The Lodge at Tallulah Falls School
A 55-room lodge will open in April 2008 on U.S. 441 just south of the once famous summer retreat town of Talluah Falls. Home to spectacular Tallulah Gorge, this small town is beginning to blossom again with art galleries, nature trails, restaurants such as Tallulah Grill and Isabelle’s as well as the beautiful Tallulah Gorge State Park with mountain biking trails, hiking trails, interpretive center, outstanding programming and camping.
Premiere of Land Of Spirit, New Folklife Play
Land of Spirit folk life play, conveniently located in Northeast Georgia off Interstate 85 at the Cultural Center in Lavonia, will have four weekends of performances in June 2008 and another run from mid-October until mid-November. It’s Family Entertainment at its best, written and directed by internationally known Community Performance Inc. Team, and includes real, true life stories that make you laugh, cry, and return for new performances year after year. For information: Call 706-356- 8202, 706-356 -1926 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The website will be online soon, www.landofspirit.com.
Funopolis Family Fun Center
Opening in spring 2008, this facility will offer mini-golf, go carts, arcade games, bumper cars, bumper boats, climbling wall, party rooms, event area for meeting & corporate groups, food and ice cream. It will be located at 40155 Hwy 441 South, Commerce, Georgia. www.funopolisfamilyfuncenter.com 706 335-3866. For more information contact Mary Greenwood at 706-255-2868.
Toccoa's historic Greyhound terminal to be restored - The circa 1949 Greyhound bus station on East Railroad Street in downtown Toccoa is undergoing an extensive restoration and is expected to open by late August as Bus Stop Eats, Drinks & Antiques, a combination antiques shop and upscale dining venue The building was purchased in April by Toccoa native John Hewitt and wife Dorothy, who are doing as close to a historically accurate restoration as is possible. Interior walls will be left in the original locations, the original Greyhound ticket counter will be the focal point of the bar area, the second level balcony along the eastern side of the building will be replaced as will the canopy that previously ran the length of the front of the building. The second level of the structure that originally served as rental rooms for overnight bus passengers; will become apartments for the owners and for general manager, Robin Garland Brown. The Hewitts have worked closely with Toccoa Main Street coordinator and executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, Connie Tabor and with Chip Wright, historic preservation planner of the Georgia Mountains Regional Development Center to ensure a historically accurate look for the project. "We are extremely happy to be a part of Toccoa's preservation efforts and look forward to providing dining options that have not previously been available in downtown Toccoa." said Hewitt. Bus Stop Eats, Drinks & Antiques will feature fine dining in a casual and historic atmosphere and will serve Southern and Southwestern regional cuisine with an upscale twist on traditional favorites. There will an estimated seating capacity of 100 in the main dining area and on the covered patio. There will also be private function rooms on the second level. The owners are also looking for any old photos that show the building when it was operational as a bus terminal. For Additional Information or images: John Hewitt, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ~ 404-372-8455
Smith House Gold Mine
While removing the concrete floor of the main dining room on February 12, 2006, workers stumbled upon what appears to be an old gold mine shaft. The shaft, which is about thirty feet deep and four feet-wide had been perfectly sealed under the floor for over one hundred years.
Workers were removing the concrete flooring in order to renovate the previously used dining room for a new restroom area. This is part of a two phase project which includes expansion of the Restaurant and Hotel areas. The Hotel is expanding the property by 52 additional guest rooms and meeting facilities for 200 guests. We will update any findings or developments via this website so be sure and check back often. Visitors can now view the mine shaft and see some of the artifacts retrieved from the mine. www.smithhouse.com
Lake Lanier Islands Resort www.lakelanierislands.com
Tranquility Spa at Lake Lanier Islands Resort
Relax your body and appease your mind in our stress free environment where your wellbeing is our main concern. We will provide you with a repertoire of therapies, treatments and services designed to help you reach an unprecedented mind, body and soul experience. You will experience state-of-the-art facials, body treatments and advanced massage therapy performed in exquisite treatment rooms under the care of highly trained professionals. Tranquility, an experience that you will want to repeat again and again….
Preparations for the NEW Lake Lanier Islands Resort
The multi-million dollar renovations are well underway at the NEW Lake Lanier Islands Resort, and if you've visited the resort recently, you will feel an undercurrent of excitement and anticipation for the great amenities to come...
<!--[if !vml]-->Ground has been broken on the new 4,500 square foot six-room executive villas. Phase I of Emerald Pointe Hotel & Conference Center renovations is complete. Guest rooms have already been fully renovated with upgraded amenities, enlarged bathrooms, overstuffed sofas, luxurious linens, flat screen televisions and wireless Internet. The final phase of renovations, including a complete remodel of the exterior front Porte Cochere, lobby enlargement with expanded coffee and gift shop, and expansions of both Bullfrogs and Windows restaurants are set to be compete by late spring 2008. All renovations will celebrate the wilderness of natural Lake Lanier Islands Resort's landscape; yet provide the comforts of a modern resort.
The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame
The Georgia Racing Hall of Fame (GRHOF) has officially re-opened. The museum, which has been recognized by the state legislature as the official home of the Hall of Fame, recognizes prominent members of Georgia’s racing heritage. Museum hours are the same as City Hall’s hours: Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 415 Hwy 53 E, Dawsonville, GA 30534
Volunteers will be onsite to open the museum every weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The best part is that guests can visit the museum for free—there will be no charge for admission.
