Newcomers

WELCOME

SPRING 2011

A publication of

The resource for newcomers to North Georgia

Spring events calendar Community resources

Feed your mind

Area museums provide art, history, science, culture and fun

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | WELCOME 2011

WELCOME 2011 | The Times, Gainesville, Georgia

WELCOME

The resource for newcomers to North Georgia

A publication of

Inside. get started

■ Local contact information for your new community, 4-5

FEATURES

■ Elachee Nature Science Center, 6-8

TOM REED | The Times

■ Northeast Georgia History Center, 9-12

Part of the Waters of Time-The Chicopee Woods Story exhibit at Elachee Nature Science Center. The exhibit follows Walnut Creek through the past and into the present in the Chicopee Woods area with dioramas, actual fossils and artifacts.

Community calendars ■ Find fun spring activities for you and your family

■ Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 13-15

■ Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, 16-17

Banks County................... 19 Dawson County................ 19 Forsyth County................. 19 Georgia Mountains........... 22 Habersham County......19-20 Hall County.................. 18-19

Jackson County................ 20 Lumpkin County............... 20 Towns County................... 20 Union County............... 20-21 White County.................... 21 Region map...................... 23

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | WELCOME 2011

Welcome to our community.

We’re glad you’re here!

In no time flat, you’ll be on your way to finding out just what makes Northeast Georgia so great. Situated from the foothills up into the North Georgia mountains and just an hour away from the most vibrant city in the Southeast, our region is littered with history and progress alike. Inside this guide you’ll find plenty of resources on what to do, where to go and what to see. But first, we’ve got the basics for whatever county you live in: Banks County Government Board of Commissioners: 144 Yonah-Homer Road, Suit 1, Homer, 30547. 706-677-6200.

Chamber of Commerce: 706-677-2108, e-mail bankscountychamber@alltel.net, bankscountyga.org; Convention and Visitors Bureau, 706-677-5265.

Homer City Hall: 706-677-3510.

Emergency services County Sheriff’s Office: 706-677-2248 .

Clerk Of Court: 706-677-6243.

Fire Chief: 706-677-1812.

Community resources Banks County Public Library: 226 Ga. 51 S., Homer, 706-677-3164.

Health Department: 706-677-2296.

Banks-Jackson-Commerce Medical Center, Commerce: 706-335-1000.

Banks County School System: 102 Ga. 51 S., Homer, 30547, 706-677-2224, banks.k12. ga.us.

Habersham County contacts Government County Commission: 555 Monroe Street,

Unit 20, Clarkesville; 706-754-6264, co.habersham.ga.us.

Chamber of Commerce: 706-778-4654, habersham chamber.com.

Cornelia: 181 Larkin St., 706-778-8585.

Clarkesville: 210 East Water St., 706-754-4216.

Alto: 162 Grant St., 706-778-8035.

Baldwin: 130 Airport Road, 706-778-6341.

Demorest: 579 Georgia St., 706-778-4202.

Mount Airy: 869 Dick’s Hill Parkway, 706778-6990.

Tallulah Falls: 255 Main St., 706-754-6040.

Emergency services Central Dispatch: 706-778-3911.

Emergency medical services: 706-754-6262.

Fire department: 706-754-2822.

Sheriff’s office: 1000 Detention Drive, Clarkesville, 30523, 706-754-6666.

Community resources Habersham County Medical Center: 541 Ga. 441 N., 706-754-2161, hcmcmed.org.

Clarkesville Library: 178 E. Green St., Clarkesville, 706-754-4413.

Cornelia Library: 301 N. Main St., Cornelia, 706-778-2635.

Habersham County School System: P.O. Box 70, W. Stanford Mill Road, Clarkesville, 30523, 706-754-2118, habershamschools. com.

Tallulah Falls School: Ga. 441, Tallulah Falls, 706-754-3171, tallulahfalls.org Piedmont College: 165 Central Ave., P.O. Box 10, Demorest, 800-277-7020, 706-7760103; piedmont.edu.

North Georgia Technical College: Ga. 197 N, Clarkesville, 706-754-7700, ngtcollege.org.

Hall County Government

County offices: 770-535-8288, hallcounty. org. County administrator, 770-535-7122, cnix@hallcounty.org.

Chamber of Commerce: 770-532-6206, ghcc. com; Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, 770536-5209, lakelaniercvb.com.

Gainesville: City Hall, 770-535-6865, email, pr@gainesville.org, gainesville.org; police, 770-534-5252; fire, 770-534-3612; municipal court, 770-531-2668.

Braselton: Town Hall, 4982 Ga. 53, 706654-3915, braselton.net.; library, 132 W. Broadway, Braselton, 706-654-1992.

Clermont: P.O. Box 257, 770-983-7568, clermont.georgia.gov.

Flowery Branch: City Hall, 5517 Main St., 770-967-6371, flowerybranchga.org.

Gillsville: City Hall, 6288 Ga. 52, 30543, 770869-9000 Oakwood: City Hall, 4035 Walnut Circle, 770-534-2365, cityofoakwood.net.

Lula: City Hall, 6055 Main St., P.O. Box 99, 770-869-3801, lula.georgia.gov.

Emergency services Hall County Sheriff’s Office: 225 Green St., Gainesville, 770-531-6900.

Hall County Fire Dept.: 731 E. Crescent Drive, Gainesville, 770-531-6838.

Community resources Northeast Georgia Medical Center: 743 Spring St. NE, Gainesville, 770-219-9000.

Hall County Health Dept.: 1290 Athens St., Gainesville, 770-531-5600.

Hall County Library System: 127 Main St. N.W., Gainesville, 770-532-3311; Blackshear Place branch, 770-287-3654; Clermont branch, 770-983-3196; East Hall branch, 770-531-2500.

Gainesville City Schools: 508 Oak St. N.W., Gainesville; 770-536-5275, gcssk12.net.

Hall County Schools: 711 Green St., Suite 100, Gainesville, 770-534-1080, hallco.org.

Brenau Academy High School: 500 Washington St., S.E., Gainesville, GA 30501, 770-534-6243, brenauacademy. org/home.cfm Chattahoochee Christian School: 640 Main St., P.O. Box 254, Clermont, GA 30527, 770-983-9433, chattahoocheechristian. org/index.html Hopewell Christian Academy: 5086 Poplar Springs Road, Gainesville, GA 30507, 770-297-0220, hopewellchristianacademyonline.org Jubilee Christian Academy: 1221 Harmony St., Gainesville, GA 30501, 770-531-7576, jubileestallions.com/index.html Lakeview Academy: 796 Lakeview Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501, 770-532-4383, lakeviewacademy.com Maranatha Christian Academy: 5135 McEver Road, Oakwood, GA 30566, 770-5366334, maranathaacademy.com Riverside Military Academy: 2001 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501, 770-5326251, cadet.com Trinity Day School: Chestnut Mountain Circle, Flowery Branch, GA 30542, 770967-0529, 770-540-0012, trinitydayschool. com North Georgia Christian School: 1397 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30501, 770-534-1081, gainesvillewcs.org

WELCOME 2011 | The Times, Gainesville, Georgia Gainesville State College: Oakwood, 770-7183639, gc.peachnet.edu.

Brenau University: Gainesville, 770-534-6299, 800-252-5119, brenau.edu Lanier Technical College: Oakwood, 770-5316300, laniertech.edu

Jackson County Government Board of Commissioners: County Administrative Building, 67 Athens St., Jefferson, 706-367-6312, jacksoncountygov.com.

Courthouse: 706-387-6000.

Chamber of Commerce: 706-387-0300, jacksoncountyga.com.

Jefferson: City Hall, 147 Athens St., Jefferson, 30549, 706-367-5121, cityofjeffersonga.com; police, 706367-5231, cityofjeffersonpolice.com; fire, 706-387-7400, dispatch 706-3671234, jeffersonfd.com; library, 379 Old Pendergrass Road, 706-367-8012, prlib. org/jefferson.

Arcade: City Hall, P.O. Box 417, Jefferson, GA 30549, 706-367-5500, cityofarcade@ windstream.net; police, 706-367-1821; fire, 706-367-4488.

Braselton: Town Hall, 4982 Ga. 53, P.O. Box 306, Braselton, 706-654-3915, braselton. net; police, 706-658-2852.

Commerce: P.O. Box 348, 27 Sycamore St., Commerce, 706-335-3164, commercega. org; police, 706-335-3200; fire, 706-3352190; library, 1344 South Broad St., 706335-5946.

Hoschton: City Hall, 79 City Square, Hoschton, 706-654-3034, cityofhoschton.com.

Maysville: Town Hall, P.O. Box 86, Maysville, 706-652-2274; police, 706-652-3494; fire, 706-652-2050; library, 9247 Gillsville Road, 706-652-2323.

Nicholson: 17175 Lakeview Drive, Nicholson, GA, 706-757-3408, nicholson-ga.com; fire, 706-757-3912; library, 5466 U.S. 441 S., 706-757-3577.

Pendergrass: City Hall, 41 Blackberry Lane, Pendergrass, GA 30567, 706-693-2494, cityofpendergrass.com; police, 706-6932386; fire, 706-693-2701; library, 706-693-4450.

Talmo: City Hall, P.O. Box 70, 45 AJ Irvin Road, Talmo, 706-693-2325, talmo-ga.com; library, 706-693-1905.

Emergency services Jackson County Sheriff’s Office: 268 Curtis H. Spence Drive, Jefferson, 706-367-8718, jacksoncountysheriff.us Volunteer fire departments: Plainview, 706-693-4260; South Jackson, 706-5480888; West Jackson, 706-654-2500, westjacksonfd.com.

Community resources Jackson County Superior Court: 5000 Jackson Parkway, Jefferson, 706-387-6392; Clerk of Courts, 706-387-6255.

Jackson County Health Department: 260 Lee St., Jefferson, 706-367-3643, publichealthathens. com; Commerce Health Clinic, 623 South Elm St., Commerce, 706-335-3895; Jefferson Health Clinic, 341 General Jackson Drive, Jefferson, 706-367-5204.

Jackson County Board of Education: 1660 Winder Highway, Jefferson, 706-367-5151, jackson.k12.ga.us.

Jefferson City Schools Board of Education: 575 Washington St., Jefferson, 706-367-2881, jeffcityschools.org.

Commerce City School System: 270 Lakeview Drive, Commerce, 706-335-5500, commerce-city.k12.ga.us.

Community resources

Lumpkin County

County Commissioner: 65 Courthouse St., Blairsville, 706-439-6000, unioncounty@ uniongov.com, unioncountyga.gov Chamber of Commerce: 706-745-5789, blairsvillechamber.com

Government Lumpkin County: 99 Courthouse Hill, Suite A, Dahlonega, 706-864-3742; e-mail, commissioner@lumpkincounty.gov Chamber of Commerce: 706-864-3711, dahlonega.org.

