Athens Magazine Summer 2013 by Online Athens

T H E O u t d oo r s i s s u e

Exploring the foothills of the mountains Peach picks: Recipes for summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fruit

Hello,

Gadgets for at home and on the road

Mr. President Jere Morehead prepares to take the helm at the University of Georgia

Spring 2013 $2.75

01 12

Inside T he o u t d oo r s i s s u e

THE BUZZ

8 What’s on the desk of University of Georgia women’s basketball coach Andy Landers?

18, 62 Latest gadgets for outside on the patio or hitting the trail. By Allie Jackson and jordan wendt

35 Meet freshmen lawmakers Regina Quick and Spencer Frye. By Nick Coltrain

TASTE

10 Upcoming events and summer camps. STYLE

14 Go, mama! The best strollers to take on the trails. By Melissa Kossler Dutton

21 Three ways to cook peaches. 30 At Marker 7, head to the beach without leaving Five Points. By Karah-Leigh Hancock

PEOPLE

15 Stylish purses to grab when you’re headed for a hike. By April Burkhart

26 Summer ushers in a new era at UGA with President Jere Morehead. By Lee Shearer

16 Aloe’s skin-healing benefits are for more than sunburns. By April Burkhart

38 David Richt aims to make a name for himself. By April Burkhart

40 Meet 2013’s Ms. Senior Athens PAGE 42 By Karah-Leigh Hancock

F E A T UR E S

44 Twenty years later, grisly downtown murder remains unsolved. By Joe Johnson

54 A forgotten cemetery in the Oconee Forest. By Wayne Ford

F E A T UR E S

Mountain air

Forget battling Route 316. Head north to the hills, where good food, wine and beautiful views await. PAGE 48 By AndrÉ Gallant / photos by richard hamm

ATHENS MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2013

AthensBuzz Athens Magazine asked ...

Publisher Scot Morrissey Vice President of Audience Andrea Griffith Vice President of Sales Jordan Magness

“What’s your favorite thing about Athens during the summer months?” You tweeted:

Editorial Director Joel Kight Contributing Writers April Burkhart, Nick Coltrain, Wayne Ford, André Gallant, KarahLeigh Hancock, Allie Jackson, Joe Johnson, Lee Shearer, Chris Starrs, Jordan Wendt Copy Editor Donnie Fetter Contributing Photographers Richard Hamm AJ Reynolds Graphic Designer Kristen Morales Director of Marketing Maeghan Pawley Account Executives Alicia Goss, Christa Murphy, Jena Wages, Joanne Tidwell, Laura Jackson, Tom Bennewitz. Tracy Traylor Athens Magazine 1 Press Place Athens, Georgia 30601; (mailing) P.O. Box 912 Athens, Georgia 30601 (706) 208-2282 Advertising (706) 208-2378 Customer Service (706) 208-2245 Editorial

Jamie L (@jlew8): The abundant parking, no wait time at restaurants, and not having to fight through a crowd to order a drink at the bar.

Bryan Ackerman (@bryanAck): Less wait time at our favorite restaurants and walking around campus in the evenings.

Ashley B. (@AshHBecker): no traffic, no waiting at restaurants...

Waller Goble (@Jockinyofresh): Townies

You posted: Kelly Basile Defilippis: “less student traffic, lounging at legion pool, kayaking the broad, athfest, the farmers market, patio eating at our great local restaurants” Marianne Shockley: “Kayaking the Broad River!” Thomas Gibson: “Athfest” Christopher Lawrence Fair: “The rivers and parks with hardly anyone around ...’kids and teens’ need to learn to go outside and enjoy nature, build a fort, go backyard camping... READ!” Andy Bongo-Bongo: “tight, white shortshorts and tube tops.” Athens GA Stinks: “The smell.”

“ The trees start blooming and it’s a

Wesley Minish Wilson Sr.: “Youth Football”

great time

Dean Janssen: “Not being the oldest in a restaurant”

to enjoy

Mary Borders-Stevens: “Sandy Creek” Heather Daly Dominicali: “Legion Pool” Allergy Partners of Georgia: “The trees start blooming and it’s a great time to enjoy downtown Athens.”

downtown Athens.”

Visit Athens, Georgia: “Outdoor music! Farm 255 & Melting Point patios, lawns at Terrapin & Farmers Market, stages at Athfest and Sunflower Music Series..“

Want to add your 2 cents? Be a fan of Athens Magazine at www.facebook.com/AthensMagazine

Athens Magazine is a registered trademark and a publication of the Magazine Division of Morris Publishing Group, LLC.

ATHENS MAGAZINE

Athens Magazine (USPS 005803, ISSN# 1053–623 is published quarterly for cover price of $2.75 by Athens Newspapers Company, LLC, trading as Athens Magazine, One Press Place, Athens Georgia 30601. Periodicals postage paid at Athens, Georgia 30601. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Athens Magazine, P.O. Box 912 Athens, Georgia 30603–0912. The cover and contents are fully protected and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Athens Magazine. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited inquiries, manuscripts, photographs, transparencies or other materials. They will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage. Address letters and editorial contributions to Athens Magazine, P.O. Box 912, Athens, Georgia 30603–0912. All rights reserved.

SUMMER 2013

AthensBuzz

What’s on your desk,

Andy Landers?

The head coach of the Lady Bulldogs preaches to his team about hard work, which is simply an extension of his own upbringing in rural Tennessee. As the first and only women’s basketball head coach, Landers has more than 900 career wins and continues to keep a strong bond with his players, even after graduation. But when he’s off the court and in his office, a look at Landers’ desk offers insight into what mementos he chooses to surround himself with. Here are a few of his favorites: Pictures of former players and Olympians Teresa Edwards and Katrina McClain. “All-Americans here who played in two Final Fours. At one time, each one was regarded as the No. 1 player in the world. Two spectacular people and players.”

Red Hot jawbreakers from the Georgia Center after 900 victories “Congratulations Coach Landers, 900 victories and still on fire.”

Granite name plate. “I can remember coming to Georgia 34 years ago and seeing one of those on coach Dooley’s desk and Erk Russell’s desk and thinking it was the coolest thing and that I’d know I had arrived at Georgia, as a meaningful member of the staff, if anybody ever gave me one of those. They come from Elberton and about 12 or 15 years ago — it took me 20 years to earn one — somebody walked in and gave me that. It meant a lot to me”

ATHENS MAGAZINE

A picture of when coach Landers was inducted into the women’s basketball hall of fame. “All those people in that picture are coaches, players and people from the university who came up there to the induction ceremony.”

A Cincinnati Reds Hat from Porsha Phillips’ brother, Brandon Phillips, who is a Golden Glove winner. “They’re just a great family. All of them very supportive of each other and what we’ve done here. Her mom and dad still call and text when we win or do something special. Just a class-act family.”

SUMMER 2013

AthensBuzz

Put it on your

Calendar

Upcoming and ongoing events in the Athens area Ongoing Events Athens Farmers Market When: Every Saturday until Dec. 21 Time: 8 a.m. to noon Where: 705 Sunset Drive, Athens Cost: Free Tuesday Recreational Doubles Disc Golf Nights When: Every Tuesday until Aug. 6 Time: 6 p.m. Where: Sandy Creek Park, 400 Bob Holman Road, Athens Cost: Free with park admission ($2 for park pass) plus course ($1) admission More: (706) 613-3631

Face Jugs: Art and Ritual in 19th-Century South Carolina When: Daily, May 4-July 7 Where: Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton Street, Athens Cost: Free Fashion Independent: The original style of Ann Bonfoey Taylor When: Daily June 1 Sept. 14 Where: Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton St., Athens Cost: Free Try Clay Class at Good Dirt When: Fridays until Dec. 30 Time: 7-9 p.m.

Upcoming events: June Ralph Roddenbery Band with Ted Norton and The Squirrelheads When: June 1 Time: 8 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Where: The Melting Point, 295 E. Dougherty St., Athens Cost: $10, $5 for students with ID Front Porch Foot race by The Georgia Club Foundation When: June 2 Time: 3 p.m. Where: The Georgia Club, 1050 Chancellors Drive, Statham Cost: $25 More: (770) 725-4902 or www.thegeorgiaclub. com/foundation Hot Corner Celebration and Soul Food Feast When: June 7-9 Where: Downtown Athens, Washington Street More: (706) 353-1421 or www.mortontheatre. com

17th Annual AthFest Music and Arts Festival When: June 19-23 Where: Downtown Athens Cost: Outdoor stages free; $20 wristband grants access to all club crawl shows More: www.athfest.com Jammin’ Jog 5k and Half-mile Fun Run When: June 23 Time: 8 a.m. Where: Run through Dudley Park and Oconee River Greenway Cost: Free More: www.jamminjog. com

Upcoming events: July Agro Cycle Tour by Athens Food Tours When: July 14 Time: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Cost: $48 per person with preregistration required More: (706) 338-8054 Fred Birchmore Glow & Go Aquathlon When: July 27 Time: 6 p.m. Where: Bishop Park, 705 Sunset Drive, Athens Cost: $30 and up More: (706) 433-3290

Comedian Daniel Tosh When: June 17 Time: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Where: The Classic Center Theatre, 300 N Thomas St., Athens Cost: $49.50-$65 More: www.classic center.com

Daniel Tosh

Exhibit: Fashion Independent at GMOA When: Daily June 1-Sept. 14 Where: Georgia Museum of Art, 90 Carlton Street, Athens Cost: Varies More: georgiamuseum. org 10

ATHENS MAGAZINE

Where: Good Dirt Clay Studio & Gallery, 510 N Thomas St., Athens. Cost: $20, registration required More: (706) 355-3161

Athens Community Theatre presents “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” When: June 14-23 Where: Town and Gown Players, Athens Community Theatre, Athens More: www.townand gownplayers.org

Upcoming events: August What: An Evening of Bluegrass with Balsam Range and The Boxcars When: Aug. 16 Time: 8 p.m. Where: The Classic Center Theatre, 300 N Thomas St., Athens Cost: $22 More: classiccenter. com Classic City BBQ Fest When: Aug. 16-17 Where: The Classic Center, 300 N Thomas St., Athens Cost: Free More: www.Classic CityBBQFest.com Athens Community Theatre presents “Hamlet” When: Aug. 16-25 Where: Town and Gown Players, Athens Community Theatre, Athens More: www.town andgownplayers.org

Upcoming events: September Agro Cycle Tour by Athens Food Tours When: Sept. 15 Time: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Cost: $48 per person with preregistration required More: (706) 338-8054

Need something for the kids? Check out

Summer

CAMPS General interest Theatre Performance Camp When: July 15-26 Where: Morton Theatre Ages: 8-12 Contact: athensclarkecounty.com/leisure Andy Landers Lady Bulldog Basketball Camps Where: Stegeman Coliseum Contact: (706) 542-1176 Day Camp Session I: June 3-6 Future Lady Dogs Session I: June 2-4 Future Lady Dogs Session II: June 9-11 Team Camp: June 14-16 Day Camp Session II: June 8-11 Coach Richt’s Football Camps Where: Stegeman Coliseum Contact: (706) 542-1432 Kicking Camp: June 5 7-on-7 Camps: June 6-7, 13 Mini Camp: June 8 Youth Day Camps: June 10-12 Varsity Camp: June 14-15 (overnight) Dawg Night Camp: July 12 YWCO Camps Contact: (706) 354-7880 YWCO Summer Day Camp Where: YWCO Who: Rising kindergartners through rising sixthgraders When: Weekly May 28-Aug. 2 YWCO Girls Club Where: Alps Road Elementary School Who: Girls ages 5-14 When: June 3 - July 12 Open House: 6 p.m. May 22 at the school Overnight Camps Contact: (706) 754-8528 Athens YWCO Camp in the Mountains Where: Clarkesville, Ga. Who: Girls ages 7-15 When: One- and two-week camps June 3- 29 YWCO Horseback Specialty Camp Where: Clarkesville Who: Girls 10-16 When: June 3-15 and June 17-29

