Jam at Clay’s Corner Brasstown Info: 828.837.3797
November 28th Annual Holdiay Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Service On the Square, Franklin Info: www.holidaysinfranklin.com
November 8th - 9th Women’s Expo The Ridges of Mountain Harbour Hayesville Info: 828.389.3704 December 11th - 14th “The Littlest Angel” The Licklog Players Creekside Circle, Hayesville Info: 828.389.8632 at the John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown Info: 828.837.2775; 800.FOLKSCH November 1st Blacksmith & Fine Craft Auction November 4th and each Tuesday Beginner Contra & Square Dance November 7th ETSU Country Pride Concert November 8th, 15th, 22nd December 13th Contra & Square Dance November 13th - Michael Ismerio November 21st Bruce Green, Loy McWhirter & Rob Levin December 7th - Fireside Sale December 12th Brasstown Ringers Holiday Concert
November 29th Cookies with Santa Lower Level of Town Hall Franklin Info: www.holidaysinfranklin.com November 29th Christmas Tree Lighting Downtown Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 November 30th Franklin’s Annual Christmas Parade Downtown Franklin Info: 828.524.3161 December 5th, 12th Winter Wonderland & Gingerbread Competition Downtown Franklin Info: www.holidaysinfranklin.com December 5th Brasstown Ringers Christmas Concert First United Methodist Church Franklin Info: 828.524.3010
December 6th Highlands Olde Mountain Christmas Parade Downtown Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 at the Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center Highlands Info: 828.526.9047 November 1st MET Opera: Carmen (Bizat) November 2nd Bolshol Ballet: The Legend of Love November 8th Nathional Theater Live: Frankenstein November 15th Nation Theater Live: Skylight November 22nd MET Opera: Barber of Seville November 23rd Bolshol Ballet: The Pharoah’s Daughter Noverber 28th - Jason D. Williams December 7th Bolshol Ballet: La Bayadere December 13th MET Opera: Die Meistersinger (Wagner) December 18th Highlands Cashiers Players “Holiday Reading” December 21st Bolshol Ballet: The Nutcracker December 27th National Theater Live: John at the Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts Franklin Info: 866.273.4615; 828.524.1598 www.GreatMountainMusic.com November 8th - Tim Hawkins November 15th - Who’s Got Talent November 29th Smoky Mountain Christmas Choir December 6th The Manhattan Transfer
December 6th Holiday Music & Crafts ARTSaturday Historic Cowee School Macon Heritage Center Franklin Info: 828.349.1945
November 28th Thanks & Giving Holiday Dinner for local needy families at Paradise Hills Resort and Spa Blairsville Info: 877.745.7483
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Your Home Professionals
10 Steps to Select the Right Builder
In Clayton There’s a Gardener on Main by Lisa Pardue
M
other Nature’s beauty is central in decorating for the fall and Christmas seasons at The Gardener on Main in Clayton, Georgia. They look to the traditional decorations that pre-
trees that must be dusted each year.
HOME PROS
At The Gardener on Main, they delve into an overview of plants they love for their decorative use. Bittersweet and heirloom pumpkins are two of their fall favorites. American Bittersweet Vine displays a bright yellow-orange fruit (berry) that ripens from October to November. These branches and their vibrant berries have long been used in autumn arrangements and wreaths. In full maturity the plant, which is often referred to as invasive, can reach between twenty to thirty feet tall. North Georgia is as far south as this plant can grow. Heirloom pumpkins all belong to one of eight varieties each squash. Whew! What a relief! This we can understand. Heirlooms are varieties that have not been altered by humans. Many of them were nearly forgotten as our culture has predominately favored the offer their beauty in varied shapes, textures and colors. Most resemble a pumpkin, as we know it to be shaped, round with a stout stem on top; however, many have other shapes including pear-like, tall – narrow, short – squat, and some appear to have belly buttons. Their textures can be bumpy, have wart-like bumps, cream color scar-like lines and some are smooth. Their colors can vary from intense shades of orange to muted colors like gray, blue, yellow and even a pale pink akin to Mary Kay’s signature Cadillac color. If kept in a dry environment with temperatures no higher than the low 70s, they will last through Thanksgiving. Christmas tree use began in Germany where usage predated the holiday as a way to bring the beauty of outdoors in during the winter solstice. England’s Queen Victoria loved the tradition and encouraged her German husband to continue his native custom. A favorite tree for Christmas is the Fraser Fir which grows naturally only in the Southern Appalachian Mountains at elevations of 4,500 feet and above. It is noted for its form, needle retention as well as its bluegreen color. The fragrance of a natural Christmas tree is unbeatable. Maintaining these natural trees throughout the holidays simply requires a steady supply of water. At The Gardener on Main they offer a full assortment of pumpkins and bittersweet mid-September through Thanksgiving. Beginning Thanksgiving week their Fraser Fir trees, wreaths and garland will be available. Their hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM until Thanksgiving. They will be open until 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday evenings during the busy Christmas tree season. The Gardener on Main is located at 290 South Main Street in Clayton, Georgia. They are next door to Amrine’s Equipment Rental. For additional information please call 706.782.0310 but a visit is sure to please!
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- A Taste -
Bon Appetit Blessings from the Kitchen by Scarlett Cook
N
ovember is the time to gather family and friends together and give thanks for all the blessings that we have received this year. I know sometimes it seems as if we haven’t received blessings but if you really think about it we all have numerous blessing. I’m not talking about winning the lottery type blessings, (I really,
No, what I am talking about is that the price of gas is steadily going down, that the weather is beautiful and the trees are putting on a gorgeous show of color. And of course the most important blessing is that we live in this spot in Georgia where we really do care about our neighbors and friends and they care about us right back. Maybe your Thanksgiving meal isn’t as traditional as your friends’ meal is, but the important thing is that you are all together (Sometimes only in your heart; I know, I have to share my children with others but they are still with me in spirit.) Here are some recipes to try this year; they don’t have to be overs, these will be a welcome change.
sugar and honey.
Let ham rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Macaroni with Wine and Cheese Serves 6 2 Cups seashell macaroni 1/4 Cup minced onion 3 Tablespoons butter 1/2 Teaspoon salt 1/2 Teaspoon pepper 1 Cup heavy cream 1/3 Cup dry white wine 2 Cups grated sharp Cheddar or Swiss cheese or a combination of both cheeses
Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Salad Serves 8 – 10 1 Cup strawberry yogurt 1/4 Cup honey 4 Ounces cream cheese, softened 1 8-Ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
Honey Glazed Ham Serves 8 – 10
Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain well. Sauté onion in butter until tender. mixture thickens. Add cheese and stir until blended. Combine sauce and cooked macaroni and place in a greased casserole dish. *Bake for 15 – 20 minutes until hot and bubbly. *The dish can be sprinkled with bread or cracker crumbs prior to baking. Broccoli Stuffed Tomatoes Serves 6
1 Fully cooked ham 4 Sticks cinnamon 10 – 12 Whole gloves 2 Tablespoons prepared brown mustard
6 Medium tomatoes 1/2 Teaspoon salt 1/2 Teaspoon pepper
1 Teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 Cup dark brown sugar, packed 1/4 Cup honey Slowly boil ham with cinnamon sticks for 3 1/2 hours. Let sit in marinate for 4 hours. Remove ham and place in broiler pan. Slice criss-cross cuts on tops side of ham and stud with whole cloves.
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1 Cup soft bread crumbs 1/2 Cup mayonnaise 2 Tablespoons chopped onion 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Wash tomatoes. Cut tops off of tomatoes; remove pulp leaving shells intact. Mix salt and pepper and sprinkle insides of shells with mixture. Invert on wire rack and drain for 30 minutes.
Cook broccoli according to package directions and drain well Arrange shells in shallow baking dish. Stuff with broccoli mixture. (At this stage, tomatoes can be refrigerated to be cooked later. Let dish come to room temperature before baking.) When ready to bake, sprinkle tops with Parmesan cheese and bake at
Chess Cake Serves 12 1 18 1/2-Ounce box yellow cake mix 1 Egg 1/2 Cup butter, softened 1 16-Ounce box powdered sugar 1 8-Ounce package cream cheese, softened 2 Eggs Strawberries, blueberries or blackberries for garnish
Baked Corn Pie Serves 6 1 Small onion, minced 2 Tablespoons butter 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar 1 Teaspoon salt 1/4 Teaspoon pepper 1/4 Teaspoon nutmeg 1 Cup milk 2 Eggs, beaten 1 15 – 17 Can whole kernel corn, drained
Mix cake mix, 1 egg and butter with mixer until blended. Press into a greased 13”x9” baking dish. Combine powdered sugar, cream cheese and 2 eggs and pour over Bake for 30 – 40 minutes. Cool. Garnish with berries before and serving. Amaretto Pie Serves 8
and nutmeg. Add milk; cook until thickened, stirring constantly. In bowl beat eggs slightly. Add small amount of hot milk mixture to eggs, stirring constantly to prevent eggs from cooking. Gradually add remaining hot milk mixture, stirring constantly. Stir in corn. Pour into a 9” pie pan. Bake 45 minutes.
1 Teaspoon baking powder 1/4 Teaspoon baking soda 1/2 Teaspoon salt 1/2 Teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 Teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 Cup chopped pecans or walnuts 1/2 Cup cooked mashed sweet potatoes – 1 large or two small potatoes 1/4 Cup sugar or honey 1/4 Cup milk 1 Egg 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 Cup butter, softened 1 Cup sugar 2 Eggs 3/4 Cup milk 1/4 Cup amaretto
Cream butter and sugar with mixer. When mixture is smooth, add eggs, blending well. Stir in coconut by hand. Pour mixture into greased 9” pie pan. Bake for 45 minutes.
and nutmeg. Add nuts. In another bowl combine sweet potatoes, sugar (or honey), milk, egg -
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Notes De Vin Wines for Thanksgiving by Carla Fackler
O
ctober, November and December account for close to 35 percent of annual wine and spirits sales in the United States.
Ryan Spruhan Lake Rabun Hotel & Restaurant – Lakemont, Georgia
turkey to think about. There’s wine!
Jenny Wilson Fromage & Other Fine Foods – Clayton, Georgia
the side dishes, sweet, savory and fatty, and the choice of wines can be complicated. Who to ask? Our region’s Best Chefs America 20132014!
