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By Alice Eachus

Here’s a riddle for you…

I have a chain but I’m not a prisoner
I have a frame but I’m not a photo
I have wheels but I’m not a car
I have a saddle but I’m not a horse
I have pedals but I’m not a piano

C’mon, you know – it’s a bike!

But did you know there’s a Cycling Club in Big Canoe? Actually, Big Canoe riders team up with pedal pushers from Bent Tree to conquer the roads and catch the scenery.

A visit to the cyclists’ Facebook page, Big Canoe/Bent Tree Cycling Club, will introduce you to the guys and gals who meet to share the pavement on two wheels.

Along with miles of adventure, club members share ideas about bikes, equipment, hazards and fun road trips to take. Some even work out on Zwift with cycling as the motivator. Cyclists have a sense of humor too. On April Fool’s Day, the Zwift workout included bike racing on Big Wheels – a most humbling experience.

Zwift is unique as it virtually takes cyclists all over the world for work-outs. Ever trying cycling in the Alps? Or is a flat road through a tulip field in Holland more your speed?

In the June Smoke Signals in the Inside the Gates section, we’ll take you on a road trip to introduce you to a few cyclists and their “road-while” experiences. With warmer months ahead, cyclists will have tips about staying cool while hot on the trail as well as shady rides to enjoy.

Get pumped and come hang with our joint community parade of pedal pushers.

The post When in doubt, pedal it out appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Steve Panetta

The Wellness Center has removed reservation requirements for the entire amenity, including the indoor pool. The locker room showers are now available and the Sauna is reopened. Masks are optional for both guests and employees.
Wellness Center hours will now be:

• 6:15 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday – Friday
• 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Please come down to visit the Wellness Center, we are delighted to be fully open again! Check out our live class schedule here.

The post The Wellness Center drops reservation requirements, opens sauna appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Alice Eachus
Photos by Sherry Evans and Dee Johnson

It was a glorious start to the merry month of May as the ladies of Still Young at Heart (SYAH) danced around the Maypole in wild abandon. The site of the spring festival was the Activity Field at Wildcat.

Some whispered the SYAH pole might have been the rebirth of a springtime Charlie Brown Christmas tree, but no matter, there was fun to be had.

Prancing around the pole, which some designated pole dancing of the innocent sort, soon gave way to Western line dancing as Susan Rolader and Karen Waters lined up the ladies for a lesson or two.

There was food aplenty and wine flowed as though poured by Bacchus himself. Garlands of flowers adorned pretty heads as the ladies got into the spirit of the night.

The Maypole party was the first time in many moons SYAH gathered as a group but won’t be the last. The year-long missed comradery quickly gave way to freshened friendships born of fun and festivity.

If you’re a Big Canoe lady and would like to join this gang of gals, visit the Still Young at Heart Facebook page or contact Sherry Evans at srevans284@gmail.com to get on the rollicking roster.

The post SYAH prances around the Maypole appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Red Trillium neighborhood

“Red Trillium rocks!” was heard countless times as neighbors on this pretty street gathered for a good old-fashioned Derby party. With many new faces in the neighborhood, all were ready to bet on good times.

As at any excellent Kentucky Derby party, mint juleps were sipped and ol’ Kentucky home recipes filled the groaning tables.

Of course, ladies’ outrageous hats were encouraged with Becky Bates Umbaugh taking home the prize for the classiest chapeaux.

It was a Race for the Roses but also a race to find new friendships and connections on this friendly street in Big Canoe.

Will this party become a tradition for the neighborhood? Could be, but we’re betting the residents won’t wait a whole year to have good times together.

The post Red Trillium rocked on Derby Day appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Big Canoe Car Club
Photos by Steve Brueck

A parade of rumbles and roars was heard on Route 53 as rows of cars, trucks and anything with four wheels made way from our Big Canoe gates to the four-way stop in Tate. This was the setting for an off-site car show sponsored by the Big Canoe Car Club, a collection of 100+ car buffs strong.

By the way, marble dust sprinkled on 53 from the two marble plants can humble brightly polished vehicles quickly. A little bit of rain can also make that section of road very slippery. To avoid the dust fog, an alternative route to take is riding Cove Road into Jasper and then heading south on 53 to reach Tate. This route, according to Steve Brueck, is six miles longer than the direct route, but saves an hour-plus car washing time. Consider it.

The colorful collection of trucks and buggies in the Tate parking lot caused many heads to turn as drivers tried to catch a glimpse of the spectacular show. Many stopped for a closer look and to share a bit of car chat.

Since the show ran into lunch time, the Sideburners BBQ food truck was on hand to offer fine Southern vittles – barbeque of every kind, stew, ribs, brisket and even South of the Border tacos piled high on plates.

If you missed this really big show, you can catch the next line-up at Big Canoe’s Family Day over the Fourth of July.

Does the heady fragrance of motor oil cause you to swoon? You might consider joining the Car Club. All cars and drivers, every model and size, are invited; all that’s required is a love of the road. To sign on, contact Elaine DeNiro at edeniro@bellsouth.net.