Dahlonega: 465 Riley Road, Dahlonega, 706864-6133; cityofdahlonega.com

Board of Education: 67 Lakeview Circle, Suite C, Hiawassee, 706-896-2279, towns.k12.ga.us Health Department 706-896-2265 Mountain Regional Library: Young Harris, 706379-3732 Hiawassee: 229 Chatuge Way, 706-896-2202 Young Harris: P.O. Box 122, 706-379-3171 Library: 99 South Berrong St., Hiawassee, 706-896-6169

Union County Government

706-865-5572; Helen branch, 90 Petes Park Road, Helen, 30545, 706-878-2438.

White County School System: 113 North Brook St., Cleveland, 706-865-2315, white.k12. ga.us.

Truett-McConnell College: 100 Alumni Drive, Cleveland, 30528, 706-865-2134, truett.edu.

Dawson County Government County: 86 Ga. 53 West, Suite 01, Dawsonville, Hockenhull Building; 706-3443501, fax, 706-344-3504; dawsoncounty.org.

Chamber of Commerce: 706-265-6278, e-mail newcomer@dawson.org, dawson.org.

Dawsonville: 706-265-3256; dawsonville.com.

Clerk, Superior Court: 706-344-3510

Emergency services

Sheriff: 378 Beasley St., Blairsville, 706-4396066 Fire & Rescue: 439-6095

Dawson County Sheriff’s Dept.: Dawsonville, 706-344-3535, dawsoncountysheriff.org Ambulance Service: 706-344-3711 EMA: 706-265-7813 County Fire Chief: 706-344-3666

Emergency services

Community resources

Community resources

County Sheriff’s Office: 194 Courthouse Hill, Dahlonega, 706-864-6101 Chestatee Regional Hospital: 227 Mountain Drive, Dahlonega, 706-864-6136; chestateeregional.com

Union County School Board: 706-745-2322 Library: 194 Hospital Circle, Blairsville, 706745-7491

Community resources

Government

Health Department: 706-265-2930 Dawson County Library: 342 Allen St., Dawsonville, 706-344-3690, dawson@ chestateelibrary.org Dawson County School System: 706-2653246, dawson.k12.ga.us

Lumpkin County Library: 342 Courthouse Hill, Dahlonega, 706-864-3668, lumpkin@ chestateelibrary.org Lumpkin County Board of Education: 51 Mountain View Drive, Dahlonega, 706-8643611; lumpkin.k12.ga.us Hidden Lake Academy: 830 Hidden Lake Road, Dahlonega, 30533, 800-394-0640, 706-864-4730, hiddenlakeacademy.com North Georgia College & State University: 32 College Circle, Dahlonega, 706-864-1400; ngcsu.edu

Towns County

Commissioners Office: 59 S. Main St., Cleveland, 30528, 706-865-2235.

Chamber of Commerce: 122 North Main St., Cleveland, 30528, 706-865-5356, 706-865-0758, whitecountychamber.org, whitecounty.com.

Planning Commission: 59 S. Main St., Cleveland, 706-865-6496.

Cleveland: 85 S. Main St., Cleveland, 706865-2017.

Helen: Chattahoochee Street, Helen, 706878-2722; Chamber of Commerce, 706878-1619, helenchamber.com; Welcome Center, 800-858-8027, helenga.org.

Government

Emergency services

County government: 48 River St., Suite B, Hiawassee, 706-896-2276, townscommissioner@windstream.net, townscountyga.com Chamber of Commerce: 706-896-4966, townscountytourism.com Building Inspector/Building Permits: 706-8960938

County Sheriff’s Office: 1210 Hulsey Road, Cleveland, 706-865-5177.

Cleveland Police: 85 S. Main St., Cleveland, 706-865-2111.

White County Fire Dept.: 706-865-3855.

Helen Fire Dept.: 706-878-3676.

Emergency Communications Office: 706-8651224.

Emergency services

Community resources

Sheriff: 4070 Ga. 339, Young Harris, 706896-4444 Emergency response: 1400 Jack Dayton Circle, Hiawassee, 706-896-2228 Ambulance: 706-896-6254 Fire: 706-896-2090

White County Health Department: 1241 Helen Highway, Unit 210, Cleveland, 30528, 706865-2191.

Ambulance Service: White County EMS, 1331 Helen Highway, Cleveland, 706-865-7475.

White County Library: 60 Bell St., Cleveland,

Emergency services

White County

Forsyth County Government Board of Commissioners: 110 E. Main St., Suite 210, Cumming, 770-781-2101, forsythco.com Administration Building: 110 E. Main St., Sharon Springs Branch Office, 1950 Sharon Road, Cumming, 770-781-2112 Chamber of Commerce: 770-887-6461, cummingforsythchamber.org Cumming: 100 Main St., 770-781-2010; police, 770-781-2000

Emergency services County Sheriff’s Department: 202 Old Buford Road, Cumming, 770-781-2222; forsythsheriff.org; e-mail, twpaxton@ co.forsyth.ga.us Fire Department: 3480 Settingdown Road, Cumming, 770-781-2180

Community resources Northside Hospital: 1200 Baptist Medical Center Drive, Cumming, 770-844-3200, northside.com Libraries: Cumming, 585 Dahlonega Road, 770-781-9840; Sharon Forks, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming, 770-781-9840 Forsyth County School System: 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming, 770-8872461, forsyth.k12.ga.us

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | WELCOME 2011

At Elachee, science is fun, the world is swarming with life and the sky is NOT the limit.

Getting back to nature. Y

BY LAUREN BLAIS

lblais@gainesvilletimes.com

For The Times

TOM REED | The Times

The live animal exhibit at Elachee Nature Science Center features native amphibians and reptiles and two red-tail Hawks.

ou don’t have to drive far to get back to nature. Sitting on more than 1,500 acres, the Elachee Nature Science Center in the Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve provides a unique opportunity to reconnect yourself with the outdoors and learn something, too.

“We’re a tremendous green oasis in Hall County,” Andrea Timpone, Elachee’s president and CEO, said.

Spring promises to bring lots of color as the wild violets, trillium, trout lillies, rhododendrons and other flowers start to bloom along Elachee’s trails. Take the half-mile paved trail for a smoother adventure, or customize your journey with one the 1-4 mile loops that take you over the many creeks.

There’s a suspension bridge on one trail, and if you’re committed you can walk all the way down to Chicopee Lake and the Aquatic Studies center, also accessible by car via Calvary Church Road.

But if you stick to trail, there’s a good chance you’ll hear a woodpecker or see a robin flitting around on some low branches. You might catch sight of a box turtle bathing in the sun or see small fish swimming in the creeks.

There’s quite a bit to look for, so if you want some help identifying the flora and fauna along the trails, you can borrow a nature pack from the center for free. With its binoculars and special ID charts, you’ll learn about the plants and critters that you encounter along the way; there’s even a Spanish version of each pack.

Or you could just participate in one of the First Saturday Hikes and explore the trails with a trained naturalist.

WELCOME 2011 | The Times, Gainesville, Georgia

‘Our mission is to each environmental appreciation through education and conservation efforts.’

Elachee Nature Science Center Where: 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville Hours: Trails open 8 a.m. to dusk, dogs permitted after 3 p.m. Museum, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Admission: $5 adults, $3 children ages 2-12.

More info: 770-535-1976. www.elachee.org.

Upcoming events March 19: Elachee’s Backyard Conservation Workshops, 10 to 11 a.m.; Rain and Water Collection Session, 11 a.m. to noon. Free, registration required.

March 31-June 9: Georgia Master Naturalist Program, geology, steam life, wildflowers, animals, and more, 1 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, $160 for 10 sessions.

April 2: “Wildflowers” First Saturday Hike, 10 to 11:30 a.m. $5 adults, $3 children 212, free for children under 2 and Elachee members.

April 2: Chicopee Woods Second Annual Trillium Trek Eco-Adventure Race, Registration required.

April 4-8: Elachee’s Spring Break Camp, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration required.

April 16: Earth Day, 10 a.m to 1 p.m. $5 adults, $3 children 2-12, free for children under 2 and Elachee members.

May 6: “Flights of Fancy” Benefit Auction, 6-9 p.m. Call for reservations.

Ongoing ■ Stars over Elachee at Chicopee Lake, March 12, April 8, 9, May 7. Times vary; Reservations required. $10 adults, $5 children ages 8-12, free for Elachee members.

■ First Saturday Hikes, March 5, April 2, May 7. 10 to 11:30 a.m. $5 adults, $3 children 2-12, free for children under 2 and Elachee members.

■ Trail Crew Work Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

March 5, April 9, May 7. Ages 18 and up.

Registration required.

■ “Waters of Time: The Chicopee Woods Story” and “Searching for Spaceship Earth” exhibits, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Other science museums Here are other museums in the area that provide science education Chattahoochee Nature Center, trails, animal exhibits, educational programs for kids and adults, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, 770-9922055. www.chattnaturecenter.org.

Gwinnett Environmental Heritage Center, interactive water exhibit, trails, history and culture program, 1510 Plunketts Road, Buford, 770-904-3500. www.gwinnettehc. org.

City of Gainesville Parks, 443 acres of parks with walking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and more. Complete list with locations online, 770-531-2680. www.gainesville.org/ parks-listings

Peter Gordon Elachee’s education program coordinator

Photos by TOM REED | The Times

Above: Peter Gordon, education director at Elachee nature Science Center, holds a corn snake that is one of the snakes on display in the live animal exhibit. Below: A pair of turtles in the live animal exhibit at Elachee Nature Science Center.

Education plays a big part in Elachee’s vision and goals.

“Our mission is to each environmental appreciation through education and conservation efforts,” said Peter Gordon, Elachee’s education program coordinator.

Last year, the center taught more than 30,000 students in 22 school districts. As the only nature center accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, kids get more out of a visit than simply fun. But you don’t have to wait for a field trip to check out what the center has to offer.

Transcend space and time with a visit to the exhibits at the nature center’s museum. Did you know that dinosaurs once swam in what is now Georgia? In Elachee’s “Waters of Time: The Chicopee Woods Story” exhibit, you can imagine what they looked like with the two nearly-complete dinosaur fossil skeletons excavated from South Dakota. There’s even a woolly mammoth tooth on display.

“A lot of people don’t realize that woolly mammoths were in the area,” Timpone said.

The exhibit itself is both a geologic and historic timeline of the area from the time of dinosaurs to woolly mammoths, from Native Americans to the first European naturalists who toured the state. There are even aerial maps showing recent changes to the area.

