Lake Destination Lanier

Fall 2016

Swim Across America attracts hundreds, raises thousands

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Investment advisory services are offered through PCM Advisory, LLC dba Precision Capital Management, an SEC registered investment advisor. The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. SEC registration is not an endorsement of the firm by the commission and does not mean that the advisor has attained a specific level of skill or ability.

What’s Inside 8

Fall | 2016

24 18 32 Chef Adere of Sidney’s Restaurant 8

22 On the Cover Athletes and amateurs alike hit the waters of Lake Lanier for the annual Swim Across America to raise money for cancer research and celebrate the lives for loved ones.

PAGE 34

4 Fall | 2016

Rahel Adere works as the Chef du Cuisine at Sidney’s Restaurant at Lanier Islands, where her dedication to her craft has not gone unnoticed.

Looking back at the ’96 Olympics 12

Frank Norton recalls how Lake Lanier came together to house those participating in the 1996 Olympics.

Jumping in with all four paws 14

Darrah Rorrer and her dog, Mattie, have been invited to participate in the World Championship dock diving competition in Iowa in November.

Tricking out your ride 18

Speakers with lights? Satellite TV? High-tech Sonar? Some boats have it all, and so can yours.

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30

14 Helping or hurting? It all depends.

20

Public health rules on septic tanks around the lake has an impact on real estate, Habitat for Humanity and the quality of water. Whether it’s good or not depends on who you ask.

Lake Lanier Association 22

With nearly no market for scrap metal from a vessel, derelict boats become harder and harder to salvage. But progress is still being made.

Lake Lanier in its 60th year 24

In 1946, when government officials walked past the waterweeds of Lanier’s beloved river, they saw not the reeds or the laurels or the dewberries. Rather, they saw power. And lots of it.

You can’t buy a view like this ... or can you?

30

One Lake Lanier home is both convenient in location and spacious in living, but the sunset over the water is where the money is.

DNR: Why you should fish in fall 38

Inside Every Issue 6 40 42 44

From the Editor Your Guide to Lanier Calendar Around Lanier

Cold weather and the water may not appeal to some people, but if you’re an angler, you’ll want to take advantage of the fishing.

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Fall | 2016

5

From the Editor Say ‘adios’ to swimsuits

Editor Michelle Boaen Jameson Advertising sales Lori Maxim LAKE Magazine, a division of: The Times Gainesville, GA A Morris Multimedia Inc. property 345 Green St. | Gainesville, GA 30501 770-532-1234

www.destinationlanier.com 1

Summer 2016

Rowing, paddling and Rio on the Water: Summer’s in full swing!

Spring 2016

Leukemia Cup takes to the water; Wilheit lake home designed with family in mind Spring 2016 Winter | 2016

On page 34 you’ll read about the recent Swim Across America event on Lake Lanier where hundreds dove in the water to help fund cancer research. The water was still warm-ish and the temperature still feeling like summer.

But the chill has hit the air and it finally feels like fall. Only the brave will don swimsuits now. For most of us, we will put on our jackets (life and winter) before hitting the waves.

With cooler weather comes some great opportunities to fish (see page 38) and chances to work on your boat by adding audio systems, televisions and more (see page 20). What better way to watch the game than out on the water with your friends?

Lake Lanier celebrates 60 years of existence and there are lots of things to do around the lake in the fall. A good way to keep up with activities and stories is to check out our new website. The name is the same, but now the site is more functional and user-friendly. Check out all of our back issues, current stories and more. You can even check it out on your mobile device. And remember to follow us on Twitter @LakeLanierMag and on Facebook. Leave your comments and tell us what you want to read more about in Lake Destination Lanier magazine.

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ichelle ameson

Michelle Boaen Jameson editor@destinationlanier.com 6 Fall | 2016

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Cooking with culture

Sidney’s Restaurant Chef Rahel Adere a rising culinary star Story by Bekah Porter Photography by Scott Rogers When Rahel Adere left Addis Ababa as a teenager, she hadn’t yet acquired the taste for cooking.

“Traditionally the women in Ethiopia are required to know how to cook,” she said. “We were required to cook as women. I started cooking at the age of 12, but I never enjoyed it because I was forced to do it. As a teenager, all I wanted was to be with my friends. (I didn’t want) to be at home cooking.”

Now, the 31-year-old has found a second home in the kitchen, spending her free hours experimenting with ingredients and culinary techniques. However, cooking is much more than a hobby for the Lawrenceville resident. It has also become her passion and her livelihood.

Adere now works as the Chef du Cuisine at Sidney’s Restaurant at Lanier Islands, where her dedication to her craft has not gone unnoticed.

“A chef has to be detailed, curious and qualityminded,” said Michael Klein, culinary director at Lanier Islands. “Those are the intangibles, the things that have to be a part of a person’s nature, and Rahel absolutely has them. All the skill sets that a chef has to have, such as knife technique, those can be learned.

But you can’t teach someone to be curious, to be organized, to have a sharing personality. And Rahel is all of those things, absolutely.”

Despite a prestigious education at Le Cordon Bleu, Adere remains humble, repeating several times that she is still new to the culinary field and insisting that she is still learning.

“Making food is not easy,” she said. “It needs attention, patience and a willingness (to learn.) I have to stay focused, and when I hear (negative feedback), I let it motivate me to do better, and when I hear (positive feedback), it is a good feeling.”

She embraces her classical French culinary training to make such intricate dishes as iron-seared duck breast, mascarpone Parmesan risotto with roasted garlic and baby shiitake mushrooms, and pan-seared 8 Fall | 2016

Sidney's Chef Rahel Adere. The Ethiopian-born chef went to Le Cordon Bleu to train, but still loves the food of her heritage.

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Sidney’s Restaurant Chef Rahel Adere's Iron Seared Duck Breast with Mashed Buttermilk Yukon potatoes, Pomegranate Gastrique, Roasted Heirloom carrots and onions. Below: Pan seared scallops and risotto.

scallops, but when she retires home for the evening, she enjoys partaking in the food of her childhood: shiro (a stew made with powdered chickpeas), tibs (a spicy meat dish served with sautéed vegetables), and doro wot (a slow-cooked chicken concoction that is considered Ethiopia’s signature recipe.) “(I love) to eat Ethiopian food,” she said.

Which perhaps explains why her favorite ingredients to use include the likes of garlic, ginger and cardamom. That being said, the recipe she most enjoys making at home is a simple pasta with a vodka cream sauce.

“Ethiopian food can be a bit complicated to cook,” she said.

However, she credits the challenges of her culture’s food with giving her the ability to succeed as a chef.

“Like I said earlier, (in Ethiopia) we were required as women to cook, so, destinationlanier.com

knowing those complicated techniques helped me to have success quickly in the culinary field.”

She began her career as a teenager who had once despised cooking.

“But when I came to Atlanta, I started being fascinated with the food,” she said.

Adere marveled at the rich history of Southern cooking. “(I love that the) home cooked recipes are passed down through the generations,” she said. “And each region in the South has its own flavor and history.”

Adere’s parents were unfamiliar with

their new home’s culinary culture, so the then-teenager dove into it for them.

“My parents didn’t know how to cook any other food than our traditional foods, so I started buying books and getting recipes from online.’

Soon, she discovered that she loved being in the kitchen; it was no longer associated with being her responsibility as a woman.

Fall | 2016

9

“Once I got (to America), I started to enjoy cooking,” she said.

After gaining admittance to Le Cordon Bleu, she received an externship at Sidney’s Restaurant, where she received further instruction and guidance from Chef Klein.

“We brought her on as an extern, 10 Fall | 2016

and she worked her way up through the ranks,” he said. “She excelled at everything we had her do.”

Her title of sous-chef (which translates to “under-chef ”) makes her the second in command in the kitchen, and her duties include everything from portioning cuts of meat to writing menus to mak-

ing sauces to training new employees.

While Adere says she still has room to grow, she’s happy with her choice to work at Sidney’s, and she’s excited about her potential to improve.

“Sidney’s provides high (end) food and service,” she said. “And like a mother knows which children like what food, LAKE Destination

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we chefs also get pleasure knowing and understanding our guests. It’s a pleasure to see people enjoy your food.”

For more information or to make reservations visit www.lanierislands.com/ dining/sidneys-restaurant

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Iron Seared Duck Breast with Mashed Buttermilk Yukon potatoes, Pomegranate Gastrique, Roasted Heirloom carrots and onions 4 Boneless Duck breasts Mashed Potatoes 5 Yukon potato ( peeled and cut in quarter) ½ cup butter milk ¼ lbs butter Pomegranate Gastrique ¼ cup vinegar ¼ sugar ½ cup duck or chicken stock 3 oz Pomegranate syrup Roasted Carrots 1 lbs heirloom carrots and onions( or baby carrot and pearls onions) 1 TBS chopped oregano Oil Salt and pepper for taste Directions Mix the heirloom carrots and onions with salt, pepper and oregano.

