Georgia Mountain Laurel Sept 18 by The Laurel of Northeast Georgia

A note from Tracy

When God made animals, He must have known the pleasure they would bring us. One might consider that they must have been Adam and Eve’s best friends. Just like they are ours today. Pets are an important part of our lives. There are many pets who live in shelters and are waiting for their forever home. Shelters across the region need donations of food and other items necessary for the care of these animals. Adoption is the ultimate way to help but there are various ways to show your support. Volunteering your time to the care of animals is a great way to give back and make a difference. This issue is dedicated to our friends with fur. We hope that the information here will be beneficial, entertaining and move you to open your home, your wallet or your calendar to care for them. You will see more in our pages in the coming months on four legged friends of all kinds. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your month. Get ready cause Autumn is definitely on its way. Blessings, Tracy PS - I am not a fan of doggie kisses but endured it to get a selfie with our dog Sister. The cat would have no part of it. They love me most when I am holding the feed bag. ** Publisher’s Note: In our August issue, outdoor writer Joel Hitt mistakenly misspelled the name of Patricia Kyritsi Howell. We missed it on our end when proofing the article. We and Joel extend a sincere public apology to Patricia. Mistakes happen in life and we are not immune here at the Georgia Mountain Laurel. We would also like to provide contact information for Ms. Howell for any of you looking to learn from her. She is the owner and founder of BotanoLogos School of Herbal Studies. Patricia Kyritsi Howell, RH (AHG) can be reached by calling 706.746.5485 or you may gain more information by visiting www.wildhealingherbs.com

September 2018 • Volume Fifteen • Issue Nine Publisher/Editor - Tracy McCoy Art Director - Dianne VanderHorst Office Manager/ Account Executive - Cindi Freeman Account Executive - Melynda Hensley Account Executive - Cindi Freeman Photographer/Writer - Peter McIntosh Writer - Lucas McCoy Contributing Writers: Mark Holloway, Susan Brewer, Steve Jarrard, MD Lisa Harris, John Shivers, Emory Jones Lorie Thompson, Kendall Rumsey, Joel Hitt, Eva Herr

Georgia Mountain Laurel Mailing: PO Box 2218, Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 2511 Highway 441, Mountain City, Georgia 30562 706-782-1600 • www.gmlaurel.com 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 2018

In This Issue Life & Leisure 12 14 16 18 20

A Pet Story Meet Norman Lovin’ the Journey Notes from a Southern Kitchen By the Way

Arts & Entertainment 24 28 30

Cover Artist - Anthony Abreu North Georgia Arts Guild Around Back at Rocky’s Featured Artist

Affairs to Remember 32 38 40

Mountain Happenings Event Calendar Cruise In at Sky Valley in October Celebrate Apple Season in Long Creek

Faith in Christ 44 46 48 50

Life is a Blessing Bless Your Heart River Garden R4G - Clayton Baptist Church - Will Griffin

A Taste 52 54 58

Bon Appetit The Family Table Furry Friend Treats

Outdoors 60 62 64

Adventure Out Hitt the Outdoors Paws 4 Life

Mountain Homes 68 72 76

RE/MAX Featured Home So You Want To Buy a Horse Farm Harry Norman REALTORS ® Luxury Lake & Mountains Featured Home

Health & Wellness 78 82

Live Healthy & Be Well Learning to Take Charge of Your Health

Yesterdays 86 90

September 2018

The Porch The Cafe

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The Life of Cheetos

ow would we ever know how hard his life has been? How does a homeless dog live with these injuries for so long?

How wonderful he must feel to now know that there are wonderful people in the world… to know LOVE! Cheetos is a very special dog that through the hard work of Animal Control, a division of Rabun Paws 4 Life, the staff at the Rabun Paws 4 Life facility and the caring professionals at Rabun Animal Hospital now has a chance to live out a GREAT life! Cheetos was brought to the shelter as the result of a very unfortunate incident in the county involving a pack of feral dogs to which Animal Control had to intervene. Cheetos was with the pack but not involved in the actual incident. When Cheetos was brought to the shelter, it was evident during the physical examination at intake that he had an injury… not a recent injury… but an old injury. He was very unkempt and “homeless-looking”. Cheetos was scared, as most homeless animals are… but immediately felt the love of the staff of Paws. When he was taken to Rabun Animal Hospital, the X-Rays told part of the horrific 12

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story. Cheetos had a very bad injury to one of his back legs, likely from being hit by a car. The fracture of the hind leg was very old and not healed. The advice of the veterinary staff was amputation… to relieve the constant pain and allow Cheetos to recover… physically and emotionally. The staff at Paws agreed and the procedure was performed. Cheetos is an Aussie mix and is around 4 years old He is heartworm negative, microchipped and neutered. He is healing perfectly from his surgery and enjoying his ability to move freely without the painful broken limb. It took no time to resume his natural functions. He has no problem walking on a leash and going outside to potty (he will not go inside and will wait). Through this process we have come to see his real personality and what a great guy he is. Very sweet and loving, he wants so badly to run and play. He is very treat-motivated and loves to lay under a shade tree. This is just one of the many ways that Rabun Paws 4 Life helps our community. Through our services contracted as Animal Control, we keep our area safe from dangerous dogs and help injured and homeless animals. At the Rabun Paws 4 Life Shelter, we provide our homeless animals with medical care, vaccinations, heartworm testing for dogs, testing for multiple diseases for cats, microchipping, spay/neuter programs and treatment for all types of illness and injuries. When an animal comes into our care, either through Animal Control, stray drop-off, or owner relinquishment, all animals are immediately cared for in the Paws facility. All are given medical testing and care… all are loved… all are shown the love that they deserve. Cheetos is a perfect example of the way we treat our animals… with care, love and compassion… regardless of the circumstance. Cheetos is ready for his forever home… Be sure to visit our Facebook page (Rabun Paws 4 Life Shelter) and our website (www.rabunpaws4life.com) for adoptable animals… cats and dogs! Visit our shelter at 261 Boen Creek Road, Tiger, GA. 30576; Call us for information, or to report lost/missing/found animals in Rabun County 706-782-5422. Donations for the care of our animals are always appreciated. Mail to PAWS 4 Life - PO Box 216, Clayton, GA 30525

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September 2018

Meet Norman...

ot all pets are created equal. They aren’t all small furry pets with paws. Some are hooved, large and in charge like Norman Marcellino.

Born in Mills River, North Carolina. Norman’s owners Jennifer and Patrick Marcellino gave Norman his forever home when he was a wee calf only three months old. Norman lives at Coltsfoot Farm where he works daily in the compost production department. When asked about his friends and favorite foods, Norman said “I am interested in humans, equines, and canines. Don’t care much bout other bovines. I LOVE powdered sugar donuts” Norman is kind and gentle and loves his “human mom & dad”. Pets come in all sizes and species. Norman is a perfect example of this. He has been known to wander (he needs a t-shirt or hat). But as they say, “all who wander are not lost”, Norman is just visiting his neighbors at Parker Ranch. Quite the celebrity, Norman has his own Facebook page and already near 300 friends. Scrolling through his friends list, we saw pigs, mules, horses, dogs and one Highland cow. Funny how our pets take on a life of their own and how fortunate we are that they allow us to be part of it.

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Lovin’ the Journey Pet Volcano By Mark Holloway

here’s a volcano just outside Mexico City named Popocatépetl.

My dad was an attaché assigned to the U.S. Embassy in the mid 1960s. He was a spy trying to see if the Mexican government would be loyal to us or the USSR in the event of an international brouhaha. I was only a boy and simply knew he taught English at the Mexican War College. One day my officer dad brought a mutt home and said it was mine and I would get to name him. I’d never had a dog of my own. It was a good day. I named him Popo. He wasn’t in law enforcement. I named him after the nearby lava-filled mountain. My mom’s brother, Uncle Ronnie, and Aunt Mary came for a visit. He mispronounced Popo’s name. He called my beloved dog, Poo Poo instead. I was quite devastated. I advocated for Popo because I knew he couldn’t for himself. I don’t think Popo cared much either way. Popo could climb our step ladder. As an eight year old, I imagined I was running my own World Famous Backyard Circus. Another of Popo’s Big Top crowd pleasers was his gum chewing. I would encourage my older brother and younger sister to chew lots of gum then donate the gum into the yard. Popo would come along and help himself to the gum. He’d keep collecting the delicacies in his mouth until his cheek pooched out like a major league ball player, chewing all the while. When you’re 8 years old, you don’t ponder what your dog actually does eventually with a wad of gum. I can take a guess now. I assumed Popo spoke English. In reality, he was most likely bilingual. Sadly, Popo remained a Mexican citizen. Dad got promoted and we would not be able to take Popo to Kansas. I would have loved to introduce Popo to Toto. Sigh. I remember my mom and dad coming into my bedroom in Mexico City to break the news. Dad was a combat officer, but on this day he found deep compassion when telling me my pup wasn’t going to become a naturalized American. I wept bitter tears. I was crushed. I’d been with him when a Volkswagen hit him broadside and he spun completely around, unfazed. He was Superdog. I don’t remember my goodbye with Popo. I’m sure I blocked it out. By the time I was 15 years old, we were moving to Hawaii. The Holloways had

Mark Holloway and his wife Carol are the owners of Fresh Start, a company dedicated to caring for the property entrusted to them. Their range of services is vast and their reputation remarkable. When they are not working they are enjoying life! 16

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acquired Muffet and Brandy. Hawaii had never logged a single case of rabies. And all families were required to quarantine incoming pets for six months. We’d go see our dogs on Sundays. It was sorta like prison visitation hours. I’m not a cat guy. My good friend Jonathan House thinks cats are superior to dogs. Science is against him. He lives in denial. But his beautiful wife and daughter and daughterto-be are pro dog. At least I hope they are. Cat people are more prone to collect cats. They’re like cat hoarder herders. Did I mention I’m not a cat guy? My brother-in-law herded cats once at Ft. Myers Beach. He was just a boy on vacation. Steve stumbled onto a private condo elevator with about fifteen stray cats. He took a ride with them to the penthouse. A snooty lady wearing cat eye glasses sneered at Steve as the ‘glaring’ of cats dispersed into her fancy home. Yes, a group of felines is called a glaring....just like what Mrs. Snooty was doing. Steve reports that the high society lady barked at the him loudly. “What kind of a feind are you?!!!”, she screeched.

Lakemont, Georgia

Those words have become legendary in the Holloway/ Shrum Clan. I also had a turtle, rabbits, and even a coatimundi. Yep, a coatimundi. He was Mexican too. I loved the zoo as a kid. Dad only smoked cigars at the zoo. To this day, a burning cigar reminds me of my childhood days with the Colonel. Pets are a gift from God. My favorite was our white labrador, Tanner. I featured him here after he passed away. He didn’t chew gum. See you on the trail.

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September 2018

Notes from a Southern Kitchen Man’s Best Friend

by Kendall R. Rumsey

y family has always had pets. The first dog I remember was a black lab mix named Duke. Duke was a gentle old soul that meandered the neighborhood and spent hours in his house under the garage, only to come out at dinner time. Then we had Andy. A pure-bred English Bulldog, Andy was our first, and per my mama’s orders, last indoor dog. Andy was crazy, never fully housebroken, and if he got out of the house, would take off running. When we got Andy, I was young, and he would sleep with me. Andy weighed more than I did and would take over the bed at night. If Andy wanted to move, I had to move. I said Andy was crazy, but looking back on it, maybe it wasn’t Andy who was crazy, maybe it was us. You see, we coparented Andy with our neighbors, one week he lived with us, the next he lived with the Rogers. No wonder he was never fully housebroken, he chewed up the walls and furniture and would run just to get away. After Andy, came Jip. A beautiful Dalmatian with one blue eye and one brown eye. Jip was my dog, and by my dog, I mean mama and daddy fed and cleaned up after him. I played with him. Like Duke, Jip lived outside. Mama wasn’t having another indoor dog. I had Jip until I went away to college. In college, I had goldfish. They were about all I could handle, and I kept that trend up until 2007 when I was settled in a home and ready to expand my family. I started getting the itch for a dog. My neighbors all had dogs and I saw the joy they brought their families and decided as a reasonable adult it was time. I made a mental note of what I wanted and what I didn’t. I had three hard “no” rules….

Out and about shopping one Saturday afternoon, I walked by a pet store and thought I could go in and just look around and see the different breeds of dogs and help narrow my search for the dog. I would NOT buy in a pet-store. I was greeted by a friendly young lady who was sitting in a center play pen with new puppies. As we talked, she handed me a 6-week-old puppy to hold. Within seconds that little fluff of black and white fur had cuddled up on my neck and it was all over for me. I instantly fell in love. I asked about the breed, the dog I was holding was a Havanese. I had never heard of Havanese, but learned they were originally bred in Cuba. The dog would be about 11 pounds when fully grown. and they were ideal dogs for childless homes and the south-Florida heat. While their hair grew long and fluffy, they didn’t shed. With every red-flag waving in front of me, I gave the dog back to the store attendant and left.

• No pet store dog • No female • No little prissy dog, I wanted a DOG. With those rules in place, I didn’t know what breed of dog

I wanted, I just knew what I didn’t want, and I knew when I found him, I would know.

I called my neighbor and asked her to talk me out of loving this dog, but she was absolutely no help. She encouraged me and the next thing I knew, I was back at the pet-store, buying a female, prissy dog that cost more than my first car.

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That night, the neighbors and I gathered to find a suitable name for this tiny bundle of fur. We all decided that because of her heritage, she would need to have an appropriately Hispanic name. That evening Rosalita “Lita” Grace Rumsey was welcomed into my home and life has never been the same. I quickly became a dog parent with more toys than she could ever enjoy. Treats, blankets, baby-gate, grooming visits, and guilt when I wasn’t home consumed me, but seeing that fur-baby bounce across the room whenever I walked in gave me more happiness than I could imagine. My mama also fell in love with Lita, and on her many trips to Georgia, she would be pampered, spoiled, and gifted as much as her human grand-child counterparts. The move back to Georgia wasn’t Lita’s idea. She enjoyed the heat of south-Florida and the mountain curves put a stop to our long car rides together. She has adjusted, but like me, at her advanced age has slowed down. She still runs across the room to greet me when I come in each day, but she would rather lay on her perch in the living room than chase toys or play games. The day I met Lita, I found a new love. She makes me laugh every day and knowing that she depends on me and loves me unconditionally is one of the great pleasures in my life. I have never known the joys of parenting, but if human kids provide as much happiness as my fur-baby, then I know why y’all love yours so much. Rosalita “Lita” Grace Rumsey is my baby girl. She may have come from a pet-store, she may be a girl and she may prissy, but I learned a long time ago, God gives us what we need, even when it isn’t what we think we need. I am glad God chose me to be her daddy. 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. www.impressedstyle.come www.ofthesemountains.com www.notesfromasouthernkitchen.com

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September 2018

By the Way When Pigs Fly By Emory Jones

know he’s not protesting something you support?

“What’s it gonna take to get this pig off my back?”

recent aviation incident in White County may have inadvertently been my fault.

“Ask him.” “I’d look silly talking to a pig.”

Actually, it was my pet pig, Cunningham’s fault, but the responsibility is mine to shoulder, and now that the 21-day statute of limitations has expired, I want to get everything in the open.

“Okay then. Put the pig on the phone.” “The phone?”

As many of you know, Cunningham has had several “run-ins” with one of our local mayors. I won’t say which mayor or what city. Then again, you’ll probably guess it anyway, so it’s the one in Cleveland—Georgia, not Ohio. This unnamed mayor recently denied Cunningham access to an unmarked camping area at the city park AND refused to let him attend a recent retirement party. So Cunningham started carrying a little protest sign back in forth in front of the mayor’s office. Shortly afterward, I received a call from the mayor on my landline. “Jones,” he said. “Do you know your pig is down here carrying a protest sign?” “Yes. I made that sign for him. It’s pretty clever, don’t you think?”

