Welcome to the Retreat

While traveling the road to Retreat you will notice some changes. New directional signage for Retreat was recently installed making it easier to navigate your way to this relaxing waterfront community.

Retreat Queuing Sign @ the corner of Mooty Bridge and Lovic Davis Rd.

New queuing signage was installed at the corner of Mooty Bridge Road and Lovic Davis Road and at the corner of Lovic Davis Road and Garrett Road. Located just 12 short miles north of downtown LaGrange you will find Retreat nestled on the shores of  26,000 acre West Point Lake. Click here for directions.

Directional Sign @ Corner of Lovic Davis & Garrett Rd.

The recent resurfacing of Mooty Bridge Road looks great!

The Georgia DOT recently finished resurfacing and re-striping Mooty Bridge Road (State Route 219). The project was started in March and completed near the end of May. The project consisted of 16.158 miles of milling, inlay, plant mix resurfacing, single surface paving and shoulder rehabilitation on SR 219 beginning just north of Downtown LaGrange and extending north to its intersection with SR 34 in Heard County; near the City of Franklin.

The contract was awarded to CW Matthews Contracting Company of Marietta, Georgia, for $2,928,635.87.  Great to see continued infrastructure improvements in Troup County!

Did you know that the City of LaGrange has its own television channel? LGTV has been around since 2002 and is provided by the City to residents on Charter Cable and AT&T Uverse. The West Point Lake Report is hosted by the Park Ranger Rocky Millenbine. He hosts area leaders such as Tracy Martin of the Adventure Jam Mountain Bike Race and Jill Sistino of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeepers. Other programming pertains to local law enforcement and emergency services, home maintenance, parks and recreation, area schools, local government and children’s shows. Check out LGTV on You Tube or at the City of LaGrange’s website.

With Corps of Engineers trail permits in hand (the only ones of their kind on the Lake),  Retreat’s developer has  now completed trail heads on Firefly Run.

When fully completed the trails will meander for miles along West Point Lake and thru the nearly 300 acres of dense forest buffer that wraps Retreat. The trail system offers access to Retreat’s system of community docks which are available to each new property owner.

One of the best ways to explore the densely covered landscape along the lake is hiking or biking within the privacy of the community trails. Property owners will have access to the trails from just outside their door to enjoy a stroll or robust bike ride thru the terraced landscape.

The LaGrange Art Museum and the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra will be an “item” for a great weekend of music and art February 10-12th. Enjoy romance with “…for Love of the Arts,” a Valentine’s weekend get-away filled with artistic and cultural events for Georgia arts lovers. Presented by collaborating partners, LaGrange Art Museum and LaGrange Symphony Orchestra (LSO), this weekend of music, visual and cultural arts provides visitors with the best of the arts and the best of the region’s culture.

On Friday, the 10^th enjoy a free opening reception at the LaGrange Art Museum celebrating the opening of the 27th LaGrange National Biennial, a competition showcasing contemporary art from over 100 Georgia artists and others from throughout the U.S.

Then, from visual to instrumental, on Saturday, February 11th, the celebration of arts continues with the first of two concerts as Jason Coleman joins the LSO to perform the music of his grandfather, legendary keyboardist Floyd Cramer. Make reservations to enjoy the LSO’s Denim and Diamonds casual buffet dinner held at the Del’avant in historic downtown LaGrange held before the concert.

Sunday February 12 Coleman returns with the LSO for a grand finale to perform an afternoon of gospel music.

Source: for Love of the Arts 2012

Ken Breland, Director of Sales & Marketing for Retreat on West Point Lake
Broker, West Point Lake Realty

      David Kerr, Tour de Lake Committee Chair, announced the Annual Tour De Lake will kick off May 12, 2012 at 8:30 A.M. Saturday morning from Earl Cook Park on West Point Lake – located at the end of Lower Glass Bridge Road. David is the retired West Point Chief of Police and currently a Professor at Columbus State University at the West Point campus.

