The Henry County Fair took place from September 29 - October 5 at Windy Hill Park in McDonough. The fair featured rides for children, a horse race and demonstration, as well as food vendors. Local residents and businesses displayed crafts, jewelry, food and arts. One of the biggest features of the fair was a 330 pound pumpkin that has grown over the past year!

The Kiwanis Club has sponsored the fair for the past 25 years. All money raised at the event remains in the county to assist local organizations. Other organizations involved in making this annual fair occur include the Henry County 4-H Club, the City of McDonough and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Office in McDonough.

This was a fantastic way for Heron Bay residents to enjoy the early fall weather. Along with local events, the residents of this Atlanta master planned community are also able to enjoy events within their own community.

For more information on the Henry County Fair contact 770-288-8421.

All residents of Heron Bay Golf & Country Club know they have a high-quality, luxury home no matter what part of the master-planned community they live in. Even better are the conveniences of the retail village at Heron Bay which include restaurants, shops, an urgent care clinic, banks and other daily errand stops which allows residents to save time driving around and spend more time doing the things they love.  However, its what residents might not necessarily notice that truly gives this Atlanta golf community the luxurious and peaceful feel its known for: over 560 acres of green space! This incredible amount of green space is not only really impressive for a master-planned community, but also is such a great way to enjoy the natural beauty Georgia has to offer. Heron Bay is a perfect blend of all the modern conveniences and home upgrades of an Atlanta new home, while still maintaining 560 acres of what makes the south a beautiful place to live. So take a walk around Heron Bay in Henry County and really take pride in one community that understands that less really is more.

Heron Bay Golf and Country Club celebrated the grand opening of its Lakefront Park on Saturday, June 21. The fun and exciting mid-day event was attended by more than 500 residents, who all enjoyed food, music and entertainment. Heron Bay residents can now enjoy absolutely breathtaking views of Henry County’s Cole Reservoir from the new Lakefront Park. The park, located on the secluded far west end of the Atlanta golf community, features a large, stunning pavilion with a catering kitchen, overhead fans, picnic tables, fire pits, an IPOD docking station and swings. Beautiful pergolas are scattered around the lawn surrounding the pavilion and provide an ideal place to relax in the shade. The park will allow Heron Bay residents to enjoy outdoor activities with family and friends while taking in magnificent views of the sparkling, crystal blue lake. The Lakefront Park provides the perfect space for picnics, cookouts, quiet time and much more. The Lakefront Park grand opening event was organized by the Heron Bay Community Association and the Heron Bay Social Committee. The Social Committee, which is chaired by Jackie Johnson, a Heron Bay resident, cultivates a sense of friendship between neighbors within Heron Bay through social events and activities for residents of all ages.

Living in Heron Bay gives residents access to all of the wonderful events taking place every weekend in Henry County and Locust Grove. While Heron Bay does do its best to offer parties and events within the community, on those off weekends you won’t lack for fun activities. For example, this weekend at the Henry County Performing Arts Center, you can catch the School Edition of “Les Miserables.” Presented by the Henry Players, you can see an author-approved version of the hit musical for only $13.

Or, for some outdoor fun in Stockbridge, tonight you can partake in the “Walk on the Wild Side Night Hike.” With a hike taking place every Thursday evening through the summer, you can get an introduction to the nocturnal world of the forest and swamps. This is fun for the whole family and only $5 a person! From 7:30 - 9:00 you might see fluorescent creatures, hear bats or even spot an owl. Registration is required to take part in these hikes, so call 770-389-7801.

These weekend activities are a great way for you to get acquainted with the area in which you live. I am sure you have spent plenty of time taking advantage of Heron Bay’s exceptional amenity package, so you have undoubtedly befriended quite a few community neighbors. So why don’t you invite these friends to Les Miserable or to take a walk on the wild side?

