2014-15 Henry Factbook

HENRY 2014-2015

FACTBOOK YOUR COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO GOVERNMENT | EDUCATION | BUSINESS | SPORTS & RECREATION

SENIOR LIVING | HENRY COUNTY COMMUNITY

Published by the HENRY_FB2014_(1) 1

7/10/2014 1:53:50 AM

HENRY_FB2014_(2) 2

7/10/2014 2:27:59 AM

HENRY_FB2014_(3) 3

7/10/2014 2:51:49 AM

HENRY_FB2014_(4) 4

7/10/2014 3:21:33 AM

CONTENTS: INDEX OF ADVERTISERS 6 GOVERNMENT 7 Local officials, city and county information

EDUCATION 15 School information, test scores

BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 25 Largest employers, job growth, chamber info

SPORTS & RECREATION 33 Recreation centers, high school sports

SENIOR LIVING 39 Senior centers, Henry County veterans

COMMUNITY 45 Events, parks and organizations

HENRY FACTBOOK STAFF EXECUTIVE

photography

publisher

Katherine Frye

Otis Brumby III general manager

Lee B. Garrett v.p. advertising

ADVERTISING STAFF advertising manager

Lynn Danson

Wade Stephens advertising director

EDITORIAL STAFF

Tara Guest

managing editor

account executive

Brian T. Clark

Cristy Smith

editor

graphic designers

Noreen Cochran

Beth Poirier, Jennifer Hall

contributors

PRODUCTION

Christine Fonville, Noreen Cochran, Bill Baldowski, Maurice Dixon

creative director

layout and design

circulation director

Brian T. Clark, Mary Cosgrove

Dave Gossett

HENRY_FB2014_(5) 5

Leigh Hall

Welcome to the 2014-2015 Henry Factbook

W

elcome to the inaugural edition of the 2014-2015 Henry Factbook, an essential 56-page guidebook to Henry County and its four cities, published by the Henry Neighbor, the county’s largest circulation newspaper for nearly 30 years.

Inside, you will find the facts, figures and faces you need to help you throughout the year, whether you are a lifelong resident, new to the community or considering a move here.

Please take note of our advertisers, whose support brings you these pages and who are just as enthusiastic about Henry County as we are.

Factbook highlights the unique aspects of this growing county.

More and more residents and businesses are discovering Henry County is the place to Noreen live, work and play.

Cochran Its population has increased Editor 75 percent, from 119,000 in 2000 to 211,000 today.

Yet one can find small-town ambience on the Square in McDonough, by the train tracks in Locust Grove and Hampton, and in Stockbridge, considered the county’s gateway.

History is revered from railroad roots to 100-year-old businesses, demonstrating oldfashioned values can coexist with progressive and thoughtful development.

The county’s youth and those in their golden years are equally valued as evidenced by thriving senior centers awhirl with activity and growing educational opportunities like a new career academy and technical college campus.

Henry County’s landscape is varied, from thriving retail centers to the lushness of Southern Belle Farms in Stockbridge, the excitement of NASCAR racing at Hampton’s Atlanta Motor Speedway, the somber reverence of the Veterans Wall of Honor in McDonough and quaint residences in friendly neighborhoods throughout the four cities. Film and television studios find its locations compelling, their patronage creating jobs, awareness and excitement. But our people are our greatest resource, with civic-minded individuals helming nonprofits, foundations and community groups, business owners banding together to drive economic development, hospitality experts creating reasons to return again and again, and public servants protecting, representing and bringing new ideas and solutions to the people.

Perhaps you are one of them – or will be.

We hope you will enjoy this brand-new publication and will turn to it again and again.

7/10/2014 3:43:38 AM

FACTBOOK

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Bellamy Strickland C&C Fence Candace Carpet One Cannon Cleveland Funeral Directors City of Hampton City of Stockbridge Community Christian School Crystal Lake/Eagles Brooke Golf Cycle Nation Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy F&F Floor Covering Fabric Town Fancy That Fine Jewelry Foundation Sports Georgia Lawn Equipment Georgia Pool Supply Governor’s Glen Memory Care Harding Plumbing & HVAC Henry County Recreation Home Rec Italian Oven Lake Dow Christian Academy

9 31 27 50 4 26, 47 18 34 55 23 13 40 30 36 37 49 42 3 38 35 8 16

Los Portales Main Street Locust Grove Main Street McDonough McDonough Business Development Mrs. Winner’s New Creation Christian Academy Nitro Motor Sports Ohio Christian University Patrick Rentals Pilgreen’s Steakhouse Piorra Mattress Primrose School Riner’s Appliance Sacred Journey Hospice Smokin’ Swine Southern Crescent Technical College State Farm Stockbridge Dental Tara Properties Terrell’s Pools & Spas The Bridge Oyster Bar The Palms at Lake Spivey The Paw Pad Wilson Bros Nursery Yule Forest

51 54 12 29 28 21 46 22 32 24 11 17 48 44 56 19 2 43 53 37 36 41 11 13 18

6 HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015 HENRY_FB2014_(6) 6

7/10/2014 1:09:07 PM

GOVERNMENT

ELECTED OFFICIALS, IMPORTANT NUMBERS AND MORE

HENRY_FB2014_(7) 7

7/10/2014 4:01:21 AM

GOVERNMENT

STATE LEGISLATORS Emanuel Jones

Rick Jeffares

John Yates

Sandra Scott

District 10 State Sen. D-Decatur emanuel.jones @senate.ga.gov (770) 964-8888

District 17 State Sen. R-Locust Grove rick.jeffares @senate.ga.gov (678) 432-7676

District 73 State Rep. R-Griffin john.yates @house.ga.gov (770) 227-1474

District 76 State Rep. D-Rex sandra.scott @house.ga.gov (404) 656-0314

Full Service Casual Dining, Offering over 20 pasta dishes, fresh seafood, salads, brick oven pizzas, calzones & strombolis.

Hours:

Monday 11am - 10pm Tues. - Sun. 11am - 11pm

Bar • Italian Coffees • Desserts • Pastas • Pizza

Italian Oven-Metro Atlanta

938 Eagles Landing Parkway • Stockbridge (770) 507-4827 • www.theitalianoven.com

8 HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015 HENRY_FB2014_(8) 8

7/10/2014 4:02:47 AM

Demetrius Douglas

Dale Rutledge

Andy Welch

Brian Strickland

District 78 State Rep. D-Stockbridge demetrius.douglas @house.ga.gov (404) 656-7859

District 109 State Rep. R-McDonough dale.rutledge @house.ga.gov (404) 656-0109

District 110 State Rep. R-McDonough andy.welch @house.ga.gov (770) 957-3937

District 111 State Rep. R-McDonough brian.strickland@ house.ga.gov (404) 656-01019

David Knight

Pam Stephenson

District 130 State Rep. R-Griffin david.knight @house.ga.gov (678) 464-4926

District 90 State Rep. D-Decatur pam.stephenson @house.ga.gov (770) 987-2100

145 Industrial Blvd.

McDonough, GA 30253 I-75 • Exit 216

770.954.3000

Bellamy Strickland has been providing customer service to Henry County and surrounding areas for over 20 years. We have several departments to accommodate the needs of all vehicle makes and models.

Please visit us on the web at: www.bellamystrickland.com • Quicklube • Certified Service • Car Wash HENRY_FB2014_(9) 9

• Collision Center • New & Used Sales • Commercial Department 7/10/2014 4:03:31 AM

GOVERNMENT

HENRY COUNTY INFO

Incorporated: May 15, 1821 Population: 211,000 Total area: 322.7 square miles 140 Henry Pkwy.

McDonough, Ga. 30253 (770) 288-6000 www.co.henry.ga.us

Henry County, created in 1821 from Creek Indian lands, recognizes Patrick Henry, Virginia patriot. McDonough, the county seat, is named for Commodore Thomas McDonough who was victorious over the British on Lake Champlain during the War of 1812. The state legislature later divided land originally set aside as Henry County into Butts, Clayton, DeKalb, Fulton, Newton and Spalding counties and large portions of present day Rockdale and Fayette counties.

Source: www.georgia.gov

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Note: 2014 is an election year.

District 3 Commissioner Gary Barham is opposed in the Nov. 4 election.

District 4 Commissioner Reid Bowman lost the May 20 Republican primary to Blake Prince.

District 5 Commissioner Bruce Holmes is unopposed.

Tommy Smith

Bo Moss

Brian Preston

Chairman tsmith @co.henry.ga.us (770) 288-6001

District 1 bmoss @co.henry.ga.us (770) 288-6001

District 2 bpreston @co.henry.ga.us (770) 288-6001

Gary Barham

Reid Bowman

Bruce Holmes

District 3 gbarham @co.henry.ga.us (770) 288-6001

District 4 district4 @co.henry.ga.us (770) 288-6001

District 5 bholmes @co.henry.ga.us (770) 288-6001

10 HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015 HENRY_FB2014_(10) 10

7/10/2014 1:54:34 AM

LOCUST GROVE

Population: 5,700 City Hall: 3644 Hwy. 42 Locust Grove, Ga. 30248 Phone: (770) 957-5043 Web: www.locustgrove-ga.gov Located within 35 miles of downtown Atlanta to the southeast at I-75 and Bill Gardner Parkway, the city offers a growing selection of retail, dining, lodging and business opportunities. The city is home to Tanger Outlet Centers and a unique train-watching platform where residents and enthusiasts can watch more than 40 trains passing through Locust Grove each day, just steps away from unique shops and restaurants.

