Lake Burton Civic Association November 2017

President’s Letter It is hard to believe that summer is over Earl Patton, Jr. who tragically lost his life in and it is fall once again. It seems that it was the 2011 tornado. The Patton Family only yesterday that the Lake Burton sky was expressed their appreciation to LBCA for lighted by brilliant fireworks for the 4th of honoring their loved one in such a special July, and now our lake is lighted by brilliant way. A debt of gratitude is owed to Andy colors of beautiful fall leaves. Anderson who so tirelessly worked to There were many happenings create this beautiful park for our enjoyment. sponsored by your Lake Burton Civic Please see the article by Lin Goen, Lake Janis Stapleton, Association in the spring and summer of Burton Park Chairperson, in this LBCA President 2017. The Lake Burton Clean-Up Day was newsletter. held on May 5. A huge thank you to all of the dedicated volunteers that came out on such a cold spring day. It is amazing how much trash was pulled out of the lake in various locations along the shoreline. Also, appreciation is extended to Georgia Power Company for their assistance in the cleanup, and to Waterfall Club for inviting the volunteers to lunch. Your help is always needed for our lake clean-up event. Don’t miss out on this great day of fun! Our 2017 LBCA Golf Tournament The LBCA Annual Meeting was held at was a huge success! Many thanks to Fred’s Shed on June 10. Six newly elected board members that represent you were Chairman, Ron Majors, his committee, and introduced along with 2 reelected officers. Waterfall Club for creating such a great day I personally thank all of the directors, of golf. For complete coverage on the officers and former presidents for their tournament, see Ron’s article in this service to LBCA. For a complete newsletter. introduction of our new directors, please The total solar eclipse on August 21 see the article in this newsletter. If you was truly amazing! The Rabun County would like to serve as an LBCA board Tourism Development Authority should be member, please notify Rhonda Roberge at [email protected] or myself. We will be happy commended on the “OutASight Eclipse Lake Burton Civic Association to talk to you about great opportunities for Festival” that was held at Rabun Gap- [email protected] Nacoochee School. LBCA was one of the www.lbca.net service. 706-782-4904 On July 2, 2018, the cabin at the Lake festival sponsors. This is a portion of your Post Office Box 1988 Burton Park was dedicated in memory of dues at work. Continued on next page Clayton, GA 30525-0050 Lake Burton Civic Association November 2017

President’s Letter Continued from previous page SAVE THE DATE!!! The 2018 that all profit realized from the LBCA continued support of him and his LBCA Tour of Homes will be held on Tour of Homes continues to improve team. He is especially appreciative of Saturday, June 23, 2018. Chairperson, the capabilities of the three volunteer the funding for the “Ride Along Leigh Welch and the Tour of Homes fire departments that protect your lake Program.” This program provides for Committee are already hard at work to property. a Rabun County Deputy to ride in the make sure that the 2018 home tour is Lake Burton will celebrate its boat, and assist the rangers as they very successful and enjoyable for our Centennial in 2020. The lake was patrol the lake. Also, the program guests. Leigh will be happy to sign you completely filled on August 18, 1920. provides for the red, green, and white up as a volunteer for one of the homes. LBCA member, Mike Maffett, has glow sticks that are given to boaters Contact her at [email protected] . volunteered to work on a history that do not have operating navi- Also, Ranny Whitney, Flotation project about Lake Burton and is gational lights, as well as for the new Brigade Chairman, and Cannon looking for volunteers to assist in blue lights for the patrol boat. Rhoads, Chairman-In-Training, are collecting historical data. Contact We hope that each of you will ready to sign up those willing to drive Mike at [email protected] to offer continue to support the LBCA with their boats. Or, if you cannot drive your assistance. A committee has your membership and will remember your boat that day, perhaps, you would been formed to plan the 100 year to pay your 2018 dues. allow a responsible boat driver to celebration of Lake Burton. Perhaps, Please be sure to read all of the captain your boat. Many pontoon or you would like to serve on this deck boats are needed to transport articles and updates in this newsletter committee and be a part of this great those attending to the homes. Email to keep you informed on the celebration. Ranny at [email protected] . happenings on Lake Burton. Please give consideration to volun- Great news! According to DNR teering and supporting this very Ranger First Class, Chad Chambers, important fund-raiser! It requires 2018 was another safe boating season many volunteers to staff this special on Lake Burton. Chad expressed event. We need your help! Remember appreciation to the LBCA for our Janis Stapleton