The post Big Canoe Car Club causes a rumble and roar appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Karen Steinberg

Adirondack chairs in a circle made the perfect setting for the gals of Awesome Women of the Lake (AWOL) to share stories and tell tales of their Big Canoe adventures.

On the first Monday of May, AWOL planned to meet at the Marina at five in the afternoon, but with rain coming down in buckets, the gab fest was quickly moved to the Wildcat Pavilion. Drops fell, but only from cars to cover.

This is a gab group designed for women to come together in friendship. It can be difficult to connect if you’re new to the community and houses are sometimes hundreds of feet apart.

The focus of AWOL is to create fellowship and friendship in Big Canoe. There are no join-ups, sign-ups or agendas to follow, just a lot of laughing and chatting.

Information can be found on the AWOL Facebook page under Big Canoe or by emailing Karen Steinberg at karensteinberg@windstream.net.

The group meets on the first Monday of every month at 5 p.m. at the Big Canoe Marina. Gals are invited to bring their beverage of choice. If Mother Nature sends ugly weather on that day, an alternative place to meet will be noted on Facebook or on insidethegates.org.

We invite you to meet new friends and build the AWOL community. We hope you’ll join us on Monday, June 7 at 5 p.m. at the Marina. There are plenty of tables to share and umbrellas keep the blistering late afternoon sun away.

The post Will rain scare away AWOL? Never! appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Paul Goldstein

Trivia is back so get those little grey cells moving!

Trivia is now a Thursday event and started asking probing questions on April 29. Popular Kevin Tillery is still the Question and Answer Man and delights in testing your knowledge on everything under the sun.

The next two sessions will be held May 13 and 27 but due to COVID-19 restrictions now in place, not all teams can play on a given Thursday night. There are 14 teams with more than 180 players so careful coordination is necessary. Trivia Night will return as a weekly event soon.

Watch for expanded Trivia Night details in the June edition of Smoke Signals in the Inside the Gates section.

There will be changes coming as COVID-19 restrictions are modified. In the meantime, keep watching “Jeopardy” to sharpen your wits so you can wow your team mates with all you know.

The post Trivia Night is back! appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Jo Bryan

Italians of Big Canoe have been forced to chow down gigantic bowls of pasta all by their lonesome for over a year now. Blame the pandemic for those extra Parmesan pounds. Now it’s once again time to share dishes smothered in red sauce with other folks who claim ties to the old country.

The Big Canoe Italians Club was organized by Jo Bryan several years ago and enjoyed great groaning tables on many occasions…until COVID-19 took a place at the table.

It seems every member of the club had at least one old treasured family recipe to share – spaghetti, lasagna, fettuccine, manicotti and of course incredible desserts.

Jo loves Cuccidati, a heavy Italian cookie from the heart of Sicily made with dates, dried glazed fruits and nuts packed in a sweet frosted dough. Some insist each one-inch cookie weighs a good two pounds.

With COVID-19 restrictions now less confining, the Italians of Big Canoe Club will meet, greet and eat on Sunday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at the Wildcat Pavilion. This is an Italian desserts and wine party. Leave the hefty heavy dishes at home this time, just sweet treats washed down with vino will be the fare.

The party is open only to members of Italians of Big Canoe. If you have even a teensy bit of Italian blood rushing through your veins or were lucky enough to hook up with an Italian partner, you’re welcome to join the tribe by clicking on the Italians of Big Canoe Facebook page and requesting to join. No trick questions or blood tests required.

Not on Facebook? A quick email to Jo Bryan at jombryan@comcast.net will get you in the pizza posse.

The post Who will bring the Cuccidati? appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Freeman Stoddard
ATLANTA, GA (FOX Carolina)- Governor Kemp announced a new executive order on Friday that will change the COVID-19 Guidelines for the state of Georgia.

The Governor’s office says that there are eight key provisions of the new executive order. The following are the key provision provided by the Office of Governor Brian Kemp.

1. Modifies the social distancing and sanitation requirements for residents and visitors to “strongly encouraged.”

2. Eliminates the restaurant and bar table distancing requirements and workers mask requirement.

3. Eliminates all specific requirements for gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters, body art studios, estheticians, hairstylists, and massage therapists.

4. Reduces the requirements for Conventions.

5. Eliminates the requirement that childcare facilities prohibit all unnecessary visitors.

6. Provides that Live Performance Venues, regardless of seating capacity, are only required to follow the guidelines for all Organizations, and such venues may implement additional measures in conjunction with the performer or organizer of an event.

7. Maintains that professional, collegiate, and high school sports organizations and events shall operate pursuant to the rules or guidelines issued by their respective league, conference, or association.

8. Clarifies that graduation ceremonies are only required to follow the guidelines for all Organizations.

This guidance will be in effect from May 1st to May 30.

The post Governor Kemp issues new COVID-19 guidance executive order for Georgia appeared first on Inside the Gates.