Tallulah Gorge Grill - Closing January 4 for season - New Year's Day Menu

Tallulah Gorge closing January 4 and reopening April, 2010 - Stop by this weekend for Traditional Southern New Year’s Day meal

December 30th, 2009

Join friends at the Tallulah Gorge Grill
New Year’s Weekend for a
Traditional Southern New Year’s Day Fair…
being served Friday through Monday…

Spicy Hoppin’ John With Ham & Tomato Relish
Mustard Greens
Pan-fried Buttermilk Cornbread
Banana Pudding
Chocolate Cake
Sour Cream Pound Cake
NY’s Day Plate Special with a Dessert $11.95
~
Choices from the regular menu as well.
~
The Grill is open Thursday through Monday 11:00 - 3:00
706-754-9149

“Here’s to a bright New Year and fond farewell to the old; here’s to the things that are yet to come, and to the memories that we hold. . . “

Holdiay Treasure at Old clarkesville Mill

Don't forget all the Holdiay Treasure being given away at the Old Clarkesville Mill! The Art & Antique Mall is giving away hundreds of gifts, including framed art, jewelry, pottery, children's furniture, Barbara Wikle folk art, vintage glassware, figurals, candle cash, $100 bookstore gift certificate, windchimes, birdhouses, seasonal decorations-plus many, many more goodies! All you have to do to have a chance to win is go by and register for the items you like. Of course, while you are browsing over the treasure being given away you may just find that perfect Christmas gift for someone on your list.

The Art & Antique Mall has the most eclectic mix of unique gift possibilities of any store in North Georgia. There are booth after booth of vintage and antiques, a huge bookstore, Habersham Candles, Cody Road Workshop's gorgeous furniture and accessories. A few more include Glitz and Glamour's jewelry featuring the creations of Ruth Gesbocker, art and pottery by dozens of North Georgia artists and backyard birding and outdoor decorative supplies too.

The Mall is open seven days a week, right up to Christmas Day! Erin London's Extraordinary Warehouse Sales will be open every weekend until Christmas, with new stock weekly, and bring the whole family and leave the non-shoppers at the bowling alley. The bowling alley is open daily.

Hope to see you there!

Holiday Shopping Extravaganza and Festival of Trees

Friday, December 4, 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

*********FREE ADMISSION*********

Photos with Santa
Pets...........Friday Children..............Saturday

Christmas Gifts that will entice any holiday shopper!!!!!

Rabun County Civic Center
201 West Savannah Street

For more information contact: Margaret Dunn
706-212-2149 or email: mdunn@rabuncountygov.com

Smithgall Woods presents BASKET MAKING CLASS

The holidays are officially here but the woods are always here. Take some time out to relax and regroup with these classes and hikes. then bring your kids/grand-kids for the Holi-Day camp for last minute shopping. Here's wishing each of you a magical, safe, and GREEN holiday.

For information and registration for any and all of the listed classes please call 706-878-3087.

BASKET MAKING CLASS
Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Make your very own "hipster" basket with all natural materials. Basket maker, Jan
Stansell, of Black Mountain Crafts is the instructor. $20
(This class is currently full but there is a waiting list)

GUIDED HIKES
Fridays, December 11 and 18, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Smooth out those holiday "ruffles" with a relaxing hike through evergreen woodlands. A
van ride to the trailheads makes these hikes easily accessible. $2

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
Saturday, December 12, 12:00 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Get the shot you want with guidance from Nature Photoprapher Joel Blacher. A working
knowledge of your camera is required. Register by December 4th. $55

AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT: BEARS IN TIME OUT!
Wednesday, December 16, 3:45 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
What's up with our Black Bears this time of year? Learn cool facts about our bears and
what they are up to this time of year. Help construct a bear den and see how you would like
living in it. $1/child

HOLI-DAY CAMP
Monday - Wednesday, December 21 - 23, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Work off that holiday energy at this action-packed camp while exploring a "winter survival"
theme. For ages 6 - 9. register by December 16. $20/day or $50 for all three.

Serenity Cellars Releases 2009 New Vogh

Serenity Cellars, in conjunction with Yonah Mountain Vineyards, is proud to announce
the release of the very first wine of the 2009 harvest, 2009 Serenity Cellars New Vogh.
The 2009 New Vogh, a limited release of 60 cases, is a medium bodied, deep, dark red
that is the perfect compliment to coming holiday festivities.
The 2009 Serenity Cellars New Vogh will be released at a party held November
28 at the Yonah Mountain Vineyards Tasting Room in Sautee-Nacoochee. Jazz crooner
Monica Spears of Cornelia will be performing from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Appetizers will be
served, and customers will be offered a pour of 4 wines at no charge or a full tasting,
which includes a pour of 8 wines and the Yonah Mountain Vineyards glass, for $10.00.
The 2009 Serenity Cellars New Vogh is the first in the Artist Series of wines, the
labels of which will feature the work of local artists done in the style of Vincent Van
Gogh. The 2009 New Vogh label is the artwork of James Williams and depicts the
Serenity Cellars Vineyards near Cleveland.
The Yonah Mountain Vineyards Tasting Room, located at 2454-B Highway 17,
will be open Wednesday, November 25 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and closed
Thanksgiving Day, November 26. Regular hours of operation are Monday, Thursday,
Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12:30 - 6:00 p.m. For
more information and directions, call the tasting room at 706/878-5522 or visit the
Yonah Mountain Vineyards website, www.yonahmountainvineyards.com.

Music Concert and Visiting Artist at Unicoi State Park and Lodge

Plan to visit Unicoi State Park and Lodge on Saturday, September 26, to take in a concert at 8:00 p.m. featuring Lisa Baldwin and Dave Haney. The Possum Knockers of Northeast Georgia have five members in their band including guitarist and bass player Ginny Loveland and her husband Keith, an Oklahoma fiddler now living in Nacoochee Valley. Also in the group are Tish and Chip Arnold play the banjo and guitar. This programwill be a “pass-the-hat” donation for the entertainers, as they have volunteered their time to visit Unicoi. Concert will take place in Unicoi Lodge.
Woodworker Robert Hakes will also be in Unicoi Lodge on Saturday, September 26, between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. Robert is a woodworker making natural wood objects such as vases, urns and platters that are functional and beautiful.
Unicoi State Park & Lodge is located 2 miles north of Helen, GA on Hwy. 356. For any further information about the weekend activities, call Programming Department at (800) 573-9659, ext. 305.

Happenings in Towns County

Towns County Tourism Association is hosting the Georgia Mountain Moonshine
Cruiz-In which will be held at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music
Hall Road in Hiawassee, GA on August 13, 14 & 15, 2009. Hundreds of Hot
Rods will be featured, in addition to Live Mountain Music Shows, Swap Meet,
A Moonshine Run for Cash, Folk Show Exhibits and Mountain Crafts in the
Pioneer Village, Automotive Vendors and lots of Cash & Prizes. Visit
www.gammoonshinecruizin.com

The Northeast Georgia Board of Realtors & Bank of Hiawassee,
Blairsville & Blue Ridge proudly presents the 1st Annual Cruiz-In Classic
Softball Tournament on Saturday, August 15 starting at 9:00 AM at the Towns
County Recreation Fields. Registration fee - $10.00 with all proceeds going
to the local Towns County Food Pantry. Call 706-896-3132 or 706-896-2243
for information.

Dance to the music of Jim Woods and the Georgia Mountain Fair Band on
Friday, August 14 – ticket price is $5.00. Show starts at 7:30 PM. Little
River Band will provide the musical entertainment on Saturday, August 15 in
the Anderson Music Hall. Show starts at 7:30 PM. Level 1 - $30.00, Level 2
- $20.00. Call 706-896-4191 for tickets.