If you feel you’re a little too grounded, the exhibit “Searching for Spaceship Earth” can teach you about our solar system and the cosmos. The ViewSpace screen shows the latest astronomy pictures from Hubble and other telescopes. There’s even an inflatable planetarium that museum educators will bring out from time to time.

“We do a lot of astronomy education,” Timpone said.

Finally the live animal exhibit will put you face-to-face with some of those insects, reptiles and other critters that

are harder to find along the trails. It’s no surprise that the snakes are the most popular animal at the exhibit, while the gopher tortoise, a native of south Georgia, is the oldest.

At Elachee, there’s always something going on, year-round. The center offers nature-themed spring break and summer camps for kids. Adults can enroll in the Georgia Master Naturalist Program through the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

And the Chicopee Woods Trillium Trek on April 2 is like a nature marathon for the whole family. Teams or individuals race and orienteer their way through special challenges that test more than just one’s physical endurance.

With its multitude of programs and conservation efforts, it comes as a surprise that Elachee is not a state-funded park or educational facility. All its funding comes from its own programs, consulting and donations.

“It’s a very generous community that supports us,” Timpone said.

Many of Elachee’s spaces, including an outdoor balcony and pavilion, are available for rental.

Keep up-to-date with Elachee’s weekly and upcoming programs on its website, www.elachee.org.

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | WELCOME 2011

Cindy Andrews shows a group of students from the Swift School in Roswell how to use a telescope at Elachee Nature Science Center.

TOM REED | The Times

WELCOME 2011 | The Times, Gainesville, Georgia

Northeast Georgia History Center chronicles life in our region.

History at your fingertips. O

BY EMILY PERRY For The Times

ur is an area rich in history, whether it is because Georgia is one of the original 13 colonies or the fact that a few miles up the road from Gainesville, the discovery of gold brought prosperity.

Whatever the ties to the past, the Northeast Georgia History Center at Brenau University is dedicated to the preservation and sharing of that history.

“Our focus is on everyday life, historical events, the veterans, the significant things that have

happened in the past to the area and to the people,” said Glen Kyle, managing director of the center.

Kyle, who has been with the center for 3 1/2 years, is a military historian and is especially proud of the Freedom Garden. It was dedicated in 2006 “to all military veterans who gave their lives, or offered their lives, to preserve freedom for each generation.”

The garden features 24 granite pillars with the names of almost 800 who have served the country through the military.

“It’s very poignant and it’s about giving the gift of freedom,” Kyle said.

10 Fleming Weaver has been a board member and volunteer of the center for 15 years and understands what that means for those of us who live here.

“We have a wonderful history, an old history as far as our country is concerned,” he said. “One of the sad things is, because we’re naturally greedy, we just took the land away from the people who had lived here for centuries.

A lot of it had to do more about gold than it had to do with settling. Money talks.”

Take the tour Visitors enter the center through an atrium, an area large enough to accommodate dining events, and are greeted by a volunteer who supplies them with information for a self-guided tour.

The main exhibit gallery is called “The Land of Promise” and encompasses history from tens of thousands of years ago highlighted by a few artifacts dating back to 13,000 B.C. The exhibit is meant to convey the idea “that people came here for a reason and there has been this sense of prosperity driven community,” Kyle said.

No story of our area’s beginnings is complete without the Cherokee. Displayed along with pioneer history is a brief look at the tools used by the native people who made their homes along the river banks and the “blue” mountains long before Europeans set foot on this fertile ground.

The Cherokee were the only English-literate American Indian tribe, attributed to the efforts of Sequoyah and Elias Boudinot, a young Cherokee man trained by Christian missionaries. Land deeds dated July 1832 are on display representing the Indian Treaty.

The Center summarizes the existence of the deeds into one simple fact: “their sole purpose was the removal of Native Americans from the Southeast by whatever means were deemed appropriate.

Eventually, those who hadn’t already been moved by treaty or eradicated by disease were

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | WELCOME 2011

‘The incredibly ‘dirty secret’ of the History Center is this 1934 Ford pickup truck, donated to us by Dr. Stribling,’ Glen Kyle, managing director of Northeast Georgia History Center forcibly removed.”

And the Trail of Tears began.

Along with the discovery of Georgia gold, more people moved into the region via the blossoming railway that would eventually connect a network of small towns. As agriculture became the only way people could sustain their families, companies like the Bagwell Manufacturing Co. of Gainesville began to create much needed items such as the Bagwell Wagon.

The NGHC has two of them on display, along with the wagon’s successor; an automobile.

“The incredibly ‘dirty secret’ of the History Center is this 1934 Ford pickup truck, donated to us by Dr. Stribling,” Kyle said, in reference to the fact that the wagon, circa 1955, is newer than the Ford.

With the increasing population, settlers began to build churches and schools. Since these two institutions have a tremendous impact on the area, Kyle said they will soon focus on expanding their display of school history.

The main exhibit hall leads visitors along a path highlighting aspects of life in the region ranging from poignant to amusing. Among the amusing is a piece of history that is in fact not really history at all if you consider the practice continues today; what the locals call moonshining.” Pieces of a still used to concoct the whiskey known as “white lightening” reflect the continuous underlying struggle to survive in a sometimes unforgiving environment.

“I’m trying to find a way to work this into an interactive, but the sheriff won’t let me,”

Kyle jokes, since it’s actually illegal to have all components necessary to construct a still.

Modernization is the theme of the rest of the exhibits as industry and innovation made their mark in the area. Items such the adding machine, typewriter and even the washing machine, ushered in a service industry that became a leading, and lasting, economic factor in the region.

The era includes the efforts of the people who kept the public healthy, from the country doctor to the Brenau School of Nursing. The medical community thrives here and continues to grow.

The NGHC has dedicated a large exhibit to an event that impacted not just downtown Gainesville, but the area in general. As the new millennium progressed, mountain communities relied upon the goods and services they received in the largest town in the region. The tornado of 1936 destroyed the city’s square and for a time, crippled its progress during the Great Depression, sending shock waves still felt today.

“The 75th anniversary is coming in April and we will have a long list of things to commemorate that event,” Kyle said.

The post war era brought new challenges as well as entrepreneurs to the forefront.

Leaders in the textile and poultry industries, as well as the creation of Lake Lanier and the Corps of Engineers’ Buford Dam, set into motion ideas that would sustain the area for years to come.

“The (cotton) boll weevil had a near devastating effect on the region until local leaders like Jesse Jewell had

Photos by SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Northeast Georgia’s one-time rich textile industry is one of the exhibits inside the Northeast Georgia History Center’s gallery. The mills that located to the area and their surrounding mill villages brought a new prosperity and a new way of life to the mountain region.

11

WELCOME 2011 | The Times, Gainesville, Georgia

the foresight to look to farming, specifically, poultry farming as a life line for the region’s economy. Vertical integration was an important successful tool in the industry as companies owned the product from creation to the table,” Kyle said.

Celebrating sports and art The History Center recognizes area athletes who have had a national impact in its sports Hall of Fame. Recently highlighted was the life of golfing great Tommy Aaron, a Gainesville native and former Masters champion.

The Center’s other exhibit hall offers a display of two art forms and a few of their creators: Ed Dodd’s longrunning newspaper cartoon “Mark Trail,” and the earthy folk pottery of the mountain region that has come to nationwide fame.

Included is an extensive exhibit of Dodd’s personal effects along with a history of his conservation efforts.

He was considered a man of ideas before his time with foresight garnered as an avid outdoorsman.

“His mindset was decades ahead of the rest of us. He felt strongly about

ecological responsibility. He was a leader in that respect,” Kyle said.

The NGHC is considered to be the first stop on the Folk Potters Trail of Northeast Georgia. The trail is a collaborative effort between the Center and the Folk Pottery Museum located in Sautee-Nacoochee, 35 miles north of Gainesville.

Pottery making is a long standing tradition in the area. Artists like Lanier Meaders, whose potter’s wheel is featured in one of the exhibits, became well known for his quirky folk art and helped put Mossy Creek on the map.

A tour of the Center ends with a visit outdoors to the former home of White Path, a Cherokee Indian who lived in what is now Gilmer County.

Kyle said Gainesville resident, Don Cooley, who had traced his family heritage from White Path’s, asked Gilmer County to help him preserve the structure he found on happenstance. Later, Cooley purchased the cabin and moved it to Hall County for use as a family gathering place.

Another local historian, James Mathis, who founded what is now the History Center, helped Cooley in his

efforts to preserve the cabin. Mathis worked with Brenau University to secure a land grant which resulted in the cabin’s final resting place.

The NGHC building was constructed around the cabin allowing for an outdoor amphitheater. Recently, it received an Appalachian Regional Commission grant that will be used to conduct research and improve the job of interpreting the history of the cabin.

“In these logs is 200 years of north Georgia history, pretty significant history and what came after,” Kyle said. “We are so lucky to have (this cabin). It really is the jewel of (our) crown.”

In addition to the exhibits and Freedom Garden, the History Center has a gift shop where an array of items are available to purchase such as private label jams, jellies and relishes, handcrafted jewelry, glass and textiles. There is also a generous offering of books that range in subject matter from history to cooking to ecology. Many of the volumes on hand have been written by local authors, including Gordon Sawyer, Phil Jackson and Zell Miller. Folk pottery

is available for sale, in traditional and contemporary pieces, from the Hewell, Meaders, and Craven families.

Community support Original board members like the Mathis, Fockele, Dunlap, Ramsey and Jacobs families, among others, have made it possible for the History Center, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), to exist by raising enough money to construct the new building without any debt.

“We’ve come to call them the ‘greatest generation,’” Kyle said.

“You’re talking about folks, when they came home from war, they were determined to make their city, state and nation better places and that’s what they did.

“It really speaks to the community’s involvement and recognition that what we do is important, because the building is completely paid for.

“The community gave birth to this and the community has allowed us to survive and to thrive. And so far we have. But we have to make sure that continues, that the symbiotic relationship continues,” he said.

Fundraising is key to the center’s survival and donations are always appreciated Kyle said. The center’s next event, “Taste of History; A Tribute to Higher Education in Georgia” will take place in the fall. A $50-aplate luncheon will be held with nine institutions of higher learning involved in the recognition, Weaver said.

The NGHC accommodates over 2,000 students on field trips each year with docents who are also volunteers. Reservations are recommended at least a week in advance for schools or groups interested in a tour. There is no additional charge for a guided tour, only the admission price is required.

The primary function of the NGHC, the sharing of the area’s history, is accomplished through their docent program currently under the guidance of Steve Gurr of Gainesville. Gurr retired from his position as history professor at Gainesville State College in 1994. He’s been a volunteer with the History Center for almost 10 years.

