Newnan-Coweta Magazine, November/December 2007

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W e l c o m e THE HOLIDAYS Also in this issue: • David Boyd’s art • Senoia quilter • Woodworking

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MAGAZINE Established 1995 A publication of The Times-Herald President

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William W. Thomasson

Marianne C. Thomasson Publisher Sam Jones Editor Angela McRae Art Director

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Newnan-Coweta Magazine is published bi-monthly by The Times-Herald, Inc., 16 Jefferson St., Newnan, GA 30263.

Subscriptions: Newnan-Coweta Magazine is distributed in home-delivery copies of The Times-Herald and at businesses and offices throughout Coweta County. Individual mailed subscriptions are also available for $23.75 in Coweta County, $30.00 outside Coweta County. To subscribe, call 770.304.3373.

Submissions: We welcome submissions. Query letters and published clips may be addressed to the Editor, Newnan-Coweta Magazine at P.O. Box 1052, Newnan, Georgia 30264.

On the Web: www.newnancowetamagazine.com © 2007 by The Newnan Times-Herald, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

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Try some of our recipes for a red and white Christmas Dessert Buffet that will satisfy every sweet tooth.

— Photo by Bob Fraley 4

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WINNER OF FOUR 2007 GAMMA AWARDS (for issues published in 2006) Gold Award for General Excellence, Gold Award for Best Single Issue, Silver Award for Best Photography, Bronze Award for Best Series

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ON OUR WEBSITE www.newnancowetamagazine.com

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Online Book Club: Join us in the Book Nook and be among the first to discuss Jan Karon’s new release, “Home to Holly Springs.”

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contents F November/December 2007

eatures

16 PIECING LIVES TOGETHER

11 GREETINGS! You know his cartoons from The TimesHerald, but now David Boyd’s artwork is sailing around the world thanks to a line of greeting cards.

24 THE NOZY COZY Laugh if you will, but this East Coweta grad knows how to keep her nozzle warm during those chilly evenings at football games.

Senoia’s Claudia Wood is a nationallyknown needlework teacher and designer whose talents keep taking her in new directions.

58 SANTA’S VILLAGE The Oothoudt family in Newnan enjoys adding new pieces to their enormous Christmas village each year.

26 WORKING WONDERS WITH 62 A MASTERFUL GROUP WOOD A desire for a dulcimer led Gene Cauthen to his woodworking hobby, and today he and his wife Jan enjoy making and playing dulcimers.

57 WELCOME THE HOLIDAYS!

Now in its fifth year, the Masterworks Chorale will kick off the Christmas season in Coweta with a Nov. 27 concert at the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts.

68 HOLIDAY TRADITIONS For the Siraj family, the holidays are a blend of celebrations representing this family’s rich cultural heritage.

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74 O CHRISTMAS TREE Not sure how to decorate the Christmas tree this year? We found a pro who decorates dozens of them each year and graciously shares some decorating secrets.

80 THE SWEETEST GIFT Who doesn’t love dessert? This Christmas, we pull from our personal recipe files to create a red-and-white Christmas Dessert Buffet that is sure to wow guests.

86 A REASON (TO DECORATE) FOR THE SEASON One Newnan neighborhood spreads Christmas cheer by getting all the neighbors to compete in a holiday decorating contest.

92 NAME THAT GIFT Cowetans tell about their favorite gifts, and the answers may surprise you.

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Departments 32 FAMILY FUN

38

For a weekend that’s as fun as it is educational, give your child a once-ina-lifetime parent/child trip to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.

38 SADDLE UP Priscilla McCammon loves her Arabian horses so much, she’ll do anything to be able to spend time with them.

44 COWETA COOKS It’s a recipe some Cowetans tell us they’ve been waiting for: Audrey Wright’s Famous Yeast Rolls!

48 LOCAL HERITAGE The presidential primary will be here before you know it. Take a look back at some of the presidents, presidential candidates and kin who’ve come to Coweta.

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52 MEET A READER Meet Taylor Josey, a local realtor whose idea of perfect happiness is lying on the beach with no phone.

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In every issue 10 Editor’s Letter 94 The Bookshelf 97 Index of Advertisers 98 10 Things I’ve Learned

98 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

2007

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> FROM THE EDITOR’S PEN

A Taste of the Holidays

I

t was a November evening in 1993.

It was the finale of the Southern Celebrations Cooking School the newspaper had staged at the city auditorium. Our magnificent director, Teresa Dunn, had taken center stage with her showstopper dessert, a Traditional Trifle, and a chorus of admiring gasps rose from the audience. All that whipped cream! All those cherries!

Hearing that unbidden adoration was one of my favorite memories of that cooking school, of that fall, really.

And another favorite memory was of making, and eating, the trifle myself that Christmas.

Like most cooks, I suppose, I have to put “my” mark on it by changing this or that, but it is indeed her recipe, and my copy of the newspaper tab containing that recipe is frightfully dog-eared and worn.

So I hope you’ll forgive me if I’ve conspired to get it in a sturdier format by including that recipe in

our Dessert Buffet feature on page 82 in this issue.

Of course you’re always going to face some competition in this life. This I learned the day Art Director Deberah Williams and I made some of our favorite Christmas foods to photograph and share with our co-workers.

I wasn’t jealous at all that she got even more compliments for her cake than I did for my trifle. (Of course she does have expertise in cake decorating and I don’t, so that makes her semi-professional while I’m clearly an amateur, but who’s keeping score?)

Although it’s a bit odd to be making Christmas treats in September, it was actually a lot of fun. I am reminded once more how much the food memories contribute to our holidays. In this issue of the magazine we have more recipes than usual, so consider it our gift to you.

And from our ovens to yours, we wish everyone the happiest and tastiest of holidays!

Fondly,

Angela McRae, Editor Newnan-Coweta Magazine

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David Boyd’s famous artwork now on greeting cards

By Alex McRae, Photos by Bob Fraley nce a seasonal phenomenon, hernia claims by postal workers are soaring year-round as mail carriers stagger under the weight of all-occasion greeting cards that swamp mailboxes every day.

Part of the blame goes to Newnan’s David Boyd. After decades as a wildly successful political cartoonist, illustrator and humorist, Boyd’s cards are now among the nation’s top sellers.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he says. “But if you’d told me 40 years ago I’d be doing this, I’d have said you were crazy.”

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In the late 1960s, when a promising business deal went south, Boyd did, too, all the way to Australia. His tenure as chief executive of the Newnan Chamber of Commerce had led to what looked like a great business opportunity. It wasn’t, and when the company foundered, Boyd decided to mull his options elsewhere.

“Australia was as far as I could go and still be in a country where people spoke English,” Boyd says.

During his two months Down Under, Boyd didn’t just see the world, he saw his future.

As he traveled across Australia,

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Boyd earned pocket money sketching his fellow travelers, a skill he had sharpened in high school and college at the Citadel and during a three-year hitch selling caricatures on college campuses.

But in Australia he wasn’t drawing for a living. He was drawing for fun. And loving every minute of it.

One day an Australian said he thought Boyd was as good as Pat 14

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Oliphant, who left Australia to become a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist in America.

Boyd had drawn political cartoons before, but until then, had never considered it a career option.

When another Aussie asked if Boyd had ever eaten at Sprayberry’s Barbecue in Newnan, he knew it was time to come home. And this time on his own terms.

Boyd asked James Thomasson, then publisher and owner of The TimesHerald, for advice.

Thomasson said he would buy Boyd’s cartoons and advised him to solicit other Georgia papers. In weeks, Boyd had signed 40 clients and for the first time in his life, knew exactly where he was headed.

“I was doing what I liked and it didn’t seem like things could get any better,” he says.

During this period of heady growth, Boyd made his most important career move, convincing the former Rosalyn McKoy to marry him.

After cornering the Georgia market, Boyd teamed with Newnan attorney Gus Wood to form Mark-Morgan Features Syndicate.

Soon, Boyd’s work was appearing in 200 papers from coast to coast.

During a 1987 golf trip to Scotland, Boyd’s acquaintance with best-selling author and humorist Lewis Grizzard of Moreland grew into a deep friendship. Boyd’s art found a new outlet as he illustrated Grizzard’s calendars and several of his books.

In 1989, impressed by Boyd’s ability to bring Grizzard’s words to life, executives at Longstreet Press asked Boyd to illustrate a book of gags by an up-and-coming Atlanta comedian named Jeff Foxworthy. The result,

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“You Might be A Redneck If ...” was an instant bestseller.

As Foxworthy became America’s hottest comic, the characters Boyd created were plastered on everything from CD covers to calendars to tshirts to beer coozies.

“We clicked from the start,” Boyd says. “I see the stuff Jeff talks about. I know those people, I’m kin to them.”

For a while Boyd was so busy he brought in his son, David Jr., to help out with his syndicated political cartoons. Boyd Jr. didn’t just help, he started a cartoon line of his own.

In the late ’90s, Boyd’s art career took another turn when a major greeting card company asked him to create a line of cards based on his own characters. Boyd cranked out cards featuring everything from sweet-faced little girls to a surly waiter serving prune daiquiris to a bull sitting on the toilet.

A few years ago, Foxworthy started his own line of “Redneck” greeting cards featuring Boyd’s characters. The cards took off, generating sales in the millions.

“It’s just a phenomenon,” Boyd says. “Jeff isn’t just a comedian.

These days, he’s an institution.”

Boyd is in discussions to create a comic strip based on the characters he created for the Foxworthy books and is developing a line of animated e-cards based on the Foxworthy characters.

And for Boyd, the card business isn’t just about money. He has also created a Christmas card to benefit the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy and CLICK (Certified Literate Is Coweta’s Key).

Greeting cards are a long way from caricatures or political cartoons, but Boyd says the fundamentals remain the same.

“What matters isn’t what you draw,” he says. “It’s the feeling you get. When you put pen on paper and the figures start to come alive, it’s the greatest feeling in the world.” NCM

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By Janet Flanigan, Photos by Jennifer Riggs

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hen you first see Claudia Wood’s amazing quilt art, it’s hard to imagine anyone having such amazing ideas, let alone translating those ideas into reality.

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But Claudia’s quilting and cross-stitch designs are renowned in the fabric art world, and what’s so refreshing is that she is just as inspired today as she was 30 years ago when she first picked up needle and thread.

One of Claudia’s most recognized masterpieces is a quilt called “I Remember Mama,” which is a homage quilt to her mother, Clara Addicks Boykin.

While she appreciates the oldfashioned, traditional quilting patterns, Claudia’s original designs have inspired legions of quilters to 18

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think outside traditional borders and let their imaginations soar. Her soft, tender personality is so encouraging, even someone who has never held the quilting needle would begin to believe that they too have a creative spirit within.

