If you have never seen an episode of Dancing with the Stars, the premise is simple: a celebrity, with little or no dance experience, is paired with a professional dancer.  Each week, the couples learn a new dance style and then perform in front of a live audience.  The show is a thrilling spectacle, displaying different types of dance choreographed to popular songs. 

Project Safe, a local non-profit that provides services for victims of domestic abuse, saw an opportunity to produce a Dancing with the Stars-esque show that could raise thousands and thousands of dollars to benefit the organization.  After raising over $95,000 in 2009, the 2010 Dancing with the Athens Stars is bound to surpass that number.

This year, the ballroom dance competition features local stars including chef Hugh Acheson (Five & Ten), Clarke County Sheriff Ira Edwards and our very own CEO Jim Vanden Berg.  Jim and his partner Michelle Collin have been practicing for several months to prepare for the big show on Sunday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at the Classic Center. 

Jim makes the perfect candidate for the dancing competition.  He has no previous dance experience.  

“I am not a professional dancer,” Jim emphatically explained, ”so I am going to have as much fun as I can.”  While he admitted it was a struggle at first, he knew he was in good hands with his partner Michelle Collin.

“Michelle said ‘one day it will become clear,” Jim recalled.  Michelle, a dance instructor at the Studio Dance Academy, found a willing student in Jim.

“He catches on pretty well,” Michelle explained, “the more he does it, the more he gets it.” 

While there were many challenges that faced Jim and Michelle, one challenge stuck out the most.  Jim is 6′5 and Michelle is 5′4.  The height difference presented some problems when the couple first started their training.  They tried three or four styles from salsa to rumba before settling on the East Coast Swing.  Even then, some modifications needed to be made.

“We had to change a few things in the swing dance to fit the height,” Michelle explained.  Jim and Michelle will perform to the song ”Footloose.”  Their dance will include “a little bit of fun from the movie.”

As inspiration for their upcoming performance, the real Dancing with the Stars provided a bit of guidance for the eager dancers. 

“It’s amazing how they take dancers like me and turn it into something,” Jim related.  As for their favorite DWTS performers, Jim enjoyed following Donnie Osmond while Michelle was inspired by former dancer Julianne Hough.

“She always tried to make it fun.  You see personality added.  That’s part of the reason we went with ‘Footloose,’” Michelle explained.

Jim and Michelle are well on their way to becoming the 2010 People’s Choice Winner.  They are currently in second place in voting.  However, they are ready to walk away with the other trophy, the Judges’ Choice Award, as well.

“They call it a competition.  We have a competitive mindset.  We want to win,” Michelle revealed. 

With only two weeks away from the big show, Jim and Michelle are ready to hit the dance floor and claim the Judges’ Choice Trophy and the People’s Choice Trophy.  Be there to cheer them on and congratulate them on their victory! Tickets are on sale for $15 in The Georgia Club Administration Office and the Pro Shop.  Tickets are also available online at the Classic Center Web site and you can cast your votes for Couple #3 online at Project Safe.

Get ready to cut loose!

The Georgia Club invites you to breakfast! Join us every Saturday morning beginning March 6 for an ala carte breakfast that is certain to take strokes off your golf game.  We will be offering breakfast each Saturday morning from 8 to 10 a.m. The menu includes omelettes, croissants and eggs to order with all your favorite breakfast accompaniments. 

Not playing golf?  What better way to jumpstart your weekend than a wonderful breakfast created by the dynamic culinary team at The Georgia Club.  Enjoy your first meal of the day at the Club!

While reservations are not required, they are recommended.  Please call the Clubhouse at    770-725-8100    with your reservations! 

To view more dining options at The Georgia Club, please visit our Web site.

Are you ready for an entertaining and exciting event?  Get your tickets now for Dancing with the Athens Stars featuring TGC CEO Jim Vanden Berg.  The show will take place on Sunday, March 21 at 7 p.m. at  The Classic Center in Downtown Athens. 

A spectacular event, Dancing with the Athens Stars will feature 12 couples made up of well-known Athens’ figures and professional dancers, who will take to the dance floor to show off their preferred style of ballroom dance. 

