The Weekly March 6, 2024

Newnan, GA 30265, 770.254.2787 Look for more info and tickets

Every Day is Cupcake Day at Smallcakes Look inside for their ad and a coupon … smallcakesnewnan.com

AARP Tax-Aide Free Tax Prep at Coweta Public Libraries. For dates, locations and more information, Visit cowetapubliclibrary.org

Keep Newnan Beautiful’s Electronic Recycling 3.16 Look inside for their ad … Visit keepnewnanbeautiful.org for info on this event and upcoming CRK Sweep the Hooch 3.23

Newnan Carnegie Library hosts author Katherine Reay 3.21. More info newnancarnegie.com/nclf

Senoia's Shenanigans for St. Patrick's Weekend! enjoysenoia.com

Moon Over Buffalo at Newnan Theatre Co. 3.7-10, 14-17. For more info and tickets newnantheatre.org

Main Street Newnan's Spring Art Walk 3.22 mainstreetnewnan.com

Look for a performance from Southern Arc Dance southernarcdance.org

Atlanta Hawks, United and Braves upcoming games

Look inside for more information in Sportsman's Corner on page 14.

Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny at McRitchie-Hollis Museum 3.23. Call 770.251.0207 for more information.

Make More Music Benefit Concert at Foundation Church 3.23 moremusicfoundation.org

Look for information on these and other events inside, in upcoming issues and at wintersmedia.net

Yamaha presents the 2nd annual Coweta Grand Prix on April 20

The thrill of racing will return to downtown Newnan on April 20, 2024, when the second annual Coweta Grand Prix is presented by Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America. With proceeds to benefit the Coweta Community Foundation, this exhilarating event will support local students through the Yamaha Downhill Dreams Academy, where youth will have the opportunity to build and race their own cars. According to the Foundation, this event is one “where passion meets STEM education, instilling leadership values and fostering teamwork, creating champions on and off the track!” The event is not just for youth, as there is an adult division as well.

Formerly known as the Soap Box Derby, the Coweta Grand Prix is being held in conjunction with the Rock & Road Festival that day, which will include the Rock & Road Criterium, Tour of Coweta, a Rock & Road Car Show, and other fun family-friendly events.

Kristin Webb, CEO of the Coweta Community Foundation, said, “We had so much fun last year as kids throughout the community partnered with Yamaha’s product design engineers to design custom racing cars, and we know this year’s race will be even bigger and better.”

“There’s nothing like the look on a young person’s face when their design heads down the hill in the race,” said Bob Brown, Vice President of Finance and Operations Support at Yamaha. “It’s the same kind of Yamaha joy our people feel when assembling our products and the people who take them out into the wild get. It’s that rush. STEM activities for young people with the Yamaha Downhill Dreams Academy make engineering meet fun.”

For more details on race rules, and to view the video from last year's race, visit cowetagp.com

For more information, please visit cowetafoundation.org w

Coweta Master Gardeners' Plant Sale April 13

are urged to apply. On the website, choose “Direct Hire” to review job information.

• Health Insurance, Dental and Vision

• 401K

• Profit Sharing

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Local Discounts

Hypertension: Know Your Numbers

From Piedmont Newnan Hospital

High blood pressure: Just another symptom or secret, silent killer? You could be walking around with a silent, deadly health condition that affects the brain, kidneys and heart – and not even know it.

“Many people don’t realize how serious high blood pressure is because most people who have high blood pressure do not have symptoms,” says Matthew Roberts, D.O., a Piedmont primary care physician at Piedmont Physicians at White Oak in Newnan.

Dr. Roberts says research has shown people with high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) are four times more likely to have a stroke and three times more likely to have coronary artery disease.

Understanding your blood pressure reading

When you go to the doctor, someone will usually check your blood pressure and give you two numbers:

• The top number = systolic pressure, which is your blood pressure when your heart is beating.

• The bottom number = diastolic pressure, which is your blood pressure when your heart is resting between beats.

“Those numbers are very important,” he says.

What happens when you have hypertension

High blood pressure puts a strain not only on your blood vessels, but also your organs – particularly the brain and the heart.

• Your heart: If you live for years with uncontrolled high blood pressure, your heart can become enlarged and eventually go into heart failure.

• Your brain: Uncontrolled hypertension can also lead to stroke.

Why blood pressure can fluctuate

“It’s very normal for your blood pressure to fluctuate during the day in response to anxiety and stress, but as long as it comes back down to normal, that is the most important thing,” says Dr. Roberts.

If your blood pressure consistently remains high, you are at risk for health problems.

High blood pressure risk factors

Risk factors for high blood pressure include:

• Being overweight or obese

• Smoking

• A family history of hypertension (particularly if one or both of your parents had high blood pressure)

Fortunately, if you do have risk factors for high blood pressure or currently have hypertension, there is hope.

“I’ve had patients who have made lifestyle changes, who have lost weight and whose blood pressure came back to normal,” Dr. Roberts says. “Losing weight, eating healthy and making healthy choices day to day can reduce your risk and also possibly stop some blood pressure medications.”

A yearly physical can help you stay on top of your blood pressure numbers and take steps to reduce your risk factors. To schedule an appointment or learn more on the topic of hypertension, visit piedmont.org/annualphysical

Potential Health Issues for Black Americans to be mindful of

From Piedmont Newnan Hospital

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 56.8 percent of Black or AfricanAmerican non-Hispanic men age 20 and older have hypertension. Among women, that percentage is even higher: 57.6 percent.

