Lynda Hester

It has been over a year since the last time I was able to help negotiate a purchase and sale. Our local market is largely a secondary home market and my focus is not only secondary homes, but luxury secondary homes....sounded like a great idea three years ago when I opened my new company here in the beautiful north Georgia mountain lakes region! LOL

Things went very well for the first 18 months ...then, nothing...nada. Not that I would wish no sales on anyone else, but it was the entire area...not just me. Ever optimistic, I had a feeling there were buyers who were sophisticated enough to realize the beginning of the end of the downward spiral and that we might see some offers soon.

Happily and gratefully, I am able to report to all of my Active Rain friends and colleagues that things have indeed turned the corner and my last week has been spend negotiating not one, but two - YES, FRIENDS, TWO contract offers. Both are my listings.

Color me excited! And, it is not just the possibility of finally getting a paycheck...although I must admit that IS pretty exciting! You know what has amazed me? The thrill and the 'rush' that comes with the negotiation and helping the two sides reach a meeting of the minds. It helps, of course, that the agents for the buyers are professionals and easy to work with, but WOW!..is it thrilling to see these contracts coming closer and closer to finalization.

I hate to admit, I had forgotten how good it feels.

My prayer today is that every one of you has the opportunity to feel that 'rush' sometime soon!

Have a great Labor Day. I'll be laboring and happy to do so!

Wondering what is going on in Rabun County and what there is to do in the mountains of North East Georgia this late August and September?

Here are some dates and events to write on your calendar.

Lake Rabun Hotel and Restaurant was recently listed on the National Geographic Traveler Magazine's Top Stay List 2009. ( If you haven't had dinner at their restaurant, you have missed a prime dining experience. The food is amazing!!)

Lazy Bear Furniture (rustic and cottage furniture, accessories, lamps, and art) in Dillard now has a wine tasting room and is offering free wine tastings. They serve and sell wine only from The Georgia Winery, the oldest winery in the state of Georgia. For additional information, call 706-746-2168.

Persimmon Creek Vineyards recently had a birth of a new lamb named Daisy who joins their East Friesian sheep herd.

The North Georgia Community Players will be presenting their 7^th annual all children's production (musical) of "The Magical Land of Oz." Performances will be October 17, 23, & 24 at 7:00 p.m. and October 18 and 25 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 adults and $5 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber, both Rabun County Banks, Regions Bank, Stephens Federal Bank, Community Bank & Trust, Mountain Heritage Bank, and United Community Bank. For information call 706-212-2500.

Tiger Mountain Orchards in Tiger has raspberries at $2.00 per pint (u-pick). Picking is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Call 706-782-3290 for additional information.

Calendar of Events

August 27 - Mountain Physical Therapy will host a Wellness meeting on August 27 at 4:00 p.m. at their location, 1218 N. Main Street in Clayton. The guest speaker will be Mike Addington from Clayton Pharmacy. There is no cost for this event, and it is open to the community.

August 29 - David Phelps (Christian singer and songwriter) at Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts (SMCPA) in Franklin, NC. For concert information, call 828-524-1598 or 866-273-4615 or visit their website at www.greatmountainmusic.com.

August 30 - Emile Pandolfi concert at the Rearden Theatre (RGNS). Ticket price is $15.00. For more information, contact the Rabun County Music Festival Association at 706-746-6226 or visit www.rabunmusicfestival.com.

September 1 - Mountain Lakes Medical Center's volunteers are having a jewelry sale fundraiser featuring quality, stylish costume jewelry and accessories on Tuesday, September 1 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. in the hospital's main lobby. All jewelry is $5.00. The fundraiser will help raise funds to purchase needed equipment and other necessities for the hospital. For additional information, call 706-782-3100. If you wish to become a volunteer for the hospital, please call 706-212-0230.

September 4 - Carl Hurley and Jeanne Robertson (humorists) at SMCPA.

September 5 - Chonda Pierce (comedian) at SMCPA.

September 12 - The Isaacs (singing group) at SMCPA.

September 12 - Dr. Guy Gober, The Tiger Clinic, is co-sponsoring a PCAR Golf Tournament on September 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The cost is $45.00 per person or $90.00 for a 2-man team. This tournament is to promote September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The proceeds fund local scholarships. For additional information, call 706-782-3572.

