The Laurel of Northeast Georgia

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WELCOME

Georgia Mountain Laurel September 2021 • Volume Eighteen • Issue Nine

September, a welcome reprieve from August’s sweltering heat, glad you’ve arrived. September is the gateway to autumn, one of my favorite times of the year. I won’t start talking about pumpkin spice and fall displays just yet, although you can expect it next month. This issue celebrates Foxfire and Appalachian history. Having been a Foxfire student, it is near and dear to my heart. The mountain land that houses the museum and cabins, the chapel and centuries of history is a must see when living or visiting our area. The more than five decades of books and magazines filled with interviews from those native to the area offers an in-depth look at our rich history. The means and ways that they lived and remained sustainable are amazing and the concept being student driven is astounding. We hope you’ll enjoy the stories they have shared here.

No matter the reason you picked up your Laurel this month, we thank you. Perhaps you love the wonderful photography, maybe you can’t wait to try the recipes, or you just love it from cover to cover, we love sharing the mountains with you. In these crazy times we are living, we hope that the Laurel brings joy into your day. Stay safe and take care of yourselves because you are loved.

Please shop local and support our advertisers.

Thank you, Tracy

Georgia Mountain Laurel Mailing: PO Box 2218, Clayton, Georgia 30525 Office: 2511 Highway 441, Mountain City, Georgia 30562 706-782-1600 • www.gmlaurel.com Contributing Writers: Emory Jones; Jan Timms; Lorie Thompson; Dick Cinquina; Dr. Jaime Speed, DVM; Amanda Howard Pileski, PhD; Dolores Crane; Caleb Smith; Michael Detrick; Madison Perdue; Penelope Hilson; Dani Prince; Kami Ahrens

STAFF Publisher/Editor - Marketing - Tracy McCoy Art Director - Dianne VanderHorst Graphics - Lucas McCoy Marketing & Office Manager - Cindi Freeman Assistant Office Manager - D’Anna Coleman Writer - John Shivers Photographer/Writer - Peter McIntosh

Copyright 2021 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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Arts & Entertainment 14 20 26 32

The Foxfire Museum: A Living Landscape Aunt Arie: A Foxfire Portrait Preserving Tradition Through the Years How Tradition Finds a New Generation

Looking Back 36

Rabun County Historical Society – Remembering the Tallulah Falls Railroad

Outdoorsy 40

Adventure Out

44

Southern Cuisine 44 48 50

Bon Appétit The Family Table RM Rose Distillery – Bringing the Past Into the Present

Faith in Christ 54 56 58

Rabun For the Gospel – Backpacks and Boulders River Garden Life is a Blessing – This Woman of God

Just Thinking 60 62

By The Way My Friend, Tina

Around Town 64 64 66 68

54

Gallery 441 Green Acres Antiques and Marketplace LaBella’s Aesthetics and IV Spa Ride or Give to Support Homeless Vets

Live Healthy and Be Well 70 76

78

It’s Allergy Season Again Mental Health – Thrive in the Midst of Change and Anxiety Pet Health - The Aging Pet

Laurel Homes 82 87

Oasis Mountain – Modern Living in the Mountains This Home Offers a Window on the Rabun World

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The Bell Grist Mill was the first building moved to Foxfire in 1973

The Foxfire Museum: A Living Landscape

By Kami Ahrens

Nestled on the side of Black Rock Mountain, the Foxfire Museum encompasses over 100 acres, eight of which have been developed into a campus of historic buildings representing Appalachian culture and traditions. Unlike most museums organized by historical societies or other professional groups, the Foxfire Museum was an outgrowth of local high schoolers’ work in their community. As Foxfire students continued to interview people for the magazine and book series, they began to collect objects and artifacts from those visits. The astounding success of the first Foxfire book provided the students with enough funding to purchase the property in Mountain City. As with all things Foxfire, the students made the choice to convert this old orchard into a heritage center for future students and their community. In need of spaces to house their artifacts and classes, the students decided to save historic structures and rebuild them on site at the museum.

The first building purchased and reconstructed at Foxfire was the Bell Grist Mill, which originally sat near Aunt Arie Carpenter’s home in Macon County, North Carolina. Built in the late 1920s, this complete mill is the most iconic structure at Foxfire. Shortly after its relocation in 1974, the students hired community members to help fulfill their dreams of relocating, rebuilding, and renovating log buildings in the region. Within just a few short years, the students and their adult supervisors moved over 20 buildings to the property. These were used as classroom spaces,

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Broom maker Carole Morse demonstrates her craft at Foxfire

Fiber artist Kelly Coldren demonstrates inkle loom weaving

New museum exhibit on woodworking

teacher housing, magazine offices, archives, and exhibits, exclusively by Foxfire students and staff until the early 2000s, when the museum formally opened to the public.

Today, the museum is an engaging and interactive space for all who visit.

On any day of the week, visitors can take a self-guided tour, following a half-mile walking path and exploring the buildings with the aid of a (free!) mobile app. The tour leads visitors through an 1820s homestead, exhibits on special crafts like woodworking or pottery, and a moving exhibit on the Cherokee removal. Several cabins are used by local artisans as studio spaces where they can demonstrate and sell their crafts, including blacksmithing, broom making, and weaving. Additional demonstrators stop by from time to time, such as a local panjo maker and a flintknapper.

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Historic barn and grist mill at Foxfire

The museum also continues its educational mission through special programming for K-12 students and an immersive summer leadership program for Rabun County high schoolers.

In addition to guided tours of the museum, Foxfire offers a diversity of online activities and experiences for students both

Visitors walking the Foxfire trail

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near and far, including videos, lesson plans, and virtual tours.

The Foxfire Museum has so much to offer, but never strays from its core mission of supporting its community and celebrating the rich history and heritage of Southern Appalachia.

Young visitors to Foxfire learn about blacksmithing at the museum forge

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9

THE ARTS

Adapted from Aunt Arie: A Foxfire Portrait

By Kami Ahrens

“I hope every one of you has a safe journey through life. And if y’ever have th’opportunity t’come back in here, remember the door’s open; come pull th’latch string anytime you’uns wants to.”

“Aunt” Arie Carpenter is one of the most beloved Foxfire contacts, by both the students and readers everywhere. She has become a symbol of not just the Foxfire program, but of the local community. Foxfire students interviewed Arie over 20 times, from 1969 until 1975. Born in the 1880s, Arie still lived in a self-sufficient manner, cooking on a wood stove and raising nearly all of her own food. She became a grandmotherlike figure for the Foxfire students and left a lasting impact on all who walked through her door.

She was the kindest old woman, who lived alone up in Macon County, North Carolina.

She welcomed dozens of students into her home. In 1983, a book just on Aunt Arie was published as a companion to the Foxfire anthology. She was born Arie Cabe in December of 1885. She never traveled further than 40 miles from her home in North Carolina. She lived to be 92, despite living alone for the last 12 years of her life. She grew up with a hard working father and sickly mother, whom she spent most of her time caring for, and four brothers. She didn’t marry until she was 38 years old, after her mother had passed. Her husband Ulysses had a child from a previous marriage, but Arie did not have any children of her own. She cared for many sick people in her community and gave nearly everything she owned to those in need. Aunt Arie’s story went on to inspire a Broadway play by Hume Cronyn and Susan Cooper, starring Hume and his wife Jessica Tandy. Jessica Tandy won a Tony award for her portrayal of Arie and she later recreated the role for a Hallmark film, which also featured John Denver.

She first came to the attention of Foxfire through a student, Andrea Burrell, who was friends with a relative of Aunt Arie’s.

This connection developed into a long, close-knit relationship between Arie and the Foxfire kids, a relationship that would leave a greater legacy than anyone could

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“I don’t reckon the devil’ll get me fer laughin’, but if he does, he’ll shore get me ‘cause I’ve always done more’n’my share of th’laughin’ in the world”

A Foxfire student helps Aunt Arie in her garden

Aunt Arie cooking on her woodstove

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THE ARTS

Aunt Arie showing Foxfire students white oak splits

have imagined. The following quotes are from former Foxfire students recalling their experiences visiting with Aunt Arie during the high school program.

Kaye Collins: “[Aunt Arie was] just an amazing lady. My grandmother died when I was about 7 years old, but the moment I met Aunt Arie, it was like I was meeting my grandmother: little lady, apron, hair pulled back, drew water from a well, you know.

Just the sweetest, kindest human being.

So very, very thoughtful of other people.

Meeting people [like Aunt Arie], hearing their stories, hearing about their lives and hardships, somehow empowered me. I realized that no matter where you come from, where you’re going is your choice.

And there’s good and bad choices, and you have to decide which is right for you, and most of the people I met in my Foxfire journeys made the right choices. And that inspired me.”

Aunt Arie and Beulah Perry teaching Foxfire students to weave baskets

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Aunt Arie with visiting students from New York

Jan Brown Bonner: “Her greatest lesson to me was her unashamed love of home. As a teenager it was sometimes difficult for me to acknowledge that I was born and raised in a small country town, naive and unaccustomed to big-city ways. Aunt Arie taught me that that didn’t matter. After the summer I spent interviewing and visiting her, I returned to college with a new attitude about my heritage.”

Karen Cox Taylor: “The entire Foxfire experience changed my outlook on life and Aunt Arie definitely was an influential part of that experience. She was the most beautiful older person I’ve ever met—inside and out. When I think of her, I always see her outside her house greeting us with a big smile and sparkling blue eyes. She was always so excited to see us. And then she’d buzz around the kitchen cooking and talking and laughing, but always saying something meaningful that you’d never forget. What impressed me the most was how she always showed by her actions what was most important in life— love and sharing with others. She was never prejudiced and always accepted everyone. She was a very open-minded person. She made me appreciate the small things in life—the moments of sharing and spending time together.

And that’s something that no one can ever take away. She always made the past part of the present—something to be proud of and to learn from. She was a dynamic person, “one in a million,” someone you’d never forget.”

Randy Starnes: “My first interview for Foxfire was with Aunt Arie Carpenter.

She was just a sweet little mountain lady, not a star—a lot like my own grandmother. She called me Randy Barnes and never did get my name right.

We sat by her fire and talked. I remember thinking how cold it must be in the winter to leave this fire where, even huddled right in front, you could feel cold air on your back while your face got red-hot. I didn’t want to think about running through the snow to the privy. I was raised in Atlanta with central everything, and I’m not sure if up ‘til that time I was aware of any other way of living. Once again, I thought of my grandmother and her family. That day we had a meal of vegetables, chicken, and bread that I helped bake.

The next time I went to her house, we worked around her house while talking, always talking and singing, and after that I went to her house with a crew filming her for a special Foxfire film. In the spring of that year, we worked all day in her garden, chopping at the rocky soil. While we were eating supper

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Aunt Arie’s home today

with Aunt Arie, I told her I was going home at the end of school and how much I would miss her. She said, “Give my love to your people in Atlanta, Randy Barnes.” That was the last time I saw Aunt Arie. Now I see her in every older person I take the time to get to know.”

Aunt Arie’s memory is kept alive by the thousands who have heard and read her story. Her home is still lovingly cared for and preserved by private owners, and many artifacts made or used by her reside at the Foxfire Museum for public viewing. You can read more about Aunt Arie in Aunt Arie: A Foxfire Portrait or listen to recordings of student interviews on the Foxfire podcast “It Still Lives.”