Robert Price Locust Grove Mayor rprice @locustgrove-ga.gov All city council members receive email through City Clerk Tracey Sullivan, tsullivan@locustgrove-ga.gov

Vernon Ashe

Keith Boone

Councilman

Councilman

James Sam Rosser

Otis Hammock

Councilman

Councilman

Frances Ward

Sammy Brown

Councilwoman

Councilman

HENRY_FB2014_(11) 11

7/10/2014 2:01:02 AM

GOVERNMENT

MCDONOUGH INFO

Billy Copeland

Gail Notti

Roger Pruitt

Rufus Stewart

Mayor (678) 618-6307

At Large Councilwoman (404) 610-7906

At Large Councilman (678) 491-7051

District 1 Councilman (678) 618-7754

bcopeland@mcdonough-ga.gov

gailnotti@juno.com

rpruitt@mcdonough-ga.gov

rstewart@mcdonough-ga.gov

Population: 23,000 136 Keys Ferry St., McDonough, Ga. 30253 (770) 957-3915 www.mcdonoughga.org McDonough is a National Main Street City and City of Character. It has a 1920s prototype service station as its welcome center, which is the headquarters of both Main Street McDonough and McDonough Hospitality and Tourism.

HENRY_FB2014_(12) 12

Sandra Vincent

Craig Elrod

Kamali Varner

District 2 Councilwoman (678) 245-1808

District 3 Councilman (678) 739-7469

District 4 Councilwoman (678) 492-6291

svincent@mcdonough-ga.gov

celrod@mcdonough-ga.gov

kvarner@mcdonough-ga.gov

7/10/2014 2:03:06 AM

STOCKBRIDGE

Population: 27,000 Address: 4640 N. Henry Blvd Stockbridge, Ga. 30281 Phone: (770) 389-7900 Web: www.cityofstockbridge.com The city of Stockbridge is located in the northern part of Henry County Stockbridge is often recognized as the gateway to the county. The city has close proximity to I-75 as well as I-675.

Supportive economic development, excellent public services and fabulous small-town hospitality are all reasons why Stockbridge continues to enjoy tremendous growth.

Tim Thompson

Anthony S. Ford

Mayor

Councilman

LaKeisha T. Gantt

Richard Steinberg

Councilwoman

Councilman

• • • f or a l i f e ti m e of l i vi ng • • •

“We love our new floors! Scott and his team did an immaculate job and paid attention to every detail.

Thanks F&F Floor Covering!”

– Ashley Post Cochran, McDonough

770-957-2165 F&F FLOOR COVERING 45 Griffin Street McDonough

ears in Flooring!

www. f a n d f f lo o r co v e r ing . c o m Hardwood • Carpet • Ceramic Tile • LVT • Laminate • Vinyl • Blinds

Robin Buschman

Alphonso Thomas

Councilwoman

Councilman

HENRY_FB2014_(13) 13

7/10/2014 2:11:38 AM

GOVERNMENT

CITY OF HAMPTON PROFILE Population: 7,000 Address: 17 East Main St. S. Hampton, Ga. 30228 Phone: (770) 946-4306 Web: www.cityofhampton-ga.gov Hampton enjoys the benefits of a small town atmosphere, while being comfortably south of Atlanta. It is home to the Atlanta Motor Speedway, located less than two miles from downtown Hampton.

Tour a brewery in the old jailhouse, or take a historic walking tour, enjoy a meal at a Japanese steakhouse, buy Georgia grown and made foods, beverages, merchandise and books, and more.

The historic Hampton train depot was built in 1881. It was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1979.

In 2013, Hampton was one of 217 cities designated as a Playful City — the only city in Henry County to achieve this designation.

Steve Hutchison Mayor shutchison@ cityofhampton-ga.gov P.O. Box 400 Hampton, Ga. 30228 Photos of Hampton City Council members were unavailable

Mary Ann Mitcham Councilwoman mmitcham @cityofhampton-ga.gov

Zachery Daniel Councilman zdaniel@cityofhampton-ga.gov

Charlie Hearn Councilman chearn@cityofhampton-ga.gov

Marty Meeks Councilman mmeeks @cityofhampton-ga.gov

Henry Byrd Councilman hbyrd@cityofhampton-ga.gov

Harold “Willie” Walls Councilman wwalls@cityofhampton-ga.gov

HOME DEPOT CREATES 300 JOBS IN HENRY

By Noreen Cochran ncochran@neighbornewspapers.com

County Chairman Tommy N. Smith was one of several invited guest speakers at the South Metro Development Outlook Conference, held at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park earlier this year.

Smith gave a presentation on the Home Depot Direct fulfillment center, which recently opened in Locust Grove.

He said Home Depot’s capital investment in the new facility was more than $80 million and will eventually create 300 jobs in Henry County.

He noted that the new facility is one of four Home Depot supply chain facilities that operates in Henry County and there are many reasons businesses are choosing to locate to the county.

Smith also briefly discussed the

importance of the Southern Crescent Technical College’s Henry County campus, which is expected to open this year.

One building is near completion and the master plan is to have eight buildings adjacent to Henry County High School in McDonough.

Also in attendance at the conference were Commissioner Bruce Holmes and county Development Authority Director Bob White.

During the afternoon session, Mercer University economist Roger Tutterow predicted metro Atlanta in 2014 will continue its journey to a pre-recession “normal.”

“There is nothing to suggest that 2014 will be anything other than a sixth year of economic expansion,” he said about indicators like consumer confidence, gross domestic product and a monthly index from New York-based think tank The Conference Board. Even with GDP growth at 3.2 percent, the economy still has to cross

two “thresholds” before regaining 2007’s momentum, Tutterow said. One is the amount of equity in homeowners’ property; the other is the number of employed residents, which he said is returning to 2007 levels.

“We’re adding jobs faster than the national average,” Tutterow said. He said job seekers from other states will relocate in greater numbers to the metro area, including the Southern Crescent – of which Henry County is part – as it is becoming “a hub” for film and television companies.

When newcomers arrive, they will be securing loans for new homes more easily than in the last six years, at interest rates not likely to rise for at least a year, Tutterow said.

“The bank of today wants to make loans.

It’s a borrower’s market if you can qualify,” he said. Another economic indicator is the number of permits issued for new home construction, a figure which plunged 34 percent during the recession.

14 HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015 HENRY_FB2014_(14) 14

7/10/2014 2:13:13 AM

EDUCATION School listings, test scores, school system information HENRY_FB2014_(15) 15

7/10/2014 2:14:27 AM

A fresh start

education

New superintendent takes the reins

By Christine Fonville

Staff / Katherine Frye

As the new superintendent of Henry County Schools, Rodney Bowler looks forward to instituting fresh teaching techniques and learning tools for students.

HENRY_FB2014_(16) 16

There was a new face in the office of superintendent of Henry County Schools last spring, but many students, faculty and staff are already familiar with Rodney Bowler.

That’s because Bowler, who has been in education for 25 years, has spent most of his career – 23 years to be exact – right here in the county.

7/10/2014 2:16:10 AM

education “After working as an educator at Eagle’s Landing High School, I became the assistant principal in 1995 and then went on to become the first principal of Union Grove High School in 2000,” he said.

“I then became director of human resources for the county’s central office.”

Bowler said he is honored to take on the position of superintendent in what he said was a “wonderful school system with great staff members.”

“One nice thing for me is that there is a sense of comfort with this position because I know our county and community and they know me as well,” he said.

However, Bowler said comfort does not equal complacency.

“I want to advance the work this system is already doing to make our schools even more successful,” he said.

Bowler said his vision for the school system is one of “rigor, relevance and

relationships” and includes recognizing each student as an individual.

“Our students are given the strongest rigor and high expectations, but in order

for them to succeed we, as a school system, must make sure what we’re teaching is relevant to what they’re interested in and focused on,” he said.

“We want to build strong relationships with kids in order to know them, support them and encourage them and then recognize that each child is different.

Once what they are learning is relevant to them, it allows us to have high expectations.”

Bowler said he believes school systems in general are moving “down a road of personalized learning” and it should be OK to expect students to excel and master skills at different rates and levels.

“We need to open our minds and realize that mastery isn’t just about getting test questions correct,” he said.

“Our main focus for the next several years is to make sure each student is highly successful and we’re well-positioned to do that because our financial landscape seems to be improving.”

