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February 2024
3292 Thompson Bridge Road #250, Gainesville, GA 30506 Phone: (770) 287-1444 E-mail lakesidenews@mindspring.com
Vol. 30 Issue 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE North Georgia Boat Show The North Georgia Boat Show and Extravaganza at Gainesville Marina the weekend of February 16-18 is an early season opportunity to check out the newest models of watercraft. Page 2
Building dams in the 1950s Lake Lanier has more than exceeded expectations of its original objectives when it was authorized by Congress in 1946. Its original purposes: provide hydroelectricity, navigation, and flood control of the Chattahoochee River, and water supply for the city of Atlanta. Page 30
Old and new Antigua entwined Approaching Antigua from the air is breathtaking! The marked contrasts of greenery in the higher hills fall sharply from towering cliffs into the deep blue of the sea. Page 33 Also inside: Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 26 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 47 Dining guide . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 47 Fishing news . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 10 Lake levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 18 Lanier map . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 34 Marinas information . . . . . . . .Page 44 Outdoor activity calendar . . . .Page 31 Recreation guide . . . . . . . . . .Page 44 Safety guide . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 35 Columns: The Careful Captain . . . . . . . .Page 8 Curb Appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 38 Design & Remodel . . . . . . . . . .Page 43 Glenn Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 18 O’Neill Outside . . . . . . . . . . .Page 20 On the Water . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 12 Vanderford’s travel . . . . . . . . .Page 33
PHOTO BY ALAN HOPE
Work is continuing at The Boathouse at Lake Lanier Olympic Venue. Lakeside is the first publication to receive a tour of the facility that is slated to open next month. Story, page 14.
2 LAKESIDE
February 2024
4th Annual North Georgia Boat Show February 16-18 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 writers Jane Harrison, Millie Adcox Columnists Glenn Burns, Vinnie Mendes, Bianca Bryant, O’Neill Williams, Frank Taylor 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.
By Pamela A. Keene February’s North Georgia Boat Show and Extravaganza is an early season opportunity to check out the newest models of watercraft. Taking place at Gainesville Marina on Dawsonville Highway the weekend of February 16-18, the three-day event will feature in-the-water and on-land boats, both new and pre-owned. “Our February show is always popular and we’ll once again have a fun event to get people ready for spring and summer,” said Philip Burton, managing partner of Gainesville Marina. “It’s a chance for people who boat in North Georgia to see the latest offerings before the season begins.” Once again, multiple boat dealers will participate, offering pontoons, tritoons, center consoles, ski boats, deck boats and other water craft, both new models and pre-owned. Vendors from dock builders to watercraft accessories will be on
hand. Food will also be available. America’s Boating Club Atlanta, The Lake Lanier Association and the Chattahoochee River Keeper will have booths. The lake real estate community will be represented as well. Gainesville Marina’s Boat Rental will be doing daily drawings for half-day and full-day rentals prizes. “We’re right on track for a great show again this year,” Burton said. “We hope that everyone will plan to come out and see us as we all look forward to the 2024 boating season.” For more information: 770 536-2171.
Attendees at last year’s show.
PHOTO BY VICKI HOPE
Practice Safe Boating Use life jackets, stay sober and monitor the weather to try and preventboating accidents!
View the online edition at www.lakesidenews.com
February 2024
LAKESIDE 3
We Sell Lifestyles - Not Just Homes
LAKE LANIER SPECIALISTS TERESA SMITH 770-654-4173 • teresasmith@kw.com
MICHELE KAPLAN 678-677-5653 • michelekaplan@kw.com
LivingOnLakeLanier.com
MACKENZIE SCOTT
The American Dream is a national TV show that focuses on lifestyle, culture & real estate. Our team is proud to be the newest hosts of Selling Atlanta. We will be featuring local businesses and attractions with a splash of real estate showcasing why we love where we live so much!
678-925-2652 • mackenziescott@kw.com
6031 Shadburn Ferry Road, Buford
4204 Bayridge Drive, Gainesville
3621 Lake Ridge Court, Gainesville
471 Sams Road, Dawsonville
BEAUTIFUL gated luxury home on the south end of the lake. Three beautifully finished levels completely updated with a fabulous wine cellar. The home has 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. There is an amazing outdoor living area with a full kitchen, pizza oven and fireplace. In-ground, gunite saltwater pool and hot tub with waterfall. Dock with deep water. REDUCED $2,695,900 (Hall)
BRAND NEW high-end AMAZING construction! Don’t miss this 2.5 level home with vaulted ceilings and a gourmet kitchen to die for! 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. This beautiful home has an elevator, a whole house generator, an inlaw suite and beautiful, massive covered decks. It comes with a slip in the community dock. Close to The Olympic Rowing Venue, Don Carter State Park, NEGA Medical Center and the new and THRIVING downtown Gainesville with all of the new shops, restaurants, breweries and entertainment complexes. $1,740,000 (Hall)
RENOVATED top-of-theline home in the prestigious Harbour Point Yacht Club. 6 BR/6.5 BA. Owner's suite on the main, powder room on main, 3 BRs w/ensuites on the upper level. 1 BR/bath suite above the heated and cooled 3-car garage and on the terrace level. 10’ plus ceilings throughout. 3-Story home with everything an entertainer could desire! Including: 2 kitchens, theater with 86” smart TV and surround sound, gym, cardio room, heated swimming pool with spillover spa/hot tub, putting green, privacy “cabana style” curtains and more. Boat slip option available! $1,614,000 (Hall)
NEW CONSTRUCTION 3BR/4.5 BA home on the quiet waters of the north end of Lake Lanier. The heart of this home is a chef's dream, featuring GE Café appliances. 2 master BRs, 12-ft ceilings on the lower level, 10-ft ceilings on the main. You will love the outdoor shower, path lights and rear super oversized fireplace. Custom landscape, large boulders and a fire pit, provide a serene backdrop for relaxation. A permitted deepwater dock with a party deck and new decking awaits you, easily accessible via the pathway across the street. REDUCED $1,325,000 (Dawson)
9270 Bayhill Drive, Gainesville
5966 Nachcoochee Trail, Flowery Branch
6310 Cortland Walk, Alpharetta
4243 Perry Drive, Gainesville
COMING SOON - Beautiful Lake Lanier home that has been meticulously maintained! Soaring ceilings in the great room, master on the main level, and massive vaulted ceiling screened porch overlooking the lake. This amazing home with 3 finished levels is private and the Corps line is only feet from the water. Single slip dock with party deck. 4 bedrooms 3.5 baths. (Forsyth) $1,325,000
1ST TIME ON THE MARKET! Former fishing cabin has been rebuilt to a fabulous home on the south end of the lake! Grass to the water and the single slip dock (would qualify for a double slip) is always in DEEP WATER. 5 BRs, open concept floor plan with rustic elegance. It has a 3 car garage, a guest suite, master on the main as well as 2 other bedrooms on the main and a gourmet kitchen. $2,100,000 (Hall)
END UNIT 3 BR/3.5 BA townhome in Halcyon! Amenities include pool, clubhouse, firepit, and access to the Big Creek Greenway. 2-car garage, open dining, kitchen, living room and covered balcony. Kitchen includes SS appliances, quartz ctops, and a gas range. Oversized owner's suite is located on the 3rd level. Minutes from GA-400, you enjoy easy access to downtown Alpharetta, Avalon, the new Cumming City Center, Lake Lanier, and more! It doesn't get much better than this low maintenance lifestyle! REDUCED $670,000 (Forsyth)
2/1 CABIN with 720 sq. ft. and large crawl space. Possible fixer upper. Easy walk to single slip dock with fixed pier on Wahoo Creek. REDUCED $539,500 (Hall)
5741 Rocky Ridge Run, Gainesville
6433 Waterscape Ridge, #39-40, Gainesville
WHY PAY LAKE HOME PRICES when you can be just minutes from Lake Lanier! This adorable 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home is just waiting for you to call it your own! This home has a large, private 1.67 acre lot that is fenced in ready for your furry friend. An extra parking pad has been added for your convenience. There is a large unfinished basement just waiting for you to make your dream media room or workout room! Quiet street, with No HOA! REDUCED $374,000 (Hall)
AMAZING 1.86 AC PRIMO LOT in Waterside on Lake Lanier subdivision with covenants, no HOA and individual docks. The minimum heated sq ft requirement is 3000 sq ft. This lovely lot has a single slip dock in a great cove for swimming and relaxing. Close to Athens Boat Club and easy access to Gainesville and Dawsonville and SO close to the North Georgia Mountains with hiking, tubing and kayaking within 30 minutes. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity. $284,900 (Hall)
! SOLD 6288 Lanier Harbor Ldg Buford $398,900
! D ! L D O L S SO 3482 Marina Crest Dr Gainesville $650,000
Castleberry Bridge Road Dawsonville $1,927,500
6442 Waterscape Ridge, #27, Gainesville
Featured Testimonial
SOLD 4257 Tall Hickory Gainesville $1,800,00
!
SOLD 230 Lake Circle Dawsonville $2,250,000
!
SOLD
!
23 Sundown Way Dawsonville $600,000
“We worked with Mackenzie and Teresa to find our new lake home on Lanier. Mackenzie was our main point of contact and she is a true gem. She goes above and beyond, and is always on top of things. She is persistent, responsive, and really advocated for us to get our home amid other competing offers. We couldn’t have found our new home without her. Teresa and the whole Living on Lake Lanier team was behind us too. They know the lake, and have long standing connections that give them an edge. Highly recommended!” - Jennifer P.
DON'T MISS OUT on this beautiful lot on Lake Lanier with a cleared path and DEEP water at the double slip dock. Waterside is a lovely subdivision with VERY NICE homes and NO HOA. Septic tank permit for a 3 BR home of 3000 sq ft+ and an architectural review board for new house plans. Seasonal lake view from the building site where you can see the lake for miles. Build your new home when you're ready and enjoy the lake and your boat dock in the meantime! REDUCED $275,000 (Hall)
Lake Lanier Experience Isn't Expensive, It's Priceless! We are on social media! Give us a follow @LivingOnLakeLanier
We can help turn your dream into a reality, call us today!
4 LAKESIDE
February 2024
Bev Knight 678-86 860-0 0-099 990
Lake Lanier Specialist
770-503-7070
*** Featured Home *** Checks all the boxes - lake, pool, views Lovingly renovated, windows filled with lake views, short flat path to party dock, great water, pool with new liner, open floor plan, primary suite on main, beach for fur babies and waders, gorgeously updated, in-law suite on terrace level, charming tin roof, in the sought-after Mt Vernon school district & so much more. $1,199,999
New build, easy path
Custom home w/SS Dock NEW L
! ISTING
NEW L
Lakefront, no dock G SOO COMIN
! ISTING
Dawsonville $994,900
Gainesville $TBD
N!
Better than new ranch home NEW L
Gainesville $TBD in the 600s
Forsyth County renovation
Gainesville $699,000 Ranch-style home near Lanier
! ISTING
Winder $475,000
Gainesville $390,000
Many thanks to Erica Williams, Angie Smart & Angie Trotman, Keller Williams Lanier Partners
www.HousesOnLanier.net
February 2024
LAKESIDE 5
…when you’re ready for the good life! 770-503-7070
Targeted upscale marketing and global reach are the keys to selling lake homes
Every aspect of our marketing conveys value and helps to maximize the home’s worth Custom signs w/ your dock’s pic
Upscale home books
Acreage in Clermont
Beautiful custom flyers that reinforce the home’s value
Join us in making a difference For every closing we have, we will give $100 in the name of the client to one of the following charities of your choice.
