September 19, 20, 21 … ECHS Dessert Theatre at The Nixon Centre. 7 p.m. Info thenixoncentre.net
September 20 … Main Street Newnan’s Fall Art Walk
September 20 … Friday Night Football
September 20 … WGTC’s Annual Black Tie & Boots
September 20 & 21 … FUMC Consignment Sale look for ad
September 21 … Senoia Farmers' Market
September 21 … Fido Fest 2024 at Ashley Park fun for the 2 legged and 4 legged members of your family! To participate in the 5K or 1 Mile Fun Run … runsignup.com/Race/GA/Newnan/FidoFest5KandFunRun
September 21 … Sharpsburg Market
September 21 … Senoia’s Annual Car Show
September 21 … Dockside Concert at Arnall Grocery
September 22 … Ride for Recovery
September 24 … Line Dancing Classes Free at Madras Gymnasium for 55+ community. Classes Tuesdays at 10 to 11:30 a.m. All skill levels welcome. Sponsored by Coweta County Senior Services. 2355 Hwy. 29 N. 770.683.8600.
September 24 …Ian Gindes at The Nixon Centre
September 25 … Classic Market Smoke & Vine
September 26 … Beach Boys Tribute at Nixon Centre at The Nixon Centre. 7 p.m. For more info thenixoncentre.net
September 27 … Jazz in the Park
September 27 … Friday Night Football
September 28 … Turin Tractor Pull look for ad
September 28… Senoia Farmers' Market
September 29 … Gold Star Families event
September 29 … Masterworks Chorale at Nixon Centre Music of Hope & Faith 2:30 p.m. thenixoncentre.net
Check our website frequently wintersmedia.net & Facebook for updates and more events including Local & Live Music, The Weekend Guide, Sports & more!
Look For Ad …
Arnall Grocery Co., 32 East Washington St.
getting enough sleep?
. Starting a new school year can be a busy, stressful time. New schedules, schools, and routines can wreak havoc in a child’s sleeping schedule. There are ways to conquer the bedtime rush and create an environment for a well-rested child to flourish.
First, let us look at how much sleep children actually need. Babies (under one year) need 12-17 hours depending on age. Toddlers (1-2 years) need 11-14 hours, while preschoolers (3-5 years) need 1013 hours of sleep every night. School age children (6-12 years) need 9-12 hours and high school age children (13-18 years) need 8-10 hours every night. Signs your child is not getting enough sleep are irritability, being hard to wake in the mornings, complaining about being tired and falling asleep in the middle of things. Lack of concentration is another sign of sleep deprivation.
Sleep is so very important for healthy development. A good amount of quality sleep is important for your child’s ability to focus and learn, and it also impacts their health and social relationships. We know poor sleep is also related to many physical, social, cognitive, and behavioral problems. This includes misbehavior, obesity, diabetes, increased anger, reduced memory, and increased illness.
Now let us look at ways to set your child up for a healthy sleep routine. Building a schedule and routine for bedtime is key. First start by counting backwards from the time you leave for school in the morning and your time for morning routine to calculate the recommended bedtime for your aged child.
Here are some tips for a healthy sleeping routine:
• Set up a routine or ritual at bedtime: Bath time, pajamas, and story time can be relaxing and familiar if followed most nights.
• Allow your child time to relax and decompress from the day’s activities.
• Talk with your child about their day. Focus on “Good thoughts”.
• Create a healthy sleeping space (dimly lit, cool, and quiet.)
• Offer your child a small healthy snack before bedtime, being careful to avoid caffeine, spicy foods or very sugary foods.
• Avoid screen time or TV time right before bedtime.
• Avoid over-the-counter sleep medications or supplements.
• Use a fan or sound machine, instead of a TV, if your child needs noise to fall asleep.
• Parents are also wonderful role-models, and children learn from watching their parents model good routines.
Teaching children healthy sleeping habits can be a hard task for many parents. These changes may occur slowly and take time. Know that you may not be successful the first night but do not give up. It’s important for your child’s health that you stick to the routine, and you will all sleep easier afterwards!!
For more information about healthy sleeping habits for all ages, contact the Coweta County Extension office at 770-254-2620 or coweta.extension@uga.edu.
University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran, Disability Institution. Photo Credit: UGA Extension
Oct. 3, Thurs. – Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:15 pm – Prime
Oct. 13, Sun. – at Carolina Panthers, 4:25 pm – FOX
Oct. 20, Sun. – Seattle Seahawks, 1 pm – FOX
Oct. 27, Sun. – at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 pm – FOX *record thru 9/15
MLS – ATLANTA UNITED (8-13-7)*
Sept. 18, Wed. – Inter Miami, 7:30 pm – Apple TV
Sept. 21, Sat. – at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 pm – Apple TV
Sept. 28, Sat. – at Philadelphia, 7:30 pm – Apple TV
Oct. 2, Wed. – Montreal, 7:30 pm – Apple TV
Oct. 5, Sat. – New York Red Bulls, 7:30 pm – Apple TV
Oct. 19, Sat. – at Orlando City, 6 pm – Apple TV
End of Regular Season
*record thru 9/15
WNBA – ATLANTA DREAM (13-25)*
Sept. 17, Tues. – Chicago Sky, 7:30 pm – Peachtree TV
Sept. 19, Thurs. – at New York Liberty, Peachtree TV
End of Regular Season *record thru 9/15
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
GEORGIA BULLDOGS (3-0)
Sept. 21, Sat. – Open
Sept. 28, Sat. – at Alabama, 7:30 p.m. – ABC
Oct. 5, Sat. – Auburn, TBD – TBD
Oct. 12, Sat. – Mississippi State, TBD – TBD
GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS (3-1)
Sept. 21, Sat. – at Louisville, 3:30 pm – ESPN2
Sept. 28, Sat. – Open
Oct. 5, Sat. – Duke, TBD –TBD
Oct. 12, Sat. – at North Carolina, TBD – TBD
PREP FOOTBALL
COWETA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS
September 20, Friday
East Coweta at Perry, 7:30 pm
Newnan at Morrow, 7:30 pm
Northgate at Banneker, 7:30 pm
Sandy Creek at Trinity Christian, 7:30 pm
Heritage School at Rock Springs, 7:30 pm
Central Christian at Crosspointe Christian, 7:30 pm
September 27, Friday
Cambridge at East Coweta, 7:30 pm
Langston Hughes at Newnan, 7:30 pm
McIntosh at Northgate, 7:30 pm
Trinity Christian at Whitewater, 7:30 pm
Heritage School at Piedmont Academy, 7:30 pm
Praise Academy at Central Christian, 7:30 pm
Notes from Perry Street
By JOHN A. WINTERS, Publisher
It is time for the
Greatest Show On Earth, or at least in these parts!
