The Mark of the Potter, nestled in the heart of northern Habersham County, has long been a cherished haven for pottery enthusiasts and a draw for tourists seeking a taste of history. Under the ownership of Chad and Maria Peck, this iconic establishment has undergone a transformative journey, evolving from a pottery haven to a rustic retreat in the scenic Batesville community – a front-row seat to the enchanting falls of the Soque River.

The Peck family, originally from Atlanta, inherited the property in 2018 when his mother and stepfather passed away.  A former grist mill turned art studio, the facility includes an apartment above the showroom – a hidden gem that the Pecks envisioned sharing with others. 

Prior to any renovations, Peck states, “The original layout was kind of ‘wonky ‘ and only had a wood stove for heat and two window air conditioners to cool for the summer.”  He explained that in the winter, some areas of the apartment remained cold, and in the summer remained hot. 

Last winter, the couple devised a plan to convert the apartment into an Airbnb, bringing modern comforts, tasteful decor, and unrivaled views of the Soque Falls. The newly renovated space boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private entrance, internet access, and a deck, providing guests with an escape into tranquility.

With a self-imposed deadline of October 1, aligning with the vibrant colors of fall, the Pecks embarked on a 10-month journey of transformation. Initially working on weekends, the project gained momentum, with Chad dedicating extended periods, working tirelessly to meet their ambitious goal. Taking a two-week hiatus from his contracting business in September, Chad immersed himself in the project, ensuring its completion by October 2.

Chad humbly attributes the success of the venture to his wife Maria, acknowledging her as the visionary behind the Airbnb concept while he contributed the labor as a seasoned contractor.

The response was resounding—a testament to the allure of their creation. The Airbnb was booked for three weekends in October, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Mark of the Potter.

He explained that they have plans going forward with the property across the street that the Pecks also own. According to him, he first has to see if his plan is allowable and then see what that cost may be once designed. 

Adding to the recognition, Atlanta Fox 5’s feature reporter Paul Milliken and cameraman Tim Whaley visited the facility on Tuesday morning. Their feature showcased Mark of the Potter not just as a pottery haven but also as a holiday shopping destination, emphasizing the charm of the newly unveiled Airbnb apartment. The festive spirit was amplified with a visit from Santa Claus.

Mark of the Potter invites the community to their 5th annual “Photos with Santa Claus” event. Professional photographer Kim Martin will provide four high-resolution photographs for each session. The event is scheduled for Saturday, November 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 26, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The sessions, priced at $50.00 each, promise a magical experience.

Attendees can revel in the warmth of a bonfire, partake of refreshments, and indulge in s’mores, creating lasting memories against the backdrop of the Batesville community’s rustic charm.

Vibrant fall colors are beginning to paint our local landscape. The next two weeks should bring some of the brightest colors we’ve seen this fall across North Georgia.

Leaf watching – or as many refer to it, leaf peeping – is a favorite pastime in the region. As we look ahead to peak coloration during these last two weeks of October, it seemed like a good time to take a look back at last year’s fall foliage.

The images in this video were captured along routes in Helen, Clarkesville, Clayton, and Highway 76 in Rabun County.

Downtown Woodstock is about to be invaded by scarecrows. During October, as you drive into the downtown district from East Main Street, you will be welcomed by more than 230 scarecrows.

The 2023 WDSTK Scarecrow Invasion features amazing scarecrow designs from local businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. The Scarecrow Invasion officially begins on October 2 and will be displayed throughout the month. The event brings thousands of people to Downtown Woodstock during the month of October, encouraging both locals and visitors to the area.

This year will feature a new layout for the scarecrow displays, with all Main Street locations situated north of Arnold Mill and the majority of displays visible within the Park City Center and Northside Hospital-Cherokee Amphitheater. With thanks to the Woodstock Parks and Rec Department, who have allowed the majority of scarecrows to now be on display within the Park and Amphitheater, this change will allow visitors to more safely walk and admire the designs, organizers say.

Throughout the month of October, the public can also vote for their favorite Scarecrow at the Woodstock Visitors Center, located at 8588 Main Street. It’s open weekly Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A $1 donation equals one vote. All proceeds benefit INSeason, the design committee for IN WDSTK, and will be dedicated to Downtown Woodstock beautification projects.

The winners of the Scarecrow Invasion contest receive bragging rights and a trophy.

Another popular part of the event is the Woodstock Scarecrow Invasion Scavenger Hunt, which features ten clues related to specific scarecrows scattered throughout the area. Participants set out to find the correct scarecrows aligned with the associated clues.

The Scavenger Hunt is a fun, free activity and both adult and child-friendly.

The clue sheets are available at the Woodstock Visitors Center beginning Friday, October 6. When participants have solved all ten clues, they can turn in results to the Visitors Center to earn a special prize. This is a fun way to deepen the experience and explore all of the scarecrows on display at the Woodstock Scarecrow Invasion.

Click here for a map of scarecrow locations.

For more information, visit WDSTK Scarecrow Invasion online.

Other things to explore while in Woodstock

When you visit Scarecrow Invasion, plan on making a day of it. Shop in Woodstock’s many downtown boutiques and at the nearby outlet mall, The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta. Also, Made Mercantile offers a unique and inspiring creative incubator and local makers-space where you can shop for locally made goods.

Kids will enjoy The Downtown Playground. Designed as a natural space incorporating elements and textures from the landscape, this outdoor spot is a family favorite.

If you go early on a Saturday, you can pick up some fresh produce at the Woodstock farmer’s market. It runs almost year-round from April through the end of December, and welcomes a wide variety of local and international items.

Of course, while you’re there, you’ll want to enjoy the scavenger hunt and walk among the scarecrows. Once you’ve built up an appetite, you can enjoy any of the dozens of award-winning chef-driven restaurants downtown. They offer a diverse and delicious variety of local and international cuisine.

DIRECTIONS: Woodstock, Georgia, is located 30 minutes northwest of Atlanta and near the southeast shores of Lake Allatoona. It is about 85 miles southwest of Clarkesville, Georgia, by way of GA 400 or I-75.

INTERESTING NOTE: Woodstock has been the filming location for Netflix’s “Ozark,” Disney’s “Noelle,” HGTV’s “Flip or Flop Atlanta”, and more.

Fall has arrived, and with it, all of the beauty and fun of the season. If you like selfies with sunflowers, hayrides, pumpkin picking, and moonshine, Dawson County makes for a good day trip.

Fausett Farms

Revel in fields of sunflowers at Fausett Farms through October. A family-owned farm since 1858, for 60 years the primary product was poultry. That ended in 2011, and now the farm offers nearly a million sunflowers for picking, photography, and tours on 30+ acres of beautiful rolling land with mountain backdrops.

Regular admission is $6 per person with kids under 5 free. The farm charges $35 for professional photographers who are charging clients for sessions.

The Fausett Farms Sunflower 5K and Fun Run takes place this year from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7. This family-friendly event includes a 5K running through the fields of sunflowers. There is also a 1-mile fun run option for kids. After the run, take a walk and explore the sunflowers to get the perfect family photo or selfie.

Register online or on the day of the run. For more information, visit the Fausett Farms Sunflower 5K and Fun Run event page on Facebook.

ADDRESS: 11336 Hwy 136 West, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534
PHONE: 706-265-9661
WEBSITE: https://www.fausettfarmssunflowers.com

Burt’s Pumpkin Farm

Take a two-mile hayride through a pumpkin patch, a covered bridge filled with singing pumpkins, and thousands of colorful zinnias ready for picking. At the end of the ride, get a glimpse of Amicalola Falls, which is the tallest cascading waterfall in Georgia and the third tallest east of the Mississippi River.

The Burt’s Farm hay ride has become such a popular fall tradition that a fleet of tractors and covered wagons are at the ready to welcome you.

Pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and take home edible memories from the country store. Burt’s has an impressive selection of winter squash, gourds, and Indian corn, fresh-baked pumpkin pies, pumpkin rolls, candied popcorn, and other fresh-baked goodies.

The pumpkin patch and store are open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the hayride runs daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ADDRESS: 5 Burts Pumpkin Farm Road, 11336 Hwy 136 West, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534
PHONE: 706-265-3701
WEBSITE: https://www.burtspumpkinfarmgeorgia.com

Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch offers a unique twist to the time-honored fall pumpkin patch trip.

Each year, a 15-acre, elaborate corn maze is a different design. With choose-your-own pumpkins, jumping pillow, tire mountain, kids maze, and gem mining, there’s an activity for every age and interest.

On Friday and Saturday nights in October, brave the scary-good horror of The Dark Rows, a unique haunted trail through some of the most twisted trails of a separate cornfield, illuminated only by the moon. Just be warned, you will not be alone! The misty October night air always seems to bring out the worst in this little patch of corn. Great for a night of fiendish family fun.

Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze is open through November 16. Hours are as follows:

September Hours
Fridays: 4 – 10 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

October Hours
Sunday -Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

November Hours
Fridays: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

ADDRESS: 125 Bannister Road, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534
PHONE: 1-888-OSHUCKS
WEBSITE: https://uncleshucks.com

Bradley’s Pumpkin Patch

Visit Bradley’s Pumpkin Patch beginning Saturday, Sept. 30, for choose-your-own pumpkins and fresh produce, including gourds, Indian corn, and apples.

You can find honey, apple cider, and more at their country store. Family visits are free; group rates are available for educational field trips.

Open weekends Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Other times are available by appointment.

ADDRESS: 25 Lawrence Drive, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534
PHONE: 770-380-3636
WEBSITE: http://bradspumpkinpatch.com

Haunted Ghost Walk

For two nights only, hop on a hayride tour of the Dawsonville City Cemetery, Town Jail, Old Courthouse, and the Dawsonville Pool Room, with creepy stories at each stop.

the Haunted Ghost Walk starts and ends at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, with a ghost story told inside the Museum.

This event runs Oct. 20-21 from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and includes four 30-minute hayrides nightly. To buy tickets, click here.

ADDRESS: 415 Hwy 53 East, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534
PHONE: (706) 216-7223
WEBSITE: https://www.destinationdawsonville.com/events/haunted-ghost-walk/

56th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival and Car Show

On the last weekend of October, Dawson County will celebrate one of the longest-running festivals in the U.S. The 56th annual Mountain Moonshine Festival celebrates the history of Prohibition-era moonshining, the birthplace of stock car racing and the formation of NASCAR racing.

This three-day event will be held at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame and Dawsonville City Hall’s Main Street Park. Activities include a Moonshine Run, kids’ activities, a parade including vintage stock cars and more, live music, food trucks, arts and crafts, and vendor booths.

Country music artist Jacob Bryant will perform from 4:30-6 p.m. on Friday, October 28.

Another highlight is a huge car show featuring show cars, race cars, and the largest gathering of moonshine-hauling cars in the United States.

The festival is KARE for Kids’ largest fundraiser. All proceeds go toward the purchase of clothes, school supplies, medical needs, and Christmas gifts for children in need in Dawson County.

The Mountain Moonshine Festival and Car Show takes place October 27-29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visit the website for each day’s full schedule and the festival’s Facebook event page for more details.

ADDRESS: 415 Highway 53 East Dawsonville, Georgia
PHONE: Kare for Kids-706-216-5273
WEBSITE: https://www.kareforkids.org/mountain-moonshine-festival

If you’re itching for a day trip to the Northeast Georgia mountains, you might check out Smithgall Woods State Park. The park’s popular Sunflowers & Selfies event is back this weekend and next.

This much-anticipated annual event features hayrides, games, native plant sales, and photo ops in the park’s blooming sunflower field.

Learn about the park from its knowledgeable guides as you enjoy the beauty of Smithgall at your own pace.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, August 12-13, and August 19-20.

The cost is $5 plus $5 parking. Smithgall Woods State Park is located at 61 Tsalaki Trail in Helen, Georgia.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday, June 1 for one of Alpine Helen’s newest and most unique attractions.

Uhuburg, the Eagle Owl Castle, is now open for tours.

It took the owners, Bob and Janine Marthai, 14 years to build. They used modern construction materials and relied on European designs. The castle and its neatly landscaped gardens are enclosed within a high castle wall encircling the property on top of a mountain about two miles north of downtown Helen.

There are walkways throughout the property. Eight flights of stairs will carry you to the top of Lookout Tower, where you can catch stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Murals painted by local artists adorn the courtyard walls, and the Great Hall, with its high vaulted ceiling, makes an impressive gathering space. Visitors can book the indoor tropical atrium, ballroom, and banquet areas for special events, and soon, chamber rooms will be available to rent for overnight stays.

A dream come true

Uhuburg Castle is more than a spectacle and tourist venue; it’s a dream come true for Bob Marthai.

A former psychologist, naval architect, and retired tall ship captain, Marthai dreamed of building a castle in the North Georgia mountains to share what he has found to be important for “the good life.”

He is supported in his dream and endeavors by his wife, Janine, a bookkeeper and avid gardener. Their daughter Naomi is a former eighth-grade teacher. She now works as the castle’s event manager, muralist, web designer, gardener, and assistant administrator.

The castle officially opened to the public on May 20.

“We are grateful for the more than 70 workers, volunteers, trade folks, donors, and inspectors who helped build Uhuburg from foundation to tower,” says Bob.

An owl’s eye view of the Blue Ridge

The castle’s website explains the origins of its name, which comes from the largest owl in the world – the Eurasian Owl. In German, this owl is named Uhu, which translates to Eagle Owl in English. Burg is the German word for castle. Combining those words into Uhuburg, the English translation is Eagle Owl Castle.

The pronunciation is easier than the explanation. It’s pronounced Ooo-Hoo-burg, much like the call of an owl.

It’s a fitting name considering the aerial views the turrets and wall walks provide high above Helen, just on the outskirts of town.

Here, architecture, lifestyle, and philosophy come together in stunning juxtaposition, from the castle gates and walls to the castellation at the top of the towers to the beautifully landscaped gardens, grounds, and walking trails.

Marthai envisioned the castle as a place where people could explore nature’s beauty, discover new things, and celebrate life.

Guests can enjoy self-guided tours of the grounds at their own pace. Guides are available to answer questions.

Uhuburg, Eagle Owl Castle • Helen, GA

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Tours and directions

Since opening last month, Naomi Marthai says they’ve received a good response.

“Guests have enjoyed being at ‘an actual castle,’ as they say.”

She adds visitors have especially enjoyed “seeing the views from the upper rampart wall walk and Lookout Tower.” They’ve also enjoyed joining the guided tours about architectural features, philosophical murals, and the interior tropical atrium.

The castle is now open on weekends. Tours are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

If you plan to visit Uhuburg Castle, you may want to consider making reservations ahead of time. General admission tours may be reserved online at www.Uhuburg.com. Walkups are also accepted.

The suggested length of stay is 1.5 to 2 hours. Guests can join guided tours about castle features and murals periodically throughout the day. Start times and meeting places are posted around the grounds.

The last entry onto the grounds is one hour before closing.

Directions: Uhuburg Castle is located at 571 Ridge Road. From downtown Helen, head west on North Main Street/Unicoi Turnpike. Drive past Betty’s Country Store and take the next left onto Hambly Street. Cross the river and take the first right onto Escowee Drive. After 0.6 miles, take the uphill left fork onto Ridge Road. After about a half mile, look for the green metal gates on the left.

Twelve longtime Nashville and local songwriters will perform their award-winning tunes the weekend of April 28-30 during the Helen Songwriters Festival. The festival provides music lovers with a rare opportunity to see and hear the artists behind the hits.