Lakemont, Georgia

Aunt Arie’s home

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9

THE ARTS

Preserving Tradition Through the Years

By Penelope Hilson (Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School) and Dani Prince (Tallulah Falls School)

For many students at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in 1966, learning sentence structure and correct grammar were the last things on their minds. Their new high school English teacher was struggling to motivate his students to engage in the classroom. At that moment in time, English seemed irrelevant when compared to the Space Race and the Vietnam War. The world was in turmoil.

After a few months of trying to deal with unruly, unmotivated, and unhappy pupils, Eliot Wiggington asked them to come up with a class project. The students took a vote and decided to create a magazine featuring Appalachian crafts and traditions. The project was entirely student-led, all the way down to the publication.

The students covered topics such as old-time burials, mountain recipes, and tanning coon hides. On the surface, it was a project that would improve the students’ grammar and writing skills, but it was much more than that; it was something that they could take ownership of and call their own.

In 1967, the very first Foxfire magazine was published. It was instantly popular, leading to the publication of subsequent issues.

Within just a few short years, in 1972, the first Foxfire Book was published. It was an anthology that contained stories featured in previous magazines, as well as new material. The Foxfire Book quickly became a bestseller—about nine million copies were sold within the first decade.

With each book sale, the students received royalties. In 1974, they voted to put the royalty money towards purchasing the land where the Foxfire Museum is located today. The Foxfire students relocated historic log structures to the property and reassembled them in their new location. This parcel of land provided a dedicated space for students to store artifacts and work on the magazine.

Former Foxfire student Jim Enloe shared the story of his time at Foxfire beginning in 1969: “I helped point them [the other

A Foxfire student interviews Margaret Norton on churning butter students] to the people who were interviewed. They were my neighbors up in Dillard: Bill Lamb, Ethel Corn, the Conners.

They were family friends, and I went out on some interviews with them.” Jim also stated that the magazine grew quickly and their first issue sold out. The magazine sales funded the continuation of the program, which led to the publication of more issues. He admitted that he took for granted being a part of Appalachian culture: “I didn’t see it right away. I didn’t engage in that, and I think it was because I was already living this [culture]; it wasn’t quite as important to me. We were still running around trying to gather food. Everything that’s in these books, I was [already] doing it.” Jim continues his involvement with Foxfire by teaching primitive weapons classes to visitors at the museum.

Foxfire student works on magazine layout

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Karen Plaster, who may be recognized in the magazine as Karen Cox, was also deeply involved with Foxfire Magazine. Karen said,

Foxfire student transcribes an interview from a reel-to-reel tape

Foxfire student works on hand-writing a magazine article draft

Foxfire students take a break while reconstructing historic buildings at the museum property

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Preserving Tradition “I loved it. I was in that office all the time. I didn’t want to go to basketball games, I didn’t want to go to any of that, I just wanted to work.” Her most memorable experience with Foxfire was visiting a snake-handling church in Harlan, Kentucky. In this church, the pastor handled venomous snakes like copperheads and rattlesnakes as a display of faith. Foxfire gave her unique opportunities like this to experience something that she would ordinarily have never seen. She remembers that “they were the kindest, nicest, most down to earth people you would ever meet. They were so good to us, and it was an experience I’ll never ever forget.” Karen’s unreal story is only a small sample of the strange yet fascinating interviews that Foxfire students have conducted over the past 55 years.

Later students Teresia Gravely Dunn and Kaye Carver Collins echoed positive stories from their time at Foxfire. Teresia still remembers that, “I loved piecing [the pages] all together because back in my day you typed everything out and cut it up into little strips and literally glued it onto boards. It was like a big puzzle, and you had to put it together right there in front of yourself.” Kaye explained that she used a similar process to create layouts. She used a big white board with little blue squares on it and “a wheel to scale the picture to the size we wanted on the page, so there was a lot of math involved.” Even though the process of publishing the magazine is different today, students continue to work diligently to design the layout, edit the articles, and choose the photos that go in the magazine. Teresia reminded us, “The heart of Foxfire is still the same—it always has been and I think it always will be.”

As the years have passed, the world has changed both for the better and worse. COVID-19 has also created an obstacle for Foxfire students who want to interview people in the community. With restrictions slowly being lifted, high school students this past summer were able to continue the Foxfire tradition to interview community members. Some of the students were able to interview their contacts in person, but others had to be more creative. With the rise of technology, there are now alternative ways to interview people. Emails, phone calls, and Zoom have certainly helped Foxfire students accomplish the task of interviewing contacts both in and out of the state. These technological advancements allow today’s Foxfire students to carry on the tradition of interviewing people in the community.

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Foxfire students Dani and Penelope meet with museum director Barry Stiles to plan an exhibit

Foxfire students watch and record as Harry Brown shows them how to bottom a chair

Dani Prince works on research with fellow students Madi and Colton This past summer, twelve students from across Rabun County participated in the Foxfire Summer Leadership Program. It was designed to immerse students in the rich history of Appalachia. To accomplish this, students were able to select and learn a heritage skill during the program. There were multiple skills to choose from, such as weaving, blacksmithing, spinning, ‘panjo’ making, and woodstove cooking. The students also worked on writing, editing, and taking photos for the summer issue of Foxfire magazine. Lastly, each high schooler had to collaborate with a peer to complete a project of their choice. They chose to create; a podcast of the experience, practice photography, research traditional fishing tactics, build a boat, work on an exhibit at Foxfire, and research herbalism. All of these groups were required to interview one person pertaining to their individual topics. These projects allowed the students to gain more knowledge about Appalachian heritage, while improving their skill sets.

Although Foxfire has undoubtedly changed over the past 55 years, there are many elements of the program that have endured time. The involvement of high schoolers is a large part of what makes Foxfire so unique. The students are able to truly experience the mountains, the rivers, the people, and the trades that signify Appalachia. Foxfire continues to preserve the rich Appalachian culture by photographing, interviewing, and storing the various artifacts that have a story to tell. Foxfire is a bridge, it connects the present with the past, to benefit future generations.

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THE ARTS

How Tradition Finds a New Generation

By Madison Perdue (Tallulah Falls School)

Early this summer, Foxfire welcomed a new group of high school students to the museum campus. The students returned to the property to put together the Spring/ Summer edition of the Foxfire magazine, while also embarking on a new endeavor: SEED projects—Students Experiencing Education Differently. Students teamed up into small groups and were given the opportunity to choose a project according to his or her interests with three goals in mind: each student must conduct interviews with knowledgeable community members or specialists in their fields of interest, create something for the Foxfire Museum, and create a summary of his or her discoveries and findings. These projects will also be the topic of focus for the Fall/ Winter 2021 issue of the Foxfire magazine.

Jayton Henry (RCHS) learning to blacksmith

I have always been interested in starting a podcast of my own, so I was thrilled to learn that Foxfire already had a podcast called “It Still Lives”. I promptly pitched a plan to work as the historian of the group by documenting my peers’ SEED Projects through the podcast, explaining the processes of research, construction, and creation through which they learn. I conducted interviews with my peers, recorded my own findings for each topic, and edited and produced four episodes.

The Foxfire students focused on a wide variety of topics: one group interviewed Foxfire students from the 1960s and 1970s to learn more about the roots of Foxfire; another group explored the rich botanical life of Appalachia and traditional herbalism. The other two groups investigated different aspects of Southern Appalachia’s waterways. Two students took it upon themselves to study boat building and actually construct a boat of their own. The remaining three students researched traditional fishing methods, from fly fishing to Cherokee fishing weirs.

As has always been the case with Foxfire, preserving Appalachian heritage remains at the forefront of the SEED projects. The 2021 Foxfire students designed their projects with tradition in mind. Follow our journey of discovery and creation by listening to our podcast mini series, available on the Foxfire website (www.foxfire. org) and subscribing to the Foxfire magazine.

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Justin Graham (TFHS) learning to cook over an open fire

Foxfire students learn about Cherokee fishing weirs from Rachel Newcomb of Mainspring Conservation Trust

Foxfire students with boat built by two RCHS students

Last Day Group Photo, 2021

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9

LOOKING BACK

from the Rabun County Historical Society

Remembering the Tallulah Falls Railroad Little Teapots, An Engine in the River and Comforts of a Caboose

By Dick Cinquina

By 1959, the Tallulah Falls Railroad was nearing the end of its run that began in 1887. Passenger service had long since been discontinued. Freight traffic was anemic. Debt in the millions of dollars was piling up. While the TF was still running, a writer for the Atlanta Journal and Constitution Magazine took what he called “a sentimental journey on a freight train” in the summer of 1959. For the article, he interviewed several TF employees he met on his trip from Cornelia, Georgia to Franklin, North Carolina.

This article is based on some of the employees’ memories and accounts of their work.

T.L. Brewer was the TF’s general manager and receiver. The railroad had been in bankruptcy since 1923, and Brewer was the railroad’s receiver for much of that time. He said he went to work for the TF in the auditor’s office at the age of 18 “for nothing a month to learn the business. I’ve done every job on the road

except run the engines. But I’ve run as brakeman and conductor.

I’ve walked the trestles—every deck in all 42 of them—inspecting the timbers. I think we’ve still got a pretty good track. The trestles don’t shake, and I’m not afraid to ride over any of them.”

Little Teapots of 35-40 Tons Brewer recalled, “When I went to work for the TF, it was running wood burning engines, little teapots of 35 or 40 tons, with stacks almost as big as the engines. I never saw an engine blow up, but I was on one once when I thought it might happen. The engine had trash in the (steam) injector and we couldn’t get it (the water) to boil.”

Brewer said the last time a trestle “fell” was in 1927 when the middle section of the Hazel Creek trestle in Demorest, Georgia collapsed, plunging the steam engine and two passenger coaches into the ravine. He recalled, “It took us two weeks to get the train running through again. Luckily, we happened to have a coach and an engine on the other side so we could still operate by transferring passengers from one train to the other at the trestle.”

Engine Flipped Into the Water However, there were other mishaps both before and after 1927.

H.B. Walker, a TF conductor, remembered, “…we got the cab (engine) off the track once and threw it in the river with me in it. It was the Cartoogechaye Creek near Franklin. The car next to (behind) the cab derailed on a trestle 25 or 30 feet high and flipped the cab into the water like the end of a whip. It turned over completely and tore it up. I jumped before it got in the river.”

Trestle collapse at Hazel Creek in Habersham, 1927

Walker also recounted the time he got left behind by his train. “It was going slow up a pretty steep hill in the rain, and I was walking beside it. I had on two pairs of pants, one of them corduroy, and they were soaked through. When I tried to climb on the train, I could not get my leg high enough to step up, and the train

Dick Cinquina holds graduate degrees in history and journalism, making his work for the Rabun County Historical Society a natural fit for his interests. He is the retired president of Equity Market Partners, a national financial consulting firm he founded in 1981. In addition to writing monthly articles for the Georgia Mountain Laurel, Dick helped produce the Society’s new web site and is involved with the renovation of the group’s museum. After vacationing in this area for many years, he and his wife Anne moved to Rabun County in 2018 form Amelia Island, Florida.

