Volume 1 Issue 5 Kitchen Drawer Illustrated

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STAFFPICS BONES

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GOLDEN GLOVES

Ben Johnson, Marketing

Jenni Tatum, Publisher

Nicole Scibetta, Manager

Starts the day juggling cats and ends it by herding them. And after all that he has to clean the litter boxes.

Drops in on local business owners with a friendly “Whatcha doin’?” Occasionally likes to dress up like “The Spaceman,” Ace Frehley from KISS.

Coordinates the various balance wheels in the delicate timepiece of sales, ads and photography, and maintains client relationships through personality mirroring, name repetition, and never breaking off a handshake.

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Bobby Wheaton, Design Spends 41% of his time trashing emails, 10% re-reading his “sent” emails to make sure he sounds intellegent, 23% on attention deficit disorder, 9% consuming food and beverages, 7% trying to remember why he walked into the kitchen, 3% readjusting himself in his work chair, 2% complaining, 5% sliding his dogs out from under his computer desk.

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Carrie Jones, Art Director

Laurie Cochrane, Editor

Keeps it real, one subliminal message at a time...

Bangs her fists on the desk and screams, “Listen to me!!!” Fields questions about “whoever” from whomever. Performs routine semicolonoscopies without a license.

BABYMAKER

Laurie’s Hair and Make up by Amazing Amanda An, 678.469.9123 photography by: Kevin Liles, http://kdlphoto.com

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BINACK THE

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WALLY BROWN

MT. ZION BAPTIST, THEN

Mt. Zion Baptist Church A History of Freedom

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Griffin historian and retired police officer Wally Brown took us to talk to his friend and pastor of Mt. Zion, the Reverend Dr. Cleopatrick Lacy. We arrived unannounced, photographer Nan Moore in tow, and Wally smoothed it all over with his friendly banter – “Let’s go in and talk to him. He’s here, and he’ll love this too, ya’ll. He’s a real good fellow. I like to barge in on people.â€? A bemused Dr. Lacy came to answer the bell at Mt. Zion, trying to finish his breakfast biscuit, and Mr. Wally greeted him, “We’ve come to do the history of your church.â€? Dr. Lacy had a Bible study on “The Pursuit of Holinessâ€? scheduled for 11:30 that morning with his retired church members, but he graciously showed us into the sanctuary and confirmed the history of Mr. Zion and the churches that were born from it. “Eighth Street Baptist and Rising Star Baptist came from Mt. Zion. We are the mother church. In 1867, we walked out of the balcony as protesting African-Americans.

DR. CLEOPATRICK LACY, PASTOR, MT. ZION CHURCH

photography by Nan Jolly Moore, rjm1216@comcast.net

s slaves in Griffin, black Baptists could only observe services from the balcony of the First Baptist Church. After the Emancipation Proclamation, they were allowed to meet together for their own services in the basement of First Baptist. In 1867 though, five years after the Proclamation was signed, a group of freed slaves walked out of First Baptist Church for good and founded the first black Baptist Church in Griffin – Mt. Zion Baptist Church – on the corner of Ninth and Solomon Streets. This building was replaced in 1909 with a church that resembled a castle, until it burned in 1927. The present church is on Taylor Street, across from the old Taylor Street Middle School.

As slaves, we worshipped in the balcony. For a short while they allowed us to worship in the basement. I’m told that our first pastor was white, but we can’t find a picture.”

MT. ZION BAPTIST, NOW

A soft-spoken and dignified man, Dr. Lacy is quick to explain the “Dr.” part of his title. “It’s an earned doctorate – Doctor of Ministry. Doctor of Divinity is an honorary degree. Doctor of Ministry is a professional degree, and if I want to go higher, it will be a Ph. D.”

Dr. Lacy is proud of all of his 450 parishioners and has seen a couple of them go on to secular greatness. Josh Pace and his mother attended Mt. Zion before Josh went off to play basketball for Syracuse University. Jesse Tuggle and his mother worshipped there, too. Dr. Lacy is celebrating 40 years of entrance into Mt. Zion this year and has been with the church since it moved to its present location. In 1893, Eighth Street Baptist Church split off from Mt. Zion with the Reverend J.H. Moore as their Pastor. It was organized in the Spalding County Courthouse, then the congregation met for three years in the Excelsior Building, a schoolhouse for black children next to Mt. Zion. Finally, the congregation purchased the lot on North Eighth and Slaton Streets. The church was built by the congregation members, which can be seen by the differences in the brick-laying of the building. The church now lies empty, but a Historic Preservation Committee is seeking to restore it.

EIGHTH STREET BAPTIST, THEN & NOW

The church may be empty, but the congregation is alive and well at its current site on Palace Street where they relocated in 1974. Pastor A. Lucas is the current pastor. While standing in the parking lot of the church, Mr. Wally recollects: “I remember when Jesse Jackson came here one time. We guarded him [as police officers]. He was running for president. He was supposed to got outta that thing and go in that side door right there, but he came out here! Walked right out the middle of the crowd, and secret service went berserk.” Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1897 by its first pastor, Reverend Braxton, along with members Sally Day, Sarah Sims, and others. At first, services were held only twice per month, on the second and fourth Sundays. In 1955, Rev. J.C. Smith became Rising Star’s twelfth pastor and remained there until 1998. The congregation met in a small, white-frame church on Ninth Street until 1975 when they moved to their present location at 132 West Cherry Street. Since January 2004, Rising Star has been pastored by popular speaker Reverend Gerod D. Duff. Under his leadership, the church’s first female minister, Minister Sharon Cunningham was licensed in 2006. It has been 146 years since the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, and the congregation at Rising Star, for one, still holds an annual commemoration of the event that recognized their right to seek God on their own terms. ZZZ NLWFKHQGUDZHU QHW

& NOW RISING STAR BAPTIST, THEN

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(left to right): Garrett Massey, EyeSore, Inc.; Raak Patel, National Brake & Muffler; Debbie Adamson, Slices; Francisco BriseĂąo, El Toro (not pictured)

Kitchen Drawer’s Entrepreneur Focus features a group of local business owners who offer their talents, products, and services to enrich their communities. We hope the stories of their struggles and triumphs while building their businesses serve to encourage and inspire those who may be considering taking on the risks, challenges, and joys of entrepreneurship.