Clermont $372,900 1.05-acre lot in deep water cove
Gainesville $279,900
www.GoodLifeGroupRE.com
6 LAKESIDE
February 2024
Sheila Davis 770-235-6907 sdavis@gonorton.com 770.536.1250
#1 Agent on Lanier
Lake Lanier’s #1 Realtors and Trusted Advisors Since 2001 ESV GAIN
ILLE
ING CUMM
$3,355,000 • A “SOON TO BE BUILT HOME” IN THE NEW GATED NORTHRIDGE ESTATES ON LAKE LANIER DEVELOPMENT, plan by AR Homes “Palmetto” plan on lot 3, where water views, gentle topography and grass to water set this lot apart. 5,148 square feet of finished space plus 1287 sf of covered outdoor living space with two outdoor fireplaces. This plan is all about lake living and entertaining! Incredible lake views from almost every room. FMLS#7216157 4632-A Shirley Road Sheila 770-235-6907 or Stephanie 770-654-4161
ING CUMM
$3,289,000 • SPECTACULAR SOUTH LAKE LANIER ESTATE! 3.64 acres (3 gated tracts). Huge privacy! Enjoy stunning year-round lake views of big water with deep water twin slip private dock, 300+/- ft of rip rap shoreline, and mowing permit. Incredible gentle topo with an easy gentle path to the dock. Room for a future pool. Almost 8000+/- sf with 6BR's, 5FB's and 3 1/2 Baths with room for all! FMLS#7310317 3080 Dove Trail Sheila 770-235-6907
ES GAIN
$2,295,000 • THE LAKE LANIER HOME YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR! 1st time on the market, this well maintained and updated property is move-in ready. Deepwater lot, one-year new 32x32 top of the line aluminum dock with party deck, cable railing and a boat hoist. FMLS#7241493 5845 Charleston Lane Stephanie 770-654-4161
LE ESVIL GAIN
VILLE
$1,695,000 • FORSYTH COUNTY. Immaculate custom-built all-brick residence. Deep-water single slip party dock. Move in ready. FMLS#7294727 9305 Raldon Road Sheila 770-235-6907
OOD OAKW
$1,297,000 • BEAUTIFUL NEW HOME UNDER CONSTRUCTION w/ deeded BOAT SLIP in gated, upscale Dockside Cove, a LAKE LANIER development on the quiet, north end of the lake with community dock, street lights, sidewalks, fire pit area and walking trails. Scheduled to be completed in April 2024, buy now to select your own finishes! The modern farmhouse plan has an inviting exterior with a covered front porch, friend's entry and 3 car garage. FMLS#7306361 6005 Moonlight Place Stephanie 770-654-4161
$1,259,000 • 5 BEDROOM, 4.5 BATHS plus a large bonus room, spacious home with a full finished basement with kitchenette perfect for entertaining, Deep water, party boat dock with boat lift, jet ski port, dock has electricity, ramp with wheels and spud poles. Super Easy walk to the water. 4418 Shellie Lane Stephanie 770-654-4161
R BUFO
D
$2,500,000 • COMING SOON! SOUTH LAKE CONVENIENCE ON A POINT LOT with magnificent open views and a deep water dock! Stunning rustic and elegant log home exudes charm, warmth and year round living! Move in ready! Covered porches, stone patio, vaulted owners suite on main with stone FP, 3 guest rooms, 3 FP’s, finished terrace level. 6655 Garrett Road Sheila 770-235-6907
R ERY B W O L F
$1,649,000 • 5 BEDROOM, 4 BATH RENOVATED RANCH over finished terrace level w/ lake views. 171 feet of water frontage on Lanier. Grandfathered road to twin slip dock in protected deep cove. FMLS #7277024 5995 Warpath Road Stephanie 770-654-4161
ES GAIN
VILLE
$1,000,000 • GORGEOUS EUROPEAN 4BR| 4BA HOME IN CCC AREA. Major rennovations to home and land-scaping, three finished levels, lake views and access. 221 NW Overlook Drive Vicki 770-329-7602
LakeLaniersFinest.com
February 2024
LAKESIDE 7
Stephanie Gillespie 770-654-4161
Michelle Sparks 404-379-5798
Nicole Columbo 678-858-0265
Linda Thompson 770-313-5446
Vicki Holland 770-329-7602
Melinda Lloyd Office Manager
Marketing & Agent
770-235-6907
LAKELANIERSFINEST.COM
Let Our Experience Help You Navigate Today’s Market! LE ESVIL GAIN
$975,000 • COMING SOON! Ranch style home with finished terrace level offers ideal waterfront living. Enjoy seasonal lake views from every bedroom, a vaulted living room with fireplace and stained beam adds character to the floor plan, and plenty of windows for natural light. A gentle walk to single slip private dock. Sought after North Hall location. 2748 Northlake Drive Nicole 678-858-0265
VILLE
ING CUMM
ES GAIN
$850,000 • 4 BEDS, 3.5 BATHS, 2 car garage on over half acre lot. Single slip dock, great water and sought after South lake location. 7790 Kings Point Drive Michelle 404-379-5798
$850,000 • GREAT 3/3.5 LAKE HOME with year round filtered view in amazing south lake location. Dbl slip dock on big water with fantastic 180 degrees views. 9390 Lisa Circle Michelle 404-379-5798
Introducing Northridge Estates on Lake Lanier! The newest development on Lake Lanier featuring a gated enclave of 15 beautiful estate lots. D Water views from every homesite D Each lot permitted for a private 32x32 twin slip dock D Private road, protective covenants & underground utilities
SHIRLEY ROAD
D Priced from $950,000-$1,400,000 D No time limit to build
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SOLD SOLD
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2
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LOT 6 LOT 7 LOT 8 LOT 9 LOT 14
LOT 13
LAKE LANIER
LOT 12
LOT 11
LOT 10
Docks
LOT 2 LOT 3
Docks
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LOT 15
Docks
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LOT 4
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LAKE LOTS FOR SALE FMLS#7298531 • $450,000 • Lot 30 Mary Saphire Rd Dawsonville • Linda 770-313-5446 $325,000 • 1715 Country Way Gainesville • Linda 770-313-5446 FMLS#7295928 • $155,000 • 5766 Ridgewood Cir, #35 Gainesville • Michelle 404-379-5798 FMLS#7295938 • $150,000 • 7790 Kings Point Dr, Lot 1 Cumming • Michelle 404-379-5798 FMLS#7304173 • $125,000 • 7045 Lake Vista Dr, #16 Dawsonville • Michelle 770-654-4161 FMLS#7293707 • $80,000 • 7005 Lake Vista Drive Dawsonville • Stephanie 770-654-4161
Ranging from 1.42 - 7.37 acres, every parcel is a unique opportunity to build your custom dream home! Located on the north end of Lake Lanier in Hall County.
LOT 5
www.northridgeonlakelanier.com Marketed exclusively by The Sheila Davis Group at the Norton Agency Contact Sheila Davis 770-235-6907 or Stephanie Gillespie 770-654-4161 for more information.
LakeLaniersFinest.com
8 LAKESIDE
February 2024
Seven common boating safety related myths It is always good to know the real facts about something. However, it is all too common that we end up hearing and sometimes believing untruths about all types of things. Boating is no exception. Let’s take a look at some common misconceptions that people have concerning boating safety. 1. My boat has headlights Some boats have lights on the front. No, I’m not talking about navigation lights. I’m talking the clear lights that face forward and light the area in front of the boat just like car headlights do. This leads many people to believe that they are headlights. Have you ever been on the water at night and seen a pontoon boat cruising across the lake with their socalled “headlights” on? I have. They are not headlights. They are docking lights and meant to be used when approaching a dock or boat ramp. It is important to know that you should not use them when cruising open waters. Having these lights on will blind operators of oncoming vessels
Frank Taylor The Careful Captain and make it difficult for them to navigate at night. Keep them off unless you are approaching a dock or boat ramp. 2. Sailboats always have the right of way – One of the tenants of the rules of navigation is that sailboats have the right of way over power boats. But do they always have the right of way? The answer is no. A sailboat has the right of way over power boats when it is under sail. If a sailboat has its engines running, it is considered a power boat. At that point the rules that apply to two power boats approaching each other would come into play. In fact, if a sailboat is being propelled by its engines it is consid-
ered a power boat even if the sails are up. 3. A boat has the right of way over personal watercraft – This is just not true. Since a boat is typically the larger of the two vessels, some people believe that PWCs should just get out of the way. In reality, a PWC is just a small boat and has the same rights on the water as any other power boat. That being said, I often ride personal watercraft and I will say that I do make sure to not get in the way of other vessels regardless of who has the right of way. It is a lot easier for me to see them than for them to see me. It just seems like common sense. 4. Good swimmers do not need a life jacket –Being a good swimmer does not negate the need for a life jacket. You may be perfectly comfortable being on a boat while not wearing one. You may even be comfortable jumping into deep water and swimming around without one. Keep in mind that these are most likely under ideal conditions. Things can
“Clark’s Bridge, Lake Lanier”” - by Anne Brodie Hill
Anne Brodie Hill, ASMA, GWS Lake Lanier Artist
www.annebrodiehill.com • 770-718-7586 Lake Sidney Lanier & Gainesville prints, Postcards, Notecards Original Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor Paintings
Gallery on the Square, 118 Main Street, Gainesville, GA Other Fine Artists at Gallery (www.gallerysq.com) Ann Alexander, Pam Kohler-Camp, 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
change suddenly. What if you find yourself on the water when severe weather approaches or you find yourself in a situation where the vessel is taking on water? If you are in a boating accident and are not conscious, your swimming skills cannot help you. These are situations where a life jacket literally can mean the difference between life and death. Also, keep in mind that having a suitable life jacket on board for each passenger is required by law. 5. I’m not driving the boat so I can drink as much as I want – Have you ever been out with someone who has had too much to drink and you have to take care of them. It’s not easy and most of the time is not a lot of fun either. You spend your time and effort to ensure they do not become danger to themselves or anyone else. It can be a daunting task. Imagine trying to do this while on a boat. Falling on the ground is one thing. Falling overboard is an entirely different situation. Now imagine the captain trying to
safely operate the vessel and keep an eye on his/her passengers at the same time. It’s just not a good combination. 6. Driving a boat is just like driving a car – No, it is not. If you have driven a boat before, then you already know this. Cars are not affected by current and wind and they do have brakes. Cars steer from the front, boats steer from the rear. When driving a car, you do not have to worry about unseen obstacles that may be below the surface. In a car, you can shut the engine off and put it in park and it will not move. A boat is never totally still unless it is not in the water. These differences surely do not make driving a boat impossible, just different. Be sure to know how to handle your vessel and never handle it in a way that exceeds your capabilities. 7. Lakes are much safer than the ocean – Lakes are different than the ocean but not necessarily safer. Sure, there is little chance See Taylor, page 21
February 2024
LAKESIDE 9
THE CLOSEST MARINA TO ATLANTA!
SHIP STORE GAS DOCK 600 DRY STACKS (UP TO 28’) BRADLEY'S SPEED & MARINE SHOP LOCATED ONSITE
2200 Habersham Marina Road Cumming, GA
770 887-5432 www.habershammarina.com
10 LAKESIDE
February 2024
Lake Lanier Fishing Report
A sampling of fishing information and tips from area experts Lake level: down 3 feet Temperature: 40s Clarity: North end stained
Bass fishing Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good. Currently the lake has come up to three feet below full pool. With the recent rains there are still a lot of areas stained, particularly in the backs of the creeks and up the rivers while the main lake is still mostly clear. The cold weather is having an effect on bass as more fish are located in the deeper parts of the lake. Bait is showing up in the 35 to 50 feet of water and the bass are following them. Early in the day it is still possible to have a good shallow bite but once the sun gets up that seems to slow. A crankbait or a worm worked on the sunny rocks will catch these fish. The deeper fish have been coming off three main baits. A three-eights finesse Spot Choker with a threeinch swimbait, a half ounce spoon and the drop shot fished with either Blue Lily or Sweet Rosy Lanier Baits worms. For the spoon, look in the ditches to locate the bait and the bass will be close by. You may not see them on your electronics as they may be tight to the bottom but once you fire one up others will show up. Work the Spot
Choker very slowly down the ditches and on drops to cover an area. The bites are light so if it feels slightly heavy speed up your retrieve to set the hook. As the water continues to cool watch for the bass to concentrate more in groups in the deeper water. It may take some time to find them but once you do you can catch multiple fish in one spot. With the lower water temperature be sure to wear your life jacket as hyperthermia will happen quickly if you happen to hit the water. Even though it’s cold the bite is still good so Go Catch ‘Em! This bass fishing report is by Phil Johnson. Email: pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
Striper fishing Striper fishing is good. Stripers swim 4 to 7 miles per day looking for food and cool water. The lake temperature is in the high 40s. The typical winter fishing technique during the winter months of pulling live bait on free lines and planner boards is working when pulled in areas with large concentrations of bait. This technique is clearly the most fun way to fish in the winter. There is nothing like watching a planner board screaming across the water with a big striper on.
Herring has been the most productive bait with small trout and gizzard second. When pulling baits always try to keep someone on the front deck casting a 1/2 ounce buck tail jig with a fluke. The umbrella rig is still working when pulled across points and flats. Our stripers are scattered all over the lake from Shoal Creek to Little River. Stripers can be found in pockets and on points from the back of the creeks to the mouth. They should be more concentrated in the back of the creeks this time of year but that’s one of the challenges of striper fishing. They are not al-
ways where anglers think they should be. However, there is one key that seldom fails; find the bait and fish there. One of the questions we often get asked is “when is the best time to go striper fishing?” Guides will go when you can. The reality is this is true! There are many conditions that affect the fish biting or not biting. Lake conditions both temperature and dissolved oxygen content, moon phase and barometric pressure are the factors most often discussed. This striper report is by Buck Cannon, 404 510-1778.
THE MAGICAL SWIRLEYBIRD SPINNER by Bill Vanderford
www.georgiafishing.com
Consignments
WANTED We Will Sell
YOUR BOAT “the connection between boat buyers and sellers”
www.boatsplusga.com The best choice if you want to sell or trade your boat
Proud to be Lake Lanier’s AUTHORIZED
Dealer 1993 73' Houseboat Twin Mercruisers/Execellent Condition Price $229,900
1995 Sea Ray 400EC Loaded 40' Great Condition Price $74,900
2007 Sea Ray 260 Sundeck Huge Cockpit/Party on the Water Price $39,900
The days are getting longer. Spring is around the corner.