Free Square Dancing and Clogging

The Towns County Historical Society sponsors free square dance and clogging every Monday in Hiawassee at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center. This is the old traditional "Big Circle" calls our great grandpas and grandmas used in our Appalachian Smokey Mountains.
The Senior Center is located 2 blocks behind the town square Main St. Hwy. 76 beside the Towns County Courthouse, 48 River Street, 706-896-1060

Folk Life Traditions Weekend at Unicoi State Park

Helen, GA., July 27, 2009- Unicoi State Park & Lodge will host the
"Folk Life Traditions"from Friday, July 31 - Saturday, August 1,
2009. Folk Life Traditions will begin with a special music concert on Friday,
July 31st at 8:00 p.m. with Mulligan Stew. The free concert will take
place in Logo Rooms A, B, & C on Level 2 of Unicoi Lodge.
The concert and dance will begin at 8:00 p.m. Following the concert there will be an Appalachian style community dance with live music.
Visiting jewelry artist Terrie Allen will be available on Saturday, Aug 1st from 11am - 7pm and Sunday, Aug 2nd from 10am - 2pm. Terrie's artistic journey began with weaving baskets, which soon turned into weaving beads, which evolved inot weaving wire, which has now progressed to working with sheet metal.
Unicoi State Park & Lodge is located 2 miles north of Helen, GA
on Hwy. 356. For any further information about the weekend activities,
call Programming Department at
(800) 573-9659, ext. 305
http://www.unicoistatepark.org/

Music Concert and Visiting Artist at Unicoi State Park and Lodge

Helen, GA., July 18, 2009- Unicoi State Park and Lodge will have a
concert at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July25, 2009, featuring Joanne Steele.
Watercolor artist, Jeanne Mack will also be in Unicoi Lodge on
Saturday, July25, 2009 and Sunday, July 26, 2009. This program will be a "pass-the-hat" donation for the entertainers, as they have volunteered their time to visit Unicoi. Concert will take place in Unicoi Lodge. Jeanne Mack, a watercolor artist from Elberton, Georgia will be showing her work Saturday between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. Unicoi State Park & Lodge is located 2 miles north of Helen, GA on Hwy. 356. For any further information about the weekend activities, call Programming Department at
(800) 573-9659, ext. 305.
http://www.unicoistatepark.org/

Wine, Water, and Fun at Montaluce Winery

DAHLONEGA, GEORGIA--July 13, 2009--Montaluce Winery & Estates is pleased to announce a special partnership with Huck Finn's River Trips for an afternoon of wine tasting, river rafting on the Chestatee River and fine dining. Space is limited and this package will only be offered on Sunday, July 26th, August 9th and August 30th.

Begin the afternoon at 1:30 p.m. with a tour and special tasting in the wine cellar with Montaluce's charming Winery Manager Oliver Asberger. Guests will then be picked up and delivered to the raft launch site, just a short ride from the winery. Each guest will have his or her own Catamaran raft for approximately six miles of floating on the calm, winding river. Guests will then be returned to the winery for a special three-course Sunday Supper in the dining room at Le Vigne. Dinner includes choice of a glass of one of Montaluce's own white wines. Huck Finn Expeditions owner Nicklos Meisberger and Asberger will join the group for rafting and Sunday Supper. The rafting portion of the trip is expected to take about three hours.

Space is very limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis. Package is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Price for the day is $125 per person (including tax and gratuity). Pre-paid reservations are required. Please contact Montaluce at 706-867-4060 for reservations and additional information.

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ABOUT MONTALUCE
Located on 400 rolling acres situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and adjacent to the Chattahoochee National Forest and the Etowah River, Montaluce is a community based on the Italian ideal of "La Vita Bella," or the beautiful life--centered around community, food, wine and sharing. At the heart of the Estate, and at its highest point, the property boasts a state-of-the-art winery that harvested its first grapes in fall 2008.

On the winery's main floor, the handsome tasting room and beautiful restaurant Le Vigne offer a place to unwind and enjoy seasonally inspired dishes alongside a thoughtful wine list that includes selections from the United States as well as Italy. Primary and secondary homes and home sites are now available.

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Montaluce Estates and Vineyard is located at 501 Hightower Church Road, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533. Telephone: 866.991.VINO (8466) or 706. 867.4060. http://www.montaluce.com

Music Concert and Visiting Artist at Unicoi State Park and Lodge

Unicoi State Park and Lodge will have aconcert at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July18, featuring Good News Trio. Jewelers Roy and Dottie Meade will also be in Unicoi Lodge on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19.
Max New, Marcelene New, and Tanya Kirby are the Good News Trio. Tanya Kirby is the sister-in-law of Steve “Rabbit” Easter, well-known Gospel musician and vocalist. They began singing together since 1996 and have played on television and radio many times. This program will be a “pass-the-hat” donation for the entertainers, as they have volunteered their time to visit Unicoi. Concert will take place in Unicoi Lodge.
Roy and Dottie Meade, owners of their jewelry company R & D Traders, INC, are from Georgia. They both make wire wrapped-lapidary jewelry and have done so for over 20 years. The jewelry includes rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, pins and necklaces. They will be showing their work Saturday between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Unicoi State Park & Lodge is located 2 miles north of Helen, GA on Hwy. 356. For any further information about the weekend activities, call Programming Department at (800) 573-9659, ext. 305.

Headwaters: Birth, Death and Places In-Between

Headwaters: Birth, Death and Places In-Between, the remarkable community story performance at the Sautee Nacoochee Center, opens next Thursday, July 9.

Performances of this home-grown folklife play about the people and places and creatures of our Goodly Portion of Beautiful Northeast Georgia will run Thursdays – Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 5 pm through July 26. That’s only three weekends, and this show has sold out for the past two years. Dinner is available before each show for only $8. Very affordable tickets and more info at www.snca.org

This year’s Headwaters tells stories of the connections people make with one another, and the families we’re born into or create. The play, written by Jo Carson and Jerry Grillo and directed by Gerard Stropnicky, is animated by original and traditional music, gorgeous movement created by Celeste Miller, and amazing puppets (shadow and 3D) created by Lynn Jeffries, who also designed the set. A cast of 33 local performers and a SNOrchestra of 11 local musicians have worked with these and other professional artists to create a performance of startling authenticity and delicious humor.

We’re guided through the production by the three Fates – the Spinner, who spins the thread of life; the Weaver, who combines those threads in a beautiful tapestry (or sometimes just a tattered blanket, you know?); and the Cutter, who severs our individual threads from the warp and woof of all those we know and relate to.

Angels walk among us saving lives and a mid-wife tells of bringing babies into this world. A man past the end of his life spends some time in Purgatory trying to decide if he was bad, or just stupid (he gets some help from his horse, Cowboy). A woman who has moved to the mountains tells us how she learned to be a "been-here" instead of a "come-here." And a family of moonshiners draws straws to see who among them is going to surrender their still and spend six months in jail, in a concession to the new economic realities of 1959.

For tickets and more information, please visit www.snca.org or call 706 878 3300. For a glimpse behind the scenes, there’s a production journal at www.ArtisticLogistics.org/resources – including video clips from recent rehearsals.

Exciting Events at Unicoi State Park and Lodge

Music Concert and Visiting Artist at Unicoi State Park and Lodge
Unicoi State Park and Lodge will have a concert at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2009 featuring Joanne Steele.
David Little, who carves wooden bowls will also be in Unicoi Lodge on Saturday, June 27, 2009 and Sunday, June 28, 2009.
Joanne is from the Nacoochee Valley. She sings Original and traditional folk songs. In her music she encourages all to Come and join us now and lend a hand," a voice, an ear. This program will be a "pass-the-hat" donation for the musicians, as they have volunteered their time to visit Unicoi.
Starting with a simple tree, David is able to carve out the most magnificent bowls using hand held carving tools and he has the instincts of a true artist. He will be showing his work Saturday between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Unicoi State Park & Lodge is located 2 miles north of Helen, GA
on Hwy. 356. For any further information about the weekend activities,
call Programming Department at
(800) 573-9659, ext. 305.