In 2006 when we moved from Henry to Spalding County, we soon found what would become our favorite place for dinner and a show, Slices Pizzeria. My husband and I enjoyed the food but also fell in love with the people who worked there and with the atmosphere. I soon began to work part time as Slices’ manager. I already had a full-time position elsewhere. Due to the downtrodden economy, my husband lost his job in December 2008, after 34 years, and then I lost my primary job in January 2009. The next day, one of the owners of Slices asked me to come in to work. The very same day, my husband and I were approached about opening a second Slices Pizzeria, and we chose Barnesville as the location. Although I have been in and out of the restaurant business for over 33 years, I’d never owned one, and my husband had wanted nothing to do with the restaurant business. Owning our own business was the furthest thing from our minds, and it was not an easy task obtaining the funds in this economy or finding the perfect location. But through lots of prayer and hard work, we were blessed with a future of working together. After a few failed attempts we did find the perfect location, and Bill demolished the interior of the Wisebrams Department Store and restored it so that it retains that historical feel while still being modern. There is a lot of history behind the store and we want people of Barnesville to be proud of the NEW place. We dug our heels into the community and got involved with the local Chamber and the Ferst Foundation Literacy Program, we donated Prizes to the Buggy Days Festival and got involved in the Performing Arts Center Fundraiser, and we will continue to be proactive. We are proud to be a part of such a great community as Barnesville. Our hours are Mon–Thu: 11am-10pm; Fri: 11am-11pm; Sat: 11am-10pm; Sun: Closed. 216 Main Street, Barnesville, GA 30204 | 770-358-6737

A 40-hour work week is not enough to keep business owner Garrett Massey content. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Georgia Southern University and then working for them and their business associate, Morris Technology, as a software engineer, Garrett took his innovative business sense and boundless drive back to his hometown of Griffin. Here he started Eyesore, Inc. in February of 2007, with the goal of doing what he loves. He has been able to help small businesses, organizations, and government entities to achieve their goals, as well. What started in a spare bedroom with a single computer has grown to employ designers and developers with expertise in fields like Graphic Design, Software Development, English, Accounting, and Mathematics. While Eyesore, Inc.’s bread and butter is creative web design, the company has expanded its operations to include Search Engine Optimization, Print Design, and Rural Contracting to national firms. Eyesore, Inc. is devoted to creating websites that truly help organizations grow. Using the latest techniques, the newest trends, and best technology, it’s hard not to find a path to that goal. They have plenty of experience derived from a combination of formal schooling and good old-fashioned practice. They enjoy, even encourage, a good challenge. They are devoted to living a life of learning, of never sitting still, of ever flowing and evolving. No project is too big or too small. They attack all projects equally, from the simple five-page, brochure-style site to large, interactive websites with content and functionality almost beyond comprehension. From the big picture down to the very last pixel, they put their hearts in it and truly care about their clients’ individual needs. Eyesore, Inc.’s client portfolio includes the U.S. Military, UnitedHealthcare, and The Home Depot, as well as numerous small businesses. Eyesore, Inc. would love to hear from YOU! View Eyesore’s portfolio or request an estimate online at www.eyesoreinc.com | Tel: 678-692-8512.

National Brake and Muffler has been a trusted name in automobile servicing in the Griffin area for over 30 years. Raak Patel and wife Seetal believe that their customers are their friends; their neighbors. Since acquiring National Brake and Muffler in 2004, their mission has been to care for their customers in the same way they would want to be cared for. Perhaps that is why 75 percent of their business is generated by repeat and referral customers. Over the years, National Brake and Muffler has grown to a full-service shop with new brake machines and the latest in diagnostic software. This enables the Patels to keep up with the specific needs of any vehicle that comes to them. Whether you are a fleet customer, an individual, or you need warranty work on your vehicle, Raak and his staff will keep both you and your vehicle happy, because they know how. Their dependable staff does everything in their power to be certain that the repair experience is the best it can be. With more than 125 combined years of experience, you can be assured that any need, large or small, gets the proper attention and service their customers deserve. “Dealing with people is what I like so much about this business,” Raak says. “Great customer service is what it’s all about.” Raak learned early on that great customer service and up-to-date knowledge in your field is what sets one business apart from another. Raak served proudly in the Marine Corps for six years. He served honorably during Desert Storm, attached to an aviation unit where he repaired airplanes. He brings to National Brake and Muffler this attention to detail by treating every customer’s vehicle with the same safety, reliability, and dependability in mind. Because they care, Raak and his crew will pick up and drop off within a 20-mile radius. They can also put you in a rental car or tow your vehicle to their shop, making your repair experience less harrowing. When Raak is away from his shop, he still feels a strong tie to the Marine Corps, as he heads up the charitable Toys for Tots Program here in Spalding County. This program is a major force in helping needy children in Spalding County and elsewhere. Raak takes great pride in working with local churches and non-profit organizations. Raak says, “The community trusts me, so I want to give back where I can to a cause that is bigger than myself.” “To those who may find themselves needing automobile repair… come to us, and we’ll take good care of you!” 1412 Bowling Lane, Griffin, GA 30223 | Tel: 770-228-8888 | www.nbmshop.net

Francisco Briseño has worked only in Mexican restaurants since he first came to America by himself when he was about 12. He started by washing dishes at El Ranchero in Peachtree City; then he started to cook, tend bar, and wait tables – learning the business from the bottom up. When he moved to El Ranchero’s Fayetteville location, Francisco met Tracey Wallis who sold paper supplies to the restaurant. After a while, Tracey asked Francisco if he was interested in opening a Mexican restaurant. Francisco was. He borrowed money from every place he could think of to make it happen. Tracey wanted to call the new place “Francisco’s,” but Francisco countered, “I am a bull and you are a crazy man.” Thus, El Toro Loco (The Crazy Bull) was born. The cook from El Ranchero came with Francisco. He had carefully watched and learned from the other cooks that passed through El Ranchero, and he has remained with El Toro Loco since they opened in 2005. El Toro Loco offers a blend of authentic Mexican cuisine and the familiar American Tex-Mex style. Francisco personally opens and closes the restaurant each day, and insists on being the only one to make the margaritas. That’s the only way he knows they’re always the same. El Toro Loco distinguishes itself with its excellent, friendly service and consistently tasty Mexican fare. The most popular dishes are the fajitas, chimichangas, grilled tilapia and shrimp, and their new wings (hot or BBQ). Francisco lives in Senoia with his wife María and their three children, Guillermo, 14; Crystal, 9; and Guadaloupe (Lupita), 5. 1107 Ethridge Mill Rd., Griffin, GA 30224 | Tel: 770-227-7750

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by Suzanne Carden of Doggie Do’s

designed by

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aving your pet professionally groomed accomplishes more than you think. Your pet will look and smell great, but what most pet owners don’t realize is that a well-trained groomer can also spot potential health problems. Dogs that aren’t groomed regularly can have unseen fungi around their nails, problems with the ears (smell or dark discharge inside) or a lump (some may be cancerous) that the owner has overlooked. There can also be skin issues that require special shampoos and conditioners. Cats that aren’t brushed and carded (a technique to rid your pet of extra undercoat) on a regular basis could suddenly stop licking themselves, form mats and then need to be shaved. Sometimes cats can’t keep up with all their personal grooming and may even stop eating because of hairballs. By no means does this mean that you don’t need to take your pet to the vet ZZZ NLWFKHQGUDZHU QHW

if you suspect a problem, but your groomer can help you to stay on top of potential problems and recommend a vet visit so that problems can be caught in time. Also you usually visit a vet only once or twice a year, so your pet’s groomer is your best bet to keeping your pet healthy in between. Many people think a light brushing and a bath is all most pets need, but if you have a long-haired dog or cat (1" or longer), and you don’t brush and comb before a bath, the undercoat and/or fine hair will cause mats that get worse by bathing. The rubbing motion of your hands while soaping up or drying is the biggest culprit. The right brush also can keep matting down if used correctly. Just any slicker brush won’t do! Each pet is different with its own coat texture. Fine-coated animals like Maltese, Poodles, cats, etc. need a soft slicker with close-set pins in the brush, followed by a metal comb. This helps check your work behind you

and also pulls out any small tangles that may lead to mats. Just remember this, a good grooming shop will not mind sharing at-home maintenance tips. Be sure to ask questions. Also, if there is anything that you like or don’t like about the groomer or experience – tell them! Be patient and give good grooming instructions – what you are visualizing for your pet may be different from what the groomer plans. Feel free to go over your pet afterward. Good groom or bad groom, communication and feedback are key! Your groomer can’t fix a problem they don’t know about. If you simply switch groomers, you most likely will repeat the same problems. Good communication is the answer to a happy experience and a lifelong good relationship with your groomer. Our goal is to always make you and your pet happy! Visit Doggie Do’s at www.doggiedos.net.