SHOW your BOAT some LOVE! We’re hear to assist you! 2018 Bennington G22 25' with Yamaha 115hp & Trailer Price $27,500
1997 Century Walkaround 21' w/ 150 Yamaha and Trailer Price $13,900
Boston Whaler Montauk 17 17' Center Console 90hp & Trailer Price $12,900
Other listings on our website: www.boatsplusga.com Consignment Program • Boat Locator Service Financing Available • Trades Considered
Phone: 770-965-4215 • Fax: 770-967-4561 • Email: jim@boatsplusga.com 6470 Lanier Islands Parkway • Buford, GA 30518
• Gauges & Controls • Electronics/GPS & Navigation • LED Lights (including Underwater Lighting) • Performance Upgrades, Exhaust & External Steering • And all your Engine and Drive needs
770-932-6694 • MerlinMarine.net
February 2024
LAKESIDE 11
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12 LAKESIDE
February 2024
The big chill of ’79’s ice on the river party and BBQ My brother’s marina is located on a narrow part of the Shrewsbury River about four miles in from the Atlantic Ocean. There’s about a three-foot tide and the water is brackish so it will freeze, but only if temperatures stay below 20 degrees for an extended period of time. Every six or seven years we get just the right conditions so that the river freezes hard all the way across. This is opposed to the wider parts of the river where there is very little tide, and the current flows more slowly. There we’ll get good solid ice about three years out of four, much to the delight of the ice boaters. (See “On the Water” February 2019 online edition at www.lakesidenews.com.) When we do get a hard freeze, ice will form around the pilings that support the docks. When the tide comes up, it may pull the piling about an eighth of an inch up out of the mud. When the tide goes out, the ice breaks around the piling and goes back down, where it freezes around the piling again and pulls it another eighth
Vinnie Mendes On the Water
inch up. Repeat this every 12 hours and pretty soon all the pilings and docks will be laying on their sides at odd angles to go floating down the river as soon as the ice melts! There are various mechanical means to keep the pilings from freezing such as pumping either air bubbles or the comparatively warm water up from the bottom of the river to keep ice from forming around the piling. This doesn’t work in our part of the river because the current runs so fast that the air bubbles or warmer bottom water would be swept away before it could get up to the ice. The only solution is to chop the ice around each piling at least once a day and pull the pieces of
ice out of the water because otherwise, they will freeze back where they were. During the winter all the casual employees at the marina have been laid off so only my father (known as the “Old Man”), my brother and myself are there to chop the ice every day. The ice is usually an inch or two thick, so my brother and I chop it with large axes while the Old Man follows behind with his homemade “industrial strength” crab net and drags all the pieces of chopped ice out of the holes. This is not too bad when there is no wind and the sun is shining, but usually the temperature is in the mid-20s and there’s a 10-knot wind and cloud cover. BRRRRRR! Once we called the State Unemployment Office and asked for four laborers. When we explained what had to be done, we were told we had to pay them for a full day’s work, no matter how long they were actually on the job. We agreed, and the next day four husky guys showed up and we all
got busy chopping ice. At 10 a.m. they all took off for coffee break and that was the last we saw of them, so the three of us went back to chopping ice. I ran into one of them a few days later and asked why they didn’t even come back for their pay. He told me to keep the money, they didn’t want any part of it. He’d seen enough ice to last a lifetime. One Sunday afternoon in midFebruary the regular crew were all sitting around the fireplace in the bar, looking out at the frozen river. The temperature had climbed into the upper 40s, and it was brilliant sunshine. We were all suffering from “cabin fever” when someone said, “Looks like a good day for a BBQ!” That’s all it took. Someone ran down to the grocery store for hamburgers, bratwurst, and accoutrements while others dragged the BBQ and a bunch of chairs and a boombox out to the middle of the river. (We didn’t need an ice chest to keep the beer cool.) There were about two or three inches of snow on top of the ice,
so we brought along the crosscountry skis. The party was in full swing when a very annoyed Marine Police Officer gingerly walked out across the ice and asked what the heck we were doing. We explained that we were having a BBQ. He asked whether we knew that it was dangerous to be out in the middle of the river and that we were risking our lives. We pointed out that the ice was 21 inches thick, and you could safely drive a tractor trailer across it. He thawed out a little when we offered him a burger and beer. He said he was on duty but would be happy for a hot chocolate. He told us that the local police on one side of the river had gotten a noise complaint. (Yes, sound does travel across the ice). The Rumson police said it was not their jurisdiction and referred the call to the Sea Bright Police on the other side of the river and got the same answer. Finally, the Marine Police began getting the calls, so he, See Mendes, page 46
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February 2024
LAKESIDE 13
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14 LAKESIDE
February 2024
The Boathouse: One of a kind facility to open next month By Jane Harrison stunning multi-million-dollar city of Gainesville public facility set to open next month on the northern end of Lake Lanier blends not only the architectural elements of aesthetics and function, it shines as a legacy to those who dream big. Built on the spot where 1996 Olympians set off from a temporary basic building seeking gold, The Boathouse at Lake Lanier Olympic Park embodies much more than the original structure. The $21.6 million Boathouse, funded by a city bond paid through the hotel/motel tax, is touted as a one-of-a-kind public-accessible jewel on the lake. “It’s just exciting to see the vision for this park as a community facility,” said Gainesville Tourism Director Robyn Lynch. She and the foundation that grew out of the Olympic movement on the lake in the 1990s view The Boathouse as the crown of a LLOP master plan that evolved about a decade ago. In mid-January, Lynch guided a Lakeside reporter on the first tour given to a journalist as The Boathouse neared completion. Workers with Gaines-
A
ville contractor Carroll Daniel Construction were finishing tasks before the following week’s furniture delivery. On the exterior, sky-blue rough split shake siding on the upper levels settles into a multi-hued stone foundation on the quiet lake cove. White columns and trim, beige vertical siding on three pitched tiers, and black metal railings and accents present a classic boathouse exterior. Soaring barrel-vault ceilings planked with linear metal that replicates cherry wood greet visitors at the front entries in a nautical homage to old school rowing shells and canoes. Loops of light reminiscent of Olympic rings suspend from the ceilings. Views of the lake form the main backdrop of an expansive ballroom and other public spaces where weddings, corporate meetings, and banquets are already scheduled every weekend through June. A wide covered porch beckons a step outside, where a massive stone fireplace creates a warm ambience with a striking lake view. The porch and adjacent terrace stretch across the entire back side offering more than 4,500
Clockwise from above: Light fixtures above the gathering area offer a functional interpretation of Olympic rings. The covered back porch at The Boathouse features a view of a quiet cove on Lake Lanier. In mid-January workers for Carroll Daniel Construction were getting the ballroom ready for furniture delivery the following week.
square feet of covered outdoor lakefront space. A black metal geometric-railed staircase from the main level leads to the third-floor boardroom and tribute hall to community champions. Another fireplace is situated on the boardroom balcony. PHOTO BY VICKI HOPE On the bottom The Boathouse at Lake Lanier Olympic Park strikes a resemblance to classic northeastern level beats the boathouses, but offers much more than storage for rowing shells and kayaks. heart of the facility’s origin: boat storage for caThe design harkens to tradihas the capacity to handle both.” noes, kayaks and rowing shells, a tional northeastern boathouses, Both Millards have taken up oars locker room, and workout/team “but it’s really a pretty flexible fa- at various times with LLRC. meeting space. The Lake Lanier cility … it has to be” said The “We got a lot of input from a Canoe & Kayak Club, Lake LaBoathouse architect Matthew Mil- lot of stakeholders” Millard said, nier Rowing Club, and University lard, partner in the Roswell firm including the clubs that inhabit it, of North Georgia Rowing Club founded by his father, Robin. the city, and the non-profit Lake rent space from the city. Visiting “One week it can handle a large Lanier Olympic Park Foundation, crews training can store equipwedding and the next, a regatta. It See Boathouse, page 29 ment in a designated area. The foundation was raised four feet What’s inside The Boathouse higher to mitigate flooding that The total 58,719 square feet facility includes spaces for plagued the basement in recent weddings, corporate meetings, offices, and rowing/paddling years. club boat storage and training. Public meeting areas have advance technology for audio/visual presentations. A main catering kitchen, upstairs serving kitchen and event décor-prep area enable banquet and reception preparation and serving. Main Level Ballroom: 8,985 square feet with partitions for three meeting rooms. Total capacity: 400 seats. Lobby/Pre-function area: 3,645 square feet. Receiving/registration area accommodates 75. Bridal Suite, Gathering Area, & Legacy Room: 2,823 square feet, includes foyer with 115-person capacity and display of 1996 Olympic memorabilia. Covered Porch & Terrace: More than 4,500 square feet of covered space includes an outdoor fireplace, furnishings for cocktails and dining. Both feature striking views of the lake, especially at sunset. PHOTOS BY JANE HARRISON Office Space: 1,519 square feet for offices of LLOP Division Manager James Watson, Plaza Special Events Manager Morgan Wingler, Boathouse Special Events Manager Deb Gravitt, and Gainesville Sports Alliance Manager McKenna Kauffmann. Third Floor Boardroom/common area: 1,300 square feet, adjacent to a hall dedicated to community champions, accommodates 40 people. Boardroom opens up to a balcony & fireplace. Lower Level Club space: The foundation provides 27,120 total square feet rented by rowing and canoe/kayak clubs including training/workout space, offices, locker rooms and 18,500 square feet for boat storage. Glass door bays open for boatcarries to the docks. - Source: Millard, Inc., Roswell architects
February 2024
LAKESIDE 15
Lake Lanier Association Ready to jump in?
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Removing over 90 tons of trash annually at Shore Sweep Light-up 289 hazard markers with Solar Lights Stock and maintain 10 life jacket loaner stations 2 miles and counting of shoreline protected with Rip Rap Monthly Water Quality Testing, all 12 months of the year Remove Abandoned and Derelict Docks & Vessels (ADDV) from the waters of Lanier
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LLA is made up of boaters, fisherman, property owners, drinking water users, area businesses and anyone passionate about Lake Lanier. As a non-profit, we are 80% funded by memberships and tax deductible donations. Our on-lake initiatives are not possible without memberships like yours!
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CLEAN LAKE
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Through education and advocacy, we work to keep you informed about important matters. LLA works closely with local authorities to protect Lanier.
16 LAKESIDE
February 2024
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February 2024
LAKESIDE 17
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18 LAKESIDE
February 2024
‘Neutral pattern’ means anything but calm weather It has been the first El Nino in five years and it has certainly given us a pretty wild ride so far this winter. We saw near record high temperatures in December. Some around the metro saw temperatures near 70 on Christmas Day! January of course, was a cold month and got even colder when we had that Arctic Outbreak in the middle of the month. This month could be even wilder! El Nino is now transitioning to what we call a “Neutral Pattern.” Sea surface temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean are once again cooling from the warm waters of El Nino. I’ve looked at the climate data when we’ve had neutral patterns in the spring and it’s not good. There are wild swings in temperatures, going from highs in the mid 40s to PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GLENN BURNS highs in Tornadoes during the Easter the upper outbreak of 2020.
70s, which was the case in our last “neutral” year, 2020. February, March, and Glenn April brought round after Burns round of severe storms, many of which spawned major tornadoes. We saw a Lanier multiday outbreak in the Outlook Southeast from February 57, with 37 tornadoes in all, one being an EF 3 in Kings Mountain, N.C. The worst of these outbreaks occurred on April 12-13, the Easter Tornado Outbreak. I first saw indications of what was about to happen when the Storm Prediction Center outlined a strong probability of severe weather occurring from Texas, into the Florida Panhandle and on through eastern Georgia. On April 13, a tornado watch was in effect as an intense squall line approached from Alabama. An EF 1 hit Cartersville, killing one person when a tree fell on his house. Numerous tornado warnings in effect at the same time. The worst tornado was an EF-2 with winds between 113 to 157 mph, traveling nearly six miles through Chattooga County. Damage was catastrophic along its path. One of the contributing factors to this was the extremely warm Gulf of Mexico. There was an abundance of energy just waiting to be tapped. And it was. The same is true right now. I would expect from here on out, we all need to be extremely weather See Burns, page 20
SOLUNAR TIMES FOR LAKE LANIER
LAKE LANIER WATER LEVELS JUN 1 1068.87 2 1068.81 3 1068.77 4 1068.77 5 1068.68 6 1068.64 7 1068.55 8 1068.47 9 1068.42 10 1068.39 11 1068.51 12 1068.61 13 1068.61 14 1068.63 15 1068.67 16 1068.71 17 1068.71 18 1068.70 19 1068.91 20 1069.05 21 1069.10 22 1069.16 23 1069.19 24 1069.22 25 1069.30 26 1069.35 27 1069.38 28 1069.37 29 1069.36 30 1069.38 31 AV 1068.88 MAX 1069.38 MI 1068.39
JUL
AUG
SEP
1069.39 1069.46 1069.42 1069.44 1069.46 1069.44 1069.44 1069.43 1069.42 1069.43 1069.43 1069.40 1069.39 1069.38 1069.35 1069.32 1069.27 1069.18 1069.13 1069.13 1069.19 1069.20 1069.17 1069.14 1069.10 1069.08 1069.05 1069.00 1068.96 1068.96 1068.88 1069.26 1069.46 1068.88
1068.80 1068.68 1068.70 1068.63 1068.60 1068.59 1068.57 1068.52 1068.39 1068.34 1068.34 1068.34 1068.30 1068.21 1068.18 1068.15 1068.09 1068.04 1068.01 1067.96 1067.87 1067.82 1067.75 1067.67 1067.61 1067.58 1067.52 1067.52 1067.67 1067.71 1067.64 1068.12 1068.80 1067.52
1067.56 1067.51 1067.46 1067.35 1067.21 1067.02 1066.85 1066.68 1066.67 1066.66 1066.56 1066.48 1066.40 1066.32 1066.18 1066.15 1066.21 1066.14 1066.08 1066.04 1065.98 1065.91 1065.65 1065.81 1065.76 1065.72 1065.67 1065.59 1065.52 1065.49
OCT
1065.42 1065.37 1065.31 1065.24 1065.18 1065.11 1065.05 1065.00 1064.92 1064.86 1064.86 1064.88 1064.83 1064.76 1064.73 1064.65 1064.61 1064.56 1064.51 1064.48 1064.43 1064.42 1064.36 1064.32 1064.27 1064.22 1064.16 1064.12 1064.08 1064.02 1063.94 1066.36 1064.67 1067.56 1065.42 1065.49 1063.94
NOV
DEC
1063.85 1063.77 1063.68 1063.59 1063.53 1063.46 1063.40 1063.34 1063.28 1063.29 1063.26 1063.19 1063.14 1063.11 1063.05 1063.01 1062.96 1062.93 1062.89 1062.86 1062.93 1062.91 1062.88 1062.85 1062.83 1062.77 1062.70 1062.64 1062.58 1062.56
1062.53 1062.54 1062.56 1062.53 1062.52 1062.48 1062.44 1062.42 1062.57 1062.95 1063.03 1063.04 1063.03 1063.02 1062.99 1063.02 1062.97 1062.95 1062.92 1062.69 1062.88 1062.85 1062.84 1063.83 1062.13 1064.07 1064.28 1064.35 1064.39 1064.40 1064.42 1063.11 1063.09 1063.85 1064.42 1062.56 1062.42
SOLUNAR TIMES FOR LAKE LANIER
JAN 1064.40 1064.40 1064.41 1064.40 1064.39 1064.58 1064.66 1064.76 1066.61 1067.08 1067.24 1067.53 1067.76 1067.85 1067.91 1067.92 1067.98 1068.02 1068.01 1068.05 1068.06 1068.08 1068.09
February 2024
LAKESIDE 19
20 LAKESIDE
February 2024
A few late season Whitetail Deer hunting tips for better success What else can we possibly need to help us be more successful as Whitetail Deer hunters? Let’s just list our current equipment; hyper accurate rifles holding dependable cartridges staged beneath pinpoint adjustable scopes up to and including 50 power, hat to shoes very classy camo that the Whitetail absolutely cannot see (even with lawfully required orange vest and cap, he cannot see you) and then, too, scent cover that blinds his capability of finding you with his 10,000 power nose. How can we get better and be more often successful? O’Neill has obvious suggestions which actually serve to remind you and not introduce a tactic you haven’t though of before. These are the little things that “round out” the hunt and your success to the max. Use a flashlight? If you can get to your stand, blind or intended stopping point without a flashlight, you’re going in too late. The herd buck, unless he’s breeding, vanishes during the last five minutes of darkness. Can he be in
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places available to see you walk by without you seeing him? Unless it’s black dark, if you can see how to walk in, then he can see you. You need to get to the stand at least one hour before grey daylight begins. Do you stay in the woods during the day? If you’re in a tower stand, why not? Have some water, a biscuit or two and stay there. If it’s the first rut or now the likely second rut, a shooter buck may be looking for female friends all day long. If you’re back at camp taking a nap, you’ll not see him for a shot. How about leaving the stand at the
hunt’s conclusion? Back to the flashlight. If you leave early enough that you don’t need a light, you’re leaving too early. Think about all the money, time and devotion you’ve made to be there that day. Why be in such a hurry to leave. Take your time. Five minutes, 10 minutes ... it could make a huge difference. Finally, let’s just say all has worked and a reasonable shooter has made his way into your food plot or shooting lane. Bang, he’s dead. Now don’t be in such a hurry. Once he’s down from a well placed shot, he’s not getting up. So, look around memorize the physicality of what just happened. Got a phone? Take photos both from the stand and when he’s been cleaned up and well staged. You’ll be glad you did. Finally, and this may be a surprise, sit in the stand and be quiet for a little while. What’s the hurry? I ask because it may have been that a giant was following or traveling with your shooter and you didn’t see him. Does the big guy know what just happened? Of
course not. He possibly can see his buddy lying on the ground just ahead but I can assure you he did not know what happened. If you stay in the stand and shut up, he may walk about for a look and you will have a chance, if it appeals to you, for a double. I was taping a hunting show in Arkansas once on a farm with a limit of one deer. One walked out, a TV deer, if you know what I mean, and promptly died. OK, we started getting up our gear, taped a few quiet comments and exchanged congratulations and then
looked at my prize from the stand. Surprise! A true giant, likely 150plus class was standing over my dead deer and even “flipped” him up in the air with his antlers before walking away seemingly puzzled that he would not fight back. My point? Relax, make it last. Could be that this is your day and “your shooter” was not alone. 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.
