John Traendly traded the boardroom for the iceberg-dotted sea and his desk for a kayak and tent. His desire to share his awakening has impacted thousands, including paddlers with LCKC. Page 34
Calendar
Classifieds
Since the Jr. Sailing Program at University Yacht Club began, more than 200 students have participated in the program, many returning year after year to fine-tune their sailing skills. Page 14
‘The nature coast’ in Florida
Slightly south of Tallahassee, Fla., one enters a natural world where little has changed for a century. This forgotten part of Florida extends southward through the Big Bend to Cedar Key. Page 33
Also inside:
Dining guide
Fishing news
Lake levels
Page 26
Page 47
Page 47
Page 10
Page 18
Lanier map Page 40
Marinas information Page 44
Outdoor activity calendar Page 30
Recreation guide Page 44
Safety guide
Shore Lines
Columns:
The Careful Captain
Design & Remodel
Glenn Burns
O’Neill Outside
One Man’s Opinion
On the Water
Your complete news, information and recreation guide to Lake Lanier
Page 40
Page 34
.Page 20
Curb Appeal Page 38
Page 45
Page 18
Page 37
Page 36
Page 12
Vanderford’s travel Page 33
brings the heat and people
July
enjoy the Chattahoochee River from Helen (shown) to Lake Lanier. For
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, Bill Crane
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.
Under new management: Pirates of Lanier takes place in September
By Pamela A. Keene
The essence of Pirates of Lanier Charity Poker Run will be the same, but this year will be a little different. It will still take place at Margaritaville on Friday and Saturday, September 11-13.
With new management, and a brand-new Facebook page, registration is live on Eventbrite. Just go to eventbrite.com and search “Lake Lanier Poker Run.”
and family-friendly two days at Lake Lanier.”
Martin calls it two events in two days. Friday evening’s Street Party in the parking lot at Grand Hall at Lanier Islands includes a DJ, street vendors and food trucks. It will be preceded by a photo session at the dam during the day.
“We’re planning to have the same great event as always, but we’re revamping it this year with a new logo, a slimmed down schedule and a focus on two new charities,” said Zach Martin, who with his family and a group of friends, is managing the event this year. “Our family participates in about 20 pokers runs each year all over the country, so we’re taking what we’ve learned to create a fun
The main event on Saturday takes place with the start of the Poker Run near Buford Dam.
“That afternoon cards will be turned in at the Casino Party that includes the awards presentation, an auction, a band and DJ and plenty of excitement,” he said.
This year’s beneficiaries are K9 for Warriors and Foster Care Support Foundation. K-9s for Warriors focuses on pairing trained service dogs with veterans experiencing PTSD and other
View the online edition at
traumas while serving in the military. Foster Care Support Foundation supports displaced infants, children and teens by distributing like-new, gently used and new clothing, infant-care equipment, toys, books and other goods.
“Both of these organizations have worthy goals that are much needed and we are pleased to be associated with them as the recip-
ients of the Pirates of Lanier Poker Run,” Martin said. “From the time the Pirates of Lanier was created, the purpose has been to help children’s charities while bringing together boaters from across the country and locally for a worthy cause.”
For more information about the charities, visit k9sforwarriors.org and fostercares.org.
FILE PHOTO
Scenes from a previous Pirates of Lanier Charity Poker Run.
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!
Featured Testimonial:
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• teresasmith@kw.com
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It’s a smash! New restaurant in Flowery Branch brings a
By Pamela A. Keene
The smashburger is making a splash in Flowery Branch. And, according to amateur cooks, these smashburgers are extremely difficult to replicate.
Stone Jacob has concocted a variety of smashburgers on the menu at McAvoy’s Café at the corner of Atlanta Highway and Phil Niekro Boulevard close to downtown Flowery Branch. From the OG basic to the Alpine Smash dressed with Swiss cheese, spicy tomato relish and arugula, each has its own distinct flavor combinations to suit anyone’s palate.
Stone is the mastermind of McAvoy’s Café and his father Chris is quick to give him all the credit.
“I was thinking of offering a full line of regular burgers, but Stone had other ideas,” says Chris, a long-time caterer who owns Iron House Catering in the metro Atlanta area and based in Flowery Branch. “He said, ‘hey, let me fix you a smashburger,’ and once I tasted it, we never looked back.”
Everything is made from
scratch – 100 percent Angus beef burgers, pimento cheese, onion bacon jam and a variety of desserts, including cookies, cheesecake and other tempting sweets.
Chris has been in the restaurant business since the early 1990s. Starting out with his father and brother with Blimpie stores – his family opened the first one in Alpharetta when he was 19 – he worked in management for Hooter’s, Golden Corral and Panera Bread before launching Iron House Catering.
“I mastered various parts of the restaurant business as I went along, and eventually learning how to prepare for volume service,” he said. “Once a client hired us to serve 600 people a buffet meal and asked that the service be complete in 20 minutes. We set up four buffets with lines running on each side, so eight lines, and we did it.”
In 2015, Chris connected with the owners of the Flowery Branch consignment antique mall at the corner of Atlanta Highway and Phil Niekro Boulevard. He was asked to prepare breakfast on the
weekends. When the antique mall closed, he made arrangements to continue using the kitchen for his catering business.
The building has changed purposes several times, most recently for two years. The major part of the space will be home to Remedy Distillery, which moved to Flowery Branch from Gainesville.
“One of the biggest changes for us was finally getting a separate entrance,” he said. “It’s right behind our sign toward the west end of the building. You come down a hallway and there we are.”
McAvoy’s is Chris’ mom’s maiden name. “We all decided since she only had sisters that we would keep her family name alive by naming the restaurant after them. It just seems to fit.”
McAvoy’s is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 pm. Dine in and takeout are available.
Chris’ favorite? “The Hangover with hashbrowns, fried egg, pimento cheese and onion bacon jam. It just hits the spot.”
McAvoy’s Cafe burger.
McAvoy’s Café is located at 5540 Atlanta Highway, Flowery Branch. For more information,
call McAvoy’s Café at 678 8288033 or visit the Facebook page at McAvoy’s Café.
Our Advertisers make Lakeside on Lanier Possible! Please let them know you saw their ad here!
PHOTO BY PAMELA A. KEENE
Lake level: Over full pool
Temperature: 80s
Clarity: Main lake clear, slight stain in creeks
Bass fishing
Bass fishing on Lanier is fair to good. This has not been the typical early summer bite. The topwater bite is very sporadic and the bass seem to be moving into the deeper brush earlier than normal.
There are some large schools of bass schooling on top but that doesn’t mean they will bite. If you work an area of breaking fish but don’t hook up just move on. Several baits have caught fish recently with no one bait really standing out.
The main target areas have been humps with structure and long points with the fish being in the 15- to 35-foot range. The Fluke, Slick Stick, Gunfish, Skimmer and Whopper Plopper have all produced fish at one time or another. Just be ready to try different baits to see which one they want on that particular spot. Once you work an area with the above baits it is worth it to throw a shaky head with a green pumpkin green trick worm around the area.
The drop shot with either a Blue Lily or a Sweet Rosy worm has picked up as the
fish are getting more into the deeper brush.
Using your FFS has been a key to either target the fish in the brush or seeing where the fish are located in relation to the structure.
Be prepared to fish a lot of areas because moving from spot to spot is necessary right now. They can still be caught so Go Catch 'Em!
This bass fishing report is by Phil Johnson: pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
Striper fishing
Stripers have scattered over the lake, find an island and search around it using blue backs with flat lines and down lines. Blue backs need to be lively.
Small coves are holding stripers and big spots. Planer boards and flat lines will do the trick. We are using small weights on the flat lines. Remember to wear your life jackets.
This striper report is by Buck Cannon: 404 510-1778.
Crappie fishing
Crappie fishing is good.
The fish are on stickups and open water brush and also in large groups under docks
in the shade. Crappie have been at depths of 10 to 15 feet above a 25- to 40-foot bottom.
The jig color combo that worked the best for me recently was the green and chartreuse single tail 1.5 inch jig. Minnows have been working well over brush.
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.
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, Leigh-Anne O’Brien, 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
Butch's Market, 3613 White Sulphur Road, Gainesville, GA
Cats, rats and not upsetting the balance of nature
Rats are always a problem around marinas, especially if the marina has a restaurant like my brother Haik’s. Forget traps and poisons. The best way to get rid of rats is to maintain a cat (or several cats) on the property. Rats are not stupid, and they will not hang around an area where there is a cat on patrol! For this reason, Haik always adopted any stray cat that came along, including one kitten which he spotted floating down the river clinging to a piece of wood. He hopped in his Boston Whaler, ran out and picked up the kitten, dried him off and named him “Moses” after his biblical predecessor. Moses happily joined the rest of the “crew.”
Both of my sons grew up with cats and dogs as part of the family. My older son, Dr. Vinnie still adopts any stray that comes along, and his brother Mike is a past president of the Space Coast Feline Rescue League down in Cocoa Beach, FL. I sent them each a copy of Pam Keene’s informative article about the “Cat Rangers” that appeared in the
Vinnie Mendes
On the Water
May 2025 issue of Lakeside News. Mike called to tell me how he enjoyed it and said that his organization had the same hurdles to cross before they got on their feet. Then he told me some stories that had occurred over the years. When they first started out, the Kennedy Space Center had a problem with feral cats wandering around the launch areas and putting themselves in harm’s way. They asked the League to relocate these cats and even gave them a hanger to house the strays which eventually led to a permanent structure located on donated land. They also got in with local police departments, who would call them rather than Animal Control
whenever they had a stray cat problem. (Animal Control would just euthanize the cats, whereas the league would spay or neuter and relocate them to a safe environment).
I asked him to share some stories for Lakeside, and he told me about the night they got rousted by the Secret Service. The Radisson Hotel in Melbourne had a feral cat colony living in the woods adjacent to the property. The cats weren’t an immediate problem, but if they weren’t spayed and neutered, they would multiply and become an issue. He and several volunteers were in the woods one night trapping cats, when suddenly they were illuminated by bright lights. Several men identifying themselves as Secret Service asked what they were doing.