Loida Bonney, M.D., an internal medicine physician and a primary care regional medical director for Piedmont Primary Care, said diseases stemming from uncontrolled blood pressure, also known as hypertension, impact Black Americans in disproportionate numbers. Hypertension can lead to heart disease, stroke, and chronic kidney disease.

“Hypertension is a silent killer,” Dr. Bonney said. “Lifestyle modification can significantly lower risk for heart disease and stroke. Getting regular exercise and shifting to a plant-based diet can help to improve overall health and reduce these risks.”

A yearly physical can help you stay on top of your blood pressure numbers and take steps to reduce your risk factors.

Uncontrolled hypertension is a leading cause of Chronic Kidney Disease. End Stage chronic kidney disease is treated with a form of life support called hemodialysis that requires prolonged clinic visits as many as three times per week and can be associated with other risks and complications.

Screening for chronic kidney disease can be performed with two simple tests, according to the National Kidney Foundation:

Spot urine for albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) to detect albuminuria

Serum creatinine to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR)

If you have questions about how to receive screening for these tests or any of the above, you may consult your primary care physician.

Dr. Matthew Roberts, primary care physician at Piedmont Physicians at White Oak in Newnan.

Loida Elena Bonney, MD Internal Medicine

Notes from Jackson Street

Getting Lost On the Way to Being Renewed

At the Winters House, Casa, Villa, Retreat or Wild and Wacky World, we call it “hitting your wall.”

You may call it something else at your house, but we call “it,” that. The thing you feel when you know you can’t take one more step, one more move, one more broken “whatever.”

It is when you’re flat-out “spent.”

To be honest friends, I have felt that way more than once in the last several years. Starting over in life is not easy. Losing my parents, who were such strong Godly pillars in my life, and simply having to make so many decisions about our life and life’s work has been flat-out exhausting at times.

We have faced a series of “First World Problems” lately. The dishwasher won’t drain the water; the stove/oven died the day before our 30th anniversary; and Winters was reading in his favorite chair when a slow drip of water started hitting him on his forehead … apparently from the upstairs bathroom area.

So, on this day, I am grateful for the friends who stand beside us and face our future, or “giants” as Winters calls them. I am thankful for those friends who say, ”How can I help?,” and “What can I do?,” or simply words of encouragement such as, “I love your latest post or Winters’ interview.”

In his book, Everyone Needs A Sam, Winters writes that many will go to the mountaintop with you on your climb to success. But when trials and failures hit, and you start tumbling down that mountain, many will disappear.

Winters writes about those faithful few who will join you in your lowest and darkest valley. While you are looking for the light switch, they have brought flashlights.

This past week was a week of reflection. That can be a good thing, but only if you come out the other side with more perspective and understanding. And so I did, have more insight and perspective that is. I wish some of the events of the past could have been different, but they weren’t and if they were different I would probably not be sitting here typing this post. So again, I have a deeper appreciation for the here and now.

I recently read a phrase on an artist friend’s business card the other day, it simply read: “Sometimes on the way to the dream you get lost and find a better one”

I love that.

I think it can be so true, often we have a plan. We think we know what we want and we head out on the journey, dreams packed, prepared, and ready. We have great plans. However, along the way you find an even better one. New passions, new purposes, and new opportunities may pop up right in front of us and we must be open and willing to see the new dream God may have for us.

In the Bible, it says “He (God) will give you the desires of your heart.” The way I see it, he will give you the desires of your heart now, or change your heart’s desires. I really do think it is that simple.

So if you have “hit your wall,” you have lost your “whatever,” you feel completely spent and your dream is just out of reach, ask God for eyes to see and just wait, any moment your friends will start turning on their flashlights.

You are not alone.

The Weekly Staff

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

Ruth Harris Doyal, Pagination 770.254.1421 • info@wintersmedia.net

The Weekly is published by Winters Media & Publishing, Inc., P. O. Box 757, Newnan, GA 30264

John A. Winters, President Corby Carlin Winters, Vice President

The Weekly is our new publication, which replaces The Shopper. From 1989, the Shopper successfully served the area. The Weekly will not only continue that tradition but expand its focus on consumer-related articles for our readers and our commitment to help promote local businesses and nonprofits.

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 Weekly reserves the right to accept or reject any advertising as we feel is in the best interest of our publication.

770.254.1421

info@wintersmedia.net

wintersmedia.net

Notes from here, there and the Internet …

West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) has announced its partnership with Kudzu Money (Kudzu) as a financial resource and literacy advocate to students. Kudzu is a customer-first online financial solution that offers transparent services and customized training for those eager to get on the right path, and it will now be available to all WGTC students. The partnership was finalized last November, and Kudzu was introduced to students during orientation and Weeks of Welcome events.

We think dogs speak a universal “dog” language, but in reality they may not because they come from different countries and may not understand each other.

Keep Newnan Beautiful recently received a 2023 Governor’s Circle Award for its outstanding achievements in community beautification and environmental sustainability. The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (KGBF) presented the award to Keep Newnan Beautiful Director Page Beckwith in recognition of exemplary performance in litter reduction, waste minimization, and community greening.

New principals at two Coweta County schools:

• Chad Kollert has been named as the new principal of East Coweta Middle School, to replace current principal Jeanette Hallam. Kollert is currently an assistant principal at East Coweta High School.