September 13 - Georgia Philharmonic Orchestra at the Rearden Theatre (RGNS).

September 18 - Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver (musical group) at SMCPA.

September 19th - Tiger Mountain Vineyards will celebrate its 10^th anniversary with a spectacular Harvest Party to honor wine club members and guests. Grape picking begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a picnic, live music at 12:00 p.m., a visiting chef, and more. Check www.tigerwine.com or call 706-782-4777 and find out how to join the wine club and be included! Look for another fall celebration, of the winery's 10^th birthday, on October 17^th which is open to the public--Old Highway 441 Rabun Red Bash.

September 19 - Marie Dunkle, with her Celtic band named Caledonia Swing, will be performing at lunch time on September 19^th at the Mountaineer Festival.

September 22-24 - The Jungle Book at SMCPA.

September 24 - Mountain Lakes Medical Center, in conjunction with Merck Pharmaceuticals, will be holding a free Diabetes Education Class. The class date is September 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The class will be held in the cafeteria at the hospital. If interested, please contact your local physician or Melessa Alley at 706-782-0439 for registration information.

September 26 - Greater Vision (musical group) at SMCPA.

It's time to make a plan about where your family will view the 4th of July fireworks in Rabun County. There are several good choices - in a boat on Lake Burton or Lake Rabun, on the grassy lawn in front of the Rabun Gap-Nachoochee School campus are three of the best.

The fireworks in Rabun Gap are shot from the Dillard House property and can be seen from a 1/2 mile long stretch of Highway 441. Parking is allowed on the sides of the road, but get there early to get a good parking space up front. Or, take a blanket and a picnic basket and have a 4th of July dinner while waiting for darkness to fall and the fireworks show to begin. It is entertaining watching the families who gather on the campus lawn. Little children tumble and twirl holding sparklers and chasing fireflies. It's quite a show!

If you have a boat ( or have friends who do)...you might want to head out to either Lake Rabun or Lake Burton to watch the fireworks displays. In a year that has the 4th falling on any day other than Saturday, the Lake Rabun fireworks are normally shot off on the Saturday before the 4th. The Lake Burton show is normally held on the Saturday after the 4th. This year, fireworks devotees have to choose - Rabun or Burton. It's one or the other since the holiday is on Saturday.

Remember 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' when everyone is mysteriously drawn to the mother ship? The scene on Lake Burton is most reminiscent of that same mysterious draw as dusk falls and boats begin traveling south toward Goat Island. The running lights sparkle green as the boats pass by - an estimated five thousand of them. Many of the boats are decorated with bunting and twinkle lights. Not to be outdone, the boathouses sport American flags and one even hosts a large lighted statue of Lady Liberty in all of her red, white and blue glory.

The boats stop in the basin right in front of Goat Island - home base for the fireworks. They are moored so closely together that it almost seems possible to step from one to the next. Miraculously enough, there are seldom any collisions.

The fireworks begin about 10 minutes after full dark and continue for at least thirty minutes. The lights are exaggerated and reflected in the clear, clean lake water - allowing the best possible fireworks experience.

So, whether you choose a picnic on the campus lawn and people watching or drifting in a boat while watching the colors explode over head, you can't go wrong with choosing Rabun County as the venue for your family to celebrate the fourth of July.

God Bless Rabun County. God Bless America and may God bless you!

Please visit my website at www.rabuncountygahomes4sale.com or www.waterfallatlakeburton.com for directions to area fireworks displays.

Come to the cool and calm north Georgia mountains for a July 4^th your family will always remember!

Make plans now to visit the beautiful Mountain Lakes of Rabun County, Georgia!!

Just look at all there is to do!!!!!!!

