HERITAGE MUSEUM DISPLAYS PIONEER TOOL

The Heritage Museum at Gilmer Arts & Heritage (GAHA) has a brand new display, it is the Gilmer Tools Exhibit. The display will be on exhibit through March 31, 2011. The exhibit will showcase vintage tools, implements and household items from the mid to late-1800s. An added bonus in December will be the 16 panel traveling display from the Laura Ingalls Wilder House from the Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, MO. It includes photographs and information from Wilder and her famous "Little House" books. For more information: www.GilmerArts.org or call 706-635-5605. Admission is free.

Old Parker Place Land

Our office just listed this property. It is a beautiful piece of property along Vandergriff Creek. Very private setting with 7.69 acres (that is made up 3 lots which can be divided), great for an investment. An area has been cleared by the creek for picnics or just relaxing and listening the the water rush by. Relax in the Gazebo and listen to the branch with a small waterfall.

Several good building sites which include mountain view, creek frontage or wooded lot. There is a hiking trail to the Appalachian Trail and close by National Forest Service land. Visit our website for more information.

Brian

Tor is "touring" Ellijay!!

I wanted to update you on our scarecrow's adventures around town. "Tor" spent most of his time hanging out on the square for the local scarecrow contest. He was highly praised for his good looks :) He liked it on the square so he hung out until he heard that Community and Southern Bank was dressing up like pirates for Halloween on Friday Oct. 29. He decided that he had been on the square long enough and wanted to hang out with other pirates for the day. So Tor walked the plank and landed in the CSB lobby with all the other pirates! He greeted everyone as they walked in the door say, "Ahoy Maties!" When the bank closed for the day he and Chris the crow gathered up their booty and headed back to the safe harbors of Mountain Aire Realty.

We welcomed him home!!

Hanging out at Community and Southern Bank.

Watching out for other ships on the square.

~Kirbi~

Social Networking Really? Why?

As you can tell our Office has now started getting into the social media craze. Before I had a class through our Realtor Board I thought that it was all just a bunch of hooeeey, after the class I realized that there is a whole world out there more then just letting someone know that I am going to get lunch or going home. It really is a great way to get our message about about listings, the office and events the office is participating in. It really is a great way to promote the local area. It can reach far more people and more than just our neighborhood faster than anything else I could think about. Just a click and the world can find out what is happening in Ellijay, GA (not much usually but there's more then you would think). So follow us on Facebook or join our Twitter page to get the lastest updates.

So I am writing this blog hoping that others out there can find out a little more about Mountain Aire Realty and the things we do.

Stop by our office to find out about the area, enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or chocalate. We hope you hope you love the area as much as we do.

Brian

On the Way to the Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a continuous marked footpath that goes from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Katahdin in Maine, a distance of about 2160 miles. The Trail begins in Georgia at Springer Mountain and leaves the Peach State 79 miles later at Bly Gap. The rugged and frequently rocky terrain reaches a height of more than 4400 feet and never dips below 2500 feet. You can reach Springer Mountain from Ellijay going up Big Creek road to Double Head Gap, from Georgia Highway 60 down Double Head Gap, or come from Blue Ridge across Aska Road to Newport and then Double Head Gap. All drives are beautiful this time of year by themselves. These are a few of the photos I took this week along the ride to the start of the drive up the mountain off Double Head Gap. Remember getting there is half the fun. The photo of the road is at the turn off of Double Head Gap. From Double Head it's 6.5 miles up to Springer. Keep your eyes open for the beauty all around you no matter which road you take.

Visit Carters Lake

VISIT CARTER'S LAKE

Carters Lake is a 3,220 acre US Corp of Engineers lake in the north Georgia mountains between Ellijay and Calhoun. There is plenty to do on and around this beautiful lake. There is camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, boating , biking, picnicing, and swimminng. Take a picnic to one of seven recreation areas. Put you boat in at one of the ramps available at four different locations. Hike to the see the water of Tails Creek cascading over the rocks into the lake at Ridgeway Park. Play horse shoes while the kids enjoy the play structure at North Bank Park. There is something for everyone to do. Last Sunday at North Park there was an outdoor wedding. For more information, maps and the history of the lake go to the Carter's Lake Visitors Center off Highway 136.

