TABLE OF CONTENTS - Big Canoe · 2 | insidethegates.org JanarY 2020 Let’s Go Clubbing It was a jammin’ good time at the holiday Acoustic Showcase Article by Greg Morris Photos

Let’s Go Clubbing 2Events & Happenings 19Wining & Dining 26Getting Fit & Healthy 28Around the Tees 30Racquets ‘Round the Nets

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Bocce 34Marina 34POA News 37

TABLE OF CONTENTS

POA Board Meeting Mountains Grille Room Thursday • January 23

5:00 PM

BCAR Open House North Gate Rescue Kennel

Every Saturday 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

New Owner Orientation The Clubhouse

Saturday • February 1 9:00 AM

Big Canoe celebrated with two New Year's Eve parties at The Clubhouse on Tuesday, December 31. (Photo by Steve Papke)

Enriching life in the Big Canoe community January 2020

2 | insidethegates.org January 2020

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It was a jammin’ good time at the holiday Acoustic ShowcaseArticle by Greg Morris Photos by Steve Papke

This is the best free event in Big Canoe and the De-cember Acoustic Showcase was up there as one of the best.

Once again the Swim Club was packed full as 10 acoustic musicians performed for about 70 attendees. Each musician now performs from a center location and plays two songs consecutively. Our goal is to perform for about 90 minutes. If time remains, the performers will lead the audience in a sing along.

There was much collaboration during the performances with often one, and sometimes many collaborators ac-companying the performing musician. In fact, during one Christmas song a record was set with the number of musi-cians collaborating. Five performed: Frank Brewer, Art Shand, Debbie Jones, Bob Knysz and Paul Jones.

Acoustic Showcase is held on the first Thursday eve-ning of each month from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the Swim Club. There is no admission charge but bring your favorite beverage, arrive early, secure your seats, and mingle with other guests and musicians. The January Showcase will be on January 2.

Contact Greg Morris at [email protected] if you have questions or want to be added to the mailing list. Please visit our Facebook page at Big Canoe Acoustic Showcase for playlists and performance information.

Bob Knysz, Art Shand, Paul Jones, Debbie Jones and Frank Brewer harmonize well together.

John Lamberski and the Relics get it on!Jim Murphy, Art Shand, Brad Morgan and Bob Knysz were filled with holiday cheer.

Frank Lozano and Art Shand, a perfect duo.

insidethegates.org | 3January 2020

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Paint your way into the Big Canoe Artists’ Club

Were you inspired to drag out your old set of paints after visiting the Artists’ Club Holiday Marketplace? Many were. There’s a congregation of artists in Big Canoe dab-bling in all mediums to express their creativity.

Some are quite accomplished in their field, others are just learning how to shade and contour. If you’re interested in joining this band of black berets, you’re invited to come to their monthly meetings to learn more. The club meets on the first Thursday of the month at 10:00 a.m. at the Big Canoe Chapel.

The group’s focus is on pro-moting the arts, sharing informa-tion and helping each other in creative efforts. Often outside speakers share their areas of expertise. The Artists’ Club has several shows and exhibitions throughout the year, including some outside our gates.

For more information, contact Tappy Swarner at (706) 306-0686.

Ready for an AWOL holiday re-gifting party?Information and photos submitted by Karen Steinberg

Awesome Women on the Lake (AWOL for short) have enough good sense to come inside when the weather turns frightful. They’ll be meeting next on Monday, January 6 at 5:00 p.m. at Village Station. Ladies only need bring their beverage of choice and a smile, that’s all.

The January gath-ering will be a special Re-gifting Party where those undesirable, unneeded gifts re-ceived can be passed to another. You just know some of the “presents” will have hilarious stories behind them.

Now, usually AWOL meets at the Big Canoe Marina as Lake Petit is the lake referred to in the name. That’s a wonderful outdoor venue, but not at 45 degrees. When warm weather can be counted on, the women will return to lakeside. Karen Steinberg is the instigator of AWOL, patterning it close to the men’s Cigar Club. Folks in Big Canoe seem to like gathering in smaller groups where personali-ties can shine.

All women in Big Canoe are welcome to join AWOL. It’s very casual, just drop by for a few laughs and conversation. Showing up at ladies’ only gatherings is a good way to make new friends and share experiences.

Make 2020 the year you find new adventures to share, AWOL can help with that.

Deborah Osgood entertained at a summer AWOL gathering.

Gals of AWOL even have tee shirts they wear with pride.

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Ridgerunners welcomed the season with style and flairPhotos by Christine Flaherty

The holiday season was welcomed in fine style when Ridgerunners met for their annual Christmas luncheon; this year the fun centered around a festive brunch presenting quiches accented with all the trimmings.

Bells were rung harmoniously by the Chapel Bell Choir and sounds of the season were strummed on melodious gui-tars. A piano tinkling Christmas carols welcomed the ladies as they arrived in their holiday finery.

Games were played with exciting prizes awarded. If you didn’t win at games, there was always the chance to collect a fabulous door prize.

Many thanks to Mamie Camuso who chaired the celebration. Mamie and her band of elves made the day an absolute delight.

Self Protection class offered on January 13Women to learn about keeping safe on the streets

Information submitted by Karen Steinberg

It seems you can’t watch the news without hearing about an assault happening somewhere close by. While Big Canoe is safe and wor-risome assaults aren’t a genuine concern, most residents leave the reser-vation at some point to venture out to shopping centers, movies, restau-rants and other outside venues.

Personal safety should always be forefront in our minds. To encourage women to be aware of what can be done to protect themselves, Awe-some Women of the Lake (AWOL) is hosting a Self Protec-tion class at 3:00 p.m. on January 13 at Canoe Lodge.

The class will be taught by Leon Millholland, a Street Crime Detective with the Sandy Springs Police Depart-ment. Detective Millholland served as a Marine for 24 years, followed by 18 years in law enforcement.

The January 13 session will focus on Understanding Current Criminal Trends and Surviving. After covering current issues, the detective will introduce a few basic self-defense techniques.

Don’t miss this critically informative session. Keep safe!

On to the new year called 2020! Because The Club-house will be undergoing renovation and spruce up during January, Ridgerunners reluctantly canceled their January meeting which would have introduced ladies to fine Georgia wines.

The next monthly meeting will be on February 11 at 10:00 a.m. at The Clubhouse. Big Canoe resident Dr. James Wellman will present “Are You Sleepless in Big Canoe?”

Dr. James Wellman, whose practice focuses on sleep disorders, has studied and advised hundreds of patients dur-ing his 30 years of research. He plans to share some practi-cal solutions. Come with your questions, and Dr. Wellman may have the answer to take you to blissful nightly slumber.

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‘Kitten up’ for a good causeBecome a feline foster parent through Maggie’s House

Article by Patricia Kraft Photos by Mary Jo Cox

Big Canoe Animal Rescue’s Maggie’s House cat shelter had another busy year in 2019. By year end, 48 cats and kittens were taken into Maggie’s House. Our dedicated volunteers continue to provide care and socialize these cats and kittens while providing a safe, healthy and posi-tive environment until they are ad-opted into forever homes.

As of year-end, 32 cats and kittens were adopted in-cluding long-time kennel favorites Rusty and Scarlett.

We couldn’t have achieved this without our dedicated volunteers and the support of the Big Canoe community. Here’s how you can help Big Canoe’s rescue cats and kittens in the new year:• Volunteer at Maggie’s House. The volunteers at Mag-

gie’s House are working hard to guarantee our cats’ lives are filled with love, kindness and security. Please consider volunteering at Maggie’s House in the new year to help socialize cats or kittens who need special attention. We have three two-hour shifts to choose from each day. You can volunteer according to your schedule with just an occasional shift or several each month.

• Report homeless kittens or cats to BCAR. We ask that you call BCAR immediately (706-268-1346) when kit-tens are observed outdoors in our community. Kitten socialization with humans is critical at a young age, the main window is from two to seven weeks of age, but it can extend to 14 weeks of age. BCAR makes this socialization a priority.

• Fostering cats and kittens. These foster assignments vary in length of time.

• Fostering cats: Often cats need fostering if they cannot

be housed with our other cats because we don’t have room at Maggie’s House, are on special diets, require medications or have attitude problems. Due to their special needs, we are always on the lookout for fosters. Foster parents agree to keep these special cats inside only, provide proper food and medication provided by Mag-gie’s House, and of course love them. In other words, treat them as your own.

• Fostering kittens: Watching tiny kit-tens develop from little wobbly balls of fur to lanky young adolescents with boundless energy is what you’ll encounter if you become a kitten foster. Some kittens need bottle feeding, some are eating on their own, but need a place to stay until they can join Maggie’s House. Some kittens will even have mom with them. There are many types of situations for fos-tering kittens. We can teach you all you need to know if you’re not already in the “know.” What are the advantages to fostering?Love. Cats will provide fosters the companionship and

love that only cats can provide.Low cost. BCAR Maggie’s House will supply food, lit-

ter, and medical needs.Rewarding. Knowing you are making a difference in a

cat’s life can give you a warm fuzzy feeling!Contact Henri Hall at (404) 626-0962 or [email protected]

to discuss fostering or volunteering at Maggie’s House.

Scarlett was recently adopted and now has a forever home.

After bunking at Maggie’s House for some time, Rusty now has his very own home.


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Big Canoe Boy Scouts again offering delicious pasta-bilitiesScouts host lasagna sale to fundraise for activities

By Lynne Dodson

Big Canoe Chapel’s Boy Scout Troop 20 is raising money to support their many projects and activities hap-pening in 2020. Once again the Scouts will be selling their popular frozen lasagnas. These are no ordinary lasagnas!

Scout Mom Sue Gibbons (Culinary Arts Teacher at Pickens High School) will supervise the cooking and assem-bly of two tray sizes, one feeding 2-4 for $25 and another tray serving 4-6 for $35.

Any member of Troop 20 can take an or-der; a Scout representa-tive will be available for orders at Big Canoe Chapel Stand Around on January 5, 12, and 19. Orders will be available for pick up at the Chapel on February 1 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., February 2 before/after services or by other arrangement. Payment is due at the time of order. Checks should be made payable to Boy Scout Troop 20.

Contact Scout Moms Lynne Dodson at [email protected] or (706) 248-9819 or Camille Resetar at [email protected] or (770) 361-6725 to place orders or ask questions.

In addition to their lasagna fundraising, the Scouts are happy to accept donations made through the Big Canoe Chapel.

The yearbook was created by Craig McConnell, who did last year’s coffee table book too. Craig must have chuck-led aplenty as each photo was turned over.

What a wonderful way to celebrate friendships! Choc-taw Village sounds like an old-fashioned neighborhood in a very modern setting.

Village People remember 2019 in a picture bookInformation and photos submitted by Lou Reiter

Remember how excited you were when high school yearbooks were passed out the last week of school? The folks who call Choctaw Village home have their own year-book showing all the good times neigh-bors enjoyed in their corner of the world. And, boy, do they get ex-cited when the book is hot off the press!

Choctaw Village is a unique com-munity within Big Canoe. It’s reached by taking the off road at The Clubhouse. Somewhat secluded, it’s a haven for happy happen-ings.

The Vil-lage People, as they are known, are a fun bunch and plan many neighbor-hood parties and events to keep friendships strong. There are book clubs, men’s clubs, women’s luncheons, un-firepit gatherings every month and parties celebrating almost every occasion. They even have their own brand of the Olympics!

With phones snapping photos constantly, the antics at Choctaw are well documented. Perhaps it would be best to keep “Choctaw Village 2019” from the eyes of innocent grandkids. They should never know how zany their nanas and papas can be!

The cover of Choctaw Village 2019 shows the gorgeous place we call home. Inside are the people who make it a great place to live.

Just one page in a very colorful yearbook.


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There is no crying in cribbage, just laughsInformation submitted by Diane Hooper

Some say the crowd that meets every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Village Station suffer from O.C.D., Ob-sessive Cribbage Disorder. The Cribbage Crowd wants to welcome you to join their obsession. It’s not lethal, just fun.

Cribbage is a exciting card game involving grouping cards in combina-tions to win points. Words like crib, box or kitty are ban-tered about in this game of few rules. As with many card games, subtleties play out as tactical play varies.

A little bit of luck at the deal and cut plays big in the outcome of games, but as always, more experienced players have an edge.

Even if you’ve never played the game, on Wednesday nights experienced cribbage players will teach you the ropes so you’ll soon be flinging cards with the best of them. No experience is necessary, just a sense of fun leading to friendships.

