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