It’s easy to (right) click on a photo in the album and save it for your own use. Feel free to copy and print those that are of interest to you. We’ll update the blog site in the future with selected photos for our gallery.

Enjoy viewing the photos from the 2011 Soque River Ramble by clicking on the link here!

2011 Soque River Ramble – Race Results

Thanks to everyone who attended and participated in the event this weekend. A total of 194 runners and walkers passed through the finish gate, with 228 total registrations for the event.  This marks our biggest turnout yet!

More photos will be posted in the coming week. Stay tuned!

We express our sincere thanks to our Platinum Sponsor The Northeast Georgian for providing promotional support of this year’s event.  Community events like the Soque River Ramble count on local newsprint advertising to “get the word out” to ensure awareness and good participation by area citizens.

This is the fifth year that The Northeast Georgian has been a top-level sponsor for the Ramble. Alan NeSmith, Regional Publisher for The Northeast Georgian, has a strong commitment to promoting local events that represent a snapshot of the interests and culture of our northeast Georgia community.

Alan Nesmith

“Our coverage is relentlessly local,” said Alan. “We feel our duty is to follow the taxpayers’ money, cover local events, be a recorder of history, and promote our community.”

“The Soque River Ramble is the type of event we encourage,” said Alan. “It draws people to the area and motivates locals to get out and enjoy the natural beauty of our community. We salute everyone involved for his or her efforts with this event.”

The Northeast Georgian is published with pride for the people of Habersham and adjoining counties.  The Northeast Georgian believes that strong newspapers build strong communities – “Newspapers get things done!”

We look forward to seeing you and your pooch on Saturday!

Our t-shirts are 100% cotton long-sleeve available in S, M, L, or XL sizes. They are perfect for single-layer warmth, for use as an overshirt, and I’ve heard they make great night shirts and comfortable sleep wear as well.

David & Corrie Overton of Bluegraphics are again providing the screen printing of our t-shirts from their facility in Alto, Georgia. David & Corrie are great folks to work with when you need high-quality screen printing, promotional products, and teamwear in northeast Georgia.

We’re just one month away and pre-registration numbers are already running higher for this year’s event, so make sure you pre-register for the 2011 Soque River Ramble by October 14 to guarantee yourself one of our gorgeous t-shirts on October 22!

Cottage Garden Plants & Gifts has long been a favorite of the Lake Burton & Scenic Hwy. 197 shopping corridor for tourists, visitors, and local residents. Its eclectic blend of flowering plants, yard art, lake cabin furnishings, and local artist creations has broad appeal for those looking for just the right piece to compliment their home or landscape.

“It’s a shop you can walk into and find something for a gift for just about anyone,” says new store co-owner Gretchen Vanderbunt, “such as a thank you gift, house-warming gift, or other special occasion. The draw for our store is that you should be able to shop for your home, cottage, or second home and find something unique that suits your tastes.”

Recently Gretchen, along with Julie Cheatham and Barbara Rush, became the new co-owners of the Cottage Garden store. The three ladies alternate managing the shop daily while they also work at coming up with new gift ideas for display.

“We’ve always dreamed of owning our own shop to be able to sell what we create,” remarked Gretchen, “and selling what others make locally as well. Our little adventure is getting to do what we want to do every day. We get to be creative every day, and meet new people doing it.”

The trio intends to offer high-quality unique plants, as well as paintings, furniture, stained glass, quilts, and hand-sewn items. Hours are 10A – 5P Monday –Saturday and 12-5P Sundays.

“We plan to be open year round,” explained Gretchen.  “During the growing season, our main focus will be the plants and garden art. During the winter, we’ll feature more of our own handmade crafts.”

“Everyday, one of us will be working on one of our pieces to present to the public. We’re open to taking on commission pieces, or creating custom designs for a specific need.”

“What I enjoy most about this business is that it doesn’t feel like work,” laughed Gretchen. “I get to play in the dirt and make stuff . . . it’s like kindergarten all over again!”