SUMMER 2013

Summer

CAMPS UGA Educational Camps Where: Georgia Center for Continuing Education Contact: (706) 5423537 3D Animation / ages 13-17: June 10-14 Architecture & Design / ages 13-17: July 22-26 Aviation Camp / ages 13-17: June 24-28 College Preview / ages 12-17: July 8-12 Creative Writing / ages 12-16: June 10-14 Digital Film School / ages 11-15: June 3-7 Digital Film: Advanced Intensive / ages 14-17: June 3-7 Engineering Academy: Session A / ages 11-15: June 17-21 Fashion Design Camp / ages 13-17: July 15-19 GameWerks 1: Video Game Design / ages 11-17: June 3-7 GameWerks 2: Video Game Prototyping / ages 11-17: June 10-21 GameWerks 3: Video Game Development / ages 11-17: June 3-21 Mini Medical School 2: Beyond the Basics / ages 12-16: July 22-26 Mini Medical School: Session A / ages 1115: June 10-14 Mini Medical School: Session B / ages 1115: June 24-28 Mini Medical School: Session C / ages 1115: July 8-12 Mock Trial Camp / ages 12-17: July 22-26 Photography Camp / ages 13-17: July 8-12 Public Speaking & Civic Engagement / ages 13-17: July 8-12 12

ATHENS MAGAZINE

Robotics 1: Building & Programming / ages 11-14: July 15-19

Dance FX Camps Pre-K Princess Camp When: Monday-Friday starting May 20, June 17 and July 22 Dance Jamm Camp When: Monday-Friday starting June 3 and July 15 Triple Threat Camp When: June 24-28, July 22-26 Clarke County camps Arts Camps Contact: (706) 6133623 / Where: Lyndon House Arts Center Midnight at the Zoo I When: June 3-7 Ages: 4-6 Fee: $82 for Athens residents plus $15 lab fee; $123 nonresidents plus $15 lab fee Masterpiece Portrait for Teens When: June 3-7 Ages: 12 and older Fee: $82 Athens residents plus $15 lab fee; $123 nonresidents plus $15 lab fee Monet and More When: June 10-14 Ages: 7-11 Fee: $82 Athens residents plus $15 lab fee; $123 nonresidents plus $15 lab fee Art Camp: Masterpiece Portrait When: June 10-14 Ages: 7-11 Fee: $82 Athens residents plus $15 lab fee; $123 nonresidents plus $15 lab fee Famous Teddy Bears When: June 17-21 Ages: 4-6 Fee: $82 Athens residents plus $15 lab

fee; $123 nonresidents plus $15 lab fee The Art of Italy I & II When: July 8-12 Ages: 7-11 Fee: $82 Athens residents plus $15 lab fee; $123 nonresidents plus $15 lab fee Athens Creative Theatre Summer Camp for ages 8-12 When: June 10-14 or June 17-21 Ages: 8-12 Fee: $83 per week for Athens residents; $125 nonresidents Athens Creative Theatre Summer Performance Camp: Super Duck When: Monday-Friday, July 15-26 Ages: 8-12 Fee: $173 Athens residents; $260 nonresidents General Camps Contact: (706) 6133593 East Athens Summer Day Camp When: 9 am.-4 p.m. June 3-July 26 Ages: 6-12 Fee: $40 Athens residents/per week; $60 nonresidents/per week Location: East Athens Community Center Location: Lay Park Sandy Creek Day Camp Contact: (706) 6133615 When: Monday-Friday, June 3 - July 19, 9 a.m.4 p.m. Ages: 6-12 Fee: $70 Athens residents/per week; $105 nonresidents/per week Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center and Sandy Creek Park Sports Camps Contact: (706) 6133589

Camp-a-looza Gymnastics Day Camps When: Weekly, Monday-Friday, June 3-Aug. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Ages: 6-12 Fee: $70 Athens residents/per camper/ per week; $105 nonresidents/per camper/per week Location: Bishop Park Kidventures Gymnastics MiniCamps When: Weekly, Monday-Friday, June 3-Aug. 2, 9 a.m.-noon Ages: 3-6 Fee: $50 Athens residents/per camper/ per week; $75 nonresidents/per camper/per week Location: Bishop Park Requirements: Campers must be potty trained and able to separate from parents Sports Camp When: June 3-7 or June 10-14, 1-4 p.m. Ages: 6-12 Fee: $65 Athens residents; $98 nonresidents Location: Bishop Park

Skate Camp When: July 8-12 or July 15-19, 9 a.m.-noon Ages: 6-12 Fee: $65 Athens residents; $98 nonresidents Location: Southeast Clarke Park Teen Camps Sandy Creek Teen Camp Contact: (706) 6133615 When: Monday-Friday, June 3 - July 19, 9 a.m.4 p.m. Ages: 13-15 Fee: $80 Athens residents/per week; $135 nonresidents/per week Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center and Sandy Creek Park Teens in Action Contact: (706) 6133620 When: Monday-Friday in June and July, 9 a.m.4 p.m. Ages: 13-15 Fee: $58 Athens residents/per week; $87 nonresidents/per week Location: Lyndon House Arts Center

SUMMER 2013

AthensStyle

Off road A good stroller to take off the pavement needs heavy-duty tires and cushioning from the bumps. Here are two of the best, according to Consumer Search (consumersearch.com)

$313

Mothers with their babies and toddlers come out for a fast-paced stroller hike at Sunnyvale Baylands Park, in Sunnyvale, Calif. Debbie Frazier / Stroller Hikes

On a roll More park programs encourage parents to hike with the baby

By Melissa Kossler Dutton Associated Press Parks around the country are developing programs for families who want to enjoy the outdoors with young children. “The message is, bring the right equipment and we’ll do the rest,” said Meri-Margaret Deoudes, vice president for the National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There campaign, which is designed to promote outdoor play. Many parks offer events as a “gateway” for parents to see how easily they can enjoy the outdoors with children, she said from her office in Merrifield, Va. For instance, in Cleveland, Ohio, the Metroparks park district offers a “Stroller Science” series that often combines a stroll and a kid-friendly nature lesson. At the Hudson Highlands Land Trust in Garrison, N.Y., event organizers began offering hikes geared to families with strollers or backpack carriers about six years ago, said MJ Martin, director of outreach development. More and more “intrepid families” are taking advantage of it, she said. “It’s a great movement that we’ve seen grow over the last couple of years,” she said. “Families are not letting the age of their children hold them back. We added family-friendly hikes that include parents and caregivers with toddlers and babies.” Karen Kapoor of Cold Springs, N.Y., and her husband, Dinesh, routinely take their 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter out into the woods. “I like to get out for myself. It’s easier to take them along than find a babysitter.” The kids have developed an interest in hiking. Seven-year-old Raunag dislikes it when his mom hikes without him. “I like watching the animals,” he said. “We see birds and bugs and caterpillars on leaves.”

ATHENS MAGAZINE

BOB Revolution SE (single or double)

Owners love the BOB Revolution SE’s huge canopy, which has a peek-a-boo window. Most find the storage basket roomy and easily accessible, and they also like the pockets inside the seat and on the seat back. One common complaint is the lack of a parent tray or cupholder, which is sold separately.

$160

Jeep Liberty Limited

While the quality isn’t on par with pricier competitors, the stroller’s versatility and included accessories make it a good value. But note: Reviewers are vocal about the stroller’s weight and fold -- they hate both. The Liberty Limited tips the scales at 30 pounds, and some parents say the stroller doesn’t fit in their trunks.

$16 99

Canvas Tote

AthensStyle

Academy Sports’ Canvas Tote by Magellan Outdoors features a clip-top closure to provide security and is lined for durability to protect items against water, dirt and sand. The main compartment offers generous space for women to pack all the necessities they need for a day at the lake, pool or beach, and the zippered interior pockets offer easy access to cellphones and other small accessories. The Canvas Tote comes in brown, turquoise and hot red.

Take it

$50

to go By April Burkhart

www.facebook.com/AprilBurkhartABH

twitter.com/AprilBurkhart

There are few things more irritating to a women than trying to keep up with a purse during a daytime outing. Whether it’s because the straps slide off the shoulder, the snap holding the purse closed continues to come undone or some of the great outdoors ends up on a designer bag, a purse sometimes can hinder an otherwise delightful day. For a durable purse or bag $35 that can withstand Mother Nature, try one of these suggestions from Masada Leather and Academy Sports in Athens. Rope Sling

Women going on a day trip will like Kavu’s Rope Sling bag. The one shoulder backpack with two vertical zip compartments offers ample storage for snacks and drinks and anything else needed during a trip to the beach or while on a hiking trail. Mothers with young children also will find the Rope Sling bag useful when attending fairs and festivals, as it can store diapers, wipes and toys for children along with mom’s purse items. Two zippered pockets on the outside of the bag make for easy access to keys and phones.

For Keeps

When going to one of Athens’ many outdoor festivals and fundraisers this summer, Masada Leather suggests Kavu’s For Keeps. Its small size and adjustable shoulder strap make it comfortable to wear lengthwise across the body, and its four individual compartments with a key clip and billowed pockets allow space for women to pack everything they will need for the day. For Keeps comes in a variety of colors and the durable 600 denier polyester fabric is waterproof and rugged to sustain years of abuse.

SUMMER 2013

AthensStyle

Nature’s

healer

Slather it on: Aloe vera helps skin with more than sunburns By April Burkhart www.facebook.com/AprilBurkhartABH twitter.com/AprilBurkhart

Aloe vera most commonly is known for its ability to treat sunburns and minor skin infections, but it also can help in a variety of other areas. “There is not an enormous amount of clinical research on aloe vera, but it clearly has therapeutic properties and works especially well in some patients,” said Dr. Ross Campbell of Georgia Skin Cancer and Aesthetic Dermatology in Athens. “For dermatologists, aloe vera has demonstrated a variety of beneficial qualities in treating a range of skin conditions, including xerosis (dry skin), seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff), psoriasis vulgaris and general skin wounds.” Aloe vera is largely effective because it’s an organic product that works at a cellular level to encourage and expedite the healing processes. As aloe begins to work from the base layers of the skin, impurities are pushed to the surface and new, healthy layers of skin develop. Continued on Page 29

Recommended aloe vera brands When buying an aloe vera product, make sure aloe vera is listed within the first few ingredients to ensure it’s an active component in the cream. Avoid aloe products that contain ingredients like alcohol, paraffin and oil as these may counteract the beneficial properties of aloe vera.

Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera

Lily of The Desert — 99 Aloe Vera Gelly

Soothing Moisturizer Vaseline

Total Moisture Lotion, Aloe Fresh

Jason Soothing 98% Aloe Vera Gel

Source: Dr. Ross Campbell of Georgia Skin Cancer and Aesthetic Dermatology

ATHENS MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2013

AthensStyle

Go go

summer gadgets! Whether playing games, grilling food or camping, warmer weather in Georgia typically means more time spent outdoors. That means a lot of time on the back deck or patio. Here are our top five patio gadgets to make life at home a little more fun this summer. By Allie Jackson www.facebook.com/AllieJacksonABH twitter.com/Allie_ABH

1. The Big Green Egg

Grilling out is a must during the summer months and the Big Green Egg claims to be a modern-day evolution of ancient cookers. Founded in Atlanta by Ed Fisher more than 30 years ago, the Big Green Egg Company set out to modernize the ancient kamado-style cooker. Fisher’s product is created from advanced ceramic materials and is acclaimed as “the best kamado-style cooker in the world” by About.com and Food Network Chef Bobby Flay. Egg sizes range from mini to X-large, with the largest accommodating up to 14 racks of ribs, 24 burgers or two whole turkeys. The Big Green Egg also offers EGGcessories such as a plate setter, baking stone, pizza peel and cast iron cooking grid. Cost: Big Green Eggs range from a mini at $350 to an Xlarge at $1,100. Where can I find one: Birchmore Pool & Spa at 154 Oneta St. in Athens; Georgia Spa Company at 1850 Epps Bridge Parkway in Athens; Southern Spa and Patio at 8 North Main St. in Watkinsville Where can I learn more: www.biggreenegg.com

2. Thermacell Mosquito Repellent Patio Lantern

This lantern repels black flies, mosquitoes and a host of other flying insects while also offering light in a 15-by15-foot area. The dual-function outdoor lantern bugs hate is also easy to use with no open flame or smelly lotions, sprays or oils. It’s also portable, lightweight and silent. The repellent and light features can be used together or separately and is ideal for backyards, decks, picnics, barbecues, camping and outdoor parties. The mosquito repellent operates on a single butane cartridge that’s included. The butane warms an insect repellent mat that releases allethrin, a synthetic copy of a natural repellent found in pyrethrum flowers. Four LED lights have “low” and “high” illumination settings, operating on four AA batteries. Contains: One reusable Mosquito Repellent Patio Lantern, one butane cartridge and three insect repellent mats. Refills are sold separately. Cost: $29.99 Where do I find one: Home Depot at 1740 Old Epps Bridge Road in Athens; Academy Sports & Outdoors at 3505 Atlanta Highway in Athens; Tractor Supply Company at 4420 Lexington Road in Athens; Walmart at 1911 Epps Bridge Parkway in Athens. Where can I learn more: www.thermacell.com

ATHENS MAGAZINE

3. Stackable Patio Furniture

Patio furniture is a must, but sometimes it can be unsightly or in the way when hosting a large party or gathering. Dedon has created a line of attractive and functional patio furniture. When not in use, the furniture can stack together into a tower. Cost: About $6,000 with a three-year guarantee Where do I find one: Kolo Collection at 1189 Howell Mill Road in Atlanta or online at www.dedon.de/en. Where can I learn more: bit.ly/11POHyR

5. The Deck Wedgee and Patio Cubee

Sitting water on the deck or patio can cause permanent damage to the wood or cement and can become breeding grounds for pesky insects such as gnats and mosquitoes. The Deck Wedgee and Patio Cubee will elevate planters or decor from the surface, allowing air to circulate. This combats mold and rot that results in unsightly stains. They can simply be placed beneath a potted plant, statue or other decor to keep the item from causing water rings or permanent stains. The Deck Wedgee and Patio Cubee are made from recycled plastic and stainless steel and can be used on hard or soft wood, composite decking, PVC decks, concrete or aggregate patios, ceramic tile, slate or stone. Cost: $9.95 each or at a discount when purchased as a pack of five or more. Where do I find one: Although there are no dealers in Georgia, the Deck Wedgee or Patio Cubee can be purchased online at deckwedgee.com/buy-online.html. Where can I learn more: deckwedgee.co.

4. Automatic Outdoor Pet Drinking Fountain

The Georgia summer heat can wreak havoc on hydration for people and animals. The WaterDog, an automatic outdoor pet drinking fountain, senses your dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approach and automatically dispenses a cool, clean stream of fresh drinking water. Smart sonar technology triggers the WaterDog to turn on when your pet comes within 3 feet and automatically turns off when your pet leaves. This eliminates the need for stagnant water or empty bowls, and it works day and night for up to a year on four C-cell batteries. The WaterDog connects quickly and easily to any outdoor faucet and includes a flow-through connector to accommodate a garden. Cost: $82.99 Where do I find one: Petsmart at 916 Loganville Highway in Bethlehem or online. Where can I learn more: www.contech-inc. com

SUMMER 2013

ATHENS MAGAZINE

AthensTaste

Summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s glory:

Peaches F o r s ta r te r s

Local peach and heirloom tomato salad Main course

Grilled Georgia peaches with Bentons Country Ham, blue cheese and arugula De s s e r t

Peach beignets with clabber cream

To see the recipes, turn the page SUMMER 2013

AthensTaste Local Peach and Heirloom Tomato Salad Serves 4

For the ricotta: (yields about 3 cups) ½ gallon whole milk 2 cups heavy cream 7 ½ tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, strained 1 tablespoon salt Add all of your ingredients into a stainless steel pot. Do not stir. Heat on low until just about to simmer. Turn off the heat and let sit for 5-10 minuets. Line a fine mesh strainer with three layers of cheese cloth. Gently scoop out the curds of ricotta that have formed on the top of the pot. Place the lined strainer in a bowl and let sit in the refrigerator until cool and any remaining liquid has drained from the ricotta. Can be used for up to four days. For the lemon vinaigrette: (yields about 1 cup) ¼ cup champagne vinegar ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, strained ¾ cup canola oil 22

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Grilled Georgia Peaches with Benton’s Country Ham, Blue Cheese and Arugula Serves 4

1 teaspoon minced shallots 1 teaspoon salt In a bowl combine salt, vinegar, lemon juice and shallots. Slowly whisk in canola oil. Refrigerate for up to two weeks. For the Salad: 2 heirloom tomatoes 1 Georgia peach 4 to 6 paper-thin slices of country ham 1 cup ricotta ½ cup lemon vinaigrette salt to taste black pepper olive oil Slice the heirloom tomatoes into different shapes, rounds and wedges. Lightly season with salt and lemon vinaigrette. Slice the peach into thin rounds. To assemble, layer tomatoes, country ham and peaches. Top with a scoop of ricotta. Finish with some cracked black pepper and a drizzle of good olive oil. Served with a side of grilled bread. — Whitney Otawka, Farm 255

Vinaigrette: 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard 1 Tablespoon agave nectar or honey 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar ½ cup canola oil Salt and cracked black pepper for taste Whisk the mustard, agave nectar (or honey) and balsamic vinegar together. Slowly whisk in the canola oil. If needed, add a teaspoon of water to thin the texture of the vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper.

Salt and cracked black pepper for taste ½ cup crumbled firm blue cheese 3 tablespoons minced chives 3 cups baby arugula For the Peaches: Pre-heat grill to 375 degrees. Wrap the country ham slices around peach slices and secure with toothpicks. Brush the peaches/ham slices lightly with olive oil and grill for three minutes on each side. Remove from grill and keep warm. Combine the arugula, shallots and olive oil. Mix well and add a pinch of salt and pepper. Plate the salad and garnish with the peaches divided between four plates. Add crumbled blue cheese. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salads and serve.

For the Salad: 12 long thin slices of Benton’s Country Ham or good quality country ham 2 peaches cut into six wedges (total of 12 wedges) 1 shallot thinly sliced 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil — Christopher McCook, Athens Country Club

SUMMER 2013

AthensTaste

About the chefs Whitney Otawka, Farm 255

Peach Beignets with Clabber Cream Serves 6-8

While taking French classes at the University of California-Berkeley, Whitney was hired as one member of a twoperson kitchen. The owner filled the menu with his mother’s Brittany-based recipes and spent evenings introducing Whitney to a world of gastronomy and fine wine. She continued her culinary learning in restaurants in California until she moved to Athens in 2005, where she worked her way up to sous chef of Five & Ten under Chef Hugh Acheson. During her years at Five & Ten, she took time to learn at some of New York’s finest restaurants, such as Per Se and Le Bernardin, and work with chefs and winemakers across Europe. In 2010, Whitney became executive chef at the Greyfield Inn of Cumberland Island, recently leaving to join the kitchen as executive chef of Farm 255 in Athens.

Christopher McCook, Athens Country Club

A certified executive chef through The American Culinary Federation, Christopher has been the executive chef at the Athens Country Club since 1994. He also serves as the local president of the Athens chapter of the American Culinary Federation. He learned his culinary skills at The Culinary Institute of America in High Park, N.Y. and held an apprenticeship at The Cellar Restaurant in Fullerton, Calif. He has worked in the private club industry for the past 35 years and enjoys a great relationship with the local farmers.

Mike Sutton, Five & Ten

Growing up in Fayetteville, Mike developed a love for the food that grows in our own backyards. While studying for a degree in landscape architecture at the University of Georgia, he began working part time at Five & Ten. There, he found a community of people interested in connecting to the food that was served. Mike developed his pastry skills while working under Five & Ten’s previous pastry chef, Shae Rehmel. He took the lead role in March of this year.

For the clabber cream 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup light brown sugar Using a whisk or electric mixer, whip the ingredients together until the cream holds soft peaks. Refrigerate.

For the peach beignets 1 1/4 cup flour 3/4 cup crisp white wine 2 egg yolks 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1/8 teaspoon salt 4 ripe peaches 2 egg whites, room temperature 2 tablespoons sugar To prepare, you will want a whisk, a rubber spatula, a couple mixing bowls, an electric mixer, a paring knife, a deep fryer or frying pan with 2 inches of vegetable oil heated to 350 degrees, and plenty of paper towels for draining.

Put the flour in a mixing bowl. Quickly whisk to break up lumps. Push flour to sides, making a well in the center. Whisk the wine, egg yolks, vegetable oil and salt together in a bowl. Pour mixture into the flour well and gradually incorporate the flour into the wet ingredients. When smooth, set the batter aside to rest while you prepare the peaches. Peel the peaches, or leave the skins if you like them. Slice the peach around the pit starting at the stem end, cutting the peach in half. Twist each side away from the pit. Cut the peach halves into wedges.

Make sure the oil is heated so that you will be ready to fry. With the whisk attachment on your mixer, whip the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form and the whites stand up but droop over when you lift the mixer. Continue whisking and gradually pour in the sugar. Continue whipping just until the egg whites are glossy and hold stiff peaks. With the spatula, fold the egg whites into the batter until completely blended.

— Mike Sutton, Five & Ten Photos by Richard Hamm

ATHENS MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2013

AthensPeople

Aiming high

Richard Hamm / Staff

Tapped as the University of Georgia’s next president, Jere Morehead has always risen to a level of excellence By Lee Shearer www.facebook.com/LeeShearerABH twitter.com/LeeShearer

niversity of Georgia law professor Paul Kurtz never pictured Jere Morehead as a future UGA president when Morehead was a young lawyer in the making in the late 1970s. Still, Morehead made an impression. “I certainly saw a very bright, very engaged, very hardworking and talented individual,” Kurtz said. Morehead didn’t see himself as a higher education leader either, or a higher education anything. After graduating from law school in 1980, he worked as a federal prosecutor, then decided to take a break in 1986 to spend a few years in academia as a professor of business law in UGA’s Terry College of Business.

