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Information submitted by Paul Goldstein

As Big Canoe has observed in the past, there will be a Veterans’ Day program held to honor those for past military service. In keeping with the COVID-19 guidelines in effect, the 2020 observance will be conducted via a prerecorded video. 

To attend the program please click the link below at 10:55 a.m. Prior to November 11, at 10:55 a.m. the link is inactive: https://vimeo.com/418410203.

Viewing is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11. Watch POA email blasts for additional viewing details. 

The video program will include:

• Welcome: Jay Misback, North Georgia Veterans President 
• To the Colors: Bugler, Life Scout Charlie Gibbons 
• Post the U.S. Flag: Eagle Scouts Will Dodson and Jack Resetar 
• Pledge of Allegiance Leader: Life Scout Read Fernandez 
• The National Anthem: Pianist Grace Resetar

• Introduction of Guest Speaker: Jay Misback 
• Veterans’ Day Remarks: Charles B. Knapp, President Emeritus of UGA
• Acknowledgement/Thank you: Jay Misback

• Benediction: Len Walker, Big Canoe Chapel Senior Pastor

• Adjournment

The post Online Veterans’ Day program presented on November 11 appeared first on Inside the Gates.

You just can’t stop the music! Musicians who typically perform at the monthly Acoustic Showcase were silenced for weeks as the pandemic tore through the country. Finally, once restrictions were put in place to avoid catching this deadly disease, it was time to give the Big Canoe community a musical shout-out.

For the past two months, The Terraces hosted the sweet sounds of music as players soothed the souls of our essentially homebound community. Plans are to continue the open air, socially distanced concerts; watch for announcements but be aware there is limited seating due to spacing safety.

Check out the Big Canoe Acoustic Showcase Facebook page for updates. While you’re visiting the site, enjoy listening to the music linked there. Music will make you happy! (Photos by Steve Papke)

The post Songs soar to the stars appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Alan DeNiro

There’s an initiative sprouting about the possibility of creating a Big Canoe Community Garden with a possible Aquaponics growing system. An announcement on the Neighbor to Neighbor Facebook page brought interest from 112 Big Canoe residents who wanted to know more.

It’s clear Alan has no official authority and doesn’t represent POA or board interests. He’s simply finding owners who might find the idea appealing. 

The plan is to identify parcels of land within the community where a garden might be created and used by individuals to “rent” plots for their gardening needs. 

“There are so many options to create a reputation for Big Canoe as a green and sustainable community for our residents to grow and use their own garden output and, perhaps have Saturday Farmer’s Markets within our own gates,” explained Alan.

Approval would be required when the time comes. For now, Alan and his gang of would be farmers are visiting sites and planning to present a formal proposal within 60 days.  

The post Could Big Canoe become ‘Green Acres?’ appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Big Canoe Hiking Club

It was a gorgeous day for a hike in the woods, even when staying socially distanced and masked. Raccoons scampering on the trail must have wondered if humans were stealing their signature identities. 

On a crisp September morn, the Hiking Club met at Wildcat Pavilion for a road trip to Vogel State Park. Once there, the hikers met a moderate to strenuous stroll on the Bear Hair Gap Trail of approximately 4.4 miles with the first 1.25 miles uphill with an elevation gain of 1,000 feet. Best to get the hard part over first.

At the highest point, there’s an elevation of 3,280 feet offering a nice view of Lake Trahlyta. Hikers enjoyed forests of laurel and rhododendron as they crossed Wolf Creek several times.

The group had an enjoyable picnic after taming the trail as all brought sack lunches. 

Each month the club offers a hike, some difficult, some not. If you’re interested in joining this band of foot soldiers, contact Laura Smith at lauramcsmith@gmail.com or (706) 579-3342.

The post Hikers met Bear Hair Gap Trail and are still smiling appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Information submitted by Elaine DeNiro
Photos by Steve Brueck

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! That was the call when 41 engines roared to life in Big Canoe garages as drivers made their way to Canoe Lodge for the September Big Canoe Car Club Coffee and Cars showcase. 

The parking lot was crammed with an amazing number of different and unique cars and trucks, all owned by car club members. It was estimated there was easily over a million dollars worth of inventory parked on this cool Saturday morning.

Are you crazy about cars and trucks? Come join this four-wheel gang and meet others who share your passion. The next meeting will be October 10, weather permitting, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Plans are to meet in the Lower Chapel parking lot.