2014/2015 HENRY FACTBOOK 17 HENRY_FB2014_(17) 17

7/10/2014 2:19:06 AM

HENRY COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

Note: 2014 is an election year. In the May 20 primary, Donna McBride won District 4 and Annette Edwards won District 5.

Their terms begin Jan. 1, 2015.

Rodney M. Bowler

Pam Nutt

Superintendent rodney.bowler @henry.k12.ga.us (770) 957-6601

District 1; Chair pam.nutt @henry.k12.ga.us (770) 957-6601

Ryan Davis

Josh Hinton

District 4 ; Vice-Chair ryan.davis @henry.k12.ga.us (770) 957-6601

District 2 joshua.hinton @henry.k12.ga.us (770) 957-6601

Mike Griffin

Erik Charles

District 3 michael.griffin @henry.k12.ga.us (770) 957-6601 HENRY_FB2014_(18) 18

District 5 erik.charles @henry.k12.ga.us (770) 957-6601 7/10/2014 2:23:12 AM

Of fering a higher degree of success.

www.sctech.edu Accounting

Computer Programming

EMS Professions

Paramedicine

Air Conditioning Technology

Construction Management

Firefighter/EMSP

Patient Care Assistant/CNA

Applied Technical Management

Cosmetology

Fire Science Technology

Pharmacy Technology

Auto Collision Repair

Criminal Justice

Forensic Science

Photography

Automotive

CT Scan

Health Information Technology

Plumbing/Pipefitting

Business Admin. Technology

Culinary Arts

Horticulture

Practical Nursing

Business Management

Dental Assisting

Industrial Systems Technology

Radiologic Technology

Carpentry

Design & Media Production

Logistics

Respiratory Care

CNC Technology

Diesel Equipment Technology

Machine Tool Technology

Surgical Technology

Commercial Truck Driving

Drafting

Medical Assisting

Web Applications Development

Computer Database Specialist

Early Childhood Education

Orthopaedic Technology

Web Site Design

Computer Networking

Electrical Systems Technology

Paralegal Studies

Welding & Joining Technology

NOW OPEN! Butts Center 770.504.7590

Flint River Campus 706.646.6148

Griffin Campus 770.228.7348

Henry Center 770.914.4411

Jasper Center 706.468.9930

Taylor Center 478.862.2323

APPLY TODAY! CLASSES BEGIN SOON! A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia

HENRY_FB2014_(19) 19

Equal Opportunity Institution

7/10/2014 2:24:40 AM

education

HENRY COUNTY TEST SCORES Elementary school CCRPI scores 2014

2013

State elementary schools

77.8

83.4

System elementary schools

78.1

87.9

Austin Road Elementary

67.0

65.7

Bethlehem Elementary

68.5

69.4

Cotton Indian Elementary

77.7

73.9

Dutchtown Elementary

83.7

83.6

East Lake Elementary

87.5

84.4

Fairview Elementary

75.2

76.8

Flippen Elementary

82.8

74.3

Hampton Elementary

79.3

78.9

Hickory Flat Elementary

83.2

88.8

Locust Grove Elementary

63.6

69.0

Luella Elementary

83.4

81.7

McDonough Elementary

74.1

81.1

Mount Carmel Elementary

79.8

85.7

New Hope Elementary

83.3

81.9

Oakland Elementary

62.0

56.6

Ola Elementary

83.4

81.4

Pate’s Creek Elementary

83.1

89.0

Pleasant Grove Elementary

84.9

82.4

Red Oak Elementary

73.3

80.3

Rock Spring Elementary

80.7

81.8

Rocky Creek Elementary

84.0

82.7

Smith-Barnes Elementary

76.4

77.1

Stockbridge Elementary

78.6

87.1

Timber Ridge Elementary

78.5

88.0

Tussahaw Elementary

79.8

80.5

Unity Grove Elementary

79.2

80.3

Walnut Creek Elementary

78.6

85.6

Wesley Lakes Elementary

67.5

79.1

Woodland Elementary

86.1

80.5

i i h i h h h i h h i i h i i h h h i h i i h i i i i i i i h

Middle school CCRPI scores 2014

2013

State middle schools

74.6

81.4

System middle schools

79.7

83.9

Austin Road Middle

78.4

79.6

Dutchtown Middle

85.4

88.5

Eagle’s Landing Middle

79.1

80.6

Hampton Middle

73.5

73.6

Henry County Middle

74.4

71.5

Locust Grove Middle

77.4

75.3

Luella Middle

75.7

82.4

Ola Middle

87.2

75.7

Stockbridge Middle

75.3

69.7

Union Grove Middle

88.0

86.4

Woodland Middle

84.7

75.0

i i i i i i h h i h h h h

High school CCRPI scores 2014

2013

State high schools

71.8

72.6

System high schools

70.5

74.9

Dutchtown High

80.2

75.3

Eagle’s Landing High

68.2

74.2

Henry County High

66.1

66.5

Locust Grove High

65.8

71.0

Luella High

63.7

68.1

Ola High

79.4

82.7

Patrick Henry High

61.1

44.0

Stockbridge High

66.3

61.3

Union Grove High

86.1

90.1

Woodland High

69.6

79.2

i i h i i i i i h h i i

Source: Georgia Department of Education Notes: 2014 scores are for the 2012-13 school year, reported in April 2014. 2013 scores are for the 2011-12 school year.

HENRY_FB2014_(20) 20

7/10/2014 2:29:10 AM

HENRY COUNTY SAT SCORES 2013

2012

Perfect score

2400

2400

U.S.

1498

1500

State

1452

1452

System

1376

1386

Dutchtown

1350

1406

Eagle’s Landing

1504

1428

Henry County

1294

1248

Locust Grove

1342

1358

Luella

1336

1353

Ola

1433

1487

Stockbridge

1312

1291

Union Grove

1556

1533

Woodland

HENRY_FB2014_(21) 21

1369

1440

i i h h i i i h h i

education

Staff / Katherine Frye

From left, best friends Alyshea Wimberly and Daijah Clark hug after senior walk at Ola High.

7/10/2014 2:31:21 AM

HENRY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Academy for Advanced Studies 401 E. Tomlinson St. McDonough, Ga. 30253

Eagle’s Landing High 301 Tunis Road McDonough, Ga. 30253

Austin Road Elementary 50 Austin Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Eagle’s Landing Middle 295 Tunis Road McDonough, Ga. 30253

Austin Road Middle 100 Austin Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

East Lake Elementary 199 East Lake Road McDonough, Ga. 30253

Bethlehem Elementary 1000 Academic Pkwy.

Locust Grove, Ga. 30248

Fairview Elementary 458 Fairview Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Cotton Indian Elementary 1201 Old Conyers Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Flippen Elementary 425 Peach Drive McDonough, Ga. 30252

Dutchtown Elementary 159 Mitchell Road Hampton, Ga. 30228

Hampton Elementary 10 Central Ave. Hampton, Ga. 30228

Dutchtown High 149 Mitchell Road Hampton, Ga. 30228

Hampton High 795 Hampton-Locust Grove Road Hampton, Ga. 30228

Dutchtown Middle 155 Mitchell Road Hampton, Ga. 30228

Hampton Middle 799 Hampton-Locust Grove Road, Hampton, Ga. 30228

HENRY_FB2014_(22) 22

Henry County High 401 E. Tomlinson St. McDonough, Ga. 30253

Pleasant Grove Elementary 150 Reagan Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Henry County Middle 166 Holly Smith Drive McDonough, Ga. 30253

Red Oak Elementary 175 Monarch Village Way Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Hickory Flat Elementary 841 Brannan Road McDonough, Ga. 30253

Rock Spring Elementary 1550 Stroud Road McDonough, Ga. 30252

Locust Grove Elementary 95 Griffin Road Locust Grove, Ga. 30248

Rocky Creek Elementary 803 Hampton-Locust Grove Road, Hampton, Ga. 30228

Locust Grove High 3275 S. Ola Road Locust Grove, Ga. 30248

Smith-Barnes Elementary 147 Tye St. Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Locust Grove Middle 3315 S. Ola Road Locust Grove, Ga. 30248

Stockbridge Elementary 4617 N. Henry Blvd.

Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Luella Elementary 575 Walker Drive Locust Grove, Ga. 30248

Stockbridge High 1151 Old Conyers Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Luella High 603 Walker Drive Locust Grove, Ga. 30248

Stockbridge Middle 533 Old Conyers Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Luella Middle 2075 Hampton-Locust Grove Road, Locust Grove, Ga. 30248

Timber Ridge Elementary 2825 Ga. Hwy. 20 McDonough, Ga. 30252

McDonough Elementary 330 Tomlinson St. McDonough, Ga. 30253

Tussahaw Elementary 225 Coan Drive McDonough, Ga. 30252

Mount Carmel Elementary 2450 Mount Carmel Road Hampton, Ga. 30228

Union Grove High 120 East Lake Road McDonough, Ga. 30252

New Hope Elementary 1655 New Hope Road Locust Grove, Ga. 30248

Union Grove Middle 210 East Lake Road McDonough, Ga. 30252

Oakland Elementary 551 Hwy. 81 West McDonough, Ga. 30253

Unity Grove Elementary 1180 LeGuin Mill Road Locust Grove, Ga. 30248

Ola Elementary 278 N. Ola Road McDonough, Ga. 30252

Walnut Creek Elementary 3535 McDonough Pkwy.

