Lakeside on Lanier March 2021

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March 2021

3292 Thompson Bridge Road #250, Gainesville, GA 30506 Phone: (770) 287-1444 Fax: (770) 287-1445 E-mail lakesidenews@mindspring.com

Vol. 27 Issue 3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Fla. vs. Ga. water lawsuit Supreme Court justices pried deep into disparate evidence from two different sides of a Southern water war in oral argument Feb. 22.

A decision is expected later this year. Page 2

Improvements planned at LLOP Improvements are afoot at Lake Lanier Olympic Park in the wake of the venue’s 25th anniversary this summer. Page 14

Barkley Geib retires After nearly 30 years of philanthropy and involvement at Lake Lanier, Barkley Geib says he’s retiring from the lake. Page 18

Museum of Aviation The Museum of Aviation is located just 10 miles east of I75 (exit 144) on a section of Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins. The museum is the second largest U.S. Air Force museum in the U.S. Page 42 Also inside: Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Fishing news . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Lake Lanier Olympic Park . . . . .Page Lake levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Lanier map . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Marinas information . . . . . . . .Page Outdoor activity calendar . . . .Page Sailing calendar . . . . . . . . . . .Page Columns: Curb Appeal . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Design & Remodel . . . . . . . . . .Page Glenn Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page On the water . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Steve Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . .Page Vanderford’s travel . . . . . . . . .Page Wines, Vines & Brews . . . . . . .Page

Lakesidenews.com

26 10 14 20 44 38 31 30 34 41 20 16 17 42 40

PHOTO BY ALAN HOPE

The Spider Kelly band from Lawrenceville performs at Gainesville Marina’s Boat & RV Show last month. The event is the latest boat show held on Lanier following the cancellation of the annual Atlanta Boat Show. Story, page 8.

2 LAKESIDE

March 2021

Court hears Fla. vs. Ga. water lawsuit arguments 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, Steve Johnson, Vinnie Mendes, Sara Bagwell, Don Duval 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 Jane Harrison Supreme Court justices pried deep into disparate evidence from two different sides of a Southern water war in oral argument Feb. 22. Justices’ questions of Florida and Georgia attorneys reflected their knowledge of the case’s complexity and its ponderous evidence in the lawsuit Florida filed in 2013.

Justice Samuel Alito described it as “the most fact-bound case we’ve heard in recent memory,” but also alluded that the court lacks clarity about how to decipher the evidence. “Two outstanding reports from two outstanding special masters” were not consistent on key points, he said, before continuing, “What do we do with that?”

That question, posed to Florida attorney Gregory Garre during the 1hour session, will be answered this summer when a decision will likely come down.

At stake is Florida’s request for the Court to equitably allocate water from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system to send more water down to Apalachicola Bay which suffered a collapse of oyster fisheries after a 2012 drought. Georgia contends that Florida caused its own woes by overfishing and that cutting Georgia’s water use would hurt

Georgia’s economy more than it would benefit Florida’s. The lawsuit seeks to cap Georgia water use at current levels until 2050.

Lake Lanier, the largest reservoir on the river system, was not mentioned in the hearing during which Garre stated Florida was solely targeting Georgia’s agricultural water users on the Flint River.

The bullseye on Georgia farmers became clear in Garre’s response to Justice Elizabeth Coney Barrett’s query, “Are you abandoning

the challenge to municipal users?”

He answered that irrigation practices on the Flint River were to blame for decreased water flow.

He said evidence showed that Georgia could send 500 cubic feet of water per second downstream at no cost to Georgia farms. Georgia attorney Craig Primus disputed not only the cost to Georgia of limiting agricultural water use, but also the potential benefit to Florida. He stated that 80 percent of Georgia farmers are “underwatering” and if

the court were to intervene in local water ordinances it could find itself in the role of “local water regulator.”

Justices’ questions in the livestreamed audio seemed balanced, with no indication of favor to either side. One topic raised first by Justice Neil Gorsuch and later by Brett Kavanaugh, Barrett and Alito focused on whether a monetary figure could be attached to Florida’s ecology beyond managed See Lawsuit, page 13

Corps evaluating availablity of dock permits

By Pamela A. Keene The Corps of Engineers at the Lake Lanier Project Office recently evaluated the possible availability of dock permits. It will be contacting people on the current waiting list on file at the Corps’ office to assign these permits. “Our first obligation is to work through that waiting list to assign these available permits,” Rainey said. “And at this point, the names on the waiting list far exceed the number of permits that are available.”

The 2004 Lake Lanier Shoreline Management Plan and its associated Environmental Impact Statement placed a limit of 10,615 Shoreline Use Permits,

i.e., dock permits, that could be issued at Lake Lanier. As the number of permits neared its limit in 2009, an administrative change to the Shoreline Management Plan provided for a lottery system to issue the remaining permits to reach the 10,615 limit.

“Understanding that over time, permits may become available through a variety of reasons to include revocation, failure to renew permits, or community dock reconciliation, the Corps implemented another administrative change to the Shoreline Management Plan in 2012,” said Tim Rainey, project operations Manager for Lake Lanier. “That change provided for an annual re-

view of Shoreline Use Permit availability.”

The Corps maintains a waiting list for requests for new permits and conducts an annual review of Shoreline Use Permit availability.

“Currently, there are Shoreline Use Permits available and the Corps will be contacting individuals in the order of their position on the waiting list,” Rainey said.

“This ensures that our requirement of issuing Shoreline Use Permits on a first-come firstserved basis is upheld.”

Rainey said that contact with individuals on the waiting list will be done at a measured pace to maintain acceptable management of current permitting actions.

March 2021

LAKESIDE 3

HOW MUCH IS YOUR HOME WORTH? CHECK YOUR VALUE AT:

TERESA SMITH

LivingOnLakeLanier.SmartHomePrice.com

Like our facebook page - www.facebook.com/LivingOnLakeLanier 6186 Lakeside Drive, Flowery Branch

JUST LISTED! 3 BR/2 full & 2

half baths. Beautiful lake views in Flowery Branch. Master on main, open concept kitchen and LR. Amazing workshop on lower level can be converted into living space. Large office/bunk room on lower level. Deep water SS dock.

Additional lot and dock permit included! $825k (Hall)

1969 Morgan Way, Buford

5217 Driftwood Point, Gainesville

CUTE AS A BUTTON 3/2 with lake view and a single slip dock. Nice open floor plan with kitchen and living room combination and a partially finished lower level with a rec room and bedroom. This little gem is on the calm north end of Lake Lanier on Little River. 1st time on the market! $389K (Hall)

9055 Hayes Drive, Gainesville

3660 Chestatee Road, Gainesville

JUST LISTED! 7.3 acres, 2/1 1000 sf cottage, large barn and a SS dock (with room to upgrade to a DS ) in deep water. Room for expansion of cottage - the septic tank is a 1500 gallon and field lines have been installed to accommodate a 4 BR home. Beautiful sunrise winter views and filtered summer views. $550K (Hall)

6422 Waterscape Ridge, Gainesville

Lake Lanier Specialist teresasmith@kw.com 770-654-4173 LivingOnLakeLanier.com

MICHELE KAPLAN 678-677-5653 michelekaplan@kw.com 3913 Harbour View Ct, Gainesville

R U N D E T! RAC T N O C FABULOUS home next to Lake Lanier where you can launch your boat within 5 minutes. Backyard oasis and entertainers paradise. Master on main + 4 BRs on the upper level & bonus room. Terrace level w/ media room, rec room and gym area. Tons of parking w/ 2car garage, huge concrete driveway and 2 car parking pad. No HOA. $484,500 (Gwinnett)

LOW CORP LINE & great views from .59 acre building site w/121’ of shoreline! Fantastic location on Lake Lanier in Cloister Cove on Chestatee Bay. EASY boat ride to marinas/restaurants. Aluminum SS dock w/party deck in beautiful water! Soil test, survey, covenants & owner's site plan available. $260K (Forsyth)

JUST LISTED! Build your perfect home on this 1.26 acre lake lot with a covered single slip. Enjoy seasonal views of the lake in a community of homes with recent sales from $500's to $1.4M. No HOA but protected by architectural controls. Only 20 minutes to restaurants, shopping, outlet mall, grocery stores, etc. in Gainesville and Dawsonville. $190K (Hall)

JUST LISTED! ONE of a kind home with grass to water & a mowing permit. HUGE back yard on Corp property. 4/3.5 + a guest cottage with LR, kitchen, BR, office and full bath. N Hall High School. 1 additional lot with dock permit available for sale located at 3909 Harbour View Court. $729K house, $230K lot. (Hall)

Watermark Cove

Waterside Subdivision (Lots 17,18,19)

3909 Harbour View Ct, Gainesville

3728 & 3724 Griffin Drive, Gainesville

!

D L SO

!

D L SO

FREE DEEDED SLIP in 24 Slip dock. 1.302.63 acres lots. Gated subdivision. Interior and lakefront lots. $120K - $175K Gainesville (Hall)

6602 Garrett Road, Buford

!

D L SO SOUTH LAKE LANIER! Beautiful sunset views, large grassy yard that stretches almost to SS dock, large deck with views. 5BR/4BA. Finished terrace level.

Many upgrades including new concrete driveway, covered patio with aluminum under-decking, a new roof, freshly painted interior and exterior, a new Lenox high efficiency heat/AC, hardwood floors on the main level and beautiful landscaping. $819,900 (Gwinnett)

1762 Green Road, Buford

!

D L O S CONTEMPORARY 4/3.5 on SOUTH end of Lake Lanier!

AMAZING open floor plan with all the bells & whistles. Kitchen & great room w/ soaring ceilings. Fully finished terrace level w/ 2nd kitchenette. Master suite on main. Short, level walk to SS covered boat dock & 2 car garage. $799K (Gwinnett)

JUST LISTED! 3 lots sold together for a total of 3+ acres on Lake Lanier that includes 2 separate covered single slip docks with permits. Developer's original road to lake on lot 17 & 18. Lot 19 has a road that goes all the way to the dock.

This lake community of homes has recent sales from $500's to over $1.4M. No HOA but protected by architectural control. $299K (Gainesville, Hall)

3959 Mount Vernon Road, Gainesville

!

D L O S HIDDEN GEM on Lake Lanier! Priced $135,000 below recent appraisal! Zoned Highway Business. 4 BR/3.5 BA, 3-level home with INCREDIBLE lake views from most every room. Grass to the water with a mowing permit on the dock permit. Sunroom overlooking the pool and lake. The HUGE detached garage is perfect for a car collector, RV storage or an AMAZING workshop. $1,050,000 (Hall)

!

D L SO

JUST LISTED! Level cul-de-sac lot with easy walk to a single slip dock. Great building site in desired North Hall High School and Mount Vernon Elementary. Easy access to hospital, shopping, grocery stores and restaurants. Can be purchased with 3913 Harbour View Court. $729K house, $230K lot. (Hall)

CORP line is close to the shoreline! 2 amazing lots (tax parceled separately) are being sold together. SS dock in place. The house to the left of the lots is a 3/2 with a beautiful lake view. (See 3732 Griffin Drive - being sold separately.) Close to the Olympic Rowing Venue. Build your DREAM home close to the lake. $299k (Hall)

6346 Loco Vare Road, Gainesville

3732 Griffin Drive, Gainesville

!

D L O S 2.6 ACRES of rustic elegance! This is the ultimate resort style and private home that many are looking for.

5/6.5 with room for family or entertaining guests. The tongue and groove ceilings makes you feel like you are in a mountain lodge yet on Lake Lanier with a double slip dock. AMAZING salt water pool with a poolside Tiki bar and outdoor kitchen. $1,100,000 (Hall)

!

D L O S IMMACULATE Lanier home w/ AMAZING views and a concrete drive to the dock & Corp line at the shoreline! Double slip dock. 2 viewing decks overlook the lake. Open kitchen and living room. 2BR/1BA on main; lower level w/rec room & LARGE BR. 2 additional lots next door w/ an acre+ with a low Corp line and a dock that the sellers are selling separately. $539k (Hall)

2536 Club Drive, Gainesville

8910 Beaver Trail, Gainesville

5745 Harbor N, Gainesville

!

D L O S

!

D L SO

!

D L O S

ONE OF THE BEST homes on Lake Lanier featured in Architectural Digest in 2008! Amazing wall of windows overlooks pool & lake! 1.95 acres of privacy & garages for 7 cars!

This home has it ALL w/ new kitchen, plumbing, HVAC, roof, whole house generator, river rock rip rap, dbl slip dock...the list goes on. The master bedroom opens to a private covered patio, pool & hot tub. Partial terrace lvl has workout/rec rm, full bath & more. REDUCED $1,425,000 (Forsyth)

IMPECCABLE 3 BR/3.5 BA South Lake home with gorgeous lake views from most every room! Very low COE line & easy walk/golf cart ride to single slip dock in DEEP water. Enjoy sunset views on AMAZING covered deck. Master on main + office/4th BR. Gourmet kitch w/sitting rm, HUGE gr rm w/FP & dining rm! 2 BR & baths on terrace level plus living rm, office & workout rm. REDUCED $875,000 (Hall)

AMAZING 2 years young CUSTOM ESTATE home in Chattachoochee Country Club. This UNBELIEVABLE home is a 4/3.5 and is grass to the water with a S/S dock w party deck. 1st time on the market. Open concept with master and 2nd bedroom on the main level. You must see this home to appreciate all of the custom and handcrafted details.

