Summer | 2016
Green thumbs, big hearts: Lee and Kathy Lovett expand education for gardening
Moore’s Wealth Management Investment Advisors
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Moore’s Wealth Management is a firm specializing in conservative investments with the goal of helping retirees protect their financial future through independent and conservative financial planning solutions.
Mark Moore’s Wealth Management is a member of the Greater Hall, Forsyth, and White County Chambers of Commerce. In addition, they are a member of the Better Business Bureau and the National Ethics Association.
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Office Phone 770-535-5000
210 Washington St. NW, Suite # 106 • Gainesville, GA 30501 • 770-535-5000 • 12600 Deerfield Parkway, Suite # 100 • Alpharetta, Georgia 30004 • 678-566-3590
Investment advisory services are offered through Precision Captial Management, an SEC registered investment advisor. The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. SEC registration is not an endorsement of the firm by the commission and does not mean that the advisor has attained a specific level of skill or ability. Investment advisory services are offered through Precision Capital Management, an SEC registered investment advisor. The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. SEC registration is not an endorsement of the firm by the commission and does not mean that the advisor has attained a specific level of skill or ability.
Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) Braselton is proud to share exciting news about the opening of our new obstetrical suites, due October 2016. Our newest addition features 10 state-of-the-art labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum (LDRP) rooms, allowing mothers the comfort of staying in the same room throughout their visit. We’ll be spending the next few months planning every special detail for our expectant moms and newest babies. Because at NGMC, we understand that no two are the same. Visit nghs.com/braseltonbaby or call 770-824-3168 to find an obstetrician delivering in Braselton.
Are you expecting, too? Celebrate with us by sharing your ultrasound or pregnancy announcement on social media.
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What’s Inside
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Inside Every Issue 6 50 52
From the Editor
8 Woven Whimsy: Atlanta Botanical Gardens Gainesville displays natural sculptures by visiting artist Patrick Dougherty.
Calendar Around Town
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Highlands to the Islands project opens the first part of its trail system at Chicopee Woods Park.
On the Cover Lee and Kathy Lovett are sharing their love of gardening with the new Literacy Garden, which will be located within Gardens on Green, a teaching and learning garden adjacent to the Hall County Board of Education building.
Page 14 Photo by Scott Rogers 4
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Interior designer Allison Havill Todd offers new ways to use armoires.
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Looking to buy outdoor furniture? There’s lots to choose from so know the basics.
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Southern Baked Pie Co., brings home the Flavor of Georgia grand prize and expands its menu.
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Summer is a great time to get a tan, but there are more options than frying in the sun.
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ChoiceOne opens in Hamilton Mill with easy access and a new facility. HOME Living
In North Georgia
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Moore’s Wealth Management explains the need for understanding the latest financial laws when making investment choices.
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Grow a tasty herb garden inside your home or in your yard. Follow a few simple steps to ensure sweet success.
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Sweet Acre Farms Winery in Alto open its doors — and orchard — to business.
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The city of Braselton is celebrating its centennial all year with dozens of family-friendly events.
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The Heliker-LaHotan Foundation recently donated paintings to Brenau because of the university’s strong support of fine arts through the maintenance of one
homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
32 of the most impressive permanent collections of art in the region
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They can dig it. Forest Service, volunteers probe remains of 1600s homestead in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. The unusual site by the Broad River is helping to tell the story of native people in a time of tumultuous regional history. Summer | 2016
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From the Editor
My Coop de Ville
Editor/Designer Michelle Boaen Jameson Advertising Director Charlotte Atkins Advertising Sales Melisa Sizemore HOME Magazine, a division of: The Times Gainesville, GA A Morris Multimedia Inc. property 345 Green St. | Gainesville, GA 30501 | 770-718-3421
www.homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com July| August 2015
This is my second time around owning chickens, if you don’t count the ones my father kept when I was a child. The first time, I was living in Gillsville and my father brought me 12 young chickens. Six turned out to be roosters. A few of those turned out to be chicken ‘n’ dumplings. This time around, I made sure to get only pullets. I also made sure they won’t be staying in the same yard as my dogs, so as not to repeat the chicken melee of 2010. I decided to buy a new coop as well. Man, is this thing fancy. She sleeps six and has multiple openings and latches for easy feeding and egg collection. There’s even a slide-4out tray you can spray wash. And it’s all painted up like a cute little house. These birds don’t know how nice they have it. Growing up, we kept them in whatever daddy nailed together out of leftover lumber. I’m almost afraid to show it to him, and I’m surely not going to tell him what it cost. But I know our friends and family will enjoy the fresh eggs. Now if I can just keep the chickens out of my garden ... Speaking of gardens, this issue is chock full of summer goodness: from gardening to orchard wines and selecting the right patio furniture. I hope you have as much fun reading this issue as I had putting it together!
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ichelle ameson
Michelle Boaen Jameson editor@homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com 6
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and fondest memoriesr new
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HOME: Living in North Georgia reserves the right to refuse advertisements for any reason. Acceptance of advertising does not mean or imply the services or product is endorsed or recommended by HOME: Living in North Georgia. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Morris Multimedia Inc. Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Morris Multimedia cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. Manuscripts, artwork, photography, inquiries and submitted materials are welcome.
So Very Twisted Artist Patrick Dougherty uses natural materials to create imaginative structures
A windier day couldn’t have been chosen for the opening of the Woven Whimsy outdoor art exhibit at Atlanta Botanical Garden: A Smithgall Woodland Legacy in Gainesville. Undaunted, dozens of visitors braved the unseasonable chill and heavy gusts to walk in the gardens and explore the fantastic sculpture by North Carolina artist Patrick Dougherty. Unlike most art, they could physically enter and explore the group of towering tornado shapes that make up Woven Whimsy. The exhibit, created on site over the course of three weeks by Dougherty and teams of volunteers, is made of an intricate weaving of branches and twigs that melds together into rising waves. Woven Whimsy swirls around into five towering cones, with door- and windowlike openings that invite guests to enter and look out at the world. Dougherty’s art is made of only indigenous materials from the areas they inhabit. For this project, Dougherty and volunteers worked in shifts to amass the hundreds of pounds of long branches and twigs needed to complete the structures. “They had been working a week already when we got here,” volunteer Sara Winick-Herrington said. “They had large, long bundles of twined up (branches)
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in stacks and piles.” “I’m just amazed how it all came together.” She explain that the process of working with Dougherty’s team to create Woven Whimsy was worth the large effort needed to shape the wood. “It was a very meditative process, just standing here engulfed in nature, handling nature. ... It was a great experience” Winick-Herrington said. So far response to the huge new piece has been overwhelmingly positive and curious, most people heading directly to the exhibit after entering the garden to walk through the sculpture and take a
picture of the woven canopy. “We had a family playing hide and seek in it,” Makayla Richards said. Richards, special events coordinator for the garden, stressed the importance of such events bringing in visitors, and that people should expect the garden to continue to do so. “With this type of art, you can let your imagination go,” Richards said Woven Whimsy is open to garden visitors and will remain up until it eventually breaks down naturally. Story by Alex Popp Photography by Erin O. Smith
HOME Living
In North Georgia
Right: Sara WinickHerrington and Kate Herrington check out the final product of the “Woven Whimsy” exhibit by Patrick Dougherty.
