Enriching life in the Big Canoe community February 2018 Football Party & Buffet The Clubhouse Sunday • February 4 5:00 PM Knowledge Series Mountains Grille Room Sunday • February 11 4:00 PM Valentine’s Day Lunch The Clubhouse Wednesday • February 14 11:00 AM Valentine’s Day Dinner The Clubhouse Wednesday • February 14 5:45 PM TABLE OF CONTENTS POA News 2 Events & Happenings 10 Calendar 16 Wining & Dining 20 Getting Fit & Healthy 24 Around the Tees 27 Racquets ‘Round 31 the Nets Bocce 32 Marina 33 Clardy Schwarz led a team from the Trails Committee to repair supports Let’s Go Clubbing 34 and steps on the John Williams Trail. (Photo by Steve Papke) 2 | INSIDETHEGATES.ORG FEBRUARY 2018 POA News From the POA President The entire enabling legislation and the favorable endorsements from Dawson and Pickens counties are by Phil Anderson available for review at www.bigcanoepoa.org and at the POA President POA Administrative Office in the Canoe Lodge Windstream to improve Internet service On January 12, 2018 the Big Canoe POA filed a petition Jan. 12, 2018 marked the conclusion of a prolonged in the Pickens County Superior Court against Big Canoe effort to obtain improved internet speeds in Big Canoe. Utilities (BCU). The petition seeks a court order directing The POA’s High-Speed Internet Task Force was advised BCU to permit the POA and that day they had successfully convinced Windstream that its consulting engineer access a formal agreement, with a host of binding provisions, to inspect the water and sewer was unnecessary and that Windstream would be moving system. forward with plans to offer improved internet service over BCU has previously refused its cable-based system throughout all [both counties] of Big the POA’s request for access. Canoe. The POA believes that as trustee, This milestone marked the conclusion of efforts under the Trust Deed and with beginning in Nov. 2014, when shortly after formation, the other relevant documents entered internet task force approached both Windstream and TDS into between the POA and BCU, on how Big Canoe could secure faster service. it has the obligation and the The path forward from that point led to the development right to make sure the system of an ambitious solution involving a strategic partnership is being properly operated and Phil Anderson, President, with Ellijay Telephone Company and a companion maintained. Big Canoe POA construction plan with Atlantic Engineering Group. The POA has been forced Both of these firms have been apprised of our recent to take this action, on behalf news concerning Windstream and have offered their of its Property Owners, given the number of outages and congratulations. Civitium, our indispensable internet disruptions of service that have occurred. We will keep you consultant, has likewise been advised and provided similar informed as to the progress of this petition. positive feedback. Provided below is an update on the six most important The work ahead will be on Windstream’s time-table issues facing Big Canoe: with the task force serving in a support role. The task Public hearing for water authority force expects that Windstream will be holding meetings A public hearing was held on Saturday, Jan. 20 in soon with Property Owners to answer questions about the Big Canoe Chapel to explain the enabling legislation their plans, service cost, available speed tiers, television for the Big Canoe Water and Sewer Authority. State programming, and time-table. Representative Rick Jasperse and State Senator Steve Thanks to the Internet Task Force members for their Gooch have agreed to sponsor a bill for the formal patience and persistence, which has resulted in this option consideration of the legislation during the 2018 Georgia available to Property Owner for improved internet service. legislative session. Executive search efforts underway A non-profit, public water and sewer authority is in the The POA board has selected Kopplin, Kuebler best long-term interest of Big Canoe because the authority & Wallace (KK&W) as the executive search firm to will be eligible for grants and low interest loans and be assist us in finding a new General Manager, Clubhouse able to issue tax free revenue bonds to help fund needed Manager and Golf Pro. KK&W is an award-winning capital improvements. In addition, as a non-profit authority, recruiting firm assisting clubs and communities like Big all fees collected from its users must be reinvested in the Canoe with executive level searches. I would encourage operation, maintenance and improvement of the water and Property Owners to review KK&W’s website at www. sewer system. kopplinandkuebler.com with particular attention to continued on page 3 FEBRUARY 2018 INSIDETHEGATES.ORG | 3 POA News continued from page 2 Bulk Trash Day is the last comments from their client references. Special thanks to the search committee and senior staff for their efforts in Saturday of every month conjunction with KK&W to make sure that these searches Just a reminder - Bulk Trash Day is the