Lake Oconee LIving - Winter 2023

HOLIDAY COCKTAILS P. 15

WINTER 2023 • $5

SOUL-WARMING SOUPS P.21

loliving.com

FEATURING: WINTER WONDERLAND AT THE RITZ SPEAKEASY SUPPER CLUBS A PLACE TO CELEBRATE AT EMPIRE MILLS

HOMETOWN

HOLIDAYS

Relaxed Luxury

Golf · Lake · Lifestyle Set among 1,100 lush wooded acres, and bordered by nine miles of Lake Oconee shoreline, Harbor Club is an award-winning golf and lake community located an hour east of Atlanta in prime Georgia lake country. Whether you are looking to build the home of your dreams or revel in the comfort of a move-in-ready residence, Harbor Club offers an array of real estate opportunities for you to craft your greatest lake lifestyle.

SALES CENTER & MODEL HOME OPEN DAILY New Southern Living Series from the $800s The Enclave at Heron Ridge & Carriage Ridge homes from the $400s Heron Ridge homes from the $500s Homesites from $40,000 to $700,000

Ranked 4th in the state of Georgia & "Best Course You Can Play" -Golf Magazine, GolfWeek

OPEN WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY 706.543.4414 . 1111 Polo Circle Greensboro, Georgia 30642 All information is believed to be accurate but not warranted.

HarborClub.com

STANTON H O M E

F U R N I S H I N G S

FURNITURE SHOWROOM MADISON: 1561 EATONTON RD MADISON GA 30650 P: 706 438 1476 HOURS: MONDAY - SATURDAY 10 AM - 5 PM

STANTONHOMEFURNISHINGS.COM

Since 1987, Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties has represented buyers and sellers alike in the sale of thousands of properties, all of them only at Reynolds Lake Oconee. Our team is connected every day with club operations; plugged in daily with the social rhythms of clubs and events; and not distracted by, or obligated to buyers and sellers of any properties beyond the gates of Reynolds.

Reynolds Lake Oconee is what we do. It’s also all we do, and it shows.

Real estate and other amenities are owned by Oconee Land Development Company LLC and/or other subsidiaries and affiliates of MetLife, Inc. (collectively, “OLDC” or “Sponsor”) and by unrelated third parties. Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties, LLC (“RLOP”) is the exclusive listing agent for OLDC-owned properties in Reyno buy OLDC-owned real estate in Reynolds Lake Oconee by residents of HI, ID, OR, or any other jurisdiction where prohibited by law. As to such states, any offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy applies only to Resale Properties. Access and rights to recreational amenities may be subject to fees, membership dues, or other

For OLDC properties, obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. Void where prohibited by law. WARNING: THE CALIFORN available from OLDC upon request. OLDC properties have been registered with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salesmen at 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710, Boston, Massachusetts 02118-6100 and the TERMS ARE IN AN OFFERING PLAN AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR. FILE NO. H14-0001. Notice to New York Residents: The developer of Reynolds Lake Oconee and its principals are not incorporated in, located in, or resident in the state o knowledge. No such offering, or purchase or sale of real estate by or to residents of the state of New York, shall take place until all registration and filing requirements under the Martin Act and the Attorney General’s regulations are complied w

s s;

Listing and Selling Reynolds Real Estate Exclusively.

SINCE 1987.

Sales office located at 1341 Linger Longer Road, Greensboro, GA 30642 Open Daily from 9am-5pm ReynoldsLakeOconee.com | 800.800.5250

Scan to view current listings.

agent for OLDC-owned properties in Reynolds Lake Oconee. RLOP also represents buyers and sellers of properties in Reynolds Lake Oconee which OLDC does not own (“Resale Properties”). OLDC is not involved in the marketing or sale of Resale Properties. This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offers to e subject to fees, membership dues, or other limitations. Information provided is believed accurate as of the date printed but may be subject to change from time to time. The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee is a private commercial enterprise and use of the facilities is subject to the applicable fees and policies of the operator.

y law. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR DISQUALIFIED THIS OFFERING. An offering statement has been filed with the Iowa Real Estate Commission and a copy of such statement is ssachusetts 02118-6100 and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection at 1700 G Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20552. Certain OLDC properties are registered with the Department of Law of the State of New York. THE COMPLETE OFFERING ocated in, or resident in the state of New York. No offering is being made in or directed to any person or entity in the state of New York or to New York residents by or on behalf of the developer/offeror or anyone acting with the developer/offeror’s neral’s regulations are complied with, a written exemption is obtained pursuant to an application is granted pursuant to and in accordance with Cooperative Policy Statements #1 or #7, or a“No-Action”request is granted.

We’re here to help so Experience everyamoment you don’t miss single of the holiday moment of the season. holidays. volu me x xv i , no . 4 , w i n ter 2023

We’re here to help so We’re growing you don’t miss a single and expanding moment of the holidays.

our services We’re growing and expanding our www.hearlakeoconee.com toservices better serve you.

(706) 452-2119

Visit at our Yourushometown new office.

Audiologist providing How can we good old fashioned to better serve you. improve your customer service. quality of life?

Madison (New Location!)

Harmony Medical Center rear entrance of 117 Harmony Crossing, Visit ushometown at (at our Y our let hearing loss keep Suite 8,Don’t Eatonton GA Dr. Pamela Hall’syou office) new office.

(706) 453-2119 2002 S. Main St., Madison Mon-Thurs 9 am-5 pm Audiologist providing from enjoying the most (706) 453-2119 Madison - Wed. 9-5 Harmony Medical Center Fri 9 am-12 pm Wed 9 am-5 pm 117 Harmony Crossing Ste 8 255 N. Main Street, Ste A How can we wonderful the year. good oldtime fashioned Eatonton, GA 31024 Madison, GAof 30650 improve your 706-453-2119 706-438-1099 customer service.today! quality an of life?

Schedule evaluation DR. DR. KIMBERLY KIMBERLY HOFFMAN HOFFMAN

DR. KIMBERLY HOFFMAN DR. HOFFMAN DR.KIMBERLY KIMBERLY HOFFMAN

Harmony Health 255 N. Main Street, Ste A HARMONY MEDICAL MADISON 117 Harmony Crossing Ste CENTER 8 Madison, GA 30650 Madison Wed. 9-5 Harmony Medical Center 2002 Eatonton, GA 31024 706-438-1099 117 Harmony Crossing, S. Main St.,- Madison GA 706-453-2119 Wednesdays 9am-5pm

117 Harmony 255entrance N. Main Ste A SuiteCrossing 8, EatontonSte GA 8 (at rear of Dr.Street, Pamela Hall’s office) (706) GA 453-2119 438-1099 GA 30650 Eatonton, 31024 (706) Madison, Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-12pm Wed.706-438-1099 9am-5pm 706-453-2119

www.hearlakeoconee.com Harmony Health 117 Harmony Crossing Ste 8 Eatonton, GA 31024 706-453-2119

255 N. Main Street, Ste A Madison, GA 30650 706-438-1099 Wednesdays 9am-5pm

The magazine that reflects the lifestyle of residents of the Lake Oconee area and beyond.

Publisher OTIS BRUMBY III General Manager LEE GARRETT Editor ANDREA GABLE Art Director DANIELLE HAWKINS Sales & Marketing BARBARA AYCOX Circulation DAVE GOSSETT Contributing Writers CHIP BELL, ALETTE DUAN, JUDY

GARRISON, SKYLER HEATH, KRISTA WILLIAMS, HALLIE JANE ZIMMERMAN

Contributing Artists BRANDY ANGEL, LEN GARRISON,

DEBORAH JOHNSON, DENNIS MCDANIEL, KYLE SHANKMAN, JESSE WALKER, KRISTA WILLIAMS

WEBSITE Please visit our website at www.loliving.com.

SUBMISSIONS

Unsolicited queries and submissions of art and writing not accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope will not be returned. Response time varies and Lake Oconee Living cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited materials.

To contact the editor by email, address correspondence to editor@loliving.com.

ADVERTISING

You can request a media kit with information about our distribution, deadlines, readership, and advertising rates and specifications by emailing marketing@loliving.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Lake Oconee Living is published for the United States, its territories and possessions. Four issues per year: $17. Single issues in the U.S. $5. If you are moving, renewing, or have a question, please enclose subscription label with all correspondence; allow four weeks for change of address. Address all correspondence pertaining to subscriptions to: Lake Oconee Living, 259 N. Second Street, Madison Ga. 30650, or call 706.342.7440 or fax 706.342.2140. ©2023 Times-Journal, Inc. Lake Oconee Living

Since 1973, PDI has focused on giving customers the best experience possible. We are proud to be an independently-owned company with 26 locations across Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina.

RelyOnPDI.com

PDI LAKE OCONEE 869 Harmony Rd Eatonton, GA 31024 (706) 510-1539 Scan here to make an appointment at our Lake Oconee showroom or find a location near you.

| features |

Hometown Holidays

Find old-fashioned festivities around the lake and celebrate the season in small-town style.

Compiled by A n d r e a G a b l e

Winter Wonderland

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee transforms into a magical destination for making holiday memories.

Compiled by A n d r e a G a b l e

Speakeasy Savoir Faire

Exploring the hidden charm and rising popularity of exclusive, in-home dining experiences with private chefs.

Photog raphy by D e b o r a h J o h n s o n a n d Kyle Shankman

Auld Lang Syne

The evolution of Empire Mills from times long past to a place to celebrate renewal, faith and family.

Stor y by A n d r e a G a b l e

34 44 55 66 WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 9

| departments |

15

In the Spirit

18

By Design

21

At the Table

Seasonal Sips Festive cocktails to add a touch of cheer to any holiday party.

24

By the Book

27

From the Heart

76

Backyard Traveler

89

Happenings

M i c h a e l Va d e n , of Madison, loads up a freshly cut tree from n e a r b y J a c k ’s Creek Farm into a vintage 1953 Chevy 3800, all decked out for the holidays.

