A Garden of Delights

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Kim Jackson

A Garden of Delights

“I believe there were flower seeds in my bassinet,” says Master Gardener, Flossie Dodge. “My mother and grandmother were gardeners, and for years I rejected it. It wasn’t until I retired from real estate and was looking for some productive way to spend my time that I was brought back to my roots. I became a docent for the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, which led me to gardening as a hobby and it then became my avocation.”

To encounter Flossie is similar to walking into a beautiful garden. She is always exploring the outer corners of any map, looking for a way to improve her community, to seek adventure and to bring happiness to those in need. It was this desire to serve, which led her to become a member of the Flower Guild at the Church of the Advent, the Episcopal Church in Madison on Academy Street. “I realized that one of the challenges of being a Flower Guild member would be to follow Rick Crown, (a garden designer and horticulturist). His arrangements are always so lovely, and my only thought was, ‘I need to have plants that always have interest in the winter: blooms or have fruits, berries, or colorful foliage to use in arrangements’.”  With this thought firmly in place, Flossie set out to create a garden designed for winter interest only. Nothing blooms after April and there are no annuals or perennials. She has planted a multitude of bulbs such as Jonquils, Winter Snowflakes and Spanish Bluebells and adds more each year.

“I have found my meditation place in the dirt of Morgan County,” Flossie smiles, eyes alive with enthusiasm for her winter bed. “It all started with a strawberry tree which is a small tree that blooms in the winter. I wanted that tree for flower arrangements in the church. It blooms in December and January, and has green, yellow, and red berries and little white flowers. It looks like a wild strawberry and it is so beautiful that it inspired me to plant this entire area with plants that come alive after everything else has gone dormant. Plus, the plants provide food for birds when it is cold and there is not much else for them to eat.”

There is a peace and calm in the garden as we walk outside in the warm and sunny fall air. The plantings, including Camellia, Winter Jasmine, Magnolias, and Selena Spirea, show no indication of how they will appear in just a few short months. “Now is a great time to plant,” Flossie says. “Between October and February is the optimal time. I would suggest anyone who is interested in this type of garden to begin with hollies. And you don’t have to worry about whether you plant in shade or sun, because the leaves all fall from the trees for winter, so anywhere you plant will be fine.”

Flossie suggests you plan the area you want to plant before you begin, and realize that it doesn’t all need to be completed in the first year. You might choose to consult with a landscape architect and have formal plans drawn up, or you can sketch your own design and seek advice from a local garden shop. The key is to look for plants that add winter interest, ones that brighten the landscape and create a haven for wildlife. Explore the wonderful book, Wonders of the Winter Garden, by Vincent A. Simeone for inspirational ideas. This is a great reference book for any gardener who has ever looked out the window in January and wondered what “Winter Interest” really means. A particularly nice bonus to winter gardening is that the plants featured are not exotic or rare and that although the plants are especially beautiful in winter, they provide interest all year long. Emphasis is placed on deciduous trees and shrubs and “…the elegance of plants with leaves and fruits that grab attention against the gray winter sky…”.

Another great resource is the local Extension Service, which provides pamphlets and advice for anyone who walks through the door and asks. In fact, the Master Gardener course taught through the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science at UGA provides many of the resources free of charge.

Flossie’s love for gardening surrounds her house with beauty inside and out, as well as keeping her constantly fulfilled. “I am so lucky I found something that I could do, and enjoy and not get bored. You can never learn everything about gardening. There is always something new to discover. My garden has taught me two things: humility and humiliation. Good lessons for anyone to learn.”

