September 24
Tracy McCoy
Publisher/Editor
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Cindi Freeman
Manager | Marketing
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Melynda Hensley
Marketing | Graphics
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D’Anna Coleman
Assistant Manager Graphics
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Lucas McCoy
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I declare that life is a blessing. I stand by that no matter what happens. Even when deadlines are missed, we continue to be blessed. So, we are excited to present our Foxfire Issue with you and know you are going to love it. The articles inside are written by Foxfire Alumni and feature some local characters and heartfelt tributes that will both inspire and entertain you. Foxfire is near and dear to my heart for many reasons and I talk about that in my own article this month. We are fortunate to have Foxfire and the Rabun County Historical Society both working to preserve our history and celebrate our heritage.
Also in this issue we’ll go on a hike with Peter to Reedy Creek Falls and the Chattooga River. We will enjoy Scarlett Cook’s recipes and meet Mandy Rivers of www.SouthYourMouth.com and Food Network fame. We will learn about a new gathering of Christ followers called Moving Mountains that will take place in the coming weeks and you’ll learn about vertigo from Dr. Jackson! Emory takes Cunningham to visit the Foxfire Museum and it’s quite an adventure.
Fall is literally right aroudn the corner and I personally can’t wait. If you are a summer lover, I am sorry it is Pumpkin Spice time! I just bought a new sweater and can’t wait to wear it with my cute boots! I am a fan of all things fall! This issue, while it might have been a few days late was crafted with love for our readers, appreciation for our advertisers and a deep affection for these mountains. Please accept it as such.
You all are the reason we do what we do and the reason why we do it well. This is your magazine and the writers, photographers, and businesses that support it are the true blessings. Thank you to all who give of their time and resources to make it happen, this issue is our 246th issue. That is pretty incredible. Enjoy your September and be sweet for no reason at all.
Tracy
SEPTEMBER 2024 | VOLUME TWENTY-ONE | ISSUE NINE
Writers & Contributors: Peter McIntosh, Victoria (Tori) Carver, Scarlett Cook, Pastor Cliff Lewis, Dr. Keith Jackson, John Shivers, Jonan Keeny, Susan T. Cookson, MD, MPH, Teresia Dunn, Perry Barrett, Edd Diden, Kay Collins, John Singleton, Emory Jones
The Laurel of Northeast Georgia maintains a Christian focus throughout
Rabun’s Laurel, Inc. reserves the right to refuse content or advertising for any reason without explanation.
10 - The Foxfire Cycle of Learning
- Who Was Maude Shope?
- A Tribute to My Mother’s Love of Cooking
- My Amazing Mom
- Sheriff Luther Rickman
- A Bucket of Bent Nails
- Adventure Out -
- Firmly Rooted -
- Rabun Paws-4-Life
Taste
- Bon Appetit
- Moving Mountains Gathering
- Wiley Presbyterian Celebrates 100th
- GriefShare Support Group
Around Town
- Clayton Then and Now
- Why Foxfire Means So Much
- Rabun County Historical Society
- Estate Article to Benefit AARC
Homes
- Harry Norman Luxury Lake & Mountains Healthy and Well
- There is Always Hope
- Dementia Caregiver Support
- Ask Dr. J - Vertigo
Just Thinking
- By the Way - Cunningham Visits Foxfire
John Singleton
This summer marks the 50th Anniversary of the creation of the Foxfire Museum. If you’re from this area, you are likely aware of the story about how Foxfire began, but if not, I’ll retell it here in an abbreviated form. In the late 60’s, Rabun Gap Nacoochee School hired a teacher fresh out of an Ivy League university. A few months into his classes, the professor realized that Shakespeare and Chaucer were a hard sell to many of the students, particularly those who had to work on their farms before school and afterwards. In order to help him realize the problem of academic relevance, they often played pranks on him in the classroom, at one point setting a trashcan on fire.
A half a century later, working today on the mountain where Foxfire resides as a museum, research facility and educational organization, it is difficult to look at the students producing the magazines and books and imagine the distance traveled. While it has been necessary to look critically at Foxfire’s impacts over the years, the reality is that Foxfire continues to serve the community as a recorder of historical record, as a collector of stories and traditions that are disappearing rapidly, and as a collaborative partner to all in our community that value the traditions, beliefs and traditions of our ancestors.
Foxfire’s adaptations over the years include assessing our impacts on our students, on more than one rebranding effort (teacher education, museum curation, historical preservation) and a hard-fought effort to maintain many of our core messages. Perhaps the most important message—certainly for me—is the cycle of life and learning that is part of the Foxfire Community. I could tell my own story of coming home, but its perhaps more interesting to tell the story of Madi Perdue, a senior at UGA majoring in Agricultural Communication. Madi began as a student in her early teens, participated in Foxfire for several years, then returned first as a student mentor and now as summer faculty. In that time she has learned and also contributed perspective on being in the program. Using what she has learned at UGA, Madi has helped produce several versions of the magazine and provided local students with easy proof that it is possible to succeed at the highest academic levels without forgetting your community.
As readers of this article, you are also part of that cycle. Foxfire has always existed and benefited from its local and national friends. I, once a part of that program, now returned almost forty years later, will never know the names of the people who bought the books, donated funds and expertise, and contributed to Foxfire’s well-being. Besides seeing my name in print as a 16-year-old kid, I was the beneficiary of an academic award that help me pay for my university studies. Thinking on that, watching Madi and Georgann Lanich (also a former student, now-returned educator) teaching these students, and watching the students respond, I am grateful that my education coincided with Foxfire, and more so to see it continuing to flourish with these students.
A former student at Foxfire, John is now Director of Education and Community Engagement at Foxfire. John has worked in Higher Education since 1996, working to assure the assimilation of international students to US universities and also providing opportunities for domestic students to engage in programs around the world. John’s work with Foxfire supports the organization’s long-valued focus on preserving Appalachian culture while promoting educational access for students with connection to this region.
Tracy McCoy
love the photo from Foxfire on our cover this month but was not familiar with Maude Shope but I wanted to be. She looks like a spunky little lady and besides who doesn’t love a mule? The following info was taken from student interviews with Maude and this is what I learned.
Maude lived on Coweeta Creek in Otto, North Carolina. At the time of her interview, she was 76 years old. She had lived on the creek for 53 years. Billy Maney, Danny Brown, Carlton Young, Vicki Chastain, Shelia Vinson and Debbie Law visited in December of 1971. I reviewed all of their notes and through their work I feel that I was there. I could hear her talk and see her smile. I could see the earnest way in which she tried her best to answer every question they had. I saw that her dogs, cats, cows and mule Frank meant the world to her and were among her most prized possesions. She lived in the woods of south Macon County all of her life. She married her husband Fred Shope when she was 19 years old. She was mother to 12 children, her youngest a set of twin boys. She delivered all but four of them at home. With no formal training she helped other women deliver their children during a time when babies came
quicker than the doctor could get there. Most births back in those days were unattended and going to the hospital was unheard of.
She attended school until the 4th grade and her husband quit in the 6th. Children were needed to work on the farms and Maude loved to work outside better than inside. She proclaimed she wasn’t much at housekeeping and would rather be in the fields. She cooked on a wood cookstove and like most all families they grew their own food, having as big of a garden as they could. They raised and slaughtered the meat they ate, it was the only way. When asked about cooking she had this to say, “I can put me on a pot a green beans or shelled beans or what ever I’ve got and cook ‘em here on the far. Nine times out of 10 nearly, they (women today) stop at the store and get some canned stuff and then come in and fix their supper in a few minutes where it takes me all day t’ cook a half a pot o’ beans. I don’t know which is the best. It’s
best fer me t’ do it th’ old fashioned way, but I’ve got my way and they’ve got their’s.”
I speculate that she had never been much further than Franklin to the north and Dillard to the south. When asked if she thought city life would be better, her response was, “Don’t want no city life. I like country life better – well, I’ve never lived in a city, but I don’t want to. Fer one thing if yer in the city it’s a noise all the time. Back in the country you got yer free runnin’ water an all such as that. Well, I wouldn’t swap this little shack her fer th’ finest house in New York… I wouldn’t do it. That’s the way I feel.”
“I b’lieve in tendin’ to your own business an’ leavin’ other people alone. If you tend to yer own business, you’ve got a plenty t’ do without a tendin’ t’ mine. Not to say I’m perfect ur anything.” she said. This was a sentiment that she repeated during her interviews, allowing others to live their life as they see fit was important to her. A good way to live as far as I see it too.
When asked about religion and the values her parents taught her, she said, “Well bein’ truthful an’ honest. They didn’t ‘strict us down t’ havin’ t’ belong to th’ church that they b’longed to nor nothin’. We had our privilege. They was Methodist, both of em, an naturally I’m a Methodist, but if we’d a wanted t’ been Baptists, they wouldn’t of objected. Just whatever that we seened fit that we wanted. Same way with politics – they were all Democrats, but if we’d a wanted to’ be somethin’ else they wouldn’t of fussed on us.” In later years Maude claimed to be a Republican but said she preferred to vote for the man (there were few if any women in politics back then). Sometimes she voted with the Democrats and sometimes with the Republicans, she said she didn’t believe in just voting for the party. She went on to say that she used to go to church and pray in public when she was younger but not so much in her older years. “I used t’ get down and pray on my knees, but now I pray in my mind. I don’t always live right, but I try.”
When asked about driving she told the students, “I never did try ‘t drive a car, nothin’ more than drove one up to a funeral one time, that’s the only time ever, I reckon. My mule is the way I got around. I used t’ ride him t’ Otto t’ get groceries. I’ve drove him all th’ way to Franklin an’ back years ago. Course you couldn’t do it now – there’s way too many cars on th’ road. I need help a’gettin’ on him. I can’t git on from th’ ground. I’ve had him since he’s 18 months old. He’ll be 32 years old in February. You can drag wood with him – anything y’ want to do, he’ll do. Any kind of work you want done, yes sir, he is sumthin’!”
During their visit she told them, “Don’t take down all I say, I might get mad at a youngin’ or a cat and say somethin’ awful.” She wanted them to know that,”...One thing youngun’s you can take down is I’m not a’gonna steal if I can get by I won’t steal a thang. I won’t lie to ye and I won’t steal. I say bad words sometimes, I don’t deny it, I say nasty words and I cuss sometimes, I’ve done that, but stealin’ or lyin’ to ye, I’m not a’gonna do it, cause I think that is a dirty thing to do.”
Maude died on July 27, 1972, a short 7 months after they completed their interview with her. Maude was featured in Foxfire 2 and again after her death in The Foxfire Book of Appalachian Women. Copies of the Foxfire magazines and books can be found in the Foxfire Mercantile on the property of the Foxfire Museum 98 Foxfire Lane, Mountain City, Georgia. Visit www.foxfire.org for more information.
Kaye Carver Collins
My mother. Leona Thomas Carver, loved to cook, especially for crowds. Nothing made her happier than having the entire family—eleven kids, nineteen grandkids, twenty-nine great-grandkids, and all the other relatives—gather at her home to enjoy good company and even better food. She made sure there was plenty to eat and that no one left hungry.
My mother’s journey with cooking began at a young age. When her mother passed away when she was just ten years old, she stepped up to the wood stove, standing on a chair to cook for her father and younger siblings. This early responsibility not only honed her skills but also instilled in her a deep love for cooking for her family that lasted a lifetime.