McDonough, Ga. 30253

Ola High 357 N. Ola Road McDonough, Ga. 30252

Wesley Lakes Elementary 685 McDonough Pkwy.

McDonough, Ga. 30253

Ola Middle 353 N. Ola Road McDonough, Ga. 30252

Woodland Elementary 830 N. Moseley Drive Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Pate’s Creek Elementary 1309 Jodeco Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Woodland High 800 N. Moseley Drive Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Patrick Henry Academy 109 Lee St. Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Woodland Middle 820 N. Moseley Drive Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

7/10/2014 2:38:26 AM

HENRY COUNTY PRIVATE SCHOOLS

education

New Creation Christian Academy McDonough (770) 898-9728 www.nccacademy.net

Another Brilliant Child Montessori Academy McDonough (770) 957-9998 www.abcmontessori.us

Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy McDonough (770) 957-2927 www.elcaonline.org

Bible Baptist Christian School Hampton (770) 946-4700 www.biblebaptistchristianschool.com

Heritage Baptist Christian School Locust Grove (770) 320-7735 www.hbcsga.org

Community Christian School Stockbridge (678) 432-0191 www.communitychristianschool.net

High Point Christian Academy Stockbridge (678) 289-9701 www.hpcacademy.org

Creekside Christian Academy McDonough (770) 961-9300 www.creeksideacademy.org

Lake Dow Christian Academy McDonough (770) 957-5728

Primrose School Stockbridge (678) 289-4777 www.primroseschools.com

Living Word Christian McDonough (770) 954-0797 www.livingwordchristianacademy.net

Strong Rock Christian School Locust Grove (678) 833-1200 www.strongrockchristianschool.com

Closer Look Christian Academy McDonough (770) 320-8608 www.closerlookacademy.com

North Henry Academy Stockbridge (770) 389-1591 www.northhenryacademy.com People’s Baptist Academy McDonough (770) 914-7388 www.peoplesbaptistacademy.org

2014/2015 HENRY FACTBOOK 23 HENRY_FB2014_(23) 23

7/10/2014 2:40:15 AM

education

HANDS ON

Academy for Advanced Studies catches on

By Christine Fonville

Staff / Katherine Frye

From left, Principal John Uesseler gets a lesson in 3D design from teacher Brandi Burns with the Inventor program at the Academy of Advanced Studies.

Filling a need in the county’s business landscape led to the first-year success of the Academy for Advanced Studies, which experienced a 43 percent enrollment jump for next year and a commitment for $3.4 million in construction funds from the state.

Its CEO, John Uesseler, said the inaugural school year of the county’s only career academy exceeded his expectations.

Uesseler said the idea for the program arose from a strong partnership with the county’s school system and business community, including the development

authority and the chamber of commerce, whose leaders expressed the need for a workforce with stronger skills. Its program includes engineering, culinary arts, cosmetology, electronics, public safety, broadcast video, health care sciences and teaching.

“We essentially borrow students for part of the day,” Uesseler said. “Those students belong to a school in the county, but we’re offering them an opportunity to participate in innovative programs that our business and industry communities have said are important to them.”

Uesseler said the career academy plans to expand

the 2014-15 curriculum to include automotive, metal fabrication, construction trades, energy systems, marketing, graphic design and information technology networking classes.

Sharing space with Henry County High School and the Henry County Performing Arts Center in McDonough, the career academy also will expand its footprint through a $3.4 million construction project to add more classrooms and labs. Uesseler said in its inaugural year, about 1,400 students signed up to pursue a technical career path, making it the second-largest career academy program in the state.

24 HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015 HENRY_FB2014_(24) 24

7/10/2014 2:42:26 AM

&

BUSINESS HENRY_FB2014_(25) 25

Economic Development

7/10/2014 2:42:49 AM

5

BUSINESS

HENRY COUNTY’S TOP 1

Henry County School System 4,800 employees www.henry.k12.ga.us (770) 957-6601

Employers

Henry County Government

2

1,595 employees www.co.henry.ga.us (770) 288-6000

3

Piedmont Henry Hospital 1,115 employees www.piedmont.org (678) 604-1000

4

5

Georgia Power Customer Care Center 600

employees

Federal Aviation Administration employees www.faa.org (770) 210-7532 800

26 HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015 HENRY_FB2014_(26) 26

7/10/2014 2:44:15 AM

BUSINESS

Chamber of commerce plans to boost tourism

By Christine Fonville cfonville@neighbornewspapers.com

In a meeting in earlier this year, members of the Henry County Chamber of Commerce spoke about future events and projects that the organization hopes will encourage more business and growth in the county.

Jeff Mills, chairman of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau board of directors, said part of the chamber’s goal is to “encourage people from outside of the county to come to [the county’s] businesses and spend money.”

He used sports tournaments and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race as examples of high-traffic events where promotion could help local businesses.

“About 40,000 people come outside of the county to participate in these sports events every year,” Mills said. “Those are

opportunities for our county’s businesses to flourish and to encourage people to visit some of our more unique and one-of-a-kind attractions, like Noah’s Ark in Locust Grove.”

The animal sanctuary is the only place in the world that has a lion, tiger and bear living together, Mills said.

Next, June Wood, chair-elect of the chamber’s education foundation, spoke about the nonprofit’s plans to help expand educational institutions in the county.

“Our purpose is to partner with the board of education and support initiatives,” she said.

The nonprofit is associated with the formation of the Academy for Advanced Studies in McDonough, the first charter school in the county to focus on career development.

Now, said Wood, the foundation’s goal is to help with the building and add-ons to Southern Crescent Technical College, located

close to Henry County High School.

“We’re excited to have this eight-building campus coming to the county,” she said.

The nonprofit is trying to encourage the community to support a brick campaign to help fund future equipment and facility needs.

For $60 per brick, residents can memorialize or honor the name of a loved one to be placed in the courtyard on campus.

Mary Evans-Battle, a member of Leadership Henry, spoke about her experiences and upcoming projects with the organization.

“Through my experiences in the Leadership Henry program, I’ve learned not only about county operations but community engagements as well,” she said. “As a group, we hope to identify certain issues in the community and learn to develop relationships, which this organization does very well.”

2014/2015 HENRY FACTBOOK 27 HENRY_FB2014_(27) 27

7/10/2014 2:46:33 AM

BUSINESS

WORK FORCE

Job fair draws 10,000 applicants Story and Photo by Noreen Cochran

Wells Fargo representative Traci Walker of Henry County talks to jobseekers at the recent 11th annual Congressional job fair in College Park.

Congress is helping to save the mortgages of residents experiencing unemployment, where in metro Atlanta the latest figure is 7.3 percent, through a job fair held recently by District 13 U.S. Rep. David Scott, D-Atlanta, whose district includes parts of Henry County.

28 HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015 HENRY_FB2014_(28) 28

7/10/2014 2:48:04 AM

BUSINESS The 11th annual event at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park featured a Georgia Department of Community Affairs program to protect unemployed or underemployed homeowners from foreclosure.

Scott said the HomeSafe Georgia program, through which residents can qualify for 18 to 24 months of free home mortgage payments, was funded by Congress in 2008.

“It’s from our Hardest Hit program that we were able to attach to the Wall Street bailout bill,” he said about the $700 billion legislation.

“As we said, if we can bail out Wall Street, and those big companies up there, we’ve got to get some help down at the lower-income and middle-income [levels] for struggling homeowners.”

At the February job fair, Scott estimated more than 10,000 applicants came from all over the metro Atlanta area.

“Isn’t that something,” he said about a line of hundreds of applicants waiting to register.

“This is big.”

The attendees met about 100 employers who committed to filling nearly 4,500 vacancies.

“They have those openings they are looking to fill because one of the requirements that we have for employers coming, they’ve got to hire

“

...if we can bail out

Wall Street, and those big companies up there, we’ve got to get some help down at the lower-income and middle-income [levels] for struggling homeowners.

”

-David Scott

people. They have to have openings,” Scott said.

Employers like the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, SunTrust, UPS, Regions Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and Waffle House represented industries seeing growth, according to the Georgia Department of Labor.

In jobless figures for the state and metro Atlanta – 7.1 and 6.9 percent, respectively, in February – the sectors shedding the fewest workers included accommodations, hospitality, transportation and warehousing.

Those industries plus financial services were among those gaining the most jobs yearto-year in metro Atlanta, where the February 2013 unemployment rate was 8.4 percent.

“This is the eighth month in a row that Georgia’s unemployment rate has declined,” state Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said in a statement. “The rate dropped in February because Georgia employers created nearly 7,000 new jobs and reduced the number of new layoffs more than 30 percent.”