“Yes. Hold the phone up to Cunningham’s ear and let me talk to him.” Once the mayor got the phone up to Cunningham’s ear, I asked Cunningham what it would take to end his pig protest. He doesn’t actually talk, but—as most pig owners do—I’ve learned to intuitively interpret his various snorts and grunts. “Snort” he grunted. “You’re kidding,” I said, genuinely surprised. “I don’t know if the mayor will do that, but I’ll ask.” “Grunt,” he snorted. I could tell by his tone he meant it, too. “Okay,” I said. “Put the mayor on.” “Well? What does he want?” asked the mayor. “He wants to go flying. In that ultra-light airplane of yours.”

“No. I don’t like it.”

“The pig wants to fly?”

“I did the best I could. I’m not a carpenter.”

“Yes. In your ultra-light airplane.”

“No. I mean I don’t like what it says.”

“I won’t take him.”

“Oh. What does it say?”

“He’s gonna keep protesting till you do.”

The mayor hesitated before admitting, “I don’t know. It’s in pig Latin.”

The mayor sighed. “Okay. Meet me at the airport.”

“Well if you don’t know what the sign says, how do you 20

“All right,” I said. “But let Cunningham ride up front. He gets carsick in the back of a truck.”

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You’d think a mayor would know better than to slam a government-owned phone down that hard, but since I don’t live inside the city limits, it’s really not my business. When I arrived at the airport, Cunningham was so excited his little pig’s feet were tap dancing. “How much does he weigh?” asked the major. “Is that important?” I asked back. “Cunningham’s right thinskinned about his weight.” “It is,” said the mayor. “It’s an FAA regulation.” Being an old FFA boy myself, I figured it was just for the logbook, so told a fib and whispered that he was just over 200 pounds, “dressed-out for flying.” As I admitted to the accident investigator later, that was a mistake. As hard as that little ultralight tried, it couldn’t get Cunningham and the mayor off the ground. Cunningham was squealing like a pig when they passed me at mid-field. The mayor was squealing even louder than the pig when they hit those trees at the end of the runway. Nobody got hurt too bad, but I took Cunningham to the hog hospital in Homer to get checked out anyway. As I told the hog doctor down there, “gravity never loses—the best you can hope for is a draw.” I guess there is a reason pigs don’t fly.

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September 2018

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Cover Artist

Anthony Abreu: The Painting Has Begun! By John Shivers

“I

t’s good to be back amongst all my friends and living in the place I love most,” acclaimed artist Anthony Abreu says, when asked how things are in his world. This month’s cover artist once explained to an interviewer, “From the first day I picked up a pencil and a piece of paper, I’ve been challenged and motivated to paint my next picture a little bit better.” It’s a mantra that had stood with him well, and recently having moved into the next chapter of his life, both personally and professionally, Anthony Abreu is all about further perfecting his craft. The artist has been a presence in the Georgia mountains for a number of years, except for a brief sojourn to Florida a few years ago, where family responsibilities called. Those obligations answered, he wasted little time returning to the region he says he loves most. “Over the past year we found a little home in Mineral Bluff, Georgia. We moved and months later, a wall of boxes has been unpacked. I’ve taken care to allocate a portion of the home to my studio. It’s small, but comfortable, and I have some great light to paint by.” Anthony believes that each painting should tell a story; should encourage interaction between the viewer and the canvas in such a way that the story behind the painting is also revealed. It’s in this new studio that his bundle of brushes, canvases, stretchers, paints and more have made it to his easel area. The painting has begun!” Animals are a favorite subject, especially dogs and horses. “Many of my collectors,” he explains, “associate me with my horses… and more horses… and then more horses.” He confesses, “I do like painting those beautiful steed. They demonstrate beauty and force like no other animal.” He confides that he can see their souls in their eyes, noting that their power and majesty go back hundreds of centuries.

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Art galleries that represent Anthony Abreu include: A prime example of his expertise with equestrian paintings is entitled “Spirit Warrior.” To gaze upon the detailed intricacy of the forelock on this animal allows the viewer to count the individual hairs and is testimony to this artist being one with his subject. You literally expect to hear a snort and a whinny, and to see the majestic head toss regally about. In speaking about this painting, he says, “I wanted to provide a horse that could act as an eternal guardian for their special souls when they pass; those who had been such faithful and trusted friends, not only to each other, but to humankind as well.

High Country Art & Framing - Blue Ridge, GA Gilmer Art Gallery - Ellijay, GA Highlander Gallery - Brasstown, NC Mountain Arts Brasstown Valley Resort, Hiawassee, GA Art & Soul Gallery - Blairsville, GA

“’Spirit Warrior’ is that guardian and stands his ground firmly until the end of time.” Anthony also has an affinity for dogs, especially hound dogs so indigenous to the south. As with the horses, there seems to be an emotional coupling that connects artist and subject at the heart and translates into living, breathing canvas creations. Each year he creates an original painting for the Humane Society of Blue Ridge that is then auctioned, with the proceeds going to help maintain the local chapter and support the animals they rescue. He recently painted “Welcome to Blue Ridge” as a surprise for the men and women of the Blue Ridge Police Department to hang in their newly-remodeled facility. “Of course, I had to paint an old hound dog laying on the porch with them. It just seemed right!” While in Florida, he indulged a long-held desire and began the first of six paintings of famous women from history. His first of the series, “Juliet,” depicts half of William Shakespeare’s famous Romeo and Juliet duo. The painting has begun anew. To see what Anthony Abreu’s Muse is inspiring, check out www.abreufineartgallery.com. gmlaurel.com

September 2018

Finding Art

September 2018

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September 2018

North Georgia Arts Guild Finely Crafted Pens Made by Dick Albertelli By Susan Brewer Photo Credit to Alan Zarter, azfineart.com

ichard “Dick” Albertelli retired into the artistry of pen-making following a career with the Department of Veterans Affairs, formerly the Veterans Administration. In his final years, he served in the role of logistics manager, involved with “the detailed coordination of complex operations of people, facilities, and supplies.” Such duties must have contributed to a reserve of creative energy, because while still at the DVA, Dick put his hands to work. In these early days, he made glass art, or stained glass, into built objects: custom-made glass panels, light catchers, and free-standing pieces. His work also took shape into mosaics that included stepping stones and table tops. I caught up with Dick at the 2018 Painted Fern Festival held in Clayton sponsored by the North Georgia Arts Guild. The Civic Center auditorium was a bustling, busy room where three long tables were covered with his creations. Before we talked, I was skeptical of the value of pens as art. Quickly, I learned my mistake by studying what was on the tables.

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Dick’s voice resonated with care, the same kind he uses to make these instruments. He loves this work—I think that’s fair to say—and he loves sharing his work with others. I found myself seeing the quality that is a part of it. Look closely . . . they are so beautiful in such unexpected ways. The more you look, the more there is to see, to hold close, and to take home for yourself or give to a loved one. Dick has made sure his pen types are as varied as the people who look at them. Red pepper flakes were in one – “People put this on their pizza. I put it in a pen.” There are sports pens and gun pens and snake-skin pens and pens made of exotic woods. There are pens for each branch of the armed forces and law enforcement and first responders. Fun materials are used including kudzu, bullet casings, cactus, aluminum mesh, even the material, the fabric, used to make blue jeans. Each pen has a story. Was the snake-skin hard to work with, I wondered? Dick said that what we were looking at was Asian cobra skin. It had a bit of depth to it. Backing it with wood kept the skin from grinding away when it was trimmed to fit the brass casing beneath. I remarked on the surface luster, and he added, “I polish them with 400 grit sandpaper while the blank is spinning on the lathe. Then I use micro-mesh which is a wet-sanding process using 1,500 to as high as 12,000 grit.” That is evident in the work. Dick’s creative inspirations come from several sources. He is a member of the International Association of Penturners. He subscribes to several YouTube channels for pen turners, most notably: Zac Higgins, NVWoodwerks (sic); Robert J. Blanford, RJB Woodturner; and Casey Martin, Wine Country Woodworks. He also has established collegial relationships with several staff members at Woodcraft, a woodworking retail establishment in Alpharetta, Georgia. He has gotten many creative ideas from these sources. On his own, he keeps seeking new materials to transform into pens. “Some work, some do not,” Dick says before he adds, “I am the proud owner of all my mistakes.” If he isn’t satisfied with the quality, the product never reaches his display cases. You are invited to contact him by emailing tumabby@bellsouth.net or by phoning (770) 381-2615.

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September 2018

Around Back at Rocky’s Place Featured Artist - Rik Long ach one of Rik Long’s pieces tells a story.

There are the Central Park ones that showcase the green expanse and whimsical quality of New York’s most famous park. Then, there is the “City People,” whose graceful movement is forever captured in hues of greens, reds and blues. On pieces of lumber are depictions of Bible scenes, immortalized in tones of brown, yellow and clay red. And we shouldn’t forget about the roosters. “I love the color of the art,” Long said. “Folk art has come a long way. I started doing this years and years ago, but stopped when everyone started doing folk art.” If the name “Long” and the subject of folk art sound familiar when put together, you’d be right. Long is the son of renowned folk artist Woodie Long, a house painter turned artist, whose pieces are included in the permanent collections of museums nationwide and whose paintings have been published in numerous books, as CD covers and accompanying magazine articles in major magazines such as Smithsonian. So, yes – the Long family knows folk art.

“My dad had such a unique style,” he said. “He was a man not afraid of color. I think I got that from him, but we came to an agreement early on. We didn’t want people to think that I was copying him, and I didn’t want to come close enough to his style for people to think I was doing his work. Long said he loves to see people appreciate his work. “It’s nice to sell something,” he said. “It’s that feeling of knowing someone has seen something they appreciate and are now walking out the door with it. That makes me happy – seeing someone enjoy what I do.” 30

His most recent undertaking is creating scenes from the Bible using nothing but the clay from his own yard, as well as creating his own wooden canvas out of scraps from the local wood yards. “Bible scenes aren’t really done a lot,” he said. “The Bible – it holds such inspiration. And the clay, well, it doesn’t get more simple than that.” Around Back at Rocky’s Place is located at 3631 Highway 53 East in Dawsonville, Georgia.

September 2018

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September 2018

Mountain Happenings STEPHENS COUNTY September 8th Cars & Coffee Cruise In Miles Through Time Automotive Museum, Toccoa Info: 706.886.0721 September 8 , October 13 Southern Gospel Music The Ritz Theater Toccoa Info: www.ritztheatretoccoa.com th

October 5th - 7th Currahee Military Weekend Toccoa Info: 706.282.5055 October 6th Currahee Challenge Base of Currahee Mountain Toccoa Info: 706.886.2132

October 31st Halloween Safety Carnival Helen City Hall Helen Info: 706.878.2722

Habersham Community Theatre Clarkesville Info: 706.839.1315 habershamtheater.org

Sautee Nacoochee Center Sautee Info: 706.878.3300

September 21 - 23 , 27 - 30 “Little Women” st

September 1st Folk Pottery Arts Festival The Hollar Games

October 27th Movies on Main: The Shining

September 9th October 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Cannon Classical Music Series

WHITE COUNTY

September 22nd Fall Talent Show

September 1st and each Saturday Live Music at the Pavilion Habersham Winery, Helen Info: 706.878.9463

September 29th - 30th DeDe Vogt Concert

October 18th Pioneer Day Traveler’s Rest State Historic Site Toccoa Info: gastateparks.org/travelersrest

September 5th A Day in the Park for Veterans Helen Riverside Park & Pavilion Helen Info: 706.878.3933

October 27th Community Contra Dance Info: 706.754.3254

October 27th - 28th Harvest Festival Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.282.3269

September 6th-9th, 13th-16th, 20th-23rd September 27th - October 28th Oktoberfest Helen Info: 706.878.1908

October 31st Costume Parade Downtown Toccoa Info: 706.282.3269

October 12th - 14th, 18th - 21st King Lear, Shakespeare

October 31st Trunk or Treat, Carnival & Haunted House Unicoi State Park Helen Info: 706.878.2201 September 1st and each Saturday through October Concerts in the Park

HABERSHAM COUNTY

September 15th 2018 Georgia’s Spirit of Appalachia Food, Wine and Art Festival Hardman Farm Sautee Nacoochee Info: 706.878.1077

September 1st and each Saturday through September Clarkesville Farmers’ Market Downtown Clarkesville Info: 706.778.9374

September 29th Agri-Fest Country Market Annual Pottery Comes to Town Freedom Park, Cleveland Info: 706.965.5356

September 8th Night Paddleboarding

September 7 - 15 Chattahoochee Mountain Fair Habersham County Fairgrounds Clarkesville Info: 706.754.2220

October 13 Fall Clean up Day Begin at White County Chamber Cleveland Info: 706.865.5356

September 22nd Big Red Apple Festival Downtown Cornelia Info: 706.778.8585

October 26th - 28th Art-Oberfest Arts & Fine Crafts Festival Helen Arts & Heritage Center Helen Info: 706.878.3933

October 18th 12th Annual Habersham E-911 Childrens’ Fun Festival Habersham County Fairgrounds Clarkesville Info: 706.778.3911

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

October 27th Halloween at BabyLand General BabyLand General Hospital Cleveland Info: 706.865.2171

September 2018

September 1st - 2nd and weekends through Ocober Visiting Artist Series

September 15th - Night Canoeing September 22nd Outdoor Adventure Day October 25th - 29th 29th Annual Symposium Bioregional Herablism October 27th - Fall Festival Smithgall Woods State Park Helen Info: 706.878.3087 September 1st Cabin Fever Bluegrass & BBQ Festival October 6th, 27th Fall Hayride

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September 2018

Mountain Happenings RABUN COUNTY September 1st and each Saturday Bluegrass on the Square Tallulah Falls Opera House Tallulah Falls Info: www.tallulahfallsgeorgia.org September 1 and each Saturday The Clayton Farmers’ Market NE GA Food Bank, Clayton Info: 706.782.0780 st

September 1 , 2 , 15 October 13th Music on the Deck 12 Spies Vineyard, Rabun Gap Info: 813.335.2886 st

September 22nd Harvest Stomp Stonewall Creek Vineyards Clayton Info: 706.212.0584

October 20th - 21st Heaven vs Horsepower Heaven’s Landing Clayton Info: email info@speedaddicts.racing October 27 Fall Festival The NE GA Food Bank Teaching Kitchen and Clayton Farmers’ Market, Clayton Info: 706.782.0780 th

Hambidge Center Rabun Gap Info: 706.746.7324

October 6th Foxfire Mountaineer Festival Rabun County Civic Center Clayton Info: 706.746.5828 October 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th Greif Support Clayton First United Methodist Church Family Life Center Clayton Info: 706.782.4426 October 13th Rummage Sale Tiger United Methodist Church Tiger Info: 770.335.4233

October 20th Sky Valley Fallfest / Cruise-In Sky Valley Info: 706-746-2204

September 1st and the first Saturday of the month Historic Gristmill Demonstration October 13th The Great ARTdoors Tallulah Gorge Park Tallulah Falls Info: 706.754.7981 September 1st - 3rd Gorge Floor Hike September 8t, 9th, 15th, 16th September 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th October 3rd, 4th, 10th, 12th, 17th October 19th, 27th, 28th Aesthetic Water Releases

September 2018

September 23rd Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike October 31st Trunk or Treat for Halloween Rabun Arena Tiger Info: 706.212.0452 September 1st - 2nd Georgia High School Rodeo September 8th, October 13th Junior Rodeo September 9th, 22nd October 14th Barrel Racing Exhibition September 15th - 16th October 6th - 7th M&K Quarterhouse Show September 29th Wayne Dutton Roping TOWNS COUNTY September 1st Music on the Square Hiawassee Info: 706.896.2203 September 1st and each Saturday Saturday Night Music Mountain Home Music Theatre Hiawassee Info: 706.896.3624 September 8th Live Music The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen Young Harris Info: 706.896.4141

