Smoke Signals - News and Views From Big Canoe and Around North Georgia

23/01/2025

Talkin’ Trash

Ø BULK TRASH DAY on Saturday, January 25, from 10 am until 2 pm. Bulk trash is located behind the trash facilities in the Maintenance Department parking lot. Metal recycling, household trash, and bulk trash in one convenient location.

Ø NEW! ELECTRONIC RECYCLING. Did you upgrade during the holidays? We will collect laptops, phones, and other electronics at no cost. We will take them to Pickens Recycling to save you a trip. Clear your data off the units.

There is a fee for flat screen monitors which you will pay to the volunteer helping that day. It cannot go on the lot charge. Cash only. We will not take CRT TVs. Pickens has an event for these later in the year.

Fees:
Flat screen monitors:
Up to 32″ – $3.00
Larger than 32″ – $5.00

There is no thrift store on the premises for bulk trash day.

Ø THERE WILL BE NO SHREDDING THIS MONTH

The next shredding will be on April 26, 2025. Great time to clean out the files after tax day!

The Big Canoe Rotary is collaborating with FODAC (friends of disabled adults and children), to sponsor “medical equipment “recycling. Rotarians will collect the following items: Walkers, wheelchairs, scooters, canes, crutches, patient lifts, hospital beds, oxygen equipment, nebulizers, and bedside commodes. We plan to add more items as the program develops and expands. These items will be available to those in need in our north Georgia area and beyond. For questions, contact Big Canoe Rotary [email protected]; or Susan D. Schwall, [email protected] or Colleen Coulter [email protected]

Ø If you have items that could be given a new life, please post for FREE on the Big Canoe Online Exchange to keep usable items, for someone, out of the landfill. If you have glass for bulk trash, such as round tabletops or shelves, contact Lisa Schnellinger. 706-669-9933 She does not need larger glass items at this time. If you have other types of glass, other than wine bottles or food jars, check with her first before putting them in the trash. Take wine bottles and food jars to the Cove Road Recycling Center.

Ø Watch the traffic pattern and signs and please do not block the exit for those leaving the trash facility. Upon entry, you will be directed to either: 1. Trash lane or 2. Medical recycling only or shredding only.

Ø You must show your BC member ID and pay for bulk trash disposal on your lot charge. The fee charged: Car/truck/SUV loads are $20; trailer loads are $40. There is no charge for household trash, cardboard, and metal recycling. Drop off either before or after bulk trash.

Ø Items that cannot be dropped off at regular or bulk trash: Paints unless dried out, hazardous chemicals, fluorescent light bulbs, and tires.

I really appreciate your help. Questions: [email protected]

23/01/2025

Big Canoe Community Garden

Forget the frigid temps and the weather - the 2025 Big Canoe Community Garden Season starts THIS SATURDAY. Join us for and informational Meet and Greet between 11a and 1p at The Big Canoe Lodge for RENEWING Members and NEW folks who may want to have their very own raised bed in our wonderful, protected space. Open to all! Meet our Board Members. There will be an Information Program from 11:15 - 11:45 wherein we will share lot's of new ideas and then and “open reservations” period between 11:45a and 1p. Bring a checkbook, a friend, send a proxy or stop in yourself even for just a minute. For pricing or more info, send me a Direct Message on this site if needed and I will follow up. Thank you all in advance!

20/01/2025

Important Weather Update for Sunday, Jan. 19
Good evening. We have received this update from Pickens County. The National Weather Service continues to forecast dangerous cold conditions across all of northern Georgia tonight -Tuesday.

Wind chills are forecast to be at or below zero Monday morning, with actual temperatures falling to around 10 degrees. At this time, roads are expected to remain free of snow, but freezing of standing water from yesterday's rain could cause some isolated icy conditions. A major winter storm is still forecast to impact Georgia Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday.

