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October 2015
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GML Staff and Contributors
From the Publisher Happy October! My favorite month of the year, the leaves are going to be marvelous, the smells of wood smoke, cinnamon apples and pumpkin fill the air. I delight in the crisp autumn air and love the fun of a fall festival. Our calendar is full and there is plenty to enjoy. Fall is a wonderful time to gather with those you love. Can’t wait to put on your first sweatshirt and sit on the deck watching the leaves fall. The cool mountain mornings and evenings are the perfect time for that. The day offers an opportunity to get out and enjoy some shopping, visit a gallery, go on an adventure to a waterfall or the top of a mountain. Just being in the mountains is enough to soothe the soul.
Publisher - Tracy McCoy - tracy@gmlaurel.com Art Director - Dianne VanderHorst Office Manager - Cindi Freeman Copy Editor/Writer - Jan Timms Photographer/Writer - Peter McIntosh Marketing Executives (Advertising) Melissa Williams - 706.982.4777 - melissa@gmlaurel.com Cindi Freeman - 706.782.1608 - cindi@gmlaurel.com Contributing Writers: Jean Hyatt, Melissa Williams, Van Hudson Mark Holloway, Bob Justus, Jo Mitchell, Steve Jarrard, MD, Lisa Harris, Kitty Stratton, Page Rhoad, John Shivers
October 2015
We are so thankful that you have made the Laurel a part of your day, sharing the mountains with you is our greatest pleasure and the businesses that support the Georgia Mountain Laurel are some of the area’s finest. Please make a point to visit with them or keep their phone numbers handy for when you need them. They truly are the reason you have this magazine in your hand and they deserve a thank you.
Volume Twelve • Issue Ten Copyright 2015 The Georgia Mountain Laurel is a publication of Rabun’s Laurel, Inc. Mailing: PO Box 2218, Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 633 Highway 441 South, Clayton, Georgia Phone: 706.782.1600 Website: GMLaurel.com E-mail: gmlmagazine@gmail.com
Blessings to you all,
Tracy
Copyright 2015 by Rabun’s Laurel Inc. All rights reserved. The Georgia Mountain Laurel Magazine is published twelve times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to GML magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel magazine or any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. The Georgia Mountain Laurel maintains a Christian focus throughout their magazine. Rabun’s Laurel, Inc. reserves the right to refuse content or advertising for any reason without explanation.
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Julie Barnett
Leigh Barnett
Cell 404-697-3860
Cell 404-931-3636
REALTOR速
REALTOR速
141 S. Main St. Clayton, GA
706-212-0228
www.lakeburtonhome.com for VIRTUAL TOURS FEATURED HOMES
WinsHill on Lake Burton $5,900,000
Windrush on Lake Burton $4,100,000
Romancing the Stone on Lake Rabun $3,975,000 New Construction on Lake Burton $3,895,000
Lake Burton Farmhouse $2,695,000
Somerset Cove on Lake Burton $2,425,000
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Narnia on Lake Burton $3,795,000
Four Bear Lodge on Lake Burton $2,675,000
Memory Maker on Lake Burton $2,495,000
The Boathouse on Lake Burton $2,295,000
Summerside on Lake Burton $1,995,000
The above information is believed to be accurate, but is not warranted.
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The Lake Burton Magic $1,595,000
Dearing Junction on Lake Burton $1,699,000
Highview over Burton at Waterfall Club $1,895,000
Sunstone Cottage on Lake Burton $1,295,000
Back to Basics on Lake Burton $1,295,000
The High Life on Lake Burton $1,450,000
Over the Water on Lake Burton $995,000
Forever Young on Lake Burton $1,195,000
Sunset Skies on Lake Burton $1,275,000
Frederick's Fancy on Lake Burton $795,000
Mountainside Retreat over Burton $825,000
Hidden Hollow on Lake Burton $899,000
Boathouse and 1+ Ac. on Lake Burton $395,000
Seabrook Cottage on Lake Burton $525,000
Cottage at Waterfall Club $649,000
www.lakeburtonhome.com
for a complete listing of properties and VIRTUAL TOURS Office - 706-212-0228 • Julie - 404-697-3860 • Leigh - 404-931-3636 www.gmlaurel.com
The above information is believed to be accurate, but is not warranted.
October 2015
141 S. Main St. • Clayton, GA • 706-212-0228
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IN THIS ISSUE
Faith 46 50 51
The Arts 8 12 16
Cover Artist - Sarah Samsel North Georgia Arts Guild Rainy Day Workshop
Health & Wellness 52 54
Great Outdoors 20 22 24
Adventure Out Mountain Nature Hillside Orchard Farms
Folk
A Taste 27 28 34
Bon Appetit Uncorked - From Vine to Wine Bacchus
Affairs to Remember 38 42 44
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Bless Your Heart River Garden CLC Bucket Auction
58 60 62 66 70
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Folks - Hamdige Center Lovin the Journey Let Me Intorduce You Adventures of Racky and Dil A Wedding Story - Philip & Lindsey
Yesterdays 72 74 76 77
Event Calendar Sky Valley Festival Foxglove
Live Healthy & Be Well Colorectal Cancer
Echoes from the Hills Foxfire Explore Northeast Georgia Southern States Insurance
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Cover Artist
Meet Sarah Samsel
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n over ten years at the Laurel, I have had the pleasure of meeting many exceptional artists. Just when I thought I’d seen it all... along comes Sarah Samsel. This absolutely adorable twenty-year old young lady displays incredible poise, confidence and intelligence. Sarah invited me down to Habersham to visit her gallery Sarah’s Lavender Cottage on the property of John and Nancy Kollock. The setting could not have been more pristine and the morning was lovely. Sarah met me at the door and welcomed me in to sit for a chat and get a first-hand look at her art. So what sets Sarah apart from every other artist I’ve ever met? It begins with the materials she uses to create her art. One would look at the picture on this issue’s cover titled “It’s Autumn” and would never guess that it was created with: cornhusk, turmeric, cinnamon, ground orange peel, hydrangea, maple, cornsilk, banana peel and aucuba with a base of good ol’ Elmer’s glue. Sarah gathers natural materials from creation to use in her art. She began at the early age of ten years creating note cards utilizing dried flowers. Sarah gathered the flowers pressing them within the pages of the telephone book (which she still finds to be an effective tool). She designed the cards using her own ideas or created commissioned cards. She sold her cards for $2 each and soon was making a name for herself. She formed a friendship with Charlé Statler who was a great encourager for Sarah. Through Ms. Statler she gained the attention of noted Clarkesville artist John Kollock, who Sarah credits for much of her success. “Mr. Kollock was a mentor to me.” she told me. “He gave me lots of great advice about making art, being an artist and having a business. Mrs. Kollock is also full of wonderful artistic advice and has been a great mentor to me too.” Sarah realizes how blessed she has been to have these three people in her life and she is incredibly thankful. Handmade greeting cards gave way to framed artwork all of which come with the story of the image and an ingredient list along with the artist’s signature on the back. Sarah has learned framing from Ms. Statler and now does almost all of her own framing. I was amazed to learn of the wide array of ingredients like dried mushrooms, strawberries, vegetables, seeds, bark and other plant materials that are used in Sarah’s scenes. Her original framed artwork lines the walls at Sarah’s Lavender Cottage, which is by the way open by appointment. Sarah’s framed artwork is also shown at Soque ArtWorks on the square in Clarkesville. It was difficult to choose the cover as I found each piece to be so cleverly done and truly inspiring. One cannot miss Sarah’s other art form which she learned from another great mentor, cornhusk doll artist Nancy Garrett. The two artists create their dolls in different styles and their works are displayed in different venues. Sarah again is grateful for the opportunity to have learned from Ms. Garrett. From jolly snowmen to an artist with an easel painting en’ plein aire, each of Sarah’s cornhusk creatures is unique and so well done you’ll be amazed at the detail. The rich colors of the husks are a combination of Sarah’s imagination and Rit Dye’s array of colors. The complete Nativity is on display at Sarah’s cottage and then there is the guitar man conspicuously placed next to Sarah’s brother’s CD. Brother Nathaniel is a Mountain Dulcimer musician and has produced a CD that is also for sale in his sister’s gallery and no doubt around Clarkesville. Sarah recently finished a cornhusk turkey and is eager to explore other ideas. She works from the images in her mind and no doubt will go on to create other animals and collectible items with cornhusks. Sarah’s cornhusk dolls can be purchased from her own gallery or at The Mountain Gallery in Clarkesville. A member of the World Wide Pressed Flower Guild, Sarah has used pressed flowers in almost all of her art from the beginning, even creating beautiful pendants for necklaces with
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flowers pressed between glass. Today her note cards are images of her original framed art pieces and are sold in sets. Sarah is the epitome of a virtuous young woman. Homeschooled by her parents, Jeff and Denise Samsel, who put high value on her education and that of their other five children, Sarah is just a joy to meet. She spoke of each of her siblings ranging in age from 3 - 17 years, and even mentioned watching a couple dabble in art. Sarah’s mother has dedicated her life to raising her children and what an outstanding job she has done along with her husband Jeff, a freelance outdoor writer for many magazines. When I asked if Sarah had ever created with paint, she smiled and told me that she had been asked to paint the windows for Clarkesville’s newest farm to table restaurant Harvest Habersham. She painted fresh vegetables on their windows which she said she greatly enjoyed even though she was a bit nervous about it. She shared how unlike the tedious work she is used to she was able to make wide brushstrokes and loved being free to do so. Of course as you can imagine this led to other local businesses contacting her to do the same for them. It is something that Sarah is pleased to have the opportunity to do. One of Sarah’s favorite pastimes for ten years has been volunteering for the City of Clarkesville’s Gardens and Grounds Department. She enjoys it even more now since the city hired her last spring. Gardening is a passion of Sarah’s which is not surprising since it is the beginning of an art form in her eyes. God after all is the greatest artist and creator of all things. Coming up soon is Nancy Kollock’s 31st Annual Christmas show on the Kollock property at 450 Bybrook Trail in Clarkesville, Georgia. The event is scheduled for December 5th this year and will feature the art of Sarah as well as books and art by John Kollock and the work of various other artists and authors. The event’s entertainment will be Nathaniel Samsel playing his dulcimer. Sure to be a holiday inspiration we’d like to personally invite you to attend. For more information on this event please visit www. clarkesvilleshow.blogspot.com/. There are many ways to learn more about Sarah Samsel, first you can visit her website which is www.sarahslavendercottage.com or secondly enjoy her blog which is www.sarahslavenderblog.blogspot.com or her Etsy shop which is called CornhuskCreatures. The artist can be contacted to schedule an appointment to her gallery by calling 706.768.0722 or you can enjoy her art at both Soque ArtWorks and The Mountain Gallery, both in Clarkesville, Georgia. Whichever you choose, this young lady’s work is a must-see! by Tracy McCoy
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NORTH GEORGIA ARTS GUILD
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Celia Durand, digital mastery lowers are pretty, right? The gala display each spring and summer— nice, but sort of what you expect? Wait, not so fast.
When Celia Durand approaches any blooming plant with camera and intercedes on its behalf with masterful manipulation of digital imagery, it becomes a thing of exotic beauty. It now lives in a vivid world we can only dream of, but which Celia brings to life.
artistic destination, it is, in her words “just a tool”. And this artist would like people to get it; that art is ‘not defined by the tools we use but by what we express with them’. Every aspect of the process is meaningful for Celia, and the destination is less important than the journey. Even if she isn’t satisfied with the final image, and she has many, many photos waiting for the ‘missing sparkle‚’ she enjoys the learning, the discovery and finding new ways.
Photography entered Celia’s life as a means gia to share family moments with grandparents in r o Ge the Argentina and grandkids in New York. Later orth over ed N Depth, color both intense and subtle, startling detail n k e on, added to kids’ photos was the occasional g o h i to ft es , and composition that marries what you see with er o 7. She nd red today ’ flower, old building or ‘crystallized leaves b m ‘what if’; Celia describes it as blending reality me r, 200 008 a at it is artists after an ice storm’. In Washington DC, Celia a e 2 e with fantasy, photography with digital am Octob ugust to wh ry, the s and discovered computers, an exciting time c e a elements. The result intrigues, holds ia b ild in e in A e page n galle allerie . Celi l filled with ‘innovations and challenges’. e t s l g i C Gu mystery; what she hopes will inspire b si a sing el ma ents, gram ation s e t The metamorphosis to her current art r w v s ic A ro people, to seek out more—in her work AG e from carou , art e tive p mun ists. began with the move to Atlanta and G s N sit he rac rie com art and in nature. the coincidental birth of the digital the ding t l galle al inte bling g our r a n a lu camera revolution. inc ividu d seve t of en s amo Celia reminds us that for the most d r a n n a e i a d , n of i part our photographs do not synch with After learning to control her digital ws ea sho mad aring memories of that event because our minds tools, Celia found they offered freedom, rather s ha nd sh are selective, while the camera is very precise. a than restriction. She was in charge and could improve Her objective is to ‘recreate the state of mind upon nature, choosing what to highlight, ‘what to obscure, of a (particular) moment’, addressing emotions what to make disappear’, changing if she wished, the mood, over details. background and textures, a whole new story. Not unexpectedly, Celia draws her inspirations Celia’s work is represented at several online sites, including her from nature, especially flowers with their myriad colors, shapes website: pixelgraphs.com, and MarketPlace 120 in Marietta, Georgia. and textures. What is unexpected is her ‘out of the box’ infusion of It is here, as part of Atlanta Celebrates Photography ---the largest annual geometrical designs into the works, joining the ‘softness and free spirit community-oriented photo festival in the US--that she presents her new of flowers with the structural strength of well-defined lines and shapes’. series: The Magic of Light. Do not be deceived into thinking Celia elevates her computer By Jo Mitchell software into some magical entity. Although it helps her arrive at her
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Finding Art “Great art picks up where nature ends.” ~Marc Chagall
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Rainy Day Workshop
F
all is a wonderful time of year. The temperature is cooling off, the leaves are changing, and it is time to decorate. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love the costumes and candy. Pumpkins, in my opinion, symbolize fall, but the real ones will not survive the season without rotting. This project is an easy, inexpensive, way to start beautifying for autumn. If you are planning on using this as an outside display, you can place rocks inside the dryer hose before attaching the two ends. The added weight will keep your pumpkin from blowing away.
Materials: 4� Dryer Hose Wire Orange Spray Paint 6� Stick Small Piece of Styrofoam
Step 1: Stretch out the dryer hose long enough to make a circle. Cut off the excess.
Step 2: Attach the two ends of the hose to form a circle using the wire. I poked it through and crimped the ends. You could use hot glue instead of the wire if you prefer. I made the mistake of painting before I attached the two ends, so I had to repaint. Step 3: Spray paint the dryer hose orange. Let it dry thoroughly and flip over and paint the other side. Allow the paint to completely dry. While the paint is drying, gather fall colored leaves for your display.
Step 5: Arrange the fall leave on a table, placing the pumpkin in the center. Step 4: Place the stick into the Styrofoam. This will allow you wedge and stabilize the stick in the center of the dryer hose.
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WARNING: Be aware, there are still bugs out. I ran into this big guy while arranging my display. by Melissa Williams-Thomas
October 2015
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“Go and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here. Make. Good. Art.� ~Neil Gaiman
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Finding Art
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Adventure Out Siler Bald, N.C.
M
y ad in the September and October issues of the Georgia Mountain Laurel mention that some of my photos were used in Robert Redford’s film “A Walk In The Woods”. One of the postcards Redford holds in his hand at the end of the movie is a sunset photo I shot from a mountaintop, just up the road in North Carolina. And whether you saw the movie or not, October is a great time to get in a hike on the Appalachian Trail. Our destination is Siler Bald, just across the state line in North Carolina. This is one of my favorite hikes because the trail is a nice gentle ascent, except for the last 1/4 mile, and the views from the top are unparalleled. And you’ll see fall color as you get higher up that’s still a few weeks away at lower altitudes. We get to the top of Siler Bald by hiking a couple of miles on the Appalachian Trail. From the trailhead at the Wayah (pronounced why-a) Crest picnic area, you ascend through the picnic area. There are men’s and women’s privies located here. A short distance past the picnic area, this lead trail intersects the Appalachian Trail and a road bed. Look for the AT (2 X 6 inch white) blazed trail ascending some steps and continuing gently upward in a southwesterly direction. In about 1/4 mile the trail turns to the right crossing over a small bridge consisting of two split logs and from there begins to climb, still gently, moving westward along the north side of the mountain. At 1/2 mile, there’s a nicely flowing pipe spring on your left. The trail continues westward and upward through a stand of beautiful hardwoods with an occasional conifer thrown in for good measure. Slowly the treadway begins turning to the left and soon your traveling eastward along the spine of a ridge. The trail moves off the spine to the south side of the ridge and continues, still eastward and almost level now, before coming to an grassy opening (a wildlife food plot maintained by the forest service) with a side trail on your right ascending moderately to the top of the mountain. Across the open area, the AT continues southward for 4 miles before crossing U.S. 64 at Winding Stair Gap. There is also a blue blazed trail which descends about 4/10 of a mile to the Siler Bald Shelter with a privy and a spring.
you ascend. And the higher you go, more and more of the spectacular scenery comes into view. And since many birds love the edges between forest and open areas, this hillside is a great place for birdwatchers. And stopping to admire one our feathered friends is a great way to catch your breath without admitting you may be slightly out of shape. A little further, a little further, whew, Siler Bald, 5,216 feet above sea level. So, with our heart rates back to normal, let’s look around. (A compass and a Nantahala National Forest Map would be fun to have at this moment.) The mountain just to the north with the antennas is Wayah Bald, the lake below you to the west is Nantahala Lake with Hickory Knob behind it. To the east is the town of Franklin; you can see it at night and the Cowee Mountains. To the south you can see Albert Mountain, Ridgepole Mountain and Standing Indian. (The AT crosses all three of these mountaintops.)This is a great spot to stay and watch the sunset and it’s easy to hike out in the twilight with the aid of a headlight. Happy Hiking!