The truck was a surprise Christmas gift last year for his wife, Michelle, making her Hallmark Christmas-loving heart sing.

95

Ad Directory

Photog raphy by

Party in a Box Everything you need to ring in the New Year in style.

Soul-warming Soups Simmer your way to flavor with creamy comfort foods.

10 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

15

‘Discovering stories’ Resurrecting lost authors of Georgia’s Lake Country.

Season of giving Holiday tipping etiquette to make everyone’s spirit bright.

Rocket City Train like an astronaut in Huntsville, Alabama.

ABOU T THE COV ER:

Dennis McDaniel

Four Generations & 64 years in Business

Brian Crowe - Owner Courtney Crowe - 4th Generation Keith Phillips - General Manager

NEW BOATS | USED BOATS SERVICES | JET SKIS 1010 GREENSBORO RD, EATONTON, GA 31024 706-485-9600

| from the editor |

Cheers to

25 YEARS! This holiday issue marks the 25th anniversary of the publication of Lake Oconee Living’s very first issue.

In late fall of 1998, then-publisher Patrick Yost put forth his vision of a high-quality lifestyle magazine that would “reflect the spirit of a region.”

Through the years, the magazine has grown alongside the blossoming Lake Oconee area and is now shepherded by the Brumby family who possess the same dedication and excitement about our beloved region.

When we look back on the past 25 years, we are reminded of the countless stories we have shared, the communities we’ve connected, and the moments we’ve captured. Our mission has always been to celebrate the place we call home and the people who make it extraordinary.

Our journey has been fueled by the passion and dedication of our contributors, photographers, designers, and, most importantly, our readers who have allowed us into their homes and lives.

As we mark 25 years, we are excited to begin the next chapter of our magazine’s history. We will continue to be your source of inspiration, information, and connection to all that makes our region exceptional.

This milestone says as much about you, our readers and advertisers, as it does about us.

Your long-time support and engagement have guided us to where we are today.

So, here’s to the next 25 years of discovering, connecting, and celebrating the heart and soul of our region.

Enjoy!

Whidby Jewelers Fine Diamonds Since 1901 177 West Jefferson Street | Madison, Ga 30650 | 770-752-0105 FOLLOW US:

| in the spirit |

Seasonal

Sips

These festive cocktails are sure to add a touch of cheer to any holiday party this season.

Peppermint

Martini • • • • •

2 oz peppermint schnapps 1 oz vodka 1 oz white crème de cacao Crushed candy canes for rimming Whipped cream and mini candy canes for garnish

Rim a chilled martini glass with crushed candy canes.

In a shaker, combine the peppermint schnapps, vodka, and crème de cacao with ice.

Shake well and strain into the prepared martini glass.

Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream and a mini candy cane.

| in the spirit |

Cranberry

Mule

• • • • •

2 oz vodka 2 oz cranberry juice 1/2 oz fresh lime juice Ginger beer Fresh cranberries and a slice of lime for garnish

Fill a copper mug or glass with ice.

Add vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Stir well.

Top off with ginger beer.

Garnish with fresh cranberries and a slice of lime.

Spiced Apple

Cider

• • •

2 oz spiced rum 6 oz hot apple cider Cinnamon stick and apple slice for garnish

In a heatproof glass or mug, combine the spiced rum and hot apple cider.

Stir well.

Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a slice of apple.

Add a dash of ground cinnamon or nutmeg for extra spice.

16 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

Award Winning Full-Service Luxury Design Firm Serving Lake Oconee, Atlanta, and surrounding communities across the Southeast. Service includes Interior Design, Renovations, and New Contruction Projects 404-622-9001

www.Blacksheepinteriors.com

2901 Reynolds Walk Trail, Suite 203, Greensboro, GA

| party in a box |

Cheers!

CUR ATED BY H A L L I E J A N E ’ S C AT E R I N G AT E M P I R E M I L L S PHOTOGR APH Y BY A L E T T E D U A N

simple

centerpieces

Opt for herbs and greenery on your tablescapes for a naturally elevated evening soiree.

Save florals for private spaces such as bathrooms and entry ways.

music makes

18 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

signature cocktail Kir Royale (Makes 1 Drink)

• • • •

5 oz Champagne ½ oz creme de cassis ½ tsp fresh lime juice Superfine sugar (for garnish)

Pour the superfine sugar into a shallow bowl. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a champagne flute and dip the rim into the sugar bowl, covering the entire rim in sugar. Tap off the excess. Pour the creme de cassis and lime juice into the sugared champagne flute. Add the champagne. Stir.

p

A medium-sized luncheon or salad plate is perfect to hold finger friendly morsels comfortably without the need for table seating. A finger food menu also eliminates the need for a fork.

Find an array of charming ceramic plates and the goldrimmed Champagne glasses, seen above, at Archambault Interiors in Madison.

ly pla t e fect d er

the party

have a

Toast the New Year in style with this party-planning guide with entertainment tips to help you create an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration.

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This key formula for an hors d’oeuvres buffet delivers a successful cocktail party menu every time: Cocktail Sandwich: Think beef or pork tenderloin slider on a brioche bun or ham and gruyere on a chive biscuit.

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on pag e 94

a m e al

Something on a Skewer: From Satay chicken to caprese.

Hot baked dip: Our favorite is baked Cajun crawfish with sliced baguette, but fan favorites include spinach artichoke or Buffalo chicken dips.

Something cheese: Cheese board with crackers, nuts, preserves, and fresh il kta fruit or a seasonal c o c en bruschetta like ive al lin y, t s fe m rd fig-walnut h a a for e stu athe l t i i t r w s k e e k c goat cheese v h c Sti kin o in. T er co rant k featured p b G na r nap le, fi Zeb the e b here. v a . m i ne s n

din ispo ns fro on, g line f d is ki yet nap Mad sion o s n i e me impr Ho

Chips, dips, and veggies: Colorful cut vegetables with 2 cold dips. Fan favorites are caramelized onion dip and our signature pimento cheese and homemade kettle chips.

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 19

1020 Lake Oconee Parkway | Eatonton, GA 31024 | (706) 485-7866 | Monday - Saturday 10AM - 5PM | Sunday 12PM - 4PM

LAKECOUNTRYOUTFITTERS.COM

| at the table |

Soul-Warming

Soups

Stir and simmer your way to flavor with these indulgent comfort food recipes.

R ECIPES AND PHOTOGR APH Y BY E X E C U T I V E C H E F K R I S TA W I L L I A M S , HARVEST & HONEY

W

When the weather turns cold, there’s nothing quite like a warm, hearty bowl of soup to comfort the soul and nourish the body.

Elevate your soup game to a whole new level by experimenting with new flavors, working on the perfect balance of spices, and garnishing each bowl to make it a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Whether you’re looking for a wholesome meal or a comforting appetizer, these rich and creamy soups have got you covered. So, gather your family around the table, warm your soul, and savor the goodness that only a well-made bowl of soup can offer.

See Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup recipe on page 22.

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 21

| at the table |

Sweet Potato Apple Soup • • • • • • • • • • •

2 TBS olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled and chopped 1 carrot, peeled and chopped 3 cloves of garlic, cleaned and grated 1 tsp grated ginger 1 tsp of coriander ½ tsp of smoked paprika 3-4 cups of vegetable broth 1 cup Half & Half

Garnish: • Creme fraiche and honey Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, pinch of salt and pepper and sauté until soft, 4-6 minutes. Add the sweet potatoes and the apple and cook until they begin to soften, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Add the garlic, ginger, coriander, and smoked paprika. Add 3 cups of the broth and bring to a boil. Cover, and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes. Add half & half, cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes until potatoes are soft.

Let cool slightly and pour the soup into a blender, working in batches if necessary, and blend until smooth. (I prefer to use a hand blender for less mess.) If your soup is too thick, add up to 1 cup more broth and blend.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

For garnish, thin creme fraiche (or sour cream) with half & half, just until it can drizzle.

Zig zag the creme fraiche on top of the soup, followed by the honey in the same pattern of the creme fraiche. Drag a toothpick through the zig zag to make a pattern onto the soup.

Add croutons to center of soup.

22 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup • • • • • • • • • • • • •

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded 1 stalk of celery, chopped ½ yellow onion, diced 3 tsp minced garlic ½ cup shredded carrots 1 TBS olive oil 4 cups low sodium chicken broth salt and pepper to taste 2 tsp thyme 16 ounces potato gnocchi 2 cups heavy cream 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped ½ cup smoked Gouda, shredded

Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook for 2 minutes until onions are translucent.

Add garlic, cook for an additional minute. Add chicken, broth and thyme and bring to a boil.

Gently stir in the gnocchi and boil for 3-4 minutes before reducing to a simmer and cooking for an additional 10 minutes.

Stir in the heavy cream, Gouda and spinach, cooking for another 1 minute until cheese is melted and spinach is tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Top with homemade Turmeric croutons.

Turmeric Croutons Cube a loaf of bread, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with turmeric.

Toss well. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes until toasted.

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS IN MADISON GA

| by the book |

L “O “O d

Discovering

Stories Resurrecting lost authors of Georgia’s Lake Country.

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1

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STORY BY C H I P R . B E L L

5

“Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them,” wrote author George Eliot (a.k.a., Mary Ann Evans).

Her quote reminded me of the renowned Georgia author Terry Kay, the subject of a new Georgia Writers Museum exhibit. He worried about how people would remember him. Not because of some egotistical quest for immortality but because of his longing that his literary contributions would have valuable influence long past his funeral.

This column seeks to celebrate Lake Oconee area authors who were quite popular in their day but are at risk of being forgotten and, therefore, truly dead. Here are a few you might enjoy “remembering.”

24 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

Kate Richards DuBose (2) was born in Oxfordshire, England, in 1826. She attended school in Midway, Georgia, and worked as a teacher in Georgia.

