About Rabun County, GA

Oh Spring, I think more than most we are all looking forward to some Spring weather, thawing out and getting back outside. Well here are some great events to place on your calender and come visit the area.

Celebrate Clayton is a large event that gets bigger every year. It now held for two days , April 24th and 25th. This is an Arts and Music festival. They block off all of downtown Clayton, GA were booths are set up with local artists and artists for around the United States. There is live music, food and more entertainment. There is also a 5K & 1Mile Run held on the 24th by the local group of Jr. Woman's club. All the money for registration goes for local girls and scholarships. You can check it all at www.celebrateclayton.com.

Then on May the 22nd and the 23rd our County is hosting it's first ever "Warrior Dash" 5K Run. This is going to be one for the records. This race is a 5K with obstacles for the runners to jump, climb a swim around. We are expecting over 10,000 people per day of the event. My husband and myself will be running so come for that amusement. This will be a great time had by all. If you want to race just go to www.warriordash.com or if you just want to come watch it is free for spectators.

So get the rest of that frozen snow of the porch, forget the Spring cleaning and come enjoy the North Georgia Mountains and all they have to offer!

Last Thanksgiving, I wrote about my old friend, Mr. Ed, an 88 year old World War II veteran who had just celebrated what we felt was his last Thanksgiving. His poor old body was worn out, but his mind was still good enough to give thanks for Christmas and to celebrate the arrival of the new year.

But, a couple of weeks ago, that tired body gave up the fight and Mr. Ed left us early in the morning.

His funeral was held on Wednesday morning in Gallatin, Tennessee. Visitation was the previous afternoon and hundreds of his friends and the residents of Gallatin who had known him and his family for 80 years gathered to pay their respects. His three children were there and most of their children were there,too. Everyone who could come dropped by to pay their respects. It was as it should be. A life well lived honored by those who cared.

Knowing Mr Ed was gone was sad. Seeing his widow - who had spent every night of their 68 years of marriage together except when he was away at war or she was in the hospital delivering their children - with him was sad. Hearing the stories of his long life from the lips of his grandchildren who said, "I wish I could hear him tell that story about Sam Houston just one more time" was sad. It was all sad, but underneath there was joy - a celebration of the life that this man lived...his contributions to the freedom of this country and to his community and to his family.

After the service, family and friends gathered under a tent that had been set up to provide shelter from the rain that had been falling steadily all morning. Funny thing...the rain stopped while the mourners left their cars and walked to the grave site. Over to the right stood four Veterans from the American Legion - all standing at attention and holding rifles. Three more were waiting patiently at the grave. Once the minister concluded his remarks, the Veterans removed the flag of our country from the casket and all three helped to fold it according to tradition. When they were finished, one moved quietly ouside the tent where he lifted a polished trumpet to his lips. The poignant notes of Taps floated above the cold cemetery as the American flag was presented to Mrs. Becky. "Ma'am, this flag is presented to you by a grateful nation." Then, the Vets standing across the way lifted their rifles in response to a command from their leader and fired a 21 gun salute to Mr. Ed.

The tears were flowing down my cheeks and also the cheeks of others who witnessed the ceremony. We weren't sad for Mr Ed - he's in a happier place. Perhaps we were grateful for his contribution to our country and those were tears of gratitude. Perhaps we were sad for ourselves - knowing we had lost another man who helped preserve our freedoms and those were tears of regret.

For many reasons, the tears flowed.

Thank you, Mr. Ed for being an example of a man who loves his God, his country and his family. Were that all men were more like you.

Sleep well.

It has been over a year since the last time I was able to help negotiate a purchase and sale. Our local market is largely a secondary home market and my focus is not only secondary homes, but luxury secondary homes....sounded like a great idea three years ago when I opened my new company here in the beautiful north Georgia mountain lakes region! LOL

Things went very well for the first 18 months ...then, nothing...nada. Not that I would wish no sales on anyone else, but it was the entire area...not just me. Ever optimistic, I had a feeling there were buyers who were sophisticated enough to realize the beginning of the end of the downward spiral and that we might see some offers soon.

Happily and gratefully, I am able to report to all of my Active Rain friends and colleagues that things have indeed turned the corner and my last week has been spend negotiating not one, but two - YES, FRIENDS, TWO contract offers. Both are my listings.

Color me excited! And, it is not just the possibility of finally getting a paycheck...although I must admit that IS pretty exciting! You know what has amazed me? The thrill and the 'rush' that comes with the negotiation and helping the two sides reach a meeting of the minds. It helps, of course, that the agents for the buyers are professionals and easy to work with, but WOW!..is it thrilling to see these contracts coming closer and closer to finalization.

I hate to admit, I had forgotten how good it feels.