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A 1903 excursion trip on the TF with a wood burning locomotive, Tiger Mountain is in the background

went without me. After I got left, I walked over to the highway, thumbed a ride and caught up with the train.”

Cement, Gas and Kettles Before leaving the Cornelia depot, Dispatcher R.F. Davis reviewed the freight the train would be hauling that day. “There’s a car of feed for C.M Walker three miles up the track; two cars of stone for paving at Demorest, the first town on the line; a car of cement for Tallulah Falls where they’re rebuilding the highway; gasoline for Clarkesville and Clayton; and two carloads of kettles for Rabun Gap. They are vats a rug factory will use to heat rubber in. There’s a merchandise car making stops all along the way at Clarkesville, Clayton, Dillard and Franklin. We’ve got a good train today, 10 cars loaded…We run five days a week and six if there’s an emergency.” He said they could run two trains a day “if we have enough business, which we haven’t had in a long time.”

Engineer Goldman Kimbrell said there was only one thing that made him scared. It was when a car was approaching a track crossing. “You don’t know what he’s going to do. You stop if you can but it takes just so long to stop and there’s nothing you can

do about it. But I never hit anybody except to bump a fender or something.” Along the run to Franklin, Kimbrell and his fireman threw chewing gum to waiting children, some said to be regular customers. They would go through three or four packs a day.

Comforts of Home in Caboose The freight train’s caboose was said to have the comforts of home. These comforts included an oil lamp attached to the wall; two leather couches long enough for napping; a pot-bellied coal stove with a rim around its top to prevent a coffee pot from falling off; and a wash basin and metal box for ice. The leather-covered seats in the caboose’s cupola gave the brakeman a commanding view of the freight cars and engine as well as the mountains.

The TF’s passenger service was discontinued in 1946, but even if the railroad still carried passengers, Brewer stated, “There’s no chance on earth of ever doing any summer tourist business on our line. I can recall when Clayton and Mountain City and Franklin were just covered with people in the summer. Back in the heyday of the summer tourist business, the train was the only way to get to the mountains. We’d have Sunday excursions out

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from the Rabun County Historical Society Remembering the Tallulah Falls Railroad

of Atlanta when hundreds of people would come to spend the day. Now, they can get here in two hours in their cars.”

Brewer also lamented the TF’s financial condition. “Our revenue keeps dropping down on us and with the present amount of traffic, we lack a good deal of being able to pay our bills…Maybe the trucks have taken over, and besides that, we’ve had big decreases in shipping forest products, mostly pulpwood, and minerals like mica. Uncle Sam took the mail away from us in 1954, and then we had to get rid of our express service because it was too expensive.

The TF made its final run on March 25, 1961. The engineer and fireman threw gum to waiting kids one last time.

A caboose on the Tallulah Falls Railroad

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Learn more about our history by becoming a member of the Rabun County Historical Society. Membership and complete information about the museum are available at www.rabunhistory.org. You also can visit us on Facebook.

Our museum at 81 N. Church St. in downtown Clayton is now open following an extensive renovation and development of new exhibits. We are open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 to 3. The Society is a not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, making membership dues and donations tax deductible.

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9

OUTDOORSY

Adventure Out – Rainbow Falls

By Peter McIntosh

On this adventure we’re heading over to North Carolina’s Gorges State Park for a nice moderate hike to Rainbow Falls, a 150 foot, roaring cascade on the Horsepasture River. Gorges State Park is on NC Hwy 281, between US Hwy 64, just east of Cashiers, and the South Carolina state line. The waterfall gets its name from the rainbows generated by the huge mist plumes constantly rising across from this cascade. (It was cloudy on my visit, hence no rainbow.) This hike is 1.5 miles each way and is described as strenuous on the park map but I say it’s moderate because the trail is in such good shape and

it’s never too steep, saving a few sets of stairs. And getting there is a treat in itself as we drive along the high ridges of the Blue Ridge Escarpment. The park is relatively new and features a very nice visitor’s center with informative displays, a gift shop, restrooms and helpful rangers. (stop in and pick up a free park map) There is no fee to visit this park.

From the Grassy Ridge trailhead, we gently descend along a wide, well maintained access trail, marked with both blue and orange

Peter McIntosh is an accomplished professional photographer. His photography is displayed in collections across the country. His passion for nature and the outdoors is what fuels his column.

His work is available as fine art prints. Peter offers one on one and small group instruction on camera operation and photography. To see more of Peter’s photos, or if you have a question or comment, visit Peter’s website: www.mcintoshmountains.com

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circles for about 1/4 mile. At the well marked intersection, we take the trail to the right, following the orange blazes.

The trail continues to descend, but not too steeply, and around the 1/2 mile mark you come to a sign the reads “Leaving Gorges State Park.” The trail from here is a little more rugged but it’s still in great shape, descending a bit more steeply in a few places. At one mile in we come to a stream crossing, over some stepping stones, with a heavily used campsite on the other side. One hundred yards further and we’re hiking alongside the Horsepasture River and we begin to ascend. There are a few steep sections here but they aren’t too bad thanks to the well constructed, timber and earth steps. There are lots of side trails along the way, leading to swimming holes, viewing boulders and picnic spots. (Please be careful!)

After climbing one last flight of steps, there it is, roaring and misty with a nice railing to rest on and feel the cool spray.

There’s a side trail leading down to an observation platform near the base of the falls. It’s a place that will soak you in mist very quickly but well worth a visit. And just up from Rainbow Falls is Turtleback Falls, and Drift Falls, which are also worth a visit. (Do not play in the river above Rainbow Falls! Please! Very

dangerous! See the video link posted below) Remember to bring some water, you’ll be glad to have it on your trek back to the parking area. Happy hiking!

As we say farewell to summer winds, my September poem doth begins: We’re heading over to North Carolina, To cool our faces in mist so fine-a.

This roaring cascade puts on quite a show, As we stand on a platform.... under the rainbow.

Getting there: From Hwy 441 in Clayton, go east on Hwy 76 E. 8 miles to the Chattooga River and continue 2 miles to Chattooga Ridge Road. Turn left on Chattooga Ridge Road and go 5 miles to stop sign at Whetsone Road. Turn right and go 5 miles to intersection with SC Hwy 28. Turn left and go about 1.5 miles to where Hwy 107 bears off to the right. Go right on Hwy 107 for 14 miles and turn right on Wiggington Road, follow signs to Whitewater Falls and go past Whitewater Falls entrance for 7.5 miles to Gorges State Park entrance on right. After visiting Rainbow Falls, come back and check out Whitewater Falls or continue north on Hwy 281 up to Hwy 64. Turn left and return to Georgia via Cashiers and Highlands. A nice loop road trip.

On the web: https://www.ncparks.gov/gorgesstate-park/home Phone: 828-966-9099 Waterfall safety: https://www.ncparks.gov/park-safetyand-respect#waterfalls

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Clayton, Georgia

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9 SOUTHERN CUISINE

Bon Appétit

Make Ahead Dinner for Frazzled Moms

By Scarlett Cook As I write this school has started and with it comes activities before and after school and on Saturday. You did remember to pick up the poster board for that project that is due tomorrow that your little darling has known about for 2 weeks, right? In order to make sure that your children get to all of these extra curricula practices, you need a little help in the kitchen. Prep this meal Sunday afternoon and you have an easy dinner for Monday night – and a few less dishes to wash.

Peppered Steak Serves 6 1/2 Cup water 1/4 Cup lemon juice 1/2 Cup vegetable oil 2 Tablespoons sugar 1 Teaspoon onion salt 1 Teaspoon garlic powder 2 -1 1/2 pounds chuck steaks, 3/4” thick 2 Tablespoons fresh ground black pepper

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To Serve the Next Day: Combine water, juice, oil, sugar, onion salt and garlic powder in a 13” X 9” X 2” pan.

Add steaks and turn well to coat.

Cover and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.

To Cook: Preheat broiler on high Remove steaks from marinade and discard marinade.

Press pepper into surface of both sides of steak.

Place steaks on a rack set on a cookie sheet (Cover sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up.)

Broil 6” from broiler 7 minutes on each side or until desire degree of doneness.

Marinated Tomatoes Serves 6 6 Medium tomatoes, peeled and sliced ½ Cup vegetable oil 1/3 Cup chopped parsley 4 Chopped green onions 4 Tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 Teaspoon salt 1/2 Teaspoon pepper 1/4 Teaspoon sugar Chopped fresh basil, optional In a glass baking dish arrange sliced tomatoes.

Combine remaining ingredients and pour over tomatoes.

Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator overnight.

Remove tomatoes from marinade and sprinkle with basil if using.

Potato Salad Serves 6 2 Pounds red potatoes 1/3 Cup mayonnaise 1/3 Cup sour cream 1/4 Cup minced fresh parsley 1 Teaspoon (or to taste) horseradish 1 Teaspoon Dijon mustard Juice of half a lemon 1/2 Teaspoon salt 1/4 Teaspoon pepper Place potatoes in saucepan with water to cover. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes or until tender.

Drain and cool.

Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, horseradish, mustard, juice, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl.

Cut potatoes in eighths and add to mayonnaise mixture. Toss gently. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Chocolate Pecan Pie Serves 6 3 Eggs, well beaten 1 Cup water 3/4 Cup light corn syrup 1/4 Cup margarine, melted 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 Cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 Cup chopped pecans 1 9” Unbaked pie shell Preheat oven to 350˚.

Combine eggs, water corn syrup, margarine and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.

Stir in chocolate chips and pecans.

Pour mixture into pie shell.

Bake for 55 minutes or until set.

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A Taste of the Mountains

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9 SOUTHERN CUISINE

The Family Table

By Lorie Thompson

This morning is cool and fresh after a night of passing thunderstorms.

There is still humidity, and even in the cool of the morning, I know the calendar may say Autumn is approaching, but Summer has not yet given up its hold.

My favorite time of day is the early morning hours when the first edge of the day light is pushing away the darkness. This is the time for reflection and prayer while your mind is fresh and the day is new. As each year of my life passes, my introspection and reflection grow. Oddly enough, the more I study on it, the less I want my life to be about me, and the more I want it to be about God. At 59 years old, finally, I have decided what I want to be when I grow up: I want to be the woman King Lemuel’s mother described to him as a wife of noble character in Proverbs 31:10-27 10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings, she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand, she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”

Keeping him occupied with his leg elevated while the slow process of healing takes place is not easy. We are both getting a lesson in slow processes.

One of my favorite slow processes is making Sun Tea. Put it out early morning to brew, and by evening it is ready. Best tea ever! No bitterness, just flavor. My big brother, Cannon, told me at a recent family dinner that it was the best glass of tea he had ever had. Now that is saying something since my Mama was famous for her tea!

To make the tea: Fill a clear glass jar with cold water. (not City water!) Using family-size tea bags, add three for a half-gallon or six for a gallon. Place the jug in direct sun for at least 6 hours and 8 is better. Serve over ice with simple syrup.

To make simple syrup use a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water. In a small pan, add 1 cup sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring up in temperature and stir until the sugar has melted. You don’t need to boil it. Stir as it warms until the sugar melts. For a mint syrup, add a sprig of fresh mint as the water and sugar heat. Mint tea is a Summer treat!

