For more than 35 years, the Lake Lanier Association’s Shore Sweep has brought together volunteers with boats, trucks, cars, golf carts, and pure people power to clean up the waters and shorelines of Lake Lanier. Page 2
Xtreme Heaters 20th anniversary
Twenty years ago, Lake Lanier boater Steve Pescitelli introduced his Xtreme Heater, a godsend for boaters overwintering their vessels in parts of the country where temperatures regularly drop below freezing. Page 8
B. Russell State Park
Richard B. Russell State Park is adjacent to the 26,650acre Richard B. Russell Lake, and has a cornucopia of outdoor opportunities to explore. Page 33
Also inside:
Calendar
Classifieds
.Page 26
.Page 47
Dining guide Page 47
Fishing news Page 10
Lake levels Page 18
Marinas information Page 44
Outdoor activity calendar
Recreation guide
Safety guide
Shore Lines
Page 30
Page 44
Page 17
Page 14 Columns:
The Careful Captain Page 13
Curb Appeal
Design & Remodel
Page 38
Page 43
Glenn Burns Page 18
O’Neill Outside Page 20
One Man’s Opinion Page 45
On the Water Page 12
Vanderford’s travel
Page 33
is published by Lanier Publishing, Inc.,
3292 Thompson Bridge Rd. #250, Gainesville, GA 30506 (770) 287-1444
Publisher/Editor
Alan Hope
Production
Susan Nish
Susan Daniel Creative, Inc.
Senior Writer
Pamela A. Keene
Contributing writer
Jane Harrison, Vicki Hope Columnists
Glenn Burns, Vinnie Mendes, Bianca Bryant, O’Neill Williams, Frank Taylor, Bill Crane
Travel Editor
Bill Vanderford
Lakeside is published monthly by Lanier Publishing, Inc. based in Gainesville, GA, with distribution in some 300 locations around Lake Lanier and other areas. Opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of Lakeside, its staff or its advertisers. Manuscripts and photographs submitted will be considered for publication. Lakeside cannot be held responsible for such materials in case of damage or loss.
You can help with Shore Sweep 2024 on Saturday, Sept. 21
By Pamela A. Keene
For more than 35 years, the Lake Lanier Association’s Shore Sweep has brought together volunteers with boats, trucks, cars, golf carts, and pure people power to clean up the waters and shorelines of Lake Lanier.
This year’s Shore Sweep takes place on Saturday, September 21. The association is seeking volunteers and people with boats to help.
“We count on the community each year to help with this important event and they continue to step forward,” said Bonny Putney, chair of Shore Sweep and Lake Lanier board member. “You can help at our advance sites or come on Shore Sweep Day. Bring your neighbors and friends. It’s much more fun that way.”
She says that the group expects “another record-breaking year, particularly with all the floats that were high and dry last year.”
Advance drop-off sites will open in early September. They are the same as last year:
Shady Grove Park-Beach (drop
off by boat only), Beaver Ruin, Gwinnett Park, Gaines Ferry Island, Beaver Island, Wahoo Island 2WC and Nix Bridge Island. At these locations, people should drop off trash as close to the signs at the sites as possible. Pickups will take place immediately after Shore Sweep is over.”
“Some changes have been made for the day-of collection sites,” Putney said. “Little River
Boat Ramp has been added, and Van Pugh North is taking the place of Aqualand, which will be much closer for most people in that area to bring trash.”
In addition to the two changes, other day-of collection sites include Bald Ridge Marina, Shady Grove-Boat Access Only, Port Royale Marina, War Hill Park, Toto Creek Park, Don Carter State Park, Laurel Park, Holly Park,
Gainesville Marina, Balus Creek Boat Ramp, Lanier Islands Boat Ramp and Gwinnett Park.
“Each of these sites will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on collection day,” she said. “We encourage people to come early to avoid the heat later in the morning.”
To register and for more info, including GPS coordinates for the advance sites, visit lakelanier.org.
of people showed up at the Lake Lanier Association’s open house held in mid August. Their new office is located at off Dawsonville Highway just across from Texas Roadhouse restaurant. Visitors were shown the new office space and informed about the group’s programs and mission.
Everything from general trash to abandoned boats are removed from the Shore Sweep event.
PHOTO BY LLA
Dozens
PHOTO BY VICKI HOPE
• teresasmith@kw.com
• michelekaplan@kw.com
• mackenziescott@kw.com
"Working with Teresa Smith and Mackenzie Scott to sell our lake home was a most pleasurable experience! Their experience and expertise, coupled with their positivity, turned a potentially stressful experience into one that kept everyone moving forward comfortably. The end result was a sale with both the buyer and us thrilled. Teresa and Mackenzie have earned our highest recommendation!"
- Bruce & Sally A. Featured Testimonial
WE'RE
ON TV!
We recently completed our next episode on a lifestyle centered TV show, American Dream TV. We featured 3 local businesses & organizations on this episode - The Lake Lanier Association, WaterSports Central & Pig Tales. Now streaming on Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Roku and our YouTube Channel!
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Xtreme Heaters celebrates 20 years in business, expands markets
By Pamela A. Keene
Twenty years ago, Lake Lanier boater Steve Pescitelli introduced his Xtreme Heater, a godsend for boaters overwintering their vessels in parts of the country where temperatures regularly drop below freezing. “I wanted to extend my boating season on Lake Lanier,” he said.
Today, much to his surprise, his business market has expanded from boats to RVs, fifth wheels, motor homes, campers and storage facilities.
“Leave it to my customers to put new uses for our Xtreme Heaters,” said Pescitelli, who lives in Hoschton. “They were asking if our units could be used –as is – for other applications and we really didn’t have to deliberate about it. The answer is yes.”
For years, the self-contained units found their way into boat bilges and engine compartments to produce heat that can ward off harmful freezing temperatures. Available in three sizes – 5-by-6 inches, 400w; and 5-by-8 inches, either 600w and 800w – the heating element delivers forced-air
heat. It can be mounted permanently, or the company sells a quick-release bracket that’s easy to mount.
“The product meets the US Coast Guard requirements regarding ignition protection and it’s safe to be used in engine compartments,” Pescitelli said. “It has no exposed components and is completely encapsulated to keep moisture and any flammable fumes out. The heater is anodized and will not corrode.
“We even went further and tested to military specifications and have ended up in a number of military vehicles, including tanks and special forces boats.”
In the past few years, his customers started asking about using their Xtreme Heaters in their recreational vehicles during the winter.
“Since it’s completely
sealed and uses forced air for heating, there is no risk in using it in other applications,” he said. “As time went by we received calls to purchase them for vans used by pressure washers and carpet cleaners who wanted to keep their on-board water and chemicals from freezing. Van Life folks started using them to keep their lithium batteries warm for charging.”
“Recently we’ve been selling them for storage units, residential well houses and valve enclosures – practically anything that needs protection from freezing.”
He said that some people have purchased them to protect their landscape plants. “They just put a tarp over the plant or shrub and put the Xtreme Heater underneath.”
The units run on 110v household current and cost pennies a
Lake Sidney Lanier & Gainesville prints, Postcards, Notecards Original Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor Paintings
Ann Alexander, Pam Kohler-Camp, Patricia Fabian, Lydia Ferguson, Ann Goble, Jane Hemmer, Paula Hoffman, Shannon Hughs, Joyce Hornor, Connie Lynn Reilly and Shirley Seguin
Prints, postcards, notecards also available at: Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green Street, Gainesville, GA Frame-Tastic, 565-B Shallowford Road, Gainesville, GA
off his Xtreme
its 20 year in business.
month to run.
So how many units at what size do people need for these new applications?
“When people order an Xtreme Heater, we consult with them about the uses, the size of the area, where it will be placed and other factors and other factors such as insulation and air leakage that can affect the unit’s effectiveness," he said.
Did he ever expect that he would move into such a wide variety of markets?
“I ‘blame’ our expansion on our customers, the people who have been loyal to Xtreme Heaters for two decades,” he said. “I’m just happy to know that my American-based, family-owned and operated business is doing what we intended when we were founded 20 years ago: providing solutions to consumers in so many applications. And it all started on Lake Lanier.”
For info about Xtreme Heaters or to order, visit www.xtremeheaters.com.
Steve Pescitelli shows
Heater. The company is celebrating
PHOTOS BY XTREME HEATER
The device keeps engine compartments and sensitive equipment from freezing.
Clarity: Clear
Bass fishing
Bass fishing on Lanier is fair. The dog days of summer are here and the fishing is typical August tough. The fish have pulled out to the humps, ledges and end of long points that are closer to the channels. Brush in these areas is a definite plus but finding the pods of shad in the areas seems to be more important.
There is still schooling activity with both the bass and the stripers throughout the day but it can happen in any area at any time as the fish are simply following the shad. Many of the shad we see on the surface are one to two inches long so be prepared to down size your baits as needed. The Lip Thrashin Riser along with either a 95 Gunfish or a Vixen have produced the most fish this week. For the days with the lighter wind the Riser has been the ticket and on the days with more wind the Gunfish is the first choice.
After throwing the top water baits in an area we are working the deeper brush in the 35 feet or so range with the drop shot or quarter ounce Spot Choker with a two or
two and a half inch paddle tail bait. Work the Spot Choker the same as you would a spoon in the winter at the depth you see the bass. On the drop shot we have been working Blue Lily, Sweet Rosy and Epik Flash worms. On some days you will need to shorten the worm to two to three inches to get bit. It’s not uncommon to find brush with good numbers of fish around it but then have them ignore your baits so be ready to cover ground to find the active fish.
It’s definitely August but you can they will still bite so Go Catch ‘Em!
This Lanier bass fishing report is by Phil Johnson, pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
Striper fishing
Trolling lead core and umbrella rigs have produced some nice stripers and most are located on the south end on the lake.
Trolling near the dam north to Young Deer in the river channels has produced, using Capt. Mack’s 1.5 to 2 ounce chipmunk jigs with trailers in a variety of colors 240 to 280 feet behind the boat at 2.5 to 3 mph. Umbrella rigs trolling 130 to 160 feet back at the same speed is an option. Remember to hydrate and wear your life jackets.
This Lanier striper report is by Buck Cannon, Buck Tails Guide Service, 404 510-1778.
Crappie fishing
Crappie fishing is good. You can find crappie suspended 10-15 foot deep over a 20’-40’ bottom. A recent week’s catch was on a mix of crappie minnows and jigs. The jig color combination I had luck with was
grey on grey with a slow retrieval.
The gear I recommend for crappie fishing is a Acc crappie stix 1-piece rod and reel with a 4-6-pound test K9 line, along with Garmin Live Scope and Power Pole.
This Lanier crappie report is by Captain Josh Thornton, 770 530- 6493.
This fishing report was compiled by Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing, www.southernfishing.com.
Recalling my homeward bound odyssey after my naval discharge
My last duty station in the Navy was two years shore duty in the south of Spain. When my enlistment was up, I had the option of being discharged in either New York or Spain. If I chose the latter, the Navy would ship me home at their expense within a year. After that I was on my own. At the time, I had saved up enough money to buy a VW for cash, plus a little extra. I also had my ration card for gasoline and cigarettes. With a VW, gas wasn’t a problem, I didn’t smoke, and American cigarettes were the “coin of the realm” on the beach, so money wasn’t a problem either. I decided to tour around Europe for the summer. I had been accepted by the University of Maryland in the fall, and my only commitment was to get back to the U.S. by September.