Unicoi State Park celebrates July 4th Mountain Style
Unicoi State Park and Lodge will celebrate the July 4th weekend with several events.
The weekend will include activities as live music, relays, visiting artist, and a hoedown.
Beginning Friday, July 3, 2009 Unicoi will celebrate the
weekend with a campfire and Smores at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, July 4, there
will be relays at the beach house beginning at 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
come join in on Field Day Activities and Relay races! Some of the
events will include a Water Balloon Toss, Tug-A-War, Watermelon Eating
and Seed Spitting Contests, Sack races, and Three-Legged Races.
Spend the evening enjoying a concert at 8:00 p.m. featuring Bob
Thomason. Gene Harrison stain glass artist will also be in Unicoi Lodge
on Saturday, July 4, 2009 and Sunday, July 25, 2009.
On Sunday July 5, 2009 enjoy another day at the beach competing
in relays from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. As the weekend comes to a
close, we need lots of willing participants to come join in on a good
Œol mountain hoedown. We will do some fun dances that the whole
family will enjoy. Bring a partner or we will find one for you. The
hoedown will take place at the Trading Post/Visitors Center at 8:00
p.m..
The Thomasons are well-known regional musicians who perform a blend
of traditional songs from the Appalachian Mountains and the British
Isles using guitar, banjo, and mountain dulcimer. Bob is also a
spirited storyteller, so this concert promises fun for the entire
family. Bob began playing at Unicoi over twenty years ago around the
campfire and is now a feature musician. This program will be a
"pass-the-hat" donation for the musicians, as they have
volunteered their time to visit Unicoi.
Gene Harrison has been a stained glass craftsman since 1973. His
leaded glass creations consist of autonomous window panels, lampshades,
mirrors, standup sports figurines and sun catcher. He will be showing
his work Saturday between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and from 10:00 a.m.
until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Unicoi State Park & Lodge is located 2 miles north of Helen, GA
on Hwy. 356. For any further information about the weekend activities,
call Programming Department at
(800) 573-9659, ext. 305.

Be Sure to Check out these Special Events Northeast Georgia Arts Tour 2009 Open House Weekend-- June 19th – June 21st

Special Events in Habersham County
Summer Dance 2009 -. Middle Eastern Dance Workshops, Show and Magical
Fashion Sale: --Sat. June 20th 157 Mary Street, Clarkesville, GA. Make a day of it exploring the wonders of MiddleEastern Dance. 9:30am - Noon: Shimmy Shimmy Workshop with instructor MahsatiJanan ; 1:30pm - 3:30pm : Tribal Workshop with instructor Oracle. 9:00am - 9:30,
Noon - 1:30pm and 3:30 - 4:00 shop to you drop with Magical Fashions. 7:30pm -
9:30pm: We will rak you Show featuring instructors and invited guest performers.
Registration and fee required for the workshops. Tickets for the show $10. Limited
seating is available. Presented by Alima and GHCA. For more information contact:
Alima at: bellydanceralima@yahoo.com
Dirt Bag Pottery - Sat. June 20th. 10am - 5pm. 600 Hoyt Street, Cornelia, GA (Just one
block off Level Grove Rd) phone: 706-778-3846 . Stop by and get an insiders look at
pottery classes in action lead by Master Potter and Instructor Claudia George (also
known as Dr. Dirt). The Dr. has taught many of the potters in the area to develop their
own creative expression in clay. See wheel throwing and handbuilding techniques set in a
spacious working studio. Classes are offered year round. For more information call the
Dr. or email: drdirt@windstream.net

Special Events in Rabun County
3RD Annual Mountain Lakes Classic Antiques Show! Rabun County Civic Center,
Clayton , GA . June 18th – June 21th. Featuring antiques dealers from across the
country. Returning again this year is J. Christopher Mitchell, 12 year veteran appraiser
for the Antiques Road Show. New to the show this year is a restoration booth for crystal
repair, porcelain, painting, and gold leafing. The date are Friday, June 19, and Saturday,
June 20,10AM-5PM, and Sunday, June 21,12PM-5PM. Advance tickets $6.00 or $8.00 at
the gate, Preview Party and Pre-Show Thursday, June 18, 6PM-8PM, Preview Party
tickets can be reserved by Contacting Linda Nicholson at 706-746-7415 or
linda@mountainlakesclassic.com.
Persimmon on the Square - June 20, 2009; 1-4 PM; Artist Bob Francisco will be doing
painting demonstrations at Persimmon on the Square. 28 East Savannah St, Clayton.
Enoteca-style tasting room, featuring tastings of Persimmon Creek Vineyards estategrown
wines. For more information call 706-212-7972
Lillian E. Smith Center for the Creative Arts/Foundation: Open for guided Tours Sun.
June 21 --2pm- 5pm 383 Hershey Lane, Clayton, GA. The Lillian E. Smith Foundation,
Inc., was established to honor the memory of the person whose name it bears. Lillian E.
Smith, acknowledged as a significant writer and humanitarian, held at the center of her
being her function as a creative artist. She also deeply valued the power of the arts to
transform the lives of all human beings. Visit her home site which now serves as an artist
retreat for quiet solitude and privacy. The LES Center is approximately one mile from the
76 EAST /441 intersection to Old Chechero Road, continue on that road for
approximately one-tenth mile to Carver's Chapel, take the gravel road (to the right) which
is Hershey Lane for approximately four-tenths mile up the hill until you reach the
Director's Cottage at the Center, 383 Hershey Lane.
St. James Flower and Liturgical Arts Festival - Third Annual Flower Festival. 260
Warwoman Rd, Clayton, GA 30525. Floral arrangements will be on display by members
of the Flower Guild as well as hand-made Church Vestments. Flower arranging
demonstrations will be held 11am-2pm on June 19 and June 20. Noted speaker, writer
and gardener, Peter Loewer of Asheville, to speak on Friday afternoon June 19th. For
information contact: jht1938@windstream.net
Tallulah Falls Station: Newly reopened Tallulah Station located in Rabun County at 105
Moss Street in Tallulah Falls, Ga. is now home to Wild Wood Works Studio, Idyllwood
Gallery and Depot Delights. Featured events during the tour on Saturday June 20th:
Blacksmithing demonstrations by Chris Smith, and Rustic furniture making by Don
Bundrick from noon through 5 p.m. Idyllwood Gallery and Wild Wood Works Studio
will be open to the public from 9 a.m. through 6 p.m. with the works of Regional artists
Sandy Webster (multimedia), Jim Couper (landscape paintings), Katherin Weber-Scott
(fabric) and Don Bundrick (rustic furniture) on display. In the focus gallery, local artists
Chris Smith, Victor Eller, Susie Schnurr, Nancy Garrett, and Anthony Morgan will be on
display as well. Depot Delights will be open 9a.m.-6p.m. serving sweet treats including
ice cream, fudge, truffles, candy, boiled peanuts, old fashioned sodas and more. Come
out and support the arts in Tallulah Falls! Call 706 839-1906 for more info.

Special Event in Stephens County
June 19 – 21: There will be a special bronze sculpting demonstration at the Welcome
Center in the renovated train depot in downtown Toccoa by Bruce Everly. See his
incredible work in the Currahee Military Museum of bronze busts, including General
Dwight D. Eisenhower. For information call: 706-886-2132.

Special Events in White County
InsideOut Sautee, 2454A Hwy 17,Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571, 706-878-0144
www.InsideOutSautee.com contact: Sheilah Welsch
InsideOut Sautee is a unique gallery featuring pottery, jewelry, art, home furnishings
including outdoor furniture, lighting and rugs on the main level. We are opening an art
gallery in a few weeks which will feature predominantly local artists. Currently
scheduled for the Arts Tour weekend: Friday June 19th: James Williams demonstrating
acrylic painting. 1-5 pm Saturday June 20th : Painter James Williams 10 -5pm;
Bluegrass musicians on the front porch on and off during the day. Sunday June 21st:
James Williams, painter, 1 - 5 pm; Singer, songwriter, author Sheri Kling on the porch 1
pm til ??; Bluegrass following Sheri Kling performance. Plus others who may make a
surpirse appearance!

