Your complete news, information and recreation guide to Lake Lanier
LLA holds annual celebration
Don’t worry. If you haven’t joined or renewed your 2025 membership to the Lake Lanier Association, there’s still a way to attend its Sunday, April 13, member celebration. Page 2
UYC remodels clubhouse
What began three years ago on a sub-freezing Christmas Eve has turned into a blessing in disguise for members of University Yacht Club. Last month, the club celebrated the beginning of a major remodeling of the clubhouse, the brick-and-mortar heartbeat of the historic club on Lake Lanier. Page 14
My magic place has always been in a small park just below Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River called Lower Pool West Park. Page 33 Lower Pool West Park
Calendar
Classifieds
Dining guide
Fishing news
Lake levels
Marinas information
Page 26
Page 26
Page 47
Page 10
Page 18
.Page 44
Outdoor activity calendar Page 30
Recreation guide Page 44
Shore Lines Page 14 Columns:
The Careful Captain
.Page 13
Curb Appeal Page 38
Design & Remodel
Glenn Burns
O’Neill Outside
On the Water
Vanderford’s travel
.Page 45
Page 18
Page 36
Page 12
Page 33
Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in May. The garden’s plants, shrubs and trees have grown – along with its popularity. Story, photos, page 31.
is published by
Lanier Publishing, Inc.,
3292 Thompson Bridge Rd. #250, Gainesville, GA 30506 (770) 287-1444
Publisher/Editor
Alan Hope
Production
Susan Nish
Susan Daniel Creative, Inc.
Senior Writer
Pamela A. Keene
Contributing Writers
Jane Harrison, Vicki Hope Columnists
Glenn Burns, Vinnie Mendes, Kim Evon, O’Neill Williams, Frank Taylor
Travel Editor
Bill Vanderford
Lakeside is published monthly by Lanier Publishing, Inc. based in Gainesville, GA, with distribution in some 300 locations around Lake Lanier and other areas. Opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of Lakeside, its staff or its advertisers. Manuscripts and photographs submitted will be considered for publication. Lakeside cannot be held responsible for such materials in case of damage or loss.
Lake Lanier Association holds annual celebration April 13; members
By Pamela A. Keene
Don’t worry. If you haven’t joined or renewed your 2025 membership to the Lake Lanier Association, there’s still a way to attend its Sunday, April 13, member celebration.
Free admission for the LLAMembers-Only event applies to current or new members who renew or join by April 13. Officials are requesting that attendees register as soon as possible.
To be held at University Yacht Club, 6700 Yacht Club Road in Flowery Branch, the event features food, cash bar and vendor booths from LLA business sponsors.
“Your LLA Membership not only gives you access to this highly anticipated event, but the donation also allows LLA to continue the organization’s initiatives for a Clean, Full and Safe Lake Lanier,” said Victoria Clevinger,
executive director. Memberships begins at $100 per person, and each membership admits two people to the event. People who join the association at the $250 level or above, will be invited to the pre-event VIP cocktail party. Visit www.lakelanier.org to join or renew your LLA membership today. You may also contact the LLA team to confirm the status of your membership at 770 744-4547.
LAKE LANIER SPECIALISTS
770-654-4173 • teresasmith@kw.com
MICHELE KAPLAN
678-677-5653 • michelekaplan@kw.com
MACKENZIE SCOTT
678-925-2652 • mackenziescott@kw.com
WE'RE ON TV!
We recently completed our next episode on a lifestyle centered TV show, American Dream TV. We featured 3 local businesses & organizations on this episode - Pelican Pete's, Atlanta Marine & a beautiful lake home with incredible views! Now streaming on Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Roku and our YouTube Channel!
- Kyle D.
2394 Whippoorwill Lane, Gainesville
5105 Chestatee Heights Road, Gainesville
7565 Heard Road, Cumming
GAINESVILLE
$695,000
Thinking of Buying or Selling on Lake Lanier? Let the Experts Help! The Sheila Davis Group has been the #1 in Sales and trusted real estate team on Lake Lanier, helping buyers and sellers navigate the market with ease. We often match buyers and sellers before homes even go public! Thinking of selling? Call us for a free, no-obligation home valuation and let us show you how our experience can work for you. Sheila Davis Group | 770-235-6907 LakeLaniersFinest.com
• Sheila 770-235-6907
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Session 3 - Saturday, April 12, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
May Class In Person
Saturday, May 10, 8:30 am - 5 pm
In-person class locations will be confirmed with paid registration
June Class Virtual/Online Three Sessions
Session 1 - Wednesday, June 4, 7-9 pm
Session 2 - Wednesday, June 11, 7-9 pm
Session 3 - Saturday, June 14, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
July Class In Person
Saturday, July 12, 8:30 am - 5 pm
In-person class locations will be confirmed with paid registration
$1.295m
Monroe Circle, single slip party dock, nicely renovated, easy path. $650k
Ronny Way, foreclosure bargain, 3x3, platform dock, great deal. $499.5k
Gainesville
Bev Knight Bev Knight
Knight & Plavcan Knight & Plavcan
Darlene Plavcan Darlene Plavcan
Forest Hills, large primary on main, swim/tennis, community dock. $450k
Cumming Cumming
Angie Trotman Angie Trotman
Gainesville
Gainesville Gainesville
Gainesville Gainesville
Gainesville Gainesville
Darlene Plavcan Darlene Plavcan
Local game warden receives DNR Law Enforcement Torch Award
By Pamela A. Keene
As a young hunter and angler, Adam Kimbrough thought about becoming a game warden so that he could have a career that worked with wildlife. The award is given annually to a game warden who has served five years or less.
“Growing up in Morristown, Tennessee, I was always hunting and fishing,” said Kimbrough, who has worked with the Law Enforcement Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for the past three and a half years. “It’s important to manage and take care of our fish and game resources while ensuring that people hunt and fish legally.”
Requirements for the Torch Award include demonstrating a genuine desire to protect the resources and develop professionally.
The recipient must exhibit exceptional ability and initiative in doing their jobs.
“One of those responsibilities is public education,” he said. “We
want people to legally be able to hunt and fish according to the law, and the laws are set up to ensure that our wildlife is protected.”
According to his supervisors, Kimbrough is always willing to help others and displays a selfless attitude and exemplary dedication. His strong work ethic is evident by the fact that he had a total of 399 documented violations, 132 assists, and a combined total of 637 total boating, hunting, and fishing license checks.
Kimbrough has excelled in serving his community by participating in numerous programs. These programs include boating safety presentations at Cherokee Bluff High School, Oakwood Elementary School and River Forks Park. He attended a program at the Banks County Elementary School, a fishing rodeo in Maysville and the Agriculture Day at Banks Primary School.
“As a game warden with less than four years of experience, Adam is already a good example
to both new and experienced game wardens within the department,” said DNR Law Enforcement Director Colonel Mike England. “His efforts this past year have been outstanding, and he is certainly deserving of this award.”
“This job is where I always wanted to be,” he said. “The balance of nature includes protecting natural resources as well as managing them so that everyone –hunters, fishermen and others –have legal access to their sport without the resources becoming depleted.
“We’re working with the public to eliminate issues that affect our natural resources and to help them understand that conservation and preservation are good for everyone.”
As Georgia’s Torch Award winner, Kimbrough will also be a nominee for the Torch Award for the Southeast Region of the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association at its annual meeting later this year.
from watercolor
Anne Brodie Hill, ASMA, GWS
Lake Lanier Artist www.annebrodiehill.com • 770-718-7586
Lake Sidney Lanier & Gainesville prints, Postcards, Notecards Original Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor Paintings
Gallery on the Square, 118 Main Street, Gainesville, GA Other Fine Artists at Gallery (www.gallerysq.com)
Ann Alexander, Pam Kohler-Camp, Patricia Fabian, Lydia Ferguson, Ann Goble, Jane Hemmer, Paula Hoffman, Shannon Hughs, Joyce Hornor, Connie Lynn Reilly and Shirley Seguin
Prints, postcards, notecards also available at: Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green Street, Gainesville, GA Frame-Tastic, 565-B Shallowford Road, Gainesville, GA
“The BRILLIANT Schooner” signed print made
original - by Anne Brodie Hill
PHOTO BY DNR
Game Warden Adam Kimbrough helps a youngster who is learning to fish.
Lake level: Above full pool
Temperature: 50s
Clarity: Main lake clear, creeks stained
Bass fishing
Bass fishing is good. The bass are moving to the bedding areas and currently there are lot of fish in less than 30 feet of water. The most consistent bait recently has been a worm fished either on a quarter ounce shakey head or on a Neko rig with a three sixteenths nail in the head.
The key target for the worm has been docks with 20 feet of water in front of them located in the first part of the creeks. Watch for these fish to both move father back in the creeks and be farther back on the docks. Another key is to fish the worm very slowly and expect the bite to be very subtle, often just feeling heavy.
Secondary points in the creeks have also been a good place to target. There are bass scattered in the pockets that can be caught on a three eight’s Spot Choker with a two eighth Keitech in either Electric Shad or Threadfin Shad colors. Again, work this bait very slowly and expect a light bite.
The stained water in the backs of the creeks and up the river has been producing some fish on a white spinnerbait and as the
water warms little more look for this pattern to pick up more.
The fish are going to be moving up even more over the next couple of weeks so keep moving with them. Go Catch ‘Em!
This bass fishing report is by Phil Johnson; pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
Striper fishing
Stripers are in the transition stage as some are mid lake and others are moving up the rivers. The birds are hovering over the loons and that’s a good place to start.
The baits of choice are currently shiners and small herring. Flat lines and planer boards are producing some healthy fish and with water temperatures hovering in the mid 50s. After (a recent) cold front we will see an improvement in the bite. Trolling the mini Mac on large planners with the trolling motors at 1-1.5 mph also could put an extra fish in the boat.
Using your electronics, locate the shallow points and let your mini Mac behind the boards at the deepest distance to the bottom to avoid hanging up on structures.
Always have your favorite top water ready. The fish are still unpredictable when they come up. Remember to wear your life jacket.
This Lake Lanier Striper report is by Buck Cannon, 404 510-1778.
Crappie fishing
Crappie fishing is good. Large fish are in small groups roaming in open water. Try casting a 1/24 jig and letting it fall right in front of them. Try not to go below the target fish. The ATX lure d2d is working well. Large groups of crappie can be found under docks. Recently we found large groups of crappie full of eggs in 3 to 5 feet of water, but most of the fish were under 11 inches.