Opposite page: Francis and Diane Lynch of Duluth walk through the “Woven Whimsy” exhibit at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, A Smithgall Woodland Legacy in Gainesville. homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
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Trailing off
Highlands to Islands path gets a running start A long-awaited new Gainesville walking and running trail has officially opened. The Highlands to Islands Trail: Chicopee Section opened April 23 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Chicopee Baptist Church. A celebratory Highlands to Islands 5-kilometer race followed, allowing runners and walkers alike to get a feel for the new trail. The new 11-foot wide, concrete trail extends roughly 2.5 miles from Palmour Drive to the Georgia Department of Labor on Atlanta Highway near Oakwood. “It starts currently at Palmour Drive, which is the road that kind of runs around the airport,” said RK Whitehead with the
Chicopee Section subcommittee. “It goes through the woods, through part of the Chicopee Woods Park, down in front of Chicopee Woods Village and in front of the golf course.” The $2.3 million project is being funded by federal and Hall County and is part of the larger Highlands to Islands Trail Alliance. “The Highlands to Islands Trail is a rename of a hope that all of the individual trails that are across Hall County can be connected,” said Elizabeth Higgins with Vision 2030, a community project sponsored by the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce to provide a common vision for the area in the year 2030. “They wanted to have continuity with different sections,
“...they’re going to be putting a tunnel under Atlanta Highway ...” Molly Brannon walks along the Chicopee section of the Highlands to Islands Trail. The new 11-foot wide, concrete trail extends roughly 2.5 miles from Palmour Drive to the Georgia Department of Labor on Atlanta Highway. 10
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so this is the Chicopee section of the Highlands to Islands Trail.” A website for the trail has established by the H2I Vision 2030 Committee at highlandstoislands.org. Whitehead said the trail ends about where the Department of Labor building is located on Atlanta Highway. Future plans involve using some state and federal money to extend the trail from that point across the railroad at Tumbling Creek bridge. “They have some utility work to do, but they’re going to be putting a tunnel under Atlanta Highway that will come out kind of behind the labor department, and that’s where it’ll end, close to University of North Georgia,” Whitehead said. Higgins said the trail is worth celebrating because it’s a great new asset for the community. “We’re trying to tie one of the divisions of Vision 2030 with the opening of the trail system,” she said. “...And utilizing these resources that we have in Hall County can help you live longer, happier and healthier.” Story by Kristen Oliver Photography by Erin O. Smith homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
Call our donation hotline at 770-718-1070 and schedule your FREE PICKUP!
THE STORE THAT BUILDS HOMES AND HOPE
GRAND OPENING May 7 at 975 Chestnut St., just off I-985, Exit 22. habitathallcounty.org
5 Fresh Ways to Use an Armoire Ah, the armoire, such a misunderstood piece of furniture. In most of our lifetimes, we have associated the armoire with a place to house our televisions and media equipment. However this piece dates back to the 1500s. The definition of an armoire (pronounced “arm-wah”) is a cupboard with drawers or shelves underneath. Webster’s dictionary defines it as “a tall piece of furniture that usually has two doors and is used to store things.” They have been used in European homes for centuries. Older homes were not built with closets, so homeowners had to get creative about making the most use of limited space. The armoire took the place of the closet for storing clothes and other personal items. This is quite a contrast to many of the spacious homes I visit in Milton, Alpharetta, Chateau Elan and other North Atlanta communities where the master bedroom closets are generous in size and have almost become rooms unto themselves. The armoire really started
becoming misplaced in the past several years as TVs became wider and slimmer. Our existing armoires became too small to house the new media monstrosities. Now most new homes are built with prewiring over the mantel to allow for the placement of a flatscreen TV. Although I am not a fan of this, I am aware of the trend. Many more dated and unattractive armoires are finding their ways to local thrift stores or consignment shops as homeowners no longer have a place for them. Before you write off this piece of furniture, I would like to share with you some of the new styles I am seeing that breathe new life into this mainstay. I also have some new ideas for using an armoire in your home: 1. A linen chest: Placing an armoire of the right style and scale in your bathroom is a beautiful way to store your extra towels, linens and toiletry items. This armoire pictured from Bernhardt Furniture has a pale ivory finish that has a decidedly soft and somewhat feminine appearance. 2. A jewelry cabinet: This Pale Tartan Armoire designed by Alexander Julian for Jonathan Charles Furniture is an example of a mid-century modern style that would add a touch of flair to any home. It is a perfect example of fashion meeting function. It is tailored like a finely made suit with attention to every detail. The exterior sports a weathered tartan appearance with custom cast buttons that act as door pulls. Open it up, and it reveals accent lighting, pull-out drawers, door hooks that would provide a wonderful space for some
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of your cherished items, lingerie, ties, scarves, etc. 3. A bar: A cabinet that is designed to house glassware would be an ideal way to set up a bar in your living area for entertaining. The stylish piece would be functional when open for guests and equally attractive when the doors are closed. Global Views has created such a piece! This armoire/cabinet is the perfect blend of art deco glam and mid-century chic. The rich, warm mahogany veneers contrast beautifully with the ivory leather padded upper cabinet. Antique bronze nail head trim adds a nice accent. The pocket doors slide into the cabinet so as not to obstruct traffic flow during parties. 4. A hall cabinet: Many of today’s homes are spacious in design with open floor plans and soaring ceiling heights. What better way to store your collectibles or rarely used china and crystal than in an exquisitely designed armoire. Look for an empty wall or niche, perhaps even a wall in a large dining room or entry way to place such a place. I love the elegant Louis XVI style armoire by Karges. This company is known for producing exceptionally high quality pieces of furniture with beautiful craftsmanship in every detail. The Cheshire mahogany and antico bollo metal leaf trim speak towards tradition and elegance. 5. A craft cabinet: An updated armoire is a great way to organize your craft and project materials. This could also be used to store paper, bows and other gift wrapping items. Who says it has to be boring? This piece
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from Bernhardt would add a transitional look to your space and could blend with more traditional or contemporary pieces. The walnut veneers and raven finish give it a rich, warm feel. The decorative quatrefoil design over antiqued mirror glass adds a little bling to any room of the house. I hope I have helped to give you a fresh look at armoires. They can be beautiful pieces of furniture in any home and any style. Many furniture companies are placing on new emphasis on this pieces; they are not going away. Oh yes, and they also still work well to house televisions and media equipment!
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Allison Havill Todd is an Alpharetta-based interior designer.
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Explore the amazing, monumental-scale sculpture crafted entirely from locally-harvested branches and twigs. Your inner child will come alive! atlantbg.org
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Reaping What They Sow 14
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Lee and Kathy Lovett cultivate young minds at Gardens on Green Story by Pamela A. Keene Photography by Scott Rogers
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Kathy and Lee Lovett
Gardens on Green teaches grade-schoolers about gardening basics, the life cycle of butterflies, native plants in Georgia and nutritional information about fruits and vegetables.
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Literacy Garden? Just what does that mean? To educators and long-time gardeners Kathy and Lee Lovett, it’s a chance to encourage youngsters to get outside among growing things and have a memorable learning experience that’s not duplicated in the classroom. “In our travels, we have visited so many literacy and children’s gardens,” says Kathy, an avid Hall County Master Gardener and retired Hall County educator. “This is a perfect opportunity to teach them early literacy skills and to cultivate a love of gardening.”
HOME Living
In North Georgia
“... it will ... create of love for gardening and the natural world.” The Literacy Garden will be located within Gardens on Green, a teaching and learning garden adjacent to the Hall County Board of Education building at 711 Green St. in Gainesville. Begun in 2008 through the Lovett’s’ dedication and work by other Hall County Master Gardeners in cooperation with the Hall County School System, the site has expanded to include more than a half-dozen specialty gardens. Students from throughout Hall County have helped install the Pollinator Garden, Native Garden and a Children’s Vegetable Garden. “We’re very much aware of the crucial need to develop pre-reading skills and of the positive effects that nature experiences can make in a child’s life,” says Lee, also a Hall County Master Gardener and deputy superintendent of the Hall County School System. Together, he and Kathy co-chair and
Celebrating Over
Years of Service 1983-2015
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oversee Gardens on Green, from welcoming classes of students on field trips to arranging for classes and workshops for the community. The Lovetts say they hope that the Literacy Garden will be open by October or November. Themes and activities within the new garden are based on nursery rhymes and children’s stories, including Jack and the Beanstalk, Peter Rabbit and Dr. Seuss. The entrance archway will read: “Read. Discover. Grow.” The children will be able to climb Jack and Jill’s grassy hill, hear tales by storytellers as they gather around a whimsical chair, and take part in interactive craft and gardening activities. The USDA “My Plate” area features a 4-foot-diameter plate with the words “We are what we eat” to teach them about proper nutrition and healthy eating. Vegetables and fruits will be planted nearby, alongside a giant fork and spoon. There will be a library of popular preschool books to be read while at the garden, and a large chalkboard to encourage drawing and writing. Children can climb on Jack’s beanstalk and see real bean plants growing there in season. A sensory garden, a potting bench and a fairy house add to the interactive nature of the site. Shrubbery is being planted to resemble a curving bookworm. The 20-member steering committee has been actively applying for grants and
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Lee Lovett talks about vegetables with Myers Elementary second graders at Gardens on Green.
HOME Living
In North Georgia
Hall County Master Gardener Patti Lewis, right, prepares to lead a group of Myers Elementary second-graders through the butterfly garden. seeking community donations from the public and from businesses. As a way for the community to contribute a lasting legacy to the Literacy Garden, people can purchase commemorative and memorial bricks that will pave the entry way for $100 each. A number of groups will be planting and building the Literacy Garden, including Hall County retired teachers, Hall County Master Gardener volunteers and are high school construction students. Kathy says that there will be between 35 and 50 volunteers who will work
homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
Growing Gardeners/Nurturing the Natural Conference Gardens on Green, Hall County Master Gardeners and the Hall County School System are hosting a two-day conference Sept. 9-10. Designed to help adults, parents, teachers, grandparents and members of the community encourage a love of gardening for children, it will be held at the Hall County Board of Education Building and at First Baptist Church, both on Green Street. National speakers including Jane Taylor, Robin Moore and Betsy Williams are scheduled to share information about youth and gardening. Cost for the conference is $75 for the Friday sessions, $50 for the Saturday sessions or $100 to attend both. Complete information will be posted as it’s available on the Hall County Master Gardner website at www.hallmastergardeners.com.
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Myers Elementary students learn about the life cycle of butterflies during their visit to Gardens on Green.
on the project over the next several months. When the Literacy Garden opens later this year, plans include schedul-
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ing classes and field trips for children ages birth through 5, including public and private day care centers and other groups.
“Our vision for the garden is that it will educate children and promote good health and well-being,” Kathy says. “It will engage children in a wide
HOME Living
In North Georgia
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D4Y is next to Walmart & Sam’s Club, across the street from the college.
www.Dentistry4You.net
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H
ave a seat ... and a table
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HOME Living
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Find the right outdoor furniture The right outdoor furniture can make summer soirees that much more enjoyable. Lounging in a comfortable patio chair is a great way to spend a warm summer evening. But choosing the right outdoor furniture for your patio is about more than finding the most comfortable chair. The following are a few tips for homeowners looking to make the most of their patio space. n Consider the function of your patio. Some homeowners can't go a weekend without having guests over to entertain, while others prefer their patios to serve as a peaceful retreat from everyone and everything. If you're among the former, then you will likely want your patio to resemble an outdoor dining area, which means you will need room for a table and multiple chairs. If you want the patio to serve as a retreat, then you likely won't need a full dining set. Instead, choose a small table and one or two dining chairs, decorating the rest of the patio with a chaise longue or two, which allows you to stretch out and take a nap if you so desire. n Opt for low-maintenance furniture. When choosing outdoor furniture, keep in mind that the patio and the furniture on it is meant to offer a
place to unwind and relax. Furniture that must be constantly cleaned or covered up because it can't brave the elements cuts into your relaxation time. All-weather wicker pieces and metal chairs can brave the elements, and even do so for years and years. n Consider double-sided cushions. When constantly exposed to the sun, the fabric on cushions can fade fast. Though some homeowners combat this by keeping an umbrella open or adding an awning to cover the patio, that's not always a practical solution. Instead, consider double-sided cushions that can be flipped every so often to reduce fading. n Don't overlook weight. Heavy outdoor furniture
might seem more stable, but such items also are more difficult to move. That's tricky for homeowners who like to rearrange their patio furniture or those who prefer to move their furnishings into a shed to reduce their exposure to the elements. If you frequently move your outdoor furniture, then opt for items that are lightweight to make all those trips to the garage or shed a little easier.
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No ordinary
pie Southern Baked Pie Co. wins Flavor of Georgia contest
Southern Baked Pie Co. recently added a taco pie, a tomato pie and a chicken pot pie, along with other seasonal flavors. 24
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HOME Living
In North Georgia
Amanda Wilbanks likes to make things from scratch. That’s what she does with her pies, and that’s what she did with her business. “I always had that entrepreneurial spirit,” Wilbanks said, adding she didn’t know a pie would inspire her to open her own business. Wilbanks owns and runs Southern Baked Pie Co., formerly known as Buttermilk Pie Co. in Gainesville. The name change came from a transformation within the company itself. When she first started, Wilbanks sold only a few signature pies, including buttermilk, apple, caramel pecan, chocolate chess and French coconut custard. All of them were sweet. Her caramel pecan pie recently won the grand prize in the University of Georgia’s 2016 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest. She also won first place in the confections category. The annual contest, conducted by the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, is a chance for food businesses to showcase their new prodAmanda Wilbanks, owner of Gainesville’s Southern Baked Pie Co., is picucts. tured with her UGA Flavor of Georgia award. She is joined by Gov. Nathan A team of food industry experts and groDeal, left, Samuel Pardue, Dean of the UGA College of Agricultural and cery buyers chose Wilbanks’ caramel pecan Environmental Sciences, and state Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, pie as the best of 33 finalists, according to a right. Photo courtesy Amanda Wilbanks news release from Georgia Department of Agriculture. They rated the products on qualities “It used to fit better,” she said. “The new name aligns betincluding innovation, use of Georgia theme, market potential ter with the products we now sell.” and flavor. Not only does the company have a new name, but South“We had over 100 products submitted this year and some ern Baked is expanding into another city. of the toughest competition we’ve seen in the contest’s 10Wilbanks plans to open a new location on Peachtree year history,” said Sharon P. Kane, Flavor of Georgia contest Street in Buckhead in the summer. coordinator. “We are focused on growing the company now,” WilIn addition to the grand prize, Wilbanks also won first banks said. place in the confections category. New products also are on the horizon. The company is Southern Baked is not limited to sweet pies, though. working with recipes for pie-flavored shakes. It’s still in the Now she sells savory fare as well. Her additions to her regular beginning stages, but Wilbanks hopes to launch the shakes menu are a taco pie, a tomato pie and a chicken pot pie, along this summer. with other seasonal flavors. For more information, visit www.buttermilkpieco.big “We have about 25 flavors now,” the Gainesville resident cartel.com or call 706-499-5234. said. Story by Hailey Van Parys Wilbanks didn’t feel like the old name fit the refurbished Photography by Scott Rogers company. homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
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Go ahead and
Tan your
hide Explore healthy options for that summer glow
Many of us want to have a sun-kissed look for summer, and that may drive us to spend hours out in the sun or inside tanning salons. While a tan can make a person appear healthy, over time UV exposure can accelerate the effects of aging, causing noticeable changes to the skin. Overexposure to UV rays can cause skin to sag as the skin loses its ability to go back into place after stretching. Sun exposure can cause fine and coarse wrinkles, freckles, mottled pigmentation, dilation of small blood vessels under the skin, and cancerous tumors. Repeated, unprotected exposure to ultraviolet rays, whether from the sun or tanning beds, can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer, according to a variety of health sources. The Skin Cancer Foundation says each year there are more new cases of skin cancer in the
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‘UV exposure may even lead to melanoma’ United States than there are incidences of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon combined. About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Exposure to UV radiation of any kind puts a person at risk for skin ailments. Cumulative UV exposure may even lead to melanoma — the most serious form of skin cancer that is responsible for 75 percent of all skin cancer deaths — later in life. Rather than beginning summer on an unhealthy note, choose to skip traditional tanning as part of the preparation. Those of us who want to look tan can still rely on artificial means to achieve a sun-kissed glow. * Bronzers: Bronzing powders are cosmetics that are brushed on the skin and typically applied to the areas of the body that would be touched by the sun, such as the bridge of the nose, apples of the cheeks, collarbone, and shoulders. Bronzers are commonly used to contour the skin to deemphasize certain features or play up others. A bronzer will wash off with soap and water or a cosmetic removal cleanser. * Sunless tanner: Sunless tanners come in sprays, lotions and even moisturizers. Sunless tanners have been around in some form since the 1960s, and they work by employing DHA, a colorless sugar carbohydrate that interacts with dead skin cells of the epidermis. The sugar causes a chemical reaction that results in a color change. Results may take a few applications and can last up to a week. * Spray tanning: Many spas and salons offer spraytanning services. A safe dye is sprayed on to the skin to temporarily change its color. Spray tans should be applied by a qualified and experienced person to avoid streaking or a hue that seems unnatural. Once set, the pigment should not easily wipe off the skin, but it's best to use caution around light-colored fabrics.
homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
Such options not only provide desired results, but also reduce the risk of developing potentially harmful conditions that result from overexposure to UV rays. Who wouldn’t want that?
Resident of Hamilton Mill
We are located in the Veranda at Fort Daniel (Same as Dooley’s Pizza, Villiage Pediatrics and Holy Smokes) We are your Hamilton Mill Nationwide Agency, located at 1862 Auburn Rd. Protecting Your Business, Life, Home & Auto. Stop by or give us a call on 770-295-9013.
