From September 10, 2010 Appalachian Fresh Market To September 12, 2010 The Farmers Market @ Summit Street   From September 10, 2010 Worldwide Artists Paint Out To September 12, 2010 Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association   From September 10, 2010 Fall Plein Air Festival in Blue Ridge To September 12, 2010 The Art Center in Historic Court House at 420 West Main Street     September 11, 2010 Blue Ridge Farmers Market     Historic Downtown Blue Ridge   From September 11, 2010 Apple Picking To September 12, 2010 Mercier Orchards     September 11, 2010 High Country Harmonizers     Fannin County Performing Arts Center     September 11, 2010 Mountain Music and Arts & Craft Festival     Vogel State Park     September 12, 2010 Black Bear Rampage Bicycle Challenge     Ocoee Whitewater Center    ... 09/11/2010

09/08/2010

    August 05, 2010 Pickin' in Horseshoe Bend Park     Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park , McCaysville, GA.   From August 06, 2010 Appalachian Fresh Market To August 08, 2010 The Farmers Market @ Summit Street   From August 07, 2010 Tractor Rides To August 08, 2010 Mercier Orchards     August 07, 2010 Blue Ridge Farmers Market     Historic Downtown Blue Ridge     August 07, 2010 Smokey Bear's Birthday Party     Ocoee Whitewater Center in Ducktown, TN     August 07, 2010 Friday Night Concerts     Historic Union County Courthouse     August 09, 2010 Aubrey Atwater / Live Music     John C. Campbell Folkschool / Community Room Keith House   From August 12, 2010 Georgia Mountain Moonshine Cruiz-In To August 14, 2010 Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds     August 12, 2010 Pickin' in Horseshoe Bend Park ... 08/04/2010

Hiking has become my new passion. Those who have known me for years will find this quite amusing. After all, I was the one who agreed to co-lead my daughter's Brownie troop if -- and only if -- I didn't have to camp in a tent or hike. Used to be the thought of hiking conjured up images of bugs, crawly things, and most dreaded of all, sweat. Today it brings me peace, joy, and most welcomed of all, sweat. I never cease to be grateful to live in an area that has such a wealth of natural beauty, and, thanks to the U.S. Forest Service, so many opportunities to immerse myself in that beauty. Most of my recent hiking has been on the Aska Trails, a 17-mile system of trails in the heart of the Aska Adventure Area in the North Georgia mountains Chattahoochee National Forest, accessed off Aska Roa... 07/25/2010

The first six months of 2010 saw the number of residential sales in Fannin County ahead of 2009's sales, with the median sale price down. There were 199 units sold through June 30th of this year, compared with 148 sold in the same time period last year. The median residential sale price this year was $185,000. That is down 15% from 2009's $216,250, and down a whopping 33% from 2007's high of $277,750. In practical terms, that means that if you purchased a $300,000 cabin in 2007, you might expect to sell it for $201,000 this year. That's very bad news for sellers, but, oh!, what a time to be a buyer! Sales of foreclosures made up an ever-increasing percentage of this year's market, 28% compared with 24% of last year's. Mortgage rates have dropped to historical lows. Couple that with drop... 07/23/2010

I speak with clients daily who all seem to be searching for the same property: A luxury log cabin with a great mountain view which is suitable for use as both a private getaway as well as a lucrative rental investment.What Makes a Vacation Cabin a Successful Rental Investment?For the most part, the North Georgia vacation rental market is glutted with "average" cabins.  Buyers should be looking for a "special" property that will stand out from the crowd.I suggest a cabin that is: 1) Within 10(+-) miles of town - The farther out you go, the more difficult it will be to find a property manager. It can also reduce your number of repeat & referral customers as it is inconvenient for them to get to stores and attractions. 2) Has either a beautful mountain view or is on good water (loud, visib... 07/22/2010