By late August, I had experienced all of the countries on this side of the Iron Curtain. It was time to head for home, so I showed up at the Frankfort-Main Air Base to arrange transportation. I was informed by an Army Private that I had to submit my request in writ-
ing 60 days before my departure date! This would have ruined my chances at the University of Maryland for the year! It was panic time. After checking all my options, I shipped my car home from Antwerp, and was walking the docks in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, trying to get a job on any kind of ship, handling lines or washing dishes or whatever they needed just to get home in time. The clock was ticking! On the street in Rotterdam, I bumped into a US Coast Guard Commander who was attached to the American Consulate. I explained my predicament and he told me to show up at his office at 0800 the next morning. After making a few phone calls he said “We have a ship leaving out of Bremerhaven on Tues-
day. Get up there and we’ll put you on board!” Hallelujah! Problem solved! All I had to do was hitchhike across Europe in three days! I couldn’t ship any luggage with the car, so I had to carry all my worldly possessions on my back. My knapsack, sea bag, crash helmet, spear gun, and reel-to-reel tape recorder would have been no trouble to throw in a car but it was a minor challenge to tote. Looking like a walking mound of luggage, I got a number of short hops across Holland, then in Germany got on the Autobahn. That was a different story entirely. Big, fast cars and trucks going relatively long distances. I was in a truck-stop checking out the license plates for Bremerhaven when I came upon one from Bremen. I explained my problem to the driver, and he told me he could take me as far as Bremen and to hop in! This was a Mercedes Benz 10-ton truck, towing a 10-ton trailer. The front seat was wide enough to seat five guys, with a mahogany dash that stretched all the way across the cab. On top of the dash sat a five band Telefunken AM-FM-Short-
wave portable radio with a threefoot antenna and it could pick up broadcasts from around the world! I climbed up, stowed all my gear and off we went to Bremen. The driver asked me where I was from, and I said “New Jersey”. He replied “Ach! Ich bin in New Jersey gewesen, in Fort Dix in Kriegsgefangenshaft!” I didn’t speak Germen well enough at the time to know what “Kriegsgefangenshaft” was and after several attempts trying to explain, he flipped a switch on the dash which fogged up the windshield and with his finger he wrote “POW”! He had been a Prisoner of War in Fort Dix! He spent most of the trip telling me how much better he was treated as a POW than he was as an enlisted man in the German Army, and how much better the food was and so on. He would have stayed in America except he had a family farm back in Germany and he was the only son, so he had to go home and take over.
Pretty soon we were in Bremen, and he dropped me off at the Bhanhoff (RR Station) where for a Mark (about 25 cents) I got a train
to Bremen. I showed up right on time for my appointment and got my orders for transportation home on the USS General Gordon, a WWII troop ship. This gave me two days to kill, and being hungry, I went to the mess hall for some breakfast. The guy in front of me in line was an Army Corporal who looked familiar. I looked at his name tag which said “Brooks.” I said “Brooks! Bobby Brooks! He turned around and said “Mendes, Vinnie Mendes!” We had gone to high school together! He and I hung out for the next few days and he said, “Were having a party Saturday night and we’re one guy short, why don’t you come?” That took care of the weekend!
Tuesday morning saw me in my dress whites lined up halfway through 3,000 soldiers according to service number. Boarding was a slow process because each of us had to get checked off individually. When my turn came, I got to the top of the gangway and this big Chief Bosuns Mate with a gravelly voice, told me “Come over and stand by me, “Gunner.” After the
See Mendes, page 46
Vinnie Mendes
On the Water
Are you prepared for the adventure ahead?
When it comes to safety, preparation is key. In the boating world, we often discuss whether you have the right equipment or if your vessel is ready for the trip. A few years ago, I wrote an article about the equipment I gathered and the checks I performed before embarking on a jet ski trip to Bimini.
Recently, I completed another long-distance jet ski journey, and the experience made me rethink what it means to be prepared. Of course, before the trip, we ensured we had all the necessary equipment and that our skis were fit for the journey.
But the first day was riddled with unexpected challenges –
Frank Taylor
The Careful Captain
some might even call it a nightmare. Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t.
The important thing is that we made it through because we were prepared. When I say “we,” I mean we were both mentally and physically prepared for whatever the adventure had in store.
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Mental preparedness
Let’s be honest. If you’re just heading out on the lake for a day of fun and relaxation, you probably don’t need much mental preparation. You’ve likely done it dozens if not hundreds of times, and it’s more relaxing than mentally taxing.
However, planning an adventurous week-long excursion is a different story. These types of adventures can be mentally draining, especially when things don’t go as planned. The question is, are you mentally prepared to handle situations when things go awry?
There are several variables beyond your control that can impact your trip: weather, mechanical breakdowns, and delays caused by unforeseen events, to name a few. When these things happen, how do you respond? You could get upset and quit, feel sorry for yourself and lose focus, or make poor decisions. Alternatively, you could tackle the
issue head-on, develop a plan B, and stick to it.
During our most recent excursion, we encountered several unexpected challenges, including mechanical breakdowns and bad weather. What should have been a 5 to 5½ hour trip turned into an 11-hour ordeal. Thankfully, we kept our cool, made smart decisions, adapted our plans as needed, and ultimately arrived safely.
Physical preparedness
Spending a weekend on my boat usually gives me a good workout. Handling anchors and lines, climbing up on deck and back down – boating is an active endeavor.
Now, imagine undertaking a trip like the Great Loop or a 300mile journey on a personal watercraft (PWC), where you’re battling the weather, waves, and whatever else comes your way.
These kinds of trips are definitely fun, but they can be physically demanding. After a long
PWC trip, my body often takes a beating from the waves, leaving my arms, legs, and shoulder muscles sore. I’ve also been on rides where someone fell off their ski simply because they were too tired to hold on.
Physical exhaustion and pain can lead to a loss of focus and poor decision-making. You don’t need the conditioning of an Olympic athlete to enjoy such an adventure, but you do need to be prepared for the physical demands.
I believe that water-based adventures are some of the best ways to spend your free time. Life may dictate that they won’t always be perfect, but they can be incredibly rewarding. You can help ensure that you reap those rewards by getting your gear – and yourself – ready.
Frank is past commander of America’s Boating Club Atlanta and is currently a content creator at the YouTube channel “The Ships Logg.”
Eagle Ranch and University Yacht Club celebrate 30 years of friendship Shore Lines
From the fascinating to the remarkable, Lake Lanier harbors many personalities and places along its shores. Lakeside presents “Shore Lines” – stories about people who live, work and play around the lake and the places that make the area special.
By Pamela A. Keene
Eagle Ranch was only nine years old when University Yacht Club Commodore Caleb Clarke followed up on a simple suggestion from another club member 30 years ago.
“Several of our members were involved at Eagle Ranch (a Christ-centered nonprofit organization) and in fact one couple gave up their jobs to become houseparents there,” said Clarke, who is now assistant chaplain and chaplain of the Junior Sailing Fleet of the Bulloch Chapel Committee. “The chair of the Bulloch Chapel committee came to the board and suggested that we become involved with Eagle Ranch. When we presented the idea the membership jumped on the idea, suggesting that the Sunday offering each week be donated to the Ranch.”
“The relationship with University Yacht Club is so rich in its history,” said Kelly Brewer, director of development and outreach at Eagle Ranch.
“Their commitment and kindness to our children, families and mission is a big blessing.”
Club members have been invited to events at Eagle Ranch. Board members have toured the campus, including the six homes that provide a family atmosphere for 30 children, recreational facilities and the campus chapel.
said. “All of our members are so supportive of the mission of Eagle Ranch; that’s the time we present the annual check to Eddie.”
Sometimes members of the staff, residents and other representatives of Eagle Ranch attend on that mid-summer Sunday along with UYC members.
The relationship includes a partnership with the UYC Maritime Foundation and America’s Boating Club that for the past three years has taught Eagle Ranch residents to sail through the club’s Junior Sailing Program.
Thirty years later, the bond between the members of University Yacht Club and Eagle Ranch’s administration, staff and residents has strengthened to become much more than an annual donation of funds.
For the past 30 years, on the Sunday closest to July 4, Eagle Ranch Founder Eddie Staub comes to the Bulloch Chapel to preach and to thank club members for their continued support of the ranch’s programs and missions.
Sometimes former residents of Eagle Ranch share their stories, now that they are adults and on their own.
“It’s always one of our best-attended chapel services,” Clarke
“Giving Eagle Ranch residents the opportunity to experience sailing and boating is making an amazing difference in the relationship between Eagle Ranch and UYC,” said Rick Smith, chair of the UYC Junior Sailing Program. “The program has been really successful. Many of these young people had never been on a boat, much less a sailboat. And it’s a chance to take our relationship with Eagle Ranch to another level.”
This year has been a benchmark for the relationship, especially when at the end of June UYC created a special event inviting all Eagle Ranch administration, staff and residents to join with UYC members on Sunday, June 23.
Eden and Furman Combes – he was the chair of the chapel committee 30 years ago – were honored. Clarke and Bruce Shortell, UYC Chaplain, shared the pulpit and delivered inspiring messages.
Members and guests enjoyed Sunday brunch before Clarke joined the first day of the Eagle Ranch Junior Sailing program to bless the fleet, sailors and instructors.
still creating ways to save the lives of these kids and their families through the programs at Eagle Ranch.”
Staub founded Eagle Ranch in 1985, opening the first house for boys. Sixteen years later the first girl’s home was opened.
“Eddie and the Eagle Ranch mission and vision has always inspired me,” said Riley, co-chair of the chapel committee with Carolyn Layfield.
“When we realized we’d nurtured this amazing mutual relationship for the past 30 years, some of us decided to make it a big deal, a Big Deal,” Smith said. “The Eagle Ranch Appreciation Day included a full schedule of activities and everyone turned out. Coincidentally, it was the first day of the Eagle Ranch Junior Sailing program, so it was even more incredible.”
The Eagle Ranch Appreciation Day began with a service in Bulloch, attended by nearly 80 people – a combination of Eagle Ranch administration, houseparents, staff and residents and University Yacht Club members.
“The guests from Eagle Ranch were treated to boat rides around the lake,” Smith said. “Members Donna Riley and Pat McGrath and Betsy and Craig Wolf took staff and residents on their cruisers, providing snacks and beverages. The guests also spent time on the beach and swam.”
Riley recalled when she first met Staub in the early 1980s. “He had recently moved here and I met him through a mutual friend,” she said. “He shared his vision with me of opening a boys ranch for troubled kids.
“Several years later, we met up again at Bulloch Chapel and I realized how God had worked through Eddie, opening the right doors at the right time to make his vision of Eagle Ranch so successful. His faith is so strong and he is
In addition to July 4th, BC reaches out at other times of the year as well. To commemorate the relationship Eddie Staub presented the organization with a 2foot by 2-foot flag stone, etched with the verse from Isaiah 40:13, the founding verse for Eagle Ranch:
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings as Eagles.”
The commemorative stone, a “touchstone” as Smith has dubbed it, is now mounted at the entrance to Bulloch Chapel, right next to the dedication plaque from September 1, 1991, the date of the first service at the new chapel.
“Our staff was blown away when I shared the club’s idea about Eagle Ranch Appreciation Day,” Brewer said. “We knew we wanted to do something to show our appreciation for them!
“Thirty years of prayer and steadfast giving is no small thing. We are connected by our faith in Christ. It seemed appropriate that we do something acknowledging our shared beliefs for the children and families we serve.”
Eagle Ranch touchstone.
CREDIT: EAGLE RANCH
CREDIT: EAGLE RANCH
Staff and family members are all smiles on the boat ride.
CREDIT: JERRY REEVES
Eden and Furman Combes are honored at the chapel service.
Donna Riley at lecturn, center; Carolyn Layfield, left; Eddie Staub, navy shirt; and Bruce Shortell.
36TH ANNUAL LAKE LANIER
SHORE SHORE SWEEP SWEEP
Saturday, September 21st 8AM - 1PM LARGEST TRASH CLEAN-UP ON LAKE LANIER!
PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS
DAWSON COUNTY
Toto Park
War Hill Park
FORSYTH COUNTY
Bald Ridge Marina
Port Royale Marina
Shady Grove Campground - Boats Only
GWINNETT COUNTY
Gwinnett Park
HALL COUNTY
Balus Creek Boat Ramp
Don Carter State Park
Gainesville Marina
Lanier Islands Boat Ramp
Laurel Park
Little River Boat Ramp
Holly Park
Van Pugh North Boat Ramp
Hall County Fire Rescue expands Marine Rescue capabilities
By Pamela A. Keene
Hall County Fire Rescue recently expanded its Marine Rescue capabilities. For the past year, the department has used a Remotely Operated Vehicle to search for drowning victims underwater.
