Memorial Day has traditionally signaled the start of summer across the country.  Graduations, warmer weather, swimming pools, and of course cook outs, are all part of what we have come to expect as May comes to a close.

Though I love hiking in the winter, with the open woods, open views, lack of reptiles and insects, sparse human contacts, and no sweat (if properly layered with proper clothing), spring is an amazing time to watch nature and the Earth be reborn. This is the prime time of the year to see new life emerging and experience the transformation from stark grey tree trunks and dead leaf litter on the ground to various hues of green and the spectacular palette of spring wildflowers.

For the past twenty years, Dahlonega's annual "Bear on the Square" Mountain Music Festival has continued to attract more featured events and visitors every year.  As the town prepares to celebrate its 21st Bear on the Square weekend, here's the story behind its origins.

Planning a wedding is a special time in a woman’s life as she prepares to say “I Do” to the love of her life, best friend, and partner in crime. Researching wedding venues, photographers, florists, and more can take so much time and energy, especially when you don’t know who you’re meeting until you get there to see their work and get a vibe for whether or not their personality fits your wedding style.

This might be urban legend, although it comes from a good friend, whom I trust. But that friend has a wacky sense of humor, so you never know. She claims that Rita Mae Brown, renowned and prolific writer of popular fiction, and noted horse person, has an employee managing her stables – whose name is … wait for it … Page Turner.