A Brasstown Christmas

Brasstown Ringers, a nondenominational community handbell choir for musicians interested in ringing exciting and fun handbell music, has been in existence since 1992.

The choir rings on six octaves of Schulmerich bells, five octaves of Whitechapel bells, and six octaves of Malmark choirchimes along with various percussion instruments. It annually presents Christmas and Spring concerts, and has become known across North Carolina and North Georgia for its dexterity and musicality with bells.

Brasstown Ringers concerts are free. Donations to cover expense of music and expendable supplies are appreciated.

First United Methodist Church, Franklin, NC
Friday, Dec. 6th, 2013, 7:00 pm

Copperhill First United Methodist Church
Sunday, Dec. 8th, 2013, 4:00 p.m.

John C Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC
Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, 7:00 pm

Sharp Memorial Methodist Church, Young Harris, GA
Sunday, Dec. 15th, 2013, 4:00 p.m.

Wings of Freedom Tour

Wings of Freedom Tour
October 21-23, 2013
Blairsville Airport, North Ramp

Since 1989, a major focus of the Collings Foundation has been the "Wings of Freedom Tour" of WWII aircraft. This tour showcases two fully restored bomber aircraft: a B-24 Liberator and B-17 Flying Fortress. The newest addition to the Wings of Freedom Tour is a WWII P-51C Mustang dual-control fighter aircraft.

The "Wings of Freedom Tour" has two goals: to honor the sacrifices made by our veterans that allow us to enjoy our freedom; and to educate the visitors, especially younger Americans, about our national history and heritage. The Foundation encourages people to tour the planes, talk to the veterans who come to visit the aircraft, and participate in a “flight experience.”

Annual Sorghum Festival Car Show

Good Neighbors Auto Club's Antique and Special Car Show

October 19, 2013 at 9:00am

Although not directly connected to the Sorghum Festival, this popular car show has been held in conjunction with the festival since 1983. More than 200 cars "show off" at the Good Neighbors Auto Club's Antique and Special Car Show. The show is in the United Community Bank parking lot on the Highway 515 by-pass.

Slideshow for 2013-10-19 - Sorghum Car Show


Web Albums for past shows:
2013-10-19 - Sorghum Car Show
2011-10-15 - Sorghum Car Show
2007-10-20 - Sorghum Car Show
2005-10-15 - Sorghum Car Show

Blairsville Cruisers Block Party October 2013

The October Block Party was again held at the Union County Farmer's Market with a great turnout of cars and on-lookers. This is the final event until April 2014.

Previous Cruise-In Albums

Blairsville Cruisers Block Party September 2013

September found the monthly Block Party at the Union County Farmer's Market.

Previous Cruise-In Albums

2013-09-06 Cruise-In Block Party Album

Blairsville Cruisers Block Party August 2013

Taking a stroll down memory lane on a mild summer night in August. Beautiful mountains scenery and friendly folks share their passions and efforts to keep the memories alive.

Beginning in September the Friday Block Party will be held at the Blairsville Farmer's Market on Old Smokey RD.

Previous Cruise-In Albums

Georgia Mountain Fair

Georgia Mountain Fair
July 19 - 27, 2013

Look forward to the 63rd annual Georgia Mountain Fair, held at the historic Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds this summer! Thousands of visitors from across the region have experienced the excitement and nostalgia that the event has to offer. With first class musical performances, fun carnival rides, unique attractions and a glimpse into North Georgia’s rich history and culture, the Fair provides something for every member of the family.

Juried Arts & Crafts Show
Now visit the Georgia Mountain Fair and see your favorite crafters and artists! The Georgia Mountain Fair promotes and supports the study, appreciation, enjoyment, and preservation of original handmade crafts. The goal of our fair and festival is to encourage artisans to continue and improve their crafts through our craft shows.

Lovers of fine crafts and art will find approximately 60 original crafters in our permanent craft booth area. The booths provide a completely covered shelter for artists to display their work as fair guests stroll along shaded and paved pathways during various events at the fairgrounds. Crafts will be on display and sale from 10 AM until 8 PM on Monday through Friday, (10 AM T0 6 PM on Sunday. Both the Fair and the Fall Festival are 9-day event.

For 2013, our Fair will be held July 19-27, 2013 and our Fall Festival will be held October 11-19, 2013.

Music Shows & Entertainment
Our exciting Fair lineup include Lee Greenwood, Marty Stuart, Janie Fricke, Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius, Mike Snider, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers and many more.

Butternut Creek Festival of Fine Craft and Arts

15th Annual Butternut Creek Festival
July 20th and 21st, 2013
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Free Admission and Parking
Presented by the High Country Artisans, Inc.