The ROV is similar to an underwater drone, yet large enough and maneuverable enough to locate underwater victims and use its mechanized “arm” to bring them back to the surface.
“Hall County Fire Marine Rescue Team is currently staffed with highly trained individuals to respond to any calls that occur on Lake Lanier,” said Kimberlie Ledsinger, public information of-
fice for Hall County Fire Rescue. “The majority of these calls are EMS related, or they involve fires, boat wrecks and drownings. Our team members are boat operators, medical professionals and ROV operators.”
Certain guidelines will determine when trained and certified divers are used on calls: when a call involves a victim who has been submerged for 30 minutes or less with a last known location in 30 feet of water or less.
“This is different moving forward because we will have the
• Covered & Uncovered Slips up to 80’
• Uncovered rates starting at $516/quarter
• Dry Stack Storage up to 26’/pontoons also
• Easy access to docks
human element on drowning calls,” Ledsinger said. “The divers will dive under certain circumstances and will also be on standby if the ROV has any mechanical issues. The ROV will be used after the 30 minutes, in more than 30 feet of water, and if there is no known victim location. This is to prevent any unnecessary risk to our members.” She said that both the ROV and divers will be available for drowning calls.
Either and/or both tools could possibly be operational depending on the nature of the call.
“Hall County Fire Rescue is reaching out to certified and uncertified employees to gauge their interest in joining the Marine Rescue team,” she said. “The goal is to have approximately 10 certified divers on all three shifts. Once the team can function with enough divers, they will be operational on the water.”
Boating Safely & Personal Watercraft Certification - USCGA
• Course: NASBLA certified entry level classroom-only course with test for boater education and PWC certification. Covers basic boating terminology, “rules of the road,” navigation, operation, legal requirements, emergencies, water etiquette and more.
• Instructors: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers
More safety info: lakesidenews.com/explore-lake-lanier/safety-guide
• Security seven days a week/Video surveillance
• Service Shop & Fiberglass repair
• Skogies’s Waterfront Eatery
• Gas Dock & Pump-out Stations • Courtesy Dock • Climate-controlled Bath Houses with extra large showers • Covered Pavilion
Hall County Fire Rescue boat.
PHOTO: HALL COUNTY FIRE RESCUE
ROV in action.
PHOTO: HALL COUNTY FIRE RESCUE
Boater Education Courses with Certification Exam
Scientists looking ‘outside the box’ to deter global warming September is here and our thoughts are now turning to the fall color and cooler temperatures. While it might be cooler with fewer hours of daylight, temperatures this fall, which begins on September 22, are expected to be warmer than normal for much of the country.
Last year we saw the warmest year since weather record keeping began in the mid 1800s. There is no debating our planet is warming at an unprecedented rate. Weather extremes are becoming more commonplace. But what if there was a way to slow this warming. Scientists are now testing ways to do just that.
Some think finding a way to actually brighten clouds and deflect the sun’s energy back into space could be very effective. One group of atmospheric scientists
Glenn Burns Lanier Outlook
from the University of Washington is studying marine cloud brightening (MCB) on a small scale.
Aerosols in the air, like salt particles from the oceans, volcanic ash, smoke from fires, dust from deserts, etc., are “seeds” in the air. Atmospheric water molecules are drawn to these particles like magnets, forming water droplets and eventually creating a cloud.
Clouds are nature’s own sunshades, reflecting sunlight back into space. This creates a natural cooling effect that is an integral part of earth’s climate patterns. What these scientists want to find out is how these aerosols interact with NATURAL cloud formation and how they could possibly enhance their reflectivity.
The aerosol they are using, in a small scale experiment, is sea salt. They are spraying the sea salt into the air, hoping to increase cloud brightness and reflective capabilities.
The scientists have developed a CloudAerosol Research Instrument (CARI) to see if it is viable. The device sprays a plume of ocean water loaded with sea salt past a series of scientific instruments to see how the aerosols impact natural droplets within the cloud and ultimately shape their reflec-
See Burns, page 20
SOLUNAR TIMES FOR LAKE LANIER
SOLUNAR TIMES FOR LAKE LANIER
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON MARINE BRIGHTENING PROGRAM CARI in action.
Make your plans for a fun fall fishing trip in a new spot
What do you think opens up first with some great game fishing, ponds, streams and small lakes or major reservoirs?
Surprise! The streams that lead to major reservoirs. How’s that so? Well, the streams that lead to the reservoirs haven’t stopped being good place for the summer, you just haven’t been there. Every option gets more productive as the temperatures fall, of course, but the streams that flow out of one major lake’s dam into a river that leads to the next lake are filling year long. Have you tried that? You’re going to be surprised. You will not be going to the “same old spots” in the lake but new eddies, points and river bends where you’ve never made a cast before.
And while all that works, please take an adventuresome trip up the river to cast into the churning waters behind the lake dams where the new cool water boils out from the upper lake.
My favorites are the lakes in Tennessee, but you can be successful almost anywhere. Not
O’Neill Williams
O’Neill
Outside n MORE INFO: www.oneilloutside.com
bragging but in the past 70s and early 80s before I stopped tournament fishing, I finished high or won by making the trip upriver to the next dam even having to stop for fuel at a marina on the way back to the tournament weigh-in. Don’t be misled, I didn’t figure that out, it was other tournament anglers that taught me. Be advised that it’s often fishing these waters is not permitted for safety reasons by the local law, but plenty of other “Dam” targets exist. My favorite was behind Watts Bar near Knoxville, Tenn. I’m not going to tell you because you will not believe the catches both me and my
partners made of Largemouth Bass and Stripers. Then too, you can fish all day. The water flowing out from the dam doesn’t warm up, it stays cool round the clock. However, I digress, I’m afraid, the absolute best I ever visited is behind Wilson Dam on the Tennessee in northern Alabama. The first time I fished there with a super guide named Brian Barton (look him up) we two hooked up, missed a strike or caught quality Stripers to 40 pounds, Smallmouths over 6 pounds, Largemouths to 8 pounds and Giant Crappie ON EVERY CAST for three hours. So, there you are.
Wanna take a quality trip? Telephone and hire the appropriate local guide and give it a try and you will not have to wait until the reservoirs wake up. You might be asking why the fishing is so good behind these dams. It’s because the shad and other bait fish travel up current and spawn on the concrete surfaces of the structure and the shallow water boulders that are scattered about
along the sides of the water flow. Enticed you enough to give it a try? GO. Oh too, take along a child and remember, “If you’re too busy to go fishing and take a child along, you’re too busy.”
Catch O’Neill on Saturday
• Burns
Continued from Page 18
mornings on WSB from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. 750 on AM or 95.5 on FM.
O’Neill Williams has been a television, radio and print personality for more than 40 years and more recently has added podcasts and video on demand to his repertoire. tivity.
This is not going to end climate change but it has the potential to make at least, a little impact on our rapidly warming earth. Exploring possible solutions like this are experimental. There is still a tremendous amount of work to do and then some serious decisions have to be
made before this type of cloud modification SHOULD be used. There will need to be many computer simulations and we really have to make sure it does not interfere with earth’s natural weather patterns.
Glenn Burns is chief meteorologist emeritus for WSB-TV in Atlanta.
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BRASELTON
Braselton Civic Center/Town Green - 706654-1944, explorebraselton.com
Sept 22 – Braselton Brewfest, 1:30 pm BUFORD
Buford Community Center - 770-945-6762, bufordcommunitycenter.com
o Sept 14
– Tyler Hubbard – Concert on the Lawn - Gates 4:30 pm, Concert 6 pm, Free o Sept 27 – Uptown: A Celebration of Motown and Soul – Sylvia Beard Theatre – 8 pm, $35-45 Lake Lanier Islands Resort – 770-945-8787, lanierislands.com
o Sept 10, 17, 24 – Monster Mash Party – 5-11 pm – a spook-tacular party at Game Changer –costume contest 6pm, Trivia 7-9 pm
o Sept 7, 8, 14, 15, 21,22 – Fins Up Water Park, 470-323-3440 – 11 am -6 pm
o Sept 7, 14, 21, 28 – Margarita Cruise – 6-9 pm, Live Music at LandShark Landing 7-10 pm
o Sept 8, 15, 22, 29 – Brunch Cruise – 11 am-1 pm
o Sept 12-14 – Poker Run – LandShark Beach, 10 am-10 pm Tannery Row Artist Colony – 470-326-6656tanneryrowartistcolony.net
o Through Sept 6 – Tannery Row 4 Woman Art Show: Flourish -Wed–Sat – noon-4 pm
o Sept 14 – 2nd Saturday Event – 12-4 pm
37 Main – A Rock Café - 37 E Main St. Buford, 678-288-2030, 37main.com
o Sept 5, 12, 19, 26 – The Andrews Brothers Dueling Pianos – 8:30 pm, Free o Sept 6 – The Velcro Pygmies – High Energy Rock Songs – 9:45 pm
o Sept 7 – Homegrown - Zac Brown Band Ex-
Lakeside Calendar September 2024
perience w/ Sam Koon – 7:45 pm
o Sept 13 - Slippery When Wet – Bon Jovi Tribute w/Lynnay Della Lucé, 7:45 pm
o Sept 14 – Hot Flash – The 80s Dance Rock Band – 9:45 pm
o Sept 20 – Moby Dick – Kings of Party Rock –9:45 pm
o Sept 28 – Enrage Against the Machine – A tribute to Rage Against the Machine – 9:45 pm
CLARKESVILLE
HABERSHAM COUNTY
(Alto, Baldwin, Clarkesville, Cornelia, Demorest, Mt. Airy and Tallulah Falls) Piedmont University – 800-277-7020, piedmont.edu
o Sept 14 – Parton Me: A tribute to Dolly with Katie Deal and Her Nashville Band – gates open 4pm, 5-7 pm live music, Arrendale Amphitheater, 359 College Dr., Demorest, $25-35
o Sept 26 – Public Art Reception: Ashlyn Pope – 4:30-6:30 pm, Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art, 567 Georgia St., Demorest, Free. CUMMING/FORSYTH COUNTY
Cumming Community Center - 770-781-2010, cummingcitycenter.com
o Sept 8, 15, 22, 29 – Sunday Shred - 10 am
o Sept 9, 16, 23, 30 - Yoga on the Lawn - 6-7 pm
o Sept 3, 9, 17 – Zumba with Allyson - 7-8 pm
o Sept 4, 11, 18, 25 - Spartan Training - 5:45 pm
o Sept 4, 11, 18, 25 – oga on the Lawn – 10 am
o Sept 5, 12, 19, 26 – Fall Cornhole League –6:30 pm
o Sept 5 – Tin Cup Cruise-in – 6 pm
o Sept 6 - Summer in the City – The Jason Gardner Band – 7 pm
o Sept 6, 13, 20, 27 – Jazzercise, Free, 8:30 am
o Sept 7, 14, 21, 28 – AM Spartan Training, 9 am
o Sept 13 - Bogey and the Viceroy – 7 pm
o Sept 14 -Purple Madness – a Prince Experience Band – 7 pm
o Sept 20 – Jason Gardner Band – 7 pm
o Sept 21 – Excitable - Tribute to Def Leppard –7 pm
o Sept 21 – Cumming Art Fest – 10 am
o Sept 27 – Brotherhood – A Doobie Brothers Tribute Band – 7 pm
o Sept 28 – Game Day Watch Party (AL vs GA) – 11 am
Hall & Hound Brewing Co., Cumming - 470239-8423, hallandhoundbrewing.com
o Sept 4, 11, 18, 25 - Music Bingo: 7-9 pm
o Sept 5, 12, 19, 26 - Trivia Night: 7-9 pm
o Sept 11, Oct 9, Nov 13 – Wine Tasting School Street Playhouse - 770-781-9178, schoolstreetplayhouse.com
o Through Oct 13 - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street “A Musical Thriller” –Matinee Sun at 2:30 pm, $25; Thu, Fri, Sat at 7:30 pm $30.