You can add the simple syrup to sweeten the entire jug or add it to taste as you pour a glass.

Wow! I aspire to be a Proverbs 31 woman!

I have had practice this month in caring for Mountain Man as he broke his leg and ankle. He had a battle with a big maple tree, and the tree won. I am grateful that he will heal. He hates sitting still and being unproductive. I have his lead smelter and molds set up on the front porch so that he can pour fishing jig heads, and I bought a case of green beans, and he is stringing those for me to can.

Lorie Thompson is a REALTOR at Poss Realty in Clayton, Georgia. Her expertise in her industry is second only to her culinary talents. Lorie is a dynamo in the kitchen. Honestly if she prepares it, it will likely be the best you’ve ever had! Lorie and her husband, Anthony (Peanut), make their home in the Persimmon Community. She is the proud mother of Joe Thompson and Kendall Thompson.

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Another of my old favorites is Cornbread Salad. I love any excuse to make cornbread! I add fresh vegetables in the Summer, and in the Winter, I use canned. This recipe is very versatile. Use what you have on hand.

Stir together 1c of mayonnaise, 2c of sour cream along with one package of Knorr Vegetable Soup Mix. Allow this to sit at room temperature while making a 10” pan of cornbread. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees. I use Three Rivers pre-leavened cornbread mix. For a 10” pan, stir 1.5c of mix with 1.5c of whole buttermilk. In your skillet, add 1/2 c of vegetable oil. Heat until oil shimmers. Pour all but 1T or so, of the oil into the cornbread and buttermilk mix. Stir the mixture. Add 1 tsp of cornmeal mix into the remaining oil in the pan allowing it to sizzle and brown. Pour the batter into the hot pan and place in the oven. Cook until the bread is brown on top, inverting onto a plate to cool.

When the cornbread has cooled, break it into pieces into a large bowl. You can add any of the following: chopped Vidalia onions, green onions, diced peppers, light red kidney beans (drained), two cans of Rotel (drained), or 2c of chopped fresh tomatoes, green chilis, fresh jalapeno, whole kernel corn, diced Italian parsley. Add the mayo/sour cream mixture and stir gently to incorporate the dressing and the vegetables. Sprinkle grated cheese, bacon bits, and parsley on top. Serve at room temperature or cold from the refrigerator.

I hope you will read the entire chapter of Proverbs 31.

Say a little prayer for Mountain Man as he heals.

Take the time to make some Sun Tea and Cornbread Salad and enjoy it with your family.

May God bless you.

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9 SOUTHERN CUISINE

Bringing the Past into the Present A Trip to the R.M. Rose Distillery

By Michael Detrick

Tucked away off the main road amongst the wandering mountains of the North Georgia landscape in the town of Dillard is a beautiful stone building that represents the present-day incarnation of a very storied and deep-rooted history. Housed within these stone walls you will find a small, but museum-worthy collection of artifacts of times gone by.

You will find some of the area’s friendliest and most passionate people about what they do. You will find the cookers, fermentation vats, copper pot stills, and oak barrels that today create the same whiskey that was produced by R.M. Rose back in 1867. Within these stone walls you will find the spirit and the legacy of Georgia’s first registered distillery.

Rufus Mathewson Rose began his career in New York City as a pharmacist, and afterward studied medicine. Following filling a series of appointments in hospitals and laboratories throughout the duration of the Civil War, Dr. Rose eventually came to Atlanta and started his distillery; his primary goal making a good quality product for the people.

That quality product came with quality marketing, which Rose essentially set the bar for in the late 1800s. He spent over $200,000 on marketing alone, which adds up to about $5 million present day. Putting his name on anything and everything, which was way ahead of its time, he geared much of his marketing attention towards train travel, as that is how most people got

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around when his company rose to prominence. You can see many of these merchandising artifacts (including bottle openers, dice games, decks of cards, shot glasses, mugs, shoe brushes, sewing kit items, even chinaware) in the glass case in the gift shop on property.

With this vast sense of ingenuity, Rose’s business surged, and soon retail stores sprung up all over, in places such as Jacksonville, FL, Chattanooga, TN, and back to where he began many years before as a pharmacist, New York City. Eventually, Rufus would turn his company over to his son, Randolph, who would run the operation from 1905 until 1917, when things in the States became much more regulated.

Randolph attempted to move the company and its operations to different locations just to try to keep the doors open, but when Prohibition ultimately hit, they were forced to close the doors on a once incredibly prosperous and beloved family business.

Prohibition would last until 1933. When the ban on alcohol was finally lifted, formerly involved members of the Rose family had moved on and none was too eager to pick it back up. Many years had passed, and

interest in this once booming and burgeoning family business turned major operation had subsided. The company namesake remained dormant for 99 years. Just shy of the centennial anniversary of its dormancy, a group of investors with a love of history and a love of whiskey (and a history in moonshine) decided the story of R.M. Rose Distillery had more to tell, and they brought the brand back.

The project to build upon the past - to bring the craft and care and namesake - of this pioneering brand into the present and looking towards the future, began in 2009. 2011 saw the implementation of the process to build the equipment to bring the dream to physical fruition, and in August 2016, the doors of the new R.M. Rose Distillery opened.

This month, the reimagined distillery is celebrating its 5th anniversary in Dillard and there are plans for a second operation in the works. This location was chosen because of the quality of the water in this part of the state, and visit to the Dillard property provides a thoughtful illustration of keeping the past and the idea of heritage alive. It is a fantastic place to see how whiskey is made, and to learn a little slice of Georgian history one might not otherwise come across. It feels like stepping back in time seeing all the apparatus that is required to make the spirits rise, so to speak. (You’ll have to visit the distillery to discover what for yourself what I mean by that.)

During my tour, I learned many things. For instance, while water boils at 212 degrees (welcome back, middle school science lesson), alcohol boils at a considerably lower 173 degrees. Each 100-gallon vat yields only 22 gallons of usable product. The process is painstaking. Usable product is moved to collection tanks until it is decided what to do with it. There are many options for what to do, depending on demand.

At today’s R.M. Rose Distillery, you will find the original recipe corn and barley whiskey, as well as a number of other varieties, including straight corn whiskey (this 105 proof spirit was created by the father of one of the founders of the current operation - George Sudderth – who was inducted into the National Moonshine Hall of Fame in 2015). Other varieties include a Blue Label Straight Bourbon, Single Barrel Bourbon, several flavored whiskeys such as cinnamon, apple, blackberry, peachlemon, and the newest edition to the R.M. Rose whiskey family, peanut butter, which is quickly becoming a fan favorite. They also make cinnamon whiskey cherries.

They bottle everything by hand, label everything by hand, and everything is done right on site.

The R.M. Rose Distillery retail store is open to the public 7 days a week, with tours and tastings available all day every day. After your initial tasting and tour, you are welcome to indulge in one of their many festive $5 craft cocktails, as well as their signature frozen slushees, to really wet your whistle and cool down on a hot day. Exclaimed my most friendly and knowledgeable tour guide Melissa, “Where else can you get a $5 cocktail!?” Cheers to that.

R.M. Rose Distillery is located at 890 Franklin St, Dillard, GA 30537.

Hours of Operation: Monday-Wednesday 10 - 6 Thursday 10 - 7 Friday-Saturday 10 - 8 Sunday 10 - 6

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9 FAITH IN CHRIST

Backpacks and Boulders

By Caleb Smith

As I am writing this, school has just started back, kids are either excitedly or hesitantly getting back into a routine of waking up early and heading off to school each morning. I have a 5th grader and 9th grader this year.

Two different schools, two different levels of education, and two different expectations for what is needed in class. I remember when I was in High School I had a locker but I rarely used it so I ended up carrying a backpack around that weighed close to 30 pounds. It had about four textbooks along with three to four different binders full of papers. It was very cumbersome and made it difficult to navigate around. One thing I didn’t do was ask for help carrying it. Why? Because it was my backpack, my choice to load it down, my load to carry.

In Galatians chapter 6 verses 2 through 5, the apostle Paul talks about two different loads we carry around with us – “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. For each person will have to carry his own load.”

In the first part of this passage Paul mentions the heavy burdens, or boulders, that each of us will have to carry in our lives. This could cover a multitude of things: loss of a loved one, major illness, accident, divorce, etc. These are things in our lives that happen to us that we can’t necessarily control and shouldn’t have to carry alone. Over the last year some of you reading this have had some boulders that you have had to carry alone. Either because your pride kept you from asking for help or you simply didn’t have a support group around you to lovingly come alongside you. Paul’s challenge to the church here is 2-fold. First, if we see a brother or sister in Christ being burdened with a boulder we should come alongside them and help them carry this burden that is much too large for them to carry alone. Second, if we are carrying this boulder alone, we need to ask for help from our brothers and sisters in Christ so we don’t become overwhelmed.

As the body of Christ, we are gifted and called to work together for the glory of God and that means helping each other, through the power of the Holy Spirit, when our boulders are too heavy.

Caleb Smith is Pastor at River Point Community Church located at 70 Old Livery St. in Clayton, Georgia. River Point is a non-denominational, community-driven church committed to leading people into a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. Pastor Smith and his family have made their home in Rabun and are happy to be part of this mountain community.

If you’d like additional information please call 706-960-9275 or message caleb@rpcc.me

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In the second part of the passage Paul refers to the load, or backpack, that we must all bear on our own. The language here is similar to a military backpack that you would see a soldier wearing. It is his backpack, loaded with his supplies and materials that he is responsible for and should carry on his own. In our lives, this could include: our finances, raising our children, our jobs, etc. These are things that God equips us to carry and handle on our own. Things we are responsible for and shouldn’t rely on others to take care of for us.

Some of us may be really good at carrying our own backpack but not very good at helping someone with their boulder. Others may be great at helping others with their boulders but expect the same help with their backpacks, leaving little personal responsibility for themselves.

Which one are you?

Let’s make sure we are all on the same page with one thing – as Christians, we will never carry any load on our own. God’s Holy Spirit is with us wherever we go, equipping us along the way. God also equips us to help others and expects us to work together as one body, serving each other as we take the message of hope of salvation through Jesus Christ to those who need it.

Can I ask you to evaluate some things in your life?

First, how well are you helping others carry their boulders? In verse 2 Paul tells us that when we help others in this way we are fulfilling the law of Christ. The law he is referring to is found a couple verses before this in chapter 5 verse 14 which says – “For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.” When we help carry others’ boulders we are fulfilling the command that Jesus gave us to love our neighbors, a command that Jesus put as second only to loving God. Second, are you taking ownership of the responsibilities God has placed you over in your life and do you carry your own backpack?

Finally, in order to carry the backpacks and boulders that come with walking in a relationship with Christ, we must first rid ourselves of the backpacks and boulders that separate us from God. Have you made that decision in your life to leave the bondage of sin and enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? You can do that today!

Romans 10:9-10 says “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.”

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9 FAITH IN CHRIST

Life is a Blessing This Woman of God

by Tracy McCoy

These mountains were once full of a special kind of woman.

Always a lady yet determined to raise her family right. She taught her daughters to be well mannered and her sons to be young gentlemen. If that meant swatting them with a hickory, then so be it. She cooked home cooked meals and canned enough to feed the entire community. This southern lady treated all the neighbor young’uns like they were her own and pulled on an ear or two if she saw fit.