The 76th anniversary of the Kiwanis Coweta County Fair hits this month. The 11-day event will take place at the Coweta County Fairgrounds, located at 275 Pine Road, from September 12 - 22.
Some interesting and important information:
Some background
In 2022, nearly 45,000 people attended this annual entertainment get-together which set a new attendance record. The average daily attendance was just over 4,000. Last year, attendance was just shy of 40,000.
The Coweta County Fair has a long and storied history with the very first fair taking place in 1874. After various interruptions through the years, the Newnan Kiwanis Club took over the County Fair in 1947 and has been the headlining sponsor ever since.
What It’s All About
Proceeds from the Fair are distributed within the local community as grants to dozens of organizations who share Kiwanis’ dedication to serving the children of the world. Since 2000, Newnan Kiwanis has donated more than $5.1 million to the charities of Coweta County from the Fair’s proceeds.
Anything Fried
By the way, the top 10 craziest fair foods are; Funnel Cake; The Classic Corn Dog; Hot Toasted Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich; Deep Fried Cookie Dough; Beer Battered Cheese Curds; Fried Mac and Cheese; Fried Pickles; Frito Pie; Deep Fried Mashed Potatoes on a Stick; Turkey Legs.
More Info
Make sure to check out our website: http://wintersmedia.net for the “All Things Fair” section. We’ve already posted several stories about the Fair and will have daily updates during the actual event.
John A. Winters, Publisher, Editor john@wintersmedia.net
Corby Carlin Winters, Ambassador at Large corby@wintersmedia.net
Levi Winters, Social & Visual Media levi@wintersmedia.net
Joey Howard, Digital Editor/Business Development 404.698.0734 • joey@wintersmedia.net
The Coweta Shopper is published by Winters Media & Publishing, Inc., P. O. Box 757, Newnan, GA 30264
John A. Winters, President Corby Carlin Winters, Vice President
The Coweta Shopper first appeared in 1989. Over the years, the name changed to The Shopper and then The Weekly. As of July 2024, the newspaper reverted to its original title. Our goal continues to promote local events and consumer-related articles for our readers and our commitment to helping promote local businesses and non-profits.
Our office is located at 15 Perry Street, Newnan, GA 30263
Mailing address is: P. O. Box 757, Newnan, GA 30264
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday - Friday 9 - 4
The Coweta Shopper reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising as we feel is in the best interest of our publication.
Hundreds Join First Walk for Hope at City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta
Over
Anyone interested in registering for the virtual walk or donating can do so at walkforhope.org
Shady Eldaif, M.D.
Director of Thoracic Oncology & Thoracic Surgeon
Shady Eldaif, M.D., is an accomplished surgeon and director of Thoracic Oncology at City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta. His expertise includes performing complex robotic and minimally invasive surgeries for conditions like lung and esophageal cancer with the end goal of maximizing the quality of life experience for patients.
• 14+ years of thoracic oncology experience
• 1,600-plus complex robotic and minimally invasive surgeries performed to date
• Board certified and fellowship trained thoracic surgeon
Appointments available in as little as 24 hours. 855-939-HOPE I cityofhope.org
600 Celebrate Life Parkway, Newnan, GA
Food Pantries, Meals on Wheels Help Coweta Families with Needs
Grocery prices remain high, and many families are being forced to cut back on food purchases so they can afford other necessities. Food insecurity, which is not having access to sufficient or quality food, can affect people of all ages, from senior citizens to young children.
To help fight hunger, local food pantries, nonprofit organizations and ministries are helping Coweta residents to put food on the table. Learn more about these resources:
The Salvation Army of Newnan
The Salvation Army of Newnan strives to reduce hunger by providing nutritious meals to those in need. The nonprofit organization has a food pantry on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon for Coweta County residents. To receive assistance, residents must present a photo ID and complete required paperwork.
The nonprofit also assists with clothing and utilities. To receive financial assistance, call Monday or Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon (for Coweta County residents only).
The Salvation Army of Newnan is at 670 Jefferson St. in Newnan. To access the food pantry, visitors should go to the social services door. For more information, visit https://southernusa. salvationarmy.org/newnan/hunger-relief or call 770-251-8181.
One Roof Ecumenical Alliance Outreach
One Roof Ecumenical Alliance Outreach offers food, clothing, shelter and financial assistance to families in crisis. The nonprofit organization operates a food pantry that is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Clients can receive a voucher for a supplemental food box twice a month, but never consecutive weeks. The boxes are prepacked based on the size of the client’s household. To receive food for all household members, clients must list their dependents on the application. Verification, which includes photo ID, Social Security card or birth certificate, is required for all dependents and the client, according to One Roof’s website. When items are in stock, diapers (infant and
adult), baby formula, personal hygiene bundles, and pet food are available upon request.