o Sept 7 – Sinatra Experience: Ryan Davis & his Big Band
o Sept 12 – Jeff Allen: Comedy Night
o Sept 13 – Fly Betty Band
o Sept 14 – Nashville Hitmakers/Songwriters in the Round
o Sept 19 – Live Music+Line Dancing Night
o Sept 20 – Lee Greenwood
o Sept 21 – Andrew Jannakos
o Sept 26 – Yacht Rock Schooner
o Sept 27 – William Clark Green
See Calendar, page 30
♫ Summer in the City Concert, Cumming. Jason Gardner Band performs blues, soul & country, 7-10 p.m. Sept. 6, Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. Free. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, Gainesville. Annual racing of ornamental dragon boats and diverse cultural celebration with food, traditional music/dance ceremony and more, racing starts 8 a.m., opening ceremony at noon, Sept. 7, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. www.dragonboatatlanta.com.
o Curious Saturday, Gainesville. Mobile Curiosity Cart offers families insights into garden/ecosystem, 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 7, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. Garden admission. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760.
o Soggy Doggy Pool Party, Gainesville. Dogs splash and play in chemical-free Splash Zone, 12:30 p.m. dogs up to 40 lbs., 3-4:30 p.m. dogs over 40 pounds, Sept. 8, Frances Meadows Aquatic Center, 1545 Community Way. Proof of dog vaccinations required. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Southeastern Collegiate Cycling Mountain Bike Opener, Cleveland. Collegiate teams, individual and open categories ride prescribed times on mountain bike/slalom courses, Sept. 7 & 8, Truett McConnell College, 100 Alumni Dr. Various registration costs. https://tmbears.com/sports/cycling.
o Bootlegger Triathlon, Dawsonville. Youth and adult pool swim/bike/run event, various start times, Sept. 8, Veteran’s Park, 186 Recreation Rd. $40-$55. www.fivestarntp.com.
♫ 100th Year Concert & Fireworks Celebration, Gainesville. Party celebrating 100th birthday of Gainesville Parks & Recreation with live music by The After Party Experience, fireworks at dusk, food & beverage trucks, 7 p.m. Sept. 13, Midland Greenway Amphitheater, 682 Grove St. Free. www.exploregainesville.org.
♫ Bogey & The Viceroy Concert, Cumming. New Orleans band plays soul, retro-pop, party hits, 7-9 p.m. Sept. 13, Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. Free. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
♫ Dancing Dream, Gainesville. Abba tribute band, gates open 7 p.m., music starts 8 p.m. Sept.14, The Lawn at Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St. SW. Individual tickets $35, table for 8 $45 per ticket. www.theartscouncil.net.
o Fire & Shine Dinner, Sautee Nacoochee. Evening of Appalachian culture with history, music, food, moonshine and black powder demonstrations, 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 14, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $60. 706-878-1077.
o Edible & Medicinal Plants, Helen. Introduction to foraging common native plants in the area, includes hike, 10 a.m.-noon, Sept. 14, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5 plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706878-3087.
♫ Fall Concert, Buford. Tyler Hubbard & Alana Springsteen perform country tunes, warm up with Tyler Braden, gates open 4:30 p.m., concert 6 p.m. Sept. 14, Buford Community Center Amphitheater, 2200 Buford Hwy. Free. www.bufordcommunitycenter.com.
ater, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. Free. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Wildlife Festival, Gainesville. Hands-on animal encounters, demonstrations featuring reptiles and raptors, connections with ecology and wildlife experts, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 14, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. $10, $5 members, $50 max per family. 770-5351976. www.elachee.org.
o Harvest Moon Paddle, Gainesville. Guided group paddle on peaceful section of Lake Lanier, boat rental available, 7-9 p.m. Sept. 14, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. $40. www.exploregainesville.org, 770-2877888.
o Late Summer Blooms Walking Tour, Gainesville. Garden expert leads tour of late season blooms, 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 14, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $20, $15 members. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760.
o Georgia GPA Head Professional Championship, Gainesville. Professional golf tournament, Sept. 15, Chattahoochee Golf Club, 301 Tommy Aaron Dr. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Light Bites & Garden Insights, Gainesville. Refreshments and behind-the-scenes presentation by garden manager of international plant exploration, 10:30 a.m.-noon Sept. 16, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. Contributing members only. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760.
o Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike, Tallulah Falls. Mile-and- a-half night hike down 310 stairs to suspension bridge over falls, 7:45-9:15 p.m. Sept. 17, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $10 cash, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.
♫ Jason Gardner Band, Cumming. North Georgia band plays blues, rock and country, 7-9 p.m. Sept. 20, Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. Free. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Funky Fungi, Helen. Mushroom expert shares historical and current uses of mushrooms, includes short hike, 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 21, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706878-3087.
o Swim Across America, Gainesville. Halfmile, 1-mile, & 3-mile open water swim, swimmer check in 7:30-8:15 a.m. Sept. 21, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. See website for charitable donation/registration. www.swimacrossamerica.org.
o Cumming Art Fest. 100 artisans, children’s activities & more, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 21,
Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
♫ Excitable Band, Cumming. Tribute to Def Leppard, 7-9 p.m. Sept. 21, Cumming City Center, Lou Sobh Amphitheater, 423 Canton Rd. Free. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Cupcake Challenge 5K, Clermont. 7:30 a.m. Sept. 21, Strickland Funeral Home parking lot, 260 Main St. $20, $25. www.runnersfit.com.
o So You Think You Can Run Fun Run/5K, Flowery Branch. 9/9:30 a.m. Sept. 21, Aqualand Marina, 6800 Lights Ferry Rd. $15/$25. www.runnersfit.com.
o Butterfly Release, Gainesville. Butterfly release, plus food & beverage trucks, exhibitors, garden workshops, family activities and more, 14 p.m. Sept. 22, butterfly release 3 p.m., Midland Greenway, 982 Grove St. www.gainesville.org.
o Braselton Brew Fest. Craft beer from 18 breweries, live music, lawn games, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Sept. 22, Town Green, 9924 Davis St. $50$75. www.explorebraselton.net
o Mizuno Intercollegiate Golf Tournament, Gainesville. Five-person teams compete in collegiate stroke play, Sept. 22 & 23, Chattahoochee Golf Club, 301 Tommy Aaron Dr. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Sunset Serenades, Gainesville. Live music by
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o Sept 28 – Billy Joel Tribute-Piano Man, Georgia Art League (at Quinlan Visual Arts Center-Gainesville), 470-272-3010
o Sept 19 - A discussion about the “Words from the Wise” article in Artists Magazine. Open to the public. 12-1:30. Contact Melanie Vaughan, melanievaughan133@gmail.com.
Hall County Library - 770-532-3311, X4011, hallcountylibrary.org
o Sept 3, 10, 17, 24 – Baby Steps (0-18 months) 10:15-10:45 am and Toddler Storytime (18 mo3yrs), 11 -11:45 am
o Sept 4 – NEGA Writers Group Awards Lunch
o Sept 5, 12, 19, 26 – Thursdays, Little Sprouts Storytime – 11am-11:30 am - preschoolers
o Sept 7, 21 – Greeting card workshop
o Sept 7, 14, 21, 28 – Saturday Storytime
o Sept 13 – Sitting Up with the Dead – research your family history. Pre-register online hallcountylibrary.org; 770-532-3311, ext. 4011; $15
o Sept 14 – Georgia Cross Stitchers
o Sept 16-21 – Adult Brain Teaser Week
o Sept 18 – CreativiTEENS
o Sept 19 – Intro to Film Appreciation
o Sept 20 – Tea with Tolkien Book Club
local singer/songwriter Bryant Tench on the patio, 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 26, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. Snacks and adult beverages available. For patron members only. www.elachee.org, 770-535-1976.
♫ Uptown Concert, Buford. Motown/soul band performs R&B/contemporary pop, 8 p.m. Sept. 27, Buford Community Center Amphitheater, 2200 Buford Dr. $35-$45. www.bufordcommunitycenter.com.
o Blackstrap Ghost Tours, Gainesville. Walking ghost tour to historic sites near Blackstrap Rock Hall and Midland Greenway hosted by Blackstrap Rock Hall and The Longstreet Society, 8 p.m. Sept. 28, Blackstrap Rock Hall, 852 Main St. SW. $20 adults, $10 children ages 612. www.blackstraprockhall.com.
o 5K to End Domestic Violence, Dawsonville. 8:30 a.m. Sept. 28, Rock Creek Park, 445 Martin Rd. $30-$35. www.runnersfit.com.
♫ Concert in the Garden, Gainesville. Kev’ Mo’ and Shawn Colvin perform, gates open 5 p.m., music begins 7 p.m. Sept. 29, Ivester Amphitheater, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. General admission $79, members $74, onsite parking $25-$15. Off-site parking/shuttles available. Catered box appetizers/dinners available. Blankets/low back chairs permitted; high back chairs permitted for mobility reasons. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760.
o Six Gap Century, Three Gap Fifty, Valley Ride, Dahlonega. 100- and 50-mile road bike rides in North Georgia mountains, plus 35-mile valley ride, century start 7:30 a.m., fifty/valley start 8:30 a.m. Sept. 29, Lumpkin County High School, 2001 Indian Dr. Registration $121 by Sept. 7, additional cost after. https://6gap.com/six-gap/. – compiled by Jane Harrison For more calendar items, visit lakesidenews.com/calendars.
o Sept 21 – US Rail Travel
o Sept 23 – Healthy Menu Planning 101
o Sept 23 – How to avoid Scammers!
o Sept 30 - Manga, Movies, and More Mondays! – middle/high school (ages 13-18 only) Historic Gainesville Square – exploregainesville.org
o Sept 6 – First Friday Concert Series – 7 pm INK – Interactive Neighborhood for Kids770-536-1900, inkfun.org
Crafts week activities are $1 plus tax per craft with paid admission, Free to INK members. Time/Play Blocks: Mon-Sat 10 am-12 pm, 12:30 pm-2:30 pm & 3 pm-5 pm, Sun 12:30 pm-2:30 pm & 3 pm-5 pm
Fall festivals, seasonal activities showcase regional diversity
By Jane Harrison
From polka waltzes to buck dancing, apple dumplings to chicken fingers, and race cars to pony rides, fall festivals around Lake Lanier and its northern neighbor towns showcase the diverse culture of the region. Here’s a sample of area fall festivals and seasonal activities coming up: o 54th Oktoberfest, Helen. Bavarian-themed music, food, dancing, drinks, Thurs.-Sat. Sept. 5-22, nightly Sept. 26-Oct. 27. $10 Mon.-Fri., $12 Sat., Fri. & Sat. $20; half price for children 6-12; free to children younger than 6; free to active/retired military with ID; free Sundays. See website for hours: www.helenchamber.com, 706-8781619.
urdays; 12:30-9 p.m. Sundays; Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd. See website for ticket information: Search squarespace cummingfair.
o Clermont Days. Parade, arts & crafts, food, entertainment, family activities, Sept. 20-21, Downtown Clermont. Vendors open 4 p.m., live music 7 p.m. Sept. 20; Sept. 21 activities include 9 a.m. opening ceremony, 10 a.m. parade, plus food, vendors, cake walk, kids’ activities, live music, 9 p.m. fireworks. www.clermontga.com.
o Cumming Art Fest. 100 artisans, children’s activities & more, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 21, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Flowery Branch Fall Festival/Block Party Crafts, children’s activities, live music with Fly Betty Band and other musicians, food vendors, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 21, Main Street, Downtown Flowery Branch. www.troop-228.com.
o Fall Fest, Gainesville. Live music, magic show, plant experts, mini-craft market, refreshments, beer garden, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept 21, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. www.atlantagb.org, 404-888-4760.
o Hurricane Shoals Arts in the Park, Maysville. Arts, crafts, 5K run (8 a.m. Sept. 21), living history village, kids’ activities, bluegrass music, plus historic gristmill milling corn. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 21 & 22, Hurricane Shoals Park, 416 Hurricane Shoals Rd. www.hurricaneshoalspark.org.
o Latino Festival, Gainesville. Celebration of Latino culture, food, art & music, 3-9 p.m. Sept. 28, Midland Greenway, 682 Grove St. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Lula Fall Festival. Folk art, pottery, crafts, children’s activities, entertainment and more, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 28, noon-5 p.m. Sept. 29, Rafe Banks Park/Lula Ball Park, 5831 Athens St. www.cityoflula.com.
o 3rd Annual Oktoberfest, Gainesville. Live music, family activities, food trucks, biergarten & more, Oct. 4, Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St. SW. See website for details: www.theartscouncil.net.
o Foxfire Mountaineer Festival, Clayton. Traditional music and crafts, greased pole climbing, sack racing, longest beard contest, crosscut saw contest, children’s activities, food, and demonstrations of rail splitting, team plowing, and quilting, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Oct. 5, Rabun County Civic Center, 201 W. Savannah St. See website for admission cost. visit.explorerabun.com.