Her tea was sweet and her gravy thick. She cooked her meals in big pots and left it on the stove most of the day, because she never knew who might drop by. She sang “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound” as she filled the clothesline with clothes freshly scrubbed on the wash board, and she heated her iron on the wood cook stove. She sewed her girls’ dresses and darned her boys’ shirts.

Never afraid to speak her mind, this woman did so in a way that those she was speaking to weren’t sure if they had been scolded or praised when she was done. She shared her hugs freely, praised God for all things and she loved her husband well. She cared for her family when sickness came, making tonics, and remedies to ease them and soothe them.

She didn’t worry much about a thick waist, fancy hair, or expensive perfumes and lotions. She kept herself spotlessly clean and her fine lingerie was her worn flannel gown.

This mama gathered fresh eggs, tended the garden, and she wrung many a chicken’s neck before frying them up golden brown.

Her lard was rendered at hog killin’ time and it sat in a can at the edge of her kitchen. She’d been cooking since she was eight or nine years old and came from a big family. Hard work was what she was used to but knew that it was good. Good for the body and good for the soul and when her head lay on the pillow at night, she thanked God for all He had given her.

As the years crept along and she found herself with an empty home, then she enjoyed some of the things she had wished for and enjoyed visits from her family, She was a grandmother then and my, how she loved those babies. She “sugared” them up every chance she got. This woman of God had lived a good life and had many blessings to count her own. She had seen many changes in her lifetime, some good, some bad. She had never traveled far and wide or seen color television. She never knew meanness like happened in the big city and that suited her fine. She loved her home and all that had filled it. She loved Jesus and would tell you so. She never dreamed there would be a day that someone would take issue with “Merry Christmas,” “God Bless America,” or “Jesus loves you”.

She read the Word by the light of an oil lamp and woke early to pray for her family before she began her day. She carried her family to church on Sundays and taught her children about lying, cheating and stealing. She gathered them around her in the late of the day and she sang to them and read them God’s commandments.

I praise God for women like our southern lady and I thank Him there are still some of these women around. That is what I aspire to be. Oh you’ll never see me scrubbing clothes on a washboard or wringing a chicken’s neck, but I hope to live a good life, please God, share my love for Jesus and be good to those around me.

Thank you for the opportunity to share with you.

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Franklin, North Carolina

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9 JUST THINKING

By the Way

George Washington developed America’s first hybrid vehicle

By Emory Jones

Many folks don’t know this, but George Washington is not only the father of our country; he’s also responsible for developing America’s first hybrid vehicle.

That’s right, and you can look that up if you don’t believe me.

You see, ole George was one of the first people over here to recognize the efficiency and economy of the mule. And if you don’t know how much mules contributed to this country’s existence, well, you can look that up, too.

George Washington aside, nobody knows where mules originally originated. However, most serious historians agree they first showed up in parts of the world where the wild ass and the horse lived near each other.

Hey, these things happen, and everybody knows how wild asses are. Sadly, in the early days, they were often used by cavemen as wheel-burros.

Anyway, as an enthusiastic student of agriculture, Washington realized the value of the mule, which not only eats and drinks less but is a lot tougher than most horses. Except for Secretariat and that bunch.

As you probably recall, back in 1784, the King of Spain sent a Spanish jack to George Washington, who named him “Royal Gift.”

(Washington was a great general but not too creative when it came to naming donkeys.)

County’s mule population in 1940 totaled 2,622. Okay, I just made that number up, but I bet it’s close.

Anyway, on a recent trip to West Tennessee, while my wife, Judy, visited Graceland, I Ubered over to the Memphis Mule Museum.

It was closed, but I inadvertently met a man in the parking lot with a mule for sale.

What are the odds? After all, I’d kinda’ had my eye on a pet mule since my pet pig, Cunningham left for Hollywood.

And this wasn’t just any mule either. No, sir, that man had the paperwork to prove that this ole boy is a direct descendant of George Washington’s donkey, Royal Gift.

I guess it was just a case of being in the right place at the right time, but that nice man sold me his mule for what I thought was a very reasonable price. Of course, he wanted cash, but he threw in the truck and mule trailer at no extra charge, so long as I left immediately.

He didn’t have the title work for those on him but promised to send all that over next week..

According to his papers, the mule’s name is Jack A. Bartholamule.

Despite the bargain I struck, my wife wasn’t as happy with the trade as I hoped she’d be, especially with the mule being descended from royalty and all.

Word is that, early on, Washington’s magnificent mares mostly spurned Royal Gift’s advances, but hey, that’s how the world works.

I faced much the same problem in my younger days.

But everything worked out. Judy cashed in my plane ticket, used the money to upgrade herself to first class, and flew home early. I guess she wanted time to mule-proof the place before he showed up.

Regardless of the early setbacks, fifteen years later, Mount Vernon was home to 58 mules sired by Royal Gift. You have to admire that kind of persistence.

Anyway, Jack A and I had a nice drive back to Cleveland. Although he can sometimes live up to his name. Especially at rest areas.

By the end of Washington’s presidency, everybody in America who wanted one had a mule. Closer home, White

Two, actually.

Regardless, I got a big kick out of the trip.

Emory Jones grew up in Northeast Georgia’s White County. After a stint in the Air Force, he joined Gold Kist as publications manager. He was the Southeastern editor for Farm Journal Magazine and executive vice president at Freebarin & Company, an Atlanta-based advertising agency. He has written seven books. Emory is known for his humor, love of history and all things Southern. He and his wife, Judy, live on Yonah Mountain near Cleveland, Georgia.

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Happy Labor Day

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9 JUST THINKING

My Friend, Tina

By Dolores Crane

We all have one childhood, and I’m glad Tina Lee was a part of mine.

We lived near the Persimmon Church of God, and her house was at the bottom of a steep hill on one side, and mine on the other. We met at the church to play.

Standing at the top of the hill, I called her name, over and over, until someone heard me. When I saw her coming up the hill, I could hardly wait!

We joined hands and happily made our way to the church steps, where we sat on the cool rock pillars on each side of the steps.

In the ‘50’s, hot summer days seemed endless. When older siblings and cousins joined us, we played ante over, hoping not to break a window when throwing the ball over the roof of the church. We played hide and seek, hopscotch, bum, bum, bum, and made-up games to play.

We sang songs, and everyone had their own. We took turns standing out front of the others, who sat on the church steps.

Deleano sang “Steam Boat” in a deep baritone voice; Claudia Ann’s favorite was “Take Me Out to the Ballgame; my brother Edward sang “On the Wings of a Dove; my sister Bird and I sang “I Want to be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart”. Tina’s song was “I’m a Little Tea Pot”.

When it rained, we climbed underneath the church to play. There was barely enough room for us to sit up.

We played in the cool dry dirt, calling doodle bugs, as loud as we could.

We made roads in the dirt, and drove over them with our pretend cars, being a piece of wood or a rock. Times were hard back then, yet, it was the best of times. These are great childhood memories.

Many families made moonshine, because there were no jobs. Stress levels ran high for our families, and every day was not fun and games.

With older siblings and cousins, we made up a game we called “liquor haulers”. We picked slick briar leaves for money, and it felt great to have a pocket full of “pretend” money. An old tire was used for a car, and rocks for moonshine. Some of us were lawmen, and others were on lookout for the hauler.

This game didn’t last long if the kid with the tire lost control when trying to make the turn at the back of the church. The steep hill behind the church sent the tire bouncing 10 or 15 feet in the air! It was hilarious watching the tire bounce so high down the hill!

As adults, Tina and I sometimes talked about how things had been, growing up. We talked about the good times, but hardly mentioned the bad. We had a mutual understanding about that.

She used to tell me I was her very best friend in the whole wide world!

Well, I know she made many friends in her lifetime, and had a successful career in real estate.

Maybe she said the same thing to some of you, but if she did, I don’t want to know it, because that was meant for me!

Tina would beam, when talking about Lorie and Christopher. Her eyes lit up when she talked about Corey and Christina. Her heart was filled with joy, unspeakable.

Our Tina was not bashful about expressing her opinion, and she could ruffle some feathers.

She once told me she had been temporarily “banned” from a ballgame.

I didn’t know what to say, but it amused me, and we laughed. Then, she got serious and said, “I’ve got to behave myself.”

Tina had a keen sense of humor, and sometimes she was not able to contain her amusement, or laughter.

Trying not to laugh, she would turn her head sideways, cover her mouth and laugh. Her sense of humor made her unique, helped her cope with the ups and downs of life.

I could talk for hours about Tina Lee; she was my very special friend. We loved each other like sisters, yet we didn’t fight like sisters!

She and I learned about the Lord at an early age, and Tina’s faith in God never wavered. Her faith helped her throughout her lifetime.

Tina was a loving, caring, and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She will be missed by many people whose lives she touched during her time on earth!

I think of how she passed from this life to her heavenly home, at the dawn of a new day. It was on a Sunday morning, and was a perfect day for her to take her flight, over the rainbow.

In the fall, leaves fell from two oak trees in front of the church. We raked them up with our hands, into high piles. We jumped in them, covered up with them, made a maze with them, and threw them up in the air, letting them fall back on us. It was a good time.

A Bible verse, I leave with you: Rev. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.

Tina’s mama had a very soft voice, but Tina could always hear her call, when it was time to go home. She went immediately. She loved her mama so very much. And, when we got older, I wondered if she would ever get married and leave her mama. But, she did.

Tina worked as a real estate agent at RE/Max for 30 years, retiring at the end of 2019. She received numerous awards during her career, including Top Office Sales Associate in 1999, induction into the national Re/ Max Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Re/Max Platinum Club in 2005. Prior to entering real estate, Tina and her husband, Sandy, owned and operated the Clayton Café. Tina also owned and operated two separate clothing stores—Tina’s Tots and Toddlers and The Kid’s Zone.

When Tina married Sandy Lee, I was so happy for her. She told me how much she loved him, and how he loved her, and that he “spoiled” her by doing whatever she wanted. She deserved to be spoiled. I believe God was looking out for her, when Sandy came into her life.

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9 AROUND TOWN Green Acres Antiques & Marketplace is new to Clarkesville, Georgia “Green Acres is the place to be…” When Aaron Alford, a Georgia native met Mary Jo Fesperman, from Montgomery, Alabama their shared love for quality antiques was the first of many commonalities. She is definitely knowledgable about her passion. With a keen interest in incredibly rich heavy wood and iron antique furnishings, she knows glassware and Mary Jo loves most knowing the history of each piece. “Every Antique has a story to tell, and I love delving into their history.” Mary Jo said as she talked about her collection.

Aaron is also well versed in things of old, a history buff turned antique dealer he can also tell you the stories behind each piece. On her side of Green Acres you’ll find crystal, silver, jewelry, gorgeous furnishings and art. On his you’ll see more primitive “barn find” antiques such as signs, farm tools, baseball cards, knives, toys, musical instruments, and real farmhouse furnishings. The blend is pretty incredible.

A family owned business with many exciting plans as they continue to evolve. I saw quickly that this is no cookie-cutter business, rather an eclectic source for fine antiques, collectables and gift items. If you see it today, it might be gone tomorrow. There is something for everyone!