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as I stand in my hospital gown, open in the front. I look at my husband Edward who, although only a few yards from me, seems miles away. We’re waiting for news that the lump I found in one of my breasts is nothing to worry about. The door opens and through it walks the man who will give me this news. It takes less than ten seconds to have my world turned upside down. Cancer. I stand with an uncomfortable smile plastered on my face, waiting for someone to say this is a joke. I’m 34. I can’t have breast cancer. Edward looks helpless, his face a mask of horror. For a man who is always the picture of preparedness, he doesn’t know what is appropriate to say or do. There is a gulf between us in this room and we can’t move around this one little word. Suddenly, I don’t feel fearless anymore. Looking back on July 1, 2008, brings back so many feelings. I experienced every emotion you could expect someone who had been diagnosed with cancer could feel: fear, anger, sadness, and anxiety. I began to experience something new. Although constantly surrounded by family and friends, I felt utterly alone. Within a month I’d had two surgeries to remove lumps from my right breast. Although I had no lymphatic involvement, each surgery revealed new smaller tumors that needed to

My life seemed to return to normal temporarily. I started teaching first grade at Orrs Elementary School in Griffin four days after my second surgery. Almost no one knew me as “cancer girl,” and I was glad of that. As I waited on my surgery date, my girlfriends spoiled me with meals, a trip to the mountains, and pedicures. A few nights before my big day my girlfriends threw me a “Toast the Tatas” party at a local restaurant, J. Henry’s. All my friends were dressed in pink and sipping on specially made pink martinis called the “Tonyatini.” We laughed and shared moments as only women can do. There were toasts to “my girls” and then to my health. There was a bonding that occurred that night. I shed no tears and instead, chose to smile as brightly as I could. Two days before my surgery the entire staff of Orrs donned pink in tribute to my battle. It was a surprise to me. I wept the entire day thinking of the lengths to which they all went to show their support. My bi-lateral mastectomy came and went. I hurt physically, emotionally, and psychologically. My close friends Jamie and Sara came from out of state to help care for me for the two weeks following my surgery. For months I felt like I

photography by Kevin Liles, http://kdlphoto.com

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As I stood in my now familiar open-front gown, we talked about the possibility that there could be more tumors we didn’t know about. We could continue to remove more good tissue until we got clear margins, or we could perform a mastectomy on the right breast. The doctor’s orders were to go home and think about which I would prefer. I knew before we left the parking lot that I had made a decision. I would remove both breasts and have them reconstructed.

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didn’t know who I saw in the mirror. I became thin and pale. I had little to no energy, yet I still continued working and tried to maintain a “normalâ€? life. I wish I could say that the surgeries ended there and life did return to normal. It didn’t. I made weekly trips to my plastic surgeon in the hopes that the final results would be something that remotely resembled breasts. This process required two more surgeries and some terrifying post-surgical responses from my body. And even though I had made two new friends who are also pre-menopausal breast cancer survivors, I still felt quite alone. Not even my closest friends or family could understand my emotions. It was during the recovery of my last surgery on May 22 that I understood what I was supposed to do with my breast cancer diagnosis. The bulk of information on breast cancer was regarding post-menopausal women, or women over the age of 40. What about us? What information and support was available to younger women like me to aid in this unique journey? Part of my hope is to empower young women with the knowledge that this is not only an older women’s disease. You are not immune to this, and don’t be fooled into thinking that getting it at an earlier age means your youth will help you in your fight. The American Cancer Society reports that breast cancer in younger women is typically more aggressive than in their post-menopausal counterparts, resulting in the leading cause of cancer death in young women. They also state that there is only an 82% five-year survival rate for young women battling breast cancer. Do not allow your doctor to tell you that you are not a candidate for a mammogram or breast ultrasound. I am living proof that you don’t have to be in a high-risk category to develop breast cancer.

Fearless – Journey of a Survivor continued on page 16.

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:LWK LPSODQWV DYDLODEOH why go for prosthetics? Tonya (Ta-Ta) Beam of Griffin’s Wynn’s Pharmacy explains: “You have to let the mastectomy heal first. Then you can consider implants or reconstruction. The options depend on how invasive the original surgery was and what tissue is left. Prosthetics can help with the transition. But many women, because of personal beliefs choose prosthetics over surgery.â€? The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 requires insurance companies to pay to restore a woman back to where she was, pre-cancer. And you don’t have to be a cancer patient to get benefits. A car wreck or open heart surgery â€“ anything that has altered the breast, and insurance will usually pay. Tonya says, “The symmetry of woman’s body is thrown off by the removal of a breast, and that puts strain on the spine, so insurance companies see that, in the long run, it’s better for them to pay for reconstruction. In this case, prosthetics are temporary, but I would say that 90% of my clients just wear prosthetics. I think that once you go through cancer, chemo, radiation, rehab, you get a new look on life, and some things just aren’t important anymore. ‘Tomorrow’s more important than my breast.’ Nobody’s ever told me that, but that’s what I’m picking up from them.â€? So what do these women need from Tonya, besides a bra? “Confidence. You know, when you lose that part of your body, that’s your identity in many cases. “Although the vast majority of breast cancers are in women over 50, I’ve probably had 10 women under 30 who have undergone mastectomies in the past two years.Not only do they have this disease, but now they feel ‘I’m not beautiful anymore.’ “One woman still wore layers of clothes 10 years after her mastectomy. She never knew prosthetics were available. So she and her husband went on a cruise, and she wore a strapless dress with our strapless bra, and she sent me a picture with a card that said ‘Thank you for making me want to dance with my husband again.’ That was a keeper.â€? Call 770.227.9432 or visit www.wynnspharmacy.net.

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Fearless – Journey of a Survivor continued from page 15.

The other part of my mission is to start a local resource for young women dealing with this disease. Young women battling breast cancer face many issues. We balance careers with multiple medical appointments. We must tell our young children about our diagnoses and treatments so that they can understand why we are often unable to do all the things we were once able to do. We deal with the impact that surgeries, reconstruction, and treatments will have on our body image. We also deal with the repercussions breast cancer will have on our intimate relationships. I hope to provide a support group for young women to allow them a place to openly discuss these challenges. I would also like to partner young survivors with other women who were diagnosed with pre-menopausal breast cancer, but now are in remission. I think the support and love these women could offer is invaluable. As I celebrate my one-year anniversary of breast cancer diagnosis, I’m still in the process of reconstruction. For the next six years I will have frequent scans and take Tamoxifen, a chemo pill that alters my estrogen and progesterone reception. I have come accustomed to my open-front gown at my frequent visits to my team of doctors. A year of the battle is behind me, but it is far from over. I plan on fighting for many years to come, not only for me, but also on behalf of young women in our community who deserve to live to see their children grown up, to keep their much-loved career, and to keep their relationships intact. Alone I cannot do anything, but with God, my family, and these fearless pink-clad warriors, I can conquer. For more information on my journey through cancer, please visit: www.caringbridge.org/visit/tonyabullard.