Transfer to a baking dish and cover with aluminum; bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees.

For the Pomegranate Gastrique: mix the vinegar and sugar in a heavy bottomed pot.

Boil until it begins to develop a caramel color. When it becomes dark golden brown, add the pomegranate syrup and the duck stock. Let it simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Place the potatoes in a pot, cover with water and boil until soft.

Drain water and keep potatoes hot and dry.

Heat buttermilk until warm to the touch and add butter to melt.

Begin mashing the potatoes and add the buttermilk mixture slowly.

Continue until smooth consistency. Add salt and pepper and adjust seasoning.

Score the fat side of duck breast to encourage rendering. Make sure not to cut through the meat.

Preheat a seasoned cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add duck breast skin side down. Lower the heat to allow the fat time to render. This will take about 10 minutes to release the fat and to make the skin crisp and golden .

Turn breast over and remove from heat. But leave in the hot pan for about two minutes to become “medium-rare.”

To assemble Place potatoes on a warm plate or platter.

Slice the duck breast in 1/4”-1/2” slices, cutting across the grain of the meat (See photo on page 9) Place carrots on the plate and arrange the duck on top of the vegetables Drizzle the Gastrique across the duck and serve.

Fall | 2016 11

Remembering the summer we housed the world This summer brought back wonderful flashbacks of the Summer of ’96 and our own Lake Lanier Olympic world class event.

The Norton Agency became an integral part of Hall ’96’s plan at the suggestion of local Olympic leaders Mary Hart Wilheit, Evanda Moore and Deidra Martin, probably one of the most persuasive trio ever to set foot in our lake region. While we leased and managed homes, we had never given thought about the vacation or interim rental business.

But who could say “no?”

So Norton waded headfirst, deep into an unknown Olympic pool, and became Lake Lanier’s only official Olympic housing company. It was led day by day by our asset manager, Betty Howard. We quickly mobilized a full-service, high-touch, concierge quality housing company (Lanier Housing) that would rev up and go Olympic speed for three to six weeks and shut completely down a week after the games — and hopefully make a little profit along the way.

Hall ’96 leaders, in their great wisdom, partnered us with the Junior League of Hall County, which helped us with hospitality and housing company volunteers. At its peak, Lanier Housing rented 145 houses to visitors from 58 countries; had a staff and resources of more than 100; and ran a full-blown community concierge service, providing 24/7 emergency help, and even in one house provided butler and executive chef services.

We became the “official” housing component for ACOG venue staff and provided housing for 32 international rowing, canoe and kayak Olympic teams. Every day was a roller coaster ride of energy, excitement and adventure. At one point, we had to manufacture 200 extra tall beds (rowers are tall), transport and convert houses into dorm space, then sell 200 oversized long beds afterward, all without losing money. It was also during this time, we crossed paths with our Lanier Housing logistics intern Tommy Howard, who 20 years later is president of our brokerage firm.

12 Fall | 2016

One of the most interesting sidebars was Norton’s involvement with the Australian Olympic Federation. The federation rented four houses for its team and coaches who were our first arrivals, six weeks before the Olympics were to start. Because their move-in was late on a Saturday afternoon, I personally inspected the house, exchanged the keys and moved them into a small lake bungalow not far from the Olympic venue.

Since it was late and these nice people were strangers in Gainesville, I invited the trio to dinner. Great people to entertain.

My wife and I had a blast and became fast, cross-continent friends.

We eventually helped them secure the only Lake Lanier pre-trial Olympic training course for canoe, kayak and rowing in our own backyard along the Wahoo Creek portion of Lake Lanier. They set up their own cabling and electronic system (don’t tell the corps; the statute of limitations is long gone) and they used my parents’ house, dock and garage, which is around the corner, as a staging and dressing area.

Every morning, they would start at 5:30. My 8-year-old son would ride his bike down the street just to watch them practice, hanging his feet off Granddaddy’s dock. He became sort of their “paddle boy/good luck mascot” on their tract toward the gold medal. The afternoons were spent with weight training in the garage and more onthe-water training. That year, the team won a gold medal and an Australian paper ran an article featuring Norton and “the perfect lake training house” attributing part of their success to the pre-training effort.

Hospitality is never taken for granted; accidental adventures and a welcoming spirit help make travel wherever you go much more memorable. Gainesville and Hall County became the hospitality capital of the world that summer, coupled with a summer full of memories for an 8-yearold and a 40-year-old in housing the world.

Y’all come back now, ya hear?

About the author Frank Norton is a seventh generation north Georgian, CEO of the region’s largest and oldest real estate insurance firm and a Lake Lanier homeowner/activist. He is a passionate market researcher, demographer and prognosticator and noted national speaker on emerging real estate issues.

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Darrah Rorrer and her dog Mattie have been invited to participate in the World Championship dock diving competition in Iowa in November.

Taking a dive Local canine competes to be a DockDogs World Champion Story by Jennifer Linn | Photography by Scott Rogers At 3 years old, Mattie can run, jump and compete with the best of them.

A mixed-breed dog, Mattie was recently invited to compete in DockDogs World Championships later this year. She lives in Gainesville with her owner, Darrah Rorrer.

“I’m ecstatic. It’s the most exciting thing to me,” Rorrer said. “I just wouldn’t have thought that I’d be this competitive.”

DockDogs is the independent governing and sanctioning body for regional, national and international Canine Aquatic performance sports. It has clubs around the world, including some as far as Australia. DockDogs establishes the rules and standards of the sport, tracks results and records and supports and promotes the growth of its athletes, events, spectators and sponsors.

14 Fall | 2016

LAKE Destination

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The championships will be in November in Iowa and are expected to draw dogs from all over the world to compete. Mattie qualified for the championships during a July regional competition in Kentucky.

“To me, it’s a big deal and we’re really, really proud of it,” Rorrer said. “We’ll go in November to the world finals.

I don’t expect her to come home with any gold medals or anything, but it will be interesting to watch her compete.”

Mattie has been jumping competitively for about two and a half years, Rorrer said.

“When she gets on the dock, her personality will change a little bit,” she said. “She gets into the sport.”

In the time she’s been jumping, Mattie has competed in several competitions, including one in Florida.

“Mattie’s a really well-rounded dog,” Rorrer said.

“She’s never going to jump 30 feet in the distance, but for her size ... her record right now is 23.4 feet (that) she actually can jump out into the water.”

Mattie practices dock diving at Rucker Pet & Wild Bird at 4335 Bethelview Road in Cumming. It’s the only Rucker Pet location with a permanent pool on site.

During training sessions Mattie and Rorrer start off with a warmup on the grounds before moving to the pool for practice. After Rorrer tells Mattie to sit at the end of the dock, Rorrer starts walking to the front to take her position for throwing the toy Mattie chases. Mattie tends to take the opportunity with Rorrer’s back turned to her to sneak a few inches forward.

Owner Scot Rucker said he put the pool in about five years ago, because he enjoys dock dogs and wanted to build a place for his customers. Rucker has a dog that jumps well but doesn’t compete.

This year Rucker remodeled the pool area, installing a new dock and new green grass-like turf to make it nicer for dogs and their

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owners to come out and jump.

Rucker Pet rents out the pool time for practice. For those curious about starting dock diving, Rucker recommends a dog be toy-motivated.

“They got to have a reason to jump off the dock, chasing the toy is the reason,” he said.

Mattie competes in all three DockDogs categories: Big Air, Speed Retrieval and Extreme Vertical.

According to DockDogs, Big Air is similar to a long jump for dogs. The dog can start anywhere on the 40-foot-long dock, runs and jumps into the water after a throw toy. The distance is judged from the end of the dock to where the tail of the dog breaks the water’s surface.

Speed Retrieve is a timed event. At the far end of the pool a bumper toy is suspended 2 inches above the water with a starting indicator light above it. The dog is then placed at a 20-foot white starting mark on the dock. When the light turns green the handler releases the dog, and the time clock stops when the dog pulls the toy from the Speed Retrieve bracket.

Extreme Vertical is similar to a high jump for dogs. The dog starts off at the 20-foot mark and jumps to grab a bumper toy extended out 8 feet from the end of the dock over the water. The starting height is 4 feet, 6 inches and goes up Fall | 2016 15

Darrah Rorrer first discovered Mattie’s talents when walking her in the park when she was 6- to 9-months-old.

16 Fall | 2016

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in 2-inch increments as the competition progresses.

Mattie is Rorrer’s first dock-diving dog. She came to Rorrer several months after her husband’s death in May 2012.

A friend kept asking Rorrer if she wanted puppies. After a few months of saying no, Rorrer decided to check them out and came home with Mattie in January of 2013.

“It turned out she was an extremely athletic dog,” Rorrer said.

She first discovered Mattie’s talents when walking her in the park when she was 6- to 9-months-old.