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Friendly, accessible health care is right around the corner Urgent medical care can now be found closer to home for many with the recent opening of ChoiceOnce Urgent Care centers in Buford and Sugar Hill. Those who visit can expect a spa-like experience rather than a cold hospital-type environment. Thanks to an agreement between Gwinnett Medical Center and ChoiceOne Urgent Care, a network of urgent care centers in Gwinnett County is providing new facilities with modern amenities where patients can receive care without an appointment from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, including most holidays. ChoiceOne Urgent Care opened in April in Suite 100 at 2690 Hamilton Mill Road in Buford. The site at Suite 100 at 5965 Cumming Highway in Sugar Hill opens May 6. GMC and ChoiceOne will develop additional sites in the future. The connection between ChoiceOnce and Gwinnett Medical and its medical professionals means a referral network is being developed. Dr. Nicholas Bower, medical director for Choice One Urgent Care in Gwinnett County, has been connecting with other physicians. “We believe in continuity of medical care and are committed to working directly with our patients' primary and specialty care providers to achieve the very best outcome,” said Bower, who has years of experience as an urgent care provider and a medical administrator. He says he believes in the ChoiceOne vision for a better health care experience. “We can make an appointment with a local primary care or specialty physician before the patient leaves our center,” said Bower. “Following their visit with us, each patient will also receive a courtesy follow-up call to ensure they are doing well and answer any of their questions.” When you enter ChoiceOne in Hamilton Mill off 28
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Interstate 85 near Wal-Mart Supercenter and other businesses, you’re greeted by a welcoming atmosphere with a water feature accenting the ChoiceOne logo just behind the check-in desk. There are nature photographs and warm paint colors on the walls, spa music in the air and a welltrained staff ready to offer care. Online check-in can expedite visits that are targeted to run less than an hour with a high-quality experience as the goal. An integrated approach means not only a positive HOME Living
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urgent care visit but the referral to other care that may be needed, made convenient by the collaboration. For Bower, being able to refer patients to highquality health providers in the community is satisfying. Knowing that patients seeking follow-up care will see physicians he has met is important. ChoiceOne has six patient rooms, including a pediatric room where the wall décor should put little ones at ease. Patients can receive treatment by health care providers for non-emergency illnesses and injuries, such as colds, flu, broken bones, headaches, infections and sprains. Sports physicals and occupational health services, including pre-employment physicals, drug testing, workers’ compensation and vaccinations will also be offered. “We are a one-stop shop,” said Bower with on-site X-ray and laboratory services and a number of prescription medicines available. Being able to identify strep and flu and check blood sugar on the spot means a quicker delivery of care. A $15 prescription could have you at home on the road to feeling better rather than waiting at the pharmacy for a prescription to be filled after lab work at the hospital. An X-ray could provide some peace of mind that the pain is not a break, or connect you with an orthopedic appointment you can attend on crutches from ChoiceOne. Some patients may be directed to the hospital for immediate care. The Buford urgent care center is adding to the services GMC already offers in the area at the Hamilton Mill campus, including the GMC Specialty Center, which provides primary care, cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, women’s health and a full suite of medical imaging services. “Patients want access to convenient and quick medical care,” said Phil Wolfe, president and CEO of GMC. “With ChoiceOne being open in the evening and on the weekend, patients can receive high quality care on their schedule. ChoiceOne focuses on getting the patient seen and back home or to work quickly. Furthermore, urgent care costs are notably less than the (emergency room).” Exceeding patients’ expectations is the goal of ChoiceOnce by focusing on quality and convenience. “We believe in continuity of medical care and are committed to working directly with our patients' primary and specialty care providers to achieve the very best outcome,” homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
said Bower. ChoiceOne chief operation officer Scott Baratta, who is proud of his Button Gwinnett Hospital birthplace, said patient experience is a top priority, and bringing ChoiceOne to Gwinnett is a new opportunity for him to help create something special. It’s the team approach that will grow along with the community. ChoiceOne’s co-founder, president and chief executive officer Butch Marino and cofounder and chief medical officer Scott Burger, D.O., were on hand for the final preparations for the Hamilton Mill opening. For more on ChoiceOne, visit www.choiceoneuc.com or call 855-227-3050. Story by LeAnne Akin Photos courtesy ChoiceOne
RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND RETAIL BUILDERS
BEST PRICE GUARANTEE Summer | 2016
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Nothing To Lose, Everything To Gain I never have as much time to read as I’d like, so I’ve learned to build time into my morning routine to sit down and read more. One morning a couple of weeks ago, I made time to catch up on the new ruling from the Department of Labor. The DOL requires that certain financial services professionals who previously were held only to a suitability standard of care for their clients, now be held to a fiduciary standard. Folks, more than a year ago I wrote in this column about pending legislation regarding this potential change. So let’s start with a quick recap of the two standards. The first is what is called the suitability standard, which is common within the brokerage industry. This standard requires only that a broker or advisor offer advice that is suitable to his or her client’s situation, advice which may or may not be what is also best for the client. By being held only to a suitability standard, an advisor can possibly charge excessive fees, favor investments that offer high commissions and recommend securities that can be difficult for investors to sell. Hmm, think about that for a moment. The second standard, applicable to some in the financial industry, is the fiduciary standard. This is a much higher standard of care. It requires an advisor to always put the client’s best interests first, no matter the fees or commissions associated with them as they pertain to the advisor. Now, let’s think about that for a moment. The new rule has been in the works for six years. It imposes the fiduciary standard on all advisors who are getting paid to provide investment guidance on retirement accounts (401(k)s, IRAs, Roth IRAs, Simple IRAs, SEP IRAs, etc). All such advisors must act solely in the best interests of their clients. April 2016 was a huge step forward as the Department of Labor released final regulations pertaining to this change. Folks, my team spends our days in the trenches of this industry. We work from the fiduciary standard for all our clients, but unfortunately, have seen many situations where folks have been given advice that is 30
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just, well, suitable. They have strategies that do not live up to what we would consider the standards of a fiduciary. Frankly, we get a bit heated over this. A recent study by the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) estimates that the “suitability” standard can cost investors excessive fees. In fact, a White House memo from February 2015 argues that investors lose as much as $17 billion annually in retirement dollars because they are given advice that may not be in their best interest, but that is, well, suitable. The report dives further into some of those fees, fees that are not so transparent, such as loads (commissions), and 12b-1 fees (marketing dollars paid back to the selling institution). The report tells us that the returns for domestic equity and bond mutual funds sold through intermediaries, such as brokers, were 0.9 percent lower than equivalent funds sold directly to retail investors, estimating a cost to consumers to be in the range of more than $4.5 billion. With the announcements last week, we will begin seeing changes as early as next April with full implementation in January of 2018. This is happening. Slowly, and a long time coming, but it is happening. So what do these changes mean for you? Investors who now pay commissions when they buy stocks or bonds within a retirement account will likely find those accounts switching to a fee-based model, with brokers earning their keep from a percentage of the assets invested. This fee, which will likely hover around 1 percent, will discourage advisors from recommending products because they benefit the advisor, as they will receive compensation based on account size, not what products they select. This matches the current fiduciary model, where an advisor’s success is dependent upon their clients’ success. Isn’t it nice to create a platform where your advisor is playing on your team and not the team of his or her’s brokerage house? Yup, I think so! We will likely see a shift away from some popular investment vehicles, many of which I’ve warned you about in the past,
such as variable annuities. Investors will likely encounter fewer fees when moving their money. For example, if someone moves funds from his or her 401(k) to an IRA, a broker now has to accomplish this with fees that are considered reasonable. Like I mentioned above, the fee-based model allows advisors to get paid on the size of the accounts. So unfortunately, with this change, small investors with modest IRAs may face the possibility of getting dropped because some advisors may not want to deal with the regulatory hassles for what they consider small fees. This could pose a problem. Many within the financial industry are already planning to challenge the legislation. In fact, over the six-year journey, many financial industry associations have been fighting tooth and nail with the Department of Labor and Congress to either destroy the regulation changes entirely, and then (as the changes seemed inevitable) lobby to make the changes more lenient. There’s a chance we could see this issue hit the Supreme Court at some point in the future. Regardless of the eventual outcome, it’s important for you to understand the current laws regarding your financial advisor’s practices, and the future implications of those laws. Folks, I am likely to catch a lot of flak for this column from the mainstream financial industry, but I am OK with that. Let me ask you: Shouldn’t everyone work as a fiduciary in your best interest? Be vigilant and stay alert, because you deserve more.