Special Event in Banks County
9th Annual North Georgia Folk Potters Festival--Sat. June 20th-- 8am - 2pm. Banks

Northeast Georgia Arts Tour June 19-21

Open House Weekend -- June 19th - 21st

The Northeast Georgia Mountains are alive with creativity! At last count, over 150 Artists are scheduled to demonstrate art-in-the-making at our 38 Art Zone Tour locations. To See who's where....Plot your own course....and Set your own pace click here

Meet painters, potters, folk potters, jewelry makers, glass, wood, stone, fiber artists and more as they share their creative techniques-- many of whom are emerging,internationally known and collected artists. There are just too many names to name drop!

Plus Special Events!
In addition to demonstrating artists, several special events are scheduled throughout the weekend. Highlights include: Middle Eastern Dance, Folk Pottery Festival, Mountain Lakes Classic Antique Show, St. James Flower Festival, special gallery events and more!!!!
Check out More Fun Things To Do

Dine, Wine and Relax!

In the mood for Italian, Burgers, Pasta, Seafood, delectable sandwiches or a decadent dessert?
Plan to sample our regional cuisine and wines while touring. Our dining guide features something for everyone's taste and budget. Tour Eats And, after a busy day of seeing the sights, rest your head at one of our charming country inns or B&B's. Wake up refreshed and ready to cover more creative ground! Tour Lodging

Our Next Open House Weekend: Nov 13th - 15th
You can Join Us Anytime! Most venues on the Tour are Open Year Round!

Email us if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you!

The Georgia Appalachian studies Center at North Georgia College and State University is offers an Appalachian Community Studies Certificate Program. If you live, work, or play in these mountains, you may be interested in "living and learning the Appalachian story!" For more information, www.ngcsu.edu/asc

Georgia Wine Festival at Blackstock Vineyards

The 2nd annual Georgia Fine Wine Festival returns to Blackstock Vineyards and Winery. It's a weekend festival of fine food, wine, music, and art in the beautiful Georgia Mountains.

Saturday, June 6th from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 7th from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sample over 50 premium Georgia-grown wines and a bounty of culinary offerings; listen to The Kip Dockery Jazz Quartet, and enjoy the works of local artists and crafters including pottery wheels, weavers, blacksmiths, sculptors, and more!

Over 50 fantastic Georgia-grown wines are yours for the tasting with your Passport Glass, great live jazz in the pavilion, folk and bluegrass throughout the grounds. Reserve your tickets today!

Art-Full Barn Scholarship Show

The Art-Full Barn's Annual Art Supply Scholarship Show will be on display from May 9th through May 24. This show and competition is open to any high school senior who is enrolled to begin college this fall as an intended art major; seniors may come from any public, private or home school program. Entry is free and winners will be announced at a reception on May 24. Grand prize is a gift certificate for $500 of art supplies; winners may choose the art supplies they need for class supply lists or personal studios. This is the eighth year The Art-Full Barn has given this scholarship award and every year the display showcases phenomenal young artists. The public is invited to view the show any day. For more information, contact Gail Kimsey at 706-754-1247 or artfullbarn@yahoo.com.

Arts & Antiques Weekend in the Mountains - June 19-21

The upcoming Arts & Antiques Weekend in the Mountains, June 19-21, is an ideal time to plan your mountain getaway. Find a cozy place to rest your soul, get a taste of fresh and local cuisine, and head out for a full day of arts and antiques.

Many of the finest antiques dealers from across the United States exhibit at the Mountain Lakes Classic Antiques Show, held annually at the Rabun County Civic Center. Antique enthusiasts will find superlative displays featuring Antique Wireware, Transferware, French Oil Paintings, Painted Furniture, Fruitwood Furniture, 18th/19th Century English Ceramics, 19th Century Swiss Wood Carvings, 17th/18th/19th Century Antiques and Decorative Items, Period Antique Furniture, Mid Century Modern Furniture, Art, Prints, Vintage Silver, Silver Plate and other exceptional antiques. Show hours for the Third Annual Mountain Lakes Classic Antiques Show are Friday, June 19, from 10 am – 5 pm; Saturday, June 20, from 10 am – 5 pm; Sunday, June 21, from noon – 5 pm. Plan to arrive early for the special Preview Party held on Thursday, June 18, from 6-8 pm, which provides an chance for early buying opportunities and conversing with dealers and other collectors over hors d’oeuvres and local wines. For complete information, www.mountainlakesclassic.com

Ready to get out and explore the mountains? Plot your course and set your own pace as you traverse the scenic highways and byways of Habersham, Rabun, White and Stephens counties. There are many miles of creative ground to cover during the Northeast Georgia Arts Tour. Meet regional artists who will be demonstrating their talents and techniques at every venue on the arts tour Friday, June 19 from 1-5 pm; Saturday, June 20, from 10 am-5 pm; and Sunday, June 21, from 1-5 pm. Because you may not be able to get to everything, there is a second demonstrating artist open house weekend scheduled for November 13 – 15. For complete information, www.artstour.org

You’ll want to include a stop at St. James Episcopal Church in Clayton, for the annual
St. James Flower Festival June 19 -20. In addition to flower arrangements demonstration, you’ll discover a wonderful collection of hooked rugs.

The Lake Rabun Flea Market on Saturday, June 20, at the beautiful new Lake Rabun Pavilion features a bit of everything from small appliances to boats, furniture, and home accessories. There is a bargain barn, sporting equipment, a great raffle with vacation home getaways, and a silent auction.

The Rootcellar at Timpson Creek Gallery is featuring an evening with Linda Anderson, Georgia’s premier memory painter. Linda will discuss the stories behind her work following a picnic dinner on the grounds at 6:30 p.m. and will have her work on exhibit throughout the weekend as a part of the Northeast Georgia Arts Tour.

A popular stop along the tour is Tiger Mountain Vineyards, where area painters and potters will be demonstrating their art. Stop by for wine and cheese, stroll through the vineyard, and take in the scenery. Historic Lakemont Village in Rabun County is another popular stop along the tour.

Throughout the year, Golden Memories, in Mountain City, stages one of the largest antique auctions in the country. Auctions are held every Monday evening and one Saturday a month, and are worth the trip for every antique lover.

Antiques, galleries, concerts, theater performances, and several unique cultural attractions including the Foxfire Museum and Heritage Center, Georgia Heritage Center for the Arts, and Hambidge Center for the Arts ensure that visitors are never short of unique and exciting things to do and see.

For more information, please call the Rabun County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 706.982.4754.

Funky Prom at GHCA

6th Annual "Funky Prom" is Friday May 15th at the Georgia Heritage Center for the Arts Education Building at 157 Mary Street, Clarkesville. This is the prom you wished you had attended in high school. Every spring the dancers scour the thrift stores trying to find the tackiest outfit to come dancing in. The dance starts at 8 p.m. and the cost is $10.00 per person for this special event. The evening starts with ballroom and slowly introduces rock and roll music, line dancing and country western. For more information call 706-754-5989.

Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Association meets at Lake Rabun Hotel

The Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Association will meet May 13th at 12:00 at the Lake Rabun Hotel in Lakemont Georgia. www.lakerabunhotel.com The speaker will be Web Designer -Beth Snider with 3by400 Inc. web solutions that work. http://3by400.com

DIRECTIONS

Coming from Atlanta: Take I 85 North, 28.4 miles. Take left fork onto 1-985 toward Lanier Pkwy/Gainsville. Go 24.5 miles. Continue on US-23 North for 43.2 miles. Turn left on Joy Bridge, 0.1 mile, turn right on OLD GA-441, 0.1 mile, turn left on Lake Rabun Road, 1.4 miles. Hotel on the right, 35 Andrea Lane, Lakemont, GA 30552.

Coming from the north (North Carolina/South Carolina): Take US 441 south. Turn right on Wiley Conn. Turn sharp left onto Old GA 441. Stay straight to go onto Lake Rabun Road, 3 miles. Hotel on the right, 35 Andrea Lane, Lakemont, GA 30552.