• Burns
Continued from Page 18 aware. When we get into summer, neutral conditions bring higher impacts from hurricanes, which are heightened for the Florida Peninsula and Gulf of Mexico. Neutral conditions behave much like La Nina in hurricane season. We could have similar conditions to our 2005 season. Summer temperatures
are also likely to be hotter than average. Nothing is etched in granite just yet but these are the weather events that can and do, accompany a neutral year, so stay tuned! Glenn Burns is chief meteorologist emeritus for WSB-TV in Atlanta.
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February 2024
LAKESIDE 21
Dock Guardian on Lanier is on the move
• Taylor
Continued from Page 8 of getting lost at sea or having your vessel overtaken by pirates. But lakes have their own concerns when it comes to safety. You are more likely to have a collision while boating on a lake because they tend to be more crowded. While you can come across inexperienced boaters in either environment, it is more likely on a lake due to the higher likelihood of the “holiday boater.” These are individuals who may own a boat but only use it a few times a year. People who boat in coastal areas tend to use their boats more often and therefore have more experience. Bad weather
can stir up dangerous waters in either situation but sometimes lakes are more affected by weather because they tend to be more shallow than the ocean. You can get into a dangerous situation on any body of water. Be diligent now matter where you are boating. Keep these things in mind the next time you plan an outing on the water. It may save you or someone else from having a bad day. Frank is past commander of America’s Boating Club Atlanta and is currently a content creator at the YouTube channel “The Ships Logg.”
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By Pamela A. Keene Looking at his family’s dock over the past few months, Lake Lanier resident Zack Trivett didn’t see a problem; he saw a solution. In response, he created Dock Guardian on Lanier to work with the fluctuating water levels for dock owners on the lake. “Our business is monthly dock management to ensure that people’s ramps and docks remain in a good safe position throughout the year,” said the new business owner-operator. “We inspect docks for our customers at least twice a month, and we also respond if their dock is out of a good position.” In addition to moving docks to maximize use by their owners, he does dock repair and pressure washing. The company offers one-year contracts. “I’ve always wanted to work for myself,” said Trivett, who formerly worked in the retail construction business. “Not only am I working for myself, I’m also working for my clients to help
them protect their investment and making sure their docks stay where they need to be.”
For more information, call Dock Guardian on Lanier at 470 343-3000.
PHOTO: DOCK GUARDIAN ON LANIER
Zack Trivett has opened a dock moving business on Lake Lanier.
22 LAKESIDE
February 2024
February 2024
LAKESIDE 23
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24 LAKESIDE
February 2024
February 2024
LAKESIDE 25
26 LAKESIDE
February 2024
Lakeside Calendar February 2024 ♫ denotes musical event On & Around the Lake ♫ Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Music Bingo at NoFo Brew Co., Gainesville. Info: topher@nofobrew.co. o Feb. 3, Mar. 2 – Greeting Card Workshop at Hall County Library, Gainesville Branch. Info: 770-532-3311. o Feb. 3 – The Ladies & Gents Valentine’s Night of Entertainment at Paul E. Bolding American Legion Post 7, Gainesville. Info: 706877-0325. o Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 – Over the Top Burger Bar Jazz Brunch at Over the Top Burger Bar, Buford. Info: 678-482-7655. o Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 – Trivia Night at NoFo Brew Co., Gainesville. Info: topher@nofobrew.co. o Feb. 7 – Author Talk: Bobby Nash at Hall County Library, Gainesville Branch. Info: 770532-3311. Blackstrap Rock Hall ♫ Feb. 2 – Of Ancients / Drowned / Spliced ♫ Feb. 9 – EMBR / DayGlo Mourning / Thrumm ♫ Feb. 10 – Catcher and the Rye / Mourne / Return to Sender ♫ Feb. 16 – Learning to Count / Cherry Bomb / A Few Good Losers ♫ Feb. 17 – Vampire’s Masquerade ♫ Feb. 23 – Grasping at the Shadow / Sustenance / First One Dies ♫ Feb. 24 – God Tongue / Skull Dozer / Septarian ♫ Feb. 25 – Psychic Fair
♫ Feb. 28 – LockJaw / Dispositions / Spiritless Info: 678-696-8285 Boot Barn Hall ♫ Feb. 2 – The Oak Ridge Boys ♫ Feb. 3 – Atlanta Rhythm Section ♫ Feb. 8 – Dueling Pianos ♫ Feb. 9 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy ♫ Feb. 10 – Departure: The Journey Tribute Band ♫ Feb. 16 – Creedence Clearwater Revival Experience ♫ Feb. 17 – Slippery When Wet / Tribute to Bon Jovi ♫ Feb. 22 – R&B, Inc. ♫ Feb. 23 – Drake White ♫ Feb. 24 – Deana Carter - Unplugged ♫ Mar. 2 – Jump / Van Halen Tribute Info: bootbarnhallga.com Brenau University ♫ Feb. 2, 3 – Brenau Dance Faculty Concert: De/Cipher, Faculty and Guest Artist Concert o Feb. 22 – Georgia Poetry Circuit Reading with C.M. Burroughs o Thru Mar. 19 – Melissa Huang exhibition o Thru Mar. 14 – Paul Paiment exhibition Info: 770-538-4764; brenau.edu Buford Community Center ♫ Feb. 3 – Always ABBA ♫ Feb. 24 – Dr. Daylight’s Jazz Company ♫ Mar. 8 – The Lettermen ♫ Mar. 23 – The Troubadour Project ♫ Apr. 12 – Tapestry, the Carole King Songbook ♫ Apr. 26 – The Rupert’s Orchestra Info: bufordcommunitycenter.com
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Clarkesville’s Historic Habersham Community Theater o Feb. 14-18, 22-25 – Pride & Prejudice Info: 706-839-1315; habershamcommunitytheater.com Dahlonega’s Historic Holly Theater o Feb. 9-11, 16-18, 23-25 – Twelfth Night ♫ Mar. 2 – Pandoras Box, the ultimate Aerosmith Tribute Info: 706-530-5162; hollytheater.com Gainesville Theatre Alliance o Feb. 16-24 – The Crucible Info: 678-717-3624; gainesvilletheatrealliance.org Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds ♫ Feb. 17 – Corey Smith ♫ Mar. 2 – Aaron Lewis Info: 706-896-4191; georgiamountainfairgrounds.com Interactive Neighborhood Kids o Feb. 1-4 – Groundhog Day Craft Week o Feb. 5-11 – Pizza Craft Week o Feb. 12-18 – Valentine’s Day Craft Week o Feb. 19-25 – President’s Day Craft Week o Feb. 26-Mar. 3 – Peanut Craft Week Info: 770-536-1900; inkfun.org Lake Lanier Islands Resort o Thru Feb. 25 – License to Chill Snow Island Info: 770-945-8787; lanierislands.com Piedmont University o Feb. 15-18 – A Piece of My Heart in Swanson Blackbox Theatre. ♫ Feb. 29 – Andrea M. Price, Soprano and Karen Sigers, Piano in Chapel.
Info: 800-277-7020; piedmont.edu Quinlan Arts Center o Thru Feb. 17 – Winter Exhibition o Thru Feb. 26 – Georgia Art League Winter Exhibit o Feb. 29-Mar. 2 – Gala Fine Art, auction preview held Feb. 29. Info: 770-536-2575; quinlanartscenter.org School Street Playhouse (formerly Cumming Playhouse) ♫ Feb. 10 – Kanstyx “Tribute to Kansas & Styx” ♫ Feb. 24 – The Return Tribute to The Beatles Info: 770-781-9178; schoolstreetplayhouse.com Tannery Row Artist Colony o Thru Mar. 1 – Winner’s Circle Info: 470-326-6656; tanneryrowartistcolony.net The Arts Council ♫ Feb. 16, 17 – The Nicole Zuraitis Quartet ♫ Mar. 15, 16 – Lori Williams Quintet ♫ Apr. 19, 20 – The Roman Street Quartet ♫ May 18 – The Black Gold Orchestra Info: Julie Garner, julie@theartscouncil.net; 770-534-2787. 37 Rock Cafe ♫ Feb. 1, 8, 15, 29 – The Andrews Brothers Dueling Pianos Show ♫ Feb. 2 – The Mad Hatters (A Tribute to Tom Petty) ♫ Feb. 3 – Double Take – ‘80s Experience ♫ Feb. 7, 14, 21 – Metalsome Live Band Karaoke ♫ Feb. 9 – 90 Proof - Rock, Pop, R&B, Country See Calendar, page 46
February 2024
LAKESIDE 27
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28 LAKESIDE
February 2024
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February 2024
LAKESIDE 29
• Boathouse
Continued from Page 14
formerly Gainesville Hall ’96, led by Mimi Collins since 2014. “We all sat down and brainstormed about what it could be. And now it’s here,” she said. “Oh my gosh, it doesn’t feel real to me. It’s amazing,” said Collins, who became involved with the Olympic park when her son, Stanton, paddled internationally for LCKC. “A lot of times I wasn’t sure, but a lot of us kept trudging saying we gotta make this happen. It’s a beautiful building and such a legacy of what this community can do.” Lynch indicated the city’s investment bolstered The Boathouse as an Olympic site that had persevered due to the clubs that used it but had not been polished to its potential when Gainesville and Hall County shared LLOP responsibilities. “Having the city step in and annex the park and see the value of the venue has been the biggest boost to its vitality,” Lynch said. Since the 1996 Olympics, the venue, which includes the Olym-
PHOTO BY JANE HARRISON
Barrel vault ceilings with planks resembling cherry wood present an homage to classic wood-hulled boats at The Boathouse.
pic tower and plaza across Clarks Bridge from The Boathouse, has hosted national and international rowing and canoe/kayak regattas, a Pan American canoe/kayak Olympic qualifier, national and
regional dragon boat festivals, and annual collegiate rowing team training. Venue managers expanded its culture to include Food Truck Fridays, lakefront galas, concerts, corporate programs, weddings and motorboat events. In 2020 NCAA selected LLOP to host its 2026 women’s rowing national championships. Seeing its potential as an economic engine, the city in 2022 allotted a portion of a tax-exempt bond to finance boathouse construction, according to Gainesville Finance Director Jeremy Perry. The city increased its hotel/motel tax from 6% to 8% in 2019 and designated the extra 2% to the tourism department, which input funds to The Boathouse. Lynch said the construction comes at no cost to city property taxpayers or the city’s general fund. The original boathouse was demolished in July 2022. Groundbreaking came a month later. An opening ceremony is planned in early spring. No date had been set as of last month.
