Lookout Mountain Photography Club

Mentone Area Arts Council to Form Lookout Mountain Photography Club
With John Alexander Dersham
A new club for photography buffs is forming. The Lookout Mountain Photograpy Club is to be an informal group, sponsored by the Mentone Area Arts Council, with the specific purpose of bringing together people who have an interest in photography and to promote fellowship, fun, education and knowledge of photography. It is for all skill levels and the goal of the club is to encourage members to develop their photographic skills and to provide a venue for members to learn, share and display their photography, in their endeavor to become better photographers. To this end, the club will conduct programs, competitions, seminars, workshops and field trips. The club will also be a good neighbor to the community and wherever possible, engage photography in the community.

You Are Invited To Attend The Organizational Meeting
of the Lookout Mountain Photography Club

The organizational meeting of the Lookout Mountain Photography Club will be led by John Alexander Dersham. John was a career executive with Kodak prior to becoming the Executive Director of the DeKalb County Tourist Association. His photographs are prominently displayed throughout the corporate offices of Kodak around the country. His works are also displayed in a number of galleries in North Alabama. He recently participated in the highly acclaimed, Alabama Waterways, A Photographic Celebration, photography exhibit in Mentone.

When: 6:30 PM, Friday, December 11, 2009

Where: The Mentone Inn
Highway 117
Mentone, Alabama

For additional information, contact John Dersham at dcta@tourdekalb.com

Collinsville Historic Turkey Trot was a Hit!

November 14th was the Annual Collinsville Historic Turkey Trot. The Cherokee Ani-Yun-Wiya Nation shared a piece of their heritage beautifully in song, dance and drumming. The weather was perfect for their historic “turkey toss” from the roof of the newly restored library. The festival was very well attended by those listening to local musicians, tasting great southern food, enjoying the tractor show and participating in such games as the “greased pig chase” and “money in the hay”, great for all ages! They also introduced a new event this year called “Poker Run”.

Don’t Say there is Nothing to do in DeKalb County by John Dersham

Sometimes I hear people say there is nothing to do in our area. They must have blinders on. Every week 52 weeks a year there is more than any one person could attend. If you doubt this please view the DeKalb County Tourist Association website www.tourdekalb.com, and click on our calendar of events. You will be amazed at the fun things we have to do.
This last weekend was Canyon Fest at Little River Canyon National Preserve and The Battle of Missionary Ridge at Sequoyah Caverns and Ellis Homestead, just to name two. It was the perfect fall weekend, with some fall color still abounding and both days were clear, sunny and warm. The two events I am talking about were fantastic and both were extremely well attended. Roy Jones of Sequoyah Caverns said 1,400 people were present for their two day event re-enacting the Civil War Battle of Missionary Ridge. The property at Sequoyah Caverns and Ellis Homestead is tucked at the foot of Sand Mountain and Little Wills Ridge. It is a large, extremely scenic acreage and a perfect location for this event. Civil War re-enactments are much more than the battle itself. It is a view of life of that era. Present at the re-enactment are artists and craftsmen making Civil War era goods. They are all dressed in the period. There is period music, food, a tin type photographer and a Ball on Saturday night. The Battle of Missionary Ridge is held each November and is a must see if you have not been yet. If you have not visited Sequoyah Caverns and Ellis Homestead, or have not visited lately it is well worth going. The spectacular property and beautiful cave with its famous reflecting pools and formations makes for a great outing. For more information visit www.sequoyahcaverns.com or call 256-635-0024.
On Saturday Canyon Fest was held at JSU’s Canyon Center at Little River Canyon National Preserve. There were more than 1,000 people at this beautiful day full of arts, crafts, music, food, games, rock climbing, a dog agility demonstration and much more. We are very blessed in DeKalb County to have a lot to see and do and even more so when you figure in the scenic aspects of our events and the beautiful drive to get there.

We have had an outstanding fall tourist season here. There have been a lot of people in town since middle October. People from all over the country have stopping in our information center. We find the majority of our visitors this time of year are from points south that come here because of our outstanding fall color in comparison to where they live.