6th Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival July 19, 2009

Glen-Ella Springs Inn and Meeting Place will be the site for the 6th annual Heirloom Tomato Festival on Sunday, July 19th

Spread across a beautiful 12 acre meadow, this increasingly popular festival features dozens of varieties of Heirloom Tomatoes for taste testing, live bluegrass music, local craft vendors displaying fine art, pottery, jewelry and more. There are also on-going painting demonstrations by local artists throughout the day.

What’s a festival without food? Among many food items offered for sale are southern favorites such as, Tomato Tartlets, Tomato Sandwiches and of course Fried Green Tomatoes. Lots of sweet tea, lemonade and water will also be available.
Most Unusual Tomato Contest - Ever wondered what to do with those strange looking tomatoes? Entries for the “Most Unusual Tomato” are judged based on size, shape and color. Contest judging is at 1:30 pm.
The winner will be awarded a gift certificate for an overnight stay at the inn. Entries for the contest sign in at the information booth from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm.
The Twilight Tomato Supper finishes off the day’s activities. Beginning at 6:00 pm and by reservation only, guests enjoy a buffet supper served in the covered outdoor pavilion. Live entertainment provided by well-known local vocalist, Lisa Deaton. Cost is $35.00 per person (includes tax and gratuity). For those who enjoy wine with dinner, you may either bring your own or you may purchase bottle at the front desk of the inn.

Festival admission fee: $5.00 per person.
Festival hours: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Festival location: 1789 Bear Gap Road, Clarkesville, GA 30523

For more information and/or reservations, 1-888-455-8893, 706-754-7295 or visit online at www.glenella.com

Photographers & quilter help author-fiddler benefit festival

Visitors to the mountains who attend the upcoming Wild & Woolly Wine Tasting & Author-Fiddler Festival can count on a heady mix of authors, fiddlers, poets, food, wine and a few native plants for sale, all for the benefit of Georgia ForestWatch, the well-known non-profit forest conservation organization.

And now add two talented photographers and an expert quilter to the mix.

Local artist Pat Calderone of Scaly, North Carolina, and photographer Peter McIntosh of Clayton, Georgia, are donating two beautiful prints to the cause, which will go home to the winners of a raffle that will be held that day. (Cost: $1 per ticket, six tickets for $5.00. Winners need not be present to win. Also to be raffled: Assorted gear from Patagonia and a rain barrel, courtesy of the Rain Barrel Co.)

Cara Busch, meanwhile, a noted quilter from Ellijay, Georgia, is donating a handsome quilt for the raffle, a cotton wall hanging, 16.75 X 35 inches in size, entitled “Wild Columbine.”
In addition, the noted environmentally minded, free-lance photographer, Kathryn Kolb, will be one of the presenters at the event, set for 10-5 p.m., Saturday, May 2, at Tiger Mountain Vineyards in Tiger, Georgia. (See www.gafw.org for directions to the site and a detailed schedule of presentations, as well as greater information on each of the six authors speaking that Saturday: Mildred Greear, Helen, Georgia; George Ella Lyon, Lexington, Kentucky; Thomas Rain Crowe, Cullowhee, North Carolina; John Lane, Spartanburg, South Carolina and Janie P. Taylor, Tiger, Georgia.)

Three talented local fiddlers will fiddle while visitors enjoy a taste of red and white from the award-winning farm winery and some mighty delectable local food fare: Scottish-style fiddler Marie Dunkle, Tiger, Georgia; old-timey fiddler Kelly Smith, Salem, South Carolina; and John Harper Duncan, maker of down-home Appalachian music, Asheville, North Carolina.

For the raffle photographers, see www.web.mac.com/patcalderone as well as www.mcintoshmountains.com. For Busch’s work, see: www.etsy.com

Georgia ForestWatch has strived to organize the event as an “affordable fundraiser,” and asks for a $20 entry fee per each adult, good for the plant sale or authors and fiddlers, or both, as well as the food and wine. Several of the authors’ autographed books also will be for sale.

Rabun Walk. Photo by Pat Calderone. Up the trail leading to Rabun Bald.

Betty’s Creek. Photo by Peter McIntosh. A wild waterway in Rabun County.

Wild Columbine. By Cara Busch. Machine piece, hand quilted with color washes.

Great Composer Series at Piedmont

Piedmont College Department of Music , of Demorest, presents the "Great Composer Series," featuring the music of Handel, Haydn, & Mendelssohn, in the College Chapel, featuring the Piedmont Chorale, Chamber Singers, & Orchestra, on Saturday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m.

Philllip Hayner, Piano
Donna Bunn James, soprano
Wallace Hinson, conductor
Lauren Ringwall, conductor

Tickets: adults,$15., students and seniors $10, Piedmont faculty , staff & students free

Yonah Art Guild Classes April - May

Learn art basics in local classes. Early registration required, sign up today for jewelry, Indian crafts, drawing, painting, clay, flower arranging and more. Please contact instructors for supply list & costs.
April 21 Beaded Necklaces Tues. 2-wks 6:30-8:30 pm at $30, supplies needed, Valorie 706-865-1473.
April 23 Basic Acrylic Painting or Hand-built Clay Thur. 5:30-7 pm, $10 per class plus supplies ($15), Terrylynne 706-896-1060.
April 28 Wire Wrap Jewelry Tues. 8 week class, $10 per session, supplies needed, Therrell 770-536-9642.
May 4 Easy Quilted Purses Mon. 3 classes, $30 plus supplies, Virginia 706-865-9373.
May 5 Beaded Bracelets Tues. 2 classes, 6:30 pm, $30, supplies needed.
May 6 Flint Knapping MUST PRE-REGISTER. Wed. 1-class. $150 plus supplies, Kerry 706-865-0228.
May 7 Floral Arranging Thur.6-9 pm, $30 supplies inc., Donna 706-969-1446.
May 14 Yonah Art Guild Meeting 6:30 pm UCBank Community Room, Cleveland.
May 19 Beaded Earrings Tues.2 classes, 6:30 pm, $30 plus supplies, Valorie 706-865-1473.
May 20 Knapping MUST PRE-REGISTER. Wed. 1-class. $150 plus supplies, Kerry 706-865-0228.
May 21 Native American Arts Thur. 2 classes, 6-8 pm, $40 supplies inc., Donna 706-969-1446. May 25 Watercolor Portraits Mon. 4 classes 6:30-8 pm, $40 plus supplies, Carol 706-865-6052. Funding is by Grassroots Arts Program of the Ga Council for the Arts and Sustainable Arts Society. For more information yonahartguild@yahoo.com 706-865-6052 or 706-896-1060.

Appalachian Photo Contest

North Georgia Technical College announces its first annual Appalachian Photo Contest.

Aspiring photographers may enter one or all of three categories: Abstract, people, or nature. Prizes will be awarded in each category. Although there is an entry fee of $15 for adults, youth 18 and under may enter for free. There is a limit of three entries per individual. Photographs must be mounted and have one dimension at least eight inches.

The deadline for entry is Wednesday, May 12. Winners will be announced at the grand celebration in the exhibition area of the Visual Technology Building in the Clarkesville Campus on Wednesday, May 27, at 5:00 PM. The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be served.

This program is supported in part by the Grassroots Arts Program of the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly and in partnership with the Sustainable Arts Society in Blue Ridge. The Grassroots Arts Program (GAP) provides funds to support art activities and encourage local collaborations between artists and arts organizations. Special thanks also to Capital Filmworks, Photobarn, and the Georgia Professional Photographers Association.

A simple application and release form is available from NGTC by calling 706-754-7700 or by sending an e-mail address to jgulle@northgatech.edu or jloring@northgatech.edu.