For more information, contact Diane Hooper at [email protected] or (404) 915-4978.

Guild hears from Big Canoe’s General Manager in JanuaryBy Susan Starling

The Big Canoe Chapel Women’s Guild is pleased to start the New Year by welcoming Big Canoe’s General Manager Jill Philmon as our guest speaker on January 9. The title of her talk will be “Dear God, I know you have a plan for me…can we discuss a few details?”

The meeting will start at 10:00 a.m. in the Broyles Center at the Big Canoe Chapel. All women in Big Canoe are welcome.

Looking forwardThe Guild Bible Study begins

January 22 and will run through March 25. The new study will be led by Barbara Dennison.

On February 13 the Guild speaker will be Linda Sommer from Voice of the Sword ministry. The meeting will be in the Broyles Center at 10:00 a.m.

Planning has begun for Books and More, which in addition to selling books, will also have a coffee shop and other exciting items for sale. The event will take place April 23-25. Watch for details to come.

Collection boxes for book donations have been placed in the Postal Facility and the Wellness Center. Please drop off and donate any of the following books:

Fiction (paperback or hardback), Old books, Children’s books, Cookbooks, Coffee table books, Gift books, Travel books, Puzzle, Local authors, Audible books, Biographies.

Sorry, no history, finance, political, health or self-help books please!

The purpose of the Big Canoe’s Women’s Guild is to bring together women of Big Canoe and the surrounding communities to encourage Christian fellowship, to under-stand God’s will for our lives through Bible study and to promote activities that benefit the Chapel and surrounding communities.

More than $1 million has been donated to charitable agencies in Dawson and Pickens counties through fundrais-ing efforts of the Guild. For more information about the Women’s Guild, visit bigcanoechapel.org.

General Manager Jill Philmon will be the guest speaker at the January 9 Guild meeting.

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Who and what are DAR women? By Margaret Clark

The local Sequoyah chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has had many inquiries about the mission, the vision and how to find out what is necessary to become a member. The Sequoyah chapter meets monthly, February through May, then September through December in Big Canoe. Here is some general information offering in-sight into our dedication to education, veterans and histori-cal preservation through work in our community.

Who are DAR members?They are women a lot like you, who come from diverse

backgrounds and have a variety of interests. Their common bond is their lineal descent from patriots of the American Revolution – any woman, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove this lineage is eligible to join.

They are women who:• Care about fostering good citizenship• Want to honor their ancestors• Are devoted to educating our youth• Want to preserve our past for future generationsMany enjoy:• Learning about American history

• Researching genealogy• Coordinating local community service projects• Sharing in family DAR traditions• Participating in commemorative events

The Four Founders - Daughters of DistinctionDecidedly not ladies of leisure, the four founders of the

DAR were anything but traditional. Two were single and two were widowed, and all four were working women who supported either children or extended family.

Daughters of DistinctionFrom its outset and beginning with its founders, the

National DAR Society’s ranks have included uncommon women who achieved uncommon goals. They include First Ladies and firsts in their field, leading politically-minded women, actresses and adventurers, artists and authors, reformers and humanitarians, educators and engineers, doctors and nurses, and even pioneers in space. While their accomplishments are as diverse as their professions, all have been brave women who often performed heroic acts and shared a sense of purpose and pride, and an undaunted pursuit of their ideals.

If you have an interest in learning more about the local Sequoyah DAR chapter that meets in Big Canoe, please contact Annie Gunnin at (706) 692-6344 for information.

Sequoyah chapter visits local nursing homes to honor veterans.

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Our next meeting is Sunday, January 19 at 2:00 p.m. at Fuegos. The program will be presented by Big Canoe resi-dents who were on one of the early Friendship Force charter flights to the UK over 40 years ago.

To attend, RSVP to Peggy Anderson at (706) 579-1708 or [email protected]. Come and see what the fun is all about, or sign-up for the monthly newsletter.

Friends all over the worldBy Bob Anderson

The Big Canoe/North Georgia Friendship Force is one of the many clubs available to all Big Canoe residents. The concept of Friendship Force was the creation of the late Dr. Wayne Smith, a Presbyterian minister, former missionary to Brazil and a one-time Associate Pastor at the Big Canoe Chapel.

Friendship Force is a vehicle for bridging the barriers that separate people - bar-riers like language, religion, race, politics, cul-ture, fear and ignorance. From this one idea hatched here in Geor-gia, there are now over 350 clubs with 15,000 mem-bers in 60 countries worldwide.

The Big Canoe/North Georgia Friendship Force Club has over 60 members from Big Canoe and “outside the gates” in Canton, Cumming, Jasper, Lake Arrowhead, Cherry Log and Dahlonega. Our officers for 2020 are Sherry Wileman (Canton), Barry Kadechuk (Big Canoe), Tim Anderson (Cumming), Diane Briscoe (Lake Arrow-head) and Robert Logan (Canton).

As we review 2019, many of our members cruised Cape Horn in South America with over 150 of our closest friends from around the world, visited the Gallapagos, attended the international meeting in Boulder, Colorado and were hosted by our new good friends in Ottawa, Canada followed by a cruise down the St. Lawrence River.

In Big Canoe we hosted six future leaders from Kyiv, Ukraine with plans to return the favor in 2020.

In 2020 we have plans to meet with neighboring clubs from Birmingham and Huntsville at Callaway Gardens, host club members from both Costa Rica and Des Moines (at the same time, no less), visit Trujillo, Peru with a side trip to Machu Picchu and host another delegation from the Ukraine.

Big Canoe/North Georgia Friendship Force officers for 2020.

Hail, hail the gang’s all here! This group went on a Friendship Force cruise around Cape Horn.

Cheers to 2020. May it be a Memorable one. Happy New Year

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It was a silent, peaceful night for a hikeInformation and photos submitted by Steve Papke

One of the most beautiful and moving experiences dur-ing the Big Canoe holiday season is the annual Silent Night hike sponsored by the Hiking Club. In total silence, which could be difficult for some, hikers make their way to the little cabin on the Jeep Trail. This year hikers were met with a pleasant surprise upon reaching the cabin.

Toby Jones, the man-ager of Public Works for 38 years, rebuilt the old still that had been part of the cabin’s charm. This was Toby’s gift to Big Canoe as he recently retired. The canopy is still to be

North Georgia Vets take the month of January offInformation submitted by Mike Ehrlich

Hot off their win at the annual Army Navy gridiron match-up in December, Navy Midshipmen are taking the whole month of January to celebrate. The 23rd-ranked Midshipmen snapped their three-game losing streak against Army, defeating the Black Knights, 31-7, with a ferocious running game in the teams’ 120th all-time meeting.

North Georgia Vets, rep-resenting all our fighting men and women, won’t be meeting in January due to all the cel-ebrating, but also because The Clubhouse will be closed during their usual monthly meet-ing time.

The next time vets will gather will be on February 12 when Mike Roby, Commissioner of Veterans Service will be the guest speaker at the noon luncheon. Commissioner Roby oversees all aspects of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service.

To learn more about North Georgia Vets, visit their website at ngvets.org.

Membership in NGV is open to all who served and received an honorable discharge. There is no cost to becom-ing a member of North Georgia Veterans.

constructed, but it’s quite an impressive sight.After reaching the cabin in the walk of silence, carols

were sung before the hikers headed back down to Canoe Lodge for a delightful and delicious potluck.

The Hiking Club welcomes all who like to explore the natural world around us. The group takes guided hikes of 2.5 to 5+ miles with varying levels of difficulty. Lunch stops are usually on the agenda. Sometimes multiple day hikes are planned.

Membership is $15.00 per year. Contact Laura Smith at (706) 579-3342 for more information.

When asked to describe how they feel when hiking, many exclaim, “Hiking brings an experience that just can’t be explained.” Come find out if that’s true!

An old still which was part of the Jeep Trail’s charm was recently rebuilt by Toby Jones.

There was quite a holiday spread to greet hikers when they returned from their Silent Night hike.

Posing for a night portrait, hikers were chilly but happy.


Mama Mia! It’s an Italian feast set before usInformation submitted by Jo Bryan

There aren’t too many “nationality clubs” in Big Canoe, but there’s one that’s roaring strong - The Italians of Big Canoe. Started by Jo Bryan last year, the call was sounded for residents of Italian ancestry, or those married to an Italian who holds such a pedigree, to gather to share family stories and recipes passed down through the years. It seems there are a lot of Italians in Big Canoe!

The club will enjoy their second big feast, otherwise known as a pot-luck, on Sunday, January 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the Swim Club. Of course, all dishes should be inspired by one’s Italian heritage. The cost per couple is $15, or $7.50 for a single. Wine and beer will be provided.

Bocce was played by the club a few weeks ago; bocce is probably the national sport of Italy. It was a rollin’ good time with shouts of “in bocca al lupo” flying through the air. This is a crowd that knows how to party no matter where they are.

If you fit the description of a son or daughter of Italy, you’re invited to the feast. For details, contact Jo Bryan at [email protected].

If you don’t have drops of Roman, Latin, Etruscan, Umbrian, Ligurian, Tuscan, Florentine, Milanese, Venetian, Neapolitan, Sicilian, Calabrian or Adriatic blood flowing through your veins, don’t be upsetti, eat some spaghetti! You can at least chow down like an Italian.

Scouts celebrate with a family dinner and Court of HonorSubmitted by ghostwriter Pierre Delecto

Scouts and families of Troop 20 gathered for an evening of fellowship and celebration at their annual Christmas din-ner and Court of Honor.

With the troop nearly doubling in size over the past year, the Scout hut located near the Big Canoe Terraces was filled to near capacity. Scoutmaster Dodson commented, “This is a first during my tenure and it is a wonderful prob-lem to have.”

The evening started with a dinner of baked ham and casseroles too numerous to count. Dinner was followed by the always popular “Video Year in Review” highlighting a year full of adventure - from hiking the highest peak in Georgia in the snow and ice to SCUBA diving the warm tropical waters in the Florida Keys.

It was a year of accomplishment as well. Over 40 merit badges were earned from Aviation to Oceanography. The evening concluded with a candlelight ceremony featuring Christmas carols to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

For more information about Big Canoe Scouting and Troop 20, contact Jeff Dodson at (706) 248-9818.

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For Christmas, Nicky Sensale made dozens of these delicate Italian cookies. Not a trace of red sauce on them! (Photo by Nicky Sensale)

Standing left to right are Nancy and Read Fernandez, Camille and Jack Resetar, Sue and Charlie Gibbons. These Life Scouts are recent graduates of the week-long National Youth Leadership Training Program. (Photo by Grace Resetar)


The world of photography calls, even for beginnersBy Steve Carlisle

The Big Canoe Photography Club has seen healthy growth since it was founded about five years ago. It is thriv-ing and contains a diverse group of talented photographers ranging from working professionals to beginners, hungry for knowledge about this dynamic visual art. The club meets monthly and features guest speakers who share their photography, while explaining the tricks of their trade.

The wide range of topics covered is both entertaining and educational for experienced and novice shooters, alike. Club president Mark Green does an excellent job of making sure the conversation is interesting to all levels of photo-graphic experience and encourages audience participation in the discussions. Questions are raised by those looking for more information about a topic with the guest speaker, as well as club members, answering them with helpful expla-nations.

Whether you like shooting dramatic landscape photos while traveling or just taking portraits of grandkids and family pets, you’ll meet photographers that are happy to help you improve your game. Along the way you might have an opportunity to learn how Mary Jo Cox captures intimate pictures of bears and other wildlife and live to tell about it!

David Akoubian, one of America’s top shooters, likes to share his expertise with photographing birds in their native habitat. His mastery of the landscape is also legendary. You might hear Randy Lewis and his sidekicks, Brian Robbins and Jerry Deeds, describe how they capture the waterfalls

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of North Georgia, using special techniques to blur the wa-ter’s motion.

The eagles of Big Canoe can’t seem to escape the sharp focus of Mark Green’s telephoto lens! Brian Osgood and Kathleen Gill can amaze with abstract imagery too. The list goes on as the amount of talent in this group is endless. Look for the spectacular pictures they’ve taken in Smoke Signals Photo of the Month. Check out the club’s website for amazing galleries of the club’s immense artistic talents.

If you are interested in learning more about photog-raphy and hearing stimulating programs that will inspire you, come to a meeting and check it out. The club meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month upstairs at the Swim Club. Guests are always welcome, so give it a try. The next meet-ing is January 18 at 9:30 a.m.