All ticket sales will go directly to Project Safe.  Project Safe is a local 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization working to end domestic violence through crisis intervention, prevention education and ongoing supportive services.  Last year’s show raised $95,000.  Help Project Safe double that number!

Don’t miss once and a lifetime opportunity to see Jim sashay across the dance floor doing to the East Coast Swing!  Tickets are available in The Georgia Club Membership and Administration Office and The Georgia Club Pro Shop.  Tickets are $15 and general admission.  Tickets can also be purchased at  The Classic Center (a $5 convenience charge will be added to online purchases.)  The show is sure to be a sell-out so get your tickets early! 

Don’t forget to “place” your votes for Jim and his partner Michelle.  Each dollar donated equals one vote.  Jim and Michelle are currently in third place! Help them take the lead by visiting Project Safe or mailing in your votes to Project Safe at P.O. Box 7532 Athens, GA 30604. (Please designate your donation for Jim and Michelle.)

The majority of weeds in turf are controlled simply by execution of a well-planned, effective turfgrass cultural system.  Unfortunately, Mother Nature still dictates the final results. 

We have taken extra steps here at The Georgia Club to ensure the golf course is virtually free from weeds.  Our obligation is to apply herbicides accurately and with good judgment to protect our environment. 

Typically, we treat our golf course with an herbicide application between the last week of November and the second week of December.  However, we did not make this application in the final months of 2009.  Dennis Echols, Director of Golf Course Management, decided not to make this application because the ground was too saturated from excessive rainfall.

Similarly, The Georgia Club experienced a very wet season during the winter of 1995.  Dennis conducted trials on one particular golf hole, spraying the same herbicide we were scheduled to use last year at rates up to four times the prescribed rate.  The experimental hole showed no effective control of weed growth and therefore confirmed the effects of excessive rainfall.

During the last four months of 2009, we received more than 32 inches of rain.  This led Dennis to postpone the treatment.  Dennis explained, “I had little confidence that we would benefit from an herbicide application last November.”

Dennis and his ground team plan on making a dual-purpose application to the golf course by the end of February.  Obviously, the weather will still dictate when the sprayers can be driven on the golf course.  The treatment will consist of a non-selective herbicide that will kill all the existing weeds, and a pre-emergent herbicide that should allow weed control through the spring and early summer. 

Existing weeds will not begin to die until about six weeks after the application.  Please be patient with us, as you will see more weeds than normal until this application has taken effect. 

Dennis will be glad to discuss this matter in more detail.  Comments to the blog will receive responses promptly, or you may contact Dennis directly at     770-725-4914     or at DEchols@TheGeorgiaClub.Com

This March, The Georgia Club CEO Jim Vanden Berg will be trading the boardroom for the ballroom as he heads to the dance floor for the Third Annual Dancing with the Athens Stars.  An event benefitting Project Safe, Dancing with the Athens Stars will take place at the Classic Center on Sunday, March 21.

Before you place your votes or purchase your tickets, think about where your money is going.  Project Safe is a local 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization working to end domestic violence through crisis intervention, prevention education and ongoing supportive services.  In 2009, Project Safe provided 18,587 services to clients in need in the local community.  Those services include a safe shelter, a 24-hour hotline, support groups and emergency financial assistance. 

Jim Vanden Berg and Partner Michelle Collin

A spectacular event, Dancing with the Athens Stars will feature 12 couples made up of well-known Athens’ figures and professional dancers, who will take to the dance floor to show off their preferred style of ballroom dance.  After several months of rehearsals, Jim and his partner Michelle Collin will perform the East Coast Swing.  Two trophies will be awarded at the end of the night, one for the Judges’ Favorite and the other for the couple with the most votes.

The “Dancing with the Stars”-esque show is an exciting event for all Athenians.  The event, which will take place in the heart of Downtown Athens at the Classic Center, is a  major source of funds for Project Safe.  Last year’s event raised $95,000!  With the strengthening support and star power, the 2010 event is bound to surpass that number.

The easiest way you can help is to vote! Show your support for both Jim and Michelle and Project Safe.  One dollar donated equals one vote per couple ($50 = 50 votes.) Votes can be placed at www.Project-Safe.org or can be mailed to Project Safe at P.O. Box 7532 Athens, GA 30604.  Votes will be counted until the last intermission of the show.

