Rhonda Thomas

One dark winter evening, someone will be murdered while riding the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.

Of course, this murder won't be real. It will be enacted by the Laughing Matters improvisational comedy troupe from Atlanta. This unique event, sponsored by the Blue Ridge Rotary Club, begins at 6 pm on December 6^th. Really, participants will be getting a lot of bang for their buck( just $65 per person), for not only will they be watching a captivating show, but they will also get to experience a rare night-time train ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains.

What's more, the finale of the mystery will take place at the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Center in historic downtown. There, refreshments will be served as well, and the Rotary Club will also hold a silent auction. Proceeds from this event will support the Ferst Foundation.

Come to this fun event and enjoy both the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and the community spirit of our small North Georgia town. And since you'll be here so late, you might as well make a weekend of your stay in Blue Ridge. Contact us Rhonda Thomas about luxurious cabin rentals and the best in North Georgia Real Estate.

Nothing compares to a holiday celebration in the small town of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Here, far from the jammed parking lots and hurried food court meals of shopping malls, you can relax-- perhaps for the first time during the busy holiday season. And together, you and your family can enjoy the fun and excitement of an old-fashioned Christmas.

Light Up Blue Ridge, an annual festivity sponsored by the Blue Ridge Business Association, features an entire day of holiday events. Beginning at 11 am on November 29^th, downtown Blue Ridge will be alive with the sights and sounds of Christmas. Grab a hot lunch at one of downtown's unique restaurants and listen to street carolers as you await Santa and Mrs. Claus's arrival on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, usually around 1 pm. After his grand entrance, Santa always visits with event-goers and strolls to the city park gazebo, where you can have your picture made with him-for FREE!

Another great activity that won't cost you a dime is a horse and carriage ride around downtown. Or, take a trip though Blue Ridge on a trackless train for free as well. Then, after you've exhausted yourself with fun and shopping, grab a hot chocolate, find a cozy place to cuddle up, and anticipate this celebration's grand finale-the lighting of the great tree in Blue Ridge City Park. Usually planned for around 7 pm, this illumination truly marks the beginning of Christmas in Blue Ridge.

No doubt, anyone can enjoy an entire day at Light Up Blue Ridge, so why not spend the night here as well? Contact Rhonda Thomas (rhondathomas@ellijay.com) for information on booking a rental cabin at the prestigious Mountain High community.

Georgia may be best known as "The Peach State," but in October, North Georgia is all about apples!

Ellijay, Georgia (less than 2 hours north of Atlanta) is the apple capital of Georgia. And every year at harvest time, this small city celebrates with its annual Apple Festival. Residents have kept this tradition alive for 37 years, and this year's festival promises to be the best yet.

This year's Apple Festival will be held on the Lion's Club Fair Grounds in Ellijay on October 11^th, 12^th, 18^th, and 19^th.

With over 300 vendors displaying hand-crafted goods, the Apple Festival provides visitors with a unique shopping experience. From homemade quilts to woodcarvings, the best craftsmanship in the area will be proudly on display.

Not only does variety encompass this festival's arts and crafts, but it is also evident in its food. Really, it's best for visitors to look leisurely through all the exhibits so that they can eat lunch, enjoy snacks, and finish the day with a festival-style supper. Of course, you'll find all kinds of goodies made with apples--apple dumplings, caramel apples, apple pies--but visitors can also munch on fried dill pickles, boiled peanuts, fudge, and funnel cakes.

And if after your visit to the Apple Festival, you find yourself dreaming of a home in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains, visit our website for great mountain-view getaways. We can also assist in finding you the perfect rental cabin for your visit to our area. Check us out at www.RealEstateGaMtns.com.

Looking for fun your whole family can enjoy this Memorial Day weekend? Then look no further than the city of Blue Ridge in the North Georgia Mountains. During this upcoming holiday weekend, everyone can enjoy the many outdoor activities of this beautiful area and attend one of the premiere festivals in the Southeast: Arts in the Park. This annual festival is celebrating its 32^nd year and is expected to draw 20,000 people to this area on May 24th and 25th. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, Arts in the Park is (as you may have already guessed) held in Blue Ridge City Park, located in downtown. Artists from all over the Southeast come to display their work in a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, pottery, glass, basketry, and folk art. Here you can watch the seasoned pros give demonstrations or see budding artists in action at the children's art activities. And, as with any good southern festival, there's always plenty of great food.

Since the festival hours are 10-6 Saturday and 10-5 Sunday, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy both the festival and other activities in Blue Ridge. You might want to spend some time in the outdoors, hiking one of the many USFS trails or boating on Lake Blue Ridge. One unique activity that many visitors enjoy is riding the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, a train ride from downtown Blue Ridge to Copperhill, TN along the beautiful Toccoa River.

Truly, Memorial Day in Blue Ridge captures the essence of life in this unique city-a town with many cultural and family events plus endless opportunities to explore the natural splendor of this area. Should you find yourself not wanting to leave or eager to return, you might want to consider the many real estate options here in Blue Ridge. There's nothing like having a mountain retreat here all your own. Please visit our site at www.RealEstateGaMtns.com.

Though I've always lived in the North Georgia Mountains, I never knew just how unique Fannin County truly is until yesterday. Of course, anyone can see the area's beauty, with unbeatable mountain views, pristine lake and streams, and small town charm. And I'm grateful that I live here and that, by selling real estate, I get to bring others to this picturesque setting and introduce them to our friendly, small-town culture. But I never knew that Fannin County had two great claims to fame until I was researching area hiking trails yesterday.

The first claim to fame that I stumbled upon is the Swinging Bridgethat crosses the Toccoa River. It is 265 feet long, making it the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi. This bridge is a part of the famed Benton MacKaye trail and crosses at one of the river's most scenic points.

The second new tidbit that I learned concerns the Cohutta Wilderness Area, some of which is located in Fannin County. With a total of 40,000 acres, this perserve is actually the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi. In fact, the area is so large that it reaches all the way to the Tennessee/North Carolina border.

Really, I suppose there are two lessons to take away from my experience. The first one obviously concerns the fame of Fannin County. But the second, perhaps, is more significant. You see, just as with many things in life, I suppose I took these places for granted a bit, not knowing just how rare that they are. Such a realization helps bring new perspective, I think, and a new appreciation of the wonders that surround us every day.

(Thanks to the Fannin Co Chamber of Commerce for being such a great source.)