My prayer today is that every one of you has the opportunity to feel that 'rush' sometime soon!

Have a great Labor Day. I'll be laboring and happy to do so!

Wondering what is going on in Rabun County and what there is to do in the mountains of North East Georgia this late August and September?

Here are some dates and events to write on your calendar.

Lake Rabun Hotel and Restaurant was recently listed on the National Geographic Traveler Magazine's Top Stay List 2009. ( If you haven't had dinner at their restaurant, you have missed a prime dining experience. The food is amazing!!)

Lazy Bear Furniture (rustic and cottage furniture, accessories, lamps, and art) in Dillard now has a wine tasting room and is offering free wine tastings. They serve and sell wine only from The Georgia Winery, the oldest winery in the state of Georgia. For additional information, call 706-746-2168.

Persimmon Creek Vineyards recently had a birth of a new lamb named Daisy who joins their East Friesian sheep herd.

The North Georgia Community Players will be presenting their 7^th annual all children's production (musical) of "The Magical Land of Oz." Performances will be October 17, 23, & 24 at 7:00 p.m. and October 18 and 25 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 adults and $5 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber, both Rabun County Banks, Regions Bank, Stephens Federal Bank, Community Bank & Trust, Mountain Heritage Bank, and United Community Bank. For information call 706-212-2500.

Tiger Mountain Orchards in Tiger has raspberries at $2.00 per pint (u-pick). Picking is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Call 706-782-3290 for additional information.

Calendar of Events

August 27 - Mountain Physical Therapy will host a Wellness meeting on August 27 at 4:00 p.m. at their location, 1218 N. Main Street in Clayton. The guest speaker will be Mike Addington from Clayton Pharmacy. There is no cost for this event, and it is open to the community.

August 29 - David Phelps (Christian singer and songwriter) at Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (SMCPA) in Franklin, NC. For concert information, call 828-524-1598 or 866-273-4615 or visit their website at www.greatmountainmusic.com.

August 30 - Emile Pandolfi concert at the Rearden Theatre (RGNS). Ticket price is $15.00. For more information, contact the Rabun County Music Festival Association at 706-746-6226 or visit www.rabunmusicfestival.com.

September 1 - Mountain Lakes Medical Center's volunteers are having a jewelry sale fundraiser featuring quality, stylish costume jewelry and accessories on Tuesday, September 1 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the hospital's main lobby. All jewelry is $5.00. The fundraiser will help raise funds to purchase needed equipment and other necessities for the hospital. For additional information, call 706-782-3100. If you wish to become a volunteer for the hospital, please call 706-212-0230.

September 4 - Carl Hurley and Jeanne Robertson (humorists) at SMCPA.

September 5 - Chonda Pierce (comedian) at SMCPA.

September 12 - The Isaacs (singing group) at SMCPA.

September 12 - Dr. Guy Gober, The Tiger Clinic, is co-sponsoring a PCAR Golf Tournament on September 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The cost is $45.00 per person or $90.00 for a 2-man team. This tournament is to promote September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The proceeds fund local scholarships. For additional information, call 706-782-3572.

September 13 - Georgia Philharmonic Orchestra at the Rearden Theatre (RGNS).

September 18 - Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (musical group) at SMCPA.

September 19th - Tiger Mountain Vineyards will celebrate its 10^th anniversary with a spectacular Harvest Party to honor wine club members and guests. Grape picking begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a picnic, live music at 12:00 p.m., a visiting chef, and more. Check www.tigerwine.com or call 706-782-4777 and find out how to join the wine club and be included! Look for another fall celebration, of the winery's 10^th birthday, on October 17^th which is open to the public--Old Highway 441 Rabun Red Bash.

September 19 - Marie Dunkle, with her Celtic band named Caledonia Swing, will be performing at lunch time on September 19^th at the Mountaineer Festival.

September 22-24 - The Jungle Book at SMCPA.

September 24 - Mountain Lakes Medical Center, in conjunction with Merck Pharmaceuticals, will be holding a free Diabetes Education Class. The class date is September 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The class will be held in the cafeteria at the hospital. If interested, please contact your local physician or Melessa Alley at 706-782-0439 for registration information.

September 26 - Greater Vision (musical group) at SMCPA.

Park Model featuring: two bedrooms with loft, 14 x 13 living room with sofa couch, 10 x 13 Dining Room, and large screen in deck. Includes Most furniture – Master Bedroom includes Queen Size Bedroom set, 2nd bedroom and loft each furnished with 2 twin beds. Sleeps 8 comfortably. In resort community that features in door whirl pool, outdoor pool, hot tub, playground, pavilion, clubhouse, fire pit, and work out room. To directly access this property, use this shortcut: http://www.fizber.com/georgia-buy-log-cabin-home-home-11647121.html