Secondly, you can support Project Safe by attending the show on Sunday, March 21 at the Classic Center.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the night of the show.  All ticket sales will go directly to Project Safe.  Tickets will be available for purchase beginning in March.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.ClassicCenter.com or at the Classic Center.

Join us on Thursday, January 28 at 7 p.m. for the next installment of our Expanding Horizons Series with featured speaker Horace Newcomb, Director of the George Foster Peabody Awards Program. He holds the Lambdin Kay Chair for the Peabody Awards in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Georgia.

As professor, author, editor, columnist and lecturer, Newcomb has contributed to the field of telecommunications through numerous venues. He is the author of the book TV: The Most Popular Art and editor of seven editions of Television: The Critical View.  Newcomb served as Curator for the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago where he was editor of The Museum of Broadcast Communications Encyclopedia of Television, a four volume, 2,000 page reference work containing more than 1,200 entries related to television in the United States.

Newcomb has traveled around the globe to speak on his media interests and he will join us at The Georgia Club for a special lecture which will focus on the Peabody Awards and their significance in the media industries.

The event is free and will take place in the Dawgwood II Ballroom.  Light appetizers and a cash bar will be available.  Reservations are required and can be made by calling   770-725-8100  .

The Frisee Salad

While the weather may be cold outside, The Georgia Club is bound to keep you warm and happy with a new selection of Winter menus. The talented Georgia Club culinary team has once again created a collection of  dishes that will toast the season!  Stop in for lunch and try one of our new dishes like the Frisee Salad, a colorful mix of caramelized blood oranges, dried cherries and pecans with a red wine citrus vinaigrette, or the Waldorf Salad with apples, raisins, dried cranberries and more!

The Georgia Club Garden Salad

For dinner, try one of our new Chef’s Entrees like the Short Rib Ravioli, Roasted Chicken or Baked Ziti with Beef.  Save room though, because the dessert menu is sure to delight.  Try one of our Sweet Endings like the Pecan Bread Pudding, Spiced Apple Crisp or Bailey’s Peppermint Cheesecake.

If you are in the neighborhood on Sunday, stop in for brunch!  Enjoy a perfect meal of classic breakfast items mixed with special treats like Chicken or Crab Crepe.

Whatever your craving may be, The Georgia Club will be sure to satisfy it!  The Clubhouse is open daily for Members and guests from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.  Dinner is served from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings.  Brunch is served on Sunday’s from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Reservations are taken and can be made by calling the Clubhouse at    770-725-8100   .

Bailey's Peppermint Cheesecake

See you for your next meal!

Not only is The Georgia Club a great place to live and play, it is a great place to work.  Two Georgia Club employees were recently recognized for the time, work and dedication they put into making The Georgia Club the success it is.  Gayle Copeland, Real Estate Office Manager, received the 2009 Team Member of the Year Award.  Accounting Manager, Sandy Dufresne, was awarded the  2009 “Whatever It Takes” Award.  The employees were selected from our 2009 Team Member of the Month.  Both received a plaque and cash reward. 

Top Picture: Tom Valdes presents Gayle Copeland with the 2009 Team Member of the Year Award. Bottom Picture: Sandy Dufresne (left) receives the "Whatever It Takes" Award from Sherry Healan.

Gayle, who joined The Georgia Club Team in June 2004, manages the day-to-day activities of the Real Estate Office and is a member of the Community Association Board.  Recognized for her hard work, Gayle does her job with patience and good humor and saves her other team members a lot of headaches.  Gayle cites the great atmosphere of teamwork as one of the reasons she loves working at The Georgia Club.  She also loves her position which allows her to meet potential buyers and watch as they become Georgia Club homeowners.   As a team member, Gayle is frequently exposed to the top-notch cuisine here at The Georgia Club.  Her favorite menu item?  The classic Shrimp and Grits!

Sandy Dufresne came to The Georgia Club in October 2007.  As the Accounting Manager, Sandy is an invaluable asset to the Administration and Accounting Office.  Her tireless efforts have been most appreciated to The Georgia Club Administration and Membership.  As part of her duties, Sandy toils through heaps and heaps of numbers, a job which suits her.  She loves working out the little details of her job which include solving accounting puzzles.  As she explains, “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be good at it.”  And for her favorite dish on the menu?  It is a tossup between the Loaded Baked Potato Soup and the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad. 