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September 19th - 23rd Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Points Series Lake Chtuge / Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4966 September 27th Business Showcase Towns County Conference Center Young Harris Info: 706.896.4966 September 29th Live Music Sand Bar, Hiawassee Info: 706.896.2440 October 20th - 21st Home & Garden Show Towns County Recreation Center Young Harris Info: 855.321.2110 October 20th Concert - Doctor Paul Music Barn, Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4966 Crane Creek Vineyards Young Harris Info: 706.379.1236

September 1st - 2nd Mountain Heritage Festival Mountain Life Museum Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493 September 3rd and each Monday (excluding holidays) Garden Tour The Georgia Mountain Research & Education Center, Blairsville Info: 706.745.2655 September 6th and the first Thursday of the month Shop Late Thursday Downtown Blairsville Info: 877.745.5789 September 7th and each Friday through October Friday Concert Series Old Courthouse, Blairsville Info: 706.745.5493 September 8th High Heels & Hard Hats - Towns/ Union Habitat for Humanity Gala North Georgia Technical College Conference Center, Blairsville Info: www.townsunionhabitat.org

October 20th Annual Harvest Festival

September 15th and the Third Saturday of the month Cruise-In on the Square Downtown Courthouse Square Blairsville Info: 863.414.5276

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Hiawassee Info: 706.896.4191 georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

September 15th Blairsville Extreme Adventure Race Meeks Park Blairsville Info: 719.237.5109

September 7 and each Friday Friday Evening Tapas & Acoustic th

September 6th - 8th Dailey and Vincent Landfest in the Mountains and on the Lake September 22nd Kentucky Headhunters and Artimus Pyle October 12th - 20th Georgia Mountain Fall Festival October 27th Appalachian Brew, Stew & Que Festival UNION COUNTY September 1st and each Tuesday and Saturday through October Union County Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Market Old Smokey Rd., Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789, 706.439.6000 September 1st and each Saturday through October 6th Cruise In to the Union County Farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Market Old Smokey Rd., Blairsville Info: 678.773.5934

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September 22nd - 23rd Celebrate the Harvest North Georgia Technical College Blairsville Info: 877.745.5789 October 6th - 7th Indian Summer Festival Woody Gap School Suches Info: 706.747.2401 October 13th - 14th, 20th - 21st Blairsville Sorghum Festival Meeks Park Blairsville Info: 706.745.5789 October 20th Good Neighbors Car Show United Community Bank Parking Lot Blairsville Info: 828.837.8539, 706.745.3985 October 31st Halloween On The Square Downtown Blairsville Info: 706.347.3503

September 2018

Mountain Happenings Vogel State Park Blairsville Info: 706.745.2628

MACON COUNTY, NC September 1st and each Saturday Night through October Pickin on the Square Downtown Franklin Info: 828.524.2516

September 15th Mountain Music & Arts & Crafts Festival October 27th - Fall Festival Paradise Hills Resort Blairsville Info: www.paradisehillsga.com

September 8th 8th Annual Dahlia Festival Civic Center, Highlands Info: 828.526.2112

September 1st and each Saturday & Sunday Live Music September 1st Grape Stomp Fest

September 12th - 15th Macon County Fair Macon County Fairgrounds Franklin Info: 828.524.3267

October 27th Hallowine Celebration CLAY COUNTY, NC September 15th 8th Annual Cherokee Heritage Festival Cherokee Homestead Exhibit Hayesville Info: 828.389.3045, 828.342.8878 September 22nd 7th Annual Pet Celebration Hayesville Square Hayesville Info: 828.389.3704, 706.896.1244 John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown Info: 800.365.5724 folkschool.org September 4th & each Tuesday Night Beginner Contra & Square Dance September 8 Contra & Square Dance th

September 7th - Larry Unger October 6th - 7th Folk School Fall Festival October 26th - 28th Fall Square Dance Weekend Peacock Performing Arts Center Hayesville Info: 828.389.2787 thepeacocknc.org September 15th Songwriter’s Showcase October 12th - 14th, 19th - 21st Live Theater - “Angel Street”

September 7 and each Friday through October Friday Night Live Concert Series Town Square, Highlands Info: 828.526.5841 th

September 29th 2nd Annual Satulah-bration & Chili Cook-Off Kelsey-Hutchinson Park Highlands Info: 828.526.1111 October 5th - 7th Cashiers Leaf Festival Village Green and Commons Park Cashiers Info: 828.526.2112 October 6th Highlands Community Health Fair Highlands Recreation Center Highlands Info: 828.526.1489 October 11th - 13th Autumn Leaves Craft Show Macon County Fairgrounds Franklin Info: 828.349.4324, 706.490.5144 October 19th - 21st Leaf Lookers Gemboree Robert C. Carpenter Community Building, Franklin Info: 828.349.2090 October 20th Pumpkinfest Downtown Franklin Info: 828.524.2516 October 20th - 21st Art League of Highlands-Cashiers Fall Art Show Highlands Civic Center, Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 October 28th Goblins on the Green Village Green, Cashiers Info: 828.526.2112

September 2018

October 31st All Hallows’ Eve A Halloween Celebration Downtown Highlands Info: 828.526.2112 Cowee School Franklin Info: coweeschool.org September 15th and the Third Saturday of the Month SEBA Jam September 15th Jonathan Byrd & Pickup Cowboy September 22nd - Contra Dance October 20th - Highland Travelers Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts Franklin Info: 866.273.4615; 828.524.1598 GreatMountainMusic.com September 1st The Four Freshmen September 14th - 15th, 21st - 22nd “the foreigner” by Overlook Theatre Company September 28th Squirrel Nut Zippers October 6th Chicks with Hits Starring Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, & Suzy Bogguss October 13th The Willis Clan October 19th - 20th Mark Twain’s The Notorious Jumping Frog of Calaveras County Highlands Performing Arts Center Highlands Info: highlandspac.net August 30th - September 2nd Highlands Cashiers Players: “The Odd Couple” September 15th O Sole Trio (Broadway) September 22nd One Night in Memphis October 6th MET: Aida October 11th - 14th, 18th - 21st Highlands Cashiers Players: “Mauritius” October 20th MET: Samson et Dalila October 27th MET: La Fanciulla del West

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Cruise-In for Fun By Beth Fierberg

always thought the “Universal Joint” was just a place in Clayton, Georgia to get a great burger and sweet potato fries, so when I was asked to write about the upcoming Cruise-In Car Show at the Fall Festival in Sky Valley, Georgia on October 21st, you might say I was a little out of my element. I took a chance and looked under the hood and met some wonderful people whose enthusiasm for cars was contagious. The man taking on the task of running the car show for the second year in a row, Gary Cantwell, along with his lovely wife, Tammy, invited me to their mountain home in Sky Valley, where I was introduced to car show enthusiast, William “Bill” Otis. On display in Gary’s front yard was Bill’s classic hunter metallic green 1952 Chevrolet 3100 five window pickup truck (two extra windows on the back corners) which are rarer than the three window model, and which he picked up from an ad in the paper last summer. The truck boasts a 235 cubic inch, six cylinder motor, three speed transmission with a column shift, all of which Bill says is stock. Besides the windows, the only things not standard are the wheels and the rear end, which came off a Chevy S10 pickup, and the custom red cedar wood which handsomely lines the pick up’s short bed. After snapping a few photos of this fun and notable old truck, we sat a spell listening to a chatty cardinal and watching a stream lazily meandering through Gary’s back yard, making 38

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the perfect backdrop for summer porch talk about Bill’s background and love of cars. Bill’s relationship with cars began in the Lansing, Michigan area where he was born and raised. He reminisced about his first car, a 1953 Crestline Vic hard top, painted a glacier white with blue fender skirts and Oldsmobile taillights. With this car, he learned to completely sand and fill, to take care of what he called the “Michigan cancer”, which is the rust that rots out the bottom of cars caused by winter road salt up North, as well as how to change out a transmission. After Bill married, he purchased a 1960 Chevrolet Impala painted a robin’s egg blue with a convertible top, which he owned for about three years until the kids started to come along. Bill and his wife, Pam, who have now been married for 57 years, have two children and six grandchildren, and once lived on a 50 acre working beef cattle farm. Besides cows, the farm was home to horses, pigs, dogs, and cats, and its main crop was alfalfa. After the Michigan winters became too cold, they moved their family to Florida, where Bill started Otis Construction, which specializes in renovating high end condominiums in Palm Beach County. Bill ran the company until his son took over for him as president, which allowed Bill and his wife to become seasonal residents in the Northeast Georgia mountains since 2004. They spend most of their time in Lantana, Florida, where he drives around town in a Ford Mustang that he has owned since 1999, but his favorite car remains a 1949 candy apple red Chevy pickup. Bill hasn’t noticed he’s retired yet, because for the last five years he has been keeping busy in Rabun County as a construction superintendent for Habitat for Humanity. He attends two or three car shows throughout the year, but admits he enjoys working on and driving the cars a lot more than showing them. All of Bill’s cars, except the 1952 Chevy Pickup, which I came to appreciate this afternoon, has won trophies in previous shows. After putting on a new chrome rear bumper, she will be making her car show debut in Sky Valley this year. For a closer look at Bill Otis’ Chevy and other classics, antiques, hot rods, and unique cars and trucks on display for your enjoyment, Cruise-In on October 20, 2018 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, to be capped off with the awarding of “best in show” trophies, to be held in front of the old Sky Valley Ski Resort Lodge in Sky Valley, Georgia, in conjunction with the Sky Valley Fallfest. For more information, please visit www.skyvalleyga.com or call 706-746-2204. Bill highly recommends Eric McCrackin of Eric’s Body Shop in Mountain City, GA for all his finish painting and touch up needs. 706-490-2244

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September 2018

Celebrate Apple Season at the Bluegrass Festival in Long Creek, South Carolina by Lucas McCoy

here is nothing quite like celebrating life and culture in the mountains. The people and heritage of the Appalachian mountains are of a make all their own and we should cherish that fact every chance we get. The Apple Season Bluegrass Festival in Long Creek, South Carolina on October 13 will be a gathering the whole family will enjoy. Between the bluegrass music thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be cranked out by The Richland Creek Ramblers and The Long Creek Bluegrass Band, and the open mic session, to the clogging demonstrations put on by the Blue Ridge Mountain Cloggers, entertainment will not be in short supply. A plethora of local artist and crafters will be selling their handmade items and putting on different demonstrations and displays for the public to see and enjoy. There will also be no shortage of refreshments as the ladies of the Long Creek Community Club will be selling hamburgers, hot dogs, baked goods, popcorn, drinks, and chips. Apple season will be in full swing, meaning the sweet and tasty local apples will be in abundance. Get ready for a cake walk as well as apple bobbing, and should you be the owner of a classic car or antique tractor, please consider bringing it out and showing it off at the antique car and tractor show that accompanies this festival. If you are interested in being a vendor, exhibitor, or car show participant then have we got a deal for you! For just $10 dollars you can reserve your booth or car space, but be sure to get in before the October 1st cut off date. Those interested may contact Joy Booth: jebooth88@ gmail.com or 480.540.8021. So join in the fun at the Long Creek Community Park, located at 12351 Long Creek Highway, Long Creek, SC 29658 from 12pm to 5pm on October 13th. Admission is free and and we are certain you will have a wonderful time.

September 2018

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September 2018

History in Toccoa, Georgia 42

September 2018

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Life is a Blessing

Unwrap it and Give it Away!

By Tracy McCoy

s of today you only have 127 days until Christmas. If that made you break out in a sweat or made your heart beat a little faster, I apologize. It does the same thing to me. Why? Because I am usually not ready for it. I am not an early shopper. I struggle over gift buying because I love to give good gifts and I always, always overspend on Christmas. This column is not about shopping or actually a holiday, it is, however, about gifts. Webster defines gift three ways, 1: a notable capacity, talent, or endowment 2: something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation 3: the act, right, or power of giving Let’s look at all three. We’ll start with the first one; a notable capacity, talent or endowment. It has been said that I have “the gift of gab”. A talent I rarely fail to use. I love people and I do love to talk. You likely know someone who has a talent that doesn’t come natural for everyone. When you hear their name mentioned that gift comes to mind. It’s something they are known for, their legacy even. Think of that person and how they’ve left an impression on your life. What impact has their gift left on you? Be a gift giver. God has created you to do something well, maybe it’s making others laugh, or smile. Maybe you are good at picking up the pieces when mayhem strikes, that friend who swoops in and saves the day. Or maybe you can make a pound cake that would put Paula Deen to shame. Whatever it is that you do, DO it. It was not given to you for you to keep. We are all here to help others; to share. Be a funnel for God to use. To do otherwise is a waste. Share that gift you’ve been given. If it is “the gift of gab” use it for good, not bad. Don’t let gossip be the norm. Lift others up. Spread joy and love because there is great power in the tongue. Number two is quite possibly my favorite. It does tie directly into Christmas. I want you to think about last year’s gifts. What did you get that you were excited about when you got it, but then you tucked it away in a closet or under a bed and forgot about it. Or maybe you didn’t realize how much it was worth to you and all that you could do with it. What gift comes to mind right now? If it’s a food chopper or bottle of your least favorite fragrance, that’s not where I am going. I want to talk to you about the gift of life that Jesus has given you. The person of Christ is a gift to the world. He was sent by God to you. The ultimate gift. Looking back at the definition; something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation. Jesus = new life. His very name equals freedom and love and life. This gift breaks chains, opens doors, offers eternity on a silver platter! Forgiveness with a big blood red bow! Jesus gave his life for 44

yours. No compensation required, all you need do is realize your need and accept it. So you may be saying, “Tracy, been there, done that.” My question would be then, “Why the frowny face? Why do you grumble and groan? Why are you mean and hateful? Why are you sad?” You’ve been given forever. Abundance, joy and peace are yours. Don’t put it on a shelf or stuff it in a drawer. Look at it each day; hold it close; show it off; share it with others and most importantly praise God for it. Thank Him every day. Last but not least is be a gift! Webster says: the act, right, or power of giving. God says: Love one another; Do unto others; Follow Jesus’ example and give it all - for others. Don’t go to church, BE the church. An hour on Sunday morning should become 24/365. Let that light that God placed inside of you shine for all to see, not in a boastful fashion, but be a beacon for those who are lost to find their way. Share the good news of the gospel, Jesus saves! He loves beyond measure. He is the gift, follow His lead and be a gift to others. Life in Christ is truly living. Take that gift you accepted so many years ago and dust it off and polish it up and embrace it, you may end up wondering how on earth you ever lived without IT. There are only 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour and 24 hours in a day and only God knows how many days you have to make an impact, quit taking that for granted. Life is more precious than gold, your moments are given to you to share with the world and to impact it for Christ. Love is meant to flow from God, through you to others. Be the best gift anyone gets today. The real blessing will be yours! Tracy is first and foremost a Christ follower. She is a wife and mom and magazine publisher. She is and always will be a hairdresser and she loves to paint. You never know what new adventure is around the corner for her. She loves life and people and she does most certainly have “the gift of gab”. When she writes, she writes to herself as well. We are all a work in progress. Remember progress, not perfection.

September 2018

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September 2018

BLESS YOUR HEART - In Time

by Lisa Harris

he funeral was over. Kate watched as the pall bearers closed the casket on her husband, then with great love, they picked up their best friend and exited the church. The preacher came forward and extended his arm for her to follow. Kate tried to move, her legs felt encased in cement. The preacher grabbed her elbow, and with strength she didn’t think she had, she walked. Tears streaming down her face as she followed her husband Eli to his final resting place. Her husband’s oldest and dearest friend, Joe came up beside her and gave her his arm. His strength and tenderness were what she desperately needed, for in a few minutes she would be going home, back to the home she and Eli had made together…alone.

