Sharing the Mountains...it's what we do!

From the Publisher As I grow older, I find myself increasingly drawn to the beauty of the outdoors, especially during spring. My love for flowers only seems to deepen with each passing year. This season, my peonies have produced an abundance of blooms, my native flame azalea has put on a dazzling display, and the tulip bulbs I purchased from Firmlyrootedflowerfarm.com are absolutely perfect! I now understand why my Granny Speed had flowers draped all over her porch. The fragrance emanating from my 10-foot azalea is so heavenly that I feel like I could bottle and sell it and make a fortune! The sky looks bluer, and the clouds appear more interesting than ever. There’s one more little cold snap (Blackberry winter) to endure before we can finally breathe a sigh of relief and start planting. With the rising cost of groceries, it’s more important than ever to grow larger gardens. I care deeply about where my food comes from and what goes into it. Gardening is good for the heart and soul! The Rabun County Historical Society recently held a Saturday Plant Swap, which I unfortunately missed due to my work on this issue. I hope they will arrange another one soon. As a board member, I want to let you know that we would be delighted to see any historical photos you may have stored away in a box under your bed or in the attic. We can scan the images and preserve them for future generations. We will handle them with the utmost care and return the originals to you. The Rabun County Historical Society and I invite you to visit the museum and enjoy the exhibits. We have a room with resources to assist with your research. The history we strive to preserve belongs to all of us, and we want to make it available to future generations. This issue is all about the wonders of the great outdoors! The mountains are a paradise for those who love to explore the trails, wade in the creeks, chase waterfalls, or simply grow flow- ers. We hope you find time to bask in the sunshine and discover the beauty of nature. Enjoy and be a blessing! Tracy