The festival showcases regional-gone-national talent each year at Hofbrauhaus, Cowboys & Angels, and the Marketplatz Bandshell. Following are just a few of the Nashville songwriters who will be playing, with their famous performers in parenthesis: Earl Bud Lee (Blake Shelton, George Straight, Alison Kraus, Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places”); Greg Crowe (Montgomery Gentry, Sammy Kershaw, Lonestar); Dave Gibson (Tim McGraw, Confederate Railroad); Becky Hobbs (George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Alabama); Wil Nance (Brad Paisley, John Michael Montgomery) and many more.

Events are scheduled for Friday, April 28, from noon – 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday, April 30, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.  (last times noted are when the last performers go onstage)

For more information, visit  www.HelenGa.org or call the Alpine Helen/White County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-858-8027.

Tallulah Adventures, a new outdoor recreational site, is open and ready for families and area visitors alike. It’s designed with a one-of-a-kind climbing wall, a large, green lawn, a pavilion, and a cafe/bar. Tallulah Adventures is the dream child of entrepreneur Bill Turk and his daughter Spencer Turk. Bill has eleven other businesses that he has begun and oversees. Possibly, Tallulah Adventures is the one closest to his heart.

Dreaming of creating something new in something old

Spencer Turk says that her father Bill is quite an adventurer and an entrepreneur. And he has always loved the Habersham/Rabun area in Northeast Georgia. It was after he had a stroke in 2017 that Bill began to imagine doing something that would take him in a totally different direction. An avid adventurer who is passionate about technical rock climbing and mountaineering, Bill began to dream about creating a place that could combine his love for the outdoors with art, music, and play.

That dream began to take shape when he noticed that the old Georgia Power Welcome Center was still vacant. The old building sat on a piece of land that is literally surrounded by Tallulah Gorge State Park land and just across the highway from the main entrance to the state park.

The Georgia Power Welcome Center had stood vacant for about eight years when Bill noticed it. The building was also in huge disrepair. Georgia Power had offered to give the building first to the state park, then to Rabun County, and then Tallulah Falls School. All three declined because of the amount of work that would have to be done to the building. The building was finally given to the town of Tallulah Falls.

And then the building sat for a while longer. Spencer explains, “My dad’s interest was peaked about six years ago. But initially, the town didn’t want to get rid of the building. As my dad says, ‘Three mayors later,’ someone was finally ready to consider selling it.” Mayor Mike Early led the town to put the building up for bids in 2020. Bill’s bid was the second largest bid, and he lost the contract to the highest bidder who wanted to build a boutique hotel on the site. However, one month later, the hotel idea had been scrapped, and Bill’s bid was accepted.

As Bill moved through the process of developing the business plan and writing the proposal, he drew upon the talents of Spencer, who was then living in Boulder, Colorado. Spencer graduated with a degree in business, operation management, and strategy and entrepreneurship. She now has returned to Georgia and serves in business development.

The renovation of the old Georgia Power Welcome Center building was huge. The old building itself was gutted and has been refitted to house Wander North Georgia, an outdoor sports store. Wander North Georgia expanded the building by adding a second floor to the building. The partnership with Wander North Georgia came out of the desire to provide retail space in the Tallulah Falls area. According to Spencer, they started talking with Wander North Georgia back in September last year.

A place for families and people to gather

Tallulah Falls was once a premiere destination for vacationers back in the 19th century. Spencer says they hope to reestablish the area as a true destination place. Several other new businesses have also opened in Tallulah Falls recently, adding to the draw for visitors to come and spend time there.

From the beginning, Bill saw two needs in the Tallulah Falls area. Tallulah Gorge State Park receives 600,000 visitors each year, the second most visited state park in Georgia. Further, GDOT has documented 14,000 cars driving by the site each day. Tallulah Adventures provides an opportunity for visitors to spend additional time in the area.

One of the needs Bill identified was giving visitors something to do while in the area. The Adventure Zone offers a specially designed, one-of-a-kind climbing wall that runs 120 feet across one end of the outdoor area. Climbers can learn to climb up the wall, as well as to traverse across the wall. It’s been designed for both beginning and experienced climbers.

The lawn area is open for families to play on. Large rocks allow places for children to climb. Tallulah Adventures also provides yard games and hammocks. A large stage has been built for live music, and classes and workshops will be offered.

The second need Bill identified was a place for people to sit, eat, rest, and just be together. The cafe and bar will bring food services for those who come to spend the day, or those who are just passing through. The cafe serves sandwiches, soups, salads, and flatbread pizzas. All are made on site. The bar offers both beer and wine. And Nitro coffee is provided using coffee from Phoenix Roasters, another local business. Spencer says, “It’s been important to us to use as many local businesses and local workers as possible. We want to make a difference to this community.”

The facility has also been designed with a large covered pavilion that can house parties and semi-private events. For more information on having an event there, contact Tallulah Adventures at (706)250-2085.

Plan your trip

Tallulah Adventures is already open Thursday-Monday each weekend from 11 am to 8 pm. Wander North Georgia is open the same days of each week, but they open at 10 am each day and close at 5 pm on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday, and at 6 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Spencer encourages people to sign in to the Social Media accounts and their website to keep up with any schedule changes over the next months. Their website is tallulahadventures.com.

Passes can be purchased on-site or online for the rock climbing wall. Day passes are only $12 for those five years old and above. Monthly passes can also be purchased as a single for $45/month, as a couple for $80/month, and as a family for $130/month. All participants must have a signed waiver before going into the climbing wall area. Waivers are available online or can be completed on-site.

Tallulah Adventures and Wander North Georgia are located at 11785 Highway 441, just north of the bridge across Tallulah Gorge.

Jenna and Benjie Shaw became temporary residents in Habersham County in December 2021. Their move required leaving a job in Memphis, selling their home, uprooting their children from schools and activities, and moving in with family (that would be us!) for seven months as they get ready to move to Athens, Georgia, for a new job.

Add all the stress of that much change at one time together, and it’s easy to see the needed a break –– from their kids, their giant-sized dog, and their parents/in-laws. They just returned from a short, two-night trip to Dahlonega, and their experiences might help you plan a couple’s trip or friends’ trip of your own to that amazing town.

Hiking up Preachers Rock

On their way to Dahlonega from Clarkesville, Jenna and Benjie stopped to go hiking up to Preachers Rock. Benjie explains, “It’s been a tough few days, so Jenna took me to a mountain. She is wise.”

The trail to Preachers Rock begins just twenty minutes north of Dahlonega from the north side of Woody Gap parking lot on Hwy129.

The two-mile round-trip hike climbs through the Blood Mountain Wilderness area along the Appalachian Trail and is a moderate hike with some sharp rocky inclines. The trail is mostly shaded, unpaved, and full of roots, so tread carefully.

Preachers Rock is a huge exposed rock face that provides some of the most stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia. Jenna will quickly admit that she complained about the hike most of the way up the mountain but didn’t want to leave once she arrived. For Benjie, mountains and especially mountain tops, have always been a spiritual place for him.

Preachers Rock didn’t disappoint either of them. The view opens up miles of scenic mountains and valleys and creates a serenity all its own.

Finding food

A major part of any vacation or time away for Jenna and Benjie is trying out local restaurants and exploring every coffee shop in the vicinity of where they are. From their experiences in Dahlonega, they thoroughly recommend trying out these places.

Restaurants:

Shenanigans Restaurant is located at 87 North Chestatee Street in Dahlonega (706-482-0014) and provided their favorite meal. Benjie recommends the Guinness Chicken & Mash and says the Bailey’s Irish Cream Pie was to die for.

“We will be back,” he says. “It’s worth the trip to Dahlonega just to eat at Shenanigans.”

19 Degree North Seafood and Grill is located at 19 North Chestatee Street in Dahlonega (706-867-6602) and was their second favorite restaurant. Benjie enjoyed the Shrimp and Grits and highly recommends the Key Lime Pie.