One Wine Fits All
Jamie Allred Fortify Kitchen & Bar – Clayton, Georgia Justin Burdett Ruka’s Table - Highlands, North Carolina David Darugh and Gayle Darugh The Beechwood Inn – Clayton, Georgia James Reaux, Murphy’s Chophouse - Murphy, North Carolina The Chophouse of Hiawassee – Hiawassee, Georgia The Chophouse at LaPrade’s, Lake Burton
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wine, “Cava or Champagne. Maybe a sparkling rosé. These wines are easy to drink, they’re delicious and they pair with foods so well. They are versatile, lower in alcohol and generally have great levels of acidity…. They’re like Kool Aid for adults.” Chef David Darugh recommends looking for a wine that “will case itself as a compliment to the food.” He suggests a dry but robust rosé: 2012 Elicio Rosé, Cotes du Rhone, France; 2012 ZaZa Rosé, Aragon, Spain; 2012 Carlin de Paolo, il Giullare, Monferrato ChiaretRosé, Cotes du Rhone, France; or 2013 Stonewall Creek Vineyards Glassy Red (Rabun County)—all from Beechwood Inn’s wine cellar.
Chef Jamie Allred’s personal choice is a Petit Manseng, a full-bodied Tiger Mountain Vineyards. Chef Justin Burdett (and his wife Brooke wine and beverage director at Ruka’s Table) suggest Robert Sinskey vin gris of Pinot Noir. “It’s a beautiful rosé, maybe my favorite when it comes to New World wine. It’s made with organic Pinot Noir grapes from the Carneros region, whole-cluster pressed and goes with anything.”
also suggests a wine from Hightower Creek Vineyards in Hiawassee: Epiphany (Seval Blanc, Vidal Blanc and Viognier). Two Offers More Chef Jenny Wilson mentions her nephew’s pet turkey, and confesses, “I can’t bring myself to eat them anymore.” Most years she prepares pork roast, matched with a Pinot Noir as “it works well with pork and doesn’t overwhelm all the side items. I am a big fan of Rieslings and I think they compliment the pumpkin cake and chocolate fudge pie (our family serves) at Thanksgiving.” Chef Ryan Spruhan likes a New World Pinot Noir for the turkey, a good Riesling with some residual sugar for the sides and a good,
is also a white, lean meat that would get swallowed up by a big, bold red. Riesling’s “acidity plays so well with food and stands up to fatty, heavy dishes like sweet potatoes.” Chef Justin Burdett suggests two wines that “will go from main course to dessert”: 2007 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett and 2007 Robert Sinskey Marcien, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The latter “is “biodynamically-grown in the Carneros region” and “if you didn’t know it was from California, you would think it’s a much more expensive St. Emilion…. It is big, but still has such a silky feel.” If Chef David Darugh added a second, he would start out with a crisp sparkling wine. “If I’m on a budget it would be a brut (dry) Cava from Spain, or perhaps a Cremant from Burgundy. The inn will be serving Calixte Sparkling Rosé from Alsace, France…. After our piece of her famous Utterly Deadly Southern Chocolate Pecan Pie with a glass of 20 year old Tawny Port.” Chef Jamie Allred and owner/operator Jack Nolan recommend a Frank Family Chardonnay from Napa Valley and a Paul Hobbs Alto Limay Select Pinot Noir from Argentina. And, from New York City I caught up with Christy Canterbury, a Master of Wine who travmore than one wine, she suggests Roederer Estate L’Ermitage to start, then American wines: a dry Washington Riesling like Poet’s Leap, an Oregon Pinot Noir (an old Eyrie Vineyards) an old Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (1970’s Robert Mondavi) and for dessert, a Finger Lakes ice wine. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
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Minding Your Manners This Thanksgiving
1. There’s no such thing as being fashionably late, only unfashionably tardy! An eight o’clock invitation to an intimate dinner party means eight o’clock, which allows time for cocktails and a sit down
8. Wash your hands before sitting down for a meal. It is much more sanitary to dine with clean hands. There’s nothing worse than
2. Dine as quietly as possible. Chew with your mouth closed and don’t slurp when you drink.
you have dietary restrictions that you have not communicated to your host, keep your explanation short. Simply tell the host you’re sorry, you recently became a vegetarian and no longer eat beef, then ask for a larger portion of the other selections if possible. Take responsibility for not informing your host of your dietary restrictions earlier.
3. Only use your utensils for eating. The knife is not a laser pointer nor should it ever touch your mouth – no knife licking! If you’re not taking food from your plate to your mouth, your utensils should be resting on the dinner plate. 4. A fork is not a forklift. Don’t load up your utensils with large amounts of food and shovel it into your mouth. This is not a Coney Island eating contest. 5. Take smaller portions. When dining buffet-style, avoid ‘vulture syndrome’ and don’t load up your plate. It’s more elegant to take if you’re still hungry. 6. Excuse yourself to blow your nose. Instead of blowing your nose at the table, walk to the bathroom or a private area. 7. Put your cell phone away. Unless someone is ill or you are a physician on call, there is no need to have a cell phone at the dinner table. If you need to make an urgent call, make it either before or after sitting down. If a real emergency occurs during dinner, excuse yourself and walk to another room to place the call.
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10. Finish chewing and swallowing before speaking. Never talk with food in your mouth. Never! have to do with your table manners, but avoiding interrupting people during conversations is polite and respectful. 12. Ask your tablemates to pass anything you need. Don’t reach past your neighbor at the table. If you need someone to pass the salt or wine, ask the closest diner for it to be passed to you. place your utensils parallel to each other across your plate, with the handles at the 4 o’clock position and the knife blade and fork tines resting close to the plate’s center. This silently informs your server that you are done eating and your plate can be removed. the table and you should follow suit. Don’t refold it, crumple it or wad it up- simply, place it on the left of your dinner plate.
The Copper Door – Fine Dining in Hayesville, North Carolina
R
years in a row was an honor indeed. Still, The Copper Door’s Chef Dennis Barber takes as much pleasure in a full dining room night after night as he does the couple their meal. Whether you order Oma’s Meatloaf prepared with tender ground beef, wild mushrooms and Marsala served on garlic mashed potatoes or pan-seared and oven roasted duck the freshness, palatability and presentation of your meal. Chef Dennis prides himself on providing excellent food choices, an impressive wine cellar and incredible service for a moderate price at The Copper Door. You may notice a bit for good reason. He calls New Orleans his hometown and fell in love with exceptional dining in a small town 50 miles north of New Orleans while attending college in Hammond, Louisiana. Those memories stuck and he began renovating an old service station in downtown Hayesville, North Carolina in 2005. Today the restaurant is a treasured part of the downtown experience and a favorite of many. The Copper Door offers monthly wine pairing dinners as well as cooking classes. Ask about membership applications for their loyalty dining program the Premiere Club, a great value for regulars! If you have yet to experience dinner at The Copper Door we recommend you give it a try. They are located at 2 Sullivan For additional information or to make your reservations please call 828.389.8460 or email info@thecopperdoor.com. Reservations may also be made online at www.thecopperdoor.com.
Photo by: Patrick Brown
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- Faith -
My Big Steaming Pile by Charles Martin
W
hen I was a kid, maybe ten, I was falsely accused of saying something I didn’t by the parents of one of my friends. Pretty horrible, too. They were wealthy, respectable folks in my neighborhood and my parents had no reason not to believe them. They came to our house, sat down with my folks, retold their perspective of the events and then left. I got the spanking. Truth was their son had said it, not me. I could never convince them of that. Nor my folks. A few months later, my sister falsely accused me of pulling down another girl’s panties when I hadn’t. The accusing sister had. I got the spanking. My sister batted her eyelids and said, “No, daddy. Charles did it.” Then a few months later, a kid I didn’t know waved me down, stopped me in the middle of the street on the way to the movie theatre, seemed friendly enough, and asked to ride my bike -- the bike I’d spent eight months saving for -- and since I was trying to do like mom and dad said and treat people like Jesus, I said ‘yes’ and haven’t seen him since. I remember standing in that street calling after that kid, asking him to bring back my bike. Crickets. I walked home, and climbed up in a chair. I was in a bad way. A knot tightening in my stomach. Fists clenched. Bitter. Angry. Bubbling hatred. Self pity thrown in for good measure. You could smell me coming -- I was ripe with unforgiveness. Just inches from the dark side. And, I had every right to feel that way. Pretty soon, the dam broke and I cried from the bottom of my belly -- the angriest cry I’d ever known. I remember shaking and being unable to catch my breath. For minutes at a time. If you want to see what I looked like, pour gasoline in a Styrofoam cup. That was me... My cries brought my mom out of the kitchen. She was pretty good at reading my body language so she walked in, sat next to words out my mouth.
