About White County, GA

Many modern visitors flock to Helen Georgia in late September though October for the annual Oktoberfest celebration.

But what many modern day revelers may not realize as they enjoy the festivities of the fall season is that the area was home to ancient civilizations and was a popular spot long before the arrival of European settlers.

Ancient Mississippian tribes inhabited nearly all of the fertile river beds in Georgia thousands of years before the arrival of the colonists. They constructed mounds in the river valley not only to ceremoniously bury their dead, but also to have a place to build important civic structures above the alluvial flood plain.

So if you take a trip to the Georgia Mountains this Autumn, spend a few moments reflecting on the rich anthropological history of the region.

After all, we may walk these valleys but a short time.

Photo: Mississippian burial mound in the Nacoochee Valley near Helen GA.

Nothing new to do? THink you have seen it all? I'm just sayin..you probably have not taken a Basic Buck and Flatfoot dance class have you? And I bet you have not entered a pie baking contest? Have you?

Well, if you are coming to visit or live in the area, you might want to consider both of these events just to make life a little different. Basic Buck and Flatfoot dance classes start on May 3, in Clarkesville at the Georgia Heritage center for the Arts. Six weeks of instruction by Jennie inglis, 706 348 7542

Now if your flatfoot dancing is not enough consider entering a Pie Banking and Tasting event on May 29, at the Dahlonega Hancock Park from 11 AM til 2 PM. Deadline for registering is May 10th. Forms can be downloaded from www.lumpkinliteracy.org. Look for downloads of 2010 Pie Contest Entry Forms.

Let me know how you enjoy these events. If you are looking for a cabin in Helen, or a rental property, let's talk

Are you a Helen Ga, or northeast Georgia fan? Do you try to visit as often as possible to get away to a better, slower place in time? Do you enjoy getting lost in the northeast Georgia mountains at least 6 times a year? Do you think you would love to have a place here, and think you would not use it enough?

How about considering a duplex or cabin in this area? Are you afraid you would not visit enough? Do you think you might want to put it on a rental program and use it when you can come? Do you want something already in a great area, already furnished? Then give me a call, let's talk..there are several areas here that will fit into your needs, at the great price of $150,000, or lower!!

Yes, this morning we have some snow flurries, that is the good news, but the sun is out and they will not stick, it appears, that is the bad news. Good News, Bad News, how often have you heard it? Are you thinking about moving to the northeast Gerogia mountains, Helen specifically? Or our beautiful surrounding rolling hills with mountain views? Thinking about the Chattahoochee Riverfront properties? Cabin, Castle? Want an investment rental, vacation home? Maybe just a second home for weekends, just an hour and a half from all Atlanta has to offer? That's right, Good News, Bad News. The interest rates are low, that is the good news. they are not expected to stay low, that is the bad news. The Tax Credits are still in place that is the good news. The month of April will bring an end to the Tax Credits, that is the bad news. We have some great foreclosure properties available that is the Good news. Many of the best properties/values have already sold, that is the Bad News.

I can help you with all your real estate needs, buying as well as selling. The great home on a private stocked lake with an acre of land for under $150,000 has sold, my discerning client from Macon, GA purchased that one. That's the bad news. Let me know what you are looking for and I will help you find the property that comes closest to your requirements...that's the good news!!! Let's talk soon?

About 90 minutes north of Gwinnett County, GA, is the gateway to the North GA Mountains. Unofficially, Cleveland, GA, is probably the gateway for those coming from the eastern suburbs of Atlanta.

And only 20 minutes north of Cleveland (and Babyland General, its most famous business) is Helen, GA. It is a Bavarian-styled village, most known for its OktoberFest and tubing on the Chattahoochee River.

Of course, we visited during one of the coldest Januarys on record... no Oktoberfest and certainly no tubing on the river.

But that doesn't mean the town rolls up and closes... No, there is still plenty to see in Helen. It is a lovely little town. There are some great "Bavarian-themed" shops. There is also a really cool model railroad that captures apline style.

Helen was on the eastern edge of the first gold rush. Nearby Dahlonega was the western edge of the rush in 1828. There are still businesses in both areas that allow tourists to pan for gold. After the gold mining slowed, the next boom was timber. In 1913, the valley was named 'Helen' after the daughter of a railroad surveyor as the railroad built into the valley. By 1931, the virgin timber was all but gone and operation ceased.

By the 1960s, Helen was suffering. Despite the natural beauty of the area and the nearby Anna Ruby Falls, tourism wasn't making it. By 1970, the buildings had been re-styled into the Bavarian Apline village there now.

Whether you are there for Oktoberfest or to grab a German dinner, to tube the 'Hooch or hike to Anna Ruby Falls, Helen is a great day trip or weekend for those of us from Atlanta or Gwinnett County, GA.

And just before you get to Helen on GA75 sits the Nora Mill Granary, established in 1876.

It is certainly fun to see the buildings... knowing that they have been in operation for most of the last 134 years. The thick sawn lumber in the post and beam construction has a rough beauty to it. This is a building built for a purpose. But that isn't the only thing...

There are the grains. The Cornmeal, Grits, Pancake Mix, Wheat and Porridge are excellent. They also stock lots of regional specialties like sorghum, jellies, jam and honey. they also carry cast iron cookware and a few other items. For the milled items, they are truly stone ground.

During the summer it is a great stop to make. Watching the fish below the dam and taking in the beautiful views makes for a great break from the car.

And the stone ground grits make for a great reminder of the trip.. and an excellent excuse to go back.