This review is only for the golf facilities at Currahee Club. Overall, this is a very impressive…read morefacility and is well worth a visit. There is adequate parking in front of the clubhouse and a bag drop is provided. The clubhouse was nice and the men's locker room was impressive. The driving range has a sufficient number of hitting areas and the practice putting green is very large. As I played the course in late fall, the practice facilities showed their wear from a season of use. Still, the conditions were acceptable. The practice area includes a dedicated area for bunker practice and pitching practice. While many course have a practice bunker, few have their practice facilities set up well for hitting pitch shots like Currahee Club does. One drawback to the layout is that the bunker sits between the hitting area for pitches and the green, so some coordination and care is necessary if more than a few of people are using the bunker and pitching practice area. There is a refreshment shack located at the driving range where food and drink can be purchased. Next to it is an outdoor seating area for anyone wishing to take in the view of the scenery or simply take a break from practicing. Golfers pass by this refreshment shack when going from 9th green to 10th tee. Electric golf carts were provided. As a practical matter, this course is not walkable. The green-to-tee distances are all long to very long. Many of the tee-to-fairway distances are also long. There are five sets of tees with the scorecard course lengths ranging from 5,051 to 7,394 yards. The course and slope ratings for men range from 65.9/122 to 76.1/151. This course is as difficult as the course and slope ratings indicate. The combination of forced carries, undulating terrain, large elevation changes, mounding, and minimum off-fairway forgiveness make it easy to get in trouble and stay in it. Come prepared to play or prepared to take a lot of drops and forget the scorecard. The course itself features elevation changes ranging from the small to the massive, as is to be expected at a mountain course. Most holes will have a notable uphill or downhill component with a few playing both uphill and downhill. There are a few holes that are relatively level. As is also typical of mountain courses, there are many long forced carries off the tee, particularly from the back tees. The fairway width typically ranges from wide to very wide, though there are a handful of holes where the fairway is of modest width. Generally, there is little margin for error if the fairway is missed. Some holes do have a fair amount of clean rough between the fairway and the woods or brush, but many holes have little to none. Balls landing in the woods or brush have a very high chance of being lost. On a few holes, out of bounds is located very close to the edge of the fairway. The fairways are undulating and peppered with mounds and large slopes, with most fairways throw in a fairway bunker or two for good measure. On most holes, the direction of play from tee to green is obvious. There are one or two holes with a blind tee shot. There are a few holes where the second shot may be a blind shot depending on where the tee shot comes to rest. On a few holes the direction of play from tee to green is unclear when in the tee box, though the landing area for the tee shot is visible. While there are some water hazards on the course, there are only a few holes where water hazards are a major factor. The greens are very large and well guarded with bunkers and mounding. Many greens are situated well above the fairway, requiring an extra club or two for the distance. The greens have a lot of slope and undulations. Some of the greens with larger slopes make it difficult to stop the ball near the hole if you are on the "wrong side" of the slope. The bottom of some of the green-side bunkers is well below the surface of the green, perhaps 15 feet, if not more. Surprisingly, the course only has a few holes with really good views of the surrounding area. Most of the time your view is blocked by trees. The back tees have the best views by far. If you are playing from one of the forward tees, be sure to take in the view as you pass by the back tees and be ready to stop and snap a photo when a good view appears. A couple of the fairways offer good views as well. You'll want your camera (and nerves) ready at the par 3 #17. My overall rating is 4* because the course had some rough spots on it. I saw a couple of tee boxes that I'd expect to see at 2* course and a few greens with conditioning closer to what I see at a 3* course. The fairway conditioning was close to 5*. Perhaps due to the inclement weather the day I played, the bunkers had not been raked by the course staff and in a few of the bunkers the previous golfers had not raked their own footprints smooth. Overall, I would play this course again and recommend the course to other golfers.

Golf course is challenging, well kept and moves quickly. There are several holes you will want to…read morehave your camera ready....#1, #8, #10 #13, #14 and especially #17 the par 3 Quarry hole 200 yards over a live water quarry. Food and staff great, Cart gals very pleasant and can pour a great transfusion! The club house is beautiful but in need of maintenance due to the age. Great bourbon selection! The homes are spectacular and many lots available, I have lived in the Atlanta area for 28 years and haven't heard of this club till 3 years ago, it is the best kept secret in the North Georgia mountains! and only 90 minutes from Mansell Road!

Amazing! We held a rehearsal dinner at The Venue at the Star Theater and there could not have been…read morea more awesome location! We received so many compliments. The minute our guests walked in they were in awe! The lights, the gorgeous brick - all of it! Jim and Christy were very good at communicating and making sure everything was perfect! Since I was planning it from California, I took advantage of their decorating service and Christy was on-point with what I wanted. It made for a wonderful evening!

