Enriching life in the Big Canoe community September 2020

POA News 3 Events & Happenings 18 Wining & Dining 23 Getting Fit & Healthy 24 Around the Tees 25 Racquets ‘Round the Nets 30 The 110 acre Lake Petit proivded plenty of Marina 32 room for families to safely enjoy the Labor Day Let’s Go Clubbing 34 weekend. (Photo by Tim Moran) Don't just list your home, get it sold.

#1 in homes and lots sold

www.BigCanoe.com 706.268.3333 [email protected] September 2020 insidethegates.org | 3 POA News

From the General Manager are corroding or have disintegrated altogether. The greens are worse for wear. The irrigation system is practically held By Scott Auer together with bubblegum. Even dangerous sinkholes have Big Canoe General Manager developed on the course. To all that non-golfers might say, “Why is that It’s readily apparent golf is intertwined with Big Ca- my problem?” noe’s identity. Our stunning 27 holes of golf are our most Property owners’ amenities dollars go to many things, visible amenity. They commingle with a backdrop of moun- and odds are that many services and features we pay for tains, lakes, valleys and streams. Is it any wonder the Creek we might never use. I have never hit the elliptical machines 9 Initiative Vote coming up this month asks you to “Pinch at the Wellness Center; I don’t cruise around every single yourself. It’s your very own side road our Public Works maintain; I’ve never had to call backyard!” Even herds of deer the Fire Department, well once! We all collectively pay and flocks of wild turkeys like for a range of amenities and features because they main- to hang out on the greens. tain the value of our individual homes and our community The vote, which happens as a whole. September 8-30, will authorize The Creek Golf Course is the same thing. And while it the Property Owners Associa- might look great as you zoom by on an errand (at a prudent tion (POA) to fund the rejuve- 25 mph), it’s akin to a house with a termite infestation: nation of the nine-hole Creek Everything appears fine until it collapses. Course in a much-needed, long- Work on the Creek overdue project. It’s essential to course needs to be done, Big Canoe, even to those who and not in a piecemeal fashion as that ultimately don’t have golf on their radar. Big Canoe’s General makes the work more I have long had an intimate Manager Scott Auer costly. On top of that, the connection to the game, though announces a new entire job would be com- it was not something I embraced service, Ask the POA. in my youth. Growing up in pleted in about 12 months suburban Baltimore in the ’70s, I rather than broken up into was more about Jimmy Connors than Greg Norman as ten- smaller maintenance proj- nis was my real sports passion. ects over several years. My father loved golf and wanted to share that love with I have compared it me. He signed me up for countless lessons to help hone my to getting dental work skills. A member of the Hunt Valley Country Club in Phoe- completed. If you fail to nix, Maryland, he would regularly take me to the links, address a bit of discomfort offer fatherly tips and try to kindle my passion for the game. in your mouth today, you might be looking at a much more It didn’t stick. painful and expensive root canal down the road. For an impatient youngster like myself, playing golf Property owners can either vote YES to have this was akin to mastering the electric guitar: the learning curve renovation completed all at once, or can choose the slower, was just too steep. With tennis, I thought I could spend more agonizing process. Along with closing the course for a three months over the summer swinging a racquet and have longer period, which will reduce our golf revenue, the total a good time on the court. I was wrong about that, too! cost of fixing our decrepit infrastructure will be higher if Whether or not you’re a golfing enthusiast, the upcom- we spread the work over several years. ing Creek 9 rejuvenation vote in September is important to For anyone who has questions about the Creek 9 ALL property owners. Initiative, I strongly encourage you to visit creek9.org, the It’s not going to take a lot to convince even the most website the Creek 9 Rejuvenation Team created. It soundly fiscally conservative golfers to fund the rejuvenation. The outlines the merits of this project and makes a case all of us Creek course suffers from an aging infrastructure that has should embrace: The Creek Golf Course rejuvenation is not outlived its expected lifespan. The metal drainage pipes just good for golfers – it’s good for all of us. 4 | insidethegates.org September 2020 POA News

From the POA President Don’t be flu virus bait, especially this year POA Board approves important governance, management milestone Flu shots will be offered in Big Canoe

The August 20 POA Board meeting marked an impor- Join the arm(ed) forces this fall and get shot! tant, if subtle, milestone in the governance and management Just as sure as pumpkins and scarecrows show up every of Big Canoe. The board endorsed a recommendation from fall, flu shots will be offered by the POA to Big Canoe Bobby Jones Links (BJL) and General Manager Scott Auer residents. As in the past, shots will be administered by that included the transfer of the Water Committee, AECC Jasper Drugs. and the Finance Committee from reporting to the board to It’s especially important to get a shot this year as the become General Manager committees. This is a significant “normal flu” may piggyback on COVID 19 making both step in clearly delineating the roles of the General Manager illnesses and the board. more diffi- With the committees reporting to the board there was cult to treat. involvement in the day-to- This would day operations of Big Canoe. certainly be The board has too many a genuine meetings that included the double- GM and staff management. whammy. The new model provides Think of a the staff more time to work flu shot as on daily operations and the installing business plan and budget virus protection software in your body. approved by the board. The With dates yet to be announced, this year flu shots will day-to-day operations are be given under a tent as a drive-by experience. Just stick now entirely managed by the your arm out the window and get pricked, easy as that. GM and professionals whose Medicare typically covers the inoculation as do some expertise and experience Bob Crouch, President of the other insurances. Details about what is offered and payment can be fully utilized for Big POA Board of Directors options will be coming soon. Canoe’s benefit. The POA is looking out for you to stay safe and Management is enabled healthy! Remember, the flu ends with “U.” to fully manage Big Canoe, following the approved busi- ness plan, budget and rules of Big Canoe. They will address day-to-day complaints and issues. POA. The board oversees and manages high-level issues BJL will continue its involvement in implementing an and initiatives such as the Capital Contribution Fee. operations system to bring disciplined processes to Big Ca- What does this mean for property owners? Askthe- noe. BJL and staff will be empowered to manage the daily [email protected] will continue to be the communica- operations to produce the results approved by the board. tions vehicle for property owners to the POA. All opera- They will spend less time in meetings with the board and tions questions will be routed to the General Manager its committees so they can focus on the operations within and staff for response. Pretty much no change other than the community. expectations that the board will not be the focal point to The board will focus on development of a Big Canoe answer questions about rules enforcement, maintenance of Strategy and Master Plan, will continue to provide over- facilities and financial performance as the board will focus sight through the Audit Committee, review and approve on strategy and planning. the budget and will work for the betterment of Big Canoe Another significant note is that Food and Beverage by developing mutually beneficial relationships beyond the came very close to break even for July. September 2020 insidethegates.org | 5 POA News

Uh oh, did you get a Hello gourd-geous! violation notice? It’s that glorious time of year when vibrant colors flut- By Treena Parish ter through our heads - red, orange, yellow and even rusty brown. Fall is on the horizon and we’re desperate to deco- rate with crim- In order to maintain the essence of the Big Canoe com- son passion. Lo- munity, there are rules and regulations that must be en- cal orchards and forced. Sometimes there’s a need to remind owners of a rule Burt’s Pumpkin or a standard that may have been overlooked. Patch call to our When a violation is noticed, an informal letter making creative souls, the owner aware of the but wait! Those problem is sent. At the end big old pump- of each month, site inspec- kins, gourds and tions are done to ensure cobs of Indian owners have corrected the corn are starred discrepancy. menu offerings for deer, bears, raccoons and anything out If the problem has not there with sharp teeth. Fluffy mums make tasty appetizers been corrected, a certified for wildlife. They like autumn colors too. letter is sent explaining Best to keep “the real” inside to decorate your home the violation and the fin- and hearth. A trip to Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Joann’s and ing process. Usually this even Dollar Tree will fill your outdoor decorating needs is when the Architectural quite nicely. The faux plastic, wooden and ceramic autumn and Environmental Con- decorations look very real, real enough for a curious squir- trol Department (AECD) receives a call from the owner. rel to attempt a nibble. It is understood sometimes extenuating circumstances Keep in mind feeding wildlife could get you fined, even require longer periods of time to correct a violation. For if you feed animals unintentionally with decorative gourds example, a E911 number displayed incorrectly is obviously and corn. Protecting our wildlife is an important credo in much easier to correct than repainting a house when the Big Canoe. Do your part. wrong color was used. However, there is a process to follow Outdoor decorating should be done tastefully as Treena regardless of verbal communications from owners. Parish at AECD always preaches. But you already know While the ability exists to grant short extensions, a that, don’t you? If Treena catches a glimpse of an inflatable speedy resolution by the owner is still required. Sometimes Snoopy riding The Great Pumpkin in your yard, expect a time lines are given by the owner due to contractual is- call from her. sues. The department expects the violation to be corrected Enjoy the season and carve out a little fun, but leave all by this agreed upon date so the fining process will not be pumpkin guts inside. implemented. The point is, some violations seem to be of a continuing nature unnecessarily. This takes up a good deal of time do- are registered as rental properties. The process for rental ing re-inspections and follow up paperwork. It is also unfair registering is very simple. to neighbors. Most property owners in Big Canoe follow the The owner/rental company completes a form and sub- rules and expect others to do the same. mits it with the fee to Treena Parish at AECD. I make sure Rental properties the information is logged and passed to Public Safety. The I have been asked recently to clarify the rules regard- owner has the option of either short term (30 days or less) ing rental properties as it pertains to Architectural Control. or long term (31 days or more) rentals. Long term leases are Rules and Regulations A.14 detail the basic requirements required to submit a copy of the lease agreement. for using your property as a rental. Owners are responsible for the actions of their guests In Big Canoe we have 2,763 total homes, 240 of those and renters. This is important to remember. 6 | insidethegates.org September 2020 POA News

A walk down Wolfscratch Tate wanted to try “innovative” farming at old Wolf- scratch. The heart of the development would be a moun- Village history tain school that he named Tate Mountain School. Near the school, Tate planned to build a large dwelling that could By Jan Murphy be used to house the superintendent and teaching staff. He referred to this dwelling as a “teacherage.” After the farm Today Wolfscratch Village is known to us as the Vil- became productive, he also planned to board children at the lage Station. The only buildings that exist today pre-dating school with the idea that they would work on the farm part- Big Canoe in the Village Station are Canoe Lodge, the time and attend school part-time. Racquet Center, which was the Tate Mountain School built He also planned to change the name of the settlement in 1916 also known as the Wolfscratch School, and chimney from Wolfscratch to Tate Mountain, but the locals would ruins from the some of the first families. not have it. When grading to clear the land for the Wolfscratch Vil- Who were the children buried in Wolfscratch Village? lage build- Samuel Weaver II died on February 28, 1852 at the age ings began, of three, Daniel Weaver died on December 3, 1861 at age Lucille Tate, one, and Milsada died on November 19, 1862 age unknown. Sam Tate’s These deaths were recorded in the family Bible. widow, Editor’s Note: This article was written using research stopped the by Charlene Terrell for the Smoke Signals newspaper. A bulldoz- more detailed account of the first settlers and the fami- ers in the lies who lived in the Wolfscratch Village can be found in area where Charlene’s book, Wolfscratch Wilderness. The Big Canoe several of Historical Society Facebook group will be sharing a series the Weaver of articles Charlene wrote for Smoke Signals about the children families who lived in Wolfscratch Village. were buried. For images of old buildings in Wolfscratch and the early To preserve years of Big Canoe, join the Big Canoe Historical Society the site where the graves were located, the developer built Facebook group. If you have a story, trivia, history or hap- a small fence around the graves. This site is somewhere penings related to the history of Big Canoe you would like around the Village Activity Center formerly known as the to share, contact Jan Murphy via email at jmurphy@bigca- General Store. There doesn’t appear to be markers or fences noeshistoricalsociety.com or you are welcome to post them where there once was to preserve the gravesite area. on the Facebook group page, Big Canoe Historical Society. Old chimney ruins also stand as a reminder of the families who once lived here. The large chimney ruins in the village were once part of a large house built in 1917 by Sam Tate to house teachers for the Tate Mountain School. Those ruins inspired the name for The Chimneys, once a 10586 Big Canoe, Jasper, GA 30143 restaurant and now used for Big Canoe Company rental Phone: (706) 268-3346 check-ins and as a wedding facility. Steve and Lucille Tate Fax: (706) 268-3765 lived in the home where The Chimneys now stands until it Websites: www.bigcanoepoa.org burned down in 1959. www.insidethegates.org As Charlene Terrell wrote in one of her many articles email: [email protected] in Smoke Signals, when Sam Tate began to buy out the old Advertising: [email protected] Wolfscratch families in 1904, he envisioned a development Communications & Marketing Manager: Tim Moran that would encompass a farm where experimental crops Articles written and edited by Alice Eachus were grown and where trials were given to raising imported Official publication of the Big Canoe POA deer, pheasants and various breeds of other animals not © 2020 Big Canoe Property Owners Association commonly seen here. September 2020 insidethegates.org | 7 POA News

Can you read the sign? Only Where to dispose of metal allowed fluorescent bulbs?