He says this wonderful family-oriented event provides a bicycle ride for people of all ages and skill levels.  Four course options are offered over  scenic West Point Lake’s moderate terrain with 25, 50, 75 or 100 mile rides. It is for all people of all ages and skill levels, and everyone is welcome!

Rest stops will be located every 10 to 20 miles, with food, drinks, restrooms, and great views all around the lake. S.A.G. will be provided by Golden’s Bicycle Shop, who will also be on hand before the ride to check your bike out before you ride! They will also be out on the course during the ride to provide you with mechanical support if you should need it. You will also see the Lagrange Amateur Radio Club on the course, providing top-notch communications to keep everyone together!

The scenic Tour ride travels around the West Point Lake’s surrounding areas while passing by some of the friendliest and most helpful volunteers! Routes have been updated from previous years to provide new scenery and to keep things fresh.

With the excellent paved routes, beautiful sceneries and superb volunteers, this is an excellent ride to start your cycling season! Mark your calendar for the West Point Tour de Lake ride in May of 2012 that is under new sponsorships. A great ride with excellent support!

Sponsors:

Road ID

Corley Drugs

Dr. John Vollenweider

Bicycle Recycled

Click here to Register

Source: Tour de Lake

Ken Breland, Director of Sales & Marketing for Retreat on West Point Lake
Broker, West Point Lake Realty

     Hollywood star Elijah Kelley was in his hometown of LaGrange Friday to open his latest movie, “Red Tails”, in which he stars as LaGrange resident Samuel “Joker” George.

     During the visit we also learned more of Willie Howell Fuller, of the Tuskegee Airmen, who was born in Tarboro, N.C. He enrolled in Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, earning his B. S. When Pearl Harbor was attacked he decided to enlist and entered the United States Army Air Corps at Tuskegee. He became a member of the Tuskegee Airmen and flew 76 combat missions as a fighter pilot and was awarded the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters. Fuller returned to LaGrange to become a contributing citizen and community leader.

     Elijah Kelley, who got to know many of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen while starring in the movie, said “It is important to him that the movie does justice to their remarkable accomplishments, both during the war and beyond.”

      Kelly, a graduate of Troup High School, was at the Legacy Museum and Troup County Archives Friday for a free reception to unveil a Tuskegee Airmen exhibit. Afterwards Kelley greeted fans and signed autographs at the Carmike 10 Theater – just down Main Street from the office of Retreat on West Point Lake.

Sources: Historian Clark Johnson, LaGrange Daily News, Facebook

by Ken Breland, Director of Sales & Marketing for Retreat on West Point Lake
Broker, West Point Lake Realty

     The time is almost here for LaGrange Academy’s 2012 Auction/Gala. It’s Saturday, February 4, 2012 at Jamie Keating’s – River Mill Center in Columbus.     

     Jamie is a real pro at this. His culinary career includes working for Milliken and Hyatt Hotels previously. He is the owner and Chief Executive Chef of Jamie Keating Culinary, Inc. and the management behind The RiverMill Event Centre.  As a graduate of Paul Smith’s College, in New York, and the Culinary Institute at Greystone in California he is a member of the 2008 U.S. Culinary Olympic Team and triple GOLD MEDALIST in the Kochunhunst Austerlang, Erfurt, Germany. He is well traveled to Europe for competitions with other countries. Jamie gained international expertise at a Michelin 3 Star restaurant in France and at the Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and has been featured on the Food Network.

      Jamie said “I am so proud of my wife Melissa!!! She has worked harder than ever before! We will make a difference!” Academy parent and auction chair, Melissa Keating, and her committee have spent countless of hours of work, with endless meetings, non-stop procurement, cheeky newsletters, and of course, sleepless nights. Hard to believe it’s been twenty years since the first group of parents put their heads together to come up with an event that would not only raise money for the Academy, but would bring the Academy community together for incredible  “fun”.  

     Melissa says “This year’s auction theme ‘mocks’ an actual wedding reception, and anything goes! Wear a tux, a gorgeous dress, or dressy casual attire. It’s what you make of it! And there’s a Progressive Jackpot! The more who play, the bigger the win. Bring a friend, your neighbor, spouse, parents to enjoy this fantastic entertainment venue! Great family and community camaraderie always make the event a blast. Auction items include everything – from wild trips, to beautiful jewelry, to amazing baskets.”