After the Rain - Late Light Fall Color in Big Canoe by Mark Green.

Joshua Tree National Park by Brian Robbins.

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Quilt Guild has a full year of quilting plannedBy Emily Beals

December is party month for the Pine Needle Quilters as we end our year and celebrate what we have learned, what we have created, and how we have grown as friends. This year, thanks to Ruth Herzler and her helpers, the décor was festive and our potluck lunch bountiful and tasty.

After lunch and a brief business meeting, our fat quarter exchange project took center stage. Several months ago, members found a fat quarter of fabric (18”x22”), put it into a bag, and then waited to see what would happen when another quilter was given that bag and asked to create a gift for the “owner” of the fat quarter.

When the gifts were revealed, the variety was amazing: table runners, casserole carriers, various types of pouches and bags, a credit card billfold, potholders, and even a stuffed chicken.

The main event, though, was the installation of our new officers. Each was given a rice bag symbolic of her new role and useful if chilled in case of a headache.

Barb Fraser, president, is like the North Star that leads the way. Barb Duesler, vice president for events and Carol Hagadorn, vice president for programs will inspire and bring joy just as music does. Sue Wilson, treasurer, holds a bread basket, since she is responsible for the dough. Rhonda Webster, secretary, will provide the guiding light(house) to keep the guild straight in its business.

Barb Fraser and Carol Hagadorn briefly previewed the new year, starting with a sew-in on January 7 to make items for donation. The guild will meet from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in McCormick Hall with a light lunch provided.

New next year is a monthly “Sew and Sew” event for members just to get together and sew (and talk and eat and laugh). Beginner classes will again be offered.

If you are interested in joining the guild, whether you are an experienced quilter or a beginner, contact Barb Fra-ser at (757) 373-4527.

A few good books for reading by the fire

Sure seems like many ladies in the Ridgerunners books clubs chose reading a menu rather than reading a book in the month of December. A few book clubs stayed the course and offer a selec-tion of good reads to keep book lovers turning pages during the first month of the year. Enjoy stay-ing inside with a good book for company!

Blue Stockings: Christmas LuncheonGodivas: No meetingRidgereaders: Christmas Luncheon The Noveladies: No meeting Viewpoint: Sea Prayer by Khalid HosseiniGray Matters: Holiday Dinner Leaf Turners: The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by

Robert DugoniBook Belles: Christmas LuncheonChapter 13: The Secret Lives of First Ladies by

Cormac O’BrienSworn Sisters: Delaney, a man, a woman, a restaurant

by Molly WizenbergDivine Readers: Christmas Luncheon Woodland Readers: Holiday Excursion Page Turners: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Between the Lines: Holiday LuncheonHappy Bookers: Christmas Luncheon Who Picked This Book?: Christmas PartyPapyrus: Christmas Party Hooked on Books: Book Exchange PartyAdventure Bound: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold

Fry by Richard JoyceWomen, Words, and Wine: Christmas Luncheon Between the Wines: Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather

MorrisChapter Chics: Christmas Luncheon

Submitted by Susan EanesRidgerunners Book Clubs Chair


Troops tag a visit from Big CanoeLast November ladies of the Still Young at Heart group

in Big Canoe adopted 70 troops stationed in the Middle East after Liv Taylor shared her son had been recently deployed to serve in the area. Liv also shared many of the soldiers didn’t get much mail from home. That was a challenge to SYAH gals! Thousands of items were col-lected to send in packages so each solider would have a gift to open. You can see by the smil-ing faces of these young soldiers how much a simple gift meant. Posted on the wall is a photo of Big Canoe signed with greetings from the ladies who packed the boodle bundles. We salute our troops who keep us safe!

site (www.wildflowerbunch.com). We recently created an online submission form, available on the WFB website where members can recom-mend their favorite garden-ing books. Soon, the list of books will be available as another resource on the WFB website. In the meantime, we provided a sampling of the books rec-ommended by our members in the recent WFB article in the January edition of Smoke Signals.

The Wildflower Bunch does not have general meetings in January or February, but join us at our next meeting in March. Meetings begin at 10:00 a.m. in Mountains Grille at The Clubhouse and are always the first Wednesday of the month, unless otherwise noted.

Membership is open throughout the year. The annual membership fee is $20. The WFB website has more infor-mation about joining our great group. Hope to see you in March!

Wildflower Bunch welcomes all gardening skill levelsBy Stacy Johnson

The Wildflower Bunch (WFB) is Big Canoe’s garden-ing club, comprised of a community of Big Canoe residents who enjoy all things gardening. If you have been consider-ing joining but concerned you lack the necessary gar-dening experience, then you should put those concerns aside.

WFB is a great place for gardeners of all skill levels and even for those who don’t want to garden but want to learn about the plants filling many beautiful gardens of Big Canoe and the surround-ing area. Membership ranges from beginner gardeners to Master Gardeners and professional landscapers. Monthly meetings are informative with outside speakers, and we make sure we have “just for fun” events, like crafting, field trips, and an annual picnic, to name a few.

If you are a beginning gardener (or a gardener want-ing to learn something new), then the WFB is for you. Its membership includes knowledgeable gardeners willing to share their gardening expertise. They know the gardening challenges of Big Canoe, the best plant nurseries, and when plants will be available. They are willing to provide general gardening information and suggestions, help identify plants in your yard, and even provide cuttings and plants from their own gardens.

Want even more gardening resources? Check out the online gardening resources available on the WFB web-

Let’s Go Clubbing


Saving sweaters, one string at a time

Sometimes you’re faced with a teeny tiny problem and have no idea where to go for help. You’ve been there, right?

Recently a post on one of the Big Canoe unofficial Face-book pages carried a plaintive cry for help. Not a biggie, but something that needed attention.

It seems a guy had a small hole in one of his favorite sweaters and couldn’t find a place that would repair it. He cried, “Darn it! Is darning a lost art?”

Immediately Big Canoe darners of all ages replied offering their services to save the beloved sweater, one the guy’s wife told him to toss and move on.

Mimi Zentgraf, one of the founders of Big Canoe’s knitting club called the Knit Togethers, invited the guy to drop by the weekly circle and the ladies would be happy to do the repair. Problem solved!

One of the comments made after the post was, “There’s a knitting club in Big Canoe?”

Yes, there certainly is. The Knit Togethers meet most every Wednesday afternoon at the Swim Club from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. The ladies work on their own projects but also knit and crochet for charitable organizations too.

If a ball of yarn intrigues you, stop by and meet this friendly group. If you have no idea what a purl is, there will be someone there to teach you and even give you supplies. You can’t beat that opportunity!

Knitting, crocheting, weaving, rug making, needlepoint and even darning aren’t lost arts. They are alive and well in Big Canoe as art forms. Big Canoe’s group of knitters doesn’t come with strings attached either!

SYAH has a gangbuster year of good times aheadInformation submitted by Sherry Evans

It’s quite astounding that fewer than a dozen Big Canoe women can plan, organize and pull off a year of parties and events and never miss a beat. The steering committee for Still Young at Heart (SYAH) has so much creativity, imagi-nation and energy that it’s almost sinful.

Still Young at Heart was started by Sherry Evans not too long ago as she searched for like-minded “girls” who wanted to have fun. Her call-out on Facebook netted almost 500 women who were ready to bond with other Big Canoe sisters.

There are many facets to this group. From theme par-ties to wine tastings, from movies to game nights, there’s bound to be an activity that has every woman’s name on it. Husbands or significant others (not at the same time though) are invited occasionally for a date night at a restaurant or movie. Not too often since SYAH is all about the fairer sex.

So, how will SYAH top last year? The steering com-mittee had a gangbuster tossing of ideas recently and plans were hatched. For starters, a Leap Year Launch is in the works, followed by a summer kick-off party in May. Of course there will be a Halloween party as almost every holiday is a good reason to get together. Happy Hours are happening too, always at the Black Bear Pub.

At each event, donations will be accepted for the Pick-ens County Weekend Snack and Summer Vacation Lunch programs for kids. The ladies of SYAH have very big hearts.

If you’re a Big Canoe woman and would like to join this casual, no rules or dues group, check out the Still Young at Heart Facebook page and click the box that invites you to join. Not a Facebook user? No problem, contact Sherry at [email protected] and she’ll add you to the roster.

This is the gang that makes Still Young at Heart so much fun. Their smiles tell their stories.

Let’s Go Clubbing


Santa brought you a new iPhone, now what?Information submitted by Gary Cherry and Devon Collins

Did Santa leave a new iPhone under your Christmas tree, but without a book of instructions? No worries, if you can muddle along until January 24, you can be on the receiving end of valuable how-to directions.

There’s a club in Big Ca-noe for iPhone users called iDiots. Don’t take that name personally, we’ve all been there with blank looks on our faces and fingers jabbing wildly in the air.

Gary Cherry and Devon Collins head the club, both are quite knowledgeable in all things Apple. Even better, they’re very patient and understanding.

Since iPhone users come in two categories, beginner/novice and seasoned, there are two classes offered on the lower level of the Broyles Center at the Big Canoe Chapel.

The beginners’ class meets at 10:00 a.m. and the experi-enced users’ class is at 1:00 p.m.

Each meeting starts as a group and then breaks into smaller groups led by a mentor to help with questions.

No need to sign up, just show up with a fully charged phone and be ready to go. By the end of the session, novices will feel more confident and seasoned users will learn a few new phone tricks to add to their repertoire.

Let’s Go Clubbing

Another plot twist for the Wine and Crime book clubInformation submitted by Lou Reiter

You know what they say about crime solving, there’s always a twist to keep amateur detectives on their toes. The scheduled Wine and Crime book club will be meeting on January 9 at 4:00 p.m. but instead of the usual meeting place, the armchair sleuths will confab at the home of Joyce and Bill Dan-iels on McElroy Moun-tain. Club members are advised to bring oxygen as the Daniels live a far piece up the hill.

As a reminder, readers of crime will be discussing Chase Darkness with Me by Billy Jensen. The author is a crime writer turned crime solver by investigating cold cases, often using social media.

The second book to be discussed is I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara which is a companion to the first book. Both were written by authors who were deter-mined to solve perplexing cases.

If you’d like to join this club of mystery, email Lou Reiter at [email protected] and he’ll get you connected so you can use your little grey cells to get to the bottom of all things mysterious.

Bunko isn’t just a game, it’s an adventure

Simple games are sometimes the best. They’re relax-ing, casual and usually very social. One of the easiest games to learn, and the most entertaining, is bunko. It’s an old-fashioned parlor game generally played with 12 or more players, divided into tables of four. Some say, the more the merrier.

Players try to score points while taking turns rolling three dice. A bunko is called when a player rolls three-of-a kind and all three numbers match the round number.

On the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at

Canoe Lodge, Big Canoe ladies gather to roll, laugh and maybe even win prizes. It’s a popular excuse for a girls’ night out and these bunko babes sure know how to have a good time.

If you’re interested in learning more, con-tact Debbie Dlugasch at (404) 386-8953 or Vicky Cheely at (404) 819-4914. You’ll have to get on the roster to play on a regular basis but subs are often needed.

As is often said, bunko players know how to shake it up!


Let’s Go Clubbing

a cheery hello. It is a food delivery program for neighbors needing short-term (typically no more than approximately two weeks) assistance. Meals may be needed due to illness, recovering from surgery, a death in the family or other ex-tenuating circumstances. The purpose of the program is to allow individuals to maintain healthy nutritional standards and to meet dietary needs.

Another way BC Meals can help is by doing your gro-cery shopping. How about that?

BC Rides can get you to and from medical appointments, pick up prescriptions, get your mail and even take your trash to the garbage/recycling facility.

Going to medi-cal appointments can be exhausting and worrisome. Wheels and Meals is there to help any person who is receiving transportation through BC Rides for a medical procedure that might make it difficult to return home and prepare a meal.

BC Visits assist residents who need companion, non-medical, services for their spouse, family member or for themselves. Respite for caregivers who are taking care of their loved ones is offered. A service to check in on folks who, for whatever reason have become shut-ins, is also available.

Finally, BC Info is essentially the Help Line through which individuals can request assistance and referral infor-mation on a number of items relating to health and well-ness. Volunteers will help you find what you need to know or where you need to go.

Support groups are planned for 2020 as well as adding additional offerings to help folks get and feel better.

The Wellness Collaborative is a tremendous service offered in Big Canoe. Since inception, over 1,000 services have been provided - all by volunteers and at no charge to the resident.