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SEASON’S GREETINGS

You cannot SELL it... ...if you cannot SEE

one of the biggest mistakes sellers make! Turn all of your

LIGHTS ON

During this holiday season and every day of the year, we wish you all the best.

when showing your home

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Your Brunch Needs

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2 cups hot water 1 cup sugar 1 /2 cup instant coffee 1 gallon whole milk 1 /2 gallon chocolate ice cream 1 /2 gallon vanilla ice cream Stir hot water, sugar, and coffee to dissolve. Add milk 30 minutes before serving time. Float ice cream at serving time – chunk into smaller pieces to melt faster.

#,@>,20 4>.@4? ?=0,?> 2 cans Hungry Jack flaky biscuits, 10 count 1 lb. sausage, mild 3 eggs, beaten 1 1/2 c. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded Separate biscuits in half by layers. Place each half in greased mini muffin tin. Press and mold into each cup. Brown sausage, and drain. Add eggs and cheese to sausage and mix well. Spoon into open cups in muffin tins. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Makes 40 treats.

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1 box yellow cake mix 1 large egg 1 stick butter

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1 box 10x confectioner’s sugar 2 large eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 1 8 oz. cream cheese Mix all base ingredients and spread into greased 9x13 glass dish. Mix filling and spread on top of base. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until golden brown. Cut into bars.

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770-228-8200 Chamber of Commerce

Christmas Parade “A Candyland Christmas” December 6th 2:30 PM

Taylor Street through

Downtown

Griffin-Spalding Art Association

Art Gallery Open House December 8th 5-7 PM

Griffin Regional Welcome Center

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2009 County Coverage M-F 6A-7P Persons 12+ County Coverage data from these counties: SPALDING, TALBOT, UPSON, MERIWETHER, PIKE,MARION, LAMAR. 2009 Radio County Coverage based on diaries from 2008

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All Aboard The Ramblin’ Wreck by Taylor Gantt

hen Head Coach Paul Johnson ended his decorated career at Navy and began coaching for Georgia Tech, many wondered how his offensive schemes would transition with him. Johnson had become famous (or infamous, if you ask his opponents) for almost exclusively running the “triple option,” a very basic formation that allows the quarterback to either hand it to the fullback, pitch it to the running back, or run it himself. This offense has been heavily criticized for being a simplistic substitution for a passing game. But Johnson was adamant that his system could work in a stronger division and went ahead with integrating his controversial triple option.

competent player who is perfect for running this offense. With an offense so geared towards the run, it is critical to have a stable of young, talented runners. Running back Jonathan Dwyer, who racked up 1,395 yards, along with ACC Player of the Year and First Team All-ACC, is another perfect fit for the triple option. One of the nation’s most prolific athletes, Dwyer has the durability, explosiveness, and speed to be a legitimate threat. The offensive line has flourished under Johnson’s teaching, allowing the team to rack up a flashy 442 yards per game. And since the triple option offense rarely calls for a pass, a very effective form of play action (or faking a run and passing the ball) can be called upon to change the pace of a game. This allows Georgia Tech to take advantage of aggressive defenses at opportune times, leading to big plays and big problems for opponents. For many, it is hard to fathom the idea of a powerhouse Tech team dominating their opposition with an offense often dismissed as gimmicky and ineffective. However, while the GT offense may not be stimulating or pretty, the results are undeniable.

“People say, ‘Can it work on this level?’ What level?” Johnson asked (as cited by Cory McCartney in SI Magazine). “When I was at Navy we played Boston College, Maryland, Wake Forest. We played the same teams that are in the ACC [Atlantic Coastal Conference]. We scored a lot of points on them.” Don’t look now, but at this writing Georgia Tech is 9-1, and the strongest team in the ACC. After several years of coaching mediocrity from Chan Gailey, forgetful and sometimes horrid quarterbacking from Reggie Ball, and losses to archrival University of Georgia every year in the Gailey/Ball era, Yellow Jacket fans were long overdue to have a team that they could once again rally behind. Going into their second year under Johnson, Tech has already beaten Georgia in their first meeting with a whopping 410 yards on the ground. The team has won 7 straight games and is gaining notice. Ranked #7 in the country as of November 10, this team is a far cry from its bumbling predecessor. How has this often beleaguered offense managed to be so effective in a time where pass-heavy attacks are in vogue? With a defense that is average at best, the triple option can succeed only if the QB can make smart decisions with the ball, knowing when to pass it and when to keep it. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt is a fast,

Local Tech fans are overjoyed with their team’s newfound success. Take Shane Smith for example, an avid Georgia Tech fan who was thrilled to witness the advent of the Paul Johnson era. “I’ve been a fan of his ever since he coached at Georgia Southern,” Smith says. Many also share Smith’s sentiment when reflecting on Coach Chan Gailey. “Didn’t like him” says Smith. “I even threatened not to renew my season tickets if they kept him around!” He laughingly agreed that Reggie Ball was in fact “the most valuable player Georgia ever had” after his many mistakes and miscues against the Dogs. The upsurge in Tech support has been bolstered by the Athletic Department’s reaching out to football fans who have no current affiliation with either UGA or GT. Smith observes, “Hey, everybody loves a winner. Why not Georgia Tech?” Speaking about expectations for this season and the future, Smith forecasts, “ACC Champions and the Orange Bowl look good for this year, but under Johnson, the National Title isn’t out of the question.” According to this super fan, Georgia Tech is here to stay as a perennial contender in the ACC. It becomes ever more obvious that Georgia Tech has the ability to become one of the most formidable teams in the NCAA. As for its in-state rival, things aren’t looking so bright. Coming off a disappointing 2008 campaign, the Bulldogs are faced with answering a plethora of questions about coaching, players, and the future. In the meantime, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets press forward towards the ACC Championship, BCS Bowl, and maybe even a National Championship, while the team from Athens joins the rest of us non-competitors, watching the games from the couch.

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Downtown Tree Lighting Griffin 7:30 PM

Griffin Choral Arts Xmas First Baptist Church 7:30 PM

Christmas Parade Griffin 1:00 – 6:00 PM

Pike County Annual Tour of Homes

Council Meeting McDonough Chamber 7:00 PM

1:00 – 6:00 PM

1:00 – 6:00 PM

5:00 – 7:00 PM

Annual Xmas Banquet Candler Field | Williamson

Historic Preservation Commission Mtg City Courtroom Griffin

Morning Meet & Greet Spalding County Chamber

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Customer Appreciation Day Solomon Street Barbers Vintage Salon Xmas Open House

Mistletoe Market Griffin Welcome Ctr 11 AM – 4 PM

Zebulon Tree Lighting On the Square 6:30 PM

Heritage Xmas Festival Heritage Park McDonough

IDA Board Mtg Lamar County Chamber of Commerce

2:00 PM

10:30 – 11:30 AM

12:00 PM

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

6:00 – 9:00 PM

Griffin County Annual Tour of Homes Daybreak Rotary

Griffin Art Assoc Open House & Business After Hours Griffin Welcome Ctr

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UGA Fall Graduation Reception Griffin Campus Stuckey Auditorium

8:00 AM

Planning & Zoning Mtg City Courtroom | Griffin

Breakfast with Santa Spalding County Parks & Recreation City Park Gym

10:00 AM

6:00 PM

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever | Griffin Main Street Players | Weekends December 11th – 20th

Artisans Guild Meeting Safehouse Coffee Griffin 8:00 PM

Lamar County Commissioner’s Meeting

Christmas Eve

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Artisans Guild Meeting Safehouse Coffee Griffin

Christmas Day Winter Break

Black & White Ball Bailey Teabault House

8:00 PM

New Year’s Eve Winter Break | Spalding County Schools

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Leonardo da Vinci Hand of the Genius High Museum Altanta 10:00 AM

Winter Break

William Segal Exhibition Macon Museum of Arts & Science

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Government Affairs Committee Meeting Comcast Communications Peachtree City

Artisans Guild Meeting Safehouse Coffee Griffin 8:00 PM

7:30 AM

Winter Break | Spalding County Schools

Morning Meet & Greet Spalding County Chamber of Commerce 8:00 AM

Lamar County Council Meeting

IDA Board Mtg Lamar County Chamber of Commerce

Lamar County Commissioner’s Meeting

10:30 – 11:30 AM

2009/2010 Leadership | Fayette Fayette County Chamber

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Les Ballets Trockadero De Monte Carlo Ferst Center for the Arts 7:00 PM

Friday Night Jazz High Museum Altanta 5:00 – 10:00 PM

Artisans Guild Meeting Business After Hours Lamar County Chamber Safehouse Coffee Griffin First Assembly of God Church 8:00 PM

3:00 PM

11:30 AM

MLK Parade Downtown Griffin

Annual Dinner Spalding County Chamber of Commerce

12 PM – 1 PM

5:00 PM

Lamar County Commissioner’s Meeting

Business After Hours Fayette County Chamber

7:00 PM – 8 PM

5:30 PM

Austin Dabney Grave Dedication Zebulon Cemetary 11:30 AM

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Coming Soon to 1305 W. Taylor Street (next to Tim’s Country Cooking)

For a Grand Opening coupon, send us an email to castrol-ple@att.net

Moxley Homan, Age 6

John Blake, Age 7

Lupita Sanchez, Age 10

Esme Sanchez, Age 10

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An important difference between the seasonal flu and H1N1 that must be addressed is the population that is most greatly affected by the virus. The seasonal flu generally targets individuals 65 years and older. With H1N1, the risk is greatest in people six months to twenty-four years old (Centers for Disease Control, 2009). It is believed the lack of susceptibility to older people is due to previous exposure to similar influenza strains to which younger individuals have had no exposure, and therefore were not able to develop those immunities. As with the seasonal flu, healthcare workers and those with weakened immune systems are also at a high risk for infection. From the individuals I have talked to about the vaccine, the biggest concern is that the vaccine is too new and hasn’t been tested enough. As far as the lack of testing goes, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must approve all medications and vaccines. Granted, this is no guarantee the products are 100% safe and effective. However, it must be remembered that this applies to any new drugs on the market. To meet federal regulations, tests on new products must meet standards for safety, sterility, purity, and potency. The FDA also regulates the amount of preservatives that vaccines are allowed to include in the products. Additives are included in the vaccines only if necessary to protect the product from contamination (FDA, 2009). The FDA’s website posts ingredients for the different manufacturers of the vaccine. For those who do have a high concern about preservatives in vaccines, single-dose injections are preservative-free, as they are for one-time use and don’t need to be kept after opening (FDA, 2009). The H1N1 vaccine is made no differently than the seasonal flu vaccine. The viral proteins, Hemagglutinin, are injected into chicken eggs. The virus is then incubated in the eggs

for several days allowing multiplication of the virus. The virus is purified and killed before it is split into fragments (Sanofi pasteur, 2007). Another concern is the Swine Flu vaccine from 1976, which not only caused multiple deaths but Guillain-BarrĂŠ Syndrome (paralysis resulting from immune response). With any type of medication, or with research in general for that matter, until generalized to the population, a sample size cannot show all variables. However the Department of Health and Human Services has surveillance in place to monitor the safety of vaccines and quickly discover any severe side effects; that wasn’t the case in 1976. Some individuals may feel that the H1N1 is just another strain of flu spread around or that the media hype is making the situation seem more urgent than it truly is. I would agree that in 1976 the situation was blown out of proportion. Vaccinations were given when in reality a small number of people actually contracted the illness. The outbreak of 1976 never spread beyond 240 individuals (Forbes, 2009). The situation today is very different. As of November 1, the World Health Organization has confirmed 6,000 deaths due to the H1N1 virus (WHO, 2009). Can you really compare 6,000 deaths to 240 illnesses?

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The last major Swine Flu scare in the United States occurred in February 1976, when a soldier at Fort Dix, NJ, died of symptoms later confirmed to be Swine Flu. At least 200 other soldiers fell ill, and a mass fear campaign was generated by the government, mass media, and health organizations. President Gerald Ford, acting on advice from the CDC and other medical experts, ordered a mandatory vaccination campaign to prevent a pandemic similar to the 1918 Spanish Flu outbreak. Congress acted swiftly to approve funding for the program so the vaccine could be rushed through production and made available before the flu season later that year. After vaccinating over 40 million Americans, the program was abruptly stopped due to adverse reactions to the vaccine. The mass vaccination program resulted in more than 500 people developing Guillain-Barré syndrome, a paralyzing nerve disease, and the untimely deaths of more than 30 Americans. Many parallels exist between the 1976 scare and the current situation, especially the fact that the vaccine has been rushed through production in only six months with limited safety testing. However, there are some key differences. After the 1976 debacle, the government received thousands of claims from those who suffered vaccine-related health problems, but this time Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sibelius, has granted full ZZZ NLWFKHQGUDZHU QHW

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immunity to the vaccine manufacturers from future vaccine-related claims. If you suffer adverse reactions from the vaccine, you will have absolutely no legal recourse. There is no scientific proof that the regular seasonal flu vaccine is effective. The studies conducted on this vaccine have been cohort studies, not scientifically controlled studies. Cohort studies are based upon the historical evidence of reviewing a group over time. While a cohort study is generally accepted within the medical community, it is not nearly as definitive as a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Other than known poisons like Thimerosal, we have no idea what the vaccines contain. Perhaps lethal doses of flu virus like those shipped out by Baxter Pharmaceuticals in February 2009? Yes, Baxter shipped out vaccines earlier this year containing lethal doses of Avian Flu Virus. The contamination was discovered when a lab technician injected a few ferrets, resulting in their death. Although it sounds exciting, I’ll pass on playing vaccine roulette. Many healthcare professionals question the safety of the H1N1 vaccine, including a group of nurses who sued the State of New York in order to block the State’s attempt to mandate the vaccine for all public healthcare workers. In fact, a recent survey by Nursing Times showed that 47% of nurses will reject the vaccine, while only 23% said they would accept it. In August, The Washington Post reported that half of the world’s healthcare workers will refuse the vaccination due to safety concerns, citing a lack of confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. Ultimately, I hope everyone will do their own research on the Swine Flu and the vaccine. We should make the decision we feel best for us and our families. As for me, I will stick to daily doses of Vitamins D and C, and trust my Creator with the rest!