Mike explained who they were and about that time one of the traps went off, capturing a cat. The agents were told to “stand down” because the volunteers were obviously not a threat, and Mike asked them why they were
there. The Agent explained that Presidential candidate Obama was staying in the hotel. Then Mike told them “Before you ask, I’m carrying.” The agents asked what kind of a gun he had, and he told them “A Makarov 9/18” (a Cold War Era Russian copy of the Walther PPK – the James Bond weapon). The agent asked where he got it, and he said, “From my grandfather. He took it off a dead VC.” Then the agent asked why he was carrying, Mike said “I’m off in the woods in the middle of the night with a bunch of old ladies catching cats. Wouldn’t you go armed?” The agent replied “Lock the gun in your truck. The Secret Service will handle your security for tonight.”
Another story was about a posh neighborhood adjacent to a wildlife refuge. On this refuge was a group of Gopher Tortoises, (which are an endangered species) and also a feral cat colony. The homeowners were complaining that the cats were wandering around their yards and becoming a nuisance. They were taxpayers
and demanded that the county do something about it. So, the League relocated the cat colony to another location, far away from housing developments.
Now, the biggest natural enemies of gopher tortoises are rats and snakes because they can go into the burrows and eat the eggs and baby tortoises. Without the cats controlling them, the rats and snakes multiplied and ran rampant over the neighborhood. So, the tortoises moved elsewhere. With the cats gone, that left the rats and snakes free to wander around the neighborhood. That taught the homeowners a lesson about upsetting the balance of nature.
Meanwhile, dedicated volunteer organizations such as SCFRL and Cat Rangers help keep that balance.
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.”
SAILING LAID FOUNDATION FOR MORE THAN BOAT HANDLING
Three stories from University Yacht Club’s Jr. Sailing Program
By Pamela A. Keene
For the past 15 years, the UYC Maritime Foundation has spearheaded the Jr. Sailing Program at University Yacht Club in Flowery Branch. Since it began, more than 200 students have participated in the program, many returning year after year to fine-tune their sailing skills. But what most of them discovered has gone way beyond learning how to handle a sailboat safely on the water.
“Yes, sailing has been the focus of the program, but what has happened to the students and coaches has been incredible to watch,” said Susan Reddaway, long-time sailor and director of the program. “So many of our students have learned to be more confident, to work as members of a team and to look beyond sailing to how their experiences have made them the people they are as adults.”
Perhaps 45 to 50 percent of the students logged three or more summers in the programs. Some have become US Sailing Certified Level I coaches, turning the tables from students to instructors. They’ve returned to Lake Lanier and UYC to be role models of the younger students who now stand where they did more than a decade ago.
“About a half-dozen of our coaches who have come up through the program have taught and managed other youth-sailing settings,” Reddaway said. “About a half-dozen or so are now competing as racers on the regional and national stage, and a couple now race internationally.
“It was never our intention to teach young students how to race; ours is not a competitive environment but one of leadership, friendship and personal development, and of course all while having fun on the water,” she said.
Here are the stories of three young adults who began the program as elementary-aged students and how the UYC Maritime Foundation’s Jr. Sailing Program changed their lives.
Sophia Ostervold
On the eve of her graduation from Polimoda Fashion School in
certified as a US Sailing coach and when she moved to Europe, she returned every year to coach.
“I am so fortunate to have so much support from family and friends,” said the 22year-old. “And when I started learning to sail, I never imagined it would lead
about having fun, although I will admit there was one thing that was always in the back of my mind.”
One of the most coveted awards each session is the Sportsmanship Award, given to the student who demonstrates the most willingness to help others without putting themselves first. The recipient is chosen by the other students at the end of the week.
“My parents always taught me
certified US Sailing Level 1 instructor.
Always interested in athletics, his school years were filled playing football at North Hall High School. He also paddled canoe at Lanier Canoe and Kayak for five years.
Florence, Italy, Sophia Ostervold took a few minutes to share some insight into her career choice as a fashion designer.
“I’ve been living in Europe for the past five years attending college in France and then Italy to learn international fashion design,” she said. “I have been lucky enough to participate in internships and learning opportunities here and make a name for myself.”
me to an amazing career.”
Noah Hicks Looking back on his first year of the UYC Jr. Program when he was 7, Noah Hicks remembers being excited to learn to sail. As he got to know the other young sailors, he realized that the sport
“One of the best memories I have from my early days in the program is that feeling of being able to rig and sail a boat on my own,” he said. “Even then at age 10 or 11, it was just so empowering and I’ve carried that with me into the things I do today.”
Alanna Bateman Alanna Bateman began the program when she was 7 years old, but it was not her first experience on a sailboat.
“I grew up on the water and loved and
Within the past year, her work has been published in Vogue Italia and most recently in PAP Magazine in Italy. Even before graduating from Polimoda, she was offered an internship with Helly Hansen outdoor clothing in Norway.
Her graduation required designing a collection that will be published in several international fashion magazines. Growing up as a lover of extreme water sports, she based her collection on sailboat racing.
She began the UYC Maritime Foundation Jr. Program at age 10. “At first it was all about being on the water and learning to handle a boat,” said the graduate of Walton High School. “As I became a competitive sailor, I noticed that sailing clothes were never designed with the female body in mind, so I explored functionality and femininity in my designs.”
In the meantime as she approached her mid teens, she got
to leave a place better than I found it,” he said. “That’s part of sportsmanship, especially when it applies to other people.”
He returned to the sailing program as a student every year and at age 16 was asked to take the classes become a
still do love sailing with my grandfather Stephan DeBlasio, who is a long-time member of UYC,” she said. “Sailing on his boat Gisela was such a fun way to spend a summer day on the lake.”
would be fun.
“I didn’t think much else at that time, and I certainly didn’t see myself as becoming a coach,” said the University of Georgia social work major. “It was more
Through the program she learned to sail all the program boats, from the Optis and Sunfish to the Lasers, and at age 15 in 2019, she was asked to become a coach in training.
Then COVID happened and she continued as a coach. She earned her US Sailing Level 1 instructor’s certification this past April and was named co-head coach for this summer’s season.
“Throughout my coaches training, I noticed that there are many ways to learn, and I carefully
See UYC, page 41
Sophia Ostervold teaches knot tying at UYC, above. Sophia on the water when she was younger, right.
Noah Hicks received the Sportsmanship Award in 2019. Rick Smith made the presenation, above. Noah on the water, right.
A young Alanna Bateman on the helm of an Opti, sails with another young student, above. Alanna receives the Lifetime Sportsmanship Award with Rick Smith, right.
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY UYC
MAKE AN IMPACT: TAKE THE SMP SURVEY!
The Shoreline Management Plan is the official set of rules the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has set up for Lake Lanier. This is the first and onl y opportunity to have a say about those rules. Maybe you’ve been told your steps are too lo ng, or you can only have one dock box, or you can’t have a roof over your party deck. Th e Lake Lanier Association is gathering input in a member exclusive survey. We’ll present a report of recommended changes to the Corps - and then we’ll advocate for the changes our members want.
SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT
LAKELANIER.ORG TO BECOME A LLA MEMBER AND TAKE THIS ANONYMOUS SURVEY!
three levels with elevator access, it features a chef’s kitchen, spa-like primary
and
LLA surveys members for comments to the COE
By Pamela A. Keene
The Lake Lanier Association is soliciting comments from its members about how Lake Lanier is managed.
The survey opened on May 1 and continues through September 1.
Lake Front Living On South Lake
Prime south Lake Lanier location in the sought-after Shady Grove area! Enjoy a single-slip dock in a deep, protected cove with quick access to open water, Margaritaville, top dining, and marinas. This four-sides brick home features a main-level fireside primary suite, low-maintenance design, and an unfinished terrace level ready for your vision. COE-approved for a double-slip dock. Zoned for new East Forsyth schools.
It is intended to provide the Corps of Engineers with input from lake constituents as it considers revisions to the Shoreline Management Plan.
“In collaboration with the Corps, LLA is conducting a survey that will give our
members the opportunity to comment on whatever issues they have with the rules,” said Clyde Morris, board member with the organization. “After collecting the input, we’ll compile the comments and present to the Corps a comprehensive report of the changes our membership wants – and then we’ll advocate for those changes.”
Through Labor Day, September 1, the survey is open to all members by clicking on the SMP Survey link on LLA’s website at www.lakelanier.org.
Margaritaville turns up the heat with concerts, specials
By Pamela A. Keene
From special days at LandShark Bar & Grill to multiple concerts each month, Margaritaville is cranking it up for the rest of season.
“LandShark Bar & Grill is offering seasonal meals throughout the week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and our concerts will give guests plenty of entertainment in addition to our rides and other attractions,” said Bucky Perry, vice president of operations for Margaritaville. “Our fingers are crossed for good weather for the rest of the summer after all the rain early on.”
Landshark specials throughout the week include Margarita Mondays, Low-Country Boil on Wednesdays and Steak-Bake & Brew on Thursdays.
“Landshark Bar & Grill offers a tasty and diverse Sunday Brunch every Saturday and Sunday through September 28, and it’s already a very popular way to begin the weekend and a day of water and sunshine at Margaritaville,” he said. “And the highlight of our summer concert series is a concert by A1A Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band on August 4.”
Here are the dates of the concerts that
performing.
will take place at Landshark Landing:
• (July) July 4, Rick Stone, July 5, Bret Nix; July 6, Pick-up Line Band; July 12, Zach Haynes; July 19, Wandering Willows; July 26, Country River Band. August 2, A1A Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band;
• (August) Aug. 9, Dooley & Baldwin; Aug. 16, Pick-Up Band; Aug. 23, Blackcat Moon; Aug. 30, Rick Stone; Aug. 31, Dock Rock Radio.
• (September) Sept. 1, Steve Kelly; Sept. 6, Zach Haynes.
For more info, visit www.margaritavilleresorts.com.
Lake Lanier Sailing Club summer program fun
Deeded Boat Slip
Deeded Boat
PHOTO COURTESY A1A A1A
Students in last month’s Lake Lanier Sailing Club summer program practice their approach to the start line of a race. In the background, the club’s race committee boat volunteers give the signals to indicate time left before the official start.
PHOTO BY K TERRILL
Whew! June was one active month, weatherwise
June was certainly a month to be reckoned with! The National Weather Service issued more than 134 severe weather warnings with many areas receiving more than 200% their average monthly rainfall! I am afraid to say this wet pattern will likely be sticking around for the rest of the summer, which is very concerning, since we will be in the heart of hurricane season. Tropical rains falling on an already saturated ground could give us some serious issues. July is usually one of the wettest months of the year, if not THE wettest. We average 5.27 inches of rain from summer storms.