Please call for a private viewing. $1,650,000 (Hall)

4 LAKESIDE

March 2021

#1

Bev Knight 770-536-4416

Agent on Lake Lanier since 2012

770-503-7070

(cumulative sales)

Dani Burns

Darlene Plavcan

Angie Smart

706-455-3076

678-300-1275

404-368-8880

*** Featured Lake Home *** NEW L

Luxury custom home at water’s edge

!

ISTING

Extraordinary lakefront home with dazzling, window-filling views of Lake Lanier.

Gorgeous Wahoo double slip party dock facing big water. Situated on a private point, you'll enjoy glorious views from almost every room. Two master suites, one on main level plus an ELEVATOR. Open floor plan, lux finishes, timelessly elegant home.

You'll love the magazine-quality patio with Pebble Tec pool & stone accents, waterfall, slide, zero entry ledge & view. Interior features include soaring ceilings on both levels, media room, two other BR suites, screen porch with fireplace & bonus room over garage would make a great additional suite. Don't miss the massive workshop & drive-under garage for fixing & storing more lake toys. $1.2m

4+acre lux compound ACT CONTR UNDER

Flowery Branch $3.5m

Summer Crest

Buckhead-style luxury

Forsyth, incredible vws

ACT CONTR UNDER

!

ISTING NEW L OURS! H 48 UC IN

Gainesville $1.585m

A CONTR UNDER

New lux construction

Full reno, deep water !

ISTING NEW L OURS! H 48 UC IN

Gainesville $874k

CT

Gainesville $1.2m

Gainesville $1.25m

ACT CONTR UNDER

Gainesville $975k

Million-dollar vistas

Forsyth, outdoor kitch A CONTR UNDER

CT

Gainesville $625k

Gainesville $650k

Now serving MORE north Georgia lakes!

Visit us at GoodLifeGroupRE.com

r Lanie

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March 2021

LAKESIDE 5 NEW

Justin Sheffield

Jamie Bishop

Kevin Hall

Debbie Krenzer

352-262-0389

404-803-3231

941-441-7170

678-347-5774

Amazing opportunity !

ISTING NEW L OURS! 48 H UC IN

Kimberly Roberson

Roxie Barron

678-524-5014

770-318-5296

Views, ultra private UNDER

A CONTR

NEW

770-503-7070

*** Featured Agent ***

CT

Coach Kevin Hall Gwinnet & Barrow, Buyer & Listing Specialist Gainesville $600k

Lula $599k

*** Build Your Dream Lake Home *** Summer Crest lots, luxury in North Hall

He is a licensed Realtor® in Florida and Georgia with plans on adding South Carolina very soon. Kevin is a dedicated family man married to his best friend who is also in real estate, and they have five amazing children.

SOLD OUT! Gainesville - One lot, 2+ acres. $400k

Sgl slip, deep water

6.24 acres, dbl slip !

ISTING NEW L

Experience: Currently, Kevin is the varsity head basketball coach at Bethleham Christian Academy. He has over 10 years’ experience as an international and college basketball coach and education administrator. A native of East Tennessee, Kevin has three college degrees including a graduate degree in business management from the United States Sports Academy.

LD! LD! SO O S !

D SOL

Gainesville $195k

Gainesville $599k

1.01 acres, deeded slip, big water views

BUYING FRENZY Almost everything we have listed this year has sold above list with multiple offers.

Don't wait until Spring when you will have more competition.

This may be the best seller's market in your lifetime!

Gainesville $225k

Call 678-860-0990 today to get a free market analysis.

…when you’re ready for the good life!

6 LAKESIDE

March 2021

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

#1 in Lake Lanier Sales in 2020

770.536.1250 ESV GAIN

Over $70 million SOLD!

ILLE

$1,436,693 • SIDNEY ON LANIER, prime waterfront lot on deep, beautiful open water with rip rap shoreline, engineered sea wall, dock steps lead to 32' x 32' max sized dock.

The Cambridge Plan, a “to be built” custom designed Arthur Ruttenburg Home by Lee Wagner. Build at the street or water's edge. Offering quality upgrades and luxury features.

Pictured in American Farmhouse, also available in French Country and Traditional.

Open concept kitchen, great room and casual dining, fireplace with walls of glass showcasing open water views bringing outdoors in from the covered porch. Master suite and guest room on the main level, plus a den (library). Upstairs features 2 BR/BA's plus large bonus room. Full daylight terrace level. Model home available for qualified buyers.

FMLS# 6705205 2273A Sidney Drive Sheila Davis 770-235-6907

ES GAIN

VILLE

$900,000 • LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME ON THE NORTH END OF LAKE LANIER! This home offers an updated kitchen and baths, an expansive family room with plenty of space for your family and friends. Enjoy the an easy walk to the double slip dock on great water! 145 Moss Overlook Michelle 404-379-5798

$890,000 • COMING SOON! 4 BR |3BA, Gorgeous new construction in The Reserve Club & Marina at Lake Lanier, a gated neighborhood with all the amenities for lake living + includes a covered boat slip! Modern farmhouse plan w/3 car garage. A vaulted covered rear deck w/fireplace provides exceptional outdoor living overlooking Lake Lanier. This .7 acre Dawson County lot features both lake and mountain views. Home is currently in permitting stage and can be customized into your dream home! 7560 Crestline Drive Michelle 404-379-5798

E NVILL DAWSO

We would to work with you! Please call if you are selling or buying on Lake Lanier - 770-235-6907

$775,000 • ENJOY NIGHTLY SUNSET VIEWS from this quaint 4BR/3 bath ranch home on a finished terrace level. Private 1.5 acre lot with 193 ft CORPS line! Single-slip deep water dock w/room to expand. 3 car garage. 3354 Wilkerson Drivek Sheila 770-235-6907

ESV GAIN

E NVILL O S W A D

E NVILL DAWSO

#1 in Lake Lanier Sales We sell everything from Castles to Cottages!

ING CUMM

ERY BR F LO W

ILLE

UNDER T AC R T N O C

$1,450,000 • EXQUISITE LAKE ESTATE – 1ST TIME ON THE MARKET. This custom designed home, was built by Lee Wagner. 260 ft. of shore line, with 160 ft. of protected rip rap. 32 x 32 double slip dock in DEEP water with two jet ski lifts. Virtual tour: https://tinyturls.com/734510. FMLS# 6787776 3986 Hidden Hill Drive Sheila Davis 770-2356907 or Linda Thompson 770-313-5446

UNDER T AC R T N O C $1,200,000 • NEW CONSTRUCTION WITH A BOAT SLIP IN COMMUNITY MARINA! READY SPRING 2021.

5 BR| 5.5 BA Modern Farmhouse ranch on finished terrace level located on a 1.67 acre estate lot on the southern end of Lake Lanier. FMLS# 6812584 5998 Overby Road Jennifer 770-356-2629

UNDER CT A R T N CO $925,000 • SOUTH LAKE LANIER JUST OFF GA 400, 6 BR, 4.5 BA Craftsman Style home, Private single-slip oversized dock with a sun porch located in a deep water cove near Bald Ridge Marina. Vaulted ceilings, stone fireplace, walls of windows, Finished Terrace level. Fresh NEW interior paint, 2016 roof & decks. No HOA. FMLS# 6781498 5455 Linger Longer Road, Jennifer 770-356-2629

$627,900 • BEAUTIFUL NEW 4BR| 3BA home in The Reserve Club & Marina. Embry Hills plan

by Frank Betz is a craftsman design with defining features such a covered front porch, shed dormer and steep gables. FMLS# 6753665 7550 Crestline Drive Stephanie 770-654-4161

ES GAIN

VILLE

UNDER T AC CONTR

$749,000 • BEAUTIFUL ONE LEVEL LIVING WITH A PRIVATE DEEP WATER DOCK! Enjoy lake views & a spacious backyard! Easy stroll or ride to the single slip party dock with a mule or cart. Includes a basement garage workshop area with door for your cart or mule. FMLS# 6833548 2917 Inglewood Drive Sheila 770-235-6907

VILLE S E N I GA

UNDER T AC R T N O C $675,000 • 4BR/3BA LAKE FRONT HOME WITH YEARROUND VIEWS OF LAKE LANIER. Timber wood steps lead down to the cozy fire pit and single slip dock w/ electricity that always has deep water. FMLS# 6829841 4224 Twin Rivers Drive Jennifer 770-356-2629

Lake Lots

$399,000 • SIDNEY ON LANIER Dream lake lot, wide open views and a portion of the property line in the water! Ready for your new build, deepest drought proof water, permitted for a 32'x32' twin slip dock FMLS# 6609607 2273 Sidney Drive, Gainesville Sheila 770-235-6907

UNDER T AC C O N TR $375,000 ESTATE SIZE LOT, 2.27 acres with a private dock to build your Lake Lanier dream home! Seasonal views of the water and a gentle cart path to the dock. FMLS# 6772758 3342 Banks Mountain Drive, Gainesville Stephanie 770-654-4161

$295,000 • 1 ACRE BUILDING LOT ON LAKE LANIER! Enclosed dock with party deck in deep water cove. Build your dream home. FMLS# 677059 3501 Monroe Circle, Gainesville Michelle Sparks 404-379-5798

UNDER T AC C O N TR $160,000 • ROGERS BAY ON LAKE LANIER S/D Great location in North Hall school district.Deeded covered slip included in the deep water community dock. 324’ of water frontage, 1.06 acres, FMLS# 5896811 Lot #10, 4244 Bayridge Dr, Gainesville Stephanie Gillespie 770-654-4161

$60,000 • BUILD your lakefront dream home on the quiet northern end of Lake Lanier! 75’ of shoreline, deep water, community boat ramp around the corner. FMLS# 6833040 7836 Beachwood Dr, Murrayville Michelle 404-379-5798

75,000 • BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME IN BEAUTIFUL MARINA BAY! This exclusive neighborhood offers an amazing amenity package with an incredible clubhouse, salt water pool, lighted tennis courts & fitness center.

Potential opportunity to purchase a boat slip if one is desired. 5819 Lighthouse Way, Gainesville Michelle 404-379-5798

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

March 2021

LAKESIDE 7

Nicole Columbo 678-858-0265

Stephanie Gillespie 770-654-4161

Michelle Sparks 404-379-5798

Linda Thompson 770-313-5446

Jennifer Anderson 770-356-2629

Miranda Brooks Assistant 706-781-9410

Vicki Holland Marketing

770-235-6907

#1 in Lake Lanier Sales! Let Us Help You Sell or Buy! SOLD 5610 Point West Drive $1,995,000 • Sheila/Linda

SOLD 3502 Lake Breeze Lane $1,427,500 • Sheila

SOLD 5885 Nix Bridge Road $1,124,000 • Michelle

SOLD 5274 Forest Cove $950,000 • Sheila

SOLD 7020 Cherokee Trace $750,000 • Sheila

SOLD

SOLD 2519 Club Drive $1,970,000 • Sheila

SOLD 3317 Duckett Mill Road $1,350,000 • Sheila

SOLD 4016 Chapman Drive $1,100,000 • Stephanie/Sheila

SOLD 3466 Westhampton Way $895,900 • Sheila

SOLD 2074 Poplar Lane $745,000 • Nicole

SOLD

SOLD 6544 Yacht Club Road $1,885,999 • Nicole

SOLD 6723 Summer Crest Court $1,275,000 • Nicole

SOLD 5161 Highland Road $1,100,000 • Sheila

SOLD 2736 High Vista Point $885,000 • Stephanie

SOLD 4002 Oak Harbour Court $745,000 • Sheila

SOLD

SOLD 5730 Point West Drive $1,879,000 • Sheila

SOLD 2532 Pemmican Run $1,250,0000 • Michelle

SOLD 5680 Chestatee Landing Drive $1,050,000 • Sheila/Stephanie

SOLD

SOLD

5185 Young Deer Drive $1,775,000 • Sheila

288 Thompson Place $1,615,000 • Stephanie

3655 Cameron Circle $1,430,000 • Jennifer

SOLD 5954 Nachoochee Trail $1,250,0000 • Stephanie

SOLD 5130 Laurel Drive $990,000 • Nicole

SOLD

SOLD

6215 Grand Marina Circle $849,500 • Sheila/Michelle

4858 Habersham Court $849,000 • Sheila

SOLD

SOLD

5567 Mallard Walk $737,000 • Nicole

5215 Indian Circle $735,000 • Stephanie

SOLD

SOLD

6310 Crestline Drive $683,625 • Michelle

5824 N Cove Road $675,000 • Jennifer

5989 Nachoochee Trail $699,000 • Nicole/Stephanie

6445 Waterscape Ridge $699,000 • Nicole

6320 Crestline Drive $690,162 • Stephanie

SOLD

NG PENDI

SOLD

168 Overlook Circle $619,900 • Michelle

4155 Cherokee Trail $614,000 • Nicole

1416 Chandlers Ferry Road $580,000 • Sheila

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

3514 Maritime Glen $499,000 • Jennifer

5040 Mckenzie Lane $487,500 • Jennifer

2371 Stephens Circle $445,000 • Linda

2020 Riverwood Drive $510,000 • Sheila

SOLD

SOLD 9410 Chestatee Court $578,500 • Sheila

NG PENDI 5998 Overby Road $1,200,000 • Jennifer

SOLD 3520 Fleming Drive $975,000 • Nicole/Stephanie

SOLD 3176 Alenes Drive $846,845 • Sheila

SOLD 2565 Wahoo Place $710,000 • Stephanie

SOLD 3660 Looper Lake $675,000 • Sheila

SOLD

SOLD

260 Lake Circle $576,500 • Michelle

336 Toto Drive $545,000 • Michelle

SOLD 2554 Vaughandale Circle $419,000 • Jennifer

SOLD 2100 Habersham Marina Rd, 101A $405,000 • Michelle

SOLD 4345 Mceachern Drive $1,170,600 • Sheila

SOLD 4249 Tall Hickory Trail $950,000 • Stephanie

SOLD 9520 Lisa Circle $800,000 • Michelle

SOLD 4205 Perry Drive $700,000 • Linda

SOLD 7365 Crestline Drive $649,000 • Nicole

SOLD 1005 Timber Lake Trail $520,000 • Sheila

SOLD 3339 Little Circle $375,000 • Linda

Call us to discuss how our Expertise & Marketing can best serve you!