Quotes • LLOP Foundation Chairperson Mimi Collins: “It’s breathtaking. I still get butterflies.” • Gainesville Tourism Director Robyn Lynch: “It’s exciting to see the vision for this park as a community facility. For tourism it’s a dream … to see Lake Lanier as its largest asset is a fulfillment of that.” • LCKC President Brad Kiley: “I think it’s a great investment on the lake, an investment the city put into a place brought here by Olympic watersports.” • LLRC President Phil Sutton: “The new boathouse demonstrates the Gainesville community’s commitment to further the legacy of the 1996 Olympics.” • Architect Matthew Millard: “Not a lot of architects get to do that sort of project. It may be the best piece of work I (will) ever work on.” • John Ferriss, 20-plus year LLRC coach, executive director, board member: “It’s magnificent … (The old boathouse) built in 1995 was beautiful compared to some of the (100-yearold) boathouses I’ve lived in. This one is more beautiful-er than the one before.” – compiled and reported by Jane Harrison
Prior to the official opening, United Way of Hall County will celebrate its 75th anniversary at The Boathouse March 9. The John Ferriss Sprint Regatta,
named for the longtime LLRC coach and officer who’s held numerous roles at LLOP since the 1996 Olympics, is set for March 25.
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30 LAKESIDE
February 2024
Parallel worlds, different perspectives: Building dams in the 1950s Editor’s Note: Before digital photography, photos didn’t lie. Such is the case with the Booth Western Art Museum’s exhibition Dorothea Lange and Pirkle Jones:“Death of a Valley,” that tells the story of the Berryessa Valley in northern California in the final days before the opening of Monticello Dam in the 1950s. In 1956, photographers Dorothea Lange and Pirkle Jones, armed with a Life Magazine assignment, set out to document the final year of California’s Berryessa Valley before it was submerged beneath Lake Berryessa to aid in water supply and agricultural irrigation for the quickly growing state of California. Around that same time Buford Dam and Lake Lanier was being built as well. Although the projects were similar, their purposes and management were diversely different. By Pamela A. Keene Lake Lanier has more than exceeded expectations of its original objectives when it was authorized by Congress in 1946. Its original purposes: provide hydroelectricity, navigation, and flood control of the Chattahoochee River, and water supply for the city of Atlanta. Except for the recently settled multi-decades long water negotiations between Georgia, Florida and Alabama, major controversy about the lake’s construction has been minimal. Several severe droughts have plagued the lake during its six decades, but those issues are not man-made. Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, controversy galore was brewing in Berryessa Valley, Calif., where construction had begun to build Monticello Dam that would create Lake Berryessa.
Its major purposes: flood control, municipal and industrial water supply, and irrigation water supply. Both projects were authorized by Congress; and both were completed during the 1950s. Both had flood control and water supply as their purposes. However, that’s where the similarities end. Lake Lanier and Buford Dam were built and are still managed by US Army Corps of Engineers under the US Department of Defense. The construction and management of Lake Berryessa and Monticello Dam were/are the responsibility of the US Bureau of Reclamation, part of the Department of the Interior. Controversy has followed Monticello Dam and Lake Berryessa almost since the beginning. Today the US Bureau of Reclamation serves 17 states in the western US. According to its website, the government agency refers to itself as a water management agency, the nation’s largest wholesale water supplier. It operates 294 reservoirs that supply drinking water and irrigation. In the 1970s, the dam’s powerhouse was built to produce hydropower. When full, the Lake Berryessa Reservoir encompasses more than 20,000 acres and has 165 miles of
shoreline. But before the dam was built, the area was targeted for a water project to support agriculture and the fast-growing population of the 1930s and 1940s. At that time irrigation was the focus of the project to help increase agricultural production through irrigation. After much debate about where and how to solve the water issue, the Bureau of ReclaBerryessa Valley, 1956. PHOTO BY PIRKLE JONES mation persuaded area officials to focus on Monticello Dam on Putah Creek. That meant the town of Monticello and the surrounding valley would be flooded. Dorothea Lange, a former portrait photographer employed by the US Farm Security Administration to document the Depression, was hired by Life Magazine to capture the final year of Monticello and the Berryessa Valley in Napa County in 1956. PHOTO BY PIRKLE JONES Dorothea Lange poses in McKenzie Store. She brought in fellow docPHOTO BY DOROTHEA LANGE umentary photographer Pirkle A woman greets a Jones to collaborate. visitor to A recent article from YourBerryessa TownMonthly.com said that 250 Valley, residents of Monticello were above. moved out to make room for the dam and lake. About 300 graves were relocated to higher ground,
PHOTO BY ANSEL ADAMS
Photographer Pirkle Jones.
A scene in the McKenzie Store. PHOTO BY DOROTHEA LANGE
A barn burns in the valley.
PHOTO BY PIRKLE JONES
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BOOTH MUSEUM
Jones Cemetery disinterred graves.
and buildings were demolished. The two photographers focused on the displaced residents of the
valley for a year, capturing the faces, the landscape, the buildings and the emotion. Black-and-white images of See Booth, page 31
February 2024
LAKESIDE 31
Outdoor Calendar February 2024 o Surf & Sun 5K, Buford. 8:30 a.m. Feb. 3, West Bank Park, 3400 Buford Dam Rd. $35. www.fivestarntp.com. o Blue Ribbon 5K/Fun Run, Gainesville. 2 p.m. Feb. 4, Candler Field, 528 Prior St. $30. www.runnersfit.com. o Chasing Winter Away 5K, Dahlonega. 8:45 a.m. Feb. 10, Lumpkin County High School, 2001 Indian Dr. $30 www.fivestarntp.com. o Assault on Currahee Mountain, Mt. Airy. 30- & 60-mile gravel bike races, 9 a.m. Feb. 10, Lake Russell Recreation Area, Currahee Mountain Rd. $80. www.chainbusterracing.com. o Martin’s Mine Hike, Helen. Moderate 1.7mile hike to gold rush mine on sometimes slippery terrain, 9:30-11 a.m. Feb. 10, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. No dogs. $5 parking. Reservations required at 706-878-3087. www.gastateparks.org. o Floral Valentines Fun, Helen. Children craft bouquets of pinecones, paper flowers and woven flower cards for Valentines, 11:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. Feb. 10, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $2, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-3087. o Super Sunday 5K, Dawsonville. 9 a.m. Feb. 11, Veterans Park, 186 Recreation Rd. $40. www.fivestarntp.com. o Super Museum Sunday at Hardman Farm, Sautee Nacoochee. Georgia Historical Society hosts exploration of Hardman Farm Historic Site, plus s’mores around fire pit, open house, noon-3 p.m. Feb. 11, 143 Hwy. 17. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077. o Home School Nature Day, Gainesville. Children ages 5-12 learn how to identify birds, 910:30 a.m. Feb. 14, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. $15 per student, members free. Register in advance. www.elachee.org, 770-535-1976. o Garden Bird Count, Gainesville. Identify, count and report to garden staff, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 16-19, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. www.atlantagb.org. o Georgia Audubon Birding Hike, Gainesville. Guided 3-mile birding hike, 8-10 a.m. Feb. 17, Chicopee Lake, 211 Calvary Church Rd. $10. www.elachee.org, 770-535-1976.
o Wimpy Mile, Dahlonega. Fast downhill 1mile run, 9 a.m. Feb. 17 from Hancock Park, Hawkins St., on Wimpy Mill Rd. to Yahoola Reservoir boat ramp. $30. www.runnersfit.com. o No School Nature Day, Gainesville. Children ages 3 and older explore natural exhibits and Starlab Planetarium, plus crafts and activities related to space and astronomy, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 19, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. $10. www.elachee.org, 770535-1976. o Science Night: Winter Birds, Gainesville. Local birder Peter Gordon discusses winter birds of Chicopee Woods, 6-7 p.m. Feb. 20, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. Free. Register in advance. www.elachee.org, 770-535-1976. o Yonah Run a Dam 8K/5K, Toccoa. Mixed surface runs on Panther Creek Rd. along river, 8:30/9:45 a.m. Feb. 24, Yonah Dam, 3844 Yonah Dam Rd. $30-$50. www.active.com. o Winter Cuttings Greenhouse Tour/Plant Sale Preview, Gainesville. Behind the scenes tour of garden greenhouse/nursery, 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 24, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $34, $29 members. www.atlantagb.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, 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 24, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $10, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706754-7981. o Opening Day Tours, Sautee Nacoochee. Guided tours every hour 10 a.m.-3 p.m., March 1, Hardman Farm, 143 Hwy 17. $8-$13, free to children five and younger. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077. o UNG Comic Fun Run/5K, Oakwood. 8/8:30 a.m. March 2, University of North Georgia Gainesville Campus, 3820 Mundy Mill Rd. $15/$30. www.runnersfit.com. On-Going o Free Art Friday, Gainesville. Find artwork to keep throughout downtown and along walkways of Brenau University campuses; get free coffee, hot cocoa, pastry and tour exhibits at galleries, last Fridays through April. www.exploregainesville.org, 770-534-6181. o License to Chill Snow Island, Buford. Snow tubing, ice skating, carnival rides, s’more making, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. through Feb. 25, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy. Various prices. www.margaritavilleresorts.com. o Home School Workshops, Gainesville. Fam-
ilies with children ages 7-12 investigate connections between nature, science and art, 10 a.m.noon Feb. 7, 21 & March 6, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $10 per child. www.atlantagb.org., 404888-4760. o Discovery Saturday, Gainesville. Wild animal showcase, exhibits, crafts and hike, 10 a.m.3 p.m. Feb. 10, 17, 24 & March 2, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. $10 ages 3 and older, free to children younger than 3 and Elachee members. www.elachee.org, 770535-1976. o Group Run Riverside, Gainesville. Run with Lanier Running Club, starters to elites, 7:30 a.m. Feb. 3, 17 & March 2; 8:30 a.m. Feb. 10 & 24, Riverside Preparatory Academy, 2001 Riverside Dr. See website/Facebook page for updates. www.lanierrunningclub.org. o Group Run NoFo, Gainesville. Run with Lanier Running Club, starters to elites, 6-7 p.m. Thursdays, NoFo Brewing Company, 434 High St. SE. See website/Facebook page for updates. www.lanierrunningclub.org. o Group Run LNB, Gainesville. Run with Lanier Running Club, starters to elites, 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Liquid Nation Brewery, 2100 Atlanta Hwy. See website/Facebook page for updates. www.lanierrunningclub.org. o Sunday North Hall Rides, Gainesville. Bicycling on rural roads averaging 17-18 mph at steady pace, 30-45 miles, roll out 12:30 p.m. Sundays from Haynes Rd. velocraig@hotmail.com. o Canoe/Kayak/SUP Rentals, Gainesville. Canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard rentals, reserve via email 48 hours in advance for paddling Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. $20-$30 per hour, $10 for additional hours, maximum 4 hours. info@lckc.org. o Turning Leaf Book Club, Gainesville. Monthly discussions of nature-themed books, 11 a.m. first Wednesdays Jan.-May, Sept.-Nov., Linwood Ecology Center, Linwood Nature Preserve, 118 Springview Dr. www.mastergardener@hallcounty.org. – compiled by Jane Harrison
• Booth
Continued from Page 30 cemeteries and headstones, giant trees being felled to make way for construction, cowboys driving cattle across the countryside with dust flying, photographs of people in their homes, their stores and on their land, a barn burning out of control and a home being moved on a trailer to be relocated showed not only the facts of the year, they also revealed the heart, the emotions and the angst of people affected. Photos of the final harvest, the town’s last Memorial Day, heavy machinery and government
workers stripping the land and demolishing landmarks, and the valley filling with water proved to be more than simple documentary photography. As was Lange’s and Jones’ trademark, their images told the story. When they completed their assignment, Life Magazine refused to publish their photo essay, saying the images were too unsettling. The magazine returned the rights to the photographers. However, the photographs continue to tell the story of Lake Berryessa and Monticello Dam.
In 1960 the journal Aperture published 30 of the images, titling it “Death of a Valley.” The photos were later exhibited at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. Now these same photographs, plus many more, are on display at the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville. The exhibit features more than 90 vintage black-andwhite images, showing Berryessa Valley’s fate through the eyes of two legendary artists. The Booth Western Art Museum’s exhibition is produced
with Atlanta’s Lumiere Gallery and the Special Collections and Archives at the University of California at Santa Cruz. In addition to the images, the exhibition includes some of Lange’s original correspondence, including letters to Jones and a telegram from Life Magazine. PHOTO BY PIRKLE JONES The exhibition con- Dorothea Lange takes a photo of a tree being removed. tinues through June 9. Booth Western Art Museum is lo- Cartersville. Website: cated at 501 N. Museum Drive, www.boothmuseum.org.
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February 2024
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February 2024
LAKESIDE 33
Old and new are forever entwined on the Caribbean island of Antigua Approaching Antigua from the air is breathtaking! The marked contrasts of greenery in the higher hills fall sharply from towering cliffs into the deep blue of the sea. Other sections of the island possess long, shallow flats exhibiting an unforgettable turquoise shade that changes gradually as it descends into the open ocean. Antigua (www.visitantiguabarbuda. com) is truly the best tropical paradise in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean. One quickly notices the British influence in the language and the right-hand drive vehicles that motor down the wrong side of the road. Also, the billboards and conversation on Antigua often turns to cricket, which seems to be the passion of everyone on the island. In fact, the local culture is so absorbed in this English game that matches may be playing anywhere and at any time. Official cricket events, however, are scheduled Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The cricket season lasts from January to July and is interspersed with regional and international matches that are held in outstanding facilities. Though Siboney, Arawak and Carib Indians had inhabited Antigua as early as 2400 BC, the first European connection was made when Christopher Columbus passed and named the island on his second voyage in 1493. The first colony was set up by the British in 1632, and within 50 years, the island began the sugar era with slaves from Africa. Today, the majority of the Antiguan population is tied directly to those Africans who toiled for
An ancient sugar mill in Antigua.