Pulling off her old pink visor, Kate wiped her brow while standing over her aggravating lawn mower. She had done everything that Eli had told her to do but to no avail. It just would not start…not even a whimper. For the first year after Eli’s death, Joe would come over faithfully to mow the grass. But after the first summer, Kate insisted that she could handle it. Besides, Joe had his own life, he certainly didn’t need to add hers. But, after kicking it a couple of times, she was having second thoughts. Kate went in the house to call Joe, but before she did, she glanced at herself in the mirror to make sure her mascara had not melted. She did notice her hair was barely in a ponytail, most of it was wispy and wild rather than calm and contained. She had to giggle at how Eli always described her hair as creamy caramel. It was dirty blonde, but to him it was like his coffee. Kate was a beauty, as much inside as out, but her biggest struggle was her weight. She would never be thin—ever. She had come to accept it, but boy was it a stressor. Up and down went her weight and her self-confidence, but Eli never waivered in his love.

Hours later she sat up from the sofa and looked around. His laptop laid to the side of his chair, as were books, pens and always a pad of paper to scribble information on. Eli tried to prepare her. For months he went over their finances, wrote down instructions on how to change the filters on the furnace, who to call when the car needed servicing and, each night before she went to sleep, he would pray as they held hands that God would bring someone else into her life. How angry that would make her. She didn’t want anyone else, she wanted Eli to live, have children and grow old together. Why couldn’t she have that?

Joe answered the phone, “Hello Kate!”

Kate stood up irritably and began to clean the kitchen. Two broken dishes later as she slammed things around, she made a cup of coffee for comfort and sat in ‘her’ chair. Eli always made fun of her drinking coffee. He said she just held it for warmth then left it somewhere. Eli would walk around the house and find cold cups of coffee left in sporadic places; the laundry room, bathroom, garage, just wherever she was. Kate smiled remembering. Eli’s illness had taken them both by surprise. Nothing could have prepared them for his diagnosis. Their faith was strong, and they knew God would give them a miracle and heal him. They just assumed he would be healed on earth. It was a jolt when they realized it would be in Heaven. How would she live without him? They had been childhood sweethearts. Why would God do this to her? To Eli? It was not long after this that Eli pulled himself together and said to her, “Kate, I am deeply disappointed that God is not going to heal me here, but I don’t want you to become angry or bitter. No matter the outcome. God is still Good.” Kate held on to those words.

“Hi Joe, how are you?” “Doing great. What’s going on with you?” Kate let out a big sigh, “Joe, my lawnmower won’t start, would you have time to see about it?” Kate could almost feel Joe smile as he replied, “Sure can, I’ll be there in a few.” Kate grabbed a glass of sweet tea and poured an extra for Joe. “Thank you, God, for Joe,” she prayerfully muttered as she went outside to greet him. Joe’s Ford truck drove up and parked in the driveway. Grinning, he took the tea she held out and started teasing her. “Sooo the old lawnmower is too much for ya, huh?” Pretending to be indignant, she replied, “I beg your pardon, this machine is broken!” “Hmmm, let me take a look,” Joe gave the rope a big yank and the motor started. Kate stood in pure astonishment. “But I did that,” she protested. Joe grinned his infuriating handsome grin, “I’m sure you did, but it’s getting older and it just takes a bit more strength than you’ve got.” Kate did not like looking weak, but at that moment she was okay with it. “Why don’t you get the edger and and I’ll cut the grass,” he suggested. Kate was about to say something, but decided to just say,

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“Thank you.” As she was edging, Kate kept glancing around to see Joe. She was now entering her third year as a widow and had not had one inkling of desire to date. But Joe was different. She knew Joe, they had also been friends since high school and even dated a couple of times, but then she met Eli her Junior year and that was all it took. Joe and Eli became best friends and had stayed that way through the years. He was best man at their wedding and part of their lives.

The next day Joe realized that he had left his favorite ball cap at Kate’s house. Picking up his phone he called and asked if he could swing by and pick it up. “Sure,” she said, “I’m just taking it easy on the screened porch, so come on back.” Joe had a key to the house and let himself in, “Hey, lazy bones,” he teased. Kate laughed, “Yep, that’s me today, lazy!”

She knew it was selfish of her, but she was glad he hadn’t married. He was such a huge blessing to her and she couldn’t imagine him not being there. It was that thought right there that startled Kate.

Joe plopped down in a chair across from her and they had a great conversation about many things. It was easy for them.

She turned her head towards Joe one more time and he caught her eye. It was that moment she realized she could easily fall in love with him. But, he was so opposite of Eli. How could she possibly even give that a thought? In looks Eli was dark skinned, dark hair with blue eyes, and average in height. Joe was fair-skinned, reddish-blonde hair, a little over six feet and had mischievous green eyes. Their personalities were opposite also, with Eli being more serious and a deep thinker whereas Joe was always lively, thoughtful, and very kind.

“Best garden, huh? You have two tomato plants and they’re looking kind of yellow right now.”

Kate continued to be deep in thought as she edged the yard. So much so, she jumped when Joe touched her shoulder to get her attention.

Joe followed her in the kitchen and stood at the door frame watching her. As she turned around, Kate caught his look and just stood there.

Laughing he said, “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

Neither one spoke for a few seconds, then Kate closed the distance between them both.

She was glad she was already red from the heat. She didn’t need him guessing her thoughts. Kate grinned, “Thanks for your help Joe, can I fix you something to eat?”

“How about a good ole tomato sandwich—you know I have the best garden on the street,” she grinned big.

“Well, it’s more than anyone else on the street, so therefore, I have the best garden!” Kate laughed. “In that case, bring on the sandwich and do you have bacon?” “I’ve got the bacon, the frying pan, and a pay check---I am woman, hear me roar!” They both died laughing of her rendition of a long ago commercial as Kate scooted off to microwave her bacon, not fry.

“Joe, I think I have feelings for you.” Before she could say another word, he scooped her up and kissed her deeply.

Joe shook his head no, “I have a date to get ready for, so I need to head home.”

He said, “I don’t think Kate, I know I do, I’ve loved you for a long time.”

“Date?” she squeaked out.

“Why didn’t you let me know?”

Joe looked intently at her and shook his head yes.

“You weren’t ready, and Eli was my best friend, I had to make sure.”

“Have fun Joe, and thanks again!” Kate gave him a hug and walked quickly back into her house. What was wrong with her? Why was she having feelings for Joe? Then stomped her foot in anger thinking, “Eli, I wouldn’t be in this position if you hadn’t died! Why did you have to die?” With those two thoughts she jumped in the shower to calm down and cool off. She would be better tomorrow. Everything is better the next day. --Joe scrambled back into his truck with mixed feelings. He knew he loved Kate, but out of respect for Eli and Kate, he kept those feelings hidden and locked. If she ever loved him back, Kate would have to voice those feelings first. Was that what she was doing a few minutes ago? She looked differently at him, almost in a yearning way. Whatever it was, it was enough to cancel his date. His heart wasn’t in it…he had left it back with Kate.

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Kate nodded. --Six months later they were planning their wedding. Joe looked down on his bride to be and said, “I have something to share with you. I’ve waited until I thought you were ready to hear it.” Kate looked intently at Joe to continue. “Before Eli died we had a long man to man talk about you. He wanted me to promise I would look out for you. I told him that was a no-brainer. Eli laughed and then got serious when he said, “No, I don’t want Kate to be alone, I’ve loved her for many years and if it’s Gods desire, then I want you to love her the last years.” Kate’s eyes swam with deep emotions…yes Eli, God is still Good.

September 2018

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September 2018

The Rock of Security

by Will Griffin

ou may have heard the saying, “The only thing that stays the same is change.” You may have said something like this yourself. The thought reminds me of the lyric in the classic song Time Marches On, by Tracy Lawrence, which goes “The only thing that stays the same is, everything changes, everything changes. . .” To a point in our lives this saying is true, and at times it feels as though our lives are measured by this principle of change, and in these times it seems that nothing is tied down nor immune to change. Change comes with its own pros and cons, some like a fresh beginning, others the fear of uncharted territory. My wife, Ashley, and I have experienced both of these types of changes just in the past month. But, I must say that all of the change we have experienced has ultimately been for our good, to the glory of God. Ashley was taken in and essentially adopted by Kathy Blalock at the age of two (2). Kathy was an essential mother figure in Ashley’s life, and molded her into the kind, loving woman that she is today. When I began dating Ashley, I was also “adopted” into the family and received the same motherly love Kathy provided Ashley. For those of you who knew Kathy, you know the heart of love and service of which I am speaking. With this special attachment to Kathy and the Blalock family, we were heart broken when we learned of Kathy’s illness last December (2017). It was so tough to watch her health progressively fail as the cancer progressed. Kathy’s sickness was one of the hard changes, that we are 50

September 2018

now thankful for to God. We are now thankful; because, we know this change was the LORD’s way of preparing us for her passing, and His work of sanctifying her. Her continual testimony was that God is God and He is in full control, whether or not she would be healed. We were further saddened on July 31st, 2018, when Kathy passed away; her passing came at what we considered to be the worst time. Ashley and I expected her to meet our soon to be born child, and we simply did not expect her to pass so soon. But, the LORD had prepared us, in His own way. Knowing that He sovereignly orders all things, Kathy’s passing was perfectly timed. The responsibility of a new job is another change for my family, during the past two months. Again, this is a change with the LORD’s fingerprints all over it, which has been in the works long before any of us saw it on the horizon. On Sunday, July 22nd, 2018 it was announced that I would be the new Director of Children’s Ministries at Clayton Baptist Church. As with any call into the ministry, this one did not come without the clear work of the LORD. You see, on July 22nd, 2014 I lost my job as a career firefighter due to traumatic injuries preventing my return to work as a firefighter, which I sustained in the line of duty. Exactly four (4) years to the day, the LORD provided a new job. I firmly believe that this timing was of no coincidence; God indeed sovereignly ordered the end of my first career and the official beginning of this new one, in service to Him. gmlaurel.com

A third recent change is the addition of our first child to our family. On August 15, 2018, Avery Ruth Griffin took her first breath of life. A precious, beautiful little girl, I may be just a little biased, but she is so perfect. The struggle will be real to not spoil her rotten. Psalm 127:3 says, “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (NASB). She is certainly a gift and a blessing from the LORD, in His perfect timing. Many have talked about how scary it is to leave the hospital for the first time with your first child. But, as we drove home from the hospital with Avery for the first time, I was not scared, not nervous, not worried about a single thing. We were listening to worship music and praising God, with tears streaming down both our faces, for His name and consistent goodness, even in trying times. I remember thinking that the entire world could come to an end and it would not even matter; because, I am a child of an unchanging, ever faithful God, He indeed is perfectly immutable. Through all of this change, within the period of a month, the LORD has so blessed my wife and me. Many times I have thought about Abraham, obedient to God, leaving out from the land of his fathers, not knowing where he was going, traveling through all the pagan sites and lands, but still solely trusting in God and boldly worshiping Him. We have joy deeply rooted in the absolute sovereignty and nature of God, that He is in control, and there is not a thing for us to worry about. For, we know and have complete confidence that in the midst of all these life changes we have an un-changing God. “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (NASB, James 1:27). Even though the times have been hard, with trials, setbacks, and it has been tough to juggle, being a husband to my wife first, ministry, school, and everything else that must continue. Ashley and I have had just an amazing joy and peace about all the situations and changes. We have confidence that He will never leave nor forsake us, as it is written, “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (NASB, Deuteronomy 31:6). The LORD is our un-changing Rock of Security through Christ Jesus our Lord. As Christians, In Him we find hope, peace, and rest eternal; through our redemption in His death on the Cross.

Will Griffin is a husband first to Ashley, new father to Avery, Director of Children’s Ministries at Clayton Baptist Church, and current student at The Master’s University. If you would like more information about becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, call Will at 706.782.4588, OR visit: www. navigators.org/resource/one-verse-evangelism/. For more information about Clayton Baptist Church, visit: www. claytonbaptistchurch.com, OR call: 706.782.4588. If you would like to speak with a Pastor Call 706.782.4588, OR email claytonbaptist@windstream.net.

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September 2018

Bon Appétit The Fall Season is Here

by Scarlett Cook

chool bells have rung and that means sports, music, practices and homework have begun also. There doesn’t seem to be enough time to get everything done. This menu will help you get dinner on the table quickly when everyone is ready to eat.

Chicken Piccata with Pasta Makes 4 servings

1 Pound penne pasta, cooked and drained 1 Tablespoon olive oil 1 1/4 Pounds chicken tenders, cut into 1” pieces Salt & pepper to taste 1 Tablespoon butter 1 Tablespoon olive oil 4 Cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 Small onion, finely chopped 2 Tablespoons plain flour 1/2 Cup apple juice Juice of 1 lemon 1 Cup chicken stock 3 Tablespoons capers, drained 1/2 Cup chopped parsley 1 Tablespoon butter Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken to the pan and season with salt & pepper. Brown chicken on all sides – about 6 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and place in a serving dish. In the same skillet with heat reduced to medium, add 1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic, and onion and sauté for 3 minutes. Stir in flour and cook about 2 minutes. Whisk in apple juice and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in lemon juice and stock. Stir in capers and parsley. When sauce comes to a bubble, add remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add chicken to sauce and stir to heat. Serve chicken / sauce mixture over cooked pasta.

Broiled Tomatoes Makes 4 servings

4 Large ripe tomatoes Olive oil 2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese Chopped fresh oregano Preheat oven to broil. Spray baking dish with cooking spray. Cut tops off of tomatoes and cut in half. Place in prepared pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with cheese and oregano. Broil until tops are brown. Serve hot or at room temperature. 52

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Garlicky / Cheesy Broccoli Makes 4 servings

1 Large head broccoli, cut into long thin spears 2 Tablespoons olive oil 4 Cloves garlic, finely minced 1/2 Pound Mozzarella (or your favorite) cheese, grated Simmer broccoli in 1/2” boiling water in a shallow skillet for 3 – 4 minutes. Drain and remove from skillet. Return skillet to stovetop and over medium heat; add oil and garlic and cook 3 minutes. Add spears back to skillet and coat with garlic mixture. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with cheese.

Marshmallowy Brownies Makes 12 brownies

Preheat oven to 425˚. Grease 8” x 8” baking dish 1 Box of brownie mix, prepared according to package directions 1 Cup peanut butter (or chocolate) chips 1/ 2 Cup chopped pecans or walnuts 1 Cup miniature marshmallows To prepared brownie mix, add chips. Spread batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts and bake 17 – 19 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle marshmallows on top and return to oven to bake 3 – 5 minutes more. gmlaurel.com

September 2018

The Family Table by Lorie Thompson

ere in the North Georgia Mountains, September is a shoulder month. It is not quite fall, but no longer summer. It is a lovely month with Indian Summer days and cool nights that remind you that fall is on its way. The last of the summer’s garden is ripening and this is the month to make sauerkraut, pickled okra, green tomato relish, and other accouterments that make winter meals extra special.

pleasure, but there was a time in our early, married years when hunting was a necessity in order to keep food on the table. We ate some type of game meat at almost every meal. We laughingly tell our story saying that if we did not grow it, kill it, or catch it, we did not eat it. We may be stretching a little. We never went hungry, but we really did eat a lot of game meat and bought very few groceries.

Come September there is a lot of excitement at our house, as my Mountain Man makes preparations for the fall deer season.