“What I enjoy most are the students, the young kids, because they

12

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | WELCOME 2011

Northeast Georgia History Center Where: Brenau University campus, 322 Academy St., Gainesville.

Hours: 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday Admission: $5 adults, $4 ages 65 and over, $3 students 18 and under, free under age 6; special rates given to schools and societies with large groups. For membership information, call 770-297-5900.

Web site: www.negahc.org.

Spring events March 8: Forum. “The Cherokee in Northeast Georgia.” 7 p.m.; $3 nonmembers; free for members.

March 13: Family Day. “The Cherokee in Northeast Georgia.” 1 to 4 p.m.

April 1-30: Exhibit. 75th Anniversary of “Tornado of ‘36.” Free. Reunion, reception for survivors April 3.

April 1-30: Exhibit. Life in the 1930’s.

April 10: Family Day. “Wild Weather: Tornado of ‘36.” 1 to 4 p.m.

April 12: Forum. Roundtable discussion of the tornado of 1936 destruction, survival and recovery.

Free for members; $3 nonmembers.

May 10: Forum. “Mountain Music — Dulcimers and Other Instruments.”

7 p.m. Free for members; $3 nonmembers.

May 23-June 7: Exhibit. “Memorial Day 2011 - Honoring Those Who Gave Their Lives for Freedom.”

May 30: Memorial Day. Open house immediately following parade. Handson activities, interactive displays and refreshments. Through 3 p.m.

Other historic museums Here are some other sites in Northeast Georgia that highlight our area’s history Beulah Rucker Museum and Community Culture Center, U.S. 129 near Monroe Drive, Gainesville, 404-401-6589, www.beulahruckermuseum.org Longstreet Society, 770-539-9005, www.longstreet.org Mauldin House Welcome Center, Millinery Shop and Log Cabin, Water & Jefferson Streets, Clarkesville, 706754-2296 Joseph Habersham Summer Home, north of Clarkesville on Old Highway 441 The Charm House, two-story Greek Revival home built in 1900, Washington Street, Clarkesville Johnny Mize Baseball Museum, Piedmont College, Demorest Chenocetah Tower, Ga. 123 E., Cornelia.

Inside the gallery of the Northeast Georgia History Center is The Northeast Georgia Sports Hall of Fame which recognizes the greatest sports figures from the area. Such figures include Ty Cobb, Bill Elliott and Tommy Aaron.

SCOTT ROGERS The Times

are alert and inquisitive and they challenge you in a pleasant way,” Gurr said. “They ask about things just like kids do, things you don’t think about, and it makes you think, and that’s helpful.”

“There is also a specific outreach to homeschooled children,” Weaver said. “They are an excellent group for us to reach out to. Education is our major thrust, preserving and educating are two words that sum it up.” “(Our) volunteer docents are the front lines,” Kyle said. “They are the ones who really make it happen, especially with the school groups.”

The NGHC offers a monthly forum, held in the Ada Mae Ivester Education Center, where guests are invited to speak on various subjects of interest.

“They started these monthly programs on specific historic themes and we’ve had a diverse group of presenters,” Weaver said. “All of them have been really excellent.”

February’s forum guest was retired local law enforcement officer, Willard Langdon, who penned a book about the history of law enforcement in Hall County. Admission to the forums is free for members and $3 for nonmembers.

“The forums are more for the adults, we don’t have a lot of young adults come in, because they don’t have time,” Weaver said.

“They’re making history, they’re involved in building things and doing things.”

The value of helping people understand where they came from is important, said Weaver. “But as time goes on and you see things in a community that need to be preserved, then you take it upon yourself to assist in that process.

“The NGHC has been going through a growing mode and for the last five years we’ve been in our facility here on the Brenau campus which has afforded us an opportunity to do a

much more effective job in educating the public as to the history of north Georgia.

“I feel that there is, more so now than ever, a need to preserve our culture,” he said.

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WELCOME 2011 | The Times, Gainesville, Georgia

Quinlan Visual Arts Center has served as a hub for local artists for six decades.

An eye for art.

Quinlan Visual Arts Center Executive Director Amanda Kroll McClure, left, and Assistant Director Paula Lindner discuss a large painting

by Barry Sons currently on exhibit.

Photos by SCOTT ROGERS The Times

BY JENNIFER JACKSON WHITLEY

F

For The Times

or more than 60 years, the Quinlan Visual Arts Center has provided its community with exhibitions, galas and artistic enlightenment.

Though it began as a sketch club, the Quinlan Visual Arts Center has grown into North Georgia’s foremost art organization.

“The Gainesville Art Association, a core group of artists founded in 1946,

became the Quinlan Visual Arts Center in 1964 when the original building was constructed,” said Amanda Kroll McClure, executive director.

Various people over its lifetime have kept the Quinlan Visual Arts Center running. The center’s name honors Leslie F. Quinlan, who deeded his land in 1955 to jump-start community arts in North Georgia.

The Quinlan building was renovated in 2004, allowing the center to offer even more to its budding artistic community.

“I love our building; it has absolutely everything we need, but because it is so large a facility, there are the normal challenges of maintaining the building and grounds that can stretch a nonprofit budget,” McClure said.

McClure has been at the center since 2004, but became executive director in 2008. Though she holds one title, her job is multifaceted.

“I wear many hats,” she said. “On many days, I am artistic director as well as a fundraiser.”

In the new center, patrons will find

three large studio spaces for multimedia art production, a potter studio, a darkroom, five gallery spaces, a museum-quality gift shop, conference room and catering kitchen.

“The Quinlan Arts Center is a wonderful facility that allows people the chance to catch a glimpse into the ‘art world,’” said Amanda Cruce, a student at North Georgia College & State University. “It brings some of the fine arts into the heart of Gainesville and makes it more close to home, which is especially great for

‘I love our building; it has absolutely everything we need ...’

Amanda Kroll McClure Executive director of the Quinlan Visual Arts Center

14 an art student.”

Cruce has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in photography and is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching for art education.

“I think the Quinlan is a valuable asset to the community due to the fact that it allows local artists and students a chance to showcase their work close to home,” Cruce said. “The exhibits can be viewed in a more intimate level as opposed to larger museums and more urban galleries.”

There are only three employees at the Quinlan center, but it could not operate without its volunteers, artists, instructors, interns and board members.

“We all hang art and set up for events while we find time to work on the website, call vendors, meet with community partners and plan for workshops, classes and camps,” McClure said.

With the hard work its organizers put in, the Quinlan is able to hold many exhibitions throughout the year.

The center has a permanent collection on view in staff areas, offices, classrooms, and work rooms as

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | WELCOME 2011

well as on the grounds, McClure said. It holds up to 20 exhibitions that rotate seven times annually. Exhibitions are on view between six and eight weeks.

“Functions, like receptions, at the center allow guests a look into the world of fine art where they might not have otherwise,” Cruce said.

“It also gives those who participate in classes and camps a chance to explore creativity and expression — no matter their age.”

With so many artists debuted at the center, it’s hard to pick a favorite; however, it is easy to fall in love with all of their hard work and contributions to the community.

“I have been blessed to work with so many of our local talents in projects both at the center and through the community that I can now count many of them as friends,” McClure said. “The Georgia Art League, in particular, has been a wonderful group to the Quinlan.”

The center just ended its winter art exhibition; however, Art of Our Mothers, a spring juried exhibition, opens in April, along with solo artists Chad Shore, Rachel Q. Landers and Juan Alonso.

Exhibitions are not the only artwork found at the Quinlan Center; their gift shop is one of a kind, filled with artfully crafted gifts by local artists.

Downstairs, too, patrons will find art displayed by The Georgia Art League, an organization founded by Anne B. Hill, where local artists can bring their work to be judged, awarded, exhibited and purchased.

“Several years ago we decided to start an art group.

Now we have over 100 members who attend our monthly meetings at the Quinlan,” Hill said, a marine artist.

Hill is known for her watercolors of Lake Lanier.

“I have a symbiotic relationship with the Quinlan. We work together with Art in the Square — they help promote it and we help them raise money when we can,” Hill said. On top of working with the Quinlan through Art in the Square and The Georgia Art League, Hill also volunteers her time there as much as possible.

“The Quinlan has always been one of the loves in my life because it’s important to have a nice art center in town where you live,” she said.

Quinlan Arts Center

Other art museums

Where: 514 Green St., Gainesville Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday More info: 770-536-2575, fax 678-3432738, info@quinlanartscenter.org, www. quinlanartscenter.org

Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St. S.E., Gainesville, 770) 534-2787 The Wages Collection, 406 Academy St., Gainesville, 770-534-6244 Around Back At Rocky’s Place, 3631 Highway 53 E, Dawsonville, 706-6266030, aroundbackatrockysplace.com Yonah Treasures, 47 Helen Highway, Cleveland, 706-634-8236 Simmons Visual Arts Center, Leo Castelli Art Gallery, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville, 770-534-6299 Roy C. Moore Art Gallery, Gainesville State College, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood, 770-718-3639 Georgia Heritage Center for the Arts, Tallulah Falls. 706-754-5989.

Tallulah Gallery, U.S. 441, Clarkesville, 706-754-6020.

Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, Sautee Nacoochee Center, Ga. 255 N., 706-878-3300, ext. 307

Upcoming events March 3: 33rd annual Gala Art Auction Preview Party March 5: 33rd annual Gala Art Auction March 17-April 9: Youth Art Month Sponsored by Kiwanis Club. Gainesville city and Hall county schools, grades 6-12. Scholarships will be awarded.

Reception, 5:30 p.m. March 18, awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

April 14-June 4: Spring Exhibition featuring artists Chad Shore, Juan Alonzo, Rachel Q. Landers and “Art of our Mothers.” Opening reception 5:30 p.m. April 14.

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Lora Hill works on a portrait of model Annie Jefferson during an oil painting class at The Quinlan Visual Arts Center. The center also offers intermediate and advanced courses in drawing, oil and acrylic painting, watercolor, collage, mixed media, jewelry design, photography, ceramics, glass, mosaics, fiber and specialty classes.

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WELCOME 2011 | The Times, Gainesville, Georgia

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

Quinlan Visual Arts Center Executive Director Amanda Kroll McClure straightens a painting hanging inside the gallery.

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404.874.1166 georgiasown.org 800.533.2062

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The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | WELCOME 2011

INK museum lets kids have fun in a make-believe grown-up world.

A little piece of T home.

BY TASHA BIGGERS

tbiggers@gainesvilletimes.com

he sound of stacking building blocks fills the room at Interactive Neighborhood for Kids in Gainesville.

Alex Hollenbeck, 3, and his sister, Anna Kate Hollenbeck, 1, are playing together in “Preschool Paradise,” a room designed for the museum’s smallest visitors.