Bill Vanderford Travel Editor
n MORE INFO: JFish51@aol.com www.georgiafishing.com PHOTOS BY BILL VANDERFORD
years in the sugarcane fields and operated the hundreds of mills. The remnants of those structures, built from the ballast stones of merchant ships, have become a distinctive trademark of Antigua. They appear as stone pillboxes and are scattered all over the island as a reminder of the past. By the end of the 18th century Antigua had become an important strategic port as well as a priceless commercial colony. Horatio Nelson arrived in 1784 to enforce inflexible shipping laws. Serving under Nelson at the time was the future King William IV, who abolished slavery in 1834 throughout the British Empire. Today, Antigua’s Carnival festivities commemorate the earliest abolition of slavery in the British Caribbean. After the decline of the sugar industry and before the current tourism boom, most islanders struggled to survive. Since becoming an independent country in 1981, however, Antigua has incorporated its natural beauty, British history and wonderful, friendly
people into a tropical Mecca for tourists. This is especially seen and experienced in the areas around Jolly Beach, English Harbor and St. Johns. Across the island, English Harbor was developed as a major British Navy base during the romantic age of great sailing vessels in the 18th century. The largest expansion occurred while Horatio Nelson was in command, thus the name “Nelson’s Dockyard.” It has been completely restored and is the only remaining Georgian dockyard in the world. Many English people have made their homes in this area in recent times as well. Far above the harbor, the partially-restored fortifications at Shirley Heights remind visitors of another era. This historic site affords anyone a magnificent panorama of English Harbor below and the volcanic island of Montserrat located some 30 miles away. On Sundays afternoons, the breathtaking view is enhanced by barbecue, rum punch and the sounds of a steel band and reggae music. For those who love the hustle and bustle of city life, a visit to St. John’s must be included in the plans on Friday or Saturday morning. The farmers market on the southern edge of the city is THE place to see and purchase local crafts, colorful tropical fruits and a virtual plethora of other interesting items. Certainly the most prevalent structure in St. John’s is the Cathedral which is easily identifiable by its stately, white baroque towers. Built in 1845, the church is now in its third incarnation, as earthquakes in 1683 and 1745 destroyed the previous structures. Also worth a visit is the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda that is housed in the old Colonial Court House built in 1750. One can browse through both a physical and archaeological history of the islands in less than an hour at no cost. The cooler trade winds that brought the ancient sailing ships to Antigua still make this island a perfectly comfortable place to visit. It has to be considered one of the top holiday and vacation destinations in the world, with su-
English Harbor from above.
Sugar mill above a pasture.
View from the old fort.
An old church,above, and old boat near the beach in Antigua.
perb beaches, hotels, private accommodation, a vibrant culture, excellent restaurants and nightlife, a huge choice of tours and excursions and some of the friendliest people in the world!
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.
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February 2024
EXIT 14
General U.S. Army Corps of Engineers .............770 945-9531 Water Release Schedules....................770 945-1466 Recreation/Water level Info ..................770 945-1467 DNR, Law Enforcement Division ..........800 241-4113 Lake Lanier Association Inc..................770 503-7757 Boating Safety Courses US Coast Guard Aux. Flotilla 29...........770 891-6362 Atlanta Sail & Power Squadron ............770 734-6412 Marinas 1. Safe Harbor Aqualand....................770 967-6811 2. Bald Ridge......................................770 887-5309 3. Gainesville......................................770 536-2171 4. Habersham.....................................770 887-5432 5. Holiday............................................770 945-7201 6. Port Royale.....................................770 887-5715 7. Lanier Harbor ..................CLOSED AS OF 2/4/14 8. Lazy Days at Holiday......................770-945-1991 9. Safe Harbor Hideaway Bay ............770 967-5500 10. Sunrise Cove..................................770 536-8599 11. Sunset Cove...................................678 304-3157
February 2024
LAKESIDE 35
Lakeside’s Safety Guide A GUIDE TO BOATING AND SWIMMING SAFETY RESOURCES PRESENTED BY LAKESIDE ON LANIER BOATING Boater Education Courses with Certification Exam Basics of Boating - America's Boating Course • Course: Meets Georgia DNR and NASBLA requirements for boater and PWC certification; covers boat handling, safety equipment/procedures, rules of the road, boat types/terminology. • Instructors: America’s Boating Club – Atlanta (formerly Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron • When: Virtual 3-session classes OR In-person Full-day Class: In person - Saturday, March 9; Saturday, May 11. Virtual/Online 3 sessions - April 3 plus April 10 & 13. • Cost: $25 per student; Optional: $28 reference text available from instructor • Information/registration: americasboatingclubatlanta.org/ or Email - ABC@usps-atlanta.org
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 • Minimum age: 12 • When: 9 am - 5 pm: Mar. 16, Apr. 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21, Oct. 19 • Where: U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla 29, 6595 Lights Ferry Rd., Flowery Branch • Cost: Individuals $35; bring lunch • Information/registration: Perry Hidalgo; uscgaux29@gmail.com; 470-310-3336/404-447-4599 http://wow.uscgaux.info/peclass.php?unit=070-02-09 On-Line Courses • www.boat-ed.com and www.boaterexam.com/usa/georgia include study guide and Georgia Certification Exam with unlimited exam attempts; cost is $34.95 payable upon exam passage. Temporary certificate printed upon passage; permanent card mailed. • www.boatus.org/free offers free course, exam and print your own certificate; mailed certificate $5. Other Boater Education Opportunities (Certification exam not included) • Advanced Boating Classes in piloting, marine communications, and other boating skills offered periodically by the America’s Boating Club – Atlanta. americasboatingclubatlanta.org.
Vessel Safety Checks • Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron offers vessel safety check-ups by appointment; americasboatingclubatlanta.org/vessel-safety-check. • Vessel Safety Checks by appointment: Both U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons offer vessel safety check-ups at your boat by appointment. www.safetyseal.net.
Sailing Classes • Windsong Sailing Academy: Basic and advanced sailing training and certifications including engine maintenance, marine electrical systems, coastal and celestial navigation, marine meteorology and emergency planning. Public and private week evening and weekend classes available. Fees vary. www.WindsongSail.com. (770) 967-1515.
SWIMMING (Lessons/Aquatic Programs) Frances Meadows Aquatics and Community Center • Location: 1545 Community Way, Gainesville. • Information/registration: 770-533-5850, www.gainesville.org/359/Swim-Lessons • Lessons: Swimming and water safety program for all ages and levels, age 6 months to masters, basic aquatics safety to skill proficiency for competitive swimmers, lifeguard training. • Lanier Aquatics Swim Team: Competitive swimming groups for Rookie (age 4) through Masters (age 18 and older); www.gainesville.org/753/Lanier-Aquatics-Swim-Team Georgia Mountains YMCA • Location: 2455 YMCA Drive, Gainesville • Information/registration: www.gamountainsymca.org/programs-2/swim-lessons, 770-297-9622 • Swim lessons: For all ages and levels, parent-child swim, Masters Swim Program, water fitness, water safety, life guard certification. Fees and times vary. Cumming Aquatic Center • Location: 201 Aquatic Circle, Cumming • Information/registration: 770-781-1781 www.cummingaquaticcenter.com (register online) • Lessons: Swimming and water safety program ranges from toddler-age in Parent Child Aquatics Program to teens and adults in Learn to Swim and Adult Aquatics Program. Private or semi-private lessons available. Fees and schedules vary. Competitive swimming and diving programs, Masters Swim Team also available. Lifeguard certification offered. Gwinnett Swim • Location: 5396 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford • Information/registration: www.gwinnettswim.com, 404-590-7946 • Swim lessons: For all ages and levels. Fees and times vary. Swim Atlanta • Location: 5059 Post Road, Cumming, 770-888-0010; 1152 Auburn Road, Dacula, 678-8892039; 4050 Johns Creek Parkway, Suwanee, 770-622-1735; other Atlanta locations • Information/registration: www.gwinnettswim.com, 404-590-7946 • Swim lessons: For all ages and levels. Fees and times vary. NOTE: Please contact Lakeside on Lanier News to list additional boating and water safety classes. lakesidenews@mindspring.com.
KEEP SAFE ON THE LAKE - WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET!
36 LAKESIDE
February 2024
BONUS TRAVEL COLUMN - CONTINUING THE JOURNEY TO SICILY AND ITALY
The Italy tourists often miss: giant trees, round houses and culinary delights In November, Lakeside’s Senior Reporter Pam Keene journeyed to Sicily and Southern Italy. In Part 2 of her travelogue, she shares her travels to unearth the charms of Southern Italy, some familiar, others surprising. By Pamela A. Keene Halfway through our adventure to Sicily and Southern Italy, it was time to leave the charming seaside village of Pizzo – one of my favorite discoveries in Calabria in Southern Italy. From meeting Antonio and experiencing his colorful ceramics and paintings to saying goodbye to the amazing gelato invention “tartufo,” our group of 15 now head to parts unknown, heading inland. The landscape slowly changed from craggy rocks and sandy shores to winding roads surrounded by forested hillsides as we entered the Sila National Park. We stayed in a hotel that provided accommodations unlike anywhere else we stayed. Think upscale U.S. and national park lodges complemented by an expansive grotto/spa. The décor included large statues of bears and other wildlife, room signs with the numbers carved out of wood, and ultra-modern spacious rooms with stunning views. The chill in the night air encouraged sleeping with the windows open. Our trip leader Henna had hinted about the Giants of Sila, an
ancient forest within the park, but we weren’t prepared for the sheer mass and height of these pines. Their vital statistics are posted on signs nearby; some of these 58 specimens are 150 feet tall and nearly 62 inches around. Our 25-day itinerary was far more immersive than a typical tourist vacation. From a culinary and agricultural perspective, the activities were diverse. We toured several farms, including the capers farm on Salina in the Aeolian Islands. A family we met in the town of Martina Franca – Marianna and Franco – began to farm organically when their son proved to have many allergies to foods. As a result Franco now has four gigantic hoop houses where he cultivates tomatoes, peppers, strawberries. He also has row crops such as kale, fresh lettuces, spinach and other foods. Our visit included lunch in the farmhouse to enjoy the fruits of his work. As we moved into the Puglia region, food became even of the focus of our travels. Visits to multiple farms and dairies kept our appetites on the edge. We learned how the region’s trademark capocollo dry-cured pork is created, seasoned and aged, followed by a lunch by the family’s restaurant where we were served about a half-dozen types of meats and sausages, including capocollo. The secret of fresh mozzarella was revealed at a dairy where
The harbor in Trani can be peaceful and tranquil.
about 20 cows are milked daily to produce the heavenly soft cheese. The process is straight-forward but the most interesting part is how our cheesemaker hand stretches the warm cheese to ensure the texture is authentic. Wineries, too, introduced us to Primitivo wine, a deep red slightly tannic wine that’s similar to zinfandel. We visited several wineries, going underground to
PHOTOS BY PAMELA A. KEENE
the cool caves where it is aged in 60-gallon French oak. And of course, each winery visit included wine tastings and generous servings of antipasto, which in the U.S. we Americans have modernized into “charcuterie.” On to the trulli, the coneshaped dry-stone houses with thatched roofs that began to dot the landscape. In Alberobello, we visited a 1.000-year-old trulli village of these handsome – and See Italy, pages 37, 39
Castles throughout Puglia crown local villages.
Cloud formations over the Amalfi Coast didn't always accurately predict the weather for the day.
Cellared wine barrels are monitored using hand-crafted glass airlocks first created by Leonardo DaVinci.
A cheesemaker stretches fresh mozarella before making it into cream-filled burrata, an Italian way to eat the soft cheese.
February 2024
LAKESIDE 37
BONUS TRAVEL COLUMN - CONTINUING THE JOURNEY TO SICILY AND ITALY
Pompeii's continuing excavations show what life was like in the Roman town before Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.
Our local guide pointed out a road-side fast-food restaurant in Pompeii looked like.
PHOTOS BY PAMELA A. KEENE
A brief rain at twilight gives the ancient buildings near the Jewish Quater in Trani a golden glow.
Pompeii's ruins towered over a stone street. A sweet little flirt on a shopping outting with her nonna.
A typical street in a Trulli village.
Street artist in Positano creates a colorful scene he will sell.
Giants of Sila size compared to a human - more for reference.
Iron-rimmed chariot wheels created deep ruts more than 2000 years ago.
A model of the hillside in Matera shows centuries-old residences built into the rocky landscape. Each archway represents a single cave home.
Afternoon catch from local fishermen in Trani locals wait their turn to purchase, above. Young sailors in Trani bring their optis back to the marina, right.
Repairing nets after a day of fishing is a daily chore.