8 LAKESIDE

Gainesville Marina’s boat/RV show a success

By Pamela A. Keene about the event.

The weather cooperated Feb. 19-21 for “People who live and boat on the lake the North Georgia Boat and RV Show at were glad that they could see new and Gainesville Marina and it brought out the used inventory and not have to drive to crowds.

Atlanta,” he said. “They also didn’t have “Frankly, our attendance exceeded our to pay admission or parking. It was cerexpectations,” said Philip Burton, manag- tainly a successful show.” ing partner of Gainesville Marina. “The parking lots were full and we parked people along the roads inside the marina. People brought their families along with their pets and got great exercise walking through the displays visiting vendors and being outdoors. It was a great weekend for all to enjoy.”

The Lake Lanier Association had a booth and used the opportunity to bring in new members and promote their upcoming events.

“We met so many people interested in what the association is doing for the lake,” said Jennifer Flowers, executive director of the organization. “We signed up more than 40 new members, and it was so good to finally get out into the community and see everyone.”

PHOTO BY ALAN HOPE Burton said that he heard Attendance was brisk at the Gainesville Marina Boat & RV Show last month. many positive comments

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Elegant Estate on Lake Lanier ~ 2.6 acres , gentle expansive open yard takes you to your double slip boat dock on deep water. This 5 bedroom , 5 bath home has elegance, character and Gainesville history thruout. Recently updated gourmet kitchen, master bath and formal dinning room are just a few things that make this house a home. Outdoor entertaining area with a stone fireplace, grilling area, bar and formal gardens.

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SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

206 208 213 214 216 217

SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD

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10 LAKESIDE

March 2021

Lake Lanier Fishing Report

A sampling of fishing information and tips from area experts Lake level: Down 1.09 feet Clarity: Main lake clear, creeks stained Temperature: 40s Bass fishing is still tough but warm weather is on the way. Look for the better fish on deep points, main lake humps, and ditches of the last deep water going up into coves. Areas where there are brush piles and bait in about 25 to 40 feet of water are best. Try jigging with a small spoon or blade style bait with a small profile and a slow flutter. The points in Shady Grove Park and main lake marker #7 have been holding spots all day. Get out to 30 feet on any location before looking for the fish.

Many fish are dead on the bottom and a spoon or a Shakey Head dropped to them will get them up off the bottom. Use a small Flex It and Silver Buddy Cicada type bait in the ¼ and 1/2 ounce sizes. Use white or silver color on sunny days and gold or solid white on a cloudy day. On sunny days, some fish are being taken on deep rocky banks out of the wind on suspended jerk baits. Use Strom Suspend style baits in silver and blue or an orange and copper color; or a Zoom finesse worm rigged on a

3/16 ounce round plain jig head.

Use green pumpkin and natural blue colors. Spots will get moving soon and look to any area that will warm the quickest. Pick sun baked early morning pockets like the ones in the mouth of any down lake creek. Sand and rock areas out of the wind with stagnant water that has no wind blowing into it are the better areas. In the back of Shoal Creek right across from the ramp are a set of points and banks that warm during the afternoon. Try a 1/8 ounce plain lead head and half a live night crawler on a spinning reel and 8 pound test Sufix Elite line on points and deep double wide docks in the middle of the creeks.

This report was filed by guide Phil Johnson: Pjohnson15@hotmail.com or 770 366-8845.

Crappie fishing is good. The hot bite target zone is 12 to 15 feet deep. The crappie are getting fat.

They are on the docks and when you find them they are loaded.

The bite still is super soft. Keep your pole in your hands and feel for the slightest bump. Look under docks that are in 20 to 40 feet of water and have brush or structures. Crappie love the shade

slip bobber. Use jigs for short casting, vertical jigging or dock shooting.

so cast into the shadows of a dock. Try down lining crappie minnows with a sinker or set up a

This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Captain Josh Thornton: 770 530 6493.

Fishing line contest could net big bucks Winter is annual maintenance time for many anglers, and respooling with new line and recycling the old is a common task.

Ever thought about what happens once you dispose of the old line in a fishing line recycling tube? It’s not pretty. Turning fishing line into new products is labor-intensive, requiring workers to manually comb through, sort, clean, remove hooks and weights, and separate out miles of encrusted debris in entangled fishing line.

So as you pile up a few reels of line to be recycled this winter, the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is asking for ideas on increasing the volume of line recycled.

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all you have to do is send a short video or one-page summary explaining your idea. A total of $30,000 in prize money is at stake for the three best ideas submitted through May 14, 2021.

“It’s great that anglers recycle,” said BoatUS Foundation Director of Outreach Alanna Keating. “Now we need to ask for help with scaling up recycling with a greater volume of line, whether it’s a time- and labor-sav-

ing process improvement or creating a new market to fully sustain recycling efforts.”

Judges will add weight to contest submissions that actually work, are practical, innovative, and have the potential to have a significant impact.

First-place prize is $15,000, second place $10,000, and $5,000 will be awarded for third place.

Contest submissions can address any part of the process (or multiple parts) of taking discarded fishing line and soft plastics from end of life to a new beginning. Professionals, amateurs and students alike are encouraged to apply, as are school teams and groups. Contest entries can be submitted with as little as a link to a video demonstration of the idea or a one-page graphic summary.

Videos are limited to four minutes.

Contest rules and details can be found at the Recast & Recycle website: www.boatus.org/contest.

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March 2021

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March 2021

LAKESIDE 13

• Lawsuit

Friends of Lake Lanier seeks life-jacket donations

Continued from Page 2

oyster fisheries. Following up on Garre’s description of Apalachicola Bay as a unique ecological treasure that is being decimated by Georgia’s water use, Alito questioned Primis how to factor in alleged damage to the ecosystem. “It’s not going to be purely a question of money,” he said. Primis asserted Florida had not met its burden of proof in showing Georgia caused environmental harm in the bay, but that any harm was self-inflicted by Florida’s mismanagement.

Other topics raised during the hearing included: – Florida’s repetitive comparison of its plight to a 1931 New York v. New Jersey water case in which the court ruled in New Jersey’s favor to avoid injury of the oyster industry in Delaware Bay. A ruling in favor of the more populated and prosperous state “would have crushed New Jersey,” Garre said.

– What’s really killing the oysters? Chief Justice John Roberts likened conflicting evidence on what caused oyster fishery collapse to the mystery novel, Murder on the Orient Express.

– What’s happening to the water? “This is like the case of the

disappearing water,” said Justice Clarence Thomas. “Where is it going if Georgia is not responsible?”

– If Florida is allocated an additional 500 cfs would it be of substantial benefit? Would it outweigh the cost to Georgia?

Lanier area residents and water users have followed the lawsuit for seven years after initially worrying that Florida wanted to tap more water from Georgia’s largest reservoir. After collecting data from Georgia municipalities and industries in the ACF, Florida eventually pointed a finger at Georgia farmers along the Flint River, who use more water than all other entities combined. The Feb. 22 hearing was the second go-round before Supreme Court justices, who in 2018 remanded a former Special Master’s recommendations to deny Florida’s claims. A second Special Master has also recommended denial. The composition of the court has changed since it originally voted 5-4 to allow further consideration of Florida’s allegations. Two justices who voted in Florida’s favor – Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Anthony Kennedy – were replaced

by Kavanaugh and Barrett.

By Pamela A. Keene Just in time for lake season, the Friends of Lake Lanier volunteer group is seeking donations of life jackets to stock the lake’s free loaner stations.

“With 14 life-jacket loaner stations at 11 Corps parks around the lake, we like to start the season with a full stock of life jackets in sizes ranging from baby to adults,” said Stephen Cahn, navigation ranger with the Corps. “That means we need at least 190 PFDs by the time we open the parks and beaches. The goal is to provide people with life jackets and help reduce the risks of drowning. By the end of season, we easily need at least 400 PFDs to keep the stations fully stocked.”

Donation locations include Hideaway Bay, Bald Ridge, Gainesville Marina and University Yacht Club. People can drop off gently-used life jackets any time starting in March. “As a member of the lake community, University Yacht Club is always glad to support programs that benefit the lake and its visitors,” said Chris Ferris, UYC general manager. “Being a collection point for life jackets

for this project is a great way to participate.” Once received the PFDs are cleaned, repaired if necessary, sized and labeled by members of Friends of Lake Lanier.

“This year we’re fortunate that this project has also been undertaken by a group of Eagle Scouts from several different troops around the area, who will be upgrading and repairing the stations around the lake,” Cahn said. “They will also be building several more, including a station in Two Mile Creek that we expect PHOTO BY PAMELA KEENE to have installed and A life jacket loaner station at Lake stocked by early April.”

Lanier.

The life jackets are available in the parks with the in- spearheading the life-jacket tention of people using them. “If loaner program, the group sells they don’t have a life jacket of firewood, ice and soft drinks in their own, we would rather the the campgrounds and uses the borrower keep it and continue to proceeds to provide support for reuse it,” he said. “Our safety un-funded Corps projects. For message about wearing life jack- instance, last fall the group reets saves lives is so important. ceived a donation of a boat and Wearing a life jacket can save motor. Monies collected by the lives.”

Friends group was used to repair Friends of Lake Lanier is a the motor before donating the volunteer group. In addition to See Lifejacket, page 39

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14 LAKESIDE

March 2021

LAKE LANIER OLYMPIC PARK LAKE LANIER OLYMPIC PARK INFO Improvements planned at venue

By Jane Harrison Improvements are afoot at Lake Lanier Olympic Park in the wake of the venue’s 25th anniversary this summer. A sunshade for the upper grandstand plaza, onemile walking trail and two new courtesy docks are part of an improvement package proposed by the Lake Lanier Olympic Park Foundation. An Aug. 7 anniversary celebration is in the works to raise money for capital projects at the site chosen for the 2026 NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships.

The anniversary festivities, including a morning 5K torch run and evening gala with a live band, will “be a lot of fun and bring back a lot of memories from 1996,” said Robyn Lynch, LLOP executive director.

The venue on the Chattahoochee River arm of Lake Lanier achieved international prestige as the 1996 Olympic site of rowing and canoe/kayak competition. It has outlived most of Georgia’s 1996 Olympic sites, built primarily as temporary facilities for hosting the Olympics.

The Olympic torch has been kept aflame at LLOP by canoe/kayak and rowing clubs and the legacy organization that labored to bring the Olympics to Gainesville. The LLOP Foundation, formerly Gainesville-Hall ’96, reorganized in 2013 and hired its first venue manager the next year. The foundation generated a revival of the facility that some described as a fading gem needing polish. Since then, LLOP has remained a favorite for canoe/kayak and rowing competitions and has grown its profile in the local community.

The city of Gainesville took over the 35.5-acre park in 2019. It allocates LLOP funding through Gainesville’s hotel/motel tax.

The LLOP Foundation is raising funds for the three improvements to enhance accessibility and comfort for park users, according to Lynch, who also serves as Gainesville tourism director.

All are expected to help increase attendance and rentals at the park that has expanded its culture in recent years to include food truck dinners, concerts, movies, weddings, wake boarding competitions, triathlons, boat shows, traditional Gainesville celebrations and corporate events.