Fifteen-plus teams compete in chicken cook-off, plus kids’ zone, venders’ market, live music and more, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. $6 wristband for 10 chicken samples, $25 for 5 wristbands. Cook teams apply on-line. Off-site parking with shuttle: New Horizons Lanier Park, 675 White Sulphur Rd. Limited dock space and on-site parking. www.exploregainesville.org, 770-531-2664.
Sept. & Nov. hours: 4-10 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. October hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 10a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Haunted “Dark Rows” Trail Sept. 27 & 28, plus Fri. & Sat. in October. 125 Bannister Rd. $17$27, free to children 4 and younger. www.uncleshucks.com, 770-772-6223.
o Indian Summer Festival, Suches. Crafts, food, and music, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 5 & 6, Woody Gap School (smallest public school in Georgia), 2331 Ga. 60. $5 age 13 and older, $3 ages 7-12, free to children 6 and younger. www.indiansummerfestival.org. 706-747-2401.
o Mule Camp Market, Gainesville. Food, arts & craft vendors, carnival rides, Friday festival kickoff concert at Boot Barn Hall, Saturday concert at Midland Greenway Amphitheater, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 11 & 12, noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 13, Midland Greenway, 682 Grove St. See website for updates. www.gainesvillejaycees.org, 770-532-7714.
o Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, Hiawassee. Big name country and blue grass performers, pioneer village, daredevil and cowboy circus, carnival rides, flower show and crafts exhibits. $7 arts & crafts ticket, additional cost for rides and concerts, Oct. 11-13, 17-19, opens 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Rd. Free to children age 12 & younger. No pets. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
o Cumming Country Fair & Festival. Carnival rides, live music, bull-riding, petting zoo, doggie sports, sea lion show, human cannonball, chainsaw carving, haunted attraction, and heritage village, Oct. 3-13, 410 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.; 4 p.m.-midnight Fridays, 10 a.m.-midnight Sat-
o 55th Annual Sorghum Festival, Blairsville. Vintage mule-run sorghum mill, sorghum “biskits,” crafts, mountain music, dancing, pioneer demonstrations, biskit eating contest, hatchet throwing, and old timey games, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 12 & 13, 19 & 20, Meeks Park, 490 Meeks Park Rd. Parade Oct. 12. $5, free to ages 12 and younger. See website for schedule. www.blairsvillesorghumfestival.com, 706-745-2272.
o 19th Annual Gainesville Chicken Festival.
o 53rd Georgia Apple Festival, Ellijay. Apple treats, food trucks, crafts, demonstrations, music, 9 a.m.6 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays Oct. 12 & 13, 19 & 20, Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 S. Main St. No pets or firearms. $10, free to children 10 and younger. www.georgiaapplefestival.org, 706-636-4500.
o Gold Rush Days, Dahlonega. Parade, crafts, food, plus panning for gold, hog calling, buck dancing, gospel singing, and blue grass music, Oct. 19 & 20, Public Square/Downtown Historic District. See website for hours. www.goldrushdaysfestival.com.
o Mountain Farm Celebration, Sautee Nacoochee. Old fashioned country fair with pioneer skills and exhibits, traditional craft vendors, mountain music, biscuits baked in wood-fired antique stove, old timey games, plus first floor tour of historic mansion, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 26, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $8, free to children younger than 5. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077.
o 57th Annual Mountain Moonshine Car Show/Festival, Dawsonville. Huge car show, race car parade (9 a.m. Oct. 26), moonshine still, free moonshine samples, crafts, games, kids’ rides, music, and more, Oct. 2527, Dawsonville Municipal Complex, 415 Hwy. 53 E. See website for info. www.kareforkids.org. 706-2165273.
o Braselton Antique & Artisan Festival. 400 vendors, live music, food trucks, noon-7 p.m. Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 26, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Oct. 27, Downtown Braselton, 115 Harrison St. www.explorebraselton.net.
o Jaemor Farms 66th Annual Corn Maze, Alto. Farm extravaganza with corn maze, hayrides, apple cannon, pumpkin train, farm games, duck race, and more, Sept. 14-Nov. 3. Weekends only in September, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat., 1-7 p.m. Sun. Daily Oct. 1-27, Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 1-7 p.m.; open until 10 p.m. Flashlight Nights Oct. 25 & 26; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 2, 1-7 p.m. Nov. 3. No pets. See website for admission cost. 5340 Cornelia Hwy, Ga.365. www.jaemorfarms.com, 770-869-3999.
o Kinsey Family Farm, Gainesville/Cumming. Families plan a traditional fall pilgrimage for buying pumpkins, pumpkin baked goods, fall decorations, and farm products. Oct. 1-31, hours to be determined. 7170 Jot Em Down Rd, www.kinseyfamilyfarm.com, 770-8876028.
o Burt’s Farm, Dawsonville. Pumpkins galore, scenic hayrides, pumpkin pies and seasonal decorations greet patrons at the Burt family farm near Amicalola Falls. Pumpkin patch & store 9 a.m.-6 p.m. through Nov. 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 1-10. Hayrides weekends through Sept. 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily Sept. 16-Oct. 31. See website for Nov. hayride information. Burts Farm Rd. No pets or firearms. Hayrides $6.50 plus tax per person, free to children 2 and younger. www.burtspumpkinfarmgeorgia.com, 706-265-3701.
Happy Fall from Lakeside on Lanier!
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Richard B. Russell State Park is a Georgia gem
Richard B. Russell State Park is adjacent to the 26,650-acre Richard B. Russell Lake, and has a cornucopia of outdoor opportunities to explore. It has a beautiful campground and fully equipped cottages that are located on or near the water’s edge to enjoy the picturesque setting. Most park facilities are designed for wheelchair accessibility … including the swimming beach. A nature trail follows the shoreline as it circles through the adjoining woods and returns to the beach.
The park encompasses 2,508 acres and has 20 cottages, 27 tent, trailer and RV campsites, 3 picnic shelters, 1 group shelter, 1 event room, a sand beach and boat ramps with plenty of parking. There’s also a very unique trail made of rubber from shredded old tires that leads to a fairly new building, which is actually the group shelter. If you look through the woods to your right, as you approach the building, you can catch a glimpse of an historic old steel bridge. Just a five minute stroll through an opening in the forest, and you can walk across the famous Blackwell Bridge, which has a beautiful osprey nest on the left upper corner. Most visiting photographers find the old bridge and the lake at this point to be very picturesque!
Many avid golfers in Georgia and South Carolina have been drawn to the 6,800-yard, 18-hole Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course which is built on a peninsula within the state park, allowing water views from 10 of the 18 holes that are stunning! Since Lake Richard B. Russell has no visible lakefront houses from any
Bill Vanderford Travel Editor
n MORE INFO: JFish51@aol.com www.georgiafishing.com
vantage point on the course, except for an occasional passing boat, there is no noise! It also offers a full service golf shop complete with golf accessories, a restaurant and group or individual lessons. Many visitors agree that this is the most beautiful, challenging, and well kept of any of the Georgia State Park golf courses. This park is also known for its well-kept disc golf course, where Frisbee-style discs are thrown into metal baskets. The sport is easy to learn and can be enjoyed by all ages.
Several Indian sites were excavated near the park in 1980 before
the lake was filled, indicating that Paleo-Indians lived in the area more than 10,000 years ago. This area is now called Rucker’s Bottom and lies deep below the waters of Lake Richard B. Russell.
Anyone would enjoy staying or playing at Richard B. Russell State Park (www.gastateparks.org) where you can try disc golf, fish, camp, picnic, hike, boat, play a round at a top ranked golf course or simply relax beside the peaceful shores where Indians settled along this Savannah River watershed thousands years ago. It’s a really large park away from any big city, so it’s rather quiet most of the time which allows sojourners to really feel needed peace and quiet!
Bill Vanderford has won numerous awards for his writing and photography, and has been inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Guide.
PHOTOS BY BILL VANDERFORD
One of the rental cottages at Richard B. Russell State Park.
The Old Blackwell Bridge, left. Water activity near the golf course at Lake Russell, left, middle.
The beach and bath house at Richard B. Russell State Park. Taking a big swing over the water at #16.
The entrance to the park.
The welcome center at Richard B. Russell State Park.
The boat ramp and dock at Richard B. Russell State Park.
An osprey nest on the left corner of the Old Blackwell Bridge.
LCKC athletes shine at 2024 ACA Sprint National Championship
By Vicki Hope
During August-hot days in Gainesville at Lake Lanier Olympic Park, the Lanier Canoe/Kayak Club (LCKC) along with American Canoe Association (ACA) Paddlesports, hosted this year’s US National Sprint Canoe Kayak championships. Paddlers from around the country as far away as Hawaii, Washington State and Puerto Rico attended the four-day event.
Thirteen Canadian paddlers participated as well but were not allowed to medal since they weren’t from the U.S. LCKC had 86 athletes compete, and every member contributed points to the total win which speaks highly of our local athletes and coaches. Many of the visiting athletes remarked favorably on the venue and the lake. Dexter Barlow of Bothel, WA shared “it’s one the nicest venues I have visited.”
This year’s event was truly a multi-generational event. For the first time it included a new younger group the “U-12,” an exhibition category for canoe/kayak athletes under 12. The increase in young athletes is encouraging for the club and the sport. The “Headway” group at LCKC for youth ages 7-16 years old is coached by Allison Martin and the LCKC Beginner Racing League (BRL) is run by Coordinator Caleb Collins and four coaches.
Competition categories included youth, junior and masters. The youngest female and male athletes were Mary Horunovych (8) and Maxim Horunovych (10) and the oldest female and male athletes were Jayne Berry (75) and Stephen Ligon (71).
Paddling events included canoe and kayak races with single person boats, 2 and 4 person boats with male, female and mixed male/female teams as well. Racing distances included 200m, 500m, 1000m, 3K and 5K.
Says Kim Martin of LCKC, “thanks to community, city, and sponsor support, we now have a facility that matches its Olympic legacy and allows us to better host national events such
as this. With the completion of the new boathouse, athletes from countries around the world, like Canada and Singapore are beginning to train here. Australian athletes are considering the location for training before the 2028 Olympics.”
The ACA wants LCKC to host more events in the coming years. Next year’s ACA Nationals will be held in Seattle and the challenge for the club then, will be to raise the money to transport all of their boats across the country to Seattle.
out to all who volunteered. We could not do it without you!” says Martin.
Economic impact
In addition to the many benefits the sport brings to our athletes, the financial impact on our community cannot be understated.
“The ACA Sprint National Championships at Lake Lanier Olympic Park is a shining example of how the Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance is dedicated to bringing premier sporting events to our city,” said McKenna Kauffmann, manager of the Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance. “With a remarkable economic impact of $506,727, this event underscores our ongoing efforts to elevate Gainesville as a top sports destination. We’re excited to continue working on bringing more highprofile events that showcase the vibrant spirit of our community.”
