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by Mary Catherine Gaston Spring has sprung in Georgia, and that means some of the year’s sweetest events are just around the corner, all across the state. Make the most of the wonderful weather by taking in one or more of these rural Georgia gems in April! If you love spring time in south Georgia, head to SwampFest, the biggest party of the year in Waycross, April 5-6. The annual event features a variety of live music acts, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks, a car show, kids zone, fireworks show and more. It’s a great time of year to explore the Okefenokee Swamp Park and National Wildlife Refuge, too, so make a long weekend of it if you can. The first weekend in April brings one of the biggest events of the year to tiny Darien. McIntosh County’s annual Blessing of the Fleet is actually the largest event of its kind on the East Coast, and it takes place this year April 5-7. Join locals as they celebrate the area’s shrimping industry with live music, an art show, 5K, marine parade and more, culminating in the bestowal of blessings on the area’s shrimp boat captains and crews Sunday, April 7. Recognized by Southern Living magazine as one of the South’s “prettiest small towns,” Washington is home to more antebellum homes per capita than any other locale in the nation. Get a sneak peek inside a few of those gems during the Spring Tour of Homes and Art Show April 6. Discounted tickets to other local historical attractions are also available during the event. Experience the art of Southern storytelling at the Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival in Young Harris April 12-13. Featuring live performances from five nationally renowned, professional storytellers over the two-day event, the festival also includes opportunities for amateurs and beginners to hone their own storytelling skills. Admission is free for attendees ages 18 and younger, and senior adults pay a reduced rate. A middle Georgia favorite, the Perry Dogwood Festival returns to downtown Perry April 13-14. There is something for everyone at this year’s event, including both kid and adult zones with age-appropriate activities and vendors. Browse arts and crafts vendors, enjoy an array of area food truck options and stroll through the shops that call downtown Perry home year-round. Thomasville makes the most of April with not one but two festivals back-to-back weekends in April. The Due South Art, Food and Music Festival brings together art, food and live music on April 20 at the Ritz Amphitheater downtown. The following weekend, April 26-27, the 103rd Thomasville Rose Show and Festival will fill downtown Thomasville with flowers, parades, a street dance and more. Held annually the last weekend in April, the Georgia Strawberry Festival in Reynolds is the self-proclaimed “Sweetest Spot in Georgia.” With activities ranging from a weenie dog race to a tractor parade to a strawberry pie eating contest, the April 27 event is truly outstanding in its [strawberry] field. Nothing says spring in south Georgia quite like a sack of sweet Vidalia onions, and that is exactly what the Vidalia Onion Festival celebrates. Happening April 25-28, the festival features a recipe contest, sidewalk chalk drawing contest, art show, fun run and even an air show featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team. Celebrate Georgia’s official state vegetable in style (and in Vidalia) this April! With all this fun happening in rural Georgia, there’s no good reason to spend you weekends this spring anywhere else! Don’t see your favorite rural Georgia event highlighted here? Drop us a line, and we will make sure to give it a shout-out on our social media. Photo credits from top: Darien shrimp boats, courtesy of Darien Blessing of the Fleet Chantilly Plantation, by Danielle Hulsey Vidalia onion rings, by EZ-E Photography

by Mary Catherine Gaston If the warmer weather and longer days have inspired you to get out and make memories, we recommend keeping it rural at these popular March events throughout the Peach State. With a population of just over 16,000, wee Dublin, Georgia, celebrates St. Patrick just as wholeheartedly—though on a slightly smaller scale—as the original Fair City of the Emerald Isles. Events throughout the month of March include a hot air balloon festival, arts and crafts festivals, concerts, parades, and even leprechaun-themed wrestling event. Print the complete event guide here or follow the Dublin Laurens St. Patrick’s Festival on Facebook to plan your own celebration. Head south to Bainbridge for River Town Days March 9 and enjoy live music, local eats, arts and more. All the fun takes place at Earle May Boat Basin on the famous Flint River. Find out just how McIntosh County got its name during Scottish Heritage Days at Fort King George in Darien, March 15-16. Family-friendly activities include living history demonstrations of 18th century life at the oldest fort in Georgia. Spring is the best time to be outside in south Georgia, making the Kingsland Spring Carnival March 21-24 a great way to make the most of the milder temps and later sunsets. One of the states most distinctive annual events, Ashburn’s Fire Ant Festival, will take place this year March 22-23. Featuring a fire ant calling contest, Manty Hose challenge, 5K run, fireworks and more, this is one south Georgia original you must add to your rural bucket list. April will bring even more fun to small towns and rural communities throughout Georgia, so be sure to check back on our blog and social media as you plan how to spend those sunny weekends as well. Does your hometown host an event or program you’d like to see us share? Send us a Facebook message or email mcgaston@ruralga.org with details. Photo credits from top: Callie Landeros at Fire Ant Festival by Summer Landeros River Town Days courtesy of Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce Flame the Fire Ant by Sami Mastrario