A sunshade with attaching side

Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club Contact: Jim O'Dell, program director Phone: 770-287-7888 Email: info@lckc.org Website: www.lckc.org Address: Lake Lanier Olympic Park 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville, GA 30506 Club offerings: Recreational and competitive canoe and kayaking for ages 9 and up. Beginner to masters programs offered through regularly scheduled practices, classes, and summer camps. Also hosts local, regional, national and international competitions and is the training center for Team USA Canoe, Kayak and Dragon Boat Racing.

Calendar of events Activity at LLOP.

panels is proposed to cover the upper plaza, shielding it from inhospitable weather. It could enable the plaza to offer “more events throughout the year,” Lynch said.

The walking trail would connect both sides of the park, which is split by Clarks Bridge Road. A section would extend from the boathouse side under Clarks Bridge Road on the pedestrian tunnel to the grandstand side and continue with a pathway along the lake, eventually passing under the bridge to loop back to the boathouse side. Lynch said research is ongoing for the type of material to surface the trail. The area is prone to occasional flooding.

Two additional courtesy docks would allow “more parking” for park users to come by boat, Lynch said. One small courtesy dock currently offers access near the grandstand/plaza.

The LLOP Foundation is also seeking corporate donations and looking into selling commemorative bricks to finance the improvements, Lynch said.

The venue has undergone two major phases of renovations in the past quarter century, the first being the construction of the grandstands and plaza prior to an international canoe/kayak competition in 2003. The stone and concrete permanent structure replaced temporary seating installed across the channel for the Olympics.

Major renovations to the Olympic tower and grandstand area were completed before the 2016 Pan American Olympic canoe/kayak qualifier.

The legacy organization that spearheaded LLOP’s revival introduced a master plan several

FILE PHOTO

March 30 - BRL Informational Meeting Apr. 4-10 - Sprint Spring Break Camps

Lake Lanier Rowing Club years ago that includes a picnic pavilion, new restrooms and boathouse renovations. Renderings of these proposals appear on the LLOP website. The boathouse built for the 1996 Games has flooded several times and has suffered various maintenance issues through the years. The three new capital improvements Lynch detailed do not appear in the master plan.

Lynch indicated that the current proposals for park improvements are not linked to the 2026 NCAA women’s rowing championship and were not part of the bid package. NCAA and Lynch declined to provide details about the winning bid submitted by the See LLOP, page 43

Contact: April Blair Phone: 770-287-0077 Email: office@lakelanierrowing.org Address: Lake Lanier Olympic Park 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville, GA 30506 Website: www.LakeLanierRowing.org Club offerings: Recreational and competitive rowing for ages 13 to 80+. Beginner to elite offered through regularly scheduled practices, classes, and camps. Hosting of local, regional, national and international rowing regattas.

Calendar of events: May - August - Learn To Row Sessions May 4-22 - Learn to Row Session 1

Other LLOP Events March 12 - Food Truck Friday March 27 - Sweep the Hooch April 9 - Food Truck Friday Venue seats +/-2,000; parking capacity +/- 400 cars. The boathouse and tower are available to rent for meetings and special occasions. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, please contact clubs to make sure events are still scheduled.

Spring training, regattas in flux this season

By Jane Harrison Waters surrounding Lake Lanier Olympic Park, usually teeming with youth and college rowing crews in March, remain mostly quiet these days. A rowing season in flux due to the coronavirus has left oars hanging in boathouses and silenced coxswains for the second year.

Rowing programs that send crews for spring break training on Lanier are not coming. The John Hunter Regatta, that normally brings more than 1,000 participants and spectators for a double regatta weekend in March, has been called off again.

The American Collegiate Rowing Association season finale in May was moved to Melton Lake in Oak Ridge, TN, breaking a near 12-year tradition of crowning champions on Lanier. ACRA President Cam Brown said the organization would decide early this month whether the 2021

Spring activity at LLOP pre-COVID.

championship will go on.

Despite the loss of revenue from regattas and spring training, officials with the Lake Lanier Rowing Club and Lake Lanier Olympic Park reported financial stability. LLRC President Cliff Ward previously told Lakeside News that “fortunately, and thanks to good financial management over many years, reserve funds have helped Lake Lanier Rowing Club weather the current situation.”

“We hate to have lost some of our larger events,” said LLOP Ex-

FILE PHOTO

ecutive Director Robyn Lynch, “but we’ve picked up some smaller ones.” She added the park met its 2020 revenue goals.

Regatta Central, an online headquarters for posting and registering for regattas, listed a few events in the Southeast this season. Among them were USRowing Olympic qualifiers in Sarasota, FL. in February and the Dogwood Junior Championships in April, and USRowing Southeast Youth Championships and Dogwood Masters Classic in May, all in Oak Ridge, TN.

March 2021

LAKESIDE 15

YOUR LLA 2021!

TM

LakeLanier.org

JOIN US!

ANNUAL MEMBER CELEBRATION Saturday, April 17 • 3-6 pm Location Announced Soon!

Free to Members!

Business Member Fair-shop local and support our LLA Business Members!

Great food, Music and Cash Bar Updates on the LLA Initiatives and Programs and Volunteer Opportunities Party Like it’s 2019!

Virtual and In-Person Events March: Lawn Care for a Healthy Lanier - Virtual Webinar April 17: Annual Member Celebration - In-person April 24: Kayak and Paddleboard Safety Course In-person May: Sip n’ See Boating Etiquette Discussion In-person

June: Navigating Lake Lanier August: All About Dock Maintenance Virtual Webinar September 25: Shore Sweep 2021 October: Just for Fun Halloween Themed Sip n’ See - In-person

New Volunteer Activities • • • • •

See Something, Say Something: Water Watch Network rolling out this Spring.

Mini Targeted Shore Sweeps throughout the year.

Opportunities to help maintain and inspect life jackets at the Life Jacket Loaner Stations.

Office support opportunities for “Bag and Gab” with fellow LLA members.

Event planning and day of support for volunteer opportunities.

On Lake Initiative Additions • • • • •

Two more Life Jacket Loaner Stations Start of a New Round of Island Erosion and Sedimentation Protections New Boating Etiquette Campaign Water Quality Preservation Initiatives New Tracking and Reporting Capabilites for ADDV and Solar Lights

Check out our new website! LakeLanier.org Join Today • LakeLanier.org • 770-503-7757 • Follow us:

16 LAKESIDE

March 2021

Thoughts on the America’s Cup, past and present The America’s Cup competition is being held again this year and I look forward to it with mixed emotions. When I was living in New Jersey I attended every race from 1974 to 1983, when Dennis Connor lost the cup to the Australians. For each challenge I would arrange to sail a boat from my brother’s marina up to Newport for the owner. This would not only give me a place to stay while the racing was going on but also provide a free ride out on the water to be up close and personal with the action. As you can imagine during the Cup races rooms in Newport and spectator boats are incredibly expensive.

In 1983 I sailed a C&C 36 with the owner, a doctor up the 200 odd miles to the shores of Rhode Island. We had no sooner arrived and safely moored his boat than he got a phone call telling him that one of his patients had suffered a heart attack and he was needed back home! Sadly, it took the fellow two weeks to die!

The doctor never made it back up to the races, so I had the boat to myself for the entire America’s Cup series. I arranged for my girlfriend to meet me there and since I did not want to take the doctor’s

and pick up a couple of these beauties as well as a container of Vinnie orange juice (I had brought a botMendes tle of champagne from our boat).

We would put the frozen pastries On the on top of the engine manifold to Water heat while we handled dock lines and got the boat underway. Once everything was squared away, and our boat joined the crowd as the boat out into the mad melee of the Twelve Meter yachts were being spectator fleet without him on towed out of the harbor to the board, I found a job on a spectaracecourse, we would be seated tor boat for my girlfriend and my- on the cabin top enjoying the self. scenery, eating warm croissants This boat was a modern and drinking mimosas on a replica of a 1920s Great Lakes budget! yacht, 85 feet long and 12 feet The trip out to the race course wide so she could fit through the was always an experience. The Erie Canal. She was a real beauty, tow boats for each team had all varnished mahogany and pol- sound systems with enormous ished brass. Our job was to hanspeakers blasting music for miles dle dock lines and sell beer, then across the water. The Aussies at the end of the day hose the salt would be playing “Man from the and beer off the deck. For this we Land Down Under” by Men at got a free ride to see all the races! Work and the Americans, the There was a great bakery near theme from “Star Wars” (Rememthe dock that made the best crois- ber, this was 1983). On the trip sants in the world. At the end of out of the harbor we went past all the day, they would wrap all the the mansions lining the shore, unsold croissants in aluminum their rolling green lawns crowded foil and freeze them to sell at half with onlookers, fancy dresses and price the next day. Each morning big hats for the ladies and white we would stop at the bakery on trousers and yachting blazers for the way to our sightseeing boat the gentlemen.

For me it was the experience of a lifetime … until the end of the final race, when we had the lead, the Australians tacked, and Connor didn’t tack to cover! I could not believe it! One of the first things we teach our little kids racing their Optis at Lake Lanier Sailing Club is when you are ahead, ALWAYS, ALWAYS stay between your opponent and the next mark!

I guess Dennis was sleeping when they taught that class. The result has haunted me ever since.

America lost the America’s Cup, ending the longest winning streak in international sports history.

Fast forward to the present: the era of gentlemen yachtsmen and amateur sailors has passed, but there is still intense competition for the Cup. The race has been commercialized to a point that it resembles NASCAR! Now, I realize that they had to do something to increase public interest and attract sponsors in order to keep the sport going. With that comes the

advantage of being able to sit in my living room in front of the TV with a beer in my hand watching the boats go around the course at speeds approaching 50 knots! The incredible graphics tell you wind and current speed and direction, boat speed and which boat is ahead and by how much.

However, I really miss the days when they were competing in the Twelve Meter yachts and the boats were similar enough to the ones we sail here on Lake Lanier that any sailor could identify with all the competitors out on the course.

Racing begins March 6th with two races scheduled per day and the first boat to take seven races wins the Cup. You know where I’ll be.

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.”

BE SAFE ON THE LAKE!

March 2021

LAKESIDE 17

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Hotel and conference center at Lanier Islands moves forward

By Pamela A. Keene Work is continuing on the new hotel and conference center being built at Lanier Islands on the footprint of the resort’s original hotel – PineIsle. Phase 1 Infrastructure work on the Islands’ sewer force main line, is expected to be complete mid-May. At some point, it will affect traffic west of the entry gates on the main road into the resort on either side of the bridge to install new pipes for about two weeks.

The bridge will not be closed during that time.

“We feel good about the timeline,” said Bill Donohue, executive director.

He also reported that Lake Lanier Islands Management Company, which sub leases and manages the islands, has requested an extension of the lease to the full 50 years.

The board also approved contracting with Helix Group to handle site work for the new

complex, pending permitting approval by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Bucky Perry, vice president of operations for Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, reported that both the dry storage and a 28-slip dock at Port of Indecision Marina should be complete in early April.

Plans are to open Margaritaville at Lanier Islands on May 1.

The next meeting of the authority is scheduled for April 16.

LLA adds new employee to double its fulltime staff

By Pamela A. Keene The Lake Lanier Association has doubled its fulltime staff.

With the hiring of Victoria Clevenger as communications and membership coordinator, the group now has two fulltime employees for the first time ever.

“We are so thrilled to bring Clevenger Victoria on board,” said John Barker, president of the association. “We know she will have a great impact to

further expand our work around the lake and help us accomplish even more for Lake Lanier and our members.”

Clevenger, a native of Ohio, graduated from Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. She earned her undergraduate degree in advertising and public relations. She also

holds an MBA. She worked for the past five-and-a-half years as an admissions counselor for Lee. “I’m already getting to know so much about Lake Lanier and our members,” she said. “And with my experience in college recruiting, I am excited to be able to help with member services and to grow the organization.”

Clevenger joined the staff in late February. “Victoria is already making a difference in our work and getting familiar with our initiatives and the lake community,” Barker said. “We are indeed fortunate to have her on our team.”

A boat’s version of the final approach

ENJOY SAFE BOATING ON THE LAKE!

Final approach. It’s a term commonly used in aviation denoting an aircraft’s descent on a glide path for landing. And yes, boats have their own version. For those of you with vessel handling experience, you know quite well the anxious feeling as your vessel edges toward the dock. Sometimes the piloting maneuver is complicated, with many factors to consider: wind, water depth, current, speed, obstructions, and other nearby craft, all of which are primary concerns before coming to all stop.

The task may appear easy to accomplish, but I can assure you it is sometimes not without complications and risk. Successful boat handling requires a mandatory proficiency for completing these types of maneuvers without incident. I have personally witnessed my fair share of mishaps over many years.

Competency in this realm is only achieved by specific methods, either by simulation or actual experience. There are also local organizations in your area that can help you gain the confidence and experience needed to become proficient in this type of maneuvering.

bility in boat handling. I recommend practice a method called Steve Rubber Docking by throwing Johnson something highly visible in the water that floats near your vessel, Boating and practice maneuvering up to it, Safety using small amounts of rudder or just engine power.