In 1848, she married Charles Wilds DuBose, a lawyer from Sparta, Georgia.

The DuBose family lived on a plantation near Mayfield before moving in 1856 into their home on Boland Street in Sparta. Her literary works were published in many journals and magazines, generally under the pen name of Leila Cameron. Some of her best-known poems appeared in the “Southern Literary Gazette.” In 1858, she published “The Pastor’s Household,” a prose story for the young. Her grave is in the Sparta

cemetery.

Richard M. Johnston (5) was born in Hancock County in 1822. After graduating from Mercer in 1841, he was admitted to the bar and clerked under Judge Linton Stephens, brother of Georgia governor, Alexander Stephens.

He passed up a chance to be a judge and president of Mercer in order to chair the Literature Department at the University of Georgia. He started a classical school, Rockby, in Sparta and served as its principal for six years. He then moved to Baltimore, where he taught with Sidney Lanier at the Pen Lacy School. He authored nine books, including “Georgia Sketches,” “Dukesborough Tales,” “The

6

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Life of Alexander Stephens,” “Old Mark Lungstong,” and “Ogeechee Cross-Firings.” He died in 1898.

Eatonton’s most famous ghost is Sylvia. Sylvia resided (some say continues to live) in Panola Hall, the home of Dr. Benjamin and Louise Prudden Hunt (3), which they purchased in 1891. Dr. Hunt is best known for his contributions to the dairy industry in middle Georgia. Sylvia’s fame started with a poem written by Louise. Her book of poetry titled “Poems and Other Writings of Mrs. B.W. Hunt” was published after she died in 1929. According to Eatonton historian Jim Marshall, the portrait of Mrs. Hunt (owned by the Eatonton Historical Society) pictures her in a French imported dress Benjamin bought her when they honeymooned in Philadelphia in 1876.

Eatonton was also the home of Henry Grady Weaver (1), who was pictured in 1938 on the cover of “Time Magazine” for his groundbreaking work in customer research at General Motors. Born in 1889, Weaver graduated from Georgia Tech. He wrote his most famous book, “The Mainspring of Human Progress,” which appeared in 1943. It was reprinted for decades and sold hundreds of thousands of copies. An amateur’s eulogy to freedom and individual ingenuity, many critics consider his book to be one of the finest discussions ever written of the impact of business on society.

Lulu Hurst (4) was known as the “Georgia Wonder.” She traveled the U.S. as a young stage magician who could demonstrate extraordinary physical strength, lifting several men at one time. Her highly popular act was based on simple body mechanics

and force deflection. Yet, she performed with such poise she convinced her audience she had supernational powers. In her 1897 autobiography, she revealed all her stage secrets. The book became a sensation. After two years on the stage circuit, she married her manager and retired to Madison, where she died in 1950. She is buried in the Madison cemetery.

Greensboro native William J. Northern (6) was born in Jones County but moved to Greensboro at age five. After graduating from Mercer, he became the headmaster of the prestigious Mt. Zion Academy in Hancock County. He served for two terms as Georgia governor in the late 1890s.

He also served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1899 to 1901.

He compiled a seven-volume collection of biographical essays published between 1907 and 1912 titled “Men of Mark in Georgia.” In 1911, he became a compiler of state records and contributed to the ongoing publication of the Colonial Records of Georgia series. He died in 1913.

Many authors write in their quest for meaning. Terry Kay said, “I write to discover a story, not to reveal one.” All these history book authors lived lives that reflected a restless pursuit for something grander than themselves.

“I would rather die a meaningful death,” wrote Corazon Aquino, “Than to live a meaningless life.” Let these almost-forgotten authors challenge us to find rich meaning in every part of our mortal lives.

Chip R. Bell is an international best-selling, award-winning author and serves on the board of Georgia Writers Museum.

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 25

TIM GREEN DESIGNS

Art • Accessories • Gifts • Furniture • Rugs

Retail Showroom Hours: Tue-Fri 10-5 Sat 10-2 1210 Commerce Dr. Suite 115 Greensboro, GA 30624 756.445.1155 - TimGreenDesigns.com

| from the heart |

Season of

Giving Holiday tipping etiquette to make everyone’s spirit bright.

A

STORY BY S K Y L E R H E AT H

As the holiday season approaches, there’s more to consider than satisfying Christmas lists and planning the next festive feast — traditionally, it’s the time to show appreciation and express gratitude to those in the service industry for a job well done. From landscapers and bartenders to hairstylists and childcare workers, without these service providers, life would be much more challenging.

However in today’s economy and shift in tipping culture, a question that often lingers is, “Who should

I tip and how much should I give?”

In some cases, handing over cash isn’t always the answer — handwritten thank-you cards, personalized gifts and acts of service are just as thoughtful and sometimes more sentimental.

‘Tipflation’ Following the pandemic and digital kiosk boom, tipping is no longer confined to traditional services — consumers are now prompted to tip at unusual places like walk-up sandwich shops and

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 27

| from the heart | The Emily Post Institute’s suggested holiday gift or tip based on service provider: Housekeeper/Cleaner

Pool cleaner

Nursing home employees

Mail carrier

• •

• •

Options: Cash and/or a gift Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the amount of one week’s pay and/or a small gift.

Options: A gift (not cash). Check company policy first.

Suggested Amount or Gift: A gift that could be shared by the staff (flowers or food items).

• •

• •

Options: Cash or gift Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one cleaning to be split among the crew.

Options: Small gift only Suggested Amount or Gift: Please see below for a detailed description of the United States Postal Service’s gift regulations.*

Beauty salon staff

Package deliverer

•

•

•

Options: Cash or gift depending on whether you tip well after each service.

Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one salon visit divided for each staff member who works with you. Give individual cards or a small gift each for those who work on you.

Personal trainer • •

Options: Cash or gift Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one session or a gift.

Massage therapist • •

Options: Cash or gift Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one session or a gift.

•

Options: Small gift only, no cash. (Only if you receive regular deliveries.)

Suggested Amount or Gift: Small gift in the $20 range. Most delivery companies discourage or prohibit cash gifts.

Handyman • •

Options: Cash or gift Suggested Amount or Gift: $15-40

Trash/Recycling collectors •

•

Options: Cash or gift (for private) check city regulations if it is a municipal service.

Suggested Amount or Gift: $1030 each

Yard/Garden worker

Pet groomer

• •

•

United States Postal Service Gift Regulations:

•

Options: Cash or gift (if the same person grooms your pet all year).

Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the cost of one session or a gift.

Dog walker • •

Options: Cash or gift Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to one week’s pay or a gift.

Personal caregiver • •

Options: Cash or gift Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to one week to one month’s salary or a gift.

Options: Cash or gift Suggested Amount or Gift: $2050 each

Mail carriers working for the United States Postal Service are allowed to accept the following items during the holiday season: nacks and beverages or perishable gifts that are not part of a meal. Small gifts that have little intrinsic value (travel mugs, hand warmers, etc…) and are clearly no more than $20 in value. Perishable items clearly worth more (large fruit baskets or cookie tins) must be shared with the entire branch.

28 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

drive-through coffee joints. Atlanta-based etiquette expert Brenda Laskey, director of Dogwood Cotillion, said this phenomenon is sparking widespread frustration — 66% of Americans have a negative view of tipping, a Bankrate survey found in July. Surveyors also said they’re annoyed about pre-entered tip screens (32%) and tipping culture is out of control (30%).

“Personally I’m offended… you feel cheap or guilty if you don’t tip, but those types of services, in my opinion, shouldn’t be asking,” Laskey said, adding customers shouldn’t feel obligated to tip employees who are paid hourly.

So when is it appropriate to tip in these scenarios? If the customer knows the staff on a first-name basis or considers themselves a regular, Laskey said adding gratuity is a kind gesture, especially during the holidays.

“If I go into one of my friend’s places that’s a sandwich shop and there’s a little tip jar, most of the time when I get my change back, I’ll throw my money in there,” she said. “The holiday season is a great time to express your appreciation to people and love for the community.”

When cash is king The holidays are peak season for the service industry and restaurants

are no exception. After a long day of traveling or an afternoon of Christmas shopping, ordering in or dining out tend to be convenient alternatives for families.

By federal law, the minimum hourly wage for tipped employees, including servers and bartenders, is $2.13 per hour, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The general rule of thumb is to tip wait staff 15% to 20% of the total bill year-round, the Emily Post Institute reports.

However during the holidays, if the service and overall experience was exceptional, Laskey said giving that extra tip goes a long way.

“I shoot for 20%, but I always go over,” she said.

“Around the holidays, think about those people who are not home with their families and are there working so you can have a night out… I think it’s very appropriate to tip more.”

Outside of the restaurant sphere, etiquette experts also recommend including other service providers in holiday tipping-budgets. The Emily Post Institute recommends providing a holiday bonus that’s equivalent to the cost of one service.

“So say someone charges $60 for a service... at Christmas time, I pay that and then give them another $60,”

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Laskey said. “Your housecleaner that comes every two weeks, your gardener, the guy who mows your lawn, those people you don’t tip every week, but you’re so glad you have them.”

Beyond cash: Creative ways to express gratitude From Christmas gifts and travel fees to decorations and groceries, holiday expenses aren’t cheap.

However, there are endless ways to spread holiday cheer without breaking the bank.

“If you cannot afford to give money, a nice note to someone for the holidays is sentimental and very much appreciated,” Laskey said. “There’s so many things you can do, if your income is limited, to let people know you appreciate them.”

Random acts of kindness or service, Laskey said, are also great alternatives to cash during the holidays.

“If they’re someone you know well, maybe a neighbor (in the service industry), you can knock on their door and offer to rake their leaves, wash their car, take them out to dinner if you can’t give them money,” she said, explaining thoughtfulness is key to non-material gifts.

While tipping and gift-giving is common during the holidays, remember it’s the meaning and sentiment behind the tradition that makes it so special.