Throughout her life, my mother shared her culinary talents with many. She cooked for several establishments, including Nate’s Diner, Camp Pinnacle, Kate’s Cafe, and The Dillard House. Each place benefited from her expertise and passion for food. Her cooking wasn’t just a job; it was a way to bring joy to others and connect with her community.
In addition to her professional cooking, my mother and father grew a large garden to feed all the kids. They planted and canned by the signs and always had a bountiful crop. The garden was a testament to their dedication and hard work. Every year, she spent a week at the local cannery preparing beans, corn, hog’s head stew, and other essentials to provide food for the coming winter. This process ensured that the family was well-fed throughout the year, regardless of the season.
As a child, I have fond memories of coming home from school to get snacks prepared by my mother. Cathead biscuits covered in
Kaye with her mom, Leona Carver and below talking with students
sugar, pickled corn in a crock, and leftover crumbled cornbread in milk were just a few of the treats that awaited us. These simple yet delicious snacks were a reflection of her love and care.
Looking back, I don’t think I ever fully appreciated all her efforts back then. It was only later in life that I realized the extent of her dedication and the impact it had on our family. Today, I am grateful to have some of her best recipes, which bring me comfort on bad days. They serve as a reminder of her love and the incredible legacy she left behind.
My mother’s love for cooking was more than just about making meals; it was about creating a sense of togetherness and nurturing those around her. Her legacy lives on through the cherished recipes and the memories we hold dear. Every dish she made was a labor of love, and her influence continues to inspire us all.
Below are two of my favorite comfort foods from my mama’s recipes:
1/4 to ½ cup grease from bacon or lard ( I use vegetable oil)
1 cup cornmeal
1½ - 2 cups milk
Salt and pepper
Put your grease in a cast iron pan on the stove and set at a little above medium until it is really hot. Add your cornmeal Stir until the meal is turning brown. Add the milk and stir constantly until it is as thick as you want. Salt and pepper to taste. Pour over fresh made southern cornbread and enjoy. This will feed two to three people.
2 cups cooked sweet peas
2 cups cooked whole kernel corn
1 cup cooked cubed potatoes
1 cup cooked carrots
2 cups cooked green beans
½ cup tomato sauce
2-3 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1 to 2 tablespoons finely minced onions
1 pound of cooked ground beef
Brown the beef. Cook the vegetables (I cheat and use two cans of 29 oz. Veg-all - removing the celery). Add all the vegetables to a large pot. Add tomato sauce, onions, and water. Add sugar and butter. Add the ground beef (as a vegetarian, I leave this out). Cook on medium until the mixture begins to simmer. Then lower the temperature and let soup simmer for at least one hour. This will feed six to eight people. Note: You have to use butter, not margarine. You have to put in the sugar to kill the acidity of the tomato sauce.
Teresia Gravley Dunn
My years of study with Foxfire instilled in me the need to be mindful of both the big and the small moments in life, because these moments mesh to make up our unique histories. With that in mind, I typically try to keep my phone handy in case a notable moment presents itself. I have dozens of notes and photos from times I want to remember, possibly for just such an occasion as this.
It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but, to me, this picture is worth more than gold. To the average observer, it would most likely barely afford a second glance, since it appears to be just two people walking away from the camera. But the story behind this photo goes much deeper than a quick glance provides.
I took this photo on Easter Sunday afternoon at my sister’s home in Cleveland, GA. The two people pictured are my parents. They are in the process of walking across the lawn in search of Easter eggs with my niece and nephew. The priceless part of this picture is that it depicts my mother’s first journey across an uneven surface after having a stroke earlier in the winter. Our family was not certain that this simple act would ever again be attainable for our normally spunky, lively wife, mother and grandmother.
Her pluck and tenacity come from being brought up in the mountain hollers of the Warwoman community, where she learned to work hard around the farm and the home. As the oldest child of seven, she often found herself being the primary caregiver for her siblings while her parents worked full-time jobs away from home to make ends meet. Even after marrying my father and moving into her own home, she frequently looked after her younger brothers and sisters while raising her own children. Through hard work and a strong faith in God, she developed an inner strength that she relies on to this day.
So you see, this seemingly innocuous scene represents the fighting spirit of a strong, determined woman, the never-ending support of a loving, devoted man, and the precious mercy of a gracious, mighty God, and it’s the favorite shot in my photo gallery. I am looking forward to capturing many more moments are the days go by.
TeresiaGravleyDunnhasalonghistorywithFoxfirewhichbeganatRabunCountyHighSchoolinthe1980s.ShewasaFoxfirescholarship recipientandemployeethroughouthercollegeyearsbeforeservingontheCommunityBoardandnowtheBoardofDirectors.Shecontinues toliveinRabunCountyaslife-longresidentwithmulti-generationalroots.Beforeretiring,sheservedasanitinerantteacherfortheblind andvisuallyimpairedintheAppalachianMountainsofnortheastGeorgia.
Perry Barrett
Luther Rickman was born in 1889 on a family farm in Rabun Gap, the oldest of eight children. At the tender age of ten, Rickman witnessed the local sheriff make an arrest and immediately informed his parents that he intended to become the sheriff of Rabun County (Foxfire, 1967). After serving as Deputy Sheriff for four years, Rickman became Sheriff in 1917, fulfilling his pledge some 17 years earlier (Vintage Rabun Quarterly, 2020).
As a young boy, Rickman helped grade the land and haul the foundation stones for the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, which he later attended. Along with fellow Rabun Gap-Nacoochee students Bill Selph and Bobby Bass, I was present at the interview of Sheriff Rickman, a colorful and dramatic storyteller. To our youthful delight, he relayed a mesmerizing tale of danger and intrigue.
On the afternoon of August 26, 1936, three men burst into the Bank of Clayton on South Main Street, making a sudden departure after one of them fired a single shot near an approaching citizen. As the robbers sped south, they were tossing tarpaper nails out of their back window as they drove, but Rickman just crossed into the opposing lane to continue his hot pursuit from Clayton to Tiger. With the robbers successfully fleeing to North Carolina, Sheriff Rickman had to wait five years to get his man, Zade Sprinkles, who Rickman brought back to Georgia where he was convicted of bank robbery (FoxfireMagazine, 1967).
My strongest memory of interviewing Sheriff Rickman was how his voice transformed from his normal speech when he deliberately spoke into the microphone, with his voice becoming much louder, colorful, and dramatic as he relayed his captivating tale of the Great Clayton Bank Robbery.
Although Sheriff Rickman dated the robbery in the year 1936, the robbery occurred in August of 1934. The Bank of Clayton had barely emerged from President Roosevelt’s 1933 bank holiday with sufficient funds to warrant reopening, just 18 months before the robbery. Fortunately, the robbers were never able to open the vault, fleeing with just $1,800 in cash (The Vintage RabunQuarterly, 2016) (Laurel,2024).
Edd Diden, Retired Educator Former Foxfire Board Member
Igrew up in a different time. I will resist the temptation to indulge in a nostalgic walk down memory lane extolling the virtues of the “good ole days.” The time was different – not necessarily better or worse –just different. My father was a timber cutter, and we lived on a small farm. The age was characterized by a high degree of self-sufficiency. Our small farm provided 90 percent of the food needed for the seven members of our family. My father kept a small metal bucket on the back porch that was filled with bent nails. Why on earth would a man keep bent nails?
When we engaged in one of the many repair projects on the farm, the bucket of bent nails always went with us. Whether building fence or a new gate, repairing loose boards on the barn, or building a corncrib, Dad would say, “get that bucket of nails!” Not only were the nails bent, but they were also rusty. As small children, my brothers and I sorted through this tangled mass to find the least bent of all the nails. We also straighten the nails to prepare them for use. Although my father never used the term, conservation was a way of life in our corner of rural Appalachia. The economic reality of the day dictated that bent nails were recycled. I don’t recall hearing anyone using that word either. Scraps of cloth, flour sacks, and feed sacks were not thrown away, but used in a variety of ways. Hand-me-down clothes were the order of the day.
Such rusty, bent nails might serve as a metaphor for many experiences for mountain folk in rural places. What if we thought of people as bent, rusty nails - worthless to some while useful to others. In my years as an educator, I’ve seen many bent and twisted young people as a result of the pressures and circumstances of life. Some situations were the result of individual folly; others caused by uncontrollable circumstances. Can they choose to straighten their lives for productive purposes? When straightening those nails as a child, a smashed finger often resulted. Helping someone else straighten out his/her life may even be painful for the one lending a hand. It will cost you something – time, energy, or financial resources. As caring adults, we can be instruments of healing. Not everyone will respond, but we must make the effort. When observing those mired in a struggle of life, perhaps we should remember the bucket of bent nails - bent, yes, and rusty, but still usable!!
photos and virtual tour scan the QR code
Could THIS be your personal Mountain Retreat? It features 7 bedrooms, 7 baths plus lofts & bonus rooms on 5.75 acres with a waterfall and 2 ponds. For hikers and those who love to explore these mountains, it’s a short walk to the trailhead leading to Rabun Bald (the second tallest mountain in Georgia) surrounded by thousands of acres of National Forest laced with trails, including the famous Bartram Trail. With Sky Valley Golf Course (open to the public) just down the road, the avid golfer will be delighted, especially with the cool temperatures that come with the 3100 feet elevation (this home is actually higher).
There’s something to do in every season - snow tubing, zip lining, fishing, swimming and tennis, all within a few minutes of this property. Also nearby are great restaurants and shops in Clayton, Dillard and Highlands. But you really need not leave this 5.75 acre tract with its rare combination of extraordinary landscape features. At the top of the list is the “walkabout” yard with two ponds fed by a cascading stream and waterfall. It is beautifully landscaped with native plants like rhododendrons, azaleas and others, all well-established. Looking out and up is a view of Rabun Bald... to the west is lower terrain with gorgeous evening sunsets. With ponds and a firepit and for the kids, being here will seem like living at summer camp, but with luxury accommodations.
If what you have read already sounds good, make an appointment to see this exceptional property. In the meantime, please see the virtual tour which includes a drone video.
The Chattooga River is celebrating the 50th anniversary of being designated a National Wild and Scenic River. And with that in mind, we’re going to visit two Chattooga beauty spots, Reedy Branch Falls, which is part of the river’s watershed, and Bull Sluice, probably the best known and easiest to get to of the fabled river’s Class 5 Rapids.
Reedy Branch Falls is a charming cascade that’s a little over 30 feet high with a nice wading pool at the base. This is a great family destination because it’s super easy to get to, about 1/4 mile each way, with most of the trail being an old, gently descending road bed. The trailhead is an unmarked pull out on the right side Hwy 76 E, 1.8 miles beyond the Chattooga River Bridge. There is some elaborate stonework at the trail’s beginning, something you’d expect to see at a gated community. And that was the plan before the forest service purchased the property. (Thank you U. S. Forest Service!)
After passing through the stacked stone portal, the trail takes you quickly into a deep cool forest. There’s the sound a small rushing stream alongside the trail but that’s not Reedy Branch. After strolling gently downhill for a few hundred yards, the trail meets up with Reedy Branch at the remnants of an old washed-out bridge. You’ll see the road continues on, after fording the stream, terminating at what once was a pond constructed for the aforementioned community. (The trail does not lead down to the river, just fyi.) Here we turn left, crossing over a small wooden footbridge, and right away the waterfall comes into view through the trees. (I told you it was an easy hike.) This is a beautifully structured cascade with lots of ledges for the water to dance on, spraying into the air. And there’s a shallow wading pool at the base of the falls if you want to cool your toes.