Fire Station Update The shell for the new Fire Station #10, Lakes, has been completed. The new location for station #3, Persimmon/Tallulah has been secured and site planning is currently underway. Stay posted for further updates. Drawdown Schedule For 2017-18 November 1, 2017 – Begin drawdown to 7 feet below normal pool February 1, 2018 – Begin refilling March 1, 2018 – Back to within 5 feet of normal pool Garden Club The Lake Burton Garden Club has a Facebook page. Learn more about the garden club and enjoy the photos they’ve uploaded at: www.facebook.com/lakeburtongardenclub. Lake Burton November 2017 Civic Association

Water Quality and Evironmental Report by Bill Russell Each quarter we try to update our origin. The key is doing what we can sentation from not only the lakes but readers as to any pertinent issues to reduce (and ideally eliminate) any also the Forestry Service and GPC. concerning our water quality and the man-made exacerbation of the Many of you probably know I am the environment in general. Most of our problem. The increased frequency TRWC Water Quality Task Force articles are aimed at providing tips on and quantity of rainfall this year has Leader as well as our Water Quality how to prepare for the upcoming seemingly greatly increased the and Environmental Chair. I can tell seasonal change or provide updates on turbidity of the streams and rivers you first hand that the TRWC is a very current issues. In this article, I will try flowing into the lake. Dick’s Creek dedicated team that never lets up. I to do a little of both. and Timpson Creek have both seen an invite you to visit the website at With the lake having remained increase in the size of shallow deltas www.tallulahriverwatershed.com or full pool for the past two years and the encroaching further into the main contact me personally to learn more increased frequency and amount of channels. Wildcat, Moccasin, and about what we do and how you can get rainfall, two demons have haunted Tallulah creeks have also not escaped involved. us…aquatic plant growth and the silt demon. As stated, much of In closing, GPC has assured me silt/sediment intrusion. this is a natural occurrence as a that there will be a draw down this year Thankfully, with the help of of about 7 to 8 feet. This should your eyes and the Georgia Power do a lot to beat back some of the Company (GPC) environmental native species of aquatic plants team, we have managed to quickly we see in primarily shallow water identify, treat, and monitor and coves. It should also give all aquatic plant growth. The folks of us a chance to address our sea in our land management office walls and waterfront areas. along with the GPC Environ- Please take the time this winter to mental Department in Atlanta do what you can to shore up your have done an excellent job sea walls with rip rap at the keeping in check what could have foundations, adding mortar been an explosive season. We all where it is missing, and owe them a great deal of thanks backfilling the lot side of your for their diligence which goes, for wall where needed. A little the most part, un-noticed but is “Rip rap” stacked against a seawall foundation. so effective. Their ability to maintenance now will save you a identify plants, knowing what to treat “watershed” is just that…it takes lot of money later. I encourage and what not, goes way beyond most whatever “sheds” off with the water as you to go to the LBCA website and of our expertise. With that said, I it runs off the ridges and through the look back at previous articles on this want to continue to encourage all of valleys to the lake. Unfortunately, it is and other topics to help you prepare you not to attempt treatment or often accelerated by off road vehicle for the winter and spring ahead. As removal of plants yourself as that traffic, poor storm water runoff always, thanks to each of you for doing could cause more harm than good. management, and improper or your part to take care of