For us it’s onward and upward to the top of the mountain. This spur trail is also part of the grassy food plot so you’re out in the open as
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As autumn’s leaves begin a’fallin’, here’s my poem without further stallin’. The colors of fall will themselves unveil, As we ascend the Appalachian Trail. And witness a sunset that’s really quite groovy, Just like the postcard in Robert Redford’s movie.
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Getting there: From U.S. 441 and U.S. 64 in Franklin, go west on US 64 for just less than 4 miles then turn right at a sign that reads LBJ Job Corps. Almost immediately after that right turn, go left on N.C. 1310, just past Loafer’s Glory convenience store; there’ll be another sign for the Job Corps facility. Go a little over 9 miles up to Wayah Crest where the AT crosses the road. Just past the trail crossing is a road on the left leading to the parking area for the Wayah Crest Picnic Area. By Peter McIntosh To see more of Peter’s photos or if you have a question or comment: www.mcintoshmountains.com. And to find out how you can support and help protect the Appalachian Trail: www.appalachiantrail.org.
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I
Mountain Nature Virgin’s Bower (Clemantis virginiana)
think the first time I noticed this local common climbing vine was about 12 years ago while driving along a backroad in Rabun Gap down near that little lake just east of 441. I saw these fluffy white puffballs with dark centers and they reminded me of little puppy dog faces. They grew in clumps, so that the dark centers (seeds) made eyes and noses that for all the world looked to me like little white Maltese dog faces. Virgin’s Bower grows along roadsides, up fences, among bushes and along creek sides at elevations up to about 2000 feet. The vine can be a couple of feet long up to about 30 feet long. A cluster of white to creamcolored flowers grows on stems along the vine. In fall the showy center of the flower produces a wiry, feathery looking profusion of plumed seeds designed to loosen and become windborne in order to disperse and regenerate itself. Virgin’s Bower is, as the scientific name states, a species of clematis. Most of us think of clematis as the familiar purple flowering vine used ornamentally in gardens, and it is; it’s just not the virginiana. One interesting thing I learned about clematis in general, though, is that it does not produce tendrils which seek out places to climb. Instead, it grows by continually revolving as the vine becomes longer. If, in the course of a revolution, it senses an object to climb on, it will grow along that object until it runs out. Some species of clematis revolve every 3 to 6 hours. It has been discovered that if you rub a young leaf where it attaches to the stem several times with a twig, within a few hours it will bend to that side before growing straight again. It has been suggested that Virgin’s Bower got its name in honor of the unmarried Queen Elizabeth I, who was sometimes called the Virgin Queen, and from the rapid growth of the vine to form a bower, or shady place, in the woods or garden. While you are out “leaf looking” this fall, keep your eyes open for the frothy looking little vine growing along fences or bushes. Take a closer peek, and I’m sure you’ll be able to see the little puppy faces in them just as I did. By Jean Hyatt Jean and her husband Richard own and operate Mountain Nature in downtown Clayton. They can be reached at 706.782.0838.
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** Don’t forget to turn off your outside lights at night. Use motion detector lighting, shields, and IDA-approved lighting so you don’t impose your light on those who want to see the stars. I believe God made night dark for a reason. Please help keep it that way. **
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Hillside Orchard Farms
W
hile growing up in the rural areas of Georgia, farming and canning became a way of life for Robert and Patsy Mitcham. During high school, Robert was active in agriculture and Future Farmers of America. He helped run a canning plant at his school and later became an agriculture teacher and ran the canning plant for Rabun County. A small jelly kitchen was built in the backyard of the Mitcham’s North Georgia home in 1983. It all began with 10 products including; strawberry jam, apple butter and the bread and butter pickles made from that crop of cucumbers. From that small jelly kitchen, Hillside Orchard Farms has grown into a major company producing over 700 products that ship all over the United States, The Bahamas, Bermuda, The Cayman Islands, and Canada. They specialize in private labeling of product, contract packaging, value added packaging, and all of their products are available wholesale. Hillside Orchard private labels 80% of the products sent out. They have a retail country store where you can buy products or you can visit the mail order store on the web. They make all of the products on site. The Country Store has everything from jellies to fritters. They have a wide range of souvenirs; cookbooks, local books, Lake Rabun merchandise, and plush toys. Gift baskets are made to order, so you can walk around and pick out all your favorites and they will arrange and even ship for you. Patsy Mitcham said “I never dreamed it would be this big!” Robert Sr. keeps dreaming up new ideas for the farm and they keep adding. Three generations of the Mitcham family now run the operations of Hillside Orchard Farms. Robert Sr. and Patsy’s daughter Kiley Mitcham Houston is in Sales, she oversees the store and does some of the book keeping. Her husband Michael Houston heads up the transportation and production division. Robert Mitcham Jr. is in charge of special projects. Their daughter, Karen, helps in the office. Every year the corn maze has a theme. This year is the Tallulah Falls Railroad. Michael Houston cuts the corn and designs the maze on over three acres of land. Kids of all ages will enjoy searching the maze for the answers to trivia questions along the way. Once you have found all the answers, turn your card in for a special treat. Little Mitcham’s Gem Mine is open daily. At the entrance, there is a real mining car from the Tallulah Falls Railroad and the train tracts as well. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by an old miner. The mining is set up for the bigger kids, complete with a waterfall. They will mine for gems, fossils, and arrowheads. There is also a room set up for the smaller children. On the way out, there is a room with assorted rocks and stones. At the demonstration building, you can watch all the pies and fritters being made. The loft and pavilion are available to rent out for birthday parties or wedding receptions. The pavilion has several picnic tables and is located next to a giant sandbox, a playground with swings, and a wooden train for the kids to play on. They have a hayride that will take you to see the animals and around the property. Over 300 kids have already scheduled field-trips times to Hillside Orchard Farms this year. New to the farm is The ol’ #3. This train runs on the weekends and special days and takes you on a tour of the grounds. Robert Jr’s daughter, Jennifer, is one the train engineers. Jennifer took us for a ride on the train. Along the way, there is a black smith shop and a sawmill. We passed by the animals on the farm. There are horses, cows, pigs, pygmy goats, ducks, geese, rabbits, chickens, miniature ponies, and donkeys. When talking about the animals, Festus, one of the Jerusalem donkey’s, has to be mentioned. Festus has a following. Always ready for the camera, he was posing, laying down and looking back over his shoulder. Another sure to be favorite, is Sweetpea. Jennifer bottle fed this little pygmy goat. She rides in trucks, visits the kids of the Creative Learning Center, and has so much
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personality. Ol’ #3 took us passed the u-pick blackberry fields (available is July) and the production rooms for the honey. Kiley told us that the honey was down this year because of all the afternoon showers, bees don’t fly in the rain. The train’s caboose is wheelchair accessible. The farm is 100 acres, half of that is workable. Patsy and Robert Sr. began purchasing the land in the 1960’s and have added on over the years. All of the by products are reused and recycled, turned into compost, top soil, feed, or ethanol. A lot has changed over the years, but the Mitcham’s still hold on to the values and the quality that got them started. They run a fully modern, fully licensed, FDA and The Georgia Department of Agriculture regulated plant. But, with one taste, you will agree that the homemade goodness is still in there. There is so much to see and do at Hillside Orchard Farms. It is fun for the whole family. You can visit them at 18 Sorghum Mill Drive, Lakemont Georgia, visit them on the web at www.hillsideorchard.com, or call them at 706.782.4995 or toll free at 1.866.782.4995.
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Bon Appétit
Load ‘em Up and Move ‘em Out – Let’s Tailgate!
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ootball season has finally arrived and is in full swing. I do know that there are some people who could care less, but for those of us diehard fans, we have been ready since the final seconds of the Super Bowl ticked off. Your favorite team could be made up of 8 and 9 year olds whose attention spans can’t be maintained for more than one play, or you pin your hopes on your favorite collegiate team with the hope that one of them wins the Heisman Trophy or you can’t wait for the professional boys to start doing their favorite version of the chicken dance in the end zone; regardless I am sure that food plays a major role in your enjoyment of the game. These recipes are easy to eat and more importantly easy to make. So pack your car with players or spectators and plenty of food to carry you through to the last second of the game. Of course, these foods are just as good sitting in your favorite chair with the remote in one hand and food in the other one. So cheer for your team and enjoy. by Scarlett Cook
Honeyed BBQ Chicken 8 – 10 servings 6 Bone-in chicken breasts 6 Bone-in thighs Sauce – makes 2 cups 1/4 Cup margarine 1 Medium onion, diced 1 Cup ketchup 1/3 Cup water 1/4 Cup honey 2 Tablespoons lemon juice 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1/4 Teaspoon black pepper Melt margarine in a small saucepan over medium heat; add onion and cook 4 – 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered 5 minutes. Layer chicken in crockpot and cook on high for 2 hours. Pour 1 cup of sauce over chicken and cook another 2 hours. Alternate cooking method – place chicken in greased baking dish, cover and bake at 350˚ for 45 minutes. Pour 1 cup sauce over chicken and return to oven and bake 30 – 40 minutes longer or until chicken is done. Serve with remaining sauce and plenty of napkins.
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Meatloaf Sliders 10 – 12 servings 2 1/2 Pounds of ground beef 1 1/2 Pounds of ground pork 1 Large bell pepper, minced 1 Small onion, minced 4 Large eggs, slightly beaten 4 Cups breadcrumbs 1/3 Cup ketchup 1/4 Cup packed brown sugar 1/4 Cup maple syrup 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 Tablespoons Tabasco sauce 1 15-Ounce can tomato sauce 4 Slices uncooked bacon Slider buns Preheat oven to 350˚. Stir all ingredients except tomato sauce and bacon. Shape into 2 9”x4” loaves and place on a foil lined baking pan. Pan should be deep enough to catch all cooking juices. Pour half of tomato sauce over each loaf and arrange 2 bacon slices over each loaf. Bake for 1 hour. Let loaves rest for 10 minutes before cutting. To make sandwiches, sliced meatloaf and place on slider bun and brush bun with mayonnaise, mustard or ketchup or dress to your taste.
October 2015
Tangy and Sweet Slaw 8 servings 1 Cup mayonnaise 2 Tablespoons brown sugar 2 Tablespoons lemon juice 2 Tablespoons white or rice vinegar 1 Tablespoon light corn syrup 1/2 Teaspoon red wine vinegar 1/4 Teaspoon salt 1/4 Teaspoon pepper 2 16-Ounce packages coleslaw mix Combine all ingredients except coleslaw mix in a large bowl and whisk well. Add coleslaw mix and stir to coat. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes before serving. Roasted New Potato Salad 4 – 6 servings 2 Tablespoons olive oil 2 Pounds small red potatoes, diced 1/2 Medium onion, chopped 2 Teaspoons minced garlic 1 Teaspoon salt 1/8 Teaspoon black pepper 8 – 10 cooked crisp bacon slices, crumbled 1 Bunch green onions, chopped 3/4 Cup bottled Ranch Dressing Preheat oven to 425˚. Place olive oil in a foil lined 15”x10” baking sheet. Add potatoes, onion, garlic, salt and pepper and toss to coat. Arrange potatoes in single layer. Bake for 30 – 35 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a large bowl. Add bacon, green onions and dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm or cover and chill until ready to serve.
www.gmlaurel.com
Photo by Garret K. Woodward
White Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies makes 5 dozen 1 Cup margarine, softened 1 Cup firmly packed browned sugar 1 Cup sugar 2 Large eggs 3 Teaspoons vanilla extract 3 Cups plain flour 1 Teaspoon baking soda 1 Teaspoon baking powder 1 Teaspoon salt 1 1/2 Cups uncooked oatmeal 2 Cups (12 ounces) white chocolate chips 1 Cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts Preheat oven to 350˚. Beat butter at medium speed with a mixer until creamy; gradually beat in sugars, beating well. Add eggs one at a time, beating just until yellow disappears. Stir in vanilla. Combine flour , baking soda, baking powder and salt; gradually adding to butter mixture. Beat until well blended. Stir in oatmeal, chips and nuts. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased cooking sheet. Bake 12 minutes. Cool on sheets 3 minutes, then cool completely on wire racks. Lemon Almond Pound Cake 10 – 12 servings
Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. only a short hike off the trail
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1 Cup margarine, softened 3 Cups sugar 6 Large eggs 2 Teaspoons vanilla extract 1 Teaspoon lemon extract 1 Teaspoon almond extract 3 Cups plain flour 1 8-Ounce container sour cream
ow open in what was the town hall and the fire department on West Main Street in Franklin, North Carolina, is a craft brewery dedicated to taking the more difficult path to exceptional beer. Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. opened their 15 barrel brewery in May with a tap room that is open to the public and is perfect to sample their brews. Head Brewer Noah McIntee tells me that they do not cut corners; they do what needs to be done to produce a beer they are proud to offer WNC and visitors to the area. The pride they take in brewing their beer is only exceeded by the pride they show in their town and the mountains they call home.
Preheat oven to 325˚.
While they brew many styles of beer, they have three flagships available year round: Slack Pack IPA, Trail Mate Golden Ale and Wesser Evil Porter. Their IPA is an East Coast inspired beer with a full floral quality from the same hops that give it a bracing edge. The golden ale is light, crisp and refreshing while their Wesser Evil Porter, named after nearby Wesser Bald, is rich, roasty and black as night. If these don’t tempt you to leave the trail and make your way to the Lazy Hiker Brewing Company, maybe one of the five other beers on tap will. This autumnal season you can enjoy a Pumpkin Ale brewed with locally grown pumpkins and pumpkin pie spices.
Beat margarine at medium speed with mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating a medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until yellow disappears. Add vanilla, lemon and almond extracts. Add flour to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour. Beat a low speed just until ingredients are blended. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan. Bake for 1 hour and 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 – 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.
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Live music on the outdoor stage or in the comfort of the tap room lends itself to relaxing with a cold beer and great friends, furry or otherwise (pets are welcome). While they do not serve food there is a food truck in their parking lot for those who’d like to enjoy a little something with their beer. Lazy Hiker offers beer by the glass on site or 32 and 64 ounce growlers and kegs to go (Advance notice is appreciated.). Their beer is making quite a name for itself - showing up in restaurants and drinking establishments across Western North Carolina to RAVE reviews! You must check out their website at www.lazyhikerbrewing.com and find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Make plans to visit 188 West Main Street in Franklin, NC 28734 or call for more details 828.349.BEER (2337).
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Uncorked – From Vine to Wine O
Women of North Georgia Wine
ctober provides us with a good time to reflect on women dreams. Three notable women of the local wine industry whom we of strength and courage who work sacrificially to turn have had the privilege to get to know in our wine adventures share challenges into opportunities and hope into fulfilled their experiences, advice and heart for service and hospitality.
LISA ROMANELLO 12 Spies Vineyards and Farm, Rabun Gap, GA www.12spiesvineyards.com 1.