2014/2015 HENRY FACTBOOK 29 HENRY_FB2014_(29) 29

7/10/2014 2:50:34 AM

BUSINESS

Toast and Roast

Henry Council for Quality Growth honors local businesses

By Christine Fonville cfonville@neighbornewspapers.com

Top elected officials, business leaders and other members of the Henry County community paid tribute to a high-tech company, a bank and an economic development guru at the Henry Council for Quality Growth’s annual meeting this year.

Attendees included McDonough Mayor Billy Copeland, Stockbridge Mayor Tim Thompson and Hampton Mayor Steve Hutchison.

The special meeting, which this year included dinner at the Hazlehurst House at 77 Sloan St. in McDonough, honors and names a county business of the year and member of the year.

30 HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015 HENRY_FB2014_(30) 30

“We host this event each year to highlight and honor a business we view as a game-changer in the community. The business is innovative and will help the county grow and succeed,” said council Executive Director Steve Cash.

The business honored this year was Community Broadband LLC, an Internet service that specializes in fiber-based, highspeed broadband.

The company, which was originally founded in Savannah, moved its regional headquarters to Stockbridge in October.

“It wasn’t a hard decision to select Community Broadband LLC because we focused on progressive companies who stood out in 2013 representing quality growth and commitment to Henry County,” said Clate Wall, chairman of the council and of Double Eagle Land Development.

Allen Davis, Community Broadband president, accepted the honor and thanked the council for working with the newly relocated company.

The council’s member of the year was Heritage Bank, which Cash said “played a critical role in the ongoing support of the council.”

Similarly, Leonard Moreland, bank CEO, accepted the award and said, “[The council] is a vital part of our community and we are happy to be a part of growing Henry County.”

New to the annual meeting this year, the event included a good-natured roast to honor community member Bob White, who has served as the executive director of the Henry County Development Authority since 1995, following 15 years in economic development at Atlanta Gas Light Co. “Bob has been a leader in economic development in the state for many years and has had a significant impact on ensuring quality growth in Henry County. Plus, he has a terrific sense of humor and lots of friends who were ready to roast him, which made him the perfect honoree for our first roast,” said council member Laura Turner of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Local attorney Rod Meadows served as emcee for the roast, while Jackson Mayor Kay Pippin, Pat Topping of the Macon Economic Development Commission and Jim Flanagan, business development consultant, regaled the attendees with humorous stories and kudos for White’s economic development efforts in the county.

White thanked his friends and colleagues as well as the council.

At the end of the ceremony, Cash made closing comments, thanked the attendees for their commitment to the council and community and reminded members about the council’s Golf Fore Growth tournament June 16 at Eagle’s Landing Country Club in Stockbridge.

7/10/2014 2:53:06 AM

HENRY_FB2014_(31) 31

7/10/2014 2:54:24 AM

BUSINESS

MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK 5 tips for tax refunds, bonuses and other ‘windfalls’ A tax refund or bonus can be a windfall, and it’s tempting to celebrate by splurging on a big-ticket item, according to Sharon Hightower, a consumer banking executive for Regions Bank.

“Before that check hits the mailbox or the bank account, consider your overall financial health and how the extra cash may pay dividends over the long term,” she said. “Any one of these five tips – or even a combination of them – can help make the most of a refund.”

1

Pay off debt.

“Debt can be burdensome, whether from credit cards, student loans or special financings. Lighten the load by using a tax refund to pay it down,” Hightower said.

2

Start or build an emergency fund.

“Many experts now advise that individuals set aside enough cash in an emergency fund to cover nine months to a year of expenses,” Hightower said.

3

Contribute to a 529 plan.

“Consider giving a child a head start with a college savings account,” Hightower said.

4

Save for retirement.

5

Tackle home improvements.

“Bolster savings with a Roth IRA; investments are made with after-tax dollars, but the account’s growth and qualified withdrawals are taxfree,” Hightower said.

“The improvements can make the home more attractive to potential buyers down the road and increase its value,” Hightower said.

32 HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015 HENRY_FB2014_(32) 32

7/10/2014 2:55:41 AM

SPORTS AND RECREATION

HENRY_FB2014_(33) 33

7/10/2014 2:56:25 AM

SPORTS & RECREATION

HENRY COUNTY RECREATION CENTERS Henry County has several recreation centers located in Hampton, Locust Grove, McDonough and Stockbridge. To find out more information about a specific center, call the recreation office at (770) 288-7300 or visit www.co.henry. ga.us/parksrecreation/ RecreationCenters.shtml.

Fairview Recreation Center Stockbridge, Ga. 30281 35 Austin Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281 Locust Grove Event Center 280 Mose Brown Drive Heritage Park pavilions Locust Grove, Ga. 30248 97 Lake Dow Road McDonough, Ga. 30252 Locust Grove Rec Center 10 Cleveland St. Jason T. Harper Event Center Locust Grove, Ga. 30248 95 Lake Dow Road McDonough, Ga. 30252 Nash Farm Park activity barn 4361 Jonesboro Road J.P. Moseley Recreation Center Hampton, Ga. 30228 1041 Miller’s Mill Road

34 HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015 HENRY_FB2014_(34) 34

7/10/2014 3:01:41 AM

HENRY_FB2014_(35) 35

7/10/2014 3:03:58 AM

Staff / Christine Fonville

Racing driver Taylor Jorgensen, 17, gets ready to drive a Legends car at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Speedway rolls into summer

By Christine Fonville cfonville@neighbornewspapers.com

Summer has arrived and at Atlanta Motor Speedway, 1500 Tara Place in Hampton, that means Thursday Thunder and Friday Night Drags racing events are back.

The events, which run until Sept. 19, include street-style and grassroots racing on the speedway’s quarter-mile Thunder Ring.

Gates open at 6 p.m. with Thursday Thunder racing beginning at 7 p.m. and Friday Night Drags at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $2 for children 5 to 11 up to $8 for adults.

“Our Thursday Thunder racing events are an affordable activity that the entire family can enjoy,” Summer Race Director Brandon Hutchison said. “For tickets that are cheaper than going to a matinee movie, kids and adults can enjoy competitive racing activities in the grand stands to make the event even more fun.”

Speedway President Ed Clark said while the sport is fun for families to watch, it is also a great opportunity for a younger generation who may be interested in pursuing racing.

“The reality is that about 60 drivers who’ve raced in Thursday Thunder’s legends cars have gone on to race in the touring division of NASCAR,” he said. “It’s a huge vote of confidence in what Legend car racing can do for aspiring drivers who have the opportunity to learn car control and how to race.”

Legends cars are five-eighths scale replicas of classic coupes and sedans of the 1930s that were modified into the affordable racing machines of NASCAR’s grassroots history.

During the Thursday Thunder events, anyone over 14 can test drive a Legends car around the Thunder ring for 15 laps for $75.

Clark said the events are part of many attendees’ summer traditions. “It’s great to see families coming out to have fun together and many times we see the same fans who come sit in their same, favorite seats week after week,” he said.

Each event will have a special theme.

Information: www.atlantamotorspeedway.com

HENRY_FB2014_(36) 36

7/10/2014 3:06:20 AM

SHOOTOUT CHAMPS: Dutchtown wins 7-on-7 tourney

By Maurice Dixon mdixon @neighbornewspapers.com

On a recent Thursday at Warren Holder Park, all of the fields were occupied by football teams competing in the Southside Shootout 7-on-7 tournament.

But unlike the day before, a loss sent teams packing. After the passes started being lofted at 3 p.m., teams began departing and fittingly the last two standing were Dutchtown and Stockbridge.

With less than a minute left in the game, K’Lin Epps completed the game-tying touchdown pass to Malik Barkley. Then to prevent overtime, Epps found Christian Palmer in the end zone, securing a 14-13 victory and starting the celebration.

“Our kids have been working hard all summer,” Dutchtown football coach Mark Myers said. “This is a dedication to them and my staff. This is just commitment from my players.

They bought into the summer program, came out, worked hard and they wanted it. That is what I liked the most.”

To reach the title game, the Bulldogs beat Griffin and Stockbridge knocked off Lovejoy.

“The defense really impressed me,” Myers said. “Even though I’ve been an offensive guy for most of my life, I know that defense wins championships and I really take pride in making sure my defense plays well.”

Last season, Myers was the offensive coordinator at Henry County and will make his head coaching debut at Dutchtown this season.

Locust Grove, Luella, Henry County, Eagle’s Landing, Spalding, Lithia Springs, Mt. Zion, Drew, Alcovy and Mundy’s Mill also participated in the seventh annual tournament.

“You can’t beat coming out here and competing,” Myers said.

“This is our first tournament of the summer and we just wanted to make sure that guys came out and competed. We just wanted to get better. This is something that we look back at on film and say ‘hey we weren’t very strong in this area’ but now we can go and correct it before the summer is out.”