MAY 2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Continued SPRING POTTERY SHOW "TENNESSEE POTTERS"

Through May - Hambidge Center, 10am - 5 pm

Open Mon-Sat, www.hambidge.org

COMPLIMENTARY HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES

Saturday Afternoons in May through September

The Dillard House www.dillardhouse.com

Weekly ONGOING CLASSES & EXHIBITS

Globe Gallery, www.globegallery.blogspot.com

Center on Warwoman, www.centeronwarwoman.com

Georgia Heritage Center for the Arts, www.georgiaartists.org

May 2 - SECOND ANNUAL WILD AND WOOLLY WINE TASTING

& AUTHOR-FIDDLER FESTIVAL

Tiger Mountain Vineyards

Annual Tiger Mountain benefit for Georgia Forest Watch, environmental guardian of our national

forests and streams. Fiddlers and authors, native plants, too. Wine for the tasting, local breads and cheese, and regional food fare, plus a stellar line-up of Appalachian writers and musicians. For information, please call 706.635.8733. www.gafw.org or www.tigerwine.com

May 2- ANNUAL SPRING FARM DAY

Hillside Orchard Farms

Crafters, Hay Rides, Music, Spring Sale at the Country Store. 706.782.4995

www.hillsideorchard.com

May 2-3 WHITE WATER RELEASES AT TALLULAH GORGE

Tallulah Gorge State Park, www.gastateparks.org/info/tallulah

May 4 - JEWELRY SALE...EVERYTHING $5 OR UNDER

Mountain Lakes Medical Center, 9 am - 4 pm

A fundraising benefit for Mountain Lakes Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary.

For more info, please call Ron Arden, 706.212.0230.

May 4- ANTIQUE AUCTION

Golden Memories Auction Company, 5 pm

www.goldenmemoriesauctions.com, 706.746.6924

May 8- FULL MOON CANOE OUTING

Tallulah Gorge State Park, 7:30 pm

Sign up in advance. www.gastateparks.org/info/tallulah

May 9 - FLY CASTING WORKSHOP

Tallulah Gorge State Park, 9:00 am

Sign up in advance. www.gastateparks.org/info/tallulah

May 9 - HERBS OF SPRING

Center on Warwoman, 10:00 am - 4 pm

A day with herbalist Patricia Kyritsi Howell learning about medicinal herbs. A great class for herbal beginners, experienced herbalists or anyone interested in native plants of our region.www.wildhealingherbs.com

May 9-10 FULL MOON SUSPENSION BRIDGE HIKE

Tallulah Gorge State Park

Sign up in advance. www.gastateparks.org/info/tallulah

9-10 WHITE WATER RELEASES AT TALLULAH GORGE

Tallulah Gorge State Park, www.gastateparks.org/info/tallulah

May 10 - SPECIAL MOTHERS' DAY MENU

The Dillard House

www.dillardhouse.com

May 10 - MOTHERS' DAY BRUNCH

Lake Rabun Hotel

www.lakerabunhotel.com

May 10 - ANNUAL MOTHERS' DAY BRUNCH

Glen Ella Springs Inn & Meeting Place, 11:30 am - 3 pm

Reservations required. www.glenella.com

May 14 - CLAYTON MUSIC, LITERARY AND VISUAL ARTS CLUB

Clayton Rock House, 2 pm

Guests and visitors welcome. For more info, please call Ron Arden, 706.212.0230

May 15 - ART & SOUL

Rearden Theater, Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, 7 pm

A showcase of music, dance, visual art, drama and more to benefit F.A.I.T.H.'s Power House for

Kids. Adult tickets $10; child $5

May 15-16 - 30TH ANNUAL ROTARY SPRING TEAM INVITATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP TOURNAMENT

Kingwood Resort, Clayton

May 16-17 WHITE WATER RELEASES AT TALLULAH GORGE

Tallulah Gorge State Park, www.gastateparks.org/info/tallulah

May 16 - AWAKENING OF THE VINES

Tiger Mountain Vineyards, Awaken the Vines at this annual spring festival featuring a gourmet picnic, bonfire of the winter prunings and dancing in the vineyards by the Marching Abominable Feed and Seed Band. Limited to wine club members and guests. Check tigerwine tasters page and find out how to be included. www.tigerwine.com

LAKE RABUN HOTEL "AWAKENING OF THE VINES" PACKAGE

Including room Friday-Saturday and wine dinner at the Lake Rabun Hotel restaurant.

www.lakerabunhotel.com

May 16 GUEST CHEF ROSEMARY RUTLAND

The Beechwood Inn. For details visit: www.beechwoodinn.ws

May 21 - RABUN COUNTY BANDS' ANNUAL SPRING CONCERT

Rabun County High School, 7 pm - No tickets - No reserved seating.