Modern quilting is often called Contemporary Fiber Art because the quilts fashioned today go way beyond bed linens. This uniquely American art form dates back two centuries and has traditionally been passed down from mother to daughter. Often, it commemorates important times in a family’s life, such as births, marriages or even historical events in American history, such as the Underground Railroad or the famous AIDS quilt.

One of Claudia’s most recognized masterpieces is a quilt called “I Remember Mama,” which is a homage quilt to her mother, Clara Addicks Boykin.

“I had just been thinking a lot about her and how she had self-esteem issues like so many women of her day, and I wanted to do a tribute to her,” Claudia said.

The quilt utilizes a unique combination of materials and textures that truly make it one of a kind.

“I found old photographs of Mama and used a

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special photo paper that can be purchased at quilting stores that is then attached directly to the fabric, so several of the quilting squares are photos of Mama at different stages of her life,” she said. “One of them is even a photo of her with a man that

isn’t Daddy (he was a high school date), because I think it is important to recognize your parents are people with lives just like us!”

Claudia also created little vignettes of some items unique and special to her mother, such as her opera glasses, pearls and her paint brushes. She photographed them and used the special paper/fabric technique to create other unique quilt blocks that form part of the quilt’s border. Then she sewed on vintage lace, seed pearls and shrink plastic to add texture and depth, using items that had a connection to her mother. These blocks — Claudia Wood surround a tree of life made of individually

“This is what every

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hand-sewn, three-dimensional leaves with a trunk oversewn with antique lace. “I’m crazy about leaves,” Claudia exclaimed. “I use them in many of my works.”

When Claudia and husband Bill moved to Senoia from Peachtree City in 1995, she envisioned a typical-

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size sewing room in which to create her masterpieces. But fate stepped in when Bill decided to act on his dream and build a four-car garage.

When their architect suggested it would be economically feasible for them to go ahead and build out her workspace on top of his garage, her fabulous studio was created. “This is what every

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quilter deserves, and one of my greatest joys is to share the studio with my friends,� Claudia said. As an added bonus, Bill got a very handsome study (attached to the workshop) where he can relax and work while she teaches and sews.

Originally a cross-stitching expert (yes, she creates original crossstitch patterns as well), Claudia was working for Just Cross Stitch Magazine in Birmingham in the 22

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1990s when the company bought a quilting magazine. “I had done a little quilting in the ’70s but didn’t ‘piece’ because I thought that was what grannies did!

But when Just Cross Stitch got into quilting as well, I decided to immerse myself into quilting and learn everything I could about it.� She has certainly done that, and her designs are now recognized all over the nation.

Constantly seeking new ideas, she

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attends the industry’s International Quilt Festival in Houston every few years for inspiration.

“Right now, I’m really into using felting in my designs and I am finding more and more interest in using recycled materials,” Claudia explained. For example, when she cuts the ends of fabric, the threads that come loose are not thrown away but are washed to remove the sizing.

They are sometimes dyed or left as they are and used in quilting or in her jewelry designs. This no-waste mentality has even extended to paper towels!

“When I wiped up after dyeing some fabric, I loved how beautiful the colors were on the paper towel and actually dried the paper towel and eventually stitched it into a quilt,” she

said. You have to really look hard at the lovely light blue, purple and yellow quilt to see that the “fabric” is indeed a paper towel.

Claudia occasionally sells her creations, but mostly she uses them as teaching tools. She has taught classes at Heritage Quilts and Fabrics in downtown Newnan but usually teaches in her spacious studio in Senoia.

“I truly believe that everybody is creative,” she said. “They may have a different area of creativity – math, writing, being friendly, organization – whatever it is, they just need to realize that they are creative and they can apply it to quilting. I encourage them to relax, just be and their creativity will come forth in the stitches.” NCM

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atch out scarves, toboggans and gloves: there’s a new cold weather fashion item in town — the nozy cozy.

For Amy Abel, who attends Mercer University and graduated from East Coweta High School in 2006, it’s necessary. The nozy cozy, a crocheted piece of material that straps around the head, is a handmade nose warmer.

“I was in high school marching band and it was cold in the stands, so a friend and I decided I should crochet it,” Abel said.

Abel, who crochets scarves and hats for friends, creates items without a pattern and made up the nozy cozy before playing in the band at a football game.

“Everything I crochet is abstract,” she said. “I just stitch, so it happened to come out like that.”

Abel created the nose warmer in the school colors — purple and gold — and wore it in the stadium stands while playing her coronet.

“I got some funny looks but I’m proud of it, so I kept wearing it,” Abel said. “After all, I’m the one with the warm nose.”

Abel began crocheting her

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invention in different colors and decided to make one for her friend’s January birthday by stitching an initial on the front.

“I personalized the nozy cozy and even wrote a poem to go with it,” Abel said. She joked with friends about crocheting nozy cozys with different sizes, colors, themes and initials.

Although one of her teachers told her a nose warmer like the nozy cozy had

“I got some funny looks but I’m proud of it, so I kept wearing it.”

— Amy Abel

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By Carolyn Crist, Photo by Chris Kiker

The Southern Federal Credit Union is a financial cooperative which operates exclusively for its members and each member owns a share of the co-op. The Southern offers several types of savings accounts, a full comple-

already been invented, Abel jokingly says, “I will continue to follow my nose to my dreams.”

“My dad wants to pay for me to patent the nozy cozy,” she said, and plans to do so soon. “I haven’t marketed it a lot at Mercer yet, but I still wear it, and I could create some in my sorority colors.”

Despite any plans Abel has to make the item popular, she wants it to remain a novelty.

“The nozy cozy is definitely not meant to be taken seriously, although it has a practical function,” Abel said with a smile. “The nozy cozy faces a lot of ridicule.”

Already pitching ideas for a product tagline and a Web site name, Abel recently made up her mind about the product name.

“I couldn’t decide how to spell it,” she laughed. “But I do know I want to create amy’snozycozy.com, and I’m playing with my motto.”

For now, Abel tells people, “No one knows a cold nose like Amy’s nozy cozy.” NCM

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By Alex McRae, Photos by Bob Fraley

LOVE FOR DULCIMERS LED GENE CAUTHEN TO NEW WOODWORKING HOBBY

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I

t was love at first listen.

On an otherwise ordinary day in 1993, Gene and Jan Cauthen drove to Helen for a demonstration of dulcimer music. Neither was an avid musician, but learning about the stringed instrument made popular by ScotsIrish immigrants who flocked to the hills of Appalachia in the 18th and 19th century seemed like a nice way to spend a day.

When the demonstration started the Cauthens were merely interested.

When the session was over, they were hooked.

On the way out, Jan pointed at a dulcimer and said, “I want one of those.”

She got one, but it wasn’t exactly what she had hoped for.

“It was ugly, for one thing,” Jan says. “And the instruction book wasn’t much help. I couldn’t even get it tuned.”

Her son gave her some pointers and an electronic tuner. Jan was soon picking her way through classics like “You Are My Sunshine.”

Not long afterward, Jan and Gene saw an ad for a group of Peachtree City dulcimer fans who were offering lessons and dulcimer kits for sale. After one meeting, Gene decided he wanted to play, too.

He ordered a kit and built an instrument of his own. Gene was thrilled. Jan was jealous.

“It was prettier than mine,” Jan says. “I told him I wanted one like his.”

Gene decided if his wife was going to get another dulcimer he was going to build it himself. He researched woods, glues, strings and every other dulcimer detail and got busy. He never let Jan know how nervous he was.

“I had to learn some new tricks,

Jan and Gene Cauthen of Newnan, above, enjoy dulcimer music so much that Gene learned to build the instruments as well as play them.

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Gene Cauthen became handy with tools growing up on the family farm near Moreland. Today, he has a woodworking shop at his home in Newnan where he builds the dulcimers so prized by Cauthen and his wife.

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that’s for sure,” Gene says. “But once I got started I was determined to make her something special.”

The intricate woodworking techniques required to cut, piece, paste and assemble a delicate musical instrument didn’t come easy, but Gene says it was just a matter of applying the skills he’d learned earlier on a much larger scale.

Cauthen became handy with tools growing up on the family’s produce farm near Moreland. “We didn’t have money for spare parts or repairs,” he says. “When something broke we had to fix it or learn how to make a new piece. It was pretty good training.”

Cauthen soon became handy enough to join his dad in the home building business for a few years before World War II. In 1943 he joined the Army, but he injured his back in training and had to seek another job. He took up the typesetting trade and became a linotype operator at the Newnan Herald and the LaGrange Daily News.

Along the way, he kept his carpentry skills sharp, building or remodeling the occasional house.

Over the years he accumulated a modest collection of saws, sanders, planes, clamps and other woodworking tools.

As the typesetting business gave way to the digital era, Cauthen went back to school and became certified as a hospital maintenance engineer.

He worked at South Fulton Hospital from 1975-80, then moved to Newnan Hospital, where he stayed until he retired in 1990.

It was there he met Jan, who worked in the hospital’s accounting department. When their spouses died within three months of each other, Gene and Jan became friends. Soon, their friendship grew into something

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more serious and after several years of courting they were married. “He wouldn’t leave me alone,�

Jan laughs. “I couldn’t run him off.�

They moved into Jan’s home on Happy Valley Circle. There were a few tools in the basement and Gene added his own and several more, turning the space into a full-service woodworking shop, right down to the pail of clothespins used to hold small glued pieces in place.

When Gene got serious about woodworking he realized he had all the raw materials he needed in the yard. His lumber supply includes slabs of maple, cherry, hickory and sassafras cut at the family property.

He also realized other local men were serious about woodcraft and, in 2005, organized the Coweta Woodworkers Club. The group

meets monthly to share woodworking tips and tales and display their latest projects, which range from wooden ornaments to wooden writing pens to toys and, of course, Gene’s dulcimers. “We mostly just like to talk about what we love,� Gene says. “And we remind each other not to lose any fingers in the shop.�

Gene and Jan continue to foster their love for building and playing dulcimers. They attend meetings of the North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association and have traveled to Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. for lessons and seminars. “This whole thing is fairly new for both of us,� Jan says. “But we just love it. In a way, it’s given us a whole new lease on life.� NCM

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> FAMILY FUN

MIssI0n Space ...