by Mary Catherine Gaston Increase your Georgia book smarts by stepping into the worlds of three American literary giants—all within a few miles of downtown Eatonton. The state of Georgia has contributed more than its fair share to the American literary canon. While numerous great works have come from writers with ties to the state’s metropolitan areas, three of Georgia’s—and America’s—most famous authors have made their homes within the area now known as Lake Country, making a visit to the area a must for every fan of Georgia-grown prose. An appreciation for the wealth of literary genius that has haled from the Peach State begins in the heart of downtown Eatonton at the Georgia Writers Museum. Located just across the street from the Putnam County courthouse, the museum celebrates Georgia writers through exhibits, a book and gift shop featuring their works, and events for writers and readers throughout the year. Created by volunteers and opened in ????, the museum also features a display dedicated to Georgia Writers Hall of Fame inductees. Just next door to and accessible from inside the museum is Sylvia’s Coffee. Featuring freshly brewed coffees from Oconee Coffee Roasters of Madison, and sweets baked by Coasties Bakery of Milledgeville, Sylvia’s is the perfect place to relax with a good read from the GWM shop. It’s also a peaceful place to plan which route to take to the next three must-see literary locales Eatonton has to offer. The planning part is made easy for you by GWM’s turn-by-turn driving tour directions, which can be accessed from wherever you may be via your mobile device. As mentioned above, three of America’s most famous writers lived and wrote within a few miles of the museum, and two of those, Joel Chandler Harris and Alice Walker, are featured in the museum’s driving tours. The Harris tour is a great way to take in lovely downtown Eatonton while also learning about this prolific nineteenth-century writer. Famous for putting the Brer Rabbit tales in print, Harris was born and raised in Eatonton. Therefore, most of the stops on this tour can be reached on foot from the GWM, including the Uncle Remus Museum. Only the last, Turnwold Plantation, where Harris first worked in the printing business, will require a short drive. For a glimpse into the early life of Pulitzer Prize winner Alice Walker, the museum’s tour guide is equally helpful. And while several of the Color Purple author’s tour stops can also be reached on foot, the Walker enthusiast will want to drive to take in the author’s birthplace, childhood home and church, all of which are located just east of Eatonton. Though Walker left the area after high school, experiencing her childhood haunts offers insight into the making of one of the most powerful voices of the past century. From the Ward’s Chapel AME Church and cemetery where Walker’s parents are interred, a half-hour’s drive will land you at the award-winning interpretive center at Flannery O’Connor’s Andalusia Farm. Located in neighboring Baldwin County just outside Milledgeville, Andalusia was home to O’Connor and her mother for the last 13 years of the writer’s life. During her residence there, the younger O’Connor completed two novels and 32 short stories, many of which drew inspiration from the farm and surrounding community. Other O’Connor sites to see are included in this list from the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Convention and Visitors Bureau. If you hope to take in the GWM and walk in all three authors’ footsteps, it would be wise to plan to spend more than a day in the Eatonton/Milledgeville area. To plan your rural retreat, make use of all the helpful info provided at the Visit Eatonton and Visit Milledgeville websites along with the other links in this post. Images from top to bottom: Downtown Eatonton mural by M.C. Gaston Georgia Writers Museum provided by GWM Uncle Remus Museum by M.C. Gaston Flannery O’Connor’s Andalusia by M.C. Gaston

Deb Cantrell is a project manager for the Rural Center, focusing on north Georgia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Clayton State University as well as a master’s degree in higher education administration from Georgia Southern University. Following a 20-year career in K-12 education, Cantrell most recently served as program coordinator for an Appalachian Regional Commission-funded workforce development initiative. In this role, she developed innovative approaches to solving workforce challenges in five rural Georgia counties. Cantrell also chairs the board of directors of the Copper Basin Federal Credit Union. She and her husband Russell live in McCaysville and enjoy spending time with their son and his family, including their four grandchildren. What is one item that's produced in rural Georgia that you would not want to live without? “That is a tough one because I love all the fresh produce, but nothing says summertime in Georgia like peaches!”