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved on October 23, 2009 from: http://www.cdc.gov/he1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm. Food and Drug Administration. (2009). Code of federal regulations title 21. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved on October 29, 2009 from: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=610.15&SearchTerm=vaccines.

Food and Drug Administration. (2009). Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent vaccines descriptions and ingredients. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved on October 23, 2009 from: http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/QuestionsaboutVaccines/ucm186102.htm. Forbes. (2009). Safety of swine flu vaccine to face tough scrutiny. Retrieved on October 23, 2009 from: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/07/21/hscout629120.html.

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Harrell, E. (April 27, 2009). How to deal with swine flu: Heeding the mistakes of 1976. Time Magazine On-line. Retrieved from: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1894129,00.html.

Legal immunity set for swine flu vaccine makers. Retrieved from: http://www.scribd.com/doc/18935963/Legal-Immunity-Set-for-Swine-Flu-Vaccine-Makers Cortez, M. & Gale, J. (2009, February 24) Baxter sent bird f lu virus to European labs by error. Bloomberg. Retrieved from: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aTo3LbhcA75I O’Brien, M. (2009, October 12). Nurses to sue New York over vaccination mandate. News 10 Albany, New York. Retrieved from: http://www.wten.com/global/story.asp?S=11299035 Ford, S. (2009, October 6). Nurse confidence in Swine Flu vaccine falling. Nursing Times. Retrieved from: http://www.nursingtimes.net/whats-new-in-nursing/swine-flu/nurse-confidence-in-swine-flu-vaccine-falling/5006950.article Associated Press (2009, August 26). Medical workers leery of flu vaccine. The Washington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/25/AR2009082503251.html

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(Left to right) Linda Reid | Shannon Simons | Shanda Littlejohn | Cali Bufford Star Avery (seated) | Chastity Watson | jennifer Miller | LouAnn Gardner | Nancy De La Cruz

414 South Hill Street | Griffin, GA |770-228-7738

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Louise’s Cafeteria Farm Fresh FoodsSouthern Style Cooking

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426 Solomon Street | Griffin, GA 30224

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eer camp. Those two words can conjure up many different meanings for different people. You can know what deer camp is really like only if you have spent time in one. And not just a day or so, but days at a time, year after year for many years. There are always a few workers who show up early to clear debris, cut grass, stock the cook tent and generally make things right for everyone. They are those dependable ones you call on to do what needs to be done. As the rest of the club members trickle in, there are the time-worn greetings, often repeated by the same people to the same people year after year. New members are greeted somewhat warily, with long-time members slowly testing them out to see how they fit in. It can be worse than a fraternity rush!

By mid-afternoon on opening day of camp, there is a roaring fire going, a requirement of all deer camps. Never mind that it is 85 degrees and sunny, you gotta have a fire. And everyone sits around it, close if the weather is cool and way back if a typically hot Georgia weekend greets you. One member of the club is responsible for the fire. Sometimes the job is formalized with a title, but usually someone just assumes the job of stoking the fire and keeping it going. He will usually be one of the first ones up in the morning, adding firewood until a bright blaze greets the rest of the club.

Good-natured ribbing is always part of the conversation. Hunters shooting a small deer are repeatedly reminded of it by statements like, “We searched and searched for that deer, and finally found it when we turned over a leaf !” or “Remember, he toted it out of the woods by the hind legs like a rabbit.” The helpless victim of these jokes always just grins and bears it, or the ribbing will get even worse, and he knows it.

Kids are an integral part of a good deer camp. After all, they are what it is all about. Without kids coming up to learn the traditions of the camp it will end at some point. Youngsters usually sit enthralled with the stories because they want to be like the adults and experience the excitement the story refreshes. Besides, they haven’t heard the same story dozens of times. Food is always fantastic in camp, partly because anything just tastes better when cooked and eaten out in the woods. But there is often one member of the club who is a good cook and takes care of the kitchen, making sure the roast is put on and taken off at the right times and bringing the chili to just the right temperature to cook and not burn. Each member has his specialty food, too. Everyone eagerly anticipates the unveiling of the carrot cake, a treat no one wants to miss. And the brownies are jealously watched as they are passed around to make sure no one hoards them or gets more than his fair share. You can read more of Ronnie Garrison’s articles at http://fishing.about.com. About.com is a part of the New York Times Company.

Deer camp means tradition. It is the passing on of a way of life that people cherish and want to preserve, especially for their children. No matter how hectic and troubling the world gets, deer camp tradition means some sane part of what is important to you will always be there. It is a way to preserve what you value most.

Designed by John Powell.

The fireman’s job also involves keeping a kettle full of water boiling over the fire. Sometimes the hot water is used for washing dishes, but often it just boils way, only to be replenished to boil away again. Sometimes peanuts are added to the water for wonderful snacks for those sitting around the fire, but many times the boiling water is as useful as boiling water at a birth.

At some point the story telling starts. Members who have been in the club for years nod in anticipation of highlights because they have heard the same story every year. Everyone pays attention because something new is sometimes slipped in, but seldom will anyone argue a point, even if they were there and know the truth. Fishermen have nothing over hunters when it comes to tall tales about the size of the one that got away. ZZZ NLWFKHQGUDZHU QHW

Heaven Swaggart Good thing Cowgirls don’t cry. Anna and Gaines Taylor spending quality time together.

Kelly and Kim “That was a quick lunch break.”

Barnesville community supporting one another.

Maria with her beautiful smile.

Emily Pollard and Chase Bishop Home for the Holidays!

Arve’s -- Home of the Hood Burger. Lee Hancock Really?? Working??

Alexis How precious is this? Kaitlyn, Amie, Kim, Jennifer, and Deborah. Work CAN be fun. May I take your order?

Mike and Miles Head Miles just signed on with the Boston Red Sox. GO MILES!!!!

Bobby serving up the “Sass” at Mill Towne. Gotta love that chicken salad.

Lunchin’ with the girls.

Landry Hull Snug as a bug in a rug. Joseph Paschal Always smiling. ZZZ NLWFKHQGUDZHU QHW

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! # 0 were sick of hearing me,� he laughs. All those rehearsals paid off, and Dwayne began winning speech competitions. Perhaps inspired in part by his early musical experiences, in 2002 Dwayne composed a speech called “Music in the Key of Life� telling about how music can lift us up when we are feeling down. Dwayne included a touching story about a friend who wanted to end his life, but changed his mind because of a song. Representing the Dawn Breakers Toastmasters club from Decatur, Georgia, Dwayne’s presentation of “Music in the Key of Life� won first the area contest, then the division, the district (the state of Georgia), and then the region, which consisted of the Southeastern states and the Bahamas.