I think I missed reviewing the first time I went. Good enough to go back and take my kid…read more I like a good breakfast. The people and the location make it better. Got waffle with bacon and eggs. My kid got French toast with bacon and grits. These are our favorite foods, and they're done just right. Take time to visit the shops around the area!

The X-Factor has delicious foods on their menu and I tried several. The offer breakfast and lunch…read morebut only open until 3pm. The servers were extremely polite and helpful when asking about menu items. Our food was delivered to our table in a timely manner and again by a friendly staff member. The restaurant has a country store feel with many sports memorabilia items throughout its indoor dining and bar area.

I ordered a charcuterie board for my aunt in Greenville after my uncle passed away, and I could not…read morebe more impressed. From start to finish, she was incredibly responsive, kind, and professional. The board was delivered right on time and was absolutely beautiful. The presentation was thoughtful, elegant, and clearly crafted with care. It was generous in size and easily served our group. During a difficult time, she made the entire process seamless and stress-free. I'm so grateful for her attention to detail and the quality of her work. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a stunning charcuterie display and exceptional service.

We needed a caterer to serve a light crowd at our mother's surprise birthday party. Melissa was…read morevery responsive and knowledgeable. She made excellent suggestions for the party after given the details. She and her crew took care of everything, so we could focus on celebrating with our guests. We were incredibly pleased with the product and service. Straub's goes above and beyond. Would highly recommend hiring them for any and every event.

THE TOCCOA HARVEST FESTIVAL!…read more The Toccoa Harvest Festival takes place in downtown Toccoa in Stephens County during the last week of October. It is now in its 40th year. We decided to visit for the first time this year. We headed out before dawn and as the sun came up, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery and change of colors. As per usual, we had planned to get there at least an hour before the start of the actual event which was scheduled to start at 10 am. We actually arrived around 8:30 am and was surprised to see several vendors already set up as well as volunteers providing directions. These small town people don't play! After eating breakfast we set out to view the vendors' wares and to see what was "poppin". My first stop was at the classic car show where I met Kent and his classic blue Chevy truck, (see the photo). `I absolutely love classic vehicles, (especially trucks), so I always have to get the "back story". This truck was purchased approximately four years ago when it was seen on someone's property. Kent had asked about the truck but the man had said that his son was planning on purchasing it. Approximately one month later, Kent saw the truck and stopped by again. At that time he was told that someone else was interested in the car and had stopped by earlier in the day. Kent offered the man cash on the spot and sealed the deal. He then spent the next four years stripping the truck and rebuilding it. All of the work was done in his garage or yard, including the paint. I was blown away to know that he had completed all of the work, (except the welding) himself. He did a phenomenal job because he showed me his book that documented the process. Collectors always have a book to document their restoration process so just ask if you are curious. I really enjoyed talking to this guy! We met another guy who had this sick 1935 International "flower wagon" that was once used to transport flowers to funerals. It too had been totally stripped and restored with a beautiful red interior and custom additions. Incredible! I could have spent hours here but I needed to explore more. There were a variety of vendors selling a variety of items such as candles, holiday décor, homemade soaps, jewelry, toys, hair accessories, art leather goods and more. I ran into my favorite jewelry vendor who I tend to purchase sets from exclusively. She didn't have anything that I don't already own so I ordered a custom piece that I will pick up at the next festival, because we just tend to run in the same circles. I must confess that I am getting a great deal because I am a repeat customer and she wants a pound cake! She is one of the few vendors who actually uses sterling silver and genuine stones while the others will just tell you that those materials are too expensive. I also like her because she does the larger adjustable statements pieces with matching earrings. Enough about my favorites! They had a Christian choir singing in the square, an activity area for children, full service restrooms that didn't include a porta-potty, great food options including Lobster, Mongolian Beef and Thai, carriage rides, baked goods, and probably some things that I just did not get to see. It was a beautiful day for the festival and it all started with a beautiful drive up from Alpharetta and ended with a visit to see the falls. When you visit the festivals, take time to see the landmarks visit the local vendors and spend time in the community. Your visit is always appreciated! By the way, if you like the frequent sound of trains running through a small town, Toccoa is your kind of town!

STEPHEN'S COUNTY WELCOME CENTER!…read more When visiting the town of Toccoa, don't forget to stop by the Stephen's County Welcome Center which is located in the historic depot along with the Currahee Military Museum and gift shop. You will enter through the museum entrance which is the very first door on the left. The center is well stocked with useful information for the immediate area and beyond, (state of GA). When we visited, it was staffed by two men who were very helpful in providing information and directions. If you start here, you can use their really nice restrooms before starting out on your journey. ***I noticed that the center had souvenir items for the museum but none for the town. This was certainly a missed opportunity, especially during festival weekend.