“She just started jumping in the water and I thought ‘Oh my goodness, I might have a dock dog,’” Rorrer said.

Rorrer and Mattie went through a dogtraining class so she could learn basic skills such as sit, stay and come.

Then Rorrer decided to add to Mattie’s skills. She trained Mattie to become a therapy dog through Happy Tails Pet Therapy.

As a therapy dog, Mattie visits nursing homes and children at schools. At nursing homes, Mattie visits individual patient rooms and sometimes the physical therapy rooms. Mattie and Rorrer try to get to each and every person who is interested in having the dogs visit them that day.

Mattie’s therapeutic help varies depending on which school she is visiting. Sometimes children read to Mattie to build their confidence in reading outloud.

Other times, she interacts with the students.

Mattie takes her volunteer activities to heart, sometimes sleeping for hours after visiting a nursing home or being more playful when she comes home from a school.

Rorrer was encouraged to get Mattie into therapy work after her husband, Ira Rorrer, died. Ira had cancer and during treatments at Emory University Hospital therapy dogs visited him.

Rorrer said her husband couldn’t speak anymore and could only write when

he made a special request.

“What remains just so important in his mind was therapy dog visits and how much he loved them,” Rorrer said. He asked Darrah that after he was gone, if she were to get a dog to train it to be a therapy dog.

Mattie was that dog for her.

“Along with all of her therapy work and all, I started entering her in to dog activities,” Rorrer said of Mattie. “She is very talented in barn hunt; she’s on her senior title working toward her master title in that.”

Barn hunt is a sport where a dog searches for live rats encapsulated in a tube and buried in hay bales. The tubes make it so the dogs can’t actually get to the rat.

Sometimes empty or rat waste decoy tubes are put into the mix as well.

“She loves to barn hunt, but I think her favorite is the dock diving,” Rorrer said.

Rorrer got Mattie involved in sport as a release outlet for her and to give back to her for all she gives as a therapy dog.

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Step it up!

Give your boat a custom upgrade in sound, lights and technology Story by Jennifer Linn | Photography by Erin O. Smith While sunsets on Lake Lanier can put on amazing light shows, so can the boats that cruise its waters.

Lighting and sound system upgrades are popular changes that local companies can provide for boat owners to improve both style and function.

Beau Renfroe of Murrayville and Kevin Reiman of Alpharetta are two such boat owners.

Reiman wanted to make sure he had the best audio, video and lighting options while still maintaining a clean look for his 18 Fall | 2016

Meridian sedan bridge yacht.

He had Eric Kaiser of Kaiser Kustoms work with him to Chris Shakespeare, owner of AVC Marine, customize his stereo, lighting describes some of the sonar equipment that he and flooring.

They were able to conceal installs in boats that is on display in the showroom of the Buford business. Top: Ben Daffer, an installer four large subwoofer speakers with AVC Marine, adds a speaker to a client’s boat. on board, as well as adding a system that would allow him “When my boat pulls up you see and to watch DVDs and music videos. Speakyou don’t automatically think that it’s been ers with lights built in can be programed to very loud until you turn it on and you’re flash along with the music and in different like ‘Oh my God.’” sequences.

Reiman said being out on the lake is LAKE Destination

Lanier

very competitive.

“When you go to Sunset Cove, in order to hear your stereo you have to have a significant stereo system,” he said of having to contend with other boat owners with impressive sound systems.

In addition, Reiman had the floors upgraded as well as underwater lights.

His daughters enjoy bringing friends to the top part of the boat to dance and the adults have fun, too, often posing for pictures with the boat.

Kaiser said Reiman’s boat was one of his more interesting projects as people are always looking for the biggest, brightest and loudest options.

Eric Kaiser talks about Diamond Audio speakers “On the lights, you’re going that he installed on a boat at Holiday Marina in to find people who enjoy it and Buford. people who don’t enjoy it,” he said. “Either they’re really into it it creates a different ambiance at night,” or they want to draw attention. They want Shakespeare said of LED lighting that can the party aspect of the lake.” make your boat look like a dance club.

Lake Lanier, Kaiser said, is also a very Another popular request, especially “monkey see, monkey do” lake — meaning during football season, is for satellite TV he’ll often get more work from people who installations so people can enjoy games share the same dock after he does a project while on their boats. for one.

A newer product starting to make a Kaiser, who’s been in the business splash in boat enhancements is a system about 20 years, started the marine portion from Wet Sounds Marine Audio that alof Kaiser Kustoms about two years ago. He lows multiple boats to link up electronicalsaid he’ll work with any budget to make ly and play the same music together rather sure a customer gets what they’re looking than compete against each other. for at a price they can afford. The biggest Renfroe has had such work done by trend he’s seen lately are speakers with AVC on all three of the boats he owns, lights. modifying them to fit his own personal “AVC’s my competitor but they’re style. He spoke highly of the company the top-dog company,” Kaiser said. saying he doesn’t hesitate to call them for “They’re the guy who people spend $20 anything. or $100,000 with. I got into it to help the “I always like to personalize somemiddle-class people to work one-on-one thing. ... I could go buy something brand with people who had to do it on a budget new and I would change it,” he said. “And and it was good business for us because it whatever you think you’re dreaming in really got our name out there.” your head, they can make it better.”

Chris Shakespeare, who owns AVC Renfroe has owned his 33-foot Scarab Marine in Buford, said upgraded sound since 2007 and has had several projects systems and lights are a trend he’s also done on it over the years. Initially he only seeing. wanted lighting and stereo equipment, but “It’s just cool looking, it’s different ... destinationlanier.com

AVC helped come up with some other ideas.

Hesitant at first, Renfroe said once the work was done it was beyond his expectations. He then returned with his cruiser, a 48-foot Falcon. This time, he wanted to update gauges and instruments on the dash for a more modern feel.

“They drew some sketches out about how to change the dash and come up with a different configuration,” Renfroe said.

AVC has a reputation of doing quality work to make an older boat feel new again.

“We take an older boat and make it new again because the prices of boats are so expensive,” Shakespeare said. “So they’ll take a boat that they‘ve had for 10 years, put a breath of fresh air into it, turn it into a new boat or a new-feeling boat to them.”

Shakespeare and his team at AVC went to work to modernize Renfroe’s boat.

“We took the dash with analog gauges and completely remade his entire dash into two separate GPS screens that displayed all the engine data and gave it a much more updated look,” Shakespeare said. “It was quite the undertaking but it was definitely worth the end result. It turned out awesome.”

Renfroe was also impressed with the results. When he bought a 36-foot 2015 Skater last year, he wanted to maintain a clean look for the fast boat he uses on poker runs around the country.

“The boat’s just a real clean performance boat,” he said, adding he wanted everything to look as if it were factoryinstalled.

“The sound on it is unbelievable for just what little space we had on it,” he said.

AVC has been in business since 2004 and at its McEver Road location in Buford about five years. Their services are available in shop and mobile, and include customization for individuals as well as installation of dealer packages that include sound and light upgrades before boats are sold.

Fall | 2016 19

That sinking feeling: Dream lake houses face new limitations with septic rules Story by Jeff Gill | Photography by Scott Rogers The potential homebuyer gazes over Lake Lanier and its sparkling waters, sandy shorelines and endless trees.

It may be easy to get caught up in perfect views, but thanks to a new look at septic tank rules, a dream home could go sour quickly.

That’s where Ardy Franssen, Realtor with Lake Homes Realty, sees her role.

“I have to educate both the seller and the buyer … and set expectations correctly,” she said. “You really almost have to disappoint them from the get-go.”

What’s bringing about this new real estate dynamic on Lanier is Georgia Department of Public Health District 2’s clarifications earlier this year on the minimum requirements for home sizes, particularly the number of bedrooms, needed for approval of septic system permits.

“The safest way to go is if you have an (eight-tenths) acre lot or more, then you’re very likely OK with a three- to four-bedroom home,” Franssen said. “But otherwise, you’re not.”

The rules “were established to provide for the orderly and safe development of property utilizing on-site sewage management systems, in the interest of public health,” Jennifer Fulbright, District 2 environmental health director, has said.

Her office began evaluating county procedures for “approval of lots utilizing on-site sewage management systems in each of our 13 counties” late last year.

“No rule change has taken place, nor is a new rule being proposed in regards to permitting lots for septic systems,”

20 Fall | 2016

Fulbright said.

The rule particularly impacts older, smaller lots, many of which are located around Lake Lanier. In many cases, the lot is more valuable than the home sitting on it, making it ripe for redevelopment.

“And a lot of those older homes are … on the perfect lot,” Franssen said.

Mary Thompson of Lanier Appraisal Service in South Hall said she believes the rule could be “a real issue for Lake Lanier homeowners.”

“Bedroom counts of less than three will impact value and one of the reasons — aside from the obvious smaller size of the homes — is because if someone is getting a loan, the appraiser is required to find at least one sale that has the same bedroom count,” she said.