Even in those early days of very limited grocery money, I loved to entertain. My very favorite company dinner was stuffed pork chops. It was an inexpensive “store-bought’ meat that I could dress up and feel good about feeding our guest. Let me share this recipe with you:

It is without a doubt Mountain Man’s favorite time of year! Nowadays he enjoys his time in the woods and hunting for

Begin with a box or bag of your favorite dry stuffing mix (you can make homemade stuffing if you want). Make according to the package directions, adding butter and water. Add a large can of drained mushrooms if you like them. Have your butcher slice a small pocket in the loin side of a 1-1/2” to 2” thick, center cut pork chop. I usually cut my own as I like the opening small and I side the knife around inside to make the “pocket” large inside the chop. 1 package of stuffing will do 4 chops nicely with some extra stuffing to pat in around the chops. Season each chop with your favorite seasonings for pork. I love Cavendar’s Greek Seasoning Salt. After the chops are seasoned, place in a baking dish or skillet. Fill each “pocket” using a small spoon. Fill it as full as you can and place leftover stuffing around the chops. Place chops in a 350-degree oven for 40 -50 minutes or until chops are at 155 degrees with a meat thermometer. A meal of Stuffed Chops, alongside green beans, baked sweet potatoes, and rolls make a fine company supper. 54

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Another favorite from my very early years is Tarte Tatin. It sounds fancy but takes only a few ingredients. Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, it is a decadent, company worthy dessert! To make the Tarte Tatin, start by making a “Pate Brisee” which is a pie crust made with butter. You can use a pre-made, piecrust sheet, but if you have a mixer or a food processor it only takes a few minutes to make this wonderful crust. Cut 8 oz of unsalted butter into slices and place in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to chill thoroughly. Place 1/3 cup of water in the freezer to chill. In a food processor or a mixing bowl, add 2 1/3 cups of all purpose flour and 1 tsp of salt. Pulse the flour and salt 3-4 times to blend thoroughly. Add chilled butter to the flour mixture and pulse until butter is completely mixed with flour. Maybe, 6-8 pulses. Slowly add the ice cold water, just a few drops at a time, while gently pulsing the dough. (My food processor has a drip hole in the food pusher tube that allows the water to drip into the dough. This is designed to use for emulsifications allowing any liquid to slowly drizzle into a sauce.) Don’t overwork the dough, but pulse it until the water is incorporated and the dough starts to form a ball. Only add the water until dough is coming together. Less water equals a flakier crust. Remove from the food processor bowl and break the dough in half and place each half on a sheet of plastic wrap. Form each half into a disk shape and seal tightly inside the plastic wrap. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour and overnight if possible. This recipe makes two crust. When you are ready to prepare the Tarte Tatin, bring one crust out of the refrigerator and allow it to warm to room temperature while you slice the apples. Bring 1 stick of butter to room temperature. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

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September 2018

Peel, core and slice 5-6 Granny Smith apples into equal sized wedges. In a 12” heavy pan, rub softened butter around sides and bottom. Add 1 C of sugar and a very light sprinkle of kosher salt. Place apples in the pan, touching each other. Cook over medium heat until sugar is just starting to turn golden and the apples are softening. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Roll out the butter crust on a floured surface to a 13” round. Roll the crust up on your rolling pin and roll it off to cover the apple tart. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the crust is golden. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes. Invert to a plate and serve with whipped cream or ice cream. If serving for an after dinner dessert, prepare to the point the apples are cooked and the pie crust is rolled out. Finish the tart while you serve your meal. Pull it out just in time to treat your guest to a glorious Tart Tatin! You will be a Top Chef! I hope that you will enjoy this easy to prepare and economical “company supper” with the people you love best! May God bless your family table with good food and good company! Lorie Thompson is an Associate Broker at RE/MAX of Rabun. She has 38+ years in the Real Estate business in these mountains she has always called home. Lorie is as incredible in the kitchen as she is in her business and we are honored to have her share her love of preparing meals for her “Family Table”.

September 2018

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A Taste

of the Mountains

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September 2018

DIY

Make Your Best Furry Friend Something Delicious!

ou take him to the vet, get her shots, buy him toys and take her for a walk each day, but what are in their treats? It might shock you to find that the list of preservatives in dog treats is down right scary. If they are really your BFF (Best Furry Friend) go the extra mile and make healthy treats to show them how much you care! Before making these dog treats, be sure you take your dog’s dietary needs into consideration. Some dogs don’t do well with peanut butter, while some dogs love it. As always, put your dog’s best interests first. However, I’ve never met a dog that doesn’t like homemade treats. They make wonderful gifts tied with twine or delivered in small jars.

Tasty Peanut Butter Dog Treats 1 cup organic peanut butter 1 cup skim milk 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 cups whole-wheat flour, plus more for cutting out the cookies Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter and milk. Drizzling the milk in slowly will allow you to combine it more efficiently. In another large mixing bowl, combine the baking powder and whole-wheat flour. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter-milk mixture. Combine all of the ingredients until thoroughly mixed. On a sheet of parchment paper, sprinkle a tiny bit of wheat flour on the surface and roll out the dough to reach your desired dog treat thickness. Using your dog bone cookie cutters, cut out dog treats and place them onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Chicken Treats for Dogs

Cheesy Bone Treats 4 cups of flour 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese 2 tbsp-1/4 cup of oil 1 1/3 cups of water Combine flour and cheese. Stir in oil and water. Adjust liquid as necessary to make stiff dough. Roll on floured cutting board to 3/8 in. thick. Cut with bone shaped cutter. Placed on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 2 1/2 – 3 hours in 250 degrees oven until thoroughly dry. Optional Ingredient: 1 egg or use whole dried egg (powder).

1 cup cooked, finely diced chicken 1/2 cup rice, cooked & mashed 3 tablespoons rice flour 1 tablespoon parsley 1 egg Preheat oven to 350F. Mix together all ingredients and stir well. Spoon into silicone moulds. Bake for 20 – 30 minutes, until tops are golden brown. Allow to cool and remove from molds. Store in fridge. 58

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September 2018

by Peter McIntosh

Adventure Out

Lower Helton Creek Falls

Three Waterfalls and a Lake Loop Trail

n this adventure we’re heading over to Vogel State Park for a nice easy hike on the Lake Trahlyta Trail and a visit to Trahlyta Falls. And then we’re heading up Hwy 129 a short way to Helton Creek Falls, which is really two separate cascades, upper and lower, so it counts as two. The principle feature of Vogel State Park is Lake Trahlyta, (pronounced tra-leeta) named for a Cherokee woman who lived in these parts many, many years ago. To find out more about this woman, ask the nice folks at the visitor’s center. It’s a very nice visitor’s center that’s well worth visiting (Lots of cool stuff.) Trahlyta Lake was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 1930’s. The park itself has a lot to offer, especially during the warmer months, and several trails of varying difficulty originate here. The trail around the lake is a one mile loop with lots of boardwalks and viewing spots as you circle the lake. Again, it’s very easy. There are interpretive markers placed along the trail describing the local flora and fauna. And there are two high points on this footpath, one being the view of the lake from the dam, which looks back at Blood Mountain in the distance. And do notice at the spillway, how the water is drawn from the lake, via a large siphon pipe that draws water from the bottom of the lake. This water is much cooler during the warmer months and makes for better trout habitat downstream. The other beauty spot is Trahlyta Falls, which is just below the spillway. The falls are accessed 60

via a well marked side trail, less than 1/4 mile in length, that descends to an observation platform at the base of this small but very pretty cascade. Now we get back on the road and head up hill on Hwy 129 just a little over a mile to Helton Road on the left. (This is a well marked road.) As I said before, this charming cascade is really two waterfalls, one right below the other and both accessed by the same easy trail. And I do mean “easy,” just a few hundred yards down from the well marked parking area. The lower falls is somewhat dark and secluded with a lot of overhanging tree limbs. The last few steps to the base of the lower falls is a little funky and you can see where people have chosen to walk along the side of these tricky steps. The upper falls is the more prominent cascade and there’s a nice observation platform, complete with benches. There is a nice pool at the base of the falls should you want to get your feet wet. Do keep your shoes on though, that’s just good sense. And never ever climb on a waterfall, no matter how small. Just don’t do it. Cooling your heels at the base of a cascade is fine. Happy hiking! P.S. So now it’s time for a well deserved reward! My suggestion is the new rooftop at Clarks’ on Main in Clayton. From their roof, you can look westward at the beautiful mountains you

September 2018

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were just exploring. And as a bonus, if you take a selfie at all three spots, Lake Trahlyta, Trahlyta Falls and Helton Creek Falls, your first round of delicious frosty draft beers is on Clarks’. They have over 30 beers on tap, (lots of local craft brews) so I’m sure there’s something you’ll love. And the food’s pretty good as well. As summer fades like a cooling ember, here’s my poem for September: If you want to get out and about I’ll give you the scoop, About a trio of falls and nice lakeside loop. These spots all have water, sweet, cool and clear, Then head back to town and claim your free beer!

Trahlyta Falls

Getting there: From Hwy 76 W. in Blairsville, go south on Hwy 129 about 11 miles to Vogl State Park on the right. Helton Creek Road is just up the way, 1.2 miles, on the left. Follow Helton Road for 2.3 miles to well marked parking area on right. For more information: http://www.gastateparks.org/Vogel

Upper Helton Creek Falls

706-745-2628 Clarks’ on Main - 88 North Main Street, Clayton http://clarksonmain.com 706-212-0101 To see more of Peter’s photos or if you have questions or comments, visit Peter’s website at: www.mcintoshmountains.com

Vogel State Park

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September 2018

750 Words About Butterflies by Joel Hitt

have two points to make today and 750 words in which to do it. Anyone who knows me is thinking, “Good luck with that, Joel!” Point number one: Butterflies and moths, the Lepidoptera, have a unique story to reveal regarding their lives. Point number two: This story could not be sustained without the relationships Lepidoptera form with other plant and animal communities. In my early years, I had little to say about butterflies, except that they were pretty. It was almost as though the adjective was part of the name: “Oh, look at the pretty-butterfly! And there’s another pretty-butterfly!” That’s it! No curiosity about their life history. I thought these herky-jerky things just flew around being pretty when you caught a brief pause in their flight. But back then I was smitten by the avian community. Birds, I thought, were a whole other part of nature. As I would find out, I was seriously mistaken calling it the “other” part.

Tiger Swallowtail

I recall the very moment this limited outlook changed for me. I was attending an Audubon bird walk in the ATL metro, when our leader, Mark, directed the group’s attention to a particular bird by saying, “The bird is in line with the tiger swallowtail butterfly perched on that flowerhead, and is 30 feet beyond it.” It turned out that I never located the bird Mark was directing us to. For at that moment I focused my glasses (binoculars) on the butterfly to sneak in a quick look... and I got stuck on it! I focused in on the lovely yellow and black colors in the wings and didn’t pull away until the swallowtail fluttered away first. (So they CAN be still for me to see!) Never mind the “ooh’s and ahh’s” coming from the group that proceded to locate the bird in the background. I had just experienced a long, focused look at another part of the natural world, and it felt like she was looking back at me!

Silvery Checkerspot Therein lies the metaphor for my story today: You cannot pay attention to one aspect of the natural world without being drawn into other parts of it. The good news is, there is no need to fight it! Nature is a miracle of interconnectivity. It has achieved this state through a few million years of evolution so that each part is dependent on another.

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I am encouraged by the arrival of a new day compared to 35 years ago. A steady stream of literature is available for helping folks learn about the butterfly life cycle, both online and on the bookshelves. The phrase “butterfly gardening” has now become a common phrase in garden-talk. No longer is studying the life history of Lepidoptera a topic for botanists alone. Many rank and file gardeners are now being careful to add food sources for these species. In schools, scouting, and Junior Master Gardening groups through local Extension programs, our children are learning life history principles of these species. After all, these species go through a lot to end up being themselves! More than ever, we can each assist this process from beginning to end. It’s evolved to a time in the history of our planet when they, like other species, can use all the help we can offer. As a result of these developments, we see gardeners now growing food for adult butterflies, but also providing host plants for the caterpillar (larva) stage of life. The most wellknown examples of this would be monarch butterfly and its total commitment to consuming milkweed species during its caterpillar (larva) stage. Milkweed species are thus referred to as the “foodplant” for Monarch caterpillars. Most butterfly larvae will consume only one genus of foodplant, and sometimes only one species. It is up to the female adult butterfly to select the correct foodplant on which to lay her eggs. Having those plants on board in your garden can give you a full cycle of activity from eggs to caterpillar (larva), to chrysalis (pupa), and finally to adult butterfly. To further encourage readers who may feel like this call to action is quite daunting, I need to remind folks that just a little gardening with native plants is better than nothing. Replacing a small part of your turf lawn with a new bed for wildflowers, shrubs, or trees that attract our butterflies in one or more of its phases--that will make a difference. Your local county Extension can assist with any questions you have. I also am available at joelhitt@gmail.com. For the butterflies!

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September 2018

don’t remember the exact date, but I do remember the first meeting at a local feed store and why we were there. The goal was to create an Open Admission/No Kill animal shelter to serve the dogs and cats of Rabun County. That’s all the group of 10 concerned citizens knew at that point. The county needed an animal shelter, we agreed it had to be no-kill, and we knew it would happen if we all worked together for the benefit of the animals. If a dog, cat, puppy, or kitten entered the shelter, and they were healthy and adoptable, a home would be found for them. We decided to call the new animal shelter Rabun Paws 4 Life. We were passionate about animals and we were committed. Nine people at this meeting became board members, including myself, and while it took months to receive the 501(C)3 status as a non-profit organization, we were not discouraged. We met every week and many of us were at the shelter daily. The outpouring of support and encouragement from the community, once they heard that a new shelter was forming, was overwhelming. People came into Paws everyday, asking what they could do to help. It was the greatest coming together of a community that I had ever experienced.

Paws 4 Life officially opened its doors on November 16, 2012. The mission, which is to protect animals from abuse, neglect and abandonment, and the vision, to find a forever home for every adoptable animal in our care, have never changed. Everyone involved with the shelter still sees these as our primary functions, a responsibility we willingly accept.

Brenda Nash and Brodie

Paws 4 Life Brenda Nash

My life revolves around dogs and always has. My grandmother rescued hundreds of dogs in the 1950’s, when I was a kid (yes, I’m dating myself). My mother drove all over Georgia picking up the free puppies my grandmother saw advertised in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. Most of the puppies were in poor health or came from a neglectful situation so she would nurse them back to robust health and then find them a home. I work for Rabun Animal Hospital, in Mountain City, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our patients. I have had up to 12 rescued dogs at one time and I started Habitat for Hounds, an organization that supplies houses to dogs in need. I have been a Paws board member since it’s beginning. My life revolves around trying to lessen the suffering of all animals.

Sponsored by

September 2018

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If there is one thing I would like people to take away from this piece, it is to consider adopting an animal next time you are looking for one to join your family. There are so many wonderful, loving animals just waiting for the opportunity to have a home and a family to love. When you adopt an animal, you are not only giving him or her home, but you are freeing up space at Paws so another animal can be helped. People often ask us how they can help Paws. As well as adopting from us, there is much that can be done. You can volunteer, foster, host an adoption event, donate, spread the word about Paws, teach children compassion for all living beings, and attend our meetings. Another important thing to think about is spaying and neutering your pet to prevent litters of unplanned and often, unwanted, puppies and kittens. Even if you find a home for your animals, that means one less home available for a shelter animal. There simply aren’t enough homes for the number of animals in our county and in our country. The other thing I would suggest is that you make sure your animals always have proper I.D. on them should they get lost. Strays without I.D. are brought to Rabun Animal Hospital and to Paws for Life and we have no way of knowing who they belong to. An I.D. tag and microchipping is their ticket home. If you are like me, you are passionate about your companion animals. In return for our love, they bring us joy, happiness, a sense of belonging, and their complete devotion. Please visit us at Paws 4 Life at 261 Boen Creek Road, Tiger, GA. We’d love to meet you, have you as a volunteer, and introduce you to our many wonderful, deserving animals.