Picnic Cafe & Dessertery is located on the downtown square at 30 Public Square North in Dahlonega. It was the only local place Jenna and Benjie could find for breakfast, so they ate there twice. Benjie enjoyed the spinach and mushroom quiche and Jenna was thrilled they had homemade gluten-free bread. They also brought back a sampling of the cafe’s cookies and I can attest they were delicious.

Coffee shops

It’s important to note that Benjie is a self-proclaimed coffee snob. So, not every coffee shop measures up to his standards. His favorite shop, and the one he went to more than once while in Dahlonega, was Jethro’s Coffee & Public House, located at 21 North Grove Street in Dahlonega (404-330-9068). Benjie enjoyed their signature drink, The Golden Nugget, which includes espresso, turmeric, honey and steamed milk. Benjie loved the welcoming atmosphere and the staff were nice and knowledgeable. Benjie spent 20 minutes discussing coffee with the barista. Yes, he is that kind of a snob.

His second favorite was the Canopy Coffee and the Roots, located at 53 West Main Street in Dahlonega. Benjie enjoyed the Nitro Coffee, a large cold brew.

Canopy is more than a coffee shop. It’s a trendy place that has a listening room for bands and performers, yoga classes, and is a unique multipurpose event venue. It’s highly regarded by locals and is worth stopping by for coffee and a chance to see the place for yourself.

Sweet places

While Jenna doesn’t care at all about coffee, she loves ice cream. She fell in love with Kilwins, an ice cream shop located on the Dahlonega Square at 40 Public Square South (706-525-7227). In fact, it was soooo good that she refused to try out ice cream anywhere else. That’s huge praise! Benjie enjoyed the mint chocolate cookie. He describes it as designed like a mint Oreo that’s covered in chocolate. I tried to check out the number of calories in the cookie but couldn’t find it. Benjie didn’t care and didn’t want to know. “Why ruin a good cookie,” he asked.

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While in Dahlonega, Jenna and Benjie checked out two chocolate places. At Paul Thomas Chocolates, Benjie tried some of the truffles, including Maple Bourbon and Bailey’s Irish Cream, and said they were all really good. He got a King of Pops Banana Pudding Pop at The Fudge Factory and said it was amazing!

Shopping in town

Jenna’s not a foodie, but she does love to shop and found lots of places around the square to shop. They spent a good bit of time antiquing. She also found a couple of places where she spent money, a really good sign these are worth checking out:

Dress Up Boutique is a cute boutique that has local ownership but can be found in other towns, such as Athens. The boutique offers cute, trendy clothes at reasonable prices. The clothing is mostly aimed at younger consumers. It does have a photo wall for social media connections.

The Dahlonega General Store is a great place to find local products and souvenirs, along with an assortment of old-fashioned candy and drinks. Benjie enjoyed a butterscotch root beer there and Jenna drank a Mountain Dew. That, in a nutshell, shows how different they are.

Why visit Dahlonega?

Like the entire Northeast Georgia area, Dahlonega is steeped in history. The Cherokee walked these hills, fished these streams, and farmed these lands. Gold was discovered in Dahlonega and Helen, creating the first gold rush in North America. And the local mountains, the oldest in North America, have been rounded out over time. The local history is exciting and the local beauty outdoors just waits to be explored.

But Dahlonega is so much more than its history and its location. While the town celebrates its vast history, it now embraces the new. It’s become an area in which foodies can explore local, trendy restaurants and sterling chefs. It’s also an area in which wine enthusiasts can try out dozens of locally grown wines.

It’s a town that begs to be explored, experienced, and enjoyed for a day or a weekend.

I’ve always thought I could have been a detective. I’m enthralled by mystery novels and love good mystery movies. I’ve always assumed that, if just given the chance, I could have solved them all, especially without all the surprise endings and held-back or hidden clues.

That’s what I’ve thought . . . so when I was given an opportunity to play two escape rooms at The Lost Room Escape Adventures in Helen, Georgia, I was thrilled. I chose my team carefully and invited my hubby Bob and my son-in-law, Benjie, to go with me. I chose Bob because I enjoy spending time with him, but also because he’s a detail person and he’s really observant and smart. I chose Benjie because he’s super smart, especially with puzzles and games.

Once my team was ready, I did research because that’s my superpower. I checked out sites that gave tips on how to successfully navigate an escape room in record time. I asked Bob and Benjie to read them as well. Bob did; Benjie didn’t.

I thought we were prepared. At least, that’s what I thought.

The escape room industry

The precise beginning of escape room games seems a little confused. In the early 2000s, several Japanese game designers created rooms in which 5-6 players had to figure out how to escape. In 2004, that tied into the growing internet worldwide. From that beginning, escape rooms spread through Asia and Europe.

In the years since, the industry has taken off, with escape room adventures popping up in suburban and tourist areas. The goal of each is for participants to find their way out of a locked room. As technology improves, that challenge becomes even more difficult.

Thomas Dunagan, the owner and game designer for The Lost Room Escape Adventures, came into the industry as a gamer himself. “I played my first escape adventure seven years ago,” he explains, “and thought it was a really cool concept.” Dunagan didn’t stop at just one. To this point, he has personally played 180 escape rooms and already has reservations to visit five more.

Dunagan’s background was as the program director for camps and retreats in the Northeast Georgia area for almost ten years. He knows what it takes to provide a service for his clients and he keeps that in mind as he designs and builds his own escape rooms. He’s totally immersed in the game, designing the intricate puzzles and sets, and then bringing those designs to reality. “It doesn’t always go the way I plan,” he admits. “I spent 40 hours building one involved puzzle, only to find out it wouldn’t work the way it should. It happens.”

Dunagan opened The Lost Room Escape Adventures three years ago, so he’s had to maneuver working as a small business owner during the pandemic. He used the time to build another escape room and now he has three very different immersive escape room experiences to intrigue and entertain visitors.

Mind exercise

Dunagan took his father to his dad’s first escape room experience a couple of years ago. His father had not been really interested in the game until he tried it himself. “My dad didn’t really want to try new things,” Dunagan said, “but he really got involved in the escape room and loved the experience.”

Dunagan’s escape room clients are usually in their 20s and 30s. Older generations do not seem as interested, and Dunagan thinks they are the ones who are actually missing out the most on it. He feels that the whole experience is good for senior adults. “It’s not too physically demanding for them and it helps them exercise their minds in the process,” he says. His escape rooms are designed for adults.

Dunagan’s favorite group of participants involved a family with members from three or four generations. The family was there because the grandmother, probably in her late 80s who arrived with her walker and her portable oxygen tank, wanted the experience. The grandmother was somewhat limited in places she could physically get to during the game, but she totally embraced the opportunity.

As a game designer, Dunagan learned something as well. “I will never design another room that doesn’t have ways for someone with mobility issues to get around in it,” he explained.

Playing the escape room game

Dunagan feels there are lots of misconceptions about what escape room experiences are about. “At its core, an escape room is a cooperative puzzle game that takes the players away from internet technology to be involved with each other,” Dunagan emphasizes. “We’re selling an experience that continues to evolve. It’s dramatic, it’s theatrical, and the lighting is designed to make the experience as real as possible.”

Our first experience, The Master Key, was set in a professor’s office. The office was set up perfectly and a computer monitor provided a way for Dunagan to give us little prompts if we got stuck on a puzzle. We did – a lot, and the prompts kept us going and enthused.

I can promise that the hour given to complete the room’s puzzle went by so fast, and we enjoyed the process of working together. We actually solved that room and made our escape, but in total truth, I think we were given about five extra minutes to do it.

Anything else I could write on it might give something away and I don’t want to do that.

The second experience, Grimm, was truly much more grim and much more difficult. We began in handcuffs chained to parts of a bathroom and were blindfolded. I’m somewhat claustrophobic, so I wasn’t thrilled with the blindfolds, but I was promised it would be only for a couple of minutes. Dunagan kept his word and the blindfold was quickly removed.

