The painting “Waiting for the Bus” by Big Canoe artist John Feight has taken on a life of its own. John painted the study decades ago and it found a place in the Telfair Museums in Savannah as part of the permanent collection. Telfair Museums was the first public art museum in the southern United States.
The painting was recently chosen to be part of a national touring exhibition titled “Complex Uncertainties: Artists in Postwar America.” The exhibit is organized by Telfair and International Arts and Artists (IA&A) located in Washington, D.C.
“Waiting for the Bus” was painted in 1975 prior to John’s first show in Paris. It is a bold painting and depicts life in America so many years ago. Congratulations to our hometown guy!
These are difficult times for many American families, but the generous spirit of giving has shone brightly from coast to coast. Our community hears of local needs and donations of money, food, clothing and simple friendship are offered to surrounding communities. Food banks often run low and need replenishing fast. Within a few hours of desperate calls, Big Canoers send money or shop for groceries to help those who otherwise might go hungry. The Leadership Big Canoe class recently loaded up cars and trucks with bags and boxes of food to deliver to area food banks. Help is always needed. Check with the Big Canoe Chapel to learn how you can help or contact charities directly to see what’s needed.
Choctaw Village proudly presented its third annual coffee table yearbook. The initial inspiration for documenting life in the Village came from Craig McConnell. The first two books evolved from random shots of Big Canoe life to Choctaw Village living and photographs of Village residents having fun together.
This year Sandra Plevins put her photographic skills to work taking portraits of many of our Village People. Carla Baird and Lou Reiter tagged along with a pointed comment or two and arranged for marketing the finished book. Craig, unfortunately, was saddled with production.
Choctaw Village may be unique in Big Canoe because of its isolated location and close proximity of home sites. However, most Village People think it’s because we have developed a strong sense of community spirit, including such events and groups as First Fridays at the Johnson Fireless Pit, Olympic Challenge, potluck dinners (before COVID-19), an active Facebook page, Manly Men, Choctaw Ladies, book clubs, a meal train to help those in need and the ability to leisurely walk the entire Village while greeting each other, hearing what’s going on and petting a dog or two along the way.
Ever try to smoke a cigar while wearing a mask? Bring on the fire extinguishers! When the men of the Cigar Club meet, they do try to social distance while they puff away and they do meet outdoors as an extra precaution. Since winter winds blow strong at their usual Big Canoe Marina meeting place, the gang has been calling the Wildcat Pavilion their clubhouse for now. Come spring, they’ll be back to where the waves roll in.
The Cigar Club meets every other week to solve all the world’s problems and offer solutions to fix everything under the sun. A lot of joking and good-natured jabbing goes on too as the guys of Big Canoe bond.
Casual and friendly, the cigar crowd welcomes all males to join them. No rules, no dues, no agenda, just good conversation.
If you think this gang of guys might be for you, shoot an email to Bob Mackey at bobmackey3@gmail.com to get on the notification roster.
By the way, you don’t have to be a real stogie puffer to join. All men are welcome, even if bubble gum cigars are your preference.
Remember when you were a kid and the favorite birthday party game was a neighborhood scavenger hunt? Teams of kids rushed from house to house collecting yellow sponges, blue marbles, balls of peach-colored yarn and dozens of other odd objects to win the coveted prize—usually a pack of Old Maid playing cards.
A few creative Big Canoe residents led by Liv Taylor came together and formed a group called the Big Canoe Scavenger Hunt. They challenged residents to form teams, locate point-valued places and items on the hunt list, take a photo of a team member standing next to the found item, post the photos on Facebook and then wait to see if their team was the big winner. All this took place at Meditation Park in early January.
Dozens took part in the exciting search and when the trails cleared, there was a five-way tie; The Three Bears, Team Peterson, Team Nuthatch, Trail Stalkers and Trail Seekers were all winners. Since there was only one bottle of wine as the prize, the five team names were put in a hat, and the winner was picked. The Trail Stalkers team of Randy and June Lewis took home the vino and bragging rights galore.
