Newnan-Coweta Magazine March/April 2009

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MAGAZINE

A Times-Herald Publication

The

WEDDING Issue

Growing beautiful orchids Painting “en plein air” March/April 2009 | $3.95

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Our nurses are known for their technical skills.

As well as their personal ones.

Our nurses, doctors and staff are truly exceptional. They have earned their reputation by combining years of expertise with empathy and care. The fact is, ever yone at Piedmont is committed to making hospital seem more like hospitality. Knowing all along that world-class healthcare is even better when it’s down to earth. It’s

To find a physician, visit piedmontnewnan.org.

60 Hospital Road U Newnan, GA 30263 U 770-253-1912 © 2009 Piedmont Healthcare

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TA

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F NEWN EO A

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The Fun is in the Flowers!

Thursday, April 16 5:00PM-8:3 0PM s nment and specialtie

MAGAZINE

Established 1995 A publication of The Times-Herald

Entertai ts from local restauran and caterers.

MA

President

Publisher

Vice President

William W. Thomasson

Sam Jones

Marianne C. Thomasson

RKET DA

YS April - December 1st Saturday 10-2

Editor Angela McRae Art Director

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Homegrown produce, handmade arts and crafts and homemade goodies!

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Friday, March 27 5:00PM-8:00PM

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For the most up-to-date information

Deberah Williams Contributing Writers Carolyn Barnard, Janet Flanigan, Holly Jones, Meredith Leigh Knight, Katherine McCall, Tina Neely, Elizabeth Richardson, W. Winston Skinner, Martha A. Woodham Illustrations Katherine McCall, Michal Taylor-Phillips Photography Sarah Fay Campbell, Bob Fraley, Jeffrey Leo, Tara Shellabarger Circulation Director

www.mainstreetnewnan.com

Naomi Jackson

770.253.8283

Sales and Marketing Director Colleen D. Mitchell Advertising Manager Lamar Truitt

ON OUR COVER

Advertising Consultants Doug Cantrell, Mandy Inman, Candy Johnson,

Orchids in a rainbow of colors grace the home of Pete and Gail Furniss of Newnan.

– Cover photo by Bob Fraley

Jeanette Kirby, RoseMary Reid, Christine Swentor Advertising Design Debby Dye, Graphics Manager Sandy Hiser, Jonathan Melville, Sonya Studt FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION, call 770.683.6397 or e-mail colleen@newnan.com.

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.

ON OUR WEBSITE www.newnancowetamagazine.com

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

Special Features Web extras you’ll find only online. Look for the computer icon throughout every issue to lead you to the special content at newnancowetamagazine.com.

Book giveaways Recipe Box Podcasts 4

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Blogs Links of local interest

MAGAZINE

© 2009 by The Newnan Times-Herald, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Member:

MAGS MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION OF THE SOUTHEAST

WINNER OF FOUR 2008 GAMMA AWARDS (for issues published in 2007) Gold Award for General Excellence, Gold Award for Best Single Issue, Gold Award for Best Profile, Bronze Award for Best Photography

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March/April 2009

contents Features 9 10

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LOVE STORIES CRUMPTON-HERBERT WEDDING Sharlie Crumpton and Jacob Herbert met at church youth group, so they chose their home church, Mills Chapel Baptist in Newnan, for their April 12, 2008 wedding.

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HILL-JENKINS WEDDING

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The historic ambiance of the Old Mill in Moreland served as the backdrop for the Oct. 11, 2008 wedding ceremony of Monica Hill and Derrick Jenkins.

18 MATHIS-WATSON WEDDING Courtney Mathis and Kyle Watson were the first to wed at their church, Orchard Hills Baptist in Newnan, with their March 1, 2008 wedding ceremony.

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WEST-WEST WEDDING The beautiful Ida Cason Callaway Chapel at Callaway Gardens was the setting for Steven and Susan West’s June 21, 2008 nuptials.

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Enjoy some tongue-in-cheek “advice for new grooms from an old wife.”

Department

WITH THIS RING

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AFTER THE HONEYMOON

Today’s brides are choosing rings that are both “traditional” and “traditional with a twist.”

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PHOTOGRAPHING COWETA

Wedding foods are a favorite for local caterer Teresa Carter, who shares two of her popular recipes suitable for weddings and receptions.

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WEDDINGS Now into his 30th year of photography in Newnan, longtime photographer Bob Shapiro says he’s worked more than 600 weddings over the years, but one thing remains constant: It’s “still about a bride and groom getting married.”

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IF YOUR WALLS COULD TALK Wall words are one of the latest trends in decorating, and we’ll show you how to use them on everything from your home’s walls to monogrammed gifts for the bride and groom.

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ORCHIDS GONE WILD

PAINTING “EN PLEIN AIR” Millie Gosch always knew she wanted to be an artist, and today she uses her horse farm and getaway retreat in Newnan as a place to enjoy the pleasures of painting en plein air.

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IT’S A CLOSE SHAVE Dick Borrelli of Newnan collects vintage shaving and barbering memorabilia.

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THE THOUGHTFUL GARDENER The beautiful, delicate Lily of the Valley is a plant that can bring life or death. Our Thoughtful Gardener shares the plant’s fascinating history.

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MEET A READER

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Meet Courtney Stillwell, Newnan High School Media Specialist and sponsor of the school’s new swim team.

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SADDLE UP Pleasure driving is a pastime that brings enjoyment – and rewards – to horse and carriage lovers Pat and Sally Cheatham.

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Pete and Gail Furniss travel the world over not only to enjoy orchids in their native climates but also to judge orchid competitions.

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COWETA COOKS

LOCAL HERITAGE Parties and celebrations have always been a part of the Newnan Reading Circle’s history. When the club turns 100 this fall, they will again celebrate with tea in a historic home.

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THE BABY FILES How does a new mom get rid of mummy tummy?

Why, she heads to the gym, of course!

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FAMILY FUN If you feel the need for speed, you and the family may want to check out Andretti’s Indoor Karting & Games in Roswell.

In every issue 8 76

EDITOR’S LETTER INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

80 82

THE BOOKSHELF LAST LOOK

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> FROM THE EDITOR

FLOWER POWER ne of the most fun parts of editing this magazine is helping decide what goes on the cover, and this time we had so many amazing orchid shots it was hard for us to choose just one. I didn’t personally visit the home of Pete and Gail Furniss, but I sure feel like I’ve been there after getting to read their story and see so many of the fabulous orchids they grow with the help of horticulturist Keren King.

– Photo courtesy of Steve Rydzewski

You might say we are just blooming with floral coverage this issue, from the various brides with their elegant bridal bouquets to the orchids to our Thoughtful Gardener’s column on Lily of the Valley.

It’s enough to make an armchair gardener run for the seed catalogs.

As we went to press the temperatures were turning chilly again, but I actually saw my first daffodil of the year before Valentine’s Day! And I say, if we aren’t going to get a decent snow day, let’s just go ahead and fast forward to Spring.

My sister is already talking about “lasagna gardening” at her home. (“Where does one go to buy lasagna seeds?” I wondered before learning this is actually a term for “layered” gardening.) And I am aiming for a small “tea garden” with some fresh herbs for cooking and using to make and flavor tea.

Spring is also a time when Coweta County is especially beautiful, and I’m eager to see our azaleas and wisteria dotting the landscape.

Did you know the Master Gardeners are getting ready to host their annual Garden Gate Tour on May 16? Four Cowetans will be sharing their gardens (including Pat Odom’s, at left). And plein air artists will be painting in each garden, which should make it a truly beautiful day. For more information on the tour, call 770-254-2620. For more about local plein air artists, see our feature on page 56.

Fondly,

Angela McRae, Editor angela@newnan.com

P.S. Aspiring writers, don’t forget to enter our Third Annual Newnan-Coweta Magazine Writing Contest!

Entries are due March 16, and contest guidelines are available at newnancowetamagazine.com.

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Four Coweta couples tell their stories of love, romance and new beginnings.

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Sharlie Meagan Crumpton

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Jacob Andrew Herbert WEDDING DAY April 12, 2008

Photos courtesy of Graceology Photography 10

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Sharlie Crumpton and Jacob Herbert with Pastor Jeff Smith

PARENTS The bride is the daughter of Ronnie Crumpton of Newnan and Sandra Crumpton of Newnan. The groom’s parents are the late Steven Herbert, Denise Fuller of Senoia and Russell Fuller of Senoia.

LOCATION Mills Chapel Baptist Church, Newnan

HOW THEY MET We met at church in the youth group when I was 14 and he was 16, and we also went to the same high school and worked together. We actually rode

together to his senior prom (my sophomore prom), but he had a girlfriend and I had a boyfriend at the time. We were really good friends before we ever decided to date.

THE PROPOSAL We had a cookout at Jacob’s house with all of our friends on April 28, 2007.

Jacob did not plan to propose on that night but he’d had the ring for a month and couldn’t wait any longer. Plus he knows how important all of our friends are to me, so he wanted to propose while everyone was there. It’s actually a funny story. I was patting out hamburgers, and he called everyone into

the living room. We told him to wait a minute because we were trying to prepare all the food. He called us a second time, and we finally all gathered in the living room and he got down on one knee and proposed. (Meanwhile, I still had hamburger meat all over my hands!)

PLANNING We got engaged on April 28, 2007 and planned the wedding for April 12, 2008.

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Clockwise from top: 1. Sharlie Crumpton Herbert is surrounded by bridesmaids Kelly Kennedy, Rachel Burnham, Kati Chilton, Jenafer Dorman, Jessica Roach and Taylor Windom. 2. Groom Jacob Andrew Herbert on his wedding day with parents Denise Fuller and Russell Fuller. 3. Sharlie Crumpton Herbert shares a wedding day moment with parents Ronnie Crumpton and Sandra Crumpton. 4. Bridesmaids share a laugh during the Crumpton-Herbert wedding. From left are Rachel Burnham, Kati Chilton and Jessica Roach. 5. Members of the Crumpton-Herbert wedding party included, at front, London Dorman and Zane Duke, and second row, David Dunning, Will Kelley, R.J. Crumpton, groom Jacob Herbert, Joey Justiss, Troy Foles and Adam Burnham.

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My family was still trying to clean up, rebuild and replace things from the tornado that happened January 7, 2007, so I didn’t want to be rushed in our wedding plans. I really didn’t begin planning the wedding until August of 2007. It was fun and unlike many grooms, Jacob did help with it a lot. He was very interested and was very involved in the planning. It was “our� wedding, not just “my� wedding. I really didn’t realize how much went in to planning a wedding!

I’m glad he was so helpful!

We had about 360 guests! I wanted to try to keep it around 100 guests, but the list kept growing and growing. We both have huge families! It was very nice to have everyone there.

THE RECEPTION

Our wedding was very formal. I wanted it that way because it’s fun getting all dressed up every once in a while. Our colors were latte and champagne. We all carried jade roses and white calla lilies. We turned off all of the lights in the church and had a ton of candles. The ceremony was entirely candlelit. We wanted it to be very romantic but relaxed.

We had a horrible time finding a reception site. We actually lost the reception site twice, but thank goodness for my wonderful wedding planner! She saved the day so many times. We finally booked the reception at Poplar Grove off of Poplar Road (a month before the wedding).

It is absolutely beautiful inside and they really will work with you and let you do just about anything you want.

Very accommodating! Our reception was gorgeous. We had mirrored tiles as the centerpieces on each table and put three tier candles on top of the mirrored tiles. Very simple but elegant also. We wanted it to feel very romantic and relaxed, and with all of the candlelight it was.

THE DRESS

THE HONEYMOON

I actually had one already picked out before I even went and tried some on. I found it in a magazine right after Jacob and I got engaged. So the day I went to try on wedding gowns, the consultant recommended that I try on several different gowns. I saved the one I had seen in the magazine for last, because I just knew I would love it on. Turns out I fell in love with the second dress I tried on and hated the one I originally picked out in the magazine! The minute I put the second dress on, I fell in love with it and knew it was the one. It is strapless with a heart shaped neckline with tiny pearl and rhinestone accents.

We went to Riviera Maya, Mexico.

We had a blast! We hope to go back for our fifth anniversary.