Getting rid of the handcuffs took a good bit longer, and then we realized the real game began. And what a game it was. I have to admit that we thought we were doing well until time ran out and we were killed. Yeah, that was a true disappointment for all three of us.

The three of us were unsure what we would encounter. We signed up to do two escape room scenarios back-to-back and didn’t begin until 7 p.m. When we finished about 10 p.m., we were mentally exhausted, physically tired, and emotionally charged. The whole experience was amazing, and we can’t wait to do it again.

The Lost Room Escape Adventures is located at 8016  South Main Street, Unit 5, in Helen, Georgia 30545. You can make a reservation for Master Key, Grimm, or The Break Room: Krampus by calling (706) 620-4121.

To follow Dunagan’s escape room adventures read his blog at https://lostroomescapeadventures.com/blog/ or visit him on Facbook at The Lost Room: Escape Adventures or on Instagram @lostroomescapeadventures.

For more day trippin’ adventures in Helen, Georgia, click here. For adventures beyond Helen, click on Day Trippin’ under the Features tab on Now Habersham’s home page.

With the release of Jurassic World: Dominion recently, our younger grandchildren have been begging to go see the movie. At 8 and 4-1/2 years old, the movie doesn’t seem appropriate for them yet.

When I saw an ad for Dino Safari in Alpharetta, I asked the children what they thought about it. After jumping up and down for awhile, Ava (the eight-year-old) said, “It’s a Jurassic Park for kids!”

After visiting the place, I can tell you that Ava was absolutely correct. It’s an amazing place that is really designed to give children an encounter with all things dinosaur.

Taking the Dino Safari

The Dino Safari exhibit, located in Miami and Boston, too, was created by Imagine Exhibitions in collaboration with Dr. Gregory M. Erickson, an American paleontologist. Erickson is one of only 150 full-time paleontologists in the world and his work with Imagine Exhibitions helped present over thirty dinosaurs in size and shape through hands-on and child-friendly experiences. The animatronic movements make the dinosaurs really come to life.

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Dinosaurs are arranged by continent of origin and by different historical periods. The size of the dinosaurs is sometimes overwhelming as the T-Rex, for example, towers overheard. What cannot be accurately portrayed are the colors of the animals. In the fun zoom for activities, children are given the opportunity to design the colors of a dinosaur for themselves which is then displayed in an on-screen exhibit. The children were captivated.

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Paleontologist Dr. Gregory M. Erickson

Dr. Erickson serves as a professor of anatomy and vertebrate paleobiology at Florida State University in Tallahassee. He’s served as the host of the National Geographic series Hunter and Hunted, has participated in 135 science documentaries, and written many scientific articles about his findings. He’s renown in the world paleontology community.

Erickson learned from his father, a wildlife biologist and the regional director of the Alaska Department of Game and Fish, how to tell the age of a bear by the cementum rings on the bear’s teeth. He carried that interest into his work as a paleontologist. With a partner, Erickson recently co-discovered that the bite force of a Tyrannosaurus rex was the equivalent of being crushed by three small cars. He also helped National Geographic determine the force of a crocodile’s bite.

In an interview with Earth Magazine, Erickson explained why the study of dinosaurs is so important for children:

“Dinosaurs are often children’s first introduction into science, and it’s actually an important field in that dense. It’s dinosaur paleontology’s most redeeming quality, in my opinion. When I talk to kids, I don’t tell them that we already know everything about dinosaurs. The problem with that message is you’re telling kids everything has been done and there is nothing for a kid to do if they grow up and want to be a paleontologist. The bottom line is that we know hardly anything about dinosaurs relative to animals that live today.

What I try to do when talking to kids is get them excited about the scientific method. I teach them how we figured something out. I find that kids are more excited about how we learned something, rather than what we learned. I think it is a good life skill for young people to ask for the data in support of things they are told.”

All the details

Dino Safari is housed in one of the former anchor stores at North Point Mall in Alpharetta. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are sold by 30-minute entry windows. Tickets can be purchased on-line here.

The general entry level cost for the safari is $15.00 for adults and children over the age of 2. Children under two are free. There is also an unlimited entry family rate, VIP rates, and special rates for military and first responders.

Dino Safari is open on Wednesday and Thursday from 11 am – 7 pm; Friday and Saturday from 11 am – 8 pm; and Sunday from 12 pm – 7 pm.

Plan more than an hour at least to enjoy the safari so the children will have time to play. For my grandchildren, they spent a lot of time digging for fossils in the sand pit. Be prepared to exit through the on-site gift store. No restrooms are available in the exhibit but are located inside the mall.

Dino Safari is located at 100 North Point Circle, Alpharetta, Georgia 30022.

I’ve spent a lot of time in the Buford area over the years. Many weeks were spent camping at one of the US Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds on Lake Lanier. Many more days were spent zipping across the lake in our boat or floating on rafts in calm coves and under the hot sun. We’d leave the lake for groceries and other necessities when absolutely necessary. Running down to Buford was just part of the routine.

However, recently we were invited to go to downtown Buford for dinner with friends. “Downtown Buford,” I wondered?

I didn’t know Buford even had a downtown. Six of us drove to Buford in a large SUV while we listened to stories of the early days of Buford from one in the party who had spent much of his work career in Buford. According to Scott Brown, now a Clarkesville resident, “Buford was a happening place in the 70s and 80s.” Some of Scott’s favorite memories are about the movie celebrities he met in Buford, like Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, and Burt Reynolds. “Reynolds was the nicest fellow I ever met there,” Scott remembers. “He was in town to make a movie and he was just a normal guy. He would talk to everybody and never turned anyone down for a photo or an autograph.”

We dined that night at the Bare Bones Restaurant, housed in the old Shadburn Bank Building right on Main Street. The restaurant is known for its delicious food, especially the steaks. We were just as enthralled by the building itself. The restaurant has maintained the charm of the 1901 bank building. We ate upstairs in what was once a school gymnasium and the first indoor basketball court in Gwinnett County. According to the wait staff, bank customers on the ground floor could hear the basketballs bounce on the wooden floor above.

The town itself fascinated me. When I had the opportunity to spend a day with a girlfriend, we picked downtown Buford as the place we wanted to go. The town is steeped in history and has gone through a period of restoration. Downtown Buford is now a beautiful place to spend a day walking along Main Street, shopping in unique stores and boutiques, enjoying lunch, and exploring the town’s rich history.

Here’s some ideas that I can personally recommend.

Shopping in Downtown Buford

We enjoyed (meaning we left behind money) several of the boutiques and stores in town. My personal favorite was Further Down the Rabbit Hole, a women’s boutique with really unique pieces and reasonable prices. I bought a crocheted overtop there that has received a lot of compliments every time I wear it.

We also loved the Rusty Fence, a store that has some interesting furniture and decor pieces, and even clothes. We actually bought a gorgeous old chest of drawers there that we then had to figure out how to get into the little hatchback Hyundai that I drive. By the time we had also visited Queen of Hearts Antiques, which is also in the area, we were practically sitting on furniture pieces to get home.

Finally, we enjoyed Georgia Threads, a small store that carries a multitude of locally sourced jams, jellies, honey, and more, as well as t-shirts and other fabric items celebrating Georgia. The gentleman who runs the store is also a great one to have a political discussion with if you have the time.

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One note of caution: Some stores have reduced hours and/or days, so contact places where you want to shop to make sure the stores will be open. Several we would have loved to shop were not.