Staff / Maurice Dixon

Mark Myers, the new Dutchtown football coach, and the Bulldogs won the 2014 Southside Shootout 7-on-7 tournament

HENRY_FB2014_(37) 37

7/10/2014 3:11:19 AM

SPORTS & RECREATION CHAMPS: ELCA track team has winning season

By Maurice Dixon mdixon@neighbornewspapers.com

Special / Jeff Hurndon

From left, ELCA 4x100 relay team members T’aja Cameron, Alexis Ross, Taylor Aguillard and Sydney Spencer.

The Eagle’s Landing Christian girls’ track team literally ran away with the Private Class A title in Albany.

Thanks to first-place finishes in the 100 and 200-meter dashes, the triple jump and the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, the Lady Chargers compiled 75 points to capture their first track and field state championship in school history.

“I’m still on cloud nine,” ELCA girls’ track coach Scott Queen said. “It was fun. A great bunch of girls. I thought we had a chance, but everybody had to do what they were supposed to do and they not only did that but they did more.”

Individually, the bright spot for the Lady Chargers was freshman T’aja Cameron. The 14-year-old sprinter ran the 100 in 12.03 seconds and the 200 in 24.76 seconds. She also leaped more than 37 feet in the triple jump.

“She has bought into everything that we are doing from a practice standpoint,” Queen said. “She’s worked hard. God gave her some amazing ability but she has worked hard as well.

If we can keep her healthy and keep training, there is no telling what else she can do.”

But Cameron wasn’t done

yet. She also ran with Sydney Spencer, Taylor Aguillard and senior Alexis Ross to capture gold in the 4x100 relay.

Then with Aguillard, Parker Pinholster and Ansley Goode, Cameron earned another firstplace medal in the 4x400 relay.

“You don’t have to be a great coach when you have athletes like we have,” Queen said.

In other field events, Abigail Rogers finished second in the shot put and senior McKenna Henderson captured fourth in the discus. “I couldn’t be anymore proud of McKenna Henderson,” Queen said. “She has competed for four years and hasn’t really gotten any accolades. I just wasn’t expecting her to finish fourth. Those types of things happened all day long. It just added to our state championship.”

With most of the team returning and some younger additions, the Lady Chargers could be in a similar situation in a year.

“It’s always hard to stay up there but all we can do is keep working and hopefully there is some more success for a couple of years here,” Queen said.

38 HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015 HENRY_FB2014_(38) 38

7/10/2014 3:12:06 AM

SENIOR LIVING HENRY_FB2014_(39) 39

7/10/2014 1:09:39 PM

SENIOR LIVING

MOMENTOUS MILESTONE

Henry County senior meal service celebrates 20 years Ann Marie Quincey, Henry County information and assistance specialist, and Diane Reed, director of county senior services, show the T-shirt design for this year’s Miles for Meals Walk. n Special Photo

40

From Staff Reports The 20th Miles for Meals Walk, which provides senior citizens with hot meals and in-home services, was celebrated in May at the Jason T. Harper Event Center in Heritage Park, 101 Lake Dow Road, McDonough.

Proceeds went towards providing area senior citizens with hot meals and in-home services.

The walk is the single largest fundraiser organized by the Henry County Council on Aging to benefit Henry County senior services’ various programs.

Walkers of all ages were encouraged to come out for this long-standing community tradition.

Every dollar raised by the Miles for Meals Walk stays in Henry County to assist local senior citizens, with the funds helping to provide critical services, such as hot, nutritious meals through the Meals on Wheels program, nutritional supplements and inhome health services.

In addition to providing much-needed meals and services, the Meals on Wheels program offers one important side benefit: a way to ensure that these seniors are checked on regularly by a caring volunteer.

The one-mile route took participants on a leisurely walk through Heritage Park.

All walkers received a free T-shirt and meal ticket for lunch included with their $25 donation, as well as entry into a drawing for door prizes.

Groups and individuals who raised the most money were given special

recognition at the event.

Each year, a T-shirt is designed with a theme to honor or commemorate someone or something instrumental to senior services.

To celebrate and illustrate the 20th walk, members of the senior services staff were wearing the official T-shirts from the past two decades.

According to Diane Reed, senior services director, the walk is an important fundraiser for Henry County’s seniors, especially during lean economic times.

“With budget cuts we have lost some revenue stream, so this walk is even more important to help with that,” she said in a statement. “The walk only lasts a few hours, but the good it does lasts the whole year through.”

Ann Marie Quincey, county information and assistance specialist, said it is encouraging to see that many participants are seniors or family members w h o s e relatives have been assisted by senior services.

“Many of our walkers are seniors, or family members of seniors, and that really lets us see the impact of the services we provide and how important those services are to the community,” she said in a statement.

To add to the festivities, DJ J.T. played the latest tunes entertaining the crowd and Renee Yawn from Jazzercise warmed up participants.

Walkers also had a chance to choose from a variety of sweets from a bake sale.

Information: (770) 2887010 or MilesForMeals@ co.henry.ga.us

HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015

HENRY_FB2014_(40) 40

7/10/2014 3:24:15 AM

>

SENIOR LIVING SENIOR LIVING RESOURCES

HENRY COUNTY SENIOR SERVICES

> Heritage Senior Center 1050 Florence McGarity Blvd.

McDonough, Ga. 30252 (770) 288-7001 Lead Coordinator: Nita Kerr >

Hidden Valley Senior Center 600 Spraggins Memorial Pkwy.

Stockbridge, Ga. 30281 (770) 288-7002 Lead Coordinator: Jimmie Batchelor

>

Locust Grove Senior Center 280 Mose Brown Drive Locust Grove, Ga. 30248 (770) 288-7000

Lead Sloan

Coordinator:

Melissa

SENIOR COMMUNITIES ADVERTISING IN FACTBOOK > Governor’s Glen Memory and Assisted Living 5000 Governors Drive Forest Park, Ga. (404) 362-0404

>

The Palms at Lake Spivey Independent and Assisted Living 8080 Summit Business Pkwy.

Jonesboro, Ga. (770) 477-7207

2014/2015 HENRY FACTBOOK 41 HENRY_FB2014_(41) 41

7/10/2014 3:26:37 AM

HENRY COUNTY APPRECIATES VETS

Henry County Veterans Museum receives generous donation From Staff Reports

The Henry County Veterans Museum accepted a donation from the Georgia United Credit Union recently.

Members of the credit union presented a $5,000 check to Henry County Parks and Recreation Facility Coordinator Jim Joyce, runs the museum along with volunteers.

Several supporters were on hand to celebrate the donation, including county commissioners Gary Barham and Reid Bowman and parks and recreation Director Tim Coley, whose department maintains

42

the museum, located at Heritage Park in McDonough.

In appreciation, Joyce presented a plaque to Meg Norrell, credit union branch manager, and members of her staff for their contribution and continued support.

Norrell said the credit union’s mission includes ensuring education, family and community and that her organization is a staunch supporter of various community endeavors.

Bowman took the opportunity to thank Norrell and the credit union for their generosity.

“Henry County and the board of commissioners appreciate very much you guys stepping up to the plate,” he said.

“Because of what you’ve done and because of the work of these guys, our volunteers, it

makes this a place that we are proud of to bring our kids and our grandkids, and they love it, and I just wanted to say thank you.”

Joyce said he was extremely grateful for the donation to the museum.

“It’ s truly gratifying when local businesses recognize the fact that veterans and veterans’ affairs are so truly important, and proactively support them,” he said.

As the only employee, Joyce has come to rely on a small army of dedicated veterans who volunteer their time to make the museum a success.

They do everything from organizing the donations and creating and rotating displays, to refurbishing rooms and hosting visitors.

According to Joyce, all of the

SENIOR LIVING items displayed in the museum have been generously donated, and they tell the tale of our military’s history, many with personal stories of individual soldiers, some who paid the ultimate price for freedom.

More importantly, the museum is a tribute to veterans for the sacrifices they made and serves as a history exhibit for the community and beyond, bridging generations.

The museum is located at 101 Lake Dow Road in McDonough.

The museum is free and open to the public, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

It is also located just a short distance from the Veterans Wall of Honor.

Information: (770) 2887300

HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015

HENRY_FB2014_(42) 42

7/10/2014 3:28:44 AM

HENRY COUNTY APPRECIATES VETS

SENIOR LIVING

County honors veterans at Heritage Park year round

By Bill Baldowski bbaldowski@ neighbornewspapers.com

Vietnam veteran Jim Joyce, an 11-year resident of Hampton, said he likes to call Henry County a haven for heroes.

As the volunteer director of the Heritage Park Veterans Museum in McDonough since it opened on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2010, Joyce, 63, who served in Vietnam from January 1968 through February 1970, said he has never lived in an area that honors its current or veteran military personnel more than Henry County.

“As a veteran myself, I believe that Henry County military personnel, their families and veterans are fortunate to have the progressive leadership we have in our county and cities and their unwavering support for our military and our vets,” he said.

Joyce said he believes this support comes from many of those in county and city leadership positions who are veterans themselves, such as Henry County Chairman and Air Force veteran Tommy N. Smith.