Even if you don’t need a service now, visit bcwell.org to familiarize yourself with all the wonderful ways neighbors are helping neighbors. If you’d like to become a volunteer, the website can help with that too.

Broke your leg? There’s help for that!Wellness Collaborative offers many services for Big Canoe folks

Information submitted by Linda Ricklef

Aging in place in a mountain community has a few more challenges than most folks might face in an urban or suburban setting. For years, community committees were formed to research ways those in Big Canoe who were ill, disabled or incapacitated in some way, even for a short time, might be helped by their neigh-bors.

In 2014, the then HOA Board approved creating the Big Canoe Wellness Collaborative, a 501(c)(3) charitable orga-nization to help provide Big Canoe residents with needed non-emergency and non-medical wellness services.

Simply put, the Wellness Collaborative is all about neighbors helping neighbors. There is no charge for ser-vices. Volunteers are the backbone of the Collaborative and there are over 150 volunteers ready to help.

The Collaborative offers activities to keep us healthy through their Healthy Living program. Activities like taste testing healthy recipes, group walking and medical semi-nars presented by local physicians.

Staying healthy is wonderful, but what if you fall and break your leg, need therapy or have a series of radiation treatments on your agenda?

That’s when the volunteers of the Wellness Collabora-tive really shine!

There are a number of services available for Big Cano-ers, all done with a spirit of friendship and caring concern. All it takes is a simple phone call to (706) 268-3334 or fill-ing out a brief request for service on the Wellness Collab-orative new website, bcwell.org, and help will be yours fast.

What kind of help is offered?We all need comfort food when we’re suffering in

some way. BC Meals can deliver meals to your home with


Let’s Go Clubbing

cookies for their families to enjoy.There were chocolate chippers, snowballs, brownies,

jelly topped wafers, gingerbread galore and much more. Round and round the table the ladies went, taking a couple of each sweet until tins were full. Any extras were taken to various departments for the Big Canoe staff to enjoy.

The SYAH cookie exchange is now a welcome tradi-tion in Big Canoe. After all, there’s decorating to be done, presents to wrap, hot chocolate to sip - who in the world has time to stir up a dozen different cookie recipes?

Sweets for the sweetPhotos by Karen Steinberg

I’m guessing 176,532. How many calories do you think attended the Still Young at Heart Annual Holiday Cookie Exchange?

Years ago baking mounds of Christmas cookies took days and days. After all, any homemaker worth her salt or

sugar had to offer an array of colorful sweets on her holiday cookie platter.

Then one enterpris-ing woman come up with the brilliant idea of having a cookie exchange where a bevy of baking beauties would bake lots of one kind of cookie and swap with other ladies to take home a boxful of sweets, all differ-ent. Aha! Great idea!

In December, the ladies of Still Young at Heart pulled off their aprons and met at Village Station to load up tins of

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Strolling around tables filled with cookies for choosing, ladies of SYAH went home with tins full of tasty treasures.

Wow, what a bounteous display of cookies to enjoy!


Events & Happenings

January 2020Sunday Monday TueSday WedneSday ThurSday Friday SaTurday

Note: A full calendar of all Big Canoe Events can be viewed at bigcanoepoa.org. Property Owners must log in to view the calendar.

1Clubhouse Closed

2Clubhouse Closed• Acoustic Showcase

at Swim Club• Artists’ Club

3Clubhouse Closed• Healthy Walkers

4Clubhouse Closed • Paper Crafters• BCAR Open House

5Clubhouse Closed

6Clubhouse Closed • Men’s Bridge at

Swim Club• Canasta at Canoe

Lodge• Monday Night

Bridge at Canoe Lodge

• AWOL

7Clubhouse Closed • Mah Jongg• Pine Needle Quilt

Club

8Clubhouse Closed • Coffee Klatch• Heathy Walkers• Knit Togethers• Cribbage Crowd

9Clubhouse Closed • Wine and Crime

Book Club• Healthy Living Heart

Seminar• Chapel Guild

Meeting

10Clubhouse Closed • Healthy Walkers

11Clubhouse Closed • BCAR Open House

12Clubhouse Closed

13 Clubhouse Closed• Men’s Bridge at




• AWOL Self Protection Class

14 • Mah Jongg• Trivia Night

15 • Coffee Klatch• Heathy Walkers• Knit Togethers• Cribbage Crowd

16 • Poker Night

17 • Healthy Walkers• BC Model Yackt

Club

18 • BCAR Open House• Photography Club

19 • Italians of Big Canoe

Potluck at Swim Club

• Friendship Force

20Clubhouse Closed• Men’s Bridge at






23 • Still Young at Heart

Game Night• Poker Night

24 • Healthy Walkers• iDiots iPhone Class

25 • BCAR Open House

26 27 Clubhouse Closed • Men’s Bridge at






30 • Poker Night

31 • Healthy Walkers


Events & Happenings

Bear Society has big plans ‘bruining’ for 2020

A new year is dawning. What in the world will the Bear Society come up with to make 2020 the most exciting year ever? The Bear Board is meeting to create adventures for the new decade and plans are being discussed over brews at the Black Bear Pub, no doubt.

For those who may not be familiar with the origins of the Bears, the group was started eight years ago by four guys, namely Bill Wolfe, George Kowalski, Claud Lacey and Tom Alexander, who were bent on getting more folks to think of our pub as a moun-tain version of Cheers, that long running TV show set in a bar of the same name. Cheers was a place where everybody knew your name. A place where friendships grew with a few zany characters thrown in the mix.

The Bear Society hosts monthly mixers where mem-bers hold their signature mugs high to salute good times. One thing that’s interesting about the Bear Society, it isn’t necessary to be a card carrying member to come to most events. The claim to fame members proudly boast is enjoy-ing brews in emblem emblazed stoneware mugs or wine in delicate etched glasses.

Seeing folks in the pub with a Bear mug or glass on the table is an invitation to give a howdy, and maybe take a seat. It’s a friendly group, for sure.

Watch the POA weekly e-blasts for what the Bears have on their drawing board. Whatever it is, the night is sure to be fun!

May Christmas Blessing shower upon youSubmitted by Christmas Blessing Program Committee

We have often heard the expression “It takes a village,” and there is no more wonderful village than the community of people who live in Big Canoe. The Christmas Bless-ing program has once again provided Christmas gifts to children in Dawson and Pickens coun-ties through the generosity of our residents.

This year there were 75 volunteer shop-pers for gifts to be placed under the Christmas tree for 119 chil-dren. We were able to provide a Storybook Bible and a hygiene kit in each child’s gift bag.

Many who were unable to shop for the children gener-ously donated funds, accepting help from others to shop for them. Drivers volunteered to deliver Santa’s sacks to the children’s homes.

It does take a village. The Big Canoe Chapel provided illustrated Bibles so children could know the Christmas story. A Kroger gift card was given so families could enjoy Christmas dinner. The “Blanket Ministry” gave each mother a blanket made with love for her family.

Talented ladies knitted caps for each child ensuring they would be warm through the winter months. Blossman Gas faithfully supports the Christmas Blessing program each year.

We are grateful to live in this caring, loving giving community. That is our Christmas Blessing. Thank you for giving those families in need in Dawson and Pickens coun-ties a joyful, blessed Christmas.

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Events & Happenings

ery, employment training, day services and transitional housing. Hear this compelling presentation by James H. Reese, President and CEO of Atlanta Mission.

Hope for Haiti’s Children has a mission: to demonstrate Christian compassion to poverty bound Haitian children and their families by providing opportunities for these children to become leaders in their homes, churches and communities. HFHC arranges orphanages, medical clinics, crisis relief, education, school lunch programs and train-ing such as English and computer classes, youth camps and Bible School. This moving presentation will be from Ken Bever, Founder and President of Hope for Haiti’s Children.

Prevent Child Abuse Pickens’ Board member Cindy Williams will tell how you can help stop child abuse and neglect be-fore it starts. Over 700,000 children are maltreated each year, but there is a preventive strategy. The organiza-tion creates positive and nurturing home environments, giving Pickens children and families the best possible op-portunities to grow and thrive. Learn also how you can help stop child trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Young Life is about caring, nurturing, mentoring and transforming young people who are desperate for life mean-ing and value. The ministry consists of caring adults who love kids, focusing on what matters to them - fun, adven-ture, friendship and a sense of significance. Some are in economically depressed areas, others with disabilities, and still others may be teens hurting from the loss of a veteran parent. Young Life dramatically impacts these youths, sharing God’s love with them. This inspirational presenta-tion will be delivered by Bonnie Carlton, Area Director for Pickens County Young Life.

Dr. Vernon Broyles said something else about giving. “Those who give the most have the most left.” Big Canoe Chapel invites everyone to take part in this year’s Broyles Mission Conference.

Find more information at www.bigcanoechapel.org.

Broyles Mission Conference welcomes all to be inspired February 20-23 brings hopeful messages to the community

By Brent Carroll

“Those who give the most have the most left.”Dr. Vernon Broyles

Dr. Vernon Broyles was the founding pastor of the Big Canoe Chapel. He once said, “There is something about giving that blesses us.” Looking back on Dr. Bro-yles’ legacy, his writings, sermons, faith, and abiding interest in the lives of Big Ca-noe residents, we see clearly that he was not speaking solely about giving money. Rather, he was pronouncing how an individual’s gift of time, talent, prayer, and yes, resources could make a positive difference in the lives of those suffering extreme hardship.

Dr. Broyles’ expression about giving, his belief, has been at the heart of the Broyles Mission Conference for the past 30 years. Next month, beginning February 20-23, the Big Canoe Chapel will celebrate three decades of global and local outreach, serving over 180 selected Christian organizations, each missioned to improve and transform lives. This year’s theme is “Making Dreams Come True.”

At the conference this year, attendees will hear four powerful presentations from Atlanta Mission, Hope for Haiti’s Children, Prevent Child Abuse Pickens, and Young Life. Hear these speakers, be inspired, and learn how you can help.

Atlanta Mission is a Christian non-profit organization serving Atlanta’s homeless population. Everyday, that’s over 950 men, women and children living on the street, without shelter, often without food. The Mission works to end this homelessness one person at a time through over-night and temporary shelter, addiction and spiritual recov-


Events & Happenings

sues. Through its balanced, nonpartisan programs and pub-lications, the FPA encourages citizens to participate in the foreign policy process.” In essence, the goal is to become a better educated citizen of the world.

Groups are limited to approximately 25 members due to space and to allow for effective interactive discussion. The cost of the book used, including mailing, is approximately $32 plus tax and shipping and is available for purchase at the www.fpa.org web site.

The eight new timely foreign policy topics for 2020 include:

2/12 Climate Change and the Global Order 2/19 India and Pakistan 2/26 Red Sea Security 3/4 Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking 3/11 U.S. Relations with the Northern Triangle 3/18 China’s Road into Latin America 3/25 The Philippines and the U.S. 4/1 Artificial Intelligence and Data Space is limited so please email Bob Anderson at bob-

[email protected] ASAP or call (706) 579-1708 if you would like to join our group. Additional discussions will be scheduled in Fall 2020 with the same set of foreign policy topics. Come join us!

Opportunities for Foreign Policy discussions in Big CanoeBy Bob Anderson

Great Decisions is one of the several life-long learn-ing programs offered at Big Canoe through the Knowledge Series. This is a call out for pre-registration for anyone who may be interested in participating in interactive, non-partisan, foreign policy discussions right here in our community.

We are recruiting for the second group which will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Village Station (formerly Wild Onion) starting February 12.

Using a program devel-oped from the Foreign Policy Association (fpa.org) there are eight sessions, each two hours in length, where the group meets, views a background DVD and discusses a well-researched chapter from a provided text.

The mission of the Foreign Policy Association is “to serve as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global is-

This book will be the guide for Great Decisions 2020.

Discussions are always informative and bring new ideas to the table.

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Jumpstart program offered to keep hearts healthyBy Christine Flaherty

The Big Canoe Healthy Living Committee is pleased to host an introduction to a free heart health program offered by Good Samaritan. A review of the details of the upcom-ing eight-week program, entitled JumpStart, will take place at Canoe Lodge on Thursday, January 9 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The free series, which starts January 19 and again on March 29, will be held at the Pickens County Recreation Center on Monday evenings from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday mornings from 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. The series will cover information on exercise and nutrition and will include clinical coaching on various topics in each of the eight two-hour classes.

