Lakeside On Lanier June 2022

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June 2022

3292 Thompson Bridge Road #250, Gainesville, GA 30506 Phone: (770) 287-1444 E-mail lakesidenews@mindspring.com

Vol. 28 Issue 6

INSIDE THIS ISSUE LLA changing of the guard Times are changing for the Lake Lanier Association. In late May, longtime president John Barker, left, retired and passed the gavel to new president Todd Baxter. Page 2

Wild & Scenic Film Festival This year’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival showcases more than a dozen award-winning, family-friendly films about nature, adventure and conservation. The week-long event runs from June 11-17. Page 34

Lake Blue Ridge Picture deep, clear, blue-green waters encircled by majestic mountains near a thriving community with an abundance of things to do, and you have Lake Blue Ridge. Page 50 Also inside: Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Dining guide . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Fishing news . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Lake levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Lanier map . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Marinas information . . . . . . . .Page Outdoor activity calendar . . . .Page Recreation guide . . . . . . . . . .Page Safety guide . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Shore Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page

30 55 48 10 20 52 44 35 49 45 18

Columns: The Careful Captain . . . . . . . .Page Curb Appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Design & Remodel . . . . . . . . . .Page Glenn Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page O’Neill Outside . . . . . . . . . . .Page On the Water . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Vanderford’s travel . . . . . . . . .Page

22 40 47 20 16 14 50

PHOTO BY ALAN HOPE

Larry Baldwin receives a rather bemused look from his daughter, Madeline, following last month’s Duck Derby on Lake Lanier. Baldwin, a board member and past president of the club, was helping “herd" the 24,000 ducks after the race.

See story, photos page 36.

2 LAKESIDE

June 2022

Changing of the guard: LLA names new president 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, Millie Adcox Columnists Glenn Burns, Vinnie Mendes, Sara Bagwell, O’Neill Williams, Frank Taylor Travel Editor Bill Vanderford Lakeside is published monthly by Lanier Publishing, Inc. based in Gainesville, GA, with distribution in some 300 locations around Lake Lanier and other areas. Opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of Lakeside, its staff or its advertisers.

Manuscripts and photographs submitted will be considered for publication. Lakeside cannot be held responsible for such materials in case of damage or loss.

By Pamela A. Keene Times are changing for the Lake Lanier Association. In late May, long-time president John Barker retired and passed the gavel to new president Todd Baxter.

The organization will also be bringing on a new Barker executive director next month to replace Jennifer Flowers.

“The association continues to grow and evolve and there’s no better person to lead us than Todd, especially as we move into this new chapter,” said Barker, who has served as president for three years. “And while I’m retiring as president, I plan to continue to be involved with the lake community as well as the association.”

Baxter joined the board in 2019 and has spearheaded the group’s solar lights program interfacing with the US Army Corps of Engineers. He has also been immersed in the north Georgia community.

“When my job transferred my family and me to the Atlanta area in 2005, we fell in love with Lake

Lanier,” Baxter said. “After I was transferred to Colorado in 2012, we missed the lake so much, we bought a house on Lanier for vacations. And when we moved back in 2019, it was like coming home.”

Baxter and his wife Laura and their two school-aged children live on the lake. His older son lives in Utah. They enjoy all sorts of lake activities – boating, jet skis, fishing, dining at the numerous restaurants, and just hanging out on their dock.

A native of the Southeastern United States, Baxter currently works for one of the largest background-check corporations in the world. He holds a Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) is in Finance and an MBA. Barker, an Ohio native, retired from The Coca-Cola Co. He and his family started visiting Lake Lanier in 1988, when they bought their first boat. In 2002, they purchased a lake house. He and his wife Deborah have two grown children and six grandchildren.

Instrumental in the organization’s abandoned boats and derelict docks program, he became president of the board in 2015. Under his leadership the

Todd Baxter, wife Laura and their two youngest children at last year’s Shore Sweep.

group expanded its mission of Clean Lake. Full Lake. Safe Lake. It also began an aggressive program of public outreach and boater education.

In anticipation of his new role, Baxter has spearheaded the search for a new executive director. “We received a large number

of applications and have been interviewing candidates,” he said.

“We anticipate announcing our new executive director sometime in early to mid-June.”

For information about the Lake Lanier Association or to join, visit lakelanier.org or call 770 503-7757.

Be Safe On The Lake in 2022!

June 2022

LAKESIDE 3

We Sell Lifestyles - Not Just Homes

TERESA SMITH Lake Lanier Specialist 770-654-4173 • teresasmith@kw.com

MICHELE KAPLAN 678-677-5653 • michelekaplan@kw.com

MACKENZIE SCOTT 678-925-2652 • mackenziescott@kw.com

LISA MITCHELL

LivingOnLakeLanier.com

513-383-8926

COMING SOON - Dawsonville

6349 J F Jay Road, Gainesville

9275 Long Hollow Road, Gainesville

THE ULTIMATE Lake Lanier property with 6.5 acres on a private point lot with a lake view and deep water dock. A private estate home, w/a gorgeous pool and massive covered porch overlooking the pool and lake, a state of the art double slip dock (the only permitted boat dock currently allowed in this cove), 5 garages, gated w/ long landscaped driveway and possible room for a horse or 2. 5BR/6.5B. $3,900,000 (Hall)

WHAT A FIND! UNIQUE situation with 2 homes, 2 building lots and a huge detached garage with grass to the water and a beautiful double slip dock. What a perfect scenario to either rent the 1 bedroom 1.5 bath home long term, use this as a guest home when you have company or it's also perfect for multigenerational living! The main home has 2 bedrooms and 2.5 baths and a beautiful view to the lake. Conveniently located in Forsyth County, just north of Browns Bridge. REDUCED $899,000 (Forsyth)

6433 Waterscape Ridge, Gainesville

Watermark Cove

Featured Testimonial of the Month

1ST TIME ON THE MARKET! AMAZING 1.86 acre lot in beautiful Waterside on Lake Lanier subdivision. This lovely lot has a single slip dock in a great cove for swimming and relaxing. $350,000 (Hall)

FREE DEEDED SLIP in 24 Slip dock. 1.30-2.63 acres lots. Gated S/D. Interior and lakefront lots. $120K - $175K Gainesville (Hall)

“Teresa and her team were absolute professionals and absolutely ‘in our corner’as sellers. They were great about protecting our time and energy throughout the processes of selling our home - from scheduling the pictures, throughout the showings, and then when negotiating with the buyers. Even though I'm sure Teresa and her team had multiple clients while she worked with us, she made us feel as though we were her only concern - she was responsive to our calls, questions, and concerns - always providing timely and thoughtful responses. Truthfully, I'm glad she was on our ‘side’ because she's a tenacious, formidable agent that made us feel as though she would've gone into "battle" on our behalf. It's rare to experience this type of customer care any more these days...as such it was a pleasure to work with Teresa and her team.” - Stephen W.

6155 Quail Mountain Trail, Gainesville

4217 Tall Hickory Trail, Gainesville

3839 Mark Trail, Gainesville

THE PERFECT LAKE HOME! 2/2 with a very cool cabiny vibe and open concept. Lower level has a finished rec room too. Easy walk to the single slip dock with a party deck in nice deep water. This is a great cove for swimming and paddle boarding yet only a minute or 2 from the main body of the lake.

REDUCED $639,900 (Forsyth)

!

SOLD

!

D L O S

1719 Cove Point Gainesville $1,250,000

8440 Bullock Road Gainesville $1,200,000

!

SOLD

!

D L O S

2277 Sidney Drive Gainesville $1,200,000

49 Dogwood Ct Dawsonville $1,199,000

!

D L O S !

SOLD 5335 Bay Circle Cumming $1,299,000

LINDAL CEDAR custom home with spectacular lake views from every room. Single slip covered dock on deep water. 3BR/3.5BA. Finished terrace level includes recreation, bedroom, full bath w sauna & workshop. 3 car garage. (Hall) $1,200,000

!

D L O S 5055 Sunrise Lane Cumming $799,000

4 LEVEL LAKE LANIER HOME! CORP LINE is in the water and the VIEWS fantastic! 8 BR/8BA. May qualify for short term rentals. Main level kitchen and great room are HUGE. The master suite is on the upper level and has his and hers bathrooms and closets galore. The lower 2 levels have bedrooms, bath rooms, rec rooms and a large wine cellar. $1,150,000 (Dawson)

!

SOLD

The BEST price on Lake Lanier for a lake lot with a single slip dock! This lot will have sunset views from the building site. Soil test indicates the septic will be approved for a 3 bedroom home. $189,000 (Hall))

!

D L O S

!

SOLD

5274 Forest Cove Rd Gainesville $1,200,000

6410 Chestnut Hill Rd Flowery Branch $1,200,000

!

D L O S

!

SOLD

!

SOLD

!

SOLD

4715 Virginia Street Oakwood $725,000

7550 Crestline Drive Dawsonville $699,000

181 Woodland Circle Dawsonville $625,000

2752 Wynelle Drive Gainesville $400,000

Lake Lanier Experience Isn't Expensive, It's Priceless!

We are on social media! Give us a follow @LivingOnLakeLanier We can help turn your dream into a reality, call us today!

4 LAKESIDE

June 2022

Bev Knight 770-503-7070

Lead Agent 770-536-4416

Since 2012, #1 Agent on Lake Lanier (cummulative sales)

*** Featured Lake Home *** C NEW/U

!

O URS IN 48 H

Lakefront luxury

Lakefront barndominium on almost 9 acres Dragonfly Farm is an incredibly versatile & private lakefront property complete with magazine-quality barndominium, stand-alone dock house connected to a modern double-slip party dock on deep water, pastureland, 2 chicken coops, 2 pasture shelters, ATV/walking paths through the woods & more. With almost 9 acres of land & nearly 1400 ft of frontage on Lake Lanier, the current owners used it as a hobby farm for animals & gardens as well as a mechanic's garage for their race cars. The lower floor features a 5-car garage w/ car lift, massive rec area, a media section, huge universal room (currently used as a bedroom) w/ 2 industrial sinks, full bath & tons of storage. That floor could easily be divided to establish horse stalls. Straight out of the latest design magazines, the upstairs living quarters are perfectly updated to the latest standards: open floor plan, chef's dream kitchen w/ massive pantry & work island, dining area, family room, to-die-for owner's suite & an office currently used as a bedroom--all w/ upscale luxury finishes. You'll love the huge deck overlooking the dragonfly-shaped herb garden, lake & sprawling lot. This property is perfect for a car collector, VRBO investor, horse enthusiast, developer, sports lover or anyone looking for a private lake escape. $1.7m

SOLD! SOLD! !

D L O S

Gainesville $1,900,000

Panoramic views SOLD! SOLD! SOLD!

Gainesville $795,000

Gainesville $1,600,000

Beautifully renovated !

O URS IN 48 H C /U NEW

Gainesville $748,000

Great VRBO

Marina Bay

Modern masterpiece

SOLD! SOLD! !

D L O S

Gainesville $875,000

Cherokee Forest NEW L

!

ISTING

Gainesville $529,000

UNDER

A CONTR

CT

Gainesville $850,000

Renovated in 30501 NEW L

!

ISTING

Gainesville $360,000

w w w. H o u s e s O n L a n i e r. n e t

June 2022

LAKESIDE 5

Darlene Plavcan Senior Agent

Angie Smart Senior Agent

Angie Trotman Senior Agent

Cynthia Runions Operations Manager

678-300-1275

404-368-8880

770-540-9679

Taylor Lange Marketing

865-973-8832

770-712-5587

770-503-7070

*** Featured Lake Home *** !

ISTING NEW L

Newly renovated lakefront home Best value of the year, a nicely renovated lakefront home with a gentle path to the lake, covered single slip dock on good water and move-in-ready. It's all on one level. Positioned sideways on the lot, the front door is on the left. Rocking chair front porch leads into a large family room with vaulted ceiling, hardwood floors and a cozy fireplace. Open floor plan; updated, efficient kitchen.

Large pantry and laundry room off the kitchen. Two bedrooms share a newly renovated bathroom. Sunny primary en-suite bedroom has a bathroom with a trendy barn door entry and other nice upgrades. Newly completed sunroom with views. Large deck with an inviting fire pit in the middle. Some of the newer features include the roof, paint, smooth ceilings, driveway, trim, landscaping & more! Located close to GA 400 as well as all the restaurants/ shopping/theaters/wineries in Dawsonville & Dahlonega. $795,000

Testimonial from another happy client

Welcome Angie

“Beverly Knight and Angie Smart are AMAZING! They were referred to us by a friend. After meeting with us on a Tuesday and taking time to review our home and find out what WE wanted, they marketed and listed the following week. The home sold within 2 hours well over asking price!

We were super impressed! I highly recommend these professionals for

Angie Trotman Senior Agent The Good Life Group 770-540-9679

your next selling or buying experience!” - Jodi R., Gainesville

The Good Life Group is delighted to announce the addition of Senior Agent Angie Trotman to our group. A Hall County native and long-time Lake Lanier dweller, Angie has over 20 years experience in real estate and is consistently one of the top agents in the KWLP franchise. She has done volunteer work as a children’s mentor, for a local animal shelter and an Enota PTA volunteer. Already an award-winning mega agent, we can’t wait to see her shine as the newest member of the GLG. Welcome Angie!

…when you’re ready for the good life!

6 LAKESIDE

June 2022

Sheila Davis 770-235-6907 sdavis@gonorton.com 770.536.1250

#1 in Lake Lanier Sales! Your Trusted Lake Advisors

Selling Lake Lanier Properties for 21 Years!

ING CUMM

$2,700,000 • JUST LISTED! SOUTH LAKE LANIER! STUNNING LAKE VIEWS, ELEGANT CUSTOM HOME, GUEST COTTAGE PLUS TWO DOCKS! South Lake premier location in sought after Cumming, Forsyth County. Unique PRIVATE secluded setting, yet minutes to GA400 shopping and lake marinas, restaurants and Tidwell Park by boat. Exquisite owner architect designed and custom built home with outstanding quality and craftsmanship. Enjoy AMAZING SUNRISE VIEWS overlooking beautiful Young Deer Creek! The DEEP water private dock location is set back from the main lake with peaceful area for kayaking and swimming. This 1.18 acre lake lot is privately situated at the end of street, in upscale n’hood of lake homes and has a wooded protected buffer on one side.