By Leigh Knight

My family first discovered the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., known as the biggest space museum on the planet, many years ago. During our journey to the center, we explored the museum’s outside attractions. The Rocket Park features an actual-size Space Shuttle, whose rockets and engines were designed in Huntsville, and the 363-foot Saturn V rocket that took astronauts to the moon was also designed in Huntsville. We

OK MISSION LOGBO g to embark e Axis 0900: Preparin rs such as the Multipl to ula sim ing try be ill in on to Leigh: I learn we w a device astronauts tra a Facility (MASTIF), e name Space/Spin Test Inerti out of control. Just th t raf ec ac sp a of n motio simulate the tumbling makes me dizzy.

amp ived at Space C 1230: Day 1: Arr ks like a hamster tion habitat, which loo sta e ac sp a in ed us is just down Leigh: We are ho nagement station” – ma te as “w r, he rat or cage. The restroom – the hall. very tall rocket. get to see a rocket, a A nsley: Finally, we on 1330: Orientati is the BEST TEAM e Mercury team, which th to d ne sig as e ar e A nsley: W daughter trip Jersey. It was a mom/ w Ne m fro ly mi fa a EVER! We meet another New for them. four from Connecticut, of ly mi fa a e lud inc ers Leigh: Other memb er/son pairs. d two Wisconsin fath with his Jersey father/son, an the dads, having gone of e on r fo mp Ca e to Spac is a This is the third trip year. Our team leader xt ne er ht ug da his th return wi older boys. He plans to kids. th the “big” and little wi t ea gr is o wh e, at recent college gradu rientation is the 1500: Shuttle O The big orange thing . rts pa tle ut sh e ac sp about the A nsley: We learn lled? The orbiter. what the rocket is ca ess Gu t). or sh r fo (ET External Fuel Tank

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0900: Preparing to embark

2, 4, 5, 3, Leigh: I learn we will be trying simulators such as the Multiple Axis

LIft Off!

rocketed 140 feet straight up in 2.5 seconds on the Space Shot to experience what liftoff felt like, and we tried the G-force accelerator, Apollo Cockpit trainer, and we climbed the Mars Mission climbing wall. Yet, we still wanted more. So, when I heard the Space Camp program was celebrating its 25th season, I immediately signed up with my daughter Ansley, 9, for the Parent/Child program. Here are excerpts from our mission’s logbook:

1630: Mission Tr aining Leigh: We are assig ned different positions for our mission in space as part of our astronaut training. Ansle y and I will be Flight Engineers 1 and 2 aboard the space sta tion. Other positions include Pilot, Commander, Payload Specialist, Mission Specialist (who completes an EVA, wh ich stands for extravehicular activity, also known as a spac ewalk), and Mission Control.

1830: Crew Syst em

s Leigh: We learn every thing we wanted to kn ow and more about an astronaut’s day-to-day life in spac e. The kids want to know all the details about how and what they eat, how and when they sle ep and, yes, how they use the restroom.

A nsley: Mr. Thirsty is for #1, and Mr. Ta rget is for #2.

It was interesting.

1930: Dinner A nsley: I loved the food, especially dinner.

It was great!

Leigh: While eating, I notice a group of ad ults (primarily seniors) dress ed in flight suits. I lea rn that they are a part of the adult space camp program.

2030: Mission and complete suits in the white room ht flig e ng ora r ou on t A nsley: We pu tty), not the mission. y starch (think silly pu slim d an lls ba per su cy le Leigh: We make boun iments that were availab per ex o go al on ati uc ed other to be confused with the l reaction using er made by a chemica lym po y ck sti , ck thi (a such as flubber polyvinyl inous blob created from lat ge (a e tim e slim e), borax and Elmer’s glu s of both t contains the propertie tha re xtu mi (a ck ble oo alcohol and borax), or a liquid and a solid).

0830: Day 2 gives us seum where our leader mu the of r tou d ide Leigh: We take a gu learn in school. For history that you don’t ce spa t ou ab ls tai de interesting into the module with corned beef sandwich a k uc sn ut na tro as example, which IMAX movie. om) We also take in an iss Gr " us "G il irg (V ? him nstruction 1000: Rocket Co del rockets.

A nsley: We made mo F-U-N, fun.

It was challenging but construction Leigh: Later, we made hed them with paper rockets and launc to say who an air compressor. Hard rents or the had more fun – the pa children.

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18 0 0 : M is si on [Instrumentation and A ns ley: I was INCO the Mission Control Mom was Scientist in d an , er] fic Of ns tio Communica launched. It for when the shut tle n ow td un co the y sa room. I got to was fun! s 2000: Simulator that simulates the ned Maneuvering Unit) an (M U MM the ed tri Leigh: We , 1/6 chair, Five Degrees of Freedom F: 5D ce, spa in nt me on frictionless envir t on pull, which is 1/6 of tha al on ati vit gra ’s on mo designed to mimic the be a blast!!

Axis, which turns out to ltiMu d de ea dr the d Earth, an ng gn and S4 Traini 2100: Patch Desi ults create a nauts’ tradition, the ad tro as the th wi g pin kee Leigh: In while the children s of our team’s families me na the ing tur fea Mission patch ject. work on a top-secret pro AX 0800: Day 3: IM wl: 0900: Space Bo . Winners to be st the two other teams ain ag st nte co via tri e A Jeopardy-lik announced.

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1000: S4 Pre sentation Leigh: The kids present their top-se cret project, space with Legos. Very im stations created pressive.

1100: Gradua

tion Leigh: The Mercu ry team didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win Space Bowl, but w award for having e did win the the best patch and S4 pr esentation combined very meaningful to , which was our group.

A nsley: We fin ally graduated, and we came home with a pen, a shirt and a hat.

All in all our entire mission was a succ ess.

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NOW StoneBridge OPEN!

Early Learning Center

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PrIce: 3-day Parent/Child Space Camp (for ages 9-11), $349 per person ($698 pair); Parent/Child plus 1 additional family member, $898; Parent/Child plus 2 additional family members, $998; $50 registration fee applies, includes meals, lodging, program material, and activities, including access to the museum as well as 24 hour medical and security staff on site. Family members/visitors receive museum admission on graduation day.

Scholarships are available. Check website (www.spacecamp.com) for available dates and times. If registering for a camp less than two weeks away, call 1-800-63-SPACE for availability.

Other prOgrams: Parent/Child Space Camp (4-day), Space Camp (for kids only, ages 9-11), 3- and 6-day; Space Academy, ages 12-14, 6- and 8-day; Advanced Space Camp, ages 15-18, 6- and 13-day; Parent/Child Aviation Challenge, Adult program, Educator program, Corporate program, and special program for the blind, visually impaired and the deaf and hard of hearing The U.S. Space and Rocket Center Museum is open to the general public Monday through Friday 9-5 except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve and New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. Tickets can be purchased for the museum only or a combination pass, which includes the museum, Rocket Park, and one movie in the IMAX Spacedome theater.

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> SADDLE UP

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A

Passionfor Arabians

By Martha A. Woodham, Photos by Bob Fraley

P

riscilla McCammon is one determined lady.

Arabian horses are her passion, and she will do anything — anything! — to be around them, including taking shots to ward off allergy attacks and wearing a mask as she mucks out stalls.

“Hay, grass, dust — I’m allergic to horses and everything around them,” says McCammon. Her allergies were so severe when she was a child that she had to give up her dream of riding. But five years ago, she started taking riding lessons anyway. Then she had an epiphany. When a friend told her to “follow her passion” because one never knows what tomorrow will bring, McCammon bought an Arabian brood mare with rare bloodlines that could be traced back to ancient Egypt.

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Priscilla McCammon may be allergic to nearly everything associated with horses, but that hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t kept her from pursuing her passionate love for Arabians.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;People think â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ooh, Arabians!â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? says McCammon, making a face. Arabians, the oldest pure breed of horse, have a reputation for being high strung and difficult.

Nothing could be further from the truth, she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realize the Arab has such a history behind it,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They were bred for war, so they are quick and smart.â&#x20AC;?

The ancient breed is characterized by a long, arched neck; tiny ears and hooves; large, luminous eyes; and a full tail that is carried high â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all characteristics that served it well in the harsh desert climate.

The Middle East origins of Arabs are lost in time, but records show that they lived with desert nomads 3,500 years ago. Bedouin tribesmen shared food and water with their horses â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even their tents. This close relationship with people created a strong desire in Arabs for human companionship that continues today, says McCammon, whose horses come to the fence for a scratch when she calls. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are very inquisitive,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They want to know what you are doing and why you are doing it.

And if they trust you, they will do anything for you.

Like most horses, they like a gentle hand.â&#x20AC;?

Arabs are a versatile breed, says McCammon, who shows and breeds horses through her business, Center Stage Arabians. She and her trainer, Tara Carpio, show the animals at halter and under saddle in all-Arab breed shows and have had a successful season in the ring, producing several champions. Bella Vista was the 2006 Egyptian Event Reserve Champion World Class Filly, Trainer Tara Carpio

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Priscilla McCammon, her father Tom Reese, and trainer Tara Carpio

and Koweta Call Me Emory, aka Edgar, won three statewide championships at halter and under saddle in 2006 and 2007. Some of McCammon’s yearlings are also champions.

The versatile Arabs are shown in English and Western classes.

McCammon plans to show her favorite, Edgar, in hunter pleasure

classes. Arabs do everything from reining — like Quarter horses – to jumping and racing — like Thoroughbreds, but they are unsurpassed — thanks to hundreds of years in harsh desert conditions — at endurance contests, where competitors race across all kinds of terrain for 100 miles. Endurance riding has become so popular

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internationally that it is now an Olympic equestrian sport.

But the Arab’s ability to excel at various kinds of equine sports shouldn’t be a surprise, says McCammon. After all, the Arab is the basis for most breeds in the world. For example, the modern Thoroughbred — the kind of horses that race in the Kentucky Derby — can trace its lineage back to three Arab stallions imported to England in the 1600s.

McCammon’s red, 14-stall barn is located on the 1,500-acre Reese Farm located on the Coweta-Meriwether border that is owned by her dad, developer Tom Reese. She shares the farm with her stepmother, Marsha Reese, who operates a therapeutic riding program for handicapped children and abused women out of her red barn. (For more on Reese’s program to help others, see the next

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Despite the family ties to horses, neither Priscillaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband, Mark, nor her 13-year-old son, Tyler, rides. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the horse gene,â&#x20AC;? she jokes.

With her trainer Carpioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help, McCammon is expanding her breeding, showing and boarding operation. Currently McCammon has 10 horses of her own with another nine at Center Stage Arabians for training or as boarders.

Carpio, a Newnan High School graduate, has been working with horses since she was 8 years old. At 14, she took an after-school job at the internationally known Arabian farm in Coweta County, Chapel Farm Arabians, where her brother, Michael Carpio, was a trainer. (When Chapel Farm closed its barn doors and sold off its horses, Michael relocated to Texas to work with Michael Byatt Arabians.) Now Tara Carpio and Priscilla McCammon are aiming for the national championships in October 2008. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We love the horses and we want it to be fun,â&#x20AC;? says McCammon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too short. We just appreciate the privilege of being able to do this every day. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our passion and our joy.â&#x20AC;? NCM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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> COWETA COOKS

Susan Heindel and Audrey Wright

CINNAMON & SUGAR

Audie’s Holiday Gift of Love

By Janet Flanigan, Photos by Bob Fraley or many, those baking smells — particularly the smells of cinnamon and sugar — bring memories of Christmas, and happiness and love.

