Hard times like these were normal for our ancestors
By Dale Dyer
It’s sometimes funny what a person comes up with or begins to think about. Some way I got to thinking about bridges, mainly here in our county. Then I got to thinking about how it was before our forefathers began to receive the benefits of bridges here in this mountainous are.
In a way, we are much blessed with ample rainfall and have many mountain streams and a number of sizable rivers. As the early settlers first moved into this region, and for many years after arriving and settling here, their mode of transportation was walk, ride a horse or travel in an ox-or horse-drawn wagon or buggy. Few folks liked to wade a cold, mountain, rocky-bottom stream or river.
There is a story of a preacher having to cross a stream on his way to Sunday church who is said to have taken off all his clothes and held them above his head to keep them dry, then redressed when reaching the other side before continuing on to his congregation. I wonder if it was winter time or summer.
On small streams, soon some industrious person would find a nice log and make a foot bridge for convenience in crossing. As most folks were very poor and it was just a fact of the times, traveling on foot was most normal. As churches were established and then a few schools, the various community folks traveling to and from had to cross many streams.
Horses and wagons traversed the bigger streams and rivers. Only certain places could be used for crossing because of too steep of banks entering or leaving the mainly rivers and the depth and swiftness of the streams had to be taken into account. Some ferry crossings existed on the Toccoa River, such as the McKay’s Ferry in McCaysville before the still used, old steel bridge was built in 1911.
The first steel bridge was the new railroad bridge south of McCaysville, around 1888,also another steel railroad bridge on the east end of Hogback Mountain near Mineral Bluff about the same time. some of the early 1900s other much-needed Toccoa River steel bridge crossings in our country were the building of steel bridges at Curtis Switch in 1919, now abandoned; then the bridge built in 1922 between Blue Ridge and Morganton, location now under the waters of Blue Ridge Lake; a steel bridge on the east end of Hogback Mountain on the old origin al road from Blue Ridge to Mineral Bluff, broken down by a too heavily loaded truck and now abandoned.
Still used is the Shaddowford steel bridge up on Aska Road and near Stanley Creek road; then there is the Dial steel bridge, now abandoned, on Newport Road; and Butts Bridge on Doublehead Gap Road. An interesting old covered bridge for years existed over Hemptown Creek above Mineral Bluff on Cutcane Road.
To experience a bit of what it once was like, one might take a trip up rather remote Cashes Valley where you ford Fightingtown Creek eight or nine times. After a heavy rain it is not advisable.
When I arrived in the late ‘40s, many of the country roads still did not have bridges or culverts and you had to cross the stream and could get stuck. I know because I did with tow ladies I was out showing property to even in the late ‘60s.
After a heavy rain, silt from a new plowed field upstream had settled on the rocky bottom and I became stuck in the quagmire in the middle of a country road. It was very entertaining to the ladies. After about an hour of jacking up each wheel and piling rocks under the tires and in the tracks, I was able to drive out. It was near Coles Crossing and where a country rock quarry had been active.
Back in the ‘50s the country had a number of trucks hauling out the crushed rock and regularly crossed the stream. They used our shop at Hampton Motor and Tractor Co. to repair the brakes on the trucks because of the grit of the stream caused excessive wearing out of the linings.
We, the present generation have lived in the best of times, roofs over our heads and well heated homes, fairly good roads and the traveling in modern transportation, among the best in education facilities, seeming with unlimited purchasing power from credit cards, for acquiring whatever our hearts desire.
We’Ave had so much to be thankful for, but now we have hit hard times. Can we pick ourselves up by our bootstraps and live within our means, cut some fire wood, make a garden, ten some chicks, milk some cows, do some walking to the post office, store or school when possible, live a Spartan life if necessary?
We might even live a more healthy life and reduce the unhealthy present-day obesity that is taking such a toll on health problems and costs, along with shortening lifetime longevity.
Such hard times and much sparseness of comfort and conveniences was just normal living, for our ancestors. Yes, today we again are in this serious economic downturn together and I trust that we will all work harmoniously to come out of this low time in our lives with a spirit of friendly cooperation and concern for our fellow hurting neighbor.
God bless you all.
Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race, April
80 co-ed teams of three hike, mountain bike, run and kayak in the Chattahoochee National Forest. The race begins at a secret location in the Chattahoochee National Forest, and follows a physically challenging course to the Downtown Blue Ridge City Park, with live music, food and the finish line. For more information, call (706) 632-5680 or see the Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race web site.