The goal of the program is to enable all area residents who have a heart/hypertension diagnosis (a requirement to participate) to address a variety of methods to better control their blood pressure and manage other areas related to heart health.

To hear more about this free, community-based well-ness program offered by Good Sam, plan to join us on January 9. To sign up for this JumpStart introduction, email Linda Yeakel at [email protected]. For more infor-mation on the eight-week program you can email [email protected] or call the JumpStart desk at Good Sam at (706) 253-4673, ext. 230.

New easier Wednesday Walks have begunThe Walking to Wellness group will be walking the

trail around the Wildcat Pool area at 9:30 a.m. on Wednes-days. It is a half-mile of mostly level terrain with some moderate elevation change.

Participants are free to join for one, two or more loops. The goal is to bring out those who want to walk but have not participated as yet, or those who are looking for a way to offset the marathon eating frenzy that seems to have con-sumed the holidays. It is a great way to start the day with a bit of exercise. Of course this is a social activity as well. We will be chatting as we go.

Events & Happenings

For all walks, a more relaxed walker brings up the rear, allowing everyone to walk at a comfortable pace. As a reminder, only walkers of the two-legged variety are invited (service animals excepted).

We all watch out for one another and walk at our own risk. Don’t forget to bring water and note we depart on time.

Contact Christine Flaherty at [email protected] for more information and/or to be added to our walkers’ email reminder list. We hope to see you out on our beautiful trails soon.

Wheelchair Walks being consideredAs testament to the fact that folks here are often willing

to go above and beyond, members of the Trails Committees and the Hiking Club are considering offering their services to enable Big Canoe residents who are wheelchair bound to enjoy the beautiful surroundings along our trails.

Under discussion is a plan for volunteers from the two committees (read, able bodied and very generous folks) to take individuals who are unable to get out without the as-sistance of a wheelchair, onto the trails that are wheelchair accessible.

For more information and/or to express interest in such an offering, contact Steve Papke at [email protected].

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Looking for a little fun and excitement in 2020?Join Big Canoe’s army of volunteers

Information submitted by the Program & Events Committee

Can you imagine how much fun it must be to sit around a table and throw out all kinds of exciting ideas for what to do in the coming year? Big Canoe’s Program & Events Committee is in full scale planning mode to organize ac-tivities in Big Canoe for all ages to enjoy in 2020.

Events & Happenings

Of course there will be the usual parade of events that everybody loves, but expect a few surprises too.

Ideas are essential, but it takes an army to implement those ideas into reality. That’s where you come in.

Volunteers are an important part of any event. We need you!

Teri Sawyer and her committee are looking for help to run the following happenings:• Easter Egg Hunt• Last Day of School Bus Stop Party• Hook a Kid on Fishing Tournament• Fourth of July Family Day• Cardboard Boat Regatta• Oktoberfest• Holiday Celebration

Volunteering isn’t work, it’s good times! Not only will you be helping the com-munity, but you’ll meet new friends and neighbors and maybe even find your hidden talent.

To learn more or get your name in a prime spot on the volunteer roster, contact Teri Sawyer at [email protected] or (706) 268-3346.

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ocean cruises to help travelers broaden their horizons even further. No matter the ship, cruisers will enjoy the cultural immersion on board and on shore that are the hallmark of any Viking cruise. Experience richer exploration by river and by ocean on one seamless journey on board award-winning ships. Viking Ocean and River Voyages bring you the best of both worlds.

Viking is the Big Canoe Travel Club’s co-sponsor for 2020 and the company will hold a drawing for a free trip for two at the end of the club year. Travel Club members can fill out an entry for this drawing at every Dream Vacations-sponsored meeting they attend in 2020.

Events & Happenings

Wander the world with the Big Canoe Travel ClubInformation submitted by Margo Vallone

Oh, the places you’ll go! Travel is always a fascinating adventure, but where to go, what to do and what to see?

Valuable inside information is yours when you join Big Canoe’s Travel Club. Joining simply means coming to meetings which always are interesting and informa-tive as various travel vendors introduce Big Canoers to the wonderful world around them. There are presenta-tions about cruising, sa-faris, around-the-town tours, remote places to explore and so much more. Planning a family reunion? Traveling to a new destination will get everybody on board.

With The Clubhouse closed much of January, the Travel Club won’t meet in the first month of the year. Instead, there will be two meetings on February. Meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. in the Clubhouse Mountains Grille. Come early and enjoy a complimentary beverage while socializing and chatting about trips taken or planned.

On February 5, Jeff Caesar of Rocky Mountaineer will tell about his company’s popular rail trips from Seattle and Vancouver to Banff and the Canadian Rockies. The scenery from glass domed windows and outdoor viewing platforms will take your breath away as you weave among the clouds on your visit to Canada’s most scenic sights.

A friendly team of hosts and a superb culinary crew will serve your meals, entertain with stories, ensure special requests are met and make all guests feel right at home as the train speeds ahead to more adventure.

On February 26, Barry Johnston will present Viking Ocean and River Cruises.

From the world’s great waterways to its dramatic coastlines, Viking combines beloved river cruises and

Really sleighin’ it in these Christmas sweaters

A sea of red and green revelers flowed through the doors at The Clubhouse as waves of grinches, elves and even Santa himself arrived on December 20 ready for a night of fun at Big Canoe’s annual Tacky Sweater party. Some partiers came decked as who knows what, but nobody cared - they were there to celebrate the season. Watch out Vogue, we’ve got some stylin’ Big Canoers coming your way!

Of course there were tacky winners and each took home a gift certificate donated by The Clubhouse. You have 12 months to figure how to get even tackier for the 2020 holiday season - be ready to Dancer and Prancer in your hideous Christmas sweater next year. There are sure to be holiday sweater bargains come December 26. Find a good one and express your-elf.


Clubhouse closed for part of January for renovations

As tradition has it, The Clubhouse will be closed from New Year’s Day until around January 14, or maybe a little longer.

Closing allows staff to spit and polish the place for the year ahead. Along with regularly scheduled cleaning, renovation work will be completed on the Clubhouse kitchen to get meals out faster, easier and more efficiently. Good news for everybody.

Be patient as this work is being done - no sidewalk superintendents!

January offers the per-fect opportunity to visit Duffer’s, our bistro behind the golf cart barn. Despite its name, Duffer’s isn’t only for golfers. There is a good selection of break-fast and lunch offerings to keep the chill away as winter takes its toll.

Watch for POA e-blasts announcing the reopening of The Club-house. When the doors fling open this winter, good times in 2020 are sure to come.

Kitchen renovations bring our chefs the ‘Joy of Cooking’Photos by Tim Moran

When The Clubhouse shuts its doors for a couple weeks every January, there’s always a surprise or two when folks can once again enjoy dining and socializing. Some years new furni-ture fills rooms, other years new carpeting and flooring take center stage. These improve-ments are always very visible bringing a chorus of oohs and ahhs.

When the facility is closed this January, guests enjoying The Clubhouse later in the month won’t necessarily see the work that’s been done, but they’ll benefit from it nonetheless.

Much needed work is being done to reno-vate and streamline the kitchen. Walls are being moved, appliances shuf-fled and a new service line put in place to get meals out faster, hotter and more efficiently.

Along with con-struction, The Clubhouse will get a top to bottom cleaning. Spring clean-ing comes a little early in our mountains!

Please be patient as the work is being com-pleted. You’ll soon be enjoying the benefits of a newly deigned kitchen and won’t that be excit-ing?

Don’t come knocking on the Clubhouse door while work is being done.

RESIDENT OF BIG CANOEWhether you have been

injured, need help updating your wills, a Power of Attorney,

collecting a debt, defending a complaint, or dealing with an insurance company, Ron

can provide you with the legal assistance needed.

Call for Free Initial Consultation(404) [email protected]

RonaldReemsnyder

Attorney

Wining & Dining


Wining & Dining

Duffer’s is open to serve you breakfast, lunch and snacks

As sure as rain falls on a picnic, you can count on cold winds blowing come January. We’ve been spoiled with al-most tropical temps during the month of December, but just wait, Jack Frost has his sight set on Big Canoe.

With The Club-house closed for a couple weeks in January, Duffer’s is the only inside the gates chow wagon open. You can bet folks who have already enjoyed take-out at our little bistro behind the golf cart barn will be lined up for breakfast and lunch.

If you’re one of those unfortunates who hasn’t yet discovered Duffer’s, don’t miss this opportunity to get

acquainted.Duffer’s opens at 8:00 a.m. with a breakfast menu to

start your day. Enjoy everything from plain biscuits and muffins to a heaping high hot breakfast sandwich.

Coffee is always ready and complimentary cups are yours.

Lunch brings an array of hot and cold sandwiches and a generous selection of salads. But king of the stove are the soups which are all home-made like grandma used to stir. Along with chili, there will be other soups, chow-ders, bisques, gumbos and broths to savor.

Duffer’s closes at 4:00 p.m. but hours are dependent on the weather. There aren’t tables and chairs in Duffer’s except for a short bar with stools so take-out is the way to go. Call (706) 268-3273 to call in your order and it will be ready to go when you stroll through the door.

A fire put Duffer’s grill out of commission for a few days, but a new one was installed and is ready to fire up ‘burgers, dawgs and all kinds of toasted sandwiches. (Photos by Tim Moran)


Are you flexible?By Steve Panetta

If not, we can help. Join us at the Wellness Center for a new exercise class.

The class is designed to improve mobility, posture and overall flexibility. It is intended for the active adult who wants to move more and experience less pain. We will be getting on and off the floor, but don’t let that intimidate you, we can help.

Classes will be held at the Wellness Center aerobic studio on Thursdays beginning on January 9 at 2:00 p.m. Flexibility classes will be taught by physical therapist Katy Baker and Rachel Kolker, certified NASM trainer.

Due to the personal attention given by the instructors, only the first 10 people will be admitted. The cost is $10 per class per person.

Call the Wellness Center at (706) 268-3441 with ques-tions or to register.

Getting a little shag goin’ in the new year

Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to become more active or become a star on the dance floor? Both can be yours and for free!

Don and Susan Rolader have gen-erously offered their time and feet to teach the Carolina Shag to Big Canoe hoofer wannabes.

Classes will move and groove at the Wellness Center on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. beginning January 8.

So, what’s the Carolina Shag anyway?

The dance supposedly started along the Atlantic Ocean in Cherry Grove Beach, South Carolina in the 1940s. The dance is a descendent of the Carolina Jitterbug but not as crazy. It’s a two-person, male-led dance with a basic step allowing for improvisation and imagination.

Once you master the basic step, the sky’s the limit. Go for it!

Call the Wellness Center at (706) 268-3441 with any questions.

Get out there and make 2020 swing!

Lap around the Wellness Center indoor pool

It will be many months before you can lounge by the outdoor pools feeling the sun on your back, but if water ex-ercising is one of your New Year’s resolutions, the Wellness Center indoor pool is a good place to get your toes wet.

The pool and whirlpool have recently undergone a great transformation and there’s even a pretty sea-inspired mural painted on the wall to provide focus as you reach for your turn point. The pool is multi-lane, 75 feet in length and is saline water treated. There’s even a collection of kickboards, noodles and Styrofoam dumbbells to keep you entertained.

Water aerobic classes are scheduled if that’s your exer-cise aim. All levels of water exercise are offered.

You’ll need a ticket to swim, but that’s easy enough to get. Just stop at the Wellness Center front desk for infor-mation about joining up. If you start now, by the time the outdoor pools open, you’ll have a beach body that screams, “Wow!”

How about a game of squash or racquetball?

When you hear the word “squash,” what comes to mind? Bugs under foot? The latest soft drink?

You should be thinking, “Hey, a good game for get-ting fit!” Most folks don’t know the Wellness Center boasts indoor racquetball and squash courts for those who like a little run for their money.

Some don’t like treadmills where you go nowhere and some don’t like strength machines that challenge. They would rather be surrounded by walls with racquets in hand pounding a ball with much vim and vigor. It’s good exercise and it’s a bit more social since two play the game.

If squash and racquetball are your games, check out what’s offered at the Wellness Center. There are convert-ible courts and loaned equipment at no charge like racquets, goggles and balls.

Reservations are suggested by calling the Wellness Center at (706) 268-3441 or going online at bigcanoepoa.org. Get out there and pound the wall!

