Georgia Magazine - January 2012 - (Page 6)

Preserving historic Prater’s Mill Old mill continues traditions of BY ROBERT SORRELL A ‘delightful read’ I really like the format of GEORGIA Magazine. The articles have a family theme. From the comments of President/CEO Paul Wood to the articles of “old-time” stories and the recipe section with stories of how these ﬁt into the family lives of the authors, it gives me a feeling of Georgia history. It also gives information about the updates in the electric membership co-op, to keep up with the times. Celebrating the Georgia lifestyle GEMC the past Visitors saw the article How nice of you to print an article about Prater’s Mill. [See “Preserving historic Prater’s Mill,” October 2011, ® More online at www.georgiamagaz PRATER’S MILL FOUNDATION From information in the September 2011 magazine, we took a trip to see some of the current Georgia activities in Helen and surrounding areas. What a delightful read! —Barbara Brown, Ormond Beach, Fla. ince 1971, organizers in Dalton Dalton have thrown a giant country fair on the second weekend of October (this year, Oct. 8-9) to celebrate the life and history of Prater’s Mill. There’s good old-fashioned country food, dancing, music, traditional activities and fun for the entire family. All of the festival’s proceeds go to the preservation of the historic mill on Coahulla Creek. Annually, in preparation for the fair, volunteers from the community bring the old mill to life, just like their great-great-grandparents did long ago. “Keeping a water-powered gristmill in operation means constant repairs and maintenance,” says Judy Alderman, president of the Prater’s Mill Foundation. “It’s a labor of love and sheer delight to see the old mill grind corn just like it did more than 150 years ago.” Above Above: “The Mill Doctor,” John Historically speaking, the mill is Lovett, right, Melanie Chapman and quite extraordinary. “There’s a lot Sherry Sexton, bottom left, raise the of history here,” Alderman observes. top stone. Left: Lovett checks the “It’s our job to keep it alive and to conmillstones for evenness. tinue the mill’s legacy.” Following the 1832 Cherokee efforts, which continue today. land lottery, when native land was Prater’s Mill is protected divided for the white settlers, Indians by numerous national organicontinued to roam the land in the area zations, including the National where the mill would later be conRegister of Historic Places, the structed. One property, land lot 231, Library of Commerce and local Prater’s Mill, was drawn by Thomas historic preservation groups, same time. Following the occupation, including the Prater’s Mill FounFoster of Richmond County as a re- until the 1960s, several millers came dation. In 2010, the property sult of the lottery. Prater’s Mill was was ﬁ- and went. It stayed in the Prater fam- deeded to the Whitﬁeld nally completed on Coahulla Creek County in ily until 1954. Then ﬁnally in 1969, government, which allows 1855. Thereafter, farmers would the Founline Lester Terrell, the last miller, closed dation to operate the facility. up as far as the eye could see to have the mill. their corn ground into meal. The mill has undergone exTwo years later, in an effort to tensive restoration, both regularly The Civil War brought trouble to preserve the old gristmill, local volunscheduled checkups and cleanups, the mill. Throughout the war, both teers launched the Prater’s Mill Counas well as physically altering projUnion and Confederate troops oc- try Fair. Their goal was to raise funds ects. In 1995, an arson ﬁ cupied the property, but never at re caused the to support the building’s restoration substantial damage to the structure, 28 • • S ★ ine.org GEORGIA MAGAZINE 26-27.ag_1011.indd 28 9/16/11 11:25 AM Established 1945 P.O. Box 1707, Tucker GA 30085 • (800) 544-4362, in Georgia; (770) 270-6500 Website: www.georgiamagazine.org • Email: magazine@georgiaemc.com page 28.] We have had many folks say they saw the article in GEORGIA Magazine. Thank you! —Judy Alderman, president, Prater’s Mill Foundation, Varnell How to get in touch Letters to the editor: Please include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity and space. Subscriptions: Contact your electric Comments on Georgia products Thank you for the great spot that was done on Bibba’s Bites—our company. [See “A productive state,” November 2011, page 22.] This is a great springboard for start-ups in Georgia. —Mike McGrane, The Cheese Straw House, Richland cooperative ﬁrst; they may send the magazine by request. Or, send check or money order for $9.95 (12 issues) or $15.95 (24 issues) to address above. You may also subscribe online or call (770) 270-6500 to be billed. Please allow 4-6 weeks for ﬁrst issue. photos (no professional shots), along with names of parents of children in photos, city of residence of people in photo, electric cooperative (if served by one), phone number and full mailing address to: “Snapshot,” at address below. Or send information and digital (300 dpi) photos to snapshot@georgiaemc.com. (Photos become magazine property.) PRATER’S MILL FOUNDATION PRATER’S MILL FOUNDATION C M Change of address: 1) If you personally subscribe, mail your address change to the above address; or 2) if you receive the magazine through your local electric co-op, please write or call that ofﬁce directly. “Snapshot” submissions: Please send Y CM Getting it straight The October issue’s Viewpoint, “We’re the same,” [see page 5] is the most intelligent and timely piece I have seen in your magazine. Can you send it to every U.S. senator and representative? Send it to every Georgia politician as well. The column attributed to Paul Wood is excellent. It describes what is wrong with Georgia and the U.S. to a “T.” —Jack Burke, Jefferson Energy member, via email Scan this QR code with your smartphone to access this month’s digital edition online: MY CY Article submissions: Submitted articles or ideas for feature stories or regular columns are welcome for review. Please send “Story Ideas” to the above address. Guidelines available online at georgiamagazine.org/contactus.asp?menu=7. “My Georgia” submissions: Stories limited to 500 words. Photos required for publication. Postal mail or email (mygeorgia@georgiaemc. com) accepted. Digital images, 300 dpi, accepted. Published stories pay $100. CMY K GEORGIA Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Manuscripts, photographs and artwork must be accompanied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes to be returned. GEORGIA Magazine does not guarantee publication of submissions and reserves the right to edit any material published. Advertising: Contact Laurel George, (404) 541-0628, or Laine Wood, (770) 289-5700, or (800) 544-4362 (in Georgia). National advertising representative: National Country Market, (800) 626-1181. Visit www.georgiamagazine.org for more of everything you love about Georgia! Look for this icon throughout the magazine. 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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - January 2012

Georgia Magazine - January 2012
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Georgia News
Picture This?
Calendar of Events
Currents
Special Energy Report
What It Takes to Be a Roller Girl
A Nation Reunited
My Georgia
Georgia Gardens
Georgia Cooks
More “big” eateries and recipes
Snapshot
Bonus Snapshot submissions
Gardens plant of the month; Liberty notes
More roller derby photos
Festivals in Fitzgerald and Washington
January energy-effi ciency tips

Georgia Magazine - January 2012