About the author: Scott Moore is the founder of Moore’s Wealth Management and has decades of experience in finance and investment banking. HOME Living
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Tip:Slugs can decimate your herbs! Pick them off or keep plants out of range.
Herban growth Cultivate your own tasty garden
Planting an herb garden is a creative way to enjoy the sights, smells and tastes of a wide variety of plants. Using fresh-harvested herbs in culinary endeavors imparts a taste that dried spices cannot match. What's more, fresh herbs are often easy to cultivate. Herbs are versatile, capable of lending great flavor to foods while also playing different roles in personal health and beauty. Herbs can be grown to perfume homes and bodies. There are herbs that are also purported to help with ailTip:Old ice cream ments, from upset stomachs to anxiety. scoops are good When planting an herb garden, you may want for spooning up soil! to pay particular attention to the types of flavors and smells you like in your home and cooking. This will help you to narrow down the types of herbs you will plant. Many would-be herb gardeners tend to start small to see what luck they have when cultivating herbs. Fortunately, herbs can grow well in containers indoors, provided the soil is amenable and there is plenty of sunlight. Herbs will grow best in well-prepared soil. Make sure that it is rich in organic matter and drains well. Also, for plants like parsley, be sure to have deep pots or dig deeply in the garden to establish long taproots. Basil, for instance, is a tropical plant that does well in warm conditions. Therefore, it will need to be kept away from drafts and get several hours of direct sunshine a day. Place most herb planters in a south-facing window of a home to ensure Tip:Mini garden they get ample sunlight and to allow the soil to tools are perfect for cultivation dry adequately between waterings. herbs! With many herbs, leaf production will diminish on any stems that flower. It is essential to pinch off flowers that form to encourage the herb plant to continue producing leaves, which are the parts of the plant most associated with seasoning and aroma. Follow these guidelines and you’ll be sure not to experience herban decay!
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Pineapple Sage
Common Sage
Lemon Balm
German Thyme
Marjoram
Catnip makes a tasty treat for your furry friend!
Sweet Basil homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
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The Fruits of Labor Sweet Acre Farms Winery pours up an orchard of flavors Story by Randall Murray Photography by Erin O. Smith
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“I didn’t buy a farm, I built it.” Meet Matthew Vrahiotes who, with bride Lindsey, is the owner/builder of Sweet Acre Farms Winery. The 46-acre plot of rolling hills, piney woods and stick-straight rows of rich, ripe fruit is the wellspring of an array of semi-dry, semi-sweet and fascinatingly flavored wines. They are made from a combination of locally grown blackberries, blueberries, apples, peaches and lemons (not grown there). The wines of Sweet Acre Farms Winery near Alto are not for wine snobs who rave on and on about the subtleties of the latest Syrah from the Central Coast of
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Sweet Acre Farms Winery Where: 7570 Bill Wilson Road, Alto, GA 30510 Phone: 678-7695335 E-mail: sweetacrefarms@ gmail.com Website: sweetacrefarms. com
California and Italy’s Super Tuscans. The wines of Matthew and Lindsey Vrahiotes are for folks who honestly like wines that flat-out taste good. And that’s what Sweet Acre Farms Winery is all about — wines that tempt your palate and announce to your taste buds, “Hey, this is good stuff.” It’s a work in progress. Although Sweetie Pie the donkey has concluded it’s her place, it really is not. Sweet Acre Farms Winery is the love child of Matthew and Lindsey, two young folks who met and merged at Valdosta State University. Lindsey comes from home-grown Hall County stock, daughter of Jackie and Judy Crumley. Jackie’s an electrician par excellence, and Judy is a Renaissance woman who can design wine labels and run a bulldozer. In other words, not a woman to mess with.
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Opposite page: Matthew and Lindsey Vrahiotes at Sweet Acre Farms Winery in Alto, Ga. Above: Matthew Vrahiotes pours some of his wine into glasses for sampling.
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Lindsey is pregnant with their first child, which only adds to her homespun attractiveness. It’s going to be a girl, around the first of September, and they’re already planning chores for her around the rural winery just off Bill Wilson Road. And from that winery don’t expect cabernet sauvignon or merlot or chardonnay or pinot grigio. But do expect exotic combinations of fruit flavors, such as lemon-blackberry, or a bourbon barrel-aged apple wine. Also expect wines that are the pure expression of the fruit — with some unique twists. Some will even feature honey from their own bee hives. “Too many people think of fruit wines and they immediately think ‘sweet’ and that’s not true,” said Matthew, a burly, bearded “military brat” who embraced this winery operation with the dedication of his Greek ancestors. “Vrahiotes” means “rock throwers” in Greek, he explained. When invaders crossed into his ancestors’ turf, they rose up and heaved rocks at them. And he and Lindsey have had to heave a lot of rocks to clear the land for their vineyards. The rolling landscape was full of trees when the brainstorm for Sweet Acre Farms Winery struck. So the family set forth to level the land. Jackie was the primary land clearer. But one day he was called off to an emergency electrical job, so he gave Judy a primer on how to run the dozer to level the land. Long story short: When Jackie, whose round face is creased with smiles, tried to point out to Judy where she could do better with the dozer, she snapped back “Don’t you try to tell me how to push dirt!” Judy went on to swing that dozer around to pull the hundreds of stumps from the ground, then crafted the colorful and happy designs for the wine labels. One features the serene face of Sweetie Pie, the donkey. The youngest winery owners in Georgia, according to Matthew, the Vrahiotes have taken the road less traveled — fruit wines, rather than traditional grape wines, made to — I repeat — “taste good.” And they do. During a recent visit, I was given samples of (pardon) Sweet Ass Peach, with Sweetie Pie on 36
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Lindsey Vrahiotes talks about the background of the wine business that she and her husband started at Sweet Acre Farms Winery in Alto, Ga. homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
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the label. It’s medium dry with the viscosity of a good German dessert wine. I also sipped a lemon-blackberry wine that thoroughly destroyed any preconceived notions based on the expected flavors. “It’s a lemonade-style wine,” Matthew interjected. “We call it a gateway wine.” That was said with a wink toward Lindsey. The path to creating a fruit-based winery in Hall County was not smooth. County officials were not sure how to deal with what Matthew and Lindsey were proposing. It took three years of lobbying and persuading county officials to get on board. They simply had not had a project of this nature to deal with. They had a lot of round holes, and the Vrahiotes presented a square peg. But it worked out.
Sweet Acre Farms Winery in Alto, Ga., is in its final stages of construction. 38
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Lindsey Vrahiotes shows off budding fruits in the vineyard. Opposite page: The Vrahiotes pet the donkey they have on their farm; A painting of the donkey, Sweetie Pie, is featured on one variety of wine the Vrahiotes sell.
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“Too many people think of fruit wines and they immediately think ‘sweet’ and that’s not true.”
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Top: The Vrahiotes look at their honey bee hives on the farm. Left: Matthew Vrahiotes gets his dog Sam into the bed of his truck before heading to where wine is processed on his farm. Sam is featured on wine labels, too. 40
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“Everybody was really great,” Matthew noted. “It just took a lot longer than we expected.” But now the hoops have been jumped through, the stumps have been pulled and the wine production is steaming ahead. They’re building a winery/tasting room facility just 100 yards down Bill Wilson Road from where they’re making the wine now. These young rock throwers are looking for an opening in early fall. Look for the intricate designs of old tin in the tasting room, and the faded Crumley Orchards sign on the second floor bar. That’s part of the family. And family is what Sweet Acre Farms is all about. It demonstrates the strength of generations bonding, working together, making something seemingly far-fetched a tasty reality. Lindsey, a farm-bred young woman, said as she pointed to the Crumley Orchards sign, “This is to honor them.”
NO
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The New Signature of Assisted Living & Memory Care has arrived at Hamilton Mill! Drop in or schedule a private tour today to experience the finest senior living in the area.
