Anne Rains -Bethlehem Georgia Real Estate Agent

Hoschton, Georgia was taken over by thousands of scarecrows this past fall; although the residents of the town only number 1,455 people, there was 5,441 scarecrows scattered throughout the 30548 zip code. The people's efforts at making this a memorable fall season were not in vain either, they were awarded an official world record for the "Most Scarecrows in One Location" by the World Records Academy. I happened to drive through this area and it was quite a sight to see literally hundreds of scarecrows lining the streets, grouped in front of buildings and scattered throughout people's yards. It would have been neat to actually walk around and look at the different ones in detail, but I didn't have the time.

Anyways, at this time, the city is not being awarded a Guiness World Record title due to a technicality. The office in London is saying that a zip code is not a location. However, the World Records Academy has a different point of view; they are saying that the same zip code counts as a location. A committee will decide within the month of January whether or not to appeal Guinness' decision.
The World Records Academy is going to honor the record with a full-page in it's 2009 book, which goes on sale this month. You can also see the city recognized on the company's Website: www.WorldRecordAcademy.org

If you need something fun to do this weekend, you can go to the city's bonfire held this Saturday night, January 3rd. It's being hosted by the fall festival committee beginning at 5 p.m. at the Kenerly farm, located at 1688 Georgia HWY 53. Everyone is invited to bring their scarecrows to burn in this fire controlled by the West Jackson Fire Department and to enjoy the hot chocolate and marshmallows which will be provided.

The Hoschton Fall Festival committee is asking its residents whehter or not they should attempt another world record next year or if they have any other suggestions regarding the scarecrows.

I found this article to be neat because Hoschton is fairly close to the community I live in. It's neat to see other communities coming together in a unique way to do something fun...and winning a world record and gaining recognition at the same time isn't so bad either!

I want to hear any stories you have about your town...have y'all attempted a world record? Are you known for something special in your area? Please feel free to share your stories!

The Macy's Pink Pig ride is a fun thing to take your kids to during the holiday season. It's a long time Christmas tradition for Atlanta which got its start in 1953 as a children's ride through Rich's toy department. Children could ride Priscilla the pig for only $.25; today the ride costs $3.00 per child or you can print a 2-for-1 coupon on the Website: http://www.macys.com/campaign/pinkpig/index.jsp

Due to rising popularity, another pig was later added in the mid 1960s and the two were relocated to circle the Rich's Great Tree on the roof. The ride was briefly part of the Atlanta History Center's Candlelight Tours' display during the 1990s and was used by Egleston Children's Hospital's Festival of Trees from 1996 until 2003.

In 2003 the Pink Pig ride returned to Atlanta's Macy's at Lenox Square Mall. The ride today occupies a 1950s themed tent on the upper level parking deck. The ride travels through a storybook of the original Priscilla and all her companions.

Kids of all ages enjoy this long held Atlantan tradition and at the inexpensive fare of $3.00 per person, it is a cheap way to create a wonderful holiday memory. You even get an "I Rode the Pink Pig" sticker.

It's open from now until January 4th and the operating hours vary depending on the day. For more detailed information, please visit the Website: http://www.macys.com/campaign/pinkpig/index.jsp and click on the INFO tab.

Also, a portion of the proceeds are donated to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

*The information in this post, along with the picture was obtained from http://www.macys.com/campaign/pinkpig/index.jsp

Okay ya'll, I thought I would share some upcoming events around Gwinnett county this weekend...there are some pretty interesting things coming up, here goes:

TODAY (Friday):

*Live and Silent Auction sponsored by the Peachtree Ridge Foundation:
7 p.m. at Magnolia Hall, 2040 Sever Rd in Lawrenceville.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 678.957.3166

*Blood Drive hosted by LifeSouth Country in the bloodmobile:
11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Stevi B's at 1950 Buford Mill Dr in Buford
Please note: donors must be at least 110 pounds, have photo ID and be at least 17 years old
You can call 770.538.0500 for more information

SATURDAY:

*"FunFest for Kids" hosted by the Ladies and Men Gwinnett Shrine Clubs:
Charity event including pony rides, food, silent auction
Proceeds raise money for children with burn injuries and other orthopedic needs
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dacula Ingles, located off Georgia Highway 369

*Fourth Annual Hot Tamale Chilli Cook-Off hosted by Grayson Cluster Schools Foundation and the PTA:
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grayson City Park
You can obtain further information by calling 678.524.9927 or visiting http://www.graysonfoundation.org/

*Fourth Annual Rice Festival:
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Carter Oaks Shopping Center on 5495 Jimmy Carter Blvd in Norcross
For more information, please call 770.270.0663

*17th Year of Voice in the Wind--American Indian Festival:
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Held at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
Admission: 13 years and older--$7, chidren ages 5 to 12--$4, and those under 5 are free
Further information can be obtained from http://www.vitwind.com/ or call 770.791.0066

SUNDAY:

*Come Alive Ministries of Barrow County:
Participating in National Life Chain's one hour of prayer
1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 38 S. Broad St in Winder
Please call 770.867.3000 for more information


Okay so that's what's going on in Gwinnett county this weekend...a lot of festivals and outdoors activities--great for the kids! I hope everyone has a safe and fun weekend.

And don't forget about the tax-free weekend on energy and water-efficient products...if you missed my post from yesterday, feel free to check it out now.

This weekend, beginning today (Thursday, October 2) through Sunday, October 5th is a tax-free holiday for Georgia when you purchase water-efficient and energy-efficient products. Consumers can buy either WaterSense products, such as toilests, faucets and showerheads, or Energy Star products such as fluorescent light bulbs, dishwashers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, refrigerators, washing machines and programmable thermostats, completely tax-free. The only conditions to obtain the products without tax are they must not be for commercial use or greater than $1,500.

The WaterSense certification is given to products that meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standards for water efficiency and performance criteria. On average, products with the WaterSense label use 20 percent less water than products without the label. The Energy Star program created by the U.S. Department of Energy is similar.

Citizens of Gwinnett county who live in single-family residences built prior to 1993 can save even more money when they replace their toilets with more energy-efficient ones, because Gwinnett is participating in the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District's residential toilet rebate program. Under this program, consumers who fit the qualifications of the program can earn a $100 credit on their water bill.

I believe that people in Georgia should take this opportunity to "Go Green" by changing out some of your less energy and water-efficient appliances and toilets in your home. Now's the time to buy all those light bulbs that last so long and save so much energy. It's important that we start taking care of our environment and conserving both energy and water; here's a perfect chance to save some money while we do it. I'm "Going Green," are YOU?


*The information in this post came from the October 1st Gwinnett Daily Post. If you would like further information on this tax-free weekend, please visit www.dor.ga.gov/salestax/holiday/index.aspx

The Riverwalk YMCA in Bethlehem opened this past summer and is another great asset to the growing community of Bethlehem. It is part of the Riverwalk neighborhood and is a beautiful craftsman-style facility. The fitness center features a swimming pool, playground, 4 tennis courts, beach volleyball court, fitness classes and plenty of cardio and weight machines.

We are members there and really like it, especially because of the current competition they have going. During the month of September they have a football themed competition where teams of 4 people can do exercise for yardage...basically the team with the most touchdowns at the end of the month wins a prize. For example, if you spend 30 minutes doing cardio you get 5 yards and if you do 3 sets of 10 on eight circuit machines you receive 10 yards. I am ashamed to admit that I've never made exercising a priority in my life, but for the first time ever I've been motivated to go to the gym frequently....I kinda wish they would just keep extending the end of the competition...maybe a year long competition would be better?!

The staff members are always friendly and the equipment is nice and new. They offer plenty of different group exercise classes and also there is free childcare while you are exercising. All in all, it is a great place to workout...and yet another reason for you to contemplate a move to the Bethlehem area.

If you are wanting to move to Bethlehem, Loganville, Athens or any other city within the Gwinnett, Walton and Barrow counties, please contact me today--I would love to help! If you have any questions about the YMCA or real estate in general...you know what to do, comment below.