17th Annual WineFest in Northeast Georgia

Come and taste Georgia’s award winning wines!
Saturday May 2, 2009
12 PM- 5PM

RiverMist Lodge (Next door to Habersham Winery)
7025 S. Main Street Helen, GA 30345

Participants include :

Blackstock Vineyards
Frogtown Cellars
Sharp Mountain Vineyards
Wolf Mountain Vineyards
Persimmon Creek Vineyards
Crane Creek Winery
Habersham Winery
Tiger Mountain Winery
Montaluce Winery
Chateau Elan Winery

• Food selections by Nachoochee Grill
• Live Music
• Wine Arts and Crafts

ADMISSION: $15.00 AND INCLUDES A SOUVENIR WINE GLASS

Additional information at www.georgiawine.com

Tallulah Gorge Grill opens for season!

The Tallulah Gorge Grill
is opening for our Third Season!
April 2
Thursday - Monday
11:00 serving Lunch
706-754-9149
Dinner
Friday, Saturday & Sunday

will begin in May

Sautee Players' Youth Theatre Production: A Midsummer Night's Bad Dream

Come see the Sautee Players as they perform their wacky play-within-a-play version of A Midsummer Night's Bad Dream on April 24-26. You'll be joining the performers at their dress rehearsal as they are preparing for their opening night of Shakespeare's play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and all is going wrong! Frolicking fairies can't remember their lines, Helena has come down with the flu, and Lysander has suddenly decided to drop out. Can the director manage to hold the show together?

William Shakespeare would be rolling over in his grave if he could see this dress rehearsal production! The director has it right when she says, "This isn't A Midsummer Night's Dream. This is A Midsummer Night's Bad Dream!" But you know what we say -- on with the show! (If only Hermia didn't really "break a leg.")

Sterling performances will be April 24 and 25 at 8pm and April 26 at 2pm. Tickets are $5.00 for SNCA members/adults, $10.00 for non-members/adults, $3 for youth ages 6 to 17 years, and under age 6 free, plus tax. You can obtain tickets by calling SNCA at 706-878-3300 or by going online to www.snca.org.

Rabun County Music Festival Summer Series

JUNE 14- Sentimental Journey Orchestra…a big band, including three
Vocalists, playing the unique music of the swing era

JUNE 28- Hotlanta Jazz…brings to Rabun County a “Night on Bourbon
Street”, with jazz classics and new arrangements

JULY 12- Mac Frampton and Cecil Welch…present the memorable music
Of Henry Mancini in “That Mancini Magic!”

AUGUST 9- The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra… the world-renowned orchestra in a“Special Performance” that is the highlight of any music lover’s season

AUGUST 30– “Emile Pandolfi in Concert”… Pianist Emile Pandolfi entertains with his smooth interpretations of music from Broadway, the movies and the classics

SEPTEMBER 13-Georgia Philharmonic Orchestra…presents a delightful program called “Fiery Fanfares, Opulent Overtures”


All concerts are at 4:00 at the Rearden Theatre on the campus of Rabun Gap -Nacoochee School. All tickets are $15, with the exception of the ASO, which are $25. Season tickets for 5 concerts, not including the ASO, are an incredible bargain at $60. A six-concert season ticket, including the ASO, is just $85. You may purchase tickets online at rabunmusicfestival.com, in person at the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce, or at the door .

Yonah Art Guild Provides Evening Arts Classes at TMC March-April

Learn arts basics in local classes. Early registration required, sign up today for jewelry, Indian crafts, drawing, painting, clay, floral arrangement, and much more. Please contact instructors for supply list & supplemental costs.
March 24 Colored Pencil Workshop Tues. 4-wks 6:30 to 8:00 pm at $40 plus supplies. Local portrait artist, Carol Palmer cpalmer@internetemc.net 706 865-6052;
March 25 Native American Arts Wed. 2-wks 6:00-8:00 pm at $40 all supplies included, Donna donnaredfeather@hotmail.com 706-969-1446;
March 26 Basic Acrylic Painting or Hand-built Clay Thur. 5:30-7:30 pm, $10 per class plus supplies, Terrylynne tmarshall@truett.edu 706-896-1060;
March 30 Beaded Bracelets Mon. 2-wks 6:30 pm at $30 plus supplies (you must supply, pre-register required to get supply list), Valorie jewelrybyval@windstream.net 706-865-1473; April 8 Floral Arrangements Wed. one session 6:00-9:00 pm at $30 supplies included, Donna donnaredfeather@hotmail.com 706-969-1446;
April 9 Yonah Art Guild Meeting, Thur. 6:30 pm United Community Annex, Cleveland , GA teachers needed. April 13 Basic Needlepoint Mon. 3 wks 7:00-9:00 pm $30 supplies included Kathy, 706-878-1820, jdbkab@windstream.net;
April 13 Basic Oil Painting Mon. 3 wks 7:00-9:00 pm $30 supplies included Jim, 706-878-1820, jdbkab@windstream.net.

This program is supported in part by the Grassroots Arts Program of the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly and in parnership with the Sustainable Arts Society in Blue Ridge and the Yonah Art Guild. Special thanks to the Sautee Nacoochee American Indian Conservancy Trust and Truett-McConnell College. For more information on classes and Yonah Art Guild meetings please contact yonahartguild@yahoo.com 706 865-6052 or 706-896-1060

Auction Fundraiser to Benefit SNCA

Come find your treasure among the 100+ items at the Annual SNCA Auction on Saturday, March 21, 6pm at the Cornelia Community House.

This fabulous evening of treasure hunting includes both silent and live auctions. Items range from restaurant gift certificates to folk pottery; original watercolor paintings to an iron dog bed; and, metal yard art to ceramic mugs. The auction even includes a pig roast and party for 40 of your closest friends at the Nacoochee Valley Farm! There are items in all price ranges - truly something for everyone.

The evening also includes dancing and music by Mick Kinney and the Gypsy Hicks and an amazing array of food provided by Honeybrook Catering and Michelle Wetherbee. The menu includes bacon wrapped tenderloin, shrimp filled puff pastry, stuffed jewel potatoes, smoked salmon, spanakopita and an open wine bar.

Tickets for the auction are $30/each or $50/couple and can be purchased on-line at www.snca.org or by calling the Sautee Nacoochee Center at 706-878-3300.

"Alice in Wonderland"

The Hambersham Community Children's Theater presents "Alice in Wonderland" March 20-22. For more information, please call 706.839.1315. www.habershamtheater.org

Celtic Music Festival

"Can You Hear The Pipers Playing?".....It's Coming..... Dahlonega's 2nd Annual Celtic Music Festival!

Mark your calendar for March 27, 28 and 29, 2009!
Exciting concerts by Highland Way, Alex Beaton and Emerald Rose to name a few! Don't miss the "Celtic Village", located in Hancock Park, which include workshops and demonstrations, concerts and dance! Explore downtown Dahlonega and enjoy the Artists and Vendors booths, as well as sample savory and sweet culinary delights!
Tickets to Celtic Village:
$7 adult admission
$5 child admission
$20 Family of (4) package / each additional family member, $5 / person
visit www.dahlonega.org for more details

White Water Season Opens on Chattooga

The Wild and Scenic Chattooga is the first river to offer whitewater paddling trips each spring, and boasts the longest white water paddling season in the US. Now is the time to take advantage of awesome water levels from our recent rains. Class III, IV and V rapids are calling your name. The season officially opens on March 15.

Wine Highway Weekend

The Winegrowers Association of Georgia sponsors it's fourth annual Wine Highway Weekend on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22. This is a great way to visit our Northeast Georgia wineries and taste award winning wines grown and produced in our region.

There is a $20 charge per person, which is collected at the first winery visited. Travelers receive a "Wine Highway Weekend" collectors' glass, which gives admission to all participating wineries. Hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday and 12:30 - 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Stay and dine! Many restaurants are offering exceptional dining opportunities, including the Beechwood Inn and Lake Rabun Hotel, with overnight packages available. Call for more information.

Take your camera along and capture the beautiful sights and views along the rolling countryside of the Northeast Georgia Mountains. We'd love to hear your comments.