In February of 2017 I hosted a Yelp hiking event to Panther Creek Falls and nearby Toccoa Falls…read more After the hike we stopped @ Shirley's Soul Food in Historic Downtown Toccoa, Georgia for a bite to eat. Ms. Shirley is a wonderful soul dripping with love for her community and customers. It was a later Saturday afternoon after restaurant hours, but thankfully I called her a few weeks prior and she agreed to keep the lights on until we arrived. During our dinner, Ms. Shirley sat with us and talked a little about her mission to help others and a little about the town. It was during that conversation I first discovered legendary singer James Brown started his music career right here in Toccoa, Georgia. That tidbit of information has stuck with me for several years and this year (2022) I decided I would highlight Toccoa in my Black History Review Series. I honestly thought it would be an easy research topic, but it was very difficult to find information about his time here in Toccoa. The city website and visitor video doesn't mention it. No brochure about the town mentioned it and even after touring the History Museum @ the old train station, I only found two pictures with captions mentioning James. The majority of photos & articles on this small display focused on Bobby Byrd, the founder of the Famous Flames to which James was a member. [ JAMES BROWN'S TOCCOA YEARS ] James Joseph Brown was born in Augusta, Georgia May 3, 1933 and left a musical legacy that earned him the titles: "Godfather of Soul", "Mr. Dynamite", and "Soul Brother No. 1". His lyrics & beats were so ahead of their time that it has made him the most sampled artist in music history. It is said other artists have borrowed from his songs more than 7,400 times. So you might understand why I was so COMPLETELY BAFFLED to find little to no information about him anywhere in Toccoa. People younger than 30 that I came across while visiting didn't seem to think he'd ever been to Toccoa when I asked, and only half those over 50 knew of his time here. One lady told me he was a janitor at the local school while another said he mopped floors at a car dealership. So for those of you hungry for information, here is what my research has told me: Bobby Byrd was a member of the 1952 group known as the Gospel Starlighters, who changed their name twice in a 3 year period before settling on "The Famous Flames" in 1955. James Brown joined the group in 1954. He met Bryd while he served time on robbery charges at a youth detention center in Toccoa. He'd already started his own band while in detention. Byrd was around 18 and Brown around 19. James was initially a drummer in the band after his release for good behavior, but soon became lead singer. Their first professional release with James singing lead was "Please, Please, Please" in 1956. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vruy2GRUsV8 Some of James Browns famous dance moves are said to be a reflection of what he saw preachers doing as he grew up going to church, especially when falling down to his knees. Writer James McBride said: "At the time, he was so funky and so hot and so good, and he danced so well... He was like watching a preacher preach without having to get saved to Jesus." AUDIO on James Brown's life (including Toccoa): https://www.krwg.org/arts-life/2016-04-19/the-lonely-side-of-james-brown [ HISTORIC TOCCOA ] Toccoa feels a lot like the town little Forrest Gump used to run through as a child in the movie. It has a very old southern charm and many of the buildings have historic markers on them telling you a little about their past. There is a beautiful old courthouse, an abandoned RC Cola bottling building, a trestle bridge, gorgeous 180' waterfall on the grounds of Toccoa College and a 1939 era Ritz Theatre still hosting live performances. Speaking of performances, on April 18-19 of 2022, The Mulligan Movie (filmed in Toccoa) will premier @ the Ritz theater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxxbjZ3PTvQ [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] Toccoa has a lot going for it, especially it's quiet charm and friendly people, but I would be remiss if I didn't express my DEEP DEEP DISAPPOINMENT for their lack of attention to James Brown's musical beginnings here AND that his first wife Velma Warren and children remained here all these years until recently. Seems like a crime of historic proportions to not have more attention given to their part of his legacy, but for some reason they almost treat it as a secret. It could be a destination town if you are a hiker, historian, kayaker or visit during one of their many special events throughout the year. 4 stars overall for historical value minus a star for omitting one of their brightest stars. Be sure to have a meal @ Shirley's Soul Food. If you're lucky and she's not busy, maybe she can share a story or two with you! 2022 / 42 #BlackHistorySeries2022

We used Just Right Catering for our rehearsal dinner and couldn't be more satisfied! The food was…read moreamazing - like home cooked! We had ham, smoked rotisserie chicken, and roast beef with plenty of sides. We received so many compliments on the food. They provided staff for set-up, serving, and cleanup! They were polite and professional. The portions were large! We had plenty left over. Lenesha was very responsive and made sure everything was perfect! Not 5 stars, but 10!!!!

We recently had Just Right Catering cater and serve at my daughters wedding reception. They came…read morehighly recommended to us. When I first called I was told they were scheduled to be out of town that weekend, but Moriah called back to let us know they postponed their trip so they could cook for us! What company does that? Food was served hot and ready. Three servers arrived and had everything out and ready to serve when we arrived at the reception venue. They stayed and served everyone, cleaned up and packed up our leftovers. They even provided take-out containers for our guests! I look forward to using Just Right Catering again soon! Delicious food, sweet servers and a reasonable price.