The children’s parents, Dave and Candice Hollenbeck of Cornelia, recently became members of INK. “It’s a great place for moms to come and to interact with their

Photos by SARA GUEVARA | The Times

Riverbend Elementary School kindergartner Olivia Cavazas, 6, shops inside the grocery store at the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids in Gainesville.

kids,” Candice Hollenbeck said.

“Sometimes, it’s hard staying at home and kids get bored, and they want to get out and do something.”

Parents will find plenty for kids to do at INK. Take them on a stroll down the path that leads through the museum, and kids might want to stop at every “store” and “office” along the way.

With more than 20 rooms where they can play pretend, INK’s organizers made sure to pepper in plenty of ways for kids to learn, too.

Prepare for a trip to the dentist in “Dr. Norman Peet’s Dentist

17

WELCOME 2011 | The Times, Gainesville, Georgia

Office,” or let little ones learn how to shop for healthy food at the kid-sized “J & J Foods Grocery Store.”

The “50’s Diner” sets the stage for serving others.

Tots can learn all about their own bodies while exploring “Building a Healthy Body,” or give mom or dad a check up at the mini “Northeast Georgia Medical Center.”

Some stations at INK simply focus on active play, like “Preschool Paradise.”

“They like every station,” Candice Hollenbeck said.

“They really like this small area. Anna Kate does. She’s 1, and she loves to play on the jungle gym and the caterpillar here you can crawl through.”

A bigger jungle gym in the back of INK welcomes older kids like Alex.

“He loves that a lot. And the trains, and the grocery store.

They like it all,” she said.

The museum, which is in its eighth year of operation, welcomed 60,000 visitors last year, and is on track to meet or exceed that amount in 2011, according to assistant director Phil Dennis.

INK is a nonprofit organization and relies mainly on donations and admission fees to keep its doors open.

Dennis said INK continues to change and expand to meet the needs of a wide range of ages, from preschool to elementary school and possibly even middle school.

Visitors can see the changes as soon as they walk in the door, beginning with the gift shop’s new display cabinets, donated by the owners of Gainesville’s now-closed Amazing Grace bookstore.

The cabinets hold educational toys and books, including an extensive line of Melissa and Doug toys and art supplies.

“This makes a huge difference in the way things look,” Dennis said.

Tucked in a corner is the recently improved paintyour-own-pottery studio. Kids can pick a small figurine or

‘Her vision was to do something and give back. Have a safe place that builds self-esteem the right way, not by telling a kid how great he is, but letting him dream, letting him imagine.

Just letting imagination take flight, and that’s what this place does.’

Assistant Director Phil Dennis on founder and executive director Sheri Hooper bowl from INK’s collection, paint it and have it glazed and fired.

Adults can tackle more complicated pieces, including a large square platter or a goblet.

Dennis said children often come to the studio with their grandparents when they’re in town visiting, but INK has also been host to sororities and other adult groups.

“We mailed (finished pieces) to Chicago, New York, Tennessee, North Carolina this past year,” he said.

The pottery studio has no admission fee, and projects range from $2 to $90. Gift shop admission also is free.

When visiting the museum, kids can stop by the arts-and-crafts room to get creative with seasonally themed crafts, which change weekly.

“We try and have something little for our members to do for free, and for everybody else, they pay a dollar,” Dennis said.

Birthday rooms offer a place to party. INK regularly has as many as nine parties each Saturday.

Home school parents can supplement their teaching resources at INK. A toy library allows teachers and parents to borrow educational toys, and a diecut machine also is available for their use.

New exhibits include a music room, where kids can try various instruments, including a recently donated organ.

They can get schooled on Gainesville’s poultry past by Penny the Hen, another new addition.

Penny, who is an animatronic chicken, points out facts about poultry pioneer Jesse Jewell, along with other chicken-related tidbits.

For more fun on the farm, let your little ones give milking a try at INK’s traditional “milking parlor,” complete with a (pretend) milkable cow.

Dennis said INK’s executive director, Sheri Hooper, founded the museum in an effort to positively benefit her community and to give kids a chance to develop healthy self esteem by using their imaginations.

“Her vision was to do something and give back,” he said.

“Have a safe place that builds self-esteem the right way, not by telling a kid how great he is, but letting him dream, letting him imagine. Just letting imagination take flight, and that’s what this place does.”

When funding is available for expansion, other “neighborhoods” may be added later, Dennis said, including one just for visitors that are 4 or younger.

But for now, Alex and Anna Kate are happy with building blocks and model trains, and the Hollenbecks can bond in INK’s safe, educational environment.

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18

Spring events.

Hall County For events at Elachee Nature Science Center, Northeast Georgia History Museum, Quinlan Visual Arts Center and Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, see related stories.

March March 3-5: Big Band Show. 7:30 p.m. nightly, Ed Cabell Theatre, Gainesville State College, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. 678-717-2920, gsc.edu.

March 5: 33rd Annual Gala Art Auction. 6 p.m., Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. $125 per person. 770-536-2575, quinlanartscenter.org.

March 8-10: “Hairspray.” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; Thursday sold out. Gainesville High School Performing Arts Center (“The Ware House”), 830 Century Place, Gainesville. $5. Tickets must be picked up between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 2-4 in the GHS lobby. ghstheatre@bellsouth.net.

March 11-13: “Aladdin.” Gainesville Ballet Company. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday. Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. $24 adults, $20 seniors, $16 students and children; Brenau faculty, staff and students free with ID. 770-532-4241, gainesvilleballet.org.

March 11-13: NASA. Road Atlanta, 5300 Winder Hwy., Braselton. 770-967-6143, roadatlanta. com.

March 12: Sasha Masakowski and Musical Playground. Evenings of Intimate Jazz. 8 p.m., Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St., Gainesville. $30. 770-534-2787, theartscouncil.net.

March 15: Neal Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway.”

Arts Council Pearce Series. 7:30 p.m., Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. $35 adults, $32 seniors, $28 students. 770-534-2787, theartscouncil.net.

March 17: “Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun.” Southern Circuit Tour Independent Filmmakers Series. 7:30 p.m., Continuing Education Center, Gainesville State College, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. $7 adults, $5 seniors and students. 770-534-2787, theartscouncil.net.

March 17: Brenau University Department of Music Vocal Chamber Ensemble. “Live, Laugh, Love.” 7:30 p.m., John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. Free. 770-538-4764, brenau.edu/music.

March 18: Gainesville Symphony Orchestra Young People’s Concerts. 9:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. 770-532-5727, gsomusic.com.

March 18-20: SCCA National. Road Atlanta, 5300 Winder Highway, Braselton. 770-967-6143, roadatlanta.com.

March 26: Alpha Gamma Delta Dash. 5K; one mile fun run. Registration 6:30 a.m.; race 7:30 a.m.; fun run 8:30 a.m., American Legion, Riverside Drive, Gainesville. alamphier@tiger.brenau.edu.

March 27: “Pipes and Keys.” Organ and piano concert by ProMusica Concert Series.

3 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 800 S. Enota Drive NE, Gainesville. $20. 770-531-7776, promusicaconcertseries.com.

March 28: Brenau University Gospel Choir.

7:30 p.m., Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. Free. 770-5384764, brenau.edu/music.

March 29-April 28: Graduating Arts Students Exhibition. Reception, 5:30 p.m. April 28, Roy C. Moore Art Gallery, Gainesville State College, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. Free.

678-717-3707, gsc.edu.

March 29: Stage tour of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Gainesville Theatre Alliance. 6 p.m., Ed Cabell Theatre, Gainesville State College, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. Free. 678-7173624, gainesvilletheatrealliance.org.

March 31: Brenau University’s Faculty Dance Concert. 7:30 p.m. April 2, John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. $6 general admission, $4 children, seniors and students; free for Brenau students, faculty and staff.

March 31: Poetry reading. Brian Turner. Noon, John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. 770-534-6179.

April April 6: Lauretta Hannon. “How to Tell the Greatest Story Never Told - Yours.” Northeast Georgia Writers. 1-3 p.m., Peach State Bank, 325 Washington St., Gainesville. $25; preregistration required. 770-519-7279, negawriters.org or holmeslynda@bellsouth.net.

April 7: Junior recital, piano. Nancy Mizzell. 7:30 p.m., Banks Recital Hall, John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. Free; limited seating. 770-538-4764, brenau.edu/music.

April 9: Extraordinary Measures: Opera Highlights. 7:30 p.m., Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. Free.

770-538-4764, brenau.edu.

April 12-29: 2011 Brenau Collaborative.

Reception, 5:30-8 p.m. April 16, Brenau Galleries, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. Free. 770-534-6263 or gallery@brenau.edu.

April 12-17, 19-23: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Gainesville Theatre Alliance. 7:30 p.m.

April 12-16 and 19-23; 2:30 p.m. April 17 and 23, Ed Cabell Theatre, Gainesville State College, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. $16-$18 adults, $14-$16 seniors, $10-$12 students.

678-717-3624, gainesvilletheatrealliance.org.

April 14: “The Electricity Fairy.” Southern Circuit Tour Independent Filmmaker series. Director’s reception follows at 7:30 p.m., Continuing Education Center, Gainesville State College, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. $7 adults, $5 seniors and students. 770-534-2787, theartscouncil.net.

April 14: Il Portale Musicale. “French Melodie to Preludes by Debussy.” 7:30 p.m., Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. Free. 770-538-4764, brenau. edu/music.

April 15-17: Senior Thesis Dance Concert.

7:30 p.m. April 15 and 16; 2 p.m. April 17, John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. 770-538-4757.

April 15-16: Brenau Alumnae Reunion (Women’s College) and May Day Weekend. Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville.

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | WELCOME 2011 770-534-6164, brenau.edu.

April 16: The Brenau Student Fashion Show.

4:30 p.m., Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville.

April 16: Morgan Guerin Quartet. Evenings of Intimate Jazz. 8 p.m., Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St., Gainesville. $30. 770-534-2787, theartscouncil.net.

April 18: Spectrum Singers and Vocal Chamber Ensemble Concert. “How Can I Keep From Singing?” 7:30 p.m., Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. Free.

770-538-4764, brenau.edu/music.

April 26: Spelling Bee 2011. Alliance for Literacy.

7 p.m. April 26, Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville.

770-531-4337. Tickets available at the door. $5 adults, $2 children.

April 29 and May 1: “Carmina Burana.” Voices of North Georgia. 7:30 p.m. April 29; 3 p.m. May 1, Georgia Mountains Center Theatre, 301 Main St. SW, Gainesville. $15 adults, $12 seniors and students, free for children age 11 and younger when accompanied by an adult. 678-943-7255, 770-534-2787, voicesofnorthgeorgia.com.

