About De Kalb County, AL

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.

Is the weather outside too cold for you? Do you want to enjoy some lights but it is raining? Do you and your children want to see some snow? Then a Ruby Red Christmas is for you.

Plan on a visit to Ruby Falls where it is always 58 degrees. Christmas time is a great time to visit the Falls. There are several activities for the whole family.

As you approach the Cavern Castle, it's snowing! You will meet wonderful costumed characters as you are surrounded by holiday acoustical music. Listen to Mrs. Claus read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and after your tour of the cave and waterfall, visit the North Pole Workshop for festive activities! Ruby Falls is proud to feature LED lighting throughout the castle and waterfall, making the holiday experience even that much brighter! Finish the evening off with a horse and carriage ride by Down South Carriage.

To learn more about the Ruby Red Christmas go to http://www.lookoutmountain.com

Remember you can stay in the Mentone Area in one of the many cabins offered by Mentone Cabins. Check the many cabins that are available near Ruby Falls at www.mentonecabins.com

If you are in the Mentone area there is something fun for the holiday season, Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights is a holiday tradition where families and friends come together to create shared memories during the holiday season. Rock City is just a few miles down the road on Lookout Mountain Parkway.

Create a cool new tradition this year as the Enchanted Garden of Lights celebrates its 15th year featuring the North Pole Adventure. This award-winning, light extravaganza features more than 30 holiday scenes and over a million lights (with new LED's) that transform the garden’s natural daytime splendor into a nocturnal fantasyland.

· See snow and visit with St. Nick and his elves at the North Pole Adventure!

· See elves harvesting candy canes and building toys!

· Enjoy nightly entertainment in the pavilion, next to a warm fireplace with a hot cup of cocoa Sugar Plum Fairy Makeovers – available for children to enjoy face painting or dress up in costume and be magical fairies for a night.

· Gingerbread cookie decorating

Don’t forget to get your picture with Santa and his elves! To learn more about Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights follow this link http://www.seerockcity.com/pages/Enchanted-Garden-of-Lights/ You will see that Rock City is more than looking at seven States.

Remember you can stay in the Mentone Area in one of the many cabins offered by Mentone Cabins. Check the many cabins that are available near Rock City at www.mentonecabins.com

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.