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“I thought I’d stay a few years and go back (to law). I liked (academia) a lot more than I thought I would,” said Morehead, whom the Board of Regents tapped this year to replace Michael Adams as UGA’s top administrator on July 1. But from that year on, his career seems to have been an almost unbroken arc to a university presidency. Almost from the start he was an outstanding teacher, recalled colleague and mentor Peter Shedd, a retired UGA business faculty member. “He’s got some presentation skills that he probably honed in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and they carried over into the classroom,” Shedd said. “I think that was probably the initial thing that impressed all of us.” But Morehead was more than good; he went on to win the Josiah Meigs Award, the top honor UGA gives for teaching. “You don’t get the Meigs unless you’re really, really good,” said former UGA law school dean David Shipley. “He is the kind of professor who prides himself on keeping in touch with his former students and they love him,” said Kurtz, now an associate dean in the law school.

“Jere was as good a teacher as I’ve ever had in the classroom,” said former student Mark Lewis. “He cared about it. He didn’t act like he wanted to be somewhere else. He expected people to be prepared and he came the same way.” After serving as Lewis’ teacher, Morehead became his coach after Lewis got his UGA undergraduate degree and entered law school. When Morehead became a UGA professor, he also became adviser to the law school’s moot court team, which argues cases during mock trials in competition with teams from other universities. Lewis was part of UGA’s first national championship team in 1991. “Like a lot of coaches, I think Jere expects the best from the people he works with, and he sets a fine example,” said Lewis, who knows a thing or two about coaches. Lewis was a snapper on UGA football teams of the late 1980s, is the son of former UGA football defensive coordinator Bill Lewis, and is a long-time sports business executive who is now the NCAA’s executive vice president for championships and alliances. “He instills confidence,” Shipley said. Morehead was also an outstanding researcher, Shedd said. The author of numerous books and articles, Morehead was co-author with Shedd and others of “The Legal and Regulatory Environment of Business,” the standard text in the field. He was also editor-in-chief of the American Business Law Journal, the primary journal in his academic field. But soon after Adams took over the UGA presidency in 1997, Morehead was drawn into administration, and liked it. “You have the ability to solve problems,” he said. “I like to solve problems and make things better.” Adams made Morehead acting executive director for the Office of Legal Affairs in 1988 after the sudden departure of the former head. A key recommendation for the post may have come from Julie Carnes, a colleague in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who remained a friend and is now chief judge in Georgia’s Northern District U.S. District Court. “It was clear pretty quickly that he had a really keen analytic sense, combined with a lot of common sense,” said Carnes, who has remained a close friend. “He’s a great problem-solver. He could see all the different layers and ramifications. He’s very practical, very good at balancing interests.” After that came stints as director of the UGA Honors Program, vice president for instruction and vice provost for instruction. Since 2010, he has been provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, UGA’s top academic officer and chief operating executive. For several years, he was UGA’s faculty athletic representative, seeing UGA’s athletic programs from the inside, which was one more bit of experience that will help him as UGA president, Shedd said. “I think every new responsibility Jere got was an opening into fur-

“He’s a great problem-solver. He could see all the different layers and ramifications. He’s very practical, very good at balancing interests.”

SUMMER 2013

ther understanding of this institution of higher education, and Jere constantly developed his skills,” said Shedd. “He literally grew over the last 16 years in the various administrative positions. Even his years as faculty athletic representative gave him an insight into athletics that we as faculty members typically don’t have.” People who know Morehead are apt to mention the same attributes they think will make him a good university president. He works hard, he’s well-prepared, he likes to build consensus, and he knows UGA like maybe no one else. “UGA is his life and his passion,” said former UGA student body president Will Burgess, a member of the search committee that helped pick Morehead. In his spare time, Morehead’s top two activities are probably reading and attending UGA sports events. “I can’t think of anyone who’s served this university as much as Jere has,” Shipley said. “I think it’s his hobby.” And thanks in large part to Morehead’s connections with UGA students, he’s poised to become a good fundraiser for the university, Kurtz believes. “That explains, at least in part, how he has connections and influence and a circle of friends far beyond the university,” Kurtz said. “You can’t go anywhere and not meet someone from the University of Georgia without there being a pretty good chance they know Jere,” Carnes said. Before coaching moot court, Morehead was a member of the UGA team, Kurtz noted. His teammates were Don Samuel, now one of the top criminal lawyers in the state, and David Ralston, speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. All those connections Morehead maintains are going to help when he goes out to raise money for UGA, said Kurtz and others. However, Morehead’s work ethic, connections or intelligence aren’t the most important things that will make him a good leader for UGA, Shedd believes. “He is going to be a good steward of the public trust that goes along with this position. He has done that with every role that he has had,” Shedd said. “I really think what distinguishes him here is this sense of stewardship. ... I think that’s going to serve him very well.” For Morehead’s part, he said he wants to make sure he stays in touch with the faculty, staff and students at UGA, and to know their concerns and priorities. And over and over, he’ll ask a question former UGA President Charles Knapp used to raise: “Is this proposal or recommendation going to advance the academic reputation of the institution, or serve the students in fulfilling their goals? If not, the president needs to ask why are we doing it and spending precious resources on it?” Over the next decade, UGA must work more in cooperation with Georgia Tech, Georgia State University and other state universities, he said. And the university must be willing to change with and adapt to the sweeping changes that are reshaping higher education, such as declining state support and the rise of online learning. But Morehead’s ability to raise private money for UGA is what may make or break his administration, he said. UGA’s endowment doesn’t compare well to many other similar universities. The university must build its endowment to stay competitive, he said. “The most important benchmark for my administration will be whether I successfully lead the institution through a major capital campaign,” he said. “If we don’t grow our endowment, then we will continue to fall further and further behind our aspirational and peer institutions. “We don’t simply want to raise money,” he added. “We want to raise money that is focused on building for the future.”

“He is going to be a good steward of the public trust that goes along with this position. He has done that with every role that he has had,”

ATHENS MAGAZINE

hat’s up his sleeve? Don’t let the businesslike demeanor fool you Jere Morehead knows a good joke, too By Lee Shearer It’s easier for people who don’t know Jere Morehead to get the impression that he’s entirely focused on his work at the University of Georgia. Even Morehead admits that it’s fair to say UGA is not just work, but a hobby. Morehead is no drudge, though, say those who know him well. “I’d like people to know that Jere Morehead has a superb sense of humor. I’m not sure that always comes across. He’s a funny guy,” said Paul Kurtz, an associate dean in UGA’s School of Law. “He sees the humor in life. He’s a good observer of things and he’s witty,” said longtime friend Julie Carnes, chief judge in Atlanta’s Northern District U.S. District Court. Morehead can be sly, said Mark Lewis, an NCAA vice president and a former Morehead student. He would sometimes ask students with a straight face if they knew that the time for a class had been changed, and they were late, when in fact it had not been, Lewis recalled. “He’s always got something up his sleeve,” he said. “You’ve got to always be on your guard with him.” Morehead can also show a little patience and understanding, Lewis said. When Lewis and his teammates in the UGA School of Law won UGA’s first moot court NCAA national championship, the students ate breakfast at McDonald’s their first successful day. One of Lewis’ teammates, he didn’t say who, decided it would jinx the team if they didn’t continue eating at the Golden Arches. “He is not a McDonald’s aficionado,” Lewis said of Morehead, the moot court team’s coach. “He tried very hard not to go to McDonald’s. It drove him nuts that we had prepared hundreds of hours for this success. For a man of his intellect to have superstition enter in was hard.” Morehead met them at McDonald’s, though they had to bring in his breakfast from elsewhere, Lewis said. “He wasn’t going to mess with the mojo,” Lewis said. Morehead admits to watching a lot of sports; he’s a frequent spectator at UGA football games and other UGA competitions. An avid reader, he counts Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough among his favorite authors. He likes historical biographies like Goodwin’s “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” and McCullough’s “John Adams.” For vacations, the unmarried Morehead likes going to the beach with his extended family, most often to Hilton Head or St. Simons Island. And for beach reading, he’s partial to novelist Pat Conroy, whose books include “The Water is Wide,” “Prince of Tides” and “The Great Santini.” When Morehead watches television, he mostly flips from news channel to news channel, though he does admit to having a favorite TV entertainment show. “I became addicted to ’Homeland’ like a number of friends,” he said.

Aloe

Continued from Page 16

While aloe vera is a useful over-the-counter treatment, it is not strong enough to treat serious dermatological infections or conditions without the aid of stronger prescription medications, Campbell said. In addition to treating scars, burns, and cuts, aloe vera also is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has the ability to arrest inflammation or slow it down due to the presence of fatty acids. It’s also known to improve digestion and helps detoxify the body. Aloe vera juice and gel also can be used as laxatives and help patients suffering with constipation. The dried juice or gel of the aloe vera plant also has the ability to lower blood sugar levels and traditionally is used as a remedy for diabetes and also can be used to regulate the immune system by either stimulating an immune response for those with a weakened immune system or calming an overactive immune response.

Want more on aloe? Check these websites:

www.mayoclinic.com/health/ aloe-vera/NS_patient-aloe

www.thealoeverasite.com

SUMMER 2013

AthensTaste

ATHENS MAGAZINE

Marker 7, located on Milledge Avenue just north of Five Points, serves up seafood favorites such as oysters (above), fried and grilled fish, and landlubber favorites. Photos by J House Media

Grab a cozy seat for tastes of the sea

Marker 7 By Karah-Leigh Hancock

www.facebook.com/KarahLHancockABH twitter.com/KHancockABH Marker 7 Coastal Grill, Athens’ newest seafood restaurant, opened March 1, but not everything about the grill is brand new. The house it’s located in is nearly a century old. At the corner of South Lumpkin Street and South Milledge Avenue, Marker 7 exists in a house that owner Chris Lloyd said was built circa 1920. After owning the Hilltop Grille in Athens for 10 years, Lloyd approached the owner of the house after it was included as part of the Milledge Avenue local historic district. “I knew the concept that I wanted for the food and the inside and outside,” Lloyd said, who had the property rezoned to turn the house into a restaurant. “There’s really not a place like this in Athens,” he said. “You can go downtown to an old building, but not in an old house. You see a lot of that in Atlanta.” The house gives the restaurant a cozy feel. Though there’s only seating for 40 people on the inside, the deck that overlooks South Milledge Avenue and South Lumpkin Street not only gives the restaurant more seating, but also a place for people to get fresh air. “In this part of the country, nine months of the year you can sit out on the deck,” he said. “In Five Points, people like to sit outside. The deck works Continued on Page 34 SUMMER 2013

The historic house that is home to Marker 7 underwent a complete makeover, giving customers a cozy atmosphere either in the dining room or on the porch. Above, fried shrimp and fried oysters.

The dinner menu adds such favorites as shrimp and Andouille sausage over grits, red pepper shrimp with stuffed crab or the catch of the day.

ATHENS MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2013

Marker 7

Continued from Page 31

One of the most popular dishes at Marker 7 is the fish tacos, served with a Southern staple: mac ’n cheese.