Glenn Burns Lanier Outlook
After what we all experienced in June, many have asked if I thought our summer storms were getting stronger. The answer is absolutely, 100% yes! They are not only getting stronger but more frequent as well. This is due to a combination of factors, like the warmer than normal tempera-
tures, increased humidity, and changes in atmospheric patterns over the past several years. For the past 10 years we have seen a significant increase in temperatures, especially during the summer months. Warmer air can hold a lot of water vapor, which fuels thunderstorms. The warmer the air, the more water it can hold, which is leading to heavier downpours, more intense lighting, and a greater risk of flash flooding. In June, we saw an entire month’s worth of rain falling in just a few hours across many north Georgia counties. The National Climate Assessment and NOAA have both documented a significant increase in heavy rainfall over the past 10 years. With hotter surface temperatures and more moisture in the air, the atmosphere becomes extremely unstable, leading to stronger updrafts (fuel for storm
See Burns, page 20
SOLUNAR TIMES FOR LAKE LANIER
SOLUNAR TIMES FOR LAKE LANIER
Boating safety: Knowing the rules isn’t always enough
Take any hobby in the world, and you’ll find people who just dabble and enjoy the experience. You’ll also find others who fully immerse themselves, learning the ins and outs – understanding not just how things work, but why they work that way.
Boating is no different.
Any given weekend on Lake Lanier, you’ll see weekend warriors out having fun right alongside those who treat boating like an art form – something to be studied and mastered. So, which one are you? If you’re in the first group, consider taking some time to learn a few key concepts of safe boating. If you’re in the second group – good for you. Keep it up.
Regardless of which group you fall into, one thing remains true: you’re responsible for understanding the “rules of the road” and navigating your vessel accordingly. Maybe you know the rules inside and out. Maybe you always steer your boat with precision and care. But here’s some-
Frank Taylor The Careful Captain
thing you might not have considered: What if the other guy doesn’t?
Unfortunately, that happens more often than you’d think on Lake Lanier. Picture this: You’re cruising across the lake and notice another vessel approaching from your port side. Judging by your current paths, you realize you’re on a collision course unless one of you changes speed or direction. Since the other boat is coming from your port side, you’re the stand-on vessel – you have the right of way. According to navigation rules, you should maintain your current course and speed, while the other boat is supposed
to yield.
But are you sure the other operator knows that? Can you be absolutely certain they’ll change course or slow down in time? Are you comfortable continuing as-is just because you’re “right”?
It might sound crazy, but boating accidents have happened for exactly this reason: one boater didn’t know the rules, and the other refused to yield because they did.
This is where another critical rule comes into play – one that isn’t talked about enough: every vessel operator is required to take whatever action is necessary to avoid a collision, even if that means breaking the usual rules.
In other words, just knowing you’re right isn’t enough. If you stubbornly stay your course and a collision occurs, you can still be held partially responsible.
And let’s be honest, if you’re lying in a hospital bed because of a boating accident, does it really make you feel any better to know you had the right of way?
A little common sense and courtesy goes a long way on the water. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just out for the weekend, we’ll all be safer if we keep our heads up and look out for each other.
Frank is past commander of America’s Boating Club Atlanta and is currently a content creator at the YouTube channel “The Ships Logg.”
• Burns
Continued from Page 18
development), more storm warnings with severe winds and hail. Another thing I have noticed, and maybe you have too, is our storm season is lengthening. Ten years ago we used to have a peak in spring and early summer, but now it is well into late summer and even early fall. Flooding events are now more common here and also in our neighboring states of Alabama, and the Carolinas. As we have also seen this season, these are not just your pop-up afternoon storms. The are Mesoscale Convective Systems, which are organized clusters of thunderstorms that can last for hours and cover large areas. It is
primarily from these MCS where we are seeing a month’s worth of rainfall in hours. There is a bit of a silver lining to all of this. Summer heat. With more clouds and rain, it is less likely we will see any major heat waves this month. It is July and it will be hot, with an average high of 88 degrees. The Climate Prediction Center is giving us a 50/50 change of above or below normal temperatures. I am thinking near normal to below normal. We shall see!
Glenn Burns is chief meteorologist emeritus for WSB-TV in Atlanta.
*Restrictions
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.
Lakeside Calendar July 2025
BRASELTON
Historic Downtown Braselton – Civic Center/Town Green, 9924 Davis St. - 706-9214016, 706-654-1944 (Civic Center)
o Jul 4 – Independence Day Celebration – 59:30 pm – parade, food trucks, kid-friendly activities, fireworks at dark.
o Jul 11, 18, 25 – Braselton Farmer’s Market (every Fri May-Sept) 4 - 7 pm, Braselton Town Green, 9924 Davis St., 706-654-3915.
o Jul 12 – Movies Under the Stars – (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) Town Green, 7-11 pm, free Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta - 5300 Winder Hwy, Braselton - 770-967-6143, www.roadatlanta.com.
o Jul 19, 20 – SCCA Summer Sizzle – see website for schedule and tickets.
o Jul 25-27 – World Racing League – see website for times, tickets, info.
BUFORD
Buford Community Center, 2200 Buford Hwy, Buford – 770-945-6762
o Jul 26 – Departure with special guest Excitable – 7 pm, gates open 6 pm, concert 7 pm, Free concert on the lawn.
Lake Lanier Islands Resort 770-945-8787
o Every Tuesday – Trivia Tuesdays at Game Changer – 7 pm-9 pm
o Every Wednesday – Music Bingo at Game Changer – 7 pm-9 pm
o Every Thursday – Classic Bingo Night at Game Changer – 7 pm-9 pm
o Fins Up Water Park –11 am-7 pm
o Jul 4-6 – 4th of July Weekend Celebration –live bands nightly 7-10 pm, fireworks Fri/Sat begin at 9:30 pm.
o Thru Sept – Weekend Cruises. Sat. Margarita Sunset cruise 6-9 pm, Sun. brunch cruise, 11:301:30 - $59.99/person, see website for times, reservations. MargaritavilleResorts.com
Tannery Row Artist Colony - 554 W Main St. 470-326-6656 Thur-Sat, noon-4 pm
o Jul 12 – Second Saturday Exhibit – noon-4
o Thru Aug 1 –East/West Challenge – East end of TRAC vs West end – a showcase of artists’ talents.
CUMMING/FORSYTH COUNTY
Cumming Community Center - 770-781-2010, cummingcitycenter.com
o Jul 1 – Barre Class – free workout, 11:30 am12:30 pm
o Jul 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Wednesday Yoga on the Lawn – The Heart Studio – 9:30-10:30 am
o Jul 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Hooray for Jump Day! –2-8 pm, Thursdays thru July 30.
o Jul 2, 9, 16, 23 – Brewer’s Alley Summer Social Cornhole – 6:30-8:30 pm
o Jul 3 – Tin Cup Cruise-in – 6-8 pm
o Jul 3, 10, 17, 24 – Cumming City Center Cornhole League – 6:30 pm-9:30 pm.
o Jul 4 – Departure, Journey Tribute Band – Lou Sobh Amphitheater, 8-10 pm.
o Jul 5 – Landslide, Tribute to Fleetwood Mac –Lou Sobh Amphitheater, 8-10 pm.
o Jul 6 – Sunday Yoga on the Green – The Heart Studio – 6-7 pm.
o Jul 7, 14, 21, 28 – Monday Yoga on the Lawn – The Heart Studio – 6-7 pm.
Boot Barn Hall – 213 Jesse Jewell Pkwy, Gainesville – 678-434-0475
o Jul 3 – Steve Earle: 50 Years of Songs and Stories – doors 5 pm, show 7:30 pm
o Jul 5 – Sinatra Experience | Come Fly with Me! – doors 6 pm, show 7:30 pm
o Jul 11 – Guardians of the Jukebox – tribute to 80s icons – doors 5 pm, show 7:30 pm
o Jul 12 – Frankly Scarlet | The Ultimate Grateful Dead Experience – doors 5 pm, show 7:30 pm
o Jul 13 – An Evening with David Nail – doors 6 pm, show 7:30 pm
o Jul 17 – Legends of 70s California Rock:
Sunrise Cove Marina is named for the stunning views and surroundings, especially against the morning sunrise. A quiet cove tucked away on Lake Lanier, the Marina rests on 62 sprawling acres of beautiful timberland countryside, with an abundance of wildlife presence.
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Canyonland – doors 5 pm, show 7:30 pm
o Jul 19 – The Elvis Presley Experience: Don’t Be Cruel – doors 5:30 pm, show 7:30 pm
o Jul 25, 26 – The Rocket Man Show: Tribute to Elton John – doors 6 pm, show 7:30 pm Don Carter State Park - 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd., Gainesville - 678-450-7726
o Jul 4 – Sandcastle Competition – bring your own tools – 5:30-6:30 pm
o Jul 5 – Get to Know North Georgia Hike –9 am-10 am – 0.75 miles, $5 parking
o Jul 5, 6 – Beach Bash Tournament – come play classic field games, 11 am, all ages, $5 parking
o Jul 6, 27 – Friend or Foe Talk – Picnic Shelter 2, 1:30-2 pm, $5 parking
o Jul 9-11, 23-25, – Jr Ranger Camp: Camp Sandy Shores – ages 7-11, 3 days, 9 am-3 pm, $85, plus $5 parking.
o Jul 9 – Pages in the Park – 1:30-2:30 pm, story time at Picnic Shelter #1, $5 parking.
o Jul 15 – Ice Cream Celebration: Don Carter Park’s 12th birthday – Visitor’s Center, $4, plus $5 parking.
o Jul 25 – Paint the Park at Sunset – a watercolor program for adults (16+) of all experience levels, Shelter #3, all supplies provided, $3, plus $5 parking. 7:30 pm
Elachee Nature Science Center - 2125 Elachee Dr. Gainesville - 770-535-1976
o Summer Weekdays – Free admission M-F in June & July, noon-3 pm
o Jul 1 – (First Tues each month) - Pages & Pines Silent Book Club - Bring a book to read on nature center patio, 12:30-2:30 pm.
o Jul 12, 19, 26 – Discovery Saturdays - Wild animal showcase, exhibits, crafts and hike, 10 am-3 pm, $10 general admission ages 3 and older, $5 parking.
Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden -1911 Sweetbay Dr, Gainesville - 404888-4760
o Thru Oct 5 – Forest Forms: Woodland wonders
o Jul 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – Storybook & Sensory
Bin Time – 10 am-noon
o Jul 11 – Fairytale Friday – dress as your favorite character, 11 am
o Jul 12 – Forever Blooms: Paper Orchid Workshop – 10 am-noon
o Jul 19 – Summer Bob Ross Paint and Sip –1-4 pm
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, 283 GA 255, Sautee Nacoochee, 706-878-3300.