A CHARMING three bedroom and two bath GUEST COTTAGE with separate entrance at Fowler Rd. provides room for guests and extra vehicles. The elegant four sides brick main home has the feel of quality and luxury, with 10’ ceilings, library, formal dining room, custom millwork and exquisite wood floors. FMLS#7030774 4759 Fowler Drive Sheila 770-235-6907

ING CUMM

$2,495,000 • JUST LISTED! FABULOUS CUMMING LOCATION ON SOUTHWEST SIDE OF LAKE! Elegant three finished levels ready for entertaining! Twin slip deep water party dock, separate driveway/golf cart path and easy walk, wonderful outdoor living w/firepit plus room for pool, owners suite on main, Ttl 6 bedrooms, 5 full and 2 ½ baths. Two home offices one on each floor! Terrace level 2nd kitchen, in-law suite, family room, gym area and workshop area. 7540 Williamsberg Drive Sheila 770-235-6907

LakeLaniersFinest.com

L o c a l • G l o b a l • We l l C o n n e c t e d • P r o v e n R e s u l t s

June 2022

LAKESIDE 7

Sheila Davis 770-235-6907

ESV GAIN

Jennifer Anderson 770-356-2629

Stephanie Gillespie 770-654-4161

Linda Thompson 770-313-5446

Vicki Holland Marketing

LE ESVIL GAIN

ILLE

$1,970,000 • BAY POINTE - NEW CONSTRUCTION waterfront home with 88 ft of COE frontage and a covered boat slip. Level backyard has lake views and room for a pool. The design is the perfect lake home w/ an open floor plan, large screen porch & sliding Pella doors to let the outside in. Home features a 3 car garage, high end finishes and inviting exterior. Act soon to choose your finishes! 5431 Mayflower Ct. Stephanie 770-654-4161

L AYVIL R R U M

Michelle Sparks 404-379-5798

Nicole Columbo 678-858-0265

E

$885,000 • COMING SOON! LAKEFRONT 3 BEDROOM, 2.5 BATH RANCH HOME on a terrace level. Easy walk to dock with big views in tranquil Murrayville. 8058 Beachwood Drive Jennifer 770-356-2629

770-235-6907 LAKELANIERSFINEST.COM

ING CUMM

3 LAKE PROPERTIES – UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY - can be bought together or the home alone: 1. Fully renovated Farmhouse with grass to water views and deep water dock and a private setting 5164 Shirley Rd, $1,299,000 FMLS# 7042911; 2. the Home @5164 Shirley Rd is also available together with an additional lake lot & dock @ 5160 Shirley Rd for $1,999,000 FMLS# 7048308; 3. and optional 2BR|2BA cabin/w private dock also available. Nicole 678-858-0265

$925,000 • WOW! THIS AMAZING HOME HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER! Level, grass to water yard w/ views, a single slip dock in a protected cove and in a fantastic south lake location on a quiet street FMLS#7038557 6580 Pine Ridge Circle Michelle 404-379-5798

E NVILL O S W A D

ING CUMM

$835,000 • WONDERFUL HOME W/ SINGLE-SLIP DOCK HAS IT ALL! Plenty of room to grow, a wonderful back yard for the kids to play, in an excellent Dawsonville location on the North end of the lake in a quiet cove. FMLS#7043145 318 Toto Drive Michelle 404-379-5798

$695,000 • NEW LISTING! LAKEFRONT COTTAGE ON SE LANIER/CUMMING, ranch home right off GA400. Excellent Lanier location and easy walk to covered party dock in protective cove with easy access to big water.1970 Ridge Road Jennifer 770-356-2629

Build your Dream home on one of these AVAILABLE LOTS FMLS# 7006742 • $589,000 • 5547 Hidden Harbor Drive, Gainesville • Jennifer 770-356-2629 FMLS# 6981464 • $399,000 • Cumberland on Lanier • 4175 Cumberland Point Dr. #24, Gainesville • Michelle 404-379-5798 FMLS#7024100 • $190,000 • 1957 River View Drive #1, Gainesville • Jennifer 770-356-2629 FMLS# 6960495 • $165,000 • Marina Bay • 6727 Hedge Row Lane, Gainesville • Jennifer 770-356-2629 FMLS# 7030793 • $115,000 • The Reserve - Club & Marina • 6930 Crestline Dr #6, Dawsonville • Michelle 404-379-5798 FMLS# 6936998 • $57,900 • Marina Bay • 7106 Nightfall Lane, Gainesville • Michelle 404-379-5798

New Lake Listings coming soon - Call us today for a Free Market Value analysis of your home!

Client Testimonial It was a pleasure working with both Linda Thompson and Sheila Davis. They did an excellent job pricing my home, marketing it, and getting us more than my husband and I had initially expected. There was no shortage of showings and Linda kept us informed of all feedback promptly. We went under contract in only 13 days, and Linda was instrumental in guiding negotiations and extremely thorough handling all of the paperwork. However, what I enjoyed most about working with this power duo was how they made me feel like an important member of the team all the way through and valued, respected, and supported us throughout the process.

I would absolutely recommend these ladies as a selling and/or buying agent, especially if looking on or around Lake Lanier. I would consider them the experts and they knew everything about every listing on the lake. - Nina I.

FEATURED SOLD & PENDING

5680 Chestatee Landing Drive $1,450,000 • Nicole

385 Pirkle Leake Road $1,250,000 • Michelle

3187 Venue Drive $1,160,000 • Sheila

965 Green Street Circle $1,099,000 • Nicole

7445 Crestline Drive $930,000 • Stephanie

6137 Cool Springs Road $870,000 • Sheila/Michelle

6318 Ansel Court $818,000 • Stephanie

6525 Crestline Drive $797,000 • Michelle

LISTINGS 2022 LakeLaniersFinest.com • Lake Lanier’s #1 Real Estate Group

8 LAKESIDE

June 2022

BoatUS offers news about safety changes for boaters The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water suggests that boat owners need to know about three recent U.S. Coast Guard regulations that have changed, what’s needed to be carried aboard, and how a vessel is to be operated at higher speeds.

1. Fire extinguishers: As of this past April 20, the USCG enacted a regulation allowing them enforce fire extinguishers having a 12-year expiration date from the date of manufacture.

Additionally, while the new regulation does not change the type, quantity, or requirement for Coast Guard-approved fire extinguishers aboard, it does specify the minimum Underwriter Laboratory (UL) classification of extinguishers to be carried aboard certain vessels — depending on the boat’s model year.

Vessels on the water today that are less than 26 feet and model year 2017 or older may continue to carry older, dated or undated “B-I” or “B-II” disposable extinguishers.

However, when they are no longer serviceable or have reached 12 years of age since manufacture, they must be replaced with newer class “5-B” or

displacement speed. These vessels include (1) boats that have a functioning engine cutoff device installed at the helm or on an outboard engine or have wireless ECOS, or (2) boats manufactured beginning January 2020.

Exceptions to the ECOS requirement include if the main helm of the vessel is in an enclosed cabin or the vessel is not operating on plane or at displacement speed. Low-speed activities such as fishing or docking do not require use of an ECOS. The vesCREDIT: NATIONAL SAFE BOATING COUNCIL

Engine cutoff switches (ECOS) are often activated by a lanyard connected to the operator that, when pulled, stops the boat’s engine.

greater extinguishers. Boats less than 26 feet and 2018 model year or newer must carry unexpired “5-B,” “10-B” or “20-B” fire extinguishers. Having older “B-I” and “B-II” types do not meet the new carriage requirements.

2. Engine cutoff switch: As of April 1, 2021, boat operators have been required to use either a helm or outboard lanyard or wireless engine cutoff switch (ECOS) on certain vessels less than 26 feet when traveling on plane or above

sel operator is also exempt if the boat’s motor produces less than 115 lbs. of static thrust – or about the size of a 2-hp engine.

3. Electronic visual distress signals (eVDSD): Solving the disposal problem of expired pyrotechnic flares, newer electronic visual distress signal devices (eVDSD) use either a white or combination of orange-red/cyan LED lights with infrared (for rescuers with night vision) and are now U.S. Coast Guard-approved.

However, for daytime distress sit-

uations you’ll still need to carry aboard an orange distress flag to avoid carrying pyrotechnic devices. eVDSD prices start at about $100 for the white light version.

Also keep in mind every visual distress signal requires regular inspection and maintenance. Batteries are an eVDSD’s potential Achilles heel, so replace them every season. Old eVDSD batteries can be cycled into a flashlight at home – where your life potentially is not at stake.

New paddlecraft safety effort announced by USCGA Canoeists and kayakers may soon see a red safety sign posted at launch ramps and other water access areas across Lake Lanier as well as waterways across the rest of the U.S. The new safety sign is part of an ongoing effort to reduce the number of paddle sport fatalities.

USCG Recreational Boating Statistics show that, between 2015 and 2020, an average of 133 paddlers died each year – nearly a quarter of all boating deaths. Most of these paddlers were not wearing a lifejacket

"Browns Bridge 1995, Lake Sidney Lanier” by Anne Brodie Hill

Anne Brodie Hill, ASMA, GWS Lake Lanier Artist

www.annebrodiehill.com • 770-886-6126 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, Lydia Ferguson, Ann Goble, Fran Hazel, Jane Hemmer, Paula Hoffman, Joyce Hornor, Connie Lynn Reilly and Shirley Seguin

Prints, postcards, notecards also available at: Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green Street, Gainesville, GA Frame-Tastic, 565-B Shallowford Road, Gainesville, GA

and drowned.

The sign resembles a stop sign and carries a simple message – Stop. Always Wear Your Life Jacket. “The purpose of this program is to remind paddlers that the single most important factor

in preventing drowning is to wear an appropriate life jacket,” said D. Vaccaro of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The auxiliary, the National Safe Boating Council, the Water Sports Foundation, and regional paddling organizations have worked together to promote paddlecraft safety.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org.

June 2022

LAKESIDE 9

Experience isn't expensive, it's priceless!

The Chambers Team 631 Dawsonville Hwy • Gainesville, GA 30501

Office 770-503-7070

THE LAKE HOME YOU'VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF MAY NOW BE AFFORDABLE ... CALL US!

42 SLIP COMMUNITY DOCK LAKEFRONT ACREAGE - approximately 40 acres in Gainesville with 42 slip boat dock permit approved by USACE. Adjacent to Cresswinds community. 19 acre tract zoned PUD- proposed 540 condo units approved by city (case 89-23) in 1989. 23 individual lots included.

REDUCED TO $12,900,000

Sally Kirchner Lead Agent 770-538-5626

$1,200,000

$1,495,000

$1,125,000

$1,250,000

UNDER T AC CONTLEROFFERS

UNDER T AC CONTR

$650,000

$1,950,000

UNDER T AC CONTR

SOLD

$1,457,500

$1,450,000

SOLD

SOLD

$1,375,000

$1,247,000

MULTIP

UNDER T AC R T N O C

D L O S Sprawling ranch on Lake Lanier. Tucked away on 8 acres, this classic style offers privacy and one level living with beautiful views of the water. 4BR/2.5 BA, detached garage and workshop (includes ample dry storage below). Paved path to the lake makes transporting items to the oversized dock easy. Easy to show!

Call Sally 770-538-5626 or Patti 770-287-4879 with any questions.

Custom designed home situated in gated community on 4 private acres. Chefs kitchen overlooks cozy keeping room with built-ins. Breakfast room opens up to one of the 2 outdoor grilling areas. Terrace level is complete w/gym, billiards area and 2nd kitchen. Heated pool and spa, volleyball court, poolside kitchen.

Private well for irrigation and pool, whole house generator. REDUCED PRICE!

SOLD

SOLD

WE LIVE AND PLAY ON LAKE LANIER Patti Chambers c 770.287.4879 • Office 770.538.4010 • Sally Chambers Kirchner 770.538.5626 Patsy Mercer 770.540.6507 • Laurie Weber 678.617.8357 • Ken Stanley 770.503.5600 • Zack Ferguson 979.253.4978

10 LAKESIDE

June 2022

Lake Lanier Fishing Report

A sampling of fishing information and tips from area experts Lake level: Full Temperature: 70s Clarity: Clear

steep banks with this bait. The wacky rig and a trick worm on a three sixteenths lead head have been producing fish on the docks Bass fishing and blow downs in less than 15 Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is feet.

Summer is almost here an as good. Water temperatures have fithe water temperature continues nally stabilized in the upper 70s and the fishing has become more to climb the fish are going to be consistent. The topwater bite has pulling out to their summer been good but not quite great yet. homes in 25-plus foot water so The morning bite has been the you may find a few already there.

If you are doing any tournabest but even it has been scatment fishing now be sure to take tered. The key is to find the herring and the fish will be close by. plenty of ice for your live well along with some G Juice to be Red fins, small Spooks, Wake sure the fish survive. Summer is baits and Flukes have been the the highest time for fish kill. And most productive baits. if you’re out on Lanier on the Long points, blow throughs, reef poles and humps are all sub- weekends, do it early as the fun ject to have fish on them. The key seekers are knocking down the is to work different areas until you find the bait. Wind has been a big factor also by positioning the bait and improving the bite. The drop shot is another bait that has been effective on days that the fish don’t want to come to the top. You don’t have to fish it in the usual straight down method but instead work it the same way Please let them know you would work a regular worm.

Look for rocky points and

reef poles so you don’t want to be part of that. They are biting so Go Catch ’Em! This bass fishing report is by Phil Johnson. Contact: Pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 3668845.

Remember to retrieve slow and give the jig time to sink to the level of the fish. Ten percent of a recent week’s catch came on minnows, including the biggest catch of the month. I am setting minnows at 10 feet deep. Crappie love the shade so cast into the

shadows. When dock shooting, the biggest fish are usually the first to bite. I’m using the skippers jig moon jigs use (promo code heroes) when ordering.

This crappie fishing report is

by Captain Josh Thornton, 770 530-6493.

Crappie fishing The water temperature will be rising with the onset of hot summer days.

I am finding crappie are already in the summer pattern.

Look at the docks for suspended fish in 20 to 45 feet deep. Also look for crappie in shallow blow downs. If you are using jigs I would recommend a white and Chartreuse or a translucent body with sparkles.

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LAKESIDE 11

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June 2022

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14 LAKESIDE

June 2022

Bachelorettes vs. bachelors - no contest on best party My family has owned and operated a marina on the Jersey shore since 1967. Every year a few boat owners would want their boats transported to Florida for the winter. This could be done by sailing down the inland waterway, which has a speed restriction, and takes ages. To take the ocean passage, outside of Cape Hatteras, requires three US Coast Guard licensed captains for insurance purposes.

Two of my brothers and I decided to get our captain’s licenses and get in on this offshore delivery service, as the pay was very good and at that time of year there is not much to do around the marina. After documenting our sea time and passing an excruciating eight-hour exam up at Coast Guard headquarters in New York, we were sworn in as US Merchant Marine Officers, licensed to command any vessel, sail or power up to 100 gross tons. A few years later my job transferred me down here to the Atlanta area and to my great delight, we have this beautiful lake with as much sailing as I ever had in New Jersey, except here it’s year-round! I thought I’d died and gone to heaven!

“Bachelorette Party.” This was in the middle of COVID, and they Vinnie explained that due to the panMendes demic, the wedding plan went from 350 guests down to an intiOn the mate affair of 35. The bacheWater lorette party was also downsized to just the bridal party, but they were determined to have a good time.

Here on the lake, Lord Nelson They arrived dressed for the Charters operates a large wooden occasion with the bride wearing a sailboat which y’all might have white tee shirt and ball cap bearseen around over the years. Her ing large pink letters declaring name is Grendel, after the sea her to be “BRIDE,” while the monster in Beowulf, and she’s a bridesmaids all had black shirts real beauty, 38 feet long, cutter and hats stating “BABE.” rigged, built of West System Social distancing was no probEpoxy. She has a roller furling jib lem on a 38-foot boat as they all and lazy jacks on the main, with stayed up in the bow and I sailed all the lines running back to the the boat from the cockpit back cockpit so she can be sailed sinaft. gle handedly. She does just about We had a fine sail for several everything you can imagine, such hours and enjoyed one of our as half-day and full-day charters, spectacular Lake Lanier sunsets, picnics, sunset sails, corporate then they all went off to terrorize team building events, and wedthe natives around the lake. dings, complete with sailing off This brings to mind a bacheinto the sunset. I’ve been lucky lorette party many years ago enough to have worked part-time when I was working for a large as a charter captain on her for the manufacturing facility. My secrepast 25 years. tary was getting married to one of Last summer I had the pleasthe guys who worked down in the ure of taking half a dozen delight- plant, and for a couple of weeks ful young women out for a before the wedding, all the guys

thing. They all said, “Oh no, we couldn’t do that” and I told them “Sure, you can, just invite all your female friends and relatives, tell them to bring their favorite music, get a few bottles of wine and champagne and order out for pizza. You’ll have a good time.”

So, they did.

Meanwhile, two other salesmen and I chipped in and hired a male stripper to crash the party.

The festivities were in full swing when he arrived dressed as a police officer, complete with badge, gun, baton, handcuffs and what looked suspiciously like a boom box. He had a warrant for the bride’s arrest which shocked everyone until they noticed that PHOTO BY VINNIE MENDES his handcuffs were covered in Lord Nelson Charters’ sailboat, pink fur. Then he hit “play” on his Grendel. boom box and started dancing talked about was the bachelor and things really got wild! party, and how much beer they All the younger girls were were going to drink, and all the devastated because their mothers strip clubs they were going to and aunts and grandmothers were visit, etc., etc. all there and they didn’t know The girls (Before you call the what they would think. Not so the PC Police, remember, this was the older ladies! They were all going mid-1970s). Anyway, they were crazy, dancing with him, tearing all feeling sort of glum about this, off his clothes and stuffing dollar so I suggested they have a “bach- bills into his G string! Everyone elorette” party. Now, at that time, had a great time and I suspect no one had ever heard of such a See Mendes, page 23

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LAKESIDE 15

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16 LAKESIDE

June 2022

Ah, it’s time for spring and summer trout fishing It’s Spring! Summer will follow. Time to go fishing!