For your best fishing experience consider using the following equipment: a one piece ACC Crappie Stix rod and reel paired with 4 or 6 pound test K9 line with an ATX lure company jig. Further optimizing your efforts, a Garmin Live Scope, protected by a sonar shield cover, and a Power Pole are highly recommended.
This crappie report is by Captain Josh Thornton, 770 530 6493
This fishing report was compiled by Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing, www.southernfishing.com.
History of the Morris and other notable canals
When someone mentions canals, most people think of the Panama, Suez, and sometimes the Erie. Very few people have heard of the Morris Canal which traversed Northern New Jersey for about 100 years.
Back in the 1820s, the cities of New York and Philadelphia had burned up all the available timber in the area, and transportation was such that it was cheaper to buy soft coal mined in Britain and shipped 3,000 miles by sailing ship than to buy anthracite coal mined in Northern Pennsylvania and transported overland by mules.
At the time, a mule could pull about a ton and a half of cargo in a wagon, whereas the same mule could pull up to 50 tons along a tow path in a canal boat. Therefore, some New Jersey businessmen proposed building a canal connecting the Delaware River across Northern New Jersey to the Hudson River. They formed a corporation and sold shares totaling $2 million and began digging.
Unfortunately, they were
working with a 75-year-old survey which put the height of the mountains they had to cross at 185 feet above sea level. It was actually closer to 1,000 feet! They had already formed the company and sold the shares, and the concept of the canal was still valid, so they decided to keep going.
A standard canal lock can raise or lower a boat from eight to 15 feet. This canal would require hundreds of locks to get up over the mountains and back down again and need more water to operate them than was available. However, an engineer from West Point had invented an inclined plane railway which could lift and lower a canal boat up to 100 feet! It was originally powered by an
overshot water wheel and later switched to the more efficient water powered turbines.
These inclined railways would have a carriage on rails about 11 feet apart. Starting underwater in one part of the canal, where a boat would be loaded on top of the carriage. Then a cable would pull the carriage out of the water and up the rails to the higher part of the canal, where the carriage would go back underwater to allow the boat to float off and be pulled by the mules to the next inclined railway or lock.
The lock was a much simpler mechanism. It was just a section of canal with gates at each end, into which the boat would be floated and moored. Then the
gates behind the boat would close, and the chamber would be filled or emptied of water until the level was the same as at the other end of the lock. Then the gates in front of the boat would open and the boat would be pulled out at the higher or lower level and continue its journey. Once they got to the highest point of the canal in Lake Hopatcong, they would reverse the process, and the boat would be pulled on to the next set of locks or railways for the descent to sea level of 914 feet. The canal also traveled through countless tunnels and across overhead aqueducts.
A series of canals already connected Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley to the Delaware River,
where a cable ferry would pull the canal boats across the river to the Jersey side where they could join the new Morris Canal. This eased the transportation of fuel, raw materials, crops and finished goods between Pennsylvania and the New York area. It opened up the iron mines of Northern New Jersey as well as the coal fields of Northern Pennsylvania. It also turned the villages of Phillipsburg, NJ and Bethlehem and Easton, PA into thriving industrial towns.
Use of the canal reached its peak in the 1880s, but with the improvement of railroads, plus the development of iron ore mining in the Great Lakes region,
See Mendes, page 26
Vinnie Mendes
On the Water
A turbine powered inclined plane boat lift.
DRAWING, CANAL SOCIETY OF NEW JERSEY
Be adventurous, but also be prepared
One of the wonderful things about having a trailerable boat or PWC is the freedom to take it just about anywhere. If you decide you want to explore unfamiliar waters, you can. Local waters are easy – you know where the shallow spots are, the hidden tree stumps, and all the routes you regularly take. However, exploring unknown waters is different, but that’s exactly why you want to explore them. I highly recommend seizing such opportunities, but before you do, some preparation is necessary.
mean you don’t need a paper chart. It’s still a great backup in case your GPS malfunctions. Also, a chart is useless if you don’t know how to read it. If you’re not familiar with the symbols and notes on a chart, take the time to learn how to interpret it before your trip.
Frank Taylor The Careful Captain
Plan your fuel consumption
Make a float plan
Years ago, filing a float plan meant notifying local authorities about your trip. While you may not need to take such formal steps today for a simple cruise on new waters, you still need to have a plan.
Decide where you want to go, what you want to do, and what you hope to see. Make sure someone not joining you on the water knows your plan, including your expected start time and return time. In the unlikely event something goes wrong, this person will be your point of contact, ensuring someone is watching out for your safe return.
Charts
When exploring new waterways, it’s a good idea to have charts of the area. Charts help you determine your location and highlight potential hazards, like shallow areas or other dangerous spots in the water. They also provide valuable information such as points of interest, fueling stations, and good fishing locations. If you have a GPS chart plotter, make sure you’ve uploaded the necessary charts before your trip.
But don’t forget: having a GPS doesn’t
If your adventure includes long-distance cruising, it’s essential to know where your fuel stops are and confirm they’ll be available when you arrive. Running out of fuel can quickly lead to a dangerous situation. Never let your fuel tanks drop below 3540%. Keeping this reserve ensures you have enough fuel in case the unexpected happens during your trip.
Safety in numbers
Adventures are always more fun when shared with others – and they’re safer too. Having more than one vessel means there’s someone available to help if you face a mechanical issue or run aground.
One of my greatest adventures was riding my PWC from South Florida to the Bahamas. While I’ve known people who’ve done it alone, I would never consider that. Our group of 27 PWC riders made a huge difference in how confident we felt about the trip. Plus, having so many people on the adventure made it much more enjoyable.
Adventure is a great thing, and if the opportunity arises, I strongly recommend you take it. Proper preparation will keep you secure, even if something unexpected happens.
Frank is past commander of America’s Boating Club Atlanta and is currently a content creator at the YouTube channel “The Ships Logg.”
UYC celebrates remodel and expansion of historic clubhouse Shore Lines
From the fascinating to the remarkable, Lake Lanier harbors many personalities and places along its shores. Lakeside presents “Shore Lines” – stories about people who live, work and play around the lake and the places that make the area special.
By Pamela A. Keene
What began three years ago on a sub-freezing Christmas Eve has turned into a blessing in disguise for members of University Yacht Club. Last month, the club celebrated the beginning of a major remodeling of the clubhouse, the brick-and-mortar heartbeat of the historic club on Lake Lanier.
“Our clubhouse has always been the major gathering place since the early days of the club,” said Caleb Clarke, former commodore and current fleet chaplain. “It has been through many changes, including a change of location on our property, but for our UYC family it holds many memories.”
Three years ago, the journey began that brought the club to the good news celebrated in March.
On December 24, 2022, temperatures dropped to a low of 9 degrees and throughout the day never rose higher than 27 degrees. As a result, pipes in the UYC Clubhouse burst from the freeze, leaving behind a flooded dining room and causing the club to be closed for several months.
The club’s board was quick to act, shifting holiday events to other locations on the 20-acre campus, bringing in insurance adjusters and eventually contractors to restore the interior.
Within a couple of months, members witnessed a transformation of the interior to modern décor, the installation of baffles for less room noise and new carpet and millwork.
But that’s just the start of the most recent history of the clubhouse at University Yacht Club. Looking back Lake Lanier was still under construction when University Yacht Club was chartered in 1951. It would take another five years before the organization purchased a peninsula on Lake Lanier at the end of Big Creek where the club still operates.
Clarke shared the story of the clubhouse from those early days.
“Our first clubhouse was an Aframe on the point of the peninsula that had two levels,” he said. “The main floor was the family space and the ‘crow’s nest’ was a hangout for adults only.
“Once member happy hour was over, they’d come back downstairs to have a family dinner.”
The A-frame included a very small kitchen and meals consisted of foods that came straight out of the freezer or refrigerator. “It was very simple, like hot dogs, hamburgers and quick eats. At that time the club was certainly not known for its cuisine like it is now.”
The club carried on with its Aframe clubhouse as it grew to nearly 200 members. But in the early morning hours of February 27, 1977, a fire broke out and the A-frame burned to the ground. The club’s published history related that the fire was likely caused by leaking LP gas that may have been ignited by the stove pilot light.
The board faced several major decisions: where to locate the replacement clubhouse and what type of facility to build.
“The first clubhouse was built on Corps of Engineers’ public lands, so the new club would be built solely on land leased from the Corps to the club. The Aframe was used during the warmer months, when the social and boating seasons were at their peak, so many wanted to have a facility that could be used yearround.”
Funding could have been a problem for building an improved and upgraded clubhouse, but the board voted to use the insurance funds and to sell some of the club’s property to raise the capital.
“This club has never held a mortgage,” Clarke said. “The ‘new’ clubhouse was built by July 1978 and consisted of a large room that could be divided, a wrap-around porch and sliding
glass windows for stunning views of the lake. A small kitchen was included to provide simple meals.”
Soon it became apparent that more space and additional capabilities would be needed. The club was growing, developing a more active entertainment and social calendar. “By the early 1980s, it was time for some adjustments and expansion to occur,” Clarke said. The first of several renovations increased the seating capacity of the dining room and built a kitchen and food service area to accommodate more elaborate meals.”
At that time, the club served meals six of seven days a week, but in recent years its restaurant is open three days a week, with chef-curated cuisine for breakfast, brunches, lunches and dinners.
As the years progressed, the clubhouse underwent other physical improvements, such as enclosing a large veranda, further improving the kitchen and significantly changing the décor.
Finding the silver lining
BB Benninghoff was commodore when the Christmas Eve freeze/flood occurred and the clubhouse was closed for several months. What began as repairs soon became a larger project.
“When the contractors began repairing the damage, they discovered a great deal of moisture , rotten wood and deterioration in the interior walls,” Clarke said. “Although the restoration was complete, the board realized that it was only a temporary solution.”
Discussions continued about
the physical state of the clubhouse and both Bennington and his successor Steve Simpson, along with the board examined many options.
The result? The board voted to remodel the clubhouse, making improvements to both the exterior and the interior. Another set of restrooms is being added and a second veranda add more social and gathering area.
Architect Sam Boyd designed the project and Jack Wolfe is serving as general contractor. As chairman of the facilities committee, Chris Clark and his committee are involved, representing the club’s interest as construction progresses.
Construction began in early
March and the work is projected to be completed by early summer.