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” Anatole France

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September 2018

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September 2018

Mosey on Down to

Worley Creek

by John Shivers

“T

hat’s a horse of a different color,” folks often say, when something’s a departure from the norm. And no label better describes this custom-designed, one-of-a-kind home located on ten acres in south Rabun County. When you’re the owner of the property at 1933 Worley Creek Road in Lakemont, you’ll live, work and play at an unbelievable equestrian retreat, and never want to rejoin the outside world.

room when it comes to relaxation and kicking back after a full day on the ranch. A cathedral ceiling, many windows, and a dedicated foyer make this level welcoming and warm. A distinctive stone wall provides safe space for a wood-burning stove, just the ticket on a cold Rabun winter night, and also inspires the decorating palette for the interior. You’ll be sure to notice the distinctive arched doorway in the stone that leads to the master retreat.

With five bedrooms, four full baths, and an additional half-bath, the particulars on this cabin / country rustic style home read like many other homes on the market. But look again!

In the spacious adjacent kitchen, custom furniture-style cabinets finished with hard surface tops echo the tone of the stone wall in the Great Room. A distinctive rosette inset above the electric surface unit immediately catches your eye. Large enough for more than one chef at a time, this fully-functional space includes a full complement of appliances.

Set amongst a wooded backdrop with rolling pasture land, this rural piece of paradise can be home to both man and beast. The multilevel home for the owners is suitably designed for one large family or for an in-law in need, without sacrificing privacy and comfort. Team it with the 12,600 square foot equestrian barn complete with indoor arena and 12 boarding stalls, and you really do have a horse of a different color. In the house, built in 2006, wood reigns supreme. Beautiful tongueand-groove is found throughout the 3,362 square feet of comfortable living space. A Great Room anchors the main, and it really is a great

Bedrooms and baths are spacious, and the second floor office area tucked under the eaves looks out on the property, providing the chance to relax, kick off your boots, get online, or just “get away.” Outside, on the main level, a spacious two-car garage is conveniently adjacent to both the covered front entrance and the kitchen. Covered decks on both levels, with easy access to the inside, truly expand the livability footprint of this home.

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On the lower level, a separate drive and parking area give quick and easy access to the walk-out basement. However, in this case, the term basement is yet another differently colored horse. Use it as expanded living space or to house that family member who needs to live close. The exterior of the home is a marriage of horizontal siding and board-and-batten, in hues that pick up and echo the surrounding landscape. Massive wood-stained columns and railings accent the entire architectural package. Across the pasture just a short ways is the sprawling barn complex, where you and your steed can find the lifestyle meant for rider and horse. Care for and enjoy your own horses; host your friends, or offer space and care for hire. With a tack room, feed room, wash rack, and managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apartment, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a turn-key opportunity. The acreage is bisected by a trout stream, and the fenced pasture and woodlands border 25 square miles of U.S. Forest Land. Listing agent for this property is RE/MAX of Rabun agent Scott Poss who can be reached at 706-490-2305 or 706-782-7133 or at possrealty@gmail.com. Reference MLS #8197097.

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September 2018

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September 2018

So You Want to Buy a Horse Farm… Ten Things to Consider by John Shivers

here’s not a horse-lover out there who doesn’t feel the confines of suburban living when it comes to having adequate space for both horse and rider. And the universal dream of anyone who has ever swung a saddle over the back of a fourlegged steed is a place of their own “where I can keep a few horses.” When that place is in the mountains, it just gets that much better. Can’t you just visualize it now? A comfortable home tucked away in a private cove, with a tight, attractive barn large enough to hold four or five horses, with several acres of pasture land, as much for the ambience as for the horses themselves? And if there are riding trails in the vicinity, oh man, it’s paradise. So how do you find that little slice of heaven on earth? There’s a world of difference between a dream and a nightmare, and that difference comes down to going into the situation with eyes wide open, expectations reasonable, being prepared to compromise, and knowing when and where and how to compromise. If “a place to keep a few horses” is on your radar, consider these 10 tips that will make you, and ultimately your horse, happy and content. 1. Realty agents are worth their weight in oats. Before you can begin to look at property, you need to identify your demands, your needs, which factors are deal breakers and which aren’t. Are you planning to ride on this land, or will it simply be a place for your horses to hang out? How many stalls do you need in your barn? Will you be breeding horses? Boarding them, or do you want to specialize in performance horses? To do otherwise means you’re spinning your wheels before you even get started. A good real estate agent, preferably one that has experience selling farm and rural properties, is the first place to start. Consider your agent as your ally. Allow them to help you find the property that best fits your budget and one that fits your needs as well. And should you need to construct a barn or an addition to an existing building, a Realtor® is a great referral source for workmen. Under the agent’s direction, you can describe the property of your dreams, which the agent can then match with those properties available. Another plus to using an agent is the wider pool of potential properties you’ll get to see. 2. Will you live there long-term, or might you need to resell? Whatever property you buy, it’s an investment. As with any investment, you’ll want to protect it both short term and long term. People and situations change over time. It’s just the way life works. Just because you think that barn space for three horses is 72

all you’ll need, there’s a pretty good chance that down the road, you’ll wish you’d been a little more forward thinking. Like in 10 years or even 20? So how do you safeguard your investment? Buying or building quality buildings that will stand the test of time are another way to ensure that value is maintained. When you renovate a barn or build new, remember one other caveat: the more specialized or customized your finished product, the smaller pool of potential buyers you’ll have if you ever do need to sell. 3. You can always build what you need, but you can’t move land. If you have to choose between a perfect physical set-up or the perfect piece of land in the right place, which way should you go? Without a doubt, real estate experts say, choose the land over the buildings. You can always add on or remodel, or even build new. But if the perfect house and barn exists on a less than desirable piece of ground, you’ll need to think long and hard before signing on the dotted line. If you’re going to be living on the property as well, how far is it to your day job. Schools for the kids? The closest place to buy a gallon of milk? Need a place to ride? Steer clear of property on heavily-traveled public roads, or dangerous roads that must be crossed to get to dedicated riding trails. On the purely practical side, you want land that is sloped to drain well, but at the same time it needs to be flat enough to allow it to be usable for riding or even easy walking. If your horses are going to graze the pastures, is the soil quality adequate to support the grasses they will need? And while you’re at it, remember that some wild and native plants are poisonous to horses. Better to check up front and determine if they can be removed than to be sorry after the fact. 4. Knowledge is power. If you’re looking at land in an area where you have no history, and even if you’re buying close around home, check with all local municipalities for the codes and environmental regulations you’ll have to accept. Every place is different, so don’t assume. There may be a cap on how many animals you can house per acre of land. How you must handle waste disposal and water runoff are critical to any horse operation. Again, here’s where an agent is worth every penny of their commission. They may not know all the answers, but that can steer you toward the proper source for those answers, and save you a lot of head-beating later. 5. Care to wet your whistle? There’s nothing that’s more refreshing on a hot afternoon than a good, long drink of cool water. This holds true for both yourself and your horses. When you’re looking at possible properties, always determine how your ani-

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mals will get refreshed. After all, hauling water bucket by bucket, or having to run a long hose out to the water trough is a lot of work. Is there a pond on the property? Is there a well, or will you be turning on the tap to get water from a local public water source? Check all of this ahead of time. If you’re going to have to dig a well, you need to know that sooner, rather than later. Some ground doesn’t drill well, so check with a local well driller before you sign any contracts.

property is fairly priced for what exists there – never mind that the barn only holds six horses and you need stalls for 12 – don’t expect the seller to take less than market value.

6. There’s always that pesky budget. It doesn’t matter how many homes you’ve bought for your family in the past, when you’re shopping for that forever home for your horses, it’s a little bit different. Which is why you need to be talking with a mortgage professional up front, before you get into the search process. In short, it can be more difficult to get financing for a horse farm than what you experienced buying your last house. Working with a farm mortgage specialist can also ensure that you stay within your budget, that money plan that always seems to fall just short of what your dreams have envisioned. But there’s nothing worse than buying that special farm and discovering that you’re land poor and have to struggle to make the payments.

In the end, know your needs, know your budget, seek out qualified professional advice, listen twice as much as your talk, and go for it. There’s a horse property out there somewhere with your name on it!

7. Be prepared to compromise on what you want. Which is more important, the house for your family or the barn for your horses? Houses are usually more expensive, but barns also are more code-heavy because of their function. It’s a judgment call you’ll have to make, because almost never do you find the perfect house on the perfect piece of ground with the perfect barn. Usually horse people tend to favor the barn, and will often build their quarters, at least temporarily, in with the horses. Either way, trade-offs are a fact of property buying life and compromise isn’t a possibility, it’s a given. Go into the deal understanding this. Anything can be renovated, but this is usually only economically feasible if the structure has good bones and a quality foundation. This is true for both houses and barns. Even if you’re of the DIY mode, get quotes from a reputable contractor anyway. An unbiased, objective set of “other eyes” might just see something that the buyer, who’s so caught up in the process, has overlooked. Better to know the true scope of the work up front. Otherwise, you may come to hate your “perfect” property before it’s all over. 8. You can’t easily build that barn over again. Aside from the beauty derived by the owner of looking out to see the horses making happy in the pasture, there’s the practical to consider when locating home and barn complex. What may be an easy stroll in your 40s may become an oppressive hike in your 60s. Situate the barn near the house. At the same time, locate that barn where it’s easily accessible to the pastures the horses will graze and play in. Those in the know caution to get this aspect of the deal right the first time. A study of sale statistics reveals that rarely do horse facilities ever return 100% of the original building investment. So if you can’t recover completely should you sell, you sure don’t want to have to build a new barn in a different location just so you can stay on the property.

10. Haste makes waste. While compromise is always going to be a part of the process, settling for less than you need or want in order to bring the search to a conclusion carries with it the very real possibility of severe disappointment down the road. Don’t let weariness cause you to make a mistake you can’t easily undo.

There are many outstanding opportunities to buy the property you are dreaming of in the mountains. We invite you to visit our website to see a sampling of available properties offered through both Harry Norman Luxury Lake & Mountains and RE/MAX of Rabun. Look for this article there, click on each company’s logo and browse for your dream home/property. www.gmlaurel.com

Harry Norman Realtors Luxury Lake and Mountain 141 S. Main Street P.O. Box 2009 Clayton, GA 30525 PHONE: (706) 212-0228 Email: hnmtn@harrynorman.com Website: www.luxurylakeandmountain.com

RE/MAX OF RABUN 809 Hwy 441 South Clayton, GA 30525 706.782.7133 Email: Remaxrabun@windstream.net Website: www.PossRealty.com www.burtonrabunluxuryhomes.com

9. Don’t let love blind your decision-making process. It’s easy to find the perfect barn and fall in love, only to overlook other, often more serious negative aspects. When looking at a property, make a check-list of must-haves and would-like-to-haves, and evaluate each location using the same criteria. This isn’t something to be rushed, even if you are weary of looking. By the same token, don’t allow the fact that a property doesn’t have all the attributes you’re seeking lull you into thinking that the seller should automatically discount the price because you’re going to have to spend more money to get what you want. If the gmlaurel.com

September 2018

Shield Realtors 132 Waters Street P.O.Box 519 Clarkesville, GA 30523 Work Phone:706-754-5940 Email:shield@windstream.net Website: www.shieldrealtors.com

September 2018

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September 2018

All Routes Lead to Home by the Lake By John Shivers

ever judge a book by its cover, the old adage goes. But every rule has its exceptions, and the home at 493 Deer Hill Road west of Clayton on Lake Burton, near Jones Bridge Overlook, is definitely one of those detours from the norm. The first clue you have that this home might be “the” special house, a home that would cater to your every dream and every need, comes when you pull into the drive. To your left, you’ll catch a glimpse of those Burton waters, but it’s the oneof-a-kind canopy over the front entryway that commands your attention. Four massive, turned-by-nature tree trunks twist upwardly, an invitation to come closer and discover all that lies beyond. Indulge your curiosity. You won’t be sorry. Outside the marriage of native stone and Hardiplank® siding gives a strong hint to the overall marriage of contemporary and rustic that exist throughout; a union that gives life to a truly unique home from front door to back deck, to boat house and into the beautiful lake waters beyond, all against gorgeous mountain views.

Thanks to its many windows and their calculated placement, as well as oversize sliding doors, this home brings the outdoors inside in ways that are both subtle and dramatic. Think cathedral ceilings, wood floors, shiplap walls, clean lines, and open concept great room, and you’re on your way to visualizing yourself making coffee or creating special feasts in the adjacent professional kitchen and separate wet bar area with wine cooler. Relaxed living could be the unwritten theme of this home, with four bedrooms and five and one-half baths. You’ll have ample room for family and guests, especially when you factor in the generous bunk room that can accommodate several kids, or even adults. From the screened porch with a fireplace, spacious open decks, a hot tub, and two-stall boathouse with al fresco dining opportunities up top side, the ways that this home may be enjoyed are varied and memorable. Enjoy the water in your own boat, swim in your secluded cove, or stay high and dry, but very much a part of everything, whether you’re inside or out. The flat, attractively landscaped lawn is

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the conduit to life on the lake and its breathtaking sunset views. And when you’re finally ready for privacy and alone time, there’s always the spacious, private master suite where you can relax in your own spa-like bath. With its own private doors opening onto the rear deck, the view and the magic from this secluded suite are literally yours for the enjoyment. A spacious laundry room takes the drudge out of that chore, and there’s generous closet space. A bonus room offers several options; you decide! To house the family fleet, there is a triple garage and the drive and parking area offer still more opportunities for guest parking. Entertaining for an evening or a weekend will be a breeze.

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With ease of maintenance, the multi-faceted opportunities for gracious and laid-back lake living, and the chance to own a one-of-a-kind home, this house goes above and beyond. “One if by land and two if by sea” was the advisory on how the British would arrive in Concord in 1775. Your visitors will have the option of arriving by land and by water in 2018, and you can easily roll out the red carpet at both the front and back door. How much better could it get? For additional information on MLS #8397495 offered by Harry Norman, REALTORS® Luxury Lake and Mountain, contact agents Evelyn Heald at 404-372-5698, or John Dinos at 404-314-4575. The office number is 706-212-0228.

September 2018

Live Healthy and Be Well!

“Healthy nutrition is essential!” Stephen Jarrard, MD, FACS

lthough the most active time of the year is drawing to a close, some things are important any time of year, and now is the best time to get started! Healthy nutrition is a key element in taking care yourself in the most basic fashion. Treat yourself well through good living, adequate, proper nutrition, and a good balance of exercise, activity, and rest, and your body will be there for you for a long time. However, if you apply the opposite approach, you may find that your body will fail you in a time of need, or that you will age more quickly and irreversibly. Good nutrition is important to all of us in a situation of disease, illness, or in recovery from an operation. Properly fed and tuned, the immune system will function at a higher state, wounds and incisions will heal properly and more quickly, and your energy level will be up to any task you undertake. If not taken care of, you may find yourself weak and ill more often, wounds will not heal well and unsightly scars may result, and you will not be able to do the activities you have enjoyed in the past. It can even adversely affect your senses, your teeth and gums, your hair, and contribute to a faster onset of joint and disk failure leading to arthritis, osteoporosis, and overall decrease in your activities of daily living and quality of life. Good nutrition and positive practices will improve your overall health and wellness, which is the pro-active approach

of prevention, and also certainly can assist with slowing down the aging process. So, 40 and 50 may be the new 30 and 40… but only if you take care of yourself! Remember when you were younger, you could eat what you wanted and not gain as much weight? If you did, it was easier to lose those pounds. You could go at life hard, burn the candle at both ends, and get away with it. The onset of “middle age” is a shock to many as they begin to realize they no longer have the “physical forgiveness” conferred by youth. Weight is easy to gain, pounds are harder to take off, and activities we once found stimulating are now tiring, and we pay for them with soreness, stiffness, and fatigue. Many use this as an excuse to slow down and become less active, which is not the right answer. Exercise with wisdom, but stay active. Some solid nutritional advice for all is to realize the best way to stay healthy is to eat healthy and smarter! Don’t live to eat, but instead, eat healthy to live healthy. And, don’t make the mistake of thinking if you have more fat or weight than you should, that you are in a state of good nutrition. We see people all the time that may be overweight on the scales, or even obese, but their actual markers of good nutrition (such as the amount of albumin, an important serum protein) are alarmingly low. This means that while they may carry a lot of fat around, their body is deficient of protein, and probably other vitamins and minerals and substances that are essential for good overall health and wellness. Proteins are the all-

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“flushing” side effect. It is also used to treat inflammatory conditions, especially of the skin variety.

important “building blocks” used by the liver to make the things you need to be strong, heal wounds, keep joints healthy, senses and thinking sharp, and accomplish great things, such as enjoying children and grandchildren.