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How did your venture into the wine business begin? Well, this is a complicated answer. I worked for a tasting room and thought it was an interesting business. I was a professional for 25 years (in the finance world). Had a chance to “jump off the cliff” and took the plunge in 2005. Planting grapes, building our building and making wine came over the years to follow. What previous life experiences helped prepare you for the wine business? Drinking!!! What I mean by that is that I had none!!! :) As you worked to build your business, what obstacles did you encounter and overcome? I think the biggest thing was having the physical and spiritual energy to do this without a huge staff. We have been very blessed with lots of support from our customers. There are only so many hours in the day and days in the week. We are a family
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business with our home on the property. We take it very personal and try to make sure everyone has a great experience here at 12 Spies!! Describe one of your favorite success stories. The best story is our building. Mike and I built this with our own hands. We did have help from friends, but having our own sweat in it makes a huge difference. I did find out that I’m not a construction worker!!! What advice would you give other women who want to become entrepreneurs? Just know what you’re getting into. Do the research. Make sure you have the money to build it without borrowing. Know that you will need back up capital/reserves. It requires lots of hard work 7 days a week!!! You are the heart of the business. What would you like people to know about your wine and winery? Our wines are different from each other and different from other wineries. We try to have something to offer everyone that walks into our tasting room. People think they are not wine experts, but they are experts of their own taste. Wine should be fun and that is our motto. What would you like customers to take away from their experience at your winery? The beauty that is all around us here was God given. We just take care of it and try to make lots of great wine to enhance it. This is our home and the winery is an extension of our living space. Our “Barn” setting is casual and interesting. Our bathroom is the most photographed thing along with the vineyard and the mountains. Samson and Gus are our greeters (our dogs). Sometimes you will see Dawson the cat and the chicken with no name. We want everyone to feel at home while they are here and come back on their next visit to the North Georgia Mountains.
October 2015
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LIZ GREEN Hightower Creek Vineyards, Hiawassee, GA www.hightowercreekvineyards.com 1.
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How did your venture into the wine business begin? My husband Sanford and I have always enjoyed wine but we started out our wine venture by receiving a wine kit as a gift! After that, we began visiting local vineyards and talking with the owners about their experiences with the grape growing and wine-making processes. My husband has always enjoyed gardening and has always had success at growing just about anything so we found it very interesting. Then, one Saturday in 2009, we were walking through the pasture and my husband told me he wanted to start a small vineyard. By the next Wednesday, the land was prepared and we planted about 100 Catawba Vines! That began our adventure that was soon to grow into a 6+ acre vineyard. We then purchased the property where our tasting room is in 2010 and it was opened in June, 2012. What previous life experiences helped prepare you for the wine business? As a realtor with Century 21 Real Estate, I was happy with the success I had in building my business and clientele. I enjoyed meeting and chatting with people, so, when the time came to open and manage the tasting room, I was excited to start a new adventure! As you worked to build your business, what obstacles did you encounter and overcome? Building a business has its ups and downs! Before we opened the tasting room, I had many moments of “second-guessing” our decision of going forward with this seemingly crazy idea! I would worry over all the paperwork that had to be submitted to get the proper licensing. The first year we planted, we had a late frost and all the new growth was killed. We went from beautiful green vines one day to brown vines the next. I cried all day!!! But we got over that and have since planted more vines each year and have had successful harvests. Describe one of your favorite success stories. To be a part of this family-owned business has also had its share of wonderful times. My son Travis, our daughter-in-law Katrina and my daughter Heather have enjoyed working and watching Hightower Creek Vineyards grow each year! Travis is now our wine-maker and has accomplished making some fine, award-winning wines with his knowledge of the process. What advice would you give other women who want to become entrepreneurs? For other women who desire to own their own business, I would just say to make sure it is something you really enjoy, ask the advice of others in the business and do your research! Be prepared for obstacles and have the tenacity to overcome them in order to succeed with your dreams. What would you like people to know about your wine and winery? Our vineyard now has eight varieties of grapes on 6+ acres of our 18 acre farm which is about 4700 vines all planted by hand with the help of family and dear friends. We plan to plant more each year. We have 7
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award-winning wines to taste in our tasting room now with more in the winery just waiting patiently to be released! Our most popular wine is “Deliverance”, a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot with a bit of Norton added. It has been an award winner many times along with our dry white blend “Epiphany”. We also have an off-dry white and red, a delicious Rose, as well as a muscadine white and peach for those desiring a sweeter wine. What would you like customers to take away from their experience at your winery? We have a beautiful venue that overlooks the vineyards and three trout ponds with the beautiful mountains as a breath-taking backdrop! We host weddings and special events (birthday celebrations, rehearsal dinners, private parties). Our on-site event coordinator Emily Wilson would love to help you with your event. We also offer live music each Saturday from March through October. Several times a year, we have gourmet 5-course dinners prepared by local chefs and each course expertly paired with one of our wines to make for a very entertaining and memorable evening. We invite everyone to come visit and taste some delicious wine in a friendly, casual atmosphere! We also offer artisan cheese boards, chocolate truffles and wine “lushies”, a frozen wine treat! Children and leashed dogs are welcome. You may bring a picnic to enjoy with our wines as you relax on our large covered deck, on the grounds by the vines or trout ponds or around the fire pit! We want you to have a relaxing, laid-back experience while you are here and leave with wonderful memories and great wine. Come see us! continued
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Uncorked – From Vine to Wine Women of North Georgia Wine CARLA FACKLER Stonewall Creek Vineyards, Tiger, GA stonewallcreek.com 1.
How did your venture into the wine business begin? We moved to Atlanta in January 1977 following Carl’s orthopedic residency at Harvard. As 30 years at Peachtree Orthopedic Clinic approached, Carl began to consider “life after orthopedics”. We both grew up in Iowa with vegetable gardens in the back yard and planted our own garden at homes in Massachusetts and Atlanta’s Brookwood Hills. The only sunny area on our Atlanta property was near the front of the house, so we planted blueberry bushes to conceal the garden from the street. This was around 1981 or so, way before it was “fashionable” to plant vegetables gardens. Behind the house was a grape arbor, the source for berries I made into Muscadine jelly each fall. We both have wine in our heritage: Carl’s father produced wine from native grapes in his Indianola, Iowa basement and my great-grandfather, who arrived from Germany as an orphan in the late 1800s, made wine on his Iowa farm near Maquoketa. Our Georgia wine history begins with Leckie and Bill Stack, who co-founded Tiger Mountain Vineyards (TMV) with Martha and John Ezzard some 20 years ago. We were impressed with their first vintages and as Carl pondered retirement, we decided to look for property in Rabun County and grow a few grapes to sell to TMV. As I recall, Carl said, “Just 150 Malbec vines.” We found our land in 2004, part of an old 110-acre apple orchard between Glassy Mountain and Stonewall Creek, and the two of us plus Miguel Barcenas planted our first vines in 2005 – Malbec. We continued to plant for five years and now have 3,000 vitis vinifera vines (Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Petit Manseng) on five of our 30 acres west of the town of Tiger.
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It soon became apparent that Carl needed help in the vineyards and my career as Canopy Manager began. Carl chose a trellis system with three layers of wires and pruned the vines to the bottom wire in the winter. As the vines began to grow in the spring, I learned to weave them up between the wires with hawks circling above, Japanese beetles to pursue, a gentle breeze carrying the smell of honeysuckle and, early morning fog rolling down Stonewall Creek and enveloping the vineyards. We sold our first three harvests to TMV, who held our grapes aside and created a Stonewall Creek Rabun Red. Carl retired from orthopedics during our second harvest and began to think about making wine. He took courses at the University of California at Davis, worked with the Ezzards and Stacks at TMV, talked with other Georgia vintners and we traveled to France where our vines originated. We built a house with a winery below on the hill across from our small cottage. Carl sourced winery equipment and we kept our fourth harvest in 2011 and began to make wine.
October 2015
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We opened a our winery tasting room, just a small corner bar, in August 2012 with just two wines to sell – Yukari rosé and Boriana (Petit Manseng) – and two reds aging in French oak in our barrel cave -- Cabernet Franc and Three Eagles (Malbec blend). In March 2015, we opened a spacious tasting room with a covered deck next to the winery. North Georgia’s farm wineries are generally family ventures, run by a husband and wife team. Perhaps, as in our case, the husband is the initiator with the wife finding her role as the business evolves. Besides working with the canopies, I also handle public relations and social media and work with Gail McDaniel on special events. In the wine world at large, women are well-regarded winemakers and several well-known vineyards are owned and managed by women. What previous life experiences helped prepare you for the wine business? Working at our small tasting bar in 2012, I shadowed Carl as I had much to learn. I asked question after question to understand the winemaking process. This was all new to me but I had some organizational and people skills developed from chairing the Atlanta Symphony Associates from 1994-96 (1,300 members), the 2000 Atlanta Symphony Ball (three events with 1,750 guests) and the 2004 Hospice Atlanta Gala (450 guests). We had a significant sum invested in a fledgling vineyard and winery off the beaten path. (GPS still hasn’t found us!) Describe one of your favorite success stories. A fellow wine friend struck up a conversation during dinner last April with the sommelier at Atlanta’s well-regarded Restaurant Eugene, and suggested that he try our 2014 Yukari rosé, a dry Provence-style blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. A couple of weeks later after dropping off a bottle, it was on the wine list at Restaurant Eugene! (The May 22, 2015, issue of The Atlanta Business Chronicle published an interview with the sommelier and asked for his top five wine recommendations at the restaurant. Our rosé was #3 on the list, along with a $245 bottle of French Pinot Noir and our favorite sparkling wine from Dahlonega’s Wolf Mountain Vineyards.) An orthopedic surgeon friend recommended our wines to Atlanta’s Cherokee Town Club, and invited the manager to Rabun County for a tasting. Our rosé and our 2012 Cabernet Franc will be among Georgia’s first wines to join the wine list! What would you like people to know about your wine and winery? With a 600 to 700 case capacity, we are a very small, artisan farm winery focused on growing good grapes and making fine wines in the Northeast Georgia Mountains – Fine Georgia wines from ancient mountain soil. We tend to sell out, so check with us to see what is available. Wine should be savored and enjoyed, so we encourage our guests to sit back on our covered patio and sip the wine in our lush mountain valley. continued
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Uncorked – From Vine to Wine Women of North Georgia Wine SANDRA PENNER The Cottage Vineyard and Winery, Cleveland, GA www.cottagevineyardwinery.com 1.
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How did your venture into the wine business begin? My husband, Jim Penner, had a dream to own a vineyard and winery after having been stationed in Germany during his Air Force career. We moved to Cleveland, GA to take care of his parents and once we moved, we decided to plant a small home vineyard and begin making wine. Our current Cottage property owner approached us about selling the land. After soil and elevation tests, we decided to purchase the land and fulfill our dream. What previous life experiences helped prepare you for the wine business? My Degree in Accounting and my 37 year career at Regions Bank working in various capacities including customer interface banking, Information Technology, Project Management and Budgeting. Working with people helped prepare me for the heavy customer service side of owing a winery. As you worked to build your business, what obstacles did you encounter and overcome? One of the biggest obstacles in the beginning was obtaining licenses due to the meticulous documentation required. However, we worked diligently with Federal, State and County until all licenses were obtained. After we opened in February 2013, the first two years were heavy cash outlay years due to start up expenses. We worked (and still work) very long, hard hours in order to meet our customers, spend
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time with them, listen to their feedback and prove our goal of having The Cottage be the winery with the best Southern Hospitality. Describe one of your favorite success stories. We have many success stories. Our friends and family supporting our new venture; winning White County’s best tasting room the first two full years we were open (2014 and 2105). Joe Smith agreeing to be our wine maker and consultant. And we can’t forget our wonderful Cottage team. We have not had any turnover in staff thankfully so our customers get to know all of us. What advice would you give other women who want to become entrepreneurs? Pray, Plan, Project and live your dream! There is nothing more rewarding for me than having a bottle of Cottage Wine at the end of a long day. What would you like people to know about your wine and winery? Our motto is that everyone walks in as a customer and leave as a friend. Each staff member portrays Southern Hospitality. We were voted Best of White County Tasting Room-Winery award in 2015. The mountain views are breathtaking. We have high quality wines from sweet to dry. We also offer our Sunday morning worship service “Jesus and Jeans” at 10:30 a.m. What would you like customers to take away from their experience at your winery? We want customers to feel welcomed, relaxed, gain knowledge about the excellence of North Georgia wines, and yearn to return soon. by The Hudsons – Casual Connoisseurs
Van Hudson and his wife enjoy visiting area vineyards and have established some incredible friendships in doing so. Van writes our Uncorked column every other month on behalf of Mike Brown and Lisa Romanello of 12 Spies Vineyard located at 550 Black Branch Rd, Rabun Gap, GA 30568. For more information about 12 Spies please visit www.12spiesvineyard.com.
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RUTH CAMP 706.499.4702
ruth@ruthcamp.com www.ruthcamp.com
360 DEGREE MOUNTAIN VIEWS!! 128 acre mountain top estate with a 40x60 barn. Gated entrance. $1,699,000
LAKE BURTON FEE SIMPLE! Two for One bungalow cottages. $889,000
LOG HOME! On Lake Nora. Lake views from every room. $669,000
SOQUE RIVERFRONT!! Abundant trout fishing. $839,000
PO Box 519 - 132 E Waters Street Clarkesville, GA 30523 706.754.5940
VIRTUAL TOURS AVAILABLE
WELL MAINTAINED! Traditional brick ranch home, on 7 acre estate. $648,500
UPSCALE MOUNTAIN HOME! w/exposed wood beams, on 8.78 acres. $475,000
BILL CAMP 706.499.4720
bill@billcamp.net www.billcamp.net
SOUTHERN LIVING! "Crabapple Cottage" Plan, 10 acre estate. $799,000
LOG HOME! Chattahoochee River in Helen, GA. $399,000
5 Acres, CUSTOM MADE LOG HOME! backs up to Constructed with 15” to 24” National Forest. UNSURPASSED diameter logs located MOUNTAIN VIEWS! $$699,500 on 5.4 acres. $899,500
SOQUE RIVER! Gated community. Over 3000 feet of trout filled waters. $699,000
NO RSVP REQUIRED! WHEN ONLY THE BEST On 5+ acres, year round views, WILL DO! Two master separate guest quarters. suites, 9+ ceilings, year round $339,900 mountain views. $715,000
LIVE IN LUXURY! Tranquil Country Living on 5.3 acres. $449,000
SPLENDOR STUNNING! Gourmet AT IT’S BEST!! kitchen, master on main, outCovered back porch with side FP, sunroom. $647,900 Mountain views. $445,000
LAKE HARTWELL! 12 Lake Hartwell access lots for sale in gated neighborhood. Community boat dock, INCREDIBLE SETTING! Own LAKE FRONT! Craftsman SOQUE fishing pond and community house both sides of McClure Creek, "GREEN HOUSE" designed RIVER available. Limited boat slips. Over 270 feet designated trout to minimize allergies & HOME! Overlooks river, All 12 lots for $150,000. Call Bill at stream. $389,500 energy efficient. $495,000 w/unfinished studio. $699,500 706-499-4720. Owner/agent.
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Bacchus Beer and Growlers Now Open! C
raft beer fans rejoice! Bacchus Beer and Growlers – a new type of beer store offering an expanded selection of hard-to-find craft brews AND pouring fresh craft beer into 32 and 64 ounce growlers – is now open in downtown Hiawassee.
line at Bacchus Beer and Growlers offer a chance to pour something for every beer loving palate. The shop is also pouring non-alcoholic root beer made with pure cane sugar from Atlanta...a taste of yesteryear that the whole family will love!
The shop, located at 355 N. Main Street in downtown Hiawassee, next to Bacchus Wine Shoppe, is the first to bring craft brews in growlers to Towns County. The shop has fifteen separate taps to pour different craft beers, hard ciders and non-alcoholic sodas into 32 and 64 ounce growlers, making Bacchus Beer and Growlers the largest growler and beer store in Georgia’s far Northeast mountains. In addition to expanded self-service merchandisers for cold beer, the shop will feature a new, larger beer room with a selection of hard to find domestic and imported craft beers in both bottles and cans. In addition, Bacchus Beer and Growlers features a broad selection of beers on tap from Georgia and other Southern states. With Georgia cities from Blue Ridge to Savannah now home to innovative micro-breweries, the 15 taps now on the
Bacchus Beer and Growlers marks an expansion for owners Ed and Linda, who have run Bacchus Wine Shoppe in an adjoining unit for the past four years. “As the craft beer market has evolved, so too have our customers’ needs and tastes,” said Linda. “While our existing Beer Room in the Wine Shoppe will remain for now, Bacchus Beer and Growlers allows us to better serve both our local beer customers, as well as beer fans visiting from out of town.” Filling growlers is a craft beer trend. A growler, a 32 or 64 ounce jug, is filled with fresh craft beer from one of the shop’s 15 taps. The container is then sealed on-site, for customer consumption off-premises. Clean glass growlers can also be refilled, making them a ”green friendly” beer packaging option for holidays, big game day gatherings or everyday get-togethers with friends.
