Georgia Mountain Laurel September 17 by The Laurel of Northeast Georgia

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September 2017

Hey! Wasn’t that Solar Eclipse in Totality AMAZING! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. What a great crowd of people who came to our mountains, maybe for the first time, to share in the total eclipse. Millions of eyes directed towards the heavens in anticipation...united at a time when there is so much divisiveness in our country. The mountains are an excellent place to find peace and serenity, we are so fortuntate to make this our home. This issue looks at Country Club living. Pristine golf courses set amongst incredible mountain views, fine dining, spa experiences, luxury home and mountain cabins. We have three amazing clubs to look at in this issue as well as an event calendar brimming with festivals, a tribute to a dear friend and of course scenes from the Eclipse. Enjoy!

Tracy

VISIT LAKEMONT, GA

September 2017 • Volume Fourteen • Issue Nine • Copyright 2017 Contributing Writers: Scarlett Cook, Jean Hyatt, Mark Holloway, Susan Brewer, Steve Jarrard, MD, Lisa Harris, John Shivers, Emory Jones, Lorie Thompson

Georgia Mountain Laurel Mailing: PO Box 2218, Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 2511 Highway 441, Mountain City, Georgia 30562 706-782-1600 • www.gmlaurel.com

Publisher/Editor - Tracy McCoy Editor - Luke McCoy Assitant Editor - Nikki Dunbar Art Director - Dianne VanderHorst Office Manager/ Account Executive - Cindi Freeman Account Executive - Melissa Williams-Thomas Account Executive - Melynda Hensley Photographer/Writer - Peter McIntosh Copyright 2016 by Rabun’s Laurel Inc. All rights reserved. The Georgia Mountain Laurel Magazine is published twelve times per year. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publishers and editors are not responsible for unsolicited material and it will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication subject to GML magazine’s right to edit. Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, photographs and drawings. Every effort has been made to assure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Laurel magazine or any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. The Georgia Mountain Laurel maintains a Christian focus throughout their magazine. Rabun’s Laurel, Inc. reserves the right to refuse content or advertising for any reason without explanation.

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September 2017

In This Issue

Mountain Homes 12

Kingwood Golf Country Club & Resort

Waterfall Club

Sky Valley Country Club

Mountain Realty

Tugalo Gas Company

Arts & Entertainment 22

Cover Artist - Bob Starkweather

North Georgia Arts Guild

Outdoors 28

Adventure Out

Mountain Nature

Scenes from the Solar Eclipse

Mark Your Calendar 34-39 Event Calendar & Festivals 40

Pioneer Days

Faith in Christ 42

Life is a Blessing

Bless Your Heart

River Garden

A Taste 48

Bon Appetit

Mama G’s

The Family Table

Just Thinking... 62

Lovin’ the Journey

A Tribute to Terry Sells from Racky

Notes from a Southern Kitchen

Wheels - One Fine Ridge

By the Way

Health & Wellness

September 2017

Live Healthy & Be Well]

The Dream

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September 2017

Kingwood

Golf Country Club & Resort

he location of Kingwood Golf Country Club & Resort will inspire the nature lover in you. Described as a residential Golf Resort in north Georgia, offering accommodation, 18 holes, spa, dining, and leisure facilities. All within one spectacular location. The property is surrounded by over 148,600 acres of protected National Forest at the foot of the idyllic Blue Ridge Mountains. Kingwood offers 18 of the finest holes. The beautiful course runs through the valley past challenging, but not defeating, landmarks. Kingwood has been a mainstay of the golf and resort living community in Rabun County for decades. Homeowners and part time residents who make their home on the property know the joy of Kingwood living. The amenities include a clubhouse, spa, fine dining, swimming, and activities. Overlooking the ninth hole putting green, Kingwood Resort’s rustic yet wellappointed dining room provides the perfect setting for a special occasion. This dining room is available to members and inn guests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Kingwood Resort’s Fireside Lounge offers a relaxing atmosphere for diners as well as golfers. The comforting fireplace and big screen television are just the things guests need to unwind after a long day of work or a round of golf. The attentive staff will tend to your every need, whether you need a cocktail or a light bite. Whether it is your big day, family reunion, or coming of age, Kingwood has all of the facilities you need. Somewhere to stay, dine, relax, and laugh with friends and family. Whether you choose to be indoors or out, events at Kingwood are idyllic. At the Kingwood Resort’s Spa and Fitness Center, you’ll find they can help you unwind with their many luxurious amenities. Take advantage of the variety of services offered at the spa and renew your mind, body, and spirit. They have an extensive menu of treatments and packages from which to choose. Guests leave the Kingwood Resort spa feeling renewed and refreshed. Kingwood is in process of building new homes in The Overlook neighborhood located directly across the street from the resort. These homes start in the low 200’s and are absolutely stunning. They have designed the homes based on the concept of “future living”, providing homes and a lifestyle that adapt well as we age. Kingwood has an agent available for appointments and to see the new home construction underway. Kingwood Golf Country Club and Resort is located just off Highway 76 East at 401 Country Club Drive, Clayton, Georgia. The website offers a plethora of information even allowing you to make reservations. Visit www.kindwoodresort.com or call 706.212.4100.

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estled in the North Georgia mountains and overlooking the pristine shores of Lake Burton, Waterfall Club, a luxury resort golf community, offers some of the most breathtaking scenery found anywhere. The private club was designed as a refreshing retreat from the responsibilities and deadlines of the “real world.” At the heart of Waterfall Club is a spectacular 18 hole golf course designed by Scott Pool. This mountain course features bentgrass greens, fairways, and tees, and is one of only two golf courses in Georgia with that distinction. The centerpiece of the course is the second hole with the tee boxes atop a 210 foot waterfall with the green 186 yards below. Don’t be fooled by the distance, but be prepared to have your breath taken away! An amazing golf experience is just where the fun begins. Waterfall Club also has a 52,000 square foot Athletic Center complete with a sauna, steam room, spa, Junior Olympic swimming pool, indoor tennis, basketball, and much more. With the Appalachian Trail and Lake Burton just outside of the gates of the Club, you will never be short of adventure while enjoying your time at Waterfall. Interested in getting married in the beautiful Northeast Georgia Mountains? Let Waterfall Club host your wedding event! Their wedding venue is sure to make memories for years to come. From the picture postcard setting for outdoor recreation, to a refined array of indoor amenities, and staff ready to respond to your every need, Waterfall Club will exceed your expectations. Whether you are drawn to the splendor of the surrounding Chattahoochee and Nantahala National Forests, the emerald green lake and golf course, the energy of the Athletic Center, or the culinary treats of The Lodge, Waterfall is a true getaway from all your worries. If you are interested in membership information visit www.thewaterfallclub.com or call 706.212.4000 14

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September 2017

Sky Valley Country Club

oined as the the “Coolest and Highest” Northeast Georgia Mountains destination, Sky Valley Country Club offers championship public golf play, private club memberships, boutique weddings, and corporate events. The course is semi-private and open year-round to the public. Schedule your tee-time, group play, or tournament, and discover why this 18-hole championship course, with breathtaking views and challenging holes played on lush fairways and manicured bent grass greens should be on all golf enthusiasts’ Bucket List! The Club’s 13,000 square foot clubhouse is architecturally stunning. A truly versatile and dynamic setting for members, golfers, and guests. Contact Sky Valley Country Club today and take the first step in turning your dream wedding or other event into the lifelong memory you desire. Searching for the next unique venue for a meeting or conference? One that will leave a lasting impact on your participants? You are cordially invited to contact the Sky Valley Country Club to learn why it would be the perfect venue for you, your group, or your organization. If you are planning a visit to Georgia’s Highest City, Sky Valley Country Club offers outstanding lodging facilities through condos, rental homes, or timeshare interval ownership units. Maybe you are looking for a place to call home? There are getaway cabins to luxury homes with great mountain views available in and near the club. Sky Valley Country Club is a member owned club and socializing is part of the attraction. The calendar is full of special events. There is always a variety of activities appealing to the members’ diverse interests. As the Farm-to-Table Capitol of Georgia, Rabun County’s abundant harvests guarantee seasonal fresh ingredients prepared by the Chef under the supervision of Clubhouse manager Elizabeth Raymond. Members and guests can be assured that each dish prepared offers scrumptious cuisine for a memorable dining experience. Be sure to stop at the bar or ask your wait staff what craft beer and signature or specialty cocktails are being offered. Regardless of what you order, you will be charmed by the service, welcomed by the Club’s members, and want to return often. The community of Sky Valley is located between Clayton, Georgia and Highlands, North Carolina, surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest. Sky Valley has 500 single family homes and 300 condominiums spread across 2,400 acres of pristine mountain terrain. Beautiful views of the mountains with home elevations ranging from 3,200 – 4,200 feet. The website www.skyvalleycountryclub.com offers a virtual tour of the property. For additional information call 706.746.5302. 16

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots - but you have to play the ball where it lies.â&#x20AC;? Bobby Jones

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September 2017

Mountain Realty

On the Shores of Lake Chatuge. By Tracy McCoy.

rich history and great track record is what you want when you are looking for to buy or sell a home. Mountain Realty has both. It began in 1971 when Towns County Realtor Hal Herrin formerly of Hiawassee Land Co opened his own company and called it Mountain Realty. The new business had sales agents licensed in Georgia, North Carolina and even Tennesee. Hal was the Principal Broker for 18 years and the thriving business was sold to Carmolita Haney. She had come to work for Hal in 1984 and took a real interest in the company so when Hal was ready to scale back she was the natural choice to take the helm. Hal continued to work at Mountain Realty as an Associate Broker until he retired. Carmolia has remained the Principal Broker at Mountain Realty since the purchase. After she became the owner she built a new building for the branch office in Young Harris that Hal had opened in 1985, and the business continued to thrive. Soon after she built a new building for the Hiawassee office making Mountain Realty the only Real Estate firm on the shores of Lake Chatuge. One consistent truth about this independent company is that in good times and bad they have done well. Since the 1990s Mountain Realty has consistently had agents with over a Million in sales. That is something to take pride in. One of their agents was Top Producer in Towns County 2011-2014. In 2015 Janet Allen became owner of Mountain Realty with Carmolita staying on as Qualifying Broker. Janet has vastly increased the digital footprint of Mountain Realty with a website, Facebook page and presence on over 70 real estate related websites. So if you are buying or selling you can count on these agents to be on top of their game. Mountain Realty specializes in retirement homes, vacation homes, second homes, lakefront properties and mountain cabins, creek front properties and land. Mountain Realty has eight knowledgable, hard working and well trained professionals ready to work with you. They can be reached by calling 706.896.2283 or 800.433.9307 or stop in at 325 North Main Street, Hiawassee, Georgia. Their website is a great place to start www.mountainrealty.com.