by Mary Catherine Gaston Beautifully restored and revitalized, downtown Dublin is a side trip worth slowing down for. Located just east of the center of the state, Dublin, Georgia, was once one of the South’s busiest railroad towns. While the trains, tracks and traffic no longer bring travelers to the heart of this real Georgia gem, historic downtown Dublin is just a hop, skip and a jump from Interstate 16. Read on to find out why the Rural Center recommends it as a must-see, small-town side trip! Where is Dublin? About an hour southeast of Macon, Dublin can be accessed via Interstate 16 exits 49, 51 and 54. Who should make Dublin a stop? East- or west-bound Interstate travelers searching for a stop between Savannah and Macon should plan on breaking their trip at Dublin. Within a few minutes’ drive of I-16, you’ll find just about anything you could possibly need in one of the prettiest downtowns in the state. Traveling with pups in tow? The Dublin Visitors Center at exit 51 boasts a dog park and offers guests free coffee, free wi-fi, clean restrooms and a friendly staff ready to answer any Dublin-related question you can come up with. Downtown Dublin’s restaurants, shops and sites are a short 10-minute drive from the visitors center. What’s best to do, see, and eat in Dublin? Depending on how long you have to spend on this small-town side trip, there is plenty to prioritize, but here are a few popular places to start your list. DO: If your legs (or your pup’s) need a stretch, plan to take in one of downtown Dublin’s walking tours. Choose from the app-based Downtown Dublin Audio Tour, the Historic Dublin Walking Tour or the Historic Bellevue Avenue Walking Tour. Or opt for a leisurely stroll through Stubbs Park, a favorite local picnic spot just a few blocks off the “main drag.” Jackson Street also offers a number of unique shops to browse for a souvenir of your side trip. Hello Sunshine is a local favorite where you can “purchase with a purpose”. Don’t leave downtown without stopping in at Strickland‘s Boots, Smith’s Jewelers, Dublin International Market and the Exchange. SEE: For a small town, Dublin has a lot to take in. Recent restoration work at the Dublin Carnegie, Theater Dublin and the “Dublin Skyscraper” (Georgia Military College) make these architectural treasures must-sees for proponents of preservation. Likewise, history buffs will want to experience Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Monument Park, which commemorates the Civil Rights leader’s first public speech, delivered in 1944 at the nearby First African Baptist Church. EAT: Likely the most difficult decision you will make during your side trip to Dublin will be which of the town’s unique, local restaurants to try! Local favorites Company Supply, Deano’s, Saltwater Fishery, Jack’s Burgers, Minute Grill and Miller’s Soul Food are all located within walking distance of the Laurens County Courthouse square. There is ample, free, public parking near all of these options, but check this webpage for hours of operation before you set your heart on a specific spot. If lighter fare is what you crave, Dublin’s got you covered with more local favorites, like ice cream from Rosie’s, coffee from Society Kaffe, or donuts from Williamson’s Bakery. A bit further afield but definitely worth the drive is Brian’s Giant Subs, located in the same center as Williamson’s Bakery and closer to the Dublin VA Healthcare complex. Find out more at visitdublinga.org or on Facebook, or scroll through reviews of Dublin hot spots at TripAdvisor. When is the ideal time to visit Dublin? As in most of the South, spring and fall promise the most enjoyable weather for walking or enjoying outdoor seating at restaurants. Along with her namesake across the pond, Dublin celebrates St. Patrick’s Day throughout the month of March, making it a popular month for locals and visitors alike. How much time should I allot for a side-trip to Dublin? Due to downtown’s proximity to the Interstate, your side trip to Dublin can be squeezed into an hour if you’re in a rush. However, the Rural Center recommends you allocate a little more time to stroll through the beautifully restored and reinvigorated heart of this rural Georgia town! Photos courtesy of Visit Dublin GA and Explore Georgia.

by Mary Catherine Gaston Paralyzed from the waist down by the polio virus, Franklin Delano Roosevelt first arrived in the quiet community of Warm Springs, Georgia, in 1924. He was eager to swim in the spring-fed pools of the famous Meriwether Inn, but Roosevelt quickly acquired an appreciation for more than the warm water. The man who would one day lead the nation through the Great Depression and World War II delighted in the warmth of the rural people and the welcome they gave him. Roosevelt soon decided to purchase property and build a home and polio rehabilitation center in Warm Springs. He visited his Little White House frequently throughout the remainder of his life, and it was at his tiny home-away-from-home that he passed away in 1945. The time he spent in Warm Springs shaped not only Roosevelt, but the nation as a whole; his relationships and experiences in rural Georgia led to the enactment of the Rural Electrification Act and creation of the Rural Electrification Administration and the electric cooperatives through which electricity was brought to rural homes and farms throughout the United States. The same location that enchanted and inspired FDR is still a draw today. Located along the fall line that separates Georgia’s Piedmont region from the Coastal Plain, the Warm Springs area is home to a number of natural springs and waterfalls. Additionally, the breathtaking vistas from atop the Pine Mountain Range, especially from FDR’s favorite picnic spot on Dowdell’s Knob in F.D. Roosevelt State Park are arguably some of the best in Georgia. The 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail can be accessed from Dowdell’s Knob and offers hikers an opportunity to take in these views, while Meriwether County’s eight Gravel Travel routes give off-road cyclists all the info they need to enjoy an off-the-beaten-path excursion. Those who feel more at home on the water will want to check out the Flint River Water Trail. For those who prefer to explore the built environment, historic downtown Warm Springs is a rare gem worth discovering. Just be sure to plan your downtown excursion Tuesday through Saturday, as most downtown