Yee Ha! what a surprise coming from your old fishing buddy.

But here’s a bit of a surprise – I’m talking no bass, no bream, no stripers, no boats, no lures. What?

I’m talking trout fishing. Yes, trout, but with special reasons.

Trout fishing in the mountain streams of Georgia is perfect for your family ... wife and children, no matter what their skill level and experience may be.

Let’s talk about it. What makes this trip special? The trout are there, you can see them, are caught easily, taste great, and more than anything else, your family will be together from start to finish. I guarantee you will not see any cabin cruisers, houseboats, those water motorcycles or any bass boats. You’ll catch nonnative rainbows and browns and an occasional Georgia native brook trout. You and the kids get to wade in the stream, make simple short little casts, see the float disappear and harvest the results of all you did that day. You’ll recall that I promote heavily that, to a child, the most beautiful sight in a fishing day is the hole in the water where the float used to be.

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n MORE INFO: www.oneilloutside.com

Finally, in this regard, you can catch and release.

Start out as a team project and you can make it memorable for years to come. First, catch grasshoppers or crickets and maybe even dig for worms. If you can locate a wasp nest, spray the adults and use the larvae. As a 10year old, I knew where all the nests were. If you can’t manage that, purchase some “Fisher’s Choice” canned baits. It’ll be perfect for this trip. Secondly, gather from your own mancave or garage, or a neighbor’s boat, a few newly wound light tackle reels, maybe six-pound test line, small red and white floats, small light wire Tru-Turn hooks, and you’ll be set. Don’t forget the licenses, stamps and such. It’s part

and the stream will be full again in a few days.

Take lots of photos. I’ll just bet that everyone will be smiling.

They always are in fishing photos.

Summer bonanza At least once in your life, you must take this trip.

So many fishermen stick to the basics: the place, the time, the method, the target and all that’s good because, if your inventive, you’ll get more productive and successful. OK! But this summer, late June through September, give yourself PHOTO COURTESY O’NEILL OUTDOORS a bonus. Travel, with a family Grandson Travis with a six-pound member, preferable a youngster catch.

and another adult, fish more than a few hours and catch the most exciting fish accessible to the average angler. What is that and where? Tarpon on the Georgia Coast, St Simons Island with super guide, Mark Noble. Look him up.

First the fish and a brief summation. He averages 100 pounds, jumps 10-plus times, will bite surface lures and flies, deep cut bait, live bait, feeds all day and, if you get him to the boat for photos, there’s nothing to do but let him go. You can’t eat him, he too big to keep and mount so you gotta let him go free. The tarpon is See O’Neill, page 22

of the process.

Now where are the trout?

There are dozens of state parks on the streams, commercial guide services and the like. Visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website and you’ll have plenty of excellent fertile destinations and literally dozens of miles of productive trout waters. You might ask, how is it that the mountain streams in Georgia are so full of trout? They are stocked every week by the DNR. Catch and keep what you want, DNR employee Kyle Trenda loads trout for stocking.

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PHOTO: DNR

June 2022

LAKESIDE 17

TM

Top 10 Boating Etiquette Rules Remember, these are guidelines and should not serve as a replacement for learning the rules, regulations and laws. Be sure to take a BOATING SAFETY COURSE.

Respect the ramp.

1 Good boating etiquette

your wake.

Pack in.

2 Own Keep the tunes in check. 4 Pack out.

Stay at least 200 feet 3 Sound is amplified over the

starts before you enter the water - at the dock.

Prepare your boat and equipment before getting into position to launch.

your roll.

5 Slow You are responsible for any damage you cause to other people’s property.

go.

8 AtFueltheand fuel dock, get fuel, pay your bill and move out of the way. If you need to buy additional supplies, relocate your boat.

Don’t forget to run your blower before starting.

from the shoreline, docks, and other boaters. It is dangerous to throw obtrusive waves at another boat, swimmer, angler or shoreline owner.

water, so keep the music at a decent level. Not only is it a disturbance to others but the operator may not hear the spotter.

Rules of the road.

6 Become familiar with waterway markers and navigation rules, which dictate how you operate your vessel in order to prevent collision.

Keep Lake Lanier clean by properly disposing of any trash you have.

Do not throw it overboard!

7 IfBeyouprepared. are the captain, you need to be prepared with the safety rules for your craft and make your guests aware as well. Know state and local laws. Set a good example by always wearing a life jacket and have enough life jackets for each person onboard.

Anchoring and mooring.

9 Enter Be polite – give a wave. an anchorage or mooring area at a 10 When passing another boat, slow speed. Don’t create a wake that will disrupt other anchored boats. The first boat sets the tone. Mimic how they tie off, how much line you use and how much distance you allow between you and other boats. The busier the boat, the more space you should give yourself.

give a little wave hello.

Boating is all about having fun and being part of the boating community. It also lets the other boat know you see it.

ALWAYS WEAR A LIFE JACKET OR HAVE A FLOTATION DEVICE FOR EACH PERSON WHEN BOATING OR SWIMMING IN THE LAKE. Be Safe, Courteous and Respectful and have a great time on the lake!

To learn more about LLA, Volunteer or Join Today, visit LakeLanier.org

18 LAKESIDE

June 2022

From camper to counselor, Ronnie Gordon helps change lives at Camp Sunshine 44 campers in the first program to Shore Lines more than 400 campers and 225 volunteers each summer. It also offers year-round programming that includes attendance at special events, winter sibling camps, preschool and family activities.

By Pamela A. Keene In 2021, Camp Sunshine ofRonnie Gordon wears his pasfered more than 161 programs sion on his sleeve and for good with more than 3,200 particireason. Diagnosed with acute pants. Support for cancer patients lymphoblastic leukemia when he and their families through more was 3 years old, Gordon went than 1,200 activity and care packthrough three years of chemotherages delivered in hospitals, over apy at Egleston Children’s Hospi330 “Camp-in-a-Box” packages tal, now part of Children’s shipped out, over 1,000 meals de- Ronnie helping a camper uphold the camp tradition of kissing your first fish.

Healthcare of Atlanta. By age 6 in livered, 39 college scholarships.

1993 he was in remission, but in One hundred percent of parents member for this year’s 22nd Anheart of Camp Sunshine through some ways his journey was just reported they would encourage nual Keencheefoonee Road Race, his videos, which will live forbeginning. It’s still ongoing beother children with cancer and a 2K walk and 5K run for counever, and for that we will always Ronnie Gordon enjoying the lake cause he now volunteers as a their families to participate in selors during both sessions of be grateful.” in his 1968 Larson. camp counselor for a very special Camp Sunshine programs. summer camp in June to raise Gordon’s other community camp for children with cancer. other youngsters with cancer, just “Thirty-two percent of our vol- money to help to send these chil- service includes volunteering and “I really don’t remember too like you, make friends, share ex- unteers were former campers,” dren to camp. It’s named for the serving on the board of the Pimuch about my treatments, experiences and do things that kids said Meredith Allison, a former road where the camp is located. rates of Lanier Poker Run, which cept that I would spend two without cancer often take for camper herself and now commu- He also donates his video and has raised more than $1 million weeks in the hospital, then one granted.” nications manager for the organi- media services to support the for children’s charities, including week at home off and on for those From that time on, he attended zation. “And of our volunteers, camp’s marketing.

Camp Sunshine. three years,” he said. “In those a week of Junior camp each sum- more than 60 percent have been “Not only does Ronnie underHow you can help days, chemo was delivered using mer, reconnecting with friends serving for at least 10 years, as stand the unique challenges our It costs about $800-$1,000 per an IV, not a port like patients have from previous years. When he counselors, committee members campers face, as a former camper camper to attend a weeklong sestoday, so it meant that I had to be turned 13, Ronnie began to take and in other capacities.” and childhood cancer survivor sion. Gordon is actively seeking in the hospital the whole two part in Teen Week for youth ages Children aged 7 are eligible to himself, he is a volunteer who donations for this year’s road weeks each time. Someone in my 13-18. attend the Junior program, where generously offers his talents race. The goal for 2022 is immediate family – my dad, my “Graduation is a special time campers and a counselor share a throughout the year,” said Sally $400,000 to celebrate the 40th anmom, my grandmother or aunt – for campers, many of whom had cabin for a week, participating in Hale, executive director of Camp niversary of the camp’s founding. would stay in my room with me. been coming to Camp Sunshine activities, sharing meals with Sunshine. “If we ask, he always “Any amount will be appreciCan you imagine what it was like every summer since they were el- other campers and experiencing says yes! His patience, creativity, ated, and it’s a chance to give for a 3-year-old?” igible,” he said. “It’s a time to their first time away from home experience in videography and children with cancer the opportuIn addition to their health, celebrate all the good times and in a fun setting. media, and commitment are innity to just be kids,” he said. “I childhood cancer patients face ad- great friends, plus it’s also a time Gordon serves as a committee valuable. Ronnie has captured the know it made a huge difference in ditional challenges, way too many to reflect back on those friends my life as an 8-year-old, and for their young years. “Because who aren’t with us anymore.”

Camp Sunshine is continuing to of my treatments from age 3 to 6, Knowing that his summers help children with cancer and I didn’t have the same type of so- would no longer include a week their families. It is a very special cial interactions as other kids my of camp, Gordon realized he’d place.” age,” he said. “My socialization miss the camaraderie, activities, Donations can be made online circle was all about doctors, experiences, friends, volunteers at tinyurl.com/krronnie via credit nurses and adults, but when we and staff. By age 25, he had card. Donations by check, heard about Camp Sunshine it signed up to become a counselor; payable to Camp Sunshine, can sounded like a good idea. Howhe’s now celebrating his 10th be mailed to Ronnie Gordon, ever, I was only 7, and I’d been in year. “Over the past 10 years, it 2269 Woodbriar Dr., Buford, GA remission and treatment-free for has been amazing to see camp 30518. For more information only a year, so my mom just was- from another perspective,” he about Camp Sunshine, visit myn’t ready to let me go to a weeksaid. “Not only did it bring back campsunshine.com.

Ronnie assisting campers at the wood working activity at camp. long camp away from home with memories, it also helped me conother campers.” nect the dots to see why Camp Heading to summer camp Sunshine is so incredible on so After some persuasion with an many levels.

Registration is open for the Margaritaville Harbor Landing. endorsement from young Ron“These youngsters come to 13th Annual Pirates of Lanier Events include Cheeseburger nie’s doctors, his mom Jenny and camp that first year not really Charity Poker Run, set to take on Paradise Beach, a welcome his father Dan agreed the next knowing what to expect and for place on the weekend of July party/dinner with the mandatory year to allow him to experience some it can be a difficult transi15-16. It’s open to all types of captain’s safety meeting on Frithe camp, established for children tion. But with counselors who boats and raises money for chil- day. Saturday, the Poker Run and families dealing with childhave walked in their shoes and dren’s charities. takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. hood cancer. “Many kids with lived through similar situations, The beneficiaries are Camp Card stops will be set up at Holicancer may never get a chance to the campers quickly come out of Sunshine, Camp Twin Lakes, day Marina, Lazy Days Marina, experience sports, swimming, their shells and realize that it’s Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier, Port Royale, Aqualand Marina, Poker Run 2021. ropes courses, boating, ziplining, OK to have fun.”

Edmondson Telford Child AdGainesville Marina and Haberpaddleboarding and horseback About Camp Sunshine vocacy Center and Georgia sham Pointe. emony. Fireworks will follow. riding, but Camp Sunshine makes Founded in 1982 by a pediatric Sheriffs Youth Homes.

Card playing at Landshark For information or to register: this possible,” Gordon said. “It’s nurse named Dorothy Jordan, It will be headquartered at Landing precedes the awards cer- lanierpartners.org/poker-run. an opportunity to get to know Camp Sunshine has grown from

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.

Pirates of Lanier Poker Run registration open

June 2022

LAKESIDE 19

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20 LAKESIDE

June 2022

Meteorological seasons and hurricane predictions It’s hard to believe but here we are! Meteorological summer begins June 1 and will end on August 31. Meteorological seasons are divided using the Gregorian calendar, used by most of the world, making it easier for meteorological observing and forecasting to compare seasonal and monthly statistics.

In meteorology, the seasons are defined as: • Spring – March, April, May • Summer – June, July, Aug. • Autumn – Sept., Oct., Nov. • Winter – Dec., Jan., Feb. The astronomical calendar determines the seasons due to the 23.5 degrees of tilt of the earth’s rotational axis in relation to its orbit around the sun. Both equinoxes and solstices are related to the earth’s orbit around the sun. In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice (June 20 to 22, depending on the year) marks the start of astronomical summer, the point at which the northern hemisphere is pointing directly toward the sun. This means longer days, shorter nights and more solar radiation reaching the northern hemisphere, compared to the southern hemisphere. This year, summer officially arrives on June 21, at 5:14 a.m.

The summer outlook from the Climate Prediction Center, is for above average temperatures. Those A/C bills could look like a second mortgage! The CPC says

there are too many variables in play to make a prediction for rainfall.

Glenn Thus, we have equal Burns chances of seeing above or below average precipitation. That being said, I Lanier think we could have well Outlook above average rainfall.

Why? A greater number of tropical storms and hurricanes.

After an active 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, Colorado State University (CSU) predicts that the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season will again be “above-average” with major hurricanes making landfall. The university team projects nine hurricanes, four of which are predicted to be major hurricanes. My friend and colleague Phil Klotzbach is responsible for the seasonal Atlantic hurricane forecasts and is usually very accurate. In June, tropical systems are most likely to form in the Gulf of Mexico.

We have considerable ocean cooling right now in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.

This is called La Nina. El Niño is just the opposite. During an El Nino year, we have a lot of wind shear, making it difficult for tropical systems to “spin up.”

The La Nina this summer is the major reason for the “above average” hurricane season. When El Niño is present in the Pacific, its wind shear force can literally break down hurricanes as they form in the Caribbean and Atlantic. Here are the names that will be given to this year’s storms: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Ian, Julia, Karl, Lisa,

LAKE LANIER WATER LEVELS OCT 1 1071.28 2 1071.22 3 1071.21 4 1071.26 5 1071.46 6 1071.76 7 1072.20 8 1072.43 9 1072.53 10 1072.58 11 1072.58 12 1072.43 13 1072.24 14 1072.04 15 1071.82 16 1071.72 17 1071.65 18 1071.48 19 1071.38 20 1071.27 21 1071.17 22 1071.08 23 1071.04 24 1070.99 25 1070.90 26 1070.86 27 1070.81 28 1070.79 29 1070.75 30 1070.76 31 1070.77 AV 1071.50 MAX 1072.58 MI 1070.75

NOV 1070.71 1070.65 1070.61 1070.54 1070.52 1070.47 1070.44 1070.39 1070.32 1070.28 1070.32 1070.31 1070.24 1070.22 1070.18 1070.15 1070.12 1070.08 1070.09 1070.05 1070.02 1070.01 1069.93 1069.91 1069.88 1069.84 1069.82 1069.78 1069.75 1069.72

DEC

1069.70 1069.66 1069.64 1069.63 1069.62 1069.59 1069.59 1069.60 1069.60 1069.62 1069.68 1069.71 1069.68 1069.68 1069.65 1069.62 1069.63 1069.68 1069.71 1069.71 1069.68 1069.67 1069.65 1069.63 1069.66 1069.64 1069.63 1069.63 1069.76 1070.05 1070.09 1070.18 1069.68 1070.71 1070.09 1069.72 1069.59

JAN

FEB

1070.11 1070.57 1071.25 1071.35 1071.34 1071.32 1071.33 1071.36 1071.30 1071.28 1071.16 1071.05 1071.00 1070.97 1070.91 1070.92 1070.88 1070.88 1070.82 1070.80 1070.77 1070.74 1070.73 1070.66 1070.60 1070.59 1070.58 1070.55 1070.53 1070.52 1070.50 1070.88 1071.36 1070.11

1070.49 1070.51 1071.06 1072.30 1072.57 1072.68 1072.55 1072.40 1072.23 1072.06 1071.88 1071.69 1071.60 1071.41 1071.33 1071.28 1071.35 1071.48 1071.47 1071.45 1071.45 1071.41 1071.51 1071.54 1071.51 1071.50 1071.67 1071.64

Martin, Nicole, Owen, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tobias, Virginie, and Walter.