WEDDING STYLE/THEME

WEDDING SITE The ceremony was held at Mills Chapel Baptist Church. Jacob has been a member of Mills since he was in high school, and I have been a member at Mills since I was 6. The church has had many locations since I first became a member there, but we couldn’t have imagined having the ceremony anywhere else. Mills Chapel will always be home to us.

FAVORITE MEMORIES I really enjoyed everything about the planning. It was very stressful at times but totally worth it to see the final product. Our favorite thing about the wedding day was seeing everyone enjoy themselves. We worked really hard planning the wedding, and it was a great feeling seeing everyone at the reception dancing and having a good time.

ADVICE TO OTHER BRIDES It can be very stressful planning a wedding, but just allow yourself plenty of time and enjoy it. It can be a lot of fun! The most important thing is to make sure you are planning it the way you and your fiancĂŠ want it. Everyone is going to have an opinion, and while opinions and advice can be helpful, always make sure to plan what you like and not what other people want. After all, it is your special day. NCM

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Monica Lucretia Hill

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Derrick Jermane Jenkins WEDDING DAY October 11, 2008

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PARENTS The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Edward Hill of Moreland.

The groom is the son of Ms. Betty Jenkins of Newnan.

LOCATION Moreland Old Mill, Moreland

HOW THEY MET We initially met roaming the halls of East Coweta High School in August of 1994, and graduated together in May of 1998. We had not seen each other since 2000, but in January 2007, we reconnected via myspace.com.

THE PROPOSAL It was the weekend of Derrick’s birthday. We had just had dinner at a local restaurant in town. It was springtime and we decided to take a stroll through Ashley Park. We sat down in front of the water fountain (between Honeybaked Ham and the candy store) when he began to tell me how much he loved me and how much he enjoyed his birthday. I thought he was bending down to tie his shoe when he got down on one knee and told me how he did not want another birthday without me as his wife.

PLANNING Our wedding planning process was adventurous. I was greeted daily by my wedding planner. Each day there was a task of trying-to-stay-within-our-budget.

Staying within our budget was challenging and required us to do a lot of traveling, but in the end it was worth it.

Flower girls Sydney Gilbert and TaNiya Washington are all smiles at the HillJenkins wedding.

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At left, Monica Lucretia Hill gets a helping hand from Denise Abercrombie on the day of her wedding to Derrick Jermane Jenkins.

Father of the bride Willie Edward Hill and Minister Sara Brooks

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WEDDING STYLE/THEME Formal, but not traditional. Our wedding colors were coordinated to the fall season and they were burnt orange, mocha (chocolate brown) and ivory.

THE DRESS My wedding dress was a David’s Bridal Collection strapless ivory satin pick-up ballgown with a champagne colored cuff neckline and lace-up back with a sweep train.

WEDDING SITE Our wedding ceremony and reception were held at the Moreland Old Mill. The mill is located in the heart of Moreland. It is a museum that features Moreland’s history through World War II. The building has a very distinct look from hardwood floors and windows throughout the building. We incorporated the mill’s historical aged appearance by showcasing some of the collectibles.

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THE RECEPTION I loved that everyone was having a good time and the candy station. The candy station was a must-have for me.

THE HONEYMOON We decided to wait until this June to go on our honeymoon. We will take a five-day cruise to Cozumel, Mexico.

FAVORITE MEMORIES My favorite part of planning was going to my dress fitting. I had to go back three times before I could fit my dress perfectly, but on each occasion my mother, maid and matron of honor all attended. I can say those moments were very special to me. My favorite part of the wedding was finally walking down the aisle.

ADVICE TO OTHER BRIDES A wedding is important, but it is only for one day, but a marriage is a lifetime commitment. NCM

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Courtney Michelle Mathis

&

Anthony Kyle Watson WEDDING DAY March 1, 2008

Photos courtesy of Michael Thomas Mitchell

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Dr. Stacy Thomas performs the first wedding at Orchard Hills Baptist Church in Newnan.

The MathisWatson wedding party included, at front, kneeling, Cody Mathis; second row, Eve Ludy, Noah Ludy, Hannah Ludy; third row, Lisa Marie McDaniels, Jennifer Stiltner, Heather Barfield, Krystle Stone, Chelsie Mathis, Courtney and Kyle, Katie Wyman, Michelle Brinton, Waverly Parkerson, Desi Williams; and fourth Row, Sayers Wilson, Monte Ray Strickland, Tim Stiltner, Michael Parkerson, Blake Watson, Tony Watson, Kris Carey, Ray Grissett and Danny Barfield.

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THE PROPOSAL One night Kyle and I, his parents, his brother, and some friends went out to La Parrilla in Newnan for dinner. I had asked my parents, brother, sister and her boyfriend to join us but they said they didn’t know what their plans were.

When we got there, I spotted my parents at a table near ours but thought it was a coincidence. Little did I know all this had been planned. Our friend got the restaurant’s microphone and mentioned he had a friend who had to do something. Kyle walked up to the microphone and asked me to come up there as well. He said how much he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, and then he proposed in front of the entire restaurant. This was always our favorite restaurant, so it was very symbolic.

PLANNING

The bride enjoys a dance with her father, Mark Mathis.

PARENTS The bride is the daughter of Mark and Deborah Mathis of Sharpsburg. The groom is the son of Gail and Monte Strickland of Tyrone.

LOCATION Orchard Hills Baptist Church, Newnan

HOW THEY MET Kyle and I met through a group of friends. A friend of mine wanted to take a bunch of friends out one night, and he was one of the guys going and it has been history ever since.

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My wedding planning had to begin immediately once the date was set, because I had to plan around my college studies. The proposal happened in mid-September and the wedding date was March 1, which gave us roughly six months to plan. My mom and I got together and began picking out colors, the theme, save-the-dates, invitations and more. We made sure we got the “big” things out of the way first, because we were crunched on time.

Once we got the photographer, videographer, DJ, cake decorator, and caterer chosen, we could concentrate more on the fun stuff.

WEDDING STYLE/THEME Our wedding was a formal wedding at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. The colors were pink, black and white.

THE DRESS I really did not try on too many dresses before I found “The One.” I found my dress at David’s Bridal. It was a strapless satin A-line gown with silver beading on the bodice, skirt and chapel train. I found a short veil to wear and the beads matched perfectly.

WEDDING SITE The ceremony was at Orchard Hills Baptist Church where we attend. It was

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the first wedding held in the church. We had Dr. Stacy Thomas officiate because he is such a phenomenal pastor. It was very important to both of us that he be the one to unite us as one. We had about 200 people at the ceremony.

W AT T S F U R N I T U R E G A L L E R I E S

THE RECEPTION The reception was at Poplar Grove Event Center in Newnan. We had a table set up for gifts, signing the book, and picking up bubbles. The tables inside were decorated with white tablecloths and a white flower centerpiece with black and pink ribbon set atop mirrors. There was a menu at each chair and a favor box including chocolate heart candies wrapped in pink paper, monogrammed Hershey’s candies, a bookmark with a poem, and a scroll printed with a poem from my parents. My mom and I wanted the reception to be fun and wanted all our friends and family to celebrate with us. We have had so many compliments that our wedding reception was so much fun.

THE HONEYMOON We went on a cruise to Key West, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas on Carnival Cruise Lines. It was such a blast since neither of us had ever been on a cruise. We hope to go on another cruise again soon.

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wedding videotaped, because we still enjoy watching the day all over again. Looking back, I don’t know if I would change a thing except maybe have bought some disposable cameras for the tables or had a lot more friends take pictures just to get a big variety. NCM

FAVORITE MEMORIES My favorite part of planning was doing it with my mom. She is my best friend and I never could have done this without her. She did all of my bouquets, so we shopped a lot for flowers and other items. Picking out my cake was also enjoyable because I knew who I wanted to make it and what I wanted it to be. My favorite thing about my wedding day was seeing Kyle’s expression the first time he saw me. It was a once-in-a-lifetime expression. Also, I enjoyed all of the songs that were sung because our music ministry is absolutely phenomenal. Joe and Kim Stanley sang “It’s Your Love” while the mothers walked down the aisle, “From Here to Eternity” during the giving of rings, and “When God Made You” while we were lighting the unity candles. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the place. Kyle says his favorite part about the wedding day was seeing me and everyone walking down the aisle.

Special for Places

Weddings

ADVICE TO OTHER BRIDES Enjoy the planning and don’t stress about the small stuff. Planning a wedding is a lot of hard work, so have fun with it and at the reception.

Have friends take pictures and send you copies.

It was so much fun to see the different pictures when we got back from the honeymoon. We are still trying to organize a scrapbook. Have the 22

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Susan McCullough West

&

George Steven West WEDDING DAY June 21, 2008

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The Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel at Callaway Gardens

PARENTS The bride is the daughter of Larry and Linda McCullough of Newnan. The groom is the son of Martha Overby West and the late William Carter West, Sr.

LOCATION Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel, Callaway Gardens

HOW THEY MET I met Steven in September 1988 when we were both in a wedding for one of

my best friends, Melissa Watson West, who is now my sister-in-law, and Steven’s brother, Vinson West. We started dating in December and were married on August 25, 1990. In May of 1998 we got a divorce, but right away realized we did love each other and didn’t want to be apart. In the winter of 1999, Steven gave me a platinum marquise solitaire diamond ring. That same year Steven’s father had a hemorrhage on the brain and was hospitalized for four months. Once released, he required 24-hour care. Steven was already living with his parents, and

once all this happened he and his brothers and sisters helped their mother take care of their father for the next eight years. In July 2007, Steven’s father passed away, so soon afterwards we started making wedding plans. (I had someone tell me they were surprised that I waited 10 years to remarry Steven. He was the man I was supposed to be married to, so it was worth the wait.)

PLANNING Steven knew that when we got remarried, I always wanted to go back to MARCH/APRIL

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Hawaii and get married on the beach. (My sisters were not very happy that they would not be able to attend.) I had all the arrangements and details made for our wedding on June 21, 2008. We were to get married on a beach called Heaven’s Point in Honolulu, Hawaii. A month earlier, a family friend gave me buddy passes for us to fly stand-by on Delta. A week and a half before we were to leave for Hawaii, we found out there were no seats available for the next several weeks, so I had to cancel all of my plans.

Since I wanted to keep the same wedding date and with only a little over a week to plan a wedding, I knew I had to keep it simple. I called Steven’s brother Brad, who is the Senior Event Planner for Callaway Gardens, to inquire about their wedding chapel because I wanted a location that was small but pretty, just for our immediate family. “Pretty” was an understatement. Overlooking a lake, it was the most beautiful wedding chapel I had ever seen! It was perfect! Brad informed me the chapel was available for June 21 but would accommodate only 50 people seated.

Perfect! The McCullough and West family combined was about 47 people. So within about 24 hours all the details of our wedding at the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel were planned. (Yes, you really can plan a wedding on such short

2 1

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Clockwise from left, center: 1. Joshua Thompson and his uncle, groom Steven West 2. Brittany Thompson and Brooke Stephens with their aunt, bride Susan West 3. Susan West with parents Linda and Larry McCullough 4. Cindy Thompson, Susan West, Brittany Thompson, Brooke Stephens and Beth Stephens 5. Susan and Steven West with his mother, Martha West

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notice.) I had the wedding chapel and minister (Pastor Jeff Smith) confirmed before the end of the day. The only other details were going to the florist and talking to some family members about music for the ceremony and food for our sit-down dinner.

WEDDING MUSIC Our wedding music was provided by my sisters-inlaw, Melissa West and Rena Walker. Our nieces Brittany Thompson (from the McCullough family) and Whitney Walker (from the West family) sang during the wedding ceremony, which was very special to us.

Hawaii, I’m really glad now that didn’t work out. We were able instead to have a beautiful, relaxed wedding and dinner surrounded by our family and friends. I wouldn’t have changed a thing!

ADVICE TO OTHER BRIDES For me and Steven, our families are very important to us, so for me the best advice for first or second time brides is to just relax and enjoy your wedding day. Your family and friends have come to be a part of one of the most important days of your life and be a part of some wonderful memories. For me, that was priceless! NCM

THE DRESS My dress was a full-length white gown featuring a lace-covered bodice with a portrait neckline over an A-line skirt. For sentimental reasons, for two weeks I sewed sequins and pearls onto my dress that came from my first wedding dress.