• Stephanie Easterwood has been named as the new principal of Arnall Middle School next year, to replace Patrick Sullivan as school principal upon his retirement later this year. Easterwood is currently an assistant principal at East Coweta High School.

You are one Google search away from changing your life.

And a new high school football coach: Kevin Whitley has been named the new head football coach of the Northgate High School Vikings, to replace long-time Valhalla head coach Mike McDonald upon his retirement later this year. Whitley comes from Georgia Southern University, where he has served as interim head coach and assistant head coach, as well as head coaching positions at Stockbridge and Creekside High Schools.

The only actual 2D thing in the universe is a shadow.

Employees at the Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation in Newnan have incorporated a unique volunteer opportunity into their daily routines. Yamaha spokesman Jason Broshear said the company identified Midwest Food Bank as a potential CSR (corporate social responsibility) opportunity. With that in mind, a system was set up to allow Yamaha employees to take in deliveries from the food bank and help process them on-site for further distribution.

We’re more afraid of losing our job than we are of dying.

The city of Newnan has announced that the Arbor Day Foundation has named Newnan a 2023 Tree City USA. This important designation was met by the City adhering to the program’s four requirements: maintaining a tree board or department, having a tree care ordinance, dedicating an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and hosting an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for School Resource Officers.

Alcohol ads never show drunk people.

The Stilettos on Steel Female Riding Group – Newnan City of Homes Chapter will be holding a ride to honor the 17th annual International Female Ride Day on Saturday, May 4th, 2024.

Female motorcycle riders will have the opportunity to meet and connect with fellow female riders. You can expect a day filled with motorcycles (two and three-wheels welcome!) music, food, and fun! This event will be hosted at the City of Hope – Atlanta Campus located at 600 Celebrate Life Parkway, Newnan. For more information, please contact Ginger at stilettosnewnan@gmail.com.

Millions of people worry about germs everyday, and then drink directly from a can without knowing where it’s been.

Real Es tate Weekly

Mortgage Assumption? What’s That?

Have you ever heard of a mortgage assumption? With the mortgage rates being higher today than they have been in the last few years, we are seeing mortgage assumptions again in the local real estate market. I am currently handling a mortgage assumption transaction right now for the first time in a very long time. An assumable mortgage allows the prospective buyer to purchase the home by allowing the buyer to take over the seller’s current mortgage. For an assumption to work, the homeowner’s mortgage must be assumable. Most conventional mortgages are not assumable. Loans that are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), and United States of Agriculture (USDA) are typically assumable. The seller must agree to the buyer assuming their mortgage.

At the time that I am writing this, the mortgage rates are around 6.5%. If you are looking to purchase a home and a lender quotes you a mortgage rate of 6.5% and the home that you are interested in has an assumable mortgage of 4.125% then you need to explore this option. This means major savings on your monthly mortgage payment. For example, if you are purchasing a $500,000 house with a ten percent down payment at a 6.5% interest rate, you can expect your monthly payment to be around $3,200. Change that interest rate to 4.125 percent, everything else being the same, you are looking at a $2,600 payment. This is a savings of $600 a month!

The costs to assume a mortgage varies with the lender. You need to be sure to have an open dialogue with the mortgage holder of the home that you are interested in. The fees associated with a loan assumption are typically a percentage of the remaining unpaid balance of the current mortgage. Another positive of a loan assumption is that an appraisal is not required. This saves the buyer around $500-$600. In today’s market with interest rates in the sixes, it is worth you or your Realtor checking with the homeowners to see if their loan is assumable. There are many homeowners out there today with their mortgage rates between two and six percent. If you are considering selling a home, check with your mortgage holder and see if your loan is assumable. What a great marketing tool your assumable mortgage could be when you go to list and sell your home!

Jess Barron is an Associate Broker with Lindseys, Inc. Realtors and former President of the Newnan-Coweta Board of Realtors. w

Events upcoming!

3 part harmony, hits include“When I Fall In Love,” “Goin’ Out Of My Head/Can’t Take My Eyes off of You,” “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” and more. 1523 Lower Fayetteville Road, Newnan, 770.254.2787 thenixoncentre.net

March 10, SUNDAY … Daylight Savings Time Begins … Spring Forward

■ MasterWorks Chorale’s Concert at The Nixon Centre with choral guests from Newnan First United Methodist Church and Central Baptist Church accompanied by Chamber Orchestra present the Newnan preview of the Carnegie Hall's April performance of Illuminare and other works by composer Elaine Hagenberg. 2:30 p.m. 1525 Lower Fayetteville Road thenixoncentre.net

March 12, TUESDAY

■ AARP Tax-Aide Free Tax Prep Heard County Library. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. First Come, First Served. Info cowetapubliclibrary.org

■ Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month 3 to 4 p.m. Group for caregivers, individuals living with Alzheimer’s and others dealing with the disease. 285 Summerlin Blvd., Newnan. 770.637.2207

■ Teddy Meeks at Backyard Meeting … Mr. Meeks, from Wild Daisy Farm in Molena, GA, will discuss Lavender and Lilies. Free to attend, but you must register by calling or emailing beforehand for a chance to win door prizes. UGA Extension Coweta County office at 255 Pine Road, Newnan Call 770.254.2620 or email coweta.extension@uga.edu for info.

