Marietta Daisies Garden Club

Exploring Young Harris

Our day was a delightful exploration of friendship, memories, and inspiring garden ideas.

We began with a car tour through the beautiful campus of Young Harris College, led by Mikel Van, a proud alumna. Mikel gave us a wonderful firsthand account of her college years and shared many special memories along the way.

One of our stops was the beautiful area known as Cupid Falls, which Mikel remembered as a favorite gathering place for students during their free time. Today, the area has been enhanced with walking trails and scenic overlook pavilions, creating a welcoming space for the community to enjoy. The surrounding landscape has also benefited from the efforts of the Enotah Garden Club, Young Harris, and the Towns-Union Master Gardener Project.

I especially enjoyed discovering the pet food bank exchange and the walking stick station. And I must admit, I had never heard of a rain garden! The educational presentation board was both beautiful and informative, offering a wonderful visual explanation of how these gardens benefit the environment. There were so many creative ideas that I hope we can bring back and incorporate into our own garden club projects.

Perhaps the most special part of the day was hearing Mikel share memories from her childhood. When school was out for the summer, her mother would pack up the car, and they would head to Young Harris, staying until it was time to return home for the new school year. When asked what she remembered most about those childhood summers, her answer was simple and joyful: jumping in the lake!

It seems only fitting that when it was time for Mikel to choose where she would continue her education, she selected Young Harris College before eventually completing her studies at the University of Georgia.

Thank you, Mikel, for sharing your memories, your love of Young Harris, and your wonderful stories with us. It was such a unique pleasure to experience the campus through your eyes and to see how the places we visit can become part of a lifetime of friendships and treasured memories.

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