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Celebrate the season

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November 2017

Putting you in the holiday spirit Santas little helpers

Hosting a Christmas celebration is no small feat. The elves working behind the scenes in area towns know this well as they pull together the details for a holiday their residents and visitors will remember.

6 Gainesville 9 Lula 13 Oakwood 7 Clermont 10 Jefferson 14 Flowery Branch 8 Hoschton 12 Braselton 16 White County

Camera ready

17 Experts offer tips and tricks to capture the best holiday photos.

Festive music

Find the perfect gifts at local shops.

28 Enjoy your favorite

holiday classics at concerts all across the region.

Something sweet

34 The owner of Abstruse

Pastry Company in Flowery Branch has created delicious holiday treats for those with food allergies.

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Living in North Georgia

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Michelle Boaen Jameson General Manager

Norman Baggs

Creative Director

Steven Welch

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Transform your holiday tables with beautiful centerpieces.

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A home built for entertaining Crisp and cool summer appetizers

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Education issue: Learning for a lifetime

School leaders discuss classroom goals Museums, libraries, adult classes and more

On the Cover

Tom and Elizabeth Higgins, along with their nine children, gather at the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home each Christmas. Elizabeth includes ornaments on her tree that her children have made over the years. PAGE 20 Photo by Scott Rogers 4 | HOME | November 2017

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Photo by DAVID BARNES

Gainesville’s elf,

Martha Hodge What makes Christmas so special in your town? Christmas on Green Street has been going on for years, and I feel like it’s kind of a kick off to the Christmas season. It’s a time where people can see all the houses on Green Street decorated with all the Christmas decorations and music on porches. It’s the one time a year that the street is closed that allows the people to walk up and down Green Street like it used to be many years ago. The parade is a special time where we have music and entertainment for everyone. The houses are open to tour. It’s just a great evening for the community, and everything is free so it’s kind of a Christmas gift back to the city and its people. What do you love about Christmas? We are celebrating the birth of Jesus so it’s a time to be together, to go to church and to be with family. It’s a just a special time. I personally love the tradition of decorating 6 | HOME | November 2017

your home and tree. I love being being with my family and church. It’s also a great time to be with friends. How are you feeling and what are you doing the night before the big event? Each individual of the houses is in charge of decorating their own house, and then the day of the event we put out luminaries up and down the street in front of the houses. Some houses have refreshments that they give out so they’re preparing that the day of. The parade starts at 4:30, where we have floats that people can enter to win a prize for the best one. We also have the antique cars. After the parade, that’s when we have the music on the porches. Schools and churches perform on different porches, so everything really starts the day of. At the end of the parade, the Rotary lights up the Christmas tree at the end of Green Street. What are you doing on Christmas Day? Christmas Eve we always go to church and

Christmas on Green Street When: 4:30 p.m. Dec. 3 Where: Green Street, Gainesville More info: hchsgeorgia@gmail.com

spend it with family. We have a little party on Christmas Eve for friends, and then on Christmas Day we spend it with family. It’s a great time to have brunch and open gifts with grandparents and children. It’s just a fun relaxing day. Why did you take on the responsibility of putting together the city’s Christmas event? My father started the whole Christmas on Green Street, and he passed away last year. He wanted to showcase the homes on Green Street. He wanted people to appreciate the history and what a gem Green Street is. My dad did it for years and then kind of passed it on to me, so now I’m kind of carrying the torch of my father and am doing it for him, but it really is a special time. It’s the only time you can walk up Green Street without traffic and just enjoy the beauty of it. It’s a good time to show the pride of Green Street.

Clermont’s elf,

Seth Weaver What makes Christmas so special in your town? It’s the time of year for people to come together and enjoy each other’s presence. We celebrate this big holiday for the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s a much more intimate time of year where we always come together as a town in the park and have an event. We always have Clermont Days where we have small gatherings, but this day is more special because everyone gets together as a whole to have a prayer. This helps the little kids not forget the meaning of Christmas. The atmosphere of the town is just so happy and joyful; we just get a good feeling within ourselves. What do you love about Christmas? I was born and raised in Clermont and family has always been a big thing to me, but since the city of Clermont isn’t all that big, I consider the whole town my family. We all get in the holiday spirit and decorate our town to prepare it for Christmas Day. How are you feeling and what are you doing the night before the big event? I get excited — even if I’m close to 40 years old — like I did when I was a child. Of course I have a little concern that something might go wrong, but I hope everything goes well. I want everybody to have a good time and to be safe this one special day of the year. What are you doing on Christmas Day? We celebrate Christmas with family and friends and we get to eat a lot of food and not worry about our cholesterol. We usually wake up too early in the morning to open presents. Why did you take on the responsibility of putting together the city’s Christmas event? It’s definitely a task to put together this event, but I’ve been on the council for 16 years and personally, I love doing this event. I love it so much because I get to see people enjoy getting together and the kids getting to meet Santa to tell him what they want for Christmas. It makes my heart happy to see people get together with all the turmoil in their lives and the work we do through the year. It seems like one night a year we can all get together and be a family in a small town.

Clermont Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Performance When: 7 p.m. Nov. 25 Where: Downtown Clermont More info: 770-983-3254 or 770-503-5802

Photo by DAVID BARNES

November 2017 | HOME | 7

Photo by DAVID BARNES

Hoschton’s elf,

Jennifer Harrison What makes Christmas so special in your town? Christmas in Hoschton is very special to us because we are a very small town and the traditions we have here are more familyoriented. We love the tradition of Christmas because it brings us together and unites us. This town is full of givers so we love to give back to those less fortunate, and it’s very refreshing to see the community come together to provide for those less fortunate by buying them gifts. In our town, we have churches that take donations for coats and other basic needs that are needed for the cold weather. During the holidays is when the local centers get the most donations, which is really good because this is the time the people are most in need. What do you love about Christmas? Christmas is a very special time of year because it gives us time to spend with our 8 | HOME | November 2017

family as well as time to reflect on the true reason for Christmas, which is Christ and the birth of Jesus. Those are the two things that mean a lot to me on Christmas. I also love the fact that this holiday brings everyone together and that’s what this town is about. How are you feeling and what are you doing the night before the big event? Our big event is breakfast with Santa, and the night before we will be decorating, prepping and getting ready for the big day with Santa. We are also getting our crafts ready, like our reindeers and other small things that kids can enjoy. We get things ready for the kids so that we can have a great atmosphere for the kids so that they can have a great experience that will keep them coming year after year. This event is a very private and intimate experience, so it gives people a more intimate experience with Santa so that they don’t feel rushed.