Up next is Bull Sluice Rapid on the Chattooga River. And in this article, we’re focusing on the South Carolina side. Both sides are accessed from a parking area in South Carolina just past the Chattooga River Bridge on US 76 East.
The South Carolina river access is by far the easiest. There is a nice gravel footpath, about ¼ mile in length, descending from the parking area that leads to an observation point above the river. From here you can climb out on the rocks as long as
you’re careful. And along this path there is a cutback to the left descending to a boater’s takeout point. There is a nice sandy beach here and it’s a great place to take kids for skipping rocks, dipping their toes in the water, or having a picnic. Happy hiking!
As the summer turns to fall, my September poem I now recall: We have two destinations that are pretty nifty, As a “National Wild and Scenic River” turns fifty. First to a cascade on a branch called Reedy, And then to Bull Sluice where the river is speedy!
Getting there:
From Hwy 76 and Hwy 441 in Clayton, go east on 76, 8 miles to the Chattooga River bridge. From the bridge it’s 1.8 miles to the unmarked pullout on right. If you get to Chattooga Ridge Road, you gone too far, 2/10 of a mile too far, so no biggie. And the Bull Sluice parking area is just down the road on the right if you’re heading back towards Georgia.
Just fyi: the Chattooga River is under the stewardship of the Chattooga Conservancy. These folks work hard protecting this beautiful natural resource and can use your support. Find out more at: www.chattoogariver.org
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
Did you know that Rabun County once held the distinction of being the moonshine capital of Georgia? Or that a 58-mile railroad brought a measure of prosperity to an isolated and poverty-stricken county? Or that chain gang labor was used to reduce taxes?
These are just a few of the things readers will discover in Cherokees, Corn Likker and a Black Diamond, which continues historian Dick Cinquina’s journey into the history of Rabun County. This recently published book, which is the sequel to Mountains, Moonshine and a Railroad now in its fourth printing, sheds light on what he calls “the unbelievably colorful and occasionally humorous history of Rabun and the surrounding region.”
Among the 42 carefully researched essays in Cherokees, Corn Likker and a Black Diamond, readers will learn about the bloody Anglo-Cherokee War that was fought in Rabun County…how surveying blunders and a brief war caused Georgia to forfeit land to North Carolina and Tennessee…how slavery found its way to a county geographically unsuited for plantation… why a town, once Rabun’s largest, disappeared under a lake…and how the environmental devastation of clear-cut logging ironically resulted in the establishment of the Chattahoochee and Nantahala National Forest.
“The history of Rabun County,” Dick said, “is a rich tapestry of people and events that mirrors the history and development of the southern Appalachians. But in many respects, Rabun’s history is unlike that of other counties in north Georgia.”
Founded in 1819 on land forcibly ceded by the Cherokees, Rabun was part of the American frontier during most of the 1800s. Settled by Scotch-Irish immigrants who brought their whiskey-making skills from the Old World, Rabun remained an isolated and unchanged subsistence farming society until the Tallulah Falls Railroad opened the county to the world beyond the mountains.
During the first decades of the twentieth century, the railroad facilitated the development of tourism, logging, the construction of hydroelectric dams and the opening of many new businesses. The economic progress made during this period was reversed by the Great Depression, which plunged the county back into the depths of poverty. A measure of prosperity returned with the growth of textile manufacturing beginning in the 1950s, but every plant in the county folded due to the onslaught of lower-cost offshore competition. Rabun County has since developed into a tourist destination in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Cherokees, Corn Likker and a Black Diamond can be purchased in downtown Clayton at Wander North Georgia and the Rabun County Historical Society as well as at Ladybug Landing in Lakemont.
Dogs have a natural inclination to explore, and while certain breeds may be more likely to roam, most dogs are naturally curious and can sometimes get into trouble with their noses leading the way. Unless taken far from home, it’s rare for a dog to be truly lost, as they often find their way back to their familiar surroundings, like their food bowl. However, when pets venture off on their own, the biggest risk they face is encountering humans who may not prioritize their safety. Stray pets may be at risk from vehicles and individuals who don’t value the lives of animals.
Rabun Paws 4 Life and many other shelters are currently over capacity. They recently posted photos of dogs that arrived at the shelter as strays. If you have lost a pet, please consider checking if they have been taken to the local shelter. Similarly, if you are interested in adopting a pet, consider offering a loving home to these dogs who are in need. If you recognize a pet in the photos, please call the shelter so they can be reunited with their owners. While surrendering a pet is a difficult decision, it’s sometimes necessary. If rehoming your pet becomes necessary, please ensure it’s done in the right way by finding them a new home or taking them to a shelter.
Paws 4 Life is located at 261 Boen Road, Tiger, Georgia. Information on adoption and the shelter’s needs is available at www. rabunpaws4life.com or by calling Everette at 706-782-7422.
Tori Carver
Iam sure most of you have heard of annuals and perennials when discussing flowers. What you may not know, however, is there are two types of annuals: hardy and tender. While both types of annuals complete a similar life cycle, each is planted into different conditions and different timelines.
When I first began flower farming, I had a hard time wrapping my brain around the difference between “hardy” and “tender”. I initially thought “tender” annuals were fragile and needed extra care and protection because they were wimps. I also thought “hardy” annuals were grown in the warm months because they were strong and robust. You have probably deduced that I got it completely backwards.
“Cool season hardy annuals” thrive when planted and grown in cool (and even cold) conditions. They can be started in the fall and overwintered or can be started in the late winter or very, very early spring. They are called “hardy” because they are the hardest working, most productive plants in the garden and their ability to withstand cold temperatures is, quite frankly, shocking. Two years ago when the polar vortex blew through, my hardy annuals survived with only two thin layers of frost cloth as protection. Last fall, I haphazardly planted an extra sowing of yarrow and completely ignored it all winter. No protection from the cold whatsoever and it was the best and most productive yarrow crop I have ever grown. Honestly, hardy annuals are an indispensable addition to a cut flower garden if you desire spring flowers.
Victoria (Tori) Carver is a flower farmer. From the thousand bulbs and plants that she puts in the ground each year she creates lovely bouquets. Tori and her husband and children make their home in Clayton, where they are a treasured part of the community. If you are interested in Firmly Rooted Flower Farm please reach out by email to firmlyrootedflowerfarm@gmail.com or phone 706-490-0041. You will also enjoy their website at www.firmlyrootedflowerfarm.com
Tender annuals are also known as “warm season tender annuals” and are the true wimps when it comes to cold weather. They prefer soil temps over 60 degrees and should not be planted outdoors until the last expected frost date has passed because they cannot tolerate a heavy frost. They are also indispensable because of their ability to withstand summer growing conditions which are often hot and humid.
Through time and experience, I have come to realize I thoroughly enjoy growing hardy annuals. When winter slowly starts to fade I crave those first bits of color only hardy annuals can provide. I transplant my seedlings in October and November and they hang out in their tidy little rows all winter while secretly growing and building roots underground. Then, when the daylight begins to lengthen and temps start to warm, they rise up and grow and bring forth the most glorious spring flowers.
If you are interested in overwintering hardy annuals, now is the time to get those seeds started so you can plant them out this fall. In case you are wondering which flowers fall into the hardy annual category, here are a few that I happen to grow: Black-eyed Susan, False Queen Anne’s Lace, Feverfew, Foxglove, Lisianthus, Pincushion, Poppy, Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet Pea, Sweet William, and Yarrow.
And just to round out the topic, a few tender annuals I grow here on the farm are sunflowers, zinnias, celosia, amaranth, basil, cosmos, and marigolds.
By carefully planning and growing both types of annuals, I have flowers blooming from late April all the way to the first frost in October.
By Scarlett Cook
It’s time to put away the floats, beach towels, and sunscreen. School has begun and along with it, football games, band practice, and every other sport practice and school club meetings. And all other activities outside of school. There is just one more opportunity to gather all your friends and have a get-together. Don’t try to do it all by yourself; no one minds bringing a dish to round out the menu. Make it easy on yourself and try some of these recipes. So pull out a festive tablecloth and use baskets of local produce as your decorations. And don’t panic – it’s 116 days until Christmas.
Shrimp and Artichoke Hearts Serves 8
¾ Cup olive oil
¼ Cup rice wine vinegar
2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 Green onions, finely chopped
2 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley
2 Tablespoons minced fresh chives
2 14-Ounce cans marinated artichoke hearts, drained
1 Pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cooked
Beat oil, vinegar, and mustard until creamy.
Add onions, parsley, chives, artichoke hearts, and shrimp. Stir to coat.
Cover and chill overnight.
Fruit Surprise Serves 8
1 Cup seedless grapes, halved
1 Cup fresh blueberries
1 Cup fresh strawberries, halved
1 Cup chopped peaches
1 Cup packed brown sugar
2 Cups sour cream
Mix the fruit in a 9”X13” baking dish and spread in a layer.
Sprinkle with brown sugar.
Spread the sour cream evenly over the sugar.
Cover and chill for at least 3 hours or up to 8 hours.
To serve spoon into wine glasses or small bowls.
Spicy Red Pepper Dip Serves 12
1 Small red onion, peeled
1 Teaspoon olive oil
1 7-Ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained
12 Fresh basil leaves or ½ teaspoon dried basil
12 Ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2 Tablespoons horseradish or to taste
¾ Teaspoon salt
¼ Teaspoon cayenne pepper
Red & green bell peppers cut into strips
Grape tomatoes
Cucumbers sliced
Bagel chips
Preheat oven to 400°.
Place whole peeled onion in a small baking dish. Drizzle with oil.
Bake for 45 minutes or until soft. Let cool.
Puree onion, roasted peppers, and basil in food processor. Add cream cheese and process until combined.
Place mixture in bowl and stir in horseradish and spices.
Cover and chill at least 3 hours or overnight.
Place dip on serving dish and surround with veggies.
Olive Cups Serves 12
1 Cup chopped pecans
1 Cup shredded Cheddar cheese
½ Cup pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced
½ Cup black olives, chopped
2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
2 15-Count packages phyllo shells
Preheat oven to 350°.
Combine pecans, cheese, olives, and mayo in a bowl and stir to mix.
Fill shells with olive mixture; place on baking sheet.
Bake for 8 minutes or until cheese melts.
Tracy McCoy
Ihear the same story every month. “I came here when I was younger and I wanted to live here someday.” There is something here that isn’t found everywhere. It is beyond our charming towns, natural beauty, salt of the earth people and rich history or maybe it’s all of that combined. When I heard Mandy Rivers of South Your Mouth landed here, I wondered what her story was. How did she find Rabun County? We set up an appointment to meet for coffee at White Birch Provisions. I checked the website so I knew who I was looking for and an hour later I closed the tab. You see SouthYourMouth.com is filled with recipes that Mandy has authored and it’s food we’d cook at home and the pictures are incredible. I love food and sometimes I love to cook too.
Mandy first came to Rabun County thirty years ago. She came home from college with a friend who was born and raised in Rabun County. Shelly Hunnicutt invited Mandy to come home with her for a holiday and she was welcomed into the Hunnicutt home. She came back often and still does. After college Mandy went on to work in Marketing. Her career was very successful and life was good. She met the love of her life, Jeff and together they made a great team. The couple went on to have two daughters and one son, the perfect family. Then came the recession and life got real hard, real fast. As anyone in the business knows, marketing is the first thing people cut when times get hard. I won’t tell you why that is a horrible idea, maybe I’ll share that another time.