and vindication. ‘Fool me once...’ and all that. Or, I could take that big, steaming, putrid pile, and hand the whole thing to Jesus, forfeiting my right to vindication. To retribution. To evening the score. I remember looking at my mother like she’d lost her everloving mind. I mean, are you kidding me! Where were the 39-lashes, the public humiliation, the beheading, the drawing and quartering, the trumpet that lowers from the clouds along with a booming heavenly voice declaring, “Behold, World! Charles know it!!!” I wanted to rip that kid’s his head off and post it on a stake outside the city walls. I said something like, “What is fair about that?” It’s been a long time, but I think I remember her inching too. More than you. And, He will get it. Justice is one of the foundations of his throne, but in this moment right here, he is concerned with your heart.” So, we prayed. Mom led and I grunted in agreement. I don’t remember what we prayed, and I’m pretty sure my heart wasn’t in it, but I do know -- as a statement of absolute fact -- that that prayer cut me free from what was threatening to eat me from the inside out. As an adult this has not gotten easier. A few years ago some got it all. Deep hurt. It was a big-people wound and I was left bleeding. Let me be gut-check honest. I wanted the Maximus moment in the Coliseum -- “I will have my vengeance in this life or the next.” But I also knew that Maximus in the Coliseum would not and could not deal with the Maximus in my gut. I knew better. Despite my emotions, I knew that if I kept that big steaming pile bottled up in me, then I was -- by default -- saying the Cross didn’t count for squat. And I make Jesus out to be a liar. And I rot from the inside out. And the thought of that hurt far worse than the pitiful little wound I was bemoaning. Actually, I’m down right hacked off. And I don’t want to be ning bolts. Poof! Cloud of smoke.” Then I did something else I didn’t want to do. With a friend as a witness, I physically
She listened and then gave me my options: I could go on my un-merry way. Skin thicker. Heart more calloused. Eyes narrower. Puffed up. Hell-bent on vengeance
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handed it to Jesus. Then, out loud, I said, “Lord, it’s too much for me. I don’t want this in me anymore. And I need You to be You and take it. Right now. Right here. I’m done playing. I
- Faith forgive them outright and completely for everything they ever did to me. Period. Let me say that again because it gets at the root of this -- I forgive them outright and completely for everything they ever did to me. I tear up the I.O.U. Lord, Your word says ‘bless those who curse you and pray for those who persecute you.’ So, would you please bless those folks. And, I mean it. I want you to bless them. Bless their socks off. Bless their hopes, dreams, lives, families, children, careers, homes. The whole shebang.” I did that every day. For days. Did I ‘feel’ better? Not immediately. But my feelings weren’t driving this train. I was. My feelings didn’t want to forgive them outright and completely. They kept wanting to tuck the IOU someplace safe. Pull it out when needed. Welcome to the war of unforgiveness. SO, I kept praying. I prayed until I woke up and didn’t need to pray anymore. No bitterness. No anger. No smell of decay. NOTE: I AM NOT saying that you should become a doormat and let people walk all over you. Don’t hear that. Nor am should never have been done. Or what your ex-husband did. Or...that man now in prison. Or the partner who robbed you blind. Or the stuff that hurts so bad you’ve never told anyone. Or what happened in that prison camp in Dachau or Vietnam. be prosecuted in this life and get away scot-free. Don’t hear conversation entirely. You’re right to feel hurt. It was wrong. Way wrong. What you feel is a very real wound. I believe you. Please hear me when I say, I’m sorry for the thing that hurt you and I wish it had never been done. But, what we’re talking about here, right now in this moment, is the effect of that wound in you. Let’s turn the mirror. Eyes on you a second. Fair or not -Here’s the deal -- Jesus will let you keep your hurt. He’ll never take anything from you that you don’t give him. He will not exert His will over yours, BUT, if you offer it up, He’ll remove it. Roots and all. This is the exchange that occurred on the Cross. That’s when God the Father drove a stake in the ground and said, “No more.” And it is those words that still echo through eternity. The exchange is this -- we give Him our pain, and He gives us His life to the full. His Freedom. His Healing. Period. End of story. No if’s, and‘s, or but’s. It works like this: Unforgiveness is like Velcro -- We’re the soft side. The wound is the stiff, prickly part. Look at them under a magnifying glass and they look like small hoops and loop side. It needs a place to purchase. To dig in. Otherwise, it slides off. If you’re still reading then, chances are, you’ve been wounded and we’re way past a Band-Aid. What I’m about to recommend is, depending on the wound, like digging out a bullet, or maybe pulling a spear out of your chest. The steps are pretty simple -- Stop what you’re doing. Don’t
dally. Grab somebody by the hand you can pray with -- out loud. If you don’t have someone, pray out loud alone. Why out loud? Because I believe Hebrews 11 and 12. We’re surrounded by a great host of witnesses and I want them -- and more importantly, Jesus -- to hear me. Then don’t hold back and lay it out there. If you have to scream it at the top of your lungs, then let it out. If people look at you funny, they’ll get over it. Say something like this: “Jesus, this hurts. A lot. I’m in pain. I’m mad at so-and-so. (Name them. Each one.) Like seriously angry. They hurt me. And it’s way down deep pain. I don’t want it in me anymore. (This may seem overly dramatic splintered wood. The blood dripping off your feet, is landing on my head. Bathing me. Dripping off my chin. Clothing me right to be mad and my desire for vengeance, and vindication. I tear up this wrinkled I.O.U. I give them to you. I’m sorry for being angry. For hating them. I’m really sorry. I (physically) give you my heart. Please clean it. Wash it. Fill it. Heal it. King David prayed, ‘Create in me a clean heart.’ I want one of those. I forgive them outright and completely -- of everything. Forever. I’m burning my list of wrongs. And I’m asking you to bless them. Bless their socks off. In every way. In Jesus name.” tice I’m not asking you how you ‘feel‘ right now because your feelings aren’t driving this train. If feelings were the tiller that steered the ship of forgiveness, Jesus never would have climbed up on that Cross. He’d have kicked it to the curb. Don’t think so? Then why was he sweating blood? Let’s take it a day further. Let’s say you wake up tomorrow and feel that little twinge or that whisper that says, “Well, yeah you might have prayed that yesterday but they really screwed you over and you have every right to be mad.” You’re right, you do. That’s why forgiveness is a choice. A daily decision of your will. Not your emotions. In the end, forgiveness isn’t really for them. It’s for me. For you. You’re not accepting what they did, not letting them off the hook, but you are giving them -- still squirming on the hook -- to Jesus. The difference lies in who is left holding the hook. Forgiveness is the thing that cuts my chains. Unlocks my cell. Flings wide my prison door. Don’t fool yourself -There is a war going on right now for your heart and forgiveness is the undefeated champion of this universe and the next. Period. Not convinced? Try this. It’s Jesus speaking: “And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. So shall my heavenly Father also do to you, IF each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” Ouch. You mean God won’t forgive me if I don’t forgive others? Go read it for yourself. Need more proof? Remember when he taught the disciples to pray. “Forgive us our sins, AS we forgive those who sin against us.” Still not convinced? continued on page 40 www.gmlaurel.com - October 2014 - 39
After a lifetime with Jesus, this is what the Apostle John said: sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” IF, AS, and IF are all conditional. That begs the question. Have you met the conditions? For me it’s not usually the one giant blow. The single spear in the back. That’s where I get in trouble. There’s a part of this conversation I’m not tackling right now because if I did, we’re be here for another hour, but it’s the part where I’m the guilty party -- where I wound people who need to forgive me. If you want to accuse me of not loving my neighbor as I should, of being a hypocrite, of wounding people in the very same way I was wounded -- maybe even worse -let me save you the trouble. I’m guilty. My righteousness is sins would require death. I know this. I also know that it’s all
tion hit me. It’s like a chain -- one link leading to another. Encircling my heart. Choking the life and love out. So let me sum up -- here it is in a nutshell. You’re neck-deep in a war with an enemy who wants your head on a platter. He wants to enslave you. Forever. ONLY ONE THING breaks that chain and it’s not doctors, not psychiatrists, not medications, not alcohol, not not a gun, not mysticism, not anything. Standing there at the mirror, I crawled back to the feet of Jesus. Arms out. Ducking my head under the drip. “It’s me again. I’m back. I tried carrying this stuff all on my own and it’s not working out too well. Here. Please take it. I’m sorry. I forgive them outright and completely...” It’s not easy. Most of the time it hurts like Hell. And Hell likes it that way. Hell wants it to hurt. But, here’s the deal -- Hell has no counter to forgiveness. It’s powerless. Disarmed. Defenseless. Speechless. Undone. Dead in the water. Tied hand and foot and lying across the tracks. One last thing. If you’re starting to agree with me, but you’re
time. Place a book mark here. More on this later. The problem with this forgiveness thing is this -- this side of heaven -- there’s no end to it. We live in a fallen world. Fallen people. We’re all broken. All walk with a limp. “Our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour...” And unforgiveness is one of his most potent weapons. Want to call yourself a Christian? Forgive someone who doesn’t deserve it. Yep, it’s tough. Dang straight. Might be the hardest thing you and I ever do. And it was and is the heart of Jesus. If it’s not, then please tell me why on earth did Jesus, having been beaten beyond measure -- Isaiah says his visage was marred more than any man, another translation says he was forgive them...” Let that sink in. He could have summoned legions of angels to his rescue, lightning bolts from the throne and yet there he hangs, asking for their, and our, forgiveness as they -- and we -- are killing him. If you recoil at that, don’t. Don’t sugar coat this. We killed Jesus. My sin. Your sin. Forgiveness is life and death. His death. Our life. someness of the heart of Jesus -- and it’s the part that brings me to my knees. The part where He says, ‘Yeah, I know. I love you despite your pile.’ Just because I’m writing about this doesn’t mean I think I’m ever. That’s bunk. I was brushing my teeth this morning and felt the twinge of something else that happened to me. A memory it still hurts. No resolution. But, there I stood. Foaming at the mouth. Toothbrush in hand. And these words bubbled up: “Sin is crouching at your door and its desire is to have you.” (God said this to Cain after he killed Abel. And, that word for ‘desire’ is the same word used in Song of Solomon for the desire between two lovers. Pretty strong.) Truth be told, that memory led to another memory. Ding number two. I looked 40 - October 2014 - www.gmlaurel.com
He’s never seen a pile like yours? Really? 6 billion people on the planet and your pile is special? That’s a lie. No matter what you hand Him, no matter how big, awful or ugly, He is faithful. Because after he said, “Father, forgive them...” He and is the greatest singular defeat in the history of the world. It is vengeance. It is vindication. It more than evened the score. It is the day that God the Father drove a stake in the ground and said, “This ends right here.” Jesus, the King of Glory, the God of Angel Armies, the Lover of My Soul, My Healer and My Redeemer, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the One who holds the keys to death and Hades, the Living One, the One who washes me white as snow and dresses me in scarwound I’ve ever offered up. Without fail. And what He’s given me in return, well...nothing compares.
New York Times Bestselling author Charles Martin and wife Christy are the parents to three boys, Charlie, John T. and Rives. When he isn’t writing books and blog posts, Charles likes to bow hunt and work out. One of his ten books, When Crickets Cry was written with Lake Burton in mind as the setting. His newest book A Life Intercepted was released in September of this year. His books are available in bookstores and locally at Prater’s Book Store in Clayton. You may well want to visit Charles’ website and subscribe to his blog both can be found at www.charlesmartinbooks.com.