THE RECEPTION After the wedding we came back to our church, Mills Chapel Baptist Church in Newnan, to have a seated dinner with all our family and friends. I had all the food catered and arranged with the help of Glenda Cash and Hetty Mapp, but would have it no other way but to make all the sweets myself. I chose not to have a wedding cake (most people were surprised, because I myself make wedding cakes), but instead I had sweets that I thought people would enjoy more (wedding cakes can be boring to me). At the request of Steven, I had his favorite Coconut Cake and we had Turtle Cheesecakes, Cherry Cheesecakes, Lemon Bars and Milk Chocolate Pecan Brownies.

THE HONEYMOON Since we did not make it to Hawaii for our wedding and honeymoon, our plans are to finally use those stand-by buddy passes on Delta in May.

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After the Honeymoon ADVICE FOR NEW GROOMS FROM AN OLD WIFE

By Meredith Leigh Knight | Illustrations by Michal Taylor-Phillips

If you don’t like something she cooks, just eat it anyway. Don’t ask if it’s a new recipe, don’t make a big production of scraping the burned part off, and, for heaven’s sake, don’t brag about it! She’s eating it, too, and knows it tastes bad.

Once my husband ate a casserole with raw chicken just so I wouldn’t get upset. Don’t go to this extreme. It has the opposite effect on women.

When I saw the raw chicken on my fork, I was horrified. My husband, who was half-finished with his meal, said, “Yeah, I was afraid to say anything.” To which I responded, “You mean you’d rather get SALMONELLA than tell me the chicken is raw!

Do you think I’m that crazy? Do you? DO YOU?” Then I ran to the bedroom in tears.

Later in your marriage, you might think one of your wife’s failed cooking stories is funny and decided to retell it in front of her friends from the Junior Service League. In which case, you will be eating raw chicken from now on, and she will no longer care if you catch Salmonella.

If your new bride is running late, don’t repeatedly tell her the time.

She knows she is late. And don’t go to the car and honk. This is not helpful, because then she will get angry and forget what she is looking for, which most of the time will be something that you need. Either ask what you can do or get out of the way.

And, if she asks, her dress looks beautiful, and please, try to be sincere when you say it.

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When you are both in a hurry, do not ever jump into the shower right before she does. It doesn’t matter if she uses all the hot water.

Trust me, jump in before she does and you’ll throw her off her game, and you’ll be late. And it will be your fault.

change it anyway. By the way, it’s mauve, not pink, and it’s a great bedroom color. And, yes, blue and brown go together now.

Always buy her a gift for your anniversary, even if she says she doesn’t want anything. If you agree not to exchange gifts, then buy her a card, a sweet one. Funny is okay as long as it’s funny-sweet.

Yeah, I know, it’s subtle. Do not get her an IOU unless you intend to let her cash it in the next day.

Otherwise, it’s a piece of paper.

When she is talking to you about her day, and you are tuning her out (and you will), make some kind of reply such as “Wow.” “Really?”

“How about that?” “How’d you find that out?” Say anything, but do not ignore her. If she has to ask midsentence, “Are you listening to me?” then you are ignoring her. And that means raw chicken tonight.

No matter how frustrated you get at her – and, yes, you will – do not whistle, sing or hum the lyrics, “Now, I’m praying for the end of time” from Meat Loaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.” Not only will this make her mad, it will make her want to laugh, which will make her furious.

Do not try to be an interior decorator. That is her job. I don’t care if you hate the color red. She will, too, in a year and want to

Do take her out to a nice restaurant now and then. That pricey appetizer and small steak will not only make her happy, it will probably allow you a few trips to Hooters in between.

Take the trash out. Do I really need to put this one on here?

Tell her “Good morning” even when you are grumpy, “Good night” even when you are tired, and “I love you” even when you don’t feel like it, and you’ve got the makings for a long and happy marriage.

Best wishes and God bless. NCM

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By Elizabeth Richardson

Photo courtesy of Graceology Photography

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Sharlie Herbert is happy that her husband, Jacob, insisted on picking out her wedding ring by himself.

Steven West proposed to his wife, Susan, in the winter of 1999 with a platinum marquise solitaire surrounded by round diamonds.

In modern times, when two people fall in love and decide to get married, tradition has it that the groom-to-be chooses an engagement ring, gets down on one knee and asks his girlfriend to become his wife.

Engagement rings date back to classical times when it was thought that the fourth finger on the left hand contained the “vena amoris,” or the “vein of love.”

De Beers standardized the diamond engagement ring in the middle of the 20th century by convincing the public that “A Diamond is Forever.”

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says that when it comes to engagement, “tradition is still real important.”

DuBose finds that couples are primarily purchasing 4-prong or 6prong diamond solitaires in either the round or princess cut.

Other popular styles include “diamonds around,” in which extra diamonds are set around the center diamond to give the visual illusion of a larger diamond – and a little extra sparkle. A more modern design approach, according to DuBose, is swirling, or bypassing, bands where rings twist on top of the finger to make a flowing design. The vintage look is quite popular and entails

gift is the diamond marriage symbol pendant, which consists of two intertwined diamond circles containing three diamonds representing the couple’s past, present and future.

Brides are also purchasing more personalized gifts, such as engraved money clips, cufflinks or photo frames, according to DuBose.

Tammy Northcutt, owner and jewelry designer of Artisan Jewelry Company in Sharpsburg, says almost everything she makes for couples is unique. Northcutt specializes in making custom-designed wedding rings.

“You bring in the picture of that

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Courtney Watson’s husband, Kyle, bought her a traditional round solitaire diamond engagement ring with two smaller solitaires and additional diamonds down the sides of the ring. elaborate engravings that look like pierced latticework.

“This is the look of a bygone era – the 1920s and before,” said DuBose.

Finally, for the person who wants something unusual, he noted brides can use a colored gemstone – such as an emerald, ruby or sapphire – instead of a diamond. Or, they can incorporate a color-treated diamond, the most popular colors being blue or yellow.

DuBose also finds that brides and grooms traditionally exchange a variety of wedding gifts. A popular

pricey ring, and we can design something more cost-efficient,” said Northcutt.

Northcutt is proud of the time she helped replicate a ring for a guy who brought in a shadow box containing his late mother’s ring.

“These are more sentimental – it’s something from the past, but it also gives a new bride something uniquely her own,” said Northcutt.

Customers can also bring in a family stone, or heirloom diamond, and Artisan will design a ring around it.

When designing a ring,

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customers first pick a diamond – most of which have a serial number engraved on it. Grooms can opt for an inscription on the diamond, too.

“This means your diamond is yours. If it’s ever stolen, you have a way of identifying it – and guys like that idea,” she said.

Jacob’s wedding band is more modern and is made of Tungsten.

The Herberts picked out their wedding bands together.

Steven West proposed to his wife, Susan, in the winter of 1999 with a platinum marquise solitaire surrounded by round diamonds.

“My engagement ring and wedding band are both very traditional, but with a modern twist.”

— Monica Jenkins

One trend that Northcutt has observed is couples buying a wedding set with an engagement ring and wedding band, and then purchasing an additional band. Many times the extra band is given as a wedding gift, and then the bands are worn on either side of the diamond.

Northcutt has noticed that when couples get married later in life, they often come in together to select wedding jewelry.

“They say ‘I’m older now, I’m more mature and I know what I want,’” according to Northcutt.

Sharlie Herbert is happy that her husband, Jacob, insisted on picking out her wedding ring by himself.

Herbert ended up with a white gold engagement ring with an emerald-cut center stone with round accents and baguettes.

“My engagement ring is beautiful,” said Herbert. “He did a wonderful job picking it out.”

Her wedding band is also white gold with three baguette accents.

Susan’s matching wedding band is platinum with five round diamonds.

Her husband’s band is gold with five diamonds.

Courtney Watson’s husband, Kyle, bought her a traditional round solitaire diamond engagement ring with two smaller solitaires and additional diamonds down the sides of the ring. Watson says her band is a simple white-gold band, and her husband got a band made of Tungsten.

“My engagement ring and wedding band are both very traditional, but with a modern twist,” said Monica Jenkins. Her husband, Derrick, chose a platinum bridal set for her. He selected a Titanium wedding band for himself because he wanted something simple but unique.

No matter what type of rings today’s brides and grooms select, all these couples would agree that true love is blissfully and undeniably timeless. NCM

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One of Bob Shapiroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s treasured cameras is this vintage piece once used

by Joe Norman, original owner of the photography business Shapiro purchased in 1980.

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Shapiro has almost 30 years of

PHOTOGRAPHING COWETA WEDDINGS

by W. Winston Skinner | Photos by Bob Fraley and courtesy of Bob Shapiro

B

ob Shapiro has been to a lot of weddings – at least 600, so far, by his own count.

Shapiro, who will celebrate his 61st birthday in April, came to Newnan in May 1973 to work as the photographer at The Times-Herald and has run his own photography studio since 1980. A split second decision sent Shapiro, who grew up in St. Petersburg, Fla., toward a career in photography. While he was serving in the U.S. Air Force, he was given the choice to become an air traffic controller or a photo interpreter. Had he taken the first choice, Shapiro said, he would almost certainly have been one of the air traffic controllers fired during the Reagan administration.

Stationed in Guam in 1968-69, he sometimes was part of a crew flying over Vietnam. His job was to score the effectiveness of bombing raids. Most of the time, he worked in a building that also had a photography lab. He began visiting the lab and talking with the photographers. “I thought it looked cool,” he said.

“I bought a Pentax camera which I still own,” he said. He honed his skills and got tips from the

experienced photographers. After his military service, he returned to the

Bob Shapiro of Newnan estimates he has photographed some 600 weddings over the years, including that of friends Alan and Denise Jackson back before Alan became a country music superstar.

University of Florida, then moved to Atlanta and got a job with Warren Bond Photography.

While working for the Riverdale studio, Shapiro ran into Billy and

Marianne Thomasson of The TimesHerald at Road Atlanta. “We got to talking, and Marianne said they were looking for a photographer,” Shapiro remembered. “I thought that might be interesting.”

Billy Thomasson and his father, James, interviewed Shapiro. “I think they were a little apprehensive because I had long hair,” he remembered, but he got the job. “It was the best job I ever had.”

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Joe Norman, who ran the downtown photography studio, had previously worked at the newspaper

and dropped by frequently. Shapiro did a few jobs for Norman before Norman “decided he wanted to be in the travel agency business,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro decided to buy the studio – walking up Jefferson Street to his own business on May 1, 1980.

Norman left negative files dating to

around 1950. Shapiro later found the negatives of Moreland humorist Lewis Grizzard’s first marriage to his high school sweetheart and a file for the marriage of U2 spy plane pilot Francis Gary Powers when he wed a local preacher’s sister.

When Shapiro bought the business, there also were some weddings already on the schedule. Shapiro, however, had never taken a portrait of someone in a studio before. He and his wife, Georgia, had been

married about two years. They would go to the studio on Sundays and she would pose for him, and Shapiro quickly figured out how to take studio portraits.

Shapiro took the pictures for Alan and Denise Jackson’s wedding, several years before Alan became a country music superstar. “Alan was a friend. They didn’t have any money.

As a wedding gift to Alan and Denise, I did their wedding,” he said.

Much has changed since 1980.

Instead of 100-150 proofs, most weddings now result in 400-500 – chosen from as many as 1,200 images. Weddings were the last part of Shapiro’s business that he did with film, but all of his work is now done

Bob Shapiro works at his computer in Newnan, above, and on site at a destination wedding, below.

with digital cameras.

The old equipment was cumbersome. “You had technical limitations that we don’t have as much now,” he said. “Technology has advanced to the point that the only limitations are what you can see.”

Shapiro has had his share of unusual experiences shooting weddings – including the bride who got to the church five minutes before service time. “We’ve had grooms 36

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faint during the ceremony. This was back in the day when churches werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as well air conditioned,â&#x20AC;? he said.