At this time, it appears that the heaviest snow will fall south of Pickens County, with accumulations of less than an inch expected for our area. As we saw with the last winter storm, forecasts over 48 hours out can change, and we will continue to monitor later forecasts over the next couple of days.

PLEASE VISIT AND FOLLOW THE PICKENS COUNTY FACEBOOK PAGE FOR ALL THE LATEST GRAPHICS AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION.

Pickens page
Hazards Continue:
Extreme cold moves into the area Monday, with lows in the lower teens and wind chill at or below zero. The most concerning part of the forecast is that temperatures could remain below freezing for more than 80 hours (nearly 4 days). This could impact critical infrastructure and be life-threatening to those with special or functional needs.
There remains a threat for winter precipitation towards the middle of next week; however, it is still too far away to forecast the type and amounts.

Snow has fallen at higher elevations in Big Canoe, so we urge you to drive with caution. The Golf course will be closed tomorrow. We will continue to monitor this developing winter weather event.

20/01/2025

Protect yourself and your home this week!

19/01/2025

Winter Greetings From Big Canoe and Inside The Gates Radio...The Return of Looney's Tunes Today @ 6:30 P.M.

Greetings friends and family. Last week the weather was the story in Big Canoe and it knocked us out of live shows on numerous occasions, including last Sunday.
So let me say...I missed you and will make it up later today starting at 6:30 P.M. EST.
Live streaming radio is never automatic, but somehow we prevail...most of the time.

My opening tonight...The anatomy of a Looney's Tunes show. Last week's epic Show #300 was largely assembled to the tried and true methods of previous productions. Tune in early and we'll share just how it all comes together!

Included in the opening is the weekly creation of all 5 traditional segments...all of which are very much in play this evening...

*Then And Later...
Show #300 featured the superstar, Jackson Browne with an early track, Somebody's Baby (1982) followed by the 'Later' song, My Cleveland Heart from his 2021 album...just about 30 years later. Love the artists who please us for decades with new music. While it went 1st in the pecking order 2 weeks ago, it moves to a prime spot...just prior to the 5th this evening. Big twist with this one...a true family affair.

*Battle Of The Bands...
A couple of most excellent ladies confronted each other last show with Annie Lennox (Legend In My Living Room, 1992) taking on k.d. lang with her 1992 hit, Constant Craving. Had a couple of comments about how much they liked the lang track, but never knew who the artist was. It happens! 😀 Regardless, Madame lang pulled out a comfortable victory. Our battle this evening pits a couple of great American artists with songs from the late 60's, early 70's. Remember...no rules, no wrong answers and love your comments!

*Sing Along...
2 weeks ago you all were rather vocally exceptional as we all joined in with The Beatles and the song, Nowhere Man from 1965's outstanding Rubber Soul album. Beautiful Job! Tonight we step it up a couple of years for a classic song by a great California band that will have Mr. San Francisco Nights exercising his considerable vocal talents.

*Cover Me Up...
Will be our 1st of 5 segments tonight after a rather incredible segment 2 weeks ago. The Moody Blues epic, Nights In White Satin from the revolutionary masterpiece album Days Of Future Passed (1967) was followed immediately by the sisters of Larkin Poe from the Kindred Spirits, 2020 album. Incredible...as Justin Hayward also went on record thanking the sisters for covering it! Nice! Tonight, a 1968 power group provides the most outstanding original followed by a cover version released late last year. Finding this one was a treat and it will all be shared with you this evening!

*The 5th...
#300 was exquisitely guided from the start by Randall Bramblett's Witness For Love, but the vibe went legendary with follow-on tracks from Glenn Frey, The Doors, Steely Dan, Crosby, Stills & Nash and a closer by the terrific Eva Cassidy. Unreal. This evening's 5th almost makes me want to jump right to it and then I say...What are thinking LooneyMan? The 5th is placed there for a reason. Calm has prevailed and your 5th vibe awaits you!

*Have been sharing trivia with you all for a long, long time...so I see no reason to suddenly stop. Here we go!