Blackberry Mornings
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way. Ever since I was a little girl, I would invent stories in my head. When I learned to drive, I would be traveling down the road lost in one of my made-up tales. Now that I am a senior by McDonald’s standards, I write them down. I love to pen inspirational stories that God hands me. Those stories that, I hope, takes you away for a few minutes. My book, Blackberry Mornings, is richly southern with a multitude of short tomobile accident at the age of 25. Devastated, God sent Tracy to me asking if she could print one of my stories…and we’ve been a part of each other’s lives since. I have no doubt that God orchestrated this special friendship. My husband, Tony has always been a huge supporter and cheerleader of mine, and even after working a very long shift as a son, Joel (28) is in sales and our son Luke, is a 14 year old eight grader (yes, you can say, bless her heart, now!) and an absolute
I’m excited to introduce the soon to be Blackberry Mornings book, and my hope is that as you read my stories, it will inspire and delight you. Blessings…Lisa Harris
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Faithful Reminders by Rick Story
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s Clayton Baptist Church continues to make mission efforts a primary ministry focus, many church members and area residents are participating. As a matter of fact, recent ministry responses to those in crisis continue to lead local ministry teams to locations both foreign and domestic, and simultaneously provide opportunities for sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with people of various ages, cultures and religions. ous mission destinations, such as the eastern European nation of Ukraine, where ministry was provided to orphans with disabilities and also to the plains of both Zimbabwe and South Dakota, where ministry support was provided to both missionaries and Native American children. More Island, New York, where assistance was provided to residents continuing to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of “super storm” Sandy, and future trips are planned to include possible destinations such as India, Asia and Alaska. Regardless of the destination, Clayton Baptist Church continues to encourage mission efforts and prayerfully support mission team participants. And, it was the prayerful support and provision of God that once again led a Clayton Baptist mission team to the plains of South Dakota this past summer. The team was composed primarily of youth participants from the church, but also included a handful of adult leaders blessed to be fellow laborers accompanying the youth group across America’s heartland. I was one of the adult leaders, and I have to say that quite honestly, the experience changed my life. Our team was part of an outreach effort to our Native American brothers and sisters residing on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation in Northeastern South Dakota. These Native American brothers and sisters are part of a branch of a Dakota Sioux Indian tribe known as the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. They reside on federally protected lands near the town of Sisseton, located in Roberts County, which is in the extreme northeastern corner of the state of South Dakota. While in South Dakota, we partnered with area missionaries and set up camp at a local venue known as Camp at “reaching the Native American people through relationship evangelism”. The camp proved a perfect venue for as Bible studies, craft making, group recreation and outdoor activities for the visiting area children, all of which enabled us to build lasting relationships while sharing our faith with the Native American children and their families. strengthened our faith and broadened our understanding of the Native American culture. I also think the trip served as a gentle reminder that blessings are often received through obedience. I know I was certainly reminded that my greatest blessings have gene r - ally required big steps of faith; and most often those steps of faith ies. Most importantly however, I was reminded that those walks are never taken alone. Jesus reminded me in South Dakota that He always walks with me, and He also reminded me that it only takes Him a second to change a life forever.
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My Evening Porch by Patti Graham
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quietly to the sounds of Lady Slipper Acres. Unlike the robust, hurried motion of the day time, my mind collects the rhythms
their lofty heights onto roof tops. Raindrops fall hurriedly down from storm clouds passing by as winds blow gently, making its own music and causing the leaves to dance then fall softly to the ground. South on Highway 441, when oak trees were low enough to view pained hues of fall. As darkness approaches I glance through the trees at the lights illuminating the shapes on Highway 441. The clouds, drifting gently overhead soon cover the last shades of blue sky as it takes its place in the awaiting heavens. The katydids relentlessly serenade me with their mate to mate callings with the assurance of answers. Late October frost will soon silence these musicians. All these sounds are the music that God delivers in the cool evenings of autumn. Praise God! Your Creations are full of beauty, delight
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Bless Your Heart Muddy Shoes by Lisa Harris
husband called them ‘knee-busters’ as they would take’em to their knees—then God would slowly bring them back up. Those brown shoes always gave her comfort . . .
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lipping the chart, Nurse Shannon noticed the words, “No Resuscitation” stated boldly at the top. Her eyes peered over the machines that were hooked up to Miss Lily-Mae Moore. Beep, pause, beep, pause, the heart monitor let you know her breathing was laborious as her body prepared to die. Walking over to the side of her in a little tighter; she picked up her hand and held it as she said a prayer. Then she leaned over closer to Miss Lily-Mae, and whispered...“ When you get to heaven, Miss Lily-Mae, tell my mom I love Lily-Mae lay there pondering. She knew she was dying and was excited to get on with it. She couldn’t talk and everyone thought she couldn’t hear what they said . . . but she heard every word. That Ms. Shannon was such a sweet nurse, so of course, Lily-Mae would look up her mother . . . she wondered however, if there was a directory in Heaven. Oh well, plenty of friends already up there to help her out. As she was breathing slowly, God brought a vision to her mind. It was the brown shoes she had seen many times in her life. They were always beside her bed when she was in deep sadness. She’d had a blessed life but one spotted with many trials . . . she and her
Like the time, years ago, she couldn’t seem to carry a baby to fullterm. She lost three daughters in a row. Lily-Mae climbed into her bed after the third loss and grieved for days . . . her chest burned from the pain of sobbing. In the midst of her grief she turned on her side and . . for some reason, the shoes gave her comfort. Then there was the time, God gave her a miracle! A son . . . a wonderful, God-fearing dearly loved son who gave them, so many happy years before God took him home. A tree fell on his car during a snow storm taking him instantly. Lily-Mae went back to bed and again during her despair she saw the same pair of brown shoes . . . only this time, they were muddy on the soles and the sides . . . and once again, they strangely gave her comfort. A few more years past, and many more ‘knee-busters’ came testing her faith. Then one day Lily-Mae’s house burnt slap-down to the ground. All her pictures were gone of her beloved son, even the Bible she had written his birth and his death in . . . had perished. She was plum weary of life, of carrying on and did not think she could live another day. But, she and her husband rebuilt and when they moved back in she went to bed. She grieved again for her losses . . . she wept for her son, for her daughters, for her home. And in the midst of her tears she saw the same brown shoes . . . next to her bed, covered up to the ankles in mud caked in all the crevices. Lily-Mae fell asleep comforted. *** Her last breaths were much labored when she heard her Father call her name . . . “Lily-Mae, the brown shoes belonged to me, each time you little dirty but as your sadness grew I became mired in the mud . . . as I pulled you out, my shoes sunk further down . . . weighted by your grief and sadness.” “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Beep . . . pause, pause, pause . . . silence. Nurse Shannon ran back in and smiled good-bye to Lily-Mae. As she lifted the covers to un-hook her tubes, Nurse Shannon stammered in surprise . . . “Why, I wonder how Miss Lily-Mae got so much dirt in her bed?” Matthew 11:28 KJV
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“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom He has chosen for his own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12 A place where new life springs forth out of despair, failure and death. A place where God brings physical, emotional and spiritual healing to you.
IN GOD WE TRUST Our God is calling His people to take a stand! America was founded on godly principles by those who were passionate about our country. Americans must be willing to restore that passion! Our forefathers left monuments and markers for us to be able to follow the right path and purpose so that we would not sabotage the Republic our founding fathers fought and died to give us. History records that they knew the great truth that faith in God and trust in God were foundational to the strength and the success of any nation. They painstakingly worded the Constitution of the United States of America to say exactly what they meant it to say. The Constitution is not obsolete. Faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ is not obsolete. When we obey the Word of God and obey the laws of the land written in our Constitution, we will have success. Both were written to bless us, and it is important for us to follow the directions. Nowhere does the Constitution refer to a “separation” of Church and State, and it is crystal clear the First Amendment was written to protect the Church from Government. 17th day of September, in the year of our Lord 1787…by unanimous States. The First Amendment reads: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. God is now shaking the political and religious world systems. Only that which cannot be shaken will remain, but He tells us: Fear not! God has given us His promise concerning this. “…but now He has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear; For our The corrupt political world system called a “scarlet colored Beast”, and apostate (fallen) world-wide religion called “Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth” are both described in the Bible. In Rev 17:1-7 the Harlot is riding on the Beast. In Rev. 17:8-17 the Beast is described, and in Rev 18:1-24 the Beast destroys the Harlot. Read these accounts. 48 - October 2014 - www.gmlaurel.com
God says to you, “Fear Not!” “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:6. nations were going on in government and the temple. Judgment was coming, but God had already planned to protect His people. writer’s inkhorn by his side, “and the Lord said to him, Go through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that are done in the midst of it. And to the others He said in my hearing, Go after him through the city, and smite; let not your eye spare, neither have pity.” The Lord was marking those who were crying and praying over the condition of the nation and the church. He is marking His own now who He hears praying and crying over America. He will spare His own! We can choose to get on God’s economy, He owns it all! We do not have to stay on the world system! This does not mean we quit our provide and to lead us in all our decisions. TRUST is the key. Without faith and trust in Him, we cannot receive what we need – remembering there is a difference between our needs and our wants. It is our prayer that every praying American will take a stand against corruption in our Nation and lukewarm or dead Christianity, praying earnestly until we see our nation and our churches turn ment when the man asked the Lord to give him a year to dig around How do we take a stand? We take that stand on our knees before God. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7. When we pray like this, He will tell us exactly what to do. Then, when we hear His voice and act on it, we will have victory in the battle! This is the secret of having our victory and the peace of God! RIVER GARDEN
My Father’s A Heart Surgeon by Pastor Adam Wright – Wiley Church of God
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t short days ago that I received a phone call from my mother. “Your dad is having open heart surgery. We need you to come right away.” What had appeared to be an almost routine heart cath quickly took a turn. My father was informed that the blockages were the essence. With an overwhelming amount of emotions, we made the necessary arrangements and were on our way out of town to the hospital. When we are faced with trials and unexpected circumstances, one of two events can take place with our spiritual life. It can either wreck our faith, or increase it. Maybe you’re like me. Sometimes my emotions can run away with me. I feel out of control and helpless.
As we traveled I began thinking how Dad was the one facing surgery, but my heart was broken. Have you ever had a broken heart? Circumstances that are out of your control seem to now control everything. You can’t stop replaying scenes of the past. The fear of the future has crippled your thought life. “My heart hurts,” we say.
During the night as I looked at my father, questions again began to rise. “Why MY father? Why is he going through this? There’s no man that has served you God any more faithful? Why…” In that all too familiar moment of asking God why, His Spirit reminded me of a verse from Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” This reminded me that God’s love for us is so much greater. It also reminded me that He is in charge. While I cannot understand the events that are taking place around me, God can. While I cannot make any sense of why certain things happen to us and those we everything. Some things we won’t understand until we get to Heaven. But the one thing that I do have to understand is that God is in control of everything, not me. It’s not my place to tell God how to operate. It is my place to trust Him. It is my place to keep believing that He knows something that I don’t know and He has all things in His hands. Do you ever get like me? Frustrated when things don’t make sense? Remember that God sees what we cannot and knows what we (Hebrews 11:6). Each morning, you have a choice. You can either pick up “Fear” or pick up “Faith”. But one is going to stay with you each day.