May 22-23 - 6TH ANNUAL LAKEMONT ART WALK

Historic Lakemont, Friday 9 am - 8 pm; Saturday 9 am - 6 pm

www.historiclakemontvillage.com, 706.782.8384

Artists' demonstrations and a trunk show of unusual one-of-a-kind jewelry by Barbara Wilkes;

refreshments and live music. Gallery theme "Putting on the Dog," featuring art about dogs; Grand

opening of Annie's at Alley's

May 23 - PLATTERS FOR POOCHES

Lake Rabun Pavilion, 6 pm - 9 pm

Annual fundraiser for Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter. Hand painted ceramic platters by local

artists, art auction, and the biggest burgers in the South. Western wear; $50 per person;

Reservations required. 706-782-2825

May 23 MEMORIAL HOLIDAY CANOE OUTING

Tallulah Gorge State Park, 9:30 am

Sign up in advance. www.gastateparks.org/info/tallulah

May 23 ANNUAL AMERICANA MEMORIAL WEEKEND AUCTION

Golden Memories Auction Company

www.goldenmemoriesauction.com

May 23 SATURDAY AFTERNOON WINE & CHEESE SOCIAL

The Dillard House - continues through 1st weekend in October

With special music, and featuring Georgia wines. www.dillardhouse.com

May 24-25 MEMORIAL HOLIDAY GORGE FLOOR HIKE

Tallulah Gorge State Park, 10:00 am

Sign up in advance. www.gastateparks.org/info/tallulah

May 25 - ANNUAL AMERICANA MEMORIAL WEEKEND AUCTION

Golden Memories Auction Company

www.goldenmemoriesauction.com

May 23-June 20 MICHAEL WOODSIDE EXHIBIT

The Root Seller Gallery at Timpson Creek, Artist reception May 23 from 3-5 pm

www.timpsoncreek.com.706.782.5164

Michael Woodside combines photography, graphic design and sketches to produce wonderfully

fantastical nature scenes of our mountains.

Trout fishing in the streams and rivers of Northeast Georgia is an experience everyone should have. There is nothing like standing in a cold mountain stream and taking time to enjoy the sound of the cascading water as it tumbles through boulders, around fallen trees and around sharp bends on its way into one of our sparkling mountain lakes.

While purists fly fish, I am happy using my old reliable rod and reel. Pockets full of meal worms, wax worms or giant red wigglers (and yes, sometimes I stoop to using a kernel of corn) I venture forth well armed in an attempt to attract the wily trout.

While native brown and brook trout can still be found occassionally and if one has an idea of where to look, these waterways are stocked by the local hatchery which is located on the shores of Lake Burton at the mouth of Moccassin Creek. Each week, thousands of rainbow trout are released into the various streams and rivers in the area. What a delight to find yourself behind the hatchery truck as it winds its way down a dappled dirt road that curves through the forest following the turns and twists of the river. The truck stops often so the hatchery folks can dip out nets full of trout and toss them twisting and sparkling in the sunlight as if they were studded with multicolored rhinestones.

It only takes a minute for the newly freed fish to adjust to the cold clear currents and settle down where they hang as if suspended by invisible threads just below the surface of the rapidly running water.

We wait for the days after a rain to try our luck because the trout are smart ( smarter than I am!) and I have learned that if I can see them in the clear water, then they can see me and they know I'm up to no good as far as they are concerned. I'd like nothing better than for them to end up on the table as smoked trout spread served with water crackers and capers. ( If you would like the recipe, send me a note in a comment and I'll send it to you since you were kind enough to read this blog.)

And should you possess a pair of waders and don't mind putting your own worms on the hook, I'll show you where the best fishing holes are if you come to visit these beautiful mountains.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I appreciate it and look forward to hearing from you.

Happily enjoying Georgia's Mountain Lakes and so could you if you owned a house here. Call and I'll find just what you're looking for!

Lynda