March 13, WEDNESDAY

■ AARP Tax-Aide Free Tax Prep Powell Branch Library. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. First Come, First Served. Info cowetapubliclibrary.org

March 16, SATURDAY

■ Keep Newnan Beautiful’s Electronic Recycling 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Call 678.673.5505 or email knb@newnanga.gov with questions. Some fees may apply. keepnewnanbeautiful.org

March 21, THURSDAY

■ Newnan Carnegie Library Foundation’s The Edgar B. Hollis Distinguished Authors Series 11 a.m. at Newnan Carnegie with Katherine Reay author of The Berlin Letters katherinereay.com Book signing to follow. Registration at newnancarnegie.eventbrite.com. More info at newnancarnegie.com/nclf 1 LaGrange St., Newnan, 770.683.1347.

■ Lecture & Book Signing with Mark C. McDonald at McRitchie-Hollis Museum 6:30 p.m. Mark C. McDonald, recently retired President of the Ga Trust of Historic Preservation, has written Architecture of the Last Colony, Georgia's Historic Places, 1733–2000. Please RSVP by calling 770-251-0207. $10 in advance or at the door. 74 Jackson St., Newnan

■ The Everly Set at The Nixon Centre 7 p.m. 1523 Lower Fayetteville Road, Newnan, 770.254.2787 thenixoncentre.net

March 22, FRIDAY

■ Spring Art Walk hosted by Main Street Newnan 5 to 9 p.m.mainsreetnewnan.com

March 23, SATURDAY

■ CRK Sweep the Hooch

■ Make More Music Benefit Concert Noon to 4 p.m. @ Foundation, 6 Perry St. Newnan Food trucks, outdoor activities, face painting, family fun and live music with local student musicians and guest performances with Doug Kees, Nate Phillips, Chad Staples, David Puett.

■ Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny at McRitchie-Hollis Museum 10:30 a.m. to Noon

Bring the kids for an egg hunt and meet the Easter Bunny for photos! We have a few treats up our sleeves too! 74 Jackson St., Newnan. For more information call 770-251-0207. Look for more in upcoming issues. Submit your event to info@wintersmedia.net

ATTENTION

Open and wooded acres in Carroll Co., GA. Planted dove fields, food plots and additional open land. Large wooded barn for equipment storage. 3914' paved frontage on Bethesda Church Rd. & additional 284' frontage on Baxter Rd. Great location in area of large estates & cattle farms. Long frontage on Indian Creek. This property is currently in a CUVA for tax purposes. If CUVA is breached by Buyer, then Buyer must assume all penalties and costs for any breach of said CUVA. This property has a restriction that does not allow chicken farms or chicken houses. $1,556,580. Frank/Jess.

BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED MID-CENTURY MODERN 4BR/ 3BA HOME IN CHOICE DOWNTOWN NEWNAN LOCATION that is walking distance to Elm St Elementary. Spectacular 2-story foyer w/stone floor, angled wall of glass, gold sputnik light fixture & rectangular centered brass balusters entrenched between round wooden posts. LargeLR w/original hardwood floors & big windows. Fantastic kitchen w/large granite island, custom cabinets, and S.S. appliances. Breakfast area or den off kitchen w/fireplace & porch access. 3BRs & 2BAs on main level, including the primary BR w/gorgeous renovated bath w/walkin tiled shower. Lower level perfect for in-law or teen suite w/ kitchen, living area, BR, BA, laundry room & private entrance. Fenced backyard, circle driveway, 2 patios, double carport with kitchen-level entry. $475,000 Jess.

HURRY ON THIS 14.41+/- WOODED ACRE TRACT on US Hwy 29 approximately 5 miles north of Newnan! 819.25' Road frontage. Small pond. Ideal for development, church, school, estate size lot or possible subdivision.$599,900. Frank/Chip

WELL-MAINTAINED HOME, BUILT IN 2021, THAT SHOWS

LIKE A BRAND-NEW HOUSE! "Rosemore 2" house plan with plenty of natural light. Massive family room with stone f/p, 9 foot ceilings, 42 inch cabinets, stainless steel appliances, craftsman windows trim and doors. Granite counters/island in kitchen, range/oven, dw, dining area, pantry, laundry room. Back patio overlooking large backyard. Primary bedroom on main with tray ceiling, garden tub, separate shower, walk in closet. Foyer entrance at front door. Spacious bonus room upstairs with big walk-in closet and excellent attic storage. Easy access to I-85 and Moreland/Newnan. Odyssey Charter/ Coweta Charter School service Meriwether County. A must see! $349,900. Jess.

JESS BARRON, GRI

BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED HOME ON GOLF COURSE IN WHITE OAK SUBDIVISION. Lg office w/ stone fireplace. Large LR

CORRIDOR / MIXED USE (CR / MX) LOT FOR SALE In the Hogansville city limits. Frontage on E Main Street / Highway 54. Many potential uses are possible! Less than one mile from I-85 access! Two miles from downtown Hogansville. $35,000 Jess.

ATTENTION BUILDERS! FOUR 5 ACRE LOTS IN NORTH

COWETA COUNTY! Choice 20.27+/- acres on corner of Walt Carmichael & Rex Hyde Roads in northwest Coweta County. Ideal for subdivide into 4 lots each over 5 acres. Copy of plan by Neal Spradlin already in file. Will not sell individual lots. Must buy all 20.27+/- acres. $299,900. Frank

AMLAJACK 255.5+/-

MLS #10218424

MLS #10258647

MLS #10229283

MLS #10256333

MLS

MLS #10236275

Ask your County Agent

Olivia Handley

Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, Coweta County Cooperative Extension

AQ. Can I use the water bath method to can my green beans?