“And if it is limited to two bedrooms for all levels of the home, typically the market has paid considerably less for twobedroom (homes) versus three- or four-bedroom homes.”

Also, Thompson noted, most of the lake lots are less than an acre, as “there were mostly small cottages on them and over the years, people have torn down and built bigger homes on them.”

The new approach to the rule has stirred concerns among others, including those well off Lake Lanier.

Officials with Habitat for Humanity of Hall County are itching over its potential impact on affordable housing development, which census figures show is already lacking in the region.

Additionally, the initial and full backup system requirements under the department’s rule might be cost-prohibitive. Tim

LAKE Destination

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Harold, left, Heath, and Justin Kilgore, right, steady a septic tank as it is unloaded from a Nix Tank Co. truck at a Flowery Branch home under construction.

Williams, associate executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Hall County, has said that “could make it very difficult for Habitat to acquire buildable lots.”

Habitat for Humanity’s Copper Glen subdivision, a 21home development off Baker Road near Ga. 60/Candler Road, will not be impacted by the rule.

Williams is wondering whether older lots will even be approved for septic.

“We regularly acquire these grandfathered lots as part of our mission model,” he said, including a recently acquired property near Lula, “which fell under this rule.”

“If they are successful in implementing this change, it will cripple our ability to fulfill our mission of providing affordable homeownership,” Williams added.

Others believe the rules could help improve water flow and quality in the region.

Jason Ulseth, who leads the nonprofit environmental watchdog Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, said serving new lots and residences with a publicly owned sewer system is better for Hall’s destinationlanier.com

water quality than septic tanks, “which have been associated with high levels of E. coli in nearby streams when not properly maintained.”

“Septic tanks have a lower rate of water returning to the river and lake as they tend to lose a lot of water through evaporation in the drain field,” he added.

Joanna Cloud, executive director of Gainesville-based Lake Lanier Association, said her group has “ongoing concerns about nonpoint pollution in Lake Lanier and support additional scrutiny of septic tank regulations and building practices.”

She added that “while it does increase the cost of new home construction, the long-term benefit of protecting water quality for Lake Lanier, we feel, is a worthwhile tradeoff.

“Almost everyone who lives close to Lake Lanier gets their drinking water from it, and many of us recreate in Lake Lanier.

Having a better handle on preventing pollution from entering the lake basin benefits all lake stakeholders.”

Fall | 2016 21

Another abandoned houseboat bites the dust The Lake Lanier Association recently was successful in removing another abandoned houseboat from the shores of Lake Lanier. This one was beached at a shoreline area at Lanier Point Park in Gainesville, close to lake marker 44.

(See the story on page 28).

The vessel had been spray-painted with graffiti, and was suspected of having been the site of criminal activity and individuals taking up unauthorized residence in the vessel presenting a public safety concern.

The vessel was beached but did not have floating integrity so it was at risk for sinking when lake levels are higher. The Lake Lanier Association coordinated efforts with the DNR and Hall County to get the financial resources to get it removed from the lake.

The DNR was also instrumental in working the enforcement aspect of this issue with the last-known vessel owner.

This was the second major project using

22 Fall | 2016

DNR allocated funds for abandoned vessel removal on Lake Lanier in fiscal 2017. There are additional projects targeted with those funds and we hope to be able to report removal of more of these issues going forward.

Another strategy the Lake Lanier Association is taking is to discuss derelict vessels and the potential of abandonment with the marinas.

Specifically, the older steel hulled houseboats create significant issues for us as a community since most of them are approaching 50 or more years old and are getting near the end of their useful life cycle. Unless regularly and properly maintained, a steel hulled vessel is subject to hull rust and corrosion issues and will be at risk for sinking.

Some owners may find themselves in a situation that they no longer can afford to maintain or refurbish the hull when needed. There also is not a viable market for scrap on these vessels.

Steel as a scrap metal is heavy, hard to chop and transport, and does not fetch

much in the way payment in the salvage market.

The Lake Lanier Association is pursuing a dialog with the marinas to try and identify vessels that may be a risk in the near future so that the marinas, or the Lake Lanier Association, can consult with the vessel owner to help the owner identify appropriate disposal options if he or she no longer wants to own the vessel.

Anyone in the community that has a steel-hulled vessel that would like to discuss disposal options is encouraged to contact the Lake Lanier Association.

We would be happy to share our knowledge of vendors that are capable of dealing with these types of vessels for disposal.

About the author Joanna Cloud is the executive director of Lake Lanier Association. For more information, or to join the Lake Lanier Association and support our programs and services, visit www.lakelanier.org.

LAKE Destination

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Lake Lanier at 60 Story by Bekah Porter | Archival photos courtesy of The Times

“The rushes cried Abide, abide, The willful waterweeds held me thrall, The laving laurel turned my tide, The ferns and the fondling grass said Stay, The dewberry dipped for to work delay, And the little reeds sighed Abide, abide, Here in the hills of Habersham, Here in the valleys of Hall.”

24 Fall | 2016

In 1887, a Confederate War veteran put ink to page and wrote words that immortalized North Georgia.

When Sidney Lanier penned what he considered to be his crowning achievement, he never imagined that the hills and valleys so lovingly commemorated in his poem, “Song of the Chattahoochee,” were just one generation away from experiencing such a prodigious permutation as to render them unrecognizable.

In 1946, government officials walked past the waterweeds of Lanier’s beloved river, and they forged trough the ferns and fondling grass of the 19th century poet’s sacred place, and they saw not the reeds or the laurels or the dewberries. Rather, they saw power.

And lots of it.

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On that day, 70 years ago, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers peered into the churning waters of the Chattahoochee and saw a future of sustainable energy.

The next decade passed in a flurry, as homes and farms and businesses and bridges all fell victim to a grander vision.

The government purchased acre after acre, lot after lot, landmark after landmark, all in the pursuit of constructing the Buford Damn, a 200-foot concrete marvel tasked with the daunting duties of flood prevention and electricity production.

But perhaps more significantly, the edifice is responsible for creating a liquid Mecca that draws nearly 8 million visitors annually and packs an economic punch of some $547 million spent each year in the five counties touched by the water the damn holds back.

This summer marks the 60th anniversary of perhaps the most monumental moment in the region’s history. The doors of the Buford Dam closed, and the river swelled, cresting its banks, spilling far past the boundaries admired by Lanier.

“When those gates closed to begin filling up the lake, (that) was the biggest moment in the lake’s history,” said Tim Rainey, Operations Project Manager of the Army Corps of Engineers. “That is considered the birth of (the lake) by many and is when it was named.”

Just as Sidney Lanier could hardly have conceived of his hallowed Habersham and Hallow as a massive manmade lake that covers 38,000 acres and provides more than 500 miles of shoreline, so, too, could he have foreseen that what has come to arguably be the Peach State’s most significant body of water would be named in his honor.

This is the story of Lake Lanier.

We recently sat down with Army Corps of Engineer Operations Project Manager, Tim Rainey for a Q&A: Question: How important is Lake Lanier to the region? destinationlanier.com

BY THE NUMBERS: 8 – Million people estimated to visit Lake Lanier annually 38,000 – acres of water 540 – miles of shoreline 700 – families relocated to make way for the Lake $4,100 – Amount paid for Henry Shadburn’s 100- acre farm, the first tract of land purchased for the project 1,070 – Feet above sea level that marks the Lake’s full pool level 1957 – Year the Lake reached its full level 9,390 – Acres of trees cut to make way for the dam and lake 2 – Years it took to fill the Lake $547,000,000 – Estimated economic impact of Lake Lanier’s visitor spending 5 – Counties in which the Lake is present 3 – Turbines used to collect energy 57,000 – Homes that could be powered by the energy collected by the dam 400 – Million gallons of water that the Buford Damn discharges daily 53 – Federal, state and local parks located in the Lake’s vicinity 3,500 – People who attended the groundbreaking ceremony 60 – Miles from Atlanta to Lake Lanier 1,300 – Migratory birds that call Lake Lanier home

Answer: Very important: It provides recreational opportunities and benefits, water supply, flood protection, hydropower generation (renewable energy production), a trout fishery in the Chattahoochee River, quality of life and contributes to economic stimulation.

Q: What would the area be like without the lake?

A: The area inundated by the lake was rural farmland prior to the development of Buford Dam. I could only anticipate that it would be much the same. Without the attraction of the lake, would the current level of development have occurred?

Would the area now be a part of metropolitan Atlanta? Would people live in the area and commute to Atlanta for work?

One thing is for sure, without Buford Dam, there would not be a trout fishery on the Chattahoochee River.

Q: How would you describe the lake’s impact and reach?