Audrey “Audie” Wright’s “recipes” are as much about creating loving holiday traditions for her children and grandchildren as the food itself. She’s become famous in Newnan for her Cinnamon Rolls 44

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since she and her daughter Susan Heindel often give them as Christmas gifts to lucky friends.

“When I’m making the rolls, the grandchildren always say ‘Audie’s baking again!’ They smell the spices and yeast and they get so excited! I don’t limit the cinnamon rolls to Christmas for them,” she said with a lovely smile.

A couple of people learned early

that Audrey was to be the magazine’s Christmas cook and exclaimed “Oh, those Cinnamon Rolls! I hope I can get the recipe!” Consider the recipe our Christmas gift to you.

“I’ve been ‘trying’ to teach Susan the recipe for years but she is so busy with her children it is just so hard for her to find the time! I know when my children were younger, I didn’t have the time either,” said Audrey.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m learning now!â&#x20AC;? said Susan with a laugh. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to believe she finds the time to make 80-90 pans of her soft, not-a-crumb-left cinnamon-yeast rolls. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We begin making them and freezing the rolls around Thanksgiving, and Susan and Hadleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youngest, Catherine, really enjoys helping,â&#x20AC;?

Audrey explained It stands to reason Audrey didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have time to bake when she was raising her own family; she was blazing trails in the world of nutrition as a registered dietitian. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I went to the University of Arkansas â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a Razorback â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and then received my Masters of Science from Auburn. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m now officially designated Retired Registered Dietitian.â&#x20AC;?

Her specialty was long-term care and consulting, but by far her favorite job was with the mentally and physically handicapped children in the Father Walter Memorial Child Care Center in Montgomery, Ala. She now serves on its Board of Directors.

Retirement doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean relaxation for this talented lady. A 1997 recipient of the Copher Award, the most prestigious award presented by the American Dietetic Association for outstanding service in the field, Audrey has since become a recognized nutritional author, having published six valuable guides to living well.

This talented grandmother of seven seems an exacting example of the Christmas spirit all year long: her generous gifts of cinnamon rolls made lovingly with her own hands; her keen knowledge so generously shared through her nutritional books written to help others have healthier lives; and her volunteer time spent helping the children of Father Walter. If we use â&#x20AC;&#x153;Audieâ&#x20AC;? as our personal â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rollâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; model, wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t 2008 look so much brighter?

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AUDIE’S FAMOUS YEAST ROLLS Audrey received her nickname from her eldest granddaughter, Margaret (21). This recipe was originally Lucy Dean’s recipe and Audrey changed it a bit and made it her own and the grandchildren named it “Audie’s Famous.”

Ingredients PART I: 2 packets active dry yeast 1 cup butter flavored shortening 2 eggs 6 heaping cups flour 2 teaspoons salt 2/3 cup sugar

Method PART I: Mix two packets of yeast into one cup of warm/hot water. Set aside.

Put one cup water into a quart measuring cup. Scoop the cup of shortening into the water and put in microwave and heat for one minute. Stir until shortening is melted completely. Put two eggs in a large mixing bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl, add the six cups of flour and sprinkle the

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salt on top. Set aside. Add the sugar and whisk together. Add softened yeast and whisk. Add shortening/water mixture and whisk. Add flour/salt mixture and whisk, then mix well with a spatula. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Ingredients PART II: Cooking spray 3/4 cup sugar and 3/4 cup best quality cinnamon, mixed well (or to taste, i.e., more or less sugar or cinnamon as desired) 1/2-1 stick of butter, as needed 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/8 cup skim milk (or more if necessary)

Method PART II: Spray five 8 x 8 cake pans with cooking spray. Mix cinnamon and sugar well. Put butter in microwave-safe dish, cover with a paper towel (to prevent splatters) and melt. Roll 1/5 of dough

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on floured surface in oblong shape to just under 1/4 inch thick. Coat dough with melted butter and sprinkle generously with cinnamon-sugar mixture.

Roll dough into jelly roll about 11-1/2 inches in diameter. Cut into 3/4-inch slices and put slices in pan. Place rolls in a 6 x 6 arrangement in the pan. Set aside for 2 hours before baking.

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Bake at 400 degrees for 13-16 minutes, but check because baking times vary and you don’t want them to become overbaked. When they are done, run a stick of butter over the browned tops.

While rolls are cooling, mix the powdered sugar with the vanilla and slowly add 1/8 cup skim milk. Add more milk as necessary to yield pouring consistency. Drizzle glaze on top of rolls and cool completely before storing.

Yield: 5 pans of rolls. May be frozen. NCM

BOOKS PUBLISHED

BY AUDREY WRIGHT The softcover books contain recipes, practical tips and nutritional information • Over 50 and Still Cooking • The Nutrition Game • Foods to Stay Vibrant, Young and Healthy – Guide for Midlife Women • How Should I Feed My Child?

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> LOCAL HERITAGE

By W. Winston Skinner, Photos courtesy of The Times-Herald

Since John and Abigail Adams moved in in 1800, the mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. has been a symbol of American power. The families who have lived there have fascinated us.

Coweta County has generally been far from the White House’s sphere, but several residents of the 48

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edifice have visited the county.

William Jennings Bryan, who made several unsuccessful attempts to win the presidency, was a guest at The Veranda, back when that Senoia landmark was the Hollberg Hotel.

Vice President Dan Quayle and his wife, Marilyn, made a trip to the Powers’ Crossroads Country Fair and

Arts Festival a few years back.

Mattie Holloway, a Cowetan who billed herself as the Crazy Lady, told a group of folks at a Franklin Highway yard sale who had missed seeing the Quayle motorcade, “Y’all will just have to look for some other kind of bird.”

Authentic birds of the White

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House feather have, however, made their way to Coweta. The first was Letty Tyler, who probably had few memories of the White House, but who was born there. At least two presidential couples visited Newnan while they were White House residents, and — not surprisingly — several members of Georgia’s Carter clan have made stops in Coweta.

The first president to visit Coweta never lived in the White House, though he was quite familiar with the landmark. Jefferson Davis had served several administrations in Washington before the Civil War came and he was chosen as the Confederacy’s president. If he didn’t make it to Coweta County during his CSA presidency, he got awfully close when he reviewed troops at Palmetto in 1864.

On April 30, 1886, he spoke to a group in Newnan from the back of a train along the tracks just east of downtown. A group of local women presented him with a floral tribute.

There also is a legend that Davis, his wife Varina and their daughter, Winnie, once were guests at the Virginia House Hotel. The building remains — as offices — today along Washington Street. The balcony where legend insists Jefferson Davis gave a speech is long gone.

When Warren and Florence Harding passed through in 1921, their visit was — like the verified Davis sojourn — from a train. In sharp contrast to today’s approach to such news, the presidential visit was covered by The Herald among flotsam and jetsam on a page entitled “Local Happenings Told In Short Paragraphs.”

“The President and Mrs. Harding appeared together on the rear platform of the car and received the greetings of the assembled throng most affably, shaking hands

Priscilla Cooper Tyler

Jefferson Davis

Pres.

Warren Harding

Florence Harding

Ellen Wilson

Franklin D. Roosevelt

President Harding, at left and below, speaks from the train station.

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cordially with all who could reach them,â&#x20AC;? the paper reported. Harding would later die in office, his immense popularity tarnished by revelations about personal and political shortcomings. First lady author Carl Sferazza Anthony called Florence Harding â&#x20AC;&#x153;first of the really modern first ladies.â&#x20AC;?

The next first lady to visit Newnan completely transformed the role. At least once, Eleanor Roosevelt stopped by Lee-King Drugstore to do some shopping before heading to the Rooseveltsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; retreat at Warm Springs. More often, FDR came without his busy spouse. Franklin Roosevelt often visited with rural farmers in Meriwether and the surrounding counties.

When FDR arrived in Newnan during a time of drought, special permission was given for the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s car to get washed at Warren Askewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s service station.

Rosalynn Carter, when she was Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first lady, took part in an early Coweta County Special Olympics. I have heard hints that Jimmy himself spoke to local civic clubs, but I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t run across actual articles from those visits.

In 2001, I did get to meet their son, Chip Carter, who came to Wesley Woods of Newnan-Coweta County to speak to the Friendship Force of West Georgia. At that time, Chip Carter, who had lived in the White House during his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s term, was international president of the Friendship Force. He talked about the need for international understanding â&#x20AC;&#x201D; speaking just a few months after the World Trade Center attacks.

Letitia â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lettyâ&#x20AC;? Tylerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to Newnan was more informal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and probably less pleasant. Her

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grandfather, John Tyler, was the first vice president to succeed on the death of his predecessor. Her grandmother was an invalid, so Letty’s mother, Priscilla, served as White House hostess. Letty’s father, Robert, was his father’s secretary. Letty was born in the White House in 1842.

Within two decades, America had undergone political and social upheaval. When the Confederate flag was raised over the new nation’s capital in Montgomery, Letty Tyler was given the honor of raising the banner. Her grandfather served in the provisional Confederate Congress and was elected to the Confederate House of Representatives but died before taking office. Robert Tyler worked for the Confederate Treasury.

In April 1865, Letty and two younger sisters were sent from Montgomery to Newnan for safety. It is not known how long the Tyler sisters remained in Newnan, though Letty and one sister remained after the third, Grace Tyler Scott, returned to Alabama. A letter from Priscilla Tyler to her sister-in-law, recorded in Elizabeth Tyler Coleman’s “Priscilla Cooper Tyler,” indicated Grace stayed only a week, being determined to see her husband and “came back from Newnan by herself in the cars – a journey of 24 hours.”

Voters will soon select a new president. That means that in the near future some new names could be added to the list of White House folk who have found their way to Coweta. NCM

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Meet a Newnan-Coweta Magazine

READER ...

Photo by Bob Fraley

TAYLOR

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Lying on the beach with my family and no phone!

Give three words that you think your boys would use to describe you.

Hmmm. I hope they would say I am caring, supportive and somewhat funny.

Would you prefer to attend a large party or an intimate dinner with friends?

Intimate dinner with friends.

Is there a favorite place where you like to go to relax?

Boca Grande, Fla. Do you have a hero?

Wow, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interesting. I guess I would say Robert E. Lee because I think he was put in a very difficult situation about which he may have had some mixed emotions, but he did what he had to do and still remained honorable to himself and his country.

We hear you are a pretty fearsome ALTA tennis player. What athletic talent would you most like to have?

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MORE ABOUT TAYLOR:

Taylor Josey is a partner in Josey, Young & Brady Realty. Josey is a graduate of Emory University with a Master’s Degree from Georgia State University. He is a Commercial Real Estate Specialist and a member of the Atlanta Board of Realtors Million Dollar Club.

Born and raised in Atlanta, he is married to wife Ann, who is director of CLICK (Certified Literate is Coweta’s Key) and Area Sales Representative for Clark Memorials. Taylor and Ann have two sons: T (15, a junior at the Darlington School in Rome, Ga. ) and Sam (13 and in the 8th grade at Evans Middle School).

