A taste of spring is in the air this weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  So pretty outside weatherwise, even though a little nippy this morning but blue skies and clear viewing across Lake Blue Ridge to the Blue Ridge Mountains beyond. The temp is sure to push 70 as the day warms. Plenty of sunshine to go around. A wonderful day to "unplug" for a little bit and take a walk with my two cocker spaniels and five (yes, five) cats!  I am not the crazy old cat lady but sometimes, I wonder.  I rescue cats and darn, if I haven't gotten attached to every one of them.  I get a kick out of how they will all follow me and the dogs, keeping their distance but always keeping us in their sights. I really enjoy leisurely walks around the lake.  So interesting to come up on an unbeaten path  to explor... 02/22/2014

Mercier Orchards is a beautiful apple orchard which opened back in 1943 by Bill and Adele Mercier. Still family owned and operated and celebrating 70 years of fruitful harvest! This is a "must-do" when visiting Blue Ridge. A huge favorite among locals and visitors alike. Strawberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches, plums, nectarines and of course apples! are currently grown and harvested.   Events such as U-PICK, kite flying, kids baking classes, along with a deli, bakery and farm winery make this a perfect outing for everyone.  Kids will really get a kick out picking their own apples!   Come by the store on February 22nd from 10:00am - 2:00pm for customer appreciation.  Enjoy door prizes, music, magic, and so much more!    Call  1(800) 361-7731 for more information.    The show Gettin... 02/20/2014

Welcome Spring Charity Ball An Elegant Evening of Hors d'oeuvres, Dancing, and an Arts & Crafts Auction at Willow Creek Falls & Vineyard in Blue Ridge, Georgia       Join Willow Creek Falls & Vineyard for an elegant evening of generosity, artful inspiration, and of course, dancing. 6-11PM March 1, 2014Willow Creek Falls and Vineyard 35 Trackside Court Blue Ridge, GA 30513   Click Here for DirectionsTake a look at Willow Creek Falls & Vineyard's beautiful location!www.willowcreekfalls.com         Join Willow Creek Falls & Vineyard as they support Mountain Area Christian Academy, the Fannin County Food Bank, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The 2014 Welcome Spring Charity Ball will feature heavy, delectable hors d'oeuvres and a variety of beverages, an auction of arts and crafts, dan... 02/18/2014

Blue Ridge, GA voters could see a referendum on the sale of alcohol on Sunday this March, according to a decision by the Blue Ridge City Council on December 10, 2013. Several restaurants in Blue Ridge requested that the council do whatever is necessary to allow Sunday sales of alcohol to generate revenue for the restaurants and tax revenue for the city. According to Mayor Donna Whitener, conferring with city attorney David Syfan, Sunday sales will have to be approved by Blue Ridge voters. There had been some previous discussion about whether or not the council could approve Sunday sales without having a referendum. The council voted 4-0 to move forward with the process that could lead to the referendum. That process includes drawing up an ordinance allowing Sunday alcohol sales, setting... 01/02/2014

Art Walk in Downtown Blue Ridge, GA   Enjoy the art galleries on Main Street during their monthly Art Walk on the third Saturday of each month from May through December from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Included but growing, are Multitudes Gallery, High Country Art & Antiques and Turning Leaf - A Fine Art Gallery. Multitudes at 706-632-1718, Turning Leaf at 706-632-6625 and High Country Art at 706-632-6882 706-632-1718 If you haven’t experienced the ART of downtown Blue Ridge, Fall is the perfect time to do it!     09/20/2013

Undiscovered Stars   I love to run across local people in the Blue Ridge area of the North Georgia mountains and discover their unique gifts and talents.  I think it's so important to promote local businesses, where you can find "gems" almost anywhere you go.  These wonderful, undiscovered stars are not looking for attention, and are usually a little embarrassed when the focus is on them.  I think I caught Alta off guard... The other day, on the spur of the moment, I decided to have lunch at the local Pizza Hut on East Main Street in Blue Ridge. The lunch rush was over and I just wanted a quiet place to relax for a few minutes.  Alta, my server was friendly and provided excellent service.  While I awaited my pizza to arrive, I noticed a lot of photographs displayed throughout the dinin... 06/21/2013

