Rabun Traveler

new address: www.rabuntraveler.blogspot.com

Martha and John Ezzard invite the public to a chocolate and wine week end at Tiger Mountain Vineyards Feb. 14-15, 1 to 4 p.m. — live music, artisan cheeses and breads, chocolate fondue and truffles — and Tiger Mountain’s latest award winning wines!  The winery will also release its 06 Malbec, the only locally grown Malbec in Georgia. attached flyer

The Ezzards are kicking off the winery’s 10th anniversary year and the “15th leaf ” of the Ezzard vineyards, planted on the 170-year-old Arrendale -Ezzard farm at Tiger Mountain in 1995. Recently Bill and Leckie Stack, former co-owners, sold their shares of the winery. The Ezzards, who hold the majority ownership, are creating a new board to focus on “Georgia Grown” wines with the aim of utilizing sustainable growing methods and wine consulting expertise to further enhance their quality wine making.

Major new investors in Tiger Mountain Vineyards are John and Marilyn McMullan. John McMullan, a high school classmate of John Ezzard, is an Atlanta businessman and wine collector. Also  joining the new board is Dr. Carl Fackler. He and his wife, Carla, started Stonewall Creek Vineyards in Tiger three years ago. The Facklers will process most of their grapes and create their wines at Tiger Mountain.
“ With record sales in 2008 and a distinctive brand image,”  said John Ezzard, “the winery has a bright future.”
” Our first priority remains our commitment to the local community and the growing North Georgia wine industry,” said Martha Ezzard.
All of the winery staff will continue in their positions, including winery manager Jabe Hilson and winery administrator Judy Ruth.
For details on all upcoming winery events, see www.tigerwine.com

The CVB is almost ready to go to print with the 2009 Rabun Calendar of Events!  Please submit your events to mary@gamountains.com

You are invited to a Christmas Open House at Brushdance Studio at 141 South Main Street in Clayton on Saturday, December 6, from 4-7 p.m. Bring a friend and enjoy recent works of art, Christmas cookies, cider, light fare and wine.

This month’s special dinner at Fromage will be held on the same weekend as Christmas in Clayton, which is the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Dinner for November Friday 28th and Saturday 29th

Cheese Plate
Cup of Soup
Salad
pomegranate and orange on mixed greens w/ pomegranate vinaigrette

Entrees
Chicken and Boursin
accompanied by Parmesan cous cous and brussels sprouts w/ bacon, onions and maple syrup

Cassoulet
lamb, sausage and white beans baked in champagne

Pesto Encrusted Salmon
accompanied by Parmesan cous cous and brussels sprouts w/ bacon, onions and maple syrup

Tiger Mountain Vineyards will host “Souper Saturday” on Dec. 13. This annual holiday open house at Tiger Mountain Vineyards features soup and wine pairings, gourmet breads and cheeses. Enjoy Christmas music by classical guitarist Bob Burton. Noon to 3 p.m. Free and open to the public. See attached flyer or our website  www.tigerwine.com for details.

Tiger Mountain Vineyards’ Tasting Room is located on Old Hwy 441, just south of Clayton.

The Town of Tallulah Falls will host its annual Community Christmas Celebration on Friday, December 5th, with a potluck dinner beginning at 6 pm, followed by the Lighting of the area’s only Floating Christmas Tree on Tallulah Lake!

Visit with Santa. Take a hay ride around town. Sing Christmas Carols around the bonfire down by the lake
and celebrate this most wondrous time of the year!

For more information, visit www.tallulahfallsgeorgia.org or call 706-754-4318.

The second annual Holiday Treasure Hunt will take place on Saturday, Dec.13th from 10 am to 4 pm.
Shops, galleries, lodging and restaurants from Clarkesville all the way north to LaPrades at Lake Burton will be offering a fun filled day for both holiday shoppers and treasure hunters alike.  Along with refreshments, each participating business will donate a fantastic gift for the treasure hunt.