this treasure GPC will treat any plants identified as nonexistent silt screening. We are we have so that future generations can an invasive species and they will give fortunate to have the TRWC (Tallulah continue to enjoy it as much as we you advice on what to do about native River Watershed Council) actively have. plants that are creating a nuisance. investigating any water quality and Always make them aware of your environmental issues that affect our concerns and use one of their beautiful lakes (and the streams that BillBill RussellRussell, preferred contractors when dealing feed them). The Council is constantly LBCA Water Quality with aquatic plant removal. working to identify these situations Silt and sediment will always be a and aggressively working toward & Environmental Chair concern as much of it is natural in solutions. The Council has repre- Lake Burton Civic Association November 2017 Introducing Your New Board Members Chip Groome Evelyn Heald At the LBCA annual meeting in June, six new board members My 50-year Lake My husband, Tom, were elected. Two officers were Burton journey and I built our reelected: Kim Westmoreland began as a teen- home on Lake will continue to serve as our ag er wh en my Burton in 1999, an secretary and Gaston Brawley Dad, influenced Adirondack-style home with a continues as our treasurer. by his Bur ton perfect view of friends, leased a lot the July 4th Vicki Darrah and built the first fireworks show. of our three houses on the lake. My husband’s family has been on Lake I was born in Summers while I attended Georgia Tech Burton since 1968 and I first visited Washington DC were extremely memorable. Back then, Lake Burton with his family and friends during World War a much less populated lake included in the mid 1970’s. I was struck by the II and was raised frequent trips to an often illegal, but beautiful north Georgia mountains and primarily in the amazing rope swing, skiing shore-to- the clear cool waters of Lake Burton. I northeastern part shore in unoccupied coves and narrows, cannot imagine having a lake home anywhere in the world other than here. of the US and in like those approaching LaPrades or the New Orleans, Lousiana. Marriage took narrows up the river, and jumping off I am a UGA graduate and majored me to Louisville, Kentucky and in 1970, the Highway 76 bridge, and plate after in fashion design and minored in my husband and I moved to Atlanta plate of LaPrades fried chicken. Dad interior design. I began working in soon sold his first house which he Atlanta in the retail clothing business where we started our family. My career and owned two ladies’ boutiques called has been in retailing. In 1989, I immediately regretted selling, but a few years later we were back, now as partners Fine Feathers in Buckhead and purchased an agency for sales reps, now Dunwoody. The stores were a great and in time to raise my soon to arrive called Darrah & Company. It employs success and I enjoyed them for ten years family with my wife of 37 years, Cathy. 30 full-time associates. but I wanted to be home to raise my two All three children arrived and grew up girls Sarah and Anna. When they left for In 2006, I moved from Atlanta to enjoying those same and many more college, I got my real estate license and Lake Burton where I now live full time. wonderful Burton experiences. The decided to work exclusively on I’m a member at St. James Episcopal lake is an instrumental and important marketing lake and mountain homes in Church in Clayton where I have been part of the fabric of our family life and Rabun County. I have enjoyed nine years with Harry Norman Realtors in part of the Festival of Flowers annual now our grandchildren’s lives - our fourth generation on Burton. Clayton and am looking forward to outreach event and currently serve on many more. their finance committee. I am a board I’ve spent my entire career in My two girls are now married. member of Rabun County Alliance and commercial real estate, through many iterations of retail, office, and hotel Sarah Thwaite and her husband, Zach have served on the board at FAITH. live in Atlanta and Anna Cornwell lives properties from the leasing, manage- I have two daughters and six in Dallas, Texas with her husband, Ben. ment and development aspects (hence They love Lake Burton as much as my grandchildren. When not working or the construction of three lake homes). husband and I and we are always excited spending time with family, I enjoy During that time, I also had the privilege when they come to visit. Lake