Swainsboro, Georgia (February 27, 2009) – Since the first day of construction, Flat Creek Lodge in Swainsboro has been supporting local businesses, artisans and builders. While recent attention on the resort and spa has focused on what the property has been exporting around Georgia and beyond – artisanal cheeses, fresh berries and produce – Flat Creek Lodge is still drawing attention and visitors to Emanual County, promoting Southeast Georgia to guests from as far away as Canada. With journalists, tourists and even television crews stomping into retail and hospitality spot Stumpknockers to begin their journey to faraway kind of place, Flat Creek Lodge literally welcomes the world to Swainsboro.

Last week, Flat Creek cooked up a hearty country breakfast for 165 guests from 50 states and Canada as part of the North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association’s annual convention, which was meeting in Savannah. The organization’s dedication to nurturing the farm direct marketing industry proved a perfect fit for Flat Creek Lodge’s mission of practicing sustainable agriculture. Flat Creek Lodge serves guests fish, game, produce and dairy products raised, grown or created onsite and delivers its varied line to retail shops and restaurants throughout the state. In fact, the group enjoyed the visit so much the tour guides are interested in returning twice in 2009 with other groups.

If agriculturalists are partial to Flat Creek Lodge, for avid and novice outdoor sportsmen and women, the property stands as a rare gem where luxury is as vital as rusticity. Apparently the Outdoor Channel thought so too, and they sent a television crew down last fall to hunt turkey. Host of Outfitter Tuff Jim Crumley got to experience many aspects of the property, where quail hunting, target practice and great fishing are de rigueur. While Crumley enjoyed the thrill of the chase, General Manager Cathy McDaniel filled in the crew on the other offerings of the property like the spa, gourmet dining room, deluxe accommodations and Japanese bathhouse.

“We chose Flat Creek Lodge because it has a one-of-a-kind personality,” said Crumley. “There is not one separate aspect of Flat Creek that makes it a superb destination; it is the total concept – the property, the hunting, the lodging, the people and, of course, the food!” Each week, Outdoor Channel Outfitters puts viewers in the field with the best outfitters in the country and features a different destination.

Naturally, Crumley’s on-camera hunt ended in success when he downed what he described as an excellent bird. “Flat Creek has much more than hunting. I must say that the hunting experience is just a fun, fun part of an extraordinary Flat Creek experience,” he said. The show aired during early February on Outfitters TV – bringing Swainsboro into living rooms across the country, and bringing the country into Flat Creek Lodge – virtually.

The honored guests don’t stop with television hosts and agriculture conventions. Following an exciting week of tour busses and TV premieres, Flat Creek Lodge spent last weekend welcoming Tuxedo Road magazine, which feature the property in an upcoming issue. And did we mention the fact that Southern Living also made its way to Flat Creek Lodge late last fall? The piece in that well-known magazine has already been published bringing another kind of accolade to the property that was honored as a Producer of Distinction by the Georgia Department of Economic Development in October of 2008.

Another honored guest will head to Flat Creek Lodge late this spring. Renowned chef, author and culinary television producer Virginia Willis will be Flat Creek Lodge for a Visiting Chef Dinner on May 23. Guests will have the opportunity to sample some of what made Willis a household name. A one-hour cocktail reception will be followed by a five-course wine dinner compliments of Chef Willis. Dinner is $75 per person or dinner is available with lodging for $325 per couple for one night or $599 per couple for two nights. Reservations are required by May 20 and can be made by calling 877-352-8273.

Located just three hours southeast of Atlanta, Flat Creek Lodge welcomes the discerning sportsman and sportswoman to an unforgettable hunting and fishing adventure. Amid a pristine and private woodland preserve, guests can stay in the main Lodge or in a private Cottage.  Visitors can enjoy many outdoor activities, relax in the Spa, or pamper themselves in the uniquely designed Japanese bathhouse before experiencing the cuisine in the Flat Creek Lodge Dining Room.  Menus feature fresh, seasonal herbs, fruits, and vegetables, wild game and seafood from the Golden Isles of Georgia.  Dining on Friday and Saturday evenings is four or five courses paired with just the right wine.  The 2,000-acre Flat Creek Lodge is located at 367 Bishop Chapel Church Road, Swainsboro, Georgia 30401. The Lodge can be reached at 478.237.FISH or 877.352.8273.  It can also be visited online at www.flatcreeklodge.com.