businesses are closed Sundays and Mondays. In addition to a number of unique shops and boutiques, hungry visitors can choose from a variety of dining options without leaving the “main drag”, all of which are highly recommended by locals. Dinner’s Ready by Chad, Bulloch House and Lightning Bug’s Cafe and Bakery anchor either end of Broad Street, while Franklin’s, Mac’s BBQ and the food truck at Xtreme Rider are located within walking distance of Broad. A bit further afield—but worth the detour—are Warm Springs Winery and the Historic Pools Museum. Taste muscadine and fruit wines made from locally grown produce at the former or tour the very pools where FDR once swam at the latter. Each promises a unique and memorable addition to your Warm Springs experience, as does the National Fish Hatchery. While outdoor enthusiasts often opt to overnight at one of FDR State Park’s cottages or campsites, the Warm Springs area has a n umber of other lodging options. Hotel Warm Springs Bed and Breakfast is conveniently located on Broad Street within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants. Aiden by Best Western and Meriwether Country Inn are just off Broad, while Mountain Top Inn and Resort offers a more secluded short-term stay. A number of events throughout the year are worth the drive or an overnight visit in Warm Springs. The second Saturday of October brings Harvest Hoedown, and the second Saturday in April is Spring Fling. The Friday before Thanksgiving is the kickoff of Candlelight Weekends, with extended shopping hours at downtown businesses, Victorian carollers, Christmas decorations, visits with Santa and more. Even if you can’t make it to town during these celebrations or are just driving through, Warm Springs and Meriwether County have created opportunities for those who can’t slow down for a day or a stay! Check out the Meriwether Murals Trail driving tour or cruise the Meriwether-Pike Scenic Byway. Just compiling all of this has those of us at the Rural Center ready to retreat to Warm Springs, and we hope you will too! Whether it’s a girls’ getaway, camping trip, destination wedding or weekend away, remember that your dollars spent in Georgia’s small towns and rural communities help keep wonderful places like Warm Springs alive and well for all of us to enjoy. So, hit the road to less-populated places, and let us know what you discover on your next rural retreat. Photo credits from top: Roosevelt’s Little White House, M.C. Gaston Dowdell’s Knob Panorama, M.C. Gaston View from Aiden, bestwestern.com Downtown Warm Springs, Warm Springs Merchants Association via Facebook

by Mary Catherine Gaston Perry native James Farmer makes his living as a multimedia lifestyle mogul, but he makes his home in rural Georgia. This is the second story in our Hometown Hero series, which shines a light on rural Georgians whose work Helps their rural communities, making a difference that reaches beyond their own lives, Encourages others to remain in, return to and invest in their own rural communities, Reflects positively on their rural communities and on life throughout rural Georgia, and is Ongoing, revealing a true commitment to and hope for the future of their communities. Each of the heroes we highlight has made and continues to make a choice to call rural Georgia home. This criterion is as noteworthy as it is obvious, since it is, after all, the most fundamental, most significant and—in today’s world—arguably the most admirable of the criteria our heroes hold in common. This qualification makes all the difference. James Farmer has built a multi-faceted lifestyle firm that not only bears his name, but also his personality. At just 39, the Houston County native and his brand have become symbols of classic Southern style and spirit. With the notoriety he’s earned not only as a designer, but also as a sought-after speaker and best-selling author, Farmer could conceivably conduct his business from any location on earth. But this middle Georgia boy always knew he would establish his empire at home. As a matter of little-known fact, Farmer has been choosing his hometown as his professional HQ since he was a pre-teen. His first venture was a one-man, curb-appeal-improvement operation called Leaf it to Me. Beautifying his neighbors’ lawns and porches led naturally to other decorating gigs, and by the time Farmer finished his degree in horticulture and art history at Auburn University, he had successfully run numerous profitable enterprises and assembled an enviable network of associates and admirers in the process. Still, there was no question where the young entrepreneur would set up shop. When asked today, “Why Perry, of all places,” his answer is simple and straightforward. “Well, it’s my hometown,” Farmer asserts, politely but unapologetically. “But I chose to come back here selfishly because I knew where I would bank. I knew who my attorney would be. That makes Perry an easy place for me to conduct business because those things are off my plate. I can focus on being a designer.” Apparently there is something to Farmer’s philosophy, as playing to his strengths has allowed him to publish 10 books, make frequent appearances on the TODAY Show, act as an editor for Southern Living magazine and travel extensively for speaking engagements all while piloting a prolific design team with projects throughout the US. Did we mention he is a social media sensation? All that hustle leaves a body in need of a reasonable amount of rest, however, and that is another reason Farmer calls Houston County home. “I just don’t know that I could truly relax anywhere else,” he says. Maggie Schuyler calls Farmer a “dear friend,” and she will tell you without hesitation that he would never call himself a hero for bringing his business back home. Instead, she says, her friend shies away from the spotlight, happy just to be himself in the midst of the people and place he cherishes most. “James absolutely loves Perry,” she says. “He would never classify himself as a ‘hero,’ but he definitely is one.” Schuyler should know; not only are she and Farmer friends, but she is also president and CEO of the Perry Area Chamber of Commerce. In that role, she interacts with him and a growing list of other Perry business people daily. She recalls when Farmer purchased the building in downtown Perry that now houses his design studio, storefront and event space. That was about a decade ago, when Schuyler