November | 2016
Perfect drives: Luxury cars fill the Chateau Elan golf course A journey to Asia captures the heart
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What’s Inside
November | 2016
8 Inside Every Issue 6 42 44
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From the Editor Calendar Around Town
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Writer Pamela Keene takes a trip to Southeast Asia for a cultural immersion and a comparison to Northeast Georgia.
On the Cover A 1932 Chevrolet Phaeton owned by Jim Collier was one of hundreds of collectible cars on display at the Atlanta Concours d’Elegance in Braselton.
Photo by Michelle Boaen Jameson
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Singer-songwriter Bruce Burch releases a new book and talks about the many artists who have performed his music.
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Moore’s Wealth Management talks about the unthinkable — getting your estate ready before you die.
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southErn grace on the downtown Gainesville square offers unique clothing with flair. HOME Living
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Fleur de Lis Chef Werner Stanek’s lump crab cakes make the “100 Plates Locals Love” — a list of top favorite dining options across the state.
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From Auburn to Austin Healy, from Ford to Ferrari nearly all makes and models were represented during the inaugural Atlanta Concours d’Elegance at Chateau Elan in Braselton.
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The holidays are around the corner and we talk the perfect Christmas cookies with some of the area’s best bakers
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Frogtown Cellars in Dahlonega is a rare estate winery, using only its own grapes to make the local wine.
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From the Editor
Editor/Designer Michelle Boaen Jameson
Rolling up in style
General Manager Norman Baggs Advertising Sales Leah Nelson HOME Magazine, a division of: The Times Gainesville, GA A Morris Multimedia Inc. property 345 Green St. | Gainesville, GA 30501 | 770-718-3421
www.homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com July| August 2015
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Well, someone did. It surely wasn’t me. But I did get up close with some rare and exotic cars at the inaugural Atlanta Concours d’Elegance at Chateau Elan in Braselton. Enthusiasts spent the weekend checking out the collectible cars, race cars and luxury vehicles. The eye candy was everywhere. Check out page 28 to see more. We also start a seasonal series following wine from vine to bottle. We focus on estate winery Frogtown Cellars in Dahlonega. Find out how the grapes go from globes to glass on page 36. If you like to indulge your sweet tooth during the holidays, you’ll want to turn to page 24 and find out what makes the perfect holiday cookie. If you have a favorite holiday dish you have perfected, let us know! As always, enjoy this issue front to back, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and check our new website at homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com.
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ichelle ameson
Michelle Boaen Jameson editor@homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com 6
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HOME: Living in North Georgia reserves the right to refuse advertisements for any reason. Acceptance of advertising does not mean or imply the services or product is endorsed or recommended by HOME: Living in North Georgia. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by an information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Morris Multimedia Inc. Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Morris Multimedia cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. Manuscripts, artwork, photography, inquiries and submitted materials are welcome.
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From Northeast Georgia to Southeast Asia A trip across the globe culminates in a cultural immersion Story and photography by Pamela A. Keene
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The idea for my three-week trip to Southeast Asia began as a whim last Christmas, but by the time I arrived back home on September 11 — after more than 20 hours each way on international flights — I wouldn’t have traded it for a brand new boat or a million dollars. The 11-hour time difference quickly faded once we landed in Bangkok, Thailand, to spend almost a week in this bustling city before embarking on a hop-scotch of cities in Lao (people in the know don’t use the “s,” a convention of the French who once dominated the country), Cambodia and Vietnam.
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As soon as we stepped off the plane, the differences between these countries and North Georgia were more than evident: humidity at 95 percent, temperatures ranging from mid-70s at night to the high 90s during the day with the sun coaxing our sweat glands to protect us from heat stroke. Even though it was the rainy season, we were blessed with only a few brief showers during our three-week trek. Bangkok is a bustling city filled with tourists visiting the Reclining Buddha, the Emerald Buddha, and the Royal Palace. People piled on scooters ride beside automobiles and trucks on the main roads; the scoot-
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Opposite page: In Lao, teams practiced for a national competition that happened a few days after we left. Transportation takes many forms in Southeast Asia, from scooters and bicycles to a wide variety of boats on rivers and canals. Natives use umbrellas to shield themselves from the hot sun.
ers are a preferred way of travel because they’re more agile in heavy traffic. Around almost every corner, juxtaposed with skyscrapers, golden-roofed temples and flower-draped sidewalk shrines ensured that we knew we weren’t in the States anymore. But that’s not all: open-air street markets selling fresh foods I’d never seen before and prepared meals of fish, chicken, frog legs, shrimp tempted the palate and provide a feast for the eyes. The spectacle of baskets piled high with unknown colorful and/or prickly fruits and vegetables showed us the real
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life of the people. Our trip leader with Overseas Adventure Travel took us to rural areas and ancient ruins, on river trips in nearly every place we visited on the strangest boats, to coconut and silkworm farms, and into the marshes to help reforest the endangered mangrove jungles. In Luang Prabang, a World Heritage Site in Lao, we cruised the Mekong River, visited a mountain cave filled with more than 4,000 Buddha statues — we added one of our own — and visited more temples. On the country’s rivers, we saw long boats filled with 28 or
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Images of Buddha around every corner took many forms, from gilded statues to these made of stone.
so paddlers training for an upcoming national championship race. It reminded me of the Dragon Boat events at the Lake Lanier Olympic Park. A trademark of Overseas Adventure travel, “A Day in the Life” in Lao brought us to the remote Bann Non Saath school where we visited with village children and shared a treat of ice cream cones. Then we helped prepare our lunch at the village leader’s open-air home before flying to the Lao capital of Vientiane and a home-hosted dinner of Lao cuisine. Our hosts shared — in English — about their jobs and family. The 20-something son was the most fluent, a great interpreter between our group and his parents and aunt. We even taught him some Southern — y’all — which he kept repeating for the rest of the evening, a big smile on his face. All us travelers had heard of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, but I for one didn’t know anything about Siem Reap except that the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat were nearby. Our time in Phnom Penh was highlighted by a visit to Champey Academy of Arts, funded by the Kasumisou Foundation and begun by former American banker Mark Rosasco and his wife, who now live in California. Almost 70 percent of the students, who range in age from 6 to their teens, are children of the
The trip held so many surprises, from the differences in the cuisine from country to country, to the openness and acceptance ...