MAR

1071.55 1071.49 1071.43 1071.42 1071.48 1071.36 1071.26 1071.40 1071.69 1071.72 1071.69 1071.66 1071.57 1071.51 1071.46 1071.60 1071.59 1071.67 1071.66 1071.63 1071.58 1071.46 1071.76 1071.82 1071.86 1071.82 1071.63 1071.41 1071.31 1071.22 1071.23 1071.64 1071.55 1072.68 1071.86 1070.49 1071.22

APR

MAY

1071.17 1071.11 1071.05 1071.01 1071.33 1071.49 1071.54 1071.53 1071.49 1071.47 1071.40 1071.31 1071.26 1071.18 1071.16 1071.27 1071.31 1071.27 1071.20 1071.21 1071.24 1071.25 1071.25 1071.25 1071.17 1071.14 1071.14 1071.11 1071.11 1071.09

1071.10 1071.07 1071.03 1071.03 1071.03 1071.05 1071.05 1071.05 1071.05 1071.00 1070.98 1070.95 1070.92 1070.90 1070.90 1070.86 1070.81 1070.75 1070.66 1070.60 1070.59 1070.59 1070.77

1071.25 1071.54 1071.01

Glenn Burns is chief meteorologist for WSB-TV in Atlanta.

View the new online edition at www.lakesidenews.com

June 2022

LAKESIDE 21

22 LAKESIDE

June 2022

Be prepared for the unexpected while on the water Recently, I was reminded of something that took place out on the lake several years ago. I had been out on the boat with friends anchored in a cove. It was late that night when we decided to make our way back to the dock. It was very dark. There was no moon out that night.

As I navigated the boat toward the marina, I noticed a blip on my radar. Something was dead ahead.

My eyes could not detect anything but as the blip got closer, I brought the boat to a stop and turned on the spotlight. There was a couple in a tiny jet boat sitting dead in the water.

They had accidentally sucked a rope up into the impeller leaving them disabled. The boat either had no lights or they did not work.

They also had no radio, no cell phone and apparently, no way to signal anybody for help. I cringed at the thought of what could have happened to them under different circumstances.

Stories like this unfold on local lakes and rivers more often than you think. Being prepared is a good way to ensure that you do not end up a part of a tragic story.

Frank Taylor The Careful Captain

Part of that preparation is making sure you have a basic boating safety kit on board whenever you head out onto the water. This can be a kit that you purchase or one that you put together yourself.

Here are some of the items that you might want to have in your kit: Marine Radio – Probably the best way to reach someone for help when on the water. A cell phone does work on pretty much all parts of Lake Lanier but a marine radio allows you to reach people who are already on the water near you.

First Aid Kit – Allows you to treat anything from sunburn to cuts and scratches.

Flashlight – Can be used to signal for help at night or to provide light while trying to do re-

pairs.

Whistle – Can be used as an audible signal to call for help.

Rope – Can be used for towing or securing your vessel to a dock.

Anchor – Can be used to secure your disabled vessel.

Mirror – The reflective surface can be used as a distress signal.

Garbage Bags – Can be used as a rain poncho to keep you dry in an unexpected storm.

Fire Extinguisher – To extinguish a fire on your vessel or another vessel. (Keep in mind that these are required by law on motorized vessels).

Flares – For distress signals.

(Note that these are not required on Lake Lanier and must be used with care to prevent fires).

Tool Kit and Spare Parts – Murphy’s law says things will happen at the worst time. For example, a navigation light will stop working the day you decide to stay out on the water past dark.

Having a simple tool kit and spare bulbs, can make your situation less stressful.

If you haven’t already done so, consider having a boating safety

kit aboard whenever you leave the dock or ramp. It is always better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Happy Boating!

Frank is past commander of Atlanta’s Boating Club and is currently a content creator at the YouTube channel “The Ships Logg.”

• O’Neill

Continued from Page 16 God’s perfect sport fish and during the hot summertime, off the Georgia coast, is the most dependable place and time to make it happen.

I’ve been with Mark in the summer at least a dozen times and each time, we’ve hooked and jumped at least a dozen per day and boated/photo’d five.

What you must figure in is that each time you have hooked a tarpon, it’ll take at least 30 minutes to an hour before the fight ends. Your day will be full.

Now the guide, Mark Noble.

He’s been a sportfishing guide all his life, he is part owner of the marina, is accommodating and friendly and knows how to catch native species. Plus, if he’s booked, he has a stable of experienced guides that can make it happen for you. Just Google: “Mark Noble fishing.”

You’ll be glad you did.

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.

BE SAFE ON THE LAKE THIS SUMMER!

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June 2022

LAKESIDE 23

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Kids want and need your time.

So, make time for a lifetime memory for you and your child at a Kids Fishing Event! Research shows that most people are introduced to fishing by a family member, and most consider a family member to be their best fishing friend. Don’t know how to fish? No problem. Visit one of the many upcoming scheduled kids fishing events this spring and summer.

Kids Fishing Events typically take place at a location with a successful catch rate, and many events have on-site volunteers to help with those new to fishing,

according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.

“Spending time taking a child fishing is something that you both will cherish for years to come,” says Scott Robinson, Chief of Fisheries for the Wildlife Resources Division. “Kids fishing events offer a great place to start.

They are geared toward helping you and your child get a feel for fishing before you try to ‘tackle’ it on your own.”

KFEs are sponsored across the state and provide fishing assistance to both children (under age 16) and parents from knowledge-

able instructors. The Wildlife Resources Division co-sponsors many events by providing channel catfish or trout to improve fishing, educational materials for participants and guidance for sponsors.

How do you find more information or local events? Visit www.georgiawildlife.com/kidsfishing. Here you will find tips on fishing with kids, recommended places to go fish with children, a “kid’s first fish certificate,” and a link to our events system where you can search for local events.

– Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division

Go for a Georgia bass slam in 2022 Test those angling skills this year and grab yourself a Georgia Bass Slam! This program recognizes anglers with the knowledge and skill to catch different species of bass in a variety of habitats across the state, while also stimulating interest in the conservation and management of black bass and their habitats, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.

Georgia’s 10 recognized native black bass species are largemouth, smallmouth, shoal, Suwannee, spotted, redeye, Chattahoochee, Tallapoosa, Altamaha and Bartram’s. Anglers can find out more about these eligible bass species, including images, location maps and more at www.bassslam.com.

How Can You Participate? To qualify for the Georgia Bass Slam, fish must be caught within a calendar year, must be legally caught on waters where you have permission to fish, and anglers must provide some basic information on the catch: length, weight (if available), county and waterbody (where caught) accompanied by several photos of each fish. Anglers then submit information to

tackle box and more.

Kevin even claims that the hat he got as part of the prize package is bringing him “luck” so far this year as he already has hooked a nice bass in pursuit of a 2022 Bass Slam.

Don’t have time to Georgia.BassSlam@dnr.ga.gov dedicate to catch five species of for verification. Complete rules bass, but maybe you have your are posted at eye on a lunker largemouth? The www.BassSlam.com. agency has a program for that as What is Your Reward? Well, well. besides bragging rights among all The Trophy Bass Angler the anglers and non-anglers you Award program recognizes largeknow, you will receive a certifimouth bass catches of 10 pounds cate worthy of framing, two Go or greater. These fish are rare and Fish Education Center passes, and data from these catches provide stickers (for vehicle genetics and growth information windows/bumpers) to advertise that is valuable to fisheries manyour achievement. Anglers also agers. Those that successfully will be recognized on the WRD submit a qualified fish will rewebsite, at the Go Fish Education ceive a certificate, hat, t-shirt and Center (www.gofisheducationan entry into a drawing for a recenter.com), and more. ward package. And if you catch In addition, all successful sub- one larger than 13 pounds you missions will go into a drawing may be eligible for a free mount for an annual grand prize! of your bass! More info at Successful Bass Slammer www.georgiawildlife.com/fishKevin McInturff was the lucky ing/anglerawards. winner of the 2021 Georgia Bass For more information, visit Slam Grand Prize. This included www.BassSlam.com. a framed “Bass Species of Geor– Georgia DNR, gia” print, a cooler, camp chairs, Wildlife Resources Division

• Mendes Continued from Page 14

THANKS FOR READING LAKESIDE!

some of them still talk about it.

The morning after followed the night before, and the guys who actually made it to work were stumbling around completely hung-over, having spent half the night drinking beer and the other half throwing it up.

On the other hand, the girls were all giggling and laughing

and whispering to each other things such as “remember how grandma looked wearing his hat” and “how about when Aunt Sophie tore off his shirt!”

I later changed jobs and lost touch with most of the old gang but bumped into the bride several years later and she thanked me again, saying that they still talked

about it and the bachelorette party was the best wedding present ever.

Mendes has been sailing all his life and on Lake Lanier for the past 25 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.”

24 LAKESIDE

June 2022

June 2022

LAKESIDE 25

Margaritaville opens for the season with new attractions, activities

By Pamela A. Keene Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands is gearing up for a busy summer season. With the new Parakeet Springs kids’ attraction and the addition of Full Moon Cruises, the park opened Memorial Day weekend for full-time operations.

Parakeet Springs splash pool, children’s area opened the end of May. The park has added monthly Full Moon Cruises with fireworks. Each on-the-water themed excursion includes a cash bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

“We’re very excited about having a really great season this

year,” said Bucky Perry, vice president of operations at Margaritaville. “From lots of interest and bookings for our themed cruises and boat rentals to a full schedule of events, this is going to be another amazing summer at Margaritaville.”

Landshark Landing is open seven days a week and offers a full menu of appetizers, seafood, burgers, fish tacos, meal-sized salads and sandwiches. Specialty desserts include sea-salt caramel cheesecake and key lime pie.

Beachgoers can enjoy a variety of lighter fare in the Chill Zone restaurants and bars, ranging from Paradise Cantina’s tacos and bur-

Freedom Boat Club’s Lanier locations go corporate

By Pamela A. Keene Although Freedom Boat Club’s two Lake Lanier locations became corporate owned earlier this spring, local members will not see any appreciable changes.

“We have retained the entire former management team at Lanier and our fleet is staying the same,” said Cecil Cohn,

president of the Freedom Boat Club Network. “The growth in the Atlanta area has been tremendous and our goal is to continue our foundation for future growth.”

Freedom Boat Club is a membership organization that allows access to a wide variety of boats on demand. It also ofSee Freedom, page 30

ritos to Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, and L2C Grill with gourmet hot dogs, burgers and fries.

Camp Margaritaville RV Park is already seeing good reservations for the season. “We’re in the planning stages to break ground for several new features in the next few months, including a pool and pavilion, as well as pickleball courts,” Perry said. “We hope to have these completed by the fall.”

For more information about Margaritaville and the summer event schedule, visit www.marEnjoying Parakeet Springs splash pool. garitavilleresorts.com.

CREDIT MARGARITAVILLE

Lanier Islands’ new conference center making progress

By Pamela A. Keene From receiving additional funding from the State of Georgia to nearing a date for groundbreaking, the new conference center and hotel at Lanier Islands is getting closer to reality.

The project includes a 130,000-square-foot conference center with 45,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 300-room hotel with amenities that will include restaurants, two swimming pools and a boat dock for lake access.

At the May meeting of the Lake Lanier Islands Development

Authority, Executive Director Bill Donohue reported that an additional $10 million was approved in the FY 2023 state budget signed by the governor.

“With this additional funding, the total state investment is $62 million,” he said. “We hope to continue the dialog with the leadership in Atlanta for additional funds in next year’s state budget to help with construction cost increases.

“LLIDA’s private partner Lake Lanier Islands Management is working out details regarding the hotel’s funding and branding, and

they are getting close to making an announcement about a brand and a lender,” he said. “Very positive discussions are happening.”

Donohue also reported that the site implementation plan approval from the US Army Corps of Engineers is pending. “We hope to receive that approval within the next 60 days,” he said. “Once that happens, initial grading will begin, we hope before the end of the summer.”

LLIDA oversees the Lanier Islands’ property, which is operated by the private Lake Lanier Islands Management LLC.

Come check out our new and improved outside dining area!

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Thank You Brad, Shelly and Chandler Schultheis with Schultheis Contracting Co. for the awesome renovation!

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26 LAKESIDE

June 2022

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June 2022

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28 LAKESIDE

June 2022

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June 2022

Lakeside Calendar June 2022 o June 2-25 – Buford’s 37 Main events: The Andrews Brothers Dueling Pianos, June 2, 8:30 p.m.; Aunt Betty (80s Hair Rock), June 4, 9 p.m.; Departure (The Journey Tribute), June 10, 9:30 p.m.; Nick & The Knacks (Rock Hit Party), June 11, 9:30 p.m.; Cowboy (The Kid Rock Tribute), June 17, 9 p.m.; Dr. Kahn Band, June 18, 9:30 p.m.; Excitable (The Def Leppard Tribute), June 24, 9:30 p.m.; Radio 80s (80s Pop & Rock Party), June 25, 9:30 p.m. Location: 37 E. Main St. NE, Buford.

Info: www.buford.37main.com.

Buford Community Center o June 18 – Queen Nation (A Tribute to the Music of Queen) performs at 7 p.m. on the Concert Lawn. Queen Nation, an accurate tribute to a throwback 70s-80s. Band consists of four musicians who sing and perform in character and in period costumes while playing renditions of classic Queen songs. Admission: Free.

Info: www.bufordcommunitycenter.com Clarkesville’s Historic Habersham Community Theater o June 2-5, 9-12 – “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” features a day in the life of Charlie Brown made up of little moments picked from all his days, from Valentine’s Day to the baseball season, from wild optimism to utter despair, all mixed in with the lives of his friends and strung together on the string of a single day. Performances: 7:30 p.m., June 2-4, 9-11; 2 p.m., June 4-5, 11-12.

Info: 706-839-1315; www.habershamtheater.org Dahlonega’s Historic Holly Theater o June 4 – The Mad Hatters: A Tom Petty Tribute tells Petty’s story through his songs portraying his mark on music and everyone’s lives. Time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $33/$41.

Info: 706-530-5162; www.hollytheater.com.

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds o June 4 – Happy Together Tour 2022 starring The Turtles, Gary Puckett & Union Gap, The Association, The Buckinghams, The Vogues, and The Cowsills at 4 p.m. at the Anderson Music Hall. Tickets: $45 + handling.

Info: 706-896-4191; www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

Interactive Neighborhood Kids o June 2 – Thriller Thursday: Spiderman Visit. Meet and greet with a new character each Thursday this summer. Snap a picture with the character before you leave the 1st play block or as you enter the 2nd play block. Time: noon-1 p.m. Free with paid admission to museum. o June 6-12 – Donut Craft Week, make a fun donut craft. o June 9 – Thriller Thursdays: Mirabel from Encanto. o June 13-19 – Father’s Day Craft Week, show appreciation by make a Father’s Day craft. o June 16 – Thriller Thursday: Ironman. o June 20-26 – Eagle Craft Week, create an eagle craft. o June 23 – Thriller Thursday: Poppy from Trolls. o June 27-July 3 – July 4th Craft Week, help celebrate by making patriotic crafts. o June 30 – Thriller Thursdays: Chase from Paw Patrol.

Time/Play Blocks: Mon.-Sat.; 10 a.m.-noon; 12:30-2:30 p.m.; 3-5 p.m.; Sun.: 12:30-2:30 p.m.; 3-5 p.m.

Info: $1 with paid admission to museum; 770536-1900; www.inkfun.org.

Lake Lanier Islands Resort o June 1-30 – Water Park open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. o June 4, 11, 18, 25 – Live Music at Land-

Shark Landing Stage, 8-11 p.m. A $14.99 beach pass is required for special events. o Thru Oct. 22 – Live music performances, 811 p.m., every Saturday on LandShark Landing Stage. A $14.99 beach pass is required for special events.

Info: 770-945-8787; www.lanierislands.com.

Northeast Georgia History Center o June 7 – LoFi History: Ask a Historian (Free Virtual Event). Historians Marie Bartlett and Glen Kyle answer your history questions live with host Libba Beaucham. A fun and interactive virtual program that’s great for all ages.

