For 40 years now Cloudmont Ski Resort has been open in Alabama. They have the pride of being the Ski slope farthest South in the Southeast United States. Of course it is "man made" snow, but what fun it is.

The snow blowing machines allow Cloudmont to start making the glittering snow when the temperature drops below 28 degrees. Cloudmont ski resort includes two one-thousand foot, beginner-intermediate slopes. Two "pony lifts" take skiers to the top of the slopes that have an elevation of 1,800 feet and a vertical rise of 150 feet.

Quality machine-made snow provides a deep base to hold the snow through the warmer days with snow grooming equipment when necessary.

Cloudmont Ski Resort is open daily during season - weekends & holidays - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., weather conditions permitting. They are also open on weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The beginner or experienced skier is comfortable at Cloudmont. Even if you've never been on skis, a few hours of expert guidance from our instructors and you're sailing down slopes like you have been doing it all your life. The American Teaching Method has been used to teach thousands.

Personalized instruction is given to skiers of all ages and abilities in both group and private lessons. Skis, boots, and poles are available for rent in the Ski Lodge.

What a fun place to experience winter fun in the deep south. This writer is getting a little too old to "tumble" down the mountain, but many guests enjoy the slopes. My son, Daniel and his friends were there just last night and had a great time-they made it back in one piece. Now they did have some good stories to tell, a few bumps and the rental equipment was also tested to the max. (They definitely got their money's worth out of the rental equipment.)

This blistery cold weather is good for something-so hurry to Mentone, Alabama and try your hand at Skiing or Snow Boarding. Plan to stay at Mentone Cabins so after a day on the slopes you can come back to your cabin and ease your bones in the hot tubs and then relax with a warm cup of hot chocolate in from of the fire.

November 6, 2009

The weather is going to be great this weekend and there is a lot to do and see.

First of all, don't forget the Rattling Gourd Arts Festival down in Summerville. It is at the Chattooga County Civic Center on Saturday from 9-5 Eastern and 11-5 on Sunday. There will be plenty fine arts, crafts, food, music, demonstrations and affordable gifts. You will have a great time!

If a drive to Summerville is not your cup of tea, try Canyon Fest at the JSU Little River Canyon Center. It will be held on Saturday from 10-3 Central Time and will feature art, children's activities, musical performances and lots of good food.

If you would like to learn how to do something new, you might want to attend the paperweight Class from 9-1 on Saturday at Orbix Glass. The cost is $130 and your are guaranteed two paperweights. These might make great Christmas gifts. Call Orbix Glass at 256-523-3188 to reserve your spot.

Also, just a reminder that the growers at the Mentone Market will continue to be there on Wednesdays but with a new schedule. They will be there from 2 until O dark thirty. There will be lettuces and other greens from their fall crops and there will be plenty of baked goods and holiday items in the weeks to come.

Also, mark your calendars for Saturday, November 28, 2009, for an event sponsored by the Mentone Area Arts Council, Christmas in Mentone. It will begin at 6:30 with a reception for our local artists. At 7:30, entertainment will be provided by the Liz Wood Project from Gadsden. It is going to be a great event and admission at the door is only $10 per person.

Finally, we would like to encourage you to Buy Handmade on the Mountain This Holiday Season. There is nothing better than receiving a specially chosen, one-of-a-kind work of originality. Whether it goes on the living room wall or on the dining room table, in a special niche or around your neck, art is special and deserves special recognition from the buyer and recipient. These kinds of purchases and gifts are the ones which come with a story and are treasures that keep on giving even into the future. This holiday season, buy art and make it something unique, unusual, and special for everyone involved.

For more information or to find a place to stay, contact Paul Todd at www.mentonecabins.com

Hope to see you in Mentone!!

Beginning with Friday night, there is a workshop on how to make glass paperweights at Orbix Glass. The workshop is from 5:00 to 9:00 and costs $130. You will make two paperweights during the class and they are great looking. Call Cal Breed at 256-523-3188 to make your reservation.

On Saturday, stop by the Mentone Realty Building an take in Alabama Waterways, A Photographic Celebration. It is a collection of photographs by some of Alabama's premier photographers, put together by the Alabama Rivers Alliance. The display which was brought to Mentone by the Mentone Area Arts Council is open on Saturday from 10:00 until 4:00, and from 12:00 untio 4:00 on Sunday. The exhibit is also open during the week from 9:00 until 4:00. The exhibit will remain on display until Sunday, November 1, 2009.

Also on Saturday, there is an art show in Cedar Bluff that runs from 10:00 until 6:00. Many of Mentone's artists are participating in the show and would like to see you there. It's just a short drive from Mentone.

Also, please don't forget the upcoming Mentone Area Arts Council Lecture Series Event featuring Joe Cook, Executive Director of the Coosa River Basin Initiative, on Thursday, October 15, 2009. Joe will update us on the status of the water wars between Alabama and Georgia and how this might impact our rivers in Alabama. The event begins at 7:00 at the Crystal Lake Lodge.

Also, John Dersham will lead a Fine Art Landscape Photography Workshop on Friday, October 23 (Classroom presentation at the Mentone Community Building) and onsite instruction at Little River Canyon on Saturday morning. The cost of the workshop is $25. Register for the workshop by emailing mentonearts@aim.com.

And please don't forget to participate in the Artists' Gallery and Home Tour on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1. Pick up your map at the Mentone Fire Station and tour homes and studios at your leisure. Artists from all over the region will be in each home to display their work. It's great fun so don't miss it.

And finally, if you are interested in the activities of the Mentone Area Arts Council, please make plans to attend the Annual Meeting at 6:30 on October 28, 2009, at the Crystal Lake Lodge.