3581 Braselton Hwy, Dacula, GA 30019 (770) 999-0421 • www.at-hamiltonmill.com
2016-0114 HM
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A century strong
Braselton’s 100th birthday is a time for celebration It’s time to toast Braselton. A yearlong celebration is already under way to celebrate the 100th birthday of Braselton, which was incorporated Aug. 19, 1916. Special events are being planned to make the centennial something to remember. The Georgia General Assembly joined in with the celebration with the passage of House Resolution No. 1324 and Senate Resolution 966, both commemorating the town’s centennial. Château Élan Winery and Resort, which helped Braselton on the map in 1981 with the first planting of vineyards in the north Georgia foothills, has created a Velvet Reserve and a Chardonnay Reserve sporting a special centennial label. Château Élan has been part of the community’s growth for 35 of its 100 years and it will be an active participant in the centennial celebration. Wine walks are on the centennial schedule with three commercial sections of the town serving as host sites for events: Sept. 28-Oct. 1 in historic downtown with Road Atlanta as a promotional partner during Petit Le Mans weekend; Oct. 22 in the Duncan Corners area the Saturday before Halloween (the week prior to the morning Zombie Run 5K in downtown Braselton); and Dec. 3 in Mulberry Walk, to involve that busy area along Ga. 211 and the Brasel42
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ton Community Improvement District, where the LifePath is connecting neighborhoods to business. The CID, which is overseeing the addition of lighting along the LifePath in front of The Falls of Braselton, is hoping to coordinate a complementary event perhaps similar to the LifePath’s grand opening celebration. Town Manager
Jennifer Dees said she anticipates parking to be made available in the area of Ace Hardware as the improving economy is giving local businesses a boost and impacting their ability to host individual special events. A communitywide special event involving volunteer organizers should help local business and bring people in to enjoy the offerings along the LifePath, which brings pedestrian and golf cart connectivity envisioned to expand across town in the future. The logo for the wine walks has been
finalized and applications are set to go out. The logo will be found on the event wine glasses to be used on the wine walks and on T-shirts available to those who take part in the package of the trio of events. The September wine walk is expected to be an early sellout. “I have been overwhelmed by all the volunteers,” said Dees, who is this year’s Jackson County Woman of the Year and chairing the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Jackson County. “We have lots of new volunteers -- people and new businesses who have never been involved -- joining with longtime volunteers, and it’s really exciting.” The Buy Local Braselton campaign also launches during the centennial year and involving businesses throughout Braselton’s four-county reach. Dees said spreading centennial events across the town means buy-in from Hall, Gwinnett, Barrow and Jackson, their employees and residents. The number of employees in Braselton businesses totaled more than 5,700 in 2015, nearly 3,000 of those in Jackson, more than 1,300 in Barrow, 1,000-plus in Hall and 250 in Gwinnett. The 60 downtown Braselton businesses employed 150 in 2015. The success of the spring Buy Local Day is prompting the committee to work toward a fall event, said Dees. The Buy Local Braselton Facebook page features HOME Living
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centennial events and postings Braselton Mayor Bill Orr as well as the Buy Local camunveils the centennial logo. paign activities, such as NationOpposite page: Braselton al Small Business Week during Town Manager Jennifer Dees the first week of May. poses with wine bottles With May being Historic bearing the celebration logo. Preservation Month, you can also expect to see historic photos and scenes of Places that Matter in Braselton, including sites listed on the National Historic Register on the Work, Live and Play in Braselton, Ga., Facebook page as well. “A Last Walk Down Memory Lane” is being offered July 16 as the Braselton High School and Jackson County High School reunions are to be held in conjunction with a gospel concert and dessert walk. The school facility was last home to West Jackson Primary School before its consolidation with West Jackson Intermediate p.m. Town officials are awaiting confirSchool to become West Jackson Elemen- mation of the invitation to Gov. Nathan tary School. It is set for demolition this Deal as July 4 parade grand marshal. fall to make way for a new structure, so A Nov. 12 veterans’ event is also being the centennial event will be a final opplanned to involve veterans and their portunity for alums and guests to walk families, veterans’ organizations and the the hallways. military as well as the community. Gospel groups are being invited July 4 happenings will also include to participate in the 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. a 5-9 p.m. festival in Braselton Park with reunion event with the dessert walk set fireworks at dusk. The morning will befor 11 a.m. to noon with a hot dog and gin with the Braselton Flood Run 2016 hamburger meal. at Mulberry River Walk at 10. ParticiThe two-story brick Braselton High pants can run or walk the 4.5-mile trail School on nearby Harrison Street has or enjoy just a portion of the route Jacob only its steps, memories and a waterFlood used for his rehabilitation after color by 1948 graduate Henry Wood a back injury. The excitement of family remaining. That portrait was unveiled and friends of his first event prompted earlier this year at the centennial kickoff a move to invite the community to and prints are available for purchase. The be a part of this year’s free centennial Braselton family had constructed school activity. Register at www.tinyurl.com/ facilities to better its community. floodrun2016. For additional informaVeterans will also be celebrated tion, contact organizer Jacob Flood at as the committee involves itself in the thefloodrun@gmail.com. Jackson County Memorial Day parade Fireworks will be part of the Aug. and Braselton’s popular July 4 parade at 6 20 centennial celebration, held a day homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
after the town’s actual charter date. All around downtown, there will be kids’ activities like bounce houses, food trucks and a special concert by Fly Betty Band in the first completed phase of the town green. “We are thrilled to have Fly Betty Band,” said Dees, who has patiently waited to get the popular band to the town. “And fireworks. I love fireworks.” The centennial also offers a historic twist to the town’s farmer’s market which will be held 4-7 p.m. Fridays in June and July on Harrison Street. Special events and involvement from special guests are being planned including a chance to taste tea cakes that put Braselton on the map when a little boy set up shop to sell his family’s well-known culinary treats. That entrepreneurial spirit help the town grow into what it is today, a place visited by more than a million travelers a year. This year’s annual Lighting of the Tree in downtown Braselton will likely make a move to the Davis Street side of the historic Braselton Brothers Store complex as the second phase of the town green project will be under way. The Nov. 12 tree lighting will be followed by the Movies Under the Stars in Braselton Park. The town’s holiday festival and parade will be Nov. 19, the same day as the YearOne Christmas car show. See more at www.downtownbraselton.com. Visit www.braselton.net and on Facebook, check out Work, Live and Play Braselton, Georgia as well as Downtown Braselton, Braselton Park, Braselton Library and Buy Local Braselton. You can also follow Braselton on Twitter. Story and photos by LeAnne Akin
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Heliker-LaHotan Foundation presents Brenau University Self-Portraits of Influential 20th Century Artists The New York and Maine-based foundation that provides programs for and support of mid-career artists recently added two pieces to Brenau University’s permanent collection — self-portraits by influential 20th century American artists John Heliker and Robert LaHotan. The Heliker-LaHotan Foundation in Cranberry Isles, Maine, donated the paintings to Brenau in part because of the university’s strong support of fine arts through the maintenance of one of the most impressive permanent collections of art in the region, the role the arts play at the university and the professionalism Brenau employs to share art with the community. “We hold Brenau University in high regard,” said Patricia Bailey, the foundation executive director and treasurer who personally delivered the paintings to the Gainesville campus in late March. “Learning more about the university and its people has been a pleasure.” The New York Times declared Heliker to be “a versatile painter who was a fixture in the New York art world for nearly seven decades” until his death at 91 years old in 2000. For more than 30 of those years, he taught painting at Columbia University and the Parsons School. LaHotan, Heliker’s former student at Columbia who remained his life companion for 48 years, also was a gifted
teacher and painter that one critic observed was “a fine abstractionist before he fully turned his energies to landscapes and interiors in his mature works.” He died in 2002. Brenau President Ed Schrader said the paintings are “a splendid addition” to the Brenau permanent collection, which now has more than 6,000 paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures and other pieces. “Many of the artists already represented in our collection were friends and acquaintances of Heliker and LaHotan as they shaped the direction of the art world in the 20th century,” he said. “All of those influences have become a central focus of the Brenau Permanent Collection, and it is an honor that the foundation thinks so highly of us.” The New York artists Heliker and LaHotan also lived and worked at the former home of a boat builder on Great Cranberry Island off the Maine coast near Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Since their deaths two years apart in the early 21st century, the foundation has maintained the property for use in summer residency programs for mid-career artists and managed assets, including artworks, in their estates for assisting artists and advancing the study and appreciation of art. So far, more than 100 artists have passed through the program. The two paintings, which arrived on the Brenau campus in time for a private showing at the spring meeting of the university Board of Trustees, will be on permanent display in the Brenau Trustee Library starting later this spring. One, “Heliker’sSelf Portrait,” a 40- by 50-inch oil on linen completed in about 1988, was part of John Heliker, 1950 — 1990, a retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Art of in Ogunquit, Maine. “Man at a Table,” LaHotan’s self-portrait, is also oil on linen, measuring 42 inches by 40 inches. It was exhibited at Kraushaar Galleries in New York. Although some of the documentation indicates that the work dates back to 1969, Bailey says she thinks LaHotan painted it much later because the wallpaper “Man at a Table” by Robert LaHotan, left, and Self Portait by John Heliker, on display at Brenau University on April 13.