Join on YouTube, Facebook or Twitch at 4 p.m. o June 14 – Summer Chautauqua – Southern Writers: Sidney Lanier presented 7-8 p.m. at the Center. During this living history performance, meet 19th century Georgia poet, composer and novelist Sidney Lanier portrayed by actor Kevin Moxley. Lanier was known for his musical style of poetry and his mastery of meter and form. o June 15 – A Historian’s Look at Downton Abbey: A New Era (Free Virtual Event) at 2 p.m. features Historian Downton Abbey fan Marie Bartlett hosting this program about the historical context of the latest Downton Abbey movie “A New Era.” Join on YouTube, Facebook.

Info: 770-297-5900; www.negahc.org.

Quinlan Arts Center o Thru June 4 – Spring Exhibition 2022 features participating artists: Ingrid Bolton, Jennifer Ferris, Krys Pettit, Shanon Schneider and Brushworks Society. Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat. o June 9-Aug. 6 – Something to Declare features Latin American artists from New York City to Miami. Opening reception held on June 9 at 3:30 p.m.

Info: 770-536-2575; www.quinlanartscenter.org.

School Street Playhouse (formerly Cumming Playhouse) o June 3-26 – Gypsy the Musical features the story of the ultimate ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughter’s success, while secretly yearning for her own. The celebrated score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim includes such hits as “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Let Me Entertain You,” and many more. Times: Evenings, 8 p.m.; matinee’s, 3 p.m.

Info: 770-781-9178; schoolstreetplayhouse.com

• Freedom Continued from Page 25 fers reciprocity at its locations across its more than 350 clubs in North America.

The formerly franchised locations at Holiday Marina and Bald Ridge Marina are now owned by Brunswick Corporation, which acquired the member-network in 2019. Brunswick’s portfolio includes Mercury Marine engines, plus Bayliner Boats, Boston Whaler, Cypress Cay Pontoon Boats, and Sea Ray. Approximately one-third of the Freedom Boat Club locations are company-owned; the other two-thirds are franchised.

For more information, visit www.freedomboatclub.com.

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32 LAKESIDE

June 2022

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34 LAKESIDE

June 2022

UYC Maritime Foundation awards scholarships for the 15th year

By Pamela A. Keene Six students from Hall County high schools received scholarships from the UYC Maritime Foundation recently. For the past 15 years, shortly after the foundation was created, the group has awarded scholarships to Hall County youth.

“Part of our mission is to support education and community involvement,” said Wayne Flanagan, president of the UYC Maritime Foundation board of directors. “These scholarships are based on a variety of factors, including community involvement, grade point averages and financial consideration.”

Students complete a written application as well as interviews with members of the Maritime Foundation Board. The scholarships are made possible by The Schoff Foundation.

Here are this year’s recipients: West Hall High School: Gladys Sepulveda, Gainesville; Caden Pritchard, Flowery

Branch. Flowery Branch High School: Jacob Beaver, Gainesville; Grecia GalarzaHernandez, Flowery Branch; Kaiym Musani, Flowery Branch, Matthew Baker, Flowery Branch.

The UYC Maritime Foundation, not-for-profit charitable organization, promotes education, safety and sportsmanship in the boating community.

The foundation also supports public awareness of all areas of maritime activities through education for both sailing and power boating, plus cruising, races and regattas. The UYC Maritime Foundation sponsors events such as its Junior Sailing Summer Programs, the Lanier Cup Invitational Lake Sailing Championship and the Hot Ruddered Bum Sailing Regatta.

Prevent conflicts with Canada geese The Canada goose is an adaptable bird that can thrive everywhere from open farmland and rural reservoirs to suburban neighborhood ponds, lakes, office complexes, parks and other developed areas. This adaptability sometimes puts them near human populations which could lead to an increase in human-wildlife conflicts, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Wildlife Resources Division.

“Geese that have become habituated to people, either because they are being fed or because they are around humans on a daily basis, can become aggressive,” says Kara Nitschke, wildlife biologist with the Game Management Section of the DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division. “Geese will defend their nest sites against all perceived threats, and when they nest near developed areas like office complexes or apartment buildings, that may include chas-

Canada geese with offspring.

ing or charging at people.”

The nesting season for geese is under way, and landowners and land managers who have problems with geese (homeowners, golf course managers, city/county managers, etc.) – especially during the summer molting season – may be able to act now and reduce their nuisance problems later this year.

First, it is important to remember that Canada geese are a protected species under state and federal law. It is illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase or possess Canada geese except according to Georgia’s migratory bird regulations or other federal permits.

However, there is a variety of methods for handling situations before they become an issue: Prevention methods Harassment: Landowners who don’t want geese on their property should first try a variety of harassment techniques, includSee Geese, page 39

CREDIT: PATRICIA DUBOISE

Wild & Scenic Film Festival combines in-person and virtual events in 2022

By Pamela A. Keene This year’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival showcases more than a dozen award-winning, family-friendly films about nature, adventure and conservation.

The week-long event begins with an in-person premiere party on Saturday, June 11, at the Brenau University Charles D. Walters Theatre at 6:30 p.m.

It will continue with online access to films through June 17.

“The Wild & Scenic Festival is an absolutely inspiring opportunity for us to gather in appreciation of the natural wonder we all share,” said Mallory Pendleton, Chattahoochee Riverkeepers’ Headwaters outreach manager, who organizes the festival. “To be able to celebrate these stories together is really meaningful on its own, but to be able to do so in a way that will preserve our local resources is all the more special.”

These are some of the films that will be shown during the

festival: I Am Cheo: Inspired by the poem “I Am Joaquin” by Chicano poet Corky Gonzales, this film tells the story of a young boy named Cheo who realizes that he is formed by the natural places around him – but they need his help.

Denizens of the Steep: The film explores the intersection of backcountry recreation and the conservation of an iconic species of big horn sheep in Grand Teton National Park.

Can’t Beat This Place For Fun: Flagstaff’s Fretwater Boatworks defines the process, and deep conservation legacy, of building Grand Canyon dory’s – with fun at every bend.

Protecting the Monarch Butterfly: Land restoration near Niagara Falls is giving refuge to a beloved butterfly and setting an example for wildlife protection everywhere.

Finding Salmon: Follow 11year-old, Keyona, into a wondrous world of trees, water, and friendly fish … and find the spirit of Salmon Watch, a program that connects Oregon youth to their backyard river ecosystems.

CRK’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival includes an online silent auction, where attendees and friends can bid on items and experiences in support of CRK’s mission.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.chattahoochee.org/wildscenic.

Online viewing tickets start at $15 per household and include a raffle entry to win a kayak rental for four in the Chattahoochee’s headwaters and an annual membership to CRK. Premiere party tickets start at $30, which also include a raffle entry, membership, complimentary beverages and refreshments from Left Nut Brewing Co., and a steel commemorative cup.

Independence Weekend Festivities Independence weekend festivities light up lake, headwater communities

By Jane Harrison Communities around Lake Lanier and the headwaters in the mountains can celebrate Independence weekend with parades, food trucks, car shows, live music and fireworks. Some celebrations get under way a day or two before the actual holiday Monday, July 4.

Here’s a sample: o Laurel Park Celebration, Gainesville. All day celebration July 2 presented by Paul E. Bolding Post 7 American Legion; gates open 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 Lanier, 3100 Old Cleveland Hwy. $10 per car. o Red, White & Boat, Gainesville.

Music and fireworks celebration by the lake, bring chairs and coolers, 710 p.m. July 2, Gainesville Marina, 2145 Dawsonville Hwy. RSVP at pamelacarlan@gainesvillemarina.co m. o Margaritaville/ Lanier Islands, Buford. Live music 8-11 p.m. July 2 & 4, fireworks 10-10:15 p.m. July 24; water park open 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Regular admission. www.lanierislands.com, 770-945-8787. o University Yacht Club, Flowery Branch. Festivities for members only, fireworks display at dusk July 3 visible by boat, Burton Mill Park, and

Fireworks in Dahlonega. nearby coves. 6700 Yacht Club Rd. www.universityyachtclub.org, 770967-2814. o 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 in Braselton.

Food, music, parade, fireworks; parade on Ga. 53 begins at 6 p.m., live music and food trucks on the Town Green, 5-10 p.m. July 4, 9924 Davis St. www.braselton.net. o Red, White & Blairsville. Food trucks, bounce houses, and fireworks, 7:30-10 p.m. July 4, Meeks Park, 11 Pool Lane.

www.visitblairsvillega.com. o Fireworks at the Fairgrounds, Hiawassee. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds annual blast in the mountains with live 60s-70s music with Vintage Vixens, 6-8 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, DJ and fireworks show on University of North Georgia drill field ad dusk, July 4. For schedule see www.dahlonegadda.org. o Old Fashioned Celebration at one of nation’s oldest state parks, Blairsville. 9 a.m. flag raising ceremony, followed by bicycle parade, pedal boat races, and other activities, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 4, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706745-2628. o Annual Fireworks at Dusk, Helen. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, view fireworks from Alpine Village Shoppes and Helen Welcome Center. Arrive by 9 p.m. July 4, 1074 Eedelweiss Strasse. 706 878-2181, www.helenga.org. o Mall of Georgia Family Fun Day, Buford. Family fun and entertainment, 2-6 p.m. July 4, Village Amphitheatre, 4345 Buford Dr. www.mallofgeorgia.com, 678 4828788.

June 2022

LAKESIDE 35

Outdoor Activities o Valley Voices Outdoor Drama, Sautee Nacoochee. Outdoor production of play written by local author Emory Jones about past inhabitants of the historic farmland and mansion, gates open 5 p.m., opening act 6:45 p.m. June 2-4; Sunday matinee gates open 11:45 a.m., opening act 1:30 p.m. June 5, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $24.45. o Falls to Farm Hike, Sautee Nacoochee. 11mile one way hike between Anna Ruby Falls and Hardman Farm, includes shuttle, aid stations, post-hike meal and farm tours, 7:30 a.m.

June 4, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $40, plus tax. $5 parking. More info: www.eventbrite.com. o Tri The Parks, Gainesville. Multisports races for individuals and teams, 8 a.m. June 4 include triathlon (600 yard swim/14.7 mile bike/5K run); duathlon (5K run/14.7 mile bike/5K run); aquabike (600 meter swim/14.7 mile bike), Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. $110-$145, plus $156 for non USAT members. Registration deadline May 28. www.tritheparks.com. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077. o Run the Ranch Fun Run/5K/Nature Walk, Flowery Branch. Runs and walks on wooded trails, 8:15/8:35/8:30 a.m. June 4, Eagle Ranch, 5500 Union Church Rd. $15-$30. www.runnersfit.com. o Kilometers for Kindness, Fun Run, Cumming. 8:30/9:15 a.m. June 4, Creative Enterprises Forsyth, 410 Pilgrim Mill Rd. $25-$40. www.runnersfit.com. o North Georgia Crawfish Festival, Cumming. Food trucks, live music, family activities, beer and wine for purchase, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

June 4, noon-6 p.m. June 5, Cumming Fairgrounds, 35 Castleberry Rd. www.cumming-

fair.squarespace.com/events-calendar. o Family Fun Day: Science Creation Show, Gainesville. Nature-based magic tricks, chemical reactions, physical changes and more, 1111:45 a.m. June 4, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. Garden admission, members free. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760. o Learn to SUP, Gainesville. Two-hour session for stand-up paddle board beginners led by American Canoe Association instructor/Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club member, noon-2 p.m.

June 4, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. Register in advance. $60. www.exploregainesville.org. o Commerce Stage Race. Bicycle and hand cycle road race, time trials and criterium state championships, various times June 4-5, various locations. $105-$140. www.topviewsports.com. o Annual Lake Show, Gainesville. Lakeside concert with Otis Redding III and special guests, plus food and drink trucks, fireworks,

gates open 5 p.m., music starts 6 p.m. June 4, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. Sponsor tickets $600-$1,500. www.johnjarrardfoundation.com. o Learn to Kayak, Gainesville. Two-hour session for kayak beginners led by American Canoe Association instructor/Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club member, noon-2 p.m. June 5, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. Register in advance. $60. www.exploregainesville.org. o Farm Camp, Sautee Nacoochee. One-day camp for children 6-10 to learn about dairy farming in 1900s, plus bluebird house building and homemade ice-cream, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. June 7, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $30. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077. o Summer Beach Block Party, Flowery Branch. Farmers market vendors, Fly Betty Band, kids’ zone with water slides and games, 3:30-10 p.m. June 9, music 8-10 p.m., Downtown Flowery Branch, 5410 W. Pine St.

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www.flowerybranchfarmersmarket.com. o Miles for Mimosas 5K, Cumming. Run on golf course, finish at clubhouse with mimosas, 6 p.m. June 9, Hampton Golf Village, 6310 Hampton Golf Club Dr. $35-$40. www.fivestarntp.com. o Food Truck Friday, Gainesville. Food trucks, live music 5-9 p.m. June 10, Lake Lanier Olympic Park Plaza/Grandstands, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. www.lakelanierolympicvenue.org, 855-536-1996. o Time for a Tri, Dawsonville. Pool swim, bike and run with participants choosing distances, 7 a.m. check in, 8 a.m. start June 12. $20-$25. www.fivestarntp.com. o The Navi-Gator 5K/Fun Run, Cumming.

8/9 a.m., June 11, Academy Sports, 410 Peachtree Pkwy. $15-$40. www.fivestarntp.com. o Discovery Saturday, Gainesville. Meet resident wildlife in live animal exhibit guided by naturalist, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 11, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Dr. Register in advance. $5 adults, $3 children ages 2-12, free to Elachee members. www.elachee.org, 770-535-1976. o Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike, Tallulah Falls. Mile and a half night hike down 310 stairs to suspension bridge over falls, 7:15-8:45 p.m. June 12, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $10, plus $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706-7547981. o Jr. Ranger Camp-Turning Over a New Leaf, Sautee Nacoochee. 2-5th graders learn about trees and conservation at Smithgall Woods State Park and human and animal uses for trees at Hardman Farm Historic Site, 9 a.m.-

See Outdoor Calendar, page 38

36 LAKESIDE

June 2022

And the winners are … Duck Derby breaks record

By Pamela A. Keene A record number of 24,000 ducks were adopted at this year’s Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier Duck Derby. And Gainesville resident Maria Dye was the grand prize winner for $10,000.

“Because of our record number of adoptions, we are able to provide our clubs and our members with the tools and resources needed for our kids to succeed academically, physically and socially,” said Savannah Popham, marketing and communications director for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier. “It was so much fun for everyone involved to be back to doing this event and for us to launch a record number of adopted ducks.”

In addition to Dye, other winners and their prizes are: Jacqueline Hulsey, Gainesville, 1st Prize Diamond Solitaire from Gainesville Jewelry; Jim Coyle, Gainesville, 2nd Prize Family Fun Package at Main Event; Sam Couvillon, Gainesville, 3rd Prize Toolkit from Kipper Tool; Amy Munn, Gainesville, 4th Prize Legacy Lodge - One Night Stay and Golf Package for 4; Heather

Armour, Cleveland, 5th Prize Herschel Walker Autographed Helmet; Jeff Stowe, Gainesville, 6th Prize Tap It Growlers - Private Party Rental Space in THE GARAGE and $200 cash; Doug Parks, Mt. Airy, 7th Prize Chickfil-A for Two for a Year from Chick-fil-A Gainesville; Ross Daniel, Gainesville, 8th Prize Kimmers Photography - Two Hour Photoshoot; Gary Funk, Gainesville, 9th Prize Yeti Cooler from Hargrove Engineers + Constructors; Rebecca Ando, Gainesville, 10th Prize Chattahoochee Golf Club - Golf Package for 4.

With five freestanding clubs and 20 school sites in Hall, Forsyth and Habersham, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lanier serves more than 7,500 youth through club and community outreach programs. The organization is PHOTOS BY CLS FILMS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED opening the Tommy & Chantal Bagwell Club in Forsyth in 2023. Launch time for 24,000 ducks, abore.

Summer camps at various loAnd the winner is …(right). cations take place from late May until mid- to late July.

For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier, visit www.boysgirlsclubs.com.

PHOTO BY VICKI HOPE

The big rubber duck made an appearance, above.

Lots of little ducks and other merchandise found homes, right.

Whoa, Nellie!