Gallery Schedule & Class/Event Description/Schedule Fall/Holiday 2009

________________________________________________________________________

Fall/Holiday Hours: Monday thru Friday 10am - 3pm

(Sept.-Dec.) Saturday 9am - 4pm

OR By Appointment

Note: Gallery is open on days that classes are held

Gallery will be open on Nov. 27 (the day after Thanksgiving)

-------------------------------------------------------------------Open Studio:Fall 2009 Sat Oct 24^th 9-5

This annual event is the highlight of the Fall at Orbix Hot Glass. Glass-blowing demonstrations take place all day and there are opportunities for you and your family to blow a Christmas ornament. Groups of ten or more are asked to please call and schedule a Blow Your Own Ornament session on a separate date. We will be serving our usual yummy refreshments and you'll be able to purchase lunch on site. Come enjoy the beauty of Lookout Mountain in October and the fun that we always have at our open studio events. Don't forget to bring your cameras!

Paperweight Class: Sat Sept 26^th 9am - 1pm Friday, October 9^th 5pm - 9pm Saturday, October 10^th 9am - 1pm Saturday, October 31^st 9am - 1pm Saturday, November 7^th, 9am - 1pm

This class is designed for those who really just want see what molten glass is all about. Feel the heat, gather from the furnace, sculpt the glass into you own design. It is ultimately about the experience, some experimentation and a couple nice paperweights to take home or to the office to show your friends.

Class size at the largest will be five students so everyone has adequate time at the bench working.

There will be material provided before the class for you to review and become familiar with concerning safety and basic glassblowing vocabulary. Please join us for some in-depth discovery. Cost - $130. 3-5 students; reservations required; 50% non-refundable deposit

Blow Your Own Ornament:

Saturday, October 24^th 9am - 5pm Saturday, November 21^st 9am - 5pm Saturday, December 5^th 9am - 5pm Saturday, December 12^th 9am - 5pm Saturday, December 19^th 9am - 5pm Tuesday, December 22^nd 9am - 2pm

This has become very popular here at Orbix Hot Glass! Come design and literally "blow" your own ornament with the help of one of our glass artists. For this we welcome people of all ages (okay you have to be at least 5 years old). Space is on a first come basis. Cost - $35/ornament.

For groups or individuals wishing to make ten or more ornaments, we ask that you call and schedule a special session on a separate date.

Studio Tours/Group Events

Looking for a unique event for your club or a group of friends? Come watch one of our glass artists give a private glassblowing demonstration. They'll answer all your questions about the process (cameras are encouraged!) and you can view the end result of their hard work in our gallery. Cost is $160 for an hour. Maximum group is 30 people. 50% non-refundable deposit required.

Another option for groups is to schedule a date to come Blow Your Own Ornament (see above section for description) Cost - $35/ornament; Minimum of ten ornaments must be blown; $80 non-refundable deposit required

Give us a call to schedule either event, and we'll also put you in touch with people who can assist you with accommodations and/or dining.

ORBIX HOT GLASS 256.523.3188

Stay with Mentone Cabins when you come to visit Orbix Glass. Make your reservations at www.mentonecabins.com

There is a lot going on in the area this weekend and some great activities coming up in the next few weeks. This weekend, you might want to start with a short drive to Chattanooga for a special reception for Harry Krippes at the Lookout Mountain Gallery located next to the Mt. Vernon Restaurant on Broad Street (near the incline). Harry specializes in metal art and does some incredible images of horses and long horned steers. You will enjoy seeing his work and the work of many other talented artists showing their work there. The reception begins at 6:00 EDT. Also, there is a Gallery Hop in Chattanooga on Saturday from 12:00 until 9:00 PM. You might want to start at Bill Shores Frames and Gallery or the InTown Gallery on the North Shore where information will be available for the rest of the Tour. The JSU Field School is having a Family Weekend at DeSoto State Park this weekend. It starts with a Campfire Talk on Friday night at 7:00 about how amphibians like frogs transform from a single cell to the wonderful hopping creatures we enjoy seeing. Also, at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning, Dr. Jim Rayburn will lead a hike along the Little River. It is an easy hike and preregistration is required by calling 256-782-5697. The cost is $10 per person. There is another Campfire Talk at 7:00 on Saturday night on plants and animals that get your attention with their special lines of defense. OK, so nature is not your thing-you might want to visit the Smithonian Exhibit, New Harmonies, Celdbrating Roots Music in America. The exhibit is on display at Hunt Hall adjacent to the Opera House in Fort Payne until September 19th. There is also a local exhibit that highlights the history of music in DeKalb County. There are some great events coming up in the next few weeks so you need to mark you calendar. First, the Pap Baxter Gospel Singing School will be held the Opera House from September 14 through September 18. Call 256-845-2741 or 2224 for further informaion. The Humane Society Animal Resources of DeKalb will hold their 2nd Annual Pet Parade to benefit our Spay and Neuter Programs. It will be held at 10:00AM, Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Fort Payne Boom Days Festival. Come parade with your companion animal, favorite plush animal, or in memory of a beloved companion animal. There is a minimum donation of $10.00 per animal. Be at the Fort Payne Depot parking lot to check in by 9:30AM. They will have events going on all day at the HS/ARD tent in the Depot parking lot with a petting pen, our Barnyard Friends, "Ask a Vet", Basic Pet Emergency Care, and also hold a silent auction. For pre-registration information,go to www.animalresourcesdekalb.com, email hsard1@wildblue.net or call 845-9463. The deadline to register is Sept 12. Free tee-shirts while supplies last will be given with each registration for the Pet Parade. We that's it for now. I have some more information about some really neat things but I will send it out in a separate email. As always, please feel free to pass this email to those in the community you think might be interested.

See you out there!