Special Events

This is a great time of year in Northeast Georgia for those who enjoy being outdoors. In case you missed it, the weather is great and there's something going on for everyone. Here's my recommended itinerary for the next few weekends in greater Watkinsville (which includes Athens):

This Saturday: Kick off the morning with a brisk run or walk at the Scarecrow 5K and 1 mile/run walk at Watkinsville First UMC. This is the kick off for the annual Oconee County Fall Festival. Then take your family to the festival, which is one of the classic Oconee County events -- go early if you want to see the Dawgs kick off against Vandy or go late if you want to avoid the crowds. If you have kids, park at Harris Shoals Park and ride the old fashioned tractors downtown. And if you're so inclined, check out the Don Smith exhibition at OCAF while you are in the area.

This Sunday: While the weather is perfect, take a hike or enjoy a walk at Harris Shoals Park, The State Botanical Gardens, Heritage Park, or on the Birchmore trail in Athens. If you have kids, let them splash around in the "big creek" or try the big slide at Harris Shoals park -- my kids love it!

Next Saturday: Dust off your bike and take part in the Jittery Joe's Metric Century ride from the Watkinsville Jittery Joe's, which benefits the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity. Depending on which distance you choose, recharge with a nice late breakfast at the Big Easy or lunch at the Krimson Cafe. If you prefer a more low key start to the day, check out Art in the Garden at the Botanical Gardens. Then enjoy watching the Dawgs beat LSU from the comfort of your own home (time TBD).

Next Sunday: Oenophiles will enjoy the OCAF Wine Fest at Ashford Manor from 3 to 6 p.m. Endurance athletes will enjoy the 4-mile Jack-o-Lantern Jog at Sandy Creek Park in Athens at 2:30; kids under 10 can participate in a costume contest at 1:45 and then jump in the kids race.

Oconee County Featured in the Wall Street Journal

The Georgia Club -- which I have long said is one of the best things Oconee County and this region have going for it -- is featured in today's Wall Street Journal. Since development began seven years ago, the Georgia Club has pioneered in a lot of ways -- with unique architecture, wonderful planning, greenspace preservation, mixing uses, etc. -- but it isn't featured for any of these things today. It's featured for something even better and near and dear to the hearts of many in this region: service.

The WSJ highlights the Georgia Club for giving back to the community. Last year, the Georgia Club started a community foundation that is now raising money for great causes across the region, and a percentage of the money on the sale of each home also goes back to charity. This year the foundation's efforts have already supported the Statham library and Statham Elementary. Its upcoming Christmas Tour of Homes, which is open to the public, will benefit several local charities and service organizations including Extra Special People (ESP), Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), Peace Place, Project ADAM, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D), Statham Library and The Tree House. This is a great opportunity for the community to visit and give back to a great cause. Now in the spirit of full disclosure, I will admit they are a client of ours at Jackson Spalding. But even if they weren't, I would be raving about this great asset to our region.

If you haven't visited the Georgia Club lately, you should. Just turn in on your next trip up 316 and visit the sales center, or take a quick spin around the community. If you haven't been lately, you'll be amazed by the changes. There are beautiful homes big and small. Lot sizes and price points are varied, accomodating a variety of lifestyles. There is a definite sense of community. The community's latest neighborhood, Oconee Springs, is almost all in Oconee County. Many future homes will be as well.

As Northeast Georgia is mired in a housing slump, homes at The Georgia Club are still selling. Developers, take notice: by doing things right and doing the right thing, you can still sell homes. If we're going to keep building residential in Oconee, I hope a lot more of the communities are like the Georgia Club.