This exercise will get you accustomed to how your boat handles in slow speed situations, with n MORE INFO: the elements such as wind, curSteve@CPOJohnson.com, rent, and rough water sometimes www.cpojohnson.com added for educational benefit.

There’s no need to be in close proximity to other vessels when For example, take a virtual simulation environment. You can you can accomplish the basics out make the mistakes, learn from the in open waters, away from crowds and objects that can cause process, and become superior in the skill of boat handling, without damage. Practicing these procedures will improve: an actual incident or associated risk occurring at all. This type of • Retrieving a person from the water quickly and safely training also develops a process Collision avoidance • called Error Trapping to improve Maneuvering next to a dock • overall piloting performance.

Anchoring • However ... there is another Welcome to another boating way you can acquire this knowlon the lake. I look forward season edge: part simulation, part actual success on the water and your to hands-on experience. This simple to help you reach ready stand innovative combination produces maritime education in goals your outstanding results and serves safety. Contact boating improving your learning needs extremely more. discover to me well. This time of year, when the Steve Johnson, US Coast Guard lake is not crowded, is a perfect is with CPO Johnson, Inc. (ret). time for you to hone your capa-

18 LAKESIDE

March 2021

Looking at retirement: Barkley Geib steps down as president of Lanier Partners

By Pamela A. Keene After nearly 30 years of philanthropy and involvement at Lake Lanier, Barkley Geib says he’s retiring from the lake. However, those who know him say they’ll Geib believe it when they see it.

Geib founded the Lanier Harbor Poker Run in 1993, a successful 10-year event that drew boaters from across the US to raise money for children’s charities starting in the mid-1990s. He retired the event in 2003. Geib has always put others first. That’s why he received the Boys & Girls Clubs’ Helping Hand Award in 2008. He continues to sit on the organization’s advisory board.

When the board of Lanier Partners approached him to consult on its Pirates of Lanier Poker Run in 2012, Geib agreed without hesitation. “First and foremost, the event supports children’s charities and second, it involves boating,” he said. “Actually, I also got involved because of Rea Williams, one of the founders of Lanier Partners and a driving force behind the successful event

until his passing away from cancer in 2016.”

Soon, Geib was asked to expand his advisory role with Lanier Partners. After several years on the organization’s board, he was elected president. He took the reins with every bit of the enthusiasm and dedication he’s known for. Under his leadership, the group took over the organization of the Holiday Parade of Lights each December until two years ago, when current organizer Richard Pickering spearheaded the event.

After he purchased Lanier Harbor Marina on the southwest side of the lake out of bankruptcy in 1993, Geib championed causes for youngsters through the McKinney-Geib Foundation, where he continues to serve as president.

Making generous donations to children’s charities, he helped with programs of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County, now Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier, to introduce kids to boating as far back as the early 1990s.

His contributions to the lake include a stint in the early 2000s as a member of the Lake Lanier Association Board of Directors, heading the committee that initiated the solar lights navigation

program. He has also been a longterm member of the board of directors of the Marine Trade Association of Metropolitan Atlanta, the sponsoring organization for the Atlanta Boat Show each January. “I think I’ve served in every position in the Marine Trade Association,” he said with a smile. In 2020, he received an honorary lifetime membership in the MTA for his service and leadership.

Marina and lake life Purchasing Lanier Harbor off Buford Dam Road led to many improvements at the business. For one, it was the only marina on the lake with a 24-hour gas dock. It also became home base for TowBoatUS Lake Lanier. Robert Estrada, who owns the boating service franchise for Lake Lanier, formerly worked for Geib at Lanier Harbor. “Robert has always been a close friend and I’m proud of the success with TowBoatUS,” Geib said.

In 2007, Geib planned to develop a condominium project at Lanier Harbor when the economy softened and lake levels were at some of their lowest ever. As a result, he abandoned the development and eventually closed the marina.

About that time, Lanier Islands’ Virgil and Mike Williams approached him about bringing the marina’s new gas dock, ships’ store and new covered 19-slip dock to the islands. “I’m so grateful to the Williams family for allowing me to stay in the business by allowing me to bring my assets to Lanier Islands,” he said.

“That move was the pre-cursor to what’s now The Port of Indecision Marina at Margaritaville.

When Margaritaville took over the beach area, I was asked to stay and manage the marina through the end of 2019.”

In December 2020, Geib was named Grand Marshal of the Holiday Parade of Lights, another honor that reflects his involvement with Lake Lanier.

Recently, he decided to step down as president of Lanier Partners. He will continue to serve on the board.

Strong family values Family life has always been first for Geib. His mother died when he was 8, and his father remarried. But within five years, his father also passed away. “I’ve never been without family and grew up with a strong family support system, particularly from my uncle Walker McKinney and my

brother Howie Geib.”

A graduate of Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla., he double majored in accounting and management. It would serve him well. After graduation at the advice of his uncle, Geib purchased an office building and also worked in the restaurant and entertainment business.

Because he wanted to be his own boss, the purchase of Lanier Harbor provided several opportunities. It gave him a chance to further support children’s charities through the Lanier Harbor World’s Largest Poker Run with children’s charities as the beneficiaries. It allowed him to travel on the powerboat racing circuit, where he met a dentist/racer who had started Child Smile America.

Geib worked with him to introduce youngsters to boating.

And, probably the most lasting benefit: he met his wife Dee, who worked at the marina’s restaurant.

“She was the prettiest waitress on the staff when I met her, but it wasn’t until she took a job as the marina’s bookkeeper that we got to know each other better and we started dating,” he said. The story goes that he surprised her with a proposal, by staging a fake rescue See Geib, page 46

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LAKESIDE 19

20 LAKESIDE

March 2021

Blame the North Pole for wacky weather Last month I told you how anything can and will happen during the month of February. That was an understatement. I have not seen such wild swings in the weather in decades. It all had to do with the North Pole.

The polar vortex, (which is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both the North and South Poles), split in two because a big blob of warm air high in the atmosphere pushed it off its axis, much like a spinning top wobbling when it slows down, it split into pieces, sending ripple effects on weather across the northern hemisphere.

When the polar vortex weakens and wobbles off the pole, pieces of it can split off and swirl southward, affecting the United States, Europe, and Asia, due in large part to this stratospheric temperature spike. The cold and snow were incredible in the nation’s heartland. Actual air temperatures of 30-50 degrees below zero occurred in Alaska, Minnesota, and the Dakotas. For the first time in history the entire state of Texas was under a winter storm warning.

Snow covered the beach in Galveston. We only had a little taste here in north Georgia.

Now we are heading into my least favorite month of the year. March begins tornado season and with the way the weather has been acting this winter, I would suspect the next couple of months very likely to produce some violent storms here. The 30day outlook from the Climate Prediction Center gives us equal chances of having above or below normal temperatures. However, it does keep us with above normal

rainfall. Our average March rainfall is 5.38 inches!

Glenn Do you remember Burns March of 2019? On March 3, 2019 a horrible and deadly severe Lanier weather system slammed Outlook the Southeast. Over the course of six hours, a total of 41 tornadoes touched down across portions of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. I can’t recall how many hours I was on the air with warnings. I knew, watching my radar and tracking these tornadoes, people in the path were not going to fare well. The strongest tornado was an EF 4 and roared over Beauregard, AL to Talbotton, GA. It killed 23 people and injured more than 100. It was the single deadliest tornado since the 2013 Moore, OK EF 5 tornado. Before that, and I remember this all too well, at least one death and 30 injured by EF 2 tornado in Atlanta.

An isolated supercell developed just northwest of the city of Atlanta on the night of March 14, 2008. It just felt weird out that night. It was too warm. A supercell thunderstorm developed in northwest Georgia, strengthening as it moved southeast. The storm produced severe hail in Cobb County, prompting a severe thunderstorm warning.

The tornado then tracked over the Georgia World Congress Center, about 100 yards north of the Georgia Dome during the SEC Basketball tournament. In addition, the tornado was bearing down on the CNN/Omni complex and Philips Arena, where an NBA game was under way. The tornado damaged several buildings, including knocking windows out of the Equitable bank tower and

LAKE LANIER WATER LEVELS JUL 1 1071.31 2 1071.31 3 1071.27 4 1071.24 5 1071.22 6 1071.28 7 1071.28 8 1071.29 9 1071.30 10 1071.31 11 1071.30 12 1071.27 13 1071.24 14 1071.22 15 1071.20 16 1071.17 17 1071.17 18 1071.16 19 1071.18 20 1071.16 21 1071.12 22 1071.20 23 1071.18 24 1071.15 25 1071.17 26 1071.14 27 1071.15 28 1071.11 29 1071.09 30 1071.08 31 1071.10 AV 1071.22 MAX 1071.60 MI 1071.08

AUG

SEPT

1071.10 1071.11 1071.22 1071.24 1071.24 1071.25 1071.26 1071.23 1071.22 1071.32 1071.32 1071.31 1071.29 1071.27 1071.33 1071.37 1071.31 1071.25 1071.25 1071.20 1071.27 1071.27 1071.25 1071.24 1071.21 1071.17 1071.15 1071.12 1071.09 1071.11 1071.15 1071.23 1071.37 1071.09

1071.15 1071.12 1071.07 1071.04 1071.02 1070.98 1070.99 1070.96 1070.92 1070.86 1070.85 1070.87 1070.87 1070.85 1070.81 1070.84 1071.47 1071.61 1071.66 1071.69 1071.59 1071.51 1071.46 1071.44 1071.46 1071.46 1071.52 1071.49 1071.46 1071.40

OCT

NOV

1071.31 1071.21 1071.17 1071.09 1071.03 1070.91 1070.82 1070.74 1070.69 1071.56 1073.80 1074.09 1073.98 1073.71 1073.39 1073.04 1072.73 1072.44 1072.14 1071.91 1071.60 1071.36 1071.21 1071.37 1071.49 1071.54 1071.45 1071.58 1072.36 1072.36 1072.22 1071.21 1071.95 1071.69 1074.09 1070.81 1070.69

the Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel. The twister continued to track toward the east, crossing over the I-75/I-85 connector into Oakland Cemetery, damaging warehouses and the Cotton Mill Lofts along the way.

The tornado finally lifted just after crossing into extreme western DeKalb County.

It no longer showed up on radar but I

1072.03 1071.82 1071.61 1071.41 1071.20 1071.04 1070.88 1070.70 1070.52 1070.40 1070.40 1070.52 1070.48 1070.48 1070.44 1070.39 1070.34 1070.34 1070.31 1070.26 1070.22 1070.16 1070.16 1070.11 1070.15 1070.18 1070.20 1070.18 1070.28 1070.35

DEC

1070.35 1070.37 1070.35 1070.37 1070.42 1070.42 1070.39 1070.37 1070.35 1070.36 1070.34 1070.32 1070.35 1070.50 1070.55 1070.57 1070.58 1070.59 1070.58 1070.56 1070.54 1070.56 1070.55 1070.79 1070.90 1070.94 1070.96 1070.84 1070.75 1070.63 1070.53 1070.59 1070.54 1072.03 1070.96 1070.11 1070.32

JAN

FEB

1070.86 1071.06 1071.12 1070.96 1070.77 1070.62 1070.53 1070.38 1070.38 1070.38 1070.37 1070.32 1070.28 1070.26 1070.21 1070.21 1070.18 1070.13 1070.08 1070.04 1070.03 1070.01 1070.03 1070.02 1070.05 1070.20 1070.27 1070.18 1070.07 1070.02 1070.00 1070.32 1071.12 1070.00

1069.96 1069.87 1069.82 1069.81 1069.78 1069.85 1069.87 1069.86 1069.81 1069.79 1069.79 1069.75 1069.82 1069.85 1069.94 1069.94 1069.91 1070.02 1069.96 1069.95 1069.92 1069.84

tracked it for six miles! The NWS survey teams found the damage path was 100 yards wide with winds of 120 miles per hour.

So yes, March is my least favorite month of the year. Let’s be prepared.

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

March 2021

LAKESIDE 21

22 LAKESIDE

March 2021

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March 2021

Lakeside Calendar March 2021 Please note: Some events may be postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please call or visit website prior to your trip. n Mar.2, Apr. 6, May 4 – Virtual Science Night presents Lungless Salamanders of the Blue Ridge on Mar. 2; Wood Warblers in Georgia on Apr. 6; and Tree Biology on May 4. Free, but pre-registration required.

Info: www.elachee.org/770-535-1976.

Buford Community Center n Mar. 6 – Remember When Rock Was Young featuring Craig Meyer at 8 p.m. in Sylvia Beard Theatre.

Throughout Meyer’s career, he was repeatedly approached about his striking resemblance to Elton John and his uncanny ability to sound like the rock and roll legend.

