Laurel of Northeast Georgia Oct 23

from the publisher

The harvest means so many different things to each of us; images of corn fields, orchards, vineyards, gourds and pumpkins, fall leaves, the smell of fresh apples with cinnamon and pumpkin spice (yes, I am one of those) fill my mind. Ahh, the joys of the Autumn season. Festivals and celebrations delight us, as do the cooler temps and colors that seem to spread across the mountains.

This is my favorite time of the year. I love the smell of wood smoke, the crunch of fall leaves on the ground under my feet and the aroma of the forest, it smells like… well, the harvest! The Foxfire Mountaineer Festival will be held at the Rabun County Civic Center on October 7th from 10am – 5pm. A tradition that dates back decades, this festival celebrates the Appalachian culture, traditions and our mountain heritage. Please make plans to attend, you will most certainly enjoy your self. We have included a calendar of events for many festivals around the mountains this season and into the next (Christmas) so that you can plan accordingly.

Peter McIntosh who so graciously provided our cover photo of Cullasaja Falls, will take us on a Fall tour in his Adventure Out column. Lorie Thompson shares her White Chicken Chili recipe which looks scrumptious. We will introduce you to Pete and Deana Carson, the new owners of Sole Place Western Store on Main Street in Clayton. We will tell you about Fred Gretsch and his family who are the proud new owners of Cupboard Cafe in Dillard. You will learn about the history of the Clayton United Methodist Church as they celebrate their sanctuary this month. Did you know how instrumental the Mountain Ivy Garden Club is to the beauty of Rock House Park and Veterans Park? I didn’t either but they are to be applauded!

So settle back with a warm beverage and enjoy your October Laurel. Please support our advertisers every chance you get. They are the reason you have this book in your hands. Thank you for taking us into your home and Happy Fall from all of us! Tracy

Cullasaja Falls can be seen 11 miles east of Franklin and about 9 miles west of Highlands in Macon County, North Carolina. The word Cullasaja comes from a Cherokee word meaning “honey locust place”. The lower portion of the falls is a cascade of water which flows about 250 feet down. It is located on the Cullasaja River at the lower part of the Cullasaja Gorge. It is part of the Mountain Water Scenic Byway. The falls are only visible by car as there is no adequate pull-off spot from the road. The stretch of road known as US Hwy 64 and NC 28 and leads from Franklin to Highlands. The road is very narrow and curvy but in addition to Cullasaja Falls you can enjoy Bridal Veil Falls and Dry Falls thus Mountain Water Scenic Byway! If you visit Highlands on your adventure be sure to pick up the original Laurel magazine there.