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September 2017

Tugalo Gas Company, Inc. Family Owned and Operated on a Solid Foundation by Tracy McCoy

he true measure of a great company is their customer base. When Tugalo Gas Company opened in Toccoa, Georgia, the year was 1946 and Mr Edward Gilmer, Sr., the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founder, believed that if he built a company that put the customer first, went the extra mile and provided quality work, that his business would grow. Mr. Gilmer was correct. Today, Tugalo Gas Company has five offices in three states. They are located in Northeast Georgia, Northwest South Carolina, and Southwest North Carolina. They still operate under the standard set by Mr. Gilmer so many years ago.

In addition to delivering propane gas to homes and businesses across the region, Tugalo Gas Company offers repair and service of gas piping and appliances. All of their services are provided by their knowledgable and trained in-house professionals. Going the extra mile is one of the principals on which the company was founded, and it is something they take seriously. Their customers are treated with the utmost respect and, frankly, treated like family. They love feedback from those they serve and know that the greatest compliment is the long-term loyalty of their customers. Each Tugalo Gas Company showroom has a nice selection of some of the industry leaders in gas appliances like Appalachian Stove, Buck Stove, Rinnai, Rasmussen, RHP, Bradford White, Heatmaster, and Empire. The staff can help you select the best product to meet your needs, and it is comforting to know they can install and service your new appliance. I think most people just feel good doing business with a family owned and operated company. Tugalo Gas Company must be doing something right to have families who have trusted them for generations. So stop in today to comparison shop or establish a relationship with Tugalo Gas Company. They truly appreciate their customers.

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Tugalo Gas Locations include: Toccoa 224 W. Currahee Street Toccoa, Georgia 30577 706 886-8447 Lavonia 12795 Jones Street Lavonia, Georgia 30553 706 356-8335 Clayton 132 North Main Street Clayton, Georgia 30525 706 782-4543 Seneca 1973 Sandifer Blvd. Seneca, SC 29693 864 985-1300 Franklin 33 Hunters Trail Franklin, NC 28734 828 369-7101

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September 2017

COVER ARTIST Bob Starkweather by Tracy McCoy

hat does a man do with no television, no DSL and no Smart Phone? He lives. He really lives life. Our September cover artist sits quietly behind the lens of a very nice camera watching hummingbirds and butterflies. He talks to the woman he loves and he reads books. He walks in nature and he discovers what quiet sounds like. His name is Bob Starkweather and photography is his passion. Sitting on his porch with his Nikon on a tri-pod waiting on the perfect shot can knock a dent in a Saturday afternoon, but when that hummingbird arrives and shows off because he has an attentive audience, Bob’s finger can’t click fast enough. Great photographers see the world differently than the rest of us. Bob sees a photo in the unique, such as the shadow of a four-legged friend. Looking through frosted glass at colorful beads and seeing something special is a gift. He walks through his days with his camera at hand because, like most great photographers, he sees a photo everywhere he looks. Besides taking a some photography classes at North Georgia Technical College Bob says he is mostly a self taught slow learner. Bob and his sweetheart Camille make their home in Habersham County with their three dogs. Evenings find them enjoying each others company and being entertained by the dogs. They, like many others today, find life without technology is pretty nice and it certainly lends itself to allow ample time for photo shoots. Bob explains that he just prefers a simpler existence. He captures his surroundings and hopes that someone might like a photo he has taken and want to bring it into their home or office. “I might shoot a hundred photos at a time, go through them and if I get a good shot, it’s been a good day. I set my camera up to take the best possible photograph it can, so editing for me is at a minimum.” Bob is a member of the Foothills Photography Group. Foothills Photography Group is a fellowship of photographers who share their tricks, techniques, and fondness of all things photography with each other. The group meets once a month in Clarkesville, Georgia. When Bob was working, he was a painter. Walls were generally his canvas, but today, he enjoys art. He and Camille are both artistic. She is involved in a variety of creative endeavors, etensive soul searching, mindfulness, yoga and Pleiadean studies. Bob, he sticks with art and photography. The couple find pleasure in working on the property where they live and making their home a place of peace and tranquility. “I was the middle kid with two older brothers and two younger sisters. I had great parents and I was fortunate to grow up in my parent’s home. In my life I have learned to live now, be present in the day and make each one memorable. My photography allows me to do that and I guess that is why I like to spend my time doing it. Neil Young said it best, ‘There’s more to the picture than meets the eye,’ and that is what I like best!” If you would like to take a look at Bob’s work give him a call at 706.212.8449.

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September 2017

Finding Art

September 2017

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September 2017

from the North Georgia Arts Guild

Jan Walker - At the Intersection of Art and Children

By Susan Brewer

an Walker is celebrated in Cornelia for teaching children art. From Bedford, New Hampshire, Jan was a Hesser Business College graduate, world traveler, and selftaught artist. She met her late husband, Peter, from Stirling, Scotland, while traveling on her own in Transylvania—of all places—following college. In 1979, at the prompting of a friend, Jan began teaching an art class for children in her car port. That first week, she drew a figure she called a “knee neep” on student Derek Stapleton’s knee cap. This marked the beginning of a world she developed into four books (soon to be five). Her characters are gentle, with large, expressive eyes and mouths hidden between full cheeks and large noses. Theirs is a generous, kind, and caring environment the author introduces to her readers this way: A kingdom nestles far away where gourds and pumpkins grow, on meadows green that roll beside the lake of Biggledeewoe. Biggledeewoe is a gentle lake with waters cool and deep; its lazy shores surround the land known as the Kingdom of Neep. During this time, Jan Walker’s home became The Children’s Gallery, a space where classes practice drawing, painting watercolors, beading, cartooning, and working with sculpey clay. Her routine and structure offer students the freedom to try new things. It’s a surprise to see how hard some work. It is a tremendous opportunity for children of that age (preschool to elementary school). At intervals between tasks they

play outdoors, all the while surrounded by Jan’s storytelling and singing. During summer, this involves running around in the large, shaded backyard, then cooling off during sprinkler time and having treats, and ‘poop’-sicles. Jan has refined “simple,” and streamlined it towards art, growth, and happiness. Why is it important that children learn about art? She tells me it’s because stimulating imagination means getting the most out of life, now and later. She herself is an example of this, enjoying the rewards of being creative, and joining with others to explore the world. Her writing, illustrating, and publishing began in 1984 with The Knee Neep Story, a coloring book. As her story idea grew, it received a push from Clarkesville’s famous artist and writer, John Kollock, who bestowed Helen, Georgia with its “Bavarian” theme. With his help, in 1993, Jan’s first book, The Kingdom of Neep was published. Gloomy followed in 1996, and finally, in 1998, Christmas Tea at Harvest Hall came out. Now, the waiting room of the Renew Dental Office in downtown Cornelia includes a mural being painted by Jan (see photos) that gives a welcomed, large scale to her characters. See the life in the paintings! Nieces Amy and Zoey, visiting from Scotland, were there when I photographed the mural and Jan’s class. Several students there had parents who in 1987 were taught by Jan, too. Jan lives art one person at a time, proven by her history of thirty-eight years and over four thousand students. She teaches one adult class, too. For more information, look her up online or call 706.778.1646.

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September 2017

Adventure Out

Whiterock Mountain by Peter McIntosh

n this adventure we’re hiking on the Bartram Trail in North Carolina to Whiterock Mountain. And just to be sure, Whiterock Mountain is not Whiteside Mountain, although they are both near Highlands and they both have big rock faces. Whiterock is part of a ridge line that includes Scaly Mountain, Jones Knob, and Fishhawk Mountain. This is a moderate trail, mostly level with a bit of a descent and then an ascent at the end. It’s 1.8 miles on the Bartram Trail and the 3/10 mile on the side trail leading out to the rock face of the mountain, which makes it a

4.2 mile round trip. From the trailhead at Jones Gap (there’s an information billboard here) we head northwest on the Bartram Trail. (The Bartram Trail is marked with 2 x 6 yellow blazes.) Crossing under or around an iron gate, the foot path here is near level. In 2/10 mile, you’ll reach a wildlife meadow, continue across the meadow and reenter the forest. At this point you’ll see a double yellow blaze indicating a sharp turn to the right. This is the junction with the side trail to Jones Knob. (Worth a visit if you have the time.) Now the trail passes along the east side of Jones Knob through Rhododendron thickets. A bit farther along, you’ll pass through some of the largest Rhododendrons I’ve ever seen. These are like prehistoric Rhododendrons, really spectacular. The footpath then opens up and there is a short trail on the left, leading out to a rock face with views of Whiterock Mountain and the Tessentee Valley. Now the trail descends before reaching Whiterock Gap. There is a sign here marking a side trail leading 800 feet down to Stevens Creek. This is a poorly marked trail and not a dependable water source. (Bring plenty of water.) The path now ascends and begins turning to the left. After passing a small sign which marks a short trail to another intermittent spring, it’s 1/10 mile to the Whiterock Mountain side trail on the left. And as the sign says, it’s 3/10 mile up and over the mountain and out to the rock face. Once you’re out on the rock, the climb down

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to the best viewing spots is a bit steep, so be careful. You’ll find some nice places to sit and enjoy the view from here but again, be careful. This is a real payoff! What a view! Layers and layers of mountains as far as the eye can see. To the west, across the Little Tennessee River Valley, is Albert Mountain, Pickens Nose, and Ridgepole Mountain in North Carolina and to the southwest. Back in Georgia, is Keener Mountain, Glassy Mountain, Blackrock Mountain and Tiger Mountain. Please give yourself time on this trip to sit out on this rock face for a while, have a snack, catch some rays, enjoy the moment. And when you’re back from your hike, head to downtown Clayton to celebrate your adventure with some great food and frosty beverages at one of our sponsors: Clarks’ on Main or the Universal Joint. Happy hiking!

And now it’s time for my September rhyme: Cool autumn air is coming onto the menu, So let’s get out and enjoy it from this high mountain venue. You’ll see soft distant ridge lines and a pastoral river valley, Whiterock mountain is a nice place to dally. Getting there: From Hwy 441 in Dillard, take Hwy 246, towards Highlands, once in North Carolina this road becomes Hwy 106. From Dillard, it’s 10.2 miles to Turtle Pond Road on the left. After turning left, immediately turn left again. In 2/10 mile, come to intersection with Hickory Nut Gap road on left. Bear to the right on Turtle Pond Road and continue a little over 3 miles to intersection with paved Dendy Orchard Road. Turn left on Dendy Orchard Road and when the pavement ends, go 3/10 mile to Bartram Trail access road on left. Follow this road for 2 miles to parking area. Follow the trail leading northwest. The arrow at the information sign points towards Buckeye Creek.

