RAINS BRING CHATTOOGA RIVER HIGH WATER

For the last several seasons we have enjoyed exploring the rocks and the many secret swims of the Chattooga's low water side. Now that the rains have returned the river is back and roaring. Rapids are big and fast and the long wave trains offer exciting splashes and roller coaster rides.

Rainy day? No problem. Splash jackets, wetsuits and wetsuit booties are available free of charge.
While everyone envisions a bright sunny day of rafting, the rainy mist rising off the water and settling amidst the trees offers some of the most surreal and magical scenes imaginable.

Reserve your spot www.noc.com and enjoy a weekend in the Georgia Mountains. Rabun County offers plenty of cozy places to rest your head and enjoy a delicious meal after a day on the river.

Wild Edible Medicine

Wine Weekend Stimulus package at Spendor Mountain

The 2nd annual Georgia Fine Wine Festival returns to Black Stock Vineyards and Winery the weekend of June 6-7. Reserve your tickets today! It's a weekend festival of the finest food, wine, music, and art in the beautiful Georgia Mountains.

Splendor Mountain in Tiger (Rabun County) offers a wine weekend stimulus package. Enjoy the wine weekend and rest in a comfortable luxury cottage, perfect for a family or group of couples, for only $500/weekend. This is a real deal! Splendor Mountain also offers a romantic suite for two at the Shadow Rock Pavilion for just $300/weekend.

Bring your Georgia wine and relax on the wraparound porch and enjoy the 8 o'clock Saturday night movie showing of "The Good Year" at Sunrise Lodge.

For reservations, call 706.212.2897

Memorial Day Weekend In Rabun

FRIDAY/SATURDAY: 6th Annual Lakemont Art Walk
Friday 9 am – 8 pm; Saturday 9 am – 6 pm; Artists’ demonstrations and a trunk show of unusual one-of-a-kind jewelry by Barbara Wilkes; refreshments and live music. Gallery theme “Putting on the Dog,” featuring art about dogs; Grand opening of Annie’s at Alley’s.

SATURDAY: Platters for Pooches at the Lake Rabun Pavilion
Annual fundraiser for Boggs Mountain Humane Shelter, from 6-9 p.m. Hand painted ceramic platters by local artists, art auction, and the biggest burgers in the South. Western wear; $50 per person; reservations required. Call 706-782-2825

SATURDAY: Artist Reception at the Root Seller Gallery at Timpson Creek. Opening of Michael Woodside Exhibit (through June 20)
Artist reception May 23 from 3-5 pm Michael Woodside combines photography, graphic design and sketches to produce wonderfully fantastical nature scenes of our mountains.

SATURDAY: Memorial Holiday Canoe Outing at Tallulah Gorge State Park
9:30 am; sign up in advance!

SATURDAY/SUNDAY: Memorial Day Cook-out & BBQ at the Dillard House
Tickets available at the front desk

SATURDAY & MONDAY: Annual Americana Memorial Weekend Auction at Golden Memories Auction Company

SATURDAY: Afternoon Wine & Cheese Social at the Dillard House
With special music, featuring Georgia wines, every Saturday afternoon through the first weekend in October.

SUNDAY/MONDAY: Memorial Holiday Gorge Floor Hike at Tallulah Gorge State Park
10 am; sign up in advance!

Stay connected for more info and updates!

Facebook fan page: “Rabun County Convention & Visitors Bureau”
Twitter: Rabun
Blogs: Rabun Traveler, Georgia Mountain Traveler, Bulletin Board, Connecting Rabun
YouTube: Visit Rabun
Community social network: www.gamountains.ning.com

Creative Writing Classes

Have you ever dreamed of writing a novel? A children’s book? Even a memoir? This class could be the first step in making that dream come true!

