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24 | MACON MAGAZINE DECEMBER/JANUARY 2017 1 RATE THE ESTATE AT RICHLAND RUM (95 miles) Tour the working downtown distillery and taste award-winning Richland Single Estate Old Georgia Rum, which is meticulously handcrafted with only two ingredients, unrefined Georgia Grown sugarcane and artisanal water. Learn how the sourcing and processing of unrefined sugar cane syrup, slow fermentation, copper pot distilling in single-day batches, aging in virgin American oak barrels and bottling are all handled in house. Richland Rum is all natural, authentic, not blended, does not contain preservatives, taste enhancers, color agents or additives of any kind. Please enjoy responsibly. Neat, or on the rocks. For information and to schedule a free tour, visit richlandrum.com. RICHLAND DISTILLERY | 333 EAST BROAD ST, RICHLAND 2 SKI SAPPHIRE VALLEY (196 miles) Sapphire Valley is the perfect place to learn to snow ski, snow board or go snow tubing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The new Halo computerized snow- making system will be enhanced with 15 new tower-mounted snow makers to help maximize ski weather conditions and create more snow. The target ski season opening date is Dec. 19. Lift and equipment rentals for skiing, snowboard and snow tubing are available onsite. Full day lift/rental packages start at $60 per person. SAPPHIRE VALLEY SKI AREA | 127 CHEROKEE TRAIL SAPPHIRE VALLEY, N.C. | SKISAPPHIREVALLEY.COM 3 HUG THOMASVILLE'S BIG OAK TREE (150 miles) Calling all tree huggers. Head to Thomasville's oldest and most natural landmark, the Big Oak, which O nce again, it is time to face your dragons and conquer your fears in the 2016 Champagne Bucket Challenge. We dare you to get off the couch and get out of your comfort zone. Celebrate the season by using this list as a starting point for adding some excitement to the holidays. Count your blessings and count down to the New Year by trying something new. Then, toast yourself with a sparkling glass of bubbly. A New Year's Champagne Bucket List A guide to getting outside your comfort zone By Kathy Hoskins Nolan