A: The lakes reach in the area includes contributing to quality of life as well as economic stimulation. However, the lake's reach extends far beyond this area. From protecting life and property from flood events downstream to providing thousands of homes with renewable energy to providing millions of people opportunities for recreation, the lake has an extensive reach.

Q: What has been your favorite memory related to the lake? Or what do you think is most impressive about the lake and its surrounding area?

A: The most impressive thing about the lake and its surrounding area is that the lake has and continues to perform as designed and intended. Starting off with small rural communities to the current extensive development around the lake, and all other pressures on it, it continues to meet all mission requirements.

Q: What do you love to do on the lake?

A: I simply look at it. Water has a tremendous calming effect.

Lake Lanier as a “jewel”: “Lake Lanier has a nearly 60 year legacy of recreation and commerce that has been a major part of the suburban development of Hall and Forsyth counties. Without our "great lake" it is unlikely metro Atlanta would look to its northern Fall | 2016 25

Lake Lanier’s first 50 years 1946: Congress 1946 1950 1954

OKs building Buford Dam

1950: March 1 Groundbreaking held on site

1956: Feb. 1 Gates of dam intake closed

1957: More than 1958

1962

1959: May 25 Lake reaches full pool level of 1070 feet

250,000 people visit Lake Lanier June 17 First power is generated at dam Oct. 9 Lake dedication held; Holiday Marina opens

1966 1970 1974

1974:

Lake Lanier Islands opens

1978

1982 1986 1990 1994 1996: Olympic canoe/kayak 1998

events held at Clarks Bridge

2002 2004

2006: More than 8 million people visited Lake Lanier

2007

2007: Lake Lanier celebrates 50 years

Edie Rogers The Times

26 Fall | 2016

neighbor as a major recreational destination. In an area that takes great pride in promoting quality of life, Lake Lanier is a jewel in our crown for attracting residents, industry and visitors.” — Stacey Dickson, President of Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau Lake Lanier in the fall For obvious reasons, Lake Lanier evokes thoughts of summer. But don’t count it out during autumn, says Stacey Dickson, President of Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“Once the water becomes too cool for swimming, the focus of our visitors turns inland to the arts, food and entertainment options that abound in the area. Visits to local wineries, breweries, arts events, theater and festivals occupy our visitor's time in the "off ' season,” she said.

Here’s a list of fall activities she recommends: 1. Game Day Cheer your favorite team to victory at Lanier Islands Game Day, the new ultimate tailgating experience. Enjoy collegiate and NFL football games on the 5-story screen now through November. Reserved and general seating available in comfy chairs beachside.

Discounts available for students with ID. All your fave tailgating foods and a family fun zone with games and attractions for all ages. (Through Oct. 30) Game Day - www.lanierislands.com/game-day 2. Happy Haunts There are several excellent options for enjoying a crisp fall afternoon with all the expected amenities including pumpkins, apples, hot cider and hay rides. Lake Lanier has two corn mazes ready to explore through October: Jaemor Farms's maze will feature dinosaurs as they go Jurassic this fall while the Buford Corn Maze delights with it's haunted maze and hay rides, great for tweens who are looking for something not so kiddie but aren't quite ready for the super scary thrills of regional haunted houses. Lake lovers will especially enjoy the Ghost Stories of Lake Lanier cruise with Windsong Sailing Academy featuring magician Joe Turner (Oct. 8) where a day on the high seas turns into a magical adventure. For cos-players and grown up LAKE Destination

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trick or treaters, the Adult Halloween on the Gainesville Square (Oct. 22) is sure to be a fright, with music, contests, food and drink all themed for the occasion. n Jaemor Farms Corn Maze - www. jaemorfarms.com/corn-maze n Buford Corn Maze - bufordcorn maze.com n Ghost Stories of Lake Lanier Cruise - www.windsongsail.com n Adult Halloween - grownup gainesville.com 3. Fall Festivals & Leaf Looking October's bounty is celebrated with so many fall festivals that a visitors could hop from one to another on any given Saturday all month long. Our neighbors in the north Georgia mountains celebrate everything from moonshine and apple harvests to a bear on the square and German Oktoberfest.

Around the lake, there are several excellent fall festivals and events worth noting. Sterling on the Lake's annual Harvest Balloon Festival lights up the autumn skies with colorful orbs while the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Gainesville will celebrate the season with Wine in the Woodlands along with a dance event to go along with their Woven Whimsy exhibition.

destinationlanier.com

Enjoy stunning lake views during the BBQ, Boots & Blues Fest at Lanier Islands. One of the most popular activities on the lake in the fall are color cruises, whether on a rented pontoon with a picnic or on an excursion yacht a breezy cruise to view the stunning fall foliage display never disappoints. Cigar & Scotch Cruise (Oct. 2), Fall Leaf Cruise (Nov. 5) n Harvest Balloon Festival - www. harvestballoonfestival.com/ n Wine in the Woodlands - atlantabg. org/visit/events/wine-in-the-woodlands n BBQ, Boots & Blues - www.lanierislands.com/calendar/specialevents/bbqboots-blues-2016/ n Cigar & Scotch Cruise - www. lanierislands.com/calendar/food-beverage-events/october-cigar-scotch-cruise/ n Fall Leaf Cruise - www.windsongsail.com

take a leisurely stroll along one of more than 100 trails on and around the lake.

Guided hikes are held the first Saturday of every month at Elachee Nature Science Center and a complete list with maps of trails at the lake is available on the Georgia Trails app. You can also learn how to climb a tree during Elachee's Annual North Georgia Tree Festival (Ages 8+ on Oct. 22) n Bubble Run - www.lanierislands. com/calendar/specialevents/bubble-run5k n Lanier Under the Lights - www. lanierislands.com/calendar/special events/lanier-under-the-lights-5k-2016/ n North Georgia Tree Festival www.elachee.org/public-programs/ specialevents/n-ga-tree-festival n Georgia Trails App - discover georgiaoutdoors.com/app

4. Sports & Adventure When the weather cools off in the fall, Lake Lanier hosts all types of outdoor sports, adventure races and fun run/walks. Test your fitness at one of these great outdoor events: The Bubble Run (5K with giant bubble obstacles — good, clean, fun); Lanier Under the Lights 5K run/walk along the path of the Magical Nights of Lights. If competition isn't your thing,

5. Holiday Season Sneak Peek In early November, holiday revelers begin to enjoy their favorite season with events and activities leading up to the kick off of the annual Magical Nights of Lights show.

In October, the Secret Santa Car Show in Oakwood on the campus of University of North Georgia raises money to buy Christmas gifts for needy children in the area. Get your holiday shopping done early at one of these seasonal markets: 25th Annual Marketplace at the Gainesville Civic Center, Woodland Ramble Arts & Crafts Market at Atlanta Botanical Garden Gainesville, 69th Annual Members Exhibition at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center n Secret Santa Car Show - www.secret santacarshow.com/ n 25th Annual Marketplace - www. nghs.com/marketplace n Woodland Ramble Arts & Crafts Market - atlantabg.org/visit/events/ woodland-ramble n 69th Annual Members Exhibition www.quinlanartscenter.org/69th-annualmembers-exhibition.html

Fall | 2016 27

ONE LESS

EYESORE Another sunken vessel is removed from Lanier while levels are low

28 Fall | 2016

Story and photos for LAKE Destination Lanier An abandoned houseboat covered in graffiti saw its last day on Lake Lanier’s waters before making its way to a salvage yard The state allocated $25,000 for removing vessels from Lake Lanier for fiscal year 2017.

“More than anything else, it’s an eyesore,” Department of Natural Resources Capt. Johnny Johnson said. The phrase “Lake Lives Matter” was painted on the side along with other markings.

The Lake Lanier Association previously removed a houseboat July 21, floating it to Balus Creek Park and later transporting it to Xpress Metal Recycling in Gainesville.

Known as “Houseboat 44,” the vessel sat on the shoreline of Lanier Point Park for months near marker 44. “We think the hull is ruptured and we think that’s probably why it got dumped there to begin with,” Lake Lanier Association Executive Director Joanna Cloud said.

Because the lake levels have been down in recent weeks, Cloud said the association wanted to make its move before waters rise again. “The urgency on this one was we were trying to get it before lake levels went back up,” she said. “We worried if it started taking on water and it slipped in, we’d have a bigticket item on our hands.”

The July boat removal cost more than $12,000, but Cloud said the expectation for “Houseboat 44” is around $8,000.

LAKE Destination

Lanier

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2601 Thompson Bridge Road Gainesville, GA 30501

678.971.1900

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• Outdoor Covered Patios with Overhead Fans, Outdoor TV and Big Views of Lake Lanier • Warm, Cozy Fireside Seating • Daily Housekeeping • 14-Slip Community Boat Dock • Cable TV and All Utilities Included • Executive Chef with Elegant Plating

• Daily Wellness Checks • Bistro Bar • Medication Monitoring • In-Room Emergency Call System • Salon and Podiatry Services • Personal Laundry/Linen Service • Non-Denominational Church Services Every Sunday

The view, The view,

The view

Lanier lake home stuns both inside ... and out Story and photos by Michelle Boaen Jameson Ask any prospective home buyer on Lake Lanier what is the number one quality in a property and most will say the view. After all, when it comes to real estate, it’s all about location.