Clear as day, signage on the side of the big yellow Not here in Big Canoe dumpster located in the Public Works lot commands, “Metal Recycling.” Not a word is mentioned about wood, Information submitted by Gretchen Hudock plastic or rubber. Things made of those materials have other places to land. After years of brightening your life, a few quick sput- There’s been way too much tossing and stacking of ters, flashes and blinks and your ever faithful fluorescent non-metal items in and around the big dumpster. This bla- tube finally bites the tant lack of cooperation has consequences. There will be an dust. Replacing it is eye in the sky camera positioned in the lot which will catch easy, but getting rid of offenders. If you happen to be one of them, you’ll be called the dead tube might not to come down to retrieve your stuff. If you don’t show up, be so easy peasy. expect a fine to appear. While many things For those who dump non-metal items and aren’t prop- can be tossed at our gar- erty owners with an assigned lot number for tracking, keep bage facility or carted in mind our gates have your license plate number and can to Bulk Trash Day, track you down that way. fluorescent tubes are Property owners are responsible for guests or renters so verboten. So, where do they’ll get stuck with the tab if offenders don’t comply. you get rid of these long Avoid embarrassment, extra trips to the dumpster and dead lights? worst of all, a hefty fine by following the rules. Some communities If you have questions about what “metal” is, give a call offer special “pay a fee” to Public Works at (706) 268-3390 and get educated. fluorescent recycling Having a designated metal deposal bin is a privilege for a few times a year but the community. Don’t abuse or we’ll lose it. that might be difficult to track down. Besides, who wants to keep bulb cadavers indefinitely? The Batteries Plus store offers a fluorescent bulb recy- cling program, batteries too. Check their website, batter- iesplus.com, for details. Fees may apply. The closest stores are in Dawsonville and Cumming. While you’re there, check out the zillion points of light they sell. It’s quite illuminating! Water Heater Specials ■ Rinnai tank-less heater installed for $999.00 ■ Rheem 40 or 770-386-6268 50 gallon water Only metal, as clearly stated on this dumpster, can be put in it. www.blossmangas.com heaters installed (Photo by Kevin White) for $499.00 8 | insidethegates.org September 2020 POA News

Big Canoe fire hydrants strike Bundles of boxes to give or to take shiny silver With hundreds of newcomers joining our Big Canoe By Ricky Jordan community, brown cardboard boxes are a common sight, Head of Public Safety often piled high at a new residence. While some move in, some move out Following a critique of a fire in the community, one to be closer to item was identified as a factor that could help firefighters in families, join as- a future event, simply finding fire hydrants faster. sisted living fa- In this particular cilities or simply incident, a volunteer roam the world. firefighter fortunately So we have arrived before the fire boxes to come engine did and was able and boxes to go. to search and locate the If you’ve ever nearest hydrant. priced cardboard However, the “rust moving boxes, brown” color that for- you probably suffered a bit of merly had been applied Fire hydrants painted silver are sticker shock. to hydrants to better much easier to find. blend into the natu- A solution is ral wooded environ- right at hand. ment often made them On the vari- difficult to locate. ous Big Canoe The former water Facebook pages, you’ll often see offers to give moving utility company would boxes away for free. This saves a trip to our trash facility not approve a change where tossing flattened cardboard down the chute is much in color, but fortu- like a game of Frisbee. nately UTI was open to While the old paint on fire hydrants On the other hand, those moving out don’t have to sell the suggestion giving did blend in with nature, they were their souls to purchase boxes. Free is good. full support and also by hard to find in a fire emergency. Because many in Big Canoe don’t regularly use Face- asking for help gather- book, they don’t find out about the box bounty that could be ing other data from the hydrants to help improve the water theirs. To get the word out, Communications and Marketing system overall. Manager Tim Moran put notice on the Big Canoe bulletin Over the next 60 days, residents will see crews clear- board at the Postal Facility where residents, coming or go- ing, inspecting, maintaining and painting the hydrants as ing, can post boxes to offer or take. part of our annual hydrant maintenance program. The color The bulletin board is located by the main entrance, the selected is silver with a slight metallic sheen that helps in door that offers automatic entry or exit. Since paper, pencils low light conditions to make the hydrant more visible. and tacks aren’t always there, best supply your own. All In addition to painting, our crew will be ensuring all you have to do is put your boxy bundles up for grabs using hydrants are fully operational and will take pressure read- your contact information. When your friendly transaction ings for the water utility company. This will assist them in is complete, please remove your notice or you might get a gathering more information about the vast water systems dozen more calls. inside the community. Welcome to all who are lucky enough to move to Big This will be a big help locating the nearest water source Canoe, and a fond farewell to those who are leaving our during any fire emergency. We aim to keep you safe! mountains. We’ll miss you! September 2020 insidethegates.org | 9 POA News

New to Big Canoe? We’ve Got gas? Propane, that is got your back Information submitted by Dick Scharf For those of us who’ve lived in our mountains for awhile, getting around and knowing shortcuts to make life Winter is coming, the goose is getting fat. Is your pro- easy is something we don’t think much about. But what if pane tank getting fat too? It’s the topping time of year when you’re new to Big Canoe, especially moving in during a Blossman Gas, Big Canoe’s Propane Consortium provider, disabling pandemic? offers special pricing for propane, but only if you’re a mem- There’s a lot to learn ber of the Consortium. and some information isn’t Membership renewal the easiest to find. There are happens by September online sources for facts and 15. Make sure to sign fiction, do’s and don’ts and up so you’re not walk- rules and regs; most can be ing in a winter won- found on the official POA derland inside your website, bigcanoepoa.org. house. Warm is good. It might be worth spend- The Big Canoe ing a couple hours on a Propane Consortium rainy afternoon cruising (BCPC) was estab- the site. You’ll be surprised lished in 2005. Cur- and amazed at how much rently the consortium you’ll learn. supports over 1,400 A good starting point current members, to include POA operations. The BCPC is on the website is clicking on a semi-independent standing committee with five volunteer the header POA. Magically a long list of topics is ready for voting members. review. Of particular interest might be the Living in Big The primary missions of the Propane Consortium Man- Canoe Residents’ Guide. agement Committee (PCMC) are: Signing up for POA e-blasts will keep you up to date on • Negotiate services for consortium members a regular basis about everything from street closings to the • Identify and pre-qualify prospective suppliers Clubhouse nightly specials. • Release requests for proposal as required Reading Inside the Gates, the official publication of • Employ a best value criteria in selecting the supplier property owners, will give an overview of what’s happen- • Monitor market fluctuations in concert with the supplier ing in a given month, including interesting tidbits about • Monitor local vendors on a regular basis your neighbors. • Act as a member advocate to resolve issues Looking at posters in the Postal Facility gives a quick Since 2015, the BCPC has saved consortium members summary of events and happenings. Glance at the bulletin between $.63 to $1.52/gallon and saved the POA operations boards there too for what’s going on inside and outside $59,000 between 2018 - 2020. Currently the PCMC uses our gates. a multi-year contract concept and has negotiated a two- It’s tempting to look at the dozens of Big Canoe Face- year ceiling price with our supplier. This locks in the best book pages that are filled with special interests, sugges- current price and provides a negotiated out if the market tions, recommendations, thoughts and ponderings, but for swings so dictate. honest-to-goodness community facts, ask your questions The current weather crises in Texas may have a sig- on [email protected]. You’ll get an answer nificant impact on propane production, supply and pricing. real quick. Fortunately, Big Canoe Consortium members are protected. If you’re really stumped or curious about something, For questions, call Blossman Gas (770) 386-6268 or grab a guy or gal getting their mail and ask away. You’ll any member of the Propane Consortium Management find out a lot that way and might make a friend or two. Committee. 10 | insidethegates.org September 2020 POA News

Getting to Know Phil Baldwin favorite car guy). 10. If you had to pick a favorite dinner, what would it It’s always fun to learn about the folks we’ve chosen include? Steak and lobster. to lead Big Canoe as POA Board members. The board 11. What do you think is your finest accomplishment? is reaching out to the community for valuable ideas, My wonderful family. suggestions and input as they tackle issues on the 12. What did you spend most time doing as a kid community agenda. They welcome all you have to offer. (not being in school)? Riding my bike and going To learn more about to the YMCA. those who lead, over the 13. How did you meet your spouse? EHarmony. next few months Inside 14. What word would you say best describes you? the Gates will ask each Optimistic. board member a little bit 15. Are you a morning or night person? Morning. about themselves by asking 16. What makes you laugh the most? America’s 20 or so questions, some Funniest Home Videos. serious and some a little 17. Who is your hero? My older brother, Butch. off the wall. 18. What is your favorite vacation? European travels. It’s time to find out 19. What makes you really angry? People who don’t interesting tidbits that are clean up after their pets and littering. great ice breakers if you 20. What motivates you to work hard? Service to others happen to find yourself and financial rewards. casually up close and 21. What color would best describe you? Navy blue. personal with one of our board members. 22. What season of the year is your favorite? Board member Phil Baldwin shares a little bit of his Spring and Fall. life and passions with you this month. Some answers might 23. What type music do you enjoy most? Chicago and surprise you, but all are excellent conversation starters. soft rock.

1. What would you do on a completely free day? Drive on the Jeep Trail in my Jeep and visit Gibbs Gardens with my family. 2. What was your favorite elementary school lunch? Fish sticks. 3. What three people (living or not) would you invite for dinner and why? Ronald Reagan because he has been a personal hero; Paul Harvey because I want to know “the rest of the story;” my mother because I miss her every day. 4. What are your hobbies? Golf, tennis, hiking, travel, classic cars, good cigars and good bourbon. 5. What was your first car and did you give it a name? It was a 1968 VW Beetle with no name. All Major Cruise Lines • Escorted Land Vacations • Groups 6. What animal is your favorite in the whole animal River Boat Cruises • Luxury Cruises • & Much More! kingdom? Dogs. www.VacationsByMike.com • 706.579.5005 For information call Mike Ziegenbalg & Associates, Big Canoe, GA 7. What was your favorite birthday gift ever? (Independently Owned and Operated) Spending time with loved ones at The Satellite Office Now Open North Gate Station Grove Park Inn. 8. What’s your favorite book? How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Cruise Line Direct Pricing PLUS 9. Who’s your favorite celebrity? Jay Leno (my Personal Service September 2020 insidethegates.org | 11 POA News

Grab a glance at the Postal Tim is Big Canoe’s Communications and Marketing Manager with his office located on the upper level of Canoe Facility live stream Lodge, right next to our Platt Nature Museum. In 2018, Tim proposed a great idea and received per- No more guessing when the mail truck arrives mission from Jasper Postmaster Michael Jordan to broad- cast a live feed from the postal facility that residents could It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…and birth- access to see when our hard-working ladies arrived on the days, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Easter and any other scene and were ready to serve. The project was put on hold holiday that tweaks the gift giver in us. due the insufficient Internet speeds available at the time. It used to be our Big Canoe Postal Facility was busi- Today, a camera now broadcasts a live video of the est during the month of December, but now the ladies inside door where folks go to check with the postal work- delivering our mail and packages are overloaded, big time ers. If the top of the door is open, the team is there. As this overloaded! is a fairly new video service, there may be a glitch or two; Why? Blame it on the pandemic. please be patient. With restraints limiting shopping for even basic neces- The feed can be accessed on the POA website, www. sities, Big Canoers are taking advantage of Amazon’s free bigcanoepoa.org under the My Big Canoe tab. Scroll shipping as down to the bottom of the row and click on Postal Facility. well as other There you go! mail order If you have a problem viewing the live stream, press the outlets to play button on the video or refresh the web page entirely. have every- If you continue to have a problem viewing the camera’s thing from video stream, let the staff know at the POA’s new support toilet paper channel [email protected]. to Fig New- tons shipped to our tiny postal stop. Forget gifts, our people want stuff for themselves, their homes and their pets, and a lot of it! One of the frustrations at our mail stop has always been the irregular hours. Our postal ladies must first stop at the Jasper Main Post Office to pick up the deliveries for Big Canoe. That includes first class mail, advertising and promotional flyers and boxes and boxes of treasures hidden in brown cardboard waiting to be opened. The team gets here as fast as they can, but it’s always been a guessing game when the mail truck will arrive and leave. This is particularly frustrating for those who work full time and have limited hours to collect their mail and packages. What to do for this looming load problem? Tim Moran to the rescue! 12 | insidethegates.org September 2020 POA News

Public Works keeps Big Canoe Please don’t build or stack in tip top shape rock towers

Information submitted by Jacob VanSant Who doesn’t like to play a bit with nature? It’s good fun to collect leaves, acorns, twigs, stones and whatever is Entering Big Canoe at the Main Gate just got a bit left for wanderers to discover, but sometimes playing with prettier as our signature colors were artfully enhanced. The nature is a bad thing. guys at Public Works spent a few days chipping, sanding Building or stacking rock towers in Big Canoe’s and staining the statuesque sign that welcomes all to our streams, or any body of water, can be harmful to the deli- community. cate ecosystems that When the night water life depends spotlight shines on to live and thrive. on our spiffed Moving rocks can up Big Canoe quickly alter life in a monument, it’s stream or river. quite a glori- Some like to con- ous sight. struct rock towers as It’s been a form or meditation. raining a lot, Others build a tower have you no- as an art form. But ticed? With rain frankly, most build comes greenery towers for a quick As interesting as it might look, a rock growth and Instagram shot and tower harms a stream’s ecosystem. some plantings then move on, totally in Big Canoe are reaching out like the hungry vine in Little unaware of the harm they’ve done. Shop of Horrors. Armed with hedge clippers, snippers and Aquatic plants and animals make their homes under and even a sickle or two, Public Works has been trimming out around rocks. When those rocks are disturbed, homes and of control growth to keep things tidy. Clean-up also includ- nests are also disturbed and an animal or plant might die. ed paying attention to fallen trees that Mother Nature took It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it is. Whole colonies out during storms. Unclogging public culverts took time of two-foot long salamanders have been wiped out when too. Worst on the list was dealing with septic issues, but our their rock homes were displaced. guys got it done. Be mindful of water life when you feel the urge to bal- Air conditioning systems took a beating as tempera- ance a pile of rocks. Instead take a trip to iHop and stack a tures soared and so repair requests from various facilities pile of flapjacks or go home and get out your tub of Legos! added to the honey-do list. Roof repair was on the roster too and contracts for re-roofing Canoe Lodge, the Postal Facil- ity and The Chimneys were signed, sealed and delivered. Our housekeeping staff kept busy battling any way- ward germs COVID sent our way as well as disinfecting everything in sight. Safety for guests and employees is top priority. Vehicle and pontoon repairs are always on the list, as well as snarky little repairs that need attention before they morph into big jobs. ESTATE SALES • HOME STAGING • CONSIGNMENT SERVICES Every time the phone rings at Public Works a new ad- Pick Up & Delivery Service Available • Tues-Sat 11:00-5:00, Closed Sun & Mon venture begins, but our guys and gals are armed for action, 88 North Gate Station Dr., Marble Hill, GA 30148 • 770-893-2300 no matter what the call. Located on Steve Tate Hwy, across from the north entrance • September 2020 insidethegates.org | 13 POA News