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Eddie Owen – He’s So Flair

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Kim Jackson

Eddie Owen is a He’s So Flair man of unobtrusive action. Eddie creates Community wherever he goes and where he is now is Madison. Eddie opened Eddie’s Attic in Decatur as a place for musicians, singers, and songwriters to gather. They find a space which opens doors and creates energy in Decatur. This was once a place you didn’t visit after dark but now it is a thriving part of Atlanta. Eddie was part of the success of female acts rising to national recognition including the Indigo Girls and Jennifer Nettle with Sugerland. Together with Jennifer, he is building a nonprofit to benefit musicians: the Attic Community Playground, which is all for songwriters. “There is always something you need and something you can give back,” says Eddie. “We will take it to the school system – and make a Big Wheel – songwriters helping songwriters helping songwriters.”  In addition, Eddie is creating “viral excitement” at the Madison Morgan Cultural Center. “I love the building and what we want is to have something good happening onstage all the time. Along with Judy Barber and Patricia DuBose, we created the Arts for Athletes program.The Cultural Center is bringing acts to the stage that is extraordinary for this area and has the double shot of benefiting the Cultural Center and Morgan County students. It is a win-win. What we need now is for the community to support our effort by attending performances, and being part of the excitement. There is a part of the community that is there now and more involvement that is out there waiting.”

Eddie invites everyone to be part of the excitement and help create something special in this area with music. He’s so Flair!

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Joe Gransden

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Kim Jackson

Live jazz at Lake Oconee is rare to find. Walk into the Ritz-Carlton Lodge on a Friday night and you may be swept into the magic of Joe Gransden, an Atlanta based jazz musician who is a frequent performer in the Lobby Lounge. Gransden is cool. Jazz cool.  Cool enough to hang with Clint Eastwood, play with Kenny G and perform for guests including George Bush and Carrie Underwood. Imagine being in the Lobby, listening to Joe. In walks internationally famous musician Phil Driscoll, who is dropping by to hear Joe play.  Phil will often join Joe for a song or two, playing the piano, trumpet or singing a song. That happens when Gransden is playing. Lucky is the audience who is enjoying an evening out at the Lounge. To hear a talent such as Joe, with his beautiful singing voice, incredible instrumental techniques, and sense of melody should be enough. Add in his fun personality, great back up players and impromptu guest artists, and you have a home run of an evening out.

Quote from Kenny G:
“I first saw Joe play when Clint Eastwood invited this “Unknown” trumpet player to perform at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am Golf tournament tee off gala. I was also performing. I think I’m pretty good at recognizing talent and Joe played beautifully that night. Great tone, great phrasing and great personality. And he sings too!! Way too much talent for one guy!! We became instant friends and we vowed to do a project together someday. Well I’m proud to play a part in this CD and I’m very proud to make music with this wonderfully talented guy. Oh…. and by the way, Joe is anything but “unknown”. He is very well known in Atlanta where he lives and performs to sold out crowds throughout the South East. Enjoy!!”

Joe plays events regularly for Clint Eastwood. They have become good friends, playing golf and paling around. “Working for Clint is a thrill. He is an extremely talented musician and composer. He plays piano and writes most of the music for his movies.

Clint is cool to hang out with. We play golf and have dinner. I go out a few times a year to see him. I will bring my band: sometimes bring the big band, sometimes the five piece. I was Clint’s partner at his tournament called The Clint. That was a lot of fun,” says Joe. Joe’s friendship with Clint led to his meeting Kenny G. Gransden opened for him at a private function for Clint Eastwood in Carmel, California. It’s funny how one thing often leads to another….with that fortuitous introduction, Clint suggested they play a song together, and prompted a close friendship with Kenny G. Like magic, Gransden is in Malibu with Kenny and Walter Afanasieff, putting together his cd “Close To My Heart,” which Kenny G produced. The cd is a collection of smooth jazz covers and originals written by Joe and Kenny.

Gransden was born into the jazz world through his family musical roots. At 38 years old, Joe has performed worldwide and released nine CDs under his own name, with a new release due in January of 2011.  Hailing from New York City his family pedigree includes a gifted singer and pianist for a father and a trumpeter of merit, his grandfather who played professionally his entire life throughout the world. On his mother’s side of the family was the piano virtuoso Carmen Cavallero.

