Flat Creek Lodge Blog

With Valentine's Day around the corner, we were lucky enough to get the scoop from one of the sweetest stories yet to come out of the Lodge.  Thanks to Al Lawson for sharing his story with us!  Read on for the romantic details...

After loosing his wife to cancer in 2004, Al struggled for the next few years, finally finding someone he was interested in getting to know a few years later in 2007.  Dianne and Al had their first date at the lodge, and things were going well.  Over the next year their relationship blossomed, including questions to Al from Dianne's daughter about just when the 'ring' would be coming! 

He made a reservation at the Lodge, with perfect timing.  They were the only couple at dinner that night, so it made for a romantic setting.  Al recalls that the two of them laughed when dinner turned out to be ravioli, since they weren't fans of the Italian dish - but their tastebuds got turned around with the delectable concoction prepared with cornish hen and artisan cheese from the dairy.  

Earlier that day, unbeknown to Dianne, Al had done a little special planning with the chef.  He bought in a box of Cracker Jacks - one of Dianne's favorite sweet treats - with the top steamed open.  He traded in the prize for an extra shiny surprise for Dianne to discover later that evening.

After dinner, though Dianne was stuffed from dinner, Al and the waiter convinced her that dessert would be worth it.  The waiter finally arrived with a silver domed tray, expertly taking off the lid to reveal the box of Cracker Jacks, surrounded by chocolate covered strawberries.  She had truly found her prize in the box and with the evening's proposal from Al.

For Dianne and Al, it was an unforgettable night and a sweet beginning to a promise of a lifetime.  The two were married in November of 2009 and continue to reside in Swainsboro.



Do you have a romantic tale to tell while at the Lodge?  We'd love to hear about it!

Anthony Shaw of Texas is one lucky duck.  As the winner of the Land O' Frost/O'Neil Outside Flat Creek Lodge Promotional Contest, he'll be at the Lodge from Feb. 23-35 while they'll be shooting the O'Neil Outside television program for two days while at Flat Creek.  Actually... we thought of one person even luckier - his nephew whom he'll be bringing with him! 

We can't wait to see you, Anthony!  Congratulations!

Now, we're so glad to be a part of the community, but one thing that hinders us locals and our visitors alike from around the globe is the condition of the road when visitors come down Bishop Chapel Church Road.  We want to thank The Forest Blade for printing our Letter to the Editor, which we'll also share with you below. 

Dear Citizens of Emanuel County,

The purpose of my letter is to report to you the unsafe condition of our road and request that the stretch of road from Cannoochee Road to the north property line of Flat Creek Lodge be paved. I currently serve as the General Manager of Flat Creek Lodge.

Flat Creek Lodge is a resort that brings in people from across the state and the world and has become one of the top attractions in Southeast Georgia.


Here are just some of the ways the dis-repair of the road affects both the county and our business:

-Three accidents have occurred on this road in just in the past 6 months. One of the accidents required a passenger which had to be emergency airlifted to Augusta, GA. Another resulted in a broken collar bone and the vehicle was totaled

- In the past 8 years we have pulled more than 75 customers out of the ditches on this road and lost scores of business.

-A considerable amount of tax revenue has come into Emanuel County in the last 8 years due to Flat Creek Lodge, not only in property taxes, but sales taxes as well. We have over 35 employees and/or independent contractors who currently travel this road.

We come to you for aid in remaining a viable active entity and to help us create more revenue for the county by attracting visitors from other areas of the state, our country and from all over the world.


We are proud to call Emanuel County home. We believe in the people and see the incredible potential for growth and prosperity in our area. We have even gone the route of trying to repair the road ourselves when large groups come to the Lodge which puts us at risk for liabilities that should be the responsibility of our county.

Please consider our request to have Bishop Chapel Church Road paved.

Sincerely,

Cathy D. McDaniel

General Manager Flat Creek Lodge

367 Bishop Chapel Church Road

Swainsboro, Georgia 30401

Have you had any of these experiences on Bishop Chapel Church Road?  Please share them with us in the 'comments' section.

We were excited to host the Georgia’s Regional Tourism Representatives last Monday, January 11th here at Flat Creek Lodge!  The Swainsboro / Emanuel Chamber of Commerce, along with city, county and Joint Development Authority representatives hosted.  We were excited to have all 17 members of the group at the Lodge.  It was an incredible chance to showcase some of what the County has to offer, as well as for the group to strategically come up with a plan for tourism for our entire state.  Check out the coverage on The Forest Blade's website!

Now that we've gotten past Christmas and New Year's, another holiday is almost upon us!  Sure, we know it's a month away, but what better night to look forward to than a special Valentine's Day treat spent with the love in your life and with us here at the Lodge?

If you're local to the Southeast Georgia area, it's $100 per couple for dinner & glass of champagne on Feb. 13th or 14th. Our chefs at the Lodge have been busily working on the menu for dinner, and this year the five course dinner features either a pan roasted Atlantic salmon or Grilled Painted Hills Ribeye as the entree, and finishes off sweet with a Trio of Chocolate.  We're so excited that we've even got the full menu ready for you - check it out here: Valentine's Day 2010 Menu at Flat Creek Lodge

And we're one of the most unique Valentine's weekend getaways in Georgia.  Stay overnight for $350 per couple includes dinner, lodge room and breakfast.  If you've got time, be sure to ask one of our staff members about special massages and outings!

Weather it's your first time visiting us or if you've been here before for our annual Valentine's Dinner, rest assured - this will be a special night for you and your sweetheart.  Our staff does everything possible to make sure your visit is a memorable one!

Dinner and Dancing with live music by Perpetual Motion on Feb. 13th. Dinner on both Feb. 13 & 14th, 2010.  For reservations, contact Martha Cobb at 877-352-8273.

You heard us right. 

Three pounds.

Our lovely, delicate oyster mushrooms have been growing up a storm.  But we were treated to quite a surprise when we discovered this three pound 'shoom amongst the pack.

We don't know if it broke any world records, but it certainly was a record here at the Lodge! It came out looking more like a pretty piece of sculpture than a culinary delicacy! We also wanted to share a recipe for Oyster Mushroom Pasta... we know if we made this recipe with our record-busting mushoom, it would feed the whole farm!

Greetings!  It's a new year, and over at Flat Creek Lodge want to start 2010 off with the opportunity to share the happenings at the Lodge with you.  We'll let you know about all the latest events and special deals, as well as useful tips, recipes and more from the Dairy and Restaurant.  We hope your new year has started off right.  Stay warm out there, and we'll see you soon!