operation working successfully, says his supervisor Racquet Big Canoe employees shine Club manager Linda Powell. bright as STARS Myra Morse, Club Associate at the Racquet Club: Like Tim, Myra has not missed a day of work as the staffer Wise men ne’er sit and wail their loss, but cheerly seek behind the counter working in part as “a sounding board, how to redress their harms – William Shakespeare, Henry voice of reason, technical advisor, stabilizer and co-working VI, Pt. III friend,” shared Linda Powell. “Myra will fill in whenever Though published four centuries ago, these words on she is needed, oftentimes at the last minute. I would truly how best to make lemonade from lemons captures the spirit be lost without her support.” of Big Canoe’s STAR Award winners for August. Anthony Napolitano, Golf Course Maintenance: Translation: These folks seriously rock. Anthony was a banquet chef at The Clubhouse when he When Big Canoe’s employee base was stretched thin and many staff members by the staffing strain caused by COVID-19, five employees were laid off this spring, stood out by stepping up in ways the average Big Canoe resulting in Anthony resident perhaps hadn’t heard about. As a result, the POA, being offered a new based on recommendations from these employees’ supervi- position in Golf Course sors, has honored their combination of dedication, reliabil- Maintenance. He im- ity and exceptional work with our STAR Award. mediately impressed on The STAR, an acronym for Service, Teamwork, Atten- the new job. “His can-do tion to detail and Results, recognizes the “various skills that attitude and work ethic provide for excellent were a shining example customer service and for all to follow,” said his value to the property supervisor Lydell Mack, owners.” Along with Golf Course Superinten- Anthony Napolitano can wear a the recognition, recipi- dent. Without hesitation, chef’s chapeau as well as a golf ents receive a $50 gift Anthony even filled in cap. certificate. on his old job recently This month’s when he was asked to assist at The Clubhouse. batch of STAR win- Chastity Ratajski, Attendant at Main Gate: Chastity ners includes: recently logged 10 consecutive days of working 12-hour Tim Royer, Court shifts in the hypercritical position of Main Gate Attendant. Groomer at the Racquet If that wasn’t enough, she’s also a dispatcher for our local Club: The milkman’s Tim Royer of the Racquet Club is firefighters. This multitasking marvel “is responsible for got nothing on Tim, definitely a morning person. vetting guest entries, whose day starts at 3:30 answering the telephone, a.m. and who has regu- monitoring the radio for larly clocked six-day EMS calls and observing weeks. His attendance the video cameras at the has been perfect, even North Gate,” reported in the age of COVID, Ernest Hensley, Access aside from the three Control Supervisor. “Big days he missed due to Canoe POA is fortunate his wife’s death several to have such a dedicated years ago. Tim keeps employee.” the courts in impeccable Kaitlin Ray, Duf- Chastity Ratajski mans the Main shape, mentors other fer’s/Public Works: The Myra Morse wears many hats at the Gate as well as dispatching calls for groomers and has been Swiss Army knife of the Racquet Club. Public Safety. a rock critical to the bunch, Katlin has proven CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 14 | insidethegates.org September 2020 POA News

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Think you can dump and run? to be equally proficient whether serving food to golfers at Duffer’s, painting signs or gathering tree limbs for Public Don’t try it Works – that’s when It’s a heady tissue issue for sure. Clearly stated on the she’s not directing traffic crisscross walls of our North Gate Trash Facility is the on roadside maintenance command that items are not to be left on the ground in jobs. “Kaitlin trans- front of the chutes. Maybe a bigger sign is needed because ferred to our depart- routinely stuff is piled on the ground at the facility. Not ment when Duffer’s shut only is it unsightly, but creates extra work for our Public down and she jumped Works team. in with both feet,” said Recently a white porcelain throne, aka a shiny potty, Scottie Patterson, Facili- was left as trash. Perhaps the dumper thought someone ties Maintenance Super- might desperately need it and cart it away. Alert - potty visor. “It did not matter rescue can happen at Bulk Trash Day, not at our everyday what the task was, it was Kaitlin Ray is a gal with many trash facility. done with enthusiasm exceptional talents. Not only are thrones left at the trash facility, but often and a smile. She is one a collection of blinds, chairs, tools, rugs and whatever pile of those people that makes the people around her better.” high. There was even a sofa placed in a chute! Employees, department heads and property owners are Don’t be thinking you can dump and run. There are eligible to nominate employees each month for outstanding cameras tracking your every move and the eye in the sky performance in several areas of customer service spe- takes pictures of your misdeed. Since the staff manning the cialization. gates keeps records of license plates, culprits are easy to To recognize and reward great work, nominate a track down. STAR recipient, at https://www.bigcanoepoa.org/files/Star_ A call is made to the identified dumper by Public Award_form_and_description.pdf. Works and offenders are asked to drive down and retrieve the mis-tossed item. Most folks do come down, albeit sheepishly. Those that don’t are fined. C’mon everybody, let’s all do our part to keep things tidy and keep your money in your pocket.

Until it could be picked up, the potty was placed in the woods so it didn’t send the message that dumping stuff at the trash facility was acceptable. (Photo by Patricia Stimmel) September 2020 insidethegates.org | 15 POA News

Windstream to launch gig cable in highly anticipated by the community. “We moved to Big Canoe in 2017. A huge factor in our Big Canoe decision was the work being done by BC’s Internet Task Force and the solid prospect of broadband Internet access,” Kinetic by Windstream, a leading provider of ad- said Andrew Crane, current resident of Big Canoe and Ki- vanced network communications and technology solu- netic by Windstream customer. tions, announced it will launch gig cable in the Big Canoe Gig cable allows customers to do almost anything from community early next year. The the comfort of their own homes. Customers are able to announcement comes as part of download huge files in seconds or start streaming favorite Kinetic by Windstream’s multi- TV shows on Kinetic TV or YouTube TV instantly. With year promise to invest in fiber- gig cable, customers can use multiple devices at the same backed gigabit services to house- time without a lag in speed or losing connection. Crane says holds across its footprint. the prospect of a further bandwidth upgrade is appealing “The past six months have and would benefit both current and prospective Big Ca- proven to be a time when many noe property owners, addressing the demands of seamless Americans have relied on high- voice, video, gaming and ultra-high definition TV service. speed Internet while working Both Crane and his wife Sue work from home and mak- remotely or attending school ing the change from DSL to a cable-based Internet service virtually,” said J. Berkshire, Georgia President of Opera- has given them the ability to continually stay connected tions, Kinetic by Windstream. “Our commitment to making with greater speed and fewer glitches. “It’s not perfect, but faster Internet connections in the Big Canoe community Windstream deals well with Big Canoe’s challenging terrain is ongoing.” and is very responsive to any issues we’ve had.” Kinetic by Windstream currently provides high-speed For more information on gig cable from Kinetic by Internet to more than 2,290 homes in Big Canoe and the Windstream in Big Canoe, please visit windstream.com or launch of gig cable at the beginning of the year comes call (706) 867-3333.

Our Success Is Best Demonstrated by What Our Clients Say About the Work We Do….Here Is A Recent Sampling!

“....When we interviewed Linda Travis to list our home in Wildcat, she came professionally prepared with extensive knowledge of the Big Canoe market, and a persona that was perfect – neither over or underselling her considerable experience.....Once deciding on Linda, she went to work immediately.....We had anticipated a sale taking ve months or longer, but Linda sold it on day one!!!.....Linda’s post-sale support was equally amazing -the perfect bu er between Seller and Buyer (who her rm also represented)...... We would highly recommend Linda Travis & Associates Realtors, Inc. to anyone considering selling their home. Linda is the “real deal”, and a pleasure to work with.” - Norman & Jesse Jester (Sellers, 2020) Linda Travis & Associates Realtors, Inc. Providing Professional Real Estate Services in Big Canoe Since 1994 • Member First MLS (FMLS) Phone 706-268-3011 • Fax 706-993-3300 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.dltravis.com 16 | insidethegates.org September 2020 POA News

Happy trails to you! please), picking up litter you may find and leaving nature as you found it. If we all practice this behavior, our trails Article and photos by Steve Papke will continue to keep the feel of pristine nature and solitude we seek. It’s been quite a spring and summer with COVID con- It also helps when trail trekkers make the Trails Com- cerns popping every- mittee aware of downed trees, obstacles, cribbing or bridges where we turn. One of the in disrepair. We’re especially tuned many outdoor activities in to safety concerns. This includes seeing a huge increase in trails becoming overgrown, even a use are Big Canoe’s hik- little bit. We don’t want critters hid- ing trails. It’s good seeing ing right under foot or trip hazards people outdoors enjoying waiting to interrupt a stroll. Of nature. I’ve been really course, keeping poison ivy at bay is pleased to note (most) critical too. folks are leashing their Posts on Facebook show clean- dogs, not littering and not ups as we do them. We enjoy hun- After cutting limbs building rock towers or dreds of comments of appreciation. and branches, piling other structures. We had This means a lot to everyone on the them in a heap is the one episode where some- committee. Just remember, for every next step. one spray painted graffiti clean-up posted, there are many, on a bridge. Fortunately, many more being done. Trails Committee members work Armed with protection from flying it was able to be sanded behind the scenes to keep our paths in shape. You may wood chips and COVID at the same off. Some people! never know who these great folks are, but they do a fine job time! The Trails Committee for the community. appreciates folks staying Thanks, everybody for doing your part so we all can on the trails (do not create your own shortcuts and paths, keep enjoying the natural beauty of Big Canoe.

Some tree trunks take great effort to saw apart. Our trail workers will soon have this stream running free again. September 2020 insidethegates.org | 17 POA News

Who to contact when your Tread with care, but not fear transponder expires? There are very few things in Big Canoe that carry the color white. Clouds and white caps on Lake Petit are excep- By Ernest Hensley tions. But so are signs warning of wasps on our trails. Face it, a big white sign does catch your eye. When a Big Canoe transponder is close to expiration, Some wasp an email notice is sent by dwellingLIVE which will read hives can be quite similar to “Your Transponder 99999 will expire on XX/ large and menac- XX/XX 11:59 PM for Big Canoe. Please contact manage- ing. Big Canoe’s ment to reactivate your transponder.” Trails Committee The first notice will be sent 30 days prior to expiration monitors trees and so there’s no reason to panic. structures for signs Contact Big Canoe Public Safety by forwarding the of wasps setting up dwellingLIVE email to main- housekeeping. [email protected] along When a hive is with your lot number and prop- located, plans are erty address. Public Safety will made to get rid of reply with instructions. it asap. Because a Big Canoe Public Safety re- wasp bite can be- cords each transponder installed Yep, a white sign against lush green come deadly, those to a specific property address, vehicle description and does get one’s attention. (Photo by Steve white signs draw license plate. Although the transponders are manufactured Papke) attention to danger to break upon removal, a transponder sometimes is success- ahead. They’re fully removed and attached to another unregistered vehicle. placed by the Trails Committee as warnings. Once the hive Obviously, such action without notifying Public Safety re- is removed, the sign comes down and nature’s muted colors sults in data inaccuracy. Consequently, Big Canoe transpon- once again rule. ders are given an expiration date to enable Public Safety While looking up for a nest of wasps is prudent, don’t to verify and maintain the accuracy of the dwellingLIVE forget to look down too. Some smaller wasps are bottom database. Yes, this is a new Public Safety procedure. dwellers, meaning they build hives on the ground. Watch Property owner transponders are now set to expire two out for those suckers, they have a nasty sting and can turn years after installation. There is no charge to update by your legs into red mounds of pain. simply verifying or correcting the vehicle description and While talking about ground critters, we all know about license plate. Property owners receive two free transpon- copperheads. This is their breeding season and babies ders with a home and one free transponder with only a lot. abound. Those tiny things are filled with venom and in- There is a $25.00 charge for an additional transponder. stinctively know how to use it. An owner may authorize a long-term tenant to purchase When walking about, if you happen to catch a whiff of a transponder which is set to expire on the termination date cucumber of all things, be alert. That’s the odor a copper- of the lease. There is a $25.00 charge for this transponder. head gives off when disturbed. You might be the disturbee. A contractor may purchase a transponder which is set Chances are you’ll never get bothered by nature’s fierce to expire on December 31 and may be renewed annually. trail stalkers but it’s always good to stay alert and aware. Contractor transponders cost $45.00 with an annual renewal charge of $35.00. One challenge is for a transponder to function properly may require the vehicle to approach at a slower speed or at a using all possible windshields, regardless of the wind- different angle. shield’s angle, thickness, material, embedded technologies Big Canoe Public Safety provides a printed pass that and proximity of the windshield frame to the tag position. may be scanned to activate a gate, a transponder that is There are a few vehicles on which a transponder will installed inside the windshield with a mini-tag ($40.00) not function. Also, each gate transponder reader differs and installed externally on the windshield. 18 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Events & Happenings

Jack Resetar honors Big Canoe Need a little support dealing with with Eagle Scout project medical issues?

Article by NGV Communication Director and Weekly trail walks can be a boon for health too Troop 20 Committee Photos by Marc Resetar After adhering to social distancing requirements for several months, the Big Canoe Wellness Collaborative - Service to others is an important part of the Scout Oath: Neighbors Helping Neighbors - has resumed providing “... to help other people at all times.” Each year tens of services to Big Canoe residents who might need a little help thousands of Boy Scouts strive to achieve the coveted Eagle while suffering health related issues. Scout rank by applying To schedule a ride, meal, or caregiver support, contact character, citizenship, and the Collaborative at (706) 268-3334 or through their website Scouting values in their at www.bcwell.org. Detailed information about services of- daily lives. One of the rank fered is available on the site. requirements is to plan, Trail walks sponsored by the Healthy Living Commit- develop, and give leader- tee are scheduled three times a week, covering easy to more ship to others in a service difficult terrain. For details, contact Christine Flaherty at project helpful to any re- [email protected]. The walking program is ligious institution, school, called Walking to Wellness. Join your neighbors in a won- or community. Through derful outdoor activity while improving your own health. this requirement, Scouts Only walkers of the two-legged variety are invited, service practice what they have Jack Resetar stands by his animals excepted. Be sure to bring plenty of water! Walkers learned and gain valuable impressive Eagle Scout project participate at their own risk. project management and located at the Big Canoe Postal The Healthy Living Committee is a part of the Wellness leadership experience. Facility. Collaborative, a 501(c)(3) organization. Life Scout Jack Rese- tar recently completed his service project by providing his pository. Royston built and generously donated the reposi- beneficiary, The North Georgia Veterans (NGV), a means tory located in the Big Canoe postal facility. to provide Big Canoe a way to collect, retire and inter un- Residents can now deposit their worn U.S. Flags in the serviceable U.S. Flags in a dignified and respectful manner. drop-box and Scouts from Troop 20 will collect and cer- Jack first presented his proposal to his neighbor, mentor emoniously retire the flags. All are welcome to attend the and advisor, Phil Anderson. Phil’s dedicated service as a ca- solemn patriotic flag retirement ceremony scheduled for reer soldier and community servant exemplifies the charac- November 8 at 4:00 p.m. at the Big Canoe Terraces. ter and selfless service to others Scouting strives to instill in Burning worn flags in a respectful way is part of what our next generation of leaders. Together they honed Jack’s Scouts do during the retirement ceremony. But Jack wanted vision on how best to care for and honor the symbol of our to take it a step further, so he created a memorial site inside nation when it needs to be retired. the Big Canoe Cemetery to provide a formal place to inter Jack created an impressively detailed power point ash of the retired flags. slide-show to present his proposal to the Board of the North Jack’s service project goal was simple. He wanted his Georgia Veterans to garner their support. project to serve the entire community. He wanted to do Jack then went before the Big Canoe Chapel Trustees something that would unite us as a community and allow us to seek support for the use of Chapel property to locate a to remember, in spite of our differences, that we are fortu- memorial marker. The trustees not only approved the use nate to live in these United States. of the Big Canoe Cemetery, but they generously agreed to Jack is only 14 years old, but already has plans to co-sponsor the project funding with NGV. continue to serve his country. He hopes to receive an ROTC With a plan, permission and funding in place, Jack scholarship to fund his college education. Upon gradua- began the long journey to complete his project. He worked tion, he aspires to receive a commission in the United States with Royston in Jasper on the development of the flag re- Marine Corps. God speed, young man! September 2020 insidethegates.org | 19 Events & Happenings