We are excited to announce the launch of our redesigned website. The new website was redesigned to simplify search and provide custom options relevant to our area. Some features we have added include search by view, frontage, and terrain. In addition we have upgraded to newer web standards to improve user experience. Our goals are to improve our ability to market our clients real estate listings and improve potential clients' experience while searching for Real Estate in the Blue Ridge Georgia mountains. In addition, we have moved to a WordPress platform to help organize and present data. We are excited to offer our sales professionals a platform to communicate with our potential clients. Our sales associates will be able to blog from our website to offer our clients relevant and curren... 06/10/2013

      See some very funny plays this spring at the Blue Ridge Community Theater in the mountain town of Blue Ridge, GA.  A comedy, “Don’t Talk to the Actors,” will be on stage from April 11 - 28. For a night out combine a great dinner in town and a show at the Blue Ridge Community Theater. There are lots of great restaurants in Blue Ridge, click HERE for a great Blue Ridge, GA Restaurant Guide. Blue Ridge Community Theater, a community theater group located in downtown Blue Ridge, enriches the cultural life of residents and visitors through performances, productions and education of all aspects of contemporary and classic theater.   Located at 2591 East 1st Street across from The Swan Drive-In. Call them at (706) 632-9223, or on the web atwww.blueridgecommunitytheater.com/ 03/25/2013

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway in Blue Ridge, GA begins its 2013 excursion schedule on March 15th!!!  The train is a great way to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of spring in the mountains as it winds its way from Blue Ridge, GA  to McCaysville, GA along the Toccoa River.  Bring the kids for the Easter Eggspress on Saturday, March 30. Book your tickets and get more info at http://brscenic.com/ or give them a call at 877-413-TRAIN (8724) or 706-632-TRAIN (8724) Book your tickets and get more info at http://brscenic.com/ or give them a call at 877-413-TRAIN (8724) or 706-632-TRAIN (8724) 03/05/2013

Go To the Swan Drive-In Blue Ridge, GA   One of three remaining drive-in theaters in Georgia, offering first run movies on weekends. Call 706-632-5235 to see what's playing or see the Swan website at www.swan-drive-in.com. Located at 651 Summit Street in Blue Ridge.  02/27/2013

There's still time to beat the Winter Blues and have some fun at the Blue Ice Skating Rink in downtown Blue Ridge, GA, next to the BBQ pit in City Park. Bring the kids, the cost is only $10 and includes skate rental. For more information, please call 706-633-7433         Hours:Monday: 3pm - 8pmThursday: 3pm - 8pmFriday: 3pm - 8pmSaturday: 10am - 8pmSunday: Noon - 8pm       02/01/2013

Wood Duck Seminar Blue Ridge Bird Seed Company at Harvest on Main Second Floor of Harvest on MainSaturday February 2nd ** ** 9 - 10 AM at Harvest On Main Restaurant ** Seminars are free and interested kids ages 10+ are welcome. They serve refreshments, offer "seminar survivor" discount coupons and always have a few door prizes.   Wood Ducks - Featuring Ann Stewart Join Blue Ridge Bird Seed Company for a fun and very interesting seminar about the beautiful wood duck. Ann Stewart is a well-known expert on Wood Ducks and will share her knowledge and stories about the ducks she has raised in the Rome, Georgia area over the years. They hope to also have a cool "Duckumentary" about Stormy, a woodie who hatched too late to go with Mom & the kids and was raised by hand. You'll learn about the W... 01/31/2013

I have been looking and looking for a place to buy quality art supplies in the North Georgia Mountains and thanks to The Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, I have found the Art Supply Station in Blue Ridge GA!   Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association The Art CenterGalleries on West Main420 West Main StreetBlue Ridge, GA 30513Phone: 706.632.2144Fax: 706.632.7785www.blueridgearts.netblueridgearts@gmail.comGallery Hours:10am - 6pm Tuesday - SundayClosed Monday       01/28/2013

Light Up Blue Ridge is an annual old-fashioned holiday celebration in downtown Blue Ridge!   Light Up Blue Ridge! is held the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. The downtown area  is filled with live entertainment throughout the day. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway at 11:15 a.m.. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and have  photos taken in the gazebo in downtown Blue Ridge, GA. Live reindeer, childrens trackless train rides, Tim the Magician and Butterfly the Clown, "Balloon Lady" Nancy Fangles and so much more. Make sure you don't miss the lighting of the "Great Tree"  at 6:00 p.m. too. Downtown shops will be open late so bring the whole family for a holiday of fun, perfect to start the season off right!   Proceeds from this event will benefit "Open Arms".  Fo... 11/22/2012