Colorful spin art was available for the youngsters, lower right.

Ducks at the finish line as the crowd waited for the winners to be announced.

PHOTO BY TOM CHILD

Jake DuPree performs before the crowd.

June 2022

LAKESIDE 37

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June 2022

• Outdoors Continued from Page 35 2 p.m. June 14-17, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143. Hwy 17. $100, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077. o Moonlight Paddle, Gainesville. Guided paddle trip on peaceful section of Lake Lanier, 8:30-11 p.m. June 17, Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. $20 per person kayak rental. www.exploregainesville.org. o Maysville Gravel Mayhem. 28-, 41-, 65mile gravel bicycle rides, 8 a.m. June 18, Hurricane Shoals Park, 416 Hurricane Shoals Rd. $60-$90. www.topviewsports.com. o Hydrangea Class, Gainesville. Learn hydrangea species, characteristics, care, pruning and more, 10-11 a.m. June 18, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $35, members $29. Register in advance. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760. o Beginner Archery, Tallulah Falls. Learn to shoot an arrow or improve your skills, 1-2:30 p.m. June 18, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. Must be strong enough to pull 30-pound bow. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981. o Queen Nation, Buford. Tribute to 1970s-80s Queen concert, gates open 6 p.m. June 18, Buford Community Center Lawn, 2200 Buford Hwy. Free. www.bufordcommunitycenter.com. o Georgia Police & Fire Games/Community Red & Blue 5K, Gainesville. Annual competitions for Georgia police and fire department personnel includes fishing tournament, bicycling, basketball, clay shoot, tennis and more, various times and locations, June 20-25; Community Red & Blue 5K, 6 p.m. June 25, Roosevelt Square, 117 Jesse Jewell Pkwy. $30. www.exploregainesville.org.

o Tour of North Georgia. Three days of 40-60 mile bicycle rides near Demorest, Lula, and Carnesville, plus 6-mile time trial, various times June 24-26. $50-$140. www.topviewsports.com. o Made in the USA 5K/10K/15K/Half Marathon, Sugar Hill. 7:30 a.m. June 25, Sugar Hill City Hall, 5039 W. Broad St. $40$60. www.fivestarntp.com. o Falcons Fast Break 5K/1-mile Fun Run, Flowery Branch. June 25, Flowery Branch High School, 4450 Hog Mountain Rd. $35. www.active.com. o Farm to Table Dinner, Sautee Nacoochee.

Locally grown dinner and drinks hosted by costumed characters telling history of 1900s farm, 5-8 p.m. June 25, hor d’oeuvres and music begin at 5 p.m. as guests browse mansion, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17.

Tickets required. See website for information. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077. o Family Fun Day: The Buzz on Honeybees/Animal Encounter, Gainesville. Stories, songs, costumes and bee facts, 11-11:45 a.m., followed by visits from Elachee Nature Center residents, a friendly snake and curious turtle, 11:35 a.m.-12:15 p.m. July 2, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. Garden admission, members free. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760. o Run White & Blue 9K/5K/Fun Run, Cumming. 7:45/8/9 a.m. July 4, Halcyon, 6365 Halcyon Way. $25-$45. www.runnersfit.com.

On-Going o First Friday Concerts, Gainesville. Free concerts/food trucks 7-10 p.m. first Fridays

June 17-18-19

through September, Historic Gainesville Square, 301 Main St.; June 3-Cherry Cherry, Neil Diamond Tribute; July 1-Soul Purpose Band; Aug. 5-Fly Betty Band; Sept 2-Backyard Loveseat. www.gainesville.org. o First Friday Concerts, Dahlonega. Live music 6:30 -8:30 p.m. first Fridays through October, Hancock Square, Hawkins St. Free. www.dahlonegadda.org. o Cocktails in the Garden, Gainesville. Cocktails and other cool beverages, live music, lawn games and garden strolls, 5-8 p.m. first Saturdays through October, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. Garden admission, members free, cash bar. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760. o Canoe/Kayak/SUP Rentals, Gainesville.

Try canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, Lake Lanier Olympic Park docks, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. Rentals closed on Independence Day and Labor Day weekends. Reserve 24 hours in advance: info@lckc.org. o Yoga on the Lawn, Flowery Branch. Free yoga class, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through July 5, City Hall Lawn, 5410 W. Pine St. www.flowerybranchga.com. o First Visit Tour, Helen. Guided van tour of Smithgall Woods State Park to see covered bridge, Duke’s Creek, park cottages and more, 10-11 a.m. first Saturdays, Smithgall Woods State Park 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5 parking. Donations welcome. Reservations required. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-3087. o Bay’s Bridge Hay Ride, Helen. Guided hayride to famous bridge runs continuously 10 a.m.-3 p.m. third Saturdays through October,

Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706878-3087. o Learn to Row, Gainesville. Learn to row with Lake Lanier Rowing Club, June 7-25, July 5-23 and August 2-20, Tuesdays/Thursdays 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturdays 8:30-10:30 a.m. $180/session. office@lakelanierrowing.org. o Appalachian Jam, Dahlonega. Mountain music pickers and singers gather to play music around Historic Downtown Square, Saturday afternoons through October. www.dahlonegadda.org. o Movie Under the Stars, Braselton. View movie on Town Green, purchase refreshments and take-out meals, 7 p.m. June 11 and July 23, 9925 Davis St. www.braselton.net. o Summer Farmers Market, Flowery Branch. 3:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays, Downtown Flowery Branch, 5410 W. Pine St. www.flowerybranchfarmersmarket.com. o Dahlonega Farmers Market. Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesdays 2-6 p.m. Hancock Park, Hawkins St. www.dahlonegadda.org. o Original Hall County Farmers Market, Gainesville. Tuesdays 2:30-6:30 p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. until noon through September, 734 E. Cresent Dr. www.hallcountyfarmersmarket.org. o Farmers Market, Braselton. 4-6 p.m. May 20 and 4-7 p.m. every Friday through Aug. 19, patio next to Town Green on Davis Street. www.braselton.net.

See Don Carter State Park Facebook page for park activities.

– compiled by Jane Harrison

June 2022

LAKESIDE 39

Winners of the Georgia’s first Youth Birding Competition announced Georgia’s first Youth Birding Competition to blend in-person and virtual participation featured about 120 children and teens scouring the state for birds in a nine-day contest capped by an awards ceremony last month.

The 16th annual birdathon organized by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources ran April 15-23. During that time, teams of kindergarteners through high-schoolers picked a 24-hour

stretch and competed by age group to find the most bird species.

After being canceled in 2020 and changed to virtual last fall, the popular event returned to spring and in person this year. But DNR kept the virtual option to address COVID concerns and ease the need for teams to submit their bird checklist at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield, a long drive for some.

The hybrid approach led to 38 teams registering and a large, excited group showing at the Charlie Elliott banquet hall for the awards ceremony. Members from about 10 teams joined the livestreamed event.

Competition coordinator Tim Keyes said it was great to return to in person while also connecting with youth online. “This was an experiment year and we learned some things we can do better,”

tions that allow for additional control measures, apart from harassment techniques and traditional hunting, to help address nuisance goose problems. One of those regulations is a permit for reducing goose reproduction through nest and egg destruction or egg addling or oiling which prevent the eggs from hatching.

“A permit can be useful in certain situations – such as a homeowner that may have geese nesting close to their home,” says Nitschke. “Additionally, it is a way to keep the number of adult geese on the property from grow-

ing too large through years of unchecked reproduction.”

These permits are available at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website (www.fws.gov). The website also contains useful information on the methods for addling or oiling the eggs or destroying the nests, and when each method may be appropriate.

For a brochure on a variety of methods of dealing with nuisance geese: www.georgiawildlife.com.

- from Ga. DNR, Wildlife Resources Division

• Geese Continued from Page 34 ing chemical repellents, mylar balloons, wire/string barriers, and noise makers. These methods are proven to help reduce goose problems. However, they do require consistency from the property owner and are not always 100 percent effective. Now is the best time to act because geese are just beginning to select their nesting sites. Scaring the geese away now will reduce problems later in the summer.

Reduce Goose Reproduction: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued regula-

said Keyes, a DNR wildlife biologist. “But hopefully it gave a broader range of kids an opportunity to participate.”

That participation led to robust bird counts. The high school team Amazing Anhingas finished as the overall winner with 128 species. Four other teams – including the top elementary and middle school division teams – Birding with Baby Yoda and Pibilled Grebes, respectively – listed 90 or more.

The Elementary School Division’s Lil Birdie Rascals raised $735 for wildlife conservation, the most of any team. Fundraising for conservation is a voluntary part of the event. Teams raised $2,638 total this year.

Maegan Donnell and Grace Campbell of Decatur shared the Mentor Award for spending almost 15 hours helping lead and coordinate two teams, The McLendon Chickadees in the Primary Division and The McLendon Bluehawks in the Elementary Division.

The event also included a Tshirt art contest that drew 132 entries. Birding participants received T-shirts with an American kestrel drawn by Arvin Guo,

a Suwanee ninth-grader and student at SKA Academy of Art and Design in Duluth. Guo received a $100 Amazon gift card as the art contest grand-prize winner.

Although DNR announced most T-shirt division winners earlier this month, art contest coordinator Linda May saved news of the top entry from a youth who took part in the birding competition until Saturday. That honor went to Adairsville’s Abigail Moeller for her drawing of a hooded merganser. The 10thgrade homeschool student, who also won the award last year, birded with the Moeller Myrtle Warblers team.

Winning art entries from 2022 are posted at https://bit.ly/3KfQi6N. The Youth Birding Competition and T-shirt Art Contest are sponsored by DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section, The Environmental Resources Network Inc. or TERN – friends group of the Wildlife Conservation Section – and others including Georgia Ornithological Society and the Georgia and Albany Audubon societies. Visit georgiawildlife.com/YBC for more details.

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40 LAKESIDE

June 2022

June brings delightful and easy-to-grow daylilies to the garden Summer’s here when the daylilies bloom. The flowers feature more than 80,000 named varieties ranging from single and double blooms to those with ruffled petals and others as large as dinnerplates.

Serious collectors have been known to pay upward of $800 for a single hybrid plant, but for the average gardener, the price range of around $5 to $8 can add an explosion of color to your landscape.

If you want to see some amazing blooms grown by collectors, visit the North Georgia Daylily Society’s show on Saturday, June 11. It takes place in Athens at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. They will have plants for sale as well as prize-winning blooms that will take your breath away.

Here’s the link to the group: www.northgeorgiadaylilysociety.com.

Daylilies are known for being easy-care, drought-tolerant plants that thrive in sun. They will come back year after year, but they do need proper care.

They need well-drained soil and full sun for at least four to six hours a day. If you fertilize them

Pamela A. Keene Curb Appeal

n MORE INFO: Email: pam@pamelakeene.com in the spring and again in the fall, you’ll be rewarded with more blooms and healthier plants.

Water them deeply at least once a week when it’s really dry.

Daylilies grow from fleshy roots and produce clumps of leaves, called fans. Look for plants, whether they are in pots or bareroot, with more than one fan.

Box retailers are a good place to purchase them potted and many have multiple fans. They’ll be the more common varieties, such as the petite Stella D’oro yellow or burgundy, one-color red, burgundy, yellow or orange in singles and doubles.

More exotic daylilies may have multi-colored blooms, ruf-

fled edges or double blooms.

They’re very showy, but the showier they are, the more expensive they will be to purchase.

Daylilies have many uses in the landscape. They can line driveways or walkways, be massed in large swaths in sunny gardens, planted in rows behind shorter perennials or annuals of complementary or contrasting colors, or grown in pots on a porch or patio.

If planting daylilies with other perennials, such as lavender, cone flowers or Shasta daisies, make sure that the companion plants are compatible regarding type of soil, moisture and light requirements of daylilies.

Planting and care guide - Select a location with four to six hours of direct sun.

- Plant in well-drained, not soggy, soil, amending it with compost or other organic matter.

- Combine early, mid- and late-blooming varieties to maximize the flower show.

- A light layer of mulch will help reduce weeds and help hold in moisture.

- Water early in the morning at least once a week when the

The versatile and colorful daylily.

weather is dry.

- Feed with 10-10-10 basic fertilizer in the spring and again in the fall.

- Divide daylilies every three to five years in late summer when they’ve finished blooming. Replant and share with friends and neighbors. This will help them grow better and reduce crowding.

Pot up some of the divisions, keep them watered and share

PHOTO BY PAMELA A. KEENE

them with friends the next spring.

They’re the perennial that keeps on giving whether you’re planting them in your landscape or sharing them.

Pamela A. Keene is senior writer for Lakeside News and a Hall County Master Gardener.

She also writes for more than a dozen publications across the country, covering features, travel and gardening.

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BALD RIDGE MARINA Hours of operation: Office, Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., marina has 24/7 access.

Phone: 770-887-5309 Website: www.baldridgemarina.com Location: 1850 Bald Ridge Marina Rd., Cumming Types of slips available: Covered & uncovered.

On-site eatery: Smokey Q BBQ Store hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat./Sun. Types of fuel: 90 Non-ethanol; diesel Price of fuel: (as of 5/20/22) $5.59; $5.59 diesel (Dock open 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun.-Thurs.; 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri./Sat.) Security: 24/7 security, gated Additional amenities: Full-service department, parts department, boat body work and yacht repair.Boating supplies/commissary/dry goods/retail clothing.

HOLIDAY MARINA Hours of operation: Office/Store/Dock, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., 7 days a week.

Phone: 770-945-7201 Website: www.holidaylakelanier.com Location: 6900 Holiday Rd., Buford Types of slips available: 22-100' Uncovered including 80, 90, and 100' Breakwater Slips; 26-85' Covered Slips totalling 1238 Slips Store: Yes; Convenience items and basic boating supplies.

Types of fuel: Premium, unleaded & diesel, non-ethanol Price of fuel: (as of 5/20/22) $6.39 premium; $5.99 unleaded; $6.59 diesel (5 percent discount with Westrec advantage membership) On-site eatery: The Twisted Oar Menu: Fresh seafood to savory chicken and steak Phone: 678 714-7572 Security: 24/7 Additional amenities: Boat rentals, repair service, pumpout station, boat sales, TowBoat US

LAZY DAYS

GAINESVILLE MARINA Hours of operation: Office, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week Phone: 770-536-2171 Website: www.gainesvillemarina.com Location: 2145 Dawsonville Hwy., Gainesville Types of slips available: 600 slips, dry stack covered up to 25', wet covered & uncovered up to 80'.

Types of fuel: 90 recreational, non-ethanol Price of fuel: (as of 5/20/22) $5.99 (Dock open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Thurs.; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri.-Sun. Pay at pump until dark.)

On-site eatery: Skogies Menu: BBQ, seafood and American fare.

Phone: 678-450-1310 Security: 7 days a week Additional amenities: Parts department, land service shop, climate-controlled bath houses, pump-out stations, security 7 days a week/video surveillance. Sales of new, used and brokerage boats.

HABERSHAM MARINA Hours of operation: Office, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week Phone: 770-887-5432 Website: www.habershammarina.com Location: 2200 Habersham Marina Rd., Cumming Types of slips available: 600 slips for dry storage up to 28’ Store: Yes Types of fuel: 90 Recreational fuel, non-ethanol Price of fuel: (as of 5/20/22) $5.39 (Dock open 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Sat.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun.) Security: Yes Additional amenities: Repair services, detailing and bottom cleaning. Also bathroom and shower facilities are available.

HARBOR LANDING Hours of operation: Office/Dock, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., 7 days a week Phone: 470 323-3465 Website: www.margaritavilleatlanierislands.com Location: 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy.

Types of slips: Houseboats only. 18x60, 22x80 Types of fuel: Diesel, non ethanol Price of fuel: (as of 5/20/22) $5.39 non-ethanol, $5.29 diesel (Gas is not sold after 4:30 due to volume return of boats.)