Marker 7 Coastal Grill

1195 S. Milledge Ave. Hours: Monday: 4-11 p.m.; Tuesday-Saturday: 11 a.m. - midnight; Sunday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

real well here.” The menu, the most important part of the restaurant, is different than the Hilltop Grille, even though they always have seafood. “It’s a steakhouse,” Lloyd said. “I did not want to compete with myself. I knew I could do a lower price menu with seafood. I didn’t want to charge $25, $30 a head to eat here.” Instead, Lloyd wants college students and young couples on a budget to know that they can come to Marker 7 and eat well for less. Marker 7 has two different menus - lunch and dinner. The menu has starters such as fried clam strips, catfish nuggets and Buffalo shrimp. They also have various types of oyster dishes from raw, steamed oysters Rockefeller with watercress, garlic and shallot, oysters casino with red pepper, butter and bacon and oysters Bienville with white wine, cream, mushrooms and shrimp. They also have sandwiches such as cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches, salads, soup and baskets with such favorites as shrimp, oysters, chicken tenders and catfish. But the most popular item, according to Lloyd, is fish tacos. “We sell a ton of them,” Lloyd said. “I like fish tacos, but there’s a lot of other stuff on the menu like oysters or shrimp. People love the fish tacos. They love the fish tacos over the shrimp tacos.” Lloyd’s favorite dish at Marker 7 is the Reuben sandwich. “Outside of that, the oysters are great here,” he said. “I’ll eat them raw, typically. We dress them up and do them different ways, too.” The dinner menu at Marker 7 adds such favorites as shrimp and Andouille sausage over grits, red pepper shrimp with stuffed crab, Cuban spiced braised mahi mahi, mojo spiced chicken breast or the catch of the day. According to Lloyd, Marker 7 will start serving soft-shell crabs soon since they are coming into season. While right now, Lloyd gets shrimp from the Georgia coast and oysters from the Gulf of Mexico region, he said that they look around at various places. “We’ll go anywhere,” he said. “We have a connection called Honolulu Fish. Within 24 hours, we’ll get fresh fish from Hawaii flown in.”

Cuban spiced braised mahi mahi is one of several specialty dishes. 34

ATHENS MAGAZINE

AthensPeople

The

Freshmen Meet Athensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new representatives under the gold dome Stories, Page 36

Regina Quick

Spencer Frye

The Athens attorney is the Republican representative for parts of Athens-Clarke, Oconee, Barrow and Jackson counties.

The director of the Athens Habitat for Humanity, is a Democrat representing Athens in the State House.

SUMMER 2013

Regina Quick By Nick Coltrain www.facebook.com/NickColtrainABH twitter.com/NColtrain Regina Quick, a family law attorney with a practice in downtown Athens, recently finished her inaugural legislative session as the Republican representative for parts of Athens-Clarke, Oconee, Barrow and Jackson counties. She recently shared insight into her time under the Gold Dome and hopes for the local delegation to continue to work together in future sessions. Question: How would you sum up your first legislative session? Answer: It was very educational, if I had to sum it up in one word. But rewarding in that we were able to accomplish some things for Athens and work together as a local delegation to get some legislation passed that I think will help Athens over the long run. Q: What was the biggest surprise to

you about the process? A: Learning the committee process was the biggest surprise, just in terms of how difficult it can be, depending on the legislation and depending on the timing of the legislation, to work through the committee process and actually get a hearing and a vote on your bill. And, of course, the Rules Committee process after that is a whole different thing Q: You had 13 bills and resolutions that you attached your name to in some respect. Being a freshman lawmaker, did you expect to sponsor so much legislation? A: Let me explain first how these resolutions work. A lot of those reslutions are privileged, recognition resolutions or invitation resolutions, such as inviting (University of Georgia) President (Michael) Adams to the House. So those donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really require a lot of substantive work other than honoring your constituents or person who has a connection to your district. So since I represent four different counties, I had a lot of opportunities to affix my name to those resolutions. In terms of actual legislation in this session, we had one thing come up as far as the local delegation was concerned, right out of the chute, and that was that both our probate judge and our magistrate judge asked that the local delegation make their positions for future elections nonpartisan. So, since Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m the lawyer in the House, and typically that is where local legislation has started, historically speaking, I was able to sponsor that legislation and those were Continued on Page 58

ATHENS MAGAZINE

Spencer Frye By Nick Coltrain www.facebook.com/NickColtrainABH

twitter.com/NColtrain

Spencer Frye, executive director of the Athens Habitat for Humanity, recently finished his first legislative session as the Democratic representative for Athens. He recently shared why he thinks this is the best government in the world, that his biggest goal for 2014 is defeating the so-called campus carry bill that would allow firearms on college campuses and his plans for making newly built sustainable homes more lucrative. Question: How would you sum up your first legislative session? Answer: I had a great time. I learned a lot and I feel inspired by the amount of opportunity that there is to do some great things for Athens and the state of Georgia. Q: What would you say your biggest surprise was going through the session and seeing it play out first hand? A: There weren’t a whole lot of surprises for me because I’ve studied the Legislature for several years now and tried to become a student of the process. Certainly learning exactly how the bills can come in and out of committee and some of the procedural items, some of the details; it’s kind of like building a house. You can read about it in a book, but until you actually get out there and do it, you don’t really know. So that was a little bit of a surprise. The hours it took, the time it took was not much of a surprise because you realize you’re doing a lot of work within 40 days. So just learning the system itself was something I was able to pick up. Still don’t know it. There’s legislators up there that say they learn something every session. I think it’s a great process, I think it’s a great form of government that we have. A good bill would have to essentially be touched seven times before it becomes a law. And when you add the House side and the Senate side and the governor’s side all coming together, just an easy simple good bill needs to go through seven things before it is a law. It seems like an arduous process, but I think the up side to that is that it really gives a lot of opportunity to make sure the bill is the right thing to make a law. Because making a law is extremely serious. And learning about that was Continued on Page 59 SUMMER 2013

AthensPeople

More than a

name

David Richt steps out of his father’s spotlight and, hopefully, into his own

David Richt, the second-oldest son of UGA head football coach Mark Richt and his wife Katharyn, plans to attend Belmont University in the fall to pursue his dream of a career in music. His first album, “Everybody Matters,” features contemporary Christian songs. 38

ATHENS MAGAZINE

By Chris Starrs For most high-school seniors, the approach of summer signals the end of one life chapter and the start of another. The turning of that page is no different for singer-songwriter David Richt, who this spring graduated from Prince Avenue Christian School and this fall will enroll at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. But David isn’t just any teen. The second son of Mark and Katharyn Richt has grown up in a world where his dad is one of the best-known figures within the behemoth that is modern-day college football. The coach’s notoriety has opened doors and minds for his 18-year-old son, who knows he’s got to do the heavy lifting from here on out to make a career in music. So far, so good.

Earlier this year, David released his first album of contemporary Christian tunes, “Everybody Matters,” and has benefited greatly from the mentoring of vocal coach Jan Smith, whose former protégés include Justin Bieber, Usher and the Band Perry; Third Day guitarist Mark Lee, who co-produced portions of David’s album; and, Nashville songstress Tyler Hayes, who has written hits for Little Big Town, Bebe Winans and Matchbox 20 singer Rob Thomas. David admits he wasn’t sure in the beginning that people saw anything other than “Coach Richt’s son,” but he’s becoming more comfortable in every phase of his music, including the quasi-celebrity part. “At first, I had the attitude of ‘they don’t like me for me,’ but I soon realized that was just kinda dumb,” said David, who grew up learning music on his great-grandmother’s ancient Steinway baby grand piano. “God’s going to open the doors, and if he uses my dad’s popularity to open the door for me to sing somewhere, it would be selfish of me not to go and sing if I get the opportunity.”

‘The next stage in life’

Suffice to say, Mark and Katharyn are pleased with the steps David is taking, although Mark admits it’s going to be a little quieter at home with their secondoldest off at college. “We’re proud of David and we think he’s done very well at school and he’s found his passion,” said Mark, who this fall begins his 14th season as the leader of Bulldog Nation. “It’s fun to watch a guy find something he feels like he was meant to do and to do it unto the Lord. “We’re going to miss him because he’s so much fun and a positive guy, so it’s going to be tough in that Contributed photos way, but we’re proud to see him moving to the next stage in life.” David’s senior year at Prince Avenue has included the release of his first album, a chance to perform at a host of churches and events, and several opportunities to play his songs before crowds of thousands. Continued on Page 61

SUMMER 2013

AthensPeople

style

SENIOR

Meet Ms. Senior Athens 2013, Fay Davis As told to Karah-Leigh Hancock

On living in Athens for a total 23 years: “I said a total of 23 because I lived here in my early 20s, then I moved away and came back to Athens and went away again. We lived in Athens and moved to Oconee County when the kids went to school. And when they all graduated, I came back to Athens.” 40

ATHENS MAGAZINE

On growing up in Jefferson: “Growing up, there was not really a place to shop in Jefferson. It’s a really small town, an awesome town, and it’s grown so much. I graduated from Jefferson High School in 1967 and everyone knew everyone. You’re either related or you know them. It reminded me so much of ‘Happy Days’ because it was kind of that era. When I was in high school, there was the era with Fonzie. I think they went to Jefferson High School and they would always go to that little soda shop. We had a drug store that had the old-timey soda shop. It was the coolest thing.”

On working with Athens Area Health Plan Select: “Health Plan Select is an affiliate of Athens Regional. My job is in provider relations, and in my department I work primarily with the physician offices.”

On her love of sewing: “I love to sew. I say that because not that many people sew anymore. My mother was a master seamstress. Everybody came to Jefferson to have their clothes made. That’s where I think I inherited that talent.”

Contributed photo

On what she sews: “If I had to say I had a ministry, I sew bereavement gowns for Athens Regional. We’re given patterns. I’m not the only one that does it. That’s not something we normally talk about, but it’s a sad thing. Every time I made one, for the longest time, I cried. Because all I could think about was that precious baby and that mom and dad and grandparents and how sad it was. I cried many tears. After about the 12th one I made, I thought I’m not accomplishing anything. So I started praying. I would pray for the baby that would wear it and the mama who would hold it in that white gown.” SUMMER 2013

On going to work after being named Ms. Senior Athens: “I walked in with my sash and crown on. I dressed in a very regal outfit, mostly black. I put the sash on so it would pop against the black. I put the crown on and it was pushing up against the top of the car, so it hurt, (but) I didn’t care. It was worth the pain. I drove to work like that, and I had people staring and I did my queenly wave.”

On working with Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA): “The work is just beginning. It is not a queen that sits on her throne. That’s what I’ve been telling people. I’m not going to have the luxury of sitting on my throne and I don’t want to do that. ... I’ve already planned to tour with ACCA, the building, and go through the programs they have and sit down (and learn) how I can help them and promote awareness. I plan to ride with the volunteers with the Meals on Wheels program and deliver meals. I’m just excited to go down there and sit down and visit with the seniors and talk with them and give them hugs. There is so much you can learn from these people.”

Above, Fay Davis stands with members of her family after she was crowned Ms. Senior Athens for 2013. At left, awaiting the award. Sally Gustafson / OnlineAthens.com

ATHENS MAGAZINE

And the winner is ... Fay Davis stands for a photo after being crowned Ms. Senior Athens for 2013.

On her grandchildren, Patrick (10), Logan (8), Davis (8) and Sarabeth (3): “Both Patrick and Logan show horses — hunters and jumpers — and both play several sports. Davis plays soccer and loves horses. Sarabeth is the life of the party. She loves to sing Justin Bieber songs and hopes to someday become Mrs. Justin Bieber. My children and grandchildren are so dear to my heart, and it’s my grandchildren who keep me young and filled with energy. When my grandchildren come, I stop what I’m doing and we play the entire time they are with me. We cook, sew, plant and pick flowers, swing, build villages with Lincoln Logs and fortresses with bed sheets and pillows.”

SUMMER 2013

When Jennifer Lynn Stone was murdered 22 years ago in an Athens apartment, the crime — still unsolved — revealed a more grisly side of downtown’s nightlife

The end of

innocence ATHENS MAGAZINE

On April 23, 1992, Jennifer Lynn Stone worked into the early morning hours on a project for a University of Georgia advertising class, then decided to take a break. The 22-year-old UGA senior left her small rental home on North Hull Street to get some fresh air and returned home to surprise a burglar who had slipped in through an unlocked door. They struggled in the kitchen, and the burglar forced Stone into the bedroom where he raped and strangled her to death. He left the carriage house, exchanged two of Stone’s cameras for crack cocaine and disappeared. That’s about the best theory police have about how the unsolved murder happened two decades ago.