The Butternut Creek Festival is one of the finest juried arts and crafts shows in the Southeast. The two day festival showcases the work of 65 artists and craftsmen in categories from basketry, fine art, fabric art, and decorative painting, to glass, jewelry, metal working, photography, pottery, scrimshaw, and woodturning. Held annually at Meeks Park in Blairsville, Georgia, you don't want to miss it!

Butternut Creek Festival

All Aboard, Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

A great family adventure on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway starts at the historic depot in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia.

The train winds alongside the beautiful Toccoa River with one stop in the twin border towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee.

Our regular 4 hour trips (3 1/2 hours trips on Sundays) are 26 miles, round trip, winding along the beautiful Toccoa River for one hour (each way) in vintage climate controlled rail cars or open air rail cars.

For more information:
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Blairsville Scotish Festival and Highlands Games

Blairsville Scottish Festival and Highlands Games
June 8 and 9, 2013 at Meeks Park
Blairsville, GA

Music, games, food, workshops, fun for the whole family.

For details see...

http://www.blairsvillescottishfestival.org/festival.html

Gorillas in the Mountains of Morganton, GA

Dewar Wildlife offers a unique opportunity to come face to face with one of the most magnificent and endangered creatures on this planet.

The 100-acre, AZA-certified complex comprises an 8.5 acre gorilla habitat; five night buildings; medical facilities; maintenance and storage buildings; and a two-bedroom cottage for keepers and visitors.

The DWT facility was not designed to be open to the public, but there is now the rare opportunity to see it from the inside. The purpose of these tours is to raise funds for the project, as well as to provide a unique opportunity for neighbors and friends to learn about this project and these magnificent creatures.

Walking tour of the Dewar Wildlife facility includes gorilla villas, habitat, veterinary hospital, food preparation room, administration, and holding areas. Two young silverbacks from Zoo Atlanta came to Dewar Wildlife in February of 2012 and you'll get to meet them face to face!

Group Tours: $39/pp., $19/child

Most Tours are scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (duration 2 - 3 hours).

Dewar Wildlife Trust, Inc.

Peacock Playhouse

Peacock Players present the cult-classic comic musical, Little Shop of Horrors, complete with professionally-designed plants brought in for this production! The critically-acclaimed show about a nerdy florist and a very hungry plant from outer space, is filled with great music and black comedy, satirizing science fiction, “B” movies, and musical comedy itself. With music in the style of early rock’n’roll, doo-wop and Motown, this is one show you won’t want to miss! Opening May 31 Adults: $18; Students: $10

Press Release (pdf)

Stary Stary Night

The O. Wayne Rollins Planetarium at Young Harris College was opened in 1979 through the philanthropy of Wayne and Grace Rollins. This unique space features a state-of-the-art GOTO Chronos Space Simulator star projector, a state-of-the-art device that uses light guide technology to project a realistic and beautiful starry sky. With high-speed, computer-calculated positioning, a simple click of a mouse sets the sky for any time in the past, present or future. Installed at Young Harris in 2002, the projector was the first installation of the Chronos model anywhere in the world. A Sky-Skan Definiti fulldome digital projection system was added in 2008. Representing the next generation in planetarium technology, the system creates an immersive and engaging image over the entire dome surface and a powerful “you-are-there” experience for the audience.

Recently renovated in 2011 with comfortable seating for 104 under a 40-foot-diameter dome, Rollins Planetarium offers public shows and educational opportunities for school groups throughout the year. Rollins Planetarium is located in the Maxwell Center on the campus of Young Harris College.

Public Show Schedule for 2013

Saturn: Jewel of the Heavens

Presented May 10 & 17, June 7 & 14, July 5 & 12 at 8:30 p.m.
One of the most beautiful and magnificent planets in our solar system, Saturn is a symbol of all that is exotic and wonderful about the universe. Once the most distant planet we knew of, this mysterious world seemed beyond our reach. Using sophisticated spacecraft, we have finally been able to reach out to this great ringed giant, sailing past the millions of icy particles that make up its glorious rings, uncovering the bizarre faces of its unique moons, and peering down into its turbulent atmosphere through massive and violent storms. Now audiences can explore this “jewel of the heavens” in an immersive 3D environment. This show is a production of Clark Planetarium, distributed by Sky-Skan, Inc.

Blairsville / Union County Community Guide

The Blairsville / Union County Chamber of Commerce has made available an electronic version of their 2013 Community Magazine which is chock-full of information about Union County. A great introduction to this fabulous area of friendly people and scenic beauty.