To see more of Peter’s photos or if you have a question or comment: www.mcintoshmountains.com Clarks’ on Main: www.clarksonmain.com U-Joint Clayton: www.ujclayton.com gmlaurel.com

September 2017

Mountain Nature Harvesting Nature by Jean Hyatt

hen autumn comes around, we look for fresh produce. We enjoy the bountiful produce of Rabun County gardens and farms, of course, but do we notice the wild produce of trees and bushes and vines? Acorns, berries, strange nuts and seeds - I see this every fall, and know there was a time not too far back when people depended on that wild produce, as well as their vegetable gardens to get them through the coming winter. My mother lived in that time, and continued actively harvesting the land into the time when I was growing up. In the spring, she picked lamb’s quarter and young poke weed for greens. We found water cress in a creek across the way and ate that. We picked strawberries from our hay field, but they were so good and sweet, we ate them all before Mom could put any away for winter. My brothers and uncles robbed bee trees, and I remember Mom at the table up to her elbows in honey, squeezing out the large honeycombs and picking out the wax.

Mountain Ash berries are eaten by some birds. In summer, we scoured the countryside for huckleberries and blackberries, and later in the season, we picked wild plums. Mom canned the blackberries and plums, as well as a few mulberries, peaches and apples taken from my uncles’ trees. There was one winter it seemed we had stewed plums every meal. In the fall, my brothers would go into the woods and pick up black walnuts and sell what we didn’t eat. We ate persimmons and chinquapins, and picked fox grapes which were pretty sour eaten fresh from the vine. But from them, Mom made the best grape jelly ever. And we weren’t the only ones doing all this. It was a way of life in that area. Now, for the most part, we leave the harvesting up to the animals. Most of the wild plums are gone, and mulberry trees are “messy” and are removed. But the oak, hickory and walnut trees still produce a bounty of nuts for the animals, and many bushes and plants yield berries and seeds which are eaten by birds and a variety of mammals. And perhaps there are even a few parents and grandparents still out there teaching young boys and girls what they can safely eat, and how to preserve it. I sure hope so.

Red Oak acorns lie dormant in the fall and sprout in spring. They are eaten by bears, chipmunks, turkeys and deer.

Jean and her husband Richard own and operate Mountain Nature in downtown Clayton. They can be reached at 706.782.0838.

** 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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Rabun Students Honored by the Classic Center Cultural Foundation

n May 10, 2017, The Classic Center Cultural Foundation honored four scholarship recipients of the performing arts during a luncheon at the Black Box Theatre at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. Award winners included instrumental recipients Anna Yin of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School and Kelsey Becker of Rabun County High School, and vocal recipients Jessie Kuehne of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School and Ester Muñiz of Rabun County

High School. Over 80 attendees, including the winners’ families, school administrators and members of The Classic Center Cultural Foundation were treated to seeing these young ladies perform as well as a special performance by the troupe of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s “Cirque” program. Each of the scholarship winners received a $2,000 scholarship from the Cultural Foundation, and both schools received $500 per student for their fine arts programs.

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September 2017

Mountain Happenings STEPHENS COUNTY

HABERSHAM COUNTY

September 2nd and each Tuesday and Saturday through October Stephens County Farmers’ Market Broad Street, Toccoa Info: www.mainstreettoccoa.com/market

September 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th Clarkesville Marketplace Farmers’ Market Downtown Clarkesville Info: 706.778.9374

September 9th and the second Saturday of the month Second Saturday Historic Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132

September 8th - 16th Chattahoochee Mountain Fair Habersham County Fairgrounds Clarkesville Info: 706.754.2220

October 6th - 8th Currahee Military Weekend Historic Downtown Toccoa and surrounding landmarks Info: 706.886.2132

September 30th 8th Annual Taste of Clarkesville Downtown Clarkesville Square Clarkesville Info: tasteofclarkesville.com

September 30th 10th Annual Agri-Fest and the 7th Annual Pottery Comes to Town Freedom Park Cleveland Info: 706.865.5356

October 14th Pioneer Day Traveler’s Rest Historic Stagecoach Inn, Toccoa Info: 706.356.4362

October 7th Glow in the Park Sam Pitts Park Clarkesville Info: 706.754.2220

October 28th Art-Oberfest Helen Arts & Heritage Center Helen Info: helenarts.org

October 28th - 29th Toccoa Harvest Festival Historic Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.282.3269

October 7th 30th Annual Big Red Apple Festival Downtown Cornelia Info: 706.778.8585

October 31st Costume Parade Historic Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.282.3269

October 31st Trick or Treat on the Square On the Square Clarkesville Info: 706.754.2220

The Ritz Theater The Schaefer Center, Toccoa Info: www.ritztheatretoccoa.com September 9th Southern Gospel Music: Troy Burns Family September 23rd Cherry Cherry October 14th Southern Gospel Music: Red Back Hymnal Sing and The Saxon Family October 20th Farewell Angelina

September 2 , 9 , 16 , 23 , 30 White County Farmers’ Market Freedom Park Cleveland Info: 706.865.2832 th

September 7th - 10th, 14th - 17th September 21st - 24th September 28th - October 29th Oktoberfest Helen Info: 706.878.1908

September 16th Kids’ Fishing at Buck Shoals Smithgall Woods State Park Helen Info: 706.878.4736

Sautee Nacoochee Center Sautee Info: 706.878.3300 www.snca.org September 2nd Folk Pottery and Arts Festival September 5th and the first & third Tuesdays of the month Learn & Dance

WHITE COUNTY nd

September 16th Georgia’s Spirit of Appalachia Food, Wine & Art Festival Hardman Farm State Historic Site Sautee Nacoochee 706.878.1077

September 23rd; October 28th Community Contra Dance Info: 706.754.3254 October 13th GA Mountain Vintage Affair BabyLand General Hospital Cleveland Info: 706.865.2171 www.cabbagepatchkids.com September 9th Fall Fest

his year’s festival will be on Saturday, October 7th from 10am to 4pm in Downtown Cornelia. There will be an Artisan Arts and Crafts, a kids’ zone, a classic car show, live and local entertainment, great food vendors, a Cornhole tournament, tours in the Train Museum, hayrides to Chenocetah Tower, and more! For more information: 706.778.8585 or corneliageorgia.org

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October 7th Cabbage Patch Kids’ Tea Party October 28th Halloween Promotion Yonah Mountain Vineyards Cleveland Info: 706.878.5522 September 2nd and each Saturday Live Music Saturdays September 2 Crush Fest

September 16th and the third Saturday of the month Masterpiece Mixers Unicoi State Park & Lodge Helen Info: 706. 878.2201 September 1st - 3rd Visiting Artist Series September 2nd and each Saturday through October 28th Summer Concert Series RABUN COUNTY September 1st Sweet Charity & Friends Concerts Main Street, Clayton Info: 727.434.4499 September 2nd and each Saturday Clayton Farmers’ Market Covered Bridge Shopping Center Clayton Info: 706.490.1179 September 2nd and the first Saturday of the month through December Build Your Own Canjo Black Rock Mountain State Park Mountain City Info: 706.746.2141 September 2nd and each Saturday Bluegrass on the Square Tallulah Falls Opry House Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.6040 September 16th Dishin’ and Junkin’ The Dillard House Dillard Info: 822.541.0671

Get in the Spirit of Appalachia, September 16th

October 7th Harvest Stomp Stonewall Creek Vineyards Clayton Info: 706.212.0584

Spirit of Appalachia Food, Wine and Art Festival

October 7th Foxfire Mountaineer Festival Rabun County Civic Center Clayton Info: 706.746.5828 October 7th Founder’s Day Celebration Main Street Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.6040 October 21st Sky Valley FallFest and Car Show Sky Valley Lakeside Pavillion Sky Valley Info: 706.746.2204; skyvalleyga.com October 31st Rabun County Rec Dept Trunk or Treat Rabun County Recreation Dept. Tiger Info: 706.782.4600 Tallulah Gorge Park Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.7981 September 3rd - 4th Gorge Floor Hike September 6th; October 5th Full-Moon Suspension Bridge Hike September 9th - 10th, 15th - 16th September 23rd - 24th October 4th, 6th, 11th, 13th, 18th, 20th, October 28th - 29th Aesthetic Water Releases September 16th - 17th Women’s Wilderness Weekend October 31st Trunk or Treat for Halloween Community Garden Clayton City Hall, Clayton Info: 706.212.0241 September 11th Fermenting Vegetables September 25th Just Add Water: Dehydration 101 October 23rd Beer Brewing Class

September 21st; October 19th Grow-Cook-Eat Farm & Food Tour Food Bank of Northeast Georgia Clayton Info: 706.782.0780

Rabun Arena Tiger Info: 706.212.0452

September 30th; October 28th Jazz Saturdays Tiger Mountain Vineyards Tiger Info: 706.782.4777; tigerwine.com

September 10th, 30th; October 15th Barrel Racing

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September 9 ; October 14 Junior Rodeo th

September 16th; October 7th M&K Quarter Horse Pleasure Show

he grounds of Hardman Farm in Sautee Nacoochee will be set for a celebration of the senses on Saturday, September 16th. Musicians will play on stage while festival-goers taste delectable dishes made from Georgia products by Georgia chefs and sample Georgia's finest wines and craft beers. They can shop the booths of Georgia artists and craftsmen of all mediums who will be showing and selling their work or soak up Georgia history by stepping into the cool halls of the Hardman House, which will be open for touring. Admission to Spirit of Appalachia is free. Parking is $10 per vehicle. Tickets for food and beverage tasting will be sold on site. Please have ID on hand, as everyone will be carded at the gate. For more information contact the White County Chamber at 706.865.5356

10th Annual Agri-Fest and the 7th Annual Pottery Comes to Town

ome to this family fun event on Saturday, September 30th, 2017 at Freedom Park in downtown Cleveland, GA. Get up close and personal with alpacas, goats, cows and other favorite farm animals. Shop for locally made crafts. Buy fresh produce and other locally produced goods from vendors at the White County Farmer’s Market. Enjoy local live music and play harvest-themed kids activities. For information contact the White County Chamber of Commerce at 706.865.5356 or check out the Chamber’s site at www.whitecountychamber.org Pottery Comes to Town is held in conjunction with Agri-Fest Country Market. It is an important regional show featuring the best and most interesting potters in north Georgia. The White County Historical Society and the Helen Arts & Heritage Center produce this portion of the day’s activities. Contact the Historical Society at 706.865.3225 or the Arts Center at 706.878.3933 for more information on the pottery show.

September 2017

Mountain Happenings St. Frances of Assisi Fall Festival September 22nd - 24th

ook for the 13 foot Smoky the Bear to guide you to the Largest Fall Festival in the Area, St. Francis of Assisi Fall Festival at 3717 Hwy. 515 in Blairsville. Hours Friday and Saturday, 8am - 5pm; Sunday, 9am - 2pm.