*Few singer/songwriters are as individual and eclectic as this artist, a vocalist with a most expressive and smoky instrument. As a composer she can weave jazz, folk and even R & B into songs with a distinct pop sensibility. Her debut album in 1979 included the track most folks associate with her. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the song...

*This 1983 album by a most significant L.A. artist included a song often mistaken for social satire on 80's materialism, but that was not the artist's intentions. It was actually about nuclear detente and the way world leaders play games with the lives of innocent citizens. Ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist Rick Vito contributed to this track. Name the artist and extra credit for the name of the song...

*We'll play a track from 1968, one that predates Willie Nelson's song of the same title by 12 years. It's a forlorn bluesy tune about a lonely traveler and this version actually outcharted Nelson's ( #20) popular version as it climbed to #16. The original version actually started as a 7 minute track with extended harmonica and guitar solos...but as we all know...radio stations back then were wussies who wouldn't play 7 minute songs. Name the band and extra credit for the name of the track...

*An artist who in the last decade has helped push country to americana classification released a song in 2020 that bitterly addresses his former romantic partner. This mournful ballad opens with a somber piano line performed by former Heartbreaker keyboardist, Benmont Tench. Recorded partly in the vibe-creating Muscle Shoals, AL makes it even more worthy of inclusion in this evening's 5th segment. Name the artist...

As always...should you ever be stumped figuring the correct answers...keep guessing...but take the most pleasant route of discovering them by simply catching this evening's show later today on Inside The Gates Radio.
I had extra fun putting this one together and like fine wine maturing...this show missed being presented last week. It is desperate to be played and that bodes well for us all!

Text me and let me know you're on board!

I am most excited for the show and have another epic event to participate in tomorrow evening. The LooneyMan is cruising down to the National Championship Game to support my beloved Buckeyes! No disparaging Master Hanofee...but Go Buckeyes! At least the Irish have their whisky!

Catch you all later today!

The LooneyMan
Craig

(770)329-6469

www.insidethegatesradio.com

Follow us on Facebook...Inside The Gates Radio

Station's New Email Address...[email protected]

(Feel free to use for any questions/comments)

18/01/2025

Train Depot open today

This coming Saturday, Jan. 18, is the monthly Tate Depot open house from 10-2 in the restored Tate Depot in Tate, GA. Admission is free, parking is free, and we are wheelchair accessible.

If you are traveling on Hwy 515, turn east on Hwy 108 at the light at the 515/108 intersection and go three miles to the Tate 4-way and go to the top of the hill to the depot. We look forward to your visit.

18/01/2025

People “Get Ready!”

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/188u2khw54/?mibextid=wwXIfr

17/01/2025

Pickens Fire was dispatched to vehicle fire around 7:40 a.m. Thursday morning, Jan. 16 at the Huber Marble Plant located on Highway 53 East in Marble Hill, Ga. The vehicle was reported to be at the weigh-in station.

First arriving units found a tractor trailer with the tractor fully involved with fire. Fire personnel began the fire attack that had the fire under control in just a few minutes. The fire was contained to the tractor with no damage to exposures. The driver reported pulling into the weigh-in area and saw smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. When he raised the hood, fire erupted from the engine area.

The tractor is a total loss. A&T Towing was called to the scene to remove the vehicle. There were no injuries with this incident.

Huber manufactures raw marble products, including crushed marble (calcium carbonate) used to enhance hundreds of products, from joint compound to countertops, from wire and cable to paper coatings and from paints to rubber.

15/01/2025

Meet Sunny, a Perfect Little Ray of Sunshine!

By Kristen Palmer
Photos by Jeanne Heidler

Looking to add a bit of warmth to your life this cold winter? Allow us to introduce Sunny, a precious 8-month-old black-and-white tuxedo kitty with round, soulful eyes and an hourglass-shaped marking on her forehead. And those perfect little white paws–they only add to her irresistible cuteness!