Clients in need of clothing or shoes can ask for a voucher to the thrift store for needed items. The vouchers can be made for present and verified household members once every six months. The selection of clothing varies with donations and will shift with the seasons. The thrift store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also, clients can seek financial assistance with utility bills (water, electrical, etc.) or rent. Only Coweta County residents are eligible. Financial assistance is a one-time service, and it will be granted once per household. Clients must complete an in-person application and provide the required support documents (including proof of income from at least the last 30 days). The application will be reviewed before financial support is granted, according to One Roof’s website. Clients can apply for financial assistance on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 4 p.m.
One Roof also has $50 gas cards available. Recipients must be Coweta County residents and earn less than three times the poverty level. Coweta residents who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for gas cards on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 4 p.m., said Ann Kerlin, Ph.D., executive director of One Roof Ecumenical Alliance Outreach.
In addition, One Roof offers counseling (pastoral and licensed) either virtually or in-person. To receive a free counseling session, call One Roof to set up an appointment, Kerlin explained.
One Roof Ecumenical Alliance Outreach is at 255 Temple Ave. in Newnan. For more information, visit https://www.oneroofoutreach.org, call 770-683-
7705 or email assist@oneroofoutreach.org.
Alpha Omega Mission Center
The Alpha Omega Mission Center (AO House), a ministry of First Baptist Church in Newnan and the Western Baptist Association, provides food and clothing to those in need. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. Photo ID or proof of identity is required.
The Alpha Omega Mission Center is at 70 Madison St. in Newnan behind First Baptist Church (15 W. Washington St. in Newnan). For more information, visit https://www.fbcnewnan.org/ ministries/missions/ao-mission-center/ or call 770683-6477.
Backpack Buddies of Georgia
Backpack Buddies of Georgia supplies economically disadvantaged children in the Coweta County School System with food for the weekend. The nonprofit also provides holiday break bags to assist families during long school holidays. Each weekend bag includes two breakfast items, two lunch items, two fruit cups and a variety of snacks. Food assistance is available to all students in Coweta County schools. Students in need should reach out to their high school counselor.
Backpack Buddies is at 96 Werz Industrial Blvd. in Newnan. For more information, visit https:// backpackbuddiesga.org/ or call 678-770-8618.
Yeager Road Community Resource Center
The Yeager Road Community Resource Center, a ministry of Newnan First Seventh-Day Adventist Church, has a Mobile Food Pantry on the second Saturday of the month from 3 to 5 p.m. The food is available first come, first served. The upcoming dates for the Mobile Food Pantry are Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14.
The Yeager Road Community Resource Center is at 265 Yeager Road in Newnan. For more information, visit https://yeagerrdresourcecenter. org/ or call 770-251-8378.
Palmetto Community Food Pantry
Palmetto Baptist Church’s food pantry, the
Palmetto Community Food Pantry, is open each Monday evening from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. to citizens of Palmetto. Families in crisis can come once a month to receive a bag of food and a word of encouragement.
Food donations are also needed. Here’s a list of frequently needed items: jam/jelly, peanut butter, canned veggies, ravioli, spaghetti sauce, Hamburger Helper, chicken/beef broth, Jell-O/ pudding cups, alfredo powder mix, ramen noodles, cereal, pancake mix/syrup, SpaghettiOs, mac/cheese, canned soup, Jiffy cornmeal mix, taco meals, instant potatoes, grits/oatmeal packets, Pop-Tarts, and seasoning packets such as taco or chili.
The Palmetto Community Food Pantry is at 6344 North Highway 29 in Palmetto, Ga. For more information, visit https://palmettobaptistchurch. com/missions/ or call 770-463-4642.
Meals on Wheels Coweta
Meals on Wheels Coweta helps elder adults maintain their independence by delivering nutritious meals to them at home. The nonprofit organization serves adults in need who are either: aged 65 or older, homebound because of disability or chronic illness, unable to prepare meals for themselves, don’t receive regular assistance from others, may be on hospice care or may live alone.
Meals are provided to clients through two plans. The first plan provides five meals per week, and the second plan provides seven meals per week. The meals, prepared by a chef, are delivered Monday through Friday to clients on more than 30 routes throughout Coweta County.
Meals on Wheels Coweta can freeze and store meals, so it can make meal deliveries once a week to remote areas of the county that weren’t previously served because of time and distance. The nonprofit can now provide meals to elder adults who weren’t eligible to receive meals before.
For more information on how to receive meals or volunteer, contact Meals on Wheels Coweta at 678-423-1700 or mowcoweta@numail.org or visit https://mealsonwheelscoweta.org.
The COWETA S HOPPER S HOPPER Real Es tate
If you’ve been reading my articles recently, then you’re aware of the importance of the increasing number of homes for sale. Local Realtors have been waiting for the supply of listings to increase for years. This allows buyers more properties to choose from and should cool down prices, at least in theory.
The number of active listings in the Georgia Multiple Listing System (GAMLS) went up 25 percent between July 2023 and July 2024. In June 2024, the number of active listings was up 35 percent. The average number of days on the market for a listing in June and July 2024 increased by about 30 percent from June and July 2023.
More listings mean more choices for prospective home buyers. How did this increase in listings affect price? Well, the price didn’t change much at all. In fact, price was even year-over-year. Demand for housing in Coweta County has stayed strong despite higher interest rates, inflation, and an uncertain economy. The average sales price in Coweta County was $470,000 in July 2023 and 2024 per GAMLS.
Many real estate industry experts and analysts are predicting mortgage rates will decrease for the rest of year. I wrote an offer for a client with good credit putting twenty percent down who qualified for a 6.625 percent interest rate last week. Interest rates were over seven percent recently, so they have already started to trend down. With an increase in the supply of listings and an expected decrease in interest rates, we should see a strong finish in the real estate market for 2024. A decrease in interest rates should result in more buyers entering the market.
There is still a need for more listings. This is a great opportunity for builders to add new construction to the market. Of the 607 singlefamily active listings in Coweta County at the time of this article, over 25 percent are new construction. While some builders may be cautious to overbuild in worry of another crash, Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), doesn’t see things that way. Yun: “A crash happens with oversupply. It will not happen, because there isn’t enough inventory.”
Jess Barron
Jess Barron is an Associate Broker with Lindsey’s Inc. Realtors and former President of the Newnan-Coweta Board of Realtors.
Hunt for the Lost Treasure of Coweta County
From Special Reports
The Hunt for the Lost Treasure of Coweta County gives everyone the chance to find ‘county jewels.’
This new event, sponsored by the Moreland Cultural Arts Alliance (MCAA), invites treasure hunters of all ages to join this scavenger hunt and to discover the remnants and relics of the past hidden in ‘plain sight ’ throughout Coweta County. While hunters will find cultural riches throughout the search, one treasure hunter will win the Grand Prize at the end of the Hunt which is a $1,000 gift card. Other hunters will be awarded additional prizes as well from a treasure chest at the end of the Hunt.
The Hunt began Friday, August 30 and continues throughout the month of September. Treasure hunters will find new clues on the website of MCAA: morelandadventure.com and on its Facebook page: Moreland Cultural Arts Alliance. New clues will be released on Fridays – August 30, September 6, 13, and 20.
The prize winners will be announced on Saturday, September 28 at a finale event at the Hometown Heritage Museum: A Tribute to Lewis
Grizzard (7 Main St. Moreland 30259) beginning at 11 a.m. Finale festivities include free admission, a chance to see new exhibits at the Moreland museums, light refreshment, and music. The names of all winners will be announced beginning at noon. Winners need not be present to win.
Treasure hunters will search throughout Coweta County for historic architecture, unique structures archeological sites, nostalgic and quirky places and items, many of which are found in plain sight everyday and we often pass by and miss. Hunters can search individually and in groups. The Hunt is open for all ages.
The Hunt for the Lost Treasure of Coweta County is inspired by the work of members of the former Moreland Community Historical Society members, Edward and Helen Wolak, who created a guide to the “Vanished Communities of Coweta County” documenting documenting places that were once active communities in Coweta County but which now have entirely or mostly disappeared. The guide contains historic maps and loads of interesting details about lost
places in Coweta. Treasure hunters may find this booklet helpful. It is available to download on the MCAA website: morelandadventure. com
Treasure hunters may use books and resources found online, in county libraries, historical societies and they may quiz local history buffs for help deciphering the clues.
Gear up for fun with you family and friends. Be sure to download the rules and guidelines for the Hunt for the Lost Treasures of Coweta County on the MCAA website: morelandadventure.com/events. For more information: morelandadventure.com/events or 678-4923161. Follow FB: Moreland Cultural Arts Alliance
The Moreland Cultural Arts Alliance, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, foster, and promote the cultural arts and heritage of the Moreland community and to celebrate the writing of Erskine Caldwell and Lewis Grizzard.
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Kitchen with Angela
The A Healthy New Soup Just Right for (Almost) Fall
A meme I saw the other day declared that in the South, fall means flip-flops, T-shirts, mosquitoes, humidity, and pumpkins, so basically, it’s summer but with pumpkins, and I won’t argue with that.
I always envy our friends up north at this time of year because they have a clear, definitive start to autumn, while down here, we really do need to keep both flip-flops and boots on hand. The weather can be wobbly, and the wise are prepared for every possibility.
Cooking for fall is that way too. I never make my first pot of fall chili until the weather turns chilly, which could be September but is more likely to be October. I’ve long said that while meteorological fall starts in late September, psychological fall starts on September 1.
So when I was in my pantry the other day and spotted a package of dried lentils, I realized it was the perfect season to find something to do with them. I pulled out my grandmother’s dilapidated old Meta Given tome from 1953, The Modern Family Cook Book. It had a recipe for a lentil soup that looked interesting, except that I didn’t want to mash and strain the lentils, figuring the good fiber they’re so well-known for shouldn’t be omitted. So I kept them intact.
What’s so great about lentils? We’ve been hearing for years how beans and peas are such great sources of protein, and I for one get tired of protein shakes really quickly, although I appreciate how protein keeps you full longer and helps prevent snacking. Also, it’s a bit magical that a package of dried beans will spring to life with a little water added to them overnight, though of course that means the recipe needs to be planned at least a day in advance.
I’m pretty sure I first heard of lentils in the Bible. The prophet Elijah made a bread that called for lentils as one of the ingredients. In Genesis, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for “a pottage of lentiles,” and I’ve always thought, “Man, that must have been some kind of soup!”
My Lentil Soup is definitely a departure from Meta Given’s, and while I wouldn’t sell my birthright for it, I do think it’s quite tasty. Another plus? You can feel virtuous for eating something so good that’s also so healthy.
Recipe
Lentil Soup
o 1 cup dried lentils
o 6 cups water
o 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
o 1/4 cup onion, diced
o 3/4 cup fresh celery tops, chopped (include the leaves)
o 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
o 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Wash lentils in cold water, then pour them into a 3-quart saucepan and cover with cold water. Soak overnight. The next day, drain lentils, add the 6 cups water, salt, onion, celery tops, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer 30 minutes or until lentils are very soft. Serve this soup with chopped parsley sprinkled on top. Yields 5-6 servings.
The call came in June. I hung up the phone in disbelief. Our friend was gone.
This wasn’t someone who seemed depressed. On the contrary, they appeared to have everything: a wonderful spouse, a new home, a long-awaited retirement. Life was good. Life was just beginning. Or so we thought.
Preventing the Phone Call No One Wants to Answer Senior Living Advice
I have personally known five people whose lives ended in suicide. I have struggled to understand why someone decides to end their own life.
When Ashley and Wynonna Judd announced the death of their mother, Naomi Judd, their joint statement was: “We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness.” Just as someone may lose their life to cancer or heart disease, their mom lost her life to mental illness. She didn’t choose mental illness, just as a person doesn’t choose cancer. Mental illness, like cancer, is not a choice. For those of us left behind, to find meaning and understanding in these situations, we must keep this in mind.
While adults over the age of 65 make up only 12 percent of the population, they also account for 17 percent of all suicides in the US.
Depression is a leading cause of suicide among older adults. For many, depression in
with BETH DOW, Geriatric Care Manager
later years can arise from various factors such as the loss of a spouse or close friends, social isolation and the shift from a working life to retirement. These challenges can lead to feelings of purposelessness, a diminished sense of identity, and reduced social engagement.
Cognitive decline and dementia are critical factors that can lead to suicidal thoughts. The fear of losing one’s mental faculties and becoming dependent on others can be overwhelming.
Financial stress is another significant contributor. Many older adults live on fixed incomes and may struggle with medical expenses, housing costs, or supporting dependents. Financial instability can lead to feelings of helplessness and worthlessness. To prevent suicide in older adults, our friends and family members must begin with open and
Rose
“They
honest communication. We must be keenly aware of personality changes and not just write them off as someone acting weird or having a bad day.
We must encourage seeking medical attention for depression. Just as someone readily goes to the doctor for physical issues, we must actively discuss the benefits of proactively taking care of our mental health.
Social support is another critical component of prevention. Encourage your friends and family members to stay connected. Programs that promote social engagement – such as senior centers, volunteer opportunities and hobby groups – can provide a sense of belonging and purpose. People need to be around other people. We all need to stay involved in life.
I hope you never get the phone call my
husband and I received. I hope I never receive one like it again, but I am afraid that will not be the case. If you feel you are struggling with depression, talk about it with friends and family members and/or talk to your doctor. Depression is a disease. A disease that, if addressed and treated, can be managed and does not have to end in death. If you need help, you can call or text the suicide and crisis hotline at 988.
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Let’s all do our part in learning more about this subject so you don’t get that phone call no one wants to answer.
Beth Dow is a Dementia and Alzheimer’s Educator, CAEd and Geriatric Care Manager. She is also the owner of Home Helpers of GA & AL in Newnan. Readers can contact her by email at bdow@homehelpershomecare.com.
Piedmont NEWNAN
Why Prostate Cancer Screening is Critical
Keeping up with the different health complications you need to monitor can be overwhelming, and when you have no external symptoms, it can be all too easy to put off even recommended testing. But, by the time you do realize something is definitely wrong, it can be too late for treatment to have an effective impact, particularly when regarding different types of cancer.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States, however, when prostate cancer is detected early, the odds of survival are high. This September, prostate cancer awareness month, Piedmont is here to help clarify who specifically needs to be tested and when, and to express the importance of receiving screening to stay ahead of prostate cancer.
As of today, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends that men and those with a prostate between the ages of 55 and 69 receive screening annually. It’s important to have individual discussions with your doctor prior to beginning testing about the benefits and potential costs of testing, as well as risk factors that increase the likelihood of having prostate cancer—which include having a family history of prostate cancer and being African American. Those who are age 70 and above are not advised to receive annual screening.
The test itself is known as the PSA blood test, PSA being an acronym for prostate-specific antigen, a protein that physicians and urologists will measure the level of to screen for prostate cancer. While not a perfect test, as abnormal PSA levels can be indicative of a variety of health conditions in addition to prostate cancer, it has been highly effective in detecting prostate cancer.
“When diagnosed early on, prostate cancer is highly treatable,” said William Courson, D.O., family medicine. “The cure rate is nearly 100% for these cases.”
Those within the affected age range, and especially those who fall within the high-risk groups, can prevent the cancer from becoming untreatable by taking action early on, but multiple options are available for those opting to be more cautious in steps taken.
In a situation where you’re diagnosed with prostate cancer, but want to be sure that you do have it before beginning treatment, you can speak with your doctor about active surveillance of the prostate, which would allow you to monitor the cancer and any changes before taking action.
It’s also never too early to start practicing good ways to stay on top of your prostate health: maintaining a healthy fluid intake, staying a healthy weight, and keeping your doctor informed when there are any changes in urination (needing to urinate more or less often than usual, the appearance of blood, or frequent urinary tract infections).
“Taking steps to manage your prostate health before you reach the age where prostate cancer becomes a possibility, keeps you in better standing to face whatever the outcome is,” adds Dr. Courson.
To schedule an appointment with a Piedmont primary care provider online, visit piedmont.org
What You Need to Know About Atrial Fibrillation
September marks National Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Awareness Month. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), AFib is an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), a condition where the heart beats in an irregular, often fast, way. When a heart is in AFib, it may not be pumping enough oxygen-rich blood out to the body, which can led to other heart-related complications.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) it is estimated that 12.1 million people in the U.S. will have AFib in 2030. While it is the most common type of arrhythmia, many people do not know they have AFib until they are at a routine doctor’s appointment or they are hospitalized for complications caused by AFib. Compared to people without, those with AFib, even without symptoms, have a five-timesgreater risk of stroke, three-times-greater risk of heart failure and two-times-greater risk of dementia.