Eating your way to better Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels and is connected to the growth of endothelial cells (inner lining heart health of our blood vessels). The endothelium uses nitric oxide to signal the blood vessels to dilate and relax, increasing By Sally Buckner blood flow to our hearts. If you want to know specific foods supporting healthy angiogenesis and the production of nitric Can Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) be prevented or oxide, read Eat to Beat Disease by Dr. William Li. Li’s repaired through diet and lifestyle changes? The answer is nutritarian diet allows a tiny portion of meat, amounting to a resounding YES. Many empirical research studies have two servings per week. shown dramatic results in patients with existing CAD, who Fuhrman allows nuts and uses them for oils in cooking have reversed their heart disease entirely. Several books on and salad dressings. This diet is heavy on greens, beans, this subject authored by mushrooms, onions, berries and seeds. No processed foods, such famous doctors as no alcohol. Caldwell Esselstyn and What if one wants to enjoy an alcoholic beverage and Dean Ornish are avail- eat animal products? Then it’s the Mediterranean Diet. It able. Exactly what is and will not clear out your arteries as effectively as the diets what causes CAD? previously mentioned, but it is easier to adhere to and far The coronary arter- better for your heart than the Standard American Diet. It ies are the major blood allows fish, olive oil, nuts, poultry, eggs, cheese and wine, vessels supplying blood, typically red wine. oxygen and nutrients to Importantly it includes fruits, vegetables, beans and your heart. CAD hap- whole grains. pens when these vessels What do these diets agree on? Zero trans (hydroge- become damaged, usu- nated) fat, little or no saturated fat and minimal or no ally through cholesterol refined grains. containing deposits (plaque). When plaque builds up, it To get more information on heart related issues, view narrows and decreases the blood flow to your heart. The re- the presentation on arterial fibrillation given by Dr. Ed duced blood flow may cause chest pain, shortness of breath Dyckman on the Wellness Collaborative site at: https://bc- and eventually a heart attack if not addressed. Some causes well.org/events#presentations. of CAD are smoking, untreated high blood pressure and/or Sally Buckner is a member of the Healthy Living cholesterol, diabetes and a sedentary lifestyle. Committee, a part of the Wellness Collaborative, and is an According to doctors Esselstyn and Ornish, a vegan A.C.E. certified Health Coach and Personal Trainer with diet consisting of no animal-based foods, no oils or nuts additional Specialty Certifications in Senior Fitness, Fitness and no processed foods or refined grains, such as bread, Nutrition, Behavioral Coaching, Mind-Body Fitness, and pasta, etc., has the capacity to prevent or eliminate exist- Weight Management. ing CAD. Both doctors allow alcohol in moderation, one drink per day. This diet is admittedly difficult to adhere to, RESIDENT OF BIG CANOE but remarkably effective. This diet would typically require an additional supplement, Vitamin B12, since that vitamin Whether you have been injured, need help updating your wills, comes only from consuming animal products. Similarly, a Power of Attorney, collecting this plan would require an adjustment to medications for a debt, defending a complaint, diabetes as it can strongly affect one’s blood sugar requiring or dealing with an insurance company, Ron can provide you less medication. There are other factors to consider so this with the legal assistance needed. diet should be done under a doctor’s supervision. What if you want to have your meat and eat it too? Then Call for Free Initial Consultation it’s Eat for Life by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. It’s all about nutrient Ronald (404) 861-9798 density and micronutrients, specifically nitric oxide and the Reemsnyder [email protected] elasticity of our endothelial cells. Attorney 20 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Events & Happenings

‘A Republic, if you can keep it’ Mountain Twilight Concert canceled Knowledge Series Zoom meeting September 13 Our hills won’t be alive with the sound of music in By Marilyn McFadden September. For years Big Canoers have enjoyed picnics on the Playfield while In 1787 in Philadelphia, a group convened a Constitu- listening to entertain- tional Convention – a convention like none before or since. ing music sponsored The men we now call our Founding Fathers kicked around by the POA. an imaginative hy- This year, Gram- pothesis: A new kind my award winners of government created Linda Davis, Lang by and sustained with Scott and Bill Whyte popular consent; one were scheduled to with enough power perform at the an- to act on a national nual free Mountain level, but without so Twilight Concert, but that ugly bug COVID 19 scrapped much power to place those plans. fundamental rights Even though Margo Vallone and her team put a Her- at risk. One strong culean effort into finding a way to host the concert with enough to resist out- strict distancing measures in place, it was decided it would side intrusion. Jeff Steinberg will be the featured be too difficult to hold the concert and still remain safe Do we now speaker at the September and healthy. have – did we ever 13 Knowledge Series Zoom Don’t despair! The much loved concert will surely re- have - the Republic presentation. turn next year when we’re all breathing fresh, clean air with envisioned? Is the nary a mask in sight. U.S. Constitution, the infrastructure of that Republic, still relevant? Although a proud achievement, the Constitution was If you are a newbie to Zoom, google Zoom, walk not designed to be immutable; room was left to accom- through the instructions and sign up on the Zoom platform modate change to come, unbelievable change. It still both for no charge. inspires and constrains a citizenry with more radical and di- Closer to the September 13 date, we’ll send online at- verse DNA, with more dazzlingly radical and diverse ideas tendees an email with the Zoom link so you may join us at than ever imagined. 4:00 p.m. on September 13. The program presented by Jeff Is it reasonable to expect the U.S. Constitution to re- Steinberg will run about an hour. main a relevant infrastructure nearly 230 years after it was Mr. Steinberg is Adjunct Professor at Frederick Col- stamped, signed and delivered? lege in Maryland and teaches U.S. National Security Policy, When Elizabeth Willing Powel, a pivotal woman of the Founding of the American Republic (the Constitutional the founding era, asked Benjamin Franklin, “ Doctor, Convention) and the Making of Modern China. He contin- what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Franklin’s ues to remain involved in national security affairs as a jour- response: “A republic, if you can keep it.” This calls to at- nalist, consultant and practitioner. Mr. Steinberg served as tention both the brilliance of the U.S. Constitution and the Counterintelligence Editor and Senior Editor of Executive obligations and responsibilities it imposes. Intelligence Review and participated in strategic studies for The Big Canoe Knowledge Series will use the Zoom the U.S. Army on the history and governing structures of platform to provide this lecture as an opportunity to learn. Iraq and Iran. He lectures in Japan, China, Germany, Italy, It’s free of charge and with few conditions. Please reserve a Mexico, Peru, Canada and throughout the United States on space for the presentation by email at bcknowledgeseries@ the linkages between the international narcotics trade and gmail.com. global terrorism. September 2020 insidethegates.org | 21 Events & Happenings

Travel Club visits the magnificent Halloween trick or treating for Northwest in September Big Canoe kids

By Margo Vallone Information submitted by Denise Bressler and Tina Mayr

Do you want to experience mind-blowing scenery while For many years, Big Canoe kids and their keepers have walking in the footsteps of explorers Lewis and Clark? If had a blast at the POA sponsored Trunk or Treat night at so, then don’t miss the Big Ca- Wildcat. This year, trunks will stay shut as handing out noe Travel Club Zoom meeting treats to kids en masse doesn’t fit with the COVID 19 rules at 6:00 p.m. on September 23. now in place. After all, it’s hard to corral kids when they’re Mike Ziegenbalg of Dream being chased by ghosts Vacations is hosting a new and goblins. vendor, Mayflower Cruises & Denise Bressler Tours, who will preview one and Tina Mayr felt of their most popular land and this spooky holiday river tours “Northwest Wine shouldn’t go unmarked Country and Highlights of the since it’s such a fun Columbia and Snake Rivers.” and memory making With the Covidvirus still at the forefront of our minds, time for our kids. They many people are yearning to get out and about, but are still came up with a plan, reluctant to travel outside the country. A very affordable one that doesn’t usually week-long trip to the great Northwestern United States is fit the scope of life in the perfect answer to this dilemma. Big Canoe. Highlights and destinations of the tour include Portland Denise and Tina are organizing a Trick or Treat Cara- where you’ll see majestic Mount Hood and visit some of Or- van for our Big Canoe kids and all kids at heart. Desig- egon’s fine wineries. Tour the spectacular Columbia Gorge, nated neighborhoods with participating homes would have Multnomah Falls and Bonneville Dam. wrapped candy and treats available for trick-or-treaters. In Washington state, tour Ft. Walla Walla, and in Idaho, Homes would be listed with addresses given. take a narrated jet boat excursion on the Snake River into Social distancing would be maintained to keep every- Hells Canyon and spent two nights in a gorgeous Coeur body safe. Participating home owners would put treats in d’Alene lake resort, and then more wineries. baskets and stay close to monitor. Of course, all kids must End the trip with a tour of a famous silver mine, visit be accompanied by an adult. a real bordello, and enjoy an authentic Native American Since bears might prowl about, noise makers and flash- Tribal experience. The trip dates are May 20-27, 2022. lights are strongly recommended. Trick or treating will be twilight or daylight event, stay tuned for details. Plans are still being worked out with safety as the primary concern. Neighborhood coordinators are needed to pull this together, along with substantial participation from the designated neighborhoods. If you’re interested in participating in this new and novel Halloween adventure, contact Tina Mayr at tinamar- [email protected] or Denise Bressler at jbressler01@ gmail.com. To make Halloween even more fun and exciting, holi- day decorating will be allowed the weekend of Halloween but all ghosts, goblins and witches must be removed by Monday, November 1. 22 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Events & Happenings

Leadership Big Canoe finally Glasses raised high at our holds 2020 graduation make-do Oktoberfest

By Ann Lehr Get your oom-pah-pah ready! Oktoberfest as we know and love it is canceled for this fall, but we’re giving it our The long anticipated graduation of the 2019-2020 Lead- best shot with Curbside and Veranda German fare on Okto- ership Big ber 16 and 17 at Canoe class The Clubhouse. was held on Sure, August 14 in you won’t be Mountains able to shop Grille at The ‘til you drop, Clubhouse at paint purpose- Lake Sconti. ful pumpkins, The event dance the polka had origi- like a fool or nally been zoom down an scheduled for inflatable slide the Spring of 2020 but due to COVID 19 it was postponed. this year, but Alternate arrangements were finally made. All the COVID you can eat and 19 health rules were in place with social distancing and eat and drink. mask rules dictating the event. Chef David The graduation was a culmination of one year of hard is bringing a taste of Deutschland to Big Canoe. That means work by the 19 class members. Leadership Big Canoe not German brats, zesty mustards, schnitzel, pretzels and beer, only educates members on the history, make up and work- glorious German beer! ings of Big Canoe, it also provides the group with an op- This foodie bill of fare will delight and tease your taste portunity to become involved in planning. buds as we celebrate Germany’s favorite month of frolic. Each year the Leadership class is divided into groups But wait, there’s more! This Germanic weekend of so projects specific to the needs of the community can be feasting still has plans to share. No way would we let Ok- explored and reported on. This class was separated into toberfest go unmarked, even if we’re wearing masks and four groups. The reports from each group were presented at shuffling six feet apart. That would be like giving Santa a graduation. 2020 pass. Never happen. The topics presented were Communication in the Big Until the oom pahs roar, altogether now - Gutes Bier! Canoe Community, Volunteer Groups of the Big Canoe Gutes Essen! Showcase, Improvement of Emergency Procedures, and Education Within the Big Canoe Community. A task force Transform your existing landscape for your to oversee plans for the 50th Anniversary of Big Canoe was beautiful home site also started. in Big Canoe: new After the presentation of the plans and findings of each construction, trees, lush plants and group, diplomas were presented by outgoing chairperson, general clean up. Ellen Sheridan. All in attendance agreed the project plans Let your garden shine, and information will be helpful going forward and will pro- invite birds & wildlife, Big Canoe Resident enlighten your entry to vide assistance to the POA and Big Canoe management. create intrigue A new class for 2020-2021 is currently being formed. 688 McElroy Mountain Drive & interest all within The format of the classes and instruction is still being de- Big Canoe, GA 30143 a well designed, veloped due to COVID 19 constraints. Direct: 949-873-3844 customized plan. September 2020 insidethegates.org | 23 Wining & Dining

Wet your whistle at Duffer’s The Clubhouse works for you on Labor Day Are your days dragging as the pandemic plods along, still keeping us at double arm’s length apart? Once that Wave goodbye to summer when the last holiday of the distancing requirement is met, you can bend your elbow at season makes way for pumpkins, scarecrows and things that Duffer’s, our little bistro behind the golf cart barn, when go bump in the night. afternoons call for adult refreshment. But, really, haven’t Beer and we had enough wine flow at Duf- bumping already? fer’s, along with Labor Day a selection of marks the time when “usual cocktails.” days grow short, but You may not be there are still good able to order an times yet to roll. Herbs + Rye’s The Clubhouse Ramos Gin Fizz, at Lake Sconti will but an icy gin be open on Monday, and tonic might September 7 from do the trick. 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a special menu to celebrate Duffer’s is this honored holiday. Sandwiches, grilled chicken, pulled our fast food stop pork, ‘burgers, fish, flat breads and more will fill plates where breakfast high.Reservations are required for this special holiday event is served all day and can be made by calling (706) 268-1253. and lunch is too, even at 7:30 in the morn- ing when Duf- fer’s doors swing open. Watch your egg and cheese biscuit come together right before your very eyes; it’s Big Canoe’s fresh and tasty answer to anything McDonald’s bundles in a wrapper. Lunch at Duffer’s breaks up the day, whether it’s a hearty ‘burger, a hot off the grill dog, or a diet deli- cious salad. When afternoon breezes beckon folks outside, tables on the stone patio right close to Duffer’s door are the perfect places to capture the day with a cold drink or two. Nibbles accenting libations can almost make it a meal. Despite its name, Duffer’s welcomes all to take a taste. After all, golfers aren’t the only ones getting hungry. Take out is a favorite, especially on the weekends. Make sure you place your order before the grill cools down a little before 5:00 p.m. Give a call to the counter at (706) 268- 3273 and your order will be waiting for you when you stroll through the door. As expected, nasty weather may affect the hours our bistro is open so make sure to watch the skies. 24 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Getting Fit & Healthy