At the conclusion of the competition, the annual Nationals banquet was held in the new Boathouse for all the athletes and their guests to share a meal, celebrate their accomplishments, learn about the LCKC program, and take tours of the facility.
For a complete list of medal winners provided by LCKC, see Lakeside’s article on the event at Lakesidenews.com.
For more information on Lanier Canoe/Kayak Club, email: info@lckc.org, 770-287-7888 or exploregainesville.org.
LCKC Member Spotlight: Mike Dillon
By Vicki Hope
Mike Dillon, who will be 64 in September, is an engineer and president of Spurlock & Associates, Inc. as well as an active member of the Masters kayak group at Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club (LCKC).
Martin also commented on the helpful community cooperation during the event stating, “the public was so kind and inquisitive about the event and took great care around the course.”
Without the cooperation of the boaters, fishermen, and residents who live and play on the lake near the venue, events held at LLOP would not be as successful. Sharing the water, following Georgia’s 100-ft no-wake law and remaining alert to ever-changing circumstances on the water is imperative to everyone’s safety and enjoyment of the lake.
The event also could not have happened without the volunteers who gave their time and energy over the four-day event. Nationals required over 75 volunteers, some received training driving boats and learning special skills necessary for the event. “A big shout-
Mike first came to Lake Lanier in 2003. After a knee injury took him out of competitive running, he began looking for an alternative workout option. After several years of paddling around the lake by his home, he found LCKC in 2017. When he first joined the club, he practiced in a stable recreational boat. As his skills progressed, he moved up to a slightly “tippier” boat and after falling into the water more than he would like to admit, he realized he needed work on his balance and paddling skills. “Equipment matters,” said Dillon, after a teammate shared a different paddle that suited him better. He stopped tipping over and began to truly enjoy the sport.
His hard work over the years has paid off. This year at the 2024 ACA Nationals, he was part of five team events that medaled. But his shining moment was winning the gold medal in the 5000m K2 with friend and teammate Karoli “Karl” Magda, 69, who was a
previous National Champion in Hungary. This year, points earned by LCKC Masters paddlers accounted for almost half the points that led LCKC to win the entire 2024 ACA National Championships.
Mike said the Masters group, (30+ years old) is more than just a paddling group. The comradery, superior coaching, excellent facilities, great workout and beauty of nature on Lake Lanier keep him interested and motivated in the
sport and competition each year. Dillon said he wished he had found the club earlier when his children were young because “the sport is such a great teacher of respect for yourself and others and working as a team.”
That spirit creates a longevity and loyalty with the club and its members. LCKC Masters Coach Walker Peck came up through the club as a kid, continues to paddle in competitions and has grown the LCKC Masters group. Peck won awards in this year’s Nationals as well.
Peck and Andrew Surles (Southeast Paddle Sports) won the Beachem & Van Dyke Trophy for Senior Men’s 1000m K2.
Morgan House, Aaron Mullican, Walker Peck, Zsolt Szadovszki – all of LCKC – won the Eric Feicht Memorial Award for Senior Men 1000m K4.
Community sponsors also contribute to the success of the club. This year, Mike’s employer, Spurlock & Associates, donated two tents sporting the LCKC logo for team athletes, coaches and volunteers to use during competitions. For information about LCKC paddling programs visit: exploregainesville.org.
For the complete list of medal winners, visit LakesideNews.com.
Martin
Mike Dillon, right, and Karl Magda with their Gold Medals.
PHOTO BY JULIANNA MAGDA
LCKC athletes paddle to the dock.
PHOTO BY VICKI HOPE
Dexter Barlow, left, and Henry Wyant of Bothel, WA. are teammates on the Cascade Canoe and Kayak Racing Team.
PHOTO BY VICKI HOPE
BONUS TRAVEL COLUMN
Innsbruck: Special journey honors the past, looks to the future
Lakeside News senior reporter and Stetson University graduate (1974) Pam Keene recently spent six days in Innsbruck, Austria. Along with about 30 Stetson University alumni and staff, she wasn’t there as a tourist, but as part of a group there for a mix of reasons: to learn more about the Stetson Innsbruck Summer Program and its students, to visit Grassmayr Bell Foundry and to permanently honor a trio of young students, who back in 1979, saw their lives cut short on the Alpine slopes.
By Pamela A. Keene
A charming, very walkable town with beautiful landmarks, good restaurants, incredible scenery against the backdrop of the lower Alps, Innsbruck has a special relationship with Stetson University that goes back more than five decades. I traveled there with a group of Stetson alumni, administration and staff to commemorate and memorialize that relationship.
As the home of Stetson’s Summer Innsbruck Program, it draws between 45 and 60 students for advanced courses taught by full-time professors from Stetson and other experts. Students there for four weeks choose two of eight course offerings that focus
on leadership, entrepreneurship, finance and business. It’s an intense learning experience, an immersive one, that also allows free time to explore nearby destinations in Europe.
Getting to know the city
Having never been to Innsbruck, I shaped my expectations around photos and other people’s descriptions. What I found there far exceeded my imaginings. A college friend was supposed to travel with me, but an unexpected storm in Atlanta delayed her flight; she missed our connection, so I was on my own.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but typically I like to travel with someone else to talk about our days, to share meals and be my steadfast conspirator for trips for gelato and happy hour experiences.
My recently renovated hotel, Hotel Grauer Bar (the Gray Bear), was located next door to part of the University of Innsbruck. The university’s school of music and theater, just outside my balcony, provided morning serenades by the luscious voices of mezzo sopranos and baritones practicing their vocalizations.
Less than three blocks from the town center and Old Town Innsbruck finding my way around was a breeze. Several group meals and activities were planned for us, but there was ample time to explore on my own.
My feet kept taking me to the city’s most famous street – Maria Theresien Street.
Now a pedestrian plaza lined with pastel buildings, former palaces built during the Baroque period more than 700 years ago, it’s the most popular place to people watch, enjoy a fresh gelato (Tomaselli’s), view the street artists and sip a local Gruner Veltliner – my favorite Austrian wine – or taste a regional beer.
Like Vienna, the Austrian capital, Innsbruck practically oozes with music. Music students are encouraged to practice performing and practice their skills, so it’s not un-
usual to follow the music and find an impromptu concert by a string duo, woodwind and string trio, a quartet playing jazz version of a classic from the Romance period, or a quintet surrounded by people dancing, moved by the music. Made me smile.
Another afternoon, an orchestra was rehearsing for an evening concert in the courtyard of the Imperial Palace. Visitors were welcomed to watch and listen.
Along the promenade, retail clothing stores, souvenir shops, cafes, jewelry store windows lined with watches, sparkling necklaces and rings, designer handbags and name-brand highend fashion.
Founded in 1895 in Watten, Austria, Swarovski jewelry
glitters in shops. The headquarters, Swarovski World, is a mere 30-minute ride by taxi or you can take the Swavorski Kristallwelten shuttle that leaves from Innsbruck five times a day for timed tours of the campus and its marvels. Not being a jewelry wearer, I spent my time meandering through Old Town, making photos and visiting museums.
A walk down to the river at the base of the mountains revealed a row of pastel-colored multi-story buildings, a stunning sight that reminded me of Burano, the “lace” island near Venice. It was breathtaking. Lunch at the Market Halle in a French wine-vendors’ shop that made incredible flatbread pizza gave me the excuse to have a glass of my Gruner Veltliner. The shopkeeper
scolded me for not having a French wine. She frowned even more when I said “gracias” instead of “merci.” I never said I was multi-lingual!
Innsbruck is most known for its excellent winter sports, including skiing. The town hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976. I didn’t visit the Olympic Stadium and slopes. I had more important things on my mind toward the end of the week.
The real reason for the trip
Forty-five years ago, during Stetson’s Winter Term business trip abroad in 1979, the group of about two dozen students, professors and chaperones had a multiday stop in Innsbruck. Since the early 1970s, Stetson students had the opportunity to visit Europe
Iconic view of pastel bujildings across the Inn River, above. View toward the Alps across Maria Theresa Street, left.
Al fresco dining is common throughout Europe.
PHOTOS BY PAMELA A. KEENE
Narrow streets of Old Town are lined with residential buildings & retail stores.
during the 5-week break between fall and spring semesters.
When I was at Stetson in the early ’70s, the university offered many opportunities to travel abroad, either for a single academic year or as part of what we called “mini-mester,” a 5-week flexible learning experience. We could choose our subjects – I chose astronomy/physics – and several of my friends opted for the Business School trip to Europe.
Fast-forward to 1979. The trip, with 40 students, spent several days in Innsbruck. After an overnight snowfall in town and more on the mountains above, about a dozen students ascended to the slopes of the 6,300-foot-high Seegrube Mountain on Monday, January 15.
The slopes had been closed be-
cause of the night’s snowfall and the possibility of avalanches, but within a few hours, officials decided to open a lower beginner’s area.
Students headed up and started to ski, then everything got deathly quiet.
Within seconds a wall of snow crashed from up and behind the lower slope, burying many of the students, some submerged and completely covered by the snow.
Rescuers sprung into action including a snow-plow driver who was on the mountain that day, trained medics, local residents in the restaurant on the mountain and stunned students who were spared.
The bells of Innsbruck began to ring non-stop, signaling an accident on the mountain. Towns-
See Italy, page 41
BONUS TRAVEL COLUMN
Liquid bronze was poured at the foundry. A priest attends every bell casting.
Stetson alumni, students and rescuers gathered in the church below the ski slope, the same way the students who survived the avalanche did 45 years ago.
PHOTOS BY PAMELA A. KEENE
A member of the Grassmayr family lifts a bronze bell from its mold. It will be cleaned and fine-tuned before delivery.
In memory of Scotty, Katy and Dennis, this bell will become part of a icarillon in Stetsons rebult Hulley Tower, above. A sign from above. A stream of light from an open window was a silent blessing, left.
Fireproof suits protect the craftsmen from the heat of the red-hot liquid.
The view from the expert slopes is stunning, above.
Sheep graze near the top of the lower ski slope, below. At 6000 feet above sea level, the mountaintops often peek out over the clouds.
Double-scoop cone of gelato.
Get ready for fall: Grass, weeds and the HCMG plant sale and expo
Let’s hope that September holds some cooler temperatures. Garden vegetables, blooming plants and our lawns will appreciate it.
September also signals some must-do garden chores. Let’s start at ground level: your lawn.
Does your lawn look like a patchwork of assorted shapes and sizes of weeds? Perhaps you neglected to put down a spring preemergent to control them? However, to avoid an onslaught of winter weeds – like poa annua/winter bluegrass, hairy bittercress, chickweed, henbit and Carolina geranium – that may look better than a brown lawn, but can wreak havoc in flower and vegetable beds when their seeds spread.
If you’ve planted fescue, you’ll have a nice green lawn this winter, but it probably had a difficult time staying lush in the summer heat. However, warmseason grasses, like Bermuda and Zoysia thrive in the heat and brown up at the first frost.
All three types will benefit from a well-timed application of
Pamela A. Keene Curb Appeal
pre-emergents. The ideal time is late August until the end of September. Use a lawn spreader to apply at the rate listed on the bag. Be sure to water it in well after application.
Pre-emergents will not kill weeds that are already growing; the intent is to keep dormant seeds from germinating. Do not apply pre-emergents to vegetable or flower gardens that you intend for seed starting. You’ll be disappointed. Read labels to ensure that the herbicide you choose is 1) safe for your lawn and 2) will kill henbit, annual bluegrass and chickweed, three of the peskiest annual winter weeds.
If you have fescue, fall is the best time to overseed your lawn, BUT not if you would rather get rid of winter weeds. You can do one or the other, but not both. Weeds in your growing areas: proceed with care
Even if you’ve kept up with weeding all summer long, many of those weeds may have already re-seeded themselves for next year’s crop. By starting now, you can reduce some of the headaches for next season.
Pull larger weeds by hand, using a spade or shovel to loosen soil and pull out the roots.
Selectively and carefully apply a herbicide such as RoundUp in the open areas around trees and shrubs where weeds are prolific. Check the package of RoundUp to find out when a treated area is safe for planting.