One of the best supplements, also non-prescription, is Omega-3 fatty acid. This is very beneficial to nutrition, health, and overall wellness. Not only do they seem to naturally reduce cholesterol, but they have also been implicated in the improvement of bone and joint health, reduction of high blood pressure, boosting immunity, wound healing, and good for your heart and blood vessel systems. It also has an anti-oxidant effect to reduce inflammation and slow aging. Most folks refer to these fatty acids as “fish oil” (due to the original source). But, they can also come from plant derivatives such as Flaxseed and other sources.

Good basic recommendations for nutrition include a low carbohydrate, high fiber, high protein diet with plenty of exercise/activity, fresh air and good hydration (coffee, cokes, and alcoholic beverages don’t count – tend to dehydrate). I would also recommend a fiber supplement on a daily basis. This is not just for bowel regularity, but high fiber diets are also known to be a natural way to keep down “bad” cholesterol, as it is bound by the fiber and passed out.

Finally, Calcium with some Vitamin D3 will ward off or slow the development of osteoporosis and bone loss later in life. Start now, in your 30’s or early 40’s, and you can help this situation through prevention instead of reacting to the loss later in life. Whatever you do, do something and be active every day. Get a good routine going and stick with it. Find a partner or join a group to be active and check on each other often. Having an accountability partner for activities, workouts, eating healthy, or just overall wellness is always a plus as it is often easier to “cheat” ourselves.

Take a good Multi-Vitamin every day to ensure you get the essentials and trace elements. Some people take some supplements that are non-prescription, and there is some evidence that some of these are helpful to you overall. Anti-oxidants like Turmeric and Curcumin can help reduce inflammation in your body. Magnesium is also an antioxidant and may help with blood pressure management, as well as joint health. There is also good evidence that some of the B complex vitamins, such as Niacinamide (B3) can be good to manage cholesterol and does not seem to have the

We really do enjoy hearing from you with any questions, concerns, or ideas for future columns and/or health and wellness related issues for the Georgia Mountain Laurel. Please send an email to rabundoctor@gmail.com, or call us at 706-782-3572, and we will be sure to consider your input. This and previous articles can be found on the web at www.rabundoctor.com in an archived format. If you use Twitter, then follow us for health tips and wellness advice @rabundoctor, and on Facebook see the page rabundoctor. Until next month, live healthy and be well!

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September 2018

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September 2018

Learning to Take Charge of Your Health by Eva Herr

t’s been almost five years since I had a massive heart attack and was forced to make the decision to use either conventional medicine or functional/nutritional medicine. If I died, so be it. My heart attack was a bad one. If it weren’t for Dr. Bart Flick by chance catching it and Mountain Lakes Medical Center’s ER personnel, I would be dead. At the time, it didn’t even seem like it was a heart attack. It felt more like I was getting the flu; achy all over. It happened as I was standing in Dr. Flick’s office, waiting to talk to his nurse about getting a “Myers’ Cocktail” IV, an intravenous vitamin-and-mineral formula consisting of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins, and vitamin C, which has been found to be effective against acute asthma attacks, migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, acute muscle spasm, upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, seasonal allergic rhinitis, cardiovascular disease, and other disorders. Dr. Flick walked by and said, “Hey Eva, how are you?” I responded “You know Bart, I don’t feel well today.” He said, “Let me see your hand.” He felt my pulse and said, “Get in the car – you are having a heart attack.” Upon my release from the hospital I decided I did not want pharmaceuticals or conventional/allopathic medicine unless it was absolutely necessary. My intent was to avoid the cascade of side effects they caused. Part of what makes me who I am is my work history. I’m a retired medical malpractice paralegal and have spent the last fifteen years hosting a radio show, and writing a book, CONSCIOUSNESS, Bridging the Gap of Conventional Science and the Science of Quantum Mechanics, wherein I interviewed critical thinkers at the top of their respective fields regarding new science and cutting edge medicine. As far back as the early 2000’s many of these scientists had made available to me tests that were not yet widely recognized in mainstream medicine. The results from each of the many tests I had taken all pointed toward inflammation, but I didn’t listen. My homocysteine and my B12 I had been taking orally were both very high, but that was because I was methyl trapping. In other words, oral B12 was getting trapped because the methylation system was not working optimally, so my body wasn’t getting to use it. If a person has a methylation issue because of the gene snp MTHFR (Methyltetrahydrafolatereductase), then B12 and other B vitamins can get trapped in a vicious cycle of non-use.

My folate results were also high because I had been taking folic acid. Folic acid is synthetic and can get trapped in the same vicious cycle. It too caused my homocysteine to elevate contributing to inflammation that eventualy led to a blood clot. It turns out I was also deficient in vitamins D3 and K2. These two supplements combined work together to remove calcium from your arteries and into your teeth and bones where it belongs. Together, they also work in stabilizing the membrane of platelets, so that clotting will be healthy and normal. My doctor prescribed injectable methyl B12, I took folinic acid (a form of folate) and good quality B Vitamins. It worked best for me to take B12, folinic, and B Vitamins separately because I could titrate my dosage to what worked best for my body. Methyl B12 and an active folate will cause the methylation cycle to move and toxins to be released, so it’s best to use small dosages when starting these two nutrients. I also started taking several forms of magnesi: magnesium oxide, threonine, malate, carbonate, glycerin, and butyrate. Different forms of magnesium do different things in the body. I finally settled on a product called “Magnesium Calm” (magnesium citrate). After a year of consistant use of this product three times per day, I no longer have back pain and I can wear high heels again without suffering painful feet! What I used to call fatigue I now know to be chronic pain due to inflammation. I got a detailed lipids test that analyzed the various lipids. By doing this I knew which fatty acid I needed to target. Omega3, Omega6, Omega9, Omega10 were my choices. As it turned out, I needed Omega 3 so I used calamarine oil and Phosphytidalcholine (PC) in large doses. The Omega 3s thinned my blood, stabilized the integrity of cell membranes, and the D3 and K2 pushed the calcium from my arteries into my bones and teeth. I did not need to take the multitude of pharmaceuticals. While slightly elevated histamine levels can lead to strong motivation, attention to detail, or good organizational abilities, these tendencies are amplified with elevated histamine levels and can present as obsessive compulsive behavior, perfectionism, over-competitiveness, and other behavioral problems such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, seasonal depression (SAD), allergies, and oppositional defiance, among other things. Redness in the face and neck and shaky tremors are strong indicators of high homocysteine. If your handwriting has turned to handscratching, you likely have inflammation going

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on. The redness is inflammation and inflammation is the basis of all illness. It is not ok to be red in the face.

and/or mood changes are indicatory of methylation problems, and I had recently experienced bouts of hiccups and sneezing.

An adult who is an under-methylator, may accomplish high levels of success, but may also be an over-achiever who struggles with, or has addictive traits such as gambling, chainsmoking, or other compulsive behaviors. Children may be self-motivated and goal-oriented, but may have problems with authority, socializing with peers, or develop an obsession for certain activities.

I bought only the things on the outside edges. I chose nutrient dense organic fruits and vegetables consisting of apples, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries (all of the other fruits contained too much sugar and caused my joints to swell and hurt, autoimmune issues to flare, and my inflammatory numbers would go up.) I chose pastured eggs (cage free does not give the same nutritional value), onions, black beans, cauliflower, dark leafy greens, (iceberg lettuce doesn’t make the cut), broccoli, garlic, beets, sweet potatoes, limited amounts of pastured beef, free range chicken, and only wild deep water fish from cold, arctic waters (farm raised does not have the same nutritional value because they are grain fed, and grain is inflammatory). Multiple avocados are a daily staple now because good fats are absolutely essential to health. I intentionally did not include corn/wheat as they are grains. Quinoa and black wild rice are great substitutes for pasta and white rice.

Genes are like a light switch “on” or “off”. There is no rheostat, and there are only two things that can flip genes: trauma (including in utero) and what goes into your mouth and body. I had spent tens of hours interviewing healthcare providers like holistic cardiologist Stephen Sinatra, MD; genetics and methylation expert Amy Yasko, PhD, NHD, AMD, HHP, FAAIM; Patricia Kane, PhD, lipid experts VAP Diagnostics, and Ralph Holsworth, DO learning about their respective fields of expertise. Now that I can look back, if I had listened back then, I probably would never have had that heart attack. The things I did after the heart attack, and still do, are the same things they told me to do over a decade ago. I thought long and hard about which path of medicine to take. I knew that I did not want to live some long extended, poor quality life with constant trips to medical appointments. If I were to live, I wanted to really live, which meant I needed to be better than I was before. It meant learning and paying attention to subtle symptoms that present at any given moment, and it meant changing the way I live my life and the food I put into my mouth. Enjoying a high quality of life is a way of life and not the other way around. I thought I ate well, but what I thought and what really is are two different things. Our bodies are binary. A food substance is either optimal for use by the body or it is not. Food for medicine must be a way of life.

I used organic everything. Fresh over frozen over canned. I used only grass fed butter and olive oil on foods and organic, unprocessed coconut oil for cooking and never cooked over medium heat. Excessive heat will cause the oils to go rancid taking away the benefit of the oil. If I absolutely had to have a piece of bread I allowed myself one slice per day of gluten free brown rice in the freezer by Three Bakers. It tastes good, unlike some gluten free breads. I was literally afraid for my life to put bad food into my mouth since food was my medicine.

The things I did after the heart attack, and still do, are the same things they told me to do over a decade ago.

Coming home and having to do all the thinking about what to do was exceptionally difficult. Physically and emotionally exhausted, I went through my cabinets and threw away everything that was processed. Everything. No more grains – ZERO - because grains are inflammatory. Everything white, including flour, pasta, dried beans, and peas. I remember my first post-heart attack visit to Ingles, the store manager walked past and said, “Finding everything you need?” and I broke into tears. The grocery store at the time had limited organic and gluten free products and I was distraught trying to figure out what to buy. Organic was important to me since I knew my body was full of toxins due to methylation issues. A sudden onset of symptoms such as sneezing, hiccups, allergies gmlaurel.com

I pulled out the genetic and nutritional testing reports from the research that Dr. Amy Yasko, PhD, ND did with me over a decade ago, and grimaced because I realized that had I taken her nutritional recommendations back when I first interviewed her, I probably would not have had a heart attack or suffered the severe depression that has plagued my life. With the help of Dr. Yasko and friend Mark Neveu, PhD, I learned about my genetics, my methylation cycle and that I had three particularly concerning gene snips known as +/+ MTHFR C677T, +/+ COMT and +/+ VDR (+/+ meaning one gene from both parents and +/meaning one gene from one of my parents) which could make it hard for my body to methylate properly. The methylation cycle largely controls cell growth and repair and the body’s ability to remove toxins, bacteria, and viruses. If you have ever heard someone say, “My family has the depression, suicide, alcoholism, or drug addiction gene...” improper methylation is likely the real culprit. Proper methylation is critical because it plays a role in almost every dis-ease… autism, spectrum disorders, autoimmune disease, thyroid problems, anemia, leukemia, constipation, heart attacks, strokes, embolisms, depression, suicide, certain types

September 2018

of cancer, such as uterine, cervical, mouth, neck, certain breast cancers, kidney disease, non-alcoholic liver disease, Down’s Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s. It can be responsible for low back pain, migraines, tremors, Morton’s Neuromas, foot pain, shoulder pain, rotten teeth, ear infections, reflux, conception problems, eclampsia, neuralgias, eczema, hernias, warts, herpes lesions, gum disease, and root canals among other things. All of these problems have two things in common: improper methylation and nutritional needs. It is possible to learn to recognize early symptoms indicating these diseases by learning to pay attention to subtle symptoms. It is also possible to reverse the seriousness of some of these diseases by providing your body with the nutrition it requires to function properly. This however is not necessarily an easy task because many healthcare providers do not even know what methylation is, much less what to do about it, thus the importance of learning necessary research skills so you can intelligently work with your doctor to take charge of your own health.

Read supplement bottles and do your homework about the forms of nutrients that you are taking. Nutrients come in many forms and not all forms are optimal for the body: different forms do different things. Magnesium for example: Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Oxide, Citrate, Orotate, Sulfate, Carbonate, Glycinate, Malate & Taurate, Chlorid, Sulfate, Arginate, Lysinate, Ascorbate, Magnesium ZMK, Fumarate, Succinate, Gluconate, Carbonate, Magnesium L- Magnesium 2-AEP Magnesium Peroxide, Magnesium Phos 6X, Magnesium Yeast Chelate, Magnesium Aspartate, and Pidolate. They all do different things and not all of them are optimal for the body. Learning how to decipher which nutrient targets what thing in your body is essential and learning to perform your own research is the only way to truly get a grasp on what you might need. Prescription medications deplete nutrients. Holistic pharmacist Suzy Cohen wrote a great book called Drug Muggers that can help you figure out if your medications are robbing your nutrients. If they are, you need to supplement those nutrients.

Eat to Live, Not Live to Eat!

Having one copy of an MTHFR gene can slow enzyme actions for particular body functions by 30% to 40%, and having two copies can reduce enzyme actions by up to 70%! What that means is that the liver’s ability to detoxify and eliminate toxins and waste is inhibited up to 70%. Many researchers believe that that over 70% of the population has at least one copy of an MTHFR mutation which means that 70% of the population has potential methylation problems. I learned from my personal lab results that I had an urgent, critical need for methylated B12 (not cyancobalamin, a molecule of cobalamin attached to a molecule of cyanide) and folinic acid (not synthetic folic acid). Many healthcare providers who are just learning about methylation prescribe folic acid, a synthetic form of folate, or the active form of folate in the form of L5MTHF. I learned through my research that the active form of folate in certain people can cause cell proliferation. Since I knew that I had endometriosis and adenomyeosis (a non-malignant type of uterine cancer) when I was younger and that my father had mouth/neck cancer, I decided to use folinic acid since some of the scientists had told me it doesn’t share the same risk of cell proliferation as active folate. People with methylation problems should beware of synthetic products and nutrients because of potential problems with detoxification and elimination capabilities. If your body can’t detoxify and eliminate waste products such as toxins and by-products from beauty/laundry products/food containers and synthetic foods/nutrients, viruses and bacteria have nowhere to go but inside your brain, heart, arteries, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and other organs causing gradual degradation of function.

Learn how to use routine lab testing (insurance even covers many) to early detect, prevent, and manage health problems… it’s all in the numbers! Learning how to research what lab values mean and understanding what too much or too little of any lab value might indicate is critical to early detection and prevention. Do your homework about what nutrients to use to target specific lab values. If my lab value was hypo or hyper (too much or too little, even by a little bit) my goal was to get that number back into midrange using nutrition, supplements, and meditation. This is important to get control of, as the tendency is for the value to continue sliding in the direction it was going causing symptoms to worsen. I would start by researching “lab value” and the words “nutritional deficiency” and then go wherever that took me. Remember, Eat to Live, Not Live to Eat! Eva Herr www.evaherr.com is an anti-aging consultant and journalist focusing on new science for body and mind. She is the author of an international best-selling book, CONSCIOUSNESS – Bridging the Gap Between Conventional Science and the New Science of Quantum Mechanics. She became a popular talk show hostess on BBS Radio’s Infinite Consciousness, which gave her the opportunity to engage the minds of today’s top thinkers in the fields of science and medicine. *** Eva Herr is not a physician; she is a health/science journalist. She writes for information purposes only. Work with your healthcare provider before implementing any changes to your diet and/or medications.