“The remodeling began with BB’s term as commodore when the dining room was restored and significantly improved,” said current Commodore Butch Miller. “BB and his successor Commodore Steve Simpson and the board led the decision to undertake the remodel. Both of them have shared their visions of the next phase of the life of University Yacht Club and our members are enthusiastic.
“This is probably the most significant initiative we’ve undertaken in several decades,” said Miller. “Our club members are very excited about what’s happening and how the project is coming along.
“We’ve planned a big celebration when the work is finished,” he said. “UYC is entering a new phase and there’s a noticeable increase in our members’ involvement and pride.”
Clarke concurs. “Our future is bright, our membership is increasing and our UYC family is continuing to grow,” Clarke said.
“We’re in a great place, and in some ways that Christmas Eve freeze and flood has turned into a silver lining.”
CREDIT: LARRY GRIFFETH
CREDIT: UYC
CREDIT: PAMELA A. KEENE
An aerial view of the UYC clubhouse project, above. Drawing of the University Yacht Club project, below.
Members of the leadership and project team: (left to right) club member and general contractor Jack Wolfe; current Commodore Butch Miller; Facility Committee Chair Chris Clark; 2023 Commodore BB Benninghoff; club member and architect Sam Boyd; and 2024 Commodore Steve Simpson.
March produced some wild and crazy weather
It was Monday morning, March the 7th.
I opened my iPad with my morning cup of coffee and began looking at the weather models for the upcoming 10 days. At first glance a storm was predicted to form out west and travel across the country during the week.
I took a closer look at some of the numbers and could not believe what I was seeing. The predicted pressure was 978 millibars or 28.90 inches of mercury. Is that a big deal? Well, it would be the typical barometric pressure for a CATEGORY 2 hurricane!
Usually, the initial model runs for some-
COURTESY NOAA
Every single red polygon was a tornado warned storm.
thing this large and powerful would require a few more model runs in the days ahead to see if any changes occurred and if there was any consistency. The following morning, there is was again, showing the same power. On the third day of models, no change. This was going to be epic.
Glenn Burns Lanier Outlook
I needed to know what kind of impact it was going to have on Georgia and the Southeast. For that, there is no better than the ECMWF, the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasts. For some reason, the European model does a much better job forecasting our weather than the American GFS, Global Forecast System model. The European model was showing a broken line of storms moving into Georgia during the overnight hours of Saturday, March 15th. When I see a line broken like that, this time of year, it means only one thing. Supercell thunderstorms. These are powerful storms where the entire storm is rotating. Winds are fierce and they are known for producing violent, long-track tornadoes, large hail, and damaging straight line winds of 60-80 mph.
I needed to find out what kind of winds would be blowing over the top of these storms. The models predicted winds at
See Burns, page 46
SOLUNAR TIMES FOR LAKE LANIER
SOLUNAR TIMES FOR LAKE LANIER
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Lakeside’s Safety Guide
A GUIDE TO BOATING AND SWIMMING SAFETY RESOURCES PRESENTED BY LAKESIDE ON LANIER
BOATING
Basics of Boating - America's Boating Course
• Course: Meets Georgia DNR and NASBLA requirements for boater and PWC certification; covers boat handling, safety equipment/procedures, rules of the road, boat types/terminology.
• Instructors: America’s Boating Club – Atlanta (formerly Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron
• When: In Person: Saturday, 8:30 am – 5 pm: May 10, July 12
Online: Wed, April 2, 7 – 9 pm; Wed, April 9, 7 – 9 pm; Sat, April 12, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm: Wed, June 4, 7 – 9 pm; Wed, June 11, 7 – 9 pm; Sat, June 14, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm: Wed, Jul 30, 7 – 9 pm; Wed, Aug 6, 7 – 9 pm; Sat, Aug 9, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Cost: $25 per student
• Information/registration: americasboatingclubatlanta.org/ or Email - ABC@usps-atlanta.org
Boating Safely & Personal Watercraft Certification - USCGA
• Course: NASBLA certified entry level classroom-only course with test for boater education and PWC certification. Covers basic boating terminology, “rules of the road,” navigation, operation, legal requirements, emergencies, water etiquette and more.
• Instructors: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers
• Minimum age: 12
• When: 9 am - 5 pm: April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 23
• Information/registration: Joseph Edwards; jedwardsmaine0387@gmail.com; 404-775-2608
On-Line Courses
• www.boat-ed.com and www.boaterexam.com/usa/georgia include study guide and Georgia Certification Exam with unlimited exam attempts; cost is $34.95 payable upon exam passage. Temporary certificate printed upon passage; permanent card mailed.
• www.boatus.org/free offers free course, exam, print your own certificate; mailed certificate $5.
Other Boater Education Opportunities (Certification exam not included)
• Advanced Boating Classes in piloting, marine communications, and other boating skills offered periodically by the America’s Boating Club – Atlanta. americasboatingclubatlanta.org.
Vessel Safety Checks
• Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron offers vessel safety check-ups by appointment; americasboatingclubatlanta.org/vessel-safety-check.
• Vessel Safety Checks by appointment: Both U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons offer vessel safety check-ups at your boat by appointment. www.safetyseal.net.
Sailing Classes
• Windsong Sailing Academy: Basic and advanced sailing training and certifications including engine maintenance, marine electrical systems, coastal and celestial navigation, marine meteorology and emergency planning. Public and private week evening and weekend classes available. Fees vary. www.WindsongSail.com. (770) 967-1515.
• Location: 5059 Post Road, Cumming, 770-888-0010; 1152 Auburn Road, Dacula, 678-8892039; 4050 Johns Creek Parkway, Suwanee, 770-622-1735; other Atlanta locations
• Information/registration: www.swimatlanta.com
Boater Education Courses with Certification Exam
*Restrictions apply
NOW OFFERING JET SKI AND TRAILER STORAGE
*limited storage units available
Lazy Days is the legendary, full-service marina located just a short drive north of Atlanta on I-985, off the Lake Lanier Islands Parkway exit. Lazy Days can dry stack boats up to 36 feet and offers wet slips up to 125 feet. Lazy Days has an on-site service department by Singleton Marine. With more than 690 miles of shoreline, the lake is well known for its aqua-blue colored water, spectacular scenery and unique recreational activities.
We offer:
BRASELTON
Historic Downtown Braselton Civic Center/Town Green, 9924 Davis St. - 706921-4016, 706-654-1944 (Civic Center)
o Apr 18, May 2 - Spring Farmer’s Market, 4-7 pm, Braselton Town Green, 9924 Davis St.
o Apr 19 – Downtown Braselton Historic Tours – The Mill, 16 Frances St, 10 am. A 90minute guided tour of the historic district.
FLOWERY BRANCH
Downtown Flowery Branch - 404-491-9601
o Apr 10, 24 – Winter Farmers Market (2nd & 4th Thursdays thru April 25), 3:30-6:30 pm
GAINESVILLE/HALL COUNTY
Elachee Nature Science Center - 2125 Elachee Dr. Gainesville - 770-535-1976
o Apr 5, 12, 19 – Discovery Saturdays - Wild animal showcase, exhibits, crafts and hike, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., $10 ages 3 and older, free to children younger than 3 and Elachee members.
o Apr 1 – (First Tues each month) - Pages & Pines Silent Book Club - Bring a book to enjoy reading on patio, 12-:30-2:30 p.m.
o Apr 17, May 1, 15 – Spring weekly walks –1 pm, meet at Visitors Center, free. Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden -1911 Sweetbay Dr, Gainesville - 404888-4760
o Apr 7-11 – Spring Break Activities – during garden hours, see website for activity details
o Apr 9, 23, 30 – Storybook & Sensory Bin Time – 10 am-noon
o Apr 11 – Fairytale Friday – second Friday
• Mendes
Continued from Page 12
the traffic began to fall off. By the early 1900s, the switch from coal to oil and the advancement of shipping by truck sounded the death knell for the Morris and most other canals in the country. It was officially closed in 1924.
The land still exists, and parts of the canal are still there, but much of it has been sold off and most of the infrastructure has been destroyed, including some beautiful aqueducts. A lot of it has been taken over by municipalities as green space.
The canal is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Waterloo Village in Sussex County, NJ is a restored canal town with an inclined plane, guard lock and a watered section of the canal. There are also period buildings and a museum.
Now let’s compare the Morris with the other canals:
The Erie Canal was built in the 1820s, about the same time as the Morris, but although it is over 500 miles long, it traverses mostly level land and has a vertical lift of 524 feet, with no mountains to traverse. Like the Morris Canal, it was privately funded.
The Panama Canal was completed in
Lakeside Calendar April 2025
of month, Apr-July – come dressed as your favorite fairytale character, 11 am.
o Apr 12 – The Art of Plant Pressing – learn how to press and preserve plants 10 am-noon
o Apr 19 – Cyanotype Printing – learn wet and dry cyanotype printing – 10 am-1 pm
Eco Printing on silk scarves – 10 am-1 pm
o Apr 26 – Sip and Stroll Garden Tour, 1-3 pm
o Apr 26 – Member Evening, 5- 8 pm
Gainesville Theatre Alliance - 678-717-3624
o Apr. 11-19 – Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein
Georgia Art League - (at Quinlan Visual Arts Center- Gainesville) - 470-272-3010
Contact: melanievaughan133@gmail.com.