says downtown Perry was “on the cusp” of becoming the charming, cheerful destination it is today. Farmer was one of the first to see the area’s potential before elected officials’ revitalization efforts began in earnest in 2017. That work has meant tremendous growth for the downtown business district and the Perry area as a whole. It’s growth that has brought jobs, revenue and local pride to the place formerly known solely, albeit affectionately, as the home of the Georgia state fair. Still, Schuyler and Farmer take pride in Perry remaining as rural as it ever has been, with all the benefits that descriptor denotes. In fact, if Farmer himself could talk to every bright, young, rural Georgian pondering his or her future plans, he would tell them not to scratch the state’s small towns and crossroads communities off their list of potential landing places. “In a small town, your dollar goes further,” Farmer points out. “So, you can have a nicer house here than it Atlanta, for example. Your church may be smaller here, but you can be friends with people from other generations. In a bigger place, you’re going to hang out with other people who are all your own age.” Details like this, Farmer says, help make rural life rich and rewarding. He values the relationships he has with older people and all he’s learned from them—experiences he says he probably would not have had in a more populated place—and is hopeful as he sees older, rural friends adapting to changing times and technologies. And while his place of residence sets him apart from his fellow, famous lifestyle influencers, in Farmer’s opinion, that’s another plus to rural life. “I always like to stand out in some unique way,” he explains. “I don’t need a flashy hat or bright tie to do that. I choose to live in a small town. That makes me unique.” As he imagines the future of Perry and other rural places like it, Farmer sees much to inspire not only hope, but also pride. While Atlanta absorbs much of the state’s literal and metaphorical energy, he advises against underestimating the state’s small towns and rural communities. “Don’t overlook rural Georgia,” Farmer wants the world to know. “We’re actually the flavor of the state.” We, at Georgia’s Rural Center, could not agree more. Know of an inspiring hometown hero who deserves a moment in the spotlight? Email mcgaston@ruralga.org with the details. Photo credits from top: Emily Followill (James Farmer portrait) Jeff Herr (all design shots)

by Mary Catherine Gaston The iconic series compiled by Rabun County high school students is so much more than a history book or how-to guide; Foxfire is a genuine Georgia literary treasure. In 1966, a group of high school students at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School published the first issue of Foxfire magazine. It was an assignment from a frustrated young English teacher who had all but given up on teaching the teens. Instead of throwing in the towel, he turned the class over to the students, sending them out into the hills surrounding the school to interview elderly family members and neighbors about their way of life, local history and folklore. The interviews, articles, photographs, recipes, stories and songs the students recorded were printed using money they collected locally. The first printing of the Foxfire magazine sold out in a flash, and before they knew it, the students were shipping each new issue to addresses across the country and around the world. The first Foxfire book, a collection of material from the magazine, was published in 1972 and quickly became a national bestseller. The rest, as they say, is history. The Foxfire series grew to include 12 Foxfire books as well as multiple cookbooks, songbooks and storybooks documenting and celebrating life in southern Appalachia. While the original idea behind Foxfire was to preserve the wisdom and ways of a unique and perishing culture, the books achieved popularity as instructional guides for a sort of survivalist lifestyle. With money they earned from the book sales, the Foxfire students eventually purchased land in Rabun County and created a Foxfire museum, where Foxfire fans today can see and learn about the customs of Georgia mountain people, from how to process a hog to how to weave a basket, stuff a mattress, build a log home or make moonshine among many, many more traditional practices. People the world over have found great value in the work a group of rural, north Georgia teens began nearly 60 years ago. And while the oral history and local lore of a distinct region of the state might not interest every rural Georgian, there is ample reason for every rural Georgian to peruse the pages of the Foxfire books. For starters, the rural reader can learn a bit of Georgia history and maybe even learn to do something you never dreamed you’d do. In addition, readers will find inspiration in the stories of the people of Georgia’s mountains and the teenagers who brought notoriety and honor to their home and way of life. Perhaps the latter is the most significant potential takeaway from the entire Foxfire phenomenon and the reason we, at Georgia’s Rural Center, urge rural readers to check the magazine, books and museum out. The students who first took on the task of documenting their region’s rich history found plenty to take pride in as rural Georgians. As we look to their example, we will undoubtedly identify with the real-life characters Foxfire immortalizes—people who loved the place they called home enough to do whatever it took to make a life they loved there. The Foxfire series gets its name from a type of bioluminescent fungus that grows on decaying trees in the forests of north Georgia. On moonless nights, it can be seen shining in the deepest, darkest hollows and hills. It is a metaphor not lost on a group of rural high school students all those years ago, and one rural Georgians today can surely grasp as well: No matter your situation, you too can shine, bringing light to your community and revealing to the world why rural Georgia is a uniquely wonderful place to call home. Learn more about Foxfire and traditional life in rural Appalachia by visiting foxfire.org or following the organization on Facebook or Instagram (@foxfireorg). You can also check out what Garden & Gun magazine had to say about the Foxfire Book of Appalachian Women, released in March 2023, in this recent article. All images courtesy of The Foxfire Museum.