JOSEY

I really wish I had played more golf when I was younger – I’d love to be better – I just “ain’t” that good!

Considering that you have two teenage sons, what is one solid piece of advice you can offer new parents?

Everyone says they grow up fast and you never really believe it or can picture it, but it is really true.

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Wow, another hard one! I guess Australia or New Zealand, but we love it here. NCM

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A love of Antiques ...

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This Place!®

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Welcome

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Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Village Brings Family and Friends

JOY

By Janet Flanigan, Photos by Bob Fraley

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F

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or some people, it’s the holiday “greening” of their church that gets them in the holiday spirit. For others, it may be watching a favorite television Christmas special, singing a carol or even watching a traditional television commercial that plays year after year. For the Oothoudt family of Newnan, they can’t officially declare it the holiday season until the annual trek is made to the closets, basement and attic to bring out the massive project that is their Christmas village.

Karen Oothoudt explains, “You’d probably think I was the one that

started this collection, but it was my husband who started the whole thing back in 1991. He saw the Santa’s House with the snow and thought buying it would be a great thing since we were originally from up north and we do miss our snow! But it has grown so much that the village is now so big we store everything all over the house in boxes and on two special flat carts.”

Husband Greg, who is from Minnesota, and Karen, who grew up in upstate New York, purchase their collectible Christmas villages from Department 56. The company makes many different collectible styles, including other holidays, as well as background

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scenery and the famous “Snowbabies” figurines. Karen and Greg may never have imagined that their original Santa house would become the behemoth holiday decorating project that it is 16 years later, but they contentedly say they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Our Christmas village is currently in the third incarnation since that original Santa’s house,” Karen said with a laugh. “We first just sat our scenes on a sofa table but as our collection grew, so did our need for space. All these years later 60

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the village is put together in four huge sections — you simply can’t imagine the underpinning and wiring.”

Greg has built the entire structure to accommodate the different vistas, houses, churches, villages, skating rinks, forests and other wintry things.

The display itself is mostly covered with Styrofoam and “snow,” but it is supported by wood and wire. Each piece is numbered for easy reconstruction, and it is repainted each year to keep it fresh as a Minnesota snowfall. When November arrives and it’s time to set up, the entire room has to be re-worked to accommodate the village. This includes moving the family china cabinet and piano out of the room, but this is a minimal price to pay for the pleasure the decorations bring.

“Our children, Hannah (20, at Georgia College & State at Milledgeville), Rachael (18, at UGA) and Adam (15, a sophomore at East Coweta) have each selected a section for themselves, and then we claimed our section, so that is why the village is divided into four individual pieces. Eventually when the kids go to form their separate families, they can begin their own villages,” Karen explains.

She works as Programs Director for the First United Methodist Church of Newnan, and Greg is a retired FAA Controller who now trains other controllers before they handle live airplane traffic.

“We love Newnan and have lived here for 16 years, but for some reason we only just got the idea to have an open house and share our Christmas village with friends a couple of years ago.”

“I guess things were just so hectic before that,” Karen says, “but our friends and neighbors really enjoyed seeing it and we love sharing it.” NCM

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Dreaming of a

Main Street Christmas

Holiday Open House Sunday, Nov. 11 Noon to 5:00 PM

Santa’s Arrival to Newnan Friday, Nov. 23 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Get an early start on your Christmas shopping! Look for refreshments, entertainment and in-store specials!

Come downtown to see Santa arrive to light the Christmas tree.

Children bring your wish lists.

Parents bring your cameras.

Christmas Parade with Santa Sunday, Dec. 2 3:00 PM

Festival of Lights Friday and Saturday Dec. 14-15

Enjoy the largest parade in the area. This year’s theme is “Christmas Through the Decades.”

Celebrate the season with a community-wide bake sale, caroling on the Square and a lights parade on Saturday at 8:00 PM.

“Main Street Street Squared” Squared” ALIVE ALIVE AFTER AFTER FIVE FIVE “Main Friday before before Market Market Day Day 5:00 5:00 PM PM -- 8:00 8:00 PM PM Friday

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2007 |

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By Elizabeth Richardson, Photos

by Bob Fraley and courtesy of Alicia Frese Photography

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T

here aren’t too many people who don’t enjoy the music of Christmas.

Perhaps Scrooge would have abandoned his miserly ways sooner if he had been serenaded by members of

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Cowetaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Centred on Masterworks Community Chorale.

While the group boasts four fabulous performances per year, they like to kick off the holiday season and initiate new chorus members by singing the Christmas

classics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The music of Christmas reminds people of the traditions their families had and brings them into that warm feeling you get when you think about the

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holidays,” said Masterworks Founder/Artistic Director Kathy Bizarth — who has also taught for 24 years and is currently the chorale director at Newnan High School.

Masterworks began five years ago when Centre for Performing and Visual Arts Director Don Nixon approached Bizarth about organizing a chorus as an outreach of the center.

About 40 people participated in Masterworks in the first year, and that number grew to nearly 60 in 2006.

Members are required to audition and be 18 or older.

As for participants — “we’ve got

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the full gamut,” Bizarth acknowledges. They’ve welcomed lawyers, doctors, teachers, retirees and anyone else willing to share their vocal talent with the community.

“The whole southern crescent area is welcome to come sing with us,” invites Bizarth.

The oldest member was 83, but the median age of participants is the late 30s or early 40s. They currently have a few members from Peachtree City.

“The quality of our performances has significantly grown each year — it has become an excellent ensemble,”

said Bizarth.

Bizarth decided early on that the chorale should be an opportunity for participants to not only perform, but also learn new things to polish their talent.

“We try to make our music be something that is interesting and familiar, but challenging enough that they will not just come and do what they already know,” said Bizarth. “We want to give them something to make their life and talent grow.”

Chorus members have admitted to Bizarth that this opportunity has allowed them to meet people they

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would have otherwise never known. It has become an opportunity for outreach and for fellowship — exactly what the holiday season is all about.

Auditions are held late May into early June, and members rehearse on Monday evenings until the first performance.

“Christmas with Masterworks” will be Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the center. The holiday concert will be a collection of traditional carols and narration.

David Kinrade, the minister of music at First United Methodist Church, will accompany the choir on the piano. The concert will also feature brass instruments and a harp.

“We kick off the Christmas season with this performance — we put this before the rush,” said Bizarth. “We would like this to be the way you and your family start the holiday.”

Whether participating in the community choir or enjoying the familiar favorites from the audience, Bizarth hopes the holiday spirit will be contagious and last well into the new year.

“Vocal music is such a selfexpression. People need a way to express themselves in a way nothing else can. People will sing things when

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Artistic Director Kathy Bizarth leads a rehearsal of the Masterworks Community Chorale.

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they won’t say them, and they’ll sing in a group when they won’t sing by themselves — this gives them an opportunity to give quality music to the community while fulfilling that need.”

Next year, the chorale hopes to present the Christmas performance with a professional orchestra and soloist.

They also hope to include a carol singalong with the audience.

Following “Christmas with Masterworks,” the community chorale will hold a benefit concert Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. The funds will provide a scholarship to a graduating senior planning to major in voice, music, performance, teaching or music theatre.

The third concert, March 16 at 2:30 at the center, will feature classic pieces. Masterworks’ last concert of the year is a “light concert,” according to Bizarth, at the center on May 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Community involvement is admittedly Masterworks’ main focus as a non-profit organization. They have sung at Christmas events in Newnan and Grantville. They assisted Kiwanis, one of their biggest supporters, at the annual Coweta County Fair in late September.

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Community Chorale was the only community chorale in Georgia chosen by audition in January 2006 to sing at the Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Savannah. The choir sang before thousands of people in the sanctuary of the historic Christ Church, the first church established in Georgia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want people to know who we are, but more importantly we want to give back to the community that gives to us,â&#x20AC;? said Bizarth.

Tickets to each of Masterworksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; performances can be purchased at the centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s box office or at Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bookstore in downtown Newnan.

To become a season ticket holder or patron, contact Herman Fletcher, Masterworks board member, at 770-251-1687. For more information, visit www.masterworkschoralecoweta.org.

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Holiday Traditions A Coweta Family Celebrates Unique Heritage

By LaTina Emerson, Photos by LaTina Emerson and Bob Fraley

merica is a melting pot of cultures, and the holiday season is a time many families embrace their history and celebrate the unique aspects of their heritage.

The Siraj family of Newnan joins others in celebrating blended traditions, and the holidays are

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especially festive for them. The Sirajes celebrate traditional American holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, but they also observe St. Nickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, a German tradition, and Eid, a Muslim holiday following Ramadan â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which is the focus of their holiday season.

Max Siraj is originally from

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Pakistan and has lived in America for 27 years. His wife, Carrie, hails from Waukesha, Wis., where she comes from a strong German heritage. The family has lived in Coweta for several years.

Max and Carrie have two teenage daughters, Sofia, 16, and Micaela, 13.

The Siraj family officially observes the Muslim faith, but the parents decided it was important to merge their cultures and beliefs.

The couple met 19 years ago in Dallas, Texas. They found they liked the same music and shared a love for dancing.

“We were respectful of each other’s backgrounds and religions and have always been able to work through it,” said Carrie. She said they “looked for similarities” to bridge the gap.

The Siraj family serves the traditional Thanksgiving feast — turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and all the fixings. Friends and family come over to enjoy the holiday.

Carrie was raised as a Christian and has celebrated Christmas her entire life.

Max has learned to incorporate the holiday into his own traditions.

“I personally enjoy the holiday. The kids have fun,” said Max. He decided it was important to observe Christmas so his children wouldn’t feel left out.

Though he celebrates the holiday for different reasons, he recognizes its delight. “I celebrate it for the joy that it

brings,” he said.

“We go all out for Christmas.

We have lights outside and four Christmas trees. We have decorations all throughout the house,” said Micaela.

Sofia enjoys both Christmas and Ramadan holiday traditions. “You get lots of presents,” she joked. “It’s really cool because we’re not missing out on what all Americans celebrate.”

St. Nick’s Day is celebrated on Dec. 5. Carrie has observed the German tradition since she was born. St. Nick is considered to be

Carrie and Max Siraj prepare to celebrate the holidays with daughters Sofia and Micaela.

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calendar, which is different each year. This year, the festival began Sept. 13. In observance of Ramadan, individuals of the Muslim faith fast for 30 days from sunrise to sunset.

According to Max, there are two Eid celebrations. “The Big Eid is more like the Christmas holiday over here,” said Max. The small Eid is celebrated immediately after fasting for Ramadan, and the Big Eid occurs two months later.

The holy period of fasting emphasizes “cleansing, sacrifice, and is a measure of one’s strength,” said Max. Even water is not allowed during the fast.

“It’s a complete sacrifice from the daily things that you enjoy,” he said.