o Thru Sept 17 - Ferguson Family Exhibit:
Clay and Kin – Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, Sautee Nacoochee, 706-878-3300. City of Clermont
o Sep 19, 20 – Clermont Days 2025 – arts, crafts, entertainment, parade, cake walk, fireworks (parade applications available in March) Hall County Library - 770-532-3311, X4011, hallcountylibrary.org
Blackshear Place – 770-532-3311, ext. 151
o Apr 1 – Paint a Birdhouse, Take N Make Craft – all day, Adult
o Apr 15 – Stretch with Me Storytime – families, all ages – 10:15-11 am
o Apr 21 – Lego Play – build your own masterpiece - 3:30-4:30 pm - elementary age
Gainesville Branch – 770-532-3311, ext. 3000
o Apr 4 – Adult Spring Jigsaw Puzzle – all day, adults
o Apr 7 – Boating Storytime, Demos at LCKC – 11-12:30, all ages at Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club
o Apr 9 – Elementary Bananarama! – banana crafts and games – 1:30-2:30 pm, elementary Murrayville Branch – 770-532-3311, ext. 171
o Apr 7 – Bad Art Day – 3-4 pm, middle/high school
o Apr 14 – Coloring Therapy for Adults – all day, adult
o Apr 21, 23, 28 – Bingocize – a 10-week program for fall prevention, adult
North Hall Tech Center - 770-532-3311, ext. 181
o Apr 8 – Ukulele Joy – 11:30-12:30, learn to play, adult
o Apr 15 – Read Rover – 3:30-4:30 pm, elementary age
o Apr 28 – Rise ‘N Shine Storytime – 11-11:30 am, baby, preschool
Spout Springs Branch – 770-532-3311, ext 191
o Apr 2 – Drop-In Craft for Children – all supplies provided – 10 am-4 pm, elementary
o Apr 16 – Senior Citizen Happy Hour Bingo – 10:30-11:30 am – adult
o Apr 28 – YAC: Youth Advisory Council –earn community service hours, 6:30-7:30 pm, middle/high school
o First Wednesdays Jan-May and Sept-Nov –Turning Leaf Book Club - Monthly discussions of nature-themed books, 11 am Northeast Georgia History Center - 322 Academy St NE, Gainesville – 770-297-5900
1914, over 90 years after the Morris and the Erie. It is about 50 miles long and has a vertical lift of 85 feet. It traverses nearly impenetrable jungle, and the builders were plagued by the diseases of Malaria and Yellow Fever, carried by mosquitos, which killed over 5,600 workers. Unlike the Morris and the Erie, it was funded by federal money and had the might of the US Army Corps of Engineers to build it. As a percentage of the country’s GNP, it was comparable to putting a man on the Moon, all funded by taxpayer money. When it was built, technology had advanced, so it used powerful steam shovels and dredges to dig, railroads to remove the spoils and pneumatic drills and TNT for blasting. The Morris and Erie used men shoveling by hand, mules to carry away spoilage and star drills with sledgehammers wielded by men for drilling the holes in the rock to pack with black gunpowder for blasting.
That leaves the Suez Canal. Although it gets a lot of press, due to the politics of the region, I consider it no big deal. It’s just a big ditch at sea level. Building it simply required moving a bunch of sand. It has a slight current at the Mediterranean end and tidal changes at the southern.
In my mind, the most memorable thing
about the Suez Canal is that it is responsible for getting the word “posh,” meaning “luxurious” or “first class” into the English language. Before the canal was built, ships going back and forth from England to her colonies in Asia had to go around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, so the journey was mostly north and south. The Suez Canal made the journey mostly west to east, meaning the southern side of the ship received the most sun during the voyage. This was in the days before air conditioning, so cabins on the southern side of the ship were sweltering during the voyage. Therefore, VIP passengers had “P.O.S.H.” stenciled on their luggage, meaning “Portside Out, Starboard Home.”
Author’s Note:
As this goes to press, the SS United States, the world’s fastest Trans-Atlantic Liner has left her berth in Philadelphia and is being towed south to Florida where she will become the world’s largest artificial reef. (Refer to “On the Water,” Lakeside News November 2024)
Mendes has been sailing all his life and on Lake Lanier for over 30 years. His family owns a marina/ bar/restaurant so he has plenty of real life experiences to draw from. His favorite line: “You can’t make this stuff up.”
o Apr 8 – Medievalism in the American Southeast – lecture, 7 pm Quinlan Arts Center - 514 Green St NE, Gainesville - 770-536-2575
o Thru April 12 - Youth Art Month The Arts Council - 331 Spring Street, SW, Gainesville – 770-534-2787, Email: Kaytiea@theartscouncil.net
o Apr 11, 23 - Evenings of Intimate Jazz –Kate McGarry – Smithgall Arts Center, 8 pm
o Apr 17 – Art Walk – 2-8 pm Voices of North Georgia - First Baptist Church Gainesville, 751 Green St NW o April 25, 26 – Choral Pops Showcase – St. Paul United Methodist Church, Gainesville –7:30 pm – compiled by Vicki Hope For more calendar items, visit lakesidenews.com/calendars.
CONCRETE/MASONRY
Driveways, walkways replaced or repaired, concrete, masonry, grading, foundations repaired, waterproofing, and retaining walls. Joe Sullivan, 770 616-0576.
To submit a classified, visit www.lakesidenews.com/classifieds or call 770287-1444.
Brand new covered slips from 24’ to 106’
Dry Stack up to 36’ with 200+ new courtesy slips
Minimum 8’ wide easy-access walkways and ramps
PWC Ports, private patios, and boat hoists available
Abundance of convenient, well-lit parking
Lake Lanier’s largest in-house Boat Service & Repairs
24/7 gated security with guardhouse
Lake Lanier’s largest floating Gas Island with 26 pumps
Heated & A/C bath-house with laundry & fitness center
Two Ship Stores with everything from beer & ice to cleaning supplies
Fresh water, GFCI power & wifi available at all docks
o Spring Garden Expo, Gainesville. Annual Hall County Master Gardeners expo with plant sales, garden vendors, educational sessions & more, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Apr.4 & 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. April 5, Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center, 1855 Calvary Church Rd. $2 admission age 12 and up. No pets. www.hallmastergardeners.com.
o Touch a Truck, Gainesville. Families explore big rigs, fire trucks, police, dump trucks & more, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Apr. 5, Gainesville Middle School East Campus, 1581 Community Way. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Whitewater Watch Hike, Tallulah Falls. Strenuous hike on steep rocky terrain to see paddlers take on the wild Tallulah River in water release, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Apr. 5-13, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $15, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706754-7981.
o Sunday Funday, Braselton. Games, music, vendors, food, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Apr. 6, Town Green, 9924 Davis St. www.explorebraselton.com.
o April No School Nature Days, Gainesville. Daily themed nature exploration and hands-on activities for kids, noon-3 p.m., featured programs 1 p.m. April 7-11, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. $10, $5 parking. www.elachee.org.
o Junior Ranger Bingo, Gainesville. Family game for all ages led by rangers, 1-2 p.m. Apr. 8 & 9, Picnic Shelter 3, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
o Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike, Tallulah Falls. Mile-and- a-half night hike down 310 stairs to suspension bridge over falls, 7:15-9:45 p.m. April 11, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $10, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.
o Don Carter Feud, Gainesville. Battle against other families in teams of 4 answering questions about camping and parks, 3-4:30 p.m. April 12, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-4507726.
o Campfire Peach Cobbler, Gainesville. Celebrate National Peach Cobbler Day by making classic southern dessert over a campfire, 6-7 p.m. Apr. 12, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
o Your Way 5K/Fun Run, Cumming. 8:30/9:30 a.m. Apr. 12, Browns Bridge Church, 3860 Browns Bridge Rd. $15-$40. www.runnnersfit.com.
o Kids Old Fashioned Cooking Experience, Sautee Nacoochee. Cook over 100-year-old wood stove, for children ages 7-12 accompanied by adult, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Apr. 12, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy 17. Register in advance. $15, plus tax. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077.
o Build Your Pollinator Garden, Helen. Learn about pollinators, purchase native and flowering plants, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Apr. 12, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-3087.
o Spring Market, Cumming. 100+ local vendors selling everything from home décor to handmade jewelry, plus entertainment & activities, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Apr. 12, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt, Gainesville. Hunt for glowing eggs, plus bounce houses, food vendors & more, 5-9 p.m. April 12, Laurel Park, 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy. www.hallcounty.org.
o Run Through the Decades 6K/7K/8K/Half
Outdoor Calendar April 2025
Marathon, Sugar Hill. Run & music celebration, 8 a.m. Apr. 12, Sugar Hill Distillery, 1166 Church St. $30-$60. www.fivestarntp.com.
o Cookie Crusher 5K/Fun Run, Cumming. 8:15/9:15 a.m. Apr. 13, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. $25-$40. www.runnersfit.com.
o Pages in the Park, Gainesville. Storytime with Hall County librarians, game time with park ranger, 1:30-2:30 p.m. April 14, Picnic Shelter 1, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-4507726.
o Art Walk, Gainesville. Discover local galleries, artists and pop-up art in walk or trolly ride, Midland Greenway, Downtown Gainesville, Brenau District, & Green Street, trolly 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Apr. 17. Free. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Sunset Easter Egg Hunt, Tallulah Falls. Fun activities, egg hunt, 6-7:30 p.m. April 18, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-753-7981.
o Monthly Farmer’s Market, Braselton. Buy fresh produce, eggs, meats, baked goods & more, 4-7 p.m. April 18, Braselton Town Green, 9924 Davis St. www.explorebraselton.com.
o Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Gainesville. Easter Bunny visit, kids’ activities, egg hunts, noon-3 p.m. April 19, Midland Greenway, 682 Grove St. Free to ages 10 and younger. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Doggy Easter Egg Hunt, Tallulah Falls. Dogs on leash search for eggs with treat inside, 9-10 a.m. April 19, Helicopter Pad, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-753-7981.
o Bunny Hop 5K, Sugar Hill. 8 a.m. Apr. 19, Sugar Hill Greenway Trailhead, 5030 W. Broad St. NE. $25-$30. www.runnersfit.com.
o Spring Cleaning, Beautification & Stream Clean-up, Gainesville. Co-workers, civic groups, neighbors clean up and beautify city parks and pick up litter in annual stream clean-up, April 21-25. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Wilderness Survival Day, Dawsonville. Learn basics of wilderness safety/survival skills, join challenges with teams, plus s’mores & bonfire at day’s end, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 25, Amicalola Falls State Park, 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. $20, plus $5 parking.
o Earth Day Campfire Program, Gainesville. Naturalist-led lessons on environmental stewardship, plus fun educational games; for overnight guests, 6-7 p.m. April 25, RV campground pavilion, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
o Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, Dahlonega. Traditional mountain music, art, storytelling & more in celebration of Appalachian culture, various times April 25-27, Downtown
Dahlonega. www.bearonthesquare.org
o Paint the Park at Sunset, Gainesville. Watercolor program for adults painting scene from Picnic Shelter 3 overlooking Lake Lanier, 7-8 p.m. April 26, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $3, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 670-450-7726.
o Hall County Fit Families 5K, Gainesville. 9 a.m. Apr.26, Laurel Park, 3100 Old Cleveland Rd. $25-$30. www.runnersfit.com.
o Boulder Dash 5K, Cumming. Run through active quarry, 8 a.m. Apr. 26, 1200 Northside Forsyth Dr. $40. www.runnersfit.com.