Masking is the norm at the Wildcat on weekends, paddling Wellness Center in the pool

Information submitted by Steve Panetta Information submitted by Steve Panetta

But, there is one mask-free zone at the Wellness Cen- Get a tiny bit wild at Wildcat! The pool at Wildcat ter. Yes, there is! For those using the five cardio machines is open daily through Labor Day, from 10:00 a.m. until located in the racquetball court, masks 8:00 p.m. After that, week- aren’t required. But for everyone else, ends offer swims from 11:00 even those stopping in for a quick a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The last chat, masks are definitely the order of day to paddle in the pool is the day. September 27. Only 10 folks at a time are allowed Keep in mind masks on the exercise floor, all in masks. are required as the amenity Social distancing is in place too. Four swimmers/water is entered. exercisers are admitted to the indoor pool at any one time. Around the pool there are Group exercise classes are still taking place in the pool tables and umbrellas with chairs circling them, all socially and masks are not required in the pool, but adequate social distanced. It’s the perfect place for a picnic, but be mindful distancing needs to be maintained. of any trash as bears are really hungry this time of year. If you’re planning on taking a seat in the sauna, make Wildcat boasts a little tykes’ water adventure with other plans. Use of the sauna, whirlpool and showers is plenty to keep kids squealing with delight. It’s a great place prohibited. At this time racquetball and squash aren’t hap- to get toddlers acquainted with how much fun pools can be. pening either. No doubt about it, it’s been an unusual summer at both Wellness Center classes are taking place - some live, Big Canoe aqua-tinted water holes, but even with distancing some outdoors and some provide exercise from the comfort restrictions in place, folks still had a lot of fun. Tans will of your home via Zoom. fade, but the memories won’t. Dream about Summer 2021, a For additional information, contact the Wellness Center season when life travels back to “normal,” at least we hope! at (706) 268-3441. Stay well, happy and healthy! Hey, we have a Beach Club! Because so much more goes on at Lake Disharoon besides swimming, the name of the amenity has been Information submitted by Steve Panetta changed from Swim Club to Beach Club. That name sounds like even For those who haven’t yet enjoyed the waters of Lake more fun! Can Disharoon, you might be surprised to know there are two you hear the steel bodies of water to take the heat off summer days. drums calling? The number of times the call “Marco Polo” was The Beach screamed across the ripples of our pristine aqua pool has Club will close af- to count in the thousands. Kids love that game, although ter Labor Day. It’s nobody really knows the rules. been a tough year Then there’s the pretty lake itself, full of swimmers, with COVID 19 paddle boarders, canoers, kayakers and more. A sandy lapping at the lake. beach welcomed sunbathers, sandcastle builders, volleyball The ever popular players and strollers to the best summer has to offer. Treks inflatable water park didn’t make an appearance this year, to the fast flowing rock slide provided adventures for young but hopes are high for 2021. and old alike. Thanks to all who enjoyed Big Canoe’s summertime To keep everybody safe, masks were and are required amenity. Same time next year? Sure enuf and hopefully as the amenity is entered. without masks hiding happy smiles. September 2020 insidethegates.org | 25 Around the Tees

WGA tournaments captured the greens this summer

By Martha Power

September will be a busy month for Big Canoe Wom- en’s Golf Association 9-Hole and 18-Hole players. This year’s Charity Event will benefit the Big Canoe Well- ness Collaborative and will accept donations the week of August 31. Learning Ladies and 9-Hole players will compete in a 9-Hole Scramble on September 15. Both groups will hold their Club Championships this month – 9-Hole players on Nine-Hole Ringer winners were Lynn Cates, Susan Rolader and September 21 and 18-Hole golfers September 22/23. The Donna Brown. Not pictured is Pam Johnson. (Photo by Martha 18-Hole Club Championship is open to all Big Canoe golf- Power) ers, not only WGA members. Nine-Hole WGA members held their Ringer tourna- Eighteen-Hole WGA members played the Tri-Member ment on August 10 and 17. Winners of the event were Lynn Tournament on August 19. The Tri-member teams were Cates, Susan Rolader, Donna Brown and Pam Johnson. composed of A, B, and C players, drawn at random at a “Pick ‘Em” party August 17. Teams then played three dif- ferent six-hole formats. Overall winners of the Tri-Member were Martha Seferian, Ali Littley and Kim Haczynski. Though several of the traditional tournaments for the Women’s Golf Association have been canceled for 2020 because of the pandemic, the 18-Hole Players’ Member/ Member Tournament was played July 27 and 29. Six flights, each flight composed of four teams of two players, com- peted over the two days with each team playing the other three teams and one 9-Hole competition against par. Flight winners then participated in a shoot-out until the team of Claudia Floyd and Di Theis topped the field. The annual Queen of the Mountain event held with Bent Tree has been canceled for this year.

UPCOMING EVENTS Labor Day Golf Event Canceled Operation 36 9-Hole Event September 8 Learning Ladies Scramble September 15 Taylormade Demo Day September 19 WGA 9-Holer Championship September 21 Operation 36 9-Hole Event September 22 Women’s Club Championship September 22-23 Men’s Club Championship September 25-26 September 30 Winners of the WGA Tri-Member Tournament were, from left, Ali BC Men’s Fellowship Littley, Martha Seferian and Kim Haczynski. (Photo by Martha Power) 26 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Around the Tees

COVID has redeeming value for Gigantic sale at the Golf Pro Shop our golf courses Get a head start on holiday shopping now By Lydell Mack By B.J. McCranie This will always be remembered as the year of the CO- VID-19 flu, but as bizarre as 2020 has been in many ways, An absolutely humungous Buy Two, Get Two Sale! I have to say it’s been a great summer for golf maintenance. The Big Canoe Golf Pro Shop must move merchandise to From a customer make room for the satisfaction per- new season. spective, we’ve had What does glowing reviews of this mean for you? course conditions We’ve expanded on a daily basis our Sale Corner to throughout the sum- accommodate all we mer. Many factors have to offer at spe- have converged to cial pricing. You’ll result in the best playing conditions we’ve enjoyed for quite even find new items some time, not the least of which is the pandemic itself. on sale. Get a head Since going into play restrictions this past spring to start on choice fall safeguard against the spread of the virus, golf maintenance items at a great price. has enjoyed beneficial changes. Because cart supply has In the Sale Corner you’ll find jackets, vests, sweat- been limited due to the solo rider policy, we’ve closed one ers, long sleeve shirts, golf shirts, shorts and skirts. Buy course per day and operated as an 18-hole facility. The two items at retail price and get two items absolutely free! resulting benefit for golf maintenance has been the ability to Items are at equal or lesser vale. Select items only while use the closed nine for scheduled work without interfering supplies last. with golfers. Just in! Come see our new selection of Donald Ross We’ve noticed a great increase in productivity while shirts, Footjoy shorts, Footjoy golf shoes, Ryder Cup blan- completing job tasks without the usual golfer/worker inter- kets and several new styles of Big Canoe hats. We’re excited actions which slow our pace. Golfers have also noticed an to offer red, white and blue USA t-shirts and hats. Our improvement in their experience because many have com- Kids’ Corner is stocked with Under Armour t-shirts and mented it’s so nice not to see and hear maintenance equip- golf shirts. Kids will go wild with new threads to wear. ment during their round. Talk about a win-win situation! Let the Big Canoe Golf Pro Shop help you with all your Another benefit of course closure rotation is rest and re- golfing needs. For life on the links, we offer a large selec- laxation, not for us but for the turf! Under normal circum- tion of golf bags, balls, gloves, socks, range finders and the stances we begin to see wear patterns developing by early newest clubs by Callaway, Taylormade and Titleist. July and subsequent turf thinning due to foot traffic and constant mowing and rolling on the greens. I know life will go back to normal once we all get vac- It then becomes a struggle to keep the turf alive as the cinated for this pandemic flu, but perhaps one of the lasting traffic continues to build while heat and humidity ramp impacts for Big Canoe will be an awareness of the benefits up the natural stress level of plants through the rest of the of golf course closures and a willingness of the membership summer. But this has not been the case this year. With to allow us to schedule “maintenance days” as part of our prolonged breaks from golfer foot traffic and maintenance routine. practices we haven’t seen any of the usual stressed out turf- Either way, I hope everyone will get out to enjoy this grass and as a result, putting surfaces have stayed in great beautiful property from the golf course point of view shape. Tee boxes have benefitted from the rest periods too throughout the beautiful fall months. with more time to recover from divot damage. September 2020 insidethegates.org | 27 Around the Tees

Learning Ladies shoot group for you!” exclaimed Joan Delk, LPGA teaching pro. There is a beginners’ clinic on Tuesdays from strong and long 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. for those who are new to golf, and an intermediate clinic on Tuesdays from 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. By Martha Power for those ladies who have played a little golf and want to tune up their game. The Learning Ladies’ 9-Hole Scramble was played Learning Ladies started eight years ago. There have on August 11 on the Cherokee course using a short course been 75 women who have participated in at least one clinic format. The course set-up allowed the ladies to tee off at the this year. Both clinics are limited to the first 12 to sign 200-yard marker on Par 5s, the 150-yard marker on Par 4s up and the cost is $25. Reservations can be made in the and at the red tees on Par 3s. Golf Pro Shop. Two 9-Hole Players were paired with two Learning Clinics are designed to spend 40 minutes on the range, Ladies to form a team. The 9-Holers mentored the Learning 40 minutes chipping/pitching and 40 minutes putting. “We Ladies around the course helping them with pace of play, have fun drills and competitions for the ladies so while they rules, club selection and scoring. The next Learning Ladies’ are learning they are also having fun,” added Joan. “When 9-Hole Scramble is Tuesday, September 15. we are not under COVID restrictions, we take the inter- “If you want to learn the game of golf so you can play mediate group out on the course and teach them etiquette, with your family and friends, then join the fun women rules, club selection and course strategy.” of the Learning Ladies’ group to learn the basics of golf, Approximately 50 players have “graduated” and now course strategy, club selection, rules of golf and meet some play with the Big Canoe Women’s Golf Association 9-Hole of the sweetest women in Big Canoe, Learning Ladies is the or 18-Hole groups.

First place winners of the Learning Ladies’ 9-Hole Scramble were, from left, Anita Jordan, Ellen Sheridan, pro and coach Joan Delk, Elizabeth Thompson and Marilyn Green. (Photo by Martha Power) 28 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Around the Tees

MGA plays tough football, Blast your way to success at our somebody has to driving range

By Keith Sievers Driving range memberships are only $29 monthly Another month has flown by, and along with it the MGA’s third event of the year, the NFL Championship. Are you a newbie golfer and still working on mastering Heavy rain was predicted, but once again the mountains your follow-through? Or maybe you’re a seasoned linkster around Big Canoe pushed the storms off to the north and who needs to loosen up before venturing out to 18 holes. south keeping us (mostly) dry. Why not sign on The NFL Championship Tournament is perennially for one of Big Canoe’s voted the most popular MGA event of the year. An enthusi- coolest gateway ame- astic membership filled out the tournament field in less than nities? We’re talk- 24 hours from the opening of sign-ups. ing about hitting the In this format, 20 team owners draft A-B-C-D teams at driving range that’s an annual draft dinner on Thursday evening. The 36-hole an integral part of our competition is held on Friday and Saturday, with the two golf amenity. best net balls in the foursome counting toward the team For just $29 a score on each hole. month you can be the proud owner of a driving range mem- A third ball is also counted on Day Two for the par 3s. bership. That’s less than a dollar a day to help you growl Immediately following Saturday play, four division winners like a Tiger. play off on Creek 9 for the Conference Crown, these two The Golf Pro Shop will provide all the balls you’ll ever teams return to the tee for the Superbowl playoff. want to hit, buckets and buckets. This year’s winners were the Los Angeles Chargers, For more information, give a call to (706) 268-1092. captained by Greg Floyd with team members David Jetton, Granville Dennison and Rick Williams. It takes some great Cooper and the Denver Broncos with Bob Baird (C), Chuck team play over two long days to emerge with the cham- Holcombe, Buddy Williams and Bob White. pionship trophy footballs; a victory in this event is well Closest to the pin winners over the two days included deserved. Wally Walsh, Tom Welsh, David Thompson, Ross Milley, The other division winners included the Green Bay Ken Rife, Regis Falinski, and Mike Domanik. Packers with Mike Domanik (C), Russ Stricker, Jim Bill- This month, I want to recognize the MGA volunteers meyer and Dick Waters, Tennessee Titans with Robby who have worked shoulder to shoulder to make our tourna- Yarbrough (C), Bob Chestney, Billy P. Smith and Bob ments enjoyable in this difficult and unusual year. They include David Jett (VP and Website), Steve Mitchell (Trea- surer), David Keller (Secretary), Jim Rice (Tournaments and Communications), John Hanson (Website and Rules) and last but certainly not least, Tim Towle (Tournaments and F&B). A great group of guys who put in a lot of hours in support of the MGA. One piece of errata. Last month, I left out the team of Todd Stephens and Jason Harvard who tied with Joe Marushak and Russ Stricker as winners of the first flight in the Summer Member/Member. My apologies for the omission. The next MGA tournament will be the Fall Shamble, All cheers for the NFL champs, left to right, David Jetton, Rick scheduled for Friday, October 2. Until them, hit ‘em straight Williams, Granville Dennison and Greg Floyd. and stay safe. September 2020 insidethegates.org | 29 Around the Tees

WGA raises funds for Big Canoe’s Hit the links for a very good cause Wellness Collaborative Men’s Fellowship Charity Golf Tourney tees off By Martha Power September 30