Crane Creek Vineyards Young Harris Info: 706.379.1235 www.cranecreekvineyards.com

September 1st, 5th - 8th, 12th - 15th The Great Folk Art Parade

September 1st and each Friday Friday Evening Tapas & Acoustic

September 2nd and the first Saturday of the month First Saturday Grist Mill Visits

October 21st Annual Harvest Festival

September 9th and the second Saturday of the month Second Saturday Artists’ Talks

UNION COUNTY

September 16th and the third Saturday of the month Third Saturday Nature Hikes

A Family Fun Day, all children's games are always free, and this year a new feature of alternating live entertainment, and live radio remote, will fill the air with delight. There will be a Silent Auction, filled with artwork, fine collectibles, vacations, handcrafted furniture, and antiques. Booths include an Enticing Jewelry booth, featuring fine quality pieces, and costume jewelry all priced below appraised value; a Baked Goods booth that will challenge shoppers with its aroma; a health check booth; A Plant, Garden and Art Booth and a Clothing Booth filled with fashion galore in all sizes and for the entire family. Crafts Corner, Collectibles, and Holiday Decor fill the hall with handmade craft items, supplies, and decorations for every season. There will also be a White Elephant Sale with Books, and other media. The International Foods Booth leaves everyone very satisfied. There will be Raffle tickets for cash prizes and Raffle baskets with gift certificates for area services. A day of shopping, dining and enjoying festival fun awaits all. 706.897.9270 for more information.

Hambidge Center Rabun Gap Info: 706.746.5718 www.Hambidge.org

October 14th The Great ARTDoors Festival TOWNS COUNTY September 2nd Music on the Square 2017 Town Square Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4968 September 15th Chatuge Regional Golf Tournament Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa Young Harris Info: 706.896.2222 September 16th - 17th 5th Annual Celebrate Autumn Arts & Crafts Show Towns County Recreation Center Young Harris Info: 706.896.0932 September 28th Business Showcase Towns County Convention & Recreation Center, Young Harris Info: 706.896.4966 Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4191 www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com September 2nd Hank Williams Jr. September 15th - 16th Dailey & Vincent LandFest October 13th - 21st Georgia Mountain Fall Festival October 26th Casting Crowns October 28th 2nd Annual Appalachian Brew, Stew & Que Festival

September 2017

September 1st and each Friday through October Friday Concert Series Old Historic Courthouse Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493 September 2nd - 3rd Mountain Heritage Festival Mountain Life Museum Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493 September 2nd - 3rd North Georgia Gun Show Pat Harralson Civic Center Blairsville Info: 877.745.5489 September 3rd Cruise-In at the Nursing Home Union County Nursing Home Blairsville Info: 678.773.5934 September 16th and the third Saturday of the month Cruise In on the Square On the Square Blairsville Info: 678.773.5934 September 22nd - 24th St. Frances of Assisi Fall Festival St.Francis Assisi Church Blairsville Info: 706.897.9270 September 23rd 17th Annual “Puttin on the Dog” Fundraiser North Georgia Technical College Blairsville Info: 877.745.5789 October 7th 9th Annual Charity Poker Run for S.A.F.E. North Georgia Technical College Blairsville Info: 706.379.1901 October 7th Blairsville Extreme Adventure Race Meeks Park Blairsville Info: 719.237.5109

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October 7th - 8th Indian Summer Festival Woody Gap School Suches Info: 706.747.2401 October 14th - 15th, 21st - 22nd Blairsville Sorghum Festival Meeks Park Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789 October 28th Outdoor Movie Night & Costume Contest More Details to be Determined Info: 877.745.5789 Union County Farmers’ Market Blairsville Info: 706.439.6043 September 1st and each Friday through October Trash and Treasures September 1 Cruise In Info: 678.773.5934 st

September 2nd and each Saturday & Tuesday through October 24th Union County Farmers’ Market September 2nd Tractor Show & Parade September 5th and each Tuesday & Thursday through October 12th Canning Plant Vogel State Park Blairsville Info: 706.745.2628

CLAY COUNTY, NC September1st, 8th Friday Night Summer Concert Series On the Square Hayesville Info: 770.438.1451

September 21st Celebration of the Grape Harvest Eagle Fork Vineyards Hayesville Info: 828.389.8466 September 23rd 6th Annual Pet Celebration Historic Hayesville Square Hayesville Info: 706.896.1244; 828.389.3704 September 30th Duane Miller Memorial Golf Tournament The Ridges Country Club Hayesville Info: 502.525.7272

FOLK SCHOOL FALL FESTIVAL 2017

October 21st - 22nd Punkin Chunkin Festival Hayesville Info: 877.389.3704

October 28th Fall Festival

September 2nd The Sentimental Journey Orchestra

October 20th Backyard Beekeeping Seminar Paradise Hills Resort and Spa Blairsville Info: www.paradisehillsga.com September 2nd and each Saturday Live Music Series September 2nd 4th Annual Grape Stomp Fest October 28th Hallowine Night

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or two weekends in October Meeks Park in Blairsville will be filled with arts, crafts, exhibits, food, music, activities, square dance, biskit eating, pole climbing, log sawing, horseshoe pitching, rock throwing and, of course, sorghum mill grinding cane & cooking sorghum. Dates for the Festival are October 14th & 15th and 21st & 22nd with a parade to kick things off downtown on the square on October 14th. Festival hours will be from 9am to 5pm each day with a Traditional Square Dance each Saturday night at 8pm. Admission is $4.00 for ages 13 and up, 12 and under and parking are free. For information contact the Blairsville Union County Chamber of Commerce at 706.745.5789. For a complete list of events and times visit www. blairsvillesorghumfestival.com

September 16th Cherokee Heritage Festival Cherokee Homestead Exhibit Hayesville Info: 828.389.3045; 828.389.6531

Peacock Performing Arts Center Hayesville Info: 828.389.2787 peacockperformingarts.center.com

September 4th and each Monday Garden Tour

Celebrate the Art of Sorghum Syrup Making!

September 2nd, 30th Hot Summer Nights Goldhagen Art Studio Hayesville Info: 828.389.8847

September 9th Mountain Music & Arts & Crafts Festival

Georgia Mountain Research & Education Center Blairsville Info: 706.745.2655

October 14th - 15th, 21st - 22nd Blairsville Sorghum Festival

September 23rd Songwriters Showcase 21 October 6th - 15th “Deathtrap” October 21st - The Return John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown Info: 800.365.5724 www.folkschool.org September 5th and each Tuesday Beginning Contra & Square Dance September 7th French Ida September 9th, 23rd October 7th Contra & Square Dance September 15th - Jones Brothers

olden fall sunlight and brightly colored leaves provide a scenic backdrop for the John C. Campbell Folk School's Fall Festival. This treasured annual celebration of Appalachian culture, held on the Folk School's Brasstown, North Carolina campus, takes place October 7th and 8th. Visit over 240 fine craft exhibitors tucked along the school's winding wooded paths. Watch more than 40 artisans demonstrate traditional and contemporary crafts. Fill your ears with bluegrass, gospel, folk, and Celtic music on both days. Tap your toes to clogging, Morris, and Garland dance performances throughout the weekend. Children will enjoy the pony rides, petting the alpacas, and visiting the animals at the Humane Society's pet adoption booth. Face painting and arts and crafts activities will be offered by the Cherokee County Arts Council. Hungry festivalgoers can satisfy their appetites with a tasty lunch, dessert, or snack. Vendors' concession proceeds benefit several non-profit and community organizations. The Folk School's renowned Craft Shop, containing fine crafts from over 300 juried regional artists, will draw visitors throughout the weekend and be offering a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to the Craft Shop.

September 22nd - Spirit Fiddle

September 2017

For information call the folk school at 800.365.5724 or www.folkschool.org 37

Mountain Happenings September 29th Michael Ismerio & Ben Nelson

Punkin Chunkin Festival October 21 - 22 st

October 6th Dusty Road Rangers

FUN for the Whole Family Food --- Crafts --- Vendors --- Games Zip Line --- Airplane rides --- Entertainment Spud Gun Competition --- Chili Cook-Off Anything Pumpkin Cook/Bake-off --- Pie Eating Contest And of course The Punkin Chunkin Competition $5 adults, $1 Children 5 – 10 and under 5 free, parking prices $3

21 Annual PumpkinFest st

PumpkinFest rolls into action on Saturday, October 21st, rain or shine! Historic Downtown Franklin is full tilt with everything pumpkin. Bring your pumpkin (or purchase one downtown) and sign up early for the World Famous Pumpkin Roll. The Costume Parade and Contest is another highlight of the day as well as the Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest. And don’t miss out on the great food, mountain arts & crafts, and entertainment including roving street performers. PumpkinFest runs from 9am to 4pm.

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October 20th - The Clydes October 27th - 29th Fall Square Dance Weekend 2017 October 28th Halloween Costume Dance

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October 21st 21st Annual PumpkinFest Downtown Franklin Info: 828.524.2516 October 31st Highlands Downtown All Hallows Eve Celebration Downtown Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 Cowee School Franklin Info: www.coweeschool.org

August 24th - September 3rd Tenderly: the Rosemary Clooney Musical The Highlands Playhouse Highlands Info: 828.526.2695

September 16th and the third Saturday of the month SEBA Jam

September 1 and each Friday Friday Night Live Town Square, Highlands Info: 828.526.2112

October 21st - The Boxcars

he Town of Franklin presents Western North Carolina’s largest celebration of Autumn featuring the World Famous Pumpkin Roll, contests, nearly 100 arts & crafts, food vendors and so much more! Children and adults alike will have a blast taking part in traditional and some very non-traditional fall festivities.

can

October 13th - Hoot and Hollar

MACON COUNTY, NC

811 Settawig Road, Brasstown, North Carolina. For more information call 877.389.3704

More information 828.524.2516.

October 7th - 8th 43rd Annual Fall Festival

October 20th - 22nd 28th Annual Leaf Lookers Gemboree Robert C. Carpenter Community Building, Franklin Info: 828.524.3161

September 2nd and each Saturday Pickin’ on the Square The Gazebo on the Square Franklin Info: 828.524.2516 September 2nd Saturdays on Pine Kelsey Hutchinson Park Highlands Info: 828.526.5841 September 9th Boots & Bling Bloemsma Barn, Franklin Info: 828.349.9194 September 14 Denim & Dulcimers Highlands Historic Village Highlands Info: 828.787.1050 th

September 16th Dahlia Festival Highlands Recreational Park & Civic Center, Highlands Info: 828.787.1050 September 30th CTCI’s Walk for God, Country & Family Veteran’s Memorial Park Franklin Info: 828.349.2090 October 12th - 14th 11th Annual Autumn Leaves Craft Show Macon County Fairgrounds Franklin Info: 828.349.4324

September 2017

September 16th Becky Buller Band October 28th Contra Dance Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts Franklin Info: 866.273.4615; 828.524.1598 www.GreatMountainMusic.com September 1st David Crowder September 14th Bill Engvall September 16th Pig N’ Jig: Competition Event September 30th Bella Fleck & Abigail Washburn October 5th, 7th, 12th, 14th, 19th, 21st Smoke on the Mountain October 26th A Night of Down Home Gospel October 28th A Glimpse of His Last Days Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center Highlands Info: 828.526.8084 highlandscashiersplayers.org August 31st - September 3rd “Crossing Delancy” September 16th, 23rd, 30th PAC Concert October 12th - 15th, 19th - 22nd “Guilty Conscience”

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Toccoa Harvest Festival October 28th - 29th S et against a backdrop of blazing fall colors and flavored with the scent of roasting peanuts and mulling spices, one of the South’s most enduring festivals returns to Toccoa.