Mandy and Jeff saw their jobs and savings dwindle. “It was hard times.” she said “so I began entering some of my recipes in recipe contests.” Mandy has great memories of watching
her Nanny, her paternal grandmother, cook. She went there everyday and she remembers her saying “Cheetah, get on your stool.” Mandy would sit and watch her nanny cook. Like most of our grandmothers, she likely put a pinch of this and a smidge of that, never measuring because she just knew. She knew what a cup looked like and what the consistency should be. Meanwhile her granddaughter was watching. When hard times hit she knew how to make food last. A $40 crate of food from the church down the road had to last a month, so she experimented with bean recipes and cooked more veggies than meat. With spare time on her hands, she started a recipe blog titled South Your Mouth. What came next was a pleasant surprise.
Researching, she found that most of the recipes online were copied from other sites and stock photos so she decided to make sure her recipes and photos were tested and perfected. She planned to just be herself, not sugar coat it, just be real. She is funny and genuine and her writing and recipes are easy to read. You honestly feel like maybe you are seated on a green vinyl stool in her kitchen watching and listening to a kitchen master. With her marketing background she used all of the tips and tricks she had learned about how to put herself and her site out there. Well, it blew up and for good reason! She got a book deal to produce a cookbook, of course titled South Your Mouth – Tried and True Southern Recipes and this one was followed up by a second one titled South Your Mouth Some More!
Food insecurity and desperate financial times produce two kinds of people. One who will consider giving up and the other that will pull refuse to quit. Mandy is the other one. She
created recipes and got scientific with it. She learned why some milks are better for sauces than the other because of the way the molecules react to heat. When to use melted butter vs softened. She pinched and dashed, seasoning to taste and then jotting notes on napkins and scraps of paper. She experimented with spices and whole herbs all the while producing recipes using things that most of us have or can afford to buy. Never forgetting those days when buying groceries was a luxury. In 2014 when her phone rang she was blown away by the person on the other end of the line… it was someone from Food Network®.
Mandy was deemed one of the best cooks in America and was contacted to represent the South with Iron Chef, Cat Cora on “America’s Best CookTM”. She left her home in Lexington, South Carolina headed for New York City. She has a big smile and big personality, a headful of curls and a beautiful heart. They loved her! She has been dubbed “the epitome of Southern cooking” and “renowned for her witty and creative recipes that are rooted in Southern cuisine”. Her cookbooks are bestsellers and have won her numerous awards. Had I known all of this when I sat across the table from her I might have been nervous but on the contrary I am calling her “wonderfully comfortable and a bonafide southern gal”. She is a big deal but you’d never know it, because she doesn’t know it. Those are my favorite kind of people. She is in awe of her life today. Grateful and determined to never see those hard days again. I think they are safely in the rearview mirror.
She loves her kids with every fiber of her being, her husband is her best friend and today she still lives in Lexington, South Carolina but has a small cabin in Rabun County and comes almost every weekend and every other chance she can. A peaceful place alongside a creek where she can sit and listen to the water rush over the river rocks, catch a trout or two and reconnect with her own small town upbringing. The joy of being a food blogger is that she can work from any location and feed her family in more ways than one. If Food Network® had gotten their way, Mandy would be filming a cooking show likely of Paula Deen’s status, minus the scandal. They really tried their best to convince this mom to spend 6 months a year away from home, behind the cameras. She seriously considered it, but she is a mom first, her kids are her life and so she turned that fame down, satisfied to continue southing the mouth of everyone she meets. It’s working… I have cooked her Country Fried Cube Steak & Gravy, used her Slow Cooker Hawaiian Ham for sliders and made her Homemade Chicken and Dumplings. I’ve cooked all of these things before and would have put my Chicken and Dumplings up against anyone’s, but hers were better!
Her website (southyourmouth.com) is filled with recipes, tips, tricks and humor. It has become a resource for me and I scoured the recipes and selected three that I plan to try and wanted to share with you. I hope you’ll try them out, enjoy them and then go follow her on social media and
access her website. You can always – Jump to the Recipebut I recommend that you read the how to’s, tips and notes because you’ll learn something you didn’t know, laugh and make a new friend. Then, when you see her in the grocery store or a local boutique in town, you will feel like you already know her and the next thing you know… you’ll be having coffee.
Yield: 10 Servings
Author: Mandy Rivers | South Your Mouth
Prep time: 10 Min Cook time: 45 Min
Inactive time: 30 MinTotal time: 1 H & 25 M
The absolute easiest, perfectly cooked roasted pork loin that’s tender and juicy every time with au jus that is deglazed in the oven as the roast bakes.
Ingredients
•1 pork loin (4-5 lbs)
•1 large onion
•2 tablespoons olive oil
•2 teaspoons salt
•2 teaspoons pepper
•1 teaspoon garlic powder
•1 teaspoon paprika
•1 teaspoon dried rosemary
•2 cups chicken broth, divided
Instructions
•Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
•Peel onion then cut into slices (about 1/3-inch thick). Arrange onion slices into a rectangle roughly the same size as the loin in the center of a 10x15 baking pan (pan needs to be at least 1-inch deep).
•Pat pork loin dry with paper towels.
•Combine olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, paprika and rosemary in a small bowl. Rub spice mixture all over pork loin then place the loin, fat-side up, on top of the onions.
•Bake, uncovered, at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. Open oven door then carefully pour half of the chicken broth into the pan (not on top of the loin).
•Continue cooking for 20 more minutes then add the remaining chicken broth to the pan.
•Continue cooking for 5-15 minutes longer or until internal temperature is at 145 degrees.
•Remove pan from oven, tent with foil then let rest 30 minutes. Yes, 30 minutes – it will still be steaming hot when you cut into it.
•The pork loin can be served 2 ways: with the pan juices as an au jus or thickened into a gravy with cornstarch.
•For either option, it’s entirely up to you whether to strain the juices to remove the onions.
•Option 1 – Au Jus: Taste pan juices for seasoning then add salt if desired. Serve in dipping cups or drizzled over sliced pork loin. If au jus has cooled too much by the time the meat is sliced, simply reheat in a small saucepan.
•Option 2 – Gravy: Once pork loin has rested, pour the pan juices (strained or not – totally up to you) into a saucepan then bring to a low boil. Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/3 cup cold water. Drizzle in half then mix until thickened. Add the remaining slurry if needed (impossible for me to know how much liquid you’re starting with so I don’t know how much
cornstarch you’ll need). Taste for seasoning then add salt if desired.
Notes
•This recipe is for pork loin, NOT TENDERLOIN. I don’t know that you would be able to make the “baked sauce” if using a tenderloin because the cook time would need to be reduced so much. If you try it, please comment below to let us know!
•You can pour the pan juices through a mesh strainer then discard the onions or you can leave the onions – it’s entirely up to you!
•You can use a roasting pan with a rack instead of cooking the pork loin on onions if you prefer. If you use a rack make these changes: 1- omit the onions 2- increase the broth to 3 cups then add more if needed (it will evaporate more quickly) and 3- add all of the chicken broth at once since the rack will prevent the loin from being submerged.
•Feel free to change up the spices in the recipe. Thyme and oregano are great too! I don’t use fresh garlic because it can burn and become bitter at this temperature for this long.
•Instead of onions, you could use apples or carrots. Just remember the sauce will taste like whichever you decide to use.
•Using a smaller pan (with less surface area), covering the loin to cook or altering the instructions could result in watery au jus. This recipe works because the chicken broth and pan juices evaporate some which creates concentrated flavor and slight thickening. Any of these changes could also cause the pork to overcook.
Overnight Pasta Salad (the BEST Pasta Salad EVER)
Yield: 14-16 Servings
Author: Mandy Rivers | South Your Mouth
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 10 MinInactive time: 24 HourTotal time: 24 H & 25 M
Absolutely THE BEST pasta salad recipe made by mixing hot, cooked pasta with prepared Italian dressing AND dry Italian dressing seasoning mix to marinate overnight.
Ingredients
•1 lb pasta (see notes)
•2 cups Italian dressing
•1 packet dry Italian dressing mix
•1 8-oz bottle sun-dried tomatoes
•1 can pitted black olives, drained
•1 pint grape tomatoes, diced
•1 English cucumber, diced
•1 red onion, diced
Instructions
•Cook pasta in liberally salted water per manufacturer’s instructions for al dente preparation. Drain noodles well (do not rinse) then add to a large mixing bowl.
•While noodles are still warm, stir in Italian dressing and dry Italian dressing mix.
•Drain oil then chop sun-dried tomatoes. Stir tomatoes into pasta, cover and refrigerate overnight.
•When ready to serve, add remaining ingredients then mix well. Cover and refrigerate to store.
Notes
•Use a ridged, tubular pasta if possible. My favorites are pipette (pictured here), cellentani, ridged elbows and mini penne.
•If you don’t have time to prepare the pasta the day before, make at least 8 hours before serving.
•Use whichever fresh veggies you like best in pasta salad (these are just my favs). See article above for suggestions of other add-ins.
•You don’t need to wait until the exact minute you’re about to serve this to add the fresh veggies – I just don’t recommend letting them sit in the dressing overnight or mixing them with warm pasta.
•Any quality “oil & vinegar” type Italian dressing works. I always use Kraft’s Zesty Italian or Olive Garden’s Signature Italian. If I had to pick one, I’d say I like it with the OG dressing best.
•I use Good Seasons dry Italian dressing mix.
•Don’t skip the sun-dried tomatoes! They are insanely flavorful AND they provide a chewy texture which is excellent with the soft pasta and crisp veggies.
Yield: 9 Servings
Author: Mandy Rivers | South Your Mouth
Prep Time: 10 Min Cook Time: 40 Min Total Time: 50 Min
An easy, homemade dessert recipe with a warm, gooey butterscotch/caramel sauce that’s baked-in under a pecan-studded cake layer as the cobbler bakes.
Ingredients
Base:
•3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
•1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
•2 teaspoons baking powder
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1/2 cup milk
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1/3 cup butter, melted
•2 cups chopped pecans
Topping:
•1 cup brown sugar, packed
•Pinch of salt
•1 1/4 cups boiling water
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the base:
•Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Ceramic or glass dishes don’t need to be greased. If using a metal pan, spray with cooking spray.
•Combine brown sugar, flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl then mix well, breaking up any brown sugar lumps if necessary; set aside.
•Add milk, vanilla and melted butter to dry ingredients then mix by hand or with an electric mixer set on low until just combined and smooth.
•Spread mixture into a 2-quart baking dish then top with pecans.
Make the topping:
•Sprinkle brown sugar and salt evenly over pecans.
•Add vanilla to water then pour water slowly over brown sugar. Do not stir.
Bake:
•Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until cobbler is nearly set in the middle and pecans are starting to brown.
•Cool 10 minutes then serve warm. Serve with vanilla ice cream for a special treat!
Notes
•This is BEST when it’s first cooked. Once it sets for a while, the cake will absorb the hot syrup.
•Use light or dark brown sugar.
•This cooks in a 2-quart dish. If you’re unsure which pan to use, you can pour 8 cups of water into one and see how it fits.
•Any other questions are likely answered in the FAQ section above the recipe card.