Breakfast and Lunch with Santa When: 9-11 a.m., noon-2 p.m. Dec. 16 Where: Hoschton Historic Train Depot More info: jkidd@cityofhoschton.com

What are you doing on Christmas Day? I will be spending it with my family. We will go to church service to reflect about the birth of Jesus. After the church service, we will spend quality time with all of our family. We won’t be going anywhere this year, but we will be spending Christmas Day bonding with our family while eating and opening presents. Why did you take on the responsibility of putting together the city’s Christmas event? When I first started working for the city we didn’t have any Christmas events that the city hosted, so one of our council members suggested that we do a breakfast with Santa. I thought about it and thought that was a great idea. So I studied it and I searched different ways to do it, and last year was our first year so we went kind of blind into it. But it turned out to be a great event. It brought kids and families together, and since Hoschton loves doing that, it worked out perfectly well.

Lula’s elf,

Christine Lusink What makes Christmas so special in your town? It still has that smalltown atmosphere, which is so important because you don’t see that a lot in the U.S. Many cities have adapted to the big cities’ traditions instead of the smalltown ones, but Lula has stayed the same all throughout the years. During the holidays the town comes together to enjoy one another’s company in the square of the town. What do you love about Christmas? I love getting together with family and watching the children have fun with Santa. It brings a lot of joy to me to see them having fun and not worrying about anything, just whether or not Santa is going to bring them what they asked for. How are you feeling and what are you doing the night before the big event? I am working very hard to make

sure that all the registration forms are turned in and setting up where the people that are going to be giving things away will be placed at. I will just be making sure that everything is in order and that everything is where it has to be. What are you doing on Christmas Day? I will be spending Christmas Day with my family. I spend it with my sons and my grandchildren. We open presents and have a big dinner the day of. Why did you take on the responsibility of putting together the city’s Christmas event? I enjoy doing as much as I can for the city, and this event brings people to the city, which Lula really needs. I love that it brings not only the town together but also other towns near us together.

Christmas in the Park When: 3 p.m. Dec. 2 Where: Veterans Park, Main Street, Lula More info: 706-677-2016

Photo by DAVID BARNES

November 2017 | HOME | 9

Photo by DAVID BARNES

Jefferson’s elf,

Beth Laughinghouse What makes Christmas so special in your town? This is my hometown; I have lived here since I was 2. I have lived here for 54 years so I consider this town my home. The traditions we have in Jefferson and in my family is what makes this holiday really special. Every year there’s a parade where the whole town participates, and there’s decorations all over the town that people put out outside their businesses or homes. There’s gifts under the Christmas tree as soon as the tree is put up. However, what I really love is just the smalltown feel of Jefferson. What do you love about Christmas? I am a Christmas fanatic. I am a Santa Claus collector; I probably have 300 Santas in my collection. I put them all out for Christmas. But when you really get down to the meaning of Christmas, it’s all about the birth of Christ, but I just love the celebration of it. I love getting together with friends, family, the food, the taste, smell, the decorations — just the whole experience. I love decorating, but since I have so many Santas, I start decorating the second 10 | HOME | November 2017

weekend in November because it takes me a couple of weeks to get everything out. Since I have so many decorations I like having everything out a couple of weeks. How are you feeling and what are you doing the night before the big event? That night I’m usually panicking. We do our Christmas parade a little different compared to others. There’s actually a madness to how I line up the parade. We have animals in our parade and the Humane Society brings a lot of their dogs to participate. A lot of the things that are a part of the parade aren’t very good to be next to a firetruck, so I try to have a little thought as to how I set up the lineup. We always have a deadline as to when you can sign up to be in the parade, but I never turn anyone down so if someone wants to participate last minute I let them. So of course, the night before I’m always in a panic getting the lineup finalized. What are you doing on Christmas Day? We have grandchildren, so our tradition has changed a little bit. What we do now is that my mom comes to my house Christmas morning for breakfast and then my son and daughter-

Downtown in December Holiday Festival When: 10 a.m to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 Where: Jefferson downtown square More info: mainstreetjefferson.com

in-law come up for lunch and we open presents. The past couple of years, my brother and his family come up and join us as well. We spend most of the day together enjoying each other’s company and opening presents. Why did you take on the responsibility of putting together the city’s Christmas event? When I was fresh out of college and back home we had a group of women called Jefferson Jr. Woman. It was a local organization that did a lot of service projects and one of the main events was the Christmas parade. We always dressed up as clowns just to help the parade move along. We were actually a part of the parade but not to cause attention, more to keep everything in order. That group kind of died out, and after that there was a little confusion as to who was in charge of the parade. But the Jefferson area business association took it over after a while. When I started working there around 11 years ago, I became a part of that organization, and of course that was one of the first things I became a part of.

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Braselton’s elf,

Amy Pinnell What makes Christmas so special in your town? The whole town is always busy, but on this one special month we all find time to come together and unite as one to celebrate the holidays and enjoy it with everyone in the town. The town loves Christmas, so we always do our Christmas parade right after Thanksgiving. Every year we plan it for the third Saturday of November. For the past years, the town has always tried giving back to the less fortunate during our Christmas parade by giving them goody bags that contain some personal care items. For the kids, we give them goody bags too, but they just contain candies and fruit. What do you love about Christmas? 12 | HOME | November 2017

The community spirit — just that opportunity to stop and reflect on what’s really important and being together and serving others. Everyone comes together as a community to share memories, create memories and have that sense of belonging. You always feel welcome no matter the time you’ve been in the town. That’s what makes this town successful because we get that feeling of connection to our neighbors during big events. How are you feeling and what are you doing the night before the big event? I am very excited for the big event. The night before I will probably just be doing some lastminute things to get everything to where it’s just perfect. I will also be getting some rest

Braselton Holiday Parade, Festival and Tree Lighting When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 18 Where: Downtown Braselton More info: www.facebook.com/ DowntownBraselton

because the event is an all-day event. What are you doing on Christmas Day? We have a couple of kids but they all live out of the area so this time around my husband and I decided to drive down to South Georgia to visit our daughter a couple of days during the holidays. Why did you take on the responsibility of putting together the city’s Christmas event? I started volunteering a long time ago, and during that time there was a group of people in charge of the city’s events and they needed help so I decided to volunteer. Since then, I have always volunteered in the parades, but around six years ago I became a member of the town’s staff, which made me take on the responsibility of the parade.