. Great question and a very important topic in food processing safety – which foods can be water bathed and which foods need to be pressure canned? The quick answer to the question is, No. You cannot water bath process green beans, and it doesn’t matter how long your recipe calls for, they’re not going to be safe to eat. Let’s look at the reasons why.

Certain foods are perfectly fine using the water bath method of canning. This method is putting food into jars and then the jars into a large pot of water until they are covered by at least one inch over the tops of the jars and the water is brought to a hard boil for a set time. A rack is needed on the bottom of the pot to prevent breakage as the jars are boiled. During this water bath, the food inside the jar is heated to a temperature of 212°F. Then the jars are removed and allowed to cool at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours before the seals are tested. This process creates a vacuum seal that keeps moisture in and contaminants out. This method of canning is acceptable for jams, jellies, and preserves which have a high sugar content. The sugar content helps to preserve the food and inhibits bacterial growth. It is also acceptable for acidified

The Veggie Patch NOW OPEN

We are now open year round and will be here every day until

We

foods such as pickles or salsas which have an added acid (5% vinegar, bottled lemon juice, or citric acid) which can lower the acidity to a level that inhibits bacterial growth. Acid foods, like most fruits, can also be canned in a water bath. The acidity of tomatoes is borderline, and the addition of acid allows them to be safely canned using a water bath canner.

All other low-acid foods need to be pressure canned. This includes vegetables, meats and seafoods. Pressure canning involves a different type of canner which can be sealed up to increase the internal temperature above the boiling point of water. Pressure canners can be dial gauges or weighted gauges. The jars are added to the canner, and it is sealed up. Once the canner is under pressure to a certain level, the timing of the recipe starts. The internal temperature of a pressure canner can reach 240° -250°F (10-15 pounds of pressure at sea level). This is the only way that foods are heated to a high enough temperature to destroy harmful bacteria.

Therefore, given that green beans are a low-acid food, they must be pressure canned. No matter how long they are in a water bath canner, the temperature will never get above 212°F. The exception to water bath canning green beans would be to pickle the beans, therefore making them an acidified food. And then they could be processed in a water bath canner.

Beware of online recipes from sources that are not research-based. The last thing you would want is to get sick from a bad recipe or even simply lose the food because it spoiled, and you had to throw it out. Make sure you are using tested and approved recipes from reputable sources. The National Center for Home Food Preservation is a great resource for all the home preservation methods and recipes. Happy canning and eat safe!!

For more information on canning or home food preservation, visit https://nchfp.uga.edu or contact the Coweta County Extension office at 770-254-2620.

The University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences is an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization.

Photo Credit: Georgia Grown w

Weekly Kitchen with Angela

Let’s talk politics!

Dining like the Eisenhowers

Just kidding. You’re probably thinking, “Let’s not,” but I do have a recipe with a political connection to share with you, and it’s this beef stew that was said to be President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s favorite.

I found this recipe in a 1962 cookbook called Look Who’s Cookin’ at Carson’s! The book was compiled and published by the Women’s Club of the Carson Pirie Scott department store in Illinois, and while it includes lots of dessert recipes, it did include a few heartier recipes, including this one that seemed perfect for what I suspect are the last truly cool days we’ll have for a while.

Now, this recipe was submitted by a Fran Bloch of Peoria, Illinois, but she noted that Mamie Eisenhower herself had sent this recipe “upon request from the Cow Belles of Dunn Center, North Dakota.” What on earth?

Consulting Google, I quickly learned the “Cow Belles” were the female members of the North Dakota Stockman’s Association. And that made sense. Kind of like the Georgia Beef Board, the North Dakota group exists to promote the beef cattle industry. (The Georgia group is welcome to send me any 1960s-era recipes they may have tucked away.)

I did take a few educated guesses with this recipe. It called for an unnamed quantity of “Bouquet Spices” of bay leaves, thyme, and garlic in a cloth bag. Although I’ve used such bags before for steeping tea, I didn’t have one at the moment I made the stew, so I guessed about the amounts of thyme and garlic and plopped in two bay leaves, which worked beautifully—but don’t forget to remove the bay leaves before eating the stew!

Also, I knew from past experience that flour or another starch is sometimes used to thicken soups and stews, and adding a flour-and-water concoction known as a “slurry” keeps the stew from ending up with lumps of flour.

This stew was easy to make, and I’m grateful to Mamie Eisenhower for sharing such a tasty recipe. It was fun to think I was dining like a president, and I liked Ike’s stew!

