Get to Know YOUR LOCAL PARKS

BLAIRSVILLE

MEEKS PARK - 490 MEEKS PARK RD, BLAIRSVILLE

MEEKS PARK II - 979 BLUE RIDGE HWY, BLAIRSVILLE

VOGEL STATE PARK - 405 VOGEL STATE PARK RD, BLAIRSVILLE

REECE STATE MEMORIAL - 833 MOUNTAIN LAKE BLVD, BLAIRSVILLE

BLUE RIDGE/MINERAL BLUFF/CHERRY LOG

BLUE RIDGE PARK - DOWNTOWN BLUE RIDGE

WILLA MAE HAIGHT PARK - 781 E MAIN ST, BLUE RIDGE

SPRINGER MOUNTAIN (PARKING) - BLUE RIDGE

LONG CREEK FALLS - BLUE RIDGE

LAKE BLUE RIDGE REC AREA - 1 DRY BRANCH RD

BLUE RIDGE REC PARK - 350 GRAY ST, BLUE RIDGE

FALL BRANCH FALLS - STANLEY CREEK RD, CHERRY LOG

HORSESHOE BEND PARK -1156 RIVER RD, MINERAL BLUFF

BLUE RIDGE DAM - 291 N RIVER RD, MINERAL BLUFF

MINERAL SPRING WALKING TRAIL - INDUSTRIAL BLVD, BLUE RIDGE

FANNIN CO. REC. PARK - 370 TOM BOYD RD, BLUE RIDGE

FANNIN CO. VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK - CHASTAIN MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY

DAHLONEGA

YAHOOLA CREEK PARK - 1166 CAPTAIN MCDONALD RD, DAHLONEGA

CONNER MEMORIAL GARDEN - N CHESTATEE ST, DAHLONEGA

LUMPKIN CO. PARK - 365 RILEY RD, DAHLONEGA

YAHOOLA CREEK DAM & RESEVOIR - 1330 MORRISON MOORE PKWY E, DAHLONEGA

ELLIJAY

HARRISON PARK - 24 MCCUTCHEN ST, ELLIJAY

GILMER CO. PARK - 1561 S MAIN ST, ELLIJAY

FISH PARK - 2150 OLD HWY 5, ELLIJAY

VETS MEMORIAL PARK - 2150 OLD HWY 5, ELLIJAY

EAST PARK - 1041-1047 LEGION RD

HIAWASSEE

TOWNS CO. PARK - 1311 MUSIC HALL RD

BELL MOUNTAIN - 568 SHAKE RAG RD

LAKE CHATUGE REC. AREA - 440 SUNNYSIDE RD.

HAMILTON GARDENS AT LAKE CHATUGE - 96 PAVILLION RD

CUPID FALLS - 401-4498 BRYSON DR

MAYERS PARK - 1 YOUNG HARRIS DR

CLAY CO. NC

JACK RABBIT REC AREA - 465 JACK RABBIT RD. HAYESVILLE, NC

FIRES CREEK - 398 BEAR CUB PATH, HAYESVILE, NC

CHEROKEE CO. NC & POLK CO. TN

CHEROKEE CO. REC PARK - 699 CONEHETE ST. MURPHY, NC

MURPHY RIVER WALK - MURPHY, NC

HANGING DOG REC AREA - STATE RTE 1447, MURPHY, NC

KONEHETE PARK - 699 CONNAHETTA ST, MURPHY, NC

CHEROKEE LAKE REC AREA - MURPHY, NC

PANTHER TOP LOOKOUT - MURPHY, NC

NORTH SHOAL FALL - 1324 PROSPECT RD, MURPHY

PINEY KNOB TRAILS - PINEY KNOB, RESERVE DR, MURPHY, NC

HIWASSEE OCOEE STATE PARK - 404 SPRING CREEK RD, DELANO, TN

HIWASSEE STATE SCENIC RIVER - 404 SPRING CREEK RD, DELANO, TN

MACON & GRAHAM CO. NC

MACON CO. REC PARK - 1288 GEORGIA RD. FRANKLIN, NC

CULLASAJA PARK - FOX RIDGE RD, FRANKLIN, NC

PARKER MEADOWS COMPLEX - 4306 PATTON RD. FRANKLIN, NC

BIG LAUREL FALLS - NATIONAL FOREST RD, OTTO, NC

STANDING INDIAN WILDLIFE AREA - OFF FOREST DEVELOPMENT RD 67 FRANKLIN, NC.