“Music has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember,” says the unassuming Gransden.  “I was always practicing with my father, and how eventually he took me along to sit in at jam sessions.  It created a respect for individuals like my father whose lives revolved around music.  I knew early on, while I was still in high school, that music was going to be my life.”

The attacks of Nine-Eleven changed many lives, and Gransden’s was one of them. He decided to move to Atlanta from New York City immediately after the bombing and started playing around Atlanta and at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge. “Shawn McCune was the food and beverage director then, and he called and asked me to play here. There was not much entertainment here then. We played golf and he hired me. We had a lot in common and that led me to buy property here. I love the lake and we plan to build in the future. Now, it is better to be closer to Atlanta. My wife Charissa is a classical flutist and teaches music at the Lovett School.”

Gransden plays six to seven nights a week and travels constantly. He is a regular at the popular Atlanta jazz club Café 290 where he has just recorded a new cd, scheduled for release in January. “I put together a 17-piece big band and recorded live. It’s a beautiful thing, a throwback to the old big band era of Frank, Sammy, and Dean. I hope all my fans will love it.”

“It is always great to play the Ritz-Carlton Lodge. I like the guests and the members. I like the energy in the lobby lounge; they dance and have a great time. It’s a thrill to come out here, play some golf, and meet new people.” He smiles and you can see why fans, including Eastwood want to be around Gransden. He is a good soul, relaxed, fun and like Eastwood, cool to hang with. He plays the Ritz-Carlton three to four times per month. To catch a night when Gransden is playing, check his website, joegransden.com or call the concierge desk for Joe’s performance schedule. “Having my own group and being fortunate enough to travel, play, and record has been a dream come true,” says Gransden.

“Joe is a young man with an old soul and a classic voice. He is a great new talent, with a wonderful sense of humor to boot. And don’t forget, he plays a hell of trumpet!” Clint Eastwood actor/director.

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Woodie – A Chris Craft 1963 Fred McCord

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Kim Jackson

A crisp fall day, leaves colored orange and red, is a good time to be on Lake Oconee. Add in a brilliant blue sky with soft white clouds drifting above and warm sunshine streaming down. Shake it together, pour out and time becomes meaningless if you are scooting across Lake Oconee in a classic 1963 Chris Craft Holiday. “Woodie” belongs to Fred McCord, a former commercial photographer living on Lake Oconee, who has a passion for antique wooden boats, owned by celebrities of the time, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Elvis Presley. Chris Craft boats were considered to be among the best available before modernization, so to speak. They were easy to operate, which was necessary for their “weekend sailor” owners.

McCord is a purist about almost everything. As we zip across water gleaming like polished glass, McCord has a seriousness of expression that only someone with his passion could possess. He explains to me how there is no comparison to the ride of his boat to anything manufactured today. Wooden boats ride smooth, sitting down into the water differently than modern designs. The hull conformation results in an exceedingly soft, dry ride, with little bouncing or jarring as with a fiberglass or aluminum boat. At the time, it was considered state-of-the art, with its beamy, low-freeboard profile, an ideal boat for water sports requiring high speeds, which creates a wake you can surf without a line. The triple bow was the first of its type ever put on a speedboat and the double chines and fins underneath give the vessel exceptional handling ability and create the spray. This was the premier ski boat of its day, able to handle hard turns, quick acceleration, and sudden slow downs impressively. Chris Craft later incorporated these designs into their first fiberglass boats in 1964, the Chris Craft Commander.

