Life & Real Estate In & Around Athens GA.

The Oconee County Ga economy was the best performing in the state of Georgia during 2009. It was one of only 7 counties in Georgia that showed improving economic conditions according to the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

The DCA takes into consideration several factors to determine the economic performance of the various counties. These factors include unemployment rates, per capita income and the number of people living under the poverty level, among other things. Oconee county has an unemployment rate of 5.5% compared to the state rate of over 10%

There are several reasons for Oconee County's positive economic performance. One of the major reasons is the presence of the University of Georgia, just a few miles away in Athens. Another factor is the presence of several other government agencies as well as a strong medical community.

Oconee County, like almost every other county in the country, has been affected by the real estate market downturn, with significantly reduced new construction as well as a lower sale rate of existing homes. However, because of its demonstrated resilience in a very tough economy, Oconee County Ga is expected to be leading the pack as the economy of the state improves.

For more information on Oconee County, GA or if you are interested in buying or selling your home there, please call me at 706-207-5290. Or you can click here to email me with your inquiries. To search for homes in Oconee County, Watkinsville and the surrounding areas, please visit my website The Athens Real Estate Page.

Faeries In Oconee County?

While traveling to work a few days ago I happened upon an arc of mushrooms that was not there the day before. A large arc of mushrooms now grew in the middle where there was only grass the day before.

Some scientists will say that it is merely the capriciousness of nature, the accidental placement of mushroom spores in the shape of a circle or an arc. But science cannot prove it. There are other theories, none of which science has yet proven.

But many believe that these rings, or arcs, are the results of creatures of myth and legend. Celtic and Scandinavian lore say that these rings are the results of faeries, or elves, or even pixies dancing. French mythology calls them ronds de sorcier,  the result of some sorcerers magic. In Germany they were known as hexenringe, or witches rings, the result of witches dancing on Walpurgis Nacht. Dutch tradition claims they are the marks of where the Devil used his milk churn and Tyrolian legend claims they are made by dragon's breath.

Almost all Faerie ring lore paint Faerie rings as dangerous places, warning that anyone entering one of them will suffer some form of harm from mild bad luck to death. However, a there are a few tales of those entering having good fortune including wealth, bountiful harvests and large families.

They have been the subject of poetry, of songs and of art. Shakespeare wrote about Faerie Rings in A Midsummer Nights Dream:

And I serve the fairy queen,

To dew her orbs upon the green

Throughout history men and women have wondered over Faerie Rings. They have looked to them for luck. They have avoided them for fear of bad luck. Many have claimed to have been trapped inside in a seemingly endless dance at the mercy of the elves and faeries.

So, are they a natural but unexplained phenomenon? Or are they the result of creatures we think of as nothing more than myth?

I don't know, I didn't see any Faeries, after all, they only come out at night. But maybe they were Pixies and able to hide under the mushroom caps and behind the stems. Maybe I needed to actually enter the ring. But if I had, I might still be there, trapped in an endless dance, at the mercy of the faeries, waiting for someone else to stumble upon the ring and take my place.

Are there Faeries to be found in Oconee County? I can only say perhaps.

But I am not sure what the story is here.

Whenever I go into the office I take 316 to the Oconee Connector. I then turn right to get to my office on Jennings Mill Rd. and I pass and intersection with the above sign.

When I head home, or out on an appointment in that same direction I retrace my route back to the Oconee Connector and pass the same intersection with the sign shown below.

Ok, same intersection, same sign. But somewhat different road names.

When I look on a map I find that the road is Virgil Langford Rd. I can't find a Langkord anywhere.

I wonder what the story is behind this sign. Was it a local joke? (Nobody seems to know the punchline if it is a joke). How long did it take before someone from the county noticed the discrepancy? Has anyone from the county noticed? Why hasn't it been repaired? All questions without answers.

But for now, it remains one of those quaint rural south landmarks. I think I like it that way. I can make up a  new story about it every time I pass by. Wonder what Virgil thinks of that? What is the story behind this?