The Recipe

March

MONDAY: Carrot,

TUESDAY:

WEDNESDAY:

THURSDAY: Strawberry, Chocolate Coconut, Baker’s

FRIDAY: Strawberries N Creme, Mallow Charm, GLUTEN

SATURDAY: Strawberry Cheesecake, Marble Cheesecake, Baker’s Choice

SUNDAY: German Chocolate, Spring Zoo Cookie

President Eisenhower’s Favorite Beef Stew

o 2 pounds stew beef, sliced into 3/4-inch chunks

o 1 pound small Irish potatoes (or any white potatoes), chopped into 1-inch chunks

o 1 bunch carrots (about six), sliced

o 3/4 pound small onions, chopped

o 2 fresh or 1 (14.5-ounce) can tomatoes

o 2 bay leaves

o 1 teaspoon dried thyme

o 1 teaspoon chopped garlic

o 2-1/2 pints beef stock

o 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

o Salt and pepper to taste

Using a Dutch oven or other large pot, cook stew beef until tender. (I cooked mine in 2 tablespoons of olive oil for 10 minutes.) Add vegetables, spices, and beef stock and bring to a boil, then let simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Once vegetables are tender, make a slurry by mixing the 4 tablespoons of flour with 4 tablespoons of water and whisking until completely blended. Add to stew and cook for 15 minutes more. Remove bay leaves before serving. Season as desired. Yields 6-8 servings.

Preventing the dreaded downward spiral

We hear the same story often. It starts like this: everything was fine until ... and then it just seemed like one thing after another – the downward spiral began.

As we age, we all know someone that was doing just fine the last time we saw them, but now due to one event and a sequence of following events, their lives have changed drastically. But is there a way to stop a downward spiral? While we can’t prevent many events that happen in our lives, there are steps we can take to prevent a downward spiral.

The most common event that begins a downward spiral is a fall. Thirty percent of people over the age of 65 and 50 percent of people over the age of 80 will fall once during the next year. More women than men fall, but only by about 3 percent. Women are most likely to fall due to a shift in body weight, while men fall as a result of loss of support from an external object – such as standing on that ladder their wife told them not to stand on.

While there may not be a way to prevent a fall once the downward motion begins, there are things you can do to prevent the fall in the first place.

The number one step you can take to prevent a future fall is to exercise and build up your core. Your balance is strengthened by a strong core. Especially for women, strengthening your core can help you safely recover from a trip or being off balance.

You also need to wear sensible shoes and really need to ditch the flip flops. Flat shoes with backs are much safer and can prevent falling. Check your medications to ensure they do not cause dizziness, remove hazards around the home such as cords and rugs. And light up dark routes of travel at night, like your route to the bathroom.

The second-most common event is hospitalization. One third of patients over 70 years of age and more than 50 percent of patients over the age of 85 leave the hospital more disabled than when they arrived. And 60-65 percent leave with a poorer nutritional status than when they were healthy.

People are most likely to be readmitted if they have been hospitalized more than 5 days; are discharged on a Friday; are non-compliant; and have inadequate transitional care once they return home.

To prevent a downward spiral after a hospital stay,

Senior Living Advice

with BETH DOW, Geriatric Care Manager

you need to realize that getting out of the hospital is not the finish line. It is just the first step in a multi-leg relay. Studies have shown that the No. 1 factor in hospital readmission is what happens once the person comes home. Do they understand their medications? Are they doing what they need to do nutritionally to build up their strength? Are they compliant with follow-up doctor visits and recommended therapies? Are they testing for a UTI which are very common after hospital discharge? And do they have one-on-one care and support, at least for the first week after discharge?

The third cause of the downward spiral is the widowhood effect. One study showed that men were 70 percent more likely to die within a year of their spouse, while 27 percent of women are more likely to die within a year after the death of their spouse.

There are many reasons for this: the physical and mental toll being a caregiver places on a body, the impact of grief (lack of sleep, weight loss, withdrawal); the loss of social support, etc.

After the death of a spouse, it is important to get a complete physical. Be sure that health issues that may have been put on the back burner are front and center. Second, exercise and third, get around people. Social engagement is key to learning to enjoy life without your spouse.

A major event does not have to be the beginning of a downward spiral. Preparing ahead of time and vigilance after can stop the spiral from happening.

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.

Kathy Bohannon’s Front Porch Stories

Late August of 1984, we (my husband and three-year old daughter) had a house fire in the middle of the night. We lost everything, including the dog, who was found on our child’s bed. He died trying to wake her up.

The next day found us trying to acquire toiletries and some familiar toys and books for our child. As far as population goes, Moreland was possibly half the size it is now, and we knew pretty much everyone and they knew us. News traveled fast, and many friends showed up the morning after the fire with arm loads of items because they knew our home was a total loss.

My friend Sally Estes brought boxes of toys and books for our daughter, and because we all shopped in local stores, most everything was a replica of what she had lost. My husband’s employer showed up with the company checkbook, asking what we needed. We didn’t know. He wrote a check for a few thousand dollars with no agenda for paying it back.

In the days that followed, we realized we both had singed hair from the actual fire. We had tagteamed the rescue of our child with fire all around us. Eyebrows, hair, even his mustache were all singed. I soon developed a lifelong habit of locating exit doors wherever we go and even today, I still drill my grandlittles on getting out and gathering outside at one designated place should there be a fire.

Back then, there was a jewelry store on the courthouse square called Avery Banta and Lazenby Jewelers. I enjoyed perusing their windows on my trips “to town.” I never bought anything because financially, we just weren’t the jewelry store kind of folks.

About a week or so after the fire, I took my daughter to check out the sidewalk sales on the square in Newnan on Labor Day. It was a picture-perfect day and the weather was just right for such an adventure. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, just glad to be off task of fire recovery.

