About Fannin County, GA

When you come to Blue Ridge Georgia, you won't find a lot of franchises crowding the streets. For coffee drinkers, this means NO Starbucks, but that isn't to say we don't have a fine coffee shop. L & L Beanery, located in historic downtown Blue Ridge, offers gourmet coffee drinks and a whole lot more.

Built in the town's historic bank building, it's no surprise that in the original bank's walk-in safe you find an ample supply of their valuables: coffee. With a huge stone fireplace and hearth, high pressed tin ceilings and an eclectic mix of antique seating, L & L Beanery exudes an olde tyme charm that abounds in Blue Ridge, but they're not just serving coffee anymore. Now with a full service bistro serving breakfast and lunch, and an amazing in-house bakery, you will always find a delicious array of edibles that will please your pallette and your sense of home-town authenticity.

There is a huge difference between the franchise coffee experience and having a cup of coffee at The Beanery, as we locals call it. The coffee is always fresh, but blends vary as to what is fresh and available each week. You may even have to ocasionally wait for service, if there is a line, because even in the busiest of circumastances, the waitstaff and baristas will always stop to converse with customers and treat every individual like a person, not a client. There is a lasifaire approach inherent in every bit of authentic country life, even in our businesses, but there is a personal caring touch that is unparralleld by the most efficient, calculated fast food franchises.

It takes getting used to, but once you get used to the pace and quality of the L & L Beanery experience, you'll always feel like you're settling for less in our modern day convenient franchises. And if you visit, try the almond torte...it's my favorite.

In the Leadership Fannin seminar I am currently participating in, our jolly group spent the day learning about tourism in the Fannin County area. Blue Ridge Georgia has a lot to offer, beyond the beautiful rivers, mountains and lakes that grace the surrounding landscape. The day began with area arts organizations giving lectures at the Blue Ridge Community Theater. We heard speakers from the Theater itself, as well as various arts organizations throughout the county. There are a lot of groups in this area, from the Sustainable Arts Society that houses artists with grant monies to encourage the development of artists in our country, to our very own Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, which is a very active regional arts group providing outlets, classes and events that promote the Arts throughout Fannin County and beyond.

From the Theater we took the Historic Blue Ridge Scenic Railway where we enjoyed the scenery and history of an area with a rich past and richer landscapes. There is something so realaxing about the rythmic motion and leisurley pace of the train, even the antiquated sqealing wheels only adds to the nostalgia. From the shopping area in McCaysville, we bussed to Mercier Orchards. We were served a lovely lunch while being lectured to by Mr. Tim Mercier, the owner and 2nd generation of Merciers to run this larger than life operation. We were given a "backstage pass" to see the workings of an agricultural operation that is truly more than meets the eye. There is even a complicated science to growing apples, and let's just say, "I'm glad there wasn't a test after the tour."

And we really just scratched the surface of things to do in this area. It was informative and exciting to see what a rich and diverse area we live in that has so much to offer visitiors. For more information on area attractions and things to do in the Blue Ridge Georgia area, check out my website links: Day Trippin' , Things 2 Do & National Forests and Parks. When it comes to taking a break from your hectic lifestyle, you'll find "there's no place like Blue Ridge."

For those that may have read my blog last month,you'll remeber that I sold a large historic homestead in Brasstown, North Carolina. Not only was it a large sale, but the seller was also a dear friend, and a renowned woodturning artist. Many of her works can be seen in galleries from Blue Ridge to Chattanooga. She is best known for the grand size of her bowls, which also command a sizable price. I own one of her small pieces, a silver maple vase, and I cherish it because it is probably the only Oland piece I would ever afford to own, that is until now.

I have long been a great admirer of Lissi's style, and I love the massive size of her works, as well. I'm a big guy and I like big stuff, what can I say. One piece Lissi had recently been working on the lathe I had a particular penchant for. I fancied it to be one of my favorites that she had done. Well, Lissi finished it and presented to me as a gift this past weekend.

Lissi is leaving for Denmark and will not likely be returning, so this was her farewell gesture of freindship, and talk about "bowling me over". I never expected to recieve such a gift and am still in shock, with a heavy dash of being thirlled. The bowl is a live-edge work and freeform in shape, and there is just something about it that pulls me in like the earth to the sun. I am overwhelmed with her generosisty, and excited to always have a piece that is not only beautiful in form, but beautiful in nature, as it will always remind me of my friend, and the art that brought us together.

I look forward to the day I visit Denmark and Lissi's new home, but until then, I have a bowl that reminds me of the size of her heart, and the generous artist I consider myself blessed to know.

May 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

May 1 / Culinary Art Celebration

The Martyn House. 912 Flat Branch Rd. Fri. Night culinary event featuring refreshments, appetizers and silent auction of registered and visiting artists. 7pm – 9pm (706) 635 – 4759 www.themartynhouse.com

May 8 – 31 / “Harvey” Blue Ridge Community Theater

An eccentric comedy by Mary Chase involving a polite, cheerful main character, a hilarious cast and of course, a giant 6 ft tall while rabbit. (706) 632-9223 www.blueridgecommunitytheater.co

May 9 / Georgia Classic Car Show

Historic Downtown Blue Ridge. 9am – 4:30pm. Door prizes and trophies for the top 25 trucks and 50 cars. (706) 632 – 3656

May 9 / JAKES Day Helen, GA. 10am – 2pm. JAKES stands for: juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship. Enjoy a day filled with reptiles, archery, primitive skills, raffle ticket drawings, free lunch and other activities. Co-Sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation. (706) 878-3087 www.gastateparks.org

May 9 / CCC Reunion Vogel State Park, Blairsville, GA. 10am

Join the boys of the “Tree Army” as they tell stories of the New Deal era. Tours of the CCC Museum, food and drinks provided. (706) 745-2628 www.gastateparks.org

May 16 / Smokie Mountains Melodies Chorus

Fannin County performing Arts Center. 7pm The Sweet Adelines int. Chapter consisting of over 40 members singing in exquisite 4 part harmony. (706) 632-7445

May 16 & 17 / Bread & Puppet Theatre Helen, GA.

The Cheap Art movement was launched in 1982 by the bread & puppet Theatre whose philosophy is, “art becomes political whether you like it or not…” A street theatre performance that invokes thought while making its audience laugh, Bread & Puppet tours the Country . Featuring handmade art for sale. This is a performance you won’t want to miss! (706) 878-3300 www.breadandpuppet.com

May 22 - 25 / Memorial Day Blast

Unicoi State Park, Helen, GA. 8pm – 9pm. Join in relay races, campfires, music and a hoedown. (800) 573-9659. www.gastateparks.org

May 23 & 24 / Arts In The Park

33rd annual Arts in the park Festival in historic downtown Blue Ridge. Featuring over 200 arts, crafts, and food booths and the best in demonstrations, music and dance. Recognized as one of the top 20 events by the Southeastern Tourism Society. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Assn. (706) 632-2144 www.brmaa.net