“Different patients have different symptoms. Some describe AFib as feeling like skipped heartbeats; some as an erratic heartbeat, strong heart palpitations, or simply a rapid heartbeat; while for others it feels like a fluttering, butterflies or even a flopping fish in their chest; while some patients don’t have any symptoms at all,” says Dr. Richardson. “If you suspect you may have this condition or another cardiac issue, he recommends scheduling an appointment with a cardiologist as soon as possible.”
Dr. Richardson also recommends seeing your primary care physician (PCP) annually and to be aware of any factors that may increase your risk of AFib, including high blood pressure, a prior heart attack or heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and prior heart surgery. Controlling these risk factors may prevent AFib from developing.
In addition to regular check-ups with your PCP, Dr. Richardson recommends self-monitoring your heart at home, and checking it on a daily basis.
Board-certified electrophysiologist and cardiologist Aaron Cole Richardson, D.O., who joined Piedmont Heart Institute last year, says it is important for local residents to increase their awareness of atrial fibrillation and other common conditions treated by electrophysiology, because without treatment, AFib can lead to blood clots, stroke, and heart failure.
Symptoms can include:
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• Skipped heartbeats
• Chest palpitations (common)
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Confusion
• Extreme fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain, or angina (seek immediate medical attention at an emergency room)
Dr. Richardson cautions patients not to overlook the more subtle symptoms, such as fatigue, if they do not experience palpitations, as they may or may not be present.
About Piedmont
“If you notice your heartrate is greater than 110bpm at rest and/or irregular, it’s probably time to visit and talk with your doctor about it,” explains Dr. Richardson. While AFib is serious, Dr. Richardson says that early detection and management are key.
“People can live long, healthy and active lives with AFib. Controlling your risk factors for heart disease, stroke and knowing what can trigger your AFib will help improve your long-term management of AFib. The most important thing you can do is work with your doctor or other health care professionals to make sure you’re doing all you can to prevent complications that could occur as a result of AFib,” says Dr. Richardson.
Dr. Richardson is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. He specializes in the treatment of heart rhythm disorders ranging from atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, heart block, bradycardia, atrial flutter, premature ventricular contractions, and ventricular tachycardia, with a special interest in the treatment and management of atrial fibrillation, leadless pacing, and cardiac resynchronization therapy.
Available at Piedmont Heart Institute in Newnan and Fayetteville, Dr. Richardson welcomes new patients and accepts most insurance plans. To schedule an appointment, visit piedmont.org
Piedmont is empowering Georgians by changing health care. We continue to fuel Georgia’s growth through safe, highquality care close to home through an integrated health care system that provides a hassle-free, unified experience. We are a private, not-for-profit organization with more than 12,000 donors annually that for centuries has sought to make a positive difference in every life we touch in the communities we serve. Across our 1,755 physical locations we care for more than 4 million patients and serve communities that comprise 85 percent of Georgia’s population. This includes 24hospitals, 72 Piedmont Urgent Care centers, 25 QuickCare locations, 1,875 Piedmont Clinic physician practices and nearly 3,200 Piedmont Clinic members. Our patients conveniently engage with Piedmont online, as they scheduled more than 612,000 online appointments and over 163,000 virtual visits. With more than 47,000 care givers we are the largest Georgia-based private employer of Georgians, who all came for the job, but stayed for the people. In 2024 and 2023, Piedmont has earned recognition from Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and also as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. In 2022, Forbes ranked Piedmont on its list of the Best Large Employers in the United States. In addition, Piedmont provided nearly $390 million in community benefit programming and uncompensated care in Fiscal Year 2023.
For more information, or booking your next appointment, visit piedmont.org
CONSIGNMENT SALE
HUGE CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT SALE – Set for Friday, Sept. 20 (95) and Saturday, Sept. 21 (8-Noon). Very gently used items – children’s clothing, accessories, baby gear, bedding, books, furniture, games, shoes, strollers, toys and more. Cash or checks only. Newnan First United Methodist Church, 33 Greenville Street, Newnan
CLEAN WHEAT STRAW AND MULCH HAY. $4.00 per bale. Frank Barron 770.231.9535.
NOW HIRING
AUTO INSURANCE – Let us get
the
Call
also do Title Bonds. Associated Insurance Markets, 125 Temple Avenue, Newnan, 770-253-2341
TREE SERVICE ... 24/7 Emergency Tree Service available, plus Pruning & Trimming, Stump Grinding. Commercial or Residential. Misael's Tree Service, 678.301.0153
SHINGLE ROOFS – Metal Roofs, Decks, Siding, Patio Roofs, Barns, Windows and More. Angie’s List 2020 Super Service Award. Call today for a free estimate. Discounts for Military, First Responders, Healthcare, Seniors and Cash. Carter Construction Company, 678.850.0431.
NEWNAN LANDSCAPING & DESIGN – Offers sodding, grass seeding, hardscaping, drainage solutions, french drains, curb appeal, landscaping designs, grading, land clearing, concrete work and more. Free Estimates. 17 years in business with photos and references available. Call 470-512-3857 for info.
HOME IMPROVEMENT We proudly do painting, remodeling, decks, doors, basements, gutters, windows, roofing, columns, flooring, plumbing, kitchens, wood repair, electrical. ALL types of handyman jobs. NO job too small. Successfully over 30 years in business. 770.252.5458 Very reasonable rates.
Kathy Bohannon’s Front Porch Stories
A New Puppy
We lost our precious little Winston this past May. He was a Boston Terrier and full of personality.
Winston stayed busy building what we called “Bonehenge”. It was a daily exercise in construction that meant retrieving all of his chewy bones into the middle of the living room. Sometimes they were configured in a straight line, other times they were in a circle or oval. Once the pattern was complete, he often just curled up in the middle of his work and took long naps.
Winston hired help, though not actually “good” help. His crew consisted of Bear and Bear. They were stuffed bears, both of which were missing an arm. We are pretty sure the loss of limbs was a result of some insubordination on the jobsite.