September 2018

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September 2018

The Porch

Where Memories are Made by Tracy McCoy

ront porches are as American as apple pie, and the history of the American front porch is in some ways the history of the American people, as well.

The front porch is almost unique to America — spanning the front of countless homes in every city. Porches can be wide or narrow, one story or two, cover half the front façade or wrap around three, or even four, sides. Italians enjoy piazzas, the French spend time in sidewalk cafes, and around the Mediterranean many homes surround courtyards providing spaces for outdoor activities in good weather. Porches in the southern United States? Well, they often get more use than the living room. My grandfather sat on the porch most days. He was old for as long as I can remember and his perch on the porch gave him the perfect place to direct the activities around the house. My grandparent’s porch was covered offering much needed shade during the hot Georgia summers and it spanned the length of the house, which was accommodating to our large family. The swing hung at the far end with ample room for swinging high when no one was looking. The edges of the porch had no sides or pickets, just posts for leaning. The edges also usually had legs and bare feet dangling. It was the ideal place for apple peeling, bean breaking, visiting, and an occasional nap. The furnishings were a mismatched plethora of wooden rockers, gliders, and metal outdoor furniture...and that swing. The photo I am including shows me (around 2 years of age) with my mom swinging. I was sitting on that same swing when the news of Elvis Presley’s death came across the AM Radio in the kitchen. It was a sad day on this Speed porch. At my Michigan home, we had a porch and when I was 8 or 9 years old, it was my stage. With a towel wrapped around my hair to create the Crystal Gayle effect, I would swing it from side to side singing into a ball point pen “Don’t it make my brown eyes blue”. We didn’t sit on our front porch like we did at my Granny and Papa’s because life was busier, it seemed. That problem still exists today, which is why recently I invested some time into cleaning off my own front porch and decorating it with plants (I seem to be killing them off one by one) and signs, replicas of days gone by or special mementos. I have a swing at the far end and it has become a place to reflect and enjoy family. The hummingbirds love to visit for the sweet nectar in my feeders. Other birds gather and sing to me in the early morning. It is one of the best things I have done recently. Historically, the heyday of the front porch lasted from the early 1880s to the middle 1920s. The porch became the comfortable spot for a summer evening where the whole family could relax after dinner. Neighbors taking an evening stroll could engage in conversation or be invited up. In rural America where homes were a mile or more apart on dirt roads, porches were a resting place as well. Furniture on the porch could be leftover straight chairs from inside, or families might purchase furniture. Rocking chairs proved to be especially popular for whiling away summer evenings. But the ultimate accessory truly was the porch swing, suspended on chains at one end of the porch, the perfect place to rock a child to sleep or to get to know a high school sweetheart. 86

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The porch has regained popularity today as a gathering place for family and friends whenever the weather allows. I often work from the porch. There’s just something about a cool breeze, a glass of iced tea, and listening to the birds that makes work easier to do. I asked our friends on social media about their porch memories and photos and some were inclined to share. I’d like to share these with you: “Porch sitting was a way of life for our family. I’ve sent photos, the first is of Janie P.’s girls in matching dresses, taken around 1958. The second is a ‘re-enactment’ of the original (alas, no matching dresses) taken almost fifty years later.” Dawne Bryan “I always loved sitting on Big Nanny’s porch and listening to the many stories and just reminiscing on the olden days! I miss her everyday.” Abbie Crosby “My porch memories harken back to my granny’s porch in Mississippi. We spent a lot of time there watching the passers by on the gravel road in front of her house. I can still remember the smell of fresh peas cooking on the stove inside...the scent of them drifting out the front door through the screen.” Elaine English “I remember sitting on grandma’s porch in Long Island hearing all the sirens. Always sirens day and night it seemed. Of course being about 5 coming from the quietness of North Georgia it was a change. But it was a good memory because I was at grandma’s.” Ginger Turpin “Porch memories at my Aunt Myrtle’s watching her spit seemed like 1/2 mile. She dipped snuff and man could she spit really far while swinging. She’d mix cocoa and sugar and we’d pretend to dip and what a mess we’d make but it was fun. Never did learn how to spit like her.” Dianne Stowe “We sat on the side porch at Granmaw’s house in Black Jack, North Carolina. If somebody rode by that she didn’t know, she was on the phone calling Sudie Mae to see if it was her grandson. Grandaddy and I would pick ticks off the dogs and I stomped them on the steps. One evening while we watched the dogs fight over food scraps grandaddy said, ‘When they named a dog a dog they named him right, because he sure is doggish isn’t he?’ I had to agree.” Chris Adams “My best porch memories were at my grandparents’ house (Dad & Maw’s). That’s what all the Grands called them. Maw always wore cotton dresses with an apron and brown cotton stockings and Dad always wore overalls and long sleeved gray shirts. There were bumble bees always boring holes in the wood and flying around but never stinging. Dad always had a feist dog named Bob laying on the porch. Most of the time the grownups sat on the porch while the kids played in the yard. All my cousins who lived within walking distance of Maw and Dads would meet there to start of day of exploring, only to come back for lunch, and back out again. So many memories and so truly blessed.” Sally Bray “This was THE porch... at my grandmother’s big house near Hendersonville, NC. Almost every weekend we made the 2 hour trip to spend time there. Great memories!” Kevin Croom (Photo of his parents Clayton & Vanita Croom, courting) “LOVE LOVE LOVE this, porches are my favorite room of the house!” Alana Turk “The screened porch at my house is my oasis. It is where I entertain friends and family or just sit and relax. I often write my column for Georgia Mountain Laurel magazine on the porch or take adventures in my mind with short stories at my laptop. It doesn’t matter the season or weather, I love my screened porch gmlaurel.com

September 2018

other end in a smaller straight back slat chair. Those old timey straight back slat chairs came from my Grandpa’s parents’ (John Burrell and Nellie Key Wall) front porch. Some of my best childhood memories are from Grandpa & Grandma’s front porch!” Michael Stratton “My Ma and Pa Speed’s porch is where the majority of 11 siblings gathered EVERY weekend, and we grandkids ran in the yard, caught lightening bugs, fought crawfish against each other, fished, hung upside down in trees, and us cousins of all ages sat and listened to the adults tell tall tales of their childhood and days gone by. Watched in amazement as Uncle Bill popped out his false teeth! When folks blew the horn going up and down Warwoman road and everyone on the porch and yard waved, because we ‘knew’ them. I had no idea how badly I missed this until I took this time to put it into words. Habits are still there....the old home place has long since disappeared, but a lifetime of looking for them and honking and waving as you went by is still a second thought I have as I pass.” Monesa Burrell and the memories I have made there.” Kendall Rumsey “My favorite porch was my grandmother, Mama Daisy’s porch on Betty’s Creek. Every Sunday! Some of my favorite memories! After she passed, I’d go sit with a cup of coffee on her porch reminisce and talk to her.” Rachel Justice

“I can remember so many good memories sitting on my Grandpa and Grandma’s (James Earl and Edna Lyons Wall) porch during the Summer. They lived on 76 West and there was a time you knew everyone going down the road. People would wave and sometimes honk. I loved when Grandpa’s family (Betty Keener, Aunt Annie Mae Henry, Uncle JB Wall, and Suzie Hamilton) would stop in for a visit. We would laugh, talk, and get caught up on the ‘news’. We would snap beans in August/September. Grandma would sit on one end of the porch in a straight back slat chair and Grandpa on the

“From the porch there was a strong smell of honeysuckle, all of Ma’s flowers hanging on the porch, and a watermelon staying cold in the creek ‘til we were ready for it.” Michelle Speed

We would love to hear your favorite porch memories. We encourage you to make your own!! Be that parent or grandparent and let your porch be a special remembrance for your family. We’d love to hear from you, you can send an e-mail to me at tracy@gmlaurel.com.

September 2018

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Mark Your Calendar! Hickory Knoll United Methodist Church will host their first Arts & Crafts fair on September 28th & 29th from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm. The event will include vendors, food, and fun. The Church is located at 86 East Hickory Knoll Road in Franklin, North Carolina. For information visit facebook.com/hickoryknollumc or www.hickoryknollumc.org

Franklin, North Carolina

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September 2018

The Cafe A Rich History of Family & Friends by Sadie Martin

he Clayton Cafe first opened June 25, 1929; ever since then the Cafe has been a pillar of our community. When people see the big blue sign in the middle of Main Street, they are reminded of the friends they call family; and the best fried chicken they’ve ever had. The Cafe has constantly shifted over the years. From being called the Cagle Cafe, to the Bleckley Restaurant and Bus Station, and now Bonnie’s Clayton Cafe. Even though the name has changed, there are a few things that have stayed the same.

think women gossip, those men would gossip worse than any woman.” One day when all of those men were sitting at their table, Tina recalled a stranger coming into town. He looked

The Clayton Cafe menu has something for everyone, from soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and paninis; but the main attraction has always been their fried chicken. Sandy Lee, to this day, still has people calling him up for their fried chicken recipe. One man from Louisiana told him that it was the best piece of chicken he had ever put in his mouth. The fried chicken has always been the number one seller in the Clayton Cafe. Don’t take their word for it, ask any local patron in Clayton. Even though the food is great that is not what draws people to the Cafe. It is the traditions and the people. One thing that has always been a favorite is the “Community Table” or the “The Liars Table.” This table is usually filled with a group of men chatting about the affairs going on around town or just planning their days. Former owner Mrs. Tina Lee said, “You 90

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real rough, and carried in with him a duffle bag. Tina’s niece had just started working in the cafe, and she came to Tina real nervous about this man. He had eaten every bit of food on his plate, and refused to pay for it; claiming that it wasn’t cooked right. As a response, Tina took her wooden paddle from off the wall and brought up to the man. She gave him two seconds to get out of her cafe. When he didn’t move, every man from that Liars Table got up out of their seats to go stand behind her. He ran as fast as he could after that. Every man at that table had Tina’s back, no questions asked. This table has brought on so many happy, funny stories. Now the new owner, Bonnie expects many more to come. She calls the community table at her cafe the, “meet new friends table.” Caroline Holt was a waitress who worked at the cafe for many years. She was so short that she couldn’t see over the door from the kitchen to the cafe. One day she opened it so fast that she slammed the door into the back of Steve Duvall, sending him flying onto a table top. He told her that if she would cut out that tongue of hers, and glue it to the bottom of her feet then she would be able to see over the door. She laughed at his barb and told him that if he would shave of the hair on his legs and turn it into a wig, he could cover his bald head. People can feel at home when they are surrounded by people

who feel like family. The Clayton Cafe is always full of those kind of people. The Cafe doesn’t just feel like home to the locals, it even became a home for Walt Disney! During the filming of the two movies, “The Great Locomotive Chase,” and “The Yearling,” he would visit the Cafe. He and his actors became close friends with the Cagles, who owned the cafe at the time. Patsy Cagle remembers when the handsome actor, Jeffrey Hunter would come in. She would immediately call one of her best friends, Mary Story on the phone. Mary would run across the street so they could possibly get a chance to see or talk to the famous actor. Walt was in the Cafe so much he actually gave Patsy and her friend Judy Stovall tickets to go to Hollywood and visit all the Disney theme parks.

The Cafe is a place of memories and traditions. For over 56 years Mama Gragg aka Charlie Gragg and Jerry have celebrated their wedding anniversary at the Cafe. They had their first date with a meal of none other than the Fried Chicken, green beans, and mash potatoes. They can even tell you where they were sitting that wonderful day. The waitresses have changed and the decor has changed but their love for each other and the Clayton Cafe has stayed strong. The Cafe has always been very active in the community, you would hardly ever walk into the Clayton Cafe that they didn’t have a jug on the countertop collecting money for a cause. Regardless of who has been the owner the Cafe it has been always willing to help provide food for anyone who walked through their doors. The Lees have even had people come in looking for food in return for work. Once they had a young pregnant couple come in willing to sweep up and clean at the end of the day just for a meal, this just about broke Tina’s heart. She feed them anything they wanted off the menu and called a few of her friends to help them out. Today, when you go into the Clayton Cafe, paintings from local artist are being sold and a portion of the profits go to charity.

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September 2018

The Cafe and the town of Clayton is a place of community. It is a place that you help your neighbor and people will help you no matter what the circumstances. Caren Collins had a store a couple stores down from the cafe. One early morning, Caren found a rat in her toilet. Immediately, she went down to the Cafe to ask Sandy Lee for some help. He grabbed his 38 caliber pistols and followed Caren back to her shop. He cocked his gun, aimed it right at that rat, and pulled the trigger. He didn’t just kill that rat, but scattered his remains all over walls and broken toilet bowl. He had to replace Caren’s toilet bowl, but at least the rat was gone. After this funny story had been told, Martha Vinson wrote a poem about the incident, “Toilet Trama - I went into my bathroom One unsuspecting day: And sat upon my toilet In my usual sort of way. Then out of the corner

of my eye, I could barely see Two little eyes Staring out at me. I jumped with fright And suddenly turned my head; But when I looked back at the corner, I saw darkness instead. I hurried out of my bathroom, Thinking “What could this creature be?” This “thing” that shares my facilities Then disappears so easily. This stirred my curiosity But I decided not to dwell. No one would believe me anyway, So it was just as well. But the mystery was soon over The very next day. I went back into the bathroom As if everything was O.K. Luckily, I looked at the toilet, Before I finally sat: Because swimming in the water Was a great big ugly RAT! I let out a scream of disgust And then ran to the cafe’

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next door, To get a friend to help me; Little did I know what was in store. He grabbed his new gun That he’d been dying to try out. “No, it’ll break my toilet!” I began to cry out. “No it won’t, It’s full of rat-shot.” He assured me at last. And then the next thing I could hear, Was a great big awful blast! Gross! Now the rat was on the wall, And on the floor--- And water was going everywhere, for my toilet was no more!!! “I can’t believe it! I’m so sorry!” My friend began to say. “I promise I will fix it For you right away.” “The problem,” I said “Will be telling my husband This whole unbelievable tale. I know he’s going to cuss, And scream and wale.” This little story is really true. I write as a warning to all. Don’t shoot a rat in your toilet, Unless you want to clean it off the wall. My bathroom is clean again And my toilet he did replace. But I’ll still look before I sit. You know---JUST IN CASE!!!” I believe this poem tells the story of this community crisis just perfectly. Although shooting the rat wasn’t exactly helpful, it made for a great poem! This year the Clayton Cafe has had a major face lift. New owner, Bonnie Edmonds, wanted something fun and cheerful! With the help of interior designer Rabun Martin she has created an industrial farmhouse look for the Cafe. Bonnie herself is not a local and describes herself as a yankee, but she married a local and made Rabun County her home. In the 1980’s Bonnie worked at the Cafe as a waitress for Linda Plakstis. She said it was so fun and she just loved it and has always wanted to own one herself. She looked for a spot to start her business for a long time until the Clayton Cafe was put on the market.

Instantly, she knew that she was meant to own the Clayton Cafe, and so far she has done an amazing job. The Cafe has a bright and happy vibe, even though it looks completely different, the same sign still stands above main street. Tina Lee said that the three things that have never changed about the Clayton Cafe are the sign, the mouthwatering food, and the wonderful people; and we are glad to see that Bonnie is keeping these customs alive.

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September 2018