o The Reptile Experience, Gainesville. Hands-on reptile event, noon-5 p.m. April 26, Blackstrap Rock Hall, 852 Main St. SW. Free. www.blackstraprockhall.com.
o Art in the Park, Helen. Learn to paint watercolor images of park plants and flowers, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 26, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $15, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-3087.
o Upcycle Crafts, Gainesville. Make egg carton flowers, paper beads & more from discarded items, 1-3 p.m. April 26, Picnic Pavilion 1, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
o Cumming Beer Festival. Local brews, beer from around the country, vendors, music, 1-4 p.m. Apr. 26, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
On-Going
o Adult Learn to Row, Gainesville. Learn terminology, safety and techniques for sweep and combination rowing, class sessions April 1-26, May 6-31, June 3-28, Aug. 5-30, & Sept. 2-27, 6:308:30 p.m. Tues. & Thurs; 8-10 a.m. Sat., The Boathouse, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3100 Clarks Bridge Rd. Register in advance. https://lakelanierrowing.sportngin.com.
o Food Truck Fridays, Gainesville. Live music, food trucks, beer & wine, retail vendors, 5-9 p.m. April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, & Aug. 15, Lake Lanier Olympic Park Plaza, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. On site parking limited, off-site shuttle available. Courtesy dock available with limited slips. Free admission. Reserve tables available. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Spring Weekly Walks, Gainesville. Naturalistled hikes exploring Chicopee Woods, 1 p.m. April 17, May 1 & 15, Elachee Nature Science Center. 2125 Elachee Dr. Free. www.elachee.org.
o Sunset Stories, Dawsonville. Professional storytellers share Appalachian folklore, history and more around the campfire, 7-8 p.m. 1st and 3rd Saturdays in April, 8-9 p.m. 1st & 3rd Saturdays May-Sept. 20 (including May 31), 7-8 p.m. 1st & 3rd Saturdays in October, Amicalola Falls State Park, 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. $5 park-
ing. www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515.
o Outdoor Concerts, Cumming. Live music 7 p.m. at Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Aunt Betty Apr. 11, Andrew Dixon Apr. 12, Smokey Jones & The 3 Dollar Pistols Apr. 19, Jason Gardner & The Red Dirt Saints Apr. 25, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Nature Journaling, Dawsonville. Learn to keep an illustrated, personal interpretation of nature through the seasons, journal provided, 11 a.m.noon 2nd & 4th Saturdays through November, Amicalola Falls State Park, 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515.
o Cumming Farmers Market. 8-11 a.m. Saturdays through May, Vision Parkway parking lot, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Jazzercise, Cumming. 10:30 a.m. Fridays through May 9, Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Hikes, Archery, Bats of Georgia, Tree Identification, Dawsonville. Various free and fee programs available by reservation at Amicalola Falls State Park, 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. naturalist@amicalolafallslodge.com, 706-344-1515.
o Birds of Prey, Dawsonville. Blue Ridge Raptors bring feathered friends for up close learning, 1-2 p.m. April 5 and 1st & 3rd Saturdays through December, Lodge Lobby, Amicalola Falls State Park, 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515.
o Pages & Pines Silent Book Club, Gainesville. Bring a book to enjoy reading in nature center’s Woodland Wonders exhibit, 12-:30-2:30 p.m. first Tuesdays through May, Elachee Nature Science Center. 2125 Elachee Dr. Free. www.elachee.org, 770-535-1976.
o April Discovery Saturdays, Gainesville. Celebrate Earth Day all month with eco-friendly crafts, family activities, and hands-on learning, 10 a.m.-3 p.m, with special activities at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 5, 12 & 19, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. $10, free to members. $5 parking. www.elachee.org, 770-535-1976.
o Winter Farmers Market, Flowery Branch. Local produce, plus live music, cooking demonstrations, and special events, 3:30-6:30 p.m. 2nd & 4th Thursdays through April, Flowery Branch Market Pavilion, 5310 Railroad Ave. www.flowerybranchga.org.
o Beginner Archery, Tallulah Falls. Learn to shoot an arrow or improve your skills, 11 a.m.12:30 p.m. third Saturdays through May, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. Must be strong enough to pull 20- pound bow. Register in advance. $15, $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.
o Group Runs, Oakwood/Gainesville. Runs with Lanier Running Club, starters to elites, 6 p.m. Tuesdays, College Square Park, 3540 Mundy Mill Rd., Oakwood; 6 p.m. Thursdays NoFo Brewing Company 434 High St. SE, Gainesville; 8:30 a.m. Saturdays, Riverside Preparatory Academy, 2001 Riverside Dr. www.lanierrunningclub.org.
o Sunday North Hall Rides, Gainesville. Bicycling on rural roads averaging 17-18 mph at steady pace, 30-45 miles, roll out noon Sundays from Haynes Rd. velocraig@hotmail.com.
o Turning Leaf Book Club, Gainesville. Monthly discussions of nature-themed books, 11 a.m. first Wednesdays Jan.-May, Sept.-Nov., Linwood Ecology Center, Linwood Nature Preserve, 118 Springview Dr. mastergardener@hallcounty.org.
– compiled by Jane Harrison
Maturing with grace: ABG Gainesville celebrates 10 years
By Pamela A. Keene
What was just a dream in the early years of the 21st century has become a world-class destination.
Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville opened on May 15, 2015, after more than 10 years of planning, design and construction plus hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteer time to propagate an untold number of plants, trees and shrubs. All propagation was done by staff with volunteer assistance to grow the plants in the greenhouse and nursery.
In 2001, a donation by Charles and Lessie Smithgall of 182 wooded acres in north Hall County, including the family home, made it possible for what is now known as Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville.
Next month, the garden will celebrate its 10th anniversary. In those 24 short years between the gift of the property and today, it’s almost inconceivable how that vision has matured.
Mildred Fockele, ABG Gainesville’s director, has been there from the beginning. She was serving as the vice president of horticulture at the Atlanta Botanical Garden when the Smithgalls began to search for the right organization to care for the land in perpetuity.
“They decided that creating a large public woodland garden adjacent to the family home would be the right use of the property,” Fockele said. “We worked to help bring their vision to ABG Gainesville. At the time, Mrs. Smithgall
told us, ‘We must not lose our connection to the land. If I could be on this land 50, 100 years from now, this is what I’d like to see … people enjoying the land. Because that’s what we did.’ ”
The board and staff of ABG began a long-term master plan that started with building a greenhouse and nursery in 2004. “The goal was to have a place to propagate plants that would be the backbone of the garden,” she said. “There wasn’t enough room to do the necessary work in Atlanta, and so it made sense to build the greenhouse and nursery first.”
For the next 11 years, planning the 5,000-square-foot Visitors’ Center with reception area, event space, a gift shop and staff offices, designing the pathways and trails, creating water features, integrating the landscaping, and a 2,000-seat amphitheater continued almost non-stop.
Join the celebration
•April 26, Member only evening 5 to 8 p.m.
• Light snacks, beverages
• Music
• Lawn games, kids activities Join that night and be included in this event.
existing tree canopy – to determining how to add color, incorporating woody plant collections, creating a logical flow through the land and including an obvious sense of garden immersion, the project continues to expand.
“A children’s garden, our pollinator garden, the amphitheater, the expansion of our Visitors’ Center and our edible garden have come together not only for the enjoyment and education of our members and the public, but also to support diversity in the wildlife of the area.”
As members of the American Public Garden Association both the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Atlanta and Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville showcase a number of “collections” of significant plants.
In Gainesville collections of hydrangeas, maples and magnolias are complemented by other collections around the country. “It’s invaluable to be able to expand our collections and develop others as the garden continues to mature.”
Southeast’s largest conservation nurseries and serves as a genetic repository for plants used in re-establishment projects around the Southeast.
The Smithgall Home Place also plays an important role in the garden’s international work. The International Plant Exploration Program works in both northern Vietnam and northeastern India with other scientific organizations. Visiting scientists from Vietnam, India and other countries have stayed at the home place while in Georgia. Other original buildings on the property are used for offices, research and programming.
own threatened flora.
The Gainesville location hosts exhibitions every summer, some an extension of exhibits in Atlanta, and some uniquely theirs. Ribbit the Exhibit featured copper frog sculptures, plus LEGO Nature Connects, and nine Catrinas brought added interest to the summer season.
“Later this year, we will feature Forest Forms: Woodland Wonders, with metal sculptures of larger than life flowers and insects created by an Atlanta artist, and we are planning our own version of holiday lights,” she said.
“The only time work slowed was during the economic downturn in 2008/9, but once it had passed, work began in earnest. And remember, not only did our brickand-mortar facilities come together, simultaneously we were carrying out the overall landscape and garden design.”
From paved pathways and flowing streams to planting the bones of the garden with new trees and shrubs – beneath the
The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Southeastern Center for Plant Conservation comprises both campuses. The Gainesville location is home to one of the
“These are the kinds of behindthe-scenes initiatives that the public doesn’t see,” she said. “But the work that’s being done internationally, and our part in it, are extremely important as we collaborate with organizations such as Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and the Botanical Survey of India. We can train individuals in these countries in horticultural techniques that help them propagate and conserve their
The garden’s summer Fun Fest takes place on Saturday, June 7, and will include plant sales, crafts and music. A full schedule of events will include tours, classes and workshops.
The Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from March through October, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from November through February. For more information, visit Atlantabg.org/Gainesville or call 404 888-4760.
A stream flows through the main garden.
The pond's water lillies are a popular summer attraction.
The garden features a 5,000 sq. ft. visitor's center.
PHOTOS BY ALAN HOPE
Exhibits, like this giant woven peacock installed in 2021, are regularly featured at the garden.
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell perform at the 2,000-seat amphitheater.
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A small picturesque sanctuary below Lake Lanier’s Buford Dam
Everyone should have a special place that is within easy reach where they can go to quietly regain their focus to cope with this crazy, fast moving world. For me, this magic place has always been in a small park just below Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River called Lower Pool West Park. Most of the time, my special place has very few visitors except for some who still love to fish or observe nature. In my case, the always cool waters coming from below Buford Dam brings back wonderful memories and is filled with breathtaking scenery! Encounters with abundant wildlife that include turtles, muskrats, beavers, deer, great blue herons, ospreys, or an occasional eagle are possible, and the lower Chattahoochee River is teeming with explosive brown and rainbow trout to catch.