This home on the south end of Lanier has location, view and so much more.

Built in 1996, the home is central to shopping, restaurants and entertainment while still being secluded and off the beaten path.

Close to Buford and Flowery Branch, the home is a short drive from Atlanta, making it a quicker commute to and from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport than lake homes on the north side.

This prime location is one of the many aspects loved by the owners. The Patels often traveled abroad to visit family and we all know that relaxing feeling of getting 30 Fall | 2016

LAKE Destination

Lanier

home after a long plane ride.

And after being in close quarters on the plane, nothing is better than spreading out in this large house. The 6,900 square-foot-home has six bedrooms and six and half baths.

The master bedroom is located on the main floor with a large master bath that includes a whirlpool tub with, of course, a view of the water.

Four more bedrooms with en suite baths are located upstairs.

In the basement is an extra kitchen and eating area, a stone fireplace and living space, a wet bar and poker room, plus the sixth bedroom with an en suite bath.

And of course, even from the basement there is an exceptional view of the lake.

Oh yeah, did we mention the dance floor?

“My wife is very much fond of dancing, so we put a dance floor in the basement,” said Mr. Patel.

But back to the view.

Lake Homes Realty Associate Broker Ardy Franssen said this home is spectacular in its unique position to the water.

“It has an unparalleled, flat walk to the water and unobstructed view,” Franssen said. “Only a very small percentage of homes have this type of lot with views from the master, living room, sun room, second story and basement level.”

Decks on the upper and lower part of the house offer unbelievable sunsets.

The lot backs up to Army Corps of Engineers property, but unlike many lots, the property has few trees blocking the view.

Instead, there is a beautiful grassy knoll with a low incline that becomes nearly flat.

The views from the back of this Lake Lanier home are unparalleled, whether you are on the upper deck, lower deck, sun room or living room. And the walk to the water couldn’t be easier with a lighted path to the dock. destinationlanier.com

Fall | 2016 31

“I got permission to put a pathway of lights to the dock.

They go all the way to the dock,” said Patel.

The dock sits off to the right and just beyond the dock is a sandy beach perfect for recreation and parties. The beach area is shared by a few neighbors.

There is an HOA, but the neighborhood is small and the fees cover the private pool.

32 Fall | 2016

Franssen said she has seen a shift in what clients want.

“My primary residence clients in the price range above $750K are looking for view and decent water while being movein ready and still close to Atlanta. They also want proximity to stores, hospitals and good neighborhoods to drive through. That is not an easy task under $1M.” Also, she said, there is a significant shift in client profiles,

LAKE Destination

Lanier

from the percentage of secondary home buyers up to $750K compared to primary residence clients above $750K. “This is changing exponentially because of traffic patterns in metro Atlanta.”

The majority is, of course, not in the $2 million plus price range, but it is growing.

An extra bonus to this home is the five car garage.

“The fact that this has a five-car garage — three and two bay —is even more rare.”

Though a small detail at first, it can make a big difference.

“Most of my clients assume a garage comes (with the

Growing Our Center.

Expanding to South Hall.

Hear our stories at CenterPointGa.org/SouthHall.

home). Because of septic tank regulations this is not the case, and it is getting more strict per county regulations.”

The home is elegantly decorated and impeccably landscaped.

The Patels have enjoyed it for many years, but now it may be time to do what a lot of empty nesters do — relocate.

“We have lived here for the last 18 years. Now, our children are grown and we are ready to downsize.”

Want to learn more about this home? Contact Ardy Franssen at franssen.ardy@gmail.com or 770-329-0964.

Life Begins at the Center Family & Youth Services Counseling • Mentoring • Teen Pregnancy Programs Drug & Alcohol Prevention • Religious Studies

34 Fall | 2016

LAKE Destination

Lanier

Swimming to stay alive

Lanier event brought out hundreds of athletes to raise money for cancer research Story for LAKE Destination Lanier | Photography by Erin O. Smith The messages were written on shoulders, backs and arms, human billboards bearing messages of hope and love to those whose health battles inspired them.

“I swim for Uncle Jimmy,” one boy wrote on his shoulder.

“I’m swimming for my greataunt and my great-grandmother,” a girl had on her back.

“I’m swimming for Chip,” another had.

They were taking to the water not for a leisurely summer swim but to raise money for

cancer research they hope will help their loved ones and other families facing the same challenges.

More than 500 swimmers churned up Sunset Cove at Lanier Islands on Sept. 17 in the fourth annual Atlanta Open

Swimmers take to the lake to begin their swim during Swim Across America's Atlanta Open Water Swim Sept. 17 at Lake Lanier Islands. The different swim events included 1-mile, 5K and relay options in and around Sunset Cove at Lanier Islands. destinationlanier.com

Fall | 2016 35

Olympians Kristy Kowal and Missy Franklin sign autographs during Swim Across America's Atlanta Open Water Swim Saturday at Lake Lanier Islands. About 500 people joined Swim Across America Saturday to raise money for cancer research.

Water Swim. The event attracted several hundred spectators, in addition to the swimmers competing in 1-mile, 5K and relay events.

The event Saturday raised about $400,000 for cancer research. Swim Across America has raised more than $1 million in its four years.

Meghan Tanner of Atlanta was on hand swimming for Holy Innocent’s Episcopal School’s relay team. She is a member of the junior advisory board for Swim Across America and one of three board members from her school. Her school raised more than $12,000 for the event, highest total for schools.

Mary Ellen Warta of Cumming has been part of the event since it started. Her son, Jonas, 7, lost his right eye to cancer.

“We want every child to be as spastic and crazy as this child is,” she said, hugging her son to her side.

Warta said a pediatric cancer diagnosis has a “ripple effect” on a family. “It’s just as hard, if not harder, on the family,” in addition to the child, she said. She was swimming in the relay race.

Beth Hammond, who pronounced herself a “novice” in swimming, was in the mile swim. She took up swimming in December 2015 after she broke her foot.

“I loved it,” she said. She had been a jogger for years, starting when she was training for the Peachtree Road Race.

Swim Across America is “near and dear,” she said because she is a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Julie Granger, a former Duke swimmer and physical therapist, was planning to swim four weeks after surgery. She has cancer in her lung and will start radiation treatment after the swim event.

36 Fall | 2016

Liz Stewart begins her leg of the relay as her teammate Kimberly Graham cheers her on during Swim Across America’s Atlanta Open Water Swim.

She was diagnosed in 2015. Treatment reduced a tumor “the size of a grapefruit to about the size of a large egg.”

She had 10 hours’ surgery in May, including two titanium rods replacing ribs. One of those broke, leading to the most recent surgery.

“As Dory the fish says, ‘just keep swimming,’” Granger told the crowd.

Ten Olympians from swimming and water polo joined the group to draw attention to the cause. The Olympians signed a blizzard of autographs for an hour. Participating were Missy Franklin, Geoff Gaberino, Doug Gjertsen, Joe Hudepohl, Kristy Kowal, Steve Lundquist, Megan Meyer, Heather Petri, Daniel Watter and Peter Wright.

Kowal is a former University of Georgia swimmer. Lundquist grew up in Georgia and now lives in Stockbridge. Wright lives in Smyrna. Gjertsen is the head coach for Swim Atlanta.

Franklin had 501 on her shoulder as she headed off to join the 5K swim. Each swimmer had a number written on his or her LAKE Destination

Lanier

Olympian Missy Franklin is interviewed during Swim Across America’s Atlanta Open Water Swim. The event has raised more than $1 million in its four years. Swimmers of all ages and ability levels joined in the event to help raise money for cancer research. arm and all had a chip around an ankle.

Swim Across America has been in existence for nearly 30 years. Watters helped start the group in Dallas.

Each race brought a safety talk from Rob Copeland. He explained the course and the people who would be along the course in kayaks or boats or jet skis to help anyone who need it.

For the relay swim, he said, the water is pretty shallow.

“If you need to take a break, stand up.”

destinationlanier.com

Swim Across America Top Ten 5K results PLACE NO. NAME FINISH PACE 1.

141 Jake Magahey 52:55 17:02 2.

186 Dylan Scott

52:59 17:03 3.

90 Bradley Dunham 53:54 17:21 4.

109 Ian Grum

54:13 17:27 5.

457 Darr Smith

54:33 17:34 6.

55 Haley Arner

55:58 18:01 7.

224 Andrew Winton 56:44 18:16 8.

51 Shwan Ahn

56:49 18:18 9.

