About Oconee County, GA

Monday, October 20th is the final concert of the year for the Ashford Manor Concert on the Lawn Series and you won't want to miss the Brothers of Unity. Brothers is a group of local musicians who have played with other bands. The members include Doug White, Larry Freeman, Bill Pappas, Danny Anthony, Kenny Brawner, Randy Peterman and Roy Stephens. Their Motown sound will include hits from the '60's and '70's.

Opening for the Brothers of Unity will be the varsity band of the Oconee School of Rock from the Full Moon Studio in Watkinsville. We can't wait to hear what they can do.

So everybody come on down to the Manor, bring your chairs, blankets, picnic supper and beverages of choice, listen and dance the night away! Tickets are $12 for adults, $5.00 for children under 12 and kids under 6 are free. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and music will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

For more information, call Ashford Manor at 706-769-5427, e-mail ashfordmanor@charter.net or go to www.ambedandbreakfast.com.

See you there!

When we returned from a week's vacation I picked up the newspaper and was saddned to read Jim Shearon had died suddenly. Jim, his brother David, friend Mario and mother Louise came here in 1997 and purchased the Ashford home, turning it into Ashford Manor Bed and Breakfast. They have opened the property to the public for concerts on the lawn, fund raisers such as Grace's Birthday Party and Wine Festival and many other events.

I remember when they first came they hosted an ice cream social to welcome the community to Ashford Manor. Over the years they became an important part of the community and instrumental in promoting Watkinsville.

Previously, Jim had been a costume designer working with Broadway, the Met and designed for Prince, among others. After moving to Watkinsville, he helped transform Ashford Manor with his beautiful, creative designs inside and out. The acres of gardens are truly magical! Paul's daughter, Laurel, had her wedding reception there, and the Shearons were very pleasant to work with in all of the planning.

Jim also created the interior designs on several Watkinsville restaurants and shops.

After Jim's dog, Grace, died several years ago, he held an annual event, Grace's Birthday Party for dogs and owners to enjoy and to raise funds for the treatment of dogs belonging to the elderly and low income owners at the UGA Vet School.

Jim added so much to Watkinsville and to all of our lives who live here, and we will miss him.

WHAT IS CIVITAN? Civitan is a worldwide, all volunteer service organization where men and women have an organized way of approaching local community problems through service and fund raising.

We emphasize serving people with developmental disabilities. Local clubs are supported by Civitan International, which was organized in 1917 and spans over 22 countries.

The word CIVITAN is a coined word that comes from the Latin word “CIVITAS”, which means CITIZENSHIP. The Oconee County Civitan Club website is www.oconeecivitan.com. The site also contains Club minutes from recent meetings and monthly newsletter as well as contact information for Club officers. Contact Club Officers for meeting details or for information on joining. This is an excellent way to plug into the community and fill a hole in a committee in one of the most recently Chartered Civitan Clubs.

Are Watkinsville home sales bottoming? Data from September shows that with a decrease of 1 sales were virtually flat with August. The sliding 12 month sales figures indicate a decrease in sales volume holding steady at just under 26% for the last two month. The average number of days the sold home is on the market is still slightly increasing but overall it is only a 6-1/2% increase since the beginning of the year.

The median sales price has continued to rise, up just over 17% since Jan. 1. The average sales price is down from the previous two months but virtually even with the beginning of the year. The median sales price is down also.

The following chart shows the sliding 12 month figures:

But at least they aren't down!

September shows that in Oconee County home sales volume is basically flat, a net increase of 2 over the last month, for the last two months. The number of days on the market average (D.O.M.) is still showing a slight rise.

At the same time the sliding 12 month median price went is down slightly while the average price, during the same period, went from went slightly down again to $308,707.00.

The following chart shows the sliding 12 month figures: