Northside Woman, April 2015

JANUARY APRIL 2015 2015

The Tea Lady Searching for the world's perfect brew

A Caring Heart Local teen helps kids in Haiti

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Former bobsledder inspires healthy habits

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staff

Katie VanBrackle

Candy Waylock

katie@northsidewoman.com

candy@northsidewoman.com

EDITOR

Kimberly Brock

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Devon Morgan

Christina Appen

suzanne@northsidewoman.com

PHOTOGRAPHER

DEVON MORGAN/PHOTOSYNTHESIS ATLANTA

Suzanne Pacey

SENIOR WRITER

devon@photosynthesisatlanta.com christina@northsidewoman.com

general manager Hans Appen hans@northsidewoman.com sales executives Hans Appen, Wendy Goddard, Abby Breaux, June Meltzer, Julia Johnson, Mike Dorman, Paige Roman, Regan Schoch sales assistant Susan Hernandez production Suzanne Pacey, David Brown, A.J. McNaughton

the cover

{ INSIDE }

PUBLISHER

northside women { 8 }

GETTING TO KNOW Former bobsledder Megan Hill

{ 10 } THE INTERVIEW

Tea specialist Lisa Richardson

Megan Hill enjoyed a visit to Roswell Mill’s beautiful waterfall and covered bridge on a pretty spring day during our April cover shoot. A former pilot on the U.S. Women’s Bobsled Team, Hill is happy to be back in sunny Georgia, pursuing her dream of helping others develop lifelong healthy habits. Learn more on page 8.

{ 14 } UNSUNG SHE’RO

Mission worker Caroline Schiltz { 24 } WOMEN IN ART

Artist Isabelle Gautier

770.442.3278 | 770.475.1216 (fax) 319 north main street, alpharetta, ga. 30009

+ stay connected online!

NORTHSIDEWOMAN.COM

facebook.com/northsidewoman twitter.com/nsidewoman Northside Woman is published monthly & distributed free throughout north metro Atlanta. © 2015 Appen Media Group. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher.

4 | northsidewoman.com | april2015 april2015

northside lifestyle { 6 }

GOOD BOOKS Author Renea Winchester

{ 18 } GEORGIA GETAWAY

Springtime in Augusta { 20 } GOOD EATS

‘Made’ in Alpharetta

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goodbooks

Love your neighbor

Author Renea Winchester feels a deep-rooted need for community At a book signing at Cheeses & Mary in Crabapple, from left, Abbe Laboda, Renea Winchester, Cheeses & Mary owner Mary Mayer and Becky Geisel.

By KATIE VANBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

6 | northsidewoman.com | april2015

ALL PHOTOS BY ABBE LABODA

A

post on Facebook from Milton resident Abbe Laboda last spring showed a photo of a group of women wearing blue jeans, old T-shirts, floppy sun hats and gardening gloves, holding rakes and shovels.

They were standing in the dirt next to an antique-looking tractor driven by an elderly, overall-clad man with a big smile. The post read: “These are the REAL housewives of Atlanta. We help in our community, we know what it means to be a neighbor, we get our hands dirty and then get a manicure after the work is done, we say please and thank you, we don’t honk our horn, we let people in front of us, we actually cook dinner, we take care of our elders and we blow it all out on a Saturday night! So those ‘other’ housewives from Atlanta, who actually transferred here from somewhere else, it’s time to get your hands dirty, just sayin’!”

Standing next to Laboda in the photo is Renea Winchester, who moved to the Roswell/Milton area nine years ago, after marrying her husband, Dennis. Renea grew up in the small town of Bryson City, North Carolina, so coming to North Fulton was a bit of a shock at first.

“This is where Ken and Barbie live,” she noted after spotting countless “beautiful people” on her first trip to Target. She soon made another discovery – that Ken and Barbie probably won’t stay here long.

“This is such a transient area, with people moving in and out every few years, following their career paths,” she said. “It really is ‘Reloville.’”

The trouble, she said, is when people know they aren’t going to put down roots, they tend to guard their hearts and not make attempts to get to know their neighbors on more than a superficial level. This creates an entire community of lonely people.

She struggled at first to fit in, until one fateful afternoon put her back in touch with a small-town frame of mind. While driving along Hardscrabble Road, her 9-year-old daughter spotted a small sign on the side of the road which read “Baby Goats.” Of course she wanted to stop. No way, Renea protested. It was August. It was hot.

And goats stink! Plus, they were on their way to tennis.

In the end, they stopped, knocked on the door, and met the goats’ owner, Billy Albertson, a farmer who has

Renea Winchester with good friend Billy Albertson.

lived on the same “little strip of country” for 50 years and can tell you anything you want to know about the history of the “Birmingham community,” present-day Milton.

Albertson, who turned 83 in March, was delighted to have company on that hot summer afternoon, and thus began a cherished friendship.

“We never did go back to tennis,” Renea said. “We started coming three days a week to help Billy in his garden. It’s amazing what happens when you open your eyes and see who is around you. Now I know who truly is North Fulton’s ‘beautiful person.’ It’s Billy Albertson. You put that kind of goodness out in the world, and people want to help.”

Renea turned stories and gardening tips from those first years with Albertson into a memoir, “In the Garden with Billy: Lessons About Life, Love and Tomatoes,” and recently penned a second book, “Farming, Friends and Fried Bologna Sandwiches,” which includes recipes and thoughts on forming a close-knit community.

Both books are full of humor, personality, poignant moments and sweet Southern storytelling.

At book signings, Renea stresses the need to get to know your neighbors.

In “Farming, Friends and Fried Bologna Sandwiches,” Renea Winchester shares the memory of borrowing Billy Albertson’s goat, good old “Hornless,” in an attempt to get rid of an ivy and kudzu patch in her yard. Hornless managed to escape, leading to worry and misery until Renea spotted a “Found: Goat” sign in someone’s yard two weeks later. In honor of Hornless, she includes this recipe in the book:

Escape Pods

Slice small, sweet pepper pods in half and remove the seeds.

Use a spoon to fill the peppers with goat cheese. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and oregano. Serve immediately.

“Loneliness is a heart condition that jeopardizes our communities on so many levels,” she said. “We were not created to be individual islands. We simply must reach out not only to fill the loneliness in our own hearts, but to fill the ache of our neighbor. Everyone knows what sadness and loneliness feel like, yet somehow we feel as if we are the only person suffering.

“What would happen if we were brave enough to reach out?” she asked. “Both we, and the person with whom we connect are changed.

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► See GOOD BOOKS, Page 29

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getting to know her

getting to know...

MeganHill

Local entrepreneur takes lessons learned through sports into workplace to promote wellness DEVON MORGAN/PHOTOSYNTHESIS ATLANTA

By CANDY WAYLOCK

candy@northsidewoman.com

A

fter years of competing at the elite levels of athletics and fitness, Megan Hill is now focusing her skills in the workplace by helping employees achieve and maintain optimal health.

“My body had never hurt so badly in my life than when I was cramped up sitting behind a computer screen,” said Hill, recalling her first job in the corporate world. “That’s when I created the first employee wellness program for the company I was working for.”

A former gymnast and track and field star at Auburn University, Hill graduated in 2010 having earned both bachelor’s and master degrees in health promotion. She has now fused her two worlds of fitness and business into a growing company, A Stronger Workplace, to ensure workplaces are attuned to the health and wellness concerns of their employees both in and out of the office.

“I saw a huge demand for [employee wellness programs],” said Hill, who also competed on the U.S. Women’s Bobsled Team. “I have always wanted to help others live a healthier lifestyle, so why not tackle the issue at the place where people spend most of their time – at their workplace.”

Hill’s road from a premier high school and collegiate athlete, to fifth best bobsled pilot in the country ( just missing an Olympic appearance), to starting all over again as a small business owner, has as many twists and turns as a bobsled run. She recently sat down with Northside Woman magazine so we could get to know her.

Northside Woman: Let’s start at the beginning. How did your lifelong interest in sports begin?

Hill: I was born and raised in Woodstock, 8 | northsidewoman.com | april2015

Megan Hill jogs across Roswell Mill’s historic covered bridge.

Megan Hill competed

on the U.S. Women’s Bo

Georgia, graduated from Sequoyah High School and was a competitive gymnast my entire youth. At Auburn University, I competed on the gymnastics team my first two years, then moved to the track and field team my final two years, where I competed in pole vault and hammer throw.

So when did being a part of the U.S. Women’s Bobsled Team come into play? I’m assuming Auburn does not field a team!

When I finished up my collegiate athletic career, I was not ready to give up competitive sports. I felt I had this Godgiven athletic ability and I should use it as long as I could. I heard the women’s bobsled team was holding combines all over the country, so I went to one in Florida for the try-out. I did well enough to be invited to the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York, for a “rookie camp.” I honestly did not know anything about bobsled – except for what I learned in the movie “Cool Runnings” – and I really had no idea what I was getting myself into!

bsled Team.

Why bobsled of all the sports out there? How did that sport align with your background in track and gymnastics?

Actually, it was a smooth transition.

Gymnastics gave me the raw strength, laser sharp focus and the mental capacity it takes to drive a bobsled. Track and field taught me speed through sprint mechanics and how to use my power, which helped me push a bobsled. I’ve always spent countless hours in training, whether it was in the gym, on the track, in the weight room so I could be stronger.

With bobsled, it was a combination of everything. Every sport I ever participated in was a full-time job – each took incredible hard work, dedication and relentless determination.

Once you moved on to the rookie camp, what happened from that point?

I started training immediately. A typical day would be to go to the bobsled track first thing in the morning, take two or

three runs down the track, go to the garage after that for an hour or two and work on the sled, weight training and recovery.

Our home track was in Lake Placid, but I also spent a lot of time at the track in Park City, Utah, as well as tracks in Canada at Calgary and Whistler. I competed on all of the North American tracks as well as several of the European tracks – Igls, Austria; St. Moritz, Switzerland; Cesana, Italy; Winterberg, Germany; and Konigsee, Germany. In the end, I ended up being the fifth-ranked pilot in the U.S., however only the top three pilots make it to the Olympics.

You returned to Georgia and started working in the family business, but the idea of your own business was always there?

Growing up, I knew I wanted [a career] in the health field that helped people.

I studied health promotion all through college, and “worksite wellness” was an idea that had been in the back of my mind for several years. During my bobsled years I stayed up to date on my certifications, taught fitness classes and personal trained during the off seasons. [Once bobsled

► See GETTING TO KNOW, Page 25

april2015 | northsidewoman.com | 9

CK KATIE VANBRA

LE/STAFF

theinterview

a specialist Author and te ardson. ch Lisa Boalt Ri Tea fields in Bogor, Indonesia, where Lisa Boalt Richardson traveled earlier this year.

The whole world in her tea cup

Tea specialist Lisa Boalt Richardson knows the reach of tea

By KIMBERLY BROCK

I

n recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in fine teas in America, but certified tea specialist and author Lisa Boalt Richardson of Milton says she was into tea when tea wasn’t cool.

“I had my first cup of loose leaf tea in the early 1990s in a tea shop in the middle of nowhere Florida,” she said. “I fell in love with the flavor and started making it at home.

I bought a bunch of books about tea, but I had a toddler at the time and I never got around to reading them. A few years went by and then, when I was put on bed rest with our second child, I had the gift of time.”

What started with a simple cup of tea, became a farreaching passion. Taking time for tea became a kind of self-cultivation. Richardson committed herself to learning 10 | northsidewoman.com | april2015

all she could, setting a personal goal to position herself as an expert. While working a part-time job and raising two small children, she spent the next four years researching everything she could find on tea. In 2000, she attended her first of many conferences. In 2006, she began taking classes and is one of the first 15 in the world to achieve a certified tea specialist title from the Specialty Tea Institute.

“First, I fell in love with the flavors, but also the ritual.

For me, that included weekend tea time with my husband.

It became our quiet time and the kids knew to respect that time,” she said. “We had brainstorming sessions, making plans for where my ideas could take us. We even toyed with the idea of opening a tea room because I had experience in the restaurant business. “Ultimately, I found opportunities taking me in a different direction,” she said.

“I started teaching classes on cooking, tea and etiquette.”

By 2008, Richardson was certified at level four, the highest degree of expertise recognized by the Specialty Tea Institute. And her list of credentials only grew, serving as an advisory board member for the Specialty Tea Institute under the Education and Certification Committee, an instructor for STI’s certification classes and president of the Southern Association of Tea Businesses.

By 2009, it was Richardson writing the book on tea.

“Tea with a Twist” won Best Tea Book USA 2009 from Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. Her latest book, “Modern Tea: A Fresh Look at an Ancient Beverage”

was published by Chronicle Books and released in the fall of 2014. Other writing credits are lengthy, including publications in Cooking with Paula Deen and TeaTime Magazine, along with numerous national publications.

“My writing time was always when the kids were at school,” she said. Her kids are now 24 and 18 years old.

“While having a mom who works and occasionally travels has been good for my kids, giving them the chance to grow in their independence, I’ve always had to pick and choose,” she said. “We’re about to be empty-nesters and my time is opening up now. My husband was able to travel with me, recently.”

Those travels have taken her as far as Taiwan, Japan and Sri Lanka. She has just returned from an Indonesian tea field where she reflected on the many doors that have opened for her.

“The love of tea has taken me places I never dreamed to learn about growing, harvesting and preparing tea,” she said. “There’s always more to learn about the cultures and rituals.

► See THE INTERVIEW, Page 12

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Lisa Boalt Richardson joined these women on a hillside in Sri Lanka to learn how to hand-harvest delicate tea leaves.

▼ THE INTERVIEW, Continued from Page 10 “It’s like wine in that way,” she said. “Tea is the first beverage, second only to water, around the world. But the thing I appreciate the most is that it provides this connection to women, everywhere.”

Richardson recalls when her son was younger and in the hospital, a nurse caring for him was from Kenya.

“The irony was, I’d just written a chapter on tea

KATIE VANBRACKLE/STAFF

theinterview

in Kenya and so we immediately had Lisa shares fine tea samples with local ladies during a tasting at Cheeses & Mary in Crabapple. something to talk about.

But the fascinating thing was that there was a Perth. second nurse. She was from Malawi and it turned out her “I mean, I know where my books are for the most part. father was a manager on a tea plantation. What are the I know they’re all over the world,” she said. “But to see it odds?” there, myself. It was a thrill to see that in person, the reach Richardson would be the first to say she has the of tea.” whole world in her tea cup. On that most recent trip, she To learn more, visit lisaknowstea.com. ■ saw her book in a small bookstore in Australia just outside

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unsung‘she’ro

A CaringHeart

Zoey Wagner and Caroline Schiltz with village children in Ticotelette.

Caroline prepares to board a plane for Haiti.

Caroline Schiltz’s birthday wish was to help children living in Haiti

By KATIE VANBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

B

ecoming a teenager is a big deal. So on Caroline Schiltz’s 13th birthday in January, her parents, Randy and Casey Schiltz of Cumming, gave her the gift of travel. Pick a place for a special birthday trip, they said. Anywhere you’d like to go. They assumed she would choose a beach resort, possibly a cruise.

Instead, she chose to follow her heart to Haiti, one of the most desperately poor countries in the world. A place still struggling to recover from a devastating earthquake five years ago.

Her parents were initially surprised, but eventually agreed, knowing their daughter’s love for mission work of any sort.

“I’ve seen so many pictures of Haiti and really wanted

Children in Ticotelette are eager to play and learn.

14 | northsidewoman.com | april2015

to help the kids living there,” Caroline explained. “I knew this was my chance to go.”

Her father said Caroline has been talking about Haiti for years.

“Our church happened to be planning a mission trip that coincidentally fell over Caroline’s winter break from school, so we saw the writing on the wall and the opportunity before us and we signed up to go,” Randy recalled.

Sydney Schneider, who leads Haiti mission trips for Alpharetta Presbyterian Church (APC), doesn’t consider the timing a coincidence at all.

“It was the perfect example of ‘a child shall lead them,’” she said. “Caroline’s enthusiasm shaped our entire trip, and it was without question the best experience in Haiti we’ve had yet. God’s hand was evident from the very beginning.”

Zoey and Caroline bond with a Haitian infant.

APC’s work in Haiti is through the La Gonave Haiti Partnership, a “ministry of presence” that provides resources and the education necessary for the people of Haiti to learn to help themselves – creating a sustainable community and an educated workforce.

La Gonave is a mostly barren, hilly island situated off Haiti’s mainland with 80,000 residents. The saying goes that if Haiti is “the land that the world forgot,” then La Gonave is “the land that Haiti forgot.” This is where you find the poorest of the poor.

Schneider’s previous trips to La Gonave focused on health and sewing projects with women in the tiny village of Ticotelette, but with Randy and Caroline on board, she recognized an opportunity to reach out to men and

► See SHE'RO, Page 16

The crowded ferry ride to the island of La Gonave.

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unsung‘she’ro ▼ SHE'RO, Continued from Page 14 children as well.

Randy, who builds custom homes as owner of t-Olive Properties, secured donations of tools and cash for lumber and other supplies, with the intent of teaching the men of Ticotelette how to build basic school benches.

Caroline reached out to classmates at King’s Ridge Christian School in Milton and to neighbors in Cumming’s Vickery development to organize drives for toothbrushes, toothpaste and art supplies.

Caroline’s mother, Casey, was touched by the generous response.

“We wound up with 600 toothbrushes and huge boxes full of art supplies. People really do want to help with the situation in Haiti, they just don’t always know how,” she said.

Casey admits to being nervous about putting her husband and oldest daughter on a plane to Haiti.

“So many thoughts ran through my head,” she said. “What happens if there is an earthquake, what if someone gets hurt, where exactly are they going, could we communicate, could they honestly make a difference, how would they view everything when they returned?

“It’s very eye-opening for an adult to go to a place like Haiti, but even more so for a 13-year-old who hasn’t previously seen people who really need help,” Casey said.

“We were able to communicate via text the first few days and I was able to speak to her when they reached the base camp [on La Gonave],” she said. “I knew the moment I heard her voice that she was doing what she had been called to do. I don’t think I have ever heard her so happy. Of course, as her mom, I cried with a sense of pride and relief.”

Caroline admits to being a bit nervous when she first arrived in Port au Prince and boarded a small boat to La Gonave, crowded with people, supplies and even coffins.

Having her father by her side was a great source of comfort.

“My dad is very protective and made me feel comfortable. If he was scared, he didn’t show it,” she recalled.

In Caroline’s bag was a little gift from her classmate, Ashton Middleton. A bundle of postcards for Caroline to open – one each day – containing messages of encouragement and support.

“Most kids my age probably thought I was crazy for choosing to go to Haiti for my birthday, but my really good friends were totally supportive, even though they were scared for me,” Caroline said.

The six-person mission team from APC included the church’s senior pastor, Dr. Oliver Wagner. His ninth-grade daughter, Zoey, was Caroline’s roommate in their base compound, where the living was basic, but clean.

“There was a little bit of electricity, running water and a sort of shower which was more like a hose over a small tile floor,” said Caroline. “There was no air conditioning and it was very hot all the time.”

Meals featured many unfamiliar Haitian foods with lots of spices, and cooked fish containing every single bone.

“It was different!” Caroline admitted with a laugh.

Each day, the APC team drove for two hours up into the hills to the village of Ticotelette.

“They have no electricity or running water in the village,” said Caroline. “The women have to walk for hours to collect water two to three times every week, then carry it back uphill to their village. It’s more of a path than a road, and very rocky. We had trouble driving on it, I can’t imagine walking.”

Villagers live in crude huts and depend upon farming or the markets in La Gonave for food.

Caroline and Zoey invited the village children to play games and do art projects, with the help of a translator. The people of La Gonave speak Creole-style French. Over 65 children participated, ranging in age from 1 to 15, all smiling and eager to learn.

Using a Polaroid camera, Caroline took photos of the children and helped them make decorated frames, using the donated art supplies from home.

“Many of them had never seen a photo of themselves before and they were so excited,” she said. “It made me smile to see how something so small could make them so happy.”

Randy also noted the happiness and sense of community present in Ticotelette.

“Although poverty is everywhere and conditions look like they couldn’t be much worse, I never saw people sulking or blaming their life condition on anybody. They have what they have, and though they are so appreciative of a helping hand, life goes on as they know it,” he said.

Even with the challenges, Caroline says she absolutely loved every minute of the trip and can’t wait to go again.

“We were there for a full week and I formed some close relationships with many of the kids,” she said. “I want to go again next year and see how they are doing. My sister Emma Catherine might go with me next time.”

Casey remembers the moment when Randy and Caroline arrived safely home.

“Caroline came bouncing in the door with so many stories, but most importantly (and true to herself) she was already talking of a new plan to help the needs of Haitians on her next trip,” she said. ■

1. Caroline’s father, Randy Schiltz, right, taught Haitian men how to build school benches.

2. A worship service in La Gonave.

3. Caroline intends to return to Haiti next year.

16 | northsidewoman.com | april2015

1

2

3

Irish Pub of the Year We are thrilled to share this international award as “Irish Pub of the Year” with our staff, patrons and the local community. A truly authentic Irish pub is about more than serving delicious food and beverage, but also celebrating its people and community. We are humbled and honored to be chosen as “Irish Pub of the Year” from 6,500 member pubs across the world. It is the first time an American pub has won this award.

Thank you for the chance to serve our community and for making this award possible.

Please visit one of our fine locations and help us celebrate…

Milton:

12650 Crabapple Road, Milton, GA 30004

Atlanta:

Town Brookhaven at 705 Town Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30319

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april2015 | northsidewoman.com | 17

spring getaway

Springtime in Augus a Lots to do for those with or without Masters tickets

By KATIE VANBRACKLE

katie@northsidewoman.com

T

he world’s eye turns to Georgia each spring when the prestigious Masters golf tournament is held at Augusta National Golf Club. But even if you didn’t manage to score Masters tickets, April is a beautiful month to visit Augusta, when the dogwoods and azaleas are in bloom and fun activities for the whole family await.

History, golf and the Godfather of Soul

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The Augusta History Museum, located with the Augusta Visitors Center at 560 Reynolds St., includes two large galleries celebrating the sport of golf, the evolution of golf equipment and Augusta’s legacy as the “Golf Capital of the Nation.”

Although its name may be synonymous with golf, Augusta does have a few more stories to tell. Georgia’s second oldest and second largest city was founded along the banks of the Savannah River in 1736 by James Oglethorpe, who named the city after Augusta, Princess of Wales, mother of England’s King George III. Stroll through a variety of interesting exhibits, spanning 12,000 years of local history. Climb aboard a 1914 steam locomotive, discover how Augusta escaped Sherman’s March to the Sea during the Civil War and learn the names of many famous people who have called the city home – from President Woodrow Wilson and Butterfly McQueen (Gone with the Wind’s “Prissy”) to members of the band Lady Antebellum.

An entertaining, interactive exhibit is devoted to Augusta’s most famous son, the “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown, who overcame poverty and segregation to become an international music icon, bringing Southern gospel, R&B and soul into the mainstream.

Board a trolley in front of the Augusta History Museum on certain days of the week for an entertaining glimpse of Augusta’s beautiful homes and historic sites on the Historic Augusta Trolley Tours. Reservations required: 706-724-4067. (www. augustamuseum.org) April Highlight: Augusta Golf Heritage Trolley Tours On Mondays at 10:30 a.m., a special trolley tour explores grand hotels, golf courses and other historic sites that played key roles in Augusta’s transformation into a golf destination. Call SouthStar Trolley to make reservations, 706-432-8883.

Cruise the Augusta Canal

Take a peaceful guided tour down the Augusta Canal in an electric boat, learning about the area’s industrial and natural history and catching glimpses of several Augusta landmarks.

Spot turtles, hawks, herons, perhaps even a beaver or river otter as you glide along the oldest continuously operating hydropower canal in the United States, built in 1845. Make time to visit the Augusta Canal Discovery Center, housed inside the former Enterprise Mill building, which tells the story of the Industrial Revolution in the American South. (www.augustacanal.com) April Highlight: Augusta Canal Moonlight Music Cruise April 10, 6:30 p.m. Enjoy live music aboard a replica Petersburg Boat. Bring refreshments of your choice and be delighted by the sounds of live jazz.

Reservations are required. $25.

Discover Southern artists 2 18 | northsidewoman.com | april2015

The Morris Museum of Art, located at 1 10th St. on the Riverwalk in downtown Augusta, is the first museum dedicated to the art and artists of the American South. Beautiful, spacious galleries encourage close inspection of antebellum

3

portraits, landscapes, Southern impressionists and self-taught artists, and evocative contemporary images. This is a lovely place to linger late in the afternoon before an evening meal. (www.themorris.org)

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April Highlight: Exhibit and print-signing Golf landscape artist Linda Hartough Tuesday, April 7 – Sunday, April 12. Perhaps golf’s leading artist, Linda Hartough was commissioned to paint the famed 13th hole at Augusta National Golf Club and is the only artist ever commissioned to do the annual, official paintings and prints for the U.S. Open and British Open Championships. Hartough will sign a variety of prints of her work in the museum store on Friday of Masters week, April 10, from 2-4 p.m.

Snap a selfie with James Brown

In 2005, a statue of local music legend James Brown was placed on Broad Street in downtown Augusta, and has since become a popular photo spot for anyone visiting the city.

Take a river stroll and grab a bite

Enjoy a pleasant waterside stroll at Riverwalk Augusta, a downtown city park along the Savannah River. From there, it’s an easy walk to several unique eateries.

For elegant farm-to-table fare the locals rave about, make a reservation at Frog Hollow Tavern, 1282 Broad St. (froghollowtavern.com). Or enjoy a craft cocktail and upscale tapas at The Bees Knees, 211 10th St. (beeskneestapas.com). Save room for dessert at Boll Weevil Café and Sweetery, 10 9th St., known for their unbelievably large, to-die-for cakes (thebollweevil.com).

6

April festivals and concerts

The Mayor’s Masters Reception, an annual event, will be held on Monday, April 6, 6:30 p.m. at Augusta Common, 836 Reynolds St., with family festivities, food samples from local restaurants, music from country rapper Colt Ford and recognition of those who have contributed to the game of golf.

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Rock Fore! Dough Concert, Tuesday, April 7, Evans Towne Center Park (in the Augusta suburbs). Darius Rucker will headline this annual concert also featuring Sam Hunt, A Thousand Horses and Phillip Lee Jr. All proceeds support The First Tee of Augusta, which introduces young people to the game of golf. www. rockfordough.com.

Sacred Heart Garden Festival, held April 24-26, will feature garden advice and displays, plant sales, entertainment, food and tours of extraordinary private gardens. Plus you get to explore the Sacred Heart Cultural Center itself, 1301 Greene St., a former Catholic church with soaring vaulted ceilings and 94 stained glass windows. www.sacredheartaugusta.org ■ 1. Textile mills and Confederate powder works were once active along the Augusta Canal.

2. Riverwalk Augusta follows the Savannah River.

3. The Boll Weevil Café and Sweetery.

4. Georgia peach cocktail and shrimp and grits at Frog Hollow Tavern. (VisitAugusta. com) 5. A life-sized statue of James Brown is a popular spot for selfies in downtown Augusta.

6. Sacred Heart Cultural Center.

7. To-die-for cakes at Boll Weevil.

8. Morris Museum of Art 9. History or golf-themed trolley tours at the Augusta History Museum.

PHOTOS 4 AND 9 COURTESY OF VISITAUGUSTA.COM. ALL OTHERS BY KATIE VANBRACKLE.

9 april2015 | northsidewoman.com | 19

goodeats

made

for the ages

The walls can talk in Chris Sedgwick’s new Alpharetta restaurant

By KIMBERLY BROCK

customers. It’s functional art, drying for use in the hardwood parilla grill. Bar ollow the evocative aroma of oak and stool seats are designed from hickory smoke on the wind and it will walnut cutting boards made lead you to one of the most unique spaces by a Kentucky artisan. in Alpharetta, the new MADE Kitchen and Overhead, century old Cocktails. Clearly, the restaurant evolved from Restaurant’s manager, Chase Godfrey. beams, sourced from a cotton a singular vision. With over four decades of mill in Easley, South Carolina, restaurant experience, owner Chris Sedgwick, along wrap the space in history and gravitas. Each piece of wood with the restaurant’s manager, Chase Godfrey, built their is unique, stories told within each line of grain and ring dream with a lot of energy, attention to detail and oldmarking the passage of time. Repurposing is at the heart fashioned elbow grease. of the Sedgwick’s business and the materials drive home “Everything you see, it’s all handcrafted. That’s where the distinct feeling of interconnectedness and community. the name comes from,” Godfrey explained. His enthusiasm Godfrey is proud of the open kitchen, pointing out for their project is contagious. Godfrey is a born storyteller refined Carrara marble surfaces and answering questions and customers lean in closer to hear the tale. In reality, about the industrial décor. The smell of burning wood they are surrounded by it. The restaurant seems to be the relaxes the mind and body and there is a sense of fun. perfect stage for the tale Sedgwick and Godfrey want to “The oiled-steel hanging lamps are handcrafted, tell. Re-claimed shutters from the Jim Beam Distillery as are the fixture over the bar. They’re actually Hobart grace the entrance. Stacks of red oak and hickory greet

► See GOOD EATS, Page 22

ALL PHOTOS BY SUZANNE PACEY/STAFF

F

Kitchen mixing whisks,” he laughed. “A great place to sit and sip on our seasonal sangrias.”

He points out the bitters and infusions on display, made by Brian Griggs, MADE’s veteran bartender.

And there are secrets hanging around. Godfrey brings attention to the oversized steel wrapped mirror that gives the illusion of an open hallway and a commissioned painting of a water buffalo, both created by OTP artist, Myott Williams.

“The buffalo’s named Chirzzo, in honor of the menu’s Spanish influence,” he said.

The walls talk for the more observant clientele who are often rewarded with a free drink for their sharp eyes.

“It’s a good time in here,” he said.

It’s a good time outside, too. The covered patio has its own original flare with polished concrete floors and riddling rack “shutters” that spin to allow a glimpse of the

Hobart Kitchen mixing whisks hang above the bar.

20 | northsidewoman.com | april2015

Oiled-steel hanging lamps are handcrafted.

Top, Re-claimed shutters from the Jim Beam Distillery.

Bottom, Bar stool seats are designed from walnut cutting boards made by a Kentucky artisan.

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goodeats ▼ GOOD EATS, Continued from Page 20

1 Chef Tim Agee leads the kitchen staff 1. Grilled Skirt Steak – twice fried fingerling potatoes, chimichurri 2. Bruselas – Roasted brussels sprouts, garlic & Croquettes – braised short rib, romesco 3. Patatas Bravas – fried spiced potatoes, tomato aiol 4. MADE Winter White Sangria 5. Goat Cheese stuffed Piquillo Peppers – Crostini

2 ALL PHOTOS BY SUZANNE PACEY/STAFF

city streets.

“They’re cut from white ash,” Godfrey said. “The wood was so hard they had to bring in a water jet to do the work.”

The story of this original space is backed up by the regional influences in the food.

“MADE’s Spanish-inspired menu is chef driven,” he explained.

Chef Tim Agee leads the kitchen staff he calls his “crew” with his passion for all things cured, fresh and pickled. Growing up in the southern kitchens of the women in his family, Agee has a love of canning, curing and pickling. Use of locally source ingredients means a fresh farm-to-table experience that’s paired with the authentic tastes of Spain.

With a vision for bringing people together in a timeless space, MADE is doing something new, built on a unique foundation of the past, making history in the heart of Alpharetta one plate at a time.

To learn more, visit www.

Madekc.com.

This month, MADE is rolling out new hours of operation; They are locationed at 45 Roswell St, Alpharetta, GA 30009. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday 5 – 10 p.m., closed 3 Monday. ■

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(770) 751-1240 | www.JWJordan.com 22 | northsidewoman.com | april2015

KING’S RIDGE HAS PREPARED ME TO

STUDENTS FOR LIFE BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.

“Preparing students for their future is a weighty responsibility.

Providing project-based and authentic learning activities allows me to open doors to a student’s potential as they become life-long learners and adaptive leaders.”

ROBIN DAUGHERTY KRCS Lower School Faculty

PREVIEW DAY Sunday, January 25, 2015 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM RSVP to admission@kingsridgecs.org 2765 Bethany Bend [ Alpharetta, GA 30004 [ 770.754.5738 www.kingsridgecs.org King’s Ridge Christian School practices a non-discriminatory policy of admission.

april2015 | northsidewoman.com | 23

women in art

A Celebration of Beauty Artist Isabelle Gautier’s quest for balance

By KIMBERLY BROCK

Bodie Island by artist Isabelle Gautier

I

sabelle Gautier was raised in Normandy, just a few miles from the Mont Saint Michel in northwestern France and a world away from where she makes her home today in Milton with her husband and two sons. A statement on her website sums up her incredible journey as a woman and an artist. “Is there a better way than art to bring people from all over the world together in a celebration of beauty?”

“When I moved to the States 16 years ago, contemporary art in the Southeast was even rarer than now. I decided to take my brushes up and decorate my house,” Gautier said.

It’s hard not to be distracted by her lovely accent, but her warmth draws people in, much like her art. You want to listen a little closer.

“I think the difference of culture and the unsynchronized way of thinking between my new friends and myself exacerbated my need to paint,” she said.

Gautier’s art reflects her desire to communicate her European perspective. The color and movement are meant to remind us – take time to have tea, light a candle, bring serenity into your day, appreciate life, step away from the rush, away from the material, find balance. It was her own quest for these things that led to her now 20-year career as an artist. In 1991, she attended l’Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.

“I never thought I would become an artist. I took art classes for the pleasure when I was living in France, the same way I took Yoga classes or the same way I traveled,” she said. “I had a need for beauty, balance and discovery. I need and like to be challenged just to progress. I can’t do stagnation.”

Her contagious energy and perpetual sense of curiosity are evident in each piece.

They are a celebration of the natural world and the lessons we can draw from it on how to behave toward one another, what to value in life and the intrinsic value of surrounding ourselves with beautiful things.

“I began shyly with representative subjects but with no conviction. It actually allowed me to be respected as an artist because that’s what people in Georgia were expecting 15 years ago,” she said. “But eventually my frustration grew and I became more and more myself, an abstract artist and now an expressionist abstract artist.

“Each of my paintings is a statement,” she said. “It can be a political one, a sociological one, a cultural one. My oeuvre is the result of my progression and maturity as 24 | northsidewoman.com | april2015

By the Snow by artist Isabelle Gautier

Artist Isabelle Gautier

Alpharetta Arts StreetFest What: 11th annual Alpharetta Arts

StreetFest

When: Saturday and Sunday, April 18 – 19; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Where: Historic Downtown Alpharetta, across from Alpharetta City Hall, 2 South Main St., Alpharetta, Ga. 30009; www. alpharetta.ga.us; www.facebook.com/ alpharettastreetfest; Twitter: @ArtsStreetFest an artist and as a person.

“I use acrylic and have a predilection for a homemade palette knife. It allows me to barely add water, which keeps the pigment intact and suits my ideas, keeps things raw and true.”

Finding the courage to be true to herself has paid off. Represented by Muse and Co in Atlanta, she was selected by HGTV as the main artist for their Smart Home in 2013. Recently, she was chosen as the featured artist at the Trinity Spotlight on Art, one of the largest and most prestigious art markets in the Southeast.

Galleries that Gautier recommends include Tew Gallery, Avery Gallery, Anne Irvin Fine Art Gallery and Pryor Fine Art, just to name a few.

“Recently, I had a solo show at Aimee Fine Art Gallery in Decatur. And Alpharetta StreetFest is getting better and better every year,” she said.

At the heart of her art is Gautier’s belief in the healing power of art. She is inspired by the prospect that her pieces will enhance the homes and lives of others.

“Being an artist is an art by itself.

Learning to express yourself freely, and at the same time fit in, connect with others,” she said. “Being an artist is knowing that we are all part of a whole.” ■

Before the Snow by artist Isabelle Gautier

getting to know her

▼ GETTING TO KNOW, Continued from Page 8 was over] I started working at my father’s company as an office assistant, and started the employee wellness program for the company within the first month of working there. I worked there for about a year before I started A Stronger Workplace.

