Hunger Games in Dawsonville

Are you a fan of the Hunger Games?  If you are then you are in luck, portions of the sequel to the Hunger Games are said to be filming in Dawsonville.  Actors from the movie have already been spotted in and around town like Liam Hemsworth.  The movie is set to be filmed around the Atlanta area and Hawaii.

The rumors started a few weeks ago that scenes for the popular "Hunger Games" sequel, "Catching Fire," would be filmed in Dawsonville.

While a press release distributed by Lionsgate entertainment last week listed "only existing locations in and near Atlanta" as the film's primary shooting sites, locals are hopeful after seeing a few of the film's stars at area shops in recent days.

Debby Joyner, a barista at a local coffee shop, was working the counter when she noticed a crowd gathering at the location in Kroger.

"It was really busy at that time and I looked up from working and there were a lot of people. I thought, ‘Gosh, why are there so many people' and one of my customers said: ‘Debby, don't you know who that is? That's the actors from the "Hunger Games,"'" she said. "I was so excited because I was reading the third book."

Liam Hemsworth and Jennifer Lawrence, who are reprising their roles in the sequel, were also reportedly seen shopping at the outlet mall the same day.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there was still no official word that scenes will be filmed in Dawson County, though an official with Amicalola Falls State Park has said representatives with the film have been in contact with him.

"There has been some interest in shooting at Amicalola Falls, but there has been nothing definite in place yet," said Matt Owens, site manager at the park.

According to the release, filming began Sept. 10 in the Atlanta area and will be shot on location on the beaches and jungle of Hawaii before wrapping up in late December.

The movie is set to be released worldwide Nov. 22, 2013.

The movie also stars Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland.

The possible filming in Dawsonville comes on the heels of the release of "Trouble with the Curve," a movie starring Clint Eastwood, Justin Timberlake and Amy Adams that shot scenes at Amicalola 

Lodge just west of downtown Dawsonville earlier this year.

"Trouble with the Curve" hits theaters Friday and is already receiving rave reviews.

Georgia has been one of the country's leading locations for Hollywood film production for a couple of years, thanks to the tax breaks and incentives the state offers.

Passed in 2008, the Georgia Entertainment Industry Act gives production companies a 20 percent tax credit if the company spends a minimum of $500,000 on production and post-production in the state.

Lionsgate was the first company to take advantage of the state's film tax incentive, according to Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey.

"Lionsgate has been a longtime partner of Georgia's entertainment industry. The fact that they are continuing to bring productions including this high profile franchise to Georgia reaffirms their 
commitment to our talented crew, diverse locations and accessibility," he said.

For more information see the Dawson News.

Pumpkin Time

Fall is almost here, which means it is time for pumpkins.  Do not just use pumpkins for carving, here is a delicious pumpkin desert recipe for you to make for your family.

Makes: 24 to 36 servings
Yield: 24 to 36 bars 

Prep: 25 mins  

Bake: 325°F 55 mins 

 Cool: 30 mins  

Chill: 3 Hours

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 1/4
  cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4
  cup sugar
• 1/3
  cup butter, melted
• 2
  8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 3/4
  cups sugar
• 3
  eggs
• 1
  cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2
  teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2
  teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4
  teaspoon salt
• 6
  ounces semisweet chocolate, cut up, or 1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces
• 2
  tablespoons butter
• 1 1/4
  cups sour cream
• 1/4
  cup sugar
• Grated fresh nutmeg
• Milk chocolate or semisweet chocolate curls

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar. Stir in the 1/3 cup melted butter. Press mixture evenly into bottom of the prepared baking pan; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and the 1-3/4 cups sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. Beat in pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and salt on low speed just until combined. Remove 1-1/4 cups of the mixture.

3. In a small heavy saucepan, combine the 6 ounces chocolate and the 2 tablespoons butter. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Whisk chocolate mixture into the 1-1/4 cups pumpkin mixture. Pour over crust, spreading evenly. Bake for 15 minutes.

4. Carefully pour the remaining pumpkin mixture over baked chocolate layer, spreading evenly. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes more or until filling is puffed and center is set. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes.

5. In a small bowl, combine sour cream and 1/4 cup sugar. Gently spread over cookies. Cool completely. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours. Cut into bars.* Before serving, sprinkle with nutmeg and/or chocolate curls. Makes 24 to 36 bars.

From the Test Kitchen

• Make Ahead Tip Bake and chill cookies as directed; cut into bars. Place in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze.
• Tip *Test Kitchen Tip:To make triangle-shape bars, cut the cookies crosswise into four strips. Then cut each strip into five triangles (you'll end up with two half-triangles from the ends of each strip).
  For more information see Better Homes and Gardens.
  

Get Your Home Organzied for Fall

It is time to get ready for fall and winter in your home.  Here are some great fall organizational tips to make sure your home is ready for the upcoming seasons.

Tip #1 Since the floor plan may seem small, the best way to add storage as well as décor to your apartment is through wall shelving. By adding shelves, you're able to make use of wall space by storing CD's, books, videos or any other collections on the shelves and off the floor. Wall shelves are also a great way to display framed photographs or other knick-knacks.
 
Tip #2 As an avid shoe collector, I know that small closet space can be a problem in most apartments. A great way to get shoes off the floor and allow space for other items is to purchase a shoe organizer. They can be found just about anywhere, and are a great low cost alternative to closet clutter. The best ones hang right over your closet door, allowing easy access to your favorite pair of shoes. By organizing your shoes, it also cuts down on time spent looking for them, especially when you're in a hurry!
 