The heart, the seed of our emotions is a powerful thing. We hear people speak things like, “Follow Your Heart.” While this seems on the surface to be good advice, it But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that does not mean it is Biblical. Jesus never told us to “Follow Our cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder Hearts,” but He told us to “Follow of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 Him.” We all our guilty of confusing the two. Did you know that the Bible says your heart (emotions) will LIE to you? How about that, you can’t even trust yourself! Jeremiah 17:9 speaks about how the heart is deceitful above all things. That’s right, it can even deceive you. That’s right where our advisory wants us. He wants us to listen to our emotional voice and neglect God’s voice. As we approached the hospital, our emotions were high. As you would expect, we could not wait to walk into the room and see him. He was in good spirits. You would never suspect that he was at the eve
As our time together closes, I would like you to know that my road to recovery. He spent only half the time in the ICU recovery than the doctors even expected. One of the nurses commented, “You’re the one that everyone has been talking about! We cannot believe the miracle rate of recovery you are having!” While it may appear that the doctors were the ones that were doing the procedure on Dad, My Father…is the Heart Surgeon your heart?
this night was no different than any other. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Winter comes to Friendly Forest by Julie Crunkleton Harrup This story takes place in late fall. (near Thanksgiving) The forest friends (Sarah the lady bug, Martha the squirrel, Wren the little bird and Belle the turtle) are learning how to work together and help each other get ready for the winter that will surely return. They praise each other for the good work they do and share a time of prayer and thanks giving for all that they have been given by God.
“G
“I love winter, but I do get terribly lonely in my nest all by myself,” sighs Wren.
her nest in the big oak tree.
“Good morning Wren,” Martha replies as she points her nose to the sky.
“I really must get busy!” Martha shouts to the others as she hurries away.
“What are you doing?” asks Wren.
“Wait Martha, wait!” Sarah says. “You’re right, we don’t have much time, but if we all work together and help each other we can do it! What we need is a plan.”
“Morning everyone,” yawns a sleepy Belle. “What’s going on?”
“A plan?” asks Wren. “What’s a plan?” -
“Why?” Belle whispers back.
ished,” explains Sarah. -
ing for winter.”
“How will we know what to do?” asks Belle.
“Winter is coming very soon,” says Martha. “I smell SNOW!” “SNOW!” everyone shouts.
gather lots of nuts and berries,” Martha says.
snow cream! What fun that will be!”
but a tree would be warmer.”
“When is it coming?” asks Wren “Very soon,” Martha says as she sniffs the air again. “Maybe it will even come today. We better get ready.”
Belle. Sarah. “That gives me a wonderful idea Sarah!” says Martha. “We could share our homes and our food with each other! Wren and I could share a hollow tree and if Belle doesn’t mind, then you could share her burrow.” “Oh!” says Wren,” that would be wonderful! I can carry lots of leaves. I bet I can get enough for all of us to have nice beds before the snow comes!” “Yes, I won’t have any trouble digging a burrow,” says Belle. “There is a perfect spot beside the pond.”
time! Just leave it to me!” shouts Sarah as she “And I am very good at gathering nuts and berries!” shouts Martha as she runs off into the forest. “Don’t worry I remember where I hid every one!”
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peculiar scratching noise. She looks down and sees Belle. forest for our friends Martha and Wren.” “I found a great place for our burrow right here beside the pond too! What do you think?” asks Belle. “Beautiful!” exclaims Sarah. “The pond will be so pretty when it is
and Wren and share their good news. Finally they arrive back at the old oak tree and Martha and Wren hurry over to greet them. “Hi!” says Martha and Wren together. “Just look at all of the nuts and berries Martha has gathered,” exclaims Wren. “We’ll have enough for all of us to last until spring!” “Wren has been very busy herself,” Martha says proudly. “Look at that big pile of leaves.” “We have been busy too. Belle has made a nice burrow for us to stay in beside the pond,” Sarah says. “And Sarah found a nice hollow tree for the two of you. And we are going to be neighbors again!” Belle says happily. “How wonderful!” Wren sings. have much time. Can you help carry these baskets of nuts and berries Belle?” “I’d be glad to! Put them on my shell and I will carry both of them.” “And I can lead the way back to the hollow tree. Follow me. It’s not far,” says Sarah. Finally, after every leaf is carefully placed to make nice soft beds and all the nuts and berries are safe inside, the friends sit down to rest and take turns giving thanks for all that they have. “Dear Lord”, Martha begins, “Thank you for this day and for helping winter.” Wren and Martha,” adds Sarah. “I am grateful for the burrow beside the pond,” says Belle. “Thank you Lord,” prays Wren, “For the softest bed of leaves I have ever had.” “And thank you for good friends,” they all say together. “Amen!” looks up and twitches her nose, “I think winter has come.” good-night and go inside to their soft warm beds. For winter has come to Friendly Forest once again. The End........
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- Health & Wellness -
Live Healthy and Be Well! Reminiscences of Service to the Nation --Stephen Jarrard, MD, FACS, US Army (Retired)
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during deployment to Afghanistan with the U. S. Army (759th Forward Surgical Team) in 2006. Each day, I would take a few minutes before retiring to write down some of the experiences of the day. In trying to come up with a topic for the Laurel’s Veteran issue, I deof that time with our readers. We can all be very proud of our young men and women in the military today who are serving as so many of you have done. I would like to sincerely thank all our readers who are Veterans and their families, for their service. Just a couple of notes – GSW refers to gunshot wound, FOB means forward operating base (our place of business) and BAS is the battalion aid station (medical clinic where our OR was located). My purpose hardships of those who live in a war torn country and how lucky we are to be here and raise our families in the United States of America!
10 June 2006 This afternoon, we got report of 3 US solan enemy contact at FOB Bermel. We all got ready and were at our places when the helos diverted them to Salerno for care. I went to going on out there, and found out the bad guys had been seen going into a cave. This issue was quickly addressed with Apache rockets and a B1 bomber strike (penetrators) and I am sure all those guys are now with Allah. Then, after supper, we had to operate on a little boy who came in with a penetrating abdominal wound. It seems he had been playing with something he picked up that exploded (likely a blasting cap of some sort). So, he was taken to the OR and found to slightly bruised right liver lobe – no bleeding. After getting to bed for 10 minutes – a call came of a GSW at the gate coming to the BAS. It was a local truck driver; incorrectly ID’d as an Afghan Army Soldier, who had been shot in the lower back with no exit wound. The X-ray showed the bullet still in him – likely in the abdomen. Although he was compensating very well and did not appear in great distress, we took him to surgery 4 – 5 hours to get it all done, and it seemed to go well. The guy went to the ICU on IV
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11 June 2006 Today is the full moon of the month. One thing I have noticed – when there is no moon here, it is very dark and the sky is full of stars as there is no “light pollution” here. When there is a moon, especially full, it is very bright outside such that shadows are cast by the white moon! It is quite a contrast. My two ICU patients are doing well today. The little boy should probably go to the local bowel sounds and to let him eat/drink. The
GSW guy looked good - no fevers so far. He is not taking any pain meds – but that is his choice. came in already gone, I thought, when I sive neck/chest trauma, and came in with no breathing or heart sounds. Still, we worked as hard as we could on him for over 30 minutes. We always work like that and are thinking of his family as we do. We owe it to all
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called it, and he rested then in a private area per comes to pick him up. Apparently, when there is a KIA, they get their own aircraft and there can be nothing or no one else on board ate to show honor to this fallen Warrior who gave his all out there in a place far from home and family. God bless him. May he rest in honored glory and the peace of our Lord. 27 June 2006 We had (supposedly) 2 Afghan soldiers ity wounds and another with a GSW to the belly. The guy with the belly wound apparently died somewhere enroute and the other guy turned out to be Taliban, so he went to Bagram Air Base (also, weather was a factor here – blowing dust). Speaking of blowing see the mountains at all. Another memorable moment today was provided by two young girls. There was a 6 or 8 y/o local girl with her dad – she was lovely and had a sweet smile. She had on a traditional dress and scarf that the women wear – it is too bad she grows up in a place that does not value the role or contributions of women. The other was a 6 day old local girl born with hydrocephalus (“water on the brain”). Her little head was swollen, her eyes (blind) were swollen and protruding, and she had a
her to the American doctors, they can help her.” In truth, there was little to nothing we could do – and nothing could have been done at Emory or Scottish Rite either at this point. It is impossible to not be emotional with something like that, and it makes me so thankful that my own were born healthy, live in a wonderful country and will never know some of these hardships. 1 JUL 2006 at about 0015Z (5:00 AM) and another after supper (8:00 or 9:00 PM). No casualties and only minimal property damage…but what excitement! I have been in uniform since
never more alive than when you are scared to death – and I’d have to say there is some truth to that. But, our team was all in it together, checking on each other, getting accountability and reassuring the FOB. Thank God no
And so it went for six months. These cal” type days. When it was over and time to leave, although we had looked forward to that day for 6 months, we had mixed emotions as we were leaving friends and fellow warriors behind to continue the mission. They say you cannot know what it was like unless you have lived it – and that may be true to some degree. But, I wanted to share some with those who have not lived it, and hopefully will never have to. All of our Veterans have been proud to serve when it was their time, as were all of us in this unit, but we wish for the day when there is no need. However, as Plato said, “Only the dead have seen the end of war.” Thus, we continue to give our thanks to all our Veterans of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Thank you for letting me share this with you our faithful readers. Next month, back to health and wellness! 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 Felichia at 706.782.3572, and we will be sure to consider your input. We will soon post the articles 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. Until next month, live healthy and be well!
But, we all learned today to be more careful, attentive and it was a brisk reminder of why we are here and that there are people outside that wire that don’t want us here and wish us harm. 4 July 2006 – Independence Day! We had a good, festive atmosphere today – not much going on at the aid station, some activities and good food and no rockthat this year)!! Activities included a donkey race, Humvee pull, etc. We topped it off with some volleyball and the FST bought a goat and some food and had a little BBQ behind the building. All in all a good day and we made our own celebration far from home. Happy birthday, America!