Oakwood’s elf,

Renee Carden What makes Christmas so special in your town? With the event we’re having it’s a free event for the community. It’s special because the community can get together and enjoy each other’s company. For some families, this is the only event they can attend to where they can get a picture with Santa. This event offers them that feeling of what Christmas is all about and lets them be together with their town, which is just a very sweet experience. There is this sweet sensation throughout the entire event. What do you love about Christmas? The birth of our savior is very important to me and my relationship with him, but I love all the lights. I love the music, the atmosphere, and the spirit of joy that you feel when you’re in the moment of Christmas. I love spending time with family, friends and people in general. I love it all. How are you feeling and what are you doing the night before the big event? Well, it’s a pretty oiled machine so

Oakwood Christmas in the Park When: 5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 8 Where: Railroad Street, Oakwood More info: Lake Lanier Convention and Visitors Bureau, 770-536-5209

the night before we’re making sure we have all of our food, the tickets ordered and that everything is prepared. That morning everyone is making sure that the fire is ready, that the lights work and that everything is just ready to go for the event. What are you doing on Christmas Day? We wake up early because I cannot sleep. I’m like a kid. We have three kids so they’re always super excited and ready to see what Santa has left them. At our house, we have everyone over: the grandmas, aunts, uncles, cousins and a couple of friends. Everyone comes over to enjoy each other’s company. Why did you take on the responsibility of putting together the city’s Christmas event? Well, the city just needed some help, and that’s what the CVB is here for. We’re here to help our partners in what they need, so we stepped in to try to eliminate the stress off their plate so that they could enjoy the event as well.

Photo by DAVID BARNES

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Flowery Branch’s elf,

Steve Soucie What makes Christmas so special in your town? We decorate our town by putting up decorations on our light posts so that as soon as you drive into the town, you can feel the holiday spirit. We try to make everything in the town as old-timey as possible so that we can include everyone in no matter the age. During our parade, we try setting up things that both adults and young kids can enjoy so that the whole town can participate. We set up some bonfires where the kids and teens can make some s’mores while hanging out with their friends. During the holidays everyone just comes together to enjoy each other’s company as a community. What do you love about Christmas? I love the kids and the community spirit — especially the kids. I love seeing them happy and excited to meet Santa. They are always so eager to participate in events during the parade if it means that Santa will come sooner. How are you feeling and what are you doing the night before the big event? I’m feeling really excited about the event. The night before I will probably just feel a little nervous, but it’s OK to feel like that the night before a big event. We have a couple of volunteers that will help us do some lastminute things so that we can be ready for the following day. I have been doing this for four years so I kind of know not to expect perfection because a little glitch might happen. What are you doing on Christmas Day? We are going to do the usual thing of getting up too early to see what Santa has left. All of our kids are married so we’re going to have to share them with our inlaws. Around 3 (p.m.) we’re going to have all the family over to eat and to open presents. Why did you take on the responsibility of putting together the city’s Christmas event? I am an Air Force son. I moved around a lot so I never had a home town. By the time I was 10 years old, I had already moved 11 times. When we moved to Flowery Branch, my dad got out of the Air Force so I got to spend Christmas here, and that’s when I knew that I wanted to make Christmas special for my kids in this town. I wanted them to grow up in this town remembering all the Christmas parades as well as other people’s kids. I want Christmas to be an event that all the little kids in the city of Flowery Branch can remember for the rest of their lives. 14 | HOME | November 2017

Christmas Festival and Tree Lighting When: Noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 2 Where: 5302 Railroad Ave., Flowery Branch More info: ssoucie@eliteexhibits.com

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White County’s elf,

Leigh Vinson

Victorian Christmas in Nacoochee When: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Nov. 24-Dec. 16 Where: Hardman Farm State Historic Site 143, Ga. 17, Sautee Nacoochee More info: 706-878-1077 or www.gastateparks.org/hardmanfarm

What makes Christmas so special in your town? There is a long Christmas tradition that our Victorian parade has, so we try to bring along the Appalachian Victorian Christmas traditions. We decorate with all five greeneries and we talk about all Victorian Christmas traditions from the past. This event is a family-oriented experience that allows not only adults but kids as well to see a time before people gave extravagant gifts and Christmas was more about being with family and the community. In this event, everyone comes together to enjoy one another’s company but not just people from the town but also everyone around us. What do you love about Christmas? I love Christmas because I get to go home, I get to see my family, I get to see people I haven’t seen in a long time, and I just have time to catch up with family and go to church with them. How are you feeling and what are you doing the night 16 | HOME | November 2017

before the big event? We will be getting ready, prepping the house and getting our costumes ready. We have volunteers and employees that rotate and take turns on who’s responsible on making sure everything goes well. Every night is different, which is fun because we’ll have different guides every night, we’ll have different people dress up and different music every nights. It’s a different treat and a different experience every night. What are you doing on Christmas Day? I’ll be home with my family opening presents and having lunch with my family. We will go to church on Christmas Eve and afterward have a little dinner. Why did you take on the responsibility of putting together this Christmas event? Well it’s part of my job title and I think everybody loves Christmas so it was a nobrainer to do a Christmas event. This is my second year doing it, but it’s been going on for three years.

Preserving todays for tomorrows

Here’s how to capture family memories in your holiday photos Story By Pamela A. Keene

hen all the family gathers for the holidays, that’s the best time to capture long-lasting and treasured memories in photographs. The reality, however, is that everyone gets so caught up in the festivities, taking photographs may be the last thing anyone’s interested in. But wait. “God doesn’t promise us tomorrows, so the holidays may be the only chance you have with the whole family together,” says Thea DuBose, owner of Naturally Posh Photography in Gainesville. “Take the time to capture all the fun while you’re together, both as candids

(unposed photos) and as posed photographs. These are the memories that can become family heirlooms,” she said. Longtime photographer David Simpson agrees. “With people being able to take photographs on their phones and notebooks, you most likely already have a camera in hand,” he said. “And these cameras are getting better and better, so even if you don’t have a high-end camera, you can take quality photos. The key is in the composition.” Professional photographers have trained themselves to look at everything in the

viewfinder as they compose their pictures, being mindful of the background, the lighting, the expressions of the subjects and other items that may distract from a good photo. “Pay attention to what’s behind the subjects, even in candids,” Simpson said. “To compose a better photo, could you move to the left or right to eliminate a plant ‘growing’ out of someone’s head or seeing all faces instead of some people turned around? Don’t interrupt a conversation to take your photo. As the photographer, you make the adjustment instead of asking the subjects to move; that way your photographs will be more genuine.”

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THEA DUBOSE | For Home

Photographer Thea DuBose sets infants up for a portrait photo. Portrait photos are one option at Christmas; DuBose also recommends taking candids during the holidays, where people are not posed but rather interacting naturally.