“The bible says ‘To whom much is given, much is required’ and I really think that’s the case,” Laskey said. “If you can give more and do more, I believe you should, especially during the holidays.”

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hometown

holidays

Celebrate the season in small-town style

Compiled by Andrea Gable

Photo by Brandy Angel

T

he communities at Lake Oconee and the surrounding region have a knack for making all things merry and bright each holiday season.

Our downtown squares glow with twinkling lights and massive Christmas trees. Neighbors gather for caroling and families make cherished memories around every corner. The holiday spirit weaves its magic throughout our hometowns where we celebrate the season in true small-town style.

You can find glimpses of that magic here, as we highlight some of the region’s many timeless traditions, from cutting your own Christmas tree, watching a downtown parade, to celebrating the sights and sounds of the season with dazzling light displays and classic musical performances.

These traditions reflect the spirit of community, unity, and holiday cheer that make up the essence of the season, proving there’s no place like home for the holidays.

Photo by Dennis McDaniel

Photo by Jesse Walker

Jack’s Creek Farm in Morgan County has been helping families create Christmas traditions for generations. This year marks the property’s 50th anniversary and for the last few decades of its history, the farm has become a destination for those seeking a “cut-your-own” experience to share with their family.

Nestled among the rows of perfectly-pruned trees is an old-fashioned Christmas wonderland, complete with Grandma’s Christmas Shoppe, a petting zoo, hot cocoa concessions, hay rides, a tunnel of lights and of course, visits with Santa.

He will be visiting with good girls and boys at the farm on Dec. 2-3 and Dec. 9-10. For more details on the festivities around the farm, visit jackscreekfarm.com

cut-your-own

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 35

downtown parades There’s just something about a parade.

Small town Christmas parades hold a special charm over the hearts of their communities and have a way of bringing people together to celebrate the upcoming holiday season.

Festivities abound on the streets of downtown Eatonton and Madison each year, filling the quaint towns with music, laughter and hearty holiday cheer.

These hometown parades create a sense of togetherness that exudes the true meaning of the holiday season, making them magical events for children and adults alike.

Photos courtesy of the City of Madison

Eatonton’s Christmas Parade and After Party Downtown Eatonton is celebrating “Christmas Around the World” during this year’s parade on Dec. 9 at 1 p.m.

Onlookers will line the courthouse square to cheer on the colorful floats, marching band, church groups, businesses and organizations that come together to spread Christmas cheer down the streets of Eatonton.

Then, on Eatonton’s City Center Stage on North

Jefferson Avenue, crowds will gather for the Christmas Parade After Party from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event will include local arts and crafts vendors, a jazz band belting out Christmas favorites, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and more.

Madison’s Holiday Parade and Caroling

by Candlelight This year’s “Parade of Trees” will roll through downtown Madison on Dec. 9 at 4 p.m., showcasing the creative endeavors of local schools, businesses and organizations.

The festive floats will be joined by vintage cars, horses, dancers, and the award-winning Morgan County High School Marching Bulldog Band.

Immediately following the parade, friends and neighbors will gather in Town Park for Caroling by Candlelight, an evening full of music and holiday spirit featuring local choral groups, bands, and community based musicians who lead the crowd in sing-along favorites.

Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy hot cocoa and roast a s’more or two at this free event.

For more information, visit madisonga.com

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 37

Winter WonderLights The State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia in Athens transforms into a sparkling wonderland of lights for its annual Winter WonderLights display on select evenings through Dec. 30.

This year, visitors will travel through a Winter Wondercave, along Jingle Bell Lane, into the Northern Lights and through a Frosted Forest, among other new and reimagined features.

“Winter WonderLights allows us to showcase how beautiful the State Botanical Garden is in winter and generate support for our impactful programs,” said Jenny Cruse-Sanders, State Botanical Garden director.

The half-mile trail will take approximately 45-60 minutes to complete and is fully accessible. Tickets are $15 per person and free for children 3 and under.

The garden will also offer a special event for the new year, WonderLights Disco Nights, on Jan. 4-7, 2024. Disco Nights will allow visitors to experience the light show trail while grooving to disco hits.

Tickets are now available at wonderlights.uga.edu. Proceeds support the conservation and outreach work of the garden. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is located at 2450 S. Milledge Ave., in Athens.

dazzling displays

Christmas Cove Christmas Cove is your passport to one of the most enchanting holiday experiences on nearby Lake Sinclair.

Make cherished memories with loved ones as you float past cheerful snowmen, Santa’s sleigh, and much more.

Located on a quiet cove near Sinclair Dam on Lake Sinclair, Christmas Cove is a one-of-a-kind light show that glistens across the still waters of the lake. Take in the sights any night through Dec. 31 after dusk.

Contributed Photos

Christmas on Dixie What began as a family tradition a decade ago, Christmas on Dixie has grown bigger and brighter every year.

The extravagant display now draws families from far beyond the Madison home which glows each year on the corner of Dixie Highway and Wilson Road in Morgan County.

Visitors of all ages come in droves from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day to witness a sprawling collection of giant snowmen, elves, reindeer and other Christmas characters amidst the illuminated Christmas wonderland.

Even Santa himself takes time from his busy schedule to make a few stops at the spectacle, and sometimes even the Grinch shows up to join in the holiday joy.

The lights will be illuminated and the grounds open every night through Christmas, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weeknights and until 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free, but donations are accepted and appreciated. To find out more, visit the Christmas on Dixie Facebook page.

Contributed Photos

Big Band Christmas Jazz sensation and soulful crooner, Joe Gransden, brings his 16-piece-band to the Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton for The Joe Gransden Big Band Christmas Celebration at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9.

Known for his mastery of the trumpet and classical voice, Gransden’s holiday performance and big band energy will captivate audiences of all ages this season.

Lake Country Chorus Over the past two decades, local vocalists and musicians with the Lake Country Chorus have gathered to rehearse and produce shows throughout the year for friends and neighbors. Perhaps the group’s most anticipated annual performance comes around the holidays.

This year, the Lake Country Chorus presents its Christmas concert, Let It Snow!, on Dec. 14 at First United Methodist Church on Carey Station Rd. at 7 p.m. Ring in the season with holiday favorites and classic carols. Find tickets at BankSouth, Lake Oconee or from any chorus member.

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season

sounds of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra For more than 40 years, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has filled the hallowed, historic auditorium at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center with festive holiday tunes and classic Christmas favorites during its annual Holiday Concert.

This year, the Grammy Award-winning symphony performs at 8 p.m. on Dec. 14. A special pre-party celebration will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Hall on Foster Street, behind the Cultural Center in Madison, featuring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and a chance to meet and mingle with the ASO conductor.

For ticket information, visit mmcc-arts.org

Oconee Performing Arts Society A seasonal favorite, this year’s Fa-La-La show on Dec. 15 at the Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton will feature soprano Lisa Vroman, long-running Christine in Broadway’s The Phantom of The Opera, and electric violin pioneer Mark Wood from The Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Alongside these American legends, Maestro Jason Howland will be leading the 36-piece symphony orchestra for a sensational holiday experience not to be missed.

More information is at opas.org

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winter wonderland The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee transforms into a magical destination for making holiday memories

44 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

Compiled by Andrea Gable Photography courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 45

T

he magic of Christmas is made up of cherished traditions and heartwarming moments. It’s found in the twinkle of colorful lights, the sound of laughter and carols, the taste of delectable treats, and the gathering of loved ones together throughout the season.

That magic can be found anywhere you share with family and friends and The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee has been capturing it for years, helping guests create Christmas traditions to last for generations.

Each year, the already stunning resort undergoes a dramatic transformation, revealing a veritable winter wonderland from Thanksgiving to the New Year. Its halls are decked with elegant holiday decorations and hundreds of thousands of lights illuminate the grounds.

Available to overnight guests only, the resort offers holiday cheer at every turn, from the gingerbread cottage in the lobby to the ice skating rink in the Winter Forest. By infusing the spirit of Christmas throughout the resort, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee creates an enchanted experience for guests and solidifies it as a top destination for anyone looking to find the magic of Christmas away from home.

letters to

Santa Y

ounger guests can drop off a letter to the North Pole and get their Christmas wishes sent straight to Santa through the bright red mailbox at the Concierge.

46 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

cottage

the

gingerbread

T

he magic begins upon entering the lobby which showcases a sweet surprise.

Each year, Chef Michael Gaddy meticulously crafts a life-sized gingerbread house to delight guests of all ages.

Made with tons of candy, chocolate, marshmallows and icing, the impressive gingerbread house has become an iconic part of the resort’s holiday experience.

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 47

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winter

forest G

uests can take in views of Lake Oconee while gliding through the resort’s “Winter Forest,” an enchanting display anchored by a 5,000-square foot ice skating rink.

The area also boasts the Ice Lounge with plush sofas and twinkle lights. Nearby, the Ice Bar, a retro trailer outfitted with holiday cheer, serves up warm classics like hot cocoa, apple cider and hot toddies alongside creative cocktails. A snow globe photo booth is also there to share magical memories. Registered resort guests can skate each day away at the Winter Forest through January 1.

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 49

Santa T

and his elves

he elves are hard at work preparing the perfect stay for good girls and boys at The RitzCarlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee.

Each Saturday in December, children can receive a “tuck in” from Santa’s elves and hear a bedtime story from them as they deliver a personalized bag filled with hand selected items from Santa including an autographed book, holiday trinkets and an assortment of cookies and milk. Or, while the family is out exploring Lake Oconee or enjoying the Winter Forest, the elves can make a special delivery of Santa’s goodies to their guestroom.

Santa will make a stop at the

resort each Saturday in December through Christmas Eve to enjoy breakfast with guests of all ages.

Younger guests can share their wish lists with the jolly man in red while getting their fill of fruit smoothies, fluffy pancakes and waffles with an array of toppings, made-to-order omelets, Applewood smoked bacon, and other elf approved breakfast items.