Will it happen again? It was so much fun, why not? Submitted by Liv Taylor
For the past year or so, everyday Americans have been fighting to save lives as COVID-19 took hold of the nation and caused unbearable suffering and pain. These are true heroes, exhausted heroes, but true. Americans have been leaving porch lights burning, honking horns for hospital workers, ringing bells in remembrance, cheering in streets as ambulances rush by and a dozen other ways to show their support and gratitude. We meet heroes every day. Workers who are deemed essential as they take chances daily to serve fellow Americans— grocery clerks, delivery drivers, restaurant servers, cleaning crews, maintenance workers and so many more who mask up and serve us. Heather Stancil came up with a great idea that shows how much Big Canoers appreciate those who make our lives easier, folks who often go unrecognized and unnoticed. Heather created Big Canoe Cookies for Caregivers and recruited an army of bakers to help the cause. The cookie cutters will identify groups and individuals who serve our community and will present a bag of cookies to each to show appreciation. If you’re interested in joining the sweet team, visit the Big Canoe Cookies for Caregivers Facebook page and learn how you can help. Keep in mind, when baking, a few cookies may crumble. Note: broken cookies have no calories.
Big Canoe’s Wednesday afternoon knitting club, known as the Knit Togethers, is much like an old-fashioned sewing bee but with a decidedly modern twist. Sure, the ladies spin yarns of every kind, but they also have fun sitting around tables knitting and purling. While many work on personal projects, like knitting an afghan for a new grandbaby or a shawl for a favorite fashionista, the ladies also give their busy hands to charitable causes.
A colorful table of warm winter hats made by the Knit Togethers for kids at the Craddock Centers. (Photo by Mimi Zentgraf)
Each year hats are knitted for kids at the Craddock Center in Dawson and Pickens counties. This winter, 100 colorful hats were donated to Craddock through the Big Canoe Chapel. Dozens of hats were also donated to the Jasper Police Department to distribute to the homeless and needy.
When the call came from Northside Hospital in Atlanta that 500 ear savers were needed to attach face masks more comfortably, the knitters got right on it. Colorful and easy to wear, the Northside staff is looking mighty good while enjoying masking as never before.
Closer to home, the POA asked the knitters to make scarves for toy bears that are given to new residents during orientation. The POA hopes this gift will be a reminder for all to be aware of the furry creatures that live among us and treat them with respect and consideration.
The Knit Togethers welcome all who are interested in this artsy craft, from beginners on up. Even if you’ve never held a knitting needle in your life but are interested in the sounds of clicking and clacking, there’s a place for you at the table. Experienced knitters will teach the skills and techniques and even provide the needles and yarn.
The group usually meets in the Beach Club upstairs room every Wednesday but during COVID-19 are gathering via Zoom.
For more information, contact Mimi Zentgraf at mzentgraf@windstream.net. Soon you’ll be on your way to fashioning a 20-foot long scarf. The knitting bug will bite you and there’s no known cure!
Submitted by Susan Eames
Ridgerunners’ Book Club Chair
Glancing out winter windows can bring gray and dreary sights. Isn’t it wonderful we can lose the blahs by picking up a book to carry us to a totally different world? Settling by the fire with a good book in hand is a delightful way to pass dark winter days. The women of Ridgerunners offer some suggestions to simplify choosing a book. Sit back, relax and enjoy the peaceful solitude of the first months of the year. Blue Stockings: “The Things We Cannot See” by Mary Kubica Godivas: No selection The Noveladies: “Tailspin” by Sandra Brown Viewpoint: “Eleanor” by David Michaelis Gray Matters: No selection Leaf Turners: “Call Your Daughter Home” by Deb Spera Book Belles: No meeting Chapter 13: “The River Ends” by Charles Martin Sworn Sisters: “The Buddha in the Attic” by Julie Otsuka Divine Readers: “The Space Between Us” by Sarah Bauer Anderson Woodland Readers: “Nature Girl” by Carl Hiassen Page Turners: “Kurdish Bike” by Alesa Lightbourne Between the Lines: “The Sound of Glass” by Karen White Novel Ideas: “The Indigo Girl” by Natasha Boyd Between the Covers: “The Woman in the Window” by A.J. Finn Happy Bookers: “Anxious People” by Frederick Bachman Who Picked This Book?: No meeting Papyrus: “The Vanishing Half” by Britt Bennett Hooked on Books: “The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane” by Lisa See Adventure Bound: “Memorial Drive” by Natasha Trethewey Women, Words, and Wine: “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides Between the Wines: “The Great Alone” by Kristen Hannah Chapter Chics: “The Chill Factor” by Sandra Brown As the Pages Turn: No selection
Our little bistro behind the golf cart barn is shining bright these days. January brought a month of changes to wining and dining in Big Canoe, even at our stand-up-only snack shack.