Hall County Farmers Market - 734 E Crescent Drive, Gainesville
o Thru Sep 27th – Summer Market hours –Tues 2:30-6:30 pm, Sat 8 am-noon. Locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers
Hall County Library - 770-532-3311, X4011, hallcountylibrary.org
Blackshear Place – 770-532-3311, ext. 151
o Jul 2 – Tai Chi – 1-2 pm, adults
o Jul 17 – STEAM – Color - 3:30-4:30 pmelementary age
o Jul 30 – Let’s Play Storytime – 10:15-11 am – baby, preschool
Gainesville Branch – 770-532-3311, ext. 3000
o Jul 7 – Crochet 101 for Beginners – Register, 5:30-7:30 pm, adults
o Jul 15 – Toddler Storytime, 11-11:45 pm, baby, preschool
o Jul 4 – First Friday Concert and Fireworks – 7-10 pm, Midland Greenway
o Jul 12 – Tomato Fest – Hall County Farmers Market – 8 am-noon 734 E Crescent Dr.
o Jul 18 – Syfan Supports 5K: Supporting Love Your Story – 6:15 pm, Midland Greenway Lake Lanier Olympic Park – 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville - 855-536-1996
o Jul 18, Aug 15 – Food Truck Friday, 5-9 pm Linwood Ecology Center/Nature Preserve118 Springview Dr, Gainesville MasterGardener@hallcounty.org
o First Wednesdays Sept-Nov - Turning Leaf Book Club - Monthly discussions of naturethemed books, 11 a.m.
Quinlan Arts Center - 514 Green St NE, Gainesville - 770-536-2575
o Jul 18 – Art for Anxiety Workshop – 5:307:30 pm ages 16+
o Jul 19 – Digital Photography Workshop –10 am-1 pm
o Jul 26 – Mosaic Trivets Workshop – 10:30 am-noon
The Arts Council - 331 Spring Street, SW, Gainesville – 770-534-2787, Email: Kaytiea@theartscouncil.net
Fresh water, GFCI power & wifi available at all docks
o Patriotic Pops Concert, Gainesville. Northwind Symphonic Band performs annual patriotic concert on the lawn, gates open 7 p.m., music starts 8 p.m. July 3, Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Sprint St. SW. Bring lawn chairs, picnic; food truck available. $30 individual, $40 per ticket reserve table for 8. www.theartscouncil.net.
o Fly Betty Band/Fireworks, Gainesville. Local party band celebrates July 4 on Midland Greenway, followed by fireworks, 4-6 p.m. preshow, 7 p.m. main concert, 682 Grove St. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Laurel Park Celebration, Gainesville. American Legion - Paul E. Bolding Post 7 presents an all-day Fourth of July celebration. Gates open at 9 a.m. with food vendors, kids’ activities, music, splash pad, and more; fireworks at dark visible from numerous points around north end of lake, 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy. $15 per car.
o 68th annual Thomas Mashburn Steam Engine Parade/Independence Day Celebration, Cumming. Parade with sports teams, dance academies, antique cars, tractors and steam engines on Tribble Gap Road from Forsyth Central High School to Cumming Fairgrounds. 10 a.m.-noon July 4; Independence Day Celebration with children’s activities, food, vendors, live music, adult beverages, and more 4-10 p.m., fireworks 9:30 p.m. Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Rd. www.cummingfair.net.
o Celebrate the 4th, Braselton. Food, music, parade, fireworks; food trucks/family activities, 5 p.m., parade on Ga. 53 begins at 6 p.m., live music 6:30-9:30 p.m.; fireworks between 9-9:30 p.m., July 4, Town Green, 9924 Davis St. www.explorebraselton.com.
o Run, White & Blue 10K/5K/Fun Run, Cumming. 7:45/7:50/8:05 a.m. July 4, Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way. $25-$45. www.runnersfit.com.
o Red, White & Blairsville. Food trucks, bounce houses, and fireworks, 7:30-10 p.m. July 4, Meeks Park, 11 Pool Lane and across the street at North Georgia Tech. www.visitblairsvillega.com.
o Fireworks at the Fairgrounds, Hiawassee. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds annual blast in the mountains with Nathan Morgan Band, 6-9 p.m., fireworks 9:45 p.m. July 4, 1311 Music Hall Rd. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
o Parade and Celebration, Dahlonega. Firecracker 5K, car show, patriotic parade, free concerts in Hancock Park, food trucks, reading of Declaration of Independence, DJ and fireworks show on University of North Georgia drill field at dusk, July 4. www.dahlonegadda.org.
o Old Fashioned Celebration, Blairsville. 7 a.m. 5K/1-mile fun run, 9:30 a.m. flag raising ceremony, followed by bicycle parade, pedal boat races, greased pole climbing, watermelon eating contest and other family activities at one of the nation’s oldest state parks, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. July 4, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Rd. 5K/fun run $20, $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-745-2628.
o Lake Walk/Patriotic Crafts, Mountain City. Start the day with an easy guided walk around the lake, 10-11 a.m., continue with making patriotic crafts and learning about bald eagles, 2-4 p.m. July 4, Black Rock Mountain State Park, 3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy. $5 parking. 706-746-2141, www.gastateparks.org.
o Annual Fireworks at Dusk, Helen. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, view fireworks from
Outdoor Calendar July 2025
Alpine Village Shoppes and Helen Welcome Center. Arrive before 9 p.m. July 4, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. 706 878-2181, www.helenga.org.
o Landshark Landing Lanier Islands, Buford. Outdoor firepits, food & drink, live music, fireworks, 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy. Fireworks 9:30 p.m. July 4-5, live music 7-10 p.m. July 4-6, www.margaritavilleresorts.com.
o July 4th Sand Castle Competition, Gainesville. Teams of 6 or less have 45 minutes to build sandcastles judged for creativity, neatness, details, stability & height; prizes for 1-3 place, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Don Carter State Park beach, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
o Red, White & Boat, Gainesville. Celebration at marina for tenants only, July 5; 9 p.m. fireworks visible from various points on the lake, Gainesville Marina, 2145 Dawsonville Hwy.
o Freedom Fest 5K, Cumming. 8:30 a.m. July 5, Freedom Brew & Shine, 2730 Spot Rd. Suite B. $47.50-$50. www.fivestarntp.com.
o Beach Bash Tournament, Gainesville. Classic field games like spoon race and limbo for all ages; come with a team or form a team on-site, 11 a.m. July 5, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
o Farm Camp, Sautee Nacoochee. One day camp for ages 7-12 to learn about farming in 1900s with crafts, games, home-made ice-cream & more, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 8, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. Registration required. $40. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077.
o Pages in the Park, Gainesville. Storytime with Hall County librarian, activities with a ranger, 1:30-2:30 p.m. July 9, Picnic Shelter 1, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-4507726.
o Camp Sandy Shores, Gainesville. Junior ranger camp for ages 7-11 with crafts, hiking, kayaking, archery, and daily swim time, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 9-11 & 23-25, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $85, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. 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, 9:25-10:55 p.m. July 10, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $10, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.
o Who Was Sidney Lanier?, Gainesville. Guided hike on Huckleberry Trail to hear about poet namesake of Lake Lanier, 11 a.m.-noon July 10, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $2, plus $5 parking. Register in ad-
vance or pay cash. www.gastateparks.org, 678450-7726.
o Forest Forensics, Gainesville. Become a dendrology detective by investigating tree traits, plus short hike on Overlook Trail to identify trees; recommended for ages 10-up, 1-2 p.m. July 12, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $2, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
o Movie Under the Stars, Braselton. Movie Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, concessions available, 711 p,m. July 12, Town Green, 9924 Davis St. www.explorebraselton.com.
o Tri the Parks, Elberton. Multisports races with triathlon, duathlon & aquabike options, various distances, 7:30 a.m. July 12, Richard B. Russell State Park, 2650 Russell State Park Dr. $129-$179. www.tritheparks.org.
o Forever Blooms Paper Orchid Workshop, Gainesville. Create paper orchid with mix of materials, 10 a.m.-noon July 12, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden. 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $75. $70 members. www.atlantabg.org, 404888-4760.
o Become a Campfire Chef: Hotdogs, Gainesville. Join rangers making classic camp meal. Campfire cooking series, 6-7 p.m. July 12, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
o Ice-cream Celebration, Gainesville. Celebrate Don Carter State Park’s 12th birthday by making bag ice-cream, 3-4 p.m. July 15, Visitors Center, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
o Teen Neon Night: Volleyball, Dawsonville. Friendly competition for 7th-12th graders, face paint, glow sticks provided, 8-9:30 p.m. July 18, Amicalola Falls State Park, 208 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515.
o Inflatables, Water Slides, Games, Cumming. 12-8 p.m. July 18, Cumming City Center. 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Syfans Supports Rally 5K/Fun Run, Gainesville. 6:15 p.m. July 18, Midland Greenway, 682 Grove St. $35. www.runnersfit.com.
o Magic Mycology, Helen. Mushroom expert Brian Hale covers mushroom facts, usages and identification and leads exploration, 10 a.m.noon July 19, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-3087.
o Summer Bob Ross Paint & Sip, Gainesville. Complete a landscape painting inspired by popular TV artist, 1-4 p.m. July 19, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet
Bay Dr. $110, $100 members. www.atlantagb.org, 404-888-4760.
o Georgia Peach Women’s Triathlon, Gainesville. 400-yard swim, 15-mile bike, 5K run, individuals and relays, 7:30 a.m. July 20, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. $95-$170. www.gamultisports.com
o Dixon Classic Golf Tournament, Gainesville. Charity event to raise funds for families of fallen heroes, 10 a.m. July 21, Chicopee Woods Golf Course, 2125 Atlanta Hwy. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Paint the Park at Sunset, Gainesville. Watercolor program for adults (age 16+) painting lakeview from Picnic Shelter 3, all supplies provided, 7:30 p.m. July 25, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $3, plus $5 parking. Register in advance.www.gastateparks.org, 678450-7726.
o Braselton Police Foundation 5K. 7:30 a.m. July 26, Braselton Brothers Department Store, 9924 Davis St. $30. www.runnersfit.com.
o Summer Harvest Festival, Sautee Nacoochee. Music, games, hayrides, farm animals, food vendors on the law, open house at farm mansion, 10a.m.-3 p.m. July 26, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $8; free to children 5 & younger. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077.
o Nocturnal Night Hike, Gainesville. Explore nocturnal animals, test all five senses dark outdoor setting, 8-9 p.m. Aug. 1, Overlook Trail, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $3, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
o National Sand Castle Day Competition, Gainesville. Teams of 6 or less have 45 minutes to build sandcastles judged on creativity, neatness, details, stability and height; prizes awarded; bring tools, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Aug. 2, Don Carter State Park Beach, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
o Cherokee Bluff/Flowery Branch Train Run 5k. 8 a.m. Aug. 2, Cherokee Bluff High School, 6603 Spout Springs Rd. $30-$35. www.runnersfit.com.
