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LAKE OCONEE
Greensboro, Madison & Eatonton |
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or Jeep and Joan Marks, the move to Reynolds Plantation on the shores of beautiful Lake Oconee was a result of several years of research and evaluation.
"I am a retired engineer, and we spent more than 20 years in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, before retiring to Birmingham," Mr. Marks explained. "When we decided to relocate, we looked at several communities, and Reynolds Plantation had a unique set of attributes that we liked."
First, there are award-winning golf courses, which the couple enjoys playing several times each week. "I am in the men's group and she's in the ladies group, and we play together in the couples group," he said.
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wards won by Reynolds Plantation include being named one of the "World's Eight Most Exceptional Golf Course Communities" by
The Robb Report (July, 2004), and "100 Must-Play Courses of Georgia" by
GolfStyles (March 2005), among others.
That considerable attraction aside, there's also Lake Oconee, second largest lake in Georgia and a veritable playground for those who enjoy fishing, boating, sailing, and swimming. "I like to fish, but we really enjoy simply going out on the pontoon boat and enjoying the views and breeze on the water," Mr. Marks explained. In fact, it was the rural feel, halfway between the Georgia cities of Atlanta and Augusta that sealed the deal for this family.
They also found great value in the fact that the community was well-established, with excellent long-range plans for growth, and good funding. "It's not going anywhere, and we like that," he laughed. They enjoy all of the Plantation's restaurants as well as Waterside Restaurant, and The Silver Moon, just outside the entrance to the community.
The 19,000 acre lake features 374 miles of shoreline, with marinas, water front restaurants, and great recreational amenities. The area has become a magnet for many who appreciate the lifestyle amenities, both natural and manmade.
Joan Marks volunteers her time at Putnam General Hospital in Eatonton. The growth of health care services and the planned assisted-living complex is another plus. "When you are retired, you need to think about all of these things," Mr. Marks offered.
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They also found great value in the fact that the community was well-established, with excellent
long-range plans for growth, and good funding. |
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The nearby historical towns of Greensboro and Madison have "lots of memorabilia" and "beautiful mansions" according to Mr. Marks. Each is no more than a 15-minute drive as is Eatonton, another small community. Some of Georgia's most famous landmarks are found in the area.
For example, Eatonton, founded in 1808, is home to the Brer Rabbit and Uncle Remus Museum. Two of the town's most famous citizens include Joel Chandler Harris, creator of the
Uncle Remus Tales, and Alice Walker, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of
The Color Purple.
Greensboro has great antique shopping, individual historic sites, and five historic districts. The Courthouse was built in 1848 and is still being used. Named for the Revolutionary War hero, Nathanael Greene, many of the original inhabitants of the town were veterans of that war.
The third small town, Madison, has been the county seat of neighboring Morgan County since 1809, and was long-ago described as the "most cultured and aristocratic town on the stage route from Charleston to New Orleans." The wealth that was in Madison can still be seen and appreciated in the many fine antebellum homes and buildings that are lovingly maintained by original families or appreciative newcomers. It also has a great Italian restaurant, Amici's, according to Mr. Marks.
There is continuing and lifelong education nearby, through the University of Georgia at Athens, Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, and a branch of Athens Tech in Greensboro.
The Greensboro Regional Airport provides private plane and jet landing capabilities and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is roughly 75 miles away.
For Mr. and Mrs. Marks, the combination of qualities simply compelled them to choose Reynolds Plantation with its trio of towns, its 80 miles
of Lake Oconee frontage, and of course, those golf courses…
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Katherine O. Pettit has worked as a writer, magazine editor, printer and public
relations consultant. The Columbia resident has published more than 250 articles
in magazines and newspapers. Her writing explores a variety of subjects including
travel, lifestyles, business and management.
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