Don’t use a string trimmer to remove weeds in planting areas. Cutting off the tops will only make the root system stronger and will stimulate more growth.
After pulling weeds, apply a thick layer of mulch. Bark and nugget mulches work better than
pine straw to smother out young seedlings. You can also lay several sheets of damp newspaper across the flower beds and cover them with mulch to reduce the chance of new weeds growing back.
Hall County Master Gardeners Fall Plant Sale and Expo
The Hall County Master Gardeners are hosting the Fall Plant Sale and Expo at Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28. While it may sound counter-intuitive, fall is the best time for planting, especially trees and shrubs.
By planting as the temperature moderates, you’re putting your plants on the path to success. As they approach dormancy, their growth slows down and the shrub can direct more of its energy toward establishing a good root system.
Be sure to dig a wide planting hole – not too deep – and refill with native soil, tamping it down lightly. Apply mulch 2-3 inches thick, keeping it away from the trunk or stem. Water well, then
Henbit is a pretty weed when it blooms, but it is invasive.
water deeply at least once a week. The expo is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 27, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 28. For more info, visit www.HallMasterGardeners.org, or call the Hall County Extension Office at 770 535-8293.
Pamela A. Keene is senior writer for Lakeside News and a Hall County Master Gardener. She writes for more than a dozen publications across the country, covering features, travel and gardening.
• Italy
Continued from Page 39 people, rescuers, medical personnel and locals anyone else to come and help. Helicopters were called in.
All were rescued, except three Stetson students – Scotty Fenlon, Dennis Long, Katy Resnik; no one else lost their lives that day. The accident made global headlines. Back home in DeLand, a campus and a community mourned.
As with many tragedies, events can be quickly forgotten except by family, close friends and those affected.
That’s not happening with Stetson University.
In 2023, some of the students who were on that trip in 1979, along with alumni, administration, staff and the community returned to the mountain to remember those three students. Last summer, about 65 people returned to the mountain to declare that these students, the people of Innsbruck who rescued them and comforted the survivors would not be forgotten.
From that trip in 2023, “Remembering Innsbruck,” a movement was born – the Soul of Stetson.
This summer in mid-July, survivors of the tragedy – now adults, but still remembering – along with other alumni, leadership, administration and current students once again climbed that ski slope to install a plaque of remembrance for the lives of Scotty, Dennis and Katy. The university has
crafted a documentary about the tragedy, its aftermath and the Soul of Stetson. (See link below.)
There’s more.
For almost 70 years, an 11-bell carillon of bronze bells had rung across the historic Stetson campus and into the town of DeLand from Hulley Tower. Originally built in 1934 as a gift from Stetson’s second president, the tower holds a mausoleum in its base where Lincoln Hulley and wife Eloise are both interred.
Due to the ravages of multiple hurricanes in 2004 and 2005, the tower was deemed unstable. It was dismantled in 2005.
Now Hulley Tower will be reconstructed, funded by alumni who remember Scotty, Dennis and Katy and those who recall the sound of the bells pealing out across campus from 1934 until 2005. When finished Hulley Tower’s belfry will contain 52 carillon bells, cast at the Grassmayr Bell Foundry in Innsbruck.
We travelers were invited to witness the casting of three bells at Grassmayr Foundry, bells that will once again ring from the belfry of Hulley Tower, bells that will help make the Soul of Stetson come alive for future generations.
For more information about the Soul of Stetson and to view the documentary “Remembering Innsbruck, visit www.stetson.edu/other/soul-of-stetson/.
The only thing better than gelato is chocolate, above. Austrian white wine, Italian flat-bread for lunch, below.
A street artist creates sand-castle dog and pups for extra money.
On our trip, a video crew followed our time in Innsbruck to update the Soul of Stetson documentary.
PHOTOS BY PAMELA A. KEENE
Pirates of Lanier return Sept. 12-14
By Pamela A. Keene
The Pirates of Lanier Poker Run, which raises money for children’s charities, is slated for September 12-14. Registration is open at lanierpirates.com.
As in years past, the three charities are Camp Twin Lakes, Camp Sunshine and Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier.
A welcome party is scheduled for Thursday. A vendor village, the traditional
• Calendar
Continued from Page 30
o Sept 3, 10, 17, 24 - Trivia Night: 7-9 pm
o Sept 5, 12,19,26 - Music Bingo: 7-9 pm Quinlan Arts Center - 514 Green St. NE, 770536-2575, quinlanartscenter.org
o Through Oct 5 – Fall Exhibition: In the Beginning …, M-F 9 am-5 pm, Sat 10 am -4 pm The Arts Council - 770-534-2787, Julie Garner, julie@theartscouncil.net
o Sept 7 – Hands on Kids Puppet Making
o Sept 14 – Dancing Dream – ABBA Tribute Band
o Through Sept 15 – “It’s a Joy Puppetry Exhibit” Wild Wing Café - wildwingcafe.com
o Sept. 28 – Manorism Official HIAWASSEE-TOWNS COUNTY
o Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds – Hiawas-
Cheeseburger Paradise lunch and stereo competition precede the evening’s mandatory captains and safety meeting.
Saturday, the Poker Run event begins at 9 a.m. Registrants visit card stops around the lake to pick up cards. Cards will be reviewed and awards will be given out at the Saturday evening awards ceremony.
For complete details about the event and to register, visit www.lanierpirates.com.
see - 706-896-4191, georgiamountainfairgrounds.com
o Sept 5, 12, 26, 10/3 – Acoustic Sunsets at Hamilton Gardens – Fall Series, opens 5 pm, Live music 6:30 pm
o Sept 5, 12, 26, Oct 3 (Thursdays only) – The Park after Dark, 7-10 pm – Fall in Love with Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens.
o Sept 7 – 2nd Annual Trent Whidden Memorial Car Show – 10 am-3 pm
o Sept 13, 14 – Fall Yard Sale – 9 am-3 pm
o Sept 14 – An Evening with Emmylou Harris, 7 pm
o Sept 19 – 21 – American Made Music Festival – 2 pm-9:30 pm
o Sept 28 – 51st Annual Fall Regional Shelby/Mustang and Ford Show – 9 am-4 pm
Kitchen remodeling trends are always evolving and reflect changes in lifestyle, aesthetics, and technology. That’s no surprise as kitchens have evolved from serving as purely functional spaces to becoming centerpieces in the home. In most households today, the kitchen is not only where meals are prepared, but also where families gather and make memories. In 2024, a number of trends in kitchen remodeling have emerged that focus on sustainability, functionality, and personalized design.
A sustainable approach
Once a buzzword, “sustainability” is here to stay. Today, sustainability is a lifestyle choice leaving its mark on all aspects of home design, including kitchen remodeling. More and more homeowners are choosing eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient appliances. Reclaimed wood, natural stone, and even recycled metal have become popular choices for countertops, cabinets, and flooring. These types of materials not only reduce the environmental impact but can add a rustic charm to kitchens.
Energy-efficient appliances such as induction cooktops, refrigerators, and dishwashers continue to gain traction. These appliances not only reduce energy consumption but also offer modern features that enhance the cooking experience. Even LED lighting, which consumes less power and has a longer lifespan, is becoming a standard in kitchen design. Water-conserving fixtures are another popular component of sustainable kitchen remodeling. Lowflow faucets and touchless water systems help save water, giving kitchens more stylish aesthetics while being environmentally responsible.
Smart kitchens
Sustainability also has a tie to
this next popular trend – smart tech. Technology continues to revolutionize how we live, and the kitchen is no exception, with innovations that not only make the space more functional but enhance the overall cooking and dining experience. Smart kitchens are a major 2024 trend, with homeowners increasingly integrating smart appliances and systems that can be controlled via smartphones or voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
Smart refrigerators with touchscreens, Wi-Fi, and internal cameras allow users to keep track of their groceries, plan meals, and even order food directly from the fridge. Certain ovens with smart controls can be preheated remotely, and dishwashers can be programmed to run during off-peak hours to save energy.
Even kitchen lighting is becoming more sophisticated, with smart lighting systems that allow users to adjust the brightness or color temperature based on the time of day or the activity.
Minimalist design
Minimalism isn’t a new trend, but it continues to influence kitchen
design. One such application, open shelving has become a more prominent feature in modern kitchens. Not only do open shelves offer a sleek, contemporary look, but they allow easy access to frequently used items. They also enable homeowners to display their favorite dishes, glassware, and cookbooks, which adds a personal touch to the space (more on this later).
Minimalist design principles also are being applied to cabinetry and countertops. Flat-panel cabinets with clean lines and handleless designs are gaining popularity. These types of cabinets offer a streamlined appearance and are sometimes paired with countertops made of quartz or solid surfaces that have a minimalist, seamless look.
Minimalism in kitchen design also extends to color schemes, with many homeowners opting for neutral tones like white, gray, and beige (and the ever-popular “greige” variations). These colors evoke feeling of calm and serenity, allowing the kitchen’s materials, accents, and architectural elements to stand out.
Bold colors
There’s also a growing trend toward selecting bold colors and con-
trasting tones in kitchen design. Recently, more homeowners are experimenting with deep, rich hues like navy blues, forest greens, and charcoal variations for cabinetry, kitchen islands, and even accent walls. These bold colors are often contrasted with lighter tones or natural materials such as wood and stone, creating a dynamic and visually appealing kitchen. For example, a navy-blue island paired with white marble countertops and brass hardware will create a kitchen focal point that pops.
Two-tone cabinetry is another trend making inroads in 2024. This
The kitchen island has become a focal point for cooking, socializing, and storage.
Price of fuel: (as of 8/21/24) $5.89 non-ethanol; $5.99 diesel (Gas is not sold after 4:30 due to volume return of boats.) On-site eatery: Various restaurants.
Types of slips available: 14x32, 14x36, (254 units, up to 40’), cov.
Types of fuel: non ethanol
Price of fuel: (as of 8/21/24) $5.59 non-ethanol; $5.79 diesel
On-site eatery: Various restaurants.
PORT ROYALE MARINA
Hours: Office/Leasing, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week; Service, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., M-F.; 9 a.m.-2 p.m., S. Closed Sundays. Info: 770-887-5715 • bestinboating.com/port_royale
Location: 8800 Port Royale Dr., Gainesville
Types of slips available: Uncovered, 20' to 80'; covered, 24' to 106'
Lakeside’s Recreation Guide
totaling 815 slips & dry stack storage (521) for up to 39'.
Types of fuel: 90 non-ethanol
Price of fuel: (as of 8/21/24) $5.49 regular (Dock/Ship Store open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., daily.) (Pay at the pump closes same time as restaurant.)
On-site eatery: Pelican Pete's Bar and Grill
SAFE HARBOR AQUALAND
Hours: Office/Leasing, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily
Info: 770-967-6811 • shmarinas.com
Location: 6800 Lights Ferry Rd., Flowery Branch
Types of slips available: Houseboats, covered cruisers, & all types of open slips plus covered & open dry slips, totaling 1,725 wet docks and 460 dry docks
Types of fuel: Non-ethanol, 90 octane
Price of fuel: (as of 8/21/24) $5.39, non-members; $3.91, members (Dock open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily)
On-site eatery: Pig Tales
SAFE HARBOR HIDEAWAY BAY
Hours: Office/Store/Dock open 9 a.m.5 p.m., daily.
Info: 770-967-5500 • shmarinas.com
Location: 6334 Mitchell St., Flowery Branch
Types of slips available: Wet (510) Dry (150)
Type of Fuel: 90 octane, non-ethanol
Price of fuel: (as of 8/21/24) $5.09, non-members; $3.92, members
On-site eatery: Fish Tales
SUNRISE COVE MARINA
Hours: Office/Store/Dock open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed.-Mon.; Closed Tuesday
Info: 770-536-8599 • sunrisecovermarina.com
Location: 5725 Flat Creek Rd., Gainesville
Types of slips available: Uncovered-20-70'; Covered-24-50'; to include an exclusive 44' Sailboat Breakwater Dock. Total Wet Slips 688 and nine (9) Dry Storage Spaces (boats on trailer).