ON-GOING
o Forest Forms Woodland Wonders, Gainesville. Display with large metal sculptures of plants and animals, June 7-Oct. 5, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet By Dr. Garden admission. www.atlantagb.org, 404-888-4760.
o Storytime with a Naturalist, Dawsonville. Naturalist reads nature-themed books to children K-5th grade, plus crafts & activities,10 a.m. Tuesdays through August, Visitors Center Arch Room, Amicalola Falls State Park, 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515.
o Summer Cornhole League, Cumming. 6:309:30 p.m. Thursdays through July 24, Cumming City Center. 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Music in the Park, Blairsville. Enjoy cool mountain evening at Lake Trahlyta Pavilion with different artist every week, 7-9 p.m. Saturdays through September, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Rd. Bring a chair. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-745-2628.
o Creek Wading with a Naturalist, Dawsonville. Wade in Little Amicalola Creek, learn
Want a challenge? Try for a ‘fishing slam’ in 2025
If a challenge helps motivate you to get outside, it’s time to target the Georgia Bass Slam or the Georgia Trout Slam (or both), says the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (GADNR WRD).
In Georgia, a “Slam” is earned by anglers who meet a specific fishing challenge within a calendar year. Which one are you up for first?
Trout Slam: To complete the Trout Slam, anglers must catch all three trout species found in Georgia (rainbow, brown, brook) within the same year. Participants must submit photos and basic catch information for verification. Successful Slammers receive a special Trout Slam sticker and are
automatically entered into a grand prize drawing. For more information and to access the submission form, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/trout-slam.
Bass Slam: To complete a Bass Slam, anglers must catch any five of the following 10 black bass species found in Georgia: largemouth, smallmouth, shoal, Suwannee, spotted, redeye, Chattahoochee, Tallapoosa, Altamaha, and Bartram’s bass. Fish must be legally caught in Georgia waters where you have permission to fish or from boundary waters under a reciprocal license agreement. Length limits apply – fish must meet legal size limits or be at least eight inches long if no limit is specified. Anglers must submit clear photos, including at least
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about aquatic environment; nets & buckets provided, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesdays through August, Amicalola Falls State Park, 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515.
o Summer Music Series, Gainesville. Concerts on The Lawn at Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St. SW: Northwinds Symphonic Band July 3, Windjammers Unlimited Circus July 19, The Thunderbolts July 25, Back in Time Aug. 29, The Band Loula Aug. 24. Concerts begin 7 or 8 p.m., gates open earlier. Individual and table tickets available. www.theartscouncil.net.
o First Friday Concerts, Gainesville. Live music, kids’ zone, food trucks, vendors, first Fridays through September, pre-show 4-6 p.m., 7 p.m. main stage bands, Downtown Gainesville Square. Fly Betty Band July 4 with fireworks on Midland Greenway; Mary Kate Farmer Aug. 1; Gregg Erwin Band Sept. 5. www.exporegainesville.org.
o Weekend Concerts, Cumming. Live music 810 p.m.: Journey tribute Departure, July 4; Fleetwood Mac tribute Landslide, July 5; The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute, July 12; Dock Rock Radio, July 19; Alabama tribute Boys in the Band, July 25; Foreigner tribute Head Games, July 26; The Cars tribute Car Pool, Aug. 1. Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Cumming City Center. 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o First Friday Concerts, Dahlonega. Live music 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays through October, Hancock Park, North Meaders/Warwick Street. www.dahlonegadda.org.
o Appalachian Jam, Dahlonega. Appalachian music pickers and singers perform around Dahlonega Gold Mine Historic Site, 2-4 p.m. Saturdays through October. www.dahlonegadda.org.
o Storybook & Sensory Bin Time, Gainesville. Nature-inspired stories on the terrace for ages 15, 10-10:15 a.m. Wednesdays through August;
one photo with the angler holding the fish and a side photo showing the fish’s length. Submission details must include the angler’s name, DNR Customer Number, fish length (weight optional), county, and water body. Send entries to Georgia.BassSlam@dnr.ga.gov. Complete rules and additional information can be found at BassSlam.com.
Successful Bass Slammers receive a personalized certificate, two passes to the Go Fish Education Center, and special stickers to display their accomplishment. Anglers also are recognized on the Bass Slam webpage and may be featured on social media. All successful submissions are entered into a drawing for a grand prize.
sensory bin available 9:30 a.m.-noon, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. Garden admission. www.atlantagb.org, 404-888-4760.
o Fairytale Friday, Gainesville. Children dressed as favorite fairytale character enjoy parade with music and bubbles, 11 a.m. second Friday through July, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. Garden admission. www.atlantagb.org, 404-8884760.
o Adult Learn to Row, Gainesville. Learn terminology, safety and techniques for sweep and combination rowing, class sessions Aug. 5-30, & Sept. 2-27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tues. & Thurs; 8-10 a.m. Sat., The Boathouse, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3100 Clarks Bridge Rd. Register in advance. www.lakelanierrowing.sportngin.com/.
o Monthly Farmer’s Market, Braselton. Buy fresh produce, eggs, meats, baked goods & more, Fridays 4-7 p.m. through September; no market July 4, Braselton Town Green, 9924 Davis St. www.explorebraselton.com.
o Food Truck Fridays, Gainesville. Live music, food trucks, beer & wine, retail vendors, 5-9 p.m. 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 Tin Cup Cruise In, Cumming. Classic cars & family fun, first Thursdays through October, Cumming City Center, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Zumba Dance Party, Cumming. Latin-inspired dance fitness, 7-8 p.m. July 8 & 22, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Yoga on the Lawn, Cumming. 9-10:30 a.m. daily, Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
Ready to take on the challenge? Visit BassSlam.com or
o Jazzercise, Cumming. 8:30 a.m. Fridays, Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Sunday Shred, Cumming. Weekly, free exercise workout, 10 a.m. Sundays through Oct. 26, Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Saturday Walking Club, Cumming. 8 a.m. Saturdays, Big Peach Running Co., Vision Drive (in front of fountain), Cumming City Center, 423 Canton Rd. www.bigpeachrunningco.com.
o Sunset Stories, Dawsonville. Professional storytellers share Appalachian folklore, history and more around the campfire, 8-9 p.m. 1st & 3rd Saturdays through Sept. 20; 7-8 p.m. 1st & 3rd Saturdays in October, Amicalola Falls State Park, 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515.
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 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, 706-3441515.
o Birds of Prey, Dawsonville. Blue Ridge Raptors bring feathered friends for up close learning, 1-2 p.m. 1st & 3rd Saturdays through December, Lodge Lobby, Amicalola Falls State Park, 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515.
o June Discovery Saturdays, Gainesville. Pollinator/insect-themed crafts and activities, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays in June, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. $10, free to members. $5 parking. www.elachee.org, 770535-1976.
GeorgiaWildlife.com/trout-slam to get started.
o Summer Farmers Market, Flowery Branch. Local produce, plus live music, cooking demonstrations, and special events, 3:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays through October, 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 February 2026, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. Must be strong enough to pull 20pound 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. Check website & Facebook for updates.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 Clermont Segment Ride. 5 high-effort bike ride segments for total of about 25 miles, average speed 17-18 mph, roll out 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays, Clermont Park, 639 Main St. velocraig@hotmail.com.
o Hall County Summer Farmers Market, Gainesville. Locally grown vegetables, fruits, plus flowers, pastries & more, 2:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, 734 E. Crescent Dr. www.hallcountyfarmersmarket.org.
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
PHOTO: GADNR
A participant in the Trout Slam, Anthony Huntzinger, on the Soque River
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‘The nature coast’ in the forgotten part of northern Florida
Slightly south of Tallahassee, Fla., one enters a natural world where little has changed for a century. This forgotten part of Florida extends southward through the Big Bend to Cedar Key. Huge condos or perfectly manicured golf courses don’t command the horizon in this Panhandle paradise. The land that we call the Nature Coast is still dominated by small fishing villages that have survived the passing of time from the fruits of the Gulf of America and the abundance of its marshes, trees and wildlife.
Though some commercial fishing is still done, seafood harvesting laws tend to favor sport fishing. Therefore, the unbelievable revival of spotted sea trout, redfish, flounder and sheepshead has made this part of Florida a Mecca for anglers with rod and reels. Also, the fertile, spring-fed, saltwater flats of the Wakulla, St. Marks, Steinhatchee, Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers have made the Nature Coast one of the most popular scalloping areas in the world.
The quiet calm camouflages the mind boggling possibilities that are available in this rustic community. If you don’t mind some exercise, guided kayak trips into the saltwater flats can be scenic and educational. The trips will have you grabbing for cameras constantly.
One of the highlights of any visit to this section of Florida’s Panhandle is the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge that was established in 1931 for a wintering habitat to migratory birds. It encompasses 68,000 acres between Wakulla, Jefferson and
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Taylor counties along the Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida. The refuge includes coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks and estuaries of seven North Florida rivers and provides a home for a diverse community of plant and animal life. The refuge has strong ties to a rich cultural past, and includes the famous St. Marks Lighthouse, which was built in 1832 and is still in use today.
Though not one of the wonders of the world, after leaving Wakulla County, stop by Steinhatchee Falls so that you can say that you’ve seen it. Any kind of sudden drop in elevation in Florida is noteworthy, but this one was made famous when Andrew Jackson rested here during one of his Indian campaigns.
Redfish, sea trout and scallops are the main reasons visitors come to the sleepy little town of Steinhatchee. Summer scalloping in the nearby flats is among the best known. The sheer numbers of scallops in Steinhatchee can be amazing!