10 Ways to Sing in the Rain on Lookout Mountain in Alabama by Sarah Wilcox from Moutain Laurel Inn

1. Relax while listening to the wonderful sound of the rain through either an open window as you nap or sleep for the night or in a rocker on a porch found at a store, restaurant, cabin or bed and breakfast.
2. Investigate the many historic buildings and stories on Lookout Mountain starting in Mentone with St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church, Mentone Springs Hotel, Hitching Post and the White Elephant galleries. Historic buildings abound in Fort Payne with Sallie Howard’s Memorial Chapel, the Depot Museum, the Old Mill Antiques and DeKalb Theater.
3. Shop until you drop. Go bargain hunting at Dixie Salvage in Fort Payne, Akins Furniture in Dogtown or Upscale Resale in Valley Head. Discover unique shops in Mentone’s Log cabin village, downtown Fort Payne or atop Sand Mountain. Experience artists working in their own studios and galleries such as Orbix Hot Glass in Lickskillet and Miracle Pottery in Valley Head.
4. Explore Sequoyah Caverns where the weather forecast is always 60 degrees, no rain and cool (oh so cool reflection pools and passageways). Learn the history of Ellis Homestead and feed the animals.
5. Release the artist from within. Perfect opportunity for unique photography, for painting on the porch, for writing poetry or for playing a song on the instrument of your choice at any of the variety of lodging in the area.
6. View all the waterfalls in the area that will love the rain: High falls in Geraldine, Desoto Falls in Mentone, and Little River falls in Fort Payne to name a few.
7. Treasures abound. Perfect opportunity to find one of the 258 geocaches in the area and not be discovered in your journeys. See www.geocaching.com to get going. If you are clever, bury your own cache to add to the website.
8. Excite your taste buds. Go on a scavenger hunt to discover which restaurant in the area has the best appetizer and the most decadent dessert. It will be a hard choice as the area has great “hole in the wall” type restaurants with grandma’s buttermilk pie to fine dining with crab cakes and homemade sauce.
9. Refresh and renew. What a great excuse for finding the time to truly relax and enjoy a good book, watch a movie or have a great conversation. Many businesses in the area such as a restaurant, hotel, cabin or bed and breakfast provide the perfect atmosphere for physical, mental and emotional refreshment.
10. Start singing with good rain gear and the right spirit to enjoy all the great hikes and views in the area such as DeKalb County Public Lake, Little River Canyon and DeSoto State Park. Unless you are the wicked witch of the west, you won’t melt.


DeKalb County on Lookout Mountain in Alabama is open and inspiring during sun, rain, sleet or snow so come enjoy today. For more details see www.discoverlookoutmountain.com or call 1-888-805-4740

Look What is Happening on Lookout Mountain Alabama

Looking for something to do this weekend? Visit Lookout Mountain Alabama and see the beautiful fall foliage as well as the many activities to keep you busy!

Check out all of these Holiday Open Houses going on November 7th & 8th:
Eddie's Florist is host to more than 75 beautifully decorated Christmas trees, each with a different theme. Ornaments ranging from whimsical, cartoons to retro, Victorian to collegiate - there is truly something for everyone in the tastefully decorated Christmas Wonderland! Open Saturday from 8am to 5pm and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. Located on Sand Mountain at 9112 AL Hwy 40 in Henagar. 256-657-3841



Myrtle Jane's Antiques is home to unique furniture, gifts, and a selection of architectural items to beautifully decorate your home or cabin. Come by and visit Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. 256-845-4830

The Wishing Well has a beautiful assortment of home decor, including tableware sets, fine china, wall art, and of course Holiday decorations. They also carry children & women's clothing and accessories. Stop by & visit on Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. 256-845-7355



Little River Canyon is hosting Canyon Fest this Saturday, November 8th from 10 am to 3pm. Come enjoy live music, nature & arts activities, arts demonstrations & sales, great food, children's activities & fun at this festival designed to celebrate our natural world and to benefit the children of our community. For more information call 256-782-5697.

Take a scenic moped tour on Lookout Mountain and let your guide lead you on a breathtaking ride that will make several stops such as scenic overlooks, tourist shops, antique stores, nature walks, a cafe for lunch, water falls, and art galleries. Gas is included. Saturday, November 8th from 10am to 4pm. For more information call 256-997-9577.



The Battle of Missionary Ridge will be taking place at Sequoyah Caverns & Ellis Homestead this weekend, November 7th & 8th. This event features A Sutler’s Village, live re-enactments with artillery and Civil War cannons, Civil War-era food, and much more. 800-843-5098



Try your hand in a Paperweight Class at Orbix Hot Glass. Feel the heat, gather from the furnace, sculpt the glass into your own design. It is ultimately about the experience, some experimentation and a couple nice paperweights to take home or to the office to show your friends. Class size at the largest will be five students so everyone has adequate time at the bench working. There will be material provided before the class for you to review and become familiar with concerning safety and basic glassblowing vocabulary. November 7th from 5pm to 9pm. 256-523-3188




Take a guided Archaeology Tour of Cherokee and DeKalb Counties on Saturday, November 7th. Join JSU archaeologist Dr. Harry Holstein for a guided tour of sites throughout Cherokee and DeKalb counties. Participants will visit the 19th century Cornwall Iron Furnace, a Spanish contact site at Coosa village, a rock shelter in use as early as 3000 B.C., and much more. Bring your own food and drinks. Pre-registration is required. November 7th from 9am to 3pm. (Ages 14 and over). For more information call 256-782-5697.