Food in Downtown Buford

Several restaurants are open for lunch so finding a place to eat is easy. We chose the Main Street Deli because we were in a hurry to shop more. Here are several to choose from:

• Main Street Deli, 60 E Main Street NE
• Aqua Terra Bistro, 55 E Main Street NE
• Tannery Row Ale House, 554 W Main Street
• Rico’s World Kitchen, 306 W Main Street

History of Downtown Buford

Buford was founded in 1872 around the building of the railroad. In fact, the town was named for Algernon Sidney Buford, the president of the Atlanta and Richmond Air-Land Railroad. Buford remained a resident of Richmond, Virginia, during his twenty years of service, but he kept an office in Buford as well.

As one of the younger towns in Georgia, historians emphasize that Buford was never a sleepy little town because the residents were interested in bringing business and education into the town. That forward thinking led to major economic success in the area with several large industrial operations.  According to the town’s history, Buford became known as the “city of many factories” and “Leather City.”

One of those was the Bona Allen Tannery, which produced shoes sold nationally as well as high-end saddles and other leather products. Local rumor holds that the tannery made saddles for Roy Rogers as well as other Hollywood notables. The tannery building now hosts a colony of artisans. Interestingly, Bona Allen also operated the only glue factory in the south.

If you’re a history buff, you may want to check out these places:

• Drive by Bona Allen Mansion, located at 395 E Main Street. It’s a magnificent Italian-styled mansion built by the owner of Bona Allen Tannery, Bona Allen, Sr. The home is not open for tours but is now an exclusive event location.
• Museum of Buford, located in the Buford Community Center at 2200 Buford Hwy NE. The museum is outside the historic downtown area but documents the town’s history.

On New Year’s Day, park rangers across the country are inviting Americans to start 2022 with inspiring First Day Hikes. In Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites, more than 40 guided treks will encourage friends and families to connect with nature and each other.

Outings range from a kid-friendly stroll through Mistletoe State Park’s campground, a three-mile hike through Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon,” and even a night hike at Reed Bingham State Park.

There are also hikes planned at Smithgall Woods in White County, Moccasin Creek, and Tallulah Gorge in Rabun County, just to name a few.

During winter, hikers will notice interesting tree shapes, small streams and rock outcrops that are normally hidden by summer’s foliage. Many guided hikes are kid and dog-friendly, and visitors are welcome to bring picnics to enjoy before or after their adventure.

Times and locations vary. Fees range from $5 for parking at state parks and $2 – $12 admission for historic sites.

For a list of First Day Hikes and more information, visit GaStateParks.org.

Many of Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites are home to remnants of forts and earthworks dating back to the 17th century. At these special places, history doesn’t just live on plaques and markers, it literally comes alive during re-enactments held occasionally during the year.

In honor of Veterans Day on November 11, plan a trip to one of these five sites that highlight the history of Georgia’s earliest battles through the Gulf War.

Fort King George Historic Site, Darien – GaStateParks.org/FortKingGeorge
Tour the oldest English fort remaining on Georgia’s coast at Fort King George, which was the southern outpost of the British Empire in North America from 1721 until 1736. The on-site museum offers a film detailing the 18th and 19th- century history of Fort King George, including Guale Indians, the Santo Domingo de Talaje mission, Fort King George, the Scots of Darien and 19th-century sawmilling.

Fort Morris Historic Site, Midway – GaStateParks.org/FortMorris
In the late 1700s, the Continental Congress fortified barracks on the Medway River at Sunbury to protect the seaport from the British. When the British demanded the fort’s surrender on November 25, 1778, the defiant Col. John McIntosh replied, “Come and take it!” The British refused and withdrew back to Florida, but 45 days later, they returned with a superior force, and on January 9, 1779, Fort Morris fell after a short but heavy bombardment. Stand within the earthwork remains and view scenic Saint Catherine’s Sound. A museum and film describe the colonial port of Sunbury and the site’s history.

Fort McAllister State Park, Richmond Hill – GaStateParks.org/FortMcAllister
Located south of Savannah on the banks of the Ogeechee River, Fort McAllister State Park showcases the best-preserved earthwork fortification of the Confederacy. Despite being attacked seven times by Union ironclads, the fort didn’t fall until 1864—ending General William T. Sherman’s “March to the Sea.” Explore the cannons, a furnace, bombproof, barracks, palisades and other remains of the battlefield, and admire artifacts in the Civil War museum. This scenic state park includes cabins, camping, walking trails, and fishing piers.

Georgia Veteran’s State Park, Cordele – GaStateParks.org/GeorgiaVeterans 
For U.S. Veterans, Georgia Veteran’s State Park can’t be missed, as it was established as a memorial specifically to them. Visit the park’s museum that features armored vehicles, uniforms, weapons, medals, and other items from the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War—including the Boeing B-29A aircraft.

Pickett’s Mill Battlefield Historic Site, Dallas – GaStateParks.org/PickettsMillBattlefield
In May 1864, the Confederate troops at Pickett’s Mill fought for victory on the battlefield against the Federal Army, resulting in a week delay of the Federal advance on Atlanta. Today, the Pickett’s Mill Battlefield Historic Site is one of the best-preserved Civil War battlefields in the nation. Travel roads used by Federal and Confederate troops, see earthworks and walk through the same ravine where hundreds died. One of two original cannons used during this battle is now on display in the museum, on loan from Atlanta History Center. Stay overnight nearby at Red Top Mountain State Park’s new cabins or campground.

Veteran’s Day Events – November 11, 2021

Flag Retirement
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park – Pine Mountain, GA
Visitors can bring used U.S. flags needing retiring to the park for a brief program. Meet at the Stone Amphitheater. Veterans with ID enjoy free boat rental for one hour. $5 parking. 706-663-4858.

Free Admission
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hardman Farm Historic Site – Sautee Nacoochee, GA
Veterans, military service members and their families enjoy free admission to Hardman Farm Historic Site. Our last guided tour of the mansion will begin at 3 p.m. 706-878-1077.

Veterans Day Observance
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Roosevelt’s Little White House Historic Site – Warm Springs, GA
Receive a red poppy made by disabled veterans in honor of those who are serving in our nation’s armed forces. Includes display by Jonnie Classen Melillo on the tradition of the poppy. $7-$10. 706-655-5870.

Dahlonega’s Gold Rush Days Festival, a weekend event in one of Georgia’s favorite mountain towns, kicks off tomorrow for its 67th year.

The Gold Rush Days Festival started in 1954 as a celebration of the city’s history, where the first major Gold Rush in the United States hit Dahlonega in 1829. In the mid-’50s, Dahlonega citizens gathered together to remember those who came before them and their town’s history.

In the 21st century, Dahlonega’s Gold Rush Days Festival is a massive event that draws tens of thousands to the region for a weekend of arts and crafts vendors, live music, food, shopping, games, dancing, competition and community togetherness.

Some of the festival’s events include the coronation of the Gold Rush king and queen, a beard-growing competition, hog calling, an old-time fashion show, cloggers and a magic show by Piedmont University professor Henry “Doc” Johnson.

The event, organized by the Gold Rush Days Festival Inc., (previously known as the Dahlonega Jaycees), is one of the largest events in Northeast Georgia.

The festival has been named one of the top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southern Tourism Board, and the organizers expect to see “well over” 100,000 people attend over the course of the weekend. And all the money raised by the organizers goes back into the community through charity.

“The money that we raise through the selling of booth spaces, parade entries and our commemorative t-shirt sales, all of [that] money is returned back to the community,” Dathan Harbert, Gold Rush Days Inc. Treasurer says. The Gold Rush Days Festival Inc. gives back with scholarships, education, Christmas gifts for struggling families and helping community members with rent, utilities, mortgage and car troubles during tough times.

Other local organizations operate parking at the event, where parking fees support other area-based charities. The event is also a huge money-maker for local restaurants and businesses, who are prepared for their busiest weekend of the year.

The event, as a whole, is to keep Dahlonega’s community strong. Promoting tourism to bring revenue to the city and donating to local charities may seem like the biggest part of keeping Dahlonega charming, but the community relationships that thrive during the event are the lifeblood of the city.