last Saturday of will result in extraordinary new leaders for these three key every month from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Main- positions. tenance Yard by the North Gate. This is the day to get rid Firehouse completion set for March of all the clutter that’s been driving you nuts. Along with Adverse weather conditions and sub-contractor delays several giant dumpsters ready to gobble your stuff, there’s have extended the estimated completion date to sometime always a truck from a recognized, reputable charity to ac- in March. cept usable items to sell in local thrift shops. Tax receipts With the completion of the rough mechanical, electrical are available. and plumbing work, the sheet rock walls have been hung Quarterly, document shredding is offered by 1st Secure and drywall finishing is underway. Installation of the Shredding at a cost of $4.00 per banker’s box. If you have exterior siding should begin shortly and the overhead bay questions about shredding services, call Sandy at (678) 773- doors are ready to be installed to fully enclose the facility. 9306. Near term permanent power, water and sewer connections will bring the facility closer to completion. Public Safety personnel remain excited about their new her role as our Food and Beverage Manager. “digs” and greatly appreciate the continued support from all As we embark on 2018, our attention will continue to Property Owners. focus on improved service; quality of food preparation and Review of golf amenity planned presentation; training of the clubhouse staff; and a sincere The POA’s Long Range Plan Committee is currently welcome and a fond farewell to all Property Owners and addressing the future use of amenities, facilities and their guests. services to include bocce, environmental services, the We invite everyone to come by and see the new old squash court building and the borrow pit property. hardwood floors that were installed during the recent deep In addition, the committee has postponed a review of cleaning and interior painting of the clubhouse. the Clubhouse until the arrival and transition of a new In the near term we look forward to hosting a fun- Clubhouse Manager. filled New England vs Philadelphia football party and an In lieu of the Clubhouse, the committee will be enjoyable Valentine’s Day celebration. reviewing the golf amenity, including the just completed analysis of golf needs by the golf task force. Keith and Robin Sievers presented the recommendations of the Golf Task Force to the Long Range Planning Committee at the Jan. 15 meeting. The capital needs for golf will be incorporated into 10586 Big Canoe, Jasper, GA 30143 the committee’s recommendations. These include a golf Phone: (706) 268-3346 simulator and potential future upgrades to the courses. Fax: (706) 268-3765 The committee will also be reviewing the significance Websites: www.bigcanoepoa.org of the Potts Mountain property sale as soon as further www.insidethegates.org details are available and further direction is received from email: [email protected] the POA board. Advertising: [email protected] Clubhouse interior improvements completed Communications Manager: Tim Moran On Jan. 3, 2018, LeRoy Korunes’ employment as our Articles written and edited by Alice Eachus Clubhouse Manager ended. We thank Mr. Korunes for Official publication of the Big Canoe POA his contributions and wish him great success in his future © 2018 Big Canoe Property Owners Association endeavors. In the meantime, Dana Fletcher has agreed to act as our interim Clubhouse Manager while also fulfilling 4 | INSIDETHEGATES.ORG FEBRUARY 2018 POA News Update from Big Canoe’s Senior Staff By Jason Brownell, Jayne Hagan, and Debbie Pickett Here we go again! On January 16, Big Canoe received another dusting of snow and suffered cold temperatures into the lower teens. According to the NOAA (National Oce- anic and Atmospheric Administration) Climate Prediction Center, Georgia’s winter weather outlook shows the chance the communication process with a user-friendly and easily of colder weather and heavier precipitation than previous maintained website will benefit our amenities, staff, and years. This does not mean we will have more snow, but Property Owners alike. This will be a massive undertaking the potential is there if conditions are in place. Toby Jones that will take up much of 2018, but will benefit all of us. and his dedicated Public Works team are all commended The Clubhouse at Lake Sconti received a few updates for their efforts in handling the extreme weather conditions during their annual maintenance period the first two weeks we have been experienceing. We also owe a big thank you of January. The Clubhouse reopened with new wood floors to Public Safety, Landscaping, and Golf Maintenance for installed in the Black Bear Pub and they look great! Newly their deligent assistance to Public Works with maintaining refinished wood floors in the Dogwood and Sconti Point emergency access throughout the community and clearing rooms gleam.