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The addition of a large walk-in cooler also allows Bacchus Beer and Growlers to assist customers with half and full barrel keg purchases for parties, weddings or other special events. Please contact Bacchus Beer and Growlers for details. Growlers became legal in Hiawassee in March 2015, when Mayor Barbara Mathis and the City Council approved their sale with an amendment to the city’s existing beer and wine ordinance. “We are thankful to the city for taking this important step,” said Ed. “We look forward to serving our customers in Northeast Georgia and Western North Carolina with the area’s largest tap set for growler poured beers.” “We appreciate the investment that Bacchus Beer and Growlers is making in the Hiawassee community, building on the success of Bacchus Wine Shoppe,” said Barbara Mathis, Mayor of Hiawassee. “We are excited that the introduction of craft beer in growlers is now available in Hiawassee, and believe this is an important step in serving the needs of both local residents and our seasonal visitors.” And for beer lovers, fall is a particularly rewarding season when it comes to seasonal brews. Munich’s centuries old celebration of fall beer and food, Oktoberfest, is now a tradition worldwide and serves as the touchstone from which great brews suitable for the warm days/cool nights of fall are made. Bacchus Beer and Growlers is already pouring fall beers from both the US and Germany, with other options slated to come on board shortly. On Saturday, October 3rd starting at 3:00 PM, Bacchus Beer and Growlers will welcome the return of their very own celebration of fall beer, “Bacchtoberfest”. In addition to small bites and tastes of some great brews for fall, Bacchus Beer and Growlers will welcome the brewer for Fannin Brewing Company in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Supply permitting, the shop will pour up to five of Fannin Brewing’s great yearround and seasonal brews, including Fannin Brewing Company’s ‘Hiawassee Golden Ale,’ a locally themed choice that highlights the opportunities growler customers have to “drink local”, given the number of local craft breweries that have opened in Georgia in recent years. For more information, please contact Bacchus Beer and Growlers at 706.896.9947.
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Mountain Happenings December 4th - 6th Mountain Wine Country Holiday Wine Tour 14 participating wineries in North Georgia and Western North Carolina Info: 877.745.7483 STEPHENS COUNTY October 2nd - 4th Currahee Military Weekend Toccoa Info: 706.282.5055 October 3rd Currahee Challenge Currahee Mountain, Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132 October 3rd and each Wednesday and Saturday through October Farmers’ Market Stephens County Farmers’ Market Building, Toccoa Info: 706.282.3309 October 10th Sage Market Corner of Pond & Tugalo Streets Toccoa Info: 706.282.3309 October 10th / November 14th December 12th Southern Gospel Jubilee Concert The Schaefer Center, Toccoa Info: 706.297.7121 October 24th - 25th Southern Mountain Arts Experience Cawthorn Road at Hwy. 17 Toccoa Info: 706.778.4654
- October and November, 2015
October 10th Big Red Apple Festival Downtown Cornelia Info: 706.778.8585
November 6th - 8th Civil War Reenactment Helen Riverside Park, Helen Info: 706.878.2181
October 10th Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Downtown Awareness Walk Main Street, Cornelia Info: 706.778.4654
November 14th The Barefoot Movement SNCA Theater, Sautee Nacoochee Info: 706.878.3300
November 27th Annual Lighting of the Village Helen Info: 706.878.2181
October 24th 3rd Annual Kiwanis Zombie Run Old Clarkesville Mill Art & Antique Mall, Clarkesville Info: 706.754.9231
Helen Arts and Heritage Center Helen Info: 706.878.3933
October 31st Twin Rivers Challenge Tallulah Falls School, Tallulah Falls Info: 706.839.2024
October 17th – 20th Art Ober-fest
November 7th Bags to Baskets
November 10th History Program - Old Time Music Traditions in White County
RABUN COUNTY
October 31st Trick or Treat on Washington Street Downtown Square, Clarkesville Info: 706.778.4654 November 7th Run with the Rams 5K Hazel Grove Elementary School Mt. Airy Info: 706.968.5244
Yonah Mountain Vineyards Cleveland Info: 706.878.5522 October 3rd - 4th and each Saturday and Sunday Tour de la Cave and Barrel Tasting October 3rd and each Saturday Live Music Saturdays
November 26 - January 1, 2016 Christmas in the Park Cornelia City Park, Cornelia Info: 706.778.4654
Unicoi State Park, Helen Info: 706.878.2201
November 7th Tour de Tugaloo Yonah Dam Park, Toccoa Info: www.tourdetugaloo.com
WHITE COUNTY
October 3rd and each Saturday until mid November Saturday Evening Music Concert Series
October 3rd HCLC Palmer Run 5K Habersham 9th Grade Academy Mt. Airy Info: 706.778.4654
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November 27th - 29th Holiday Celebration
October 24th Batesville Fall Festival Batesville Info: 706.778.4654
October 31st Martin Fall Festival Downtown Martin Info: 706.356.3573; 770.861.1955
October 2nd Friday Night Flicks - “Pitch Perfect 2” Pitts Park, Clarkesville Info: 706.778.4654
November 21st - 22nd Santa is Coming
October 24th Soque River Ramble 6K Run & Walk Marlan Wilbanks Farm Clarkesville Info: 706.778.4654
November 14th Lake Russell 5K & Fun Run Lake Russell Recreation Area Mt. Airy Info: 706.778.4654
HABERSHAM COUNTY
October 24th - 25th BOO at the ZOO
November 21st Appalachian Christmas & Pancake Breakfast with Santa BabyLand General Hospital Cleveland Info: 706.865.2171
October 30th Costume Parade Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.282.3309
November 7th - 8th Toccoa Harvest Festival Toccoa Info: 706.282.3269
October 18th / November 22nd Behind the Scenes Tour
October 11th and the 2nd Sunday of the month Reserve Wine Tasting
October 1st - November 1st Oktoberfest Helen Info: 706.878.1908
October 3rd - 4th and each weekend through mid November Visiting Artists Series
November 26th - December 12th Festival of Trees
October 2nd First Friday Music Pickin’ Sautee Village, Sautee Info: 706.878.0144
North Georgia Zoo Cleveland Info: 706.348.7279
October 10th Fall Celebration at Hardman Farm Sautee Info: 706.878.1077
October 3rd - 4th and each Saturday and Sunday through October Scarecrow Trail
October 31st Hallowine Fest Sautee-Nacoochee Vineyards Sautee Info: 706.878.2056
October 12th Celebrating Columbus Day
October 3rd - 31st Pumpkin Fest
October 2015
November 10th Mommy & Me at the Zoo November 14th - 15th Pumpkin’ Smashin’ Fun Smithgall Woods Helen Info: 706.878.3087 October 3rd and the first Saturday of the month First Visit Tours
October 2nd First Friday Fest Downtown Clayton Info: www.downtownclaytonga.com October 3rd and each Saturday through November 21st Simply Homegrown Farmers’ Market Covered Bridge Shopping Center Clayton Info: www.rabunmarket.com October 3rd and each Saturday through November Bluegrass on the Square Main Street, Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.6040; 706.212.0241 October 3rd Foxfire Mountaineer Festival Rabun County Civic Center Clayton Info: 706.746.5828 October 10th / November 14th December 12th Wayne Dutton Livestock Roping Rabun Arena, Tiger www.rabunarena.com October 15th and the third Thursday of each month through November Rabun Trout Unlimited Meeting The TU/Scout Hut, Clayton Info: rabuntu.org October 17th Sky Valley’s Annual FallFest Sky Valley Info: www.skyvalleyga.com October 31st Halloween Hay Day Clayton City Hall Complex, Clayton Info: www.downtownclaytonga.org
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November 5th - 7th Cirque Performance Rearden Theater, RGNS Rabun Gap Info: www.rabungap.org November 26th Turkey Trot for Clayton Cluckers 5K Fun Run Registration at Fromage Earl Street, Clayton Info: 706.982.1284
October 10th and the 2nd Saturday of the month Second Saturday Artists’ Talks October 10th Great ARTdoors Festival October 17th and the 3rd Saturday of the month Nature Hikes TOWNS COUNTY
November 27th Christmas in Downtown Clayton Christmas Tree Lighting Downtown Clayton Info: 706.782.1520
October 2nd “From Earth to the Universe” Rollins Planetarium Young Harris College, Young Harris Info: 706.896.4966
November 27th - 28th Festival of Trees and Holiday Arts & Crafts Shopping Extravaganza Rabun County Civic Center Clayton Info: 706.212.2149
October 3rd and each Saturday through October Vino and Vibes Hightower Creek Vineyards Hiawassee Info: 706.896.8963
November 28th Santa on Saturday at the Rock House Main Street, Clayton Info: 706.782.1520
October 3rd and each Saturday Towns County Farmers’ Market Across from Georgia Mountain Fair Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4966
North Georgia Arts Guild Artist Program UGA Extension Rabun County Conference Room, Clayton Info: www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com October 15th Alice Berg, Fiber Artist November 19th Dianne Mize, Painter Tallulah Gorge State Park Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.7981 October 2nd - Jails Tails Trails October 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th October 21st, 23rd, 31st November 1st Aesthetic Water Releases October 4th 13th Annual Autumn Breeze 5K October 26th - 27th Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike October 31st Trunk or Treat for Halloween November 7th, 15th, 21st Whitewater Watching Hike November 7th - 8th, 14th - 15th November 21st - 22nd Whitewater Releases November 27th Walk off the Turkey Hike Hambidge Center Rabun Gap Info: www.hambidge.org October 3rd and the first Saturday of the month First Saturday Gristmill Visits
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October 24th Harvest Festival Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris Info: 706.379.1236 October 25th 7th Annual Fall-a-Bration The Ridges Resort, Hiawassee Info: 706.896.2262
UNION COUNTY October 1st and each Thursday through November Trivia at the View Union County Community Center Blairsville Info: 706.439.6092 October 2nd and each Friday through October Friday Night Concert Series Old Courthouse, Blairsville Info: 877.745.5789 October 3rd Run with the Realtors 5K & 10K Meeks Park, Blairsville Info: www.active.com October 3rd Musical Variety Show Unity Church of the Mountains Blairsville Info: www.armandandangelina.com October 3rd - 4th Indian Summer Festival Woody Gap School, Suches Info: 706.747.2401 October 6th and each Tuesday Smoky Mountain Melodies First United Methodist Church Blairsville Info: 706.379.3836 October 7th and each Wednesday Bingo Haralson Memorial Civic Center Blairsville Info: 706.300.5722
October 8th - 12th Vietnam Veterans - The Moving Wall Meeks Park, Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789 October 9th / November 13th Writers’ Night Out Union County Community Center Blairsville Info: 877.745.5789 October 10th - 11th, 17th - 18th Blairsville Sorghum Festival Meeks Park, Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789 October 17th Fall Hoedown Vogel State Park, Blairsville Info: 706.745.2628 October 17th Cruize In on the Square On the Square, Blairsville Info: 706.897.2501; 706.897.5857 October 17th Good Neighbors Car Show United Community Bank Parking Lot Blairsville Info: 828.837.8539; 706.745.3985 October 18th / November 8th, 29th Sunday Evening Singing Shady Grove Methodist Church Blairsville Info: 706.781.2906 continued
November 27th - 29th Brasstown Holiday Show Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa Young Harris Info: 706.897.6179 November 28th Towns County Sheriff’s Office Empty Stocking Christmas Parade Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4444 Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4191 October 9th - 17th Georgia Mountain Fall Festival October 9th The Osmonds October 10th Mickey Gilley October 11th Isaacs, Jim Brady Trio October 13th John Berry October 13th Sammy Kershaw October 14th Ricky Skaggs October 17th Fiddlers’ Convention October 24th Gene Watson
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Mountain Happenings October 24th North Georgia Motorcycle Show North Georgia Technical College Blairsville Info: 877.745.5789
October 31st Hometown Halloween on the Square Downtown Blairsville Info: 706.347.3503 November 4th MNRG Mountain Holiday Fest Pat Haralson Memorial Civic Center Blairsville Info: 706.633.3396 November 28th - 29th Mistletoe Market & Sugar Plum Tearoom Arts & Crafts Show Blairsville Technical College Blairsville Info: 706.896.0932 November 30th - December 31st Tour of Trees Union County Community Center Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789 Paradise Hills Vineyards Blairsville Info: 706.745.7483 October 3rd and each Saturday Summer Concert Series October 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st Fireside Music Saturdays Union County Farmers’ Market Blairsville Info: 706.439.6043 October 1st - 2nd and each Thursday and Friday in October Trash and Treasures Info: 877.745.5789 October 2nd Cruise in to the Union County Farmers’ Market Info: 678.773.5934 October 3rd and each Tuesday and Saturday in October Farmers’ Market October 6th and each Tuesday in October Farmers’ Market General Auction CLAY COUNTY, NC October 2nd and each Friday Night in October Friday Night Jam at Clay’s Corner Brasstown Info: 828.837.3797 October 3rd 3rd Annual Wine Around the Square Historic Courthouse Square Hayesville Info: 828.389.2121
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MACON COUNTY, NC
October 10th Hot Summer Nights Goldhagen Art Glass, Hayesville Info: 828.389.8847 October 16th Chili-Cookoff and Pumpkin Carving Contest On the Square, Hayesville Info: 877.389.3704
October 17th Wine Under the Stars: Raven & Red Eagle Fork Vineyard, Hayesville Info: 828.389.8466 October 17th - 18th Punkin Chunkin Festival 811 Settawig Road, Brasstown Info: 828.389.3704
October 30th - 31st November 1st, 6th - 8th “Let’s Murder Marsha” Licklog Players Community Theatre 34 Creek Side Circle, Hayesville Info: 828.389.8632 October 31st Trick or Treat on the Square Downtown Hayesville Info: 877.389.3704 John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown Info: 828.837.2775; 800.FOLKSCH www.folkschool.org October 2nd - Jones Brothers Concert October 3rd, 17th, 31st November 21st Contra and Square Dance
October 8th - 10th Autumn Leaves Craft Show Macon County Fairgrounds, Franklin Info: 828.349.4324 October 10th Highlands Own Arts and Craft Show Highlands Civic Center, Highlands Info: 828.526.2118
October 10th Oktoberfest Lazy Hiker Brewing Company Franklin Info: 828.369.5299 October 15th - 18th Gem Show Corner of 441 and Lake Emory Franklin Info: 828.371.9618 October 16th - 18th Leaf Lookers Gemboree Macon County Community Building Franklin Info: 866.372.5546 October 17th Art League of Highlands Fine Art Show Highlands Civic Center, Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 October 17th Highlands School Fall Festival Highlands School, Highlands Info: 828.526.2112
October 3rd - 4th 42nd Fall Festival October 6th and each Tuesday Tuesday Night Contra & Square Dance October 9th - Lee Knight Concert October 16th Molasses Creek Concert October 23rd - Djoukil Concert November 7th Blacksmith & Fine Craft Auction 2015 November 13th Butternut Creek Concert Peacock Performing Arts Center Hayesville Info: 828.389.2787
November 7th War Bonds: The Songs and Letters of WWII
October 3rd “Synergy” Concert Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Franklin Info: 828.524.6777
October 10th Town of Highlands Hometown Day Kelsey-Hutchison Park, Highlands Info: 828.526.2112
October 24th / November 28th Hayesville Evening Market Hayesville Square Info: 828.389.8931
October 9th - 11th, 16th - 18th “A Sting in the Tale”
October 2nd and each Friday through October Friday Night Live Town Square, Highlands Info: 828.526.5841
October 24th 19th Annual Pumpkinfest Main Street, Franklin Info: www.pumpkinfestfranklin.com October 24th Pumpkin Run 5K-Run/Walk Tassee Park, Franklin Info: www.active.com October 31st Highlands Downtown All Hallows Eve Celebration Main Street, Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 November 5th - 9th Highlands 9th Annual Culinary Weekend Highlands Info: www.highlandsculinaryweekend.com November 11th Veteran’s Day Parade Downtown Franklin Info: 828.524.2516
October 2015
November 28th Highlands Annual Tree Lighting Main Street, Highlands Info: 828. 524.3161 November 28th / December 5th Winter Wonderland Downtown Franklin Info: www.HolidaysinFranklin.com November 29th Franklin’s Christmas Parade Downtown Franklin Info: 828. 524.3161 Historic Cowee School Franklin Info: CoweeSchool.org October 6th and each Tuesday Cowee Farmers’ Market October 17th and the third Saturday of each month SEBA Jam October 17th - Tellico in Concert Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts Franklin Info: 866.273.4615; 828.524.1598 www.GreatMountainMusic.com October 2nd - Travis Tritt October 17th An Evening with Jeanne Robertson October 23rd - Josh Turner November 6th - 7th, 13th - 14th The Addams Family Musical November 20th - Lysa Terkeurst Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center Highlands Info: 828.526.9047 October 2nd Yesterday & Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience October 3rd MET Opera: Verdi’s II Trovatore The Audience Encore Performance October 11th - Bolshoi Ballet: Giselle October 15th - 18th, 22nd - 25th Highlands Cashiers Players - “Over the River and Through the Woods” Info: 828.526.8084 October 17th - MET Opera: Verdi’s Otello October 31st MET Opera: Wagner’s Tannhauser November 7th National Theatre Live: Hamlet November 14th National Theatre Live: The Beaux Stratagem November 21st MET Opera: Lulu - New Production November 27th Christmas in New York: Frank D’Ambrosio
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October 2015
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Sky Valley Fallfest and Cruise In
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ark your calendars now for the 2nd Annual Sky Valley, Georgia Fallfest and Cruise In on October 17th, beginning at 10:00 AM and continuing until 4:00 PM. Sky Valley is nestled between Dillard, Georgia and Highlands, North Carolina offering a picture perfect setting for this family festival and car show. The Cruise-In kicks off at 10:00 AM with an offering of antique autos, classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars and other unique cars and trucks. The car show will be on Sky Valley Way in front of the old Sky Valley Ski Lodge. Car lovers will love getting up close and personal with some of the finest cars in the mountains. You will love the Paws Pet Parade with dogs and owners in costume starting at 12:30 PM at the pavilion followed by the Howl-o-ween Pet Costume contest at the post office park, all to benefit Rabun County Paws4Life. This should be very entertaining and will help the humane shelter care for the dogs and cats that are waiting on forever homes. Food vendors can be found at Sky Valley’s Post Office Park and the Sky Valley Club will be offering delicious food at the pavilion. For those who enjoy arts and crafts this will be a great place to find some amazing treasures. Each fall, for over a decade, the community has taken pleasure in having Hay Bale Trail with painted hay bales created by local artists leading the way to Sky Valley and throughout the community. Fallfest will also include scarecrow row depicting activities to do in the area. This event will have hay rides and waterfall tours as well.