In the early days, Shapiro did a lot of weddings with simple receptions in small churches around the county. Sometimes he shot an early afternoon wedding out in the county and a larger wedding and reception in Newnan in the evening.

It was a challenge to make sure all his batteries got recharged for the evening event.

Most of his church weddings today are done in downtown Newnan. Many are not in church at all. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A majority of the weddings that I do now, the wedding is in a nontraditional place or the reception is,â&#x20AC;? he said. He has photographed weddings at Dunaway Gardens and at hotels.

Destination weddings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in Florida, in Savannah, on Amelia Island, even the Turks and Caicos â&#x20AC;&#x201C; were popular for awhile, but seem to be less frequent these days.

Shapiro reflected that traditions associated with weddings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; best men, bridesmaids, special clothing, family group photographs and a reception â&#x20AC;&#x201C; have not changed much. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outdoors or at the church,â&#x20AC;? he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the whole thing is still about a bride and groom getting married.â&#x20AC;? NCM

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Your Walls Could Talk

By Tina Neely | Photos by Bob Fraley

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? WHAT DO YOU LOVE? WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY? Is it your favorite Bible verse, your family, a favorite saying that your Grandmother used to tell you when you were little? Show your inspiration and tell your story by writing it out in words for everyone to see with one of the hottest new trends in do-ityourself home decor, vinyl wall words.

It’s quick, it’s easy and inexpensive, 38

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and it makes a beautiful impact.

These vinyl wall stickers are available everywhere now in any color, size, shape and font. In addition to local sources such as craft stores, home decor and even the bigger clothing chain stores, they can be found on many websites by searching for “vinyl wall words.”

They’ve also become one of the most popular items for “at home” party sales. And because I like to be very specific in my design, I like to find local sign/embroidery businesses that make the vinyl words. By dealing directly with the maker, you can have words made in the exact size, font and color of your choice.

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HOW DO YOU DO IT? It’s really simple and when you’re done looks just as pretty as if you had an artist handpaint the words.

First, plan where you want your art, because believe it or not these vinyl letters can turn your wall into a work of art. Put your baby’s name or monogram above the crib, your family name or the date you were married above the front door, or your company motto or logo in the office for everyone to see.

Next, decide what the words will

say. If you don’t know exactly what you want to say, there are numerous websites with samples categorized for home, love, baby, holiday, etc.

Finally, write down the specifics if you’re having a custom made verse (including color, font and size), and then order it.

People see my walls all the time and always want to know how I did it.

They can’t believe it when I tell them how easy it is to do.

Wall words can decorate the walls of a family home, at top and opposite, or even an office, like these wall words, above, at SouthCrest Church in Newnan.

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HOW TO MAKE YOUR WALLS TALK 1. Prepare your wall. Use a tape measure to determine the exact spot where your words will be placed.

Mark the spot by making a horizontal line, placing masking tape along the wall or using chalk or a pencil.

2. Prepare your words. Lay your quote out flat. Quotes come on a piece of transfer tape (which looks and feels kind of like masking tape) on one side and backing paper (thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually white and shiny) on the other side. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t peel off the back paper.

You need to rub the transfer side to make sure the letters adhered to the transfer tape.

3. Apply your words. Place the quote on the pre-measured surface and tape it to the wall. Be sure to put it where you marked and even double check it with a level. While the quote is taped to the wall, flip it up and carefully peel away the backing paper from the quote. Your letters and design should remain on the transfer tape. After the

backing is removed and your quote is â&#x20AC;&#x153;stuckâ&#x20AC;? to the wall with the transfer tape, rub the letters with the card/stick that comes with them to make sure all air bubbles and wrinkles are removed.

4. Remove the tape. Carefully peel back the transfer tape and, ta-da, your artwork is done!

See now, that wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hard at all.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to give your walls a handpainted look, which is a wonderful alternative to messy stencils. And whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neat about the letters is, they are easily removable when you decide itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for something new. Pull them off with tweezers or use your hair dryer to heat them up for easy removal.

Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re quick and easy, arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t permanent and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t damage the walls. So go ahead. Be inspired.

Shout it out, share what you love, and let your walls do the talking!

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Tina Neely and Robin Baker show some of the many items that can be personalized with monogramming and wall words.

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WALLWORDS FOR BRIDES

These cool vinyl letters and stickers are not just for walls! They can be used on most anything.

Check out all these neat wedding gift ideas that my favorite wall word friend, Robin Baker, and I made.

For wedding gifts, it’s a good idea to “get personal.” Brides and grooms are so excited about sharing their new name together, so along with the classic monogrammed towels and my new favorite, monogrammed shower curtains, have some letters made up to put on canister sets, apothecary jars, drinking glasses and pitchers. (Just make sure you hand wash them and don’t put them in the dishwasher or your letters will come off.)

Other ideas for personalized wedding gifts: A beautiful glass vase, a frame, or even “Just Married” on the back window of their car. You can take an inexpensive, plain item you purchased at a discount chain store or craft store and turn it into a beautiful, personalized and expensive looking gift in no time at all and without breaking the bank.

What newlyweds and gift recipients wouldn’t love that! NCM

Helping Georgia Building Mark Whitlock, CEO Central Educational Center relationships Coweta County Creating opportunities Inspiring success

“As a vital part of its role as our regional university, the University of West Georgia is creating opportunities through innovative partnerships with West Central Technical College and the Coweta County School System. We depend on UWG to produce top-flight professionals, especially educators, and our region’s growth means more and more teachers are vital to our success. Without UWG and its Newnan Center, our school system would have difficulty recruiting and continuously educating the teachers Your success is our story we need locally.”

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> COWETA COOKS

Newnan caterer Teresa Carter shares

RECIPES FOR WEDDINGS & RECEPTIONS

By Janet Flanigan | Photos by Bob Fraley

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hen you meet Teresa Carter, her love of catering and making people feel good comes through immediately.

Not one to leave anything to chance, Teresa has affixed a jaunty â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Caterâ&#x20AC;? car tag to her Mercury Mariner, proudly proclaiming her culinary heritage everywhere she goes.

The funny thing is, the owner of Southern Touch Catering came to the business in a happenstance way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I used to sell real estate and my husband Ken, who is in the food service business, used to help me out by catering my open houses. People would go crazy for the food, and people told us we should go into business for ourselves, and five years ago we did!â&#x20AC;?

Teresa admits she was not a culinary pro when she began but she knew what tasted good, what would work on a menu and what wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. Also, she says it helped having a husband who works in food service because he understands the dynamics of purchasing, when to use pre-made ingredients and when to use fresh, and other useful information. (She now uses a different food distributor, however, to avoid any conflict of interest.)

Teresa and her staff handle events from sit-down dinners to events with 250 or more and enjoy preparing the food for all events, but especially during this season of love, bridal events and tea parties are company favorites. Two menu choices that clients seem to gravitate toward time and again are the Mini Beef Wellingtons and the Salmon and Dill Cream Cheese Tarts. Teresa says her clients love these tasty recipes, and for folks who want to make them at home, the Wellingtons may be prepared ahead of time and frozen and then baked just when ready to serve.

The salmon can also be prepared a day ahead but must be piped into the prepared shells just before serving. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our favorite places (from a catererâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective) to hold local events are beautiful Poplar Grove and, believe it or not, the new Fairgrounds! The Fairgrounds have excellent kitchen facilities and staging areas as well. Lots of people forget about it but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great.â&#x20AC;?

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4EL s &AX 1111 Bullsboro Drive, Suite 12, Newnan, GA 30265 MARCH/APRIL

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MINI BEEF WELLINGTONS Makes 20 servings 1 package of puff pastry sheets 4 tablespoons butter, divided 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped fine (add more or less to taste) 1 small package Baby Bella mushrooms, diced very fine 2 small filet mignons 1/2 cup red cooking wine 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 large pinch rubbed sage (powdered sage that you then rub between your fingers to release the flavor) 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Flour Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring puff pastry to room temperature. In a heavy sauce pan, melt half the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook lightly without scorching. Raise heat and add the filets. SautĂŠ on each side for about 1-2 minutes. Remove meat from heat and set aside.

Add the remaining butter and olive oil and the mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms have reduced. Next add red wine, Worcestershire sauce, rubbed sage and black pepper. Cook over medium-high heat until most of the liquid is absorbed and sauce has thickened. While sauce is cooking, dice the meat into about 20 small pieces.

Place the meat back in the pan and warm.

Remove from heat and let cool.

Next, remove the puff pastry from package and lay each sheet on a piece of parchment paper dusted lightly with flour. Smooth the creases and cut sheets into 20 small squares.

Place a piece of meat and a spoon of sauce on each square, then wrap the pastry around the filling making sure to seal the edges.

Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper with the sealed edges facing down.

(At this point, you may freeze them uncovered for 2 hours and then place in an airtight container until ready to use and bake later.)

Finally, bake in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until pastry is a light, golden brown. Serve immediately.

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Teresa Carter prepares Mini Beef Wellingtons in her kitchen.

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Say hello to

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Shamrock Celebration ™

In a large food processor, pulse the cream cheese and salmon until smooth and fully incorporated. Add the whipping cream and pulse for 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until well blended.

Spoon mixture into a bag for piping. Pipe into the phyllo shells and serve immediately.

(Note: Do not pipe ahead of time.) Decorate with fresh dillweed sprigs and reserved salmon pieces. NCM

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Gone Wild in Georgia

By Janet Flanigan | Photos by Bob Fraley

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id you know that some 51 native species of orchids grow wild in Georgia? They are actually native to every state in the contiguous United States, according to orchid experts Pete and Gail Furniss, but they aren’t indigenous to Hawaii. Some of the more common varieties include Cranefly, Rattlesnake Plantains and Pink Ladyslipper, but there are many different species. Most people are familiar with the varieties sold in the groceries or floral stores, but there are anywhere from 17,000 to 35,000 species of orchids worldwide.

The Furnisses are lifelong horticulturalists, as hobbyists, and have such a love of orchids they have traveled the world over not just to enjoy orchids in their native environs but to judge orchid competitions.

“I didn’t get my first orchid until we were first married, when Pete and I were stationed in Key West with the Navy,” said Gail. Her former sisterin-law gave her the plant, and Gail says beautiful varieties grew everywhere down in the Keys. Once hooked on the gorgeous plants, the couple learned to grow them in every climate: in basements, under lights, on back porches, in kitchens.

“We like to bring orchids into our house as pieces of art,” Gail says.

“We are very fortunate because we have the most extraordinary young horticulturalist named Keren King who works for us. She’s really gotten our greenhouse and plants looking incredible.”

Orchids are so unusual because they grow in and on so many different mediums. Terrestrial orchids grow in the ground, while lithophytes can actually grow on a rock surface. Epiphytes establish themselves on trees and are usually found in more tropical locales. Unlike other plants like

Gail and Pete Furniss, at left, credit horticulturist Keren King with helping get their greenhouse and orchids looking “incredible.”

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Gail Furniss, opposite, examines one of the many orchids growing at her home in Newnan. She and husband Pete have traveled the world to see orchids in their native environs and also to judge orchid competitions.

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mistletoe or wild wisteria, which require a host, orchids are not parasitic to their host tree. Most orchids arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fragrant, but there are some that are powerfully perfumed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so much so that they will fill a room with sweet scent. Pete says the occasional species, like the Carrion Fly Orchid, has the unfortunate distinction of smelling like rotting animal flesh in order to attract its particular pollinator.

There are so many different varieties it is hard to say which is the most beautiful â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a most stunning. Tiny little blooms barely the size of a grain of sand rest on verdant leaves on one plant. Keren excitedly holds one species, which has bushy leaves like it has overgrown â&#x20AC;&#x153;bedhead.â&#x20AC;? Seemingly without flowers, it reveals tiny petals only when she gently pulls apart the plant and exclaims, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Here they are, like a tiny treasure hunt!â&#x20AC;? The miniscule blooms rest gently in the green leaves, revealing their magnificent sunglow yellow.