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We even taught him some Southern — y’all — which he kept repeating for the rest of the evening, a big smile on his face. street, orphaned by AIDS. They study art, the Cambodian culture, including dance, and many are fluent in English. The school relies on donations to survive. It was appropriate that Siem Reap and the wonders of Angkor Wat came near the end of our trip. A morning ride through the countryside on a wooden cart pulled by a pair water buffalo took us to a boat ride to the floating village of Mei Cherey on Tonle Sap lake. We were welcomed into the home of the village leader — a female — and her aunt, the village midwife, who gave us insight into their roles in the community, settling disputes, providing counsel and guidance and helping bring new villagers into the world. Even before I traveled to the other side of the world, friends and acquaintances espoused the beauty and intrigue of 400-acre Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century as a center of Hindu worship. Shortly thereafter, it became a center for Buddhist worship and at one time served as the capital of Cambodia. As one of the largest existing religious structures in the world; its sheer mass is overwhelming. At one time the five towers and the sandstone structure were covered with gold leaf. Three days before the end of our adventure, we flew to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. With a population approaching 10 million, it’s whirring with activity. The streets are filled with thousands of homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
An example of the amazing Thai architecture used on the many temples. We never stopped marveling at the gilded towers and the beautiful detail.
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Top: Thais are resourceful when it comes to transportation, especially out in the country. Could this vehicle be any more full? Middle: Everywhere in Southeast Asia, street vendors sell fresh foods, like this woman in Luong Prabang, Lao. Some, like this collection of peppers, were easy to identify; others, like sea creatures and native fruits, not so much. Bottom: Outside of the cities, it’s common to see people working with native crafts outside their modest homes. This woman was spinning fiber that will be used for clothing, scarves and home goods.
scooters, many with three or more passengers, all wearing helmets. At traffic lights jams, they all jockey for position at the head of the line, so that as soon as the light changes, they can buzz to the next light. It’s not unusual to see them riding on sidewalks, in between rows of cars and darting wherever they can to get a little ahead. The trip held so many surprises, from the differences in the cuisine from country to country, to the openness and acceptance of the many people we met. It was a non-stop lesson in history, human nature and economics that can’t be summarized in 25 words or less, an experience that still has my mind buzzing. I’m sure I’ll be digesting my adventure for months to come. 12
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Villagers and school children enjoyed ice cream during our visit, but it’s not the only time they enjoy this cooling treat. homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
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For the love of music Music industry veteran Bruce Burch shares his knowledge with a younger generation Story by Jennifer Linn | Photography by Erin O. Smith A veteran in the music industry, Gainesville’s Bruce Burch is described by colleagues as a “networking guru.” Burch, who worked as a singer/ songwriter in Nashville for years, has shifted his career to include teaching the younger generation about the music 14
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industry. He moved back to Gainesville and now works at Brenau University as an executive-in-residence where he teaches entertainment business topics. “This was home, so I came back home,” Burch said. “I just was kind of near the end of my career. My family’s still here
and it just seemed like it made sense.” What also made sense was being able to share his love of music and knowledge of the music industry with younger generations. “I like being around young people,” Burch said. “It keeps you young, well as HOME Living
In North Georgia
Bruce Burch, executive-in-residence at Brenau University, shows his framed records (opposite page) that include songs he wrote. Burch discovered his song, “Wine into Water,” was covered by country music legend Loretta Lynn when reading a story about the artist in Billboard magazine. The song is featured on her new album, “Full Circle,” which was released in spring.
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young as you can be at my age.” Burch spent 28 years in Nashville working as a singer/songwriter. Now 63 years old, he’s been involved in academics — teaching at University of Georgia, Kennesaw State University and Belmont University — for 11 years. Burch decided to venture into education when he saw the music industry changing due to new technology. At that point, he said he noticed a majority of songwriters in Nashville were out of business. “I had moved over and was working on the business side,” he said. “I had been a songwriter and thought, well maybe I should try to teach.” Burch ended up teaching a class at Belmont University in Nashville, which led him to help start a music business program at the University of Georgia. From there, he went to Kennesaw State, where he worked in a music entertainment program. He then combined the work he did in the two programs when he came to Brenau to teach. “He makes the classes very interesting but he’s very realistic about it,” said Jody Jackson, who has known and worked with Burch for 25 years. “The music business is really hard to get into and really hard to sustain unless you work hard and network. (Burch) is a networking guru.” Jackson, who also serves as the executive director of the John Jarrard Foundation met Burch when he was working as a promotions director at a country radio station in Atlanta after Burch’s songs for Reba McEntire went to No. 1. They’ve remained in touch since then, later working together in Nashville and even now. He said Burch has helped a lot of people and is in a good place to help students who have an interest in entertainment and the music business. “The neat thing about Bruce is he knows a lot of people and he’s very wellliked by a lot of people,” Jackson said. “He’s November | 2016
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a nice guy, he’s very knowledgeable in the music industry. He’s had hit songs and he’s helped other people get hit songs.” Still, Burch said it’s good to be home. “Brenau’s been great,” he said. “I love working here. It’s a real good opportunity to teach but also have time to write songs on the side and still go after my songwriting passion.” Burch wrote two No. 1 singles for Reba McEntire and penned hits for artists such as Billy Joe Royal, Barbara Mandrell, George Jones, The Oak Ridge Boys and Dan Seals. He also ran music publishing companies and worked as creative director at EMI Music Publishing. Last spring, Loretta Lynn recorded a song for her new album that Burch wrote 20 years ago. Burch, who says he’s a terrible singer and a terrible guitar player, said he can play and sing enough to get a song down. “I know enough music to be dangerous,” he said. Burch says even though he’s in Gainesville now, he’s still writing. He wrote a lot over the summer, he said, working with Zach Seabaugh, a finalist last year on NBC’s singing competition show “The Voice.” Burch said he has four songs on Seabaugh’s current album. Writing from Gainesville sometimes feels like shooting at the moon, Burch said. To be competitive in the music industry, you need to be there full time. “I don’t expect to be at the top of the charts all the time, but if I can get a song recorded here and there, I’m going to be happy and that’s what I’m looking to do,” Burch said. “I’m looking to work with young writers 16
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Framed records and certificates line the walls of Bruce Burch’s office at Brenau. Singers such as Reba McEntire, Billy Joe Royal, Faith Hill and Wayne Newton have recorded his songs.