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February 2024
What’s new for gardening in 2024, plus counting birds Presents are always fun to receive, especially when they’re plant- and gardening-related. A couple of months ago, my friends at Star Roses shipped me the next best thing in Knock-out Roses. The beautiful Easy Bee-zy Knock-Out will be introduced this spring at area nurseries and box retailers. I opened my plants right away and the room was filled with an amazing scent to rival some of my most treasured hybrid-tea blooms. The citrus fragrance was unmistakable. The semi-double blossoms’ clear yellow petals surround a cluster of delicate stamen and pistols that will attract bees to your landscape. This rose’s bushy and rounded shape will mature to 3 to 4 feet tall and about 3 feet wide. They’re perfect in large containers – keep them watered, please – as well as specimen plants in a high-visibility spot. They need full sun, and they’re disease-resistant. Check them out at knockoutroses.com. Another present arrived in my mailbox the first week of January,
Pamela A. Keene Curb Appeal
n MORE INFO: Email: pam@pamelakeene.com seeds from All-American Selections. Each year the organization, based in Illinois, conducts trials and releases its list of recommended new annuals, ornamentals, perennials and vegetables. Last year’s package included several tomatoes that I fell in love with: The compact and firm Purple Zebra and the colorful yellow and orange grape variety Sunset Torch. My other go-to cherry tomato from several seasons ago, Midnight Snack, won my heart with ping-pong sized globes with deep purple shoulders and red sides. Yummy.
This year AAS mailed a nice variety of tomatoes, peppers and other edibles, plus new annuals and perennials, including celosia plumosa, impatiens, zinnia, snapdragons and others. I can’t wait to start the seeds in February and March to ready them for my gardens after the last frost in April. Visit all-americanselections.org to check out the latest for 2024. February is ‘count the birds’ Although it is cold outside, it’s time for a very important February activity: helping our fine feathered friends through the Presidents’ Day Weekend Great Backyard Bird Count. It’s taking place all across North America. Launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, the 4-day Great Backyard Bird Count can be a fun family activity. You can participate in as little as 15 minutes anytime between February 16-19. Just decide where you’re going to count the birds you see, then use the online resources to
record how many birds you see or hear in that 15-minute session. Visit birdcount.org/participate to learn all the details and watch the online videos for tips. It’s best to do this about a week before the PHOTO BY PAMELA A. KEENE Easy Bee-zy Knock Out roses. event to familiarize yourself with the process. like. And as long as you count in The website includes ZIP code15-minute segments, you can do specific checklists to make it easmultiple counts during the event. ier to zero in on the birds most Remember to fill your feeders likely to be seen in your area. to help the birds on their migraDownload a couple of apps to tion, and take time to count – and your phone and/or laptop, includsee – what kinds of birds inhabit ing Merlin Bird ID app and eBird your neighborhood. Mobile app (search for them in Pamela A. Keene is senior the app store), or for your deskwriter for Lakeside News and a top/laptop use eBird website, Hall County Master Gardener. birdcount.org/ebird-on-computer. She writes for more than a dozen You can count from your deck publications across the country, or patio, a nearby park, part of the covering features, travel and garlake’s shoreline or any place you dening.
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LAKESIDE 39
• Italy
Continued from Page 36 short – homes. Many today are rented to tourists, but we toured one and discovered that usually there are several of the buildings connected together to provide multi-room housing. Often the main room was a combination gathering place and bedroom, with a tall bed for the parents and sleeping nooks for the kids. In the winter, donkeys and other farm animals were brought inside to help with heating, and each trulli’s cistern provided drinking water. The mountain town of Matera took us back centuries, when the people lived in caves across the nearby mountain range. It earned the name “shame of Italy” because the people were extraordinarily poor, living without electricity and water until the 1950s, when the government built proper houses and provided water and electricity. Today, the town is charming, and the standard of living has much improved; however evidence of cave-dwelling remains, as does the town’s nick-
name. As we headed north along the Adriatic coast, we stayed in a convent-turned-hotel in the harbor of the fishing village. Daily, fishermen would head out in a variety of crafts, coming back in the late afternoon with their catches of fish, crabs, langostino – our version of shrimp but with the heads on – plus eel, octopus and other deep-sea delicacies. The seafood in Trani is always fresh, and fishermen are greeted by restaurateurs and individuals alike who are eager to cook up the latest harvest from the sea. Some of us visited the town’s historic Jewish Quarter and learned about the struggles the people endured over the centuries. Rick and I chose to take the Overseas Adventure Travel posttrip to the Amalfi Coast on the Tyrrhenian Sea, just south of Naples. On the way, we visited the ruins at Venosa in Basilicata region. Ancient Roman ruins from third century BC gave way to a medieval church that was re-
placed by an eleventh-century church that was never completed. We settled in Maiori on the south end of the Amalfi Coast, which served as our home base for several days. Each day, we explored the towns along the coast including the posh and very popular Positano, known for its lemon trees that cover the hillside. Thank goodness we were there at the very end of the vacation season. Our trip leader Cristiano told us that at the height of the summer, it’s impossible to navigate the narrow streets or find a place to relax on the wide beaches. A change in our itinerary brought a special visit to Pompeii, once a thriving Roman town that was annihilated in 79 AD by the eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius. Buried under nearly 20 feet of volcanic ash and pumice, the 170-acre site in the Campania region has been partially excavated and restored. I first visited Pompeii in 2000 and, after reading about it in Na-
tional Geographic, where it was a cover story when I was a teenager. I was stunned by the condition of the streets, remaining walls of houses and public structures and ruins of a major Roman city first built in the 7th and 6th centuries BC. Back then, wellworn tracks of carriage wheels etched into the stone streets marked the most popular passages in town, but as I remember, much of the site was rather uninteresting. This time, more than 20 years later, further restoration and archeological exploration has revealed more of the city’s infrastructure as well as colorful frescos, several additional residences and sadly at least 1,000 more bodies, preserved for more than 2,000 years. Work to stabilize the site, as well as further excavation, continues. For me, what a treat to be able to make a comparison 20 years after my first visit. We spent our final 2-day stay in Sorrento, one of the most-vis-
ited places on the Amalfi Coast at the height of the summer. It was relatively quiet as the travel season wound down in mid-November. Its main street, for pedestrians only, was barely crowded, allowing for a comfortable strolls and minimal wait times at restaurants. Tourists mostly visit the upper part of the town, but I ventured off book and spent a couple of hours on the shore of the lower fishing village. Conversations with families who live there, and with multiple generations of fishermen, gave me a different view of this part of the Amalfi Coast where life is routine, the people are friendly and welcoming. Twenty-five days can be a long time to be away from home, but every time I travel I am grateful for every minute of adventure and exploration. This trip to Sicily and Southern Italy – the overlooked part of the country shaped like a boot – introduced me to the other side of life in one of the most-visited countries in the world.
40 LAKESIDE
February 2024
February 2024
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February 2024
Dynamics of Lake Lanier real estate market are different from recent years By Sheila Davis So the question about how is the local real estate market, locally, is always asked at the beginning of the year. Here’s the answer: First, all markets are “local,” including Lake Lanier. And the lake market is very good, although the dynamics continue to be different than in past years. A market slowdown from last year’s interest rate hikes has been a slight factor in demand but not nearly the factor it’s been in other markets. As mortgage rates decrease in the first quarter of 2024, we have seen increased showing activity in all price points. This has been mostly balanced out by low inventory levels and high buyer demand. Prices have increased year over year by 14% for lake homes with private docks. Home inventory is up 36% today from a year ago, but still is considered very low. 2024 is again going to be a seller’s market on Lanier. There is also good news for buyers who can take advantage of lower rates this year and have a little more
time to shop as multiple offers have slowed up except for the top 5% of listings. For buyers, some of the best properties are still going under contract within 1-10 days, while the average days on market is 68. It’s best to be intentional with your home search by working with a lake specialist Realtor and don’t delay making offers if you are shopping for a lake home this spring. Home prices Home prices continued to rise last year, as home inventories remained low and fewer homes sold. Prices rose 14% on homes with private docks, slightly higher than homes with marina slips. The average sales price for a home with a private dock was $1,225,597 and for all lake homes including marina slips was $1,113,443. A total of 232 lake homes sold vs 306 in 2022, down 29%. It is difficult to estimate how many sellers sat on the sidelines comfortable in their low interest rates or waiting for the lake levels to come back up. 2023 was the first time the lake has been down significantly since
2017. With the lake levels rising quickly in January, and the hopes of getting back to normal levels, we believe more sellers may decide to list their homes in 2024. Fortunately, we are beginning 2024 with 36% more “active” homes for sale than last year. Regardless of the stats, it is clear Lake Lanier remains a very sought after destination for so many. With the average days on market only 64 days, homes are getting scooped up quickly and still some properties with multiple offers. We anticipate 2024 to be a healthy lake home market as we transition to normal. Inventory We began January 2023 with just 69 “active” home listings, which negatively affected sales for the first quarter and into the rest of the year. Fortunately, we are beginning 2024 36% higher and we are predicting more sellers will decide to market their homes this year. Inventory is especially low in properties under a million dollars. Properties are in demand at all price levels although the Airbnb transactions have softened
since the 2021-2022 market. 2024 will be another seller’s market when looking at buyer demand and the lake’s lower than normal This Dawson County lake home was one of 102 lake market inhomes sold in 2023. ventory. Sellers: The prime time to list homes closed in 2023, 13 homes your home is February 15-March sold between $2 million, 5 homes 15 when you have less competisold over $3 million, and one tion and buyers are the most inter- home at $4,375,000. Luxury ested with summer approaching. buyers are buying full time resLuxury lake idences to work from home and In 2023, homes over a million luxury second homes. Luxury dollars made up 46% of Lake Labuyers are looking for newer connier’s sales. The average lake struction or quality well mainhome today sells for $1,225,597 tained homes with updates. with 3,692 square feet with four Outdoor living spaces and lake bedrooms and 3½ baths. The views top the list, with a deephigher interest rates have paused water dock for the boat(s). Large the market a little, but well over homes with 4-6 bedrooms can half the luxury sales were cash still appeal to many buyers, but and unaffected. Lake Lanier broke the larger the home, the lower the the $3 million ceiling in 2023. dollars per square foot in sales With 102 million dollar-plus See Sheila, page 47
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LAKESIDE 43
When it comes to cabinet colors, don’t sleep on blues and greens Cabinet colors play a crucial role in shaping the general aesthetics of a space, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. Design trends for cabinet colors are dynamic, influenced by evolving styles, preferences and societal shifts. In recent years, several trends have emerged, from a blend of classic choices, bold statements and even nods to nature. Without a doubt, neutral tones continue to dominate cabinet color trends. Offering a timeless and sophisticated appeal, hues such as white, gray and beige remain popular, providing a versatile choice for various design styles. But we are increasingly seeing more nods to incorporating color via cabinets, particularly blues and greens, which can bring a refreshing and vibrant touch to kitchens, bathrooms and other spaces. These two colors, with their versatile shades, calming undertones and connection to nature, have found their way into modern homes, redefining traditional aesthetics. Blue cabinets have emerged as
Bianca Bryant Design & Remodel
nMORE INFO: tracytesmerremodeling.com a favorite choice for homeowners looking to add a sophisticated and tranquil atmosphere to their kitchens. Blue is a versatile color by nature, allowing for a broad spectrum of shades, from deep navy blues to soft and muted pastels. Navy blue cabinets have gained popularity for their ability to add a sense of depth and richness to kitchen spaces. Paired with metallic hardware or contrasting light countertops, navy blue cabinets create a bold and elegant statement. Lighter shades of blue, such as powder blue or sky blue, bring a sense of airiness and freshness to
kitchens. These hues work well in smaller spaces, making them feel more open and inviting. Coastal and beach-inspired kitchen designs often incorporate lighter blue cabinets to evoke a sense of serenity and the calming presence of the water. Whether used as the primary cabinet color or as an accent, blue cabinets can transform a room into a stylish and sophisticated haven. On the other hand, green cabinets are celebrated for their connection to nature and the outdoors. From muted sage to vibrant emerald, these shades allow homeowners to bring the beauty of nature into their homes. Green cabinets are often associated with a sense of tranquility, making them an excellent choice for those who want to create a peaceful and harmonious kitchen or bathroom environment. Sage green cabinets have become a popular choice, especially in farmhouse and rustic kitchen designs. This more muted green adds warmth and a touch of vintage charm to the space. Paired with wooden accents and open
shelving, sage green cabinets contribute to a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Darker greens, such as forest green or emerald, make a bold statement and can be paired with neutral tones for a sophisticated and modern look. Additionally, the interest in sustainable and ecofriendly design has contributed to the popularity of green cabinets. Homeowners are increasingly conscious of the materials used in their homes, and green cabinets, both in color and environmental PHOTO: TRACY TESMER DESIGN/REMODELING impact, align with this Blue and green cabinets of various hues eco-friendly mindset. have become popular in recent years. Many cabinet manufacSome homeowners are moving turers now offer options made from sustainable materials and en- away from cookie-cutter kitchen layouts and opting for customized vironmentally friendly finishes, color schemes that reflect their inmaking it easier for consumers to make choices that align with their dividual styles and personalities. Blue and green cabinets allowing values. One of the reasons for the pop- for a multitude of possibilities in terms of pairing with other colors, ularity of blue and green cabinets textures and finishes. is the growing trend of personalSee Design, page 46 ized and unique kitchen designs.