Woodie started life at a dealership on Piedmont Road in Atlanta for $2100.00. She came from Cadillac Michigan and went to Lake Lanier, where she stayed until 1970. After being sold for the first time, she was moved to Lake Rabun, where her new owners enjoyed water skiing on the clear mountain lakes operated by Georgia Power. Their kids grew up and she spent the next 20 plus years hanging on hooks in a boat house, until an estate sale. “At one time there were more wooden boats on Lake Rabun and Lake Burton per square acre than anywhere else in the world,” says McCord. “When I saw her, I knew I had to own her. It was nineteen-sixty-three when I graduated from high school, so as a boomer that type of fast speedboat appealed to me – the small block 283 Chevy engine. The Holiday is a “go-fast” boat that is fun to own. When I bought her, I thought she had been completely restored. I soon discovered it was mostly cosmetic. When I moved her to Lake Oconee in 1999, I was fortunate to meet Tom Neff, owner of Neff’s Classic Boats on Lake Sinclair. I realized I had met genius, and we set about restoring her to better than new condition.”

Neff has spent a lifetime building and refurbishing boats. Coincidently, he grew up eight miles from where Woodie was manufactured in Michigan. Through a labor of love, Neff and McCord set about bringing Woodie back to bristol (new) condition, as the day she was first launched in 1963. They rebuilt all the mechanical systems including rebuilding the engine and completely rewiring, the bottom was re-planked, and refastened. They took the original varnish down to the bare wood, and reapplied a lighter shade of varnish to complete the bright work. Final touches to the restoration included a complete re-upholstery. As an extra touch to the original engineering, the hull was re-enforced with half-round, stainless steel rods, positioned on the aft section of the hull to minimize ‘porpoising.” Woodie is now better, stronger, and faster than new condition. She provides the McCord’s with many enjoyable hours of cruising and relaxing on the Lake. When you see this piece of history passing by, be sure to wave at Fred and Joy McCord piloting their vintage boat, “Woodie.”

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Destination Weddings How to Live the Dream

Posted on December 7, 2010 by Kim Jackson

A New Trend

On a chilly, grey February morning, Carrie Underwood and her then fiancé, Mike Fisher, of the NHL Ottawa Senators, stood gazing across Lake Oconee, with visions of a perfect wedding dancing through their heads. Like a page from a book of fairy tales, the requirements for their magical event were falling into place: a five-diamond resort, within a five-hour drive of Nashville, and the ability to “buy out” the facility. “I told Carrie that if she loved this resort in February, she would be amazed by it in July! When they were here looking at the property and said when they would like to reserve it, we already had another event scheduled for the same date,” said Gino Marasco, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge. “Fortunately, we were able to work out the details in order to accommodate Ms. Underwood.” This affability is one of the many considerations that make a wedding at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation a wedding like no other. If you can dream it, they can help you realize the dream.

The idea of a destination wedding, filled with activities designed for fun and relaxation as well as pampering is becoming a popular way for a bride and groom to begin their life together. While the Ritz-Carlton Lodge has always been a desirable location for brides, the national coverage it received with the Underwood-Fisher wedding catapulted its recognition as a top choice in tranquil resorts for tying the knot. More than 250 rooms are available, along with five excellent golf courses for the guys and a luxury spa for the gals. The formula works. Amenities help to create an equation that draws guests to this hidden gem in middle Georgia on the edge of Lake Oconee.

When it comes to the ultimate wedding, little details make the big day memorable. The staff of Ritz-Carlton say the words, “It’s our pleasure” often enough you are convinced, and you have the feeling of being in a place operating solely to accommodate your needs. Service is foremost in everything they do. “First time brides want the wedding of their dreams,” says Marasco. “They love the Lodge because it reminds them of their childhood, happy times, and summer vacations with family and friends. We offer what is like a ‘camp on the lake,’ with campfires and S’mores. With all the things to do, golfing, the spa, fishing and boating, there is plenty of family time. Everybody stays together, and it is relaxing rather than stressful.”

Underwood and her party enjoyed staying at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge’s 5,400-square-foot Presidential House, a venue visited by former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. The lakeside retreat is a three-story cottage with four master bedroom suites and a great room that opens onto a private heated outdoor pool overlooking Lake Oconee. The option of staying in this private retreat within a resort is very popular with wedding parties. In addition to the Presidential House there are six, two and three bedroom cottages secluded in a wooded area next to the Ritz-Carlton Lodge.