Meyer was eventually persuaded to expand his repertoire and began impersonating Sir Elton John. Today, he is considered to be the best Elton John tribute artist in the market. Admission: $30-35. n Mar. 12 – The Platters at 8 p.m. in Sylvia Beard Theatre. With classics such as “The Great Pretender,” “Only You” and their rendition of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” The Platters became one of the greatest vocal groups of the early rock and roll era. The Platters vocal evolution continues through the crisp, vocal stylings of members Wayne Miller, Adele “DD” Galinda Martin, Kenny Williams, Lance Bernard Bryant all under the direction of Michael Larson.

Info: www.bufordcommunitycenter.com.

Northeast Georgia History Center n Each Wednesday, at 2 p.m., The Northeast Georgia History Center presents a livestream for the general public to enjoy via Facebook or YouTube Live. Each Friday, the facility presents special member livestreams for local and digital members. Digital membership is $3/month or $35/year for member livestreams and more.

Info: www.negahc.com.

Piedmont College n Mar. 2 – Dr. Andrea M. Price, associate professor of music at Piedmont College, performs lieder, art song and

operatic areas with Piedmont alumnus and former instructor, Dr. Benji Stegner on piano. Performance: 7:30 p.m. n Mar. 25 – Piedmont College Singers, 7:30-8:30 p.m., perform in the college chapel a variety of works from the Renaissance to the present on the theme of “light.” Wallace Hinson, conductor. Louise Bass, organ. n Mar. 30 – Cantabile, the Conservatory’s 10-voice, elite vocal ensemble performs 5-6 p.m.in college chapel a variety of works from the 16th century to the present.

Info: www.piedmont.edu.

Quinlan Arts Center n Mar. 9, Apr. 13 – Ekphrasis for the Masses features 3-minute reading of poems (first 15 who register at the door). The monthly event leads up to National Poetry Month in April. Brown Bag Series (bring your lunch).

Time: noon-1 p.m. Admission: Free. n Mar. 15-27 – 43rd Annual Fine Art Auction Gala 2021 Exhibit & Silent Auction (online & in-person) and on Saturday (Mar. 27) a Virtual Live Auction with Auctioneer Doug Carter.

Info: www.quinlanartscenter.org.

University of North Georgia n Mar. 5 –UNG Jazz Band Concert, 7:30-8:30 p.m., virtual mid-semester concert. Info: 678-717-3930. n Mar. 11 – “Together” Concert, 7:30-8:30 p.m., virtual concert featuring UNG Singers, Le Belle Voci, Patriot Choir and UNG Chorale. n Mar. 12 – Jazz Piano Night, virtual event at Dahlonega campus held at 7:30 p.m., features jazz and piano with UNG faculty – Joanna Kim, Vivian Doublestein, Andrew Santander, Joe Chapman, Mengyao Sun, Jose Garcia and David Peoples. Virtual event. n Mar. 25 – UNG Singers & Le Belle Voci Spring Concert, 7:30-8:30 p.m., virtual event. n Apr. 2 – UNG Piano Ensemble Recital, 7:30-8:30 p.m., virtual music event features UNG Piano ensembles from Gainesville and Dahlonega campus presenting multi-hands recital. Info: 678-717-3930.

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LAKESIDE 27

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March 2021

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30 LAKESIDE

March 2021

Lake campers urged to make reservations early

By Jane Harrison Those wanting to camp at Lake Lanier as the weather warms may want to get their campground reservations in early, especially for weekends and holidays. Higher than usual visitation at campgrounds on Lanier is expected to continue this season as people seek outdoor spaces to avoid exposure to coronavirus.

“We expect similar or slightly more (reservations) than last year,” said Parks Ranger Dan Barnes, who oversees campgrounds at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers parks. He mentioned that after a brief delay in opening last year, Corps parks experienced a surge in reservations.

Six Corps campgrounds operated seasonally by the Corps are scheduled to open March 25.

Campers with reservations can set up a lakeside tent or pull up an RV to sites at Bald Ridge, Sawnee, Duckett Mill, Bolding Mill, Van Pugh South, and Toto Creek. As of mid-February, reservations were plentiful at all six.

Old Federal Park will not open this year due to damage inflicted by multiple weather events last year. Major repairs are on-going after hundreds of trees went down

SAILING EVENTS ON LANIER Club

FILE PHOTO

Camping at a Corps campground.

in the park.

Barnes said Bald Ridge is the most popular for camping due to its relatively flat terrain. He added it is a favorite of families with kids who like to ride bikes through the campground.

Several other Lanier campgrounds, including those at River Forks and Don Carter State Park, both in Hall County, offer yearround camping. Barnes pointed out those parks are leased from the Corps by other entities that manage their campgrounds.

Those desiring to stay at campgrounds solely managed by the Corps can make reservations by visiting www.sam.usace.army. mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recre-

ation/Lake-Sidney-Lanier/Schedules/. The website features a campsite map, photos of and details about specific sites, information about park amenities, and allowable equipment (tents or RVs). Nightly cost ranges from $16 at Toto Creek to an upper range of $26 at other parks. The seasonal parks close for camping in September or October.

The website urges visitors not to enter parks that are full and to park only in designated spaces. It also reminds parks users to “continue following CDC guidelines on social distancing, hand sanitizing, and appropriate use of health protection measures such as face masks and gloves.”

Event

Date

MARCH 2021 LLSC Laser Southerns LLSC Atlanta Cup- One Design Regatta LLSC Ga Tech Collegiate Regatta SSC Lormand Cup UYC UYC Winter #5/Com. Cup BFSC BFSC Spring #1 LLSC Gov Cup/LLSC commissioning LLSC Dogwood Regatta LLSC Ga Tech Open Regatta

3/6/2021 3/13/2021 3/13/2021 3/13/2021 3/13/2021 3/14/2021 3/20/2021 3/26/2021 3/27/2021

APRIL 2021 BFSC BFSC Spring #2 LLSC Thursday Porsmouth #1 BFSC BFSC Spring #3 UYC UYC Winter #6 LLSC Wednesday Night series 1 - #1 LLSC PHRF Championship Race #1 UYC UYC Winter 7 LLSC Wednesday 1 - #2 LLSC Thursday Porsmouth #2 BFSC Around Alone LLSC MC Rebel Rouser Regatta SSC Masters (Skippers over 50) LLSC Wednesday 1 - #3

4/3/2021 4/8/2021 4/10/2021 4/11/2021 4/14/2021 4/17/2021 4/18/2021 4/21/2021 4/22/2021 4/24/2021 4/24/2021 4/25/2021 4/28/2021

For more information, visit www.SailLanier.com and click on the club that's hosting the race.

LARC - Lanier Auxiliary Racing Committee • BFSC - Barefoot Sailing Club • LLSC - Lake Lanier Sailing Club • UYC - University Yacht Club For entire 2021 Sailing calendar, visit www.lakesidenews.com/sailing-calendar

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LAKESIDE 31

Outdoor Activity Calendar n Chocolate Crawl, Dahlonega. Walk to eight Dahlonega shops, sample chocolate treats, March 1-8, Downtown Dahlonega. www.dahlonega.org. n Duncan Ridge Trail Hike, Blairsville. The Benton MacKaye Trail Association sponsors a moderate to strenuous 8-mile hike on the Duncan Ridge Trail from Mulky Gap to Sarvis Gap and return, excellent winter views expected, March 1. Hike leader Steve Dennison. For more info: hikeleaderSD@bmtamail.org. n Laurel Ridge Trail Hike, Buford. The Benton MacKaye Trail Association sponsors a fourmile easy hike on the Laurel Ridge Trail, starting on the Chattahoochee River and ending with views of Lake Lanier and Buford Dam, March 5. Hike leader Howard Baggett. For more info: hikeleaderHB@bmtamail.org.

n Dive for Gold, Gainesville. Games, prizes and diving for “gold” coins in indoor pool, 5:30-7 p.m. March 12, Frances Meadows Aquatic Center, 1545 Community Way. $4.

Register by March 8. www.gainesville.org/recreation, 770-533-5850. n Yonah Run a Dam 5K/10K Again?, Toccoa. Challenging footraces on mixed surfaces and along river, 9/10 a.m. March 13, 3844 Yonah Dam Rd. $30-$35. www.active.com.

n Pi Day Pi K/5K, Sugar Hill. 1.95 K/5K, 8 a.m. March 14, E.E. Robinson Park, 650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. $30-$35. www.fivestarntp.com.

n Focus on Tulips, Gainesville. Learn basic phone/camera photography in classroom, photograph spring bulbs in garden, 9 a.m.-noon March 18, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $89, $84 members. Register by March 15. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760. n Back in the Day 5K, Suwanee. 8 a.m.

March 20, North Gwinnett Church, 4973 W. Price Rd. $25. www.active.com. n Foliage Fest 5K, Jefferson. 9 a.m. March 20, 127 Memorial Dr. Virtual option available. $25$30. www.active.com. n Stars Over Elachee, Gainesville. Learn how to use a telescope, view the first quarter moon, stars and constellations, 7:30-9:30 p.m. March 20, Chicopee Woods Aquatic Studies Center at Chicopee Lake, 2100 Calvary Church Rd. For adults and children age 8 and older. Bring flashlight and pencil. Telescope fee $30 for up to five family members or friend group. Free to Elachee members. Register in advance. 770535-1976, www.elachee.org. n The Great Cookie Chase 5K, Dawsonville.

2 p.m. March 21, Rock Creek Park, 445 Martin Rd. $35-$40. www.fivestarntp.com. n Tulips in Acrylics, Gainesville. Learn color theory by painting tulips on canvas with acrylics, 9 a.m.-noon March 23 & 24,

Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $89, $84 members. Register by March 19. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760. n Lite Bites and Garden Insights, Gainesville. Garden contributing members only event features behind-the-scenes program and refreshments, 10:30 a.m.-noon March 26, Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760.

n Mutts on Main, Gainesville. Pet expo focuses on adoption and fostering pets from Hall County Animal Shelter, includes contests, fashion show, Disc Dog Show and more, 10 a.m.

March 27, Historic Gainesville Square, 301 Main St. www.gainesville.org. n Sour Patch 5K, Sugar Hill. 8 a.m. March 27, Indio Brewing, 5019 W. Broad St. Virtual option available. $30-$45. www.fivestarntp.com. n Underwater Easter Egg Hunt, Gainesville.

Swim in warm pool with the Easter Bunny, dive for eggs, various times for different ages, 12:30-4:15 p.m. March 27, Frances Meadows Aquatic Center, 1545 Community Way. $4.

Register by March 22. www.gainesville.org/recreation, 770-533-5850.

n Easter Egg Hunt, Gainesville. Egg hunts, bounce houses, face painting and more, various times for different ages, beginning at 2 p.m.

March 28, Midtown Greenway, 682 Grove St. www.gainesville.org/special-events, 770-5335850. n Muffin Run 5K/10K, Clarkesville. 8/9 a.m.

April 4, Pitts Park, Hwy. 197. $30-$35. www.active.com.

On-Going n Spring Farmers Market, Braselton. 4-7 p.m. third Fridays through May, patio of Braselton Brothers Store, Davis St. Search Braselton Farmers Market on Facebook.

- Compiled by Jane Harrison See Don Carter State Park Facebook page for park activities. Please note: Some events may be postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please call or visit website prior to your trip.

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32 LAKESIDE

March 2021

Anchor Inn RV & Boat Storage opens

By Pamela A. Keene The newest storage facility has opened on McEver and Lights Ferry roads. Anchor Inn RV & Boat Storage, located on 12 acres, offers covered storage for boats and RVs from 30 to 50 feet.

Operated by Rodney Hellemn, the facility also offers enclosed 50-foot spaces.

“We opened in early February and have been seeing brisk business,” Hellemn said. “We’re offering many services, from wash-down areas, a dump station, digital video surveillance and pull-through sites on our completely paved lot.”

Anchor Inn RV & Boat Storage is now open.

This is not Hellemn’s first foray into boat storage. A commercial and residential builder since the 1980s, he built and owned two facilities in the 1980s on Buford Dam Road. He eventually sold them.

“I just wanted to get back into the boat and RV storage business,” he said. “This is a happy business. People who have boats and RVs just enjoy life. And this is a great retirement thing to do.”

Anchor Inn RV & Boat Storage is located at 6127 Lights Ferry Road in Flowery Branch.

For more information, visit www.anchorinnstorage.com or call 770 519-7975.

March 2021

LAKESIDE 33

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34 LAKESIDE

March 2021

Last-minute winter-spring chores to get ready for spring Spring arrives this year on March 20 at 5:37 a.m. Eastern Time, according to my new best book, The Old Farmer’s 2021 Almanac. It’s also predicting more rainfall than normal in the Southeast in spring, but that’s not always a bad thing.

Although March is too early to start your spring and summer gardening, there are still plenty of chores to do before the warm weather arrives. It’s general knowledge that here in Northeast Georgia, the date of the last frost is April 15.

Sometimes I push the envelope and put out our tomatoes, plant beans and peppers just a few days early.

As for those chores, when was the last time you cleaned, sharpened and oiled your hand tools?