and young singer/songwriters and try to get back in the game through young people coming up that are just starting their careers.” Burch’s work at Brenau keeps him involved with the younger generations. Besides teaching, Burch is also involved in The Sofa Sessions. About 10 singers are brought in and they perform from the couches located in the Jacobs Building. The audience sits
in folding chairs around the couches. “It’s been a real interesting series that we’ve done because I’ve discovered so much talent right here in Gainesville, right here in Northeast Georgia,” he said. In his spare time, Burch enjoys hearing live music. He listens to country and is always trying to listen to keep up with what’s happening on the radio. Burch said he’s most recently been into Travis Meadows, a singer/songwriter out of HOME Living
In North Georgia
Nashville. “He’s really a unique writer, he’s had a couple of big hits on the radio,” Burch said. In August, Burch had a book signing and discussion at Peach State Bank on Washington Street in Gainesville for his book “Songs that Changed Our Lives.” The book contains stories about how songs affected a fan’s life. “What I did was I took it from the fan perspective, from the artist’s perspective, and then from the songwriter’s perspective, how the song originated,” Burch said. “ I just sort of told the story of the song from the songwriter’s pen to the listener’s ear and how I got there.” The book came out 20 years ago and Burch said the event
was a good opportunity to see old friends and make some new ones. Two chapters from the book were picked up by the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” inspirational series. Burch is also very involved in the John Jarrard Foundation, which was established in memory of Georgia Music Hall of Famer John Jarrard. The John Jarrard Foundation is a nonprofit organization with proceeds going to a permanent endowment fund in Jarrard’s name established at the North Georgia Community Foundation. Proceeds benefit local charities, including the Good News Clinics, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County, Georgia Mountain Food Bank Fund and one of John’s favorite causes, Good News at Noon Shelter.
Bruce Burch speaks with a fan as he signs his book “Songs that Changed Our Lives” for her at Peach State Bank in Gainesville. homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
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Properly execute your estate before it is too late As we often say, having a plan in place is imperative to a successful retirement. Well, just as it is important to strategize for your retirement, it is important to plan for the end of your life — to have an updated, valid estate plan. Estate planning is often the least understood part of the financial planning process, but for many, it is essential to obtaining that peace of mind everyone is looking for in retirement. And so every time I meet with new clients, I ask if they have an estate plan. You may wonder why we, as investment advisors, want to know about our clients’ estate plans. Well, we feel strongly that our clients have worked hard to earn everything they have, and so they should be able to design their own legacy. We also want to make sure that if our clients have an estate plan in place, that we are doing everything correctly so that their wishes are carried out as intended. For example, if their estate plan involves funding a trust at their death with a specific account, then we make sure that the beneficiary designation for that account correctly names that trust. People are often under the false impression that they only need an estate plan if either they are very wealthy or they have a complicated family situation. This is not true. Everyone should have some sort
of estate plan, even if it is a simple one. Another misconception is that an estate plan only provides for after death when, in fact, an estate plan usually also makes provisions for the possibility of incapacity. And having certain documents in place ensures that your wishes will be carried out at a time when you may be unable to speak for yourself. Generally, a Power of Attorney grants another individual the authority to make financial decisions for you should you
assets and estate tax minimization. First, let’s talk about the distribution piece of estate planning. Everything you own when you die needs to be distributed to someone else. How you own an asset upon your death will determine how it is distributed. For example, if you own an asset (such as your house) with someone as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, then when you die, your share of that asset will go directly to the joint owner. If you own an insurance policy, an annuity, or any retirement accounts, such as an IRA, that allow you to name a beneficiary, those assets will pass directly to the named beneficiaries upon your death. (Most bank accounts and other non-retirement accounts will also allow you to name a beneficiary, but these accounts are usually called Transfer on Death accounts.) If an asset is placed in a trust, then that asset will pass to the beneficiaries of that trust pursuant to its terms. Any other assets that you own individually at your death, that do not either name a beneficiary or pass through a trust, are distributed pursuant to the court-supervised probate process. And any assets that pass through probate generally are distributed pursuant to the terms of your will, should you have one. If not, then those assets are distributed pursuant to the state Intestacy Laws. Those laws effectively set forth a specific formula for the distribution of a person’s assets, based primarily on his or her family tree, after
How you own an asset upon your death will determine how it is distributed ...