When lists are compiled of people’s top fears, public speaking invariably ranks high, sometimes even topping Death on the charts. Toastmasters International helps almost 250,000 members in more than 12,500 clubs in 106 countries face that fear head-on. And each year, tens of thousands compete for the organization’s top award, World Champion of Public Speaking. Only one person receives the prize. In 2002, that winner was Griffin resident Dwayne Smith, now a professional public speaker, speaking consultant, and author. A recent article in the Toastmaster magazine describes the world champions as “our rock stars, our icons.â€? However, for a “rock star,â€? Dwayne is genuinely humble and engaging. Recently married to the former Mamie Harris, pastor of New Generation Christian Fellowship Church in Griffin, Dwayne is every inch polished and professional. He has recently published two books, Pop Culture: A Father’s Significance and A World of Difference: From Shy and Quiet to World Champion Public Speaker. Dwayne was born and raised in Griffin. He attended Fairmont High School and graduated from Griffin High. He played in the marching bands at both schools. In the summer Dwayne worked at Dundee Mills; he also worked at McClellan’s five and ten cent store. There was a time when Dwayne thought that the cotton mills were his future. When a slick, SS 396 Chevelle caught his eye, Dwayne wanted to buy the car, but his mother decided that he needed to further his education, instead. The musical training he received at the Griffin schools helped him to win a band scholarship to Grambling State University in Louisiana. Years later, in 1980, Dwayne was working in Information Technology at BellSouth when he saw an advertisement for Toastmasters. He had never been particularly interested in public speaking, but he saw it as a way to have something to do at lunchtime and to make new friends in the building. He was impressed by what he saw, joined the BellSouth Toastmasters club, and began giving speeches. Dwayne’s first speech was a great success, but his second speech flopped. “I only practiced it five or six times,â€? he admits. “My evaluator said that I made effective use of pauses... Those weren’t pauses. That’s where I forgot what I was going to say.â€? It was then that Dwayne learned a key ingredient of a successful speech – practice. Dwayne began pouring himself into his speeches, practicing 60 or more times for each speech. “My wife and two daughters

World Champion Public Speaker, Dwayne Smith Toastmasters International is a nonprof it organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. Since 1924, the organization has helped thousands of people from various backgrounds increase their conf idence when speaking in public. Most Toastmasters clubs have about 20 members who meet weekly or biweekly for an hour or two. Participants increase their communication and leadership skills by giving prepared or impromptu speeches, or by serving in meeting roles such as timer, evaluator, or grammarian. The Toastmasters educational program consists of two tracks – communication track and leadership track. Awards are given when various requirements are met, with the highest educational award being Distinguished Toastmaster. Toastmasters International also offers several different speech contests in which members can participate as a contestant or as an off icial. Speech contest categories include Humorous Speech, Table Topics, and Evaluation. The biggest contest is the annual International Speech Contest, which culminates in the contest f inals held during the Toastmasters International Convention. Every August, Toastmasters from around the world attend this Convention, which features educational seminars on speaking and leadership, award ceremonies, elections for international off icers, and the f inals of the International Speech Contest, where the World Champion of Public Speaking is selected.

Dwayne felt sure that his quest for the world championship had ended at the regional level. “The acoustics were not good, and the audience was very far away.� When he couldn’t hear laughter at the humorous parts of his speech, Dwayne became almost certain that he had not placed in the contest. Moments later, Dwayne was surprised and elated to hear his name announced as the winner of the regional competition. When Dwayne found himself at the World Championship of Public Speaking in San Antonio, Texas, a few weeks after the regional competition, he knew that he was competing against nine of the best speakers in the world. Most competitors were from the United States, but others were from as far away as Canada, Australia, and Zimbabwe. One contestant was the second-place winner from the previous year; another had a CD playing and lights flashing. Still, Dwayne’s relatively low-tech speech was powerful enough to win first place and the world championship. When Dwayne called to inform his family of his victory, they were understandably ecstatic. That very day, he received in the mail an offer for early retirement from BellSouth. “It’s like the Lord was saying, ‘I’ve opened the door – now what are you going to do with it?’� Dwayne recounts. He accepted the early retirement package and began his career as professional public speaker and consultant. Dwayne now travels around the world to places as distant as Qatar and Taiwan for his speaking business, The Speakers’ Coalition. Dwayne’s suggestions for a successful speech? “Use part of your own life. Take a story and pull out the lessons you learned. More than likely, others have

Designed by Courtney Kuhlman, www.courtneykuhlman.com, Photography by Steve Smyly

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had the same experience, and they can learn from yours.â€? Dwayne suggests trying to encapsulate what one is trying to say into one sentence, then separating it into three major points and supporting the points from there. According to Dwayne, joining a local Toastmasters club is also a great way to improve one’s speaking ability, “Toastmasters can help when you’re sitting in a meeting, interviewing for a job, making a proposal before the city council‌so many ways.â€?

and keynote speeches for organizations and conferences. He still practices most speeches more than 20 times each and attends local Toastmasters meetings, occasionally delivering speeches to the Griffin Spalding Toastmasters club. For additional information on The Speaker’s Coalition or to order Dwayne’s books, visit www.dwaynegsmith.com or contact Dwayne at dgs@dwaynegsmith.com. The public is invited to attend the Griffin Spalding Toastmasters club, which meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in room 202 of the Stuckey building at the Georgia Experiment Station. Dwayne’s latest speech is about being good enough, even when you think you’re not. After talking with Dwayne, we know that he’s good enough to meet any public speaking challenge that comes his way.

Most Toastmasters meetings also include a Table Topics session, which is designed to help members think on their feet. Members take two to three minutes to provide an unrehearsed answer to a question on almost any topic. Dwayne shares that having participated in Table Topics helped him when he was asked to give the welcome at a church in Decatur â€“ a week earlier than scheduled. The pastor called on “Brother Dwayne 5 6WXDUW 2JOHWUHH ,,, $JHQW Smithâ€? to deliver the welcome. “I was sitting : 7D\ORU 6WUHHW 32 %R[ there, hoping there was another Dwayne Smith *ULIILQ *$ in the congregation,â€? he remembers. When no %XV one else got up, Dwayne was able to give a successful welcome. Then the following week he had been told that he did not have to do the welcome because of the mistake the week before, but “Brother Dwayne Smithâ€? was again asked to deliver the welcome! Dwayne was able to meet the challenge, thanks to his Table Topics Training.

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Even with his past successes, Dwayne is still striving to improve his public speaking abilities. The Speakers’ Coalition provides speech training

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Tickets Available at Any of These Locales: Reeves Cleaners, Ann Imes & Assoc. Realtors, Curves, Griffin Welcome Center, United Bank

C hristma S TOUR OF HOMES Brought to you by GRIFFIN-DAYBREAK ROTARY

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Griffin Location NEW!! Barnesville 136 West Solomon St. 216 Main Street Griffin, GA 30223 Barnesville, Ga 30204 (770) 227-0022 (770) 358-6737

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My Uncle Joe used to live in the dead-book basement of the public library in Frog Town, Georgia until my Aunt Moe found him and had him committed. No one ever goes down into the basement of the library unless the furnace goes out or a pipe bursts. There’re mutant crickets down there; ones with spidery legs and fat, striped torsos. They jump at the slightest noise. It took me a while to get used to the commotion on my first couple of visits. . .

K I N D LI N G PART 1

SPLINTERS by AMANDA CERA

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’d stop at the base of the stairs and stand stock-still for what seemed an eternity with crook-legged crickets thudding against me from every direction. I imagined that was what it’d be like to stand in the middle of a giant popcorn popper and be the only kernel left soaking in the grease while all the other kernels burst open around me and were transformed. Joe didn’t mind the crickets, though. He named a particularly rotund one Borges, after his favorite author. Joe told me he’d accidentally (and he clarified by saying “a real accident, not an Aunt Moe type of planned one”) stepped on Borges once, just to have him hop away unharmed. Joe was much happier with his pet cricket in the basement of the library than he ever was living with Aunt Moe. I guess that’s why he carefully timed his escape, just after the yearly heat pump service, so he’d have a good six months before any catastrophe might send an unlucky employee down into his domain.