DuBose suggests taking candids, with the subjects involved in some sort of activity rather than lined up staring into the camera. “These photos capture the emotions and spontaneity of the moment — people engaging with one another, laughing, smiling and being themselves. I call these authentic moments,” she said. Both suggest shooting more than one frame of any photo. “I tend to be an over-shooter, especially with large groups,” DuBose said. “Chances are that in any given frame, someone will have their eyes closed, their hair messed up or be turned the wrong way. Shooting digital is much more affordable than film and you can easily choose

the best photos to save and share.” The quality of today’s digital cameras, even in phones, is far superior to those first professional digital cameras from 15 or 20 years ago. And the costs have come down appreciably. A good quality “point-and-shoot” camera can cost between $100 and $200 and offers the ability to have a zoom lens for taking close-ups and a built-in flash. Even if you only use the automatic setting, the quality will be high enough to print photos that can be framed. And that brings us to the next step after taking the photos. “Many people just shoot photos and they end up on their computer or in cloud storage,”

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Simpson said. “Take it to the next level and get them printed to share beyond emails, Instagram or Facebook.” Most stores that formerly offered film processing and printing now have online sites that will accept files you’ve selected to print. Choose 3- or 4-inch by 5- or 6-inch pictures for sharing or 5-by-7-inch prints for framing. “You can also work with an online service to create photo books, calendars and notecards of your family photos,” DuBose said. “It’s another nice way to preserve the memories, and they can also become gifts for future holiday gatherings.” Companies such as Shutterfly, Adoramapix, Snapfish and Mpix provide templates for

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These photos capture the emotions and spontaneity of the moment — people engaging with one another, laughing, smiling and being themselves. I call these authentic moments. creating multi-image, multipage books in both hard- and soft-cover. They also offer cloud storage and the ability to share photos. And producing prints or books ensures your photos will be available long after the technology has changed again. “Saving and storing your photos is very important, so don’t just keep them on the cloud or your computer,” Dubose said. “Technology is always changing, and you want to be able to still access them. I’ve found that also backing up my photos on Facebook is a safe way to preserve

them. If your computer crashes or new technology comes along, you can access them. “Remember when we used VHS videos? Yes, they can be converted to digital, but you certainly aren’t guaranteed that you can view them on a video player — who has one of those today? I encourage people to print them, save in them in a box, share them and bring them out often. Someday, the younger generation will look at those photos and have great memories, even when today’s technology becomes obsolete.”

Shoot like a professional Whether you use your smartphone or a high-end digital camera, you have the potential to take good photographs. Here are a few basic tips to help capture genuine moments during the holidays. ■■ If you’re the designated photographer, carry your camera with you throughout the holidays. When your family is accustomed to seeing you with a camera, you’ll have a better chance of being invisible and not intruding as you take your photos. ■■ Check the overall composition of the photo, including the background, to eliminate items that might distract from the subject. ■■ Take multiple shots of each scene, especially when people are included, so that you have many versions to choose from. ■■ As the photographer taking candids, move around to get better composition. This helps you shoot photos that look more spontaneous.

■■ Select your best photos and print them, sharing them with family and friends, creating a photo book or calendar. ■■ For important occasions, hire a professional photographer.

Help from the experts ■■ Thea DuBose offers holiday photos with Santa in her studio on the Gainesville square every Saturday and Sunday in November and the first Saturday and Sunday in December. She has created a setting with Santa, games and activities that immerse her subjects in holiday play. Posh Portraits with Santa donates part of the proceeds to purchase food and toys for families in Harlen, Kentucky. Visit the Posh Santa website, www.poshsanta.com, for more information. ■■ Dave Simpson often is hired during the holiday season to take in-home photographs of family gatherings and special occasions. For more information, visit www. simpsoncustomphotography. com.

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Home

for the holidays Area familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house brings Christmas cheer 20 | HOME | November 2017

Story by Shannon Casas Photos by Scott Rogers

lizabeth Higgins’ home is a place for family to gather. She and her husband, Tom Higgins, together have nine children between the ages of 20 and 29. The couple built a new home on Lake Lanier after they married in 2015. There’s enough space for all of the family to stay over on big holidays. “Everybody just loves being together,” Elizabeth Higgins said. “It’s just like a big conversation.” They mostly gather in the living room, a cozy space with lake views. A Christmas tree sits in front of the window, with ornaments decorated by their children. The living room is open to the kitchen, with a large island overlooking the space. A formal dining room is set off from the kitchen, with cornflower blue grasscloth covering the walls. A Louis XVI chandelier passed down from Higgins’ grandmother hangs from the ceiling, and 19th century china is placed on the table. A breakfast nook sits on the other side of the kitchen, with a ceiling of reclaimed wood. Doors open from there to a wide balcony where a TV is mounted above a rock fireplace and firewood is stacked in an inset in the rock. Christmas 2016 was the first spent in the house in the Chattahoochee Country Club area. During their time together, Higgins’ oldest son, who is a chef in Florida, made French toast covered in Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. The children each picked a name and exchanged gifts. “Our daughters got matching pajamas for the girls; I mean it was just like little kids,” Higgins said, noting they don’t have any grandchildren yet. And all nine children went in together to buy an O’Brien brand water carpet and sent their parents on a scavenger hunt to find it. The space, designed by William T. Baker of Atlanta and built by Gainesville’s Richard Padgham, has brought their family together. Higgins also loves bringing old and new together in her space. “I think Elizabeth’s style is like Elizabeth,” her decorator Maggie Griffin said. “I think it’s comfortable, I think it’s welcoming, but I think it’s a mix of traditional larger pieces but with some fun, happy new things.” A traditional oil painting and an abstract piece both hang in her foyer on a backdrop of white shiplap that rises two stories from a floor built with bricks from the home originally on the property. More original brick is found in the basement, which includes a small kitchen with galvanized metal countertops. On top of the counters sits a cash register from the arcade at the old Dixie Hunt Hotel, which is now Hunt Tower just off the Gainesville square. Their neighbor purchased it when a barbershop on the property closed. A collection of old duck decoys are displayed on clear shelving on a wall in the basement. The decoys were collected by Doris Small, who had owned the property with her husband, Bob, since the 1960s.

Elizabeth Higgins puts up one Christmas tree most years and said her large family likes to gather in the cozy living room.

Tips to make your home pop for the holiday season Maggie Griffin has been designing beautiful spaces since 2008 and owns her own company, Maggie Griffin Designs. She works with clients like Elizabeth Higgins, whose home is featured in this edition, to bring their style to life. We asked for her top 3 things to do to dress up a space for the holidays.