What is the core mission of A Stronger Workplace?

Our mission is to educate, encourage and motivate employees to live a healthier lifestyle. This not only benefits the employee, but the employer may end up reducing health care costs and see his workplace become more efficient as a whole. It’s taken some time to build my team, but now I have on board a registered nurse, nutritionist, exercise physiologist, massage therapist and a psychologist to help me tackle health from all angles.

How did your family support you going out on your own?

I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so the support and inspiration has been there since day one. My mom owns a fitness company called Aerobic Fitness Inc. My dad owns an HVAC company, Hill Company. My brother, Travis, owns a recording studio, The Looking Glass. My sister-in-law Rachael has a cake business, and my younger brother Justin is working on a travel booking start-up called Faretrotter. I have several aunts and uncles

Megan Hill and Brittany Reinbolt compete in the 2012 North America’s Cup race in Lake Placid, New York.

who own their own businesses as well. I guess it’s safe to say entrepreneurship is in my blood.

What were the challenges you faced in launching A Stronger Workplace? Was it more difficult than the challenges you faced as an athlete?

Starting a business has taken an enormous amount of work, and it’s really no different than learning a new sport. Work ethic, determination and the ability to learn and to continue to learn are three lessons that have carried over into the business world.

I was starting from scratch and if I was going to succeed I had to humble myself,

swallow my pride and not be afraid to fail. The biggest challenge I have faced so far is rejection. I overcome rejection by simply keep on going. Fall down seven times stand up on the eighth, right? There have been several setbacks and hurdles to leap, and I just stay focused on making it through.

Megan Hill, as an Auburn University gymnast, competes against University of Alabama in March of 2007.

At the end of the day, what brings you the most satisfaction?

At the end of the day, I feel most satisfied when I know I have helped someone and made a positive impact in their life. A perfect day would be to interact with a company’s employees through any one of ASW’s services and motivate individuals to take charge of their personal health. I

aspire to inspire. The days I get to be in an office face-to-face with employees are always the best.

To learn more about A Stronger Workplace, visit www.astrongerworkplace. com. ■

april2015 | northsidewoman.com | 25

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Comfortable Conversation Seating

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love the way a home feels when you gather around the dining table. As appetites get satisfied the conversations really get flowing. Sitting across from each other keeps everyone engaged.

Family and friends, holiday gatherings or a cocktail event...the point is not to eat and run. Time to retreat to somewhere with more relaxed seats! Why not take the feeling of your dining room into a more casual and comfortable space.

Enter conversational seating.

Matching sofas have long been a clean look and a great way to maximize comfortable seating. Take that concept to achieve a stunning look but with more conversational seating will make your guest want to hang around. I am talking about mirror imaging your sofas. It truly gives the feeling of hanging together eat the dinner table but in maximum comfort.

You could go with a true conversational sofa, or select whatever your favorite shape and style might be.

Today’s sofas styles come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate all room sizes.

Get creative on how to add even more seating by using a bench, a pair of accent chairs, stools or ottomans. Happy decorating!!! ■

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herstyle

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5

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6

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These boots are made for walkin’…

It is possible to be fashionable and comfortable

By LORI WYNNE

O

ne of the questions I often hear is, where can I find comfortable shoes? As a practical fashionista, I make it my business to find comfortable and fashionable shoes for my clients.

Comfort does not mean ugly. It is possible to be fashionable and comfortable, no matter what adventure lies ahead of you.

Speaking of adventures, are you planning a trip soon? Save the big white tennis shoes with the thick soles for the tennis court. In the past I have been accused of not liking tennis shoes or sneakers. Nothing is further from the truth. I wear them every day…to the gym.

Avoid wearing your sneakers to the mall or when sightseeing. Those white tennis shoes scream “tourist.” That doesn’t mean

that you are doomed to aching feet after hours of walking tours. There are stylish comfortable shoes out there for you.

My advice: • Be familiar with the comfort brands.

Break out of your athletic shoe rut and look online (www.zappos.com is fantastic) and in the shoe department of some of the finer department stores.

They have whole sections of “comfort shoes” that are very stylish.

• Know your correct shoe size. Many women are wearing the wrong size of shoe. Our shoe size changes over time as we age and our weight fluctuates.

Visit a reputable specialty shoe store to find your correct and most comfortable shoe size.

THE ART OF TASTE. PREPARED BY AWARD-WINNING CHEF,

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Experience it for yourself.

See the story at Kickshawgrill.com

• Be willing to invest. If you have been limping along with inexpensive shoes from Target, they may be the source of your pain. Your feet deserve to be taken care of by wearing good quality shoes with proper soles, soft leather and styling, White tennis shoes scream “tourist” on these to boot!

Americans visiting Bali.

• You should never have to “break in” a pair of shoes. They should feel like an old friend as soon as you put Comfortable shoes for travel: them on. If they don’t feel comfortable in the store, they will be torture later • Pikolinos is a brand made in Spain on. that is created with travel in mind.

• Truly flat shoes are not comfortable.

The quality construction, leather and Look for flats that have a cushy insole durability make them a favorite of the and a small hidden heel. The foot is “well-soled” traveler. I love their stylish actually more comfortable walking walking sandals. They have a lovely with a bit of a cushion in the heel.

Mediterranean flare.

• Born is a moderately priced brand that carries a durable and lightweight Comfortable shoes for work: closed clog. They come in a variety of finishes that look great with a straight • Franco Sarto is my favorite brand for leg or boot cut pant. I walked all over work shoes. They have a generous the Great Wall of China in these and toe box, classic styling, quality never felt a twinge of pain. construction and leather. I have • Naturalizer is a well-known brand that walked a thousand miles through has increased their stylish offerings stores all over the United States in my over the years. They offer a variety of Franco Sarto loafers. They can’t be colors, finishes and styles with their beat when it comes to price per wear. trademark soft and flexible soles.

They are available in wide sizes online • Clark brand can be found in too. department stores and in their own • Me Too is a wonderful brand for stores too. The leather is sturdy and women who spend a lot of time on the soles are made for walking. While their feet. They have extra cushion in some of the colors may seem a little the interior of the shoe. This is a great boring, for wardrobe basics, this brand brand for those who have wide feet. has it all from sandals, loafers, boots They are famous for their stylish flats and heels. ■ but also have a wonderful selection of tall boots (in wide calf too) and high heels. Me Too is moderately 7 priced and can be found online and in department stores.

• Cole Haan is famous for their comfort.

Some of their high heel pumps have 8 the Nike Air insole. The price point is a little higher, but if you are looking for quality that lasts, Cole Haan is a great choice.

1. Franco Sarto Nolan, $79.95, Zappos.com.

2. Me Too Denver Tall Riding Boots, $84.50, macys.com.

3. Born Toby, $75, Zappos.com.

4. Pikolinos Puerto Vallarta II, $140, Zappos.com.

5. Naturalizer Diner, $129. Zappos.com.

6. Cole Haan Chelsea Calf Hair Pump, $216.75, lastcall.com.

7. Me Too Fiona ballet flat, $49.95, dsw.com.

8. Naturalizer Jansin women’s dress sandals, $79, Zappos.com

As a personal wardrobe consultant and owner of Alpharetta-based Fashion With Flair, Lori Wynne helps people look their best.

Contact her at fashionwithflair.com.

28 | northsidewoman.com | april2015

ALL PHOTOS BY ABBE LABODA

goodbooks

Renea Winchester reads an excerpt from her latest book.