Any visit to the Nature Coast of Florida would be incomplete
without spending a couple of days between the historic town of Yankeetown and the natural beauty of the Withlacoochee River. Yankeetown still has that Old Florida look with magnificent oak trees decorated with long veils of Spanish moss that shade the winding lanes leading to the Withlacoochee River. The best way to see both the river and the surrounding area is by boat. Both fresh and saltwater fishing is excellent in this area, but the 30-minute ride down the river to the Gulf is absolutely breathtaking! Anyone who likes birding or has an interest in ospreys and eagles will simply go nuts taking pictures of birds and nesting areas!
The Nature Coast offers something for everyone who loves and appreciates nature and the outdoors, and the diverse fresh and saltwater fishing opportunities are great. Regardless of the reasons for coming to this Gulf Coast paradise, the trip is guaranteed to be memorable!
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.
Morning beach walkers
PHOTOS BY BILL VANDERFORD
Birds in a swamp on the nature coast.
A Night Heron, left, and a wild turkey, right.
Lone angler waiting for supper.
Pelicans flying across the water.
Eagles in a tree.
Steinhatchee Falls, above.
on the Nature Coast, right.
THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF JOHN TRAENDLY From riding early tech wave to kayaking the globe
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 Jane Harrison
The technology of moving products by air, land and sea put John Traendly’s analytical mind and enterprising spirit on a career journey spanning the world for more than three decades. He mounted the tech wave during the early days of the Internet and rode it to executive positions at three large companies, later starting and selling three of his own. But it was in a boat with paddles in hand after retirement that the logistics ace discovered the adventurous man he never suspected lived within. He traded the boardroom for the iceberg-dotted sea and his desk for a kayak and tent. His desire to share his awakening has impacted thousands, including paddlers with the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club.
Earlier this year the international paddler bought six new canoes for young LCKC be-
ginners and 12 recreational kayaks for the adult recreation and learn to kayak programs. “I’m trying to help people get out on the water,” said the man who shares the epiphany that changed his life. He’s the guy who makes things happen, investing his “can do” attitude and wallet into watery ventures near and far.
At 79 Traendly (rhymes with friendly) appears fit, lean, squareshouldered and straight backed with a confident gaze and ready smile. He met with Lakeside News at The Boathouse at Lake Lanier Olympic Park and spoke of an obsession that has transported him, more than 1,500 college students, plus countless youngsters and adults to distant waters and across quiet local coves. His neatly creased slacks and blue button-down embroidered with a gold “GT” portray an engineer’s penchant for precision and an enduring commitment to his alma mater, Georgia Institute of Technology.
TV ad changed his path
He recalled a demanding career run on the tech track that left him bored in front of the TV at age 61. “Being an entrepreneur is a sevenday-a-week job. I was gone a lot, all over the world. After selling my third company, I didn’t want to do another one. I decided to retire. As a serial entrepreneur I didn’t have a hobby.”
For once, the logistician had no plan, no destination. Parked in front of the TV, he saw a commercial that launched a new passion. “It was a drug commercial that showed people sea kay-
aking. I thought, ‘That looks like fun’.’’
“So I drove down to Tybee Island and bought a kayak,” he said. He ambitiously plotted a 30-mile debut paddle in the salt marsh. Never athletic or outdoorsy, he had no idea about his physical limitations in the breeze and currents. After 16 miles, he stumbled exhaustedly onto dry land. “I wondered what I might get for a slightly used kayak,” he laughed.
But he persisted. Kayaking took hold, luring him back to Tybee for symposiums with the British Canoe Union and certification as a 4-star instructor and coach. “I got to know the person who designed the boat I paddled,” he said. He also hauled his boat from the home he shares with his wife, Susie, in Smyrna to train on Lake Lanier, Lake Allatoona and other southeastern waterways. He still drives three hours round trip to practice on Lanier at least once a week. He dove into the 15,000plus member American Canoe Association and achieved a level 5 certification as an instructor trainer and developed technology to modernize ACA course reporting. In 2022, he started racing sprint kayaks.
A camping novice
As he developed paddling pro-
wess early on, he pondered “Now what?” He envisioned discovering a vast world stroke-by-stroke in a sea kayak. “International trips would require overnight stays … so I bought a tent and sleeping bag,” he said. The city boy had never camped before. Since 2012, he has pitched tents on snow and laid his head under the starriest skies on personal paddling/camping expeditions to Alaska, Chile, Greenland, Iceland, Russia, New Zealand, Wales, and Yukon Territories.
“No one in my family was outdoorsy,” he said of the Traendly clan that dwelled in a Manhattan bedroom community in Connecticut and later settled in Jupiter, Fla. He struggled to explain to his four siblings, including a twin sister, why he would “go places that are really cold, live in a tent on the snow and all that.”
Reconnecting to Georgia Tech Traendly’s fondness for paddling eventually merged with his appreciation of Georgia Tech, from which he holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering (1968) and Master’s in Industrial Management (1973). Between college years, he served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. After the Traendly couple donated to Georgia Tech student veterans’ pro-
grams, they got invited to the president’s box at football games. It was there in 2011 he found out about the Georgia Tech Outdoor Recreation Program (ORGT). It lacked kayaking expeditions. He went all in.
He was ready to share sightings of humpbacked whales and curious penguins and the thrill of paddling in the wilderness. “It’s a lot more fun to share it,” he said. Susie occasionally accompanies him closer to home. Having no children and finding little to talk about with former colleagues, Traendly set out to put Tech students in kayaks. “They are bright, quick learners, and they appreciate it,” he said.
ORGT assistant director David Knobbe described his first meeting with Traendly, whom he describes as an amazing man who has changed the world for the better. Knobbe recalled the vicepresident of student affairs asked him to take this guy he met at a football game on a kayaking trip. “I thought, ‘What do I want to take an old guy on a trip for?’ I had no idea the level of paddling John did.” He enlisted four fit Tech students. “I said, ‘Take care of this guy. I don’t want to hear any stories about you leaving him
Traendly dwarfed by icebergs in Greenland.
TRIP PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JOHN TRAENDLY
PHOTO BY JANE HARRISON
John Traendly at Lake Lanier Olympic Park.
• Traendly
Continued from Page 34
behind. Be respectful’.”
“When the doors opened on the van after the trip, the four fit guys rolled out. ‘Knobbe,’ they exclaimed, ‘we have never seen anybody able to paddle like that man!’ ”
On days he’s not on the water, Traendly cross trains in his basement gym, helping him maintain strength to out-paddle kids a quarter of his age. He believes it also helps that he began the sport
with “fresh shoulders” without injuries senior athletes often accrue. Helping others see the world
Since his initial ORGT expedition to Scotland in 2013, Traendly has led nine trips abroad, including two to Antarctica in 2018 and 2023, plus nearly 160 short trips with 1,400 students. He not only trains them, drills them on rescue techniques, mentors and leads them, he and Susie, buying all equipment – tents, kayaks, drysuits – spending $20,000 to $30,000 per student on the international trips. Students pay airfare.
“We appreciate his generosity, but more than that we appreciate his time and talents,”
Knobbe said. Asked how Traendly secured his trust to guide students into potentially dangerous environments, Knobbe described the leader’s unparalleled skills as a paddler, instructor, and manager.
“He’s all around committed to this organization and its young people,” he said. The next planned expedition with Traendly will be in August 2026 to the Yukon Territory in Canada, Knobbe said. He
expects it to fill up at 12 to 16 students.
Traendly described several
especially memorable trips. The most logistically complicated and rewarding was his 2018 Antarctica voyage, part of ORGT’s goal to set foot on seven continents in seven years. The odyssey, limited to five students due to expense, involved a refurbished “no frills” Russian research vessel, side trips to Chile, sea-kayaking the subAntarctic, trekking across glaciers and polar plunges. On solo and ORGT excursions in Greenland, Traendly floated waters “far removed from civilization.” For striking scenery, he said Greenland and Iceland win, but unless traveling by kayak, visitors will never see that beauty. His most arduous: a 10½ day, 470-mile paddle in the Yukon Territories. Perhaps the most interesting: paddling on the Bering Sea with an assigned Russian escort who “was supposed to be a kayaker” but was actually a water polo player with no sea kayak experience.
The “guide” knew little English; Traendly, spoke zero Russian.
“I’ve made up for all the vacations I missed,” he mused.
Long-time paddling buddy Todd Hyatt, 64, has witnessed Traendly’s coolness in competition. Hyatt encouraged Traendly to diversify from sea kayak to surf ski to a racing kayak. “John is really good,” said his occasional racing partner and travel companion. “It’s a challenge going from a wide, stable sea kayak to a tippy K1 or K2. Hyatt and Traendly paired up on the Southeastern Paddle Sport team to take several K2 medals in ACA Sprint Nationals. Last year Traendly medaled in nine of 10 events in his 75-79 age category. For the third year, Traendly is on target to accumulate the most overall points in the Southeast Paddle Sports Series.
Described as ‘first class’
“He’s a great guy, calm, willing to do whatever is best for the team,” Hyatt said, including paying for the team’s accommodations in the August ACA Nationals in Washington. Traendly is also one of the organizers of the paddle series. “John is first-class,” Hyatt said.
Kim Martin, LCKC executive director concurs. “(John) cares deeply for the sport and I think he agrees with me that it is a very therapeutic experience. John is willing to help because he believes in what we are doing. I am so thankful for his support,” she said. He also donated for the club’s trip to ACA Nationals and helps fund, organize and run two of the club’s major races.
What is it about kayaking that lured Traendly? “It’s being outdoors … it has a soothing peaceful effect. It’s documented that when people spend time outdoors it helps with their mental wellbeing,” he said. “You can go places where the only way you can get there is by kayak … Plus, you have to work, you get tired. You become independent, self-reliant.”
His advice for retirees: Find something to do that is physically active and has a social aspect. He might recommend kayaking.
Traendly (second from left) along with Georgia Tech students in Antarctica.
A Georgia Tech student takes in a natural waterfall created by melting ice, top.
Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club member John Traendly recently donated six canoes and 12 kayaks to the club. Club members are shown below unwrapping their new boats.
TRIP PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JOHN TRAENDLY
PHOTO BY KIM MARTIN
Traendly on one of the Antartica trips.
Harder, better secure targets really do lead to safer schools
It was the morning of September 4, 2024, Georgia’s deadliest school shooting was under way in Winder at Apalachee High School. Thanks to a recently upgraded school security system, a fast-acting school resource officer and local law enforcement, the mass murder was halted at four fatalities, with serious injuries to nine others. My first born was (and is) a schoolteacher living nearby. The Apalachee River, which serves as a border between Barrow and Walton counties as well as the school campus are each just a few miles away.