By Joe Johnson www.facebook.com/JoeJohnsonABH twitter.com/JoeJohnsonABH Walking down North Hull Street late one night, passing a quaint carriage house tucked behind the Southeastern Stages bus station, one likely would never realize it was the site of a savage killing. The carriage house at 187 N. Hull St. is where the life of Jennifer Lynn Stone, a 22-year-old University of Georgia student, was brutally cut short in April 1992 by a man who authorities say raped and murdered her. That murder remains unsolved. For students enjoying the carefree days of college or immersed in the vibrant nightlife that surrounded Stone’s residence, the crime marked the end of innocence. “It was surreal,” said Tim Brown, a UGA student who was becoming close friends with Stone at the time of her death. “We were all suddenly launched into a much more sinister world.” Brown and other friends often began or ended their nights at Stone’s home, which was within walking distance of all the hot spots and was the envy of the advertising student’s friends. “We spent a lot of time at the Georgia Bar, because that’s where all the groovy people hung out. You’d go there and see Michael Stipe sitting at one table and Keith Strickland at the other,” Brown said, referring to founding members of R.E.M. and the B-52s, respectively. Stone lived in the three-room carriage house with her three cats and across the street from R.E.M.’s office on West Clayton Street. The young woman from Roswell was the kind of person everyone wanted to call a friend. “Jenny was just a really cool, neat and funny person,” said Brown, who double-dated with Stone and her boyfriend at Kappa Delta’s winter SUMMER 2013

For the next three days, the North Hull Street carriage house became what Athens-Clarke police said at the time was the most thoroughly examined and guarded crime scene in the department’s history. formal. “She was a sorority girl, but wasn’t really big about that. She bridged the Greek life and downtown scene very well.” Brown stopped by Stone’s home the night before her body was discovered to drop off an invitation to a party he was throwing, and after she didn’t answer his knocks, he wedged the invitation in her door. He came back at about 6 p.m. the next day and saw the invitation was where he left it, and also thought it strange that the convertible top to Stone’s Volkswagen was still down. “It was all very creepy, like something was wrong,” Brown said. Just an hour later, students who were working on a project with Stone stopped by to find out why she didn’t show up at a planned meeting of their mock advertising company, and through a cracked door they saw Stone’s body in the bedroom. Word spread rapidly that there had been a murder downtown, the first in many years. “We heard that someone had been killed down the street and we could see all the police cars down there, and we were all thinking we’d better tell Jenny to be careful when she goes out in the middle of the night,” Brown said. “A friend of mine called to say that Jenny was the person who was killed. Nothing was ever the same after that.” For the next three days, the North Hull Street carriage house became what Athens-Clarke police said at the time was the most thoroughly examined and guarded crime scene in the department’s history, with detectives and forensic technicians documenting and cataloging every shred of potential evidence. “We worked that case into the ground,” recalled retired Athens-Clarke police Lt. W.J. Smith, who was lead investigator. “I don’t know of anything we asked for from the police department, the GBI and the FBI that we did not get. Some of the finest, most dedicated people I have ever worked with were involved with this case.” Smith and a team of detectives and Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents questioned dozens of potential suspects

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Police think a burglar may have slipped through the front door Jenny Stone left unlocked as she took a break from school work. When Stone returned home and surprised the intruder, he raped then strangled her to death, according to the police theory. Stone’s rental home on North Hull Street became what police said at the time was the most thoroughly examined and guarded crime scene in the department’s history. Forensic detectives painstakingly cataloged every shred of possible evidence in a process that spanned several days.

File photos

Anyone with any information about Stone’s murder should call the GBI at 1-800-597-TIPS.

and tracked down hundreds of leads. From all that work, authorities developed theories on how they believe Stone was killed, and this is the best that Smith said was developed: On the day of the crime, Stone worked into the early morning hours on the project for the mock advertising company, then decided to take a break. She left her home sometime after 1 a.m. for some fresh air. Authorities know she was alive at that time because it’s when her boyfriend called her. Stone returned home and

surprised a burglar, who had slipped in through an unlocked door. They struggled in the kitchen and the burglar forced the student into the bedroom where he raped and strangled her to death. Brown said he stopped by Stone’s home at about 2:30 a.m., saw the bedroom light on and knocked, but no one answered. “The police think I may have scared (the murderer) away because the person fled out the back door, which until that time had been painted shut,” the former UGA student said. Authorities theorize that Stone’s killer traded one of her stolen cameras for a rock of crack cocaine at a pool hall nearby, then crossed West Broad Street to trade another stolen camera for more crack at the Parkview Homes housing complex. Witnesses described the person with the cameras as a light-skinned black man with a slight mustache no one had ever seen before. That description is consistent with the evidence from DNA the killer left behind. Scientists at the GBI’s State Crime Lab determined that hair on Stone’s bed bore traits of a biracial person, and DNA from the hair matched the killer’s semen. Police recovered both cameras, one during a drug raid off Jefferson Road. The film in the camera showed Stone’s nephews and nieces posing for a peanut butter advertisement she was working on, according to Smith. Continued on Page 61

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Thinking

green Within a short drive from Athens, fine lush mountainscapes, bubbling rivers and fine wines in a farmland setting

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By André Gallant www.facebook.com/GallantABH twitter.com/AndreGallant One of Athens’ most enticing qualities is its proximity to the great outdoors, a geographic advantage that makes life in Athens greener and fresher than our more urban neighbor to the west. Ride just five minutes from most any neighborhood in Athens and pasture lands and parks soon greet you. Here, cyclists reach quiet country roads before they’ve broken a sweat as a forested oasis unfolds just outside the loop on Sandy Creek’s trails. For the more adventurous, just north of town, mountains rise and entice visitors to wild rivers and active vines. In about as much time as it takes to reach Atlanta, a lush landscape is available in North Georgia, a destination perfect for day hikes, a day drink and even an overnight excursion. A perfect day out in the area – in this case, an hour and a half up U.S. 441 to Clayton – might include a short hike safe for the entire family and a stop for lunch and wine at Tiger Mountain vineyards. Extended trips might include an overnight stay in an historic, and still operational, grist mill converted into a small, quaint bed and breakfast. North Georgia offers numerous hiking and camping opportunities, including the famous Panther Creek, an experience not to be missed, but one that will take an entire day. A shorter jaunt into the woods can be found at Dick’s Creek Falls, which is reached by following a barely-marked Forest Service trail at the end of a gravel road. From Clayton, follow Warwoman Road for about 5 miles past steep ,eroded cliffs where rusted GMCs loom like rural sentinels. Zoom by signs for roads named after the Bleckley family: Doug, Lamar and Tom. Then turn right on Sandy Ford Road, make a left over an old stone bridge marked with the only Dick’s Creek signage you’ll find, and continue onto a dirt road. From there, a barely 3-mile drive feels much longer due to the 10 to 15 mph speeds required to safely traverse the road without creating a dust storm. Rolling cow pastures and very private homesteads line the last bits of Sandy Ford road. Perhaps you’ll think the lives lived on these rural estates follow a pace leagues slower than city speed. In fact, if you don’t slow down in order to ford Dick’s Creek, which bisects the road, there’s a chance you’ll miss the 4-foot-tall U.S. Forest Service wood post that marks the first steps of the walk down to the falls. There’s space enough for two cars at the foot of the trail. When this reporter and a photographer first set out on the trail, it offered no hints to how far or how difficult the trail might become. But know that it’s safe for

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all ages, and takes about 15 minutes from car to falls. After a few minutes of paralleling Dick’s Creek, the roar of the falls begins to build from a distant rumble through the leaves to a splattering hustle in the final strides. The creek begins a hastened decent a number of yards before the actual falls, and before the trail begins to drop toward the falls destination into the Chattooga River. Halfway through the descent toward the river bank, a separate, steeper trail sharply runs down toward the fall, and is only suitable for able climbers. But anyone comfortable enough to navigate it will find easy access, though you’ll have to step into cold Chattooga waters to giant boulders perfect for lounging and snacking. The vista from the rocks is beautiful. At the right time of day, canoers and kayakers will glide down the jagged rapids that stretch more than 50 yards across the river, their chatter and splashing silenced by the tall falls. You can silently cheer as the rapids dunk their rafts. As lunch approaches, head back to the car and speed off toward Tiger Mountain vineyards located at 2592 Old Highway 441 in Tiger. Back down Warwoman Road, back through Clayton and a few miles drive to the city of Tiger, you’ll find a 100-year-old dairy farm that now grows grapes and produces award-winning wines. Owned for generations by the Ezzard family, the winery and vineyards are now owned by descendant Martha and John Ezzard, a surgeon who grew up milking cows on the land. As the vines of Viognier, Norton and Manseng grapes green and bud in the acres behind the winery, the tables of 50

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The rushing waters of Dick’s Creek lead to a hidden waterfall. On the previous page: Tiger Mountain Vineyards. Photos by Richard Hamm/ Staff

the Red Barn Café open. In a converted barn, diners can lunch while gazing upon the verdant train of Tiger Mountain that quickly rises just past the vineyard’s footprint. For a private meal, the café boasts a small dining area in a converted calf pen that’s till cordoned off by the original rough-hewn wooden barrier. The vineyard property is 100 acres, 11 of which are populated by grapes, the Ezzard’s will open every inch of their land for you to roam, just not their private residence. To see fully the vines in their prime, visit in September or October when harvest and production is in full swing, and in November to see the leaves change. But all summer the land is ready for visitors to stroll through the vine rows with a bottle of Cab Franc and a picnic basket. By sampling Tiger Mountain’s wines in a $5 tasting, you’ll absorb the varietal characteristics of the grapes, infused by the north Georgia soil. Alongside samples of Georgia cheese made by Sweetgrass Dairy in Thomasville, you can sample Georgia-grown Malbecs, Argentina’s ubiquitous grape, the native Norton and Touriga Nacional, a port grape tweaked by Tiger’s vintners. Tiger Mountains main winemakers, Tristen and Jabe, consider themselves farmers first, mainly because of the daily tending the vines require. They’ll welcome you to sit among the vines and examine their workplace. As the dinner hour arises, you can stop in historic Clayton for a quick bite at the classic Clayton Café at 50 N. Main St. if the lunch hour is still upon you. This old-school SUMMER 2013

Clockwise from left: Blueberry cider available for sale near Tallulah Falls; Sylvan Falls Mill Bed and Breakfast in Rabun Gap; Barrels of wine at Tiger Mountain Vineyards in Tiger; A newly emerged fern near Dick’s Creek.

lunchery is heavy on traditional Southern food, doesn’t take credit cards and sells no alcohol. Or you can walk across the street to Universal Joint at 109 N. Main St. to switch from wine to beer. This converted car mechanic shop rolls up the bay doors to reveal a bar and dozens of taps. If you’re feeling adventurous, try their homemade, gluten-free meat substitute – it does not skimp on calories. Just north of Clayton by barely 10 minutes is Rabun Gap, where at the bottom of a rocky hill, at the base of wide, productive agricultural valley, sits Mike and Linda Johnson’s bed and breakfast, Sylvan Falls Mill at 156 Taylors Chapel Rd. Here at the headwaters of the Little Tennessee River, which flows eventually into the Mississippi River, the man-made Sylvan Lake spills down the falls by the Johnson’s home and irrigates the veggie-filled Wolffork Valley below. Years ago, a grist mill was installed. Originally wooden, the mill converted to a 27-foot-tall steel overshot wheel in the 1930s. In a room below the now bed and breakfast common room, the Johnsons grind cornmeal, polenta and grits that they serve in breakfasts and sell at Locally Grown here in Athens. Rooms, of which there are four, start at $129. Two rooms boast special vistas: a tiny upstairs abode overlooks 52

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The entrance to Tallulah Gorge Overlook in Tallulah Falls.

the Sylvan water splashing over rocks while another offers a heightened, expansive view of the valley. The Johnsons whip up a three-course breakfast every day and will happily sip local wine with their guests on a patio that can be almost overrun by the falls, but is perfectly safe and cozy, warmed on cool nights by a wood fire. Sylvan Falls Mill is just moments from Black Rock Mountain state park, where a lake and numerous hikes await visitors. This voyage feels both close-to-home and a getaway, perfect for short weekends spent perhaps with out-of-town guests or in-laws. Children, too, will find the trails exciting, though may tire after seeing the sixth grape variety.