The jewelers were having a sidewalk sale and some stoneware dishes caught my eye. I quickly realized I wanted dishes that had been chipped or mismatched cast offs. It would be comforting to have some items in our lives that were not brand new, as our clothing, shoes and even toothbrushes were. I carried the small stack of orphaned dishes to the clerk. “These have chips in them, and they don’t match,” she cautioned. I told her that’s why I wanted them. I explained about the fire and how, for the exception of some toys and books, everything in our lives was brand new. I needed things that had the appearance that they had been lived with, like our old stuff. Most of our household goods had been well used.

I brought the stack of dishes back to my in-law’s house and placed them in a corner of the bedroom. They were the first things we unpacked after building our new home, almost a year later.

Last week I was in a thrift store and saw the exact pattern of those old dishes that I cherished from that Labor Day sidewalk sale. I lingered for a moment, then noticed none of the pieces were chipped. I set them back on the shelf and walked away. It was a bittersweet memory, but that Labor Day back in 1984 was the first step toward rebuilding our lives. Today I’m thankful for that time.

Kathy Bohannon is a freelance writer and Christian humorist. kathybohan@yahoo.com w

Focus on Breathing Techniques to Improve Your Health

Breathing is essential to life, but how we breathe can also affect our health. Breathing techniques, known as breathwork, can help to calm the body and mind, relieve stress and move us out of fight-or-flight mode, according to experts at Cleveland Clinic.

An unhealthy, unbalanced lifestyle will begin to show up in the body as high blood pressure, digestive issues, muscle tension, headaches, anxiety and more, said Ute Anonsen, a massage therapist and breathwork facilitator and the owner of True Balance Center for Breath and Bodywork in Newnan.

Breathing has become an increasingly popular solution for anxiety and depression, relaxation, better sleep and even overcoming past or recent traumas because “breathing is one of our essential forms of energy intake, next to water and food,” Anonsen explained.

“Although ancient civilizations recognized the importance of the breath and proper breathing techniques many millennia ago, only recently have modern scientists examined the benefits of breathing and the effects on our health,” Anonsen said. “Now we learn that the way we breathe is directly linked to the chemical processes in our cells by influencing the blood pH. Some scientists are raising the question if the way we breathe contributes to illnesses like depression, diabetes, low immune response, obesity and more.”

More research is needed to “better understand how breathing can tip the scale from illness to wellness and vice versa, but most

of us can experience a significant improvement just by applying a few simple daily breathing exercises,” Anonsen said.

Many of the benefits of regular breathing exercises are felt on an emotional and mental level, and deep breathing techniques can lessen anxiety and reduce the volatility of anger, she added.

Fight or Flight

It’s important to understand the relationship between breathing and the nervous system. A very primal response of our body to stressful situations is to hold our breath or to breathe in a very shallow and fast manner. Our heart rate increases, energy resources are delivered to our peripheral muscle groups and simultaneously, the digestive system is put on hold, Anonsen explained.

This is a healthy response of our nervous system called “fight or flight response” and should only last a short period of time, she said.

Running from a predator, like our ancestors

in the past, or dealing with deadlines, traffic, child care or relationship trouble is all the same to our nervous system and the response is the same. Sadly, many people have forgotten how to relax and trigger our parasympathetic nervous system, the other branch of our autonomic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” response. Fortunately, there’s an antidote, Anonsen said.

“Spending time in nature, mindful exercises, meditation and spending time with friends can trigger a completely different response: you’re exhaling instead of holding your breath, your breathing is deep and slow as opposed to fast and shallow, your pupils widen, your heart rate slows down and your digestion is active,” Anonsen said. “No matter what level of stress you are experiencing, how old or young you are, or if your lifestyle is more sedentary or very active, learning how to breathe in a healthy manner is the first step to better health, physically, emotionally and mentally.”

Breathwork Techniques

There’s a variety of breathwork techniques that people can try, according to Cleveland Clinic. Here are a few:

Diaphragmatic breathing: This type of breathing, also known as abdominal breathing or belly breathing, engages the diaphragm, a powerful muscle at the base of your lungs. This technique “has been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate, and it’s especially beneficial for people with lung conditions,”

Cleveland Clinic reports.

This is a good technique for people new to breathwork, and it’s an effective way to relax and relieve stress, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Box breathing: This is one of the “simplest and most common forms of yogic deep breathing,” Cleveland Clinic explains. This technique has four steps: “Four counts of breathing in, four counts of holding your breath, four counts of exhaling and four more counts of holding after your exhale. Box breathing can be practiced anytime,” said Cleveland Clinic experts.

4-7-8 breathing: This breathing technique can be done while sitting or lying down. “The numbers refer to how long you inhale (four counts), hold (seven counts) and exhale (eight counts),” according to Cleveland Clinic. It’s been shown to help someone “get a good night’s sleep by calming the mind, reducing anxiety and decreasing heart rate and blood pressure,” Cleveland Clinic experts explain.

About True Balance Center

True Balance Center for Breath and Bodywork at 48 East Washington St. in Newnan offers massage therapy, acupuncture, biomagnetic pair therapy, ionic foot detox, lymphatic drainage, integrative breathwork and breath coaching, energy healing, yoga, movement, and meditation. Learn more at https://www.truebalanceofnewnan.com or by giving them a call at 678-857-3484.