With at least a half-dozen hand pruners for my roses, for some reason I can never find a sharp pair.

You can sharpen hand-pruners, loppers and shovels yourself and frankly, that’s what I’ve begun doing. I haven’t been able to find a good retail store that can sharpen them to my liking.

Enter YouTube, where there

Before your first mow – if you didn’t do this last fall – clean Pamela A. your lawn mower. The blades and Keene underside may be caked with lastyear’s grass clippings. If so, use a Curb wire brush then spray with water Appeal and dry. Your lawn will thank you if you also take time to sharpen the blades. Again, YouTube to the rescue.

Once your pruners are sharpn MORE INFO: Email: ened, clean up and cut back any pam@pamelakeene.com perennials, such as dinner-plate hibiscus, angel trumpets and are plenty of videos, some simplants such as cone flowers, pler than others. Google, then scraggly lavender, black-eyed Sumake your choice. Most recomsans and others that have left last mend spraying the pruner blades year’s stems. You can also clean with WD-40 and rubbing them up spent blooms from your paniwith steel wool first to remove cle hydrangeas. sap, grime and gunk. Then use However, do not prune mopyour tool of choice. Some require head hydrangeas, forsythia “yelsharpening stones; others promote low bells,” azaleas or gardenias. using files.

If you do, you’re cutting off this To prolong the life of your gar- season’s blooms. Wait until after den tools, clean them after every they’ve blossomed to do your use. It doesn’t take long to rinse pruning of these plants. them off, use a barbecue brush to Then, look at your vegetable remove clumps of clay and dirt, garden. Is it ready for your and dry them with an old towel or seedlings and the seeds that you’ll T-shirt. Then spray them with a be direct-planting, like carrots, bit of vegetable oil. Keep a can of beans and squash? Pull any non-stick spray near your storage weeds; don’t just till them into the area. soil or you’ll be plagued by

PHOTO BY PIXABAY

Pruners.

weeds all season.

Add composted material, chopped leaves, perhaps a couple of bags of quality garden soil.

Sprinkle some 10-10-10 fertilizer and turn it in thoroughly.

Cover the beds with several layers of newspaper, weighted down with a light layer of mulch.

This will prevent any weeds from spouting over the next month until you’re ready to plant.

Take advantage of March’s periodic warmer sunny days. By the time you’re ready to start growing

vegetables, all you’ll need to do is dig a few holes to plant your seedlings around mid-April. Your spring/summer garden will be off and running and before you know it, you’re harvesting home-grown tomatoes, and other scrumptious vegetables.

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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March 2021

Lake Lanier Marinas Info

n 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.

Store: Sandwich shop; some boating supplies.

Store hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat./Sun. Types of fuel: 90 Non-ethanol; diesel Price of fuel: (as of 2/17/21) $3.19; $2.99 diesel (Dock open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Thurs.-Mon.; Closed Tues./Wed.) 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.

n HOLIDAY MARINA Hours of operation: Office/Store/Dock, 8:30 a.m.-5 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 2/17/21): $3.59 premium; $3.39 unleaded; $2.99 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 at Holiday on Lake Lanier

n 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 2/17/21) $3.29 (Dock open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week; 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.

n HABERSHAM MARINA Hours of operation: Office/Store/Dock, 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 2/17/21) $3.15 Security: Yes Additional amenities: Repair services, detailing and bottom cleaning. Also bathroom and shower facilities are available.

n HARBOR LANDING Hours of operation: Office/Dock, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Thurs.; 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 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 2/17/21) $3.49 non-ethanol; $2.75 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.

n LAZY DAYS (at Holiday on Lake Lanier) Hours of operation: Office/Dock, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week.

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 2/17/21) $3.29 regular; $3.49 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. PreFueling service, wash racks; Wet Slips-gated/private parking, golf cart valet service, in-slip pump out,

n PORT OF INDECISION MARINA Hours of operation: Office, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week 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, (spring 2020, 254 units, up to 40’), all covered Types of fuel: non ethanol.

Price of fuel: (as of 2/17/21) N/A (Dock should open 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat./Sun. in March.)

On-site eatery: Various restaurants including Landshark, Cantina, Tiki Bar Security: 24/7 Additional amenities: Margaritaville

n PORT ROYALE MARINA Hours of operation: Office/Store/Dock, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week. Will be closed Jan. 1-4, 2021 for holidays.

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 & Ship Store Types of fuel: 90 non-ethanol Price of fuel: (as of 2/17/21) $3.29 regular (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.

n SAFE HARBOR AQUALAND MARINA Hours of operation: Office/Store/Dock, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week 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 2/17/21) $3.09, members; $3.49 non-members (Dock open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed.-Mon.; closed on Tuesday’s due to Covid-19) 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.

n SAFE HARBOR HIDEAWAY BAY MARINA Hours of operation: Office/Store/Dock - 8:30 a.m.-5 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 2/17/21) $3.19 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.

n SUNRISE COVE MARINA Hours of operation: Office/Store/Dock, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wed.Mon. Closed Tuesday.

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 2/17/21) $3.49 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.

March 2021

LAKESIDE 39

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By Pamela A. Keene The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s floating classrooms at Lake Lanier and West Point Lake may have been docked because of the pandemic, but that’s not stopping the organization from conducting educational opportunities virtually.

“Typically, our floating classrooms are available to school groups and teachers,” said Julia CREDIT ERIK VOSS Regeski, communications man“However, by using technolager for the non-profit organizaogy, we are now able to offer our tion. programming on an even more

• Lifejacket Continued from Page 13 boat and motor to the Corps.

“We are very interested in expanding the membership in Friends of Lake Lanier,” Cahn said. “Please get in touch with us so that we can provide further information and help get you involved in the betterment of recreation at Lake Lanier.”

The group operates with a board of directors that meets regularly with the Corps. The president of the group is Alysia Cahn.

“Many people don’t realize that park entry fees, dock permits,

camping and other fees are returned the Federal General Fund in Washington and do not stay here at Lake Lanier,” Cahn said.

“Now that the Friends group has a formalized relationship with the Corps, some of the funds are kept local and can be used directly for the benefit of Lake Lanier.” For more information, contact Chief Ranger Ernest Noe, volunteer coordinator at 770 945-9531 or email the group at friendsoflakelanier@ gmail.com.

broad-based platform beyond schools.”

The virtual classroom features videos of all the water and landbased activities that typically take place on the floating classrooms.

“When the classroom boats were docked because of the pandemic, we began creating our Virtual Floating Classroom programming to deliver this environmental education and information to anyone who is interested in learning more about how they can become involved in these issues and make a difference.”

The floating classrooms have reached more than 80,000 students and teachers in the past two decades. The classrooms provide on-the-water science experiments, wildlife viewing and other topics to help people understand their local water resources.

For more information, visit Chattahoochee.org, and click on Our Work.

Sweep the Hooch: Volunteers Needed • Saturday, March 27 All along the Chattahoochee Watershed. Can be done on land, wading or paddling.

• Online Registration required: www.chattahoochee.org.

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March 2021

Pure gold discovered at Dahlonega’s Accent Cellars Accent Cellars was founded on the principle of bringing people together around good friends, family, and a great experience.

Accent is a true family business founded by husband and wife, Tristen and Katie Vanhoff, and brother Tyler Barnes. Together Tristen and Tyler craft the wines, while Katie creates the amazing high-end artwork that brightens up the walls of Accent’s chic urban tasting room. After spending time with Tyler, I would refer to him as Dr. Wine. If you spend a few minutes with him, you cannot help but learn about grapes, wine, wine tasting, the wine business, and wine in north Georgia.

His humor and ability to explain the complexities of everything about wine in a fashion as easy to digest as the delicious wines he serves.

Tristen Vanhoff, co-founder of Accent Cellars, is from Australia, and being a wine connoisseur and formally trained in wine making, shared the wine business bug with Tyler, who at the time had no intentions of starting a business, much less a wine business. Tristen completed an internship in Sonoma County, California, and culminated the experience by making 120 cases (five barrels) of

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Gold panning art in the tasting room.

a super-premium Syrah which would begin the wine-selling process for the entrepreneurs. You can see one of those barrels displayed in the tasting room serving as a stand for Katie’s beautiful prints which are available for purchase.

Building a business, like making great wine, takes time and

hard work. While Tristen served as Montaluce Winery’s tastingroom manager and head winemaker, he brought Tyler on staff as his assistant winemaker, even though Tyler had not bought a single bottle of wine prior to the experience. Tyler was a quick learner and pursued educational opportunities and experiences to develop as a winemaker. Together, Tristen, Tyler, and the whole family embarked on finding the right spot for their new winery. They found acreage that had an old house in need of a total redo, and after 18 months transformed it into a chic, urban tasting room which opened in 2017.

One of Georgia farm wineries’ notable qualities is that each brings a uniqueness to the farm wine table and builds upon one another’s strengths to make the industry successful. Accent Cellars sets itself apart from their neighbors by focusing on the wine making and selecting grapes from Georgia, California, Texas, and Washington. Tyler shared that his passion is in the winemaking side of the business. He enjoys the complexities and nuances of making unique wines in the region. My wife and I enjoyed sev-

a red wine. Through the fermentation process similar to an “orange” wine, it has a body like an orange essential oil, but does not carry an orange flavor. You just have to try it to better describe it.

Are you a fan of wine spritzers? Well, let’s just say, Accent Cellar’s Nomad Red wine is fantastic! This is not your Mother’s Seagram’s wine cooler.

It is more complex with an effervescence that makes it delicious!

Hands down, my wife’s absolute favorite (made for the best Valentine gift) was the Underdog.

PHOTO BY VAN HUDSON Tyler Vanhoff in the Accent Cellars By no means is this delectable tasting room. off-dry wine an underdog! Do any of you remember a Lifesaver eral new wines that we may have called Black Sour Cherry? I used missed due to our penchant for to buy these at the movie theater the familiar! in the ’70s and ’80s (I know I The sparkling apple wine, Indate myself) and enjoyed the sider, totally surprised us in its sweet-tart cherry delight. This delicious sparkling wine style. We wine is simply amazing and has felt we were drinking a delicious all the delicious traits of my faChampagne, though we were not vorite candy in an adult beverage in the Champagne region of style! My wife has told me that I France! can always bring her this wine as Another pleasant surprise was a present for any occasion! It will the Blanc du Bois, a white wine pair well with our Valentine steak made with a hybrid grape varietal dinner. known for its crisp, floral, citrus If you want to enjoy a lovely flavors. This grape was grown in wine experience and take away Trion, GA and described as an some new and interesting educaobscure grape skin fermented like See Wine, page 46

March 2021

LAKESIDE 41

How ‘sound’ is your home? When to address noises Did you hear that? You may have asked yourself or your spouse that question on more than one occasion. Sometimes a home’s noises are easily explained – a faucet didn’t get turned all the way off and it’s dripping, or the icemaker is busy freezing and dropping new cubes.

Others – like strange knocks or apparent footsteps – may have you wondering if your home is haunted.

There are usually non-paranormal, practical explanations for the most common household sounds, as well as solutions – some you can fix yourself and others that may require a professional.

The cause of a house’s creaks and squeaks can be numerous, depending on where the sound originates. One of the most common creak culprits is flooring. As time goes on, you may notice a certain floorboard or stair always squeaks, and it’s usually in the middle of the night when you’re trying to quietly make your way to the bathroom or kitchen without waking anyone.

Most often, these creaks are a board moving next to another or a board moving against a fastener.

This is especially more prevalent in older homes where floorboards

and window that stick or develop large gaps.)

Sara Multiple things, not just faulty Bagwell construction, can cause damage to the home’s foundation. Soil comDesign & position and moisture levels are Remodel key factors in many foundation problems. Different types of soil under the same foundation can cause uneven settling, leading to cracks (and the associated noises nMORE INFO: tracytesmerremodeling.com they bring). Water accumulation (in the soil, not just standing or have naturally expanded or conrunning water), tree roots and tracted over time, creating space temperature changes, as well as and/or friction. The noise also vibrations from heavy, sustained could indicate an issue with the traffic if you live near a busy subflooring underneath. This roadway, can all be factors in the doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time health of your home’s foundation. to replace the flooring and subIf you suspect problems in this flooring, unless the material is in area, contact a professional ASAP. poor shape, but you may want to If you hear scratching sounds contact a professional who can fix coming from your walls or scurthe issue. rying coming from the attic, Noises coming from beneath chances are you have a pest probyour home, including loud pops lem. Rats and mice are notorious or groaning sounds, shouldn’t be culprits, as are bats or squirrels in dismissed, especially if they perthe attic. The impacts of these unsist. These could indicate an issue invited guests in your home go with the foundation, something beyond the potential diseases they no homeowner wants to hear but carry or the skin-crawling fear a potentially critical problem that they provoke in some. Rodents, should be investigated and adespecially squirrels and mice, are dressed immediately, if necessary. notorious chewers as they attempt (Additional indicators of founda- to tunnel from one area of your tion troubles can include doors walls to another. And if they turn

their tiny teeth toward your wiring, the damage to your home’s electrical system can be far-reaching, not to mention a fire hazard.

