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Information submitted by Bob Mackey and Steve Papke

You know what happens when two guys start chewing cigars around a table? They multiply.

Several years ago a couple of Big Canoe guys started hanging out at the Big Canoe Marina to discuss world events and how to solve the nastiest problems known to man.

We’ll never know if their solutions made it to the World Peace Conference, but they sure brought guys together.

Some of the men loved cigars, but often only smoking treasured stogies at what became known as the Cigar Club. At first some guys stayed away as Havanas weren’t their thing. But before long, guys joined the Marina tables anyway, sometimes even tucking pink or blue bubble gum “ceegars” in their shirt pockets.

Conversation became king as male bonding grew. The gang now meets a couple of times a month, sometimes even venturing off campus to restaurants or manly places.

The Cigar Club is a casual show-up kind of group. All Big Canoe guys are invited. If you’re thinking this club just might be up your cheroot, shoot an email to Bob Mackey at bobmackey3@gmail.com or Steve Papke at dad.steveandpat@gmail.com and they’ll blow you
some smoke.

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Information submitted by Beth Durban

Have you gotten your COVID-19 jab yet?
Just a couple months ago, many Big Canoers spent hours tracking down where the vaccine would be available. Some found places to go, others are still waiting to be protected from the worst effects of COVID-19.

If you’re still looking for vaccine protection, there’s good news.

The Wellness Collaborative and Jasper Drugs will be offering two Drive-by Clinics right here in the Big Canoe Chapel parking lot. One for the first dose, the other for the second. All you have to do is make a reservation, show up, roll up your sleeve and get the jab. The vaccine offered is Moderna. Clinics will happen, rain or shine.

A minimum of 20 participants is needed to hold the clinic.

Drive-by clinics will be set up on two days:

• Wednesday, May 5, 9:30 a.m. – Noon (First dose)
• Wednesday, June 9, 9:30 a.m. – Noon (Second dose)

Those over 18 years of age are eligible. The clinic is open for Big Canoe residents, employees,
contractors and family members.

There is required documentation.

• Photo identification (Driver’s license, passport, etc.)
• For Medicare Plans, including the Medicare Advantage Plan, bring the new red, white
  and blue Medicare card that has a series of numbers and letters as the ID, not the previous
  card with your Social Security number on it.
• The vaccine is available for those without insurance with valid photo identification.
• Plan to complete information about recent illnesses or vaccinations and stay for 15
  minutes after the vaccine is given for observation of possible reactions.
  To make sure enough vaccine is available, you’ll have to sign up at www.bcwell.org or by
  calling 706-268-3334.

If you have questions about the vaccine procedure, call Jasper Drugs at 706-692-6427. Let’s do this!

The post COVID-19 vaccine now available in Big Canoe appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Alice Eachus

On the road again…well, really, on the road again with a mission. Tom Durban is leading a group of volunteers to help Public Works identify safety signs, street posts and roadside areas that might need a little spruce-up.

Eight groups of two volunteers met the almost 100 miles of Big Canoe pavement armed with a map and log sheets to identify and document problem areas.

Yep, we found some! With a heavy coating of pollen dripping off most signs and electrical boxes these days, it was sometimes difficult to determine what was long-term vs. short-term growth, so everything suspicious was duly noted. Public Works will be quite busy for some time.

In the June edition of Smoke Signals in the Inside the Gates section, ride along with Corey Olney and Alice Eachus as they met their thrills on so many wild and crazy Big Canoe hills.

The post Riding Big Canoe roads lookin’ for trouble appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Karen Steinberg

What do Big Canoe women do when the temp inches toward 80 degrees? They head to the lake, that’s what they do.
Such will happen on Monday, May 3 at 5 p.m. when Awesome Women on the Lake (AWOL) holds their monthly gathering at the Big Canoe Marina.

Notice the word “meeting” wasn’t mentioned. That’s because AWOL is strictly a fun fest filled with laughs, chuckles and fascinating stories galore. No agenda, no rules, no dues…just good times connecting with other women.

AWOL offers the perfect opportunity for gals in the community to make new friends and encourage already strong bonds. Don’t worry about the sun beating down on your spirited conversations. There are plenty of big umbrellas at the tables to keep rays away.

Karen Steinberg started the gatherings a few years back and is proud to say many friendships have been nurtured in this casual setting.
All you have to do is show up, no need for reservations. Carting your favorite beverage under arm is always a good idea.

Warmer weather welcomes everybody to the great outdoors a little bit more while life follows a slow and easy pace. That’s exactly the spirit AWOL captures. Come join your friends and neighbors and experience the excitement of “getting to know you.”

After all, “Summertime and the livin’ is easy!” Be part of it.

The post AWOL good times roll in waves at the Marina appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Sherry Evans

One of the regulars in the Still Young at Heart (SYAH) Slow Walkers group was overheard saying, “If laziness was an Olympic sport, I’d probably come in fourth place so I wouldn’t need to walk up to the podium.”

Nothing like owning up to your talent. The Slow Walkers are just that. Their heel to toe, or toe to heel, shuffle isn’t geared for speed, but it does get a body moving. The group’s motto is: Walk, Don’t Run, One Step at a Time.

As with most SYAH groups, partying is at the forefront, even with this slow moving league of lassies.

To honor their spirit animal, there’s going to be a “Slothing the Night Away” party on Thursday, May 13 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Wildcat Pavilion.