April 29-May 1: HSR Mitty Speedfest. Road Atlanta, 5300 Winder Highway, Braselton. 770967-6143, roadatlanta.com.

April 29: Kinchafoonee Cowboys Concert.

Barbecue dinner. Benefits the Good News Clinics. Brenau Amphitheater, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. $75 per person; $1,000 for a table of 8. 770-297-5040. goodnewsclinics.org.

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May May 6-7: “Dancing at Dusk.” Gainesville Ballet Company. 6:30 p.m., Brenau Amphitheater, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. 770-532-4241, gainesvilleballet.org.

May 6-7: Drift Atlanta. Road Atlanta, 5300 Winder Highway, Braselton. 770-967-6143, roadatlanta. com.

May 7: The Gathering at Reggie’s. Pottery sale featuring David Meaders and friends. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., 9401 Skitts Mountain Drive, Lula. 706-6771528 or trappers@bellsouth.net. 706-677-1528.

May 13: Steve Cunningham and Friends.

Evenings of Intimate Jazz. 8 p.m., Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St. SW, Gainesville. $30. 770534-2787, theartscouncil.net.

May 15: Family Day. “Butterfly Legends and Science.” In conjunction with Friends of the Park Annual Butterfly Release. 1 to 4 p.m., Wilshire Trails Park, Wilshire Drive, Gainesville. 770-2975900 or jcarson@brenau.edu.

May 15: Gainesville School of Ballet Performances. 2 to 5:30 p.m., Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. $5.

May 20: Preview party for Brenau Barbecue Championship. Regional bands. No outside food or drink allowed. 5 p.m., Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. $10 admission.

May 21: 3rd Annual Brenau Barbecue Championship. Professional and amateur barbecue chefs will compete. Vendors, classic car show, barbecue for sale. 10 a.m., Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. 770534-6161, brenau.edu/bbq or jbarco@brenau. edu.

May 21-22: SCCA National. Road Atlanta, 5300 Winder Highway, Braselton. 770-967-6143, roadatlanta.com.

May 30: “America Remembers: Saluting All Who Have Served.” Northwinds Symphonic Band.

7:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 751 Green St., Gainesville. Free. northwindsband.com.

Banks County March March 27: Import Face-Off Event, Atlanta Dragway, 500 E. Ridgeway Road, Commerce, atlantadragway.com, 706-335-2301.

April April 15-17: NMRA/NMCA National Drag Racing Event, Atlanta Dragway, 500 E. Ridgeway Road, Commerce, atlantadragway.com, 706-335-2301.

April 28: Banks County CVB Spring Golf Tournament, noon, Hammers Glen Country Club, Homer. Banks County CVB, 706-677-5265.

May May 13–15: Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals, Atlanta Dragway, 500 E. Ridgeway Road, Commerce, atlantadragway. com, 706-335-2301.

May 20-22: Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Atlanta Dragway, 500 E. Ridgeway Road, Commerce, atlantadragway.com, 706-335-2301.

May 28: Day at Fort Hollingsworth, 10 a.m., Fort Hollingsworth, Alto. 706-754-4538, forthollingsworth-whitehouse.com.

Dawson County March March 6: “Paint with the Artists!” series,

3 to 5 p.m., Bowen Center for the Arts, 334 Ga. 9 N, Dawsonville. Featured artist: Kelley Bentley Ash. Fee: $45. Around Back at Rocky’s Place folk art gallery, 706-265-6030, aroundbackatrockysplace.com.

March 19: Spring Sports Opening Day, 10 a.m., Dawson County Park and Recreation, Rock Creek Sports Complex, 445 Martin Road, Dawsonville, 706-344-3646

April April 3: “Paint with the Artists!” series, 3 to 5 p.m., Bowen Center for the Arts, 334 Ga. 9 N, Dawsonville. Featured artist: Stephanie Talley. Fee: $45. Around Back at Rocky’s Place folk art gallery, 706-265-6030, aroundbackatrockysplace.com.

April 23: Community Egg Hunt, 4 p.m., Veterans Memorial Park, 186 Recreation Road, Dawsonville, 706-216-5273.

9178, playhousecumming.com.

March 26: Laura Monk and High Cotton, 8 p.m., The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming, 770-781-9178, playhousecumming. com.

March 26: Superhero Run, 8-10 a.m. Fowler Park, Carolene Way at Castleberry Road and Ga 9. 5K, 1K fun run to benefit CASA of Forsyth County.

Register at active.com/running/cumming-ga/ casa-superhero-run-2011.

March 26: Lunafest Fundraiser for Faith’s House, 1 p.m., Northside Forsyth Hospital-Bennett Education Center, 1400 Northside Forsyth Drive, Building 1100, Cumming. 770-205- 6311. Film festival featuring award-winning short films by, for, and about women.

April April 7-17: Georgia Senior Follies, 8 p.m., The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming, 770-781-9178, playhousecumming.com, georgiaseniorfollies.com.

April 29-May 22: M*A*S*H*, 8 p.m.; 3 p.m.

Sunday matinees, The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming, 770-781-9178, playhousecumming.com, georgiaseniorfollies. com.

April 29: Relay For Life Cancer Survivor Dinner Celebration,. 7-9 p.m., Matt Elementary School, 7455 Wallace Tatum Road, Cumming, 770-2971176, ext. 23.

May 13-14: Relay For Life of Forsyth County, 6 p.m.to 7 a.m., 235 Castleberry Road, Cumming, 770-297-1176, ext. 23

May May 7: Forsyth County Master Gardeners annual Spring Plant Sale, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.,The Avenue Forsyth, between Furniture Express and Ga. 141. Forsyth County Extension Office, 770887-2418.

May 27: Comedian Aaron Wilburn, 8 p.m., The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming, 770-781-9178, playhousecumming.com, georgiaseniorfollies.com.

haBersham County March March 18-20: Kiln Opening, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Hickory Flat Pottery, 13664 Ga. 197 N, Clarkesville.

Contact: Cindy Angliss, 706-947-0030, hickoryflatpottery.com.

March 19: Clarkesville Shuffle, 5K race through downtown Clarkesville. Clarkesville Better Hometown, 706-754-2220, clarkesvillega.com.

March 19: Heritage Craft Classes present “Spinning” in the Historic Millinery Shop and Museum, Clarkesville. Clarkesville Better Hometown, 706-754-2220, clarkesvillega.com.

April April 1-2: “Dragons and Fairies in the Garden,” live theatrical performances, Historic Mauldin House Gardens, Clarkesville. Clarkesville Better Hometown, 706-754-2220, clarkesvillega.com.

2780 Thompson Bridge Rd Gainesville, Georgia, 30506

770-536-2341 www.gfumc.com

May May 7-8: Spring Fling 2011, 10 a.m to 5 p.m., Dawson County Middle School, 332 Ga. 9 N, Dawsonville, 706-216-2787 May 20: Relay for Life, Dawson County High School, 1665 Perimeter Road, Dawsonville, 770- 297-1176

Forsyth County March March 4: North Georgia Barbershop Singers, 8 p.m., The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming, 770-781-9178, playhousecumming. com.

March 5: “An Evening with Mark Twain” by Kurt Sutton, 8 p.m., The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming, 770-781-9178, playhousecumming.com.

March 12: Celtic Celebration Two” Sounds of Sawnee Celtic, 8 p.m., The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming, 770-781-9178, playhousecumming.com.

March 19-20: “ The Wearing of the Green”, 8 p.m.

Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Cumming Playhouse Singers perform Irish music, The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming, 770-781-

8:30 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

10:55 a.m.

10:55 a.m.

10:55 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

Sunday Worship Opportunities

Traditional Worship, Sanctuary Living Waters Praise & Worship, GREAT Room* JAM – Jesus and Me (for children 3-4 years old & kindergarten) Living Waters Praise & Worship, GREAT Room Traditional Worship, Sanctuary The Harbor (Youth Fellowship)

Loving childcare is offered during all worship services for infants through 36 months. *American sign language interpreter is at 9:30 a.m. service.

271602 2-27 em

April 30: Spring Chicken Festival. Chicken cookoff, The Rubber ChickEkiden, Chicken Feathers Quilt Show, parade, children’s activities by Interactive Neighborhood for Kids. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Roosevelt Square, downtown Gainesville, $8 adults, $5 kids age 10 and younger. 770-5311102. keephallbeautiful.org.

April 30: “Side by Side” Fusion Concert. Gainesville Symphony Orchestra. Featuring the Gainesville Youth Symphony Players. 7:30 p.m., Pearce Auditorium, Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. $30 adults, $8 students. 770-532-5727, gainesvillesymphony.com.

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April 2: Homemade Jam, 2 to 4 p.m., free concert in Pitts Park, Clarkesville. Clarkesville Better Hometown, 706-754-2220, clarkesvillega.com April 15-17: Kiln Opening, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Hickory Flat Pottery, 13664 Ga. 197 N, Clarkesville.

Contact: Cindy Angliss, 706-947-0030, hickoryflatpottery.com.

April 16: Homemade Jam, 2 to 4 p.m., free concert in Pitts Park, Clarkesville, Clarkesville Better Hometown, 706-754-2220, clarkesvillega.com.

April 22: Plein-air Demo by oil painter Isabel Forbes, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Burton Gallery, 150 Burton Dam Road, Clarkesville, 706-947-1351, burtongalleryandemporium.com, burtongallery@ windstream.net.

April 29: Friday Night Flicks, free outdoor movies in Pitts Park, Clarkesville. Clarkesville Better Hometown, 706-754-2220, clarkesvillega.com.

April 30: Heritage Craft Classes present “Altered Couture,” Historic Mauldin House, Clarkesville.

Clarkesville Better Hometown, 706-754-2220, clarkesvillega.com.

GreshamMotorsportsPark.com.Open test in all divisions, pit gates open at 10:30 a.m. Free.

May

March

May 6-8, 27-29: Kiln Opening, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Hickory Flat Pottery, 13664 Ga. 197 N, Clarkesville.

Contact: Cindy Angliss, 706-947-0030, hickoryflatpottery.com.

May 7: Ladies of The Lake Celebrate Mothers Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food, flowers, gifts and entertainment. Hickory Flat Pottery, 13664 Ga. 197 N, Clarkesville, hickoryflatpottery. com; Cottage Garden Furniture, 15729 Ga. 197 N, Clarkesville, cottagegardenfurniture.com; North 40 Lodge, 15702 Ga. 197 N, Clarkesville, north40lodge.com; Burton Gallery and Emporium, 150 Burton Dam Road, Clarkesville, burtongalleryandemporium.com.