Make it welcoming “If you can, put a live wreath on your door,” Griffin said. She also noted that live greens like magnolia and other items you can find in your backyard, such as berries, can be snipped and used to make a statement at your home’s entrance. She also loves when there’s something set out for guests, such as cheese wafers on a coffee table.

Add a personal touch Griffin said she likes a Christmas tree with some history. “Don’t necessarily make it a theme but things that mean something to you,” she said. Family pieces and special ornaments can create a “cozy, familial vibe at the holidays.”

Create some sparkle Never underestimate the power of candlelight. “If you’re having a nighttime party, there’s nothing more beautiful than candlelight,” she said. She also loves lanterns, which can use electric candles, at an entrance.

Shannon Casas

November 2017 | HOME | 21

“Her dad used to duck hunt and used these decoys, and she would write the year that he threw them away and keep them,” Higgins said. A patio outside the basement includes a swinging bed. “We have a lot of outdoor space,” Higgins said. “They’re just big gathering areas.” Higgins said she loves the established landscaping, cared for by Small. “We adored the yard and placed the house on the same footprint as the old house so that we could keep all her wonderful plantings and add to them,” Higgins said. The bedroom Higgins said the kids fight over is located in the basement, with a bathroom en suite and views of the yard and lake. Bedrooms on the third level include one Higgins calls the “friend room,” where photos of the kids and their friends are hung along the walls and three twin beds fill the space. The master bedroom is also upstairs. And hanging on the bannister leading back downstairs are 11 stockings. “I think they like it here,” Higgins said of the couple’s children. “They keep coming back.”

Elizabeth and Tom Higgins have nine children who come home for the holidays. They hang their 11 stockings along the banister in the foyer rather than above the fireplace.

Left: Elizabeth Higgins likes to use her china, like this 19th century set. Many of her pieces have been passed down through her family. Above: This bedroom on the basement level is the one the couple’s adult children fight over when they come home for holidays. Below: A small kitchen in the basement includes galvanized metal countertops and features brick from the home originally on the lakeside property.

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The spirit of giving Where to shop locally for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts

ook no farther than Northeast Georgia for that distinctive gift that will charm even the most difficult person to buy for. “By shopping local, you’ll find one-of-a-kind gifts, often handmade or personally crafted, that can reflect Gainesville and Northeast Georgia,” says Kristen Howard, manager of Main Street Gainesville. “And when you buy from retailers right here in our region, you’re also supporting the local economy.” Gainesville, Hall County and Northeast Georgia have become shopping destinations for visitors who come here to purchase art, folk pottery, handmade clothing and agricultural or food items for gift-giving all

24 | HOME | November 2017

Story by Pamela A. Keene

year long. Many of these companies have online stores as well as brick-and-mortar locations, such as Rahab’s Rope and Jaemor Farms, so you can either shop from the comfort of your living room or plan a family outing to purchase items on the spot. Rahab’s Rope now has two stores, in downtown Gainesville and in Clarkesville. The nonprofit sells items made by at-risk women and children in India, Africa, the Middle East and other countries, as well as refugees who live in the Georgia. “We deal in fair-trade products that are made domestically and internationally, and we support these organizations from the

goods we sell,” said Vicki Moore, owner of Rahab’s Rope. “For instance, we have hands on the ground in India to work with women and children who are at-risk or have been rescued from sex trafficking. And many of the products we sell are made in Clarkston by the refuges who live there.” One of the most popular items at Rahab’s Rope is Intertwined Candles, made of recycled wine bottles and all-natural soy wax by the women refugees who live in Clarkston. “We can’t keep them in stock,” Moore said. Rahab’s Rope also sells jewelry, handbags, accessories, home décor and pottery. Who doesn’t like a gift of food? At Jaemor

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Farms, with stores in Alto on Ga. 365 and in Commerce on Interstate 85, farm-to-table gift-giving takes on a whole new meaning. Jams and jellies, fresh bakery items, gift baskets and other Georgia-grown products offer an array of gift items. Fresh produce, local honey and stoneground grits can bring a Southern flair to the holiday season. Choose from many products offered online that can be shipped to far-away family, or stop by to pick up the perfect hostess gift of salsa, relish, pickled peaches or chow-chow. You can even create your own gift baskets right at either location. Lakeside Market in Flowery Branch offers local and international foods, baked goods and gift items. Liberty Candy Company owner Karen Ching makes breads and offers items from the candy shop; Antebellum chef and owner Nicholas St. Clair has packaged his well-known pimento cheese, bacon jam and other gourmet items for sale. Fresh-made cakes created by Gayle Homan, Nick’s mother-inlaw, quickly sell out. International teas, hard-to-find food items and

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Lakeside Market clerk Marc Stampfli can assist shoppers with specialty gourmet items.

cookbooks make Lakeside Market a great choice for purchasing special holiday goodies. For original artwork by local painters and potters, a visit to Gallery on the Square in Main Street Market is a must stop for holiday shopping. Eleven artists have come together to showcase their work, which ranged from classically styled paintings and

abstracts to marine art and 3-D works. These well-known artists share staffing duties throughout the week and often use their time to create new works of art while in the gallery. Founding members Ruth Money, Paula Hoffman and Lydia Ferguson are joined by Joyce Hornor, Ann Goble, Connie Lynn Reilly, Lynn Kelly, Anne Brodie

Hill, Suzanne Johnson, Jane Hemmer and Pam Kohler Camp. “We have a good variety of works and price points,” Hoffman said. “And when you come by, you’ll have a chance to chat with our artists. It’s a great experience and a chance to support local artists, many of whom have works in homes and businesses across the United States.” Racquets and Togs downtown sells everything tennis and even offers tennis lessons. District 101 and its new sister shop Queen City Mercantile offer clothing, home décor and jewelry. Gem Jewelry, Horse and Hound and Saul’s, three of the square’s longest-operating retailers are complemented by Dress Up, The Crystal Plate and Occasions by John and Troy, to name a few. For clothing items with a solid Gainesville connection, check out Southern Proper. Founded in 2005 by Gainesville’s Emmie Howard and Reagan Hardy Howell, Emmie now leads the company. In addition to being sold online, Southern Proper can be found in more than 250 retail stores mainly in the Southeast, including Belk and Von Maur, and

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boutique apparel specialty stores. The company got its start making neckwear, neckties and bow ties, that featured popular iconic Southern items, such as fishing, hunting and state- and school-color-themed motifs. Today the choices include soft-flannel shirts, pants and shorts, blazers, pullovers, sweaters, belts, hats, polos and oxfords. “We’ve just released our fall line that’s all about comfort,” Emmie said. “The clothes are breathable, lightweight, versatile and wearable, because you never know what the temperature will be during the fall and winter here in South.” Small, locally owned stores and businesses are the bread-and-butter of Gainesville and Hall County. Gainesville is hosting two holiday events that focus on shopping: Jingle Mingle on Thursday, Nov. 16, when Gallery on the Square will hold its open house and other merchants will be open late; and Small Business Saturday/Shop Local Day takes place on Saturday, Nov. 25. “The square is filled with locally owned stores offering special items that you probably can’t find anywhere else,” Kristen says. “When you shop close to home, you’ll find the types of items that people will cherish, those one-of-a-kind gifts, and you’ll be supporting your Artist Anne Brodie Hill is one of 11 artists in Gallery on the Square. neighbors.”