99 Andrew Ferrell 57:02 18:22 10.

75 Kenneth Carter 57:33 18:32 For more results visit http://ontime-results.com/2016-2/ Fall | 2016 37

Advantages of fishing in cold weather Colder months on Lanier can bring some hot action on the water. Anglers looking for a reason to keep hitting the lake should look to pursue such species as striped or spotted bass.

As waters cool, these sport fish will cruise the entire lake to feed on baitfish. In anticipation of the more difficult to come winter months, they will need to feed often.

Sounds like easy targets, right? Maybe not. Anglers need to be prepared to be “on the move” to be successful.

“Knowing where the baitfish are schooling will give anglers a distinct advantage,” said Jeff Durniak, regional fisheries supervisor for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. “When you can recognize the patterns of baitfish, you can ensure better success at catching the sport fish you pursue.”

Shad and blueback herring will search for the warmest water available in late fall, and predators will be close behind them.

Another species available on Lanier during cooler months is walleye. Anglers can search for them hanging close to the bottom on submerged points and humps with stumps or other structure, including fish attractor materials permitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and placed by the Wildlife Division and fishing clubs.

An additional favorite cold weather activity is fishing for trout on North Georgia streams. The five delayed-harvest streams (under special catch-and-release regulations Nov. 1-May 14) are a great place for a beginning trout angler to try, as stocking frequency plus catch-and-release create high catch rates. Or if you prefer one of the more challenging wild trout streams, you are sure to enjoy a classic fall experience either way.

Anglers must possess a current Georgia fishing license to fish in public waters. You can buy it online or find a list of retail license vendors at www.georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes, or purchase by phone at 1-800-366-2661.

So just because the temperatures have dropped, don’t let that keep you away from the fun, bundle up and go fish!

More information on fishing on Lanier and other waters found at www.georgiawildlife.com/fishing or in the Fishing Reports of the WRD blog at www.georgiawildlife.com.wordpress.com.

Fishing: Did you know?

Fishing on Lanier supports conservation efforts and improves

38 Fall | 2016

the local economy. For example, fishing in Georgia generates $1.3 billion in retail sales with a $2.1 billion total economic effect each year. Georgia ranks third in the nation in average spending per angler, with anglers 16 or older shelling out — on average — $1,576 per year on fishing in our state, according to the American Sportfishing Association.

Take care of your favorite angler this holiday season It is not too soon to think ahead to the holidays! Check out these suggestions on what to give your favorite anglers this year: n Lifetime license: Skip the wrapping paper and give the gift of a lifetime. A lifetime license provides the ability to hunt and fish in Georgia for a lifetime and means they will never have to purchase another state license.

Prices vary depending on age, with one of the best deals to those under age 2 at $200. More information at www. georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permitspasses . n Fishing gear: Rods, reels, lures, tackle boxes and more. What angler doesn’t want more fishing equipment?

These gifts not only provide the recipient with items they will use, the purchase of such items gives “back” to the resource. Forward-thinking sportsmen and women helped create the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration federal programs (a 10 percent excise tax portion that goes back to the states based on license sales numbers) that support state conservation and management efforts. This money supports wildlife and fisheries management research, projects and programs, raising and stocking of sportfish in public waters and more. n Trout tag: Make their vehicle reflect their passion for fishing. The beautiful trout license plate tag costs only $25 more than a standard plate to buy or renew. Most of these fees — up to 80 percent — are dedicated to the support of Georgia’s trout conservation and management programs, affecting trout production, stocking and stream restoration throughout North Georgia. More on the license plate program found at www. georgiawildlife.com/conservation/support.

About the author Melissa Cummings works in communications with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division.

LAKE Destination

Lanier

Don’t miss the moments that matter.

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3885 Mundy Mill Rd Suite 107

5485 Bethelview Rd Suite 440

5415 Sugarloaf Pkwy Suite 1103

9925 Haynes Bridge Rd Suite 105

Oakwood, GA 30566 Phone: 770-287-0012

Lawrenceville, GA 30043 Phone: 678-226-4322

Cumming, GA 30040 Phone: 470-695-7444

John’s Creek, GA 30022 Phone: 770-442-0123

www.beltone-georgia.com

Day-use Parks 1 Buford Dam 2 Lower Overlook 3 Powerhouse 4 Lower Pool 5 West Bank 6 Shoal Creek 7 Big Creek 8 Burton Mill 9 Van Pugh South 10 West Bank Overlook

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Boat Ramp

Playground

Picnic Areas

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Old Federal Balus Creek Mountain View Robinson Simpson Sardis Creek Wahoo Creek Thompson Bridge Little River Lula

State, County, City Parks 1 Lake Lanier Islands 2 Flowery Branch 3 River Forks

Swimming Areas

Campgrounds 1 2 3 4

Old Federal Duckett Mill Toto Creek Bald Ridge

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

Belton Bridge Toto Creek Nix Bridge Thompson Creek War Hill Bolding Mill Little Hall Duckett Mill Keith Bridge Long Hollow

Vann’s Tavern Bethel Two Mile Six Mile Charleston Young Deer Tidwell Little Ridge Mary Alice East Bank Lanier Park Van Pugh North 7 Laurel Park 8 Clarks Bridge 9 Lumpkin

4 Lanier Point 5 Longwood Park 6 Holly Park

Marinas

5 Sawnee 6 Bolding Mill 7 Van Pugh South

1 Lanier Harbor 2 Lazy Days 3 Holiday 4 Hideaway Bay 5 Aqualand

6 Sunrise Cove 7 Gainesville 8 Port Royale 9 Bald Ridge 10 Habersham

UNIFORM STATE WATERWAY MARKING SYSTEM Keep an eye out for these signs when you are boating on Lake Lanier. They provide crucial information about what lies ahead in the water

DIVER BELOW Boaters should exercise caution when passing through area

40 Fall | 2016

OBSTRUCTION MARKER

Indicates not easily seen blockage Do not pass between shore and buoy

BOATS KEEP OUT Danger such as waterfalls, swim areas or rapids ahead may lie outside diamond shape.

DANGER!

Danger may be indicated inside diamond shape, such as rocks, reefs, dams or construction

CAUTION!

Controlled area as indicated in circle, such as speed limit, no fishing, slow-no wake or no prop boats LAKE Destination

Lanier

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One short blast:

destinationlanier.com Pass to the right

Two short blast: Maintain Course

Privileged boat on right.

Pass astern

One blast right.

Fallleft. | 2016 41 Two blasts

Calendar

Ongoing

Northeast Georgia History Center Family Days 1-4 p.m. Second Sunday of each month through December. Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St. NE, Gainesville. Free. 770-297-5900, www. negahc.org.

Northeast Georgia History Center Forums 7 p.m. Second Tuesday of each month through December. Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St NE, Gainesville. Theme differs each month.

Admission free for members, $3 for nonmembers. 770-297-5900, www.negahc. org.

Bowen Center for the Arts 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. New shows monthly. Bowen Center for the Arts, 334 Ga. 9 N, Dawsonville. Free. 706-216-2787, info@dawsonarts.org.

Lake Lanier Rowing Club classes Tuesdays and Thursdays. Clarks Bridge Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. $100. www.lakelanierrowing. org, llrc@mindspring.com, 770-287-0077, 770-540-7144.

Toastmasters program, improve communication and leadership skills 6 p.m. Mondays. 611 Spring St., Gainesville. Free. 706-265-6710, 2520. toastmastersclubs.org.

Square dance plus classes 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays. Mulberry Creek Community Center, 4491 J.M. Turk Road, Flowery Branch. Free. 12 years old and older. 770-965-7140.

American Business Women’s Association 6 p.m. fourth Tuesday each month. Recess Southern Gastro-pub, 118 Bradford St. NE, Gainesville. Dinner, speakers, meeting.

770-654-9277, abwallcc.org.

1547 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. 770532-2528, jlc814@yahoo.com.

The Georgia Art League Noon, third Thursday each month.

Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. Georgiaartleague.org.

Friday sketch Club 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. first Friday of the month. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. $20.

770-536-2575, info@qvac.org, www. quinlanartscenter.org.

Joints in Motion class, Braselton.

9:30, 11:30 and 2 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton, 1400 River Place, Braselton. Free. www.nghs.com/braseltonevents.

“Savoring the Square” culinary walking tour, Dahlonega. 19 E. Main St., Dahlonega. $45 per person. 706-482-8795.

Dahlonegawalkingtours@gmail.com or www.savoringthesquare.com.

Healing Strong meetings, Gainesville.

6 p.m. First Tuesdays of the month.

Natural Juice Cafe, 2480 Limestone Parkway, Gainesville. Free. 404-918-9551. holcomb4@bellsouth.net.

October

Oct. 15 Arts and craft fair, Sugar Hill. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Buford Presbyterian Church, 1242 Buford Highway, Sugar Hill. 770-932-6971. janenjay@bellsouth.net.