The most precious antique is the building that their store is in. Originating as the Martin building with various businesses housed inside over the years. It is an architectural masterpiece from the 1800s hidden under years of renovations. Aaron, also a craftsman, is working to restore it to those days. It is a long range plan but will certainly add to the Clarkesville landscape. When he isn’t busy upstairs, he is building custom home furnishings in the workshop downstairs.

Green Acres truly is the place to be if you love antiques and celebrating history. Stop in and visit and take a look around. You’ll find them located at 1478 Washington Street in downtown Clarkesville, Georgia. Look for their golden awning across from Wood’s Mercantile. For more information give them a call at 706-754-3337.

Artists and Art Lovers Unite… at Gallery 441 A new artist’s marketplace is open in Dillard, Georgia. Artist Sally Kolb is the owner of the all new Gallery 441 in the Heart of Dillard. The gallery space for 35 artists, classrooms, and an artist’s studio on the second floor, Sally hopes to offer guests local wine tastings to benefit local charities.

Classes will be given by displaying artists offering instruction from beginner to advanced. For those who love crafting, Sally will offer these type classes as well.

She encourages school students to come in and show their art as well.

With twenty artists selected to display their work, Sally hopes to fill her 35 spaces, so if you’d like to be considered for inclusion please reach out to her by calling 770-634-2379. This is truly a gathering place for our art community and will be open Thursday – Monday 11 am – 5 pm. It’s exciting to see our art community flourishing. Look for Gallery 441 at 6795 Highway 441 in Dillard, Georgia.

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9 AROUND TOWN New to Clayton LaBella Aesthetics & IV Hydration Spa La Bella Aesthetics and IV Hydration Spa is a small boutique skincare and wellness practice. Services and products offered have been personally tested and approved by the spa owner, Marilyn McDaniel and associateTerri Ryles. “Our aesthetics practice, is committed to exceeding our client’s expectations”, said Marilyn McDaniel, DNP, CRNA. Marilyn received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from University of Tennessee Health Sciences in Memphis. She is a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) which is a highly skilled advanced practice nurse who is licensed and certified to administer anesthesia. “Neurotoxins, Fillers, platelet rich plasma (PRP) micro needling procedures, VI peels and IV Hydration Therapy are among the many services that I plan to offer here at the spa. I invite clients to come experience your “beautiful you……” Marilyn said. Beautiful you is the tagline of LaBella Aesthetics.

“I have always had a passion for excellent skin care”, said Terri Ryles. Her credentials are as impressive as Marilyn’s. Terri is a Registered Nurse with over 30 years experience. She received her Nursing degree from Tennessee State University and has worked mostly as an OR Nurse. Her experience in the operating room includes all surgical services and eight years in Aesthetics and Reconstructive Surgery. “I will provide micro needling, VI Peels and IV Hydration Therapy, Terri added. IV Hydration is proven to help boost your immunity, replace lost fluids and electrolytes, all beneficial after an illness, hangover or recovery from high-performance athletics. Terri will offer customized drips and boosters to maximize health, wellness and performance recovery. IV Therapy is the only process that ensures up to 100% of its nutrients are absorbed whether your needs are reparative or preventative in nature. “I invite people to come in and discover their ‘perfect drip’. It can be life-changing”. Terri said with a vibrant smile.

You will find LaBella Spa located at 90 Savannah Street (Savannah Place Shoppes) in Clayton. Call 706-949-1082. today to schedule a consultation or to set up an appointment.

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9 AROUND TOWN

Ride and/or Give to Help Homeless Vets

By John Shivers

There’s another pandemic besides Covid that’s been raging in this country for a long time. There are people right here in northeast Georgia who are homeless, specifically military veterans, who lack the resources to provide for themselves. There’s also a group working to address this need, and there’s one additional resource available.

directly to the MFC MC to support the event, all of which is tax deductible.

YOU!

And there’s another way that you can assist the ministry that NEGHVS provides 365/24/7. The shelter takes its mission and its inspiration from the 91st Psalm: Those who live in the Shelter of The Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. Firsthand accounts of how vital this ministry is can be found in the words of those who have been served by NEGHVS. Visit their Facebook page “The neghvs ministry” to hear those testimonies.

These brave veterans put their lives on the line to ensure our country’s freedom, and together, you and the North East Georgia Homeless Veteran’s Shelter in Winder, Georgia can make a difference.

Right now, there are two ways that you or your civic group or church organization can help, and if you’d like to hop on your motorcycle and enjoy 101 miles of the open road for a great cause, circle Saturday, September 18 on your calendar.

The MFC (Military, Fire, Cops) Motorcycle Club’s Smoky Mountain Chapter is hosting its 4th annual charity event, food drive, and a motorcycle ride to aid the shelter, the only facility of its kind in northeast Georgia. The local MFC MC works closely with the NEGHVS helping their ministry to continue to serve through good times and bad. One hundred percent of the MFC MC’s proceeds will go directly to the shelter!

Southern Devil Harley Davidson in Athens and Copperhead Lodge in Blairsville are co-sponsors of the ride, and the entry fee is only $15.00, plus an item from the NEGHVS wish list that can be found on the organization’s web site www.neghvs.org.

At the conclusion of the ride, an auction will further boost the proceeds. MFC MC is seeking items to include in the auction. For example, a military artist is donating a numbered piece of art and other local businesses have donated free stays at local RV resorts and Airbnb’s. Other suitable items could include gift baskets from wineries or gift certificates from local businesses and restaurants.

There’s no limit to what can be auctioned! Several other businesses and generous individuals have also provided monetary donations

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For additional information on this event, to offer a donation or something for the auction, or to register for the ride itself, reach out to Steve Wentworth “Big Daddy” at 321-377-4386.

Both the MFC MC and the NEGHVS are recognized by the IRS as 501 (c)(3) charitable organizations, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent the donor’s situation allows. And there are so many ways in which you can help, either by purchasing directly the goods and services needed, or by donating funds directly to either organization. What does the NEGHVS need? Large Rubbermaid® containers for clothes storage, assuming payment of monthly utility and other ongoing monthly bills; cleaning and disinfectant products and trash bags, canned goods and 50-pound bags of sugar, as well as coffee and tea, powdered laundry detergent, dish detergent, gallon size freezer bags, restaurant grade aluminum foil, disposable paper towels, napkins, plates, plastic eating utensils and toilet paper, bath soaps, toothbrushes, razors, shampoos, as well as all hygiene products, and cloth face and bath towels, as well as masks and gloves, and other Covid supplies.

The MFC MC Smoky Mountain Chapter is located right here in Rabun County and the NEGHVS is located at 80 Martin Luther King Drive in Winder, GA 30680. Reach the MFC MC by phone at 321-377-4386 or the NEGHVS at 678-963-0790, or check out their website www.neghvs.org.

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9LIVE HEALTHY & BE WELL and my doctor prescribed a new nose spray because the nose is truly where it all starts.

Recently I found a good article online about Ragweed, which by the way is the most common seasonal allergy trigger. I am not alone! So I wanted to know more about it and I wanted to share it with you in case you are rubbing your eyes too. Here are some new things I learned about hay fever.

• Our overactive immune systems may mistake other plants and food for Ragweed. There are plants that are related to ragweed that may make your allergies worse. Who doesn’t love a big yellow sunflower? Well put it on your list of flowers to avoid if you are allergic to ragweed. With it is sage, burweed marsh elder, rabbit brush, mugwort and eupatorium. Allergy sufferers should avoid adding these to their landscaping or flower beds.

Bananas, sunflower seeds, watermelon and cantaloupes can cause symptoms as well. This can cause a condition known as OAS (Oral Allergy Syndrome) resulting in an itch or tingle in your mouth when you eat them. This is known as cross-reactivity. It happens because

Achoo! Achoo!

It’s Ragweed Season Again!

By Tracy McCoy

I grew up thinking that a runny nose, one sneeze after another and itchy eyes were part of fall. Like pumpkins and trick or treating. I could tell you when September 1 rolled around without looking at the calendar and I still can. I learned that not everybody has these end of summer side effects. “Tracy has Hay fever”, Dr Smith told my mother in his small office. I was sure I’d have to move to the city because my house was in the back of a 20 acre field of, you guessed it, hay! On the ride home I barely spoke a word thinking about what I would pack. I didn’t have to move, I just had to take medicine that made me super sleepy and I still sneezed and my throat still itched.

“Mrs. Speed, a lot of kids outgrow these type allergies,” Dr Smith told my mom. I was not that lucky. Some 50+ years later I am still allergic to hay fields. Of course I learned that ragweed pollen was the culprit that disrupted my life every year. It wasn’t until later in life that I learned that there are 17 types of ragweed, and that it grows in 49 states. The only people not walking around with a Kleenex® in their hand this time of year are folks living in Alaska.

According to the National Allergy Bureau these aggravating weeds can begin pollenating as early as July in southern states. Mine hits at the same time each year. I began taking Claritin® early this year continued on page 72

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the pollen is similar to the proteins in these foods and your body can’t tell the difference. Although the risk is extremely rare, OAS can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be lifethreatening. Who knew?

Nasal Corticosteroids – These nasal sprays treat nasal inflammation, reduce symptoms and congestion, and block allergic reactions.

They are the most effective for nasal symptoms and have few side effects.

• Ragweed pollen is very light and can travel on the wind for miles.

I am talking a lot of miles! This pollen has been found in the ocean as far as 400 miles away from the coastline and up to two miles skyward! It’s a good idea to cover your hair when you are going to be outside and be sure to wash it before bed. Removing shoes before you enter your home can eliminate a lot of dirt, germs and yes pollen from entering your house. It can also come in on your clothes which then of course makes it to your furniture, bed… neighbors, don’t worry I promise not to strip on the porch. I do however have comfy pollen-free clothes waiting inside. Yes, I am that allergic to ragweed!

Antihistamines – They work by reducing your runny nose, sneezing, and itching in your eyes and sinuses. Choose non-drowsy options.

• Allergy induced asthma is a complication for some of us with ragweed allergies. I am one of them. That truly means you can’t breathe out of your nose and you feel like your lungs are on vacation.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, a family history of allergies is a major risk for allergic asthma. It is necessary for me to treat my allergies and to avoid exposure. Some years back I underwent allergy testing, and while other things like dust mites (thought I’d have to move again!), cats, pine trees and grass (what?) were on the graph from low to high, the ragweed results were literally off the chart. Allergy and asthma symptoms can change over time and there are some good options to treat both.

• Immunotherapy, otherwise known as allergy shots, work for some.

I tried it but didn’t find it much help. We are all different and you should talk to your doctor about it. The concept is that they inject you with a small amount of the offending substance in increasing doses over time in hopes that you will gradually become less sensitive to it. Today, SLIT which stands for sublingual immunotherapy is an alternate way to treat allergies without injections. The FDA has only approved tablets for ragweed, dust mites and some northern pasture grasses.

• Traditional treatments back in the day was a shot of Cortisone and grape Dimetapp®. Today a half century later, there are other options, thank Heavens! Most of today’s treatments are OTC and can be purchased at your local pharmacy. If you are like me and your allergies can not always be controlled by over the counter meds, talk to your doctor or allergist about prescription treatment options. Here is a list of some of the options both RX or OTC:

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Decongestants – They shrink swollen nasal passages to help your feel less stuffy. Nose drops and sprays should be taken short term.