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Music in the air

Enjoy Christmas classics at holiday concerts across the region Story by Amber Tyner

With Christmas fast approaching, local areas will soon be filled with the sound of holiday carols and tunes. Favorite annual concerts will return along with a few new performances. Check out these four upcoming shows to get you in the holiday spirit.

Living Christmas Tree

When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7-8; 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9; 4:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 10 Where: First Baptist Church Gainesville, 751 Green St., Gainesville How much: Free; must reserve tickets More info: 770-534-7354

A musical and theatrical production will draw in crowds to

fill the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Gainesville Dec. 7-10. The Rev. Steve Coldiron, associate minister of music at First Baptist, said their Living Christmas Tree program brings roughly 6,500 to 7,000 people to the church each year. “The audience can expect to hear the Christmas story from a unique perspective,” he said about the show. “There’s some familiar carols, some new works (and) some stand-alone orchestral works. (It) kind of goes from the birth of Christ through the resurrection and so forth.” But that’s not all. One of the highlights of the program is the 45-foot tall steel Christmas tree decorated with lights where about

90 singers stand throughout the show. “We have people who are members of the church and who are members of the choir, and we have people who are not members of the church nor members of the choir,” Coldiron said of the singers. He also said all of the music will be live. “No CDs, no electronic music,” he said. “It’s a symphonic orchestra, full with woodwinds, brass, strings and percussion.” The inspiration behind the extravagant program was simply to bring people to the church. “The purpose of anything we do at the church is to reach out and tell people about Jesus and what a difference he can make in their lives,” he said. “And this is just one more way to do that.”

UNG Choirs Holiday Festival

When: 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 Where: Grace Episcopal Church, 422 Brenau Ave., Gainesville How much: Free More info: ung.edu/music/ music-events.php

The University of North Georgia is preparing for its first Choirs Holiday Festival, which

will feature various choirs and instrumental ensembles from the Gainesville and Dahlonega campuses. Benjamin Schoening, department chair of music at UNG, said the concert will be “a way to kind of kick off the holiday season.” “All of our choirs and some of the instrumental ensembles will join together to present a large program,” he said. Each group will present two or three individual numbers and come together for a few mass numbers as well. “We’ll even do a few numbers with audience participation,” he said. “What they can expect to hear is a celebration of music from the holiday season given by some of the best choral ensembles that the area has to offer, the ensembles of the UNG choral division.” The event was inspired by the university’s effort to integrate all the portions of their music department. “Doing a performance like this where the choirs from both campuses and some ensembles from both campuses have an opportunity to get together and present a unified program from the music department is just a

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Soprano Emily Jones, center, sings Oct. 17 during choir rehearsal at the University of North Georgia Gainesville campus in Oakwood.

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very good opportunity for us to get all the students working together and the department working together as one entity instead of feeling like we’re divided because of the multiple campuses,” Schoening said. Preparation for the concert began in January, and it will be held at both 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at Grace Episcopal Church in Gainesville. “(It’s) one of the best acoustical spaces in the Gainesville area and it can only serve to make the performances of all the choirs that much better,” he said.

Christmas Songs and Stories with John Berry

When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 Where: Brenau University’s Pearce Auditorium, 500 Washington St., Gainesville How much: $25-45 More info: www.johnberry.com/ tour

John Berry has been in the music business for almost 40 years, and he’s held a Christmas tour for the last 20 of those. Describing his typical music as “sort of ’90s country,” the singer enjoys performing during the holiday season, making anywhere between 18 to 25 stops on his Christmas tour each year. “We love celebrating Christmas and we love going out and kind of reminding folks what Christmas is really all about,” Berry said. “The sharing of gifts and all that is great, but to us, the real meaning of Christmas is celebrating the birth of Christ.” He said the tour actually began from a Christmas special he and his wife put together at their church many years ago. “We kept doing it for a number of years, and then I recorded ‘O Holy Night’ and put the album out and got a major label deal and ending up putting a small tour together,” he said. “It just kept growing and growing.” He said the concert is suitable for grandparents to grandkids, and those attending should expect traditional Christmas music. “I do a lot of songs they’re going to know, and I do them pretty much in a way they will remember them having been done,” he said. “And then I have some new things, some I’ve written, some that friends of mine have written. But it’s all pretty

traditional. It’s not messed with a whole lot.” But for those who have been to his concert before, John said they do “mix it up” every year. “There’s some songs we do every year, and then there are some songs we rotate in and out,” he said. “The tour usually sells out.” The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, at Brenau University’s Pearce Auditorium. “I hope folks will come and be with us,” he said. “It’s always a great show at Gainesville.”

Christmas with the Annie Moses Band

When: 8 p.m. Dec. 19 Where: Buford Community Center, 2200 Buford Highway NE, Buford How much: $27-35 More info: www.anniemosesband. com/tour

The Annie Moses Band will tour the country to present their annual Christmas tour, making a stop in Buford at 8 p.m Dec. 19, to perform at the Buford Community Center. The family band began about 15 years ago and “combines Americana flavors with folk” while remaining “classically based.” “There’s kind of this marriage of classical music and Americana music,” said Annie Dupre, a member of the band. “The nature of Annie Moses Band music is that we are known for taking pieces that are beloved that people have heard for years and really turning them into something they’ve never heard before and exploring them in a brand-new way.” She said this time of year is a signature season for the band. “From the get-go, Christmas was a super important part of our touring year,” she said. “People love the fact that we’re a family displaying what it means to make music together and love that process and bring joy to people in a concert.” The Christmas concert will consist of a string quartet and a full rhythm section. “I think the Christmas concert is a little bit more on the classical side than our regular show,” Dupre said. “This Christmas tour, we’re going to have some new music. And then we’ve got favorites as well as just beautiful holiday songs. It’s a wonderful concert for families.”

