In North Georgia

Bear Sighting at Dream Givers Gallery! Come see these bears – they are feeding them … but can’t guarantee they will hang around for very long.

Dream Givers Gallery will be open this weekend … so stop by and meet Dianne.

Dream Givers Gallery, 36 Doyle Street, Toccoa.  706-282-1915  website.

Lots going on this weekend … check out the InNorthGeorgia NEWS for a listing.

Have a safe and delightful Labor Day Weekend … and Happy Birthday to nieces Amber and Tiffany!

Nacoochee Village Tavern Pizzeria Anniversary Celebration Sunday, August 29 at noon. Compobasso Challenge!

Join in the fun … Paul currently holds the record!

To celebrate its first birthday, the Tavern & Pizzeria will host the Compobasso Challenge on August 29th at 12 noon, an invitational event open to the first 20 intrepid souls to sign up. There is no entry fee and each contestant gets a sandwich, a pitcher of beer or soda and a shot at $100 in prize money, plus the shirt.

Compobasso (end all of all sandwiches): Prosciutto, Genoa salami, cappicola, turkey breast, roast beef, provolone cheese, roasted peppers, red onion, tomato, fresh basil, whole grain mustard, olive oil and balsamic vinegar on house bread.

Visit VillageTavernPizza.com for details.

News from Sautee Trail Cafe

We ran into Jinger and Bobby (North 40 Lodge) this morning at the Sautee Trail Cafe. They’re officially back from Florida and expanding the Lodge. We’ll have images of the new room on their website, North40Lodge.com soon. Welcome back Jinger and Bobby!

Frank, the new owner of Sautee Trail reports that there’s a lot happening at the Cafe … we noticed new the plates.  :0)  Breakfast was delicious, as usual … even though Janie had her hands full while Beth’s busy attending to last minute wedding details.

Beth (Elizabeth Collis) and Michael Sutton (son of Bear and Susan) are getting married today at D’Normandy House and Tom’s shooting the wedding.

Congratulations Beth and Michael!

Watch for a new InNorthGeorgia NEWS coming out today … if you’re not on our mailing list, visit InNorthGeorgia.com and sign up on the Leaf-O-Meter page.  Links to previous issues of the NEWS are also available on the main page.

Lots going on in our neighborhood. This morning we met Frank Henry … he and his wife Shelly are the new owners of Sautee Trail Cafe on Highway 17 at Cool Springs.

Frank has *lots* of ideas for updating the Cafe … he’s planning outdoor seating, some new additions to the menu, and a new and improved driveway!  A few other things we’ll save for a later blog, so check back,  I’ll keep you posted as they happen.

Don’t worry, he’s not going to make any of our favorite dishes disappear … they’ll still have the best pancakes in the county, Todd’s Taters (pictured above), and the famous Ole’ Fashioned Burger (good as homemade, and still only $5.50 with fries!). Already, waffles have been added to the breakfast menu for $3.25 … Coke products and Lemonade, too.

Welcome to the neighborhood Frank and Shelly!  We’re glad you’re here.

The circus was a blast! It was really wonderful to spend time with sister Chris … Mom, pals Mary and Wendy, and the rest of the circus crowd.  On the way, we even managed two yard sales!  I found a 1970s Kentucky Derby souvenir glass for 10 cents (!) and an egg timer for a quarter.

The youth circus Friday night was as spell binding and awesome as ever … the rain and dark clouds threatened the parade, but were chased off by the caliope music and elephants!

If you love Circus, and want to be a part of the fun, I’d like to invite you to join Circus Fans Association of America. It’s a great group of people, whose goal is to “support the circus in all its many fabulous forms … under a big top, in an arena, in a stadium, or anywhere “children of all ages” gather for one of America’s greatest cultural institutions.”

Visit circusfans.org for details on how to join … you, too can run away and join the Circus!

News on Scenic 197

I got an email from Jinger Blackburn today with some great news … here’s what she had to say:  “Big changes are happening at the North 40 Lodge! The quaint little lodge nestled in the mountains by Lake Burton is expanding! Jinger and Bobby are celebrating their 5th year at the Lodge by adding more cozy retreats for guests.

Open by Labor Day will be The Holly Bear room, complete with fireplace, king bed (that Jinger’s father helped to build) and the usual amenities. Plan to spend some restful time in the mountains with us, where we forget to count the days!”

Visit North40Lodge.com for rates and images of the rooms.

Flower Sale
at Cottage Garden Furniture

Judie Harman emailed me today with more news (her shop is right across the road from North 40 Lodge).

Final markdown on flowers, everything is at least 50% off.

There are some really nice large planters for only $20, too.  Judie says she’ll be ordering more miniature garden furniture and arbors … she’s made some pretty little painted boxes, painted some more windows (she has one I absolutely *love*… of bright red geraniums), and the lighted orchid branches and lighted Japanese lanterns are on their way.

Visit cottagegardenfurniture.com for more about Judie and her shop.

Head for the lake and beat the heat … there are shops and eateries along Georgia’s Scenic 197 worth checking out … wade in Wildcat Creek, or better yet, go jump in the lake!!

The July issue of InNorthGeorgia NEWS is out … click the link if you haven’t gotten your copy. I apologize for the inappropriate return email address … circus on the brain.

Circus in Peru

Circus in Peru, Indiana next weekend … visit CircusHallofFame.com and PeruCircus.com for more information.

Youth Circus, BIG Parade, and lots of CIRCUS!!!

Toooo hot to think about much this past week or except cool lake breezes … and how wonderful central air would be.