▼ GOOD BOOKS, Continued from Page 6 erect a wall around their hearts, or, determine to make as many friends as possible,” she said. “While yes, the heart bleeds a little when you move away from friends, it aches when we choose to bide our time and disconnect from our neighbors.”

Through the years, Renea has met other local ladies with green thumbs and similar values who now join her in Billy’s garden on a regular basis.

From time to time, the ladies also have gardening adventures in other places.

“I’ve become known for rescuing plants and flowers from development areas,” Renea explained.

“I will dig them up and find new homes for them, and my friends, the ‘Rescue Girls’ now help me. We

recently dug up thousands of daffodils from Miss Rachel’s front yard in Woodstock. She was selling the property to developers who were going to level everything. Some plants on her property had been there for 100 years.

“So many places are vanishing before our eyes these days,” she said. “Just give me three hours before the bulldozers crank up and you’ll be surprised at how many treasures I can find.”

After the rescues, Renea and her friends might re-plant the flowers at a library, or find someone who needs a bit a happiness and give them away.

“It’s about trying to be good stewards of the environment and the community and everything else,” she said. “Gardens grow friendships, friendships grow communities.”

To learn more, visit reneawinchester.com. ■

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Backyard Beauty Master gardener Lisa Ethridge shares tips for gardening success

ALL PHOTOS BY ABBY BREAUX/STAFF

hergarden

By CANDY WAYLOCK

candy@northsidewoman.com

W

ith the cold, dreary winter a memory now, spring means a return to our gardens and the annual coaxing of flowers and plants to fill our landscapes.

For master gardener Lisa Ethridge, there is rarely downtime in her Alpharetta garden. A host of perennials make their appearance throughout the year, sometimes starring and sometimes reverting to supporting cast.

“I’m out in my yard almost every day listening to the birds, pulling a few weeds, looking for new shoots or blooms, checking for bugs and cussing the rabbits and squirrels!” she said with a laugh.

Weekends in her garden are spent on seasonal chores such as cleanup and general maintenance. But during the growing season, gardening enters overdrive.

“A week doesn’t go by without me planting something new or dividing something that has gone wild or rooting out something that died. Harvesting vegetables is still a thrill,” said Ethridge, who retired in 2009 after teaching for 30 years, including 22 years at Milton High School.

Everywhere you look is blooming evidence of Ethridge’s green thumb. The side yard is a fenced vegetable garden with raised beds and a watering system (“a retirement present,” she said.) It is planted nearly year round, with beets, carrots, lettuces and herbs during the cold months and tomatoes, beans and peppers in the warm months.

“In the South, we are blessed with wonderful conditions for year-round gardening,” she said. “Whenever master gardeners get together, they talk about what’s blooming in their yards. It’s my goal to have something growing or blooming all year.”

The backyard of her home, located just down the street from the former Milton High, is a garden symphony of perennial flowers, bulbs, bushes and trees, in no particular pattern or order.

“It’s not perfect by any means. I love big planters full to the brim with beautiful combinations of annuals.

I always make sure to include ‘thrillers, spillers and fillers’ for the best effect,” she said, noting keeping the pots watered during Atlanta’s scorching summers are a

30 | northsidewoman.com | april2015

Getting started with gardening

Master Gardener Lisa Ethridge.

challenge, but worth the work.

She can’t remember a time in her life when gardening, harvesting and enjoying the bounty was not a part of her life. Growing up in Salem, Ohio, days were spent exploring the world around her on her green Schwinn bike.

“There were farms everywhere around Salem. I just took all that green beauty for granted as a young person.

Now the rolling hills, barns, livestock and fields amaze me,” she said.

Her grandparents lived close by, and she spent happy days in the huge vegetable garden on their land.

“I can’t say I helped much, but I learned a lot from my grandfather as we walked up and down the garden rows most summer evenings,” she recalled. “He plowed and sowed, and Grandma and my mom harvested, canned, froze and cooked his produce. We enjoyed those vegetables all year round.”

Ethridge laughs when she remembers leaving Ohio in 1977 for Atlanta after she got married. She said she had no idea how to make chili or spaghetti without home-canned tomatoes. A garden soon followed. “Everywhere I’m planted, I have put something in the ground – whether it’s a small bed of lettuce, bulbs or a rose bush. I have always loved to watch things grow,” she said. ■

Start with good soil. The biggest challenge in Georgia is the soil, according to master gardener Lisa Ethridge. Unless you are planting all native plants, your soil has to be tested and amended to produce good, healthy plants or a beautiful lawn. Remember, it’s all about that soil. Feed the soil, not the plants. The opportunities are almost endless in the Georgia garden. In Zone 7 (Atlanta), conditions favor a wide variety of plants with wonderful results year after year.

Watch the calendar. Wait to plant annuals outside until it is absolutely clear that there will be no more frost. Ethridge said that is generally after April 15. Don’t waste time or money planting annuals or warm season vegetables before that date.

Start simply. Ethridge recommends starting with herbs, which are easy to grow even if you have just a small space.

The plants are aromatic, interesting, beautiful and useful.

Even a small plot of herbs can bring a lot of joy and add flavor to any dish you cook. Once you are hooked on the fresh tastes from the herb garden, you might want to try a modest kitchen garden. The possibilities are endless once you get the basics. .

Talk with folks who garden and ask questions. Master gardeners are always on-hand at the Alpharetta Farmers Market to answer questions. Plan to attend the North Fulton Master Gardeners' Faire at Bulloch Hall on April 25, 9 a.m. 3 p.m. to shop for plants and attend demonstrations.

Consider becoming a master gardener. To see more about the many projects of the North Fulton Master Gardeners, check out their website at www.nfmg.com.

april2015 | northsidewoman.com | 31

woman's best friend

Ask the vet QUESTION:

Do pets suffer from allergies?

ANSWER:

A

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llergy season is upon us, and we are not the only ones who suffer from the relentless pollen that travels in the wind. Our pets can also suffer from allergies, and many do.

Dogs with allergies usually have very itchy skin. Their pads are particularly prone to becoming itchy because they are touching the ground. When the ground is covered with blooming plants that your pet is sensitive to, allergy symptoms flare up.

In dogs, environmental allergies trigger excessive licking of their paws and scratching of their ears. Dogs with environmental allergies may lick their paws raw, sometimes resulting in limping. Cats can also suffer from environmental allergies, particularly asthma. Asthmatic cats will likely have flare ups during the spring and fall months of the year, resulting in coughing and exercise intolerance.

Aside from environmental allergies, dogs and cats can also suffer from other types of allergies that can trigger similar symptoms. It is important to take your pet to the veterinarian for an assessment of your pets’ condition. Changes anywhere on their skin can be a sign of an allergic flare up, and getting ahead of it before it progresses is key in preventing secondary bacterial infections, among other things. For cats, signs of asthma can be life threatening, so it is of the utmost importance to have them evaluated and treated as necessary.

There are several different ways that veterinarians treat/

approach allergies. Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and hydroxizine can sometimes be helpful, but their therapeutic effects may be limited.

Steroids are stronger than antihistamines.

Patients should undergo bloodwork before having steroids prescribed as it is an effective but strong medication that is not without its side effects. Steroids are usually prescribed for limited amounts of time and not as an ongoing therapeutic treatment.

There are other medications available such as oclacitinib (apoquel) and cyclosporine (atopica) that may also be used in treating allergies in dogs and cats.