Lower Pool Park West is well maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is located directly behind Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River. Driving down to it is possible by a road to the left after crossing Buford Dam on the highway from Gwinnett County.
The Corps has placed picnic tables, grills and restrooms at Lower Pool Park West to make visitor stays more comfortable. There are also scattered benches for those who just want to watch kayakers or fisherman enjoying their pastimes in the river. The concrete boat ramp makes it easy to launch a canoe, kayak or a small boat into the river, but people who use the river below Buford Dam need to be aware that this area can be extremely danger-
Bill Vanderford
Travel Editor
n MORE INFO: JFish51@aol.com www.georgiafishing.com
ous due to water releases at the dam! Please call 770-945-1466 for a schedule of water releases from the dam because it takes less than 15 minutes for water released from Buford Dam to begin rising quickly at Lower Pool Park West.
Hikers can enjoy the nearby Laurel Ridge Trail which is a 3.8mile trail that provides beautiful views of Lake Lanier, woodlands, the Chattahoochee River, occasional wildlife and glorious wildflowers. You might even be able to observe the goats that are keeping the grass mown on the very steep backside of the dam.
When it comes to fishing in the Chattahoochee River at this beautiful park, the possibilities are great for being successful because the lower river is teeming with explosive brown and rainbow trout to catch! Though the early morning or late evening hours provide a darker, foggy atmosphere that makes trout quite active in the clear waters of the “Hooch,” anglers catch trout throughout the day.
Learning to fish a fast river
with all the currents, obstacles and rapids can take some time, nevertheless, the Chattahoochee River has a healthy population of trout that are fairly easy to catch. So, instead of running off to some exotic place, enjoy the beauty of Lower Pool West Park and experience relaxation, picnicking, hiking, wildlife and some of the best trout fishing available anywhere!
Bill Vanderford has won numerous awards for his writing and photography, and has been inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Guide.
PHOTOS BY BILL VANDERFORD
The boat ramp at the park.
Looking down from Buford Dam to the park.
Fisherman at the park: father and son, above, and a fly fisherman, left.
Lower Pool West Park sign, above, and the restroom, below.
Water fowls, above, and does, below, at the park.
Let’s talk about experience and experiences
I’ve been very fortunate, over the last 43 years as a TV show host, to have learned a great deal from professional bass fishermen, fishing and hunting guides and friends about the small adjustments that increase your catch or kill.
They are mostly practices that I certainly didn’t think of but learned from my time with experienced professionals. Permit me with random dissertation of some of those practices and even “tricks” I learned that, if you put them in your bag of tricks and wealth of knowledge, you’ll catch more, bag more and, if it matters to you beyond the overall exposure and experience, make the adventures more worthwhile.
So, in no particular order, here we go:
• When using a buzz bait (any color is fine as long as it’s chartreuse). Then use a trailer hook with the barb flattened and hook turned down. You can use an oversized treble hook for a trailer also. Your catch will increase.
O’Neill
Williams
O’Neill
Outside
n MORE INFO: www.oneilloutside.com
• Your fishing line is the most important tool you have, so cut back a rod length of line each time you start out on a trip. You cannot remember the abuse your line and knots suffered in the last hour of the last trip you took.
• Search on the internet and purchase a cooler full of live crawfish from LA. Use them under the docks and boat houses on the clear water reservoirs across the South. You can very reasonably expect to catch crappie, spot and largemouth bass on every crawfish you’ve purchased.
• As Bill Dance once told me (and many others in his vast audience), if you’re casting to the bank, 95% of the fish are behind you. We fish in waters too shallow. Go deep.
Now a bit about hunting. I’ve been blessed to hunt all over the world; bear in Idaho, deer in Texas, wildebeest in Africa, whitetails (-22 degrees in Canada), antelope in Colorado, and on and on.
• No matter where it might be, your biggest downfall is your lack of scent control. Cover your scent and use the wind.
• Say you’re in a stand over a food plot and you’ve located some does and expect bucks to venture in soon. One decent buck ventures into sight.
DON’T shoot him. It could be that the herd buck is back in the trees and brush with others just watching what happens to the first buck. Smaller bucks usually walk in first. Patience is a virtue.
One time I was in Arkansas taping a TV show on a friend’s
farm where only one buck could be taken. A decent ‘TV’ buck came into view. I shot him, and he fell dead and about five minutes later, while we were getting our TV production gear together to leave, in from the thick trees, a true 170 class monster whitetail walked out and flips my dead buck up in the air with his antlers. At the time, they were not friends. Had I been more patient, who knows ... that was the largest set of whitetail antlers I’ve ever seen in all my hunting adventures. Finally, no matter if it’s a fish-
ing, hunting or a camping trip, take along your children or ones whose dad is not an outdoorsman or doesn’t live at home and teach him or her about the outdoors and the critters that live there.
They will treasure it and recall it the rest of their lives.
Catch O’Neill on Saturday mornings on WSB from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. 750 on AM or 95.5 on FM.
O’Neill Williams has been a television, radio and print personality for more than 40 years and more recently has added podcasts and video on demand to his repertoire.
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4th annual Lake Lanier Boat Show gears up for summer fun
By Pamela A. Keene
The weekend of April 25-27 showcases the epitome of summer fun on the water. That’s when the Lake Lanier Boat Show takes place at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands. Organizers say that there will be more than 15 boat dealers, 50 brands and more than 250 boats selling new 2025 boats as well as last year’s boats and brokered boats.
“This will be our fourth year of the spring Lake Lanier Boat Show at Margaritaville, and each year the show gets better and better,” said Heidi Moore, president of the Marine Trade Association. “With each boat show we continue to build our participation from North Georgia boat dealers and our attendance by the public.”
Boats will be displayed in the water at Landshark Landing and on the shore in the parking lot at Grand Hall near the Vendor Village.
Marine-related vendors will be selling marine-related accessories and services, including boating
equipment, dock builders and all things boating-related. Community groups America’s Boating Club Atlanta, the Lake Lanier Association and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary will be on hand.
A food tent will be set up near Vendor Village serving specialty foods, Landshark Landing will be open; and Margaritaville’s beachside food and drink options will be available.
“The April in-the-water show offers offer excellent pricing on 2025 models, as well as last year’s boats and brokerage boats,” Moore said. “It’s a prime time to get ready for a perfect summer of fun on the lake.”
The Lake Lanier Boat Show is hosted by the Marine Trade Association of Metro Atlanta,
For more information or to become a vendor, visit lakelanierboatshow.com.
Practice Safe Boating
Use life jackets, stay sober and monitor the weather to try and prevent boating accidents!
A scene from last year’s Lake Lanier Boat Show.
FILE PHOTO
Easy-to-grow Knock Out Roses celebrate 25 years of bringing color to landscapes
When introduced 25 years ago, Knock Out Roses transformed residential landscaping. With its resistance to diseases, pests and extreme weather, the compact shrub opened the door to bring roses to gardens across the South.
In the past 25 years, Knock Outs’ continuous bloom cycle and low-maintenance performance have been augmented by the development of other cultivars in a wide range of bloom types and colors.
The newest introductions are:
Easy Bee-zy Knock Out delivers flower power like no other with fragrant yellow flowers that bloom repeatedly from spring to frost. Reaching a modest height and spread of approximately 3 to 4 feet, they can be planted individually, in a group, or mixed with other perennials, shrubs or roses. The fragrance and nectarrich blossoms attract butterflies and bees, enhancing the natural beauty of your garden. It grows in zones 4-11.
Orange Glow Knock Out boasts double orange blooms touched with coral, pink, and yel-
Pamela A. Keene
low shades throughout the cuplike petals. Its incredible rust resistance makes it a top performer in every climate that performs best in zones 5-11. Plant individually, in a group, or with other perennials, shrubs, or roses.
In the past few years, Star Roses has delivered both Easy Bee-zy and Orange Glow. They also sent me two Petit Knock Outs, with delicate bright-red blooms on shrubs that grow about 18 to 20 inches tall.
When I received them, I promptly planted them in containers so that I could showcase these them at my front door, on our patio and deck and protect
them from deer. In containers it’s easy to keep up with watering the soil first thing in the morning. And remember to apply a couple of inches of mulch – careful not too close to the stems – to hold in moisture.
Growing a cultivar
The first cultivar, RADrazz, produced single cherry red/hot pink blooms against deep purplish green foliage. The rose brought another dimension to the garden with its subtle but sweet fragrance, drawing passersby in for a closer look.
Created by Wisconsin breeder William Radler in 1988, the first Knock Outs were tested by the Conard-Pyle Company/Star Roses before they were released to the marketplace. By 2000, Knock Outs had won the prestigious All-America Rose award and was introduced through nurseries and box retailers.
In fact, Knock Out quickly became the fastest selling new rose in history, with 250,000 sold the first year alone.
Easy care
It’s April so it may be too late
for a major pruning, but certainly removing any dead blooms from last season and taking branches down several inches will help stimulate growth. If your shrubs have begun to set buds, don’t prune this year, but instead do selective branch length.
Like all roses, Knock Outs thrive in full sun or very light shade. The soil should be welldraining; remember to mulch.
The joy of Knock Outs is their ability to continue to bloom all season without much deadheading. However, if you want bigger flushes of blossoms, consider light deadheading a couple of times per season. This will stimulate new growth and more bud and bloom production.
Deep watering at the base of the plant less frequently will help the roots grow deeper.
Apply a balanced – 10-10-10 –fertilizer after the first wave of blooms; they should not be fertilized in the late summer as they begin to approach dormancy.
See Curb, page 47
PHOTOS BY PAMELA A KEENE
Orange Glow Knock Out blooms, above. Easy Beezy Knock Out blooms, below.
Sign up for Lake Lanier Dragon Boat challenge: no experience necessary
By Pamela A. Keene
The Saturday, May 17, Gainesville Hall Dragon Boat Challenge
is a free for all. Not like you may think, however.
“Teams that register will be
Troncalli earns Life Membership Award from ABC
Ed Troncalli, a longtime member of America’s Boating Club/United States Power Squadron, has been recognized by the national organization for his 25 years of significant service. In the photo, ABC Atlanta Commander Cindy Ringwall presents Troncalli with his lapel pin at a recent meeting. The club is Lake Lanier’s local club, serving northeast Georgia. Membership is open to the public. The club offers a full range of boating education classes. For more info, visit americasboatingclubatlanta.org.
given a free practice in the boats with a trained steersperson before the event,” said Kim Martin, Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club executive director. “Business, community teams, youth groups and neighborhood teams are encouraged to register early to maximize their practice time, which is free.