Every Muslim, when they can afford it, celebrates Eid with great feasts, including dishes such as lamb and goat. “In a town, some would get together and have a big cow or buffalo,” said Max. “The big lesson to be

Santa Claus’ helper and was named after a real man.

“The children in Europe would put their shoes out, and St. Nick would come that night and bring sweets, fruit and small toys,” said Carrie. “It was part of their daily routine to leave their shoes on the steps.” If they were good, they received a treat. “If not, you got coal,” she said.

In the Siraj household, the family wakes up to find their stockings stuffed with treats. Stocking fillers include chocolate, pomegranates and other fruits, nuts, DVDs and CDs, jewelry and candy.

Eid is a celebration that follows Ramadan, a religious time of fasting and sacrifice. The holiday varies by the lunar

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learned is to see that there are people that are less fortunate than you,” he said.

Gifts are also given during Eid, though not as extravagant as Christmas gifts. The gifts are mostly for the children, such as clothes or candy.

“The adults appreciate getting together with friends and relatives, and celebrating the breaking of the fast and having a big meal. Everybody cooks all kinds of different food,” said Carrie.

The Siraj family feasts on dishes such as lamb, rice, and rote, a type of bread similar to pita bread that is fried with butter. Dishes also include vegetables such as eggplant, beef stew and many meat dishes. For dessert, they enjoy sweets such as candies and cheesecake.

The Sirajes have found it somewhat challenging to observe Ramadan in America. “In Muslim countries, the whole system shuts down,” said Max. “When no one eats, you don’t think of food. But here it is a challenge.”

“I’m fortunate to be over here, and I’ve enjoyed life and the rewards over here,” said Max. “In another country, you may work hard, but you’re not rewarded.

There’s a lot of opportunities here.” NCM

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Here are some traditional holiday dishes from the Siraj kitchen:

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ROASTED LEG OF LAMB 6-7 pound leg of lamb 4 cloves of garlic, sliced into 4 pieces each 2 medium onions, cut into wedges 1 tablespoon basil, crushed 1 tablespoon rosemary, crushed Salt Pepper Wash leg of lamb and with a small knife, pierce meat creating holes to embed slices of garlic and wedges of onion all over the lamb. Crush the dry basil and rosemary into the palm of your hands and rub all over the leg of lamb. Sprinkle salt and pepper over all. Cover and roast lamb in a 325-degree oven for 2-1/2 hours without opening. After that, check for doneness.

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PULAU 2 medium onions, chopped 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped 1/2 packet Indian Pakistani spices

Sautee onions until tender, add garlic, then sautĂŠ for 1 minute. Add the 1/2 spice packet and dry spices and sautee for 30 seconds only.

Add chicken pieces and water.

Cook on high until boiling.

Lower heat to simmer and

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cook for 30 minutes. Add drained rice and cook until all water is absorbed and the rice is fluffy.

pan until they are puffy and light brown on both sides.

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Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.

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MAGAZINE

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O ChristmasTree, O ChristmasTree

By LaTina Emerson, Photos by Jennifer Riggs and courtesy of Elaine Schramm

Ballerinas.

Golf balls.

Flamingos.

Who says that Christmas trees have to be boring?

Newnan resident Elaine Schramm is a pro at decorating Christmas trees, and she gives some tips for spicing up this Christmas tradition.

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For almost 16 years, Schramm has dazzled many Cowetans who desired something extra for their Christmas holidays. She specializes in themed Christmas trees, which can feature almost any subject imaginable.

“I absolutely love this time of year,” said Schramm. Each year, she decorates close to 50 Christmas trees.

Schramm comes to a person’s home and works with whatever she can find. “I never bring anything with me,” she said. “If I see something they have sitting around, I’ll use it. The possibilities are endless with what you can create.”

Schramm is also the Christmas tree decorator at Collectors’ Corner on Highway 54 in Sharpsburg. Each year, she decorates 27 trees for the store, and local residents flock to see her creations and buy the latest ornaments.

“I’ll never see what she (the store’s owner) has beforehand,” Schramm said. “It’s a surprise, and it’s like going into a candy store.”

Her creations have included a Red Hat Tree, Ballerina Tree, and Fish Tree, which was a huge hit.

Other creations include a Golf Tree; Sports Tree with all types of sports ornaments, paraphernalia and men’s ties with sports logos; Hunting Tree; and Mardi Gras Tree with brilliant purples, greens and yellows.

And of course Schramm’s masterpieces also include traditional trees with religious symbols such as angels and the nativity scene.

“You go for the unexpected. You have to try to do what people never thought to do,” she said.

“The basic trends have changed over the years,” said Schramm.

“Ribbons used to be hot stuff, but not anymore. It’s all flowers and vines and all kinds of florals. It makes for such a beautiful display.”

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“I believe that’s going to be the trend this year,” she said. “I don’t think I used ribbons except on two of the 27 trees that I’ve decorated.”

Schramm likes to take the trendy and make it look old-fashioned.

“Because to me Christmas is red, green, white, silver, gold and glitz,” she said.

One of her favorite trees was a Boyd’s Bear Tree decorated completely with stuffed animals. Boyd’s is a popular brand of teddy bears and stuffed animals, and Schramm completed that tree for someone’s home.

Schramm added her special touch to the tree and had the animals doing all types of activities — standing on their heads, stringing garland and climbing up ladders, to name a few.

Another customer collected snowmen and Schramm had the

figurines in action riding sleds, skating and doing all other typical snowmen activities. “It was one of the most fun trees that I’ve ever done,” said Schramm.

Schramm’s Fish Tree was also very entertaining. “She [the owner] gets foliage that looks like seaweed.

These fish are hilarious. Some have rollers in their hair and others are beauticians and tennis players. There are frogs sitting in lawn chairs or lying in hammocks,” said Schramm.

The tree also contains ultra-cool pink flamingos with bikinis and sun glasses, holding refreshing drinks in

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their hands.

Schramm got her start decorating Christmas trees 30 years ago. She moved to Coweta County 18 years ago and has not looked back with her decorating talents. The decorator began working with Collectors’ 78

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Corner the second week the store opened, which happened to be during the Christmas season.

Schramm attends Christmas tree shows each year to learn what’s hot for the season. For example, despite the color’s popularity, Schramm was

surprised to learn that lime green might not be an “in” color this year.

She gives some quick tips for the average Christmas tree owner.

“White [trees] is the hardest thing to decorate with,” said Schramm. “You can see right through

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them and you have to have things to cover up the wires.â&#x20AC;?

Christmas tree lights, also known as wires, are a tree decoratorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best friend.

Schramm suggests getting a pre-lit tree to save time.

The tree expert also emphasizes buying the right size ornaments for a treeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s size.

Small ornaments on a large tree will get lost among the branches, she said.

Schramm recommends placing the biggest ornaments at the top and bottom of the tree. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You want the focal point to be at the top of the tree,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Schramm decorates her trees from top to bottom and fills in holes with large ornaments. Also, it helps to divide the tree in fourths and tackle sections one at a time, she said.

Last year, Schramm was reassured that she had created Christmas magic with her decorations. A little boy admiring her trees told his mother, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Santa Claus has got to be in here somewhere.â&#x20AC;? NCM

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THE

Sweetest Gift

By Angela McRae and Deberah Williams, Photos by Bob Fraley

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing like a red and white Christmas Dessert Buffet to brighten up the table during holiday celebrations.

Here we share a few of our favorite sweets from our own holiday recipe files.

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RASPBERRY AND WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH WHIPPED BUTTERCREAM FROSTING CAKE 1/2 cup butter 1-1/2 cups sugar 3 extra-large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring 2 cups self-rising flour 1 cup whole buttermilk Raspberry jam Frosting (recipe follows) Topping and decorative garnish — 1 package raspberries, washed and drained 1 large bar of white chocolate, shaved Grease three 9-inch pans with cooking spray and line bottoms with waxed or parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter, sugar and eggs until fluffy. Add vanilla flavoring. Add half of the flour, half of the buttermilk and mix well. Add the remaining flour

and buttermilk and mix until the batter is smooth and creamy. Divide between pans and cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until firm. Cool thoroughly. Insert a knife all around the sides of each layer to make sure the cake can be easily removed from the pans.

FILLING Red raspberry jam (Raspberry preserves may be used, but they do have large seeds which may not be suitable for all tastes.)

FROSTING This recipe yields a generous portion of frosting with enough to use to pipe frosting around the top and bottom to create a decorative effect and enough to pipe around edges of layers to hold in the filling. If you prefer less frosting, halve or use 2/3 of the recipe.

3 sticks of butter, softened 2 boxes confectioner’s sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring 1/2 cup whipping cream

In mixer, cream butter. Add flavoring and confectioner’s sugar slowly.

Add whipping cream a little at a time until powdered sugar is saturated.

Mix on high until frosting is the consistency of whipped cream.

Assembly: Turn out the first cake layer onto cake plate and pipe frosting around the edge. Spread jam filling into the center to the edge of the piping.

Second layer: In pan, frost with thin layer of frosting. Invert onto first layer. Repeat process of piping icing around edge of cake, then filling center with raspberry jam.

Third layer: In pan, frost with thin layer of frosting and invert onto cake.

Finish by frosting entire cake. Pipe frosting along the top and bottom edges, if desired. Decorate with raspberries and shaved white chocolate. Keep cake refrigerated.

Remove cake from refrigerator 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

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TRADITIONAL TRIFLE

VELVET CREAM CUSTARD

(Fills a 16-cup trifle bowl) Teresa Dunn’s recipe as it appeared in The Newnan Times-Herald, Nov. 13, 1993 2 angel food cakes, purchased or homemade Red currant jelly, 2 (12-ounce) jars Crème De Cassis liqueur Velvet cream custard (recipe follows) Big red cherries, cut in half and welldrained Heavy whipping cream, 2 to 3 cups 2 tablespoons sugar Almond macaroons, optional

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Yolks of 12 extra-large eggs 1-1/3 cups sugar 1-1/2 cups half and half cream 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream 2 teaspoons vanilla extract In a large double boiler, over simmering water, stir the yolks, sugar, half and half, and whipping cream together well until thickened. Keep heat in the “simmering gently” stage, not a rolling boil. When the custard thickens and coats the back of a spoon, it is ready to be removed from the heat. Strain into a large bowl and stir in the vanilla.

Place in the refrigerator with a piece of waxed paper over the top and chill thoroughly. Overnight works best.

Split the two angel food cakes horizontally into four layers each.

Between each two layers spread currant jelly. Place the first two-layer “sandwich” in the bottom of the trifle bowl. Sprinkle cake with some Crème De Cassis. Next, top with a layer of the custard. Place a few cherry halves around the outside rim of the bowl, so that they show through the sides.