Types of fuel: 90 recreational, non-ethanol
Price of fuel: (as of 8/21/24) $5.59 unleaded Ethanol Free
The Corps of Engineers welcomes you to beautiful Lake Sidney Lanier. Located just 35 miles northeast of Atlanta, the lake offers some of the finest camping opportunities in the South. The Corps operates 7 campgrounds at Lake Lanier. Bolding Mill, Duckett Mill and Old Federal Campgrounds are managed by Hall County Parks and Leisure Services. Toto Creek Multipurpose Park, plus Thompson Creek and Nix Bridge Day-Use parks are managed by Dawson County.
Camping enthusiasts may enjoy the luxuries of fully developed areas with water and electrical hookups or “rough it” at designated primitive areas. Camping in undesignated areas such as on the lake’s shoreline and islands is prohibited.
All campgrounds have beach areas, boat ramps and restrooms. Most of our campgrounds also have showers, playgrounds, accessible sites and manned entry stations. To make reservations, download maps, check out campsite photos and see site availability visit Recreation.Gov.
All Army Corps campgrounds on Lake Sidney Lanier recognize the America The Beautiful (ATB) and Golden Passport cards. The ATB Annual and Lifetime Senior Pass, Access Pass, Golden Age and Golden Access passes will grant 50% off all campsite reservation fees.
Day Use Parks
The Corps operates 35 day use parks at Lake Lanier. Facilities range from parks with boat ramps to those with designated swimming areas, picnic tables, shelters and playgrounds. All day use parks close daily at 10 p.m. Boat launching is allowed at all hours unless otherwise posted. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all parks.
Picnic Shelters
Picnic shelters are available at several Corps’ parks around the lake. They can be reserved for a fee. Call the Lake Lanier Management Office at 770-945-9531.
Day Use Fees
Day use fees are charged at some park areas which have boat ramps or beach areas.
Fees (per day):
Boat launching $5
State and County Parks
Lake Lanier has 18 state and county parks that are available for use.
Rules, Regulations and More
Guidelines are not intended as restraints to the enjoyment of park visitors, but as aids for orderly operation, visitor safety and for the protection of the environment and public property. Complete rules and regulations are posted at the entrances to all campgrounds and copies are available at entry stations. To view annual opening and closing dates and rates for campgrounds and picnic shelters, visit www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/Lake-SidneyLanier/Schedules.
For more camping info you can also visit: lakesidenews.com/explore-lake-lanier/camping.
Practice Safe Boating
Use life jackets, stay sober and monitor the weather to try and prevent boating accidents!
My folks were both born during the “Greatest Generation” (1919-1945). Each started life from very humble beginnings. Betty Lynn Ready (later Lynn Crane), had parents who divorced when she was a toddler. She lost her only sibling, a half-brother to polio, when he was 3.
Her mother’s second marriage ended soon after and years of tight home finances, with a working single mother during the 1950s would follow.
Bodies of water would become a long source of calm, comfort and respite for young Lynn. A strong swimmer, Lynn Crane would take the backstroke with my brother or I as toddler’s standing on her abdomen.
Growing up in a non-air conditioned home, we were quite fortunate to live next door to a pool (behind the home of my paternal grandparents). And we spent almost every summer day there or at the community pool, and I am reasonably certain this was an early strategic choice.
My father’s parents introduced
One Man’s Opinion
water had to be nearby.
us all to another family love, Jekyll Island, and Lynn loved little more than daily morning and evening strolls along the beaches of Jekyll.
When retirement beckoned, the Jekyll vacation home was traded for one on the Gulf Coast and St. George Island, and the white sand beaches there were even more of a draw for our mother and by now grandmother.
IF NOT for all her children and future grandkids residing around metro Atlanta, Mom would have likely convinced Dad toward a beach retirement, as a body of
Instead, Jerry and Lynn Crane found a large and comfortable home on the Yellow River, along the eastern border of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties in 2001. When declining health began to make beach drives impractical and flights impossible for Mom, Dad started hunting for a lakeside home on Georgia’s great lake, Lake Sidney Lanier. And Dad soon found one, perched high about the boat docks and yachts of Harbour Point.
At the onset of the pandemic, Mom and Dad moved to their lake home to ride out “the storm.”
Some ill-fated unpacking decisions by Mom ended with a broken hip and ambulance ride back to her doctors in Emory, followed by a lengthy recovery and rehab. Dad became more accustomed to the quieter life on Lanier, looking out on the water below and having morning coffee with a nice breeze and his dog Chewy at his ankles.
better view from above. More recently facing health challenges of his own, and now on the edge of 86, I find myself splitting my time and life with a day or two per week in Gainesville and across Hall County with Dad.
Mom can’t join Dad for coffee on that deck anymore, but I am reasonably certain that she can see his reflection as he looks out over the shimmering lake, reflecting the manses and the faces surrounding that harbor. At least from the smiles I see when he comes back inside, I’m pretty sure he feels she is still here or nearby.
Bill Crane is a writer and true son of the South. A longtime columnist and political analyst, he is now spending a good part of his time living the lake life and loving North Georgia. He will share his thoughts and travels here. Bill Crane
By mid-2022, Mom would leave us all and transition to a
WINTER’S COMING!
Jerry and Lynn Crane near Yellow River, June 2016.
PHOTO
• Design
Continued from Page 43
involves using different colors or materials for the upper and lower cabinets, or the island and perimeter cabinets. This approach adds depth and interest to the kitchen design, allowing homeowners to express their unique styles.
Multi-functional islands
The kitchen island continues to be a central feature in modern kitchen design, but its role has evolved. Kitchen islands are being designed to serve multiple functions, from cooking and dining to working and socializing.
Large islands with built-in cooktops, sinks, and seating areas are increasingly popular, not just because they allow for additional counter space and storage, but also create a hub where family and friends can gather. Some homeowners are even incorporating wine coolers, dishwashers, and microwave drawers into their islands. Making them true multi-functional spaces.
Additionally, integrating storage into kitchen islands is a trend that continues to expand. Deep drawers, pull-out shelves, and hidden compartments can be incorporated into the island design, maximizing storage and organization.
Personalized and custom design
Personalization is key in 2024, with homeowners seeking to create kitchens that reflect their unique tastes. Custom cabinetry, tailored layouts, and bespoke finishes are becoming
more common, allowing for a kitchen that feels truly unique.
From custom-built storage solutions that cater to specific needs to personalized color schemes and materials, kitchen design is trending toward creating a kitchen that is not only functional but also personal. Customization allows homeowners to design a space that perfectly fits their cooking habits, entertaining style and family needs.
In addition to custom cabinetry, unique backsplashes are becoming a popular way to add a personal flair. Whether it’s a textured stone wall, a hand-painted tile mural, or a bold geometric pattern, backsplashes are becoming popular features for creative expression.
Kitchen remodeling trends in 2024 are all about combining style, functionality, and sustainability. Whether it is through the integration of eco-friendly materials and smart technology or the use of personalized design elements, homeowners have numerous options to create a kitchen that meets their needs and reflects their personality. No matter what changes through the years, one thing remains – kitchens will continue to be the heart of the home, where innovation and design combine to create spaces that are functional and beautiful.
Bianca Bryant is a designer for Tracy Tesmer Design/Remodeling in Gainesville.
• Mendes
Continued from Page 12
remaining 1,500 soldiers had boarded, he led me to the aft gun crew compartment, and since it was peacetime, there was no aft gun crew. I had the place to myself with two mattresses on my bunk and my own private head (bathroom). The rest of the passengers were sleeping in 50-man compartments, with bunks five high!
There’s a lot of water between Bremerhaven and New York! It took 11 days. My grandmother had come over from Poland 60 years before and it only took her seven!
We finally approached the mainland around dawn, and it was so foggy that visibility was cut down to about one-half mile. This was really disappointing as I had grown up on a hill that was the highest point on the East Coast for a thousand miles each way. On top of the hill was a lighthouse, distinctive because of its two towers known as the “Twinlights.” This had been the first sight of America for hundreds of thousands of immigrants, including all my Armenian, Polish and Irish ancestors as they approached the new world, and I had missed it in the fog! As we turned north to head into New York Harbor, we passed under a gigantic cable which suddenly appeared out of the mist.
I had sailed these waters for years and thought I knew every inch of them, and I knew this shouldn’t be here. It turned out that it was the first suspension cable for the new Verrazano Narrows Bridge, connecting Long Island to Staten Island, destined to become one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. As soon as we entered New York Harbor, the fog magically lifted and we could make out the Statue of Liberty, Governors Island and lower Manhattan. Next thing we knew we were in the East River, approaching the Brooklyn Bridge, with the massive smokestack of the Schaeffer Brewery in the background, the Brooklyn Navy Yard and our berth. On the dock were my father and one of my brothers waiting to meet me, then the familiar drive across the Hudson River, down the New Jersey Turnpike and home!
With the Navy behind me, and college ahead of me, I had entered a whole new exciting phase of my life! More to come!
Mendes has been sailing all his life and on Lake Lanier for over 30 years. His family owns a marina/ bar/restaurant so he has plenty of real life experiences to draw from. His favorite line: “You can’t make this stuff up.”
Classifieds
Driveways, walkways replaced or repaired, concrete, masonry, grading, foundations repaired, waterproofing, and retaining walls. Joe Sullivan, 770 616-0576.
Effective mold remediation without demolition – Perfect for homes and boats! Discover a revolutionary solution to mold problems with our demolition-free remediation services. 470 380-7315, info@themoldassassins.com.
To submit a classified, visit www.lakesidenews.com/classifieds or call 770-287-1444.
Lakeside Dining Guide
Bullfrogs Restaurant – Located at Legacy Lodge & Conference Center at Lake Lanier Islands Resort. Open for lunch and dinner daily. This Southern Gastro Pub features reimagined traditional Southern fare and variety of drink options from full-service bar. Guests may arrive by boat or car. Buford. 770-9458787.
Fish Tales Lakeside Grille – Casual lakeside dining featuring grouper fingers, signature salads and much more. Full service indoor and outdoor bar with live music. Hideaway Bay Marina. 770-967-3775, www.fishtaleslakelanier.com.
La Cazuela – An Atlanta area landmark with two locations around Lanier. Features fajitas, selection of combination platters and more. 4965 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford, 770-6146871.
Pelican Pete’s – Picturesque dining on the water at Port Royale in open-air thatched-roof building. Selection of sandwiches, burgers, fish and more. 70-887-5715 ext 5., www.pelicanpetes.com
Pig Tales - Casual lakeside dining featuring BBQ, burgers, wings and more. Great customer service, full service bar with draft beer, wine & mixed drinks, live music on weekends. Aqualand Marina, Flowery Branch. 678-
828-7676, www.PigTalesLakeLanier.com.
Sidney’s Restaurant – Located at Legacy Lodge & Conference Center at Lake Lanier Islands Resort and overlooks Lake Lanier. Only serving breakfast. Guests may arrive by boat or car. Buford. 770-945-8787, www.lanierislands.com.
Skogies – Made from scratch seafood, BBQ and American fare with a great view served in a laid back pet friendly environment. A full Sunday breakfast menu includes eggs benedict served five ways, Omelettes, shrimp & grits, cathead biscuits & gravy, breakfast sandwiches & more. Call from your boat & they will pick you up. Gainesville Marina. 678 450-1310; www.skogieslakefrontrestaurant. us.
Smokey Q BBQ - Pulled Pork and Chicken Sandwiches, Philly Cheesesteaks, Pork and Chicken Tacos and more! Seasonal. Bald Ridge Marina, 1850 Bald Ridge Marina Road, Cumming. 770 910-4961.
The Twisted Oar - Holiday Marina. Offering fresh seafood to savory chicken and steak; casual dining. Full bar service, tropical and frozen drinks. Live entertainment, trivia, indoor/outdoor flat screen TVs. Open year round. www.thetwistedoar.com, 678 7147572.