It is humbling that her parents thought “…
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Our Medical Community Health & Wellness
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Recovery Is Worth Celebrating! by Carla Wright
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get nauseated when I hear people make statements like, “Recovery and twelve step groups are for drug heads,” or “all they do at those support groups is whine and blame family members.” That is the most judgmental and hypocritical thing I have ever witnessed, oozing with stench, out of a person’s mouth. Support groups are for people who have fought through these uninformed opinions and discouraging ceived with number one, uninhibited honesty and number two, a backbone stronger than an ox. It is not a place to complain, whine or blame other people. It is a source of strength that comes from owning one’s mistakes and making life right vulnerability that is stated in these rooms. Blame is not allowed. At every Thursday meeting of the 7:00 PM Wiley Church of God, Celebrate Recovery (C.R.) group, this is one of the statements that is read, “What you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.” The response back from all members is a bold, “Here! Here!” Actually, the only comfort that comes from sitting in that group is not from someone patting you on the back telling you that everything is going to be alright, because the fact of the matter is that if change does not occur in some instances, go? One reason is being aware that the only comfort you may receive is wrapping your hands around a warm cup of coffee and looking into the eyes of someone who is being as painfully honest as you are. This, dear friends, could be as Paul talks about in Scripture, a portion of our reasonable act of service. To confess our faults one to another in an atmosphere that cannot and will not judge, due to prayer and petition before Jesus Christ, the only blameless one. As I inform others about the Celebrate Recovery group at Wiley Church of God, I do so speaking as a member of this group. Keep in mind, that this group is not about the church, it is about the community in which many who participate are not members of the Church of God. Let me stir things up a little more in this traditional, yet sometimes legalistic, bible belt, you don’t even have to believe in God to join us. This group is geared for recovery, but in my opinion all ministry should be to those who are broken and out. Although the latter are hardest to reach. What is Recovery? Webster’s dictionary describes it as, “the act or process of returning to a normal or healthy state after a often thought about is probably the recovery of an individual after an illness, injury or operation. The term that most often comes to my mind is recovery from an emotional, physical or spiritual struggle. One thing is certain, recovery has no predetermined length of time. In fact, recovery can be deceptive by leading one
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to believe the issue, illness or addiction is completely resolved or healed when, in fact, only the symptoms are gone. I have heard many doctors tell me that taking an antibiotic will make you feel better
prescription even when you feel better in order to fully recover. This advice is synonymous with recovery of habits, hurts or hang ups. Relentlessly, the true problem can hide away and then rear its ugly head at the most inopportune time. Unfortunately, when dealing with habitual problems, the patiently waiting issue can resurface as a different action or in a completely different manner. The most often referred to example is a person who gives up cigarettes and gains twenty pounds. Most of the weight does not appear due to the absence of the habit but the development of the replacement for that habit – tasty food. Recovery for an addict or someone who is hurting, is often something that, can not only help a person return to a normal healthy state, but can also prevent tion for an addiction, is worth ten pounds of cure! That is why this Celebrate Recovery group meeting is not only for recovery but celebrating recovery. John Baker is the founder of Celebrate Recovery, a ministry born out of Saddleback Church where he worked on staff under Senior Pastor Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Church Team. John Baker and Rick Warren worked together to write the curriculum for Celebrate Recovery. (C.R.) The following is a statement written in the leadership book. “Throughout this material, you will notice several references to the Christ centered 12 steps. Our prayer is that Celebrate Recovery will create a bridge to the millions of people who are familiar with secular 12 Steps as they acknowledge the use of some material from the 12 Suggested Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and in so doing, introduce people to the one and only true Higher Power, Jesus Christ. Once they begin that relationship, asking Christ into their hearts as Lord and Savior, true healing and recovery can begin!” diction. It is a 12 step group for habits, hurts and hang ups. We have participants who deal with all of the following but are not limited to, grief of a loved one, unreconciled pain from a divorce, neglect, rejection, habitual eating, anorexia, drinking or drugs, as well as lust, sex, gambling and co-dependency. Gladys Clem, facilitator of C.R. offers share time, sobriety accountability, chips and education but also offers a step group meeting. This is basically where each step of the program is thoroughly explained and expanded on by Gladys. We also offer possible sponsors for group members who express the desire to be even more connected. A sponsor is a dependable and responsible member of the group who has long term sobriety and the desire to give back to someone in need of guidance and constant support and contact. One
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well known recovery statement is, “You have to give it away to keep it.” Meaning you must share your testimony and help others who are in need. Trying to describe the journey of recovery is a struggle in itself. One anonymous member stated, “Life is a long lonely road unless you have the right support. I am thankful that I found my support here as well as through God.” Anyone who has experienced a hospital stay, for more than one day as a patient, could possibly identify with the desire to be better, to feel better and to resume normal day to day function again. One lesson that is often learned in a hospital, however, is that without the support, knowledge and experience of the medical staff, the odds of getting better are slim. Sure a pill or treatment may mask the pain for a while but until the root of the problem has been discovered and treated successfully, there will always be a problem. And then comes the maintenance. My father-n-law was recently feeling a slight pain in his left arm. Reluctantly, he asked his doctor for a stress test. After failing the stress test and after other procedures, on October 1 of this year he received a triple bypass cardiovascular surgery. He knew there were signs of a problem but never realized how severe this issue was. The surgeon’s intent was a quadruple bypass but my father-in-law’s small veins would not allow the complete surgery. As a result he has had a successful start to his recovery. He is healing quickly, but not without effort and not without pain. In addition, when he is swinging that golf club again and feeling no symptoms we are all vividly aware that his recovery is never going to end. The artery that was too small to repair still exist and due to his genetics there could be threats of future blockage. All hope is not lost though, thru proper ongoing recovery, consisting of proper foods, along with medicine and exercise, he is looking at a long and healthy life. His recovery continues even when he is feeling good. I worked for years for a state agency as a Prevention Specialist of Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs. I also worked as a Birth Parent Counselor for adoption services and later operated a crisis pregnancy center as well as working hand in hand in ministry with my husband Adam who happens also to be my favorite Pastor. In various times of these positions I had the opportunity to counsel individuals who were in the midst of some major crisis in their lives. Unfortunately, the thing I found to be most disturbing was not the shocking sordid details of what a client had participated in, but the misguided judgment that she or he faced by others who were supposed to “care about her or him”. I have to confess that the most disturbing detail was the way some of the Christians acted toward the person and or situation. This can often turn people away from God and the Church. Rick Warren stated, “Celebrate Recovery utilizes the biblical truth that we need each other in order to grow spiritually and emotionally. It is built around small group interaction and the fellowship of a caring community. There are many therapies, growth programs and counselors today that operate around one-to-one interaction. But Celebrate Recovery is built on the New Testament principle that we don’t get well by ourselves. We need each other. Fellowship and accountability are two important components of spiritual growth.” Please come and join us or contact Gladys Clem, our group meetings.
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Gary Jones’ 1965 Mustang GT Convertible A great American classic…
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o say Gary Jones is a lover of automobiles is an understatement. We were given a tour of his collection and were overwhelmed with Gary’s vast knowledge of the history of each of his ve-
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hicles, but it was the powder blue ’65 Mustang GT convertible that caught our eyes. The Ford Mustang was initially based on the platform of the sec-
ond generation Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964 and, thus dubbed a “1964” model by Mustang fans, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker’s most successful launch since the Model A. The Mustang created the “pony car” class of American automobiles…sports car-like coupes with long hoods and short rear decks…and gave rise to competitors such as the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, AMC Javelin, as well tion Dodge Challenger. This Mustang was originally owned by a resident of Rabun Duvall Ford dealership in Clayton, Georgia. It has a 289 cubic-inch engine, four-barrel carburetor, automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes, with a sporty original pony interior package. It has the original AM radio. In fact, this car is in excellent original condition throughout. Gary has owned the car for 25 of its almost 50 years, and it is obvious it is a well-loved vehicle. Gary and his wife Lawanda live in the Hollywood Community of Habersham County, Georgia. Former owners of the Radio Shack in Clayton, Georgia, and after 38 years in that business, the Joneses are now retired and enjoying their car collection and the Joneses are members of Hills Crossing Baptist Church.
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Foxfire
Some Indoor Fun adapted by Lee Carpenter
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ith cold weather settling in and plenty of rain and cooler temperatures on the way, we’d like to share a traditional indoor game with you, so gather as many friends together as you can and play the game “Blindfold,” as recorded in Appalachian Toys & Games. Terry Dickerson:
Helen Nichols:
Read about tons more games and the many fun ways your grandparents and great-grandparents used to play in . For
Lane, off of Cross Street, in Mountain City, Georgia.
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The Storyteller – My Little White Church in Tiger by Janie P. Taylor
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readers.
started crying that little Janie would never learn to read nor write due to brain damage from ingesting caffeine! The preacher took advantage of the silence and quickly asked the blessing. The crisis was over and no one saw me over in the corner sipping my mug of coffee! Lesson #1 learned, “Be careful what you say out loud at the church-house.” Lesson #2 was learned when the tingling of a little switch on my bare little legs reminding me not to say, “I’ve got to tee-tee,” in the middle of the worship service. By 1970, a much needed addition was added, including a multipurpose room with a kitchen and bathroom. This area was named to honor the late Mrs. Lizzie York Keason, who was a church leader, beloved midwife and the daughter of C.C. York who sold his horse to buy the lumber for the church building. Some of the sayings of Mrs. Keason included that the preacher was the head of the church, but the preacher’s wife was the neck on which it turned! If a two week Summer Revival did not renew the spirituality of the church members, Mrs. Keason said it was simply a “protracted meeting”. One of the antiques in the church furnishings was a pump organ obtained in 1903; the most valuable antique piece was the three- legged organ stool. One Sunday morning, I was playing the keys and pumping the two pedals as the people sang, “Blessed Assurance”. On the second verse, there was a loud cracking and breaking sound as the three legs of the antique organ stool gave
The original church building was constructed in 1899. A single room structure which had two outside doors, one entry for the men folks and the other doorway was for the women and children. The pews were hand hewed; heavy curtains could be drawn to create Sunday School rooms. The heat source was a large pot-bellied stove I clearly recall the importance of a Methodist quarterly meeting, which included a Sunday morning preaching service by the Presiding Elder (He dressed in a severe black suit and I was sure he was next to GOD HIMSELF in importance). After this, there was a “dinner on the ground” meal before the afternoon business session. As the food was being spread, the pot bellied stove got red church-house. Grandma Arrendale had been slipping me a cup of coffee and milk mix all of my four years even though she knew that the Health Book stated that children should not drink coffee or tea. One can only imagine the hush that came over the congregation when I loudly announced, “Grandma, I need my coffee now!” Grandma could only say, “Hush, hush, my child!” By now, Mama 64 - October 2014 - www.gmlaurel.com
pews. Immediately the church folks began picking up the remains of the three legs mourning the loss of the antique stool. Suddenly the preacher’s wife spoke loudly saying, “Maybe we had better get up the most valuable antique of all, our Janie P!” Thus, I was rescued without bodily harm from amongst the splinters. When my Aunt Ruth heard about the incident she stated that this was a DIVINE message from HEAVEN for me to lose my excess body fat! When my Uncle Joe was told of my “near-death experience,” he immediately began building me a sturdy organ bench of black organ bench became an addition to the beautiful chancel area furniture he had already handcrafted out of black walnut wood from trees from Tiger Mountain. This set included the chancel rails, the pulpit (which was adjustable to the height of the minister), chairs and now the sturdy organ bench. Another memory was during the warm days of spring and summer; the two church doors were left open. The membership was accustomed to Melvin Taylor (my husband) quietly taking his
The New Tiger United Methodist Church sits on a hill overlooking the city of Tiger. seat on the last pew next to the door. As the service was ending and as Reverend James Turpen began to pray the benediction, “The Lord bless you and keep you-” a loud exclamation from Melvin was heard, “DAMN, there’s a DOG in the church house!” Shocked and startled, the congregation broke into laughter and applause as a large black and tan hound wandered in and stretched out to rest near the altar enjoying the coolness there. Needless to say, the benediction was never completed that Sunday morning! No longer does the church bell in the belfry tower toll to announce the death of a church member. The age of the deceased was indicated by the number of peals the bell tolled. However in 1976, the bell was manually rung two hundred times by a young Wesley Taylor to celebrate the Bicentennial of the nation. Today, at the new church building, a carillon system of bells and chimes sends musical sounds of beloved hymns daily echoing over the hills and vales. With the gift of acreage high on the hill overlooking the city of Tiger and with a majestic view of Tiger Mountain, the decision was made to build a Fellowship Hall. In 2005 the move was made from the little white church. Today, the new sanctuary is being constructed and the congregation will soon hold the worship services there. As for the historic little white church on Blair Street where our church began – it is now the Hispanic Baptist Mission Church.