Basket making class

Georgia Heritage Center for the Arts offers a basket making class on Saturday, March 14th at 10:00 at GHCA Clarkesville. Instructor Jan Stansell says this "hipster" basket is great to embellish and encourages students to bring beads, shells and other treasures for decoration. The class fee is $36 and includes all materials— Pre-registration is required, please call to register right away. 706-754-5989

Taste of Brazil

Celebrating Innkeeper Luci Kivett's Brazilian heritage, Glen Ella Springs presents a typical country Brazilian Churrasco style dinner of grilled beef, pork and poultry served table side. The dinner includes a festive feast of typical salads, soups and accompaniments. Wines are available from Habersham Winery, Tiger Mountain Vineyards and Persimmon Creek Vineyards.

Please call 706-754-7295 to make your reservations. $55 per person. Glen Ella is also offering a special overnight package, including lodging, Saturday dinner and breakfast Sunday morning for $150 per person. www.glenella.com

FREE international travel workshop

Stake your claim on visitors from the United Kingdom! Our region of Georgia continues to see growth of the international leisure travel market, despite the decline of other tourism segments around the state. Let’s work together to welcome our neighbors from across the pond and learn how to serve them better.

The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau is delighted to welcome three representatives from the U.K. who will offer insight on how to grow the Foreign Independent Travel (FIT) trade in our region:
- Peter Hannaford, GA Tourism Representative for the United Kingdom and Ireland,
- Gary Orr, Head of Purchasing for Virgin Holidays, and
- Jimmy Jillebo from Delta U.K., Leisure Sales Manager.

Guests will share news and tips regarding the state of the market, GA Tourism sales and promotional efforts overseas, hotel contracting practices for travel agents and wholesale operators, as well as general guidelines and pointers for welcoming the international traveller.

Thursday, April 16
9am – 12pm
Foundry Park Inn & Spa

Plan to participate - RSVP to Amy Clark (aclark@VisitAthensGA.com) to claim your spot!

Cleveland Arts Instruction Series

Learn arts basics in local classes. Early registration required, sign up today for jewelry, Native American crafts, drawing, painting, and much more. Please contact instructors for supply list & supplemental costs.
March 10 Floral Arrangements Tues. one session 6:00-9:00 pm at $30 all supplies included, Donna 706-969-1446;
March 11 Native American Arts Wed. 4-wks 6:00-8:00 pm at $80 all supplies included, Donna 706-969-1446;
March 12 Yonah Art Guild Meeting, Thur. 6:30 pm United Community Annex, Cleveland, GA, teachers needed;
March 16 Beaded Earrings Mon. 2-wks 6:30 pm at $30 plus supplies, Valorie 706-865-1473;
March 17 Colored Pencil Workshop Tues. 4-wks 6:30 to 8:00 pm at $40 plus suppl ies. Local portrait artist, Carol Palmer 706 865-6052;
March 19 Basic Acrylic Painting Thur. 3-wks 5:30-7:30 pm, at $30 plus supplies, Terrylynne 706-896-1060;
March 30 Beaded Bracelets Mon. 2-wks 6:30 pm at $30 plus supplies, Valorie 706-865-1473;
April 9 Yonah Art Guild Meeting, Thur. 6:30 pm United Community Annex, Cleveland, GA teachers needed.
Funding from Grassroots Arts Program, Georgia Council for the Arts, Sustainable Arts Society, Sautee Nacoochee American Indian Conservancy Trust, and Truett-McConnell College.
For more information, yonahartguild@yahoo.com 706 865-6052 or 706-896-1060.

Cherokee Presentation March 14 in Haiwassee

The Towns County Historical Society will sponsor discussions and demonstrations of myths about local Native American heritage on Saturday, March 14, at the Towns County Senior Center (across from the Courthouse) in Haiwassee.

Indian artifacts will be on display, and speakers include Gracie Schwartzman, Mary Geidel, and Jill Hazen from the Sautee-Nacoochee Center; Tina Shelton of Women of Heart; Kerry Marsh of the Yonah Art Guild; Donna Redfeather of the Sautee-Nacoochee American Indian Conservancy Trust; and Kelly Wells playing Native American Flute.

The program begins at 1:00 pm . For info 706-896-1060, townshistory.org

Educational Symposium for Tourism Professionals

19th Annual Winter Chautauqua
Sunday, March 1 - Monday, March 2

Sponsored by the Northwest Historic High Country and Northeast Georgia Mountains Travel Associations, the Winter Chautauqua's general session speaker will be Taylor Bruce from Southern Living Magazine.

Registration for the tourism conference is open – all details available at: www.WinterChautauqua.com. Pay online or print the registration to send in with your check. Please click here to download the event's brochure which includes a registration sheet. This is a large file and may take a few moments to fully load. Register by February 25th to avoid the late registration fee.

North Carolna Neighbors open new performing arts venue

Destined to become a premier venue for top-notch performances, the new Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin, NC plans to present the finest in performing arts in an atmosphere of stunning architecture, technical facilities and impeccable acoustics. The 1,500 seat state-of-the-art facility provices a creative environment for both performers and audiences. Look here for the schedule, and more to come!

The Center opens July 3 with the four-part harmonies and upbeat songs of the Oak Ridge Boys.

Celebrate Clayton 5K Run

Scheduled for Saturday April 25, the Celebrate Clayton 5K Run challenges runners of all levels on a fun course climbing through the rolling hills of Rabun County in the Northeast Georgia mountains. The race begins and ends on Ramey Boulevard in Clayton, Georgia.

You may register online , or contact Gary Jenkins, 678-795-0115. The run is sponsored by PEARLS JWC of Rabun County; please contact Laura Lane, 706,782-0906, for more information.

Call for Artists - 10th Annual Celebrate Clayton

Celebrate Clayton, Rabun County's Arts & Music Fest, invites artists to participate in the 1oth annual festival, scheduled for April 25-26 in Clayton, Ga. The event is open to all fine craft makers, artists and gardeners, 18 years of age or older.

Celebrate Clayton is an arts, music, crafts and gardening event, which also features a super kids' prorgram. It is held annually on the last weekend of April.

Applications are now online at www.celebrateclayton.com. Please cotact Jan Timms for exhibitor information, 706,212-9995.

Super Saturday at the Center

Events for the history buff, the arts lover, and the theatre patron are planned for Saturday, February 28, at the Sautee-Nacoochee Center.

Super Saturday begins at 8am with Simply Breakfast -- all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, and a beverage. Breakfast is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under 6. Reservations are not required.

After breakfast, you can participate in the Sautee Nacoochee Community Association's "Raise the Roof." The SNCA is restoring an 1850's slave cabin, and will be selling hand-split oak shakes to cover the roof of the cabin. Each shake is $10 and your name will be commemorated on a specially created work of art. There will be folk life demonstrators, folk musicians, and tours of the restoration site throughout the morning, as follows:

• 9am - Bob Slack demonstrates riving (splitting) shingles with traditional tools while local musicians keep time to the whack of the maul (wooden mallet) and crack of the froe (metal splitting wedge) with lively tunes
• 10am - Mike Craven demonstrates folk pottery techniques
• 11am - Dr. Tom Lumsden will lead a history walk of the Ceremonial Stone Circle on Alec Mountain. Meet at the Community Hall for an introduction.

On Saturday afternoon, you can view the new "Fiber Arts" exhibit in the Center Gallery, enjoy a fiber art demonstration, get in on the action at the Artists' Trading Card Swap, and meet the artists during the Gallery Reception. The "Fiber Arts" exhibit features the work of the local Fiber Soup Group artists Lynda Doll, Jane threlkeld, Beverly Mannes, Denise Hopkins, Lucia Scroggs, Betty Cooper and Suzy MacKay. Collages by Kathy Whitehead and Nancy Hicks will also be on display.