Looking for a gift for that person who has everything? How about the avid hunter or fisherman in your family? How about a gift certificate to Noontootla Creek Farms in scenic Blue Ridge, GA Noontootla Creek Farms is located in the beautiful mountains of Northwest Georgia, NCF is a privately held farm consisting of over 1,500 acres. Originally a large farm operation and then a private hunting club, NCF is now open to the public with over two miles of quality trout water and excellent quail hunting. They are open year around with the best hunting and fishing taking place from the Fall through Spring of the following year. An on-site farmhouse is available for rental. All fly fishing and quail hunts are by daily reservation at affordable rates. NCF’s fly fishing is more technical in nature... 11/19/2012

Fall Arts in the Park Downtown Blue Ridge City Park in Blue Ridge, Georgia 10AM-5PM on October 13th & 14th, 2012 Fine art, great food, fall colors on the trees and on the canvases. Peak leaf season in the mountains of North Georgia is mid-October. Enjoy the splendor of nature with a fine arts and crafts festival with 100's of artists from across the nation. Check out the children's section, stay tuned for live musical performances and enjoy the National Photography Exhibit in The Art Center Gallery. Downtown Blue Ridge has much to offer! Make a weekend of it and get a breath of mountain air while titillating the senses through this festival of fine art. Admission is $5 for adults/children free. Festival hours are 10 am to 5 pm both days. Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association706-632-2144 10/09/2012

Holiday, Green, Decorating, Eco-friendly Great Ways to 'Green' your Holiday Season With trees dressed in fall finery and homes adorned in holiday hues of silver, gold and red, fall and winter are colorful times. This year, why not “green” your holiday by adopting some eco-friendly traditions? From decorating Christmas trees to wrapping gifts in recycled paper, it's easy to find ways to celebrate the season and be kind to Mother Nature at the same time.Decorating with heartSome traditional holiday decorations can be less than friendly for the environment, but a cut tree is not necessarily one of them. Consider that the production of artificial trees consumes large quantities of resources and creates wasted by-product. Also, keep in mind most tree lots sell trees raised on farms, so natur... 10/04/2012

U-Pick Apples, Tractor Rides and U-Select Pumpkins at Mercier's Orchards 8660 Blue Ridge Drive Blue Ridge, GA 1.5 miles north of Blue Ridge on Hwy 5It's time to pick apples! Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come and spend a day at the farm, enjoy a tractor ride through the orchards. Great family activity.Mercier Orchards706-632-3411 U-PICK Apples   The family fun of taking a tractor ride out into the orchard and picking your own apples is underway. U-PICK is currently being hosted every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm. Be prepared to have a great time! Merciers is offering one bag---a peck size (holds 10-12lbs fruit). The cost of the bag is $10.00, you can purchase as many as you’d like. Fill the bag(s) you pay for and that is the cost of U-PICK. The tractor ride... 10/02/2012

North Georgia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad, Vacation and Recreation  "...a piece of railroad history" Come take a 13 mile, 3.5 - 4 hour trip on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad which will take you along the beautiful Toccoa River for most of the trip. As you start the ride you will leave the hustle and bustle of the town and ride the rails possibly seeing turkey, deer and an occasional beaver. As we make our way to McCaysville, GA/Copperhill, TN you will be told about some of the sites along the way. You’ll see the ‘Wye’ at Murphy Junction, the Kodak moment where you will get your first glimpse of the river and a view both up and down stream and also a fish weir better known as the fish trap. The trip takes 1 hour to arrive at our destination of McCaysville, GA/Copper... 09/29/2012

Blue Ridge, Georgia, Resort and Vacation, Second Home Real Estate, Retirement Communities Honored as one of America's Top Art Communities Blue Ridge, Georgia has long been recognized as a resort and 2nd home getaway.  Year after year the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce surveys visitors to find out the “why” behind the explosive growth in the area.  In addition to all of the outdoor activities visitors enjoy, a growing number of people flock to this area for the arts.  The Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association, located in the the building that once was the Fannin County Court House, has grown rapidly, even in the economic downturn.  Artists from around the country have discovered the magic behind this town and the energy of the expanding association.  Members of the Arts Association enj... 09/25/2012