You don’t have to own a fancy car to join the club, just have an interest in chariots of the road. Along with learning about cars, members also chat about car care, best places for repairs and excellent road trips to enjoy.

To learn more, check for news on the Neighbor to Neighbor Facebook page and search for Big Canoe Car Club or contact Elaine DeNiro at edeniro@bellsouth.net.

The post Such a love affair with cars appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Jane Galvin has been one of the most valuable, dedicated volunteers at Big Canoe Animal Rescue (BCAR). Over the 23 years Jane and her husband Jim have lived in Big Canoe, they’ve been fur-ever parents to seven BCAR dogs.

Presently they’re enjoying the antics of Bridget, a pup that enjoys the good life at the Galvin house. In the Spring of 2017, Bridget was found in the woods off Highway 515 with two of the puppies she had recently birthed. Mom and her pups were taken to Pickens Animal Control and Mom was named Buffy.

The pups were adopted quickly but Bridget languished which is not unusual as puppies are always the first to go. BCAR had a few empty kennels at the time and lucky for Buffy (and the Galvins) Pickens County pulled her to come to BCAR. The Galvins were volunteering for Open House duty at BCAR once a month.

At the November Open House, Buffy was being taken for a stroll and gave Jane and Jim the eye as she headed to the door. She pulled away from the volunteer walker and ran to Jane, jumped in her lap and promptly fell asleep for two hours.

A few weeks earlier, the Galvins had lost their BCAR dog, Lucy. Lucy, a precious beagle, was found at Gibbs Gardens where she was dumped after a diagnosis of canine breast cancer. Lovely Lucy gave the Galvins six wonderful months. Volunteering at the December BCAR Open House, Buffy pulled the same jump-in-your-lap stunt.

After her two-hour nap, Jane placed Buffy back in her kennel. Sweet Buffy stuck her paw out for a touch and gave the most pitiful cry. Then and there Jane decided Lucy was sending a sign to adopt this waif. With dogs, Jane is always looking for a sign as an excuse to bring a dog home.

Jane turned and Jim was standing there with a leash. “She’s coming home with us,” declared this most wonderful man. This feisty corgi/terrier mix didn’t look like a Buffy at all but the name Bridget seemed to fit her perfectly. Jane declares Bridget is one of the best dogs they’ve ever had, which is true of all the Galvin’s BCAR dogs.

If you’re in the market for a dog or cat, Jane insists make BCAR your first stop!

The post Big Canoe Dog of the Month appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Article and photos by Tom Durban

The summer of 2020 at the Big Canoe Marina was one for the record books. The Lake Petit marina has been enjoyed by more people, had more watercraft rentals and returned more money to the POA than ever before.  

With property owners and guests wanting to get outside and on the water, marina sales were almost double all forecasts. At times it seemed all Big Canoe was at the marina enjoying Lake Petit. We realize getting a pontoon reservation this summer may have been more difficult than ever, but property owners still made up about 75 percent of the pontoon rentals.  

Now that summer is over, there is much more availability to reserve a pontoon boat. The easiest way for a property owner to make a watercraft reservation is to log on to www.bigcanoepoa.org and scroll down to “Marina Watercraft Reservations.” 

If your plans change, please remember to cancel within 24 hours of the reservation so you are not charged. Even though summer is over, the Marina Shack is open and the staff is happy to help you every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.  

We will start our winter hours on November 1, which are 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The post Marina says goodbye to a great summer appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Ye gads, what a year it’s been! Are you expecting coal in your stocking this year, what else? To make things really scary, there are two full moons in October – like a double whammy. The first was October 1, and we survived. But the next full moon falls on Halloween night, a sure sign goblins will be out in full force.

The October 1 moon was called the Harvest Moon, a nice benign name for a moon welcoming the month when frost spreads icing on pumpkins. The Halloween moon is called the Hunter’s Moon, which could have an ominous meaning. What will that moon hunt? What’s the weapon? Where can we hide?

Not only that, but the second full moon in a month is called a Blue Moon. Like we need more melancholy. But we’ll make it through and be happy it’s getting chilly enough so those Murder Hornets probably won’t land.

To celebrate the Hunter’s Moon, why not grab a few friends and head to the Big Canoe Marina to watch the sky unfold with an eerie glow. Of course you’ll want to bring bags of Three Musketeers, Snickers, Rolos and maybe a bottle of chocolate wine to scare away any hungries the moon sends your way. Any excuse for a party, right?