Mrs. Claus will be on-hand to help little ones build their very own Gingerbread House during special workshops on Saturdays.

And children can also create their own festive furry friend at “Build a Buddy” workshops held on select Saturdays in December.

fine dining

and festive soirees T

he resort will host elaborate Christmas and New Year’s dining events and a glamorous New Year’s Eve celebration in the Grand Ballroom.

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, guests can gather around the table with friends and family at Linger Longer Steakhouse, Amore del Lago

50 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

or Gaby’s by the Lake to enjoy a special holiday menu at each restaurant.

Guests can also ring in the New Year with a dinner at Linger Longer Steakhouse, Amore del Lago or Gaby’s by the Lake on December 31.

Or, they can count down the new year in the Grand Ballroom

during the Winter Wonderland New Year’s Eve Party and join other guests to dance the night away, relish an array of delectable hors d’oeuvres, and sip expertly crafted cocktails from the cash bar. The event features fun for all ages, offering kids their own glow-in-the-dark bash in the nearby Reynolds Ballroom.

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polar plunge G

uests are invited to kick off the New Year in an exhilarating way by taking part in the resort’s annual “New Year’s Day Polar Plunge.”

At 10 a.m. on January 1, brave souls of all ages will make a splash in Lake Oconee by jumping off the docks at The Ritz-Carlton

Reynolds, Lake Oconee.

Many dress up in funny outfits or family themed costumes for a chance at winning prizes.

Once they’ve taken the plunge, they can cozy up with steaming coffee and indulgent hot chocolate to shake off the chill.

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SpeakeaSy

savoir faire Exploring the hidden charm and rising popularity of exclusive, inhome dining experiences with private chefs.

Story by andrea Gable Photography by ChefS deborah JohnSon and kyle Shankman WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 55

Chef Deborah Johnson creates seasonal tablescapes for each private dinner hosted in her Lake Oconee townhouse.

o

n a whim, a few years before the pandemic, Atlanta-based chef Kyle Shankman bought tickets for a pop-up supper club event put on by his friend and fellow culinary creator, Zach Meloy, who now runs a regular supper club out of his ceramic studio in Atlanta, Dirt Church Ceramics.

It sounded interesting and intriguing. The location was unknown, the menu a mystery.

Shankman says they ended up at Meloy’s private home where he watched his friend prepare an elaborate tasting menu. “He looked like he was having a blast and was in his element, cooking exactly what he wanted to cook, because we didn’t know the menu coming into it,” remembers Shankman.

At the time, Shankman was an instructor for a corporate entity, teaching other chefs how to prepare other people’s recipes. He said he tried to find creative moments within the classes, but ultimately longed for the part of the restaurant industry that he had left behind – minus the grueling hours. Reflecting on that image of his friend in his own kitchen, creating his own

Chef Kyle Shankman operates the Speak Easy Supper Club from his home in Marietta. Right: Over the past seven years, he’s become known for his ‘avant-garde’ presentations of innovative, yet traditional, flavor profiles.

menus, Shankman says he wondered if this could be an option that offered him culinary freedom while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

“It was one of those things that sort of sat in the back of my mind for a few years,” he says.

When his son, Trever, started expressing an interest in the industry at the early age of 15, Shankman suggested he try out a few recipes on friends and neighbors first. From his support role, Shankman sat back and watched his son blossom and saw how much people enjoyed coming into their private home, having an experiential meal, and meeting new, like-minded people. Much like his friend before him, Shankman had discovered the allure of these exclusive culinary events.

The past decade has seen a sharp rise in the popularity of “pop-up restaurant” events, in home supper clubs, “guestaurants,” and all manner of personal dining experiences.

They offer an experiential alternative to traditional restaurants. There’s no waiting on a table, no loud dining rooms and no rush to finish your meal.

There’s a chance to interact with the chef in an intimate setting and often there’s the added intrigue of not knowing a location, a menu, or fellow guests until you arrive.

The hidden charm of these speakeasy-style events is their ability to offer a fusion of culinary excellence and immersive experiences that are capturing the hearts and palates of old and new genera-

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 57

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tions alike.

Today, Shankman runs his own successful supper club out of his private home in Marietta. The Speak Easy Supper Club is now going into its seventh year. His son, Trevor, does too, with Maria Supper Club in Kennesaw.

Shankman offers 14 seatings for each event to members of his mailing list at chefshankman.com.

They often sell out in minutes.

Speak Easy has become known for blending nostalgia and innovation to create a dining experience like no other.

“I think those guests who would consider themselves regulars know us for trying to be avant garde in our presentation but with traditional, comforting flavors,” says Shankman. “I’m really trying to tap into nostalgia with a lot of the flavor profiles but maybe using ingredients they haven’t

had before. I want people to be able to try new things and still have it be approachable and fun and not overly experimental.”

As important as a thoughtfully-crafted menu, Shankman says, is being able to offer an overall “experience” to his guests that could typically only be found at upscale fine-dining establishments. Shankman says since the COVID-19 shutdown, people seem to be looking for something more experiential after having to prepare their own meals at home and with most restaurants closed, they found something better in his.

It was COVID-19 that sent one local chef exploring the world of personalized in-home dining experiences at Lake Oconee.

Like Shankman, Deborah Johnson was working in the corporate world when the pandemic hit,

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 59

Known for her delectable desserts, Chef Deborah Johnson ends each of her dinners with one of her specialties.

traveling the country doing menu ideations and training for national food chains. When things shut down, she traded her Paris apartment for a townhouse on Lake Oconee and delved back into her background in French cuisine.

Renowned for her macarons, she started distributing around the lake area. She catered special events and private dinners. She began holding classes in her home. But what she found as things evolved, was that most people wanted to come just for dinner.

With an ideal kitchen space open to a dining area with views of Lake Oconee, Johnson decided to focus on creating one-ofa-kind dinner experiences for small groups in her home.

“I absolutely love entertaining and hosting, so this was a natural progression for me,” says Johnson, “As chefs, we love to watch people as they’re eating our food, because we like to see that they’re smiling, or hear comments like, ‘Oh my god, it’s so good, this is the best,’ or whatever. So that really warms my heart. It makes me feel so good.”

As guests arrive at her home, French music is playing in the kitchen and aperitifs are ready.

Depending on the season, they can nibble on stuffed cucumbers or stuffed figs, or Crostini with roasted cherry tomatoes and goat cheese before they sit for dinner. Then for the next few hours, they have the room to themselves.

“When you decide to book a personal dining experience, it’s really like getting your own private restaurant for the evening,” she says.

Often, she says, groups enjoy coming in and congregating around the counter to hear her talk and demonstrate the meal prep. “A lot of people enjoy the

instructional part and want it to be a demonstration,” says Johnson.

“Others like to come in, have an Aperol while they socialize or a bourbon by the firepit and then sit down for dinner.”

Unlike Shankman, there are no surprises with Johnson’s menus.

She works with guests who book a personal dining experience to create five to six courses that flow together based on their input and preferences. Whenever possible, she sources meat and produce from local farms throughout the region.

“People get tired of eating the same thing and a lot of times restaurants don’t change their menus that often, or when they do, it’s only a couple of items,” says Johnson. “So this is something special and highly personalized, somewhere new and private. That’s what makes them kind of ‘speakeasy-esque.’”

Both Shankman and Johnson have each carved a niche in their respective culinary scenes.

Johnson gathers familiar groups of friends and families around her table. Shankman brings together strangers at his communal table.

Shankman says his guests come from very different backgrounds, but one thing they all have in common is they’re all “brave foodies.”

By the end of the evening, they’re friends.

“What I hope to see at the end of every one of our suppers is people exchanging information, following each other on social media, taking business cards, that sort of stuff,” says Shankman. “I think that’s how we can, in a small way, improve and build community.”

Shankman continues to work on this, one supper at a time, from his own kitchen – having a blast, in his element.

Whether gathered around her table or enjoying the view of Lake Oconee from her patio, Johnson wants her guests to feel like they have their own private restaurant for the evening.

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 61

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A

Comfortable outdoor lounge areas beckon guests during events at Empire Mills. Brandy Angel Photography

66 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

Auld

Lang Syne

A reflection of times gone by, Empire Mills is a place of restoration and renewal – a place to celebrate Story by Andrea Gable

I

f you look closely enough, you can see structural iron stars embedded in the brick walls of the historic industrial buildings comprising the enchanting Empire Mills event venue.

The property sits between two railroad lines that run through Madison, where cottonseed oil was once shipped from the turn-ofthe-century mill. The stars were installed through the eight-inchthick brick walls to absorb the shock and vibrations from passing trains. But these stars have come to hold a different meaning for the historic property’s newest owner and have become a tangible

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 67

Mills became a place of renewal as the family reexamined the foundation of the business and mapped out a fresh path forward. As their goals continue to be realized, Empire Mills becomes more and more a place to celebrate.

A five-pointed star symbolizes wholeness at Empire Mills, established by five tenets represented here: GOD – As the Creator of all things and to whom we give honor and glory, we celebrate the beauty and bounty of Empire Mills and for the opportunity to be stewards of the restoration it represents – a restoration offered to all who connect with Him.

A Place of Restoration

KITH & KIN – An often forgotten way of saying “friends and family,” we welcome your friend and family as our own, from the careful preparation of family recipes to a generosity of spirit through loving, gracious hospitality.

NOSTALGIA – There is a place within each of us that is touched sweetly by nostalgia – whatever may spark it, the feeling is undeniable and ushers in a sensation to be cherished. This childlike wonder is a feeling we hope to spark in our guests through timeless recipes, music, and seasonal celebrations.

WELLNESS – There is an art to being well that reaches far beyond eating well or moving your body.

Wellness includes stimulating the mind, body and spirit through music, dancing, learning, and fellowship. The sourcing of wholesome ingredients and loving preparation are interwoven into all our menus.