Striking features aside, Sunny’s personality really shines. She has a super sweet and gentle disposition, loves to be petted, and is perfectly content cuddling up in someone’s lap. She would be a perfect fit for anyone seeking an affectionate, furry companion who loves to snuggle! She’s also extremely adaptable and would thrive in a single-person home, as part of a couple, or in a family environment. Have other cats? No problem! Sunny gets along wonderfully with other feline personalities, making her the ideal addition to your brood.

This precious little lady’s name couldn’t be more fitting. Sunny is truly a little ray of sunshine—full of love and eagerly awaiting her forever home, where she will brighten her new family’s lives and shower them with warmth and happiness. Don’t miss the opportunity to make her yours – she’s sure to steal your heart!

We invite you to visit our adoptable cats and kittens during Open House on Saturdays from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm or call for an appointment. They are always very welcoming to visitors, and we look forward to meeting you and helping you find your perfect feline companion.

BCAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit no-kill shelter for homeless dogs and cats found in the Big Canoe Community, providing them with a safe, healthy, and positive environment until they are adopted into their forever loving homes.

For more information:
• Call BCAR 706-268-1346.
• Check out the BCAR adoption postings in the Big Canoe Postal Facility and Package Porch.
• Go to www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org
• Check us out on Facebook

12/01/2025

Jasper Roads

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11/01/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19nF25RDut/?mibextid=wwXIfr

1/11/2025 2:00PM
ICY ROADS EXPECTED TONIGHT ACROSS NORTH AND CENTRAL GEORGIA...

Sub-freezing temperatures tonight, coupled with lingering moisture
and slush on roadways, will lead to slick spots and patches of
black ice. Ice on roads can be very difficult or impossible to
see at night. Temperatures across most areas will drop below
freezing by early Saturday evening, with temperatures not rising
above freezing until at least mid-morning Sunday.

Use extra caution while driving and slow down to reduce your
risk. Avoid sudden breaking or rapid lane changes if possible.

11/01/2025

Check out what's near you!

10/01/2025

Big Canoe is Closed • Do Not Drive Your Car

Important Weather and Road Condition Update for Friday, Jan. 10 from The POA:

Good afternoon. Big Canoe roads are currently impassable. We will reassess the situation tomorrow morning.

We do not anticipate the current ice conditions to melt due to forecast temperatures below or near freezing throughout the day tomorrow. Please continue to shelter in place.

All POA Amenities, Facilities, the Lakeside Bistro, and the Package Porch will be closed tomorrow. During this extended weather event, contractors, guests, and deliveries will not be allowed through the gates.

Please continue to support our Public Safety team by staying off the roads. Do not call Public Safety Dispatch for weather updates, power outages, or road conditions.

They will be busy managing emergency needs. Do call Public Safety Dispatch for downed trees blocking roads only. In the event of an extended loss of power, the Lodge will be our warming station.

Hazards:

Snow, sleet, or ice accumulations continue into early Saturday, followed by strong winds.
Impassible roads

Elevated risk of downed trees and power outages.

Please stay safe and warm. We will send another update tomorrow.

10/01/2025

Still need a reason to stay off the roads? Temps are dropping and that snow’s turning into black ice

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14wKmqELis/?

10/01/2025

Back in the day we had to drive to Piggly Wiggly. Cove Road was the fastest way!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FYnZ3Kf97/?

UPDATE - Cove is reopened.

🚧 Cove Road is CLOSED between Still Hollow and Grandview Road - NO THRU TRAFFIC 🚧

Our Public Safety and Public Works Departments have advised the roadway, bridge, and S curves are too dangerous to navigate in this area.

Roadway temps are COLD and this winter mix is creating an absolute mess on the roadways. This will only get worse as evening comes. Please take the advice of the City of Jasper Police Department - Georgia, Pickens County Georgia Sheriff's Office, and Pickens Emergency Management Homeland Security Agency and stay home if at all possible.

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10/01/2025

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