All About Spring 2022

ALL ABOUT 2022

10 List of Events

Quick reference of upcoming festivities and activities. Check it out!

2 Event Name

Hours • Location Address, City Description and highlights of the event. Contact information and website

30 Day Trips Seniors

Can Enjoy

Manuscripts, artwork, photography, inquiries and submitted materials are welcome. 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 Metro Market Media Inc. Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Metro Market Media cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. Metro Market Media 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 Metro Market Media.

Gibbs Gardens Gibbs Garden

1987 Gibbs Drive, Ball Ground, GA 30107

What’s in bloom: Daffodils, cherry blossoms and tulips. Check the website to find out what’s blooming. 770-893-1880, gibbsgardens.com/visit/whatsin-bloom

“Out of the Doldrums” Show

tHursday-saturday • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. • cumminG arts center Brannon-Heard House at 111 Pilgrim Mill Road

The Sawnee Association of the Arts’ Cumming Arts Center presents “Out of the Doldrums.” The show runs through Saturday, March 26, and features artists Garry and Lois Colby, as well as other SAA member artists. Garry was an Art Director at the advertising agencies of Kenyon & Eckhardt and Campbell-Ewald and has been teaching at the Center for Creative Studies, an art college, for more than 15 years. He has established an extensive resume of corporate and personal clients. Lois is an extremely talented new artist who leans toward impressionistic painting styles. Visit sawneeart.org for more information.

8 Bookish Trailblazers

tuesday • 9:30-10:30 a.m. • FowLer park 4110 Carolene Way, Cumming, GA 30040

Discuss ‘The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey’ by Derick Lugo while going on a one-mile hike around Fowler Park. www.forsythpl.org/event/5907975

9 Healthy Aging Expo

9 a.m. to noon • Frances meadows center 1545 Community Way, Gainesville, GA 30501

The winter Healthy Aging Expo brought to you by the Gainesville Times featuring entertainment & health screenings, demonstrations, and expert speakers. For more information, visit www.gainesvilletimes.com or www.facebook.com/events/4889873571104779

15 Healthy Aging Expo

9 a.m. to noon • ForsytH conFerence center 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Cumming, GA 30041

The winter Healthy Aging Expo brought to you by the Forsyth County News featuring entertainment & health screenings, demonstrations, and expert speakers. For more information, visit www.forsythnews.com or www.facebook.com/events/821741689224470

Saint Patrick’s Day Craft Week

10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. • murrayviLLe Library 4796 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506

Drop by during craft hours where your kid can make a St. Patty’s Day craft they can take home.

https://www.hallcountylibrary.org/index. php/library-calendar/26653/saint-patrick-sday-craft-week

13 Seeking Eden: Georgia’s Historic Gardens

sunday • 2-3 p.m., sunday • cumminG Library 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040

Celebrate women and discuss their roles in the history of Georgia’s Historic Gardens. www.forsythpl.org/event/6050883

14 Bowen Center for the Arts: Annual Luncheon & Card Party

10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 334 GA-9, Dawsonville, GA 30534

The annual luncheon and card party will be at the Bowen and will include a gourmet lunch and fun playing cards, board games, dominoes, and other games. Coffee, treats and refreshments will be available all day long. Tickets are $25 and can be bought online or by calling the Bowen.

www.bowenarts.org/events/card-party-luncheon

15 Halcyon Farmer’s Market

tuesday • 4-6 p.m. • HaLcyon ForsytH 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005 Shop from over 30 local vendors with a variety of fresh produce, flowers, homemade jams and breads.