      You can RSVP until January 28th. Do it ASAP though! Please support LaGrange Academy. Call 706.882.8097.  We at Retreat on West Point Lake will be there for sure!

Amani and Marcus Pollard owners of Maize N’ Grace hosted NFL stars Tyrone Poole and Lewis Colbert in their shop before their speaking engagement in the evening. Ken and Zach Breland dropped by the shop for their book signing. Tyrone and Lewis were in town as keynote speakers for this year’s Brother to Brother event.  Marcus and Steve Bartkowski were keynote speakers at last year’s Brother to Brother. (Pictured L to R – Marcus Pollard, Tyrone Poole, Zach Breland, Lewis Colbert)

     “Brother to Brother” is the annual men’s fellowship event for Troup Transformation, Inc. which is held at Callaway Conference Center on the campus of West Georgia Technical College and includes a silent auction, dinner, and inspirational speakers.

     James Rimmer began the evening talking about the “Fathers in the Field” ministry, an outreach to millions of fatherless boys, and then he introduced Lewis Colbert.

     Lewis told us the uplifting story of how he overcame the adversity of crippling barriers to become an all American punter – setting records at Auburn University and a career as an NFL punter. Lewis was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1986 and then went on to play for San Diego. In his new book “The Unlikeliest Auburn Tiger” he tells little known stories of Auburn Football and how he overcame many seemingly insurmountable issues. Former Auburn head football coach Pat Dye comments in the the foreword to the book “I never really looked at Lewis as having a disability”.  

     And for the finale Tyrone Poole, a native of LaGrange, spoke. He retired from pro football after playing 13 seasons as a cornerback in the National Football League. Initially, he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers 22nd overall in the 1995 Draft after playing college football at Fort Valley State. Poole also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans. He earned Super Bowl rings with the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII and Super Bowl XXXIX.

     Tyrone recently published his book “Ultimate Success in the Game of Life,” which offers the former NFL standout’s tips on how to succeed on the field and off. He talked to our group about his formula for success giving the top three tips in his book – have passion for what you do, prepare yourself for what you do, and select the best partnerships to achieve success.

     Maize N’ Grace’s shop is located on Main Street in LaGrange just a couple shops down from the office of Retreat on West Point Lake on LaFayette Square. Please drop by to see their uniques gift shop and say hello.

by Ken Breland, Director of Sales & Marketing for Retreat on West Point Lake
Broker, West Point Lake Realty

Retreat has launched its 2012 marketing campaign in the Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations eMagazine, the Georgia Natural Resources department’s official guideline and regulation book. Here Joey Mines touts the “Best fishing in the nation” with a photo of him and his daughter and her best catch of the outing – a 13 lb striper on West Point Lake. This was taken July 4th weekend last year when he and Meredith caught a whole bunch of large fish.

Joey says that the lake water temperature is typically at its peak in July and August, and the fish are easily stressed – so Joey normally fishes early and is off the lake by late morning. To further care for the stripers Joey is a believer in catch and release. This allows the fish to live on and grow.  Joey recommends his guide trip guests throw back the big stripers to let them grow and grow. He generally keeps crappie and spotted bass and throws back the largemouth bass and stripers. Joey regularly hosts his show Outdoors with Joey Mines on Fox Sports South from his home at Retreat on West Point Lake.  

Find out everything you need to know about Georgia Fishing from this magazine. See the complete Fresh Water Fish Records list and Retreat’s newest ad on page 30. Download the current sport fishing regulations, locate a boat ramp or a nearby Public Fishing Area, find a seasonal or year-round trout stream, discover Georgia’s abundant reservoir and river fishing opportunities, and learn more about the Go Fish Georgia Initiative – and more.

Special thanks to Stephen Statham in Birmingham of J.F. Griffin Publishing for helping with our eRegulations ad.

by Ken Breland, Director of Sales & Marketing for Retreat on West Point Lake
Broker, West Point Lake Realty