You are invited to a celebration!  The HOA year is coming to a close and we have big plans to highlight a year of accomplishments.  We want to share it with you. 

For many years it was the tradition to follow the HOA Annual Meeting with lunch and a good social time for the community.  We are bringing that back!  On July 14 at 11:00 am the Annual Meeting will be held in the Chapel.  This will be a brief time of reflection on the activities of our year and a time to meet the newly elected directors who will be serving you for the next three years.  And we will be presenting the Outstanding Service Award to a very deserving Big Canoe recipient.

A great social time will follow immediately after the meeting.  The Varsity (http://www.thevarsity.com/ ) is coming to cater lunch for us.  If you have never had a Varsity hot dog or hamburger you have been missing a treat!  The Varsity is an institution in Georgia, just a part of the fabric that makes up Atlanta (and Athens - the Varsity is there also.)  Along with the Varsity food will be entertainment sure to delight you and make it even more festive.  And there will be no charge!!!  This is the gift of the HOA to the community to say thank you to all who have supported us in our efforts with your dues and your attendance at our many events.  Tables will be set up in the Broyles Center for lunch so you can eat comfortably and visit with friends.

Lunch is not limited to HOA members.  Any Big Canoe homeowner may join us but if you are not a member we hope this will encourage you to join.  However, we must have a head count so we are asking you to make reservations.  A reservation form is with this article (Click here) or you may email reservations to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The HOA stays busy, unwilling to slow the pace.  You will see articles in this issue about several events we are sponsoring or co-sponsoring.  On May 30 Dr. James Crupi will present a seminar titled, "Global Security --- What is Really Going On", that you will not want to miss.  The annual Symphony on the Green will take place on June 3.  On June 29 there will be another concert by the Amazin Rhythm Aces (http://www.theacesforreal.com/).  The demand for tickets will be huge so make your plans early as space will be limited.  Then, on July 9, we are going to the movies.  There will be a showing of the beloved movie "Song of the South", known also as the "zippidy de do dah" movie.  This wonderful classic will be a treat for all of us.  I'll admit my age if I tell you it was a favorite of my childhood but I certainly will not miss seeing it again.

We have been busy with other projects also.  Soon we will be placing an air pump in the parking area between the tennis courts and the fire station for your convenience.  When it is available you will have more information.  New and stronger soccer goals are being purchased to meet the increasing demand for soccer. 

The HOA has been active in supporting the proposed Dawson County Community Center and we are hopeful it will become a reality.  Many of us have attended the County Commission Meetings to show our support and that has not gone unnoticed by the commissioners.  We'll continue to work toward making the community center a reality.  We already know it will be included in the SPLOST referendum in September in some form.  We are working with the POA to see that it is built to meet our needs.  Assuming that happens, those of you who are Dawson County residents will have a job to do --- VOTE!  Big Canoe is seen as a paper tiger because too many of us don't make the effort to go to the polls.  We'll do everything we can to remind you of the special election but we can't vote for you.  You will have to do that!  If you are not a registered voter and live in Dawson County, there is still time.  Then, get to the polls and vote!  We'll make all of the details available to you as we get them.

Next month I will spend some time detailing the many things we have been involved in throughout this year.  Suffice it to say, we stay very busy working on your behalf.

Mark your calendar and join in the fun on July 14.  We promise a day you will enjoy!