The post Don’t let the Hunter’s Moon get ya! appeared first on Inside the Gates.

Yep, days are growing short and there’s a bit of nip in the air. This is the time fishermen dream of when their prey inches to the top of the lake and are hungry as can be. 

Lake Petit has a good share of rainbow trout swimming in its grottos and daily catches are begging for a little autumn veggie color to brighten the plate. 

Here’s a hearty fall recipe from Fresh Fish Kitchen to place on your pumpkin squash laden table.

Fall Harvest Rainbow Trout
(Serves two)

Ingredients:

• 2 4-6 ounce trout fillets
• Salt and pepper
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup spaghetti squash, cooked and scraped out of the hull
• ½ cup red and yellow beets, washed, peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick on a mandolin slicer
• ¼ cup carrots, peeled, and sliced on the bias, ¼ inch thin
• ½ cup black lentils, cooked until tender
• 1 cup arugula

Instructions:

• In a preheated grill pan or BBQ on medium-high heat, place trout fillets skin side down. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes. Flip over and cook for 1-2 minutes more.
• While trout is cooking, add olive oil to a medium-size skillet and sauté beets and carrots on medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper. (Sautéing the red beets separately will prevent bleeding onto the other vegetables.)
• Divide the arugula between two plates.
• Place ½ cup of the spaghetti squash on opposite side of the arugula.
• Lay trout fillet on top of squash and arugula. Add sautéed vegetables on top of the trout and garnish with lentils.
• Drizzle with Asian sesame dressing on top of the vegetables and fish.

The post Fall ready fish to serve on your table appeared first on Inside the Gates.

By Jan Murphy

A little bit of everything was going on in Big Canoe in 1972. That was the year when it all began. There were construction workers, cranes and trucks moving dirt to build one of the most unique communities in North Georgia. 

When the developer, Tom Cousins, envisioned his second home community, he wanted it to be an unforgettable place where people came for the weekend. For it to be the ideal weekend retreat, there had to be something to do. Swimming, golfing, tennis, trails, lodging, shopping and good food were not only necessities in this once isolated place in the North Georgia mountains, but the combination had to be the ultimate experience to bring people back.

It’s hard to imagine, but during 1972-73 and into 1974, there was an 110-acre lake and dam being built along with octagon houses on stilts called Treetoppers, a condominium complex, swim club with a beach and lake, an 18-hole golf course, rock slide and tennis courts along with a general store and restaurant. Everything that anyone would need to entertain themselves for a long weekend. Big Canoe was a remarkably busy place!

The first restaurant was located at the top of the ridge in one of the Treetoppers on Buckskull. It was where Eunice Johnson’s home-made cooking became a mainstay at Big Canoe. Soon the small Treetopper restaurant could not accommodate the crowds. When the Village Station was built in 1973, a new restaurant was built among the chimneys left from the burned down home owned by the Tate family. It was only appropriate to call the new restaurant The Chimneys. The Chimneys opened for business in 1974.

In my conversations with Toby Jones, Kathleen Ingram, and Paul and Patsy Schmidt, they remembered not only the scrumptious food but also how it was served – family-style. In traditional family-style dining, food is served on platters and those around the table serve themselves, just like at home. It was a place where people could meet other people and built new friendships.  

In Kathleen Ingram’s words, “Man, was that some kinda good cooking those ladies did back in the day. The fried chicken was just plain delicious, and the chocolate pudding/pie was to die for. Those were the days!”

After the first clubhouse was build in 1977, The Chimneys became a wedding and convention venue. The Chimneys has one of the most beautiful natural settings in North Georgia. Through the years, the Chimneys has been the place for many gatherings including some 150 dancers showing up for the big “Disco Party” in 2003.

To see more great images of the early days of Big Canoe, join the Facebook group, Big Canoe Historical Society. We are looking for folks to share their memories, images and any interesting trivia with the community. Please contact Jan Murphy at (678) 761-9414 or email her at jmurphy@bigcanoeshistoricalsociety.com if you have information to share.

Author’s note: I want to thank Paul and Patsy Schmidt for sharing their Big Canoe experiences of the early days. Kathleen Ingram, the daughter of long-time resident Ken Rice has shared so many memories and experiences along with Toby Jones, a 42-year employee of Big Canoe. Without their contributions, I would not be able to write about the history of our community.

The post Fine dining at The Chimneys in the early days appeared first on Inside the Gates.