Every Tuesday from March 15 to December www.visithalcyon.com

16 St. Patrick’s Day

Celebrations

wednesday • HaLcyon ForsytH 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Celebrate the luck of the Irish at Halcyon with several unique activations, live music and specials from retailers and restaurants. www.visithalcyon.com

Farm Animal Yoga

saturday • HaLcyon ForsytH 6365 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Find your balance through an Ashtanga-based

Vinyasa class with baby goats and other farm animals. Open to ages 10 and above. www.visithalcyon.com

20 The Great Cookie Chase 5K

sunday • 2 p.m. • rock creek park 445 Martin Road Dawsonville, GA 30534

Run a flat course and take home a box of Girl Scout Cookies for your hard work. bit.ly/3oza991

25 Bowen Center for the Arts: Artistry in Wood

tHe exHibit runs tHrouGH marcH 25 334 GA-9, Dawsonville, GA 30534

The Bowen will host an incredible exhibition of handcrafted wood items from the members of the Etowah River Woodturners Club. The opening reception was Saturday, Feb. 26, and featured speakers and demonstrations will be scheduled closer to the exhibit’s opening. www.bowenarts.org

26 Mountain Madness Trail Run

8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. • Fausett Farms 11336 GA-136, Dawsonville, GA 30534

The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Mountain Madness” trail run gives local runners a chance to push themselves in a challenging 15K run while enjoying some of the beautiful scenery in the county. Registration is $45 per runner, and runners can sign up online. https://bit.ly/3oAZdrr

26 Mutts on Main

saturday • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • downtown GainesviLLe

This pet expo highlights adoptions and fostering at the Hall County Animal Shelter. Bring your pup pals downtown for a tailwaggin’ good time! Activities at the Downtown Square: Pet-related vendors/artisans, sidewalk sales at local stores, a small agility course, and Pet Adoptions with the Hall County Animal Shelter open throughout the day

26 Leap for Literacy

10:30 a.m. • war HiLL park on Lake Lanier

The annual “Leap for Literacy” event is a fundraiser that will support Dawson County Wee Books, a local nonprofit that provides books to children aged 0 to 5 in the community. Participants will get the chance to jump into chilly Lake Lanier to show their support for fostering a love of literacy in children, and “celebrity judges” will judge jumpers based on performance and costumes. https://bit.ly/3uzuEWU

Gainesville, 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501 Pick up festive, egg-themed scavenger hunt in the Visitor Center for a fun, family-led excursion in the Garden atlantabg.org or bit. ly/3HFHTsI

Gibbs Gardens

1987 Gibbs Drive, Ball Ground, GA 30107

What’s in bloom: Dogwoods and azaleas. 770-893-1880, gibbsgardens.com/visit/whatsin-bloom

1 Bowen Center for the Arts: The Art of Fiber

GA-9, Dawsonville, GA 30534

The Bowen will host a clothesline display that will include hundreds of hand-worked items made by regional artists and available for purchase. Fiber artists can enter their artistry for free, and the entry form will be available beginning on Feb. 10.

The exhibit will run from April 1 through May 7. www.bowenarts.org/events/the-art-of-fiber

Duck’s Egg Hunt (with a twist)

464 Mechanicsville Rd., Dahlonega, GA 30533

The egg hunt, organized in memory of Kaleb

by Love Kaleb Inc., will have a twist in that all the

will be handed out from cars and trucks to event attendees. The event will also be including a cake walk, face painting and goodies for the kids. The event is free and open to any children up to the age of 14. https://bit.ly/3uADkw4

405 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 120 Cumming, GA 30041

239-1986405 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 120 Cumming, GA 30041

Peachtree Parkway, Suite 120

30041

GA 30041

Suite 120

GA 30041

Bear On The Square

downtown daHLoneGa Dahlonega, Georgia 30533

Dahlonega’s Bear on the Square has been a local legend, going back to the time when a bear cub took refuge in a sycamore tree on Dahlonega’s Historic Square. The story began on a spring morning in 1996, when a mama bear with two cubs made her way into the town’s historic square, causing a “big commotion.” The mama bear and one cub apparently escaped from town after being seen on North Grove Street later that afternoon.

The other cub, however, decided to climb the sycamore tree, where it remained for several hours. The cub was eventually coaxed down from the tree by Forest Service rangers and was delivered unharmed back into the mountain woodlands.