If you think your problem is rats or mice, trying some simple traps from the hardware store may be sufficient to solve an isolated issue. Squirrels or bats, as well as continued evidence of mice or rats, are likely jobs for pest professionals. When the removal is complete, be sure to ask them to investigate areas around your home where these animal invaders could be entering. After all, when you don’t address the underlying problem, the hassle and expense cycle caused by these home invaders is likely to repeat itself.

Last but not least, a common cause of household noises can be your home’s plumbing. And when it comes to plumbing, problems range from the minor pesky running toilet or dripping sink to loose/unsecured pipes. If you’re relatively handy, you may want to attempt fixing that toilet or faucet yourself. Parts are easy to find in home improvement stores and relatively inexpensive. The inter-

PHOTO: TRACY TESMER DESIGN/REMODELING

Simple fix-its like leaky faucet repairs may be made by the homeowner.

net, particularly YouTube, can be a great resource for DIY videos that walk you through the steps.

But you’ll want to leave any projects that are more complicated to a professional.

And if further investigation reveals extensive plumbing issues in a bathroom, for example, it might be the perfect opportunity to tackle that upgrade or remodel you’ve been dreaming about. Be sure to reach out to a design/build professional to see what the possibilities could be if you already know you’ll need contractors and plumbers in your walls repairing problems.

Sara Bagwell is a designer for Tracy Tesmer Design/Remodeling in Gainesville.

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42 LAKESIDE

March 2021

Aviation history comes alive in Warner Robins

Thankfully, I grew up in a period after World War II when laws and regulations were at a minimum, and as long as we didn’t break big laws or infringe on other’s rights or property … we were free to experiment with life.

Therefore, I began driving a car at 10 and learned to fly airplanes by 12, and by 14, I was flying all over Georgia by myself. It was also a magical time when World War II military planes from an Aeronca L-16 to P-51 Mustangs were plentiful and cheap, so I took advantage of every opportunity to fly a multitude of those great airplanes!

Through the years, I slowly went away from my first love of flying to discover many other wonderful and exciting aspects of life. Nevertheless, the vivid memories are always there – especially each time I drive down I-75 near Warner Robins, Ga. and see signs advertising the Museum of Aviation (www.museumofaviation. org). Though tempted many times, I had always kept going, until recently. I left I-75 and entered a magical world that took me back to those glorious and exhilarating times during my teens when I felt the freedom of climbing into the high blue skies behind the scream of the nearly 2,000 horsepower of a Rolls Royce Merlin in the nose of a P51 Mustang!

The museum is located just 10 miles east of I-75 (exit 144) at the end of Russell Parkway on a section of Robins Air Force Base.

The museum is the second largest U.S. Air Force museum in the U.S. It opened more than 30 years ago with only 20 finished airplanes, but now exhibits around 100 aircraft with more being restored. The museum also has more than 4,000 artifacts, 22 permanent displays and over 200,000 square feet of exhibit and education space spanning a century of flight.

Popular exhibits include the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers, the 483rd Bomb Group, the story of

Bill Vanderford Travel Editor

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

WWII Ace Brig. Gen. Robert L. Scott, the Korean War, the Tuskegee Airmen and the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment and Air Invasion of Normandy. The museum’s most notable aircraft is the SR-71A Blackbird, (the fastest plane in the world), but also inside is the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame that honors distinguished men and women who made significant contributions to aviation in the Peach State. In the same location, there is a Kid’s Zone for children to enjoy and the Jet Fuel Java and Aviation Gift Shop, where visitors can buy coffee and gifts.

Not too far away in the town of Warner Robins is a tasty eatery called Mike’s Hot Dogs and Hamburgers, which has been in business for more than 30 years.

Believe me – the burgers are worth a visit! Phone: 478-3287346.

Visitors find plenty to see and do at the Museum of Aviation.

Learn more about our nation’s history, review all the exhibits, talk with the volunteers or just explore on your own through each of the buildings and around the grounds of historic airplanes.

It is family friendly and a great way to spend the day. It sure took me back to a wonderful time in my life!

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-10 Warthog in front of Building #1 at the museum, above.

Inside Mike's Hot Dogs and Hamburgers, right.

A B-1B Bomber in front of the Museum of Aviation, above.

The original F-16 for the Air Force Thunderbird flying team, below.

The Actual SR-71A Spyplane that broke the world speed record, above.

A P-40 rrom the Flying Tigers, below.

A F-15 Eagle in front of the Museum of Aviation, below.

Linda Lee and Yogi at the Museum of Aviation.

On display Here is a partial list of aircraft at the museum: • A-10A Thunderbolt II • AC-130A Spectre • WB-66D Destroyer • B-1B Lancer • B-29B Superfortress • B-52D Stratofortress • B-17G Flying Fortress • A-26B Invader • C-141C Starlifter • C-7A Caribou • C-47B Skytrain • C-54G Skymaster • C-119C Flying Boxcar • C-124C Globemaster II • EC-135N Stratotanker • KC-97L Stratofreighter • C-46D Commando • C-123K Provider • EC-121K Constellation • F-80C Shooting Star • P-40N Warhawk • F-84E Thunderjet • F-89J Scorpion • F-86H Sabre • F-101F Voodoo • F-105D Thunderchief • F-111E Aardvark • F-4D Phantom II • F-16A Fighting Falcon • F-15A Eagle • F-102A Delta Dagger • F-106A Delta Dart • F-86D Sabre • P-51H Mustang • F-100D Super Sabre • MiG-17 Fresco • HH-3E Jolly Green Giant • HH-43F Huskie • L-16B Grasshopper • L-19A (O-1E) Bird Dog • SR-71A Blackbird • U-2C Dragon Lady • RF-101C Voodoo • BT-13B Valiant • T-39A Sabreliner • T-37B Tweet • T-33A Shooting Star • T-28A Trojan • T-6G Texan • PT-22 Recruit • PT-19A Cornel • PT-17 Kaydet • U-6A Beaver • Grumman HU-16B Albatross

March 2021

LAKESIDE 43

Food Truck Fridays return March 12

By Jane Harrison It’s back, Food Truck Fridays!

The popular lakeside dining and music event at Lake Lanier Olympic Park returns with plenty of room to load up plates, sip a brew, and dine overlooking the legacy Olympic course.

Six food trucks will dish up an eclectic selection of specialties on the Olympic plaza from 5-9 p.m.

March 12. Local singer, songwriter and guitarist Dave Anderson starts up at 6 p.m. with original songs and covers rooted in Southern blues, gospel, soul and country.

“We’re taking advantage of the real estate” to socially distance at LLOP, said Eric Larsen, LLOP special events manager. “We’re spreading out the food trucks and

PHOTO BY VICKI HOPE

A customer places her order during a Food Truck Friday last October.

encouraging people to use the grandstands.” Musicians for the seasonal event will perform in the awards circle, below the grandstands next to the lake.

Reserve seating is also offered

• LLOP Continued from Page 14 city, Lake Lanier Rowing Club, LLOP foundation, and NCAA member-school, University of North Georgia.

Last October NCAA named LLOP to host the Div. I, II and II championships, expected to bring 40 teams and generate $3 million in tourism revenue.

LLA’s Jackie Joseph passes away

Lynch expects the revenue to flow not just on race days, but also from crews training and competing on the lake prior to the championships. It will be the second NCAA Women’s Division Championships to come to Lanier. The first NCAA appearance was in 1998.

at $35 for an eight-foot table with seating for six. Neighboring tables are appropriately distanced.

Tables are an added option and not required for attending. Admission is free.

Food trucks wheeling in for the season opener include a newcomer, Pass the Plates. The College Park mobile eatery stuffs Greek pitas with soul comfort food. Sherry’s Bait & Barbecue, Bill’s Grill on Wheels, and All Around the World will also roll in to serve up entrees. Diners can finish up with desserts from Kona Ice and Juke n Jive Creamery.

Local tap rooms, Downtown Drafts and Tap It, will pour beer See Food Truck, page 46

By Pamela A. Keene In mid-January, Jackie Joseph, an early official of Lake Lanier Association, passed away. She was instrumental in Joseph building the advocacy group from a collection of homeowners into a formidable organization that took on legal battles to protect the lake.

She and her late husband Bob moved to Buford in 1964 with their two children – Mark and Kathy – to purchase a local radio station. Soon she earned her First-class Engineering license, becoming the state’s first female radio engineer in 1965.

In addition to engineering, she served as the station’s business manager.

The family spent spare time on Lanier, but it wasn’t until the early 1970s that they purchased a home on the lake. “I had heard about a group that supported the lake – the Lake Lanier Association – and decided to see what it was all about,” she told a reporter in 2013. “At that time, it was a small organization with a

few members that met at various places in Cumming and Hall County, but with no real home. I was asked to be on the board and eventually was elected president.”

Jackie, a graduate of the University of Miami with a degree in journalism, was a young mother with small children when she and Bob moved to Georgia in the 1960s. She spent her time between operations at the couple’s radio stations – WDYX-AM and WLKQ/Lake 102 FM – and raising Mark and Kathy. As the children grew up, she had more time to devote to community causes.

The couple built two additional radio stations and continued in the business for 40 years until 2003, when they retired after selling their remaining radio station, Oldies Lake 102 FM. In addition, Bob and she were founding members of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, which was then located in Buford. Jackie, along with Bob’s support, was extremely active in the Lake Lanier Association, becoming its president for over 30 years until her 2013 retirement. She was 89.

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March 2021

EXIT 14

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March 2021

LAKESIDE 45

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46 LAKESIDE

March 2021

• Food Truck

• Wine

Continued from Page 43 and wine.

The event, scheduled monthly through August, except in July, traditionally draws hundreds of Friday celebrants. Larsen said the

Continued from Page 40 celebration has not had to limit attendees. The grandstands, which can hold more than 2,000 people, offer ample room to spread out.

Food Truck Fridays are back What: Seasonal monthly line-up of food dining and live music on plaza and grandstands overlooking Lake Lanier.

When: 5-9 p.m. March 12, Apr. 9, May 14, June 11, August to be announced.

Where: Lake Lanier Olympic Park Plaza, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville.

Cost: Free to attend; reserve tables available for $35.

Information: www.lakelanierolympicvenue.org, 855-536-1996

• Geib Continued from Page 18 tow from Buford Dam to the marina. When there was no boat to bring back, he proposed.

They married in 1999 and have two daughters: Linda Gray Geib, now 19, and Audrey McKinney Geib, now 17.

“Both of my daughters grew up in the marina business doing everything from answering the phones to working in ship’s store and gas dock,” he said

proudly. “They know so many people around the lake because of it.” As for retirement, Geib is somewhat close-mouthed about exactly what he’ll be doing.

“You know, it’s a pretty big step to make this change after nearly 30 years on the lake,” he said.

“I’m sure I’ll find something to do. I’m always looking for new opportunities. Don’t worry. I won’t sit still too long.”

tion about wine, visit Accent Cellars. Tyler aims for every visitor to leave having learned more about wine and the experience than they knew when they arrived. He shares his passion for wine and believes there is no “dumb question.” He desires that everyone is enthusiastic and comfortable in the wine experience.

My wife and I especially enjoyed Tyler’s instruction about how to really “swirl” the wine and left understanding the “why?” behind the swirl!

Tyler’s tip on tasting wine: Smell it, set your glass down and swirl vigorously on the counter.

Swirling does two things. It forces air down into the wine, and the wineglass “chops up” the flavors resulting in intensified flavors of the wine. He says do not worry about the wine glass, that is what it was made to do.

The atmosphere is amazing!

My wife and I loved the design and detail of the urban tasting room filled with Katie and her brother’s artwork. You get a gallery type experience. The combination of nature and art leave you wanting more. Understand-

ably, Accent Cellars is rated 5 Stars on Google.

Future plans at Accent: expand the deck which has a beautiful view of Cane Creek. After that, clear more of the property to make a larger outside space including a bocci ball court. The final phase will be a larger tasting room.

You can find Accent Cellars on Facebook and Instagram.

You can enjoy a glass or bottle of wine during tasting room hours. For a tasting and to get Dr. Wine’s presentation you need to schedule a tasting reservation.

Tyler is quite the entertainer and so knowledgeable about his craft.

Accent Cellars Address: 215 Auraria Road, Dahlonega, GA Tasting room hours: Sun.-Fri., noon-6 p.m. Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Phone: 706-867-0123 Website: AccentCellars.com Georgia native Don Duval grew up going to Lake Lanier and keeps a boat at one of the marinas. He and his wife have a passion for good wine, good food, and of course, the lake. He can be reached at lakesidenews@mindspring.com.

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March 2021

LAKESIDE 47

E V I L W NO The Market for Classic Antiques & Collectibles, Unique Home & Garden Decor, Art & Jewelry Including Nautical & Lake Decor Upcoming Market

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48 LAKESIDE

March 2021

TRACY TESMER

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