39th ANNUAL GEORGIA APPLE FESTIVAL

Today is the beginning of the Georgia Apple Festival and while driving around Ellijay we see auto plates from as far away as Michigan and Ohio. It's that good an event. Skies are sunny with a cool breeze in the air, you can't ask for a better Fall then that. The Apple Festival is this weekend and next, October 9 - 10 and October 16 -17 in Downtown, Ellijay, Ga. Come, join the fun.

Scarecrows invading Ellijay?

Ellijay, GA is being invaded by Scarecrows, it is a ghostly site and just in time for the Apple Festival. The local business's are being creative and building their scarecrows to display all throughout downtown. They will be around for the entire month of October and get judged based on creativity. If you are interested in more information go to the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce website and view the details.



Our office came up with the pirate "Tor" as in Realtor. He actually says Rrrrrr! Stop by and say hello to Tor he is located on the circle pointing toward 52 west.

It is an event like this that adds so much to our community. It is a great time and lots of fun to make and enjoy seeing all the participants entries. So stop by downtown Ellijay if you dare and look for your favorites.

If you are interested in real estate while here please visit our website at Mountain Aire Realty.

Brian

Come to the Georgia Apple Festival in Gilmer County

This is The Weekend! The start of the Georgia Apple Festival is this weekend and next weekend. It's the biggest happening in our county and we all thoroughly enjoy and look forward to it. All of our family members come up from Atlanta to enjoy a wonderful weekend at the festival, visit the Pumpkin Patches with the kids, and go to the apple houses to stock up for the season. It's a wonderful time and we have ordered perfect weather for the weekend. Please come and see what a great time you can have in Gilmer. If you need help finding something on Saturdays, stop by our office at 97 Mulberry Street off of Hwy 515 in East Ellijay by the Conoco Station and a member of our staff will be happy to give you directions or make suggestions. Sundays, we're by appointment only.
For the Apple Festival: http://www.georgiaapplefestival.org/information.htm

When?
October 9th - 10th 2010
October 16th - 17th 2010
What Time?
Sat. 9am - 6pm
Sun. 9am - 5pm
Where?

Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds
1729 South Main Street
Ellijay, Georgia 30540

Admission: Adult - $5.00 Children under 10 are FREE

Parking is FREE Parking Donations Appreciated! Suggested donation of $2 (Local Boy Scouts)

Fall is in the Air!

Lake Blue Ridge last fall

Views from Greystone in Ellijay last fall

Well the cool morning air and comfortable afternoon highs can only mean that fall is actually arriving. It won't be long before the leaves paint the mountains with spectacular scenes. Fall is the best time of the year here in the mountains with the apples coming in from the orchards to all the small town festivals. This is the perfect time to ride along the roadsides enjoying all the scenery with amazing colors of fall. So if your favorite football team is away on a Saturday come up and stop by our office for a free local map and cup of coffee. Then head out and enjoy our little piece of heaven.

Gilmer Arts and Heritage

Check out the Gilmer Arts and Heritage Association sometime at http://gilmerarts.org/ . They have a lot going on in Gilmer County. Tomorrow, September 26 will be the Picnic by the River at the ETC Pavilion on Legion Road at 6pm. The Georgia Wayback Band will be entertaining.
They also provide The Best series of concerts, art classes and much more. We thank the Gilmer Arts and Heritage Association for making Gilmer County a more artistic and musical place and hope you will support them too.