After the bears’ Dahlonega adventure, several local residents began kicking around the idea of throwing a “party” to give a boost to local businesses; this ultimately led to what is now the annual Bear on the Square Festival. bearonthesquare.org

23 Earth Day Poster Contest and Exhibition

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The North Georgia Conservation Coalition will sponsor an Earth Day poster contest and exhibition at the Bowen Center for the Arts. The event will include a juried Earth Day poster contest, electric vehicle car show, children’s crafts and sing-along, face painting, food tent, door prizes, silent auction, and lots of opportunities to learn about our earth and how to preserve its natural resources.

www.ngacc.org/about-3

Boulder Dash 5K/10K

8 a.m.

1200 Northside Forsyth Drive, Cumming, GA US 30041

A Fitness Run/Walk and Corporate Challenge. The course winds through an active quarry in Forsyth County, offering participants views of the working quarry face, ancient rock deposits, and massive equipment used to process, move and manage the rock. At the finish line, the Martin Marietta Fall Festival awaits, with

Exhibitor/Team

Tents and lots of fun for racers and spectators alike. runsignup.com/Race/GA/Cumming/Boulder DashForsyth

23 Cherry Street Brewing’s Spring Beer Fest 1/5 p.m. • cHerry street brewinG 6640 Town Square, Alpharetta, GA 30005 Cherry Street Brewing’s Spring Beer Fest to raise money for the Humane Society of Forsyth County. The event is a family-friendly beer fest featuring 20-plus Cherry Street beers on tap along with 50-plus beers from an invitational guest list, craft vendors, and a kid’s zone. events@cherrystreetbrewing.com, or visit them on Facebook

30 Outdoor Expo

saturday • nortH GeorGia premium outLets 800 GA-400 S, Dawsonville, GA 30534 Outdoor Expo brought to you by Dawson County News For more information visit www.dawsonnews.com

Gibbs Gardens 1987 Gibbs Drive, Ball Ground, GA 30107 What’s in bloom: Rhododendrons, knockout roses, hydrangeas and waterlilies 770-893-1880, gibbsgardens.com/visit/whatsin-bloom

4 Blue Sky Concert Series: Luke Latimer

wednesday • 11:30 • downtown GainesviLLe Grab your coworkers, book a lunch date with a friend, or just get out of the office for a bit and head downtown. Grab lunch to-go from your favorite restaurant or eat at a sidewalk café, shop at local boutiques, and enjoy live music on the Historic Downtown Square! We’ll have some standing tables available, but plan to bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets or snag a spot on a bench in the park. If it rains, the show will go on inside one of the nearby restaurant venues! Free Parking Deck located at 301 Main Street SW, Gainesville GA 30501

11 Blue Sky Concert Series:

Rodney Appleby

wednesday • 11:30 • downtown GainesviLLe

Grab your coworkers, book a lunch date with a friend, or just get out of the office for a bit and head downtown. Grab lunch to-go from your favorite restaurant or eat at a sidewalk café, shop at local boutiques, and enjoy live music on the Historic Downtown Square!

We’ll have some standing tables available, but plan to bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets or snag a spot on a bench in the park. If it rains, the show will go on inside one of the nearby restaurant venues!

Free Parking Deck located at 301 Main Street SW, Gainesville GA 30501

18 Blue Sky Concert Series: Mason Parker

wednesday • 11:30 • downtown GainesviLLe

Grab your coworkers, book a lunch date with a friend, or just get out of the office for a bit and head downtown. Grab lunch to-go from your favorite restaurant or eat at a sidewalk café, shop at local boutiques, and enjoy live music on the Historic Downtown Square!

We’ll have some standing tables available, but plan to bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets or snag a spot on a bench in the park. If it rains, the show will go on inside one of the nearby restaurant venues!