On-site eatery: Various restaurants including Landshark, Cantina, Tiki Bar Security: 24/7 Additional amenities: Margaritaville, daily pontoon boat rentals (no overnights). Luxury houseboat program. Call for details.

at Holiday on Lake Lanier

LAZY DAYS (at Holiday on Lake Lanier) Hours of operation: Office/Dock, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat./Sun. Phone: 770-945-1991 Location: 6700 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford Types of slips available: Concrete Wet Slips from 50 - 125 foot covered & 100 foot open slips; 554 covered dry stack spaces up to 36 feet Types of fuel: 90 Non-ethanol marine fuel treated with ValvTect; diesel Price of fuel: (as of 5/20/22) $5.99 regular; $3.69 diesel Security: 24/7 surveillance monitoring Full Service Department: Barefoot Boating, 770-820-5949 Boat Club: Carefree Boat Club, 678-725-0730 Additional Amenities: Bath house facility with individual private units. Trailer storage, dock carts, ice available, boat detailing service, free pump out for customers; Dry Stack-Boat Cloud smartphone app to control launch/retrieval of boat. Pre-Fueling service, wash racks; Wet Slips-gated/private parking, golf cart valet service, in-slip pump out.

PORT OF INDECISION MARINA Hours of operation: Office/Dock, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat./Sun. Phone: 470 323-3465 Website: www.margaritavilleatlanierislands.com Location: 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy.

Store: Yes; only open on weekends.

Types of slips available: 14x32, 14x36, (254 units, up to 40’), all covered Types of fuel: non ethanol.

Price of fuel: (as of 5/20/22) $5.39 non-ethanol On-site eatery: Various restaurants including Landshark, Cantina, Tiki Bar Security: 24/7 Additional amenities: Margaritaville

PORT ROYALE MARINA Hours of operation: Office, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Sun. Phone: 770-887-5715 Website: www.bestinboating.com/port_royale Location: 8800 Port Royale Dr., Gainesville Types of slips available: Uncovered, 20' to 80'; covered, 24' to

106' totaling 815 slips & dry stack storage (521) for up to 39'.

Store: Service Store (Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat. Closed Sun.) Ship Store (Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m., 7 days a week) Types of fuel: 90 non-ethanol Price of fuel: (as of 5/20/22) $$5.99 regular (Dock open 9 a.m.-7 p.m., 7 days a week. Pay at the pump closes same time as restaurant.)

On-site eatery: Pelican Pete's Bar and Grill Menu: Burgers, sandwiches, salads, wings and more Security: Gated, 24/7 Additional amenities: Climate controlled bath house with showers, 24/7 self-service pump out, rental boats, courtesy dock for dry stack, two ship stores, full-service center, largest floating gas dock in Ga., 16 gas pumps, houseboat rentals.

SAFE HARBOR AQUALAND MARINA Hours of operation: Office/Leasing/Dock, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun.Thurs.; 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri./Sat. Phone: 770-967-6811 Website: www.aqualandmarina.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 Store: Yes Types of fuel: Non-ethanol, 90 octane Price of fuel: (as of 5/20/22) $5.69, non-members; $5.19, members On-site eatery: Pig Tales Menu: BBQ, burgers, wings and more Security: 24/7, gated Additional amenities: Self service work yard with deep draft well & marine travel lift, houseboat launching ramp, pump-out station, bathhouses with showers, laundry facilities, wet slips with private gated parking.

SAFE HARBOR HIDEAWAY BAY MARINA Hours of operation: Office/Leasing/Dock, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m., 7 days a week Phone: 770-967-5500 Website: www.hideawaybaymarina.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 5/20/22) $5.79, non-members; $5.29, members On-site eatery: Fish Tales Lakeside Grille Menu: Grouper fingers, sandwiches, salads and more Security: 24/7 manned security Showroom: Atlanta Marine Additional amenities: Full Maintenance, Repair and Service on site: Harbor Marine & Associates. Bathhouse w/ locked showers and AC, laundry, pump out, trailer storage.

SUNRISE COVE MARINA Hours of operation: Office/Store/Dock, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun.-Fri; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. Phone: 770-536-8599 Website: www.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).

Store: Yes (Sandwiches and wraps only available in summer) Types of fuel: 90 recreational, non-ethanol Price of fuel: (as of 5/20/22) $5.99 with 5 percent off with Westrec Advantage Membership Security: 24/7 Additional amenities: Club House, bath house, laundry facility and pump-out open 24/7.

June 2022

LAKESIDE 45

Lakeside’s Safety Guide A GUIDE TO BOATING RESOURCES PRESENTED BY LAKESIDE ON LANIER Boater Education Courses with Certification Exam

Other Boater Education Opportunities (Certification exam not included)

Basics of Boating - America's Boating Course

• Professional Tutoring: Captain’s Training, on-line or in person tutoring designed to prepare individuals for exams required for certification and licensure for maritime jobs by instructor Steve Johnson, retired US Coast Guard, experienced ship navigator, deck officer, and USCG license instructor for Sea School. www.navteach.com, stevejohnson@navteach.com, 770-3120989.

• 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: 3-session classes begin on Wednesday: June 1, June 29, August 3 • Cost: $25 per student; plus optional course textbook $28 • Information/registration: americasboatingclubatlanta.org/ or Email - ABC@usps-atlanta.org

• Advanced Boating Classes in piloting, marine communications, and other boating skills offered periodically by the Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron. www.atlantasboatingclub.com.

Boating Safely & Personal Watercraft Certification - USCGA • Course: NASBLA certified entry level classroom-only course with test for boater education and PWC certification. Covers basic boating terminology, “rules of the road,” navigation, operation, legal requirements, emergencies, water etiquette and more.

• Instructors: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers • Minimum age: 12 • When: 9 am - 5 pm; June 18, July 16, August 20, September 24, October 15 • Where: U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla 29, 6595 Lights Ferry Rd., Flowery Branch • Cost: Individuals $35 • Private lessons also available for groups or organizations outside normal schedule by calling Flotilla Commander Chuck Kelemen, 770-714-0888.

• Information/registration: Perry Hidalgo, uscgaux29@gmail.com, 470-310-3336; http://wow.uscgaux.info/peclass.php?unit=070-02-09

Vessel Safety Checks • Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron offers vessel safety check-ups by appointment. http://atlantasboatingclub.com/vessel-safety-check/vessel-safety-check-signup.

• Vessel Safety Checks by appointment: Both U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons offer vessel safety check-ups at your boat by appointment. www.safetyseal.net.

Sailing Classes • Windsong Sailing Academy: Basic and advanced sailing training and certifications including engine maintenance, marine electrical systems, coastal and celestial navigation as well as marine meteorology offered by Windsong Sailing Academy through the DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Service. Public and private week evening and weekend classes available. Fees vary. www.WindsongSail.com. (770) 967-1515.

On-Line Courses • www.boat-ed.com and http://www.boaterexam.com/usa/georgia include study guide and Georgia Certification Exam with unlimited exam attempts; cost is $29.50 payable upon exam passage. Temporary certificate printed upon passage; permanent card mailed.

• http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/Georgia.asp offers free course, exam and print your own certificate; mailed certificate $5.

• Other certification courses offered at www.boatcourse.com, www.boatingbasicsonline.com, and www.pwcsafetyschool.com.

NOTE: Please contact Lakeside to list additional boating and water safety classes by email: lakesidenews@mindspring.com.

ENJOY SAFE BOATING ON THE LAKE!

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46 LAKESIDE

June 2022

LAKESIDE 47

June 2022

Remodeling in 2022: What challenges to expect

The year 2022 set off new and continuing challenges in the remodeling world. In addition to supply chain issues, there is also a skilled labor shortage. Those elements combined with an ongoing high demand for remodeling have created a new set of challenges.

So, how do you prepare for a smooth remodel during this time?

First of all, decide on the exact scope of work for your remodel.

If you have several areas you want to remodel, prioritize those areas to determine which are most important. It might make sense to do all your projects at once, or it may make more sense to phase out the projects. But either way, deciding on the exact scope of work will help you when you start meeting with and evaluating contractors or remodeling companies.

Next, determine your budget.

Setting a budget will help guide the design process and may dictate how much of your project can be done now and what might have to wait. When setting a budget, be sure to add 10-20 percent for unexpected costs. This could cover things like rot or other damage that’s found when a wall is opened up or this overage allowance may be needed for

Sara Bagwell Design & Remodel

nMORE INFO: tracytesmerremodeling.com fluctuating material costs. Material costs have been changing rapidly over the past year and a half or so and still remain somewhat unpredictable. We’ve seen increases across the board in costs of materials; from tile to lumber to paint.

The next important step in setting yourself up for a successful remodel is to spend plenty of time upfront with a designer or your contractor to finalize a design plan. This step is so important in helping to curb costs and give everyone involved on the project clear direction. If you don’t have a design plan upfront, be prepared to face additional costs and delays during the project. If changes are being made after construction starts, this will cause the project to halt so everyone can regroup

and reevaluate costs and materials. While minor adjustments are sometimes inevitable and necessary, making major design changes during construction is guaranteed to cause a headache for both you and your contractor and cause significant delays.

After a design is finalized and a contract is signed, the next step should be ordering materials. Because of the challenges that have come up over the past two years, some materials like cabinets, appliances, windows, etc. have months-long lead times. The sooner materials are finalized and ordered; the sooner actual construction will be able to start.

One of the most important things to remember if you’re thinking about taking on a remodeling project at this time is to have patience and realistic expectations. Everything is taking longer now than it did two or three years ago. Not only are materials taking longer, but the best contractors are booking months to a year out because of current high demand. If you find a contractor who is available to start within a week or two, that is likely a huge red flag. Also, prepare yourself for delays. Unfortunately, during this time, delays seem inevitable.

Be open-minded and be willing to work with your contractor through the delays and trust they are doing everything they can to keep things moving.

Finally, expect the unexpected and remember it PHOTO: TRACY TESMER DESIGN/REMODELING never hurts to have a Remodeling projects like this one can take sigback-up plan. Espenificantly longer than in recent years. cially when it comes n’t necessarily mean that you will to materials and scheduling, a face them during your own reback-up plan will help save you model. Typically, the larger the time in the long run. I have had several projects over the past year project, the more likely it is that one of these issues might come or so where a specific material was either backordered or discon- up. The keys to a successful remodel in 2022 are planning, flexitinued and we were forced to make a new selection during con- bility and patience. Keeping struction. There are often ways to those three things in mind throughout the process are more keep the project going despite having to recover from a setback. important than ever. Those, along with honesty and communication, And, fortunately, there are still will help lead to a smooth relots of options out there, so even model and your happiness both if you end up going with your during and at the end of the projback-up plan, you won’t have to ect. compromise on quality or your Sara Bagwell is a designer for overall look.

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48 LAKESIDE

June 2022

Lakeside’s Dining Guide Lakeview Dining Bullfrogs Restaurant – Located at Legacy Lodge & Conference Center at Lake Lanier Islands Resort. Open for lunch and dinner daily. This Southern Gastro Pub features reimagined traditional Southern fare and variety of drink options from full-service bar.

Guests may arrive by boat or car. Buford.

B-3, 770-945-8787.

Fish Tales Lakeside Grille – Casual lakeside dining featuring grouper fingers, signature salads and much more. Full service indoor and outdoor bar with live music.

Hideaway Bay Marina. C-3, 770-967-3775.

Pelican Pete’s – Picturesque dining on the water at Port Royale in open-air thatchedroof building. Selection of sandwiches, burgers, fish and more. Seasonal. B-2, 770-887-5715 ext 5.

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. Seasonal. Aqualand Marina, Flowery Branch. C-3,678-828-7676, www.PigTalesLakeLanier. com.

Sidney’s Restaurant – Located at Legacy Lodge & Conference Center at Lake Lanier Islands Resort and overlooks Lake Lanier.

Only serving breakfast. Guests may arrive by boat or car. Buford. B-3, 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. Call from your boat & they will pick you up.

Gainesville Marina. Seasonal. C-1 678 4501310; www.skogieslakefrontrestaurant.us.

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 yearround. www.facebook.com/twistedoar, C-3, 678 714-7572 American Antebellum – Contemporary, farm-to-table takes on classic Southern fare are served in an elegant 1890s home. Open for dinner Tues. - Sat. 5510 Church Street, Flowery Branch, C-3, 770-965-8100. www.antebellumrestaurant.com.

Branch House Tavern - The ultimate sports restaurant in Hall County offers a selection of hamburgers, wings, hearty salads, southwestern grill fare, and a huge selection of appetizers and desserts. Big screen sports action on 50 HD TVs, and live entertainment. Also featuring a full bar and dancing all night long. Take out available. 5466 McEver Rd., Flowery Branch, C-3, 678828-8345.

Coastal Breeze Seafood Grill – Offering

seafood, steaks, ribs, oysters on the half shell, salads, burgers and more. Lunch and dinner, full bar. Sun.-Sat, 11 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

5390 Lanier Islands Parkway. C-3, www.coastalbreezega.com, 770-945-9181.

Collegiate – Old-fashioned hamburgers, hot dogs and milk shakes served in 1940s setting. 220 Main Street SW, Gainesville.

C-2, 678-989-2280.

Foster House – Restaurant and special events facility. Breakfast Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-10 a.m.; Lunch Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-2, Sun. lunch buffet 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Dinner Country buffet and music, Fri. 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. 305 West Main St., Cumming. A-3, 770-887-9905.

Two Dog Café – Classic small town diner with an emphasis on fresh food and fast service for lunch. 317 Spring St. Gainesville. C-2, 770-287-8384.

Wild Wing Café – Offers casual dining, live music, special Monday Trivia Night and 2 Fer Tuesday nights (buy a dozen, get a dozen wings free). 311 Jesse Jewell Pkwy., Gainesville. C-2, 770-536-9177.

Yahoola Creek Grill – Features Southerninspired, made-from-scratch cooking from our outdoor deck, cozy dining room and loft. Full beer and wine list. Open for lunch and dinner, Wed.-Sat. Open for brunch and supper on Sunday. Closed Mon./Tues. 1810 S. Chestatee St., Dahlonega. 706-482-2200; www.yahoolacreekgrill.com.

Continental/Fine Dining Aqua Terra Bistro – European fusion cuisine served daily. Open 11a.m.-9 p.m., Sun.Thurs; 11 a.m-10 p.m, Fri.-Sat. 55 East Main St., Buford. No reservations. B-3, 770-271-3000.

Blue Bicycle – Chef owned and operated bistro. Open Tue.-Sat. Reservations are suggested. Located on 30 Industrial Park Rd, Dawsonville, B-1, 706-265-2153.

Luna’s – Continental cuisine, romantic atmosphere. 200 Main St., Gainesville. C-2, 770-531-0848.

Poor Richard’s – Specializing in Prime Rib, steaks, ribs and fresh seafood. Casual dining, dinner only. Full-service bar. 1702 Park Hill Dr., Gainesville. C-1, 770-5320499.

Scott’s Downtown – Upscale casual ambience with specialty sandwiches for lunch and gourmet entrees for dinner. 131 Bradford St. NW, Gainesville. C-2. 770-5361111.

Sperata - a fusion of fine American and European dining. Open Thurs.-Sun. for dinner.

Buford. B-4. 678 765-7911, www.speratarestaurant.com.

Barbecue/Country/Home Cooking Johnny’s BBQ – Real Pit BBQ pork, chicken & ribs. Brunswick stew. Minutes from Clark’s Bridge rowing venue. 1710 Cleveland Hwy., Gainesville. Casual. D-1, 770-536-2100.

Smokey Q BBQ - Pulled Pork and Chicken Sandwiches, Philly Cheesesteaks, Pork and Chicken Tacos and more! Seasonal. Bald Ridge Marina, 1850 Bald Ridge Marina Road, Cumming. A-3, 770 910-4961.

Deli Whole Being Cafe @ Common Grounds – Light breakfast, lunch and dinner and desserts followed by fresh roasted coffee.

5510 Main St., Flowery Branch. C-3, 770967-4080.

Italian 5 Brothers Pizza & Pasta - Family owned with mom and her five sons! Delivery available. Offering award-winning alfredo sauce, seven layer lasagna, homemade meatballs, pizza, calzones, and more. Also available: our famous rice balls -and homemade tiramisu and cannoli. Open Wed.-Sun. Downtown historic Buford. 1944 Braselton Hwy, Buford. B3 470-299-3309; www.5brotherspizzapasta.com Dominick’s Italian Restaurant – Features cuisine from the north of Italy, with veal, chicken and seafood dishes. Favorites include chicken saltimbocca and garlic bread appetizer. Dominick’s is open Mon.-Fri. for lunch; Sun.-Sat. for dinner. Located at the corner of Buford Hwy. and Hamilton Mill

Rd in the Buford Village Shopping Center., Buford. B-3, 770-614-0019.