The Big Canoe WGA Charity Week is fast approach- By Dick Girdler ing! During the 9-Hole Play Day on August 31 and the 18-Hole Play Day on September 2, the Big Canoe Women’s The Big Canoe Chapel Men’s Fellowship 14th Annual Golf Association will be raising money for the general fund Charity Golf Tournament will be held at the Big Canoe of the Wellness Collaborative. Golf Club on Wednesday, September 30. The tournament is The rhythm for the for men and women golfers. The Men’s Fellowship supports WGA charitable focus local ministries has largely been out- which include Home side the gates one year Repairs, Healing and inside the gates the Hearts, Men-to- next year. More than Men Visitation, 20 WGA members are Widows’ Assistance volunteers for the Well- and more. ness Collaborative in The format will some capacity and some be a scramble with members have used team tee times start- their services. ing at 9:00 a.m. with 10 minute intervals between teams. “For some time I Each player will have a cart. All POA and golf course CO- have volunteered to prepare meals for the Wellness Collab- VID19 requirements will be in effect. orative and have always enjoyed meeting the recipients and Hamburgers, brats with all the trimmings and bever- felt I was helping,” shared Margaret Wendelburg, long time ages will be provided at the 9-hole turn and as teams finish WGA member and volunteer. their rounds. There will be prizes for individuals and “This January I fell and ended up with four fractures in teams. There will not be a gathering at the conclusion of the my right ankle. Surgery followed to put my ankle back to- tournament for announcements and team scores. Instead, gether with a plate and eleven screws, then two skin grafts. team scores will be posted on the golf board and winners’ As my husband has his own problems, I called the Wellness information will be emailed to players. Prizes will be in the Collaborative and Diane LaCharite immediately organized form of Big Canoe gift cards. a meal train, and oh, was I grateful! Every three days a The reduced entry fee is $100 per player this year wonderful meal arrived and it was so very much appreci- because “The Bundle” has been removed and there will not ated. I truly don’t know how I could have survived seven be a raffle. weeks without putting my foot on the ground, had it not Sign-up sheets are being emailed to prior year golfers. been for the Wellness Collaborative and a host of wonderful They will also be available at the Big Canoe Chapel office, friends. Thank you, thank you.” Golf Pro Shop or at bcchapelmen.org/golf. Since the founding of the Wellness Collaborative in The sign-up deadline is September 20. Completed sign- 2015, the effort has provided over 1,400 services to Big up sheets and checks payable to Big Canoe Chapel Men’s Canoe neighbors that include home visits, rides to appoint- Fellowship can be mailed to Big Canoe Chapel Men’s Fel- ments and meals. As the Collaborative continues to expand, lowship, 10434 Big Canoe, Big Canoe, GA 30143. the focus is broadening to include preventive care and If you are not a golfer and would like to support Fel- education about healthy living. lowship ministries, please mail your donation to the “Whether you play golf or not, I hope you’ll join us in above address. supporting this very important charity,” said WGA presi- Contact Dick Girdler at (706) 579-1443 or email dent Janet Vandenbark. [email protected] with questions. 30 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Racquets 'Round the Nets

And then they grow up of five. Lauren attends college at Sewanee By Linda Powell University of the South and plays on the tennis Addison Stevens is now 14 years old. He came to the team there. Big Canoe Tennis Summer Camp when he was just six Lauren has been years old and for several summers after. Addison attends working at the Racquet North Atlanta High School now and made the school’s ten- Club this summer in nis team his freshman year. the Pro Shop, stringing rackets, giving junior That kid Addison had style, even as Lauren Wilson is now 19 years old and picked up a a munchkin. racquet at our summer camp when she was a young lady lessons and hitting with members. Addison will go back to high school and Lau- ren will return to college, but both will continue to play the game they have learned to love. It’s so much fun to see the kids grow and continue their passion for tennis. We’re so proud of Junior Tennis Camp matches Addison Stevens and Lauren Wilson spent years developing our hard playing kids. learning skills with good times. racquet skills at our club. September 2020 insidethegates.org | 31 Racquets 'Round the Nets

Summer Pickleball League flexes Men’s Doubles Pickleball Flex League its muscles Champions: Tom Meaker and Steve Hutchins Runners up: Chris Tully and Randy Wiersma Article and photos by Linda Powell Mixed Doubles Pickleball Flex League 3.0-4.0 Champions: Randy and Nancy Wiersma What an exciting finish to the Pickleball Flex League Runners up: Pam Glustrom and Jim Armstrong play this summer! There were three different flights played: Mixed Doubles Pickleball Flex League 4.0-4.5 Men’s Doubles All Levels, Mixed Doubles 3.0 and 4.0 and Champions: Tom Meaker and Pat Papke Mixed Doubles 4.0 and 4.5. Six weeks of matches and a Runners up: Chris and Cindy Tully ton of fun in competition to reach the list of champions and runners-up in each flight. The Pickleball Flex League is a wonderful way to meet new friends and have a fun competition on your own terms. Players schedule their match times allowing players to work around their busy schedules and travel. Let’s all give a big round of applause for these wonder- ful players and for all those who participated to make it an exciting event. Look for another Flex League opportunity coming soon.

Tom Meaker and Steve Hutchins took the honors in Men’s Randy and Nancy Wiersma Pat Papke and Tom Meaker Doubles. claimed the 3.0-4.0 Mixed were crowned 4.0-4.5 Doubles crown. Mask yourself while looking ultra cool

Information submitted by Linda Powell

For only $6.00, plus the state’s take, you can mask your identity; bet- ter yet, you can keep those COVID germs from spreading. Ain’t nobody got time for them! While the second shipment of face masks is almost gone, the Racquet Club Pro Shop still has a few to sell. They’re quite fetching with the Big Canoe logo hugging a cheek. The masks are well made and surely repel germs and viruses. Beside the health benefits, you’ll look exceptionally cool. Trot on down to the Racquet Club and get yours today and become part of Picture your little face hiding behind this the BC cult. Stay safe and healthy! mask. 32 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Marina News and Fish Tales

A busy summer at the Shine on, shine on Corn, Harvest Big Canoe Marina and Hunter moons

Article and photo by Tom Durban Move along, folks, nothing to see here. Just a corny moon to welcome the fall season. It has been a very busy summer at the Big Canoe Ma- With cooler weather fast approaching, moon watching rina! Even with the challenges of COVID-19, the marina just might become has been able to stay open and provide a way for property a favorite hobby owners and guests to get outside and enjoy Lake Petit. around these Some people are looking for fun, some for calm and parts. The scene is quiet and some just want to be outside in the sunshine. The particularly beau- 110-acres of Lake Petit offer plenty of room for whatever tiful when viewed you want to enjoy. Some days it seems like every person in from Lake Petit, Big Canoe is at the marina hoping to get on the water. The whether from the activity at the marina this summer is off the charts and has shore or from the been almost double all forecasts (with approximately 75 lake proper. percent of the rentals from property owners). Here are some The Corn quick updates from the staff: Man in the Moon We have worked hard to keep all our watercraft main- showed its face tained and ready for use although with supply shortages it on September 2. can be a challenge. The Here’s what the Hobie elliptical paddle- Farmers’ Almanac has to say about this autumn salute to boards are a favorite the heavens… but replacement parts “This Full Moon name is attributed to Native Ameri- are on backorder. We cans because it marked when corn was supposed to be har- have three (out of four) vested. Most often, the September full moon is actually the of these fun paddle- Harvest Moon, which is the Full Moon that occurs closest boards operational to the fall equinox. and we will keep them “In two years out of three, the Harvest Moon comes in going as long as we September, but in some years it occurs in October. At the can get the parts for the Sailing away on a lazy summer peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the steering and paddling afternoon. light of this moon. mechanisms. “Usually the Full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes The marina has also implemented the POA’s guidance later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest about wearing protective masks. We appreciate coopera- Moon, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each tion from all marina visitors. The marina staff wear masks night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only throughout our 10+ hour days. 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe.” For safety reasons, we ask pontoon boat renters not If you missed catching September’s Corn Moon, get ex- jump into the water from seat backs or cushions. You cited because there are two full moons in October. The first should enter the water from the ladder or the decking. shines on October 1 and is the actual Harvest Moon. Then Our oldest pontoon boat (the mini pontoon) is being on October 31, the spooky day known as Halloween, you’ll refurbished and we appreciate your patience during this be bewitched by the Hunter’s Moon. Not often does the full process. We look forward to having completely new uphol- moon shine on this scariest of days, but hey, it’s 2020, so stery on this boat soon. what else would you expect? After Labor Day pontoon boat reservations are much Better get your crosses ready, who knows what more available – the fall is a beautiful time to enjoy Lake might happen? Petit. The easiest way to make a reservation is online! September 2020 insidethegates.org | 33 Marina News and Fish Tales

Add a touch of zesty adventure to Salsa-Roasted Potatoes (Serves four) any fish dish Ingredients: 1 pound halved baby Yukon Gold potatoes Okay, you caught a few fins, cleaned them well and the Cooking spray fillets are ready to 1 tablespoon olive oil throw on the grill. A 1 teaspoon chili powder slab of fish, usually 1 teaspoon ground cumin pearly white in tint, 1/2 cup salsa needs a little ac- 4 lime wedges companying color to 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro make it appetizing 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt and appealing. No, a Directions: sprig of parsley with Preheat oven to 400°F. a wedge of lemon Place halved baby Yukon Gold potatoes on a rimmed bak- won’t always do it. ing sheet lined with aluminum foil. Coat generously with Several Big cooking spray. Bake 15 minutes. Canoe fish lovers While baking, combine olive oil, chili powder, and ground discovered an excellent side to bring pizazz to the platter. cumin in a microwavable bowl. Blanched green beans always excite with color, but give Microwave at high until fragrant, about one minute, stirring Salsa-Roasted Potatoes a try to make it a three-some. after 30 seconds. This side dish adds a bit of south of the border adven- Add potatoes and salsa to olive oil mixture; toss to coat. ture to any fish flavor. Ole! Return potatoes to baking sheet and bake 15 minutes. Here’s the recipe taken from the pages of Squeeze lime wedges over potatoes and sprinkle with Cooking Light. chopped fresh cilantro and kosher salt. 34 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Let’s Go Clubbing

Acoustic Showcase played to a ‘Just Love’ from Big Canoe knits packed crowd the world together

Strummers can’t be stopped! On September 3, fans of Check it out on Facebook and YouTube our own Acoustic Showcase took their seats, very so- cially distanced of course, to hear Big Canoe musicians As Snoopy once pondered in a Peanuts cartoon, “I for- and vocalists play to the get. Do I color inside or outside the lines?” stars. Wearing masks, the No problem with artist John Feight directing a Pan- audience was thrilled to demic Paintfest. While John’s paint by color creations usu- have this monthly mu- ally hang in hospitals, this artistic effort by 22 Big Canoe sic fest back on stage at residents reaches out to the whole wide world on YouTube The Terraces. and Facebook. The concept is to bring words of love and The outdoor venue calm from the mountains of Big Canoe to all in these very rocked as sweet sounds troubled times. tickled eager ears. As To view Big Canoe’s worldwide outreach, visit Just always, a variety of music Love on Facebook or YouTube. The video will speak to was presented to keep your soul and give hope. toes tapping. Music doesn’t stop just because The sold out crowd, we’re under restriction. Moving to if free can be called sold The Terraces was a good solution out, clamored for more so for the Acoustic Showcase. plans are being made to “Play it again, Sam.” Because so many were disappointed they couldn’t reserve a spot, the suggestion was made to live stream the next Showcase. As a musician once noted, “Music is the moonlight in the gloomy dark of night.” We sure have had our share of gloomy over the past six months and welcome happy tunes to bring light to tough times. As captured by a drone, the message of love is loud and clear. Thanks, guys and gals, for playing to entertain us. (Photo by Mark Green) Don’t put that cooling pie on the anything with a foodie scent in your car. This even applies to gum and tiny breath mints. windowsill! Bears can hone in on treats from acres away. Submitted by the Black Bear Project Don’t store trash in your garage and don’t leave pet food Here’s a word you can use to impress your friends and deliveries on your porch, even for neighbors this time of year. Hyperphagia. one minute. Know what it means? This is the phenomenon where No bird feeders of any kind bears feel the crushing need to eat everything in sight to and don’t store bird food in your fatten up for the coming winter when food is scarce. garage. Keep your house doors It is an instinct and the furry creatures will stop at locked too. Bears can easily work nothing to fill their bellies. Unfortunately, it looks like door levers. the acorn crop in Big Canoe will be scarce this year. This Share this info with your could mean bears will look elsewhere for food. Like your neighbors, renters and guests. You can be the person who house or car. saves a bear’s life. Yes, you! Lock your car doors; do not keep food, wrappers or September 2020 insidethegates.org | 35 Let’s Go Clubbing

AWOL ladies plan a Labor Arts & Crafts Crawl in Big Canoe Day fun fest coming soon

Information submitted by Karen Steinberg Information submitted by Monica Burnette

Summer is but a memory, we’ve even lost many of the Art doesn’t stop, even during a pandemic. As a matter activities that usually crowd the Labor Day weekend. So of fact, sometimes a pandemic of the worst kind actually much for bidding adieu to the good old summertime. spurs creativity. But wait! Awe- In Big Canoe, we have hundreds of artists, crafters, some Ladies on the quilters and overall talented folks who offer a wide variety Lake, AWOL for of visual and tactile eye short, will toast a candy to sell. last hurrah to sum- Oktoberfest is usually mer on the Monday the time when many of our of Labor Day week- artists and crafters showcase end. The Wildcat their work for purchase. But, Pavilion will be we all know what happened the place to meet to our oom-pah-pah fall cel- at 5:00 p.m. AWOL ebration this year. It’s kaput. usually meets at the What to do? An Arts Big Canoe Marina, & Crafts Crawl is being planned for either October 10 or but that might be 17 when masked folks can socially distance themselves a busy place on wandering from house to house to browse and buy beauti- September 7. ful things. The Crawl will offer everything from paintings Even though to jewelry, pottery to holiday greeting cards and ornaments, AWOL will be and even more wonderful gifts you can only imagine. meeting outdoors, masks are required and social distanc- The Arts & Crafts Crawl will be the perfect place to ing in place. find gifts for that special someone, who just might be you! All women in Big Canoe are invited to join this ultra Details will be coming soon in flyer form and in online casual group with conversation, chatter and chuckles being announcements. Don’t miss this opportunity to support our their favorite forms of entertainment. No need to sign up, talented tribe and find treasures galore to make you smile. just show up with a smile, your drink of choice and bunches If you’re interested in becoming involved, contact Monica of happy thoughts. Burnette at [email protected]. What’s better than that? Let’s go for it, ladies! Let the shopping begin! 36 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Let’s Go Clubbing

Get your engines running, the lodge provide shade from the sunny and humid condi- tions. Secondly, parking at Canoe Lodge allows all cars on boys and girls display to be noticed. That brings attention to every single shiny roadster so Big Canoe Car Club meets September 19 all drivers are in on the action. Information submitted by Elaine DeNiro There are 48+ parking spaces in Does your heart race when you catch a whiff of gas at one big oval so the station? Do you carry a polishing rag in your pocket to everybody’s car wipe off wanton specks on your hood? Does the Indianapo- gets equal atten- lis 500 call for a blow-out party? tion in a walk- If any of these statements apply, you might want to join around venue. the Big Canoe Car Club. The club has passed the 100-mem- About the cof- ber mark and is probably closer to 120+ if participating fee. Bottom line, spouses are included. bring your own. Wow, who knew Big Canoe had so many car buffs? You Of course, you don’t have to own a fancy or unique car to be a buff. All can always bring that’s needed is an interest in rides on four wheels. Every- whatever drink fills your tank. body is welcome. For more information, contact Elaine DeNiro at ede- The next Coffee and Cars meet, greet and show-off will [email protected]. take place at Canoe Lodge on Saturday, September 19 from You know what they say…Good cars get you from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Point A to Point B. Great cars, well, they could get you Why the change in location? For one thing, trees at into trouble!

