My World Travels

By Jonan Keeny

The older I get, the more my family grows up, the busier I make myself, the more I feel it. The more I grind, hustle, whatever…I feel a growing sense of homesickness.

But these feelings, and the label “homesick,” indicate something more. That is, here doesn’t yet feel like home to me. But rest assured, that is no indication of how I feel about where I currently reside. Living in northeast Georgia was something I wanted to do since my very first visit approximately 15 years ago. I love the area. I love the people. I love the nature. I love the food. I love the everything. So as I have explored these thoughts and feelings of homesickness lately, I’ve realized that I need to make more time to venture out to do and to be. And thus, the blessing that is this opportunity to explore our locale and write about it comes at a perfect time. And if “home” is where I got older, at least for now, what is it that I feel I am missing? Two things from my childhood immediately come to mind: homemade pizza and mini golf. I got older in a very Italian town with lots of pizza shops and, just down Route 11, Wolf Hollow Golf Center (RIP Wolfey’s). But let’s get back to the present day…

First stop: 4 Seasons Putt-N-Play, that sprawling area of awesomeness in Otto or Franklin, depending on who you ask or what GPS app you use. The owner, Jerry Levan, greeted me warmly as I entered and he made me feel welcomed and valued immediately. He was genuinely excited that I was there, and we spent a good bit of time just chatting as he told me all about the 18 holes of miniature golf, the four-course Traxxas park, and virtual reality bays, as well as the option to use this spot for your next party. And his purpose? In a nutshell, “to get families a little closer and maybe back together again.” And what a gorgeous backdrop for it! The Little Tennessee River babbles nearby, birds call constantly, and the breeze through the trees is nothing short of poetic.

The mini golf course itself was a blast! Despite the fact I re-learned very quickly that I am bad at the game, 4 Seasons Putt-N-Play offers a variety of hole difficulties with a lot of fun layouts. And despite my playing solo on a relatively quiet morning, there was still plenty of laughter as I embarrassed myself around the course. But that isn’t to disparage anything about it! Rather, that is a testament to the challenging fun that can be had here. Bring your family, bring your friends, bring your youth group. I have no doubt Jerry will make you feel at home and you will leave with a smile on your face. I am very much looking forward to taking my family to meet Jerry in the near future.

Jonan Keeny was born in Topeka, Kansas, he got older in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and then he lived a bunch of other places. A lifelong learner and a full-time dreamer, the prospect of grand new adventures gets him out of bed in the morning, with some additional assistance from his two blonde-haired, blue-eyed alarm clocks, of course! Jonan recently rediscovered his passion for photography, which keeps him quite busy tromping around the woods, stopping at random places on the side of the road, and uploading photos to his website, www.myworldpics.com, and his Insta, @dude4disney. When he isn’t wrangling two little boys, he’s likely hanging out with his wife, Mary Lauren, reading a book to learn something new, or dreaming of life’s next adventure and Walt Disney World. Regardless of the activity, he’s probably participating in it while wearing funky socks and a cool hat.

And where, might you ask, did this pizza-loving-mini-golffailure of a young man find himself for lunch? Nani’s Pizza and Pasta Bar, of course! Michele greeted me and she was happy to seat me at a bigger table than necessary so I could spread out my camera gear and still have room to eat. (Thanks, Michele!) The restaurant itself is gorgeous, and the service was patient and friendly as I perused the menu and tried to come up with a game plan. Fortunately, Michele came to my rescue and broke the pizza deadlock by suggesting her favorite, the Dondante. Co-owner and Chef Scott Truax’s culinary creations are a delight to the senses! If your palate pines for passion on a plate, Nani’s will not disappoint. Between the homemade garlic knots, the homemade meatballs, and the homemade hand-tossed pizza, Scott manages to hit all of the food feels via fantastic flavor. And what’s more, he’ll come sit for a quick chat when things slow down a bit. But what about Nani, you ask?

Well, when Elizabeth Truax, aka “Nani,” is in the house, she’ll spend some time with you, too. If I had the room, I would recount their story in great detail. But suffice it to say that Elizabeth and Scott Truax aren’t new to the area, and they both have food and hospitality in their blood. The passion is evident in their food and in the warm and friendly environment in which they serve it. So much Franklin, so little time. On my list of places still to visit are Fire and Light Glass Studio, North Carolina Mountain Made, and The Attic, among others…To those establishments I say “see you soon! “

Another adventure in the books? Yes. Feeling less homesick? The jury’s still out on that one. But what I do know is this: With each of these new adventures, my circle becomes bigger. And while we might not be related through blood or marriage, my family is expanding nonetheless.