The 2023 Georgia's Rural Center Photo Contest has officially come to a close. With 347 photos entered into five categories, photographers across the state shed light on rural Georgia in a new and exciting way. 7,296 total votes were cast among this year's entries. The contest opened May 1, 2023, encouraging participants to enter their photos into five categories, including: Water Tanks Agriculture and Natural Resources Communities, Organizations, Leadership in rural Georgia Downtown in rural Georgia People of rural Georgia The judges used the following criteria to determine the top ten in each category: Artistic merit/creativity Composition/photographic quality Overall impact Now that the 2023 Georgia's Rural Center Photo Contest has come to an end, we are excited to officially announce the winners.

by Mary Catherine Gaston From breathtaking water views to walkable, tree-lined streets, St. Marys is a side trip worth slowing down for. Located in Georgia’s southeastern corner, St. Marys is known as the gateway to Cumberland Island, where world-famous wild horses roam. Read on to find out why the Rural Center recommends it as a must-see, small-town side trip! Where is St. Marys? While St. Marys may not be located “on the way” to any of Georgia’s larger cities, its enviable position near Georgia’s coast makes it a destination in its own right. Travelers on Interstate 95 might recognize St. Marys as the destination of the three southernmost exits within the state of Georgia. St. Mary’s can be accessed via I-95 exits 1, 3 and 6, and sits almost squarely between Brunswick and Jacksonville. Who should make St. Marys a stop? In our opinion, everyone! North-south Interstate travelers can add St. Marys to their itinerary for a meal or exercise break. Golden Isles visitors should absolutely check out this quiet coastal town during their next beach stay. What’s best to do, see, and eat in St. Marys? Depending on how long you have to spend on this small-town side-trip, there is plenty to prioritize, but here are a few popular suggestions. DO: Stretch your legs on a stroll through the beautifully designed and maintained Waterfront Park, which contains a playground for little ones as well. Georgia history buffs will enjoy the St. Marys History Walk, located down the boardwalk and across the street from Waterside Park. SEE: If you have an hour or more, plan to take in the Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum or the Submarine Museum. Have a day to explore? Reserve your round-trip tickets for the Cumberland Island Ferry ahead of time and spend several hours exploring a true treasure of the Georgia coast. EAT: Don’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy some fresh, wild-caught, sweet Georgia shrimp while you’re in St. Marys. Locals Dockside restaurant, the Riverside Café and Seagle’s are all located within walking distance of Waterfront Park and feature a wide variety of menu options, including seafood. If you happen to be downtown at mealtime, chances are you’ll see a line forming at Yankee Pie Apizza, a walk-up-style, one-of-a-kind pizza experience. Find out more at visitstmarys.com or on Facebook, or scroll through reviews of St. Marys hot spots at TripAdvisor. When is the ideal time to visit St. Marys? Each October, the St. Marys Seafood Festival draws thousands of visitors to the waterfront for races, a parade, seafood, arts and crafts vendors and entertainment. While the weather is ideal in October for outdoor fun, St. Marys seafood restaurants, museums and the Cumberland Island Ferry operate year-round. How much time should I allot for a side-trip to St. Marys? Due to downtown’s proximity to major travel routes, you can be in and out of St. Mary’s for a bite to eat in under an hour if need be. However, the Rural Center recommends you allocate a little more time to stroll through Waterside Park, relax on one of the many swings along the boardwalk. Know of the perfect rural side-trip for Georgia’s Interstate travelers? Email mcgaston@ruralga.org and tell us all about it. Photo credits from top: St. Marys Waterfront Park, M.C. Gaston Cumberland Island Ferry, Explore Georgia Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum, Explore Georgia

by Mary Catherine Gaston Serenely situated in the rolling hills of rural northeast Georgia, Cleveland is a tiny treasure waiting to be discovered! From outdoor adventures to baby doll dreams-come-true, a weekend in Cleveland offers something fun for everyone. Read on to see some of the Rural Center’s recommendations for this rural retreat. You’ve heard it said it’s not the destination that matters but the journey. When it comes to Cleveland, Georgia, both the destination and the journey are delightful. No matter which direction you’re traveling from, this getaway begins when you hit the highway, especially if you’re taking US Highway 441 north from Athens into the foothills of the Appalachians. Before you head out, set your GPS to avoid highways, and enjoy a journey through unspoiled countryside and picturesque communities. While nearby Helen has enjoyed popularity as a family-friendly vacation spot for decades, Cleveland offers plenty to do and explore. Perhaps the town’s most well-known landmark and claim to fame is Babyland General Hospital, the birthplace and home of the world-famous Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. Opened in 2009, the new facility boasts more than 70,000 square feet of CPK museum, “hospital” and gift shop, is free to visit and a great spot to picnic. North Georgia Wildlife and Safari Park is another spot families do not want to miss during this rural retreat. From a wildlife walk to a petting zoo to a safari drive-thru and about a dozen other wild animal experiences, this park is definitely worth the short drive from downtown Cleveland. Be sure to plan your visit during the weekend, because the park is only open Friday through Sunday. Explore the great outdoors at Smithgall Woods State Park, located about 15 minutes from Cleveland. The park is known for its excellent trout fishing, but hiking and bicycling are favorite activities there as well. Six cottages within the park offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy the north Georgia mountains for more than just a day. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest also offers a number of hiking trails in the vicinity of Cleveland, including the Mount Yonah trail. This 2.3-mile trail rises 1,500 feet as it leads to the top of Mount Yonah and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Yonah is the Cherokee word for bear, and it was on this mountain that the legendary story of the star-crossed Cherokee lovers Sautee and Nacoochee took place. Obviously abounding in family-friendly fun, the Cleveland area is also a great destination for grown-ups-only getaways. Several vineyards, wineries and at least one microbrewery call White County home and offer tastings, tours, events, dining and even lodging. In fact, there are five wineries within a 10-minute drive of downtown Cleveland, and a number of companies offer tours with transportation to and from sites throughout the state. If shopping’s your thing, plan to spend several hours hopping from shop to shop in downtown Cleveland. The old courthouse square downtown is loaded with unique local shops and restaurants. Enjoy a hot or cold pick-me-up from Farmhouse Coffee or Sweet Things on the Square, and rest your feet (or take advantage of an immaculate public restroom) at the lovely Farmhouse Commons event space. Pop in to see the White County History Museum, pictured above, while you’re on the square. There’s more to peruse as you leave the heart of downtown, with Blue Heron Antiques and Velvet’s Vintage being two must-see stops. As for where to stay in or near Cleveland, vacation rentals in the area abound online and are a wise way to meet locals and find out their favorite spots to picnic, play or simply enjoy the best of local life from those who know it best. And honestly, we can’t even begin to list all the uniquely delicious spots in and around Cleveland to grab a locally crafted bite to eat. Just a few local favorites include Creekside Gourmet Deli, the Soda Fountain Café, Clyde’s Table and Tavern, Cleveland Donuts and the Country Bake Shoppe. For a small town, Cleveland also boasts a variety of nationwide chain restaurants as well. Just compiling all of this has those of us at the Rural Center ready to retreat to Cleveland, and we hope you will too! Whether it’s a shopping excursion, camping trip, destination wedding or weekend away, remember that your dollars spent in Georgia’s small towns and rural communities help keep unique and wonderful places like Cleveland alive and well for all of us to enjoy. So hit the road with less-populated places pinned in your GPS and let us know what you discover on your next rural retreat. If you want to see your hometown or favorite rural Georgia getaway featured on our blog, let us know by emailing mcgaston@ruralga.org. Photo credits from top: 17 22 481 yonah by DSDugan, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Laurel Ridge interpretive trail, Smithgall Woods Conservation Area April 2017 by Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons White County Courthouse Museum by Thomson 200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

by Mary Catherine Gaston Georgia’s Rural Center exists to celebrate all that is unique and wonderful about life in the state’s small towns and crossroads communities and to build a brighter future based on that uniqueness. In this “Hometown Heroes” series, we will highlight a few of the unique and wonderful people we admire for their investments in and commitment to the state’s less-populated places. Before we begin, allow us to explain exactly what we mean by “hero.” In a literary sense, a hero is someone otherwise ordinary who pursues a purpose, remaining committed in spite of setbacks, obstacles and trials. In doing so, he or she inspires and sets a standard for others. This is the sense in which we use the word hero and the understanding with which we’ve approached this series. In other words, our heroes haven’t necessarily saved a life or even saved the day. Instead, through ongoing acts of personal responsibility, these rural Georgians are among those who are building on the best of rural life and opening others’ eyes to the potential present in the places we call home. Through this series, we aim to shine a light on rural Georgians whose work Helps their rural community, making a difference that reaches beyond their own lives, Encourages others to remain in, return to and invest in their own rural communities, Reflects positively on their rural communities and on life throughout rural Georgia, and is Ongoing, revealing a true commitment to and hope for the future of their communities. Finally, each of the heroes we highlight has made and continues to make a choice to call rural Georgia home. This criterion is as noteworthy as it is obvious, since it is, after all, the most fundamental, most significant and—in today’s world—arguably the most admirable of the criteria our heroes hold in common. This qualification makes all the difference. Without further ado, allow us to introduce our first Hometown Hero, Thomasville’s Annie B. Jones. Growing up surrounded by extended family in a quiet Tallahassee neighborhood, Annie B. Jones looked forward to the day when she could leave her hometown behind and soak in all the excitement of big-city life she’d read about in books and seen in movies. Jones was 12 when she first saw “You’ve Got Mail” and admired the lead character’s idyllic life as the owner of a small, independent bookstore in a close-knit Manhattan community. She filed the memory away and