COMMUNITY – Madison is a rich and colorful community filled with opportunities for those to shine their light. Empire Mills partners with several local outreaches to serve those in need. Our hosted community gatherings celebrate local farmers and Madison residents with exceptional cultural and culinary gifts.

68 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

Raluca Rodila Photography

reminder of her purpose and mission for the space.

For Hallie Jane Zimmerman, each of the star’s points represent five important facets of life that point in the overall direction of wholeness – God, Kith & Kin (friends and family), Nostalgia, Wellness, and Community – and they are what guide her and the staff at Empire Mills to create unforgettable experiences for weddings and gatherings at the historic property.

Over the past decade, Empire Mills has not only gone through an extensive physical restoration, but has supported Zimmerman through a personal restoration that helped bring the star’s tenets into clear focus.

Last year, with the addition of her daughters, Alette and Sophie Duan, to pivotal roles at the venue, Empire

One hundred years after it was constructed, Zimmerman purchased an abandoned mill property off Pennington Road in Madison. She had been eyeing the property for years, knowing it would be a perfect place to accommodate her ever-growing full-service catering business, Hallie Jane’s Catering, and eventually a multi-purpose event facility. It just wasn’t for sale.

When she got the call that the owners were finally ready to let it go, she jumped at the chance, and in 2012, Empire Mills belonged to her.

The property had sat vacant for years, steadily falling into ruin. It was surrounded by metal fencing and barbed wire. Windows were broken. Bricks were crumbling.

But Zimmerman saw life in every corner.

After extensive renovations, by 2015, she had gotten the main operations building up and running for Hallie Jane’s Catering. Two years later, the second phase of the restoration was completed and Empire Mills opened as a rustic, yet elegant, event venue in 2017 with three buildings available for weddings and events.

But for Zimmerman, it wasn’t just the physical property that was being restored. She was under renovation as well.

In a whirlwind few years before purchasing Empire Mills, She had gone through a lengthy

Far Left: The grounds boast a ‘farmette’ that provides fresh herbs, greens, and vegetables for Hallie Jane’s Catering.

Brandy Angel Photography

Photography by Alette Duan

divorce, lost her home to foreclosure, and had to move her children into a new school district and into a rental home in a nearby town.

“I didn’t see it as a personal restoration then, but it was like God kind of cleared the deck, saying, ‘Guess what? We’re starting over again,’” says Zimmerman.

Starting over brought newfound success in her new business ventures,

but on a personal level, Zimmerman says she still found herself feeling “fractured,” and not fully whole.

But 2020 was a life-changing year for Zimmerman. She had scheduled a two-week trip to Thailand in March 2020. Those two weeks turned into two-and-a-half months, the first of which was spent at the villa of a close family friend, the second of which became a journey of health and personal

growth at a Wellness Center.

“I fasted for 21 days, we meditated every day, and I was really able to get back to the roots of my faith and explore what my role was to be moving forward,” says Zimmerman. “I knew that I had gotten to the point where the bricks and mortar, all the bones of the business, were done, but I didn’t know what was the next move.”

She returned from Thailand in the

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 69

middle of May and in the middle of a global shutdown. Hallie Jane’s Catering secured enough private contracts with local businesses to weather the pandemic but it meant that Zimmerman had to step back into the executive chef position for her catering business. “I love being in the kitchen, but I had been out of it for several years,” she says. “God put me back in the kitchen and proved that we were going to be taken care of financially and made wonderful things happen that year.”

And to bring things full circle, last August, Zimmerman moved back into that house she had lost to foreclosure more than a decade earlier. “I was able to get it back last year,” she says, “so the Lord has been very good and faithful to His promise of restoration.”

A Place of Renewal Also in the last year, Empire Mills was able to begin a new chapter. Zimmerman was able to welcome her daughters back home and get them involved in the family business.

Alette Duan returned from Las Vegas to take on the role of Marketing Director and create new event packages for all levels of gatherings. Sophie Duan came back from Atlanta to serve as an event designer, handling all onsite operations. Zimmerman also welcomed her first grandchild by her oldest daughter, Savannah VanLaar, who was away in the Army at the time.

“Last year was a foundation building year with both Alette and Sophie in specific roles in the company,” says Zimmerman.

The Thailand trip had brought into sharp focus the things that made Zimmerman feel “whole” and she wanted to convey that in every aspect of Empire Mills.

Based on the iron stars that re-

inforced the brick walls surrounding her, Zimmerman honed in on specific things that, when combined, reinforced wholeness. They’re represented by each of the five points of the iron star.

“Number one is ‘God.’ We are connected to God in everything that we create here, whether that’s gardening, cooking, celebrating a divine union,” says Zimmerman, “so we give thanks to the Creator for all we have here.”

The second point is “Kith & Kin,” an antiquated term for friends and family. “Friends and family speaks to everything at Empire Mills, from how we train our service staff to how we treat their guests’ friends and family as our friends and family,” says Zimmerman. It even shines through the family recipes prepared by Hallie Jane’s Catering. “People tell us, ‘This doesn’t taste like wedding food,’ and it’s because we cook the same recipe for you as I do for my family. And we take that same attention to detail and care with what we do.”

Part three is “Nostalgia,” which is naturally reflected throughout the property. “When you get to watch a choo-choo train go by, or catch the smell of honeysuckle, or even eat soft serve ice cream rolled in Grape Nuts, that’s fun and it can bring back that child-like wonder,” says Zimmerman. “Nostalgia can be a way to connect different generations.”

The fourth is “Wellness,” which Zimmerman says encompasses far more than just exercise, but staying mentally acute, active

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A a

E o Z h f D V D

B P

Photography by Karina Sely

A family affair Empire Mills owner Hallie Jane Zimmerman with her daughters, from left, Sophie Duan, Savannah VanLaar, and Alette Duan.

Brandy Angel Photography

Soulshine Photography

and healthy. She plans to hold “Wellness Wednesday” events, classes, and workshops at Empire Mills that engage all five senses with music, food, and all the things that contribute to general wellness.

“The fifth point of the star is our commitment to serving the community,” says Zimmerman, who takes equal pride in hosting community fundraisers at Empire Mills or just packaging up leftover food from a wedding buffet and delivering it to the local food pantry for those in need. “I have a real passion for community and it fits our mission to be involved as much as we can” Collectively, Zimmerman says, these five points of the star are the guiding light for the mission at Empire Mills.

“When people come here, it’s our hope that they leave feeling more whole,” she says, “like the wholeness that the stars give the brick walls when we arrived.”

A Place to Celebrate Each event at Empire Mills now follows the five points on the star.

“It’s a measurable way that we look at each of our events and determine if they fit our mission,” says Zimmerman.

Already a well-established wedding destination, Empire Mills is branching out into hosting its own programming while continuing to partner with community organizations on their events and fundraisers.

Recently, Empire Mills has hosted a jazz performance by the Joe Alterman Trio, a Night of Laughter with Jerry Farber, and an “Under the Chandelier Series” featuring Joe

Raluca Rodila Photography

Gransden and Kenny Banks.

Other events have taken advantage of the gorgeous grounds surrounding and flowing among the six different indoor event spaces. There have been Farm to Fork PopUp Dinners near the “farmette” and Summer Crab Boils outside the Blacksmith Shed.

“We just tested the waters up until now, and now we know who we are and where we’re going.”

During last year’s “foundation year,” Zimmerman took yet another trip – this time not so long. She criss-crossed north, stopping and experiencing some of the most wellknown and recognizable wedding and event destinations on the east coast – Tennessee’s Blackberry Farm, The Greenbrier in West Virginia – and on into Cape May, New Jersey, to her home state of New York, to Freedom, Maine.

It was an aspirational quest to identify the things that set them apart and made them such renowned destinations.

“These are the places that people talk about and light up when they’re mentioned. People travel there from all over,” says Zimmerman. “And I said, ‘How do we become that place? And how do I deliver the experience that our clients want and give them something to light up about when they talk about us?’”

The answer she found was that she already had everything they had in spades. An idyllic destination, a purpose-driven mission, quality food and amenities, and a story of a family that works together to overcome the valleys of life to stand on high – to absorb the challenges that rumble by like a train.

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 71

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| backyard traveler |

Rocket Train like an astronaut in Huntsville, Alabama.

City

STORY BY J U D Y G A R R I S O N PHOTOGR APH Y BY L E N G A R R I S O N , S E E I N G S O U T H E R N

76 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

| backyard traveler |

As pilot of the simulated mission, Len reads through the check list and keys in sequences before lift-off. Photo

by Mark Peavy Photography

“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”

W

President Kennedy at Rice University on Sept. 12, 1962

“Wanna be an astronaut?”

From head to toe, camp attendees wear the real gear of astronauts.

There are many adventures I have hoped for in my life, but being an astronaut wasn’t high on my list. For my husband Len, it was a different story. So, when I shared this impressive invitation and experience, he started doing cartwheels.

Turns out, this was not only my husband’s lofty goal but the dream of every little boy that had watched Apollo 11 blast off into space in 1969; it defined a generation and ignited an obsession with space and what lay beyond in the darkness. It was that indelible moment when the family gathered around a small television set, watching a rocket ascend into an unfamiliar world that immediately transported dreamers back to the age of seven. One moment connected the world, leaving those watching spellbound and thrilled for the unimaginable becoming a reality.

The space program would reach the moon, and one day, Mars, and beyond.

And then there was this: if a man could go to the moon, he could do anything. In space or on earth. And

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 77

| backyard traveler |

As Len and his co-pilot take turns at assembling a giant solar panel upon landing on Mars, he remains harnessed which simulates Mars gravity. Photo

by Mark Peavy Photography

for a little boy, he might even be lucky enough to trade places with Neil Armstrong, occupying the driver’s seat of a life-changing mission that would change the world.