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Melissa Anderson of the Department of Agriculture Forest Services investigates a forgotten cemetery on public lands in Greene County. Photos by Richard Hamm

Set in stone Simple granite markers and sunken graves are all that remain in Oconee National Forest’s ‘lost’ graveyard

By Wayne Ford www.facebook.com/WayneFordABH The Athens Banner newspaper of early February 1919 reported the weather as rainy and cold. Under these chilly conditions, 34-year-old Cleveland Cosby was buried in northern Greene County. Ninety-four years later in March 2013, Cosby’s headstone has fallen into the sunken grave. The cemetery is barely discernable among the trees and thick leafy mulch of the forest floor. Protruding rocks here and there are telltale signs of a hallowed ground where perhaps a hundred bodies were laid to rest over the many years of a dim past. Cosby’s grave and another for Butch Watson are the 54

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only two graves in this cemetery marked with manufactured granite stones. No funerals have taken place here in almost a century in what has become a lost graveyard in the Oconee National Forest. While the land is owned by the U.S. Forest Service, the graveyard is not marked on maps obtained by the federal government in land sale transactions leading up to the government’s purchase of this tract in the 1960s. Most of the national forest was acquired in the 1930s. “Very little archaeology work has been done on that piece of land,” said Judy Toppins, public affairs officer for the

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. “In all the documents through all the land exchanges during that period (in mid-1900s) nothing refers to the cemetery. Usually it will be marked on a map or deed somewhere, but sometimes it wouldn’t because it’s not considered an improvement and adds no value to the land.” Stacy Lundgren, the district archaeologist who investigated the land records, visited the cemetery in April and walked the patch of land marked by sunken graves. While abandoned family cemeteries are common in the South, she noted that there “are actually a lot of graves” at this site. The year 1880 was handcarved into two weathered stones. Lundgren, who worked previously as an archaeologist in national forests in Oregon and California, took photographs of the Cosby and Watson gravestones.

However, the Athens Banner did carry a revealing story on

Watson because he was a well-known figure on the University of Georgia campus.

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Stacey Lundgren of the Department of Agriculture Forest Services investigates a forgotten cemetery on public lands in Greene County. Below, one of just two manufactured headstones in the graveyard.

The graves of these two men may provide some insight on the nature of the graveyard that dates back into the 1800s, when this land may have been part of a large plantation with slaves. Two historic sites are nearby. The extinct town of Scull Shoals, which died out in the late 1800s, is only a few miles away and the site of the Watson Springs Resort Hotel, which was gone by the early 1900s, is only about a mile away. Cosby and Watson, who died in 1922, were both black men. Newspapers in those days rarely published obituaries on African Americans. Cosbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death was not documented in either the Athens Banner or the Greensboro Journal, the latter which did carry correspondent news from the nearby communities of Watson Springs and Wrayswood. However, the Athens Banner did carry a revealing story on Watson because he was a well-known figure on the University of Georgia campus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This may not be news to the majority of the readers of

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A tree sprouts from a grave in a forgotten cemetery on public lands in Greene County. At right, Stacey Lundgren of the Department of Agriculture Forest Services investigates the forgotten cemetery.

this paper, but to the hundreds of athletes and managers of Georgia athletic teams the past ten years it will be really sorrowing intelligence,” the unknown reporter wrote. Watson, known as Butch, was a handy man around the gym and athletic fields and traveled with the UGA teams on away games and “victory for the Red and Black to him was just as sweet as it was to the most loyal freshman,” according to the story. Watson, who died of tuberculosis, “has listened to Georgia’s band play ‘Glory’ for the last time.” Watson lived in Athens, once at a house on Thomas Street, while he was employed by the UGA College of Agriculture, according to a death certificate and 1918 World War I draft registration documents found by Oconee County genealogist Elaine Neal. Much less information is available on Cosby. According to his draft card in Greene County, he was a short, stout man with no physical disqualifications. A farm laborer, his death certificate notes that he died of the flu. And yet he was the first person in this graveyard to get a stone that to this day gives his grave an identity. One day Lundgren said she may gather volunteers to sweep the leaves away, document each grave site and give this cemetery a context to the land and its history. “We need to know these things because a lot of this doesn’t get written up in history books,” she said. “Cemeteries like this are not written up in books. This is where archaeology comes in by teasing out the details of the past.” The artisan who made Cosby’s stone carved the inscription “Gone But Not Forgotten.” But a time of irony came to Cosby and the others buried in the once lost cemetery.

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Regina Quick Continued from Page 36

my first two bills where I was the first signer or primary sponsor of that legislation even though technically that was local legislation. And Gov. Deal signed those bills April 24. Q: So he was able to get to those pretty quick in the process? A; I think so. Pretty noncontroversial. So that was work. But it was work in a way that allowed me to learn the process early on in the process, early on in the session. I was thankful to (Watkinsville Rep.) Chuck Williams, who suggested that I sign off as the first signer since it was law related and judge related and maybe I had a better understanding of the judicial cannons and those type of thing as to why it was a goodgovernment type idea. So I was able to carry that through the committee process, through the rules process, and then presenting them from the well of the House. So since it was two bills, two positions, I got to do that twice sort of through the same session.

Q: You also sat on the committee doing juvenile justice reform as well, correct? A: Well, it was the Juvenile Justice Committee, but because that’s a new committee and that being (House Judiciary Committee) Chairman Wendell Willard’s bill, that bill itself, the juvenile justice reform bill, went back to the Judiciary Committee. So that bill did not come through my committee. Now, there were two or three additions to the bill on the Senate side that came from our committee. And not to get too far down in the weeds, because you were reforming and updating all sorts of pieces of Title 15 of the juvenile code and Title 19, which is the domestic relations code, there was a fear that some of the things coming out of the juvenile justice committee might not be meshed properly with the legislation itself since it was large, a very large bill. So they took two or three, four things that came out of our committee and when it was over on the senate side, Chairman Willard just slid those into where they went in the legislation. Other than those exceptions, it did not come through the Juvenile Justice Committee.

Q: Through the session, what would you say your biggest accomplishment was? A: From a professional standpoint, I am a family lawyer, that is what I do. So I was very honored to be involved with part of the State Bar of Georgia’s legislative package, which involved updating the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act. So my biggest accomplishment was actually being involved in that process and seeing it to fruition. ... That legislation passed unanimously in both chambers, without a single no vote. So (Athens Sen.) Bill Cowsert assisted in that process and actually the Senate version of that bill is the one that ended up passing, Senate Bill 193.

Q: Did you have any disappointments in this session or anything that you really hoped to accomplish that just didn’t come to fruition? A: I don’t think so. I think I probably had very realistic expectations about what a freshman could accomplish and what might happen there. So I was very pleasantly surprised at how smoothly things went and how much we were able to accomplish as a local delegation together working together. And as I say, the state bars’ agenda with family law matters, I was happy to be involved in that and I look forward to that in 2014. On a personal level, being named to the 2013 Georgia Legislative Leadership Institute Program that will be ongoing after the session was a big honor. So, I was pleasantly surprised.

People might be surprised at how very little discussion there is on the floor of the House about a piece of legislation. Most of the work, the research, the discussion, goes on before a bill ever gets to the floor.

Q; Was there anything about the legislative process that you think would be particularly surprising to your constituents? A: People might be surprised at how very little discussion there is on the floor of the House about a piece of legislation. Most of the work, the research, the discussion, goes on before a bill ever gets to the floor. So it’s not like you see on television where there’s a vicious debate and the log of amendments, especially on the House side ... a lot of things come out of the rules committee in what is called modified structure, which means no amendments are allowed on the floor of the House, which means you either have to vote yes or no to whatever is there. And there is only discussion, yes or no, from the well of the House. Now there’s some exceptions to that and some things do allow amendments, but most of the discussion goes on outside of the actual floor debate before the actual floor vote on a bill. Q: Going into the next session, what is your biggest goal? A: Well, just like the grocery store bill came up sort of at the last minute, right before Cross Over Day, I don’t know what will come up. So my goal is to make sure that the local

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delegation continues to be responsive to the needs of Athens, and that we can work together as we did this session to accomplish things that spell jobs and economic development for Athens-Clarke County. And past that, I have no legislative agenda. Q: How was it transitioning back to your day-today life after working for 40 days in Atlanta? A: Well, the work itself in Atlanta was somewhat different, but comparable to what I do, that is the time intensive work I have as a practicing attorney. So my days didn’t look that much different. What I’m doing over there is very different from sort of being in control of someone’s litigation and how it proceeds forward and having some hands-on in outcomes. I do think one person can still be important and can influence a legislative process in Atlanta, but it is a very different process from what I do day-to-day. So it was nice to be back and start reviewing files again and reviewing the law that may have come down from the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals while I was otherwise occupied. My clients, I know, are happy to have me back and fully focused because that was something I could not do very easily while I was there. We were going five days a week a lot of the time, so there wasn’t much time to come back and see clients, at least not during regular business hours, to get something done. I did a lot of work during weekends. But I’m glad to be back, glad to be back in the district. Not looking forward to necessarily campaigning again, but looking forward to everyone giving me either a passing or failing grade as to what I was able to accomplish and how I was able to keep my campaign promises. So we’ll see how it goes. I have three jury trials in June, so I’ll let you know in July how I like being back.