Congratulations, Gayle and Sandy!

This is the fifth and final post in a series of posts previewing the homes on The Georgia Club Foundation’s Christmas Tour of Homes, set for Sunday, Dec. 13 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and can be purchased online or at the following locations: The Peoples Bank (Athens, Statham, Winder, Braselton), Oconee State Bank (Watkinsville, University Parkway, Bogart), Oconee Chamber of Commerce, Barrow Chamber of Commerce, Heery’s, Too (Athens), The Georgia Club Clubhouse, Sales Office and Admin/Membership Office. Phone orders are accepted by calling Sarah Freeman at 770-725-4704.

The Home of Rick & Judy Manus: A Christmas Showcase

The home of Rick and Judy Manus is no stranger to the Christmas Tour of Homes, as it was one of the most talked about from the 2007 Tour. With its tasteful European flair and grandeur, the Manus home is sure to impress once again this year.

A black and white checkered marble floor and a plethora of beautiful Lana Mitchell oil paintings greet guests as they enter the foyer. To the left is the formal dining room featuring a white marble fireplace and Swarovski crystal chandelier.

Also on the main floor are the formal living room, master suite and spacious bathroom, gourmet kitchen and adjacent keeping room where guests can enjoy delicious goodies from Black Forest Bakery.

The other rooms on the upper level attest to Judy’s keen eye for design. The Peacock Room showcases her affinity for stylish feathers and rich purples while the guest suite carries guests away with wild animal prints and gold accents.

The lower level of the home has been the setting for many a gathering and offers room for endless creativity due to its spacious layout. A special Christmas surprise awaits guests in this impressive section of the Manus home.

It’s no secret that the Manus’ value family and togetherness, which makes their home the ideal place for close relatives to spend Christmas every year. Judy puts her heart and soul into decorating the house with uniquely different Christmas trees and diversely themed rooms, starting in early November. Her unique taste and visions for décor translate beautifully, offering a genuinely magical experience for all who visit her home at Christmastime.

This is the fourth in a series of posts previewing the homes on The Georgia Club Foundation’s Christmas Tour of Homes, set for Sunday, Dec. 13 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and can be purchased online or at the following locations: The Peoples Bank (Athens, Statham, Winder, Braselton), Oconee State Bank (Watkinsville, University Parkway, Bogart), Oconee Chamber of Commerce, Barrow Chamber of Commerce, Heery’s, Too (Athens), The Georgia Club Clubhouse, Sales Office and Admin/Membership Office. Phone orders are accepted by calling Sarah Freeman at 770-725-4704.

The Home of Lynn & Steve Baginski: A New Classic

The home of Stephen and Lynn Baginski will offer guests many surprises during this Christmas event. The charming exterior of this Oconee Springs home encloses courtyard living at its best. Walk through the front door and step into a haven of tranquility as water ripples from the flowing stream of the pool and spa. The perfect place for entertaining friends or simply enjoying a peaceful evening, the courtyard serves as the heart of the home.

Inside, the home is a marvel for interior décor. An eclectic pattern, the house features modern, antique, oriental, geometric and traditional design schemes. Uniting the design is a regal pairing of gold and browns which appears in each room. The home is a treasure chest for family heirlooms and keepsakes such as antique tables, photos and a hope chest located on the second level in the brown bedroom. For the Christmas season, the table will be set with 100-year-old china which belonged to Lynn’s grandmother, Eleanor.

The décor also displays the Baginski’s love for international travel. The home is sprinkled with European vestige such as jewel-toned cordials and wine glasses from Italy’s glassmaking island, Murano. Other treasures include Parisian watercolors and famous art books.

There is much to enjoy in the Baginski home, especially during the holiday season. Guests will be welcomed at the door by a bejeweled Santa, an eye-catching treat that will set the mood of the tour. A German candle pyramid will also be on display. In addition to an inside tree, the home will feature an outdoor Christmas tree, emphasizing the luxury of a courtyard home that brings the “outside in.”