Arts In The Park
Arts in the Park is located in downtown Blue Ridge City Park Blue Ridge, Memorial Day Weekend
Features over 200 arts, crafts and food booths. The best in mountain crafts and fine arts, artist's demonstrations, music and dance. Arts in the Park has been recognized as one of the Top 20 Events by the Southeastern Tourism Society. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association. Call (706) 632-2144 for more information.
Pickin' in the Park
Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park, May thru September
Casual jam sessions for acoustic musicians are held under the trees and pavilions along the Toccoa River at Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park every Thursday evening from 6 p.m. til dusk beginning May 26 through the end of September. Free admission to musicians of all levels and listeners who appreciate good music. Bring your picnic supper and enjoy the music! For more information call 423-496-4653 or see www.pickinthepark.com.
Old Timers Day, Downtown Blue Ridge
Saturday Closest to July 4th Celebration and parade in Downtown Blue Ridge. Food, crafts, ice cream and entertainment. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Business Association. find out more
Lake Blue Ridge Fireworks
Marina, On or near July 4th
Live music and food beginning at 4 p.m. Food provided by the Masonic Lodge. Fabulous fireworks over Lake Blue Ridge at dark. Call (706) 632-2618 for more information.
Miners Homecoming
Downtown McCaysville, July 4th Weekend
Miners homecoming takes place in Ducktown, TN. every July 4th weekend. Old fashioned Independence Day fireworks are shot from Tater Hill in downtown McCaysville-Copperhill on July 4th at dark-thirty. Fourth of July Kiwanis parade and festivities take place on July 5th, also in McCaysville-Copperhill.
Concerts in the Park
Downtown Blue Ridge Park, July & August
Good music in a beautiful setting on warm summer nights. Bring your own quilt or lawn chair and a picnic supper. Call the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association for more information, (706) 632-2144.
Smokey Bear's Birthday
Ocoee Whitewater Center, August
Games, face-painting, storytelling, puppet shows and, of course, Smokey the Bear! For more information, call (423) 496-5197.
Blue Ridge Kiwanis Rodeo
August
Western rodeo with bull riding, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, bareback, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and special events. Great food and fun for all ages. Call (706) 632-3400 for more information.
Labor Day Barbeque
Labor Day in Downtown Blue Ridge
Annual Barbeque starts at 11 a.m. until the food runs out. Downtown Blue Ridge City Park. Good food and entertainment. Call (706) 455-3818 for more information.
Wildlife Festival of the Arts
Downtown Blue Ridge Park, September
Showcasing the works of the finest wildlife artists in the Southeast. More than 75 artists sell their sculpture, painting and woodworking. Forest service information, fly-fishing demonstrations, food and entertainment. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association.
Call (706) 632-2144.
Family Fishing Festival
Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery, September
Fly-tying and casting demonstrations, educational exhibits and plenty of fish to catch in Rock Creek. Call (706) 838-4723 for more information.
Mountain Harvest Sale
Blue Ridge Farmer's Market, 3rd and 4th weekend in October
Sponsored by the Fannin County Homemaker's Council, the Mountain Harvest Sale features local arts, crafts, food and fun on two separate October weekends.
Halloween Safe Zone
Downtown Blue Ridge Treats and fun for all.
Downtown Blue Ridge Main Street is closed and kids of all ages trick or treat from shop to shop. Food and entertainment.
For information, call (706) 632-0547.
Holiday Art Show & Sale
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Assn., Each November-December
Shop for regional art and crafts at the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association Thanksgiving through Christmas. For more information, call (706) 632-2144.
Light up Blue Ridge
Downtown Blue Ridge, Saturday after Thanksgiving
Christmas festival in Downtown Blue Ridge. Music, refreshments, caroling and all-day activities. Official lighting of the Christmas tree and Santa arrives!! Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Business Association.
Hometown Christmas
Downtown McCaysville, First Saturday of December
Parade, Santa's arrival, food, refreshments and entertainment. Lighting of the bridge. For information, call (706) 632-4236.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Christmas Express
Blue Ridge, Weekends in December
Come ride the holiday train and see Santa, Mrs. Santa and the elves. Listen to Christmas stories and sing carols. For information, call (706) 632-9833.
Festival of Trees
Ocoee Whitewater Center, Ducktown, December
Come enjoy the beauty of the season and see the beautiful Christmas trees decorated by local businesses, schools and organizations.