2013 Blairsville / Union County Community Magazine

Misty Mountain Railroad

The largest privately-owned O-guage railroad in the country. Misty Mountain Model Railroad is America's largest 0-gauge train display - a 3,000 square foot layout with 14 0-gauge Lionel trains traveling on a mile of track over 12 bridges and 4 trestles and through 13 tunnels.

The layout is a fantasy journey through sights and cities in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Highlights include a 6' bridge that raises to allow vistors to enter the display and a 12' trestle recreated in Tallulah Gorge, the deepest gorge East of the Mississippi. Some 300 pieces from Department 56 are sprinkled throughout communities such as Gainesville (GA), Copperhill (TN), Helen (GA), Kennesaw (GA), Atlanta (GA) and the Biltmore Estates (NC).

Date/Time Information
Year-round 2pm Tours on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
Friday 2pm Tours open May through December

Fees/Admission
$5 donation for 16 and over

For more information and directions see Misty Mountain Railroad.

Blairsville Cruisers 2013 Events

Beginning in April and continuing through October the Blairsville Cruisers will host a Friday night Block Party in the parking lot of the Blairsville Walmart from 4pm til dusk, and a Saturday night Cruise-In on the Square from 4pm til 8pm at the historic Union County Court house in downton Blairsville. Both events will be held the first full weekend of each month. Great classic cars, music, food, and fun for all.

Update - Saturday Cruise-In
Due to renovations to the Old Court House Circle the Saturday Cruise-In are taking place in the parking lot of the Blairsville Restaurant on Earnest ST (behind C&S Bank).

Update - Friday Block Party
Beginning in September the Friday Night Block Party will be held at the Farmer's Market on Old Smokey RD.

Link to Album: 2013-10-04 Block Party
Link to Album: 2013-09-06 Block Party
Link to Album: 2013-08-02 Block Party
Link to Album: 2013-04-06 Cruise-In
Link to Album: 2011-07-02 Cruise-In
Link to Album: 2011-05-07 Cruise-In
Link to Album: 2009-07-04 Cruise-In

Price Reduced - MLS-209368

MLS-209368 || $79,900 || 12.53-acres
Lot-10 Mull Lane Blairsville, GA 30512
Contact Listing Agent - Louise McTaggart

Spectacular Vistas can be yours, hardwood forest with a branch running through the "holler" in between the hills. Numerous home sites possible, electric is available, paved road frontage, and county water at Mull RD. Easy access to Lake Nottely, Blairsville, or Blue Ridge.

Link to Web Album

Those Green Driveway Posts

In 2009 Union County completed a new county wide addressing system that included the renaming of many roads and a recalculation of all addresses. An address is now based on the distance of a driveway entrance (1,000ths of a mile) from a given road with even numbered addresses on the right and odd numbered addresses on the left.

For example, the address for Louise McTaggart and Associates is 965 Murphy Hwy (Hwy-129 North), which means that we are .965-miles from the intersection of Hwy-515 and Hwy-129.

For further information on addressing in Union County:

Culvert inspection
Union County requires property owners, who are constructing a road or driveway, to obtain a Culvert Permit from the Union County Road Department if the road or driveway in question connects directly with a county maintained road. A 911 address will not be issued until the driveway is established.
http://www.unioncountyga.gov/building_devel.htm

How To Get Address or Street Name Information:
For address information, call the E911 Administration Office at (706) 439-6056. Be sure to leave applicant name and telephone number.
http://www.unioncountyga.gov/e911mapping.htm

First Snow of the 2012-2013 Winter Season

The snow began falling about 12:30pm Saturday (02-02-2013), very lite, just spitting flakes, but increasing to big clumpy flakes very quickly. By mid-afternoon a good accumulation of a couple of inches lay across the area. And while the snow continued to fall throughout the remainder of Saturday and into the evening by Sunday afternoon it was history.

First Snow Web Album

The Right Place, at the Right Time

It was Christmas Holiday Week in 1989, with family and friends filling the house with joy and laughter, when we took a day trip across the Richard Russell Scenic Highway to see Anna Ruby Falls and spend some time sight seeing in Helen, GA.

Near the top of the Richard Russell Scenic Highway there's a parking area to enjoy a long range view and is also across from this seeping rock formation. Being on holiday means there's no schedule and time to enjoy the surprises that come down the road.

Ice Climbing Web Album

My First Blog Post

Hello World,

Visit my website to search for Real Estate in the mountains of north Georgia and western North Carolina. It's simple, easy and fun.

www.mctaggartrealestate.com