Burton is playing duplicate bridge. While I enjoy of being deeply and actively involved in a fabulous place to raise children and a travel, the beauty of Rabun County Buckhead Baseball, Wesleyan School, great place to gather the generations to makes it as great a place to be as any. and Peachtree Presbyterian in numerous make life long family memories. leadership roles. I sincerely look As a new member of the LBCA I am excited to begin serving my forward to working as a director of first term on the LBCA board and board I hope to play a significant part in LBCA and giving back to “a place like continue the legacy of my father-in-law, promoting and celebrating the 100th few others” that has meant so much to Don Elliot Heald, who was a past board Anniversary of Lake Burton. me and my family. member and president. Lake Burton November 2017 Civic Association Introducing Your New Board Members Martha G. Mark Kathleen Ramsey Swiecichowski Stevens While growing up I was born and Whaley raised just outside in Northeast Nine years ago I Georgia, we of Milwaukee, w a s n e w t o traveled often Wisconsin and Georgia. One throughout the moved to Atlanta brilliant Saturday, m o u n t a i n s 30 years ago to my sister Nicole visiting family. pursue a career in So, when my husband Randall and I real estate. Throughout my career I stuffed me in her Jeep turning wheels decided on a second home, we chose have invested in both commercial and northward on a mission to present the our home on Acorn Creek. residential projects in the Atlanta area, mountains. After driving around My passion to serve others started and for the past 8 years I have focused Rabun County, hiking, and lunching at as a young child. I am a faithful and more on projects on Lake Burton and Louie’s on the Lake, she smiled, “I’ve devoted member of Temple Baptist the surrounding area. saved the best for last.” She led the Church, Homer, Georgia. I’m a way to Timpson Cove Beach. The sun volunteer mentor at Banks County In the late 80's a close friend slipped low, spraying golden light over Middle School, a member of the invited me to his in-law’s home on the landscape. Burton’s shimmering Banks County Chamber of Com- Lake Burton. After that visit it became waters stretched like a lawn of molten merce, and serve on the Banks County my dream to be able to own a home on sapphire. I heard myself say, “I have Planning Commission. such a special lake, which finally came to be here.” She laughed. “Thought My career as a Registered Nurse to fruition in 2005. you might say that.” afforded me opportunities to travel over Northeast, Georgia serving many I met my wife Leigh at Lake Since then, I’ve participated in clients. Currently, I am semi-retired Burton and we split our time between everything from Lake Burton Clean- and assist Randall with his business, Atlanta and Lake Burton. My son Seth Up day to designing the plaques in locksmith services, as needed. is a freshman at Auburn studying Lake Burton Park. Happy to give back We are blessed to have two sons: aerospace engineering and my son to this magical place which has gifted Ben, married to Michele and father of Clay is a junior at Pace Academy. my family so much. Husband Paul and Deuce, and Will married to Ashley and I previously served on the LBCA a long kid line-up: Samantha, Gabby, father of Ollis. I enjoy fishing, board and look forward to the Hoffman, Vivian, and Gibson ensure boating, walking the trails, and visiting opportunity to give back to this there’s always someone around who the parks around the lake. As a board beautiful lake and community that has wants to boat, fish, or hike. Our little member, I will work diligently to make cabin is at the north end of the lake, a difference persevering the Lake for provided me and my family with so deliciously close to Lake Burton future generations. many wonderful memories. Grocery - our saving grace on weekends! My background is in art, advertising and photography. I’ve written and photographed several articles for Points North Atlanta magazine, and enjoy creative writing and taking pictures almost as much as a long walk through the woods. I look forward to serving my lake community and the lovely people I’ve met along Photo © Peter McIntosh. Prints may be ordered from www.mcintoshmountains.com . the way. Lake Burton Civic Association November 2017

Lake Burton Park Dedication by Lin Goen