Festival goers can expect live music on two stages and four bands performing. The 2015 Georgia Male Country Artist award winner Justin Dukes will be on stage as well as classic rock and oldies artist Mat Fried. Steve Bryson will also entertain country music fans and for those who love bluegrass they will welcome Ethan Phillips to the stage.
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There will be plenty for the little ones to do in the children’s area. Pumpkin painting and face painting are popular activities along with various games and of course the always fun inflatables. Admission to the festival is free. You will enjoy a day of fun amid the beautiful fall leaf display in the valley. For additional information please visit www.skyvalleyga.com or call 706.746.2204. Parking for the event will be on Sky Valley Way near the lodge and chapel. This will put you in the middle of the action! Cart shuttles will be available for added convenience in moving festival attendees to each end of the event.
October 2015
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October 2015
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Do Manners Matter in 2015?
y answer is yes and no, which may be a surprising answer from someone who teaches manners and etiquette. I believe manners are a framework rather than a centerpiece. Manners do not equate character. They do not indicate if someone tells the truth, is kind, is a great friend, is a hard worker or if they are competent. Good manners are a framework that helps create a good first impression. For example, thoughtful introductions dispel awkwardness and create common ground for conversation and new friendships. Manners often set you apart by giving you self-confidence and the ability to put others at ease. Simply standing when someone you don’t know enters a room communicates respect and civility. A solid handshake with good posture, a smile and a polite comment, gives the impression of confidence. Even listening well, and actually focusing on the person speaking, will earn you a reputation as a good conversationalist, much faster than the person who talks constantly. Manners can also set you apart by giving you confidence in uncomfortable situations. Knowing which fork and knife to use rarely matters within your own circle of family and friends. But, in a job interview at a nice restaurant, those details can mean the difference in whether you’re hired or trusted with the responsibility of representing a company to its clients. Over the years, I have asked hundreds of children to name a few common table manners. The top two are always “put your napkin in your lap” and “chew with your mouth closed”. My next question to the children is always, “Why are these important?” And you can just imagine their descriptions of what could fall in your lap without a napkin or the visions of sitting across from someone who chews with their mouth open. The children get it! They understand that there are reasons behind manners. Our tagline for Foxglove Cotillion is – “Social Skills for the Social Media Generation”. We know that students across the
world communicate with the swipe of a smart phone. They Tweet, FaceTime, Skype, SnapChat, Instagram, Facebook and email. And these social media skills are essential. The devices and applications are becoming easier to use to achieve more complicated outcomes. That said, it is still critically important to integrate soft skills in this digital arena. Communication without face-toface interaction can be fast and convenient. It can also lead to misunderstandings. Without hearing a tone-of-voice, or seeing facial expressions, it’s difficult to measure the intentions of the sender. Learning to improve your communication style in person, and your tone via social media, gives you an advantage. We want this social media generation to communicate effectively in the digital world. We also want them to make eye contact and carry on polite conversations with good posture when they are face-to-face. We want them to swipe their smart phone and access information immediately. We also want them to interview well for scholarships, and internships and colleges. Ultimately, the person who ignores social skills, has set aside the truly important human values of social interaction. Do manners matter? If you are assessing someone’s character, not at all. If you are choosing a friend, not at all. Manners are not a weapon, they are a tool. And they do make a difference in how you are perceived when someone does not know you. They can give you confidence in unfamiliar situations and afford you the ability to put others at ease. by Page Rhoad | President, Foxglove Cotillion Foxglove Cotillion offers 8 week etiquette courses in Rabun County, taught once a week as an after-school (or weekend) activity for 5th through 8th grade students in the fall and in the spring. Classes are limited to 15 boys and 15 girls. Pre-register online to request an invitation by signing up for our waiting list. We issue invitations in the order we receive requests. For more information on classes as well as our fall schedule, visit our mobile-friendly website FoxgloveCotillion.com. Foxglove Cotillion Rabun County Info: www.foxglovecotillion.com October 4th, 5th, and 6th Parent Orientations for Fall Classes Info: 706.949.1664 October 18th and every Sunday for 7 weeks Kingwood Country Club Cotillion Classes October 19th and every Monday for 7 weeks Rabun Rec Center Cotillion Classes October 20th and every Tuesday for 7 weeks Dillard City Hall Cotillion Classes
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October 2015
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October 2015
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Bless Your Heart “W
A Blackberry Morning
hy is that kitchen window up,” she thought. It was the end of July and the August heat was on its heels trickling down her back. Chloe walked over and tugged at the window but it wouldn’t budge. “Doggone it,” she fussed, using her grandmother’s favorite southern expression when she was frustrated with something. Grinning, Chloe also remembered how her family would describe someone that lived in the deep woods of the South. “Why Honey, they are one fine family, although country as cornbread,” she would say, “but definitely a fine family.” She couldn’t help but giggle out loud. “Hey, what’s my beautiful wife giggling about this early in the morning?” “Oh, just cornbread,” she laughed again giving him a hug and kiss. “Cornbread?” he mused. “Should I ask?” Adam said with one eyebrow cocked looking at her. “Nah…you Northern boys wouldn’t understand.” “You’re probably right,” he laughed. “Although, I would think that loving a gal from the South makes me half southern.” “In your dreams,” she laughed. “Hey Adam, did you raise this window? I can’t get it back down and the cool air is flying out keeping the kitchen hot.” “Oops sorry, I did raise it to kill a wasp and I suppose I forgot.” “No worries, just come shut it for me.” Adam walked over and lowered it in one swoop but not before he caught sight of the blackberry bush outside the window loaded with large, lush berries. He looked over at Chloe and grinned really big. “Ready for a blackberry pie? I’ll go right out and pick the bush clean.” Chloe grabbed a wooden bucket and tossed it to him. “Go ahead and I’ll sit on the patio with my coffee and watch.” Adam took the bucket and placed it on his head…acting silly as he trudged out the back door with Chloe on his heels. She plopped down in the rocker and he walked over to the bush and proceeded to pick. She sipped on her coffee letting her mind wander. She and Adam had been married for ten years, and for the most part they had all been good ones. Adam was charming, silly, boyishly handsome, very kind and hardworking. There was only one thing that wasn’t right, they hadn’t been able to have a child. She glanced over at her goofy husband and waved. At 38, they were reaching the age where it was now or never, but God was silent and she took that as a never. Tears rolled into her eyes as her heart pondered on never having a child. They had considered alternatives but they were so very expensive and on a worship leader’s salary it was too large a debt to consider. Adam strutted over with his bucket brimming with berries, walking like a proud peacock when he realized Chloe’s eyes were misty.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek knowing immediately what was in her heart, “It will work out in His time, I promise… we just have to wait.” Chloe gave a half smile, while walking her cold coffee to the microwave. But not before she yelled out, “Well tell God I am tired of waiting and I’m getting old!” Adam stuck his head back in the doorway and said, “Remember Sarah was 90 when she conceived!” He ducked just as her flip-flop flew across the kitchen toward his head. Adam laughed and ran. Chloe laughed too…he always seem to lighten her load, and she was grateful. … Vickie groaned as she crawled out of bed to see about her one year old crying in his baby bed. At eight months pregnant she had no idea how she was going to take care of both babies. Why oh why wasn’t she more careful and why did she think she had to have a man in her life to make her happy? She wished she had met Jesus before Mike had appeared in her life and maybe she would’ve made different choices. But, what mattered was now and the choices she made today. Vickie picked up A.C.E. and hugged him. She had always loved using initials when saying a child’s name, they were the perfect initials for her black haired blue-eyed boy that captured her heart. “Oh Ace, what’s the matter honey?” He sniffled and hugged his mommy around the neck. Vickie warmed a bottle to comfort him and rocked him on her swollen belly. Her thoughts wandered back to her situation. Abortion had been out of the question. She could not do that; it went against everything in her heart. But, could she do adoption? She had been adopted herself. She wished she had family to help, but her parents were gone and her sister had been placed with another family sealing the records forever. Vickie felt a headache come on just as Ace fell asleep. She awkwardly placed him back in bed and crawled in herself feeling a bit strange. The next morning, still feeling a bit out of sorts, Vickie got herself ready for work and Ace ready for daycare. She was fortunate that her parents had encouraged her to get her degree as a nurse. She loved working with geriatrics so the town’s nursing home became her second home. First person she saw after dropping off Ace was Ms. Kate, the southern belle of the ward. She swooped around tending to all the others with her gracious and loving demeanor. Ms. Kate was a delight and secretly one of Vickie’s favorites. “How are you this morning Ms. Kate?” Vickie asked. “Well the question really is how you are with that big belly poking out?” Ms. Kate’s eyes twinkled. Vickie smiled and said, “I’m really fine, just worried how I’m going to do it all by myself Ms. Kate.” “Where’s Mike, did he take off again?” “Yes ma’am, he took off and signed off all his rights for the continued
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October 2015
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Bless Your Heart
“Andrew, please go over and see her sister, explain the situation. It’s now imperative that her sister know since Vickie is in the hospital emergency room eight months pregnant.”
A Blackberry Morning
Andrew hung up and prayed a quick prayer for guidance. He grabbed the address and left.
babies. I made it legal.” Ms. Kate looked disgusted for a moment then changed her tune. “Well, good thing you didn’t marry that boy, you can certainly do better for Ace and this one,” as she patted Vickie’s tummy. “By the way, Vickie, do you have any family?” asked Ms. Kate. “The only person I have is a sister, but she was placed with another family when we were adopted. The records were sealed and I’ve never been able to find her. Ms. Kate nodded and Vickie walked off to the next patient. Ms. Kate went back to her room and pondered on Vickie’s situation. She needed help and while she was still of sound mind, she felt God would give her direction. The first step was calling her grandson Andrew, the attorney. He could help. Ms. Kate continued to ask Vickie questions about her life and her sister over the next few days, and Vickie was so distracted over her situation she just answered without question. Finally, Ms. Kate had all the information that her grandson needed. He could now try to track down her sister through the legal system. Daily Ms. Kate would sneak her cell phone out of her apron pocket that she insisted on wearing every day and call her grandson.
… Chloe got off of work and was changing into her running clothes for a quick run before making dinner when the doorbell rang. She quickly pulled on her t-shirt and ran to the door. She opened to a nice looking man dressed in a dark suit and sporting a brief case. “Well hello, what can I do for you?” Andrew smiled and said, “You don’t know me, but I am Andrew Taylor, an attorney in Oakland County.” Chloe smiled and said, “Well come in, my husband should be here soon.” Andrew thanked her and sat down. “I understand that you have a sister.” Andrew stated. Chloe drew back in surprise, “You know I have a sister? Do you know where she is?” Andrew pulled out some papers verifying their adoptions to two different sets of parents. He spent a few more minutes making sure everything was correct before answering her questions. Adam walked in through the front door surprised to see a visitor in his family room. “Hi, I’m Adam, Chloe’s husband.”
“Andrew, do you have any news?” she whispered. “Well, grandma I just found her sister’s address two minutes ago and it’s the next town over…what do you want me to do?” “Let me ponder that a moment and I’ll call you back.” Ms. Kate leaned back on her bed as she had been resting. What should I do? She thought. Do I ask Andrew to go over and talk with her sister? Do I tell Vickie or surprise her? Ms. Kate kept pondering and praying for guidance. Her answer came pretty quickly as she heard the ambulance pull up and found Vickie had passed out and was bleeding profusely. She picked up her cell phone and called Andrew immediately.
“Andrew Taylor, an attorney in the next town.” “What can we do for you Mr. Taylor?” “Well, I was just going to answer your wife’s questions about her sister.” Chloe turned to Adam and said, “Honey, he’s found my sister, Vickie!” Adam smiled big and said, “Why did you find her sister? Is Vickie looking for her?” Andrew sat back down and motioned for them to sit for the long story. After telling them about his grandmother’s request, and now the sudden urgency to find Chloe since Vickie was in the hospital, he asked, “Do you want to see her?” Chloe jumped up, grabbed her purse and said, “Let’s go!” She and Adam drove their jeep following Andrew to the hospital just as the baby was being taken by C-section. Finally, after a long agonizing hour, the nurse came and got her and Adam, saying, “Things don’t look good for Vickie, but her daughter is just fine.” Chloe looked at Adam confused but quickly followed the nurse to her room. Vickie was so very weak from loss of blood she could only whisper. “Who are you?” she asked. “Vickie, its Chloe your sister.” Vickie looked up and touched her cheek. “Oh Chloe, I’ve missed you and needed you so much.” She whispered so softly Chloe could hardly hear. “Vickie, you’ll be fine and I’ll help you with the babies. Where’s your other child?”
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“Oh no,” she groaned “Ace is still at the daycare. Will you go get him so he’ll be safe?” “Of course we will. Can you tell me the number and give us permission to take him?” Vickie mustered up enough energy to speak to the daycare and made the arrangements. Chloe and Adam left immediately to get their nephew. Chloe felt like she was in a dream. She now had her sister, a nephew and now a niece! God was blessing her with family. They arrived at the day care and the lady brought Ace out. Chloe was instantly enamored with her nephew and marveled at how much he looked like her sister. “Ace, I’m going to take you to see your mama,” Chloe crooned. Ace just cuddled right up to her and Chloe’s eyes glistened with tears. “Oh Adam, will Vickie be alright? She looked so weak and the doctors are nervous.” Adam reached over and grabbed her hand. That was all he needed to do. They strapped Ace in his car seat the day care provided and took off. It felt like it was a race against time. But they did make it, Chloe had a couple of hours with her sister before she passed. They held each other, told private things and Vickie asked her to be her babies’ mommy before she took her last breath. Chloe sobbed until Adam took her in his arms. “Honey, we have to take care of Ace right now, and also the baby comes home in two days. We’ve got to get some things for them…it’s what Vickie wanted.”
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Chloe gathered Ace in her arms and they went to Vickie’s home and gathered most of his belongings along with his birth certificate which, as she glanced at it, gasped. “Adam look at this,” she said sticking the certificate under his nose. He looked up, his eyes filling with tears as he read out loud, “Adam Charles Eaton.” It was at that moment she and Adam knew God had given them a sign, Ace was Adams namesake; he was their son. Two days later, they picked up Lily Rose Eaton, Adam’s new baby sister. That morning was bittersweet with the loss of her only sister and the blessing of two babies. Chloe took Lily Rose on the back patio to rock to sleep when she looked over at the blackberry bush. Shocked she motioned for Adam to look. “Didn’t you just pick that bush clean two days ago honey, and now’s it’s full of huge beautiful berries!” “Yes, I did.” He nodded in amazement as he went over and examined the bush which was amazingly loaded with large juicy blackberries. “It’s God’s sign to us Chloe,” he said, “To never doubt his timing…for we were barren just two days ago like this bush, and now God multiplied our family from two to four… overnight.” Adam said a prayer of thanks, grabbed his wooden bucket and picked God’s abundant blessing. Indeed, it was a Blackberry Morning.
October 2015
By Lisa Harris
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who makes them happen! It would be better for him if a large millstone were tied around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. So watch what you do!’ Luke 17:1-3.
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.
Answered Prayer
When it comes to prayer and intercession, this is a critical passage. It is God who defines sin. On moral issues His Word presents the correct viewpoint. Just because something is popular does not make it right, and just because the courts rule in a particular way, doesn’t mean the judges’ decisions are right. As we struggle with cycles that tolerance creates, we must remember to persist in our intercessory calling. Prayer is always the correct first response.