Free Parking Deck located at 301 Main Street SW, Gainesville GA 30501

23 Bowen Center for the Arts: The Arts to a Tee Charity Golf Tournament

8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 334 GA-9, Dawsonville, GA 30534

The fun-filled golf tournament will be open to men and women and will be held at Crystal Falls Golf Course in Dawsonville. Entry fees are $100 for a single layer and $400 for a foursome, with packages including putting contest, raffle tickets and mulligans available for a slightly higher price. Individuals or teams can register online or by calling the Bowen and are asked to register by May 14.

www.bowenarts.org or https://bit.ly/3HED9DF

Blue Sky Concert Series:

Eduardo Cautino

wednesday • 11:30 • downtown GainesviLLe Grab your coworkers, book a lunch date with a friend, or just get out of the office for a bit and head downtown. Grab lunch to-go from your favorite restaurant or eat at a sidewalk café, shop at local boutiques, and enjoy live music on the Historic Downtown Square!

We’ll have some standing tables available, but plan to bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blankets or snag a spot on a bench in the park. If it rains, the show will go on inside one of the nearby restaurant venues! Free Parking Deck located at 301 Main Street SW, Gainesville GA 30501

The fun continues

summer!

Downtown Gainesville First Friday Concert Series

First Friday Concerts continue ON THE SQUARE in Historic Downtown Gainesville! This year, we’re excited these four great bands will hit the stage: June 3:

cHerry, neiL diamond tribute

JuLy 1:

purpose band, motown and souL music

auGust 5:

betty band, atLanta’s

party band

september 2:

Loveseat, country rock band

Set up your chairs/ blankets starting at 6pm. Grab a bite and a beverage downtown, the concert will go from 7 – 10 p.m.

Day trips

SENIORS CAN ENJOY

Vacations to faraway destinations can make lasting memories that families cherish forever. Though day trips might not require the planning of more traditional vacations, these brief getaways can still be a great way to spend a day, especially for seniors.

Day trips typically are based around visits to historic attractions, shopping districts, restaurants, or museums. Since they don’t require much in the way of advanced planning, and tend to be easy on the wallet, day trips are ideal for those looking for short getaways.

When considering day trips, seniors should look for locales that are no more than two to three hours away. Such proximity ensures travelers will have plenty of time to see the sights and still get home at a reasonable hour.

Need day trip inspiration? Here are some ideas to get started.

BOTANICAL GARDENS

Botanical gardens are beautiful and relaxing places to spend a day. The Botanic Gardens Conservation International reports that there are between 296 to 1,014 botanical gardens and arboretums in the United States, while there are roughly 70 botanic gardens across Canada. People can tour topiaries, exotic plants, butterfly retreats, acres of rolling landscape, and even bonsai collections.

SEASIDE TOWNS

Visits to the coast make for memorable, scenic excursions. Many boast quaint shops to purchase coastal trinkets or decor. Seaside spots also may boast their share of fishing charters or sightseeing cruises, and seafood fans will appreciate what these regions have to offer in the way of dining.

HISTORIC CITIES AND VILLAGES

Touring historic places of register, like Colonial Williamsburg or areas of historic Boston, can be a hands-on way to learn about the country’s history. They can provide more personal experiences than books and movies alone.

ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS

Interacting with wildlife is on the itinerary when visiting zoos and aquariums, and such establishments typically offer discounted admissions to seniors. From the famed San Diego Zoo to the Georgia Aquarium, it’s possible to get up close and personal with many species.

WINE TASTING

A recent study from Wine & Vines magazine said there are 8,391 wineries in North America, and that number is on the rise. One is likely to find a winery to visit and sample the wares close to home. Make a day of it by bringing a picnic lunch.

MUSEUMS

Museums are ideal day trip destinations because many are indoors. That means weather never needs to be an issue while visiting. With historic artifacts, paintings, sculptures, or niche items like pop art or collectibles, there are museums for just about every interest. For example, railway enthusiasts can visit the National Railroad Museum in Wisconsin, one of the oldest railroad museums in the country.

RESTAURANT CRAWL

Certain town centers and tourist destinations organize restaurant events where day trippers can enjoy tasting menus from various establishments for a single price. Day trips also can culminate at one specific restaurant. A new restaurant can be visited each month. Day trips are enjoyable ventures that seniors can enjoy when they want to get out but not necessarily get away.