On Sunday, July 2, 2017, one hundred people attached to the cabin with the inscription “E. Earl Patton gathered at Lake Burton Park for the dedication of the E. Memorial Cabin.” Recognition was also given to Andy Earl Patton, Jr. Memorial Log Cabin. In memory of Earl, Anderson, the park’s founder and developer. Andy spent who lost his life during the tornado on April 27, 2011, endless hours planning for and constructing this Andy Anderson and many volunteers lovingly built this wonderful park. A large stone cabin. Twenty of Earl’s family, including his wife Mary compass was installed near the Patton, his daughter Louise Pritchard and sons Rick and brick patio with a plaque Tom Patton attended the dedication. honoring his leadership and Janis Stapleton, President of the Lake Burton Civic direction. The Lake Burton Association, welcomed everyone to the dedication which Civic Association would like to was sponsored by the Association. After that, Lin Goen, express our appreciation to Jim Suddes for contributing the compass to the park and to Rustic Countryside for maintaining the park in pristine condition, free of charge. The park has been largely funded by individual purchases of bricks, located at the foot of the cabin. If you are interested in purchasing bricks for family members, you can do so online by going to this address: www.thatsmybrick.com/lakeburtonpark or contact Lin Goen at 770-356-1758 or [email protected] . If you haven’t had a chance to stop by the park, please take some time to visit and see the new additions. There is a walking path surrounding the park and swings for the young and Chairperson for the park, introduced Louise Pritchard even the not-so-young to enjoy. Lake Burton Park is who shared stories of her father’s love of Lake Burton. located at the intersection of Acorn Creek Road and “My father started coming to the Lake in 1937 when he Meeting House Mountain Road. attended Red Baron’s Boy Scout Camp and fell in love with the beauty and majesty of Lake Burton. He had deep rooted connections to the area and knew one day he would have a home here,” she told the group. He built their family home in 1971 so that his family could share the many wonderful experiences that had created fond memories for him. Earl was very involved with the community, was a registered voter in Rabun County and even asked that gifts be given to the local animal shelter upon his death. The day of the tornado, Earl arrived at the lake for the first time that spring. He met up with friends at the community table at the Clayton Café as he had on numerous occasions. He often stated that Lake Burton was the closest place to heaven he knew, and that when his time came, he hoped he would be on the front deck of his home looking over Charlie Mountain. We are very thankful for his contribution to the Lake Burton Community. In his memory, a bronze plaque was Lake Burton November 2017 Civic Association

Thousands Enjoy Total Solar Eclipse Photos by Peter McIntosh.

On August 21, many of us were in Rabun County to witness one of nature’s greatest spectacles: a total solar eclipse. If you were there, you were not alone – tens of thousands came to see the eclipse. Numerous viewing events were held throughout the county. Costs to attend varied from $5 to $250 per person. By far the largest event was the “Out ASight Festival” at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School where an estimated 10,000 people spent the day. It was jointly sponsored by the school, the Rabun County Tourism Development Authority, and Georgia State University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. There were bands, large LED screens showing NASA observations of the eclipse as it traveled from Oregon to South Carolina, and over thirty GSU professors and graduate students answering questions, demonstrating solar telescopes, and helping kids build pinhole projectors. As one participant summed it up: “It was a party with some science.” Other events were held at the Dillard House, the Hambidge Center, Tallulah Gorge State Park, Black Rock Mountain State Park, and a student/family viewing at the Tallulah Falls School. Also, many just pulled off the road onto fields, viewed from their boathouses or took their boats out on the lake to view the eclipse. Adding to the drama was the gathering of clouds about a half-hour before totality. At Rabun Gap, a loud groan came from the crowd as a cloud, with spitting rain, covered the sun. But with two minutes to go, a clearing opened to cheers, giving a view for the full two minutes, thirty eight seconds of the total © Peter McIntosh. Order prints from www.mcintoshmountains.com . eclipse. During totality, the crowd