Cottage Garden Plants & Gifts is located at 15729 State Highway 197 North, near the corner of Burton Dam Road and Hwy. 197. Visit the Cottage Garden web site or call 706.947.1601.

“The idea came from watching too much Food Network,” joked Jeremy. “I had always played around with the idea, and I felt that Clarkesville needed something like this. The opportunity became available, so I gave it a shot.”

“J-BO is a family operation,” said Jeremy. “My mom and sister help out in the restaurant, and my dad answers the phone next door and takes orders.”

J-BO Burgers & Dogs’ concept is very simple: Serve burgers that you can’t get anywhere else. Some of the burgers on the menu have names like “Santa Fe Burger”, “Hawaiian BBQ Burger”, and “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”.

“We strive for unique flavors, and we use local produce that we grow ourselves,” explained Jeremy. “Even our meat is local. Each morning I order the amount I think I will need from a local butcher who grinds it fresh, and then I add my favorite seasonings. You’ll find nothing out of a can here.”

J-BO Burgers & Dogs offers a variety of flavors and condiments on their burgers and hot dogs. Beverages include Coke products, home made iced tea and lemonade made daily from fresh squeezed lemons.  Restaurant hours are 11AM – 3PM Tuesday – Saturday. On Fridays J-BO is open until 9PM.

“On Friday nights, we debut an entirely new burger . . . something really unique and only for that night,” said Jeremy. “Recently we served up a PB&J Bacon Burger. That’s right . . . peanut butter & jelly with bacon.  Believe it or not, it’s really good!”

How has J-BO Burgers & Dogs been received since opening in May 2011? “Reception has been great,” remarked Jeremy. “Everyone seems to like it.”

Jeremy showed me a couple of comment cards recently left by customers. One card read “Best Burger Ever!”, while another read “Thanks for the great burger!”.

“People love it ‘cause it’s great food,” said Jeremy. “That should keep ‘em coming back.”

J-BO Burger & Dogs is located at 1317 Washington Street in Clarkesville, just south of the square and across from the Century 21 Office.  Dine in or take out available.  Phone 706.754.6351.

Springer Mountain Farms is a family-owned business with a long tradition of excellence to the families of northeast Georgia. From its humble beginnings years ago selling chicken from the rear of a grocery store, Springer Mountain Farms became the first poultry producer in the world to gain the endorsement of the American Humane Association under their American Certified Humane program. (Read more about what Springer Mountain Farms means when they say that their chicken is truly “100% natural”.)

Springer Mountain Farms Premium Spring Water comes directly from underground aquifers found in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Their spring water is available in 16.9 oz bottles in local convenience stores and grocery stores, or you can schedule home or office delivery of 3 or 5 gallon containers for cold or hot water dispensers.

Thanks again to Springer Mountain Farms for being an active supporter of the 2011 Soque River Ramble in Batesville.

2010 Soque River Ramble Awards

For the fifth year in a row, Mark of the Potter in Clarkesville Georgia has offered to make the awards for the 2011 Soque River Ramble in northern Habersham County.  Manager Michael Foust agreed to have his in-house potters hand-turn and fire colorful “tea cups” in a variety of sizes and color combinations.

Any of the previous participants and/or age category winners will attest to the quality of the awards from previous years that have included uniquely designed coffee mugs and tea cups. Seldom will you find awards of this caliber at other 5K and race events.

Having the chance to win one of these creations is just one more reason to participate in this year’s Soque River Ramble on October 22 in the Batesville Community!

Mark of the Potter Retail Shop on Hwy. 197

Wildwood Outfitters has raft, kayak, and canoe rentals on the Chattahoochee River including all equipment and transportation to and from the river. They recently opened an outpost at the old Nacoochee Train Station just south of Nacoochee Village and Helen Georgia,  near the Indian Mound landmark on the corner of Hwy. 17 and Hwy. 75.

To learn more about Wildwood Outfitters, visit their web site at www.wildwoodoutfitters.com or call them at 800-553-2715.