Thanks to my close friendship with Jimmy Harris, the amiable mayor of Nacoochee Bend near Helen, I have been fortunate to enjoy rejuvenating visits to the northern part of our state. Nacoochee Bend, although unincorporated, boasts a distinct charm, and politics is the last thing on Jimmy’s mind.
Known for his loyalty, forthrightness, and practicality, he shies away from the political wheeling and dealing often associated with the game. In a hypothetical scenario of political office, Jimmy envisions committee meetings held while fly fishing in Georgia’s trout streams, with colleagues sipping Diet Coke rather than whiskey.
Jimmy’s vision extends to ending the day with everyone gathering around the flag, singing kumbaya, embodying the spirit of a good citizen and a great American. To be a great American, one need not hold high political office, win prestigious tournaments, or write literary masterpieces. Instead, it involves hard work, responsible bill payment, support for church and charity, dedication to family and community, and a commitment to faith, hope, and charity.
Jimmy Harris, an exemplar of these values for decades, epitomizes the kind of individual we hope will not become extinct. During occasional escapes to Cornelia, where Jimmy and his wife Kathy reside with a house featuring a spacious porch, a large fireplace, and a view of the Chattahoochee River, the tranquility of simpler times is experienced. Kathy, a retired teacher with a generous heart, exemplifies the golden rule through her actions. Her warm smile and culinary skills complement her prowess with a fly rod.
On a recent visit, we traversed two-lane roads leading to their riverside home, reminiscent of a bygone era with rolled hay bales and the beauty of pine trees and hardwoods. Dinner at “The Attic” in Clarkesville added to the nostalgic experience. The former service station turned restaurant prompted reflections on the era when they were called “filling” stations. The reminiscence of pulling into these stations, where attendants would ask, “fill ‘er up?” before the self-service era, accompanied thoughts of simpler times.
As I ordered a hamburger steak, memories of my ’50 Ford and the customary “dollar’s worth” of gas flooded my mind. Engaging in conversations about trout fishing and Georgia football, surrounded by down-to-earth friends who appreciate nature as a form of praising God, made the evening memorable. The delightful meal and cozy atmosphere set the stage for a restful night under a warm blanket, with the sounds of the Chattahoochee River lulling me into peaceful contentment.
It’s these moments, filled with friendship, nostalgia, and the soothing melody of nature, that keep drawing me back to spend time with Jimmy and Kathy Harris.
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