Last but not least, allergy testing is considered the gold standard in conclusively finding the culprit for your pets’ allergies.

Allergy blood testing can be performed by your veterinarian. Intradermal skin testing is usually performed by veterinary dermatologists. ■

Dr. Beatriz Segarra is the owner and veterinarian at the Village Animal Hospital on Abbotts Bridge Road in Johns Creek. www.thevillageanimalhospital.com

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todo

APRIL

9

Georgia Ensemble Theatre presents ‘My Fair Lady’ Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play “Pygmalion,” Eliza Doolittle, a Covent Garden flower peddler, agrees to take speech lessons from phonetician Henry Higgins in order to fulfill her dream of working in a flower shop. Along the way, Eliza outgrows her lowly social status and manages to become an indispensable part of Higgins’ life. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

10

www.get.org

Forsyth Master Gardeners Plant Sale Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Shop for a wide variety of plants and gardening accessories at the Barn at Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road. Rain or shine. fcmg.sharepoint.com

11

4

Taste of Forsyth The city of Cumming presents the Taste of Forsyth at the Cumming Fairgrounds. Easter egg hunt, food, live music, “touch a truck” and more. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rain or shine. Free admission, samples $1 – 4.

Date Night: Italy Join Sur la Table’s cooking class to discover how to create a sumptuous Italian menu led by Shannyn King. Menu consists of tiny tender meatballs with spicy tomato sauce cavatappi with grilled zucchini and lemon herb ricotta, asparagus wrapped in pancetta and dark chocolate affogato with sea salt. 1000 North Point Circle, Suite 1082 in Alpharetta. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $69 per person. www.surlatable.com

www.Cummingfair.net

13 Milton Community Egg Hunt 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. The City of Milton and partners are excited to present the first Community Egg Hunt at Friendship Park in Crabapple, on Birmingham Highway next to Crabapple Crossing Elementary.

Egg hunts for all ages begin at 10 a.m., with games, face painting, music and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Food trucks will offer treats for sale and the Milton police and fire vehicles will be on display.

Free to the public. www.cityofmiltonga.us Race to Change Destinies 5K Redeemed Christian Church of God King’s Court Chapel hosts a 5K run/walk to fund mission outreaches, free clinics, clothing drives, homeless shelters and more.

Participants will receive a T-shirt and goodie bag. RCCG King’s Court Chapel, 9435 Willeo Road in Roswell. Race starts at 8 a.m. $25 race fee. www.runsignup.com 34 | northsidewoman.com | april2015

“One O’clock Jump, the Songs of Count Basie” Georgia Ensemble Theatre presents Joe Grandsden and his 16-piece big band.

Count Basie led one of the greatest swing bands of all time. Hear hits like “One O’Clock Jump” and “April in Paris.”

Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. $20 to $30. www.get.org

16

Alpharetta Food Truck Alley Alpharetta’s weekly gathering returns on Old Roswell Street with rotating food trucks and music each week. Six to eight food trucks from the Atlanta area come out with a variety of great eats. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Alive After 5 in Roswell Roswell’s Alive After 5 comes back to Canton Street in downtown Roswell. Come to the best street party in metro Atlanta for live music, outside vendors and extended retail hours, face painting, free trolley and more.

17

Value Vino! Tasting Join Salud! Cooking School at Whole Foods Avalon for a wine tasting

of their best picks under $12. 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 2800 Old Milton Parkway in Alpharetta. $19 to register. www.wholefoodsmarket.com/service/ salud-cooking-school-4

18

Hall, 180 Bulloch Avenue, Roswell, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.. Shop for plants and treasures for home and garden and enjoy gardening demonstrations. www.nfmg.net

Earth Day Festival Milton’s annual festival offers sustainability information and inspiration on building a green community. Family booths, educational groups, entertainment and foods. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.cityofmiltonga.us Relay for Life of Roswell Join in the fight against cancer at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Roswell. 4 p.m. to midnight. Roswell High School, 11595 King Road in Roswell. www.relayforlife.org/roswellga Johns Creek Farmers Market Held at Newtown Park on Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., each market features more than 25 local farmers and vendors with organic and/or sustainable foods and produce. www.johnscreekga.gov

26

Roswell Cycling Festival Several cycling events take place in Historic Roswell. The annual Roswell Mayor’s ride, with 6, 20, 42 and 62mile routes, travels rolling hills and flat sections next to the Chattahoochee River touring the city of Roswell. The Historic Roswell Criterium features ‘spectatorfriendly’ professional and amateur races.

The Craft Beer Tasting Festival benefitting Bike Roswell has over 10 participating downtown Roswell restaurants. For more information, visit www.roswellcyclingfestival.com Autrey Mill Unplugged

Alpharetta Arts StreetFest This colorful festival features live jazz and acoustical music, cultural arts performances, children’s activities and festival cuisine. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, Milton Avenue in downtown Alpharetta. www.awesomealpharetta.com

19

Shower of Stars The Rhythms on the River concert series kicks off with “April Shower of Stars.” The cabaret-style concert features vocalists Melanie Dobbins, Brandon DeGroff, Michele GlenDe and Alvin Maddox. Bring a picnic and dine at the show. Reserve a table or bring a chair/blanket for lawn seating. 6 p.m.

Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road in Roswell. www.chattnaturecenter.org

23

Aaron Lewis at 37 Main Country singer Aaron Lewis, best known as the Staind front man, performs live at 37 Main in Johns Creek, 6000 Medlock Bridge Parkway. Doors open 7 p.m. $25. www.37main-store.com

Wyatt Espalin performs at the Autrey Mill Unplugged concert series. 7 p.m. preconcert gathering, complimentary light refreshments with wine and beer available for purchase. Concert at 8 p.m. at Warsaw Church, 9770 Autrey Mill Road in Johns Creek. www.autreymill.org

30

‘Cirque Avontuur’ at Milton High School

Milton Theatre’s Cirque program returns! “Cirque Avontuur” is an upbeat adventure based on the decisions we make in life and how those moments render our outcomes.

Doorways of all shapes and sizes serve as symbols of the entrances and exits along our individual journeys. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Milton High School, 13025 Birmingham Highway. www.miltontheatrecompany.com

24

A Chorus Line This musical about a chorus audition for a Broadway musical tells of the achingly poignant ambitions of professional Broadway gypsies to land a job in the show. A complex mix of dance, song and drama. Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St. 8 p.m. $25. www.Playhousecumming.com

25

Garden Faire at Bulloch Hall North Fulton Master Gardeners present a Garden Faire at Historic Bulloch

The Appleseed Collective Matilda’s Music Under the Pines series continues with Americana band Appleseed Collective. 8:30 p.m. 377 South Main St. in Alpharetta. www.matildasgallery.wix.com/ matildas-music-venue

april2015 | northsidewoman.com | 35

I had a 30% chance of surviving a stroke.

North Fulton Hospital saved my life.

JANET THOMPSON — Roswell

Janet Thompson thought it was just a sinus headache — then she realized she couldn’t speak, and couldn’t put her car into drive.

She was taken to North Fulton Hospital, where the skilled emergency team immediately recognized she’d had a severe stroke, and saved her life.

Working tirelessly through her recovery and rehabilitation, Janet’s care team got her back to living her life to the fullest.

Emergency Services

Visit NorthFultonEmergency.com to learn more about Janet Thompson’s story.

36 | northsidewoman.com | april2015