“Winnie” was six years old when he had a massive seizure that he never recovered from. It was awful, horrible and traumatic to witness.
His best friend Miele was still at our side and did her best to comfort us after the loss. But Miele is my Velcro dog and didn’t share the amount of love that Winston offered to my husband.
Winston was infatuated with John. He followed him everywhere and sat in his lap for hours on end. In the nearly 50 years I’ve known him, John has never been partial to a dog. Winston clearly won him over. It was July when we began searching for another Boston. We wanted a rescue, and my friend Denise helped us find a perfect match. Rosie was in East Tennessee, currently living with a foster family while she waited for her furever home.
We jumped through all the hoops during the application process. There was the extensive application itself, many emails, then a phone call, and finally a facetime where a volunteer safety coordinator would deem us to be a safe home environment.
Once approved, we counted the days until we would meet Rosie, nose to nose. We planned to drive to Tennessee, stay overnight and return home the next day. Once we figured the cost, it was just slightly more money to hire a transport and have her brought to us.
Rosie arrived on the first Sunday in August. I was surprised at how tiny she was. She’s two years old and
had been surrendered by a breeder. We figured her surrender was due to her small size, which meant she wouldn’t produce many puppies. Whatever the reason, they are missing out on one of the smartest and sweetest pups we’ve ever known.
Rosie loves to be cuddled, loves our grandkids (they are ages 9-15) and while Winston had his construction job, Rosie builds nests.
We now have nests all over the house; blankets dragged here and there, shaped into a circle, and at any given time Rosie is in the center, snoozing away.
She has also filled the property that used to house Bonehenge with all of her stuffed animals, even the huge baby Yoda that sits proudly beside the dog bed in the living room. She will grab it by the ear and drag it until she is happy where it is. She often falls asleep on top of it.
Rosie has brightened every single hour of every one of our days since she arrived. While we will always miss Winston, we feel blessed with this little 16-pound pup.
I’m not sure who rescued who, but we are thankful she’s home with us.
Kathy Bohannon is a Christian humorist and inspirational speaker. She can be reached at kathybohan@yahoo.com
Zen Monkey’s
and Musings …
Notes from here, there and the Internet …
The city of Newnan recently celebrated the completion of the new ADA playground at Sprayberry Park (60 Sprayberry Road). Discussions about a new ADA playground began in early 2023 and the design and installation process was recently completed.
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“No matter how big a number is, it is always closer to zero than infinity.”
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Some “fun facts” about the most fun states in the country from our friends at WalletHub:
[ California has the most movie theaters (per square root of population), which is 7.4 times more than in Rhode Island, the state with the fewest.
[ California has the most restaurants (per square root of population), which is eight times more than in Alaska, the state with the fewest.
[ Texas has the most amusement parks (per square root of population), which is 18.7 times more than in Hawaii, the state with the fewest.
[ Alaska has the highest personal spending on recreation services per capita, which is 2.7 times higher than in West Virginia, the state with the lowest.
[ Top three fun states are Florida, California and Nevada. Georgia did not make the top 20. Bah.
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Eating Jelly Bellys in the dark is like playing candy Russian roulette.
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Southern Arc Dance is featuring the works of Broderick Hauser through Oct. 12 at its studio, 40 Greenway Court in Newnan. Broderick’s art invites viewers to engage with it on a personal level, encouraging them to explore the emotions and thoughts his pieces evoke. His work can be further explored on Instagram at All_Things_Spoken.
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All trophies are participation trophies.
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As the years go by, owning a car with a manual transmission lowers the chance of it being stolen, since fewer new-generation thieves know how to drive it.
Piedmont Newnan Hospital would like to thank this year’s Junior Volunteers that just completed their summer program at the hospital.
This summer, Piedmont Newnan Hospital had 43 Junior Volunteer complete their summer program at the hospital. Students represented Georgia Cyber Academy, East Coweta High School, Newnan High School, Northgate High School, and Trinity Christian School. The program is not an internship, but rather a volunteer opportunity for rising 10th, 11th and 12th grade students from Coweta County, as well as the children and grandchildren of Piedmont Newnan employees and volunteers.
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West Georgia Technical College announced the appointment of three new members to its board of directors. Angie Roberts (sales manager at Wayne Davis Concrete), Michael Robertson (CEO of Piedmont Newnan Hospital), and Terrence Youmans (Chief People Person at RaLin Construction) were sworn in at the August board meeting and officially begin service this month.
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Crunchy foods soften as they become stale, while soft foods become crunchy as they stale.
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Piedmont Newnan has received three achievement awards from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for demonstrating commitment to following the latest research-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke and diabetes, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer hospital readmissions. Overall, Piedmont received 29 awards across its 25-hospital system.
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Time travelers would have to reevaluate what is considered “common sense” every time they travel.
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The COWETA S HOPPER S &
Spirits & Spice Festival!
It’s time to eat, drink, and get spooky! The 4th Annual Spirits & Spice Festival is Saturday, October 19, from 2 to 7 p.m. Get your “boos” on by walking the Downtown Spirits Trail and purchasing specialty cocktails at different participating locations, spice things up by tasting numerous types of chilis at the Chili Cook-Off, and have some skele-fun on the Twisted Trolley Tour ride. The event will feature live music, a craft market, and activities for the kids. This event is eerie-sistible for all ages!
The chili cook-off at the festival highlights a fiercely competitive chili cook-off between amateurs and local restaurateurs, which includes both meat and vegetarian chili entries. Potential applicants are welcome to apply to become a participant during the 2024 Spirits & Spice Festival Chili Cook-Off by filling out the application at www.mainstreetnewnan.com. Please note that there is only a limited amount of space available.