Staged the last weekend in October, the festival features more than 160 craft and food vendors. The event hours are from 10am to 5pm Saturday and 10am to 4pm Sunday.

ky Valley, GA is hosting it’s 4th Annual Fall Fest on Saturday, October 21st, 2017 from 10am - 4pm. A variety of Arts and Craft Vendors will have their creations for sale. There will be hayrides to the waterfall and live entertainment. Shuttles will run from the parking areas to the festival area. The cruise-in will begin at 10:00am with trophies presented at 3:00pm. Many unique and interesting cars will be on display adjacent to the parking area on Sky Valley Way near the old ski lodge.

The festival features hundreds of craftsmen, performing dancers, jazz, rock and roll, and country music and an antique and classic car show. Children and youth activities include rides, face painting, rock climbing, moon walk, petting zoo, and more. A shuttle takes visitors to beautiful Toccoa Falls. Two stages are set up for entertainment for the weekend, downtown shops and restaurants are open and several activities are available for children at the festival. The festival also offers regional and international foods, a Classic Car cruise-in, a petting zoo, horse and buggy rides, puppet shows, farm displays and the Currahee Artist Guild’s art exhibit and sale. Food options will be a variety from complete dinners to snacks. For more information call 706.282.3269.

There will be a HOWL-O-Ween Costume Contest for your furry friends to benefit PAWS 4 Life. Register anytime between 10am and 1pm at the PAWS tent next to the pavilion. The contest begins at 1:30pm at the pavilion, $5 per Category Entry - all proceeds to benefit Rabun PAWS 4 Life. Catagories include: Funniest, Scariest, Dog/Owner Combination, Most Original, Overall Best. There will also be a silent auction to benefit Rabun PAWS 4 Life. We will have the Sky Valley Hay Bale Trail which has become a time-honored tradition in the community. Hay bales will be on display throughout the month of October for everyone to enjoy. Make sure you go to our Facebook page www. facebook.com/skyvalleyga to cast your vote for your favorite hay bale display. For more information call 706.746.2204 or skyvalleyga.com WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US! gmlaurel.com

September 2017

“Pioneer Day” at Traveler’s Rest Historic Stagecoach Inn Step back in time and experience the life of the 1800‘s at this 200 year old Stagecoach Inn

Saturday, October 14 10 AM - 2 PM • 4339 Riverdale Road, Toccoa, GA gastateparks.org/travelersrest

he “Friends “of Traveler’s Rest State Historic Site will have their annual “Pioneer Day” on Saturday, October 14, 10am-2pm. Visitors will get an up-close look at how these pioneers created what they needed to survive in the wilderness of Northeast Georgia! Local craftsmen will demonstrate their skills of the early days in the Tugaloo River area. Visitors can observe a blacksmith, spinners and weavers, wood carver, black-powder demonstration, and more. They can try out an antique cornsheller and corn grinder, and then learn how to make dolls from the cornhusks! You can even practice weaving on the antique loom in the “son-in-law “cabin, and take the kids’ picture in the Jarrett family buggy! Many visitors come in pioneer attire to get in the spirit of the day. Re-enactors portray local characters from the past: Meely Jarrett, who was a slave at Traveler’s Rest, and General Robert Toombs, who hid from the Union soldiers after the Civil War in a house near the Inn. Guests will be treated to beautiful period music, featuring dulcimers and guitars. All entertainment on the grounds are free to the public, and make for a fun day for the family! Inn tours are $3-$5. Traveler’s Rest was the first Inn built and operated on the Unicoi Turnpike in the 1800‘s. Traveler’s Rest is located at an ancient crossroads along the Tugaloo River in northeast Georgia. The site has a interesting history beginning in 1785 when Jesse Walton, veteran of the American Revolution, settled here. After Walton was ambushed by a raiding party, his heirs sold the property to James Rutherford Wyly, who began construction of an Inn to serve the travelers on the new Unicoi Turnpike. The Inn was completed and opened for business about 1819. Devereaux Jarrett, the “richest man in the Tugaloo Valley”, purchased the Inn and surrounding acreage in 1833. Jarrett doubled the size of the Inn, adding living

quarters for his family, and headquarters for all his business enterprises on his 14,400 acre plantation. Jarrett called his Inn “Traveler’s Rest”. During this time he operated a country store, tavern, postoffice, blacksmith shop, tan yard, cotton gin, sawmill, gristmill, toll bridge, ferry, and gold mine! There are many descendants of the slaves who worked on the Jarrett plantation still living in the area. Jarrett died from consumption in 1852, leaving Traveler’s Rest to his son, Charles Kennedy Jarrett. His daughter, Mary Jarrett White, was the first woman in Georgia to vote in 1920. In 1955, just over a century after Devereaux Jarrett’s death, Mrs. White sold the property to the Georgia Historical Society and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for eight thousand dollars. By this time, Jarrett’s plantation had shrunk to the Inn/manor house and approximately 4 acres. The sale included all the furnishings in the house: cabinets, tables, chairs, china, linens, books, clothing, and old newspapers and documents. There are several superb pieces of furniture made by Caleb Shaw - genuine one-of-kind pieces - on display where they have stood since they were made, a hundred and eighty years ago! About 85% of the main building, now two centuries old, is original wood, which is remarkable considering the life expectancy of wooden structures from that era. The outbuildings are all reconstructions based on the original stone foundations. The Inn has been restored by the State of Georgia, and preserved as it was in the time it served the needs of the travelers and early settlers of north Georgia. Many original furnishings, artifacts uncovered by archeological surveys, and documents are on display. Traveler’s Rest State Historic Site is open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays, 9am to 5pm. Inn tours are $3-$5. Special tours can be arranged by calling Tugaloo State Park at 706.356.4362. Submitted by The Friends of Traveler’s Rest State Historic Site

September 2017

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September 2017

Life is a Blessing by Tracy McCoy

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Romans 13:8

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

n one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” “You have answered correctly”, Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes and beat him and went away leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled came where the man was, and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out tow denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

They called him Teacher for a reason. He spent much of His time sharing the knowledge of His Father. Instructions for life, the Bible is full of them. There is much to learn from reading God’s Word and I have learned that the teachings that are contained therein are for my own good. Just as my earthly father offered instruction, so does God and it is because He loves us so much that He wants good things for us. So much of the news today is full of hate groups and protests and killings and people hurting other people either with violence or with their words. There are many times that we act like those who walked on the other side of the road. There are times when we’ve acted like the robbers. We wound with our fists and our words. We turn away from what is uncomfortable and we ignore hunger, addiction, abuse, and poverty. The Bible tells us again and again about kindness and sharing what we have. There is a saying that goes like this: “God helps those who help themselves.” It is not in the Bible!! This saying is usually attributed to Ben Franklin, quoted in Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1757. In actuality, it originated from Algernon Sydney in 1698 in an article titled Discourses Concerning Government. Whatever the original source of this saying, the Bible teaches the opposite and encourages us to do the same. Give and give and give, is what we are taught and ultimately shown through the actions of Christ. The price is never too high when you are driven by love. Love is at the root of the gospel, it is all about it. “For God so LOVED the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 “But God shows his LOVE for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

September 2017

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“Beloved, let us LOVE one another, for LOVE is from God, and whoever LOVES has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not LOVE does not know God, because God is LOVE.” 1 John 4:7-8 You get the point, right? Oh wait there is one more...”Owe no one anything, except to LOVE each other, for the one who LOVES another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8. So have you noticed anything with all of these verses? Not one time did Jesus put stipulations on this commandment to love. No where will you see an “if” or an “and” or a “but”. It will not say anywhere in God’s Word, “Love your neighbor if he is or is not: fill in the blank. We are commanded to love. Yes that is a period at the end of that sentence. Something else I have learned is that God will judge man, I don’t have to. I am not capable because I am one of the ones who would have had to leave the circle (Mary Magdalene story... those without sin cast the first stone... you remember. If not read John 8:1-11). I am the gal with the log in her eye. (You know the speck and the log, if not read Matthew 7:1-3). I am not the judge. I am forgiven. Simply forgiven. I have never been better than anyone. I know that God loves my neighbor the same as He loves me and therefore, I do too! God expects us to forgive. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing that is usually more for the wounded than the wounder. It goes hand in hand with the commandment to love. In fact the Bible says, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14.

So, it’s pretty simple, really. First, accept Christ as your Savior. After all, He did die for you. God is your Father, your Defender, your Creator, your Judge and mine. If we rest in Him knowing that He has our best interest in mind 24/7. He has said that we are to love one another. Forgive each other. Act like Jesus, not like the devil. Walk away, be still, and trust Him. I know it is easy to get tangled up in trying to right wrongs, make your point, speak the loudest, and get even, but that is not what God expects from us. It is not the example that Jesus set forth and it isn’t “good for us”. God wants us to care for those who can’t care for themselves. Treat others as we want to be treated. Do the right thing even or especially when it’s the hardest, every time. He urges us to stop, bandage, carry and pay the bill. Do it without overthinking it, God will provide the bandages, the time and the money you need to do His will. Follow Jesus’ lead. Live set apart for God’s purpose doing your best not to get tangled up in fruitless, Godless things. Pray often and deeply for your neighbors and our world.

Thank you for all the wonderful things you do!

So when I watch the news and I see the groups of people taking to the street filled with hate, I am reminded of the commandment that Jesus gave us. Then when I see the people with signs shouting in protest, I am reminded of forgiveness. I am certain neither action is productive or pleasing to our Creator. When Jesus was spit on, beaten and accused he never spoke in defense or retaliated. Often to do nothing doesn’t mean the offender is right, it means you aren’t participating in the same manner. We have the option and are encouraged to walk away from the ugly and negative. God says “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. In this chapter God is defending His city and people. The Hebrew definition of “be still” is to stop striving, to let go, surrender. The chapter begins and ends with “God is our refuge”. We can take comfort in letting go and resting in God to provide help, strength and safety.