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Echoes from the Hills “Memorabilia reminds me of the varied life I lived” Bob N. Justus
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veryone has different traits and talents, likes and dislikes. Most of us have some faults also. Today as I grow older I favor my love for history and travel. I am reading books on the founding of our nation but I also mentos I keep to remind me of events and trips. Perhaps I collect things comes from wanting to have concrete evidence of my varied life. On the walls of my den are rocks from various locations I lived or visited, plus deer mounts, guns, knives, rattlesnake skins and In front of my desk is a display of knives. One yellow handle pocket knife, with blades honed to half their original size, was my dad’s Neal Justus. In his time a pocket knife was a daily tool and if Dad had an idle moment he was whittling on a walking stick made from a tree limb or carving on the meat of a hog or a deer he had killed. A short piece of an aspen limb, bleached white from many seasons lying in snows of winter and heat of summer, is on the wall under a white board displaying rocks from Wiggins Fork, collected in August, 1997 from the headwaters of the Wind River, Wyoming. On the aspen limb is written, “Cross Creek, Big Horn Mountains, 9-7-2009.” That object reminds me of a trout stream winding down a natural grassy meadow nestled under the snowcapped Cloud Peaks in a bowl formed by an ancient glacier. I caught rainbow and brook trout in pools under grass and brush
the “forgotten war” which I attended in 1952-1953, leaving for
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home after the armistice was signed. Two photos of a younger me show me with a 27 pound bull dolphin, caught in Key Largo on 7-2-1990, and a younger Bob with a 33 1/3 pound king salmon caught off San Francisco in September, 1953, on my way home from Korea. Such mementos and photos bring both joy and a tinge of regret that such amazing events cannot be relived except in one’s mind. On the wall is a treasured scene; a painting I did of the ancestral home built by greatgrandfather James N. Justus about 1871, when he began buying land in Germany Valley in Rabun County, Georgia. A desire for history led me to do a family history which became so large and ongoing I have ceased doing it. But the old home and also a photo of an old barn remind me of a treasured childhood growing up on a farm in lovely Germany Valley. In those days the valley saw tall corn growing along a creek full of trout and many other crops, such as beans and potatoes, which kept us from going hungry in hard times. Wall plaques also display projectile points and pieces of pottery from the time of Cherokees and even earlier people who lived amid these mountains when woods buffalo, elk, panthers and wolves populated great forests containing giant chestnut, hemlock, oak and poplar trees. These relics remind me of our historical past as well as my forebears who include early pioneers and Cherokees. History is ever changing and fading, as my own life has waxed and waned, while experiencing many changes in life, conditions and locations, some from across seas in far lands due to my career in the US Air Force. There are yet a few small spots to hang another memento or relic collected along life’s path.
Experience
Clarkesville, Georgia
Shopping - Dining Entertainment
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Giving Thanks in the Oldest Church Still In Use In Northeast Georgia by Kitty Stratton
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or generations the families of Northeast Georgia have been worshipping and giving thanks in churches tucked away in mountain valleys and perched on hilltops with their church spires gleaming in the autumn sunshine. The sight of a pretty white church spire silhouetted against a sky the bluest of blue can bring words of praise to young and old.
To better understand the history of this beautiful, old church, learning more about the history of Clarkesville is essential. Clarkesfamilies would come from the swampy lowlands of Georgia and South Carolina, where yellow fever and other diseases were rampant. They would spend the summers in the cooler mountains and stay for sometimes as long as six months. Some of these families owned large plantations around Savannah and Charleston and would bring servants with them and some built summer homes in the area. A large number of these summer visitors were either Episcopalian or Presbyterian. Desiring a place to worship Grace Protestant Episcopal Church
The Rev. Ezra B. Kellogg held Episcopal services twice a month in the Methodist Church building which used to stand where the old Clarkesville Cemetery is today. In 1839 the acre lot where the present church building stands was purchased and $1,335.00 was raised to fund the construction. Construction was slow and records indicate that rainfall was so low that year the water-powered saw mill on the Soque River could not operate. Amazingly, the Grace Church building frame structure remains essentially unaltered today. It is described in the church website history as “a superb example of Greek-Revival architecture, characterized in front by tall pillars and a portico. It is the second oldest Episcopal Church building in Georgia”. The Civil War era had a damaging effect on the life of Grace nancially destroyed by the war. The church dwindled in size and was reduced from a parish church to a mission. Fortunately some of the summer visitors settled permanently in the area. One of the main families was the Kollock family, ancestors of the well-known and beloved artist John Kollock. In 1853, the Chapel of the Holy Cross on New Liberty Road in Clarkesville was located on Kollock land. For families who were unable to make the four mile trip traversing primitive roads to Grace Church in Clarkesville, monthly services were held at the Holy Cross location. In the early 1900’s Holy Cross was demolished due to deterioration of the building. Today the Holy Cross property, given to the church by the Kollock family, is used as a cemetery.
Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church in Clarkesville, established in 1838 as Grace Protestant Episcopal Church is a treasure tucked away in the heart of Clarkesville. It is believed to be the oldest church building of any denomination still in use in Northeast Georgia.
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Grace Church has had a long and interesting history. In 1951 MGM repaired and repainted the building for the use of the church in the opening scene of the movie “I’d Climb the Highest Mountain”. Many factors have contributed to the long life and growth of the church, including the addition of the Calvary Church congregation which moved from Cornelia to Clarkesville. The Cornelia building was sold to provide funds for major structural repairs to the Clarkesville building in the early seventies. For a more detailed and extensive history visit http://www. grace-calvary.org.
Towns County, Georgia Hiawassee & Young Harris
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Giving Thanks for Staying Connected
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by Kendall Rumsey www.notesfromasouthernkitchen.com
s the Thanksgiving season rolls
on what I am grateful for. First and foremost is my relationship with God, followed by my family, my friends, health, career and everyday blessings. I have a lot to be thankful for and sometimes I wonder if I appreciate everything as much as I should. Thanksgiving season, this year, one of the things that surfaced for me was social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. While some may think of social media as a hindrance to life, for me, these services have been a blessing. I moved away from God’s Country Statesboro for college, then Atlanta and Most of my life has been away from Rabun County. However, when anyone asks where I am from, my immediate reply is, “Clayton, Georgia in Rabun County.” For most of the last thirty years, I stayed connected with my homeland through phone calls with family, occasionally running into friends around the country, newspapers and of course, the Laurel. With the creation of these new social media platforms, my world has opened up to amazing new ways of staying connected. I have been fortunate to reconnect with many friends I haven’t seen since high school. I celebrate their birthdays, their promotions;
travel with them around the globe through photos and in times of need offer instant prayers. The world of social media, allows us all to reconnect. Many mornings, while I am watching the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean, I am also transported to the mountains of Rabun I have thrilled at the news of births and have cried when I learned that friends had passed. It’s also interesting to see how so many of us, who grew up together and ran in adults. While our friendships may not have been as strong during those teenage years, our differences melt away today; after all, while our paths may be different, our base remains the same. The mountains of our homeland are a natural anchor we can all celebrate. Being away from Clayton, often I am disconnected from the amazing community that I left. I had forgotten how awesome a Wildcat win is, the joys of sledding on the golf course on a blanket of fresh fallen snow or how much fun a day at the lake could be. These daily things that you, my friends who still live in Rabun, connect to on a daily basis unfortunately aren’t always as sincere or prevalent outside the mountains. Your posts on Facebook and Tweets and photos have allowed The connection on social media brings me home and makes me long for the days that I am there in person. This year, I am thankful for Rabun; I am thankful for the opportunity to grow up in a community where neighbors honor one another and where life is simpler. This year, I am thankful for the people who call Rabun home; those of us who are separated by miles and those who walk Main Street on a daily basis. This year, I am thankful for social media; for bringing me home and helping me to remember why for me, Rabun is and always will be “God’s Country”. Happy Thanksgiving friends and thank you for allowing me to reconnect. Connect with me: Facebook – Kendall Rumsey Twitter – Notes by Kendall Instagram – Kendall_Rumz
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Lovin the Journey Feel the fear and do it anyway... by Mark Holloway
I absolutely love taking people rock climb-
comes from the Greek word for ‘rock’. ‘Be the rock’ takes on a whole new meaning when a climber’s fear freezes him into stone. The word ‘belay’ sounds French. But it’s not. It’s an old English word meaning: a taunt rope between two points. As a belay, I get the privilege of seeing folks scale rock faces, often remain on the ground while the climber is connected to me with a rope which passes through an anchor system 50 – 60 feet up. We call it top roping. I take up every inch of slack as the brave soul ascends. This fact is a wee bit important. If you fall, you go nowhere. My now-20-year-son Garrett and I got had to train, study, pass an oral exam and vid Rogers gets the credit for instructing us well. Looking back over the years, our training has kept dozens and dozens of people alive and having an absolute adrenaline blast at the same time. We’ve guided sports teams, doctors, lawyers, retirees, children, friends and family. God wires us to be afraid of things. Sometimes pain is the consequence of a poor, unwise, or ignorant decision. I rememin our car. The device wasn’t even glowing membered the moment in anguish for days. I would learn later as an adult we have mil-
true. The imagined pain of an abrupt landing on unyielding stone 60 feet below causes a corresponding fear in your heart, mind, legs, and trembling knees. But our fears shouldn’t own our souls. Certain fears are healthy. Others are to be conquered.Am I trying to talk you out of rockclimbing? Absolutely not. Quite the opposite, actually. We love watching friends conquer their fears. I’ve decided
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why I enjoy rock climbing so much; getting to watch the transformation is priceless. When a human attaches themselves to an ancient stone wall and forces their arms, legs, pounding heart and runaway imagination upwards and into the land of their greatest fears…It’s epic. I hope you get the opportunity to trust a seasoned voice calling out instruction and encouragement from below. timers joined our group at Currahee Mountain west of Toccoa. We all sat together and enjoyed the breathtaking south facing view. From that vantage point you can see where the mountains taper and unroll like a majestic carpet into the hill country. We spent some time praying together and studying some appropriate passages from the Holy Scriptures. We then hiked down a challenging cut in the rock to our staging area far below. Drew Backer and Zach Mathis had never climbed before. No offense ladies but Drew began to squeal like a schoolgirl, his voice raising at least an octave as he began his assent. It takes guts to climb nearly 60 feet on a rugged rock face when you’re already high on a mountain. Drew accomplished the impossible in his mind and “rang the bell” when he reached the top. Now it’s Zach’s turn. We thought he was fearless in high places. Within seconds we realized he was more afraid of heights than Drew.
