Sept. 5 … 3 Redneck Tenors at Nixon Centre thenixoncentre.net
High School Football: Trinity Christian @ LaGrange
Sept. 6 … Friday Night Football East Coweta vs Lovejoy Heritage vs Strong Rock Christian
Sept. 7 … Main Street’s Market Day & No One Walks Alone anotherway.com & Walk for Hope 2024 ourhope.cityofhope.org
Sept. 10 … Line Dancing Class at Madras Gymnasium for 55+770.683.8600 & Master Gardeners Backyard Assoc. Meeting Call 770.254.2620 or ugaextension.org/coweta
Sept. 13 … Clays for Community Coweta Fayette EMC fundraiser
Learn more at https://bit.ly/3zpdq2Q & Friday Night Football Newnan at Northgate Trinity Christian vs Spalding Heritage at Walker Central Christian vs Hearts Academy
Check our website frequently wintersmedia.net & Facebook for updates and more events including Local & Live Music, The Weekend Guide, Sports & more!
Moreland’s Treasure Hunt
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-
Ask your County Agent
Olivia Handley
Family and Consumer Sciences Agent –Coweta County Cooperative Extension
AQ7705 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
. Now that school has started back, how can I be sure my child is 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.
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.
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”.
• Offer your child a small healthy snack before bedtime, being careful to avoid caffeine, spicy foods or very sugary foods.
• Create a healthy sleeping space (dimly lit, cool, and quiet.)
• 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
Olivia Handley, Coweta County FACS Agent w
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:
Get them. You will save $$$$$ with each one. More importantly, you will not be standing in line for your gate admission ticket. And you won’t have to stand in line waiting (again) to purchase ride tickets.
Save money and save time. It’s a no-brainer. You can stop by Arnall Grocery, Keith Ross Insurance, Summit Family YMCA or the Coweta County Extension Office to buy them. Or, check out the front top corner of our website: http://wintersmedia.net for a link to purchase the Mega Pass online. AND ... the Mega Pass price has dropped to only $30 per ticket this year.
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.
It is a family-fun event and raises money for several notable charities. Please make plans to attend and we’ll see you there!
Photo credit: CowetaCountyFair.net
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.
Lindsey Wilson at Point, Noon Reinhardt at Faulkner (AL), 1:30 pm
Allen at Clark Atlanta, 2 pm
Mercer at Bethune-Cookman, 3 pm
Johnson C. Smith at Morehouse College, 3 pm
Shaw at Albany State, 6 pm
Chattanooga at Georgia State, 7 pm – ESPN+
Louisiana at Kennesaw State, 7 pm – ESPN+
Georgia Southern at Nevada, 7 pm – truTV
Savannah State at Southern, 7 pm
Valdosta State at Newberry, 7 pm
Berry College at Huntingdon College (AL), 7 pm
West Georgia at Abilene Christian, 8 pm – ESPN+
PREP FOOTBALL
COWETA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS
September 5-6, Thursday-Friday
Trinity Christian at LaGrange, 7:30 pm (Thursday)
Lovejoy at East Coweta, 7:30 pm
Villa Rica at Northgate, 7:30 pm
Strong Rock at Heritage School, 7:30 pm
Newnan, Northgate, Central Christian – open
FAIRGROUNDS
COWETA COUNTY
• The Conference Center has 6,000 sq.ft. of event space, as well as a full-service kitchen for catered events. The center can seat up to 400 people.
• Open year-round the complex hosts events on a daily basis, from weddings and receptions to family reunions, birthday parties & corporate events.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept. 12-22 – Kiwanis Coweta Co. Fair
Oct. 3 – Public Safety Appreciation Lunch
Oct. 12 – Master Gardener’s Fall Plant Sale
Oct. 18-19 – Newnan Kennel Club Dog Show
Nov. 1-2 – NCAA Christmas Market
Nov. 9 – ADK Coweta Christmas
Dec. 11-12 – Senior Services Holiday Luncheons
For information, call 770-254-2685 or go to coweta.ga.us, click Departments, Event Services.
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Newnan's Urban Redevelopment Agency Housing Resource Fair Sept. 7 from 10am to 2pm
This event seeks to educate residents about housing related programs and resources made available by community partners and providers.
West Broad Street off of the Courthouse Square, beside the Carnegie Library
Contact: Andrew Moody, amoody@newnanga.gov or 678-673-5414
Zen Monkey’s News 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.