November 2017 | HOME | 29

The hub of the holiday table Tips on creating centerpieces for your family gatherings Story by Amy L. McDonald | Photos by Scott Rogers

hildren will play underfoot and adults will congregate in kitchens and around televisions, watching sports and catching up on memories of the past

year. Meals will be served and families and friends will flock to tables to eat and celebrate the holidays together. The perfect decorative centerpieces can ensure the festivity transitions from socializing in the living room to sharing a meal in the dining room. 30 | HOME | November 2017

“A centerpiece serves to lighten a room, give the eye a nice place to land and should offer happiness when your eye goes across it,” says Resia Mcfarland, a florist and floral designer at RLM Affairs in Gainesville. “It’s a remembering of everything you’ve done and how you celebrate your holiday — all of this goes into the centerpiece so it has a personal touch.” Gloria Smith, a freelance interior design consultant out of Newnan advised beginning with a concept: Southern charm, modern

minimalist or bohemian chic, for example, then build around that. “Always be inspired by others, but embrace a personal style that will yield a satisfying final creation.” she said. The tones and moods in existing decorations can be key to helping determine the direction of a centerpiece. Are there loud colors in the living room? Is there a feeling of holiday whimsy or strong tradition? What kind of dinnerware and place settings are being used? Understanding the existing space can be key.

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“I want the colors and overall feel to go together, and I usually recommend using neutral solids, or a specific accent texture,” Enemies of the Average designer Ginny Early said of the first steps in her creative process. “In fall, it’s fun to use velvet or wool as a table runner or incorporated into the piece, but I always use a natural fiber. Once I know the elements of the space, glassware and linens and such, that gives me good information to select a color palette, or vase or vessel to use for a centerpiece. Then I will go toward shape and color.” Each setting is different and each gathering is different, so a centerpiece can reflect that individuality. Mcfarland and Early both said natural designs are en vogue and easy to create with any kind of budget this season. “We build a lot of our centerpieces around fallen trees we collect, and grow a lot of our own berries and holly in our garden out back, as well as using locally sourced greens,” Mcfarland said. Early takes a similar approach. “I usually start with foraging

for a branch or piece of greenery with shape and art to it. ... My initial goal is to create beautiful lines then fill in florals around it. I will find a bent crape myrtle, or an interesting vine, or a dogwood, something with neat movement, then I will use that shape as a base and add florals around that.” Pieces can range from a handful of elements scattered down the table to a large vertical piece — the important idea is to decorate for the occasion and venue. Having close friends over for hot cider at Christmas could mean a few holly branches across the table and pine boughs along sideboards, while a large family Thanksgiving might bring out gourds and pumpkins aesthetically tied together with sweetgum or maple leaves in various stages of color change. It can be important to make sure guests can see over vertical elements and that items down the table do not take up too much space where dinnerware and food is cramped. Home decorators can sit in each space after the piece is finished to ensure functionality as well as visual appeal. If there is a taller

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RLM Affairs owner Resia Mcfarland creates holiday centerpieces of most any style for clients of her event planning service.

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element or two, such as candles or a tall vase of flowers, ensure they are the focus, with fewer pieces along the table. Think about tall and thin, or long and low. Classic fall colors are deep yellows, oranges, reds and even browns. When selecting color schemes, neutral tones are always a safe choice. Tree branches, fruits and vegetables like papaya and Indian corn, or golden grasses are all natural examples of muted tones. For a room with darker tones, Smith often recommends choosing brighter elements, such as one or two flashy, coordinating colors can add a pop of light to the room and focus around the table. Winter colors can be forest greens, gold and bright reds for Christmas festivity, or lighter blues and silver. Poinsettias are the traditional Christmas flower, but pine boughs or white roses can be used for an elegant alternative. “I love using bare branches with lichen for Christmas,” Early said. “You get the idea of frostiness from that, but it isn’t literal. Grays and deeper greens are good colors to incorporate, while using blue spruce or eucalyptus pulls in more range of natural color.” Pine cones of all shapes and sizes can be found in the winter and can be piled by themselves in a central vessel or used as accents in a larger spread. They are the ultimate versatile element: sprinkle

glitter on them for a shimmery, snowy feel, or place a few along a pine bough for a more rustic look. The added bonus of the pine cone is a unique but uniform texture for the centerpiece. Texture can be an important consideration. A rule of thumb is minimal textures for finer dinner china, such as colored ornaments in a glass bowl, allowing the china to take the spotlight, while bigger textures can be used for casual settings with something like burlap or a woven basket full of flowers. Lovely centerpieces don’t have to be expensive. Items from consignment or antique stores can be reused or repurposed through a new coat of spray paint or with a fun ribbon. Smith has used old bottles painted gold to hold candles for an artistic and affordable look. If natural looks are more appealing, don’t waste time or money searching for fake greens. “Go simple and don’t stress; natural things look beautiful together. Use a table runner of linen or cotton, then pull a branch on it and put fruit around it — it will look great. Just go with what you see in nature,” Early advises. Holidays are all about bringing people together, and a centerpiece is there in the middle of it all.

Mcfarland puts some touches on a holiday centerpiece she’s working on.

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Chocolate and vanilla cupcakes are among the offers at Abstruse Pastry Company in Flowery Branch.

For the

sweet tooth Local bakery serves up simple treats for everyone Story by Kayla Elder Photos by David Barnes

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Top: Holly Helton, chef and owner of Abstruse Pastry Company, excludes wheat, gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, soy and coconut from her products, as well as the facility, to ensure that people allergic to those ingredients can safely eat her baked goods. Left: Helton holds out an experimental batch of cookies during a tour of her bakery.

amilies gather around the table for the meal everyone has been waiting for all year long. But save room for holiday desserts. Pies, pastries and sweets of many shapes and sizes will line the dining room tables this season. Chef Holly Helton, owner of Abstruse Pastry Company in Flowery Branch, will be offering the community the simplicity of childhood delicacies. Helton has spent months creating three light and airy batches of cookies and cupcakes. “Being a new business, it was really hard to decide — I knew I had to be selective about what I could have ready for people to purchase for the holidays this year. We went through a bunch of ideas such as pie, cobbler and fruitcakes,” Helton said. Abstruse has perfected its regular sugar cookie, vanilla cupcake with vanilla icing and chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing. “To come back around to something that is seemingly so simple and almost mundane