By Cliff Lewis, Associate Pastor of Worship and Music, Clayton Baptist Church
abun County is an amazing place to live for many reasons; among them is the incredible amount of water resources at our disposal. Creeks, ponds, and waterfalls are everywhere. Also, we have rivers that empty into some of the most beautiful lakes in the country. With all that water around, it is no surprise that when churches get ready to baptize new believers in Jesus Christ that often means going to a river, lake, or pond to witness the picture of new life in Christ. As worship pastor, I get to lead songs of celebration and surrender at our church’s baptism parties, and I love it. We sing songs like, “Are You Washed in the Blood,” “Victory in Jesus,” and “What a Day That Will Be.” Several years ago, I had a few people request us to also sing “Down To the River To Pray.” I knew the song...well, I thought I knew the song.
If you aren’t familiar with the song, “Down To the River To Pray,” it has a simple tune and simple lyrics that repeat much of the same content throughout. By far, the most popular recording of the song is by Alison Krauss from the soundtrack of the movie, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” The lyrics are as follows: [Chorus]
As I went down in the river to pray Studyin’ about that good ol’ way And who shall wear the starry crown? Good Lord, show me the way
[Verse 1]
O, sisters, let’s go down Let’s go down, come on down O, sisters, let’s go down Down in the river to pray
One of the reasons I had not already used this song at our church’s river baptisms was my uncertainty with the meaning behind the lyrics. I don’t like to sing songs if I don’t know what they mean, and I really don’t want to lead my church family to sing a song that doesn’t have a pretty clear biblically solid foundation. So, when I looked at the lyrics of this song, it left me asking a lot of questions. Why do we need to go into a river to pray; can’t we stay dry and pray? What are we studying? Hopefully, we’re studying the Bible. What is the starry crown, and why are we asking who will wear it? And, each of the 5
verses asks a new group of people to get in the river to pray: sisters, brothers, fathers, mothers, and sinners. The assumption that this song is perfectly suited for baptism is really only derived from the word “river” and because the Allison Krauss recording is played during a baptism scene in the movie. So, I felt compelled to research the history behind the song before I put it into regular use at our church baptism parties.
When I want to learn the story behind a hymn or worship song, I can always do an internet search, but my default is one of the 13 different books I have that cover the stories behind the hymns and songs we sing in church. When I looked for the story behind this particular song, none of my books covered it, and the little I found on the internet was mainly just speculation. One thing I did discover was the first printed instance of the song, and it tells a very different story than the modern adaptation.
The first thing you will notice in the original version is the title, “The Good Old Way.” This is not completely without precedent. Fairly often some of our older hymns are printed with different titles. But, when you read through the lyrics of this original version, the picture it paints brings something else to mind. Let’s frame the picture this way, this first instance is printed in 1867 in a book titled, “Slave Songs of the United States.” Slave songs? Yes, this song was birthed out of the hardships of 19th century American slavery. Because this song comes out of that experience, it is good for us to be reminded that the average life-span of a slave in America at this time was 36 years. Also, because this song became popular among slaves, it is virtually impossible to discern the original writer of the song. So, this song is technically anonymous in origin, but it is probably more wise to understand this song as being written by not just one, but many slaves.
After recognizing the origin of the song, as you read through the original lyrics there is another significant difference to the modern version; there is no mention of a river. The first line of the song says, “As I went down in the valley to pray.” So, the slaves that were singing this song were talking about going into a valley to pray. If you are familiar with the Bible, this phrasing will probably bring to mind a passage from the prayer/song, Psalm 23; “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow
Cliff Lewis is the Associate Pastor of Worship & Music at Clayton Baptist Church, located at 87 South Church Street in Clayton, Georgia. He leads God-centered music each week, preaches on occasion and is an all-around great guy. Cliff loves his wife and kids, is a fan of Crimson Tide and Narnia is his favorite movie.
of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.” Also, the first verse in the original version is asking for a “mourner” to go into the valley to pray. This supports the idea that the valley that is being sung about is this same “valley of the shadow of death” from Psalm 23.
One of the last major differences in the original lyrics of this song is that the one wearing the “starry crown” is not left with a question, but is made as a statement. It says, “When you shall wear the starry crown, Good Lord.” This seems obvious that the person referenced that will wear the crown is the Lord Jesus himself. Even though I could not find Jesus wearing a “starry” crown in any version of the Bible, there is a poignant example of his wearing a “golden crown.” Revelation 14 shows us part of the picture of the coming judgement on sin by King Jesus. Verse 14 states, “Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and sitting on the cloud was one like a son of man, having a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand.” This is the last piece of the puzzle that leads me to the conclusion that the slaves who wrote this song were mourning the loss of a loved one, but that they were depending on Jesus to bring final judgement on sin. This means that their ultimate hope was not in an earthly, temporal freedom, but that their real hope rested in the Lord Jesus who is coming again one day to reward those who place their faith in Him and recognize His authority to judge perfectly one day soon. This revelation makes me want to sing, all the more, this song of submission and sacrifice, and should cause all of us to come to Jesus in our difficulties and trials. Psalm 23 leads us to the Lord as it states, “I fear no evil, for You are with me.”
“…where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20
As Christians involved in our community, it is imperative we make it our mission to not only love others as Christ loves us, but to make it our mission to put Christ first in all we do. To help foster this idea and build support in and among the churches and Christians of Rabun County and surrounding areas, planning is underway to have a countywide gathering of all believers on September 21, 2024. The event will be held at the Rabun County Event Center Pavilions behind the Civic center in Clayton from 1-5pm. The idea for this event was birthed from a vision team meeting at Truth Chapel in Clayton, however is intended to be a Christian community event with the purpose of building up the Body of Christ to work together in serving our community. The need for a culture of faith has become evident in our society. The hope of this event is to answer this need by bringing the community of faith together outside the walls of the church.
This event will include live Christian music and other performances and all churches are invited to participate. We will also have regular times of corporate prayer led by local pastors throughout the event. Any musicians that would like to participate with the worship are encouraged to contact Truth Chapel at info@truthchapel.net so that it can be coordinated for them to be involved. This would include youth and adult praise bands, gospels groups, choirs, or any other type of Christian musical or artistic expressions of worship. All churches or individuals attending are asked to bring food for a covered dish meal, so there should be lots of great food and fellowship! Drinks, cups, and utensils will be provided. There will be tables and seating provided for the meal, but bring a lawn chair to sit and enjoy the music, worship and fellowship!
It would be amazing to see as many churches and believers from the community as possible join this event and have it become an avenue for better communication and a culture of faith in our community. This is anticipated to be a powerful worship and prayer experience with the benefit of great food and sharing of music from our area churches and talented individuals. Please join the community of faith and feel free to contact Truth Chapel with questions or ideas to help make this event a success!
With love in Christ, Your fellow believers at Truth Chapel
The first written history of Wiley Presbyterian Church in Wiley, Georgia seems to have been compiled in the spring of 1945 when several church members met with Rev. D. F. Helm to study the available records and document the history as fully as possible.
On September 28, 1924, Rev. B. W. Baker, Evangelist for Athens Presbytery and Dr. Robert King, Synodical Evangelist for Georgia concluded there was sufficient interest in organizing a Presbyterian church in the Wiley public school building. The charter members were Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Burch, Miss Mary Hannah Burch, Mrs. A.J. Hayes, Mr. and Mrs. James C. Jenkins, Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Perteet, Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Ramey, Harry Ramey, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Shirley, and Misses May, Lizzie, and Ethel Shirley. The organization was perfected November 9, 1924.
Before I put you to sleep here with dry details, the story behind the founding is interesting. Mrs. J.N. Owens and Mrs. H.G. Bass (those were the days when married women’s first names weren’t considered important) were summer people at Wiley. Along with Mr. Burch, owner of a local general store, and his family, all were instrumental in making the organized church happen. Remember, all of this was happening at the community school building. Adult Sunday School was held as early as 1918, led by Col. R.C. Ramey, a broad-minded Baptist. Mrs. Perteet (nee Birdie Alley) was the school’s teacher as well as the leader of a children’s
Sunday School. Summer Vacation Bible School along with evening services the week of VBC were being held. The 1945 history mentions two women by name, “Aunt” Julia Shirley and Mrs. Perteet, and I quote “who considered no task too menial or small and gave every ounce of physical, mental, and spiritual reserve to uphold the church and others who worked there”. Again, remember, no formal church is here yet but church is happening. Rev. Baker was preaching one Sunday each month with others pitching in when needed. When Charlie Shirley made his profession of faith to Rev. Baker, there was a problem. The good reverend had nowhere to put him, no “church”! However, he refused to let that stand in his way and in his own words, “became a law unto myself”. He accepted Charlie into the Church at large and put him on the rolls of the Tiger church. Then in September 1924, the Wiley church was organized with sixteen charter members.
Worship continued in the building alongside public school until school consolidations occurred in 1930 and the building was purchased by the Synod of Georgia, improved, and converted into a sanctuary with a large Sunday School room in the back. Other expansions and renovations occurred over the years and what was known as the “Little Brown Church” became the white church on the hill. Rev. Alice T.
Wood became the first full time minister in 1995 and served both her church and community faithfully. Our history is one of serving the community not only as a place of worship but also filling other needs. Wiley has provided a community library, facilities for Rabun Kids & Teens, God’s Mobile Home, emergency housing for those in need, space for community meetings, and countless opportunities to share food and fellowship. The church has been many things to many people, always endeavoring to fulfill its mission statement.
Wiley Presbyterian Church (USA) is committed to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through His example and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are committed to bridging the gap between people and God by helping others find faith through teaching, serving, encouraging, and nurturing.
While our congregation isn’t as large as it once was, and today we don’t have a fulltime pastor, we try to do His work and live up to our mission statement. Rev. Erx Ozu Mejia Valencia, Chaplain of Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, preaches twice a month, and other members fill out our schedule. We don’t know what the next 100 years holds for us, but we feel the presence of God in our midst as we worship. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them. (Matthew 18:20)
Know that all are welcome any Sunday at 11:00. Also please celebrate with us on October 6 at 10:45 for our homecoming service and a catered lunch afterwards. RSVP to John Cragg at jmc0638@hotmail.com .
No matter what the circumstances, grief is a painful, confusing process. A GriefShare group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. At this 13-week support group program, you’ll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability—and gain solid support each step of the way. Everyone will receive a book to take home filled with valuable exercises for navigating their personal grieving process.
Topics include how to manage grief-related emotions such as loneliness, anxiety, sadness, anger, and regret; how to cope with the changes in your life and relationships; and how to
recognize what’s normal in grief and what to do if you feel stuck or hopeless. GriefShare group participants have repeatedly shared that they feel comforted and encouraged by being in a place where people truly understand what they’re going through. And they feel a sense of relief when they’re given guidance and tips on how to deal with the daily challenges. Your bereavement experience may be recent or not so recent. No matter how long it’s been, this is an opportunity to be around people who understand what you are feeling. If you have experienced the death of a family member or friend, you are invited to attend. For more details, and to find and register for a group, visit griefshare. org, contact claytongriefshare@gmail.com or call 770-3561758. This group meets Sunday, August 25 – November 17, 3-5 pm, at the Fellowship Hall, 91 S. Main Street, Clayton, GA.
Linda Barden
Clayton has existed as a town for around 200 years. During the nineteenth century, it was remote, sparsely populated, and had very little commerce. In the early decades of the twentieth century things began to pick up. The Tallulah Falls Railroad arrived in 1904 and brought tourism and economic progress. The evolution of downtown businesses on Main Street and Savannah Street are good indicators of that progress. This article pictures some of the businesses as they existed in the past and in the years from 2012 to 2023.