Leukotriene Inhibitors – This medicine blocks chemicals your body releases when you have an allergic reaction.

Cromolyn Sodium – This nasal spray blocks chemicals that cause allergy symptoms, like histamine and leukotrienes.

• Do not write me a nasty e-mail when I tell you that the AAFA recommends wearing a mask and sunglasses when you are out during ragweed season to keep the pollen our of your eyes, nose and mouth, Controlling the air quality in your home is another of their recommendations. People who struggle with allergies might find that things like candles and air fresheners, chemicals and VOCs will trigger a reaction or make their allergies worse. I’ve tried commercial plug in air fresheners and can not have them in my home without suffering for it. Essential oils on the other hand work well for me, I especially like orange, lemon and peppermint.

• You can find certified asthma and allergy friendly products that will make for better indoor air quality. For starters talk to your HVAC company about whole house options or a good air filter. There are vacuum cleaners, bedding, flooring and more that are a great investment for allergy sufferers, especially if you are bothered by multiple offenders like I am. It can be a miserable couple months till frost so I always am praying for an early one.

Healthy & Well

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9 LIVE HEALTHY & BE WELL

Thrive in the Midst of Change and Anxiety

By Amanda Howard Pileski, PhD Georgia Mountain Psych Associates, Inc.

When we hear the term “transition” in reference to college, we often think about freshmen. In reality, ALL students experience transition throughout college and for the rest of their lives.

Therefore, learning how to cope and thrive in the midst of change and when anxious is an important life skill to develop.

Students in their first year of college are learning how to cultivate new friendships, calibrate the amount of study time necessary to achieve desired grades, and how to make decisions without parental oversight. Talk with your student about his or her expectations for college. Ask open ended questions about what s/he anticipates will be challenges and strengths as s/he begins college. Reassure your student that it is normal to be anxious prior to a transition, and encourage him or her to get involved in extracurricular activities, student groups, or other fun activities in addition to focusing on academics.

Although they may not be new to campus, students in their second and third years continue to experience changes as they navigate the middle years of college. Continue to check in with your student regularly and do not simply assume that the second and third years

will be less challenging. Signs of struggle may be less obvious as students are less likely to live in residence halls where changes in behavior may be noticed by other students or housing staff. Some students may not be forthcoming about symptoms of depression or anxiety, but a brief check-in about basic health (eating habits, sleep habits, exercise, concentration) and academic/social engagement could provide a gauge for how your student is functioning.

Parents of seniors, congratulations! It is almost graduation day, but do you know what that means? Another transition is on the horizon, and your student is likely preparing for the job market, applying to graduate school, or feeling uncertain about where the path after college leads. It may be helpful to identify past transitions experienced by your student. How did s/he cope? Look for strengths illustrated in past behavior and use these examples to provide reassurance during periods of adjustment when your student may struggle with uncertainty or self-doubt.

The many transitions your student will encounter during the college years can feel like transitions for parents as well. It is

Dr. Amanda Howard Pileski is originally from Rabun County and recently moved back to raise her 3 children (ages 6, 3, and 2) and provide affordable psychotherapy to the underserved communities of Northeast Georgia. She received a bachelors degree from the University of Georgia in Psychology, a master’s degree in School Counseling from Georgia State University, and a doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. She has worked in various college counseling centers, hospitals, and in private practice. In addition to her private practice in Rabun, she also provides geriatric psychological services to several Pruitt Health locations in North Georgia. Dr. Pileski is a strong generalist, but also specializes in treating eating disorders and bariatric surgery patients. She strives to help others know the joy and empowerment of living mindfully and appreciatively with food and their bodies. For an appointment, contact Dr. Pileski @ 404-291-4018

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normal to feel conflict, excitement, sadness, ambivalence and all the other feelings your students experience. It may even be helpful for you to talk about your concerns with family, friends, therapists, clergy or other sources of support as your student transitions into young adulthood. Also, parents of high school students, it is never too early to start building these skills in preparation for your teen’s future. The suggestions provided above are applicable to high school students too and really all life transitions.

Prior to an interview in my early 30s, I thumbed through a Psychology Today magazine lying next to me in the waiting area. As I perused the table of contents, one topic in particular stood out to me - “What Happy People Do Differently.” The gist of the article is that happy people are “curious” and uninhibited by anxiety. These individuals still experience anxiety, but they find ways to cope with it. It was ironic that I selected this article of all articles as I was processing and attempting to manage my own anxiety about the interview. Similar to the very experience that I found myself in as I read the article, I realized that most truly exceptional experiences in my life resulted from a combination of intense nervousness and overwhelming excitement. I remember when I first walked across North Campus at the University of Georgia and feared I would be one of the many to lose my HOPE scholarship or worse yet, fail out of school – but I was also filled with an abundance of joy and excitement provided by the opportunity just to be there. Similarly, I was scared and excited when I began my master’s program, doctoral program, pre-doc internship, and my first job. On a more personal level, I also experienced a mix bag of emotions (anxiety, fear, joy) when I met my husband --- and so I began to notice a theme, the truly great experiences in my life did in fact result from facing my anxiety. Also, I began to reflect on the inverse correlation between my fears and the reality of my experiences. I didn’t lose my HOPE scholarship, I graduated with honors. I didn’t fail my doctoral comprehensive exams, I passed with distinction. Matt did not break my heart, we got engaged 3 months later and have been married for 10 years….the point is– I would have missed out on all of this had I not taken those chances…When my interviewer opened the door and invited me into his office, I glanced back at the black and yellow print, took a deep breath, and decided I had enough experience under my proverbial belt to stop being scared.

I also asked members of my acceptance and commitment therapy eating disorder treatment group at the time to read the article and reflect upon the implications of how anxiety could be interfering with their happiness/willingness to take risks. As an Adlerian Psychologist, I believe fear of inadequacy is a primary driving force behind most eating disorders and other types of unhealthy coping strategies – and if you begin to look for inadequacy, you will indeed find it. In contrast, if you are able to sit with the anxiety and focus on the excitement of the opportunity – you might find yourself in a completely different state of mind – both happier and more successful.

In summary, anxiety is not a bad thing – it actually oftentimes signals that something great is about to happen. My advice “simply believe in yourself!” If you don’t, no one else will --- and most of the time that’s all other people are looking for – your confidence that you have what it takes. Finally, the goal of risk taking should be the challenge rather than achieving the desired outcome. Personal growth is the ultimate accomplishment because all other goals are usually forgotten, neglected, or diminished after they’re achieved.

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9 LIVE HEALTHY & BE WELL

Pet Health The Aging Pet

By Jaime Speed, DVM

Age is not a disease. I hear this in my profession frequently. It’s true. Age is not a reason to give up on a life. Age is not a reason to stop trying to make the quality of one’s life better. We should be grateful that modern medicine has allowed our pets to remain part of our family to an older age. However, this transition to becoming a senior comes with challenges for the pet and the pet owner. I want to discuss some of these expected natural physical and mental changes and how we can manage them.

Perhaps the most obvious changes to pet owners are the changes in skin and coat. We see our pets growing gray hair, their skin loses elasticity and moisture sometimes resulting in hair loss. Next is the eyes, the window to the soul. They will naturally become more blue or white in the center. Their body composition changes, becoming more difficult to maintain muscle and much easier to deposit fat. Their caloric needs decrease so they need less food, and they usually sleep more and play less. They often lose their hearing, partially or fully, and their vision decreases. These changes often increase their level of anxiety. They may cling to you more or startle easily. Even their sense of smell and taste can sometimes decrease which can lead to changes in appetite. Arthritis is a common disease in aging pets as well and requires its own set of medications, supplements, and physical interventions. Finally, up to 35% of aging dogs experience Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) which is similar to Alzheimer’s Disease in humans and can lead to some significant changes in a pet family’s life.

These natural changes usually come on gradually. A sudden change in any of these issues should warrant a trip to the Veterinarian. Senior pets are recommended to visit the Vet at least twice yearly to monitor muscle changes, weight changes, heart changes, orthopedic changes, and to discuss mental health. Your Vet will also likely recommend blood work at least once yearly to monitor internal organ changes. Early intervention in some disease processes can often extend the quality of life of your aging pet significantly.

There are many early interventions to slow the aging brain and body, all of which should be discussed with your veterinarian. A good start is increasing play and teaching him new tricks, including teaching hand signals as hearing changes often occur early. Next is changing the quantity of food and sometimes the diet. There are new diets that support the aging brain and can help slow the progression of and improve signs of CCD. Providing extra support of the aging body with health supplements and orthopedic bedding can improve their comfort. The age that your pet experiences these natural changes vary according to size. In some dogs these changes start to occur around age 5-6 in larger dogs and in smaller dogs and cats closer to age 7-9. These symptoms will continue to increase over the years and their care can be adjusted accordingly. Many years may be spent as a senior as lifespan in some smaller pets can sometimes be 15-20 years! Speak to the Veterinary professionals around you and ask questions. Tools to help you during this transition can be found at your local Veterinarian and local Pet Supply stores like Clayton Claws & Paws.

Jaime Speed, DVM is part of the team at Rabun Animal Hospital in Mountain City, Georgia. Originally from West Virginia she attended UGA Veterinary School where she met her husband Brad Speed, DVM. She is the owner of Claws & Paws Pet Boutique on South Main Street in downtown Clayton, Georgia.

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9 LAUREL HOMES

Oasis Mountain Modern Living in the Mountains

By John Shivers The dictionary defines the word “oasis” as a fertile spot, a place of abundance and hope, and a place of serenity in the midst of chaos.

There could be no more apt description of Oasis Mountain located in Lakemont, Georgia. Currently, there are not one, but two newconstruction homes, ready for buyers who demand something more than a cookie-cutter architectural statement.

Situated on a pristine Georgia mountain ridge with magnificent east/west panoramic vistas included at no additional cost, Oasis Mountain offers a totally new level of modern mountain living that, despite its contemporary design, actually pays homage to its mountain heritage, when simplicity was the name of the game.

Featuring simple, single level floor plans with the perfect balance of warmth and comfort, these two homes enjoy as many differences as there are similarities. In both homes, the hallmark is the seamless marriage of indoors with the outdoors. Thanks to the glass facades that endow the homes with abundant natural light, these three-bedroom homes overlook those legendary mountain views, all without sacrificing that all-important privacy element. Oasis mountain is synonymous with serenity, so plan to park all your everyday stresses at the door.

But that’s where much of the similarity comes to a fork in the mountain road.

The larger of the two homes with 3,200± square feet of living space sits on a 2.3± flat lot on the mountain ridge, and features the conversion of a 1,400± square foot yurt into a luxurious open gathering space, crowned by vaulted beamed ceilings. Contained within this unique space is the living and dining area, and a free-standing kitchen that includes a large entertainment island, generous cabinet space and a pantry.

A wall of windows and wood-burning fireplace anchor this room.

The generous foyer welcomes friends and family, and could also be used as a more formal dining

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area, library, or second conversation area, and connects the living area with the bedrooms via a windowed-wall corridor. The oversize master suite is ideal for a king size bed, and the en suite bath with both shower and soaking tub and a vanity with double sinks creates the perfect retreat for the owners. Outside is a suspended private deck.