This support, Joyce said, is evident throughout the year but especially on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. “The mayors of all four of our cities, Stockbridge, McDonough, Locust Grove and Hampton, not only conduct ceremonies for veterans but they participate in those ceremonies we hold here at Heritage Park,” he said.

It is not only city and county government leaders who support veterans, but the communities do as well,

Joyce said.

He said the most recent evidence of such community support came this past Memorial Day when more than 700 attendees gathered for the ceremony at the Wall of Honor near the museum in Heritage Park.

In addition, Hampton officials lined the main thoroughfares of the city with white crosses on which were inscribed the names of former or deceased residents who have served their country in the military.

Henry County Parks and Recreation Director Tim Coley said, like his volunteers, Joyce is a critical element of completing the department’s mission of providing the best in county recreation and leisure opportunities.

“The museum is something we have wanted here and to think that most of the military equipment and other items in the museum are donated makes it even more impressive,” Coley said.

“The Heritage Park Veterans Museum is where our vets can come, gather and feel comfortable talking with other vets like Jim.” The museum, Coley said, is Henry County’s tribute to its vets, “not just on special days like Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but 365 days a year.”

The support for Henry County veterans does not end at the county line.

Joyce said the fame of the Heritage Park Veterans Museum has not only spread throughout the Southeast as evidenced by the large number of residents from other states visiting, but has even gone international.

Staff / Katherine Frye

Heritage Park Veterans Museum director and Vietnam veteran Jim Joyce displays the Huey UH-1H helicopter.

2014/2015 HENRY FACTBOOK 43 HENRY_FB2014_(43) 43

7/10/2014 3:31:32 AM

HENRY COUNTY uMedian age: 35.3 uRace: White, 55 percent. Black, 36.9 percent. Hispanic or Latino, 5.8 percent.

Asian, 2.9 percent.

Other, 2.4 percent. uMedian Household Income: $49,604 uSquare Mileage: 322.7 uPopulation in 2000: 119,341 uPopulation in 2010: 203,922 uLatest Population Estimate: 211,128

BY THE NUMBERS

[

a look at county wide demographics

STOCKBRIDGE uMedian Age: 34.7 uRace: White, 28.8 percent. Black, 55.7 percent. Hispanic or Latino, 9.5 percent.

Asian, 7.6 percent.

Other, 3.8 percent. uMedian Household Income: $55,783 uSquare Mileage: 13.4 uPopulation in 2010: 25,636 uLatest Population Estimate: 27,265

MCDONOUGH

uMedian Age: 31.8

Race: White, 34.8 percent. Black, 58.2 percent. Hispanic or Latino, 6.1 percent.

Asian, 1.8 percent.

Other, 2.2 percent. uMedian Household Income: $48,303 uSquare Mileage: 12.9 uPopulation in 2010: 22,084 uLatest Population Estimate: 22,834

HAMPTON uMedian age: 31.5

Race: White, 52.7 percent. Black, 39 percent. Hispanic or Latino, 8.6 percent.

Other, 4.9 percent. uMedian Household Income: $44,279 uSquare Mileage: 4.3 uPopulation in 2010: 6,987 uLatest Population Estimate: 7,104

LOCUST GROVE uMedian age: 32.9

Race: White, 55.7 percent.

Black, 37.4 percent.

Hispanic or Latino, 5.3 percent. Asian, 1.7 percent.

Other, 2 percent. uMedian Household Income: $57, 143 uSquare Mileage: 2.2 uPopulation in 2010: 5,402 uLatest Population Estimate: 5,648

Information taken from U.S. Census Bureau based on 2010 census

44

HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015

HENRY_FB2014_(44) 44

7/10/2014 3:36:23 AM

COMMUNITY HENRY_FB2014_(45) 45

7/10/2014 3:36:53 AM

COMMUNITY

AREA PARKS

HAMPTON

MCDONOUGH

Bobby McBrayer City Park 10 Central Ave. Hampton, Ga. 30228

Alexander Park Atlanta St. McDonough, Ga. 30252

Nash Farm Park 4361 Jonesboro Road Hampton, Ga. 30228

Avalon Park 1045 Industrial Pkwy.

McDonough, Ga. 30253

North Mount Carmel Park 307 North Mount Carmel Road Hampton, Ga. 30228

Big Springs Park 64 Veterans Dr. McDonough, Ga. 30253

R.W. & Mary Lou Coley Park 79 West Main St. Hampton, Ga. 30228

Franklin Rape Park 20 S. Ola Road McDonough, Ga. 30252

LOCUST GROVE

Heritage Park 101 Lake Dow Road McDonough, Ga. 30253

Warren Holder Park 301 Club Dr. Locust Grove, Ga. 30248

North Ola Park 365 N. Ola Road

Dirt Bikes • Go Karts • Motorcycles ATVs • Side by Sides WE SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS

Sales • Service • Parts Accessories • All Brands Parts in stock for off brand models!

McDonough, Ga. 30252 Richard Craig Park 125 South Cedar St. McDonough, Ga. 30253 Rufus L. Stewart Park 300 Simpson St. McDonough, Ga. 30253 Sandy Ridge Park 1200 Keys Ferry Road McDonough, Ga. 30252 Windy Hill Park Ronnie Stewart Dr. McDonough, Ga. 30253

STOCKBRIDGE Clark Community Park 111 Davis Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281 Cochran Park 305 E. Atlanta Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

50 B Malier Rd. • Hampton • 404-201-3345 46

268 E. Atlanta Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281 Hidden Valley Park 100 Spraggins Memorial Pkwy.

Stockbridge, Ga. 30294 J.P. Moseley Park 1041 Miller’s Mill Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281 Mickie D. Cochran Park 301 Banks Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281 Memorial Park 106 Jennings Way Stockbridge, Ga 30281 Panola Mountain State Park 2600 Ga. Hwy. 155, SW Stockbridge, Ga. 30281 Pates Creek Park 1309 Jodeco Road Stockbridge, Ga. 30281

Gardner Park

HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015

HENRY_FB2014_(46) 46

7/10/2014 3:38:34 AM

HENRY_FB2014_(47) 47

7/10/2014 3:40:08 AM

COMMUNITY

Taste of Henry offers treats and tourism

By Christine Fonville cfonville@ neighbornewspapers.com

Staff / Katherine Frye

From left, organizers Cheryl Young, Laura Luker and Nan Jenkins display a poster for the Taste of Henry food festival.

Food lovers in Henry County enjoyed samplings from their favorite local restaurants and explored new selections at the 13th annual Taste of Henry in April.

The event showcased more than 35 restaurants offering bite-size portions to let residents try a variety of different flavors ranging from appetizers and main courses to desserts.

A $20 wristband gave attendees access to a tented catering section in the Jason T. Harper Event Center in Heritage Park, 101 Lake Dow Road, McDonough.

“We have about 35 food vendors and restaurants signed up to participate,” said organizer Nan Jenkins.

All proceeds from the event benefited A Friend’s House, a nonprofit that helps abused and neglected children in the county.

Sponsors Henry Piedmont Healthcare and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta provided a children’s area with face painting, balloons and inflatables.

New to the 2014 event

was a tourism aspect which was incorporated in this year’s theme, The Best of Taste and Tourism.

“Right now we have 14 tourism vendors ready to give people a taste of what they offer,” county Director of Tourism Laura Luker said before the benefit.

“These businesses include conference centers, hotels, parks, theater companies, retail centers and motor sport complexes and every booth will have some sort of interactive element to engage visitors.”

These booths will be set up in the plaza before entering the tasting area, so visitors were able to visit the booths before and during the event.

Jenkins said adding a new component to the event was “very exciting” and she hoped the event would showcase a “taste” of everything the county has to offer.

“There will be so much for everyone to see and great door prizes to be won,” she said before the event.

“Our residents will be getting to taste some great food and help out with a great cause.”

FEATURED RESTAURANTS l OB’s BBQ l Gezzo’s Surf & Grille l the Seasons Bistro l PJ’s Cafe l KirbyG’s Diner & Pub 48

l Pasta Max Café l Deep South Deli l The Lunchbox l Pound It Cakes Bliss Bakery l Berry Mango’s Yogurt Bar l Planet Frojo

HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015

HENRY_FB2014_(48) 48

7/10/2014 3:41:24 AM

COMMUNITY COCHRAN PUBLIC LIBRARY 174 BURKE ST., STOCKBRIDGE (678) 432-5353, OPTION 7 LOCUST GROVE PUBLIC LIBRARY 115 LG-GRIFFIN ROAD, LOCUST GROVE (678) 432-5353, OPTION 4

MCDONOUGH PUBLIC LIBRARY / ADMINISTRATION 1001 FLORENCE MCGARITY BLVD, MCDONOUGH (678) 432-5353, OPTION 6

FAIRVIEW PUBLIC LIBRARY 28 AUSTIN ROAD, STOCKBRIDGE (678) 432-5353, OPTION 3

FORTSON PUBLIC LIBRARY 61 MCDONOUGH ST., HAMPTON (770) 288-7233

YOUR LOCAL LIBRARIES 1704 Hudson Bridge Road Stockbridge, GA 30281 In front of Kroger

Primo Grill • Spa Crest Spas • Thera Sauna • Hayward Equipment • Doughboy A/G Pools BioGuard Chemicals • Brighter Day Saunas • Aqua Rite Salt Chlorinator

770-507-2258 • georgiapoolsupply.com 2014/2015 HENRY FACTBOOK 49 HENRY_FB2014_(49) 49

7/10/2014 3:42:28 AM

COMMUNITY

Annual tomato party helps feed the hungry

By Christine Fonville cfonville@neighbornewspapers.com

On June 21, residents enjoyed a Southern staple — tomato sandwiches — during the third annual Love & Home-Grown Tomatoes event hosted by the nonprofit Community Gardens of Henry County.