Above: Built in 1910 by Dr. J. C. Dover and probably the oldest commercial building in Clayton, this building on east Savannah Streetoriginally housed Hamby Hardware and later Alley’s Jewelry and Dr. Taylor’s dentist office.
Right: A ReMax real estate office is now located in the refurbished old building that retains its character.
and Chechero. The railroad serviced generations of visitors to Clayton.
and phones. It burned in 1936.
This prime location on North Main Street is now home to The Spotted Pig, a barbecue restaurant, and Taylor & Associates insurance agency.
These historic photos are compliments of the Rabun County Historical Society. Isn’t it amazing how things have changed? These images and more like them were presented in the first Remembering Rabun Volume 1 book published last year by the Rabun County Historical Society. The book is still for sale at the museum and on their website (www.rabunhistory.org). Remembering Rabun Volume 2 is currently in the works and is expected to be available for purchase by Thanksgiving 2024, just in time for the Christmas giving.
“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
Abraham Lincoln
Tracy McCoy
You may or may not know that “I’m not from here.” I have roots that run deep and I love Rabun County like most everyone I meet. The general consensus is that there is something special here that keeps people coming back and some choose to make it their home. I’ve been coming to Rabun County since sometime in 1966. That was the year I was born and the first year I traveled Warwoman Road to meet my Granny and Papa Speed. Every year that passed we came to Rabun County and we usually stayed a week. I have many stories of those 14-hour trips from the thumb of Michigan to that house on the creek that was my southern playground. More stories could be told about playing in Warwoman Creek, ball games in the cow pasture, Easter egg hunts, Christmases, Granny’s cooking, fun with cousins and sad goodbyes as we crawled back in the car or truck to head north. Those last few minutes in the middle of the dirt road included prayers for safe travels, blessings for all, and lots of long hugs. I can remember looking back to see them waving one last time. Those are some sweet memories.
My knowledge of Rabun County history consisted of hearing my dad, Hoyt Speed, tell stories of growing up on Joe Speed Road (named after my Papa). The plan was always that dad would return home with his family once he retired from General Motors. So in 1981 when we loaded the truck for the final time, we headed south one family member short. My mom, Dolores, had lost her battle with cancer earlier that year and was buried at the little church near Granny’s house. That was a hard trip for a broken family, but it meant that my home would be Rabun County, Georgia.
I started school after Christmas break 1981 in the 10th grade at RCHS. I learned about the Foxfire program and the classes that would allow me to learn about Appalachian history. I was excited and fell in love with everything Foxfire. I have always been a talker,
and if you know me, you just chuckled or at least smiled. Foxfire allowed me to go into the homes of local residents and talk with them. I learned quickly to do more listening than talking. Equipped with a battery-operated tape recorder with a plug-in microphone and a cassette tape, I asked questions. Not scripted questions, rather genuine questions. I learned about life in Rabun, running a general store, spring houses, making butter, southern recipes, making apple cider, and so much more. Another love affair took shape with the mountain people that I met who accepted a little ol’ Yankee gal coming into their home.
The summer between 10th and 11th grade I got a job working with Foxfire for the summer. The land on the side of the mountain that is the home of the Foxfire Museum was where I found my office. I drove my little blue ‘76 Chevette up to a cabin and upstairs by the window I transcribed those tapes and put together articles for the Foxfire magazine and books. I had the honor of working on Foxfire 9 and the Foxfire Book of Appalachian Cookery. In 1983, I and other Foxfire students and teachers traveled to the Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia to watch Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn star in Foxfire, the play. Spending five months on Broadway in New York City, Foxfire earned Jessica Tandy a Tony award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance as Annie Nations.
I and Patsy Singleton, another student and friend were asked to accompany Foxfire’s founder on a trip to the Northeast Educators Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania. We flew into Washington D.C. where we had a layover before flying into Pittsburg where we boarded a smaller plane that took us to the Hershey Convention Center. Patsy and I spoke to educators about the Foxfire program and how we worked in a classroom setting. I was honored to be included in the trip and to share our experience as students. Until my Senior year I continued as a Foxfire student and I was the proud recipient of the Foxfire scholarship. I attended North Georgia Technical College studying Cosmetology. The story of how I went from salon owner to the Laurel lady is a tale for another time.
When I am asked about my Journalism degree or where I went to college for graphic design my answer is simple, I didn’t. Everything I know about doing an interview or writing a story I learned as a Foxfire student. The idea that I could publish a magazine came from the confidence I gained through the Foxfire program in the Rabun County High School. I am proud of our history that I gained insight into through my time at Foxfire and the 43 years I’ve called this home. We are blessed with wonderful resources like the Foxfire Museum and the Rabun County Historical Society who see the value in preserving our history for future generations. Support them and get involved because every day we are making history. Your grandchildren or great-grandchildren may be just like me and want to know about the old ways, the way things used to be, and through the Foxfire program, they may even find their path into the future too.
The Rabun County Historical Society is seeking your contributions. We are interested in preserving your historical items, such as old photos, documents, and books related to your community. We can make copies and digitize your items to ensure they are preserved for future generations. You can bring in your items for us to review, and we’ll make copies of the items we find valuable, then return them to you. If you’ve already digitized your photos, you can email them to us, and we will add them to our collection.
We also have a research library and a FREE museum filled with artifacts, displays, and photographs. Our museum has rotating displays that are updated quarterly. We encourage locals, natives, and visitors to get involved and explore the rich history of Rabun County. We are open from Wednesday to Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm.
Visit our website (www.rabunhistory.org) for old photos and information. You can also find us on Facebook (@RCHS1819) where we share photos and updates. Joining the Rabun County Historical Society is affordable and comes with benefits such as access to our e-newsletter, a discount on book purchases, and a framed historical photo. Those who join at the Benefactor level will also receive a copy of the Pictorial History of Rabun County.
You can find and purchase historical books on our website, or visit us at our location: one block off of Main Street on North Church Street in Clayton, Georgia. We look forward to your visit and your contributions.
cott and Christine Basey are the owners of Christine’s Home Decor in Otto, North Carolina. The couple are also board members at Appalachian Animal Rescue Center. The Baseys and the rest of the AARC board under the direction of the shelter’s president Cathy Howman , are working very hard to keep the shelter doors open so they can help as many cats and dogs as possible. Like most shelters, they are over capacity and the needs to feed and care for these dogs and cats is considerable. Christine has built an incredible business and has many wonderful clients in Macon County. One of her clients knew someone who was selling a home in Highlands. The home sold for 2.8 million dollars and the family had a house full of furniture, accessories and more they wanted to donate. Christine reached out and secured the estate items for the shelter.
The items will be auctioned by K & B Auction Company which is also donating their services to help the shelter. The evening will include complimentary hor-de-overs and wine provided by The Gazebo Restaurant in Franklin. An anonymous donor has committed to matching what the auction raises up to $12,000. As the cherry on top, someone donated a golf package for four at Highlands Falls Country Club. Don’t you just love it when a community comes together to make a difference. We do! With all of the negativity in the world, there are still some really good people doing exceptional things!
The Appalachian Animal Rescue Center charity event will be held September 28th from 5-8 PM at Isabel’s Collections. This is housed within Christine’s Home Decor located at 9958 Georgia Rd, Otto, NC 28763. Isabel’s Collections is a constant fundraising effort that Christine added to her business funneling proceeds from the sale of items to the shelter. Isabel’s Collections is open every day that Christine’s Home Decor is open, so stop in and support the shelter. Tickets to the Highlands home estate auction to benefit Appalachian Animal Rescue are $30 each, for more information please call 828-524-7007.
Shout Out to Fire & Light for being a loyal advertiser!
JOHN SHIVERS
Are you looking for a home that offers maximum backto-nature beauty and privacy, or do you need the convenience of an easy commute to town? Do you need space that will accommodate large groups of family and friends, or is working from hom a top priority? This authentic log home at 1752 Timber Bluff Drive in Clayton answers a resounding YES! to all your needs.
Plus, you’ll get 16.29 ± wooded acres with significant frontage on Stekoa Creek, a main tributary of the rugged, majestic, wild, and scenic Chattooga River located only minutes away.
When you’re living here, the biggest concern you’ll have will be whether to stay home and enjoy the cozy yet spacious 4,312 ± square feet of serene interior living, or whether to spend your time playing outdoors, where rafting, kayaking, hiking, and fishing are just outside your front door!
This custom four-bedroom, five-full-bathroom home is a nature lover’s paradise that is easily accessible by county-maintained roads to and from Clayton. The property offers north-facing mountain views, private nature trails, and over 300 ± feet of Stekoa Creek frontage. How better to escape the challenges of everyday life than in this home that spells R-E-T-R-E-A-T inside and out?
The vaulted great room with a large masonry fireplace offers rich, wood-clad walls and ceilings with large picture windows providing a treehouse-like ambiance. The U-shaped kitchen opens to the great room with hard-surface counters, a walk-inpantry, and a dining area that can seat at least 10-12. Sliding glass doors leading out to a large screened porch with beautiful mountain views extend the main living area outside. This is a home designed for relaxed indoor and outdoor mountain living.
In the east wing, a spacious bedroom with a full bathroom promises to meet your guests’ every need. The laundry room and side covered porch are also in this area. The west wing offers an office with built-in cabinets, a spacious primary bedroom, two full bathrooms, a walk-in closet, and a separate sunroom with ample natural light.
The lower daylight level offers multiple family opportunities in the form of a billiard room and a large multi-purpose room that delivers additional living/creative space. It’s your call. On this level, enjoy two spacious guest bedrooms and two full baths.
When in need, the whole-house generator will jump into action, and between it, the main floor wood-burning fireplace, and a wood stove on the lower level, you’ll be warm and comfortable on stormy days and nights. There’s also a utility room and a workshop with a garage door on the lower level. A free-standing two-car carport with storage is nearby.
While the sale of this home is currently pending, Agent Sarah Gillespie with Harry Norman REALTORS® Luxury Lake and Mountain is ready to show you many other listings currently available. Sarah’s cell number is 404-735-6157. She can also be reached at the Harry Norman office, 706-212-0228.
SUSAN T. COOKSON, MD, MPH
eptember is National Suicide Prevention Month (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2023). It is a month to remember the lives lost to suicide, help those struggling with thoughts of suicide or of harming themselves, and recognize the people, families, and communities that have been affected – our community is one of them. But it is also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope.
Georgia is 28th among all States for suicide deaths (GA Dept Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities, 2021). That is an age-adjusted rate that is higher than any of the other Southern States and higher than the national rate. In 2022, Georgia lost 1,626 lives to suicide. Of the 31 Counties in North Georgia’s Region 1 (of which Rabun is one), there were 446 suicide deaths. While the number of suicides in the other five Georgia Regions decreased between 2021 and 2022, the number of suicide deaths increased by almost 10% for our Region 1 (GA Dept Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities).
In 2022 for our Region 1, there were 2,559 medically treated suicide attempts. This is the same number as Region 3, which is the six Counties of Atlanta. No other Regions came close to this number of attempts. Emergency department visits plus hospital discharges determine the number of medically treated suicide attempts. But this number does not consider suicide attempts that are not medically treated. Medical experts estimate that for every suicide death, there are 25 attempts (National Center for Health Statistics, 2020).