A primary characteristic of an intercessor’s heart is desperation. How can we know that the LORD hears our prayers? We must God responds to our desperation, with His mercy. Increasing delook into the Bible, the Word of God, to understand. We are mands for tolerance may chip away and neutralize desperation. given instruction in I Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God, and If we begin to tolerate ungodly things, we will not retain our one mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus”. A desperate stance. Intercessory endurance in prayer is vital as we mediator is a go-between, and our prayers go to God through continually examine our hearts to ensure our desperation and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is seated at God’s right hand. We are sense of what is right are not diluted and thereby neutralized. told to pray in the name of Jesus Christ as we pray to God the How can we do this? As with all spiritual battles, we overcome by faith and perseverance. The apostles said to the Lord “Make Father. our faith greater”. Luke 17:5. Our Lord’s words What should you do were just as challengwhen your prayer for ing to His early dishelp has not yet been ciples as they are to answered? Is God sayus some 2,000 years ing “No” to your relater. In essence, they quest? Or is He, perwere saying “HELP!” haps, saying “Trust and so must we. They Me”. Very often we set understood their ability mental “time limits” to be “salt” in the lives on what we need and of others was limited in when we need it, and their own efforts; they when our need is not needed greater faith. met according to our This simple prayer, time clock, we often “Make our faith greatpanic and maybe even er” is one we will need give up. Don’t do that. to pray in days ahead, The Word of God says perhaps more than any to all of us who ask – If “if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we time in our lives. We we know He has heard have the petitions that we desired of Him.” I John 5;15 will need greater faith our prayer, we can be to examine our hearts, certain that we will greater ability to know have His answer for what we need. Do not stop praying! God’s heart, and greater power to pray and believe our God can still work miracles. The following is a letter from Intercessors for America: CULTIVATING DESPERATION “In our current culture, we are constantly bombarded by messages of tolerance for every viewpoint and behavior, no matter what it is. The marriage debate is a perfect example, as well as the Planned Parenthood scandal. We are told that we should ‘love our neighbors as ourselves’, meaning that we must accept all behavior, regardless of how distorted a picture it presents. As we are confronted with the demands of tolerance, a cycle begins. We initially cry out to God in desperation; then, as we experience a series of defeats, weariness sets in, and finally resignation. While we are tempted to give up the prayer battle, we must look to our Lord for help, examining out hearts to stay focused on God’s viewpoint as reflected in scripture. Note this warning: ‘Jesus said to his disciples, Things that make people fall into sin are bound to happen, but how terrible for the one
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Faith grows as we ask and believe God. Faith changes the thoughts in our head, the attitudes of our hearts, and the actions of our hands. God has called us to join Him in shaping history through prayer and fasting, and we live in a day that we must pray for a greater measure of faith to do this. Intercessors, as we watch the seemingly endless parade of evil before our eyes, let us evaluate all we see through God’s eyes, guarding our hearts and praying for greater faith. Lord, Make our faith greater.” David Kubal, President and CEO of Intercessors for America God bless everyone who has purposed in their heart to pray for America and her people with the desperation of heart that brings the response of Almighty God. RIVER GARDEN P.O. Box 112, Lakemont, GA 30552 706.782-5435 706.490.3063
October 2015
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Bucket Auction Raises Money for Pre-School Education
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wenty tickets for $5 will be a good start but you'll want to buy more when you see all of the great items in the bucket auction. Bucket auction? Yes, it is great fun and for such a good cause! The Creative Learning Center, a private pre-school at the Clayton United Methodist Church, hosts the bucket auction each year to raise much needed funds for scholarships. Local and regional businesses have donated gift certificates and items to be auctioned and this year they have some amazing items in the auction. Entertainment tickets, gift certificates for dining and shopping, handmade art and more will be available to win. Tickets will go on sale November 9th and items will be on display at the Creative Learning Center. Winners will be drawn on November 13th at 6 PM. There will also be a 50/50 raffle with tickets available at the school. The Creative Learning Center is located at 205 Ministry Mountain Drive just north of downtown Clayton on Old Highway 441. For additional information call 706.782.1567.
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Live Healthy & Be Well!
“Straight Talk on a Common Ailment – Being up front about the back!”
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he idea for this month’s topic comes from not one, but many of my good patients and also from many of you I’ve seen in the emergency room at the hospital. The story is usually, “Doc, I was (insert event here), and woke up this morning and my back is killing me, it’s hard to walk, and it is even shooting down my (right/left) leg.” Further complaints are usually along the lines of it is hard to get comfortable, keeping one awake at night and there may even be a sense of numbness/tingling down the affected leg even to the foot or toes on that side. This is a common condition that is actually the result of compressing, “pinching”, or somehow traumatizing one or more of the sciatic nerve roots that exit from the lower back, which then irritates the sciatic nerve. This nerve travels down the buttock and along the side of the leg all the way to the foot. Its purpose is to provide sensory and motor innervations to the leg and foot on that side of the body. There is a short video which explains all this very well: http://www.spine-health.com/video/sciaticnerve-anatomy-video. Sciatica pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache or a burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move. The pain most often occurs on one side. Some people have sharp pain in one part of the leg or hip and numbness in other parts. The pain or numbness may also be felt on the back of the calf or on the sole of the foot. The affected leg may feel weak. The pain often starts slowly. Sciatica pain may get worse: • After standing or sitting • At night • When sneezing, coughing or laughing • When bending backwards or walking more than a few yards, especially if caused by spinal stenosis Because sciatica is a symptom of another medical condition, the underlying cause should be identified and treated. In some cases, no treatment is required and recovery occurs on its own. Conservative treatment is best in many cases. Your doctor may recommend the following steps to calm your symptoms and reduce inflammation. • Apply heat or ice to the painful area. Try ice for the first 48 - 72 hours, then use heat after that. • Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) or Aleve. • Perform some gentle stretching in the opposite direction
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of the injured side to help open up the tight space compressing the nerve roots. Bed rest is not recommended. Reduce your activity for the first couple of days. Then, slowly start your usual activities after that. Avoid heavy lifting or twisting of your back for the first 6 weeks after the pain begins. You should start exercising again after 2-3 weeks. This should include exercises to strengthen your abdomen and improve flexibility of your spine – as these are the muscles that help stabilize your back and prevent injury. If at-home measures do not help, your provider may recommend injections to reduce inflammation around the nerve. Other medicines may be prescribed to help reduce the stabbing pains associated with sciatica, such as muscle relaxers (muscle spasms usually result from this condition and can make it worse). Physical therapy exercises may also be recommended. Additional treatments depend on the condition that is causing the sciatica. Nerve pain is often very difficult to treat. If you have ongoing problems with pain, you may want to see a neurologist or a pain specialist to ensure that you have access to the widest range of treatment options. Try to avoid starting on narcotic pain medicines like Lortab, Norco or Percocet. These do no usually help the real pain that much, but are very habit forming in the long run. Your provider can help you get a good handle on and treatment/management for this common but very bothersome condition! To younger readers out there….prevention is always the best medicine! Try to be good to your back and use proper techniques for lifting, reaching and be careful of exercises and activities that are hard on the back. Once the disks are injured and cause the problem – it is very difficult to make it go away completely. We really do enjoy hearing from you with any questions, concerns, or ideas for future columns and/or health and wellness related issues for the Georgia Mountain Laurel. Please send an email to rabundoctor@gmail.com, or call us at 706.782.3572, and we will be sure to consider your input. This and previous articles can be now be found on the web at www. rabundoctor.com in an archived format. If you use Twitter, then follow us for health tips and wellness advice @rabundoctor. Until next month, live healthy and be well! By Stephen Jarrard, MD, FACS
October 2015
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Colorectal Cancer: Screening and Prevention
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olon cancer is the second leading cause of cancerrelated deaths in the United States. In fact, one in 20 people in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime. But it is also one of the few cancers that, when detected in its early stages, is highly preventable through a screening colonoscopy. Because the risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age, the board certified physicians at Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates (AGA) follow the American Cancer Society’s guidelines and recommend screening colonoscopies for every adult beginning at age 50 and age 45 for African Americans. People with certain risk factors, such as a family history of the disease, a history of other cancers or those who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, may need to begin screening at a much younger age. For example, if a close family member – like a mother or father - was diagnosed with the disease at age 50, the children of those parents should get screened 10 years before - at age 40. If you don’t have these particular risk factors, be sure to watch for symptoms including significant changes in bowel habits or bloody stools. Other colon cancer symptoms include persistent abdominal discomfort, chronic fatigue and unexplained weight loss, which may prompt the need for a colonoscopy. The primary goal of a screening colonoscopy is to examine the large intestine using an endoscope to find and remove any abnormal growths or polyps. Because polyps grow slowly and may go through precancerous stages and eventually become cancerous, removing them during a colonoscopy eliminates the risk of polyp growth, thus preventing colon cancer. Research has shown that early detection and removal of colon polyps during a colonoscopy can actually prevent colorectal cancer. How to Reduce Your Risk While screening is critical in detecting and preventing colorectal cancer, there are a number of lifestyle changes that everyone can make to help reduce their risk. Diet * Limit your intake of processed and red meats. * Eat five (5) or more servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits each day.
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* Choose whole grains rather than processed or refined grains. Exercise * Get at least 30 to 45 minutes of physical exercise five or more days a week. Obesity * If you are overweight, talk to your physician about a weight loss plan that will work for you. Smoking * Smokers are more likely to develop and die from colorectal cancer than non-smokers. Talk to your doctor about starting a smoking cessation program. Heavy Use of Alcohol * Limit alcoholic beverages to no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. For most adults, making lifestyle changes and getting regular physical examinations by an experienced doctor are steps everyone can take to stay healthy. By adding a screening colonoscopy to your healthcare plan, you can significantly reduce the risk of getting colorectal cancer and ensure a longer, healthier life. Take charge of your health. Talk to your physician about this life-saving procedure. Our physicians in the Clayton location are Dr. Gregory Nesmith, Jr., Dr. David Quinn and senior consultant Dr. R. Carter Davis. Appointments can be made by calling 1.855.841.1339. To learn more about Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates’ locations, physicians and colonoscopy screenings, visit www.atlantagastro.com. You can also find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/atlantagastro. From the physicians of Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates is a participating provider for Medicare, Medicaid and most healthcare plans offered in the state of Georgia. Since many health insurance plans require a referral from a primary care physician, check with your individual carrier before calling for a consultation.
October 2015
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October 2015
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Hambidge Center: Retreat to Inspiration
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he Hambidge Center outside Rabun Gap, Georgia is as much atmosphere and attitude, as it is a physical location. But it’s that physical location that creates the atmosphere that in turn leads to the attitude that draws artists, serious crafters and even scientists to its gates. You might say the atmosphere and attitude weave and weft about the secluded cottages and grounds, much in keeping with the loom weaving that originally established Hambidge as a destination. Mary Crovatt Hambidge, originally from Brunswick, Georgia, arrived in the Rabun County area the late 1920s, in Rabun Gap in the mid-1930s by way of New York and Greece, and many other stops along the way. That this vivacious redhead, who stood less than five feet tall, could find her niche in a remote mountain enclave, is testimony to the power of nature that surrounds where she chose to put down roots. Today, individuals with that creative bent that separates just good from mold-breaking, arrive at Hambidge for stays of from two weeks to two months. During that time, thanks to the opportunity to hibernate and create, refine and refresh, they emerge changed and improved and inspired in ways even they couldn’t have imagined before. Mary Hambidge risked and survived her family’s disapproval when she became a professional whistler on the Vaudeville stage, accompanied by her pet mockingbird Jimmy, and as an artist’s model in New York City. All these pursuers of creativity down through the years are able to retreat from the world and find their inner Muses, because of this woman. She found something in the woods at Rabun Gap, and both her entrepreneurial spirit and her artist’s heart declared it special. So special, in fact, that she fled the traditional artists’ haunts of New York to immerse herself in the craft of weaving, incorporating modern design, dynamic symmetry and natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she lived until her death in 1973. It was here that she laid the very foundations for today’s Hambidge Center, named in honor of Jay Hambidge, the artist whom she called husband. On a trip to Greece with Jay, she became fascinated by the weaving practices of women that had been passed down for thousands of years. In true Mary Hambidge fashion, she immersed
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herself to learn all she could about this ancient art, then returned to New York to hone and refine her skills as a weaver. After Jay’s death, she retreated to the deep woods of Northern Rabun County, when the region was still very remote, difficult to navigate at times, and she began to weave in earnest. During the upcoming ARTdoors Festival on October 10th, Hal Jacobs, who is currently creating a documentary on Mary Hambidge, will be filming folks sharing stories about her. In those hills and coves that would one day surround her sustainable farm, she found other women who belonged to the weaving tradition, some of whom were trained at the Tallulah Falls School. The women wove as a matter of survival; making cloth to warm and clothe their families. These women became the Rabun Weavers and Mary built the building that now houses the gallery and administrative offices as their weaving studio. But while she may have abandoned the New York scene as an artist, as a savvy and resourceful businesswoman, she knew the Big Apple was where art was pursued and purchased as routinely as shopping for groceries. It was to The Rabun Gap Studio Shop in the city that the works of those women, who gathered to weave for her, were dispatched. So exceptional were some of their creations, exhibits at the Smithsonian and other museums of distinction have featured the works of these women of Rabun. Later in her life, she planted the seeds of what is today, when she invited artists to her farm to stay for extended visits to recharge their batteries. Following her death, and building on what she began, Hambidge evolved into a formal and competitive residency program open to those with the creative bent from all walks of life. Today, individuals arrive at Hambidge to spend their days, and nights, in cottage/studio combinations with names such as Brena, Margaret, Mellinger and Fisher. They dine communally in the evenings on the porch or in the dining room of Lucinda’s Rock House. Over plates of chef-prepared cuisine, they meld and mold and leave parts of themselves with others, just as they leave more full, more complete, and more multi-faceted than when they arrived. Which is exactly what Mary Hambidge intended, and what the staff of today’s residency program respect and deliver. Hambidge is an atmosphere of whatever those who find creative retreat there make it. By John Shivers
October 2015 www.gmlaurel.com
The Hambidge Center invites the public to its campus almost every Saturday for a series of rotating activities. 1st Saturday – Barker’s Creek Mill is in operation from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 2nd Saturday – Artist Talks beginning at 7:00 PM offer a chance to meet and visit with artists in residence. 3rd Saturday – Nature hikes led by knowledgeable guides. Call for times and to reserve a spot. 4th Saturday – Special events to be announced monthly.
Come to the Happenin’ ARTdoors Festival On Saturday, October 10, the Hambidge Center will host its annual festival beginning at 10:00 AM and closing at 5:00 PM. This is the only time of the year that full access is granted to the 600-acre creative sanctuary, including the cottages and areas where the artists live and work. It is the best opportunity to experience the total Hambidge story. The festival is the perfect time for you to escape for a day to enjoy the art, artists and autumn scenery, while helping to support the center’s residency program and nature preserve. Combining world-class art and the great outdoors, the Great ARTdoors Festival offers hayride tours of the artist-in-residence studios, and on the Hambidge grounds are art installations and demonstrations. There will be plenty of live music, fresh local food and beverages, including an old-fashioned pig roast. Enjoy an invitational show and sale of pottery and hand-made wares, U-do-Raku (glaze your own pottery to keep), artist talks, native plant sale and activities for children of all ages. Hambidge, since 1934, is home to seven miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, wildflowers, a swimming hole, and a number of historic structures, including a working 67 year-old water-powered gristmill. Advance tickets are $10.00 or at the door, $15.00. VIP tickets are $75; kids 12 and under are admitted FREE. Log on to www. hambidgefestival.org to purchase advance tickets. The Hambidge Center is located at 105 Hambidge Court in Rabun Gap, Georgia 30568. From Dillard in Northern Rabun County, Georgia, travel west on Betty’s Creek Road approximately 3.6 miles to the Hambidge gates on the right. Contact them by phone at 706746-7324 or log on to www.hambidge.org.
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Lovin’ the Journey Runners and Circus Freaks
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’m confident there are folks who wonder why we run. I suppose there is a certain freak show oddity about running when cars are obviously available. You might be one of those who look at us and say, “Need a ride?” or “Is somebody chasing you?” My favorite, “Run, Forest. Run!” I remember running past a hospital in the South Georgia heat when my friend Jeremy Hobbs yelled those very words from his air conditioned truck. He didn’t stop or offer me a Gatorade. It’s time I tell you about my all-time favorite running route. That’s saying a lot when you consider these mountains offer so many trails. I have a growing list of friends who’ve joined me on Panther Creek Falls Trail. The trailhead is just minutes south of Tallulah Gorge on Old Historic Highway 441. The seven mile route is an ‘out-and-back’. You run to the big falls and return. My most recent run along this trail was eventful. My neighbor Rick Sawyer and I encountered the usual throng of tourist-hikers traversing the single track which ascends and descends along breathtaking whitewater. This particular run was eventful because we assisted an eleven year old backpacker injured on the trail. Moments later a paramedic was hiking in, emergency radio in hand, searching for a woman who’d fallen off the trail. That’s actually quite possible and dangerous.