Oct. 15 Newborns In Need Open House and “Baby Shower,” Buford. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Mary and St. Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church, 4346 Ridge Road, Buford. Free.

404-368-3125.

Oct. 15 56th annual Chicken-Q, Dawsonville. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 100 Lumpkin Campground Road S, Dawsonville. $8 per plate. 706216-6220.

Oct. 20 69th annual Members’ Exhibition, Gainesville. Reception 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Exhibit Oct. 20 through Nov. 26. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. 770-536-2575. www.qvac.org.

Oct. 21 Jail Tales Trail tour, Tallulah Falls. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Road, Tallulah Falls. $5 parking.

706-754-7981.

Oct. 13 Plein Air “Paint Out” event, Helen. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Helen Arts and Heritage Center, 25 Chattahoochee Strasse, Helen. $40.

706-878-3933. www.helenarts.org.

Oct. 21 “James and the Giant Peach Jr.,” Dahlonega. Oct. 21-23. The Holly Theater, 69 W. Main St., Dahlonega. $5-$8. 706864-3759. www.hollytheater.com.

Oct. 13 North Georgia Community Foundation’s Celebration of Community, Gainesville. 6 p.m. Oct. 13. Gainesville Civic Center, 830 Green St. NE, Gainesville. $65 per person, $125 for couples. Reservations required.

770-535-7880. www.ngcf.org.

Oct. 22 Mountain Moonshine Festival, Dawsonville. 11 a.m. Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, 415 Ga. 53 E, Dawsonville. Free. www.kareforkids.org.

Oct. 13 Dinner-dance fundraiser, Gainesville. 6 p.m. Oct. 13. Chattahoochee Country Club, 3000 Club Drive, Gainesville.

Featuring Banks and Shane and benefits My Sister’s Place. $75 per person. 770The Pilot Club 5:45 p.m. every fourth Thursday. Elk’s Club, 712-03680. www.my-sisters-place.org.

42 Fall | 2016

Oct. 15 Full moon lake paddle, Tallulah Falls. 7-9 p.m. Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Road, Tallulah Falls. $15 plus $5 parking. 706-754-7981.

Oct. 27 Book launch of “Fathers and Sons: Sports and Life,” Gainesville. 6 p.m. Riggy’s Sports Grill, 2415 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville. Free. 978-973-5691.

Oct. 27 13th annual Mother Son Halloween Party Dance, Gainesville. 6-8:30 p.m.

LAKE Destination

Lanier

Gainesville Civic Center, 830 Green St. NE, Gainesville. $50 per couple, $17.50 per additional child for residents, $60 per couple, $21 per additional child for nonresidents. Register by Oct. 24. 770531-2680. 770-531-2680. www.gainesville. org/recreation.

Oct. 28 “Treasure Island,” Clarkesville. Oct. 28-30.

Habersham Community Theater, 1370 Washington St., Clarkesville. 706-8391315. www.habershamtheater.org.

Oct. 29 HearthLight conference, Gainesville. 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Riverside Military Academy, 2001 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. www. hearthlightevent.com Oct. 29 Trick or Treat On the Trail, Gainesville. 3-5 p.m. Midtown Greenway, 682 Grove St., Gainesville. Free. Ages 12 and under. 770531-2680. www.gainesville.org/recreation.

Oct. 30 Trunk or Treat, Sautee Nacoochee. 5:30-9 p.m. Sautee Nacoochee Center, 283 Ga. 255, Sautee Nacoochee. 706-878-3300. www.snca.org.

November

bufordaceclassiccarshow.com.

Nov. 3-6.

“A Christmas Carol,” Athens. 195 W. Washington St., Athens. $12-$15. 706-6133628. www.athensclarkecounty.com/act.

Nov. 4 “The Moonshiners Wife,” Sautee Nacoochee. 7 p.m. Nov. 4-5 and 3 p.m.

Nov. 6. Sautee Nacoochee Center, 283 Ga. 255, Sautee Nacoochee. 678-744-7256. www.bluepalmproductions.net.

Nov. 5 Suwanee Wine Fest, Suwanee. 1-4:30 p.m.

Suwanee Town Center Park, 300 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee. $49. 678-4822270. info@suwaneewinefest.com.

Nov. 5 Tap It Fall Beer Fest, Gainesville. 2-8 p.m.

1850 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville.

678-897-3985.

Nov. 5 Annual Buford ACE Classic, Buford.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. S&S ACE Hardware & Mower, 4300 Buford Drive, Buford. $75-$10. 770-932-1458. www.

Nov. 11-12 13th Big E Festival, Cornelia. Main Street Facility, 501 S. Main St., Cornelia. $15-$25.

706-499-1370. www.bigefest.com.

Nov. 12.

Jefferson FFA Alumni 5K, Braselton. 8 a.m.

Braselton Town Green, 9924 Davis St., Braselton. $15-$30. 678-502-8527. shane. edmisten@gmail.com.

Nov. 12 “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights,” Atlanta.

Through Jan. 7. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-8765859. www.atlantabg.org.

Nov. 17 Georgia Senior Follies concerts, Cumming.

Nov. 17 through Dec. 4. The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming. 770781-9178. www.playhousecumming.com.

Nov. 19.

Pat Alger, Tony Arata and Amy Ray, Dahlonega. 8 p.m. Holly Theater, 69 W. Main St., Dahlonega. Part of the Songwriter Series. $15-$20. www. exploregeorgia.org.

Don’t Forget Your Behind Pink reminds us to screen for breast cancer. But screening for colon cancer is important, too!

It’s the third leading cause of cancer-related death in women – following lung and breast cancers.* At age 50, everyone should get a screening colonoscopy – earlier if you have a family history or other risk factors.

Cover all your assets.

Talk to your doctor about getting screened.

Braselton Cumming | Dawsonville 678.987.1480 770.781.4010

Gainesville 678.987.1499

www.atlantagastro.com *American Cancer Society

AGA is a participating provider for Medicare, Medicaid and most healthcare plans offered in Georgia.

Around Lanier

Rio on the Water Olympic Celebration August 5, 2016

A celebration commemorating the 1996 Olympic Games at Lake Lanier Olympic Park. The park was the site of the canoe, kayak and rowing events of the 1996 games. The Brazilian-themed evening included a live stream of the 2016 Olympic Games opening ceremonies in Rio, with live music, refreshments and dancing under a large tent at the park. It began with a “Brazilian Carnival,� including drummers and Samba by the entertainment group Dance Brasil. Tap It provided craft beer and wine bars alongside Brazilian foods from Chef Kern Chiasson. A Parade of Honor showcased the volunteers who helped bring the games to Gainesville, with Gov. Nathan Deal as the special guest of honor.

44 Fall | 2016

LAKE Destination

Lanier

destinationlanier.com

Fall | 2016 45

28th annual Shore Sweep September 24, 2016

Groups of volunteers met at the lake’s parks and marinas to participate in the 28th annual Shore Sweep. They pulled thousands of tons of trash and debris from the lake and its shores. An estimated 1,000 volunteers spent their mornings working in Dawson, Forsyth, Gwinnett and Hall counties along the lake, a combined effort from local businesses and government agencies. At Clarks Bridge Park in Gainesville, workers from Keep Hall Beautiful helped by accepting trash from groups of boaters and loading it into a dumpster provided by Hall County.

46 Fall | 2016

LAKE Destination

Lanier

19th annual Taste of Gainesville September 24, 2016

19th annual Taste of Gainesville took place at Lake Lanier Olympic Park. There were 28 vendors at this year’s event.

Taste of Gainesville is the Lake Lanier Rowing Club’s and Lake Lanier junior group’s largest fundraiser of the year, and allows them to offer educational programs like Learn to Row and other activities. The event gathers most of the food and beverage options in Gainesville for a booth-style buffet. This year, wine and beer were added. For a set price, visitors could fill their plates with whatever foods they liked, and for an extra charge, take home a commemorative wine glass.

48 Fall | 2016

LAKE Destination

Lanier

3rd annual Chattahoochee Mountain Music Festival September 24, 2016

Friends of Don Carter State Park sponsored the third annual Chattahoochee Mountain Music Festival to raise awareness for the park and supply funding for support of the park.

The festival featured six hours of live music, including The Pressley Girls, 8th of January, Brandon Reeves and Jimmy T. Harris & Friends.

This year’s event kicked off with a 5-kilometer run.

Glory Hope & Life tailgate fundraiser September 22, 2016

Glory Hope & Life held its annual Tailgate Party at Scott’s Downtown in Gainesville. The event included food, drink and both live and silent auctions to support the nonprofit which gives support to cancer patients. The live auction items included a freshwater pearl necklace valued at $500, a Georgia football signed by head coach Kirby Smart, a baseball signed by former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox and a football signed by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, among other things. The silent auction included several tailgate-inspired baskets and items on which guests could place bids.

50 Fall | 2016

LAKE Destination

Lanier