The Rodeo Came to Town

The Gilmer County Saddle Club had their largest turnout to date for the Rodeo Championship event last weekend. Mountain Aire was a proud sponsor for the event. There were over 5,000 attendee's much to the surprise of everyone. The sponsors were thrilled with the turnout not to mention the exciting time everyone had watching the rodeo. It was standing room only (they promised next year to have more stands). So mark you calenders for next years event. It should be around the same time mid September.

Gilmer Recognized September 11th on Saturday

The people of Gilmer County gathered to recognize the lives that were taken on September 11th at a gathering on Saturday at the Veterans Memorial Bridge.  The Gilmer Boy Scouts led the commemorative walk that ended with a placement of colors in front of the veterans bridge.    

THE GEORGIA WAYBACKS BAND

Come see the local sounds of The Georgia Waybacks. They will be appearing at the ETC Pavilion on Legion Rd. on Sunday, September 26, 2010.  Gates will open at 6 pm.  This will be the last river music event of the year.   For reservations call GAHA at 706-635-5605.  Hope to see you there!!!!! Click here to visit their Facebook page
Gilmer County is full of music come up and listen for a while.

Festivals in the area!!

When the morning air is crisp, the afternoons are warm, the leaves start changing colors, and the apple houses are open means one thing.  The fall season is upon us!!  When the fall season arrives it comes with lots of festivals in the area.  I have looked up some different festivals to tell you about.  These festivals are in Gilmer county and the surrounding areas.  In Jasper Georgia you have the Georgia Marble Festival.  Those dates are Oct. 2 and 3.  You can take the marble quarry tours, shop, and watch different exhibitors put on a show.  Visit http://www.pickenschamber.com/ for more information on this festival.  In Gilmer county you can enjoy the Cherry Log Festival on Oct. 2 and 3 and Oct. 9 and 10.  This is a smaller festival with booths of handmade crafts and lots of food choices.  You also have the Georgia Apple Festival in Gilmer county.  It always occurs the 2 and 3 weekends in Oct.  The dates this year are Oct. 9 and 10 and Oct. 16 and 17.  You have homemade crafts, lots of food choices, and great entertainment.  Visit http://www.georgiaapplefestival.org/ for more information.  In Blairsville you have the Georgia Sorghum Festival.  There are many food and crafts booths along with entertainment.  Visit http://www.blairsvillechamber.com/ for more information.  This is just a select few of the festivals going on in this area.  You can find more information on other festivals by visiting the local chamber of commerce websites for each county.  Come and enjoy the fall days and have a great time at one of these festivals!!

~Kirbi~

Ellijay Ga. walking path

The North Georgia Mountains are known for, among other things, their hiking trails.  They are all over the area and can be as small as 1/2 mile to the length of the Appalachian Trail.  However for those of us who cannot walk these long trails, or need some walking exercise before or after work, there is an alternative.  The walking path at the Gilmer County Park on Old Hwy. 5 is a 1.5 mile walk along the Coosawattee River.  It meanders through a beautiful tree lined paved path between the river and the ball parks.  Since the building of the new canoe launch, it has an additional walking gravel path also.  In the morning hours the path is bustling with early morning walkers.  The friendly atmosphere of all the walkers is a great way to start your day.  Once I started walking every morning,  I noticed my attitude is better and with that my days are better.  Morning, afternoon or evening, it's a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.  Check it out.

Gilmer County Mountain Bike Capital of Georgia

Did you know that Gilmer County is Georgia's "Mountain Bike Capital".  That's right! We have over 100 miles of trails.   There is a large volunteer group that maintains the trails.  Some of the popular trails include the following:

Bear Creek Trail:  14 miles intermidiate terrain

Carters Lake: 5.6 miles intermeadiate terrain

Fort Mountain: 4 trails vering from beginner to advanced

Now that the weather will be cooling off it is a great time to hit the trails.  Soon the leaves will be turning offering an amazing array of color to behold.  For more information please click the link below:
Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce Mountain biking

Hope to see you on the trails soon!