The bedrooms and bathrooms feature shed dormers and walk-in closets. On a lower level, park your two vehicles, store your boat or convert the space into an at home gym. Outside, terraced decks with a fire pit and native landscaping further increase the livability footprint.

The second home is smaller at 2,000± square feet, and crowns a 1.4± ridge lot, but it also boasts of three bedrooms and three baths. The spacious window-lined great room with a vaulted and beamed ceiling overlooks those breathtaking views, and includes a spacious kitchen, anchored by a large island, and dining and living space centered around the contemporary fireplace.

A glass-lined corridor to the bedrooms offers the illusion of strolling through nature. The bedrooms include generous closets and shed dormers for additional light, and floor to ceiling window walls. The master suite includes an en suite bath with tub, shower and double vanity.

Outdoor terrace decks and a fire pit expand the livability and increase the intense satisfaction this home delivers.

Both homes are constructed of environmentally-friendly, low maintenance materials that further honor their nature-infused mountain heritage.

If cookie cutter homes aren’t for you, this is a cutting-edge opportunity for something more. Contact agent Sarah Gillespie at Harry Norman, REALTORS® Luxury Lake and Mountain at 404-735-6157 or at the office, 706-212-0228.

Photos are renderings

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HIRE A PRO

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9 LAUREL HOMES

A Tradition of Trust

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This Home Offers a Window on the Rabun World by John Shivers You’re seated in your windowed great room that opens onto all the glory of the western Rabun landscape, and the vaulted ceiling brings the outside indoors. If the day’s a little nippy, the gas log fireplace makes it cozy. Morning mists below you play about on the breezes, slowly surrendering to the approaching day, and the brilliance of the mountain landscape grabs your breath and your attention.

When the cottage style home high on the mountain at 631 Bonanza Lane inside “Covecrest,” and overlooking nearby Lake Burton, has your name on it, that unforgettable experience will be yours 365 days a year. Autumn’s spectacular color display and freshening spring views belong to you! Summer’s greenery and the Lake Burton fireworks that you can enjoy from your own deck can’t be matched. Then there’s the unforgettable magic of a snowy winter day. At this Tiger, Georgia home, the phenomenal seasonal eye-candy is as attractive as the home itself. A deck and a lower-level screened porch offer additional relaxation opportunities.

In fact, the adjective phenomenal applies to more than just the view from this home. It explains the appeal this four-bedroom, three and one-half bath mountain home offers its owners.

Whether you’re looking for all the comforts of a full-time home, or a destination that allows you to leave the city in your rearview window every chance you get, this home fills the bill. Check it out!

Adjacent to the great room is an oversize dining room capable of seating twelve or more. A table in the eat-in kitchen, and yet another table in the sun room off the kitchen allow the resident chef to easily feed two or more than twenty, and all get to enjoy those fantastic views. In the spacious custom kitchen, a full-complement of stainless appliances including a gas range, showcased in solid wood cabinets finished in deep honey tones and topped with Corian® countertops make meal prep a pleasant experience. A nearby pantry and laundry room increase the convenience factor. There’s also a designated living room and a powder room on this level.

The roomy main floor master suite with plenty of floor space for a king size bed includes a spa-like bath including an oversize shower with bench seat and double vanities. Again, numerous generous size windows marry the breathtaking views with the comfortable lifestyle the room delivers. A large walk-in closet and a separate alcove sitting area truly make this an owners’ retreat you’ll be excited to claim as your own.

On the terrace level, the quality of the finishes mirrors those on the main level, and the layout greatly expands the living footprint.

Three bedrooms and two full baths, along with a small office and a spacious den or media room, complete the layout. A covered porch opens off the office and runs the length of this 2,552± square foot home, just waiting for the excited new owners.

Sited on .69± acres, on an attractive, landscaped hilly lot, this home proclaims its mountain-inspired roots, but delivers comfortable, twenty-first century living. You’ll need either an all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicle to comfortably reach this hideaway, but the prize that awaits at the top of the mountain is a great trade-off.

Families with children planning on full-time living can select from one high quality public school system and two prestigious private schools. And it’s an easy drive for shopping and dining into both Clayton and Clarkesville.

Ready to make this mountain-top retreat yours? Check out MLS 8955977 and contact Poss Realty Agent Kevin Croom at 706-9821371, or at the office at 706-746-5962.

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ADVERTISER’S INDEX BUSINESS

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Adam’s Hearing Aid Specialists | www.adamshearingaids.com | 74 Amrine’s Equipment Rentals | www.amrineequipment.business.site | 84 Andy’s Market | www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054640621696 | 47 Around Back at Rocky’s Place | www.aroundbackatrockysplace.com | 18 Atlanta Fine Homes | Southeby’s – www.atlantafinehomes.com | 29 Battle Branch Baptist Church | www.battlebranchchurch.com | 57 Belle & Barn Co. | www.instagram.com/thebelleandbarn | 42 Berkshire Hathaway Home Services | www.bhhsgeorgia.com | 34, 35 Bethel & Co, LLC | www.bethelco.com | 32 Bill’s Aluminum Products | www.billsaluminum.com | 80 Blossman Gas, Appliance & Service | www.blossmangas.com | 80 Blue Ridge Honey Company | www.blueridgehoneycompany.com | 52 Blue Ridge Music | www.blueridgemusicacademy.com | 18 Christine’s Home Decor | www.christineshomedecor.com | 80 Claws & Paws Pet Boutique | www.claytonpawsandclaws.com | 78 Clayton Cafe | www.facebook.com/claytoncafe | 46 Clayton Farmer’s Market | www.facebook.com/claytonfarmers | 46 Clayton Paint & Flooring Center | www.claytonpaintandflooring.com | 80 Clayton Pharmacy | www.facebook.com/theclaytonpharmacy | 43 Clayton Welding & Supply Co | www.claytonweldingsupply.com | 84 Creative Framing | www.creativeframing.info | 59 Dakota Freeman Enterprises | www.facebook.com/Dakota-Freeman-Enterprises-LLC | 84 Deal’s Appliance & Service | 81 Dillard Market | www.facebook.com/Dillardmarket | 24 Dillard Methodist Church | www.dillardumc.com | 55 Dosher Physical Therapy | www.dosherphysicaltherapy.com | 74 Emory Jones, Author | www.emoryjones.com | 61 Eric Watson, P.A. | www.ericwatson.com | 79 Erwin Heating and Air | www.facebook.com/Erwinheatingandair | 88 Farm Bureau Insurance | www.facebook.com/RabunCountyFarmBureauInsurance | 52 Fire & Light Glass Studio | www.fireandlightglass.com | 19 Foxfire Mountaineer Festival | www.foxfire.org | 67 Funkiture Studio & Gift Shop | www.funkituregifts.com | 88 Furniture Barn | www.thefurnitureman.com | 88 General Store | www.tallulahpoint.net | 52 Georgia Mountain Homebuilders | www.georgiamountainhba.com | 89 Green Acres Antiques & Marketplace | www.facebook.com/greenacresantiques |30 Habersham Medical Center | www.habershammedical.com | 71 Hamby Events | www.hambyevents.com | 61 Hangers Plus | www.facebook.com/hangersplus | 43 Harry Norman Realtors Lake & Mtns | www.luxurylakeandmountain.com | IF,1-7,10 -13 Hartford House | www.hartfordhousefurniture.com | 28 Hillside Orchard Farms | www.hillsideorchard.com | 47 Hollybeth Organics | www.hollybethorganics.com | 42 House of Hair | www.facebook.com/Stylesalijames | 24 Jack’s Upholstery | www.facebook.com/sewwhatjacksupholerstry | 85 LaBella’s Aesthetics | 69 Lakemont Cycle Studio | www.lakemontcycle.com | 24 Lakemont Gallery | www.lakemontgallery.com | 24 Life Point Medical, LLC | www.lpwomenscenter.com | 77 90 www.gmlaurel.com - September 2021

Madison’s on Main | www.shopmadisonsonmain.com | 42 Mama G’s Italian Restaurant | www.loveisgoodfood.org | 47 Metro Water Filter of the South | www.metrowaterfilter.com | 81 Michael’s Screen Service | www.northgeorgiaporchscreening.com | 88 Mossy Rock | www.facebook.com/MossyRockNC | 59 Mountain Aire Cottages & Inn | www.mountainairecottages.com | 42 Mountain Feathers | 19 Mountain Lakes Medical Center | www.mountainlakesmedicalcenter.com | 75 Mountain Physical Therapy | www.claytonphysicaltherapy.com | 77 Mountain Springs Spas and Pools, Inc | www.mountainhotsprings.com | 80 Mountain Works Construction | www.mtnworksconstruction.com | 29 Native American Craft Shop | www.greatsmokiesaaert.com | 52 North Georgia Arts Guild | www.northgeorgiaartsguild.com | 19 Northeast Georgia Heating/Air | www.negahvac.com | 81 Of These Mountains | www.ofthesemountain.com | 66 Oinkers Restaurant | www.facebook.com/oinkersbbqclaytonga | 46 Painting Fern Festival | www.ngag.org | 19 Peter McIntosh Photography | www.mcintoshmountain.com | 39 Place of Hope | 65 Porch Living 24/7/365 | www.rabunbuilders/porchliving.com | 53 Poss Realty | www.possrealty.com | 17, 39, 61, 79, 91-96, 97, BC Primal Freedom | 74 Property Stewards | www.propertystewards.com | 80 Rabun C&D, LLC | 89 Rabun County Historical Society | www.rabunhistory.org | 66 Rabun Flooring | 32 Randy’s Steel & Welding Supply | www.emeryswoodworks.com | 89 R&M Heating & Cooling | www.randmheatingandcooling.com | 84 RM Rose Distillery | www.rmroseco.com | 51 Shield Realtors | www.shieldrealtors.com | 30 Sky 96.3 and Real Country 100.3 | www.sky963.com | 79 Smith & Ramey Plumbing, LLC | 88 Smitty’s Spirits | www.facebook.com/smittysspirits | 52 Soque Artworks | www.soqueartworks.com | 30 Stateline Spirits | 54 Sunshine & Sawdust DIY Studio | facebook.com/sunshineandsawdusstudio | 18 Ten Roof with Countryside Creations | www.facebook.com/tenroofclothing | 61 The Attic Antiques | www.facebook.com/The-Attic-Antiques | 59 The Classy Flea | 81 The Cutting Edge Salon | 58 The Farmhouse Market | www.vincesfarmhouse.com | 46 The Firewood Company | www.firewoodcompany.net | 89 The Summer House by Reeves | www.summerhousehighlands.com | 63 Tiger Drive-In | www.tigerdriveinn.com | 52 Tiger United Methodist Church | www.ngumc.org | 57 Timpson Creek Gallery | www.timpsoncreek.com | 24 Veteran’s Ride | 69 Wilbanks Smile Center | www.wilbankssmilecenter.com | 73 Wiley Church | www.wileychurch.net | 55 Willow Valley RV Resort | www.willowvalleyrv.com | 38 Wood’s Mercantile | www.woodsmercantile.com | 30 Yourtime Fitness | www.yourtime-fitness.com | 43

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