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be unable to make them for yourself. It is important to understand that giving your Power of Attorney to a trusted individual will allow that person to pay your bills and otherwise conduct your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. Similarly, a Health Care Proxy will appoint an individual to make medical decisions for you should you become incapacitated. By having these two documents in place, your loved ones will have an easier time making decisions for you and taking care of your affairs during what will otherwise be a difficult and emotional time for them. The other piece of estate planning, the piece that makes provisions for after your death, often involves two major components: the distribution of your
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all creditors’ claims and estate taxes have been paid. As I like to tell my clients, if you do not have a will, and you have assets that pass through probate, it is possible that family members who you haven’t seen in 20 years could inherit those probated assets, while your friend and neighbor who has been shoveling you out for 20 years could get nothing. It is important to understand, when you think about how you want your assets distributed, that any assets with beneficiary designations will be distributed pursuant to those beneficiary designations, regardless of any instructions you have in your will. Also, it is important to understand that assets passing through probate and assets passing to a named beneficiary from a custodian (e.g., an insurance company, a brokerage house, et cetera) must be distributed within a limited time
frame. If, therefore, you want certain events to happen,or time to pass before your assets are distributed to a named individual, typically the way to do that is to have those assets pass through a trust. A trust gives you “control from the grave” as we like to say, control that you do not otherwise have after you die. As I mentioned above, the other major component to estate planning is estate tax minimization. When you die, everything you own or control is included in the calculation of your potential federal and state estate tax. And although the federal gift and estate tax has a significant unified lifetime credit (for 2016, $5,450,000, to be exact), the state estate tax exemption can vary. Although it may seem like this is a figure you do not need to worry about, you may want to think again. Many people die with estates worth more than the state limit, simply when adding up the value of their home, their
retirement accounts, and potential life insurance policies. A properly drafted estate plan can include the creation of trusts with specific language that will allow both spouses to take advantage of that state limit exemption. Although each person is different, most people who we meet want to ensure that upon their death, their assets get distributed to specific people and they want to leave as much as they can to their loved ones rather than Uncle Sam. Having a properly executed estate plan can help do both these things. And, although nobody likes to think about dying, we all need to be prepared for it.
About the author Scott Moore is the founder of Moore’s Wealth Management and has decades of experience in finance and investment banking.
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Boot cuffs (left) are one of the many upcycled goods that are sold at southErn grace. Furniture, clothing and home decor sold in the boutique are hand made from various textiles. southErn grace 118 Main St. SW, Gainesville square 706-892-6775 www.facebook.com/southerngracecouture
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A little grace from the South New store in Main Street Market offers handmade, eclectic home goods Story by Kristen Oliver | Photography by Erin O. Smith
Leigh Anne Finley started painting and refinishing furniture years ago. Today, she has a boutique in Main Street Market full of just a few of her many finished projects. The store, called “southErn grace,” opened Aug. 10 upstairs in the market, located at 118 Main St. SW on the downtown Gainesville square. “I’ve been doing this forever,” Finley said. “Not as a store, but in my own home, and I’ve done festivals, had booths, sold from my house, whatever.” The store has much more than refinished furniture, however. Finley recycles various textiles to make home decor items including pillowcases, lamp shades, window treatments and more. Everything in the store is for sale, including the furniture upon which items are displayed. In the center of the eclectic space is a clothing rack with tanks, T-shirts, tops and more that Finley updated herself. “I don’t like the same old thing you see everywhere, and I don’t want to look like everybody else.,” homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
she said. “I never used to want to be different and stand out, but as I got older, that’s what I want. I have to be different.” Some of the clothes were created by Finley and her friend, Tracey Whitmire, who also refinishes items with her company “Burlap and Boots.” The two call themselves the Junkin’ Sisters. Part of the inspiration to “rehab” and resell clothing is to create something for women who don’t fit a societal norm, Finley said. “I go to all these stores and I see all these cute clothes for girls and women like this,” Finley said, holding up a straight, slim finger. “I can’t wear that, because I have football player shoulders and a body that doesn’t fit into that stuff. So I like to find things, like men’s shirts, and make, say, a strapless dress out of them.” Most of her stuff has crochet on it, and many of the home decor items are actually made from pieces of clothing, including her pillowcases and slipcovers. Finley also stocks jewelry, some handmade by her and some earrings handmade by a friend and coworker. She also works three days a week
as an emergency department nurse at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, and she lives on an old family farm in Cleveland with her two daughters. Her daughters, Grace, 16, and Emmie, 11, helped her come up with the store name, and both of their names are represented in it. The “E” in southErn is capitalized for Emmie. Finley said southErn grace’s hours vary slightly depending on her work at the hospital, but it is open most Wednesdays and all Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Her biggest goal for southErn grace would be to develop enough of a following to hold an annual weekend festival on her farm in Cleveland. She would do a preview night, dinner and bring in exclusive vendors from the area. Finley said she was inspired to take the leap and start the business after she and Whitmire gained a following at various festivals. “We’re not like everybody else,” she said. “Other people are producing six, 10 pieces of furniture a day, but I by no means want to do that. The piece has to speak to me, and we’re both that way. Each piece I think is art.” November | 2016
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Crab cakes land Braselton’s Fleur de Lis on culinary favorites list Story by Jennifer Linn | Photography courtesy Fleur dis Lis Since the spa at Chateau Elan opened in 1992, two lump crab cakes at Fleur de Lis have been on the menu. But once, the restaurant tried to remove the famous crab cakes from one of its seasonal menus. It didn’t last long. Due to their popularity, the restaurant received many requests for the crab cakes. They were brought back quickly, said Doug Rollins, vice president of sales and marketing at Chateau Elan Winery and Resort. “They’ve been pretty consistent since the spa opened in ’92,” Rollins said of the popular plate. And even more recently the two lump crab cakes earned Fleur de Lis, at 100 Rue Charlemagne in Braselton, a statewide recognition. The popular dish was put on “100 Plates Locals Love” — a list of top favorite dining options across the state put together by Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Tourism division. The “100 Plates Locals Love” started in 2015 as a way to inspire culinary travel, according to Lake Lanier Convention and Visitors Bureau President Stacey Dickson. She nominated several dishes and restaurants this year, but not Fleur de Lis. The nominator could not be reached for comment. Nearly 600 nominations were submitted on Explore wGeorgia.org in November 2015, and a panel of judges selected the final list, including Fleur de Lis. “We’re excited that many people in the area enjoy the dish and have