Other orchids proclaim their glory in bold bursts of color with a steady stream of prehistoric-shaped flowers flowing down stalks and stems as fragile-seeming as a silken thread. Pete notes that vanilla comes from an orchid. The flower bursts forth in bloom and is pollinated. As the bloom dies, it produces a pod from which seeds are extracted to make the tasty elixir, which is the second most expensive spice beside saffron. The Furnissesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; vanilla plant bloomed for the first time this past year and Gail jokes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because Keren sings to the plants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

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Horticulturist Keren King

also the fact that she rotates them perfectly and is taking such good care of all of them that they are doing so well,â&#x20AC;? she says.

The Furnisses have been members of the National Orchid Society and the Atlanta chapter since 1981. Both have served as judges, but Pete is more actively involved

and travels to judge international orchid competitions. When judging a particular plant, judges look for Form, Color, Substance/Texture, Number of Flowers and Arrangement (flower faces are all in the same direction on the stem).

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible to cross-breed plants to get better and better quality

specimens, but when you are just an average person who wants a beautiful flower to enjoy, these things donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter. If the flower gives you happiness, buy it if you can afford it or give it as a gift to someone special.

With proper care, it will continue to bring you happiness for many years to come.

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Caring for orchids Keren and Gail say many people are

and like humidity, if you want them to really

frightened of orchids because they think theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re

thrive, you may add extra humidity by adding

difficult to care for but this is not true.

pea gravel under the pot and pour a layer of

Most orchids are killed by overwatering. A thorough watering once a week is plenty. Take the plant out of its decorative container

water over the gravel. You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want the pot to sit in the water but on top of it.

You can also add humidity by putting some

(remaining in its plastic holder) and place it in

water in a spritz bottle and spraying the leaves

the sink, and run water gently over the dirt until

a couple of times a week.

the water runs out the bottom. Then drain it on a paper towel.

Interestingly, orchids cannot be planted in

For more information on orchids, visit the Atlanta Orchid Show, hosted by the Atlanta

potting soil; they must be grown in a medium

Orchid Society March 12-15. Visit

made specifically for them.

AtlantaOrchidSociety.org for more information.

Since most orchids live in a moist climate

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e arden r

The Th

htful G g u o

Lily of the Valley T

Story and artwork by Katherine McCall

he French novelist and playwright Honoré de Balzac in his Lilies of the Valley tells of his two lovers, one pure and “celestial” and the other completely immoral. The novel, published in 1836, details the tensions and choices resulting from these two relationships.

The charming flower for which this book is named also is full of contradictions and contrasts in its history and nature. Even the beginnings of the Lily of the Valley seem to arise from paradox. There are several legends in which the life of the lily springs from death. One tells of Mary at the foot of the cross, weeping for her beloved Son. As her tears splashed on the stained soil of Golgotha, the pure white,

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sweet bells of the Lily of the Valley bloomed. Another legend tells of the Lily of the Valley springing from the blood spilled in the magnificent battle between St. Leonard and the dragon Sin. St. Leonard was victorious, and today St. Leonardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forest in West Sussex, England is carpeted with this flower.

Perhaps the incongruity of the Lily of the Valley arises from the fact

that the plant itself can bring either life or death. Since medieval times it has been used for a variety of ailments, especially heart disorders. It contains a cardiac glycoside, called Convallarium, which has an action similar to digitalis on the heart, but if used without proper supervision the plant can cause death. Throughout history people have considered the liquid distilled from the plant

precious. Called Aqua Aurea or Golden Water, it was carefully stored in a gold or silver vessel. In the first chapter of Kidnapped, Robert Louis Stevenson ranks the importance of this golden water along with the Bible and money. His hero, Davie Balfour, has just become orphaned and is about to set out on his own into the world. He is met on the road out of town by the local

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minister who has three gifts for him.

Along with a Bible and some money Davie receives a third gift, “which is flat and square and written upon, will stand by you through life, like a good staff for the road, and a good pillow to your head in sickness.” The tremulous Davie finds the gift to be a recipe for Lily of the Valley water for “ill or well, and whether man or woman.” Even here we see the dichotomy of the plant.

A woodland plant and herbaceous perennial, Lily of the Valley began to be cultivated in the 16th century and spread throughout Europe and Asia. It is called by many names – Our Lady’s Tears, May Lily, Lily Constancy, Ladder to Heaven– and it’s proper name is Convallaria

(meaning valley) majalis (meaning May). Mrs. M. Grieve in A Modern Herbal, written in 1932, gives a delightful description of this diminutive plant: “At the back of the leaves, lightly enclosed at the base in the scaly sheath, is the flower-stalk, quite bare of leaves itself and bearing at its summit a number of buds, greenish when young, each on a very short stalk, which become of the purest white, and as they open turn downwards, the flowers hanging, like a pearl of fairy bells, each bell with the edges turned back with six small scallops.”

Seemingly delicate, the plant is a foil, because it is tough and can thrive under conditions of neglect.

Many times it has been reported

happily and picturesquely covering a hillside near a vacant, ramshackle homestead, a testimony to the lives lived there. The reason for this might be the specialized root of the lily called a rhizome. A rhizome is a sideways growing root that has “pips” from which new plants grow and allows the lily of the valley to produce large colonies of flowers. It also has strong stems making it an excellent cut flower. In France, it has become synonymous with May Day when it is sold on every street corner as a cut flower to place on your lapel or to give as a bouquet.

For Coweta gardens the best planting time for the pips is the fall.

These plants can really shine in the garden if placed in a thoughtfully

Lerily of the t Win Va ll ey e l k c u s y e n Ho Common name: Lily ntissima the Valley icera fraofgra BotanicalLon name: Convallaria

majalis Also called Our Lady ’s Tears, May Lily, Lily Constancy, Ladd er to Heaven Description: Large bright green leave s with a flower stalk with a raceme of arising from the cent tiny white bell-like flowers. er adorned

Blooms: White bloom s in

spring, followed

by vermilion berri es. t.

0 fee g up to 1Type : Herbaceous perennial blooms will es reachin ary. The ching branch ary or Febru slender ar u n h a J wit n i ub m o Shr s that blo Cultivation: Plant in ant blossom the fall in rich soil nsely fragr . that receives a good bit of mois s the inte mmingbirds ture and in a semi Highlight i -shady area. intering hu Place the pips abou rw e v o d n a t 4 to 5 inches apar s t, clumps about a foot attract bee apar . s t.

Prop agate by division. act bird r t t a The d Sout Livin n a hern g Gard s en Book recomme llow bloom nds using it “as a between camellias carpet berries fo and rhododendron Bright red ll plants. s, under deciduous trees or high mer, and fa sum bran , ching ing , not too dense ever green trees.” for spr Special notes: Lily e backdrop of the Valley is know Provides nic n for its sweet scen tainers, and pips e. hadbe can t and makes an exce bought in January to light s s sun llent cut flower. Does r e new to f force plant re p . s The arisin , l plant i g well from the “pips.” reproduces by an in conoom. bout so Rem underground stem irer embe considered toxic to r that Lily of the Valle Not fussy a an ent , or rhizome, with ntchild pets and y can become invas ren if ingested. and will sce ive and is le in bloom be cut whi can es nch Bra Notes: hols: Beverly Nic Trilogy by th Garden Pa endation: Down the Book recomm of Ro ed A Thatch y e l l n a Va A Village i

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The Tho

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WEB EXTRA: The Thoughtful Gardener Plant Index Go to newnancowetamagazine.com to download your next garden journal page, Lily of the Valley.

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For Coweta gardens the best planting time for the pips is the fall. These plants can really shine in the garden if placed in a thoughtfully considered spot.

considered spot. The Southern Living Garden Book recommends using it “as a carpet between camellias and rhododendrons, under deciduous trees or high branching, not too dense evergreen trees.” It does not do well in high traffic areas but would be attractive edging a path or in containers where the fragrance can be appreciated. Pips can be placed 4 to 5 inches apart and clumps with their centers about a foot apart.

They will thrive with the addition of amendments and moisture. There are several other varieties in addition to the white, one being rose colored.

When planning, remember Lily of the Valley can become invasive and is considered toxic to pets and children if ingested. In the language of flowers, Lily of the Valley symbolizes a “return to happiness,” a sentiment welcome in every garden despite the paradoxes of its nature. NCM

Come in today for a complimentary lunch and tour!

The Best Time To Talk With Your Parents About Their Future Is Today.

4alk with your parents about their plans for the future while they’re still healthy and able to make their own decisions. By starting early, you and your parents will have more options.

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Millie Gosch enjoys plein air painting at her horse farm in Newnan.

Newnan native Millie Gosch passionate about painting in nature

By Janet Flanigan | Photos by Bob Fraley

F

or landscape painter Millie Gosch, one of the many thrilling aspects of plein air painting, or painting outdoors, is capturing an exact moment in nature

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that will never again be replicated.

One of the artist’s favorite pieces, titled “Printemps” (French for “Spring”), is one she created of a redbud tree in bloom. She visited the

same tree at exactly 4:45 in the afternoon each day until she was finished. “The next year, I went back to visit the same tree and it had died in the drought,” Gosch says, “so I had

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Renoir advocated this new technique of using natural light and shadow. The main reason for the revolution in moving out-of-doors was that paint became available in tubes. The Europeans weren’t the only ones experimenting with painting outdoor landscapes. American Impressionists with the Old Lyme school – Guy Rose, Robert William Wood, Mary Denil Morgan, John Gamble and Arthur Hill Gilbert – had all discovered the delights of light.

Gosch says she always wanted to be an artist. “Mama and Daddy always made sure I could take art classes and explore my talents,” she says. “They were always very supportive.”

She received her degree in Art History from Salem College and a degree in Studio Painting from the Atlanta College of Art. When she graduated, landscape painting was out of vogue so she pursued a career in decorative arts. Her love of landscapes couldn’t be squelched, however, and eventually she followed her passion. Gosch jokes, “It takes me 45 minutes and 35 years to paint a painting.”

Gosch has traveled with fellow painters to artist colonies where they learn from each other’s styles and techniques. Her favorite places to paint are rural fields, lowlands, and the marshes and coastal areas of Georgia and Maine.

Quite a few years ago she packed up her kit to go to California to learn technique from master painters there.

caught that tree during its final bloom. Plein air painting is all about these moments.”

Gosch grew up in Newnan and now she and her family divide time between their primary residence in Atlanta and their horse farm getaway retreat here in Newnan.

In the late 19th century, the idea of coming out of the studio and into nature to paint was revolutionary. Impressionist masters Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro and Pierre-Auguste

“Old House” is Gosch’s painting of a house at the corner of Smokey Road and Lamar Potts Road.

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Millie Gosch, above, enjoys painting outdoors at her horse farm and getaway retreat in Newnan. Her paintings include, from left, CM Frames in Newnan, a spot she calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;Key West on the Farm,â&#x20AC;? and a scene in Buford.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think I was armed with three suitcases of equipment and an easel that had 150 screws in it, and I was so embarrassed when I got to the class,â&#x20AC;?

Gosch says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought I understood about painting, but en plein air is different. They were so nice to me and taught me how to set up correctly, and I enjoyed seeing their perspective.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;? was master painter Ray Roberts, and Gosch says she learned how to be quiet and let nature speak to her.

She also learned every painter develops his own outdoor working style, and it is vitally important to create a proper paint or field kit from which to work. The kit needs to be

light, durable, not too big, and easy to carry. Gosch sets up her kit exactly the same way every time, puts a roll of paper towels between her right arm and ribcage, and always wears the same hat to diffuse light from her eyes. She teaches this technique to her students (not the roll of towels under the arm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a personal thing), but

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not all students are necessarily able to follow the simplicity in form and function. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love watching people paint,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is really my joy, seeing different peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s styles. Everyone sees things differently, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also fun to see how people set their kits up and to try and help them get to a little easier place.â&#x20AC;? Gosch teaches that the basic

foundation of painting is with the primary colors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can get any color in nature out of the primary colors, and it makes painting a scene easier,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of my paintings were done with a primary palette.â&#x20AC;?

Because landscape painting has become such a passion, Gosch wants to share this idea of going outdoors and painting with others. About seven

years ago, she began a series of workshops bringing the basics of plein air painting to all levels of painters.

Gosch herself teaches but she also brings in renowned artists from around the United States, such as Ray Roberts of California. Roger Dale Brown of Nashville and Gene Costanza of Oregon taught a workshop at the Goschesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Newnan horse farm last November, and Costanza will return in April.

Even if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been painting all of your life, Gosch holds herself up as the ultimate example of someone learning and growing. In the coming months, should you spot increasing numbers of people painting from life around Coweta County, why not pick up a brush and canvas and join the movement? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be in good company.

To see more of Goschâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work, visit milliegosch.com. NCM

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Dick Borrelli collects barbering, shaving memorabilia

By Janet Flanigan | Photos by Bob Fraley

mall towns can be a fascinating hubbub of people, activities and hobbyists. For every 10 people you meet, you’re likely to find 10 different interests and collections. Retired Eastern Airlines Pilot Dick Borrelli gives credit for his hobby to a funny paint scheme and an offhand comment by his wife. These started a lifelong hobby collecting barbering memorabilia and, in particular, shaving cups.

“We were living in Fairburn about 35 years ago,” Dick recounts, “and my wife Jane painted our 60

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bedroom sky blue with a red and white striped accent. A friend commented the room looked like a barber pole.”

The Borrellis obviously have a sense of humor because Jane said, “Wouldn’t it be neat to get a real oldfashioned barber’s chair in here?”

They found one from a friend whose barber-father had recently retired and put it in the room. Then Jane said, “Wouldn’t it be neat to put up a real barber’s pole next to the chair?”

Borrelli found a pole in an antique store and lugged it around in the cockpit of his DC-9 for two days

before returning home and installed it in the bedroom.

And so it began. Suddenly Borrelli became interested in the lore and curios created by the barbering trade. “The popularity for shaving mugs lasted from around the time of the Civil War until the beginning of the first World War – when Gillette invented the safety razor and shaving cream became available in tubes,” he said.

Prior to the Civil War many men wore whiskers, but around 1860 fashion dictated a clean-shaven face was more appealing. Men went to

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Retired Eastern pilot Dick Borrelli shows some of his collection of shaving and barbering memorabilia.

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Dick Borrelli finds it hard to name a favorite from his collection of shaving mugs.

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barber shops for their hot shave, and each had a personalized mug for his shaving soap and brush. Each man’s favorite barber shop had shelves for displaying the mugs, which were used as business advertising, just as people today leave business cards in stores.

“I would say my mugs are a middle of the road collection,” Borrelli said. “I collect mugs I like and have culled out the poorer ones, but there are collections that are extremely valuable. Some mugs sell for $7,000, $9,000 or even in extremely rare cases, $40,000 apiece.”

“I used to have the whole room for my barber collection,” Borrelli jokes, “now Jane has me down to this one corner.” An old postal cabinet he bought at auction was refitted to perfectly house his mugs. Borrelli begins his tour at the bottom shelf and works his way up, gently lifting preferred choices, giving a quick history as if describing an old friend.

Mugs with floral patterns offer the least information about their previous owners and are generally less valuable but no less lovely. One set of three was owned by two brothers and a brother-in-law. Shaving mugs were popular presents and often have

inscriptions on the bottom, poignant reminders the mugs were actually used in days gone by and not just tchotchkes gathering dust.

Fraternal mugs are up a few shelves and in the hierarchy of collectability and were very popular.

These mugs proudly display the many orders such as Knights of Columbus, Freemasons and Order of the Eastern Star. Many mugs displayed multiple orders. The most valuable classification of mug is the occupational mug showing such occupations as pharmacist, bricklayer, blacksmith, cable car operator, farmer or doctor. Some mugs display both occupation and fraternal organization, but all styles of mug display the owner’s name and offer a fascinating window into day-to-day life a century ago.

One of Borrelli’s favorite mugs has the State Seal of Pennsylvania on it, and through research he knew only important citizens could have a mug with the seal on it. This mug belonged to the architect who designed Pennsylvania’s statehouse.

Another favorite, purchased on eBay, was advertised as an occupational mug depicting a stonecutter. As a Southerner, Borrelli recognized it was

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not a stonecutter but a mill wheel, and he “had to have it” and now says it may be his favorite. He did, however, say the word “favorite” a few times when showing off a couple of particularly interesting “old friends.”

Borrelli used to collect brushes and razors but has sold most of the related memorabilia. He’s kept two incredible finds he says are irreplaceable. One is a handmade, one-of-a-kind Civil War era cash register that was used in a barber shop. “It still has all the original

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This Civil War era cash register was once used in a barber shop, Dick Borrelli says.

working parts,” he said. “The proprietor would ring up the sale, and the customer would receive a token to take to their barber. At the end of the day, the owner could reconcile his receipts. It’s ingenious.”

The other beloved item is a very rare Civil War field barber’s chair. The chair still has the regimental markings painted on the back of the original canvas.

Borrelli even had an old mug remade into an occupational mug for him. It displays his name, the Eastern Airlines emblem and his pilot wings – he says it was a pride thing.

In another hundred years, maybe a collector will stumble upon this mug with his name and wings on it and they, too, will reflect upon this interesting man’s life in the 20th and 21st centuries! NCM

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Meet a Newnan-Coweta Magazine

READER ...

COURTNEY STILLWELL There’s no doubt that educators have a servant’s heart, and nowadays teachers are expected to carry an ever greater workload. Newnan High School Media Specialist Courtney Stillwell, Ed.S., NBCT, a divorced mother of three, didn’t hesitate when Newnan High School put out the request for a sponsor for a new swim team. She volunteered without hesitation, even though she was extremely busy taking her children Casey (15), Shelby (10) and Travis (8) to swim team at the Summit, softball and baseball.

“I transferred as an elementary teacher from Canongate to be a Media Specialist at Newnan after getting my Master’s in Media Technology. I thought swim team would be a great way to get involved in the school,” Courtney says. “Casey swam for Newnan this year, and our team has done very well 64

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being brand new. It’s very exciting because we have so many freshmen and sophomores, and lots of athletes realize they can use swimming to cross-train to get in shape for other events. I’ve seen so much excitement, I think we’ll have an even bigger team next year.”

To blow off a little steam built up on the job, this former Deltapassenger service “red coat” turned high school instructor loves to travel with friends and family and enjoys a girlfriend getaway each year. Stillwell mixes it up with people from different seasons of her life for these trips: college friends, Delta workmates and teacher buddies. The one thing they all have in common is their friendship with Courtney. Whether it’s organizing a swim team, her children, or a girlfriend trip, her relaxed attitude and fun spirit get the job done and make it a whole lot of fun for everyone involved!

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Do you ever watch â&#x20AC;&#x153;trash TVâ&#x20AC;?? If so, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your favorite show?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not really mindless, more edge-of-yourseat TV: â&#x20AC;&#x153;24â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;CSIâ&#x20AC;? are my shows.

If you could go back and talk to yourself as a junior in high school, what are three pieces of advice you would give yourself?

1. Try and get involved in school clubs, sports and activities.

2. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry about what other people are doing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; do what you think is right.

3. Enjoy yourself, especially with your friends.

If you won an all-expense paid trip for your family anywhere in the world, where would you choose?

Because I worked at Delta in Passenger Service, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been very lucky to have traveled all over the world and my kids still have travel privileges. In fact, I used to be able to call a friend up and say letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fly to (some city) for lunch or dinner and come home and we could, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to pick. But I think definitely Australia would be where I would take my family.

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Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your favorite thing about living in Newnan?

The lifestyle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; I used to like Newnan when it was a bit smaller. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why I like Newnan High School. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s older and it has tradition. I also love the Courthouse Square.

If you would like to contact Coach Stillwell about swim team information, send her an email at courtney.stillwell@cowetaschools.org.

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> SADDLE UP

Pat Cheatham of Newnan is vice president of the American Driving Society, which promotes pleasure driving and driving competitions.

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By Martha A. Woodham | Photos courtesy of Pat and Sally Cheatham

Love and marriage, love and marriage Go together like a horse and carriage can harness a horse faster than I can driving competitions. (Another hen Pat and Sally saddle one.” organization, the Carriage Cheatham became Sally’s old Quarter horse, Mingo, Association of America, focuses on engaged 13-1/2 years had never pulled a carriage when ago, he put the cart before preserving antique horse-drawn they harnessed her up that first time. vehicles). the horse: He gave her a buggy.

Most horses “Sally had would not have two horses at reacted so the time, and kindly to a she always strange wanted a contraption buggy,” says rattling along Pat. “Being a behind them, good fiancé, I but Mingo was started special, a oncelooking in-a-lifetime around for a horse who could buggy.” do everything Maybe from dressage to Pat was jumping to fox influenced by hunting. Sally the old Frank had the mare Sinatra for 29 years standard, but before she went that first cart Pat and Sally Cheatham practice their carriage driving skills. to horse heaven led to a barn at age 32. full of horses Like many competitive drivers, “When we first started, I couldn’t (four) and ponies (five) and carriages the Cheathams started out driving figure out where everything goes,” (12) as well as a life immersed in recreationally, but they gradually says Pat, describing how the couple driving. Today, Pat is vice president became enthralled with combined learned to decipher the mysteries of of the American Driving Society, which promotes pleasure driving and the many straps on a harness. “Now I driving, a sport that, like the threeMARCH/APRIL

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Pat Cheatham, at left, and wife Sally now have some 12 carriages for driving. Sally exercises four horses and ponies each day to get them fit and obedient.

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day event, tests the condition and versatility of the horse.

In the early 1970s, Prince Philip of Great Britain helped create combined driving when he gave up the fast and furious sport of polo for more sedate carriage driving. But he put his own spin on it, modeling combined driving after three-day eventing: Day 1 – Driven Dressage. This test consists of a prescribed sequence of movements to demonstrate obedience, impulsion and training.

Day 2 – Cross-Country Marathon. Drivers must complete each hazard in the shortest possible time without penalties, which

include dismounting from the carriage, going off course, knocking down a hazard and turning the carriage over.

Day 3 – Cones. This phase tests the accuracy and skill of the driver who has to drive at speed through narrowly spaced pairs of cones.

The winner is the team that accumulates the fewest penalty points. Horses and ponies compete separately.

As any horse owner can attest, horses are like babies, requiring a great deal of gear for shows – from feed and hay to tack to brushes and buckets. For driving, multiply that times two (or four for a four-inhand) plus carriages and harnesses.

Some of the Cheathams’ carriages even have two sets of different-sized wheels so they can be used with horses or ponies.

“If you need something,

someone will lend it to you,” says Pat, recounting how the couple borrowed a marathon cart from Coweta driver Tom Hilgenberg, an international champion, at their first competition. Hilgenberg planned to use the cart in another class, but unfortunately, the Cheathams crashed, smashing it. Tom simply borrowed a carriage from another driver.

With only about 100 recognized

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events annually, the community of drivers is a tightknit one. While there may be friendly rivalry, that camaraderie is what drew the Cheathams to the sport and keeps them enthusiastic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the people in the driving community who are absolutely delightful,â&#x20AC;? says Sally when asked what attracts them to such a time- and labor-intensive sport.

Of course, some people have other reasons for taking up driving. Many are former riders who have fallen off and hurt themselves, but still want to be involved with horses. Others are what Pat calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;pony recyclersâ&#x20AC;?: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Their kids have outgrown their ponies.â&#x20AC;?

While they like to win, the Cheathamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; goal is to have fun. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We essentially compete against ourselves,â&#x20AC;? says Sally. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we feel that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve improved since our last show, we feel successful.â&#x20AC;?

The coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 15-acre farm is surrounded by other farms, and they feel blessed to be surrounded by generous neighbors who allow them to train on their property. The Cheathamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; three dogs usually ride in the cart or follow alongside. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got miles of trails and roads,â&#x20AC;? says Sally.

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She exercises â&#x20AC;&#x201C; either driving or riding â&#x20AC;&#x201C; four horses and ponies a day to get them fit and obedient.

When rules allow at the competitions, the Cheathams act as each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s navigator, helping guide each other through the hazards, an apt metaphor for married life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It ought to be illegal for adults to have this much fun,â&#x20AC;? Sally says.