The uniqueness of a destination wedding is appealing to young professionals. The Ritz-Carlton Lodge offers a completely different environment for a wedding than a beach resort or mountain retreat. The Lodge is luxury in a casual setting, something that tugs people who want privacy and seclusion. Marasco explains that….”We offer several options in ballroom space, a dedicated floral and décor designer, Kent Duffy on property to help with all our events. David Nolan, our Pastry Chef, is amazing with his creations. It is a total team effort here.” You see the dedication and professionalism and know she is speaking words that make the difference in a wedding or in a Ritz-Carlton wedding. “The real work does not start until about two months before the event. We do a mock up to be certain that the expectation is in line with the original idea. We want the bride and groom to personalize the entire wedding, so it is important to know their likes and dislikes. Ms. Underwood loves Chanel, so the black Chanel flower kept popping up everywhere at her event. Whatever your dream, we will try to create…..that includes private rehearsal dinners in the woods, or vows spoken lakeside. We ask you to bring us a vision of your perfect wedding and let us show you how we make it happen.”

The magic is working. People are discovering this hidden gem, arriving from areas including Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia and departing with memories to cherish for a lifetime. It is no wonder that Mike and Carrie choose this spot for their “destination wedding.”. How can you beat perfection?

“The night exceeded all the hopes I had. It was a great party” – Carrie Underwood.

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Troutdale Restaurant at Harbor Club

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Kim Jackson

In the mood for something special, perhaps an out-of-the-ordinary dining experience that is easy on the pocketbook? Welcome to Troutdale Restaurant, located at the Clubhouse of Harbor Club. Troutdale hails from Bristol, Tennessee and has fourteen restaurants in their stable. Ben Zandi, owner and proprietor of Troutdale Kitchen, which is placed in the Tri-City area of Bristol, Johnston City and Kingsport started in 2001 with the original concept of good food made with the freshest ingredients. It was quickly a local favorite and the business soon expanded to include catering and managing food and beverage divisions in Country Clubs. Harbor Club, with a connection to Kingsport, decided Troutdale Restaurant was a natural fit when the time arose to make changes in the dining room of  the Clubhouse at Harbor Club. Winding through this gated community with the neighborhood feel might be challenging for locals unaware they are welcome to visit Troutdale. Despite the remove from Lake Oconee Parkway, Troutdale Restaurant is definitely worth searching out and welcomes everyone.

Darrin Shelley, Executive Chef of Troutdale states that the reception for the restaurant has been great. “Our member dining has doubled since the opening of Troutdale. We welcome all area residents to visit and enjoy all we have to offer, just as our members do. Our belief is that if you dine here once – you will return,’ says Shelley. “We take pride in seeking out the best ingredients, including Honolulu Seafood, the finest seasonal ingredients and fresh, high quality produce, then creating new ways of preparation to separate ourselves from the pack.”

Of course, with a name like Troutdale, you just know it offers exceptional rainbow trout. Their signature dish is a Parmesan Encrusted Fillet of Trout with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce. It is tender, flaky and moist, served just as it should be. “The trick to perfect trout is absolute freshness of the fish, and then not to overcook it,” says Shelley. “We also offer a fabulous line-caught, wild Tasmanian Salmon, which is unbelievable.” Embracing the theme of fresh and local, peaches are a recent feature, including a Peach Soup with Balsamic Vinegar that has an intricacy of taste best tried to believe. The sweetness of the peaches, offset perfectly by the tanginess of the balsamic vinegar, makes a perfect starter.

Troutdale Restaurant offers an expanded wine list that includes quarterly changes, in order to complement the seasonal menu changes. This allows for perfect pairing of food and wine, with wine pairing dinners coming up soon. Tapas Thursday’s is designed for friends  to enjoy food while socializing  What better way to spend an evening then tasting and sharing small plates of delectable food. It is  a social event to  add to your calendar.  The Sunday Brunch Buffet, served from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm offers a variety of breakfast and lunch items and includes an Omelet Station. Other special events include Football Parties with the game on the big Screen at the Clubhouse at Harbor Club. A buffet menu is available, including mini-sliders, wings and beer and wine specials. Live music will be offered on occasion.