Fleur de Lis Chef Werner Stanek
continued to enjoy it,” Rollins said. The two lump crab cakes feature a spicy mustard remoulade and mixed arugula salad with apple cider vinaigrette. “They’re pretty much our mainstay of our menu,” Fleur de Lis Chef Werner Stanek said. “Some days we’ll have 40 to 50 customers and maybe 30 will order crab cakes.” Stanek has been at the Braselton restaurant on and off for 20 years. He said the crab cakes are made daily and often bring guests back for repeat visits. Another popular seafood dish at the spa restaurant is the scallops, Stanek said. “As the area is growing up here and not just our spa, business continues to 22
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grow and Fleur de Lis becomes a more popular restaurant,” Rollins said. Chateau Elan has several properties including an inn, winery, golf club and several restaurants. “(We have) seven properties and for one to be featured is quite fantastic,” Rollins said of the recognition. Fleur de Lis is part of the spa at Chateau Elan. It overlooks the gazebo and spa and features spa cuisine, including healthier options with lower calories, Rollins said. Menu items rotate seasonally, with chefs looking for creative ways to cook lower-calorie products while keeping a flavorful menu. The spa at Chateau Elan has 14 guest rooms and 25 treatment rooms. Services included an array of facials and massages, couples treatments, manicures and pedicures. Fleur de Lis is open to anyone — not just spa clients. Reservations are highly recommended and required for dinner. Breakfast hours are 8-11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lunch is served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is daily from 6-9 p.m. To make a reservation call 678-425-6064, ext. 41. Other area restaurants who received nods as being one of 2016’s 100 Plates Locals Love are Atlanta Highway Seafood Market in Gainesville for its fried shrimp po boy, Hofer’s Bakery & Cafe in Helen for its bratwurst gravy and biscuits, Back Porch Oyster Bar in Dahlonega for its gorgonzola shrimp linguine and Glen Ella Springs Inn in Clarkesville for its rack of New Zealand lamb. To see the complete list visit www.exploregeorgia.org/ article/100-plates-locals-love.
The lump crab cakes (opposite page) at Fleur de Lis in Braselton was put on “100 Plates Locals Love” — a list of top favorite dining options across the state. The scallops (above) are another popular dish at the spa. Read about other local restaurants that made the list in The Times Wednesday Life section.
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Holiday Designs, Inc., a leading manufacturer/sales of commercial Christmas & Holiday decorations. We offer the best quality products & services in the industry since 1994.
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Christmas
crumbles
Getting that perfect holiday cookie Story by Pamela A. Keene | Photography by Scott Rogers When it comes to holiday sweets, two Hall County professional bakers agree: a cookie is an ideal dessert. “It’s just enough to have a sweet something, but not too much,” says Kerri Prince, who owns Whirled Piece in Gainesville. Her company bakes and ships cookies all over the country, most often in the Southeast. “And when I bake, 24
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I always have a ‘test cookie,’ just one that allows me a taste to make sure they’re all right.” Calliope Sweets’ owner Patti Phillips, whose shop is in downtown Flowery Branch, likes the idea of cookies, too. “If you’re watching your weight, it’s easy to justify having one cookie,” she says. “After all, it’s just a bite.” HOME Living
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Right: Whirled Piece owner Kerri Prince runs her popular business from her Gainesville home filling orders for local customers and shipping orders. Opposite page: Red Velvet cookies fresh out of the oven.
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When families gather during the holidays, the common thread seems to be something edible. But when it comes to sweets, traditions vary from home to home. Sugar cookies — the kind made from rolled-out dough using cookie cutters to make angels, gingerbread men, stars, snowmen, and other shapes — lend themselves to personalization. Decorate them with colored icing, sprinkles or bits of candy and fruit. They’re a fun way to introduce youngsters to baking. There are no mistakes in decorating a sugar cookie. The holidays are the time to pull out special recipes and bake favorite treats that you wouldn’t eat during the rest of the year. Looking back to their heritage, families bring out recipes for German stolen, spritz cookies and macaroons. The aroma of baking Polvorones de Canela, also known as cinnamon cookies, fills the homes of people of Mexican descent. One of the most popular cookies at any time of year in the United States, Tollhouse or chocolate chip cookies are always a hit.
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“My favorite cookie is still chocolate chip,” Phillips says. “It’s the first kind of cookie I remember having and they were always made with love by my mom.” Phillips is a purest when it comes to chocolate chip cookies, keeping the recipe straightforward without adding nuts or oatmeal. “The ones my mom made were so chewy and good. The secret was to eat them when they were hot.” Prince says that at home, she brings out a recipe for the holidays that has been handed down from her Greek grandmother. “Kourambaithes is a traditional butter-based Greek cookie that my family really enjoys,” she says. The shortbread-type confection that’s flavored with almonds is rolled in powdered sugar while it’s still warm. It’s similar to a holiday favorite
created by Calliope Sweets. Known as Mexican Wedding Cookies, they’re shaped into balls, baked until lightly browned, then coated with powdered sugar. “They look like snowballs,” Phillips says. “They are so messy, but very delicious.” Whirled Piece offers a selection of 12 signature cookies. Holiday favorites with customers are Peppermint White Chocolate Chip, Red Velvet Bliss and The Georgian, with caramel morsels and chopped pecans. “Our cheesecake snickerdoodle and pumpkin pie cookies also sell well.” At Calliope Sweets, Sunday in the Park is popular year-round. “It’s a combination of brownies and cookies served with a roasted pecan on top,” Phillip says. “Microwave them for 10 seconds until they’re really warm and gooey and they just melt in your
mouth.” Cookies are a natural gift for friends and family, especially those living far away. They ship well and can bring a touch of home at just the right time. They also are good hostess gifts. “Pick up a dozen – one of each of our cookies – and give an assortment as a thank-you for a party,” Prince says. “And for cookie exchanges, it’s so much fun to give a variety.” Phillips can tell when a customer is attending a cookie exchange. “When someone orders two dozen cookies of the same variety, that’s very telling,” she says. “They take them home, remove them from our box and put them on their own platter. We don’t’ mind that at all. We’re just happy that people like our cookies.”