Getting Fit & Healthy

Stretching is a good exercise to develop a more flexible body. (Photo by Steve Panetta)


Getting Fit & Healthy

Big Canoe pools under new management in 2020By Steve Panetta

A new pool management company has been hired for the 2020 season. Aquatic Management will provide the management and main-tenance services for the upcoming summer swim season.

Why Aquatic Man-agement?

With 15 years plus experience, the compa-ny provides 100 percent transparency allowing business partners, em-ployees and members to access their specific facility through their cloud based system via IDs and passwords.

Aquatic Management provides the industry’s first aquatic and pool management app. This customized app allows the facility supervisor to manage the facility from a personalized dashboard that is set up to meet specific needs.

The dashboard allows real time reports regarding payroll, completed tasks, incidents and accidents, chemical testing, cleaning checklists and pump operations.

For those interested in life guard and management positions, Aquatic Management can be contacted directly at (866) 233-2486. Additionally, access the “Indeed” website and type in Waterfront Lifeguard – Big Canoe.

It’s going to be a great summer ahead – apply today!

Shop, but don’t drop at the Wellness Center

McKenna Kemp and her grandfather, Erv Dykstra, work out side by side on a regular basis, but we bet they have an eye out for bargains offered at the Wellness Center shop. This is the time of year to stock up on sweatshirts and fleeces to battle winter storms. There’s a wide range of styles, colors and sizes for your choosing. Most clothing proudly boasts the Big Canoe logo so you can wear where you live. (Photo by Steve Panetta)

Only five more months until Big Canoe pools open for the summer! The pools will be under management by the Aquatic Management Company.


would last for many years, resulting in more inconvenience to users and would cost a lot more money in the long run.

Some of the proposed changes to green locations have been questioned, especially Creek #5 and #6. Each new green location has been chosen based on the growing envi-ronment in those areas. Where it currently sits, Creek #6 is so heavily shaded that the turf on it has become an unac-ceptable putting surface for many weeks out of the year.

The solution to this problem is to move the green into more sunlight, 30 yards forward of the current location. By moving the green that far forward, the yardage necessitates that hole is reduced down from a par five to a par four. The architect has suggested by reducing #6 to a par four, it has become necessary to introduce a longer par four to the course, which is why #5 has been nominated for length-ening by moving that green back toward the lake. These changes are suggestions at this point, not written in stone, and may be altered if we find a better solution.

A few folks have had questions regarding funding. As was outlined in the financial portion of the presentation in November, the POA board has chosen to fund this and all master plan project, without incurring any debt and without a broad special assessment to Property Owners. Funding will come from monthly POA dues and from the $5,000 fee on new home sales (if approved).

If anyone has other questions that I haven’t covered here, please reach out to me at [email protected].

Around the Tees

Why golf course improvements are necessary and importantBy Lydell Mack

By now I’m sure everyone is well aware that golf course improvements have been included in the POA’s short-term master plan. I had the opportunity to introduce some of the work being proposed as part of the board’s master plan pre-sentation. Since then, I’ve received a number of questions about the details of what has been proposed. Here are some of those questions.

The biggest question is, “Why?” As most know, the POA has been looking at ways to improve the golf amenity over the last few years as part of the overall plan to attract more golfers. Many great improvements are made each year, but despite this, the courses’ infrastructure continues to age, trees continue to grow, wind and rain continue to erode our soils and golfers continue to wear out the playing surfaces.

Like all man made landscapes, a golf course requires constant daily, monthly and yearly maintenance, as well as periodic replacement of the playing surfaces. Greens, tees, and bunkers are the most heavily used areas, and therefore require the most frequent replacement. The most crucial components of any course, the irrigation and drainage sys-tems, eventually deteriorate in the ground.

Currently the Creek course is the oldest of the three nines, and has deteriorated the most, therefore, the plan calls for Creek to be updated first. All this work is going to take a lot of time and money – up to a full year being closed down to 18 holes, and in excess of $2 million. While we are closed for this time and have the contractor on site, it only makes sense to complete all repair work at once. If we were to tackle only one facet of the repairs at a time, the project

JanuaryGolf Shop: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PMTee times: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Golf Shop Hours of Operation

Starting tee times are weather dependentTuesdays and Thursdays will host a 10:00 a.m.

Shotgun Start for all players.

Closed Christmas & New Year's Day

If you would like to be added to the Golf Shop email list to view special sales, event promotions, results, and more, please send your contact information to [email protected].


Around the Tees

Touch of silver in your hair? NASMGA wants youSenior guy golfers take over the links

By Jim Rice

The North Atlanta Senior Men’s Golf Association (NASMGA) membership drive is well underway and we hope to add all “over 50” guys to our 74 Big Canoe Senior Men who are currently in NASMGA.

A full schedule of events and matches should be in our hands by the end of February and will go out to all members as soon as it’s finalized. Any Big Canoe male golfer over 50 with a GHIN handicap and $25.00 in hand can join; there is no requirement to be a Big Canoe golf amenities member or an MGA member, although both are fully encouraged.

NASMGA is a like-minded group of senior golfers who organize events each month at different North Atlanta mem-ber clubs. There now are 17 member clubs: Berkeley Hills, Big Canoe, Bridgemill, Brookfield, Crooked Creek, Crystal Falls, Eagle Watch, Fairways of Canton, Indian Hills, Olde Atlanta, Rivermont, Roswell Country Club, Polo, St. Ives, White Columns, Windermere and Woodmont.

The eight monthly golf outings (March thru October) are organized by tournament directors at each of the host-ing clubs with various formats (mostly team events) all aimed at a fun and inexpensive day of golf on top-quality courses around North Atlanta. Most events are held early to mid-week so they don’t interfere with our own weekend MGA tournaments at Big Canoe.

Pairings are done so golfers can meet fellows from other member clubs during a day of outstanding golf. The event fees are usually under $60.00 and include a round of golf, carts for the day, breakfast, lunch, and prizes. What a deal!

In addition to monthly outings, there is a season long

interclub match play event. Member clubs are sorted into divisions by blind draw at the beginning of the year and each team plays all the other teams in their division; three matches at home and three away.

The cost of the match play events is set at cart fees plus $5.00 per player for the end of year winners “prize kitty.” Points in each match are accumulated throughout the season and result in division winners and second place teams go-ing into a playoff to determine the final winner. Big Canoe has been in the playoffs every year but one for the past six years. NASMGA is tons of fun and a bargain to boot.

It’s easy to join the 2020 Big Canoe NASMGA group. If you are currently a member and wish to continue as a

Big Canoe NASMGA member you do NOTHING. If you are on the NASMGA rolls as a member, on

March 1 your lot will be charged the annual fee of $25. If you are currently a member and for some strange rea-

son do not want to continue as a member in 2020, or if you have questions about NASMGA, just email [email protected] and I’ll take the appropriate action.

If you would like to join as a new member, that’s easy as well. Just go to www.nasmga.com home page and click on “Join Now.” You will be directed to a New Member form to complete. If you join prior to March 1, the annual fees will be lot charged. We’d love to have everyone accounted for by March 1 so you’ll get the invite to play in our open-ing event.

We look forward to playing great golf courses with you this year and hopefully some great golf too. Oh, well, one out of two ain’t bad.

Your Big Canoe NASMGA Board of Directors:Jim Rice – Director ([email protected]) Joe Marushak – 2020 Match Play CoordinatorKeith Sievers – Tournament ChairmanPaul Jones – Board Treasurer


Toughman Scramble had a tough time, but prevailed By B.J. McCranie

Thank you to all the men and women who braved the cold, windy, wet, elements for the Toughman Scramble. You all played fantastic golf, overcoming insurmountable odds! After the first round, we had a deeper appre-ciation for what Lydell, Kit, and the Greens and Grounds Crew do for us on a daily basis.

The Tough-man hole locations were diabolical. Congratulations to Bill Brown, Sam Weems, and David Thompson for cap-turing low gross with an incred-ible score of 63. Congratulations to Regis Falinski, Mike Domanik, and Robby Yar-brough for posting an equally im-pressive 59.5 and winning low net. We hope you all enjoyed yourselves and we look forward to seeing you often over the winter months.

SuperSpeed Winter ClinicIt is always difficult to keep your golf game in top shape

during the winter months when nice golf weather days are few and far between. Join us this winter to keep your game honed and add techniques that improve tempo and increase swing speed. The Golf Professional Staff is hosting clinics inside using the SuperSpeed Golf training clubs to increase swing speed. Contact the Golf Professional Staff for details. Check out www.SuperSpeedGolf.com for more informa-tion.

Around the Tees

Big Canoe 2020 MGA membership drive is onBy Jim Rice

The off season normally leaves us scratching our heads for golf topics to cover. That is not, however, the case with this off season for the Big Canoe MGA. Much brain power is being spent by your executive committee and golf professionals to plan, enhance and execute men’s golfing experience in Big Canoe. This includes a new website experience using Golf Genius as the vehicle.

For those who don’t know about us, the Big Canoe MGA is a group of over 230 men golfers who band together to hold monthly tournaments and a couple of social outings each year. Our mission is to create fun golf tournaments that are fair for all and reasonably priced for most. Food and a keg are often involved. So, fun golf, well designed tournaments, hot food and a cold beverage while socializing with like-minded golfers from around our community. Sounds like fun to me!

If you have questions about the group, please contact Keith Sievers at [email protected] or any of our profes-sional golf staff. They’ll be happy to answer your questions or direct you to the correct person for answers.

Membership signup for the 2020 MGA is easier than hitting the “Easy” button.

If you are a current member and wish to continue your MGA membership all you have to do is NOTHING. On March 1 all current MGA members will be automatically renewed and the membership fees will be invoiced to the lot number on file. If for some unexplainably strange reason you may not wish to continue on the MGA membership rolls, just let Keith Sievers know and he will remove your name from the membership. It’s just that easy.

If you are not a current member, go to https://bcgc-mensgolfassociation.golfgenius.com and click on the tab on the left of the screen titled “Register Now for Men’s Golf Association.” Follow the simple instructions.

Here’s the MGA hard working, elected, totally volun-teer, unpaid MGA Executive Committee:

Keith Sievers – President ([email protected])David Jett – Vice PresidentDavid Keller – SecretarySteve Mitchell – Treasurer

Congratulations to our Gross Champions! David Thompson, Bill Brown and Sam Weems took home the honors.

Hats off to our Net Champions! Robby Yarbrough, Mike Domanik and Regis Falinski were the day’s heroes.


Will Lugar joins the Racquet Club early morning teamBy Linda Powell

After several years of service, Marlon Hoeft decided to retire from court grooming at the Racquet Club. He will be missed by staff and members alike. We are happy to an-nounce a new team member, Will Lugar, is ready to step in and help with our court grooming. Will also works part time in Golf Opera-tions.

The court grooming begins very early in the morning to ensure all courts are available for play when the club opens. The indoor courts must be completed by 6:00 a.m. in the winter and indoor and outdoor courts must be ready by 7:00 a.m. in spring, summer and fall. It takes at least four hours to properly groom all courts for play.

If you should be up early in the morning and happen to see Will at work, please give him a warm welcome.

What rain? It’s just perfect pickling weatherBy Linda Powell

Pickleball players are willing to battle the elements to hit the Racquet Club courts every chance thet get.

One rainy Monday morning dedicated players showed up only to find the courts were wet from rain falling the night before. No worries, those players just grabbed towels, leaf blowers and rollers to dry the courts so they could play.

Knowing more rain was on the way did not deter them. If there is any window of opportunity to play pickleball, hearty and willing souls will seize it. It’s no wonder play-ers go to such extremes to play pickleball, it’s a fun active sport for all levels of players. The game is social and keeps

the body moving without much strain.The Racquet Club has paddles and balls for all to use,

all players need is a great attitude and tennis shoes. If you like to laugh and want to try your hand at pick-

leball, give a call to the Racquet Club at (706) 268-3367 and we’ll do the rest.

Meet the ladies of the Racquet Club ‘Extreme Team’ By Linda Powell

Ever wonder why there are cars in the Racquet Club and Wellness Center parking lots before 6:00 a.m.? There is a group of tennis players, the Extreme Team as they are often called, that likes to get their day started early. There’s no com-petition for reserving courts that early in the morning so that problem is eliminated.

In the spring, sum-mer and fall, it is mag-nificent to watch the sun come up and play in the quiet hours of the morn-ing. In the winter when the indoor courts are used, the ladies finish before others begin so it is quiet indoors as well. This group of tennis playing friends calls their early morning tennis “therapeutic tennis.” The court is filled with laughter and occasionally great tennis.