May 7: Homemade Jam, 2 to 4 p.m., free concert in Pitts Park, Clarkesville. Clarkesville Better Hometown, 706-754-2220, clarkesvillega.com.

May 7: Chainsaw Carving Demo by Christina White, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Burton Gallery, 150 Burton Dam Road, Clarkesville, 706-947-1351, burtongalleryandemporium.com, burtongallery@ windstream.net. Free.

May 21: 49th Annual Mountain Laurel Festival, downtown Clarkesville. Clarkesville Better Hometown, 706-754-2220, clarkesvillega.com.

May 29: New Work in Oil Opening Day Reception, 5 to 7 p.m., Burton Gallery, 150 Burton Dam Road, Clarkesville, 706-947-1351, burtongalleryandemporium.com, burtongallery@ windstream.net. Featuring work by painters Bill Davidson, Debra Nadelhofer, Bob Francisco, Mimi Shaw. Free.

JACKSON COUNTY March March 18-19: Georgia Electric Vehicle Rally, Gresham Motorsports Park, 500 Lyle Field Road, Jefferson, 706-367-9461, GreshamMotorsports Park.com. Schools from all over Georgia compete in racing and academic activities.

March 26: Pre-Season Open Practice, noon to 5 p.m., Gresham Motorsports Park, 500 Lyle Field Road, Jefferson, 706-367-9461,

April April 23: GMP Pro Late Models, seasonopening race, Georgia Racing Hall Of Fame Night, Gresham Motorsports Park, 500 Lyle Field Road, Jefferson, 706-367-9461, GreshamMotorsportsPark.com April 30-May 1: Antique & Gardening Festival, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Braselton Park. Antiques, collectibles, home décor, plants for sale. Braselton Visitors Bureau Authority, 706-824-7204.

May May 21: Braselton Beach Bash, Braselton Park.

Rides, booths and entertainment for young and old. braseltonfestivals.com.

Lumpkin County March 5: Mountain Music & Medicine Show,

Historic Holly Theatre, 69 W. Main, Dahlonega.

Live old-time radio show featuring music, humor and history. 706-864-3759, hollytheater.com.

March 18: Spring on Springer Dahlonega Trail Fest, Dahlonega. Camping for hikers, speakers, films, music, shuttles to Springer Mountain and Amicalola Falls, equipment vendors, and workshops on safety, camping techniques and equipment; 5K trail run, canoeing/kayaking, guided hikes and local tours, kid-friendly outdoor activities. Contact: Tom Lamb, 706-867-9742, tlamb3@windstream.net, dahlonegatrailfest.org March 26: Yahoola Spring Powwow, 9 a.m., 220 Warwick St., Dahlonega. Primitive bow-shooting contest, Native American dancers and crafts, history demonstration, prize raffle, food from vendors, music by Grammy-winning Native American Singer Jana. Contact: yahoolacherokee2@aol.com, yahoolacherokeemuseum.com/rendevous.htm.

April April 15-17: Bear on the Square Mountain

Festival, Dahlonega town square. Appalachian music, art and culture. Friday, Master Class Workshops, Live Country Auction; Saturday and Sunday, on-stage performances by local, regional, and national musicians at MainStage Tent, Hancock Park; Saturday night old-time Mountain Dance; juried artist’s marketplace, music workshops, family activities, food; Sunday morning gospel jam. bearonthesquare.org, 706-864-9007.

April 23: Appalachian Jam, 2 to 5 p.m. Saturdays through October, Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site. Acoustic bluegrass and old-time string music performed on square. Contact: Dahlonega Downtown Development Authority, Joel Cordle, 706-864-6133, joelcordle@ dahlonegadda.org.

May May 15-16: 24th Annual Mountain Flower

Fine Art and Wine Festival, Dahlonega square.

Garden Expo, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday,

12:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Park Place Pavilion, Hancock Park, Dahlonega. Master Gardeners of Lumpkin County. Plants on display and for sale, demonstrations, speakers, children’s activities.

Wine samples in Georgia Temptations Wine Garden, Park Place Pavilion, ages 21 and older.

5K race Saturday benefiting the Free Clinic of Dahlonega, active.com. Parking free on square, $5 at North Georgia College and State University. dahlonegamerchants.org.

May 21-22: 25th annual Mountain Flower Fine Art and Wine Festival, Dahlonega Public Square.

Arts and crafts, Garden Expo at Hancock Park produced by the Master Gardeners of Lumpkin County with speakers, garden demonstration, wildflowers, children’s activities. Georgia Temptations Wine Garden to offer samples for ages 21 and older, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 12:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Dahlonega Farmer’s Market also opens. 5K race Saturday benefiting the Free Clinic of Dahlonega. Parking free around square, $5 at North Georgia College and State University. Contact: dahlonega.merchants@ gmail.com, dahlonegamerchants.org May 28: Pie Baking and Pie Tasting Contest, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Community House at Hancock Park. Music, pie-judging and samples. Tickets: $10; proceeds benefit Lumpkin County Literacy Coalition, lumpkinliteracy.org.

Towns County March March 5: Charlie Daniels Band, 7 p.m., Georgia

Mountain Fairgrounds, Anderson Music Hall, Hiawassee. Tickets: $35, $2 handling fee. 706896-4191, georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

April April 9: Bankers Hours, Georgia Mountain

Fairgrounds, Hiawassee. 706-896-4191, georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

April 29-May 1: BMW Motorcycle Rally, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, 706-8964191, georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

May May 20-21: Georgia Mountain Egg Festival,

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, 706896-4191, georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

Union County March March 18-19: Shamrock Dulcimer Blast, 7 p.m., Blairsville’s Old Courthouse. Performances by Stephen Seifert and North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association. Beginner and intermediate workshops with Seifert begin at 10 a.m.

Saturday, jamming and open mic in afternoon.

Union County Historical Society, Sam Ensley, 706-745-5493 or LaDale Trimble, 706-835-1688, unioncountyhistory.org.

March 26: Easter Egg Hunt, 9 a.m., Meeks Park, Blairsville. Prize baskets for each age group.

706-439-6074.

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April Mountain Gospel Singing Convention, Union County Historical Courthouse. Dates to be announced. 706-745-5493, unioncountyhistory. org April 22-23: Mountain Home Show, North Georgia Technical College. mountainhomeshow. com April 26-May 1: Blairsville Kiwanis Fair, Airport Industrial Park. Carnival rides, games, food.

706-379-3121, kiwanisclubofblairsville.org.

May May 13: Warrior Dash, Mountain City. Contact Hilda, 706-947-1231.

May 13-14: Butterfly Benefit Bluegrass Festival, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Lake Nottely. Tri-State bands and musicians perform, arts & craft vendors, classic cars, food concessions, silent auction. Proceeds to benefit Union General Hospital’s Glenda Gooch House.

Admission: $5, free for ages under 12. Contact: Union County Historical Society, Ken Ensley 706-835-9230 or kensley_1995@yahoo.com, unioncountyhistory.org.

May 21: Armed Forces Day, 11 a.m., downtown Blairsville, 706-994-4837, downtownblairsville. com.

May 21-22: Spring Arts & Crafts Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., downtown Blairsville. Juried artists and craftsmen annual exhibit surrounding Union County’s Historic Courthouse. Live performances by dancers and musicians, food.

Free. 706-994-4837, unioncountyhistory.org.

May 28: Memorial Day Parade, 10 a.m., downtown Blairsville. 706-745-5493, unioncountyhistory.org.

White County Ongoing Bingo, 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Sept. 13, Helen Festhalle, 706-878-1908 or 706-8782181

March March 1-27: Gallery Exhibit “Mountain High,”

Helen Arts & Heritage Center, 706-878-3933.

March 5: Volunteer Training Day, 9 to 11 a.m., Smithgall Woods, 706-878-3087.

March 5: Diane Durrett & Band, 8 p.m., Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association gymnasium, 283 Ga. 255 N, 706-8783300, snca.org. Tickets: $16 members, $22 nonmembers.

March 12: Volunteer Days, Unicoi State Park, Helen, 1-800-573-9659, ext. 300. Preregistration is required.

March 17: Open Stage Night, 7 to 9 p.m., Center Theatre, Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association, 283 Ga. 255 N, 706-878-3300, snca.org. Donations accepted.

March 18-20: Wine Highway Weekend, Various area wineries, 706-878-9463, georgiawine.com.

March 19: Flies and Fly-Water, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Smithgall Woods, 706-878-3087. Fee: $5, advanced registration required.

March 19: Sautee Nacoochee Center’s 30th Birthday party, 7 to 11 p.m., Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association gymnasium, 283 Ga. 255 N, 706-878-3300, snca.org. Swing band, dancing, hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer cash bar, birthday cake. Tickets: $25.

March 19: Astronomy Night, Unicoi State Park, 1-800-573-9659, ext. 300. Lectures, “sidewalk stargazing” program for novices.

March 25: Kids’ Talent Show, 7 p.m., Center Theatre, Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association, 283 Ga. 255 N, 706-878-3300, snca.org. Donations accepted.

March 26: Contra Dance, 8 to 11 p.m., Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association gymnasium, 283 Ga. 255 N, 706-878-3300, snca.org. Music by Atlantic Crossing.

Admission: $7 members, $8 nonmembers, $4 students, children under 7 free.

March 26: 22nd annual Trout Tournament, Helen Chamber of Commerce, 706-878-1908, helenga.org. Bucket Raffle, demonstrations, prizes, fishing in Chattahoochee River.

March 31–May 22: Gallery Exhibit “Spring is Here,” Helen Arts & Heritage Center, 706-8783933, helenga.org.

April April 2-3: Shubert Alley, Valley Center Theatre,

Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association, 283 Ga. 255 N, 706-878-3300, snca.org.

Broadway revue and dinner, Saturday night and Sunday matinee. Tickets $30.

April 14: Late Night Off-Center variety show, 10:30 p.m., Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association Center Theatre, 283 Ga. 255 N, 706-878-3300, snca.org. Adult content. Tickets $4 and a roll of the die.

April 16: Spring Wildflowers Around Unicoi State Park, 800-573-9659, ext. 300. Program slide show and lecture, organized wildflower walks, pre-registration required.

April 16: Magical Easter Eggstravaganza, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Babyland General Hospital, Cleveland, 706-865-2171, cabbagepatchkids. com; White County Chamber of Commerce, 706-865-5356. Easter egg hunt, arts & crafts show, Easter Parade.

April 16: “Egg”stravaganza, North Georgia Zoo and Petting Farm, Helen. Easter egg hunt and family activities. northgeorgiazoo.com.

April 23: Contra Dance, 8 to 11 p.m., Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association gymnasium, 283 Ga. 255 N, 706-878-3300, snca.org. Admission: $7 members, $8 nonmembers, $4 students, children under 7 free.