  From July 01, 2010 A Tuna Christmas / Comedy To July 04, 2010 Blue Ridge Community Theater   From July 02, 2010 Miner's Homecoming Weekend To July 04, 2010 Ducktown, Tn.(20 minute drive from Blue Ridge)   From July 03, 2010 Quilt Exhibit To July 31, 2010 Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association     July 08, 2010 Pickin' in Horseshoe Bend Park     Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park , McCaysville, GA.   From July 08, 2010 A Tuna Christmas / Comedy To July 11, 2010 Blue Ridge Community Theater     July 10, 2010 Blue Ridge Farmers Market     Historic Downtown Blue Ridge     July 10, 2010 West Side Block Party     Downtown Historic Blue Ridge     July 15, 2010 Pickin' in Horseshoe Bend Park     Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park , McCaysville, GA.     July 16, 2010 Blake Shelton in Concert     Georgia M... 07/04/2010

Blue Ridge, GA is a very popular vacation destination located in the North Georgia mountains.  This quaint mountain town offers a pretty, historic downtown area with loads of shops and local restaurants, numerous outdoor activities, a scenic railway and luxury log cabin rentals with great mountain views for a very reasonable price. These draws along with its location, just 90 miles north of Atlanta, provide a constant flow of area visitors and cabin rental guests making the purchase of a turn-key vacation rental / investment property in the area a smart real estate investment choice.One thing that is certain about the North Georgia mountains, because of it's natural beauty, people are always going to have an interest in purchasing real estate in the region. Though, like the rest of the ... 06/11/2010

  Gayle Barton, a Realtor with ERA - The Real Estate Connection in Blue Ridge, GA has earned the Nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification (SFR) from the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council of NAR. The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk, and provides resources to help REALTORS® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves. To earn the certification, she completed a one-day comprehensive classroom education program including passing a written test and three one hour webinars. The program provides resources to help stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distresse... 06/10/2010

It's time for Mercier Orchards "Upick Cherry Jubilee" in Blue Ridge, GA! Could there be anything more tantalizing than a tree full of big juicy red cherries?  Their Upick event kicks of this Friday May 28th at 3:00PM.  Mercier’s will continue the upick for the next several weekends on Saturday and Sunday 10:00AM to 6:00PM as well as Memorial Day from 10:00AM to 6:00PM. Make sure to also load up on the juicy peaches and strawberries too! Mercier Orchard also has plenty of fresh vegetables here in the market; they have squash, cucumbers, corn, cabbage, bell peppers, okra, onions, peanuts, and of course watermelons.  Come on by and load up on some fresh fruits, vegetables, apple cider, bakery goods and their famous fried fruit pies. Our favorite is the apple, but they have many other frui... 05/27/2010

The quaint mountain town of Blairsville, GA continues to enjoy some great press. Hot on the heels of a recent article by a nationally-syndicated travel columnist extolling the virtues of this lovely town, the accolades continued as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ran an article about the joys of Blairsville.Come to Blairsville and see for yourself what these travel writers are falling in love with!  05/17/2010

According to an article by travel writer Mary Ann Anderson, Blairsville joins Albany, Sapelo Island, the Altamaha River, and Lake Lanier as one of Georgia's top five travel destinations that are off the beaten path for most. While this may be 'news' to some, Blairsville's many charms are no secret to those of us who have the good fortune to live close by!  05/04/2010

      May 06, 2010 Pickin' in Horseshoe Bend Park     Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park , McCaysville, GA.     May 06, 2010 BINGO / Lots of Fun!     Kiwanis Fair Grounds   From May 07, 2010 Run For Your Wife / Comedy To May 31, 2010 Blue Ridge Community Theater     May 07, 2010 Spirit Fiddle / Musical Performance     John C. Campbell Folk School     May 08, 2010 Georgia Mountain Classic Car Show     City Park in Blue Ridge     May 09, 2010 Brasstown Big Band     Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds     May 13, 2010 Pickin' in Horseshoe Bend Park     Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park , McCaysville, GA.     May 13, 2010 BINGO / Lots of Fun!     Kiwanis Fair Grounds     May 15, 2010 Smokie Mountain Melodies Show     Fannin County High School Performing Arts Center   From May 15, 2010 Mountain Flower Art F... 05/03/2010