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showing in the work was not installed in the Heliker-LaHotan dining room for at least another decade. Brenau’s relationship with the Heliker-LaHotan Foundation began serendipitously. Schrader, who was on a holiday trip to Asheville, North Carolina, with his wife, Myra, visited a gallery exhibiting Heliker’s work. He liked it and left a business card saying that he wanted to get that same show on the Brenau campus in Georgia. In the fall, Brenau hosted “John Heliker: The Order of Things,” an exhibit encompassing 60 years of painting and drawing by Heliker from his early days as an artist supported by the Works Progress Administration during The Great Depression of the 1930s, through his life on Great Cranberry Island. He was the subject of a major retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1968. The Brenau show, which also incorporated dance and music in some specials programs around the exhibition, was one of Brenau Galleries most successful. Bailey, who became close friends with Heliker during the 10 years that they worked together at Parsons, where she ran graduate programs, said that the board of the Foundation decided in January “to make the gift in appreciation for the work Brenau did on that show.” Other board members include foundation president Caren Raphael, a painter and corporate
executive; secretary Richard Hatter, a photographer and artist who is also a former director for fund-raising and public relations at the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation in Manhattan, which provides fellowships in the arts, sciences and humanities; and landscape painter and art collector John-David Wissler, director. “We at the Foundation thought every aspect of the Heliker exhibition there, including the publications, publicity and programming, was so professional and well done,” Bailey said. “This gift is in appreciation for the friendship between the university and the foundation and the promise of our developing collaboration as institutions.” Although neither of the donated pieces was in the Brenau exhibit, Bailey said, “We want to express special gratitude for Dr. Schrader’s appreciation for John Heliker’s work and his role in Brenau’s sponsorship of the exhibition, and to the Brenau Galleries Director Nichole Rawlings for her assistance in making the exhibition possible and for planning and coordinating wonderful programming.” For more information about art education at Brenau, call 770-538-4764 or go to http://www.brenau.edu/fineartshumanities/art-design-department. Story courtesy Brenau University
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Digging for archeological 46
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Forest Service, volunteers probe remains of 1600s homestead in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests A river flowed a hundred yards away and sunlight seeped through the dense stand of trees, perhaps giving a glimpse of what life was like for Native Americans living in the area more than four centuries ago. “I could live here,” said one of the workers at the dig, pausing to breathe in the North Georgia mountain air. People are believed to have lived and toiled in the remote but tranquil valley in the heart of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, where a group of volunteers and Forest Service workers dug into the cool, soft earth. The group participated last week in an archeological study of the area, where officials believe a house burned at a family farmstead around 1600. Top layers of dirt were revealing pottery pieces and charcoal, the remnants of cooking fires or perhaps the larger, houseconsuming blaze. Overall, the hope was artifacts would tell the story of a native people in a time of tumultuous regional history. “There is a dynamic human story here just waiting to be told,” said Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests archeologist James Wettstaed. “Through this spring’s excavations, we hope to uncover enough of the remains of the house to determine how it was used, its size and shape, and to understand why it was abandoned.” The Forest Service was delving into history with volunteers
from Passport in Time, a New Mexico-based group that seeks to preserve and understand history, and Southern Research Historic Preservation Consultants near Columbus. During previous excavations, workers have uncovered pottery, stone tools and the central hearth of a house. Much remains unknown in regional history between 1550 and 1650, making the find particularly significant, says the Forest Service. The agency doesn’t want the location revealed for fear of potential threats, such as looting. Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto ventured through the Southeast in the mid-1500s, “then there were several Spanish explorations up from the coast,” Wettstaed said. “They just devastated the native societies ... and populations moved elsewhere, in some cases disappeared. We believe these people (at the dig site) may have been refugees, moving away from that. “It’s that time period after the Spanish and before the English — where everything was totally in flux,” Wettstaed said. He said officials had long suspected the area had historic ties, so there was a rush to investigate before off-road vehicle activity would destroy the site. Two years ago, a few tests were done at the site, and that’s when evidence of what could have been the collapsed wall of a house was found. That stopped Wettstaed in his tracks. He remembers thinking, “Whoa, this is something significant.”
Opposite page: Volunteer Angela Welborn of Cleveland sifts through dirt excavated from the site of a homestead dating back 400 years. The dig is sponsored by Passport in Time, a volunteer cultural heritage resources program sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service. Above: An artifact unearthed at the dig. homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
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“And with the location, it makes a good public excavation. It’s easy access, people don’t have to hike up and down mountains.” The dig itself is noteworthy, as “no one has set out to systematically excavate a house in Northeast Georgia since the 1930s. The excavation was confined mostly to an L-shaped plot, where workers were carefully shoveling away small amounts of dirt. Stations were set up around the site where others were sifting dirt through a screen, similar to how one might pan for gold. In this case, the nuggets were frequently pieces of pottery or charcoal. Volunteers helping with the effort were chosen through a selection process. One of them was Vanessa Waid of Helen, who was partic-
ipating in her first dig with Passport in Time. She was enjoying the interaction with people and learning about history. “If you like being out in nature, this is the perfect opportunity,” she said. “The deeper you get (in the soil), the cooler it gets.” Deeper excavations could reveal habitation during much earlier centuries — perhaps, it’s believed, as far back as 100 B.C. At one point, workers unearthed what appeared to be “hopefully a good portion of a jar or bowl of some sort,” said Gretchen Eggiman of Southern Research. “It’s probably one of the larger (pieces) we’ve seen,” she said. “It’s broken into a few pieces ... but we may mend it back together in the lab.” Also at the dig was an aspiring archeologist, Cheyenne
Passport in Time staff and volunteers dig in an area by the Broad River in Northeast Georgia. The unusual site is helping to tell the story of native people in a time of tumultuous regional history.
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Holly Krake, right, of the U.S. Forest Service, dumps a bucket of excavated dirt for Susanne Newberry of Southern Research Historic Preservation Consultants.
Welborn, a White County High School junior, who was drawn to the project “because we get to get a glimpse of what life was like way back in the day. “We can learn from it,” said the 17-year-old fan of all things old, including music. “We take so many things for granted, and these people were just fighting to survive the winter,” Welborn said. “Life was hard ... and I think it’s really important we learn from this.” Story by Jeff Gill Photography by Scott Rogers
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home calendar
Ongoing Northeast Georgia History Center Family Days 1-4 p.m. Second Sunday of each month through December. Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St. NE, Gainesville. Free. 770-297-5900, www. negahc.org. Northeast Georgia History Center Forums 7 p.m. Second Tuesday of each month through December. Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St NE, Gainesville.Theme differs each month. Admission free for members, $3 for nonmembers. 770-297-5900, www.negahc. org. Bowen Center for the Arts 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Tuesday through Friday; Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. New shows monthly. Bowen Center for the Arts, 334 Ga. 9 N, Dawsonville. Free. 706-216-2787, info@dawsonarts.org. Lake Lanier Rowing Club classes Tuesdays and Thursdays. Clarks Bridge Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. $100. www.lakelanierrowing.org, llrc@mindspring. com, 770-287-0077, 770-540-7144. American Business Women’s Association 6 p.m. fourth Tuesday each month. Recess Southern Gastro-pub, 118 Bradford St. NE, Gainesville. Dinner, speakers, meeting. 770654-9277, abwallcc.org. The Pilot Club 5:45 p.m. every fourth Thursday. Elk’s Club, 1547 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. 770-5322528, jlc814@yahoo.com. The Georgia Art League Noon, third Thursday each month. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. Georgiaartleague.org. Friday sketch Club 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. first Friday of the month. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. $20. 50
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May
May 13 Scare Away Cancer Relay for Life event, Clarkesville. 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sam Pitts Park, Clarkesville. Free. www.relayforlife.org/ habershamga. May 14 Jeffrey Gay Memorial Golf Classic fundraiser, Clarkesville. Noon. Apple Mountain Golf Course, 901 Rock Ford Creek Road, Clarkesville. $75. www.mag.org. 770-5363922. May 14 Jon Regen, Gainesville. 8 p.m. Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St. SW, Gainesville. $30 for individual, $125 for the series. www.theartscouncil.net. May 14 “Stars Over Elachee” program, Gainesville.8-10 p.m. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $10-45, free for members. www.elachee.org. 770-535-1976. May 14 18th annual Ducky Derby, Gainesville. Clarks Bridge Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. www.rubberduckderby. com. May 14 Sido grand opening party, Clarkesville. 5:308:30 p.m. Sido Gallery, 1317 Washington St., Clarkesville. 706-754-1731. www.sidogallery. com. May 15 20th annual Butterfly Release, Gainesville. 1-4 p.m.Wilshire Trails, 849 Wilshire Road NW, Gainesville. Free. www.gainesville.org/ friends-of-the-parks. 770-531-2680. May 19 President’s Summer Art Series 2016, Gainesville. Opening reception 5:30-7 p.m. Exhibition May 19 through July 14. Brenau University, Simmons Visual Arts Center, Sellars Gallery, 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville.