Gordon Pirkle, local businessman and long time racing enthusiast, can often be seen taking groups of people through the museum and sharing his love for this segment of Dawsonville’s history. Pirkle explains to people how stock car racing roots started in the manufacturing and distribution of moonshine.Please plan to come to City Hall and visit the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame on your next visit.
Tallulah Falls School begins construction of 55 room lodge, The Lodge at Tallulah Falls near Tallulah Gorge. Expected Grand Opening will be early spring.
Turner’s Corner Café on U.S. 129 north of Cleveland has re-opened!
It is now open 7 days. Presently they are open these hours: Lunch from 11:30am-4pm and Dinner from 6pm-9pm Sunday-Thursday (6-10pm Friday & Saturday). There are seven new owners and the Chef. They all want to offer an upscale menu with wonderful food including great bread and desserts. Appetizers and salads are real tasty. Lunch includes 3 soups, 5 appetizers, 5 salads, 6 burgers, 5 wraps and 6 sandwiches. They plan to have breakfast including biscuits a little later. Reservations are recommended especially for dinner. After you’ve eaten, stop and see Elsie Maloy at A Victorian Cowgirl. 1768 John Crow Road, Cleveland, Georgia 30528 (706) 219-244 www.avictoriancowgirl.com
Tallulah Falls Railroad Museum
With a history that traces back to 1854, the Tallulah Falls Railroad was created by the Georgia General Assembly in order to establish a rail line from Athens to North Georgia. With great anticipation, the line reached the town of Clayton in 1898, and nine years later arrived in Franklin, NC. Passenger service ceased on the line in 1946 and although efforts were made to save it, railroad traffic was terminated in 1961.
Today, a small part of history is preserved as the Tallulah Falls Railroad once again chugs down the tracks, thanks to Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School's Dess Oliver and his many industrial arts students who have worked to bring the train back to life over the past ten years. Nestled between the campus of the school and the Dillard House on Highway 441 North and framed to the east and west b Rabn Bald and Wolffork Valley, the Tallulah Falls Railroad Museum house a full-size, two-foot gauge locomotive, passenger car, flat car, and caboose. Featured in Foxfire Magazine and People Magazine, the museum offers visitors tours of the station, which is filled with an array of artifacts and photographs. Rides on the train are also available. U.S. Hwy 441 South of Dillard ~ 706-746-7467
Culinary Studio at Chateau Elan Winery & Resort
Take a cooking class at Chateau Elan's latest Culinary Studio. Located in the Winery, Château Élan's newest addition is a beautiful 1600 sq ft teaching kitchen furnished with top tier Viking Range® appliances.
Lead by Executive Chef Marc Suennemann, Château Élan’s international team of chefs will bring their individual and cultural specialties to the kitchen as they teach guests through interactive participation. Each guest has his or her own cooking station complete with an individual cook-top and a selection of culinary tools appropriate to the class menu.
The Culinary Studio offers scheduled recreational classes, team-building and group classes, private events, and Gourmet Getaways. The Culinary Studio is the place for food and friends.
To complement the Culinary Studio, the Wine Market now carries Viking® small appliances, cookware, and cutlery as well as an expanded selection of gourmet and culinary items. www.chateauelan.com
Buisson Center Re-Opens
Masterworks Foundation is pleased to announce the re-opening of the Buisson Arts Center downtown Dahlonega. The grand opening was September 14th, Come celebrate the rich history and new beginnings of this beloved landmark in downtown Dahlonega! Beautiful music, nibble on splendid hors d’oeuvres and enjoy the wonderful outflow of creativity in the works of Janice Van Cronkhite. Janice’s show “Miracles” will run through September 30th. This year, Masterworks Foundation at the Buisson Art Center will host a vast array of programming and community events. Continuing with some old traditions like the Artist Rendezvous, the 3rd Saturday of each month, to creating new traditions like in our “November Friday Night Serenades” at the Artist Palate Coffee House and Café right here in the Gallery! This year the Artist Rendezvous will expand to include a “picnic on the porch & live music” during the day; in the evening come enjoy our “Lets Dance” party in the Gallery from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Look for new and exciting events each month on the calendar found on the Buisson Arts Center web site. www.buissonartscenter.com/home.htm
Historic Train Depot in Downtown Cornelia
City of Cornelia’s historic train depot, opened Monday through Friday from 9-4, was first built by the Southern Railway soon after the town was founded. Burned in 1910 and replaced in 1914 this large passenger and freight station was once the home to two rail lines, the Blue Ridge & Atlantic Railroad (also known as the Tallulah Falls Railway) and The Georgia Air Line Railroad, now known as Norfolk Southern. This depot is the symbolic and historic heart of Cornelia and in fact the town’s first boundaries were set at one half mile increments in all directions from the depot. Today this depot serves as a railroad museum filled with relics from the days when the railroad ruled. To schedule tours or for more information call 706-778-7875. www.corneliageorgia.org
Whitney's Karaoke Bar Opens In Downtown Elberton
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<!--[endif]-->Hundreds of people gathered Friday and Saturday evening to kick off the grand opening of Whitney's Karaoke Bar with owners Devin and Whitney Richert. According to Devin it was a great success and he appreciates the support and hopes to see everyone again in the following weeks. Whitney's will be open for lunch Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and open Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to midnight. The menu includes personal pizzas (choose your own pizza toppings), specialty sandwiches, fresh salads and desserts. Whitney's has a full service bar, pool tables and karaoke for entertainment
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Babyland General 
