Presenting our inaugural Mountain Winter Magazine

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Welcome to winter in Gilmer County. This is our inaugural Mountain Winter magazine for the Times-Courier.

Previously, winter was a time where we slowed down in Gilmer County. The Apple Festival would wrap up for the year. Our beautiful leaves would be mostly off the trees. The apple houses would begin winding down as Thanksgiving approached.

With all this the tourists would go back home.

A strange thing has happened in our county lately, and it is becoming a trend. People keep visiting long after our apples are harvested and our leaves have shed their colors.

Families are coming to Gilmer County and the Ellijays to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas in the mountains. They come to see our Christmas tree in the square and shop in our stores.

In between the holidays they are visiting to enjoy a slice of our winter, either cozied up beside a fire or hiking through our trails to see our breathtaking views.

To help our visitors and our residents enjoy the coming winter we offer you Mountain Winter.

Inside you will find suggestions on hot chocolate, crafts, best views and how to start the fire you are looking forward to sitting beside.

We will get you up-to-date on what our apple houses and wineries are doing in the “off-season” and where to see some homegrown Christmas lights and decorations.

Most of all, we want to welcome you to winter.

Thank you for reading.

Andy Ashurst, Publisher

Times-Courier