770-534-6263. May 20-21 Mountain Laurel Festival, Clarkesville. Downtown Clarkesville. www.clarkesville ga.com. 706-754-4216. May 20. “Georgia Scramble” golf fundraiser, Hoschton. 10 a.m. Reunion Country Club, 5609 Grand Reunion Drive, Hoschton. $500 for foursome, $150 per player. 706-684-0040. www.braseltonrotarygolftournament.com. May 20 Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival, Dahlonega. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 20 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 22. Dahlonega Downtown square. www.chestateeartists.org. May 20-21 54th annual Mountain Laurel Festival, Clarkesville. Downtown Clarkesville. www. clarkesvillega.com. 706-754-4216. May 21 Walking in Lady’s Slippers, Gainesville. 10 a.m. Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Road, Gainesville. $5 parking. 678-450-7726. May 21 Georgia’s First Dig, Sautee Nacoochee. 10-11 a.m. Hardman Farm State Historic Site, 143 Ga. 17, Sautee Nacoochee. $5 with additional $7 for tour. 706-878-1077. May 24 An Evening with Jeanne Robertson, Gainesville. 7:30 p.m. Pearce Auditorium, 1 Centennial Circle, Gainesville. $28-$35. www. theartscouncil.net or 770-534-2787. May 27-29 Atlanta Jazz Festival, Atlanta. Piedmont Park, Atlanta. www.atlantafestivals.com.
June June 3-4 Bach youth competition, Gainesville. Brenau University, Pearce Auditorium, 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville. $10. 770-538-4764. HOME Living
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www.bachatl.org. June 4 D-Day run,Toccoa. Camp Toccoa at Currahee, 160 N. Alexander St.,Toccoa. June 4 Second annual Artful Cork fundraiser, Dawsonville. 6:30 p.m. Bowen Center for the Arts, 334 Ga. 9 N., Dawsonville. www. dawsonarts.org. 706-216-2787. June 6 Georgia Master Naturalist classes, Helen. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, June 6 through July 25. Smithgall Woods State Park Visitors Center, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. Register by May 23. $200 for series and certification. Annual pass or daily park passes for each class are required. Limit 12. www.gastateparks.org/smith gallwoods or 706-878-3087. June 6 “The Art of Illustration” summer art camp, Gainesville. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Through July 29. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St., Gainesville. $125-$100 for weekly camps. www.quinlanarts center.org/summer-art-camp. 770-536-2575. June 7 Taste of North Hall festival, Gainesville. 5-7:30 p.m. 4885 Mount Vernon Road, Gainesville. $10. 240-271-9615. June 16 Master of Interior Design/Master of Fine Arts portfolio exhibition, Atlanta. 3-5 p.m.The High Museum of Atlanta, Stent Family Wing, Robinson Atrium, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. Featuring Brenau graduate students. RSVP required. 770-534-6240. sconn@brenau.edu. June 18 Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Gainesville. 8 p.m. Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center Lawn, 331 Spring St. SW, Gainesville. www. theartscouncil.net or 770-534-2787. June 18 The Four Tops, Gainesville. 7 p.m. gates open and 8 p.m. show. Atlanta Botanical Garden, A Smithgall Woodland Legacy, 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville. $8-$5. www.atlantabg.org/visit/ Gainesville. 404-888-4760. June 23-24 “Painted Vacations” watercolor workshop, Dawsonville. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.The Bowen Center for the Arts, 334 Ga. 9 N, Dawsonville. $200. Instructor Kathy Rennell Forbes. www.dawsonarts. org or 706-216-2787. June 3-4 Bach youth competition, Gainesville.. Brenau University, Pearce Auditorium, 500 Washington St. SE, Gainesville. $10. 770-5384764. www.bachatl.org. homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
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home around town The Arts Council Black and White Ball fundraiser April 19, 2016
Arts lovers gathered to support the arts at the annual Black and White Ball fundraiser for the Arts Council at the Smithgall Arts Center in Gainesville. Entertainment for the event was provided by the band Grains of Sand. Proceeds from the event will help support programs of the Arts Council, including the jazz series, summer events, arts in schools, puppet shows and more. The Arts Council brings national and international talent to Gainesville to perform for events. For more, visit www.theartscouncil.net.
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National Crime Victims’ Rights Week April 19, 2016
Hall County officials honored victims during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Stronger sentences and greater support for victims are two heralded achievements from criminal justice stakeholders over the past 20 years. Hall County Solicitor-General Stephanie Woodard and Northeastern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Lee Darragh spoke in Kenyon Plaza during the annual event in efforts to advance the work of child welfare agencies.
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home around town Wilson Orthodontics groundbreaking April 20, 2016
More than two dozen people from Wilson Orthodontics, including 1-year-old Hartley Wilson, hiked down into the open lot and carried shovels to where the new location will stand. “Everything came together quickly like we wanted it to, and so we’re excited to finally break ground,” said Dr. Ron Wilson, who is the owner and partner of Wilson Orthodontics. The groundbreaking took place across from the New Holland Market near the intersection of Jesse Jewell and Limestone parkways.
2016 Master Gardeners Expo April 1, 2016
The spring expo included countless growers, nurseries and farmers coming from across Georgia. Potters and painters brought their outdoor products to Hall County. The expo raises funds for the Hall County Master Gardeners programs.
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United Way of Hall County annual banquet April 14, 2016
United Way of Hall County celebrated its 2015 campaign and volunteers at its annual banquet, but mostly it celebrated Jackie Wallace. Wallace, president and chief professional officer for United Way, retired at the end of April. Joy Griffin will take over for Wallace, who first joined the nonprofit in 2000 and has led it since 2007.
Gateway to Hope fundraiser 2016 April 23, 2016
Hundreds turned out for the silent auction during the Gateway to Hope fundraiser at the Chattahoochee Country Club in Gainesville. The goal of the event was to raise more than $50,000 for the Gateway Domestic Violence Center as well as raise awareness about domestic violence issues.
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home around town 2016 Fur Ball April 23, 2015
Dinner, dancing, live music and award-winning bulldog, Annabelle, were are part of the annual fundraising Fur Ball. Presented by the Humane Society of Jackson County, at the Jefferson Civic Center in downtown Jefferson. The featured guest was Annabelle, a recent winner of Best in NonSporting group at the 140th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. She was accompanied by her owner and handler, Kelly Franz.
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Helen Arts & Heritage Center annual spring fundraiser April 23, 2016
Helen Arts & Heritage held its annual Spring Fashion Show & Luncheonat 25 Chattahoochee Strasse in downtown Helen. The event had somewhat of twist to it, compared to previous shows which have provided a sneak peek into the new and coming spring fashions, President, Nancy Ackerman explains. “This year, we’re taking guests back to the summer fun, swimsuit styles and music of a time many of us fondly refer to as, “back in the day.” Our fashion show luncheons are a lot of fun each year and we enjoy bringing these type events to the community.”
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home around town 12th annual Spring Chicken Festival April 30, 2016
Gainesville again showed why it’s called “poultry capital of the world” at the 12th annual Spring Chicken Festival. The event brought together chicken lovers to not only taste the best recipes Georgia has to offer but also to check out local art and other sponsors. The festival’s profits go toward both the Main Street Gainesville and Keep Hall Beautiful organizations, which help with community projects and cleaning up Hall County.
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