May 2004 Archived Columns
5/24/2004
We've had a few drops of rain here and there, but it's basically been dry this past week. Sunday was a beautiful day, and I think we'll continue to have a few sprinkles this week, along with some more good days.The 17 year locusts are back, in incredible quantities. That's the noise you may have been hearing that sounds like a high-pitched whine, something like a rusty saw. That's the males drumming, trying to attract females. They're basically harmless, although they can cause some damage to ornamentals when they start to lay their eggs (from twig breakage). The county extension agent advises covering the ornamentals if they seem to be laying eggs in them to any great extent. They do not carry disease. By the way, they look a lot like a large grasshopper, with wild red eyes. We also have 12 year locusts and annual locusts, but this is the big one.
We're continuing to be very busy in the office, and things continue to sell at a very brisk pace. I've had a few customers be disappointed because property they are considering buying has been sold before they made their minds up to make an offer. I've said this before, but what's going on up here right now has very little resemblance to the Atlanta market. We're basically in a seller's market, and things are selling very well indeed. Our April broke all the company records, and it's not just us. The numbers show that everyone in the county is selling lots of property.
I hope you have plans for the big weekend. It should be a good time to be in the mountains.
5/14/2004
We finally got a little rain this week, so temperatures are back more toward normal (60 in the morning, middle 70s in the afternoon). The forecast calls for 20-30% rain for the weekend, but it seems we haven't been having much rain on those kind of days this spring.I've had a few inquiries about the scenic railroad. The schedule for the rest of May is Friday and Saturday, 11:00 AM departure, Sundays 1:00 departure. Call 800.934.1898 or 706.632.9833. Or visit the website at www.brscenic.com.
There's an interesting event this Saturday, May 15th, the 1st Annual Birdhouse Competition. It's a benefit for the Whiskers Project, a non-profit spay/neuter program for ferel and stray cats in Union and Towns counties. Admission is free, entry fee for judging is $5 per birdhouse. It's being held at the Wight Farm. Probably the easiest way to find it from Blue Ridge is to drive to Blairsville, then turn back toward the west on the old highway (76 or the Blue Ridge Highway). You pass the Ace Hardware, then turn left at Mulky Gap, left at Fairview Church, and see signs. I see that the rain date is May 22nd, so you may want to call to confirm if it is raining, 706.745.0936.
Dahlonega is hosting the Wildflower Festival of Arts on Saturday and Sunday. From Blue Ridge, go east toward Blairsville to Hwy 60 south (on the right, just past the Ford and Dodge dealers). Then follow 60 south to Dahlonega. It is a nice ride through the national forest and along the creek, but allow an hour and a half or more to get to Dahlonega on a Saturday. The schedule is on the Internet at www.dahlonega.org or call 800.231.5543 or 706.864.3711.
We've got a new weekly event, Picking in the Park. It is being held in Horseshoe Bend Park every Thursday evening. If you play an instrument, you are invited to come and play. To reach Horseshoe Bend Park from Blue Ridge, go up to McCaysville on Hwy 5, cross the river, and turn back toward Mineral Bluff on Hwy 60 south. Just before you cross the tracks, turn right on River Road. Horseshoe Bend Park is on the right.
5/7/2004
Last week started off with a very hard rain on Sunday, and Monday the temperature on the deck was close to the freeze. We needed the rain, and it did bring some more leaves and some more wildflowers. The blackberries are starting to bloom, and it seems the pine pollen is almost over.We had a warming trend all week, and it was quite warm yesterday (Thursday). The prospects look good for an excellent weekend, and if you haven't been up this spring, it's definitely time to come. I think we'll be into early summer before too long, at least in terms of what's in bloom.
As I said last week, the bears are up and around. They've been very active, tearing things up all over the county. Remember not to feed them, and keep your dogs strictly away from them. If you don't leave your garbage out, chances are you won't encounter them unless you are on the porch very late at night. They're mostly nocturnal these days, including early morning, and they are mostly attracted by garbage.
I covered most of the hard news last week. There have been some amazing developments lately, and if you've missed them, you may want to read up on them in the archives. Since I wrote that report, two key officials have resigned from Land Development, and we've had the first of two public hearings on building inspections. I'll try to report more on these when the import of them becomes clear.In the meantime, I hope you can come up. It's high spring in the mountains!
