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By Alice Eachus
Photo by Steve Papke

Rumbles of rock-filled our Terraces amphitheater on April 11 when the beat went on with a few members from the all-star cast hailing from Acoustic Showcase. Sock Monkey was there sharing the stage with the 8th of January and other talented homegrown musicians.

The afternoon of music and foot-stompin’ was put together by the Bear Society, Big Canoe Chapel and a line-up of sponsors. It was the first time in a year that our hills came alive with the sound of music. Local charities benefited from ticket sales.

Our Big Canoe food truck was there with vittles for the hungry and happy libations to encourage dancing, even in the seats.

Thanks to all who made this a delightful afternoon when friends could get together and enjoy each other once again.

Rock on to the Terraces summer series of concerts starting in July.

The post On a lazy Sunday afternoon, Big Canoe rocked! appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Sherry Evans

After a few rain delays and soggy field misadventures, members of the Big Canoe Dog Park Social Club finally could yap and howl together at a pup parents’ pawty at Wildcat Pavilion.

Crowds of Big Canoe newbies were there, some meeting other doggy devotees for the first time. “Tails” were told of four-legged adventures and mishaps as training tips were shared.
Dog Park committee member Sandy Pullara was the popular bartender extraordinaire as she kept cranking out “Pawgritas,” always shaken not stirred.

Big Canoe Animal Rescue (BCAR) received paw presents as party-goers brought paper towels, dish and hand soap, newspapers, plastic grocery bags and unopened bags of dog food to share with the BCAR pups waiting for “fur-ever” homes.

T-shirts, hats, bandanas and magnets arrived just in time for the party. All proudly wear the Sloppy Kisses insignia. Selling shirts and other items are part of the fundraising effort to buy equipment for Diamond Dog Park.

The second round of merchandise orders will be going in soon so if you haven’t purchased your dog park uniform yet, contact Karen Waters at kwaterbear@aol.com and join the pack.

If you’d like to join this doggone fun group, check out the Big Canoe Dog Park Social Club Facebook page or contact Sherry Evans at srevans284@gmail.com
Plenty of summer pawty plans are in the works, pups included!

The post Yappy Hour was a ‘pawsome’ good time appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Alice Eachus

We have a winner among us! Recently Ryan Johnson got a bit of great news. Ryan’s black and white image titled “Shrouded” was awarded as a Nominee in the Amateur Landscape category for the 2020/21 Fine Art Photography Awards. The photo also received an Honorable Mention in the 2020 International Monochrome Photography Awards.

Fine Art Photography Awards is one of the leading contests in the world focused on photography. The International Monochrome Photography Awards is one of the world’s premier contests focused solely on black and white photography. Ryan’s work features primarily black and white images.

The photo was taken at Lake Petit and is stunning with its beauty and contrasts.

In the May edition of Smoke Signals, look for the feature discussing what it took Ryan to capture his striking award-winning photo.

Congratulations to one of our own!

The post ‘Shrouded’ wins honors for Ryan Johnson appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Mike Ziegenbalg

After a year of mask-wearing and shuffling six feet away from each other, socializing in Big Canoe is picking up again, and that means club members are enjoying each other’s company.

Most travel has been curtailed for the past year, but now jets are flying, ships are sailing and trains are tooting their whistles.

It’s time for Big Canoe Travel Club members to dig out their suitcases and roll on the roads.

To abide by current COVID-19 guidelines, the Travel Club will meet in two sessions on Wednesday, April 28 in Mountains Grille at the Clubhouse. The first meeting will be at 4 pm and the second at 6:15 pm.

Mike Ziegenbalg with Dream Vacations and Kathy Brock with AMA Waterways will offer club members a glass of wine, beer or other beverages and welcome everybody.

Dream Vacations will update on the current cruise and travel industry status and introduce future Travel Club trips planned. AMA Waterways will update their current river cruises featuring new itineraries and cruise opportunities.

RSVPs will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis for the time slots. Call Mike Ziegenbalg at Dream Vacations (706) 579-5005 to reserve your place. Each session is limited to 50 people.

If you’d like to enjoy dinner before or after the meetings, make your Clubhouse reservation by calling (706) 268-1253.

The post On the road again appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Alice Eachus

Let’s welcome the merry month of May!
After countless days of hibernation, the ladies of Still Young at Heart (SYAH) are dancing around the May Pole on Saturday, May 1 at 5 pm at the Activity Field, aka, the old Soccer Field.
It will be a party to remember as SYAH chicks frolic to celebrate their freedom to party once again. The event is free for all women in Big Canoe. This just might be your first picnic of the season so carting a basket full of food would be in order. If the nymphs of May inspire you, festively decorate a blanket or table to accent the springtime mood. Remember to drag along your chairs and drinks too.
Not a member of SYAH yet? Join the 600+ members of this unusual group of gal gigglers who just like to have fun.
Check out the Still Young at Heart Facebook page and click on to join. No dues, no obligations, just a sincere desire to laugh with women friends in our community. It’s the perfect way to meet new ladies.
If not a member of Facebook, contact Sherry Evans at srevans284@gmail.com to grab the latest info.
Why not wear a flower behind your ear and morph into a springtime nymph yourself? Let’s get a little crazy!

The post SYAH dances around the May Pole appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Karen Steinberg

Mother Nature cast a smile and the ladies of AWOL laughed!

It had been months since Awesome Ladies on the Lake met at the Big Canoe Marina, but it finally happened on April 12.

The sun smiled down as more than a dozen Big Canoe women met to solve the world’s problems, and maybe a few of their own.

AWOL typically meets on the first Monday of each month at 5 pm at the Marina. Sitting around tables is a perfect way to chat and enjoy the company of others. Soothing lake sounds create a world of calm, occasionally broken by the screech of our American Eagles nesting nearby. Seeing them soar is always a treat.

The next gathering for AWOL will happen on May 3. No need to sign up, just show up at the Marina at 5 pm with your beverage of choice. Everybody is welcome!

For additional photos of AWOL fun, check out the AWOL Facebook page.

The post AWOL laughs at the lakeside, finally appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Tom Durban

Navigating Big Canoe’s winding roads is always a challenging adventure, but over the next couple of weeks, be especially cautious as you mosey along.

Teams of volunteers will be slowly, repeat slowly, driving our roads to note street and safety signs that need sprucing up. That could mean wood repair, painting, mold removal and who knows what else.

Each car will carry two pairs of eagle-eyes, one to drive and the other volunteer to take copious notes on what problems need to be addressed.

This band of volunteers is assisting the Public Works Department to identify items that are often put on the back burner when more pressing needs come up.

There will be other opportunities to “spruce up Big Canoe” too. If you’re interested in helping out, contact Tom Durban at tdurban007@gmail.com.

The post Be watchfully careful as volunteers roam our roads appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Mary had a little lamb, little lamb…that liked to run away.

Many Big Canoe residents have been following the wandering saga of the black sheep who suddenly appeared one day rambling down a Big Canoe road.

Quite a surprise for sure, but more surprising was how fast that little guy/gal could run. Many tried to capture the critter before it could meet an untimely end, but with little success.

To the rescue came a Big Canoer named Kelly who now is keeping the black sheep confined until its owner can be located. If you know of someone missing a member of their flock, contact Kelly at 770-289-9569 to set the lamb’s homecoming in motion.

What next to roam our roads? Kangaroos, giraffes, monkeys? We surely live where the wild things are!

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