In Rabun County for 2016-2022, there were 27 suicides, all among white, non-Hispanic residents. Five were females and the most common age groups were 30-39 and 50-59 years old – people still of working age and still in the prime of their lives. Although for our Region 1, there have been no suicides among children younger than 10 years old, 17% of our youth have considered harming themselves with 10% attempting it. In addition, 12% of our youth have considered suicide and 5% have attempted it (GA Student Health Survey, 2023).
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide,
Listen for them talking about:
• Wanting to die, or making plans to die
• Having strong feeling of guilt or shame
• Being a burden to others
Or feeling:
• Empty, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live
• Extremely sad, anxious, agitated, or being full of rage
• Awful emotional or physical pain
Or having changes, such as:
• Withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items, or making a will
• Taking dangerous risks, such as driving extremely fast
• Having big mood swings
• Eating or sleeping more or less
• Using drugs or alcohol more often
If any of these thoughts or changes apply to you or someone you know, call telephone number 9-8-8 as soon as possible, especially if this is new or has been increasing www.nimh.nih. gov/health/publications/warning-signs-of-suicide.
Among our Georgia Veterans in 2021, there were 226 suicides (US Dept Veterans Affairs [VA], Suicide Prevention, 2024) with the most between 55 and 74 years old. George Eshleman knows about his fellow veterans’ struggle and loss to suicide. He was a thru-hiker of the Appalachian Trail raising awareness about veteran suicide and carrying 363 uniform names tapes of fellow friends and their friends who lost their lives to suicide. Now the LAMA Entertainment movie, ‘The Keeper’ tells of his hike and his own struggle with suicide until he “realized that I wasn’t alone” (Stilwell, Military.com, April 9, 2024). Our Georgia Veterans, and their loved ones, in crisis aren’t alone – dial 9-8-8 and then Press 1 or Text 838255. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to get help.
On July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis System, 9-8-8, went live (Clayton Tribune, March 3, 2022). Dialing 9-8-8 allows people to immediately talk to trained professionals by phone to determine their needs and what the next step is for their mental health crisis. Although this phone number, 9-8-8, is still not fully funded in Georgia (NPR, August 12, 2024, 2:24 PM), is available now to you or someone you know. There is always hope.
Susan Cookson, MD, MPH, FACP (retired, US Public Health Service) is an accomplished Infectious Diseases Board-certified Physician with a Master’s degree in public health. She is also an Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine Board-eligible Physician. Susan’s resume is quite impressive including a 25 year career with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 years with Dekalb Board of Health and 3 years with the Georgia Division of Public Health. Today, Susan resides in Rabun County and is working for the Rabun County Board of Health as a Preventive Medicine consultant.
Ten years ago, Mary Lou Faulkenberry predicted a looming dementia crisis as the Baby Boomer generation reached their 70s and 80s. At that time, she was working to support patients and caregivers, and she continues to do so today. Alongside her, Suzanne Muir provides practical knowledge and guidance to families struggling with dementia caregiving. Caring for someone with dementia is extremely challenging and exhausting. Mary Lou explained that doctors struggle to advise families due to limited understanding of the 100 different types of dementia, some of which often coexist in a single patient. Dementia is a symptom, while Alzheimer’s is a disease that causes dementia, and there are various other conditions that can lead to memory loss in patients.
Mary Lou stressed that dementia-related illnesses not only affect the patient, but also place a heavy burden on family members. In most cases, one caregiver takes on the primary responsibility, while others offer occasional support. Despite the many unknowns, it is clear that diet, exercise, and socialization play key roles in preventing dementia. While some believe Alzheimer’s is hereditary, the Alzheimer’s Association notes that lifestyle factors like sleep, smoking habits, hypertension, or diabetes can further increase the risk.
Recognizing the pressing need for support, Mary Lou and Suzanne started a Dementia Support Group, which meets every Tuesday at noon in the lower level of the Clayton Presbyterian Church located on North Church St. in Clayton, Georgia. The group offers a platform for caregivers to share their experiences, fears, and frustrations and provides valuable insights on managing caregiving challenges and finding peace for themselves and their loved ones. Mary Lou and Suzanne, who dedicate their time to support others, emphasize that the need for caregiver support has never been greater. They encourage anyone caring for a loved one with dementia to join the group, as there is no charge for participating.
DR. KEITH JACKSON, MD
Frequently asked questions with common sense answers from a community ENT physician
Dr. J: Several days ago, I sat up in bed and the world began to spin. It was all I could do to make it to the toilet and throw up. I’m some better, but since then I mostly lay in bed. When I turn my head, it happens again, but not as bad. Will I get better?
There are very few things as disabling than vertigo. In this case, I would describe your symptoms as whirling or spinning vertigo, with the true definition of vertigo being anything that makes you feel uncertain of where you are in space.
Vertigo can have many causes, some of which are barely distinguishable from each other on presentation. In medicine, unless you accurately diagnose the etiology of the problem, the treatment plan can be wholly misdirected. Since I’m an Ear, Nose, and Throat physician, we’ll start with one of the most common “inner ear” presentations, benign postural positional vertigo (BPPV). This is the “crystals” explanation you may get from your doctor.
To understand vertigo, you must understand how we stay oriented in relation to our environment. Our brain takes in
information from three systems in the body to allow us to feel balanced.
[1] - The eyes, our visual system, give us a picture of where we are related to what is around us. They inform us on what appears up, down, and on the horizon.
[2] – The muscles of posture in our neck, back, hips, legs, and feet, our musculoskeletal/proprioceptive system, tells us where gravity is pulling us.
[3] – The inner ears, the three integrated semicircular canals located above the organs of hearing on the left and right sides of the skull, tell us how fast we are turning, accelerating, or decelerating. This is our peripheral vestibular system.
In order to feel safe in space, these three systems must send consistently complimentary information to the brain and it must process the information the same way every time.
Today I will explain BPPV.
The inner ear canals are hollow and filled with fluid. Nerve fibers stick up inside the canals and register the direction the fluid moves to “catch up” when we turn our heads. Small “crystals” sit on top of these nerve fibers amplifying the bend
Keith Jackson, MD is a graduate of Medical College of Georgia and Emory Medical School, where he completed his Residency in ENT. Dr. Jackson practiced as an ENT specialist in Atlanta at Northside, Scottish Rite, North Fulton, and Saint Joseph’s Hospitals until moving to Lake Rabun in 2020. Currently, he is in fulltime ENT practice at Mountain Lakes Hospital in Clayton, Georgia. His interests include music and art. Dr. Jackson is a Rotarian and enjoys giving back to the community.
of the nerve in response to the direction the fluid is moving. If you turn your head 38 degrees to the left, both “inner ears” must agree that it is 38 degrees and your eyes and muscles of posture must concur. If the brain processes these inputs correctly, we remain balanced.
In BPPV, some “crystals” may “fall off” their perch on the tip of the nerve fiber. If this happens and you turn your head, the nerve may not bend as far when the fluid rushes past. This will cause a weaker reading of how fast we are turning to be sent to the brain. In the previous example, if all other systems say we turned 38 degrees and the affected ear estimates it at 12 degrees, the brain reacts by making you feel as if you are spinning. Your eyes may violently go back and forth (nystagmus) and you may get nauseated and throw up.
Most cases of BPPV will resolve on their own, although this could remain mildly symptomatic for several weeks. You can quicken recovery with an Epley Maneuver, a quick officebased procedure done by doctors or physical therapists to “reset” the “crystals”. (Videos are available online for people feeling they’d like to try this first). Most medications for vertigo are in the Valium family - prescription only - and are sedating, like the antihistamines Meclizine or Bonine. Use of them actually slows down the brain’s adaptation and vestibular system’s recovery, but life must go on and meds are sometimes needed to bridge the gap. It is important to keep your environment well-lit and use a cane or walker until stable and no longer a fall risk.
It is important to know that all vertigo is not BPPV. This is especially true if there is any change in hearing, pressure/ fullness in the ear, a change in tinnitus, or a sensitivity to noise, all signs of other “inner ear” pathologies. And if the whole episode only lasts a few hours to all day and then goes away, it’s most likely not “inner ear” related at all. We will discuss these presentations at a later Ask Dr. J.
EMORY JONES
One place my pet pig, Cunningham, has long longed to see is that Foxfire Museum up by Mountain City. So, when my wife, Judy, handed me a full-color brochure saying they would be demonstrating some of the “ole timey” ways of doing things that next weekend, I thought, why not now?
Judy wanted to come, too, but unfortunately, she’d already planned on going to the ostrich racing finals in Myrtle Beach that weekend. I would have loved to have seen that as well,
but she could only get one ticket, which makes sense; a Ricky Scaggs impersonator was the entertainment.
Cunningham was so excited he grunted us up at 5 a.m. every morning that week, asking if it was Saturday yet. I thought it was cute, but since Judy hasn’t had her coffee yet at 5 a.m., she failed to find that as funny as I did, bless her heart. But, when the big day finally did roll around, Cunningham and I waved Judy off to the races, tossed a snack pack of pork skins in the truck, and headed out.
Despite adding another speeding ticket to our collection, we zoomed into Foxfire well before lunch. The place was just as the full-color brochure promised: more than twenty historic buildings filled with Appalachian artifacts on eight acres of mountainside. Of course, I couldn’t see all that from the parking lot, but I’ve not had a full-color brochure let me down yet.
I was a bit worried about them allowing a pig in (some places still don’t, you know), but I shouldn’t have been. The Foxfire manager approached the truck like he was expecting us.
“You’re late,” he said, swinging the door open for Cunningham like the pig was some kind of VIP.
“Maybe a little,” I confessed. “But we got a speeding ticket on the way up here. Getting a speeding ticket always slows you down, you know.”
“At least the goats were punctual,” he said. “The milking demonstration is just kicking off. Grab that pig and head on up. Chuck has been stoking the fire for an hour!”
I thought that was thoughtful—it was a bit nippy.
“Don’t we need tickets?”
“Yes, for you. No, for the pig.”
“You sure he won’t get into hot water for not having a ticket?”
“I can’t promise anything,” laughed the manager.
I found that odd, but I bought my ticket, and we started on up that mountainside the brochure had mentioned. Cunningham wasn’t much interested in goat milking, so we wandered on, when that man the manager mentioned named Chuck strode up, toting one of those old-fashioned sausage grinders.
“Is that the pig?” he asked.
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.
Obviously, Chuck was no Alvin Einstein, but I answered him anyway. “Yes, sir. That’s the pig, alright. His name is Cunningham.”
Chuck shook his head. “It’s never good to name ‘em,” he said. “Just makes it harder.”
Just then, that man grabbed Cunningham by the ears and started dragging him toward the fire. Naturally, Cunningham squealed like, well, a pig, which terrified the goats. The Billie goat (that I guess was just there for show) panicked and head-butted the poor lady bent over pouring up a pail of milk in the only place he could find to butt. What happened next reminded me of that church-going Mississippi squirrel song. Goats scattered everywhere, knocking over bewildered tourists and the entire butterchurning exhibit. Once Chuck let go of Cunningham’s ears to help chase goats, the pig and I figured we might just oughta ease on back to the truck.
Despite the ruckus, Cunningham must have made a good impression because as we pulled out, the manager yelled, “You bring that pig back!” I waved and hollered that I would. But next time, we won’t go on demonstration day. I can promise you that.