“I was the kind of kid that drank Tang,” said Len. “It was the drink that astronauts drank, so how could it be anything but good for you.” As a child of the 60s, he sat beside his dad, glued to the broadcasts of rockets blasting into outer space. “We were seeing the future all at one time; heroes were right in our living room.”

Our journey to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate, in Huntsville, Alabama, began decades before our arrival; my guess is that it had lived inside Len’s mind forever. With that moon mission and that step, an entire generation took hold of a “what could be” mentality, and the beginning of the space explo-

78 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

ration was in full swing.

Upon arrival, we stood underneath the model Saturn V rocket in the courtyard of the Davidson Center of Space Exploration and looked up in awe. And then we moved inside where the center’s centerpiece rises triumphantly upward: the Saturn V Dynamic Test Vehicle (launch vehicle) which launched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon, and subsequently, ten more men who would follow. At 364-feet, equivalent to a 36-story building, this National Historic Landmark was built and designed in Huntsville, securing the city’s name as the Rocket City.

The U.S Space & Rocket Center houses artifacts of the space age while creating a foundation of learning for the next generation through its Space Camp program. This program, created by Dr. Wernher von Braun,

| backyard traveler |

history hands-on

ABOV E: The Multi-Axis Trainer is used to teach astronauts to focus on the control panel or the right switch and not become disoriented due to movement and motion.

LEF T: The Saturn V rocket inside the Davidson Center is the vehicle used repeatedly to test systems.

bolsters the future of space exploration by educating and inspiring everyman. Huntsville’s internationally popular program has trained and inspired more than 700,000 participants, adults and young people. Most participants will never make it into space, but many graduates have become engineers, scientists, and a few, astronauts. From young ones to adults, the program stimulates a love of space and even provides a hint of what a future at NASA might look like.

The Space Academy (launched in 1982) experience ranges from three-to-six days, and at the end, one’s understanding of space and processes by which it takes to arrive definitely changes. Although an abbreviated experience, this experience trained us on simulators including the multi-axis trainer

At the Davidson Center, men in white lab coats are everywhere. Soon, there’s a hand extended, and you’re shaking the hand of a pioneer.

From scientists and engineers to military retirees, the emeritus docents are anxious to share their frontline contribution to some of mankind’s greatest achievements to anyone who will spend a few minutes with them. Throughout the facility, engineers share what it was like to be tasked with the job of figuring out how to safely get a man to the moon and back.

Charlie Johnson’s smile arrived before he did. Hands out-stretched, he welcomed us to his cosmic man-cave.

“Such a pleasure,” said Len as he shook Johnson’s hand.

“What did you do here?”

Without hesitation, Johnson took Len and walked underneath the Saturn V rocket and pointed up to the hydraulic system above the rocket motor.

German scientist Dr. Wernher von Braun and his rocket team came to the United States in 1945 to create ballistic rockets. Originally sent to Texas, in 1950, the team moved to the Redstone facility in Huntsville, Alabama, which had been used during WWII and deemed a better location. They assembled a team that would go on to create the world’s first rockets and satellites which would orbit the earth.

In 1961, when President John F. Kennedy challenged Dr. von Braun and his team

at NASA to figure out a way to send a man to the moon, it was Charlie Johnson who, a former Army pilot in Korea and 31 years old, worked with some 200 engineers to figure it out.

“Von Braun had an opendoor policy. He said, ‘Fellows, I don’t know how to do this, but get together and share backgrounds until you come up with an idea that will work.’ We had at least 100 stupid ideas,” laughed Johnson. “He knew how to get the best of what we knew.” Of his contribution he said, “I didn’t have a clue it would work.”

After almost a decade of research and development, on July 20, 1969, Saturn V became the vehicle by which American astronauts landed on the moon and birthed the space program.

It was in Huntsville that rockets were developed that would put the first U.S. satellite into orbit; propulsion for space shuttle was developed; modules for the International Space Station were designed and built; and the Space Launch System (SLS) is currently being designed—NASA’s backbone sending Orion, astronauts and cargo farther into space in a single launch, proving more powerful than the Saturn V. SLS hopes to put the first footprints on Mars.

Inside the museum, don’t miss these exhibits: Saturn V Moon Rocket (National Historic Landmark), Apollo 16 Command Module, Apollo 12 Moon Rock, plus a multitude of other significant artifacts in human spaceflight.

The INTUITIVE® Planetarium transports you into space without leaving earth.

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 79

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Trucking, Clearing, Grading, Mulching, Excavation & Demolition 80 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

| backyard traveler |

go

when you

An adventure in space is as close as a fivehour drive from Lake Oconee to Huntsville, Alabama, to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate. Whether you attend space camp or visit the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, the center’s heartbeat, the Saturn V rocket, provides a hefty reminder of NASA and the Marshall Space Flight Center’s contributions to historic, current, and future space exploration.

ABOV E: The Space Camp crew buckles you in and provides information needed to successfully complete the mission.

LEF T: The 1/6 Gravity Chair simulates the moon’s gravity.

Len soon discovered, as most astronauts will agree, that hopping is the best way to get around.

(simulating a spacecraft tumble) and the 1/6th gravity chair (the feel of walking on the moon); we suited-up for trip to Mars and placed solar panels on its surface, and we grew plants in a greenhouse. Another team secured a lift-off and landing and stepped outside of the capsule for a spacewalk. Although what we experienced was only a sliver of what goes into an actual mission, it put a lifetime of respecting the space program in perspective

and confirmed that the men and women who travel there are, indeed, rock stars.

Other activities include teambuilding exercises, aircraft simulators as well as a SCUBA diving in the Underwater Astronaut Trainer to experience neutral buoyancy. Medical releases are required for certain programs while sessions are created for those who are visually impaired or have special needs. There’s also a family program. Keep in mind that many of these activities can be singular events during a day trip to the campus, so if it’s a quick visit to the Davidson Center, plan to add

U.S. Space & Rocket Center One Tranquility Base Huntsville, Alabama rocketcenter.com Open 7 days a week General admission: $30, ages 13 and up; $20, ages 5-12 Free parking Multiple discounts including military, seniors and AAA

Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Camp programs for ages 9-11, 12-14, 15-18 and 19+ spacecamp.com Week-long camps run throughout the year. Camps include Space Camp, Space Academy, Advanced Space Academy, Aviation Challenge, Robotics Academy, Adult Space Academy and Space Academy for Educators (CEU available). Scholarships are available. Find booking and pricing on the website.

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 81

| backyard traveler |

experience

Huntsville

From once-upon-a-time known as the Watercress Capital of the World to the epi-center of development for space exploration, Huntsville was transformed by the work of NASA, von Braun, and all the engineers.

At the space center, rockets were put into orbit, modules for the International Space Station were designed and built, and countless other scientific advances. Since the U.S. Space & Rocket Center opened to the public in 1970, millions have had a front row seat to the history of the space program. In addition to the Space Camp program, interactive exhibits and artifacts provide a hands-on approach to being an astronaut.

Huntsville is not only a Rocket City but also a dynamic destination filled with culinary delights, historical landmarks, and family adventures. The Stop in a Harrison Brothers Hardware Store. The city’s oldest operating hardware store (1879) appears more like a museum than a store. This landmark sits in the downtown and offers a great selection for souvenirs.

Weeden House Museum and Garden was once the home of Maria Howard Weeden, a poet and water colorist.

Published under the name of Howard Weeden, for as a woman it would not have been accepted, she had little formal training. The Federalist home features a spiral staircase. Look for the home pay-off symbol in the staircase.

For the best view of Huntsville, travel the winding road to Burritt on the Mountain, a

complex that details the rural farm life in the 19th century.

Enjoy one of the most beautiful ecosystems in the South, Huntsville Botanical Garden, which sits on 112 acres with exhibits and programs throughout the year.

If spring takes you to Huntsville, don’t miss a Rocket City Trash Pandas game at Toyota Field. A double-A affiliate of the Angels, the Pandas play April through August, and there’s not a bad seat in the house. Check out the schedule at The Orion Amphitheater which hosts acts like Jason Isbell, Lainey Wilson, drawing on its close proximity to Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and the music triangle.

For a treat only offered on a Saturday morning, head to the Blue Plate Café for the Cocoa Biscuit. It’s simple yet cures that nagging sweet tooth – a biscuit with butter and covered with made-from-scratch chocolate sauce. If that doesn’t jumpstart the day, nothing will. Each August, celebrate Culinary Month in the Rocket City as foodies explore Epicurean Adventures dining on a diversity of food on the grill and drinks on tap. If a trail is your way of discovery, check out the Craft Beer Trail, Craft Cocktail Trail, and the Craft Coffee Trail, all located in downtown. Spend an evening at Campus No. 805, the old Stone Middle School which has been revamped for a multiuse facility, and throw axes, enjoy food and drink a pint at Straight to Ale. Discover additional activities in the Rocket City at Huntsville. org.

82 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

T h g r

B e a S

CALL US TODAY!

TOP LEF T: Charlie Johnson helped create the hydraulics gimble which allows the rocket motors to move.

Areas of Services:

Oconee • Greene • Morgan Putnam • Athen-Clark County • Henry Butts • Newton • Rockdale • Walton

BELOW LEF T: The entrance to Space Camp and the campus of the U. S. Space & Rocket Center.

A successful mission ends in smiles.

one of the activities to the itinerary.

Attending camp finetuned my perception of space, but even more, elevated my respect of those who have worked behind the

scenes on engineering and technology. Although much of the goal of camp is to inspire future generations, for adults, it’s a chance to live a dream that characterized a generation.

ABOV E LEF T: The Apollo 16 Command Module. It was the second to the last mission to the moon.

BOT TOM LEF T: Underneath Len’s hand is his name patch. During training, the name is upside down; upon completion of training, it is turned right side up.

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 83

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EXPERIENCE THE WONDER M A K E

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| happenings |

Splendor of the

Season

Experience the splendor of season from days gone by in the historic cities of Madison and Milledgeville, now through Christmas.