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We run along four different sections where a thin steel cable is all that separates you from certain death or adventure-ending injury. Then you return back along those same four cliffs of peril. But it adds to the allure.
What makes this trail fun are the roots, rocks, creek crossings, copperheads, and tourists. The tourists are nearly all from south of here. Recently I greeted a young man dragging a suitcase on rollers. He and his large group of trekkers had not gotten the memo. They were beyond Ill-prepared city folk. Glazed in sweat, he looks up the mountain at me as I descend towards him asking, “How much farther to the falls?”
In a split second, I’m forced to consider his girth, baggage, group size and turtle-like pace and offer an ETA. I tell him, “Fortyfive more minutes.” I’ll never forget the look in his eyes. Shock and disappointment would be a fair description. I’ve seen folks carrying in coolers and mattresses and foreigners from all corners of the globe. I’ve decided the popular route can serve as an obstacle course on busy days. I once considered the newbies a hassle. Now it’s an additional challenge, weaving in between the cultural melting-pot crowd. Summer Saturdays are best if you want the extra effort. Otherwise, the trail can be quite peaceful and even enchanting, particularly in the fall. The huge falls splashing into the large pool below and miles from civilization is your reward. If you are a fellow circus freak runner looking for adventure beyond the safe and common asphalt routes, you might easily budget an hour and a half or two for this workout. Hydration is critical. If you enjoy a tracking app, the elevation graph at the end of your run is as rewarding as any half-marathon medal someone’s hung around your neck. If you’d like me to guide you your first time, I’m ready. Of course, people will think you’re a circus freak. Maybe they’ll pay 25 cents for a look. See you on the trail. by Mark Holloway - Owner of Fresh Start
October 2015 www.gmlaurel.com
Create or Revitalize!
RABUN builders, inc Kurt Cannon, owner of Rabun Builders, Inc., has earned the undeniable reputation of creating and revitalizing homes and boathouses with exceptionally high quality workmanship in Rabun County for 25 years as a general contractor. We are here for you now and will be here in the future. We use all local subs and suppliers that will also be here for you in the future. We support the local economy and we are licensed and fully insured to protect you the homeowner and your investment. References Available. More info available at www.rabunbuilders.com
706.490.1490 www.rabunbuilders.com • rbi@rabunbuilders.com • Clayton, Georgia
Let Me Introduce You...
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think I was born a networker. I am sure that at the bottom of the hill I was introducing Jack to Jill. I see people who should know each other because there is a connection or a possibility that one could help the other in some capacity or perhaps their story needs to be shared. This new column Let Me Introduce You... is more than another great networking idea. I want to share the awesome people I meet with you. Maybe you already know them but you may learn something you didn’t know here. Those I feature may or may not be famous or almost famous, they may or may not be exceptional, they may or may not have something profound to say but there WILL be a reason they are in our pages. So, let me introduce you to... my friend Tammy Whitmire. Now, before we go any further, you may be saying I know Tammy, she is Roberta and Lawrence (Lloyd) Hicks’ daughter. She married Tony Whitmire. She is Maggie, Roger, Calvin and Skyler’s mom. She is the Elections Supervisor at the Rabun County Board of Elections. Tammy does a lot of charity work, oh yeah I know Tammy. But, do you really know Tammy? We’ll see. She was born a peacemaker. The “goto” gal to get things done. This has always been the case and by the end of this article you will know why. An outstanding listener, always ready with a knowing smile, Tammy has a heart the size of, oh I don’t know, the world. She loves to laugh, let her imagination run wild and show others the love of Christ. These three things shine through in everything she does from visiting with friends to planning the next non-profit. Her ideas never run out and they are never, ever in the box. The sky can’t hold them and if you work on a project with Tammy you’ll wonder where they all come from. She thinks of things no one else sees but she loves to see the creativity that results when great minds collide.
Tammy was born in Flowery Branch, Georgia on June 9, 1963. She is one of eight children and she smiles and says she was the only planned baby. Four of her siblings are older and three are younger; all totaled Lawrence and Roberta had five daughters and three sons. When Tammy was in the 4th grade her dad got a contract to build the bridge in Tallulah Falls and so the family moved to Rabun County and Tammy began to attend school at Dillard Elementary School. A year later the family was moved to Gainesville, Georgia and back to Rabun County three years later. Tammy was in the 8th grade when she returned, attending Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School for one year before moving to Rabun County High School. She remembered Tony from
Tony was working for Tammy’s daddy and so he just kept showing up. He asked her to the dance and not realizing he meant a date she danced with everyone but him. He then made his intentions clear and their romance began to take shape. At sixteen when Tammy was allowed to have her first boy/girl birthday party Tony arrived with a very special gift for his girl... a goat named Tinker. One might have speculated that it was really serious when just before Christmas he picked up Tinker and took her to be bred for Tammy’s Christmas gift. Tinker had twins and Tammy named them Stars and Stripes. The residents of Wolffork Valley knew it was true love when they’d see Tony coming to court Tammy and gifting livestock! When high school was coming to an end Tony came to Tammy and promised to love her and take care of her forever if she would stay in Rabun County and marry him. He told her he knew if she ever left the mountains that he’d lose her forever. She agreed and with her mother’s signature she married Tony when she was 17 years old on April 12, 1981. My next question to Tammy was how long have you two been married, she grinned from ear to ear and said which time? Huh? She begins...
The Beginning...
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elementary school but he had always been the boy who pulled her hair, knocked books out of her arms and tripped her. Needless to say she was not planning on falling in love with him at all!
Tammy had been told she couldn’t have children but a couple years into their marriage they were blessed with a beautiful bouncing baby girl Maggie. Tammy loved being a mother and gave it her all. Tony wanted her to stay home and raise their daughter and she was happy to do so. When Maggie started school, Tammy began to volunteer with the PTSO and became the president of that organization. She also got involved secretly helping transport battered women to safe locations and later went on to be a founder of F.A.I.T.H whose primary focus is to provide safety for battered women and children. This was a cause close to Tammy’s heart because she had witnessed first-hand the brutality of abuse growing up. She could not go back and change the past but she could do something to help others. There is not room for all the good things Tammy Whitmire has been a part of and I had to promise not to brag on her too much because she refuses to take credit saying that she was a part of a great group of like-minded people dedicated to making life better for those who struggle. On the homefront, Maggie was finishing college and the Whitmire nest was feeling pretty empty. One day the phone rang and it was a counselor at a local therapy center who had a teenage
October 2015 www.gmlaurel.com
boy named Charles who needed a place to stay and the woman on the phone said she thought of Tony and Tammy and could they “foster” him. Tammy asked for time to think it over and pray about it. She talked to Tony who resisted stating that if he got attached to the boy and then they took him away it would be too hard. Tammy felt strongly that God was leading her to become a foster parent. She asked Tony one question, “If you or I had needed a place to go wouldn’t we have hoped for a Tammy and Tony to take us in?” He agreed and although they were unable to foster Charles they took the training and soon were fostering brothers Roger and Calvin. Before Calvin’s 18th birthday Tony had asked him how to spell his last name and Calvin said W-H-I-T-M-I-R-E. Stunned Tony asked if Calvin wanted them to adopt him; the boys were already like theirs and Calvin said, “I have always wanted a family, a family just never wanted me.” The Whitmires adopted both boys in the coming months and have never regretted answering that call. The call came again with an adorable little 10 year old girl named Skyler in need of a family, they opened their home to her and she became their daughter as well. I do, again... Earlier I told you Tammy answered my “how long have you and Tony been married” with “which time?” Well here is the story behind that answer. After the Whitmires had been man and wife for nineteen years, a couple that they knew well was divorcing after years of marriage. Tony and Tammy were discussing it and Tony asked, “Why, after all of these years?” Tammy explained that after that long people change but the spouse doesn’t see it. They still see the person they first married. She used their lives as an example. Tammy was heavily involved with several non-profits and quite effective at fundraising. She would get up and make profound speeches that would move people to donate. She told her husband you don’t know that person, you still see me as the seventeen year old girl you married. Tony began to think about that and when Tammy was scheduled to make a speech at a fundraiser in Atlanta he asked to go with her. That day her husband got a glimpse of the woman his bride had become and he was in awe. He told her that day that she was right he didn’t know but he was proud of her. A couple weeks passed and while Tammy was folding laundry, Tony came in and on bended knee he asked his wife if she would agree to date him for a year and at the end of that year if she would marry him all over again. She agreed and for the next year Tony would call and ask Tammy for a date and they made it special. At the end of that year with a white wedding gown and a tux daughter with Maggie as a bridesmaid and other family members as attendants the Whitmires married for a second time. Friends,
family and the community attended the wedding and they began the rest of their lives all over again. Total the Whitmires have enjoyed 34 years of marriage. God gives her wings... Now you might be thinking I mean angel wings and although I have looked for them when I walk behind her, I mean wings like eagles... (Isaiah 40:31). Have you ever been a volunteer? It sounds like a great idea and your heart screams, “DO IT, help them out” and then it’s 5:30 on Thursday evening and you have had a killer week and you have to go to that meeting about that thing you volunteered for. Your mind is thinking of every reason you need to go home and why you can’t go, after all your feet are killing you. If Tammy Whitmire gets tired I’ve never been witness to it. Her calendar is full! She continues to smile and say, “Sure.” She is careful not to over extend and somehow keeps it all straight; how? It’s the wings! She honestly loves helping others. It is the fuel that keeps her going to meetings, serving on boards, talking into the evening hours with people like me. Tammy unfortunately has life experiences that allow her to offer great wisdom and insight for the hurting, because she has been there. Addiction? She’s seen it in action; abuse? She has been the victim; suicide? She has felt the loss; rejection? She has felt it’s sting. Many would play the martyr but not this gal, she laid it all at the foot of the cross and through her faith she has waited on the Lord and as He promised He renewed her strength. In Tammy Whitmire’s life he has taken what was meant for evil and turned it around for good and that continues each day. Her gifts... Well I have shown you her giving heart, the children are the loves of her life and now she is a grandmother to Lynzie and Julie Grace. She says being married to Tony has been one of her greatest gifts. But we all have gifts given to us by God. Something we can do differently than anyone else. Tammy has many but in the 9th grade an art teacher took an interest in her and helped her bloom into a beautiful artist. The first painting she did was a nighttime snow scene and included three colors: white, black and yellow. It won an award. Since then she has painted hundreds of paintings. She has sold many of them and donated many to benefit the charities she serves. There are people who collect Tammy’s works and give generously to win them at live auctions. She actually even opened a gallery with a fellow artist right before becoming pregnant with Maggie. She paints what she is inspired to paint for people or events she feels strongly about. Tammy Whitmire’s most precious gift is allowing the love of Jesus to flow through her and out to the community. She has been shown God’s grace and she loves to share that with all who will
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Let Me Introduce You... accept it. She is very active at her church, Wolffork Baptist Church where she seeks to give of herself in whatever way God leads her. She never goes where she doesn’t feel led. Hers is a quiet countenance, never flashy or showy rather a sweet spirit that she freely shares. The trip of a lifetime... Tammy began planning a trip to New York City in early 2014. She and her girls Maggie and Skyler would make the trip. She planned it with the help of an agency and they had on their agenda: Broadway shows, all of the major attractions but Tammy asked all the right questions and they visited them at the most opportune time so as to enjoy it the most. She arranged for drivers and while she may have started in the back seat within no time she was upfront listening to the life story of her driver. She engaged security guards who gathered around to chat with this friendly Southerner while her daughters just shook their heads. Tammy’s mother always said that her daughter had never met a stranger and that was true in NYC as well. She left with phone numbers and e-mail addresses for most of the people she met and had multiple invitations to return to the city anytime. They danced in the lobby of Grand Central Station at midnight. They visited the Statue of Liberty all lit up. Traveled to the financial district to pat the bull and crossed the Brooklyn Bridge. When their driver had taken them to all the places they wanted to see, Tammy invited him to show them his city. He took them to boroughs, buildings and parks they’d have never known about and while they traveled they talked about chickens, country vs. city and compared New York and Georgia. When the girls visited FAO Schwartz, Maggie and Skyler shopped while Tammy walked out front. The soldier who guards the door is a photo op for travelers. When a family wanted their picture taken with him Tammy offered to take the photo so that all of the family’s members could be in the photo. That one offer of kindness led to another and another until Tammy just reached for the camera and said, “Say Cheese.” Finally the girls came out and the guard told Tammy he had never had anyone do that. She smiled and wished him a good night but not before taking her girls picture with him. Tammy Whitmire changes lives even in the The Big Apple. What does she love... Spring is her favorite season; she loves to see the newness of it. She loves a good movie and reading behind the scenes stories about people. She likes the smell of babies and Tony. Her favorite food is oatmeal, not fancy, just plain. Or Cream of Wheat because those are things her mom would fix for her when she was sick or in need and they comfort her. Her favorite scripture is of course John 3:16 but she also loves Matthew 25:45 which is when Jesus’ followers asked him ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ and in verse 45 he said to them “...Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” What does Tammy love? Making a difference. She told me she wakes up each morning excited about the day and how God will use her. She loves people and she is thankful for the life she has been given. This woman is real and she is good and I am honored to introduce you to her. By Tracy McCoy Maybe I can get by with it here: Tammy Whitmire has been instrumental in the creation of or has served on the board and is actively involved in the following organizations: F.A.I.T.H, Community Pantry, Community Partnership, Sid Weber Memorial Cancer Fund, Medlink, Rabun Medical Foundation, Foxfire, League of Women Voters, Charity Lane, Rhapsody in Rabun, Valley Girls’ and Rabun County Association Women on Mission.
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The Adventures of Racky & Dil “We’re Making Dough-Re-Mi!”
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louds of white were billowing everywhere, and from the midst of the fog came the boast, “We’re really going to make some dough this time.” It was Rabun Racky who chortled at his own corny joke. He pushed a rolling pin back and forth across a mound of pie crust on the counter, as he sprinkled still more flour. Stuck dough would ruin everything. With each pass of the rolling pin, a shape resembling an over-sized pie pan began to emerge.
Racky brushed back a lock of his now near-white hair, and waved his arms to clear the atmosphere. Even he had to admit it was getting a little congested. “I’ve been figuring on that,” he said finally. “We’ll easily clear at least ten dollars a pie. Maybe even twelve, if we’re lucky. Folks who go to festivals like to buy homecooked desserts. With four festivals happening around here in the next two weeks, we’ll be lucky if we don’t have to bake even more pies.”
“Surely you can do better than that old lame joke,” his brother Dil replied. He dodged yet another shower of flour, and stopped to brush a smudge of white powder from his face. He straightened up from where he’d been looking in the oven, and observed, “That joke’s got a beard longer than Old Sly ‘Coon up on the mountain,” he said, referring to the oldest raccoon in the mountains around Rabun Gap, Georgia.
“I need two hundred dollars just to buy that camera I found, and if I don’t get but five dollars a pie…” he stopped, and Racky could see the wheels turning in his brother’s head. “At five dollars a pie, we’ll have to sell at least forty pies. Plus there are some other things I want.”
“Old or not, if you don’t want your half of the profits, I can sure spend them.”
“Gosh, did I just hear that come out of Rabun Racky’s mouth? What are you, a clone of Dad?”
“Fat chance,” Dil shot back. “So just how much do you think we’ll make?”
Racky smarted at that remark. After all the grief his stepfather had given him over the past few years, Racky wasn’t anxious to be
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“Maybe you oughta wait ‘til we have our money before you start spending it.”
