October 2004 Archived Columns
October 28, 2004
It’s bounced back warm for the moment, and I think this weekend will be the last good weekend for leaves. It hasn’t been a spectacular year, but it has been very pretty, especially in the late afternoon, with the sun coming through the leaves.
There’s still quite a bit of water in the lake, in case anyone is interested in a few last-minute lake activities.
This is the last weekend for the Sorghum Festival in Blairsville.
It’s also the last weekend for the Cherry Log Festival in Cherry Log.
The Halloween Safe Zone is Saturday in downtown Blue Ridge. It’s usually a fun time, because a lot of the adults wear costumes, too. Here’s the business association write up: “Thousands of costumed kids and grown-up kids gather in downtown Blue Ridge to celebrate. Businesses stay open late to pass out candy and treats. Parade and costume contest.” Blue Ridge Business Association, 706-632-0547.
If anyone out there has a cabin or a piece of land to list, now’s the time. We’re in the height of the busy season, and I expect it will roll pretty good until the end of November, barring really bad weather.
That’s about the news. Hope to see you in town!
October 22, 2004
Since last week, the maples and hickories have turned yellow, and it’s been quite beautiful on the deck, especially in the late afternoon sun. The oaks haven’t really turned yet, so we’re still lacking the brilliant reds. In a normal year, we’d expect the peak this weekend or next, but it’s far from peak at this point. The trouble is, it’s hard to tell whether it’s going to get much better, because many of the oaks seem to be just turning brown and dropping their leaves. Those of you who want to be sure not to miss it might consider coming up this weekend. I recommend a drive or a hike out through the Cohuttas for folks who want to see the color.
I had an email inquiry from some folks from Goa, India that included an email name, but no address of a service provider. If you are reading this, please contact me again with your full email address at choller@tds.net.
The harvest festival is in its last weekend at the old farmer’s market in Blue Ridge. It’s a great place to buy chow-chow and preserves, along with some of the local crafts. I bought some very nice pottery last weekend from a vendor by the name of J. Alexander. The market is in the vicinity of the old drive-in theater on the old highway. From Atlanta, turn at the first light in Blue Ridge, at June Walker Chevrolet. Follow along to a right, just before the Swan Drive-in Theater.
The sorghum festival is on in Blairsville for the next two weekends. It’s worth a visit for the history and the sorghum.
Speaking of sorghum, the grist mill up in Copperhill, Smelter’s, has started offering buckwheat pancake mix along with their great cornmeal and grits. They’re on the left, just past the old copper plant as you head up Hwy 68 toward Ducktown from Copperhill.
October 15, 2004
It’s been a bit cooler this week, with some rain over the past few days. It definitely feels like fall, and we’re beginning to see some color in the woods, mostly from the dogwoods, sourwoods, and sumacs. The dominant tones are red and rusty, with some yellows here and there.
Everyone is asking me when I think the leaves will peak, and the answer is that it’s still a little too early to call. I’ve talked to a few of the old weather prophets in the county, and gotten their opinions, which tend to favor an early fall. I think that’s probably right, especially since the weather channel is calling for a frost tonight. At this point, my guess is that we probably won’t have a spectacular leaf season. We’ve had about three years in a row of less-than-peak leaf seasons, and the explanation always has to do with rain – too much, too little, too soon, too late.
Having said that, I’ll also say that I’m sure there will be a few wonderful leaf days this fall. I’ll try to keep you posted on the leaf season as things progress. I usually recommend a drive out through Watson Gap into the Cohuttas for those who want to drive and a hike or walk through the same area for those who like to see the country on foot.
This weekend and next weekend (October 16, 17, 23, and 24) will be the Harvest Festival at the old Farmer’s Market. That’s near the drive-in theater on the old highway. From Atlanta, you would turn right at the first light in Blue Ridge, at June Walker Chevrolet. When you get into the vicinity of the theater, look for the festival on the right. It’s one of my favorite events, because it’s a good place to stock up on homemade jams and preserves. There will also be some local craftspeople and miscellaneous vendors.
As I’ve said before, the real estate market is beginning to heat up for the busy season. Those of you who are looking to buy this year should come up and have a look as soon as possible, because we will sell most of the good listings by the end of November.
That’s the news. Hope to see you in town!
October 4, 2004
Last weekend was simply beautiful, and the trend is continuing this week. This morning, it was 50º on the deck, and it’s a perfect fall day.
If you’re in the market for land, it’s getting to be high time to do something. We’re starting to get busy in the office, and the good listings are going to start to sell. I’d recommend that you do some initial looking now, and be ready to move just as soon as the leaves are off the trees and you can see the lay of the land clearly. We sell the most in the fall, and we definitely sell the most view property in the fall.
Speaking of view property, we have begun lot reservations on Nature’s Courtyard, which is the new development of one of our best developers, J.W. Stephens. It’s a little too early to sell lots and put it in the MLS because we don’t have a final plat. But we’re expecting that in a few weeks. This development has some of the best views I’ve ever seen the county, and we expect the best lots to list around $125. Please contact me for details, because this one isn’t online yet.
We’re starting to get some early color from the dogwoods and sourwoods. I’m expecting a fantastic leaf season, and I’ll try to keep everyone posted on the status through this newsletter.
Speaking of fall, we’ve heard from Mr. McDaniels, a life-long resident who lives out toward the Cohuttas, that he’s expecting an early frost. According to Mr. McDaniels, the bloom of a certain flower has without fail predicted a frost in two weeks. I’m not able to identify the flower precisely, but it is one of the daisy-like white asters, very similar to the Rush Aster, the one with grass-like leaves and flower clusters about ½” to 1”.
The big news from Fannin County is that we’ve finally approved new construction inspections, and the county is advertising for qualified inspectors. We were one of only four counties in Georgia without these inspections, and we were attracting some unqualified builders simply for this reason. With these inspections, we can offer a higher quality product to our buyers, and most of us are simply delighted. Thanks are due to everyone who worked to make this important initiative a reality.
That’s about the news. Hope to see you in town!