watched in total silence as the sky quickly darkened, the pearly white corona of the sun surrounded the black moon and Venus, Jupiter, and brighter stars became visible nearby. Also, reddish solar flares could be seen around the edges of the Moon. Just as the eclipse ended, the beautiful “diamond ring” effect appeared, to applause and shouts of appreciation. Afterward, everyone was in a festive mood which helped them have more patience as they faced stop and go traffic for hours as they returned home. A trip back to Atlanta that evening took more than five hours, rather the usual two. Even the next morning, U.S. 441 north of Mountain City was jammed for miles with people who had stayed overnight, hoping to miss the traffic. If you missed this one, the next total solar eclipse in the U.S. will be April 8, 2024, but you will need to travel to see it as it curves from Texas through the Midwest to upper New England. Lake Burton Civic Association November 2017

26th Annual Golf Tournament by Ron Majors The 26th Annual LBCA Golf Tournament, which was held on July 28th, was a very successful, fun-filled event for the record-setting 120 participants at the Waterfall Club course. Nearly $22,000 was raised to support our volunteer fire departments - an all-time high. After the spirited competition, the following foursomes came out on top: FIRST FLIGHT 1st Place: (-23) JL Brooks, Justin Brooks, Mitch Morris, Adam Morris 2nd Place: (-22) Chris Atkinson, Nathan Purvis, Shea Campbell, Chip Ferguson SECOND FLIGHT 1st Place: (-16) Spencer Welch, Dave Culley, Jeff Muir, Jeff Rodbell 2nd Place: (-16) Steve Williams, John Dinos, Mark Shaw, George Gerakitus THIRD FLIGHT 1st Place: (-15) Alex Wilbanks, Blake Dalton, Alex Lunsford, Chase Stephens 2nd Place: (-15) Joe Estes, James Ellis, James Pruett, Jesse Varner FOURTH FLIGHT 1st Place: (-13) Tom Usilton, Grant Grayson, Bruce Woodward, Ken Graves 2nd Place: (-12) Rich Sokolowski, Jeff Mango, Chase Fulbright, Jim Lewis FIFTH FLIGHT 1st Place: (-9) Tom Downs, Lex Watson, Wendall Blue, Woody Alderman 2nd Place: (-8) Jon McMillan, Jerry Conrad, Bob Moore, Craig McMillan Prizes were awarded for 1st and 2nd place finishes in each flight, closest to the hole on par 3 holes, and longest drive. All participants were rewarded with a delicious lunch prepared by the Waterfall Club staff. Thanks to all the LBCA board members and their spouses, sponsors, patrons, raffle donors, players, Waterfall Club, and all the others who helped make this year’s tournament a record setting success. Special thanks to Bill & Jan Bomar, Tom & Becky Callahan, Vicky Darrah, Joyce Jordan, Sam King, George & Libba Pickett, Hope Pollitt, Randall & Martha Ramsey, Jim & Janis Stapleton, Leigh Welch, & Sandi Majors for their tournament day help.

Benefactor Al and Cathy Annexstad Hole Sponsors John & Julie Barnett ····· Clay Contracting Vicki Darrah Duvall Automotive Group Bill & Linda Farr Fulcrum Equity Partners Georgia Power Company ···· Habersham Metal Products Spurgeon & Judy Hays Jimmy & Sarah Ellen Love Mountain Patrol Phillip Sadler · Springer Mountain Farms Half-Hole Sponsors Anchorage Boat Dock ····· Frank Bachelder Bill & Jan Bomar Tom & Becky Callahan Fred & Christine Cerrone Don & Merry Faulk Kent & Elaine Gustafson · Habersham EMC · Evelyn Heald · Bill & Cynthia Heidecker · Bob & Becky Hunter · Russell & Stella Ivie Sam & Betty King ····· Sid & Martha Kollme Nolan & Pat Leake Bruce & Anne Merrill Jean & Betty Mori George & Libba Pickett Reeves Hardware ···· Jeff Sprinkle Stonewall Creek Vineyards Jim & Denise Suddes Tiger Mountain Vineyards United Community Bank ·· Joe & Libby Wilbanks Windstream Patrons Paul & Linda Britton ····· David & Margie Burroughs Dave & Ann Culley Cupboard Cafe Deal’s Appliance Service Hank & Joan Diversi H&E Automotive ····· Ryland & Elizabeth Koets Bob Magill Ron & Sandi Majors Bill & Mary Matthews Dirck & Judy Myers Northeast Georgia Heat & AC ···· Rich Sokolowski Tom Usilton Ranny & Cynthia Whitney Cheryl Yancey Donations and Gifts Buttermilk Pie Company ···· Crawford Art Gallery Darrah & Company El Jinete Mexican Restaurant Frog Town Cellars Vineyard Habersham Hardware ···· Hollow Log Custom Framing Lulu Bleu Boutique Mori Luggage North 40 Tavern & Grill The Orchard Golf & Country Club ···· Scot Roberge Woodturning S&H Tire Springer Mountain Farms Stekoa Creek Trading Company Stonewall Creek Vineyards ···· Tiger Mountain Vineyards Timpson Creek Gallery Waterfall Club Kathleen Whaley Photography Wicker Barn · Wild Berry Cottage · Woods Furniture & Gifts