Northeast Georgia Mountains- Mother Nature's Playground
Travel News, Festivals & Events in Northeast Georgia

* September 20th Late Night Off Center More wacky cabaret comedy for those who prefer r to stay up late! A mixed bag of hilarity! 10:00 p.m.

* September 22nd Evening Star Concert Series featuring Buddy Mondlock and Bob Franke. Two masters of the craft of songwriting. 8:00 p.m.

* September 29th Sautee Jamboree A day long music benefit with a power line-up of bands! Noon - Midnight, Rain or shine.

Call the Sautee Nacoochee Center For Information and Reservations: 706-878-3300 or check us out on the web at www.snca.org

Simply Homegrown, Clayton, Ga.

Saturday - 9:00 a.m. to noon, off the corner of Savannah & Main Streets simplyhomegrown. net

Befitting its small-town roots, Simply Homegrown in Rabun County is welcoming and slow-paced. Most produce is sustainably grown and comes from just three counties (Rabun and adjacent Macon and Oconee)- so it's never wilted from a long truck ride. Stock up on organic cukes and beans from the friendly people at La Gracia or get heirloom stone-ground grits from Barker's Creek Mill.

Naturally Georgia

Naturally Georgia presents "Meet the Wine Makers of Tiger Mountain Vineyards", Thursday July 26th, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Come out and try some great Georgia Wines, Sweet Grass Dairy Cheeses, Nancy's Kitchen International Cuisine as well as many other great foods! Raffles and Door Prizes! Contact: Vickie Cooper, 6519 Hwy 52 East, Murrayville, GA 30564 706- 864-0832 www.naturallygeorgia. com

Blackstock Winery

Check out the menu for upcoming Wine Dinners & check out other special events and activities on www.bsvw.com

Historic Holly Theater

2007 Holly Concert Series. Dahlonega's National Landmark, the Holly Theater, 69 West Main Street, Dahlonega, Ga. For information on events look on-line at www.HollyTheater.com or call the box office during business hours at (706) 865-3759. The corporate sponsor for the 2007 Holly Concert Series is Montalvina Winery and Estates, Dahlonega. The Holly Theater is a non-profit community owned theater.

Sautee Jamboree - September 29

"Raise The Roof!" ~ A Benefit Music Festival for the Renovation of the Old Schoolhouse roof. The great Sautee Jamboree will be a noonto midnight music festival, chili cook-off and mountain arts and crafts fair held on Saturday, September 29, 2007. Visit myspace.com/sauteejamboree for more details. The lineup for the day includes: Col. Bruce Hampton and the Quark Alliance, The Rev. Jeff Mosier and Blueground Undergrass, The Lee Boys, Big City Sunrise, The Jason Lefty Williams Band, and Vinyl. Spread the word and don't miss this great day of mountain music and great fun! Sautee Jamboree is a benefit for the Sautee-Nacoochee Community Association. All sponsorships and donations are considered charitable contributions and are 100% tax deductible. Advance tickets are $25.00 ($30.00 the day of the show). Order your advance tickets here online or by phone at 706-878-3300. Chili Cook-off at 12 noon ~ Music starts at 12 noon and continues till midnight ~ All Ages Welcome!

"Author's Signing: ATribute To Historic Authors" at Dahlonega Gold Museum. The Dahlonega Gold Museum is hosting a special author's signing day "A Tribute :00To Historic Authors" on July 28, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. Visit Georgia's oldest existing Courthouse, as both state and national authors will be available with their books and prints. Meet the authors of some of the Museum's most popular publications including: David Williams "The Georgia Gold Rush "; Anne Dismukes Amerson and her many books including "Dahlonega A Brief History"; Larry Scott who composed "Lumpkin County Schools Of Yesteryear"; John Kollock with his beautiful books and prints of some of Georgia's special places, including a new print of The Lumpkin County Historic Courthouse; Garrison Baker and his books including "In The Shadow of Yonah" and Sally Sorohan with her wonderful genealogical research book " Heritage of Lumpkin County 1832-1996". New authors to this year's event include: Doug Winters "Gold Coins of the Dahlonega Mint" and Bill Fivaz "U.S. Gold Counterfeit Detection Guide". Special guests include Dennis Tucker and David Crenshaw who represent Whitman Publishing and will have a variety of publications and provide door prizes throughout the day. The Dahlonega Gold Museum draws more than 40,000 visitors annually and is among the most visited historic sites in Georgia. It is located in the center of the Public Square in downtown Dahlonega. This event is wheelchair accessible. Admission is $2.50 - $4.00.