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September 2017

Bless Your Heart He’s in tHe Details by Lisa Harris

walked down the aisle and looked lovely, she was as thrilled to match her mom, as was I. Somehow through the years her dress disappeared. I would think of it from time to time and wonder where in the world it was. No long ago, I thought of it again and longed to have it back. I wondered if I accidently put it in the Good Will bag or somehow it was mistakenly thrown out? A few months later my parents dropped by where I worked and handed me her dress! It had been tucked way back in a closet in their house zipped up in a bag! (They had no idea how much I wanted that dress.)

wenty-four years have passed since I married my husband, Tony. We had the traditional wedding (yes, no barn, bales of hay or mason jars around…but, trust me, I would have loved it!) Instead, we had just a plain ole’ wonderful church wedding! The dress I wore was Ivory tea-length that I borrowed from a dear friend. I loved this dress and the only downside was I didn’t get to keep it. In addition to borrowing the gown, I had a deep desire to also find my daughter, Whitney, then nine years old, an ivory tea-length dress to walk down to the altar in. I certainly knew that would be an almost impossible task to find in a young girl’s size. Back years ago, we had the department store called Rich’s (do you remember Rich’s?) where I walked with purpose looking at the different racks of young girl dresses. It’s still amazing for me to believe, as I spied an ivory dress amongst other colors, I pulled it out and the dress was identical from the waist down as mine! I mean identical! It was the only one and the exact size she needed! What were the chances of that? Only God… as He was concerned with the details of my life. My daughter

You see, since my daughter passed away in 2009, I did not have the dress I wore nor hers to pass down to future grandchildren. But, God genuinely cared about the details in my life, and I now have Whitney’s dress again. My desire is to have her dress made into a Christening/Baptism dress to pass down to my sons. A sweet remembrance of their sister and the love our family shares. I’m all about memories, sentiment, and things to pass down. Not that ‘things’ matter as much as the joy I have in blessing my sons and others with things I have loved and enjoyed. I remember when my grandmother thoughtfully gave me one of her beautifully tattered, and long-lived quilt. I cannot tell you how special I felt that she chose me to continue the care of her labor. It wasn’t the quilt as much as it was her heart behind it. Don’t ever think He doesn’t care because… God does care about the details. Even down to the sweetest detail of making sure my daughter and I matched.

“tHe lorD Directs tHe steps of tHe goDly. He DeligHts in every Detail of tHeir lives.” psalm 37:23 44

September 2017

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September 2017

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September 2017

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Bon Appetit by Scarlett Cook

These recipes are ones that can be easily changed with the additional of a different meat, spice or other ingredient. Make these recipes your own and you will find that you come back to them time and again.

September 2017

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September 2017

Mama G's Italian Restaurant Like Family! by Tracy McCoy

hile the Gaglio family didn’t originate in Rabun County, they are no less local than those who have been here forever. You see this community loves this family and the feeling is mutual. Paul (Papa G) Gaglio, Sr. and his wife Krystina (Mama G) came to the mountains in 2005 to continue their tradition of great Italian cuisine. Best known for their hand-built pizza and savory garlic knots, Mama G’s has a menu offering sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, and more, all with a strong Sicilian influence found in the recipes that came from Papa G’s grandfather.

Paul Gaglio Jr. is at the helm these days, after the passing of both his father and his beautiful sister Michele. Mama G still does the behind the scenes work, although you can catch her at the restaurant several days a week. On October 19, 2015 Mama G’s Italian restaurant saw tragedy when their beloved restaurant burned, and the family lost all they had worked so hard for. It was devastating to the Gaglios and their customers. This is a strong family, they have lived through many loses, but their perseverance and resiliency have brought them through and the restaurant was soon to be rebuilt. The process took longer than anyone wanted and everyone celebrated their reopening on October 10, 2016. The new Mama G’s is better than ever with a contemporary rustic dining room, a wraparound covered deck for outdoor dining and a 35 person capacity “community” room for meetings and events. The full bar and large screen televisions are perfect for enjoying the game or the race with family and friends. Parking is ample and the restaurant has many activities for their patrons and the community. All of us at the Laurel are huge fans of Mama G’s. Their website is great, with menus and info on upcoming events there and on their Facebook page (Mama Gs Italian Restaurant). They have Summer Date Nights with Foxglove Cotillion and After the Game with the Wildcats. This community is so blessed to have Mama G’s Italian Restaurant. The Gaglio family gives so much back through local charities and supports this community in more ways than most people know. The restaurant is located at 777 Highway 441 South, Clayton, Georgia 30525. Their website is loveisgoodfood.com and they are on Facebook and Instagram.

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September 2017

Mountain Dining

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September 2017

The Family Table

by Lorie Thompson

can’t believe September is here! This year has passed by in a blur. It seems I am always a month behind schedule and you will see that evidence as you read this article. I wanted to share one of my favorite summertime recipes with you and yet, summer is almost over! I want to tell you about Tomato Pie! If you have not discovered this marvelous dish, you should try it today! The tomato pie recipe was given to me by my friend, Shirley Manry. Shirley has shared several recipes with me over the years and they have been spot on! This one truly is a winner! Begin with 4 large, fully ripe tomatoes or around 4 cups of tomatoes, sliced thin. I used a mixture of smaller tomatoes because that is what I had that was ripe. Layer tomato slices in a colander and sprinkle each layer with salt to your taste. Allow tomatoes to sit in the colander and drain while you prepare other ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pre-bake a 9 inch, deep-dish pie crust until it is crisp and golden. Gently press the tomatoes to reduce the amount of liquid. Layer the tomato slices with fresh basil leaves and 1 small, very thinly sliced Vidalia onion into the pre-baked pie crust. In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup of mayonnaise (Blue plate of course!) and 2 cups of a cheese of your choice. I used what I had in the refrigerator, which was a mixture of cheddar, mozzarella, and Swiss. Layer mayo and cheese on top of the tomato, basil and onion mixture. I did not have a Vidalia onion, and the onions I had were strong tasting, so I sautéed the onion a little to make it milder in taste, but I prefer the pie using the fresh Vidalias if you have them. Bake until the pie is golden and bubbly. This will be approximately 30 minutes. Enjoy this little slice of Summer! I do most of my canning and preserving in the month of September. Most everyone else is through by then and has put away their canning gear, but in my typical “late” fashion,

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I am just getting it done. I have several reasons for being this late in the season. First of all, I am a real estate broker, so July and August are busy months for me. September brings a little slowdown and allows me a little time for canning. The second reason is that I live in a mountain “holler” that is so tight that we laughingly say we have to pipe in the sunshine! Seriously, my garden is always a month behind every other one in Rabun County and many items like okra and peppers are just now producing really well. My September to-do list includes pear preserves, cowboy candy, pickled okra, pickled jalapeños, and carrots, (I use these for Mexican Cornbread), and pepper jelly. My canned green beans, pickled beans, and pickled corn are already tucked away and Sauerkraut will be an October project. Having all of these goodies stored away in the can-house makes getting through winter a little easier! Let me tell you about homemade pear preserves. They are fantastic with a hot biscuit. The crunchy texture along with the candied sweetness is dynamite! You can’t buy them or anything like them. You can only make them with a certain type of pear. If you use a Bartlett pear, they taste good, but they are soft and mushy. You have to use a what my Mama called a “hog pear”. I suspect it is because they are as hard as rocks, and were probably fed to the hogs, instead of being eaten. I see this variety of trees in many areas in Rabun County, so it should not be too hard for you to find the pears. They ripen in September. Preserves and jam are different items. Preserves are fruit that has been “candied” in sugar. To make preserves you cover the fruit in sugar and allow it to sit and produce its own juice before cooking. Preserves are typically larger pieces of fruit and in a syrup rather than in a jelly. To make jam you mash the fruit and cook with sugar. I don’t have photos of how to make the preserves, as the pears are not ready yet. I did find one surviving jar of last September’s preserves so that I can show you what they look like. To make the Pear Preserves you will peel and slice the hard pears. Place the fruit in a plastic or glass bowl. Cover them in sugar. A rough measurement to use is 6 cups of sugar for 1 gallon of fruit. Make certain that every piece of fruit is covered in sugar. Cover the bowl with a clean dishtowel and allow to sit at room temperature overnight. Stir the fruit once or twice throughout the evening to make certain the sugar is dissolved. The next morning, cook the pears in a heavy boiler over medium heat, until the fruit is translucent looking and the syrup is starting to thicken. This may take 30 minutes or so. If you have more fruit it could take longer. Place hot fruit and syrup in sterilized hot jars and cap with hot lids and finger tighten the rings. Place jars in a hot water bath and gently simmer with a lid on for 5 minutes. Remove to a towel on the counter to cool. I hope you will try the Tomato Pie and the Pear Preserves. They are both a real treat and not your ordinary fare! Your family will thank you! May God bless you and those you love with many happy moments full of tomato pie, hot buttered biscuits and pear preserves at your Family Table! Lorie Thompson is a native of Rabun County, she is a REALTOR working at RE/Max of Rabun in Clayton. She is a wife, a mother, and a dear friend to many. Lorie is know for her expertise in the kitchen. Anyone who has eaten at her table becomes family! gmlaurel.com

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Clayton, Georgia

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September 2017

Lovin’ the Journey Appalachia like new… by Mark Holloway

omebody pinch me, please. We live in Appalachia.

I hope to never become familiar with these mountains. If familiarity breeds contempt, I never want to become familiar. I’ve heard this phrase all my life. We really must guard our hearts to not become contemptuous of the familiar. Contempt means to marginalize someone or something, rendering it insignificant. We can become so familiar to an experience, we grow smug. Like, “Yeah, I know Billy Graham and Elvis. And I've been over Niagara Falls in a wooden barrel. Big deal.” I think pride is at the heart of it all. That kind of pride is harmful and alienating. Lord, help me to see that in myself and kill it. Actually, I think we are wired for renewal. We can truly be awed over and over again by a sunrise, sunset, waterfall, snowfall, rock face, trail, and mountain morning mist. Some close friends, the Thomas's, brought their four daughters up this way from the heat and gnat laden environs of south Georgia. We hiked Hemlock Falls, Dry Falls and Glenn Falls. I carved Bella Kate’s initials onto the six year old’s first ever hiking stick. Mama tells me it’s a prized possession now. Carol and I have been on these trails many times. But we must be intentional to experience them at face value each time. Hosting friends to Appalachia’s treasures is a good way to not grow contemptuous. In 2007 we were mover-in-ers to the locals. We still are. In fact, you pretty much have to be related to the original settlers here to be considered a local. But not so fast. The Cherokee were moverin-ers too. The Hitchiti and Creek were here first… In the summer of ‘07, I asked a local about the mountains and if he was as awed by them as the Holloways. I’ll never forget his answer…..”They’re just mountains.”