This fearsome foursome has a list of other crazy women who will sub when needed. If you happen to be awake at five in the morning and are looking for something to do, please come and join the fun. One thing, remember to bring a thermos of coffee!

Racquets 'Round the Nets

Mary Jo Cox, Linda Powell, June Lewis and Bev Melching (left to right) make up the Racquet Club’s Extreme Team.

Please welcome the newest member of the Racquet Club team, Will Lugar. (Photo by Linda Powell)

Lauren Grant, Steve Hutchins, Mike Bernstein and John Balducci are serious pickleball players no matter what the weather. (Photo by Linda Powell)


Come out and howl at January’s Full Wolf Moon

Got anything special planned for the night of Janu-ary 10? If that night is open, why not make it special by grabbing a few friends for a trek to the Big Canoe Marina to watch the first full moon of the year take command of the heavens?

The January full moon is called the Full Wolf Moon. Ac-cording to The Old Farmer’s Al-manac, “the name comes from a number of sources, including Native American groups, Colonial Americans, or other traditional North American names passed down through generations.

“The full Moon for January was called the Full Wolf Moon because wolves were more often heard at this time. It was traditionally thought that they howled due to hunger, but there is no evidence for this. However, wolves do tend to howl more often during winter months and generally howl to define territory, locate pack members and gath-er for hunting.

“In addition, Native American cultures typically hold a lot of respect, not fear, for wolves, so this month’s Moon name should be viewed with that in mind, too.

“Other traditional names for the January Moon include: Cold Moon, Old Moon, and the Great Spirit Moon.”

You might not hear a wolf howl, but maybe a coyote or two will entertain you. It’s a perfect night for bundling up, perhaps a hot toddy in hand.

They just keep on rollin’ alongBy Linda Powell

The weather has been quite a challenge for bocce play-ers since early November, however there are still groups continuing to play whenever possible. The gang known as the Bocce Boys will roll in all kinds of weather. They don’t care if their noses are frosty or hair flies in the wind. Unless there is ice on the ground or rain pours in torrents, the guys will be out there playing every Tuesday.

Bocce Babes is another group that gathers on Thurs-day to keep their rolling skills tuned for the spring season ahead. Even with cooler temperatures and holidays, there are those still packing the courts.

Because holidays and cold weather often disrupt sched-ules, Monday Night Bocce has ended until the weather warms up. Be on the lookout for registration forms for the Bocce Spring League play. Registration letters will go out to members on February 24.

Bocce Camp will be offered in early March. Keep on rollin’! The courts are open year round,

weather dependent.

Christmas trees make great habitats for Lake Petit fishNorth Marina is collecting trees for repurposing

Have you de-tinseled and de-frocked your Tannenbaum yet? Another Christmas has passed and your once stately Christmas tree is beginning to shed and show its age. Look-ing for an off-the-wall re-cycling opportunity? Have we got a deal for you!

Drag that old fir to the North Marina where you’ll see stacks of other forlorn trees piled high. Bundled Big Canoe Christmas trees make a perfect underwater reef habitat for fish calling Lake Petit their home. With baby walleye swimming around, hiding in a tree reef gives the babies a fighting chance to grow, only to be dinner for a hungry fisherman in a couple years.

Once the holiday season is put to rest and trees are col-lected, a team of volunteers will bundle masses of firs and sink them in areas of Lake Petit where fish are known to hang out.

This sinking of the trees has become a tradition in Big Canoe and helps the environment too.

Rather than dump your tree unceremoniously at the trash facility, take a drive to the North Marina and make a difference in the life of a fish.

Marina News and Fish Tales

Bocce


to keep both from floating away. Ladies of the Lake

A new year brings back Ladies of the Lake to Lake Pe-tit. Ladies leave the docks for an evening of hors d’oeuvres, libation of choice and conviviality. Pontoons are captained by volunteers so ladies can concentrate on having fun. Of course, all captains are bound by the oath, “What’s said on the lake, stays on the lake.” Last year was a great year for the lake bound ladies and 2020 holds promise of the same. The fun begins April 3 and April 10 starting a 5:00 p.m. for the first month of sailing. Call the Big Canoe Marina at (706) 268-3303 for more information.

Safety tip of the month Make sure all your electric cords have a ground pin.

Sometimes grounding pins can bend and break off. Replace your electric cord if this happens. Also replace your electric cord if the protective rubber starts to disintegrate due to exposure to the elements.

Big Canoe Marina hoursMarina winter hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call the

Marina at (706) 268-3303 to make reservations for pontoon, kayak and paddle board rentals. Property Owners can also make reservations online by going to the Big Canoe POA website, bigcanoepoa.org.

Release those baby walleyes back in the lake!By Big Canoe Marina Staff

On November 8, 1,075 three to five-inch walleye fin-gerlings were stocked in Lake Petit. Until these fingerlings reach adulthood, which will take approximately two years to reach one and a half pounds, we ask any walleye caught be released back into the lake.

North Marina racking systemThe rehab of the racking system at the North Marina

is now complete. John Willoughby was the marina’s point man who oversaw the rehab. This was no easy task as all craft had to be removed from the old racks, staged, and then reassigned a new craft location. As John would say, it was like herding cats. John wishes to express his sincere appre-ciation to all rack renters who worked with him during this project to make it a success.

Please note there is a three-wheel cart/craft transporter to use for getting craft from the rack to the water’s edge and back. The cart/craft transporter is designed to float so the craft being launched from the boat ramp won’t sink. Use a lanyard on both the transporter and craft being transported




followed from different perspectives on the race course. The volunteers were Jerry and Cindy Wercholuk, Maggie Bice, Dori Butler, Char Merriman and Scott Auer. We wouldn’t have been able to run our regattas without their assistance. Their help and support is much appreci-ated.

We would also like to recognize John Lipkow-itz, Marina Manager, and the Big Canoe POA for their help and support; we could not have done this without their involve-ment.

During the course of the evening, we raffled off the opportunity to win a T-37 boat kit or a pre-built DF-95. Our lucky winner was Roy Krause. Many will recognize Roy from our “Hands on the Helm” poster where he is kneeling next to his granddaughter. According to Roy, he now has a boat for the grand kids. We do like to start them young!

As we look forward to 2020, we will hold a “Frostbite Series” of three regattas starting in January and running through March. Our regular regattas will start again in April and run through November.

Our regular regattas will be expanded to run two fleets - the T-37s and the DF-95s. One regatta for the T-37s will be held in the morning, a second regatta for the DF-95s will be sailed in the afternoon.

All regattas will be held on the first Saturday of each month with the exception of Fourth of July weekend and Labor Day weekend.

Our popular “Hands on the Helm” program will return in April on Tuesdays. As in 2019, all regattas will be held on the western shore of Lake Sconti.

Finally, our regular monthly club meetings will be held at the “Boat Shed” (Canoe Lodge) on the third Friday of each month at 3:00 p.m. Meetings are open to all interested Big Canoe residents.

Additionally, our website (www.bcmyc.org) is full of information. BCMYC is an officially sanctioned RC Sailing Club of the American Model Yacht Association (AMYC).

View from the Quarterdeck Club championship announced, 2019 in perspective

Article by John Herzler Photos by Gidge Dady

Our final regatta was held on November 9 with twelve participants. The top three in order of finish were Rich McLeod, Skip Earle and Mike O’Brien. In order to deter-mine the overall club champion, the final results of all our regattas were included. To no one’s surprise, Rich was de-clared the club champion, and as our founding commodore, it was only appropriate. Mike O’Brian was second overall.

What was interesting was the development of some of our novice skippers over the course of three regattas. Our webmaster Robert Dunlop, who has no prior sailing experience, finished third overall. Rich will have a run for his money to retain his title next year as it promises to be a very competitive season.

Our year end potluck dinner was held at the Boat Shed, also known as Canoe Lodge, on November 16. After a fabu-lous meal, thanks to Ruth Herzler and Claude Dunlop, Rich recounted the whirlwind developments that initially brought the club together in February of last year to a total member-ship of 57 by year end.

Vice Commodore Mark Dady announced the official race results for the club championship. Rich then rec-ognized our volunteers of the year. These folks worked tirelessly on the race committee to help ensure rules were

Yacht Club Champion for 2019, Commodore Rich McLeod.

Volunteers of the Year (left to right) Jerry and Cindy Wercholuk, Maggie Bice, Dori Butler, Char Merriman and Scott Auer.


Tis the season to ‘undeck’ the holly on your front doorBy Treena Parish

Here’s a look back at the work of the Architectural and Environmental Control Department (AECD) and how the numbers looked for 2019.

As of December 18, 2019, the Architectural Control Committee re-viewed 311 items in our regularly scheduled meet-ings, 18 of which were new house submittals. These numbers have been pretty consistent over the past three years. We had 16 new houses started and 24 houses were finished.

Here is a snapshot of some of the other responsibilities of the department:• Vista Pruning Supervision/Consultation - 1,120.50

hours, totaling $48,882.50 in revenue • Utility Inspections - 22 inspections totaling $2,200.00

in revenue• On-site Tree Removal Inspections - 363 lots visited

Holiday decorationsAll holiday decorations should be removed by January

8. While removing your outdoor decorations, take the time to verify none of the following violations exist:• Up-lighting is not allowed in Big Canoe. If you have

these fixtures, you will be notified to remove them.• Exterior furniture is to be grey, black, brown or dark

green. This includes pillows and umbrellas. • All exterior decorative appurtenances are to appear nat-

ural. Large metal flowers/animals do not appear natural.• All additions/remodels are required to be painted in a

timely manner.Per the Tree Maintenance Regulation, be on the lookout

for any downed trees, broken trees and upturned root balls within 75 feet of the road. If you have any of these on your property, you will be required to address the trees by either removing them, moving them outside of the 75 feet corri-dor, or cutting them up so the entire tree is in contact with the ground.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy 2020!

Get buzzing at Big Canoe’s new Activity Center

Have you flipped your fob at Big Canoe’s new Activ-ity Center yet? It’s been open for a couple months now and is quickly becoming a beehive of activity. The Center is located on the lower level of Village Station. Children using the facility must be accompanied by an adult.

To use the Center, reg-istration is required. A fob will be issued to Property Owners at no charge for easy access. A visit to the Canoe Lodge is all that’s needed to register, or call (706) 268-3346 and get on the list.

For those who like an early start to their day, join friends and neighbors for Coffee and Chat at 7:30 a.m. Who knows, that chat-ting might morph into a friendly board game as the morning rolls along.

Kids are welcome to do their homework after school while munching on popcorn. If lucky, stu-dents might be quizzed by grandmas hanging out at the Center in the afternoon. After all, some say it takes a village to raise our kids.

There are activities and classes planned for all ages. Check out the real time Activity Center calen-dar at bigcanoepoa.org to see what’s coming up.

If you have a talent to share or a hobby to teach, Community Programs and Events Manager Teri Sawyer would love to chat with you about presenting a program or class at the Activity Center. Drop Teri an email at [email protected] and get connected.

POA News

By January 8, all holiday decorations must be removed. Even the pretty Christmas wreath on your front door.


POA News

Fundraising is on-going as the park expands. Future plans include upgrading the other three dog parks in Big Canoe. We’ll soon have state of the art playgrounds for our pups. What a draw that will be!

There’s a lot of socializing going on at all the parks so a Big Canoe Dog Park Social Club was started to get to know other canine human companions. Everybody who loves dogs is invited to be a member. Visit the Big Canoe Dog Park Social Club on Facebook to find out all that’s happen-ing in the canine corner of Big Canoe.

Donations for improving the parks are still happily taken. Contact Nicky Sensale at [email protected] or Sherry Evans at [email protected] to find out how you can get involved in this exciting grass roots adventure.

Diamond Dog Park draws pups of all sizesInformation and photos submitted by Nicky Sensale and Sherry Evans

Pups were pulling on their leashes as the date for the opening of the new Diamond Dog Park drew ever closer. The new park will have romping areas for both big and small dogs so the little guys aren’t intimidated by the big fellas.

The off-leash park is now open for dogs and their “parents” to enjoy. C’mon down! An official Grand Opening will be scheduled soon.

Diamond Dog Park is located down the road from the Wildcat Pavilion. It’s the old baseball diamond for those who may have batted a few balls in the field years ago.

The first stage of the park was com-pleted using funds that volunteers raised, with a little help from the POA and Public Works. Basics were put in place like fenc-ing, gates, and new and improved parking spaces.