Celebrating Over
Years of Service 1983-2015
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An affair
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Fiats,Ferraris and Fords were just a few of the many exotic and rare automobiles on display.
The Atlanta Concours d’Elegance a parade of luxury, power and history Story for Home Magazine | Photography by Michelle Boaen Jameson
It doesn’t take Cary Grant or Deborah Kerr to feel the passion that filled the air at Chateau Elan. It swirled around every fender, tire and dash. It’s a love like no other — a love of automobiles. 30
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A rare Allard J2X sat under its own tent. Only a few are custom made each year by Allard Motor Works.
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Swarms of car enthusiasts roamed the golf course at Chateau Elan, oohing and aahing over the shiny machines. More than 170 vintage, classic and innovatively designed vehicles — including several multimillion-dollar cars — were displayed at the Atlanta Concours d’Elegance competition and celebration in Braselton. The weekend included a collection of hundreds of elegant vehicles in numerous classes from the Brass Era to imported early 20th century sports cars to vintage competition cars to unrestored barn finds. The Concours d’Elegance is a celebration of innovative automobile design throughout history. Specialty cars at the two-day event were: * Five exceptional vehicles from the Harold Coker collection with three original Thomas Flyer multi-cylinder vehicles from the early 1900s, including a 1912 roadster * A pristine collection of Chevrolets dating back to the 1920s from local collector Jim Collier * Among numerous Barn Finds, a prewar seven-passenger 1932 Packard Phaeton — one of the last to exist * Several vintage customized cars from the Elliott Museum in Jensen Beach, Fla., including a 1914 Packard touring car and a 1920 Hudson, each owned by Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso The honorary head judge for competitions was Keith Martin, co-host of Velocity Channel’s “What’s My Car Worth?” Martin’s automotive acumen, national recognition and participation in some of the world’s most highly regarded Concours brought a level of notoriety to the event. The event also featured Ride-and-Drive experiences with some of the world’s top luxury car manufacturers, including Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, McLaren, Mercedes, Panoz, Porsche, Rolls Royce and Tesla. The theme
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of the event was aptly named “Shifting through Time.” Between gliding around vehicles and recalling fond memories, attendees sipped on cognac slushies and munched on snacks from various food trucks. In addition to vehicle showcases, technical sessions, sponsor displays and a wide variety of vendors, the weekend culminated in a dinner gala honoring pharmaceutical, technology and auto racing entrepreneur Don Panoz. Proceeds benefitted the Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Panoz founded the Panoz Motorsports Group, the American Le Mans racing series and the Petit Le Mans endurance sports car race. The Panoz museum, located in Braselton, houses several of the Panoz race cars, including the Delta Wing and the Esperante GTR-1. For more photos and video, go to homemagazinenorth georgia.com Above: Spectators get a closer look at the 1909 Thomas Model K6-70 Flyabout. Left: A car collector drives his 1930s Auburn sedan past spectators. From Auburn to Austin Healy, from Ford to Ferrari nearly all makes and models were represented during the inaugural Atlanta Concours d’Elegance at Chateau Elan in Braselton.
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Cars of all makes and models line the golf course at the inaugural Atlanta Concours d’Elegance at Chateau Elan in Braselton. Enthusiasts were able to get up close with the collectible automobiles. Both the 20th and 21st centuries were represented.
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Every last drop A rare estate winery, Frogtown Cellars in Dahlonega uses only its own grapes Story by Bekah Porter Sandy
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Photo courtesy Frogtown Cellars Editor’s note: This is the first in a seasonal series documenting wine from start to finish in North Georgia. Autumn is ushering itself in with a gentle breeze that dislodges the saffron and claret leaves from the sugar maples and tulip poplars that guard the grapes. Craig Kritzer senses the season’s changes and wonders if fall will bring rains. Or perhaps the first chill will serve as a false start that will give way to an encore of ripe sunshine. The former Atlanta lawyer welcomes them all, as the breeze and the leaves and the rains and the sun alike contribute to the word that defines his view as a premiere viticulturist. Craig Kritzer tastes grapes from his vineyard during the recent fall harvest. Photo by Mike Roberts
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“Terroir,” he says, accenting the letters in such a way that there is no mistaking the term’s French origins. “It means a sense of place.” For the founder and owner of Frogtown Cellars, this concept drives him to embrace all that North Georgia’s abundant geography and geology has to offer. When Kritzer picks his grapes — whether it be the first or the last of the 23 varieties grown on the 57-acre vineyard — he expects those vibrant orbs to carry flavorful and fragrant notes of the Appalachian region’s singular environment. “You can taste the Earth in our wines here,” he said. And it’s a taste not offered anywhere else in the world. When Kritzer and his wife, Cydney, fled their corporate lives in 1998, they harbored an atypical vision: to be an estate vineyard that produced premium wines made with premium grapes. In other words, they wanted to create quality wine that could stand tall next to any wine crafted anywhere else on the planet, and they wanted to do it using only the grapes that they grew themselves on their property.
Friends and family help workers during the laborious fall harvest of the grapes at Frogtown Cellars. The Dahlonega winery is a rare estate winery, using only its own grapes to make the local wine. Photos by Mike Roberts courtey of Frogtown Cellars.