Gardener’s To-Do List for April
Vegetables
It’s finally here! The last frost date for North Georgia is April 15th, so you can put out your tomatoes and other warm-season vegetables on or after that date. After our experience with the drought last year, thought, give yourself a break and be sure to mulch. Mulch helps retain the moisture in the soil, so the best way to be prepared for any dry spells is the good old mulch. You can use grass clippings, or pine straw, or oven newspaper. If you use newspaper, be sure to dampen it after you lay it over your plants and then cover the paper with an inch or so of pine straw for the most effective moisture retention.
Roses
Fertilize your roses this month with a balanced fertilizer and prune your repeat-blooming roses now as well. Wait to prune climbing roses or once-blooming roses until they have finished their spring blooming. If you love roses, but don’t have the time to rally care for them, (and roses do need care!) Try some of the new low-maintenance roses, like Knock Out roses. These roses are designed to be easy care and provide literally months of bloom.
Annuals
Want to give your annuals a good start? Water them when you plant them, then water again two days later, and again four days later. You can then proceed with weekly watering since they should be well acclimated.
Bulbs
Plant your summer-blooming bulbs after April 15th. These bulbs include Canna, elephant Ear, Dahlia, Dutch Iris and Gladiolus. Also, let the foliage ripen on your daffodils. It is an old-time practice to tie up foliage while it ripens, but this isn’t such a great idea; it prevents much-needed air circulation, encouraging the growth of fungal disease.
Houseplants
You can move your houseplants outdoors without worry by mid-month, providing, of course, that the temperature is above 65 degrees. Just be sure to never put your houseplants in direct sunlight! Put them in full shade first, for a minimum of two weeks (and a few weeks more would be better) and move them into dappled shade, never into a spot that receives more sun than that. And since you can let them be outdoors all of the time, you may want to check and see if any of them have outgrown their containers. Repotting outdoors is a lot less messy than indoors! Also, remember that you will need to water your pants more regularly when they are outdoors, since their soil will dry out more quickly and the new growth they will be putting out will require more water as well.
Perennials
Some perennials are so beautiful you don’t mind if they are such prima donnas that they need help holding up their pretty heads…that means they will need staking. As soon as your perennials begin to show color, think about how you plan to stake them. For perennials with a single stem (like lilies), use a stake placed about an inch from the plant’s main stem. Tie the stem to the stake, leaving plenty of string at the ends (2 or 3 inches should be fine). For larger perennials (like peonies) you can use a cage.
A lifetime of cooking with my nose
Chef Douglas, Chef/Owner
Cabin Cuisine
I have heard many times that the sense of smell leaves the strongest and most lasting memories. I can still recall very clearly the sweet earthy aroma of yeast bread rising in my grandmother’s kitchen. Every year the family made the short journey from San Francisco where we lived to Napa for our annual Holiday feast. While the rest of the family was gather around the tiny black and white TV for the gridiron battles of the day, I was drawn to the wonderful odors flowing from the kitchen.
I am sure my hanging around the kitchen was a nuisance to my grandmother as she worked tirelessly to put the traditional dishes together and on the table before the crowed became restless. But rather than send me off to join the others, she sat me down at the kitchen table with crayons, blank paper and her recipe box to copy some of her most prized creations. This simple task accomplished several goals: First (and most important to her) it got me out of her way, second I was practicing my penmanship and third it tied me directly to what would eventually become my lifelong passion, cooking.
Napa back then, was nothing more than another one of California’s many farming communities, it just happened to grow grapes and produce wine. There were less than 50 wineries in the valley, a handful of small local restaurants and a couple of stores with fresh cheeses and bread. Nothing like the mega destination it has become today with high end spas, hundreds of wineries and some of the best and most expensive restaurants in the world.
Even when I open a bottle of wine in my own kitchen in the North Georgia Mountains, I am instantly transported back to when I was five years old sitting in a grassy picnic spot on a warm sunny day while my parents opened a great bottle of local wine.
I was having a discussion with a group of chefs a few years back and the question was posed; “If you could have only one sense, what would it be?” Without hesitation the answer was unanimously the sense of smell. That is really amazing when you think about it. After all, a restaurant kitchen during the dinner rush is nothing if not a frantic assault on all of the senses; reading orders, checking for dunes, waiters yelling at the cooks, cooks yelling at the waiters. Yet I would have to agree.
In my business, even when I am cooking for a large group with four different courses all coming from the same stove, I find myself tuning into my sense of smell to alert me to check on the chicken, turn the steak, season the potatoes, etc. After 35 years of cooking, it has become automatic and without even thinking, I turn to the stove to check on what is banging on the door of my olfactory sense to get my attention. I never disregard that warning as to do so will certainly result in a culinary disaster.