By the time he called me for help on the first Sunday of April, he’d fixed the place up nice, with rooms separated off by stacked encyclopedias and broken-spined books. Unabridged dictionaries served as tables and were stacked into chairs. And to me, Uncle Joe looked handsome in his house of books, with his wispy red hair as thin as the corduroy patches on his tweed jacket and his monocle resting in the fleshy folds of his right eye. It was like before, only better. Uncle Joe’s left eye was shot out just after he and my Aunt Moe married; she says it was an accident; Joe swears there’s no way to accidentally pump a CO2-propelled BB gun and then inadvertently aim that same weapon at a sleeping man’s left eye and pull the trigger. I might never have been brought into his confidence if he hadn’t forgotten his glass eye in his dash to escape Aunt Moe.

Designed by John Powell

Over the ten years since Aunt Moe had shot out his eye, he’d had fifty or more glass eyes replaced. He swore she liked to hide them from him because she said she didn’t like the way they stared at her. Uncle Joe suspected she’d buried them in the compost heap out behind the house, and he wanted me to go dig up the wide mouth pickle jar that she stashed them in. But before I agreed to risk it, I made him tell me again about the night Aunt Moe took care of his wandering left eye.

He told me he heard huffing and puffing, but it was like a dream and he just incorporated the hydraulic hiss of the CO2 into the chug of a train he and his brother used to hobo on in their youth. Next thing he knew, he woke up one eye short than he’d had the night before, in a hospital bed with Aunt Moe sobbing and feeding him green Jell-O from a flimsy plastic spoon, saying how sorry she was for him. Joe said she was so sad that she cried for days and wouldn’t eat a thing. That’s one reason he forgave her. ZZZ NLWFKHQGUDZHU QHW

The jar was right where Joe said it would be, buried in the far, left corner of the compost heap. Joe gave me some rubber gloves he’d stolen from Aunt Moe’s cleaning supply closet to use for the excavation, but I dug with bare hands. I liked how the soil gave way under my clawing fingers. The smell was strong but earthy and comforting, as I flung handful after handful of decay and dirt over my shoulders. Left, right. Left, right. My fingernails tore away as pebbles and grit gouged my fingertips. I remember sweat trickling over my eyebrow and stinging as it ran into my eye. I didn’t even try to wipe it. My arms worked on their own to the rhythm of my hammering heart. I couldn’t stop; not even when my fingertips started to bleed; I just kept digging. Uncle Joe was counting on me. The last things I remember about that night are the shush of CO2, the shatter of breaking glass and a hailstorm of glass eyeballs showering around me.

I awoke in Uncle Joe’s place, resting on a bed of paperback FBI thrillers with Uncle Joe peering down at me. “You’re okay, Becka? Close one, huh?”

I never should have agreed to help him. I knew it was risky, but Uncle Joe and me, we’ve always been real close. We understand each other. He’s not like other grown ups. He knows how it feels to have people just make decisions about what’s best for you. They don’t ask you how you feel about them. And the thing is, the decisions they’re making change your life forever. I don’t care how many therapists they consult. It’s just not right. Grown-ups pay big bucks for a therapist to sort out who’s being dependent and who’s co-dependent and who’s the enabler or some other crumby label the therapist slaps on you so she can sleep better when she goes home to her perfect family each night. So why, then, do they think they are qualified to make decisions without asking you? Aunt Moe and Uncle Joe and my parents before them all lectured about the importance of education and getting a degree, but I don’t see as how it did any of them any good. Uncle Joe used to teach a college Lit. class, and he had his own office full of leather-bound books with gold writing on the covers. “Classics,” he’d say when he’d catch me staring, mouth agape at his bookshelves. When I first moved to Frog Town, I’d go with him to the office at least once a week, I was always captivated by those books. But what good did any of that education do him? It didn’t stop the bad thoughts from gathering again. It didn’t keep him from being locked up in the sanitarium with Aunt Moe telling people he’s at a health spa. Just how do you decide the difference between mental health and mental illness, anyway? How can anyone say with certainty this guy needs help and this one is a-okay? The people who hear their dogs telling them the neighbors are

Kindling – Part 1 continued on page 46.

Aunt Moe was jealous of us, I think. Any time Uncle Joe and I were together, she hovered around just outside of earshot, like some stalking lioness – that’s how I described her to Uncle Joe, but he’s such a nice guy he wouldn’t let me talk bad about her.

Kindling – Part 1 continued on page 46.

aliens – those are the easy ones. I’m just a kid, and I know those people need a trip to the “spa.” But, there are others; people like Uncle Joe, who are just “different,” not sick. I know how Uncle Joe thinks, and why he does the things he does. What’s wrong with make-believe? I mean, I pretend my Dad is just on a business trip like before. Sometimes, I do such a good job of imagining things the way they were that the illusion lasts for weeks at a time, and it gets more complicated and elaborate, and suddenly I’ve created a world that I can control – one where only good things happen and all the decisions are mine. One I never want to leave. Aunt Moe cries a lot. I think it’s mostly from guilt over committing Uncle Joe when she knows he’s not crazy. He’s loved her through everything she’s done to him, and she just locked him away and abandoned him. Oh she goes and visits, but I think that’s so people don’t look at her bad for putting him there. She used to take me with her back when Joe was still allowed to come home for overnight visits and was still teaching Beowulf – when he had an office full of “classics,” but she doesn’t take me anymore, no matter how much I beg her.

“A watchful eye,” he’d say, winking, then he’d give me a look that said be nice, so I’d just nod like I agreed. I didn’t agree, but I didn’t want to make him sad. Sometimes when Uncle Joe got really sad, he would just sit in the back yard propped up against a stunted pine tree and stare out into the woods. He wouldn’t talk much or eat or shower or even sleep. No matter how much Aunt Moe begged him, he wouldn’t come inside. Finally she’d give up, and I’d go out and sit beside him. I’d see her on the porch, watching through the rusty, patched bug screen that wrapped the wood posts.

“What you doing, Uncle Joe?” I’d ask him. He wouldn’t even blink when the sadness consumed him. It was like his mind and heart had splintered, letting all of the happiness escape between the cracks. “Looking for kindling,” he’d answer, his voice flat. Stay tuned.

Aunt Moe was my mom’s sister. I’ve lived with her and Uncle Joe since my Dad was promoted at work and moved to Antarctica, or was it Mozambique? I don’t remember, but somewhere. My Mom died first, but I don’t want to talk about that. I think Dad’s promotion killed her or maybe it was their divorce, or it could have been cancer, I guess. I think maybe she was killed, but I try not to remember bad things too often.

Uncle Joe’s like me. He doesn’t like to remember bad things either. He told me when I came to live with them all of his bad thoughts scattered like dandelion fluff on the wind. He winked at me with his one good eye. And I smiled. I remember feeling amazed as my face pulled up at the corners. I hadn’t smiled in so long that, for an instance, I didn’t know what was happening to me, and I was scared. I was scared of everything until Uncle Joe changed all that, him and his vivid imagination, him and his beautiful books. He was smiling down at me, and I was smiling up at him, and I knew we understood each other.

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