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February 2024
LAKE LANIER MARINAS INFORMATION BALD RIDGE MARINA Hours: Office, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F, marina: 24/7 access. Info: 770-887-5309 • baldridgemarina.com Location: 1850 Bald Ridge Marina Rd., Cumming Types of slips available: Covered & uncovered. Types of fuel: 90 Non-ethanol; diesel Price of fuel: (as of 1/12/24) $4.59; $4.29 diesel (Dock open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs.-Mon. Closed Tues./Wed.) On-site eatery: Smokey Q BBQ GAINESVILLE MARINA Hours: Office, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., daily Info:770-536-2171 • gainesvillemarina.com Location: 2145 Dawsonville Hwy., Gainesville Types of slips available: 600 slips, dry stack covered up to 25', wet covered & uncovered up to 80'. Types of fuel: 90 recreational, non-ethanol Price of fuel: (as of 1/12/24) $5.39 (Dock open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week.) On-site eatery: Skogies HABERSHAM MARINA Hours: Office/Store/Dock, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Sundays Info: 770-887-5432 • habershammarina.com Location: 2200 Habersham Marina Rd., Cumming Types of slips available: 600 slips for dry storage up to 28’ Types of fuel: 90 Recreational fuel, non-ethanol Price of fuel: (as of 1/12/24) $4.99 HARBOR LANDING Hours: Office/Dock, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily Info: 470 323-3465 • margaritavilleatlanierislands.com Location: 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford Types of slips: Houseboats only. 18x60, 22x80 Types of fuel: Diesel, non ethanol Price of fuel: (as of 1/12/24) $5.99 non-ethanol; $5.99 diesel (Gas is not sold after 4:30 due to volume return of boats.) On-site eatery: Various restaurants.
HOLIDAY MARINA Hours: Office/Store/Dock, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week. Info:770-945-7201 • holidaylakelanier.com Location: 6900 Holiday Rd., Buford Types of slips available: 22-100' Uncovered including 80, 90, and 100' Breakwater Slips; 26-85' Covered Slips totaling 1,238 slips Types of fuel: Premium, unleaded & diesel, non-ethanol Price of fuel: (as of 1/12/24): $6.49 premium; $5.99 unleaded; $5.79 diesel (5 percent discount with Suntex advantage membership) On-site eatery: The Twisted Oar LAZY DAYS (at Holiday on Lake Lanier) Hours: Office/Dock, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., WednesdayMonday. Closed Tuesday. Info: 770-945-1991• lazydaysonlakelanier.com Location: 6700 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford Types of slips available: Wet slips from 50-125 foot covered & 100 foot open slips; 554 covered dry stack spaces up to 36 feet Types of fuel: 90 Non-ethanol marine fuel treated w/ ValvTect; diesel Price of fuel: (as of 1/12/24) $6 regular PORT OF INDECISION MARINA Hours: Office/Dock, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., daily Info: 470 323-3465 • margaritavilleatlanierislands.com Location: 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford Types of slips available: 14x32, 14x36, (254 units, up to 40’), cov. Types of fuel: non ethanol. Price of fuel: (as of 1/12/24) $5.99 non-ethanol 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' totaling 815 slips & dry stack storage (521) for up to 39'.
Types of fuel: 90 non-ethanol Price of fuel: (as of 1/12/24) $4.99 regular (Dock/Ship Store open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week.) (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., M-S. Closed Sat./Sun. 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 1/12/24) $5.99, non-members; $4.37, members (Dock/Ship Store open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week.) On-site eatery: Pig Tales SAFE HARBOR HIDEAWAY BAY Hours: Office/Store/Dock, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week 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 1/12/24) $4.95, non-members; $3.81, members On-site eatery: Fish Tales SUNRISE COVE MARINA Hours: Office/Store/Dock, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed.-Mon, Closed Tuesdays. 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 1/12/24) $5.89 unleaded Ethanol free
Lakeside’s Recreation Guide Provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 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
Vehicles Commercial vehicle Pedestrian/bicycle Annual pass
$5 $20 $2 $40
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!
n MORE INFO: Water release schedules 770 945-1466 Lake information - 770 945-1467 Corps of Engineers - 770 945-9531 www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil -Works/Recreation/Lake-Sidney-Lanier
February 2024
LAKESIDE 45
New Custom Construction • Ready to Move in Now!
Wow!!! Are you ready for Ultimate Lake Living? This home has the most amazing Sunset & Gentle Breezes every night, you may never want to go inside. But when you do go inside, you will love this New Custom Construction Home with 5 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms, located on the North End of Lake Lanier on 1.5 acres with a 3-car garage. Easy access to 32’x32’ Double Slip Martin Aluminum dock using the concrete golf cart path. Too Many Special Features to List. This is a real must see! Sophisticated, Open Concept Design with easy entertaining on a large scale and for everyday living. Impressive Gourmet Kitchen with Custom Wood Cabinets to Ceiling, Quartz Countertops, 48” gas stainless steel gas range, Beautiful Metal Vent Hood, 11’ wide center island, coffee station, built in microwave and large walk-in pantry. Great Outdoor Living, starting at Front Porch with Eastern Pine Columns, Vaulted Covered Back Porch, Back Deck with Trex Deck Flooring + Terrace Level Cover Patio. Effortless flow from Indoor to Outdoor Spaces with Multiple 8’ Sliding Glass Doors. One of the Special Features is 2 Primary Bedrooms, 1 on Main level and 1 on Terrace level. Luxurious Main Level Primary Bathroom with free-standing soaking tub, steam shower, body sprayers, heated floors, Makeup station and VIP suite, LED vanity mirrors. Spacious Storage Closet with Washer and Dryer hookups + Custom Closet design, floor to ceiling closet system. All 5 bedrooms have their own ensuite and view of the lake. The Terrace level was built for entertainment with a 12' ceiling, Custom Wine Cellar, 2nd Kitchen & Bar, Designer Lighting, Large Gathering Room with fireplace, game room & extra unfinished storage. 2nd primary suite with large bedroom and large bathroom. 5th bedroom is extra special with access to the bunk room from this room. Great when having extra family or friends visit. This property offers tremendous flexibility, both outdoors and inside, for the maximum enjoyment of just about any activity or hobby. It is one of the most extraordinary properties for entertaining friends and family at the lake. All bathrooms have showers designer tile to ceiling, all glass frameless shower enclosures, handheld sprayers, and modern matte black fixtures throughout. Smart technology designed with 1-gig high-speed internet, state-of-the-art interior and exterior. This home is also equipped with an EV charging outlet and is pre-wired for a whole-home generator, pool and security cameras. Spray insulation, batts and ceiling insulation between floor systems for noise reduction. Plenty of parking with 16ft driveway and extra 2 parking pads. There is No HOA. $3,290,000 Contact Brian Canty for details. The Brian Canty TEAM • Realty Professionals 678-614-9197 • rprobc@aol.com www.briancanty.com • www.lakefront-bargains.com
46 LAKESIDE
February 2024
• Mendes
Continued from Page 12
being the junior officer, had to leave the nice warm marine police station and go out to investigate. Having ascertained that there was no life-threatening situation, he thanked us for the hot chocolate, and returned to his football game. The party went on for most of the afternoon and word spread so more and more people wandered out to join us. The local FM radio station began to play wintery songs dedicated to the “gang out on the
ice.” Finally, the wind came up and it started to get brutally cold, so the party broke up, but people talked about the good times for weeks afterward. When the spring thaw came, the neighboring marinas that had not chopped the ice had lost most of their pilings and in some cases entire docks. Since the marine contractors in the area were inundated with work, it took several months for some of them to get back into operation. We were
• Design Continued from Page 43 The classic appeal of blues and greens also plays a significant role in their prominence in cabinet trends. These colors have an enduring quality that transcends passing design fads. Choosing blue or green cabinets is not just a contemporary choice but a decision that can withstand the test of time. These hues tend to pair well will a diverse set of countertop and flooring choices, giving them some of that treasured versatility that causes many homeowners to flock to more neutral choices. The trend of blue and green cabinets in
kitchen design reflects a desire for individuality, a connection to nature and a timeless aesthetic. Whether it’s the calming and versatile nature of blue or the refreshing and natural appeal of green, these colors have found a place in modern homes, transforming kitchens, bathrooms and other rooms into personalized and stylish spaces. This makes them a wise investment for homeowners who seek a kitchen or bath design that remains stylish and relevant for years to come. Bianca Bryant is a designer for Tracy Tesmer Design/Remodeling in Gainesville.
happy to be carrying on business as usual. The situation was so unique that a local brewery even issued a special beer can commemorating the “Big Freeze of 1979.” I still have a few of the beer cans as a reminder of one of the great advantages of
living on Lake Lanier! 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.”
• Calendar Continued from Page 26 from 80s to now ♫ Feb. 10 – Shotgun Orchestrea – ‘90s Party Rock & Classic ♫ Feb. 16 – Davis & The Love - Rock, Pop, Funk ♫ Feb. 17 – Stairway To Zeppelin - Tribute to Led Zeppelin ♫ Feb. 22 – Ted Poley, the Voice of Danger Danger & Anthony Corder, the Voice of Tora Tora ♫ Feb. 23 – Strangelove - the Depeche Mode Experience Info: 678-288-2030; buford.37main.com The Well ♫ Feb. 2 – Excitable - Def Lippard Tribute ♫ Feb. 3 – Head Games - Foreigner Tribute ♫ Feb. 9 – Jason Gardner Band ♫ Feb. 10 – Slippery When Wet - Bon Jovi Tribute ♫ Feb. 16 – These Crowded Streets - Dave Matthews Tribute
♫ Feb. 17 – Kanstyx - Kansas and Styx Tribute ♫ Feb. 23 – Sunset Strip ‘80s ♫ Feb. 24 – Double Take ‘80s Info: 404-271-3178; gigs@thewellga.com University of North Georgia ♫ Feb. 6 – A Little Night(hawk) Music Concert Series, Dahlonega. ♫ Feb. 12 – Music. Show. Lincoln, Dahlonega ♫ Feb. 16 – Faculty Chamber Recital, Gainesville ♫ Feb. 22 – Sinfonietta Concert, Dahlonega ♫ Feb. 27 – Jazz Band Winter Concert, Dahlonega Info: 678-717-3930; www.ung.edu Voices of North Georgia ♫ Mar. 2 – Gala: Beatles and Bacharach ♫ Apr. 26, 28 – Give My Regards to Broadway Info: voicesofnorthgeorgia.com
Martin Docks, Inc. Serving Lanier ‘In the Spirit of Excellence’ Since 1956
770-475-3252 Free Estimates • Grading • Hauling • Landscape installation • Lot clearing • Concrete removal • Timber or allan block retaining walls • Pathway clearing & maintenance • Commercial and residential demolition • Mulching (red, brown, cypress) • Fill dirt, topsoil, screened topsoil • Licensed & Insured • References Available
Grading • Hauling • Landscaping
Boat Lift, PWC Lift, Custom Lift Designs for Watercraft of All Kinds Dealer for
Sales Office: 1740 Dawsonville Hwy Gainesville, GA 30501
www.martindocks.com 770 536-0189 Fax: 770 536-4444
• Year-Round Maintenance & Repair Service • Dockwatch - Year Long Maintenance Plan • Repairs, Re-decks, Adjustments, Refloats, Additions • Electrical Packages Available • Custom Built Boat Docks Aluminum & Steel • Residential, Commercial & Community Docks • Cellofoam & Formex Floats • Ramps, Gangways & Shoreline Steps • Rip Rap • Dredging • Dock Accessories • Used Docks, Consignments & Trade-Ins Welcome • Serving Lanier, Allatoona, Hartwell & Surrounding Lakes
February 2024
LAKESIDE 47
Lakeside Dining Guide
• Sheila Continued from Page 42 price. The average luxury home sells for $372/sf. Homes with exceptional lots and views and/or new construction homes are selling for as high as $450/sf, and a few higher. The average days on market is a low 68 days. We predict that 2024 will continue to be a seller’s market. The lake levels are rising to normal levels and spring is just around the corner. As long as buyer choices are low, prices will remain steady and increase into 2024.
For luxury sellers, having recent updates, good maintenance, attractive curb appeal and hiring a Lake Lanier specialist as your Realtor can help you win, achieving top price with a smooth transaction. This information is from the 2024 Lake Market by Realtor Sheila Davis. Davis is lead agent of the Sheila Davis Group with The Norton Agency in Gainesville. For more information visit her website: www.lakelaniersfinest.com.
“Best BoatLift in the Industry” “Best Customer Service” - Pleasure Boaters - Fox Sports Network
4G Square Tank Technology, Doesn’t Cut Corners!
www.boatlifts-floatair.com To find a dealer near you, call 864-467-1806 or go online.
Bullfrogs Restaurant – Located at Legacy Lodge & Conference Center at Lake Lanier Islands Resort. Open for lunch and dinner daily. This Southern Gastro Pub features re-imagined traditional Southern fare and variety of drink options from full-service bar. Guests may arrive by boat or car. Buford. 770-945-8787. 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. 770967-3775, www.fishtaleslakelanier.com 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, 678 714-7572.
Classifieds CONCRETE/MASONRY Driveways, walkways replaced or repaired, concrete, masonry, grading, foundations repaired, waterproofing, and retaining walls. Joe Sullivan, 770 616-0576.
SERVICE Atlanta Marine Service, looking for a service writer to grow with our Buford location. Must have knowledge of computers, engines, some technical experience. Email mark@atlantamarine.com.
14 Must-Know Questions That “Make Sure” You Get a Boat Cover That is Built Right. Do you know what questions to ask marine fabricators? Our free checklist helps you gather information that will get you quality results!
For your free “Make Sure” report, visit www.tiny.one/Must-Know
Cover Girl Marine Canvas & Upholstery Built for durability, strength and style, with an unparallel craftsmanship guarantee!
Tammy Hampton - Owner - Master Craftsperson 3607 Shoreland Dr. • Buford, GA 30518
770-271-9093 Email: covergirlcanvas@gmail.com
Minor Repairs · Pressure Washing Dock Re-Decking Monthly Dock Management
48 LAKESIDE
February 2024
TRACY TESMER Design • Remodeling SINCE 1999
NORTHEAST GEORGIA'S PREMIER DESIGN/BUILD FIRM Custom designs and professional remodeling services including: Kitchens & Bathrooms | Home Additions | Basements | Age in Place Remodeling & Design
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION! 678-450-1700 | tracytesmerremodeling.com Voted “Best of Hall” 2016-2022