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“I hate to say that it’s a dying art, but…,” Kritzer said. “The truth is that most wineries are segmented, in that they either are grape growers or wine makers. But to be an estate winery, like we are, you must grow all of your grapes and then make your wine out of your own grapes and none other.” So the Kritzers do just that: grow their grapes, develop their own wines from their grapes and work hard doing it all. And in the fall, they do it more than they do any other time of the year. While autumn might seem to be the sleepy season that tapers off into the stillness of winter, it serves as anything but to the workers at Frogtown Cellars, which is settled halfway between Dahlonega and Cleveland. “Fall at our vineyard can be described by one word — work,” Kritzer said, before deciding to add a few adjectives. “Hard work. Long work. Late work. Round-theclock work.” Harvest begins the last week of August and runs through the first weekend of October, and because of the Kritzers’ commitment to the terroir philosophy, the grapes find themselves evolving into wine hours after being plucked from the vine. “We want to create wine from the grapes the same day we harvest them,” Kritzer said. homemagazinenorthgeorgia.com
The sprawling scenic estate is nestled at the foot of the North Georgia Mountains and offers a tasting room with a veranda overlooking the vineyards. Photos courtesy Frogtown Cellars November | 2016
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Food pairings are offered for visitors to enjoy the winery experience. Photo by J.K. Devine
This dedication translates into Cydney spending time with her husband in between tasks. “During the fall, Craig’s busy every single day, whether he’s harvesting the fruit, making the wine, racking it off, deciding what it needs, what it doesn’t need, what type of oak he’s going to use,” she said. “Vineyards are very intense this time of year.” The grapes travel bifurcating paths, depending on their color. White grapes are pressed and fermented. Red grapes encounter a more involved
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evolution. They bypass the initial pressing endured by the white grapes and instead are ran through a destemmer crusher, which separates the grapes from the stem. The purple and red clusters are then carried along a conveyer belt, sorted and poured into a cold stainless steel tank where they will ferment whole. Kritzer then drains the tank of the grapes’ juice, and the leftover skins will be ran through a crusher, which extracts the grapes’ final offerings. At that point, Kritzer becomes an art-
ist. He determines which juice would work best in which type of wood barrel, the whole time thinking of which combination would best produce the taste of terroir. This process — harvesting to crushing to fermenting to barreling — occupies Kritzer’s every waking hour from August to mid-December. At that point, the juices are tucked into their barrels and rolled out of sight, not to be considered until that fall breeze cycles through winter’s bite to spring’s warm sunny tendrils.
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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.
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255, Sautee Nacoochee. 678-744-7256. The Pilot Club 5:45 p.m. every fourth Thursday. Elk’s Club, www.bluepalmproductions.net. 1547 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. 770Nov. 4 532-2528, jlc814@yahoo.com. All About Alzheimer’s workshop, Braselton. 1 p.m. Northeast Georgia The Georgia Art League Medical Center, 1400 River Place, Noon, third Thursday each month. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green St. Braselton. Free. 800-347-1416. www.nghs. com. 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.
November
Nov. 4-5 “Evening of Dance: PHOENIX,” Gainesville. 7:30 p.m. Pearce Auditorium, 202 Boulevard, Gainesville. $5-$7. 770534-6249. www.brenau.edu. 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. bufordaceclassiccarshow.com. Nov. 5 Pink and Blue Dash 5K, Gainesville. 8:30 a.m. American Legion, 2343 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. $25-$30. www.active. com.
Nov. 1 Handel’s “Messiah,” Dahlonega. 7:30 p.m. Dahlonega Baptist Church, 234 Hawkins St., Dahlonega. $10. 706-867-2508.
Nov. 5 Tap It Fall Beer Fest, Gainesville. 2-8 p.m. 1850 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. Tickets on sale soon. 678-897-3985.
Nov. 3 Handel’s “Messiah,” Dahlonega. 7:30 p.m. Dahlonega United Methodist Church, 107 S. Park St., Dahlonega. $10. 706-867-2508.
Nov. 6 Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Athens. 3 p.m. Hodgson Concert Hall, 230 River Road, Athens. $42. 706-542-4400. www.pac.uga.edu.
Nov. 3-6. “A Christmas Carol,” Athens. 195 W. Washington St., Athens. $12-$15. 706-6133628. www.athensclarkecounty.com/act.
Nov. 6 20th annual Vineyard Fest, Braselton. 1-5 p.m. Chateau Elan, 100 Rue Charlemagne Drive, Braselton. $85 per person. 800233-9463. www.chateauelan.com.
Nov. 4 “The Moonshiners Wife,” Sautee Nacoochee. 7 p.m. Nov. 4-5 and 3 p.m. Nov. 7 Nov. 6. Sautee Nacoochee Center, 283 Ga. “Figuratively Speaking” art show, HOME Living
In North Georgia
Oakwood. Closing reception 7 p.m. Nov. 18. Exhibit Nov. 7 through Nov. 18. University of North Georgia, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. Free. figurativelyspeakingartshow@gmail.com. Nov. 7-19 “Beauty and the Beast,” Gainesville. Preview Nov. 7, Nov. 8-19. John S. Burd Center, 429 Academy St., Gainesville. $24$26 for adults, $22-$24 for seniors, $14$16 for students. 678-717-3624. www. gainesvilletheatrealliance.org. Nov. 8 Election Day results party, Oakwood. University of North Georgia’s Gainesville campus, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. Free. 770-715-3144. hlkeith5566@ung. edu. 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 Slotin Folk Art Auction, Buford. 10 a.m. Nov. 12 and noon Nov. 13. 112 E. Shadburn Ave., Buford. 770-532-1115. www.slotinfolkart.com. Nov. 12 The Southern Floyd, Clarkesville. 9 p.m. Grant Street Music Room, 583 Grant St., Clarkesville. $10. 706-754-3541. www. grantstreetmusicroom.com. Nov. 12 Banks & Shane, Dahlonega. 8 p.m. Holly Theater, 69 W. Main St., Dahlonega. $19.99-$27. 706-864-3759. www. hollytheater.com. Nov. 12 Lilies of the Valley, Sautee Nacoochee. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12. 2 p.m. Nov. 13. Sautee Nacoochee Center, 283 Ga. 255 N, Sautee Nacoochee. $12-$22. 706-878-3300. www.snca.org.
