Regional

Stephanie Hill/ The Folk Pottery Museum also houses a featured exhibit that changes twice a year. Shown is an exhibit from Dave Drake, an enslaved African-American master potter and poet from the 1800s.

MOUNTAIN TRAVELER: Pieces of the past

News Staff
Monday, October 21, 2019
Pottery can tell a story, and the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia is home to many tales. Located on the campus of the Sautee Nacoochee Center (SNC), the museum was built in 2006, and was a gift to the community from Kay and Dean Swanson, said Patrick Brennan, SNC executive director. ...
Christina Santee/ Scott Hulsey pours a glass full of one of his crisp, handcrafted beers in the brewery he owns with is father, Gary Hulsey.

Mountain Traveler: Wet your whistle at Whistle Top Brew Co.

News Staff
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
For several years, Whistle Top Brew Co. has been a permanent fixture in the facade of downtown Cornelia, offering patrons a laid-back hub where they can wet their whistle, pair it with some grub and enjoy that weekend’s lineup of live entertainment. Wet your whistle at Whistle Top Brew Co....
Wayne Knuckles/ The views from Rabun Bald are said to stretch for more than 100 miles when conditions are favorable.

Mountain Traveler: Be Impressed by Rabun Bald

News Staff
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
According to Native American legend, Rabun Bald is inhabited by fire-breathing demon people, and some campers still report hearing strange sounds at night. But the spectacular views from the summit stretching more than 100 miles on a clear day are no myth. Rabun Bald, with an elevation...
Balloon Race 2018

50 years of events

Stephanie Hill
Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Alpine Helen may be known widely for its charming Bavarian-themed façades, but it is also some to several popular events that draw crowds to the city.

Helen in its pre-alpine days looked like a typical small town in rural Georgia. Photo courtesy of David Greear

Transforming a town

Stephanie Hill
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
The vision of four men changed the destiny of a small Georgia town forever. Before becoming the alpine town it is today, Helen was a sawmill town when three local businessmen – Pete Hodkinson, Jim Wilkins and Bob Fowler – decided in 1968 they wanted to help improve the town, according to the...
This sketch by the late artist John Kollock depicts Alpine Helen as it is today.

Small town, big draw

Stephanie Hill
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Who would’ve thought that a town covering just over 2 square miles with a population of less than 600 people would be one of the most visited cities in Georgia? State tourism research director Ashley Barfield said the Northeast Georgia Mountain Region, which includes White County, is the...
The calm waters of Lake Zwerner are perfect for standup paddle boarding. (Photo/Matt Aiken)

Dockside in DAHLONEGA

News Staff
Monday, July 22, 2019
Dahlonega is known more for its gold mines and mountain getaways than lakeside attractions. But that doesn’t mean the city is anywhere near high and dry, because on the outskirts of town sits Lake Zwerner at Yahoola Creek Reservoir. A little more than a decade ago this...
A fish is reeled in by fishing guide Josh Fowler. PHOTO/MICHAEL ISOM

AFTER THE SPAWN: summer fishing heats up

News Staff
Monday, July 22, 2019
Summer is upon us, which means it’s not only time to be out on the water, enjoying North Georgia’s pristine lakes, but for many folks it’s also the time to cast those lines and see what’s biting just below the shimmering surface. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of all things fishing, or...
Shown is a 2019 Four Winns HD 200 boat with wake board tower. PHOTO/BOATING ATLANTA

Cool water, HOT BOAT

News Staff
Monday, July 22, 2019
The only thing better than spending an afternoon or weekend at the lake may be enjoying your lake-time in a hot new boat. Several marina managers shared what trends – and what boats – are popular this year. One thing they all agree on is that tritoons, or pontoon boats with three...
Cars running two across roar down the straightaway during a feature race at Toccoa Raceway. Photo racingin.com

Racing in the dirt

News Staff
Monday, July 22, 2019
Sixty-four years old and still sporting the fastest 1,650 feet of dirt in Georgia. That is an up-to-date description of Toccoa Raceway, which hosts stock car racing every Saturday night from early April through Labor Day weekend. The 5/16ths-of-a-mile track sports a variety of racing classifications...