New paint, new counters and new decorations brought a touch of spiff to Duffer’s. Along with the new look, a new menu is being designed to make everybody’s mouth happy.
Looking for a snack or two? New snack racks at Duffer’s offer a wide selection. (Photo by Tim Moran)
While the pictures on the wall show golfers at play, Duffer’s isn’t only for those who follow the little white ball. Everybody is welcome to grab a bite of breakfast, lunch or pick up a sack of sandwiches to take home. Yes, Duffer’s offers breakfast from 8 a.m. on. Fuel your day with bacon, eggs, wraps or a big fat muffin.
Lunch choices are many, including warming soups to savor. Snacks are on the racks too, so nobody will go hungry any time of day.
Duffer’s is open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. seven days a week. To place a
take-away order, call 706-268-3273. Make sure to call in your order before the four o’clock bell chimes and the grill closes.
Many in Big Canoe know Patricia Stimmel as the proud owner of a Plummer cabin, a unique architectural design popular here when Big Canoe was new. Patricia loves her home so much she started a club for the 115 Plummer homeowners in Big Canoe. That’s a passion! Patricia grew up in Meadville, Pennsylvania, the third of five kids. One thing for sure, the family always had meat on the table as her father was a butcher and her mom tended to the household. Allegheny College influenced the quiet life in Meadville. Patricia loved her small town, especially walking to school in the long snowy winters. She finds the four seasons in Big Canoe are much like the ones she enjoyed as a girl, and they remind her of the leisurely lifestyle of Meadville. Patricia’s job history includes a wide range of interests. She’s worked at the FAA, IBM, Coca Cola and even was a boutique manager. Now let’s learn what makes Patricia Stimmel one of a kind.
1. What was your first job? Carhop in high school.
2. What was your favorite elementary school lunch? Hmm, nothing memorable.
3. What three people (living or not) would you invite for dinner and why? Alex Trebek because he’s smart and a gentleman; Paul Lynde because he’s so darn funny; Mother Teresa because she’s spiritual.
4. What makes you giggle like a schoolgirl? Being with my sister and daughters and the funny stuff that happens to us.
5. What’s surprised you about yourself since age 21? I could accomplish anything I put my mind to.
6. What pranks did you pull as a kid? None! Large family and strict parents.
7. What was your favorite birthday gift ever? My first iPhone.
8. Who would play you in a movie about your life? Diane Keaton.
9. What advice would you give to an 8-year old child? Dream about your future, reach for the stars, be honorable.
10. If you had to pick a favorite dinner, what would it include? Beef Wellington, asparagus and tiramisu.
11. What do you think is your finest accomplishment? Raising my two daughters.
12. What did you spend most time doing as a kid (not being in school)? Playing tennis and painting by numbers.
13. What’s your favorite piece of clothing or jewelry and why? Pearls –earrings, bracelet and ring. The best!
14. What one phrase would you say best describes you? Positive attitude.
15. Are you a morning or night person? Both.
16. What chore do you hate doing? Ha! I don’t do what I don’t like!
17. What surprises you about people? Learning who they are versus who I thought they were.
18. What is your favorite vacation? The beach.
19. What makes you really angry? Deception.
20. What motivates you to work hard? Having the right attitude works wonders.