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Five ways to love your cat made his choice. We changed the adoption papers the next morning. A wonderful and loving friendship blossomed. By Pat Kraft To this day, Finn meets Hayden at the door, smothering her with kisses. I’ve volunteered at BCAR’s Maggie’s House Cat Shelter Hayden, a cat person through and through, has discov- since it opened its doors in 2015. It’s hard to believe, but ered the keys to loving and caring for her Finn. 300 cats and kittens have passed through the doors during • Slow Blink If your cat those years. However, one small gray kitten caught my eye looks at you and blinks four years ago. He is now an integral part of our family and slowly, he’s indicating my seven-year-old granddaughter describes him as her BFF, how much he trusts and or Best Friend Forever. cares for you. In return- Finn’s BCAR name was Puck and he was the leader of a ing the gesture and blink- three-kitten litter. They were orphan kittens found clinging ing slowly back to your to a drainpipe, drenched, in July 2016. Finn was quite the cat, you are saying “I cute, personable and active kitten. A volunteer once threw love you too.” her hands up in exasperation after trying for days to bottle • Head Bunt As distin- guished from a head feed him, only to have him chew the nipples off all the kit- Finn, formerly known as Puck, ten bottles. “butt” which is a forceful wrestling move, this is a came to Maggie’s House in Of course, I couldn’t resist Finn, and eventually filled 2016 as a kitten. out adoption papers and brought him home. However, our way a cat rubs his scent relationship was to be short-lived. That evening Finn met onto you which displays my granddaughter Hayden and I was toast. To Finn, there affection. Humans can reciprocate the affectionate head was no one in the room except this laughing little girl. He bunt gesture by petting or head-bunting back. • Interactive Play Cats need interactive play to fulfill their urges to run, sprint, jump and pounce on moving targets that approximate prey. If you engage them with a piece of yarn, a feather or laser toy, you’ll really stir their instincts. • Safe, Warm and Comfy Places Cats like feeling safe and comfy. It’s not much different than humans pull- ing the covers over their heads. Try putting your cat’s soft bed in a place that gets plenty of morning sun or a blanket-lined box near a source of heat and he’ll love it. • Massages Cats love being massaged, provided their owners do it gently. As with humans, massages promote circulation and flush toxins out of the body. Massages have a calming effect on cats and they reinforce the bond between a cat and his owner. Please visit our cats and kittens at Maggie’s House. There’s a chance your BFF is waiting there for you. Because of social distancing restrictions, we have suspended our Saturday Open Houses for the foreseeable future. However, we welcome your visits to Maggie’s House by appointment to meet our cats and kittens. Leave a message on the BCAR line (706) 268-1346 to make an appointment. A volunteer will return your call promptly. To view the dogs, puppies, cats and kittens available for Hayden and Finn are BFF for sure. adoption, visit www.bigcanoenanimalrescue.org. 38 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Let’s Go Clubbing

Did you know Big Canoe has a To avoid bear visits, don’t feed cemetery? your pets outside

Information submitted by the Big Canoe Chapel Information submitted by BearWise

Did you know Big Canoe Pet food is a super-concentrated source of protein, fat, has a cemetery and colum- nutrients and calories. That’s why pet food is super attrac- barium? Few are aware of this, tive to bears. In fact, pet food is one of the top three things but it’s certainly there and that attract bears to neighborhoods and homes. available when the need arises. A bear’s daily calorie needs quadruple in late summer The resting place is located a and early fall. That means a bear that normally needs 5,000 short drive up from The Ter- calories a day must now find and consume about 20,000 races and is a peaceful place calories each and every day to gain enough weight to safely for meditation. hibernate for the winter. The Big Canoe Chapel The entrance to the Big A bear would need to find and eat 447 acorns or 2,367 Cemetery lies in a lovely, Canoe Cemetery is marked blueberries to get 1,700 calories. That’s about the same serene natural forest with a with stones. (Photo by Judy number of calories in just one pound of dog chow. A garden setting featuring flow- Bellenger) 12-pound bag delivers a whole day’s worth of calories in a ers, shrubs, and trees planted handy carry-off container. in harmony with the natural Emptying a bowl of pet food or getting their paws on beauty of Big Canoe. The cemetery is part of the Jimmy R. a whole bag teaches bears that calories are a lot faster and Allen Meditation Park, which is marked by stacked stone easier to come by around homes and in neighborhoods than columns at the entrance about 500 yards north of Big Ca- out in the woods. noe’s main gate in The Terraces area. Bottom line - keep The Chapel Cemetery features a Memorial Wall, pet food away from meditation benches, gazebo, columbarium, as well as bears Even an empty grave plots. The natural character of the area is carefully food bowl can attract preserved. Only uniform flat granite markers are permit- a hungry bear. After ted and no artificial flowers are allowed. Native planting is licking it clean of even encouraged, but must be approved and carried out under the the tiniest morsels, a supervision of the cemetery manager. bear will remember Don’t feed pets outside. A stray Plots, niches, and memorial plaques may be purchased where he found these morsel of food marks your house as by Big Canoe property owners and the immediate families tidbits and will return. a restaurant for bears. of property owners and by Chapel members. The Memo- Feed your pets rial Wall is to memorialize loved ones who are not interred indoors, that doesn’t at the Chapel Cemetery, but who once had strong ties to mean screened porches. If you must feed your pet outside, Big Canoe. put out only single servings and bring the dish inside im- Each plaque contains space for the names and birth and mediately after your pet has been fed. death dates of those memorialized. The cost of a grave plot Store any food inside a secure structure, not under your is $2,500, the cost of a columbarium niche is $2,000, and porch or in a plastic tub outdoors. the cost of a space on the memorial wall is $750. Before letting your pet out for the last tinkle of the For additional information, call the Chapel Office at night, check your yard. Make noise and turn the lights on. (470) 273-6768. Noise will startle any critters and a light will help you see Big Canoe Chapel Cemetery, Inc. is registered with the wildlife hanging around. State of Georgia as a church cemetery. The operation is on a If you notice a bear hanging out at your pet’s food bowl, self-financing basis, with 20 percent of plot sales deposited make noise to scare it away. Then alert your neighbors so into a perpetual care fund. everybody stays safe. September 2020 insidethegates.org | 39 Let’s Go Clubbing

Choctaw Village creates an annual Lou Reiter to help with internal marketing, collections and distribution, Sandra Plevin was named official photogra- book of memories pher and Craig’s daughter Corey Best acted as technical consultant. Information submitted by Craig McConnell Craig is producing a Hidden away in a secluded area of Big Canoe is a video to add friendly, oh so friendly, neighborhood known as Choctaw to the year- Village. Residents often call themselves The Village People book for 2020. and have one heck of a good time together. You won’t pass This is getting Choctaw while traveling our main roads, but if you take the pretty fancy! right verve when turning onto Clubhouse Drive and stay on Because the road for a bit, you’ll eventually come to the Village. there wasn’t a Usually the neighborhood rocks with parties, potlucks, lot of social ac- book clubs, fairy gardens and even an Olympic competi- This was the cover shot for the Choctaw tivity in the Vil- 2018 Yearbook. (Photo by Craig McConnell) tion, but with the pandemic breathing down necks, much of lage as folks hid that old-time fun is but a memory. from viruses, The Village People do meet on the first Friday of every Sandra Plevin decided to pose homeowners on their porches month at their “fireless pit” where libations and good to add interesting content to the pages. What a fun idea, conversation are enjoyed while staying masked and a half especially when pets were part of the picture. Some posed dozen feet apart. With the large crowd gathered on those purposefully while others added humor to their portraits. Friday nights, a loudhailer or bullhorn is always a good idea The yearbook will be out in a few months and surely to bring along. can be found front and center on cocktail tables all over A couple years ago, Craig McConnell had the brilliant the Village. What a wonderful idea to bring a neighbor- idea to create a Choctaw Yearbook to remember the good hood together! times, and so he did. This year there won’t be so much to celebrate in the third annual edition, but that didn’t stop Craig. He recruited

Lou Reiter and Marilyn McFadden porch posed with their colorful Brenda Knowles and David Wesolka added a touch of whimsy to summer flowers. (Photo by Sandra Plevin) their porch portrait. (Photo by Sandra Plevin) 40 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Let’s Go Clubbing

Big Canoe’s Dog(s) of the Month and now holds the alpha position, both over the other two and John and Elaine. Information and photos submitted by Elaine Fitzgerald The second in line is Sunny and she’s a four-year-old Havenese. Apparently Sunny was a gift to an elderly wom- Big Canoe’s many an from her daughter, but a puppy was just too much for dog parks display a the lady to handle. Sunny’s picture was posted on Facebook variety of pups of and the Fitzgerald’s rushed to adopt her. Sunny is feisty all sizes, shapes and and very independent; she loves herself first and everyone breeds. It’s a delight to else second. Sunny will do anything to be the center of watch them play, big attention. dogs with big and little Dorian is a recent rescue. The Fitzgeralds adopted him dogs with little. With about a year ago and think he’s a Havenese mix. He was the parks designated found in Florida a few days before Hurricane Dorian, thus by size, there’s a small his name. Their vet, Dr. Haberman, thinks Dorian lived on chance of unaccept- the streets for a while as he was scared, matted and aggres- able behavior. sive when he came to live in Big Canoe. Dorian is John’s Inside the Gates dog for sure, they bonded immediately. The rescue was put plans to highlight a in training so Elaine could learn not to be afraid of him and Dog of the Month to Dorian could overcome his aggressive nature. One year introduce the commu- later he’s now a calmer and happier pup. nity to our four legged Sunny is as sweet as her name. So now you’ve met three of Big Canoe’s canines, only fur kids. 968 to go. There’s an excep- tion to every rule, and we’ve proved that exception by featur- ing three Dog(s) of the Month. After all, when pup parents have three furry kids, all must be included. Elaine and John Fitzgerald share their Dorian went from being a street home with three pups. scrapper to being a calm, happy pup. Can you imagine the everyday excitement? Skipper is the old- est at seven years and is a Bichon Maltese mix. Elaine and John adopted him after they lost their dog Buster that they had for over 17 years. Skipper was a really sick dog when he arrived at his new home. But he rallied Skipper is the alpha dog at the Fitzgerald manse. September 2020 insidethegates.org | 41 Let’s Go Clubbing

Let GriefShare ease your burdens Hikers wander where the after suffering loss wifi is weak

Sometimes when grieving, a person needs someone Photos by Steve Papke to talk with. During this time of COVID isolation, grief is particularly hard to bear, especially if alone. It’s comforting It’s been plenty warm these summer days, which is why to know others feel as you do. Big Canoe hikers always The Big Canoe Chapel sponsors GriefShare on Monday carry water as they march evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the McCormick Hall. along some of the pret- Social distancing allows 13 to attend each session. Ses- tiest trails in Georgia. sions run for 13 weeks; the Nobody is surprised on current program started in these well planned hikes August and runs until just because there’s often before Thanksgiving. Hope- an experienced tribe of fully the comfort found in trekkers who explore new GriefShare will make the trails and report on the Hiking they go under a lush, shady upcoming holidays easi- difficulty and quirks of canopy. er to face. the terrain before heading There’s no charge to attend and folks can join at any out as a group. If a trail time for as many sessions as they’d like. If sharing feelings is too tough and chal- is difficult for you, simply come and listen. There’s comfort lenging, there’s always in knowing others sense how you feel. the next month’s hike to The GriefShare design is a faith-based program that enjoy. Hikes cover all uses video seminars which address the emotional, spiritual levels of endurance. and practical needs of grieving individuals. A workbook is Recently the club also included that allows personal application, journaling, hiked Red Top Mountain, and reflection. Group discussion allows individuals to relate a place with striking A rest stop is a great reward after concepts to their own experiences. GriefShare is a support views and heavy shade to miles of hiking. group designed to help you rebuild your life after losing a keep bodies cool. loved one. The fall season is most splendid with colors only Even after the Chapel sessions end, participants connect Mother Nature can flaunt. When temperatures drop and with each other to offer support. leaves boast their finest blazes, it’s the perfect time to enjoy For information and to find out how GriefShare can our mountains. If you’re interested in joining the Big Canoe help you, contact Debbie Grimes at Hiking Club, contact Laura Smith at lauramcsmith@gmail. [email protected]. com to learn more. As one unsung hiker once mused, “Hiking is the an- swer, who cares what the question is?”