Through Jan. 7. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-8765859. www.atlantabg.org. Nov. 13 “Fire” by Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Athens. 3 p.m. Hodgson Concert Hall, 230 River Road, Athens. $31-$72. 706-5424400. www.pac.uga.edu. Nov. 16 Woman of the Year 2016 Luncheon, Commerce. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Commerce Civic Center, 110 state St., Commerce. $40 per person. 706-3870300. www.jacksoncountyga.com.
December
Dec. 1 “Nutcracker,” Clarkesville. Dec. 1-4, 8-11. Habersham Community Theater, 1370 Washington St., Clarkesville. 706-7682199.
Dec. 2 “T’was The Night Before A Christmas Carol,” Dahlonega. Dec. 2-4, 9-11, 1618. The Holly Theater, 69 W. Main St., Dahlonega. $12-$19.99. 706-864-3759. Nov. 17 Georgia Senior Follies concerts, Cumming. www.hollytheater.com. Nov. 17 through Dec. 4. The Cumming Dec. 3 Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming. 770Reindog Parade, Atlanta. 11 a.m. Atlanta 781-9178. www.playhousecumming.com. Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. Maximum two dogs per owner. Nov. 19. $15 per dog, $18 at the door. www. Pat Alger, Tony Arata and Amy Ray, atlantabg.org. Dahlonega. 8 p.m. Holly Theater, 69 W. Main St., Dahlonega. Part of the Dec. 3 Songwriter Series. $15-$20. www. GPS advanced course, Helen. 10 a.m. to 4 exploregeorgia.org. p.m. Smithgall Woods State Park Visitors Center, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. $30-$35. Nov. 19 www.gastateparks.org/smithgallwoods or Glow Out the Dark 5K, Gainesville. 706-878-3087. 5:45 p.m. Brenau University, Prior Street, Gainesville. $15-$25. www.safft.org/glow. Dec.3-4 Handcrafted for the Holidays craft Nov. 19 market, Gainesville. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. Racing Elves 5K and one-mile fun run, 3 and 3-7 p.m. Dec. 4. Quinlan Visual Arts Braselton. Downtown Braselton, 9924 Center, 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville. Davis St., Braselton. $25-$30. 678-866770-536-2575. www.qvac.org. 0105. www.runsignup.com. Nov. 20 North Georgia Reads series, Flowery Branch. 3 p.m. Piedmont Regional Library System and Hall County Public Library System, 6488 Spout Springs Road, Flowery Branch. Free. 864-415-3973. www. magictimeliterary.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. 21 The Pillowcase Project benefit, Gainesville. 11 a.m. to noon. Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, 999 Chestnut St. SE, Gainesville. Free, museum admission extra. Register online. 770-536-1900. www.inkfun.org.
Nov. 12 “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights,” Atlanta.
Nov. 25 “Elf” movie showing, Clarkesville. 7:30
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p.m. Habersham Community Theater, 1370 Washington St., Clarkesville. $8. www.habershamtheater.org.
Dec. 4 Christmas Through the Ages, Roswell. 3 p.m. Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Boulevard, Roswell. Performed by the Michael O’Neal Singers. $12-$17. 770-594-7974. Dec. 7 UNG Wind Ensemble and UNG Symphonic Band, Gainesville. Dec. 7, Feb. 22, April 19. Riverside Military Academy, 2001 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. Free. Dec. 15 John Berry presents “O’ Holy Night,” Gainesville 7 p.m. Riverside Military Academy, 2001 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. www.johnberry.com/tour. November | 2016
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home around town 9th annual Power of the Purse September 14, 2016
WomenSource’s ninth annual Power of the Purse fundraiser recognized select women in the community who walked as models in the event’s fashion show. Power of the Purse is WomenSource’s largest fundraiser each year, and funds raised assist the organization in its mission to encourage personal and professional success for women of all ages and backgrounds in Northeast Georgia.
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home around town 15th annual John Jarrard Concert September 17, 2016
Music lovers gathered not only to hear great performances but contribute to their community at the 15th annual John Jarrard Benefit Concert on the front lawn of Brenau University. This year’s performers are all from the Nashville music scene and included Even Stevens, Gary Baker, Corey Crowder, Emily West and Stephony Smith. The concert funds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County, The Good News Clinics, Good News at Noon, Challenged Child and Friends and The Georgia Mountain Food Bank.
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home around town
13th annual Art in the Square September 17, 2016
Gainesville’s thriving art community once again converged on the downtown square for one weekend, displaying its finest works. More than 120 artists and artisans from across the Southeast displayed original artworks including oil paintings, unique pottery, handmade jewelry and more. Guests spent the day interacting with the artists, watching live demonstrations, listening to live music and buying goods. Demonstrations included open-air painting, photography, drumming, belly dancing, bluegrass, flute and string ensembles and bagpipes.
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home around town 14th annual Futures for Kids Gala October 11, 2016
Former NFL player Inky Johnson was the keynote speaker at the 14th annual Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County Futures for Kids Gala. Johnson himself is a Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta alumnus. He credited the clubs and his first childhood football coach with setting his life on a path toward success. The Helping Hands Award, given annually to an individual or group that has demonstrated commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs, was presented to Gainesville City Schools. Funds raised at the gala support club programs focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles and good character and citizenship.
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home around town
Annual Empty Bowl Luncheon September 27, 2016
The annual Empty Bowl Lunch benefiting Georgia Mountain Food Bank was held recently at First Baptist Church in Gainesville. The event includes a lunch featuring soup, salad and dessert, live and silent auctions and a presentation about the food bank’s impact in North Georgia. The money raised at the Empty Bowl Lunch supports the food bank throughout the year and would provide more than 71,000 meals. Guests took home a hand-painted bowl as a thank you and a reminder of the food bank’s goal to eliminate empty bowls and empty stomachs in the community.
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home around town 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.
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