TESSENTEE BOTTOMLAND PRESERVE - 2249 HICKORY KNOLL RD FRANKLIN, NC

JOYCE KILMER FOREST - 5410 JOYCE KILMER RD, ROBBINSVILLE, NC

Spring is a sensible time to refresh and restore your home after heavy indoor use during winter. It’s also an opportunity to conduct overdue home maintenance and achieve a sense of accomplishment.

Tackle the project room by room with these tips from the experts at Office Depot to make the work feel more manageable and ensure you complete a thoroughly satisfying job.

Entryway

The main entrance, whether it’s the front door or a mudroom entrance off the garage, tends to become a dumping ground where items are shed with each trip through the door. You may have to wade through some clutter to make headway, but after a thorough cleaning of the furniture, floors and walls, your next challenge is making sense of all the mess.

One solution is assigning designated storage spaces for each family member. A series of plastic storage boxes or cubby-style organizers can help contain possessions like shoes, backpacks, handbags, etc. Rely on stylish hooks or a coat tree for extra storage. Put your finishing touch on the freshly cleaned entryway with some pops of color and personality, such as cheerful wall art and a welcoming rug.

Home Office

If there’s any room that comes close to the clutter of the entryway, it’s the home office. A major difference is that generally, office messes come in the form of paperwork, and paper can actually be organized quite easily.

Sorting is the best first step, so you know exactly what you’re up against. Create piles for all the different types of paper you’re likely to encounter, from bills and to-do lists to the kids’ school work. Separate other items by category, such medical records and financial documents or art supplies and books, into piles of their own. An option such as the 3M Weighted Desktop Dispenser and Organizer can help keep supplies like pens, tape, paper clips and sticky notes neat and tidy.

There are dozens of options when it comes to home filing systems. Consider keeping current documents in a location you can access at your fingertips, such as a hanging file drawer or a desktop filer. Labeled tabs and color-coded folders can help make frequently used documents more easily accessible.

For archival materials, such as tax returns and insurance policies that you’re likely to consult infrequently, a secure but separate storage solution makes more sense. Drawer labels and colored hanging file pockets paired with a categorical or alphabetical organization system can make it easy to dispose of unwanted clutter without tossing important papers.

Once you’ve dealt with all the paperwork, don’t overlook important details like dusting the computer desk and screen to make your freshly cleaned office extra inviting. Adding a stylish, functional centerpiece like the See Jane Work Kate Writing Desk can also help you stay organized now and in the future.

Kitchen

Because it’s likely the most used room in the house, the kitchen sees a fair bit of cleaning year-round. However, in any busy household it’s easy to let deeper cleaning slide. While you’re tackling the rest of the house, take time to give the kitchen its due. Mop the floors, disinfect all surfaces and remove clutter that has accumulated, including old and out-of-date food from the refrigerator and pantry.

Because consumables are such an integral part of this space, it’s a good idea to use green cleaning products that won’t leave harmful residues on your cooking surfaces or distribute contaminants into the air.

Bedrooms

When warm spring weather arrives, throwing open the windows to circulate fresh air can be one of the most welcoming ways to wake up the bedroom after long winter months. Freshly washed linens and a flipped or rotated mattress can also give the room a freshness you can see and feel.

Beyond the typical chores like vacuuming and dusting, don’t forget dusty baseboards and make sure to wipe down any glass or mirrored surfaces for extra shine. Another way to make a big difference is organizing items that exceed the storage capacity of your furniture. In the bedroom itself, a trunk at the foot of the bed or a wardrobe organizer that complements your other furnishings is a smart bet.

In the closet, you can repurpose common office supplies and organizers to make the most of limited space. For example, adhesive hooks are perfect for handbags, necklaces and scarves. Lightweight shelving or cubbies make it easy to confine shoes, and for an assortment of accessories and knick- knacks, try stacking plastic bins. Another idea to maximize drawer space in your dresser: move undergarments and socks into a portable storage cart with trays or drawers that fits neatly in the closet.