Heron Bay is a huge supporter of the environment, as proven by their support of the Cole Reservoir, their extensive trail system and their tremendous tree efforts. The tree initiative may be something that you were not aware of, so allow me to elaborate in greater detail:

Since construction started in 2002, over 3,500 trees have been planted in the ROW and amenities areas. Applying their efforts further than the beautiful Atlanta golf community, Heron Bay has partnered with Henry and Spalding Counties to improve the beauty of streets in the area by adding trees, which are planted on fifty foot centers twice yearly during the dormant season. This particular approach has led to a survivability rate of almost 99%. Heron Bay and the partnering communities don’t just plant a tree and let that be that, they really want to make a difference, and so, the initiative is taken very seriously as both a certified arborist and landscape architect are hired (more…)

The Simply Southern Jubilee Bluegreass & Bar-B-Que Festival will be held April 18-20 at Nash Farm Battlefield in Hampton, Georgia. The event, co-hosted by the Henry County Chamber of Commerce and Henry County Parks & Recreation, will benefit the Haven House and Nash Farm Battlefield. For more information visit www.simplysouthernjubilee.com

On April 26, the annual Locust Grove Day parade begins at 10am at the Locust Grove library, travels through historic downtown and ends at the City Hall complex. Come out and enjoy the parade, great food and arts and crafts. The event is free to the publc. Call 770.957.5043 for more information.

These are just some of the wonderful local events that Heron Bay and Henry county residents are able to enjoy. For more events and ongoing activities, visit the Community Datebook in the Henry Daily Herald.

Heron Bay Golf and Country Club is featured in the March 24th issue of the Henry Daily Herald. The article focuses on Minerva’s preservation of the wetlands, the communities numerous amenities, variety of builders and the availability of luxurious custom homes.

Heron Bay truly is a unique Atlanta Golf community located just south of Atlanta in Locust Grove. Offering an 18-hole Canongate golf course, aquatic center, as well as nature trails and parks throughout, this community has something for everyone.

To read more about Heron Bay’s focus on nature conservation and the Custom Homes Division, read the article online and visit www.heronbayinfo.com.

Recently Henry County schools acknowledged Read Across America Day. Local leaders and parents were asked to volunteer their time on Monday, March 3 in the 11th Annual celebration. The purpose of this event is to encourage students to learn and become proficient in basic reading skills.

This day takes place across the nation on or near the birthdate of Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss.

Heron Bay students that attend Bethlehem Elementary School in Locust Grove participated in the event.

The article is available in it’s entirety on the Henry Herald Online.

According to SmartNumbers, Inc., Heron Bay Golf and Country Club is the number one selling community in Henry County, for the fourth consecutive year. With an amazing 110 closings in 2007, Heron Bay was able to come out on top, and, let’s be honest, it really isn’t that much of a surprise. I mean, no other community in Henry County, or even metro-Atlanta, has as much to offer residents as Heron Bay. And, even better, you don’t have to be a millionaire to afford a house in this fantastic master-planned community. Heron Bay caters to first time home buyers as well as those looking to upgrade with homes priced from the high $100,000’s to over $1 million. Another attribute that makes Heron Bay stand out in Atlanta Real Estate is that, on average, home sites range from one-quarter of an acre to one-half of an acre, which is significantly larger than many new communities. Heron Bay has exceptional amenities as well (more…)

Next time you check your “myspace” page, do a quick search and visit Henry Heron’s page and add him to your friends list. He is the Blue Heron that lives at Heron Bay Golf and Country Club with his wife and kids, and regularly updates his page to feature community news. He also has pictures of him participating in community events, and encourages residents to join him at the next event so that he can meet as many of his neighbors as possible.

It’s residents like Henry Heron that make Heron Bay such a unique community. This extraordinary master-planned community is located south of Atlanta in Henry County and features new single-family homes priced from the $180,000’s. Heron Bay truly stands out among other new communities in metro-Atlanta with its long list of amenities and numerous community events.