The event parking fee raises funds for Hall County Special Olympics and the event helps fund Lanier Canoe and Kayak athletes.
For those who don’t know, Dragon Boats in this event have teams of 10, with an additional person as the drummer who establishes and maintains the paddle stroke rhythms. The weight limit is 2,000 pounds.
“It can be pretty easy, but it does take some practice to establish a comfortable pace among all the paddlers,” she said. “This event uses the small dragon boats that are a perfect way to get your team improving through practices.”
All teams will have several
races throughout the day including semi finals and finals.
“We also have the exciting distance race for Open class and perhaps some openings for adventurous teams wanting to take part in racing for a longer distance.”
In addition to medals for the top finishers in each division, the event offers prizes for Best Dressed Drummer Contest, the Adrian Williams Most Team Spirit Award, and the Scott Crain
Memorial Overall Champion Award.
The Gainesville Hall Dragon Boat Challenge 2025 takes place on Saturday, May 17, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Teams usually bring a spread for lunch and enjoy the day on the lake.
Registration is $500 for the first team with reduced fees for registering additional teams.
For more info and to register, visit lckc.org. To become a sponsor, call/text 706 348-3044.
Paddlers reach deep to move their dragon boat during a race.
PHOTO BY KIM MARTIN/KIMMERS PHOTOGRAPHY
BONUS TRAVEL COLUMN
The ‘real’ Silk Road: small towns tell the story best, and wait for the surprise
Lakeside News’ Senior Reporter Pam Keene continues her adventures around the globe with her latest installment – Marco Polo’s Silk Road, Part 3. The adventure took her to parts of the former Soviet Union where she experienced life in Central Asia beyond her expectations.
In this article, she reports about the “real” Silk Road sites on the southwestern part of the country close to the border of Turkmenistan.
By Pamela A. Keene
As we traveled from city to town in Uzbekistan, I continued to search for signs of Marco Polo. At last we were leaving the larger cities, heading to Bukhara by train across the arid desert dotted with agricultural areas and the occasional animal herder.
My friend Pat and I eagerly anticipated our arrival in this city of less than 300,000 people. We’d both been asking about Ikat, pronounced EE-kaht, the traditional Central Asian woven fabric that’s dyed in zigzag or geometric patterns. Pat’s familiarity with Ikat piqued my interest as I sought to learn more about the culture of Central Asia.
Basim, our trip leader, had told us that Bukhara would be an excellent place to find a variety of colors and patterns of fabric that can range from cotton to silk. He was correct, and the qualities ranged from very inexpensive for machine-produced cotton to handdyed and hand-woven silk. We learned about the traditional dress and fabric in several museums, as well as stores within the bazaar.
In no time, we both had ordered custom-made clothing in our favorite colors and styles. Pat
purchased a beautiful dress; I fell in love with a soft turquoise, gray and white pattern and within 90 minutes the shop’s seamstress had sewed a custom-fitted pair of pants in the latest stove-pipe legs style.
Bukhara’s domed markets still stand from ancient times, and I could almost picture travelers along the Silk Road between China’s capital of Chang’an headed westward for more than 4,000 miles and the Mediterranean Sea. Riding camels, using beasts of burden to haul carts of goods designed, created and grown in the East, travelers and merchants staked their wealth on the success of demand for their products.
The skyline of the old city was pierced by a good number of madrasah, mosques and minarets, all decorated with deep blue and turquoise tiles. Ancient landmarks we visited included the famous Ark of Bukhara fortress, built around the 5th century AD. The Samanid Mausoleum, built in the 10th century AD has fascinating intricate brickwork exterior walls.
Traveling overland we headed to Khiva, far and away the most representative of the “real Silk Road.” Surrounded by thick crenelated walls with four main higharched entrances, the old town’s merchant-lined streets really felt like the real thing.
The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains 50 historic monuments, mostly built or restored in the 18th and 19th centuries.
One of it’s most distinguishing features, a large round, flattopped Kaltaminor memorial minaret, is among the most
distinctive, partly because it is covered in glazed tiles. Built between 1852 and 1855, is incomplete. Construction stopped because its main supporter died in battle. Standing at 90 feet, imagine what it would have looked like had it been completed to its intended 360-foot height.
Lots of trading and bargaining took place on the streets crowded with tables of everything from jewelry and carpets to embroidered textiles and intricate handpainted miniatures of historic characters, birds and iconic motifs.
Nukus, our last stop on the Silk Road, was by far the most surprising of all, not because of the city itself, but because of the secret it
held.
By showing us a documentary, Batir prepared us for what we would find at the Nukus Museum of Art, built in 1966 and named after I.V. Savitsky (1915-1984). Who? You’ll see.
The art graduate, artist and archaeologist began collecting art in secret in the 1950s, not just any art. He amassed Russian AvanteGarde paintings – works that defied the Soviet’s principles because the art was often created to influence sociopolitical viewpoints. Think about family scenes with an inserted portrait of Lenin gazing down from the corner of the work. The message: You are always being watched.”
Many banned by Stalin, paintings in ultra-modern Cubism, Expressionism and Constructivism were secretly collected by Savitsky, thousands of works. Savitsky’s goal was to preserve the culture of this period of Russian Avant-Garde art, mostly created between 1917-1934.
Much of the art was smuggled out of Russia but in 1966 he persuaded officials to build and open a museum to share the collection with the public. He was named curator.
As we walked through the museum, I was speechless. Works by Russian artists – hundreds that would have been lost forever –lined the walls. They are only part of the museum’s 90,000 works, and although the museum has been expanded, there’s still not enough space to show all the works.
The museum has haunted me since I got back – who knew about Russian artists and the intensity of their work? And very rarely do pieces from the Nukus Museum make their way to exhibitions in the US. What a shame. Looking back on all that I saw, learned and experienced, I journeyed to Central Asia to immerse myself in the Silk Road, but I came back with so much more. The Stans of Central Asia are welcoming travelers. At the very least, Google this part of the world. It will open your eyes.
A lone shepherd and his donkey watch over his herd.
PHOTOS BY PAMELA A. KEENE
Rows of straw bales line the sides of the road to reduce dust blowing off the desert.
Altough Soviet Influenced ended in 1991, vendors still sell images of Stalin and Lenin.
Bactrian camels, which feature two humps, are more common in eastern and central Asia.
BONUS TRAVEL COLUMN
Many people in Central Asia wore western-style clothing, a carryover from the days of the Soviet Union. Little sweetheart charmed us with her fluffy pink ear muffs and beautiful expressions.
This miniaturist painter stopped a minute to allow a photo.
Sometimes just a wave is enough.
PHOTOS BY PAMELA A. KEENE
Like the times of the Silk Road, trading often took place under high domes.
Ikat patterns and color combiantions are limitless. The finest are handwoven.
The Bull painting in the Nukus Museum features stark black eyes reminded people that they were always being watched.
Once spun into fiber, the raw silk is put into skeins for dyeing, above.
Tedius hand embroidery with silk threads on woven silk looked effortless, right.
Merchants in towns along the Silk Road created colorful backdrops to sell their wares.
Antique Ikat robes displayed in a museum.
Lenin (in the upper left corner) of a painting sent a frightening message that the Soviet government was everywhere.
Shoes off for all mosque visitors.
• Silk Road
Continued from Page 38
PHOTOS BY PAMELA A. KEENE
A full moon rises over the old city walls of Khiva.
Crenalated stone and mud walls surrounded the old city of Khiva.
The walled old town of Khiva looks imposing.
Greenhouses help address the arid temperatures so that produce can be grown year round.
Dramatic lighting and three-dimensional mosaics inside a mosque were breathtaking.
Layers upon layers of stunning mosaic patterns have lasted for centuries.
A large memorial in Tashkent.
Uzbeki people love to engage with Americans.
Doors with intricate metal work are kept secure by simple locks.
The incomplete Kaltaminor memorial minaret stands over a street in Khiva.
This man was touring the same palace we were in Buhkara.
Types of slips available: Uncovered, 20' to 80'; covered, 24' to 106'
Lakeside’s Recreation Guide
totaling 815 slips & dry stack storage (521) for up to 39'.
Types of fuel: 90 non-ethanol
Price of fuel: (as of 3/19/25) $5.39 regular (Dock/Ship Store open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily.) (Pay at the pump closes same time as restaurant.)
On-site eatery: Pelican Pete's Bar and Grill
SAFE HARBOR AQUALAND
Hours: Office/Leasing, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily
Info: 770-967-6811 • shmarinas.com
Location: 6800 Lights Ferry Rd., Flowery Branch
Types of slips available: Houseboats, covered cruisers, & all types of open slips plus covered & open dry slips, totaling 1,725 wet docks and 460 dry docks
Types of fuel: Non-ethanol, 90 octane
Price of fuel: (as of 3/19/25) $5.39, non-members; $3.39, members (Dock open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily)
On-site eatery: Pig Tales
SAFE HARBOR HIDEAWAY BAY
Hours: Office/Store/Dock open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily.
Info: 770-967-5500 • shmarinas.com
Location: 6334 Mitchell St., Flowery Branch
Types of slips available: Wet (510) Dry (150)
Type of Fuel: 90 octane, non-ethanol
Price of fuel: (as of 3/19/25) $4.91, non-members; $3.53, members
On-site eatery: Fish Tales
SUNRISE COVE MARINA
Hours: Office/Store/Dock open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed.-Mon.; Closed Tuesday
Info: 770-536-8599 • sunrisecovermarina.com
Location: 5725 Flat Creek Rd., Gainesville
Types of slips available: Uncovered-20-70'; Covered-24-50'; to include an exclusive 44' Sailboat Breakwater Dock. Total Wet Slips 688 and nine (9) Dry Storage Spaces (boats on trailer).
Types of fuel: 90 recreational, non-ethanol
Price of fuel: (as of 3/19/25) $5.59 unleaded Ethanol Free
The Corps of Engineers welcomes you to beautiful Lake Sidney Lanier. Located just 35 miles northeast of Atlanta, the lake offers some of the finest camping opportunities in the South. The Corps operates 7 campgrounds at Lake Lanier. Bolding Mill, Duckett Mill and Old Federal Campgrounds are managed by Hall County Parks and Leisure Services. Toto Creek Multipurpose Park, plus Thompson Creek and Nix Bridge Day-Use parks are managed by Dawson County.