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I know he didn’t mean to take the peaks and valleys for granted. He just was born into them. Thus, familiar. We all need to be like Bella Kate, fascinated by the waterfalls and hiking sticks. Foxfire is more than an historic feature of these hallowed hills. Foxfire is more than a movement, a way of life. Foxfire is oral history captured in books, recordings, magazines and hearts. The faces and sounds of Appalachia’s Foxfire voices linger and echo still… I bet the early white settlers here, lost in their seclusion, felt what we do. Awe. Awe. I think that’s it. We need to stay awed. When I’m in awe, I’m quite innocent, vulnerable… impressionable. We are deeply thankful to host friends nearly every weekend. Carol and I actually block off our calendar these days just to catch a breather. But as I write, our Alabama friends are here, about to experience Bridal Veil in Tallulah Gorge for the first time. As the sun rises, we all will head to the Interpretive Center to get our permits, load our daypacks, and trek to the gorge floor to ride the waterfall.

Carol and I will purpose to enjoy this adventure again, as if we too are ‘firsties’. We long ago lost count how many trips we've made to Bridal Veil. It’s perfectly fine if we keep losing count of how many groups we've guided rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and leaf looking. It’s perfectly fine to lose count as long as were remain awed, fascinated, and intrigued. But never familiar. Never contemptuous. The ancient Jewish king David tells us the earth is the Lord’s. This passage includes the Appalachians. Put your phone in airplane mode and get out there and discover them again. Hike. Play. Swim. Wander. Wonder. Explore. See you on the trail.

Mark Holloway is the owner of Fresh Start Property Stewards. He and his wife Carol love a very active life, enjoying the outdoors, hiking, cycling, mountain climbing and exploring the Southeast

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September 2017

Terry Sells: Thanks for the Memories by Rabun “Racky” Raccoon and John Shivers

ow do you get your mind and your heart around the loss of one of the two most important people in your life? It’s a question I’ve been asking myself since I heard that Terry Sells had died. When you arrive in this life the way Rabun “Racky” Raccoon did, that’s crushing news. I heard it first from John Shivers, one of my co-creators, and it rocked me to the very core of my raccoon being. This past July 26 it was, and Terry, my other co-creator, had been captured by the illness that dogged him for a couple of years. Not that he didn’t fight, because he did. I’ll always be grateful for the time he and I spent together. In his hideaway in the cabin, in his own special birthing suite, Terry Sells brought me to life. We connected. He nurtured me and fed me, and pushed me along. Let me explain how all this came to be. In the spring of 2007, Georgia Mountain Laurel editor John Shivers and publisher Tracy McCoy came up with the idea for an ongoing series about a young, impetuous, mischievous raccoon named Rabun Raccoon. Racky for short. The first story appeared in the June 2007 issue, along with a clip-art drawing of a raccoon. Shivers and McCoy quickly realized that I needed my own unique identity. And Tracy knew just the person to breathe illustrative life into one little ‘coon. Terry Sells, artist and cartoonist extraordinaire from down Tallulah Falls way, was her choice. I’m sure glad he accepted the challenge, because before I knew what was happening,

suddenly, there I was. In full living color. Terry and I bonded from that very first cartoon. I’m literally who I am because of him. It worked like this: John would give Terry a two or three sentence synopsis of what the next installment was about. From just that little bit of information, my creator would go to work. Before I could even catch my breath, there I was in a new adventure. As time went by, and John expanded the storyline, Terry drew my mother. Poor, long-suffering Mama.

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I put her through a lot, but because of Terry’s talent, I finally knew what she looked like. Then he created my step-brother Dil and Dil’s father, who married my mother. I had two sisters, too. In the beginning, I’d have been okay if he left the girls faceless. You know how it is with sisters. During the entire run of our story, John and Terry never physically met to talk about his assignment. Everything was handled by email and an occasional phone call. There was no need, because Terry and John and I were a team. And now a vital part of that team has been taken from us. John told me, as we talked about our mutual loss, that more than once, he rewrote parts of my story, because Terry had included artistic elements that he “saw” into the cartoon for that month. Terry truly adopted my personality. Terry and his wife, Patti, became an important and extended part of the Laurel family. That close association allowed Terry to create a custom “portrait” of Tracy McCoy that perfectly captured her. Things will never be quite the same for me again, because my co-creator’s pen has been stilled. It’s sobering to contemplate that Terry will never be able to bring Dil and me back from that last sunset hike we took. But I’ll forever be grateful for the adventures that Terry’s talent gave me and Laurel readers. Thanks, Terry, for seeing us so clearly. We’ll never forget you!

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September 2017

Kindness is Free Sprinkle That Stuff Everywhere

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September 2017

Notes from a Southern Kitchen Heroes Don’t Always Wear Capes by Kendall R. Rumsey NotesFromASouthernKitchen.com

s kids, most of us have heroes that can do the impossibl:, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman. I remember tuning into Speed Racer on Saturday mornings and being enthralled by his escapades and ability to always save the day. He was my cartoon super hero.

In the real world, there is no man flying through the sky or jumping into his “bat car” who helps us overcome the dangers of the world. In the real-world heroes don’t wear capes. Sometimes our heroes sleep in the room right next to ours or live in the house just two doors down. Usually our heroes are mere mortals, just like us. It took a long time to fully embrace it, but my hero is a guy who has protected me since the day I was born, the person who I have known longer than any other person on this planet, my hero is my big brother, Sam. On the surface, Sam and I are as different as any two people can be. We may look alike and have some of the same mannerisms, but our personalities are very different.

Where I am loud and like to have attention placed on me, he is the behind the scenes guy. The guy who makes things happen and takes little credit for the outcome. When our older brother died, Sam was the one who was pushed to the front of the line, no longer the “free-wheeling middle child”, but the guy who had to live up to a legacy. Sam rose to the occasion then and has continued to do so to this day. He made sure his little brother’s life was as unaffected as possible. He was the one who would wake me in the middle of the night to see what Santa Clause had brought, he was the one who sometimes let me drive even when I was far too young to be behind the wheel, he was the one who stood up for me when I didn’t fit in. When I moved hundreds of miles from God’s Country, Sam was the one who took care of mama and daddy when they needed assistance, and he never once complained or made me feel guilty for not being home to help. As my career flourished, Sam was the one I called for advice, he never led me astray, and when my parents passed away, he stepped into the role of family patriarch with grace.

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When I began to make my move back to God’s Country, Sam made sure that I found a house (two doors down the street from him). He hooked me up with movers and took care of the renovations that I had wanted before I moved in. We don’t always see eye to eye, but I think that is typical of brothers. However, I know that he has my best interest at heart and will always shoot straight with me when I ask his opinion. Since the day I was born, Sam has protected me and encouraged me, I know he only wants what is best for me. I think if we all look inward when searching for our heroes we will find they are much closer than we ever realized. True heroes aren’t Instagram stars or professional athletes, they aren’t our politicians or people who appear on our TV screens, and they certainly don’t wear capes. Usually they are the people who have known us longer than anyone else on the planet.

all for helping me traverse this life. Happy Birthday to my big brother, my hero… Sam Rumsey, I love you! ..........................................

I’m thankful God blessed me with a hero like Sam Rumsey, he isn’t perfect, but he is mine.

Kendall Rumsey is a resident of Clayton, GA. He is owner of imPRESSed, a custom imprint company and publishes the blog, Notes from a Southern Kitchen.

This month, Sam turns 60 years old, I thought it was about time I thanked him for his guidance and example, but most of

www.impressedstyle.come www.notesfromasouthernkitchen.com

Franklin, North Carolina

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September 2017

Wheels One Fine Ride by Lucas McCoy

here are few things as quintessentially American as restoring a classic truck with your dad. The experience often involves no small number of warm afternoons spent elbow deep in grease and grime. They might incur innumerable skint and busted knuckles and perhaps a small amount of frustration brought on by the discovery that the part that should bolt right in does not in fact bolt right in. Logan McDaniel and his father Johnny are no stranger to these things as they have spent roughly the past 3 years restoring Loganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1968 Chevrolet C-10 CST pickup. The truck was given to Logan by Johnny on his 16th birthday. His dad had previously owned the truck. Logan had some help from his grandmother Betty Smith buying parts here and there. He spoke of how grateful he was to have been given the truck and for his familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help.

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From 1967 to 1970 the C-10 CST was the optioned out top of the line model of GMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second generation C/K truck line which ran for exactly 40 years from 1960 to 2000, this particular truck came off the line with a 327 CID V8 which produced 235 hp at 4800 rpm and a not to shabby 325 foot pounds of torque at 2800 rpm. It also came with tinted windows, a push button am radio, a 3 speed THM 400 automatic transmission and luxury bucket seats which had been replaced with a roomier bench seat. Logan replaced the stock motor with a crate 350 small block. He also added a B&M Megashifter to the stock transmission. Logan has worked many long hours at the local Ingles grocery store in order to save up money to finance the restoration and now as the project nears completion, lacking only new paint, the time and effort put forth definitely shows. When you see this fine baby blue 68 Chevy parked outside Ingles in Clayton or hear it rumble through town remember the young man who worked long and hard to make that truck what it is and a supportive dad who helped him every step of the way.

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September 2017

By The Way...

Seeing Eye to Eye with A Pig by Emory Jones

eople who know my pet pig, Cunningham, know he is very civicminded. I mean, for a pig. That’s why I wasn’t surprised when he trotted up a few weeks ago toting a little brochure from the Saginaw School for Seeing Eye-Pigs. Becoming a seeing eye pig had long been one of Cunningham’s dreams. However, a recent trip to Cherokee had inadvertently left me depleted of the funds I’d put back for his continuing education. Still, it’s hard to put a persistent pig off, so instead of telling the truth, I convinced him that a do-it-yourself course would be a much better option. Since he could board at home instead of a dorm in Saginaw, he agreed. So, we made a little harness out my wife, Judy’s, umbrella, the tablecloth and some old bailing wire. In order to give him valuable practice, I let Cunningham lead me around the yard blindfolded. That didn’t end as well as I’d hoped, but once the meds they gave me at the emergency room kicked in, everything went fine. As a final exam, I decided to give Cunningham a “real world” experience. My cousin, Otis, can see all right, but he’s been blind drunk enough that I thought he’d be the perfect person to administer the test, so we picked Otis up at his house and headed for Cleveland. Everything went well—at first. Cunningham led Otis up and down the sidewalk like a pro. That is until the breeze shifted. As I explained to the Sheriff, that’s when Cunningham caught wind of the peppermint flavored pig pellets they were unloading over at the feed mill. Quicker than you can say greased pig, Cunningham broke into a sprint and headed in that direction. Since Otis had inadvertently caught his class ring in the bailing wire, he had no choice but to spring along with him. As many of you know, Cunningham suffers from dichromatic color-blindness—he gets that from his mama—so he was unable to tell that the cross-walk light was red, and so, 72

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dragged poor ole Otis into on-coming traffic. A big-rig waiting to turn left on State Highway 115 blew his air horn just as a pickup pulling a camper slammed on the breaks behind him. When a bewildered woman wearing old out-of-date curlers opened the camper door to see if they’d arrived at Unicoi, Cunningham panicked, and quicker than a jack rabbit on a date, dragged Otis right inside that camper with her. There was a whole lot of shaking going on, but I guess the lady’s husband in the truck didn’t notice because when the light turned green, he hit the gas. Cunningham and Otis hung with her until they got half-way around the old courthouse. As I told the deputy later, that’s when the lady pushed them out the door with her broom. And for the record, it was a very big broom for a camper that small. Cunningham transferred his attention back to those pig pellets and headed up historic Kytle Street with Otis still valiantly trying to keep up. I felt sorry for the poor man because outrunning a pig is harder than people think. Plus, it had to hurt when he banged into that sign that tells the temperature at the bank. By the time I caught up, the pig pellet truck was leaving, and Cunningham was pulling Otis around in a tight circle while my cousin kept fishing in his pants pocket for one of the piggy treats he keeps there for Cunningham. That puzzled me. “Why are you giving Cunningham a treat,” I asked? “He liked to killed you.” “Treat, my petunias,” said Otis! “I’m just trying to get him to hold still long enough for me to kick his little Boston butt!” I couldn’t help laughing because Cunningham still had one of that camper lady’s hair-curlers dangling from his ear.