Coweta County will host a recognized competitive driving event, the Great Oaks Horse Driving Trials, on April 25-26 at the Hilgenbergsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Great Oaks Farm. Spectators are welcome. NCM

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> LOCAL HERITAGE

Gala celebration set for Reading Circle’s Centennial

by W. Winston Skinner

Gandy Glover’s home on Temple Avenue, recently used in shooting the film “Get Low” with Robert Duvall, Bill Murray and Sissy Spacek, will also be the site of the 100th anniversary celebration of the Newnan Reading Circle this fall.

At the group’s 75th anniversary celebration are Fran Deakin, Eleanor Hubbard, Rosalyn McKoy, Carrie May McElroy, Florence Grogan, Ruth Fitts, Pat Glover and Margaret Tyre.

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Celebrating the Reading Circle’s 70th anniversary are Evelyn Haugen, Pat Glover, Julia Bowen, Virginia St. John and Eleanor Blalock.

Mrs. K.O. Cole and Mrs. B.K. Deakin attended the Reading Circle’s 80th anniversary celebration at the Glover home in 1989.

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Newnan Reading Circle members as they appeared in 1934.

n December 1909, members of the newly formed Newnan Reading Circle met twice at the elegant Queen Anne style home of Mary Lou Cook Atkinson.

A century later, members of the unique organization will return to the same location – now the residence of my neighbor Gandy Glover – for a Christmas gathering that will conclude the Reading Circle’s list of centennial events. The massive white house at the corner of Temple Avenue and Kellogg Street has long been a Newnan landmark.

Gandy told me the house was built in 1893.

While the style has been dubbed Queen Anne, the queen at the time was Victoria, and the house’s furbelows proclaim that monarch’s era.

Theodore Ellis Atkinson, who was Newnan’s school superintendent, built the house, and his well-educated wife, Mary Lou, was one of the original Reading Circle members. Atkinson Elementary School was named in honor of T.E. Atkinson because of his commitment to education. T. E. Atkinson’s brother, William Yates Atkinson, was a prominent attorney and the first Newnanite to become governor of Georgia.

The Atkinson brothers actually came from a Meriwether County family. Their father had a plantation, Oakland, that was located in a rural

area near Gay and Alvaton.

Louise Cook Atkinson, daughter of T.E. and Mary Lou Atkinson, was – like her mother – a charter member of the Reading Circle. Louise Atkinson married Richard Eggleton Hardaway, who had come to Newnan when his father became the second pastor of Central Baptist Church.

Richard Hardaway was ordained at Central and pastored churches in Georgia and the Carolinas.

He died in 1973, the year Gandy acquired the property.

Gandy remembered the Hardaways from his boyhood. “Mrs. Hardaway was out front pulling up weeds all the time,” he remembered.

Occasionally, he or a friend would chase an errant baseball that had bounded into the yard.

The house “was in pretty good shape,” according to Gandy, when he bought it. “As far as the woodwork, it had never been painted. It had been in the same family all the time.”

The Reading Circle has been bringing together some of Newnan’s leading women for a century – to discuss intellectual topics past and present, to sample tasty dainties and to get to know each other better. Minutes from 1984 refer to Helen Brewster closing a meeting with “a spirit of warmth and friendship.” It is that spirit, as much as a desire to broaden their minds and

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Reading Circle celebrations weren’t limited to anniversary events. In the top photo above, at a picnic in 1993 are Betty Dyer, Fran Deakin, Vinnie Rosenzweig, Sue Jordan, Laelius Davis, Eleanor Blalock and Rosalyn McKoy. Center: Gathered in 2001 at Carol Harless’ studio are Liz Camp, June Rutledge, Rita Brown, Ellen Ehrenhard and Inez Glover. A 1991 “Picnic at the River,” above, was held at the home of Mrs. C.M. Barron.

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improve their community, that has fueled the Reading Circle members’ commitment to meet together.

This year is by no means the first time the Reading Circle has celebrated an anniversary. The 17th, 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th and 75th anniversaries were all observed with varying degrees of emphasis.

Often, one or more cakes were prepared, and pictures from past years were displayed. Printed programs were also put together for some of those events.

A history written for the 50th anniversary in 1959 began with these words: “The Reading Circle! In Newnan this name is synonymous with culture and congeniality – with sensitivity and serious study – with intellect and interest.” A reporter from The Atlanta Journal drove down from Atlanta to write a story about the 50th anniversary celebration.

A 75th Anniversary Tea was held Sept. 6, 1984. An album of photographs, some dating to 1923, was shared at that gathering. A focal point of the meeting was “Treasured People of the Past” with circle members sharing memories of past members.

The 75th soiree also included a review of some of the circle’s many intellectual interests – history, education, music, current affairs and technology. The minutes from the tea noted Rosalyn McKoy has prepared a presentation on “the South and Southern literature, which she astutely abbreviated because the meeting was getting quite long.”

The Reading Circle will inaugurate its centennial celebration with a gala set for Sept. 3. Plans have been made for a noted Southern author to speak, with Reading Circle members in 1909-style finery holding a tea afterward. Plans also

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call for a flower show, coordinated by the Driftwood Garden Club, and an exhibit of clothing styles from a century ago by the Newnan-Coweta Historical Society.

When the Newnan Hospital Auxiliary mounts its Candlelight Tour of Homes in December, I hear that homes of charter members of the Reading Circle will be featured. I bet the current Reading Circle ladies will get out their 1909 costumes once more to be docents on that always memorable tour.

Then the final event will be the Christmas party at Gandyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home. I am told â&#x20AC;&#x153;dainty refreshmentsâ&#x20AC;? harking back to the circleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s origins will be served. Dessert molds that belonged to charter member Lula Edna Williams Parks will be used.

Gandy may have to do a few things to get ready for the party, but when I asked him what he might need to do, he told me his mother, Inez Taylor Glover, a longtime Reading Circle member, would have the final say. With a laugh, Gandy told me he would do â&#x20AC;&#x153;whatever she tells me to do.â&#x20AC;? NCM

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> THE BABY FILES

Getting the mommy body back in shape

S

everal weeks ago, I decided to kickstart my new year’s resolution to get this mommy body back in shape. Lilly was born in late October, and after resting and recouping for November and December, I was ready to hit the ground running in January. My husband and I will be spending a little vacation time in Hawaii this summer, which is another motivating factor. No excuses for “mummy tummy” half a year later! By that point I’m quite certain all of the uterine swelling has gone down. So I have started working out … and what an experience that has been.

First let me say that I use the phrase “work out” very loosely. I am terribly weak and have a difficult time even picking up dumbbells off the ground, let alone in any sort of routine. I told my husband I

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By Carolyn Barnard

needed to join a gym so I could attend aerobics classes and promised I would actually go. (We have done this before – joined and paid for a year’s membership. I could easily count on my fingers the number of times I darkened that doorway.) Graciously, he let me get the membership and I started going to classes right away.

My experience at the first few classes was a joke, and I found myself remembering why I had stopped going to the gym. First of all, everyone in the gym intimidates me in some way or another. They are either too skinny, too muscular, too faked tan, or just too into the whole gym experience. You know these people. They have all the fitness gear complete with sweatbands, huge muscles, and run around like they own the place. They clearly don’t have a job because

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who can spend that much time working out if employed? And they love smoothies. With protein shots and other crazy things. But I digress.

As I stumbled into the gym carrying Lilly and all of her carseat heaviness, it was already obvious I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fit in. I looked like I had some kind of disorder as I was trying to cart her into the gym nursery. I was already regretting the decision to rejoin, but I was determined to make my class fantastic. So I ran in and grabbed my bench and one level of risers. Looking around, I noticed that just about everyone else in the class was using at least three risers (except the hardcore woman behind me who had five risers and did the whole class holding 10 pound dumbbells). I stuck out my chin and was not going to compare myself. Until I saw the 90pound class instructor with the perfect legs. Then the competition began. If the skinny girl with the eating disorder could do this, so could I. No, I hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exercised in a year (and even then it was just

fighting the urge to run out, accost the man at the front desk for a bottle of water, leave and never return.) Not soon enough, we take a five-second water break. Clearly the rest of my aerobic friends are all regular â&#x20AC;&#x153;gym peopleâ&#x20AC;? who bring their own water bottles. I am forced to run out of the room and find the water fountain. Nothing says â&#x20AC;&#x153;new gym personâ&#x20AC;? like drinking from the water fountain. But then my beetred face couldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve given me away, too. Or my quivering leg muscles.

Returning to class, I was sure it was almost over. So 45 minutes and 1,000 missed choreography steps later, my body was in a kind of panicked state and I realized I still had to pick up Lilly and somehow manage not to drop her car seat in the middle of the parking lot.

I grabbed a Starbucks on the way home and told my husband I was going to be taking this â&#x20AC;&#x153;diet and exerciseâ&#x20AC;? thing a little slower than Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d planned. NCM

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a brisk walk around the block), but I could do it.

What I clearly forgot was that not only does the aerobics class require a significant amount of energy and throw your heart rate well above what I think is normal and healthy, more embarrassingly it demands that you memorize some kind of choreographed moves. And I am the least coordinated person in Coweta County. So, I am fumbling around my bench trying to keep up with Perfect Legs, desperately trying to catch my breath and not pant as loudly and deeply as I need to for air to actually fill my lungs, while attempting to tear my gaze away from the wall-to-wall, floor-toceiling mirrors that surrounded me with images of my post-baby self. (At this point, I am strongly

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Advanced Aesthetics Plastic Surgery Center, P.C...............................40 An Affair to Remember ..............................23 Artisan Jewelry Company ........................33 Ashley Park ....................................................7

LaGrange/Troup County Bureau of Tourism ................................22 Lee-King and Lee-Goodrum Pharmacies............................................58 Legacy Too Furniture/

Bank of Coweta ..........................................84

Accessories/Antiques..........................73

BB&T ............................................................65

Main Street Newnan ....................................4

Beachview Club ..........................................17

McManus Family &

Jay S. Berger, M.D., P.C. ............................13

Cosmetic Dentistry ..............................69

Brian’s Paint and Body Shop ....................63

Morgan Jewelers/Downtown ..................20

Butts Mill Farm ............................................23

Newnan Academy Preschool & Child Care ..............................................75

Cardiovascular Consultants of Georgia, P.C. ......................................59

NG Turf ..........................................................49

Center For Allergy & Asthma ......................5

Parks & Mottola Realtors ..........................62

The Centre For Performing &

Phillips Dental ..............................................37

Visual Arts..............................................58

Piedmont Newnan Hospital ........................2 Plum Southern ............................................23

Chin Chin Newnan Chinese Restaurant..............................................43

Radiation Oncology Services ......................3

The Cotton Pickin’ Fair................................51

Regal Jewelers ............................................32

Coweta Pool & Fireplace ..............................51

Roscoe Jenkins Funeral Home ................73

Coweta-Fayette EMC ..................................83

R.S. Mann Jewelers....................................31

Crescent Veterinary Hospital ....................68

Scott's Book Store ......................................81

Crossroads Podiatry ..................................62

Simply Tasteful Cakes ................................37

Downtown Church of Christ ......................63

Southern Crescent Equine Services ........69

Edibile Arrangements ................................45

The Southern Federal Credit Union..........50

Farm Bureau Insurance ............................63

Towne Club at Peachtree City ..................50

Franklin Road Animal Clinic ......................49

Traditions in Tile & Stone ..........................55

Heritage Retirement Homes

Uniglobe McIntosh Travel..........................21

of Peachtree ..........................................65

University of West Georgia........................41

The Heritage School ..................................79

Victoria Belle Weddings ............................27

Hollberg's Fine Furniture............................17

Watts Furniture Galleries ..........................21

J&R Family Clothing....................................17

Wesley Woods ............................................55

Kimble’s Events By Design ........................23

Wedowee Marine........................................43

May/June 2009 Advertising Deadlines Published: May 1, 2009; Contract Ads: March 25, 2009; New Ads: April 3, 2009 Call 770.683.6397 for details and advertising information.