April 28–30, May 1-2: Georgia Mountain Birdfest, Unicoi State Park, Helen, 800-573-9659, ext.

300. Birdwalk field trips, lectures, hands-on activities, classes and trips for all ages and experience levels. Pre-registration required.

April 29-30: Corvair Club, Helen Festhalle, 706-878-1908, helenga.org.

April 30: Sautee Stars, “The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe,” 8 p.m., Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association Center Theatre, 283 Ga. 255 N, 706-878-3300, snca.org. Children’s theatre education program. Donations accepted.

April 30-31: Annual Spring Fest, North Georgia Zoo and Petting Farm, Helen. Sheep and alpaca

sheering, bottle feeding baby animals, hay rides. northgeorgiazoo.com.

May May 6: First Friday Music Pickin’ on the Porch, 6 to 9 p.m., Sautee Village. Music, food and fun with local acoustic musicians. Free, donations accepted for Charles Smithgall Humane Society.

706-878-0144.

May 7: Winefest, Habersham Winery, 706-8789463. Food, music, wine tasting.

May 7: Wurstfest, downtown Helen & Festhalle, 706-878-1908, helenga.org. Local restaurants providing their specialties from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; “Wurst” sampling and German Beer tasting at Festhalle, 6-11 p.m. Euro-Volks Dancers performing in Marketplatz.

May 11-12: Celebrate the Arts Festival, SauteeNacoochee Community Association, 283 Ga. 255 N, 706-878-3300, snca.org.

May 14: Cork & Keg Festival, Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association fundraiser, Helen Festhalle. Sample beers and wines, food, music.

706-878-3300, snca.org.

May 20-22: Community Chorale, 8 p.m. FridaySaturday, 2 p.m. Sunday matinee, SauteeNacoochee Community Association Center Theatre, 706-878-3300, snca.org.

May 21: JAKES Day, Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics, and Sportsmanship, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Smithgall Woods, Helen, 706878-3087. Co-sponsored with local chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation, features

reptiles, raptors, primitive skills, participatory archery, BB gun, virtual reality shooting and fishing. Free lunch and prizes. Fee: $6 parking per vehicle.

May 21: Taste of Sautee, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Winetasting, fine art, food, music. 706-878-0144 May 26–July 10: Gallery Show “Nature In Action,” Helen Arts & Heritage Center, 706-878-3933, helenga.org. Artists’ reception 5 to 7 p.m. May 26.

May 27-30: Memorial Day Blast, Unicoi State Park, 800-573-9659, ext, 300. Relay races, field day activities, campfire, music concerts, hoedown, family fun.

May 28: Pig Out Barbecue, fundraiser for volunteer firefighters, noon to 5 p.m., SauteeNacoochee Community Association, 283 Ga. 255 N, 706-878-3300, snca.org. Contact: Capt.

Roger Williams, 706-878-9349.

May 28: Bavarianfest, Helen Chamber of Commerce, 706-878-1908, helenga.org. Food, drink, live music and dancing.

May 28: Saturday Evening Music Concert Series, 8 p.m., Memorial Day weekend through midNovember, Unicoi State Park, 800-573-9659, ext. 300.

May 28-29: Mid November, Visiting Artist Series, Saturdays and Sundays Memorial Day weekend through mid-November, Unicoi State Park, 800573-9659, ext. 300 May 28: Contra Dance, 8 p.m., SauteeNacoochee Community Association, 283 Ga. 255 N, 706-878-3300, snca.org.

22

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | WELCOME 2011

Georgia Mountains March March 4-6, 11-13: “A Little Princess,” Hart County Community Theatre, 706-376-5599, hcct@ hartcom.net.

March 19-20: “Honk!” musical by Savannah River Productions, Lonnie Burns Fine Arts Center, Hart County High School. Tickets: adults $15, seniors $14, students $5, discount for groups of 8 or more $12. Contact: savannahriverproductions@ yahoo.com, 706-376-7397.

March 19: Indoor Yard Sale, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1009 Benson St., Hartwell. Contact: Judy Earle, 706-376-3476, jandjearle@hartcom.net.

March 12: Genealogy Expo, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hart County Adult Learning Center next to library on Benson Street, Hartwell. Sponsored

by Savannah River Valley Genealogical Society.

Contact: David Ray, davidr@hartcom.net, 706376-7396; Brenda Harbin, brharbin@hartcom. net; Ellen Davenport, gdavenpo@bellsouth.net, 706-498-6504; Donna Long, drlong@hartcom. net; or srvgs.com.

March 18-19: Top Of Georgia Bluegrass Jamboree, Dillard House Conference Center.

Featured artists include The Boxcars, The Gibson Brothers, Curtis Blackwell & The Dixie Bluegrass Boys and Crowe Brothers. Admission: $55 twoday general admission, $90 two-day reserved seating, single day tickets also available. 706746-2690, gabluegrassjamboree.com.

March 18-20, 25-27: “Dearly Departed,” comedy

by North Georgia Community Players, 7 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays, Dillard Playhouse Theater, Dillard. Tickets: $10 adults, $5 children under 12. 706-212-2500, ngcommunityplayers.com e-mail: ngcptickets@ windstream.net.

April April: Hart County Golden K Golf Tournament, 10 a.m., Hartwell Golf Club. Contact Howard Holt, president@hartcogk.com April 15-16: Master Gardener Plant Sale, until 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Botanical Garden, Hartwell. Contact Diane Bourne, 706376-0909, ddf003@yahoo.com.

April 15-16: Living History Days, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Foxfire Museum & Heritage Center, 200 Foxfire Lane off Cross Street, Mountain City.

Mountain life craft demonstrations, 1800s period costumes, live music, traditional church services, school classes, cabin cooking.

Admission: $6 adults, $3 ages 7 to 11, ages 6 & under free, $3 to home-schooled students ages 6 and older Friday. Parking in church lots on Cross Street, shuttle van to museum. 706-7465828, foxfire.org.

April 16: Lake Hartwell Antique Boat Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hartwell Marina. Contact: Julie Moore, 706-376-1433.

April 22-24: Spring Fever Catamaran Regatta, Lake Hartwell. Contact: Mr.Ernie@TwinHulls. com, twinhulls.com/springfever.

April 23: Easter Egg Hunt, 10 a.m., Royston VFW, Ga. 29, Royston. Better Hometown Office, 706245-7577.

SCOTT ROGERS | The Times

An American Victory Garden features a bronze, life-size statue of five children in a Circle of Freedom, depicting the joy of living in a free America. The Freedom Garden is a living tribute to all America veterans, although separated by generations, who continue to share a common, undeniable goal — to valiantly protect our country’s freedoms.

April 29- May 1: Will Rogers’ Follies, Hart County Community Theatre, 706-376-5599, hcct@hartcom.net.

April 30-May 1: Celebrate Clayton Arts and Music Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., juried artists, food and music, Main Street in downtown Clayton. 706-212-9995.

May May 6: First Friday Fest, Music at the Rock

House, 6-9 p.m. monthly through October, downtown Clayton, Main and Savannah Streets. 706-982-1284.

May 7: 32nd annual Lake Hartwell Dam Run, 8:30 a.m., 5K and 10K runs, one-mile fun run, Big Oaks Recreation Area, 5625 Anderson Highway, Ga. 29 just north of Hartwell. Hart Chamber of Commerec, 706-376-8590.

May 13: Warrior Dash, Mountain City. Contact Hilda, 706-947-1231.

May 20-21: Relay For Life of Hart County, 9:30 p.m., Royston City Park. RelayForLife. org/HartGA. May 28: Cars & Guitars, Under the Stars, 2 to 6 p.m., Hartwell. Classic car and motorcycle show. Hart County Chamber of Commerce, 706-376-8590.

May 27-29: Challenge of the Centuries Bike Ride, Hartwell. Contact: challengeofthecenturies.com, challegebikeride@gmail.com.

County tourism contacts Banks County, Chamber of Commerce, 706-677-2108, 800-638-5004, bankscountyga. org; Convention and Visitors Bureau, 706-677-5265 Elbert County, Chamber & Welcome Center, 706-283-5651 Forsyth County, Chamber of Commerce, 770-887-6461, cummingforsythchamber.org Franklin County, Chamber of Commerce, 706-384-4659 Habersham County, Chamber of Commerce, 668 Clarkesville St., Cornelia; 706-778-4654, 800- 835-2559; habershamchamber.com Hall County, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, 770-532-6206, 230 E.E. Butler Parkway N.E., ghcc.com; or the Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau, 117 Jesse Jewell Parkway, P.O. Box 2995, Gainesville, 888-536-0005, lakelaniercvb.com.

Hart County, Chamber of Commerce, 706-376-8590, 31 East Howell St., Hartwell, hartchamber.org Jackson County, Chamber of Commerce, 270 Athens St., P.O. Box 629, Jefferson, 706387-0300, jacksoncountyga.com.

Dahlonega-Lumpkin County, Chamber of Commerce, 800-231-5543, 706-864-3711, dahlonega.org Rabun County, Chamber of Commerce, 706-782-4812, gamountains.com; Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 788, Clayton, 705-982-4754.

Royston-Franklin Springs, Chamber of Commerce, 706-245-7868, P.O. Box 527, Royston Toccoa-Stephens County, Chamber & Welcome Center, 706-886-2132, 901 East Currahee, Toccoa Towns County, Chamber of Commerce, 706-896-4966; townscountytourism. com Union County, Chamber of Commerce, 706-745-5789, 877-745-5789, blairsvillechamber. com White County, Chamber of Commerce, 706-865-5356, whitecountychamber.org, whitecounty.com; Helen Chamber of Commerce, 706-878-1619, helenchamber.com; Helen Welcome Center, 800-858-8027, helenga.org

CMYK

23

WELCOME 2011 | The Times, Gainesville, Georgia

Murphy

N.C.

Young Harris

441

19

Blairsville

197

129

HABERSHAM

Cleveland

197

19

441

384

Clermont Demorest

60

HALL

52

Murrayville

23

365

Toccoa

365

Clarkesville

DAWSON

Cornelia

STEPHENS

Baldwin

Lavonia 85 985

Gillsville

Gainesville

400

FRANKLIN

20

Oakwood

Cumming Buford

Braselton 0

10 Miles

JACKSON

85 985

985 985

Sugar Hill Suwanee

Pendergrass

Flowery Branch

17

BANKS

Lula

53

FORSYTH

S.C.

WHITE

Dahlonega

Dawsonville

Clayton

Helen

Suches

52 52

RABUN 197

180

53

TOWNS

19

UNION

LUMPKIN

Dillard

515

11

53

Winder

JACKSON

Commerce 98 441

HART

24

The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | WELCOME 2011

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