Helen GA Archives - There Goes Connie

Helen, Georgia’s Hardman House and Lunch at Bernie’s

07/15/2019 By: CCPearson2 Comments

In recent blogs here and here, I’ve shared with you about Babyland General Hospital and Clyde’s Table nearby in Cleveland, Georgia. Then, I took you to see some of the folk pottery and gave you a recommendation for Mully’s in Helen, GA. Today I want to point history lovers to a site with Native American ties and suggest a lovely place for an elegant lunch or dinner.

HARDMAN HOUSE HISTORIC SITE

The Hardman House Historic Site was originally a grand home built in 1870 for Captain James Nichols. His daughter Anna Ruby is the namesake for the famous falls a few miles away. After being owned later by Calvin Hunnicutt and then Dr. Lamartine Hardman (former Georgia governor), the Hardman family donated the home to the state of Georgia in 1999. The state took plenty of time getting everything just right before opening the site to the public. In addition to the carefully-preserved buildings, the property also features a working farm.

Hardman House is open Thursdays through Mondays from 10:00-4:00, and guided tours are conducted on the hour. A Visitors Center and Gift Shop are located at the entrance to the site.

Across the highway in front of the house, you’ll see the Nacoochee Indian Mound. Its dimensions are 190-feet long, 150-feet wide and 20-feet high. It was already in existence when DeSoto visited the area in 1540. Now considered to be the 2nd most recognized landmark in Georgia, you can’t miss it — topped with a gazebo and surrounded by grazing cows.

BERNIE’S AT NACOOCHEE VALLEY GUEST HOUSE

Bernie Yates and her daughter Monda Dodge have created an inviting, elegant atmosphere in both the restaurant (Bernie’s) and the Nacoochee Valley Guest House. There are only two rooms in the Guest House, but each is comfortably furnished and designed for relaxing and enjoying the natural surroundings.

Bernie and Monda have amassed a wealth of experience and skill, with Bernie’s 49 years in the hospitality world and Monda’s training as a chef at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. The tables are set with linens and sterling silver, and the dishes served are extraordinary. The property is also a beautiful event venue for small-to-medium parties or weddings.

When I was there for lunch, I had an amazing quiche and probably the best tomato basil soup I’ve ever eaten. And the baked brie with roasted vegetables? My goodness, it was delectable.

Then, came dessert. Oh my! So many flavors and textures.

When you’re in Helen, Georgia, I highly recommend adding a meal at Bernie’s to your itinerary.

FOLK POTTERY AND GRILLED TROUT IN HELEN, GEORGIA

07/01/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

FOLK POTTERY MUSEUM

There are only a small number of museums throughout the world solely dedicated to pottery. The Folk Pottery Museum, part of the Sautee Nacoochee Center (283 Georgia Highway 255 N in Sautee Nacoochee, GA) is one of them.

Pottery was originally made as an essential element in housekeeping but evolved into a distinctive art form. The Meaders family from White County is one of the most well-known of the local contributors to this. The work of many others is also on display at this museum.

The building was designed specifically for displaying the pottery exhibits and educating those who visit. Admission is $5.00, and the museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. You can actually purchase pieces of folk pottery in the museum gift shop.

MULLY’S NACOOCHEE GRILL

Owner Greg Ash (“Mully”) may be the “face” of the restaurant, but he insists that Chef Fern Frechette and musician Kurt Johnson make up the soul of the place. Johnson played with Bon Jovi for 10 years. He now plays at Mully’s 5 times a week. He’s really good.

Mully, so nicknamed for always asking for a mulligan on the golf course, opened the restaurant when he was 60 years old and has now been in business for 6 years. Judging from the parking lot and the full dining room, he obviously found the recipe for success.

The building for Mully’s Nacoochee Grill was originally a rural farmhouse built in the early 1900’s. It certainly adds to the homey ambiance.

The North Carolina trout Mully serves is the bestseller on the menu, and I can attest that the grilled trout with collards and cheese grits was wonderful. Many diners also clamor for their shrimp and grits or baby back ribs. Many dishes are prepared in their wood-fired oven.

Grilled trout, collards and cheese grits.

I tasted blackberry bread pudding for the first time and was an instant convert.

You’ll enjoy the food, the atmosphere and the music at Mully’s.

Cleveland, Georgia: Babyland General and Clyde’s Table and Tavern

06/24/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

When you are visiting North Georgia, particularly the beautiful town of Helen, Georgia and White County, a great side trip is only a short drive away. You’ll find a gorgeous property and some mouthwatering smoked meat.

CABBAGE PATCH KIDS

Do you remember visiting Babyland General Hospital, Home of the Cabbage Patch Kids, 30-40 years ago when it was in a small location? That first address was actually the former Neal Clinic which was originally built in 1919, but in 1978, it became the home of the trademarked Cabbage Patch Kids.

Creator Xavier Roberts was born in Cleveland on Halloween in 1955. At the age of 21, he was an art student and became fascinated with the German technique of fabric sculpture. That process was joined with the quilting techniques passed down in the Appalachian Mountains. In 1977, Xavier created his Little People and started by dressing them in clothes he found at yard sales. He had a brilliant marketing idea of giving them names and having parents “adopt” them. By 1990, 65 million Cabbage Patch Kids had been adopted.

The phenomenal growth and popularity amazed everyone. In 2000, a Cabbage Patch Kids postage stamp was unveiled. Even famous painter, Andy Warhol produced a series with the Cabbage Patch Kids as subjects.

Construction for a new 70,000 square foot building on 96 acres started in 2007, and the doors officially opened on November 21, 2009. The number of acres grew to 650 along the way. The grounds are immaculate, and the interior gleams. Admission is free.

For children, grandchildren, or “kids at heart,” Babyland General Hospital is a delightful place to visit.

CLYDE’S TABLE AND TAVERN

Located on the square in the tiny town of Cleveland, you’ll probably smell the aromas before you see the building for Clyde’s Table and Tavern because many of the menu items are prepared in the smokers out back.

Owner Ward Gann’s hunting dog, Clyde, was the inspiration for the restaurant’s name and interior decor. When I was there in May, it had been open for 7 months and is already quite a hit. There is seating for 40 inside and 30 more on an outside deck. Plans are already in the works to expand the deck.