To participate, Treasure Hunters will follow a map, stopping at designated locations to answer a trivia question about each business.  Questions are fun facts about each business that are easy to answer.
Each business will have copies of the treasure hunt so shoppers and hunters can start anywhere!   Copies will also be available at Scenic197.com.

Just follow the map starting anywhere on Scenic 197.  Shoppers and treasure hunters may drop off completed treasure maps at any three of the following locations:

•    At the North end of Scenic 197 - Lake Burton Bottle Store, 1883 Scenic 197 N.
•    At Scenic 197 &  State Rd 255 - Batesville General Store & Restaurant, 11801 Scenic 197 N.
•    In Clarkesville on the square - Soque Artworks, 1440 Washington St.

And the great part is only 50% of the questions need to be answered!

The Treasure Hunt is sponsored by Paradise Properties, Headwaters Reality, The Barn Inn,
Timpson Creek, The Beechwood Inn, and Glen Ella Springs.

The Batesville General Store will host the Holiday Treasure Hunt party and drawing.  Christmas treats and live music will entertain treasure hunters from 5:00 pm until 6:00 pm, when the Treasure Hunt winners will be drawn..  Though you need not be present to win, all are invited to join in the Christmas festivities on Georgia’s most beautiful drive!

For more information call 706-947-1601, or log on to Scenic197.com  Treasure Hunt Flyer

AT THE CENTER ON WARWOMAN
10:30am - 12noon,     TUESDAY,   NOVEMBER 18

TaiJi, often described as a “moving meditation,” is an ancient Chinese practice that promotes focus and balance.   Western science has shown it to have many health benefits.   This class is calledTaiJi DANCE because, while the movements are all from classic TaiJi, indigenous movement, QiGong stretches and elements of dance are also part of it, all performed in a more playful spirit than is the norm. A long relaxation, meditation or visualization is also part of the class.

Suitable for all ages and levels of experience, the class is fun and relaxing.   Wear loose, comfortable clothes and come ready to enjoy yourself.     By donation.

NOW is the time to write  letters to key decision makers, most importantly our Governor and DNR  Commissioner, stating our regional concerns regarding budget cuts that may  lead to the closing of the Burton fish hatchery.   I have attached a summary sheet with basic info you may wish to include in your letters.

Trout fishing  is important to the economies of our rural communities in Northeast  Georgia.  This is a critical issue. It doesn’t make sense to close  the hatchery to save $400,000, when it generates many times over that amount  in retail expenditures, wages and salaries from jobs generated, sales and  motor fuel tax, state income tax and  federal income tax.  According  to the attached economic impact report provided by our federal hatchery  located in Fannin County, $42.61 in economic impact results for every budget  dollar spent! We can reasonably assume that the Burton hatchery has a  comparable impact.

We asked Charlie Breithaupt, Chairman,  Georgia Council of Trout Unlimited, to appear before the joint meeting of the  House Economic Development and Tourism Committee and the Senate Economic  Development Committee during their meeting here in October.  He has a  superb powerpoint presentation.  You can email Charlie <info@gatu.org> if you are interested in seeing it.   I have also attached some “talking points” distributed by TU.

Charlie closed his presentation with a line,”trout don’t live in  ugly places.”  So true!  Folks have been travelling to our area for  years to enjoy camping and fishing in what has been dubbed as “mother nature’s  playground.”  They utilize local businesses, visit our state parks, run  the rapids and fish our streams and rivers.  Our tourism industry in  Northeast Georgia depends greatly upon our natural resources and recreational  amenities.

Send your letters of support to keep the Burton hatchery  operational to:

The Honorable Sonny Perdue
Governor, State of  Georgia
The Office of the Governor
203 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA  30334
Phone:  404-656-1776

Mr. Noel Holcomb,  Commissioner
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
2 Martin Luther  King Jr. Drive, SE
Suite 1252
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone:  404.656.3500

News Flash:  It was announced today  that Governor Perdue has recommended Chris Clark, Executive Director, Georgia  Environmental Facilities Authority, as DNR Commissioner (Current Commissioner  Noel Holcomb to retire in April, 2009)

Please don’t delay — call and  send YOUR letters today!