Spencer Frye Continued from Page 37

just an incredible experience. Q: You attached your name to 18 different pieces of either resolutions or bills. Did you expect to put your fingers on that many pieces of legislation? A: You come in with a specific agenda of things you want to address. I didn’t have a number in my head of bills that I wanted to cosponsor. And actually, there’s a few more than that. It’s just the first six names that get listed on the legislative record. I also signed onto the downtown revitalization act, which will provide a tax credit for the revitalization of certain downtown areas, which I think this is extremely important to our community as we see our downtown grow. I know there are projects already out of the ground here, but a tax credit will also incentivize businesses to come in and revitalizes some of the buildings downtown that might need a little help. It’s a way to spur investment in the actual structure and generate the economy and save the buildings and revitalize downtown areas. We already have a vital downtown, but 20 years ago it wasn’t exactly like this. When I came here in 1986, there was hardly anything downtown. When the mall moved into Athens,

Putting in that local control element was a way for us to allow if, say, Athens wanted this to happen, they have a way to make it happen and if Macon didn’t want this to happen they didn’t have to make it happen. we could have sued that act to try to revitalize our downtown. It seems like with the music and the arts, it kind of naturally has been self revitalizing and I think an interest into the downtown area with some of the clubs, like the 40 Watt, and then some of the bands coming from Athens really drew people into that specific area. But that’s an act that I did so I really wanted to support that. And through the legislative session, you create relationships and different folks will come in and ask you for support as well. I was honored to be asked by both parties, members of both parties, to sign on to pieces of legislation. Obviously, mostly Democrats, but there was some good legislation that I’ve tried to cosponsor. Q: What would you consider your biggest accomplishment this session? A: I think the one everyone is talking about will be the downtown grocery bill. That was a great opportunity to figure out the system and it was a wonderful experience to have something that was so significant to my community, our community, but also had significance to other communities. Macon, that will be a big opportunity for Macon. Atlanta, that will be a big opportunity for Atlanta even, with the Georgia Tech campus. But keeping in mind, not wanting to pass a state law that just made a mandate for everybody to act the same way because different communities react to different things differently. So putting in that local control element was a way for us to allow if, say, Athens wanted this to happen, they have a way to make it happen and if Macon didn’t want this to happen they didn’t have to make it happen. But it had great bipartisan support. I think that was the largest bill that I passed. I think the greatest accomplishment was really learning the system and being able to serve this community and represent. To me, I’m just honored. That’s a great deal of responsibility that I don’t take lightly. And that’s what I do consider the greatest thing about this, that there are people in this district and across this city that I represent and I really appreciate that. SUMMER 2013

Q: What was the most disappointing part of the session? A: The most disappointing part, literally, was when it was over for me. I really decided that I enjoyed it so much and it really is this tremendous opportunity to do great things for this state. We have the world’s busiest airport in this state and everyone’s talking about the deepening of the Savannah port, and our education systems are pulling themselves up a little bit here and there. We have a world class university here in Athens. And we have a great university system and we have some great private schools, private colleges here. And I think all of that sets itself up for Georgia to lead the Southeast, as I believe it already does, but there are a lot of (things) we could do better. But I was thinking, golly, what am I going to do for excitement now that this is over? I’m going to have to take up hang gliding or something to tide me over until January. It is exciting to have that opportunity to come up with good ideas that will benefit everybody. I’m working on a piece for next session that hopefully will be able to incentivize sustainable construction across the state. And I think that’s a huge component for our construction industry. And the construction industry has so far reacted positively to that idea and I think everybody is realizing that sustainable construction is the future. We’re not going to go back to nonsustainable construction. Our home builders are the folks who drive our economy. Whether we like it or not, that’s what the news checks every week is housing starts, and your housing stock. And we saw what a difference it made when we were in this past recession, when the housing industry caved in. Since housing starts are coming back up, it’s a great opportunity to try to get folks to build sustainably and make things more energy efficient. And again, it’s all about when a homeowner doesn’t have to pay a high electric bill, they have more money in their pocket to spend on their family and spend in their community. And that’s the way we need to view this stuff. That’s what I’ll be working on hopefully over the summer and introduce that bill sometime in the fall or in January. Q: Is that your biggest goal for next session, getting that bill passed? A: I would have to say my biggest goal for next session would be to hopefully be a part of stopping the campus carry bill. I think we need to pay attention to the fact that ... our law enforcement officers should be the ones that dictate a firearms policy, because they are the ones getting shot at. And we should support those guys; the experts. And hopefully we can prevent that from going through. It’s not about Second Amendment rights. It’s about the safety of our campuses. So personally, that will be a goal. Investing in our educations, without eviscerating our school budgets, is extremely important to me. Hopefully we have seen the death of certain bills that would take more money out of our school systems. ... Those are very important. That’s not really offense, it’s more defense. But I still feel like it’s still important to address creating opportunities for people to make money. And if we can do that, the rest of these things will be OK. Obviously if we have more revenue we can invest more money in our education. And some people say 60

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we already spend 57, 58 percent on our education. But to them I say just because we spend it doesn’t mean it’s the right amount. The fact that you spend it is great. But it doesn’t mean that is what’s necessary. Focusing on smaller classroom sizes and earlier childhood education are the two definite, scientifically proven things that affect education. I think it is extremely important to pay attention to the science behind it. And if the science says that, we should go for that. Hopefully what everyone in the state is seeing is that our education is directly tied to our economy. And you can’t have one without having the other. And if you have one, chances are you’re going to have the other. They’re linked together. They are not two separate silos. And hopefully attention is being paid to where they are linked together. And you’re hearing that more and more the past year from both sides of the aisle and I’m excited to hear that. I’ve been saying that forever. Q: How was it transitioning back to your day-today after working 40 days in Atlanta? A: We hit the ground running here. I’ve been coordinating events for Habitat while I was in session. Had a huge event with the My Athens Art gallery set up. And the Monday I came back to Athens we set up for that opening for that Friday. And as soon as that was over, we had been working on habitat being the benefactor of the Twilight, so we’ve been in full-blown Twilight mode. So I really haven’t had time to catch my breath and it’s been great because I haven’t had to go hang gliding to find excitement.

David Richt Continued from Page 39

“AtlantaFest last June was my first ginormously big event,” David says of the annual Christian music festival. “There were about 5,000 people there and that’s at least 15 times more people than I’d ever played in front of before. I was very nervous, but it turned out to be a lot of fun. “ In October, David was invited to sing at country star Luke Bryan’s “Farm Tour 2012” concert at Tucker Plantation in Colbert, an event with a crowd easily dwarfing that of AtlantaFest. “There were 14,000 people and I couldn’t even see all the way to the back,” he said. “It was nerve-wracking, but at the same time it was so much fun.”

tunity to get with Colt Ford and the folks who produced that thing, and it was definitely worth his time to do it.” While Georgia football fans have embraced “Dawg Bite,” not everyone is enamored with the video, with USA Today going so far as to call it, “the worst video you will ever see.” David takes the negative reactions in stride and points to a lesson his father shared with him about the cult of personality. “I’ve seen things on Twitter and other places out there,” David says. “I read the one about ‘the worst video ever’ and there was someone that said it was a disgrace to UGA. Maybe it is terrible, I don’t know, but it doesn’t really matter. I know it was so much fun to do, and people can say what they want. Hopefully, more people will like it than not. “My dad always tells me that it’s just a small percentage that wants to be negative, and he says to remember that people really aren’t mad at Mark Richt. They’re mad at the head coach. ... People may have thought it was the most terrible video ever, but it was my first video. Music is what I do. Who I am is David Richt.” David plans to study in Belmont’s music business program and said he looks forward to playing out as much as he can in Music City. “I’ve been to Nashville a few times,” he says. “We did three songs (from the album) in Nashville. I’ve also had some writing dates up there. It’s such a cool town. It’s small, but inviting and a lot of people have been really nice to me. And there’s a ton of music everywhere, so that’s great.”

David admits he

wasn’t sure in the beginning that

people saw anything other than “Coach

The cult of ‘Dawg Bite’

Richt’s son,” but

In collaboration with country rapper Colt Ford, David recently appeared in the video “Dawg Bite,” which made its debut during the annual G-Day Game at Sanford Stadium. Besides containing highlight footage of the Bulldogs’ 2012 season, “Dawg Bite” also features a cameo appearance by his father. “My wife told me I had to do it, pretty much,” Mark quips. “No really, I’ll do anything I can do to help David, and I think (the video) was fun and was pretty good for Georgia, too. It’s a fun song, a fire-‘em-up Georgia Bulldogs song. I think David really enjoyed it, but I don’t think it’s necessarily the type of song he’s going to pursue for his career. But it was an oppor-

he’s becoming more comfortable in

every phase of his

music, including the quasi-celebrity part.

Murder

Continued from Page 37

Alan Brown, recently retired as an Athens-Clarke assistant police chief, was a sergeant when he partnered with Smith on the Stone investigation. Like Smith, he thinks Stone may have been killed by a transient criminal, someone who left town from the bus station next to Stone’s carriage house. But he’s not convinced. “I never did lock into any one theory, and I’m still open to the possibility that it was someone she may have known, or that it was someone who was from out of town and came through on a bus,” Alan Brown said. Though police questioned several witnesses and potential suspects, they never identified the killer. But authorities still have genetic evidence from the rape, and if the cold case is ever solved it will likely be done as the result of a DNA match. Georgia prisons didn’t begin taking DNA samples from all inmates until 2000, eight years after Stone was murdered. But GBI crime lab officials check at least once a month to

see if a criminal entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) has the same DNA as the man who left semen and hair when he murdered Stone, according to Assistant Deputy GBI Director Ted Staples, formerly manager of forensic biology for his agency. Dozens of people gave DNA samples, which allowed investigators to rule them out as suspects, while others didn’t give samples, but were discounted because they were white, according to Smith. Tipsters even told police the killer might be the son of a local judge, who did not give a DNA sample, but investigators said they accounted for his whereabouts at the time Stone was murdered and concluded he couldn’t have committed the crime. The fact there hasn’t been any DNA matches either means the killer had not re-offended since 2000 or is dead, according to authorities. Smith said he will never forget Jenny Stone and still hopes for justice. “I still offer $1,000 of my own money to anyone who comes up with information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the murderer,” he said, adding he’d even volunteer his own time in retirement should authorities identify a viable suspect. SUMMER 2013

AthensStyle

Outdoor essentials Before heading out, check out these new items to make the great outdoors even better By Jordan Wendt

ATHENS MAGAZINE

Insect Shield

The basics: Price varies based on clothing; Insectshield.com What it does: Repels bugs with odorless permethrin in clothes. Technology can make the difference between a successful outdoors activity and a total failure. Insect Shield is a new line of clothing that offers protection for the most ardent nature lovers. Through a patentpending system which uses permethrin to repel all sorts of annoying insects, Insect Shield provides the bug free afternoon without sprays or candles.

Ruffwear Approach Pack

The basics: $79.95, Ruffwear.com What it does: Allows your dog to carry supplies in a convenient pack that won’t slip off. The Ruffwear Approach Pack looks like two saddlebags for your pooch, but in reality it’s much more. The pack provides stability for your animal, along with a forward weight design in order to lighten the load for your four-legged hiking partner. Taking care to make sure your animal will have a comfortable outing is Ruffwear’s main concern, and the leash attachments make it easy to control your furry friend when needed.

Camelbak M.U.L.E.

The basics: $100; Shop.Camelbak.com/mule What it does: The Camelbak M.U.L.E. might not be the most recent piece of technology for the outdoor world, but the hydration pack plus backpack is still a must have. The backpack has a hydration pack sewn in with tube running to your mouth for your hands free drinking experience. Camelbak revolutionized the hiking trends with a water storage system built straight into the bag. At $100 it is a bit pricey, but worth it for the serious outdoorsman. It comes in an array of colors and plenty of room to store light gear for an afternoon outing.

Brunton Solar Battery

The basics: $89; Bruntonoutdoor.com What it does: Charges USB, mini USB and 30 pin for Apple products. The Brunton Solar Battery weighs in at just 5 ounces, but packs a big punch in terms of priority hiking gear. The solar battery can be charged from your computer or the sun. Don’t get stuck out in the wild with a dead cellphone. You will wish you hadn’t waited when you need a lightweight solar battery at your disposal. This piece of technology is becoming a must for anyone leaving for more than a few hours.

Black Diamond Storm Headlamp

The basics: $49.95; REI.com What it does: Illuminates for up to 50 hours, 200 hours on low. The headlamp can be fully customized. The waterproof light can be dimmed to 25 lumens or as bright as 100. The hands-free design means you won’t have to worry about holding the lamp steady as you go on your adventure. This headlamp can be used for many outdoor activities or throughout the house or garden.

SUMMER 2013

ATHENS MAGAZINE