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compared to the man who had started out as “Mama’s husband. “Didn’t mean to sound like him,” he mumbled at last. “So how many pies have we made?” Racky stepped into the pantry where shelves of pies – apple, peach and strawberry – were cooling. They would be sold, devoured and transformed into money in the pockets of two entrepreneurial young raccoons. “Mama and Daddy are going to be so proud of us!” he bragged. “Twenty-seven pies ready.” He stopped to count the pies under construction and baking. “When all these are done, that makes thirty-two. Then we’ll be out of ingredients.” The boys had come up with the idea to bake homemade fruit fries to sell at several area fall festivals. Grandma had donated canned fruit the boys had picked for her to preserve. While their folks were out of town all day on a Saturday, the boys commandeered Mama’s kitchen. Baking central, it was, populated by two enterprising, if not totally qualified pastry chefs. But in the process, it had also been made over using war zone motif. Dough scraps decorated like gingerbread trim from top to bottom. Every visible surface was coated in an avalanche of white. “What in the name of heaven is going on in here?” The voice was frigid, clipped, familiar and frightening, and home long before it should have been. “Racky? Dil? Answer me! Now!! What have you done to my kitchen?” “I guess I can kiss that camera goodbye,” Dil said quietly, as he turned to face their mother. “We’re baking, Mama. Just making some dough.” By John Shivers Illustration by Terry Sells
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Downtown
Clayton, Georgia
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A Wedding Story
Philip & Lindsey
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indsey Sievers was born and raised in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Philip Harris was born in Jonesboro, Georgia. When Lindsey ended up in Atlanta attending college and Philip to work as an EMT, they met through friends, and a group of students who had formed a friendship, rented a big house. Lindsey and Philip were part of this group. Simply friends at the time Lindsey finished school and took a job in Charlotte, North Carolina. Each of the friends went their own way. Philip soon got engaged and stayed in Atlanta. Several years passed and having joined social media Lindsey decided to look up her old roommates. She felt sure that Philip had probably gone on to get married and most likely had a couple kids. She found him on Facebook and it appeared he was single so she sent a friend request and soon after a message. Turned out Philip was living in Newnan, Georgia and indeed was single having never married. They agreed to meet, began dating and eventually began talking about engagement, marriage and even children. Philip sold his home in Newnan and moved to the city where they found a nice place to call their own. Lindsay knew she would marry Philip. One Saturday they had planned a day together. They packed a picnic and drove to Piedmont Park. Philip suggested they go find the old house where they had lived, the place they first met. Both remembered those uncomplicated college years living there as some of the best years of their lives. So off they went. They found the house and walked around looking at the flowers in the yard they remembered planting and talked about how they had grown. They walked around laughing and reminiscing when Lindsey turned to find Philip on one knee with ring in hand and he popped the question and of course she said yes. They began planning and when it came to location Lindsey told Philip about Clayton where her best friend Karen’s parents lived. Ed and Teresa Platt had been part of Lindsey’s life and she thought of them as her second parents. The Platts had bought a home in Clayton some years earlier and Lindsey loved coming to the mountains to visit. The Platt’s home had sentimental meaning and she wanted to marry Philip there. They planned
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a trip to Clayton and Philip was easily convinced. They began planning a small wedding. Simple, without a lot of work... if you’ve ever planned a wedding you are amused at that thought. Lindsey told me that in the end it was as much if not more work but she would not have changed a thing! The wedding, Lindsey jokes, gave a new meaning to DIY. Close friends, family and the couple did much of the work themselves. They shopped local antique stores for wedding props and decorations. Meredith Bell owner of Mermind Studios in Atlanta handled the couple’s invitations, and created the look and feel of the event. Carrie Mueller of Carrie Ruth Floral Designs of Atlanta provided the flowers. Luke Young of Voyeur Designs handled tent décor. The rehearsal dinner was held at Louie’s on the Lake in Lakemont, Georgia. Anita Moore orchestrated all rentals and served as wedding coordinator. Fromage and Other Fine Foods catered the wedding and made the cakes. Fromage is one of Philip and Lindsey’s favorite places to visit when they come to Clayton. Lindsey said and I quote, “ Jenny and her team at Fromage rocked it! Guests could not keep quiet about our pesto crusted salmon and homemade mac and cheese.” All of the wedding guests stayed at Kingwood Country Club and they were shuttled by staff to and from the Platt home the day of the event. Each guest received as a wedding favor a small jar of Blue Ridge Honey compliments of the bride and groom. The Peanut Man, Mr. Tom Jones, delivered his delicious boiled peanuts to the guests during their stay that were enjoyed with their beer or wine. The wedding photographer was Stevi Clack of Dacula, Georgia Today Philip and Lindsey continue to live in “the city”. Philip works as a paramedic for the Fayette County Fire Department and Lindsey is a project manager in the construction industry. They enjoy visiting craft beer breweries, antique markets and coming to Clayton every chance they get. Philip is an artist. He paints large vivid murals and has created wonderfully abstract pieces that are shown at Made Again, an art gallery and boutique and at Vintage ATL, a gallery and antique store. They enjoy travel and in fact they visited the Dominican Republic on their honeymoon. They plan an annual fall trip to a quaint bed & breakfast in Georgia and they love visiting Savannah and an occasional trip to the beach. The Harris family will someday include children but for now two dogs get their attention and are treated like family. A special thank you to Philip and Lindsey for sharing their special day with us.
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Echoes from the Hills
“A Fond Farewell to the American West”
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y final journey west – August 12 – 25, 2015 – with good companions passed through the great Bread Basket of America where vast fields of corn, hay and vegetables are grown to feed us and much of the world, and then across the broad rivers to rolling prairies and into rugged mountain ranges. Our traveling group of six men out and back included Winfred McKay, R. S. (Raleigh S.) Fountain, Everett Miller, Dale Kilby, Gary Kilby and Bob Justus. Wesley McKay, Winfred’s son, joined us in Wyoming for a short stay but had to return to work. It was my farewell visit to the West I had read about as a boy and later lived in and loved some seven years. I served in the Air Force at locations in the West. In retirement I’ve traveled west some 14 times since retiring from the service. This three day trip out to Wyoming and three day trip back to Georgia did tax me more than on former trips. It was my “swan song”, a final goodbye. We camped first at Wiggins Fork 24 miles north of Dubois, Wyoming, a place often visited on prior trips, and then at “Miracle Mile,” on the Platte River, noted for big trout. Both areas have rockcrowned peaks and bluffs and are in remote and rugged terrain. I recalled former companions, including friends and a brother, who have now passed on. Our most pleasant times were at meals and sitting around the campfire at the close of day. R.F. Fountain did
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a fine job as chef but others also pitched in as needed. At close of day we fellowshipped around the campfire. Due to the dry air my throat and mouth felt parched and I often craved cold water. Yet I breathed well and went through each day in extreme variations in heat and cold with little suffering. Most nights I also slept well. My fellow travelers also helped me. On the way out and back the highways were teeming with semis hauling America’s merchandise and goods, while the railroads abounded with mile long trains hauling coal, food and merchandize. These outward signs seemed to indicate that millions of Americans were actively employed with farming and ranching, road building and repair, mining and construction in the 1500 mile stretch of our journey outward to Wyoming. The thought came to me that enormous wealth and resources abound in America. There should be no huge deficit or bankruptcy threatening our nation. If all Americans were busy and bustling about as we observed on our long journey we should be solvent and strong as a people and nation. The corruption and drain threatening our economy come from corruption and waste in high places, which we the people seem to have no control over. Now I bid goodbye to my beloved West, which began from reading Zane Grey Westerns and Lewis and Clark’s Expedition. I made earlier journeys in the prime of life to hunt and fish; while living in the West in military service and some 12 or more trips after retirement. I promised my wife Florine that this was my final journey. Yet fond memories will always remain of the West and traveling companions, plus the friends and relatives who yet live there, whom I hope to keep in touch with. “Away, away across the wide Missouri…” by Bob N. Justus
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DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN, NC
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Foxfire FALL IN THE MOUNTAINS - BOOGERS, WITCHES, AND HAINTS!
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o be absolutely truthful, most of the people we talked with here in Rabun County did not believe in ghosts or witches or anything of the sort. They had either seen their fears proved false (a white dog, a flapping sheet, natural gas or the like), or they simply had never had to have them proved false— they just never believed. We met many of them in the course of our wanderings. Here are some of the best of their comments. Mrs. E. H. Brown: Oh, I’ve heard a number of ghost stories. They come in here and they went out here and I didn’t pay any ‘tention. I never have been hainted. I didn’t think I’d ever done anybody any harm that they’d bother me. I moved t’ Highlands and they ‘uz some people come in tryin’ t’ tell me how terrible th’ old Methodist Church was haunted there at Scaly there where I lived. Well, I ‘uz raised there. I let ‘em tell their tales. They said that you just couldn’t go in that church at night—they ‘uz th’ awfullest thing they ever were in there. I let ‘em tell their story, and I laughed at ‘em. I says, “Well, I’ve been in that church after dark by myself and I didn’t hear a thing.” I said, “I wasn’t a bit afraid.” There ‘uz a boy that’d been murdered that’s grew up with me an’ was buried out there, but I never done th’ boy no harm, and I didn’t ‘spect him t’ make any noise and bother me. And then they thought they would get me. Said, “Just as sure as you pass th’ schoolhouse about midnight, you’ll see a little girl and a little boy walkin’ that rock walk.” “Well,” I said, “I’ve passed there alone many nights about midnight, and I never did see anything.” That was just a fancy someone had told. Why, I passed that place numbers of nights. I didn’t see nothin’. I believe most a’ that is imagination. I say
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imagination, or maybe guilty conscience. Then you might see somethin’. I wouldn’t be surprised. If you’d done some dirty deed or murdered somebody or something, why I wouldn’t be surprised if they wouldn’t imagine they saw something. But I never experienced no such thing. Only thing I was ever afraid of was a dog or a snake. Lawton Brooks: ‘Bout two mile and a half out a’ Hayesville, there kind a’ in a bend in th’ road is where a man was killed and just shoved out onta this big old white rock by th’ side a’ th’ road. And he died and left blood a-settin’ on th’ rock. That blood wouldn’t wash off. Stayed there a long time. An’ ever’body passed through there got scared, y’ know, seein’ blood on th’ rock where that man just fell out and died. ‘Course people got their nerves up and got scared about it, and they’d see ghosts. Some of ‘em said somethin’ would be gettin’ on behind their mules or horses an’ ride with ‘em an’ spook their animals an’ make ‘em jump around scared and crazy like. People was really scared t’ go by that big white rock ‘cause so many people says somethin’ would get on their animal an’ aggravate th’ dickens out a’ ‘em. I was a-courtin’ up there, and I had t’ come by there. “Course I could ‘a went around, but if I went around it would ‘a been further out a’ my way, and I decided t’ go by it. It was a-rainin’ that night, and I’d just take th’ near cut and go down through there. When I got pretty close t’ where that rock was, m’ horse got scared and wouldn’t budge nary an inch. Just bowed right up, front legs stiff like boards. I teached ‘im wi’ m’ spur and he jumped over t’ other side th’ road. Took a step ‘r two and bowed up again, and I could feel ‘im a-shakin’ a little even.
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‘Bout that time I saw somthin’ white comin’ off th’ bank right down t’ where that rock was at and stopped. I thought t’ myself, “You got me!” I just knowed that’d ‘bout done me in. So m’ horse, I think he found out before I did what that thing was, and he just commenced walkin’ along and walked right up next t’ it. I got me a match out a’ m’ coat pocket—they wasn’t no things like flashlights in them days—and I struck me a match, and there set a big white dog—big old white shepherd dog a-settin’ there in a ditch. And if I’d a’ went on and hadn’t a’ never discovered what that was, I’d a’ always said I seen a ghost. But I found out what it was. There were, however, a surprising number of contacts who had seen, or whose relative or close friends had seen, phenomena that were inexplicable to them except in supernatural terms. Most believe unshakably that haints, boogers, and evil spirits walk the land, and after hearing their stories, one wonders. Myrtle Lamb: Well, it was up near Sunburst, North Carolina. It was a house nobody wouldn’t live in. Ever’body would get scared, and you would hear all kinds a’ rackets. They said a girl had a baby, and said she didn’t want it so she took it and fed it to th’ dogs—or hogs—and when it rained, on a cloudy night, you could hear that baby cry just as plain. Then in th’ house you’d hear all kinds of things—like stockings rubbin’ against th’ wall. My mother said ever’ night somethin’ would come and kick th’ cover off her. And she would get up and sit up scared t’ death. Adapted by Jessica Phillips from Foxfire 2, pgs. 324-361
For information on this book, Foxfire’s other books, or arranging a guided tour of the Foxfire museum, visit www. foxfire.org or call 706.746.5828. You can also visit Foxfire at 98 Foxfire Lane, off of Cross Street, in Mountain City, Georgia.
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Exploring Northeast Georgia A Time Gone By
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s the warm days of September give way to the cooler, crisp mornings of October and God’s glory is reflected in the rich palate of autumn colors, our minds shift back to a different time when Northeast Georgia was sparsely populated. Visitors came to enjoy the cooler mountains and enjoy the splendor of fall. Most of the resorts these visitors came to are long gone but if you look closely enough there are reminders of this bygone time. White Sulphur Springs was a resort just north of Gainesville, close to Lula. Similar to the resorts in Tallulah Falls and Mt. Airy, wealthy visitors and families would spend time at these elegant hotels looking to escape the summer heat and disease caused by mosquitoes carrying malaria. The hotels would provide relaxation for visitors, large porches with rocking chairs, outdoor activities, tennis or walking and in the evenings there would be fine dining, music and dancing.
Steps leading to the White Sulphur Springs Resort Hotel circa 1920’s and the ruins today.
Many of these beautiful resort hotels were destroyed by fire; White Sulphur Springs burned in 1933 and today a few poignant reminders exist of what had been a thriving health resort. Visitors would come to the springs and drink the healing waters. Today the ruins of this once beautiful resort are scattered over private property but a shadow of what existed can be seen in traces of stone steps and pillars, moss covered walkways and broken fountains.
Mt Airy, established in 1874 was another Northeast Georgia town that attracted visitors with the beautiful views from Grandview Avenue looking out over Lake Russell and the Chattahoochee National Forest. Mt Airy lies on the Eastern Continental Divide, which means the waters falling on the east side of town run eventually to the Savannah
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River and into the Atlantic Ocean. The waters falling to the west flow eventually to the Chattahoochee River and then to the Gulf of Mexico. With an elevation of 1545 feet, it was the highest point between New Orleans and New York on the Richmond and Danville railway line. Hotels established in Mt Airy were the Mount Airy Hotel which was built by Colonel Wilcox in 1886 and the Monterey Hotel which was built by the Gresham brothers from Virginia in 1902. The Monterey Hotel stood where City Hall now stands but in its day the three-story structure boasted 150 rooms and 50 bathrooms. The Monterey Hotel, tragically suffered the same fate as other resort hotels in Northeast Georgia and burned down in 1907. It was rebuilt and then sadly burned again. Tallulah Falls at one time, probably boasted the largest number of hotels in Northeast Georgia. The first hotel to open there was the Tallulah Hotel in 1840. When the railway finally came to town in 1882, this brought more tourists and more hotels
were needed. Tallulah Falls had, at its height of popularity, seventeen hotels and boarding houses. Cliff House Hotel, Tallulah Falls, GA From 1882 until 1921, an almost forty year span of time, Tallulah Falls flourished and was referred to as the Niagara Falls of the Southern States. People came mainly to see the falls, but the hotels offered varied activities, music and dancing in the evenings, wonderful front porches to relax on and games such as billiards and tennis. The end came in December 1921 when a fire broke out and burned for days. Most of the buildings were never rebuilt but the magic of that era can still be found in old postcards and photographs and history books. By Kitty Stratton
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For my husband, Hank, on our anniversary, I love you so many reasons. I wish I could write a book but instead I wrote a poem for you.
You Are My Everything! As time goes by in our golden years, I have so much to be thankful for. I can’t think of a better place to be, You are the love of my life and more. Happiness is little things: a hug, smile, card, Even our favorite song, “I Cross My Heart”, Precious moments with family and friends, And your unconditional love from the start.
Southern States Insurance, Inc. Comes to Clayton
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hen Dallas Taylor graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2004 he went to work for Ed Poss and spent the next 11 years in the real estate industry. Today Dallas has changed gears and is proud to announce the opening of Southern States Insurance in Clayton, Georgia. Dallas is the grandson of Martha Taylor, who was a strong presence in the insurance industry in Rabun County for many years. With the same integrity and care as his grandmother, Dallas is eager to work with both families and businesses to meet their insurance needs. His company is an independent agency representing many highly rated insurance companies, offering auto, home and commercial insurance. Dallas’ office is especially offering new commercial insurance markets to area business owners. Located upstairs in the First American Bank building at 550 Hwy 441 in Clayton, Dallas welcomes you to stop by or call for an appointment. He’d appreciate the opportunity to save you a bundle while offering you a trusted name you know in the insurance business. Both natives of Rabun County, Dallas and his wife, Stefanie, live in Tiger with their daughter Stori Grace. For more information you should give Dallas a call at 706.490.3030.
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I love listening to: “Through The Years”, And “It’s A Wonderful World” with you. The lyrics are so perfect in these songs, To me the sweetest thing is loving you. I enjoy seeing the brilliant rainbows, Beautiful mountaintop sunsets, too. Vivid colors of the autumn leaves, And listening to the rain with you. It’s amazing to see a variety of birds, As we are sitting in our family room, Seeing several squirrels playing tag, And to catch a glimpse of the moon. It was surprising seeing a bear on our deck, I will never forget him being big as can be. I quickly named him Teddy just out of fun, But you are the only teddy bear for me. Our home looks nice nestled in the woods, With an added octagon deck and bridge, too. The beauty of all the different kind of flowers, Surrounding the Dutch windmill made by you. I will always remember our wedding day, And the beautiful golden stars on my ring, I love you more than words can express, My shining star and my everything. Happy 50th Anniversary, Honey With all my love Dolores “Laurie” VanBladel
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