• 3 - 5 pm - Fiber art demonstration by Marilyn Wall and Martine House
• 4 - 6 pm - Artists' Trading Card Swap
• 5 - 8 pm - Gallery Reception
  

Finally, plan to stay for the Playwright's Showcase. The SNCA will present staged readings of the three winners from their One Act Play Contest, chosen by the Center's Theatre Committee as part of a national contest designed to nurture, support and encourage the development of playwrights. The winning plays are: Jon Dahlstrom's The Girl Who Walked with Music, Tim Quigley's 'Twas the Night Before a Christmas Carol, and Maia Akiva's Me. Both Mr. Dahlstrom and Mr. Quigley are from the Dahlonega area, and Ms. Akiva is originally from Israel and now resides in Los Angeles.

Attendees will have an opportunity to hear original work and to participate in audience feedback with the playwrights after the readings. Tickets are $5 each (+ tax) and are available online at www.snca.org or by calling the Center at 706-878-3300.

New Folk Pottery Exhibit

The earliest dated piece of North Georgia folk pottery is now on exhibit in the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, located in Sautee-Nacoochee. The four-gallon jar is on loan from the collection of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Winter Pottery Fest February 14 - 16

The Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia and "Ladies of the Lake" present their second annual Winter Pottery Fest to celebrate a craft that has thrived in region for more than 200 years.

The tour begins at the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, located on Hwy 255 just north of the junction with Hwy 17. Exhibits and videos show how early settlers shaped earth and water into vessels and the evolution of pottery through many generations. Several folk potters will be demonstrating at the museum.

Visitors can follow Hwy 255 north and turn on Hwy 197 toward Lake Burton and find more demonstrating artists at Hickory Flat Pottery, Cottage Cottage Furniture and Burton Gallery Emporium.

For more information www.snca.org

Southern Literary Trail features Lillian E. Smith Center In Clayton

The new Southern Literary Trail links the homes and hometowns of the South's finest classic authors in Georgia, Alabama and Mississipi. Organizers kick off the project this March with a month-long celebration of tours, plays, films, readings and other special events.

The Lillian E. Smith Center in Clayton is one of seven sites in Georgia on the Southern Literary Trail. Special events are planned for the weekend of March 14-15 to include:

March 14, 9 a.m. - Films & Lectures at the Rearden Theater, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
Two documentary films, "Miss Smith of Georgia" and "Miss Lil's Camp" will be shown, followed by presentations by two contemporary scholars and award-winning writers: Rose Gladney and Will Brantley
March 14, 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - Guided tours of the Lillian E. Smith Center, including the writer's living space, library, cottages, a small house museum and her gravesite.
March 14, 3 p.m. - Documentary Films - Lillian E. Smith Center
March 15, 10 a.m. - Guided tours of the Lillian E. Smith Center
March 15, 11 a.m. - Documentary Films - Lillian E. Smith Center

The Rabun County Historical Society is featuring a new exhibit entitled "Lillian Smith: Miss Lil and her Rabun County Neighbors" through the month of March in honor of the Southern Literary Trail.

In addition to Lillian E. Smith, the Southern Literary trail in Georgia also features Margaret Mitchell, Joel Chandler Harris, Erskine Caldwell, Alice Walker, Flannery O’Connor and Carson McCullers.

CHEROKEE PRESENTATION AND NATIVE AMERICAN LECTURE

Interested in learning local legends about Sautee, Nacoochee, Yonah, and the way the Indians of the White County area lived? Demonstrations, talks and myths about local Native American heritage will be presented on February 17 at 12 noon in the chapel at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, GA.

White County had one of the largest American Indian settlements in North Georgia prior to colonial settlement. Speakers include Gracie Schwartzman, Mary Geidel, and Jill Hazen from the Sautee-Nacoochee Center; Donna Redfeather, Tina Shelton of Women of Heart, Kerry Marsh, and Kelly Wells playing Native American Flute.

This Cherokee presentation is sponsored by the Sautee-Nacoochee American Indian Conservancy Trust, Yonah Art Guild and Truett-McConnell College Art Department. For more information, call 706-969-1446 or 706-896-1060.

A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains

A special feature on Appalachia, A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains will be broadcast on ABC-TV this coming Friday, February 13th, at 10:00 pm (EST).

KANGAROO CONSERVATION CENTER LAUNCHES ALL NEW "AUSSIE OUTING" FOR 2009!

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. -The Kangaroo Conservation Center (KCC) begins its 10th year of operation in March, with a brand-new offering for 2009 - the "Aussie Outing." Offering more flexible scheduling, a variety of animal shows and the fully narrated "KangaRanger" rides through the "Georgia Outback" at regular intervals throughout the day, the Aussie Outing affords families and groups even more opportunity to learn from, and be entertained by, the Center's animals and the people who care for them.

The first scheduled Aussie Outing will commence Saturday, March 14, with tickets available online through www.kangaroocenter.com. Visitors who purchase tickets online enjoy a discount not offered by phone or at the door. Aussie Outing tickets through the month of May are available on the website. Additional months will open online as the season progresses.
Spring is the perfect time to visit KCC, as the foothills turn to green and the temperatures are comfortable for enjoying the great outdoors. Walking trails that meander between kangaroo habitats, through plantings of native flowers and trees and down to the "Billabong Encounter" afford ample viewing of the KCC's marsupial residents, as does the butterfly picnic garden. "Aussie Outing" days and dates vary, so potential visitors are strongly encouraged to check the tour calendars on the website for the most up-to-date information regarding availability.

Profiled by NBC-TV's "Today" show in July 2008, Delta Sky magazine in April 2008 and rated "Fodor's Choice" by Fodor's The Carolinas and Georgia, 17th Edition in 2007; the KCC features the largest kangaroo collection outside of Australia. An eventful 2008 tour season brought record crowds to the Center, up 43% from 2007, thanks in part to the extra exposure.
The staff at the Kangaroo Conservation Center have successfully bred, and cared for, a dozen different species of marsupials for over 25 years. Certified by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the KCC is dedicated to the preservation of kangaroo species and other wildlife through captive breeding and public education.

The Aussie Outing admission is $30-32 for adults, $28 for senior citizens (65 and over) and $23-25 for children ages 5-17, tax not included. The "Wander DownUnder" self-guided walking tour is $16 per person plus tax and is available on specific days only. For additional information, and to purchase tickets, go to www.kangaroocenter.com. Group rates are available for those having 30 or more people.

Picnickers are welcome. Snacks and beverages are available in the "Aussie Outpost" gift shop. The Aussie Outpost also offers a wide selection of unique gifts with an "Aussie" flavor. This year the KCC is proud to offer an even better selection of eco-friendly items. Both beautiful and creative, these products are made from recycled or natural elements. Wall art, photo frames, sun catchers and hand-crafted papers - all good for the environment.

To reach the Kangaroo Conservation Center from Atlanta, take Georgia Hwy. 400 North to Hwy. 136. Go left (west) on Hwy. 136, and travel 12 miles. Turn right onto Bailey-Waters Road at the Forrest Hills Conference Center sign. Drive about 100 yards to the first entrance on the right - just look for the large bamboo gate.

The Art Full Frames is Opening in the Barn

A move from the Old Clarkesville Mill back into the original Art-Full Barn building is underway.
For folks who haven't heard yet, The Art-Full Barn's art supplies and Art-Full Frames are both moving back into the old barn building where it started in 1998. The barn was built in the 1920's and is an awesome building. Greg and Gail Kimsey bought the building in the fall and have been cleaning and fixing it up since. The framing design center and the art supplies are downstairs; the frame shop work and assembly area is upstairs.

Old Clarkesville Mill Art & Antique Mall is still the Kimsey's store, too, and moving all this merchandise out means they will have more room to rent for art and antique booths. New owners have taken over the flea market area and it is becoming The Old Mill Bargain Mart. Right now, it is still open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but will eventually be open seven days a week. It is changing from traditional flea market booths to storefronts and there are some exciting businesses rumored to be coming in. Real Deals, the sporting goods store, Old Clarkesville Mill Fun Bowl and Soque Smokehouse BBQ are still all running strong, so when you have a chance, get by and see all the changes.