Multi-Purpose Rooms

Sometimes space dictates that each room in the house cannot be dedicated to just one purpose, but combining multiple spaces –such as a home office and craft room, den or storage area – can often lead to clutter accumulating. Start by organizing things into piles based on which part of the space is best suited for each item. An option like a Realspace Mezza Mobile File cabinet can help you file away documents and by aligning multiple cabinets together, serves as a versatile workspace, craft area or television stand.

Also, take time to check for broken items or ones you haven’t used in a while and determine what can be repaired, donated or discarded. Once everything has been properly sorted, store any items that didn’t previously have a home. Hanging items that are used often for crafting is one way to make creative use of your space and free up space for additional furniture or storage, such as shelving or attractive totes.

Find more storage and organization solutions at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores or online at OfficeDepot.com.

Family Features

With warm weather comes an overwhelming urge to get outside and enjoy it. From barbecues and cookouts to ice cream parties and poolside hangouts, summertime is a popular excuse to kick up your feet and invite your friends and family over to celebrate together.

Now is the perfect time to give your deck or patio area a little TLC before inviting the masses. Follow these tips to revamp and refresh your home’s exterior and interior ahead of hosting your next summer event.

1. Get your gardening gloves on. A little color goes a long way for a bed of plants and flowers. Plant some bright flowers along your patio or consider growing functional, edible plants that look and taste great. Gardening is a fun summer project that can add beauty to your home’s exterior lounging areas. If gardening isn’t your thing, fresh-cut flowers in a vase as a centerpiece can do the trick.

3. Remove mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can form on the exterior siding and trim of your home, as well as on patio furniture, flower pots and swimming pools. It’s important to regularly clean the outside of your house as well as your outdoor furniture and accessories that may have been stored away all winter. It’s easy to remove mold or mildew with a garden hose, a long-handled brush and a mixture of a 1/2 cup of Clorox Regular-Bleach per each gallon of water.

4. Stop the spread of fungal disease in gardens. Fungal diseases can be deadly to plants and wildlife. When used as directed, bleach is a simple but powerful tool that can be used to help stop the spread of fungal diseases. It can also keep cut flowers alive longer when you add a few drops to a water-filled vase.

5. Clean up the bathroom and kitchen. Don’t forget about indoor spaces. When hosting friends, it’s likely that you or a guest will need to visit the kitchen to prepare a side dish or grab another drink and bathroom visits are inevitable. Clean up any loose items and use a disinfecting wipe on hard surfaces like countertops, door handles and light switches.

When it comes to summer entertaining, all you need is a quick refresh before you kick back with loved ones in a clean, relaxing space. For more information, visit Clorox. com.

2. Ready the deck and home exterior. Fungus on the deck isn’t appealing, nor are mildew stains, dirt or weather-beaten patches. Pressure wash your deck then restain it with a matching color and finish, and apply a wood preservative to help prevent water damage and discoloration. In addition, it might be time to give dull shutters and doors a fresh coat of paint to prevent them from looking washed out.

LUXURY FARM STYLE 3BR/2BA FARMHOUSE w/ an oversized garage. Garage is currently being used as a party barn w/ a pool table, & hot tub. 3 ac of UNRESTRICTED Land w/ gardens, landscaping, a bldg previously used for a sawmill, & a chicken coop. ADDITIONAL ACREAGE AVAILABLE. Open concept living w/ F/P. Well-equipped kitchen. Generous master suite on main level with a large closet, an en-suite bathroom with double vanity, clawfoot tub & step-in shower. $549,900. MLS: 323149 Roger 678.358.8727

RUSTIC CHALET W/ AMAZING VIEWS perches over ranges of layered mtns in Scouts Ridge. Sitting on top of the ridge on 4 ac. 3 F/P, & 2 masters w/ the main level master offering a sitting area & a wall of windows. Gourmet kitchen. Living rm w/ fireplace. Deck w/ outdoor fireplace, sitting area, & hot tub. Upstairs loft, & BR/BA. Terrace level is finished w/ a den, F/P, & an a sleeping suite. Sold FULLY TURN KEY. New HVAC, roof, hot tub, fiber internet & an outbuilding for storage. $1,197,500. MLS: 323257 Roger 678.358.8727