— something you would take for granted — just to come back around and elevate it to a level where it can stand right next to the best dessert and be something that someone with food issues can really enjoy, that is what we are all about,” Helton said. Abstruse is a micro-bakery free from wheat, gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, soy and coconut. “To see the smile on a child’s face who normally goes to an event and can’t eat anything because they are allergic, for them to come in here and see their faces light up when they realize they can eat the cupcakes and cookies — that is what we are all about,” Helton said. Going back to traditional desserts from years past, Helton said “we take for granted how easy it is to get food nowadays.” “The whole idea behind sweet treats is that they were for a special occasion for so many years in our history; in our culture they were scarce and hard to find,” Helton said. “It really was only on special occasions where people

could indulge in something really rich and sweet. I think there is something in us that remembers that and appreciates that.” Helton also believes “there is something about that basic dessert” and said “I think it goes back to childhood for people.” “There is something comforting about it. They enjoy the cakes, but as far as that soulfilling and joy of biting into a good cupcake when you are a kid, I don’t think there is anything else that can take that place,” Helton said. “That was the driving force behind making these for this holiday season.” Helton is working on a chocolate cupcake to be released this month and two versions of a vanilla cupcake. One vanilla cupcake will contain egg and buttermilk, while the other will be a “made-without” version that is dairyfree and made with egg. She is also working on regular and “made-without” versions of sugar cookies. Abstruse Pastry Company has been open since May and is located at 5516 Main St., Flowery Branch.

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Home In the community

Power of the Purse September 26, 2017

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September 26, 2017

November 2017 | HOME | 37

EVENTS CALENDAR

November Nov. 5 Corn Maze. 1 to 6 p.m. Jaemor Farms, Alto. 770-869-3999, caroline@ jaemorfarms.com. $9-$14. Boomers Gone Wild. 7-9 p.m.The Crimson Moon, Dahlonega. Buford Corn Maze. Noon to 10 p.m. Nov. 5, 10, 11, 12. 4470 Bennett Road, Buford. 678-835-7198, jeff@vardeman.com. $15$25. Fall Galleries Open House. 6 to 9 a.m. Simmons Visual Arts Center, Gainesville.

Gainesville. 770-536-2575, paula.lindner@ quinlanartscenter.org.

5-10:30 p.m., Flowery Branch. 678-6962491, info@lakelaniercvb.com.

Nov. 10 Corps Veterans Day Ceremony. 3-5 p.m. Nov. 10. University of North Georgia, Dahlonega.

Jingle Mingle. 5 p.m. Gainesville downtown square.

Cumming Steam, Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Expo. Cumming Fairgrounds. “Elf the Musical Jr.” 7-9 p.m. Nov. 10-12. Holly Theatre, Dahlonega. $10-$14. GTA Discovery Series presents “Secret in the Wings.” 5-11 p.m. Nov. 1013. University of North Georgia, Dahlonega.

“Fiddler On the Roof.” 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Cumming Playhouse.

Kara Grainger. 8-10 p.m.The Crimson Moon, Dahlonega. 706-864-3982, crimsonmoonpublicist@gmail.com. $13 - $16.

Labor Day Sail. 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 5. Windsong Sailing Academy, Buford. 770967-1515, Info@WindsongSail.com.

“Peter Pan.” 7-9 p.m. Nov. 10-11. Forsyth Academy of Performing Arts, Cumming. $8.

Nov. 6 Fall Concert of UNG Singers & Le Belle Voci. 6:30-9:15 p.m. Nov. 6, 13. University of North Georgia, Dahlonega.

Nov. 11 30th Annual All American Piano Celebration. 4-7 p.m. Nov. 11. University of North Georgia, Dahlonega.

Nov. 7 The Beauty of Fall with Joan. 9-11:30 a.m. Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, paula. lindner@quinlanartscenter.org.

Basics of Still Life Paintings in Oils with Qiang Huang. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 9-11. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, paula.lindner@ quinlanartscenter.org.

Classical Figure Drawing with Stephanie Amato. 1-4 p.m. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, paula. lindner@quinlanartscenter.org.

Holiday Bazaar. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11. Lanier Christian Church, Gainesville. 770540-1048, 678-936-5945, kmerck31@ gmail.com. Free.

Cruise-In Car Show. 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28.Varsity Jr., Dawsonville. 706-2657273.

Nov. 12 Family Day: Home and Harvest. 10 a.m. Northeast Georgia History Center, Gainesville. www.negahc.org

GTA Presents “Crazy for You.” 7:30 to 10 p.m. Nov. 7-18, Brenau University’s Hosch Theatre, Gainesville. 678-717-3721, beth. kendall@ung.edu. Sing music with The North Georgia Barbershop Singers. 7-9:30 p.m. Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28. Cumming Baptist Church. 770-6099853. Free. Nov. 8 Beginners Acrylic with Anita Ford. 6-8 p.m. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 38 | HOME | November 2017

Nov. 17 Fall Concert of Patriot Choir. 6:308:30 p.m. University of North Georgia, Dahlonega. WB UNG Nighthawk Classic. 7:45 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Nov. 17-18. University of North Georgia, Dahlonega. Nov. 18 Harvest Moon Movie Nights,“La La Land.”

Nov. 19 Annual Buck Jones Toy Run. Cumming Fairgrounds. Nov. 24 Sanders Family Christmas. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 24-26, 30, Dec. 1-3. Cumming Playhouse. Nov. 30 Winter Exhibitions at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center. 5:30-7 p.m. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville. 770-536-2575, paula.lindner@quinlanartscenter.org. Dec. 1 Annual Christmas Market. 2-7 p.m. Hall County Parks and Leisure, Gainesville. ssexton@hallcounty.org. “Christmas Belles.” 8 a.m. Dec. 1-3. Holly Theatre, Dahlonega. $14-$22. “The Nutcracker.” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1-3. Brenau University, Gainesville. Sanders Family Christmas. 8 to 3 p.m. Nov. 24, Nov. 25, Nov. 26, Nov. 30, Dec 1, Dec 2, Dec 3. Cumming Playhouse. Sketch Club. 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 24, Dec 1. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville. Dec. 2 Handcrafted for the Holidays. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 2-3. Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville. Harvest Moon Movie Nights,“Elf.” 5 to 8 p.m. Dec 2. Flowery Branch. 678-6962491, info@lakelaniercvb.com. The National Auto Sport Association races. 7 a.m. Dec. 2-3. Road Atlanta, Braselton. 800-849-7223, dreyes@ roadatlanta.com. Dec. 3 Christmas on Green Street. 4:30 p.m. Green Street, Gainesville. hchsgeorgia@ gmail.com

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