The actual schoolgirl, Rabun County high school senior Katie McDonough, did not squeal at all during her ascent...neither did my 52-year-old wife. Katie’s twin brothWe have a lot of climbing options in this mountain paradise. My friend Will Carney recently introduced us to our newest venue, Currahee Mountain. The view from the top and the vast climbing routes challenge the skilled and invite the new. When we pack up our ropes and gear, tion of sorts. We recognize the best climber trophy going to the athlete who overcame fears and maybe tears.
This trip, Zach Mathis took top honors for climbing past his panic, reaching the top while barefooted. (We didn’t have size 14 climbing shoes.) Best quote goes to Drew Backer: “That mountain and my fear owned me. But never again. I own that mountain now.” If you want to get free from your fear of really high places, join us (Rmarkholloway@yahoo.com). Life is a short and fading mist. Don’t miss out. Be thankful. Enjoy your blessings. Hug your family and friends around the Thanksgiving Table...and embrace adventure. See you on the trail.
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. Anatole France
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Henry “P
eople that like to read can’t be all bad, Mommy,” my Henry says in the dark of his room, as I sit next to his bed. “Mommy, jumping is good exercise,” he continues. He has a lot to talk about at night. week. His room has a vintage cowboy theme. There are framed photos of John Wayne and Gary Cooper, six-shooters on their hips. There’s a warm quilt on his log bed, with a bark cloth top and cozy muslin backing, sewn for him by his Great-Aunt Janie P. Taylor and her quilting friends at the Rabun County Senior Center. I reach over the hewn railing of his bed to rub his “tummy back” – his name for his tummy’s back. I lean in even closer to kiss his velvety cheek, and he says, “Mommy, word on the subject – any subject. I am suddenly struck by his upcoming birthday. If he were to be killed in some war around the age of 20, his life would be a quarter over now. A quarter over now. It has just begun, I want to scream. He’s my baby boy, I plea. In Vietnam, of those killed, 61 percent were younger than 21. This is not a crazy, irrational fear on my part, and I can hardly breathe. Moreover, it cripples me to think of his bleeding out in the muck of some wretched
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comfort of his Daddy, or me or his beloved twin sister or even a priest. “Mommy, why do coyotes eat chickens?” I’m too shaken to respond. “Mommy, sing me a song. ‘Rock-a-Bye Baby.’ Please. It’s my favorite song.” Henry always, always requests “Rock-a-Bye Baby” every night. So, I sing, “Rock-a-bye baby, in the
treetop. When the wind blows, the cradle will rock. When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall. And down will come baby, cradle and all.” And when the bough breaks, and the cradle falls, and the young man tumbles, so does my heart.
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Turned Funny
Cause of Death: DIY or DYI? By John Shivers
I
t’s all the rage these days. But I’m here to tell you that this DIY insanity that manifests itself through home remodeling on the cheap, is actually a dastardly set of ways to fail. What’s more, you can hurt yourself in the process. I’m among the walking wounded who knows. From my vantage point atop the pinnacle of hindsight, those three initials are uninformed (lucky you!!), DIY stands for “Do It Yourself.” It should read DYI, or “Do Yourself In.” I speak from experience. Our family has just completed a “small” renovation project. Small, when compared to remodeling the White House from top of bottom. Unfortunately, while our cosmetic transformation was less challenging than would be the case at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, we also had fewer willing hands and available dollars to help get us from concept to reality. In fact, we’re only somewhere in the vicinity of done, and at this point, I I’ve overdosed on DIY. Our son-in-law looked around the other evening and comtouched in this makeover. Not only did I have to acknowledge that he was spot on, but suddenly I understood why my body was
so weary, and why the only two brain waves in my head were unable to connect on a regular basis. What I could do, I did. What I couldn’t do, but we didn’t have the money to hire done, I did anyway. And what we had to hire done, had to be supervised by you know who. It was an interesting experience. I use the word “interesting” because I can’t write the word I really want to use in a family magazine. Just know that interesting only scratches the surface. When people learn that we did this entire transformation in something less than two months, they’re quick to assure me that two months is nothing. And I’m quick to remind them that if they weren’t there, they don’t have a clue. I have fewer friends now than I did before we started, but that’s just fewer folks to disagree with me. How bad was it? I feel like I lived, ate, breathed and slept this renovation forty-eight hours out of my day. Every day. So consumed was I that at one point, I sat down in my recliner to anxious to be considerate and appreciative of Elizabeth’s efforts, I got up to return my dirty dishes to the kitchen. Instead, I walked into the hallway, opened the linen closet, and set my dishes in amongst the bath towels. No joke. A plethora of TV shows would have the uninformed believe that in only an hour, less commercial time, a ramshackle barn can be transformed into an elegant mansion, and you won’t even have to break a sweat to make it happen. It ain’t to open the paint cans and get my equipment ready to work. And when hired workers don’t even report until the sun has are going to come to a speedy conclusion. “to-do” list, I wasn’t very speedy, either. I know TV cameras have the reputation for making folks look ten pounds heavier. I’d guess from my most recent practical, hands-on experience, that it also allows more things to be accomplished in less time. And in the process, it leaves scars that ensure you will never forget the “make a sow’s ear into a silk purse” transformation. So when you’re through, and that one-eared porcine is walking around, wondering what the heck happened, you will be able to proudly proclaim, “I did it myself; I did myself in.” DIY television is a mortal threat to life!
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The Clubhouse
Roast Turkey or Cooked Goose? By John Shivers
“G
Illustration by Terry Sells
obble. Gobble.” “Really, Dil? ‘Gobble… gobble’? Do you honestly expect any self-respecting turkey to answer that?”
“I suppose you’ve got a better way to get their attention?” “Yep,” Rabun Racky replied, “One of these.” In the gathering twilight, he held up a small, round cylinder. “What’s that?” “A turkey call, you dope. You know… a professional turkey call.” “That’s for wild turkeys,” Dil challenged. He waved his hand at the pen of white-feathered birds. “These are domestic turkeys. They
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won’t respond to that call any better than they did to my ‘gobble… gobble’.” Racky ignored his brother, placed the tube to his lips and blew with all his might. “Parruhhh… parruhhh…” broke the silence of the Rabun Gap, Georgia woods, but the birds milling around in the pen gave no indication they’d heard anything. “If that doesn’t beat all.” Racky stamped his foot. “Here we are trying to save them from sure and certain death, and they can’t even be bothered to listen up.” “So? Since you’re not going to be able to make like the Pied Piper, what’s ‘Plan B’?”
Racky surveyed the situation, walked around the large pen and take them.” Unfortunately, trying to grab fattened birds that didn’t want either of the boys had imagined. That the turkeys didn’t want to aggravating. “Ungrateful, if you ask me,” Racky groused. Long before “Operation Rescue” was anywhere near complete, both boys were questioning the wisdom of their actions. What, they asked themselves, had possessed them to think they
“How can you be so crass? Don’t you realize that these poor guys have to be killed to make all those drumsticks?” Dil had the good graces to look ashamed. “So what do you propose? That we rescue these turkeys from their natural fate and leave a lot of people hungry on Thanksgiving Day?” “That’s exactly what we’re going to do,” Racky vowed, and a plan was hatched As the boys struggled to grab the birds and pass them over the fence to waiting cages loaded on a wagon, the next obstacle was where to hide more than a hundred hot turkeys. Then the owner of
Thanksgiving dinner tables?
nally fell into their beds, too tired to care that each of them stunk to high heaven.
The idea had been born in late October, when Racky spotted a troubling sign alongside Highway 441. “Pick out your Thanksgiving meat while it’s still on the claw… Pick it up on the day before, ready to roast!” The arrow on the bottom of the billboard pointed down the road in the direction of the oak tree where Racky lived with his parents.
While the boys slumbered in troubled sleep, people in the der their wood piles, in their mailboxes, in the trunks of their cars and atop the ridge poles of their houses. As the day wore on, and the boys overheard all the talk around town about the turkeys, they came to realize the magnitude of what they had done.
As soon as he could get to Dil, the boys investigated. They heard the gabbling long before they rounded the bend to dis-
“Gosh,” Dil said to Racky as they went about their day with one eye looking back over their shoulders, “Do you realize if we’d been caught, our gooses would have been cooked?”
a large pen.
“Now you know how those turkeys feel,” Racky replied, “Their gooses were almost cooked, too!
“Man, that’s a lot of drumsticks,” Dil muttered to himself.
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Gratitude -
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- tbarnesphotography.photoshelter.com