Author Donna Ball (www.donnaball.net) will offer a series of creative writing classes beginning Tuesday June 9 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at The Center on Warwoman in Clayton. Day classes are also available beginning Wednesday June 24 from 1:00-3:00. Each class will meet twice a month through August. The cost is $20 per class. Register by e-mailing DonnaABall@aol.com Or by calling 706-746-5838.

Beginner and experienced writers of all interests are welcome, but YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER by JUNE 1.

Tallulah Gorge Grill features Leckie Stack as guest chef on Saturday, May 16

The Tallulah Gorge Grill is now open for dinner Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights until 9 p.m.
Guest Chef, Leckie Stack, co - founder of Tiger Mountain Winery & Stack Farms will be cooking & sharing her knowledge of food and wine pairing on Saturday, May 16.

~
Leckie's Menu
salad
Spinach salad with Brie & Strawberries from Osage Farms
Arugula with Kalamata Olives, Pancetta & Parmesan shavings
entree
Slow cooked Tuscan Hunter's Chicken in Georgia Red Wine Sauce
Cumin & Cilantro Encrusted Spring Lamb Chops
vegetable
Yukon Gold smashed Potatoes &
Grilled Organic Asparagus from Stack Farms
dessert
Trio of Italian Gelato with Fresh Osage Strawberries & a Cookie

Wine Recommendation
Malbec 1922 from Argentina
Beau Jouert Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa
Reservations 706-754-9149

"Awakening of the Vines"

The annual "Awakening of the Vines" at Tiger Mountain Vineyards is coming up on Saturday May 16, from noon to 3 p.m.. Join Tigerwine Tasters and the Abominable Seed and Feed Band for a gourmet picnic, with great entertainment and great wine! E-mail tigerwine@windstream.net or call 706-782-4777 to make your reservations by Monday, May 11.

Reception for artists Smith and Jones at GHCA

Reception for B. Wayne Smith and Wes Jones will be held Sunday May 17th at the Georgia Heritage Center for the Arts in Tallulah Falls from 2p.m. to 4 p.m. Smith is an acrylic artists who resides in Buford and Jones is a wood turner from Lawrenceville. The show in the main Gallery is "We all Wear Masks" and there is a wide variety of masks on display.

Smith retired from the restaurant business in Atlanta to pursue his dream of painting. Many of his friends from the restaurant business will be catering the reception. For more information please call 706-754-5989. The Gallery is located at the Northwest Corner of "the Bridge" and the entrance to the Tallulah Gorge Day Use Park in Rabun County.

Greenleaf opens second gallery

Greenleaf Gallery of Clayton opens second gallery at 177 Main Street in Highlands this week, featuring original art work, pottery, jewelry, and custom picture framing.

BEECHWOOD INN FEATURES GUEST CHEF ROSEMARY RUTLAND

On May 16, the Beechwood Inn in Clayton, GA, will feature guest chef Rosemary Rutland of the Chef's Table in Atlanta.

Rosemary Rutland's true passion involves all aspects of food. During her career, she visited over 30 countries, sparking a love of travel, foreign cultures, local cuisines, and their ingredients and preparation. Leaving the corporate world, she embarked on a culinary path that led first to the Art Institute of Atlanta. Rosemary graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2004, earning a Culinary Arts degree with emphasis in baking and pastry (CPC). After a baking internship at the Ritz-Carlton Downtown Atlanta and a restaurant internship with Woodfire Grill, she started Chef's Table Personal Chef Service in 2005. As a personal chef, she teaches cooking & baking classes, creates dining memories for special occasions and makes multi-meal service for a broad range of clients. Rosemary has worked for Bold American Catering and was previously a pastry chef at Trois in midtown Atlanta. She is a member of the American Culinary Federation, Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, Pastry Atlanta, and the United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA). Rosemary serves as President of the USPCA Atlanta Chapter and taught classes at their 2006 annual conference. http://www.chefrosemary.com

Plan your weekend getway to the Northeast Georgia mountains! For menu and reservations, at the Beechwood Inn, Georgia's premier wine country inn, www.beechwoodinn.ws