Tip #3 Another great way to make the most of limited closet space is to buy adding an additional closet rod. This apparatus is simply hung from both sides of your original rod by 'hangers', allowing for a second row of clothing to be added below the first. A great space-saver, this item can be found at Bed, Bath and Beyond for a low price.
 
Tip #4 Depending on available floor space, a common storage unit can come from the form of a trunk, or chest. These are good for putting away seasonal items or even extra towels for the guests. They're also a great additive to room décor, and can also provide additional seating in a bedroom or be used as a table for pictures or flowers.
 
Tip #5 In the living room, store books or games in storage furniture like Ottomans or coffee tables with drawers and shelves. Ottomans are essential for living rooms in that they provide a leg rest instead of the coffee table, and they can store things away from sight. You can also use them to store everyday items like the remote controls, or a TV Guide to reduce clutter in the living space.
 
Tip #6 Another good space for storing items is under the bed. While most people do hide things under the bed, most often they're not stored properly and items can get dusty and sometimes damaged. Plastic bins are an easy way to store winter sweaters, extra bedding or items you just don't know what to do with. There are specially sized plastic bins that are made thin enough to fit right under the bed, allowing for easy accessibility and freshness when particular items are needed.
 
Tip #7 If you have extra space on your closet floor, adding plastic drawers can organize and reduce clutter from other areas of the house. Organize belts, scarves, ties or anything else in the plastic drawers to make room in your regular drawers for clothing or undergarments. You can also use these drawers to hold gym clothing, extra shoes or slippers, or laundry supplies to keep with the laundry pile. These drawers, as with any size or type of plastic bin, can be found at discount retailers like Target or Wal-Mart for a low price.
 
Tip #8 Cut down on clutter by adding hanging hooks to the living room, kitchen or bathrooms. These inexpensive items allow for usable wall space to be turned into a storage area for day-to-day items like your cell phone, keys or hats. Use hooks in the bathroom to hang bathrobes or wet towels, or even decorative towels can be used for both display and practicality. In the kitchen, hang dishtowels or spare keys for easy accessibility or organization.
 
Tip #9 An easy way to store a lot of items is to have a TV entertainment center with lots of drawers and shelves. Since they are usually large, make the most of the space it takes up by storing DVDs, CDs, books or video games. Try to find enough shelves to fit the electronics, and when you're all finished setting everything up, clip together the electrical cords to make it look more neat and clean. By clipping all the cords together, it's also easier to vacuum and reduce the amount of dust buildup behind the furniture.
 
Tip #10 The last tip is to shop around for furniture that has multiple uses. You have a limited amount of space to work with, so make the most of it. Most bedroom sets offer beds with drawers, so this is a great way to attain additional storage. Ikea is a great store to shop for storage solutions for affordable apartment settings. Coffee tables, end tables, and even miniature bars all have shelves or storage space, so use it wisely!

For more information see yahoo.

Dawsonville Movie to Open Sept. 21st

"Trouble with the Curve" is set to be released September 21st, and it has the whole town of Dawsonville very excited.  The movie was filmed in a Dawsonville hotel that was renamed "The Grey Squirrel for the movie.  Georgia's tax breaks and movie incentives have brought more movies to Georgia in the past few years, and the area is looking forward to more movies in the future. Praven Patel plans to be among the first in line when the movie filmed earlier this year at his Dawsonville motel hits the big screen next month.     Warner Brothers recently released the first trailer for "Trouble with the Curve" starring Clint Eastwood with several scenes featuring Amicalola Lodge, the motel Patel has owned for the last 20 years. "It's very exciting. The trailer was very nice, and the scenes for the motel look very nice," he said. In the movie, the motel has been renamed The Grey Squirrel. Also featuring Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake, "Trouble with the Curve" stars Eastwood as an aging baseball scout who travels to Atlanta with his daughter to see a hot prospect. While the movie is set to open nationwide Sept. 21, there is no official word yet if it will be shown at the local cinema, though executives with the Georgia Theater Company are aware the movie holds local ties. Official Ansley Scofield said it is up to movie companies to determine when and if special events take place to coincide with openings. Any special events would be advertised and promoted, she added. Georgia has been one of the country's leading locations for Hollywood film production for a couple of years, thanks to the tax breaks and incentives offered by the state. Passed in 2008, the Georgia Entertainment Industry Act gives production companies a 20 percent tax credit if the company spends a minimum of $500,000 on production and post-production in the state. While it remains unclear how much Warner Brothers spent to film the scenes in Dawsonville, officials said the movie lit a spark in the local economy with crews purchasing construction supplies at home improvement stores and crew members shopping the retail outlets at Ga. 400. The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office launched the Camera Ready Communities program in 2010 to train and certify Georgia counties on how to work with production companies and provide local, one-on-one assistance with productions. Officials have said they see the incentive program as a boon for Dawson County, which is set to be the backdrop for the filming of a second major motion picture. According to Executive Producer Denise Kleiner, a film focused on the north Georgia gold rush and famed local miners is in the works. She reported last week that the script is almost finalized and the production company is preparing a preliminary filming schedule. Although Kleiner has confirmed the film's budget is set at $50 million, she said officials are not willing to release more details until filming locations are set. As of April, officials were seeking confirmation from local property owners on whether they could use the land and home where famed miner Green Russell lived near the Etowah River. For more information see Dawson News.