SPORTS CALENDAR

PRO SPORTS

NBA – ATLANTA HAWKS (26-34)

Feb. 25 – Orlando Magic … W, 109-92

Feb. 27 – Utah Jazz … W, 124-97

Feb. 29 – at Brooklyn Nets … L, 97-124

March 2 – at Brooklyn Nets ... L, 102-114

March 5, Tues. – at New York Knicks, 7:30 pm – TNT

March 6, Wed. – Cleveland Cavaliers, 7:30 pm – Bally

March 8, Fri. – at Memphis Grizzlies, 7:30 pm – ESPN / Bally

March 10, Sun. – New Orleans Pelicans, 6 pm – Peachtree TV

March 13, Wed. – at Portland Trail Blazers, 10 pm – Bally

MLS – ATLANTA UNITED (0-1)

Feb. 24 – at Columbus Crew … L, 0-1

March 9, Sat. – New England Revolution, 7:30 pm – AppleTV

March 17, Sun. – Orlando City, 7 pm – Apple TV

MLB – ATLANTA BRAVES (5-4 Spring Tr.)

March 7, Thurs. – at Boston Red Sox, 1:05 pm – ESPN

March 8, Fri. – Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 pm – No TV

March 9, Sat. – Baltimore Orioles, 1:05 pm – No TV

March 10, Sun. – at New York Yankees, 1:05 pm – Bally

March 11, Mon. – Minnesota Twins, 1:05 pm – No TV

March 12, Tues. – at Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 pm – No TV

March 13, Wed. – at Baltimore Orioles, 6:05 pm – No TV

March 14, Thurs. – Tampa Bay Rays, 1:05 pm – No TV

NASCAR CUP SERIES

Feb. 19 – Daytona 500 (William Byron)

Feb. 25 – Ambetter Health 400 (Daniel Suarez)

March 3 – Pennzoil 400 (Kyle Larson)

March 10, Sun. – Shriners Children’s 500, 3:30 pm – FOX

March 17, Sun. – Food City 500, 3:30 pm – FOX

PGA TOUR

Feb. 22-25 – Mexico Open at Vedanta (Jake Knapp)

Feb. 29-March 3 – Cognizant Classic (suspended Sunday)

March 7-10 – Arnold Palmer Invitational – NBC / Golf Ch.

March 14-17 – The Players Championship – NBC / Golf Ch.

COLLEGE SPORTS

GEORGIA (15-14, 5-11 SEC)

Feb. 7 – at Mississippi State … L, 62-75

Feb. 10 – at Arkansas … L, 75-78

Feb. 17 – Florida … L, 82-88

Feb. 21 – at Vanderbilt … W, 76-64

Feb. 24 – Auburn … L, 76-97

Feb. 27 – at LSU … L, 66-67

March 2 – Texas A&M ... L, 56-70

March 5, Tues. – Ole Miss, 7 pm – SEC Network

March 9, Sat. – at Auburn, 6:30 pm – SEC Network

GEORGIA TECH (13-16, 6-12 ACC)

Feb. 6 – Wake Forest … L, 51-80

Feb. 10 – at Louisville … L, 67-79

Feb. 14 – at Notre Dame … L, 55-58

Feb. 17 – Syracuse … W, 65-60

Feb. 21 – Clemson … L, 57-81

Feb. 24 – at Miami (Fla.) … W, 80-76

March 2 – Florida State ... W, 85-76

March 5, Tues. – at Wake Forest, 9 pm – ACC Network

March 9, Sat. – at Virginia, 8 pm – ACC Network

AUBURN (22-7, 11-5 SEC)

Feb. 7 – Alabama … W, 99-81

Feb. 10 – at Florida … L, 65-81

Feb. 14 – South Carolina … W, 101-61

Feb. 17 – Kentucky … L, 59-70

Feb. 24 – at Georgia … W, 97-76

Feb. 28 – at Tennessee … L, 84-92

March 2 – Mississippi State ... W, 78-63

March 5, Tues. – at Missouri, 9 pm – SEC Network

March 9, Sat. – Georgia, 6:30 pm – SEC Network

CLEAN WHEAT STRAW AND MULCH HAY. $3.50 per bale. Frank Barron 770.231.9535.

BUY-SELL-TRADE – We buy Coins, Gold, Silver, Jewelry, Currency and Coin Collections. Free In-Store Appraisals! Township Coins, 3500 Hwy. 34 East, Sharpsburg, 770.254.2727

“WE BUY HOUSES” Any condition. Cash. Quick closing. Mike 678.409.8600

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

T PLATINUM AUTO SALES LLC Very Nice Vehicles for Sale … $10,000, $5,000 and under. * Financing Available * Mike 678.409.8600

TREE SERVICE ... 24/7 Emergency Tree Service available, plus Pruning & Trimming, Stump Grinding. Commercial or Residential. Misael's Tree Service,

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.

NOW HIRING

NOW HIRING – CUTS AND COMICS seeking licensed Hair Stylist/Barber, Braider, Beauty and Lash Tech for our unique new business for $100 weekly booth rental. To inquire, call 470.414.1213 or email cutsandcomics@ gmail.com

NOW HIRING – LKQ PICK YOUR PART in Fayetteville, GA is seeking to fill various positions. To apply, visit lkqpickyourpart.com and select ‘Careers.

NOW HIRING – Smallcakes Cupcakery in Newnan is seeking to hire a Parttime Baker with decorating experience. Immediate opening. Stop by and grab an application today at 113 Newnan Crossing Bypass, Newnan

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