[ [ [
“No matter how big a number is, it is always closer to zero than infinity.”
[ [ [
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.
[ [ [
Eating Jelly Bellys in the dark is like playing candy Russian roulette.
[ [ [
The Mega Pass gives Coweta County Fair attendees an Unlimited Ride Armband to be used once any day during the fair from September 12-22, 2024. Recipients who purchase a Mega Pass will receive both Gate Admission to the fair and an Unlimited Ride Armband for only $30. A savings of $15 on Fridays and Saturdays when considering Gate Admission is $10 and Ride Armbands are $35. A savings of $10 on Sundays through Thursdays when Gate Admission is $10 and Ride Armbands are $30. Mega Passes must be purchased BEFORE the fair. Online sales will end at midnight on the evening of Sept. 11. Check out our website: www.wintersmedia.net to purchase tickets
[ [ [
All trophies are participation trophies.
[ [ [
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.
[ [ [
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.
[ [ [
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.
[ [ [
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.
[ [ [
Crunchy foods soften as they become stale, while soft foods become crunchy as they stale.
[ [ [
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.
[ [ [
Time travelers would have to reevaluate what is considered “common sense” every time they travel.
[ [ [
Botox
Facial
The Supply of Listings Goes Up, Way Up!
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 single-family 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 is an Associate Broker with Lindsey’s Inc. Realtors and former President of the Newnan-Coweta Board of Realtors.
Jess Barron
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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.
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
When a professional in any field finds a home at a company whose standards for high-quality work and overall
own, it’s a perfect match.
Belize Ellison, a senior sustainability engineer at Yamaha, has found
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.
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
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.
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 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 honest communication. We must be keenly aware of personality changes and not just write them off
Preventing the Phone Call No One Wants to Answer Senior Living Advice
with BETH DOW, Geriatric Care Manager
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.
Rose
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
classifieds
ESTATE & CONSIGNMENT AUCTION
Set for Saturday, Sept. 7 at 9 am, Preview from 8-9 am. Trucks, Tractor, Farm Equipment, Golf Carts, Guns, Ammo, Hardware Store Cleanout. Auction at The Barn, 151 Lake Circle, Carrollton. Scotty Hicks Auction Service. Call 770-301-6000 or visit Facebook for more information.
FOR SALE
CLEAN WHEAT STRAW AND MULCH HAY. $4.00 per bale. Frank Barron 770.231.9535.
WE BUY
WE BUY: scrap metal, junk cars, old appliances, stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dish washers & batteries. WE PAY TOP DOLLAR for aluminum, copper, brass. Gentry Recycling 770.253.5770
WE BUY CARS – Pick Your Part buys cars 7 days a week. For info, call 1.800.962.2277 or visit pyp.com
SERVICES
ROLL OFF – Dumpsters delivered right to your doorstep! We carry 10 yard, 15 yard and 20 yard dumpsters for any of your projects or JUNK around the house. Call us today 678-536-7552. Georgiarolloff.com *
NEED AUTO INSURANCE – Let us get you the BEST rate. Call us today. We 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.
SERVICES
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.
SEPTIC – Residential, commercial or install or cleaning. Call Mitchell Septic Service at 678.673.4910. No. 1 in the No. 2 Business. $450 for 1,000 gallons; $550 for 1,500 gallons. 24-Hour Emergency Service available.
TREE DAMAGE? – Then call Arbor Tech Tree Service for tree removal from any storm-related event. Also provide Trimming and Pruning Services, plus Chipping, Stump Grinding. Discounts for Seniors and Veterans. Free Quotes. Call 678.633.2986 or visit arbortechgeorgia.com
NOW HIRING
NOW HIRING – LKQ PICK YOUR PART in Fayetteville, GA is seeking to fill various positions. To apply, visit lkqpickyourpart.com and select ‘Careers.
SMALLCAKES CUPCAKERY in Newnan is seeking Part-Time Closing Cashiers. Stop by their store at 113 Newnan Crossing Bypass to apply.
CAREGIVERS – Home Helpers of GA & AL seeking qualified Caregivers. Available shifts – days, evenings, overnight and/or weekends. Competitive wages, extensive training, supportive work environment and paid time off. Apply online at ApplyToBeACNA.com or call 678.876.5118
PETS
NEWNAN COWETA HUMANE SOCIETY. Check website for list of animals at local animal control facility and foster care animals. Call 770.253.4694 www.nchsrescue.org
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