You don’t have to be a card carrying member of Slow Walkers to join the fun. It’s the perfect time and place to meet kindred spirits and compare walking shoes. Even spouses are invited.

Bring your drink of choice and an appetizer or dessert to share. That makes it a genuine party!
No need to sign up, just show up and be totally sloth-some.

The post Slow Walkers claim a sloth as their spirit animal appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Vivian Sheperis

Literature and Lunch, known casually as Lit Lunch, will return to the round table over lunch at noon on May 7 in the Card Room at the clubhouse.

Mike Garvey will kick off our return with a discussion of Somerset Maugham’s fanciful tale “Red” set in the South Seas on an island near Samoa. It is a story of obsessive love entangling a brusque, overweight and ragged skipper and a quiet recluse of an old man who lives among his books and memories. It is Sally who binds them together in a fate neither could have imagined.

Lit Lunch meets on the first Friday of the month from 12 noon to 2 p.m. to discuss a short piece of literature while enjoying lunch ordered from the Lit Lunch menu.

All are welcome to attend the discussion. An online link to the month’s selection is emailed ahead of time to those on the Lit Lunch roster. Contact vsheperis@gmail.com to have your name added.

To reserve your place at the table, please send your request to vsheperis@gmail.com by the end of the day on Thursday, May 6.

The post Setting a place for Somerset Maugham at Lit Lunch on May 7 appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Big Canoe Chapel

Hey kids, get out your black beret, pastels and paint smattered smock – you’re about to become
an artist!
The Big Canoe Chapel is pleased to announce Claudia Campbell will be leading a Youth Art
Camp again this summer.
Classes are divided by age and held Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Budding artists should bring a lunch and drink. Cost is $125 for the session.

Ages 7-9, June 21-24
Ages 10-13, July 12-15

Call the Chapel at 470-273-6222 to register or email leighyoung@bigcanoechapel.org. Space is
limited. Call now so you won’t be disappointed.

The post There’s a summer Art Camp for Big Canoe kids appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Sherry Evans

Dancing around the May Pole might be a tad bit too much like the 1920s for the fun-loving gals of Still Young at Heart (SYAH). Rather than prancing in a circle to dance, our gals will be strutting in a line.

What better way to introduce the newest craze to take over our mountains – we’re talking line dancing!

Karen Waters and Susan Rolader, two ladies who are expert hoofers in all dances of the Western variety, will introduce party-goers to this foot stompin’ frolicking good time. Of course, dancing isn’t mandatory at this Festival of Spring since a peanut gallery is always appreciated.

The SYAH party takes place on Saturday, May 1 at 5 p.m. at the Wildcat Activity Field. No charge to attend, but bring chairs, tables, blankets, your favorite beverage and your picnic basket of goodies. And, of course, your sunny smile.

Even with COVID restrictions being eased somewhat, this event is outdoors so exposure to any nasty germs is limited.

If you’re not a member of SYAH yet, visit the Facebook page Still Young at Heart to sign on for free. If not a Facebook member, shoot an email to Sherry Evans at srevans284@gmail.com to get on the membership roster.

The post SYAH May 1 Festival of Spring promises fun and frolic appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Alice Eachus

It was a glorious spring day for shopping, especially when the wares on display were handcrafted by our very own talented Big Canoe folks.

The second-ever Arts and Crafts Crawl was held in mid-April, a time many residents were celebrating Spring Break and weren’t able to wander the colorful booths. The walkabout at Northgate Station displayed everything from clay and jeweled ornaments adding touches of whimsy for plants to freshly made condiments to accent your home-cooked meals.

If you weren’t able to join the throng of browsers and buyers, don’t fret. Our Big Canoe artisans have a Facebook page called Made in Big Canoe where you can be introduced to our talented, gifted gang as well as connecting with buying opportunities. Many artists and crafters can design something just for you.

Check it out for a delightful selection of gifts, created for little old you or for good friends and family.

The post Visit ‘Made in Big Canoe’ for an exciting shopping spree appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Donna Dibiaso

The Wellness Collaborative is eager to help residents of Big Canoe in their time of need! We
have a tremendous number of volunteers who are ready to provide assistance when called upon.
Residents should feel fortunate to live in a community with an organization such as the Wellness
Collaborative and should never hesitate to ask for help. We hope everyone who has a need can
take advantage of the services the Wellness Collaborative provides.
We previously mentioned some of the items in which the Wellness Collaborative can provide
assistance. While we will always try to help with any health and welfare needs, there are certain
things we cannot do:

• Provide 24/7 care – we can refer the resident to outside agencies who can.
• Accommodate emergency requests – call 911 instead.
• Lift residents, administer medications or feed them. We will provide meals.
• Do yard work/home repairs – we will refer these requests to the Chapel.
• Handle money – if grocery pick up/delivery is a requested service, we ask the resident to
  order and purchase on-line.
• Act as a concierge service – there are several Big Canoe Facebook pages that can assist
  with this sort of information.
• Care for animals/pets – we may be able to assist in a very limited way, but requests for
  animal services should be made through other channels such as the BC Neighbor to
  Neighbor Facebook page.

When in doubt, contact our Wellness Collaborative Info Coordinator, Tracy Critchett at
tracy.critchett@gmail.com or 678-462-1324.

The post Wellness Collaborative offers a helping hand appeared first on Inside the Gates.