On Dec. 1 and 2, the Morgan County Historical Society’s Christmas Tour of Homes is held throughout historic Madison, featuring 12 private homes, along with local churches and house museums, all donned in holiday decor. Day tours and Candlelight tours are available. The tour’s headquarters, Heritage Hall, will continue to be open for tours through the season, welcoming lovers of history Tuesday through

Sunday. Find out more at mchistorical.com.

In downtown Milledgeville, the halls of the stately Governor’s Mansion will be decked in 19th Century splendor with historically accurate decorations throughout and a 22-foottall Christmas tree in the rotunda. Tours of the Mansion are held on the hour Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 22. Special Candlelight tours featuring live music in the rotunda are held at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 16. For more information, visit gcsu. edu/mansion/

Winter events in Georgia’s Lake Country.

12 December

Dec. 1

The Madison Artists Guild holds an opening reception for its annual Gallery Artist Show from 6-8 p.m. The event features hors d’oeuvres, live music, and a chance to mingle with the artists. The exhibition will run through Dec. 23.

TheMadisonArtistsGuild.org

Dec. 2

The Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton holds its annual “Christmas at the Plaza” festivities from 10 a.m. to noon.

Plazacenter.org

Dec. 2

Farmview Market in Madison holds its annual Holiday Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Farmviewmarket.com

| happenings | Dec. 3

Milledgeville holds its annual Christmas parade through downtown.

Visitmilledgeville.org

Dec. 3

An opening reception for The Big Click XVII Exhibit at the Marlor House in downtown Milledgeville is held from noon to 2 p.m. The annual photography contest and exhibit by Allied Arts features works from photographers throughout Central Georgia.

Milledgevillealliedarts.com

Dec. 5

The Georgia Writers Museum in downtown Eatonton holds a Meet the Author event with Tony Barnhart of CBS Sports at 7 p.m.

Georgiawritersmuseum.org

Dec. 7

Athens presents its “Downtown Parade of Lights.” visitathensga.com

Dec. 9

Eatonton holds its annual Christmas parade through downtown at 1 p.m. An After Party follows from 2-5 p.m. on the Eatonton City Center Stage on Jefferson Ave., featuring live music, arts and crafts and visits with Santa.

Dec. 9

Madison holds its annual Holiday Parade through downtown at 4 p.m., followed by Candlelight Caroling in Town Park from 5-7 p.m.. visitmadisonga.com

90 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

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| happenings | Dec. 9

The Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton presents the Joe Gransden Big Band Christmas Celebration at 7 p.m. Tickets are $65-$85.

Plazacenter.org

Dec. 9

The Classic Center in downtown Athen hosts its annual Breakfast With Santa event.

Classiccenter.com

Dec. 9-10

The Classic Center The Athens Symphony holds its annual Christmas concert at the Classic Center in downtown Athens. Admission is complimentary, but tickets are required for entry and must be reserved online. visitathensga.com

Dec. 9-10

Indie South’s 17th Annual Holiday Hooray is held in Athens’ Bishop Park, featuring more than 150 makers, artists and curators for Athens’ largest handmade market. Food trucks, tunes, and good vibes round out this family-friendly. visitathensga.com

Dec. 10

The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center hosts its annual Community Holiday Concert at 3 p.m. in the auditorium.

Mmcc-arts.org

Dec. 14

Lake Country Chorus presents a Christmas concert, “Let It Snow!” at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Greens-

boro. Tickets are $25 and available at BankSouth Lake Oconee or from any chorus member.

Dec. 14

The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center welcomes the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for a performance of holiday and classical favorites, including a sing-along of familiar holiday tunes in the auditorium at 8 p.m. A cocktail party begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Hall on Foster Street.

Mmcc-arts.org

Dec. 15

OPAS presents its annual “FaLa-La” holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton.

Opas.org

Dec. 17

The Classic Center in downtown Athens presents “Christmas with John Berry” in the Classic Center Theatre.

Classiccenter.com

Dec. 22-23

The Classic Center in downtown Athens presents “The Nutcracker” in the Classic Center Theatre.

Classiccenter.com

Through Dec. 23

MAGallery in downtown Madison hosts its 5th annual Holiday Market, featuring unique hand-crafted gifts by local artists to give or to keep.

Themadisonartistsguild.org

Through Dec. 23

Lockerly Arboretum in Milled-

WINTER 2023 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 91

| happenings | geville presents “Lockerly in Lights,” a one-mile trail lined with twinkling lights and dazzling displays open to drive through guests on Fridays and walkers on Saturday nights.

Visitmilledgeville.org

to disco hits. uga.edu/botgarden

Through Jan. 6

The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art in Buckhead presents Something to Declare/Algo para Declarar Exhibition, a collection of works representing nine Latin American countries and the rich diversity of art across the Americas. steffenthomas.org

Jan. 27

The Artisan’s Village Gallery in downtown Eatonton holds a “Heirloom Jewely Board Class” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. theartisansvillage.org/classes/

1 2 Through Dec. 30

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens presents Winter Wonderlights. uga.edu/botgarden

January Jan 4-7

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens transforms its Winter WonderLights into WonderLights Disco Nights to ring in the new year with a groovy light show trail strobing

Jan. 12-14

Milledgeville’s Comfort Farms holds its annual Le Pied Du Mont Boucherie, a two-day festival celebrating the craft of butchers, farmers, and chefs who work with local, sustainable and organic sources.

Stagvetsinc.org

92 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | WINTER 2023

Through Jan. 31

Athens on Ice: Public Ice Skating returns to the Classic Center in downtown Athens. The outdoor rink at the Foundry Street Pavilion offers 75 minute sessions and skate rentals for $15.

Visitathensga.com

February Feb. 2-4

The annual Athens Wine Weekend returns to The Classic

Center, offering samples of exquisite wines and cooking artistry, various wine events and more. visitathensga.com

Feb. 6

The Georgia Writers Museum in downtown Eatonton holds a Meet the Author event with investigative reporter and bestselling author Hank Phillipi Ryan at 7 p.m.

Georgiawritersmuseum.org

Feb. 8

Festival Hall in downtown Greensboro presents the final installment of The Jazz Legacy Project: Dave Brubeck, Time Out at 7:30 p.m.

Festivalhallga.com

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Feb. 9

mmcc-arts.org

The “Do Tell!” Storytelling Festival returns to the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center with performances by Antonio Rocha, Andy Irwin and Carol Cain from 6-8 p.m.

Mmcc-arts.org

Feb. 14

Feb. 10

Feb. 29

The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center holds its inaugural Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, “A Midwinter Night’s Dream,” at the Hall on Foster St. from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

OPAS presents “A Roaring 20s Valentine Celebration” with Alex Mendham and his orchestra.

Opas.org

OUR GIFT CARDS ARE PERFECT FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST!

The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center presents Arcostrum at 7:30 p.m. at Serenata Farms as part of the annual Chamber Music Festival.

Mmcc-arts.org

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AMICI MADISON BREWERY

174 West Washinton St.Madison, GA 30650 706.342.000 Bug House_Oconee Living_Quater_V5_Print.pdf

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| party in a box |

fig & walnut bruschetta (yields 64 bruschetta toasts) • • • • • • • • • • •

2 8-oz. logs of goat cheese 1 cup dry figs (chopped) ½ cup toasted walnuts (chopped) 2 TBSP capers (drained) 1/3 cup high quality balsamic vinegar 1 TBSP honey ¼ cup fresh flat leaf parsley (chopped) 1/3 cup olive oil ¼ cup roasted red bell peppers - can or jar is fine (chopped) 2 TBSP fresh basil (chopped) Cracked pepper (to taste)

Mix the above ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl. Buy or make mini bruschetta toasts. Spread goat cheese on bruschetta toasts and top with a dollop (1 tsp or so) of fig-walnut mix. Fig-walnut mix can be made and refrigerated for 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months.

| advertising index | 64 Foundational Wealth Management

6 Advanced Audiology

65 Gatewood Schools

52 Alicia Mooney Interiors

Inside Front Harbor Club

19 Amelia’s Apparel & Accessories

74 Selwood Farm

93 Amici Cafe

40 In High Cotton

13 BankSouth

30-31 Jennifer Vaughan

84 Siltbusters/Stumpbusters

58 JEDT

80 Athens Academy

Back Cover Jim Boyd & Associates

23 Barkin’ Dogs Shoe Co. 43 BB&G

54 J. Key Construction

17 Black Sheep Interiors

52 Joint Regeneration

93 Bug House Pest Control

85 Keller Williams/Rhonda Smith

11 Crowe Marine

12 Lake Oconee Ace

48 Bend the Trend

84 J. Key Marine

72 Breco Realty

36 Juturna

86 Chef Deborah Johnson

20 Lake Country Outfitters

4 Cuscowilla

96 Leon Farmer

5, Inside Back Luxury Lake Oconee

72 Dermatology Consultants

8, 33, 75 MAD Hospitality

94 DOCK 103.9

7 PDI 7

2-3 Reynolds Lake Oconee

91 Downtown Greensboro

62 Madison Markets

90 Falanga & Chalker Law Offices

62 Madison Realty

74 Fat Boys Golf Carts

87 Oconee Brewing Co.

80 Extreme Dirt Works

92 Madison-Morgan Cultural Center

86 Farmers & Merchants Bank

25 Madison Square Collection

95 Southern Laser Medical Spa 38 Spa Medical

1 Stanton Home Furnishings

88 State Botanical Gardens of Georgia 63 Strawn & Co. Insurance 42 The Man Cave Store 73 The Sixty-Two 93 The Well

26 Tim Green Designs

83 Tippens Landscaping 53 TJ Bishop’s 29 Town 220

51 Turner Keyboards 64 United Bank

14 Whidby Jewelers 32 Zeb Grant Home

41 Zen Wellness Center

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