The party kicked off at 6 p.m. at Heritage Park, 101 Lake Dow Road in McDonough, and included live entertainment, a silent auction, vendors, a children’s play area and tons of delicious tomatoes.

Tickets for attendees 16 and older were $10; tickets for children under 15 were $5.

Included was a classic tomato sandwich dinner with potato chips and tea.

Glenda Garris, the nonprofit’s executive director, said the event started as a way to inform residents about what the organization does.

“Much of what we do is provide healthy, home-grown vegetables for those in need,” she said. “The Love & Tomatoes event is a great way to show the community where our gardens are located and host a fun fundraising event that the entire community can enjoy.”

Since its beginning, the event has grown and become the organization’s primary fundraiser.

“Last year we fed more than 300 guests and we’re expecting about 400 participants this year,” Garris said.

Gloria Hughes, the organization’s public relations chair, said this year’s goal was to raise about $5,000 — all of which helps gardeners help the community.

“People enjoy coming out to eat some fresh tomatoes, see our gardens and understand what we’re doing,” she said.

“Our primary goal is to grow vegetables

for local food pantries because sometimes they don’t receive the healthiest donation options, so we feel that we spend a lot of time and energy helping the community in a somewhat unique way.”

Hughes, who said the event changes locations every year to familiarize attendees with the nonprofit’s six different gardens, said she was most excited about the silent auction at this year’s Heritage Park locale.

“The silent auction is a really fun part of the fundraiser and we have had about 50 donations and it’s a great way for other, local businesses to participate,” she said.

Tickets were sold at businesses like Moye’s Pharmacies and Wilson Bros.

Nursery.

Hughes said the event also hosted vendors who had products or information related to gardening, healthy and active living, or environmental and agriculture sustainability.

Glenda Garris, executive director of Community Gardens of Henry County, checks on some tomatoes growing in the Heritage Garden. n Staff / Katherine Frye

50

HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015

HENRY_FB2014_(50) 50

7/10/2014 1:10:40 PM

WELCOME TO HENRY COUNTY U.S. POST OFFICES l Hampton Post Office 998 Hwy. 19-41 Hampton, Ga. 30228 Phone: (770) 946-4669

l Locust Grove Post Office 4050 Hwy. 42 Locust Grove, Ga. 30248 Phone: (770) 898-6042 l McDonough Post Office 100 Postmaster Drive McDonough, Ga. 30253 Phone: (678) 432-4319

l Stockbridge Post Office 110 Walter Way Stockbridge, Ga. 30281 Phone: (770) 507-5483

UTILITIES CABLE TV: l Charter Communications

1920 Brannan Road McDonough, Ga. 30253 (800) 955-7766

TELEPHONE: l AT&T

1420 Georgia 20 McDonough, Ga. (770) 914-8864

Note: There are many other local telephone companies. Check your local phone book for more listings. Contact AT&T to receive telephone books.

l Comcast (800) 266-2278

WATER: l Henry County Water Authority

1695 Hwy. 20 West McDonough, Ga. 30253, (770) 957-6659

NATURAL GAS: l For a list of companies providing

natural gas, call the Georgia Public Service Commission at (404) 656-4501 or visit its website at www.psc.state.ga.us.

ELECTRICITY: l Georgia Power: (888) 660-5890 l Central Georgia EMC: (770) 775-

7857

l Snapping Shoals EMC: (770) 786-3484

COMMUNITY

CITY WATER l

Hampton 17 East Main St. S. Hampton, Ga. 30228 (770) 946-4306

l

Locust Grove 3644 Hwy. 42 Locust Grove, Ga. 30248,(770) 957-5043

l McDonough 136 Keys Ferry St. McDonough, Ga. 30253, (770) 957-3915 l Stockbridge 4640 North Henry Blvd.

Stockbridge, Ga. 30281 (770) 389-7900

2014/2015 HENRY FACTBOOK 51 HENRY_FB2014_(51) 51

7/10/2014 3:49:28 AM

YEAR TO YEAR COMMUNITY

Annual events in Henry County

FEBRUARY MARCH

F Ladies’ Night Out, through

JANUARY

December, McDonough

F Mardi Growl, Locust Grove F Yellow Pollen Street Festival,

F Geranium Drop, McDonough F First Find at the Farm,

JUNE

Stockbridge

F Thursday Thunder and

MAY F Peach Stand Road Race, Locust Grove

F Memorial Day service, Heritage Park, McDonough

F Memorial Day commemoration, Hampton

F Memorial Walk, Stockbridge F Relay for Life, McDonough

Friday Night Drags, Hampton F Farmers market, through October, Locust Grove F Peach and berry picking at Gardner Farm, Locust Grove F Archaeology Camp, Hampton F Girls’ Night in the Grove, Locust Grove F Friday farmers market, through August, Hampton

F 150th Battle of Atlanta reenactment, Hampton

F Veterans Day parade, Stockbridge

F Southern Belle Farm, seasonal activities through November, McDonough F 15th Street Pizza & Pub Brewfest, Stockbridge F Groovin’ in the Grove, Locust Grove F Bear Creek Festival, Hampton F Henry County Rodeo, Hampton F Georgia State Fair, Hampton

WHAT WILL YOU DO? 52

bunny, Locust Grove

F Spring yard sale, Locust Grove F Easter egg hunt, Locust Grove F Flashlight Easter egg hunt, Hampton

F Locust Grove Day F Strawberry picking, through May, McDonough

F Taste of Henry, McDonough F Cities’ Week, Stockbridge F Cities’ Week, McDonough F Spring Arts Festival, McDonough

F 5K Foamfest, Hampton F A Walk in the Past Festival and Car Show, Hampton

F Atlanta Motorama, Hampton F Belles, Bulls and Buck$, McDonough

JULY F July Festival and Parade, Hampton

AUGUST

F July 4th Fireworks, Hampton F Fourth of July Celebration,

OCTOBER SEPTEMBER

Hampton

F Pictures with the Easter

APRIL

F Bridgefest, Stockbridge F Half-Marathon, Stockbridge F Henry County Fair, McDonough F Pumpkin Patch and Fear the Woods, Stockbridge F Fall yard sale, Locust Grove F Family Nights, Locust Grove F Chili Cook-off, Hampton F Scarecrow Contest, McDonough F Scarecrow Village, Locust Grove F Farm Heritage Day and Antiques Show, McDonough F Haunting the Grove, Locust Grove F Trunk or Treat, Locust Grove F Brewgaloo Beer Festival, McDonough F Undead Dash Fun Run, Hampton

McDonough

F Firecracker 5K and 10K Road Race, Hampton F Noah’s Ark Adventure Safari Camp, Locust Grove F Cinema on the Square, McDonough F Sounds of Summer, Stockbridge

NOVEMBER F Veterans Day Marker Display, Hampton

F Veterans Day Service at Heritage Park, McDonough F Gift of Lights, Hampton F Tree lighting, Hampton F Girls’ Night in the Grove, Locust Grove F Tanger Moonlight Madness Sale, Locust Grove F Christmas tours and Tree Farm, through December, Stockbridge F Old-Fashioned Christmas, McDonough

F 150th anniversary of Kilpatrick’s Raid, Hampton

F Model train exhibit, Hampton

F Holler for the Haulers parade and block party, Hampton F NASCAR Sprint Cup Race, Hampton

DECEMBER F Holiday Festival, Stockbridge

F Christmas in the Grove, Locust Grove

F Christmas with the Arts, McDonough

F Christmas at Home parade, Hampton

F Jingle Jog, McDonough F Atlanta Festival Ballet “Nutcracker,” McDonough

F Truett’s Grill New Year’s Eve Nugget Drop, McDonough

HENRY FACTBOOK 2014/2015

HENRY_FB2014_(52) 52

7/10/2014 3:50:55 AM

HENRY_FB2014_(53) 53

7/10/2014 3:51:46 AM

HENRY_FB2014_(54) 54

7/10/2014 3:56:54 AM

HENRY_FB2014_(55) 55

7/10/2014 1:12:20 PM

HENRY_FB2014_(56) 56

7/10/2014 3:59:50 AM