went on with life, eventually earning a degree in journalism before marrying and returning to Tallahassee while her husband attended law school. During weekend trips to nearby Thomasville, the couple came to love a little, local bookstore that brought to mind the one Jones remembered from the movie many years before. When a branch of The Bookshelf opened in their Tallahassee neighborhood, Jones jumped at the opportunity to try the trade on for size, leaving a promising path in her chosen profession for a part-time post at the satellite store. And when The Bookshelf’s owners decided leave bookselling behind, they made Jones an offer she could not refuse: Take over management of the flagship shop in downtown Thomasville, and they would credit Jones’ time toward the purchase price of the business. Jones invested several years this way, working-to-own the beloved business. Just 27 when the venture began, Jones made the last monetary payment on The Bookshelf earlier this year, just after she celebrated her 37th birthday. Today, 10 years into owning her own independent bookstore, Jones laughingly quips that she is “channeling Kathleen Kelly,” the fictional bookshop owner she esteemed as a preteen movie-goer. Though her childhood dream of metropolitan life has not come true, what she has found—and helped build—in a small Georgia town is every bit as admirable. So, what makes Annie B. Jones a hometown hero? According to Thomasville City Councilman Scott Chastain, it’s what she’s helped make happen in his hometown. “When Annie took over The Bookshelf, it was one of only a handful of businesses like that downtown,” he recalls. “This was before the coffee shop, before most of the restaurants—before downtown Thomasville was what people think of it as today.”* Jones’ role in it all is a story Chastain knows well. In addition to being a city council member and a Thomasville native, Chastain and his wife Katie are the previous owners of The Bookshelf, the very ones who hired Jones to work in Tallahassee and made the “sweat equity” offer that allowed her to buy the business. A young couple when they chose to return to Thomasville to raise their family 15 years ago, the Chastains saved The Bookshelf from closing when they purchased it soon after settling in. “Katie and I didn’t have the passion for books that Annie has,” Chastain says. “We just didn’t want to see this local business die.” Heroes in their own right, what the Chastains preserved, Jones has built into one of downtown Thomasville’s most beloved attractions. As the former owner points out, Jones has broadened The Bookshelf ‘s customer base from a local to a national reach, and in doing so, she has helped establish downtown Thomasville as a destination. With an estimated 60,000 in-person shoppers each year and thousands more served through online sales, business at The Bookshelf is booming. While book sales skyrocketed during the COVID pandemic, allowing Jones to more than double her workforce, the ventures that keep Jones busiest are not found on shelves. The podcast she started in 2014, From the Front Porch, is downloaded by more than 10,000 listeners every week. Many of those weekly podcast listeners find their way to the brick-and-mortar Bookshelf or to one of the wildly popular events Jones and her team host in Thomasville several times each year, each of them eating, staying, shopping and playing among a long list of other local establishments. It is true that Jones has built The Bookshelf into big business for the local economy, but there is an aspect of her work that she holds more dear: building community. As The Bookshelf’s mission statement—and the “mission tee” available in the online shop—proclaim, Jones and her team “believe in the power of books to shape communities and foster conversations,” inevitably bringing about a future that is brighter both in Thomas County and beyond. For Jones, the commitment to community reaches outside The Bookshelf’s artfully arranged front windows and carefully curated walls. It’s a personal commitment she lives out through leadership in programs like One Book Thomas County and the Destination Thomasville Tourism Authority. When she’s not working, Jones is an active member of Trinity Anglican Church and a Thomasville Entertainment Foundation season ticket holder. She also takes great joy in sharing good reads secondhand through the “Little Free Bookshelf” that occupies a corner of her front yard. All of this is because Jones believes in the power every person possesses—even in sparsely populated places—to effect a more preferable future. “In a divided country, the rural South is uniquely positioned to see everyone’s humanity, value and goodness,” Jones explains. “We Southerners are not a homogenous people. If we could turn down the voices of fear and anger, of those trying to force us into different corners, and see each other as neighbors, as members of the same community, we could actually show the nation the way forward.” For her part, Jones is doing just that, day in and day out, in her little slice of rural Georgia. Though she’s chosen to call a small town home—not at all how she once imagined her grown-up life going—her influence reaches far beyond rural Georgia and reflects beautifully on us all, drawing outsiders in and inspiring long-time locals to see their surroundings with new eyes. It is this sort of commitment, vision and hope we, at Georgia’s Rural Center, exist to celebrate and cultivate. Because Thomasville’s Annie B. Jones is setting such a superb standard, we consider her a true hometown hero. *In case you’re unaware, people far and wide think quite a lot of Thomasville today. Just ask our friends at Southern Living, who recently ranked it one of the Best Small Towns in the South. Or peruse the pages of Garden & Gun, which have featured Thomasville’s people and places three times in the past year alone.