Camping enthusiasts may enjoy the luxuries of fully developed areas with water and electrical hookups or “rough it” at designated primitive areas. Camping in undesignated areas such as on the lake’s shoreline and islands is prohibited.
All campgrounds have beach areas, boat ramps and restrooms. Most of our campgrounds also have showers, playgrounds, accessible sites and manned entry stations. To make reservations, download maps, check out campsite photos and see site availability visit Recreation.Gov.
All Army Corps campgrounds on Lake Sidney Lanier recognize the America The Beautiful (ATB) and Golden Passport cards. The ATB Annual and Lifetime Senior Pass, Access Pass, Golden Age and Golden Access passes will grant 50% off all campsite reservation fees.
Day Use Parks
The Corps operates 35 day use parks at Lake Lanier. Facilities range from parks with boat ramps to those with designated swimming areas, picnic tables, shelters and playgrounds. All day use parks close daily at 10 p.m. Boat launching is allowed at all hours unless otherwise posted. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all parks.
Picnic Shelters
Picnic shelters are available at several Corps’ parks around the lake. They can be reserved for a fee. Call the Lake Lanier Management Office at 770-945-9531.
Day Use Fees
Day use fees are charged at some park areas which have boat ramps or beach areas. Fees (per day):
Boat launching $5
State and County Parks
Lake Lanier has 18 state and county parks that are available for use.
Rules, Regulations and More
Guidelines are not intended as restraints to the enjoyment of park visitors, but as aids for orderly operation, visitor safety and for the protection of the environment and public property. Complete rules and regulations are posted at the entrances to all campgrounds and copies are available at entry stations. To view annual opening and closing dates and rates for campgrounds and picnic shelters, visit www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/Lake-SidneyLanier/Schedules.
For more camping info you can also visit: lakesidenews.com/explore-lake-lanier/camping.
Practice Safe Boating
Use life jackets, stay sober and monitor the weather to try and prevent boating accidents!
Thorough planning is key to a smooth kitchen renovation, ensuring the final result aligns with your vision. Depending on the scope, a remodel can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. A well-prepared approach leads to a transformation you’ll enjoy for years.
Before starting, homeowners should define their goals, budget, and style preferences. Consulting a professional designer helps streamline decisions, balancing aesthetics and functionality. If structural changes or major upgrades are involved, permits may be required. Homeowners should work with contractors to secure necessary approvals before construction begins.
Each stage of a kitchen renovation comes with potential delays, so understanding the process helps set realistic expectations.
• Demolition: The first step is removing old fixtures, cabinets, and appliances to prepare for the new design. Proper preparation prevents unnecessary delays.
• Structural changes: Expanding
or reconfiguring the kitchen often requires permits and inspections, which can extend the timeline.
• Plumbing & electrical work: Upgrades to accommodate new fixtures or appliances may take extra time, especially if unexpected issues arise.
• Cabinet installation: Custom cabinets take longer to manufacture and install than prefabricated options. Homeowners should account for lead times.
• Countertops & backsplash: Unique or specialty materials may have long fabrication times, causing delays, though they often en-
hance the final look.
• Flooring: The choice of materials and necessary preparation impact how quickly the project progresses.
• Painting & wall treatments: Selecting colors in advance prevents delays. Changing your mind mid-project can extend the timeline.
• Fixtures, appliance installation: Coordinating with multiple contractors ensures everything fits seamlessly, but any issues in this phase can delay completion.
• Final inspections: This crucial step ensures work meets building codes. Delays in scheduling can push back when your kitchen is ready for use. There are other factors that can affect your timeline as well. A minor update, like replacing countertops, takes far less time than a full-scale renovation involving plumbing, electrical, and structural work. With supply chain disruptions becoming more common, delays in obtaining materials can extend project timelines. Homeowners are encouraged to order materials
well in advance and consider alternative options to mitigate potential delays. Skilled professionals work efficiently, whereas inexperienced teams may face setbacks. Researching and hiring reputable contractors is essential. In addition, peak home improvement seasons can lead to longer wait times. Scheduling during off-peak months may expedite the process.
There are several things homeowners can do to make their renovation go smoothly and quickly.
A well-defined budget helps homeowners prioritize their spending and avoid unexpected costs. By allocating funds for materials, labor, and potential contingencies, homeowners can make informed decisions that align with their financial capabilities.
A functional kitchen layout enhances workflow and maximizes space. Homeowners should consider the kitchen work triangle –the stove, sink, and refrigerator –to create an efficient design.
Homeowners should choose durable, high-quality materials that suit their lifestyle and aesthetic
preferences. Whether opting for granite countertops or eco-friendly cabinetry, the right choices can enhance both the kitchen's functionality and its visual appeal.
Homeowners should clearly define their project goals to set realistic expectations. By planning carefully and anticipating challenges, homeowners can navigate their renovation confidently, creating a beautiful and functional kitchen that stands the test of time. Kim Evon is a designer for Tracy Tesmer Design/Remodeling in Gainesville.
Kim Evon
Proper planning can keep kitchen remodels from being a nightmare.
PHOTO: TRACY TESMER DESIGN/REMODELING
• Burns
Continued from Page 18
5,000 feet to be 60-70 mph. At 10,000 feet, 70-90 mph, up higher at 15,000 feet I saw a predicted jet streak at 140 mph! These upper level winds can be brought to the ground by downdrafts and other mechanisms working within the storms.
We were still five days out and the Storm Prediction Center already had us in a risk for severe storms. It rarely does that unless confidence level is high Alabama was already in a higher risk. It was time to alert everyone to prepare for a nasty storm.
As it turned out, it was one for the books. It brought bitterly cold temperatures to California as it began to wind up in the West. Blizzard conditions hammered the upper Midwest. To the south, more than 130 wildfires were burning in the high winds and dry ground of Oklahoma. Dust storms blocked the sun for days in Texas along with powerful winds. As we moved into March 13th-15th, that is when the severe storms and tornadoes began erupting.
The number of severe thunderstorm warnings (yellow polygons), was stagger-
ing. The red polygons were the tornado warnings. The Storm Prediction Center issued a rare PDS (particularly dangerous situation) for violent and long-track tornadoes in Alabama.
Every single red polygon was a tornado warned storm. Two were classified at EF 4, with wind speeds of 166 to 200 mph! 42 people perished in the outbreak. Here is Georgia I was tracking one tornado that Saturday night, coming out of Alabama, heading for west Georgia. Tornado warnings were issued for Paulding and Cobb counties. A high end EF 1 left a trail of destruction.
There were no injuries in Georgia but we had a lot of frayed nerves.
The outlook for April is for continued above average temperatures with an occasional cool snap. There is no clear-cut signal for rainfall. We generally average 3.81” for the month.
Hope you all have a great April and a wonderful Easter Holiday.
Glenn Burns is chief meteorologist emeritus for WSB-TV in Atlanta.
• Curb
Continued from Page 38
The Star Roses family of Knock Outs are still one of the best-selling roses in North America. Its collection now features 12 varieties, with single and double blooms in colors ranging from white and pale pink to yellow, various shades of orange and deep reds.
Learn more about The Knock Out family of roses at www.knockoutroses.com.
Star Roses and Plants has been bringing great plants to the world’s gardens since 1897 and continues to introduce break-
through roses, shrubs and edibles. Their most notable brands include The Knock Out Family of Roses, Drift Roses, Bushel and Berry, and Bloomables. Star Roses and Plants is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ball Horticultural.
For more information, visit www.starrosesandplants.com.
Pamela A. Keene is senior writer for Lakeside News and a Hall County Master Gardener. She writes for more than a dozen publications across the country, covering features, travel and gardening.
- Pleasure Boaters - Fox Sports Network
To find a dealer near you, call 864-467-1806 or go online. 4G Square Tank Technology, Doesn’t Cut Corners!
Lakeside Dining Guide
Bullfrogs Restaurant – Located at Legacy Lodge & Conference Center at Lake Lanier Islands Resort. Open for lunch and dinner daily year round. This Southern Gastro Pub features re-imagined traditional Southern fare and variety of drink options from full-service bar. Guests may arrive by boat or car. Buford. 770945-8787.
Fish Tales Lakeside Grille – Casual lakeside dining featuring grouper fingers, signature salads and much more. Full service indoor and outdoor bar with live music. Open year round. Hideaway Bay Marina. 770-967-3775, www.fishtaleslakelanier.com.
La Cazuela – An Atlanta area landmark with two locations around Lanier. Open daily year round. Features fajitas, selection of combination platters and more. 4965 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford, 770-614-6871.
Pelican Pete’s – Picturesque dining on the water at Port Royale in open-air thatched-roof building. Selection of sandwiches, burgers, fish and more. Open Thur. - Sun. Oct - spring. 70887-5715 ext 5., www.pelicanpetes.com
Pig Tales - Casual lakeside dining featuring BBQ, burgers, wings and more. Great customer service, full service bar with draft beer, wine & mixed drinks, live music on weekends. Open thru December 31. Reopen in spring. Aqualand Marina, Flowery Branch. 678-828-7676,
www.PigTalesLakeLanier.com.
Sidney’s Restaurant – Located at Legacy Lodge & Conference Center at Lake Lanier Islands Resort and overlooks Lake Lanier. Serving breakfast daily and dinner Friday & Saturday year round. Guests may arrive by boat or car. Buford. 770-945-8787, www.lanierislands.com.
Skogies – Made from scratch seafood, BBQ and American fare with a great view served in a laid back pet friendly environment. A full Sunday breakfast menu includes eggs benedict served five ways, Omelettes, shrimp & grits, cathead biscuits & gravy, breakfast sandwiches & more. Seasonal: open through Oct. - reopen in spring. Call from your boat & they will pick you up. Gainesville Marina. 678 450-1310; www.skogieslakefrontrestaurant. us.
Smokey Q BBQ - Pulled Pork and Chicken Sandwiches, Philly Cheesesteaks, Pork and Chicken Tacos and more! Seasonal: open through Oct. - reopen in spring. Bald Ridge Marina, 1850 Bald Ridge Marina Road, Cumming. 470 515-3683.
The Twisted Oar - Holiday Marina. Offering fresh seafood to savory chicken and steak; casual dining. Full bar service, tropical and frozen drinks. Live entertainment, trivia, indoor/outdoor flat screen TVs. Open year round. www.thetwistedoar.com, 678 714-7572.
