Carmen's Picks

As we settle into fall, the weather is pleasant and the nights get mysteriously delightful. Let's enjoy this spooky season with a few of my picks.

There are many wonderful festivals happening this month, but here are three I suggest you try.

Atlanta Happenings:

Let's visit Scotland locally. One of the premier Scottish festivals in the US, Stone Mountain features colorful pipe bands, Scottish athletics, piping and drumming competitions, Highland dancers competing before judges of worldwide renown, country dancing, and fiddling. Scottish foods and drink, clan tents, vendors selling lovely goods imported from the British Isles, and Celtic performers are also part of this traditional gathering.

Here's a wonderful, frightful, and interactive Halloween show you won't want to miss. The Ghastly Dreadful is a signature performance at the Center for Puppetry Arts. All their performances are truly amazing and you won't be disappointed!

For those who enjoy a good haunt, the Fox Haunted History Tour is a great one. Explore the Fox Theatre's most chilling stories and legendary encounters on a 60-minute guided tour. Learn about the theatre's reported paranormal activity and discover the history behind some of its most enduring ghost stories. No actors. Just real stories, reported experiences, and a few things you may not be able to explain.

Halloween seems to tempt one to visit the dead, so here are two cemetery tours you'll want to experience. Explore the mysterious beauty of Oakland after dark and follow the footsteps of costumed storytellers to meet a few of the fascinating characters who made Atlanta into the city we know today.

Cumming Happenings:

Twelve individuals will be posted at their gravesites, waiting to tell their life stories. Come hear stories from pioneers, heroes, and some tragic tales from Forsyth County's past.

Day Trips:

Let's go for a fall drive to the beautiful and quaint town of Dahlonega. I believe our prospects of a very good time are guaranteed at the 72nd Annual Gold Rush Days Festival, Dahlonega's largest festival of the year. A true fall staple that brings the community together and welcomes thousands from near and far, this beloved event celebrates the town's rich history and its place as the site of America's first major gold rush in 1828.

What's Halloween without apple bobbing? Here is an apple festival to be enjoyed by the whole family. Welcome to the "Apple Capital of Georgia," nestled in the North Georgia mountains. The festival is a casual, family-friendly autumn tradition featuring over 250 craft and food vendors, onsite demonstrations, live music, and classic fair food alongside local apples and treats. Take a fall drive to the Georgia mountains and enjoy some delicious apples.

Off The Beaten Path:

The Resurgens Theatre Company is presenting a delightful treat this Halloween season: Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus.

Recipe:

Here is a delicious, cozy soup that will definitely warm up your soul on a cool evening: Easy Tomato Soup.
Website: natashaskitchen.com

A Quote to Ponder:

"The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper."

— Eden Phillpotts

Mystery Dish:

See if you can find where this delicious dish is served. I encourage you to try this establishment. Here are some clues:

1. This Cajun dish is yummy.
2. The restaurant has an inviting and friendly staff that serves great food and drinks.
3. It's a great place to watch sports.
4. It's newly added to the Cumming area.

I'm curious to see if you find the mystery dish. Tell me where it's served.