2024 Christmas Parade is Dec. 14th
The City of Newnan has announced it will host the annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14 at 6 p.m. in downtown Newnan. The theme this year is “Christmas Classics” and includes the following award categories:
v Most Creative
v Most Original
v Best Use of Parade Theme
v The Elfin Award (Children Participation)
v People’s Choice Award (voted on via social media after event).
All applications to participate in the parade must be received by Leisure Services no later than December 2nd.
Please visit the City of Newnan’s website for additional information newnanga.gov
Whether looking for an event or wanting to advertise your event, we're your go to source.
the Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show, at Coweta Fest Oct. 18
Parrot Heads, get those Hawaiian shirts ready, because A1A, the Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show, is coming to Newnan this fall!
On October 18, 2024, A1A will be at Line Creek Brewing Company The Reserve in Newnan to headline Coweta Fest, the annual fall fundraiser for the Coweta Community Foundation. Proceeds of the concert will benefit the Coweta Together Fund, which awards grants to local nonprofits. Last year, the fund gave $100,000 to 36 nonprofits and 17 Coweta County educators.
A1A was formed in 1991 when lead vocalist and guitarist Jeff Pike invited Scott Nickerson, founder of the first Jimmy Buffett Parrot Head Club, to join his already successful one-man tribute to Jimmy Buffett. In 1992, the band won a Jimmy Buffett Sound Alike Contest for Margaritaville Records, bringing them to the attention of Jimmy Buffett and his organization.
Jimmy Buffett and members of his band, Greg “Fingers” Taylor, Mac McAnally, Michael Utley, Robert Greenidge, Peter Mayer, Amy Lee, Nadirah Shakoor, and Tina Gullickson, all performed with A1A over the years.
For tickets, visit https://www.cowetafoundation.org/coweta-fest-2024/. For more information about Coweta Fest, please visit cowetafoundation.org or email ldavis@cowetafoundation.org
The award honors an individual showing outstanding leadership and citizenship within the community, someone who has demonstrated exemplary vision, civic pride, and a strong commitment to a better Coweta.
The nomination forms and applications will be available on the Newnan Coweta Chamber website, https://www.newnancowetachamber.org.
Guidelines for selecting the nominee include:
The nominee should live in Coweta County, and his/her activities should be centered in Coweta County and the surrounding area.
Consideration will be given to those who demonstrate leadership and performance in multiple areas of community service over a period of years.
The nominee may be an individual from any walk of life, and there are no requirements or restrictions relating to gender, age, race, religion or ethnic background.
The ceremony and announcement of the winner will be held January 30, 2025 at the Newnan Centre, located at 1515 Lower Fayetteville Road, Newnan.
The prestigious event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Clubs of Coweta County. Contact Nancy Walden nkwalden@gmail.com for more info.
From Coweta Community Foundation Press Release
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND
Join us on Gold Star Family Day … September 29, 2024
To Light Luminaries at dusk in Honor of Our Fallen Heroes. Giving a voice to those lost while serving our Nation, their names should be spoken.
Veteran’s Memorial Park
Temple and Jackson Street, downtown Newnan • next to McKoon’s Funeral Home Ceremony begins at 7 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 | MORELAND | active.com
The Lewis Grizzard and Catfish Memorial Bike Ride will be held on the first Sunday in October beginning at the Moreland Mill. Each ride registration sends an age-appropriate book every month for a year to a child from birth to five years old in Coweta County. You may pay your registration fee and receive a commemorative t-shirt. If you choose the virtual option, you may register, ride any length before the first Sunday in October, post pictures on Facebook, and a t-shirt will be mailed to you. Cue sheets for a ride beginning at the Moreland Mill will be available.
Gold Star Family Day and urge organizations
in our community to light luminaries at dusk on the last Sunday of each September in honor of our fallen heroes.
Gold Star Initiative, VFW Auxiliary Post 2667 and American Legion Auxiliary Post 57 Sponsored by Monster Tree Service and the Family of Capt. Nicholas Whitlock
The 2024 Beer, Bourbon and Wine Fundraiser Raised Over $50,000 for Newnan-Coweta Boys and Girls Clubs
There's more than 2 dozen photos on our website of the fine folks of Coweta County who made the recent fundraiser for the local Boys & Girls Clubs a huge success. wintersmedia.net.
BeLocal is a high-end glossy magazine targeting families moving into the area each month. It is direct mailed to those in Coweta and west Fayette counties, stretching from Newnan to Peachtree City.
This monthly publication is a perfect coffee table magazine that newcomers will use over and over as a resource. We include local churches, schools and those important numbers to know. We can guide new residents to the best pizza joints and where to shop for any and everything.
BeLocal also includes favorite local hangouts, breweries and coffee shops, and a full list of great things to do all over the area.
But we’re not just about print. We have an extensive social media presence and a powerful digital tool that can put your ad across a multitude of websites.
Our goal is to match these new residents with the businesses and services they need to make their new community their home.
If you want to reach new potential customers, BeLocal is your best - and most impressive - option.
Contact John A Winters john.winters@n2co.com @belocalcowetaptc http://belocalpub.com/location/cowetaptc
When a professional in any field finds a home at a company whose standards for high-quality work and overall values align with his or her own, it’s a perfect match.
Belize Ellison, a senior sustainability engineer at Yamaha, has found such a match. Her role involves reducing Yamaha’s carbon footprint to enhance its business model.
“I want to help us be the best Yamaha we can today without compromising future Yamaha’s ability to continue to be the best,” she said. “That is my job.”
Ellison is thrilled to work for a company which values the same things she is personally passionate about when it comes to sustainability. As a relatively young engineer less than a decade into her career, she also appreciates being part of a brand recognized around the world for excellence – “the best of the best,” as she put it.