Our children will never be enveloped in the security of a member of the First Family, but there are steps which can be taken and are being taken, to improve and strengthen their safety. I was frozen in time for moments as I heard news of the shooting. My daughter and her mother are both career educators, my younger child, also in a DeKalb County public school, has come to accept school shooter drills as part of her new normal. I may never under-
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stand or forgive the shooter, teenager Colt Gray, or reduce my disdain for the judgment of a father who reportedly gifted a 14-year old a semi-automatic firearm. All that said, I don’t blame the gun.
Across our nation, in the thousands, if not millions, our young men are broken, and I will come back to that. But we know from long operating military bases, protecting heads of state and even enhanced corporate security since 9/11, if we harden and better secure targets we greatly increase their safety and security, while simultaneously decreasing the suc-
cess chances of a random or planned act of violence.
I want to recognize and thank Governor Brian Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, House Speaker Jon Burns and the members of both legislative chambers who overwhelmingly supported a nearly half-a-billion investment in improved school and campus security. Smaller efforts have already been made, and enhancements completed, most in two categories, hiring or placing school resource officers or creating a locked/secured central entrance point with metal detectors and camera systems. Yet though this should seem obvious to most anyone, bad guys generally don’t walk in the front door or stand in front of security cameras. As long as there are side entrances, loading docks, doors propped by students tired of pushing a buzzer to re-enter their own school, etc ... an easy path remains for bad actors.
While I don’t relish that our children are being taught how to run, secure themselves and be
quiet to avoid shooter attention, I know from speaking with other shooting survivors that those tactics WORK. We have seen technological advances in security cameras, in terms of imagery as well as the more modern inclusion of sound. Every school system in the state should be investing in networked, monitored camera systems at every school building entrance and exit, as well as hallways and larger common spaces.
Our governor and General Assembly made dual investments, serious funding to harden school targets and improve security systems, and another significant investment in mental health for adding school counselors to assist in identifying and treating mental health symptoms and challenges before they become severe and within our schools.
Most of this debate, for the past several decades, has focused on the gun safety/gun control side of the geometrically expanding tragedy. The average male tween and teen have consumed thou-
sands of hours of violent video gaming, movies and even porn content intended for more mature audiences. The internet is filled with dark and cult cultures that seem to reward manifestos of anger at the world with recognition and even some strange sense of belonging.
For most young men I encounter in high school and college, eye contact, handshakes and even the normal social interactions of daily life seem quite foreign. This has concerned me for more than a decade, and while I mentor and even take away phones or tablets on occasion, our society and greater community need to be stepping in more here as well. We can turn our schools into Fort Knox, at considerable expense of limited resources, or we can make sensible security enhancements while working to reduce the feelings of isolation and rejection expressed by so many of these broken young men.
For Colt Gray, we are too late, but for the potentially hundreds
Some absolute safety rules and fishing tips for this summer
Couple of things before we get to the fishing subject: Lanier is busy and a generous portion of the human population on the lake has no regard for their safety nor for others, so allow me a few ABSOLUTE rules that will help you enjoy the visit and return safely.
Number one rule: if the engine is running, everyone in the boat is wearing a life preserver.
Number two, life preservers are not in storage in the boat but are lying around readily available when you’re fishing. Fall in and one will be tossed in your direction.
Number three on the subject of safety: motoring and facing another boat head on. Slow down because you don’t know if the oncoming vessel will be turning right or left to avoid a collision. Just throttle back and stop.
OK, now for summertime largemouth bass and spotted bass fishing suggestions. In the “big lake” area, fish the deepwater lighted boat docks located back in the creeks at night. If your locator
O’Neill
Williams
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Outside
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indicates brush or treetops and the dock is lighted, which so many hundreds at Lanier are, the best bait would be live shad or plastic worms. If you get a hit or catch one, leave and go to the next dock or two and then return. You didn’t get a bite from or catch the only fish under that dock. I can assure you he was not alone. Three or four lighted docks nearby can produce 20 bites during three visits each.
I started fishing Lanier in 1957 and a few decades ago when I was younger I won several local
bass tournaments using not more than three docks as targets over the course of three hours. You’ll be surprised at this, but the very best bait is live crawfish which can be purchased on the web from Louisiana. Contrary to other recommendations I have read urging you to turn off your boat lights, leave them on so you will avoid getting crashed into by some of the nighttime knuckleheads running the lake. It cost nothing, so leave the lights on.
How about daytime, which would be necessary for youngsters you’re hosting? Locate the standing timber and submerged islands away from the banks. Before the lake was backed up, a forest of hardwood trees and stumps were left about 15 to 50 feet below the current summertime waterline. That’s where thousands of schools of bass spend the summer and rarely see a single bait presented. Again, catch one or two, then nothing? Find a few similar deep water structure targets close by, catch
one or two there, then return to the original spot. AGAIN, the one or two you caught were not alone and their friends are likely still hungry.
When fishing these deep-water targets, put the sun in your face and the boat shadow away from the target, otherwise the moving shadow may spook the bass the keep them from taking your bait. Found a nice-looking rocky point to cast into 6 to 8 feet of water?
• Crane
Continued from Page 36
more with similar feelings of anger, suicide or leaving their mark by taking innocent lives ... we STILL have time. We are hardening the targets, and that is a good thing. Now let’s go strengthen and better support our young men. There is still time.
Don’t do it. Get in the shallows and cast out into 25 to 40 feet. Rocks and brush and bass spend the summertime out there. Give it a try.
Catch O’Neill on Saturday mornings on WSB from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. 750 on AM or 95.5 on FM.
4th
Bill Crane is a writer and true son of the South. A longtime columnist and political analyst, he is now spending a good part of his time living the lake life and loving North Georgia. He will share his thoughts and travels here.
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. Lakeside
Gen Renovations
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Interior and exterior painting and remodeling. All types of roofing and gutter work.
Building or rebuilding decks. Power washing and seal coating. We are conscientious, reputable and reliable. References available upon request.
For a free estimates, call 678-444-0032 or 434-835-0016
See our website: 4thGenrenovations.com and Facebook page
Ask about our military, first responders, senior citizens or teacher discounts.
Oh, deer! Keeping Bambi at bay: fact or fiction
A mother deer and a spotted fawn can paint a pastoral scene in your back yard, but to some gardeners, this picture means that Bambi and his mom are munching their plants, flowers, shrubs and vegetables.
You’ve heard all the remedies on Facebook, Next Door and even some garden bloggers’ sites, but the truth is home-grown deer repellants do not work. I’ll get to that in a minute. Don’t waste your time shaving slices of Irish Spring soap or making regular trips to the local hair salon to retrieve human hair. No matter what friends tell you, these old wives’ tales are just that: tales from old wives.
Lengths of aluminum foil or aluminum pie pans hung from your fences, motion-activated water sprinklers or leaving moth balls near your plants are not effective in the long run.
At this time of year, every mama deer teaches her fawns how to survive the coming winter. They’re everywhere, mostly at dawn and dusk, foraging on tender leaves and flowers of day-
Pamela A. Keene
Curb Appeal
lilies, hydrangeas, roses – the thorns don’t bother them – blueberry bushes, numerous foliage plants and even, tomato plants. They’re not afraid to come into your yard, cross your driveway or sidewalks to find nourishment.
But your gardening life doesn’t have to be ruled by what deer may eradicate from your landscape. There is hope.
Physical barriers
If a deer is hungry enough, she’ll eat anything, but there are ways to slow her down. One of the best ways to deter them is to create a physical barrier.
Build a deer fence. Deer can
jump six or seven feet in the air, but they have terrible depth perception. If they can’t see a clear landing area, they will hesitate. We’ve built six-foot tall wire fences around our vegetable gardens and fruit orchards, using tall posts, six-foot fencing and two more feet of wire at 12-inch intervals. The wires are hard for the deer to see, but it only takes one or two to try it before they turn their attention elsewhere.
Using low-voltage electrified fencing sends a stronger message. The light shock will not harm the deer. With my 80-plus hybrid tea rose bushes in four separate beds, we’ve installed wire fencing plugged into an outdoor outlet and grounded for safety. The fences stay on all year and work like a charm. Just be sure if you have visitors, especially children, unplug them.
Keeping them away
Reducing deer foraging can be only a regular spraying program away. Effective commercial deterrents such as Liquid Fence, Hinder, Bobbex and Deer Away
do the trick, but the key is consistency. Be prepared for the strong smell, but it will dissipate in 12 to 24 hours. It still works for longer than a week unless we’ve had multiple days of rain.
Available in liquid form, these products are applied to foliage with a pump or backpack sprayer. Commercial repellents won’t harm the deer, but the smell and taste are not appealing to them and can keep them from browsing. Alternating these products will increase their effectiveness.
Keeping deer out of your yard can be intimidating.
in my hybrid tea beds. As my cherry trees and azaleas start to leaf out, they’ll get 3-4 applications as well.
At the beginning of the growing season – for me that’s midFebruary – apply every 10 days. Reapply at least 4 to 5 times through the spring and the deer will stay away. Every year I diligently spray my hydrangeas, clematis, daylilies and the miscellaneous roses not growing
You can use Milorganite for the dual benefit of repelling deer and providing a slow-release lownitrogen fertilizer. A byproduct of wastewater treatment, it’s made from treated sewage sludge that’s safe and good for plants.
Here at Rose Lane, we’ve used these techniques for the past 15 years and had great success. Just remember two things: a consistent
See Curb, page 46
PHOTO BY PIXABAY
LAKE LANIER
Lakeside’s Safety Guide
BOATING
Boater Education Courses with Certification Exam
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: July 12
Online Instructor Led: 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@americasboatingclubatlanta.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
• Information/registration: Joseph Edwards; jedwardsmaine0387@gmail.com; 404-775-2608 http://wow.uscgaux.info/peclass.php?unit=070-02-09
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
• America’s Boating Club – Atlanta offers vessel safety check-ups by appointment; americasboatingclubatlanta.org/vessel-safety-check.
• Vessel Safety Checks by appointment: Both U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and America’s Boating Club – Atlanta 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.
• Lessons: Swimming and water safety program for all ages and levels, age 6 months to masters, basic aquatics safety to skill proficiency for competitive swimmers, lifeguard training.
• Lanier Aquatics Swim Team: Competitive swimming groups for Rookie (age 4) through Masters (age 18 and older); www.gainesville.org/753/Lanier-Aquatics-Swim-Team
• Swim lessons: For all ages and levels, parent-child swim, Masters Swim Program, water fitness, water safety, life guard certification. Fees and times vary.