JONAN KEENY
If you’ve been paying attention (and if you haven’t been, that’s ok), you might’ve noticed that I’ve taken a breather from this column. And if you’ve REALLY been paying attention, you might remember that I’ve been out of my career as “Birdman the Professor” for quite some time and, therefore, have not had an extended summer break, which I had been accustomed to for a whole lot of years. But a few months ago, in a somewhat surprising serendipitous sequence of events, I ended up with a summer break for the first time in a long time.
For quite a while, due to the Keeny family being so far removed geographically from each side of our extended family, we had been contemplating the notion of starting a YouTube channel. We came up with the idea because we tend to go on a lot of adventures and a lot of activities that our scattered family is unable to participate in. We figured if we started vlogging, we would be able to share our excursions with our family and friends on various digital platforms. And thus, “The Peachy Keenys” was/were born. We hope it goes without saying that this moniker is a play on the Peach State, as well as a nod to our general mindset as a family. We’re typically pretty peachy, baby.
Moving right along…Back in the spring, Wyatt began revisiting skateboarding. He had gotten interested in it a couple of years ago, but the sport had taken a backseat to soccer for a while. His renewed interest got Miles interested as well, which meant two things:
1. As the resident former skater I was required to relearn to skate AND
2. We needed to find a place to skate given the lack of pavement in our immediate locale. That is, our gravel driveway on the side of a mountain just wasn’t going to cut it.
Enter The Walk-Skatechurch in Franklin. This is a very well-maintained little skate park on top of a hill on Harrison Avenue. It’s a great mix of open pavement with a variety of obstacles that increase in difficulty and amplitude. Suffice it to say that the boys and I are reasonably challenged, yet very comfortable, on our jaunts. No, we don’t always stay upright and sometimes we rely on our various pads to prevent injury. I think the beauty of this place is that it’s big enough to accommodate all of us, even when Miles gives up skateboarding and just wants to play with his cars and trucks. And while we don’t run into anyone there very often, the folks we have encountered have been wonderfully friendly and supportive of the old man and his boys spending some unorthodox time together. And when Mimi and Papa came for a visit from Pennsylvania with our niece/cousin Adler, we took her, too. The jury is still out on whether she’s hooked on skating or not, but we’re working on it. Stay tuned!
And it just so happens that our favorite post-soccer game spot (which is now our post-skate session spot) is right across the street: Lazy Hiker Brewing Company. Lazy Hiker offers beverages for the entire family, and they also have food in the parking lot from Hiker’s Kitchen, as well as additional food trucks from time to time. So head on up there, make friends with Miss Sandy, Mr. Ryan, and the rest of the crew, and spend an afternoon or an evening. The friendly atmosphere, attentive staff, and wonderful food and drink are not to be missed. We even made Mimi, Papa, and Adler meet us there on their 700+ mile jaunt from NEPA to NEGA. And they loved it, of course!
Having said all that, would you believe this article started based around the concept of “home”? Although these words have changed and adjusted and turned into something
Jonan Keeny was born in Topeka, Kansas, he got older in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and then he lived a bunch of other places. A lifelong learner and a full-time dreamer, the prospect of grand new adventures gets him out of bed in the morning, with some additional assistance from his two blonde-haired, blue-eyed alarm clocks, of course! Jonan recently rediscovered his passion for photography, which keeps him quite busy tromping around the woods, stopping at random places on the side of the road, and uploading photos to his website, www. myworldpics.com, and his Insta, @dude4disney. When he isn’t wrangling two little boys, he’s likely hanging out with his wife, Mary Lauren, reading a book to learn something new, or dreaming of life’s next adventure and Walt Disney World. Regardless of the activity, he’s probably participating in it while wearing funky socks and a cool hat.
entirely different, at the very least, I can offer this: Wherever Mary Lauren, Miles, and Wyatt are, no matter how briefly, I’m home.
The Peachy Keenys’ domicile needs some work, just like ourselves, but in the words of the late Jimmy Buffett:
“And you can have the rest of everything I own ‘Cause I have found me a home.”
In the off chance you’re interested in learning more about The Peachy Keenys, you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and you’re more than welcome to subscribe to our YouTube channel. See you around!
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Northridge is located on the northern ridges of Tiger Mtn. Estate Tracts of 3 to over 10 Acres in pristine forest featuring clear springs, creek and outstanding mtn./valley views. Perfect for your dream home. Scott Poss 706-490-2305
592 River Vista Drive - Dillard
• Spacious lot • 1BR “Coach house”
• 2020 Montana Legacy Fifth-wheel
• Clubhouse, fitness center & pool
• Conveniently located w/ easy access
MLS 10361401 • $135,000
Kevin Croom 706-982-1371
44 Travelers Lane - Clayton
• 3/2
• Open floor plan w/ split design
• Walking distance to Clayton
• Year-round views from large porch
• Ideal for STR or primary residence
MLS 10327114 • $344,900
Tony Politano 727-422-2966
Shake Hollow - Rabun Gap
• Two lots 19 (2.3 AC) + 20 (1.51 AC) for combined total of 3.81 Acres
• Ridges of Rabun gated community
• Close to everything!
MLS 10193006 • $39,000
Frank Parsons 678-787-5404
5 Bryson Branch Road - Clayton
• 2.15 acres w/ 600+ ft on trout stream
• Outdoor recreational opportunities
• Primary residence, vacation cabin or recreational retreat on Warwoman Rd.
MLS 20146651 • $250,000
Jim Blalock 706-490-1404
51 Top O’ Pinnacle - Clayton
• 2/2 • 1416 SQ FT • 1.1 Acres
• Spacious main level primary suite
• Full porch, screened porch & workshop
• Furnishings are negotiable
MLS 10346450 • $395,000
Lorie Thompson 706-490-1820
Winterberry J11 - Clayton
• Shady sloped lot for terrace level home
• Golf & Social Memberships available
• Three exceptional dining experiences
• Access to Lake Burton
MLS 10172234 • $45,000
Rob King 404-386-7526
Under Contract
310 Banister - Clayton
• Ground level Longview Condo
• Great room w/ oversized screen porch
• Gas log fireplace • Mountain views
• Well maintained property • Private MLS 10291379
Ken Fortney 706-461-1133
41 Cedar Lane - Sky Valley
•4/3 • 2,088 SQ FT • .52 +/- AC
• Fully furnished Sky Valley home
• Decks on 3 levels w/ beautiful sunsets
• Master on main
• Finished basement
MLS 10283735 • $420,000
Nate Conkling 407-876-0242
Holiday Rambler Lane - Dillard
• Affordable living w/ rental options
• Enjoy excellent River Vista RV & Tiny Home Park amenities
• Perfect for RV enthusiasts
MLS 10261281 • $59,900
Cheryl Justus 706-982-9329
140 Sequoia Hills Clayton 1/1 • 900 SQ FT • 106+-AC
• Cozy & rustic design
• Weekend getaways or full-time living
• Ideal for couples or single $329,000
Ronnie Owings 404-702-3629
114 Chechero Valley Lane - Clayton
• 3/2/1 • 1.39+- Acre • Stunning home
• Master suite on main • Workout room
• Ample outdoor space for entertaining
• Carport • Storage shed
MLS 10339130 • $500,000
Marsha Ramey 706-490-1035
193 Elm Lane - Rabun Gap
• 2/2
• 2,324 SQ FT • .44 +/- AC
• Bonus room • Priced below appraisal
• Newly remodeled kitchen & baths
• 2 car pull under garage
• RV garage
MLS 10317763 • $549,000
Tiffany English 706-490-1012
45 Buzz Lane - Tiger
• Ideal for primary residence & business
• Close to schools, lakes and recreation
• Outdoor spaces to enjoy the view!
• Bright, modern spacious interior MLS 10351568 • $650,000 Scott Poss 706-490-2305
412 Bayberry Lane - Sky Valley
• 4/2 • 3148 SQ FT • Mtn views
• Recently updated kitchen
• Bonus rooms for entertaining or guests
• Tucked garage • Vibrant community
MLS 10313043 • $849,000. Penny Ramey
706-490-1610
922 Long Laurel Ridge Drive - Lakemont
• Charming home w/ Lake Rabun views
• Tranquil, private 1.49 Acres
• Semi-circle drive w/ stone path to door
• Lush yard w/ landscaping
MLS 10351564
Kasie Campbell 706-982-4770
251 Naomi Court - Clarkesville
• Secluded Mountain Oasis
• 25.5 acres of natural beauty
• Unique features!
• Recent upgrades
• Hardy Plank siding • New HVAC
MLS 10310040 • $685,000
Ann Inman 256-622-0334
5192 Wolffork Road - Rabun Gap
• 21.32 Acres with sweeping views
• Wolffork barn w/ added living quarters
• New septic for 3 BR • Drilled well
• Double carport
• Paved road frontage
MLS 10232926 • $895,000
Nic Poss 706-982-0872
9 Brenton Highlands Ct. - Clayton
• Assumable 2.75% VA loan
• Charming home w/ open floor plan
• Lower level perfect for rental/in-law suite
• Kingwood amenities • Close to Clayton MLS 10279613 • $599,900
Roger Glenn 770-312-7940
119 Green Bower Trl - Clayton
• 5/3.5
• 4716 SQ FT • Newly renovated
• Two Homes! • 5 Acres
• Gas fireplace & wood-burning stove
• Master suite w/ fireplace • Office
MLS 10327869 • $699,000
Sam Rumsey 706-982-9673
500 McGaughey Chapel Rd - Dalton
• 3/3 • 2524 SQ FT
• 12+- Acre estate w/ spacious home
• Chef’s dream kitchen w/ dual oven
• Outdoor fireplace & grilling station
MLS 10339407 • $949,000
Robyn Conkling 407-717-6971
Nate Conkling 407-876-0242
83 Whetstone Ln. - Lakemont
• Lake Rabun cottage
• 3/2 • 1,455 SQ FT • Shared lake access
• Butterfly garden • Fenced dog area
• Open deck and screened porch
• Furniture/Artwork negotiable MLS 10336582 • $640,000 Kelli Barnes - 706-982-2111
1857 Tugalo Road - Clarkesville
• 3/2 • 2500 SQ FT • 15.98 Acres
• Surrounded by GA State Park & USFS
• Spacious home w/ option to customize
• Master suite • Outdoor living spaces
MLS 10325927 • $750,000
Joanna Radford
706-490-2724
6750 HWY 53 Suite 101 - Braselton
• High-profit family-owned boutique package store business for sale
• Up to 5.9M gross sales projected
• 16 year proven history
MLS 10330994 • $2,400,000 Gianna Marcellino 404-316-8351
Beautiful 4-bedroom, 4-bath custom home on a much-admired peninsula lot with 500 feet of lake frontage. Boaters take a second look as they go by this estate-sized lot (1.88 acres) with a gentle yard from the house to the stone seawall and a two-slip boathouse. The lake wraps three sides of the house, offering a lake view from every room. This home ideally accommodates you and your family and/or guests to gather. There aren’t many lake houses with the amount of parking this one has. The outside parking area is very large, and there’s a triple car carport that’s wired for garage doors if one desires. Complementing the parking bays are three storage areas for yard equipment, large toys, and one is an insulated and ventilated “safe” room. Shown by appointment only. The seller is a licensed Georgia Real Estate Broker. MLS 10235881 • $4,500,000 • Scott Poss 706-490-2305
