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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!

The post Baa, baa, black sheep appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Alice Eachus

Ready to relive the sounds that shaped your young, impressionable self? Decades of platters spin continuously on Big Canoe’s very own radio station, Inside the Gates Radio.

Most is pre-recorded featuring artists you know and love, but there’s a live portion too on Saturday and Sunday nights with special themes. In the station’s own words, “Inside the Gates Radio presents a carefully curated collection of eclectic music from the ‘60s through today.”

How about that?

To learn more and get your groove goin’, visit insidethegatesradio.com. Check out a full article about Inside the Gates Radio each month in Smoke Signals.

The post Jump and jive with Inside the Gates Radio appeared first on Inside the Gates.

During the pandemic when COVID-19 closed our world, many kids’ activities in Big Canoe were put on hold. The Chapel’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) was one of them.

But, VBS is roaring back!

To keep kids safe and in the fresh air, VBS will be held at The Terraces, June 7-10 from 9 am until 12 noon. The cost is $10 per child.

The theme of the week is “Focus: Take a Closer Look.” There will be all kinds of fun with crafts, games and Bible stories too.

Kids from rising kindergartners to rising 6th graders are welcome. Register at the Chapel website, bigcanoechapel.org.

What a wonderful way to welcome summer!

The post Vacation Bible School comes roaring back appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Karen Steinberg

What will our Awesome Ladies on the Lake (AWOL) find to chat about when chairs are pulled up around tables at the Big Canoe Marina?

Plenty, for sure. Giggles and guffaws always happen when this gang gets together.

After months of COVID-19 banishments and winter close-outs, the women are finally meeting at their usual haunt on the shores of Lake Petit.

AWOL meets on the first Monday of the month. This time it’s May 3 at 5 pm. But what if Mother Nature throws fit and the Marina gab fest is scrubbed? Check the AWOL Facebook page for where the gals will pull up chairs instead.

This group of Big Canoe women is open to all. It’s a very casual group with no agenda and no rules. Just talk and the opportunity to make new friends.

To learn more, contact Karen Steinberg at karensteinberg@windstream.net.

The post AWOL is back at the Big Canoe Marina appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Allan and Elaine DeNiro

Rev up your buggies, car buffs! The Big Canoe Car Club has a special April event for you. It’s a car show at a new location – the parking lot at the four-way stop sign in Tate.

The show date is Saturday, April 24 with a rain date of May 1. Cars should roll up at 11 am and owners can show off their rides until 1:30 pm.

Did you note the show runs around lunch time? Folks will be fueled by Sideburners BBQ with a complete menu featuring everything from tacos to stew, from mac ‘n cheese bowls to banana pudding. Quite a feast!

If you plan to attend, RSVP to Elaine DeNiro at edeniro@bellsouth.net so food can be in plentiful supply. Prepayment isn’t necessary, just select and pay for your food that day.

Shine up your hardware and welcome springtime to the mountains. Can car rallies be far behind?

The post Car Club April Car Show in Tate appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Jan Murphy

When you see something around these parts that looks old and a bit out of place, do you wonder what it might be?

Wonder no longer. Many places and things in our community are parts of Big Canoe’s history, and some are downright wild and crazy!

Using her interest in all things connected to the past, Jan Murphy decided to explore happenings, events and people who helped create what Big Canoe is today. Jan started a Facebook page, Big Canoe Historical Society, to chronicle our mountain saga, and possibly show paths to our future. It’s a private Facebook group so you’ll have to join, but in the Society’s posts you’ll read all about the weaving of our past.

Jan is writing a series of articles in Smoke Signals touching on our colorful history. In her articles you’ll discover things you never knew about the place you call home. Jan’s articles are fun and interesting reads and make a fascinating start to social small talk.

Big Canoe is celebrating its Golden Anniversary next year and there will be all kinds of events and activities to commemorate the occasion. Get a head start by learning about our origins so it’s easy to piece things together.

Here’s something you probably didn’t know. A sea monster was once “supposedly observed” lurking in the grottos of Lake Petit. Astounding!

The post Catching up with Big Canoe’s past appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Gretchen Hudock

Move ‘em in, move ‘em out! You won’t have to cross the road to deposit stuff destined for Bulk Trash Day any longer. Now the day of dumping has moved to the Public Works maintenance yard, directly behind the Big Canoe trash facility at the North Gate.

Saturday, April 24 is the red-letter day to discard all you discovered you didn’t need or want while spring cleaning, except for paint cans (unless totally dried out), tires, fluorescent light bulbs or hazardous chemicals.

The hours for drop-off are 10 am until 2 pm. There is a charge for dropping off items: $5 for cars, $7 for SUVs and $10 for trucks. You are required to show your Big Canoe ID for entrance.

However, as always, garbage, recyclables and cardboard can be thrown down the usual chutes for free.

Document shredding will be offered, but there won’t be thrift stores on-site to collect usable items.

Check out full details in the Inside the Gates section of the May Smoke Signals. That will tell you how Bulk Trash Days will be run every few months.

Hey, Big Canoers – slam dunk the junk!

The post Bulk Trash Day has a new location appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by the Big Canoe Chapel

Well, not really “taking” in the strictest sense of the word, more like “borrowing.”

Here’s the giving part…

Recently the Big Canoe Chapel Benevolence Committee took a look at their food pantry and saw with dismay the cupboard was growing bare. A food drive is planned for April 17-25 to restock the shelves.

This has been a tough year for many folks in our surrounding communities and the Chapel answered the call to help those in need.

Donations of food would be greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at Cousins Hall (across from the Chapel office) from 8 am until 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

Now for the taking part…

There’s a big closet at the Chapel filled with medical equipment like walkers, wheelchairs, potties, crutches, canes and other medical devices needed while recuperating from medical treatments or surgery.

All are welcome to borrow whatever is needed to make life easier and more comfortable. What a great service to the community!

If you have equipment collecting dust at your house, why not donate it to the Chapel where it can help your neighbors? Being a good neighbor is a blessing.

The post Giving and taking appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Alice Eachus

After being in mothballs for over a year, our Big Canoe food truck is making its appearance on April 11 at the Terraces benefit concert.

The concert is sold out, but that doesn’t mean Big Canoers without a ticket can’t chow down from 4 – 6 pm, providing concert-goers left food in the truck kitchen.

To find out if vittles are still available, call (706) 268-1253.

What’s on the menu board? Pulled pork sandwiches, ‘burgers and a chicken Caesar salad for mains, with cole slaw, baked beans and corn on the cob filling plates with sides. Beer and wine are offered too.

Meals

Pulled Pork Sandwich $9.00
TNT Burger $10.00
Chicken Caesar Salad $8.00

Sides

Potato Salad $3.00
Baked Beans $3.00
Corn on the Cobb $3.00

Cold Canned Beer

Yuengling $4.00
Mic Ultra $4.00
Tropicalia $6.00

Nicholas French Wines

Red – glass $6.00
White – glass $6.00
Red – bottle $30.00
White – bottle $30.00

Don’t bother packing your credit card, only lot charges and cash are accepted.

Welcome, big truck! We hope to see you around all summer long.

The post Food truck, food trailer? Who cares – it’s back! appeared first on Inside the Gates.