Vinny’s New York Pizza & Grill – New York-style pizzeria known for generous portions and reasonable pricing. Specialties include Philly Chicken and Cheese sub, New York Pizza, Chicken Caesar Salad, Sausage & Pepper plate, baked pasta and Lasagna. Desserts include Cannoli, Tiramisu, Italian Funnel Cakes or cheesecake. Wine and beer available. Closed Sun. Located at 4977 Lanier Island Pkwy, Buford. C-4, 678-482-9966.

Mexican La Cazuela – An Atlanta area landmark with two locations around Lanier. Features fajitas, selection of combination platters and more. 4965 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford, B-4 770-614-6871.

Oriental Kenzo Sushi – Sushi & Japanese Steak, Teriyaki & Fried Rice. Open for lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat.; closed Sunday.4977 Lanier Islands Pkwy, #108, Buford. B-4, 678-288-9050.

Little Tokyo – Japanese dining - hibachi grill, sushi. Dine in, take out. Open for dinner 3 p.m.-10 p.m.; Closed Sun. 2096 Buford Dam Rd., Buford. B-4, 770-945-3350.

View the new online edition at www.lakesidenews.com

June 2022

LAKESIDE 49

Lakeside’s Recreation Guide

CORPS OF ENGINEERS CAMPGROUNDS & DAY USE PARKS

Campsites w/ Hookups Campsites w/o Hookups Showers Dump Station Laundry Restrooms Picnic Tables Picnic Shelter Boat Ramp Swim Area User Fee No Pets

Provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 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. Camping enthusiasts may enjoy the luxuries of fully developed areas with water and electrical hookups or “rough it” at designated primitive areas. Most campgrounds have park attendants on duty to assist our visitors. Camping in undesignated areas such as on the lake’s shoreline and islands is prohibited.

99

CAMPGROUNDS 13 VAN PUGH SOUTH 17 OLD FEDERAL 45 DUCKETT MILL 50 BOLDING MILL 53 TOTO CREEK 77 BALD RIDGE 81 SAWNEE

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Exit 17

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DAY USE PARKS 1 LOWER POOL EAST 2 LOWER OVERLOOK 3 UPPER OVERLOOK 4 BUFORD DAM PARK 12 BURTON MILL 15 VAN PUGH NORTH 18 OLD FEDERAL DAY USE 19 BALUS CREEK 20 MOUNTAIN VIEW 30 BELTON BRIDGE 31 LULA 36 LITTLE RIVER 38 WAHOO CREEK 39 THOMPSON BRIDGE 41 SARDIS CREEK 42 SIMPSON 43 ROBINSON 45 DUCKETT MILL 46 LITTLE HALL 50 BOLDING MILL 53 TOTO CREEK 54 NIX BRIDGE 55 THOMPSON CREEK 59 KEITH’S BRIDGE 60 LONG HOLLOW 64 VANN’S TAVERN 67 TWO MILE 70 SIX MILE 76 TIDWELL 80 LITTLE RIDGE 82 WEST BANK 83 WEST BANK O’LOOK 84 LOWER POOL WEST 93 EAST BANK 94 LANIER PARK

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Day Use Parks The Corps operates 35 day use parks at Lake Lanier. Facilities range from parks with boat ramps to those with designated swimming areas, picnic tables, shelters and playgrounds.

All day use parks close daily at 10 p.m.

Boat launching is allowed at all hours unless otherwise posted. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all parks.

Picnic Shelters Picnic shelters are available at several Corps’ parks around the lake. They can be reserved for a fee. Call the Lake Lanier Management Office at 770-9459531.

Day Use Fees Day use fees are charged at some park areas which have boat ramps or beach areas. Fees (per day): Boat launching $5 Vehicles $5 Commercial vehicle $20 Pedestrian/bicycle $2 Annual pass $40 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/Civ il-Works/Recreation/Lake-SidneyLanier/Schedules.

STATE, COUNTY & CITY PARKS 7 SHOAL CREEK 11 BIG CREEK 14 CHESTNUT RIDGE 33 CLARK’S BRIDGE 79 MARY ALICE PARK 86 FLOWERY BRANCH PARK 52 LUMPKIN COUNTY PARK 56 WAR HILL 71 CHARLESTON 74 SHADY GROVE 75 YOUNG DEER 87 LANIER POINT 88 LONGWOOD PARK 89 HOLLY PARK 90 LAUREL PARK 91 RIVER FORKS 96 LAKE LANIER ISLANDS 99 DON CARTER STATE PARK

770-945-8787 770-945-8787 770-945-8787 770-535-8280 770-781-2010 770-967-6371 706-864-3622 706-344-3600 770-781-2215 770-205-6850 770-781-2215 770-535-8280 770-531-2680 770-531-2680 770-535-8280 770-531-3952 770-945-8787 404-656-3530

MORE INFO: Water release schedules - 770 945-1466 Lake information - 770 945-1467 Corps of Engineers - 770 945-9531 www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/Lake-Sidney-Lanier

50 LAKESIDE

June 2022

Lake Blue Ridge offers great fishing and much more

Picture deep, clear, blue-green waters encircled by majestic mountains near a thriving community with an abundance of things to do, and you have Lake Blue Ridge. This beautiful impoundment is also the best place in Georgia to still target smallmouth bass and walleye.

The lake was created from the waters of the Toccoa River by the construction of the Blue Ridge Dam near the edge of the town of Blue Ridge in 1930. The dam was originally constructed by the Toccoa Electric Power Company and was later purchased by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 1939 for hydroelectric power production.

Boasting 3,290 acres of surface water at full pool, Lake Blue Ridge is one of the most significant bodies of water in the North Georgia Mountains. The Chattahoochee National Forest comprises about 80 percent of the shoreline with the remaining 20 to 25 percent privately owned.

More than 90 National Forest campsites, several boat ramps for public access, public swimming and numerous picnic areas are found around the lake.

Lake Blue Ridge Marina offers everything one needs to “get away from it all” and enjoy this picturesque lake. At the marina you can rent a pontoon boat, launch your own boat, gas up at the dock, obtain supplies or browse the showroom to purchase a new boat. They also offer a great fishing guide service. For more information, go to their website at: www.lakeblueridgemarina.com.

Incorporated in 1886, the city of Blue Ridge is the county seat of Fannin County and was named for the southern part of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Lake Blue Ridge and the Toccoa River have made Blue Ridge the Trout

Downtown Blue Ridge.

Bill Vanderford Travel Editor

n MORE INFO: JFish51@aol.com www.georgiafishing.com PHOTOS BY BILL VANDERFORD

Fishing Capital of Georgia. As well as being surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and near the southern tip of the Appalachian Trail, the area draws tourists and outdoorsmen from everywhere.

The downtown area has quaint shops and eclectic restaurants along with plenty of activities for residents and tourists. Tracks for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway bisect the downtown area, with the scenic railway itself operating out of the town’s historic 100 year old depot. The downtown area also serves as host for multiple festivals, and the city is home to one of the few drive-ins in North Georgia, the Swan Drive-In Theatre.

“Give me a rod of the split bamboo, a rainy day and a fly or two, a mountain stream where the eddies play and mists hang low o’er the winding way.” This is an excerpt from a lovely poem written by Mrs. Eunice B. Lamberton about trout fishing that seems to have been taken to heart in pure artistry by Bill Oyster of Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Following a bad bike racing accident that ended his career, Bill Oyster has combined and mastered the arts of fine engraving, rod building and classic fly fishing into an extremely lucra-

Typical Lake Blue Ridge scene.

Looking across Blue Ridge Lake.

The artistry of Bill Oyster.

tive business in downtown Blue Ridge. His unique business draws clients from all over the world to both buy his products and attend his rod building classes.

Each of Oyster’s traditional bamboo rods would have to be considered a masterpiece on its own merit, but the engraved artwork that is uniquely different on the butt plates and ferrules of Bill Oyster with a nice Rainbow every rod makes them collector’s Trout. items. Dignitaries like former President Jimmy Carter and many others often wait as long as six months to receive these prize possessions that may take 100 hours to build and can cost from $2,000 to nearly $20,000.

Spending six days in the historic village of Blue Ridge, Georgia, learning fly rod building from Bill Oyster would be the equivalent of having art classes with Pablo Picasso. You also See Travel, page 51 Blue Ridge Marina.

A big Blue Ridge Lake Spotted Bass.

June 2022

LAKESIDE 51

• Travel

Continued from Page 50 come away with a Bill Oyster bamboo rod worth nearly $2,000 that you made under the his watchful eye, and the whole experience costs less than what the rod is worth. Your finished rod will leave in a bag, inside a tube, with an Oyster label, proudly displaying your own signature under three coats of varnish and ready for fly fishing action.

Another must see place in Blue Ridge is Georgia’s largest apple orchard: Mercier’s Orchards offers more than 50 varieties of apples as well as peaches, nectarines, blueberries, cherSmallmouth on topwater lure. ries, strawberries, blackberries and more. They also have children’s bakery formation, visit their website at: www.mercier-orchards.com. classes and tractor rides. For more inThe small town of Blue Ridge has all the amenities that visitors seek and is located close to Lake Blue Ridge that boasts water recreation of all types, including swimming and excellent fishing opportunities. The city of Blue Ridge and the lake have their own unique personality and hospitality, which makes them a favorite North Georgia destination any time of the year!

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.

A couple enjoys Blue Ridge Lake.

2999 Beard Street • Buford, Georgia 30518 • 678-828-7018 • From The Makers of Automotive Air Bags • Less Expensive Than Shrink Wrap • 360 Degree Protection From UV, Weather, Bugs, Animals, Wasps, Birds, Spiders, Dust, and Dirt • Take Your Garage Anywhere You Go • Environmentally Friendly • Easily Cleaned and Reusable • YKK Extra Sturdy Zippers • Available In 4 Varieties: Nylon, Coated Nylon, Pet, Coated Pet Depending on Usage • Available In 15 Different Sizes From Storage Bag to 28’ Boat on Trailer Distributed by We’ve Got You Covered 2999 Beard Street Buford, Georgia 30518

678-828-7018

52 LAKESIDE

June 2022

EXIT 14

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 Marinas 1. Safe Harbor Aqualand....................770 967-6811 2. Bald Ridge......................................770 887-5309 3. Gainesville......................................770 536-2171 4. Habersham.....................................770 887-5432 5. Holiday............................................770 945-7201 6. Port Royale.....................................770 887-5715 7. Lanier Harbor ..................CLOSED AS OF 2/4/14 8. Lazy Days at Holiday......................770-945-1991 9. Safe Harbor Hideaway Bay ............770 967-5500 10. Sunrise Cove..................................770 536-8599 11. Sunset Cove...................................678 304-3157

June 2022

LAKESIDE 53

COMMITMENT. SERVICE. RESULTS

UNDER T C A R T N CO

Let me sell your lake home or find the Lake Home of your dreams. I would love to show you my complete marketing plan on getting your home sold FAST!

Stephanie Rogers Lake Lanier Luxury Realtor

KW Peachtree Rd Rising Star Recipient KW Peachtree Rd Best Paperwork Recipient

KW Peachtree Rd #6 Solo Agent (Jan) Featured in 1st Issue of Experience KW Peachtree Rd (Feb) KW Peachtree Rd #7 Solo Agent (Apr) Keller Williams top 20% (Apr-Sept) CB Realty-Alpharetta/North Point Top 10 Solo Agent (4th Quarter)

Coldwell Banker Realty Alpharetta/North Point

678-644-6508 770-642-0399

CB Cares Ambassador 2022 Coldwell Banker International Sterling Society Atlanta Agent Magazine (Jan) Top Agent Magazine (Mar 21st Edition)

54 LAKESIDE

June 2022

Martin Docks, Inc. Serving Lanier ‘In the Spirit of Excellence’ Since 1956

Since 1987

Your Neighborhood Cantina

We’re Open!

Seven days a week.

Hours : Monday thru Sunday 11 am to 10 pm

The Best Food & Margaritas!

Boat Lift, PWC Lift, Custom Lift Designs for Watercraft of All Kinds

Dealer for

Patio Seating Available Online Ordering, DoorDash, UberEats We Cater Around the Lake 4965 Lanier Islands Pkwy. • Buford

770-614-6871 www.lacazuela.com

Lanier Landscaping and Bobcat Service Serving North Georgia For 20 Years

5303 Browns Bridge Road Gainesville, GA 30503

www.martindocksinc.com 770 536-0189 Fax: 770 536-4444 Toll-Free: 1-888-536-0189

• Year-Round Maintenance & Repair Service • Dockwatch - Year Long Maintenance Plan • Repairs, Re-decks, Adjustments, Refloats, Additions • Electrical Packages Available • Custom Built Boat Docks Aluminum & Steel • Residential, Commercial & Community Docks • Cellofoam & Formex Floats • Ramps and Gangways • Shoreline Steps • Rip Rap • Dredging • Dock Accessories • Used Docks, Consignments & Trade-Ins Welcome • Serving Lanier, Allatoona, Hartwell & Surrounding Lakes

Vesper’s Marine Service “Quality and Service You Can Depend On”

Marine Repair at Your Location!

• Expert Marine Repair • Over 25 Years Experience • Factory Trained Service on: Mercruiser, Mercury, OMC and Volvo Penta • Service on Most Makes and Models Let the best take care of your yard.

Deal straight with the owner.

Get exceptional service that you can count on.

Call today!

470-449-1360

Vesper’s Marine Service 548 Station Trail Dawsonville, GA 30534 Phone: 678-557-4468 Fax: 770-887-4468

June 2022

LAKESIDE 55

HALL COUNTY ACREAGE TRACTS EAST HALL

NORTH HALL

85 ACRES

41 ACRES

North Oconee River Frontage

Easy Access to Hwy 365 Undeveloped Land Mixed Timber Small Creeks on Property

Undeveloped Land Mostly Hardwoods

$9,500 per acre

$388,500

GREENE REAL ESTATE

CLASSIFIEDS CRAFTSMAN

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Experienced Upholstery Services, LLC. Craftsman working with marine, hotel, restaurant, residential, and aviation upholstery. Custom made furniture and drapery. Mobile, can travel. Jonny Rocha, 678 437-7563, www.csworkmanship.com.

Business for sale: Popstop, bed and breakfast. Fishcamp/bait store & convenience store. Call 770-967-9379 or 678-492-6728.

STORAGE Storage near Old Federal boat ramp Popstop. $60 per month, uncovered. 770-9679379.

LIST YOUR CLASSIFIED AD: Lakeside on Lanier Classifieds Only $25 per Month!

Up to 20 words, then only 25 cents per word after that!

Call 770-287-1444 or online at www.lakesidenews.com.

600 CANDLER STREET • GAINESVILLE, GA 30501

RONNIE WALLER

RAE GREENE

770-861-8637

770-532-1245

THANKS FOR READING LAKESIDE!

DECKS - STEPS - REPAIRS • Rebuild/Repair Decks, Porches and Stairs • Pathway Steps to the Lake With Mulch • Deck, Dock Pressure Washing and Staining • Exterior Home Repairs and Painting

770-475-3252 Free Estimates • Grading • Hauling • Landscape installation • Lot clearing • Concrete removal • Timber or allan block retaining walls • Pathway clearing & maintenance • Commercial and residential demolition • Mulching (red, brown, cypress) • Fill dirt, topsoil, screened topsoil • Licensed & Insured • References Available

Grading • Hauling • Landscaping

Wit Service Corp.

Call Dave Whitaker 404-277-0345 • 678-617-9492 Buying or Selling • Call Us - We Can Help All Work Performed by Owner Serving Lake Lanier and the Surrounding Areas Since 1998

56 LAKESIDE

June 2022

TRACY TESMER

Design • Remodeling

NORTHEAST GEORGIA'S PREMIER DESIGN/BUILD FIRM Custom designs and professional remodeling services including: Kitchens & Bathrooms | Home Additions | Basements | Age in Place Remodeling & Design

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION! 678-450-1700 | tracytesmerremodeling.com Voted “Best of Hall” 2016-2022