On April 4, Century 21 Professional Realty Group sponsored it's first (of what will be an annual event!) "Cruise-In Blue Ridge for a Cure" car show to benefit Relay for Life.Over 50 vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles took part -- from Model A's to Corvettes. Local favorites, the Breaking Point Band, played for the crowds, and there was great food and an Easter egg hunt for the wee ones.A splendid time was had by all and we were able to raise over $2,500 for a wonderful cause!!  04/21/2010

Another fabulous listing brought to you by The Anderson Group: 25 Whispering Pines Dr. is an over-sized 3.77 acre residential lot on private 3+ acre lake. Incredible Mountain setting with paved neighborhood access in Blue Ridge, one of only 5 lots with waterfront footage. Well system and electric in place - Ready for your custom luxury mountain cabin. Please contact Tom Anderson, 404-277-9581 or email at tom@tagatlanta.com for more information on 25 Whispering Pines Dr. 03/30/2010

I love Atlanta for reasons both personal and professional. I lived there for many years and still find myself traveling down at least once or twice a month to visit friends, shop, dine, or take in a play or Braves game. It is a wonderfully small and friendly 'big city.' Professionally, my real estate fortune is tied up with Atlanta's as many of my customers are second-home buyers from Atlanta, so as their market goes, so goes the North Georgia mountain real estate market.That's why it was so nice to see this article in today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution that ties Atlanta's many wonderful qualities to its ability to not only survive the current economic downturn, but to thrive. Don't ever count Atlanta out! 03/27/2010

There is a marvelous converging of events right now that are making this an unprecedented moment in time to buy a home in the beautiful North Georgia mountains. After a surprising jump in median sale price last month over the previous year's price, home sales in Fannin County are down in February -- both in number of units sold, and in median sale price. There were 25 homes sold in February 2010 compared with 27 in February of last year. The median sale price this February was $185,000 compared with $232,000 last February.Buyers have less than six weeks to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and $6,500 credit for repeat home buyers, as homes must be under contract by April 30.  In addition to the tax credit, interest rates have dipped since last month -- d... 03/23/2010

Car, Motorcycle, Truck Show to Benefit Relay for LifeDate:    April 3, 2010 - Rain or ShineTime:   10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Plaques for Best in Show awarded at 4 p.m.Location:  Blue Ridge City Park (across from the Courthouse)   Door prizes, raffle, foodLive music provided by hometown favorites The Breaking Point Band For more information on the event, or how to enter the show, please contact Dawn McGuire at 706-455-8106Sponsored by Century 21 Professional Realty Group - In The MountainsAll proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life    03/22/2010

Opened in 1909 by 10 local businessmen, the Bank of Hiawassee grew strong over the ensuing 97 or so years, perservering through the Great Depression and the lean years that followed, as small communities throughout the Appalachians struggled with the after effects of the Depression far longer than their industrialized counterparts. Yet, the small bank in Towns County continued to strengthen, growing from $25,000 in deposits in 1909 to over $435 million, according to its Website. In the process, they expanded into the neighboring counties of Union and Fannin -- opening as Bank of Blairsville and Bank of Blue Ridge, respectively -- becoming one of the largest employers in the North Georgia mountains. The institution not only employed many of the locals, it also underwrote their dreams -- ... 03/20/2010

My name is Kim and I am a washing machine abuser. When it comes to laundry, I have always believed that suds equal clean. If I look in my washing machine during the wash cycle and don't see soap bubbles, I will add a bit more laundry detergent. Turns out, I've been abusing my poor washing machine all these years. When it comes to suds, less is more. Read this handy article from The New York Times. Your washing machine (and dishwasher) will thank you. 03/16/2010