• Lessons: Swimming and water safety program ranges from toddler-age in Parent Child Aquatics Program to teens and adults in Learn to Swim and Adult Aquatics Program. Private or semi-private lessons available. Fees and schedules vary. Competitive swimming and diving programs, Masters Swim Team also available. Lifeguard certification offered.
• Swim lessons: For children of all abilities from four months to 12 years. Fees and times vary.
NOTE: Please contact Lakeside on Lanier News to list additional boating and water safety classes. lakesidenews@mindspring.com.
July may mean flightless geese (due to molting) around the lake
The Canada goose can thrive in a variety of habitats. However, those habitats often include people-centric areas such as neighborhoods, office complexes, city parks and other developed areas. At times, this can be frustrating for homeowners and property managers when geese begin to molt in the summer, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).
“Late June through early July is when we can expect to see ‘flightless’ geese. They are unable to fly while they are in the process of molting,” says Kara Nitschke, WRD Migratory Gamebird Biologist. “Though they may be ‘hanging around’ the same area for a little while, they’ll be able to fly again within a couple of weeks.”
Do you have goose problems?
Most times of the year, geese can be deterred with the use of harass-
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ment techniques. But, because geese cannot fly during the molt, these techniques may not work right now. Instead, property managers and homeowners are encouraged to be tolerant until geese can regrow their flight feathers. Then, the geese will regain their ability to fly and will likely move on.
If property owners continue to experience issues with Canada geese post-molting season, here are a few tips to try:
Harassment: First, try a variety of harassment techniques (also called hazing), including metallic streamers/tape, noise makers, or even trained herding dogs. These techniques may scare the geese away from your property.
Chemical Repellents: Repellents can be sprayed on the grass in your yard to deter geese from feeding in treated areas. Most repellents require re-application after mowing or after rain.
watched how others taught. I was named assistant head coach last year and that –and receiving my Level 1 certification –gave me a whole new perspective on sailing.”
A graduate of Decatur High School, she attended the University of Colorado for a year before transferring to the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she continues to study architecture with an emphasis on sustainability.
“I was land-locked in Colorado and I really missed the water, so coming back to Georgia was perfect for me. And being able to blend sustainability and nature into my architecture studies is so fulfilling.”
Physical Barriers: Barriers, such as wire or string 12-18 inches above the ground, or heavy vegetation (like cattails), along property lines or the shoreline can deter geese from using your property. This method requires consistency from the property owner and may not always be 100% effective.
Special Permits to Remove Geese: In cases where the above techniques have been unsuccessful, homeowners who want to reduce or eliminate the goose population on their property can obtain a permit from their local WRD Game Management office (GeorgiaWildlife.com). This permit allows for the legal and lethal removal of the animals. Removal can be done by the homeowner or by a licensed nuisance wildlife trapper (GAdnrle.org).
It is important to remember that Canada geese are a protected species under state and federal
When asked how the program changed her, she was quick to say that it taught her leadership. “Back when I started I never imagined I’d become a coach and eventually a certified instructor.” This has been a stand-out year for Alanna. Being named a co-head coach was just the start.
In late June, she received the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Sportsmanship Award for her 13 years with the program.
“Being surprised doesn’t begin to describe how I felt when they presented me with the award,” she said. “It was the last thing I expected but it is something I’ll remember for a long time.”
law. It is illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase or possess Canada geese except according to Georgia’s mi-
gratory bird regulations.
For more information, go to GeorgiaWildlife.com.
UYC scholarship recipients
Canada geese.
PHOTO BY VICKI HOPE
Two West Hall High School graduates who are employed by University Yacht Club as dining room servers receive scholarships from officers of the club. Pictured left to right: Vice Commodore Mike Lee, Treasurer-Judy King, Scholarship Recipients Braden Green and Elijah Ramsey, UYC Commodore Butch Miller and SecretaryRandy Brown. Not pictured Rear Commodore Joe Parris.
PHOTO BY PAMELA. A KEENE
General
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 770 945-9531
Water Release Schedules 770 945-1466 Recreation/Water level Info 770 945-1467
DNR, Law Enforcement Division 800 241-4113 Lake Lanier Association Inc. 770 503-7757
Boating Safety Courses US Coast Guard Aux. Flotilla 29 770 891-6362 Atlanta Sail & Power Squadron 770 734-6412
Types of slips available: Uncovered, 20' to 80'; covered, 24' to 106' totaling 815 slips & dry stack storage (521) for up to 39'.
Types of fuel: 90 non-ethanol
Price of fuel: (as of 6/18/25) $5.39 regular (Dock/Ship Store open 8 a.m.-7 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 6/18/25) $5.29, non-members; $3.84, members (Dock open 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun.-Thur.; 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. )
On-site eatery: Pig Tales
SAFE HARBOR HIDEAWAY BAY
Hours: Office/Store/Dock open 9 a.m.-7 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 6/18/25) $4.74, non-members; $3.69, members
On-site eatery: Fish Tales
SUNRISE COVE MARINA
Hours: Office/Store 9 a.m.-5 p.m., daily
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 6/18/25) $5.39 unleaded Ethanol Free (Dock open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun.-Fri.; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat.)
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 37 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 $8
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!
Provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vehicles
Whether you’re catching up with family and friends or just winding down, there’s nothing like spending time outside on a beautiful porch. A porch can serve as a versatile and charming architectural feature, typically covered and open on the sides adjoining with a home’s entrance. Adding a porch to your home will boost your home’s curb appeal and create a comfortable space for fresh air for when the weather is pleasant. Porches add value, beauty, and enjoyment to a home.
Porches can have many different styles and purposes. There are screened-in porches, wraparound porches, detached porches, back porches, front porches, decks, rain porches, farmer porches, and more. It’s important to research and decipher your intent for the new space and, of course, what matches your home and style.
• Front Porch: A porch located at the front of a house, often used as a welcoming space.
• Back Porch: A porch located at the rear of a house, typically used for outdoor living and relaxation.
• Screened Porch: A porch with screens instead of glass, providing protection from bugs and debris while maintaining a connection to the outdoors.
• Wraparound Porch: A porch that extends around the sides and/or back of the house, creating a larger outdoor living area.
• Bungalow Porch: A porch that’s a continuation of the front of the house, often with columns, a roof, or a pergola.
• Farmhouse Porch: An open and inviting porch, often with a casual style and simple design.
• Portico: A smaller, covered
porch that often shelters the front entrance.
• Open Porch: A porch with a roof but open on the sides, providing shade and airflow.
• Veranda: A large, roofed porch, often wrapping around the house and used for entertainment or as a gallery room.
• Loggia: A covered outdoor corridor or gallery attached to a house, often found in European architecture.
When planning a porch addition, it’s important to think about how you would like the space to be used. Consider details like size, orientation, privacy, and how it connects with the rest of your home. Accessibility, local building codes, and seasonal weather conditions also play an important role in designing a porch that’s both functional and comfortable year-round.
A thoughtfully designed porch can dramatically improve the look of your home. It frames the entrance, provides dimension, and offers a sense of warmth and welcome. It also adds character and
aesthetic. A porch design should always complement the architectural elements of your home. Consider trim details, complementary materials, and architectural harmony to ensure your porch looks like a natural extension of your home. This unity boosts visual appeal and adds long-term value to the property by maintaining structural and stylistic consistency. Since porches connect the exterior and interior of your home, it is also popular for homeowners to decorate their porch by adding plants including flowerpots, hanging plants, and more.
based on location, design, and materials used. This makes porches one of the more cost-effective home improvement projects, delivering both lifestyle enhancements and increased resale value.
Porches add a touch of luxury to any home while also serving as a financial investment. On average, a porch addition offers an impressive return on investment of about 84%, though this can vary
If you have been thinking of adding a porch to your home, Tracy Tesmer Design/Remodeling would love to speak with you about it. Call 678-450-1700 or visit tracytesmerremodeling.com. Kim Evon is a designer for Tracy Tesmer Design/Remodeling in Gainesville.
Kim Evon
A porch can create a comfortable space for fresh air.
PHOTO: TRACY TESMER DESIGN/REMODELING
Planning an outdoor adventure? Be
When planning outdoor adventures, plan to be BearWise too, encourages the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).
“By taking a few proactive steps to be BearWise, we can ensure our outdoor plans and activities this summer are safe, enjoyable and memorable for all. At the same time, being BearWise will help keep bears wild,” says Adam Hammond, WRD’s State Bear Biologist. “Wild black bears typically go out of their way to avoid people, so taking simple precautions to avoid providing bears a free meal will allow us to explore and enjoy the outdoors confidently and may help others do the same.”
Georgia has three distinct populations of black bears, in the north Georgia mountains, in central Georgia along the Ocmulgee River, in and around the Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia, and occasionally, anywhere in between.
Bearwise basics
Stay alert: Pay attention to your surroundings. Keep kids within sight and close by. Leave earbuds at home and enjoy the sounds of nature. More often than not, bears will hear you coming and avoid unnecessarily close interactions.
No trash or food scraps: Double bag your food when hiking and pack out all food and trash. Don’t burn food scraps or trash in your fire ring or grill. Leaving scraps, wrappers, or even harmless items like apple cores teaches bears to associate trails and campsites with food. Keep dogs leashed: Letting dogs chase or bark at bears is asking for trouble; don’t force a bear to defend itself. Keep your dogs leashed at all times or leave them at home.
Camp safely: Set up camp away from dense vegetation and natural food sources. Cook as far from your tent as possible. Do not store food, trash, clothes worn
while cooking, or toiletries in your tent. Store in approved bearresistant containers OR out of sight in a locked vehicle OR suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 10 feet from any part of the tree.
If you encounter a black bear: If you see a bear before it notices you, don’t approach. Stand still, enjoy, then quietly move away. If a bear sees you, back away slowly. If the bear continues to approach, stand your ground, wave your arms and yell, throw sticks or rocks, and be prepared to put up an aggressive fight, if necessary, until it leaves. If you are in a group, stay together. If it keeps approaching and you have bear spray, be prepared to use it.
BearWise is the national program of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies dedicated to helping people live responsibly with bears.
For more information, visit www.BearWise.org.
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program helps reduce foraging, and no matter what nothing completely prevents deer from eating just about anything if they’re hungry enough.
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.
PHOTO: DNR BOBBY BOND
A black bear in the Georgia woods.
Classifieds
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.
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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.