Helen, Georgia

2007 Spring Fling

By Kelly Bowling

From the Flatlands of Alabama to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Northeast
Georgia - that was the direction of the move that the Smoky Mountain Chapter
(SMC) did on the 4th and 5th of May 2007; Guy and Mona Keenum superbly
hosted the Spring Fling in the Alpine Village of Helen, Georgia. The host
hotel was the Comfort Inn and the room rate was $75. The registration fee of
$20 covered the hospitality room at the hotel and a very fine buffet-style
meal at the West Family Restaurant. Food choices ranged from Southern fried
chicken to crab legs. There were fifty attendees from ten states represented
at this Fling - Michigan was the most distant state represented, but folks
also from Eastern South Carolina, Florida and Illinois enjoyed the
camaraderie, truth-sharing and visiting with old friends for a weekend. The
major attraction of this Fling was panning for gold in Dahlonega, Georgia
(the first US gold rush occurred in Dahlonega) and a miner's hat and light
was offered for the person panning the largest amount of the shiny stuff.
Edna Gaylord from Allerton, Illinois won the prizes. There was one down side
to this contest - a member of the Chapter's board of directors was
disqualified for unethical panning procedures. He was detected by satellite
imagery and someone squealing on him as he triple-dipped.



A two-bell ceremony in memory of Ole Jake Karoly, who passed earlier this
year, was conducted by Dave Fiehtner and Kelly Bowling. Jake and wife Anne
were co-founders of the chapter and co-hosts of the Chattanooga NCVA
reunion. This award previously was called the  SMC Achievement Award,
Prevaricator Award - we called it a lot of things. Basically, it was for
telling the truth while telling sea stories and other prevarications. Don
and Edna Gaylord won again this year after previously winning in 2005 in
North Carolina at the 7th Fling. Unfortunately, I don't have space to
elaborate on reasons for this fine couple winning the first annual Ole Jake
Award! Best of Spirits award, Gold Medal, went to Hank Kershner with his
North Carolina entry, while Kelly Bowling took Silver and tied for Bronze with
Dusty Rhodes of North Carolina - as author of this history, let me say that
it is difficult to win two awards - but Perry Country, Kentucky's anonymous
distiller and distillery did good! Ole Hank seems to have some kind of lock
on his brown-poke (aka unmarked wrapper) deliveries, too. Coincidentally,
the Kentucky Derby was run this weekend and there were two pools for the
race. David Welty, a guest from Pensacola, won both pools. Guests are
treated well at our Flings. Ned Johnston and Vicki Caldwell of Birmingham
shared the winnings of the place horse; winner of 3rd place (show horse) has
not been determined because the horse is still running. And, the door prize
was a half-gallon container of Black Jack and was won by Big Clyde Wilson,
his 2nd year of winning! Have to call him Big Clyde because his son Little
Clyde, 2nd generation SecGru, was in attendance. Incidentally, the mother of
Little Clyde, Nancy Wilson was a CT in her younger days. Yes, folks when you
attend these Spring Flings, you have fun and do receive a warm reception and
sincere hospitality from everyone involved.

Although not confirmed, the 2008 Spring Fling may return to Central Kentucky
somewhere near Shelbyville which is located midway between Louisville and
the state capitol Frankfort.