A rest stop by the water’s edge is always relaxing. 42 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Let’s Go Clubbing

Still Young at Heart ladies have Bring a little floral fantasy giving hearts into your home

Information submitted by Sherry Evans Meet a designer featured in Made in Big Canoe

The crazy parties the 500+ card carrying gals of of Still Information and photos submitted by Terry Farr Young at Heart (SYAH) may be on hold, although there’s still hope for their annual Halloween bash, but that doesn’t What started at a neighborhood Christmas Craft Party mean this posse of partiers aren’t getting together - socially 30 years ago has blossomed into a thriving floral business distanced, of course. for Big Canoer Terry Helping surrounding communities has always been a Farr. Her artistic tal- purpose the ladies embrace enthusiastically like the Ener- ents go under the name gizer Bunny. When school started and teachers were faced Primitive Pines & Floral with a new set of problems and guidelines as kids marched Designs, a business that to the school bell peal, SYAH decided teachers needed a touches all seasons, break, right from the start. including the traditional Soon plans were made to bundle bins of treats, soft wedding season. Terry drinks, healthy snacks, school supplies and more to put in uses silks, dried and the teachers’ lounges to show these hardworking academics some fresh florals for how much they are appreciated. Since schools are staffed her creations, accented with more than teachers, the treat bin was expanded to with ribbons, burlap and include bus drivers, custodians, librarians, nurses, support deco mesh. staff and anybody and everybody else involved in helping Terry and her hus- our kids get educated. band Patrick moved to It’s beginning to look a lot like The call went out to the membership for treat donations Big Canoe from Mary- Christmas! Terry Farr can create a or for funds supporting a trip to Costco to buy carts filled land a year ago and tree, just for you. with goodies. Two schools were selected to be “binned,” Terry jumped right in Robinson Elementary in Dawson County and Tate Elemen- designing beautiful dec- tary in Pickens County. orative accents for folks On September 3, the “Commissioners” of SYAH here. She works from her opened their hatchbacks and loaded a hefty haul of goodies. own home workshop and Not only that, but over $300 was collected for that massive is self taught, finding she Costco shopping trip. really did have an artistic The treats will be delivered soon and may be an ongo- bent after that neighbor- ing effort, stay tuned. hood party 30 years ago. Three cheers for the ladies of SYAH and their generous Primitive Christ- giving spirit. mas trees are a favorite thing to fashion and are always uniquely one of Autumn door wreaths welcome a kind. After Christmas guests with style. creating, fall designing follows close behind. Terry works hand in hand with her clients to make sure every design detail is perfect. To enjoy Terry’s floral designs, visit the Made in Big Canoe Facebook page or Terry’s personal Facebook page, Masked ladies took donations to help school staff members get Primitive Pines & Floral Designs. through tough times. Bring a little beauty into your life! September 2020 insidethegates.org | 43 Let’s Go Clubbing

Last call to order a Tribute Ridgereaders Book Club disbands Banner at a discount after 22 years

Information submitted by Paul Goldstein Ridgerunners would like to recognize the Ridgeread- ers Book Club that has decided to dissolve after 22 years For those who expressed interest in ordering a Military of reading together. The Tribute Banner during the North Georgia Vets’ community book club started in 1998 outreach for the program, but haven’t placed your order with Mary Ann Parker as yet, there’s still time to honor our deceased service men their secretary. The best to and women. all Ridgereaders members. To date we have recorded orders for 55 banners from 40 Keep reading! sponsors. All but a few have been For early autumn reading approved for vendor fabrication. as days grow short, here are some good books to keep you Now would be an ideal time turning pages. to place your order(s) before the discounted promotional pricing Blue Stockings: The Nickel Boy by Colton Whitehead expires on September 15, increas- Godivas: Great Small Things by Jodi Picault ing to $150.00. The Noveladies: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek To apply: by Kim Michelle Richardson • Using your browser, go Viewpoint: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by to https://militarytribute- Kim Michelle Richardson banners.org/ Leaf Turners: Planning month • Under CURRENT PRO- Book Belles: No meeting GRAMS scroll down and Chapter 13: No meeting click BIG CANOE, GA Sworn Sisters: Nerves of Steel by Tammi Jo Shultz • Complete the online “Ban- Divine Readers: Grandma Gatewood’s Walk by Ben ner Information Submission Montgomery Form” to include: Woodland Readers: No meeting • Your personal contact information. Page Turners: No report • Sponsorship information about the deceased veteran Between the Lines: Educated by Tara Westover you are honoring. Novel Ideas: The Last Castle by Denise Kidman • Upload a photo of the deceased veteran you are hon- Between the Covers: Endurance oring - if you need help contact: paul.f.goldstein@ Happy Bookers: There is No Me Without You by Melissa gmail.com. Faye Greene • In lieu of a photo you may specify the military service Who Picked This Book?: The All Girl’s Filling Station’s emblem (Army, Navy, Marines, etc.) for the veteran you Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg are honoring. Papyrus: Holy Envy by Barbara Brown Taylor • Under the “Sponsorship Payment Section,” select pay- Hooked on Books: One Thousand Women by Jim Ferguson ment method as “PAY BY CHECK”. Adventure Bound: No meeting • Once the form is complete, click on “submit form” Women, Words, and Wine: American Dirt by button in the lower right-hand corner and follow the Jeanine Crummins directions. Between the Wines: My Dear Hamilton by Dray Please make payment by check ($135.00) payable to and Kamoie “North GA Veterans” and mail it to the following address: Chapter Chics: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarity North GA Veterans 10923 Big Canoe Submitted by Susan Eanes Big Canoe, GA 30143 Ridgerunners Book Clubs Chair 44 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Let’s Go Clubbing

Plummer built cabins are gestions. I sincerely hope those events will return one day soon when COVID 19 is controlled. 115 of a kind In the mid ‘70s, Dick built a house at Lake Lanier Article and photos by Patricia Stimmel on creosoted poles anchored in concrete which enabled “I’m very proud of what I created for Plummer owners construction without disturb- and the joy I saw when I turned over their cabin. I hope they ing the surrounding topog- continue to be delighted, enjoy their home and continue raphy and vegetation. Tom to find peace and happiness.” - Dick Plummer, Plummer Cousins, developer of Big Builder, 2016. Canoe, noticed the house I bought my Plummer in 2011, after pilgrimaging to Big because it was built without Canoe for 15 years visiting a family living in a Plummer impact to the environment. cabin on Sanderlin Mountain. I fell in love with the charm, Dick recalls an early This road leading to a wildlife, coziness and escape to mountainside splendor at phone conversation with Plummer cabin clearly defines every visit. It reminded me of the little Pennsylvania town Tom and the rest is history. its bones and structure. where I was born; I just knew one day I would be living in Dick created plans that fit Big Canoe. the North Georgia “country Big Canoe has the most interesting history and yet, look” with tin roof porches, very little was ever written or known about the 115 homes Tennessee stone chimneys built in the mid-70s by Dick Plummer and Paul Schmidt. and fireplaces, 1”x12” wide As I settled in and began to socialize, opening dialogue plank pine floors secured with new friends quickly led with “Where do you live?” with cut nails/square nail I proudly said where and followed with “I live in a Plum- heads to add charm, and ce- mer cabin.” dar sided rooms throughout. The expression that greeted me clearly asked, “Huh?” The creosoted poles/concrete Once a lady commented “Oh you’re that lady, but you don’t seemed a simple way to build Plummer cabin owners look like a plumber.” That did it! Someone had to do some- on severe terrain. It was fun proudly display a medallion thing to introduce Plummer cabin history to Big Canoe. and a challenge for Dick the showing the cabin’s history. With the help of my Sanderlin Plummer family, begin- builder; it took three months ning in 2016 we created the Big Canoe Plummer Cabin at most to build a cabin. Site visits in winter with no leaves Owners’ Group on Facebook, designed a beautiful brass on the trees revealed the topography best for construction. medallion to further recognize a Plummer cabin and held Down hill slopes were always easier for cars to handle so social “drop ins” and “fall crawls” for owners and friends to spec cabins by Dick Plummer were always down slope. visit other cabins, get decorating ideas and remodeling sug- Our lovely Plummer cabins have stood the test of time, are not like any other home construction in the commu- nity and tender loving care is a rite of passage. Surrounded by our mountain beauty and vistas, it’s a daily pleasure to be here. To learn more about Plummer cabins, visit our Face- book site for interesting stories, photos and points of his- tory. My family and I consider it a pleasure to have intro- duced a little bit of Big Canoe history. If you are a lucky Plummer cabin owner, we invite you to become an active member of the site, publish your story, the history of your cabin, post pictures and tell of your Plummer cabins are cozy and all boast a Tennessee stone experiences. We’d love to hear from you! chimney. September 2020 insidethegates.org | 45 Let’s Go Clubbing

Ridgerunners offers monthly Lit Lunch getting ready to online video presentations turn pages

By Christine Flaherty Information submitted by Vivian Sheperis

Are you starved for something to do that’s meaningful Big Canoe Lit Lunchers have been reading short stories and enjoyable? Are you wishing you had saved some of that all by their lonesome since the pandemic stopped the read- stuff that didn’t bring you (sufficient) joy as you channeled ers from flipping pages together. your inner Marie Kondo? Have you attempted to cut your But that may soon end as plans hair only to emerge looking like are being made for Lit Lunch to someone who’s suffered a seri- resume again on October 2, put- ous and traumatic life event? Oh ting all social distancing and mask wait, we have! wearing protocols in place. In spite of all that, if you’ve The lunchtime meeting would turned the corner and are no lon- be held in the Club Room so distancing is easily managed. ger mixing multiple Quarantinis If you’re interested in short story discussions that bring nightly, you’ll want to join Ridg- our your literary genius, shoot an email to Vivian Sheperis erunners on Tuesday, October at [email protected] to get on the roster. 13, at 10:00 a.m. when we hear The short stories chosen are available online so no need from our own Wayne Crawford on the subject of wine. to spend a dime to get your fill of great literature. Some This first presentation of the 2020-2021 season (there stories are humorous, some thought provoking, but all are won’t be a September meeting) will take place via Zoom. great reads. The good news is Ridgerunners will also be able to view this and future presentations at their convenience online. tion, as well as its exhibition devoted to past US presidents. The plan is to return to gathering in-person as soon as A delightful spring gathering will take place on April 13. possible. The 2020-2021 brochure outlining monthly presenta- A resident of Big Canoe, Wayne is a POA board mem- tions, activities and events planned for the coming year is ber, author and senior judge of the Georgia Wine Challenge. available at the postal facility. Membership for the Ridg- He will take us back to the 1733 arrival of precious vine erunners year is $18, and is open to all women over 21 who cuttings to the coast of Georgia, later brought to our area by are residents of Big Canoe. James Oglethorpe. Wayne will guide us around the state as Online sign-up instructions and information for mem- he describes the varied character of each of its regions. bership by mail are detailed in the brochure and at bigca- For those who have maxed out on Quarantinis, Wayne noerr.com. has promised to share the names of some of his favorite Books and bridge Georgia wines. So if you’re looking for a way to feel ful- Members continue to enjoy book groups, meeting filled while hunkering down at home, just add “drink wine” virtually or at a physical distance, usually outdoors. Con- to your to-do list. It’s sure to provide a real sense of accom- tact Susan Eanes at [email protected] if you’d like to plishment when you cross it off. join a group. Informative, entertaining programs planned Bridge is now available online throughout the week. Continuing on November 10 we will hear from Roger If you want to be added to the email invitation list, contact Tutterow about the unforeseen impact of COVID-19 on our Donna Monroe at [email protected]. economy. A festive holiday gathering is planned for Decem- This will be a year like no other, but there are events ber 8. On January 12, Jan Murphy will describe the history sure to engage and entertain. We hope you will join us. of Native Americans in Big Canoe. Ridgerunners is Big Canoe’s largest women’s social and We will hear from Dr. Brad Fain of Georgia Tech on educational organization. All women residents of Big Canoe February 9 about how technology is likely to impact our over the age of 21 are invited to join. To become a member daily lives. On March 9 Seth Hopkins of the Booth Western visit our website at bigcanoerr.com. Ridgerunners events Art Museum will discuss the museum’s western art collec- are open exclusively to members. 46 | insidethegates.org September 2020 Let’s Go Clubbing

The photographic art of thinking always end up using, I’d have a lot better pictures. I’m one of those part-timers, I guess. Taking pictures small yet big always seems to be a planned trip to Gibbs Gardens or to the butterfly garden at the Chattahoochee Nature Cen- Article and photos by Steve Carlisle ter. My iPhone pictures are okay for social media since I won’t be making large prints for display at the Georgia It’s been a long hot summer, but fall is almost here! Nature Photography Association show at the Art Center in What a great time to take pictures of nature in North Geor- Alpharetta. gia. Colors abound and flora and fauna are still active. For When I want to try observers equipped my best to bring home the with cameras artistic bacon, I arm myself capable captur- with a Nikon D850 and ing a buck with 28mm - 300mm zoom lens. impressive antlers With the zoom ring set to or a wild turkey a 28 mm wide angle set- fanning puffed tail ting, I can capture a field feathers to attract of sunflowers at Fausett the ladies, these Farms with the Appala- memorable scenes chian Mountains in the can be preserved as background and bright blue Kodak moments. sky above. If I see a Mon- This large-cupped daffodil, aka The well- arch butterfly approach- Narcissus “Red Ranger,” was equipped Big ing a flower, I can zoom found at Gibbs Gardens. A butterfly approaches a giant sunflower Canoe nature in on him. at Fausett Farms in Dawsonville. photographer may I might hold the shutter button down and let the cam- not have the profes- era’s motor drive take a series of shots, allowing me to pick sional glass Mark the one I like best as I edit the day’s session. Like many Green or David Akoubian use to capture the magic they do shooters I prefer Adobe LightRoom to help sort and rate my day after day with precision and accuracy, but if I carried favorites from the myriad of images captured in a typical my Nikon in my daily routine, instead of the iPhone X I shoot. I can then “develop” my digital files and bring out the best in each file before I share it with the world. I have always been drawn to close-ups and the excit- ing world of macro photography. I love to get up close and personal with my subjects and use my special macro lens to record textures and the unique designs of nature. Mine is a 55mm Micro-Nikkor and it can focus much closer than a typical lens. It opens another world only the camera can help me explore and I can’t seem to get enough of it! It’s always fun to end up with one or two outstanding shots, even though I might take dozens, maybe hundreds of pictures. You learn to love those odds because that’s just the way it is; the more you shoot the better you get. It’s a sport and an art at the same time. The best part is it’s really fun! Members of the Big Canoe Photography Club love to share their work and get both praise and criticism, which is A monarch butterfly lights on an orange flower at the how you learn and grow as an artist. These days the group’s Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell. Facebook page is where this happens, but regular meetings will resume one of these days. Want to look & feel 10 years younger?

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