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FAMILY FUN >

Get it at Andretti’s Indoor Karting & Games in Roswell

By Meredith Leigh Knight | Photos courtesy of Andretti’s Indoor Karting and Games

“I don’t think Mama will let me do this,” my son Carson said to his father, unbeknownst to me, as they watched go-carts speeding around the indoor track at Andretti’s Indoor Karting and Games in Roswell, Ga. As I emerged from around the corner, my son said, “You won’t let me do this, will you, Mama?”

Not noticing the desperation in his eyes, I missed my cue and said, “Sure!”

Fortunately for my little Andretti, the age for junior racers starts at eight years old, a whole year away for him.

I’d like to say I suited up, donned a helmet and climbed into one of the 40 state-of-the art RIMO adult karts powered by Honda. I’d like to say that I tackled the

road course, navigating through daring hairpin turns, sweeping curves and thrillingly fast straightaways, reaching speeds of up to 38 mph. I’d like to say that.

But instead I said, “Let’s hit the snack bar!”

I guess he comes by it honestly.

We then filled up on American fare at Ethyl’s Diner, located inside the indoor entertainment center.

The entire complex is owned by racing champions Mario, Michael and John Andretti. In November of 2004, the famed family purchased what had been known as the Andretti Speed Lab in Roswell. They made over $1 million in renovations that extensively improved the entertainment facility and reopened as

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Racing fans of all ages will enjoy the activities, and the food, at Andretti Indoor Karting & Games in Roswell.

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games in March of 2005.

Mario Andretti is often referred to as the greatest race car driver of all time, having proven himself a winner at all levels of competition. Mario’s skilled and versatile driving has 78

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produced some of racing history’s most legendary accomplishments.

Michael Andretti is one of the first “second-generation” open wheel race car drivers. Michael Andretti is the oldest son of racing legend Mario Andretti. Formerly the CEO of

Andretti Green Racing, Michael was named Chairman in 2006. He is one of three owners of Andretti Green Racing located in Indianapolis, Ind. The word “versatile” fits second generation race car driver John Andretti very well; in fact, he almost

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Andretti Indoor Karting & Games 11000 Alpharetta Hwy., Roswell, GA 30076 770-992-5688 or visit www.andrettikarting.com

Prices vary. Adults must be 16 years old with a valid driver’s license – must be 18 years or older to sign a liability waiver. Junior racers must be 8 years old and 48” tall. All drivers must wear closed toe, closed heel shoes.

Andretti Racing Camp – June 1July 31, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $249/child per week, $89/child for daily drop-off.

Package includes daily instructional Superkart Racing, one Andretti Camp T-shirt, Rock Wall Climbing, Interactive Electronic Game Play, lunch.

Andretti Indoor Karting & Games offers several different Birthday Party Packages. Each party includes one hour in the birthday party room, tableware, decorations, a birthday cake, Kid’s Meal for each child, and a host to assist you. Prices vary.

redefines the word itself. A driver since the age of nine, Andretti has been behind the wheel of almost everything with four wheels underneath it, a few with two wheels, and a couple with treads and runners.

Starting in sanctioned go-kart racing, Andretti has made his mark in all forms of auto racing including USAC midgets, Indy Cars, NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and NASCAR. After our meal, my family and I ventured into the game room, which is filled with $2 million worth of advanced simulation and redemption video games and racing simulators. In other words, lots of noise, flashing lights and games that spit out tickets – a kid’s paradise.

I put $20 on a card (tokens are so passé) and let my son and daughter loose. The tandem competitive racing and NASCAR games are synched closely to simulate

a real race, without the smell of gasoline. Other games included Deal or No Deal and a trivial pursuit game, both with giant screens, air hockey, pool tables, and a 30-foot climbing wall. I have to admit, I enjoyed the garage shooting game. If you “hit” the right sensor with your toy gun, characters would pop up, much to the delight of my children, and mine, because it meant I actually hit something.

For adults, there’s the Adrenaline Sky bar, where guests can watch kart racing down below or their favorite sporting event on one of 20 satellitelinked televisions. Adrenaline’s offers snacks as well as a full bar, including wine from Mario Andretti’s winery in Napa Valley, Calif. And, of course, if you are brave enough, there’s the road course track for ages 16 and up.

Otherwise, Ethyl’s makes a great chicken salad. NCM

THE HERITAGE SCHOOL

Andretti’s is also available for business meetings and team building.

June 1 - July 31, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

$249 / Child for the week $89 / Child for daily drop-off

Follow your own path. www.heritagehawks.org

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THE BOOKSHELF

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

By Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows The Dial Press, $22 Reviewed by Holly Jones Dear Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, You should be commended for your humorously heartwarming novel, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. The title’s a tongue-twister, but the characters are truly delightful.

First is Juliet Ashton, a former columnist who wrote under the pseudonym Izzy Bickerstaff. Juliet’s columns were compiled for her first book, Izzy Bickerstaff Goes to War, and then published by Juliet’s friend, Sidney Stark of Stephens & Stark, Ltd. The next great character is Dawsey Adams, a pig farmer on the island of Guernsey. Dawsey has a book once owned by Juliet and written by Charles Lamb. Dawsey writes Juliet, hoping she’ll help him learn more about Mr. Lamb, so the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society can discuss the author.

Juliet is eager to help but even more wants to know what the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is.

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This, dear authors (and readers), is where the fun begins.

You see, the most fascinating aspect of this novel is that it is told entirely through correspondence. From Juliet’s first letter to Sidney on Jan. 8, 1946 to her last one, Sept. 17, 1946, readers share the lives of Juliet, Sidney, Dawsey, Kit, Elizabeth, Amelia, Eben, Isola and Eli. Not all of these characters are letter-writers, but all are crucial to the story.

After some letters between Juliet and Dawsey, Juliet decides the literary society is the perfect focus for her article on the importance of books in everyday life. This leads to a trip to Guernsey, and a realization that Juliet can’t stop with the article.

She needs to write a book about the island and its inhabitants.

Juliet learns about Guernsey’s German occupation during the war. She learns of Elizabeth’s arrest and imprisonment in a concentration camp. She learns what the people in the literary society mean to each other, and how much she’s missing in her life.

This book is really a love letter – a love letter from Juliet to the island, to its people, to the literary society, and to two people Juliet never expected to find.

So thank you, dear authors, for sharing Juliet and her letters. Thank you for taking us to a different time and place. And, though we may never eat one (or want to), thank you for sharing potato peel pies with us – or at least the friends who made them.

Sincerely, Your fan

Call Me Ted

By Ted Turner with Bill Burke Grand Central Publishing, $30 Reviewed by Holly Jones Most of his life, Robert Edward Turner III has wondered what people would say about him when he’s dead. Or, more precisely, what he wanted his tombstone to say. His first suggestion was “You Can’t Interview Me Here.” Then, he thought “Here Lies Ted Turner. He Never

Owned a Broadcast Network.” But now that he’s reached his 70th birthday, owned professional sporting teams, built a cable empire, created an international household name with CNN, bought huge chunks of land in the southwest, created a land preservation dynasty, started a restaurant chain, raised five children, and donated a billion (yes, billion) dollars to the United Nations – well, now Mr. Turner is “leaning toward ‘I Have Nothing More to Say.’” Hopefully, it will be a long while before anyone has to decide the inscription on Ted’s tombstone. And luckily, he did not have as much trouble naming his first book – an autobiography entitled

Call Me Ted, co-written by Bill Burke.

Ted’s story begins, according to him, with his first word – “pretty.” He describes his childhood spent in military schools, and his baby sister, who developed lupus and encephalitis at age 12 and died at 17. His father was a hard man who wanted his son to be disciplined, but at the same time to control him. Ted’s father committed suicide when Ted was 26.

Despite these beginnings, Call Me Ted is not a gloomy book. In fact, Ted’s enthusiasm for life and the gambles he’s

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made offer a live-life-to-the-fullest challenge. Any failures – like his three marriages – are written about in a very factual, this-is-what-happened manner.

The only time bitterness ever creeps into the story is when the AOL-Time Warner merger forces him out of his own company: “For the first time in my life, I’d been fired.”

The book is written by a person not afraid to make mistakes or laugh at himself. Insight is also provided by friends (or former friends) and family.

Each chapter contains at least one story told from someone else’s point of view.

Many are accounts of the first time the person met Ted. Jane Fonda has several stories, as does Ted’s son Teddy. Jimmy Carter and Bill Gates also contributed stories.

Basically, this book tells the story of a complicated, brilliant man who has led a complicated, brilliant life. And yet, he wants us all to “call him Ted.”

The Help

By Kathryn Stockett Putnam, $24.95 Reviewed by Angela McRae Many novels have been written about the relationship between blacks and whites in the South of the early 1960s, but rarely have they been written as beautifully and as wisely as Kathryn Stockett’s The Help.

This story doesn’t end up in the tank but you might say it starts out in one.

Jackson, Mississippi Junior League President Hilly Holbrook is on a tear to make sure households don’t share toilets with “the help.” Her “Home Help Sanitation Initiative” will insure every domestic-employing home has a separate bathroom for blacks.

Holbrook’s mission sets her against old friend Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan, a wayward member of the League who is a recent college graduate with too much time and Mama on her hands. Skeeter refuses to write about Hilly’s “initiative” in the League newsletter, which Skeeter edits. Battle lines are drawn.

Troubled by the treatment of the maids around her, aspiring author Skeeter tells a New York editor she wants to write a book told from the viewpoint of the black women themselves. The editor is intrigued, and Skeeter begins to secretly enlist some local maids.

Aibileen, the maid of one of Skeeter’s close friends, becomes a confidante and

recruits other maids. Aibileen’s friend Minny, a self-described sassy-mouth who can’t keep a job, agrees to help but is uneasy working alongside a white woman.

The Help is told through the voices of Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny, which makes this book a pure joy to read. Aibileen serves as the moral center, and we love her

best. Alone now that her only son was killed in a workplace accident, Aibileen works for a white family with a toddler she calls Baby Girl. The daughter isn’t very pretty and doesn’t fit into the mother’s vision of a perfect life, so Aibileen becomes the girl’s cheerleader, telling her she’s smart, she’s bright, she’s kind.

(Aibileen also sneaks in some Civil Rights education on the side, such as when she plays on Baby Girl’s love for My Favorite Martian by telling her the story of that great man “Martian Luther King.”)

When approached about writing a book, Aibileen has no trouble helping Skeeter write it because she’s been writing out her prayers to God for years.

Blessedly, Stockett’s characters are complex and not just one-dimensional.

The self-important League president is a good mother who truly loves her children. The “sassy” Minny tolerates beatings at home.

When the book Help by “Anonymous” hits Jackson’s bookstores, local readers find that the fictional “Niceville” sounds a lot like Jackson, Miss. And Stockett’s readers will be every bit as eager as Skeeter’s to find out how well Jackson reacts to hearing the truth from “the help.” NCM

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Enter the Third Annual Newnan-Coweta Magazine Writing Contest If you’ve got a story to tell, you’ll want to enter our Third Annual Writing Contest. The rules are simple: • Be a Coweta County resident.

• Include a Coweta County person, place or thing in your writing.

• Your entry may be fiction or non-fiction, but it can’t exceed 800 words. (No poetry.)

On the first page, please list your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and title of entry. On the following pages, please include only the name of the entry.

• There is no age requirement, but all writing entries will be judged together. Employees

and freelancers of The Times-Herald or Newnan-Coweta Magazine are not eligible.

• Mail us a printed copy of your entry postmarked no later than March 16, 2009.

Please keep a copy for yourself, as entries won’t be returned. Mail entries to NewnanCoweta Magazine Writing Contest, P.O. Box 1052, Newnan, GA 30264.

• A panel of judges will decide the winners.

First place wins $100 and publication in the May/June issue of the magazine. Second place wins $50 and publication on the magazine’s Web site. Third place wins $25 and publication on the Web site.

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> LAST LOOK

Madison Kennedy and Brooklyn Dorman are all smiles at the wedding of Sharlie Crumpton and Jacob Herbert on April 12, 2008 (photo courtesy of Graceology Photography). If you’ve got a photo you’d like considered for “Last Look,” send a copy to Newnan-Coweta Magazine, P.O. Box 1052, Newnan, GA 30264 or e-mail it to angela@newnan.com (300 dpi JPEG format). Please send copies or digital images only, as photos will not be returned.

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