Harbert says that the best part of Gold Rush Days is seeing so many people, himself included, spend time with their loved ones.

“It’s like a big family reunion in-the-streets kind of thing,” Harbert says. “Everybody’s out and about, everybody’s happy, everybody’s having a good time. I run into so many people, and that’s the fun part. You’ll see families literally having get-togethers in the street.”

If you’re still not convinced that Dahlonega’s biggest event is worth your time, Harbert says that just visiting the area for shops, wineries, gold mining museums and tours will make you fall for one of Georgia’s gems.

“The town of Dahlonega is beautiful, and even if we weren’t having an event, there would be something to offer,” Harbert says “[…] There’s lots to do here. If anything, just come back to Dahlonega during Gold Rush to fall in love with the town again.”

Gold Rush runs from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17. Here’s a list of scheduled events:

Saturday, October 16th
8:00 am Gold Rush 5K sponsored by the Dahlonega Rotary
9:00 am Festival opens
10:00 am Beard Growing Contest and Hog Calling
10:30 am Kelli’s School of Dance and Conservatory
11:00 am Nealy Webster
11:30 am Old Time Fashion Show
12:00 pm The Raven Welch Band
1:15 pm GA Pick and Bow
2:00 pm King and Queen Coronation
2:15 pm Doc Johnson’s Magic Show
3:00 pm Gold Rush Parade
4:30 pm Radford Windham and Step Back Cadillac

Sunday, October 17th
9:00 am Festival opens
9:30 am Chuck Bell
10:45 am Ryan Little Eagle
11:30 am Cross-cut saw competition
12:30 pm Doc Johnson’s Magic Show
1:15 pm Synergy Cloggers
2:30 pm Out of the Blue
3:30 pm Arm Wrestling Tournament (weigh-in from 12:00 – 2:00 pm) – $25 entry fee per arm. Cash only.

Practice your Polka and get ready for the Chicken Dance. . .Oktoberfest is almost here!

Alpine Helen is gearing up for its biggest party of the year. Oktoberfest runs September 9-November 7, 2021. This year, the small Bavarian-themed town in White County will celebrate its 50th Oktoberfest during its 51st year.

Helen’s restaurants, shops and attractions observed the milestone in 2020 but the spacious Helen Chamber Festhalle was shuttered due to State of Georgia COVID-19 restrictions. The official 50th anniversary celebration of Oktoberfest was postponed until this year.

Although COVID is surging again in Georgia, there are no state restrictions on gatherings this year and the Helen Chamber of Commerce is moving forward with its Oktoberfest plans.

For nine weeks, bands will perform at the Festhalle where crowds will gather to enjoy German music and dance and sample (or overindulge in) authentic German food and drinks.

The Festehall is located at 1074 Edelweiss Strasse in Helen. It will be open Thursday through Sunday starting September 9 and, beginning September 30, every night through November 7.

Festhalle Hours:
Weekdays 6-10:30 p.m.
Fridays 6-midnight
Saturday 1 p.m.-midnight
Sunday 1-7 p.m.

Admission into the Festhalle is $8 weekdays, $10 Saturday, and free on Sundays. Active and retired military get in free with a valid military ID. Kids under 6 years are free and those 6-12 are admitted at half price. There is a separate dance floor for children.

Folks traveling during the week will enjoy smaller crowds during Oktoberfest’s weeknight celebrations in the Festhalle.

This year’s Oktoberfest Parade is scheduled for noon on Saturday, September 11. The first keg-tapping of the festival will take place at 1 p.m. at the Festhalle following the parade.

Visit www.HelenChamber.com and www.HelenGA.org for accommodation details and help planning your getaway.

These days, zoos are part of an ethical discussion about the rights of animals held in captivity. There are valid arguments on both sides. The Chestatee Wildlife Preserve east of Dahlonega offers a different option for those wanting to see and interact with unusual animals.

As a wildlife refuge, Chestatee is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and caring for hurt, neglected, or aging animals. The Preserve is home to over 100 exotic and native animals. Many were no longer wanted by traveling circuses and found their way to Chestatee. Owner C. W. Wathen started the refuge when someone offered to trade him two zebras for two miniature horses. Wathen accepted the zebras, an act that spurred his interest in exotic animals. As he took in more animals, Wathen paid for their care through his construction day job.

Over time, Wathen has recruited and trained volunteers to work at the refuge. He’s also found donors, such as grocers, who provide fresh vegetables that have aged past their prime to feed the animals. It’s become a community endeavor.

Wathen and his animals have appeared on National Geographic and Animal Planet. The Georgia State Legislature has recognized him for his work with rescue animals.

Despite glowing reports, the wildlife refuge was struggling to keep afloat financially. That all changed in 2010 when a zebra named Zeke met a donkey named Sarah.

Pippi the zedonk

Zeke was the lone zebra at the wildlife refuge with a hip problem that should have prevented him from mating. It didn’t. He fathered a female with Sarah. Their offspring is unusual and stunning – they call her a zedonk.

Chestatee is not the only place in the world where you can see a zedonk, but it was possibly the first. The birth attracted tourists from around the country and globe. Some came to spend a few hours; others came to spend several days. All were fascinated by Pippi, the baby zedonk with the striped legs of a zebra and the body of a donkey.

Pippi is no longer the only zedonk on the property.

Zedonks are interesting animals to watch. Their coloring and striping are unique to their parents, while many of their personality characteristics seem all zebra. In fact, the soft, sweet sound they make is from their zebra blood, nothing like that of a donkey.

Other animals

There are plenty of other exotic animals to see on the 25-acre refuge. Besides zebras, donkeys, and zedonks, the refuge has black bears and a grizzly bear, white tigers and a golden Bengal, elk and deer, as well as camels, wolves, tortoises, and a variety of exotic birds, including emus.

The refuge is laid out to allow you to see the animals but not get too close. Some animals can be fed as you go, like the zebras and the zedonks, while others, like the bears and the tigers, are kept at a distance. You may purchase $5 bags of food at the entrance.

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Details

The Chestatee Wildlife Preserve is located in Lumpkin County at 469 Old Dahlonega Highway, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533. The refuge is open seven days a week. Admission is $10 for children under eleven and $15 for all others. The refuge is open daily from 10 am – 4 pm, but the last entry is at 2:45 pm. Watch for Wathen or a family member as you pull into the parking lot. Someone is usually nearby to greet you.

There’s not a lot of shade, so use sunscreen and take water with you. There are picnic tables throughout the refuge if you want to take your own lunch. However, you are asked to remove all your trash as you leave.

Donations are accepted and appreciated. Monetary donations can be given through the Preserve’s website. Also appreciated are gifts of fresh fruits, meats, and vegetables.

Examples of canned foods: potatoes, green beans, carrots, salmon, pumpkin, chickpeas, pitted black olives, tuna, chicken, sliced beets, artichoke hearts, kidney beans, cranberry sauce, pears, and peaches.

Examples of fresh produce: Kale, greens, corn on the cob, peaches, grapes, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, apples, oranges, and pineapples.  We always need peanut butter, jelly, raisin bread, beef, and chicken.

The small monkeys also need toddler toys.

For more information, visit them online at Chestatee Wildlife Preserve and Zoo.

With only a few weeks remaining before children go back to school, you may be looking for ideas of how to survive the last days of summer. With that in mind, we bring you ideas of where children can play in water, stay cool, and expend some energy.

Splash pads

Children love splash pads. The splash pad in Cornelia is fairly small, but it offers covered benches, a toilet, and lots of fun. There are not many splash pads in Northeast Georgia, but there are a few within driving distances. Check out:

• Cornelia Splash Pad is located at 102 Grant Place, Cornelia, Georgia 30531.
• Yahoola Creek Park is located at 464 Mechanicsville Road, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533.
• Laurel Park is located at 3100 Old Cleveland Highway, Gainesville, Georgia 30506.