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September 2017

Live Healthy and Be Well!

“Meditate once a day…or twice” Stephen Jarrard, MD FACS

his month’s topic is the last article in the series inspired by writings of Dr. Sanjiv Chopra in a book titled The Big 5 - which presents “…five simple things you can do to live a longer, healthier life.” As Autumn begins the softening of harsh summer toward the sleep of winter, let’s discuss the great benefits of slowing down, relaxing more, and spending some time in self-reflection and positive thought – yes, you can even call it “the positive power of meditation.” We have written many times about the difference between health and wellness. While “being healthy” may represent the absence or management of disease, to be truly “well” is that and much more. Wellness includes good health, but also contains a bigger picture approach of being sound in a mental and spiritual sense. So, while you may be or seem healthy, we don’t think you are well unless you have good balance and self-support in the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of your life. If any of these areas is not in good shape, you cannot truly be said to be well.

and result in better attitudes. And no, you don’t have to wear saffron robes, weave flowers in your hair, or walk across hot coals! Just take some time every day to sit in a quiet place, minimize distractions (no cell phone!), and focus on some positive thoughts and energy. Allow the negative to fade away, and concentrate on positive things, and visualize good, pleasant outcomes in your life’s situations. Think about your relationships, job and co-workers, family, finances -- and direct positive force to those areas of your life. Some may do this on a regular basis and call it “prayer time,” or “Bible study.” Some may just call it their “quiet” time, or “me” time. It is all good and will pay off in the long run. • Meditation reduces stress. • It improves concentration. • It encourages a healthy lifestyle.

We write almost every month about topics concerned with physical health and wellness. The spiritual aspect of your life is a very private matter, and we would never tell anyone what they need to do in this important area. But, with all the stress and strain of life these days, how busy everyone is, and how there never seems to be enough time to get it all done – we do want to comment on some techniques to keep your mental side balanced and sound.

• The practice benefits cardiovascular and immune health.

It has been known for a long time that those who meditate on a regular basis are blessed with benefits from such time well spent. Meditation, or quiet self-reflection dwelling on positive thoughts and shutting out negative distractions, has been seen to lower heart rate, relax the body, lower blood pressure,

Early research into the benefits of meditation were hampered by the lack of good, valid studies. Often, the researchers were people who already practiced and believed in this technique – which we have discussed before, acts as a confound to a proper, scientific study. But eventually, some good

• The practice increases self-awareness. • It increases happiness. • Meditation increases acceptance. • It slows aging.

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studies by Massachusetts’s General Hospital and Harvard Medical School demonstrated real results that can be measured and replicated. Quiet, disciplined, focused selfreflection, also known as “mindfulness,” practiced on a regular basis – has real and lasting benefits with regards to both health and wellness. It can be used to lower blood pressure and heart rate, which is good to protect your organs from hypertension, protect against heart attacks and stroke, and help to calm down a busy mind. It also has been found to help with and guard against both depression and anxiety, which helps with issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, stress, and “nervousness.” It can relax the body, and redirect pain and soreness away from your consciousness – which can help reduce pain in issues such as fibromyalgia and chronic headaches. Furthermore, it improves your attitude and can make you a more well-adjusted, happier person as you begin to focus on good energy and positive factors, and let go of negative influences, guilt, shame, self-loathing, and mistakes of the past. Companies, such as Google and Apple, who have allowed workers to do this (on the clock) have noted increases in productivity and less absenteeism as it benefits their “bottom line.” Take 20 minutes a day to sit and focus on yourself and think positive thoughts about your situation and your life. Quiet your mind and minimize outside distractions. Do not allow negativity to intrude into this time – only positivity. Plan changes that will make a good difference, and reassure yourself with confidence. Will it solve all your problems? Will you win the lottery or become financially wealthy? Does it cure actual physical diseases? We have no evidence for those things – but it will make you wealthier mentally and spiritually, and many rich people would gladly trade places for that, I am sure. Also, if your diseases are not cured, you will deal with them better, and may reduce associated symptoms. At most, meditation will help your daily journey through life and make it more pleasant and easier to travel. What do you have to lose? At worst case, nothing will happen, and you may notice no difference at all. But, I am willing to bet you will come to enjoy and look forward to that time each day as “your time.” As Dr. Chopra said as he closed this chapter of his book – “If you don’t have time to meditate once a day…then do it twice a day.” 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. Like and follow our Facebook page at facebook.com/rabundoctor. Until next month, live healthy and be well!

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September 2017

The Dream by Dywane B. Dotson

nd in my dream I am lying on a bed. I am lying out flat on my back with my face looking toward the ceiling. The ceiling is brightly lit up with colored panels of a seashore scene of sand and plants brought to life by the florescent lights behind them. My legs were out straight and seemed to be held by the depressions of a form that my heels and leg calves fit in. My arms were close to my body and my elbows were bent with my hands making fists on my chest. Am I handcuffed? No, I am grasping an elliptical ring of soft spongy material with my fingers. I sensed that I was to stay very still. I could hear the sound of an electric motor behind my head steadily pulsing. Then I hear what sounded like distant automobile tires spinning on pavement making a moaning crying noise followed by clicks and double clicks as if someone was cocking a firearm. Am I safe? Does God know where I am? … Of course He does…He knows everything! A huge cream colored metal arm moves out over me with a thick round end wider than my shoulders. It passes inches above my face and has a rectangular section in the center with a small green glowing light and flat metallic plates with screws and dials and small instructional pictures. I watch it pass over moving toward my mid-section. It starts moving to the right and is followed by another large arm with a square flat end amidst clicks, hisses and double clicks. Both arms move down to the right of my body out of my sight and I realize I am alone in this big dimly lit room. Then I hear more sounds of electric motors and the bed I am lying on jerks and moves slightly, then pauses and stops as the arms come up from my left having encircled my body making more whining noises, hisses, and clicks. They move over me and back over 78

me and out of my sight. A horseshoe shaped soft form under the back of my neck keeps my head facing straight upward but I can see the arms moving up from my side with my peripheral vision. This continues for 10 or 15 minutes I estimate, and then the large arm with the round end moves straight above me and stops. The bed moves forward toward the direction of my feet and downward toward the floor and stops. Suddenly, I hear the pleasant familiar voice of my new friend, Richard, (cancer Radiation Therapist) speaking to me and I regain total awareness and recall of where I am. “You did real good Mr. Dotson, you have finished treatment number 21 and now you have only 4 more to go! I will see you tomorrow.” I had gone for my annual heart checkup last summer and my cardiologist gave me a good report but suggested that I get blood work done at my local doctor’s office. I was doing great since my triple bypass open heart surgery 6 years ago. So I went to my local doctor and was surprised to find that my PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) had risen from 3.8 back in 2013 to now 6.2 in June of 2016. My doctor made me an appointment to see a Urologist to get my prostate checked. The Urologist checked my prostate and performed urine and blood tests and informed me that my prostate was enlarged and now, in August, my PSA had jumped from 6.2 to 8.8 in the past 2 months. Not a good sign! He scheduled an ultrasound and prostate biopsy for September 2016. The Urologist took 12 core samples from my prostate and 3 came back showing cancer cells per the pathologist report. More tests, x-rays, CT, bone scan and MRI to see how far the cancer had spread. I had chosen Brachytherapy surgery where they implant radioactive

September 2017

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seeds inside the prostate to kill the cancer, but my newly acquired cancer doctor (Oncologist) recommended also five weeks (25 treatments) of radiation to start 6 weeks after the seeds implant, because the MRI had shown that the cancer was Stage 3 and outside my prostate capsule, but still close in that area. So on December 12 at about 5:30 AM, my Urology doctor had me put under anesthesia like he had done for the biopsy, and this time he placed 76 radioactive metallic seeds into my prostate in different areas with 18 needles based on the volume study of where the cancer was in my prostate. This Outpatient Surgery process took about 2 hours and I was released to go home later that day. These seeds will give off radiation for days, weeks, and months for over a year. Six weeks later, on January 23, 2017, I started my 5 weeks of radiation at the cancer center. I had to go 5 days per week, Monday through Friday, until I finished my 25 treatments. I had to drink 20 oz of water 30 to 45 minutes before each treatment to help ensure that my bladder was full and out of the way of the prostate so the radiation could pass thru my prostate in the correct area. The radiation treatments were not painful at all, they just left me a little tired and lazy for the rest of the day. I finished my 25th radiation treatment on February 24th, 2017 and now I feel great. P.T.L ! I went back for a scheduled appointment to see my Urologist on April 10, 2017 and they again checked my PSA. The Reference Range for the PSA is 0.01 up to 4.00 and my PSA was 0.01 !!! My last appointment was on May 31 with my cancer doctor, and after checking me and my records he told me from all indications the cancer was in remission and to come back in 6 months! Again, my name is Dywane Dotson and I was born in Rabun County in 1945 at the Rabun County Maternity Hospital just south of the old Clayton hospital. My dad died before I was 2 years old and my mom remarried when I was 12, and we moved to Habersham County. I had attended Clayton Elementary School thru the 6th grade so I had and still have relatives and good friends in Rabun County (Class of â&#x20AC;&#x2122;63 ). I have always been very healthy and until my heart surgery in 2010, I had never had to stay in a hospital, never broken a bone or had a suture stitch in me! I was blessed with good health! Growing up with all my siblings we could not afford or even had a family doctor. I sincerely want to encourage all of you guys, especially middle age and older, to get a physical and tell them to check your PSA no matter how healthy you think you are! You are worth it! By the way, I ride a Vintage Trials Motorcycle (1975 Yamaha 175) in vintage trials riding competition and at the last event in Washington, GA on 5-13-17, I earned First Place in my class. The guy who came in Second Place is 22 years old and the Third Place guy is 43 years old. Whoo hoo! Ride On!

gmlaurel.com

September 2017