Add another layer of cake, and continue on in the same manner until

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CHRISTMAS WEDDING COOKIES 1 cup butter 1/3 cup sugar 2 teaspoons water 2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring 2 cups plain flour 1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped 36 maraschino cherries, drained Powdered sugar In mixer, combine butter and sugar until creamy. Add next 3 ingredients and mix until all ingredients are combined. Mix in nuts. Chill for at least three hours. Roll 1 teaspoon of chilled batter into a ball around a cherry.

Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool completely and roll in powdered sugar.

Reroll in powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

the fourth and final layer has been placed. Pour any extra custard in the center hole over crushed almond macaroons, if you are using them.

Reserve some crumbs of macaroons for the top.

Whip the cream with the sugar and pile high on top of trifle. Garnish with cherries. Place in the refrigerator at least overnight to meld the flavors together.

(Angelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: I always omit the Crème de Cassis and macaroons when making my trifle, but I wanted to share the recipe exactly as it was originally shared with readers.)

Web extras For the Chestnut Sauce recipe that originally accompanied this trifle, visit our web site at newnancowetamagazine.com.

CRANBERRY & WHITE CHOCOLATE BISCOTTTI 3 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 7/8 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda Dash salt 3/4 cup dried cranberries 1-2 cups white chocolate chips

inches wide and 12 inches long. Place logs 2 inches apart and bake for 50 minutes or until golden.

Cool for 5 minutes. Next, place log on a cutting board and, using a serrated knife, slice on the diagonal, about 1/2 inch thick. Place the slices flat on a baking sheet, lower oven temperature to 275 degrees, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes more, turning once for even baking.

Melt white chocolate chips in microwave, and glaze biscotti as desired.

Makes about 3-1/2 dozen pieces.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a small bowl, beat eggs, vanilla and almond extract with wire whisk. In mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cranberries. Add egg mixture and stir just until blended, about 1 minute.

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STAINED GLASS WINDOWS (OR SNOWFLAKES) Joan Chandler, secretary of the fine arts department at the then-West Georgia College, shared this recipe with me in the mid-eighties. It was tasty, easy and – if you could find those multicolored mini-marshmallows – colorful. One year I made these for the office Christmas luncheon but was dismayed that I hadn’t found any of the pastel mini-marshmallows. You can’t have stained glass windows that are white! I was bemoaning this fact when my very practical co-worker Carol Vaughn said I should just call them “Snowflakes.” So there you go: They’re Stained Glass Windows when you find the colorful marshmallows,

Web extras

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HOME TO WA E

CO

M! R

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The Commonwealth Snowflakes when you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. (But always delicious.) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Angela 1 stick margarine 1 (12-ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup pecans 1 bag multicolored mini-marshmallows Coconut Melt margarine and chocolate chips.

Let cool. Then stir in nuts and marshmallows. On two lengths of waxed paper, roll halves of the mixture in coconut. Make sure the rolls are very firm and compact, then twist ends of the waxed paper â&#x20AC;&#x153;logsâ&#x20AC;? really tight and refrigerate them for a few hours.

Once firm, cut into slices. Yields about 4 dozen slices.

Calumet Parkway, Newnan

Susie Walker

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Homes Starting in the $170â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s U Convenient to the Airport U Maintenance Free Exteriors and Landscaping Done For You U Community Features Clubhouse, Sidewalks, Swimming Pool, Hot Tub, and State of the Art Fitness Center

U Basement Models Available U Covered Porches Available Â&#x2021; ([W

THE HERITAGE SCHOOL

Inspired by some Christmas decorations we saw, we decided to make these cute little snowmen to spruce up our holiday food tables.

To download a pattern for yourself, visit our website at newnancowetamagazine.com.

Follow your own path. www.heritagehawks.org

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A REASON

FOR THE SEASON

By Janet Flanigan, Photos by Bob Fraley

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he people living in the Rockingwood and Featherstone subdivisions of Newnan choose to live there for many reasons, including wonderfully crafted homes with deep lots, fine neighbors who care about each other, an excellent school district, and a strong competitive streak when it comes to decorating for the Christmas season!

“When I was a little girl, we all used to adorn our doors and homes for Christmas and then we’d drive out and look at the lights,” said Newnan native and local interior decorator Minerva Winslow. “A few years ago, I noticed so many people stopped putting much effort into the fronts of their homes during the holidays — maybe they’d just hang a fake wreath up on the door and that would be it.”

Never one to sit idle, Minerva began talking up an outdoor home decorating contest among her friends, including her interior decorating business partner — and neighbor — Val Cranford.

“When we floated the idea in 2005 with some friends and

neighbors about the contest, everyone loved it,” Val said.

There’s actually nothing like a little old-fashioned competition to bring a neighborhood together.

Minerva used the neighborhood newsletter to outline the rules and categories, and soon people up and down the streets were stringing up

lights, garlands and oversize candycanes, not to mention every imaginable wreath, bell and decoration they could pull out of storage.

The contest was so much fun the neighbors repeated it in 2006.

Once again, folks went into their attics and maybe made a trip or two to Michaels and Stacy’s now that

they could see what kind of competition lay ahead.

Judges for 2006 were Jamie McPherson and Tra Raines of downtown Newnan’s Hearth and Home Interiors, Val Cranford and Minerva Winslow, and local attorney Nan Newman. Categories of competition were Most Traditional (using fresh greenery), Best Themed, Most Original, Children’s Choice, The Reason for the Season and Best Overall.

After a quick judges’ meeting to go over rules, the group set out in Minerva’s SUV to slowly cruise the neighborhood.

Had a patrolman been following the car, he might have thought they were casing the neighborhood; and in a way they were — casing for halls decked in “gold.”

Slowly they drove, up Lundy, down Winfield, over to Brookwood — suddenly someone would yell out — “Stop! Look at the way Ruth Drake has lit her house so

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perfectly, it’s so elegant!” A minute later someone would holler, “Oh my gosh, look at the Exners’ door with the Grinch! Don’t you know that children just love that?” On and on it went through every street in the subdivisions until every street was covered.

Nighttime is a particularly pretty time to view the decorations in Rockingwood and Featherstone because so many are spotlighted.

Judge Jamie McPherson, who spotted a moving Santa at the Doster residence on Brookwood Drive, quipped, “Animatronics are always a winner!”

After seeing so many great efforts, the judges had a difficult time deciding on the grand prize winners but ultimately cast their votes.

The biggest fans of the Rockingwood/Featherstone neighborhood Christmas decorating contest are, of course, the many children who live and visit there.

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The Grand Prize Winners were: Most Traditional – Dr. and Mrs. Cliff Cranford, Pickens Drive. (Val strenuously objected, voting for another home, but she was outvoted.) Their beautiful Frenchstyle home was tastefully hung with the perfect amount of real boughs of Noble and Frasier fir, natural wreaths and bright red bows hung on windows and doors. Pinpointed spotlight created such a welcoming feeling when you pulled up at the drive, you almost imagined a roaring fire and cup of hot chocolate awaiting you inside the door.

Best Theme – This award went to Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Neill of Winfield Drive for their giant Nutcrackers in their windows and pretty decorations fronting their house. The nutcrackers, which seem to be 2-1/2 to 3 feet tall, were so eye-catching from the street, you couldn’t help but wonder at their story and how they came to be in the Neill family.

Most Original – This award went to Mr. and Mrs. Hutch Murphey. Most imagine that the owners of Murphey Florist would decorate their home with traditional greenery, but their whimsical Santa on the chimney and front of the house gave everyone a chuckle. This refreshingly sweet decoration brought out childhood memories and a sense of fun.

Best Door – This difficult category had many contenders, but Pammy Murphey’s giant nutcracker next to her perfectly hung wreath and spotlighted door was a particular favorite.

Children’s Choice – The neighborhood kids always love Santa trying to go down the chimney, and the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Johnston

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!UTO s (OME s ,IFE on Winfield Drive with its robotic Santa was sure to please all.

Best Reason for the Season – For the second year in a row the judges were compelled to give Mr. and Mrs. Hershall Norred of Mansour Circle this honor for their lifesize imported Italian crèche. The crèche is so breathtaking that it made the judges literally speechless with its reverent beauty.

Finally, the Best Overall Award went to Mr. Tommy Sweet. The professional homebuilder knew how to perfectly accent the angles of his home with exquisite blue lights, knowing just how many were enough and not too many. It was a pleasure to behold.

“We really just want everyone to have fun with this, to learn how to decorate their homes a little more creatively, not be intimidated by decorating with fresh greenery, and to get out with their families and friends and enjoy the holiday lights in Newnan.

Aren’t the holidays about togetherness and special times?” Minerva asked with a glow – no spotlight required. NCM

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Name That Gift!

By Leigh Knight, Photos by Steve Hill

Can you name your all-time favorite Christmas gift? What if you had less than 30 seconds to answer?

We posed this question to Coweta residents on the square in downtown Newnan and were surprised how many could answer almost instantly. Some poignant, some practical, some downright funny, their answers shared a common thread — a strong connection between the givers and the gifts. This holiday season, we hope you treasure the gifts you receive, the gifts you give and those that you already have.

My favorite gift was a spa day at the Chateau Elan Resort given to me by my husband. — Colleen Alrutz Some video games! — Josh Wells

This past December, I finished my degree at Dallas Christian College. I went to college there but dropped out for personal reasons in 1985. In 2003, I started online classes and finished my degree in December 2006. The president of the school and I were actually classmates back in 1985. I also set a goal for myself to lose weight. I used to be over 500 pounds; now I weigh 289. I’ve gotten my life back through the grace of God and the encouragement of my wife and others. — David Booth

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Well, let me think …When I was little I got a toy train, and now I collect trains. That would be my greatest gift from childhood.

— Tom Redwine

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I guess it would have to be a dollhouse that I received from Santa Claus when I was a little girl. — Michal Taylor-Phillips

My Porsche … just kidding … My favorite gift is when my dad gave me some baseball equipment one year – gloves, bats, etc. It was not all that expensive, but it was still good. — Michael Dean

My basketball goal from Santa. — Isaac Ballard, age 3 The best gift that I ever received was my daughter who was born in December. She was the first baby. I had three boys after that! She’s a precious child. She just got married. — Angie Sherman That’s an easy one – a leather cover for the steering wheel on my car. Mine had gotten worn out, and last year one of my children gave me a new one. — Connie Flanagan

A framed picture of Herschel Walker running over Bill Bates at Tennessee in 1980. — Otis Jones NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

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THE BOOKSHELF

Thistle and Twigg

By Mary Saums St. Martin’s, $23.95 Reviewed by Holly Jones Lucy and Ethel. Thelma and Louise.

Laverne and Shirley.

Shaggy and Scooby?

Well, in her new home in Tullulah, Ala., Jane Thistle does see plenty of ghosts. And she and her new friend Phoebe Twigg solve a mystery. They also get themselves into some life-threatening scrapes and shoot a few guns, including a fiery orange one called “Smokahontas.”