Don’t forget to take a change of clothing for the drive home. My grandchildren were soaking wet from head to toe.

Waterparks

• Helen Tubing and Waterpark has just been recognized as one of the best in the United States. You can read about it here. It features a pool with tall slides and a lazy river ride. It also has tubing trips down the Chattahoochee River. Helen Tubing and Waterpark is located at 222 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, Georgia 30545.
• Splash Island is located at 3379 S US Highway 76 Bypass, Hiawassee, Georgia 30546. It offers an inflatable obstacle course that is fun for all ages. There is a charge based on the hour(s) of usage. Before going, check out the details and prices on their website.

There’s also a waterpark at Lake Lanier Islands. The information for it is provided below.

Lakes and beaches

We are blessed in Northeast Georgia with an abundance of lakes, rivers, and streams. For a wonderful day at the beach, consider taking the kids to one of the nearby Georgia State Parks:

• Unicoi State Park has a beach and picnic area. It also has boat rentals of kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and pedal boats available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The park has a $5.00 daily parking fee. Unicoi State Park is located at 1788 GA-356, Helen, Georgia 30545.
• Tallulah Gorge State Park has a sand beach, a picnic area and a playground. It is located at 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls, Georgia 30573. The park has a $5.00 daily parking fee.
• Don Carter State Park is located on the north side of Lake Lanier. It offers sand beaches, a boat ramp, and picnic areas. The park’s address is 5000 North Browning Bridge Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30506.
• If you want something a little “splashy-er”, try Lake Lanier Islands. It offers a large sand beach and a water park with all the trimmings. Check the website for admission costs and to make reservations. Lake Lanier Islands is located at 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford, Georgia 30518.

If all else fails

Get creative! There’s no end of how to have fun with water at home!

How in the world did axe throwing, something lumberjacks do in competition – along with other events like log rolling, speed pole climbing, and log sawing – become an international sport for the masses? According to the Backyard Axe Throwing League (BATL), it all started 14 years ago when a group of friends on vacation started throwing an axe at a stump to break their boredom. Apparently the friends never expected it to become a new world-wide sport. Really.

According to the BATL’s history, one of that original group, Matt Wilson, returned to Toronto and invited friends over to try out their aim at a backyard target. The process of throwing the axe seemed cathartic, and the friends wanted to continue. Wilson’s group set up a point system and met once a week to compete with each other. Soon the group had eight regulars, then 16, and then 32. In time, Wilson was hosting two leagues of 60 axe throwers each in his backyard.

I finally found something I’m good at!

By 2011, only five years after beginning backyard leagues, Wilson moved the league into an industrial space. The two leagues quickly became four, and people were clamoring to have a chance to test their own skills. It wasn’t long before Wilson had opened places around Canada and into the United States. BATL now has facilities in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Orlando, Florida; Novi, Michigan; Houston, Texas; and Scottsdale, Arizona.

BATL’s history may be too self-focused, although there is confirmation that axe throwing as a sport in Canada is years ahead of the U.S. Whistle Punks, an urban axe throwing center in the U.K., suggests that axe throwing has been an international urban sport for more than 23 years and references programs in the U.S., Canada, Australia, France, Thailand, and the U.K.

Regardless of just when the sport became a sport, axe throwing has taken off and attracts corporate groups, individuals, families, and even their children.

What you need to know before you go axe throwing

Martha Taylor planned an axe throwing activity for her women’s small group from Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville, Georgia. To say the ladies had a great evening is an understatement. Martha shares, “I had one and only one hit. Several of our ladies did extremely well. I think we would all love to go back one day. We even talked about sharing the experience with our families as well.”

One of the ladies in the group, Angie Birdsall, agrees. “It was fun; a good stress reliever,” she says. “I have already been back with my husband.”

Lisa Dial, another member of the group had a great evening. Lisa enthused, “I finally found something I’m good at!”

Those who have embraced the sport of axe throwing have several things beginning axe throwers should know. First, there are different sizes and weights of axes, so you’ll be able to find an axe you can throw.

Second, don’t worry about safety. Yes, you’ll be asked to sign a waiver in advance, but most throwing lanes are separated from each other.

Third, every first-timer receives training in how to throw the axe and in being safe.

Fourth, if you want to prepare in advance, there are plenty of ‘how to throw an axe’ videos online.

Fifth, you can throw individually against a friend or in a group. You can also join a competitive league if you decide that it’s the most fun sport you’ve ever done.

Sixth, don’t be surprised to see a lot of flannel shirts. It’s not required but definitely adds to the ambiance.

Setting up an axe throwing excursion

Axe throwing places are popping up all over North Georgia. There’s a list of some of the ones I’ve located below. Check out the website before you go to make sure if you need reservations. Some places require them; some do not.

Rates vary and depend on the amount of time and number of people participating.

Some of the axe throwing opportunities around North Georgia are:

• Admiral Axe in Clayton, Georgia
• The Axe Armory in Cornelia, Georgia
• AxeBilly in Helen, Georgia
• Ellijay Axes in Ellijay, Georgia
• Highway to Hell’n in Helen, Georgia
• Lumberjaxe in Athens, Georgia
• Source Code Escape Games and Axe Throwing in Augusta, Georgia

The last time I saw alpine sleds running on tracks in the summer, I was in Austria. The track moved straight down a large hill, covered in summer flowers. The kids loved it. When I heard we had an alpine coaster nearby in Helen, Georgia, I couldn’t wait to check it out. The coaster in Helen is so much better than anything we saw years ago in Austria.

Alpine roller coasters are not new to the United States. Several are found in Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Virginia. The Georgia Mountain Coaster is the first in the state of Georgia.

Alpine roller coasters are different than the roller coasters found in theme parks in the U.S. Each sled runs individually and can take up to two people. While the sleds can run a maximum of 27 miles per hour, each comes with a handbrake that the rider can control.

The Georgia Mountain Coaster is built on part of the mountain on the southwest side of town. After loading a sled, the sled moves slowly up to the top of the mountain and then begins its curving, circling, downhill ride. The screams and shouts of the riders come down echo along the mountain. Interestingly, if a sled on the track is moving more slowly than others, the sleds behind it are held up until the slower sled gets down. It’s planned that way so every rider has the ability to go as slow or as fast as desired without taking the fun away from another.

Georgia Mountain Coaster was built by Terry Sims, who also owns Cool River Tubing for tubing along the Chattahoochee River, and Cool River Adventures, an aerial adventure park. Sims built the alpine coaster running one mile in length on land that covers more than 10 acres. The coaster can have up to 30 sleds on the track at one time.

The Georgia Mountain Coaster follows a one-mile track full of thrilling twists and turns.

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Georgia Mountain Coaster has become a huge draw for the more than two million visitors that come to Helen each year. The coaster is open seven days a week: Monday – Thursday, 10 am to 7 pm; Friday, 10 am to 8 pm; Saturday, 10 am – 9 pm; and Sunday, 10 am – 7 pm. The cost for one ride down the mountain is $15.00 for adults, $12.00 for children ages 7-12, and $6.00 for children 3-6. The second ride is half price.

Note that the driver must be at least 54″ tall, and all riders must be at least 38″ tall and three years old or older. There is also a weight limit for each sled: in dry weather, the weight for both riders can be no more than 375 pounds; in wet weather, the weight limit in the sled cannot exceed 330 pounds. For more information, check their website.

Helen, Georgia, is also known for river tubing, alpine shopping, wine tastings, and gold panning. In the past couple of years, some new activities have been added to draw people of all ages to town. While you’re visiting Helen, check out some of these newer options:

• Axe throwing at Highway to Hell’n and AxeBilly
• Slot car racing at Alpine Speedway Slot Car Racing
• Miniature golf at Alpine Mini Golf Village and Bavarian Mountain Miniature Golf and Arcade
• Escape rooms at Mind Escapes and The Lost Room Escape Adventures