The next stage of the park will bring fun times for pups. There will be agility and water features as well as bone-shaped benches and a variety of stuff to keep doggies coming back for more.

The directories are coming! The directories are coming!

For those not fully acclimated to the electronic world, buying a new print calendar is a must when the new year dawns. Welcoming the new year too, the POA publishes a spankin’ new community directory via Smoke Signals which has the very latest, up to the minute information about Big Canoe and its residents.

Folks are listed by address, phone number and email address so connect-ing is made easy. Not only that, but a map is included so you’ll know how to get around. Phone numbers of depart-ments and key personnel are listed, along with tidbits about the commu-nity. Every directory is a gold mine of information.

Directories will be available on January 15 and can be purchased for $21.40 at Canoe Lodge or the Wellness Center. Tables will be set up at the postal facility for selling some days in January. Watch for POA news e-blasts for specific days and times.

Don’t miss out on being in the know when 2020 is new.

There will be plenty of seating at the Diamond Dog Park, some benches in the shape of bones!

Gates and fencing will separate the big guys from the smaller pups.

2020 DIRECTORY

BIG CANOEP R O P E R T Y O W N E R S A S S O C I A T I O N


POA News

Work never lets up at the Public Works DepartmentInformation submitted by Jacob VanSant

We’ve dodged the bullet so far, but winter is only a couple weeks old. You can rest assured Public Works keeps their eye on the sky to alert residents if bad stuff is heading our way.

In the meantime, the guys at Public Works are keeping busy with routine maintenance, and some not so routine. When the phone rings at the Maintenance office, there could always be a surprise on the other end.

With leaves continuing to drop, cleaning culverts and roadways keep the guys busy. There’s always a leak to fix somewhere and heat-ers are known to go on the blink. Refrigeration must be checked for possible problems and drains unclogged.

The cleaning staff is part of Public Works and they’ve sure been kept busy with all the holiday partying going on. With often unwanted catalogs clogging mailboxes, the trash cans at the Postal Facility need constant emptying. The cleaning crew prides itself on keeping our restrooms pristine - thank you, ladies!

With fog rolling in at night, keeping our roads safe is high priority. Head of Public Works, Jacob VanSant, is re-searching contractors to add more effective reflectors on the roads. The company used in the past no longer provides that service so the search is on.

Jacob is also checking out reflective paint that might be used to stripe roads. He’s looking for the best paint that will last the longest.

While the reflector and paint issues are being re-searched, Public Works is working hard to keep all roads well maintained and safe as resources come available.

As drivers, we should all slow down when road con-ditions are iffy. There’s no shame in moving at 10 mph (or less) when visibility is low. It’s always good to keep a flashlight in your car, along with a cell phone and an old-fashioned paper map of Big Canoe. Safety is most impor-tant this time of year. Be proactive!

Gatekeepers give a sweet word of thanks

Day in, day out, thousands of vehicles pass through Big Canoe’s two entry gates. Sometimes our gatekeepers simply nod a friendly hello, but some-times it takes imagina-tive maneuvering to wel-come residents, guests and service providers into the community.

Ernie Hensley, Public Safety’s head gatekeeper, gives a hearty word of thanks for all the cookies, candies and cards delivered to the gates during the holiday season. This “sweet expression” of gratitude for services provided by the gate staff throughout the year was much appreciated.

A beautiful Valentine legacyInformation and photo submitted by Rosemary Richie and Devon Collins

In a thoughtful and gracious gesture, Bob Newell has donated his wife Susanne’s exquisite accessory collection for a special boutique offering which will benefit women and children’s charities the Big Canoe Chapel Women’s Guild Legacy of Caring program supports.

Susanne passed away last year and left a legacy which will always be remembered. She was an extraor-dinary artist and was active in the Big Canoe Artists’ Club, serving at one time as president.

This unique sale will take place after the Women’s Guild meeting at the Chapel on February 13. All in Big Canoe are invited to this very special occasion.

Just a few of the beautiful pieces gifted in memory of Susanne Newell which will be sold to the community to raise funds for the Legacy of Caring. (Photo by Devon Collins)

Public Works is researching reflectors and reflecting paint to make our roads more manageable in bad weather.


POA News

Joe Tipton is Big Canoe’s own Paul Bunyan, minus BabeInformation and photos submitted by Joe Tipton

Big Canoe is well known for its hard working volun-teers who willingly share their talents and expertise to ben-efit all, inside and outside our gates.

Joe Tip-ton is one of those volunteer spirits who loves the great outdoors and the hikes nature offers. Hiking would be a lot more difficult if wanderers had to hack their way through the woods to enjoy the beauty of our trees and streams.

Thanks to Joe and his band of dedicated timber trail-ers, many trails have been added for wandering. According to Mike Trimble, an avid hiker, Joe Tipton is a legend in these parts. Joe designed and created our High Gap Park Trail, milling his own lumber from downed trees to build steps on the steepest parts of the trail. It’s not easy work, but Joe is on a mission to expand and enhance Big Canoe’s trail system, the most popular amenity we have.

Joe recently wrote about his woodland adventure giving his thoughts about the work he’s done. In his own words…

“If you hike High Gap Park, I thought you might be curious about the wood timbers stacked along the side of the Yellow Trail. Over the last few days, I milled them

Newcomers’ Orientation breakfast set for February 1

It won’t be long before the newest Big Canoe residents are welcomed into the fold. The first New-comers’ Orien-tation of 2020 will take place on Saturday, February 1 at 9:00 a.m. Yes, it’s a morning orientation with sweets, fruit

and even mimosas to welcome all. The aroma of steaming coffee will surely send a warm hello.

At the orientation, new residents will hear from the POA board, senior staff and department heads. There will be plenty of time for questions, questions like where’s Big Canoe’s Nature Museum or what are the postal facility hours? So much to learn!

To reserve your place at the round table, contact La-trelle Love at [email protected] or call (706) 268-3346. We’re so happy you chose Big Canoe as your home!

from two fallen white oak trees that were on the hillside on the opposite side of the trail. I will be using the timbers to build a series of bog bridges on a new section of High Gap Trail I’m working on. Even though these trees came down over two and half years ago, white oak is so decay resistant, the milled beams are in absolute perfect condition. The grain on a couple of the beams is almost too nice to use as a foot bridge.

“If all goes as planned, I hope to have the bog bridges and the new trail completed by April.”

We salute Joe Tipton for using his exceptional talents to make hiking in Big Canoe more expansive and safer. What a guy!

Joe Tipton mills his own lumber from fallen trees. Getting equipment up steep terrain is a challenge.

When hiking across High Gap foot bridges, take notice of the exceptional grain of the white oak beams.

Joe Tipton built steps to make it easier to climb the steeper parts of High Gap.


Gates up, transponders now have an expiration dateInformation submitted by Ernie Hensley

Big Canoe Property Owners, long term tenants and ser-vice contractors may have a key to the kingdom affixed to their vehicle’s front windshield. The key to the kingdom is commonly known as a transponder. It sends a radio signal to automatically open the gate. A transponder is as-signed to a specific vehicle and license tag and is non-transferable. Whenever a new vehicle is purchased, it is best to purchase a new transponder because the old transponder usually will break upon removal from the windshield.

To maintain an accurate data base, a fairly recent and ongoing process has been instituted by Public Safety which will require all residents to verify their vehicles and transponders every two years at no charge. Transponder two-year expiration dates are maintained in dwellingLive to help capture and/or verify current vehicle information. Expiration notices are automatically sent via email by dwellingLive one month prior to expiration.

Transponders issued to contractors expire annually on December 31. They can be renewed for $35 at the POA Maintenance office. New contractor transponders cost $45.

While we’re talking about gates, please don’t hit them. Sometimes it takes an additional three seconds to lift. Be patient! The number of times gates are “taken out” by motorists in a hurry would surprise most. Don’t be a gate wrecker!

POA News

Many ways you can be a Big Canoe firefighterBy Paul Newcomb

You don’t have to run into burning buildings to be a firefighter. Well, that’s good news!

Big Canoe Fire Department is currently comprised of 24 volunteers and 10 paid firefighters.

Their skill-sets range from fully qualified interior fire-fighters to support role firefighters, emergency medi-cal technicians and emergency radio communica-tions specialists.

One of the great things about our staff is they range in age from 20s to 80s and all have life skill-sets which add tremendous breadth and depth to the depart-ment. BCVFD has a need for a widely varied set of skills, the very skills that virtu-ally all in Big Canoe possess.

Support role firefighters’ jobs range from direct-ing traffic, assisting with the outside of a fire scene, helping during natural disasters, caring for interior firefighters’ rehabilitation during a fire and helping maintain all various types of equipment.

If you have a couple hours a week to dedicate to mak-ing Big Canoe a safer place to live, consider attending any of our volunteer training sessions on Thursday nights at 6:00 p.m. at the Big Canoe Fire Department located in the Village Core.

Come join the team!


mesh tread being installed on a number of bridges. This new material is a test, so all feedback is appreciated. The bright aluminum color will fade into a natural patina with age.

Beautiful days called for a holiday hike on some Black-well Creek trails. A group of nine hikers (some from as far away as California) joined hike leader Greg Dunlop for a trek through some of the most scenic trails in Big Canoe.

The group hiked the John Williams Trail stop-ping for a group photo by a beautiful small gurgling water fall, then crossed over to the Covered Bridge Trail and made a loop back to the parking area on Trotters Lane. A nice time for a little exer-cise and fellowship with our neighbors.

POA News

Trails Committee works even in chilly weatherBy Clardy Schwarz

The Big Canoe Trails Committee (BCTC) sincerely thanks the Wildflower Bunch for a most generous donation of $1,000. On November 17, Margie Halls (president of the club) presented the check to Liz Scherer (Trails Commit-tee co-chair), Joe Tipton (designer and builder of High Gap Park), and Clardy Schwarz (Trails Committee co-chair).

The funds will be used to offset the costs of building and maintaining Big Canoe trails, the number one amenity in our beautiful community. The time and effort contributed by BCTC volunteers keeps our trails safe and a pleasure to hike.

Due to continued slippery conditions (at times) on wooden bridges in the Wildcat area, the BCTC has installed non-skid material to help mitigate the problem. Thanks go to a High Gap resident named Pete who reported slippery bridge conditions to Joe Tipton who in turn made a report to BCTC co-chair Clardy who requested non-skid mate-rial from Jacob VanSant in Public Works, resulting in wire

Happy holiday hikers took advantage of cooler weather to explore Blackwell Creek Trails.

The Wildflower Bunch presented a check for $1,000 to help the Trails Committee build and maintain our trails.

Mesh on Wildcat area bridges was recently installed to minimize slippery conditions.


POA News

New election for POA Board members

A new election and re-vote have been scheduled. Prop-erty Owners interested on serving on the POA Board can pick up a candidate package at the Canoe Lodge. Business hours for the Lodge are: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Following is the new election timetable:The nomination process for candidates to apply for

the election will run from De-cember 23, 2019 to January 17, 2020. Packets for candidate completion will be available on December 23 and all qualification criteria will be verified by POA staff. Nomina-tions will be open to all Property Owners eligible to run for a Board seat.

A campaign period will run from January 22 to Febru-ary 8 with the POA hosting an event to allow for Q&A.

Ballots will be mailed on February 10. Property Own-ers should attempt to pay their outstanding billing statement balance on time in anticipation of this upcoming election.

The final day for ballots to be received by our account-ing firm, Mauldin & Jenkins, will be February 26 with the results announced at a community event at the Clubhouse on February 29.

Traffic accidents in Big Canoe are dramatically decreasingInformation submitted by Ricky Jordan Director of Public Safety

While folks may still be dodging vehicles hugging the center line and tsk-tsking about drivers who run stop signs, there’s good news to report on the traffic accident front.

The number of vehicle accidents has gone down dra-matically. That’s good news for sure.

In 2017, there were 55 accidents reported in Big Canoe; in 2018 there were 28 fender benders. In 2019, only 17 accidents were reported.

Even with decreasing acci-dents occurring, it’s important to stay alert while maneuvering our mountain roads. We’re entering a dangerous part of the year due to possible weather related conditions. Pay attention to your driving and be watchful for the other guy too.

Let’s make 2020 the safest year yet on our miles and miles of roads. Always remember: Prepare and prevent, don’t repair and repent.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS - Big Canoe · 2 | insidethegates.org JanarY 2020 Let’s Go Clubbing It was a jammin’ good time at the holiday Acoustic Showcase Article by Greg Morris Photos