One of the two main characters in Mary Saums’s Thistle and Twigg, Jane is 67 years old and originally from England, so maybe she’s more of a Miss Marple than a Lucy or a Louise. But she’s had her share of excitement. Jane’s late husband was a Colonel, and in her nomadic life she has missed the tranquility of the countryside. After the Colonel’s death, Jane moves to Tullulah in an old house near a nature reserve.

Phoebe was born and raised in Tullulah. A 65-year-old fireball with the red hair to prove it, Phoebe is also a widow. She knows everyone in town and their life stories — and doesn’t mind using them to get what she wants.

Jane’s new neighbor, Cal, is the town recluse, a man who shoots first and asks 94

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questions later. He doesn’t tolerate the government or trespassers. But to Jane he is friendly, even offering to sell her his family’s land.

There are conditions, though. Cal’s land isn’t a barren acre of dust. Not only has it been in his family for generations, it was once home to tribes of Indians.

Contractors have been after the land for years. But Cal is sick and doesn’t have any family; so to buy his land, Jane must swear to protect and preserve it, at all costs.

When Jane and Phoebe discover a dead body on Cal’s property, everything changes. Cal is missing, and Jane is the only person who believes in his innocence.

After Phoebe is convinced to help, the women decide to track down the real murderer, whether the police like it or not. They know they are closing in when a bomb is thrown through Phoebe’s window, destroying her kitchen.

In the middle of all of this, Jane has a strange guest leaving acorns and flower petals in her kitchen floor. She finds a mysterious letter in her bedroom wall, and teenage ghost hunters are convinced there’s a spirit convention in Jane’s house and backyard.

Move over Lucy and Ethel, Shaggy and Scooby — here come Thistle and Twigg.

Cataloochee

By Wayne Caldwell Random House, $24.95 Reviewed by Holly Jones “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 On the last page of Wayne Caldwell’s Cataloochee, a preacher is contemplating this text for his sermon.

He is standing over the new grave of a prominent and infamous citizen of

the Cataloochee community. His mind wanders over the seasons that have passed in this picturesque area in the North Carolina mountains, and how a new season is coming.

That is the story of Cataloochee, the survival of families through seasons, generations and decades.

In this amazing book there are births and deaths, crops and loss of crops, sickness, murder, barn-raisings and massive amounts of tears and laughter. The book centers around the Carter family — Levi, Hiram, Jake, Hannah, Levi Marion and Mattie — and their friends. Of course, with the Carter family’s size, when the generations grow and marry, friends become family.

As the story begins, though, an outsider has come to Cataloochee looking for land and a wife — in that order. Ezra Banks is a man who knows, and gets, what he wants. He left an abusive home at age 14 to fight in the Civil War. He passed through Cataloochee in his travels, and after making some money working and gambling, he decides to settle in the mountain country.

Ezra has more land, more money and a bigger house than most, but he also has a worse temper and a quick trigger finger.

Still, he marries into the Carter family, and for the most part they accept him. Or maybe their lives are just too full to worry about him, for a while anyway.

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This book does not follow one storyline as much as it tells how a community lives. Different branches of a family tree are followed through the pages and different perspectives given, but the story stays the same. It’s a story of family, of love and of land.

Caldwell’s Cataloochee spans six decades. Carters come and go, are born and die. Seasons change in their small heaven, but they wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Christmas With Southern Living 2007 Oxmoor House, $29.95 Reviewed by Angela McRae For many of us, our domestic instincts go into overdrive at Christmas, with decorating, crafting and baking projects galore. If you’re looking for some Christmas inspiration even before December has arrived, a good book to consult is Christmas with Southern Living 2007.

For many of us here in the South, Southern Living is a trusted brand, and their annual publications are some of the best in the business. This year’s Christmas volume offers tips on Decorating, Cooking and Baking, Entertaining and Giving. There is also a Holiday Planner at the end of the book in which aspiring domestic goddesses can plot out the holidays, from that first seasonal baking session to that last perfectly-wrapped gift.

Front doors and mantels are good places to begin, and the suggested color palettes range from restrained neutrals to bright, cheery Christmas reds. There are also tips to help keep your decorating budget in check, such as this one: “Go easy on your holiday flower budget by glorifying inexpensive blooms, such as carnations. Place a water-soaked florist foam sphere in a decorative container and insert carnation stems to completely cover all visible areas of the foam.

The moistened foam will keep the blooms fresh for several days.”

Whether or not you love decorating with a western theme, you’ll be amused by the “Cowboy Christmas” themed tree and the table whose “vases” are cowboy boots filled with stems of holly berries.

Are you a lover of all things peppermint? There’s also a clever section on decorating with this classic red and white combination.

If a softer palette is more your style,

you’ll enjoy the White Christmas decorating theme. Southern Living uses everyday ceramics in an array of white hues to hold evergreen plants, resulting in a subdued, sophisticated look.

For the children, you can create such projects as a “Countdown to Christmas” Advent tree decorated with numbered cookies.

Do you love giving gifts of edible treats? Here are recipes ranging from PecanChocolate Chip Cookie Brittle to Kitchen Sink Brownies and Baby Pound Cakes. Naturally, there are lovely gift presentation ideas as well. The recipe section also includes several menus for holiday meals, including a very helpful “game plan” list of tips for what to prepare and when.

For those who like to bring the Christmas spirit into their homes early, this

book will be a welcome addition to the holiday library. NCM

WEB EXTRA

Want to win Christmas With Southern Living 2007? Coweta County residents may register to win at www.newnancowetamagazine.com.

Online Book Club WEB EXTRA

You are invited to join Newnan-Coweta Magazine’s new online book discussion group, "The Book Nook" led by Liz Barnett.

The book for November will be Jan Karon’s “Home to Holly Springs.”

Start reading now and post your own thoughts about the book during the month of November at newnancowetamagazine.com.

Historic Downtown Newnan’s Premier Bookseller

SCOTT’S BOOK STORE Ser v i ng Ne wnan Since 1976

Visit us in historical downtown Newnan — We are your independent book store Special Orders Personal Service Book Clubs Welcome -ONDAY &RIDAY s 3ATURDAY

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770.253.2960

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With Thanks For Your Generous Support

May you and your family enjoy all the beauty and wonder of the holiday season.

Please know that our best wishes are with you at this special time of year.

MAGAZ I N E

A Times-Herald Publication

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS These are the people who make Newnan-Coweta Magazine possible.

Please let them know you appreciate their support!

Accessible Health Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Aesthetic Laser Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Alvin H. Clair, M.D./Dermatology . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 AMSI Metal Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Animal Medical Clinic of Newnan. . . . . . . . . . . 37 Applause Salon & Spa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Arangoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Ashley Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 A Taste of Lemon Restaurant & The Lemon Tree Shoppes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Baby Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Bank of Coweta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 BB&T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Benny's Bear Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Boscoe's Pools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Bradley's Antiques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Carriage House Country Antiques & Gifts . . . . 73 Center For Allergy & Asthma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Chin Chin Chinese Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 The Commonwealth/Susie Walker . . . . . . . . . . 85 Connie's Antiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Coweta Pool & Fireplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Crescent Veterinary Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Farm Bureau Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Fayette Ceramic Tile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 The Furniture House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Gotcha Covered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 GCO Outfitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Harris & Clark Grocery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Heritage Retirement Homes of Peachtree. . . . 79 The Heritage School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Hollberg's Fine Furniture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 It's A Small World Children's Dentistry . . . . . . . 7 John C. Meiller Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Kimble's Events by Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 The Lazy Daisy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Lee-King Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Legacy Too Furniture/Accessories . . . . . . . . . . 50

Lindsey's Realtors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Main Street Newnan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Morgan Jewelers/Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Newnan Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Nick's Pizzeria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Haven Aesthetics & Gynecology. . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Panoply/Flint Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Parks & Mottola Realtors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Patricia A. Recklett, DVM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Phillips Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Piedmont Newnan Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Piedmont Newnan Hospital Auxiliary . . . . . . . . 73 Protran Transmission Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 R.S. Mann Jewelers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Radiation Oncology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Rocky's Barber Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Roscoe Jenkins Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Scott's Book Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Sentry Restoration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Shell Investment Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Southern Brokers, Inc., Real Estate . . . . . . . . . 72 Southern Crescent Equine Services . . . . . . . . . 43 The Southern Federal Credit Union. . . . . . . . . . 25 Steven E. Fanning, Attorney-at-Law . . . . . . . . . 29 Stonebridge Early Learning Center . . . . . . . . . . 37 Superior Walls of Greater Atlanta. . . . . . . . . . . 43 The Times-Herald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Traditions in Tile & Stone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Uniglobe McIntosh Travel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 University of West Georgia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Vaillancourt's Pest Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Watts Furniture Galleries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Wedowee Marine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Wesley Woods of Newnan & Peachtree City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 West Georgia Hospice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 West Georgia Sleep Disorders Center . . . . . . . 77 1-800-Got Junk? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

January/February Advertising Deadlines Contract Ads: November 21, 2007, New Ads: November 30, 2007 Call 770.683.6397 for details and advertising information.

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10 things I’ve learned ... as a preacher in Newnan As told to Elizabeth Richardson

Rev. Willie Johnson has preached God’s word for the past 40 years. He has served as senior pastor at Zion Hill Baptist Church on Pinson Street in Newnan for 34 of those years. He and his wife, Ida, have been married for 46 years and have five children, three of whom are now deceased. Johnson knew at age 12 he wanted to serve the Lord, and he started preaching at 25.

(1) The first lesson I learned is that it’s not about me. I don’t care how I’ve studied and prepared, if the Holy Spirit doesn’t intervene, then to me it’s nothing. Then I’m just wasting people’s time, and mine too. (2) To be an effective minister that can serve God, one must be, without a doubt, born again with the spirit of the Lord.

You need to love the Lord with all your heart, live for the Lord, and go out and do labor for the Lord. (3) When I’m preaching or teaching God’s word and the Bible’s silent, I’ll be silent. My stuff people can debate, but they cannot debate God’s word. I stand firmly on it. (4) We’re going to have problems of all kinds, but this battle is not ours, it’s the Lord’s. I could have had many fights. It is better to just back off and pray about it, and it will come to pass. (5) I don’t believe in getting out in the streets protesting and fighting. I’m a fisherman. He didn’t call me here to fight, he called me to preach the Gospel. We can’t drive people into anything, we lead them — and we lead by loving them. (6) You can’t pray too much. More prayer, more power. If we did not pray, we would not be effective. (7) There’s nothing worthy of people’s time other than the word of God. I don’t need to come in here and talk about politics, I need to give them the word of God. If I don’t, then I’m not giving them anything. God blessed the Word. (8) After years of counseling, I’ve learned that many times people just need to vent. Have a good ear. I don’t profess to have the answer to every problem, but I will search to find the answer according to God. (9) To experience the power of God and the fullness of the Holy Spirit, attempt a great work for God. The Lord will provide if you attempt a project in His name. (10) You have to be patient and wait on God. He has a time schedule that is always on time and in time. NCM 98

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