For more information, visit www.gastateparks.org or call (706) 864-2257. Georgia's state historic sites are operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Media Contact: Angie Johnson, Site Manager, (706) 864-2257 or dahlonega@dnr.state.ga.us

UPCOMING STATE PARK EVENTS IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA

* Confederate Encampment ~ Saturday, August 4, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. & Sunday, August 5, 9 a.m. - noon Hart State Park - Hartwell

Watch weaponry, drilling and marching demonstrations, then learn about uniforms, tents and equipment from the Civil War. $3 parking. (706) 376-8756.

* Birds of Prey ~ Saturday, August 4, 8 - 9:30 p.m. Tugaloo State Park - Lavonia. Meet at the amphitheater to learn about Georgia's birds of prey and the sport of falconry, plus see live birds and mounted displays. $3 parking. (706) 356-4362.

* Gold Fever ~ Saturday, August 4, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen Gold mining is a fascinating part of the history of Smithgall Woods. Hear more about the history of local gold mining, the geology of the area, see specimens of nuggets and watch a panning demonstration. Register in advance. $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.

* Campground Concert Series ~ Friday, August 10, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Unicoi State Park and Lodge - Helen. Musicians will perform bluegrass, country, gospel and more in the amphitheater every other Friday night at 8 p.m. "Pass the hat" donations for entertainers welcomed. $3 parking. (800) 573-9659 ext. 305.

* Folk Life Traditions ~ Friday, August 10, 8 - 9 p.m. & Saturday, August 11, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Unicoi State Park and Lodge - Helen. Watch demonstrations ranging from candle dipping to spinning and blacksmithing, then enjoy concerts of traditional Appalachian and old-time mountain music, watch clogging, and even join Appalachian-style community dancing. $3 parking. (800) 573-9659 ext. 305.

* Youth Fishing Days ~ Saturday, August 18, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen Children and their special "big person" can fish in one of two ponds, stocked with catfish, bass and bream. Fish caught in the ponds may be kept, and staff members are available to assist. Bring your own bait, for the rods we provide. Use the Highway 75 entrance to the park. $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.

* Child Safety Awareness Day ~ Saturday, August 25

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge - Dawsonville Let us prepare you and your child for a variety of situations, including lost prevention, basic wilderness survival and an assortment of other safety issues that will help families prepare for and handle the unexpected. $3 parking. (706) 265-4703.

* Women in the Outdoors ~ Saturday, August 25, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen. In this event co-sponsored with the National Wild Turkey Federation, women can learn outdoor skills including fly-fishing technique, shooting, spin-fishing, archery and enjoy classes about the natural environment. Call for fee. $3 parking. (706) 878- 4736.

Coming soon to the Elbert Theatre...

Main Stage of the historic Elbert Theatre. Next month, get ready for Encore Productions' presentation of Always ... Patsy Cline. Jennifer Clements is pictured, performing her debut of Patsy Cline at the 10th Annual Classic Car Cruise- in. Jennifer is starring in the theatre production of "Always ... Patsy Cline" The band members include: Joe Jossey, Johnny Hallman, Mark Clements, Mike Fernandez, Kayla Ray and Ryan Hartley on sound. Call the theatre box office at 706-283-1049 for ticket information. For more information on the Elbert Theatre, go to www.elberttheatre.org

Ballroom Dancing at the Georgia Heritage Center for the Arts

GHCA continues its very popular ballroom dancing classes and open dancing every Friday night. The classes are taught the 2nd and 4th Fridays at 7 p.m. and the cost is $5.00 per person. The open dancing starts at 8 p.m. and is also $5.00 per person. They have dancers that come from as far away as North Carolina and Gainesville because it is a fun relaxed atmosphere and they enjoy the evening. The dances are held at their Education building in Clarkesville, which is located across from the soccer field behind Homestead Antiques. Come join in the fun and request your favorite dance tune. For more information please call 706-754-5989.

News from the Ty Cobb Museum

The annual Vintage Game Day and "Dinner on the Grounds" will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2007. The Vintage Game will begin at 11:00 a.m. and Dinner on the Grounds will begin at 12:30p.m. Transportation to the event field will be provided by mule and wagon. For more information, go to www.tycobbmuseum.org.

Plan your next trip to the Northeast Georgia Mountains, Mother Nature's Playground.

For information and free brochures visit www.georgiamountains. org.