Blue Ridge, GA

I have a feeling that this is not going to be the most riveting blog I've ever written, but it is the first blog entry I've written in almost 3 months. Guilty as charged... Naughty me (TLW will have to whip me)! I have been incredibly busy with my real estate business, and as such, I have had no time to write.

For those who haven't heard, the activity in the market is on the rise, at least in this neck of the woods. I had 13 buyers in 1 week just a couple weeks ago, and I am still working on several contracts that are coming in from that week. In the mean time, there is no such thing for me as an "easy" deal. Every single contract I have put together that has worked out, has worked me out, that's fer sure. For every one that worked out, I wrote 5 or 6 that did NOT work out. I love being busy, but it would be nice to have a deal where everything just falls into place at least once in a while. No whining when I have contracts, I know.

With that said, my wife just opened a new business here in Blue Ridge. Well, it's not exactly a new business for us, it's our old business...a dance/yoga studio. It's been open a few weeks and the response has been fantastic. As for me, I oversaw all the build-out for the new space and even teach class a few nights a week to help out and keep in shape, but that has been a whole other task unto itself. I have been feeling pulled apart in every direction, so needless to say, my blog has suffered, and I just wanted to take a moment to start back to writing entries at least a few times a week.

I have been to some great new restaurants that have opened in town, and experienced some great local attractions that I am dying to share with my interested blogging audience, but that will be fodder for the rest of this months entries. In the meantime, the BIG NEWS is that the real estate market is up an running again, and the prices are inspiring buyers everywhere. If you have been thinking of investing in a mountain getaway...NOW IS THE TIME! I may be busy, but I'll always make time to show you around and help you in any way I can. I'm just excited to be back in the swing of things and adjusting to my new pace. This is more like it!

SEPTEMBER 2009

Sept. 1 – Oct 6 / Quilt Exhibit

Blue Ridge Mountains art Assn. Community Quilt exhibit (706) 632-2144 www.brmaa.com

Sept. 1 – Oct. 30 / Pickin’ in the Park

Downtown Ellijay/Horseshoe Bend park in McCaysville. Local Musician jam gathering. Bluegrass, country, Gospel and rock-n-Roll 6pm – dark. Free Family Fun! All are Welcome! (706) 635-5961 wilmar225@yahoo.com

Sept. 5 – 27 / Apple Picking

Mercier orchards. Growing apples since 1943, Mercier Orchards is celebrating 66 yrs. of business. Enjoy a wagon ride through the orchards and pick apples Sat & Sun from 10am – 5pm (706) 632-3411 www.mercier-orchards.com

Sept. 20 & 21 / Wildlife Art Festival

Downtown city Park, Blue Ridge, GA. 10^th annual festival. Showcasing works from over 75 of the finest wildlife artists in the southeast. Sculpture, painting and woodworking. Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Assn. (706) 632-2144 www.brmaa.com

Sept 25 – Oct 10 / Ruby Falls Haunted Cavern

Ruby Falls, Chattanooga, TN. Fri & Sat nights opens after dark. Terror 206ft underground. www.hauntedcavern.com

We're fortunate to live in Murphy, NC and be just minutes to the TN and GA state lines.
One of our favorite stops to make over in the Blue Ridge, GA area is at the Mercier Orchards for their famous Fried Pies. Of course we usually leave with some Apple Bread and Cider too.

Mercier Orchards is a family owned and operated apple orchard. Started back in 1943 by Bill & Adele Mercier, Mercier Orchards is now celebrating 66 years of fruitful harvests. One stop at Mercier Orchards will send your senses into overdrive. Bushels of apples, fresh from the surrounding orchard, invite you to taste and there are plenty of samples to try. Bottles of fresh cider, jams, jellies and other gourmet treats are ready for you to take home or have shipped. Not only have the bakery, but you'll love the deli and their home made pecan chicken salad. They also offer a unique variety of farm toys, pet items, kitchen items, home decor, local vegetables and a meat and cheese shop. You won't want to miss this stop!

STORE HOURS - OPEN ALL YEAR LONG! OPEN LATE TO EIGHT
MONDAY -SATURDAY 8:00-8:00, SUNDAY 8:00-8:00
Toll Free: 1-800-361-7731 www.mercier-orchards.com

AUGUST 2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR BLUE RIDGE GEORGIA AND SURROINDING AREAS

Aug 1 / Folk Life Traditions Unicoi State park, Helen, GA. Demonstrations of everyday mountain-living skills. Includes candle dipping, cider making, folk toys and butter churning. Concert on Fri and a community dance on Sat. (800) 573-9659 ext. 305 www.gastateparks.org


Aug. 1 – 22 / The Fantastiks By Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt.
Blue Ridge Community Theatre. Fri & Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm. One of the longest running plays off Broadway, a famous story of “a boy, a girl, two fathers and a wall.” An evening of theatrical magic. (706) 632-9223 www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com

Aug. 1 – Oct. 30 / Pickin’ in the Park
Downtown Ellijay OR Horseshoe Bend park in McCaysville. Local Musician jam gathering. Bluegrass, country, Gospel and rock-n-Roll 6pm – dark. Free Family Fun! All are Welcome! (706) 635-5961 wilmar225@yahoo.com

August 1 / Smokey Bear’s Birthday party Ocoee Whitewater center, Ducktown, TN. Celebrate Smokey’s Birthday 10am – 2pm. Free Cake & Ice Cream, cake carved at 1pm. Games, activities, fire prevention messages and prize drawings. (423) 496-0104 www.fs.fed.us

August 14 & 15 / Rodeo Kiwanis fairgrounds, blue ridge, GA. Rodeo starts at 8pm. Bull riding, saddle bronc. Riding, calf roping and other events. Children under 8 free! (706) 276 7458

August 15 / Benefit Auction & Gala
John C. Campbell Folk School. Murphy, NC. 1pm – 5pm The folk school will entertain an audience of art lovers and school supporters at its annual benefit auction on Saturday. Featuring numerous one-of-a-kind handcrafted items donated by talented craftspeople. Proceeds benefit the educational programs at the folk school. Summer Buffet Lunch beginning at noon. (828) 837-2775 www.folkschool.org

August 29 – Oct 6 / Quilt Exhibit Blue Ridge Mountains art Assn. Community Quilt exhibit (706) 632-2144 www.brmaa.com