BEAUTIFUL LOT W/ RELAXING VIEWS of Coosa & Anderson Creek. Built in 2022 & has a storage shed w/ an area to park a golf cart or use the area to entertain. Mini split heating & air, a spacious living room open to the kitchen. Amenities Spa, Sauna, Fitness Center, Clubhouse & so much more! Less than 5 min from Blairsville. $329,900. MLS: 323655 Tanya 706.455.6977 kit., all appliances included. Amenities of Spa, Sauna, Fitness Center, Clubhouse, Tennis & golf included at Crossing Creeks RV. & Spas. $329,900 MLS: 323687 Tanya 706.455.6977

CUSTOM CABIN IS BEING SOLD TURN-KEY & FULLY FURNISHED! Mtn views. High-quality furnishings. Upperlevel loft. Terrace level has pool table, custom wet bar area, and a PacMan video game! Outside hot tub! Large storage closet for owners. Bonus 20X30 shed out back with unlimited possibilities. $765,000. MLS: 321177 Kathy 770.861.3106

CHALET IN UPSCALE HIGH RIVER COMM. w/ long range, YR mtn views & deeded river access. 4BR/3.5BA home W/ master on the main, 2 BR’S upstairs w/ addt’l loft area, & 4th BR on terrace level w/ 2 game areas or space for a bunk rm. Property backs up to conservation land. New construction, just finished! $674,900. MLS: 321977 Kathy 770.861.3106

THIS CABIN W/ EXPANSIVE DECKS & LONG-RANGE MTN VIEWS. Great room w/ a wall of stacked stone, 4BR, a loft, & a game rm in bsmt. Exterior stone & masonry siding for low maintenance. A newer, high-end hot tub was recently added to the deck. This cabin has been in a successful rental program. $624,900. MLS: 319461 Mike 706.851.7513

PERFECT FOR A GETAWAY OR FULL-TIME LIVING. 3BR/3.5BA w/ wrap-around porch & see the mtns year-round. Master & laundry on main. Dual fuel HVAC system &water filtration system. Located in Arbor Creek. All paved roads, underground utilities. Detached garage, w/ a shop area & a bonus rm upstairs. Shortterm rentals allowed. $649,500. MLS: 323650 Mike 706.851.7513

1.8 ACRE LOT IS LOCATED IN THE UPSCALE COMMUNITY OF STANLEY CREEK, in the heart of the Aska Adventure area. Year-round long-range

LOT IS LOCATED IN THE UPSCALE COMMUNITY OF RIVER ESCAPE, and includes 305' of frontage on the Ellijay River. The rapid flowing waters of both Boardtown Creek and the Ellijay River converge just upstream from this property to create a perfect location for the home. $199,500. MLS: 319263 Mike 706.851.7513

Global Luxury Property Specialist

Certified Residential Specialist - CRS

WWW.MOUNTAINLAKELIVING.COM

High Country Realty

274 W Main Street Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Teresa Bidez

Direct: 706-455-2911

Office: 706-632-7311

Stunning Year-Round Layered Mtn Views

on 2.9 acres w/ private gated entrance in upscale Mountain High Estates. As you enter the lodge from the wrap-around porch & deck, mtn views abound. Massive windows & cathedral ceilings into the great room. Upgraded kitchen. Breakfast bar, SS appliances, & dining area. Outdoor party porch w/ a fireplace. Primary BR on the main level w/bath, separate shower & tub. Upper level w/ a open loft w/ deck, & 2BR's, w/ shared full BA. Terrace level has a den/theater rm, wet bar, game rm, a 4th BR, full BA, & a walkout to deck. Mature landscaping. $975,000. MLS: 322728

Enjoy Premier Waterfront Living

in this gracious mountain home overlooking a pristine mountain lake with long-range mountain views and situated on 2 deep-water lots with over 323 ft of water frontage. A welcoming and expansive screened porch includes a massive fireplace with a sitting area, wet bar, and dining space overlooking the tranquil lake. Inside, 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, cathedral ceilings, 2 fireplaces, plentiful windows, and skylights provide a comfortable ambiance for all seasons. French doors open out to spacious decks and patios. Two primary suites on the main level flank an upgraded kitchen w/ granite & tile, stainless appliances, & an open great room. Two large bedrooms on the upper level are connected with a catwalk and reading nook that overlooks the living area. The finished basement w/family room, rec area, bedroom, kitchenette & garage has a private entrance. $950,000. MLS: 323570 teresabidez@gmail.com

1364

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