Pricing is designed for casual dining. Troutdale Restaurant serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday until 3:00, Dinner Thursday through Saturday until 9:30 and Sunday Brunch.  http://www.troutdalehc.com/
706 224 9518

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Horse Racing in Georgia

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Kim Jackson

Southern Cross Ranch in Madison is well known as a place to “get horsey.” A bed and breakfast destination that  has turned horses into a profitable business was host to Edward Gadrix, an Atlanta attorney who spoke on the topic of horse racing to the fifty or so interested people in attendance. Legalizing pari-mutuel betting has long been a dream of Georgians who love horses and the sport of horse racing. In the early 1980’s, there was an initiative afoot which was unsuccessful, however racing has continued to be in the consciousness of people who would like to see this dream realized. Alabama made an failed run at horse racing in the late 1980’s. The theory went something like, “If we build a track in Birmingham, all those Atlanta people with their dollars will come over here and bet, thereby enriching our economy with Georgia dollars.” It didn’t go down that way; Atlanta people stayed home and the track soon went to the dogs – Greyhounds, that is. A hot topic of conversation in the question and answer period was, “How will Georgia be different from Alabama?”

Now Gadrix, an Atlanta lawyer and the executive director of the Georgia Equine Education Project (GEEP) is on the fast track to push a constitutional amendment through during this winter’s General Assembly session. A constitutional amendment would ring the starting bell for wagering on horses, allowing the voters to decide. Election years are a risky time for any politician to openly show support for something as controversial as horse racing. However, with the economy in dire straits, the prospect of pari-mutuel betting is looming large in the minds of supporters. “Pari-mutual betting creates jobs,” Gadrix said. “With Georgians out of jobs and the state cutting its budget everywhere, this is a no-brainer. And it could be positioned to shore up the faltering HOPE scholarship.”

Horse racing is big business in the 38 states which allow it. Georgia, with a solid footing in the hospitality and agri-business industries, is a natural fit to be successful. Billions of dollars in economic impact could swell the state coffers, positioned as we are between Florida and horse racing tracks located to the north, including Kentucky, Ohio, New York and Maryland. Horse racing is an industry that would add jobs for Georgians who currently have to leave the state in order to work in their chosen field including farriers, veterinarians, trainers, and grooms, as well as service people in the hospitality industry. As it is now, race horses traveling in vans and trailers pass through Georgia, with the only economic impact being fast food bills and fuel at gas pumps.

Georgia Rep. Harry Geisinger, R-Roswell, is the chief sponsor of this year’s constitutional amendment. He stated that the economic impact of horse racing would be felt in every corner of the state and create thousands of direct jobs. Gadrix is supporting the effort by organizing events and informational meetings such as the one at Southern Cross Ranch in Madison. These events develop interest and support from horse owners who want to find out what they can do at the grass roots level to support the amendment. “We hope to bring new ways to successfully develop the entire equine industry, in the state. I want to see my horses training and running here in Georgia, without having to sip them out to compete. I believe other Georgians feel as I do, and I think there has never been a better time to get this legislation passed.”

Morgan County could potentially reap big benefits if the amendment were to go to vote. Morgan and surrounding counties are home to about 10% of Georgia’s horses, and the existing horse population is an ever increasing share of the agric-economy.  Located just an hour east of metro-Atlanta would position Morgan as an attractive place to site large breeding and training farms, and possibly a training center. Currently, according to the state Farm Gate figures released in 2007 Morgan County is #1 in the state for livestock and aquaculture with $46.5M. Horses are the #1 value in the livestock/aquaculture category, just ahead of beef and dairy.

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